Demonstrations Erupt Over Reports of Lawmakers Receiving Exorbitant Monthly Housing Allowances Exceeding $3,000
The confrontations on Monday followed protests by demonstrators, who were dressed in black, throwing rocks and setting off fireworks at the police, as they sought to enter the Indonesian parliament building.
Protesters managed to set fire to at least one motorcycle, but authorities have not reported any casualties, damages, or arrests.
The heart of the protesters’ anger stems from reports that 580 members of the House of Representatives have been receiving a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) since September 2024.
This sum is deemed unfair in the face of the widespread economic struggles facing Indonesian citizens.
In the country’s underprivileged areas, this housing benefit is roughly 20 times the generous monthly minimum wage.
As organizer Gejayan Memanggil stated, the protesters are demanding a cut in the salaries of parliamentarians and are protesting against the “corrupt elites” in the government, as well as policies favoring conglomerates and the military.
Some protesters carried a flag from the Japanese manga series One Piece, which has become a symbol of dissent against government policies in the country.
Jakarta police spokesperson Ade Ary Syam Indradi confirmed the deployment of 1,250 police officers to secure the area around the parliament building.
House Speaker Puan Maharani or her deputy did not immediately respond.
On Saturday, Maharani told reporters that the wage amount had been thoroughly evaluated and adjusted according to the current cost of living in Jakarta.
Corruption remains widespread in Indonesia, where police and members of parliament are often seen as corrupt by activists in this nation of over 280 million people.
