Since Megawati Soekarnoputri was ousted from the Indonesian Democratic Party leadership in 1996 Megawati supporters, students and activists became more and more radical.

Underground political parties, student groups, independent labor and journalist associations started to demand the repeal of laws banning political parties, freedom of organization and speech, and an end to the military's participation in politics.

In the early months of 1998 a number of students and activists disappeared. It did not stop the protests and Soeharto had to deploy thousands of soldiers to keep the protesters out of Indonesia's assembly while he had himself appointed as president for another five year term.

Students went on protesting after Soeharto was appointed but he paid little attention to them and their demands. The former president only told Indonesia's generals to take a bolder stand against them and during a massive protest four students of Jakarta's Trisakti University were shot and killed.

The death of the students united the student movement. It also gave them sympathy from Indonesia's elite and general population. Many of them not only praised the students but decided to join them in their demands. It was time for change and for many that meant the resignation of President Soeharto.

Photographs © 2003 Andrew Kaufman.