Five protesters injured in rally against Century bailout
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Serang, Banten | Wed, 03/03/2010 4:46 PM
A clash erupted between protesters and the police during a rally against the Bank Century bailout in Serang on Wednesday, leaving five students injured.
The activists from Tirtayasa University (Untirta) Movement Community (UMC), identified as Gilang Ramadhan, Deden Subhan, Mad’aer Efendi, Budi and Silvia, were rushed to Serang General Hospital suffering from bruises and head wounds.
They had staged the rally to criticize political parties and government officials that supported the controversial bailout and demanded an investigation into those responsible for the policy.
“President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono must step down if they were involved in the Century bailout,” Rudy, one of the protesters, said.
Carrying a roster, the students began the rally peacefully at 10 a.m. and gathered in a circle near their campus. About 15 minutes later, dozens of police officers arrived and told them to disperse as they had not notified the police of the rally beforehand.
A clash broke out as the students defied the order.
Rudy said the group would file a complaint with the Banten Police for the officers’ harsh measures, which they considered excessive.
