Former activists see sign of disintegration

Former activists see sign of disintegration

JAKARTA (JP): A group of former student activists met with
Vice President Try Sutrisno yesterday to express their concern
over the growing signs of disintegration in society.

Djusril Djusan, the chairman of the Arief Rahman Hakim Troops,
a group of former student activists, said their meeting with the
vice-president also examined the country's sensitivity toward
problems which could disrupt unity.

He cited as an example the racially-charged rioting and
vandalism in Pekalongan, Central Java, late last month, which was
triggered by the report of a man of Chinese-descent tearing up a
Koran.

Police said the man, who later died in detention of unknown
reasons, was mentally ill and that it was unclear why he was in
possession of the holy book.

Hundreds of angry Moslems took to the streets, demolishing
stores and burning cars belonging to the ethnic Chinese
residents. Hundreds of anti-riot police officers were deployed to
contain the unrest and a curfew was imposed.

"The incident grew into such a big problem because it
concerned SARA," Djusril said, referring to an Indonesian acronym
for the potentially sensitive issues of ethnicity, religion and
social groupings. "The local public should have exercised some
restraint."

Djusril also cited the formation of so many new mass
organizations over the past several months as a sign of
splintering unity and a legislative body that isn't giving voice
to the people's concerns.

"The new organizations may develop into a mere tool for
certain groups to further their interests," Djusril was quoted by
the Antara news agency as saying.

The Arief Rahman Hakim Troops groups former student activists
who were involved in massive street protests against the Old
Order administration under the late President Sukarno in the
1960s. The students were considered instrumental in leading the
process which eventually toppled the regime.

Arief Rahman Hakim, a University of Indonesia student, was
killed during the political upheaval in 1966.

The people establishing the new organizations should learn
from history, Djusril said, referring to such new organizations
as YKPK, PCPP, New Masyumi, Parkindo and Persatuan Nasional
Indonesia (Indonesian National Unity).

"Remember what happened during the Old Order administration,"
he said. "Numerous organizations emerged, but the activists
ultimately sought to further their own interests."

"National unity should be placed above the interests of any
individual groupings, and it should not become an empty slogan,"
Djusril said.

Djusril was accompanied by secretary-general Muchtar
Ranawidjaja and deputy secretary-general Murniati Muthalib.

Try Sutrisno told the former activists that everybody should
respond to the current developments "wisely". (swe)