Indonesia protest in pics: 10 things to know

Six people have been killed in the wave of violent protests that have swept over Indonesia, which is being viewed as a serious test of President Prabowo Subianto's leadership. Rock-throwing demonstrators and riot police clashes that started in Jakarta last week swiftly expanded outside of the capital.

Following allegations that all 580 members of the House of Representatives receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) in addition to their pay, public fury erupted throughout the third-largest democracy in the world. Introduced last year, the allowance is over ten times the minimum salary in Jakarta.

​Critics argue the perk is not only excessive but also insensitive at a time when most people are grappling with soaring living costs and taxes, and rising unemployment.

After the death of 21-year-old ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan, the demonstrations became more widespread and violent. He allegedly got caught up in the altercation while finishing a food delivery order. The National Police's Mobile Brigade unit's armored vehicle rushed through the protesters and struck Kurniawan, causing him to fall, according to witnesses who spoke to local television. The automobile ran over him rather than stopping.

During the turmoil that quickly turned into looting and vehicle burning, angry demonstrators in a number of cities set fire to police headquarters and regional parliament buildings, damaging infrastructure. Additional student and protester meetings were scheduled for Monday in a number of sites throughout the vast island of Indonesia.

Three individuals were killed and five others were hospitalized when an enraged mob set fire to the local parliament building in Makassar, Sulawesi Island, late Friday. A man believed to be a police intelligence officer posing as a delivery rider was beaten to death by a mob during the city's separate incident. Authorities in Yogyakarta reported that a university student was murdered in Friday's skirmishes between riot police and rock-throwing protesters, bringing the death toll to six.

According to a rights group, at least 20 people were reported missing following violent protests in Indonesia that were triggered by extravagant benefits for lawmakers that have evolved to include resentment towards the police. "As of September 1, there were 23 complaints of missing persons, according to public reports that were sent to KontraS. Twenty missing people have not been found following the search and verification procedure".

Prabowo Subianto, the president of Indonesia, gave the security forces strict instructions on Sunday to put an end to the demonstrations. According to a report by AP, he said that there were indications of illegal activity that may possibly result in treason and terrorism. "In accordance with the laws, I have directed the military and police to take the strongest possible action against the destruction of public facilities, looting at individual homes, and economic centers."
Citing growing protests across the country, Subianto canceled his high-profile travel to China to join the Victory Day Parade in Beijing on September 3.

Citing steps to maintain the site as a safe and civil place, TikTok voluntarily suspended its LIVE feature in response to the escalating violence in Indonesia. The U.S., Australia, France, Canada, and Southeast Asian nations have all issued travel warnings and recommended their people in Indonesia to stay away from protest sites and sizable public gatherings.

At a televised press conference in Jakarta, flanked by the heads of eight Indonesian political parties, Subianto announced that the government will stop allowing members of parliament to go abroad and reduce their benefits and privileges, including the contentious housing allowance. In reaction to growing public ire, it was an uncommon compromise.

Subianto added that police are looking into seven policemen connected to the Kurniawan death incident and have directed a prompt, open investigation that is open to the public. Additionally, he would guarantee that Kurniawan's family would be financially supported by his administration.

Six people were killed in rallies across Indonesia on Monday, prompting the UN to ask for probes into the alleged use of disproportionate force. UN human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani stated, "We are closely monitoring the wave of violence in Indonesia in the context of nationwide protests over parliamentary allowances, austerity measures, and alleged use of unnecessary or disproportionate force by security forces."

Following five days of protests in Jakarta, 1,240 rioters were taken into custody by the authorities. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung told AP that rioters had destroyed buses and subway shelters and damaged other infrastructure, resulting in damages of up to 55 billion rupiah ($3.3 million). As U.S. President Donald Trump implemented 19% tariffs on Indonesian exports, many have brushed aside Subianto's claim to increase economic growth to 8% within five years, which he made during his presidential campaign.