Unwise statement by Hartono

From Pikiran Rakyat

I would like to comment on Minister of Home Affairs R. Hartono's recent statement that student demonstrations reflect group interests and cannot be considered representative of the people's voice.

It is utterly impossible to make a classification whether somebody represents the whole people, part of the people or none of the people because the value of a struggle is considered the same for both the leaders and those who are led.

The events taking place now in society compel the people to cudgel their brains to survive the economic crisis. Reactions arising from the crisis are expressed in different ways, according to each individual's capacity.

Students are part of the people who are more lucky. In day-to- day life they are very close to the people. Their intellectuality enables them to understand and translate the wishes of the classes below them and pass them on to the group above them in easily understandable language.

It is, therefore, unwise of the home minister to take such a stance. Or will the minister only believe when the voices come direct from the people's mouth?

What could be heard may be loud screams followed by silence. It is that kind of voice that we do not hope for.

The students now do not represent group interests, they only have good intentions and want to be recognized as an important group in channeling objective aspirations which could be tackled jointly by all groups in this country.

YOGI HADIAN NUGRAHA

Bandung