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2w ago

Indonesia Tightens Security After Deadly Unrest Over Lawmakers’ Perks

A police vehicle killing turned anger over MPs’ housing allowances into the sharpest test of President Prabowo’s rule.

Police officers cover themselves with riot shields as a protester throws rock at them during a protest against lavish allowances given to parliament members, outside the parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
A protester walks with an Indonesian flag in front of a police headquarters that was set on fire and looted during demonstrations in Surabaya on August 31, 2025.
Protesters shout slogans during a protest, against lavish allowances given to parliament members, outside the parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
A protester throws rock at the police during a protest against lavish allowances given to parliament members, outside the parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Overview

  • Police and military mounted checkpoints, patrols and sniper positions in Jakarta as classes moved online and many civil servants worked from home, with some protest organizers postponing rallies over fears of a crackdown.
  • Authorities and local reports put the death toll at at least six, including victims in a Makassar council-building fire and a university student in Yogyakarta, as casualty counts and damage assessments continue.
  • The unrest escalated after footage showed an armored police vehicle running over 21-year-old delivery driver Affan Kurniawan in Jakarta, igniting nationwide anger at security forces.
  • Prabowo announced cuts to lawmakers’ benefits and a halt to overseas trips for MPs, canceled a planned China visit, and said police are investigating seven officers linked to Kurniawan’s death while ordering firm action against looting and arson.
  • Jakarta authorities reported 1,240 detentions, hundreds injured and infrastructure losses of roughly 55 billion rupiah, TikTok paused its live feature for a few days, and markets and the rupiah came under pressure.