SEA netizens show solidarity by sending food to Indonesian ride-hailing drivers amid ongoing protests

INDONESIA: A wave of demonstrations sweeping Indonesia over the past week has sparked unexpected acts of solidarity from communities across Southeast Asia. Through social media, netizens from the region and members of the Indonesian diaspora abroad have rallied together to support ride-hailing drivers who continue working on the streets despite the unrest. Their gesture has taken a unique form: ordering meals via transport apps such as Grab and Gojek, which are then distributed to drivers still on duty. The initiative began on X (formerly Twitter) after a post by user @sighyam went viral, attracting more than 53 million views. In the post, Yammi urged regional communities to stand with Indonesian drivers during the protests. “Guys I just found out that you can support Indonesian Grab riders who are still out on the streets because Grab allows you to make deliveries in other SE Asian countries??” the post read on Saturday (30 Aug). Yammi shared step-by-step instructions on how to place cross-border orders, advising participants not to order pork or alcohol and to avoid hotel locations near police stations. The guidance also included details on purchasing and donating medical supplies, such as first aid kits, through the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI). The campaign soon spread to Instagram, amplified by accounts such as What is Up, Indonesia?, which encouraged the diaspora and neighbouring communities to participate. Most of the food orders were sent to Central Jakarta, the area most affected by the unrest, although netizens also directed deliveries to other locations.

Messages of Encouragement Across Borders

Southeast Asian netizens began sharing their experiences online. A Malaysian user posted screenshots of their order history, writing: “I’ve reached my limit in helping, but from the bottom of my heart, I hope it still eases your burden. Eat well and stay strong, my Indonesian friends — sending love from Malaysia.” From the Philippines, another netizen explained how she managed to send a group order to Jakarta. “Group Order worked in the Philippines, too! But you must tweak it a little for it to work. Make sure all joiners set Grab to Indonesia first and pick the same delivery area before joining the link for Group Order. We’ll send food in other areas, too. Stay strong, Indonesian friends!” Support was not limited to food. A Singapore-based user shared that she had purchased medical supplies to be delivered to aid organisations in Jakarta. Solidarity extended beyond Southeast Asia, with members of the Indonesian diaspora and netizens around the world joining the campaign and sending messages of encouragement. On Instagram, users continued commenting under the What is Up, Indonesia? post, sharing that they had contributed.

Wave of Demonstrations

The demonstrations in Indonesia began on Monday (25 Aug), drawing participants from across society, including individuals, students, traders, ride-hailing drivers and university groups. The protests were triggered by public frustration with members of parliament (DPR), particularly over proposed increases in parliamentary allowances. Demonstrators demanded the cancellation of housing allowances, greater transparency on salaries, and the reversal of salary hikes for legislators. Another round of protests followed on Thursday (28 Aug), when large groups of workers from various trade unions gathered outside the DPR building. Their demands centred on labour policies, including opposition to outsourcing and calls for an increase in the minimum wage. While the workers’ demonstration ended by midday, hundreds of university students soon arrived to protest against government policies they described as harmful to the public. The rally remained peaceful through the afternoon but turned violent by evening. Police deployed water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowds, forcing protesters to retreat towards Senayan, Slipi and Pejompongan. Later that night, a tactical vehicle belonging to the police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) sped through as people were scattering. The armoured vehicle ran over a 21-year-old ride-hailing driver, Affan Kurniawan, who was reportedly not part of the protests but delivering food to a customer when he was struck. Video footage of the incident spread rapidly online, sparking outrage. Groups of protesters and ride-hailing drivers marched to the Brimob headquarters in Kwitang, Central Jakarta, demanding accountability. On Friday (29 Aug), ride-hailing drivers again gathered outside the Brimob headquarters, while university students demonstrated at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters. Their demands were united: justice for Affan and accountability for police violence. Beyond Jakarta, demonstrations also took place in several other cities across Indonesia.