Labor union to defy military's threat
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)