Students reject military speaker

Students reject military speaker

BOGOR (JP): Some 18 students representing Bogor Agricultural
Institute, Bogor Pharmacy School, Pakuan University and Ibnu
Chaldun University filed a petition with the City Council here on
Monday, rejecting a military or police candidate for the post of
council speaker.

The council is slated to elect its speaker on Oct. 4.

"We want a professional military and police force. We want to
build a new Indonesia without militarism. So, we don't want any
of the police/military legislators to be chosen to chair the
council," the students said.

Responding to the protester's concern, Ismail Rahman of the
military faction said none of the five military councilors were
interested in the council speaker position.

"But the five of us will unanimously support our candidate,"
Ismail told the students.

The students threatened to stage mass protests if a military
or police councilor was later elected for the post. (24/edt)