ABRI back pedals on handling massive protests<\/p>\n
UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) has
\nadmitted there are indications its members erred while handling
\nthe massive student demonstrations here last week.<\/p>\n
Chief of staff of the Wirabuana regional military command
\nBrig. Gen. Fachrul Razi said yesterday that \"mistakes\" were made
\nby the troops when they moved into campuses on April 22 and 23 to
\nrestore order after protesting students went on a rampage.<\/p>\n
\"Those mistakes were cruelty,\" he told The Jakarta Post. \"But
\nwe're not going to impose sanctions against our members just like
\nthat.\"<\/p>\n
He said the military will continue with its investigation and
\nwould not cover up anything.<\/p>\n
The nine-strong investigation team, which was established last
\nSaturday and is led by chief of the command's supervision
\ndivision Col. Djoko Sungkowo, is questioning students who were
\ninvolved in the demonstrations.<\/p>\n
So far, about 100 students have given statements on the street
\nprotests against the public transportation fare hike. These
\ncomplaints turned into clashes with security forces and led to
\nthe death of three students.<\/p>\n
\"We'll guarantee objectivity. We're not going to protect any
\nmembers who are found to have committed mistakes,\" Djoko said.
\n\"But this team has just been collecting data, so there's no
\nconclusion yet.\"<\/p>\n
However, Djoko admitted that students' statements indicated
\nwrongdoings on the part of the military. \"Almost all of the
\nstudents said ABRI members moved into campuses and caused
\ndamage.\"<\/p>\n
By yesterday, order had returned to the city and learning
\nactivities have resumed on the campuses. Some students, however,
\nsaid they were still upset over the military's handling of their
\ndemonstrations.<\/p>\n
\"We'll abide by the recent peace agreement. But if nothing
\nimproves within the week, we'll go down the streets again,\" a
\nstudent told The Jakarta Post, referring to an agreement that
\nrepresentatives of Ujungpandang students, the military, the
\nuniversities, religious figures, community leaders and government
\nofficials reached on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The document states that all breaches of law will be dealt
\nwith legally without use of force, it expresses regrets about the
\ndeaths and injuries sustained in the incident, and calls for
\nrestraint from all sides.<\/p>\n
The city-wide protest began on April 22, two days after Mayor
\nMalik B. Masry decreed a 66 percent hike in public transportation
\nfares. Ordinary mini bus fares were increased from Rp 300 (13
\nU.S. cents) to Rp 500, with students fares set at Rp 200.<\/p>\n
Students argued that in practice, the special fares for them
\nhave never been enforced and that they usually end up paying the
\nregular fares.<\/p>\n
Following the protest, the city authorities decided to cancel
\nthe fare, but this drew protests from the public bus drivers.<\/p>\n
Human rights campaigner Bambang Widjojanto welcome the
\nestablishment of fact-finding teams by both the military and the
\nNational Commission on Human Rights.<\/p>\n
\"The government should follow up on the findings, and be
\ntransparent when it comes to the number of the victims, the
\nresponsible parties, as well as the reasons for using the
\nrepressive approach against the protests,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately in Bandung, West Java, Minister of Defense and
\nSecurity Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat said that the military's
\n\"repressive approach\" on many social problems is no longer
\nsuitable as it often only creates new problems.<\/p>\n
If used, it will invite allegations that soldiers are
\nviolating people's basic rights, he said.<\/p>\n
\"The military approach against any efforts to disrupt the
\nnational stability is becoming less popular, both at home and
\nabroad,\" Edi said in a written statement before students of the
\nNusantara Islamic University. (20\/17\/imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abri-back-pedals-on-handling-massive-protests-1447893297",
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