Issues

Issues

Indonesia

AAPSO On Indonesian Situation

* 18/5/1998

AAPSO expresses its serious concern and strongly deplores the shooting of peaceful march by the University students in Jakarta by the security forces which resulted in death of over five hundred people so far.


Since the financial crises that rock South East Asian Nations, Indonesia was the worst affected. In addition prices of essential items escalated which hurt the most vulnerable section of the social strata. IMF prescription has aggravated the situation with hundreds of thousands becoming unemployed overnight.


People have joined in huge demonstrations against the authorities and specially called upon the incumbent president to resign. The government has responded with stringent measures against the demonstrators who have turned more violent.


AAPSO appeals to Indonesian authorities to engage in dialogue rather than force to find a solution to the situation so that peoples confidence could be restored.