Thousands of students, workers and activists protested outside the national parliament in Jakarta against a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah for MPs, nearly ten times the Jakarta minimum wage. Demonstrators demanded abolition of the allowances, in addition to lawmakers' salaries, and denounced corrupt elites and policies favoring conglomerates and the military. Protesters referenced the military's growing civilian role after a March law and recent announcements of 100 new battalions, agricultural training, and plans for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Austerity measures cutting education, health and public works have intensified anger. Clashes with riot police included teargas, water cannon, stone-throwing and fires.
Thousands of students, workers and activists demonstrated outside the nation's parliament on Monday against a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($US3,075) for MPs, which is almost 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage. The demonstrators demanded the abolition of what they view as lavish allowances, which are in addition to lawmakers' salaries. They also protested against what they termed corrupt elites within the government and policies that benefit conglomerates and the military, according to a press releasee from student group, Gejayan Memanggil.
The statement was an apparent reference to the growing role of the military in civilian life under the government led by former general, Prabowo Subianto. Indonesia passed a law in March allowing for the military to assume more civilian posts, while this month the government announced 100 new military battalions that will be trained in agriculture and animal husbandry. In July the government said the military would also start manufacturing pharmaceuticals.
Some demonstrators on Monday were seen on television footage carrying a flag from the Japanese manga series One Piece, which has become a symbol of protest against government policies in the country. Police on Monday fired teargas as the protesters tried to approach the parliament, while protesters fought back by hurling rocks and bottles at riot police and setting fires under a flyover near the heavily guarded parliament compound.
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