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)