Jakarta protests escalate into clashes, police post destroyed
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Demonstrators in Jakarta demanded parliament’s dissolution and denounced lawmakers’ benefits amid widespread economic hardship.
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People watch a clash between protesters and riot police from the room of a building, during a protest against lavish allowances given to parliament members, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, August 25, 2025. (AP)
Protests in Indonesia’s capital erupted into riots on Monday, with clashes continuing late into the night and leaving a police post in central Jakarta destroyed, according to the Jakarta Globe.
Earlier in the day, unrest broke out near the House of Representatives building in the Senayan district. Eyewitnesses told RIA Novosti that the riots were fueled by frustration over “growing benefits and allowances for lawmakers amid the poverty of the Indonesian population.”
Despite heavy rain, thousands of students, workers, and activists rallied outside parliament, demanding the dissolution of parliament and the adoption of an asset-confiscation bill.
Protesters condemned government policies they called incompetent, with particular anger directed at lawmakers’ rising salaries and a newly approved monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (around $3,000) per lawmaker. Critics argued that the perks are grossly out of line with the economic hardships faced by ordinary Indonesians.
Many participants carried banners, national flags, and even a skull-and-crossbones flag popularized by the Japanese anime One Piece, a symbol that has increasingly surfaced in demonstrations across Indonesia.
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Escalation of violence in Jakarta
The protests escalated into full-blown riots, with property damage reported around the parliament complex. A police post in central Jakarta was destroyed as security forces struggled to contain the unrest.
Authorities detained at least 15 people, including schoolchildren, while reviewing CCTV footage and eyewitness testimony to identify further suspects involved in vandalism and assaults.
No fatalities were reported, though several police officers and civilians were injured. Security forces remained on high alert throughout the night to prevent further violence.
