JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesian police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of protesters who attempted to enter parliament on Thursday. The protesters had broken through a section of the fence and thrown stones at police. The unrest forced the legislature to postpone a vote on controversial changes to election laws that could further expand the political influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo.
Parliament convened in an emergency session to overturn one decision made by the Constitutional Court on election procedures, while revising another.
Protesters occupied the roads in front of the parliament building. Some displayed banners and signs, while others set a fire and burned tires.
The Constitutional Court on Tuesday rejected a challenge to an age limit that prohibits individuals under 30 from running for regional governorships. This would prevent Widodo’s youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, 29, from participating in a regional election in Central Java.
The court also simplified nomination requirements for political parties by reducing the requirement that they hold 20% of a local legislature.
On Wednesday, parliament passed an emergency motion to lower the minimum age to serve as governor to 30 at the time of inauguration and further ease nomination requirements. They intended to ratify the vote in a plenary session on Thursday.
These actions sparked widespread criticism on social media and raised concerns about a potential constitutional crisis.
The legislature was forced to delay passing the law after failing to reach a quorum.
Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is the incoming vice president after the same court approved his candidacy for the post for former regional leaders. This decision was made while Widodo’s brother-in-law, Anwar Usman, was serving as chief justice. Usman was criticized for participating in a case involving a close relative and for potential bias.
Activists, students, workers, and Indonesian celebrities and musicians also participated in the protest on Thursday, expressing concerns about democracy in Indonesia.
Protests were also reported in other major cities, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar.
In Yogyakarta, at least 1,000 protesters assembled in front of Yogyakarta’s parliament building, the state palace, and the city’s ceremonial center. Their demands included the rejection of the regional election bill, respect for the Constitutional Court’s ruling, and opposition to political dynasties.
The simultaneous protests in major cities reflected anger at parliament’s attempts to overrule the Constitutional Court’s decision to allow more candidates to compete in the regional elections, according to Yoes Kenawas, a political analyst at Atma Jaya Catholic University.
“They also opposed the dynastic politics carried out by President Jokowi,” Kenawas said.
