Edzan Raharjo, Yogyakarta – Protesters opposing the New Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA) at Kulon Progo held a demonstration this afternoon at the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD DIY).
The protesters oppose the construction of the airport at Kulon Progo, south of the Central Java city of Yogyakarta, because it is not in the interests of the ordinary people.
“We call for a halt to the construction of the airport. Because farmers are being evicted from their land”, said action coordinator Fikri M Farok near the DPRD DIY in the Jl. Malioboro shopping district on Tuesday January 16.
The protest action became heated when the demonstrators tried to force their way into the DPRD by pushing on the front gate, which was locked securely.
Scores of police officers closely guarded the action which was held while a plenary meeting was taking place inside the DPRD building.
The demonstrators also demanded an end to forced evictions at Temon Kulon Progo, and end to violence against local people, an end to the construction of the NYIA and condemned violence by security personnel against Kulon Progo farmers.
The protesters brought a number of posters to the demonstration with messages such as, “Stop the intimidation and repression of Kulon Progo farmers”, “Stop the forced eviction of Kulon Progo farmers from their land” and “We reject the NYIA airport construction”.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was Aksi Demo Tolak Pembangunan Bandara Kulon Progo Digelar di DPRD DIY.]
