NGO activists rally against Malayia, blockade road

Hundreds of People’s Democracy Fortress (Bendera) activists took to street on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta on Tuesday to protest the recent detention of three fisheries and maritime officers in Malaysia.

During the brief rally, the NGO activists blockaded one of the two street lanes, causing heavy traffic congestion. They also held a public speech to denounce the neighboring country.

“This is a move to vent our nationalism and anger with Malaysia,” Bendera coordinator Mustar Bona Ventura said as quoted by Antara news agency.

The protesters spread a big red and white banner and sang national anthem during the rally, which took place under the police’s close watch.

Earlier in the day the activists had rallied outside the Malaysian Embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

The police captured three protesters for allegedly trying to throw human feces at the embassy, but later on released them.