The popular social networking site has become a hotspot for Indonesian political and social causes. (Photo: JG)
Indonesia's Antigraft Facebook 'Movement' Reaches One Million
A Facebook group has surpassed its goal of one million members in support of Indonesia's embattled antigraft deputies, Chandra Hamzah and Bibit Samad Riyanto.
The membership tally was approaching 1,010,000 as of mid-morning on Saturday.
'Gerakan 1.000.000 Facebookers Dukung Chandra Hamzah & Bibit Samad Riyanto' (Movement of 1,000,000 Facebookers Supporting Chandra Hamzah & Bibit Samad Riyanto) was launched after the two suspended Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) officers were arrested last week on suspicion of abuse of power. It has been cited as an example of widespread popular support for the anticorruption leaders and the antigraft movement in general.
Bibit and Chandra were released on bail after a dramatic court hearing on Tuesday in which hours of wiretapped phone conversations appeared to reveal members of the National Police and Attorney General's Office conspiring with the brother of a graft suspect in a plot to frame the two men. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has since vowed to devote his first 100 days in office to eradicating Indonesia's so-called 'judicial mafia'.
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peterR
9:56 AM November 8, 2009As of 9.30 Sunday morning it is up to 1,076,023 members. 66,000 more in less than a day. It really is quite extraordinary, and not just a little frightening in some respects.
It is so clear that it is not just about this case. The people seem to be saying very clearly that they are sick of the injustice in Indonesia, and are not prepared to put up with a system of law, within which, ones guilt or innocence relates directly to ones wealth.
There are now serious questions:
Has it been left too late by those who were in a position to make change?
Are the powerful now just too powerful?
Is the President strong enough to take the necessary steps?
Is there anybody clean enough, strong enough, and who cares enough, to take on the task?
Two minutes later its now at 1,077,273 members on Facebook. The clock appears to be ticking very fast Mr. President.