Indonesian protests draw regional solidarity with food orders for delivery drivers

Pratiwi Ariyanti, 38, an Indonesian ride-hailing driver, rides her motorbike after picking up food ordered and donated by a customer from overseas through an app, in solidarity following the death of a ride-hailing driver and another injured in the widespread protests in Indonesia against government policies, in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 3, 2025. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA (Reuters) -When Indonesian driver Rizky Azhar received a food delivery order from Malaysia, he was surprised by both the location and the accompanying note, which said the plate of smoked beef with rice was for him.

The order was part of a surge in food purchases from other Southeast Asian countries for motorcycle taxi and delivery drivers in Indonesia, a show of solidarity for week-long protests around income inequality and generous perks for lawmakers.