Prabowo to Issue Presidential Regulation for Online Motorcycle Drivers, Covering Protection and Fare Rules

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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto is set to issue a presidential regulation to enhance protection for Indonesia’s online motorcycle drivers, widely known as ojol, who form a critical part of the country’s gig economy.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the draft regulation has been completed and is now undergoing final adjustments through discussions with stakeholders, including ride-hailing companies.

“From the draft, we’ve studied and found some areas that still require communication with all parties. We’re looking for the best possible solution,” Prasetyo said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday, Oct 24, 2025.

The upcoming regulation will not only provide legal protection for drivers but also address key issues such as employment status and fare structure for ride-hailing services.

“Yes, it will mainly focus on ensuring protection for our ojol partners,” he added.

According to Prasetyo, the government chose to issue a presidential regulation (perpres) to expedite implementation, with the goal of completing it by the end of this year.

“It will likely be in the form of a presidential regulation, so it can be issued faster — hopefully this year,” he said.

He noted that only a few details remain to be finalized and that discussions with major digital platforms will continue to find common ground. “There are just a few points left to align, but overall, it’s nearly complete,” Prasetyo explained.

Earlier this week, during a cabinet meeting on Monday, Oct 20, 2025, President Prabowo said his administration was in active discussions with major platform companies to reach a fair arrangement for drivers and ensure healthy competition in the industry.

“We want to make sure that ojol drivers have secure and stable livelihoods,” the President said.

Prabowo emphasized that online motorcycle drivers are now an essential part of Indonesia’s digital and small business ecosystem. He noted that the two largest ride-hailing companies — GoTo and Grab — collectively engage around 4 million drivers and support 2 million small entrepreneurs who depend on delivery services for their sales.

“If I’m not mistaken, there are about 4 million ojol drivers across those two major platforms, and around 2 million small business owners using them for transactions. So roughly six million people depend on this ecosystem,” he said.

Political Context

The forthcoming regulation also carries clear political undertones. The Prabowo administration has been eager to strengthen its social base among ojol drivers, a group that has proven its political significance in recent months.

On Thursday, Aug 28, 2025, a police armored vehicle struck and killed Affan Kurniawan, a ride-hailing motorcycle driver, near Indonesia’s national parliament in Jakarta amid clashes between officers and protesters. Affan, who worked with Gojek and Grab, was widely reported as not participating in the protest when he was hit.

The incident ignited public outrage, drew large turnouts at vigils and convoys by fellow drivers, and intensified calls for accountability and better protections. Jakarta’s police chief apologized; the armored vehicle’s crew was detained; and President Prabowo ordered a transparent investigation. The following days saw broader demonstrations and, in some cases, event cancellations due to heightened security.

The scale and coordination of those protests revealed how tightly knit and politically active Indonesia’s ojol community has become. Analysts viewed the group as a solid electoral base — one that helped shape the social narrative during the last election and continues to influence public discourse through digital networks and grassroots movements.

By accelerating the perpres on ojol protection, the government appears to be responding not only to economic demands but also to political realities. Ensuring fair treatment for ojol drivers could reinforce the administration’s populist credentials and shore up support from a demographic that has become a visible symbol of urban working-class struggle in Indonesia’s digital economy.