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Indonesia Roundup No 38 - October 30-November 6, 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...

Damri bus drivers in Yogyakarta demand outstanding wages

Some 142 employees from the Damri Bus company that operates in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta went on strike on their first day back to work after the Lebaran holidays. The strike was triggered by company's failure to pay its employee's wages between July and October.

The October 30 strike involved all of the company's drivers and conductors and the entire Damri fleet remains parked in the company garages, with the striking workers waiting nearby for representatives to meet with the head of the company.

Yuli, one of the Damri employees said that they are demanding that they be paid immediately since they have not received any wages for the last four months. (Detik.com, 30/10/2006)

Danny Setiawan supporters besiege Bandung State Court

Thousands of people wearing camouflage uniforms and black T-shirts besieged the Bandung State Court on November 1 to show their support for West Java Governor Danny Setiawan who is a witness in a court hearing into the Kavlinggate corruption case.

The majority of the protesters, who were youths from 28 West Java Golkar Party affiliated youth organisations such as Gapensa, Kosgoro, the Tim Bandung Fighting Club and the Black Ants, said that they would defend "Brother" Danny and that the case should closed immediately. (Detik.com, 1/11/2006)

Jatirejo residents protest again over mud containment dam

Around 200 residents from the village of Jatirejo in the Porong sub-district of Sidoarjo, Central Java, demonstrated again on November 1 against a plan by the Sidoarjo Mud National Relief Team to make a mud containment dam alongside their village permanent.

Jatirejo resident Paiman said they would only give the team permission to make the dam permanent if they were first given compensation for the buildings and homes that have been inundated with mud. "All of the houses and buildings have been submerged by mud. But why have only 13 people received compensation of around 100 million rupiah", asked Paiman.

The head of the relief team meanwhile said that the 13 people had received compensation as their houses because they had already become part of the dam and the amount was in accordance with the taxable value of land and property. (Detik.com, 1/11/2006)

Raid against traders in Malang ends in chaos

A raid by civil service police against traders operating in the area of the city square in the East Java city of Malang on November 2 ended in chaos when the traders tried to prevent their goods from being seized.

In Jakarta meanwhile, scores of people from the Anti-Eviction Movement (GAP) demonstrated at the Senen train station in Central Jakarta demanding that the regional regulations on demographic operations be revoked. In speeches given in front of queuing passenger, the protesters said operations against new migrants was not in accordance with the 1945 Constitution because it restricted the rights of citizens to seek a livelihood. (Liputan 6, 3/11/2006)

FPI and HTI oppose Bush's visit

Hundreds of people from Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) and the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) demonstrated in front of the US Embassy in Central Jakarta on November 4 in protest against a planned visit by President George Bush to the West Java city of Bogor on November 20.

In speeches the demonstrators said that if the government accepts Bush's visit then Indonesia is indirectly giving its support to the US and its allies military aggression in Afghanistan and Iraq. It also signifies that the government does not have any problems with the imperialist economic polices of US in developing countries like Indonesia such as those being carried out by the US companies ExxonMobil, Caltex and Freeport. (Liputan 6, 4/11/2006)

Residents demand release of assistance funds

Hundreds of residents from the village of Singarajan in Serang, Banten province held a demonstration on November 4 demanding that the local village head immediately release 53 million rupiah in assistance funds from the Banten provisional government. The residents suspect that the funds that should have been distributed two months ago for construction work in the village have been embezzled by the village head and officials. (Liputan 6, 4/11/2006)

Residents blockade Parangtritis Beach

Dozens of local residents blockaded the Parangtritis Beach area south of Yogyakarta on November 4 that is being turned into a tourist resort. The protest was a form of protest by residents who were evicted to make way for the development and have not received reasonable compensation. The Bantul regional government however plans to continue to go ahead with the project saying that it has been socialised for some time. (Liputan 6, 4/11/2006)

Makassar workers demand minimum wage increase

Hundreds of workers in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar demonstrated at the governor's office on November 6 demanding that the local government involve them in discussions to set a new provincial minimum wage (UMP).

The workers, who came from the South Sulawesi Federated Trade Union for Labour Struggle (FSPBS) said that the current UMP of 618,000 rupiah a month was inadequate and demanded that it be increased. Prior to arriving at the governor's office the workers also scoured the Makassar industrial area inviting other workers to join the action.

Upon their arrival, the protesters were blocked by a unit of civil service police who were guarding the entrance to the governor's complex. After attempting to push their way through the police line they eventually gave up and held speeches in front of the complex grounds. (Liputan 6, 6/11/2006)

Students protest Idul Fitri gift donation

Scores of students from the Corruption, Collusion and Nepotism Concern Forum (FPKKN) in the Sulawesi town of Parepare demonstrated at the local Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on November 6. The students were protesting a 450,000 rupiah Idul Fitri holiday donation given to assembly members by Andi Makasau, the director of a local public hospital, which they said was taken from the hospital's civil servant welfare post. A scuffle broke out between the protesters and police when they tried to force their way into the DPRD building. (Liputan 6, 6/11/2006)

Police break up protest near Freeport

Scores of women and children were unable to resist officers from the Mimika district police when they forcibly dismantled a blockade at the PT Freeport Indonesia Mile 28 checkpoint earlier today. Police also pulled down a tent being used by the protesters and seized posters and banners.

As of 9.45am demonstrators were still at the checkpoint but restricted themselves to sitting on the side of the road. Also this morning, police drove away a second group of protesters who arrived in an open truck. (Tempo Interactive, 6/11/2006)

Former PT Dirgantara Indonesia demonstrate again in Bandung

Hundreds of former PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) employees from the Employees Trade Union Communication Forum (SPFKK) protested again at the Bandung DPRD on November 6 asking for support to resolve a dispute over unpaid pensions.

The protesters arrived at the DPRD on hundreds of motor bikes and a pickup truck that was used for giving speeches. SPFKK chairperson Arif Winardi said that the action was held to remind the government of its promise to assist the workers. This was based on an agreement between the SPFKK and the company management that was witnessed by officials from the ministry of state-owned enterprises in March.

"At that time the government promised it would resolve the issue within six months calculated from July 7, 2006. However it is now coming into the fifth month and there is no concrete sign that it will be paid at all", said Winardi. Winardi added that that next week they also plan to hold a long-march to the House of Representatives in Jakarta. (Detik.com, 6/11/2006)

Local residents protest against new Surabaya airport

Around 350 resident from the village of Tambaksawah in the Sedati sub-district of Sidoarjo demonstrated near the entrance to the new Juanda Surabaya Airport on November 6. The residents said they objected to the use of village land in the area of the new airport without being paid compensation.

An attorney for the villages said that the 5,390 square hectares of land should have been paid for in 2000 when the agreed price was only 175,000 rupiah per square meter. Residents are now asking for 1 million rupiah per meter. (Kompas Cyber Media, 6/11/2006)

PT Spotec workers demonstrate over severance pay

More than 4,000 workers from the shoe factory PT Spotec Cikupa in the Tangerang regency or Banten demonstrated at the factory on November 6 demanding clarification over their future because the company has still not been able to decided when it will pay outstanding severance pay and how much it will be.

According information obtained by the chairperson of the PT Spotec National Trade Union (SPN), Eko S, the company will not pay them for another three months. "Currently none of the company's management are here. Apparently they are meeting at the Mandiri Bank and then Mr. Hong KP (the owner of the company) will be summoned by the Minister of Labour", said Eko.

The company, which produces Adidas trademark shoes, decided in late October to stop production because of financial problems and the workers were suspended temporarily but not officially dismissed. The workers eventually disbanded but several said they would return to the factory again the next day. (Kompas Cyber Media, 6/11/2006)

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