Ari Saputra, Jakarta – Around 40 workers from the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) held a demonstration on April 24 calling on the political elite – who are in middle of fighting over the presidency and vice presidency – to pay more attention to the people.

Patient: Eventually I’ll go crazy...

Picture on bag: Legislative candidate 2009

After the successful “general elections”...!

Kid: I await your promises... imagined night and day...

1st man: We want elections that are peaceful, honest and fair. For the sake of democracy...

2nd man: For all our futures...

Legislative Candidate (with pockets bulging with money): And for my future too.

Yogyakarta – On Sunday April 6, around 40 students from the United People’s Committee (KRB) demonstrated at the Gadjah Mada University roundabout in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta. The protesters were opposing the 2009 general elections and calling for the immediate creation of an anti-imperialist government.

Medan – The North Sumatra Union for the Politics of the Poor Front (FPPRM) believes that the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has failed. Because of this therefore, they are opposing the 2009 general elections.

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.

Palu, Central Sulawesi – On April 5, scores of activists from the Central Sulawesi Union for the Politics of the Poor (PPRM Sulteng) declared their opposition to the 2009 general elections saying they are undemocratic and only involve the wealthy elite.

Medan – On April 5 scores of people from the North Sumatra Union for the Politics of the Poor Front (FPPRM-SU) held a protest action at the Mejestik roundabout in the North Sumatra city of Medan opposing the April 9 legislative elections.

Man: Why be confused? Just vote according to your conscience... (badge reads legislative candidate)

Kid: So where’s your conscience Mr?

Man: In... the... p... pawn shop

Khairul Ikhwan, Medan – Some 50 or so students in the North Sumatra city of Medan demonstrated on April 2 against the general elections that will take place on April 9. The group said that students believe that the elections will not bring about change or resolve the problems of the ordinary people.

1st man: From here we can learn about other dams...

2nd man: Aren’t you going wait till it bursts first?

Muhammad Nur Abdurrahman, Makassar – On March 31 the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) held an election campaign rally in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar. Speaking before around one thousand sympathisers, PKPB General Chairperson R. Hartono promised the rebirth of former President Suharto’s New Order regime.

Palu – On March 30, activists from the Palu City branch of the Union for the Politics of the Poor (PPRM) in Central Sulawesi encouraged local residents to reject next month’s legislative elections.

Robert, Samarinda – Scores for students from the Mulawarman University in East Kalimantan provincial city of Samarinda demonstrated on March 30 against the 2009 general elections. During the action they destroyed or set fire to posters, banners and other promotional material belonging to legislative candidates.

Kid: It’s not that he’s suffering from withdrawal symptoms cos of being ensnared in a narcotics network... but more because...

1st man: Let’s hope there isn’t any more “ghost voters”!

2nd man: For the sake of democracy!

In the lead up to the April 9 legislative elections, the electoral commission conceded that there were an estimated 5 million or more “ghost” voters still on the electoral role.

The 2009 legislative elections – which are now only 20 days away – are being opposed by labour groups made up of an alliance of organisations that reject the elections because they are part the lies being perpetrated against the public as voters.

1st man: Lots of jobs, cheap commodities, cheap schooling, cheap hospital treatment...

2nd man: Yes!

1st man: But it’s only a promise...

Jakarta – On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of workers from trade unions in Jakarta and the satellite cities of Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), held a protest action opposing the 2009 elections saying that it will not benefit the ordinary people.