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06-09-2025
JAKARTA: Indonesia’s protests which escalated following the killing of a delivery rider have sparked a drive among South East Asians to show their support through delivery apps.
Some in neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand are using the popular Grab and Gojek apps to order food in Indonesia for delivery riders, a key group taking part in the protests.
Last week’s killing of Gojek driver Affan Kurniawan led to public anger boiling over as protesters clashed with police and set fire to government buildings.
At least 10 people have died in the demonstrations over the cost of living and social inequality which have taken place in several cities across Indonesia.
In recent days, the hashtag #SEAblings, a play on South East Asia’s acronym has gone viral on social media as some in neighboring countries rally to support Indonesian protesters and delivery riders.
Social media users have posted guides on how to help; by placing food orders on Grab and Gojek in Indonesia and informing the delivery riders that they can keep the food or distribute it to their family and friends.
Tara, a 34-year-old living in the central Philippine island of Cebu, has ordered food and supplies twice in Jakarta for delivery riders in recent weeks. One was a complete meal for two people, rice topped with chicken and sambal, as well as drinks and the other was a case of mineral water bottles.
She told media that she was inspired to do so as “I’ve been traveling around South East Asia recently, including Indonesia and I’ve always used motorcycle taxis. They’re always friendly. I feel like I have to help them. The only way I can do that right now is by sending food”.
She has translated a guide into Tagalog and posted it online to encourage fellow Filipinos to help Indonesians.
Tara said she could sympathize with the Indonesian protesters’ concerns. “Our government is just as bad and corrupt,” she said but “seeing you (Indonesians) all stand together against corrupt politicians is inspiring, and why wouldn’t I support you in this?”
Another supporter, 21-year-old Malaysian student Ayman Hareez Muhammad Adib, said he was inspired to order food for Indonesians because he was “in awe of the people and how spirited they are and how connected they are with each other, to be able to… revolt and fight back against injustice”.
“I think that it’s a mark that they have power as people, because they work together. And when things are harming the people, they step up… they’re not afraid of doing something about it,” he told media.
Taufik, a delivery rider working in West Jakarta, received one such order recently, a rice bowl and drinks from an app user in Singapore.
Such orders from overseas are “really helpful as orders have been quiet (since the protests began) and for us, the food is even more helpful,” he told media.
Some Indonesian delivery riders have taken to social media to show their gratitude. One viral video showed a man crying as he thanked a donor from Singapore who had ordered food for him.
“Many roads are closed, many restaurants are shut down, schools are closed, offices are closed, and our orders are really slow but I also feel so touched, because it turns out there are still many good people who care about us, like this one.
“Today there have been many orders like this, people ordering food or drinks but telling us not to deliver them, just to share them with other drivers. My friend also got one earlier and shared it around. Now I’m going to share mine with my friends too.” (Int’l News Desk)
