http://thejakartaglobe.com/home/across-indonesia-thousands-protest-corruption-cases/343665
November 24, 2009 Jakarta Globe & Agencies People's Anti-Corruption Movement activists in Solo demanded a thorough investigation into the Bank Century scandal. (Photo: Ali Lutfi, JG) Across Indonesia, Thousands Protest Corruption Cases Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Indonesia on Tuesday, a day after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's vague and confusing speech that left many baffled as to his stance on the ongoing battle pitting the Corruption Eradication Commission against the National Police and Attorney General's Office. There were also calls for Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to resign after the Supreme Audit Agency's (BPK) long-awaited report into the PT Bank Century bailout scandal, released on Monday, showed indications of massive financial irregularities. Though some commentators took Yudhoyono's less-than-decisive speech as a clear signal to the police and AGO to end what is perceived to be their attempt to weaken the antigraft commission, known as the KPK, protesters in at least seven major cities believed Yudhoyono's stance was an indication of his involvement in the scandals. Students of Hassanudin University in Makassar burned pictures of Yudhoyono and Boediono, a serious crime in Indonesia, and demanded they step down. "SBY and Boediono should step down from their positions because they're no longer professional and there's suspicion that they're involved in the Bank Century case," said protester Ashari. Yudhoyono has strenuously denied allegations that money from the bailout made its way into his re-election campaign finances. There were at least three major demonstrations in Jakarta, outside the National Police headquarters, the AGO and the KPK, with many demanding the immediate dismissal of Attorney General Hendarman Supandji and National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri. Outside the KPK, around 100 demonstrators from a range of organizations sported black armbands in support of the respected antigraft agency and demanded Yudhoyono suspend Boediono and Sri Mulyani until an investigation of the two scandals, which are perceived to be linked, was resolved. In Bogor, students burned tires and blocked the road in front of Ibnu Khaldun University, creating a traffic jam five-kilometers long, to call on Yudhoyono to hand over the Bank Century investigation to the KPK. "The president should give the Century case to the KPK, instead of the police and the attorney general," said protest coordinator Ahmad Fakhrudin Isfron. He also demanded Yudhoyono suspend all officials implicated in the scandals and reform the police and AGO. Dozens of activists from the People's Anti-Corruption Movement gathered at the Gladak traffic circle in Solo to ask Yudhoyono to allow the investigation of Boediono and Sri Mulyani, both of whom played key roles in approving the controversial Rp 6.7 trillion ($710 million) bailout of Bank Century. Antigraft activists said Yudhoyono had abrogated his duty and his election promise to fight corruption. His failure to take strong action was at best a sign of impotency and at worst of collusion, they added. "All the promises about fighting corruption were just jargon to fish for votes to win the election," said Indonesia Corruption Watch activist Illian Deta Arta Sari. "He has failed in carrying out his duties as president." Related articles Indonesia Transfers Top Detective as Tide Turns in Corruption Saga 12:26 AM 25/11/2009 Whatever You Call Them, Indonesia's Case Brokers Under Fire 12:44 AM 23/11/2009 Lacking Evidence, Police Invite KPK to Probe Anggodo 11:36 PM 20/11/2009 My Jakarta: Mohammed Fauzi, Antigraft Activist 7:33 PM 19/11/2009 Few Sparks, But Still No Consensus on KPK as Indonesia Lawmakers Meet [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
