Yogyakarta – Hundreds of students and civil society groups in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta calling themselves the People's Calling Alliance (Aliansi Rakyat Memanggil) held a demonstration at the Gejayan intersection in Depok, Sleman, on Saturday afternoon June 13.
The crowd were observed to begin gathering at the location at around 3.30 pm local as the rain that had been pouring down since midday began to subside.
This action was held in response to several government policies that do not side the ordinary people, the Indonesian economic situation, which is considered to be increasingly burdensome for the public, and several other issues.
The protesters arrived carrying banners and posters. One read "If the Rupiah Weakens, We Will Strengthen Our Resistance to the Government". Another poster read, "The Workers and Farmers of this Country are Smarter than the Government".
Representatives from various elements of society took turns giving speeches, criticising the government and shouting their demands.
"Welcome to the country of bedwetting, officials are like thieves, the rupiah is collapsing even further", shouted one of the speakers from a command vehicle.
Masduki, a Professor of Media and Journalism in the Communication Studies Program at the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII), also took part in the demonstration.
"We ask that President Prabowo [Subianto] and the Vice President stay rational and pro-people and review all the programs being questioned", said Masduki.
During the action, the protesters voiced 10 demands. These included an end to policies deemed problematic such as the Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) and the Red and White Village Cooperatives programs, and the revocation of revisions to the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law, the National Police (Polri) Law, the Prosecutor's Office Law and the Military Courts Law.
They also asked for the protection of civil liberties, an end to impunity for military and police officers, the release of political prisoners and an end to the criminalisation of citizens who voice criticisms.
In addition, they demanded the fulfillment of basic people's rights through free education and healthcare, increased economic welfare, the protection of workers' rights, improvements to online transportation regulations and guarantees of land rights and adequate living space.
They also demanded an end to forced evictions and a thorough investigation into the Mandala Krida Stadium corruption case in Yogyakarta.
Tyres burnt
During the action, access to the Gejayan intersection was closed off. The demonstration proceeded peacefully until 5.30 pm.
Some demonstrators then asked the crowd to disperse. However, the majority chose to remain. Some then set fire to tyres and water barriers at the northern side of the intersection.
The fires were still raging when access for traffic from the north was reopened. Shortly afterward, two explosions were heard. One of them was believed to have been caused by a spray paint can that had been set on fire.
By 6.28 pm traffic at the Gejayan intersection had been fully reopened. Several demonstrators who remained at the location urged passing motorists to honk their horns if they were dissatisfied with the government.
The action participants warmly greeted the back and forth of honking vehicles. (fra/kum/fra)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Massa Rakyat Memanggil Demo di Gejayan Serukan 10 Tuntutan".]
