East Java Menwa protest disbandment

East Java Menwa protest disbandment

JAKARTA: Around 1,000 members of university paramilitary
regiments from 60 universities in East Java gathered at the
governor's office here on Monday to protest the dissolution of
the paramilitary force.

But students, all members of the Mahasurya paramilitary
regiment, failed to meet with Governor Imam Utomo who was away
inspecting the venues of the upcoming 15th National Games.

They thus had to be content with making speeches in front of
the building to protest the government's decision to revoke a
1975 Joint Ministerial Decree on the student regiments'
existence.

They insisted that the dissolution was a violation of human
rights.

Separately in Bandung, West Java, assistant rector Isnu
Wardianto at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) told
reporters on Saturday that the institute has decided to keep its
student regiment.

Isnu said the regiment had played a positive role in
developing students' mentality and attitude. (25/09)