Tense situation: A burned structure in Jakarta following days of unrest linked to ongoing protests. — Photo courtesy of Nor Aishah Shahidan
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians living in or travelling across Indonesia are taking extra safety measures as demonstrations continue in Jakarta and other cities over the controversial increase in parliamentary allowances.
Engineer Faridatul Bahari, who has been on holiday in Indonesia since Aug 27, said she saw gatherings in Jakarta before heading to Bandung.
“Our e-hailing driver told us the protests were against the rise in DPR (House of Representatives) allowances. We still felt safe and continued our trip,” she said yesterday.
In Bandung, she and her companions were advised not to dine at a restaurant for safety reasons and later came across bonfires believed to be remnants of protest activity.
“Generally, we are safe. We just need to avoid the protest areas. I keep updated via social media and by asking around about the situation,” she added.
Jakarta-based freelance media worker Nadia Mohsin said tension in the capital remained “on and off” and could escalate quickly.
“The army and police have been given the green light to act against anarchists.
“Some groups have taken advantage of the situation, leading to looting,” she said.
Nadia said she and other Malaysians had mostly stayed home and cancelled activities, including her child’s classes and a planned National Day celebration.
“We were planning on celebrating National Day with a P. Ramlee theme but we had to cancel. When protests feel like they are spiralling out of control, it is better to leave the area.”
Housewife Nor Aishah Shahidan, who has been living in Jakarta for nine years, described the current unrest as the most serious she has experienced.
“For now, my family feels safe in South Jakarta, but we keep hearing talk of more riots.
“A Malaysian friend in Kota Kasablanka (an area in Jakarta) said protestors entered their lobby searching for DPR members’ homes.
“I always monitor updates and avoid hotspots. We will consider returning to Malaysia if the situation worsens,” she said.
Protests in Jakarta, which began last week over the increase in parliamentary allowances and a viral video of lawmakers dancing, have since spiralled into wider unrest.
The situation turned violent after the death of a delivery rider during clashes, fuelling anger and drawing even larger crowds to the streets.
