Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has agreed to cut some lawmakers' perks, including a controversial $3,000 housing allowance, in a bid to calm a week of deadly protests. The concessions, announced on Sunday, also include a suspension of overseas trips for members of parliament. The move comes as police set up checkpoints across Jakarta on Monday and patrol the city to provide security.
The protests were sparked by anger over the pay and privileges given to lawmakers, particularly a housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075), nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta. Tensions escalated after a motorcycle taxi driver, 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, was run over by a police vehicle at a protest site on Thursday. A video apparently showing his death prompted an outcry against the security forces.
Prabowo has promised an investigation into Kurniawan's killing and pledged to help his family. Seven officers have been detained for further investigation. The death toll from the riots has risen to six, with additional fatalities reported in Makassar and Yogyakarta. At least three people were killed in Makassar after a fire started by protesters at a council building, and another victim was beaten by a mob on suspicion of being an intelligence officer.
Prabowo reiterated that his government respects freedom of expression but warned that violent acts risked veering into treason and terrorism. He added that the state would not tolerate attempts to destabilise the country. The homes of political party members and state buildings have been targeted by looters, including a house owned by finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. The crisis forced Prabowo to cancel a planned trip to China for a military parade.
Indonesian students and civil society groups called off protests on Monday, citing fears of a crackdown by authorities. TikTok temporarily suspended its live feature in response to the protests, which have taken place in multiple cities including Yogyakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya, and Medan.
