Student protests color Independence Day<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta\/Semarang\/Medan\/Surabaya\/Jayapura\/Cirebon<\/p>\n
Student protests and record-breaking attempts highlighted the
\n60th anniversary of the nation's independence on Wednesday with
\nthe Netherlands formally recognizing the date.<\/p>\n
The student protests broke out in Yogyakarta and Surabaya as
\nstudents demanded that the government get more serious in
\ncombating corruption. \"We have been celebrating independence for
\n60 years ago, but our country has not been free from corruption.
\nIt's now time that the social disease gets dealt with seriously,\"
\nsaid Hanta Yuda, the president of UGM's Student Executive Body in
\na protest attended by dozens of UGM students.<\/p>\n
While Yogyakarta students demanded freedom from corruption,
\nSurabaya students demanded that the government provide people
\nwith affordable medical care and education, while expressing
\ntheir opposition to the evictions of poor people from disputed
\nland.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, in conjunction with the Independence Day
\ncelebration, the Indonesian Record Museum (MURI) gave an award to
\nSea World Indonesia after they staged a tug-of-war inside a shark
\naquarium. Earlier on the same day, the Semarang-based museum gave
\nawards to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) management, which
\nproduced the largest national flag -- 45 meters x 67.5 meters --
\nand Mangga Dua Mall, which organized what was believed to be the
\nworld's largest cracker-eating contest (2,940 cracker
\nenthusiasts). Taman Impian Jaya Ancol organized a greased pole
\nclimbing competition with the largest number of poles every
\nrecorded -- 260 in all.<\/p>\n
Jakarta's festive mood also prevailed in most other areas of
\nthe nation as millions of people celebrated on the day. In
\nSemarang, residents celebrated with offices and schools holding
\nflag-raising ceremonies and with neighborhoods festooned with
\nred-and-white flags and bunting. Community games were also held
\nin Semarang's neighborhoods, such as the old standards, the
\nmarble 'n' spoon race and the cracker-eating contest.<\/p>\n
In Jayapura, the local administration held a boat race off of
\nDok II Beach just in front of the Papua Governor's Office, much
\nto the delight of the many residents who came out to watch or
\nparticipate. Earlier, Papuan Governor J.P. Salossa ordered all
\nPapuans to actively take part in the celebration of Indonesian
\nIndependence Day.<\/p>\n
In Cirebon, West Java, the celebrations were not as festive as
\npast years as the increase in the price of fuel had reduced the
\npurchasing power of many local people, forcing them to tighten
\ntheir budgets and spend less on the commemoration.<\/p>\n
In Medan, North Sumatra, the party was disrupted by choking
\nhaze, which has blanketed the city for the past three days. Due
\nto health concerns, many residents chose to stay home.<\/p>\n
In Denpasar, Bali, convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby
\nmingled with fellow inmates while they watched a Bali cultural
\nperformance held in conjunction with the independence
\nobservances. The Australian, who in May was given 20 years in
\nprison for smuggling marijuana into Bali, seemed to enjoy the
\ncultural performance.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile back in the capital, a grand commemoration was held
\nat the State Palace. This year's was quite special as it was
\nattended by Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot. After the
\ncelebration, Bot expressed, on behalf of his government, regret
\nfor the suffering that the Netherlands inflicted upon the people
\nof this nation during the colonial period, which had put it \"on
\nthe wrong side of history.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/student-protests-color-independence-day-1447893297",
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