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)