JAKARTA: Protesters looted and damaged the home of National Democratic Party politician Ahmad Sahroni yesterday, taking items including a Spiderman statue, a sofa, and clothes.
News portal Kompas reported that protesters forced their way into the home by breaking the fence and smashing windows. Onlookers were seen leaving the house with branded goods, with one woman carrying a Chanel shopping bag telling a journalist: “If you take a photo, don’t show people’s faces.”
One protester claimed the belongings were bought with public funds. “He may have built his house with our money too,” the protester said.
Sahroni’s residence, located along a narrow, single-lane alley, was swarmed by thousands of people, causing severe congestion and making movement difficult. A car in his garage was left badly damaged with shattered windows and a dented frame.
At about 6pm, protesters hauled out and vandalised an antique car, believed to be part of Sahroni’s collection. About 30 minutes later, military police began dispersing the crowd and media.
Sahroni’s whereabouts remain unknown, and neither the police nor the politician have issued a statement on the incident or assessed the extent of the losses.
The protests began in Jakarta earlier this week over lawmakers’ pay, and escalated on Friday after a police vehicle hit and killed the driver of a ride-hailing motorbike.
Sahroni previously drew public criticism on Aug 22 when he called those wanting the dissolution of the House of Representatives “the most stupid people in the world” following public anger over housing allowances for MPs amid economic hardship.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
