Gede Suardana, Denpasar – A protest action against the 19th ASEAN Summit in Balinese provincial capital of Denpasar on Friday November 18 was marred by a scuffle between police and demonstrators.

The action was held by scores of people from various groups under the Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights (ARDAM)

The demonstrators held actions in front of the United States Consulate General on Jl. Hayam Wuruk, the Japanese Consulate General and the Bajra Sandi Monument on Jl. Puputan Raya Renon.

Starting at the Bajra Sandi Monument, they gave speeches opposing the ASEAN Summit. “The ASEAN Ministerial Level Conference is of no benefit for Indonesia because it does not struggle for national interests. Dissolve the ASEAN Ministerial Level Conference”, said one of the demonstrators in a speech.

The demonstrators then continued the protest by holding a long-march to the US Consulate General. It was there that the action became violent when demonstrators were blocked by police.

A scuffle broke out with protesters and police pushing and shoving each other and several of the demonstrators were pursued and arrested. A shot time later however they were released again.

Having been dispersed and scattered, they reassembled then moved the action to the Japanese Consulate General located not far from the US Consulate. (gds/fay)

[Pendemo KTT ASEAN di Denpasar Dihadang Polisi – detikNews. Jumat, 18/11/2011. Translated by James Balowski.]