Protests in Indonesia Turn Deadly as Mob Sets Parliament Ablaze

In a tragic turn of events, an angry mob in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, has led to the deaths of at least three individuals and left five more hospitalized after setting fire to a local parliament building. The fire began late Friday evening, transforming the night sky into a striking orange hue, as it illuminated a provincial council building engulfed in flames. Local disaster official Fadli Tahar reported that rescuers had recovered three bodies by Saturday morning, while the injured included individuals who suffered burns and others who were injured after leaping from the burning structure.

Violent protests were not limited to Makassar; similar incidents occurred in Bandung, West Java, where another regional parliament was set ablaze, though there were no reported injuries. Surabaya witnessed protests turning chaotic as demonstrators stormed the regional police headquarters and set vehicles on fire, resulting in confrontations between security forces, who deployed tear gas and water cannons, and protesters armed with fireworks and clubs.

Calm appeared to have returned to Jakarta as cleanup crews worked to restore order, following days of unrest sparked by anger over politicians receiving a substantial housing allowance deemed excessive amid rising living costs. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto canceled a planned trip to China to monitor the situation, as the protests intensified in response to the recent death of a young ride-hailing driver, Affan Kurniawan. Videos circulated online purportedly showing his fatal encounter with an armored police vehicle during a protest, igniting widespread outrage across the nation.

In response to Kurniawan's death, solidarity demonstrations took place in Bali, where hundreds demanded police reform and the release of arrested protesters. Clashes erupted in various cities, leading to widespread detentions, with approximately 950 individuals arrested in Jakarta as reported by the National Commission on Human Rights. Amnesty International condemned the government's response to the protests, highlighting the need for accountability and the protection of citizens' rights to peaceful assembly.