Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced the revocation of lawmakers’ benefits to address anti-government protests that have claimed at least five lives, marking the country’s worst violence in decades. The protests, sparked by excessive parliamentary allowances, escalated into riots after a motorbike driver’s death, as reported by Reuters.
The protests began on August 25, 2025, as people expressed anger over the high pay of lawmakers. Lawmakers receive a $3,000 monthly housing allowance, nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta. On August 28, a police vehicle struck and killed a motorcycle taxi driver in Jakarta. Rioters looted and burned homes and government buildings. They even attacked Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati’s house.
Indonesia protests pic.twitter.com/QsrrwG03EH
— Barra Mundee66 (@Barramundi98) August 31, 2025At a press conference on August 31, Prabowo, accompanied by political leaders, announced the end of parliamentary allowances and a pause on overseas work trips. He told the military and police to act firmly against rioters. He called some actions “terrorism” and “treason.” Amnesty International’s Indonesia chapter said this was too harsh. Despite the announcement, student groups plan more protests on September 1.
The situation remains highly chaotic, with demonstrators looting the homes of DPRD members, including Ahmad Sahroni and Eko Patriot.
I hope the DPRD responds quickly to the demands of the demonstrators to improve the welfare of the people and finally ratify the long delayed… pic.twitter.com/C072j0RQUo
— Penta (@Pentaeth_) August 30, 2025The riots shook investor confidence. They triggered a steep selloff in Indonesia’s stock and currency markets on August 29, according to Bloomberg. The unrest is the worst it has been since 1998. It poses the biggest challenge to Prabowo’s presidency, which began in October 2024. He cancelled a trip to China due to the crisis. Security also increased at the Presidential Palace. Ministers began using civilian number plates, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
Muzammil Ihsan, head of the All Indonesian Students’ Executives Body, said the benefit cuts are not enough. He urged the government to solve deeper problems. Tegar Afriansyah of the Indonesian Student League for Democracy called Prabowo’s response “repressive.” This shows the public’s frustration with economic inequality.
