Protests erupt in Jakarta over lawmakers' housing allowances, pay hike
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Jakarta to voice opposition to reports that members of Indonesia’s House of Representatives are receiving large monthly allowances on top of substantial salaries.
Indonesians are protesting claims that 580 lawmakers have been granted a housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) per month since September 2024. Some local media also reported this month that parliamentarians earn upwards of 100 million rupiah ($6,150) a month, including housing allowances.
Activists say the benefit is excessive, amounting to about 20 times the minimum wage in poorer regions of the country.
Although Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy, the figure is far higher than the national average income of 3.1 million rupiah ($190).
Banners at the rally called for a 20% to 30% reduction in officials’ pay and the eradication of corruption.
“Hope in the future is that actions like this can improve the welfare of the workers, and the demands of the workers can be realised by the government,” said Wardono, a protester.
The protests also follow President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to reduce regional funding by 25% as part of austerity measures.
Many demonstrators argue that the funding cuts are in sharp contrast with the generous benefits allocated to parliamentarians.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
