Marianne Kearney, Jakarta – Student demonstrators seem to be changing from a force that called the shots and pulled politicians into line into a force manipulated and supported by the same politicians whom they would have previously objected to.

As tear gas exploded over the bandannaed heads and banners on Monday outside the Parliament complex, the student crowd – previously packed tighter than sardines – dispersed in a panic, scrambling over fences, shrubs and anything else they could find.

A few more cannisters of tear gas later, only some 100 students remained crouched on the ground, exposing half-heartedness in the largest student-led protest since the days of former President Habibie.

News reports were quick to draw comparisons between this demonstration and those which occurred during the rule of former presidents Suharto and Habibie, which effectively forced both leaders to relinquish power.

Analysts say Monday's protest was a far cry from previous demonstrations. They noted that many of the demonstrators had probably been gathered by Mr Abdurrahman's opponents to apply political pressure on the President in the name of "reformasi".

Some were demonstrating for clean government while others admitted to being there because their student unions had asked them to. The rest were not even sure why they were there.

"They're not necessarily being paid but they are being trapped into a political game among the elite," said one analyst who believes the student bodies are being manipulated by the political foes of President Abdurrahman.

He said that Monday's demonstration was organised by student university boards, dominated by Muslim student groups traditionally connected to the President's foes. Some are believed to be linked to the Suharto family.

But according to some organisers of the Monday demonstrations, businessmen were funding the student protests.

There were those like Mr Priyo, a student drop-out, who was asked by a friend to gather a group of his friends as well as other high school students at the city centre. They were then transported to the University of Indonesia.

Mr Priyo was assured that the demonstration was "pro-reform" and not anti-Wahid. It was all about supremacy of the law and stamping out corruption – with the added perk of a day's wage of 10,000 to 20,000 rupiah (S$2 to 4), he was told.

The businessmen organising the activists were not short of cash to throw at the demonstrators, said Priyo. At a meeting last week, he saw a case full of 50,000 rupiah and 100,000 rupiah notes on the table. There may be those attracted to demonstrate for a few thousand rupiah, free lunch and a free bus trip.

But many of the students are truly disillusioned that the New Order disease, known as KKN, or corruption, collusion and nepotism, had not been wiped out. Others such as Mr Hardyansyah, a 19-year-old student, were on the streets partly to ensure the parliamentary committee did not allow President Abdurrahman's alleged involvement in the Bulogate and Bruneigate cases to go unpunished, but also because the politicians had forgotten "reformasi" ideals.

"Reform hasn't finished yet," he said. "Parliament should amend the Constitution, take away the military's parliamentary seats, give justice