Indonesia’s Wave of Violent Protests Pauses as Government Cracks Down
Indonesia’s worst wave of violent protests in years seems to have come to a pause for now after the government ordered the military and police to take stern action against rioters and looters.
Protesters Back Down Amid Heightened Security Measures
Some students and civil society groups called off their protest on Monday, citing fears of heightened security measures imposed after deadly riots across the country on the weekend, Reuters reported.
Roots of Unrest: Economic Frustration and Political Discontent
Economic and political frustration has been brewing for months under the leadership of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who took office last October and was forced to cancel a planned trip to China this week to deal with the turmoil.
Triggering Events and Escalation of Unrest
At least five people have been killed in the protests, which began peacefully over controversial housing perks for lawmakers but erupted on Thursday when an armored police vehicle hit and killed a rideshare driver, according to government-run news agency Antara.
Concessions Made, But Deep Discontent Lingers
Though Prabowo made concessions after days of deadly protests, deep discontent over his policies is yet to be addressed.
Public Anger Over Economic Hardships and Unfair Benefits
Rallies began last Monday outside the House of Representatives in Jakarta as protesters objected to a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,000) for lawmakers – more than 10 times the national average minimum wage.
Government Response and Condemnation of Violence
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Prabowo announced that Indonesia’s political parties had reached a consensus to reduce lawmakers’ benefits. He also ordered the military and police to take stern action against rioters and looters, suggesting elements of the violence resembled acts of terrorism and treason.
International Criticism and Continued Discontent
Amnesty International criticized the labeling of protesters as terrorists and traitors, saying it ignored the underlying reasons for the protest. Despite warnings from Prabowo, people continue to express criticisms of the government on social media.
Future Uncertainty and Potential Renewed Protests
Whether these protests reignite with renewed vigor to throw Prabowo out of office will depend on how the government responds to economic grievances. People are still upset at what’s seen as a lack of change and the government’s violent crackdown on the recent protests.
