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)