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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has announced plans to revoke benefits for lawmakers, which sparked nationwide protests that turned violent and led to several deaths. The political parties have agreed to cut the allowances, hoping this will quell the demonstrations.
Subianto stated on Sunday that “Lawmakers will see certain allowances scrapped and overseas work trips suspended under a new moratorium.”
Protests began last Monday when reports emerged that 580 lawmakers received a $3,075 monthly housing allowance in addition to their salaries. This measure, introduced last year, amounts to nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta, according to the Associated Press.
The high wages and lifestyle of lawmakers on public money rankled an electorate struggling with soaring living costs and taxes amid rising unemployment. Student groups, driving the protests, seek to upend a political oligarchy and end an unequal economic structure.
Footage of 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan’s death, allegedly run over by an armored police car during clashes between protesters and security forces, intensified the protests on social media. Kurniawan was not part of the protests but got caught in the clash while delivering food.
Subianto cancelled a trip to China due to unrest and spent Sunday speaking with his Cabinet to determine how to end the protests and restore order. TikTok also suspended livestreaming for a few days during the riots.
Protesters ramped up their demonstrations by setting fire to parliament buildings in Bandung city on Friday and provincial capital Makassar on Saturday. In Surabaya, the country’s second largest city, protesters stormed regional police headquarters, burning vehicles and fighting back with fireworks and wooden clubs. Looting and rioting occurred wherever protests took place.
Around 950 people were arrested in rallies in Jakarta alone on Thursday, and about 25 officers were hospitalized with serious injuries after protesters turned on them.
Subianto said, “I sincerely ask all citizens to trust the government and remain calm.” He stressed that his government seeks ways to satisfy “the interests of the people and nation,” but when demonstrations turn anarchic and endanger lives or public institutions, they become a serious violation of law.
However, protests appear set to continue as student protest groups say concessions do not address their deepest issues. Muzammil Ihsan, head of All Indonesian Students’ Executives Body, told Reuters that more protests are planned for Monday and will press ahead despite the concession from lawmakers, saying it falls short of what they want.
The government must resolve deep-rooted problems, according to Ihsan. “The anger on the streets is not without cause.”
Subianto also ordered the police and military to take firm action against destruction of public facilities, looting at homes or economic centers, in accordance with the law. He urged citizens to trust the government and remain calm.
In a statement, Minister Prasetyo Hadi apologized to China for the president canceling his trip, saying “This decision was taken with great caution while maintaining good relations with the Chinese government.”
