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)