Protesters and police clash after death of taxi driver in Indonesia

BBC:

Mass protests have broken out across Indonesia with clashes between police and demonstrators after the death of a ride-sharing driver who was hit by a police vehicle.

Three people died and five others were injured when the regional parliament was set on fire in Makassar, South Sulawesi, according to state news agency Antara, while tear gas was fired at crowds in the major cities of Jakarta and Surabaya.

The unrest was triggered by the death of 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, who was taking part in anti-government protests on Thursday.

The protests are seen as a key test for President Prabowo Subianto, with frustrations over housing perks for politicians and cost-of-living issues.

Affan Kurniawan’s funeral took place on Friday, with his former colleagues accompanying him to his final resting place.

They were joined by Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri, as well as politicians Rieke Dyah Pitaloka and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, who expressed hope that the case would be thoroughly investigated but called delivery riders to stop their protest in order to maintain stability.

The police chief also repeated an apology.

As this was happening, protesters gathered outside the police headquarters to demand justice for his death.

An apology has also been issued to Mr Kurniawan’s family by President Prabowo Subianto, who said he was “shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of the officers”.

The governor of Jakarta, Pramono Anung, also visited Mr Kurniawan’s family, expressing condolences and offering financial assistance for funeral arrangements.