Calm slowly returns to Indonesian capital under tight security after weeklong protests

ANKARA

Calm is slowly returning to Indonesia’s capital Jakarta amid heightened security following a week of violent protests over lawmakers’ perks, which escalated following the killing of an online rider by an armored police vehicle, local media reported on Tuesday.

The protests began last week in response to controversial increases in benefits for members of parliament. Tensions escalated sharply on Thursday when the driver was killed, triggering widespread rioting, looting, and attacks on public infrastructure.

At least 10 people were killed in the unrest, which saw angry crowds torching government buildings in Jakarta and other major cities, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) reported on Tuesday.

Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah said the victims who came from varied backgrounds, including students, and local government staff, died in mob violence and arson, and alleged excessive force by police, local English daily Jakarta Globe reported.

In response, President Prabowo Subianto announced a reduction in lawmakers’ perks, but warned that security forces would act firmly to restore order.

The warning, coupled with the heavy deployment of military-led security forces across the capital and beyond, prompted several groups to cancel planned protests.

City officials, from mayors to village heads, and local residents have launched the “Gotong Royong” (mutual cooperation) movement to clean up piles of waste from different parts of the capital, state-run Antara news agency reported.

Jakarta’s Environmental Service reported collecting 28.63 tons of inorganic trash over the past two days.

So far, the violent protests have caused infrastructure losses exceeding Rp50 billion ($3.2 million).

The destruction echoes the 2020 Job Creation Law protests, when mobs smashed police posts, bus shelters, and traffic lights.

*Writing by Aamir Latif