Students for Soeharto's 'street trial'

JAKARTA (JP): Some 1,000 university students rallied on Jl. Salemba Raya, Central Jakarta on Thursday, demanding a "people's court" to try former president Soeharto.

The protesters included members from the City Forum (Forkot), Collective Forum (Forbes), Students Action Front for Reform and Democracy (Famred) and Oppressed People's Community (Karat).

They blocked the street and erected a stage near the intersection of Jl. Salemba Raya and Jl. Kramat Raya, to orate, recite poetry and sing.

Passersby stopped to watch while traffic was redirected.

No clashes were reported during the rally which was under close police supervision.

A Famred member, Jon, said that the rally was a campaign to have Soeharto and his cronies tried in a "street court" and have the government confiscate his properties.

"The official court isn't able to administer justice because Soeharto's cronies are still influential among the authorities," said Jon, a student of the Jakarta University in Central Jakarta.

Another protester, Doni, added that protesters planned to stay the night at the location and continue their demands.

Following the dismissal of corruption charges against the former president last Thursday, clashes between anti-Soeharto protesters, pro-Soeharto protesters and the police had left some 30 people injured. (07)