Medan – The North Sumatra Union for the Politics of the Poor Front (FPPRM) believes that the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has failed. Because of this therefore, they are opposing the 2009 general elections.

Surabaya – On Sunday April 5, protesters from the East Java People’s Union Against the Elections (PRTP) held a demonstration at the Bungkul Park in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya.

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.

Medan – On April 5 scores of people from the North Sumatra Union for the Politics of the Poor Front (FPPRM-SU) held a protest action at the Mejestik roundabout in the North Sumatra city of Medan opposing the April 9 legislative elections.

Man: Why be confused? Just vote according to your conscience... (badge reads legislative candidate)

Kid: So where’s your conscience Mr?

Man: In... the... p... pawn shop

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.

Muhammad Nur Abdurrahman, Makassar – On March 31 the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) held an election campaign rally in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar. Speaking before around one thousand sympathisers, PKPB General Chairperson R. Hartono promised the rebirth of former President Suharto’s New Order regime.

Palu – On March 30, activists from the Palu City branch of the Union for the Politics of the Poor (PPRM) in Central Sulawesi encouraged local residents to reject next month’s legislative elections.

Robert, Samarinda – Scores for students from the Mulawarman University in East Kalimantan provincial city of Samarinda demonstrated on March 30 against the 2009 general elections. During the action they destroyed or set fire to posters, banners and other promotional material belonging to legislative candidates.

Kid: It’s not that he’s suffering from withdrawal symptoms cos of being ensnared in a narcotics network... but more because...

1st man: Let’s hope there isn’t any more “ghost voters”!

2nd man: For the sake of democracy!

In the lead up to the April 9 legislative elections, the electoral commission conceded that there were an estimated 5 million or more “ghost” voters still on the electoral role.

The 2009 legislative elections – which are now only 20 days away – are being opposed by labour groups made up of an alliance of organisations that reject the elections because they are part the lies being perpetrated against the public as voters.

1st man: Lots of jobs, cheap commodities, cheap schooling, cheap hospital treatment...

2nd man: Yes!

1st man: But it’s only a promise...

Jakarta – On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of workers from trade unions in Jakarta and the satellite cities of Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), held a protest action opposing the 2009 elections saying that it will not benefit the ordinary people.

In the Central Java city of Yogyakarta, scores of students from the Gajah Mada University held campaigns at a number of different university faculties calling for an election boycott.

The students said they were pessimistic that there were any political parties or legislative candidates that would struggle for cheap education.

Before...

Legislative candidate (Caleg): For the sake of the people!

Kid: The cost of political campaigns is getting even bigger...

After...

Caleg: For the sake of capital!

Kid: For the sake of... all the more money...

First Man: It’s the rainy season, so how come it’s so hot?

Second Man: Local warming...

Writing on umbrella: Crisis

Clockwise from top: Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Prabowo Subianto, Wiranto, Hidayat Nur Wahid, Jusuf Kalla, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Indra Subagja, Jakarta – The University of Indonesia (UI) will not be giving permission for a concert event titled “Tribute to Munir” at its Depok campus in West Jakarta on February 20. Not surprisingly this has given rise to protests by the wife of the late Munir, Suciwati.

I respectfully bow my head
To all of you the victims
Because to you alone I shall bow my head
[But] to the oppressors
Never will I bow in submission
I shall always stand erect