Protests Erupt in Indonesia as Parliament Postpones Amendment to Election Law | Latest Updates on Protests

Thousands of people in Indonesia are protesting proposed changes to the country’s election law, which are seen as giving outgoing President Joko Widodo more political influence. The parliament postponed ratifying the changes as protesters tried to storm the legislature in Jakarta. The planned revisions would reverse a court ruling and block a government critic from running for Jakarta governor, while also allowing Widodo’s son to run in November elections. Widodo has downplayed concerns, calling the actions of the court and parliament standard checks and balances. The protests, with more than 1,000 people in Java and other cities, have grown in response to fears of democracy being undermined. Analysts have labeled the situation nearing a constitutional crisis, with legal experts calling it “constitutional insubordination”. The demonstrations come after online criticism and the spread of posters warning of an emergency situation in the country. It remains unclear if the parliament will reconvene to pass the controversial law before regional elections registration opens next week.

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