Quiet day in Dili, busy day in Jakarta
Quiet day in Dili, busy day in Jakarta
JAKARTA (JP): Independence Day was quiet in Dili, the capital
of East Timor, where people preferred to attend the anniversary
of the separatist group Falintil.
Merriment, however, was still seen among pro-Indonesia groups
rallying the city in various vehicles in the campaign ahead of
the Aug. 30 self-determination vote.
Student demonstrations marked the 54th anniversary of
Indonesia's Independence Day in Jakarta, as well as several other
major cities, such as Semarang and Ujungpandang. Also in Jakarta,
thousands of invites and dignitaries joined the celebration led
by President B.J. Habibie on the grounds of Merdeka Palace.
East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, who presided
over the ceremony in Dili, appeared annoyed when a journalist
reminded him this year's celebration might be the last as
proindependence groups might win the direct ballot.
"It is possible for you but not for me," he retorted in an
emotional tone.
Afterward, hundreds of prointegration youths went around the
city shouting "mate ka moris, simu otonomi!" (alive or dead, vote
for autonomy).
At about the same time, some 4,000 proindependence supporters
left the city on buses, trucks and cars to attend the first
celebration of Falintil's anniversary at four locations in the
province.
At Merdeka Palace, the one-hour ceremony started at 10:00
a.m., four minutes before founding fathers, then president
Sukarno and vice president Muhammad Hatta, proclaimed Indonesian
independence in 1945.
Col. Syaiful Rizal commanded the ceremony, which opened with a
siren and 17 salvos. House Speaker Harmoko read out the
proclamation, which was followed by one minute of silence to
remember the nation's heroes.
This was followed by the hoisting of the national flag by a
group of selected senior high school students from across the
country. Guests, however, were distracted when an Air Force
soldier, a member of the honor guard, fainted.
Unlike Independence Day celebrations under Soeharto's
administration, guests this year did not receive a small bag
containing a soft drink and cake, compliments of the presidential
household.
As a result, many left to look for refreshment nearby when
2,000 students started belting out heroic songs. Coca-cola stands
were the most sought after. Other guests approached a stand which
provided free beer and soft drinks.
An impatient guest tried to take a box of beer, but was
stopped by the stand attendant. "Other people are also thirsty,
not only you," the attendant said.
Conspicuously absent from the assembled dignitaries was former
president Soeharto, who was admitted to Pertamina hospital on
Saturday for the second time in a month. None of his family was
present either.
First president Sukarno's family was represented by Rachmawati
Soekarnoputri, Guruh Soekarnoputra and Bayu Soekarnoputra. Their
sister, Megawati Soekarnoputri, led her Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) at the Jakarta chapter office
in West Jakarta.
A number of ministers and senior military officers were
obvious in attempts to avoid journalists. Coordinating Minister
for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, whose
name has been linked to the Bank Bali interbank debt scandal,
walked away quickly and pretended not to see the journalists.
"Pak, I am still here, why are you leaving me?" Ginandjar's
wife Yultin Harlotina called out to him.
Army's Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo appeared upset
when two female journalists approached him.
"What is your comment on reports about your son?" one reporter
asked the general.
"I don't want to create polemics," Subagyo said.
On Aug. 8, the general's son, Second Lt. Agus Ishok, and a
friend were reportedly discovered smoking shabu-shabu, (crystal
methamphetamine). Police also seized five kilograms of shabu-
shabu from them. Weekly magazine Tempo used the scandal as its
latest edition's cover story.
Minister of Finance Bambang Subianto refused to answer
questions on the Bank Bali scandal, saying it was not proper to
ask on Independence Day.
"Freedom!" he said to reporters before rushing to his car.
Habibie will officially close the 1999 celebration on
Wednesday by hosting a party at the State Palace. Popular
comedian group Bagito, who often use Habibie in their jokes, is
expected to entertain guests.
Protests
A dozen students from the Forum of Aceh Students in Bandung
staged a protest near Gasibu Square, where West Java Governor R.
Nuriana led an Independence Day ceremony.
"Stop military brutality in Aceh," the students shouted.
In restive Ambon, Maluku, hundreds of people witnessed from a
distance the celebration led by Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina
at his office, Antara reported.
Christians rang church bells and Muslims beat mosque drums
when the clock struck 9:30 a.m. The province has been racked by
prolonged conflicts between the followers of the two religions
which so far have killed more than 400 people, injured thousands
and forced an estimated 100,000 people to flee.
"This year's celebration was not as jovial as in previous
years," a resident said.
In Semarang, the capital of Central Java, Diponegoro Military
Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo deplored student protesters whom
he described as trying to taint the nobility of the celebration.
"It was not easy to gain independence, it needed sacrifice. Do
you think people would like it if the ceremony was marred by a
demonstration?" Bibit said.
In Ujungpandang, hundreds of students took to the streets.
They demanded the government end violence in Aceh and
Maluku. (33/45/50/prb/rms)