National strike to demand abolition of outsourcing, contract labour

Public meeting of Jakarta Worker's in Motion 23rd Sept 2012

Kompas - September 24, 2012

3 Oktober, Buruh Akan Mogok Kerja - Kompas.com. Senin, 24 September 2012

Jakarta -- Workers from the Joint Labour Secretariat (Sekber Buruh) have agreed to hold a national strike on October 3. They are demanding the abolition of outsourcing and contract labour systems, which they insist harms the working class.

"It's definite, we will hold a national strike on October 3. It won't just be a strike, we will also hold street actions", said Sekber Buruh Presidium Secretary Edi Santoso during a break in a mass meeting attended by hundreds of workers from various labour organisations at the divisional office of the Labour and Transmigration Department in North Jakarta on Sunday September 23.

Report: National strike called in Indonesia for October 3

Read: Public Meeting of Bekasi Workers; Unite National Strike;
Abolish Outsourcing, Living Wages.

by Max Lane

On 24 September, trade unions belonging to the recently formed Majelis Pekerja Buruh Indonesia (Indonesian Worker Employees Assembly – MPBI) have called for a national strike for October 3. They are expecting 2 million workers to join the strike in at least 21 towns with large manufacturing sectors. These towns are spread over all Indonesia’s major islands: Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and West Papua. The strike’s demands are for increases in the official minimum wage, an end to all outsourcing arrangements, and the extension of the implementation of new health insurance legislation to the whole working population, with insurance premiums to be paid by employers.

Teenage suicide puts spotlight on Indonesia’​s sexist laws

"Do not let anti women regulation victimize even more women!" 
Protest action against anti women regulation, Perempuan Mahardhika 21/9/12

Direct Action - September 26, 2012

James Balowski, 

Jakarta -- A suicide in Indonesia’s northernmost province of Aceh by a teenager who was publicly humiliated by the province’s abusive sharia police has again put the spotlight on laws that discriminate against women.

The 16-year-old, identified only as Putri or PE, was arrested along with friends during a raid by Wilayatul Hisbah (sharia) police while attending a concert in the eastern Acehnese town of Langsa on September 3. While the circumstances of the arrest are unclear, sharia police harangued her in public for allegedly engaging in prostitution. No charges were laid, and she was released on bail to her family. The following day the story was picked up by local media outlets, some of which identified her by her full name and repeated the sharia police’s allegations that she was a prostitute.

The Jokowi factor and the future of Indonesia’s democracy

Aboeprijadi Santoso, Jakarta | Opinion | Sat, September 08 2012, 10:36 AM

“It’s Jokowi, stupid, not Prabowo!” one friend replied, paraphrasing Bill Clinton’s famous slogan, to a colleague who had argued that it was the Prabowo factor — the supposedly leading candidate for the 2014 presidential elections — that pushed Joko “Jokowi” Widodo toward a surprising victory in the first round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election 
last July.

So, did Jokowi win because of Prabowo, or has Prabowo’s star risen thanks to Jokowi? The issue is important for 2014. The Jokowi-Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama ticket not only demonstrated its strength (43 percent) — much to the surprise of pollsters — it may have significant impact at a national level.

A new wave of workers struggles in Indonesia

Zely Ariane*

Hightide for the Indonesian workers movement.

Throughout 2011 and until now, we are seeing new wave of workers radicalization. The momentum  started when thousands of workers mobilised under the banner of the Social Security Action Comittee (KAJS), demanding that the law on Social Security Provider (BPJS) would be passed mid 2011 [1]. Beside debate on the pro and cons of the law between workers organisations, mobilisations proved to be an effective way of pushing the demand and the draft law was passed after an occupation  of the parliament [2]. 

Fundamentalism, a challenge for the Left

An interview with Farooq Tariq, Labor Party Pakistan, on the importance of the fight against religious fundamentalism.

Zely Ariane

The idea of interviewing Farooq Tariq came from a lecture he gave during the Asian Global Justice School in Manila at the end of July 2012. I remember him stating firmly that Marxism is totally opposite of religion, particularly because the main basis of religion is private property, which is in line with class based society and capitalism. He also highlited the position of LPP towards religion, that they dont discuss religion nor make jokes about it, just as they oppose using religious arguments for socialism. At the same time, Farooq also gave inspiring examples of the role of  socialists to defend religious freedom in Pakistan. 

For my context in Indonesia, a majority Mouslem country which sees an increase of religious intolerancy and violence, this conversation was very important, especially concerning the attitude of the left.  I also took the chance to ask him on the recent left collaboration project in Pakistan.

Papua National Solidarity against militarism

NAPAS calls for Paniai police chief, military commander to be sacked

Kompas.com - August 23, 2012

NAPAS: Kapolres dan Dandim Paniai Sebaiknya Dicopot - Kompas.com. Kamis, 23 Agustus 2012

Aditya Revianur, Jakarta -- Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, Papua National Solidarity (NAPAS) coordinator Martheen Goo called for the Panai district police chief and district military commander to be removed from their posts.

The call came following sweep operations by security forces in Paniai regency, West Papua, that have left the region in the grip of fear.

Pancasila Front & 127 anti-communist groups opposes any follow up on 1965 case

Pancasila Front opposes any follow up on 1965 rights commission report

Berita Satu - August 22, 2012

Wasekjen Golkar Minta Rekomendasi Kasus HAM 1965 Ditolak - Beritasatu. Rabu, 22 Agustus 2012

Ezra Sihite/Wisnu Cipto -- Mass organisations (Ormas) that are part of the Pancasila Front are ready to oppose any follow up on the recommendations by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) on the 1965 killings.

Golkar takes jab at 1965 massacre survivors

Jakarta Globe - August 23, 2012

Ezra Sihite -- One month after Golkar Party deputy chairman Priyo Budi Santoso stirred controversy by asking the nation to forget the 1965 massacre, senior party official Leo Nababan called upon victims of the violence to stop seeking justice.

In July, after a four-year investigation, the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) labeled as a serious human rights violation and a crime against humanity the orgy of violence that shook the country in 1965 following a failed coup attempt blamed on the communists.

It is thought that up to 500,000 people died in the purge targeting the left, sparked by an attempt to overthrow the country's founding President Sukarno.

The PRD Diaspora, 16 Years On

Merdeka.com – July 24, 2012

Although this article is a little dated, I thought it might still be of interest to readers – JB.

Laurencius Simanjuntak -- The revolutionary ideals of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) founded 16 years ago were thwarted. The New Order regime of former President Suharto in a rage of fury obliterated the party only a few months after it was declared on July 22, 1996. PRD leaders and cadre in the regions were hunted down, abducted, tortured and jailed.

Several among them have never "returned home" to this day. They include Wiji Thukul, Petrus Bima Anugerah, Suyat and Herman Hendrawan, who were among the 13 people that were abducted by the army's elite Special Forces Kopassus in 1997-1998. However not all the stories of former PRD activists are as grim as Wiji Thukul and his comrades.

Government does not need to acknowledge 1965 crimes: NU youth wing

Kompas.com - August 15, 2012

GP Anshor: Pemerintah Tidak Perlu Akui Kejahatan 1965-1966 - Kompas.com. Rabu, 15 Agustus 2012

Aditya Revianur, Jakarta -- The chairperson of the Anshor Youth Movement (the youth wing of the Islamic mass organisation Nahdlatul Ulama), Nusron Wahid, says that the government does not need to acknowledge past gross human rights violations, particularly the humanitarian tragedy in 1965-1966.

NU, retired army officers reject apology to victims of 1965 killings

Kompas.com - August 15, 2012

PBNU Tolak Permintaan Maaf kepada Korban Tragedi 65 - Kompas.com - Rabu, 15 Agustus 2012

Aditya Revianur, Jakarta -- The Nahdlatul Ulama's Central Board (PBNU) with the support of retired army officers and mass organisations is strongly opposed any form of apology by the government or the Indonesian president for the 1965-1966 tragedy.

Independence Day commemoration celebrates sexual and cultural diversity

Our Voice - August 17, 2012

LGBT Yogya rayakan kemerdekan RI dengan upacara bersama - Ourvoice.or.id. 17 Augustus, 2012

Yatna Pelangi -- Marking Indonesia's 67th anniversary of independence, members of the transsexual, gay and lesbian community held an Independence Day commemoration in Ndalem Notoprajan in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta.

Starting with a reflection on the struggle for liberation and a sense of nationalism, the Yogyakarta Network for Human Rights and Diversity (Jamgaman) held a flag rising ceremony. Scores of Jamgaman activists, including members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) community, along with church leaders could be seen underneath the sun's intense heat singing and honoring the raising of the flag.

Who are benefited from Indonesia growth?

Strong economic growth not accompanied by rising living standards

 

Jakarta– In the midst of a global crisis, Indonesia's economic growth recorded a positive result. Economic growth for the second quarter of this year reached 6.4 percent compared with the same period last year.

Economic growth continued to be centred in Java Island contributing 57.5 percent. In cumulative terms, economic growth for the first semester of 2012 was an improvement on first semester economic growth for 2011, which was 6.3 percent.

Indonesian commission urges trials of military rights abusers

Two men await certain death – October 1965

By James Balowski, in Jakarta

After a three-year investigation and testimonies from 349 witnesses, Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has declared that the systematic prosecution of alleged members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) when former president Suharto and the military seized power in 1965 constituted gross human rights violations. It urged that the military officers involved be brought to trial.

Speaking at a press conference on July 23, Nur Kholis, the head of the investigative team into what is officially described as a coup attempt by the PKI, said that state officials under the Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order (Kopkamtib) who served from 1965 to 1967 and between 1977 and 1978 should be tried for crimes including murder, extermination, slavery, eviction or forced eviction, deprivation of freedom, torture and mass rape. Kholis said that his team had handed over the 850-page report to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and “hoped that the AGO would follow up the report”.

Militarist party positioning itself in Indonesia

By Jalalludin Ngoko

The political party Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) recently announced its 314-strong leadership structure. Gerindra is headed by Suharto era general and son-in-law Prabowo Subianto. Subianto was forced out of the army in 1999 after he was accused of masterminding the kidnapping and disappearance of student activists in 1997 and 1998. At that time, he was head of the Strategic Army Command and was endeavouring to save the Suharto dictatorship as it came up against increasing resistance from a student-led mass protest movement.

 East Timorese human rights and solidarity activists have also accused Subianto of being responsible for massacres and torture in East Timor during the Indonesian occupation. Information from the East Timor Alter Network (ETAN) connects him with the 1983 Kraras and 1991 Santa Cruz massacres.

Corruptors, generals and activists prominent in new Gerindra leadership

Prabowo Subianto (middle) at the 4th Gerindra party anniversary

Berita Satu - July 12, 2012

Pengurus Baru Gerindra: 314 Pengurus, Puluhan Jenderal dan Aktivis - Beritasatu.com. Kamis, 12 Juli 2012

Ezra Sihite/Rizky Amelia/Ulin Yusron -- It's not just Ahok that has been brought into the central leadership board, but scores of retired generals have also joined the ranks of the Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra Party) elite. In addition to this, there are family members and activists.

Gerindra is very happy at the moment. The candidates they backed along with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in the Jakarta gubernatorial election -- Joko Widodo as governor and Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok as deputy governor -- have won the first round of the election.

National police anniversary smeared in the blood of the Papuan people

Papuan National Solidarity Statement (NAPAS) - July 2, 2012


It has been 43 years since Papua was annexed into Indonesia through the so-call "Act of Free" choice, which was legally flawed and engineered in contravention of the New York Agreement of "One Man One Vote". Despite this engineered annexation, the Papuan people have suffered a calamity. A calamity that has not only resulted in their natural wealth being exploited, but the people have been raped, abused, slaughtered, stigmatised and murdered, all which has been directed towards the annihilation of the Papuan people.

Solidarity action in Jakarta slams police brutality in West Papua

Suara Papua - July 3, 2012

NAPAS: HUT Polri Berlumuran Darah Rakyat Papua - Suara Papua. 03 July 2012

Oktovianus Pogau, Jakarta -- Scores of youths and students from the group Papuan National Solidarity (NAPAS) held a peaceful action in front of the Indonesian national police headquarters and the State Palace in Jakarta on the afternoon of Monday July 2 in protest against the spate of recent shootings in West Papua.

Finding ecological justice for women

As Indonesia’s rural poor are increasingly threatened by dispossession, is it time to adopt a more radical agenda for women and the environment?

Rebecca Elmhirst, Inside Indonesia

Fisherwomen are hard-hit by environmental degradation in West Sumatra.  Rebecca Elmhirst

During International Women’s Day this year, women representing four of Indonesia’s leading environmental and agrarian NGOs called for women across the archipelago to unite and demand a more just and environmentally sustainable economic order. In a joint statement, representatives from WALHI (the Indonesian Forum for the Environment), the Indonesian Peasants Union (SPI), Indonesian Green Union (SHI) and People's Coalition for Fisheries Justice (KIARA) argued that as women bear the brunt of environmental problems, it is women who should take the lead in preventing or solving them.

While women’s NGOs have tended to focus on issues such as health, economic empowerment and domestic violence, this statement is indicative of a new effort to link women with environmental and social justice agendas. This new alliance is inspired by the radical values of ecofeminism, according to which the exploitation of women and the environment is inextricably linked to the capitalist economic system. But at the same time this is just one of an array of competing agendas currently being promoted in Indonesia which attempt to connect women with the environment in a variety of ways.

Jakarta protest urges independent investigation into Papua violence

Sinar Harapan - June 15, 2012

Penembak Misterius Sudah Tewaskan 9 Orang - Sinar Harapan. Jumat, 15 Juni 2012

Yuliana Lantipo, Jakarta -- Humanitarian Solidarity for Papua (Skup) is urging the central government to form an independent fact finding team to conduct a fast and effective investigation to uncover the truth and who is behind the recent violence in West Papua.

Since June at least nine people have been killed and five wounded as a result of mysterious shootings. This was conveyed by Skup action coordinator Alves Fonataba shortly after the group held a demonstration in front of the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday June 13.

Range of solidarity to Papua

Student action in Yogyakarta calls for troops out of Papua

Tribune News - June 11, 2012

Mahasiswa Papua di Yogya: Tarik Militer dari Papua - Tribunnews.com. Senin, 11 Juni 2012

Yoseph Hary, Yogya -- Responding to the brutal actions by Indonesian security forces against Papuan civilians, Papuan students in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta are to hold a peaceful action and long-march from the Papuan student dormitory on Jl. Kusumanegara No 119 to the zero kilometer point in the centre of the city this afternoon.

Speaking during preparations at the dormitory, the spokesperson for the Papua Student Association (PMP) in Yogyakarta, Andi Umagi, said the theme of the demonstration would be calling on the government to withdraw Indonesian troops from Papua.

Australian-funded military accused of murder in West Papua

Direct Action - June 17, 2012
 
James Balowski, Jakarta -- Riots erupted in the West Papuan provincial capital of Jayapura on June 14 after a leading pro-independence activist was shot dead during an arrest reportedly led by members of the Australian-funded counter-terrorism unit Detachment 88.

National police spokesperson Muhammad Taufik said that Mako Tabuni, the secretary-general of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), was shot dead in the town of Waena, near Jayapura. "He was armed. Police asked him to surrender but he didn't. Police shot at him, hitting his hip and leg. He died on the way to hospital", he told reporters.

Unite in solidarity against violence and militarism in West Papua

Read: Indonesian Army & PT.Freeport are
the sources of violence in Papua

Joint Labour Secretariat Public Statement - June 15, 2012


Friends and comrades, all the people of Indonesia, are you aware of the escalating violence that has been taking place in West Papua over the last few days. Terror, violence and intimidation have become the daily face of life for the Papuan people. Just in May and June, as many as 25 people have been killed and scores injured in "mysterious" shooting incidents.


Instead of paying serious attention to this situation, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has responded by stating that what is occurring in Papua is only "small-scale with a limited number of casualties". The thousands of lives that have been lost, particularly since West Papua's integration into Indonesia, are belittled by the president as "small-scale". The population of indigenous Papuans continues to shrink. The suffering of the mama-mama (traditional Papuan women traders) and Papuan women that have been raped and lost their children, husbands sisters and family members, is dismissed as "small-scale".

Solidarity action in Semarang demands investigation into Papua violence

Kompas - June 13, 2012

Puji Utami, Semarang -- Scores of Papuan students from National Papua Solidarity (Nasional Papua Solidaritas, Napas) held a protest action in front of the regional police headquarters (Mapolda) in the Central Java provincial capital of Semarang on Wednesday June 13.

The protesters, who held a long-march along Jl. Pahlawan towards the Mapolda under tight police security, demanded that the government fully resolve the conflict taking place in Papua.

Solidarity Message for the 14th Congress of PSM

Dear comrades,


First of all: congratulation and long live for your struggle for democracy and welfare in Malaysia.  


One year in the series of repression as well as democratic resurrection is a year of fight back and hope. PSM is an important component of the fight back. You had given us a good example of how the struggle of democratic rights shapes the struggle for socialism. You had inspired us by the politic of independent mass movement in every level of political struggle as a key for a kind of socialism we would like to create.

Solidarity to Free Hunza and Faisalabad Political Prioners in Jakarta

Today, 24th May 2012, more than fifty workers and pro democracy activists from Joint Labor Secretariat (Sekber Buruh) – Greater Jakarta paid visit to Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Sanaullah, in Jalan Mega Kuningan Barat Blok E.3.9 Kav. 5-8, Jakarta, Indonesia. Workers and activists  with posters, banner, and mostly red t-shirts came to demand the release of Baba Jan and all Hunza and Faisalabad Political Prisoners. One of the staffs of the Embassy, who didn’t want to mention his name, ‘welcomed’  and received a protest letter from Sekber Buruh and promised to deliver the demands to the Ambassador and Pakistan government. Unfortunately he didn’t want to say it in front of the loudspeaker, as he considered it as improper things to do.

Hope dims for woman raped doing 1998 riots

May '98 Tragedy: Dont Forget!

Jakarta Post - May 14, 2012

Jakarta -- The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) called for an amendment to the Criminal Code to help the cause of dozens of who had been raped in the May 1998 riots in the capital.

Komnas Perempuan commissioner Sri Nurherwati said on Sunday that none of the provisions in the Criminal Code (KUHP) or the Criminal Code Procedures (KUHAP) could bring legal action against what she called the "systemic massive rape of 1998" and provide protection for its victims.

The hazy state of the Indonesian military's land

Land owned by Indonesian army

Jakarta Globe - May 14, 2012

Samantha Michaels & Ulma Haryanto -- In 2009, more than a decade after the fall of Suharto, a presidential and ministerial decree ordered the Indonesian military to restructure the way it uses the vast array of state assets under its control.

This meant changing the way the Indonesian Military (TNI) used hundreds of buildings and about 2,500 square kilometers of land it had been controlling and renting out for more than half a century.

The week in review: Unfree democracy

Jakarta Post - May 13, 2012

Meidyatama Suryodiningrat -- This country continuously touts itself as being among the world's largest democracies -- a pluralist nation with a diversity of cultures, ethnicities and faiths living in harmony with one another. Proof on the ground, however, has shown otherwise.

Fueled by opportunism and an uncourageous government not willing to stand firm on difficult issues, entrenched intolerance is seemingly advancing farther and deeper with every passing day.

The unchecked emergence of narrow-mindedness seems more evident with each passing week. On the contrary, groups promoting conservativeness seem to be emboldened as their ruthlessness remains unchallenged.

Who is minding the Indonesian military's business ties?

Jakarta Globe - May 13, 2012

Samantha Michaels & Ulma Haryanto -- The government says it has reformed the military's once-extensive network of businesses, but it has failed to ensure that military organizations with indirect business ties are not breaking the law, top ministry officials suggested.

Military cooperatives and foundations, which can raise money by owning shares in companies, were among many profit-making entities that came under scrutiny when the government began divesting the military of its business holdings in 2004. The government was hoping to bolster civilian control over the armed forces, which have a history of corruption and rights abuses. Military-owned businesses, critics argued, allowed soldiers to earn money outside their state salaries, making them less dependent on the government and less accountable.

19 years after Marsinah's murder, activists demand justice

Challenge 19 years of the dead of Marsinah

Indoleft New Service - May 10, 2012
The following is a compilation of abridged translations from the Indonesian media on commemorations held around the country to mark 19 years since the death of labour activist Marsinah.

Marsinah was a women activist who led a strike at the PT Catur Putra Surya watch factory in Surabaya, East Java. On May 8, 1993, three days after the strike, her body was found in a remote hut. The medical examination found that she had died as a result of injuries inflicted during torture. Although there was considerable circumstantial evidence that she had been kidnapped and killed by the military, in 1994 nine managerial personnel and security guards from the factory were tried and convicted of the murder. All of the defendants claimed that they had been tortured in order to extract confessions. On May 5, 1995, all nine were released.

Evidence of ‘systematic killings’ in 1965

Margareth S. Aritonang, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 05/09/2012 8:33 AM

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) says it has evidence that government officials were involved in the systematic prosecution of members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) following the abortive 1965 coup.

Komnas HAM is expected to announce the formal findings of its investigation on June 3, when it is also expected to propose the establishment a Commission for Truth and Reconciliation (KKR).

“Our three-year investigation has confirmed that mass rapes, torture, and killings, in violation of the Law on Human Rights Courts, occurred nationwide between 1965 and 1966 and ended only in the early 1970s,” Nur Kholis, the head of Komnas HAM’s investigative team, said.

May Day statement by Greater Jakarta Joint Labour Secretariat (Sekber Buruh)

Sekber Buruh, 1st May 2012

Workers and people unite: Fight capitalism and imperialism
On the commemoration of International Labour Day 2012
Today, May 1, coinciding with the commemoration of International Labour Day, the Greater Jakarta Joint Labour Secretariat (Sekber Buruh) again took to the streets. This was done as a protest and as our responsibility to convince the majority of people that this beloved country is still living in misery. The government may well say that there is economic growth, that there has been a growth in the middle-class and so on, but the reality, the facts and data depict the opposite.

Statute of limitations on Marsinah murder case expires next year

Activists with Marsinah pictures in a press conference May, 7th 2012

Viva News - May 7, 2012

Tahun Depan, Kasus Marsinah Kedaluwarsa - VIVAnews. Senin, 7 Mei 2012

Ita Lismawati F. Malau, Oscar Ferri -- After 19 years and 14 years of reformasi (the reform process beginning in 1998), Marsinah's killer has still not been found. The government is being called on not to neglect the case until the 20-year statute of limitations for murder cases expires.

According to Free Women National Committee (KNPM) spokesperson Vivi Widyawati, after 19 years the impression is that the government is going to leave the Marsinah case unsolved.

Solidarity needed against torture of detained political activists in Gilgit jail, Pakistan

URGENT APPEAL HRCP

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan requests your urgent intervention in the following situation

Description of the situation:

Five political activists are being tortured in Gilgit jail, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. These political activists who were in jail for the last many months are facing very harsh treatment for protesting against the poor quality of food and delay in hearing of cases of prisoners at the jail. They have been incarcerated for protesting on behalf of the victims of forced displacement on account of the Attaabad landslide in January 2010.

Plan to restrict Indonesia's subsidized fuel sales 'delayed indefinitely'

An attendant sits at a closed Pertamina gas station in Tangerang, Banten, in this file photo. The gas station attendant put up a sign reading 'Out of Fuel. Temporarily Closed.' after it ran out of subsidized gasoline. (Antara Photo)

Jakarta Globe - May 3, 2012

Arientha Primanita -- A plan to restrict the sale of subsidized fuel to select vehicles was "delayed indefinitely" by the Indonesian government on Thursday.

"We will temporarily delay the draft regulation until we figure out a workable formula for its implementation," Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik said during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

Indonesia: Thousands of workers commemorate May Day

Workers in Aceh call for ratification of labour law, social security

Atjeh Post - May 1, 2012

Demo Hari Buruh di Banda Aceh - Atjeh Pos. Selasa, 01 Mei 2012

Taufan Mustafa, Banda Aceh -- A demonstration commemorating International Labour Day in the Achenese provincial capital of Banda Aceh on Tuesday May 1 began with a convoy from the Raya Baiturrahman Mosque to the Aceh governor's office.

Soldier assaulted as thousands of Papuans take to the streets on May Day

Detik News - May 1, 2012

Peringati 1 Mei, Pendemo di Papua Pukul Seorang Anggota TNI - detikNews. Selasa, 01/05/2012

Chazizah Gusnita, Jakarta -- May 1 is not just for celebrating International Labour Day. In Papua, people commemorated May as the day Papua was annexed into the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). More than 1300 people took to the streets.

"In Sentani (the number of protesters was) 300 people, and in Jayapura around 1000", said Papua regional police public relations chief Senior Commissioner Johannes Nugroho when contacted by Detik.com on Tuesday May 1.

United People Committe in Yogyakarta launches street petition campaign

Harian Jogya - April 27, 2012

Komite Rakyat Bersatu: 164 Warga Jogja Dukung Kenaikan Harga BBM - Harian Jogja. Jumat, 27/4/2012.

Akhirul Anwar/JIBI, Jogja -- Scores of people from the United People's Committee (KBR) held an action in front of the Beringharjo Market on Jl. Ahmad Yani in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on the afternoon of Friday April 27.

The protesters brought a banner with the message: "Plenary Meeting: Lies, the price of fuel and staple goods will still go up, people of Indonesia, let's unite and seize power for prosperity", referring to the House of Representatives meeting last month that postponed the planned fuel price hikes.

2 percent control 56 percent of Indonesia's national assets

Kompas.com - April 26, 2012

Konflik Agraria: Dua Percent Penduduk Indonesia Kuasai 56 Percent Aset Nasional - Kompas.com. Kamis, 26 April 2012 <>

Khaerudin, Nasru Alam Aziz, Jakarta -- The disparity and gap between those who are rich and poor in Indonesia is clearly illustrated by data on the control of national productive assets.

Only 2 percent of the Indonesian population controls 56 percent of the country's productive national assets. Of this 56 percent, eighty-seven percent is in the form of land.

Proletarianisation of rural communities gathering pace

Kompas - April 14, 2012

Proletarisasi di Pedesaan Terjadi - Kompas. Sabtu, 14 April 2012

Jakarta -- Because the government has failed to fulfill its promise of agrarian reform, the process of rural proletarianisation continues unabated. Rural communities, the majority of whom are farmers that once owned land, have begun to loose their source of income because they no longer have control over land.

Power of men blamed for death of women in labor in Indonesia

Jakarta Globe - April 12, 2012

Dessy Sagita – The strong prevailing patriarchal culture is being blamed for the country's high maternal death rate, with some pregnant women missing out on urgent medical care because of a need for consent from a male relative.

Wendy Hartanto, the deputy chief for population control at the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN), said that many pregnant women who needed emergency assistance did not receive help because they could not get approval from their husband or father fast enough.

Women struggle to survive sexual violence in Indonesia

IRIN - April 10, 2012

Survivors of sexual violence in Indonesia face an uphill battle in recovery as a result of an inadequate legal system, police inaction and prevailing societal attitudes that tend to be suspicious of victims, activists say.

Survivors are often reluctant to come forward because of attitudes within the family. Herna (not her real name), 27, was abused by her mother's partner between the ages of 9 and 16 but her family did not fully understand her trauma.

Solidarity with journalists in Sri Lanka, defend democratic rights!

Democratic freedoms are increasingly under attack in Sri Lanka. In a climate of intense chauvinism, critics of the government and its increasingly authoritarian and repressive policies are more and more threatened. Even journalists who have already been forced into exile are targets of threats and smear campaigns. Government members have personally called for violence against media personnel that have raised criticism of the Sri Lankan government or that have drawn attention to violations of Human Rights in the country.

Minister Mervyn Silva, in a public rally, threatened to 'break the limbs' of government critics Sunanda Deshapriya, Nimalka Fernando and Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu. He also claimed responsibility for an attack on the former president of the Sri Lanka Working Journalist Association (SLWJA), exiled journalist Poddala Jayantha, who was abducted and had both legs broken by his abductors. On a later occasion, Silva suggested that 'traitors should be executed'.

Compilation of news & analysis on the drama of fuel price hike

Subsidized fuel rocketed will kill people and people will weight war

Price of fuel in Indonesia may still be going up

Jakarta Globe - April 2, 2012

Agustiyanti, Rizky Amelia, Arientha Primanita & Ezra Sihite -- Indonesia can increase the price of subsidized fuel as early as next month if the Indonesian Crude Price hits $135 per barrel in April, ministers said on Sunday.

The House of Representatives on Friday rejected the plan to raise the price of
Premium subsidized fuel from Rp 4,500 to Rp 6,000 (50 cents to 65 cents) beginning on Sunday, but instead approved a conditional increase.

News compilation of the people's resistance against fuel price hike

Protesters in front of Parliament, Jakarta, 30th March 2012

Fuel price-Protests continue, Makassar still on alert

Jakarta Post - April 1, 2012

Medan/Makassar -- Rallies against the government's fuel-price plans continued in several cities across the country on Saturday with the protesters targeting
lawmakers.

The fuel-price hike that prompted nationwide rallies by university students and other civic groups over three consecutive days will not take effect on April 1 as initially sought by the government.

However, the protesters appeared to be irritated by the prospect that the hike would probably be unavoidable after lawmakers concluded their plenary session after midnight on Friday.

The protesters in Medan and Makassar were adamant on Saturday they rejected the hike, now or in the future. "We're against the fuel-price hike at any time. That's nonnegotiable," rally coordinator Jumeida said in Medan.

Military wins in government's reversal on conflict bill

Jakarta Globe - March 30, 2012

Markus Junianto Sihaloho -- The government has added a last-minute provision to the bill on social conflicts that would give the military a greater role in resolving such issues, reversing an earlier pledge to curtail the military's
involvement in this regard.

Eva Kusuma Sundari, the chairwoman of the House of Representatives special committee deliberating the bill, said on Thursday the proposed article was introduced just as the committee ironed out two final points of contention ahead of the bill's expected passage next week.

Protesters reject fuel price hikes, call for subsidy increases

KRjogja.com - March 17, 2012

Bawa Jerigen, Ibu Rumah Tangga Tolak Harga BBM Naik - KRjogja.com. Sabtu, 17 Maret 2012

Tomi Sujatmiko, Yogya -- Scores of housewives from the Political Union of the Poor (Persatuan Politik Rakyat Miskin, PPRM) demonstrated against the government's proposed fuel (BBM) price hikes in front of the Gedung Agung Presidential Palace in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Saturday March 17.

Uniquely, the protesters also brought jerrycans with the message "Reject the BBM increases" written on them.

Round up news: International Women's Day 2012 - Indonesia

Gepari in front of Regional Parliamentary House Yogyakarta. Foto: Rani DL

Women activists in Yogyakarta reject unjust, oppressive capitalist system

Suara Merdeka - March 8, 2012

Ratusan Aktivis Perempuan Tolak Sistem Kapitalisme - Suaramerdeka.com. 08 Maret 2012

Yogyakarta – The commemoration of International Women's Day (IWD) in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Thursday was marked by a protest action by hundreds of women from the Indonesian Women's Movement (Gerakan Perempuan Indonesia, Gepari) voicing their demands on the grounds of the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

International Women’s Day in Indonesia: a struggle for liberation

Zely Ariane[1]

Protest Action against Sexual Harassment March 4th 2012

This year International Women’s Day in Indonesia is marked by an increase of attacks on women. The increasing frequency of violence against women, particularly sexual violence, and the recent government plan to raise the fuelprice  threatens and  burdens all women, especially poor women. Perempuan Mahardhika (Free Women) is a women's organization that has been trying to build a women's movement against all forms of oppression and exploitation caused by capitalism, patriarchy, and militarism. Fighting sexual harassment and economic policies which would further feminize poverty are parts of the important struggle for women's liberation in Indonesia.