‘Impossible conditions’: Indonesian groups call off protests as security raised

Indonesian students and civil society groups called off protests in Jakarta on Monday, citing fears of heightened security measures after deadly riots across the country over the weekend.

The protests began a week ago amid escalating anger over lawmakers’ pay and have spread nationwide, escalating in size and intensity after a police vehicle hit and killed a motorcycle taxi driver on Thursday night.

Eight people have died in the protests, Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Monday.

Seven officers have been detained for investigation into the accident that killed the 21-year-old driver, Affan Kurniawan.

On Monday, Agus Wijayanto, head of the accountability bureau at the National Police, told reporters an investigation had found criminal acts committed by two officers – the driver of the van and the officer next to him.