Violent Protests in Indonesia: Burning of Parliamentary Buildings and the Death of Three People in Makassar

Several regions in Indonesia witnessed a wave of violent protests on Saturday, marked by riots and the deliberate burning of parliamentary buildings in three provinces, just one day after the death of three people in the city of Makassar, in an unprecedented escalation of protests that began in the capital Jakarta earlier in the week.

According to local media, protesters set fire to parliamentary offices in West Nusa Tenggara, the city of Pikalongan in Central Java, and Cirebon in West Java, amidst chaos that prompted police to use tear gas to disperse the crowds.

In the city of Cirebon, the website "Detik.com" reported that protesters stormed the parliament building and looted its contents, while authorities have not yet issued any official comment regarding these events.

The protests, which began in response to the high salaries of lawmakers, escalated significantly after the incident involving the death of a motorcycle driver who was run over by a police car in Jakarta, sparking a widespread wave of public anger.

Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated on Saturday that President Prabowo Subianto has directed strict measures against those he described as "law violators," in an attempt to contain the crisis.

In Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, Friday's demonstration turned into bloody clashes, resulting in the deaths of at least three people and injuries to five others, according to the disaster management agency, which noted that some victims died after being trapped inside the burning parliament building, while others were injured while attempting to jump from windows to escape the flames.

These developments come at a sensitive time for the Indonesian president, who faces a significant political test less than a year into his term, amidst human rights calls for accountability for those responsible for the excessive use of force against protesters.