Protesters threaten council sit-in

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