Thousands of Muslim protesters staged rallies in Indonesia on Sunday urging the government to apply Islamic law as the only way to tackle widespread corruption. Members of Hizbut Tahrir demonstrated in several cities including the capital Jakarta, venting anger at a 700-million-dollar bank bailout at the centre of a corruption scandal that has put high-level officials under fire.
In Jakarta, thousands of protesters took to the streets with their families and children, carrying banners condemning the capitalist system as the root of corruption.
"The Bank Century scandal proves the failure of capitalism system," read one big banner. "By adopting sharia under Islamic caliphate, Indonesia is free from corruption," said another. Lawmakers are probing allegations of corruption linked to the bailout last year of Bank Century after the country's top auditor found strong indications of "violations."