Demonstrators clashed and burned objects outside the parliament building in Jakarta on August 22, 2024, in protest against the overturning of the Constitutional Court’s decision to change the rules for candidate qualifications in a key election later this year.
Ismoyo Bay | AFP | Getty Images
Approval of amendments to Indonesia’s electoral law was halted on Thursday as thousands of protesters occupied the road in front of parliament and some tried to storm the building.
These changes, if implemented, would deepen political influence Outgoing President Joko Wido and has been criticized as potentially weakening Indonesia’s young democracy.
Parliament convened an emergency session on Thursday to overturn a decision by Indonesia’s Constitutional Court on electoral procedures while revising another. But the Legislature revoked the approval after protests outside failed to reach a quorum.
“It was said that the revision of the regional election law cannot be implemented. This means that the revision of the regional election law will not be implemented today,” Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasko Ahmed told reporters in Jakarta.
Indonesian police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of protesters who tried to storm the parliament building after tearing down a section of fence and throwing rocks at police. Protesters occupied the road in front of the building. Some held banners and signs, while others set fire to tires.
The Constitutional Court on Tuesday rejected a challenge to an age limit that barred those under 30 from running for regional governorship, which would have prevented Widodo’s youngest son, 29-year-old Kaesang Pangarep, from running in regional races in Central Java province.
The court also reduced the requirement for parties to hold 20% of seats in local legislative bodies, making it easier for parties to nominate candidates.
Parliament passed an emergency motion on Wednesday to change the minimum age to serve as governor to 30 when taking office and further relax nomination requirements, with plans to approve the change at a plenary session on Thursday.
The moves prompted widespread condemnation on social media and raised concerns about a potential constitutional crisis. The legislature was forced to cancel passing the law after failing to reach a quorum.
Widodo (commonly known as “Jokowi”) began his second and final five-year term in October 2019 and is not eligible to run again. He stepped down in October.
Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, became the incoming vice president after the same court made an exception to the age limit for the former regional leader’s position. The decision was taken when Widodo’s brother-in-law Anwar Usman was chief justice. Usman was criticized for his involvement in a case involving a close relative and was later fired.
Activists, students, workers as well as Indonesian celebrities and musicians took part in protests on Thursday to express concerns about Indonesia’s democracy.
Protests were also reported in other major cities, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Makassar.
In Yogyakarta, at least 1,000 protesters rallied in front of the Yogyakarta Parliament Building, the National Palace and the city’s ceremonial center. Their demands include voting down the regional electoral bill, respecting the Constitutional Court’s ruling and rejecting political dynasties.
Yos Kainavas, a political analyst at Atmajaya Catholic University, said simultaneous protests in major cities showed anger against parliament as it sought to overturn a constitutional court decision to allow more candidates to run in regional elections. .
“They are also opposed to the dynastic politics promoted by President Joko Widodo,” Kinawas said.
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