30,000 students demonstrate at House building

JAKARTA (JP): The vast compound and complex of the domed House of Representatives was speckled with the bright colors of the university jackets worn by students yesterday.

The scene looked like a gigantic rainbow, made all the more colorful by the banners and noisy speeches demanding the immediate resignation of President Soeharto.

A crowd of some 30,000 students, alumni and lecturers from universities in Greater Jakarta and West Java mingled with professionals in and around the House and spoke of their united aspirations.

They slung colorful hand-made banners from the roof proclaiming: "Bring Soeharto to court, dismiss the elected House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly", "Bring Down Soeharto", "Cabinet reshuffle does not solve our problem", "Bring down Soeharto and Habibie."

In the lobby, students occupied every visible space.

They mingled in groups, and staged protest sketches, dances, simple musical recitals, and read out poetry.

Some gathered in groups and sang songs to rhythms beaten out on mineral water bottles.

Dozens of students from Jakarta Economics Institute made a big circle and danced from one pillar to another pillar while singing protest songs.

Other students marched a bier decorated with flowers and covered in black cloth back and forth in the lobby while chanting Soeharto Turun (Soeharto, step down).

Banners were placed on the walls of the building and two were raised on the twin flag-poles at the entrance to the building.

Students from University of Indonesia arrived later in the afternoon carrying an effigy attired in a black coat with Soeharto's smiling picture. A sash with "condolences" written on it was wrapped around the body.

The effigy was warmly applauded by fellow students who had been sitting on the steps outside the building for hours.

Another group of students from Ibnu Chaldun University in East Jakarta carried a coffin bier inscribed with "Soeharto must step down".

During a brief speech to the gathered crowds, Adnan Buyung Nasution -- who joined the crowd after meeting with House representatives -- said Soeharto should learn from the movements in the Philippines and Zaire, where Ferdinand Marcos and Mobutu Sese Seko were toppled by people power.

Students grouped themselves in the cool shade of the building and opened free speech forums. They all took turns to voice their aspirations with the help of megaphones.

A student from Jakarta Institute of Art in Central Jakarta staged a theatrical performance in the grounds.

He covered himself with red and white paint and danced awkwardly in an effort to describe the Indonesian people's suffering. Fellow students provided him with a drum beat.

A group of women activists calling themselves the Indonesian Women's Coalition for Justice and Democracy joined students rallying at the House yesterday.

Human Rights activist Nursjahbani Katjasungkana told the crowd: "We demand a referendum to elect a new President."

Some students planned to spend the night in the grounds of the House and were busy setting up temporary shelters and a kitchen.

"Almost all of us will stay here tonight to wait for the big event tomorrow (today)," Ian, a student activist from UI, said. (ivy/emf)