Indra Shalihin, Jakarta – An action commemorating July 27 in front of the city’s government offices in Jakarta has ended in clashes. Students who were demanding that Jakarta governor Sutiyoso be tried in relation to the July 27 attack1 were involved in a clash with Pamong Praja security guards after they forced their way onto the grounds.
The clash occurred at around 4pm on Tuesday July 27 after the situation became heated when students attempted to break down the front gates. The cause is unclear but not long alter this a clash broke out. The students, who were from the National Student League for Democracy (LMND), began throwing rocks which was reciprocated by Pamong Praja security guards.
The clash, which continued for around 15 minutes, only subsided after two units from the Central Jakarta police intervened. At around 4.20pm the demonstration was able to be broken up.
The LMND students had been demonstrating since 2pm. During the action they demanded that Sutiyoso be immediately taken to court. The students also said that President Megawati Sukarnoputri and presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono must take responsibility for the July 27 case. (iy)
Notes:
1. Following weeks of protests at the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters in Central Jakarta by pro-Megawati PDI supporters after the Suharto regime engineered Megawati’s removal as the party’s democratically elected chairperson, on July 27, 1966, paid thugs backed by the military attacked and destroyed the PDI offices resulting in the death of as many as 50 people. Popular outrage at the attack sparked several days of mass rioting and violent clashes with police. Many had hoped that with Megawati’s ascendancy to the presidency those responsible would be held accountable however Megawati and other leading party figures have publicly distanced themselves (refusing to attend annual commemorations) from the issue. Those who were eventually brought to trial in late 2003 have all been low ranking soldiers or civilians and have either been acquitted for lack of evidence or given light sentences. None of those believed to have organised or led the attack have been brought to trial.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
