New Protests Rock Indonesia As Critics Warn Of Military’s Growing Role 

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

MEDAN/JAKARTA (Worthy News) – At least one person was reportedly killed as Indonesians braved a heavy security presence on Thursday to rally outside parliament in Jakarta, against massive tax hikes amid growing outrage over politicians’ salaries, lavish allowances, and corruption.

Shocking video footage obtained by Worthy News showed an armored police vehicle deliberately driving over a man wearing a taxi uniform of the online service Gojek.

The police vehicle continued driving before it was attacked by furious demonstrators in Indonesia’s capital and largest city. Women could be heard crying, “Why? Why?”

The victim, identified as Umar, was killed, said Igun Wicaksono, Chairman of the Garda Indonesia Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Association. “He was indeed run over by a vehicle. I checked on the way at the hospital,” the chairman told Indonesian media.

He added, “There are several more victims. I’m still on my way to Pelni Hospital in Petamburan.”

State Secretariat Minister Prasetyo Hadi
Prasetyo Hadi reacted by stating that the “Palace continues to coordinate with the police,” referring to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

He urged officers securing the demonstration to exercise restraint. “We specifically ask the police to remain patient and carry out security measures with the utmost caution, including asking for special attention to this incident,” Prasetyo said.

IGNORING CROWD

However, at least one witness, identified only as Kevin, said after officers detained demonstrators in the area around a nearby gas station, a police vehicle “suddenly sped down the middle of the road,” ignoring the gathered crowd.

In addition to running over one or more demonstrators, police fired tear gas toward an apartment complex, he claimed. “Even residents on the tenth floor could still smell the tear gas,” Kevin said.

Kevin explained that police fired the tear gas from a distance of approximately 10 to 20 meters (32-65 feet) from the apartment complex’s entrance gate. “The elderly and children near the gate were also exposed to the tear gas,” Kevin added.

Christians, who have long faced challenges in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, also noted protests in other cities, including Medan. “However, I think here in Medan they are anarchists,” a Christian entrepreneur told Worthy News.

She said she had been supporting protesters, including workers in Jakarta, where police clashed with demonstrators earlier this week.

On Thursday, at least 1,000 workers and others rallied in Jakarta to demand higher wages and lower taxes—fewer than organizers had hoped for—as authorities deployed more than 4,500 security personnel in the capital.

Police erected barricades around the parliamentary complex, diverted traffic, and monitored protesters waving banners and shouting demands, Worthy News learned.

PARLIAMENT QUIET

The parliament grounds remained largely quiet, with lawmakers told to work from home. “Many left by midday because they had to return for their afternoon shifts,” said Said Iqbal, president of the Indonesian Labor Party, in a text message.

Still, the sheer scale of the security presence appeared to be part of President Prabowo Subianto’s broader attempt to rely on police and the military to secure power and advance controversial policies.

“A big nation like us,” Prabowo told troops earlier this month, “needs a strong military. No nation can be independent without having a strong military.”

In a speech inaugurating new troops in West Java Province, the former special forces commander insisted Indonesia must strengthen its defenses to safeguard sovereignty and resources.

Since taking office nearly a year ago, Prabowo has launched a sweeping militarization drive.

One hundred new battalions have already been formed—with a target of 500 over the next five years—alongside expanded units for marines and special forces.

Officials stress the new battalions are for “non-combat roles” in agriculture, animal husbandry, and food security, but critics note the lack of transparency about troop numbers and deployments.

GROWING ROLE

Observers warn that the military’s growing role in civilian domains recalls Indonesia’s authoritarian “dwifungsi” era, when soldiers controlled security and governance.

The protests come as Prabowo pledges to boost economic growth to 8 percent annually and achieve food and energy self-sufficiency.

Yet opponents say rampant corruption, steep tax hikes, and the military’s encroachment undermine those goals.

Anger has been further fueled by revelations of extravagant perks for lawmakers.

On Monday, thousands of students, workers, and activists gathered outside parliament to protest legislators’ salaries and a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075)—more than ten times Jakarta’s minimum wage.

“We work every day, hot sun on your back, sweat pouring down, hustling on the street for money,” said Agung Setiabudi, a 26-year-old food delivery driver who lost his factory job and now earns about 100,000 rupiah ($6.15) a day.

“Meanwhile, MPs in there earn three million a day just for sitting around, “ he added, showing the parliament building.

FARMERS MOBILIZE

In addition, unpopular land and property tax hikes of up to 250–1,000 percent in some regions have ignited unrest.

Tens of thousands of farmers and residents of Pati, a regency in Central Java with a predominantly agricultural population, mobilized against a 250 percent tax increase.

Their pressure forced local officials to rescind the rise, sparking a parliamentary inquiry and inspiring similar protests elsewhere.

The demonstrations highlight growing unrest in the world’s third-largest democracy, where economic strains converge with fears of democratic backsliding under Prabowo.

For now, protesters vow to return to the streets despite heavy-handed policing.

(With additional reporting from Medan and Jakarta.)

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