Anti-government protests in Indonesia descended into violence amid outrage over alleged corruption involving lawmakers.

Furious demonstrators gathered following reports that 580 members of the House of Representatives have been receiving a monthly housing benefit of 50 million rupiah (GBP 2,270) since September 2024, nearly 10 times Jakarta's minimum wage.

The activists demanded an end to what they describe as excessive perks paid in addition to legislators' salaries.

Footage shows chaotic scenes outside the parliamentary complex as protesters clashed with police, who used water cannons to disperse the crowds.

Some demonstrators waved a flag featuring the symbol from the Japanese manga series One Piece, using it as a form of protest against government policies.

Authorities also deployed teargas as the crowd tried to advance toward the building. Protesters retaliated by throwing rocks and bottles at riot police and setting fires beneath a flyover near the heavily guarded compound.

There were no immediate reports of injuries from the chaos.

Jakarta police spokesman Ade Ary Syam Indradi told local media that around 1,250 officers were deployed to maintain order around the site.

(1 IDR = 0.000045 GBP)