In Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, hundreds of women wearing pink and holding brooms staged a protest in front of parliament. They opposed government waste and police violence, using the broom as a symbol of “sweeping away the dirt of the state”.
The protests have been ongoing for two weeks. They began due to rising living costs and excessive privileges for lawmakers. According to official data, at least 10 people were killed and more than a thousand were hospitalised during demonstrations at the end of August.
President Prabowo Subianto initially said he would cancel his trip to China, but was later seen attending a military parade in Beijing. He promised to reduce some lawmakers’ perks, but protesters consider this step insufficient.
The UN and human rights organisations criticised the Indonesian government for responding violently to the protests. Experts say people are demanding broader reforms – equality, education, agriculture, and fair economic opportunities.
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