State employees, physicians join street demonstrations
JAKARTA (JP): Ignoring the military's warnings and voicing skepticism over the government's pledge for reform, more non- students -- including state employees, physicians and nurses -- joined the student movement yesterday by staging antigovernment rallies on the streets.
Violent clashes with security forces occurred in some cities, such as Surakarta, Yogyakarta and Jakarta, leaving hundreds of protesters, including non-students who joined the rallies, seriously injured after being beaten or shot by officers dispersing the crowds.
Hundreds of East Java health employees joined a rally of 2,000 physicians, nurses and medical students of the state Airlangga University in Surabaya.
Under the tiring eyes of frustrated security personnel, the protesters -- mostly in their respective uniforms -- happily marched three kilometers through Jl. Moestopo, Jl. Karang Menjangan, Jl. Airlangga and Jl. Dharmawangsa.
The crowd, singing patriotic and religious songs, were cheered with horns and applause from motorists and onlookers, most of whom joined the march.
A giant banner in the crowd read: "We want concrete and simultaneous reforms!"
A doctor in the rally screamed: "Can you imagine what will happen if all these medical people go on strike?"
At the Airlangga University campus, about 4,000 students and senior lecturers held a free-speech forum.
Posters on the stage and speeches delivered by the university's professors strongly called for reform and changes in the top levels of government.
"Reform is already urgent and it should be accompanied with a new leadership," professor Miendrowo told the crowd.
At the same time, dozens of becak (rickshaw) drivers packed the streets in the city center of Surabaya, also demanding reforms and protesting against the government's decision to increase fuel prices.
The protesters were escorted only by a handful of military officials riding bicycles.
In Surakarta, the country's largest batik producing center, 120 protesters, both students and non-students, were admitted to Muwardi Hospital for injuries suffered after brutal clashes with a strong contingent of security personnel.
The clash took place on Jl. Sutami shortly after the security forces fired rubber bullets and charged the protesters with clubs and rattan sticks when the crowd refused to disperse.
Before retreating to hide in nearby villages, the crowd threw stones at the officials.
In Jakarta, 2,000 protesters, including passers-by who joined the student demonstration, on Jl. Kyai Tapa in West Jakarta, threw stones at security officers.
"Hey, officers! We're suffering together in this crisis, aren't we!," a protester shouted at the security forces.
The street protest was staged by students of STIE Trisakti, STMIK Indonesia, Tarumanagara University, Trisakti University, Satya Gama University, Mercu Buana University and Ukrida.
No serious incidents occurred during the rally, which ended peacefully in the evening.
In front of the House of Representatives building on Jl. Gatot Subroto in Central Jakarta, a group of 500 Muhammadiyah students filled the street when they were not allowed by security forces to enter the building complex.
The overflow quickly caused heavy traffic congestion in the surrounding area as most employees in the capital were heading home for the weekend.
Most of the students were forced into police trucks, which drove them to the Jakarta Police Headquarters for identification prior to their release.
A peaceful protest was also held at the Rawamangun Teacher's College campus in East Jakarta.
In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, thousands of students continued their street protests despite strong warnings from local security forces, which had one of its members stripped naked by demonstrators Thursday.
In Yogyakarta, at least three students taking part in a street rally of 1,000 people on Jl. Gejayan were detained by police without warning.
The protesters were also seeking answers from local authorities about five of their missing colleagues.
Sporadic street protests and on-campus demonstrations were staged in Semarang and nearby towns by thousands of students from different universities.
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar announced yesterday that police would force students into their trucks to be taken to nearby police offices for identification if the students kept on staging street protests. (edt/byg/ivy/har/swa/nur/23/44/30)