The Daily Aus What's behind Indonesia's deadly protests?
Sep 3, 2025
Protests in Indonesia erupted after police fatally shot a delivery driver, igniting anger over politicians' lavish housing allowances. The unrest quickly spread nationwide, leading to tragic fatalities and mass arrests. Discussions reveal stark disparities between the salaries of politicians and the local cost of living, prompting public outrage. As calls for accountability grow, questions arise about police tactics and the government's response, reflecting deeper issues of governance and societal inequality.
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Housing Allowance Replaced Provided Housing
- Indonesia moved from government-provided housing to a monthly housing allowance for MPs to cover living in Jakarta.
- This mirrors practices in Australia and Malaysia but triggered public scrutiny due to local wage gaps.
Allowance Scale Versus Minimum Wage
- Indonesian MPs receive up to 50 million rupiah monthly for housing, roughly A$4,700 per month each.
- That allowance is about ten times Jakarta's monthly minimum wage and constitutes half of MPs' pay.
Context Matters When Comparing Salaries
- Comparing Indonesia to Australia hides differences in cost of living and pay structures for MPs.
- Contextualising salaries matters because nominal figures can mislead about relative wealth.