Makassar students lambaste Amien for failing to show up<\/p>\n
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Student leaders criticized on
\nTuesday People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais
\nfor failing to attend a seminar he was scheduled to address.<\/p>\n
Many students said they had turned up at the seminar to
\npersonally convey to Amien their call for an independent South
\nSulawesi state.<\/p>\n
Organized by the Islamic Youth Ukhuwa Forum, the seminar on
\nnational unity discussed various options for the province, from
\ngreater autonomy to complete independence. Student leaders and
\npoliticians attended the seminar.<\/p>\n
\"We were still in contact with Pak Amien until last night
\n(Monday), and he even reaffirmed his plan to come to Makassar,\"
\nevent coordinator Agus Dwikaran told The Jakarta Post at
\nHasanuddin Airport.<\/p>\n
\"We don't expect this from Amien Rais. He must explain this
\nmatter,\" student leader Iswary Al Farizi said.<\/p>\n
Following the announcement of Amien's canceled visit, hundreds
\nof Indonesian Muslim University students poured onto the streets
\nand aired their demands for a free Sulawesi state.<\/p>\n
Event organizers did not provide any reason for the abrupt
\ncancellation.<\/p>\n
But Amien reportedly faxed a letter to the forum from
\nYogyakarta tendering his apologies, with a promise to visit
\nMakassar next week.<\/p>\n
South Sulawesi has been rocked by student protests over the
\npast month, with demands ranging from greater autonomy to
\ncomplete separation and the establishment of an East Indonesia
\nstate.<\/p>\n
The protests began after B.J. Habibie lost his bid for the
\npresidency last month during the General Session of the MPR.<\/p>\n
Habibie, the country's president from May 1998 until last
\nmonth, is a local hero in his home province.<\/p>\n
Outgoing Wirabuana Military chief Maj. Gen. Suaidi Marasabessy
\ndismissed speculation that Amien bowed to political pressure and
\ncanceled the trip to Makassar.<\/p>\n
\"Pak Amien is not a little kid. He must have a good reason not
\nto show up... And it is not because of security reasons either.
\nMakassar is safe and under control,\" Suaidi said. (27\/edt)<\/p>",
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