In Indonesia, student clashes with police over new laws spark comparisons with Hong Kong

Thousands of students have protested against controversial legal changes that would discriminate against minorities, restrict free speech and hamper graft investigations

Police have fired tear gas and water cannons at rock-throwing youngsters, and more students warn they will take to the streets until the government gives in to their seven demands

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Indonesian riot police officers fire tear gas during clashes with students following a protest outside the parliament building in Jakarta on September 24. Photo: EPA

Published: 9:43pm, 25 Sep 2019Updated: 10:22am, 26 Sep 2019

Indonesian computer studies student T.A., 23, was blasted by police water cannons on Tuesday in the East Javanese city of Malang, when he and hundreds of students took to the streets to protest controversial changes to the national criminal code.

The Brawijaya University student, who did not want to give his full name, was among the thousands of people – mostly students – from Medan in western Indonesia to Gorontalo in the northern part of the archipelago who united to reject sweeping legislation that would discriminate against women and minorities and restrict free speech, among other changes.

“I’m sceptical they will withdraw the bill but if students put enough pressure on national parliamentarians, maybe they will consider it,” T.A. said.

On Wednesday, riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of rock-throwing student protesters who were attempting to gather outside the national parliament building.

Their demonstration was a continuation from Tuesday night when they protested outside the parliament building against the criminal code and a recently passed law that diminished the independence of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

The KPK has arrested hundreds of government officials since 2002 in an effort to stamp out graft.

Indonesian social media has since come alive with comparisons of the violent clashes between police and protesters – which have seen close to 300 people injured – to the unrest in Hong Kong over the now-withdrawn extradition bill.

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