Jakarta. Indonesian actress-turned-lawmaker Nafa Urbach has pledged to donate her entire salary and benefits to her constituents after facing a social media backlash for supporting a controversial Rp 50 million ($3,000) monthly housing allowance for members of parliament.

Nafa, who represents Central Java’s 6th electoral district, initially defended the allowance in a social media post, citing long commutes from her home in South Tangerang to the House of Representatives (DPR) complex in Senayan. But her comments triggered an outpouring of criticism from netizens, who accused her of breaking campaign promises and showing insensitivity amid mounting economic pressures on ordinary Indonesians.

In response, the lawmaker announced on Instagram that she would donate her full salary and benefits through 2029 to support teachers and other community groups in her district, which includes Magelang, Wonosobo, Temanggung, and Purworejo.

“I have heard the public’s concerns regarding officials’ allowances that have sparked controversy. In my commitment to the people, I choose to allocate my salary and allowances to my constituency,” Nafa wrote on Tuesday.

She said the initial phase would focus on mapping teachers in the district to ensure accurate distribution of aid, adding that the process would be “open and transparent” and monitored by the public. “Teachers are education heroes who have contributed greatly and they will be my top priority,” she said.

The controversy comes as lawmakers face growing public anger over proposals to increase salaries and benefits. Many Indonesians view the plan as self-serving and tone-deaf at a time when households are struggling with tax burdens, rising costs, and job losses.

On Monday, protests erupted outside the DPR building in Jakarta, where thousands of students and citizens rallied against the housing . The demonstration turned chaotic, with police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Hundreds were detained.