Indonesia protests: president scraps lawmakers’ perks in bid to calm tensions | Indonesia
Indonesian President Prabowo SUANTO promised to cancel the advantages and privileges of MPs, including $ 3,000 housing allowance in order to alleviate public anger after protests throughout the country, where six people died.
Prabowo, surrounded by the leaders of the eight Indonesian political party, said that they agreed to cut off the housing allowance to Jakarta at a television news conference in the capital and to suspend the overseas trips for parliamentary members. It was a rare privilege in response to the increase in public anger.
Until Monday, “MPs will see that some of the appropriations suspended under a new moratorium have been scrapped and overseas work trips,” he said.
After the country’s third largest democracy in the world’s third largest democracy last week, Prabowo called the country’s important figures and canceled a high -profile journey to China. He met 16 religious figures and eight political leaders, including former president of the Indonesian Democratic Struggle Party, the only official opposition party of the country.
On Monday, a five -day protest began in Jakarta and reported that 580 deputies received a monthly housing allowance ($ 3,00075) in addition to their salaries. The appropriation introduced last year is almost 10 times the minimum wage of Jakarta.
Critics argue that the new allowance is not only overly excessive, but also most people are insensitive at a time when rising life costs and taxes and increasing unemployment.
The protests became wider and more intensified after the death of Affan Kurniawan, the 21 -year -old driving driving. Apparently, a video on social media showing his death during a rally in Jakarta on Thursday shocked the country and screamed against the security forces.
Kurniawan reportedly completed a food distribution order when he was caught in a clash. Witnesses, local television, the national police, the mobile brigade unit of the armored car suddenly passed through the demonstrator crowd and hit Kurniawan’a and caused him to fall, he said. Instead of stopping, the car passed over it.
Prabowo said the police had investigated seven officers about the incident.
On Sunday, Yogyakarta, the officials in Yogyakarta on Friday’s rock throwing demonstrators and rebellion police killed a 21 -year -old university student, died of exploding uprisings in more than one city.
Prabowo reiterated that his government respected freedom of expression as guaranteed in the Indonesian Constitution and international conventions.
“However, when the demonstrations turn anarchic, destroy public facilities, endanger their lives and attack private houses or public institutions, this becomes a serious violation of law.”
Prabowo warned that violence actions were at risk of betrayal and terrorism and warned that “the state will not tolerate the attempts to destabilize the country”.
The former general also called on the public to express their wishes peacefully and constructively and promised that their voices will be heard.
Orum I want all citizens to sincerely trust and stay calm, Prab Prabowo said, “He is always determined to fight for the interests of the people and the nation.”
