Latest Situation Of Mass Amok, South Sulawesi DPRD Office Burned

MAKASSAR - The South Sulawesi Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) office was completely burned down after being set on fire by a violent mob on Urip Sumoharjo Street, Makassar, South Sulawesi, early Saturday morning.

The crowd anarchically entered the council office after the gate was broken down. They indiscriminately threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the government office.

The protesters, dissatisfied with the burning of the Makassar City DPRD office on Jalan Andi Pangeran Pettarani, then moved to Urip Sumoharjo Street.

As reported by ANTARA on Saturday, August 30, the protesters could not be contained by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Marines, who had previously been on guard, and finally broke through, leading to the arson. The crowd consisted of mostly local residents and students, numbering in the thousands.

"Perhaps the people were so angry that they dared to burn down the council office. We are suffering. The government must be sensitive to the people," said Sandy, a resident who witnessed the burning of the legislative building.

From observations at the scene, the permanent government office building had been completely burned down to the roof.

The fire had even spread to the DPRD tower, which is usually used for meetings by council members. It is not yet known whether there were any casualties in the incident.

Police officers, who are usually on guard to secure demonstrations, were also absent. Meanwhile, firefighters were unable to do much. Based on field observations, thousands of people still crowded the fire site.

The situation on the ground is reportedly still tense. Crowds continue to arrive at the scene. Police have not yet taken any action to disperse the crowd. No relevant parties have yet provided a statement regarding the incident.