Protesters threw rocks, demanding a salary cut for lawmakers earning up to US$6,150 per month, about 30 times the average income
Police fired tear gas and used a water cannon to push back hundreds of demonstrators trying to break into Indonesia’s parliament building on Monday to protest against what they called excessive pay and perks for legislators, witnesses said.
Some protesters, clad in dark clothing, threw rocks and set off fireworks at riot police in the capital Jakarta. At least one motorcycle was set ablaze by protesters, but officials did not provide details of damage, any casualties or arrests.
Protesters marched through the streets around the parliament building, calling for a salary cut for parliamentarians, according to a press release by Gejayan Memanggil, one of the groups organising the protest formed by students in the Yogyakarta province.
This month, local media reported parliamentarians were paid upwards of 100 million rupiah (US$6,150) a month, including a substantial housing allowance. While Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy, that pay is far above the average income in the archipelago of 3.1 million rupiah.
