Prabowo Govt's Next Moves Will Douse or Kindle Flames Further

The death of 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, a ride-hailing motorbike rider who was struck by a police tactical vehicle at a protest in Jakarta on the night of Aug 28, has sharpened public discontent in Indonesia and is expected to add momentum to further demonstrations in the days ahead.

- Hariz Baharudin

The incident that occurred during Jakarta's second major protest in a week, fueled by public anger over generous allowances being offered to legislators, has become a lightning rod for wider grievances tied to President Prabowo Subianto and his administration, analysts told The Straits Times. This comes amid growing perceptions that the political elite is detached from ordinary Indonesians, they noted.

The timing is especially sensitive, with Mr Prabowo approaching his first anniversary in office on Oct 20 and facing heightened scrutiny over how he navigates mounting challenges, with many watching closely to see what immediate actions he will take to soothe the situation.

How Mr Prabowo handles the fallout will shape perceptions of his presidency, and determine whether South-east Asia's largest economy can ride out this turbulence or sinks deeper into crisis.

With blood already spilt, observers warn that the unrest may not subside quickly. Much, they said, will depend on how the government responds, as choices between conciliation and defiance will determine whether the turbulence eases or hardens into a deeper crisis.

In a video message on Aug 29, Mr Prabowo condemned the behaviour of the police officers in the incident, saying they took excessive actions. Appealing for calm, he also said thorough investigations will be conducted and that the government will take strict action if the officers were found to have acted improperly.

"In a situation like this, I appeal to all citizens to remain calm and to have trust in the government that I lead. The government that I lead will do its best for our people," he said. But he hinted at "elements who always want unrest and chaos", urging Indonesians to remain vigilant.

When asked about his remarks, analysts said Mr Prabowo's words are unlikely to be enough to calm anger on the streets.

In fact, some may even view his comments as being out of touch with the common people.