2019 Indonesian protests and riots

A series of mass protests led by students has been taking place in

the major cities of Indonesia from 23 September 2019, to rally against
new legislation that reduces the authority of the Corruption Eradication
Commission, as well as several bills including new criminal code that
penalizes extramarital sex and insult against the president.The protesters
were mainly consisted of students from more than 300 universities, and
have no association with any particular political parties or groups. The
protests have developed into the largest student movement in Indonesia
since the 1998 riots that brought down the Suharto regime.
In several cities including Jakarta, Bandung and Padang, protesters clashed with the
Indonesian National Police (Polri), resulting in the riot police firing tear gas and water cannons.
In the capital city of Jakarta, the police confirmed that at least 254 students and 39 police officers
are injured or being treated in hospitals. In Kendari, South Sulawesi, two students died, one of
them allegedly being shot during the violent clash. Another two protesters died in Jakarta.

Revision of Corruption Eradication Commission Law (RUU KPK)

The Revisions to Law no.30/2002 on Corruption Eradication Commission (RUU KPK)
was ratified by the members of the House of Representatives (DPR) who serve 2014–2019 term
on 17 September 2019. Among the parliament, all parties under the government
coalition, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Golkar, Nasdem Party, People's
Conscience Party (Hanura), United Development Party (PPP), National Awakening Party (PKB),
as well as an opposition party National Mandate Party (PAN) unanimously approved the bill.
The ratification was made in just 13 days since the initiation. The initiation of the bill was made
on 5 September 2019 without any significant interruptions. On 11 September 2019, the president
issued a presidential letter to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights to discuss the revision
along with the House of Representatives. The administration agreed with the revision on 16
September, and the bill was ratified on the next day.
The revision was widely condemned by activists and experts for undermining the efficacy
of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Corruption is a significant political issue in
Indonesia, and KPK, established in 2002, was a part of the reform demands that followed the
overthrow of the authoritarian Suharto regime. Since its establishment, KPK has been known for
targeting high-profile politicians and business people. The revision calls to reduce KPK's
independent status by making it a governmental body, establishing an oversight council to
monitor the commission, requiring KPK investigators an official permission to conduct wiretaps,
among others. According to a poll conducted by Tempo on 16 September, overwhelming 82.61%
of the public opposed the revision and urged President Joko Widodo to veto the bill. Prior to the
ratification, there were already numbers of small-scale protests going on in different cities.
In Bali, hundreds of people gathered on 12 September 2019 to raise concerns over the bill. On
the other hand, counter-protest by the pro-revision groups were also held in front of KPK
headquarter in Jakarta. Some participants of the counter-protest reportedly admitted of being
paid to participate without much knowledge on the issue itself.