It should not have happened

It should not have happened

From Bisnis Indonesia

On behalf of the alumni of Trisakti University at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, I would like to express deep concern about the deaths of our fellow students on May 12.

We regret the event, which could have been prevented had the security apparatus been more considerate in controlling the situation.

I am convinced that the sacrifice of the students will not be in vain. I trust that what they struggled for was in the nation's interest.

The treatment by the security apparatus of our fellows is not acceptable considering that we are a sovereign nation that respects human rights.

It is not right for a country that upholds Pancasila as the nation's guideline to use violence as a means to solving problems.

What our fellow students did was the realization of a deep concern about the worsening national situation. It is the government's duty to respond to the protest in a wise manner, not by using force.

We hope that the event will be a valuable lesson for the government to show more wisdom in settling problems. The government should heed and appreciate the students' demands in order to prevent worse happenings.

Goodbye, friends! Let us hope that what you struggle for will soon come true.

HENRY HERNAWAN

Colleague Students at UNSW

Sydney, Australia