Protesters threaten council sit-in

City Council secretary Moerdiman revealed on Wednesday that the ceremony inaugurating Sutiyoso as city governor could be moved from the council building to some other place if there was a threat of demonstrators occupying the building.

Moerdiman revealed that the ceremony, which is scheduled for Oct. 7, could be moved to the Jakarta Convention Center or the Jakarta Fair Ground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

"If the demonstrators threaten to occupy the building, we could move the ceremony," he told reporters.

Several non-governmental organizations (NGO), including the Jakarta Residents Forum, the Islamic Defenders' Front (FPI) and the Betawi People's Association, plan to stage a massive rally and occupy the building.

The NGOs are protesting the outcome of the election, which was allegedly tainted by money politics.

Meanwhile, dozens of students grouped under the Jakarta Student Axe organization staged a rally in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, demanding the annulment of Sutiyoso's reelection.

The students then marched to the City Council building. No officials received the students either at the ministry or the City Council building. --JP