Sawt Falasteen - Indonesia protests erupt after driver killed by police vehicle

Violent clashes had already broken out between protesters and police in the capital Jakarta on Thursday over low wages and perceived lavish perks for lawmakers, as public discontent simmers over the government's handling of the economy.

The police response to the protests drew strong criticism after videos circulated on social media showing a black tactical vehicle running over a man.

President Prabowo Subianto urged calm on Friday, promising an investigation into the death of gig motorcycle driver Affan Kurniawan.

But angry Indonesians massed hours later outside the paramilitary police unit they blame for Affan Kurniawan's death, throwing firecrackers at its headquarters in Jakarta.

While hundreds watched on waving Indonesian flags, a group of protesters tried to tear down the headquarter gates of the unit known for its heavy-handed tactics, and successfully pulled a sign from the building's facade in chaotic scenes.

Fires made by burning tires and cardboard boxes pierced clouds of tear gas. Some protesters picked up the police-fired canisters and hurled them to safety, receiving loud cheers from the crowd as night fell.

The week's protests were the most violent since Prabowo took office in October, and mark an early challenge for the president who has pledged fast, state-driven growth.

But some of his policies, including widespread budget cuts announced this year to fund his flagship free meal programme for schoolchildren and a new sovereign wealth fund, have sparked public discontent.

In front of the Jakarta police headquarters, hundreds defiantly stood in the pouring rain, throwing firecrackers.

Police shouted through megaphones demanding they stop throwing objects and go home, accusing the crowd of launching rocks and Molotov cocktails.

Protests also spread to other major cities in Indonesia, including Surabaya in East Java and Medan in North Sumatra province.

Hundreds of drivers, many dressed in their signature green and black jackets, hurled objects at the local headquarters in both cities.

Hundreds also rallied on Thursday near the Indonesian parliament in Jakarta over issues including hefty pay for lawmakers, whose monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (US$3,000) is nearly 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta.

Labour groups demanded better pay and for the government to take action against recent mass layoffs of workers.

Jakarta police did not respond to AFP's request for data on arrests in the protests.

- Strong action -

Thousands of drivers gathered near the police mobile brigade headquarters in Jakarta on Friday, demanding accountability for Affan's death, as officers cordoned off a stretch of road nearby.

Police fired teargas in an attempt to disperse protesters, mostly motorcycle taxi drivers known locally as "ojeks".

"I joined the protest because I'm very concerned about the death of my fellow driver," 52-year-old Muzakir told AFP.

"We demand justice for Affan, for the perpetrators who ran him over to be tried as fairly as possible, and to be fired from their institution."

Authorities are questioning seven officers in connection with the incident, police said.

"We have agreed that the seven suspected violators have been proven to have violated the police ethics codes," the National Police's head of internal affairs division Abdul Karim told a press conference.

He said the officers would be detained for further investigation.

M.Qasim--SF-PST