'I think Dahlan's action was unnecessary. It just confirmed that he always wanted to gain popularity. Wherever there is public attention, there Dahlan will be,' Dipo told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. 'Perhaps it has something to do with Dahlan's plan to run for president in 2014. Just let the public have their say about whether his actions are unethical or not,' he said, adding that he had not spoken to Dahlan since May Day.

Dahlan joined thousands of workers at the HI traffic circle on International Workers Day, also known as May Day, on Wednesday. 'I walked here from my office,' Dahlan said. 'I don't have any more appointments, so I left the office and here I am,' he said.

Dahlan, however, was not seen among the demonstrators when the rally moved to the State Palace. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was not at the Palace having left for East Java on a working visit.

When asked about the view that he was acting against the government, Dahlan insisted that he did nothing wrong.

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