Indonesia Erupts into Chaos as Mob Burns Buildings

 

Protestors light the Grahadi Building up with fire.

BY C STONE | STONE NEWS NETWORK ||| INDONESIA

Source: AP

A local parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia was lit on fire by an angry mob today, leaving 3 dead and 5 hospitalized.

This incident occurred in Makassar, which is the capital of the South Sulawesi province. Television broadcasts showed the provincial council building lit on fire.

via AP:

Protests in several regions have escalated into riots, with buildings and public facilities set on fire and even police headquarters attacked, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo told a news conference Saturday evening.

“Such situations can no longer be considered freedom of expression, but rather criminal acts,” he said, adding that the police and the military “would immediately act to restore public order.”

Five days of protests began in Jakarta on Monday, sparked by reports that all 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) in addition to their salaries. The allowance, introduced last year, is almost 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage.

Critics argue the new allowance is not only excessive but also insensitive at a time when most people are grappling with soaring living costs and taxes and rising unemployment.

The protests grew wider and more violent following the death of 21-year-old ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan. A video on social media apparently showing his death during a rally in the capital Jakarta on Thursday shocked the nation and spurred an outcry against the security forces.

More here.