United Voices, One Demand: Justice
In late August, protests broke out all over Indonesia. They began when lawmakers tried to give themselves an expensive new housing allowance. On August 25, 2025, students gathered outside parliament to speak out, saying it wasn’t fair for politicians to get perks while regular people struggle with rising prices. Soon after, the protests began in the capital, Jakarta, and later spread to more than 30 provinces.
Violence and Tragic Escalation
These demonstrations got even more intense on August 28, 2025. That’s when Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old food delivery driver, was hit and killed by a police armored vehicle during a rally in Jakarta. Word of the incident spread fast online, and the protests weren’t just about money anymore. Protestors carried banners with his name, now demanding not only fairness, but also justice.
Some of the protests even turned violent. In Makassar, protesters stormed and set fire to a parliament building, which killed three people and injured five. In Bandung, a bank and a restaurant were destroyed. In Jakarta, police cars and bus shelters were burned. And in other Indonesian provinces, government buildings were attacked.
By early September 2025, at least 10 people had died, almost a thousand were injured, and many more had been arrested. To put it in perspective, one student considered how the U.S. might look if leaders gave themselves similar perks.
“If the U.S. government gave itself perks, I’d see it as unfair and unnecessary,” said sophomore Michael Caceres. “It would divide leaders from the people and even cause division among citizens. I wouldn’t support the idea, and I’d join a protest if it ever happened.”
Pay Gap, Budget Cuts, and Everyday Struggles
But the protests aren’t just about the buildings that burned. Many Indonesians are upset with how their leaders allocate funds. Lawmakers make more than 100 million rupiah (approximately US$6,100) a month in salary and perks, while most workers earn 3.1 million rupiah, which is less than US$200.
On top of that, the government has cut regional budgets, so towns have to raise taxes just to keep basic services running. At the same time, defense spending has gone up, while schools and hospitals face tighter budgets.
For students, tuition is expensive, and job opportunities are shrinking for everyone. Drivers and workers complain about fuel and food prices. Others feel like the military has way too much control over daily life. For many, the housing perks were the last straw.
The “17+8” List of Demands
To keep the movement on focus, protestors made a list of demands called the “17+8.” The 17 short-term demands include canceling the perks, protecting protestors’ rights, investigating Affan’s death to bring him justice, and reducing the military’s role in civilian life.
The eight long-term demands included bigger goals, like reforming political parties, passing stronger anti-corruption laws, and fixing the tax system. When it came to the “17+8” list, another student reflected on whether clear demands give a movement more strength rather than general goals.
“I would want a clear list of demands because it makes the movement stronger and more focused,” said Miami Dade College freshman, Luis Mendieta. “With a written list like the ‘17+8,’ everyone knows exactly what the protesters are fighting for, and it prevents the government or media from twisting the message.
“Clear demands also make it easier to measure progress. If the perks are canceled or if Affan’s death is investigated, the protesters can point to that as a real win. General goals like ‘justice’ or ‘fairness’ are important, but they’re too broad. A clear list of demands holds leaders accountable and keeps the movement organized.”
Prabowo’s Response
President Prabowo Subianto, who only took office less than a year ago, has tried to calm the situation down. He rearranged his cabinet, fired 5 top ministers, and even banned lawmakers from taking overseas trips as of now. He promised to cut back on the perks, but also warned that the protests could also be considered “treason” or even “terrorism.”
That statement only angered people even more. Human rights groups say police have used excessive force, resulting in all the injuries and deaths seen. The United Nations has even called for an investigation into how the security forces are handling the protests.
At this point, the demonstrations are about much more than the housing perks. They’ve turned into a symbol of frustration with inequality, corruption, and excessive government power. Students, workers, and drivers are all standing together in solidarity, demanding change. A third student spoke about the risks of governments branding protestors as “traitors” or silencing dissent.
“I would feel disappointed and betrayed,” said junior Angelina Caridad Chirino. “Even in the U.S., the common people have a right to criticize their country’s system as well as its leaders. It’s important that people are able to advocate for themselves without fear of intimidation, suppression, or brutality by the government. It resembles what happens in Cuba, where anyone who opposes the dictatorship is immediately silenced. It’s awful.
“I recently read about lawmakers revoking passports from citizens protesting the U.S. aiding Israel’s war in Gaza, and it felt surreal because it goes against the right to peacefully assemble. It’s easy to misinterpret criticism as betrayal. But historically, protests and movements are aimed at improving society.”
President Prabowo now faces a defining choice: respond to the protestors’ demands or try to silence them. The way he handles this crisis could set the tone for his presidency and determine how much trust Indonesians have in their government.
