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Thousands mark Yudhoyono's first 100 days with protests across the country
[The following is a compilation of abridged translations of the January 28 protest actions held around the country to commemorate the first 100 days of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's second administration. The reports are ordered alphabetically by city.]
Students arrested and beaten at anti-government protest in Bandung
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Ahmad Fikri, Bandung – Police arrested two university and a high school student at a protest action commemorating the first 100 days of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's (SBY) second administration on Thursday January 18.
The students were arrested in front of the Sate building complex in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung. "They were beaten and kicked", said action coordinator Prabu Ningrat from the Greater Bandung Student Consortium (KMBR) who witnessed the incident. The KMBR is made up of student groups from 18 private tertiary intuitions in Bandung.
The arrests took place after a scuffle between students and police at the East gate to the Sate building complex. After the two sides retreated, students began pelting the police guarding the gate with pieces of bamboo and rolled up banners.
All of a sudden a group of suspected plain-cloths police officers approached the group and scuffle broke out when they tried to arrest several protesters. The students, who were joined by a group of workers gathered at the West gate, then pursued the plain-cloths officers holding their colleagues. The chaotic situation only subsided after the three detained demonstrators were placed in an armored personal vehicle and driven away. Police said that they would be released after being questioned.
Effigies of Yudhoyono and Boediono burnt in Banyuwangi
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Ika Ningtyas, Banyuwangi – A protest action commemorating the first 100 days of the Yudhoyono administration was also held by scores of students from the Banyuwangi Student Association (PMB) in East Java, in which they set fire to effigies with photographs of Yudhoyono and Vice President Boedion's faces.
The students started the action at 10.30am in front of the Banyuwangi Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), coinciding with a plenary meeting to approve the 2010 regional budget.
According to PMB action coordinator Aden Eko, Yudhoyono and Boediono have failed to fully investigate the Bank Century case and eradicate the judicial mafia, have promoted free trade and been unable to bring down the price of basic commodities. "SBY-Boediono must step down", said Eko in a speech.
After protesting at the DPRD, they continued the action at the Jl. Ahmad Yani intersection by burning the effigies of Yudhoyono and Boediono until they were stopped by police who were standing guard in the vicinity.
Student blockade highway during protest in Cirebon
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Ivansyah, Cirebon – Scores of students from several universities in the West Java city of Cirebon who took to the streets on Thursday and blockaded the Pantura highway creating a 2 kilometer traffic jam.
The students, who set fire to tyres in the middle of the street, also burnt a "corpse" with a photograph of Yudhoyono attached to it.
Action coordinator Hendra said that Yudhoyono was not fit to lead the country. "Among other things because of the government's inability to fully resolve the Century case", he said.
Protesters in Bali say first 100 days just sweet promises
Detik.com - January 28, 2010
Gede Suardana, Denpasar – The first 100 days of the Yudhoyono administration was also commemorated by two protest actions in the Balinese capital of Denpasar, although the number of demonstrators in the "island of the gods" was only around 200.
The first demonstration at the Bank Indonesia offices was organised by around 100 students from the Udayana University Student Executive Council (BEM) and 20 people from the Volunteers of the People’s Struggle for the Liberation of the Motherland (Spartan).
Meanwhile 50 activists from the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights demonstrated at the Bali DPRD, where they called on the factions supporting Yudhoyono to come out and meet with them. After a brief period they were met by legislators from all the parties except Yudhoyono's Democrat party.
"At the Century special committee at the national House of Representatives, the Democrat faction is busy making a scene, but in Bali, the Democrats have no voice", said one activist in a speech.
Ardham, which said that Yudhoyono administration was a failure and nothing more than sweet promises, also called for a full investigation into the Bank Century scandal, the eradication of the judicial mafia and an end to legal discrimination against the little people.
State Palace pelted with coffins and rats
Detik.com - January 28, 2010
Moksa Hutasoit, Jakarta – Demonstrators from the Anti-Corruption Youth Action Committee (KAPAK) and Clean Indonesia Movement (GIB) brought two imitation coffins and a cage full of rats to a protest action at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday January 28.
The protesters however, were prevented from approaching the Palace by a cordon of Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers armed with batons and shields. Unable to break through the blockade, a vehicle carrying a sound system approached to within 1 metre of the cordon and a speaker called on the demonstrators to throw the coffins into the Palace grounds.
Upon hitting the ground, the coffins – on which were written "The late Boediono" and "The late Sri Mulyani" – broke into small pieces. Six rats that the students had brought in cages were also thrown into the Palace. (nik/iy)
Workers in Jakarta oppose ASEAN-China free trade agreement
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Dwi Riyanto Agustiar, Jakarta – Thousands of workers protested at the House of Representatives (DPR) complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, demanding that the government annul the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), which they said would impact badly on workers.
"Reject the ACFTA. A deluge of Chinese products will flood Indonesia, threatening local products, industries will be destroyed and dismissals will occur," said one of the speakers standing on a trick in front of the DPR on Thursday January 28.
The workers, who came from the National Workers Union (SPN) and the Indonesian Automotive Trade Union (SPOI), said they were concerned that the flood of Chinese products will weaken domestic industries and flow on to mass dismissals.
Clash breaks out after protester blockade road in Jakarta
Detik.com - January 28, 201016
Ari Saputra, Jakarta – Around 100 students and activists from the People's Bastion of Democracy (Bendera) held a demonstration commemorating the first 100 days of the Yudhoyono administration at the old Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) office on Jl. Diponegoro in the Menteng area of Central Jakarta.
The protesters, who took turns in giving speeches criticising Yudhoyono, also called for a full investigation into the Bank Century case and an end to unemployment and corruption.
At around 4pm, the demonstrators were joined by students from the Bung Karno University (UBK), the Islamic State University and the Salemba Christian University of Indonesia (UKI), who blocked the road in front of the PDI office preventing traffic from getting through.
When police asked them to open the blockade, a clash broke out with students and police pushing and shoving each other. Fortunately the protesters respective rally martials were able to calm the situation and the police retreated to the opposite side of the road. The students meanwhile continued giving speeches and traffic was redirected via a different route. (aan/nrl)
Students demand KPK summon Boediono, Sri Mulyani
Detik.com - January 28, 2010
Reza Yunanto, Jakarta – It was not just the Presidential Palace that was targeted by demonstrators on Thursday. Hundreds of students also protested at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) offices in South Jakarta.
Representing Student Executive Councils (BEM) from the University of Indonesia (UI), the Jakarta State University (UNJ), the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and the Gajah Mada University, the protesters demanded that the KPK immediately summon Boediono and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati for questioning.
The students, who arrived from the Menteng area in Central Jakarta on foot, brought flags and banners with messages such as "Uphold the supremacy of the law", "Eradicate corruption in Indonesia" and "Sri Mulyani is a thief, Boediono is a thief".
"Summon Sri Mulyani, Boediono and other related parties that are responsible", said one of the participants. (nik/iy)
'Good money for just standing around and shouting'
Detik.com - January 28, 2010
Andi Saputra, Jakarta – Demonstrators supporting President Yudhoyono from the People’s Alliance for SBY (Arus), who admitted to being paid between 25-30,000 rupiah to take part in the protest, disbanded after less than an hour.
"He, he... there was money (brother), 25,000 rupiah. Not bad, took a break from basking", said Jo, a street musician from Block M in South Jakarta who brought a small poster to the protest in front of the State Palace on Thursday.
Iyah and his son Tono from the Manggarai area of South Jakarta said they took part because they received 30,000 rupiah from the action coordinator. "Nice, brother. Getting money for just standing around and shouting. With my kid, it comes to 60,000 rupiah", said Iyah.
Others were more timid when asked if they had been paid. "What brother. We're genuine unpaid (protesters). We didn't even get any water", said Lely, a cleaning service worker from Manggarai. (asp/nrl)
Students in Jember 'fed up' with SBY-Boediono
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Mahbub Djunaidy, Jember – Hundreds of students in Jember, East Java, demonstrated on January 28 saying that they were fed up with the leadership of the pair backed by the Democrat Party.
The students, who came from the Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII), the Indonesian Islamic Students Association (HMI), the Indonesian National Students Movement (GMNI), the Indonesian Association of Catholic Students (PMKRI) and the Muhammadiyah Students Association (IMM), held the action near the Jember University campus and the local DPRD.
As well as singing a song titled "We're fed up with SBY-Boediono", the students gave speeches, held a happening art action and set fire to tyres, as well as distributing hundreds of pamphlets and posters protesting Yudhoyono and Boediono's policies.
"100 days that have annoyed and pained the people's hearts. SBY-Boediono should be hung", shouted the action coordinator from GMNI Jember, Andy Wasis.
Jombang students call for Yudhoyono's resignation
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Muhammad Taufik, Jombang – Hundreds of youths and students from the Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII), Indonesian National Students Movement (GMNI) and the Jombang Student and Youth Union Jombang (SPMJ) protested on Thursday demanding that Yudhoyono and Boediono resign.
The groups said that the 100 day program proclaimed by the government had failed totally. "SBY and Boediono's policies are not pro-people. There are irregularities in the current administration. The eradication of corruption is just a slogan", said one demonstrator in a speech in the East Java city of Jombang.
A number of examples of this failure were given including the high cost of education, growing unemployment, the lack of job opportunities and the high poverty rate. Yudhoyono's rottenness has become even clearer with the emergence corruption cases such as the Bank Century scandal and the criminalisation of the KPK. The protesters also said that the recently signed ACFTA agreement would clearly bring suffering to the people.
SPMJ coordinator Syahidan said that the government had been involved in a series of conspiracies to weaken the law, as proven by allowing the continued practice of the judicial mafia. The government has even tended to support the exploitation of the country's wealth by foreigners. "Dissolve the neo-liberal cabinet", shouted Syahidan.
Students in Lhokseumawe call for reform of police, AGO
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Imran MA, Lhokseumawe – A group of students from the Student Communication Forum (FKM) demonstrated in the North Acehnese city of Lhokseumawe on January 28 calling on President Yudhoyono to reform the police and the Attorney General's Office (AGO).
Action coordinator Rahmat said that a number of cases have yet to be resolved, such as the Bank Century scandal, and that this is because the morality and creditability of the police and AGO were doubtful.
"There are actually many indications of irregularities in these two institutions, but it's difficult for them to be accessed by the people because they are law enforcement agencies. This appears to be the phenomena up until now, and it is here that there are many problems", said Rahmat.
During the demonstration, which began at 10am, the students brought banners with their demands, which included resolving the Bank Century case, the release of jailed Acehnese political prisoners, the enactment of the Law on a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (KKR) and the eradication of corruption at all levels.
Protesters say SBY should follow Muammer Qadhafi's example
Detik.com - January 28, 2010
Muhammad Nur Abdurrahman, Makassar – More than 1,000 people demonstrated at the DPRD in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on January 28.
The protesters were from a number of mass organisations and student groups including the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI), the Indonesian Poor People’s Union (SRMI), and National Student League for Democracy (LMND) and the People's Democratic Party (PRD), as well as a number of trade unions.
Taking turns to demonstrate in front of the DPRD, the groups criticised the first 100 days of President Yudhoyono's administration. "Although SBY is a general, he doesn't have the courage to fight capitalism, which threatens the lives of poor Indonesians. Compare this with Libyan President Muammer Qadhafi, whose rank was only that of a colonel," said South Sulawesi PRD activist Ansar.
Prior to demonstrating at the DPRD, the protesters gathered underneath the Urip Sumoharjo then marched around the entry ramp to the Reformasi toll road, which is located close to the DPRD building. The action was closely guarded by police who mobilised four water cannons and a vehicle carrying barbed wire near the gates to the DPRD. (mna/djo)
Public trial in Malang sentences Yudhoyono to death
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Bibin Bintariadi, Malang – Protesters from student, labour, farmer, homeless people and street buskers' organisations sentenced President Yudhoyono to death during a protest action in East Java city of Malang on Thursday. The public trail was in the form of a theatrical action organised by the Pro-People Student Movement (Gempor) in front of the DPRD.
During the trial, the protesters sentenced Yudhoyono to death by hanging and drowning in a puddle of mud. The sentence was handed down because the first 100 days of the Yudhoyono administration had failed to side with the people.
"This is an expression of the people's disappointment", said Gempor spokesperson Robi, adding that the government's failure could be seen from the Bank Century scandal, the judicial mafia and the criminalisation of the KPK. The demonstrators also said they opposed the ACFTA free trade agreement with China, which will inflict financial looses on the people.
Protest in Palu ends in clash, one arrested
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Darlis, Palu – A protest action by an alliance of student and non-government organisations (NGO) the Central Sulawesi city of Palu on January 28 ended in chaos after one of the demonstrators was arrested by police for being an alleged provocateur.
The incident started when around 500 demonstrators set fire to and trampled on posters of Yudhoyono and Boediono. Police moved in resulting in police and students chasing each other. Police also seiconfiscated a flag belonging to the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), which they were forced to had back after facing strong opposition from other demonstrators.
Palu mayor Rusdy Mastura was eventually intervened to try to calm the protesters down after one of the students was arrested by police for being an alleged provocateur.
During the action, the protesters called on the government to implement its program properly and in accordance with its promises. "After 100 days there is yet to be seen any results from the government's programs. The people will continue to watch over the government until prosperity can be felt", said action coordinator Albar.
Students and police clash in Pekanbaru, four arrested
Detik.com - January 28, 2010
Chaidir Anwar Tanjung, Pekanbaru – A protest action by hundreds of students and workers in Pekanbaru, Riau, to commemorate the first 100 days of the Yudhoyono administration ended in a class, with four students arrested.
Initially, the protest action proceeded peacefully, but began to heat up when students demanded to be given a chance to read out their demands on the grounds of Bank Indonesia. A scuffle then broke out with police guarding the front gate as the students tried to force their way in calling for Yudhoyono and Boediono to step down.
When police began hitting students with rattan sticks, they became enraged and a clash was unavoidable, with students and police exchanging punches and chasing each other to and fro. The large contingent of police however was finally able to force students in to corner and several were beaten by officers.
Police also tried using tear gas but this failed to reach the students already inside the Bank Indonesia grounds. Eventually reinforcements were called in and they forced the students to retreat, four of which were arrested. (cha/djo)
Protesters calls for tax boycott over Bank Century case
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Sohirin, Semarang – Around 300 demonstrators from the Central Java People's Democratic Party (PRD) held a protest action today in which they called on the public to boycott tax payments as a protest against the Bank Century case that has inflicted financial losses on the state of Rp6.7 trillion.
PRD Central Java chairperson Sunu Pajar Prasetyo said that the funds from the Deposit Insurance Agency (LPS) that were used by the government to bailout Bank Century originated from ordinary people's taxes. The money however was embezzled on the grounds of rescuing the bank and to this day the government has been unable to account for it. "Because of this therefore, as a form of protest, the people don't need to pay tax," he said. "Why should [they] pay tax if it's only corrupted?"
The action, which took place in front of the Central Java DPRD, was also marked by the burning of posters in the form of Taxpayers Registration Numbers (NPWP).
Other protest actions in Semarang by thousands of people various different groups also demanded that the government immediately resolved the Bank Century case, eradicate corruption and reject the ACFTA free trade agreement with China.
Solo students want Yudhoyono and Boediono impeached
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Ukky Primartantyo, Surakarta – Demonstrators from a number of different groups held a protest action at the Gladag Surakarta traffic circle in the Central Java city of Solo on Thursday January 28.
The 300 or so people, who came from the Surakarta Muhammadiyah University, the Surakarta March 11 University (UNS), the Volunteers of Democracy in Struggle (Repdem) and the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI), were demanding that Yudhoyono and Boediono resign.
UMS Student Executive Council (BEM) President Mochammad Nur said that Yudhoyono and Boediono should be impeached. "We no longer trust the SBY-Boediono administration. So they should resign", he said during a break in the action.
During the protest, the students set fire to bundles of harvested rice as a symbol of the death of democracy and the Indonesian people's sovereignty. The students also burnt tyres in the middle of the road.
UNS BEM President Bery Nur Arif meanwhile gave Yudhoyono and Boediono's first 100 days a red report card, saying both had failed to fulfill priority targets such as improving people's welfare, resolving cases of gross human rights violations from 1965 until now, investigating the Bank Century scandal and eradicating the judicial mafia.
Actions in Surabaya enlivened by workers from Sidoarjo
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Rohman Taufiq, Surabaya – Protest actions commemorating the first 100 days of the Yudhoyono administration in Surabaya were also joined by demonstrators from other nearby cities such as Sidoarjo and Gresik.
Under police escort, around 200 workers from Sidoarjo for example could be seen entering Surabaya and heading for the East Java DPRD on trucks and motorbikes.
Upon arriving at the DPRD they took up a number of issues including opposition to free trade and contract labour. "Because it has been unable to abolish contract labour systems, the government must step down immediately," said action coordinator Sumartono.
At a separate location meanwhile, around 100 people from the People's Democratic Party (PRD) demonstrated at the Hero's Monument in Surabaya. "After gathering here will march to the Grahadi Building," said PRD Surabaya secretary Mohammad Solahudin.
Yudhoyono gets red report card in Yogyakarta
Tempo Interactive - January 28, 2010
Muh Syaifullah, Yogyakarta – Around 300 students demonstrating at several different locations in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta gave Yudhoyono and Boediono a red report card.
"We are giving a red report card to the SBY-Boediono administration to mark the [first] 100 days of the government, we demand an improvement in their performance as state administrators", said Sujatmiko, one of the action coordinators from the Yogyakarta Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI) on Thursday.
Aside from giving speeches condemning Yudhoyono and Boediono, the demonstrators also brought posters will messages such as "SBY is a dandy, not a president", "Remove Sri Mulyani, Boediono sep down", "KPK must investigate Century" and "Arrest Sri Mulyani and Boediono."
"SBY is only smart at producing reactive policies to protect himself, without there being any concrete polices to improve the state of the country", said Sujatmiko.
The demonstrators came from a number of different organisations including KAMMI Yogyakarta, the All Indonesia Student Executive Council (BEM SI), the Muhammadiyah Students Association (IMM) and the Indonesian People's Opposition Front (FOR Indonesia). "We don't trust the SBY-Boediono administration", said FOR Indonesia action coordinator Agung Sulaksono.
'Capitalist pigs' join protest action in Yogyakarta
KRjogja.com - January 28, 2010
Yogyakarta - Demonstrators from the People’s Challenge Alliance (ARM), who held protest action in the vicinity of the Gajah Mada University traffic circle on January 28, also brought two replica pigs with them.
Attached to the first pig, which had green-coloured stripes, was a photograph of President Yudhoyono. The second, coloured black, wore an Uncle Sam mask with a photograph of Boediono.
ARM is an alliance of several different organisations including the Indonesian Student Union (SMI), the Politics for the Poor-National Student League for Democracy (LMND-PRM), the Indonesian Cultural Society Union (SEBUMI), the Yogyakarta Student Action Front (FAM-J), the Perempuan Mahardhika National Network (JNPM), the Union for the Politics of the Poor (PPRM), the South Sumatra University and High School Students Association (IKPM), Yogyakarta People’s Solidarity (SRY), the Indonesian National Students Movement (GMNI), the Indonesian Christian Students Movement (GMKI) and LIMAPERA.
The protesters also brought banners condemning Yudhoyono and Boediono along with photographs of figures such as former Indonesian military chief Wiranto, former Vice President Jusuf Kalla Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who they said had inflicted financial losses on the state.
According to action coordinator Agus F, the first 100 of Yudhoyono's administration has worsened the suffering of the ordinary people. They are demanding therefore that the SBY-Boediono regime be brought down.
"There are longer any reasons for the people to defend the SBY-Boediono regime because the direction of their political and economic policies does not side with the ordinary people. On the contrary, they in fact worsen the people's suffering," said Agus.
Agus explained that there are several issues that the groups explicitly oppose, including the recent National Summit to launch the government's new 100-day program, the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement and the commercialisation of education. He also explained that they want a reasonable wage for workers and an immediate and full investigation into the Bank Century scandal.
"The political solution is national liberation through a pro-people government, replacing the SBY-Boediono regime, building the people's organisations and uniting the movement as an embryo of a pro-people's government," he asserted. (Den)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
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