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)