Protesters gather outside parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia

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.