Protesters reject price hike

Protesters reject price hike

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

More than 1,000 protesters from the Muslim organization Hizbut
Tahrir and the left-wing League of National Students for
Democracy (LMND) flocked to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in
Central Jakarta on Monday to protest government plans to raise
fuel prices, along with telephone and electricity fees, this
month.

Nearly half of the protesters were women clad in Muslim attire
and headscarves. During the protest, which began at 1:30 p.m.,
members of the Hizbut Tahir made speeches and staged an arts
performance.

Muh. Ismail Yusanto, coordinator of the Hizbut Tahir, said his
organization also demanded the implementation of economic
regulations based on Muslim law, and the rejection of capitalism.

He also criticized the reduction of government's subsidies for
fuel prices and electricity tariffs.

"Instead of reducing the subsidy, the government should make
serious efforts to combat corruption, collusion and nepotism, to
save money," he said.

Meanwhile, LMND members demanded the government raise the
minimum wage, while calling for a reduction in prices of basic
staples.

About 100 members of the LMND arrived at the roundabout about
an hour after the Hizbut Tahir members. They joined the protest
by riding bicycles and becak (pedicabs).

According to Aj.Sr.Com. Ramser E.S, the ranking police chief
assigned to safeguard the Bundaran HI protests, seven
organizations and political parties had informed the police about
the planned protest.

The demonstration, which lasted just under two hours, was
conducted in an orderly way, although traffic congestion did
result when the protesters dispersed.

The government plans to increase basic fees for electricity by
up to 15 percent by Jan. 1, 2002, while there will be an increase
of between 20 and 25 percent for fuel by the end of this month.

Meanwhile, there will also be 15 percent increase in telephone
fees, to effect around mid-January.