Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged on Monday to scrap special privileges for lawmakers, including a controversial $3.000 housing allowance, in a bid to calm anger during days of nationwide protests over police brutality and corruption in the country that have left six people dead.
By Monday, "certain allowances for MPs will be waived and working trips abroad suspended in accordance with the new moratorium," Subianto said.
But Subianto warned that violence "degenerates into treason and terrorism" which "the state will not tolerate because they destabilize the country. When protesters destroy public facilities, endanger lives and attack private homes or public institutions, it is a serious violation of the law," he said.
The death toll in riots that erupted in several cities rose to six after authorities in Yogyakarta confirmed today that a 21-year-old student was killed in clashes between stone-throwing protesters and police on Friday.
The five-day protests began on Monday in Jakarta, sparked by news that all 580 lawmakers were receiving a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3.075) in addition to their salaries. The allowance, introduced last year, is almost 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta.
Critics argue that the new allowance is not only excessive but also unjustified at a time when most people are struggling with rising living costs and rising unemployment.
The protests became more widespread and violent after the death of a 21-year-old food delivery man on a motorcycle who was run over by an armored vehicle during a police raid on protesters, which shocked citizens and sparked anger against the security forces.
Subianto said police are investigating seven officers linked to the incident.
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