Indonesia: At least three people were killed by a fire started by protesters at a council building in eastern Indonesia's Makassar city, a local official told AFP on Saturday (Aug 30), after demonstrations across the country following the death of a motorcycle taxi driver hit by a police vehicle.

Southeast Asia's biggest economy was rocked by protests across major cities, including the capital Jakarta, on Friday, after footage spread of a gig motorcycle driver being run over by a police tactical vehicle in earlier rallies against low wages and perceived lavish perks for lawmakers.

The protests are the biggest and most violent of Prabowo Subianto's presidency, a key test for the ex-general less than a year into his rule.

Protests in Makassar, the biggest city on the eastern island of Sulawesi, descended into chaos outside the provincial and local city council buildings, which were both set on fire. Vehicles were torched as protesters hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails.

Three people were killed as a result of the fire at the Makassar city council building, its secretary Rahmat Mappatoba told AFP.

"They were trapped in the burning building," he said, accusing protesters of igniting the blaze.

"This is beyond our prediction, usually during a demonstration, protesters only threw rocks or burn a tyre in front of the office. They never stormed into the building or burned it."

Two workers at the city council died at the scene and a third person, a civil servant, died in hospital.

At least four people were injured in the fire and were being treated at hospital, Rahmat added.

The fire has since been extinguished.

Hundreds of people were seen in footage posted by local media cheering and clapping as fire engulfed the building on Friday with few security forces in sight.

One man was heard shouting: "There are people upstairs!"

In footage verified by AFP, smouldering debris was seen falling from the roof of the city council building surrounded by palm trees as flames still flickered in charred cars.

Protesters inside lit several fires as parts of the building collapsed, while others smashed glass and chanted "revolution".

The building was a blackened wreck by Saturday, with dozens of charred cars around it, as Makassar residents inspected the scene, media footage showed.

Windiyatno, South Sulawesi's military chief said in a statement on Saturday that the situation in Makassar had "now returned to normal".

Makassar and South Sulawesi police did not immediately respond to AFP's requests for comments.