Labor union to defy military's threat
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) indicated yesterday it remained determined to hold a workers demonstration today despite warnings from the military that troops would clamp down on any such protests.
Yudi Rahmat, coordinator of the planned SBSI rally, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that as many as 7,000 workers would be mobilized for this morning's protest.
He said the demonstrators would depart in 70 buses from the union's headquarters on Jl. Tebet Barat Dalam Raya, Tebet, South Jakarta at 10 a.m. and head straight to the House of Representatives building on Jl. Gatot Subroto, Central Jakarta.
He admitted, however, that as of yesterday evening they had only assembled 25 buses.
Yudi did not seem concerned by the military's warning.
"Yes, we'll go on with our protest tomorrow (today)," he said. "We'll see later. Anyway, what we want is a peaceful protest but it will really very much depend on the security apparatus (and how it reacts)."
Asked whether the demonstration would later move to other parts of the city, Yudi said it would depend on the union's "improvisations" in the field.
SBSI chairman Muchtar Pakpahan said Monday he would send thousands of workers into the streets to press for President B.J. Habibie's resignation.
However, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin quickly asserted that he would foil the workers' demonstration.
"If they continue, I will cripple them," he warned Monday.
Criticized
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) yesterday strongly criticized the military's threat.
"The banning and the threat issued by the military are against the spirit of reform which advocates freedom and respect for human rights. Therefore, it is against ABRI's official proreform political stance," YLBHI said in a letter to the military chief, a copy of which was also made available to the press.
The letter was signed by YLBHI chairman Bambang Widjojanto and the head of the foundation's labor division, Teten Masduki.
The foundation said that the planned protests should not be suspected as a move to trigger rioting.
"Workers and students are not rioters. They only want to channel their aspirations through a clear, peaceful and organized way," it said.
Meanwhile, leaders of another labor union, the All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation (FSPSI), urged its members yesterday to stay away from today's demonstration.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Datuk Bagindo, and secretary-general, Syukur Sato, the federation called on its members to beware of people asking them to participate in demonstrations which were "unclear and irrational" and could lead to anarchy. (aan)