Indonesia: 3 killed as anti-govt protests turn violent, regional parliament set ablaze

At least three people were killed and five others injured after protesters set fire to a regional parliament building in Indonesia’s Makassar, amid growing anti-government demonstrations, authorities said on Saturday.

The unrest broke out late on Friday (August 29) when crowds torched the city council building in Makassar, eastern Indonesia, following public anger over the death of a motorcycle taxi driver hit by a police armored vehicle.

“From last night’s incident, three people died. Two died at the scene, and one died at the hospital. They were trapped in the burning building,” Makassar city council secretary Rahmat Mappatoba as quoted by AFP.

The violence is being seen as the first major challenge to President Prabowo Subianto’s rule.

Local media reported that one victim was killed after jumping from the fourth floor of the building. Online outlet inilah.com said the dead included a public welfare official and a member of the public order agency.

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The fire also destroyed dozens of vehicles parked nearby, according to newspaper Kompas, and spread while council members were holding a session on the third floor.

Indonesia’s disaster agency did not clarify the cause of the deaths, but confirmed that two of the injured were hurt after jumping from the burning building. State news agency Antara said some victims were trapped inside.

The protests, which began earlier in the week in Jakarta over lawmakers’ pay, flared up after Friday’s deadly accident. President Prabowo, who assumed office last October, met the driver’s family to offer condolences and promised a thorough investigation.

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Reports also emerged of looting and damage to transport facilities in Jakarta, as well as demonstrations in Bandung and Yogyakarta. By Saturday, however, there were no fresh signs of protest.