Tensions are boiling over in Indonesia! Nationwide protests are sweeping the country, sparked by outrage over police violence, exorbitant parliamentary allowances, and the rising cost of living. Citizens are demanding change, putting immense pressure on the new administration. Can President Prabowo calm the storm, or is this just the beginning of a larger political upheaval?
Indonesia is currently engulfed in a wave of violent antigovernment protests, signaling profound public discontent across the archipelago. The widespread demonstrations are primarily fueled by a potent mix of anger over police violence, the perceived extravagance of parliamentarians’ salaries, and a deepening cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by inflation.
The flashpoint for much of the recent unrest was the tragic killing of Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old food delivery driver, who was reportedly struck by an armored police vehicle during a demonstration in the capital, Jakarta. This incident ignited public fury, intensifying the already simmering resentment against authorities and prompting further escalation of the protests.
Following Kurniawan’s death, protesters escalated their actions, pelting the headquarters of the police mobile brigade and setting a five-story building ablaze near the police compound in central Jakarta. Despite torrential rains, demonstrations continued through Friday evening, marking the most significant challenge to President Prabowo’s nascent presidency since he took office in October. Authorities later confirmed three fatalities in the building fire.
A major catalyst for the public’s outrage stems from revelations that 580 parliamentarians receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,000), in addition to their already substantial salaries. This allowance, introduced just last year, is approximately ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta and a staggering twenty times the monthly minimum wage in Indonesia’s poorer regions, highlighting stark economic inequality.
Beyond the parliamentary allowances, protesters are vocalizing deep concerns over the broader economic landscape, asserting that rising taxes and relentless inflation are making daily life increasingly unbearable for many citizens. Organizers of the demonstrations have explicitly demanded a substantial increase in the minimum wage, advocating for adjustments that align with current inflation rates to alleviate the financial burden on the populace.
President Prabowo, a former military general, ascended to power on a campaign platform centered on ambitious economic promises, including pledges to boost economic growth to 8 percent within five years and to position Southeast Asia’s largest economy as an attractive hub for foreign investments. The current nationwide antigovernment demonstrations pose a significant challenge to these economic aspirations and his administration’s stability.
The scale of the unrest is significant, with nationwide protests commencing earlier in the week as black-clad demonstrators confronted riot police outside Indonesia’s parliament building. Further incidents saw protesters marching to police headquarters, destroying traffic signs and other infrastructure, which brought parts of Jakarta to a standstill. Demonstrations have also spread to other major cities including Surabaya, Medan, and Makassar, reaching as far as the easternmost Papua region.
Upon his election, Prabowo vowed to “work democratically” but also issued a stern warning that he would not shy away from taking “decisive action” when necessary. This stance has fueled concern among critics and opposition leaders who fear that the former general might increasingly resort to autocratic measures to maintain his grip on power amid the ongoing social unrest and political challenges.
