Students stage demos again, other mass protests planned

JAKARTA (JP): Around 1,500 students from different groups staged rallies at several spots in the capital on Tuesday to press their demands for the trial of Soeharto, an investigation into the Nov.13 incident at Semanggi and an end to the Armed Forces (ABRI) dual function.

Meanwhile, two leading student groups -- the Student Action Front for Reform and Democracy (Famred) and City Forum (Forkot) -- said they planned to stage a massive rally to mark World Human Rights Day on Thursday.

No clashes were reported on Tuesday, and all protests started and ended peacefully.

At Suropati park in Central Jakarta, 700 students from Famred tried to reach the nearby residence of former president Soeharto.

The protesters marched from Soemantri Brodjonegoro sports hall on Jl. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta and headed to the park after first making a stop at the 1966 monument near the Regent Hotel.

"We also want (President) Habibie and (Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander) Gen. Wiranto to take responsibility for the Semanggi incident," Dino from Famred said.

"It's already too much. ABRI seems to be deaf to the people's demands. They keep their mouths shut and hope we will forget what has happened," the 21-year-old student said.

As of 6:30 p.m. last night, some Famred members were still hanging around in Suropati park.

Some danced and sang modified versions of military songs, while others waved flags and banners.

"Well, we don't feel hurt anymore because we're already used to it," said Capt. Firman Shantyabudi, the head of Menteng police subprecinct.

Earlier, 100 students grouped in Front Jakarta, a coalition of 14 universities in the capital, gathered in the park after being prevented from marching to Soeharto's home on nearby Jl. Cendana.

"We want Soeharto to be tried by the people," Aris from Front Jakarta said.

Security personnel sealed of roads leading to the former presidents house, but appeared calm and relaxed, with many sitting on the ground.

"Well ... I've got stiff feet. If they can sit down and stand up freely, so can I," one private said.

In front of the Attorney General's Office in South Jakarta, 300 student protesters grouped in the Communication Forum of Jakarta Student Senates (FKSMJ) held a rally to ask the office to declare Soeharto a suspected criminal.

This was the first rally the group has staged since security personnel ejected them from the same office at midnight on Nov. 24.

"I know many other students said we were chicken because we did not stage any more rallies for a while after that," FKSMJ's Alawi said.

No officials were willing to meet with FKSMJ representatives to discuss their demands.

"That's okay, we'll come back tomorrow because we want to stage a continuous action," he added.

The crowd dispersed at 3:15 p.m. and went to a campus on Jl. Hang Jebat III for a rest.

The Big Family of the University of Indonesia, another group that has been absent from demonstrations for some time, also made a comeback on Tuesday. Representatives of the group toured the city handing out flyers advertising the start of a four-day "Anti ABRI Dual Function" rally.

"We'll march from Salemba to the Ministry of Defense and Security as part of our activities to mark human rights day," Ki Joyo Sardo of the group said.

He said the students believed that ABRI's dual function was the reason for many human rights violations.

"Therefore, the system must be changed," he added.

As of 6 p.m., the group was still rallying on Jl. Raya Pasar Rebo in South Jakarta.

"We want people from all walks of life to join our movement," Sardo added.

Wahab from Famred and Adian from Forkot said they have planned a huge action for Thursday.

"We've targeted several spots, including the Assembly building," Adian said.

"We have a surprise," Wahab winked, saying that other student groups were in on the plan.

However, he refused to give any further details. (edt)