“There are fatalities. I urge everyone to remain calm. Let us ensure a safe and peaceful South Sulawesi,” Sulaiman said in Makassar.
The governor met with hundreds of protesters on Friday evening (Aug 29) to hear their grievances and expressed hope the dialogue would ease tensions.
"We all love this region. Let us maintain the peace, respect each other, and preserve our unity for a better South Sulawesi," he remarked.
The demonstration in Makassar turned chaotic when protesters began rioting and attacked the Makassar Municipal DPRD building, causing the deaths of four people.
The four people were identified as municipal official Syaiful Anwar, DPRD photographer Ubay, legislative staff member Sarina, and Municipal Police officer Budi. They were trapped inside the building as protesters burned it.
Meanwhile, five other people suffered from injuries in the municipal DPRD fire, with two of them in critical condition.
Parliament staff Budi Haryati was evacuated to the hospital in a comatose condition, while Heriyanto, also a parliament staff, suffered injuries after leaping from the 4th floor of the parliament building to escape the fire.
After attacking the municipal parliament, the rioters moved to the South Sulawesi Provincial DPRD, which they also burned with Molotov cocktails after breaking open the complex gates.
It was reported that the provincial legislature's plenary chamber area was burned to the ground, and the fire also engulfed legislator offices at the neighbouring tower within the complex.
Dozens of vehicles were burned, while looting was also reported to occur at the legislative complexes.
Related news: Three dead in Makassar parliament office arson attack: official
Translator: Abdul Kadir, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Primayanti
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