Students protest nepotism at MPR/DPR compound

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of students staged a peaceful rally in front of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)/House of Representatives (DPR) building on Tuesday, demanding the Assembly remove members involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN).

The students also asked the Assembly to democratically set up a transitional government, which would obtain legitimacy from the people.

The protesters, who came from 25 universities in Greater Jakarta grouped in the Communication Forum of Jakarta Student Senates (FKSMJ), opened a free-speech forum and crowded onto the road in front of the complex, while 20 of their representatives were received by the deputy House speaker from the Armed Forces faction, Hari Sabarno.

Besides demanding the expulsion of members involved in KKN practices, the Assembly was also asked to expel those who were antireform and Soehartoists.

"We demand that any Assembly members, who want to defend the Soeharto regime, step down because we are sure they would not establish fair fundamentals for reform during the extraordinary session scheduled for next month," a student from National University, who asked not to be named, said in the free-speech forum.

The students also asked the Assembly to revoke MPR Decree No. IV/1998 on the appointment of Soeharto as president for the 1998/2003 term, Decree No. VI/1998 on the appointment of then state minister of research and technology B.J. Habibie as vice president and Decree No. V/1998 on the granting of extraordinary powers to the president to take emergency steps to protect national unity and to secure national development.

"Whoever heads the transitional government should allow presidential contestants from all parts of the nation, not just a single candidate. The nominations should also be announced publicly across the nation," they said.

The transitional government, they said, must be able to bring the suspects of any political crimes to trial, investigate the wealth of former president Soeharto and set up a trustworthy and fair team for the 1999 general election.

"It's important for the Assembly to demand Soeharto's accountability. We don't trust Habibie's government," said Popon, the chairman of Krisnadwipayana University student senate.

The protesters also unfurled banners, some of which said: "Clean the MPR/DPR of corruption, collusion and nepotism, counterreform members and Soehartoists", "Enough! 32 years we were fooled and deceived, we don't need it anymore. Fight back!", "Extraordinary session is not an instrument to strengthen a regime" and "Indonesia is not a nonsense democratic state".

The 20 student representatives, who were allowed to meet Deputy Speaker Hari Sabarno, were forced to pass through three layers of 200 armed police and military personnel.

In the meeting, student spokesman Sarbini read their demands and asked for a follow-up from the House.

Hari said he would discuss the demands with the chairmen of the other factions, who will take part in the extraordinary session which is scheduled for Nov. 10 through Nov. 13.

"The demand shows the student's awareness of the nation. We will extend it to other faction's chairmen and debate it in the extraordinary session," he said.

He said each faction had cleaned their ranks of House members involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Sarbini, chairman of 17 August University student senate, said that the House would be given three days to respond to their demand or they would stage another rally.

He also asserted that the rally was purely a moral movement.

"We didn't receive support from other parties," he told reporters.

After about four hours of rallying, the students dispersed peacefully. (aan/ivy)