Overview

• Tens of thousands have rallied for days in Jakarta and other regions, with students driving large turnouts.
• The unrest was triggered by a new monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah for lawmakers, which parliament defended by citing the end of official housing.
• Public anger has been sharpened by rising living costs, recent austerity cuts to construction, health and education, and viral videos of politicians flaunting wealth.
• Demonstrations have turned violent as protesters hurled incendiary devices and police deployed tear gas and water cannons, leading to hundreds of detentions.
• A 21-year-old motorcycle-taxi driver was fatally run over near parliament, prompting a police apology, the detention of seven vehicle crew members, and fresh student rally plans at police headquarters.