Jakarta, Kompas – President-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is being urged to form a clean and productive government. This call was made by the United People for Genuine Change (PRPS) in Jakarta, the Coalition of People Against Eviction (Pawang) who held a march from the Proclamation Monument to the State Palace and students from the Greater Jakarta Student Executive Council (BEM Jabotabek) and the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI) near Yudhoyono’s house in the Puri Cikeas Indah housing complex in Bogor on Monday October 18.
PRPS spokesperson Lukman Hakim explained that his group was urging Yudhoyono to form a clean government. “We demand that SBY make his promises a reality”, he said.
PRPS is calling on Yudhoyono to build a clean democratic government, to bring to trial and seize the assets of government officials who have been involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism, withdraw non-organic troops from the conflict areas of Aceh and West Papua along with amending the newly enacted law on the TNI (armed forces). PRPS is also urging Yudhoyono to create employment opportunities, end mass dismissals and assist small- and medium size businesses.
At the Proclamation Monument, Pawang demonstrators asked Yudhoyono to end forced evacuations based on the interests of capitalists and corrupt government officers. “It should only be forced through as a last resort after all other avenues have been exhausted, evictions must be carried out humanly, justly, and in a civilised manner” said Pawang chairperson Dedy Sudardi.
Pawang urged Yudhoyono to provide an alternative program to deal with issues of land, housing, giving room for and an environment which is just, appropriate, affordable and which can reach all layers of society.
The People’s Forum for Clean Government reminded Yudhoyono not to become involved in and build relationships with people who have been involved in corruption, gross human rights violations, environmental damage, violence against women, the use of narcotics and discrimination.
Near Yudhoyono’s house meanwhile, scores of BEM Jabotabek and KAMMI demonstrators raised concerns that Yudhoyono’s new cabinet will come under pressure from foreign forces. There have been indications of this with the emergence of perspective economic ministers who are pro- the International Monetary Fund.
Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) deputy coordinator, Luky Djani, said that openness is needed on the question of political contracts made between Yudhoyono and his perspective cabinet ministers and that this openness must be initiated by Yudhoyono himself. The content of these contracts must be more than just a desire to work hard and honestly, but must also be clear on what will be done each year and the consequences if it is not achieved, that is that the individual concerned be dismissed. (WIN/dwa)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
