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.

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.

Umi Kulsum and Ignatius Kristanto – Two months have passed, but like an engine, they have also yet to “warm up”. Yet, their numbers have increased significantly compared with the previous period. What’s going on?

...Political negotiations? Will it be a win-win solution or just be put on ice like other inquiries?

Jakarta – The number of voters represented by the nine political parties that obtained seats in the national House of Representatives (DPR) following the 2009 legislative elections is less that who are not represented.

Didi Syafirdi, Jakarta – Only half a day after being inaugurated as the president and vice president for 2009-2014, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Boediono are being urged to solve five key problems in the first 100 days of the new administration.

Gede Suardana, Denpasar – Demonstrations during the inauguration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono on October 20 also occurred in the resort island of Bali.

Ari Saputra, Jakarta – Around 100 demonstrators succeeded in reaching the road opposite the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday October 20.

Ari Saputra, Jakarta – Hundreds of workers from various labour organisations held a protest action at the front gates of the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Jakarta on October 20.

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.

Women: Quiet. He’s waiting for a call on the results of his prosperity test as minister for humor and jokes in the republic of dreams!

Kid: How come your political party isn’t setting up disaster relief coordination posts like before?

Man: What for? The elections are over don’t you know.

Rachmadin Ismail, Jakarta – There has been no significant change in the handling of cases of missing person or human rights violations since President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been in office. Over the next period therefore, Yudhoyono is being urged to show more courage.

Man speaking to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (with quick count election results in pocket) and Boediono: Congratulations! We have big hopes in you. Hopefully we won’t have to live in rubbish and breath mud anymore, and their won’t be any more Siti Hajar’s (an abused migrant worker) being humiliated by other countries...

1st Man: Yes! Finally an ID can be used to vote. Now we won’t loose our right to vote again...

2nd Man: But an ID’s expensive...

Novi Christiastuti Adiputri, Jakarta – Scores of people from the Indonesian Youth Front for Struggle (FPPI) demonstrated at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta on Tuesday July 7 calling for a boycott of the presidential elections. On account of not having a permit, the demonstration was forcibly disbanded by police.

Judi Prasetyo, Jombang – Workers from the Independent Indonesian National Front for Labour Struggle (FNPBI-Independen) have agreed to boycott the coming July 8 presidential elections by not using their right to vote or to golput.

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.

Man: Soy sauce doesn’t taste good? Where you going to get soy sauce with pure first rate soy beans these days... there all mixed with (kanji) starch... Eh, (janji) promises!

Clockwise from top: (Vice presidential candidates) Prabowo Subianto, Boediono, Wiranto, (presidential candidates) Jusuf Kalla, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Buskers: Forget, forget, forget, don’t forget your promises. Remember, remember, remember, don’t just think about seats.