On 27 January, student demonstrators held a free speech forum, a street march and rallied at the local parliament (DPRD) over remarks made by ex-general Sodomo, chair of the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) over last years rioting in Tasikmalaya, West Java, who said as saying that Islamic extremists were behind the incident. In a letter from Forum Komunikasi Mahasiswa Islam Makassar students said Sudomo had no proof of his accusations and demanded that he withdraw his statement. The added that in doing so, he had insulted Islam. Added that if he did not apologise, the protest actions would continue.

[Abridged translation - James Balowski]