Rectors warned over unrully student protests
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)