Riot police in Indonesia’s capital fired water cannons and rounds of tear gas at thousands of protesters on Monday as anger flared over what many view as excessive allowances for parliament members.
The unrest, led largely by students, workers, and activists, erupted outside the heavily guarded parliament building after reports revealed that all 580 MPs receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) — nearly 10 times Jakarta’s minimum wage and almost 20 times higher than wages in poorer regions.
Clashes broke out when demonstrators — some dressed in black and carrying pirate flags from the Japanese anime One Piece, a symbol of resistance in Indonesia — attempted to storm the compound. Protesters hurled stones, bottles, fireworks, and even Molotov cocktails, while setting fire to a motorcycle and igniting small blazes under a flyover. Police retaliated with tear gas barrages, water cannon blasts, and roadblocks that paralysed traffic across central Jakarta.
The protests, organised by student coalition Gejayan Memanggil, framed the allowances as part of a broader culture of corruption and elite privilege. In their statement, the group condemned “corrupt elites” in government, military influence in civilian life, and policies that prioritise conglomerates over ordinary Indonesians.
Anger has been compounded by austerity measures under President Prabowo Subianto, including cuts to health, education, and public works, even as parliamentarians continue to enjoy hefty perks. Prabowo, a former general, has also faced criticism for expanding the military’s role in civilian affairs — from farming projects to pharmaceutical production.
“People are struggling to pay for food and school fees, yet MPs are pocketing allowances worth multiple workers’ wages. This is injustice,” said a protester in televised footage.
Jakarta police spokesperson Ade Ary Syam Indradi confirmed that more than 1,200 security personnel were deployed, but gave no details on arrests or casualties.
House Speaker Puan Maharani defended the benefits, insisting they had been “thoroughly considered and adjusted to current prices in Jakarta.”
Indonesia, with a population of 280 million, consistently ranks high in corruption indices, with public trust in both parliament and police remaining deeply low. Monday’s clashes follow recent violent demonstrations in Central Java and Sulawesi over property tax hikes, suggesting what analysts describe as a new wave of dissent against the Prabowo government.
