Taiwanese urged to be vigilant in Indonesia amid widespread riots

Taipei, Sept. 2 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday advised Taiwanese nationals to exercise caution in Indonesia, where week-long nationwide protests against a proposed hike in housing subsidies for lawmakers have left at least six people dead following a government crackdown.

According to MOFA, Taiwan's representative office in Jakarta temporarily closed its office for consular service on Monday due to the unrest. Normal operations were resumed on Tuesday.

The ministry told CNA that Taiwanese travelers should remain cautious and avoid areas near protests and demonstrations.

MOFA's statement came after an uptick in protests that began on Aug. 25, part of broader civil unrest that has simmered since early 2025 over economic grievances and a proposed hike in housing subsidies for members of parliament -- nearly 10 times Jakarta's minimum wage.

The protests centered around capital city Jakarta, but later grew in intensity and spread nationwide following the killing of Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle taxi driver who was run over by a Brimob police tactical vehicle during a crackdown.

The United Nations on Monday called for an investigations into alleged use of disproportionate force after six people were killed in protests across Indonesia sparked by anger over lawmakers' lavish perks.

According to Taiwan's representative office in Jakarta, the protests are centered around the Indonesian parliament, and several Jakarta neighborhoods, including Senayan, Semanggi, Kwitang and Senen.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Consular Affairs under MOFA currently maintains a yellow-color alert on Indonesia it issued in late 2024.

Under MOFA's four-color travel alert system, the lowest level is gray, followed by yellow, orange and red.

In case of an emergency, Taiwanese nationals in Indonesia can call the representative office in Jakarta on its emergency hotline 0811-984-676, MOFA said.