When the traffic stopped

This was the view from the Jakarta Stock Exchange Building yesterday as a day of protest about fuel price increases hit the streets.

Traffic from the north towards the south on Sudirman trickled to a stop while in the opposite direction, as you can see nothing was moving.

As reported in the Jakarta Post.....

In Jakarta, thousands of students gathered at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and later flocked to the State Palace, which has become a focal point for recent fuel price protests.

The demonstrations resulted in heavy traffic delays in those areas as police were forced to divert traffic from several major thoroughfares.

A separate protest was staged in front of the House of Representatives' building in Central Jakarta.

The rally outside the State Palace was organized by the City Forum (Forkot), National Council 98, Gunadarma University students, Bung Karno University and the People's Democratic Party (PRD). The rally in front of the House was staged by the Student Executive Council (BEM).

"We reject the fuel price increase. SBY (President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) has betrayed the people," read posters carried by protesters.

Other protesters yelled: "Say no to BLT (direct cash assistance)."

Police arrested a number of students, accusing them of provoking riots, following a brief clash in front of the State Palace.

Late in the day, one student was taken to the hospital after being hit by a rubber bullet during the rally outside the House building.

"We will sue the police over the shooting incident and file a complaint for violence," BEM coordinator

Anger has grown since the government confirmed plans last week to lift prices of heavily subsidised fuel by up to 30 percent, although it has vowed to cushion the impact on the poor through cash handouts. (It will be more interesting to see how these "cash handouts permeate down to those who need them)

Some protesters carried slogans saying: "SBY-JK must step down", referring to the initials of President Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

Lines of police carrying riot shields blocked the crowds in front of the white colonial-style presidential palace.

The news co-incided with the recent 10th anniversary of the riots which tore Jakarta apart ten years ago, and although the students then have grown up, it was todays students who were back on the streets

"Ten years ago our brothers, our teachers, fought for reform. But now, let's admit it, democracy is almost dead," a student, who only gave his name as Gilang, told the flag-carrying crowd.

There has been a series of demonstrations in the last few weeks since the fuel price issue became prominent, although they have been mainly small scale and relatively peaceful.

Price hikes are a sensitive issue in Indonesia, where millions live on less than $2 a day and have had to cope with rising prices of rice, cooking oil and now fuel.

I had a bugger of a time getting home so I decided to stop for a beer on the way, afterwards, I dont think the traffic bothered me quite so badly....must be a moral to this.

(PS. I have a driver)