Indonesia plunged into its worst unrest in decades in late August 2025, triggered by lawmakers awarding themselves housing allowances worth ten times the minimum wage.
The protests quickly escalated into a nationwide crisis.
The big picture:
- Lawmakers granted themselves a housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (about $3,200) per month.
- The move set off widespread anger, especially among working-class Indonesians and youth facing inequality, mass layoffs, and deep budget cuts.
- Discontent exploded after the death of 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, fatally struck by a police armoured vehicle during protests in Jakarta on 28 August 2025.
- A viral video of the incident ignited national outrage.
By the numbers
- Protests spread to 32 of Indonesia's 38 provinces, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Bali, and Bandung.
- At least six people have been killed so far, according to local reports.
- Human rights groups warn at least 20 remain missing.
- In Makassar, a council building set on fire by protesters killed at least three people.
Zoom in
- Protesters torched regional parliament buildings, looted government offices, and attacked the finance minister's home.
- Videos of lawmakers dancing during a parliamentary session further fueled public resentment.
- The Alliance of Indonesian Women led peaceful demonstrations in Jakarta, while other groups escalated confrontations with security forces.
- Citizens demanded justice, transparency, and reform
Why it matters: The housing allowance was the spark — but the unrest reflects decades of pent-up frustration:
- Rising inequality and soaring living costs
- Mass layoffs and limited job opportunities
- Shrinking public services due to austerity
- Corruption and political privilege among elites
- Growing authoritarianism and lack of accountability
Government response
- President Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo denounced violent protesters as threats akin to terrorism.
- The government suspended the housing allowance and canceled lawmakers' overseas trips.
- Security forces were deployed nationwide; officials blamed "foreign agitators" and misinformation.
- Rights groups and the UN said the crackdown has worsened tensions.
- Despite the unrest, Prabowo continued with his diplomatic trip to Beijing for the Victory Day parade.
Current developments
- Amnesty International called the rising death toll "alarming."
- Women's groups in Jakarta marched in pink, wielding brooms to symbolise cleaning up corruption.
- Protests disrupted daily life: public transport halted, universities hit with tear gas, and chaos spread across multiple cities.
Bottom line: The Indonesian riots were not caused by one policy, but by long-standing economic hardship, widening inequality, and corruption. The housing allowance was simply the final spark.
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