Arientha Primanita – During Thursday's demonstrations in the capital, the Jakarta Globe sat down with street vendors and scavengers making the most of about 7,000 people raging against the machine.

"I heard about the demonstrations from the television," said Suparjo, who sells sunglasses. "So I came here to make more money," he said, adding that he was adopting a nondiscriminatory approach to his work, selling shades to both protesters and police for Rp 10,000 ($1) a pair.

Suparjo acknowledged that he was unsure what the protesters were demonstrating against. "But if there are many protesters, maybe the government really did make a mistake," he said.

His most pressing concern, however, was not Yudhoyono, but evading 3,500 of Jakarta's notorious public order officers on the prowl for those they consider public nuisances. "Sometimes the public order officials ask us to leave but we've got ways to sneak back," Suparjo said.

Sato, a 60-year-old ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver was also earning a quick buck or two from foreigners and reporters covering the demonstration. By midday, he had already pocketed Rp 50,000, whereas he normally makes just Rp 40,000 for an entire day.

Ojak, 30, was also having a lot of success selling small towels and handkerchiefs to the 500 or so demonstrators gathered outside the Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare, saying he would make Rp 400,000, double his regular income.

"That's what I like about Jakarta, there are many demonstrations here," Ojak said, as he was asked to move along by a public order officer.

Anas was seen picking through the garbage littered outside National Monument (Monas) park. He said he could make a killing selling plastic for Rp 3,500 a kilogram.

Rudi, an official from the Jakarta Parks Office, conceded it was always a battle to limit littering, but during demonstrations it was particularly bad. "Demonstrators at the traffic circle always leave trash. Even if the protesters are educated, like students, they still litter."