New demos against Habibie

JAKARTA (JP): More students took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the soaring prices of essentials and to demand the resignation of President B.J. Habibie.

Thousands of students from various colleges in the Central Java town of Purwokerto began demonstrating at their campuses simultaneously at 9 a.m. before venturing out. They marched down the streets and managed to gather at the city square without encountering any security officers.

"This is strange. Weird, not even one police officer tried to block our progress to the square," student Hanif Fauzi said. "Usually we would not even be able leave our campus because security personnel would immediately block our way."

The students came from, among others, Jenderal Soedirman University, State Institute of Islamic Studies, Wijaya Kusuma University and School of Economics.

Joined by hundreds of residents, the students sang patriotic songs and waved Indonesian flags. However, dozens of police prevented them from entering the regent's office and the local legislature.

In her oration, student Ory Wulandari said "Habibie's administration is now nothing. He can do nothing! On behalf of the people, we demand that he relinquish his position."

Barid, another student from Jenderal Soedirman University, yelled: "(Armed Forces Commander Gen.) Wiranto, no more lip service! Abolish the Armed Forces' dual function now!"

The dual function that Barid referred to was the Armed Forces (ABRI) doctrine that enables the military to play a role in politics in addition to its security function.

Among posters that the students waved were one that read "Lower prices, step down Habibie!"

Kundiyarto, also from the same university as Barid, yelled: "Habibie, step down, don't force people into fasting every Monday and Thursday!"

In June, Habibie expressed his concern about the skyrocketing prices of rice and suggested that people cope by reducing their rice consumption and fasting every Monday and Thursday -- an Islamic rite that he himself observes.

Wiranto delivered last week a strong warning against student protests which disrupted order and threatened stability. Many students, however, continued with their protests.

The causes that the students picked up, however, varied, ranging from the dual function of ABRI to the economic crisis that has seen the number of poor people soar. (45)