Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - Violent protests in Surabaya and Jakarta have caused more than Rp174 billion (USD11.3 million) in damages, authorities reported Monday.
Public facilities were vandalized, looted, and set ablaze in one of the year’s worst episodes of unrest.
In Surabaya alone, losses exceeded Rp124 billion, according to East Java Police.
Damaged sites included police posts, traffic infrastructure, and the historic Tegalsari Police Station, a designated cultural heritage site.
“This is an initial estimate. The damage involves arson, looting, and destruction of public property,” said East Java Police Spokesperson Senior Commissioner Jules Abraham Abast, on Monday.
Police are investigating multiple suspects and have filed charges including aggravated theft, assault, arson, vandalism, and obstruction of law enforcement.
The Emergency Law on firearms and explosives may also apply. Officers are reviewing social media and public tips to identify those responsible.
In Jakarta, protests escalated following public outrage over a proposed parliamentary pay raise.
On Monday morning, smoke lingered at the Senen TransJakarta bus stop, where charred floors and graffiti-covered walls remained as cleanup crews worked.
Seven TransJakarta shelters were burned, including those at Polda Metro Jaya and Senen Sentral. Entrances to the Istora Mandiri MRT station were also damaged.
Jakarta officials reported total damages exceeding Rp50 billion, including Rp41.6 billion to TransJakarta, Rp3.3 billion to MRT infrastructure, and Rp5.5 billion to traffic lights and CCTV systems.
Protests also spread to other cities—Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, and Makassar—with demonstrators demanding justice and greater support for low-income communities.
President Prabowo Subianto responded to the unrest by urging calm and pledging that the government would address public concerns.
“Please stay calm and trust us—we are committed to serving the people,” he said in a statement.
