JAKARTA: At least three people were killed in Makassar, eastern Indonesia, after protesters stormed and set fire to a city council building during nationwide unrest that has spread across the country, officials confirmed on Saturday.
“From last night’s incident, three people died. Two at the scene and one at the hospital. They were trapped in the burning building,” said Makassar city council secretary Rahmat Mappatoba, accusing demonstrators of torching the office.
Triggered by Death of Young Driver
The wave of protests was ignited by the death of 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was run over and killed by an armoured police vehicle near Jakarta’s parliament on Thursday night.
What began as demonstrations over unemployment, rising living costs, and lawmakers’ controversial new housing allowance — reportedly nearly 10 times higher than Jakarta’s monthly minimum wage — quickly escalated after his death.
Protests Spread Nationwide
By Friday, demonstrations had spread across multiple cities. In Jakarta, hundreds marched on the headquarters of the elite Mobile Brigade anti-riot police, attempting to storm the compound before officers fired tear gas. Protesters responded by torching a police post and several cars.
Violent clashes also broke out in Surabaya, Solo, Yogyakarta, Medan, Makassar, Manado, Bandung, and in Manokwari, Papua’s easternmost region, where protesters hurled stones at police.
President Promises Accountability
Indonesian President Subianto Prabowo issued a rare public apology, expressing regret over the use of excessive force. “I am shocked and disappointed by the excessive actions of the officers,” he said, pledging accountability for the incident.
As tensions simmer, authorities remain on high alert, fearing further violence in the coming days as public anger shows little sign of abating.
