Students continue to rally, although number declining

Students continue to rally, although number declining

JAKARTA (JP): Although small in number, university students
continued their protests Friday at four different locations,
voicing a variety of new and old issues.

The day began with the presence of some 500 KAMMI
(Indonesian Moslem Students Action Force) members at about 10
a.m. at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta.

Composed mainly of women from dozens of universities in the
greater Jakarta area and Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University,
some of the students passed out colorful flowers to police and
onlookers while their fellow protesters voiced their demands for
an end to violence.

"We believe that anarchy is not the way to create democracy.
We want the government, along with people of all walks of life,
to end violence," Azimah, the spokeswoman of the group, said
through a megaphone.

The group ended their peaceful one-hour demonstration by
releasing balloons into the sky.

"This one group is quite well-mannered as most of them are
women, and they kept their promise to end their protest on
schedule," Capt. Firman Shantyabudi, chief of the Menteng police
subprecinct, said.

Before leaving, the female protesters and the policewomen who
mingled with the students, gave each other warm hugs and kisses
on the cheeks.

Watching the scene, a policeman said with a broad smile,
"Well ... too bad we (the male officers) cannot give them that."

No other rallies were reported in the capital until midday,
when at least two groups of protesters, marching from different
directions, attempted to reach the residence of former president
Soeharto on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta. They were quickly
blocked by security personnel.

Some demand

The first group of 500 students, from several schools, such as
Saint Mary's secretary academy, the Bunda Mulia vocational school
and the Indonesia vocational school, were stopped in front of the
Bank Tabungan Negara building on Jl. Gadjah Mada, some 500 meters
from the office of the State Secretary.

"Our demand is still the same. That is for Soeharto to be
tried for his sins," Gatot Pradana, a student at Bunda Mulia,
said.

"We also want to express concern over the recent violent
incidents ... therefore we encourage people to unite, no matter
what their race or religion."

The group then went to Suropati Park on Jl. Imam Bonjol,
attempting to reach Cendana, but they dispersed around 5:30 p.m.

The second group of protesters was made up of some 300
students from the Parliament of Indonesian Students Action group.
They began their rally around 3 p.m. at the Tani monument in
Menteng.

"We want to go to Cendana but we'd like to take a look at the
State Palace first ... we'll never know if we do not try," Agus,
a member of the group, told the crowd.

The students carried several banners, one of which read,
"Wishing for Pak Harto not to Die before Trial". The message was
printed in white capital letters on red cloth.

"It will not be fun anymore if he dies," said one of the
students.

In South Jakarta, some 200 students from Pancasila University
gathered in front of the office of Attorney General Andi M.
Ghalib, demanded that he fulfill his promise to investigate
Soeharto's wealth.

The students, who were ready to give Ghalib women's underwear
to symbolize his fear to investigate Soeharto, failed to meet the
attorney general, who had already left the office.

As of last night, it remained unknown if the students would
again take to the city's streets this weekend.

"We're trying to consolidate with the other groups, because we
also have to monitor other issues, such as the next general
election," Wahab, of the Students' Front Action for Reforms and
Democracy, said.

Lutfi, from the City Forum, simply said, "We're tired and out
of funds. So please be patient. If we decide to move again, we
want it to be different from other movements." (edt)