The proposed revision of the Regional Election Law (UU Pilkada) recently sparked widespread controversy and criticism, as it was perceived to violate the constitution.
After a Constitutional Court ruling was deemed final and binding, people from various segments of society protested against the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) and the government’s attempts to revise the law.
“This is an accumulation of previous protests related to the non-democratic, non-participatory, and non-transparent governance practices,” said Dr. Yance Arizona, a constitutional law lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Law (FH UGM), in an interview with reporters on Tuesday (Aug. 28).
According to Dr. Arizona, the protests and criticisms that emerged as public outcries were justified, as the DPR blatantly disregarded the Constitutional Court and attempted to alter its final ruling.
Furthermore, Dr. Arizona mentioned that the movement seen on the ground was organic. People had grown tired and frustrated with these undemocratic political practices, leading them to take to the streets in protest.
“The movement that took place yesterday was organic because people were fed up with the governance practices, especially with dynastic politics, and this frustration is evident in the context of the Constitutional Court’s decision and the proposed revision of the Regional Election Law,” he explained.
Dr. Arizona also noted that public trust in the democratic process has declined, even after the proposed revision of the Regional Election Law was canceled.
Students’ demonstrations, along with other societal elements, succeeded in halting the revision of the Regional Election Law, which Dr. Arizona views as a small victory amidst the larger struggle to defend Indonesia’s democratic system.
“All levels of society are encouraged to continue to increase their awareness of the political process and to safeguard it,” he concluded.
Author: Hanif
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: Kompas.com