Indonesia’s president Prabowo cancels China trip as protests continue
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Indonesia to remove perks for MPs, suspend errant lawmakers amid protests
Protests erupt in Indonesia over lawmakers’ pay and benefits. At least three people killed in clashes between protesters and police. Protests are the latest in a series of demonstrations against the government’s policies. The protests have spread from Jakarta to other parts of the country. The government has promised to act on the protests.
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Protests in Indonesia escalated on Sunday with reports of looting at the homes of the finance minister and several lawmakers, as a fire started by protesters at a council building killed at least three people.
Frustration with lawmakers, accused of being oblivious to the struggles of common folk, snowballed into widespread violence after a delivery driver was fatally hit by a police tactical vehicle deployed to deal with protesters earlier decrying low wages and financial perks for legislators.
Southeast Asia’s largest economy is now grappling with unrest across major cities, including the capital Jakarta, marking the biggest challenge so far for Prabowo’s presidency less than a year into the ex-general’s rule.
02:59 Protests turn deadly in Indonesia sparked by opposition to lawmakers’ ‘excessive’ pay Protests turn deadly in Indonesia sparked by opposition to lawmakers’ ‘excessive’ pay
Prabowo was addressing the nation in a live broadcast from the State Palace in Central Jakarta, flanked by party leaders including PDI-P chair Megawati Soekarnoputri.
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He acknowledged the scale of public anger, pledged to act on lawmakers’ perks, and promised that the government would listen to citizens’ demands while maintaining law and order.