Sukarno Says 87,000 Dead Since Coup

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30960, 17 January 1966, Page 12

Sukarno Says 87,000 Dead Since Coup

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

SINGAPORE, January 16.

President Sukarno yesterday announced that 87,000 persons were known to have died during and since the abortive October 1 coup in Indonesia.

The President’s speech to students and Ministers at the Bogor Palace, 40 miles south of Djakarta, was broadcast live by Radio Djakarta. The President lowered his voice and spoke almost in a whisper as he gave the figures

—the first official announcement of the death toll. President Sukarno has repeatedly called for an end to bloodshed and hate, and he again urged the people to strive for national unity. “A nation divided cannot stand,” he said. “Why must we be divided?” Representatives of student groups demanding, among other things, an immediate lowering of prices were among his audience. He challenged anyone to find a way to bring down prices within three months. If they succeeded they would be made a Minister. But if they failed they would be shot. “Who wants to accept my challenge?” he asked. The students groups have also demanded a ban on the Indonesian Communist Party. —blamed for the coup attempt —and a Cabinet reshuffle. An anti-communist campaign, led by the Army has caused bloody clashes throughout Indonesia since the coup bid was crushed. The President said he had been given the death toll figures by leaders of a Government mission which completed surveys of Central and West Java, Bali and North Sumatra.

Prices Soar Soaring prices of rice, petrol and public services since the recent revaluation of the rupah have caused protest demonstrations in Djakarta and other parts of the country, some prices were reported to be rising 10 per cent a day. President Sukarno said the nation’s top economic experts were working non-stop to seek a solution to the economic problems. They had been forced to in-

Itroduce tough measures, but the only result was that the students called them fools. He complained. Radio Djakarta said the President had ordered Cabinet Ministers to re-examine the regulations.