Indonesians force government to shelve election law overhaul

Thousands of Indonesian protesters in Jakarta and other major cities braved tear gas and water cannons on Thursday as they rallied against government efforts to sideline a popular opposition candidate, Anies Baswedan, and they succeeded. The unexpected protests seem to have caught supporters of outgoing President Joko Widodo and his handpicked successor, Prabowo Subianto, flat-footed, and Parliament shelved the motion that would have sidelined members of smaller political parties.

The government is now promising there will be no changes to election laws before the November polls. Conceding likely saved them from having to deal with more protests planned for Friday, but it also cleared the way for Anies to stand for governor of Jakarta, an influential post that would position him to grapple with his political rivals.

That — and the fact that the protests triggered a sharp drop in the rupiah and Indonesian stocks — could cause headaches for the incoming Prabowo administration. It will be under pressure to match Joko’s economic achievements, which were accompanied by significant democratic backsliding.

We’re also keenly watching the effort to move Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta – Anies’ base of power – to Nusantara, a new city being built in the pristine (and thus politically untainted) jungles of Borneo where Subianto might operate without as much flak.