The Roar of Reform: Rebellion Shakes Indonesia’s New Government
- Sana Mahesh
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
On August 25, 2025, mass protests erupted across major cities in Indonesia with thousands rallying outside parliament due to the government’s controversial decision to give Members of Parliament (MPs) allowances that were “nearly 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta.” Reports revealed that all 580 lawmakers were receiving a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (≈ $3,200 USD) in addition to their salaries despite soaring unemployment, living costs, and economic hardship amongst the general public.
However, the protestors were not just demonstrating against this particular decision, but at the general pattern of corruption displayed by President Prabowo Subianto’s government, especially his enforcement of budget cuts in education, healthcare, and public infrastructure spending amidst financial tensions.
The climax of the protests occurred on August 28 when a bystander was hit by an armoured police vehicle as authorities attempted to disband demonstrators. The 43-year old victim, Affan Kurniawan, was carrying out his job as a worker for the ride-sharing services, Gojek and Grab, when he was killed as a result of the clashes between police and protesters. Unfortunately, local media reports suggest that Kurniawan’s death was not the only display of police brutality as officers fired teargas and used water cannons to disperse the crowds. President Prabowo and the capital’s Chief of Police, Asep Edi Suheri, sincerely apologised to Kurniawan’s family and issued an order for a thorough investigation. Neither of these actions did anything to deter further demonstrations. Additionally, on August 29, police officials announced that the officers involved in Kurniawan’s death would be detained for 20 days and put in questioning for a breach of ethics.
Immediately following the incident, the entire nation descended into pure chaos with violent riots, further police brutality, and endless protests erupting throughout the archipelago. From the homes of political party members and state buildings being set ablaze or ransacked to protestors marching to the headquarters of the police brigade in the capital, tensions have continued to escalate. Notably, one group of rioters set fire to a five-story building near a police compound in central Jakarta, almost causing casualties among those trapped inside. Similarly, protesters in Bandung and Makassar burned down local parliament buildings. Since the beginning of the protests, the Indonesian National Police have arrested more than 3,000 people and rights groups estimate that more than 1,000 have been injured as a result of violent police clashes and other unrest. Last but not least, the popular social media platform, TikTok, suspended its live feature in Indonesia, claiming to prioritize Tiktok’s dedication to maintaining a safe and civil space. Many see this as an attempt to further silence the voice of protestors, raising concerns about protections for free speech.
Prabowo’s promises and Public Pushback
Indonesia’s protests represented Prabowo’s most significant challenge since taking office nearly a year ago, thus his actions following the event are critical in forming domestic support. At the peak of the protests, Prabowo cancelled his high-profile trip to China to attend a military parade and ordered the strict action of military and police forces against all rioters at a press conference in the prudential palace. However, in a surprising turn of events, he also announced that the disputed housing allowances would be cut, signaling a rare concession and acknowledgement of the protestors’ voices. For many disappointed Indonesians, this is simply not enough. As Muzammil Ihsan said, head of All Indonesian Student’s Executives Body, cutting the lawmakers’ perks is “not enough” to prevent further demonstrations; this is simply the beginning of a long-winded reform after years of built up resentment.
After assuming office in October, Prabowo’s administration has been marked by rising economic and political discontent. A representative of Jakarta Legal Aid Institute explained economic hardship is at the core of the public dissatisfaction as stagnant incomes fail to keep pace with the escalating cost of living: “people’s purchasing power is low, and we are struggling here.” This sense of disillusionment is only exacerbated by Prabowo’s promises to curb corruption and strengthen Indonesia’s self-sufficiency when he first assumed office.
Initially, demonstrations against Prabowo’s policies began with the “Gelap Indonesia” movement in February of 2025 which criticized reforms granting more civilian positions to the military. Frustration grew further as the government’s free school lunch program led to food poisoning cases across the country, resulting in more harm than good despite the well-intentioned policy. Increasing property taxes, specifically the proposal for a 250% property tax spike in Central Java, amplified anger and resentment. In other words, Prabowo’s public perception remains lukewarm with underwhelming popularity across many political issues and policies. As Human Rights Watch Researcher Andreas Harson highlights, “it is less than a year, but we have seen at least three major protests since October last year when Prabowo took office.”
Beyond the Protests: What’s at Risk for Indonesia
On a global scale, Indonesia’s unrest has caught the attention of many. Amnesty International labeled Prabowo’s response to the protests as “excessive,” while others noted the similarities between the protests in Indonesia and the current reform in Nepal.
Although Prabowo addressed the immediate causes of the demonstrations by withdrawing the controversial housing allowances and launching investigations into police brutality allegations, the underlying reasons and broader consequences of this rebellion remain untouched. In economic terms, official statistics in the lead-up to the August protests indicated a severe downturn in Indonesia, with nearly 31.5 million people living in near poverty and lacking job security by the end of 2024. It is clear that there are not enough jobs for younger generations, a problem exacerbated by skyrocketing living costs and growing inflation. Despite the 5.12% growth in GDP, many Indonesians claim that those figures do not reflect the reality of life in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas.
Inheriting an economy that had yet to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and only months into his presidency, Prabowo faced many challenges in his initial term when U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 32% tariff on Indonesian exports. While Prabowo’s diplomatic efforts abroad yielded success in securing a reduction of U.S. tariffs to 19%, his domestic policies have done little to alleviate economic hardship. For instance, budget allocations favoring the police, military, and programs like Free Nutritious Meals have constrained the funds available for provincial and local governments. Though harsh, a financial analyst’s observation that “Prabowo promoted himself as an economic reformer, but the emperor has no clothes” appears to hold true for the time being.
Following several days of protests that unsettled investor confidence, Indonesia has experienced a sharp decline in both its stock market and currency, prompting regulators to intervene to stabilize the financial markets. The rupiah dropped nearly 1%, marking its weakest level since August 1. Additionally, the Indonesian stock index has slipped by more than 2%. For now, analysts predict that the recovery of Indonesian equities and bonds will remain on track, but the damage to Prabowo’s public image may be irreversible.
Collectively, the widespread protests mark the beginning of a reform against President Prabowo’s administration amidst mounting pressures and tensions, revealing the fragile balance between Indonesia’s domestic policies, public perception, and economic stability. While the government has taken steps to address immediate grievances, deeper structural issues such as economic hardship and public dissatisfaction remain unresolved, suggesting that the path towards meaningful reform will be long contested. As Indonesia navigates this period of upheaval, it remains to be seen whether Prabowo’s presidency can withstand these challenges.