Indonesians celebrate Soeharto's departure

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)