Gunawan Mashar, Makassar – The fall of President Suharto six years ago was also commemorated by hundreds of Makassar students in South Sulawesi who held simultaneous demonstrations at four different locations on Friday May 21.

The first demonstration was held at the South Sulawesi regional parliament on Jalan Urip Sumoharjo. The action was organised by hundreds of demonstrators from the United Opposition Front (Barisan Oposisi Bersatu, BOB).

During the action BOB, demanded the investigation of a number of cases of human rights violations. They said that to date these cases have never been clearly resolved. “Reject SBY-Wiranto-Mega”1 as presidential [candidates]”, they shouted.

The second action was held at the campus of the Alaudin State Institute for Islamic Studies on Jalan Sultan Alaudin. Compared to the first demonstrations it was much smaller with only a handful of demonstrators present. There demands however were the same, rejecting militarism.

The third and fourth demonstrators were held at the Reformasi Toll Road and on Jalan Andi Petarani. Like the earlier demonstrations they also rejected militarism.

According to information obtained by Detik.com, they will end the demonstrations by gathering at the Mandala Monument. As of going to print the demonstrations at the four different locations were still proceeding in an orderly manner. (djo)

Notes:

1. SBY-Wiranto-Mega – Democratic Party presidential candidate former coordinating minister for politics and security Yudhoyono Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Golkar Party presidential candidate former armed forces chief Wiranto and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle presidential candidate President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

[Translated by James Balowski.]