Protests erupted across Indonesia on Friday, with major cities including the capital Jakarta witnessing significant unrest.

The catalyst for these demonstrations was the death of a gig motorcycle driver who was hit by a police tactical vehicle during previous rallies concerning low wages and perceived lavish perks for lawmakers.

In Makassar, the protests turned violent, leading to the burning of both the provincial and local city council buildings, with vehicles also set ablaze as protesters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails.

Three people were tragically killed due to the fire at the Makassar city council building, including two council staff members and a civil servant.

Four others suffered injuries and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

The fire has been extinguished, but the scene was marked by widespread destruction, with images showing the provincial council building engulfed in flames.

Protests also spread to other major cities across Indonesia, such as Yogyakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya on Java, and Medan in North Sumatra province.

In Jakarta, hundreds gathered outside the headquarters of the elite Mobile Brigade Corp. (Brimob) paramilitary police unit, which they held responsible for Affan Kuniawan's death.

The protests were notably intense and presented a significant challenge to President Prabowo Subianto's rule, prompting him to urge calm, order an investigation into the incident, and visit the family of the slain driver.

Protests across Indonesia reflect growing discontent with budget cuts funded by populist policies such as a billion-dollar free meal program.