Two more demonstrations held at House complex

JAKARTA (JP): Around 1,500 students, housewives, youngsters and jobless people rallied in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) in two separate demonstrations here on Monday.

The protesters called for national reconciliation and a reduction in the price of staple foods.

Unlike in previous rallies, they stopped passing motorists on the nearby toll road and demanded money and food.

"Please give us something for lunch," a protesting youth begged a female driver.

The protesters had apparently received no food supplies from supporters of their cause.

Some motorists were upset by the protesters' actions, which also caused heavy traffic congestion in the area.

The demonstrators, who came from two groups, were prevented from entering the House grounds by a large detachment of troops and police.

One group of protesters consisted of around 500 students from the West Java capital of Bandung. They were there to demand that the government launch efforts to bring about national reconciliation and prevent the country from disintegrating.

Shortly after the Bandung students dispersed, at least 1,000 people from the Front for National Liberation (FPN) arrived to take their place.

The second set of demonstrators consisted mostly of youths, the unemployed, housewives and small-scale traders.

Many of them wore headbands reading "Solidarity for Anti- Corruption, Collusion and Nepotism Movement" and "Jakarta Moslem Youths for Reform."

They demanded the government cut staple food prices and called on President B.J. Habibie to resign.

They reportedly came from various parts of the capital, including Tanjung Priok and Muara Baru in North Jakarta, and Depok and Bogor in West Java.

Separately, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman reiterated the city's security forces stance on street rallies in the capital.

He insisted that street protests would only be permitted if they observed existing regulations and informed the security forces of their intentions in advance.

He also warned demonstrators to maintain public order.

"If you consider that the planned demonstration could spark social unrest, then don't hold it," Djadja said.

"If you want to march to somewhere else, please notify police officers because street parades have their own rules too. We will not ban you from protesting," he explained.

"But inform us who the leader is, how many people will be involved and who is responsible for it. We will then escort you to your destination," he said.

However, the two-star general did not reveal how the security forces plan to cope with the rising number of street rallies in the capital which is expected to reach a peak when the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) convenes to hold an extraordinary session between Nov. 10 and Nov. 14.

Besides planning for rallies during the extraordinary session, the security forces have also laid plans to cope with a massive demonstration planned in Jakarta for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 to mark the 33rd anniversary of the failed coup by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), he said.

"It's very unwise to mobilize the masses and instill terror among the public," Djadja added.

Those participating in the scheduled rally "would be associated with those involved in the (Sept. 30, 1965) incident", because the date coincides with the most painful episode in our nation's history, he said.

"If they insist on going ahead, I think our people should be able to recognize what is beneficial and what is not for their own good," Djadja said. (ivy)