Jakarta – The Indonesian armed forces yesterday staged one of the biggest show of force seen in the capital in years. Another convoy of 40 armoured vehicles of the Jakarta military command also converged on the central square from East Jakarta.

A convoy of tanks and armoured vehicles made its way from the marine headquarters in South Jakarta to the sprawling central square opposite the presidential palace for a roll call organised by the army strategic reserve command, Kostrad.

One officer said the operation was aimed at "safeguarding the special session of the MPR". Twenty of the Kostrad vehicles faced their cannons towards the palace.