National

One Thousand People Walk to Merdeka Palace
Friday, 30 September, 2005 | 01:39 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Around 1,000 people protesting against the fuel price increases went to the Merdeka Palace from the Hotel Indonesia roundabout.

The protestors, from the Peoples’ Protest Alliance (ARM), walked along the slow lane on Jalan M.H. Thamrin.

This group was part of around 10,000 people, who it had been claimed would encircle the State Palace in Jakarta in an attempt to force President Yudhoyono to cancel the fuel price increase planned for October 1.

The protestors, who used a truck for their speakers, included members of several groups such as the Indonesian Drivers Association, the Students and Youth for Reform Alliance and Young Soldiers for Poor People.

According to activists, many of the protestors were delayed at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout with many police personnel on duty.

Many protesters against the fuel price increases began walking from the Istiqlal Mosque to the State Palace.

According to the coordinator of the event, Jumhur Hidayat, the peak of the protests took place at midday on Thursday (29/9).

More protests against the fuel price increases also took place in other places in Indonesia, including Makassar (South Sulawesi) and Surabaya (East Java).
(Tempo News Room)