Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Indonesia police fire tear gas, water cannon at protesters

Indonesia police fire tear gas, water cannon at protesters

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Indonesian police deploy tear gas and water cannon against thousands of students protesting against extending the presidential mandate. AFP

Indonesia police fire tear gas, water cannon at protesters

Indonesian police deployed tear gas and water cannon against thousands of students protesting Monday against extending the presidential term limit, after rumours swirled for weeks about a potential change to the country’s constitution.

The Southeast Asian country’s next election is in 2024 and President Joko Widodo would not be eligible to run as Indonesia places a two-term limit on its leader.

But senior ministers and several political parties last month suggested the election should be delayed and the constitution amended to allow presidents to serve more than two terms.

Monday saw about 2,000 university students gather in front of the House of Representatives building. Indonesia has seen similar rallies sprout across the country in the last week.

“We demand the House of Representatives not betray the constitution by making an amendment and we firmly reject delaying the 2024 election,” protest coordinator Luthfi Yufrizal said in a statement.

Police later fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesters, according to AFP reporters on the scene.

Jakarta police chief Fadil Imran said those tactics were used after a group of protesters assaulted Ade Armando, an academic widely seen to be pro-Widodo.

Armando had suffered injuries on his head after being trampled by angry protesters, police said.

An unverified video showed Armando bleeding, his face badly swollen, as police officers hauled him away.

Imran said six officers were also attacked and injured while attempting to evacuate the academic.

“We promised to take a strict action against anyone who broke the law and is the mastermind of this incident,” the police chief said, adding that a total of 80 protesters were detained.

The debate on delaying the election and extending the presidential term has gathered steam since March, despite Widodo himself rebuking the suggestions multiple times.

On Sunday, he reiterated that it was “speculation”.

“The schedules for the presidential and regional election of 2024 have been agreed. It’s all clear,” Widodo said in a tweet. “Don’t be provoked by insignificant political interests.”

But critics said his objection to the proposals came far too late, only fuelling the furore.

Twice-elected Widodo – popularly known as Jokowi – enjoys wide support in the country of 270 million, but dissatisfaction has increasingly mounted as Southeast Asia’s biggest economy sees a slowdown amid pandemic-spurred global shortages and residents grapple with rising fuel prices.

MOST VIEWED

  • Wing Bank opens new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004

    Wing Bank celebrates first anniversary as commercial bank with launch of brand-new branch. One year since officially launching with a commercial banking licence, Wing Bank on March 14 launched a new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004. The launch was presided over by

  • Girl from Stung Meanchey dump now college grad living in Australia

    After finishing her foundational studies at Trinity College and earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Melbourne in 2022, Ron Sophy, a girl who once lived at the Stung Meanchey garbage dump and scavenged for things to sell, is now working at a private

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Wat Phnom hornbills attract tourists, locals

    Thanks to the arrival of a friendly flock of great hornbills, Hour Rithy, a former aviculturist – or raiser of birds – in Kratie province turned Phnom Penh tuk tuk driver, has seen a partial return to his former profession. He has become something of a guide

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one