Unrelated video of Indonesian ride-hailing drivers' demonstration falsely linked to August protests

Published on September 2, 2025 at 10:16
Updated on September 2, 2025 at 10:58
2 min read
By AFP Indonesia

Rallies over economic issues in Indonesia intensified and spread after a young delivery driver was killed by a paramilitary police unit in late August, but footage circulating online of a protest by scores of drivers was not filmed during recent demonstrations in Jakarta. Similar footage was used in news reports about an unrelated protest by ride-hailing drivers in Jember, East Java in May.

"Demonstrators heading to the House of Representatives on August 25," reads the Indonesian-language caption of a YouTube video shared on August 25, 2025.

The video, which appears to show a protest by motorbike and scooter drivers, circulated as several hundred protesters rallied outside Indonesia's parliament in Jakarta (archived link).

The demonstration was fuelled by public anger over lavish benefits for lawmakers that include a housing allowance of 50 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately US$3,000) a month -- nearly 10 times the minimum wage in the capital -- and have come to include anger against police.

At least six people have been killed since the protests erupted and spread to other cities, intensified by footage spreading of the killing of a young delivery driver by a paramilitary police unit (archived link).

Screenshot of the false YouTube post captured on September 1, 2025, with a red X added by AFP

The clip was also shared in similar YouTube and X posts.

While motorcycle drivers have taken part in the August protests, the video does not show drivers making their way to a demonstration at the House of Representatives in Jakarta.

A reverse image search on Google using keyframes from the falsely shared video led to similar footage shared on the verified YouTube channel of local broadcaster KompasTV Jember on May 21 (archived link).

Its caption says: "The protest began with a convoy of ride-hailing drivers across Jember city and ended at the Jember district government office. They voiced demands for adjustments to ride-hailing fares, which they considered unfair."

Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared video (left) and the KompasTV video (right)

Moreover, the falsely shared video corresponds to Google Street View imagery of Gajah Mada Street in Jember (archived link).

Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared video (left) and Google Street View imagery from Jember (right), with corresponding elements highlighted by AFP

AFP has also debunked other misinformation related to the protests.

September 2, 2025Edited seventh paragraph to clarify motorcycle drivers took part in the protests, but not in the thousands

September 2, 2025 Edited seventh paragraph to clarify motorcycle drivers took part in the protests, but not in the thousands

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