In a bid to quell widespread anti-government protests, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced Sunday that political parties have agreed to revoke a number of perks and privileges for parliamentarians. The protests, which began over excessive pay and allowances for lawmakers, have escalated into the worst violence in decades, leaving five people dead.
The unrest, which began last Monday with student-led rallies, intensified into riots on Friday after a delivery driver was killed during a police action at a protest site. Homes of politicians and state buildings were ransacked and set on fire. The violence has taken a toll on the country’s economy, with Indonesian stocks and currency experiencing a steep selloff.
President’s Response and Protester Reactions
Flanked by political party leaders, President Prabowo announced that he had ordered the military and police to take strict action against rioters and looters, describing their actions as “terrorism” and “treason.” He stated that parliament leaders would revoke policies related to lawmakers’ allowances and a moratorium on overseas work trips.
Despite these concessions, student leaders say the measures are not enough. Muzammil Ihsan, head of the All Indonesian Students’ Executives Body, stated that the government must address “deep-rooted problems,” including a “political oligarchy and an unequal economic structure.” He added that further demonstrations are being “considered.” Tegar Afriansyah, chairman of the Indonesian Student League for Democracy, called the president’s instructions to the police and military “clearly repressive and intimidating.”
Security and Human Rights Concerns
In response to the unrest, authorities have deployed the military to guard government buildings and officials’ homes. A witness noted that many ministers and political leaders arrived at the presidential palace using civilian license plates, an apparent precaution against public anger.
Amnesty International’s Indonesia chapter criticized President Prabowo’s use of terms like “treason” and “terrorism” as “excessive.” The death toll from the protests reached five on Sunday, with one online motorcycle taxi driver beaten to death after being mistaken for an intelligence agent, and three others killed in an arson attack on a local parliament building. Social media has also been affected, with TikTok temporarily suspending its live feature in the country.
