INDONESIANS RALLY TO SUPPORT ANTI-CORRUPTION

UNCLAS JAKARTA 002026 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, DS NSC FOR D. WALTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC ID SUBJECT: INDONESIANS RALLY TO SUPPORT ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS REF: A. JAKARTA - EAP/MTS 12-09-09 E-MAIL ¶B. JAKARTA 02015 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: Largely peaceful rallies were held throughout Indonesia to commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9. The turnout was far lower than originally predicted. Civil society remains firmly committed to pressing the anti-corruption message and social networking sites remain active. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (U) Thousands of Indonesians peacefully took to the streets on December 9 in commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day. Demonstrations were held in all major cities with participation ranging from an estimated high of 10,000 plus in Jakarta to about 400 in Surabaya in eastern Java. The only reported incidence of violence was in Makassar, South Sulawesi. A KFC close to the South Sulawesi's governor's office came under attack and sustained minor damage. No one was reportedly injured in the incident. (Note: The incident did not have anti-U.S. overtones. Due to its location, this KFC has come under attack several times.) The primary rallying cry was for Indonesia to free itself from corruption and for the government to thoroughly investigate all alleged corruption cases. ¶4. (U) In the lead up to December 9, local media was predicting that there would be massive demonstrations which had the potential to become violent. Thus, the relatively small rallies and marches were something of a letdown for anti-corruption activists. Mission observers reported that in several locations street performers and vendors had seized the opportunity to make money and that there was a festive air to the rallies. Even the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK),Indonesia's national anti-corruption committee, held a more low key commemorative ceremony than in years past. ¶5. (SBU) Although nearly 20 groups participated in the December 9 commemoration, two leading groups--Transparency International Indonesia and Indonesia Corruption Watch--declined to participate. The two groups broke with the other organizations because they wanted to keep the rally focused on the issue of anti-corruption rather than target specific political leaders or parties (as some activists had done). Several civil society leaders stressed that the low turn-out was not an indication of a lack of concern about eliminating corruption but simply in-fighting among the NGO community. They stressed that they would continue to press for reform. Social networking sites remain active in pressing the anti-corruption message. HUME