Rectors warned over unrully student protests
JAKARTA (JP): The authorities have warned several universities across the city that student demonstrations could lead to anarchy if they spill onto the streets.
City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata told the media in Sawangan, Bogor, on Saturday that he sent letters to university rectors instructing them to confine student protests within campuses.
Hamami said he told the rectors that several protests had become unruly, with students unfurling banners that carried improper messages.
"The warnings include the messages the students splashed on the banners," he said. He declined to disclose names of universities which were warned.
During the past month, student rallies have been a daily occurrence on several campuses, including the University of Indonesia, Teachers Training and Education Institute (IKIP), Atmajaya University, Indonesia Christian University, National University, University of 17 Agustus and Muhammadiyah University.
Lecturers have also participated in many rallies, in which demonstrators have demanded political reform and eradication of corruption and nepotism in the bureaucracy.
Clashes between students and security officers reportedly broke out at the National University.
"I simply warned them (the rectors and deans in charge of student affairs) that protesters could turn to lawlessness unless demonstrations are kept orderly.
"As long as the demonstrations are confined to inside their campuses, the police will not interfere."
The police also warned that protesters should not insult or slander others, or instigate people into carrying out their aims.
"If the students do that, we will not hesitate to take action against them."
He said the situation on Jakarta campuses was under control and that he hoped there would be no recurrence of clashes between students and security officers.
Hamami, responding to questions on reports of the disappearance of several activists critical of the government, said the police were still searching for them.
He said the police had received formal reports on the disappearance of two activists who he did not name.
Among Jakarta activists reported missing are Pius Lustrilanang, the secretary of Siaga -- a loose association which supports prominent government critics Amien Rais and Megawati Soekarnoputri -- and Desmond J. Mahesa, director of the Nusantara Legal Aid Foundation.
Hamami said relatives of the missing were tardy in reporting the matter to police.
"Police often find it difficult to find missing people because their relatives did not provide clear descriptions about the person, when they were last seen and so on," he said. (edt)