Students warn of collapse

Students warn of collapse

YOGYAKARTA: Some 30 students representing 12 universities in
Yogyakarta marched to the provincial legislative council on
Thursday to warn the country's political elite that the country
was in danger of disintegrating.

Claiming to belong to the All-Indonesian Students Executive
Body (BEMI), the students demanded that local legislators take
their aspirations seriously. "Our voices have been neglected by
the national and local (political) elite," said Alif Basuki, the
group's spokesman.

"We are sick of the political conflict, which only makes
people poorer and poorer," he said.

BEMI is calling for a political cool down for the sake of
national unity.

The students also demanded that the government focus on
policies which put the people's interest first. "The Indonesian
government should prioritize an increase in minimum wages,
cheaper education and the creation of employment opportunities,"
said Alif.

BEMI also regretted the fact that some campuses had been
marred by political interests in Jakarta.

"The students must not be involved in any movements linked to
politics," said Alif.

Meanwhile in Denpasar, the capital of Bali province, dozens of
Udayana University students staged a peaceful protest on Thursday
demanding, among other things, the dissolution of the Golkar
Party.

"Golkar was the backbone of the New Order regime, which did
nothing but committed corruption, damaging and exploiting the
country for 32 years. Ironically, the party has never been held
responsibility for all those things," a protester shouted.

The students made speeches and distributed leaflets to
motorists passing along Jl. Dewi Sartika.

The protesters, claiming to be members of the People's
Movement Against the New Order, also warned members of the
political elite to stop their fruitless bickering. (23/zen)