Geraldine Goh, Jakarta – A boycott on the payment of city taxes has been called by a local group fighting for the rights of the urban poor.

The Coalition for Financial Transparency (CFT) also mobilised about 3,000 people, including 1,000 trishaw operators, who took to the streets on Sunday to protest against corruption.

CFT, a non-governmental organisation, claimed that the taxes collected by the authorities were misused and brought no benefit to Jakarta's poor. It asked them to stop paying taxes on utilities, motor vehicles, entertainment, goods and services, health services, garbage collection and land use, among others.

Said spokesman Wardah Hafidz: "The authorities don't care about poor people like us. Many times before we have gathered here to call for their attention to improve our lives. But they have not heeded our calls. We must bring about change." A huge banner urged the public not to pay taxes imposed by the city council.

CFT said the authorities in Jakarta had misused portions of state funds which total some 7.5 trillion rupiah. About 40 per cent of the funds are said to come from public taxes.

CFT alleged that most of the funds were used to provide facilities for the governor and city council officials instead of being allocated to the poor.

Said trishaw driver Tulhalim, 28: "I earn around 50,000 rupiah a day. How can I survive on this when I have to pay taxes here and there? I won't have enough to feed my family. We demand justice. We demand fairness."