People extend their support for students' demands for reform<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Students have constantly claimed their protests
\nspeak for the people. But what do the people think? Here are the
\nviews of some employees, small traders, executives and others:<\/p>\n
* Margiyanti (pseudonym), civil staffer at Jakarta Military
\nCommand:<\/p>\n
I appreciate what students have done so far. For a long time
\nthese youngsters have only been asking for money from their
\nparents for books, clothes and playing around.<\/p>\n
They've now proved they're not ignorant and that they do care
\nabout what happens around them. But can't they understand that
\n\"reform\" cannot happen overnight.<\/p>\n
Although we all know who's to blame and why circumstances are
\ngetting so difficult and irrational, protesting is not our
\nway... rallying on the streets and yelling here and there,
\ncalling names; it's not polite at all.<\/p>\n
* Karidun Pardosi, a public relations officer in Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I agree with demands for political reforms. It has been too
\nlong, 32 years, for a president to rule. Now it is time... to
\nmake way for the younger generation.<\/p>\n
Now we are facing not only an economic crisis but political
\ncrisis too. And to achieve reforms I think we have to support
\nstudent demonstrations. That is the most effective way, since the
\ncurrent system of expressing our aspirations does not work.<\/p>\n
But I think the demonstrations should be better organized and
\nget the support of the public.<\/p>\n
* Paul, a teacher of a private junior high school in Tangerang,
\nWest Java:<\/p>\n
The students are right to organize demonstrations. Since all
\nmeans of expressing public aspirations can no longer function
\neffectively, people hinge their hope on students to pressure the
\ngovernment to make reforms.<\/p>\n
I do hope that student demonstrations escalate to a large
\nextent and get the support of all people. With such a condition,
\nI think the government will end up with no choice but to make
\npolitical and economic reforms.<\/p>\n
But we ask students to be careful in pursuing their
\ndemonstrations. They have to avoid the involvement of
\nirresponsible groups who only seek to damage their image.<\/p>\n
* Mia Koesoemo, director at Jakarta's representative office of
\nSLS Communicatie Group:<\/p>\n
Protesting students? Let them be. They're supposed to do that
\nas we know circumstances have driven them to do so.<\/p>\n
It's impossible to stop them now. As long as they don't
\ndisturb others by rallying on the streets and damaging passing
\ncars or disturbing passersby.<\/p>\n
I have been back here for six months after years in New
\nZealand. So I can learn a lot of things from the ongoing
\nprotests.<\/p>\n
I can understand if students continue to hold protests as they
\nfeel the direct pinch of the crisis. The value of the money their
\nparents send has dropped drastically.<\/p>\n
About two weeks ago, one of my relatives' house was broken in
\nby a student who claimed he had to do that because he had been
\nfired from his part-time job while he was still going to
\nuniversity, his mother was ailing and his younger brothers and
\nsisters had to struggle to survive. It's really sad to hear that.<\/p>\n
So, I think, with that example, I can understand why students
\ngo on protesting. Everybody wants a change and, for me, to
\nrenovate a house is actually easier than building a new one, if
\nit's not too late.<\/p>\n
* Ginting, photocopy shop owner in front of North Sumatra
\nUniversity in Medan:<\/p>\n
If this (demonstrating) keeps on going we will be out of
\nbusiness soon and then it is us on the streets. I've had my house
\npelted by stones. Both students and security people have caused
\ndamage here.<\/p>\n
* Windi (pseudonym), female employee of Science and Technology
\nResearch Center (Puspitek) in Serpong, Tangerang, watching a
\nrally by students of the Indonesian Institute of Technology in
\nSerpong:<\/p>\n
It's all right if students voice their concerns on campus
\ngrounds. What they are saying and demanding are all true like
\nincreasing prices but they shouldn't go onto the streets. Our
\nhouses are nearby here, and who knows what could happen.<\/p>\n
* Hendra, 43, employee of a state-run company in Bandung, West
\nJava:<\/p>\n
What students are doing is bridging public aspirations with
\nthe authorities. I'm sure students know what the public wants
\nbecause they live with them, except maybe their political
\ndemands. People just hope these difficult times will get better.<\/p>\n
If there are destructive acts during the protests, the
\nperpetrators should be arrested. But authorities should not label
\nstudents as criminals.<\/p>\n
They are our own children who will inherit responsibility for
\nthis country. So don't randomly hit out and arrest them, it's
\ntheir ideas which should be grabbed and responded to.<\/p>\n
* M. Fauzi, 47, entrepreneur in Bandung:<\/p>\n
The government should not perceive student protests from an
\nemotional point of view. They should understand what is behind
\nall this so they can ... make proper decisions.<\/p>\n
Life is hard now, and I think the government knows the
\ntroubles almost all citizens face. Besides deciding on what to do
\nin the long term, the government should immediately act to
\nalleviate hardships, like how to overcome soaring prices.<\/p>\n
I think students really understand this, maybe they look at
\nwhat their own parents are facing. So the government and students
\nshould struggle together to end this crisis as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
* Suharjo, book seller at Johar market, Semarang, Central Java,
\nwatching a nearby rally by students of a privately run bank
\nacademy:<\/p>\n
The protests are natural in this time of crisis which squeezes
\nall of us. If the public is allowed to join protests on campus
\ngrounds, I would like to join.<\/p>\n
* Sumadi (pseudonym), former employee of a home industry
\nproducing shoes in North Semarang:<\/p>\n
What students are voicing are facts of life.<\/p>\n
If you are hungry you can get angry quickly. The home industry
\nwhere I worked has been forced to close down. And look at these
\nwallets... I've had to steal to make ends meet.<\/p>\n
* Zainal, doctor at a Semarang hospital:<\/p>\n
I support the protests so long as they just involve students.
\nWhat they voice are in line with my aspirations, so the protests
\nare OK as long as they do not lead to any form of destruction.
\nThey can go onto the streets, hopefully in cooperation with
\nsecurity personnel.<\/p>\n
* Karsam (pseudonym), police sergeant guarding a student protest
\nin Semarang:<\/p>\n
I personally think these demonstrations are necessary, as the
\ncrisis has also affected police families, but they must not lead
\nto destruction or be influenced by outsiders.<\/p>\n
But it's tiring to guard these demonstrations from morning
\ntill late afternoon. I wish students would just sit down so we
\ncould have a drink too.<\/p>\n
There's a greater chance of a clash with security personnel if
\nthey march onto the streets.<\/p>\n
Students should also ask councilors or even the police
\nprecinct chief to address rallies because the crisis affects
\neveryone.<\/p>\n
* Sri Tantowiyah, principal of an elementary school in Semarang:<\/p>\n
If we all go hungry I would join the street protests, which
\nwould add weight to student demands. I really support the action
\nby Karlina Leksono from the Voice of Concerned Mothers protest
\n(in Jakarta). Mothers really have a headache trying to make ends
\nmeet.<\/p>\n
* Habibah, housewife in central Semarang:<\/p>\n
Personally I'm really in a difficult situation and agree with
\nthe students. But they must curb their emotions. The
\ncircumstances could lead to them being arrested randomly.<\/p>\n
They should give the government a chance to handle the crisis.
\nAfter all, the cabinet has only worked for a few months. I'm
\nconvinced the government would not sacrifice us all and our
\nchildren. The most realistic thing to do is to tighten our belts
\nand wait for the government.<\/p>\n
I was a student too but students must be sure they make some
\ncalculations ... and they shouldn't forget to continue their
\nstudies. (team)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/people-extend-their-support-for-students-demands-for-reform-1447893297",
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