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Indonesia Roundup No 25 - July 24-30, 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...

  • Polewali residents protest over loss of voting rights
  • Commemoration of National Children's Day marred by protest
  • Children 'overrun' national parliament
  • Bojonegoro residents blockade road leading to drilling site
  • Urban poor activists clash with civilian police in Medan
  • Kediri residents blockade roads in vicinity of cigarette factory
  • Workers threaten to take factory owner hostage
  • Surabaya workers demand minimum wage
  • Aceh residents demand removal of troops from traditional land
  • Textile company workers demand severance pay
  • Lampung traders oppose planned eviction
  • Street traders occupy West Sumatra parliament building
  • Rights activists call on ASEAN to uphold human rights
  • Mataram students strike over fee increases
  • Residents blockade road to tourist area in North Sumatra
  • People evicted to make way for transmission lines protest
  • Poor People's Union protests eviction of street traders
  • Kendari residents 'besiege' North Sumatra parliament
  • Street traders protest evictions
  • Bandung workers oppose labour regulation
  • Tegal Gubung residents demand resignation of village head
  • Gulf of Lampung fisherpeople oppose evictions
  • Mangga Besar residents clash with city public order officials
  • Residents in Sidoarjo demand reinforcement of mud levee
  • Farmers demand guarantees of fertilizer availability

    • Polewali residents protest over loss of voting rights

    Hundreds of residents from 14 sub-districts in the Polewali regency of West Sulawesi demonstrated at the offices of the regional National Election Commission (KPUD) recently. They were protesting because they had lost their right to vote in the election of the West Sulawesi governor and called on the KPUD to hold the elections in their area again.

    KPUD Polewali chair Muhammad Idrus who met with representatives of the protesters promised to convey their demands to the West Sulawesi KPUD. On the issue of suspicions that the vote count was inflated he asked the residents to report the matter to the local Election Monitoring Committee and the police. (Liputan 6, 24/7/2006)

    Commemoration of National Children's Day marred by protest

    The commemoration of National Children's Day in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar was marred by a demonstration on July 23. Hundreds of children who are victims of land evictions in Makassar city demanded that the government provide free education to children of poor families. (Liputan 6, 24/7/2006)

    Children 'overrun' national parliament

    On July 24 the House of Representatives (DPR) building in South Jakarta was 'overrun' by hundreds of children demanding the establishment of a ministry for children's affairs. The children were participants in the 2006 National Children's Congress. The formation of such a ministry was one of the recommendations coming out of the congress.

    "We came here to present the results of the declaration of Indonesian children. The hope is that the DPR will accept it, follow it up, and then submit it to the government", said National Commission for the Protection of Children secretary general Arist Merdeka Sirait.

    DPR deputy speaker Muhaimin Iskandar who met with the group promised to convey their wishes to the government and promised to pass on the recommendations of the congress to all the political factions. Sirait however questioned by congress committee's refusal to allow the recommendations to be presented to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and asked the DPR to summon the committee and request an explanation. (Detik.com, 24/7/2006)

    Bojonegoro residents blockade road leading to drilling site

    Around 500 residents from the Sambiroto, Ngampel and Campurejo Social Forum (Formasambi Ngancam) blockaded a road leading to the Sukowati exploration well in the sub-district of Kapas, Bojonegoro regency, East Java. The residents were protesting the management of the drilling company PT Petrochina who they said had failed to keep a promise to disburse compensation funds for community development.

    By afternoon the blockade was still in place with demonstrators setting fire to posters with messages opposing Petrochina's presence. Formasambi Ngancam coordinator Mur Hasyim said they were making two demands on the Petrochina management, payment of compensation for environmental damages and for openness in the management of community development funds. "Residents have already presented their demands to the management, but up until now there has been no response", he said. (Detik.com, 24/7/2006)

    Urban poor activists clash with civilian police in Medan

    Scores of students were involved in a clash with a unit of civil service police in the North Sumatra capital of Medan on July 24. The clash occurred when the students were holding a demonstration protesting the Yudhoyono government who they said is still serving the interests of capital while it failed to side with needs of the ordinary people. They also protested the poor quality of education and high levels of poverty in Indonesia.

    The incident began when protesters from the Urban Poor Union (SRMK) were demonstrating on the grounds of the Medan mayor's office. Although starting peacefully, the atmosphere became heated after a civil police officer became provoked by the statements made by the demonstrators and forced them off the grounds. Other officers then chased and beat the demonstrators. "There were several among us that were hit", said action coordinator Victoria Monalisa.

    Angered by the incident, the demonstrators then returned to confront the officers however the front gate had been hurriedly shut. After holding speeches condemning the actions of the officers they disbanded declaring that they would report the matter to police. (Detik.com, 24/7/2006)

    Kediri residents blockade roads in vicinity of cigarette factory

    Hundreds of residents from the Central Java city of Kediri blockaded roads in the vicinity of the PT Gudang Garam cigarette factory on July 24 in protest against the local government's failure to repair the roads.

    "This action was held to express our disappointment because for so long now resident's demands have not been heeded", said Sukarni, an administrative head from the Karangrejo village in the sub-district of Gampengrejo.

    Over the last three days residents have been planing banana trees in the middle of roads that are used by trucks transporting cigarettes and tobacco. According to Sukarni, the roads have been in a poor state of repair for the last six months and in addition to dust problems resulted in a traffic accident that took the life of a high school student.

    Sukarni said that they were prepared to hold more and bigger demonstrations if after two weeks there is no action by the local government. "Residents here are ready to blockade all of the roads if our demands are ignored", he said. (Kompas Cyber Media, 24/7/2006)

    Workers threaten to take factory owner hostage

    Around 200 workers from the textile company PT Nainex demonstrated at the Gedung Sate building in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung on July 24 demanding that the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) assist them in seeking the payment of severance pay for some 953 workers that were dismissed on March 1.

    So far the workers have only received 20 percent of their severance pay and are threatening to take the owner of the factory hostage if their demands are not met. "We have asked for the remainder to be paid immediately, but all we ever get is promises", said one of the demonstrators.

    After giving speeches for around 30 minutes, the protesters were received by a representative of the West Java Labour and Transmigration Office and DPRD Commission E member Marwan Effendi. During a dialogue with the workers, Effendi promised to facilitate a meeting between the workers and the owner of the factory.

    The protesters accepted the offer but gave a time limit of one week. "If after one week there is no meeting and clear agreement, don't blame us if we then take the factory owner hostage", said one of the demonstrators. (Kompas Cyber Media, 24/7/2006)

    Surabaya workers demand minimum wage

    Around 2,000 workers from company PT Sinar Angkasa demonstrated in front of the East Java governor's office in Surabaya demanding a wage increase in accordance with the Surabaya minimum wage of 685,500 rupiah per month.

    One of the PT Sinar Angkasa employees, Slamet Riyanto, said that since January they had only been receiving 568,500 per month and the company had refused to increase this on the grounds that it is currently seeking a deferment from the East Java provincial government because it is unable to pay the full amount.

    Last week some 2,000 workers also demonstrated at the Surabaya DPRD but the company has continued to refuse to increase their wages and instead asked for a tripartite meeting to be held to discuss the issue. (Kompas Cyber Media, 25/7/2006)

    Aceh residents demand removal of troops from traditional land

    At least 500 people from Lamteba in the Seulimum sub-district of Greater Aceh held a demonstration at the offices of the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh on July 25. They were calling on the AMM to ask the TNI (Indonesian military) to withdraw its soldiers who are currently building a new headquarters on their traditional land. The TNI claims that the land has been allocated for use by the Iskandar Muda Regional Military Command.

    "The land is owned by all of us, the people of Lamteba. It is traditional land. We raise livestock there. We also have gardens there, candlenuts, areca. That kind of thing. But for the last month-and-a-half we have been unable [to farm the land] because the TNI are working on it, they say they want to build a new headquarters", said Sofyan, one of the residents.

    Because of this said Sofyan, they have been bewildered as to how to tend their buffalo and these difficulties have grown because the soldiers have been demanding illegal fees (pungli) from residents if they want to pass through the area. They also said that the TNI had built a security post that blocked off a road leading to their farm lands.

    After discussions with Leonard Tan, the team leader of the AMM's Banda Aceh district office, the AMM said it would contact the regent and the local military commander over the matter and would ask the TNI to move the security post. He said they would also ask for clarification about the illegal payments. (Detik.com, 25/7/2006)

    Textile company workers demand severance pay

    Hundreds of workers from the company PT Nainteks in Bandung demonstrated in front of the offices of the West Java governor on July 25. They were demanding severance payments that the company had promised to pay six months ago. The severance payments were to compensate employees after they were dismissed because the textile factory fell into bankruptcy. (Liputan 6, 25/7/2006)

    Lampung traders oppose planned eviction

    Around 200 street traders from the Tengah Market in Bandar Lampung, Lampung province, demonstrated at the mayor's office on July 25. The protesters were opposing plans to evict them from their place of trading. Although the evictions have been postponed the government is still threatening to carry out the plan. (Liputan 6, 25/7/2006)

    Street traders occupy West Sumatra parliament building

    Dozens of street traders who usually operate at the Simpang Fountain in Padang city, West Sumatra, are now living at the West Sumatra DPRD. The traders, who have been at the assembly building for three days now, are threatening to remain there until the mayor allows them to begin trading again at the Simpang Fountain. (Liputan 6, 25/7/2006)

    Rights activists call on ASEAN to uphold human rights

    On July 24, the Solidarity Action Committee for Munir (KASUM) and wives of other human rights defenders called on the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to undertake a commitment to uphold human rights.

    The organisation said that it was time for the members of ASEAN to prioritise human rights particularly since on May 9, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines were chosen to become members of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

    Scheduled for July 24-26, KASUM plans to hold a campaign in these three countries calling for the protection of human rights in South-East Asia. The movement has also obtained the support of Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi who has been jailed by the Burmese military junta. (Liputan 6, 25/7/2006)

    Mataram students strike over fee increases

    Students from the Mataram Teachers Training Institute (IKIP) in West Nusa Tenggara went on strike on July 25. The action followed protests against education fees of as much as 200-300,000 rupiah. The students said that the increases, which were carried out without any prior socialisation, would cause them great difficulties. They were also demanding transparency in the budgetary policy on campus. (Liputan 6, 25/7/2006)

    Residents blockade road to tourist area in North Sumatra

    Hundreds of residents from Tangkahan village in the sub-regency of Batang Serangangan, Langkat, North Sumatra, blockaded a road leading to the Tangkahan tourist resort on July 25. They were disappointed because after five years repairs to a seven kilometer length of the road have still not been carried out. They said that this is despite the fact that the funds for the road repairs have already been disbursed by the government. (Liputan 6, 25/7/2006)

    People evicted to make way for transmission lines protest

    Hundreds of people evicted to make way for high-voltage transmission lines from three sub-districts in the Cirebon regency of West Java demonstrated again on July 25. The protesters, who occupied the DPRD, are asking for compensation for the land underneath the transmission lines. They also opposed the planned construction of a gas generator in the village of Pegagan, Cirebon. (Liputan 6, 26/7/2006)

    Poor People's Union protests eviction of street traders

    Members of the Poor People's Union (SRM) demonstrated at the Medan city hall on July 25. The protesters were condemning the eviction of street traders, which has made it difficult for them to find a means of livelihood. Chaos almost broke out when the demonstrators were blocked by Medan civil service police as they entered the grounds of the hall. One of the protesters was even hit by an officer when they tried to force their way in. (Liputan 6, 26/7/2006)

    Kendari residents 'besiege' North Sumatra parliament

    Hundreds of residents from the city of Kendari in South-East Sulawesi "besieged" the North Sulawesi DPRD on July 25. They were calling on assembly members to immediately issue a recommendation for the arrest the North Sumatra governor, Ali Mazi, who was named as a suspect in a case involving the extension of a building permit for the Hilton Hotel in the area of the Bung Karno Sports Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta. (Liputan 6, 26/7/2006)

    Street traders protest evictions

    Around 300 street traders from various parts of the South Sumatra city of Palembang held another protest on July 27 against widespread and arbitrary evictions by city civilian police.

    During the second such action, they again demanded that the evictions stop and that the civilian police stop acting in an arbitrary and arrogant manner towards street traders. They also complained about the high cost of fees that have to be paid for the return of seized goods.

    "Worse still, officials don't take responsibility for the goods that are seized. We have gone to great pains to get together the money for the return of the trading goods, but it turned out they had disappeared without compensation", complained one of the traders. (Kompas Cyber Media, (28/6/2006)

    Bandung workers oppose labour regulation

    On July 27 around 500 workers from a number of labour organisations in West Java demonstrated at the Gedung Sate building against a draft regional law on labour. The workers said that the draft law would adversely affect workers and that there has been inadequate socialisation by the government.

    Arriving at around 10am, protesters immediately inundated the building and put up a number of posters. In speeches they condemned the West Java DPRD for supporting the draft law. "The members of the DPRD no longer care about the welfare of workers. For this, don't elect them again", said one of the protesters.

    The demonstration coincided with a discussion of the law between the DPRD Special Committee III and the Indonesian Employers Association. Around 20 worker representatives took part in the discussions but opposed the ratification of the law on August 1 asking the committee to include representatives of all labour organisations in the process. In the end they walked out in protest. (Kompas Cyber Media, (28/6/2006)

    Tegal Gubung residents demand resignation of village head

    Hundreds of residents from Tegal Gubung village in Cirebon demonstrated at the offices of the Cirebon regent on July 27. They were demanding that the head of Tegal Gubung village be removed from his post because of involvement in the embezzlement of village development funds estimated to be valued at millions of rupiah. The situation became tense when protesters and security personnel began pushing and shoving each other. (Liputan 6, 27/7/2006)

    Gulf of Lampung fisherpeople oppose evictions

    On July 27 fisherpeople demonstrated in Bandar Lampung over the planned demolition of their houses located along the coast of the Gulf of Lampung. The protesters, who said that they have lived there since 1957, demanded that Bandar Lampung mayor Eddy Sutrisno immediately provide them with land ownership certificates in order that their houses not be demolished for a beach reclamation project. (Liputan 6, 27/7/2006)

    Mangga Besar residents clash with city public order officials

    Residents from the RT 7-8 RW 04 village administrative units in Mangga Besar clashed with West Jakarta civilian police on July 27 resulting a number of people being injured. The clash took place when the residents were protesting the demolition of 37 houses in the area. The West Jakarta city public order office mobilised some 1,000 personnel augmented by hundreds of local police to carry out the demolition. (Tempo Interactive, 27/7/2006)

    Residents in Sidoarjo demand reinforcement of mud levee

    Dozens of housewives from the Besuki village in the Jabon sub-district of Sidoarjo, East Java, demonstrated earlier this afternoon demanding that the height of the levee holding back the outpour of mud from PT Lapindo Brantas be increased.

    They said that the levee, which is located at their village, is only 1.5 metres high and no longer able to contain the mud. "Moreover, overnight a dividing levee between a storage pond collapsed", said local village chief Mas'ud who accompanied the demonstrating housewives.

    This is the second time Besuki residents have demonstrated. At the first demonstration on Thursday last week, they made similar demands but called on the local military command to take responsibility for reinforcing the levee. When contacted by Tempo Interactive, the local military commander said they were not prepared to increase the height of the levee for fear that it would result in protests by residents from Jatirejo. (Tempo Interactive, 27/7/2006)

    Farmers demand guarantees of fertilizer availability

    Around 300 farmers from the Pati Farmers Union (SPP) held an action in front of the regional office of the fertilizer company PT Pupuk Kaltim (PKT) in the Central Java provincial capital of Semarang on July 27. They were demanding that the company guarantee the availability of fertilizer for the planting season.

    Arriving in trucks and dozens of other vehicles, they held an action at the KB Park then marched two kilometers to the PKT offices. The protesters, most of who were wearing black clothing, were closely guarded by police during the march and demonstration at the PKT offices.

    After giving speeches for around 30 minutes, they were eventually met by the head of the company, Djoko Triyoga and were able to discuss the problems being faced by the farmers, in particular the high cost of fertilizer and problems with distribution. Although dissatisfied with Triyoga's answers, the protesters from Pati, Blora, Grobokan, Kebumen and Demak left the locations a short time later. (Detik.com, 27/7/2006)

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