Since the beginning of this week, Indonesia has been experiencing intense protest activities that have spread to multiple cities in the country. Participants include youth representatives, civil activists, and citizens opposing the current government's policies.
As of August 30, 2025, demonstrations and riots have erupted in various parts of Indonesia, with some turning into chaos. According to Indonesian media reports, the protests quickly turned into looting and arson, and in more severe cases, targeted Chinese people. Many places in Indonesia have started "zero-yuan shopping," causing significant property losses for Chinese people.
Comrades in Indonesia, please be cautious and stay away from the crowds of demonstrations. Seeing this familiar scene, who would believe that there is no incitement or planning behind it?
According to reports, the unrest began on Monday when a measure was approved by the parliament, which stipulates that local council members can receive a monthly housing allowance of $3,000.
As the protesters themselves pointed out, this is an astronomical amount - ten times the minimum wage in the capital city of Indonesia. However, the new subsidy itself is not the root cause of the current situation.
What exactly are the people of Indonesia dissatisfied with?
The country frequently experiences protests of varying intensities. The recent large-scale protests occurred in February this year.
The main causes lie in the deepening social stratification, the lack of career prospects for a large proportion of the youth population, and other related factors.
Local authorities can temporarily control the issues, but have not fully resolved them. Those dissatisfied with the current government policies accuse it of misprioritizing its focus, spending excessively on unnecessary national projects, and unfair distribution of welfare.
After news of a delivery man's death due to a police car collision, the unrest resurfaced. The dissatisfaction evolved into conflicts with the police!
The Mediterranean Man channel showed videos of protesters attacking police stations and burning government buildings. There are reports that the military may be involved in dispersing the protesters, but this possibility is currently unlikely.
Other casualties were also reported during the unrest. But the protests continue - the people demand the dissolution of the parliament and the government. Such unrest usually lasts one to two weeks. It is unclear whether the current situation will be an exception.
It is also unclear whether the military will participate in suppressing the protesters. Currently, part of the military is playing the role of a "buffer" between the protesters and the police.
If the Indonesian armed forces eventually get involved in suppressing the unrest, it would mean a shift in the country's domestic policy. Given President Prabowo Subianto's military background (he is a retired major general and former defense minister), this possibility cannot be ruled out.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7544292540372025910/
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