Jakarta - Some two thousand students of a state university in Padang, West Sumatra, held a rally Thursday to reject a further term in office for President Suharto and demand reforms.

More than 2,ooo students of the Andalas University rallied at their new campus saying the economic crisis was 'a catastrophe' and that 'Suharto's leardership can no longer be forced' upon the nation, a resident said.

The students marched round the campus to muster support, carrying posters and banners expressing their demands.

'We call for a leadership succession and reject the renomination of the candidacy of retired general Suharto as president for a seventh term,' the students said in a statement.

The head of the university, Marlis Rahman, said it was the students' 'right to express their aspirations and there is no ban so long as this is done within the campus and in an orderly and responsible way.'

'There will not be any sanctions on the students,' he said.