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Today’s demos to protest Dutch film, reemergence of communist ideas

Tempo Interactive - April 1, 2008

Fery Firmansyah, Jakarta – Actions opposing the publication of the controversial anti-Islamic Dutch film Fitna are scheduled will be held today. A demonstration involving hundreds of protesters from Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) is planned to take place at the Dutch Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta.

This was conveyed by First Deputy Police Inspector Kasno from the Metro Jaya regional police Traffic Management Centre (TMC) when contacted today. The action is planned to start at around 11am. “An estimated 150 to 200 protesters”, said Kasno.

In addition to the protest against the film Fitna, some 100 demonstrators from the Anti-Communist Forum (FAK) are also scheduled to hold a protest at the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) offices on Jl. Latuharhary in Central Jakarta at 11am. The protesters will be demanding that Komnas HAM end its ongoing investigation into the 1965 case. “In addition to this, their other demand will be a rejection of the reemergence of communist ideas,” said Kasno.

Another action meanwhile is scheduled to take place at the State Place and the House of Representatives building. Hundreds of students from Jakarta and nearby Depok will hold an action demanding improvements to the government’s Haj pilgrimage services and a resolution to the Bank Indonesia Liquidity Support Scheme corruption scandal.

“Motorists are advised to avoid these area because of potential traffic jams”, said Kasno.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

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