Indonesia protests explained: why did they start and how has the government responded?

"At least seven people have died, hundreds have been injured and public buildings have been burnt and looted after thousands of people took to the streets in anti-government protests across Indonesia over the past week. The clashes between riot police and rock-throwing protesters that began in the capital and quickly spread beyond Jakarta have been seen as a major test for President Prabowo Subianto, a former general who has been in office for less than a year."

"The protests began on 25 August, with thousands demonstrating outside parliament against a housing allowances for MPs that was nearly 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta. Prabowo has simultaneously implemented strict austerity measures, including cuts to education, health and public works. Demonstrators were also protesting against what they termed corrupt elites within the government and policies that benefit conglomerates and the military, according to a press releasee from the student group Gejayan Memanggil."

"The demonstrations spread across the country and turned increasingly violent on Friday, after the death of a 21-year-old deliver driver in Jakarta. Footage showed a team belonging to the nation's elite paramilitary police unit running him over late on Thursday as it drove an armoured car through a group of protesters. Government buildings and police headquarters have been set ablaze by protesters around the country, with demonstrations taking place in Gorontalo city on Sulawesi island, Bandung on the main island Java,"

At least seven people have died and hundreds have been injured after thousands took to the streets in anti-government protests across Indonesia over the past week. The protests began on 25 August over a proposed housing allowance for MPs nearly ten times Jakarta's minimum wage and anger at austerity cuts to education, health and public works. Demonstrators accused corrupt elites and policies favoring conglomerates and the military, citing a statement from student group Gejayan Memanggil. Violence escalated after a 21-year-old delivery driver was killed by an armoured police vehicle. Protesters burned government buildings and police stations across multiple cities, including Makassar, Gorontalo, Bandung and Yogyakarta.

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