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Activists say 'pork barrel' aspiration fund not the people's aspiration

Detik.com - June 10, 2010

Lia Harahap, Jakarta – Three people wearing masks with pictures of pigs on them brought a clay earthen pitcher. They also waved monopoly money in the air.

On the barrel was written the words "Pork Barrel Rp1 Billion". A large coloured banner was also glued to the House of Representatives (DPR) gate in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday June 10.

On another banner was written "The People Voice their Opposition to the Rp15 Billion Aspiration Fund" and screen shots from a Facebook social networking group that opposes the aspiration fund proposed by the Golkar Party.

They also brought a posters with messages such as "Aspiration Fund = Not the People’s Aspiration", "Save [the] Budget for Indonesia" and "These Funds are Waited Funds and Don’t' Represent the People".

The action organised by the Social Forum for Saving the State Budget (Format) was joined by around 20 people protesting against the 15 billion rupiah aspiration fund and the allocation of 1 billion rupiah for villages.

"This aspiration is not our aspiration. It is a proposal by people who feel comfortable strolling around the DPR. Not to mention the planned aspiration fund proposal of 1 billion rupiah for villages that has now surfaced. And this was also put forward by the Golkar", said Format speaker Hadi Prayitno in a speech.

"This must arouse suspicions that it's a pork barrel. Because the proposals are [really just] to enrich themselves and get fat!" shouted Prayitno. (nwk/nrl)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

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