At least 3 dead after mob sets fire to Indonesian regional parliament building

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An angry mob set fire to a local parliament building in an Indonesian provincial capital, leaving at least three people dead and five others hospitalized, officials said.

The blaze in Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi province, began late Friday. Television reports showed the provincial council building ablaze overnight, causing the area to turn an eerie orange color.

Rescuers retrieved three bodies on Saturday morning, while five people were hospitalized with burns or with broken bones after jumping from the building, said Fadli Tahar, a local disaster official.

Protesters in West Java’s Bandung city also set a regional parliament ablaze on Friday, but no casualties were reported. In Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, protesters stormed the regional police headquarters after destroying fences and torching vehicles. Security forces fired tear gas and used water cannons, but demonstrators fought back with fireworks and wooden clubs.

Foreign embassies in Jakarta, including the U.S., Australia and Southeast Asian countries, have advised their citizens in Indonesia to avoid demonstration areas or large public gatherings.

Calm largely returned to Indonesia 's capital on Saturday as authorities cleaned up burned-out cars, police offices and bus shelters that were set ablaze by angry protesters.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto canceled his planned visit to China next week, citing escalating nationwide protests.

“This decision was taken with great caution while maintaining good relations with the Chinese government,” said Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi in a statement, adding that Subianto has conveyed his apology to Beijing.

Subianto was among several heads of state and government invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Victory Day Parade in Beijing on Sept. 3.

Protests in several regions have escalated into riots, with buildings and public facilities set on fire and even police headquarters attacked, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo told a news conference Saturday evening.

“Such situations can no longer be considered freedom of expression, but rather criminal acts,” he said, adding that the police and the military "would immediately act to restore public order.”

Five days of protests began in Jakarta on Monday, sparked by reports that all 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) in addition to their salaries. The allowance, introduced last year, is almost 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage.

Critics argue the new allowance is not only excessive but also insensitive at a time when most people are grappling with soaring living costs and taxes and rising unemployment.

The protests grew wider and more violent following the death of 21-year-old ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan. A video on social media apparently showing his death during a rally in the capital Jakarta on Thursday shocked the nation and spurred an outcry against the security forces.

Kurniawan was reportedly completing a food delivery order when he was caught in the clash. Witnesses told local television that the armored car from the National Police’s Mobile Brigade unit suddenly sped through the crowd of demonstrators and hit Kurniawan, causing him to fall. Instead of stopping, the car ran over him.

On Saturday, hundreds of ride-hailing drivers and students in Bali staged a solidarity demonstration over Kurniawan’s death in a rare protest on the tourist island. They called for police reform and the release of those arrested during the protests.

Protesters marched to Bali’s regional police headquarters and riot police fired rounds of tear gas at them to push back those who tried to reach the heavily guarded compound. Protesters responded by throwing rocks, bottles and flares.

Clashes between riot police and protesters erupted in multiple cities across Indonesia on Friday, including in Medan, Solo, Yogyakarta, Magelang, Malang, Bengkulu, Pekanbaru and Manokwari in easternmost Papua region.

Some 950 people were arrested in rallies in Jakarta alone by Thursday, according to the National Commission on Human Rights, or Komnas HAM.

Authorities said about 25 officers were hospitalized with serious injuries after being attacked by protesters in Jakarta. The Komnas HAM believed that the number of injured people on the community side is much bigger.

Associated Press journalists Edna Tarigan and Dita Alangkara in Jakarta, contributed to this report.

Police officers walk amid tear gas smoke during a protest in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, sparked by reports of lawmakers receiving excessive housing allowances. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)

Flames engulf Grahadi Building, the official residence of East Java governor, in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, after it was set on fire during a protest sparked by reports of lawmakers receiving excessive housing allowances. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)

People overturn the wreckage of a car burned in violent protests against lawmakers' allowance and alleged police brutality after a delivery rider was run over by a police armored vehicle during clashes between riot police and students protesters, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Debris litter the street as police officers take their position following violent protests against lawmakers' allowance and police brutality after a delivery rider was allegedly run over by a police armored vehicle during clashes between riot police and students protesters, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

People inspect the wreckages of cars burned in violent protests against lawmakers' allowance and alleged police brutality after a delivery rider was run over by a police armored vehicle during clashes between riot police and students protesters, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

People inspect the wreckages of cars burned in a protest against lavish allowances given to parliament members in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/ Masyudi Firmansyah)

Protesters walk by as the local parliament building is engulfed in flames during a protest following the death of a delivery rider in clashes between riot police and students protesting against lawmakers' allowances in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/ Masyudi Firmansyah)

DODOMA, Tanzania (AP) — Tanzania’s president has, for the first time since the disputed October election, commented on a six-day internet shutdown as the country went through its worst postelection violence.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday expressed “sympathy” to diplomats and foreign nationals living in the country, saying the government would strive to ensure there is never a repeat of the same.

Hassan won the October election with more than 97% of the vote after candidates from the two main opposition parties were barred from running and the country’s main opposition leader remained in prison facing treason charges.

Violence broke out on election day and went on for days as the internet was shut down amid a heavy police crackdown that left hundreds of people dead, according to rights groups.

Hassan blamed the violence on foreigners and pardoned hundreds of young people who had been arrested, saying they were acting under peer pressure.

Speaking to ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of international organizations on Thursday in the capital, Dodoma, she sought to reassure envoys of their safety, saying the government would remain vigilant to prevent a repeat of the disruption.

“To our partners in the diplomatic community and foreigners residing here in Tanzania, I express my sincere sympathy for the uncertainty, service restrictions and internet shutdowns you experienced,” she said.

Hassan defended her administration, saying the measures were taken to preserve constitutional order and protect citizens.

“I assure you that we will remain vigilant to ensure your safety and prevent any recurrence of such experiences,” the president told diplomats on Thursday.

Tanzania has, since the October elections, established a commission of inquiry to look into the violence that left hundreds dead and property worth millions of shillings destroyed in a country that has enjoyed relative calm for decades.

Foreign observers said the election failed to meet democratic standards because key opposition figures were barred.

FILE - Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan delivers remarks during a campaign rally ahead of the general elections in Iringa, Tanzania, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP Photo, File)