Reform movement must be upheld: Students<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Alarmed by indications of a power struggle among
\naspiring presidential candidates and wary of the commitment of
\nthe new forces to the reform movement, students have threatened
\nto once again return to the streets.<\/p>\n
A statement released on Friday by the Yogyakarta Forum of
\nStudents read: "Students will take to the streets again to remind
\nthe political elite of their commitment to reform, regardless of
\nwho the president is."<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, students also said they were carefully observing
\nwhether reforms were being carried out, as political parties
\nactively engage in horse-trading to seek possible coalition
\npartners.<\/p>\n
The Yogyakarta forum, which comprises five student groups,
\nsaid they regretted the stance of "certain reformist groups"
\nwhich had begun to sacrifice earlier commitments. They said these
\ngroups also showed signs of cooperating with status quo groups.<\/p>\n
"Ahead of the final poll results there is an increasing trend
\nto blur the aim and meaning of reform, caused by the declining
\ncommitment of certain reformist groups who have now become more
\ncompromising because they have lost in the 1999 polls," said
\nforum representative Rahayu Widodo.<\/p>\n
Rahayu, also of the Association of Islamic Students (HMI),
\nsaid "divisive forces" within the political elite of one of the
\nparties would hamper the reform movement "if not stopped
\nimmediately".<\/p>\n
Such a condition would "open the way for the comeback of pro-
\nstatus quo forces which would prolong people's suffering," the
\nstudents' statement said.<\/p>\n
The forum urged all "reformist forces" to avoid being trapped
\nby pragmatic considerations for the sake of power and to refrain
\nfrom cooperating with pro-status quo forces and the military.<\/p>\n
The forum refused to identify the groups or parties it
\ncriticized.<\/p>\n
Last week the National Mandate Party (PAN) was quick to issue
\na press release clarifying statements made by party executives
\nthat PAN might coalesce with Golkar. The party denied the claim.<\/p>\n
Golkar recently said its most ideal partner in a coalition
\nwould be the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan). The Megawati-led party has said it will only
\nannounce possible coalition partners after official results are
\ndeclared on June 21.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan is leading in provisional tallies, followed by
\nthe National Awakening Party (PKB). Golkar is expected to
\novertake PKB as votes from outside Java flow in.<\/p>\n
"Students will be consistent with their goals and reform
\ndemands," Rahayu said. "(We) will continue to demand the new
\ngovernment gets rid of corruption, collusion and nepotism,
\nincluding bringing to trial former president Soeharto and his
\ncronies."<\/p>\n
In the past two days different groups of students in Jakarta
\nhave staged rallies reminding politicians of their commitments to
\nthe reform movement. They have emphasized calls for an end to the
\nmilitary's dual function doctrine, which they consider a major
\ncause of power abuses and violence in the country.<\/p>\n
Separately, the leadership of the Indonesian Muslim Student
\nMovement (PMII) urged PKB founder Abdurrahman Wahid issue a
\ncompromise regarding coalition partners based on careful
\nconsideration of reformist forces, "instead of an opportunistic
\ncompromise".<\/p>\n
Antara reported that PMII chairman Sultonul Huda was
\ncommenting on the meeting of Abdurrahman and President B.J.
\nHabibie on Friday, and his meeting with Golkar chairman Akbar
\nTandjung late Wednesday. However, the news agency said Sultonul
\nHuda was not describing either the meetings with president or
\nAkbar as opportunistic moves.<\/p>\n
PMII asked Abdurrahman, known as "Gus Dur", to form a
\ncoalition with PDI Perjuangan, PKB and PAN, all three of which it
\ncategorized as reformist forces.<\/p>\n
The three parties earlier issued a joint communique. However,
\nthere were no details on a coalition in the document.<\/p>\n
"We ask that Megawati, Gus Dur and Amien Rais remain
\nconsistent in curbing the possibility of the return of the status
\nquo using excuses based on religion," Sultonul said.<\/p>\n
Controversy surrounds the many non-Muslim legislative
\ncandidates of PDI Perjuangan. A party executive said on Friday 30
\npercent of its 600 candidates were non-Muslims.<\/p>\n
Antara reported on Friday that Madurese ulema issued a fatwa
\n(guideline) stating that women were not eligible for the
\npresidency.<\/p>\n
"The use of religion and gender to kick out a political rival
\nis unfair and undemocratic," Sultonul said, adding what was
\nimportant to PMII was that the presidential election "was
\ndemocratic and rational."<\/p>\n
"We urge the Muslim community to understand that the issue of
\nfemale leadership in Islam is a matter in which there is ongoing
\nlegal debates among ulema," he said.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, coordinator of the Salemba Forum in Jakarta Agus
\nHaryadi said students would continue their role as a pressure
\ngroup to ensure the reform agenda was met.(anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reform-movement-must-be-upheld-students-1447893297",
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