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group of activists grouped together as the Assembly of the Sovereignty of the Indonesian People (MKRI), has called for the creation of a transitional government to assume power from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and manage the country until a new government is elected in the 2014 general election.

Ratna Sarumpaet, the group’s chairwoman, called for peaceful street rallies across the country on March 25 to challenge President Yudhoyono’s administration, which the MKRI deems a failure.

Without the creation of a transitional government, the activists argued, the 2014 election would merely be “a tool by which the regime could recycle the old gang of thieves and place them in new posts in the new administration”.

“Our goal is to return the country to the spirit of the Constitution, Pancasila and the Sumpah Pemuda [youth pledge],” Ratna said over the weekend.

“We need a transitional government before 2014 and, therefore, Yudhoyono must resign,” said Ratna, who is also a playwright.

She added, however, that the March 25 rallies would be peaceful despite the anger felt by some.

Earlier this month, Yudhoyono claimed that he had received intelligence that a coup d’etat was possible.

Yudhoyono said he hoped that any protests would be conducted within democratic parameters as a violent transfer of power would severely impact people’s lives.

Ratna said Yudhoyono need not be concerned about the planned rallies. “The State Palace should not see this as a threat to the President
or his position; this is about the country. Our intentions are good, so there is no need to panic,” Ratna said.

Analysts have said the President was trying to ensure that his remaining year in office would be free from political jolts by seeking support from various parties, including his opponents.

Last week, Yudhoyono met representatives from 12 Islamic organizations as well as seven retired generals who are mostly known for their affiliations with Aburizal Bakrie and the Golkar Party.

One of the retired generals, Gen. (ret.) Luhut Binsar Panjaitan confirmed that the group was aware of rumors that Yudhoyono may be ousted before the 2014 election.

MKRI member Haris Rusli said that in a democracy, ousting a government was valid if the people agreed to the plan.

Fellow activist Adhie Massardi, spokesman for former president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, said the country was entering an emergency situation.

“We are in an emergency situation where many ministers, lawmakers, regents and governors are corrupt. We are also dealing with an emergency regarding food supplies. And we are facing a security emergency with military and police personnel shooting at each other,” Adhie said.

Tamrin Amal Tomagola, a sociologist at the University of Indonesia (UI) said that Yudhoyono had lost the moral standing to rule.