Indonesia Faces Unrest After Delivery Driver's Tragic Death
Protesters have been killed, buildings torched, and politicians' houses looted as anti-government unrest spreads across Indonesia - and the authorities respond with force.
Mass demonstrations, fueled by cost-of-living woes and public frustration with the political elite, first erupted in Jakarta on August 25 to condemn what many viewed as excessive pay and housing allowances for parliamentarians.
By the end of the week, things had boiled over into violence. On Thursday night, following escalating clashes between demonstrators and authorities, police in Jakarta ran over and killed 21-year-old motorcycle rideshare driver Affan Kurniawan.
President Prabowo Subianto and the chief of police apologized for his death - but it fueled further discontent that has now spread to various corners of the archipelago, from West Java to the islands of Bali and Lombok.
At least seven people had died in the protests by Monday, according to Indonesia's co-ordinating minister for economic affairs.
The Perks That Sparked a Protest
The primary trigger for the protests was the Indonesian government's decision to raise the allowance for national parliamentarians. Local media last month reported that they were paid upwards of 100 million rupiah (£4,499; $6,150) a month - more than 30 times the average national income - including a substantial housing allowance.
Meanwhile, everyday Indonesians were struggling because of a cost-of-living crisis. As the government is undertaking austerity measures, and at a time when citizens are feeling economically insecure, the notion that Indonesia's already wealthy political class would see their incomes rise filled people with rage, and they spilled onto the streets to express that rage, Dr Eve Warburton from the Australian National University stated.
These protests spiraled after Affan's death and have since grown to encompass issues of police brutality and accountability.
The Crackdown
Prabowo announced that several state-funded perks given to politicians would be reined in, including the size of some allowances. At the same time, he ordered the military and police to take stronger action against rioters, looters, and arsonists after homes of political party members and state buildings were ransacked and set ablaze.
Protesters torched regional legislative council buildings across multiple Indonesian provinces, and in Jakarta, angry mobs looted luxury items from the homes of several members of the regional legislative assembly.
An Opportunity for Change
It is unclear where the protests will go from here – whether they will continue to spiral into further violence or force the government to cede more ground. This situation represents President Prabowo's most serious leadership challenge since taking office.
The ongoing protests are seen as a significant outbreak of discontent, reflecting deeper grievances about economic inequality, governance, and accountability. This moment could become a turning point in Indonesia's political landscape if leaders are willing to listen and act in the interest of the people.
