Maumere – A group of students staged a hunger strike in front of the Maumere Legislative Council's building in East Nusa Tenggara on Thursday, protesting alleged embezzlement of social assistance funds totalling Rp 20 billion (US$2.26 million).

During the strike, which was also attended by former Maumere Legislative Council speaker OLM Gudipung, the students demanded that the investigation of the case be handed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) instead of the provincial prosecutor's office as they had no trust in local legal institutions.

"We do not trust the prosecutor's office or the Maumere District Court. We want the KPK to take over the case," said Siflan Angi, a Maumere councillor. They also demanded the dissolution of the regency administration under Regent Sosismus Mitang.

Four of the strikers fainted later in the evening and were rushed to the hospital.

The strike was closely monitored by the Maumere diocese. Father Eman Embu SVD, said, "I urge Catholics to support a good and clean government. That's why I've come here to see our younger brothers express their grievances. I'm concerned about this," he said.