Jakarta , Indonesia ( CNN ) -- Thousands of protesters gathered in several cities in Indonesia on Wednesday to push the government to deal with rampant allegations of corruption . Demonstrators massed in Jakarta , Makassar , South Sulawesi , Bandung and West Java . Organizers planned the protests for International Anti-Corruption Day , which the United Nations had declared to raise awareness about efforts to combat graft . The protests come amid a growing public dissatisfaction over investigations into a bailout of Indonesia 's Century Bank . The controversy began when critics accused President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and some of his political allies of benefiting from the bailout money . The $ 710 million government bailout occurred in November 2008 . In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar , where protests are typically more violent , hundreds of demonstrators called for the resignation of Indonesian Vice President and former Central Bank Governor Boediono and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Sri Mulyani . Both were blamed for key roles in the bailout . In Jakarta , protesters chanted : `` Down with corruptors '' and other slogans . One group burned a picture of Boediono . `` We know that corruption is the source of stupidity , poverty and social imbalance , '' protester Fadjroel Rachman said . `` We are expecting the world to bring down all the corruptors as well as Indonesia . Whoever the corruptor is , we have to take them down . If you 're not a corruptor , there is no reason for you to be afraid . '' Earlier this week , Yudhoyono said the planned protests were aimed at discrediting his government . On Tuesday , he seemed to soften his stance . In a televised speech , he said , `` I will lead the jihad against corruption , '' and called on everyone to join the rallies in an orderly and peaceful manner . Reacting to Yudhoyono 's speech , student Zulkairnan who attended the protests told CNN , `` We are here to push the government to solve the Century Bank case . After watching his speech last night , I became an optimist . I believe he can eradicate corruption . He just needs a more powerful team . '' Atin , another student protester said : `` I 'm sure [ the president ] can handle corruption . Many corruptors have been arrested in his era . He did that then , he can also do it now . He needs to take a more firm step . ''
Protesters march in Indonesia , urging government to address corruption allegations . Protests come amid inquiry into $ 710 million government bailout . In speech , Indonesia President Susilo Yudhoyono declares 'jihad ' on corruption .