Indonesian finance minister’s home looted as unrest spreads
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Indonesian Finance Minister, Lawmakers’ Homes Ransacked as Unrest in Jakarta Escalates
A wave of violent unrest over parliamentary perks and political discontent swept through Jakarta and surrounding areas this weekend. Mobs looted the homes of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and several lawmakers. The surge of violence marks a dangerous escalation of unrest that began August 25, when university students took to the streets to protest lawmakers’ controversial pay and benefit increases. Tensions boiled over on Thursday after a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan, was killed by a police armored vehicle during a protest in central Jakarta.Since then, mobs have torched police stations, government vehicles, and public infrastructure, while authorities have resorted to tear gas, water cannons, and mass arrests. More than 300 people, including hundreds of high school students, have been detained since the unrest began. In separate Instagram videos, Uya and Eko publicly apologized. “I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart to all Indonesians,” Uya said.
In the early hours of Sunday, hundreds of people stormed Mulyani’s residence in the upscale Bintaro Jaya neighborhood of South Tangerang. Witnesses said the crowd overpowered soldiers guarding the gated community, broke through the portal, and forced entry into the minister’s home, vandalizing property and carrying away valuables ranging from electronics and paintings to clothing and furniture.
“I was shocked because they forced their way into the housing complex, shouting and causing chaos,” said Agung, a nearby resident. “They took things from the minister’s house. I was afraid they might come into our homes too.”
Around the same time, mobs descended on the South Tangerang home of Nafa Urbach, a Nasdem lawmaker and former actress. Residents reported looting and vandalism similar to what took place at Mulyani’s house.
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The overnight assaults followed a spate of attacks Saturday on lawmakers’ residences across the capital. In East Jakarta’s Duren Sawit district, hundreds of people broke into the home of Uya Kuya, a former television host whose real name is Surya Utama, vandalizing and looting the property before police and soldiers arrived too late to intervene.
Read More: MPs Uya Kuya and Eko Patrio Apologize but Fail to Stop Mobs Looting Their Jakarta Homes
A mob drags a ping-pong table and other belongings from lawmaker Eko Patrio\’s South Jakarta home as glass shards and furniture litter the floor, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (BeritaSatu/Joanito De Saojoao)
Not long after, rioters ransacked the South Jakarta home of comedian-turned-legislator Eko Patrio, whose real name is Eko Hendro Purnomo. Looters carried away luggage, clothing, a refrigerator, and even an LPG gas cylinder from his residence in the upscale Mega Kuningan area.
Both Uya and Eko, members of the National Mandate Party (PAN), had drawn public ire earlier this month when videos circulated of them dancing during parliament’s annual session –behavior widely condemned as tone-deaf amid worsening economic strains. Their home addresses were later circulated online after the house of fellow lawmaker Ahmad Sahroni, a Nasdem member known for his luxury cars, was vandalized and looted Saturday.
In separate Instagram videos, Uya and Eko publicly apologized. “I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart to all Indonesians,” Uya said. Eko, now serving his fourth parliamentary term, promised to “be more cautious” and “faithfully uphold my oath as a representative of the people.”
The surge of violence marks a dangerous escalation of unrest that began August 25, when university students took to the streets to protest lawmakers’ controversial pay and benefit increases. Tensions boiled over on Thursday after a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan, was killed by a police armored vehicle during a protest in central Jakarta. His death has become a rallying point for demonstrators, intensifying anger toward both parliament and security forces.
Since then, mobs have torched police stations, government vehicles, and public infrastructure, while authorities have resorted to tear gas, water cannons, and mass arrests. More than 300 people, including hundreds of high school students, have been detained since the unrest began.
Local residents in South Tangerang voiced fears of further violence after the latest wave of attacks. “I just want to feel safe again,” Agung said. “I hope this does not happen again.”
Read More: Prabowo Cancels China Visit as Jakarta Unrest Spreads to Multiple Cities
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Indonesia’s nationwide protests escalate into violent backlash against elite rule
Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto pledges to cut down on perks for members of parliament. Protests erupt in Jakarta, Jakarta and other cities across Indonesia as violence erupts. Police and soldiers clash with protesters who are angry over low wages and benefits.
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In a televised address on Sunday, he said political parties had struck a deal to cut housing allowances and suspend overseas work trips for members of parliament – a rare concession in response to mounting public anger.
While the situation in parts of Jakarta appeared calmer by nightfall, analysts said the demonstrations were a sign of deeper frustrations that could be difficult to contain.
Protests 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.
Anger towards 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.
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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 former general’s rule.