Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has spoken out against widespread protests over economic inequality, labeling some actions within the rallies as “treason and terrorism.” The protests, which have rocked major cities including the capital Jakarta, were initially sparked by public outrage after footage spread online showing a motorcycle taxi driver being run over by a police vehicle at an earlier demonstration. The recent wave of anger, however, has focused on a revelation that lawmakers are receiving a housing allowance nearly ten times higher than Jakarta’s minimum wage.
In a speech in Jakarta, President Prabowo stated that while the right to peaceful assembly should be respected, the state must step in when protests turn violent. He pointed to acts of destruction against public facilities and the looting of private homes as justification for state intervention. His comments follow a significant escalation, including the looting of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati’s residence, which required soldiers to guard the property.
The unrest has turned deadly. In the eastern city of Makassar, a fire started by protesters at a council building resulted in the deaths of at least three people—two workers and a civil servant. Disturbing footage showed crowds cheering as flames engulfed the building, with few security forces present to intervene. Several lawmakers have also reportedly had their houses ransacked by angry mobs in recent days.
President Prabowo’s strong rhetoric underscores the government’s hardening stance against the protests, which have evolved from demonstrations against specific economic perks to a broader expression of deep-seated public frustration over inequality and the high cost of living. The situation presents a major early challenge for the new administration, balancing the need for public order with addressing the underlying economic grievances fueling the discontent.
