Vietnam war-bomb was dropped to the landless farmers in Indonesia
6:06 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
It has been hundred years peasant community settled and make their living in Suluk Bongkal, Riau Province. But, On 18 December 2008 the community are hunted by the drop of Napalm bomb, gun fired and tears gases. In a few minutes 700 houses were in flame. 1000 hired thugs and 500 police were burst into the crowd.
Hundred of peasant families had lived in Suluk Bongkal area for hundred years. On 1991, government issued land certificate for each villages
In 1997, Arara Abadi corporation, a company that supply raw material to Indah Kiat Pulp and Paper, Sinar mas group, were given the rights to control over the land. Since that day, Arara Abadi is not only privilege to control over Suluk Bongkal area, but also hundred thousand hectares land in Riau province, While the farmers turn to be landless.
On mid of 2007, these landless peasant affiliated to Riau Peasent Union (STR) succeed to reclaim the land. Since that day, 800 people living in that reclaimed area of Suluk Bongkal, Bengkalis, Riau.
The incident began when police tried to arrest Riza Zuhelmy, STR chairperson, the masses tried to protect their leader. Police sent other troops to manage this situation and arrest ten peasant. Unable to control the situation, police chopper flew and dropped napalm bomb to peasant settlement. While the police troops were shut rubber bullet and tears gas to disperse the masses. The situation turned into panic. Hundreds peasant are arrested. Putri, a child aged 2,6 years was scared to death and run to the jungle. She later found lifeless, sunk in the dwell. After the masses are dispersed, bulldozer came to clean the ruins, and soon after that hired thugs occupied the land. This attack are directly led by head division of criminal of Riau Police head quarter, Alex Mandalika,
On that tragedy, 700 houses are turn to ash, 200 peasant are arrested and 400 peasant are hunted and hide.
Riau Peasent Union had filed land dispute case between people and Arara Abadi corporation to the Provincial administration since 2007. On May 15 2007 ministry of forestry issued S 319/Menhut-VI/2007 said that people who has been living before 1996 (the years of Arara Abadi land concession) may stay there and the area should be excluded from concession area.
Jhony Nelsen SImanjutak from National commission of human rights found the indication of human rights violation regarding the land dispute conflict between people and Arara Abadi in three sub district. National commission is now asking for information from 100 victim.
While Nurul Huda from Arara Abadi hoping that National Commission of Human Rights should ask second opinion from the company since the company operates as a regulation from government. Currently, 200 farmers are arrested.
Help the farmers, send your solidarity, protest letter to end the human rights violation. Send the letter to
Arara Abadi fax 0761-91320
National commission of human rights +62 21 3912026
Email: info@komnasham.go.id, webmaster@komnasham.go.id
Police headquarter of Riau Province +6276120084
Send the solidarity letter to Papernas@yahoo.com, serikat.tani.riau@gmail.com
Read more...
Indonesia: Tracing a path towards parliament
12:59 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
By Kelik Ismunanto
November 29, 2008 -- After such a long period of time in a vacuum, uncertain of how to respond to changes caused by neoliberal economic policies, little by little, democracy movement activists have been able to wrest back the political podium.
In the last few months, several national television stations provided a political stage for activists such as Dita Sari, Budiman Sujatmiko, Pius Lustrilanang and other young activists who are contesting the 2009 elections, to explain their reasons for choosing the parliamentary tactic.
Among young activists, there are opinions in favour and against this tactic.
Many activists have longed to fill the available political stage with their fresh ideas and concepts as a solution to the Indonesian nation’s problems. This longing has found a place to rest with the candidature of several activists.
Electoral tactic
The candidature of several activists was debated on TV screens. These include Dita, a leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PRD), under the banner of the Star Reform Party (PBR), as well as Budiman via the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) and Pius through Gerindra.
Cynicism and mockery at the positions taken by Dita, Budiman and Pius, levelled by ex-comrades from the student movement of the 1990s, questions the effectiveness of the parliamentary tactic taken by [those] attempting to propel forward a mass popular movement — to a movement of the mass of people who are more and more thrown on the scrapheap of poverty.
The fact that today Indonesians are deprived of more and more of their basic rights as citizens and that the state is completely abrogating its duties to guarantee the welfare of the people helps to create cynicism among activists towards the state and its institutions such as parliament.
This is also because of past experience, where activists have entered parliament and promptly forgotten what they were fighting for, as if a line has been drawn between the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary movements, that somehow these two movements are fundamentally opposed and separate.
This might be true based on recent experiences, but if we look back through history and the experiences of other nations, let’s say that of Malaysia, such an assumption or prejudice is wrong.
In Malaysia, the combination and synergy between the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary movements were able to open up the democratic space that had been monopolised by the ruling party.
Post-1998
If we look back to the fall of the Suharto dictatorship in 1998, the democracy movement fragmented while the fake reformists were able to consolidate themselves.
Political elites and former bureaucrats in Suharto’s New Order regime were able to seize back the legal political space, for example through the setting up of new political parties or gaining other public positions.
Meanwhile, the democracy movement became more fragmented in various institutions, and activists became entrapped within the activities of each respective institution. Of course, part of the changes had to do with the fact that movement activists were getting older, with new challenges to face — such as having families to feed — and leaving behind the world of student politics.
Meanwhile the life of the people, who had been the driving force of the movement, was more and more destroyed by market economy policies implemented by successive post-Suharto governments.
The role of the state, which had in the past been able to ameliorate the effects of the global economy, is disappearing more and more. The role of providing regulation and protection that was still able to be performed by the Suharto regime began to be cast aside by policies forced on Indonesia by institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Indonesia's natural resource wealth was more and more depleted thanks to the antics of the political elite and foreign corporations.
Farmers who sell on the open market scream at the kind of prices being paid for their products. Workers are facing a bleak future thanks to policies of outsourcing; the cost of education and health care rises and rises because of the withdrawal of subsidies.
These are recent problems that are growing acute, problems that didn’t taken on such massive dimensions under Suharto.
Ten years since the fall of Suharto and the height of the student reform movement, the movement has been at a loss in responding to sociological changes and consciousness of the masses that have been the result of the intensifying effects of the free market economy.
Activists have failed in formulating a concept of the basic problems confronting society today that could be the basis of a common platform. The parliamentary option chosen by some of the 1998 activists is a tactic aimed at a breakthrough to pierce the stagnation of the movement.
It has been shown that the important task of wresting back the people’s economic and social rights cannot be achieved simply through an extra-parliamentary movement. Parliament is the main edifice that needs to fortify the people against the ferocity of the free market.
To demarcate between parliamentary and extra-parliamentary roads is not the right solution for building the people’s movement.
As was explained by Dita Sari on television recently, the extra-parliamentary movement needs parliament to formalise the program they are struggling for.
Similarly, those who sit in parliament as genuine people’s representatives need those on the outside to pressure the entire parliament to act in the interests of the people, to respond to their needs.
A synergy between the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary sections of the movement is of absolute necessity.
[This article was published in the Indonesia newspaper Solo Pos on October 27, 2008. It was translated by Vannessa Hearman for Green Left Weekly. Kelik Ismunanto is a PRD leader and a former 1990s student activist.]
http://links.org.au/node/774
Read more...
Minimum Commitment of The Star Reform Party (PBR) to The Indonesian Poor Union (SRMI)
7:02 PM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
We cannot let the 2009 General Election pass without any proposal for popular programs of a clean government, free education and health that will in various way press the election; nor letting the people choose their political leader without any political guidance based on their [people's] own fundamental problems. It is the time for the people to raise their consciousness, from previously voting Party A because of its high-profile, handing out money, good in making promises, and others, into voting a political party because it commits itself to realise programs put forward by the people.
Today we, the Indonesia Poor Union (SRMI) challenge the Star Reform Party (PBR) to see whether they have the courage to sign the Minimum Commitment detailed below:
A. To fight for national sovereignty in terms of rigorously push and accelerate the recovery of the nation's assets upon which the livelihood of the majority of people depend, push and accelerate the effort to repudiate foreign debt, and the construction of National Industrialisation.
B. To fight for the eradication of Corruption, Collusion and Nepotism in the life of the nation.
C. To listen and take into account SRMI's aspiration in any policy decision making that affect the poor.
D. To fight for free health service in all Hospitals and Society Health Centres (Puskesmas) across Jakarta in terms that the poor will be guaranteed to always have health card, to be able to freely and easily use ambulance, without being charged for medications, medical supplies, and without experiencing inhuman treatment by Hospitals/Society Health Centres.
E. To fight for free education in State Elementary Schools, Junior High Schools,and High Schools across Jakarta in terms of free registration, tuition (SPP), Education Development (BP3), re-registration, books, uniforms, and final tests (UAN).
F. To protect the poor in the entire Jakarta region from threats of eviction that offer no solution agreed by the poor.
G. To fight for the acceleration of rural economy development in order to reduce poverty in Jakarta.
If it will later show that these minimum commitments are not realised, then we, the poor organised under the Indonesian Poor Union (SRMI), will demand, control and exert direct pressure. Moreover, if some of our minimum comitment are betrayed, we will call to all the poor in Jakarta to not hesitate to withdraw their mandate and take the initiatives into their hands.
Jakarta, 2 August 2008
Acknowledged by
Bursa Zarnubi - PBR General Chairperson
Witnessed and signed by
Marlo Sitompul - SRMI General Chairperson
R. M. Syafi'i - PBR Deputy General Chairperson
Rusman H M - PBR General Secretary
Mr Sukardy - Head of Neighbourhood Association (RT) 7/5 of Pejagalan District
Mr Muchtar - Head of Neighbourhood Association (RT) 9/1 of Duri Utara Tambora District
Read more...
Labour Press Inquiry Into Fuel Price Rise, Denounce Pro-Neoliberal Golkar-Demokrat
6:59 PM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
(Jakarta 30/06) Hundreds of workers from the National Front of Indonesian Labour Struggle (FNPBI) staged a protest action at Exxon Mobil HQ in Jakarta to demand the nationalization of oil industries.
Afterwards, the workers moved the protest to the House of Representatives. They demanded that the government cancel fuel price increase, nationalize mining industry, and abolish foreign debt.
On June 24, the majority of house members - mostly, but not all, from opposition parties - voted for an inquiry into the fuel price rise. Meanwhile, two parties; Golkar Party (which support the Vice President, Jusuf Kalla) and Democrat Party (which support President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) rejected the inquiry.
The protesters demanded an inquiry into the intervention of foreign corporation in Indonesian energy crisis and called upon the people of Indonesia not to elect parties that take side with foreign interests, support fuel price increase, and vote against parliament's right for inquiry against the SBY-JK (Golkar & Demokrat) government.
STATEMENT by FNPBI
Cancel fuel price rise. Nationalize oil, gas and mining industries, and abolish foreign debt; No to pro-neoliberal parties (Golkar/Demokrat); Implement nation-wide minimum wage as the solution for increasing labour welfare!
Government has announced the fuel price increase that led to the rise of transportation cost and prices of basic goods. On the other side, indicators of people's welfare such as income level and purchasing power are experiencing a decline. According to some economic analysts, the 30% fuel price rise will shoot up inflation rate from 8.33% to 10.6%. The Institute of Study for Mining and Energy Reform predicted that 30% fuel price increase will likely throw 15.68 millions people into poverty.
The Indonesian Enterpreneurs Association, APINDO, stated that they can no longer adjust wages to face fuel price rise. Entrepreneurs only agree to add transportation and meal support. However, economic burden is not only about transport and meal, more than those!
Indonesian labour is currently facing several challenges: First, the current wage policy is unable to compete with price increases. Second, the national industries which both entrepreneurs and labours depend on also suffer tremendous hit from fuel price increase policy. Under those conditions, there is no choice but to fight to cancel fuel price increase and to rescue national industries.
Legislative Plenary meeting on 24th of June has agreed to use their right to open an inquiry into national oil and gas industries. Two political parties, Golkar and Demokrat, rejected the inquiry right, thus revealing their true character: puppets of foreign corporations. Political and financial institutions such as USAID and World Bank are behind this government. In 2001, these institutions used large amount of aid to change our oil and gas legislation. Golkar and Democrat Party are complicit in liberalizing our economy policy!
In relation to the use of inquiry right in the parliament, labour should asserts that; first, the legislatures reaffirm their commitment to push the government for immediate cancellation of fuel price rise. This measure needs to be accompanied by the passing of a decree to nationalize foreign-controlled mining and energy industry in order to supply domestic energy demand. The government could also increase royalty tax up to 40% for foreign contractors so that windfall profit can be used to maximise national income and overcome state budget deficit. Second, legislatures' commitment to solve the enduring problem of our oil and gas industry needs to be followed by ensuring a system that control our nation's entire natural resources. The management and marketing of these sectors must prioritize national needs. Therefor, the legislatures shall agree to withdraw Law 22/2001 on Oil and Gas and Law 25/2007 on Foreign Investment. Third, state's endeavour to extract maximum profit from oil and gas sector needs to be followed by the transfer of that profit to education, health care, subsidy for basic needs, and national minimum wage standard.
All this time, the indonesian government has no resolute concept regarding energy and mineral (mining rights) against foreign companies. Using the lack of capital and technology as pretext, the government has handed over the right to manage energy and mineral resources into the hands of foreign companies, without considering such concepts as transfer of technology and autonomous economic system.
The labour has interest in the state-management system of oil and gas industry for the development of national industries. High productivity of national industry would also strengthen the position of national labour. This would come true only if our economy has been released from the grip of neoliberal economy
Therefore, FNPBI states these following demands :
1) Cancel fuel price increase
2) Nationalize mining and energy industries and abolish foreign debt.
3) Cancel or rewrite all contracts with foreign energy and mining companies in such a way as to benefit the people and domestic industries by attaching clauses that maximize benefit, technology transfer, and tax increase (royalty). Prioritizing national need is an obligation.
4) Develop national industries, especially oil and gas industry, petrochemical industry, natural resources management, etc.
5) Release the detained student activists and civilians! Investigate the death of Maftuh Fauzi.
6) Leave political elites that take side with foreign interests, parties that support fuel increase and reject inquiry right against SBY-JK government (Golkar and Demokrat)!
7) Implement national minimum wage standard based on proper living standard, as a solution to improve labour welfare!
8) Build a National Front that involves all people and political parties that are against the political elites who support foreign interests!
For new economic system!
Jakarta, 28th of June 2008
National Front of Indonesian Labour Struggle
Read more...
Statement of the People Accuse Front (FRM)
8:54 PM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
Release all activists of FRM, FIS Mercubuana, FORKOT, and FRM/LMND detained in various parts of Indonesia!
Reject Fuel Price Increase!
Reduce Prices of Basic Needs!
Fight Neoliberal Policies and Kick-Out Its Lackeys!
Since the government proposed its plan to raise fuel price, waves and waves of mass actions spread all over Indonesia. The rejection has reached and involved almost all poular sectors such as workers, peasants, poor, students, fishermen, and small businesses. It has been expressed in various creative ways like hijacking a fuel tank, sealing fuel/gas stations, sit-ins, rallies, and petitions. Those were the means by which students and the people deal with government's measures that does not have the slightest care for people aspirations.
Ini several places, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice-President Jusuf Kalla (SBY-JK) through their coercive apparatus (Police/Army) carried out brutal attacks resulting in clashes with anti fuel price increase protests. In Bima, NTB, 11 activists were arbitrarily detained. In Manado, North Sulawesi, three people were arrested during a protest against fuel price increase. In Ternate, North Mollucas, police dispersed a protest rally and arrested 14 protesters.*
In Jakarta, the People Accuse Front (FRM) had carried out several anti-fuel price rise protests on May 12th, 20th, and 21st. On the 20th, thirteen activists from FIS and Mercubuana who were about to join FRM rally from Hotel Indonesia roundabout to State Palace, were arrested for no apparent reason. Today (May 21st) 18 FRM activists were also arrested and beaten by police. The 18 activists currently detained in Jakarta Police HQ are Bilal Muhammad (LMND), Maximilian Renaldo (LMND), Wahyu, Ilal, Teddy, Aris, Humuntal, Murherodian, Chubal, Hadi, Iksan, Ferdinand, Irvan, Bimbi, Eko, Hardi, Syarifuddin, and Murdani. Police had also arrested tens of activists from City Forum (FORKOT) who also demonstrated against fuel price increase.
Police's arrests and brutal attacks against the masses that reject fuel price rise are evidences of SBY-JK fear and reactionary measures in dealing with students and people's protests.It also affirmed our conviction on the powerful foreign interests behind the fuel price rise plan. This foreign interest manifested itself in the form of control over Indonesia's petroleum fields, and oil and gas export orientation that serve energy demands of developed countries at the expense of scarce domestic supply. Up to this day, Indonesia's natural wealth especially oil and gas has poured into pockets of foreign transnationals such as Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, CNOOC, ConocoPhilips, and many more. Foreign intervention in the nation's hydrocarbon management is clearly seen in the Law 21 year 2001 on Oil and Gas, and Law 25 year 2008 on Capital Investment. Neoliberal economic figures, ministers, and their supporting political parties stubbornly defended the exploitation of the Indonesian people. They are the real culprit of current economic disaster. It is them that police should arrest and detain for being lackeys of foreign interests, selling off the nation's sovereignty and independence to imperialist powers.
Fuel price increase will bring destructive impacts on the Indonesian people's livelihood. Prices will soar further despite the already high basic need prices due to food crisis. Fuel price increase will also negatively affect the manufacturing industry, one of the pillars of national productive forces. Rising production costs will increase higher farming equipments and fertilizers. The Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) program will not in any way alleviate the negative impacts of fuel price increase because the value received by BLT recipients is almost nothing compared to the skyrocketing expenses caused by the increase.
Faced with problems above, the most appropriate way for the people to fight and reject the policy is through - like it or not - direct mass actions in the streets. Statements from SBY-JK that seeks to discredit people's protests are signs that the pro-imperialist regimes is getting more and more afraid of losing people's legitimacy, hence their downfall. There is no other way, the people must initiate a new way - a new economic direction, and a new government!
Therefore, we, the People Accuse Front, put forth these demands:
1. Release 18 FRM activists detained yesterday (May 21): Bilal Muhammad (LMND), Maximilian Renaldo (LMND), Wahyu, Ilal, Teddy, Aris,
Humuntal, Murherodian, Chubal, Hadi, Iksan, Ferdinand, Irvan, Bimbi, Eko, Hardi, Syarifuddin, and Murdani; 13 activists of FIS and
Mercubuana, tens of City Forum (FORKOT) activists, and tens of activists from FRM and LMND detained in other parts of the country.
2. Cancel government's plan to raise fuel price and cut prices of basic needs.
3. Fight neoliberal policies and kick out pro-neoliberal political - ministers and political parties - and economic power.
Jakarta, May 22nd 2008
People Accuse Front - Front Rakyat Menggugat (FRM)
Spokeperson: Lalu Hilman Afriandi (HP +62 818467080)
* Due to some misunderstanding in communication, when reports received from other parts of the country were urgent and sometimes, unfortunately, not very consistent, we made a mistake by claiming that all 14 protesters arrested in Ternate were LMND members. Only one of the fourteen arrested was LMND activist, although LMND's role in the protest was prominent. Apology for the mistake.
Read more...
News Roundup of May 21 Nation-wide Actions from People Accuse Front
10:12 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
Waves of protests against government's plan to raise fuel price are intensifying. They have spread to and involved almost all popular sectors (workers, students, peasants, and urban poor), several national political elites and economic figures. Below is a compilation of news on the actions of People Accuse Front (FRM) and National Students' League for Democracy (LMND) on May 21 across the country.
Jakarta: around 150 FRM protesters that camped on the Proclamation Monument continued their action to reject fuel price rise. They started the protest at HI roundabout and walked to the State Palace. While marching, the crowd chanted yells rejecting fuel price increase. In the State Palace, thousands of other demonstrators had already been protesting. FRM protesters tried to carry out a protest right in front of the palace, but police equipped with shields and helmets restrained them. Clash was unavoided. Several demonstrators and police engaged in physical fight. Eighteen protesters were arrested by the Police, two of whom were LMND activists (Reno and Bilal), the rest were from FAMRED and '98 Youth Front. A moment later, FRM protesters regrouped and engaged in sit-in protest. At the time of the writing, 18 FRM activists are still detained at Jakarta Regional Police.
Bandung, West Java: Protest against government's fuel price increase plan was carried out by about 50 LMND West Java activists. They started the protests from UNPAD campus and walked to Gedung Sate to hold demonstration rejecting the fuel price rise plan. Leonard, LMND spokeperson, said that SBY-JK do not have any reason to raise the fuel price. If world's fuel price rocketed, Indonesia should be able to reap the wind-fall profit, but since almost all of our oil and gas fields are controlled by foreign companies, Indonesia had to carry the burden being an oil importing country. Furthermore, Leonard concluded, the government should nationalise mining industry for energy security and as the basis for national industrialisation.
At Gedung Sate, LMND protesters and police engaged in pushings and later clashed as police beat and dispersed the protest. Five LMND activists suffered from minor wounds.
Palu, Central Sulawesi: about 30 people from the People's Anti Fuel Price Rise Movement carried out a demonstration in front of the provincial parliament. The coalition consisted of LMND and SRMI. They demanded that the government cancelled the plan to raise fuel price. Ahimsa, one of LMND Central Sulawesi executives, said in his speech: "We demand that the government nationalise foreign mining industry and repudiate foreign debt"
Kendari, South East Sulawesi: Protests against fuel price plan were carried out by the People Accuse Front (FRM) at Unhalu campus and later walked to the provincial parliament. FRM in Kendari consisted of LMND, SRMI, FMPR, AMIK Yappenas, and AMIK Catur Sakti. In front of Unhalu campus, protesters blocked the street before heading to the parliament. FRM Kendari rejected fuel price rise as it will bring more burden to the people and destroy the domestic industry. They demanded also the nationalisation of mining industry and cancellation of foreign debt.
Bima, NTB: Hundreds of protesters from LMND, SMI, and BPM STIKIP Bima carried out another protest against government's fuel price plan. However, the protest abruptly repressed by police that suddenly dispersed the masses and arrested some protesters. Eleven LMND protesters were detained.
Makassar, South Sulawesi: Thousands of people from People Accuse Front (FRM) South Sulawesi demonstrated in front of the house of Jusuf Kalla, the vice president, and headquarter of PT. Inco. The crowd consisted of students, workers, peasants, and poor rejected fuel price rise that will squeeze people's economy. Muhammad Anshar, chairperson of South Sulawesi Papernas, stated that the price increase happens because we do not have any energy security. Almost our entire mining sectors, especially oil and gas, is controlled by foreign corporations. The government must take a step by nationalising foreign-controlled mining industries as a way out of the energy crisis and imperialist domination.
Toraja, South Sulawesi: Six hundreds protesters from Tana Toraja Students' Alliance occupied the local parliament to reject the fuel price rise. The masses consisted of LMND Tana Toraja, UKI BEM, AKBID, AKPER, BEM STAKN Rantepao. Students' protests were also supported by their professors, who joined them. "The government do not have to raise fuel price rise!" yelled the protest leader. Paskah Linting, LMND Tana Toraja executive member, stressed that the government must have the courage to nationalise foreign owned mining industry and reject the payment of foreign debt that has taken up a big chunk of the state budget.
Protesters pressured members of parliament and Tana Toraja government to release a statement rejecting the fuel price rise. The parliament had planned to have a session in the following day to talk about the statement. Therefore, the protesters planned to return and bring more people to flank and pressure the local parliament during the session to write the rejection statement.
Manado, North Sulawesi: Hundreds of people from LMND, PRD, Papernas, and FNPBI carried out protest action against fuel price rise. Besides demanding nationalisation of mining industry, they also promoted the change in direction movement that seeks for new economic system, new president, and new government.
The peaceful protest suddenly stopped by police that restrained and beat protesters. Three LMND and Papernas activists were arrested after the clash. They are Ances from PRD, and Irman Hayun and Aman from LMND.
Bandar Lampung, Lampung: Dozens of organisations such as LMND, SPKL, SRMI, LPRKROB, UKM UBL, HIPMAWAN, SEMA Lambar, BEM STIKIP, STN, BEM FH-UTB, WALHI, FORMALAT, RESCO, KALAM-PBR, BEM UML, and LIMA protested the fuel price rise plan and demanded nationalisation of foreign owned mining industry. The protest went peacefully and uninterrupted by incidents of police repression.
Surabaya, East Java: Protests against government fuel price rise plan were carried out in waves. The first one was carried out by dozens of FPPI activists with street theatrical performance in front of the Grahadi building. Afterwards, 70 people from LMND Surabaya demonstrated in front of the Suryo Statue. Enjang, LMND spokeperson, said that the action is part of the national action against government's fuel price policy. She said that the government does not need to raise the fuel price as many options are still available, but that requires courage, which SBY-JK and their supporting parties (Golkar-Partai Demokrat) have no capacity to take.
Dozens of LMND Surabaya activists laid down on the street in front of the Suryo Statue. According to the protest leader, Hadi, it symbolises people's suffering from high fuel price.
Kudus, Central Java: Dozens of LMND activists in Kudus held a protest against fuel price rise at the city square. An LMND activist, Wahyu, in his speech call for more actions to take over foreign mines throughout Indonesia.
Medan, North Sumatra: Hundreds of people from the Poor People Front of Struggle (FPRM) demonstrated against fuel price rise in front of the provincial parliament. Protesters that consist mostly of the poor, workers, and peasants, carried out their main demand to reject the fuel price rise, reduce basic goods price, and nationalise foreign owned mines. At the provincial parliament, FRM protesters joined with other groups and student organisations and driver organisations (KESPER).
Semarang, Central Java: FRM's anti fuel price rise protest was carried out by LMND, SRMI, and Papernas. Hundreds of FRM protesters demonstrated in front of the provincial parliament, condemning the SBY-JK government as imperialist puppet. They burnt pictures of the president as a form of protest.
Salatiga, Central Java: Hundreds of protesters from Indonesian Coalition, consisted of LMND, PMII, and several local NGOs, demonstrated in front of the local parliament to reject government's fuel price plan and to demand that SBY-JK resign.
Purwokerto, Central Java: Hundreds of protester from KAMMI, LMND, HMI-MPO, GMNI, SMI and FMN carried out action to reject the fuel price rise as it will destroy the livelihood of the Indoneisan people, mostly workers, peasants, and the poor.
Ternate, North Mollucas: Anti-fuel price rise action carried out by around 500 people from LMND, BEM Fakultas se-UNKHAIR, GAMHAS, LISMI, HMI, SAMURAI initially went peacefully until police dismissed the protest by force. Fourteen* protesters were arrested.
The protest demanded that the government cancel fuel price increase because it will only burden the people. The government was also condemned for unable to stand up against foreign domination in the economy and mining sector. After the clash with police, protesters returned to campus to consolidate and plan for bigger action. At the time of the writing, all 14 activists are still detained in Ternate Police Resort.
Palembang, South Sumatra: Dozens of activists that called themselves the Palembang People Accuse Movement (GPRM) carried out action against fuel price increase in the provincial parliament and governor's office. The coalition consistsed of Prabam, LMND, and PMII. In their speeches they not only reject the fuel price plan and demand SBY-JK resignation, but also press for nationalisation of foreign owned mining as a solution to tackle fuel crisis.
Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta: Hundreds of protesters from People United Committee (KRB) carried out a protest against fuel price increase in front of the Agung building. KRB consisted of various social movement organisations in Yogyakarta. Alba, LMND Yogyakarta activist, said that the people and students will intensify anti-fuel price rise actions. Police abruptly attacked the protest resulting several protesters injured and one arrested.
* Due to some misunderstanding in communication, when reports received from other parts of the country were urgent and sometimes, unfortunately, not very consistent, we made a mistake by claiming that all 14 protesters arrested in Ternate were LMND members. Only one of the fourteen arrested was LMND activist, although LMND's role in the protest was prominent. Apology for the mistake.
Dozens Arrested and Wounded As Police Repress Anti Fuel Price Rise Actions
10:00 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
May 21, Jakarta:
Commemorating a decade of Suharto's fall and protesting against government's plan to increase fuel price, some organisations from the People Accuse Front (FRM) that had stayed overnight in the Proclamation Monument, like LMND and GMNK, joined with other groups of demonstrator and action fronts in the Hotel Indonesia roundabout. At about 2 pm, the crowd reached up to thousands* and marched to State Palace. Masses from FRM positioned themselves in the front line and the entire crowd chanted yells demanding the president to make a decree that nationalise oil, gas, and mining industry to meet domestic need for fuel. In front of State Palace, pushings between protesters and police turned into a major clash as police repressed the crowd and arrested 18 students from LMND, FAMRED, and GMNK. Up until now, nobody has been released.
A student from University of Indonesia also reportedly suffered from shot wound in stomach and is currently being hospitalised.
Bima, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB):
Protesters from LMND, SMI, and BPM STKIP Bima started their protest in the morning by marching from STKIP Bima to a major intersection in the city. When performing theatrical protest, some police came and ordered them to dismiss themselves because of not having any permit. When protesters started to head to the Municipal Parliament, police dispersed the crowd, causing clash and arrest against 11 people with dozens wounded. Up until now, nobody has been released.
Manado, North Sulawesi:
Three activists were arrested by police, of which one was from PRD. Nobody has been released.
Please send your solidarity and support by sending your protest demanding that the detainees be released to the address below:
Indonesia National Police Headquarters
Fax: +62-21-7218144
SMS: +62-818-315703
Email: info@polri.go.id
List of Acronyms:
PRD - People's Democratic Party - Partai Rakyat Demokratik
FAMRED - Students' Action Front for Reform and Democracy - Front Aksi Mahasiswa untuk Reformasi dan Demokrasi
GMNK - Nationalist Popular Students' Movement - Gerakan Mahasiswa Nasional Kerakyatan
LMND - National Students' League for Democracy - Liga Mahasiswa Nasional untuk Demokrasi
SMI - Indonesia Stundents' Union - Serikat Mahasiswa Indonesia
BPM STKIP - Students' Representatives Body of Higher School for Education Knowledge - Badan Perwakilan Mahasiswa dari Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pendidikan
*After further cross checking, the number of people at this point was not as high as what was reported earlier (6,000), therefore we decided to correct it (thousands). Apology for the mistake.
Read more...
People Accuse Front Surround State Palace
3:37 PM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
By Ulfa Illyas from Media Bersama
translated by Data Brainanta
On May 20, National Awakening Day, waves of mass actions rejecting the fuel price increase gained ground. In Jakarta, around 8000 people united under the People Accuse Front (Front Rakyat Menggugat) carried out protests from the Hotel Indonesia roundabout to the State Palace. They come from such organisations as the National Front of Indonesian Workers' Struggle (FNPBI), National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas), National Students' League for Democracy (LMND), Indonesian Poor Union (SRMI), Indonesian Peasant Council (DTI), PRODEM, Democracy Struggle Volunteers, Students' Action Front for Reform and Democracy (FAMRED), Indonesian Christian Students' Movement (GMKI), Indonesian Nationalist Students' Movement (GMNI), Moslem Student Association (HMI), Indonesian Buddhist Students' Association (HikmahBudhi), ISBO, GMNK, FAM Untirta, and others.
Representatives of some organisations gave political speeches. Banners and flags contained demands for the nationalization of mining industries. They also promoted what they called the Change in Direction Movement, which is a new economic system, a new president, and a new political party.
Dita Indah Sari, chairperson of the People's Democratic Party, said that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Yusuf Kalla's plan to raise fuel prices for the third time during their period in office is the fruit of a political and economic system that yields to foreign interests. About 90% of Indonesia's oil and gas fields are controlled by foreign multinationals. Meanwhile, the profit-sharing between the government and the corporations is not channeled to meet domestic needs. Instead, almost all petroleum production is exported abroad; thus, the fuel import implemented by the current government is a consequence of foreign domination in the economic sphere, especially the extractive industries.
Dita also stated that Indonesian people need not only a change of leaders but, most importantly, a new way: a new economic system, and a new leadership which can be summarised by the precepts of the Change in Direction Movement.
Rieke Dyah Pitaloka, an artist and TV host, arose from amidst the crowd to state her rejection of the fuel price increase. Moments later, Rizal Ramli, the former Coordinating Minister of Economy during the Gus Dur administration, gave a political speech. He claimed that raising the fuel price is not the last solution. There are many routes that can be taken by the government if only they would take an independent stance on economics and politics, rather than following the dictates of foreign interests. According to Ramli, the government must have the courage to wipe out the mafia that have embellished at least US $2 per barrel from oil imports. A revision of oil and gas profit-sharing schemes between the government and foreign corporations must be carried out to benefit Indonesia.
Marching towards the State Palace, the crowd chanted slogans demanding that the government nationalise foreign-controlled mining industries and repudiate foreign debts. A minor clash ensued in front of the Palace as police attempted to restrain the masses. After addressing political speeches, the crowd headed to the Proclamation Obelisk (Tugu Proklamasi). They planned to stayed there overnight before staging another protest the following day.
Read more...
Anti-communism in the age of reformasi: the case of Papernas
11:44 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
May 20, 2008 -- In 2006, some long-term Indonesian activists in the People’s Democratic Party (PRD), such as Dita Sari and Agus ``Jabo’’ Priyono, reflected on how the post-1998 reformasi movement would respond to the 2009 general election. In June 2006, a number of activists and organisations, including eight national organisations such as the Indonesian Buddhist Students’ Association (HikmahBudhi), the National Students’ League for Democracy (LMND) and the Urban Poor Union (SRMK) met in Jakarta to agree to establish Papernas (the National Liberation Party of Unity). Around 40 local groups of farmers, workers, students and advocacy groups in Flores, Sumatra, Maluku, Java and Kalimantan also supported this initiative. PRD activists have made Papernas their key political project in the last few years, which also has created debates and splits inside the PRD over the question of electoral alliances in coming elections.
The PRD had contested the first post-reformasi elections in 1999, achieving 78,000 votes nationally. The low result reflected the financial and logistical difficulties for small parties, as well as the impact on voters of the New Order government’s ban on, and black propaganda against, the party in the late 1990s. In the preparations for the 2004 election, the PRD set up the People’s United Opposition Party (POPOR) to contest the election, however its registration was, according to a 2003 POPOR media release, thwarted by corruption in the bureaucracy responsible for managing the registration process, as well as intimidation by the military against party officials.
PRD’s history
The PRD was officially founded in Jakarta on July 22, 1996. Prior to this, the People’s Democratic Union and its predecessor, the Indonesian Student Solidarity with Democracy (SMID), had been active in the student movement, as well as attempting to organise workers in the large industrial estates surrounding Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan. Under President Suharto, the PRD was banned from July 1996, when the government scapegoated it for masterminding the ``July 27 incident’’ (dubbed a ``riot’’ by the government) at the headquarters of Megawati Sukarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) in Jakarta. In fact, soldiers and hired thugs masquerading as PDI supporters attacked people protesting the government-inspired removal of Megawati as PDI leader, seized the offices. They knifed and bludgeoned anyone who was in or around the building, which resulted in hundreds of people being killed. The government also accused the PRD of trying to establish a new communist organisation.
Some key PRD leaders, such as Budiman Sujatmiko, Wilson, Anom Astika, Petrus Hariyanto and Garda Sembiring, were imprisoned, sentenced to between 18 months’ and 13 years’ jail. They were released in 1999 by President Habibie. Dita Sari, a prominent woman leader of the party, had been imprisoned since July 8, 1996, for organising a rally of factory workers in Tandes, on the outskirts of Surabaya. The PRD being its key founder has led to Papernas being associated with ``communism’’ by both Islamic and military-linked vigilante groups.
Alliances for 2009 election
Having contended with the bureaucratic requirements of contesting elections with POPOR in 2003, the PRD realised the need for serious work if any political formation is to pass the registration process set by the government. Papernas chairperson Agus ``Jabo’’ Priyono views the tough electoral laws as the chief obstacle for the party in contesting elections. He refers to the provisions of the law, where political parties must have a branch in 66% of provinces and 75% of districts in Indonesia before it can be registered and contest the elections. PRD activists turned towards the setting up of Papernas structures to comply with these regulations and succeeded in conducting a massive outreach exercise. Yet the linking of Papernas with communism poses difficulties for the party in forging electoral alliances with other smaller parties, alliances that it would need to contest the elections, since it looks unlikely that Papernas would be able to contest on its own. Papernas leader Dita Sari has coordinated the Alliance of Political Parties, a grouping of at least 20 smaller, yet to be registered political parties, including Papernas, Hanura and the Renewal Democratic Party (PDP), which protests the government’s electoral law provisions.
Papernas was declared as a party in Kaliurang, Central Java, on January 18-19, 2007, at its founding congress, attended by 370 people from 23 provinces. Congress delegates elected Agus ``Jabo’’ Priyono as chairperson, Haris Sitorus as general secretary and Dita Sari as its presidential candidate for the 2009 election. Papernas’ three key demands are: nationalise the mining industry; abolish the foreign debt; and construct a national industry for the people’s welfare. These are grouped under the `Tripanji (Three Banners) of the People’. The use of the term Tripanji has invited comparisons with the same term used by the banned Indonesian Communist Party, the PKI, in the 1960s.
While dealing with the bureaucratic hurdles of registration and setting up new branches, Papernas has organised rallies around the country to popularise itself and its program. It continues to mobilise its affiliate organisations to support the demand of nationalisation of the mining industry. On February 25, the National Students’ League for Democracy (LMND), a Papernas affiliate. occupied the offices of Exxon Mobil in Jakarta, contrasting the large profits of the company to poor education funding and infrastructure in Indonesia. The Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggle (FNPBI) held a mock fuel queue outside Exxon Mobil on March 12 to symbolise the irony of an oil-rich nation whose people have no access to those resources. Papernas has also held rallies around mining issues in Sumatra, Flores, Sulawesi and Maluku. On May 12 and 13 in the Riau and Batam Islands off the coast of Sumatra, Papernas held rallies to press the demand for nationalisation, which were attended by more than 2000 people. The party is currently preparing to focus their agitation on the price rises of fuel. Fuel is set to rise in price at the end of May or early June 2008.
Anti-communist attacks
The Kaliurang Papernas congress was disrupted on January 19, 2007, when hundreds of people grouped under the Indonesian Anti-Communist Front (FAKI) and the Mosque Youth Friendship Forum (Forum Silaturahmi Remaja Masjid) Yogyakarta protested against the congress and demanded the forcible break-up of the meeting. They argued Papernas was trying to revive communist ideas. Some of the slogans and banners carried by protesters stated that Papernas was haram (forbidden under Islamic law). They demanded that the government uphold the law banning Marxism-Leninism. The 1966 People’s Consultative Assembly decree banning Marxism-Leninism is still in force today and provides some legal standing for these anti-communist protests.
Papernas’ focus on organising workers, farmers and the urban poor in demanding their rights has drawn connections for the party’s detractors, such as the Defenders of Islam Front (FPI), between Papernas and the PKI. Papernas’ program includes free health care and education, disbanding the territorial command structure of the military, rejecting privatisation of oil, gas and electricity, and employment creation through a national industry. Its opponents like the FPI have focused on Papernas’ concerns with ensuring legal rights for prostitutes ``and other workers dealing in vice’’ and the restitution of the rights of the 1965 ex-political prisoners, who under the Suharto’s New Order were stigmatised and discriminated against. Anti-Papernas attacks and harrassment across Java by groups like the FPI, the thug organisation Betawi Brotherhood Forum, the Anti-Communist Front and local-level committees such as the Muhammadiyah Youth of Sidoarjo, as well as attacks in Sulawesi and Kalimantan have been well-organised and systematic.
Rise in anti-communist statements and activities
Between 2005-2007, attacks against organisations, individuals and public gatherings associated with the left became more frequent. Those targeted included Papernas, bookstores such as Ultimus in Bandung, the website Rumah Kiri, groups of ex-political prisoners such as the Foundation to Investigate Victims of the 1965-55 Killings (YPKP). The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) devoted a section of its 2006 human rights report on anti-communist discourse and activities, consisting of 19 separate incidents, including statements and activities by the police and military. The Attorney-General’s Department banned history textbooks based on the 2004 revised curriculum in March 2007 for not mentioning PKI involvement in the 1948 and 1965 coup attempts. In March 2008, anti-communist organisations such as CICS (Indonesian Centre for Community Studies) in East Java, headed by high school teacher Arukat Djaswadi, and the Anti-Communist Front protested the National Human Rights Commission’s decision to set up a working group to investigate the 1965-66 mass killing of leftists.
The problematic relationship between the PRD and the security forces is evident once more in the case of Papernas. A police permit for the Papernas founding congress issued by Yogyakarta Police was revoked before the congress. The police cited three reasons for revoking it, including that in their view that the use of Tripanji was ``identical with the PKI’’ and that Papernas did not use the word Pancasila in its application for a permit. The Papernas Central Leadership Committee alleged that the police would not issue a permit, due to intervention and pressure from the local military command (Korem).
When the Papernas rally on education and investment laws in Central Jakarta was attacked by up to 2000 people throwing rocks and metal poles in March 2007, the police did not stop the attack, arguing that the attacks took place in the South Jakarta police jurisdiction. In Palu on May 13, three Papernas activists were beaten up by a group of 30 people including a soldier, Private Makmur Palu 132/Tadulako sub-district military command. In Lampung on September 3, 2007, guarded by two water cannons and a company of the Mobile Brigade, the Forestry Department prevented Papernas from using its hall for a Papernas meeting. Hundreds of people were forced to meet outside the hall.
In Balikpapan, Kalimantan on May 17, the offices of the KPRM (Committee of the Politics of the Poor), a group that split off from the pro-Papernas wing of the PRD were also attacked and according to the media release by the KPRM, police and intelligence agents joined the attack.
The case of Papernas shows the difficulties of dealing with the New Order legacy, from 1965 to, as recently as the 1996 anti-PRD propaganda. After 10 years of reformasi, parties with a left platform face challenges from the anti-communist values that exist in society as well as opposition from the security forces and government. However, left activists have more room to organise today than they ever did under Suharto.
[This article is based on a revised academic paper presented to the Indonesia Council Open Conference (Asian Studies Association of Australia) in Melbourne, September 24-25, 2007, on a panel titled “The Left in Indonesia”. ]
from: Links
Workers, Poor Reject Petrol Price Rises Imposed 'On Behalf Of The Poor'
9:37 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
"Let’s seek the opportunity out of the world's crisis. In responding to the increase in global food prices, let us improve productivity. Amidst the oil crisis and price rises, let's be thrifty. Let's develop the energy resources.'' -- Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudoyono, May 1, 2008.
The poor will benefit from the increase in fuel prices rise, he said on May 7, 2008.
Meanwhile vice-president Yusuf Kalla said that so far the fuel subsidy has been benefiting the rich. He added "The protesters who oppose this policy mean that they are helping the poor.''
Acting as if they are doing it "on behalf of the poor'', the Indonesian government plans to impose a 30% rise on petroleum prices. It will be the third oil price rise under the Susilo Bambang Yudoyono government. To help the poor survive this unpopular policy, the government is granting direct cash transfers amounting 100,000 rupiah per month per family. The direct cash transfer "gift'' was also implemented with the oil price rise in 2005.
Will this price rise benefit the poor?
How about the increasing of poverty rate under this government? Currently, 40 million people, nearly a quarter of Indonesian population, are living under poverty line. Year on year inflation rate (to April) is 8.7%, mostly in food and energy price increases. Sofyan Wanadi, member of Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), admitted that the petroleum price rise has reduced purchasing power and is a threat to industry. The state budget allocation to pay foreign debts will absorb nearly US$90 billion compare to $46.7 billion allocated for the petroleum subsidy.
It takes independence to set people free from oil crisis.
In anticipating the world oil price rise, Indonesian government likely to have favourite instant solution, increase the country's daily oil andd gas production, which is 979 barrels. Even the oil and gas department has said it is likely climb to 1 million barrels per day in July from the new exploration in Cepu.
Meanwhile 90% of mining and oil corporations are owned by foreign companies. Chevron and Exxon are benefiting from the doubling in petrol prices, while the Indonesian people are lining up desperately for a litre of petrol.
If you visit Riau province, you will be amazed at the extent of Chevron large exploration area and offices, palm plantations as well as wood plantations. But you will also be shocked to find that the majority of the people in the hundred-thousand-hectare area of Riau subdistricts have no access to electricity. It is 14 kilometres to reach the closest petrol station to be able to put fill a two-litre diesel fuel can to operate their generator. Therefore most of must stay in the dark from afternoon to dawn. While Chevron's exploration, dormitories and office complexes are enjoying bright lights day and night.
Poor refusing their 'gift'
On May 11, 300 protesters from the Indonesian Poor People's Union (SRMI) marched to Yusuf Kalla's house in South Sulawesi to oppose the petroleum price rise. They continued their march to the local House of Representatives. "Do not say that this is for the poor, the experience has taught us that this policy has trapped the poor in deeper poverty'', Said Anca, Papernas' (National Liberation Party of Unity) South Sulawesi leader.
On May 12, 3000 protesters from SEGERA (Central Movement of the Riau People) surrounded to the local House of Representatives. In this two-day demonstration, they urged government to nationalise the mining and oil industries, as well address concerns about local land disputes.
The workers, farmers and the poor, who are also members of the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) took six to eight hours to drive from their settlements to the local House of Representatives building. They surrounded the house of representatives, chanting the slogan "Enough of being a coolie nation, now it is time to be an independent nation.'' Papernas chairperson Agus Priono said that selling out the national assets is a violation of the constitution. "To rescue Indonesia from the trap of the crisis we must radically change economic policy from a pro-capital policy to pro- people policy'', she told the crowd. After succeeding in passing the police barricades, the protesters stayed and erected a tent near the House of Representative.
Read more...Joint Political Statement; Let's Build National Unity For the Nationalisation of the Foreign-controlled Mining Sector
6:53 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
National liberation greetings!
Indonesia is a nation rich in natural- (mining and minerals) and
agricultural resources. At a time when the prices of oil and minerals
are high, and in the midst of high agricultural prices, the welfare of
the people has not improved; instead it is declining – not least of
which is the welfare of workers. Why is this? The welfare of the people
and the state of national industry are worsening because of the effects
of the economic policies of the government, since the New Order until
the SBY government, which are wrong and which betray the people and the
1945 Constitution. Unfortunately until now, there is no political action
that has successfully changed this situation yet.
Almost all the mining sector in this country has been handed over to
foreign interests. This has resulted in increases in the revenue of
large mining companies, companies such those belonging to the forces of
imperialism such as ExxonMobil, Freeport, Inco, Newmont, Chevron,
British Petroleum, ConocoPhilips, Freeport, Newmont – these companies
are the biggest robbers of the minerals we produce in this country. They
are the ones that control the largest gas reserves in the world (170
trillion cubic feet); the largest coal exporter in the world (117
million tonne each year); oil resources (9 billion barrels), gold
resources (4.4 tonne), copper, nickel in the soil, silica, mangan,
alumunium, iron ore, zinc, tin and other strategic mineral deposits. The
rise in food prices and plantation products could only be enjoyed by a
few, namely food importers and plantation capitalists who are greedy and
who congregate around the small ruling class.
Wrong government policies on agriculture, such as the liberalisation of
agricultural products; and plantation policies which prioritise exports
have destroyed the agricultural sector and destroyed the people’s buying
power. What have the imperialists, the government and its comprador
opposition left for the people, the workers and for the national
industry? Kerosene queues, scarcity and price rises in gas, electricity,
the nine basic commodities, in fertilisers; cooking oil queues, the
bankruptcy of national industry, mass sackings, low budgetary allocation
for education so that the cost of education is no longer affordable for
the majority of people. People have been limited to just being able to
read and write. As if these attacks were not enough, the rice bowl of
the majority of the poor continues to be plundered politically – the
state budget is plundered to pay for external debt and the debt
inherited from the corrupt conglomerates of the New Order cronies. The
majority who enjoy these debt repayments are imperialist governments and
their capitalists.
This is the basis of our thinking for why this May Day in 2008, we feel
it is necessary to urge again that all the people, all political
elements that care about what happens to the people, that we all unite
and struggle together in all political arenas to end the control of- and
theft by foreign imperialists and the government that acts obediently on
its behalf. This kind of political and economic situation must be
brought to an end. To save the republic, to defend the people and the
workers, Indonesia needs a NEW ROAD, needs A CHANGE IN DIRECTION. A new
road for the Indonesian economy by saving natural resource assets. This
means that imperialist control in the mining industry must be ended. The
demand of the people for nationalisation, for contracts to be renewed in
the mining sector that include provisions for social justice must be
rolled out. This also means that the people’s money, the State Budget
must be rescued from being used for debt repayments. The abolition of
debt repayments and at least a long-term moratorium on debt repayments
must absolutely be two components of the struggle program.
The Change in Direction is a movement to change the economic system,
which has thus far been on the side of the imperialists, change it to
becoming an economic system that is independent, prioritises development
and rescue of the national industry from the jaws of destruction and
death. The economic program will be successful if the structure of
government and power is changed, so that it can consequently implement
public welfare and the advancement of the people through free education
and health care. Because of this, the Change in Direction Movement is a
movement for unity to struggle for a new government, a new president, a
new political party – as our common instruments of struggle.
As it was in the past, and it will be in the future, May Day represents
to us an opportunity for stressing again the struggle program which in
our opinion is important to implement, in order to bring about an
independent economic and political system, one that aims to be
self-sufficient, to ‘stand on one’s own feet’ as Sukarno once said; and
to be socially just.
1. Subsidise the prices of the nine basic commodities so they can be
accessed by the people. At the same time, there must be policies to
normalise the prices of food and plantation products, so that the prices
of these items are accessible for the people, by subdising the price of
inputs, such as fertilisers, seeds and so on, so that people who are
dependent for their livelihoods on the agricultural and plantation
sectors can improve their well-being.
2. To make education and health care free for everybody.
3. To provide cheap energy (oil, gas and coal) for households and
industry. Through cheap supplies of energy, the national industry
(thousands of industrial manufacturers and millions of small and medium
enterprises) can reduce production costs so they can avoid bankruptcy –
with the proviso that some of these savings are directed to improve
workers’ welfare and wages.
4. Provide the bountiful raw materials (nickel, gold, copper, aluminium,
zing, tin, iron ore etc) to develop national industrialisation in the
future. All foreign companies in mining, of course after they have had
their contracts revised to include provisions of greater social justice,
must process their raw materials into semi-processed products in this
country and must prioritise the needs of domestic industry. This is
important to lay the foundation for kickstarting and advancing national
industry.
5. Because of the above, the entire mining sector needs to be
nationalised in stages; all contracts with foreign mining companies must
be redrafted in such a way as to benefit the people and domestic
industry.
6. Protect domestic industry from the ravages of greedy imperialists who
pretend to be advocating ‘free trade’, where in reality the imperialist
countries and their capitalists conduct their ‘free trade’
discriminatively and dishonestly.
7. Abolish foreign debt. The policy of devoting the state budget to debt
repayments must be stopped, within the next 10 to 15 years. All of the
state budget must be prioritised for assisting the recovery of- and
advancing domestic industry and to improve the people’s well-being.
8. The struggle program to alter the economic system and this
pro-imperialist government can only succeed if the entire people’s
movements struggle tenaciously in all political arenas.
As well as continuing to organise the mass movement to demand the urgent
and immediate rights of people, the people’s movements must unite with
intellectuals, artists, religious figures that are on the side of the
people, and nationalist capitalist-democrats to struggle in the
electoral arena, in the general and the presidential elections, local
elections, local Representative Councils, in political parties or as
independents.
The political power of the rulers and the so-called opposition who in
reality simply act as agents of imperialists must be cast aside, as much
as possible, as quickly as possible from their seats in the Central
Government, Regional Government, House of Representatives, Regional
Representative Councils and Regional Houses of Representatives.
This is our call to the nation and people of Indonesia
Indonesian Front for Labour Struggle (FNPBI), National Student League
for Democracy (LMND), Indonesian Urban Poor Union (SRMI), and National
Peasants’ Union.
Happy May Day 2008!
Enough of being a coolie nation, time to rise up to be an independent
nation!
Fly the Three Banners of National Unity:
Abolish the foreign debt,
Nationalise (take over) the foreign-controlled mining industry!
Construct a national industry for the people’s welfare
A new road with a change in direction:
A new economic system
A new president!
A new party!
Jakarta, 29 April 2008
Dominggus Oktavianus
General Chairperson
PP-FNPBI
Lalu Hilman Afriandi
General Chairperson
LMND - National Executive
Marlo Sitompul
General Chairperson
DPN-SRMI
Yudi Budi Wibowo
General Chairperson
KPO-STN
New Order Ruins Democracy and national Foundation
5:25 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
The media widely broadcast positive coverage of Suharto during his illness, making key leaders of the New Order regime seem good and innocent of their crimes. The elites took advantage of this situation and expressed appreciation of the services rendered to the nation by Suharto.
Amien Rais is one of the first elite figures who called for the people’s forgiveness and demanded an end to the Suharto legal case (a $1.6 billion civil corruption case). President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono even sent his attorney-general to the Suharto family to discuss a win-win solution to the case. (Then later denied giving the instruction.)
The government declared national mourning and for the Indonesian flag to be lowered for a week after Suharto’s death. Suharto’s Golkar Party proposed making the dictator a national hero.
In 1966, Suharto’s new order came to power by destroying the Indonesian revolution, which at that time was in the process of building national sovereignty after winning independence from Dutch colonialism in 1945. A bloodbath — claiming more than 3 million progressive souls — delivered Suharto to power.
Since then, he and his New Order government eliminated all progressive potential and depoliticised
The first law enacted by his government handed over the Papua goldmines, Kalimantan forest and
There are several facts that need to be taken into account in the case of Suharto. Firstly, it is not the case of just an individual but of the crimes of corruption and human rights violations committed by the New Order regime. Therefore, an investigation must not just be conducted into Suharto, but also into his New Order cronies.
During his rule, Suharto misused national assets to build an empire of wealth for his family and cronies. The government should create an institution to investigate and seize all the assets of Suharto’s family and cronies. As they are state assets, there is no reason to end this process with Suharto’s death.
The New Order deliberately abused human rights. Democratic space was closed and there were only three legal political parties, with a mechanism to ensure Golkar won elections. The New Order created the dual function of the military: defence and a social function, which meant the military was authorised to control the people’s daily lives.
Histories were rewritten to support the New Order regime.
Unlike the Sukarno government, which built the nation based on voluntary unity, Suharto forced unity militarily — with repression in
“Humanitarianism” is not an excuse for the government to avoid dealing with New Order human rights violations. Massacres in 1965, mysterious deaths in the mid-’80s, martial law in Aceh, repression in Papua, the invasion of East Timor, the Tanjung Priuk case, the kidnapping of activists in the ’90s, the July 27, 1996 tragedy, racial hatred and discrimination, the riot in May 1998 — these should make clear that Suharto does not deserve the title of national hero.
Therefore we demand the following:
•Continue the investigation — bring the case of Suharto and his cronies to trial;
•Immediately seize the wealth of Suharto and his cronies;
•Cut the prices of the people’s basic needs;
•Revoke repressive New Order laws;
•The rewriting of history by the New Order regime must be reversed, and history books revised.
Draft political law conflict with freedom of
4:43 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
okeyzone.com - June 27, 2007
Haryanto Kurniawan,
This was conveyed by the general secretary of the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas), Harris Sitorus when speaking with okeyzone on Wednesday June 27. Sitorus was referring to Article 2 Paragraph 2 of the draft law.
"This is in contradiction with the guarantee of freedom of association and assembly as part of the human rights guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution. This article also conflicts with [other] points in the draft law", he explained.
Sitorus said that its precisely this article that discriminates against ordinary people attempting to establish a political party outside of the existing parties that are seen to have failed and are unable to struggle for the wishes of the people.
He said that efforts at simplifying the political parties that are being forced through would endanger democracy.
How do we deal with those barrier
4:45 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
Certainly, the repression does give impact to our works. To meet our targeted structure, Members of National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS) both in National and regional will be deployed to the area where PAPERNAS structure has not been established.
It has been a years, since preparatory process to Party establishment, PAPERNAS faced with various repression and intimidation. Putting forward the Party’s program that is called as three Banners of the National Unity (Repudiation of the Foreign Debt, Nationalization to mining and oil industries) is considered as a crime action.
Responded to the emergence of new alternative party and its program, FPI, FAKI or any group who are identified themselves as anti-communist group has been act repressively to stop Papernas our new party to flourish. Numbers of our activity from the founding congress in
Moreover, Prominent Islamic Cleric in Tuban established Friendship Forum to Safeguard Pancasila and the
Another Barrier is a new political bill to maintain the domination positions of power despite of Traditional parties, such as Golkar Party and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), despite the fact that their performance has been far from satisfying,
This anti-democratic bill designs to render new political party to flourish. In order to get registered as the election candidate any political party must deposit five billion Rupiah (US$ 500.000). Furthermore the party must establish its structures (committees, office branch and office equipment) in 66% of the entire number of provinces , 75% of the total district and 50% of the sub district. The party will be drop from election registration if the party lack one of the structure.
How do we react to these Barriers?
Repression Papernas peaceful convoy on March 29, 2007 encouraged the independent advocates to help Papernas in preceding the legal case. On April 2, 2007 , 23 advocates who could not tolerate the violation to people’s political rights voluntarily established An Legal aid team for Papernas (TAHUP)
On April 4, Papernas with TAHUP reported the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) to the Metro Jaya regional police. Papernas filed a report on the violation of freedom of expression," police ignorance to such violation. PAPERNAS also submit the report expropriation on our political rights to the National Commission on Human Rights.
In certain level, the repression delays the works to extend the structure. However admit this repression Papernas has established in 134 districts, 561subdistrict. However to anticipate the forth coming bill, PAPERNAS targets to build the structure correspond to the new bill. In the province level, Papernas has met the requirement. However, Papernas must extend the structure to another 124 districts and 932 sub districts. To meet this target, Some members of national leadership together with regional leadership will be deployed to the district or sub district where the structure has not been established.
(* Katarina Pujiastuti)
There is a political plot to destroy Papernas
4:39 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
Detik.com - May 20, 2007
Jakarta -- The central leadership
board of the National Liberation Party of Unity
suspects there is a political plot to destroy them.
This is taking a number forms such as terror and
intimidation.
This was conveyed by the head of Papernas's
department of political and democratic affairs,
Dominggus Oktavianus, following a press conference
that was held at Papernas's offices on Jl. Tebet
Dalam in South Jakarta on Sunday May 20.
"It has turned up in leaflets, SMSs and books that
are circulating to abolish Papernas's existence",
said Oktavianus.
According to Oktavianus, the repression that
Papernas has experienced originates from both civil
groups as well as the state apparatus, and has been
systematic and intense. "So then we are wandering,
is this a democratic country?", said Oktavianus.
Oktavianus explained that Papernas is actually used
to coming under pressure. A number of activists in
the party were abducted and jailed under the New
Order regime of former President Suharto. "But this
is a different situation, they say that this is an
era of democracy. But still there is discrimination.
Why is this?", he asked. (mly/djo)
Read more...
Keeping the power in their hand ; the agenda behind the new political bill and the repression to Papernas
4:47 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
Katarina Pujiastuti
(30 April 2007) - Ever since pro market-policy introduces, poverty, injustice and oppression are the common experience of the Poor’s daily lives.
List of the injustice is too long to describe in this rich country where Chevron, Exxon mobile oil and other giant corporations collect millions in the land where more than 40 million people live with less than a dollar per day. The country which provides all necessary flexibilities in terms of regulation and tax- elimination for foreign investment, despite 10 million of its workers are thrown into unemployment and million others being trapped in insecure job.
Everyday, media publishes starvation, malnutrition and impoverishment as a reality faced by the people who live in the countries with abundant natural resources. Although media have widely published its economic decline in statistics still that do not represent millions whose lives are sacrificed by the pro-market policy.
Protests have sparked from various sectors across the country condemning injustice and to bring the rights back to the people. Restless voices begin questioning: what will free us from all of these? Then this question will lead to the next question: What is a necessary thing to do to bring the sovereignty to the people ?
In this critical situation, on January 18-21, 2006 The National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) emerged as an alternative party that determines to unify various democratic organizations. Papernas launches its three strategic programs that will overcome this ongoing crisis. The program consists of ; Repudiation of Foreign debt, Nationalization of mining industries and Strengthening and Protecting the National industries for people’s welfare. Therefore the solution, being directly contradicted the role of International capital is then considered as a serious threat to the ruling class whose later, as a counter-reaction, starts to launch series of repression and violence.
Stumbling block through politic and through repression
The first action is to label Papernas as a communist organization and use anti-democratic groups to stop any Papernas’ activities. Thirty two years of Suharto’s military dictatorship that demonizing communist has produced a strong impact to Indonesian people, despite the fact that Communist Party-suspected Coup in 1965 have never been proved and still very much an endless debates by national and overseas historians.
As a result, Papernas then has to face experiences on repression. The groups, whatever their names are, have similar character intimidated and repressed various events. The group who called themselves Anti-communist group (FAKI) intended to disperse the declaration of Party’s Preparatory committees last January this year. FAKI also intimidated Party Founding congress. On March 29, the group who called themselves as Islam defender forum (FPI) attacked PAPERNAS convoy and injured 12 participants, mostly women. All the threat and repression happened in front of the police who took no serious action to them. State apparatus negligence has reaffirmed the political motive behind the attack.
Besides repression, the rulers conduct political action as well. The ruling parties that strongly defend neoliberal policy would not tolerate people’s movement to come in their way. Then they put forward a political bill that aim to limit the people’s participation on election. By pushing a much more difficult requirements. The bill designs to render new political party to flourish. In order to get registered as the election candidate any political party must deposit five billion Rupiah (US$ 500.000). Furthermore the party must establish its structures in 66% of the entire number of provinces , 75% of the total district and 50% of the sub district.
The ten-year-celebration of the downfall of the Suharto’s dictatorship has nearly come. But democracy in this 220 million-inhabited country is going through a fragile and very unstable way. The new-born democracy have found itself step into the trap of globalization, in which neoliberal policy is legitimized and justified by what so called the state’s democratic institutions. On the other hand, this pro-neoliberal government has no intention to exercise its resources to seriously protect and defend democracy, being busy itself maintaining political supports from various Islamic groups and figures.
Providing an alternative political power is then the only rational way left for the democratic movement. We, the new party, Papernas, consider our self as trying to fulfill this role, despite the mounting pressure and repression. We believe that an alternative is what this nation needed. And Papernas is there, simply to give them hope that another