Rally, vandalism mar UN meeting in Bali
Rally, vandalism mar UN meeting in Bali
The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali
An unexpected rally by non-governmental organization activists and vandalism against property belonging to the Indonesian People's Forum marked the UN meeting on sustainable development here on Friday.
Representatives of Indonesia's Anti Debt Coalition and Jubilee South Africa, staged a sudden, but peaceful and colorful rally, demanding debt cancellation for third world countries outside the Bali International Convention Center, the venue of the preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Dozens of South Africans stretching a huge banner saying "Debt Cancellation" stood sturdy at the front door of the venue, making midgets out of the Indonesian police.
The sudden rally surprised the Indonesian police, as they did not expect any rally inside the Nusa Dua complex.
The protesters alighted calmly from their shuttle bus as if they were going to attend the meeting. Seeing the rally, the police could only stand nearby, and did not interfere.
While carrying the banner, the protesters also read out a statement asking for developed countries to cancel the debt of the poor and indebted countries, like most African countries. The rally finished peacefully after around one hour.
Emmy Hafild, chairwoman of the Indonesian People's Forum (IPF), admitted that she was unaware of the plan for the protest and she was seen reprimanding Kusfiardi, an executive of the Anti Debt Coalition later on during the day.
"Don't you realize that your actions could jeopardize all of us here. The security team will now likely keep its eyes on all our activities during this event," she admonished her fellow activists.
Emmy strictly required all members of the People's Forum to coordinate with her or at least inform her first before staging any protests or demonstrations.
Starting next week, the police will tighten security around the venue, as the ministerial meeting will commence on May 5 and proceed through May 7.
Separately, at the Jimbaran Hill camping ground, several unidentified people on Friday morning vandalized at least six tents out of some thirty tents that had been erected in the ground by members of the Indonesian People's Forum (IPF).
Adoft Tapilatu, a member of the IPF organizing committee, said: "This is definitely the result of deliberate action by some people. Several people who live nearby confirmed our conclusion."
An eyewitness, who refused to be named, described that at around 10 a.m. that morning, several men entered the ground and started tearing down tents. They hurriedly left after they succeeded in damaging several of them.
"I don't know who they are. They just showed up, and without saying anything they began tearing down those tents," he said.
The camping ground is located on a vacant lot at the Udayana University campus on the top of Jimbaran hill.
The IPF's local coordinator Ngurah Karyadi condemned the incident, stating that it was clearly designed to hamper civil society activities during the PrepComm meeting.
"I think it has something to do with the rector's decision not to allow the IPF to set up a camp in the university area," he said.
Separately, Sastrawan, deputy rector of Udayana University, vehemently denied allegations that the university administration was behind the incident.
"I don't know anything about the incident, let alone asking people to carry out such an action. I am trying to solve this matter in a persuasive way," he said.
On the other hand, Udayana University rector Wayan Wita said that the IPF was still allowed to use other facilities on the campus, such as the large auditorium and two buses.
"If they want to hold a meeting, they can use our auditorium, which has a capacity of 2,800, or use the two buses we have laid on for them. We only refused to let them set up their tents in the camping ground," he said.