Riot police fired tear gas at thousands of students protesting near Indonesia’s Parliament on Monday.
Protesters condemned lavish housing allowances given to lawmakers despite widespread public economic hardship.
Students attempted to march toward Parliament but were blocked by heavily guarded police lines.
Demonstrators hurled rocks and bottles at officers and set fires beneath a flyover.
Authorities deployed over 1,200 security personnel to secure the Parliament compound.
Lawmakers’ Allowances Spark Public Outrage
Reports revealed 580 members of the House of Representatives have received housing allowances since September 2024.
Each lawmaker collected 50 million rupiah (€2,637) monthly, angering citizens facing economic struggles.
Protesters demanded the immediate abolition of these benefits, which are paid in addition to lawmakers’ salaries.
The housing allowance equals nearly 20 times the minimum monthly wage in poorer provinces.
House Speaker Puan Maharani defended the benefits, saying the amount matched current Jakarta living costs.
Corruption Concerns Fuel Protests
Authorities blocked toll roads and key streets near Parliament, causing severe traffic congestion in Jakarta.
Police maintained a heavy presence but reported no injuries from the clashes.
Activists accused lawmakers and police of perpetuating corruption in Indonesia, a nation of over 280 million.
Public anger reflects distrust of institutions seen as corrupt and disconnected from ordinary citizens’ hardships.
