ISKANDAR Zulkarnaen, a socio-political science lecturer at the North Sumatra State University (USU) is surprised at the fact that his paycheck is three months late. This is the first time in five years that he has not received his salary on time. I havent received my wages since December and now its already March, Zulkarnaen told Tempo last Thursday.

Many of Zulkarnaens colleagues who suffered the same fate have decided to take action. The USU Con