Jakarta, March 8 -- Indonesia's national police chief has instructed regional police to develop a panic button application for ride-hailing motorcycle drivers, aiming to improve safety for drivers who are vulnerable to street crime.

National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the application is intended to help protect drivers of ride-hailing motorcycle taxis, commonly known in Indonesia as ojol, from potential criminal acts.

"In order to protect online motorcycle taxi drivers who may become victims of violent robbery, I ask regional police chiefs to immediately prepare a panic button application," Listyo said in a statement on Sunday.

He delivered the instruction while presiding over a security routine event involving ride-hailing...