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Indonesia Roundup No 41 - November 20-25, 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...
Students in Surabaya protest Bush visit
Hundreds of people from a number of student groups demonstrated in front of the US Consulate General in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya on November 20 against US President George W. Bush's visit to the West Java city of Bogor this afternoon.
During the action, that was initiated by the Left Democratic Force, the Muhammadiyah Student Association (IMM) and the Urban Poor Union (SRMK), they brought dozens of posters with messages such as "Abolish the foreign debut, Bush + SBY = Imperialist".
Security personnel blockaded all of the entrances to the representative office of the 'World Cop' so that the 200 or so protesters were only able to give speeches form 100 meters away. (Tempo Interactive, 20/11/2006)
Anti-Imperialist Front clashes with police in Bogor
Clashes between anti-Bush demonstrators and police took place in Bogor yesterday when around 100 people from the Anti-Imperialist Front (FAI), which is a coalition of several different organisations and non-profit groups, clashed with police near the Bogor Great Mosque.
Yelling anti-Bush slogans, they also accused the police of failing to side with the people. Hearing this, Bogor police chief shouted back, "Hey if what you’re saying is true! You want to demo against Bush, then don't bring other [issues]!", while pointing at the demonstrators.
Protesters responded and police and demonstrators pushed and shoved each other although in the end the protesters were forced back. FAI spokesperson Lalu Hilman Afriandi said that the incident showed that the police are repressive. "We were only conveying our wishes", he said. (Tempo Interactive, 20/11/2006)
Anti-Bush demonstrators march to State Palace
Around 150 people from the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII) held a demonstration against George Bush at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Jakarta on November 20.
They then marched to the State Palace carrying anti-Bush banners and singing songs of struggle. The march caused a traffic jam along Jl. Thamrin as the protesters used the entire fast lane.
The protesters were demanding that the government takes a firm stand against the US and not pawn off the country's natural resources and state owned enterprises. They also called on the government to be held to account for the financial damages suffered by the people of Bogor because of the visit.
Sri Bintang Pamungkas, a well-known reformist figure that was invited to speak by PMII questioned why Bush had been invited to Indonesia. "One of Bush's missions in coming to Indonesia is to take our natural resources", he said. (Tempo Interactive, 20/11/2006)
Thousands across the country protest Bush visit
Thousands of people across country held a series of actions against Bush’s visit today with actions taking place in Palu (Central Sulawesi), Malang and Jember (East Java), Solo and Yogyakarta (Central Java), Bandung (West Java) and other major cities.
In the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar students from the Makassar Movement Alliance (GAM) sealed off a McDonald's restaurant at the Ratu Indah Mall. Some 300 students from the Indonesian Youth Student Front (FPPI) also sealed of McDonald's and KFC restaurants in Yogyakarta.
Also in Yogyakarta, hundreds of demonstrators from the Indonesian National Student Movement (GMNI) held an action at the Yogyakarta Monument intersection while some 200 IMM members also held an action at the Yogyakarta central post office. Students in Jember also held a protest action. (Tempo Interactive, 20/11/2006)
Anti-Bush demonstrations everywhere
In addition to protests in Bogor, which have totally paralyzed the city, demonstrations against Bush's visit also took place in a number of cities across Indonesia.
In Jakarta hundreds of members of the Action Coalition for the Eviction of Bush (KAUB) and the Islamic Student Association (HMI) held actions at the State Palace.
In Surabaya meanwhile, the US Consulate General became the target for a demonstration by students from the Left Democratic Force, the National Student Front (FMN) and the National Student League for Democracy (LMND). Police however had blocked of the road to the consulate so the students attempted to demonstrate in front of a McDonald's restaurant instead. When police tried to stop them a minor skirmish took place.
In Malang, hundreds of HMI members from the Brawijaya University gave speeches in front of a McDonald's restaurant and sealed it off using posters then tried to force their way in. After a major skirmish, police drove them away and they moved off to the Malang Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) accompanied by protesters from PMII, FMN, LMND, the Indonesian Student Union (SMI) and the Muhammadiyah University Student Executive Council (BEM).
In Bandung, around 500 students protested at the Sate Gedung building complex where they set fire to an effigy of Bush. The action was further enlivened with the arrival of BEM student from the Pasundan University (Unpas).
In Yogyakarta, hundreds of students opposed Bush's visit by sealing off two McDonald's restraints and a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet. The joint action was organised by the Gajah Mada University Students Alliance Against Bush (Amuk Bush), the Indonesian Youth Front for Struggle (FPPI) and the Student Movement of Liberation (GMP).
In Makassar, protesters from a number of organisations continued to protest against the visit including students from the Hasanuddin University, the State Islamic University and the Makassar State University.
In the North Sumatra provincial capital of Manado however, hundreds of protesters brought US flags and held a convoy around the city to welcome Bush.
In the South Sumatra city of Palembang, an action was held by the Sharing Coalition to Accompany the People's Agenda (KSBAR) and HMI in which they visited and demonstrated every McDonald's and KFC restaurant in the city.
In Bandar Lampung a demonstration was held by FMN, LMND, PMMI, the Indonesian Women's Union (SPI) and BEM students from a number of different campuses. (Kompas, 21/11/2006)
Three students injured during anti-Bush demonstration in Medan
A student demonstration by protesters from the Anti-Imperialist People's Alliance (ARAI) in the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan against George Bush's visit today has ended in a clash.
Three students were injured after protesters and security personnel clashed when students protesting at the US Consulate General tried to break through a police blockade. (Media Indonesia, 20/11/2006)
Bandung students pelt Bush effigy with rotten tomatoes
Around 500 students demonstrated against Bush's visit at the Gedung Sate building complex in Bandung on November 20. Unlike earlier actions, this time a number of student organisations took part and the numbers of protesters was much higher.
The protest, which started at around 10.15am, was joined by student groups such as Greater Bandung BEM, HMI, BEM Unpas, the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI) and the West Java IMM.
In the first wave of protests the students set fire to an effigy of Bush after first pelting it with rotten tomatoes as expression of their anger against him. The action was further enlivened when Unpas students arrived and held a theatrical action in which several people wearing US flags were pulled along on a cart by a figure from the Indonesian government. The theatrical action also satirized the government as submitting to the practices of US neo-capitalism under the leadership of Bush. (Kompas Cyber Media, 20/11/2006)
Anti-Bush protesters demand nationalisation of US companies
Demonstrations against George Bush continued right up until the last few seconds of his visit. In the Riau provincial capital of Pekanbaru, anti-Bush demonstrators went to the offices of the US company PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia where they called on the government to immediately nationalise all US companies in Indonesia including Chevron, ExxonMobil, PT Newmont Minahasa Raya and PT Freeport.
In Medan meanwhile, anti-Bush demonstrators at the US Consulate General set fire to tyres and a poster of Bush and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) shaking hands. The protesters said that Bush is a human right violator and a war criminal. (Liputan 6, 21/11/2006)
Punks say Bush no more important than street sweeper
Not wanting to be left behind by the other social organisations opposing Bush's visit, around 150 punks from the group Jong Aiueo demonstrated at the US Embassy in Central Jakarta on November 20.
The punks, who said that Bush's visit is unimportant and that he is no more important than a street sweeper, a worker, farmer or fisherperson, also brought Wayang shadow play props and posters with messages such as "Go to hell Bush with your aid", "Bush no way" and "Welcome Bush, welcome doomsday". (Detik.com, 20/11/2006)
Anti-Bush protesters bring 'bomb' to State Palace
Commotion broke out during an anti-Bush demonstration in front of the State Palace on November 19 when a person appeared carrying a huge 'bomb' complete with timer and detonator.
But black coloured bomb was not real but part of a theatrical action by thousands of Islamic protesters from the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI), Hizbut Tahir Indonesia (HTI), the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and the Native Jakarta Brotherhood Forum (FBR). During the theater other demonstrators brought pictures of Bush with the writing "Bush Master of Terrorist". (Detik.com, 19/11/2006)
Lively anti-Bush demonstration in Yogyakarta
Around 600 people from a number of student organisations in Yogyakarta held a protest against Bush's visit at the Gajah Mada University roundabout on November 20 calling on the Yudhoyono government not to cater to Bush if he tries to intervene in Indonesian affairs.
The protesters, who came from KAMMI, Gema Liberation and the Indonesian Youth Front for Struggle (FPPI), held separate actions at the roundabout. A theatrical action was also held which depicted the oppression of the Bush administration against Third World Countries.
Benny Rahmad from the Gajah Mada University Student Alliance Against Bush (Amuk Bush) said that they were calling on Yudhoyono to refuse to cooperate with Bush in any way and that "It would be better for Bush's requests to be ignored, because they are meaningless". (Detik.com, 20/11/2006)
Anti-Bush protesters seal off KFC and McDonalds in Yogyakarta
On November 20 scores of protesters from the FPPI descended en masse on a KFC and a McDonalds outlet that they said were multinational companies whose profits flowed back to the US.
In first action, prior to sealing off KFC the protesters gave speeches in front of the restaurant calling on the Indonesian people not to buy US products and instead to eat at locally owned Suharti Fried Chicken restaurants.
The demonstrators then moved of to a McDonald's restaurant where they attempted to meet with the management. Although heavily guarded by police and security officers, after giving speeches protesters stuck a seal across the front door reading "Nationalise assets and seal off". (Detik.com, 20/11/2006)
LMND protesters clash with police in Surabaya
A mass action opposing George Bush's visit in front of a McDonald's restaurant on November 20 in Surabaya ended in a clash between around 100 protesters from the National Student League for Democracy (LMND) and police guarding the restaurant.
The clash broke out when students tried to force their way in to the restaurant and police tried to stop them. Police succeeded in throwing the students out and a number of protesters were detained for questioning.
Prior the protest at McDonalds, the student held an action around 100 meters from the US Consulate General, which was heavily guarded by security personnel and two water cannons. Failing to approach the consulate, the protesters set fire to US flags and poster of Yudhoyono and Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla. (Detik.com, 20/11/2006)
Students seal off Dunkin Donuts restaurant in Semarang
Around 60 students from KAMMI in the East Java provincial capital of Semarang demonstrated against Bush's visit on November 20 by sealing off a Dunkin Donuts restaurant.
The students said that Dunkin Donuts represented a symbol of capitalist expansion and US imperialist forces in Indonesia. They also said that it was inappropriate for welcome Bush to Indonesia because the US's foreign policies have caused severe damage to the Muslim community. "What has been done by the SBY government in greeting Bush's arrival is not proportional with the suffering of the Indonesian nation as a consequence of US foreign policy", said action coordinator Imam Firdaus in a speech. (Detik.com, 21/11/2006)
Department store employees demand resignation of assistant manager
Hundreds of employees from the Suzuya Department Store in Padang demonstrated recently demanding that the Suzuya management dismiss its assistant manager because they have treated employees in an arbitrary manner. (Liputan 6, 22/11/2006)
Tangerang workers demand minimum wage increase
Hundreds of workers in Tangerang, Banten, demonstrated on November 21 demanding an increase in the provincial minimum wage saying the current minimum wage was not enough to fulfil their daily needs.
Based on negotiation between workers, employers and the government, the 2007 Tangerang minimum wage will be set at 900,000 rupiah per month. The results of a survey by the Labour Council however indicated that the basic cost of living in Banten is as much as 1.3 million rupiah a month.
The workers said that if the Banten provincial government failed to meet their demands as many as 3 million workers in the province would boycott the elections for governor and deputy governor on November 26. (Liputan 6, 22/11/2006)
Residents in Medan almost clash with police
Hundreds of residents from the Sungai Mati and Kampung Baru administrative districts in Medan Maimoon, North Sumatra, almost clashed with civil service police on November 21 after protesters were prevented from entering the city public hall to meet with the local major.
After negotiations representatives were able to meet the mayor to express their anger over the local government's failure to take action against the companies PT Eka Wijaya Kesuma and PT Kastil Kencana for filling in parts of the Deli River for luxury housing estates resulting in their homes being repeatedly flooded.
Although having met with the major, a number of the residents were still dissatisfied and tore down a wall and dividing fence that they suspect is the cause of the floods and the overflow of the river. (Liputan 6, 22/11/2006)
Street traders clash with civil service police in Manado
Street traders who attempted to begin trading again on the sidewalks of Jl. Sam Ratulangi in Manado were involved in a clash with civil service police and traders pelting each other with rocks. The officers however found it difficult to arrest the traders because they ran into nearby residential areas and local residents even joined in to help them resist police.
In an attempt to restore order, regular police officers fired warning shots into the air but the atmosphere only calmed down after police ordered the civil service police to retreat. There have been numerous clashed between civil service police and traders since public order evictions began in August. (Liputan 6, 22/11/2006)
Dismissed Kendari workers demand severance pay
Scores of workers who were dismissed from a fish export company demonstrated on the ground of the Kendari DPRD in South East Sulawesi on November 22. The protesters were calling on assembly members to investigate the company management because they have still not received severance pay. (Liputan 6, 23/11/2006)
Workers form Cimahi demand minimum wage increase
Hundreds of workers from the city of Cimahi demonstrated at the offices of the West Java governor in Bandung on November 23. The workers were demanding that the West Java government immediately recommend an increase in the minimum wage for Cimahi to 884,900 rupiah per month in accordance with the cost of living. (Liputan 6, 23/11/2006)
Residents demand village head resign over rice theft
Police have forcibly broken up a demonstration by residents from the Ngadiluruh village in the Bojonegoro regency of East Java who were demanding that the head of the village resign for his involvement in the theft of rice for the poor. (Liputan 6, 23/11/2006)
Padang students 'hijack' public busses
On November 23 hundreds of students from the Padang State University in West Sumatra conducted checks on public busses passing in front of their campus then "hijacked" them by bringing them into the campus grounds. The action was held because the road in front of the campus has been turned into a bus terminal that students say it is disrupting the peace and quite of the campus. (Liputan 6, 23/11/2006)
Families of retired army officers refuse to vacate homes
Hundreds of family members of retired army offices in Makassar protested on November 23 refusing to be moved out of official housing and boarding houses because they had been given no compensation. The demonstration, which was held in front of the Wirabuana VII Regional Military Command headquarters became heated when demonstrators and troops began pushing and shoving each other. (Liputan 6, 23/11/2006)
Spotec workers demonstrate again in Jakarta
Around 100 people from the PT Spotec Trade Union Committee demonstrated in front of the Lippo Bank building in Central Jakarta this afternoon demanding that the Adidas Group, which has a representative offices at building, place an order so that the workers can return to work.
After arrived in a yellow truck equipped with a megaphone, they gave speeches in which they called on the company to reemploy some 19,500 workers. The protest caused traffic congestion in the area of the Hotel Indonesia roundabout and scores of security personnel could be seen on guard in front of the building. (Tempo Interactive, 23/11/2006)
Thousands of workers in Bandung reject 2007 minimum wage
Around 7,000 workers from across Bandung held an action at the Gedung Sate building on November 23 calling on the governor to reconsider the proposed regional minimum wage for 2007.
The protesters began arriving at around 9am using hundreds of motorbikes and trucks. They also brought banners and trade union flags including those of the National Workers Union (SPN), the Indonesian Trade Union Action Committee (KASBI), the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) and the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM).
The workers said that the new minimum wage was only enough to cover around 90 percent of living expenses saying that the cost of living in Bandung city is 920,000 rupiah per month while the mayor was recommending that the 2007 minimum wage for Bandung be set at only 820,000 rupiah. (Detik.com, 23/11/2006)
Yogyakarta factory workers reject new minimum wage
Around 500 factory workers took to the streets on November 23 to call on Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X to revoke a decision to set the 2007 regional wage at only 500,000 rupiah per month.
The workers, who came from the Yogyakarta Labour Alliance (ABY), started the demonstration by marching from the Yogyakarta Monument to the governors office wearing red-and-white headbands with the word ABY and demands to increase the minimum wage to 655,000 rupiah.
In a speech ABY General Secretary Tigan Solin called on the governor to revoke the decision saying that 500,000 rupiah per month is unrealistic for workers in Yogyakarta. Based on the results of a survey by the Yogyakarta Wages Board the cost of living in Yogyakarta is as much as 656,070 rupiah while ABY's own survey set the figure at 717,673. (Detik.com, 23/11/2006)
Protesters oppose consultation on the poor at five-start hotel
Discussing poverty at a five-star hotel? It was this irony that caused around 100 activists from the Grass Roots Women's Network (JPAR) to demonstrate during a poverty consultation meeting at the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel in Central Jakarta on November 24.
"It's funny, discussing poverty at a luxury hotel in an air-conditioned room. We ask that those respected people inside, [if you want to] discuss poverty don't discuss it in a luxury air-conditioned room, but get out among the really poor communities", said one of the speakers in front of the hotel.
The meeting, which was organised by the Commission on Legal Empowerment for Poor Communities from New York, is working jointly with the UNDP and the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation.
According to another speaker the meeting will not touch upon basic problems such as agrarian reform and the nationalisation of foreign assets. "The government should be more directly concerned about the condition of poor communities", they said.
During the action the protesters, the majority of which were housewives and children, held a number of "attractions" such as traditional kuda lumping dance accompanied by unique Javanese music. (Detik.com, 24/11/2006)
Honorary teachers demonstrate in Makassar
Around 2,000 honorary teachers demonstrated in Makassar on November 25 to commemorate National Teachers Day in which they called on the central government to fulfil its promise to promote them to state civil servants.
The honorary teachers, the majority of which had served for between 20-30 years, said they only received an honorarium of 200,000 rupiah per month. In speeches the teachers rejected being used as a political commodity and threatened to call a national strike if their demands are not met. (Liputan 6, 25/11/2006)
North Jakarta residents oppose construction of factory
Around 300 residents living in the Cilincing area of North Jakarta protested today against the construction of a factory on vacant land near their homes. "[We] are afraid that its waste will get into our environment", said one of the residents.
Local residents gathered on the vacant land, the ownership of which has recently changed hands, and put up banners opposing the construction of the factory. A number of Cilincing police officers stood guard over the action and a military jeep could be seen nearby. Rorotan village head Ardi said that they did not know about the change in the lands ownership saying they had yet to obtain evidence of the new ownership. (Tempo Interactive, 25/11/2006)
Public transport drivers strike ends in chaos
A demonstration by scores of striking drivers Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara ended in chaos after it was attacked by another group of other drivers. The strike was held to oppose a decision by the Kupang municipal government to increase the number of inner-city public transport vehicles, which the drivers said would cut into their incomes. (Liputan 6, 25/11/2006)
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