PDI warned of state chaos, power abuses
JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of pro-democracy activists staged a noisy protest at the House of Representatives yesterday, denouncing what they called the "rising incidence of state violence" and the "widespread abuse of power".
Coming in two groups, they gathered inside the House foyer, chanting slogans and singing patriotic songs with lyrics twisted into a mockery of inconsistent government policy.
They mentioned several recent incidents, including allegations of military brutality while handling a student demonstration, collusion at the Supreme Court, the escape of tycoon Eddy Tansil from prison and Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto's abuse of power.
One group which consisted of activists from Pijar, a militant student group seeking political reform, found legislators from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) to hear their concerns.
The Pijar activists demanded that Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Haryanto Dhanutirto, Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman and Justice Sujatmi Soedarmoko resign as an act of accountability for the irregularities in their respective offices.
"We demand that every citizen receive equal treatment before a court of justice," Pijar chief Fery Haryono Machsus said. "Independent teams must investigate the numerous cases of corruption and abuses of power."
PDI legislators Aberson Marle Sihaloho, Jupri and Popo S. Haroen said the minority party shares the concerns of the activists.
"Collusion at the Supreme Court is especially deplorable. It shows how weak law enforcement is in Indonesia," said Djupri from the House Commission III for legal affairs.
Aberson said that the widespread use of violence to handle civil cases has reached alarming levels. He cited the harsh manner in which security forces dispersed students protesting a hike in transport fares last month in Ujungpandang. Three students were killed in the incident.
"It is sad to know that Armed Forces members shot unarmed civilians, who pay taxes to buy the guns," he said.
Separately, another demonstration was held at the Ministry of Agriculture by dozens of students protesting an alleged act of corruption at a rubber goods factory project in Purwakarta, West Java, and at palm oil refining and oleochemical plant on Batam island.
The state suffered financial losses of billions of rupiah because of the corruption involving the state-owned PT Perkebunan Agrintara company, the students charged.
Meanwhile, an alliance of pro-democracy activists from 16 NGOs demanded in a statement that state violence be stopped before the people's initiative is destroyed.
"The public's participation in state development will be killed and the dream of democracy will remain elusive," they said.
The rising incidence of violence on a state level, they said, is evident in the everyday cases of officials launching street operations against citizens without identity cards, the torturing of prisoners and the placement of military officers at railway stations, bus terminals and other public places.
Violence is often used against student activists and pro- democracy activists, they said. Government critics are discredited with such stigmas as "leftist" or for "having past links with the Indonesian Communist Party". (pan)