- 4–8 and 12–15 May 1998 – Riots occurred (pictured) throughout Indonesia, including in Jakarta (12–15 May), triggered by economic problems including food shortages and mass unemployment, and eventually led to the resignation of President Suharto and the fall of the New Order government.
- 30 May 1619 – Dutch troops raze the city of Jayakarta, later establishing their capital, Batavia, over the rubble