Protests rock Jakarta, govt warns of collapse

Protests rock Jakarta, govt warns of collapse
ACHMAD SUKARSONO

JAKARTA, MARCH 12: Indonesia's Chief security minister warned the country was on the brink of collapse as thousands of pro and anti-government protesters flooded the streets of Jakarta on Monday.

Some protesters hurled rocks at each other outside the presidential palace and several people suffered minor injuries, but there no reports of all-out clashes or other trouble amid tight security.

``Without... stability, law and security, our country will become a sea of mayhem, violence and worry,'' the leading Kompas daily quoted Chief security minister and retired general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono saying.

``This uncertainty will have a severe impact, not only on the political Front but also in our economic, social and security fields,'' the Jakarta Post newspaper quoted him as saying.

Yudhoyono said last month's parliamentary censure of President Abdurrahman Wahid over his role in two graft scandals--which could trigger his impeachment--was not only a blow to the Muslim cleric but the entire government.

The political instability and ongoing communal violence have rocked financial markets, driving the rupiah through 11,000 against the dollar, its weakest in more than two years. It was trading at 11,210/11,510 by 0515 GMT.

The stock market has also hit a two-year low, falling below the psychologically important 400 point mark. By 0450 GMT, the composite index had fallen 5.5 percent to 391.44 points.

Monday's protests are the latest in a series attacking Wahid's failure to drag the country of economic despair and quell communal bloodshed that has killed thousands.

Witnesses said about 5,000 students rallied to demand the ouster of Wahid, under increasing political pressure over his erratic 16-month rule. Most massed near the presidential palace in central Jakarta.

Nearby, more than 500 Wahid supporters burned effigies of the President's main political enemies, including parliamentary speaker Akbar Tandjung and the head of the top legislature Amien Rais. Both men are former Wahid allies.

The two groups shouted and hurled rocks at each other.

Tens of thousands of people have staged sometimes violent rallies in support of Wahid and there are fears widespread unrest would break out if he is impeached or forced out of office.

Parliament censured Wahid in February over his role in two graft scandals, a rebuke that could lead to impeachment.

He must reply the censure by May. If parliament is unhappy with the reply, it can censure him again and set in motion the procedure to impeach him.

Former Wahid allies, including Muslim parties, have turned into his most lethal foes and rallied support for Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri to take power. Few now expect Wahid to serve out his term to 2004.

The anti-Wahid protesters, who said they planned to occupy the presidential palace for a day, also demanded the government drop a 20 percent fuel price hike planned for April.

``Gus Dur has made the people suffer too long. He will only make us suffer more with this plan,'' student leader Khairil Adha from the Muslim Student Action Front told Reuters.

"That's why we want him out now."

But the protesters have so far made no attempt to break into the palace grounds, guarded by more than 2,500 riot police.

Cabinet is meeting next door to decide details of the fuel price hike, which may be implemented in stages to ease the impact.

Violence in the rebellious far-western province of Aceh is also adding to the problems racking Indonesia--forcing the closure of key gas and oil operations at the weekend.