Indonesian President Cancels China Visit Amid Violent Protests
JAKARTA — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has made a bold decision to cancel his planned visit to China in light of nationwide protests that escalated into violence over the weekend, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least three individuals.
Presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi announced on Saturday that Prabowo opted to stay in Indonesia to personally oversee the unrest rather than travel to Beijing for the Sept. 3 Victory Day Parade, which was set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Mr. President is keen on assessing the situation firsthand, taking charge, and working towards a peaceful resolution to the turmoil. Therefore, President Prabowo Subianto has extended his sincere apologies to the Chinese government for having to decline their invitation,” Hadi stated to Antara News.
Tragedy struck in Makassar, where three individuals lost their lives in a fire that erupted during protests following the torching of the local parliament office, trapping victims inside, as per officials.
Meanwhile, in Jakarta, protestors set fire to the city’s police command headquarters, vandalized vehicles, and engaged in violent confrontations by hurling stones and Molotov cocktails, resulting in injuries to both law enforcement officers and civilians.
The unrest was ignited by the unfortunate demise of 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was fatally struck by a police armored vehicle while on a food delivery assignment on Thursday. His tragic passing, widely circulated on social media, mobilized thousands of fellow riders, human rights activists, and politicians who paid their respects at his funeral on Friday.
Expressing deep remorse over the incident, Prabowo ordered a comprehensive investigation and pledged to hold the responsible officers accountable, stating, “I was shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of the officer.”
Indonesian police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo also issued an apology to Kurniawan’s family and assured a thorough inquiry into the matter. — Agencies
