Indonesians Storm Parliament to Demand Wahid’s Resignation

In scenes reminiscent of protests that helped topple the Suharto dictatorship, thousands of students broke down parliament’s gates Monday and demanded that President Abdurrahman Wahid quit over his alleged involvement in two scandals.

Police subdued about 10,000 protesters with warning shots and tear gas. Although the confrontation was not as violent as past clashes, officers beat some protesters during running battles on the lawn of the legislature.

The defense minister today warned that the military could seize power in order to prevent anarchy.

The armed forces “don’t want to see this country break apart,” Mohammad Mahfud said.

At the state palace, a relaxed head of state maintained that he had done nothing wrong and told reporters he would not resign.

As the protest raged, lawmakers met in closed session inside the heavily guarded legislature to hear the results of an investigation into the two affairs that have bogged down Wahid’s administration.

The yet-to-be released report is expected to implicate Wahid in the multimillion-dollar scandals.

Wahid, who came to power in late 1999, had promised democratic reforms and an end to corruption after three decades under Suharto, who was ousted in 1998.

However, the high hopes have been replaced by disappointment.

The country continues to wallow in economic crisis, and Wahid’s attempts to quell bloody sectarian and separatist fighting in restive outer provinces have foundered.