Indonesian Protests Hit Markets, Spur Rethink of Law Changes

  • Rupiah falls amid protests across major Indonesian cities
  • Push to change election law is seen as anti-democratic

Protesters outside the parliament in Jakarta on Aug. 22.

Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg
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Indonesian lawmakers agreed to reconsider controversial election law changes on Thursday as protests intensified in multiple cities including the capital, triggering a sharp drop in the rupiah and stocks.

Lawmakers will pause legislation that would have undercut a Constitutional Court ruling earlier this week, and take time to assess the public reaction, Achmad Baidowi, the chairman of the parliament panel, said in a statement after the parliament adjourned proceedings earlier in the day.