Legislators urged to end recess and meet with students
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) should cut short its recess period to allow members to meet students who have demonstrated for reforms for months, a legislator says.
Soelaiman Biyahimo, the chairman of the internal affairs department of the House, said the legislature should be more active than the government and heed the students' demand for dialog.
"In such an emergency situation, DPR cannot just sit back and fail to take any initiative," Antara quoted Soelaiman as saying on Saturday when he attended the wedding of a son of Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita.
The legislator from the United Development Party (PPP) faction said the current recess was too long, especially because the nation needed all efforts to handle the severe economic crisis.
The House began its recess on March 12, just one day after the reelection of President Soeharto and the election of Vice President B.J. Habibie. It is scheduled to last through May 4.
The legislature is expected to be back in session the following day, when members will report on the results of their visits to regions nationwide, especially their respective constituencies.
"We cannot just let the government be bombarded by the students' (demonstrations), the House should play its role," said the legislator.
Another PPP member, Aisyah Aminy, opposed Soelaiman's stance, saying legislators needed more time to rest after working continually from October, when the first phase of the People's Consultative Assembly's General Session began, to March.
"The students can come to the House anytime they want as long as they inform us in advance," Aisyah said Saturday. "We are very willing to talk with them. This recess does not mean that we are taking a vacation."
Student demonstrations have been frequent occurrences in major cities in recent months. Some protests turned violent when students insisted on trying to reach the provincial legislative councils but were prevented from doing so by security forces.
DPR is one of the favorite destinations for protesting students, along with the National Commission on Human Rights.
The Armed Forces (ABRI) has repeatedly warned students to not march on the streets. Maj. Gen. Agum Gumelar, commander of the Wirabuana Command overseeing Sulawesi, has been alone in tolerating the street demonstrations, and these student demonstrations have proceeded peacefully.
President Soeharto has expressed willingness to talk to the students and ordered ministers to heed their concerns.
Separately, legislator Eki Syachruddin from the dominant Golkar faction warned the government Saturday that it should not underestimate the voice of the students.
Eki criticized Minister of Education and Culture Wiranto Arismunandar's warning to students to keep out of politics.
"Don't ever belittle student movements because they have moral strength. When the country's economy is in such chaos, they are brave enough to speak out, and that means that their movement is strong," Eki said. (prb)