Indonesian president says lawmakers’ perks to be cut after deadly protests

In a major concession to those who take part in anti-government protests that have resulted in the deaths of at least five people, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto claims political parties have agreed to revoke a number of benefits and privileges for parliamentarians.

After one person was killed by a police officer at a protest site, protests began on Monday and turned into riots on Thursday over what the demonstrators have criticized as excessive pay and housing allowances for parliamentarians.

As a result of protests that erupted in major cities in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, rioters burned or set up some of the political party’s leaders’ homes or set on fire some of their own.

At a press conference held by the leaders of the various political parties, Prabowo said, “Leaders in parliament have stated that they will revoke a number of parliament policies, including the size of the allowances for members of parliament and a moratorium on overseas work trips.”

The president argued that the state must intervene if protests are peaceful and that “the state must protect its citizens” if people loot private homes or destroy public facilities. He claimed that he had mandated strict measures against rioters and looters on behalf of the military and police.

“Respectful and protected should be the right to peaceful assembly. But “we cannot ignore the signs of acts committed against the law, even those that lean toward treason and terrorism,” he said.

Widespread protests

After a video of a motorcycle taxi driver being run over by a police vehicle at a rally against perks for lawmakers went viral, the protests spread throughout Indonesia, including Jakarta, the country’s capital.

Affan Kurniawan’s death was the subject of an investigation, and the president promised to assist his family. For investigation, seven officers were taken into custody in the armored van.

Numerous protesters’ grievances are raised, but this week’s rallies focused on the revelation that Jakarta’s lawmakers were receiving a housing allowance nearly ten times the minimum wage.

Other cities, including Yogyakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya in Java and Medan in North Sumatra, saw demonstrations in other cities.

In the eastern city of Makassar, protesters set fire to a council building on Saturday, killing at least three people.