Students' demonstration lawful, PDI member says
JAKARTA (JP): A senior politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) is backing the 21 students on trial for defaming President Soeharto, saying that their were within their constitutional rights.
Sabam Sirait, a member of the House of Representatives, stressed at one of the ongoing Soeharto defamation trials on Saturday that the students had every right to stage a demonstration and express their opinions.
Two other government critics, Ali Sadikin and Suyitno Sukirno, also testified for the defense.
The 21 were arrested on Dec. 14 while staging a demonstration at the DPR compound demanding that the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) hold an emergency session to bring Soeharto to account for a number of clashes between the military and civilians.
The prosecution says the criticisms with the posters and slogans used by the demonstrators account to defamation of the President, a criminal offense punishable by up to six years' in prison.
Sabam told the court that the students were right to take their demands for democracy and accountability to the House because the House members are supposed to represent the people. Everyone is free to visit the House to air their views, he added.
Sabam, one of the few legislators that met with the students during the demonstration, also testified that the posters were intended to invoke House members to work harder to defend the people's interests.
"The students were simply airing their aspirations and criticisms," Sabam said, adding that he did not recall any time when the protesters behavior became threatening.
Sabam, Sadikin and Suyitno testified for the group of six on Saturday. There are three trials being held for the people. The other two have four defendants and 11 defendants, respectively.
Review
Commenting on the demand for a special MPR session, Sabam said the constitution grants the MPR power to review the quality of leadership.
Sadikin, a former Jakarta governor and a member of the Petisi 50, a group of staunch government critics, recalled that in 1966, students demonstration used even harsher words against then President Sukarno.
They were not prosecuted and many of the protest leaders have wound there way onto Soeharto's cabinet or become successful businessmen.
Sadikin said that December's student protest was a reasonable reflection of discontent with the political system.
Speaking with emotion creeping into his voice, Sadikin continued, "I agree with the content of the posters displayed by them. They were right to take their demand to the House. They have sacrificed for all of us!"
Suyitno said he believes the protesters acted out of concern for their country.
Sabam also said he was not aware that students were beaten by security officers when they came to the House compound to apprehend the students.
He said he was not around when the students were arrested but expressed his regrets that they had been detained and now prosecuted. (par)