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)