Protesters have been killed, buildings torched, and politicians' houses looted as anti-government unrest spreads across Indonesia - and the authorities respond with force.
Mass demonstrations, fueled by cost-of-living woes and public frustration with the political elite, first erupted in Jakarta on 25 August to condemn what many viewed as excessive pay and housing allowances for parliamentarians.
By the end of the week, events escalated into violence. On Thursday night, following clashes between demonstrators and authorities, police in Jakarta ran over and killed 21-year-old motorcycle rideshare driver Affan Kurniawan.
President Prabowo Subianto and the chief of police apologized for his death - but it further fueled discontent that has since spread across the archipelago, from West Java to the islands of Bali and Lombok. At least seven people have died in the protests, according to Indonesia's coordinating minister for economic affairs.
The primary trigger for the protests was the Indonesian government's decision to raise the allowance for national parliamentarians, reported to be upwards of 100 million rupiah per month, more than 30 times the average national income.
Dr. Eve Warburton from the Australian National University noted that while the government implements austerity measures, citizens are feeling economically insecure, igniting outrage towards the political class's rising incomes.
The protests have grown to encompass issues of police brutality and accountability, as systemic issues like political corruption and social inequality also drive public anger.
In response to the unrest, President Prabowo announced cuts to politicians' perks but also instructed security forces to take stronger actions against rioters, leading to further violence and chaos in multiple provinces.
The situation presents the President with the most significant challenge of his leadership, as the protests reflect deep-seated grievances against the political elite's excess and demands for systemic reform.
As protests continue, the path ahead remains uncertain, with many calling for a prioritization of dialogue over force to address the citizen's frustrations.
