Zaky Pawas, Rahmat, Ismira Lutfia & Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Jakarta – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's visit to Makassar on Tuesday was marred by hours of violent clashes between students and police that left at least nine injured, including five policemen, and nine arrested.
The violence began with students from the Makassar State University throwing stones at some 100 members of the Brimob paramilitary police unit after they were barred from conducting a silent protest by the side of the road on the president's convoy route.
The clash quickly escalated, with students throwing Molotov cocktails at Brimob officers, who responded with tear-gas canisters and warning shots.
The violence lasted for about five hours and left five policemen, one journalist and three students injured. Metro TV reported that at least nine people were arrested.
In another protest in Makassar, about 100 students from the Muslim Indonesia University (UMI) and the 45 University burned pictures of Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono after police prevented them from protesting at a toll road on the president's motor route.
Yudhoyono, while opening a meeting of the country's provincial governors in Makassar later on Tuesday, said that protest rallies were normal in a democracy. "They have the right to air criticism, send petitions or to hold a protest rally," he said.
Yudhoyono acknowledged that political tensions were rising in the capital, with massive protests planned to mark his government's one year anniversary in power. But he warned that firm action would be taken against any illegal action intended to bring down the government.
"As a state based on the law, the laws should be enforced, including against any effort to bring down a lawful government that was elected in a general election," Yudhoyono said.
He called on all to remain calm and for civil servants to continue to work on Wednesday, saying that service for the people should not be disturbed by protest rallies.
Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Sutarman said 19,000 personnel would be deployed to safeguard Wednesday's planned street rallies, which he estimated could involve up to 12,000 people.
Sutarman added that 9,000 police officers would be assigned to monitor areas where rallies are taking place, while the rest would remain on alert at their respective posts.
"We will act firmly against anyone violating the law, and we call on Jakarta residents not to panic over issues linked to the protests," he said.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said that 15 groups composed of various organizations and NGOs including Petisi 28, a pro-democracy group which has been a vocal critic of the government, labor organizations, student executive bodies, and nationalist youth group Bendera have notified the police of their plans to rally on Wednesday.
The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) would be ready to deploy its soldiers to reinforce security if needed, Boy added. "They will be on call, if needed. The TNI will assist the maintenance of security," he said.