Jakarta. A mass protest outside Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) in central Jakarta descended into riots on Monday as demonstrators clashed with police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons after attempts to breach barricades around the parliament complex.

The rally drew thousands of students, workers, and activists. Protesters voiced anger at tone-deaf government policies, mainly lawmakers’ recent pay hikes amid economic hardships. The government decided to grant each lawmaker a Rp 50 million ($3,000) monthly housing allowance. Critics say the benefit is grossly out of touch with the economic struggles faced by most Indonesians. The housing allowance alone amounts to nearly ten times the highest regional minimum wage and up to twenty times the wage in poorer districts. Together with salaries and other perks, lawmakers can earn more than Rp 100 million ($6,134) per month, according to public policy expert Achmad Nur Hidayat.

The situation was temporarily brought under control around 1:30 p.m. local time, after additional riot police and military units were deployed to secure the area, but tensions escalated in the afternoon. Hundreds of people rushed toward Jalan Pejompongan Raya in West Jakarta after breaking through steel gates and damaging concrete barriers at a TransJakarta bus stop. Protesters climbed over train fences to cross the tracks, throwing rocks scattered along the route as thick clouds of tear gas and smoke from burning bamboo obscured the view under the flyover.

Across the road, dozens of riot police wearing helmets and shields formed a barricade in a small park. Clashes broke out when protesters threw stones and lit firecrackers, with some firing them directly at officers. Police retaliated with tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Among the demonstrators were groups of high school students in white-and-gray uniforms, some covering their faces with black masks and hoods. They mingled with university students and online motorcycle taxi drivers who had joined the rally from the outset to demand political change.

Witnesses reported several people suffering breathing difficulties from the gas, though no official casualty figures have been released. Police detained 15 people, including four high school students, as of Monday afternoon.

The violence also disrupted Jakarta’s commuter rail services. State operator KAI Commuter suspended trains between Tanah Abang and Palmerah stations, citing safety risks as protesters occupied the tracks. Services were rerouted to Kebayoran, stranding thousands of passengers during the evening rush hour.

As a result of the unrest, authorities also closed Jalan Gatot Subroto and the Inner-City Toll Road in both directions, paralyzing traffic between Semanggi and Cawang. Motorists were diverted to arterial routes toward Cawang, which remained open for vehicle access.

Despite the disruptions, groups of demonstrators continued to rally into the night outside the parliament gates, waving Indonesian flags alongside the skull-and-crossbones banner from the Japanese anime One Piece --a symbol that has recently emerged in protest movements. Protesters demanded the dissolution of the legislature altogether.

According to Central Jakarta Police Chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro, around 1,250 personnel were deployed from the national police, military, and Jakarta provincial government to maintain order. The officers were not equipped with firearms. "We want to ensure the protest proceeds safely, orderly, and without disrupting wider public activities,” he said.

As of late Monday, security forces maintained a heavy presence around Senayan, Pejompongan, and Palmerah to prevent further escalation.

House Speaker Puan Maharani said the DPR respects demonstrations and remains open to criticism.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, where she had just received the Bintang Republik Indonesia Utama, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, from President Prabowo Subianto, Puan said, “We will continue to accommodate all aspirations. Criticism and input from the people are important to improve parliament’s performance so we can better serve the nation.”

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