Deadly Indonesia Protests Erupt Over Lawmakers’ Lavish Perks

At least seven people have been killed and hundreds more injured in Indonesia amid a crackdown on anti-government protests that began in Jakarta and quickly spread nationwide. What started as a local demonstration over politicians’ extravagant salaries and perks escalated into a week-long uprising against inequality and abuse of power. Protesters across the country are decrying lawmakers’ lavish allowances, nearly 10 times the minimum wage, and demanding accountability after shocking footage showed brutal police tactics. Below, we break down what triggered this unrest, the background factors fueling public anger, the impact and consequences so far, and what to expect next.

What Triggered the Protests?

The immediate trigger for the unrest was public outrage over revelations of excessive pay and benefits for Indonesia’s parliament members. In August 2025, reports emerged that each of the 580 national lawmakers receives a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (about $3,075) – an amount almost ten times higher than Jakarta’s minimum wage. This housing stipend, introduced in 2024, comes on top of lawmakers’ base salaries and other perks like generous food and travel allowances. For a country where the average monthly income is only around 3.1 million rupiah, such privileges struck a nerve.

On August 25, 2025, thousands of students, workers and activists rallied outside the parliament in Jakarta to demand the abolition of these lavish allowances. They denounced what they viewed as “corrupt elites” in government and policies favoring conglomerates and the military. Carrying banners and even symbols like the Japanese One Piecepirate flag (which had oddly become a protest meme), demonstrators chanted for justice and even called for the dissolution of parliament. Initially, the protests were mostly peaceful – but tensions ran high. Riot police deployed water cannons and tear gas to keep crowds away from the legislative complex, and some protesters responded by hurling rocks and fireworks. Over 300 protesters were detained during that first day (including more than 200 minors), reflecting a heavy-handed police approach from the outset.

The situation took a deadly turn a few days later. On Thursday, August 28, during continued demonstrations in Jakarta, a unit of the police Mobile Brigade (paramilitary police) plowed an armored crowd-control vehicle into a group of protesters. The vehicle struck and ran over 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle delivery driver who had found himself caught in the rally while completing a food order. Graphic video of this incident – showing the armored car speeding through the crowd, hitting Kurniawan and failing to stop – was captured on bystanders’ phones and went viral on social media. When Indonesians saw this footage, it shocked the nation and ignited outrage toward the security forces. What had been a protest over economic grievances now morphed into fury over police brutalityand abuse of power.

“Public fury” spread rapidly after Kurniawan’s death. By the next day, protests had erupted in cities across the country, no longer confined to the capital. Demonstrators rallied not only in Jakarta but also in Yogyakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya (on the main island of Java), Medan (in North Sumatra), Makassar (in Sulawesi) and other urban centers. The viral video became a rallying cry, transforming the movement into a broader stand against police violence and unaccountable authority. In effect, two primary triggers converged: economic injustice (lawmakers’ perks amidst public hardship) and state brutality (the killing of a young protester), creating a perfect storm of public anger.

Background: Deep-Rooted Grievances

Beyond the immediate spark, several deeper socio-economic and political factors set the stage for this uprising. President Prabowo Subianto, a former general who took office less than a year ago, has embarked on an austerity drive that many Indonesians feel is hurting everyday people. His government imposed strict budget cuts to education, healthcare and public works programs. At the same time, Prabowo has overseen a controversial expansion of the military’s role in civilian affairs – from appointing military officers to government posts to assigning army units to tasks like agriculture and even pharmaceutical manufacturing. For a country that struggled to reform its military after decades of dictatorship, this resurgence of military influence has alarmed civil society groups, who see it as a return of “corrupt elites” and authoritarian tendencies.

Economically, many Indonesians are feeling the pinch. The cost of basic necessities like food and education has been rising steadily, while unemployment has been aggravated by mass layoffs in industries such as textiles. Labor unions have been lobbying for a substantial minimum wage increase (aiming for an 8–10% hike vs. the 6.5% set for 2025) as families struggle to keep up with inflation. Meanwhile, Prabowo’s budget cuts to local governments forced several regions to hike property taxes to raise revenue, sparking anger in places like Central Java and Sulawesi even beforethe Jakarta protests began. Indeed, in the weeks leading up to the current unrest, violent demonstrations had already erupted in Central Java and Sulawesi over tax hikes – a sign that public frustration was near boiling point.

In short, Indonesians were increasingly fed up with a system they viewed as enriching officials while ordinary people face austerity and insecurity. The huge gap between elite privilege and average citizens’ living conditions has become ever more glaring. Lawmakers not only grant themselves high pay and perks, but are also widely perceived as corruptin a country where graft remains endemic. As one observer noted, these protests reflect “the class gap between voters and politicians,” a gap made salient by recent economic strains. When people saw parliamentarians enjoying luxury housing stipends and foreign junkets, as many families struggled with layoffs and rising expenses, it struck a deep vein of resentment. “How can ordinary people survive in a country where lawmakers grant themselves luxuries worth nearly ten times a worker’s salary?” one Indonesian social media user asked pointedly.

Furthermore, the protest movement has coalesced around broader reform demands. Labor and student groups have issued a list of grievances and goals, which go beyond just canceling the housing allowance. These include calls to end outsourcing and low wages, halt mass layoffs (with a task force to manage job cuts), and implement tax reforms – such as raising the threshold for taxable income and eliminating taxes on severance pay, holiday bonuses, and retirement savings. Such demands indicate that the demonstrations are an expression of general discontent with the country’s economic direction under Prabowo’s administration. The president’s policies are seen as favoring big businesses and the military while neglecting workers’ welfare and social justice. Combined with longstanding perceptions of unaddressed corruption, these issues created fertile ground for a sustained protest wave. In the words of one Jakarta protester, “Our fight is not over… Parliament must be dissolved. Do not retreat.” – a sign of just how deep the anger runs.

Impact of the Protests and Crackdown

Over the past week, the protests have escalated into the most intense and violent unrest Indonesia has seen in years, posing a major test to President Prabowo less than a year into his term. What began as peaceful rallies descended into riots, clashes, and arson in several cities. Tragically, at least six to seven people have lost their lives in the turmoil so far:

• Affan Kurniawan, the 21-year-old rider in Jakarta, was killed on August 28 when the police armored vehicle ran him over. His death, captured on video, became a national outrage.
• In Yogyakarta, a 21-year-old university student (identified as Rheza Sendy Pratama) died in clashes between rock-throwing demonstrators and riot police on August 29. The circumstances of his death remain under investigation.
• In the eastern city of Makassar, at least three people were killed on August 30 after protesters stormed a regional council building and set it on fire. (These fatalities are believed to have resulted from the blaze and chaos at the building).
• Another man in Makassar was beaten to death by a mob that mistook him for an intelligence officer infiltrator, according to local officials.

There are unconfirmed reports of additional deaths or injuries elsewhere, which is why some sources cite “at least seven” dead in total. The overall injured count is in the hundreds, as protests in multiple cities involved fierce clashes with police using tear gas, water cannons, and even rubber bullets.

Beyond the human toll, the unrest has been marked by significant property destruction and chaos. Crowds of enraged demonstrators have burned or vandalized symbols of authority and wealth. In Jakarta and other cities, protesters torched buses and damaged public transit stations, and they ransacked the homes of several prominent politicians. Several lawmakers’ residences were targeted by mobs – for example, the house of Indonesia’s finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati was looted while she was away (no injuries there, but it underscored how even top officials were not immune). In Surabaya (East Java’s capital), protesters set fire to a police facility, leaving a burned-out police office building as evidence of the fury. Government offices and vehicles in various regions have been attacked or burned. These scenes of mayhem underscore the level of public anger and the breakdown of order during the peak of the riots.

The security forces’ response has been robust and increasingly heavy-handed. By the second half of the week, authorities significantly ramped up their presence. The government deployed over 1,200 police and military personnel around Jakarta’s Parliament and key locations early on, and then even more as unrest spread. As protests continued, armed soldiers were seen patrolling the streets of the capital alongside police, and snipers were positioned on rooftops in some areas as a deterrent. On August 31 and into September 1, Jakarta’s police set up checkpoints and roadblocks across the city, creating major traffic disruptions but aiming to prevent mass gatherings. At one point, the police even staged a show of force parade – a convoy of armored cars and motorcycles circling the city on Sunday night – to intimidate would-be rioters.

Civil society groups grew concerned about a potential harsh crackdown. Some organizers emotively called off planned protests for fear of violent confrontations. For instance, the Alliance of Indonesian Women canceled their rally scheduled for Monday, citing the heightened security and risk of escalation. Universities in Jakarta shifted to online classes and government offices told employees to work from home at the start of the week, effectively a soft semi-lockdown of the capital amid the tensions.

Economically, the turmoil has also made an impact. Investor confidence was shaken by images of riots in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. On Monday, as markets opened after the weekend of violence, Indonesia’s stock index fell over 3% – a sharp drop attributed to the unrest rattling financial markets. This illustrates that the instability is not just a political crisis but also a risk to the country’s economic recovery and business climate.

Government Response and Consequences

Confronted with the spiraling protests, President Prabowo Subianto and Indonesia’s political establishment have been forced to respond quickly. In a rare backtrack, Prabowo announced a U-turn on the very perks that sparked the protests. Flanked by leaders of eight political parties in a televised press conference on Sunday (Aug 31), he pledged to revoke or cut several privileges for lawmakers, including the contentious housing allowance and all overseas “study” trips for members of parliament. “By Monday, lawmakers will see certain allowances scrapped and overseas work trips suspended under a new moratorium,” Prabowo vowed, framing it as a concession to “ease public fury.” Indeed, by September 1, parliamentary leaders confirmed they would cancel the $3,000 housing stipend and pause foreign junkets in an attempt to calm the outrage.

This is a major climb-down for the government. Only a day earlier, many officials had defended the allowances; for example, the House Speaker had insisted the perks were “thoroughly considered and adjusted to prices in Jakarta.” Reversing course under pressure indicates how seriously the administration took the threat of sustained unrest. It’s worth noting that, by summoning all major party leaders to stand with him, Prabowo was projecting unity and trying to shore up legitimacy as the crisis unfolded. He even canceled a planned trip to China (for a World War II memorial parade) to handle the emergency at home.

At the same time, Prabowo and his ministers have issued stern warnings to the public. The president stressed that while his government “respects freedom of expression” and the right to peaceful assembly, violent acts will not be tolerated. He condemned the burning of public facilities and attacks on private homes as “serious violations of law”and cautioned that anarchic demonstrations could veer into treason or terrorism in the state’s view. The national police and military have been ordered to take “firm action” against any rioting or looting. Indonesia’s Defense Minister echoed this, threatening decisive measures after mobs targeted officials’ homes (like the finance minister’s).

Indonesian lawmakers scrapped a controversial plan to change election rules, a parliament official announced on August 22, after thousands rallied in the capital over a move seen to help the outgoing president build a political dynasty. (AFP)

In line with this, authorities moved swiftly to address the specific incident that sparked the outrage. Seven police officers from the Mobile Brigade unit involved in Kurniawan’s death were detained for investigation, and Prabowo promised a thorough probe and support for the victim’s family. By Monday, the National Police’s internal affairs bureau announced that their investigation found two officers – the driver of the armored vehicle and his commander – committed gross misconduct. These two may face dishonorable discharge and criminal charges for the fatal incident, with an ethics trial set imminently. Offering up these officers to be punished is an attempt to quell public anger at the police and show that the government is responsive on the issue of brutality.

Despite these measures, many Indonesians remain skeptical. Is the government’s response enough to end the unrest? On one hand, the concession on lawmaker perks meets the original economic demand of the protesters – a notable victory for people power. On the other hand, the anger on the streets has become about more than just the housing allowance; it’s about deep distrust in the government and security forces. As a 60-year-old street vendor participating in the protests said, “The Indonesian government is a mess. The cabinet and Parliament will not listen to the people's pleas. We have always been lied to. That's why people are angry – because our demands were never met.”This pervasive sense of betrayal and loss of faith in leaders will not be healed overnight by a single policy reversal.

Moreover, the government’s hardline rhetoric and deployment of troops have a chilling effect. By heavily militarizing the response and labeling rioters as potential “traitors” or “terrorists,” Prabowo risks deepening the resentment among protestors who already view him as an authoritarian figure. Human rights groups are watching closely, recalling Indonesia’s past crackdowns. It is a delicate balance for the president: he must restore order, but if he oversteps with repression, he could galvanize even more opposition.

What’s Next for Indonesia?

As of now, the crisis appears to be at a crossroads. By September 1, protests had cooled in Jakarta – partly due to activists pausing demonstrations in fear of violence, and partly because of the government’s partial concession. Barricades and security checkpoints in the capital, as well as the announced perk cancellations, have temporarily eased the immediate chaos. Student and civil society groups said they would “delay” further rallies to avoid more bloodshed, at least until the situation calms down. This suggests a tactical retreat by organizers, not necessarily an end to their campaign.

Going forward, several things to watch include:

• Accountability for Violence: Protesters will be looking to see if the police officers responsible for killing Affan Kurniawan (and any other abuses) are genuinely held accountable. Swift and transparent justice in these cases could help rebuild some trust. Any cover-up or leniency, however, could reignite public fury.
• Follow-through on Reforms: The government’s promise to revoke lawmaker perks must actually materialize. Prabowo has vowed that by Monday the cuts take effect, and parliament’s leaders publicly agreed. If lawmakers attempt to quietly reintroduce benefits later or if other lavish privileges surface, it could trigger a fresh backlash. Additionally, the underlying economic issues – jobs, wages, prices – remain. Protest leaders may press for broader reforms (as per their demands on outsourcing, layoffs, and taxes) beyond just the housing allowance. How the government addresses these socio-economic grievances in coming months will be crucial.
• Potential Resurgence of Protests: While the initial flame has been doused, the embers of dissent are still hot. Should the public perceive insincere reforms or continued repression, demonstrations could resume. The current unrest has been described as the biggest and most violent of Prabowo’s presidency so far. It is a test of whether he can manage dissent in a democratic way. If not handled inclusively, there is a risk of protests flaring up again or even growing into a sustained movement for political change (some protesters already invoked memories of “Reformasi,” the 1998 people’s power movement). On the horizon, Indonesia is set to hold general elections in 2024–2025; this turmoil may energize the opposition and young voters rallying for anti-corruption and reformist platforms.
• Stability vs. Rights: In the immediate term, Prabowo’s priority will be restoring stability and preventing further unrest. We can expect a heavy security presence to continue in major cities for a while, along with possible arrests of alleged rioters. The president has urged citizens to “remain calm” and trust the government, insisting he will “fight for the interests of the people.” Whether people actually feel heard and represented is another matter. The coming weeks will show if dialogue opens up between the government and civil society (e.g., perhaps behind-the-scenes meetings with student leaders or labor unions) or if the government relies mainly on intimidation to keep people off the streets. Indonesia’s democracy has been resilient since 1998, but incidents of unrest like this raise concerns about how leaders respond to citizen demands – through reforms or repression.

Internationally, eyes are on Indonesia as well. Stability in this nation of 280 million is crucial for the region. Any sign of political crisis or authoritarian backslide could impact ASEAN dynamics and investor confidence in emerging markets. So far, Prabowo has chosen a mix of concession and crackdown. How he navigates this test will shape his legitimacy and Indonesia’s trajectory in the near future.

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