Jakarta. Indonesia’s Nasdem Party suspended lawmakers Ahmad Sahroni and Nafa Urbach from its parliamentary faction after remarks deemed offensive to the public triggered nationwide protests, party chairman Surya Paloh announced on Sunday.

Paloh said the move underscored the party’s commitment to protecting public sentiment as anger over lawmakers’ perks and political behavior spread across the country. “There were statements from our representatives that hurt and betrayed the people’s feelings. This is a deviation from the struggle of Nasdem,” he said in a statement.

The backlash against Sahroni and Urbach was fueled by Sahroni’s dismissive comments about the protests and Urbach’s defense of a Rp 50 million ($3,000) monthly housing allowance. Both became lightning rods for public anger, with mobs ransacking their homes in South Tangerang and North Jakarta during the unrest.

Paloh emphasized that Nasdem’s political mission must remain anchored in “people’s aspirations and national goals.” He also expressed condolences for the deaths of several citizens in the protests, which escalated after a police armored vehicle killed a young ride-hailing driver in Jakarta.

Other major parties, including Gerindra, PDI-P, and PAN, have also moved to rein in perks that sparked the demonstrations. Gerindra’s parliamentary leader Budisatrio Djiwandono pledged to push for the revocation of allowances deemed unfair, ban foreign trips, and direct lawmakers to stay close to their constituents. PDI-P lawmaker Said Abdullah backed the cuts, warning that excessive benefits were “not in line with the lives of ordinary Indonesians.”

Facing its own backlash, PAN issued strict guidance to its caucus after mobs targeted the homes of celebrity-turned-lawmakers Uya Kuya and Eko Patrio. Party chairman Zulkifli Hasan urged members to act with humility and empathy. “Be sensitive to the situation, full of empathy, don’t flex, don’t be arrogant,” he said.