Student protests color Independence Day
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Semarang/Medan/Surabaya/Jayapura/Cirebon
Student protests and record-breaking attempts highlighted the 60th anniversary of the nation's independence on Wednesday with the Netherlands formally recognizing the date.
The student protests broke out in Yogyakarta and Surabaya as students demanded that the government get more serious in combating corruption. "We have been celebrating independence for 60 years ago, but our country has not been free from corruption. It's now time that the social disease gets dealt with seriously," said Hanta Yuda, the president of UGM's Student Executive Body in a protest attended by dozens of UGM students.
While Yogyakarta students demanded freedom from corruption, Surabaya students demanded that the government provide people with affordable medical care and education, while expressing their opposition to the evictions of poor people from disputed land.
In Jakarta, in conjunction with the Independence Day celebration, the Indonesian Record Museum (MURI) gave an award to Sea World Indonesia after they staged a tug-of-war inside a shark aquarium. Earlier on the same day, the Semarang-based museum gave awards to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) management, which produced the largest national flag -- 45 meters x 67.5 meters -- and Mangga Dua Mall, which organized what was believed to be the world's largest cracker-eating contest (2,940 cracker enthusiasts). Taman Impian Jaya Ancol organized a greased pole climbing competition with the largest number of poles every recorded -- 260 in all.
Jakarta's festive mood also prevailed in most other areas of the nation as millions of people celebrated on the day. In Semarang, residents celebrated with offices and schools holding flag-raising ceremonies and with neighborhoods festooned with red-and-white flags and bunting. Community games were also held in Semarang's neighborhoods, such as the old standards, the marble 'n' spoon race and the cracker-eating contest.
In Jayapura, the local administration held a boat race off of Dok II Beach just in front of the Papua Governor's Office, much to the delight of the many residents who came out to watch or participate. Earlier, Papuan Governor J.P. Salossa ordered all Papuans to actively take part in the celebration of Indonesian Independence Day.
In Cirebon, West Java, the celebrations were not as festive as past years as the increase in the price of fuel had reduced the purchasing power of many local people, forcing them to tighten their budgets and spend less on the commemoration.
In Medan, North Sumatra, the party was disrupted by choking haze, which has blanketed the city for the past three days. Due to health concerns, many residents chose to stay home.
In Denpasar, Bali, convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby mingled with fellow inmates while they watched a Bali cultural performance held in conjunction with the independence observances. The Australian, who in May was given 20 years in prison for smuggling marijuana into Bali, seemed to enjoy the cultural performance.
Meanwhile back in the capital, a grand commemoration was held at the State Palace. This year's was quite special as it was attended by Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot. After the celebration, Bot expressed, on behalf of his government, regret for the suffering that the Netherlands inflicted upon the people of this nation during the colonial period, which had put it "on the wrong side of history."