When Indonesian motorcycle taxi driver Rizky Azhar accepted a food delivery order, he expected to drop it off at a customer’s. Instead, the plate of smoked beef with rice was addressed to him, sent from Malaysia with a note saying it was his to keep.
The unexpected gift was part of a growing wave of cross-border solidarity. Over the past week, people from across Southeast Asia have been ordering meals for Indonesia’s ride-hailing and delivery drivers, many of whom have joined nationwide protests over low pay, job insecurity, and the widening gap between workers’ struggles and lawmakers’ privileges.
The demonstrations erupted after the death of delivery driver Affan Kurniawan, who was struck and killed by a police vehicle during a protest in Jakarta. His death became a rallying point, drawing thousands of drivers, students, and workers into the streets. Clashes have occasionally turned violent, leaving 10 people dead, as President Prabowo Subianto vowed that police and military forces would hold their ground.
Yet amid the tension, acts of kindness have been flowing in. Social media has been flooded with screenshots of food orders placed from abroad, often accompanied by messages telling drivers to enjoy the meal themselves or share it with their families.
One such order came from Kuala Lumpur resident Ayman Hareez Muhammad Adib, who used the Grab app to send Rizky his meal. “The calls tell us all to contribute to what’s happening in Indonesia… to show support by sending food,” the 23-year-old said.
For Rizky, the gesture was a welcome surprise on a slow Wednesday in Jakarta, where schools and offices had closed due to the unrest. “We were surprised that in recent days, some foreign nationals have shown concern for us,” he said.
Last week, hundreds of motorcycle drivers formed a convoy to escort Affan’s body to its burial site, many wearing the green and black jackets of Grab or Gojek, Indonesia’s largest ride-hailing platforms. Both companies have acknowledged the surge in orders, with Grab noting most came from Southeast and East Asia, and GoTo highlighting its “Treat Your Driver” feature as a popular way for customers to show support.
Motorcycle taxis are a lifeline in Indonesia’s congested cities, but drivers have long complained of shrinking earnings and unfair practices. While the protests have laid bare the deep frustrations in the industry, the meals arriving from across the region have offered a rare reminder of unity one plate at a time.
+ There are no comments
Add yours