Thousands of students protested outside Indonesia's parliament in Jakarta over reports that lawmakers received a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075). Riot police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse demonstrators after protesters threw rocks, set off fireworks and attempted to break into the parliament building; at least one motorcycle was set ablaze. Protest organisers demanded salary cuts for parliamentarians and denounced corrupt elites, policies favouring conglomerates and the military. Some protesters carried a One Piece flag as a protest symbol. Jakarta police deployed 1,250 personnel; there was no immediate comment from House leaders.
Demonstrators are outraged by reports that lawmakers have been receiving a monthly housing allowance of more than $3,000. Riot police in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, have fired tear gas and used a water cannon to disperse thousands of students protesting against lavish allowances given to members of parliament. The clashes on Monday came after protesters, clad in dark clothing, threw rocks and set off fireworks at riot police, as they attempted to break into Indonesia's parliament building.
The protesters were outraged by recent reports that 580 members of the House of Representatives had been receiving a housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) per month since September 2024. They view the allowances as unjust due to the economic hardship faced by most citizens. The housing benefit alone amounts to about 20 times the monthly minimum wage in poor areas of the country.
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