Indonesia detains 154 after Yogyakarta protest violence

Indonesian police detained 154 people after protesters clashed with security forces overnight in Yogyakarta, where demonstrations had been held over wages, the economy and wildfires.

Yogyakarta police spokeswoman Novita Eka Sari said the detentions were linked to the unrest. Police said about 100 people gathered near the city parliament around 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, aiming firecrackers and throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails toward the building.

Authorities deployed tactical vehicles to disperse the crowd, police said. An AFP reporter saw police fire tear gas and water cannon late Tuesday as officers moved against the protesters.

Police said they seized six Molotov cocktails and 12 firecrackers. National Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto inspected the scene early Wednesday and pledged a thorough investigation.

Earlier Tuesday, hundreds of people had gathered near the governor's office in Yogyakarta to call for higher minimum wages, but that crowd dispersed before the later violence. Protesters also took to the streets in Surabaya, citing issues including wildfires and rising food prices.