ABRI to be 'firm' in facing protests<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security\/Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto warned on Friday the military would
\ntake repressive measures against street demonstrations which
\nfoment public disorder.<\/p>\n
\"This is our stance..., of course with an apology to all,
\nagain with apologies... and also in reference to the people's
\nwishes, ABRI will not hesitate to take firm actions against any
\nstreet demonstrations which disturb the peace,\" he told reporters
\nafter addressing a House of Representatives (DPR) plenary session
\ndiscussing a draft for a government decree in lieu of a law on
\nfreedom of expression.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI is not willing to see how a few people jeopardize the
\ninterests of more than 200 million Indonesians, who all expect
\nprosperity and security, development, as well as justice.\"<\/p>\n
Wiranto declined to elaborate on the nature of the repressive
\nactions designated by the Armed Forces headquarters.<\/p>\n
\"You (reporters) should just wait for my firm actions,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The capital and other major cities have become arenas for a
\nrenewed spate of student street demonstrations, most demanding an
\nimmediate lowering of the prices of basic commodities, the
\nresignation of President B.J. Habibie and the immediate holding
\nof a general election to establish a new and credible government.<\/p>\n
About 1,000 members of Forum Kota, an association of students
\nfrom 37 universities and colleges in the greater Jakarta area,
\nprotested in front of the House of Representative (DPR) building
\non the afternoon of Sept. 7. They managed to break down the
\nHouse's front gate and proceeded about 10 meters before being
\nstopped by security forces. They were evicted in the early hours
\nof Sept. 8.<\/p>\n
Five students were injured in the incident.<\/p>\n
A demonstration was also staged during Habibie's visit to
\nSurabaya on Wednesday to commemorate National Sports Day.<\/p>\n
Another student rally, involving 1,000 students from 25
\ncampuses, was staged near the Presidential Palace on Thursday.
\nSecurity forces prevented demonstrators from reaching the palace.<\/p>\n
Wiranto said ABRI's authority to conduct repressive actions
\nwas guaranteed in the government decree. The House will decide
\nwhether to deliberate or drop the government decree in lieu of
\nthe law.<\/p>\n
\"The decree is not in the interests of the government and
\nABRI, but for the sake of the people's consolidation and reform
\nmovement,\" Wiranto said.<\/p>\n
He said he heard some protesters were paid to take to the
\nstreets.<\/p>\n
\"I heard that a protester is paid Rp 25,000 (US$2.1) for a
\ndemonstration. With Rp 1 million, 40 protesters will appear.\"<\/p>\n
\"How many protesters will appear with a Rp 100 million fund?
\nIt's such a shame to disturb the country's stability for the sake
\nof only Rp 100 million.\"<\/p>\n
Separately on Friday, former vice president Try Sutrisno
\nappealed to the students to quit their street demonstrations.<\/p>\n
\"Security disturbances will only inflict losses on people,\" he
\nsaid, citing adverse financial market reactions to the
\ndemonstrations.<\/p>\n
Addressing journalists after attending a meeting of the Armed
\nForces Big Family (KBA), he called on the nation to remain calm
\nin facing the prolonged economic crisis and unfavorable political
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
\"We have to stay together and respond to the challenges. And
\nno one should provoke anyone else to commit violence and
\nlooting,\" said Try, current chairman of the Armed Forces Veterans
\nAssociation (PEPABRI).<\/p>\n
Student demonstrations continued on Friday with about 300
\nstudents of state-run Jenderal Soedirman University in
\nPurwokerto, Central Java, having their say. Another rally was
\nheld in Semarang, where about 400 students protested the scarcity
\nof rice and its skyrocketing price.<\/p>\n
As with previous demonstrations in other Indonesian cities,
\nthe students demanded that Habibie step down.<\/p>\n
\"Habibie's administration is no different from Soeharto's
\nregime. He has been involved in corrupt, collusive and nepotistic
\npractices since he was the state minister of research and
\ntechnology,\" one of the protesters said.<\/p>\n
\"It's no use giving him the opportunity (to lead) anymore.\"<\/p>\n
The students also called on the government to immediately curb
\nthe skyrocketing prices of basic commodities. (01\/45\/har\/imn)<\/p>",
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