SMS: Violent student protests

Sat, 06/28/2008 11:54 AM | Reader's Forum

Student protest can lead to violence for several reasons.

First, if the students are used by certain parties to achieve a goal.

Second, if students consider themselves representatives of the public's interests, so they feel that nothing they do is wrong, including violence.

Third, if the police are slow to respond.

To stop it, the court should sternly punish any party found guilty of committing violence. IRMA
Bandung

I have worked all over the world and what I can see is that Indonesia's youth (students) are the most bored people in the world. Solve that problem and the violence will go away. VIN LOM
Makassar

This is a silly topic. Of course we all know very well that demonstrations are paid for by one group or another to achieve an end and violence is usually on the agenda.

It's ridiculous to think that we can discuss solutions. There's only one. Stop paying people to demonstration. MARCEL
Jakarta

University is expensive. So why don't they study? I was a politics student too, but university life was about studying and having fun. Demonstrations and violence are not necessary. MARIO
Bandung

Shame on you students. As well educated people, you should protest with sincerity and in a wise way. Melt the government's heart with your manner. Please don't make it worse. IVANNA
Jakarta

Besides their intelligence quota, they must have an emotional quota as well -- or have they lost both? Could be. JUSTINUS
Jakarta

Students will be loose cannon balls unless they belong to a reserve officer's training corps. MOELJONO ADIKOESOEMO
Jakarta

Violence begets violence. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono must not hesitate to cut the chain of violence. ANDOKO DARTA
Jakarta

Initially, student protests/demonstrations were done for the good of the people, but it often happens that some financial supporters manipulate the momentum to serve their own interests, and involve violent elements. GUSTAF DUPE
Jakarta

Some student protests often turn violent -- resulting not only in damage to public property/state assets, which translate into losses for the state because the funds needed to finance reparations come from the tax payers, The protests also create instability in this country.

It is very possible the student protests are masterminded by certain political parties, which send their thugs to join the demonstrations. The masterminds must have their own objectives.

To prevent reoccurrences, the police should thoroughly interrogate protester detainees and suspects and severely punish those found guilty. ABDUL RAHIM
Tangerang, Banten

We should look into the matter and find the problem if we wish to stop it. The depth of anger shows how deep the problem is. YAVUZ ERCEVIK
Banda Aceh

Student protests are often marked with violence because the political climate in the country is heating up as the coming elections approach. Such violence can be stopped if the elections are conducted fairly and in a transparent way. RUDY D. SALIM
Jakarta

There are two ways to prevent students from articulating their sentiments in a violent manner: Compromise and dialogue. Sadly, it appears to me that the government doesn't know what these words mean. The role of family then becomes essential for this matter. After all, to quote Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, combating violence starts at home. JULIUS
Tangerang, Banten

The students' behavior was unbelievable and illogical. The protests turned violent because they were politically motivated by third parties. The National Intelligence Agency (BIN) should be smart enough to identify and stop them. JOHN S.
Jakarta

Dear Pak SBY, thank you for calling on everybody to be more efficient with gasoline. Please allow me to point out something else you should consider.

You need to show the people that the government officials are making the effort first. Two weeks ago, I saw your car and your entourages on the way to the opening of MTQ, followed by many ministers' cars and their own entourages.

Why can't they go in one bus and use one entourage? It's a waste of a lot of people's money and gasoline. I think it's really ridiculous to see you riding a bike when you know it's not going to be effective in the big city. Thank for considering my point. BARBARA JANTHY
Jakarta

In my opinion, the main cause of student protests turning violent and brutal has to do with the state's weak intelligence capabilities. State intelligence is so weak that it can not identify what is happening and then take action. ROY
Jakarta

I think all problems are caused by the government's reluctance to hear people's aspirations, especially the students'. We support the students' movement because they channel people's aspirations. But please don't use violence! DEDE LESMANA LEO
Tangerang, Banten

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