Petitioners establish new pro-democracy movement

Petitioners establish new pro-democracy movement

JAKARTA (JP): Another pro-democracy movement was established
yesterday bringing together more than 500 petitioners who are
calling for sweeping political reforms in Indonesia.

The latest group, whose proponents say was formed by a number
of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is called Aliansi
Demokrasi Rakyat (Alliance of People's Democracy), Aldera for
short.

The petitioners include students, workers, farmers,
professionals and activists from 15 towns in Indonesia, according
to Aldera secretary general Standarkiaa.

The new group announced its founding during a press conference
yesterday held at a foodstall at the Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts
Center in Central Jakarta.

A number of ardent government critics were present at the
modest ceremony, including Adnan Buyung Nasution, H.J.C. Princen,
Chris Siner Key Timu, Rani Yunsih and Semsar Siahaan.

"It's good to see the courage and will to struggle for
democracy amid intimidation, arrests and detentions (of those
taking part in the struggle)," said Buyung. "We have a long way
to struggle for our democracy. Be prepared to be arrested and
sent to jail. That is the risk of the struggle," he added.

Yunsih said the group should remain consistent and faithful to
their struggle. "Don't be like a mushroom in the rainy season,
which disappears when the rain stops," he said.

The alliance is the latest in a string of pro-democracy
movements established in the country in recent years. Virtually
all of them disappeared immediately after they were established.

Some political commentators said many of these groups were
established at the spur of the moment and that their proponents
lacked the organizational skills necessary to maintain their
existence and carry out their programs. (sim)