Indonesian protestors set fire to parliament building over lawmakers' pay

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has cancelled a planned visit to China as protests over lawmakers’ pay escalated into violent unrest, with demonstrators setting fire to regional parliament buildings outside the capital, Jakarta.

The protests, the first major test of Prabowo’s nearly year-old administration, erupted this week following reports that all 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) in addition to their salaries. Anger deepened after a police tactical vehicle struck and killed a motorcycle taxi rider during Thursday’s demonstration.

What began as demonstrations in Jakarta has now spread to other regions, where several parliament buildings were set ablaze. Protesters accuse lawmakers of enriching themselves while ordinary Indonesians struggle with rising living costs.

Prabowo had been scheduled to attend a "Victory Day" parade in China on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II following Japan’s surrender. However, presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi said in a video statement on Saturday that the president would remain in Indonesia to “monitor the situation directly and seek the best solutions.”