Thousands of students tried to reach Indonesia’s Parliament in Jakarta on Monday to protest lawmakers’ housing benefits.
Riot police fired tear gas to disperse protesters who approached the heavily guarded compound.
Demonstrators responded by throwing rocks and bottles and setting fires under a nearby flyover.
Authorities blocked streets and toll roads leading to Parliament, creating massive traffic jams across the city.
Police deployed over 1,200 officers to secure the Parliament area.
Outrage Over Excessive Benefits
Reports revealed 580 House of Representatives members received 50 million rupiah (€2,637) per month since September 2024.
Protesters denounced the allowances as unfair while most citizens face severe economic hardships.
The housing benefit alone equals about 20 times the monthly minimum wage in poorer regions.
Demonstrators demanded the immediate abolition of these perks, which supplement lawmakers’ regular salaries.
House Speaker Puan Maharani defended the allowance, stating officials calculated it according to current Jakarta prices.
Corruption and Public Frustration
Activists say corruption remains widespread in Indonesia’s political and law enforcement institutions.
They accuse police and lawmakers of abusing power in a nation of over 280 million people.
Protesters claim the allowances reflect systemic inequality and public distrust toward government officials.
Authorities reported no injuries during Monday’s unrest, but tensions around Parliament remain high.
Citizens continue pressuring officials to reform benefits and address public outrage over perceived corruption.
