Indonesia Washes Over By Protests Against Parliamentary Perks and Alleged Corruption Among the Elite

Riot police have used water cannon and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters in Indonesia’s capital who were throwing stones. The public is angry about the high allowances received by members of parliament, which are almost ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta. Demonstrators, made up of students, workers, and activists, have called for the abolition of these allowances and accused the government of being corrupt. The protests also targeted policies that favor conglomerates and the military. The situation escalated with protesters clashing with the police, resulting in the use of tear gas and the burning of objects under a flyover. The protest comes amidst broader austerity measures by President Prabowo, who has implemented cuts to education, health, and public works. Despite these events, there were no immediate reports of injuries. The speaker of the house defended the parliamentary allowances, stating they were adjusted to match the current economic situation in Jakarta. The protests are a reflection of growing dissent and anger towards the government’s policies.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/26/indonesia-protests-austerity-parliament-member-privileges