Students to hit the streets again

JAKARTA (JP): Activists from several student organizations announced on Tuesday their plan to hold a massive anti-Soeharto rally in the capital on Thursday.

Widi from Forbes (Collective Forum) and Fauzan of Famred (Students Action Front for Reforms and Democracy) told a press meeting that the July 6 rally would focus on two main issues, namely asking the authorities to arrest and bring former president Soeharto to court for his alleged corruption and the resignation of Attorney General Marzuki Darusman for his failure to complete the investigation of the country's former strongman.

The activists said that they really hope the rally, to be attended by some 500 members of 10 student organizations, will end peacefully.

"We will not go to Jl. Cendana (the residence of former president Soeharto), but any location will be a 'battle field" for us to convey our demands," Widi said but did not disclose elaborate.

The alleged wrongdoing of Soeharto, he said, lately has been distracted by other political issues, such as the bloody clashes in Maluku.

Widi added that the protesters would also distribute brochures at certain places, such as bus terminals and universities, to hopefully build strong public opinion on Soeharto's case.

"We will prove our sincerity to achieve what we are fighting for," said Widi. (07)