Prabowo announces parliament’s U-turn on housing benefit for MPs

Some Indonesian civil society and student groups have called off protests meant for Sep. 1, as Indonesia ramps up security measures in the capital Jakarta.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has signalled his seriousness by cancelling plans to travel to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, as well as the 80th Victory Day Parade.

'Violent escalation'

Reuters reports that Indonesian students and civil society groups have called off Sep. 1 protests, with fears over increased security measures cited as the leading cause.

Reuters quotes one such group, the Alliance of Indonesian Women, which said that it was delaying planned protests to “avoid increased violent escalation by authorities”, saying that it would resume protests only after the “situation calms down”.

This comes after a weekend of protests where several government buildings were set on fire, and at least three people died.

Cancelled travel plans and security presence

Anatara News reported that Prabowo has sent Foreign Minister Sugiono in his stead to China's victory parade, and that he had apologised to his Chinese hosts for the change of plans.

Meanwhile, France 24 reports that security in Jakarta has been beefed up, with police deployed to checkpoints set up across the capital, while the Indonesian military conducted city-wide patrols.

It reported that soldiers were stationed outside the Presidential Palace, while hundreds more were camped at the Indonesian National Monument, traditionally a focal point for popular protests.

Unrest in Indonesia is linked to several factors, but the issue that has come to embody public anger has been a Rp 50 million (S$3,900) housing perk given to Indonesian parliamentarians since October 2024.

Prabowo visits slain Ojol rider's family

Protests intensified after the death of Affan Kurniwan, a 21-year-old online motorcycle taxi rider who was killed after being run over by a police vehicle on Aug. 28.

Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto has attempted to mollify protestors, promising to hold the police officers responsible to account, and to pay special attention to the rider’s family.

Prabowo visited the family of the rider on Aug. 29 at their home, along with several cabinet ministers.

Antara News reports that he offered his condolences to Affan’s mother and father, who expressed trust in Prabowo’s government, and hoped for a “thorough investigation”.

Perk removal

Prabowo has since backed moves by the Indonesian House of Representatives to remove some of their perks and allowances, including a moratorium on overseas work trips.

On Aug. 31, Prabowo gathered the leaders of several political parties at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta to announce measures to address public protest, as reported by the Jakarta Globe.

He announced that police were investigating a Mobile Brigade officer, saying that he had instructed that the investigation be conducted “quickly, transparently, and in a way that the public can monitor”.

He also said that his government respected the rights of peaceful assembly and “expression of aspirations”.

But he warned that violent acts of protest would not be tolerated, saying that when demonstrations turned “anarchic”, destroyed public property, and endangered lives, it was a “serious violation of law”.

He compared such acts to “treason and terrorism” and said that the Indonesian state would not tolerate attempts to destabilise the country.

Nonetheless, Prabowo sought to assure the public that, if expressed peacefully, “your voices will be heard, recorded, and acted upon.”

Top image via Prabowo Subianto/Facebook