A brief radicalism?

Many people must have been perplexed by Thursday's ugly street scenes of demonstrating students and security personnel involved in violent confrontations. Especially because these scenes of violence occurred only a few days before the majority of people will welcome the fasting month of Ramadhan, while Christmas is also approaching.

Thursday's student demonstrations left at least 80 students and 14 security personnel injured. Although Jakarta has seen almost daily angry demonstrations, the recent bloody drama tells us that young people are in a great hurry to press their demands. It is as if the students feel that time is running out, making them impatient and more radical. At the same time, security personnel have also become less patient and less tolerant.

The students want to see former president Soeharto jailed for corruption and abuse of power, and they also want the military to return immediately and permanently to the barracks.

The students may realize that reform cannot be achieved overnight, but they expect the public to understand that because the present government has not earned their respect by showing any sincerity in pursuing reform, they have no reason to be patient. The problem resembles that of the chicken and the egg: which came first?

However, the answer is already there for the students. Nobody can expect a serious probe into Soeharto's alleged corruption and abuse of power from his beloved handpicked successor. The picture is further blurred by the fact that the President's main supporter is an Armed Forces commander who was Soeharto's most faithful adjutant.

This fact makes every thinking person in this country believe that the disgraced old man is still pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

Rumors which have been circulating have also alleged that members of Soeharto's family had roles in the recent religious and racial riots in the Ketapang area of West Jakarta. One should keep in mind that despite the newly gained press freedom, rumors still replace modern communication here.

So, many people agree that the students need to continue their rallies for the sake of the nation. As for violence, should only the young people be singled out for short tempers and impatience?

Are not violence and cruelty part of our culture? Unfortunately, this nation has experienced civil wars, regional rebellions and communist violence since it gained independence. The military will be cursed by history for what it has done in East Timor, Irian Jaya and Aceh. Not only for the atrocities it committed, but also for its brilliant efforts to protect the murderers from court-martial.

The recently heightened radicalism by the students can be seen as them making the best use of these last few days before the start of the Ramadhan fasting, which teaches the virtues of patience, social solidarity and subduing the inner-storms of physical and emotional demands.

We believe that during Ramadhan, the young people have made plans to express their emotions in different ways, because most of them believe that street rallies would inconvenience people during the holy month of ordeals.

Students should show the people that their struggle is not a a war without plans, tactics, strategies or rational minds.