Protesters attempting to storm Indonesia's parliament during a protest against controversial changes to election laws that could further enhance the political influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo, in Jakarta on Aug 22, 2024. - AP
JAKARTA: Security forces fired water cannon outside the parliament building in Jakarta on Thursday (Aug 22) at protesters demanding that lawmakers drop their plan for a controversial revision of election rules, local television channels reported.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the House building on Thursday some breaching part of a fence, but few daring to cross it. Others draped banners accusing Jokowi of destroying democracy, and carried colourful banners and props, including a mock guillotine featuring the president's face.
Protests were held in multiple cities across the country, with tear gas fired at demonstrators in Semarang, TV footage showed.
Protesters clashing with security officers as they attempt to storm Indonesia's parliament building on Aug 22. - AP
The government of President Joko "Jokowi" urged people to avoid disinformation that could lead to violence, the president's spokesperson said on Thursday.
Hasan Nasbi also said that the government's stance on the changing of an election law was to follow existing rules if proposed amendments have not been ratified by the House.
The House has postponed the ratification of controversial changes to the regional elections law that had initially been scheduled for Thursday, due to a lack of quorum, legislator Habiburokhman told reporters on Thursday.
Protesters climbing on a fence of the parliament building in Jakarta on Aug 22. - Bloomberg
It was not immediately clear when the ratification would take place. The changes would have blocked a vocal government critic in the race for the influential post of Jakarta governor, and also paved the way for President Joko Widodo's youngest son to run in elections in Java in November. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
