Alumni back student calls for reform

Alumni back student calls for reform

JAKARTA (JP): Alumni from 48 leading universities and
institutions have thrown their weight behind student rallies for
reform and vowed to establish a special network to aid families
whose relatives "disappear".

After a gathering which featured a free-speech forum, the
Cooperation Body of Indonesian University Alumni said Saturday
they were concerned about the cases of missing persons, many of
whom were students from universities they had graduated from.

"We will strongly focus on the issue of the disappearances
because it is a clear violation of human rights. There will be
internal cooperation among us which is aimed at giving advice and
voicing these concerns," the head of the body, Kusnadi
Hardjasoemantri, said as quoted by Antara.

The meeting of alumni was held at the University of Indonesia
campus in Depok to commemorate National Education Day which falls
on May 2.

He explained that the assistance would cover legal and
psychological counseling, both for those who disappeared and
those who participated in demonstrations.

Several activists and a politician have been reported missing
for the past few months. While some notable figures, namely Pius
Lustrilanang, Andi Arief, Desmond J. Mahesa and Indonesian
Democratic Party politician Haryanto Taslam, have reappeared,
others are still missing.

The National Commission on Human Rights, in a report, has said
that they were abducted by force by a well-organized unit.

Support

When asked about the "moral movement" initiated by the
students, the alumni expressed the belief that it had the backing
of the public at large.

Political commentator Wimar Witoelar said protests currently
being staged by students enjoyed greater public support than the
ones held in 1966, which only had the backing of the Army.

The famous 1966 student demonstrations were a precursor for
the New Order regime which resulted in the banishment of the
Indonesian Communist Party.

Head of the central branch of the University of Indonesia
alumni association, Hariadi Dharmawan, urged the "actors" in the
present national development not to be ashamed to admit their
faults.

"We realize that the many problems now arising may have been
contributed by the alumni of our alma mater, but we shouldn't be
afraid to admit them," he said.

In a joint statement read by Toeti Herati Noerhadi, a
professor of philosophy at the University of Indonesia, the
alumni said they were "concerned that the adverse impacts of the
(monetary) crisis have been exacerbated because of rampant
corruption, collusion and nepotism in the bureaucracy that have
led to a political crisis and a crisis in (people's) confidence
(in the government)".

They also said they backed the students' push for political,
economic and law reforms and deplored the strong-arm approach
employed by the Armed Forces (ABRI) in handling the student
movement.

They said repressive actions were against the state ideology
Pancasila and human rights principles.

Participants, who one by one were given opportunities to speak
at the meeting, urged all members of society to join the student
movement in order "to force the government to initiate total
reform and eliminate the causes of the crisis".

Only by combating corruption, collusion and nepotism, and by
taking concrete steps to defuse the crisis, can the government
regain both local and international confidence, they said.

Koento Wibisono, representing the alumni of Yogyakarta-based
Gadjah Mada University, called for total reform by upholding the
law and human rights, amending the 1945 Constitution and
strengthening national unity.

A review of the Armed Forces' dual function -- as both
security and sociopolitical forces -- is also needed to create a
favorable political system.

Mayaksa Johan, representing alumni of the Sumatra Utara
University, said political reform should be prioritized since the
government has often abused the law, including the Constitution,
in its efforts to maintain the status quo, often at the expense
of people's political rights.

"For more than 30 years now, the New Order administration has
deceived the people and 'castrated' their political rights and
freedom," he said. "We are given only the opportunity to do what
the government wants us to, and are never given the opportunity
to say no." (rms)