Jakarta – Independence Day was quiet in Dili, the capital of East Timor, where people preferred to attend the anniversary of the separatist group Falintil. Merriment, however, was still seen among pro-Indonesia groups rallying the city in various vehicles in the campaign ahead of the August 30 self-determination vote.
Student demonstrations marked the 54th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day in Jakarta, as well as several other major cities, such as Semarang and Ujungpandang. Also in Jakarta, thousands of invites and dignitaries joined the celebration led by President B.J. Habibie on the grounds of Merdeka Palace.
East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, who presided over the ceremony in Dili, appeared annoyed when a journalist reminded him this year's celebration might be the last as proindependence groups might win the direct ballot. "It is possible for you but not for me," he retorted in an emotional tone.
Afterward, hundreds of prointegration youths went around the city shouting "mate ka moris, simu otonomi!" (alive or dead, vote for autonomy). At about the same time, some 4,000 proindependence supporters left the city on buses, trucks and cars to attend the first celebration of Falintil's anniversary at four locations in the province.
At Merdeka Palace, the one-hour ceremony started at 10am, four minutes before founding fathers, then president Sukarno and vice president Muhammad Hatta, proclaimed Indonesian independence in 1945.
Col. Syaiful Rizal commanded the ceremony, which opened with a siren and 17 salvos. House Speaker Harmoko read out the proclamation, which was followed by one minute of silence to remember the nation's heroes.
This was followed by the hoisting of the national flag by a group of selected senior high school students from across the country. Guests, however, were distracted when an Air Force soldier, a member of the honor guard, fainted.
Unlike Independence Day celebrations under Soeharto's administration, guests this year did not receive a small bag containing a soft drink and cake, compliments of the presidential household.
As a result, many left to look for refreshment nearby when 2,000 students started belting out heroic songs. Coca-cola stands were the most sought after. Other guests approached a stand which provided free beer and soft drinks.
Conspicuously absent from the assembled dignitaries was former president Soeharto, who was admitted to Pertamina hospital on Saturday for the second time in a month. None of his family was present either.
First president Sukarno's family was represented by Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, Guruh Soekarnoputra and Bayu Soekarnoputra. Their sister, Megawati Soekarnoputri, led her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) at the Jakarta chapter office in West Jakarta.
A number of ministers and senior military officers were obvious in attempts to avoid journalists. Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, whose name has been linked to the Bank Bali interbank debt scandal, walked away quickly and pretended not to see the journalists.
Habibie will officially close the 1999 celebration on Wednesday by hosting a party at the State Palace. Popular comedian group Bagito, who often use Habibie in their jokes, is expected to entertain guests.
A dozen students from the Forum of Aceh Students in Bandung staged a protest near Gasibu Square, where West Java Governor R. Nuriana led an Independence Day ceremony. "Stop military brutality in Aceh," the students shouted.
In restive Ambon, Maluku, hundreds of people witnessed from a distance the celebration led by Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina at his office, Antara reported.
Christians rang church bells and Muslims beat mosque drums when the clock struck 9.30am. The province has been racked by prolonged conflicts between the followers of the two religions which so far have killed more than 400 people, injured thousands and forced an estimated 100,000 people to flee. "This year's celebration was not as jovial as in previous years," a resident said.
In Semarang, the capital of Central Java, Diponegoro Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo deplored student protesters whom he described as trying to taint the nobility of the celebration.
"It was not easy to gain independence, it needed sacrifice. Do you think people would like it if the ceremony was marred by a demonstration?" Bibit said.
In Ujungpandang, hundreds of students took to the streets. They demanded the government end violence in Aceh and Maluku.