The democratic struggle and the fight for socialism

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. But it was not just for the sake of democracy that the Indonesian people overthrew Suharto in 1998, but also for justice and prosperity. It was not for reformasi (the political reform process that began in 1998) that students and the people occupied the House of Representatives (DPR), but for an Indonesia free from the threat of the gun and military spies, free from corruption and nepotism, for a prosperity where basic commodities would be affordable. Democracy was the tool; democracy was the means, to achieve the aim of human liberation from oppression by other humans. Without democracy, humanity becomes black and white, colourless, and prosperity becomes a commodity owned by those in power.

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

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 depose autocratic rulers.

"The government is obligated to control the Internet," he said on Thursday. "Don't let uprisings, like what happened to Tunisia and Libya -- who failed in controlling the social media like Facebook and Twitter -- happen to us,"

Protests outside Malaysian Embassy in support of 'Bersih' movement

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 to erect a banner reading: "Bersih Malaysia Bersih Indonesia," or "Clean Malaysia Clean Indonesia," at the embassy's gate.

The protestors also mimicked the act of cleaning the gate with mops and brushes. Some of the protesters were also wearing masks depicting characters from the popular "Upin & Ipin" animated children's show, which is set in rural Malaysia.

ICG urges Indonesia to delay controversial intelligence bill

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 services in a democracy, many of whose citizens are still sceptical that once repressive institutions have actually changed, a news release says.

Call for Somyot's release

Prime Minister Ms Yingluck Shinawatra

c/o Government House

Pitsanulok Road, Dusit District

Bangkok 10300

Thailand

Fax: + 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 being held at Bangkok Remand Prison, in Bangkok.

Somyot Pruksakasemsuk is a loyal Thai citizen who is strongly committed to Human Rights in his role as an independent journalist and labour activist promoting freedom of speech.

 

We understand that Somyot was arrested on a charge of defaming, insulting and threatening the King, Queen and heir apparent (Section112 of the Penal Code) a charge which he fully denies. He also was not aware that any arrest warrant had previously been issued and strongly denies any claim that he resisted arrest.

We understand that the Criminal Court agreed with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has extended the detention of Somyot without bail, something we believe to be an unacceptable abuse of Somyot's human rights. His case is due for review on the 24th July 2011 and we urge you to intervene and allow him to be released.

Yours faithfully

Political Committe of the Poor - People's Democratic Party 

(KPRM-PRD)

Cc Mr Charupong, general secretary of Pheu Thai party, Dr. Jarupan Kuldiloke, Phua Thai Party MP

Declaration says intelligence bill will revive New Order

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.

"Lawmakers on the House of Representatives' Commission I overseeing defense must cancel deliberations of the bill, or possibly drop it," the statement said. "Lawmakers should first start collecting public opinion about an ideal bill before starting deliberations."

Draft national security law smacks of New Order security approach

Kompas - July 6, 2011

Keamanan Nasional: Perspektif Lama Masih Menguat - Kompas. Rabu, 06 Juli 2011 <http://cetak.kompas.com/read/2011/07/06/02510322/perspektif.lama.masih.menguat.>

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 (Kontras) activist Indria Fernida, who was sought out following a public hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I on defense, foreign affairs and communication on Monday July 4, explained that the approach used by the draft national security law very much prioritises a security perspective ala former President Suharto's New Order regime and overrides basic humanitarian principles.

De-mystifying BERSIH 2.0

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 is a coalition of like minded civil society organisations unaffiliated to any political party. 

BERSIH 2.0 has invited ALL political parties to participate in the walk for democracy on 9 July.  However, BN component parties haverejected the invitation.

Indonesia: Student actions across the country reject draft intelligence law

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, <http://pembebasan-pusat.blogspot.com/>, formerly LMND-PRM) against the Draft Law on Intelligence and State Security currently being deliberated by the House of Representatives. In addition to the actions in Jakarta, Makassar, Medan, Samarinda and Yogyakarta translated below, PEMBEBASAN along with other progressive organisations also held protest actions in Bandung, Balikpapan and Ternate.]

* Student protesters say draft intelligence law threat to freedom
* Student protest against draft intelligence law ends in clash
* Anti-democratic, military forces behind draft intelligence law
* Intelligence law will limit democratic space, destroy progressive movement
* Intelligence law designed to weaken people's movement, increase repression

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

Release all those detained and Stop on-going crackdown on Malaysian Socialists

Stop repressing democratic rights of Malaysian People!

Bebaskan mereka yang ditahan dan Hentikan Kekerasan terhadap kaum Sosialis Malaysia

Hentikan 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 Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak.

Cq.

Malaysian Ambassador in Jakarta.

Duta Besar Malaysia di Jakarta.

We are protesting to you, to express our outrage and our strongest condemnation over your government's on-going crackdown and the arrest of the 30 PSM (Socialist Party of Malaysia) activists.

Kami memprotes anda untuk menyatakan kemarahan dan pengutukan kami atas kekerasan dan penangkapan yang dilakukan pemerintahan anda saat ini terhadap 30 aktivis Partai Sosialis Malaysia.

We are appalled by your government and the police's latest actions and view this as an attempt by your government to intimidate Malaysian citizens from exercising their civil and political rights.

Kami sangat terganggu oleh tindakan yang dilakukan pemerintahan dan kepolisian anda beberapa waktu terakhir dan memandangnya sebagai upaya untuk mengintimidasi warga Malaysia dalam menjalankan hak-hak sipil dan politiknya.