Indonesian Vice President Denies Padel Tennis Game Amidst Nationwide Protests
Jakarta, Indonesia – August 30, 2025 – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka was at his office during recent protests across Indonesia and did not participate in a padel tennis game, according too a statement released by his special staff, tina Talisa. The clarification comes after false reports circulated online alleging the Vice President’s involvement in the sport while demonstrations were underway.
Talisa stated that Raka had just returned from a working visit to North Sumatra on Thursday, August 29, 2025, where he attended a conference hosted by the Karo Batak Protestant Church (GBKP) in Deli Serdang District.
the denial was further supported by a statement from the Anwa Racquet Club in West Jakarta, wich was identified in the initial reports. The club confirmed via its official Instagram account that the Vice President had not visited their facility. “We affirm that the information is incorrect. We never received any official visit from the vice president at our facility,” the club stated.
The protests, which erupted on Friday, August 29, 2025, and continued into the night, were sparked by the death of 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan. Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver, was fatally struck by a police vehicle during a rally near the Parliament Complex on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Demonstrations took place in major cities including Jakarta, Bandung, Surakarta, Yogyakarta, Makassar, and other locations. The situation escalated after dark, with reports of damage to public facilities. Authorities reported that local parliament buildings in Makassar, South Sulawesi, and Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, were set ablaze.
Talisa urged the public to exercise caution and verify information before sharing it online, emphasizing the potential for such claims to be used for provocation. ”I encourage people to filter all information before sharing it with the public,especially such claims that may serve as provocations,” she said.
This is a developing story.
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