Students stage demos again, other mass protests planned
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)