Corruption rallies end peacefully in Jakarta

Despite fears of political motives behind rallies to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, some NGOs ended their actions peacefully at the National Monument park of Central Jakarta on Wednesday.

Kompas.com has reported that protesters have begun leaving the site after joining in about 45 minutes of orations on anti-corruption efforts.

“We thank the police and the participants for contributing to this peaceful protest. We are glad to prove that this action did not turn violent as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had feared,” one of the activists from the Coalition of Anticorruption Civil Societies (Kompak) Usman Hamid said.

Previously, Yudhoyono has expressed his fear that some political forces wanted to take benefit from the rally and topple him as president.

During the protest, noted Islamic figure Din Syamsuddin urged the government to unveil the Rp 6.76 trillion (US$ 710 million) bailout made to keep the ailing Bank Century afloat last year.

“The bank scandal is like a cancer within the country. Thats why, we have to solve it,” he said.

Dozens of college students and activists hold a rally in Pamekasan, East Java, demanding thorough a investigation on thecontroversial Bank Century bailout scandal. Across the archipelago, including in Jakarta, Surabaya and Makassar, thousands of people marched and rally to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption Day on Wednesday.