Riot police in Indonesia's capital fired water cannon and teargas at thousands of stone-throwing protesters on Monday, as anger over lavish allowances for parliament members boiled over. The demonstrators, including students, workers, and activists, gathered outside the nation's parliament to demand the abolition of a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) for MPs—almost ten times the Jakarta minimum wage.
The protests also targeted what demonstrators termed “corrupt elites” within the government and policies that benefit conglomerates and the military, according to a press release from student group Gejayan Memanggil. This comes amid President Prabowo Subianto's austerity measures, which include cuts to education, health, and public works, while the military's role in civilian life expands under his leadership.
Some protesters carried a flag from the Japanese manga series One Piece, which has become a symbol of dissent. Police deployed over 1,200 security personnel, blocking streets and toll roads, causing severe traffic jams. Protesters hurled rocks and bottles at riot police and set fires under a flyover near the parliament compound.
House speaker Puan Maharani defended the allowances on Saturday, stating they had been thoroughly considered and adjusted to current prices in Jakarta. However, activists argue that graft is endemic in Indonesia, with police and MPs widely perceived as corrupt. Monday's protest follows violent demonstrations in Central Java and Sulawesi over property tax hikes, with analysts suggesting a new level of anger toward the Prabowo government.
