Khairul Ikhwan, Medan – The political temperature in North Sumatra is steadily rising in the lead up to the election of regional heads that will be held on April 16. On Monday April 14, students burnt paraphernalia and photographs of the five gubernatorial candidates.

The burning of the photographs was carried out by the North Sumatra regional executive of the National Student League for Democracy-Poor Politic (LMND-PRM). The action, which took place on Jl. Kejaksaan in the provincial capital of Medan, was held to symbolise the student’s opposition to the regional elections and their mistrust in the five pairs of candidates: Ali Umri-Maratua Simanjuntak, Tritamtomo-Benny Pasaribu, R.E. Siahaan-Suherdi, Abdul Wahab Dalimunthe-Raden Syafii and Syamsul Arifin-Gatot Pujonugroho.

During the protest, LMND-PRM said that that the gubernatorial candidates as well as the existing political parties have failed to show that they are serious about struggling for the rights of the people and that the regional elections are not something the people want. “All of the candidates are bandits. Their programs are all lies”, said Ruslan, the chairperson of LMND-PRM North Sumatra.

In a statement the group presented a number of demands including opposition to forced evictions of the poor, a ban on the use of trawling nets, free education and healthcare and the dismantling of the Indonesian military’s territorial command structure. (rul/djo)

[Translated by James Balowski.]