🕷️ Crawler Inspector

[Skip to content](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrjlk14yx4o#main-content) [Register](https://session.bbc.com/session?action=register&userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcrrjlk14yx4o) [Sign In](https://session.bbc.com/session?userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcrrjlk14yx4o) - [Home](https://www.bbc.com/) - [News](https://www.bbc.com/news) - [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport) - [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business) - [Technology](https://www.bbc.com/technology) - [Health](https://www.bbc.com/health) - [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture) - [Arts](https://www.bbc.com/arts) - [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel) - [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet) - [Audio](https://www.bbc.com/audio) - [Video](https://www.bbc.com/video) - [Live](https://www.bbc.com/live) - [Home](https://www.bbc.com/home) - [News](https://www.bbc.com/news) - [US & Canada](https://www.bbc.com/news/us-canada) - [UK](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk) - [UK Politics](https://www.bbc.com/news/politics) - [England](https://www.bbc.com/news/england) - [N. Ireland](https://www.bbc.com/news/northern_ireland) - [N. Ireland Politics](https://www.bbc.com/news/northern_ireland/northern_ireland_politics) - [Scotland](https://www.bbc.com/news/scotland) - [Scotland Politics](https://www.bbc.com/news/scotland/scotland_politics) - [Wales](https://www.bbc.com/news/wales) - [Wales Politics](https://www.bbc.com/news/wales/wales_politics) - [Africa](https://www.bbc.com/news/world/africa) - [Asia](https://www.bbc.com/news/world/asia) - [China](https://www.bbc.com/news/world/asia/china) - [India](https://www.bbc.com/news/world/asia/india) - [Australia](https://www.bbc.com/news/world/australia) - [Europe](https://www.bbc.com/news/world/europe) - [Latin America](https://www.bbc.com/news/world/latin_america) - [Middle East](https://www.bbc.com/news/world/middle_east) - [In Pictures](https://www.bbc.com/news/in_pictures) - [BBC InDepth](https://www.bbc.com/news/bbcindepth) - [BBC Verify](https://www.bbc.com/news/bbcverify) - [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport) - [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business) - [World of Business](https://www.bbc.com/business/world-of-business) - [Technology of Business](https://www.bbc.com/business/technology-of-business) - [NYSE Opening Bell](https://www.bbc.com/business/opening-bell) - [Technology](https://www.bbc.com/technology) - [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.bbc.com/technology/artificial-intelligence) - [AI v the Mind](https://www.bbc.com/technology/ai-v-the-mind) - [Health](https://www.bbc.com/health) - [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture) - [Film & TV](https://www.bbc.com/culture/film-tv) - [Music](https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) - [Art & Design](https://www.bbc.com/culture/art) - [Style](https://www.bbc.com/culture/style) - [Books](https://www.bbc.com/culture/books) - [Entertainment News](https://www.bbc.com/culture/entertainment-news) - [Arts](https://www.bbc.com/arts) - [Arts in Motion](https://www.bbc.com/arts/arts-in-motion) - [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel) - [Destinations](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations) - [Africa](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/africa) - [Antarctica](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/antarctica) - [Asia](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/asia) - [Australia and Pacific](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/australia-and-pacific) - [Caribbean & Bermuda](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/caribbean) - [Central America](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/central-america) - [Europe](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/europe) - [Middle East](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/middle-east) - [North America](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/north-america) - [South America](https://www.bbc.com/travel/destinations/south-america) - [World’s Table](https://www.bbc.com/travel/worlds-table) - [Culture & Experiences](https://www.bbc.com/travel/cultural-experiences) - [Adventures](https://www.bbc.com/travel/adventures) - [The SpeciaList](https://www.bbc.com/travel/specialist) - [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet) - [Science](https://www.bbc.com/innovation/science) - [Natural Wonders](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet/natural-wonders) - [Climate Solutions](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet/solutions) - [Sustainable Business](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet/sustainable-business) - [Green Living](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet/green-living) - [Audio](https://www.bbc.com/audio) - [Podcast Categories](https://www.bbc.com/audio/categories) - [Radio](https://www.bbc.com/audio/stations) - [Audio FAQs](https://www.bbc.com/undefined) - [Video](https://www.bbc.com/video) - [BBC Maestro](https://www.bbc.com/video/bbc-maestro) - [Discover the World](https://www.bbc.com/video/discover-the-world) - [Live](https://www.bbc.com/live) - [Live News](https://www.bbc.com/live/news) - [Live Sport](https://www.bbc.com/live/sport) [Home](https://www.bbc.com/) News [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport) Business Technology [Health](https://www.bbc.com/health) Culture Arts Travel Earth Audio Video Live [Weather](https://www.bbc.com/weather) [Newsletters](https://www.bbc.com/newsletters) # 'The only way I can help is to send food': Indonesia protests spark support from Asian neighbours 4 September 2025 Share Save Riana A Ibrahim,BBC News Indonesia, Jakartaand Tessa Wong,BBC News, Singapore Share Save Watch: Politicians perks cut after fatal anti-government demonstrations across Indonesia 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 neighbouring 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 neighbouring 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. Getty Images Delivery riders are a key group taking part in the protests 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 the BBC 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 sympathise 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 Reuters news agency. 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 the BBC. Some Indonesian delivery riders have taken to social media to show their gratitude. [One viral video](https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/indonesian-delivery-riders-thank-singapore-malaysia-netizens-send-food-online) 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." [How the death of a delivery driver ignited Indonesia](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2dj9w306wzo) It is not clear how many people have taken part in the support drive, but Grab has said it has seen increasing orders from users outside of Indonesia - particularly Southeast and East Asia - according to Reuters. The BBC has contacted Grab and Gojek for comment. Grab and Gojek are two of the most widely used delivery apps across South East Asia. Users can order food, groceries, and taxi rides by car or motorcycle. In Indonesia, many of those orders are handled by an army of motorcycle delivery riders wearing bright green uniforms, estimated to number up to 1.5 million including part-time workers. Mass demonstrations, fuelled by cost-of-living woes and public frustration with the political elite, [first erupted in Jakarta on 25 August](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjw6el72xd4o) to condemn what many viewed as excessive pay and housing allowances for parliamentarians. By the end of the week, the protests turned violent when 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan got caught up in the protests while delivering an order, and ended up getting run over and killed by a police vehicle. President Prabowo Subianto and the chief of police apologised for his death - but it fuelled further discontent that spread to various corners of the archipelago, from West Java to the islands of Bali and Lombok. Prabowo has since announced that [several perks would be reined in](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyrk2kxlngo), including the size of some allowances, in a bid to quell public anger. But the demonstrations have continued, including [a large one on Wednesday led by hundreds of women](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vlv2gpvvzo). *Additional reporting by Astudestra Ajengrastri.* [Hundreds of women with brooms join protests as Indonesia leader flies to China](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vlv2gpvvzo) [Indonesian politicians to have perks cut in bid to quell unrest](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyrk2kxlngo) [Asia](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c5rznn0nvvyt) [Indonesia](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cmj34zmw7vmt) *** Related [Strait of Hormuz: What happens if Iran shuts global oil corridor?](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78n6p09pzno) [India's top court allows removal of life support of man in vegetative state](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62v64rz6mko) [India's IndiGo airline CEO resigns months after mass cancellation crisis](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgqg59vgw25o) *** More from the BBC [5 days ago  Indonesia to ban social media and other online platforms for under 16s It is the latest country to curb young people's access to digital spaces to try and protect them from abuse. 5 days ago](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg50168ddgo) [6 days ago  Tiny possum and glider thought extinct for 6,000 years found in remote West Papua The discovery of two lost species is 'exceptional' and rare, scientists say 6 days ago](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp814l80pw2o) [26 Feb 2026  British men jailed for smuggling cocaine into Bali Kial Garth Robinson and Piran Ezra Wilkinson were both arrested in Indonesia by police last September. 26 Feb 2026](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c626q15ymyjo) [26 Feb 2026  US 'suitcase murderer' deported from Bali after 11 years in jail The 33-year-old will still face federal charges in the US and is due to appear in court on Thursday. 26 Feb 2026](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxg2r11g35o) [20 Feb 2026  US and Indonesia finalise deal to cut tariffs to 19% Washington will set a 19% tariff on most Indonesian goods in exchange for lower trade barriers for US goods 20 Feb 2026](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgk2d7yxm2zo) *** - [Home](https://www.bbc.com/) - [News](https://www.bbc.com/news) - [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport) - [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business) - [Technology](https://www.bbc.com/technology) - [Health](https://www.bbc.com/health) - [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture) - [Arts](https://www.bbc.com/arts) - [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel) - [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet) - [Audio](https://www.bbc.com/audio) - [Video](https://www.bbc.com/video) - [Live](https://www.bbc.com/live) - [Weather](https://www.bbc.com/weather) - [BBC Shop](https://shop.bbc.com/) - [BritBox](https://www.britbox.com/?utm_source=bbc.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=footer) BBC in other languages ### The BBC is in multiple languages #### Read the BBC In your own language [Oduu Afaan Oromootiin](https://www.bbc.com/afaanoromoo) [Amharic ዜና በአማርኛ](https://www.bbc.com/amharic) [Arabic عربي](https://www.bbc.com/arabic) [Azeri AZƏRBAYCAN](https://www.bbc.com/azeri) [Bangla বাংলা](https://www.bbc.com/bengali) [Burmese မြန်မာ](https://www.bbc.com/burmese) [Chinese 中文网](https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp) [Dari دری](https://www.bbc.com/dari) [French AFRIQUE](https://www.bbc.com/afrique) [Hausa HAUSA](https://www.bbc.com/hausa) [Hindi हिन्दी](https://www.bbc.com/hindi) [Gaelic NAIDHEACHDAN](https://www.bbc.com/naidheachdan) [Gujarati ગુજરાતીમાં સમાચાર](https://www.bbc.com/gujarati) [Igbo AKỤKỌ N’IGBO](https://www.bbc.com/igbo) [Indonesian INDONESIA](https://www.bbc.com/indonesia) [Japanese 日本語](https://www.bbc.com/japanese) [Kinyarwanda GAHUZA](https://www.bbc.com/gahuza) [Kirundi KIRUNDI](https://www.bbc.com/gahuza) [Korean 한국어](https://www.bbc.com/korean) [Kyrgyz Кыргыз](https://www.bbc.com/kyrgyz) [Marathi मराठी](https://www.bbc.com/marathi) [Nepali नेपाली](https://www.bbc.com/nepali) [Noticias para hispanoparlantes](https://www.bbc.com/mundo) [Pashto پښتو](https://www.bbc.com/pashto) [Persian فارسی](https://www.bbc.com/persian) [Pidgin](https://www.bbc.com/pidgin) [Polish PO POLSKU](https://www.bbc.com/polska) [Portuguese BRASIL](https://www.bbc.com/portuguese) [Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ](https://www.bbc.com/punjabi) [Russian НА РУССКОМ](https://www.bbc.com/russian) [Serbian NA SRPSKOM](https://www.bbc.com/serbian/lat) [Sinhala සිංහල](https://www.bbc.com/sinhala) [Somali SOMALI](https://www.bbc.com/somali) [Swahili HABARI KWA KISWAHILI](https://www.bbc.com/swahili) [Tamil தமிழில் செய்திகள்](https://www.bbc.com/tamil) [Telugu తెలుగు వార్తలు](https://www.bbc.com/telugu) [Thai ข่าวภาษาไทย](https://www.bbc.com/thai) [Tigrinya ዜና ብትግርኛ](https://www.bbc.com/tigrinya) [Turkish TÜRKÇE](https://www.bbc.com/turkce) [Ukrainian УКРАЇНСЬКA](https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian) [Urdu اردو](https://www.bbc.com/urdu) [Uzbek O'ZBEK](https://www.bbc.com/uzbek) [Vietnamese TIẾNG VIỆT](https://www.bbc.com/vietnamese) [Welsh NEWYDDION](https://www.bbc.com/cymrufyw) [Yoruba ÌRÒYÌN NÍ YORÙBÁ](https://www.bbc.com/yoruba) Follow BBC on: - [Terms of Use](https://www.bbc.com/pages/terms-of-use) - [Subscription Terms](https://www.bbc.com/pages/subscription-terms) - [About the BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.bbc.com/pages/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/cookies/) - [Accessibility Help](https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/) - [Contact the BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact) - [Advertise with us](https://advertising.bbcstudios.com/) - [Do not share or sell my info](https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/cookies/how-can-i-change-my-bbc-cookie-settings/) - [BBC.com Help & FAQs](https://help.bbc.com/hc/) - [Content Index](https://www.bbc.com/pages/content-index) - [Set Preferred Source](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260128-how-to-make-google-put-trusted-sources-up-top-when-you-search) Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [**Read about our approach to external linking.**](https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/feeds-and-links)

'The only way I can help is to send food': Indonesia protests spark support from Asian neighbours 4 September 2025 Riana A Ibrahim,BBC News Indonesia, Jakartaand Tessa Wong,BBC News, Singapore Watch: Politicians perks cut after fatal anti-government demonstrations across Indonesia 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 neighbouring 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 neighbouring 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. Getty Images Delivery riders are a key group taking part in the protests 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 the BBC 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 sympathise 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 Reuters news agency. 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 the BBC. Some Indonesian delivery riders have taken to social media to show their gratitude. [One viral video](https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/indonesian-delivery-riders-thank-singapore-malaysia-netizens-send-food-online) 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." It is not clear how many people have taken part in the support drive, but Grab has said it has seen increasing orders from users outside of Indonesia - particularly Southeast and East Asia - according to Reuters. The BBC has contacted Grab and Gojek for comment. Grab and Gojek are two of the most widely used delivery apps across South East Asia. Users can order food, groceries, and taxi rides by car or motorcycle. In Indonesia, many of those orders are handled by an army of motorcycle delivery riders wearing bright green uniforms, estimated to number up to 1.5 million including part-time workers. Mass demonstrations, fuelled by cost-of-living woes and public frustration with the political elite, [first erupted in Jakarta on 25 August](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjw6el72xd4o) to condemn what many viewed as excessive pay and housing allowances for parliamentarians. By the end of the week, the protests turned violent when 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan got caught up in the protests while delivering an order, and ended up getting run over and killed by a police vehicle. President Prabowo Subianto and the chief of police apologised for his death - but it fuelled further discontent that spread to various corners of the archipelago, from West Java to the islands of Bali and Lombok. *Additional reporting by Astudestra Ajengrastri.*