Protesters told not to think of toppling govt

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Amid mounting anti-government protests, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned protesters on Monday not to dream of toppling the current legitimate government as it would confront them.

"Rallies are a part of democracy, however, if their goal is to topple the current administration, that will be a problem and will become our concern," Susilo said after the first Cabinet meeting for the year.

Susilo warned further that any movement to obstruct the government before the end of its term in October 2004 would only hurt the democratization process in the country.

As he spoke to reporters, around one hundred protesters staged a rally in front of Merdeka Palace to protest the increases in utility charges. Thousands of others staged different protests across the country.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said the police would respect the rallies but urged protesters to abide by regulations.

"Please abide by regulations and report planned rallies to the police. We will not take any repressive actions as long as the rally goes peacefully," the police chief said.

However, the police chief's statement was in stark contrast with the arrest of 18 people on Monday who took part in protests against the price hikes in the capital.

Da'i, however, defended the arrests, saying that the arrests were necessary to uphold the law and maintain order.

"We will not arrest anybody if they observe the regulations and the protest does not turn violent," the four-star general remarked.