Indonesia has been gripped by a wave of deadly unrest, with protests erupting across major cities in response to a controversial government decision to enhance perks for lawmakers. What began as peaceful demonstrations in Jakarta last week quickly spiraled into violence, resulting in at least eight deaths, scores of injuries, and a growing number of missing persons—twenty, by the latest count from rights group KontraS. The turmoil marks the most significant challenge yet for President Prabowo Subianto, less than a year into his tenure, as he faces mounting pressure from both domestic and international observers.
The spark for this nationwide outcry was the government’s announcement of a new monthly housing allowance for lawmakers, a sum that critics say is ten times higher than the minimum wage in many regions. As reported by Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto and Indonesia’s state Antara news agency, the backlash was swift and fierce. Protests began in the capital, Jakarta, and soon spread to other urban centers, including Bandung and Depok, on the populous island of Java.
The demonstrations, initially focused on economic grievances, took a tragic turn after footage emerged showing Indonesian paramilitary officers running over a 21-year-old delivery driver on Thursday, August 28. According to KontraS, this incident, widely shared on social media and news outlets, stoked public anger and intensified the unrest. The protests escalated into rioting and looting, with a police vehicle hitting and killing a motorcycle taxi driver, causing millions of dollars in damage in Jakarta alone, as reported by South China Morning Post and other international outlets.
Student groups, traditionally seen as the vanguard of Indonesia’s democracy, were quick to join the fray. In Bandung, more than 140 kilometers from Jakarta, authorities fired tear gas into crowds near the campuses of the Islamic University of Bandung (UNISBA) and Pasundan University (UNPAS). Student leader Yoga Tadiyalaga Ruchiyat expressed outrage at the intrusion, stating, “The educational ground is neutral, a safe zone.” According to student accounts and confirmed by authorities, the use of tear gas near these campuses on September 2 further inflamed tensions and underscored the scale of the government’s response.
By September 2, police had arrested around 1,240 people in Jakarta alone, according to Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri. The protests have not only led to widespread property damage but, more gravely, to loss of life. At least eight people have died since the unrest began, with rights group KontraS warning that the true toll might be higher due to the number of missing persons. The group reported that, as of September 1, there were initially 23 reports of missing persons, of which 20 remain unaccounted for after a search and verification process. These cases were reported in Jakarta, Depok, Bandung, and other administrative cities, as detailed in statements provided to AFP and other news agencies.
The missing persons crisis has become a focal point for human rights advocates. KontraS, which monitors instances of forced disappearances, torture, and other rights violations, has raised alarm over the fate of those unaccounted for. “Based on public reports submitted to KontraS... as of September 1, there were 23 reports of missing persons. After the search and verification process, 20 missing persons remain unfound,” the organization stated. The group’s findings highlight not only the human cost of the unrest but also the urgent need for accountability and transparency from Indonesian authorities.
The international community has taken notice. On September 1, the United Nations called for an investigation into alleged disproportionate use of force by Indonesian security forces during the protests. The UN’s demand for a probe comes amid mounting evidence of heavy-handed tactics, including the deployment of the military across Jakarta and reports of clashes in several cities. President Prabowo Subianto, facing his most severe political crisis since taking office in October 2024, responded by revoking the controversial lawmaker perks and deploying troops to restore order. He also canceled a planned trip to China, underscoring the gravity of the situation at home.
According to Economy Times and other international outlets, the unrest has forced Prabowo into a rare public U-turn. The protests are widely regarded as the worst since the former general assumed the presidency ten months ago. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside parliament on September 1, with confrontations reported in cities across the archipelago. The government’s decision to cut the lawmakers’ perks, while welcomed by some, has not been enough to quell public anger, especially amid ongoing reports of missing persons and alleged police abuses.
The roots of these protests run deep. University students in Indonesia have a long history of political activism, having played a pivotal role in the movement that toppled authoritarian leader President Suharto in 1998. Today’s student activists see themselves as continuing that legacy, standing up for democratic values and social justice in the face of perceived government excess and impunity. Their involvement has lent the current movement both legitimacy and momentum, making it harder for authorities to dismiss or suppress.
Yet, the government’s response has raised serious questions about the state of democracy and human rights in Indonesia. The use of tear gas on university grounds, mass arrests, and the deployment of military forces have all drawn criticism from rights groups and international observers. The United Nations’ call for an independent investigation signals growing concern over the possibility of systemic abuses and the need for reform within Indonesia’s security apparatus.
As the dust settles, the country faces a reckoning. The deaths, disappearances, and widespread unrest have laid bare deep-seated frustrations with inequality, government accountability, and the rule of law. Whether President Prabowo’s concessions will be enough to restore public trust remains to be seen. For now, the families of the missing wait anxiously for answers, while the nation grapples with the aftermath of its most turbulent episode in years.
Indonesia’s latest crisis serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing young democracies. The coming weeks will be critical as investigators, rights groups, and the international community push for clarity, justice, and meaningful change.
