Jakarta braces for protests over fuel price increases<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The city administration moved swiftly on Monday to anticipate
\npossible violent protests over the government's plan to raise
\nfuel prices by an average of 29 percent.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso said more than 13,000 security personnel
\nfrom the city police, public order agency and the military were
\nalready on alert to prevent any possible protests from
\ndegenerating into mass riots.<\/p>\n
\"We prefer to use persuasive methods in dealing with
\nprotesters but we will not rule out tougher measures,\" Sutiyoso
\nsaid here on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"Any party is allowed to organize demonstrations, but we do
\nnot want any chaos in the city,\" he said after chairing a meeting
\nattended by council Speaker Ade Surapriatna, city police chief
\nIns. Gen. Firman Gani, and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen.
\nAgustadi Sasongko.<\/p>\n
The number of security personnel on alert will be about the
\nsame number deployed during the Idul Fitri, Christmas and New
\nYear celebrations.<\/p>\n
Swimming against the tide of opposition from legislators,
\npolitical parties, students, non-governmental organizations and
\nthe general public, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is set
\nto raise fuel prices by an average of 29 percent on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
In 1998, former president Soeharto raised fuel prices by
\nbetween 25 percent and 77 percent, sparking violent protests
\nacross the country that led to his downfall in May that year
\nafter more than three decades in office.<\/p>\n
Already on Monday, students and non-governmental organizations
\ntook to the streets to protest the planned increase of fuel
\nprice, causing traffic congestion along the city's thoroughfares.<\/p>\n
Gari Primandana of the University of Indonesia's Student
\nExecutive Body (BEM-UI) said students would return to the streets
\non Tuesday to try to force the government to abandon the
\nincrease.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said Monday's meeting was called to discuss efforts
\nto prevent violence during demonstrations. He called on Jakarta
\nresidents not to be easily provoked.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Firman Gani said several student organizations and
\nfour non-governmental organizations had notified the police of
\ntheir plans to hold protests against the fuel price hikes.<\/p>\n
He said the organizers had agreed not to damage state symbols,
\nincluding the photographs of the President, during the
\ndemonstrations.<\/p>\n
\"Police will not take any measures against demonstrators as
\nlong as they do not violate the criminal codes and other
\nregulations,\" he said, adding that the students and non-
\ngovernmental organizations would stage protests at the National
\nMonument Park, the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and the House
\nof Representatives building on Jl. Gatot Subroto.<\/p>\n
Student groups taking part in Monday's protests included the
\nIndonesian Muslim Students Association (KAMMI), the Greater
\nJakarta Students Executive Bodies (BEMs), Jakarta Students Action
\nUnion (KAM Jakarta) and the Advocacy Studies Institute for
\nIndonesian Democracy (LSA-DI).<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-braces-for-protests-over-fuel-price-increases-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}