‘The international community should help amplify the voices of Indonesians standing up to corrupt elites’
CIVICUS discusses recent protests following the Indonesian government’s attempt to change election rules with Alvin Nicola, Democratic Governance Program Manager at Transparency International Indonesia (TII). As part of the Transparency International network, TII works to expose corruption and hold those in power to account.
Protests erupted in August 2024 after outgoing President Joko Widodo’s ruling coalition attempted to change the electoral law to lower the minimum age for political candidates. The move, seen as an attempt to benefit Widodo’s son Kaesang Pangarep, came in defiance of a recent Constitutional Court ruling. Protests were held in several cities, including the capital, Jakarta, where police arrested protesters and used teargas and water cannon to disperse crowds.
What sparked recent protests in Indonesia, and how did the government react?
Protests erupted when the House of Representatives tried to change election laws to create a political dynasty, in open defiance of a Constitutional Court ruling. The court recently ruled that regional leaders must be at least 30 years old, which would prevent President Joko Widodo’s 29-year-old son running in Central Java elections in November. This decision came just a couple of months after Widodo’s eldest son became the country’s youngest vice president at the age of 36.
The attempt to overrule the court’s decision was a move by Widodo’s allies to retain power after President-elect Prabowo Subianto is inaugurated in October. People took to the streets in major cities in anger at this attempt to undermine democracy. Most protesters were young people, students and workers, supported by celebrities and influential people. People demanded that the court’s decision be respected and that the revision of the electoral law be stopped.
The government used force to try to stop them, which resulted in hundreds of arrests, including of children, and injuries to several journalists. Sadly, this simply echoed previous responses to protests. But following the protests, the government had to backtrack on its changes. This was a major setback for Widodo, reducing his political influence.
What are the conditions for civil society in Indonesia?
Despite his apparent popularity, Widodo’s decade-long tenure in office was characterised by a decline in civil liberties, the weakening of democratic institutions, human rights violations and the use of laws and legal tools to suppress dissent.
Over time, the government has relied more on patronage, using political favours and deals to secure support. Widodo promoted family members to public office. Key watchdog institutions such as the Corruption Eradication Agency lost their independence. Corruption worsened, as evidenced by Indonesia’s decline on the Corruption Perceptions Index.
The government has used laws and regulations to stifle dissent, affecting the ability of civil society activists and organisations to operate, speak out and protest freely. Critics have been threatened and arrested. There are also concerns about the fairness of elections. Since Widodo became president in 2014, there has been increased pressure on political opponents, interference in political parties, selective prosecutions and increased military involvement in civilian affairs.
Discontent has been reflected in the growth of protest movements such as Peringatan Darurat – a youth-led movement against corruption and nepotism. The government has often responded with violence and legal measures to control them.
How can the international community support Indonesian civil society?
Our struggle is part of a global trend where political leaders are increasingly manipulating constitutional principles to maintain power. Power must be used for the benefit of the public, not for the already powerful.
The international community should help amplify the voices of Indonesians standing up to corrupt elites. This would serve as a warning to the outgoing and incoming presidents that further erosion of democracy and circumvention of the constitution will not be tolerated.
Get in touch with Transparency International Indonesia through its website or Instagram page, and follow @TIIndonesia and @Alvin_Nicola on Twitter.