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| Indonesian politicians to have perks cut in bid to quell unrest | Indonesian politicians to have perks cut in bid to quell unrest |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Indonesian political parties have agreed to reverse some state-funded perks their politicians receive in a bid to quell nationwide protests, the country's president has said. | Indonesian political parties have agreed to reverse some state-funded perks their politicians receive in a bid to quell nationwide protests, the country's president has said. |
| Several cities in the southern Asian nation including the capital, Jakarta, have been gripped by anti-government demonstrations in the past week that have at times led to clashes between protesters and police. | Several cities in the southern Asian nation including the capital, Jakarta, have been gripped by anti-government demonstrations in the past week that have at times led to clashes between protesters and police. |
| While the protests have been fuelled by a wide range of issues - including the death of a ride-sharing driver - one core complaint concerns a new monthly allowance for lawmakers. | While the protests have been fuelled by a wide range of issues - including the death of a ride-sharing driver - one core complaint concerns a new monthly allowance for lawmakers. |
| President Prabowo Subianto announced on Sunday that several perks would be reined in, including the size of some allowances. | |
| The Indonesian leader - who has already had to cancel a trip to China over the unrest - said some demonstrations had gone beyond what was considered peaceful and may amount to "treason and terrorism". | The Indonesian leader - who has already had to cancel a trip to China over the unrest - said some demonstrations had gone beyond what was considered peaceful and may amount to "treason and terrorism". |
| He added that he had ordered the police and armed forces to take strong action against looting and property damage. | He added that he had ordered the police and armed forces to take strong action against looting and property damage. |
| The home of Indonesia's finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati was among several targeted by looters on Sunday, news agency AFP reports. | The home of Indonesia's finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati was among several targeted by looters on Sunday, news agency AFP reports. |
| The protests have primarily centred on an increase of 50 million rupiah ($3,030; £2,250) in parliamentarians' allowances - almost 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta. | The protests have primarily centred on an increase of 50 million rupiah ($3,030; £2,250) in parliamentarians' allowances - almost 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta. |
| But they escalated after Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old ride-sharing driver, was run over by a police vehicle during a demonstration in the capital on Thursday. | But they escalated after Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old ride-sharing driver, was run over by a police vehicle during a demonstration in the capital on Thursday. |
| The incident inflamed tensions and prompted accusations that police were using excessive force to deal with protesters. Seven officers were found to have violated a professional ethics code and an investigation into the incident has been launched. | |
| Ride-hailing and delivery drivers in Indonesia have long argued that their pay and conditions are unfair. The death of one of their own brought shows of solidarity amongst their ranks. | |
| Prabowo and the chief of police both issued public apologies for the incident, with the president saying he was "shocked and disappointed" by the officers' actions. | |
| Three people were killed after protesters set fire to a regional parliament building on Friday evening. | Three people were killed after protesters set fire to a regional parliament building on Friday evening. |
| Over the weekend protests continued, with police in central Jakarta firing tear gas to disperse crowds on the streets, while some demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails and firecrackers at a police compound. | |
| President Prabowo Subianto made his statement alongside political party leaders on Sunday | |
| Prabowo did not specify which lawmakers would have their allowances curtailed, but said a moratorium on overseas trips would also be imposed. | Prabowo did not specify which lawmakers would have their allowances curtailed, but said a moratorium on overseas trips would also be imposed. |
| However, the concessions to the protesters may not quell the widespread dissent. | However, the concessions to the protesters may not quell the widespread dissent. |
| Muzammil Ihsan, head of the All Indonesian Students' Executives Body, the country's largest student group, told Reuters that the move was "not enough" and that further demonstrations were being considered. | Muzammil Ihsan, head of the All Indonesian Students' Executives Body, the country's largest student group, told Reuters that the move was "not enough" and that further demonstrations were being considered. |
| "The government must resolve deep-rooted problems," he said. "The anger on the streets is not without cause." | "The government must resolve deep-rooted problems," he said. "The anger on the streets is not without cause." |
| Protesters have demanded higher wages, lower taxes and stronger anti-corruption measures. | |
| The demonstrations have been seen as the first significant test for Prabowo's leadership since he assumed the presidency in October. | |
| The former general has been dogged for decades by allegations of human rights abuses, and his critics have expressed concerns of Indonesia returning to its authoritarian past - though Prabowo pledged greater stability and economic development during his election campaign. |