Indonesia Protest Sparks Prabowo U-Turn
Indonesia has once again become a stage for loud public dissent—but this time, protests are already yielding results. Amid mass demonstrations and deadly riots triggered by a controversial parliamentary perks’ proposal, President-elect Prabowo Subianto has now announced a retraction of the plan, hoping to defuse national anger.
Indonesia Protest Due to Outrage of DPM perks
The unrest began with the proposal to grant 50 million rupiah (around US$3,000) monthly housing allowances to members of parliament. The figure—a staggering multiple of the Jakarta minimum wage—infuriated citizens facing rising costs of living. Protesters saw it as yet another example of a disconnected political elite rewarding itself while ordinary people suffer.
Demonstrations erupted across Jakarta, Bandung, Makassar, Surabaya, and other cities. Student groups, labor unions, and civil society organizations took to the streets in full force. Tear gas was fired. Parliament buildings were torched. Police clashed violently with crowds. One young food delivery rider was allegedly run over by a police force armored vehicle during protests in Jakarta, sparking even more anger.
Prabowo Pulls Back
Under immense public pressure, President-elect Prabowo Subianto announced on August 31st that the allowance plan would be dropped. He called for “unity, empathy, and austerity” and acknowledged that any economic policy must be sensitive to public hardship.
This announcement was seen as a rare political about-face. Prabowo, often known for his strongman rhetoric, struck a conciliatory tone—one that analysts say may mark a shift as he prepares to officially take office.
The Other Flashpoint: Tone-Deaf Math
What made the fire worse was Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad’s attempt to justify the allowance. He broke down the amount as merely “a one-time five-year lump sum,” implying the total cost was fair when divided. But his explanation came off as condescending and enraging. As inflation bites, most Indonesians felt insulted by the idea that 600 million rupiah per MP could be justified by simple arithmetic.
The Real Grievance: Inequality
At its core, the protests aren’t just about money. They expose a deeper resentment about inequality, lack of transparency, and elite privilege in a nation still healing from a pandemic and struggling with youth unemployment. The massive public backlash wasn’t simply about the allowance. It reflected years of pent-up frustration over perceived corruption and state neglect.
Even as Parliament now reverses the proposal, many question how such a tone-deaf move could have been considered at all.
A Separate Spark: Affan and the Price of Protest
Affan Kurniawan, the 21-year-old delivery driver allegedly killed by a police vehicle during a Jakarta protest, has become a martyr figure in the movement. His death triggered vigils, solidarity marches, and calls for police reform. While an investigation has been promised, public trust remains low.
A Burning Building: Tragedy in Makassar
In Makassar, protesters torched the regional council building. Three people trapped inside died in the blaze. Nationwide, more than 600 arrests have been made. Several demonstrators remain hospitalized. NGOs and human rights groups have condemned the heavy-handed police response, urging the state to prioritize peaceful de-escalation and reform.
Why It’s Not Over: Public Trust Still Fragile
Although the allowance law is now scrapped, Indonesia faces a more serious question—how to rebuild public trust. If leaders hope to cool the flames, they must go beyond symbolic reversals. Real reform is needed.
The Prabowo administration must now consider permanent revisions to how perks are decided. Many argue that public-sector salaries and allowances must be subject to independent review boards and transparent audits. Civil society groups also want police oversight, especially in light of the Affan case.
Will This Define Prabowo’s Rule?
For Prabowo Subianto, this crisis may shape the tone of his presidency before it even begins. Backtracking on the allowance proposal was a smart first step. But the bigger challenge is proving that his leadership style can evolve. Can he transform himself into a listener, not just a commander?
For now, the streets have gone quiet. But the people are still watching.
