Background of Large-Scale Protests
Large-scale protest demonstrations erupted across Indonesia in late August over public backlash against a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (approximately 450,000 yen, 1 rupiah = approximately 0.009 yen) for National Assembly (DPR) members. Student-led demonstrations that began in Jakarta on August 25 spread to major cities nationwide, and by August 28-29, labor unions and other organizations joined, intensifying protests. Some areas saw casualties from clashes with security forces.
Factors Intensifying Demonstrations:
- On August 28, a mobile police unit in central Jakarta struck and killed a motorcycle rider who was not participating in protests
- The widespread circulation of this footage further heightened criticism of police violence
President Prabowo Response Measures
In response to intensifying protest activities, President Prabowo Subianto implemented phased dialogue and policy modifications.
August 31 Emergency Consultations:
- Held emergency consultations with DPR leadership and party leaders
- Decided immediate abolition of parliamentary housing allowances
- Temporarily banned overseas travel by parliamentarians
- Stripped parliamentary qualifications from several members who made inappropriate remarks, including calling protesters "foolish"
September 1 Dialogue with Labor Unions:
- Met with labor union representatives at the presidential palace
- Participants included KSPSI President Andy Gani and KSPI Chairman Said Iqbal
- Confirmed maintenance of non-violent protest activities
- Requested early deliberation of criminal asset forfeiture bills and employment-related legislation
"17+8 Demands List" and Government Response
During the protest intensification, a "17+8 Demands List" of specific requests to the government and parliament circulated online. This was compiled and disseminated by influencers and civil activists gathering opinions from multiple civic, labor, and academic organizations:
Short-term Demands (17 items):
- Freezing parliamentary salaries and allowances
- Independent investigation of police violence, etc.
Long-term Demands (8 items):
- Parliamentary reforms by end-August 2026
- Fair tax system reforms, etc.
Interior Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian announced on September 2 that the government would organize which items from the demands list could be addressed and coordinate among relevant ministries.
Economic Impact and Future Outlook
Jakarta Special Region government recommended working from home on September 1-2, leading Japanese companies to implement remote work arrangements. Most companies returned to normal operations from September 3 onward. While protest demonstrations in Jakarta are calming down, the extent to which the government will reflect labor union and civil society demands in policy remains a key focus.