Dozens protest overseas trips

BANDUNG: Dozens of residents grouped under the Alliance for People (Alur) joined in a protest against the planned overseas trips of provincial councillors on Friday, saying the people's representatives lacked a sense of crisis.

"The people here don't know how to survive as all prices, including fuel and staple food, are on the rise. How come they are making plans to go abroad," demonstration coordinator Usep Agus remarked.

The protesters, which included among others becak (pedicab) drivers, demanded the councillors cancel the overseas trip plans and focus on eradicating poverty in the province. They also demanded the inquiry into alleged corruption in the provincial administration be continued.

Sources at the council disclosed that a total of Rp 1.5 billion from the provincial budget had been allocated for the overseas trips to Australia, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and England in May and June.

After some two hours the demonstrators dispersed peacefully. None of the councillors met with the protesters. (25)