Security on the alert for Habibie's visit
Security on the alert for Habibie's visit
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Military troops stepped up security
measures on the eve of President B.J. Habibie's planned arrival
here as thousands of students staged protests on Thursday.
Security personnel blockaded major streets in the city center,
increased security at Iskandar Muda Airport and cleared the
Baiturrahman Mosque, where Habibie is scheduled to attend a
Friday prayer.
About 2,000 students rallied at the provincial legislature to
demand a referendum in the province. They threatened to disrupt
Habibie's meeting with locals at the Baiturrahman Mosque if the
President fails to come up with concrete ideas to solve problems
in Aceh.
"We insist that a referendum is the fairest and most just way
to gauge people's aspirations here. It will solve problems we
have been suffering from for years," said Roys Pahlevi, who
represented students from 17 local universities.
Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said in Jakarta that
Habibie planned to announce a message to the restive province
during his one-day visit and hinted he may apologize for past
abuses.
In a statement read by Roys, the students also rejected a
proposal by province leaders to revive the military command,
saying it would justify the Armed Forces' (ABRI) security
approach to quell proindependence movements here.
ABRI lifted Aceh's status as a military operation zone last
year, which fueled demands for independence.
The students chanted heroic verses from the Perang Sabil
(religious wars), which according to the students were composed
shortly before the Acehnese declared a war against the Dutch in
the 19th century.
"Let's fight our Prophet's enemies," they sang. Some of the
students shed tears.
They chanted holy verses from the Shalawat Nabi (Praises to
Prophet Muhammad) as a riot police truck passed the legislature
compound. The rally passed without incident and was observed by
10 policemen.
As of Thursday evening, some 500 students were camped in the
legislature compound, saying they would march to the Baiturrahman
Mosque early Friday.
Another rally was staged by dozens of students grouped in the
Student Forum in Support of Referendum in Aceh in Medan, North
Sumatra, on Wednesday.
"Aceh needs a referendum, not Habibie to visit", "Aceh is not
a recreation site for Habibie", read two of their banners.
In Lhoksemauwe, Aceh military commander Col. Johny Wahab
expressed guarded optimism on Thursday that the Armed Forces
would capture separatist movement leader Ahmad Kandang following
the arrest of Sulaiman, who claimed to organize loyalists of
rebel figure Hasan Tiro.
"Ahmad Kandang must be captured sooner or later. We believe
he's still in North Aceh," Johny said.
A local reporter said that almost one battalion of troops had
been deployed to capture Ahmad. A battalion comprises around
1,000 personnel.
In Jakarta, the body of Lt. Col. Edianto was buried in a
military funeral at Kalibata Heroes cemetery in South Jakarta on
Thursday. Marine Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Suharto presided over
the ceremony.
Edianto, was abducted in December last year and killed by
Sulaiman's group, had his military ranking posthumously promoted
by one grade. (prb/21)