The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has called on the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) to withdraw policies deemed harmful to the public and potentially triggering social conflict, such as the recently introduced housing allowance for lawmakers.

“Komnas HAM urges the government and DPR to revoke policies that negatively affect the public and trigger negative reactions from society,” Komnas HAM Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation, Saurlin Siagian, told a press conference broadcast on Komnas HAM YouTube channel on Friday, August 29, 2025.

The recent wave of protests was fueled by a proposed increase in lawmakers’ monthly income through a housing allowance of Rp50 million (US$3,000). Labor Party President Said Iqbal strongly criticized the measure, calling it unreasonable compared to the modest wage increases granted to workers.

“Lawmakers raise their allowances as they please. Where is their conscience? This is what hurts the people, this is what hurts the workers,” Iqbal told reporters during a rally outside the DPR building on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Critics argue that the allowance increase shows a lack of empathy amid declining public purchasing power and widespread layoffs. Nurhadi, a lecturer in Social Development and Welfare at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), said the decision is flawed not only in substance but also in terms of public support.

“This policy lacks empathy or social sensitivity toward citizens, shows a weak sense of crisis, poor problem-solving capacity within the DPR, and ineffective communication with the public,” Nurhadi said in a press release on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

According to Nurhadi, the higher allowance would only deepen social inequality between lawmakers and ordinary citizens, comparing lawmakers’ income to the meager salaries of hundreds of thousands of honorary teachers. He added that such a policy is particularly inappropriate at a time when the government is pursuing budget efficiency amid fiscal constraints.

Komnas HAM also highlighted concerns over allegations of excessive use of force by security forces, particularly the police’s Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob), in handling protests.

Putu Elvina, Komnas HAM’s Deputy Chair for External Affairs, reported that one protest-related fatality was caused by police actions.

“There are strong indications of excessive use of force during protest handling, which led to the death of Affan Kurniawan, 21, an online motorcycle taxi driver who was struck and run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle,” Putu told the press conference on Friday.

The incident occurred in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday night, August 28, 2025, further fueling public anger and intensifying calls for accountability.