Rector asks students to work not rally<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): University of Indonesia (UI) rector Asman
\nBoedisantoso on Saturday called on students to replace their
\nstreet protests with social work programs to help hungry people.<\/p>\n
Speaking during a graduation ceremony for 4,871 postgraduate
\nstudents at the university's Depok campus, Asman said that
\nstudents could also help investigate allegations of corruption in
\nthe distribution of rice.<\/p>\n
The rector said that if students wanted to remain a moral
\nforce in society they should tailor their actions to suit the
\nneeds of the community. That way, he said, they would remain true
\nto the meaning of their movement.<\/p>\n
There's always a great possibility of \"illegal passengers\"
\ntaking part in any student action. That leads to the danger of
\nconfrontation with the security forces, he said referring to
\nMonday's student rally in front of the House of Representatives
\n(DPR) in which two students were seriously injured.<\/p>\n
\"I therefore always remind my students to use their logic
\n(brain) instead of their muscles because they are facing parties
\nwho use extraordinary strategies,\" Asman was quoted by Antara as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
The latest student protest in the capital took place on
\nThursday when around 1,000 demonstrators held a noisy rally near
\nthe Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Unlike Asman, former minister of education and culture Fuad
\nHasan, who is a member of the university's senate, said he could
\nunderstand why the students were still staging massive street
\nrallies.<\/p>\n
\"The government should make the issue of staple food
\nprocurement an emergency matter, not simply treat it as urgent.
\nThat would help to lessen people's worries,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The capital and other big cities have become arenas for
\nstudent street rallies, most of which are currently demanding an
\nimmediate reduction in the price of basic commodities. (emf)<\/p>",
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