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.

“The 2009 elections are a festival of the corruptors so it will be very problematic if they [end up] sitting in government or the legislator,” said action coordinator Muhammad Aqsa on Sunday.

During the action – which took place at the GOR Park in the Central Sulawesi city of Palu – participants took turns in giving speeches. They also distributed leaflets containing a statement opposing the 2009 elections.

According to Aqsa, there are still many remnants of Suharto’s New Order regime taking part in the elections with the aim of returning to power. “On the grounds of helping the poor, it is precisely they who are manipulating the people in order to reap personal profit”, he said.

In addition to this, continued Aqsa, there are also fake reformists who are intentionally taking advantage of the momentum of the electoral campaign to curry favour from the people. “What has become of your promises. The people are fed up with being lied to”, he asked.

Aqsa also said that in order to reduce the number of people living in poverty, what is needed is a leadership that is honest and capable of prioritising the interests of the ordinary people. Through the nationalisation of industry, he said, the people will be more prosperous because it will create large numbers of job opportunities.

Following the action, the protesters disbanded in an orderly manner. No security personnel were present.

[Translated by James Balowski.]