Plan to mark student shooting sparks debate

JAKARTA (JP): An executive of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) strongly supported on Monday plans by several student groups to hold a massive rally to commemorate the first anniversary of the fatal Trisakti University shooting incident.

Hendardi, PBHI's chairman, said such a rally was one of the most effective ways to help uncover the truth behind the bloody incident.

Four students were shot dead by security officers on May 12, sparking widespread riots ending with the downfall of president Soeharto on May 21, 1998.

"The students could go to the streets to push the government to conduct fair legal proceedings regarding the case and to demand the complete investigation of the case," Hendardi said.

Student groups from several universities pledged last week to mobilize thousands of students on Wednesday in a massive rally to commemorate the shooting incident.

"The shooting incident is a political case, so no other solution can resolve the case except through political means," Hendardi said on Monday in a panel discussion at Trisakti University in Grogol, West Jakarta.

He said the current government does not have any initiative and seems reluctant to investigate because it has "certain political interests" in the case.

"The fact that the case is full of political content makes it difficult to solve," he explained.

Adi Andojo Soetjipto, dean of the law faculty at Trisakti, however, did not agree with Hendardi's remarks. "Such a rally is not necessary since it could ignite other bloody clashes between students and security personnel," he said.

The former Supreme court judge said he put his hopes for the solution of the case on the new government to be formed after the June 7 general election.

"Only the new pro-reform government will be able to handle the case," he said, adding that the current government could not be trusted since it was run by pro-status quo officials.

Another speaker, Thamrin Amral Tomagola, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia, however, agreed with Hendardi's remarks, saying that the Trisakti killings were sparked by political clashes among the military's elite.

The discussion, led by political scientist Hermawan Soelistyo, also featured Rettob Abdullah, another lecturer at Trisakti University.

Among the attendants were Trisakti rector Thoby Mutis, parents of the shooting victims and dozens of Trisakti students. (01)