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Indonesia Roundup No 23 - July 10-16, 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). Please note that actions already covered by English language media sources are generally omitted. Compiled and translated by James Balowski.]
Actions, demos, protests...
Bali students reject education fee increases Police breakup student protest in Medan Jamsostek employees demand replacement of executive director Bantul residents demand payment of relief aid Bantul residents demand free electricity Residences demand disbursement of direct cash assistance Protest actions by earthquake victims growing Victims of mud disaster demand assistance Walhi activists call for action over Lapindo mud disaster Housewives demand compensation for mud disaster PPP members run riot in Central Sulawesi Jambi students condemn Israeli violence in Palestine Padang students demand resignation of rector Journalists reject thuggery Disappointed with Aceh governance bill, students demonstrate North Sumatra residents protest against mining company Students demand investigation of corruption case Students pelt governor's office with rotten tomatoes Solidarity actions for the people of Palestine PKS demonstrates over Israeli aggression Farmers protest poisoning of fishponds in East Java
Bali students reject education fee increases
Dozens of students from the Warmadewa University in Denpasar, Bali, demonstrated this morning against fee increases saying that they will burden the majority of students.
During the action, which took place in front of the rectorate building, protesters also erected banners with messages opposing the increases. "We were not invited to talk [the matter over]. Whereas we are the ones that live on the campus", shouted action coordinator Heno Sowa. The students said that the decision to increase the fees was taken unilaterally without the involvement of students.
According to Sowa, previous fee increases had not resulted in improvements to campus facilities and had not been transparent or efficient. Warmadewa University rector Wayan Gde Merta denied the accusations saying that dissuasions had been held with students since May. Merta also said that although he understood their concerns "it's the same as the fuel price increases by the government, there are those that don't like it". (Tempo Interactive, 10/7/2006)
Police breakup student protest in Medan
A recent demonstration by the Indonesian Christian Student Movement (GMKI) in the North Sumatra city of Medan has been broken up by police. At the time the protesters were trying to block President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's entourage that was traveling to the Teladan Stadium to open an event featuring a choir group. Although the demonstrators resisted with students and police pushing and shoving each other, police finally succeeding in chasing the protesters away. No arrests or injuries were reported. (Liputan 6, 10/7/2006)
Jamsostek employees demand replacement of executive director
Employees at the state insurance firm PT Jamsostek demonstrated on July 10 demanding the replacement of the company's executive director Iwan Pontjowinoto. In a written motion that was read by the head of the PT Jamsostek Trade Union Abdul Latief at the company's offices in Jakarta, the employees accused Pontjowinoto of issuing confusing statements about housing deposits and severance pay that have created anxiety among workers. (Liputan 6, 10/7/2006)
Bantul residents demand payment of relief aid
More than 100 earthquake victims from the village of Wijirejo in the sub-district of Pandak, Bantul regency, Central Java, held an action at the village’s local office on July 10. They were asking why they had not yet received living allowances when other villages had already received theirs.
Action coordinator Syafi'i Khaeruddin said that approximately 10,500 people from 2,500 families had still not received allowances while other villages got theirs in June. Although not all of the houses in Wijirejo village had collapsed, the residents believe that they should still receive assistance. (Detik.com, 10/7/2006)
Bantul residents demand free electricity
The offices of the state-owned electricity company PT PLN in Yogyakarta, Central Java, was inundated again by around 50 earthquake victims from Bantul on July 10. This is the second action by residents from the People’s Forum for Disaster Victims (Forkob) who are demanding that PT PLN excuse them from paying their electricity bills.
A number of residents brought red-and-white flags and posters with messages such as “PLN where’s your promise”, “We got hit by an earthquake why are we being told to pay for electricity” and “There are no [electricity] meters so how can you demand payment”.
“We came here (to the PLN office) to call in the promise that was made by Mr. Muhadi as the head of PLN Bantul’s service and network unit”, said Forkob action coordinator Okky Kurniawan. He said the Bantul earthquake victims were demanding all victims of the earthquake in Bantul and surrounding areas be excused from paying for electricity from May 2006 to May 2007.
Kurniawan added that they wanted to know why they still had to pay the electricity bills for May because since the earthquake hit on May 27, no meter readings had been taken by PLN. (Detik.com, 10/7/2006)
Residences demand disbursement of direct cash assistance
Around 150 residents from the Banyuasin regency in South Sumatra held a demonstration at the offices of the South Sumatra governor on July 10. They were demanding the immediate disbursement of the next round of direct cash subsidies in compensation for last year’s fuel price increases.
The protesters, from the People’s Forum for Justice (Forak), came from four villages in the Rantau Bayur sub-district. During the action they complained that the disbursement of the next round of cash assistance for poor families had stalled.
“It has already been one month and the direct cash subsidies have not been given out. We are asking for clarification from the government on the disbursement of the funds. If by next week there is no explanation, we will hold an even bigger action”, said protest coordinator Nachung. (Kompas Cyber Media, 10/7/2006)
Protest actions by earthquake victims growing
Three hundred residents from the villages of Selopamioro, Sriharjo and Karangtengah in the Imogiri sub-district of Bantul regency demonstrated at the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) today demanding fair disbursement of living allowances.
The protesters who included children, housewives and elderly people condemned the government for selling promises to provide allowances when in reality not all residents had received assistance.
"In the Imogiri sub-district, there are still thousands of earthquake victims who have not yet received living allowances. But all this time the government has been making statements that the living allowances have been distributed. In point of fact we have not yet received them, likewise for other residents who are living in tents in our village", said action coordinator Andi Awaludin. (Tempo Interactive, 12/7/2006)
Victims of mud disaster demand assistance
Around 1,000 residents from Reno Kenongo from Porong in East Java demonstrated at the Sidoarjo DPRD on July 12 calling on the assembly members to fight for compensation from the mining company PT Lapindo Brantas. They said that as victims of the hot mud disaster they felt it was appropriate for them to receive assistance of 300,000 rupiah per person.
The demonstrators also asked the government to find them somewhere else to live because the temporary shelters at the Baru Market in Porong are no longer fit to live in with as many as four families being forced live in rooms measuring only 2.5x3 metres square.
The protesters also demanded the resignation of the Reno Kenongo village head for failing to fight for their welfare. The village head had even lied to residents saying that the land purchased by PT Lapindo in 1997 was to be used to raise livestock but as it turned out the land was turned into a gas-drilling field. (Liputan 6, 12/7/2006)
Walhi activists call for action over Lapindo mud disaster
Dozens of people from the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) held a demonstration at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Jakarta on July 13 demanding that the hot mud disaster in Sidoarjo be investigated up to the highest levels of the PT Lapindo management.
Beginning at around 1pm, protesters brought banners with messages such as "The hot mud in Sidoarjo is not a natural disaster" and "Arrest the Sidoarjo hot mud criminals". They also brought photographs of the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, Aburizal Bakrie (who's family holds shares in PT Lapindo Brantas), the executive director of Lapindo Reiner AR Latief and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro.
In addition to this they called on the president to take immediate steps to repair the environment and improve the economic and social conditions of those affected by the hot mud. They also asked the House of Representatives (DPR) to pressure the government to summon the Lapindo management in order that the case can be settled quickly. Their final demand was for amendments to Law Number 23/1997 on Environmental Management. (Detik.com, 13/7/2006)
Housewives demand compensation for mud disaster
Around 100 housewives from four neighbourhood units in the village of Siring in the Porong regency protested at the offices of the Sidoarjo regent on July 13. The demonstrators were protesting because they had not been registered to receive living allowances of 300,000 rupiah each from PT Lapindo Brantas as compensation for the hot mud disaster. Although the hot mud has yet to inundate their homes, the demonstrators said that they were being affected by gas from the mud outflow.
The day before, thousands of residents from four neighbourhood units in Siring protested by closing the road to the village. They were also demanding that PT Lapindo give them living allowances of 300,000 rupiah each. The blockade obstructed access to the relief well being drilled to try to stop the mud outflow. (Liputan 6, 13/7/2006)
PPP members run riot in Central Sulawesi
Around 100 members of the United Development Party (PPP) Coalition of Concern from the Donggala regency in Central Sulawesi ran riot at the offices of the PPP's regional leadership board. The protesters, who were disappointed over an internal conflict within the party, expressed their anger by setting fire to a bier and piles of wood. (Liputan 6, 13/7/2006)
Jambi students condemn Israeli violence in Palestine
A number of students from the Jambi regency in East Nusa Tenggara demonstrated on July 13 against Israel's attacks against Palestine in the Gaza Strip. Aside from condemning the brutal actions by Israel, the students also called on the Indonesian nation to boycott all products from Israel and the US that they accused of being the protector of human rights crimes by the Zionist (sic) state. (Liputan 6, 13/7/2006)
Padang students demand resignation of rector
Hundreds of students from Imam Bonjol State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) in the West Sumatra city of Padang demonstrated at the offices of the West Sumatra chief public prosecutor on July 13. The protesters were demanding that the rector of institute, Maidir, resign from his post as his term of office finished last year. They also demanded an investigation into the embezzlement of education funding that was committed by Maidir while he was director of the institute. (Liputan 6, 13/7/2006)
Dozens of print and electronic media journalists held a demonstration at the offices of the North Sumatra regent and the Asahan DPRD recently. The protest was held following an act of thuggery and mistreatment against Zukri Batubara, a journalist from the daily newspaper Berita Sore. They were demanding that the perpetrators be arrested and tried. (Liputan 6, 13/7/2006)
Disappointed with Aceh governance bill, students demonstrate
On July 14, students from the Malikussaleh University (Unimal) in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, held a demonstration at the Simpang Jam roundabout in protest over articles in the Aceh Governance Law (UU-PA) that were changed or removed by the DPR.
The students, who came from the Unimal Student Action for Aceh Peace (Amuk), cited in particular articles on the authority and function of the Acehnese legislative assembly. They also issued a statement expressing their regret over the changes and cuts.
Amuk coordinator Muhammad Yoga said that the people of Aceh had long yearned for peace between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement so it had been hoped that all the points in the Memorandum of Understanding would be included in the UU-PA.
Yoga said that Acehnese students deeply resented the removal of several sensitive articles in the law that was ratified on July 11. The students also called for Aceh's natural resources to be fully managed by the Acehnese government and that 20 percent of the revenues from oil and gas to go to Aceh.
"Bring into effect a civilian court for military [officers] that commit civil crimes and immediately form a human rights court as well as providing guarantees of civil, political, social, cultural and economic rights in accordance with United Nation conventions", said Yoga when speaking before the students.
The peaceful action, which started at 10am and disbanded just before Friday afternoon prayers, attracted considerable attention from passers by with students also handing a written statement to members of the public. Students then went to the North Aceh DPRD to present the statement where they were received by deputy speaker Zulkifli Hanafiah. (Aceh Kita, 14/7/2006)
North Sumatra residents protest against mining company
Thousands of residents from Bitung and North Minahasa demonstrated at the offices of the North Sulawesi governor on July 13. They were protesting the presence of the mining company PT Meares Soputan Mining because of concerns that if the Australian owned company continues its operations the poisonous waste being produced will threaten the environment.
The First Assistant to the North Sulawesi government, Iskandar Gobel, who met with the protesters, promised to convey their concerns to the central government. According to Gobel only the central government has the authority to close or issue permits for such mining operations. (Liputan 7, 14/7/2006)
Students demand investigation of corruption case
Dozens of students from Mamuju regency in West Sulawesi demonstrated at the local governor's office on July 15. They were demanding an immediate investigation into the embezzlement of money from the regional budget that was used to renovate a sports building, a market and drinking water services. The students said that the case had caused financial losses to the state of around 12 billion rupiah. The demonstrators almost clashed with local security personnel when they tried to obstruct the students. (Liputan 6, 15/7/2006)
Students pelt governor's office with rotten tomatoes
On July 15, dozens of students who were demonstrating in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung, pelted the offices of the local governor with rotten tomatoes. They were demanding an immediate investigation into a number of corruption cases including the procurement of heavy equipment and fire engines that caused losses to the state of around 40 billion rupiah. (Liputan 6, 15/7/2006)
Solidarity actions for the people of Palestine
Protests against Israel's attacks against Palestine have taken place in several parts of the country. Around 1000 Muslim protesters expressed their solidarity with the Palestine people during a demonstration in the Central Java city of Solo on July 15. In addition to burning Israeli flags, they also condemned the US for defending the Zionist state. They also called on the United Nations to take action against Israel.
Solidarity actions were also held in Bandar Lampung, Lampung province, with a march to the centre of the city. As well as burning Israeli flags they also burnt American flags that they say is defending Israel even though it is clearly committing human rights violations against the people of Palestine. They also called on people to boycott all products from Israel and its allies. (Liputan 6, 16/7/2006)
PKS demonstrates over Israeli aggression
Thousands of members of the Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) protested at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta on July 15. The demonstration was in solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon who are under attack by Israel. The protesters condemned the Zionist state for its unwillingness to stop the attacks.
"We demand that the international community immediately put and end to Israel's barbaric military aggression", said one of the demonstrators adding that Israel had also attacked civilian targets. "It would be very naive if we see the oppression and don't speak out and be concerned", said another demonstrator. (Liputan 6, 16/7/2006)
Farmers protest poisoning of fishponds in East Java
As many as 300 fishpond farmers from seven sub-districts in Sidoarjo regency have been collecting signatures to protest the channeling of the mud overflow from PT Lapindo into rivers in the vicinity of Porong. "Although it is not being channelled directly the seepage of water from the mud is still flowing into the river and towards our fishponds," said the coordinator of the Association of Traditional Fishpond Farmers (PPTT), Iwan Hamzah on July 16.
Hamzah said that the seepage of water from the mud has resulted in the shrimps living in 10,000 hectares of fishponds to be washed into the Porong sub-district while in the villages of Tanggulangin and Jambon the ponds have been poisoned causing the shrimps to die suddenly.
Responding to their demands, Sidoarjo regent Win Hendarso promised to convey their protests to PT Lapindo as the company being responsible for the mud overflow. "We will definitely help", said Hendarso. (Tempo Interactive, 16/7/2006)
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