Activists hold own anniversary celebration<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Leading human rights campaigners and government
\ncritics mingled with 2,000 youths and members of non-governmental
\norganizations holding a high-spirited celebration of Indonesia's
\n50th anniversary of independence yesterday.<\/p>\n
Adnan Buyung Nasution, H.J. Princen, Sri Bintang Pamungkas and
\nAli Sadikin starred in the gathering held at the Proclamation of
\nIndependence Monument.<\/p>\n
Young people calling themselves the Council for the Salvation
\nof People's Sovereignty sang patriotic songs, unfurled banners,
\ndistributed flyers and gave critical speeches. The far
\noutnumbered security personnel entered the park but soon
\nretreated to observe the proceedings from a distance.<\/p>\n
When Ali and Bintang arrived at the event, amid intermittent
\nanti-government exclamations, they were warmly welcomed by the
\nyouths.<\/p>\n
Bintang is currently under police investigation for his
\nalleged involvement in several anti-government demonstrations
\nduring a visit by President Soeharto to Germany in April. Ali is
\na leader of the Petisi 50 group of the government's critics.<\/p>\n
A group of foreign journalists, including those from the Voice
\nof America and Cable News Network, covered the event. Chairwoman
\nof the Indonesian Democratic Party Megawati Soekarnoputri --
\ndaughter of the late president Sukarno who proclaimed Indonesia's
\nindependence 50 years ago -- didn't show up.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Ali Sadikin stood at the foot of the statue of
\nSukarno and read the text of the proclamation of independence, a
\nreplay of the scene 50 years ago.<\/p>\n
Next, Buyung took center stage and fired up the audience's
\nemotions with his speech. Students wearing red and white clothes
\nand carrying the same color flowers held up their fists and
\nshouted, \"Merdeka\" (freedom).<\/p>\n
Afterward, Bintang took the microphone and began a speech
\ncritical of the government. \"We're a great nation, and we should
\nprove this greatness to the world,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We must not be smug because of whatever we have achieved. We
\nmust never turn a blind eye to the violations taking place around
\nus,\" he said. He also asked the audience to campaign against
\n\"those who have betrayed the nation\". He did not elaborate.<\/p>\n
Bintang also said that the 50th anniversary of independence
\nshould mark the beginning of an era where people are free to
\nexpress their opinion, to oppose, to assemble and to criticize.<\/p>\n
\"We should be free to decide whether we want to assemble and
\njoin any group, or not join any group at all,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The youths then marched to the office of the Legal Aid
\nFoundation. (swe)<\/p>",
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