Indonesia: Thousands of Students Protest Rumored Election Delay

Powerful political figures, including two ministers, who publicly backed a delayed election have fueled rising tensions.

President Widodo himself has publicly spoken out against the idea. He told his cabinet last week to focus on addressing the country’s economic woes, stressing that “nobody should bring up a (presidential) term extension or election delay anymore.”

But there is still strong skepticism regarding the President’s intentions.

Crowds of demonstrators storming the parliament building at Monday’s protests said halting elections would threaten the country’s democracy.

Indonesian police fired tear gas and deployed water cannons on the protestors forcing them to scuttle away. Local reporters say rocks were thrown into the complex after non-student protestors joined the rally.

Lawmakers addressed the students, vowing to keep election dates intact.

Sources: AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters