Detik.com
- July 7, 2009
Novi
Christiastuti Adiputri, Jakarta – Scores of people from the Indonesian Youth
Front for Struggle (FPPI) demonstrated at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in
Central Jakarta on Tuesday July 7 calling for a boycott of the presidential
elections. On account of not having a permit, the demonstration was forcibly
disbanded by police.
According to
Detik’s observations, the protesters brought banners with demands such
as “Golput 2009, the people’s political independence”, “I think
therefore I golput”, as well as FPPI flags.
A number of
people could be seen wearing white masks with pictures [of the presidential
candidates] that had the figures 1, 2 and 3 written on them. The fourth mask
meanwhile was white with no picture and had the figure 4 on it. “We the youth
of Indonesia are of one nation, one language, the language of golput”,
said one of the demonstrators in a speech.
FPPI
national leader Sahat Tarida said that none of three presidential and vice
presidential candidates have a commitment to pursue a pro-people agenda. “We
have seen the huge crimes that they have committed. SBY [incumbent President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono], [vice presidential candidates] Prabowo [Subianto]
and Wiranto are responsible for the massive number of human rights problems. We
are being deceived yet again!”, explained Tarida.
After
demonstrating for around 10 minutes, four police officers suddenly arrived and
approached them to ask if they had a permit. “This is just a letter of
notification. Do you have a permit or not”, said one of the officers. “Usually
we have one Sir”, answered one of the protesters.
Police then
asked them to disband of their own accord. The demonstrators then moved off in
the direction of the General Election Commission offices on Jl. Imam Bonjol in
Central Jakarta. (aan/nrl)
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.]
