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Students burn PPP, Golkar and PDI flags

Detik.com - March 17, 2004

Indra Shalihin, Jakarta – Scores of students from the University of Indonesia (UI) Student Action Front (Front Aksi Mahasiswa, FAM) held an demonstration against New Order [regime of former President Suharto] political parties. They burnt United Development Party (PPP), Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Golkar Party paraphernalia.

The action was held in front of the campus on Jalan Salemba Raya in Jakarta on Wednesday March 17. They burnt various types of party paraphernalia including PPP and Golkar flags and flags and T-shirts with pictures of President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

FAM said that these three political parties are products of the New Order therefore they called on the people not to vote for the three. As of going to press the action was still continuing.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the student’s action spreading, police had already deployed personnel around the area. Scores of police were seen on alert in front of the UI campus and the Indonesian Christian University campus.

Security on the day was indeed tighter than usual. According to an off-duty police officer, they had received information that a number of students from various groups would block a Golkar Party rally who’s turn it is to campaign in Jakarta today. (djo)

[Translated by James Balowski.]