Rallies continue despite House's censure of Gus Dur

Rallies continue despite House's censure of Gus Dur

JAKARTA (JP): Persistent opponents of President Abdurrahman
Wahid seemed to keep their word on Friday to continue rallying
until their demand -- that the President steps down -- is
fulfilled.

In Yogyakarta some 800 students from various universities and
organizations, including the Muslim Students Association (HMI),
rallied on Friday, calling on President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur"
Wahid to resign.

Some of the students marched from their campuses at the
northern end of the city to the Malioboro thoroughfare soon after
Friday noon prayer, while some others walked from the provincial
legislative council.

They converged in front of the State Building (Gedung Negara)
on Malioboro, and began their street action, causing serious
traffic congestion.

Waving posters and banners, the students rallied against
corruption, collusion and nepotistic (KKN) practices. A banner
read "Save the Reform Movement", and others read "Stop New KKN"
and "Resign in Honor, Gus", referring to the President.

One of the students shouted;"Eight out of ten factions at the
House concluded that Gus Dur may have links to the Bulog and
Brunei financial scandals. There's no reason for him to retain
his post."

Fadhilah, of the Indonesian Islamic University (UII) said that
Gus Dur could no longer claim to have support from the majority.

"Gus Dur may be a good leader, but he is just a human who can
make mistakes. To err is human," said Fadhilah.

The protesters dispersed peacefully at almost 4 p.m.

In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, around 20 lawyers,
human rights activists and law students representing the Makassar
Law Community marched to the provincial legislature urging that
the legislature press the House of Representatives (DPR) to start
the special session (to impeach the President) soon.

"The special session will wipe out any uncertainty that the
public may have regarding what further steps should be taken in
the handling of Gus Dur's saga," Sulthani, the group spokesman
said.

The protesters also wanted the People's Consultative
Assembly's mandate for the President to be withdrawn, and asked
the military and police to remain loyal to the public.

In Surabaya, the East Java branch of the Indonesian Islamic
Students Association (KAMMI) said in a press release signed by
one of its chairmen Supariyanto that Gus Dur should talk to his
own inner self and take a wise step by resigning. Copies of the
press release dated Feb. 2, 2001 was distributed to reporters.

Chairman of East Java Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Ali Maschan Moesa
called on NU members to remain calm.

"There have been situations where other pro-New Order groups
have opposed and challenged NU. Therefore NU supporters must
abide by NU leaders' directives."

He did not explain what he meant by pro-New Order groups.

A tense situation occurred in the Central Java town of Jepara
on Friday when two large groups of supporters and opponents of
Abdurrahman Wahid met face-to-face at a demonstration in the
regency legislature.

A large number of policemen managed to separate the two
groups, whose members brought sharp weapons in their hands,
before a brawl took place.

Gus Dur's supporters said that pro-New Order groups were
behind efforts to topple Gus Dur, waging banners reading "Jepara
santri are behind Gus Dur", and "Ever onward to defend kyai".

While those opposing Gus Dur said that waving banners read,
among others "Defending Gus Dur will make the country collapse".

After making speeches and submitting "political statements"
the protesters dispersed peacefully.

Meanwhile in the town of Salatiga some 5,000 people of the
Forum for Defend Santri's Mandate held a mass prayer for the
survival of Gus Dur - Megawati Soekarnoputri duo. They also read
political statements for the House speaker Akbar Tandjung. "Gus
Dur and Megawati are the legitimate President and Vice President
to deal with the chaotic situation created by the New Order
regime."

Santri are students of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren).
Most pesantren in Java belong to NU, the religious organization
base of Gus Dur's elders. (23/27/nur/har)