Thousands rally across Indonesia, demanding fair election rules amid outrage over attempts to alter candidate eligibility. Protests follow parliament’s controversial plan, sparking nationwide unrest.
Bollywood Fever: Thousands of people took to the streets in several cities across Indonesia on Friday, rallying to pressure the country’s election commission to issue clear rules for the upcoming regional elections.
The protests come in response to an attempt by parliamentary allies of President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi, to change election rules in a way that critics argue would benefit the president and his political allies.
The demonstrations follow a dramatic day of unrest on Thursday, during which 301 protesters were detained as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds gathered outside the parliament building.
The protests were sparked by the parliament’s controversial plan to amend eligibility rules for candidates, a plan that was ultimately shelved due to the absence of a quorum.
The proposed changes have sparked widespread outrage, both on the streets and on social media, where many Indonesians have voiced their anger at Jokowi.
The president was seen as a potential beneficiary of the changes, which would have allowed his son to run for office in Central Java while blocking a prominent government critic from seeking the high-profile position of Jakarta governor.
The protests mark a significant moment in Indonesian politics, as many see this as an attempt by Jokowi to consolidate power as he prepares to step down and hand over leadership to his successor, Prabowo Subianto, in October.
Jokowi’s influence was pivotal in securing Prabowo’s landslide victory in the February presidential election, in what was widely seen as a quid pro quo to ensure Jokowi’s continued political influence after leaving office.
Among the protesters was 23-year-old student Diva Rabiah, who joined hundreds of others outside the election commission in Jakarta, demanding the issuance of clear candidate rules. “This bothers me because they eased the way for the president’s son to run in the regional elections. This is nepotism,” Rabiah said, referring to the lawmakers’ earlier plan.
Similar demonstrations were held in other cities, including Medan, Makassar, and Surabaya, where students clashed with police, throwing rocks and bottles while demanding transparency and fairness from the election commission.
The protests come after a turbulent week in Indonesian politics, with mounting anger over what critics describe as Jokowi’s efforts to maintain a grip on power.
The president’s son, Kaesang Pangarep, was poised to benefit from the proposed changes, but a Constitutional Court ruling on Tuesday upheld the minimum age requirement of 30 for candidates, effectively barring the 29-year-old from running in the regional polls.
The court’s decision also opens the door for Anies Baswedan, Prabowo’s presidential election rival, to be nominated for Jakarta governor, a position he previously held from 2017 to 2022.
The election commission, according to its acting chief Mochammad Afifuddin, plans to issue regulations in line with the court’s ruling but will first consult with parliament next week.
It remains unclear what role Jokowi will play once he leaves office, but he is expected to maintain significant influence through the Golkar Party, the largest member of Prabowo’s parliamentary alliance. Earlier this week, the party appointed Jokowi’s close ally, Bahlil Lahadalia, as its leader.
Jokowi has yet to comment directly on the protests, though he has previously stated his respect for Indonesia’s democratic institutions when asked about the parliament’s attempt to change the election rules.
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