Three Dead in South Sulawesi Parliament Fire as Protests Sweep Indonesia

Three people were killed in a parliament building fire in Makassar as Indonesia faces its largest protests in years, sparked by the death of a delivery driver under police custody.

Protesters clash with police in Jakarta as nationwide demonstrations escalate following the death of a delivery driver. Photo: @DailySabah


August 30, 2025 Hour: 7:38 am

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At least three people were killed and five injured when a regional parliament building in South Sulawesi was set ablaze during protests that have spread across Indonesia, fueled by anger over police violence and government privileges.

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Indonesia’s disaster management agency confirmed the deaths on Saturday, a day after the fire engulfed the parliament building in Makassar, the provincial capital, located about 1,600 kilometers east of Jakarta.

“From last night’s incident, three people died. Two died at the scene, and one died at the hospital. They were trapped in the burning building,” said Rahmat Mappatoba, secretary of the Makassar city council, in remarks to AFP. He accused protesters of storming and setting fire to the building.

The state news agency Antara also reported that the victims were trapped inside, while officials said two of the injured were hurt after jumping from the building to escape the flames. Several of the wounded remain in hospital. The fire has since been extinguished.

The incident comes amid nationwide protests triggered by the death of a motorcycle delivery driver, Affan Kurniawan, who was run over by a police tactical vehicle during earlier demonstrations. His killing has intensified public anger, sparking some of the largest and most violent protests seen under President Prabowo Subianto.

In Bandung, the capital of West Java, protesters reportedly torched a bank and a restaurant on Friday. In Jakarta, hundreds gathered outside the headquarters of the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob), the paramilitary police unit blamed for Kurniawan’s death. Demonstrators hurled stones and firecrackers, while police fired tear gas as crowds attempted to breach the compound gates.

On Saturday, a local news outlet reported that groups of young demonstrators attempted to march again on Brimob headquarters but were blocked by barricades.

Police confirmed that seven officers have been arrested for questioning over Kurniawan’s death. According to the Tempo news site, more than 200 protesters have been injured nationwide.

“This is different than other recent protests,” said Juan Robin, a journalist with Narasi, in an interview with Al Jazeera. He said police used tear gas throughout Friday in Jakarta, adding that “at least seven bus stops in Jakarta were burned down, but it is not clear who did it.” Robin also noted unconfirmed reports that provocateurs may have been behind some of the damage.

President Subianto has urged calm, visited Kurniawan’s family, and ordered an investigation, while warning that the protests “were leading to anarchic actions.”

The unrest has also disrupted daily life in Jakarta. The city’s rapid transit system halted service at one station near protest sites, and the Transjakarta bus company reported it was unable to serve customers in several areas.

Author: MK

Source: Al Jazeera - EFE