Grab and Gojek orders become symbols of cross-border solidarity amid Indonesian protests

Food delivery platforms Grab and Gojek are finding themselves at the centre of an unexpected story - one of empathy, solidarity, and regional identity. Over the weekend, citizens across Southeast Asia turned to the apps to send meals to Indonesian drivers and demonstrators during the ongoing unrest.

The grassroots initiative took shape on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), for instance, a user named @sighyam, who identifies as a PR practitioner in ASEAN, encouraged others to use food delivery as a direct form of support. The idea quickly gained traction. Malaysians and others across the region began posting proof of their orders from Indonesia-based eateries via Grab and Gojek, setting delivery points such as hotel lobbies and asking drivers to either keep the meals or pass them on to those in need.

Within Indonesia itself, citizens also rallied to support drivers by sharing meals, with local content creators amplifying the effort. Figures such as Indah G used their platforms to urge followers to order food for drivers working through the unrest, turning what began as small gestures into a visible movement.

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These posts not only mobilised more contributions but also underscored how digital voices can transform individual acts of kindness into collective expressions of solidarity.

The unrest in Indonesia was sparked by widespread demonstrations following the death of Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old online motorcycle taxi driver who was killed after being struck by a police tactical vehicle during protests on 28 August. His death has since become a rallying point for drivers and civil groups demanding justice and greater accountability, with protests spreading across major cities.

The demonstrations have also exposed a deeper frustration among Indonesians towards lawmakers and politicians, reflecting long-simmering grievances over corruption, inequality, and a perceived lack of sympathy. The death toll has climbed to at least 10 people amid clashes with police and incidents of arson. Hundreds more have been injured.

At the heart of the unrest are online drivers, who have emerged not only as participants but also as powerful symbols of the struggle. Their presence embodies both the economic precarity and resilience of ordinary Indonesians, while fuelling a growing appreciation for small workers and strengthening solidarity across communities.

Since Kurniawan’s death, both Grab and Gojek have turned their logos black and issued public condolences. Grab group CEO and co-founder Anthony Tan even travelled from Singapore to Makassar to pay respects to another driver, Rusdamdiansyah - known as Dandi - who was also killed, while the company rolled out emergency initiatives such as its GERCEP programme.

Since December 2021, Grab has offered a cross-border gifting feature, 100+ Cities Delivery, which allows users to send gifts on-demand across Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Meanwhile, Grab’s “Traktir Driver” and Gojek’s “Dukung Driver Kamu” features let users directly buy meals for drivers.

Grab has acknowledged a surge in food delivery orders in Indonesia over the past week, with a marked spike during 30-31 August. “The increase included a number of orders coming from abroad with foreign country codes,” Tyas Widyastuti, director of mobility, food, and logistics at Grab Indonesia, told Kompas.

The trend was fuelled by hastags such as #fromMalaysiatoIndonesia campaign on social media. The wave of support also spread under the hashtag #SEAblings, a play on “siblings,” reflecting regional solidarity.

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