House Members and Students Reject Bush’s Arrival
Tuesday, 14 November, 2006 | 17:17 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The rally to reject the arrival of United States’ President George Walker Bush’s arrival on November 20 dominated the opening of House of Representatives (DPR) Plenary Session yesterday (13/11). There were interruptions by a member of the Justice and Prosperous Party (PKS) faction Fahri Hamzah when DPR Chairman Agung Laksono read his speech of DPR session term opening.

Fahri asked that his interruption be followed by the DPR. “So far there are no follow-ups to interruptions,” he said. According to him, Bush is welcomed as he has hurt the international community by causing many deaths due to his policies . Fahri’s interruption was instantly responded to by “agree” remarks from other legislative members.

Agung asked for time to continue his speech and for an opportunity after he was finished. According to Agung, the DPR has given much attention to the plan of Bush’s visit. The DPR asked the government to act in terms of security for Bush. “Some Indonesians regard US’ foreign policies as far from a sense of justice,” he said.

The rejection still happened at several districts. In Semarang, Central Java, crowds of university students joined in the Indonesia Students’ Union to hold a demonstration at Muda Monument circle.

In Surabaya, a rally was held by the All-East Java Student Executive Council. The rally took place in front of the East Java Provincial Legislative Council office.

In Yogyakarta, several students of Gajah Mada University held a rally at the campus circle. They even burned Bush’s picture as an expression of their rejecting his visit.

Aqida, Rofiuddin, Heru Cn and Rochman T