Compiled by James Balowski
July-October, 1997 — The rupiah starts to crumble. Jakarta abolishes managed exchange rate system and asks IMF for assistance; a US$43 billion package is announced.
January 6, 1998 — Indonesia announces 1998-99 budget projections. In five days the rupiah plunges to over 10,000 to the US dollar on perceptions the budget will not meet IMF-mandated austerity measures.
January 10 — Megawati Sukarnoputri, ousted leader of Indonesian Democratic Party, calls on Suharto not to seek a seventh term and announces a bid to run for president. Prominent Muslim critics Amien Rais and Abdurrahman Wahid support her.
January 15 — IMF managing director Michel Camdessus and Suharto sign agreement on economic reform. Twenty prominent critics, including Megawati and Rais, urge economic and political reforms. Riots over soaring prices break out in three towns in Java.
January 20 — As many as 100,000 construction workers lose their jobs as projects grind to a halt.
January 22 — Rupiah hits a record low of 17,000 to the dollar.
January 23 — Government presents revised budget in accordance with IMF figures. It predicts zero growth in 1998 and 20% inflation, but is based on a rupiah valued at 5000 to the dollar.
January 25 — Megawati and Rais denounce Suharto before masses of cheering students in Yogyakarta.
January 27 — Indonesia announces a temporary freeze on debt payments.
January 28 — Mobs attack shops owned by ethnic Chinese in Central Java and Sulawesi.
February 4 — Pro-democracy activists begin "disappearing", starting with Pius Lustrilanang from the People's Democratic Alliance.
February 6 — Foreign debt is revealed to be as high as US$137 billion.
February 7-8 — Shops burned and damaged in several towns. 25,000 troops assembled in Jakarta.
February 10 — Hundreds march through central Jakarta, protesting against rising prices and unemployment.
February 12 — The state party, Golkar, names B.J. Habibie and parliamentary speaker Harmoko as its vice-presidential candidates. General Wiranto appointed armed forces chief.
February 13 — Thousands riot in at least eight towns, venting their anger against Chinese traders, whom they blame for soaring prices and unemployment.
February 14 — Police detain 154 people in riots over rising prices that leave at least three dead. Demonstrations during the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in March are banned. Rioters attack Chinese shops, churches and cars in three towns in West Java. Two rioters are shot dead in Praya, on the island of Lombok. Students in Kendari, Sulawesi, attack shops.
February 16 — Police warn they will shoot rioters on sight.
February 18 — The armed forces support Habibie's nomination. Thousands of students and labourers stone shops and offices in Ujung Padang, South Sulawesi. Military commander announces all demonstrations in Jakarta are banned.
February 19 — US and Germany insist Indonesia must implement IMF reforms.
February 25 — 3000 students in Jakarta begin two days of protest blaming Suharto for the economic crisis. Student protests also held in Yogyakarta.
March 2 — Demonstrations by thousands of students in Yogyakarta, Surabaya, East Java, Sulawesi and other cities. East Timorese join protests in Yogyakarta.
March 3 — US special envoy Walter Mondale meets with Suharto to convey "blunt" message from President Clinton over reform delays. Two thousand students rally in Padang, West Sumatra.
March 6 — IMF delays disbursement of second $3 billion.
March 7 — MPR grants unspecified new powers to Suharto to counter "social unrest" and "subversion".
March 10 — MPR reappoints Suharto while thousands of students protest.
March 11 — Habibie "elected" vice-president. Tens of thousands of students protest price increases and Suharto's reappointment. Rais gives Suharto six months to fix the economic crisis or resign. Clashes with police in Jakarta and Surabaya when students try to march off campus.
March 13 — Three leaders of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) captured in Jakarta.
March 16 — Suharto swears in new cabinet, which includes family members and business cronies. Students and riot police clash at the National University in Jakarta.
March 19 — Police use tear gas, clubs and high-pressure hoses to subdue thousands of stone-throwing students from University of Lampung, South Sumatra. Demonstrations also held in Jakarta, Bandung and Bali.
March 26 — Jakarta Post reports that unemployment has risen to about 8.7 million people, or 10%.
March 28 — Andi Arief, chair of Student Solidarity for Indonesian Democracy, abducted at gunpoint in Lampung.
March 30 — In accordance with IMF demands, Jakarta agrees to privatise 12 state-owned firms.
March 31 — Minimum wage is frozen at 1997 levels.
April 2 — IMF and Indonesia agree new fiscal 1998-99 budget which predicts a 5% decline in GDP, 45% inflation and a 3.5% budget deficit. IMF agrees to "gradual" phasing out of subsidies on basic commodities.
April 3 — Scores of students injured and 14 missing in clashes in Yogyakarta.
April 4 — Licences of seven banks — including some owned by Suharto relatives — are suspended.
April 8 — Third round of talks between Indonesia and the IMF concludes. Further loan disbursements are conditional upon implementation of the reforms.
April 14 — Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation reports that at many as 50 pro-democracy activists have disappeared since January.
April 16 — Students from 30 campuses in Jakarta demonstrate. Demonstrations also held in Bandung, Surabaya, Semarang and Malang.
April 17 — Suharto threatens to send in elite troops from Kopassus. Massive student demonstrations continue, in some cities joined by high school students, workers, "housewives" and urban poor.
April 18 — Student from Golkar-affiliated organisations hold "dialogue" with armed forces chief Wiranto and cabinet members. No agreements are reached.
April 24 — Clashes on campuses across the country.
April 28 — 5000 students clash with security forces in Medan. Scores injured and arrested.
May 1 — Suharto announces there will be no political reform for five years. Widespread protests leave scores of students and security personnel injured.
May 3 — Alumni from 48 leading universities and institutions back the students. Government ministers say political reform can begin immediately.
May 4 — Government announces steep price hikes on fuel, electricity and public transport. Student protests break out across the country. Five companies of the army's strategic command are deployed in Medan after three days of rioting and looting.
May 7 — Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals calls for a special session of the MPR to initiate sweeping reforms.
May 8 — Indonesian Communion of Churches calls on all members of society to support students. Wiranto announces a team of serving and retired military officers to study reforms.
May 9 — Suharto leaves for Egypt to attend a conference of developing countries. The US gives $US1 billion in loan guarantees and cancels joint training exercises with Indonesian military.
May 10 — Hundreds gather at funeral of bystander killed on May 8 in Yogakarta. Armoured vehicles deployed in Medan.
May 12 — Rais urges students to continue protesting and calls on Suharto to step down. 50 retired generals and former political figures declare moral support for students and call for Suharto to resign. Six students shot dead and 16 seriously wounded at Trisakti University in Jakarta. US for the first time calls for political reform.
May 13 — Megawati, joined by Rais, gives fiery address at Trisakti University. Rais says on Portuguese radio that he supports a referendum in East Timor. Student protests over the killings are joined by local residents.
May 14 — Rioting, looting and clashes with security forces in Jakarta. A "People's Council" headed by Rais calls for Suharto to resign.
May 15 — Suharto cuts short his trip and returns to Jakarta. Armoured vehicles and tanks deployed in central Jakarta. Suharto announces price rises on fuel will be reversed.