People's Liberation Party - Indonesia

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

2012-03-09T23:51:00.003+07:00

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

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

2012-03-07T02:55:00.004+07:00

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.

Toward International Women's Day 2012: From Home to the State Women Are Raped

2012-03-06T21:41:00.001+07:00

'The state is also complicit in the rape of women' Seruu - March 4, 2012 Negara Juga Memperkosa Perempuan - Seruu.com. Minggu, 4 Maret 2012 Jakarta -- International Women's Day (IWD) is commemorated every year on March 8. This afternoon, scores of demonstrators from the Free Women National Committee (Komite Nasional Perempuan Mahardhika, KNPM) held a free speech forum at the Hotel Indonesia

The state is complicit in rape and sexual violence against women

2012-03-05T18:57:00.009+07:00

Free Women National Committee International Women's Day Statement - March 4, 2012 In the home and in the streets, women are being raped. The government and the parliament are ignoring cases of rape and are complicit in sexual violence against women. According to data from the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Komnas), between 1998 and 2010 rape was the most common form of

Recent Labor Struggle

2012-02-26T19:09:00.001+07:00

Jakarta Post coverage Four labor confederations Hasyim Widhiarto, The Jakarta Post | Tue, 02/07/2012 10:26 AM A | A | A | The Confederation of Indonesian Prosperity Trade Unions (KSBSI) Founded by the icon of the labor movement, Muchtar Pakpahan, many people still associate the organization with Pakpahan even though he has not been involved in the organization’s day-to-day management for the

Indonesians speak out against vigilante group, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI)

2012-02-16T19:22:00.000+07:00

An Indonesian policeman gestures in front of protesters during a demonstration against the hardline Muslim group the Islamic Defender Front (flagged by the acronym FPI) in Jakarta on Feb. 14, 2012. (Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images) JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, is often held up as a shining example of how democracy can gel with moderate Islam.But

Social upheavals triggered by public distrust in the state - Survey

2012-02-11T21:41:00.002+07:00

Kompas - February 6, 2012 Jajak Pendapat: Ketidakpercayaan pada Negara - Sabtu, 11 Februari 2012 Yohan Wahyu -- Most of the recent social upheavals have been triggered by a decline in public trust in the state. Public pessimism towards the government's performance has stimulated the emergence of several mass movements, from solidarity actions through to the social media and mass blockades.

Military commander's remarks condemned as return to New Order style repression

2012-02-05T19:29:00.000+07:00

Gatra.com - February 3, 2012 Koalisi Masyarakat Sipil Kecam Ucapan Pangdam Jaya - Gatra.com. Friday, 03 February 2012 Jakarta -- The Civil Society Coalition for Workers' Rights (KMSHB) has condemned Jakarta Military Commander Major General TNI Waris for being arrogant, anti-democratic and provocative. "We condemn the Jakarta military commander's remarks threatening to repress workers", said

Fed Up, Fired Up, Indonesia Workers Pledge Radical Protests

2012-01-30T20:29:00.001+07:00

Faisal Maliki Baskoro | January 30, 2012 The mix of workers emboldened by recent labor victories and a fear of higher costs from the state’s plan to limit subsidized fuel consumption could spark more radical demonstrations in the future, union leaders say. Timbul Siregar, chairman of the Indonesian Workers Association (OPSI), said on Sunday that workers were beginning to realize that radical

PKI victims accuse Komnas HAM of delaying release of 1965 report

2012-01-21T10:04:00.000+07:00

Tribune News - January 17, 2012 Nurmulia Rekso Purnomo, Jakarta -- Victims of human rights violations held a protest action on Tuesday January 17 demanding that the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) immediately announce the results of an investigation in to the 1965-66 affair. The action was held at the Komnas HAM offices in the Menteng area of Central Jakarta. Sumarsih (80), the

‘Systemic’ violations found in 1965 purge

2012-01-19T11:23:00.002+07:00

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 01/18/2012 8:19 AM Life of suffering: Victims of events in 1965 sing a protest song inside the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) office in Jakarta on Tuesday. They and several rights activists asked Komnas HAM to reveal the results of its investigation into the gross human rights violations committed by the state during the 1965/1966 massacre,

Filipino activists call end to military atrocities in West Papua

2011-12-29T16:03:00.000+07:00

PHILIPPINES - Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) solidarity activists today held a silent protest in front of Indonesian Embassy in Makati City in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of West Papua's declaration of independence from the Dutch rule. Fifty years ago on the 1st of December 1961, in the then Dutch colony of West New Guinea, The West Papuan

2011-12-29T15:54:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Post. Environmental groups predict that land disputes over mining and plantation activities will intensify throughout the country in the coming months and they have called on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to immediately audit the operation of palm oil and mining companies. The groups, including palm oil business watchdog Sawit Watch and the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) said that

Freeport Link to Latest Anti-Mine Violence in Indonesia

2011-12-29T15:41:00.000+07:00

A man who was seriously wounded during an anti-mining protest that turned deadly in Sape, West Nusa Tenggara, is taken for medical care on Saturday. (Antara Photo) The Australian government has confirmed that it is aware of the shooting deaths of two Indonesians during a protest against the exploration activities of an Australian resources company on Sumbawa island over the weekend. “The

Nationwide Protests Decry Mistreatment of Civilians

2011-12-29T15:37:00.000+07:00

Protesters march in front of Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Monday. They criticized the police’s shooting of and killing villagers who were rallying in Bima against a gold mining company. The protestors urged the president to remove Chief Police Timur Pradopo. (JG Photo/Safir Makki) Jakarta Globe. Protesters in cities across the country on Monday continued to voice their outrage over

Bima violent clash: The ‘hitman’ state and corporate greed

2011-12-29T15:29:00.000+07:00

Moh Yasir Alimi, Semarang | Tue, 2/27/2011 8:41 Jakarta Post-opinion. The nation watched another spectacle of police brutality unfold on Saturday, this time in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, when several hundred officers used force to dispel peaceful protestors occupying Sape port at 6 a.m. when many were still sleeping, praying or cooking. Two people were shot dead and 31 were injured. The

Gender equality remains a challenge: World Bank report

2011-12-23T20:41:00.000+07:00

Editorial: Unequal progress The Jakarta Post | Thu, 12/22/2011 9:30 Noble mothers, wives and workers, with no troublesome demands — this is what Soeharto’s New Order wanted of its female citizens. And every Dec. 22 has become the annual dismissal day of the New Order’s version of the historic Hari Ibu — originally the day in 1928 when dozens of women gathered for their first national congress.

Farmers from Java join forces to fight against injustice

2011-12-23T20:33:00.000+07:00

Representatives of farmers from 10 regions across Java, attending a two-day congress in Yogyakarta, pledged Thursday to join forces and build solidarity to fight against what they considered injustice. Via a declaration drawn up at the congress, the farmers said they were ready to fight against those people who made use of laws and regulations to justify social, cultural, economic and

Tired of Being Victimized, Some Women Fight Back

2011-12-21T10:56:00.003+07:00

Activists rally in Jakarta in September after Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said women in short skirts invite rape. (JG Photo/Safir Makki) Kartika was waiting for a bus when a man shouted at her from inside a small food stall across the street, “Look at those boobs!” Knowing she was the only woman present and seeing that a number of men inside the eatery were looking at her, she crossed

Indonesia: Strikes and protests as discontent rises

2011-12-07T13:21:00.000+07:00

Workers rally in Batam, Indonesia. November 23. By Max LaneDirect Action. The simmering discontent throughout Indonesia regularly overflowed throughout October and November. There were student protests against the Yudhoyono government, attacking corruption, economic injustice and political manipulation of local government, in cities including Jakarta, Jogjakarta, Cirebon, Samarinda (in Borneo),

Solidarity Coins for Freeport Workers

2011-12-02T11:19:00.000+07:00

Joint Solidarity Appeal - November 26, 2011 Dear friends, Six thousand of our comrades at PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) have been on strike since September 15. They are demanding a wage increase to US7.5 per hour. The strike is a legitimate action under Indonesian labour laws (Law Number 13/2003 Articles 137-145). The Freeport management however claims that the strike is illegal and is refusing

Build a sovereign economy for the Papuan people

2011-11-30T10:52:00.000+07:00

Joint Statement by Traditional Papuan Women's Traders - November 26, 2011 Long live the Papuan people... Long live Papuan women... Long live the urban poor Papua is rich in natural resources, but it is not the indigenous people of Papua who own it. This can be seen from the character of economic development in Papua, particularly in and around the provincial capital of Jayapura, where the many

Demanding referendum, thousands of Papuans protest in Jayapura

2011-11-17T13:43:00.000+07:00

TEMPO/Jerry Omona Detik News - November 14, 2011Tuntut Referendum, 1.000-an Warga Papua Unjuk Rasa detikNews. Senin, 14/11/2011 Chazizah Gusnita, Jakarta -- Thousands of Papuans from the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) demonstrated in front of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building in the Papuan provincial capital of Jayapura today. The protesters demanded an end to

Jakarta wants Freeport mine open

2011-11-01T20:58:00.002+07:00

Armed police officers patrol the streets of Jayapura, Papua, on Monday. National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo admitted on Friday that his officers in the restive region receive funds, which he dubs as 'lunch money,' from PT Freeport Indonesia. (Antara Photo) The government is sending the deputy minister for mineral resources to Papua with orders to get the Freeport mine operating again

Movement against Freeport is set up by students

2011-10-31T19:40:00.000+07:00

Bintang Papua - October 28, 2011 A number of UNCEN student organisations along with the KNPB, the National Committee for West Papua, have announced the establishment of a movement to oppose Freeport. They regard this company as having been the cause of many problems in Papua. The students unfurled two banners, one of which depicts the US flag intertwined with the logo of Freeport. The new

Indonesia 'should be ashamed of failure to reduce poverty'

2011-10-29T20:24:00.001+07:00

Jakarta Globe - October 27, 2011Aguis Triyono -- The combined wealth of Indonesia's 40 richest people is equivalent to that of about 60 million of its poorest citizens, a nongovernmental organization said on Wednesday."In 2010, we noted that the wealth of these 40 people had reached Rp 680 trillion [$76.8 billion]," said Setyo Budiantoro, the executive director of the Center for Welfare Studies (

Occupy Jakarta, an awareness building movement for social change

2011-10-27T02:37:00.000+07:00

Pelita Online - October 21, 2011 Occupy Jakarta, Gerakan Penyadaran untuk Perubahan – Pelitaonline.com. Jumat, 21 Oktober 2011 Jakarta -- The Occupy Jakarta movement inspired by Occupy Wall Street in New York continues to reverberate with no end in sight in the midst of the controversy surrounding the cabinet reshuffle and rampant corruption in Indonesia. Aside from being a symbol of the

44 years of theft, 44 years of state protection, end the violence and close Freeport now

2011-10-25T11:49:00.000+07:00

Joint statement in solidarity with Freeport Indonesia workers - October 20, 2011 PT Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of Freeport McMoran Cooper and Gold – of which 90.64 percent of the shares are owned by Freeport CEO James R. Moffet – is the largest mining company in the world. Freeport contributes 95 percent of the entire production of gold by Freeport McMoran and a significant percentage of

Occupy Indonesia has started and continues

2011-10-25T10:18:00.004+07:00

Occupy Jakarta protest say capitalism has derailed national development Metro TV News - October 19, 2011 Occupy Jakarta Tolak Ekonomi Kapitalis - Metrotvnews.com. Rabu, 19 Oktober 2011 Jakarta -- In concert with the Occupy Wall Street movement that is calling for reforms to the United States' economic policies, a similar movement has emerged in Indonesia. The Occupy Jakarta group has been

INDONESIA: Security forces open fire at Third Papuan People's Congress

2011-10-19T22:30:00.000+07:00

(Hong Kong, October 19, 2011) At around 3pm today the security forces surrounding the Third Papuan People's Congress in Indonesia opened fire and dispersed the event. Possible casualties are not known as of now. Several persons are reported to have been arrested, including Forkorus Yaboisembut and Edison Waromi, indigenous political leaders. The AHRC has received reports from several credible

Yogyakarta protesters demand nationalisation of Freeport

2011-10-18T14:06:00.005+07:00

KRjogja.com - October 13, 2011Laskar Tambang Tuntut Nasionalisasi Freeport - KRjogja.com. Kamis, 13 Oktober 2011 Yogyakarta -- Scores of demonstrators from the People's Mining Militia held a free-speech forum in front of the Gedung Agung Presidential Palace in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Thursday October 13. They were demanding the return of the nation's sovereignty through the

People's Liberation Party chronology of Freeport shooting

2011-10-11T22:43:00.000+07:00

Tribunnews.com - October 10, 2011 Kronologi Bentrok PT Freeport versi Partai Pembebasan Rakyat - Tribunnews.com. Senin, 10 Oktober 2011 15:37 WIB Jakarta -- The People's Liberation Party (PPR) reports that a person was shot dead by security forces during a clash with thousands of PT Freeport Indonesia employees at the Gorong-Gorong bus terminal in Timika, West Papua, on the morning of Monday

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: INDONESIA MUST INVESTIGATE MINE STRIKE PROTEST KILLING

2011-10-11T22:11:00.000+07:00

10 October 2011The Indonesian authorities must immediately investigate the use of deadly force by police at a mining protest, Amnesty International said today after one protester was killed and at least six injured. Indonesian security forces opened fire on striking workers of a gold and copper mine in the eastern province of Papua run by US company Freeport-Mcmoran on Monday. Some 8,000

Protester Dies in Indonesian Freeport Demo: Union Official

2011-10-11T21:54:00.006+07:00

A demonstration involving thousands of mine workers at Freeport-McMoRan in Indonesia turned ugly on Monday, with police firing warning shots and one protester killed, a union official said. The demonstration involving disgruntled workers seeking better pay and conditions was at East Timika, in West Papua province. “The victim is dead in the regional government hospital,” said Virgo Solossa

On the struggle of Freeport Indonesia's workers

2011-10-11T21:43:00.001+07:00

Freeport workers in Indonesia vow to halt production Agence France Presse - October 7, 2011 Workers at one of the world's largest gold and copper mine in the remote Indonesian province of Papua vowed on Friday to paralyze production, as their strike over pay enters its second month. Workers at the Grasberg mining complex run by US giant Freeport-McMoran began a month long strike on September

Solidarity for PALEA Workers' struggle in the Philippines

2011-10-08T11:59:00.003+07:00

PALEA at SONA, Manila 2011 Long Live the struggle of anti contractualisation! Long live PALEA!It has been a tremendous struggle organised by PALEA against contractualisation all these years. It has been very determining and should have been inspiring the struggle against contractualisation of all workers. We are here in

The state is obliged to protect striking PT Freeport Indonesia workers

2011-10-03T13:22:00.001+07:00

Statement by the Coalition for the Freeport Indonesia Workers' Struggle - September 28, 2011We fully support the strike by PT Freeport Indonesia workers for better wages and conditions. The government must guarantee legal protection to the workers and protect them against intimidation and threats while they are on strike and conducting negotiations with the company in accordance with Law Number

Indonesian feminists: 'Don't blame the victim!'

2011-10-01T09:38:00.000+07:00

Vivi Widyawati & Zely Ariane* Around 100 women and men took part in a rally named Mini Skirt Protest - Women against Rape at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, Thamrin, Jakarta, on Sunday September 18th 2011. Dozens of women, including several activists from Perempuan Mahardhika, wore miniskirts, as a statement that rape has nothing to do with the way women dress. The demonstration was a protest

Letter to Pakistan Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia

2011-09-28T09:31:00.003+07:00

To: Mr. Sanaullah Ambassador of Pakistan Jalan Mega Kuningan Barat Blok E.3.9 Kav. 5-8, Mega Kuningan Jakarta Selatan Indonesia Phone: +62-21-57851836-8 Fax: +62-21-57851645 Email: pakembassyjakarta@gmail.com Website: www.mofa.gov.pk/Indonesia/default.aspx Dear Sir, We are writing to ask for your urgent intervention with the government of Pakistan to secure the release of Mr Baba Jan and

The endless fight for land in Indonesia

2011-09-27T19:27:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Post - September 24, 2011 Muhammad Ikhwan, Jakarta -- Indonesia will commemorate the 51st National Farmers' Day on Sept. 24. Over the years, we have witnessed the same demand from the farmers on the street: The right to land. For many decades, farmers have lost in what I have called the fight for land. History tells that our farmers were brutally exploited in the cultuurstelsel era.

Jakarta rapes bring calls for renewed efforts to combat sexual assault

2011-09-27T19:13:00.002+07:00

Jakarta Globe - September 25, 2011 Fidelis E. Satriastanti -- In the wake of the rapes of two female passengers on public transportation in recent months, the National Commission on Violence Against Women said the government had a long way to go in meeting its responsibility to protect citizens. The commission, also known as Komnas Perempuan, outlined recommendations on Friday that ranged from

Jakarta protest over rape statements: don't blame the victim!

2011-09-25T01:10:00.000+07:00

By Max Lane On Sunday, September 18, around 100 women staged a lightning protest in Jakarta’s main thoroughfare, Jalan Thamrin, to protest statements by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo in response to rapes that have taken place in public transport. He said: “Imagine if someone on board a mikrolet (minivan) sits wearing a mini-skirt, you would get a bit turned on”. Women, he said, “must adjust to

Solidarity Statement: Free Baba Jan and all political prisoners!

2011-09-22T09:22:00.025+07:00

Free Baba Jan and all political prisoners! Reparations for the victims of police violence! Reparations for the victims of the landslide of July 4! Last August 11, Pakistani police used live bullets against people demanding payment of compensation allowances following a devastating landslide which had happened a year before in the valley of Hunza, on July 4, 2010. This landslide, in the region of

On Tiaka Violence

2011-08-29T13:12:00.002+07:00

Police launch investigation into deadly oil field riots Jakarta Globe - August 24, 2011 Palu, Central Sulawesi -- Police in Indonesia say they have launched an investigation into the deaths of two demonstrators and wounding of five others, allegedly by police officers during an attack on the Tiaka oil field in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, over the weekend. "We have to see if the actions taken by

POLICE SHOOT PROTESTERS ON THE SITE OF TIAKA IN MOROWALI

2011-08-24T20:27:00.000+07:00

On Saturday 20 August 2011 Peoples from several villages in Mamosalato and Bungku Utara sub district did protest action against Medco Energy, which involve youth and students in the action, the so-called of this protest action is Student Alliance and Care for the People of North Bungku and Mamosalato with demands: The fulfillment of the rights of the community since the company (Medco) manage

Indonesia risks downgrade of its democratic rating

2011-08-21T22:29:00.003+07:00

Endy M. Bayuni*, Jakarta Post Unbeknown to many in Indonesia, international public opinion of their country has taken a turn for the worse this past month following a series of media reports that could just lead to a downgrade of its credentials as the third-largest democracy in the world.While it never exactly enjoyed a “Triple A” rating for its democratic standing, Indonesia has come a long

Indonesian activist in solidarity with Papuan demonstration in Jakarta.

2011-08-05T12:15:00.003+07:00

Surya goes into the police van The following essay by Surya Anta was written in response to a series of questions, I emailed him yesterday, August 4, 2011 [Max Lane]"I am here to give solidarity, not as a provocateur”* Surya Anta, Jakarta, Indonesia On August 2, 2011 I and Kholis Annasir from the student group Pusat Perjuangan Mahasiswa untuk Pembebasan Nasional (PEMBEBASAN – LIBERATION)

On the detention and released of our comerad Surya Anta

2011-08-03T11:26:00.000+07:00

Surya Anta, a leading member of People's Liberation Party (used to be KPRM-PRD), was under arrest at Police Resort Metro Central Jakarta at noon 1st August 2011. He was arrested after given solidarity speech in protest action of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) this afternoon in front of Presidential Palace, Jakarta. This protes action was a support action to International Summit Conference

TNI to leave barracks to root out radicalism

2011-07-27T20:20:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Post - July 26, 2011 Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta – Officials from the National Antiterrorism Agency (BNPT), the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police have agreed that the TNI must take the initiative domestically to curb religious radicals. "We have demanded the TNI's participation through their vast network of territorial commands to persuade individuals or groups to abandon

Activist urges reopening of probe into 'July 27' attack

2011-07-27T20:16:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Globe - July 26, 2011The statement by former general Slamet Singgih on Tuesday about a secret meeting to plan the infamous July 27, 1996, attack on the headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) was applauded by local activists.Mugiyanto Sipin, the head of the Indonesian Association of Families of the Disappeared, said that the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)

The democratic struggle and the fight for socialism

2011-07-17T10:28:00.000+07:00

Zely Ariane - May 20, 2011 "Thirteen years ago Suharto had to be overthrown. This decision was a brilliant move from a generation..." -- Nurul Khawari, one of those that took part in the overthrow of Suharto's New Order regime in May 1998, Solo Post, May 5, 2011. Democracy is the mother of prosperity, justice, equality, culture and all forms of creativity beneficial for the future of humanity.

Tifatul wants social media controls to avoid Arab spring-style uprisings

2011-07-17T10:23:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Globe - July 14, 2011 Minister of Communications and Information Technology Tifatul Sembiring said that the Indonesian government was obligated to serve as a gatekeeper for the Internet, including social media. According to Tifatul, stricter controls were necessary to prevent Indonesia from suffering the same fate as Tunisia and Libya, where huge portions of those populations rose up to

Protests outside Malaysian Embassy in support of 'Bersih' movement

2011-07-17T10:20:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Globe - July 12, 2011 Ismira Lutfia -- In a show of solidarity with Malaysian activists calling for electoral reforms in their country, a number of Indonesian civil society organizations staged a rally on Tuesday in front of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta. Chanting the word "bersih," Malay for "clean," 20 protesters representing the Alliance of Civil Societies for Clean Malaysia tried

ICG urges Indonesia to delay controversial intelligence bill

2011-07-17T10:18:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Globe - July 14, 2011 Jakarta/Brussels -- Indonesia should put the passage of a controversial intelligence bill on hold until there is a more comprehensive assessment of its security needs, according to a new report by the International Crisis Group. "Indonesia: Debate Over a New Intelligence Bill" looks at the debate that the draft law has produced over the role of the intelligence

Call for Somyot's release

2011-07-15T14:54:00.000+07:00

Prime Minister Ms Yingluck Shinawatrac/o Government House Pitsanulok Road, Dusit DistrictBangkok 10300 ThailandFax: + 662 282 8631/280 1589/629 8213 Tel. + 662 280 1404/3000 Your Excellency, I write to inform you of the case of Somyot Pruksakasemsuk and ask you for his immediate release. Somyot was arrested on the 30th April 2011 as editor of the Voice of Taksin magazine and is currently

Declaration says intelligence bill will revive New Order

2011-07-14T21:01:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Post - July 11, 2011 Jakarta -- More than 70 noted experts and activists issued a declaration on Sunday condemning a House bill regulating the nation's intelligence agencies, saying it would return authoritarian rule to Indonesia. The bill was premature and would lead to abuses of power similar to those that occurred under former president Soeharto's, according to the declaration. "

Draft national security law smacks of New Order security approach

2011-07-08T12:52:00.000+07:00

Kompas - July 6, 2011 Keamanan Nasional: Perspektif Lama Masih Menguat - Kompas. Rabu, 06 Juli 2011 Jakarta -- Out-dated perspectives on viewing security problems are being strengthened through the Draft Law on National Security (RUU Keamanan Nasional). Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (

De-mystifying BERSIH 2.0

2011-07-05T11:15:00.000+07:00

by Ong Jing Cheng (from https://www.facebook.com/notes/ong-jing-cheng/de-mystifying-bersih-20/10150366189329251) # 1 BERSIH 2.0 is an independent coalition of non-government organsiations and is unaffiliated to any political party. BERSIH 2.0 is the name of a group of 62 non-government organisations called the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections. It

Indonesia: Student actions across the country reject draft intelligence law

2011-07-02T14:02:00.001+07:00

Student actions across the country reject draft intelligence law Indoleft - June 23, 2011 [The following is a selection of articles from the Indonesian media on a national day of action organised by the Student Struggle Centre for National Liberation (PEMBEBASAN, , formerly LMND-PRM) against the Draft Law on Intelligence and State Security currently being

Joint Solidarity Statement and Action on July 1st on 09:00-12:00 in front of Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia.

2011-07-01T19:51:00.004+07:00

Release all those detained and Stop on-going crackdown on Malaysian SocialistsStop repressing democratic rights of Malaysian People! Bebaskan mereka yang ditahan dan Hentikan Kekerasan terhadap kaum Sosialis MalaysiaHentikan Represi terhadap Hak-hak demokratik rakyat Malaysia! To:Prime Minister of Malaysia. Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak.Kepada Perdana Menteri Malaysia: Dato' Sri Mohd

Urgent appeal: crackdown on Malaysian socialists

2011-06-28T23:04:00.000+07:00

The following appeal first appeared at parti-sosialis.org.30 Activists from Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) including two juvenile have been charged under the Section 122 of Penal Code (waging war against the Monarch and trying to revive the communist ideology) and are remanded for 7 days for practicing their freedom of expression. If they are charged on this section, then they will be denied

SOLIDARITY SUPPORT IN ENSURING THE SAFETY & THE RELEASE OF THE 30 PARTY SOCIALIST MALAYSIA ACTIVISTS

2011-06-28T22:55:00.001+07:00

Political Committee of the Poor (KPRM) Indonesia give our fullest support for immediate release of 30 PSM activists who had been arrested and detained under Penal Code 122 ( waging war againts the Agung ) since last Saturday (25th June) as they were taking part in the campaign "Udahlah ...Bersaralah BN..." (Enough ...Retire). We are agree that this arrest as part of the government crackdown of

Student protesters say draft intelligence law threat to freedom

2011-06-26T21:31:00.000+07:00

Detik.com - June 23, 2011 Tolak RUU Intelijen, Mahasiswa Merantai Tangan Sendiri – Detik. Kamis, 23/06/2011 Ari Saputra, Jakarta -- Students and workers have again demonstrated against the draft law on state intelligence (RUU Intelijen Negara), this time by covering their bodies

Indonesia: Government regulation on female circumcision must be repealed

2011-06-26T21:22:00.000+07:00

Joint statement by Amnesty International and Indonesian civil society organizations - June 23, 2011 AI Index: ASA 21/015/2011 Indonesian authorities must immediately repeal the newly issued government regulation permitting female circumcision ('sunat perempuan'), and instead enact specific legislation with appropriate penalties prohibiting all forms of female genital mutilation (FGM). The new

Security approach triggering widespread rights violations in Papua

2011-06-04T13:20:00.000+07:00

Kompas - June 3, 2011 Papua: Penanganan Militer Picu Pelanggaran HAM Marak - Kompas. Jumat, 03 Juni 2011 Jakarta -- The government is still dealing with problems by military means (securitisation, use of extraordinary means in the name of security) in attempting to overcome problems in Papua. But

Electoral participation could drop to 60 percent by 2014

2011-06-01T07:18:00.000+07:00

Kompas - May 29, 2011 Dinamika Politik: Parpol Kian Kehilangan Pemilih Loyal – Kompas. Senin, 30 Mei 2011 Jakarta -- The number of floating voters is tending to increase. This can be seen not just from the decline in participation levels in elections between 1999 and 2009, but the political parties in

Call for Solidarity for Nanang Ibrahim & PT Micro Garment Indonesia workers strike

2011-05-29T08:43:00.002+07:00

Comrade Nanang Ibrahim is the local chairperson of the PT Micro Garment Solidarity Alliance for Labour Struggle (GSPB) who was arbitrarily dismissed by the PT Micro Garment management on February 4 in a letter received on February 21. Comrade Nanang Ibrahim is being sued by the PT Micro Garment management through Hermanto A Nurdin as PT Micro Garment's Human Resource Development officer, which is

Liberalisation leading to foreign control of food sector

2011-05-26T14:12:00.000+07:00

Kompas - May 25, 2011 Hulu-Hilir Pangan oleh Asing – Kompas. Rabu, 25 Mei 2011 Jakarta – Foreign penetration through multi-national companies in the food sector is increasing and spreading. Foreign companies in Indonesia don't just control trade, but have spread into upstream activities such as agricultural

Friends of Venezuela: We Reject United States Sanctions Against Venezuela

2011-05-26T14:02:00.000+07:00

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, the United States Department of State unilaterally imposed sanctions against Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), for its alleged relations with the government of Iran. The sanctions are a desperate and weak attempt to link Venezuela to Iran’s nuclear energy program as part of an ongoing campaign to justify further aggressive action

Strategic economic sectors dominated by foreign interests

2011-05-25T21:13:00.000+07:00

Kompas - May 23, 2011 Ekonomi Didominasi Asing - Komaps. Senin, 23 Mei 2011 Jakarta -- Foreign domination of strategic economic sectors is spreading and deepening. It has been suggested that the government reorganised strategic economic development so the benefits are more evenly felt by the ordinary people and

New terrorism bill 'threatens the press'

2011-05-25T21:10:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Post - May 21, 2011 Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta -- The new anti-terror bill, set to enter deliberation this year, provides stronger prevention measures, but contains articles that potentially threaten freedom of expression and speech, activists and experts say. At least two articles within the bill, set to replace the 2003 Anti-Terrorism Law, could hinder freedom of expression,

Activists turned politicians yet to make their mark

2011-05-20T13:36:00.001+07:00

Kompas - May 14, 2011 Generasi Baru Indonesia yang Belum Mewarnai – Kompas. 14 Mei 2011. M Hernowo -- Case of human rights violations that took place around the time of the fall of the New Order regime have still not been fully resolved. Moreover President Suharto's decision on May 21, 1998 to

Solidarity Message for Socialist Party of Malaysia 13th Congress

2011-05-16T18:21:00.000+07:00

Dear comrades, Let us extend our very warm regards to your 13th congress. We hope this year’s congress will strengthen PSM struggle politically, organizationally and ideologically at national and international level. This is a wonderful year for our common struggle to fight and build 21st century socialism. It is in this very moment we are more and more convinced there will be no other way out

2011-05-10T19:49:00.001+07:00

Dear Comrades, Somyot Prueksakasemsuk is a famous thai labour activist and a leading member of the Red shirts movement. The 30th of april, he has been arrested under the crime of Lèse Majesté by the Thai police. He is now in jail and the Thai court denied him to be out on bail. A campaign to free him and to repeal the drastic Lèse Majesté law has been launched by Australian Red Shirts. We

Labour based political parties failing to attract voters

2011-05-10T13:43:00.000+07:00

Kompas - May 2, 2011 Apologies for late posting – JB. Partai Buruh: Tidak Yakin Efektif – Kompas. Senen, 2 Mei 2011 Yohan Wahyu -- If we look at the still sidelined state of workers and employees, the need to unite and organise oneself should be a big one. The historical facts in Indonesia however show the reverse, with

Indonesian Mayday Roundup

2011-05-05T14:21:00.000+07:00

Workers clash with police at Jakarta airport Detik.com - May 1, 2011 Aksi Ricuh, Buruh Mau Masuk ke Bandara Soekarno Hatta - detikNews. Minggu, 01/05/2011 Dira Derby, Jakarta – A clash broke out between workers and police at the rear entrance to the Soekarno-Hatta International

MAYDAY 2011: UNITE!

2011-04-30T22:31:00.000+07:00

Labor Day: Workers can't afford to quit despite complaints

2011-04-30T22:16:00.001+07:00

Jakarta Globe - April 30, 2011 Elisabeth Oktofani -- Mulyadi is 25, but he's lost count of how many times in the past three years he has switched factories. He works in one for a few months before moving to another, all within Jakarta's massive Kawasan Berikat Nusantara industrial estate in the Cakung-Cilincing area. Thousands of contract factory workers are employed at the KBN in any given

Land conflicts between the TNI and the people rooted in 1965

2011-04-25T16:46:00.001+07:00

lKompas - April 25, 2011 Reformasi TNI Belum Tuntas - Kompas. Senin, 25 April 2011 Jakarta -- Conflicts between the Indonesian military (TNI) and the people shows that internal reform within military as an institution is not fully complete. The security approach, like the era of Suharto's New Order regime, is still being used by the TNI, particularly when confronted by problems. Speaking

Indonesia: Military open fire on protesting villagers in Central Java

2011-04-22T14:40:00.000+07:00

http://fppks.blogspot.com/ Asian Human Rights Commission Urgent Appeals - April 18, 2011 Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-079-2011 Dear friends, Since Saturday April 16, 2011 several farmers have been injured by military violence in Kebumen regency, Central Java. The actions of the military personnel included beating, kicking and shooting, allegedly with rubber bullets caused several persons

Indonesian government blamed for religious violence

2011-04-08T21:23:00.000+07:00

By James Balowski, in Jakarta Direct Action. The gruesome murder of three members of the Ahmadiyah religious sect by an Islamist mob has left Indonesia’s image of pluralism and religious tolerance in tatters. On February 6, a mob of 1500 people attacked 21 Ahmadiyah members in Cikeusik, a village in Banten province in Java, killing three and seriously wounding five others. Around 30

Against the France based company: Student solidarity against PT. Weda Bay Nickel

2011-04-04T21:45:00.001+07:00

Statement by the Weda Local Mining Communities Concern Alliance (APMLT) - March 17, 2011 - Capitalism and the rotten political elite are the instigators of the people's poverty - Dissolve the military guardians of capital - Mining and natural resources for the people's welfare Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution mandates that the country's natural wealth, mining, forestry products, plantations

Appeal for financial solidarity with the victims and evacuees of the worst Northeastern-Japan earthquake/tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster

2011-03-21T14:35:00.000+07:00

Japan Revolutionary Communist League (JRCL) National Council of Internationalist Workers (NCIW) March 17, 2011 On March 11, at 2:30 PM (JST), the tremendously powerful earthquake of magnitude 9 hit the vast area of Eastern Japan, comprised of Northeast and Kanto regions. The earthquake gave rise to the formidable tsunami, and the latter devastated numerous cities and towns all along the Pacific

Fighting for women's rights in Indonesia

2011-03-15T17:47:00.001+07:00

Direct Action - March 2011 Zoe Kenny -- The story of women in Indonesia is inseparable from the development of the Indonesian nation itself. Indonesia was swept up in the global wave of anti-colonial national liberation movements in the mid-20th century, declaring its independence in 1945 after almost 350 years of Dutch colonial rule. The key leader of Indonesia's national liberation struggle,

National news compilation on IWD 2011

2011-03-09T11:03:00.001+07:00

Discrimination and violence against women on the rise: Komnas Perempuan Kompas - March 8, 2011 Diskriminasi: Negara Kehilangan Kendali – Kompas. Selasa, 08 Maret 2011. Jakarta -- The institutionalisation of discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion and beliefs is causing women, particularly those from

Indonesia Women struggle against poverty, discrimination and exploitation

2011-03-09T10:52:00.001+07:00

Zely Ariane[1] 2011 International Womens Day. International women day is still largely unknown among Indonesian women when compared with 1st May to Indonesian workers. This is not very surprising since the struggle for the liberation of women only developed several years after reformasi[2], with its mushrooming of different kinds of women's organizations, communities, NGOs, research

Most Merapi temporary shelters still unfinished

2011-02-22T22:31:00.001+07:00

Antara News - February 20, 2011Sleman, Yogyakarta -- Although three months have passed since the recent devastating eruptions of Indonesia's Mount Merapi, most of the temporary shelters the government promised to build for displaced victims are not yet ready for occupation, according to a local official."Many of the shelters that have been built cannot yet be occupied due to problems related to

Dita Sari looses 3kg since becoming Labour Ministry spokesperson

2011-02-18T23:35:00.000+07:00

Dita Sari (below-right) otogether with former vice president and wife (middle); on her back: General Chairperson of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) together with chief of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). Picture from http://matanews.com/2009/06/06/bangkit-mandiri/ Note: Dita Sari was a chairperson of People's Democratic Party (PRD). During or right before the

Domestic workers take to the streets demanding decent wages & protection

2011-02-18T23:04:00.002+07:00

Seruu.com - February 14, 2011 Seruu.com. Senin, 14 Februari 2011. Yogyakarta -- Scores of demonstrators from the Yogyakarta Domestic Worker Protection Network (JPPRT) took to the streets on Monday February 14 demanding decent wages and protection for domestic workers. According to action coordinator Henny, the domestic workers' demands are totally reasonable because in reality domestic

Women's rights activists say pornography law intruding into people's private lives

2011-02-07T02:41:00.000+07:00

Okezone.com - February 4, 2011 Luna Maya Didukung Aktivis Perempuan - Okezone.com - Jum'at, 4 Februari 2011 Mahfiroh, Jakarta -- Women's activists including the Women's Legal Aid Foundation (LBH APIK) and the Free Women National Network (JRPM) are supporting television host Luna Maya as a victims of

Decline in workers' purchasing power threatens consumption, national industry

2011-02-07T02:33:00.001+07:00

Kompas - February 4, 2011 Inflasi - Daya Beli Buruh Bakal Kian Merosot – Kompas. Jumat, 4 Februari 2011. Jakarta -- The government should be more serious about controlling the rising rate of inflation. If the situation continues, people's purchasing power, especially fixed-income labor groups, will continue

Student protesters say government only serves the interests of capital

2011-01-30T21:48:00.000+07:00

KRjogja.com - January 28, 2011 KRjogja.com. Jumat, 28 Januari 2011 12:47:00 Yogyakarta -- Scores of demonstrators from the Student Struggle Center for National Liberation (Pembebasan) held an action in front of the Gajah Mada University traffic circle on Friday January 28 demanding that the

Papuan protesters say special autonomy has failed

2011-01-30T21:39:00.001+07:00

28 Januari 2011 Yogyakarta -- The special autonomy that has been in effect in Papua since 2001 is not working in accordance the hopes of the indigenous people there. There are still many infringements and even human rights violations. As a consequence, there has been no development and indigenous people

New book reveals CIA role in consolidation of Suharto's New Order regime

2011-01-26T21:53:00.001+07:00

Kompas - January 22, 2011 Jakarta -- The US Central Intelligence Agency very much dominated the initial consolidation of the New Order regime of former President Suharto. US international relations historian from Princeton University, Bradley R Simpson, says that the succession of laws enacted by President Suharto was drafted with strong influence from the US. "As an example is the case of Law

Kontras: Human rights violations in Papua still high

2011-01-26T21:43:00.000+07:00

Detik.com - January 21, 2011 Kontras: Pelanggaran HAM di Papua Masih Tinggi Andi Saputra, Jakarta -- The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) says that human rights violations in Papua are still high. These violations represent a threat to civil freedoms and

This is how "Food Security" look like under imperialism

2011-01-26T21:32:00.001+07:00

Government to lift import duties on staple foods Jakarta Post - January 20, 2011 Esther Samboh, Jakarta -- The government will soon abolish import duties for 30 staple commodities starting from the end of this month amid rising concerns over a possible food supply shortage at home and surging food prices in the world market. Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said Wednesday that the commodities

Indonesia: Remembering mass-murder

2011-01-10T00:12:00.008+07:00

Alex de JongThe 1960s were worldwide a period of turbulence and change. But whereas in many parts of the world, the decade is often remembered as a time of exuberance and hope, in Indonesia it’s split in half by a wave of intense violence. About 45 years ago, one of the great crimes of the twentieth century took place: from early October 1965 to March 1966, after a coup attempt by pro-Communist

Anticorruption rallies end in chaos

2010-12-20T23:36:00.001+07:00

Sarinah, Perempuan Mahardhika & KPRM PRD member Jakarta Post - December 10, 2010 Andi Hajramurni and Ruslan Sangadji, Makassar/Palu -- Some student rallies to mark International Anti-Corruption Day on Thursday in a number of big cities throughout country turned ugly. Rallies ended in chaos in Makassar, South Sulawesi; Palu, Central Sulawesi, and Kefamenanu, East Nusa Tenggara, where

Government faces anger from Merapi victims

2010-12-20T23:12:00.000+07:00

Jakarta Post - December 10, 2010 Slamet Susanto and Arya Dipa, Yogyakarta/Bandung -- Thousands of survivors of the Mount Merapi eruptions staged a rally in Yogyakarta on Monday, demanding that the government fulfill its promise to compensate them for livestock killed during the eruptions. The protestors arrived in trucks to the governor's office in Kepatihan and to the National Disaster

ARM: for an alternative disaster management

2010-12-06T23:29:00.001+07:00

Nightly meeting at Dampit Post Zoe Safia Kenny*Over the last month, as I have been staying in Yogyakarta, I have witnessed the unfolding of the Merapi volcanic disaster. Merapi first erupted on October 26 followed by more eruptions until another major eruption on November 5. The fallout of the eruptions has been more than 200 casualties, the evacuation of 340,000 people as well as the