Addin Anugrah Siwi, Wawan Kurniawan, Jakarta – A wave of violent unrest over parliamentary perks and political discontent swept through Jakarta and surrounding areas this weekend, with mobs looting the homes of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and several lawmakers.
In the early hours of Sunday, hundreds of people stormed Mulyani's residence in the upscale Bintaro Jaya neighborhood of South Tangerang. Witnesses said the crowd overpowered soldiers guarding the gated community, broke through the portal, and forced entry into the minister's home, vandalizing property and carrying away valuables ranging from electronics and paintings to clothing and furniture.
"I was shocked because they forced their way into the housing complex, shouting and causing chaos," said Agung, a nearby resident. "They took things from the minister's house. I was afraid they might come into our homes too."
Around the same time, mobs descended on the South Tangerang home of Nafa Urbach, a Nasdem lawmaker and former actress. Residents reported looting and vandalism similar to what took place at Mulyani's house.
The overnight assaults followed a spate of attacks Saturday on lawmakers' residences across the capital. In East Jakarta's Duren Sawit district, hundreds of people broke into the home of Uya Kuya, a former television host whose real name is Surya Utama, vandalizing and looting the property before police and soldiers arrived too late to intervene.
Not long after, rioters ransacked the South Jakarta home of comedian-turned-legislator Eko Patrio, whose real name is Eko Hendro Purnomo. Looters carried away luggage, clothing, a refrigerator, and even an LPG gas cylinder from his residence in the upscale Mega Kuningan area.
Both Uya and Eko, members of the National Mandate Party (PAN), had drawn public ire earlier this month when videos circulated of them dancing during parliament's annual session – behavior widely condemned as tone-deaf amid worsening economic strains. Their home addresses were later circulated online after the house of fellow lawmaker Ahmad Sahroni, a Nasdem member known for his luxury cars, was vandalized and looted Saturday.
In separate Instagram videos, Uya and Eko publicly apologized. "I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart to all Indonesians," Uya said. Eko, now serving his fourth parliamentary term, promised to "be more cautious" and "faithfully uphold my oath as a representative of the people."
The surge of violence marks a dangerous escalation of unrest that began August 25, when university students took to the streets to protest lawmakers' controversial pay and benefit increases. Tensions boiled over on Thursday after a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan, was killed by a police armored vehicle during a protest in central Jakarta. His death has become a rallying point for demonstrators, intensifying anger toward both parliament and security forces.
Since then, mobs have torched police stations, government vehicles, and public infrastructure, while authorities have resorted to tear gas, water cannons, and mass arrests. More than 300 people, including hundreds of high school students, have been detained since the unrest began.
Local residents in South Tangerang voiced fears of further violence after the latest wave of attacks. "I just want to feel safe again," Agung said. "I hope this does not happen again."