Students stage protests over Buloggate II<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular and A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Some 3,000 students from various universities staged a protest
\nrally demanding the formation of a special House of
\nRepresentatives inquiry into the alleged misuse of State
\nLogistics Agency (Bulog) funds, in which House Speaker Akbar
\nTandjung is implicated.<\/p>\n
They also demanded Akbar resign from his post and remain under
\ndetention. Their other demand was the dissolution of the Golkar
\nparty, which is under Akbar's leadership.<\/p>\n
The students comprised the Student Executive Boards (BEM) from
\naround Indonesia, the Association of Islamic Students (HMI) and
\nthe Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI), and were
\nsupported by the Democratic People's Party (PRD) and the labor
\nassociation of PT. Indah Sutera Utama.<\/p>\n
Wisnu Sunandar of the University of Indonesia BEM said the
\nstudents pledged to keep on staging massive protests throughout
\nthe country, beginning on Tuesday, and appealed to the public not
\nto trust either the government or the legislature.<\/p>\n
\"Their failure to establish the special committee has proved
\nthat reform is at a standstill. President Megawati Soekarnoputri
\nis involved in collusion with the Golkar Party in nurturing
\ncorruption,\" he yelled in his speech.<\/p>\n
\"This rally is only an initial event to guide other students
\nin the country to oppose the government. We hope today's action
\nwill lead to a more massive movement in support of the public
\ndemand to eliminate corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN).\"<\/p>\n
Students began the rally at 8 a.m. from their gathering point
\nat Wisma Danamon Aetna on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, South Jakarta,
\nbefore marching to the House at Jl. Gatot Subroto, Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Upon their arrival at the House at around 10 a.m., they
\nencountered hundreds of Golkar supporters, who were also staging
\na protest at the entrance to the House compound. The supporters
\ndemanded that legislators not establish the special committee.<\/p>\n
They came from Jakarta's outskirts, such as Tangerang, Bekasi
\nand even Banten and Lampung. Most of them wore black clothing,
\nunique costumes typical of Banten jawara (martial arts fighters).
\nOthers wore the uniforms of paramilitary organizations under
\nGolkar, such as Pemuda Pancasila. Some even carried swords and
\nknives.<\/p>\n
Security chief at the House Comr. Muchidin said two Golkar
\nsupporters were detained at the city police headquarters for
\npossession of offensive weapons.<\/p>\n
The police deployed 1,066 personnel from Mobile Brigade and
\nSabhara (anti-riot unit) to secure the location.<\/p>\n
The situation became tense after several Golkar supporters
\nyelled at students, spoiling for a fight. Violence failed to
\nmaterialize thanks to a heavy, one-hour shower.<\/p>\n
After the rain, the students marched to the rear entrance of
\nthe House, forcing their way inside.<\/p>\n
However, the students failed to meet legislators as the latter
\nwere still engrossed in their plenary session, discussing the
\nformation of the special committee. The session was delayed
\nseveral times.<\/p>\n
At 2 p.m., a minor clash between students and the police
\noccurred. At least 15 students were struck by police armed with
\nrattan sticks, forcing them to retreat.<\/p>\n
The students then shifted their target of protest to Merdeka
\nPalace on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara, Central Jakarta, following
\ntheir accusation that Megawati had tried to save Akbar.<\/p>\n
The protest ended at 5:30 p.m. after the students read out
\ntheir statement, even though they had been unable to meet the
\nPresident.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/students-stage-protests-over-buloggate-ii-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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