Makassar students urge President to act on Ambon

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Some 100 protesting students intercepted visiting President Abdurrahman Wahid's entourage on Thursday to demand the government promptly resolve the violence in Ambon.

The students from the Association of Makassar Muslim Students halted the President's entourage, including Indonesian Military Commander Adm. Widodo and Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja, for about five minutes before being dispersed by security officers. The incident took place on Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan in front of Hasanuddin University.

The President, who had just arrived at the airport, proceeded on to the hall on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, some 10 kilometers from the campus, where a dialog with community representatives was scheduled.

As the President's entourage passed, the demonstrators, mostly students from the university, attempted to follow the motorcade, many asking passing motorists for rides.

Prevented by tight security from entering the hall, the protesters held a free speech forum outside the building.

The situation became tense as a standoff developed between demonstrators and civilian security guards organized by Nahdlatul Ulama. However, cooler heads prevailed and violence was averted.

President Abdurrahman arrived on Thursday for a two-day visit. He is scheduled to open the mass prayer Wirid '99 on Friday.

Adnan Nasution, one of the demonstrators, told The Jakarta Post the action was in response to the government's sluggishness in dealing with violence in Ambon.

"We just don't want the President to do nothing and let the problem remain unresolved," Adnan said.

Promise

During the dialog with community representatives from Aceh, Irian Jaya, Ternate and Sulawesi, Abdurrahman said was committed to his promise of a referendum in Aceh.

"Just hold the referendum. The central government will act as arranger," he told the Aceh representatives.

"But the Acehnese should not keep (the promise for a referendum) as a way of life. Don't just think of revenge. Let's work together to build a new life for the future, don't just look back to the past," the President said.

While the dialog was taking place, hundreds of protesting students from the Islamic Teaching Institute Alauddin Makassar seized 12 non-Muslims of Chinese descent. The demonstrators urged the government to settle the violence in Ambon.

The "hostages" were released after negotiations with security personnel.

Inside the hall, the President told the audience he had lobbied the governments of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Brunei to provide aid for the people of Aceh. "The Arab Emirates promised Rp 240 billion per year," he said, adding that the government needed at least US$90 million to address poverty in the province.

He stressed that in the future the government's policies would focus on creating togetherness of spirit and allowing the provinces to develop their own cultures.

"Literally, I see recent outbursts in some provinces as being initiated by unfair treatment by the central government," he said.

The President said building unity was imperative so in the future no province would view itself as maltreated.

"If Aceh claims to have been hurt, we should be aware that many other provinces have been hurt too," he said. He said that for almost 15 years he himself was "stirred" by the Soeharto regime.

Discussing the continuing bloody clashes in Ambon, the President said economic motives were behind the violence. "Certain groups want to monopolize natural resources there."

Togetherness grounded in respect for law, freedom of expression and tolerance will be the future of Indonesia, Abdurrahman said. (27/sur)