After some period of no protests or open forums being held on the Gajah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Central Java, on Tuesday, July 20, a mass organisation calling itself the Yogyakarta People's Coalition (Koalisi Rakyat Yogyakarta, KRY) began rocking the UGM Boulevard. Prior to this thousands from 18 mass organisations and students gathered at the UGM Philosophy Faculty before heading to the Boulevard.

The different mass organisation joining together in KRY are from [as far as] Lereng Merapi and Gunung Kidul, from beggars to students, and from a number of regions. In the march to the Boulevard the demonstrators shouted slogans, waved posters and banners and gave speeches. During the action, Faisol Reza [a Student Solidarity for Indonesian Democracy (SMID) activist who was "disappeared" and tortured by the military and released in late April] appeared, one of the recent victims of the kidnapings.

The demonstration began at 10am, with demonstrators holding an open forum at the main gates of UGM. Taking turns the speakers criticised the social, economic and political conditions of the country. "Free all political prisoners, abolish the dual function of the armed forces, try Suharto", shouted a demonstrator, which was greeted by applause.

Another demonstrator demanded that democratic general elections be held. "Democratic elections are necessary for the formation of a civilian and democratic coalition government", they shouted. Reza, a literary student at UGM, explained that the struggle for reform must continue until it is complete. The arrival of activists from SMID was greeted noisily.

The KRY action blocked the streets around the UGM campus when demonstrators tried to go out into the streets near the campus. In its statement, KRY said that the government had no vision or desire to carry out change. Because such change would itself include touching on the power they hold.

It was also explained that up until now, that economically the people are still being oppressed and even more marginalised, the price of basic goods have risen sharply, while the political lies of the remains of the New Order government have continued. "The political lies and manipulation are still being carried out by the 'new' New Order", said the statement.

The following is a list of KRY demands and the organisations supporting them which was included in the written statement issued on July 21:

KRY Demands

Reduce prices of basic goods;

Withdraw the five repressive political laws and the dual function of the armed forces;

Try Suharto and nationalise his assets;

Free all political prisoners without any exceptions;

Fully investigate these responsible for the kidnapings and riots;

A referendum for the People of East Timor as quickly as possible;

Form a civil and democratic coalition government.

KPRP (Komite Perjuangan Rakyat untuk Perubahan)

SOMASSI (Solidaritas Massa Rakyat untuk Demokrasi)

KARPI (Kesatuan Aksi Rakyat Peduli Indonesia)

BRPD (Barisan Rakyat Pendukung Demokrasi) Sleman

KARAG (Kesatuan Aksi Rakyat Gunung Kidul)

SRDI (Suara Rakyat Demokratik Independen)

APMD (Aksi Peduli Masyarakat Desa)

GAMA (Gerakan Aksi Masyarakat Argomulyo)

LLM (Laskar Lereng Merapi)

FRAKSI (Front Rakyat Untuk Demokrasi) Minggir

GRUP (Gerakan Rakyat untuk Perubahan) Kalasan

RPR (Rakyat Pro Reformasi)

PRDT (Persatuan Rakyat Diploma Tehnik)

Sastro Gempur

SPI (serikat Pengamen Indonesia)

IMPETTU (Ikatan Mahasiswa-Pelajar Timor Timur)

KMD-UII (Komie Mahasiswa untuk Demokrasi-UII)

Sanggar Seni "Manusia Jerami"