Prabowo calls for calm, revokes lawmakers' perks

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto appealed for calm and order on Aug 31, after nationwide anger over parliamentarian perks and rising living costs for the average citizen erupted into mob attacks earlier that day, with protesters storming and looting the homes of senior officials.

- Arlina Arshad Indonesia Bureau Chief and Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja Indonesia Correspondent

JAKARTA – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto appealed for calm and order on Aug 31, after nationwide anger over parliamentarian perks and rising living costs for the average citizen erupted into mob attacks earlier that day, with protesters storming and looting the homes of senior officials.

"I ask all citizens to trust the government, to remain calm. The government that I lead is determined to always fight for the interests of the people, including the smallest, the most left behind," said Mr Prabowo during a televised address where he appeared alongside senior politicians including Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and Golkar chairman Bahlil Lahadalia.

Mr Prabowo, who had cancelled a planned trip to China as violent protests turned fatal with at least five deaths in recent days, said the House leadership will revoke several policies, "including the size of allowances for House members and a moratorium on overseas work trips".

These were among the perks granted in a new allowances package for lawmakers that first triggered the Aug 25 protests outside the national Parliament in Jakarta.

Mr Prabowo said lawmakers must reflect, and "must always be sensitive and always side with the interests of the people". For errant lawmakers, "firm action" will be taken against them by party leaders, he added.

His speech came after several protests swept across Jakarta and other cities, evolving into what protesters call "people's justice" where enraged crowds hunt down officials and lawmakers, with some of their home addresses made public in a wave of doxxing.

During his speech, Mr Prabowo said he had ordered security forces to take "stern action" against unlawful acts, such as vandalising of homes and public or commercial areas.