Weeks after widespread protests swept Indonesia over the excessive pays of lawmakers, a new allowance raise has unleashed fresh public anger.
Lawmakers will now get 702 million rupiah ($42,400; £31,800) in recess allowances - a near-double increase from the previous allowance of 400 million rupiah, said the country's deputy house speaker.
The recess allowance is meant to support lawmakers carrying out their official duties, like visiting constituents, when parliament is not in session.
The protests earlier in August were triggered primarily by a $3,000 monthly housing allowances given to lawmakers - nearly 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta. These were later cut, in a bid to quell anger.
August's protests started with thousands demonstrating against housing allowances for MPs but soon escalated to a wider movement against corruption and economic inequality in South East Asia's largest economy.
The recent decision to hike recess allowances has renewed controversies, particularly given the historical context of lawmakers' financial benefits. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, the deputy speaker, cited rising food and transport costs as reasons for the increase.
In an effort to improve transparency, the House of Representatives announced it will launch a publicly accessible app where lawmakers must report their expenditure of recess funds, allowing citizens to monitor spending.
Such allowances are not unique to Indonesia, as lawmakers in various countries receive additional funds for official duties, highlighting the ongoing struggle for accountability among political elites.
Public sentiment remains sour, with many Indonesians voicing their frustrations over perceived political impunity. Formappi, a parliamentary watchdog, highlighted the irony of the new allowance appearing after the removal of housing perks.
It remains to be seen how these developments will affect public trust in Indonesian politics as many citizens continue to grapple with economic challenges.
