Makassar students urge President to act on Ambon<\/p>\n
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Some 100 protesting students
\nintercepted visiting President Abdurrahman Wahid's entourage on
\nThursday to demand the government promptly resolve the violence
\nin Ambon.<\/p>\n
The students from the Association of Makassar Muslim Students
\nhalted the President's entourage, including Indonesian Military
\nCommander Adm. Widodo and Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi
\nSoedirdja, for about five minutes before being dispersed by
\nsecurity officers. The incident took place on Jl. Perintis
\nKemerdekaan in front of Hasanuddin University.<\/p>\n
The President, who had just arrived at the airport, proceeded
\non to the hall on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, some 10 kilometers from the
\ncampus, where a dialog with community representatives was
\nscheduled.<\/p>\n
As the President's entourage passed, the demonstrators, mostly
\nstudents from the university, attempted to follow the motorcade,
\nmany asking passing motorists for rides.<\/p>\n
Prevented by tight security from entering the hall, the
\nprotesters held a free speech forum outside the building.<\/p>\n
The situation became tense as a standoff developed between
\ndemonstrators and civilian security guards organized by Nahdlatul
\nUlama. However, cooler heads prevailed and violence was averted.<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman arrived on Thursday for a two-day visit.
\nHe is scheduled to open the mass prayer Wirid '99 on Friday.<\/p>\n
Adnan Nasution, one of the demonstrators, told The Jakarta
\nPost the action was in response to the government's sluggishness
\nin dealing with violence in Ambon.<\/p>\n
\"We just don't want the President to do nothing and let the
\nproblem remain unresolved,\" Adnan said.<\/p>\n
Promise<\/p>\n
During the dialog with community representatives from Aceh,
\nIrian Jaya, Ternate and Sulawesi, Abdurrahman said was committed
\nto his promise of a referendum in Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"Just hold the referendum. The central government will act as
\narranger,\" he told the Aceh representatives.<\/p>\n
\"But the Acehnese should not keep (the promise for a
\nreferendum) as a way of life. Don't just think of revenge. Let's
\nwork together to build a new life for the future, don't just look
\nback to the past,\" the President said.<\/p>\n
While the dialog was taking place, hundreds of protesting
\nstudents from the Islamic Teaching Institute Alauddin Makassar
\nseized 12 non-Muslims of Chinese descent. The demonstrators urged
\nthe government to settle the violence in Ambon.<\/p>\n
The \"hostages\" were released after negotiations with security
\npersonnel.<\/p>\n
Inside the hall, the President told the audience he had
\nlobbied the governments of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and
\nBrunei to provide aid for the people of Aceh. \"The Arab Emirates
\npromised Rp 240 billion per year,\" he said, adding that the
\ngovernment needed at least US$90 million to address poverty in
\nthe province.<\/p>\n
He stressed that in the future the government's policies would
\nfocus on creating togetherness of spirit and allowing the
\nprovinces to develop their own cultures.<\/p>\n
\"Literally, I see recent outbursts in some provinces as being
\ninitiated by unfair treatment by the central government,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The President said building unity was imperative so in the
\nfuture no province would view itself as maltreated.<\/p>\n
\"If Aceh claims to have been hurt, we should be aware that
\nmany other provinces have been hurt too,\" he said. He said that
\nfor almost 15 years he himself was \"stirred\" by the Soeharto
\nregime.<\/p>\n
Discussing the continuing bloody clashes in Ambon, the
\nPresident said economic motives were behind the violence.
\n\"Certain groups want to monopolize natural resources there.\"<\/p>\n
Togetherness grounded in respect for law, freedom of
\nexpression and tolerance will be the future of Indonesia,
\nAbdurrahman said. (27\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/makassar-students-urge-president-to-act-on-ambon-1447893297",
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