Tommy's remarks give students new spirit<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A challenge laid down by the youngest son of
\nformer president Soeharto calling for people to prove the
\nwrongdoings of his father and family has galvanized the student
\nmovement in the capital.<\/p>\n
Thousands of students, including students from other cities,
\ntook to the streets of Jakarta on Thursday, saying they had been
\nelectrified by the challenge laid down by Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala
\nPutra.<\/p>\n
"Who said we cannot prove Soeharto's sins? Once a thief always
\na thief," Jakarta Front's Handriyadi N. Pali said in a speech in
\nfront of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas)
\noffice on Jl. Imam Bonjol in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"He looked so arrogant on television. He's a crook himself.
\nEverybody knows he pulled strings to get his business
\nprivileges," Andry from the Bandung Students Association said.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Tommy urged those who have
\nrepeatedly defamed his father to provide evidence to support
\ntheir accusations.<\/p>\n
"Don't just talk, don't just stage demonstrations or voice
\ndemands. Prove it. We'll prove that father is not guilty," Tommy
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
His statement, which received widespread coverage in the
\nmedia, incurred the wrath of students who have been attempting to
\nmarch to Soeharto's house on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta in
\nrecent days.<\/p>\n
"Tommy can say whatever he wants, but we'll keep on fighting
\nfor Soeharto to be brought to trial," Rista, another student,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Banners and placards carried by the protesters included those
\nwhich read: "Where are You Harto?" and "Hang Harto Up and Down".
\nSome placards depicted the once feared former president in
\ndegrading caricatures.<\/p>\n
Thousands of students staged a rally in Suropati Park near
\nSoeharto's residence.<\/p>\n
Among groups with the largest representation on the streets on
\nThursday were the West Java Peasant Union, Rawamangun Students
\nForum, Jakarta Front, Gempur, Trisakti Students Action Group and
\nstudents from Gunadarma University.<\/p>\n
Smaller groups included activists from the Indonesian Students
\nForum and Women's Solidarity.<\/p>\n
As in previous rallies, student protesters again called for
\nthe immediate trial of Soeharto; termination of the Armed Forces'
\n(ABRI's) dual function; and for President B.J. Habibie and
\nMinister of Security and Defense\/Armed Forces Commander Gen.
\nWiranto to take responsibility for a number of recent violent
\nincidents in the capital.<\/p>\n
Other groups of students were seen drifting toward the state
\nTVRI television station in Central Jakarta and the Attorney
\nGeneral's Office in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The rallies passed off peacefully and no clashes were
\nreported. One demonstration took on the look of a carnival, with
\nstudents from Bandung singing and dancing in front of tired-
\nlooked members of the security forces.<\/p>\n
Most of the protesting groups met in the late morning at Atma
\nJaya Catholic University, from where they set off to their
\nrespective destinations by bus.<\/p>\n
They drove the crammed buses by themselves, with some
\nprotesters electing to travel on the roofs rather than inside.<\/p>\n
"Gosh! This is crazy. Who will be responsible if students fall
\nfrom the tops of the buses?" wondered one police officer.<\/p>\n
Knowing that the students would remain peaceful, some police
\nofficers gave each other haircuts in a post near Suropati Park.<\/p>\n
"We want to look handsome and neat," said Private Agus after
\nreceiving a short back and sides.<\/p>\n
At about 5:30 p.m. the crowd dispersed peacefully of their own
\naccord. Some shouted: "We'll be right back! Bye bye... Hang
\nWiranto at Taman Lawang."<\/p>\n
Taman Lawang is a city park which is a popular meeting place
\nfor transvestites after dark.<\/p>\n
The soldiers sang patriotic songs in response. (edt)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tommys-remarks-give-students-new-spirit-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }