Soeharto unmoved by protesting farmers
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)