Muhammad Nur Abdurrahman, Makassar – More than 1,000 people demonstrated at the DPRD in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on January 28.

The protesters were from a number of mass organisations and student groups including the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI), the Indonesian Poor People's Union (SRMI), and National Student League for Democracy (LMND) and the People's Democratic Party (PRD), as well as a number of trade unions.

Taking turns to demonstrate in front of the DPRD, the groups criticised the first 100 days of President Yudhoyono's administration. "Although SBY is a general, he doesn't have the courage to fight capitalism, which threatens the lives of poor Indonesians. Compare this with Libyan President Muammer Qadhafi, whose rank was only that of a colonel," said South Sulawesi PRD activist Ansar.

Prior to demonstrating at the DPRD, the protesters gathered underneath the Urip Sumoharjo then marched around the entry ramp to the Reformasi toll road, which is located close to the DPRD building. The action was closely guarded by police who mobilised four water cannons and a vehicle carrying barbed wire near the gates to the DPRD. (mna/djo)

[Abridged translation by James Balowski.]