Student Protests in Multiple Regions Against Regional Election Law Revisions
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23 August 2024 10:56 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On August 20, 2024, the Constitutional Court issued Decisions Number 60/PUU-XXII/2024 and 70/PUU-XXII/2024, establishing the regional head election threshold and minimum age requirements for regional head candidates.
However, on August 21, 2024, the Legislation Body of the House of Representatives (Baleg DPR) proposed revisions to the Regional Election Law that would overturn these Constitutional Court decisions.
In response, students and activists across Indonesia took to the streets on August 22, 2024, to oppose the proposed revisions.
Jakarta
In Jakarta, students and other elements of society gathered outside the Parliament Building to voice their dissent against the Baleg DPR's decision. The protest escalated when demonstrators breached the building's front fence at 2:30 p.m. However, representatives of students from UI, UGM, ITB, and Brawijaya University urged caution against any acts of anarchy.
“Be careful, be cautious of provocations,” BEM UI Head Verrel Uziel yelled.
The protest was also joined by famous comedians and artists, including Bintang Emon, Mamat Alkatiri, Arie Kriting, Reza Rahadian, and Joko Anwar.
Yogyakarta
In Yogyakarta, students and activists from various campus organizations participated in the "Jogja Memanggil" or "Jogja is Calling" movement. They marched from the Abu Bakar Ali Parking Lot, Malioboro, to the Yogyakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) building, then continued to the Gedung Agung Palace and the Zero Kilometer Point of Yogyakarta.
Arga Luthfi, the Minister of Action and Propaganda of UGM’s Student Executive Body (BEM), emphasized that the protest aimed to demand the cancellation of the Regional Election Bill, which was seen as a means to perpetuate the political power of the Jokowi dynasty.
“We reject political dynasties and the erosion of democracy by a certain party,” Arga stressed.
Bandung
In Bandung, thousands of people participated in a demonstration led by the Bandung Kamisan Action Community in front of the West Java DPRD Building. One of the rally coordinators, Indra, stated that the protest not only opposed the Regional Election Law revisions but also addressed other important issues.
“Today's action is a voice of appeal against tyranny and injustice,” said Indra.
Makassar
In Makassar, South Sulawesi, thousands of students from various campuses united to defend the Constitutional Court's decision and reject the Regional Election Bill. Their actions were met with support from the Speaker of the South Sulawesi DPRD, Andi Ina Kartika Sari, who pledged to convey their demands to the DPR.
“I will advocate for the aspirations of the students and convey them to the central government. Long live students!” said Andi Ina.
East Kalimantan
In East Kalimantan, Antara reported that students and academics from various universities gathered in front of the Mulawarman University gate to protest.
“Our democracy is being stifled by political cartels. This is a historic call for young people to take action,” said a constitutional law academic from Mulawarman University, Herdiansyah Hamzah.
In addition to opposing the Regional Election Law revisions, the students also demanded an end to the commercialization of education, rejected the revision of the Military-Police Law, advocated for true agrarian reform, opposed the revision of the Broadcasting Law, called for the ratification of the Indigenous Peoples Bill, and demanded a thorough investigation of gross human rights violations.
RACHEL FARAHDIBA R | RICKY JULIANSYAH | PRIBADI WICAKSONO | SEPTIA RYANTHIE | HATTA MUARABAGJA
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