Authorities blocked access roads and tollways around Indonesia’s Parliament, creating massive traffic jams across Jakarta.
Thousands of students marched on Monday to protest lawmakers’ lavish housing allowances.
Riot police fired multiple rounds of tear gas as protesters tried to storm the Parliament complex.
Demonstrators retaliated by throwing bottles and rocks, while fires burned beneath a flyover near the barricaded compound.
Officials deployed over 1,200 security forces to protect the heavily guarded building.
Anger Over Lawmakers’ Allowances
Protesters expressed outrage at reports that 580 lawmakers received 50 million rupiah (€2,637) per month for housing.
They argued the payments are unjust when many Indonesians face severe economic hardship.
The allowance equals nearly 20 times the minimum monthly wage in the poorest regions.
Demonstrators demanded Parliament immediately abolish the benefits, calling them excessive and exploitative.
House Speaker Puan Maharani defended the payments, claiming they were carefully adjusted to Jakarta’s cost of living.
Corruption Concerns Deepen Public Outrage
Corruption remains widespread in Indonesia, fueling public mistrust of lawmakers and police alike.
Activists insist both Parliament and law enforcement embody systemic corruption in the nation of over 280 million citizens.
Monday’s demonstrations highlighted frustration with officials accused of enriching themselves while ignoring citizens’ struggles.
Despite hours of unrest, authorities reported no injuries from the clashes.
