Yawning gap worsens unabated crisis: Mega
I Wayan Juniartha and Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar/Purwokerto
President Megawati Soekarnoputri said the unabated crisis the country was facing had been exacerbated by the yawning gap between the political classes and the masses.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark National Awakening Day in Denpasar, Megawati said the gap was evident from the public's resistance to the agenda set by national leaders.
"I sense that our (political) elite is showing the symptom of alienation from the very people who supported them on their road to leadership," Megawati said.
The most recent test of leadership had surfaced with the constitutional amendment debate, which according to the President could destabilize the country if it was not dealt with in a well- thought out manner.
"The most sovereign power in this republic is the people, not the government, the President, nor the House of Representatives or the People's Consultative Assembly. If what the people wants is different from what the leaders want, then we must heed the wishes of the people," she stressed.
"Perhaps it would be of benefit if the leaders tried to be more humble, and more willing to listen to other people's opinions."
Home minister Hari Sabarno, foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla were among the Cabinet members attending the modest ceremony held at the Kcirarnawa building in Denpasar's Werddhi Budaya arts center complex in Denpasar.
Former foreign minister Ali Alatas and Megawati's special economic advisor Frans Seda were also present.
Violence broke out during at least two separate demonstrations held in Central Java on Monday to mark National Awakening Day.
At least 15 people were wounded when around 300 students scuffled with police in Purwokerto regency during a protest demanding better conditions in the crisis-battered country.
Five of the protesters sustained serious injuries and had to be taken to the hospital.
The police fired warning shots, forcing the students to flee to safety. No arrests were made following the clash.
The protesting students were demanding that the members of the nation's political classes ceased politicking for their own interests and instead took into account the nation's future.
"We strongly condemn the elite for only caring about their own stomachs, while millions of Indonesian people are starving," an unnamed speaker told the crowd during the rally.
M. Latif, coordinator of the protest, urged the Indonesian Military to quit politics and focus solely on its task of maintaining security.
In Semarang, an activist from the Democratic People's Party (PRD) was attacked by a group of hoodlums outside the Diponegoro University campus, Antara reported.
The victim, Tomi Fian, was among dozens of students staging a protest against President Megawati Soekarnoputri's government earlier in the day.
The attack took place near the protest venue, Semarang's "waterfall" traffic circle.
Tomi, a student from Tujuh Belas Agustus University, sustained injuries to the head after being beaten. He also suffered wounds to other parts of his body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital following the attack.