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Indonesia Roundup No 3 - February 20-26, 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...

  • Hundreds of traditional sand miners demonstrate in Java
  • Hundreds demand local officials be investigated
  • Local residents blockade factory in Malang
  • Hunger strikers determined to continue protest
  • Hundreds protest over direct cash subsidies in Jakarta
  • Protesters damage party signs at local parliament
  • Thousands of Maspion workers in Surabaya blockade road
  • Residents call for local elections to be postponed
  • Protest against electricity rate hikes ends in chaos
  • Maspion workers demonstrate for third consecutive day
  • Students demand Trisakti and Semanggi tragedies be addressed
  • Jakarta housewives oppose water rates hikes
  • Maspion workers blockade road in East Java
  • Civil servants call for Poso regent to resign
  • Artisans protest planed electricity rate hikes
  • Thousands of workers demonstrate in Makassar

    • Hundreds of traditional sand miners demonstrate in Java

    Around 500 traditional sand miners that work the slopes of Mount Merapi demonstrated recently at the Magelang Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) in Central Java. The action was held to protest prohibitions on sand mining issued by the local government because of environmental damage. The protesters said that in fact it is not they but the big mining companies using heavy machinery that damage the environment. (Liputan 6, 19/02/2006)

    Hundreds demand local officials be investigated

    In Central Java, hundreds of demonstrators demanded investigation into various corruption cases committed by Demak regency government officials. In speeches they said that they believe that local law enforcement officers have been slow to act and are afraid of arrested corrupters that are government officials. One of the corruption cases concerns the collection of illegal fees on a project by Demak regent Endang Setyaningdyah. (Liputan 6, 19/02/2006)

    Local residents blockade factory in Malang

    More than a thousand residents from the Bedali village in the sub-district of Lawang in Malang, East Java, blockaded a local PT New Minatext twine-spinning factory on February 20. The blockade resulting in the factory being unable to operate as the majority of workers were unable to enter.

    A spokesperson for the residents, Galih Anggoro Purwo, said they had blockaded the factory because it has contributed nothing to the local economy and instead has only caused them losses. Purwo gave as an example waste being dumped in local gullies and the digging four bore wells without permission resulting in frequent droughts during the dry season. Residents are also demanding that the factory provide jobs for local people – of the 500 or so factory employees only two local people have been employed by the factory. (Tempo Interactive, 20/2/2006)

    Hunger strikers determined to continue protest

    Two hunger strikers demonstrating against the construction of high-tension transmission lines (SUTET) were rushed to hospital on February 19 after their health deteriorated as a result of a hunger strike and sowing their mouths closed. The husband of one of the two however said that it would not disrupt the protest in the Central Jakarta district of Menteng. "We will not stop until our demands are fulfilled, because this is our right", said Amin Supriyatna. This determination was reflected in the growing number of people joining the hunger strike. (Liputan 6, 19/02/2006)

    Hundreds protest over direct cash subsidies in Jakarta

    The second round of direct cash assistance (BLT) as compensation fuel price increases has begun but many poor families are still ineligible. Annoyed over the implementation and determination over which families should receive BLT, on February 20 some 100 people from the Urban Poor People's Union (SRMK) and the Youth Fighters for the People (LPR) protested at the National Statistics Agency (BPS) in Jakarta.

    After some 15 minutes 10 representatives were allowed to meet with BPS's deputy for social affairs who told them that they would review the data. Meanwhile dozens of others – the majority of which were housewives – gave speeches and sung in front of the BPS offices.

    SRMK chairperson Marlo Sitompoel said that they had given the BPS two weeks to review the data. "We gave two weeks to the BPS to review the data. If jot, we will continue to demonstrate", he explained. Protesters also threatened to go to take their complaints to the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare if their demands are not met after a month. (Detik.com, 20/2/2006)

    Protesters damage party signs at local parliament

    A demonstration on February 21 at the North Sumatra DPRD was marred by acts of vandalism. Demonstrators tore down the signboards of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the United Development Party (PPP). Security personnel were unable to prevent them.

    The demonstration was organised by around 70 people from the Youth Solidarity Front for Oppressed People. The demonstration began by bringing four people who have been on a hunger strike since February 6 to the front gates, but because not one House member was prepared to meet with them they forced they way onto the grounds.

    In speeches the demonstrators demanded the government cancel the price increases, stop the importation of rice and review recent fuel price hikes. "The government's policies do not side with ordinary people", said one of the protesters. (Detik.com, 22/2/2006)

    Thousands of Maspion workers in Surabaya blockade road

    Thousands of PT Maspion workers holding an action at the East Java DPRD in Surabaya on February 22 failed to brake though police barricade of several hundred officers. Failing to enter the DPRD, protesters in tern blockaded Jalan Indrapura resulting in a two-kilometer traffic jam. After negotiations with demonstrators, police finally succeeded in opening one lane. (Detik.com, 23/2/2006)

    Residents call for local elections to be postponed

    Some 1,500 residents from Sragen regency in Central Java held an action in front of the offices of the local National Elections Commission (KPUD) on February 23. They were demanding that the election of regional heads planned for March 25 be postponed because both candidates are suspected of falsifying diplomas.

    The demonstration by the United Mass Organisation Forum (FOB) was the largest action held by so far. While representatives held a dialog with KPUD members the protesters took turns in giving speeches questioning the independence of the KPUD. They said that both candidates had falsified their diplomas and although FOB had complained about the issue some time ago, the KPUD had failed to respond.

     "We have felt the reticence of the KPUD's attitude from the start. We suspect that between the KPUD and the two candidates there has been an agreement. Because isn't it possible that one of the candidates in the election of regional heads is only a puppet that was installed to confront the sole candidate", he said. FOB said they would report the candidates to the police. (Detik.com, 23/22006)

    Protest against electricity rate hikes ends in chaos

    An action opposing basic electricity rate (TDL) increases at the state-owned electricity company PLN offices in Malang, East Java ended in chaos with some 50 police officers and 200 students pushing and elbowing each other.

    The incident started when students from the People's Opposition Front (BOR) tried to seal off the offices. They were blocked by police who asked them to call off the action. The students who came from 10 different groups refused and tried to forcibly seal off the offices. After pushing and elbowing each other police were finally able to force the protesters off the PLN grounds.

    Angered at not being able to seal off the building they sealed the office gates and erected as sign reading "This office has been sealed off by the people".

    The action resulted in PLN being unable to serve its customers. Residents wanting to pay electricity bills were scared off and chose instead to watch the demonstration. After failing to meet with PLN's manager, they left for the Malang DPRD where they held a similar action. (Detik.com, 23/22006)

    Maspion workers demonstrate for third consecutive day

    Thousands of PT Maspion workers demonstrated again at the East Java DPRD on February 23. They were demanding that the East Java governor bring the UMK revisions into force immediately. This is the third action in as many days with similar demonstrations organised on February 21 and 22.

    Riding thousands of motorbikes and hundreds of trucks, they arrived at the DPRD in three separate waves. Before arriving, workers from the Maspion II Unit held a long-march from their factory in Sidoarjo to the offices of the East Java department of labour. As a result Jl. Protokol Surabaya was grid locked for an hour.

    As many as 600 North Surabaya municipal police assisted by Surabaya district police and Mobile Brigade officers from the East Java regional police were deployed to guard the demonstration. “We have also prepared a water cannot to watch over things”, said North Surabaya police chief Gunawan.

    Workers said that the demonstration was not just over wage issues but also because Maspion is still employing contract workers. “Moreover workers who are active in the trade union are often intimidated and transferred without any clear reason”, said Lestari, one of the action coordinators. (Tempo Interactive, 23/22006)

    Students demand Trisakti and Semanggi tragedies be addressed

    Dozens of students demonstrated at the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta on February 23 demanding that members of the House re-discuss the Trisakti and Semanggi I/II cases.

    The demands were made after a decision by the DPR's leadership meeting, that agreed with the recommendations of the Trisakti-Semanggi Special Committee, that concluded that the fatal shootings were not cases of gross human rights violations. The protesters came from a coalition of Trisakti University students and the families of the victims of Trisakti and Semanggi.

    Protesters who had begun the demonstration in front of the Nusantara Building became increasingly angry and even attacked the front gate. Protesters, police and DPR security personal pushed and shoved each other however the students failed to break though the security blockade. (Liputan 6, 23/02/2006)

    Jakarta housewives oppose water rates hikes

    Around 50 housewives and children from the Indonesia Consumer Rights Struggle (PHKI) held a demonstration at the offices of the Jakarta governor on February 24. They were demanding the cancellation a planned 8.39 percent price hike by state-owned water company PT PAM.

    They arrived at governor Sutiyoso's office with posters and banners with messages such as "The water rate increases are because of the interests of a small fraction people and bring suffering to the people", "PAM rates increase, the people suffer, where is justice", "DPRD Jakarta, don't just talk" and "Bang Yos [Sutiyoso], your arrogance, where is your sense of right and wrong".

    Action coordinator Tono called for Sutiyoso to resign and for the DPRD to summon him to explain the price hikes and to cancel a deal between PAM Jaya and its foreign partners Thames PAM Jaya (TPJ) and PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja). They said that this had benefited the two private companies because trillions of rupiah from the state budget has been spent on PAM Jaya who’s assets were then handed over in full to its foreign partners. (Detik.com, 24/2/2006)

    Maspion workers blockade road in East Java

    On February 24 thousands of PT Maspion workers in East Java provincial capital of Surabaya held another demonstration, even blockading the main highway between Surabaya and Sidoarjo. The resulting traffic jams delayed passengers catching flights from the Juanda International Airport.

    The demonstrators, who were demanding to be paid the new minimum city wage (UMK) of 685,500 rupiah per month, said they would continue demonstrating until the management fulfilled their demands. They also plan to hold a similar action at the home of Maspion's presidential director in Surabaya. Although this is the fourth demonstration of its kind Maspion has as yet failed to respond. (Media Indonesia, 25/2/2006)

    Civil servants call for Poso regent to resign

    As many as 200 state civil servants (PNS) and local protesters from the Poso Peace Coalition demonstrated at the Poso DPRD in Central Sulawesi. The demonstration, that had been going on for the last two days and paralyzed a number of government offices, was demanding that the Poso Regent Piet Inkiriwang resign.

    The coordinator of the action, Safei, said that there Inkiriwang had arrogantly removed the secretary of the Poso PNS selection committee and replaced them with a close associate. He has also been involved in the falsification of diplomas. In response the Poso DPRD promised to hold a hearing and question Inkiriwang over the affair. Protesters said they would remain on strike until he resigned. (Liputan 6, 25/02/2006)

    Artisans protest planed electricity rate hikes

    Hundreds of artisans from the West Java city of Tasikmalaya demonstrated at the DPRD against planned TDL increases. Protesters said that they use raw materials from large companies and therefore oppose the hikes as it will increase production costs and bankrupt their businesses.

    Before going to the Tasikmalaya DPRD, protesters held a rally around the city. On arriving at the DPRD they gave speeches demanding that the government cancel the planned increases. The deputy speaker of the DPRD who met with representatives of the protesters promised to convey their demands to the DPR. (Liputan 6, 25/02/2006)

    Thousands of workers demonstrate in Makassar

    Thousands of workers from PT Panen Raya Makassar in South Sulawesi demonstrated in front of the company's front gates demanding overtime and holiday bonuses that the company has failed to pay for the last two years. During the action protesters even hijacked a container truck transporting tons of cashew nuts.

    An argument broke out with one of the company managers who asked them to stop demonstrating however the request was refused with workers promising only to end the action if the company pays the overtime and holiday bonuses. The protest finally ended when the company agreed to fulfill their demands by paying 400,000 rupiah to each of the protesters. (Liputan 6, 26/02/2006)

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