Indonesia is Burning. Here's Why.
Simon Whistler · September 3, 2025 · 15 min video · China & Indo-Pacific
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From the transcript
On Monday the 20th of August, long simmering tensions in Indonesia finally bub bled to the surface. Thousands took to the streets of Descartes to protest against what they saw as a government intent on enriching itself at the expense of the ordinary people.
The protesters, some carrying pyroflags from the anime, one piece, had one target in their sights, Parliament. 1,250 police officers were deployed to guard the building and were soon engaging in running battles with angry demonstrators.
On one side, tear gas and water cannons were deployed on the other, angry citizens were lighting fires and hurling rocks. Little could anyone have guessed that these scenes of carnage were only the beginning.
This transcript was generated automatically and may contain errors.
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About this briefing
Indonesia erupts: protests over lawmakers’ perks, a delivery driver’s death, and a crackdown. We unpack Prabowo’s crisis: its spark, escalation, and what the 17+8 demands mean next for Indonesia’s future. Love content? Check out Simon's other YouTube Channels: Megaprojects:https://www.youtube.com/@megaprojects9649 SideProjects: https://www.youtube.com/@Sideprojects Into The Shadows: https://www.youtube.com/@IntotheShadows Today I Found Out: https://www.youtube.com/@TodayIFoundOut Brain Blaze: https://www.youtube.com/@brainblaze6526 Casual Criminalist: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCasualCriminalist Decoding the Unknown: https://www.youtube.com/@decodingtheunknown2373 Places: https://www.youtube.com/@Places302 Celestium: https://www.youtube.com/@astrographics-ve4yq PoliticalFronts: http://www.youtube.com/@homefronts Simon's Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimonWhistler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonwhistler/ 00:00 Introduction 01:09 The Spark 04:50 The Escalation 12:04 What’s Next?
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