Makassar, Indonesia — August 30, 2025
At least three people have been killed and five others injured after protesters in Indonesia set fire to a regional parliament building in Makassar, South Sulawesi, in one of the most violent escalations of unrest since President Prabowo Subianto took office.
The country’s disaster management agency confirmed the fatalities but did not specify the causes of death. Local news agency Antara reported that the victims were likely trapped inside the burning building. Two of the injured sustained fractures after leaping from windows to escape the flames.
Spark of the Protests
The unrest began earlier this week in Jakarta, where demonstrations erupted over lawmakers’ salaries. Tensions boiled over on Friday when a police armored vehicle fatally struck a ride-hailing motorbike driver, sparking public outrage and further protests across multiple cities.
President Prabowo visited the victim’s family late on Friday, offering condolences and promising to personally oversee an investigation into the incident.
Nationwide Unrest
As protests spread, local media documented isolated looting in Jakarta and damage to transport infrastructure. Jakarta’s mass rapid transit system suspended services at one downtown station near Friday’s protest site, while the city’s bus operator, Transjakarta, also reported disruptions.
Demonstrations were also reported in Bandung and Yogyakarta, with security forces deployed to contain the unrest.
Political Test for New Government
The violent escalation poses the first major test for Prabowo’s government, which took office in October 2024. Analysts warn that how the administration handles the crisis will shape its credibility amid mounting concerns about governance and accountability.
As of Saturday, authorities were still assessing the scale of damage in Makassar, where charred remains of the parliament building stood as a stark symbol of the unrest gripping the nation.
Source – My News Ghana
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