Protests greet Gus Dur in Bogor

BOGOR (JP): Hundreds of students greeted visiting President 'Gus Dur' Abdurrahman Wahid with protests on Wednesday demanding that the President pay better attention to agriculture and make it a leading sector in the country's economy.

The protesting students were only some 30 meters away from the stage where the President gave his address at the opening of the veterinary center at the Institute of Agriculture of Bogor (IPB).

No violence was reported.

The students, who insisted to talk directly with Gus Dur, also demanded that the President change his political attitude and improve his pattern of leadership. They also wanted the government to improve the life of traditional farmers.

"It's Time for Gus Dur to Stop His Maneuvers Which Do Not Emphasize the People's Interest. Stop Your Overseas Trips and Start To Tour the Archipelago To See How Your People Are," some of the banners they were carrying read.

The students, who were reportedly from Jakarta, dispersed quietly after Gus Dur refused to talk to them.

The President said in his address that IPB must be able to combine traditional agriculture and technology. "It's a challenge to the IPB academicians."

Gus Dur also donated Rp 1 billion for the construction of a student's dormitory after IPB rector Amman Wirakartakusumah said in his report that the student's dormitory project had yet to be realized due to shortage of funds. (21)