South Tangerang. Police have arrested two young men accused of looting Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati’s home during the recent unrest in Greater Jakarta.

The suspects tried to cover their tracks by claiming they had simply “found” children’s toys and kitchenware near the house in Bintaro and returned them to a patrol unit. But their story quickly collapsed.

“When they told us they had just found the goods, I grew suspicious. We checked viral videos of the looting and, sure enough, there they were among the crowd,” said First Inspector Rahmat Gunawan of Pondok Aren Police.

Video evidence confirmed their involvement, and both men are now in South Tangerang Police custody. “We’ll take firm action. Whatever the excuse, theft is a crime and will be prosecuted,” Rahmat said.

The looting came against the backdrop of nationwide protests that began on August 25, initially sparked by public outrage over lawmakers’ Rp 50 million ($3,000) monthly housing allowance. Many Indonesians see the benefit as excessive and out of touch, especially since it is nearly ten times the average basic monthly salary in Jakarta.

Tensions escalated after a motorcycle taxi driver was fatally struck by a police armored vehicle during a protest in Jakarta on August 28, fueling widespread anger. Demonstrators then turned their frustration on political elites, raiding and looting the homes of prominent figures.

Sri Mulyani’s home was not the only high-profile target. Over the same weekend, rioters also raided the residences of four lawmakers:

• Ahmad Sahroni (Nasdem Party treasurer) in North Jakarta
• Nafa Urbach (Nasdem) in South Tangerang
• Eko Hendro Purnomo, or Eko Patrio (PAN) in Mega Kuningan, Central Jakarta
• Surya Utama, better known as Uya Kuya (PAN) in East Jakarta

Mobs looted electronics, furniture, and personal belongings. Uya Kuya said his pet cats were also stolen. The attacks highlighted how public anger has spilled into violence, intimidation, and personal attacks on politicians.

In her response to the looting, Sri Mulyani on Monday urged Indonesians to resolve disputes through lawful channels. “If the public is dissatisfied and feels the law has violated their constitutional rights, they may propose a judicial review at the Constitutional Court,” she said, adding that cases could also be taken to the Supreme Court.

“This is Indonesia’s civilized democratic system. It is not yet perfect. Our job is to improve the quality of this democracy in a civilized manner, not with anarchy, intimidation, and repression,” Sri Mulyani said.

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