Students continue demands for independence
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): University students here pledged on Sunday to continue their street rallies to demand an independent state.
A student leader said a huge demonstration was organized for Monday to announce the establishment of the Independent Sulawesi Preparation Committee.
"Some student coordinators are currently meeting to discuss the plan," the coordinator of Independent Makassar Students, Iswari Al Farisy, told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
Apart from the committee, the students plan to set up a youth group to carry out security jobs.
Iswari said both the committee and the youth group would mainly involve local students and youths. "The concepts of both organizations are now being discussed," he added.
"Our main goal is to establish an independent Sulawesi state, but if any of the eastern Indonesian provinces want follow in our footsteps, we will welcome them as brothers", Iswari said.
The student rally continued on Sunday around Makassar State University and Indonesian Muslim University campuses, although only a few demonstrators turned up. They did not blockade roads nor burn tires as on the previous two days.
"We intentionally avoided a big rally today to allow our fellow students to rest while the others discuss actions for Monday," Iswari said.
He claimed that the local students' demand had received a positive response from students in other provinces.
"Our movement will not cease until our demand is fulfilled", he vowed.
The student rallies result from disappointment over the People's Consultative Assembly, which they accused of failing to accommodate aspirations from people in eastern Indonesia, particularly Sulawesi.
"Our movement was sparked by injustice, which we are now experiencing," he added.
In one of their statements, they protested the Assembly's vote against accepting the accountability speech delivered by former president B.J. Habibie, who is a South Sulawesi native. The rejection led to Habibie's withdrawal from the presidential election.
Iswari called on politicians from eastern Indonesia to refuse any offers to be in the Cabinet under President Abdurrahman Wahid. They should return to their home soil to support the establishment of an independent Sulawesi state, Iswari added.
Calls have mounted for the students to refrain from violence.
While playing down the students' demand, South Sulawesi Governor HZB Palaguna has warned rectors and students against causing anarchy.
Andi Muis, senior law and mass communications lecturer at Hasannudin University, also suggested that the students reconsider their movement.
"I don't agree to the movement if it is due to disappointment over Habibie's failure to win his reelection bid. But if the movement is the fruit of unfair treatment of eastern Indonesia by the central government, I can understand why the movement rolls on," he said.
He said Jakarta often disregarded the needs of eastern Indonesia, especially Sulawesi, in politics, culture and the economy. He also complained about the lack of media coverage on Sulawesi.
Muis suggested the central government be wise in solving the case. (27/02)