The demonstration by students and community groups in South Kalimantan (Kalsel) aimed at monitoring the Constitutional Court's ( MK ) decision regarding the Pilkada Law, ended in chaos on Friday (23/8/2024). The action involving 35 mass elements took place from 14.00 to 21.00 WITA in the yard of the South Kalimantan DPRD Office, before finally being forcibly dispersed by police.Thousands of demonstrators rejected the revision of the Regional Election Law initiated by the Indonesian House of Representatives and supported by the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM) - with the exception of the PDI Perjuangan Faction. The revision is considered to only benefit certain groups, especially regarding the requirements for political party support and the age of candidates.The initially peaceful demonstration turned into a clash after riot police began using batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd."The police broke up the mass action that lasted until the evening," said M Jefri Raharja, one of the protesters to IDN Times, Saturday (24/8/2024).

Jefri explained that the masses only wanted to read their three demands in the yard of the South Kalimantan DPRD Office so that they could be conveyed to the central government. However, until the evening, not a single member of the South Kalimantan DPRD was willing to meet them. The South Kalimantan DPRD Chairman was reported to be in an unhealthy condition."The masses only wanted to read out their three demands in the yard of the South Kalimantan DPRD Office or meet directly with the South Kalimantan DPRD Chairperson. However, these wishes were not fulfilled," complained Jefri.

The three main demands that the elements of South Kalimantan society want to convey are: Reject the revision of the Regional Election Law initiated by the Indonesian House of Representatives minus the PDI Perjuangan Faction and comply with the Constitutional Court's decision. Urge the General Election Commission (KPU) to issue KPU Regulations (PKPU) in accordance with the Constitutional Court's decision. Urging the Indonesian House of Representatives to focus on completing laws whose discussions are pending, such as the Indigenous Peoples Bill, the Asset Confiscation Bill, and the Domestic Workers (PRT) Protection Bill.

According to Jefri, the police had negotiated for the masses to disperse considering that the action had lasted until the evening. However, the masses chose to stay while waiting for the decision of the South Kalimantan DPRD to allow them to read the three demands.Because they did not receive permission from the legislature, the police finally took repressive action to disperse the crowd."After Isya prayers, there was pushing between the masses and the police until the students were beaten and kicked. The student coordinators tried to calm the masses, but they were also hit," said Jefri.Jefri, who is also an activist with the South Kalimantan Environmental Forum (Walhi), noted that 17 protesters had to be rushed to the nearest hospital due to the incident. This included the Head of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of Lambung Mangkurat University, Syamsu, who suffered a wound to his back."Dozens of demonstrators suffered injuries from punches, kicks and being trampled," he said.