Lawmaker benefits to be abolished by Indonesian government following protests resulting in 6 fatalities
Indonesia's President Vows to Address Public Outrage Over Lawmakers' Allowances
Protests in Indonesia, sparked by reports that all 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of $3,000, have been ongoing for five days. The death toll from the ensuing riots has risen to six, with a 21-year-old university student killed in Yogyakarta on Friday during clashes between demonstrators and riot police.
In response to the public outcry, President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to revoke the lawmakers' housing allowance and suspend overseas trips for members of parliament. Subianto met with 16 religious figures and eight political leaders, including former President Megawati Sukarnopurti, to discuss the matter.
Subianto called on the public to express their aspirations in a peaceful and constructive manner. He promised that the voices of the people will be heard by his government. The President also asked for the trust of the public and urged them to remain calm.
Subianto warned that violent acts during demonstrations risk veering into treason and terrorism, and the state would not tolerate attempts to destabilize the country. He has summoned the country's prominent figures and canceled a high-profile trip to China in response to the protests.
Critics argue the new allowance is not only excessive but also insensitive at a time when most people are grappling with soaring living costs and taxes and rising unemployment. A video on social media apparently showing the death of 21-year-old ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan during a rally in Jakarta on Thursday has shocked the nation and spurred an outcry against the security forces. Subianto has stated that police are investigating seven officers linked to the incident involving Kurniawan.
President Subianto reiterated his government's respect for freedom of expression as guaranteed in Indonesia's constitution and international conventions. He visited no specific political party leaders to calm the angry demonstrations; instead, he condemned the violence and announced parliament would cut allowances for lawmakers and impose a moratorium on their foreign visits to appease protesters.
The housing allowance, introduced last year, is almost 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage. Subianto's government is determined to always fight for the interests of the people and the nation. As the protests continue, the President's actions will be closely watched to see if they address the public's concerns and bring about lasting change.
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