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)