Students demonstrate to mark Youth Pledge Day

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)