Protesters target gas stations, residents
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.