Protests against the government have intensified across Indonesia, exacerbating chaos. An angry mob stormed the residence of the Minister of Finance, stealing possessions, leading to an uncontrollable escalation of the situation.
The protests were sparked by revelations that 580 members of the House of Representatives have been receiving a housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (about 4.3 million won) per month since last September. The 50 million rupiah is equivalent to ten times the monthly minimum wage in the capital, Jakarta. Protests that began in Jakarta on the 25th have spread to other cities such as Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and Bandung.
Experts are identifying the root causes in Indonesia's economy. A reduction in manufacturing jobs, a weakening of the middle class's purchasing power, and high youth unemployment have combined to push public discontent to record highs. Analysts suggest that the pent-up anger among Indonesians exploded due to politicians pursuing their own interests rather than focusing on the economy.
Moreover, the situation worsened with the death of 21-year-old motorcycle delivery driver Akpan Kurniawan, who was crushed by a police armored vehicle on the 28th. In Makassar, South Sulawesi province, protesters set fire to the local council, resulting in three deaths and five injuries, while some protesters invaded the home of Minister Sri Mulyani, located near Jakarta, stealing chairs, paintings, and shoes in two separate incidents. Minister Sri Mulyani has reportedly faced public backlash due to her recent implementation of austerity measures.
The attitudes of politicians following the protests have also worsened the situation. Ahmad Sahroni, a member of the ruling coalition party NasDem, referred to the protesters demanding the dissolution of the parliament as "the dumbest people in the world," stating, "I support arresting and imprisoning protesters behaving like they are in anarchy," while Napak Urbach argued for an increase in members' allowances citing excessive traffic on the way to the parliament, further fueling public sentiment.
President Prabowo Subianto is making every effort to contain the situation. He stated, "Illegal protests are leading to anti-state acts and terrorism," instructing the police and military to maintain order, while also revealing that the parliament has agreed to reduce allowances in an effort to placate the public. He has canceled plans to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and the 80th anniversary parade of Victory Day in China, as well as a subsequent visit to Japan.
Political instability is also impacting the financial markets. Last week, the Jakarta stock market fell by 1.5%, and the rupiah depreciated by 0.8% against the dollar, indicating an unstable trend.