Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, has announced the cancellation of the 50 million rupiah (RM13,000) monthly housing allowance for lawmakers, effective August 31, 2025.
The decision comes after widespread public protests and unrest in several areas, which have also led to loss of lives.
“We have coordinated with all DPR leaders recently and conveyed the steps that have been, and will be, taken. First, a comprehensive review of all lawmakers’ allowances—especially the housing allowance—will be terminated effective August 31, 2025,” Dasco said during a meeting with university students at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
In addition, Dasco stressed that DPR members will no longer be allowed to conduct overseas working visits for the time being. This follows President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to impose a moratorium on unnecessary trips.
“The moratorium on overseas working visits for DPR members will be enforced, alongside cost-cutting measures for any official foreign trips,” he added.
The DPR also extended condolences to the family of Affan Kurniawan and all victims of recent demonstrations. Affan was reported to have died after being struck by an armored vehicle belonging to Polda Metro Jaya during a protest in Pejompongan, Jakarta, last Thursday.
“As DPR leaders, we sincerely apologize for our shortcomings and failures in carrying out our duty to represent the people’s aspirations, which has always been our responsibility,” Dasco said.
He further emphasized that DPR reforms will be spearheaded directly by Speaker Puan Maharani, with the goal of creating a more transparent, efficient, and accountable legislative body.
