Protesting street vendors lower flag

Protesting street vendors lower flag

BOGOR (JP): The protest staged by some 200 street vendors in
front of the Bogor mayoralty office on Friday turned into a
heated argument with the office staff after some of the angry
traders lowered the national red and white flag hoisted at the
mayoralty office yard.

However no clashes occurred as the protesters, who were
demanding the authorities allow them to resume their businesses
at the Bogor market, agreed to raise the flag again.

"This demonstration will not be tolerated anymore. How dare
they lower the flag. It is okay to stage such a protest here but
they should respect the national flag," said Sam, one of the
mayoralty's officials.

The protest was initiated by the People's Right Enforcer Youth
Front (FPHHR). The protesters claimed that some officials had
collected Rp 265,000 from each vendor for the space to display
their merchandise. They now wanted their money returned.

"We regret the lowering of the flag. I was chatting with the
other protesters when the incident took place ... but the flag
had been quickly raised back," Eeng, the leader of the protest,
said.

Bogor Regional Police chief Sr. Supt. Taufik Ridha said he had
ordered his men to investigate the motives behind the lowering of
the flag. (21/edt)