Over 1,200 detained in Indonesia after protests over congressmen’s pay raise

Authorities in Indonesia reported on Monday that 1,240 people were arrested in the past week for their involvement in the violence unleashed during citizen protests against pay raises for lawmakers, manifesting in looting and assaults on officials’ residences. The damages have resulted in losses of up to US$3.6 million, which include looting and attacks on the homes of congressmen and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani. The unrest began after the approval of a bill to increase lawmakers’ salaries, sparking widespread outrage and leading to violent demonstrations in several cities across the country.