TMC/Ibnu R., Jakarta – Protest actions and public transport strikes will colour various parts of the capital today, Wednesday May 28. Aside from taking up the theme of anti-corruption, there will also be a demonstration by thousands of people supporting direct cash assistance and a student protest action later tonight opposing the recent fuel price hikes.

Starting at 6am, city public transport drivers plying the M-11, M-09 and M24 routes will hold strike actions in Joglo, Meruya and Slipi-Palmerah in West Java. They will be demanding that public transport fares be increased in line with the retail price of premium petrol.

At 10am, the North Maluku Non-Government Organisation Forum (Koalisi LSM Malut) and the Independent Candidates Defence Forum (FPCI) will be holding protest actions at four locations – the General Elections Commission (KPU) offices on Jl. Imam Bonjol in Central Jakarta, the Department of Home Affairs, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) offices on Jl. HR Rasuna Said and the Attorney General’s Office on Jl. Sisingamaraja in South Jakarta. The actions, which will involve around 100 people, will be calling on the KPU to accommodate independent candidates in the upcoming Southeast Maluku election of regional heads.

At 11am, the Banten Anti-Corruption Social Network (JAMBAK) will also be demonstrating at the KPK offices. Around 200 people will be calling on the KPK to investigate an alleged corruption case in the Banten regency of Pandeglang.

Between 1-6pm, the Indonesian Assistant Teachers Communication Forum (FKGBI) will be holding a protest action demanding that they be appointed as state civil servants. The protest, which will be held at the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives building on Jl. Kebon Sirih in Central Jakarta, is expected to involve around 500 assistance teachers across Jakarta.

Also starting at 1pm, a group called the United People-Poor People’s Alliance (GRM-PR) will demonstrate at the Department of Home Affairs and the State Palace in Central Jakarta. Around 2,500 people will gather first at the Istiqlal Mosque then protest in support of the government’s direct cash assistance to compensate the poor for the recent fuel price hikes.

The Green Student Network (JMH) will also hold a protest action at the KPK and the Attorney General’s Office. Around 150 people will be calling on the commission to investigate an alleged gratuities case involving visiting privileges for certain prisoners provided by officials from the Directorate General for Correctional Institutions.

Later in the evening between 7-10pm, the Greater Jakarta Student Council (DM-Jabodetabek) will hold a protest action at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout demanding that the recent fuel price hikes be annulled.

[Translated by James Balowski.]