Indonesian activist in solidarity with Papuan demonstration in Jakarta.

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) attended a meeting to organize an action on the issue of Papua. The action was being organized by the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat – KNPB). We were invited to attend by Okto, the coordinator of the planned action. I was representing the Peoples’ Liberation Party (Partai Pembebasan Rakyat – PPR). I learned from the aksi coordinator after I was released that we were the only ones there providing political and organizational solidarity. Tommy from the human rights group Kontras was there to monitor the action.The theme of the KNPB action was “In support of the High Level International Lawyers Conference for West Papua (ILWP) in Oxford, UK for the independence of the West Papuan nation.” The KNPB is an alliance of Papuan liberation groups formed in 2009. Its earlier name was West Papuan Peoples National Action Committee.

On the detention and released of our comerad Surya Anta

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 of International Lawyers for West Papua: http://www.ilwp.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:west-papua-the-road-to-freedom-2nd-august-2011-oxford-uk&catid=5:news&Itemid=9 , which will be held on August 2nd 2011, in London. The similar action was also held in several cities in Papua: http://westpapuamedia.info/2011/08/02/west-papua-indon-security-forces-fail-in-attempt-to-block-access-for-demonstrations-across-papua-militias-on-streets-in-jayapura/ today.

After at least 7 hours interogation Surya Anta was released at 09:41 PM Jakarta time. 

He was interrogated and also beaten as police found no basis for him to be detained. So he was put as witness and police warned him not to support any Papuan issues and actions anymore.  Police forced him to sign a letter for not making any provocation in Papua protest actions in the future. Surya himself has been more than 7 years involved in solidarity movement for democracy in Papua since he was still member of People's Democratic Party until now through People's Liberation Party-PLP. Together with other comerads in PLP, he participated in inititating several conferences and studies for Papua liberation and established solidarity group such as Solidarity for Aceh and Papua (2005), Solidarity for Papua (2010), etc.

We are glad he is being released and this will not happen without all supports from comerads (national and international level) especially comerads from The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KONTRAS) who have given him assistance during the detention.

 

Struggle continues for Papua people's liberation.

Thank you very much for you immediate response.

 

Zely Ariane

International Relation Coordinator

People's Liberation Party.

 

TNI to leave barracks to root out radicalism

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 radical teachings," BNPT chief Ansyaad Mbai.

Activist urges reopening of probe into 'July 27' attack

Jakarta Globe - July 26, 2011

The 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) should follow up on the revelation.

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."