Jakarta Police have launched an investigation after a video emerged of a police car striking a student protester and sending him flying before speeding off – not because of the actions of the officer behind the wheel, but to determine the motivation of the person who uploaded the clip on the Internet.

"We are investigating who uploaded the video and what his or her motive was," Jakarta Police Spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafly Amar told Detik.com.

The short video, which is widely available on the Internet, clearly shows the car striking the student. It appears the police car initially slows down but is forced to speed off when other students emerge and pelt it with objects.

Twitter users have identified the victim as Arpianto, a student from Jambi's State Islamic University (IAIN). He was reportedly not badly injured, though he spent a couple of days in Jakarta Hospital.

Boy said the incident on Jalan Sudirman happened in June 2008 when students rallied against fuel price increases. He said the officer had reported the incident to his superiors at Jakarta Police.

National Police Spokesman Marwoto Soeto, meanwhile, said he doubted the person who uploaded the video had political motives or a hatred of National Police.

"I don't think so. Nobody hates the police. The police are humanitarians now," he said. "However, I am asking the public not to spread things that could damage the police image. Just calm down, let us conduct an investigation first."

Twitter users said the victim was Arpianto, a student from Jambi's State Islamic University (IAIN) who joined the rally. He survived the accident and he was taken to Jakarta Hospital.