Protesters in Indonesia set fire to parliament after cops kill taxi driver

Protesters in Indonesia have set fire to a parliament building, as massive unrest sweeps the country.

Working-class people are fighting back in more than 30 towns and cities against the cost of living, politicians’ perks, and police brutality.

Parliament set to fire by the Indonesian youth and workers and the predominant reason is the increase in salaries of the parliamentarians which was 50 times more than the minimum wage in Indonesia. pic.twitter.com/WiFCQWuPr6

— Khadija (@KhadijaA1917) August 30, 2025

 

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So far, protests are predominantly aimed at parliament and the Indonesian National Police, with several police stations being damaged.

Thousands rally at Indonesia’s Parliament for labor rights & justice. 150+ injured, medics under fire. Police attacking protesters & health workers, even running people over.#ThePoliceKillCivilian @BBC @CNN @ndtv @dwnews @AP @AJENews @nytimes @SkyNews @SCMPNews @FoxNews @ABC https://t.co/iy2vJ7wbpc

— sj (@shinjeunii) August 29, 2025

Rising anger in Indonesia

Public anger started to rise over inflation, mass layoffs, property tax increases and a controversial housing allowance for members of the Indonesian parliament. It was equivalent to nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta, the capital.

What’s happening in Indonesia?

[Indonesia is a country of 280+ million and the largest economy in South-East Asia]

– Currently seeing significant protests over cost of living increases while politicians have given themselves a housing bonus equivalent to 10-20 x minimum wage. pic.twitter.com/VoZYGlfHdo

— Tangerine Meow ⁷ (@MinYoongiAgenda) August 30, 2025

Parliament previously promised wage increases and anti-corruption reforms; however, they have yet to happen.

Then, on Friday, 29 August, the Police killed a motorcycle taxi driver during a demonstration. This further fuelled the riots.

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has called for calm after police ran over and killed a man during anti-gov’t protests.

Demonstrators took to the streets of Jakarta after finding out lawmakers receive benefits totalling almost 20 times the average monthly salary. pic.twitter.com/Rn9QmgKAgQ

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 29, 2025

Al Jazeera reported:

Affan Kurniawan, 21, was reportedly completing a food delivery service order when an armoured police vehicle ran into him outside Indonesia’s House of Representatives as riot police dispersed crowds.

In retaliation:

Protesters marched to the headquarters of the police mobile brigade in Jakarta on Friday, and some destroyed traffic signs and other infrastructure, causing traffic to come to a standstill in the area.

As night fell, the clashes continued and quickly rippled through Jakarta and beyond, with tear gas lingering in the air and protesters refusing to disperse.

In Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, protesters stormed the governor’s office compound after destroying fences and setting fire to vehicles. Security forces fired tear gas and used water cannon, but demonstrators fought back with fireworks and wooden clubs.

Police brutality

Now, people are reporting police brutality in Indonesia.

Brutal police repression gripped Indonesia as students and unions marched in nationwide protests. Riot squads fired tear gas and water cannon, met by chants for higher wages, job security and an end to outsourcing, in one of the biggest labor mobilisations in recent years. pic.twitter.com/T3v6aiMCD9

— comra (@comrawire) August 28, 2025

As Asia Times reported, the protests, mixed with police brutality, have killed at least six people, with hundreds injured, and over 1,200 arrested. Protesters have also ransacked politicians’ homes and looted on livestream.

However, there is also speculation about military involvement in the unrest. Asia Times reported:

the mayhem is possibly being stoked from the shadows to eventually justify a heavy-handed military intervention and possible political reset.

Rich Vs poor

Other social media users have commended the protesters, as governments worldwide deepen the divide between rich and poor.

with the economy & job market the way it is, cost of living throwing even the middle classes under the bus and the ruling classes of the world slaughtering human beings like livestock, this should be happening in every corner on earth right now https://t.co/NP2pETccqV

— silk road stan (@mini_babushka) August 31, 2025

That’s how it’s done ! https://t.co/6w74cU6zQC pic.twitter.com/mlAKxy0ToP

— Black (@LilithBlack25) September 1, 2025

they got spine https://t.co/gbmjmRI9Nc

— ⛰️/acc (@sumit_frHills) September 1, 2025

Civilians pay taxes, and that money pays elected officials to serve. But in Indonesia, as with many other countries, paid officials have only been serving their own selfish interests for far too long.

The recent events in Indonesia 🇮🇩 show once again that politicians should never underestimate the power of the PEOPLE, the rakyat. When you’re elected by the rakyat, your purpose is to serve them, not yourself. And when leaders choose self-interest over public well-being,…

— Ceddy (@CeddyOrNot) September 1, 2025

Indonesia and Philippines youth are naming and shaming – calling out the nepo kids of politicians and business leaders in their countries, many of whom live in the west and show off their riches on Instagram. Some have gone private. https://t.co/JSpSLWzRGM

— Anang Mittal अनंग मित्तल (@anangbhai) August 31, 2025

Politicians across the world are taking home huge paychecks, with constant pay rises, benefits, housing allowances, and freebies. Meanwhile, the cost-of-living crisis worsens, and ordinary people struggle to make ends meet. As long as our politicians are able to do this, anger will continue rising. But the people of Indonesia are paying attention – and they’re pissed.

Feature image via Al Jazeera English/YouTube