Cry for federalism rings out on Youth Pledge Day<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Mounting demands for a federal state marked the
\ncelebration of Youth Pledge Day across the country on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Some 100 youths set up the National Committee for a Federal
\nState (Konfed) and called on the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR) to amend the 1945 Constitution, which stipulates that the
\nrepublic is a united, not federal, state.<\/p>\n
Konfed chairman Abdul Hafid Paronda said the Assembly should
\nnot ignore the demand because the republican system failed to
\nimprove the people's welfare and maintain national unity in the
\npast 50 years.<\/p>\n
"The majority of the people are still living in poverty. This
\ncontradicts the values behind the youth pledge," he said in a
\nceremony for the committee's founding.<\/p>\n
After declaring independence in 1945 and fighting a war
\nagainst the returning Dutch colonial power, Indonesia briefly
\nadopted a federal system from 1949 to 1950.<\/p>\n
Inspired by the wave of nationalism which swept across
\ncolonized countries across the world, a group of youths gathered
\nhere 71 years ago to acknowledge they were of one country, nation
\nand language despite their different origins. The event was one
\nof the milestones in the nation's independence struggle.<\/p>\n
Hafid said the substance of the pledge was in line with the
\nfounding of a federal state because it was aimed at obtaining
\nnational unity, common welfare and social justice.<\/p>\n
"The socioeconomic gap from one region to another has a lot to
\ndo with the unfair implementation of the administrative system
\nwhich has only benefited the central government."<\/p>\n
He said his committee backed the recent proposal for a federal
\nstate from Amien Rais' National Mandate Party (PAN).<\/p>\n
Political observer Eep Syaifulloh hailed the demand for a
\nfederal state, saying it was in line with the government's
\nefforts to beef up regional autonomy as stipulated by the 1999
\nlaw on regional administration.<\/p>\n
"Eighty percent of the law's content concerns regional
\nautonomy," he said in a seminar commemorating Youth Pledge Day.<\/p>\n
Rally<\/p>\n
In Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, tens of thousands
\nof students marked the day with rallies. Traffic jams clogged all
\nareas of the city.<\/p>\n
Two groups of students expressed different aims. Students from
\nstate Hasanuddin University demanded that the government
\nestablish a federal state but those from private universities and
\ninstitutes insisted on an independent state for the province.<\/p>\n
Deputy rector of Hasanuddin University Amran Razak said a
\nfederal state was a reasonable and plausible solution to
\nsafeguard national unity.<\/p>\n
"The demand for independence is irrational and questionable
\nbecause it will meet strong resistance from the government and
\nother regions. A federal state could be the best solution," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Students supporting an independent state tore down the
\nnational flag at several places, including Hasanuddin Airport,
\nmayoralty office and Karebosi soccer field.<\/p>\n
No injuries or arrests were reported in Thursday's protests.
\nPolice were out in force at several campuses as well as air and
\nsea ports.<\/p>\n
Sulawesi Military Commander Maj. Gen. Suaidy Marasabessy said
\non Wednesday that security forces would act leniently toward the
\nstudents, terming their demands "political rhetoric".<\/p>\n
"I think their demand is debatable on the level of
\ninterpretation, and therefore it's not related to security. That
\nis why we're not taking any action against them," he said.<\/p>\n
Unity<\/p>\n
In Bandarlampung, Lampung, visiting Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri was greeted by students who protested the presence
\nof generals in President Abdurrahman Wahid's Cabinet. They also
\nurged the government to implement the federal system to prevent
\nthe concentration of power in the central government.<\/p>\n
During the ceremony commemorating the youth pledge, Megawati
\ncalled on people to work hard in maintaining national unity.<\/p>\n
"The people are in an uncertain situation that is jeopardizing
\nour national unity. The nation will collapse if its people and
\ngovernment do not work hand in hand in maintaining national
\nunity," she said amid tight security from the Mobile Brigade
\nPolice.<\/p>\n
Accompanying Megawati were defense minister Juwono Sudarsono,
\nmanpower minister Bomer Pasaribu and sports and youth affairs
\nminister Mahadi Sinambela. The new Cabinet will be sworn in on
\nFriday. (27\/42\/edt\/rms)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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