Indonesia saw its fifth consecutive day of violent demonstrations on Friday as anger spread over lawmakers’ allowances and police brutality, a day after the death of a young delivery rider allegedly struck by a police armoured vehicle.
In Jakarta, protesters gathered outside the headquarters of the police mobile brigade, with some attempting to storm the compound. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas, while demonstrators hurled stones, bottles and flares. A nearby five-storey building in Kwitang neighbourhood was set ablaze, trapping several people inside before soldiers, students and residents managed to rescue them.
Protesters damaged traffic lights, police trucks, government offices and private property, sparking looting and torching of vehicles. The chaos forced malls and shops, including those in Glodok Chinatown, to close early, reigniting memories of the deadly 1998 riots that targeted Chinese Indonesians, that led to the fall of the Suharto dictatorship, reports UNB/AP.
The turmoil spread nationwide, with clashes erupting in Surabaya, Solo, Yogyakarta, Medan, Makassar, Manado, Bandung and Papua’s Manokwari region.
In Surabaya, demonstrators broke into the governor’s office compound, destroyed fences and torched vehicles before being driven back by tear gas and water cannons. In Bandung, protesters set local parliament buildings on fire, while in Yogyakarta and Solo, demonstrators called for sweeping police reforms and confiscation of assets from corrupt officials.
At least three people have reportedly died in the council building set ablaze in eastern Indonesia’s Makassar city, reports agencies.
The spark came from a widely shared video showing 21-year-old delivery worker Affan Kurniawan being fatally run over by a police armoured car during Thursday’s clashes. Witnesses said the vehicle from the National Police’s Mobile Brigade ploughed through a crowd, striking Kurniawan, who was completing a food delivery at the time.
Thousands of motorcycle riders, activists and politicians attended his burial on Friday, blocking major roads as they mourned. President Prabowo Subianto, addressing the nation in a televised speech, said, “I am deeply concerned and deeply saddened by this incident. I was shocked and disappointed by the officers’ excessive actions.”
He ordered a full investigation and urged the public to “remain vigilant against elements that constantly stir up unrest and seek chaos.” He added, “In a situation like this, I urge all citizens to remain calm and trust in the government I lead, which will do what’s best for the people.”
Seven members of the Mobile Brigade linked to the incident have been detained for questioning, though the driver of the armored vehicle remains unidentified. Later on Friday, Subianto visited the home of Kurniawan’s parents in central Jakarta, promising government assistance for the family.
The protests initially broke out on Monday after reports revealed that Indonesia’s 580 lawmakers each receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) on top of their salaries. Critics say the benefit—nearly ten times Jakarta’s minimum wage—is both excessive and insensitive amid rising unemployment, high taxes and increasing living costs.
