Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, together with the Bali Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), met with representatives of online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers in Denpasar on the evening of Saturday, August 30, 2025.
This meeting was held in response to demonstrations conducted by ojol drivers at several points in Denpasar.
Koster expressed his understanding of the solidarity action taken by the ojol drivers in Bali.
According to Kompas.com, He explained, “I have been following developments from yesterday until today, especially regarding demonstrations that took place in front of the Bali Police Headquarters, Bali Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), and several other locations.” (Press release, September 1, 2025).
The Governor emphasized that his presence was aimed at listening to the aspirations of the ojol representatives. However, Koster also warned against infiltration by irresponsible outsiders.
He illustrated, “I received information that out of 25 people detained, only three have Bali ID cards (KTP Bali), the others do not. This means there has been infiltration. If infiltrated and expanded, the escalation will widen and we will all suffer losses.”
Furthermore, Koster expressed regret over the incident in Jakarta on the night of Thursday, August 28, 2025, which resulted in the death of an ojol driver during a demonstration that turned violent.
He considered that the solidarity actions by Bali ojol drivers were sufficient. “In my opinion, the sense of solidarity shown by friends in Bali is enough. No more demonstrations,” he said.
The Governor urged all parties to remain calm and composed in responding to the incidents and to avoid being easily provoked.
He reminded that Bali is a tourist destination that must be kept secure, comfortable, and peaceful. “This is to prevent adverse effects on Bali’s tourism and economy, which are only just recovering after the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
Ojol Community Aspirations
A representative of Gojek Bali, I Dewa Gede Suryadharma, conveyed that the demonstrations in Denpasar were a form of solidarity for the death of fellow ojol drivers due to riots in Jakarta. He hopes Governor Koster will protect ojol drivers.
“What we want to express is that we have a high level of solidarity with all ojol friends, including those in Java. We share the same fate and struggle,” said Dewa.
Meanwhile, the Head of Gojek Bali-Nusa Tenggara Regional Office, Wisnu Darma Narandika, said they had advised ojol drivers not to join demonstrations.
“We have advised all driver partners not to participate in demonstrations. However, if drivers still want to express their aspirations, they are asked to maintain order and prioritize discipline,” he stated.
Wisnu added, “Don’t let one or two Gojek partners tarnish the good name of ojol or Gojek in Bali.”
Meeting with Religious Leaders
Governor Koster invited all religious leaders in Bali to convey appeals to their congregations to participate in maintaining security and order in Bali.
This was conveyed during a dialogue with Bali’s religious leaders held at the Kertha Sabha Building, Denpasar, on Sunday (August 31, 2025).
The meeting was also attended by the Bali Adat Village Council, the Chairperson of Bali’s Regional House of Representatives, the Chief Prosecutor of Bali, the Commander of Military Region IX/Udayana, as well as Navy and Air Force commanders.
Koster emphasized that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian had wisely responded to the situation by instructing regional heads to maintain security in their areas through coordination with Forkopimda and close communication with religious leaders.
According to Denpost.id, “Last night, during demonstrations at several points, we immediately coordinated with Forkopimda. We also received representatives of the demonstrators, including ojol drivers and the College Student Executive Board, who committed not to continue the protests,” Koster said.
He added that the anarchic actions in Bali were suspected to be carried out by outsiders coming to Bali.
The military and police have tightened security at airports and ports to maintain smooth tourism activities in Bali. Koster called on religious communities, adat village councils, and pecalang (traditional security officers) to actively participate in maintaining Bali’s peace.
He announced a pecalang ceremony at Bajra Sandhi Renon Field as a preparedness step to maintain regional security.
On Monday, September 1, 2025, thousands of pecalang from 1,500 adat villages across Bali held a readiness ceremony at Niti Mandala Renon Field, Denpasar.
During the event, they issued six statements of position, including rejecting anarchic demonstrations brought in from outside Bali, emphasizing the necessity of guarding Bali properly, and fully supporting security forces in firmly handling anarchists.
Military and Police Security Measures
Commander of Military Resort 163/Wira Satya, Brigadier General Ida Idewa Agung Hadisaputra, stated that Indonesia Military personnel are deployed at vital installations such as the Bali local parliament and the Bali Governor’s Office with a humane approach.
“We prioritize humane steps to face demonstrators, especially students. If anyone acts anarchically, we will take actions according to procedures,” said Agung Hadisaputra.
The military has prepared seven company-level units, each consisting of 100 to 250 soldiers, to guard round the clock in shifts.
The Commander of Military Region IX/Udayana, Major General Piek Budyakto, also urged the Bali community to remain calm and not be easily provoked.
“We allows peaceful demonstrations but they must be orderly and non-anarchic,” he added.
Official Appeal to Bali’s Community
According to Suaradewata, In a joint press conference with the Bali Religious Harmony Forum, the Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council in Bali, Syamsul Hadi, read five points of appeal from the meeting:
- Reject all forms of anarchic demonstrations in Bali carried out by masses from outside the region.
- Urge the Bali community to remain calm, vigilant, and maintain security and peace with active roles from religious leaders, adat institutions, community organizations, and pecalang.
- Respect the delivery of aspirations as a constitutional right but emphasize that it must be done politely, culturally, and without anarchy.
- Emphasize the importance of maintaining Bali’s image as a birthplace and a world-class tourist destination that is recovering after the pandemic.
- Fully support the military force and Police in maintaining security and firmly handling anarchists who damage Bali’s image.
Koster stressed, “With full support from religious communities and pecalang, we hope the situation in Bali will soon be conducive, even though demonstrations continue in other regions. Security and peace in Bali are our shared responsibility.
Sources: Denpost.id, Suaradewata, Kompas.com
Feat Image: via Bali Provincial Govt