Youth group to boycott elections

Youth group to boycott elections

SURABAYA: Dozens of people grouped under the banner of the
Indonesian Youth Struggle Front (FPPI) rallied on Thursday to
support a poll boycott, saying the political parties contesting
the 2004 elections were more concerned about their own interests
rather than the public's.

Hidayah, the chairman of FPPI Surabaya, said a boycott was one
way of undermining the legitimacy of the election.

During the peaceful rally, the youths unfurled banners and
held up posters. They marched from the Bambu Runcing Monument on
Jl. Sudirman to Jl. Gubernur Surya, located in front of the
gubernatorial offices.

Despite heavy rain, the march then proceeded to the city hall
on Jl. Pemuda, where police were standing by. The youths
dispersed peacefully after a number of speeches were delivered.
--JP