In Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, riot police have used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse thousands of students who are protesting the lavish benefits that members of parliament receive.
As protesters attempted to break into Indonesia’s parliament building on Monday, they threw rocks and sprayed fireworks at riot police as they clashed with them.
Protesters set on at least one motorcycle on fire, but authorities did not release information on the damage, injuries, or arrests.
Recent reports that 580 House of Representatives members have been receiving a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3, 075) since September 2024 shocked the protesters.
Due to the economic hardship that the majority of the population faces, they view the allowances as unfair.
In the poorest parts of the nation, the housing benefit is equivalent to 20 times the national minimum wage.
One of the organizers of the demonstration, Gejayan Memanggil, claimed that demonstrators were protesting against “corrupt elites” in the government as well as policies that favor conglomerates and the military.
One Piece, a Japanese manga series that has come to represent a popular protest against government policies, was a popular television show with one of the characters.
Ade Ary Syam Indradi, a police spokesman for Jakarta, reported to reporters that 1,250 police officers were stationed to keep the building secure.
House Speaker Puan Maharani or her deputy did not immediately comment.
Maharani stated to reporters on Saturday that Jakarta’s current prices had been taken into account and the wage amount had been carefully adjusted.
Source: Aljazeera
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