Indonesian Parliament Sparks Fresh Anger with Near-Double Recess Allowance Hike to IDR 702 Million

JAKARTA – Indonesia is facing a fresh wave of public outrage after its lawmakers quietly nearly doubled a key allowance just weeks after widespread protests forced the cancellation of a controversial housing perk.

The country’s parliamentarians will now receive 702 million rupiah ($42,400; £31,800) for their recess allowance—a massive increase from the previous 400 million rupiah. This new allocation, which began on October 3, is designed to support lawmakers’ official duties, such as meeting constituents, when the legislature is not in session.

The hike comes in the immediate aftermath of a tumultuous August, when thousands took to the streets across Indonesia to protest a proposed $3,000 monthly housing allowance for Members of Parliament (MPs)—an amount nearly ten times the minimum wage in Jakarta. That perk was ultimately cut in a bid to quell the public anger, which had expanded into wider protests against corruption and economic inequality in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

The timing of the new, substantial allowance has been met with disbelief by parliamentary watchdogs.

“It’s like Indonesians have been pranked,” said Lucius Karus of Formappi, a non-profit organization that monitors the Indonesian parliament. “We were satisfied by the abolition of the housing allowance… but, in fact, another fantastic allowance has appeared.”

One social media user on X (formerly Twitter) summed up the growing public sentiment, writing: ”

behavior is not surprising. What is surprising is why the Indonesian people still want to choose them.”

Official Justification and Transparency Push
Indonesian lawmakers take approximately five recesses each year. Defending the increase, Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad told reporters that the hike was necessary to match the “increased activities by lawmakers” during their breaks and to account for the rising cost of food and transport.

In an apparent move to address public criticism over a lack of accountability, Dasco also announced that the House of Representatives would launch a publicly accessible app. Lawmakers will be required to use this application to report on their expenditure of the recess funds, allowing citizens to monitor their spending and ostensibly increase transparency.

The latest controversy underscores a deep-seated public frustration over what many perceive to be the lavish privileges and impunity of Indonesia’s political elite, often contrasting their salaries and perks with the economic hardship faced by ordinary citizens.