Indonesia Postpones Election Law Changes Amid Jakarta Protests, Tear Gas and Water Cannons Used

Aug 22, 2024, 12:14 PM

Indonesia's parliament has postponed ratifying controversial changes to the election laws following widespread protests across the country. The proposed changes, which sparked significant unrest, were perceived as favoring President Joko Widodo and his successor, Prabowo Subianto, by potentially allowing the president's youngest son to run for office before reaching the minimum age of 30. Thousands of protesters gathered in major cities, including Jakarta, Padang, Bandung, and Yogyakarta, clashing with police who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Protesters in Jakarta attempted to tear down fences outside the parliament building. The unrest led to the postponement of the parliamentary vote, with lawmakers citing a lack of quorum and insufficient time to hold a plenary session before regional election registration.