Budi Hartadi, Surabaya – Scores of activists from the Indonesian National Student Movement (Gerakan Mahasiswa Nasional Indonesia, GMNI) in Surabaya, East Java, held a demonstration [on May 5] rejecting presidential candidates with a military background. They also called on the people to be on their guard against ex-military officers becoming involved in politics.

The action, which was held in front of the State Grahadi State Building on Jalan Gubernur Suryo, started at 12.15pm and continued for about an hour. The action remained orderly and did not disrupt traffic as it was held on the sidewalk.

In a speech, action coordinator Fajrur said that the military have become a body which is bringing fear to students and the Indonesian people. This is because to date the many cases of human rights violations by the military have yet to be fully investigated.

The demonstrators also brought a number of posters some of which were placed on the sidewalk reading “Be on guard for presidential candidates from the military” and “Wipe militarism from the face of the earth”. They also brought a wooden effigy with a cartoon hanging from its neck reading “Military [presidential candidates] SBY-Wiranto are haunting the people”. (gtp)

[Translated by James Balowski.]