Scavengers rally to protest student demonstrations
Scavengers rally to protest student demonstrations
JAKARTA (JP): Street rallies in the capital on Monday were
marked by the presence of a group of 50 people calling themselves
members of the Big Family of Jakarta Scavengers (KBPJ).
Besides carrying flags, banners and placards to counter the
seemingly endless students protests, the group also pushed round
a cart with a complete sound system on it.
They marched from Banteng park to the Hotel Indonesia
roundabout, both in Central Jakarta.
"Student Demonstrations Confuse the People", "Stop Rallying,
We Need Food", read some of the banners and placards.
The group's leader, Zaki, told the media at the site: "We
don't want any more demonstrations, we need basic commodities.
"Student rallies should not hamper our businesses."
After holding a brief free speech forum, the group turned on
the stereo, played a series of popular dangdut songs and danced
together cheerfully under the cloudy afternoon sky.
According to Zaki, the scavenger's businesses have been
disrupted by the daily student rallies in the capital.
"Actually, we're not against the student demonstrations, as
long as they take place in an orderly manner and stay away from
the streets.
"They should express their aspirations in the right way," he
said.
"Continuous rallies will adversely affect the lives of many
people, especially the poor," Zaki added.
The group dispersed peacefully after about two-hours of
singing and dancing.
Shortly after they left, 250 students from Forum Bersama, Budi
Luhur University, YAI and ABA-ABI marched to the roundabout.
The students staged a silent protest and ended their rally by
burning Golkar's yellow flag. Some even jumped into the pond in
the middle of the roundabout and paddled in the water.
At about 3:15 p.m. drizzle began to fall. Anxious to avoid
getting soaked and eager to complete their demonstration as
planned, students then rushed on to Suropati Park in Menteng from
where they attempted to march to the Jl. Cendana residence of
former president Soeharto.
Menteng police subprecinct head Capt. Firman Shantyabudi said
none of the students would be able to reach Jl. Cendana.
"I don't think that they will ever get to meet Pak Harto face
to face in this way," Firman, the son of former vice president
Try Sutrisno, told The Jakarta Post.
Groups of student protesters were also seen gathering in other
parts of the capital, including on Jl. Kramat Raya, other parts
of Menteng and near the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
building.
About 100 students from Budi Dharma university heading to the
Assembly building were stopped by the security forces under the
flyover near Taman Ria Senayan amusement park.
"I wish it would rain hard so they would go home and let us
get some rest," said chief of the City Police Rapid Reaction Unit
Col. Arthur Damanik. (edt/ivy)