Six dead after protesters clash with Indonesian police over election results

Riots began on Tuesday night after official election results handed Joko Widodo a second term

Indonesian protesters clash with the police following the announcement of the presidential election results in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA

Police clash with protesters in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters

Indonesian anti riot police walk past burning tires during a protest following the announcement of the presidential election results in Jakarta, Indonesia, 22 May 2019. EPA

Police detain protesters after clashes in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters

Protesters try to put out fire in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 22, 2019. AP Photo

An Indonesian army soldier attempts to calm the crowd during a protest following the announcement of the presidential election results in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA

Indonesian riot police officer fires a tear gas launcher during a rally in Jakarta, Indonesia. AP Photo

Indonesian protesters throw stones during a clash with police in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA

A protester gestures as police officers stand guard at a barricade in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters

Indonesian protesters throw stones during a clash with police in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA

Police officer stands guard at a barricade during a protest near the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters

Police take a position to disperse the mob during an overnight-violent demonstration near by the Elections Oversight Body (Bawaslu) in Jakarta. AFP

Indonesian protesters throw stones during a clash with police in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA

Police detain protesters after clashes in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters

Carcasses that were burned by the mob are seen during an overnight demonstration near by the Elections Oversight Body (Bawaslu) in Jakarta. AFP

Six people died and 200 were wounded in the Indonesian capital during civil unrest that has wracked Jakarta since incumbent Joko Widodo was declared the winner of the April presidential election.

Authorities are investigating the causes of death and are not ruling out the involvement of third parties acting as provocateurs, police chief Tito Karnavian said at a news conference.

He said police have evidence that showed the victims were hit by bullets and blunt objects.

Hundreds of supporters of Mr Widodo's adversary, Subianto Prabowo, protested against the results of the election. Protesters were in a stand-off with police in Jakarta on Wednesday after Tuesday night's violence.

While the demonstrations initially were peaceful, violence spread on Tuesday evening.

Protesters attempted to storm a police station. Several vehicles and a paramilitary police dormitory were set on fire.

Police used teargas, rubber bullets and water cannon to fight protesters wielding Molotov cocktails, according to the Associated Press.

Police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said forces on the ground, including military personnel, were not armed with live ammunition.

But Fadli Zon, deputy chairman of the losing political party, said he found 171 bullets, including live rounds, upon his visit to the area on Wednesday morning.

Mr Zon accused the police of initiating an attack on protesters.

"The public have a right to demonstrate. They are people who are concerned by cheating. They are not mobilised, paid or facilitated," Mr Zon said.

Police, which have been placed on the highest security alert nationwide until May 25, suggested the violence was planned. Inspector General Mohammed Iqbal told media at national police headquarters that "the event this morning was not a spontaneous mass event but an event by design". He said 58 instigators of violence were arrested.

The government said it restricted access to social media to quell fears and stop the spread of fake news.

Mr Prabowo announced he was contesting the election results and filing a legal challenge, citing fraud. But a supervisory election agency has found no evidence to suggest systematic cheating, and confirmed a free and fair election.

Mr Prabowo, representative of the Gerinda party, is the former son-in-law of former dictator Suharto. Mr Suharto’s fall in 1998 initiated a wave of reforms.

Mr Prabowo’s campaign was fear-based. It highlighted Indonesia’s vulnerabilities, including the growing concern of exploitation by foreign powers. He dominated in conservative provinces, specifically those governed under Sharia.

Although his supporters had high hopes for the former special forces general, he consistently trailed behind Mr Widodo in polls.

On the campaign trail, Mr Widodo touted promises of a declining poverty rate and a focus on the country’s infrastructure – new public transit, ports, toll roads and airports.

The incumbent’s political career began in 2005 when he became mayor of Surakarta. In 2012, he was elected governor of Jakarta. He is known for pushing transparency and challenging corruption.

In 2014, Mr Widodo ran for president and beat out Mr Prabowo for the first time. Similar to the 2019 election, Mr Prabowo disputed the election results and refused to concede. After several weeks, he withdrew and Mr Widodo took the presidency.

Mr Widodo’s second five-term is expected to begin on October 20.