An angry mob has set fire to a local parliament building in the Indonesian provincial capital of Makassar, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least three individuals and leaving five others hospitalized, according to officials. The incident occurred late on Friday night, igniting a blaze that illuminated the night sky with an eerie orange glow. The provincial council building was engulfed in flames, as shown in dramatic television reports.
By Saturday morning, rescuers had recovered three bodies from the scene, while five individuals were admitted to the hospital suffering from serious burns and injuries sustained from jumping out of the burning building. Fadli Tahar, a local disaster management official, confirmed the details, highlighting the chaotic aftermath of the fire.
The unrest wasn’t limited to Makassar. In Bandung, West Java, protesters also set fire to a regional parliament building on the same day, although there were no reported casualties. Meanwhile, in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, a group of demonstrators stormed the regional police headquarters, destroying fences and setting vehicles ablaze. Security forces responded by deploying tear gas and water cannons, but the demonstrators fought back with fireworks and makeshift weapons.
In light of the escalating violence, foreign embassies in Jakarta, including those of the U.S. and Australia, have advised their citizens to steer clear of demonstration areas and large public gatherings. As of Saturday, calm appeared to have returned to Indonesia’s capital, with authorities working to clear away the remnants of the chaos, including burned-out vehicles and damaged police facilities.
The protests began on Monday in Jakarta, spurred by reports that all 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (approximately $3,075) in addition to their salaries. This allowance, which was introduced last year, is nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta. Critics argue that this financial privilege is excessive and insensitive, especially during a time of soaring living costs and rising unemployment.
The situation escalated further after the death of a 21-year-old ride-hailing driver, Affan Kurniawan. A shocking video circulating on social media reportedly shows Kurniawan’s death during a rally in Jakarta on Thursday. Witnesses claim that Kurniawan was struck by an armored vehicle belonging to the National Police’s Mobile Brigade while he was completing a food delivery. Instead of stopping, the vehicle continued forward, leading to his tragic demise.
In response to Kurniawan’s death, hundreds of ride-hailing drivers and students in Bali participated in a solidarity demonstration, calling for police reform and the release of those arrested during the protests. The crowd marched towards Bali’s regional police headquarters, only to be met with tear gas from riot police trying to control the situation. Protesters retaliated by throwing rocks, bottles, and flares, leading to further clashes.
Protests erupted in multiple cities across Indonesia on Friday, including Medan, Solo, Yogyakarta, Magelang, Malang, Bengkulu, Pekanbaru, and even the easternmost region of Papua. The Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights reported that around 950 individuals were arrested in Jakarta alone by Thursday. Authorities also disclosed that approximately 25 police officers were hospitalized due to injuries inflicted by protesters.
Amnesty International has condemned the actions of the Indonesian government, asserting that it suppresses free speech through crackdowns on public protests. Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, stated, “No one should lose their lives for exercising their right to protest,” and urged authorities to unconditionally release anyone detained solely for exercising their rights.
The ongoing unrest in Indonesia highlights the growing frustrations among citizens regarding governmental policies and the need for reform. As the country grapples with these challenges, the call for justice and accountability continues to resonate among the populace.
