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Hundreds of Makassar students protest against rotten politicians

Detik.com - March 4, 2004

Gunawan Mashar, Makassar – Actions protesting rotten politicians and political parties are still happening. In Makassar, at least 500 students warned of the dangers posed by rotten politicians and political parties.

The demonstrators, who came from the Makassar Student Forum, held the demonstration in front of the South Sulawesi regional parliament on Jalan Urip Sumohardjo on Thursday March 4.

In their action, they called on the people not to support rotten political parties and politicians. They said that it is these rotten political parties and politicians who are the reason that there has been no progress in country. “This country is getting even worse”, said a student in a speech.

The students then noted a number of criteria on rotten politicians. These included involvement in corruption, collusion and nepotism, having been part of the New Order regime [of former President Suharto] and being involved with drug use.

From the South Sulawesi parliament, the students moved off the to the offices of the South Sulawesi National Elections Commission. The heavy rain which was falling did not deter the students and the action, which was closely guarded by scores of police, caused a traffic jam. (djo)

[Translated by James Balowski.]