Mass Protests Erupt in Indonesia Against Electoral Reform Favoring Outgoing President and Allies
On Thursday, widespread demonstrations erupted in various Indonesian cities, fueled by public outrage over a contentious electoral reform proposal. The proposed reforms are seen as a way to enhance the political power of outgoing President Joko Widodo and his ally, Prabowo Subianto, who is set to take office following his presidential victory in March.
The largest protest occurred in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, where clashes between demonstrators and police led to the construction of barricades and the burning of tires. Protesters attempted to breach the barriers surrounding the parliament building, pulling down portions of its fence before being repelled by law enforcement.
As protests continued, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Vice President of the House and a member of the Great Indonesia Movement Party, announced that the vote on the reform, which had been scheduled for that morning, would be postponed due to a lack of quorum.
The controversial reform bill seeks to lift the restriction preventing individuals under thirty from running for regional elections—a rule reaffirmed just days earlier by Indonesia's Supreme Court. If the reform is passed, it would enable Widodo's son, Kaesang Pangarep, who turns 30 shortly, to vie for the governorship of Central Java in an election slated for November.
Further complicating the political landscape, the Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday disallowed a requirement that local parties must hold at least 20% of seats in local assemblies to nominate a candidate. This provision, if reintroduced, would disadvantage many opposition parties, consolidating power among the Widodo-Subianto alliance in forthcoming regional elections.
Parties are required to submit their candidates by August 29, but the timeline remains uncertain as the reform awaits further parliamentary action. The atmosphere surrounding the proposed changes remains tense, with citizens increasingly voicing concerns over their democratic rights and the implications of a political landscape heavily influenced by past administrations.
In the context of these developments, it is notable that Indonesia recently inaugurated its new capital, despite it still being under construction, further emphasizing the government's push for significant political shifts in both governance and territorial identity.
Related Sources: