Djoko Tjiptono/BI & LM, Jakarta – A large metal gate at the parliament was torn down by members of the City Front (Front Kota) student group when their protest turned tense and nasty after a lively demonstration at the parliament building on Tuesday. Approximately 150 supporters of the Front, consisting mainly of high school and university students, assembled at the parliament.

The group held orations before the grounds rejecting what they described as a compromise with forces of the New Order regime of former President Suharto. They particularly demanded that seats allocated to the military and police in the parliament be abolished. The parliament is currently moving to legislate for their inclusion at least until 2009.

As the situation grew increasingly heated, protesters pelted the security forces with plastic bottles and then managed to pull down the front gate of the parliament building. The police, however, held their ground and did not retaliate, which proved to be an effective tactic. In the end, the protesters realised that the police would not be provoked and started to retreat, promising they would return tomorrow.

Earlier in the day, members of the Muslim Student Association (HMI) rallied at the same spot. They demanded that the Bruneigate and the Bulogate scandals, involving suspected illegal trasfers of funds by the President and his 'inner circle', be dealt with properly. These two scandals have been prominent features in many demonstrations since the People's Consultative Assembly convened on 7 August.

As well as the physical show of force by the students protestors, many were also seen handing out flowers to commuters and passersby around the parliament complex in what turned out to be an eventful day.