{
  "id": 3840655,
  "title": "Death penalty for corruption? Anger boils over as Indonesia’s free meals scheme becomes symbol of political rot",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/death-penalty-for-corruption-anger-boils-over-as-indonesias-free",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/08/28/death-penalty-for-corruption-anger-boils-over-as-indonesias-free-meals-scheme-becomes-symbol-of-political-rot/232921"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jakarta, Indonesia – Hundreds of citizens protested outside parliament on Thursday, demanding stricter penalties for corrupt officials and an end to the government's free school meals programme. Riot police prevented them from entering the closed legislative building, where demonstrators displayed national colours and a banner accusing the corrupt of enriching themselves while the people suffer. Protester Dian Purmomo, a 50-year-old author, told AFP that the government must address the people's needs rather than implement programs that only benefit those in power. The protesters are pushing for the passage of a bill, pending before parliament since 2008, that would allow the seizure of the assets of corrupt officials, some of whom have called for the death penalty. They also demand an end to the costly free meals initiative, which has been plagued by allegations of graft and food poisoning incidents. \"Corruption is rampant, nobody is stopping it. No matter how much people protest, the free meals scheme keeps going,\" said Dian. The demonstrations come a year after nationwide riots left a dozen people dead and thousands arrested, sparked by anger over lavish perks for lawmakers. Jakarta police reported deploying 18,500 officers to secure the city as public anger over economic hardship, inequality, and rising fuel prices fueled the unrest.",
  "summary": "JAKARTA, Aug 28 — Hundreds of Indonesians marched on parliament on Thursday to demand harsher penalties for corrup...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}