Indonesia's Politicians Face Perks Reduction Amidst Rising Protests

Mon Sep 15 2025 16:42:04 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a bid to address escalating protests across Indonesia, the government has announced significant cuts to state-funded perks for politicians. The unrest has been sparked by various issues including a recent tragic incident involving a ride-sharing driver.

Amid nationwide protests, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to reduce allowances for lawmakers and halted overseas trips as unrest grows. The demonstrations, sparked by grievances over government allowances and the tragic death of a ride-sharing driver, are seen as a critical test for the president's leadership.

Indonesian political parties have agreed to reverse some state-funded perks their politicians receive in a bid to quell nationwide protests, the country's president has said.

Several cities in the southeast Asian nation, including the capital Jakarta, have been gripped by anti-government demonstrations over the past week that have at times led to clashes between protesters and police.

While the protests have been fueled by various issues—including the death of a ride-sharing driver—one core complaint concerns a new monthly allowance for lawmakers.

President Prabowo Subianto announced on Sunday that several perks would be reined in, including the size of some allowances.

The Indonesian leader, who had to cancel a trip to China over the unrest, stated that some demonstrations had crossed the line into treason and terrorism.\”

He emphasized that he ordered police and armed forces to take strong action against looting and property damage, as incidents escalated during protests.

The protests primarily centered on an increase of 50 million rupiah (approximately $3,030), nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta, for parliamentarians' allowances.

Frustrations intensified after a 21-year-old ride-sharing driver named Affan Kurniawan was killed by a police vehicle during a demonstration in Jakarta on Thursday.

The incident ignited further tensions, leading to accusations of police brutality. An investigation revealed seven officers violated professional ethics, prompting public apologies from President Prabowo and the police chief.

Three individuals were killed when protesters set fire to a regional parliament building on Friday evening.

Protests continued over the weekend, with police in central Jakarta using tear gas to disperse crowds that clashed with authorities, some of whom retaliated with Molotov cocktails and firecrackers.

Rehayu Saraswati, a member of the ruling party, noted that the protests came as a surprise and emphasized that the government is attempting to show responsiveness by cutting budget allocations.

However, critics have indicated that these measures may not be enough to satisfy public dissatisfaction, with further demonstrations being planned.

The protests represent a significant challenge for Prabowo's leadership, as critics recall his history of human rights abuses and raise concerns over a potential return to authoritarian governance in Indonesia.