Protests erupted across multiple Indonesian cities overnight, far beyond the capital, Jakarta, as demonstrators ignored President Prabowo Subianto’s call for calm, Bloomberg reports. The unrest was particularly severe in the eastern city of Makassar, where three people died and five were injured after protesters set fire to the regional parliament building during a plenary session on Friday evening, according to CNN Indonesia. The mayor and other officials were evacuated from the building.
Additional unrest occurred in Bandung, Surabaya, Solo, and Yogyakarta. In Bandung, Mayor Muhammad Farhan confirmed that four buildings, including a legislative guest house, were completely destroyed in the fires. Police stations in Jakarta and Surabaya were also targeted, with one station in eastern Jakarta pelted with Molotov cocktails, according to Detik. Graffiti covered the walls around the Jakarta police headquarters, adjacent to the Indonesian Stock Exchange.
By Saturday morning, crowds in Jakarta had dispersed, though smoke remained over some protest sites. Troops patrolled the streets in tactical vehicles and assisted civilians in clearing debris. Portions of Jakarta’s inner-city toll roads remained closed after seven toll gates were burned, and the Transjakarta citywide bus service was suspended after seven bus stops were destroyed. Several subway stations were also closed as a precaution. Local media reported that at least 600 protesters have been arrested nationwide.
The protests stem from mounting public discontent over wages, job insecurity, and perceived wealth among lawmakers allied with President Prabowo, who took office ten months ago. The situation escalated after the death of motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, crushed by a police armored vehicle on Thursday evening.
President Prabowo called for calm on Friday, criticized the police response, and promised accountability for Kurniawan’s death. Amnesty International has urged a thorough and independent investigation to ensure fair trials for all responsible parties.
The demonstrations in Indonesia come amid a broader week of political turbulence in Southeast Asia, following a Thai court’s ousting of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for ethics violations. Analysts say Prabowo now faces a critical test as he seeks to advance his economic agenda in the region’s largest economy.
