On Monday, Indonesian officials further tightened security due to violent protests in which six people were killed, as the anger of the people against the expensive perks of politicians is still growing. The violence started last week in Jakarta, when they got angry because of the members of parliament who were getting a housing allowance that was almost ten times the minimum wage. Although the protests started peacefully, they escalated into violence against the elite paramilitary police force in the country after footage of officers running over 21-year-old delivery driver Affan Kurniawan on Thursday night went viral.
The demonstrations have extended to other large cities since then, and they are the worst since the administration of President Prabowi Subianto. Police, in their turn, have established a series of roadblocks throughout the capital, and officers and even the military have engaged in patrols throughout the city, including the use of snipers in strategic positions. On Sunday, the security show of force also featured a parade of armoured vehicles and motorbikes in front of parliament, which indicated that the government was willing to stop further escalation.
Protesters had organized street demonstrations both outside parliament and the national police headquarters. Nevertheless, at least one organization, the Alliance of Indonesian Women, stated that it was canceling its intended protest because of the increased security. Jakarta schools and universities moved to online classes until Tuesday, and civil servants were encouraged to stay at home as authorities attempted to keep order.
In a last-minute effort to quell the general outrage, President Prabowo reversed on Sunday, vowing to rethink the housing allowance policies, and parliament consented to cancel some of the perks. But there are still numerous professionals and common people who do not believe that the government will be able to respond to their requests. The Indonesian government is a sham. The snack seller, 60-year-old Suwardi, said outside parliament: The people will not be heard by the cabinet and parliament. He included that constant corruption by authorities breeds much anger.
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