Jakarta Protests: Tear Gas Used as Students Storm Parliament

Jakarta, Aug 25 (AP) - In a dramatic turn of events in Indonesia's capital, riot police unleashed multiple rounds of tear gas on thousands of students who hurled stones while trying to storm the Parliament. Their protest centered around backlash against the generous allowances granted to parliament members.

The uproar stems from reports that since September 2024, 580 members of the House of Representatives have been receiving a staggering 50 million rupiah (USD 3,075) monthly housing allowance. This has sparked outrage among demonstrators who argue that such lavish benefits are unreasonable amidst the economic struggles faced by numerous citizens.

As protesters converged towards the Parliament, the police responded with tear gas. Protesters retaliated by throwing rocks and bottles, also igniting fires beneath an overpass near the high-security Parliament complex.

Security measures included barricading streets leading to the Parliament, including major toll roads, which resulted in massive traffic congestions across the city. Over 1,200 security officers were deployed to ensure the protection of the compound.

No immediate reports of injuries were available following Monday's altercation.

The protesters' demands include the elimination of what they perceive as excessive allowances for lawmakers, which add onto their regular salaries. The housing allowance itself is approximately 20 times the monthly minimum wage in some of the poorer regions.

In defense of the allowances, House Speaker Puan Maharani stated on Saturday that the amount aligns with current living expenses in Jakarta.

Although corruption is deeply ingrained in Indonesia, activists assert that police and parliamentary members are widely perceived as corrupt within the nation of over 280 million people. (AP)

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