Jakarta. The House of Representatives (DPR) has agreed to slash lawmakers’ benefits and impose a moratorium on overseas trips in a bid to ease public anger over excessive privileges.

The decision, announced late Friday by Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, followed days of student-led demonstrations demanding greater accountability and transparency from parliament.

“The DPR has heard and carefully considered the demands presented. We are taking concrete steps to show our commitment to improving governance,” Dasco told reporters at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta.

The move comes in response to the so-called “17+8 demands”, a list of 17 short-term and eight long-term points drawn up by students and public figures as a channel for public aspirations. Protesters had asked all short-term demands to be addressed by September 5, 2025, while the long-term demands carry a deadline of August 31, 2026.

The 17+8 demands cover a wide range of issues, from parliamentary reform and economic policy to law enforcement and curbing state violence. Among them: halting salary and allowance hikes for lawmakers, publishing budget transparency, and advancing the long-delayed asset seizure bill for corruptors.

For the government and security forces, protesters demanded an end to the criminalization of demonstrators, withdrawal of the military from civilian roles, and the release of detained protesters.

Under the new measures, six key changes will take effect:

1. Housing allowance terminated. Monthly housing stipends of Rp 50 million ($3,200) for lawmakers ended retroactively on Aug. 31.
2. Foreign travel suspended. All overseas trips for DPR members are frozen starting Sept. 1, except for official state invitations.
3. Facility cuts. Benefits such as electricity, telephone, intensive communication fees, and transportation allowances will be reduced.
4. Suspended members lose pay. Legislators deactivated by their political parties will no longer receive financial entitlements.
5. Discipline coordination. The DPR’s ethics council will work with party tribunals to handle inactive lawmakers.
6. Greater transparency. Parliament pledged to strengthen public participation and scrutiny in legislative processes.

DPR Speaker Puan Maharani described the overhaul as a step toward restoring trust. “This is a response to public concerns over the facilities enjoyed by members of parliament,” she said.

Despite the cuts, lawmakers will continue to take home about Rp 65.6 million ($4,200) a month, covering their base salary and constitutional allowances.

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