The six Trisakti students
The six Trisakti students
From Neraca
The death of six Trisakti University students in Jakarta and the injury to others by security forces amid the peaceful actions of concern by students have saddened and angered us all. The event was anarchistic and savage. We, the Indonesian Environment Management (BLHI) for the whole of Indonesia, express our deepest condolences.
We will always remember the six students as heroes of the people. May their souls rest in peace, and may we continue their struggle for reform to a satisfying end.
The BLHI central board appeals for a national day of mourning for the six students and another one of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. The board believes the barbaric and inhumane action will trigger widespread upheaval in university campus circles, with non-governmental organizations and the people which could lead to a people's revolution, something we should avoid.
The BLHI central board urges the Armed Forces military police to immediately detain the culprits, both the ones who carried out the task and those who ordered the shootings. They should be brought to court immediately.
In this case, Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo and Metropolitan Jakarta's Chief of Police Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata are the responsible sides.
At least, they should be discharged immediately from their function because of their inability to control their men, resulting in the tragic event. Furthermore, the government must also account for the event for not anticipating the crisis.
Trisakti's Black Tuesday (May 12) marks a critical stage of the national crisis and calls for immediate determining steps for change to be taken by all forces for reform including the Armed Forces. We cannot let the critical situation go on too long.
This country must anyhow be rescued and freed from the power that is contrary to the people's interest. All forces of reform must immediately unite toward a stronger joint measure to end all the evil taking place in this country.
The death of the six Trisakti students is a reflection of all forms and manifestations that should immediately be ended. We condemn the shooting as a betrayal of democracy, the country and God Almighty.
AGUS MIFTACH
BLHI Chairman
Jakarta