Jakarta – Indonesian security forces arrested scores of students Tuesday as they marched towards parliament in the first big anti-government demonstration this year, witnesses said.

Vastly overhelmed by about 400 police and soldiers, at least 40 students were arrested near a major flyover some 300 metres from the parliament and taken away on two trucks. Security forces moved in as heavy rain started to fall.

The protestors, who had numbered around 100, had first gathered outside the Atmajaya Catholic University, blocking off one side of a main avenue watched by about 100 armed security members.

The student group calling itself "University Student Forum for Reform and Democracy" then marched towards the parliament building. But the students were blocked almost straight away by soldiers equiped with batons and shields.

The group demanded to be given details of foreign loans made to Indonesia, expressing fears they might be diverted, and for the government to end all links with former president Suharto.

The students also demanded an investigation into the ending of student protests last November 13 when security forces opened fire near the Atmajaya university, leaving at least seven students and six others civilians dead.