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Jokowi orders BIN to probe rallies

Jakarta Post - June 23, 2015

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Fadli, Batam – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has instructed the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) to investigate alleged foreign involvement in labor rallies in Batam, Riau Islands, that have led to investors leaving the Batam Industrial Zone.

"Competition is no longer between companies, cities or provinces, but between countries. I've already sensed this. Industrial zones are not only found in Batam [...] The industrial zones may be competing for investors in an unfair manner. I've told the intelligence agency to look into the matter. This shouldn't have happened," Jokowi said to dozens of investors in a dialog at PT Anggrek Hitam Shipyard in Batam, Riau Islands, on Sunday evening.

Jokowi's remarks were in response to a report by Riau Islands chapter of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) head Cahaya regarding indications of other countries' involvement in recent labor protests in Batam.

"I've learned about the violent rallies and have entrusted the matter to the Riau Islands Police and Military Command chiefs to be firm. If the rallies are anarchic and disturb the public order, they should not be tolerated. Why are the protests only directed at foreign investors? That's the question. I'm of the same view as Apindo," said Jokowi.

Apindo had seen first-hand that the labor groups were targeting foreign companies, said Cahaya.

"Where do the funds come from every time a rally is held involving hundreds of people? That's one indication. Currently, three major companies have left Batam as a result of the violent rallies," said Cahaya.

In response to Jokowi's instructions, Cahaya added that Apindo was ready to work with BIN to discover which countries were involved in the chaotic labor protests in Batam. "If you ask which country we suspect, that's too much. I cannot say, or guess," said Cahaya.

Separately, Indonesian Metal Workers Federation (FSPMI) leader Suprapto hailed the President's order to investigate suspicions regarding Batam's labor rallies. "It's an old suspicion. We applaud the presidential instruction – let's hope all becomes clear," said Suprapto.

Allegations of foreign support for workers have been made by the government since a massive and chaotic rally in 2011 involving at least 10,000 workers on the island. At least six were injured, including one person who was shot and three cars were severely damaged during the rally, which demanded a minimum-wage increase.

The strike brought much of Batam's industrial activity to a standstill as local labor organizations called on workers to join the protest. The city police said they were unable to break up the protesters as they were heavily outnumbered.

Since then, every year, especially at the end of the year when the government sets the new minimum wage, workers conduct large-scale rallies.

In November last year, workers blocked the main access to a number of industrial areas, such as the Tunas Industrial Zone at the Batam Center, where the main road was closed and guarded by security personnel.

The situation is reported to have affected foreign investment in the island. Recently, Japanese electronic-motor manufacturing company PT Nidec Seimitsu Batam announced that it was relocating its factory operations from Batam to more cost-efficient Vietnam in response to higher production costs.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/06/23/jokowi-orders-bin-probe-rallies.html.