After Jakarta, three people are killed in Makassar as protests rocket the country
Triggered by an allowance increase for parliamentarians, the protests were exacerbated by a harsh police crackdown, during which an armoured vehicle ran over a motorcycle taxi driver. In South Sulawesi, the regional parliament is set on fire. The backdrop to the discontent was Prabowo honouring certain prominent individuals. A retired general blames foreign forces. The Catholic NGO slams violence against protesters, calling for action “to restore democracy to its rightful course”.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – After three days of violent protests in Jakarta, which included the death of a motorcycle taxi driver run over by a police armoured vehicle, Indonesia is shaken by more outbursts of violence. The wave of protests represents the first major test for President Prabowo Subianto's government.
The authorities confirmed today that at least three more people were killed, five injured, and dozens of cars and motorcycles destroyed during riots that broke out last night in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, during which protesters set fire to the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).
In Bandung, the capital of West Java province, several commercial buildings and private homes were also set ablaze.
In Jakarta, where the protests began, the main roads were back to normal today after three days of unrest that caused massive traffic jams and generated widespread anxiety similar to the 1998 uprisings that led to the end of President Suharto's 30-year authoritarian regime.
Small groups of protesters remain in front of police stations to monitor the situation, calling for the removal of National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Jakarta Police Chief General Asep Edi Suheri, for failing to ensure public safety and using excessive force, which led to the taxi driver's death.
The protests broke out four days ago in response to a proposed rise in lawmakers’ allowance. The increase in the monthly allowance for members of the House of Representatives (lower house of parliament) to 50 million rupiah (about US$ 3,000) sparked public outrage, especially after videos began circulating showing some lawmakers dancing during the plenary session.
This kind of behaviour compounded discontent over President Prabowo Subianto's decision to honour certain prominent individuals with questionable pasts, a choice that has undermined his credibility.
The killing of the taxi driver by police during the protests further inflamed passions, raising fears of even more serious riots in the coming days.
Against this background, former intelligence chief General (Ret) AM Hendropriyono blamed foreign capitalist interests of using local "proxies" to destabilise Indonesia.
"I know the details but I will not disclose the names yet," he said, promising to inform President Prabowo directly before making the matter public.
Political analyst Eddy Suhardono spoke to AsiaNews about the death of the taxi driver, expressing concern that panic among security forces could trigger “unintended acts with unwanted consequences”.
Yesterday, the Indonesian Catholic Society Forum (FMKI) issued a strong public statement regarding the incident, expressing deep condolences for the victim. It also described it as part of a "tragedy of democracy" caused by state violence that infringes upon human rights and democratic principles.
Condemning this action, the Catholic NGO called for an immediate end to all forms of state violence against civilians exercising their right to free expression.
The Forum goes on to urge political elites, including parliamentarians and party leaders, to “end the arrogance and insensitivity that harm public trust" and calls on President Prabowo and other national and regional leaders to “adopt concrete and measurable actions to restore democracy to its rightful course and ensure accountability for this tragedy.”
The FMKI also exhorts political elites to put an end to the power struggles that are draining the country of its energy and moving it away from its founding ideals: it also demands that they safeguard public order and stability to prevent any further escalation.
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03/09/2016 10:24
