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Indonesia Roundup No 1 - February 6-12, 2006

[Indonesia Roundup is a weekly compilation of actions, demonstrations and protests taken from Indonesian language news sources produced by the INDOLEFT News Service and the People's Democratic Party (PRD). Translations by James Balowski.]

Actions, demos, protests...

Clash mars protest against high-voltage transmission lines

A clash between police and protesters marred a demonstration against high-voltage transmission lines (SUTET) in Central Jakarta on February 11. At around 3pm demonstrators closed off Jalan Diponegoro using bamboo poles resulting in traffic traveling in the direction of Jalan Imam Bonjol being unable to pass.

When police arrived an hour later and tried to remove the blockade they were obstructed by protesters resulting in an argument. "The police don't defend the interests of the people, [so what] if there's a traffic jam there's traffic jams everywhere, there are even traffic jams on the toll roads", said one of the protesters.

In the end three police officers tried to use motorbikes to push protesters back to the Save the Indonesian People coordination post on Jalan Diponegoro. Unwilling to give ground they forced police back who eventually gave up and resorted to rerouting traffic. The situation has now calmed down and around 30 police are on guard to ensure no undesirable incidents occur. (Detik.com, 11/2/2006)

Farmers demonstrate over water resources at Gumeng dam

Hundreds of farmers from three villages in the sub-district of Jenawi, Karanganyar regency, Central Java, demonstrated on February 11. Protesters opened the floodgates of the Gumeng Dam and demolished stones blocking the flow of water. This was done in order to clear muddied waters and to redirect the flow to drought-ridden farmlands.

Prior to opening the dam's gates, local people had gone to the offices of the state-owned Drinking Water Company (PAM) bringing posters and agricultural tools. Protested wanted to demolish PAM pips that channel water to another regency because it has created a water crisis. Police however blocked the action so demonstrators took their action to the dam some three kilometers form away. (Liputan 6, 11/2/2006)

Protests against electricity hikes continue in Solo

Demonstrations against planned basic electricity rate (TDL) hikes are continuing in Solo, Central Java. Dozens of protesters from the National Student League for Democracy (LMND) held an action at the Gladak roundabout in Solo on February 10. As well as bringing banners, demonstrators also distributed leaflets to pedestrians as a way to encourage people to oppose the increases.

Unlike other demonstrations, the LMND action did not include speeches. Demonstrators mealy formed up in a line along the side of the road holding banners, posters and singing songs of struggle. The demonstrators accused the government of bringing suffering to the people. "SBY-JK [President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Vice President Jusuf Kalla] are traitors to the people" read one large banner. They also urged the government to seek alternative energy sources in order to overcome the State Electricity Company’s (PLN) dependency on fossil fuels. (Media Indonesia, 10/2/2006)

Demos in Java, Sumatra, over electricity rate hikes

Hundreds of non-government organisation and student activists from various Yogyakarta campuses have again demonstrated against planned TDL increases. At an action held at the offices of PLN they set fire to mockup electricity towers, as protest against a policy they believed will bring further suffering to the people.

Students in Lampung, South Sumatra, also demonstrated against the planned price increases. Protesters said that the increases are wrong and will only make things difficult for the people. They also said it would trigger increases to the price of basic goods. (Liputan 6, 10/02/2006)

Students protests forced demolition of university housing

Hundreds of student demonstrators from the Sam Ratulangi University (Unsrat) in Manado, North Sulawesi, have demonstrated against Rector Dr Lucky Sondakh's plan to forcibly demolish official houses that are still being lived in by university lecturers and professors. The demolitions will make way for an apartment construction project valued at an 18 billion rupiah.

"We students will unite to thwart the Rector's policy that will demolish or execute dozens of lecturer's official houses in on the grounds of Unsrat. This should not be done just to seek profits from the project when lecturer's houses will be the victims. It's not allowed", said the chairperson of the medical faculty student senate Jacob Pajan when speaking to journalists on February 10. (Media Indonesia, 10/2/2006)

Presidential visit to Bandung greeted by protests

A visit by President Yudhoyono to the West Java provincial capital of Bandung on February 9 was greeted by student protests. Actions were held at five points on the route to the Freedom Building where the president was attending a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of National Press Day.

In speeches protesters criticised government policies that do not side with the people such as the fuel price increases in October last year and the planned TDL increases. According to demonstrators this proves that state-owned enterprises (BUMN) provide absolutely no benefits to the people and they therefore called for the PLN and other BUMNs to be audited. (Liputan 6, 9/2/2006)

Egg throwing students award 'charter of appreciation'

Not content to just throw eggs at the executive director of PLN Eddie Widiono, on February 7 students returned to the national police headquarters to give Eddie a "charter of appreciation" for succeeding in bringing misery on the people.

Student Movement Against Manipulation of State-Owned Enterprises (GERAM) symbolically handed over the "charter of appreciation" in the form of framed document to police public relations deputy director Anton Bachrul Alam as journalists were interviewing him. Eddie was in the process of being questioned by police investigators over markups in a generator project.

Students also brought 10 eggs with the names of 10 BUMNs that they consider to be riddled with corruption. "This symbolises the rottenness of these BUMNs", GERAM coordinator Andry told journalists. (Detik.com, 8/2/2006)

Hundreds of students demand investigation of Riau governor

Around 300 students from the Riau Anti-Corruption Student Alliance (AMAR) demonstrated at the Riau police headquarters in Pekanbaru on February 9. They were calling on the chief of the Riau police to fully investigate a corruption case involving the governor of Riau, Rusli Zainal, along with corruption cases that have taken place in a number of Riau regencies.

In a speech the students noted that when Zainal had held the post of the Inhil regent 4.2 billion rupiah was embezzled from the regional state budget. And when he became governor there were more and more corruption cases in Riau. "But up until now the Riau regional government appears to have terminated the [investigation into the] case because there was intervention from the governor", explained one of the demonstrators. (Detik.com, 8/2/2006)

Fishers in Riau call for prohibition on weighted nets

Around 2000 fishers from the Bantan Bengkalis sub-district of Riau held a demonstration on the grounds of the offices of the Bengkalis regent. They were demanding that the local government issue a bylaw prohibiting the use of stone weighted nets that they say destroy the ocean environment.

The thousands of fishers from the Banten Sub-District Fisher Solidarity (SNKB) were being assisted by the Riau Indonesian Environment Forum (Walhi) in demanding that the weighted nets be prohibited. The deputy director of Walhi Riau, Muhamad Teguh, told Detik.com that because the weighted nets reached the seabed they snare the tinniest fish and damage coral reefs.

SNKB chairperson Abu Samah said that the weighted nets are no different from large trawling that catches all types of fish from the smallest to the largest. "Since the weighted nets have been in operation, our catch at sea has declined by 80 percent. What we get is only the leftovers that are not enough to fulfil the necessities of life", said Samah. (Detik.com, 8/2/2006)

Workers threaten to close Malioboro shopping mall

Visit Yogyakarta and you can easily find the Malioboro Mall. But although its name is well known, the employees of the modern shopping center are still paid below the minimum provincial wage (UMP). Employees at the mall are therefore threatening to close the mall and are demanding that their current wage of as 400,000 rupiah per month be brought into line with the Yogyakarta UMP of 460,000 rupiah.

The chairperson of the Malioboro Mall Trade Union, Gunawan, revealed this when meeting with members of the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Commission E on February 7. "So far if we speak with the management we are always told there has been no decision. If it continues like this [we] will not be held back. Don't be mistaken that we can't just close the Malioboro Mall until our demands are fulfilled", threatened Gunawan. (Detik.com, 8/2/2006)

Workers in Makassar demand severance pay

A demonstration held by hundreds of PT PT Katingan Timber Celebes (KTC) workers in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on February 7 ended in chaos. The demonstrators who were demanding that the company pay outstanding severance pay scuffled with security personnel when they tried to break into the South Sulawesi administration offices.

Demonstrations demanding payment of severance pay have taken place on numerous occasions. Workers have even occupied the DPRD and reported the company to the government. The company has refused to pay workers because they believe that they have fulfilled the stipulations of the Department of Labour. (Liputan 6, 7/2/2006)

Evicted residents demand compensation

Hundreds of local people from Tanjungduren, Jelambar, West Jakarta, held a demonstration on February 7. The victims of land evictions by the West Jakarta government were demanding compensation for their land. Protesters said they had been living in constant difficulty since being evicted. (Liputan 6, 7/2/2006)

Students in Semarang demand affordable education

On February 7, a group of students and lectures demonstrated in the Central Java provincial capital of Semarang demanding affordable education. The demonstrators held the action by marching to the Central Java DPRD and holding a theatrical performance. The action depicted how the high cost of education is "strangling" ordinary people. (Liputan 6, 7/2/2006)

Students in Bandung demand increased education budget

Hundreds of students held a peaceful demonstration in front of the Sate Building Complex on Jalan Diponegoro in Bandung on February 7. They were demanding that that 20 percent of the state budget be allocated to education. As well as giving speeches, the demonstrators erected banners demanding that the government respond to the Indonesia's education system that has been left behind. (Liputan 6, 7/2/2006)

Hundreds demonstrate against electricity hikes in Jakarta

Hundreds of people from the Student Movement for Justice (Gema Keadilan) held an action in Jakarta on February 6 opposing the government's plan to increase TDL. At around mid-day the demonstrators gathered at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout and held a happening art action circling the roundabout and erected banners with the message "Reject TDL increases!".

According to the action coordinator, Yanuar, they held the demonstration because the financial burdens on people are already extremely heavy. "We will also go to the State Palace to report the fate of the people, because these increase will clearly make things difficult for them", he said.

The demonstrators are making three demands: That the government cancel the planned price increases, that PT PLN be audited as it is a nest of corrupters and ridden with inefficiency and that the president sack the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro and the director of PT PLN. (Detik.com, 6/2/2006)

Medan students on hunger strike over electricity hikes

Six students in the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan are holding a hunger strike to demand that the government cancel the planned TDL increases.

The action was held on February 6 in front of the North Sumatra Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) offices on in Medan. On the walls and gates of the buildings and officers near the hunger strike they had put up posters containing their demands on the government such as "Reject TDL increases" and "A full investigation of human rights violations and the murder of Munir".

The action coordinator, Viktor Sinaga, declared that the hunger strike would continue until the government fulfilled their demands. "The TDL increase is the same as the policy to import rice and the fuel price increases. In essence it will only bring suffering to the people", he said. (Detik.com, 6/2/2006)

East Java teachers demand increased education budget

Around 500 teachers from the Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI) held a demonstration at the East Java DPRD on February 6. Protesters were demanding that the plan to allocate 20 percent of the state budget to education be realised.

"Education in Indonesia will forever be left far behind if the government doesn't pay attention to the allocation of a larger budget", said East Java PGRI chair Matadjit. The teachers who represented almost all the regencies of East Java brought dozens of posters demanding an education budget of 20 percent. (Media Indonesia, 6/2/2006)

Jakarta demonstration demands ministers' resignation

Dozens of demonstrators from the Indonesian Social Movement for Political Legal and Human Rights Education (Gempita) held a demonstration on February 6 at the rear gates of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta. They were demanding that the Minister for Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin and the ministry's general secretary Hasanuddin resign from their posts.

In a statement Gempita accused Awaluddin of violating Government Regulation Number 32/2005 on the Provision of Goods and Services. Gempita said they had information that the department appointed PT Mustika Data Mas as the provider of an integrated passport photo system without public tender. They therefore demanded that the 104 immigration offices across Indonesia and 19 representative offices overseas reject the project. (Tempo Interactive - 6/2/2006)

Lively protests across Java against electricity hikes

Actions opposing the planed increases to TDL spread across the country on February 2. Students in Bandung for example, gathered signatures on a white cloth in a protest on the grounds of the West Java DPRD. A number of DPRD members were called on to sign the petition however only DPRD speaker Rudi Harsa Tanaya was prepared to do so.

A group of students in Semarang demonstrated at the local PT PLN offices. The action almost ended in a clash when students tried to storm the PLN offices. In a speech protesters said that the PLN management throughout Indonesia should be dismissed because they are incapable of managing the company properly.

A demonstration was also held by students in Makassar on the grounds of the South Sulawesi DPRD and the local PLN offices. As well as erecting banners opposing the planned increase to TDL the students also gave speeches urging assembly members to opposes the planned hikes.

In Kendari, Central Sulawesi, at least 100 local people went to the offices of the Kendari deputy-mayor, Masyhur Masie Abunawas, to demand that he oppose the increases to TDL that are estimated to be as much as 90 percent. (Liputan 6 - 3/2/2006)

Demonstrations across the country against electricity hikes

Social organisations across the country have gone out into the streets to urge the government to cancel the planned increases to TDL. On February 2 in Surabaya, East Java, a group of students demonstrated against the hikes at the East Java governor's offices. They also demanded an audit of PLN whose poor performance has burdened ordinary people.

In Medan meanwhile, hundreds of students demonstrated against the TDL increases by holding a convoy from the Independence Square to the North Sumatra DPRD. According to the demonstrators, the government should maintain subsidies for the poor. After being received by assembly members, the students marched to the Medan City PLN offices where that issued a statement that they would refuse to pay electricity bills if PLN persists in increasing TDL.

Students held a similar action in Bandung where they held a demonstrated at the DPRD supported by 1 million signatures on an 80-meter banner. Only one assembly member however was prepared to add their signature. (Liputan 6, 2/2/2006)

East Java students reject electricity rate hikes

Members of the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement and other social organisations held a demonstration at the Mojokerto PLN offices in East Java on February 2. They declared the opposition to the planned increases to TDL that they believe will bring further suffering to ordinary people.

A clash even broke out when police refused a request by demonstrators to meet with the head of the Mojokerto PLN. The demonstrators finally gave in when they were asked to produce a demonstration permit from the police. In the end they continued the action at the Mojokerto DPRD. (Liputan 6, 2/2/2006)

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