Sun Aug 31 03:41:56 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Indonesia is facing widespread antigovernment protests fueled by anger over lawmakers’ generous housing allowances, rising living costs, and the death of a motorcycle rider allegedly hit by a police vehicle. President Prabowo Subianto has canceled a trip to China to monitor the situation, and TikTok has suspended its live feature due to escalating violence. Protests have spread beyond Jakarta, with arson attacks on parliament buildings in several provinces and looting reported. The government is calling for calm and has urged social media platforms to combat disinformation, while critics accuse the government of attempting to control narratives and increasing the army’s involvement in civilian life.

**News Article:**

**Indonesia Reels as Protests Force President to Cancel Trip, TikTok Halts Live Feature**

**Jakarta, Indonesia** – Nationwide antigovernment protests have plunged Indonesia into turmoil, forcing President Prabowo Subianto to cancel a planned trip to China and prompting social media giant TikTok to suspend its live feature. The unrest, triggered by outrage over lawmakers’ hefty housing allowances amidst economic hardship, has escalated into widespread violence, testing the year-old Prabowo administration.

Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi announced the cancellation of Prabowo’s trip, citing the need for the president to “directly monitor” the escalating situation. The President had been scheduled to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and a “Victory Day” parade in China.

The protests initially erupted in Jakarta but have spread rapidly, with reports of arson attacks on regional parliament buildings in Makassar, West Nusa Tenggara, Pekalongan, and Cirebon. In Makassar, authorities confirmed at least three deaths in an arson attack on a parliament building. Anger was further inflamed by the death of a motorcycle rider, allegedly struck by a police vehicle, with a video circulating online sparking national outrage.

TikTok, a popular video-sharing platform with over 100 million Indonesian users, announced the suspension of its live feature due to the “increasing violence in protests.” The move comes after the Indonesian government summoned social media representatives, urging them to intensify content moderation to combat the spread of disinformation, which the government claims is fueling the protests.

Critics argue that the lawmakers’ housing allowance, exceeding ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta, demonstrates a disconnect from the economic struggles faced by ordinary Indonesians. Amnesty International Indonesia has accused the government of prioritizing control over narratives instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of the protesters and expanding the army’s involvment in civil government.

Al Jazeera’s Jessica Washington reported from Jakarta that “thousands of protesters remain on the streets” amid widespread anger. The protests are expected to continue, posing a significant challenge to the Prabowo government as it struggles to restore order and address the underlying grievances fueling the unrest.

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