Indonesian Online Taxi Drivers Warn of Escalating Protests if Demands Go Unmet

September 14, 2025 | 06:28 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Raden Igun Wicaksono, Chair of Garda Indonesia, the Indonesian association of online motorcycle taxi drivers, has urged the government not to underestimate the ongoing demonstrations by drivers across the country.

He warned that the protests could intensify if the government continues to delay pro-people policies.

Citing the recent unrest in Nepal, Igun said public anger there erupted after years of enduring corruption and anti-people behavior from officials.

He cautioned that Indonesia could face a similar scenario if frustrations among drivers and the wider public are ignored.

“The same thing could happen in Indonesia. There’s a ticking time bomb that will eventually grow and even explode,” Igun said in a written statement on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Igun pointed to the tragedy on August 28, 2025, when two online motorcycle taxi drivers were killed during a demonstration, as a potential trigger for broader resistance.

“Garda Indonesia reminds that we must not let a tragedy like Nepal’s happen here. Before it’s too late, we urge the President to dismiss ministers who are not pro-people,” he added.

Drivers’ Main Demands

The online motorcycle taxi association has staged several actions in recent months, presenting their demands to both the Ministry of Transportation and President Prabowo Subianto. Drivers argue that the current system benefits application providers more than drivers, leaving them at a disadvantage.

Their demands include:

1. Legislation on Online Transport. They are pushing for a law specifically regulating online transportation. If the legislative process takes too long, they ask the President to issue a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu).

2. Lower Commissions. The association wants the commission deducted by app providers to be reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, arguing that the current rate is burdensome and lacks transparency.

3. Regulation of Delivery Rates. They have called on the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs to regulate delivery tariffs for food and goods. In the absence of rules, app providers set prices as low as possible under the guise of promotions, cutting driver incomes.

4. Audit of App Providers. The association also urged the government to audit online transportation companies to ensure compliance with regulations and to protect driver partners from exploitative practices.

Hanin Marwah contributed to the writing of this article.

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