Thousands of Indonesians, including students, workers, and civil society activists, staged mass protests in Jakarta and several other cities on Monday against what they called the“excessive privileges of parliamentarians.” Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.

Reports said hundreds of protesters attempted to storm the parliament building in Jakarta but were pushed back by riot police. Tensions escalated as some demonstrators hurled stones and lit fireworks against security forces.

The student group Gejayan Memanggil, one of the organizers of the rallies, issued a statement demanding cuts to lawmakers' salaries. Protesters marched through streets surrounding the parliament, chanting slogans against corruption and elite privilege.

According to local media, members of Indonesia's parliament earn more than 100 million rupiah ($6,150) per month, a figure far beyond the average earnings of ordinary Indonesians.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, continues to struggle with a deep income gap between its political elite and citizens. Official data shows the average monthly wage stands at just 3.1 million rupiah, less than one-thirtieth of what lawmakers earn annually.

The latest demonstrations reflect broader anger not only over lawmakers' high salaries but also against what protesters describe as“elite corruption” and policies closely aligned with big corporations and the military. Jakarta police deployed more than 1,250 officers to secure the parliamentary complex.

These protests underscore growing frustration with Indonesia's widening inequality and the perception of an unaccountable ruling elite. Observers warn that unless addressed, such grievances may intensify ahead of upcoming elections.

Civil society groups have called on the government to respond with reforms that prioritize social justice and restore public trust, rather than relying solely on police crackdowns.

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