Clashes in Indonesia result in at least three fatalities, with regional government buildings engulfed in flames

In recent days, Indonesia has been witnessing a wave of protests across several cities, with tensions escalating over the issue of housing allowances for parliament members and the death of a delivery man during clashes with the police.

The unrest began on August 25, as protests against the perceived lavish housing allowances for parliament members continued in Jakarta. The announced allowance amounts to 50 million rupiah (2,600 euros), equivalent to approximately 20 times the minimum monthly wage in poor areas of the country.

The protests took a violent turn on Thursday, with protesters in Bandung and Makassar setting fire to local parliament buildings. Five people were hospitalized with burns and fractures after jumping from the burning buildings, and three bodies were found after the fires on Saturday morning.

The violence spread to other cities, including Yogyakarta, Solo, and Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city. Protesters in these cities demanded a comprehensive police reform and the seizure of assets of corrupt officials.

The violence also claimed the life of 21-year-old Afan Kurniavan, a delivery man reportedly hit by an armored vehicle of the National Police's mobile brigade. The incident, which was captured on video and surfaced on social media, sparked further outrage among the protesters. Seven members of the police force involved in the incident have been arrested and questioned, but the name of the driver of the armored vehicle remains unknown.

President Joko Widodo expressed his condolences and called for calm in a televised address. He also canceled his planned visit to China due to the escalation of protests nationwide.

Protesters marched to the police headquarters in Jakarta on Friday, with some attempting to storm the building. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters who threw bottles and stones. Thousands of motorcyclists, human rights activists, and politicians participated in Kurniavan's funeral, further fuelling the unrest.

In Surabaya, protesters stormed the governor's office complex, destroying barriers and burning cars. Stores and shopping centers near protest sites in Jakarta were closed early for safety reasons, and traffic was paralyzed in several areas due to protesters destroying traffic signs and other infrastructure.

The unrest in Indonesia shows no signs of abating, as the demands for police reform and accountability continue to resonate with the public. The government will need to address these issues in a meaningful way to restore calm and prevent further violence.

Clashes in Indonesia result in at least three fatalities, with regional government buildings engulfed in flames