Student protest turns into a giant festival

Student protest turns into a giant festival

JAKARTA (JP): Students from Surabaya University in East Java
arrived in Jakarta empty-pocketed after traveling here on Monday
to join student protests at the House of Representatives.

Despite only having money for the train fare from Surabaya to
Jakarta, they did not worry about how they would feed and shelter
themselves during their stay in the capital.

"We believed our fellow students in Jakarta would take care of
us," one of the students, who wished to remain anonymous, told
The Jakarta Post yesterday.

His conviction proved well founded. As a matter of fact, not
only did their fellow students take care of them, many
sympathetic people from across the country, and even from abroad,
saw to it that they did not go hungry.

These altruistic individuals sent food and drink to keep the
tens of thousands of students and activists who have occupied the
House of Representatives for three days in prime condition to
continue their struggle.

The donations were delivered through non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), including Suara Ibu Peduli, Padamu Negeri
Foundation, Jakarta Social Institute, Indonesian Forum for the
Environment (WALHI), Kalyanamitra, and Solidaritas Perempuan.

Tents have been set up in the House complex to supply all
participants in the rally with food and drink throughout the day
and night.

Each student received a parcel of food containing meat or
fish, rice and fruit.

No one looked hungry or thirsty. All the students remained
energetic throughout the day.

"This food is nice. It helps us maintain our fervor," a
student said.

Karlina Leksono of Suara Ibu Peduli said donations had flooded
in from organizations and individuals in many parts of the
country and abroad.

"We have received calls from Singapore, the United States and
other parts of the world asking if the students have enough food
and drink," Karlina said.

She said donations had even been received from elementary
school children who had collected their pocket money to assist
their "elder brothers and sisters" in their struggle.

Some radio stations have broadcast fund raising programs to
collect donations for the student movement.

"The student's struggle has touched the hearts of many people
from all walks of life," Karlina said.

The supply of food and drink to the students and activists is
hampered by the fact that only a few restaurants and shops are
currently open. Many businesses in the city still remain closed
following last weeks rioting.

To overcome this problem, many people have volunteered to cook
for the demonstrators.

"I believe there will be enough food and drink for the
students," Karlina said.

Karlina said about 35,000 parcels of food and drink were
distributed to the students on Tuesday, when the occupation of
the House first began.

Food supplies were increased considerably yesterday to meet
the needs of the growing number of students who are demonstrating
at the House.

Tati, spokesperson for the Movement For Reform, which was
formed by the demonstrators on Tuesday to coordinate the rally at
the House, told the Post that 232 universities from across the
country had sent representatives to take part in yesterday's
rally, compared to the 52 universities which participated on
Tuesday.

Dozens of NGOs, including woman and labor organizations, also
took part in yesterday's rally.

Most of the students and activists slept at the House
yesterday and vowed to remain there until the People's
Consultative Assembly held an emergency session to force
President Soeharto to step down.

"I will remain here until the assembly holds an emergency
meeting. My parents have told me to keep fighting," Handrinto
Yudhadarma from University of Indonesia said.

In a related development, NGOs giving assistance to the
students called on the public to support the movement by donating
food and money in a statement yesterday.

Money should be sent to WALHI's bank account in Bank Niaga JDC
branch office, account number 391-0570-6.

Johan Molanda and Associates will audit the management of the
fund, the statement said.

Any demonstrators in need of medical attention should
telephone 0816 843617 or contact pager number 13038,
identification number 8356, the statement said. (jsk)