Detik.com
- May 1, 2010
Ayu
Fritriana, Jakarta – During a break in the labour demonstrations in Jakarta, a
rat joined the protest action. Of course it wasn't a real rat.
The giant
effigy of a rat was brought by the Indonesian People's Opposition Front (FOR
Indonesia) to commemorate May Day at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in
Central Jakarta on Saturday May 1.
The rat,
which symbolised a government that is dirty and has no concern for the fate of
workers, will be taken to the nearby State Palace.
The
protesters demanded that President Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono
resign. "There will be no prosperity for the Indonesian working class as
long as the SBY-Boediono neoliberal regime is still in power", said FOR
Indonesia action coordinator Anwar Maaruf.
At 1pm the
demonstrators moved off towards the State Palace via Jl. MH Thamrin. The main
streets of the capital were already filled with workers resulting in traffic,
including the Trans Jakarta busway having to be diverted. (ken/ndr)
[Translated
by James Balowski.]
