Triono Wahyu Sudibyo, Semarang – Imitating the actions by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Kiais [Islamic boarding school teachers] in East Java, scores of students from the Walisongo State Institute for Islamic Studies in Semarang issued an "religious edict" rejecting presidential candidates from the military and status quo forces.

As a symbol of their demands, they burnt photographs of incumbent President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Democratic Party candidate retired General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and former armed forces chief and Golkar Party candidate Wiranto.

The action began in Simpang Lima area at around 10am. After giving speeches they moved off to the Semarang water fountain some 500 meters away.

They also brought a bier in which they carried a friend who they had dressed up as a Kiai. Inside the bier were 50 one thousand rupiah fake bank notes. On the "kiai's" chest was written "Will accept orders for the elections, campaigns, success teams, blessings etc. Success guaranteed".

In addition to this they also unfurled a length of cloth unmasking "military and status quo presidential candidates" and a banner which read "Reject presidential candidates who have sold off the nation's assets", "Reject presidential candidates who have proven themselves failures" and "Retired military officers in civilian clothes, but still with a military mentality".

In speeches they said that Megawati as well as the military presidential candidates represented a latent danger to democracy and that they are unable to offer any alternatives to the nation's problems. "It is haram [forbidden under Islamic law] to vote for these three candidates", said one of the participants as if they were issuing a religious edict.

When asked if they supported presidential candidates Amien Rais [chairperson of the Islamic mass organisation Muhammadiyah] and Vice-President Hamzah Haz [who is also head of the Islamic orientated United Development Party] they replied no. How come? Unfortunately they were not able to explain why it was not "haram" to vote for these two candidates.

The action involving scores of students ended with a effigy being burnt attached to which were photographs of Megawati, SBY and Wiranto. They also set fire to the bier which was used to carry the "Kiai". (nrl)

[Translated by James Balowski.]