Three people died and five were injured on Friday evening after protesters set fire to a regional parliament building in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, authorities said. The disaster management agency did not disclose the causes of death. The Antara news agency reported that the victims were believed to have been trapped inside the burning building, and the agency noted that two of the injuries occurred when people jumped from the structure to escape the blaze.
Protests had begun in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, this week over lawmakers’ pay and intensified on Friday after a police armoured vehicle struck and killed the driver of a ride-hailing motorbike. President Prabowo Subianto, who took office last year, visited the driver’s home late Friday to offer condolences and to pledge that the case would be investigated.
Local media also reported isolated looting in Jakarta and damage to several transportation facilities in the capital, with demonstrations spreading to Bandung and Yogyakarta. Jakarta’s mass rapid transit system said trains were not stopping at one station near the protest site on Saturday, and the Transjakarta bus service said it could not operate normally. By Saturday, there were no immediate signs of protests in the capital.
The Makassar fire underscores ongoing public frustration with governance and accountability as Indonesia grapples with protests and security challenges across the country. The broader security environment has included other high-tension issues in recent months, such as the conflict in West Papua, where rights groups have called for dialogue, greater media access, and international involvement to prevent civilian harm. Analysts say the current wave of protests could shape the government’s approach to handling civil unrest and crowd safety, as authorities review safety protocols and responders’ readiness.
What to watch next
– Details emerging about the fire’s cause and the full scope of casualties.
– Any official statements on investigations into the driver’s death and the protests’ broader demands.
– The government’s response to public safety concerns, police conduct, and crowd-control measures.
– Impact on urban transport and daily life in Jakarta and other cities as the situation evolves.
Summary: A deadly fire at a regional parliament building in Makassar during protests over lawmakers’ pay highlights heightened public tension in Indonesia, with related demonstrations disrupting transport in Jakarta and prompting a government response led by President Prabowo. The incident adds to a backdrop of broader security and human rights issues drawing regional attention.
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