Imagine discovering charred remains in the aftermath of a violent protest, only to realize they might belong to missing activists. This chilling scenario is unfolding in Jakarta, where police are now investigating a grim connection between the remains found in a fire-damaged building and two protesters who vanished during the August unrest. But here's where it gets even more unsettling: the building in question sits directly across from the Jakarta Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) headquarters, the very site where tensions boiled over into chaos.
On August 29, hundreds gathered to protest the tragic death of Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver (ojol) who was fatally run over by a Brimob armored vehicle the night before. What began as a demonstration for justice quickly spiraled into violence, with several buildings, including one owned by Astra Credit Companies (ACC), set ablaze by protesters. Now, weeks later, technicians hired to assess the damage stumbled upon two charred human skeletons buried beneath the collapsed ceiling.
And this is the part most people miss: the remains are being examined to determine if they belong to Muhammad Farhan Hamid and Reno Syachputra Dewo, two young men in their early 20s who went missing that same day. Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Susatyo Purnomo Condro confirmed that the bodies were found on Thursday and have since been transported to the National Police Hospital in Kramat Jati for further investigation.
This discovery raises troubling questions: Were these individuals caught in the crossfire of the protests, or is there more to the story? Controversially, some are already speculating whether the proximity to the Brimob headquarters played a role in their fate. While the police have not confirmed any links, the timing and location are hard to ignore. Could this be a tragic accident, or is there a darker truth waiting to be uncovered?
As the investigation unfolds, one thing is clear: the August protests, which left at least 10 people dead, continue to cast a long shadow over Jakarta. What do you think? Is this a straightforward case of protest-related casualties, or is there more to uncover? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
