Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced a reversal of certain parliamentary perks following widespread protests that resulted in five fatalities. The demonstrations erupted over perceived excessive pay and housing allowances for members of parliament, escalating into violence that marked some of the worst unrest in decades within the nation.
The protests began earlier in the week, with demonstrators expressing outrage over the financial benefits enjoyed by lawmakers. They turned violent on March 15, 2024, after police intervened at a protest site, leading to the death of a motorcycle rideshare driver. This incident inflamed tensions, resulting in rioters targeting homes of political party members and state buildings, raising alarms across the country.
Government’s Response to Unrest
At a news conference on March 17, Prabowo, flanked by leaders from various political parties, outlined the government’s plan to address the escalating violence. He stated that parliament would revoke some policies regarding allowances for members and implement a moratorium on overseas trips. “Leaders in parliament have conveyed that they will revoke a number of parliament policies,” Prabowo said. He emphasized the need for law enforcement to act firmly against rioters, describing some actions as tantamount to “terrorism” and “treason.”
The unrest represents a significant challenge to Prabowo’s administration, which has faced limited political opposition since taking office nearly a year ago. Following the outbreak of violence, he cancelled a planned trip to China and convened key ministers and party leaders at the Presidential Palace to discuss developments. Observers noted that many officials arrived using civilian number plates, likely a precaution against public anger.
Continued Protests and Calls for Change
The military has been deployed to secure critical government facilities and protect the homes of key ministers. The origins of the violence remain unclear, although the protests were initially organized by student associations. Muzammil Ihsan, head of the All Indonesian Students’ Executives Body, stated that cutting perks for parliamentarians was insufficient and warned that further demonstrations were possible. “The government must resolve deep-rooted problems,” he asserted, highlighting that public anger stems from legitimate grievances.
In addition to Ihsan’s remarks, Tegar Afriansyah, chairman of the Indonesian Student League for Democracy, criticized the government’s response. He described Prabowo’s directives to police as “clearly repressive and intimidating,” arguing that they did not tackle the underlying issues of political oligarchy and economic inequality.
Global human rights organization Amnesty International also condemned the government’s rhetoric, labeling the use of terms like treason and terrorism as “excessive.” Meanwhile, TikTok temporarily suspended its live feature in Indonesia amid the unrest, reflecting the broader social media impact of the situation.
As the death toll rose to five, confirmed by the local disaster management agency in Makassar, the nation remains on edge. The agency reported that a mob killed the motorcycle taxi driver, accusing him of being an intelligence agent. Additionally, three fatalities occurred during an arson attack on a local parliament building during the riots.
The government’s actions and the ongoing unrest signal a pivotal moment for Indonesian politics, as leaders grapple with growing public discontent and the demand for substantial reform.
