What is happening in Indonesia (which 99% of the Italian press is ignoring)

It is a news that is bouncing in the foreign media but in Italy apart from some minor newspapers is all by passing quietly.

"How come?" You will say. Well, perhaps because they concern heated protests against the privileges of Indonesian parliamentarians? Are the same privileges that our politicians often abuse? Who knows, to think badly he makes sin but often we guess.

Looking for the news in Italian, the first result is that of a foreign newspaper or Vatican News.

Inequalities and repression, the Indonesia of young people in revolt

I asked the good dear chatgpt to write this post for you, since we no longer have a print in Italy. Happy reading.

TL;DR (25 ago – 6 set 2025): mass protests against i privileges of parliamentarians (including a housing allowance of ~50 million Rupiah/month ≈ $ 3,000) exploded in dozens of provinces. After clashes and a hard police tightening, The government has announced the revocation/suspension of benefits and the blocking of travel abroad of deputies. The budget varies according to the sources: at least 6 deaths (AP), up to ~ 10 dead according to groups for human rights; thousands of arrests (Reuters). The tension remains high.

What happened (in short)

• 25 August 2025: First events in Jakarta against the housing allowance from Rp. 50,000,000/mese for each of the 580 deputies (almost 10 × the minimum salary of Jakarta).
• Late August: The protests extend to most of the country. The death of Affan Kurniawan (21 Anni)Rider hit by a vehicle of the police during a gathering, sets public opinion.
• August 31 – September 5: the president Prabowo Subianto announces one reverse: cut of perk, stop to “non -essential” travel, and accountability promise; Parliament confirms the line. In some cities the clashes drop, but the squares remain active.
• Repression and provisional accounts: and 6 (AP) A ~10 moti > 3,000 arrestshundreds of injuries (Reuters/Human Rights Watch).

Because right now

The indemnities were the spark in a context of cost of living perceived increasing, inequalities and discontent for cuts and spending priorities. The movement is widespread and not very centralized (students, workers, activists).

What the square asks

• Abolition of privileges and greater transparency on the expenses of Parliament;
• Reforms on the liability of the police (investigations on abuse);
• Concrete measures on work, wages and welfare.

Because it also affects us (Italy/EU)

• Indonesia = 4th country by population, G20hub for nickel e supply chain of batteries/EV. Political and narrow instability on rights can reflect on markets, climate (deforestation/fires) and European supply chains.

Lightning chronology

• 25–28 ago: Protests explode in front of Parliament (DPR) in Jakarta.
• 29–31 ago: deaths and four -digit arrests; Indignation is growing for the Kurniawan case.
• 1–3 set: government announcements on Perk cut e Moratory on travel; interviews with students, no structural turning point.
• 4–5 set: More peaceful events in Jakarta (also “picnic protest”), but intact requests.

Another dossier that passes under trace (but connected to Indonesia)

• Call of shrimp to the USA for traces of Cesio-137 (CS-137): The FDA reports contamination in container and in some lots by an Indonesian processor (BMS Foods). Health risk considered low at the levels detected, but Recalls and blocks to import They already have commercial effects.

Sources

• AP News – The president promises to revoke the Perk; at least 6 deaths: https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-protests-subianto-privileges-32d253883d107fcfe7f17752bc46b7d9
• Reuters – protests, benefit cut, thousands of arrestsesteem ~ 10 dead by human rights groups: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/protesters-picnic-outside-indonesian-parliament-national-holiday-2025-09-05/
• The Guardian – explains on the protests and the government’s response: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/02/indonesia-protests-explained-start-how-has-the-government-responded
• The Jakarta Post – Technical details on indemnities (RP 50 mln/month) and moves of the parties: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2025/09/02/political-parties-rally-behind-scaling-back-house-perks.html
• Channel Newsasia – Disciplinary measures for the Kurniawan episode: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-police-demoted-armoured-vehicle-driver-affan-kurniawan-protests-5334231
• FDA (USA) -Notice on CS-137 in container/products (Shrimp) by Indonesian supplier: https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-public-not-eat-sell-or-serve-certain-imported-frozen-shrimp-indonesian-firm
• AP/ABC – possible connection with radioactive scrap In an Indonesian industrial site: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/radioactive-metal-indonesia-industrial-site-linked-shrimp-recall-125305856

Use: The numbers on dead/wounded/arrests vary between sources and could update themselves in the next few days.