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Indonesia has been gripped by turmoil over the past week as anger over lawmakers' pay and rising living costs spilled onto the streets
According to Time, frustrations have been simmering since President Prabowo Subianto took office in October last year.
Many of the former military general's policies have been seen as favouring the political elite, and activists had already rallied earlier in February against his austerity measures.
The latest wave of demonstrations ignited on Monday, 25 August, shortly after the nation's Independence Day, following reports that all 580 members of the Indonesian parliament were receiving 50 million rupiah (around RM12,885) monthly housing allowances on top of their salaries.
The allowance — nearly 10 times Jakarta's minimum wage and up to 20 times higher than in poorer provinces — has been described as excessive as the country faces a cost-of-living crisis.
Thousands of students, labour groups, and activists rallied outside the House of Representatives, demanding an end to the lavish allowances and corrupt elites
Protesters also demanded that the minimum wage be raised in line with inflation, claiming that taxes and soaring prices have made daily life impossible for many.
Riot police responded with teargas and water cannons as demonstrators tried to approach the parliament building on Monday, while black-clad protesters fought back with stones, bottles, and fireworks, reported The Guardian.
Tensions escalated on Thursday, 28 August, after 21-year-old delivery rider Affan Kurniawan was killed when a police tactical vehicle ran over him during the demonstrations
Affan had reportedly stumbled amid the chaos and was getting back on his feet when the vehicle struck him. He was rushed to a hospital but died shortly after.
The incident was captured on video, and the footage quickly went viral.
Affan's death sparked nationwide outrage, with protesters attacking the Indonesian National Police's Central Jakarta headquarters on Friday, 29 August, demanding justice
In Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city, protesters stormed the governor's office, tearing down fences and torching vehicles. Demonstrations also took places in other cities across the country, including Solo, Yogyakarta, Medan, Makassar, Manado, Bandung, and Manokwari.
Thousands of delivery riders turned out for Affan's funeral, forming a convoy from his home in Menteng to the Karet Bivak Public Cemetery in Jakarta on Friday.
Prabowo and the National Police Chief have since apologised for Affan's death.
In an attempt to defuse tensions, on Sunday, 31 August, Prabowo announced that political parties have agreed to revoke lawmakers' allowances and suspend overseas trips
According to Reuters, speaking at a press conference at the Presidential Palace and flanked by the leaders of various political parties, Prabowo warned that certain acts during the protests have amounted to treason and terrorism.
He has ordered the military and police to take stern action against rioters and looters.
He added that a thorough investigation will be conducted into Affan's death, and urged the public to remain calm.
