Activists hold own anniversary celebration
JAKARTA (JP): Leading human rights campaigners and government critics mingled with 2,000 youths and members of non-governmental organizations holding a high-spirited celebration of Indonesia's 50th anniversary of independence yesterday.
Adnan Buyung Nasution, H.J. Princen, Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Ali Sadikin starred in the gathering held at the Proclamation of Independence Monument.
Young people calling themselves the Council for the Salvation of People's Sovereignty sang patriotic songs, unfurled banners, distributed flyers and gave critical speeches. The far outnumbered security personnel entered the park but soon retreated to observe the proceedings from a distance.
When Ali and Bintang arrived at the event, amid intermittent anti-government exclamations, they were warmly welcomed by the youths.
Bintang is currently under police investigation for his alleged involvement in several anti-government demonstrations during a visit by President Soeharto to Germany in April. Ali is a leader of the Petisi 50 group of the government's critics.
A group of foreign journalists, including those from the Voice of America and Cable News Network, covered the event. Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party Megawati Soekarnoputri -- daughter of the late president Sukarno who proclaimed Indonesia's independence 50 years ago -- didn't show up.
Yesterday, Ali Sadikin stood at the foot of the statue of Sukarno and read the text of the proclamation of independence, a replay of the scene 50 years ago.
Next, Buyung took center stage and fired up the audience's emotions with his speech. Students wearing red and white clothes and carrying the same color flowers held up their fists and shouted, "Merdeka" (freedom).
Afterward, Bintang took the microphone and began a speech critical of the government. "We're a great nation, and we should prove this greatness to the world," he said.
"We must not be smug because of whatever we have achieved. We must never turn a blind eye to the violations taking place around us," he said. He also asked the audience to campaign against "those who have betrayed the nation". He did not elaborate.
Bintang also said that the 50th anniversary of independence should mark the beginning of an era where people are free to express their opinion, to oppose, to assemble and to criticize.
"We should be free to decide whether we want to assemble and join any group, or not join any group at all," he said.
The youths then marched to the office of the Legal Aid Foundation. (swe)