Thousands protest fuel plan, cash assistance

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta, Cirebon, Yogyakarta, Makassar   |  Thu, 05/22/2008 11:06 AM  |  Headlines

FUEL RALLY: Hundreds of students march from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta to the Presidential Palace in opposition of the government’s plan to raise fuel prices. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)

Thousands of students across the nation took to the streets Wednesday to reject the government plan to increase fuel prices and provide direct cash aid for affected low-income households.

The protests were generally peaceful, although minor incidents marred demonstrations in Jakarta and Cirebon, West Java.

In Jakarta, thousands of students gathered at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and later flocked to the State Palace, which has become a focal point for recent fuel price protests.

The demonstrations resulted in heavy traffic delays in those areas as police were forced to divert traffic from several major thoroughfares.

A separate protest was staged in front of the House of Representatives' building in Central Jakarta.

The rally outside the State Palace was organized by the City Forum (Forkot), National Council 98, Gunadarma University students, Bung Karno University and the People's Democratic Party (PRD). The rally in front of the House was staged by the Student Executive Council (BEM).

"We reject the fuel price increase. SBY (President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) has betrayed the people," read posters carried by protesters.

Other protesters yelled: "Say no to BLT (direct cash assistance)."

Police arrested a number of students, accusing them of provoking riots, following a brief clash in front of the State Palace.

Late in the day, one student was taken to the hospital after being hit by a rubber bullet during the rally outside the House building.

"We will sue the police over the shooting incident and file a complaint for violence," BEM coordinator Budiyanto said.

In Cirebon, students from various universities blocked several roads on Java's north coast for three hours, causing a four-kilometer traffic jam along roadways that link Central Java, West Java and Jakarta.

In Yogyakarta, thousands of students demanded Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla cancel the planned increase of fuel prices.

"Increasing fuel prices shows that this government doesn't care about the community, because it will only add to people's misery," protest coordinator Artha Suryaputra said.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, some 2,000 students rallied peacefully on themain streets to voice similar demands.

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