Overview
- The protests, which drew thousands to the parliament complex on Aug. 27, pressed lawmakers to allow the state to trace, block and seize assets linked to corruption without a prior criminal conviction.
- Authorities deployed about 18,500 security personnel in Jakarta and detained 65 people ahead of the march on suspicion of being 'provocateurs'.
- State-owned Bank Mandiri froze the account of AMPB coordinator Supriyono at law enforcement request, then restored access and issued an apology after public criticism of the move.
- Representatives of the United Pati People’s Alliance met lawmakers who reportedly pledged to pass the Asset Forfeiture Bill by Dec. 15, and the protesters have tied that timeline to plans for further demonstrations if the deadline is missed.
- The demand for the bill comes against a backdrop of public anger over the costly free meals programme, rising living costs and last year’s deadly unrest, and the bill’s passage could reshape how Indonesia seizes suspected ill-gotten assets and affect political stability.