Students protest nepotism at MPR/DPR compound

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)