(Jakarta, Indonesia, 1st) Protests in Indonesia, which have continued for several days, have now spread beyond the capital Jakarta, with several local legislative buildings even being set on fire, resulting in three deaths. Indonesian President Prabowo has therefore canceled his planned visit to China.
This wave of protests is the largest and most violent during Prabowo’s term, and represents a crucial test for the former general who has been in power for less than a year.
Beijing will hold a military parade on September 3rd to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the Anti-Japanese War, which Prabowo was originally expected to attend.
Generous salaries and allowances for Indonesian Members of Parliament have triggered public dissatisfaction, sparking a wave of protests in Jakarta this week.
The presidential spokesperson released a video statement on the 30th, stating that Prabowo wishes to continue responding directly to domestic issues and seek the best solution. He apologized to the Chinese government for being unable to visit, noting that another factor in canceling the trip is the United Nations General Assembly to be held in September.
This wave of protests is the largest and most violent during Prabowo’s term, and represents a crucial test for the former general who has been in power for less than a year.
Beijing will hold a military parade on September 3rd to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the Anti-Japanese War, which Prabowo was originally expected to attend.
Generous salaries and allowances for Indonesian Members of Parliament have triggered public dissatisfaction, sparking a wave of protests in Jakarta this week.
The presidential spokesperson released a video statement on the 30th, stating that Prabowo wishes to continue responding directly to domestic issues and seek the best solution. He apologized to the Chinese government for being unable to visit, noting that another factor in canceling the trip is the United Nations General Assembly to be held in September.
Finance Minister and Lawmakers’ Residences Targeted by Protesters
In addition, the residences of the finance minister and several lawmakers were targeted by protesters, with some items stolen from their homes.
According to Indonesian media reports, in the early hours of the 31st, protesters broke into Finance Minister Mulyani's residence in the Jakarta suburbs, but were repelled by armed forces personnel. The homes of lawmaker Sahroni and two other lawmakers also had some items taken.
Demello, a portfolio manager at GAMA Asset Management, told Bloomberg that Indonesia’s situation is "indeed very worrisome." "We expect that, as the market re-evaluates political risk and policy continuity, this will increase volatility for the rupiah and Indonesian assets overall."
In an effort to calm the unrest, the Democratic Party of Struggle and President Prabowo’s Great Indonesia Movement Party both issued statements over the weekend, pledging to cancel or re-examine controversial housing allowances and other benefits for lawmakers.
The recent protests in Jakarta were initially triggered by dissatisfaction with housing allowances for lawmakers and escalated further when a police car ran over and killed a motorcycle ride-hailing driver.
Each member of parliament receives a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (about 12,870 ringgit), which is ten times the monthly income of minimum-wage workers in Jakarta.
According to Indonesian media reports, in the early hours of the 31st, protesters broke into Finance Minister Mulyani's residence in the Jakarta suburbs, but were repelled by armed forces personnel. The homes of lawmaker Sahroni and two other lawmakers also had some items taken.
Demello, a portfolio manager at GAMA Asset Management, told Bloomberg that Indonesia’s situation is "indeed very worrisome." "We expect that, as the market re-evaluates political risk and policy continuity, this will increase volatility for the rupiah and Indonesian assets overall."
In an effort to calm the unrest, the Democratic Party of Struggle and President Prabowo’s Great Indonesia Movement Party both issued statements over the weekend, pledging to cancel or re-examine controversial housing allowances and other benefits for lawmakers.
The recent protests in Jakarta were initially triggered by dissatisfaction with housing allowances for lawmakers and escalated further when a police car ran over and killed a motorcycle ride-hailing driver.
Each member of parliament receives a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (about 12,870 ringgit), which is ten times the monthly income of minimum-wage workers in Jakarta.
TikTok Suspends Live Streaming
The social media platform TikTok announced on Saturday (30th) that it would suspend local live-streaming features for the next few days.
AFP quoted a TikTok spokesperson as saying that, due to the escalation of violent demonstrations in Indonesia, the company would proactively enhance protection measures to ensure the platform remains a "safe and civil space."
AFP quoted a TikTok spokesperson as saying that, due to the escalation of violent demonstrations in Indonesia, the company would proactively enhance protection measures to ensure the platform remains a "safe and civil space."
The spokesperson said: "As a precaution, TikTok Live will be suspended in Indonesia for a few days."
Authorities recently summoned representatives from social media platforms including Meta and TikTok, citing the spread of false information online, and demanded they strengthen content moderation. The government stated that such false information had sparked protests against the government.
Indonesia is one of the countries with the most TikTok users globally, with over 100 million users. The company said it will closely monitor the situation.
Authorities recently summoned representatives from social media platforms including Meta and TikTok, citing the spread of false information online, and demanded they strengthen content moderation. The government stated that such false information had sparked protests against the government.
Indonesia is one of the countries with the most TikTok users globally, with over 100 million users. The company said it will closely monitor the situation.