Indonesian Students Battle Police

Their demands for quick political reform rebuffed, students battled police on four Jakarta campuses Saturday as they pressed for President Suharto’s ouster.

Tens of thousands of students in at least a dozen other cities also rallied against the government, which is trying to cope with Indonesia’s worst economic turmoil in decades.

Police fired tear gas at rock-throwing students in the most violent day of campus protests in the capital since the economy plummeted last year. At least four officers and a dozen students were hurt.

“Let’s go,” protesters at the Teaching and Education Institute shouted as they edged toward police lines, some wearing scarves over their faces. Minutes later, officers fired tear gas canisters and flailed with sticks at the students, who scattered.

Police and soldiers with sticks, shields and body armor circled other Jakarta campuses where rallies were held, all to mark national education day.

Many students were incensed over Suharto’s remarks Friday that there would be no political reforms until his current term ends, five years from now.

“Reform now, not in 2003,” one banner read.

Protesters are becoming more virulent about Suharto, a 76-year-old former army general who has been in power for three decades.