If you’re too cheap to buy your fake protestors nasi boxes, don’t be surprised if they go off script…
Unfortunately the phenomenon of protesters being paid to demonstrate for causes they know nothing about is hardly new in Jakarta. The latest case of paid protest took place this morning at a protest against Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama that took place at the offices of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
The demonstration, which was reportedly organized by the Jakarta Community Care (MPJ) as well as the Student Defenders of Truth Front and the Christian Youth Generation Association, was meant to pressure the KPK into investigating a supposedly corrupt deal the city government made to acquire land for Sumber Waras Hospital.
The protesters argued that Ahok masterminded the crooked land acquisition deal and should be investigated. At least, that’s what the protesters who knew what they were doing there argued.
Tribunnews said most of the demonstrators were older women who came about two chartered Metromini buses. Some came carrying their children.
One demonstrator, named Yati, told Tribunnews that most of the people who joined the demo were from Manggarai, South Jakarta. They were each paid Rp 50 thousand to shout attacks against Ahok in front of the KPK.
“If it wasn’t for the money, I would not want to come,” said 38-year-old Yati, who admitted that she did not understand what she was protesting or that there was any problem with the hospital land deal.
“I just joined when I was invited this morning. I do not know what the problem is,” she said.
Several other protesters also admitted to being paid. They were also annoyed they were not given the nasi boxes that are also traditionally part of the payment for fake protestors.
The demonstrator only lasted for about half and a hour and no representatives of the KPK came out to meet the protesters. There was not even a head representative for the protestors to explain their supposed position.
Whoever paid these protestors (perhaps one of the other representative of the Jakarta government who is under investigation for non-made up corruption charges) clearly did not get their money’s worth. But if you’re too cheap to even buy lunch for your fake protestors, what can you expect?
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