On Thursday, August 28, 2025, thousands of workers took to the streets in Jakarta. The action, centered in front of the DPR/MPR Building and the State Palace, was held under the banner of the “HOSTUM” movement (Abolish Outsourcing, Reject Low Wages). The workers brought six main demands, starting from the abolition of outsourcing to labor tax reform. These demands confirm that the voice of labor is still loud, even though the space to voice aspirations is often narrowed. However, the aspirations guaranteed by the constitution ended in tragedy. Instead of being a space for dialogue, this series of demonstrations was colored by grief with many lives lost.

Senayan Tragedy: Tactical Wheels That Claimed Lives

Affan Kurniawan, a 20-year-old online motorcycle taxi driver, died after being run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle during a demonstration in the Senayan area on Thursday (8/28/2025). He was treated at RSCM, but eventually died. According to witnesses, the incident occurred around 20.30 WIB when residents protested the tear gas shots that reached the settlement. As the crowd approached the Brimob vehicle, one of the tactical vehicles sped towards the crowd. The crowd scattered, but Affan did not have time to save himself. The Propam Division of the National Police has secured seven members of the Sat Brimob Polda Metro Jaya who were in the vehicle. National…