Protesters target gas stations, residents
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Protests over the fuel price hike continued on Thursday in several cities across the country, though the number of protesters was smaller than on previous days.
Public transportation drivers continued their protests and students increased the pressure by blocking off roads and setting fire to tires.
During a rally in Semarang, Central Java, dozens of people attempted to force a gas station to sell gasoline and diesel fuel at their prices before the fuel price increase was announced on Monday night.
However, the action was broken up by some 100 police officers who set up a perimeter around the gas station on Jl. Pandanaran.
"We reject the fuel price rises and we will force gas stations or distributors to sell fuel at the old prices," protest coordinator Sunu Wiwit said.
The protesters began the rally at about 9 a.m. at the Randusari traditional market in downtown Semarang, where they urged local residents to refuse to buy fuel at the new prices.
They later marched to several resettlement areas, where they delivered speeches.
"If the government refuses to consider our demand, SBY and JK should resign," Sunu said, referring to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
Thousands of students and drivers held a joint protest outside the North Sumatra governor's office and the provincial legislative council in Medan.
They said the fuel hike policy would add to the suffering of the people because higher fuel prices would be followed by increases in the prices of basic goods.
Blocking roads and burning tires, the protesters demanded the resignations of Susilo and Kalla for failing to live up to their campaign promise to improve the lives of the people.
"This action will not end. We will take to the streets in larger numbers if the government does not cancel the fuel price increases," shouted one of the protesters.
In Pekanbaru, Riau, public transportation came to a halt when hundreds of drivers walked off the job. Similar protests were staged on Wednesday in the towns of Pangkalankerinci, Tualang and Perawang.
Thursday's strike began at about 9 a.m., leaving many commuters stranded on the side of roads and at bus terminals.
The drivers marched to the Pekanbaru municipal office and demanded that public transportation fares be raised to keep up with the higher fuel prices.
"It is only two days since fuel prices were raised and we are already finding it hard to make money. Our income has dropped significantly," striking driver Antoni, 33, told The Jakarta Post.
In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, dozens of students and youths blocked off the road in front of Widia Mandiri Catholic University on Jl. Urip Sumoharjo, setting fire to tires.
Police officers cordoned off the protest site and directed traffic away from the area.
The protesters demanded the government cancel the fuel price increase and control the prices of foodstuffs.
Meanwhile, gas stations in Jambi city have been short of gasoline since Tuesday. These shortages are being blamed on retailers who bought and stockpiled fuel before prices were increased.
"The government should take firm action and control gasoline prices so customers will not be harmed," said Syamsul while filling up his car at a gas station.