Mustafa Silalahi, Jakarta – Around 3,000 workers from the Indonesian Metal Trade Union Federation (FSPMI) and ex-workers of Panasonic and Nippon Glass held a demonstration in front of the Japanese Embassy, in Jalan MH. Thamrin, Central Jakarta this morning (25/10).

They were demanding that Japanese companies, including PT PEDIDA and PT MTPDI that belong to Panasonic, and PT Negi of Nippon Glass, be shut down. "Japanese entrepreneurs mustn't easily take out their capital from Indonesia," FSPMI president, Said Iqbal, told reporters today (25/10).

There was tight security at the demonstration from around one hundred vital object police officers and Transportation Service officers.

This is because half of the street was used by the crowds to gather and park their vehicles with the result that the traffic from the Indonesia Hotel Roundabout heading towards Monument National was blocked.

According to Said, the rally would be continued in front of the Vice President's Palace. The demonstrators came to the location on motorbikes and in buses.