Image Credits: East Asia Forum
Tensions have soared in Jakarta as thousands of protesters clashed with police outside the parliament building, responding to the government’s controversial bid to overturn a recent constitutional court ruling. The unrest, which spread to major cities including Padang, Bandung, and Yogyakarta, has intensified fears of a looming political crisis.
The turmoil erupted after Indonesia’s top court ruled that political parties would no longer need a minimum 20% representation in regional assemblies to field candidates. However, within a day, the parliament, dominated by allies of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, proposed emergency legislation to reverse this decision. This legislative maneuver has been widely condemned, with critics warning of a potential constitutional crisis.
A scheduled vote on the fast-tracked legislation was delayed on Thursday due to insufficient parliamentary attendance. If passed, the legislation would reinstate the previous requirements, which favor the ruling coalition and potentially render many local elections uncontested. Notably, it would prevent prominent government critic Anies Baswedan from running for Jakarta governor and sideline the presidential son, Kaesang Pangarep, from regional elections due to his age.
President Widodo has framed the amendments as part of necessary “checks and balances,” but protesters like Joko Anwar argue that the changes are an attempt to consolidate power. “We have no choice but to protest,” Anwar said, reflecting widespread discontent.
Elections analyst Titi Anggraini from the University of Indonesia labeled the parliamentary action as unconstitutional, denouncing it as “a robbery of the constitution.” The situation remains fluid, with increasing scrutiny on the government’s actions and their implications for Indonesia’s democratic integrity.