Students urge MPR to abolish TNI's dual role

Students urge MPR to abolish TNI's dual role

JAKARTA (JP): At least 300 students from various universities
staged a peaceful rally on Thursday to urge newly elected
legislators to abolish the dual role of the Indonesian Military
and to prevent the Soeharto regime from returning to power.

The protesters, calling themselves members of the Student
Action Front for Reform and Democracy (FAMRED), wanted assurance
from the lawmakers that the New Order regime, led by former
president Soeharto, would not rule the next government, which is
scheduled to be formed later this month.

The crowds of students caused heavy traffic congestion when
they marched to the traffic circle in front of Hotel Indonesia,
where most of the legislators are staying.

The traffic circle, located on the city's main streets in the
business district, has become a regular site for students and
demonstrators to air their protests after the downfall of
Soeharto last year.

After protesting for three hours, the students left the
traffic circle at 4 p.m. and marched to the nearby Proclamation
Monument to hold a sit-in for three days starting yesterday
evening.

It was the latest in a series of protests the students have
launched during the sessions of the People's Consultative
Assembly and the House of Representatives, despite calls from
police and political leaders to refrain from staging rallies. (01)