KUALA LUMPUR – Indonesian political parties have agreed to revoke a series of perks and privileges for parliamentarians, President Prabowo Subianto announced on Sunday, following a week of anti-government protests that left five people dead.
The demonstrations, which began on Monday over what protesters described as excessive pay and housing allowances for lawmakers, spiralled into violence after police action on Thursday resulted in the death of a motorcycle rideshare driver.
The unrest escalated into riots, with homes of political figures and government facilities ransacked or set on fire.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace alongside leaders of several political parties, Prabowo said parliament had agreed to roll back controversial allowances and impose a moratorium on overseas work trips for members.
“Leaders in parliament have conveyed that they will revoke a number of parliament policies, including the size of allowances for members of parliament and a moratorium on overseas work trips,” he told reporters, as reported by Reuters.
At the same time, the president vowed a tough response to the violence. “To the police and the military, I have ordered them to take action as firm as possible against the destruction of public facilities and looting at homes of individuals and economic centres, according to the laws,” he said, warning that some acts of violence bore the hallmarks of “terrorism” and “treason”.
The unrest marks the most serious challenge yet to Prabowo’s government since he took office in October last year, having faced little organised opposition until now. — August 31, 2025