Grab, Gojek respond to Indonesian protests that claimed its drivers' lives

Grab and Gojek have responded to the deaths of its driver-partners during recent demonstrations against the Indonesian parliament, introducing new emergency measures and expressing condolences to the bereaved families. The incidents, which have sparked nationwide outrage, have prompted both ride-hailing platforms to alter their signature green logos to black as a mark of mourning.

The protests intensified after Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver, was fatally struck by a police vehicle in Jakarta. Both Grab and Gojek confirmed that Kurniawan was registered as a driver-partner on their respective platforms. Grab also extended its support to families of other affected drivers, including Rusdamdiansyah, known as Dandi, who was fatally attacked during the unrest in Makassar.

On Instagram, Gojek posted its logo alongside a black ribbon. Meanwhile, Grab shared a monochrome photo of its drivers, writing: “The extended Grab Indonesia family mourns the passing of Affan Kurniawan in the incident on 28 August 2025. We also pray for Moh Umar Amarudin, that he may be given strength and recover swiftly.” Amarudin, a ride-hailing driver from Sukabumi, West Java, sustained injuries during the Jakarta protests, among over 700 other protesters reported so far.

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Indonesia has been rocked by nationwide protests against parliament over lawmakers’ generous perks and economic grievances. The killing of Kurniawan further ignited public anger both online and on the streets, prompting demonstrators to storm the parliament buildings, police headquarters, and other areas. Demonstrations quickly escalated into deadly unrest across multiple cities.

Dandi adds to the previously reported deaths in the nationwide protests, including driver Kurniawan, Akbar “Abay” Basri, Sarina Wati, and Syaiful Akbar - the latter three killed during the burning of the regional parliament building in Makassar, as the unrest escalated into arson attacks and damage to public infrastructure. Meanwhile, Rheza Sendy Pratama, a student at Amikom University, died during a demonstration in Yogyakarta.

Grab group CEO and co-founder Anthony Tan (pictured) travelled from Singapore to Makassar to offer condolences and provide long-term support for Dandi’s family. “We will continue to be present, to accompany, and to walk alongside our partners across Indonesia. In joy or sorrow, I will always walk with them. Because in the end, this is about humanity - about caring for one another, strengthening each other, and ensuring that no one faces hardship alone,” he said.

In response to the safety concerns raised by the unrest, Grab Indonesia launched GERCEP, or Grab Respon Cepat, an emergency initiative aimed at protecting its drivers during demonstrations and other high-risk situations. The programme offers a dedicated hotline, HelpCenter, and live chat services with trained agents.

Grab said it previously maintained a Task Force and an Incident Response Team to manage driver safety. However, in light of recent developments, GERCEP has been introduced as an additional channel to ensure that emergency responses are faster, more structured, and handled separately from routine operations.

In addition to emergency support, Grab provides medical coverage, financial assistance, and business capital through GrabKios mentorship to affected partners and their families. Grab’s “Traktir Driver” programme also enables consumers to buy meals for drivers, fostering a sense of community solidarity.

“We are committed to being present not only when partners are working, but also when they and their families face difficult times. Grab provides tangible support, from compensation to long-term assistance programmes, so that driver-partners continue to feel safe and protected,” Tan said.

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