Djoko Tjiptono/BI & LM, Jakarta – During the busiest day of demonstrations yet seen during this year's session of the People's Consultative assembly, the Indonesian Parliament grounds have been the perfect arena for democracy activists wishing to become actors, actors pretending to be politicians and politicians disguised as democracy activists.
Nevertheless, this is also the place where people have come to express their concerns about the future of their nation. On Monday there were countless protests staged in and outside the parliament grounds.
The various demonstrations were distinguishable by the degree of emotion, imagination and the number of supporters behind their cause. The main objective od all protesters was to make the politician inside the building aware of the fact that it is the general public that the politicians should be protecting and discussing.
Up to 2000 members of the Banser force, the paramilitary group affiliated to the Nahdlatul Ulama once headed by President Abdurrahman Wahid, and their supporters marched to the parliament grounds to show their support for the President and his deputy Megawati Sukarnoputri.
They marched from the grand mosque in central Jakarta in full military-style uniform creating a major traffic jam in the already congested streets surrounding the parliament. They carried banners, placard, and flags and shouted 'Reject Assembly Interference in the Executive' and 'If President Ousted the People Will Fight' and other slogans.
A group calling themselves the True Supporters of Megawati People's Front, which also supports the Wahid-Sukarnputri leadership team were held up by the security forces but managed to join the massing protesters.
Another demonstration at the parliament stood out for its humour and irreverance. Around 150 people under the auspices of the 'Islands Gate' and 15 students from the Young Protectors of Indonesia Students' Committee (Komppi) brought their own 'political clowns' to the parliament grounds.
The clowns were adorned with oversized backsides with the names of several politicians written on them, including Arifin Panigoro, Ginanjar Kartasasmita, Alvin Lie and Zulvan Lindan. Both groups demanded the parliament be purged of these political chameleons, opportunists and political clowns.
Protesters from the Information Center and Reform Action Network (PIJAR) especially targeted Golkar, the party which ruled Indonesia in cooperation with the armed forces under former President Suharto. Pijar demanded Golkar take full responsibility for the 32 years of oppression under the Suharto regime.
Their banners read "Golkar [flag] is flying, Indonesia is falling", "Get Rid of Suharto and Habibie Cronies from the Parliament" and others. Pijar also demanded the armed forces and police be removed from the parliament, that the military's dual political-social and defense function be abolished and for the political elites to refrain from creating further anxiety through their inflamatory comments.
A similar sentiment was expressed by the Indonesain Student Action Network (JAMPI). This group demanded that the Wahid administration and cabinet lineup be free of Golkar and military elements.
Meanwhile the Greater Jakarta Student and Youth Council warned the general public to be aware of political consensus emerging which is robbing the President of his political power. According to Jampi, the military should be the defenders of the nation and the protectors of the people and not the other way round.
Jampi also demanded that all criminals from the New Order regime of Suharto be brought to trial and that the scandals involving monies from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and Brunei be dealt with immediately. They demanded an immediate amendment of the Constitution and to inhibit national disintegration.