Alumni back student calls for reform<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Alumni from 48 leading universities and
\ninstitutions have thrown their weight behind student rallies for
\nreform and vowed to establish a special network to aid families
\nwhose relatives \"disappear\".<\/p>\n
After a gathering which featured a free-speech forum, the
\nCooperation Body of Indonesian University Alumni said Saturday
\nthey were concerned about the cases of missing persons, many of
\nwhom were students from universities they had graduated from.<\/p>\n
\"We will strongly focus on the issue of the disappearances
\nbecause it is a clear violation of human rights. There will be
\ninternal cooperation among us which is aimed at giving advice and
\nvoicing these concerns,\" the head of the body, Kusnadi
\nHardjasoemantri, said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
The meeting of alumni was held at the University of Indonesia
\ncampus in Depok to commemorate National Education Day which falls
\non May 2.<\/p>\n
He explained that the assistance would cover legal and
\npsychological counseling, both for those who disappeared and
\nthose who participated in demonstrations.<\/p>\n
Several activists and a politician have been reported missing
\nfor the past few months. While some notable figures, namely Pius
\nLustrilanang, Andi Arief, Desmond J. Mahesa and Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party politician Haryanto Taslam, have reappeared,
\nothers are still missing.<\/p>\n
The National Commission on Human Rights, in a report, has said
\nthat they were abducted by force by a well-organized unit.<\/p>\n
Support<\/p>\n
When asked about the \"moral movement\" initiated by the
\nstudents, the alumni expressed the belief that it had the backing
\nof the public at large.<\/p>\n
Political commentator Wimar Witoelar said protests currently
\nbeing staged by students enjoyed greater public support than the
\nones held in 1966, which only had the backing of the Army.<\/p>\n
The famous 1966 student demonstrations were a precursor for
\nthe New Order regime which resulted in the banishment of the
\nIndonesian Communist Party.<\/p>\n
Head of the central branch of the University of Indonesia
\nalumni association, Hariadi Dharmawan, urged the \"actors\" in the
\npresent national development not to be ashamed to admit their
\nfaults.<\/p>\n
\"We realize that the many problems now arising may have been
\ncontributed by the alumni of our alma mater, but we shouldn't be
\nafraid to admit them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement read by Toeti Herati Noerhadi, a
\nprofessor of philosophy at the University of Indonesia, the
\nalumni said they were \"concerned that the adverse impacts of the
\n(monetary) crisis have been exacerbated because of rampant
\ncorruption, collusion and nepotism in the bureaucracy that have
\nled to a political crisis and a crisis in (people's) confidence
\n(in the government)\".<\/p>\n
They also said they backed the students' push for political,
\neconomic and law reforms and deplored the strong-arm approach
\nemployed by the Armed Forces (ABRI) in handling the student
\nmovement.<\/p>\n
They said repressive actions were against the state ideology
\nPancasila and human rights principles.<\/p>\n
Participants, who one by one were given opportunities to speak
\nat the meeting, urged all members of society to join the student
\nmovement in order \"to force the government to initiate total
\nreform and eliminate the causes of the crisis\".<\/p>\n
Only by combating corruption, collusion and nepotism, and by
\ntaking concrete steps to defuse the crisis, can the government
\nregain both local and international confidence, they said.<\/p>\n
Koento Wibisono, representing the alumni of Yogyakarta-based
\nGadjah Mada University, called for total reform by upholding the
\nlaw and human rights, amending the 1945 Constitution and
\nstrengthening national unity.<\/p>\n
A review of the Armed Forces' dual function -- as both
\nsecurity and sociopolitical forces -- is also needed to create a
\nfavorable political system.<\/p>\n
Mayaksa Johan, representing alumni of the Sumatra Utara
\nUniversity, said political reform should be prioritized since the
\ngovernment has often abused the law, including the Constitution,
\nin its efforts to maintain the status quo, often at the expense
\nof people's political rights.<\/p>\n
\"For more than 30 years now, the New Order administration has
\ndeceived the people and 'castrated' their political rights and
\nfreedom,\" he said. \"We are given only the opportunity to do what
\nthe government wants us to, and are never given the opportunity
\nto say no.\" (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alumni-back-student-calls-for-reform-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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