ABRI back pedals on handling massive protests

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)