What to know about Indonesia's nationwide unrest over lawmakers' perks

Jakarta, Sep 1 (AP) The wave of violent protests that has swept across Indonesia and left six people dead is being seen as a major test for President Prabowo Subianto's presidency.
     Clashes between riot police and rock-throwing protesters that began in Jakarta last week quickly spread beyond the capital.
     Angry protesters in several cities set fire to regional parliament buildings, police headquarters and damaged infrastructures in the unrest that soon led crowds to looting and burning vehicles.
     Subianto on Sunday ordered the security forces to take firm action against the protests.
     “There are signs of unlawful acts, even leading to treason and terrorism,” he said, “To the police and the military, I have ordered them to take action as firm as possible against the destruction of public facilities, looting at homes of individuals and economic centres, according to the laws.”
     Subianto cancelled his high-profile trip to China to attend the Victory Day Parade in Beijing on September 3, citing escalating nationwide protests.
     Here's what to know about the protests:
    
     Cause of the unrest
     Public outrage emerged across the world's third-largest democracy after reports that all 580 members of the House of Representatives receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (USD 3,075), in addition to their salaries.
     The allowance, which was introduced last year, is nearly 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage.
     Critics argue the perk is not only excessive but also insensitive at a time when most people are grappling with soaring living costs, taxes and rising unemployment.
    
     Death toll
     The protests grew wider and more violent following the death of 21-year-old ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan.
     A video on social media, apparently showing his death during a rally in Jakarta on Thursday, shocked the nation and spurred an outcry against the security forces.
     Kurniawan was reportedly completing a food delivery order when he was caught in the clash.
     Witnesses told local television that the armoured car from the National Police's Mobile Brigade unit suddenly sped through the crowd of demonstrators and hit Kurniawan, causing him to fall. Instead of stopping, the car ran over him.
     An angry mob late Friday set fire to a local parliament building in Makassar on Sulawesi island, trapping several people in the blaze, leaving three dead and five others hospitalised. In the city's separate riot, a man who was thought to be a police intelligence officer disguised as a delivery rider was beaten to death by a mob.
     The death toll rose to six after authorities in Yogyakarta said a university student was killed in Friday's clashes between rock-throwing demonstrators and riot police.
    
     Costly protests
     Authorities detained 1,240 rioters after five days of protests in Jakarta. The unrest had caused losses of up to 55 billion rupiah (USD 3.3 million) as rioters burned buses and subway shelters and damaged other infrastructure, said Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung.
     Jakarta's health office said 469 people were injured in violent protests, including 97 who were hospitalised.
     Escalating violence in Indonesia is prompting TikTok to voluntarily suspend its LIVE feature, citing measures to keep the platform a safe and civil space.
     Foreign embassies and consulates, including the US, Australia, France, Canada and Southeast Asian countries, issued a travel warning and have advised their citizens in Indonesia to avoid demonstration areas or large public gatherings.
    
     Government concessions
     Flanked by leaders of eight Indonesian political parties, Subianto told a televised news conference in Jakarta that the government would cut lawmakers' perks and privileges, including the controversial housing allowance, and suspend overseas trips for members of parliament. It was a rare concession in response to mounting public anger.
     Subianto also said police are investigating seven officers linked to the incident in which Kurniawan died, and has instructed a quick and transparent investigation in a way that the public can monitor. He would also ensure his administration would financially support Kurniawan's family.
     The former general further called on the public to express their aspirations in a peaceful and constructive manner, and promised their voices would be heard.
    
     Economic reality
     Analysts see the violent rallies as a culmination of public anger over economic hardship, as well as public officials' insensitivity and political frustration.
     In his campaign for the presidency, Subianto promised to take economic growth to 8 per cent within five years and make Southeast Asia's largest economy attractive for investments. But observers have dismissed his pledge as too ambitious, as US President Donald Trump enacted 19 per cent tariffs on Indonesian goods, adding to the uncertainty.
     The World Bank estimates that Indonesia's economy will grow at 4.8 per cent up to 2027, far below Subianto's pledge. (AP) SKS RD
RD

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)