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
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Workers strike at Balihai Brewery Indonesia Company.
5:15 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
The company's union busting became evident after the company intimidated the workers by telling them that their strike, which demanded that FNPBI's chairperson and secretary be re-employed, was illegal and threatened to lay off all strikers. The strike captain and SBTK chairperson, Agus Mulyadi, rejected the threat by saying that "our strike is legitimate because it is carried out according to the law. It is company's threat to lay off the workers which is illegal because they have not shown any intention to set up any prior negotiation”. Because there is strong indication of union busting, the workers decided to continue the strike. "The company didn’t gives us any choice besides continuing the strike” said Agus.
According to the latest update, the beer producing company that is located on Raya Tambun Street Km. 39,7, Bekasi, is forcing itself to continue the operation even with some of its workers on strike, including the laboratory division responsible to ensure that the products meet the government regulated standard of alcohol and microbiological content
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.
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.
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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
Mayday 2008 : The Struggle to End Energy Shortage
9:41 PM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
Pre MayDay Mobilization
During the commemoration of Mayday, The National liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) carried out demands for the nationalization of mining and oil industries, together with the repudiation of foreign debt and national industrialization program, which are Papernas’ main programs to save the country from the ongoing crisis.
Harris Sitorus,
Papernas' General Secretary
In Makassar, South Sulawesi, hundreds of workers and the poor convoyed to PT. INCO. INCO has mined nickel in the province since 1968. In 1995, it renewed its exploration contract with the Indonesian government for another 30 years. In 2007, Inco gained profit of $513,4 million.
Dita Sari
addressing the crowd
Foreign-Owned Oil and Mining Companies Become Target of Protests.
10:19 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
On March 16, workers from the Indonesian National Workers' Front of Struggle (FNPBI) carried out their action demanding the "nationalization of mining industries for workers' welfare" in front of INCO’s office in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province. Dozens of workers from Nuansa Cipta Magello Company, Mega Putra Sejahtera Company, Cahaya Cemerlang Company and students from National Student League for Democracy (LMND) marched for about 500 meter from Inco’s office carrying banners of demands written: Industrialization is the best way to solve the economic crisis! Never let foreign interest colonize our land! Enough being nation of coolie, rise up to become a self-sufficient nation! National industrialization for workers's welfare and decent wage!
Under the scorching hot sun, speakers enthusiastically stressed the urgency for the nation to nationalize foreign-owned mining companies that have plundered natural wealth and exploited workers with low wages. The action that was lead by a protest leader, Ros, went very orderly and was filled with speeches that explicitly urged the Indonesian government to meet their demands.
Students staged theatrical protest performance.
On Wednesday, April 4, dozens of students from the National Students' League for Democracy (LMND) staged a theatrical protest in front of Exxon Mobil's office in Jakarta and demanded that the government nationalize foreign-owned oil companies. The performance, as a part of LMND's nationalization campaign that began since the end of February, also demanded the revocation of the foreign capital investment law and oil and gas regulation that has opened the door wider to indiscriminate exploitation of Indonesia's natural resources.
The protest leader, Adikara, said that by exploiting Indonesia's natural wealth, Exxon gains profit at the rate of around 12 million rupiahs (about US$ 1200) per second in the midst of millions of Indonesian poor.
The government, according to him, must immediately issue a presidential decree to nationalize foreign mining industries. The constitution rules that the government nationalize companies that control people's livelihood. "This is the mandate of the constitution" he said. "If the government is afraid to do it, at least renegotiate oil and mining contracts that have hurt the people."
While the protest was livened up by theatrical performance, protesters yelled chants "nationalization, solution to poverty" and held posters titled "Exxon out of Indonesia". LMND also emphasized the importance of a universal free education service.
Enviromental and students groups press municipal government to stop mining companies.
Back to South Sulawesi's, in its third biggest city, Palopo, an environmental coalition made up of NGOs, mass organisations, and student groups - Communities Concerned about Palopo City Environment - suffered from harsh state repression on April 8 when protesting against gold mining operation in the city's outskirts. Five students were badly injured when the police attacked the protest.
The repression happened when representatives of the coalition were in the middle of a negotiation to get an audience with members of the municipal parliament. After police stopped beating and chasing, protesters regrouped and returned to the parliament condemning police brutality and exposing evidences of government's collusion with the mining companies.
Since April 2005 the London-based Avocet Mining Plc and a joint venture of the local-owned PT Frantika and South Korean PT Seven Energy Group, were given municipal permit to mine gold in mount Siguntu. The area is known for its steep hill, beautiful scenery and Latuppa river - known by the local as their source of water.
Underground tunnels that the locals made to mine gold had caused several mud slides since 2001, fortunately without any casualty.
Since the beginning, the locals have rejected the operation of mining companies. However, the municipal officials have enthusiastically promoted them and even made promises to the people that roads and infrastructure will be built. The promises turned to be another lies while mining operation have caused the loss of more than 7,3 hectares of conservation forest, the destruction of several streams and rivers, toxic waste, and the potential loss of productive land.
According to an investigation carried out by the coalition, the companies have violated the exploration permit and state legislation because they have mined in a forest conservation area, cleared the forest without any permission from nor compensation to the landowners, have not informed the locals about their exploration permit, and do not meet the environmental requirements.
Confronted with the evidences, some were audio visual recordings, the head of the parliament received representatives of the protesters and promised them that he would conduct an investigation to the mining site and confirm the evidences, although actually he is one of the state officials who signed the permit in the first place.
The dialog reached a deadlock but due to Police threat and intimidation the protesters decided to end the day and plan the next protest.