Habibie calls Trisakti students 'reform heroes'

Habibie calls Trisakti students 'reform heroes'

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie has described, for the
first time, four Trisakti University students who were killed
during a protest on May 12 as "reform heroes". He promised their
parents yesterday that full justice would be sought.

The President told the parents they should be proud of their
sons who sacrificed their lives for the sake of reform.

"The reform heroes are the among the best sons of the nation
because they died during their struggle," Habibie consoled the
families during a 30-minute meeting at the Bina Graha
presidential palace.

While he repeatedly described them as "reform heroes", he did
not officially confer the title.

Naming the students as national heroes was only a technical
matter Habibie maintained, while giving the parents his assurance
that their sons deserved the title.

"I can understand your feelings because I am also a father who
has a family, children and grandchildren," Habibie said.

The four students -- Hery Hartanto, Elang Mulia Lesmana,
Hendriawan Sie and Hafidhin Royan -- were killed when security
forces opened fire at Trisakti students who were demonstrating in
and around their campus.

The ominous events led to widespread riots and mounting public
protests which forced the resignation of then president Soeharto
one week later.

In addition to the parents and siblings of the four killed
students, also present were Abdul Hakim Idris and his wife
Aminah. Their son, Sofyan Rahman, was shot in the demonstration
and is still in a critical condition.

Despite a military tribunal currently underway trying 18
police officers who were allegedly responsible for opening fire
on the students, Hery's mother, Lasmiati, urged Habibie "to find
the real murderers".

"I hope that the case is thoroughly investigated for the sake
of justice, and that the real murderers can be discovered. This
is for justice, and this cannot be prolonged," Lasmiati told the
President.

"I am very touched by the President's understanding of our
sorrow. He is sincere. I am very proud of my son," Lasmiati
remarked.

Elang's mother, Bagus Yoganandita, expressed the same hope and
later told journalists that Habibie assured her that he would
give special attention to the matter.

The President told Sofyan's parents that the government would
pay for their son's medical bills at Sumber Waras Hospital.

"He promised to visit my son in hospital," said Sofyan's
mother, Aminah, proudly.

Trisakti University was represented at the meeting by one of
its deputy rectors.

"The rector (Moedanton Moertedjo) was asked by the students
not to attend because the students are still not satisfied with
the government's handling of the killings," an informed source
said yesterday.

None of the Jakarta Police officers, including two
lieutenants, on trial have been charged with causing the deaths
of the students. They are being tried under Article 103 of the
Military Penal Code for committing an undisciplined act. (prb)