Protests Spread Nationwide
President Prabowo Announces Withdrawal of Housing Allowance and Other Privileges
The Indonesian government has ultimately decided to abolish the controversial housing allowance for members of the National Assembly. This measure comes in response to growing controversy over preferential treatment and the nationwide spread of protests.
On the 31st (local time), Indonesian President Prabowo (center) holds a press conference with party leaders. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
According to Yonhap News, citing Reuters and Bloomberg, on the 31st (local time), Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held a press conference at the presidential palace in Jakarta and announced, "Parliamentary leaders have expressed their intention to withdraw several policies, including the housing allowance for members of the National Assembly and overseas business trips."
President Prabowo also met with party leaders. This came as protests took a violent turn, with demonstrators setting fire to local council buildings and looting the homes of ministers and members of the National Assembly across the country. In response, President Prabowo instructed the leadership of the House of Representatives to invite community and student representatives for dialogue.
However, President Prabowo stated that if protesters engage in riots or looting, he has ordered the military and police to respond firmly. He also warned that some recent actions by protesters could be considered acts of terrorism and treason. He said, "Please express your sincere aspirations peacefully," and assured, "Your voices will be heard, recorded, and acted upon."
Nevertheless, Muzammil Ikhsan, the chairman of the All-Indonesia Student Executive Board, the largest student coalition, told Reuters that the abolition of lawmakers' privileges is "insufficient" and that additional protests are "under consideration." He added, "The government needs to address the root causes," and "the anger in the streets is not without reason."
Protests are intensifying across Indonesia immediately after news of the housing allowance for members of the National Assembly was announced. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
The current wave of protests began in Jakarta on the 25th. This was triggered by recent media reports revealing that, since September last year, 580 members of the House of Representatives have each received a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (approximately 430,000 won). The 50 million rupiah that lawmakers receive each month as a housing allowance is about 10 times the monthly minimum wage in Jakarta.
The protests have been escalating. On the 28th, during a demonstration, a delivery rider in his 20s was killed after being run over by a police armored vehicle, which caused the protests to spread nationwide. In Makassar, South Sulawesi, four people died due to arson by protesters.
The protesters argue that the housing allowance for lawmakers is excessive, especially at a time when many citizens are struggling with soaring taxes and rising unemployment.
Indonesia has maintained a steady economic growth rate of around 5% over the past decade. However, discontent among workers is growing as jobs in the manufacturing sector decline. In particular, the number of officially laid-off workers in the first half of this year exceeded 42,000, a sharp increase of 32% compared to the same period last year.
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