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Indonesia was rocked by massive demonstrations in late August 2025. Public anger flared over excessive housing allowances for parliament members and the death of Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle taxi driver struck by a police armored vehicle. These twin issues ignited nationwide protests spreading from Jakarta to Makassar.

In Jakarta, thousands of students and workers filled the streets. Protesters hurled stones and bottles at security forces, who responded with tear gas. Clashes erupted around the parliament complex, Monas area, and TransJakarta bus routes. Public transport was paralyzed, with several stations set ablaze.

The peak of violence unfolded on Friday night, August 29, 2025, when protesters stormed the Makassar parliament building and set it on fire. Flames engulfed much of the structure and vehicles parked nearby.

According to Reuters, three people were killed. Two died at the scene, while another succumbed in hospital. Five others were injured, some leaping from upper floors to escape the blaze. Rahmat Mappatoba, secretary of the Makassar council, confirmed several staff members were trapped as the fire spread.

President Prabowo Subianto quickly expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He promised a transparent investigation and urged citizens to remain calm.

“The government guarantees an open and fair investigation. Any act of violence will be dealt with firmly under the law,” Prabowo stated, as reported by Financial Times.

Police and military officials pledged tighter security. Authorities said anarchic actors would face consequences, while dialogue with students and civil society would remain open.

The turmoil rattled Indonesia’s financial markets. The rupiah weakened against the US dollar, while the Jakarta Stock Exchange fell sharply. Bank Indonesia signaled readiness to intervene.

International outlets like AP News and The Washington Post highlighted the protests as the first major test of Prabowo’s presidency. Several countries, including the United States and Canada, issued travel warnings advising their citizens to avoid protest zones.

Demonstrators are demanding government accountability, the removal of lavish allowances, and broader economic reforms. Calls for an independent investigation into Affan Kurniawan’s death continue to grow.

Student groups in Jakarta and Yogyakarta declared the movement would not stop. “We will not retreat until the people’s demands are met,” one student leader proclaimed.

The Indonesia protests expose deep frustration with political elites and government policy. The Makassar parliament fire underscored how public anger can erupt into deadly violence.

While President Prabowo has pledged transparency, his government now faces the dual challenge of quelling unrest and safeguarding economic stability.

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