Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto dismissed five ministers, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, in a rapid cabinet reshuffle following mass protests that left at least 10 people dead and exposed deep public anger over economic inequality and parliamentary privileges.

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The shake-up, announced Monday, comes after weeks of demonstrations triggered by revelations that all 580 members of the House of Representatives were receiving a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (US\$3,075), nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta and far higher than rural incomes.

Among those removed was Indrawati, one of Indonesia’s longest-serving finance ministers, who previously held senior positions at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. She was replaced by Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, chairman of the Deposit Insurance Corporation.

At his first press conference, Sadewa, 61, underlined his record of providing fiscal advice to the last two administrations. He pledged to stimulate economic growth through targeted fiscal measures and more efficient government spending, while ruling out major structural changes.

Other officials dismissed include Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Budi Gunawan, the minister of cooperatives, the minister of youth and sport, and the minister for migrant workers protection.

The protests expanded after the death of Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old motorcycle delivery worker, who was struck and killed by an armored police vehicle while completing a food delivery order. His death resonated widely in a country where high youth unemployment forces many into low-paying gig work.

The National Commission on Human Rights reported at least 10 deaths during five days of unrest, criticizing what it called an inhumane security response. Riot police deployed water cannon and tear gas against demonstrators, including on university campuses.

Prabowo instructed security forces to act firmly against protests that displayed what he described as “treason and terrorism.” Activists, however, continued mobilizations, targeting government offices and the homes of politicians, including Indrawati’s residence on August 31.

Calm has since returned after Prabowo suspended most overseas trips for lawmakers and revoked their perks, including the housing allowance. Yet concerns persist over the growing role of the military under the president, a former special forces general once banned from entering the United States.

The reshuffle marks Prabowo’s most significant move since taking office, aiming to stabilize his government after the deadliest unrest of his presidency.

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