PROTESTERS RALLY TO MARK SBY`S 100TH DAY IN OFFICE

Jakarta Forum - Jakarta, Jan. 28 - Protesters staged rallies in Jakarta and several other cities, such as Surabaya, Bandung, Padang, Makassar, Palembang, Kudus, Maluku and Kendari, to mark President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY)`s 100th day in office, on Thursday.

In Jakarta, they rallied among other things in front of the vice presidential palace, the finance ministry , and the Parliament building.

A group called `White Revolution Movement` protested in front of the vice president`s palace and later proceeded to the finance ministry.

"We stage rally today because we consider SBY has totally failed his programs, including reform and poverty eradication," Rahman Latukonsina of the Islam University, coordinator of the White Revolution Movement, said here on Thursday.

The Movement demanded that Vice President Boediono and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani resign for their involvement in the Bank Century bailout case.

They also asked for President Yudhoyono`s accountability on the bailout of the problematic bank.

The protesters included members of `Jaringan Pemuda Penggerak` (Jumper), `Forum Komunikasi Muda Mudi Depok` (FKMD), `Rakyat Pasti Menang` (RPM) and `Gerakan Mahasiswa Nasional Indonesia` (GMNI).

Around 200 policemen guarded the vice presidential palace.

In front of the finance ministry , hundreds of protesters grouped in the Anti-Corruption Youth Action Committee (KAPAK) demanded en end to corrupt practices in Indonesia and the settlement of the Bank Century bailout case.

"It`s a must for all the people in this country to pay attention, respond to and voice harsh criticism on the Century case," Nico Latuconsina, KAPAK coordinator, said.

The people were furious, bored and tired with corrupt practices, especially those done in the name of the people, he said.

Meanwhile, at the Parliament building, several legislators including Ribka Tjiptaning, Rieke Diah Pitaloka and Okky Asokawati received protesters mostly members of labor unions and farmers from Forum Serikat Buruh (FSB), Kamiparho DKI Jakarta, Federasi Serikat Pekerja Metal Indonesia (FSPMI), and Konferensi Serikat Buruh Indonesia (Kisbi).

Thousands of protesters marched along Sudirman and Thamrin boulevards toward Monas (the National Monument).

Source:
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