Indonesian Student Protesters Occupy DPR Complex to Secure MK Ruling
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22 August 2024 21:04 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of student protesters defending the decision of the Constitutional Court entered the front yard of the DPR complex as the demonstration turned chaotic on Thursday, August 22.
The crowd of students began to enter the courtyard through a broken fence near the main gate at about 17:00 WIB. The crowd, most of whom were wearing alma maters from various campuses, rushed in and occupied the front yard.
The demonstrators began entering the courtyard through a broken fence near the main gate around 5:00 pm. The demonstrators, most of whom were wearing alma maters from various universities, charged in and occupied the front yard.
Meanwhile, police were preparing to push back the crowd that refused to disperse on the street just outside the main gate of the DPR. "The police should protect us! The police should protect us!" the students chanted as they prepared to be forced back.
At least two protesters, believed to be students because they wore the attributes of their alma mater, were arrested. There were also reports that one foreign national was detained.
Protesters clashed with riot police outside the DPR complex when the crowd broke through the fence near the main gate.
Chaos erupted after police fired water cannons to extinguish tires being burned at the front gate. Police also threw tear gas at the main gate as protesters chanted "Revolution!"
Dozens of protesters threw rocks at the police after the second round of tear gas was fired. The commandos called for the Border Police with riot shields to charge at the crowd. Rocks, water bottles, and wood were thrown between the crowd and the police.
Tensions peaked after the side fence at the main gate of the parliament complex was breached by protesters at around 14:15. According to Tempo reporters, the back gate to the DPR was also breached and demonstrators began entering the area.
At the time of writing, the situation was still tense as police attempted to disperse the remaining crowd.
Eka Yudha Saputra
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