80+ Students injured during Indonesia protest

Indonesian riot police fire tear gas to disperse student protesters during a clash outside parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. Police fired tear gas and water cannons Tuesday to disperse thousands of rock-throwing students protesting a new law that they said has crippled Indonesia’s anti-corruption agency. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — More than 80 university students in Indonesia’s capital were being treated at a hospital Wednesday, a day after clashing with police during protests sparked by a new law that critics say cripples the country’s anti-corruption agency.

Officials at Jakarta’s Pertamina Hospital said that 88 students were treated for injuries that included broken bones, head wounds and respiratory problems due to tear gas.

The protest outside Parliament on Tuesday saw police fire tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of rock-throwing students. The protest was dispersed just before midnight.

By Wednesday morning, city officers were cleaning up rocks, plastic bottles, banners, and other debris from the protest.

Students held similar protests and clashed with police in cities around the country on Tuesday, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Malang, Palembang, and Medan. Several student groups vowed to return to the streets Wednesday and do so until the new law is revoked.

Critics say the law passed in Parliament last week reduces the authority of the Corruption Eradication Commission, a key body in fighting endemic graft in the country.

The fallout from the new law, which underlines Indonesia’s challenge in changing its graft-ridden image, has threatened the credibility of President Joko Widodo, who recently won a second term after campaigning for clean governance.

Corruption is endemic in Indonesia and the anti-graft commission, one of the few effective institutions in the country of nearly 270 million people, is frequently under attack by lawmakers who want to reduce its powers.

Hundreds of officials from various branches of government have been arrested since the independent anti-graft commission was established in 2002 as part of people’s demands during a reform movement following the ouster of the country’s longtime strongman leader, Suharto.

Activists say the revision weakens the powers of one of the most credible public institutions in a country where the police and Parliament are perceived as being widely corrupt.

The revisions also reduce its independence, with investigators becoming civil servants who need to be seconded from state bodies, including the police.

The new protests are not associated with a particular party or group and instead are led by students, who historically have been a driving force of political change. Their demonstrations in 1998 triggered events that led Suharto to step down.

Those demonstrating this week are demanding that Widodo issued a government regulation replacing the new law.

The protesters also urged Parliament to delay votes on a new criminal code that would criminalize or increase penalties on a variety of sexual activities, as well as other bills on mining, land, and labor. Opponents say the proposed criminal code threatens democracy and discriminates against minorities.

Widodo met Tuesday with lawmakers, whose terms finish at the end of this month, to urge them to delay votes on the bills after considering public concerns. Lawmakers then delayed their votes on the proposed laws in their last plenary session.

Critics say the criminal code bill contains articles that violate the rights of women, religious minorities, lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people, as well as freedoms of speech and association.

The planned revisions prompted Australia to update its travel advice, warning tourists of risks they could face from extramarital or gay sex if the bill is passed.

Copyright 2019 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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“Indonesian riot police fire tear gas to disperse student protesters during a clash outside parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. Police fired tear gas and water cannons Tuesday to disperse thousands of rock-throwing students protesting a new law that they said has crippled Indonesia’s anti-corruption agency. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — More than 80 university students in Indonesia’s capital were being treated at a hospital Wednesday, a day after clashing with police during protests sparked by a new law that critics say cripples the country’s anti-corruption agency. Officials at Jakarta’s Pertamina Hospital said that 88 students were treated for injuries that included broken bones, head wounds and respiratory problems due to tear gas. The protest outside Parliament on Tuesday saw police fire tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of rock-throwing students. The protest was dispersed just before midnight. By Wednesday morning, city officers were cleaning up rocks, plastic bottles, banners, and other debris from the protest. Students held similar protests and clashed with police in cities around the country on Tuesday, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Malang, Palembang, and Medan. Several student groups vowed to return to the streets Wednesday and do so until the new law is revoked. Critics say the law passed in Parliament last week reduces the authority of the Corruption Eradication Commission, a key body in fighting endemic graft in the country. The fallout from the new law, which underlines Indonesia’s challenge in changing its graft-ridden image, has threatened the credibility of President Joko Widodo, who recently won a second term after campaigning for clean governance. Corruption is endemic in Indonesia and the anti-graft commission, one of the few effective institutions in the country of nearly 270 million people, is frequently under attack by lawmakers who want to reduce its powers. Hundreds of officials from various branches of government have been arrested since the independent anti-graft commission was established in 2002 as part of people’s demands during a reform movement following the ouster of the country’s longtime strongman leader, Suharto. Activists say the revision weakens the powers of one of the most credible public institutions in a country where the police and Parliament are perceived as being widely corrupt. The revisions also reduce its independence, with investigators becoming civil servants who need to be seconded from state bodies, including the police. The new protests are not associated with a particular party or group and instead are led by students, who historically have been a driving force of political change. Their demonstrations in 1998 triggered events that led Suharto to step down. Those demonstrating this week are demanding that Widodo issued a government regulation replacing the new law. The protesters also urged Parliament to delay votes on a new criminal code that would criminalize or increase penalties on a variety of sexual activities, as well as other bills on mining, land, and labor. Opponents say the proposed criminal code threatens democracy and discriminates against minorities. Widodo met Tuesday with lawmakers, whose terms finish at the end of this month, to urge them to delay votes on the bills after considering public concerns. Lawmakers then delayed their votes on the proposed laws in their last plenary session. Critics say the criminal code bill contains articles that violate the rights of women, religious minorities, lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people, as well as freedoms of speech and association. The planned revisions prompted Australia to update its travel advice, warning tourists of risks they could face from extramarital or gay sex if the bill is passed. Copyright 2019 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. SHARE THIS STORY MORE NEWS STORIES Committee chair: No need for red flag law by Matt Heckel / Sep 27, 2019 HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – The chair of a committee that typically handles gun legislation says he has no plans to move red flag laws in the near future. ​Red flag legislation allows family members and police to seek a court order that temporarily removes guns from people who pose a serious threat to themselves or others. Read the Full Article Acting Director of National Intelligence Maguire testifies on whistleblower complaint by Alexandra Limon / Sep 27, 2019 WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — A whistleblower complaint says President Trump asked Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 presidential election and get dirt on Joe Biden, while at the same time withholding U.S. military aid to Ukraine. “I am not partisan and I am not political,” Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire said. Read the Full Article Walmart’s Sam’s Club launches health care pilot to members by The Associated Press / Sep 27, 2019 NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s Sam’s Club is teaming up with several health care companies to offer discounts on everyday care its customers might delay or skip because of the cost. Starting early October, Sam’s Club members in Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, will be able to buy one of four bundles of health care services ranging in annual fees from $50 for individuals to $240 for a family of up to six members. The pilot program could potentially be rolled out to members in all the states, says Lori Flees, senior vice president of Sam’s Club Health and Wellness. Read the Full Article MORE STORIES Committee chair: No need for red flag law Regional News / 4 mins ago Police: Woman sent to hospital after being hit by pick-up truck News / 26 mins ago WEB EXTRA: Goats to prevent wildfires Web Extras / 10 hours ago WEB EXTRA: Bees swarm car in Australia Weird News / 10 hours ago Read more stories TRENDING STORIES Terroristic threats made at Fulton County school Police: Woman sent to hospital after being hit by pick-up truck Search for armed and dangerous suspect Stomp and squish: Pennsylvanians battle ‘nightmare’ bugs Non-violent marijuana convictions urged”

Samantha Brown

More than 80 University students in Indonesia’s capital were being treated at the hospital Wednesday. One day after clashing with police during the protest sparked by a new law that critics say “cripples the country’s anti-corruption agency.” 

Officials at the hospital claim to have treated around 88 students with injured broken bones, head wounds, and respiratory problems due to gases. The protest outside Parliament (on Tuesday), saw police fire tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of rock-throwing University students; the protest was over just before midnight. On Wednesday morning city officers were cleaning up the streets from rocks, plastic bottles, banners, and other object left over from the protest.

Students held similar protests around the country on Tuesday, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Malang, Palembang, and Medan. Critics say that the law passed in Parliament last week reduces the authority of the Corruption Eradication Commission. The fallout from the new law, which underlines Indonesia’s challenge in changing its image. This has threatened the credibility of President Joko Widodo, who recently won a second term after campaigning for clean governance.

Hundreds of officials from different branches of government have been arrested since the independent anti-graft commission was established in 2002. The new protests are led by University students, who historically have been a driving force of political change.

Widodo met up Tuesday with lawmakers, whose terms finish at the end of this month, to confine them to delay votes on the bills after considering the concerns of the public. Lawmakers then delayed their votes on the proposed laws in their last session. Critics say the criminal code bill contains articles that violate the rights of women, lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people, as well as freedoms of speech and association.

The protests have sparked a very important decision that should be made. This article proves that students have a voice in our communities and they are heard. The students hope their governments will listen to them, and also help in the recovery of the students who were injured during the protest.

 

-Information provided by the WTAJ news website