UI to host overnight gathering on reform

JAKARTA (JP): Up to 10,000 university students and lecturers in Greater Jakarta are expected to participate in an evening of music and discussions about reform at the University of Indonesia's Depok campus tonight.

Effendi Gazali, chairman of the organizing committee, said at a media conference here yesterday the event would kick off at 5 p.m. and finish about 5 a.m. tomorrow.

It is to feature singers and poets who will present their views on reform, he said.

"A long list of noted musicians and singers, including Iwan Fals, Doel Sumbang, (Group) Kantata Taqwa, Harry Roesli, Franky Raden, Franky Sahilatua, and poets such as WS Rendra and Remy Silado and Sutardji Calzoum Bahri will present their best works on stage," he said.

Comedians Dono and Indro of the Warkop DKI Group will be the masters of ceremony at the event, which is hosted by the Association of Alumni of the University of Indonesia.

Effendi said intellectuals and politicians would deliver speeches on reform.

"Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Arbi Sanit will speak on political reform; Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Faisal Basri on economic reform; Muchtar Pakpahan, Mulya Lubis and Satya Arinanto on law reform, while Selo Soemardjan and Paulus Wirutomo will speak on culture."

Ira Koesno of private TV station SCTV and Wimar Witoelar will act as moderators.

Effendi said students who planned to attend the gathering were expected to wear their university's alma mater jackets and bring candles for a midnight meditation.

He said marines would be deployed to maintain security during the night-long gathering.

Separately, the Association of Students of the University of Indonesia (KBUI) distanced itself yesterday from the event.

"Students are not involved in organizing the gathering and the Association of Alumni of University of Indonesia should be held responsible if the gathering does not run smoothly," KBUI chairman Agus Gede Mahendra said in a statement. (rms)