Prabowo-Gibran Supporters Protest at Constitutional Court Despite Prohibition

Supporters of Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka held a protest at the Constitutional Court in Indonesia on Friday, despite Prabowo's prohibition. The protest was led by Silfester Matutina, the leader of the Solmet Volunteer group, who called it a spontaneous event and urged supporters to refrain from protesting during the upcoming court decision on Monday.

The protest involved a mass dance with music, which sparked anger from the supporters of Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar, who were holding an oration regarding the dispute over the 2024 presidential election. The two groups clashed, with the Prabowo-Gibran supporters accused of throwing stones at the Anies-Muhaimin supporters. The incident highlights the ongoing political tensions in Indonesia surrounding the upcoming presidential election.

Prabowo Subianto, the losing presidential candidate in Indonesia's election, has called on his supporters to remain calm and refrain from protesting in front of the Constitutional Court building ahead of the court's decision on the presidential election dispute on Monday. Prabowo urged his supporters to "keep calm and cool, restrain themselves and let the MK justices carry out their noble duties with their wisdom." He also warned his supporters to be careful not to be provoked, especially by efforts to take action.

The Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN) planned to hold a viewing event together with a trial for the dispute over the results of the 2024 presidential election at the Constitutional Court (MK), despite a ban from President-elect Prabowo Subianto on voters, supporters, and volunteers to carry out peaceful demonstrations at the MK building. The TKN coordinator, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, conveyed Prabowo's message that all volunteers, supporters, and voters of pro-Prabowo parties should respect the decision that will be read out by the Constitutional Court.

Thousands of security personnel were deployed by the Central Jakarta Police at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on Friday to manage the protest by Prabowo-Gibran supporters demanding a fair ruling from the Constitutional Court on the 2024 presidential election dispute. The protesters gathered before Friday prayers and some were seen praying around the location. Afterward, activists and public figures made speeches. The protest was also attended by representatives of labor unions and university students.

Why this matters: The upcoming decision by the Constitutional Court on the 2024 presidential election dispute is seen as an important turning point to correct past mistakes and test Indonesia's sustainability as a rule of law. The decision will also test the foundations of Indonesia's legal state, including democracy, human rights, and the separation of powers.

The Constitutional Court is expected to issue its verdict on the presidential election dispute petition filed by losing candidates Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo on Monday. Prabowo acknowledged the allegations made by his rivals in the 2024 presidential election dispute, but called for calm ahead of the verdict, stating that "this is not a weak stance but rather puts the interests of the people and the nation first." The police diverted traffic around the protest area and asked all personnel to act persuasively and humanely, without being provoked.

Key Takeaways

• Prabowo supporters protested at Indonesia's Constitutional Court despite his ban.
• Clashes occurred between Prabowo-Gibran and Anies-Muhaimin supporters at the protest.
• Prabowo urged his supporters to remain calm ahead of the court's election decision.
• Thousands of security personnel were deployed to manage the Prabowo-Gibran protest.
• The court's decision on the 2024 election dispute is seen as a crucial test for Indonesia.