Students continue protests, some violence reported<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Waves of student protests critical of the
\ngovernment and demanding sweeping reforms were unrelenting
\nyesterday, with clashes between students and security officers
\nerupting on several campuses.<\/p>\n
There was no respite in the persistent cries for the lowering
\nof prices of basic commodities and an insistence that the
\ngovernment be held accountable for the economic doldrums
\nenfolding the country.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, four police officers were treated for head wounds
\nwhen a shower of stones was hurled by about 400 students
\nprotesting at the Syarif Hidayatullah Institute for Islamic
\nStudies on the southern outskirts of the city.<\/p>\n
The violent unfolded when students failed to break through a
\npolice blockade preventing them from taking their protest onto
\nthe streets. They vented their frustration by throwing stones at
\nthe police.<\/p>\n
No arrests were made, however.<\/p>\n
City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said police
\ndeplored the incident and pleaded that it should be the last of
\nsuch violence to happen in the capital.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, two other institutions, the Institute for Computer
\nManagement (STIMIK) and Tarumanegara University, according to
\nAntara, were able to hold minor demonstrations which eventually
\nmoved onto the streets.<\/p>\n
Students at STIMIK held a free-speech forum which heard from
\nnotable speakers including former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin.<\/p>\n
In the North Sumatra capital of Medan, the situation was
\nrelatively calm yesterday after the previous day in which
\nstudents from Sumatra Utara University clashed with security
\nofficers.<\/p>\n
A puff of black smoke was seen, however, as about two dozen
\nstudents from Ksatria Academy of Information and Computers set
\nfire to tires during a rally on their campus.<\/p>\n
Long banners spread around the campus carried their
\nstatements: Reformasi Oke. Kau-Perasi? Tidak Layau! (Reforms Yes.
\nYou Manipulate Us? Of course not!), ABRI=Mahasiswa=Rakyat Sama-
\nSama Susah (Armed Forces=Students=People Suffering Together), and
\nOh Tuhan, Tolong Dengar Aspirasi Kami (Oh God, Please Listen to
\nOur Aspirations).<\/p>\n
In a related development yesterday, the local chapter of the
\nIndonesian Journalists Association (PWI) lodged a strong protest
\nover the beating of an Antara journalist covering Wednesday's
\nprotest at the Sumatra Utara University campus.<\/p>\n
Munawar Mundaling, 30, was allegedly beaten up by plainclothes
\nofficers despite having shown them his official press badge.<\/p>\n
In the East Java capital of Surabaya, more than 2,000 students
\nfrom several universities staged a free-speech forum and a
\ntheatrical performance on the campus of the Surabaya Teachers
\nTraining Institute (IKIP Surabaya).<\/p>\n
The free-speech forum featured an English professor, Djoko
\nMarhaen, who asked the students to continue their protests and
\nkeep demanding reforms in every sector of state life.<\/p>\n
The event was witnessed by hundreds of security personnel who
\nwatched from behind a fence.<\/p>\n
Reform fever also caught on at several campuses in which
\nprotests are a rarity.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, about 1,500 students of the military-managed
\nPembangunan Nasional University called on the government to
\nfaithfully implement the 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
Rector Prof. Tarwotjo and deputy rector in charge of student
\naffairs, Brig. Gen. (ret) Helmizan, were both present at the
\ndemonstration.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, Central Java, 3,000 students from various
\nuniversities gathered on the grounds of the Diponegoro University
\ncampus.<\/p>\n
The protest also drew the attention of hundreds of nearby
\nresidents who came to watch the demonstration, where students
\ndemanded the government be held accountable for the economic
\npredicament.<\/p>\n
A minor clash occurred when police officers, backed by troops
\nand several military armored vehicles, forced back students who
\ntried to make their way to the streets.<\/p>\n
In the West Java capital of Bandung, similar student
\ndemonstrations took place in at least seven universities here --
\nthe Sunan Gunung Djati Islamic Institute, the Mandala Technical
\nCollege , the Textile Technology Institute, and YPKP Economic
\nCollege (STIE YPKP), and the Bandung Institute of Technology.<\/p>\n
An estimated 1,000 students of the Bandung Institute of
\nTechnology were able to march on the street, peacefully
\nattempting to take their protest to the nearby Padjadjaran
\nUniversity.<\/p>\n
But they were later stopped by police and troops who had set
\nup a blockade at strategic street points leading to the
\nPadjadjaran campus. No violence was reported as they dispersed.<\/p>\n
In Surakarta, Central Java, student activists held a free-
\nspeech forum at the Muhammadiyah Surakarta University campus
\ncalling for lower prices and immediate reforms.<\/p>\n
The early morning rally spontaneously traveled onto the
\nstreets but security forces standing guard were lenient. They
\nallowed them to march peacefully along the Solo-Semarang roadway.<\/p>\n
Police officers were kept busy attempting to ease the traffic
\ncongestion caused by the rally. (21\/23\/44\/43\/har\/nur\/edt\/aan)<\/p>",
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