Indonesian Protesters Target Politicians’ Residences Amid Escalating Unrest

In Indonesia, rioters intensified their demonstrations on Sunday by breaking into, vandalizing, and looting the residences of several lawmakers and the nation’s finance minister. These acts came a week after protests began, sparked by dissatisfaction with government policies and concerns over police violence.

The ongoing unrest, which has resulted in at least five fatalities and numerous injuries, represents the most severe crisis Indonesia has faced since President Prabowo Subianto assumed office nearly a year ago. Initially fueled by frustrations over rising unemployment and inflation, the protests escalated into widespread condemnation of police brutality following the death of a motorcycle taxi driver during a demonstration on Thursday.

The killing triggered a surge of violent demonstrations spreading across multiple cities. Riot police deployed tear gas against protesters in the capital, while demonstrators responded by setting vehicles ablaze and torching police stations.

Early Sunday, a large crowd stormed the South Tangerang residence of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani. Witnesses reported that the mob forced entry and removed valuables, although the minister was not present at the time.

Looting intensified over the weekend, including an incident on Saturday where protesters invaded the home of Ahmad Sahroni, a senior lawmaker from the National Democratic Party in Jakarta. They destroyed his car and carried off luxury items such as bags, watches, a television, fitness equipment, and even a bathtub, as shown in videos circulating on social media. Previously, Sahroni had dismissed calls for the parliament’s dissolution as foolish and referred to the protesters as thugs.