INDONESIA’S Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has issued a public apology and called for restraint and unity after her home in Bintaro, South Tangerang, was ransacked by rioters amid growing national anger over political privilege and soaring living costs.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, Sri Mulyani expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and solidarity she received following the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday.
“I am thankful for the sympathy, words of encouragement, and moral support. Building Indonesia is a difficult and risky endeavour — our predecessors have walked the same path,” she wrote.
“The fight for our nation’s ideals must be carried out with ethics and moral integrity.”
Reflecting on her role as a public servant, Sri Mulyani reaffirmed her commitment to fulfilling her duties as enshrined in the 1945 Constitution and the law.
“This is not about personal interests or individual preferences. Laws are made through an open and transparent process involving the government, parliament, and society,” she said.
She acknowledged public grievances, saying Indonesians have the right to seek constitutional review through the Constitutional Court, and legal redress through the Supreme Court in the event of abuse of power.
“That is the foundation of our civilised democracy. Yes, it is flawed and imperfect, but our duty is to improve it with civility, not with anarchy, intimidation or repression.”
She reiterated that national trust must be upheld through integrity, professionalism, transparency and accountability, and that listening to the people's voices is an essential part of leadership.
“Criticism, suggestions, and even satire — from netizens, teachers, students and entrepreneurs — are all part of our shared process of nation-building,” she said, while urging an end to violence and destruction.
“We sincerely apologise for our many shortcomings. Bismillah, we will strive to do better. May God bless and protect Indonesia. Never grow weary of loving this country,” she concluded.
Her remarks come amid a wave of civil unrest that erupted in late August after widespread anger over lawmakers' lavish allowances and perceived detachment from the struggles of ordinary Indonesians.
Since 25 August, thousands of protesters have gathered outside the Parliament complex in Jakarta, demanding — among other things — the abolition of excessive benefits granted to members of the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR), Indonesia’s House of Representatives.
Tensions boiled over on 28 August when protests turned violent, leading to several days of riots, during which the homes of at least five MPs were looted.
President Prabowo Subianto has since ordered a crackdown, while five MPs were suspended by their respective parties for remarks deemed insensitive or inflammatory.
Those suspended include high-profile figures such as Ahmad Sahroni and Nafa Urbach of NasDem, both of whose homes were targeted. Sahroni had earlier called demands to dissolve the DPR “the dumbest idea in the world”, while Urbach defended the controversial IDR50 million (approx. RM12,800) monthly housing allowance for MPs.
Two other suspended legislators, entertainers Eko Patrio and Uya Kuya of the National Mandate Party (PAN), had previously drawn criticism after a video showed them dancing during the president’s annual address. Their homes were also looted, with Uya’s residence stripped of furniture, electronics and even pets.
Golkar’s Deputy Speaker, Adies Kadir, was suspended for publicly defending the IDR50 million housing allowance and other perks. Though his home was spared, his remarks further fuelled public outrage.
Critics say the housing allowances starkly illustrate Indonesia’s widening wealth gap. The IDR50 million monthly figure — nearly ten times the average base salary of a Jakarta worker — has become a lightning rod in a country where many continue to struggle with inflation and stagnant wages. - Sept 1, 2025
