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)