Indonesian Lawmakers Backtrack on Controversial Policy Amid Violent Protest
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has announced his plan to revoke lawmaker perks and privileges that sparked nationwide protests, which turned violent in recent days and led to the deaths of half a dozen people.
The nation's political parties have agreed to cut the benefits, which they hope will now quell the demonstrations.
"Lawmakers will see certain allowances scrapped and overseas work trips suspended under a new moratorium," Subianto said on Sunday.
Protests have plagued Indonesia since Monday last week when reports emerged that 580 lawmakers had received a monthly housing allowance of $3,075 (around 50 million rupiah) in addition to their salaries—a measure introduced last year and amounting to almost 10 times the minimum wage in the capital city Jakarta, according to the Associated Press.
The high wages and seemingly affluent level of lifestyle afforded to lawmakers on taxpayer money rankled an electorate struggling with soaring living costs and taxes amid rising unemployment. Student groups, which have driven........





















Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Tarik Cyril Amar
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