Protesters rally again in Indonesia as tempers flare over election manoeuvres by Parliament
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Policemen forming a barricade with their shields to block protesters in front of the East Java Provincial Parliament on Aug 23.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
JAKARTA – Thousands of people rallied in several cities in Indonesia on Aug 23, pressuring its poll body to issue rules for regional elections amid outrage over an attempt by parliamentary allies of President Joko Widodo to change them in their favour.
The protests followed a day of demonstrations in which 301 people were detained and tear gas and water cannon used to disperse angry crowds outside Parliament, which on Aug 22 shelved its controversial plan to amend eligibility rules on candidates, citing absence of a quorum.
The protests were accompanied by fury on social media at the influential Mr Widodo, who stood to gain from proposed changes that would have allowed his son to seek office
When asked about the protests, Mr Widodo said on Aug 23 it is good for people to express their aspirations.
He said on Aug 21 he respected Indonesia’s democratic institutions, when asked about the attempt by Parliament to change the election rules.
The demonstrations capped a dramatic week in politics in which anger has mounted over what Mr Widodo’s critics say is an attempt to further consolidate his power as he prepares to make way for successor Prabowo Subianto in October.
Mr Widodo’s popularity and outsized influence after a decade in charge was instrumental in Mr Prabowo winning February’s election by a big margin, in what was widely seen as a quid pro quo to ensure the outgoing leader retains a political stake long after he leaves office.
‘This is nepotism’
Student protester Diva Rabiah, 23, was among hundreds of people who gathered outside the election commission in Jakarta urging it to issue clear rules on candidates, concerned that regulations could be changed before registration opens next week.
“This bothers me because they eased the way for the President’s son to run in the regional elections. This is nepotism,” she said of the earlier plan by lawmakers.
Demonstrations were also held on Aug 23 in the cities of Medan, Makassar and in Surabaya, where students threw rocks and bottles at police, calling for the poll body to issue the rules.
It is unclear what role Mr Widodo will play when he leaves office, but he is expected to wield influence through the Golkar Party, the largest member of Mr Prabowo’s parliamentary alliance, which on Aug 21 appointed the President’s right-hand man, Mr Bahlil Lahadalia, as its leader.
The push by lawmakers to change the election rules would have effectively been a reversal of a Constitutional Court decision on Aug 20, which upheld the minimum age of 30 for candidates, and made it easier for parties to make nominations.
That ruling opens the door for Mr Prabowo’s presidential election rival, Mr Anies Baswedan, to be nominated for Jakarta governor, a post he held from 2017 to 2022, but means Mr Widodo’s 29-year-old son, Mr Kaesang Pangarep, cannot run in regional polls.
The election commission would issue rules in line with the Aug 20 court ruling, but after a consultation with Parliament next week, its acting chief, Mr Mochammad Afifuddin, said in a press conference. REUTERS
