Students fight for greater freedom in their own way

JAKARTA (JP): The winds of change that swept strongman Soeharto off his throne has brought about hope for democracy. This is apparent in the burgeoning student groups that fight for greater freedom in their own way and with idealism.

Some groups, such as Forkot, are well-known for their huge membership and militancy. Some are so obscure that the public only learns of their existence by reading the placards they carry when they take to the streets.

The following is a list of major student groups actively involved in street rallies in major cities, especially Jakarta.

Forum Kota (City Forum). Well-known by its no modest acronym Forkot, the group was established in March 1998 and claims to have 30,000 students from about 36 campuses across Greater Jakarta. It has bases in several universities, such as Atma Jaya Catholic University in Central Jakarta and Christian University of Indonesia in East Jakarta.

The group aims to fight for democracy, justice and respect for human rights in the country "without compromise", something that has earned it a reputation of being militant.

It offers training on advocacy, and members on each campus recruit new participants and instill consolidation.

Forkot has no leader or formal organizational structure. But before staging a demonstration, members assign activists to be in charge of field coordination, public relations, security, medical affairs, recording the chronology of the event and lobbying. They also have a spokesperson.

Its demands are, among others, an end to ABRI's political role, President Habibie's resignation, prosecution of former president Soeharto and his cronies and the formation of a People's Council to govern until a democratic election is held.

Students Action Front for Reform and Democracy (Famred) is a splinter group of Forkot. It claims to have thousands of members from 25 universities.

Famred is less radical than Forkot. Its activists believe street rallies are an effective way to press for democracy when political institutions are unable to perform their duties.

The group is pressing for the formation of a People's Council as a transitional government to replace Habibie and to prepare for a democratic general election. It is also demanding that President Habibie and ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto be held responsible for the Semanggi tragedy.

It uses the YAI school of accountancy campus in Central Jakarta as a base.

Front Jakarta (the Jakarta Front) also a Forkot splinter group. Aside from demanding an overhaul of the political system, the group is also calling for people to stand up and fight for their basic rights which it says have long been suppressed.

The group ridiculed the recent People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Special Session as "meetings of palace bureaucrats" which failed to accommodate people's wishes.

In an interview with Detak tabloid, one of its activists, Edysa, said the group did not recognize Habibie as the president and demanded that Wiranto account for the Semanggi tragedy.

Solidaritas Anak Bangsa (Nation Children Solidarity). The group adamantly rejected the recent MPR session on the grounds that legislators turned a deaf ear to people's aspirations.

They take to the streets to dramatize their demands for an end to ABRI's political role, the formation of a transitional government until fair elections are held and an end to ABRI's representation in the legislature.

Moslem Forum for the Justice and the Constitution (Furkon). Established in early October at Istiqlal Grand Mosque, it claims to represent Indonesian Moslems.

The group has expressed support for President Habibie's political agenda and regards the national leadership succession from former president Soeharto to Habibie in May "legal and constitutional".

In its street rallies to counter antigovernment protests, it firmly rejects calls to set up a transitional authority to take over power.

Association of Moslem University Students (Hammas) consists of Moslem university students, mostly from Jakarta.

Known for its pro-government stand, the group came out in October to condemn the Volunteers for Humanity group, which, according to Hammas, was spreading groundless information about mass rape occurring during the May riots.

The Big Family of the University of Indonesia (KB UI) the group comprises mostly University of Indonesia students from its campus in Depok.

The group is demanding, among other things, an end to ABRI's dual role. It has rejected the results of the Special Session and is pressing for the immediate establishment of a People's Council, saying the council should consist of leading figures who have strong mass support to form a transitional government.

Collective Forum (Forbes). The group's activists are mostly students of National University and Trisakti University, as well as from other organizations such as the vocal Pijar Foundation.

Forbes rejects the results of the MPR session on the grounds that they were "legally defective". It is also demanding that Wiranto and Habibie be held responsible for the Semanggi tragedy.

Indonesian Moslem Students' Action Front (KAMMI). The group was set up on March 29, 1998 in Malang, East Java, and claims to have branches in 26 provinces.

Its main demands are a timely general election and national reconciliation. It has vowed to use peaceful approaches in its struggle.

Forum Salemba consists mostly of University of Indonesia students from its Salemba campus in Central Jakarta. It is less radical than other student groups.

The group recently released a statement with other groups, such as KAMMI, HMI, Muhammadiyah Students Association, Indonesian Students Forum and Yogyakarta Communication Forum of Moslem Students, accepting the final results of the MPR session. They said the results were constitutional. The groups also vowed to continue their fight for change on campus grounds instead of joining street rallies.

Communication Forum for Greater Jakarta Student Senates (FKSMJ). The group was set up in 1993 without appointing a leader. Its activists were mostly members of university senates or from campus organizations.

In its street rallies, the group divides the city into five areas. In North Jakarta they center their rallies at August 17th University; at Moestopo University in South Jakarta; the Teachers Training Institute (IKIP) in East Jakarta; Mercu Buana University in West Jakarta; and Yarsi University in Central Jakarta.

Other student groups are, among others, the Indonesian Nationalists Student Movement (GMNI), the National Coalition, Students Family of Bandung Institute of Technology, Students Forum (Forma), Parliament of Indonesian Students, Parliament of Indonesian Youths, People's Democratic Alliance (Aldera), Indonesian Moslem Students Association (PMII), Association of Moslem Students (HMI) and Workers Committee for Reforms. (ste)