Student blood
The death of four students at the hands of unidentified gunmen during a demonstration at Trisakti University in West Jakarta on Tuesday is a national tragedy. Those who sprayed bullets on the mass of innocent and unarmed young people deserve world condemnation. The authorities should quickly investigate the incident and bring the guilty parties to justice.
Today, every Indonesian should also ask himself or herself how such vindictive murders can be committed in a country which claims it respects human rights.
Every bloody tragedy in our country's past has brought up this same question, yet history repeats itself in a no less inhuman way. It would be hard to find an example similar to the Trisakti tragedy except in countries with governments that do not value human rights.
At this point, it is difficult to point a finger at any one group for the shootings. It would be shocking if members of the Armed Forces (ABRI), which handles student demonstrations, were found to be at fault because the military has a manual stipulating that shooting demonstrators is a last resort and, if found necessary, should be carried out to immobilize rather than to kill. Another possibility could be that certain individuals have decided to take advantage of the current struggle for reform to create instability.
In light of the unclear situation, we welcome the establishment of an ABRI fact-finding team to uncover the facts of the tragedy. We sincerely hope the team will work objectively and transparently -- with a public announcement of the results. It is only in this way that the authorities can restore a sense of peace and calm to the hearts and minds of the people. Yesterday's emotional public reaction over the Trisakti bloodbath shows that patience has its limits.
On the other hand, a failure of the team to satisfactorily investigate the incident would put ABRI in a light of public suspicion. This would, of course, be the last thing anyone would wish to see because it would create worse tension between those demonstrating for reform and the military, whose job it is to keep the protests peaceful.
The authorities should also take into consideration the strong reaction from the international community against the tragedy. This reaction may not only be expressed verbally but could also take the form of financial and economic steps -- a response this nation could ill afford during this time of economic turmoil.
While we wait for the results of the investigation, ABRI should also increase discipline in its ranks since it is quite likely that future demonstrations will only intensify.
Our history has taught us that the fall of martyrs in any national cause has never deterred activists from continuing their struggle. Instead, such instances often bolster a cause.
Today's crusade for reform has gained support from people of all segments of society. There is no previous example in the country's history showing a fight for a reform enjoying such huge public backing. Demonstrations for reform have spread to all major provincial cities throughout the archipelago.
To avoid further tragedy, Indonesians from all walks of life, even those of privilege or political clout, may have to make a sacrifice in a show of patriotism to pull our country back on its economic feet to walk the way to needed reform.