JAKARTA: A new solidarity movement has emerged across Southeast Asia, as people started to place fake orders on delivery apps — not to receive meals, but to support Indonesian app-based drivers, as many have been struggling to stay afloat amid closures following nationwide protests.
The mass protests led by students and workers that broke out in Jakarta last week were sparked by controversial perks and housing allowances for lawmakers. Anger grew further after an armed police vehicle ran over and killed a 21-year-old delivery driver, Affan Kurniawan, at a protest site.
At least nine people have been killed since as mass demonstrations spread to other major cities, with more people joining in — including thousands of Indonesian app-based drivers — to protest police violence, corruption and social inequality.
Constant social media updates and videos shared real-time by protesting Indonesians have sparked a massive show of solidarity in other Southeast Asian countries. One campaign in particular gained massive traction, when an X user suggested a way in which others can support Indonesians by giving delivery riders orders from abroad.
In step-by-step posts that have since gained more than 57 million views, the Thailand-based user, @sighyam, who goes by Yammi, explained how to order food, beverage, first aid kits and give tips through delivery apps.
