ABRI back pedals on handling massive protests

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) has admitted there are indications its members erred while handling the massive student demonstrations here last week.

Chief of staff of the Wirabuana regional military command Brig. Gen. Fachrul Razi said yesterday that "mistakes" were made by the troops when they moved into campuses on April 22 and 23 to restore order after protesting students went on a rampage.

"Those mistakes were cruelty," he told The Jakarta Post. "But we're not going to impose sanctions against our members just like that."

He said the military will continue with its investigation and would not cover up anything.

The nine-strong investigation team, which was established last Saturday and is led by chief of the command's supervision division Col. Djoko Sungkowo, is questioning students who were involved in the demonstrations.

So far, about 100 students have given statements on the street protests against the public transportation fare hike. These complaints turned into clashes with security forces and led to the death of three students.

"We'll guarantee objectivity. We're not going to protect any members who are found to have committed mistakes," Djoko said. "But this team has just been collecting data, so there's no conclusion yet."

However, Djoko admitted that students' statements indicated wrongdoings on the part of the military. "Almost all of the students said ABRI members moved into campuses and caused damage."

By yesterday, order had returned to the city and learning activities have resumed on the campuses. Some students, however, said they were still upset over the military's handling of their demonstrations.

"We'll abide by the recent peace agreement. But if nothing improves within the week, we'll go down the streets again," a student told The Jakarta Post, referring to an agreement that representatives of Ujungpandang students, the military, the universities, religious figures, community leaders and government officials reached on Wednesday.

The document states that all breaches of law will be dealt with legally without use of force, it expresses regrets about the deaths and injuries sustained in the incident, and calls for restraint from all sides.

The city-wide protest began on April 22, two days after Mayor Malik B. Masry decreed a 66 percent hike in public transportation fares. Ordinary mini bus fares were increased from Rp 300 (13 U.S. cents) to Rp 500, with students fares set at Rp 200.

Students argued that in practice, the special fares for them have never been enforced and that they usually end up paying the regular fares.

Following the protest, the city authorities decided to cancel the fare, but this drew protests from the public bus drivers.

Human rights campaigner Bambang Widjojanto welcome the establishment of fact-finding teams by both the military and the National Commission on Human Rights.

"The government should follow up on the findings, and be transparent when it comes to the number of the victims, the responsible parties, as well as the reasons for using the repressive approach against the protests," he said.

Separately in Bandung, West Java, Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat said that the military's "repressive approach" on many social problems is no longer suitable as it often only creates new problems.

If used, it will invite allegations that soldiers are violating people's basic rights, he said.

"The military approach against any efforts to disrupt the national stability is becoming less popular, both at home and abroad," Edi said in a written statement before students of the Nusantara Islamic University. (20/17/imn)