Jakarta Streets Fall Silent on Holiday After Week of Protests

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s capital saw calm streets on Friday (Sept 5) as the country marked the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, following more than a week of protests that turned violent at times.

The demonstrations, led by students, workers, and rights groups, erupted last week in Jakarta over lawmakers’ housing allowances. The unrest spread nationwide after a police vehicle struck and killed a motorcycle taxi driver during one of the rallies.

On Thursday, student leaders met cabinet ministers to voice their grievances over both parliamentary perks and police tactics against demonstrators. Earlier in the week, some parliamentarians also met the students, though their demands for a direct meeting with President Prabowo Subianto remain unanswered.

Rights groups report heavy casualties, with at least 10 people killed and more than 1,000 injured in clashes between protesters and security forces. Authorities have detained over 3,000 people in a sweeping crackdown, according to Human Rights Watch.

The government has yet to announce further steps in addressing the protesters’ demands, but tensions remain despite Friday’s temporary lull.