Yogyakarta's Sultan to lead massive reform rally

Yogyakarta's Sultan to lead massive reform rally

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X will lead a crowd
expected to reach up to 200,000 in a rally here today to
commemorate National Awakening Day.

The Sultan's younger brother, Gusti Jojokusumo, said the
traditional ruler of Yogyakarta had given his blessing for people
to gather in front of the palace.

He said the general population of the city had been urged to
peacefully participate in the rally.

"We have called on people whose houses are being passed to
make ready modest food and drinks for those participating in the
rally," he said, adding that he expected at least 200,000 to
attend.

Gusti further stressed that those participating must ensure
that the rally goes smoothly by avoiding any incidents which
could mar the event.

"Be careful of people trying to incite trouble and take
precautionary measures," he remarked.

The rally is expected to be motored primarily by students who
have identified 14 meeting points for people to assemble at
before heading toward the palace grounds at 11:00 a.m.

Stores located on main thoroughfares already had posters and
banners up yesterday expressing support for the reform movement.

In Bandung, West Java, a coordinating post organized by a
student alliance called the Bandung Students Forum was set up to
prepare for today's mass rally.

The post is located on the campus of Padjadjaran University.

A public kitchen was busy cooking meals for the students as
others scurried about preparing for other aspects of the rally.

The forum appeared to be fairly well organized, with student
activists assigned to handle various responsibilities.

Deddy Nugroho, head of the medical division, said that many
students from Padjadjaran University's medical department had
volunteered to run first aid stations.

"The core will be run by the medical students, but we also
have volunteers from the nurses academy and others," he said.
"Everyone's doing their bit, shoulder-to-shoulder."

According to Deddy, the main concern now is a possible
shortage of medical supplies.

"Especially first aid supplies for cuts and bruises. We are
anticipating the possibility of harsh action being taken by
security forces," he remarked.

In Medan, North Sumatra, pamphlets inviting people to take
part in the mass rally today were circulated over the last two
days.

The mass rally is expected to take place at the provincial
legislature building on Jl. Imam Bonjol.

The windows of the legislature building were already boarded
up with wood yesterday.

While many prepared for today's mass rally, others kept up
their relentless protests.

In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, students were also busy
yesterday preparing for a mass rally today.

But this did not stop 20,000 of them from once again crowding
the streets expressing demands for reform.

The peaceful protesters marched through the main streets of
the city, which saw many buildings with banners saying "We
Support Reform".

In Surabaya, East Java, 5,000 students from the Surabaya
Institute for Economics gathered inside their campus to demand
the government carry out comprehensive reform.

Although the city remained generally calm, an eeriness was in
the air since most shops remained closed in anticipation of a
possible recurrence of unrest. (21/23/24/30/nur/swa)