Two anti-Sutiyoso protesters arrested

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police arrested on Saturday two demonstrators from the Alliance for the Annulment of Governor Sutiyoso's Inauguration (Libas) during a rally in front of the Jakarta Council building on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta.

According to Elshinta radio station, the demonstration was peaceful at the beginning, with some demonstrators burning pro- Sutiyoso posters that they collected on the way to City Council.

However, when they were about to leave the council building, police officers standing nearby moved in and apprehended two of the demonstrators.

A clash ensued as demonstrators intervened in an effort to stop the police officers from taking their friends.

The police managed to arrest two demonstrators, Riki Tamba from the Kaaba Youth Movement (GPK) and Frederich from the National Front for the Struggle of Indonesian Workers (FNPBI), which are both wings of the Democratic People's Party (PRD).

Central Jakarta Police deputy chief Adj. Comr. Iza Fardi told Antara that the police had planned to arrest Riki for stamping on a picture of President Megawati Soekarnoputri during a rally in front of Merdeka Palace a few months ago.

"We arrested Riki because he had been on our wanted list. Meanwhile, Frederich was arrested for his involvement in the clash with security personnel that day," Iza said.

Sutiyoso was reelected for a second five-year term earlier last month amid protests from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and public figures. Money had allegedly changed hands in his reelection.

The NGOs, including PRD, the Jakarta Residents Forum and the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), earlier threatened to deploy thousands of supporters to prevent the inauguration ceremony of Sutiyoso, scheduled for Monday.

The council's secretariat planned to move the ceremony from the council building to the Jakarta Fair Grounds in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, because of the threat.