Wiranto's prohibition of student politics slammed

Wiranto's prohibition of student politics slammed

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Wiranto
Arismunandar banned Saturday students from being involved in
practical political activities, a move that immediately drew
harsh criticism from an observer.

Amien Rais, leader of the 28-million-strong Muhammadiyah
Moslem organization, warned the ban might force students to let
off steam through channels that might lead to anarchy.

"If they cannot rally on their own campuses, they would find
another channel and go unsupervised," Amien said yesterday. "If
students got out of control, and security personnel neglected
legal procedures and gave free rein to their emotions, we would
all lose."

On Saturday, Wiranto met with rectors of state-run colleges
and the heads of the provincial education and culture offices.
Afterward, he said stern sanctions, including expulsion, awaited
those who violated the ban.

"Students are banned from being involved in politics because
campuses are not places for political activities. And I have
asked rectors to impose sanctions against students infringing the
ruling," he said. "One of the sanctions which can be taken is
dismissing the student."

Wiranto's statement came at a time of heightened on-campus
student protests demanding political and economic reform. Over
100 student activists have been injured in the last three weeks
on campuses in Bandar Lampung, Bandung, Semarang, Purwokerto,
Yogyakarta, Surakarta and Surabaya.

Violence usually erupted when students tried to move their
demonstrations off the campus grounds and onto the streets.

"Students should carry out only scientific activities,"
Wiranto said Saturday.

Installed as minister last month, Wiranto was known never to
shy away from severe action against his own students.

As rector of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), he
expelled 66 students for various activities, including organizing
a protest against the visit of a cabinet minister to the campus.
Eleven were subsequently jailed.

In their protests over the past few weeks, students have also
clamored for dialog with President Soeharto, who has indicated a
general willingness to engage in such a forum.

Amien suggested that the dialog be held immediately in order
to bridge the communication gap between students and the
government.

"Don't (offer) a dialog merely as 'political cosmetics'... but
establish a serious discussion on the real situation in our
country," Amien said during a meeting with Jakarta Military
Command's Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Sudi Silalahi who represented
Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

Sudi said the security personnel would not attack students
holding protests on their campuses.

Meanwhile, rectors offered differing opinions as to whether
security personnel should be allowed to enter campuses.

Alhusniduki Hamim, rector of the Lampung University in
Bandarlampung, said the university had allowed security personnel
to enter the campus during protests following last month's clash
between protesters and police.

"Security personnel have been allowed to enter our campus to
prevent such future clashes."

He said the 11 students injured in the clash had been released
from hospital and the 60 students arrested had been freed.

Haris Mudjiman, rector of the Sebelas Maret University in
Surakarta, Central Java, said so far there was no need for
security officials to enter his campus since protests were still
at a tolerable level.

"Security personnel are barred from entering the campus during
the rallies, except in emergencies," he said. "Students are
allowed to expressed their deep concern about what is happening
in the country." (09/rms)