Indonesians celebrate Soeharto's departure
JAKARTA (JP): In Jakarta, the descension day of Soeharto was wildly celebrated at the House of Representatives by thousands of student demonstrators who had occupied the compound since Monday.
They sang, waved banners and splashed about in the fountain in jubilation throughout the day. Thousands of people watched the revelry from the heavily jammed thoroughfare in front of the House.
Most Jakartans, however, were reserved in their reaction as Christians yesterday commemorated the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ and others stayed home with their families to enjoy the national holiday. Groups of people were seen on the quiet streets discussing the latest political development.
Around the National Monument and the State Palace, soldiers stood alert. Roadblocks, barricades and armored vehicles remained in place, first established and deployed Tuesday in anticipation of a planned antigovernment mass rally Wednesday.
But the on-duty soldiers no longer looked tense as they did the day before. They sat in groups and responded with smiles every time passersby addressed them.
Many also gladly posed with people for photographs in front or on the tanks.
Stamps
In the Pasar Baru central post office, just north of the Presidential Office, dozens of philatelists jostled to buy Rp 300 and Rp 700 stamps with Soeharto's picture and asked postal workers to stamp yesterday's date on them.
Philatelists said the stamps, marked with the day Soeharto resigned, would be of priceless "historical value".
"They came about an hour after Soeharto announced his resignation," said Ida Bagus Ketut Widana, a postal worker there.
Ethnic Chinese Indonesians burned hio, or incense, at their homes and temples in the downtown Kota area, West Jakarta.
Ethnic Chinese Jakartans often became targets of frustration during the widespread riots here last week.
"We thank God. We hope that there will be no more riots and the situation will return to normal soon," one said.
Although many shops which had remained closed on previous days opened yesterday, business was still far from brisk. The fact that yesterday was a holiday had an obvious effect.
But newspaper vendors seemed to enjoy good business.
Afternoon papers sold very well in the streets as people were interested in keeping abreast of the latest political developments, which are of historical proportions.
"I never cared to buy newspapers before. But I bought Kompas and Sinar Pembaruan today because I have to know everything about Pak Harto's resignation," a resident said.
Across the country, there were generally displays of jubilation, particularly from students, when it was announced that Soeharto had stepped down.
People rejoiced in many towns throughout the country as spontaneous processions circled the streets, while others shaved their heads to express their joy.
In Yogyakarta, about 400 students gathered at the University of Gadjah Mada campus and performed the Moslem act of prostrating themselves to give thanks to God.
Twenty-five student activists from the university, including student senate leader Ridaya La Ode Ngkowe, shaved their heads to express their happiness that the reforms they were pushing for were showing signs of bearing fruit.
During an impromptu student rally held in the afternoon, assistant rector Zulkifli Halim warned newly installed President Habibie not to repeat the same mistakes as Soeharto.
"As long as Habibie continues to hide under the armpits of Soeharto and protects Soeharto's interests, the people will continue to protest," he said.
In Semarang, Central Java, about 200 students marched up and down the main streets of the city to welcome the end of Soeharto's presidency.
There were no incidents as residents often waved and gave approving smiles.
Similarly in Purwokerto, Central Java, about 1,000 students from Soedirman University drove their motorcycles and cars in a motorcade parading through the small town.
People joyfully came out to watch them, giving the thumbs up sign to the student yells that reform must continue and that they would not settle simply for Soeharto's resignation.
After about three hours, they returned to the campus and prostrated themselves to God to give thanks. (23/44/45/har/cst/jun)