Bloody Malari commemorated

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Around 500 protesters from two organizations (photo above) staged a rally to commemorate the Malari incident, when police killed 11 anti-Japan protesters in Jakarta on Jan. 15, 1974, and to protest government plans to increase fuel and utility prices.

The protesters comprised the Committee for Anti-Labor Oppression (KAPB), containing 25 labor unions and non- governmental organizations, and the student executive board of the University of Indonesia.

The protesters -- who marched from Hotel Indonesia to the traffic circle near the State Palace in Central Jakarta -- criticized the government's plans to raise prices for fuel, telephone and electricity this month. So far, only state-owned electricity company PLN has done so.

KAPB also demanded the government apply the regional minimum labor wage signed by the Jakarta administration last November.

KAPB spokeswoman Dita Indah Sari, a labor activist, said she had planned to meet President Megawati Soekarnoputri to pursue its demand.

However, the request was refused. A disappointed Dita told The Jakarta Post that Megawati's government was just a photocopy of former president Soeharto's New Order dictatorship.

"We are disappointed with Megawati. We sent an initial letter to meet her. It shows that her government is similar to Soeharto's regime," she said.

Central Jakarta chief police, Sr. Com. Edmond said he had deployed one company of mobile brigade to monitor the protesters.

He regretted the groups did not inform police of their intentions to protest but said it still tolerated the protest, this time.