Jakarta – Dozens of activists from various cities staged a rally at the Proklamasi Monument in Central Jakarta on Saturday to oppose a government plan to build nuclear power plants.

They carried banners emblazoned with messages like, "No Nuke, No More Chernobyl" and "Our mother earth must be nuclear free zone". They also erected a giant tent at the park, exhibiting photographs of the nuclear victims from around the world.

"We denounce the plan and instead call for non-nuclear alternatives. We live in natural resource-rich country," Al Bahri, one of the activists said.

Taufiqurahman, another activist, doubted that the government and public alike are prepared for the consequences of having a nuclear plant.

"I doubt that the government has the capacity and commitment to monitor and safeguard the facility once it is built. Our government's mentality is too corrupt to trust," he said.

Arif Fiyanto, campaigner for Greenpeace Asia, said it would be hard for the government to assure the public of the facility's safety because the public was already well-informed.