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August 27, 2025 – Indonesia –
A wave of protests in Jakarta over lawmakers’ controversial housing allowances escalated into violent clashes that left one journalist injured and hundreds of demonstrators detained. According to the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta), police arrested approximately 370 people, including nearly 200 minors, during the unrest that broke out on August 25. Demonstrators, largely students and activists, accused parliament members of corruption and condemned what they see as widening inequality in Indonesia.
The protests centred on the revelation that lawmakers receive monthly housing allowances of around 50 million rupiah (about US$3,075), an amount more than 15 times the country’s average monthly income. Outrage over this disparity fueled the mobilisation of youth-led groups such as Gejayan Memanggil, who argue that the privileges of parliamentarians highlight a corrupt political system increasingly dominated by military influence.
Police moved aggressively to disperse the demonstrations around Parliament. Riot forces deployed tear gas and water cannons, blocked surrounding roads, and clashed with protesters who responded by throwing rocks and setting fires, including torching a motorcycle. The chaos injured both civilians and at least one journalist covering the events, underscoring the heightened risks faced by the media during such confrontations.
The Indonesian Journalists Association (AJI), led by Chairman Irsyan Hasyim, denounced the incident and said it had recorded over 20 cases of police violence against journalists since June 2024. AJI called on authorities to investigate the latest violations and to guarantee safe conditions for reporters covering demonstrations. Human rights groups also condemned the detention of minors and criticised the police for excessive force, arguing that such measures violate democratic principles and Indonesia’s international obligations.
The events of August 25 reflect a broader climate of discontent in Indonesia, where anger at government elites and economic hardship is colliding with an increasingly repressive security response. For journalists, the injury of a colleague and the pattern of police aggression deepen fears that press freedom is under threat in Southeast Asia’s largest democracy.
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