Students demonstrate to mark Youth Pledge Day

JAKARTA (JP): Students commemorated the 70th anniversary of the country's Youth Pledge on Wednesday by staging demonstrations against the planned special session of the People's Consultative Assembly, the Armed Forces' (ABRI) political role, and a host of other issues.

In Bogor, a cool hill town in West Java, 2,000 students gathered at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) campus and protested the imposition of the state ideology, Pancasila, as the sole ideology for all mass organizations.

Boosted by the presence of members of the Moslem Students Front (KAMMI), the IPB students said the "sole ideology stipulation" imposed by Soeharto's New Order regime had curtailed and oppressed people's aspirations and freedom of expression.

"These are against the principles of democracy, so the measure has to be revoked," student leader Nurdin said in their statement.

"We have to agree to uphold national unity as underlined by our founding fathers. We must not deny the country's diversity, also in ideologies," he said.

KAMMI leader Mukhamad Najib concurred, adding the stipulation of Pancasila as the sole ideology had turned Indonesia into a nation of liars.

"We have become a nation which is dishonest to ourselves, we do not dare to reveal our identities as a nation of diversity," he said.

The students also demanded the abolition of the Armed Forces' (ABRI) dual function that enables it to play a role in both security and politics; an honest and fair general election next year, and a thorough investigation into Soeharto's wealth.

In Surabaya, the capital of East Java, the day was commemorated by the presentation of awards by Governor Imam Utomo to five outstanding youths. They were Wahyu Sukmono from Magetan for his work in boosting cooperatives, M. Abdul Wahan of Kediri for tourism, Imam Zainul Rasyid from Gresik on technology, Adi Pramono from Blitar on agriculture, and Sugih Hartono from Pasuruan for his contribution to community development.

In Semarang, the capital of Central Java, 850 students grouped in the Indonesian Youth Action Committee (KAPI) staged a rally in front of the governor's office, calling for the abolition of the military's dual function and the revocation of the political laws.

KAPI coordinator Simon said the "latent danger" of remnants of the New Order regime attempting a comeback posed a threat to the creation of a democratic state.

The students also called for an investigation into Soeharto's alleged hidden wealth.

In Yogyakarta, members of 27 youth organizations held a "public meeting" at the Gadjah Mada University campus. Waving posters and unfurling banners, the students demanded not only the abolition of the military's political role but also the arrest and trial of Soeharto.

Among the participating organizations were the Gadjah Mada Student Senate, Students of the State Teachers' Training College, the People's Solidarity for Democracy and Tionghoa (Chinese- Indonesian) Reform Committee.

Demonstration coordinator Basilius Taryono was quoted by Antara as saying: "Our action today is a struggle to have the dual function eliminated for the sake of the establishment of true democracy here."

In Bandung, the capital of West Java, President B.J. Habibie attended a gathering to mark the day during which he called on the public, including the country's youth, to make the upcoming special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) a success.

"We are hoping that the legislators will produce decrees that support the national reform agenda, so they can become the guidelines for short-term policies, not only for the government but all members of the community," he said.

Also present at the gathering were First Lady Hasri Ainun Habibie, State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Agung Laksono, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto, and West Java Governor R. Nuriana.

Habibie underlined in his speech the importance of political openness if people were to be able to annunciate their aspirations and to participate in the handling various problems. (43/24/har/nur)