Street rallies, strikes are staples of year so far

JAKARTA (JP): The greater Jakarta area has seen at least 124 street demonstrations and some 100 worker strikes up to the first week of June this year, according to the police.

The protests, involving hundreds of thousands of people from different walks of life, were mainly focused on demands for political and economic reforms, City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang told The Jakarta Post Thursday.

Some others were asking the government to lower staple food prices and demanding better salaries and welfare, he said.

This figure reflects the largest number of street demonstrations and strikes recorded by the capital in decades.

"Strikes and demonstrations occurred almost everyday in the capital in the past few months," Aritonang said, adding that his office has not yet compiled the precise number of strikes recorded during the period.

According to police findings, most of the street demonstrations were driven by students and members of non- governmental organizations and business institutions, Aritonang said.

Even compared to last year, 1998 is considered the busiest year for the police, he said.

"In 1997, we were busy preparing security for this year's March General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, but there were only a small number of street protests," the officer said.

The continuing extreme drop of the rupiah's value against the U.S. dollar, the seemingly endless hike in prices for goods and services plus the ongoing political uncertainties have apparently ignited many people to stage protests.

People joining the anti-government rallies also included state employees and professionals, such as doctors.

The continual protests against the skyrocketing prices of essential goods and the government led Soeharto to quit on May 21.

In the beginning, many thought people might no longer join rallies after Soeharto announced his resignation.

However, many people still rallied on the streets, at their respective offices or factories and at the front gate of the House of Representatives building here.

"In such an era of reform, people are now free to express their opinion. And one of the most popular ways is by staging demonstrations," Aritonang said.

On Thursday, security forces armed with guns were forced to blockade some 200 people claiming they were laborers at an area in Tebet, South Jakarta, to block the planned staging of a huge demonstration, said to involve 7,000 laborers led by labor activist Muchtar Pakpahan, at the House of Representatives building.

The ongoing rallies in the capital, however, have now started to disappoint people.

Contacted by the Post yesterday, many people called on the protesters to temporarily stop the rallies to let all Jakartans to start their businesses again.

Sociologist Paulus Wirutomo of University of Indonesia said that people have started getting sick and tired of the rallies.

"Imagine if more people develop such antipathy against demonstrations, when demonstrating is the most powerful weapon of the people themselves.

"What else would we be able to do later to fight?" Paulus asked.

In his opinion, changes take time. "It's not magic," he said.

"I think all of us need a break to create balance and return to normal living. The chaos and instability created by unplanned actions will only create more suffering," Paulus added.

Taxi driver Wandi of the Gamya company complained the continuous rallies had drastically reduced his earnings.

"It is hard enough for me to make a living these days. Demos only create traffic jams and I don't get customers," he said.

Arsanti, an employee, said that she was tired of the protests.

"First I thought demos were great. But later on we could see them everyday on the streets. This country is falling apart and the protesters are only yelling. Why don't they do something good?"

She also felt upset because the rallies have caused worries to many, including her neighbors at her housing estate.

The estate looks like an army base now as residents have jointly set up a neighborhood watch to anticipate unrest.

First Lt. Sugiyono from the City Police shared the same opinion.

"To tell you the truth, I'm really tired. We (police officers) haven't had any break since last year (the preparations for the General Session). I wish the protesters knew how it feels to be a police officer," he said.

According to Aritonang, it's not wrong to hold protests.

"But protest everyday? This city has to work on so many things after being rocked by riots last month. So, it would be better if we could give the city a chance to heal," he suggested. (edt)