Protests denounced as treachery and terrorism by the Indonesian President
In recent days, Indonesia has been witnessing significant unrest, with protests taking place in major cities across the country. The demonstrations have been sparked by public outrage over perceived excesses in parliamentary allowances, rising living costs, taxes, and mass layoffs.
The most high-profile incident occurred early Sunday morning when the Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati's house in South Tangerang was ransacked. A neighbour reported witnessing the incident, describing a group of around 150 people, each riding motorcycles, who took various items such as a television, sound system, living room decorations, clothes, plates, and bowls. Another group, according to the same witness, consisted of dozens of motorcycles, each ridden by two to three people.
Sadly, the protests have not been without violence. At least three people were killed after protesters set fire to a council building in the city of Makassar on Friday night.
The main focus of the protests is the newly introduced monthly housing allowance of 50 million Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 2,500 Swiss Francs) for members of parliament. Critics view this allowance as excessive, especially given the current economic conditions in Indonesia. The anger is further fuelled by videos showing politicians flaunting luxurious lifestyles on social media.
In response to the protests, President Prabowo Subianto has offered some concessions. He announced that parliament has agreed to revoke some allowances for parliamentarians, including the size of their allowances and a moratorium on overseas work trips. The President himself has also cancelled a planned trip to China for the "Victory Day" parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
However, President Prabowo Subianto has criticized the ongoing protests, stating that they are a result of social inequality and economic conditions in Indonesia. In an attempt to quell the unrest, social media app TikTok temporarily suspended its live feature in Indonesia for a few days.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the protests in Indonesia are a reflection of the public's growing discontent with the current state of affairs and a call for change. The government's response will be closely watched as the nation navigates these challenging times.
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