Nur Mahmudi's supporters protest court decision

In simultaneous rallies in Depok and Jakarta, hundreds of supporters of Nur Mahmudi Ismail on Saturday staged protests over the West Java High Court verdict overturning election results for the first directly elected Depok mayor.

Displaying banners reading: "Defeated in Depok, Making Soap Operas in Bandung", "Depok People Cheated by West Java High Court," and "We reject high court's ruling," the protesters grouped as the Depok Community Forum (FBMD) urged the Depok General Elections Commission to appeal to the Supreme Court (left).

In contrast to party supporters in Depok, Nur Mahmudi's supporters in Jakarta were clad in Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) attributes as they staged their protest at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, Central Jakarta (right).

On Thursday, the West Java High Court declared Golkar candidate Badrul Kamal the winner of the June 26 election, dealing a severe blow to Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) candidate Nur Mahmudi, who had already been declared the winner by the elections commission.

"How come the high court can so easily annul the results of an election conducted through a time-consuming process by the elections commission?" asked FBMD coordinator Yusuf Hidayat.

The protesters also urged the new Judicial Commission to thoroughly investigate the possibility that bribes had been paid to judges handling the case.

"We also ask Minister of Home Affairs M. Ma'ruf to reconsider the ruling issued by the West Java High Court," Yusuf said.