Indonesia is facing its largest wave of protests in years, triggered by revelations about generous salaries and allowances for lawmakers amid worsening economic conditions. The unrest, which began in Jakarta, has spread to Yogyakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya, and Medan, drawing thousands into the streets. The protests quickly turned violent, with looting, arson, and clashes with police resulting in casualties and widespread disruption.


Protests Erupt Across Indonesia
 Protests Erupt Across Indonesia


Key Events Fueling the Protests

Lawmakers’ Allowances Spark Outrage

Public anger erupted after it was revealed that all 580 members of parliament receive a monthly housing allowance of about 50 million rupiah (roughly $3,075). The perk, seen as excessive against the backdrop of rising taxes, inflation, and high unemployment, ignited calls for reforms and social justice.

Looting of Officials’ Homes


Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati’s home in South Tangerang was looted twice in separate incidents by large groups of protesters. Televisions, furniture, decorations, and clothes were taken. She was not at home during the attacks.

Other lawmakers, including Ahmad Sahroni and Nafa Urbach from the NasDem Party, also had their residences vandalized and looted.


Violence at Parliament Buildings

Protesters torched several regional parliament buildings, including one in South Sulawesi, where three people died in the fire.


Death of Motorcyclist Intensifies Anger

Tensions escalated further after a motorcyclist was killed when struck by a police tactical vehicle during earlier demonstrations.


Government and Police Response

Police deployed tear gas, water cannons, and tactical units to disperse demonstrators. Social media platforms, including TikTok, suspended live-streaming features temporarily to curb the spread of violent content and misinformation.

President Prabowo Subianto, facing the biggest challenge of his presidency since taking office less than a year ago, canceled a planned trip to China to oversee the crisis personally. He urged calm but simultaneously called for decisive military and police action to restore order.


Historical & Political Context

Indonesia has a history of mass demonstrations tied to economic grievances, including the 1998 Reformasi movement, which toppled Suharto’s regime. While today’s protests are not on the same scale, analysts note striking similarities: widespread anger at elite privilege, combined with public distrust of political institutions.


Implications and What Lies Ahead


Domestic Stability: If unrest continues, it could destabilize Prabowo’s presidency and erode confidence in his government’s ability to manage social and economic issues.

Economic Impact: Disruption in major cities threatens commerce and foreign investment confidence, especially with Indonesia positioning itself as a rising economic power in Southeast Asia.

Political Reform: The protests highlight deepening demands for parliamentary reform, curbs on lawmakers’ perks, and broader equity in governance.

Social Media Regulation: Platforms face growing scrutiny for their role in amplifying protests, raising questions about freedom of expression versus public safety.


Expert Commentary


Political analysts say the scandal surrounding allowances reflects broader dissatisfaction with Indonesia’s entrenched political elite.

Economists warn that the protests could slow investor confidence if the government fails to address underlying social and economic concerns.

Human rights groups have raised alarm over excessive police force, calling for investigations into the motorcyclist’s death and the South Sulawesi fire fatalities.


FAQs

Q1: Why are Indonesians protesting against lawmakers?
A1: Protests erupted after revelations that lawmakers receive large housing allowances, seen as excessive amid rising living costs, unemployment, and taxes.

Q2: Which officials were directly affected by the protests?
A2: Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and lawmakers Ahmad Sahroni and Nafa Urbach had their homes looted or vandalized.

Q3: What has been the government’s response so far?
A3: President Prabowo canceled a foreign trip to monitor the crisis, urging calm but authorizing decisive police and military action. Police have used tear gas, and TikTok suspended live-streaming to limit unrest coordination.

Q4: What are protesters demanding?
A4: Demonstrators want cuts to lawmakers’ perks, parliamentary reform, and broader social and economic justice measures.

Q5: How serious is this crisis for President Prabowo?
A5: It is the biggest test of his presidency so far, less than a year into his term, with implications for political stability and governance reforms.