Labor union to defy military's threat<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI)
\nindicated yesterday it remained determined to hold a workers
\ndemonstration today despite warnings from the military that
\ntroops would clamp down on any such protests.<\/p>\n
Yudi Rahmat, coordinator of the planned SBSI rally, told The
\nJakarta Post yesterday that as many as 7,000 workers would be
\nmobilized for this morning's protest.<\/p>\n
He said the demonstrators would depart in 70 buses from the
\nunion's headquarters on Jl. Tebet Barat Dalam Raya, Tebet, South
\nJakarta at 10 a.m. and head straight to the House of
\nRepresentatives building on Jl. Gatot Subroto, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He admitted, however, that as of yesterday evening they had
\nonly assembled 25 buses.<\/p>\n
Yudi did not seem concerned by the military's warning.<\/p>\n
\"Yes, we'll go on with our protest tomorrow (today),\" he said.
\n\"We'll see later. Anyway, what we want is a peaceful protest but
\nit will really very much depend on the security apparatus (and
\nhow it reacts).\"<\/p>\n
Asked whether the demonstration would later move to other
\nparts of the city, Yudi said it would depend on the union's
\n\"improvisations\" in the field.<\/p>\n
SBSI chairman Muchtar Pakpahan said Monday he would send
\nthousands of workers into the streets to press for President B.J.
\nHabibie's resignation.<\/p>\n
However, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie
\nSjamsoeddin quickly asserted that he would foil the workers'
\ndemonstration.<\/p>\n
\"If they continue, I will cripple them,\" he warned Monday.<\/p>\n
Criticized<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) yesterday strongly
\ncriticized the military's threat.<\/p>\n
\"The banning and the threat issued by the military are against
\nthe spirit of reform which advocates freedom and respect for
\nhuman rights. Therefore, it is against ABRI's official proreform
\npolitical stance,\" YLBHI said in a letter to the military chief,
\na copy of which was also made available to the press.<\/p>\n
The letter was signed by YLBHI chairman Bambang Widjojanto and
\nthe head of the foundation's labor division, Teten Masduki.<\/p>\n
The foundation said that the planned protests should not be
\nsuspected as a move to trigger rioting.<\/p>\n
\"Workers and students are not rioters. They only want to
\nchannel their aspirations through a clear, peaceful and organized
\nway,\" it said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, leaders of another labor union, the All-Indonesia
\nWorkers Union Federation (FSPSI), urged its members yesterday to
\nstay away from today's demonstration.<\/p>\n
In a statement signed by its chairman, Datuk Bagindo, and
\nsecretary-general, Syukur Sato, the federation called on its
\nmembers to beware of people asking them to participate in
\ndemonstrations which were \"unclear and irrational\" and could lead
\nto anarchy. (aan)<\/p>",
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