Violent protests against the allowances of Members of Parliament (MPs) have erupted across Indonesia, leading to widespread looting and clashes with police. The unrest escalated further after an armored police vehicle killed a food delivery worker on strike the following day. This sad event was a larger step up in the long-standing tensions. As the crisis escalated, over 460 people needed treatment in Jakarta alone, official reports stated.
What started out as a peaceful protest against what the protesters viewed as overly generous allowances for members of Parliament quickly erupted into violence. Protesters throwing rocks at police in Gorontalo city on Sulawesi island. In protest, the police bombarded demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons in an attempt to disperse the crowd. The brutal clashes have exposed the rising anger of citizens fed up with the financial misbehavior of their leaders.
Looting and Damage to Property
As frustration reached a fever pitch, rioters and looters damaged the homes of numerous legislators, causing millions of dollars in damage. Ahmad Sahroni’s luxury sports cars were vandalized after a mob illegally stormed his home. In the same way, Eko Hendro Purnomo’s pricey sports vehicle was virtually incinerated. The fire at Surya Utama home was the most well-known case. After the HQ was looted, locals nicknamed it “the white castle.”
Surya Utama expressed his dismay over the events, stating, “What really makes me sad is that even the cats, living creatures, were looted.” When the family’s dogs were later stolen, his wife turned to Instagram to plead for their safe return. The combative mood reached a peak when vandals daubed “Confiscated by the people” on Mr. Utama’s front gate. This act, more than any other, paints a powerful picture of the emotions that have inspired this unrest.
Bonar Tigor Naipospos, an analyst, commented on the unprecedented nature of these events: “It’s interesting to see mobs were looting politicians and officials for the first time in our history.” He cautioned that some aspects of the violence may have been planned, suggesting that “at the end of the day, it seems like someone, or some groups, would like to take advantage of the unrest.”
Government Response and Aftermath
Responding to this unrest, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced on the 23rd emergency measures to address citizens’ concerns. Among a series of urgent measures, he announced the immediate abolition of housing allowances for MPs and the suspension of their overseas work trips. To calm public outrage and restore order more generally, this decision was made in concert with other efforts.
The fallout from the riots has so far produced enough political repercussions to be as significant as the riots themselves. In the aftermath of the unrest, five MPs paid a heavy price. Four of these, directly targeted by thieves, have since been abandoned by their political parties. In response, police have arrested seven people connected to the looting. They’ve failed to bring a single criminal charge against them so far.
Sri Mulyani, the reappointed rockstar Minister of Finance thanked the public for their backing during the storm. “Thank you for the sympathy and moral support,” she said. She acknowledged the government’s shortcomings and pledged to improve: “We apologise for any shortcomings. By God’s Name we will do better,”
Ongoing Impact on Daily Life
As riots continue to plague various cities across Indonesia, many schools and universities in Jakarta have transitioned to online classes until at least Tuesday. Civil servants are additionally being called to stay home to help protect public health in this chaotic time.
That unrest has left seven dead throughout the archipelago. These deaths underscore just how deadly tensions exploding toward the surface have become. Communications Minister Meutya Hafid revealed concerning connections between digital financial platforms and the riots, noting that “violent and anarchic acts were live-streamed and monetised through large donations and ‘gifts.’” This statement suggests there was a careful and well-coordinated effort at play behind some of the elements of the protests.
