Tommy's remarks give students new spirit
Tommy's remarks give students new spirit
JAKARTA (JP): A challenge laid down by the youngest son of
former president Soeharto calling for people to prove the
wrongdoings of his father and family has galvanized the student
movement in the capital.
Thousands of students, including students from other cities,
took to the streets of Jakarta on Thursday, saying they had been
electrified by the challenge laid down by Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala
Putra.
"Who said we cannot prove Soeharto's sins? Once a thief always
a thief," Jakarta Front's Handriyadi N. Pali said in a speech in
front of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas)
office on Jl. Imam Bonjol in Central Jakarta.
"He looked so arrogant on television. He's a crook himself.
Everybody knows he pulled strings to get his business
privileges," Andry from the Bandung Students Association said.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Tommy urged those who have
repeatedly defamed his father to provide evidence to support
their accusations.
"Don't just talk, don't just stage demonstrations or voice
demands. Prove it. We'll prove that father is not guilty," Tommy
said.
His statement, which received widespread coverage in the
media, incurred the wrath of students who have been attempting to
march to Soeharto's house on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta in
recent days.
"Tommy can say whatever he wants, but we'll keep on fighting
for Soeharto to be brought to trial," Rista, another student,
said.
Banners and placards carried by the protesters included those
which read: "Where are You Harto?" and "Hang Harto Up and Down".
Some placards depicted the once feared former president in
degrading caricatures.
Thousands of students staged a rally in Suropati Park near
Soeharto's residence.
Among groups with the largest representation on the streets on
Thursday were the West Java Peasant Union, Rawamangun Students
Forum, Jakarta Front, Gempur, Trisakti Students Action Group and
students from Gunadarma University.
Smaller groups included activists from the Indonesian Students
Forum and Women's Solidarity.
As in previous rallies, student protesters again called for
the immediate trial of Soeharto; termination of the Armed Forces'
(ABRI's) dual function; and for President B.J. Habibie and
Minister of Security and Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen.
Wiranto to take responsibility for a number of recent violent
incidents in the capital.
Other groups of students were seen drifting toward the state
TVRI television station in Central Jakarta and the Attorney
General's Office in South Jakarta.
The rallies passed off peacefully and no clashes were
reported. One demonstration took on the look of a carnival, with
students from Bandung singing and dancing in front of tired-
looked members of the security forces.
Most of the protesting groups met in the late morning at Atma
Jaya Catholic University, from where they set off to their
respective destinations by bus.
They drove the crammed buses by themselves, with some
protesters electing to travel on the roofs rather than inside.
"Gosh! This is crazy. Who will be responsible if students fall
from the tops of the buses?" wondered one police officer.
Knowing that the students would remain peaceful, some police
officers gave each other haircuts in a post near Suropati Park.
"We want to look handsome and neat," said Private Agus after
receiving a short back and sides.
At about 5:30 p.m. the crowd dispersed peacefully of their own
accord. Some shouted: "We'll be right back! Bye bye... Hang
Wiranto at Taman Lawang."
Taman Lawang is a city park which is a popular meeting place
for transvestites after dark.
The soldiers sang patriotic songs in response. (edt)