UI to host overnight gathering on reform

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)