Student on silence and hunger strike

Student on silence and hunger strike

JAKARTA (JP): A student entered his second day of hunger and silence strike on Saturday at the University of Indonesia's campus in Depok, in protest of various human rights abuses.

He began the strike on Friday at the House of Representatives building.

Prastyadi Panca Putra, who has almost finished his studies at the school of social and political sciences at Airlangga University in Surabaya, taped his mouth shut in the lobby of the House building. He has not opened his mouth to eat, drink, or speak since.

Prastyadi has listed government shortcomings, the invasion of western culture spearheaded by various foreign music stars holding concerts in Indonesia and continuously escalating prices as the reasons for his protest.

His action at the House lobby attracted a lot of support from members of the Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi). Members of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction accepted his written statement of protest.

His action at the House lobby was stopped short by security officers.

Iwan Pilat, a student activist from the University of Indonesia, who accompanied Prastyadi, admitted that a lot of UI students see Prastyadi's demonstration as absurd because he is protesting things that are hard to change. However, he supported his move. "His method is a harmless way to express his concern and he is ready to be martyr."

Prastyadi is scheduled to continue his strike on the UI campus today, hoping that other students will join him.

Some UI students have responded by pointing out that Prastyadi should have told them first before striking on the UI campus. They are concerned about a possible confrontation with UI security officers.

"This is a peaceful demonstration. I will take all the responsibility for this strike and go on with it as long as it takes, until I die if I have to," Prastyadi said in his written statement. (23)