Student protests color Independence Day

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."