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Election law changes spark mass protests in Indonesia
Thousands in Indonesia have gathered to protest against their government’s attempts to reverse a constitutional court ruling that would open up elections to their rivals from smaller parties.
Demonstrators have gathered outside parliament in the capital Jakarta, as well as other major cities such as Padang, Bandung and Yogyakarta.
On Wednesday, Indonesia’s top court ruled that parties would not need a minimum 20% of representation in their regional assemblies in order to field a candidate.
Yet within 24 hours, parliament tabled an emergency motion to reverse these changes – a move which has sparked widespread condemnation and fears of a constitutional crisis.
The fast-tracked legislation, which will reverse parts of the court’s ruling, is expected to pass later on Thursday.
It would maintain the status quo, which favours parties in the ruling coalition of the outgoing president, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, and his successor, Prabowo Subianto. As a result, many local elections are expected to be uncontested affairs.
The parliament decision also means that a major government critic, Anies Baswedan, would also be prevented from running for the influential post of Jakarta governor.
The Indonesian government is also trying to find a way around the constitutional court’s decision to uphold the current minimum age limit of 30 for candidates, which would bar Mr Widodo’s 29-year-old son, Kaesang Pangarep, from running in a regional contest in Central Java.
Mr Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is the incoming vice-president who ran alongside Mr Prabowo.
Observers say the power struggle between Indonesia’s parliament – which is dominated by supporters of Mr Widodo – and the country’s constitutional court could precipitate a political crisis.
But Mr Widodo has downplayed the dispute, saying the amendments were part of the “checks and balances” of government.
One of the protesters, Joko Anwar, said the country’s leaders appeared to be intent on keeping themselves in power.
“Eventually, we’ll just become a powerless mass of objects, even though we’re the ones who gave them power,” he said.
“We have to take to the streets. We have no choice,” he said.
On social media, blue posters with the words “Emergency Warning” above Indonesia’s symbolic national eagle have been widely shared.
According to Titi Anggraini, an elections analyst at University of Indonesia, parliament’s move to annul the court’s decision is unconstitutional.
“This is a robbery of the constitution,” she told BBC Indonesian.
[BBC]
A complete performance from UAE’s bowling unit kept their semi-final hopes alive at the 2026 Women’s T20 Asia Cup, skittling Indonesia for 73 and then completing the chase with six wickets to spare. They now have to beat Bangladesh on September 8 and also hope other results go their way.
UAE were on top right from the first ball courtesy offspinner Suraksha Kotte, who starred with 3 for 16. Kotte struck with the first two balls of the innings, dismissing Indonesia opener Maria Corazon and No. 3 Ni Luh Dewi for first-ball ducks. UAE captain Esha Oza (2 for 11) then dismissed the other opener Rahmawati Pangestuti in the fourth over.
Indonesia captainN8 Puu Ayu Nanda Sakarini top-scored with a lone hand of 39 off 52 balls, with four fours and a six, accounting for 53.4% of Indonesia’s runs. But with little support, they could not find a way back in and were bowled out for 73.
Slow left-arm spinner Heena Hotchandani (2 for 6) and seamer Samaira Dharnidharka (1 for 12) also got among the wickets. Legspinner Vaishnave Mahesh struck twice in the 20th over to clean up the tail.
UAE openers Theertha Satish and Oza put on 17 for the first wicket. After losing Theertha in the fifth over, Oza hit two boundaries in each of the sixth and eighth overs. No. 3 Rinitha Rajith then hit three fours off Sofia Velic in the ninth over.
A brief wobble followed for UAE as they slid from 62 for 1 to 68 for 4. Oza fell for a 29-ball 30 at the start of the 11th over to Ni Ariani and Velic grabbed two wickets in the 12th. However, with only six runs needed, UAE wrapped up the chase at the start of the 14th over, the tournament hosts securing two points with 41 balls to spare. This was also Indonesia’s final match of the campaign, bowing out with losses in all three games.
Scores:
UAE Women 75 for 4 8n 13.1 overs (Esha Oza 30, Rinitha Rajith 22; Ni Riani 1-10, Sang Maypriani 1-17, Sofia Velic 2-25) beat IndonesiaWomen 73 in 19.4 overs (N8 Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini 39, Desi Wulandari 12; Suraksha Kotte 3-16, Heena Hotchandani 2-06, Esha Oza 2-11, Samira Dharnidarkha 1-12 ) by six wickets
(Cricinfo)
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is
overhead today (05) are Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon
Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20I series against England, with the SLC saying that the two were “still undergoing rehabilitation” after injuries picked up at the 2026 Lanka Premier League.
The update came just over a day after the two were named in the 16-member squad, with Kusal retained as captain of both the T20I and the ODI sides.Charith Asalanka, who had returned to the vice-captain’s position for the series, will now lead the side in the T20Is. Though Kusal hasn’t been ruled out of the ODIs just yet, were he to miss out, Asalanka, as the designated vice-captain, might step in there too.
Kusal has been out of action since July 19 with a right hamstring injury, while Binura hasn’t played since August 5, SLC putting his absence down to a back injury.
Pavan Rathnayake, the 24-year-old top-order batter, has replaced Kusal in the T20I touring party, while Dilshan Madushanka, the fast bowler who was in the squad for the Tests against India recently but didn’t get to play, has come in for Binura.
(Cricinfo)
Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak as haze from Indonesia worsens
UAE keep semi-final hopes alive after convincing win over Indonesia
Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Uva, Central and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Mullaittivu districts after 2.00 p.m
Namal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation
Dengue cases surpass 96,000 this year
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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