Hundreds of women marched through Jakarta on Wednesday carrying brooms, joining a wave of protests that has swept across Indonesia in recent days.
The unusual symbol, they said, represented a demand to sweep away corruption and abuses of power within government and security forces.
The protests began last week after anger erupted over parliamentary allowances and escalated sharply when a police vehicle fatally struck a motorcycle taxi driver.
The death sparked fury in the capital and other cities, fueling one of the largest public mobilisations in recent years in the world’s third-largest democracy.
Wednesday’s march drew women from different walks of life, many dressed in pink.
Organisers from the Alliance of Indonesian Women said their goal was to spotlight both police violence and lawmakers’ extravagant benefits, which they argue are out of touch with the daily struggles of ordinary citizens.
Protesters held placards with biting slogans such as “reform the police” and “your sweet promises cause diabetes,” while chanting for accountability.
The rallies coincided with President Joko Widodo’s visit to Beijing, where he attended a military parade alongside other world leaders.
His absence during the unrest has been noted by both supporters and critics, raising questions about how his administration will address growing discontent at home.
Reports from human rights groups accuse police of using excessive force in earlier demonstrations, including tear gas and batons, to disperse crowds.
Authorities have defended their actions, saying they are working to maintain order, but civil society groups are calling for an independent investigation into the taxi driver’s death and broader police conduct.
With anger showing little sign of subsiding, activists vowed to continue their campaign until parliament curbs its allowances and law enforcement is held accountable for violence against civilians.