Deadly Protests Rock Indonesia: Parliament Torched, Three Killed Amid Nationwide Unrest

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Violent protests have swept across Indonesia, culminating in a mob setting fire to a regional parliament building in Makassar, South Sulawesi, which left at least three people dead and five others hospitalized. The blaze erupted late Friday, with rescuers retrieving bodies by Saturday morning as calm began to return to the capital.

The unrest, which began five days ago in Jakarta, escalated dramatically, fueled by public outrage over a new 50 million rupiah ($3,075) monthly housing allowance for lawmakers—nearly ten times the Jakarta minimum wage—and the controversial death of 21-year-old ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan during a rally. A viral social media video reportedly showed an armored police vehicle running over Kurniawan, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for police reform.

Protests spread beyond Makassar, with another regional parliament building set ablaze in Bandung, West Java, and demonstrators storming police headquarters in Surabaya. Clashes between riot police and protesters, involving tear gas, water cannons, fireworks, and rocks, erupted in numerous cities including Medan, Solo, and Bali, where hundreds staged a solidarity demonstration over Kurniawan’s death.

Authorities have arrested approximately 950 people in Jakarta alone, with at least 25 officers hospitalized. However, human rights groups, including Komnas HAM and Amnesty International, have criticized the government’s crackdown, urging the release of detained protesters and condemning the use of excessive force. Foreign embassies, including the U.S. and Australia, have advised their citizens to avoid protest areas.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.