Soeharto unmoved by protesting farmers
JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto on Thursday refused to meet with about 100 Kedungombo farmers who marched to his mansion in Kalitan, Surakarta, Central Java.
The farmers, whose land was forcibly taken over by the government in the early 1990s for a dam project in Boyolali, said they wanted to tell Soeharto the megaproject had caused them deep misery.
They added they wished to ask him to help them out of their distress. They staged a sit-in on a road near the mansion.
"Explain to us about our land. We have been living like vagrants for the past 10 years," one of the farmers shouted.
Demonstrators dispersed an hour later when Surakarta Police chief Col. Zainal Abidin told them Soeharto's tight schedule prevented him from meeting them.
"Pak Harto is very busy now," Zainal told them.
Soeharto and his children arrived in Surakarta on Monday to celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday. They held a religious service on Thursday evening in memory of Soeharto's wife Tien. She died 1,000 days ago on April 28, 1996.
Soeharto inaugurated in May 1991 the Kedungombo dam which cost Rp 152 billion (US$78.3 million based on contemporary exchange rates).
The World Bank-funded dam attracted national and international attention as farmers, supported by students and human rights activists, accused the government of intimidation and forcible evictions.
Soeharto branded the farmers who refused to surrender their land mbalelo, or rebels.
At least 5,268 families were forced to move and offered low compensation for their 9,529 hectares.
"It's a peaceful demonstration (on Thursday), they just wanted to discuss their fate with Soeharto," said a local resident.
The farmers' protest was the second since Soeharto arrived in Kalitan on Monday. His arrival was greeted by a dozen of protesters who demanded he be tried for alleged abuse of power during his 32-year rule.
The Soehartos are scheduled to visit Tien's grave in Giribangun on Friday. About 40 guests were also expected in Surakarta and to stay at the Novotel Hotel.
Soeharto and his 150-strong entourage will return to Jakarta after the visit. (prb)