Warta
Jatim (East Java News) - April 6, 2009
Surabaya –
On Sunday April 5, protesters from the East Java People’s Union Against the
Elections (PRTP) held a demonstration at the Bungkul Park in the East Java
provincial capital of Surabaya.
The hundreds
of demonstrators from 11 labour and student organisations are opposing the election
because they say it is nothing more than a festival of the political elite.
PRTP
coordinator Afif Irwanto said that the elections will not bring any significant
change to the national situation nor provide any solutions to overcoming
poverty and unemployment.
“The
elections are not a people’s festival. Up until now the ordinary people have
cast their votes, but do not obtain the right to have a better life,” said
Irwanto.
In addition
to giving speeches and unfurling posters, the PRTP demonstrators also set fire
to voter registration cards as a symbol of choosing to golput the
elections. (red)
Notes:
Golput - Golongan
putih or white movement meaning not to mark the ballot paper (leave it
blank) or abstain from voting.
[Translated
by James Balowski.]
