Indonesian lawmakers receive allowance hike following protests over perks

Indonesia has nearly doubled a key allowance for its lawmakers, an official said on Monday. This move comes one month after cancelling some benefits given to parliamentarians to address public outrage following a series of violent demonstrations. The decision to increase the allowance sparked criticism from the public, who viewed it as a step backward in efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the government. Lawmakers defended the hike, stating that it was necessary to attract and retain qualified individuals in public service. Despite the backlash, the government proceeded with the increase in allowances, highlighting the challenges of balancing public perception with the need to incentivize political participation. The move also underscores the ongoing struggle in Indonesia to address corruption and excessive perks for politicians.