Sulawesi students stage rally, renew demand for independence

Sulawesi students stage rally, renew demand for independence

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Street rallies by disgruntled
students protesting the dismissal of Minister of Industry and
Trade Yusuf Kalla here started Wednesday off with a renewed
threat to break away from the republic.

The students who claimed to represent 45 Makassar University
and Indonesian Muslim University, blocked Jl. Urip Sumohardjo and
demanded clarification on the removal of Kalla, who comes from
Makassar.

"We want the government to be transparent or else we demand a
free Sulawesi," Rustam, one of the students, said. "The ousting
of Kalla could imply the rejection of the South Sulawesi people
from the government and this hurts us."

He acknowledged that the President had the prerogative to sack
Kalla and State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises
Laksamana Sukardi.

"But the way the President dismissed them should not have
evoked hatred among people. We, the Sulawesi people, are ready to
break away from the Republic of Indonesia if our representatives
are not treated properly," he said.

Soon after B.J. Habibie dropped his presidential bid last
year, Makassar students held rowdy demonstrations demanding
independence for Sulawesi. Many speculated that the rallies were
orchestrated by South Sulawesi figures living in Jakarta.

The clamoring for independence was mitigated when South
Sulawesi businessman Kalla was appointed minister.

South Sulawesi governor HZB Palaguna and speaker of provincial
legislative council Amin Syam said on Wednesday that they could
understand the students' disappointment over Kalla's dismissal.

"We saw no acceptable reasons to axe Kalla, who is a noted
figure in the province," said Palaguna.

Amin said that the President had acted arbitrarily.

"Gus Dur should have remained transparent and behind the
scenes," Amin said. (27/sur)