Trisakti University students, employees blockade against court officials

Students and employees of Trisakti University formed a human barrier at a rally in front of their campus to blockade and demonstrate against the arrival of West Jakarta District Court officials who came to take action on a court ruling regarding the campus leadership.

Trisakti rector Thoby Mutis had been legally challenged by the Trisakti Foundation for changing the university statutes without the approval of the foundation.

The court favored the foundation and ordered the rector and his subordinates to resign from their posts.

West Jakarta District Court has announced plans to execute the ruling, following decision issued by the Supreme Court in favor of the foundation.

Hundreds of protesters, who were closely monitored by around 500 police personnel, became agitated when Sulaiman, a court official, guarded by West Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Yazid Fanani, walked toward the crowd of protesters to speak with a university representative.

University lawyer Bambang Widjajanto stepped up onto a table to calm the emotional crowd.

"Sulaiman, the court official is going home," Bambang said to the crowd, "protect him, he came here safely and should go home safely."

After walking away from the crowd, Sulaiman said that the planned removal of the university rector would be carried out regardless.

"We have to look at the situation. The execution has been delayed, so we will await further instruction from our superiors," he said. (awd) In whose hands?: Demonstrators gather in front of the Trisakti University in West Jakarta on Thursday in a protest over a recent court Supreme Court ruling on the ownership of the university in favor of the Trisakti Foundation. The protest caused widespread traffic congestion in the area. (JP/awd)