Jakarta – More than 3,000 students rallied noisily in the Indonesian capital Thursday, blaming President Suharto and his government for the crisis which has crippled the country.

"Reforms, reforms," the crowd chanted with raised fists as students and alumni took turns climbing on top of a car to address the gathering on an open field within the University of Indonesia's sprawling southern Jakarta campus.

"What is needed now is to settle the root of the problem," shouted one of the speakers, economics lecturer Faisal Basri. "Everyone knows, students know, the people know that Suharto is the origin of all the problems," he said.

The students marched round the campus for more than five hours, their ranks swelling from the original 200, before finally gathering at the field in front of the social sciences faculty where the rally began.

The rally which ended peacefully late Thursday was conducted under the watchful eye of police while soldiers patrolled the perimeter of the satellite campus in Depok, West Java, 30 kms south of here.

One student said he was very please with the day's turnout. "We will not stop fighting," he said, without identifying himself.

Banners demanded lower prices, the eradication of corrupt, collusive and manipulative practice, for the people to hold power rather than the authorities and for Suharto to be accountable.

"We still have time to show the MPR what we want," said Sri Edi Swasosno, an alumni and former official of the national development planning agency. [His brother, Sri-Bintang Pamungkas is currently on trial for subversion.] (AP quotes him as saying: "Dont hope for economic or political reform as long as Suharto is still in power".)

One banner carried by the students described the MPR meeting as a comedy.

No uniformed security personnel were visible on the campus but more than 70 plainclothes military intelligence agents could be seen following the marchers. At least four truckloads of police and soldiers in full riot gear were seen outside the campus, along with scores of rapid response troops on motorcycles with automatic rifles.

The "yellow jackets" as students of the university are known, were a major force behind Suharto's rise to power in 1966. Large signs welcoming people to "The campus of the New Order" at the central campus were covered in funeral shrouds or defaced during the demonstration on Wednesday.

Public gatherings have been banned in the capital for the period surrounding the presidential selection and street protests have been broken up. However, the authorities have been tolerant of student demonstrations as long as they remain on their campuses.