Jakarta – There are only a few post-graduate students having dinner at around 7 p.m., in a cafeteria in a state university in Depok, some one hour south of Jakarta.

Ujang, a food vendor in the cafeteria recalled, "Four or five years ago, students still spent their nights here, engaged in discussions or simply playing bridge, "Not to mention those involved in late night meetings," he added.

"Nowadays, this place empties out even before maghrib (dusk)." University cafeterias, student body meeting rooms, as well as dormitories, were the silent witnesses of progressive student movements in 1998.

Eight years later, their silence is more a sign of how things have changed. "It is a classic problem. Less and less people want to be involved in student organizations and activities," University of Indonesia student executive body chief Azman Muammar said.

"School fees are getting higher and most students are just interested in getting through university fast," he added. "The rectorate has also slashed (the maximum) study period to only six years." For the majority of students, the May 1998 rallies are only a part of history, not a part of their lives nor interests.

"That is exactly why we have to move more strategically. Our focus should be our core academic competence in dealing with issues in society," Andi Tirta, chairman of the UI engineering school student council.

"Social and political issues should be handled by those from related schools, while we discuss, through seminars, things like power rates and alternative energy," he said.

Meanwhile, Indonesia Christian University (UKI) student activists face different problems. "The college authority subtly represses activists, especially those concerned with social and political issues," said an economics student at the university, who requested anonymity. "That is why we moved off campus." The member of student organization Forum Kota (Forkot) said this condition meant students were less aware of what was going on in society.

Similar problems occur at different universities in Jakarta. Jakarta State University (UNJ) student council head Akmal Diky Hujatul Islam said that, although his organization had implemented programs to enlighten students on political and social issues, the response was lukewarm.

The student council inserted in its annual freshmen orientation program sessions on the history of the student movement, as well as those on how to manage and coordinate a movement. "Everything is included, from the technical side of organizing a rally to how to select and build up an issue," he said.

He said that although freshmen had undergone the program, those interested in involving themselves in social and political affairs were still a minority.

"The majority of students only come for classes then return home. Without knowing what is going on in society," he said. "While some others are only interested in having fun." Diky blamed such ignorance on the high number of contact hours.

Meanwhile, Lamgiat Siringoringo, former chief of Atmajaya University's campus bulletin Viaduct, said the college authorities had not supported student movements.

"The rectorate does not want to know. They just do not want to take responsibility," said Lamgiat. "All of this is the price of the struggle." Trying to reach students who were not familiar with the 1998 movement was also a bit pointless, he said. "They have been disconnected from history."