Youths hold street rally

JAKARTA (JP): Some 100 youths and labor activists took to the streets on Wednesday demanding an investigation into the recent death of female worker Juju Juliah and the end of the Indonesian Military's sociopolitical role.

The protesters from the National Front for the Struggle of Indonesian Workers, the Worker Committee for Reform Action and the National Student League for Democracy began their rally around noon by marching from the Ministry of Manpower in South Jakarta to the House of Representatives in Central Jakarta.

The groups's spokesman, Sinnal, said the rally was meant to express solidarity with Juju Juliah, an employee of Jakarta-based PT Rimba Aristama who died earlier this month during a hunger strike.

Hospital sources, however, said Juju died of dengue fever, not as a result of her hunger strike.

The protesters were prevented from reaching the House after riot police blocked the road to the legislative building. The protest resulted in traffic congestion in the area.

Unable to proceed to the House, the youths peacefully dispersed. (04)