Protesters protest against controversial changes to election laws that could further enhance the political influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
THE legislature will not ratify changes to election rules during the current government’s term, its deputy speaker said, as demonstrations flared outside parliament and security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters.
Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said yesterday that deliberations would continue in the parliament’s next sitting period, meaning that it would not apply to this year’s elections or under the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who leaves office in October.
Security forces fired tear gas and water cannons yesterday as protesters breached and set ablaze part of the gates of parliament, television footage showed, while demonstrations broke out across the country against planned changes to an election law.
Parliamentary allies of Jokowi had sought to reverse a court ruling on the law, which if successful would block a vocal government critic of the president from running for the important post of Jakarta governor.
The move also would have paved the way for Jokowi’s youngest son to run in elections in Central Java this November.
Thousands gathered outside parliament carrying signs accusing Jokowi of destroying democracy, while others carried a mock guillotine bearing his face.
The protests were sparked by a battle over which government agency has the authority to determine electoral laws.
“This is the peak of my disdain,” said Afif Sidik, a 29-year-old teacher who joined the protest outside parliament.
“This is a republic. It’s a democracy, but if its leadership is decided by one person, or an oligarch, we can’t accept that.”
Legal experts and political analysts have described the power struggle as bordering on a constitutional crisis.
The street protests follow a wave of criticism online, with blue posters featuring the words “Emergency Warning” above Indonesia’s national eagle proliferating on social media.
The rupiah and Jakarta’s main stock index slumped by midday yesterday, hit by concerns of protests as well as the country’s widening current account deficit.
The parliament had planned yesterday to ratify changes to the law that would have reversed a decision by the constitutional court earlier this week.
Parliament initially postponed its plan amid the widespread outcry, saying its plenary session did not meet the quorum, before officially shelving the plan later yesterday.
The power struggle between the parliament and the court has sparked anger across the world’s third-largest democracy, with Jokowi facing mounting criticism about what analysts say are attempts to consolidate his power before he officially steps down this October.
Jokowi, who has served the maximum two terms, will be replaced by president-elect Prabowo Subianto and vice-president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi’s eldest son, on Oct 20.
“The ruling of the constitutional court is final and binding,” said Bivitri Susanti, from the Jentera School of Law.
“It is not possible for the legislative body to violate the judiciary’s ruling. This is a power struggle.” — Reuters
