Huge Riot Breaks Out in Jakarta as Indonesians Protest New Additional ~RM13,000 Allowance for MPs

A massive riot broke out in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday (August 25) following the reveal that the country’s members of parliament (MPs) were getting new and increased monthly allowances while the country is enduring economic turmoil.

According to a report by Channel News Asia, hundreds of people took to the street to protest the new monthly housing allowance of IDR50 million (~RM13,000) for MPs, which is almost 10 times the minimum wage in Indonesia’s largest city, with many deeming the allowance ‘insensitive’ and a show of ignoring the struggles of ordinary folks.

Huge riot breaks out in Jakarta as Indonesians protest new allowance for MPs

“This is really disappointing. Many people are still struggling with an income of less than IDR50,000 (~RM13) a day. They should see that the current situation in Indonesian society is very bad,” a university student attending the protest said.

“Instead of increasing (MPs’) allowances, the money should be better used to increase teachers’ salaries so that they can live well or create jobs,” a protestor added.

In Indonesia, a teacher’s monthly salary can range from IDR1.2 million (~RM310) to IDR7 million (~RM1,800).

During the protest, rioters allegedly tried to breach the metal and concrete barriers of the parliament building in Jakarta, causing law enforcement officers to fire tear gas and water cannons.

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