Students from Indonesia expressed surprise and hope for the reform of their country following President Suharto's announcement of his resignation Thursday.

"I am so happy. This is what we have been praying for," said one student living in Tokyo, adding that she thinks new President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie "will choose the right people for his Cabinet, and solve the political unrest and economic instability."

A 28-year-old Indonesian student from a private university in Tokyo said it is strange that people from his homeland have remained poor despite the country's rich natural resources. "Once Suharto quits, successors will prosper, as was the case in the Philippines," he said.