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)