Students want rector to resign

Students want rector to resign

TANGERANG (JP): Syech Yusuf Islamic University's 32nd
anniversary reception ended in chaos Tuesday night when hundreds
of students staged a surprise demonstration demanding their
rector's resignation.

Dozens of guests, including Tangerang mayor Djakaria Machmud
and Tangerang regent Agus Djunara, promptly left when the
demonstrators streamed onto the campus from all directions,
shouting their demands.

The students demanded that rector Yusuf Budiana Tanu, who is
serving his third term, resign because a 1990 government
regulation limits rectors to two terms.

While storming around the campus singing patriotic songs, the
protesters carried banners criticizing the rector and some
university officials they accused of being corrupt.

"Free the university from (its officials') personal
interests"; "Uphold regulations" and "The foundation doesn't
belong to individuals", three banners read.

They were stopped by members of the university's student
regiment outside the reception hall. A brief scuffle occurred but
there was no word of injuries.

Student senate leader Ansan Ulhaq said the rector trampled on
the government regulation by refusing to step down when his
second term ended.

"The regulation is crystal clear," he said. "A rector is
prohibited from seeking a third term in office."

He also pointed to the appointment of M. Astary, the secretary
of the foundation which runs the university, as a deputy rector.
The students believe this move was illegal.

Rector Yusuf Budiana Tanu refused to comment on the incident.

But Astary said it resulted from a "minor misunderstanding"
and that he would meet the students to talk it over. (41/pan)