BY KERRYN WILLIAMS
On January 30 more than 500 high school students and 300 urban poor youth, with the help of 15 buses, mobilised in Jakarta for the "Anti-New Order Tour". Organised by the Popular Youth Movement (GPK) and Jabotabek High School Students Front (FPJ), the tour targeted Suharto and his supporters, the Golkar party, and the Indonesian armed forces (TNI).
The protest demanded that these elements be tried for their economic, political and human rights crimes against the Indonesian people. It also called on all students to stop fighting each other and to instead join the struggle to demand jobs and cheap education for the people.
The protest action started in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta, moving to the presidential palace and the parliament building. GPK general secretary Ricky Tamba told Green Left Weekly that passers-by in the streets responded positively to the protest. Tens of thousands of leaflets were distributed.
Outside the presidential palace one GPK member told the crowd, "We come here to ask [Indonesian President] Gus Dur and [Vice-President] Megawati to have the courage to sweep away the remnants from the New Order regime: Golkar, TNI, Suharto and their supporters. They caused all the people's problems so if Gus Dur and Megawati don't have a program and the courage to face them, then the people will do it themselves".
Speakers highlighted the devastating effects of Suharto's rule on the education system, through cutting the budget and reducing the quality of curriculum. They highlighted how education had become oriented solely toward creating more low-paid workers. Speakers also called for freedom of organisation in high schools.
Tamba reported that hundreds of police and soldiers blockaded the road, attempting to intimidate the protesters. They weren't deterred however, and GPK chairperson Sri Sulartiningsih and FPJ co-ordinator Yunan told police and TNI field commanders that "if you dare to touch us, then we dare too!"
The protest remained peaceful and was covered by more than 40 newspapers and television stations.
The action then moved on to parliament house, demanding that the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) disband, as it is controlled by Suharto's allies — the TNI, Golkar, and the "fake reformers". One speaker explained that the parliament produces no policies in the interests of the people.
Tamba reported that the march ended back at Tanjung Duren after protesters vowed to organise another action soon.