A hundred or so people from the Volunteers of People’s Struggle for the Liberation of Motherland (SPARTAN) demonstrated at the General Election Commission (KPU) offices in Central Jakarta on Wednesday July 1. They were demanding that the KPU disqualify neoliberal presidential and vice presidential candidates.

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!

Bandar Lampung – The Lampung province I regional leadership board (DPD) of the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) is calling on its members to block presidential and vice presidential candidates that are pro-neoliberalism. They are also inviting the people to build a national coalition government for national self-sufficiency.

Up until now, Dita Indah Sari has been known as a labour activist, while Vice President Jusuf Kalla is known as a business person.

Kurniasih Budi, Jakarta – A group of workers who have declared themselves as a voluntary team to support Jusuf Kalla and Wiranto believe that Kalla’s performance has been better than the other presidential candidates.

Caroline Damanik, Jakarta – Labour activist Dita Indah Sari believes that presidential and vice presidential candidates Jusuf Kalla and Wiranto (JK-WIN) are the partnership that most connects with workers.

Clowns on TV: Neoliberalism! People’s economics?

Man: The success team’s job? To campaign for the candidates’ respective programs... not...

Yudhoyono-Boediono: Working hard for the people...

Jusuf Kalla-Wiranto: The faster the better in the people’s interest...

Megawati-Prabowo: Building the people’s economy...

Buskers: I don’t want to suffer again when promises are broken... (from Orchestra of the Embittered by popular rock band Slank)

Baggage on overloaded bus: Corruption, human rights, debt, unemployment, collusion. Number plate reads presidential elections.

Wanted: ‘Driver’ with vision. Not just knowing how to build coalitions!

1st Man: Be careful if you hit it...

2nd Man: Careful, why?

1st Man: In case the ball goes astray...

Kid: The viruses have formed a coalition too Dad!

Man: Stay calm, don’t panic!

Sign reads Presidential Elections.

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.

Firman Hidayat, Samarinda – Hundreds of workers in the East Kalimantan city of Samarinda commemorated International Labour Day by holding speeches in front of the East Kalimantan governor’s office on Friday May 1.

Khairul Ikhwan, Medan – Thousands of farmers in North Sumatra (Sumut) have threatened to boycott the July 8 presidential elections if the various problems facing farmers are not resolved. This threat was conveyed during a protest action at the offices of the North Sumatra National Land Agency (BPN) on Jl.

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...

Ari Saputra, Jakarta – Around 40 workers from the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) held a demonstration on April 24 calling on the political elite – who are in middle of fighting over the presidency and vice presidency – to pay more attention to the people.

Patient: Eventually I’ll go crazy...

Picture on bag: Legislative candidate 2009

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.