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.

The planned action by scores of people from the Anti-Neoliberal Social Union (PMAN) was take place in front of the Bali Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). Before being able to move off from the East Renon Square in Denpasar however, the protesters were blocked by police who said that they did not have a permit to march to the DPRD.

Determined to reach the DPRD building, the demonstrators used motorbike on the pretext of wishing to hold a public hearing with legislators. However they were again stopped by police when they tried to enter the lobby of the parliament building. As a result the protesters sat and waited patiently on the DPRD grounds until regional assembly speaker Nyoman Parta came out to meet with them.

Action coordinator Iqbal Tanthowi said the action opposing Yudhoyono’s inauguration was to warn the public about the dangers of neoliberalism that is being practiced by the Yudhoyono administration. This they said endangered the ordinary people’s standard of living and the government should be criticised by the people and the legislator. (gds/djo)

[Abridged translation by James Balowski.]