Hundreds of women march in Jakarta, wielding broomsticks, demanding police reform and government accountability amid nationwide protests over rising costs and inequality.
Jakarta
Hundreds of women clad in pink and wielding broomsticks marched to Indonesia’s parliament on Wednesday, demanding an end to police abuses and excessive government spending. The demonstrations, now entering their second week in Jakarta and other major cities, have been driven by public anger over rising living costs and lavish perks enjoyed by lawmakers.
The protests escalated following the death of young motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was run over by a police vehicle, intensifying public outrage. In response, President Prabowo Subianto initially announced he would cancel a trip to Beijing for China’s military parade, but he was later photographed alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The women, part of the Indonesian Women’s Alliance (IWA), used broomsticks to symbolise their desire to “sweep away the dirt of the state, militarism, and police repression.” Signs calling for police reform were also displayed. The IWA, comprising 90 women’s and civil society organisations including labor unions, human rights groups, and indigenous communities, has a history of leading protests, notably against Suharto’s regime in 1998. The choice of pink represents bravery, while some protesters wore green in tribute to Affan.
Human rights groups, including the UN and Amnesty International, have urged investigations into alleged abuses, noting that at least ten people have died and over 1,000 hospitalized amid the protests. While President Prabowo pledged to reduce some state-funded perks for politicians, critics argue that broader reforms addressing inequality, governance, and public welfare are still needed. Demonstrators continue to call for accountable, transparent, and people-focused governance.
