Jakarta – Thousands of students and taxi drivers were in an uproar yesterday over the dropping of the Soeharto probe and later staged a rally demanding the government continue its probe into the case.

The demonstration was centered on the Surabaya House of Representatives [DPRD] building in Jalan Indrapura. Hundreds of students who had arrived there earlier in the day were later joined by others from the National Students' Association for Democracy and the Surabaya Front.

"We demand the government bring Soeharto and his cronies to court, soon, drop military's dual function, cancel the Security Bill and reject Habibie's accountability speech before the People's Consultative Assembly [MPR]," said Andri Arianto, the secretary general of the students' association and the co-ordinator of the demonstration. Thousands later marched on the DPRD building and took part in the protest.

In the meantime, more than 200 drivers from Srikandi Taxis, drove toward the area and took part in the protest.

After assembling there for the entire day, the drivers later dispersed. The drivers were protesting over their low income.

Following a meeting with DPRD members, representative from the Department of Manpower and the Organization of Land Transport, a new agreement was made in which better facilities were offered.