The streets of Indonesia’s capital were calm on Friday morning as the country marked Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, following more than a week of unrest over lawmakers’ allowances.
Students, workers, and rights groups had led mass demonstrations across Jakarta last week, which at times turned violent. Tensions escalated after a police vehicle fatally struck a motorcycle taxi driver during one rally, sparking nationwide anger.
On Thursday, student groups met Cabinet ministers to press their concerns over lawmakers’ perks and the heavy-handed tactics used against demonstrators. Earlier in the week, some parliamentarians also held talks with students, though President Prabowo Subianto has yet to meet them.
Rights groups report that 10 people have died and more than 1,000 have been injured in clashes since the protests began. Human Rights Watch said authorities have detained more than 3,000 people in a nationwide crackdown.
Despite the quiet holiday, organizers have signaled the demonstrations may resume if their demands are not addressed.
Students, workers, and rights groups had led mass demonstrations across Jakarta last week, which at times turned violent. Tensions escalated after a police vehicle fatally struck a motorcycle taxi driver during one rally, sparking nationwide anger.
On Thursday, student groups met Cabinet ministers to press their concerns over lawmakers’ perks and the heavy-handed tactics used against demonstrators. Earlier in the week, some parliamentarians also held talks with students, though President Prabowo Subianto has yet to meet them.
Rights groups report that 10 people have died and more than 1,000 have been injured in clashes since the protests began. Human Rights Watch said authorities have detained more than 3,000 people in a nationwide crackdown.
Despite the quiet holiday, organizers have signaled the demonstrations may resume if their demands are not addressed.
