The following is a compilation of abridged translations of the January 28 protest actions held around the country to commemorate the first 100 days of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's second administration. The reports are ordered alphabetically by city.
Documents containing the term 'democracy'


The North Sumatra Pro-Democracy Movement says that the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Vice President Boediono, as well as the rotten political elite, have failed to implement the mandate to end the Indonesian people’s suffering.

Palu – The Central Sulawesi Indonesian People’s Opposition Front (FOR Indonesia) was officially declared at 10am at the Gor Palu Park.

A new alliance or united front organization was formed in January in Indonesia to fight the current neo-liberal policies of the Indonesian government. Its leaflet calling for a January 28 protest action lists 17 organisations.

Andi Saputra, Jakarta – In response to the recent banning of five books and moves by Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar to examine 20 more for possible banning, 83 intellectuals and pro-democracy activists have rejected the banning of books by the government.

Wisdom cannot be measured by how long one has lived...

Jakarta – Like previous years, 2008 was marked by a variety of actions by students who took to the streets opposing government policies that they believe harm the people.
Only, in concert the approach of the 2009 legislative and presidential elections, so too has the tendency for these student actions to end in clashes and violence.

Mega Putra Ratya, Jakarta – A number of protest actions will colour Jakarta today with at least nine demonstrations expected to inundate various parts of the capital. Watch out for traffic jams!

Yogyakarta – Scores of students from the Politics of the Poor-National Student League for Democracy (LMND-PRM) held a protest action at the University of Gajah Mada traffic circle on Tuesday November 17 urging the government to provide free education and review education policies that harm the people.

Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta – Hundreds of students from various groups in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta held an action opposing the inauguration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Vice President Boediono on October 20. The protest was marked by the burning of T-shirts with pictures of Yudhoyono and Boediono.

Hery Winarno, Jakarta – The inauguration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Boediono as the president and vice president of the Republic of Indonesia for the period 2009-2014 will be the target of thousands of protesters. Scores of mass organisations will hold protest actions in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building.

Jombang – Thousands of workers have declared their opposition to participating in the July 8 presidential elections. The agreement emerged out of a mass meeting and consolidation by hundreds of trade union representatives held today at the Youth Social Development Building in Jombang, East Java.

From left: Yudhoyono, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Jusuf Kalla.
Kid: It’s a festival of democracy, right dad? So how come they smile at each other on TV but criticise each other behind their backs?
Father: It’s a masquerade party, don’t you know!

Nurochman Arrazie, Bandar Lampung – Hundreds of workers and students from the Volunteers of the People’s Struggle for the Liberation of the Motherland or Spartan commemorated Labour Day in a protest at the Lampung regional General Election Commission (KPU) offices.

Jakarta – The people’s political movement should not just be directed towards taking power, but it would be preferable if the movement is also direct towards building the economy. In Indonesia such a measure is extremely important because from the start Indonesia has not had the power of capital.

Depok – In the lead up to the commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day, the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) and the Greater Jakarta Railway Workers Trade Union (SPKAJ) are planning massive actions in Jakarta on May 1.

Man: We’re still learning about democracy... so don’t get violent protesting the elections! ...it’s like the national exams!
Kid: But when will we graduate Dad, if we never get to study...

1st man: We want elections that are peaceful, honest and fair. For the sake of democracy...
2nd man: For all our futures...
Legislative Candidate (with pockets bulging with money): And for my future too.

Yogyakarta – On Sunday April 6, around 40 students from the United People’s Committee (KRB) demonstrated at the Gadjah Mada University roundabout in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta. The protesters were opposing the 2009 general elections and calling for the immediate creation of an anti-imperialist government.

Khairul Ikhwan, Medan – Some 50 or so students in the North Sumatra city of Medan demonstrated on April 2 against the general elections that will take place on April 9. The group said that students believe that the elections will not bring about change or resolve the problems of the ordinary people.