Indonesia bans buffaloes from political protests
Indonesian government bans buffaloes from attending street protests after president expressed his hurt at being compared to the animals.
Published: 1:34PM GMT 04 Feb 2010
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that he was upset by having his picture stuck onto a water buffalo during a protest in Jakarta.
The softly-spoken ex-general took exception at the suggestion he was "big, stupid and slow like a buffalo".
Protesters had brought the animal to one of a series of protests marking the first 100 days of Mr Yudhoyono's rule.
"They said that I am like a buffalo – big and stupid and slow in moving," he said.
"That statement is not ethical or moral, and to use a buffalo can violate other regulations, like traffic laws."
State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said a long-standing ban on the beasts at protests would be enforced.
"There's a law that's been violated ... which states clearly that protesters should not bring animals, buffaloes," he said.
"Firstly, that's a violation of the law, and secondly, which is more critical, when buffaloes are angry they'll kick and gore."
Mr Yudhoyono was re-elected to a second five-year term in a landslide in July but he is often criticised for being slow, indecisive and failing to use his mandate for reform.
Desmond Mahesa, from the opposition party Gerindra, called the buffalo ban an overreaction and said it shows the president is a weak leader.
"I think he is not a dictator, as long demonstrations are allowed in this country – but he too often complains about people's protests and critics against his administration," he said.
9 comments:
How do they keep them away?
But it's not for safety reasons?
So someone doesn't get trampled.
Freedom of Speech?
This is too funny..hahaha..sorry can't help it :)
Gregory,
The idea to ban the buffalo came after anti president demonstrators brought a buffalo with a photo of the president hanging on its neck.
The president was very annoyed because the demonstrators said that buffalo symbolize an animal that is big, slow and stupid. Although it has horns but always afraid to move.
The official reason was that according to the demonstration law no animals should be brought during demonstration.
Umi,
People here also think that it is really funny.
Part of the training for democratic president should be the development of their sense of humour and their resilience.
SBY obviously missed one or two lessons.
Colson,
Ha ha ha ha ha I agree with you.
Harry...
One would think that the president has a few more pressing problems than whether he looks (and sings) like a buffalo, don't you think?
The fella is not a reformer nor a democrat (in the sense of being a real supporter of democratic reform).
Quite simply, there are much bigger threats to his presidential legacy than a buffalo.
Rob,
That means he's a 'reformer wanna be'
he ought to more pay serious attentions to things related to people's life like how eradicating poverty, creating new jobs, getting more foreign investments, etc.
Nice, much learn today
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