Jakarta: Mass protests across Indonesia turned deadly on Friday after demonstrators set fire to the South Sulawesi provincial parliament building in Makassar, leaving three people dead and at least five injured. The victims, including council staff and a civil servant, were trapped inside the burning building, with some sustaining injuries after jumping to escape the flames. Officials described the attack as unprecedented in its scale and intensity.

The unrest was sparked earlier this week by the death of Affan Kurniawan, a ride-hailing driver who was run over by a police armored vehicle during protests in Jakarta. Footage of the incident spread widely on social media, fueling nationwide anger over police brutality and lawmakers’ privileges. Demonstrations quickly spread from the capital to major cities, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Medan, Surakarta, and Pontianak. Protesters have condemned the government for failing to address what they see as excessive benefits for lawmakers, particularly a housing stipend of 50 million rupiah per month.

President Prabowo Subianto, who took office in October 2024, visited Kurniawan’s family to express his condolences and vowed a full investigation into the incident. He publicly criticized what he called “excessive” police conduct. Police have detained seven officers in connection with the death.

The demonstrations have also caused widespread disruption to public transportation in Jakarta. Several MRT stations and TransJakarta bus routes were temporarily shut down after damage to facilities and clashes with protesters. Despite efforts by authorities to restore order, demonstrations continued into Saturday, raising concerns of further escalation.

The protests represent one of the most serious challenges to President Prabowo’s administration, combining grievances over police violence, government transparency, and economic inequality. The deadly blaze in Makassar has further intensified the crisis, underscoring the scale of public anger and the difficulty the government faces in containing the unrest.