After two days of relative calm in Jakarta, the political temperature rose sharply last night as students announced plans to march this morning from the University of Indonesia to parliament buildings in the centre of the city.
This unexpected development came as pressure grew on President Suharto to step down in the face of public fury over his failure to reform. In an atmosphere of deepening intrigue, the army not only said it would allow the student demonstration, but might provide trucks to ferry the students to the city centre to prevent riotous elements joining in. A spokesman for the greater Jakarta military region, Lieut-Col D.J. Nachrowi, said: "We have already concluded that we don't want students to take to the streets as we have already felt the results of their street demonstrations. The Jakarta military command is ready to help all components of the community, including students, to channel their aspirations to legislative institutions."
Fifteen retired army generals announced yesterday that they would accompany the students to show their support for their demands. The 76-year-old president's fate lies in the hands of the army, up to now his strongest supporters. However, many officers, including his top military aide, Gen Wiranto, have been making sympathetic overtures to the students. Some analysts say the general might be trying to hijack the student movement and that to survive, Mr Suharto must replace him with a more ardent loyalist. Gen Wiranto (51) is a career army officer who was appointed military chief by Mr Suharto in February and given the Defence Ministry the following month.
There have also been persistent reports of rifts within the military, particularly between Gen Wiranto and Suharto's son-in-law, LieutGen Prabowo, who heads the strategic reserve command.
As military activity increased in the capital last night, the Muslim opposition leader, Dr Amien Rais, upped the stakes by announcing at a hastily-called press conference yesterday evening that he would bring one million people on to the streets on Wednesday, a national holiday known as National Awakening Day. Students have said they will mark the day with a mass rally against Mr Suharto.
Meanwhile, defections are taking place among Mr Suharto's circle of loyalists. The president has lowered fuel prices and hinted at a cabinet reshuffle to pacify his critics.