Protests in Indonesia may diminish, yet the intensity of anger remains unabated

Indonesia is currently grappling with a wave of protests, sparked by the public's anger towards the country's ever-rising costs of living and threats of mass layoffs. The demonstrations, which began in Jakarta and have since spread nationwide, highlight a growing discontent among citizens, particularly the young, who are grappling with soaring unemployment rates.

At the heart of the unrest is a sense of disillusionment with democracy, a system that many feel has failed to deliver on the promises of the 1998 democratic reform movement. The movement aimed to dismantle the authoritarian system of former President Suharto and decentralize power, but these goals remain unfulfilled.

The protests have been a stark reminder of the root issues plaguing Indonesia. The country's Gini coefficient, a standard measure of inequality, rose to 0.381 last September, one of the highest in Asia. This stark inequality, coupled with the perceived detachment of political leaders like Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, has deepened public resentment.

Prabowo, who comes from the Gerindra Party (Great Indonesia Movement Party), is the son-in-law of the long-time Indonesian dictator Suharto. During Suharto's dictatorship, Prabowo was a powerful general implicated in various human rights abuses, a fact that has not been forgotten by many Indonesians. His perceived elitism has further fuelled public anger, with many feeling that he is out of touch with the struggles of ordinary citizens.

The president has made a good first move by rolling back some perks and benefits for lawmakers, a response to the public outcry over their extravagant lifestyle. However, concerns remain about the growing influence of the military and police under Prabowo's tenure.

The protests have not been without violence. At least four deaths and hundreds of injuries have been reported, a tragic reminder of the stakes involved. The rupiah held steady as the central bank stepped in to prop up the currency, but Indonesian stocks tumbled by the most in nearly five months due to fears over political instability.

Lawmakers mocking the protests has stoked public anger, with one legislator calling those demanding the dissolution of parliament "the dumbest people in the world." Suspending or disciplining parliamentarians who use insensitive language would be prudent, a step towards rebuilding trust in the system of governance that Indonesians fought for.

The protests in Indonesia are a call for change, a plea for a more equitable and democratic society. Many politicians and business tycoons from the previous era still hold significant influence, a challenge that the current government must address if it is to turn the tide of public opinion. The future of Indonesia hangs in the balance, and the actions taken in response to these protests will shape its course for years to come.