Suluk Bongkal Peasants Walked For 300 km To Forge Resistance Against Land Grabbing Companies
4:07 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
Legal roads for justice was blocked for the residents of Suluk Bongkal village, whose houses and properties was attacked and burned down last month by hundreds of police and thugs following years of land dispute with a pulp producing company PT Arara Abadi. On January 17th the Bengkalis State Court rejected their lawsuit against PT Arara. The Human Rights Commission that initially condemned the state apparatus and the company has so far failed in bringing any concrete follow-up. In the meantime, the company with the help of police and thugs had expanded evictions to other villages.
In light of these facts, the Riau Peasant Movement (STR) and SORAK, a coalition of social movement and environmental groups, held several protests to condemn the blatant violation of rule of law by the state institutions and the company. On Wednesday morning (21/1) they started a "long march" from Tarik Serai village and arrived in Riau Province capital, Pekanbaru, on Monday (26/1) - covering the distance of 300 km. The walk is meant to rally the moral of resistance among the peasants, as well as to campaign, in each villages that was passed, for peasants' rights and the resistance against the tyrany of the company and state apparatus. Below is an explanation by STR chairperson, Rinaldi, in an interview with Berdikari Online:
Wednesday, January 21st
Ulfa Ilyas (BO):
We heard that there will be a long march from Tasik Serai Timur village to Pekanbaru, which will cover the distance of 300 km. What is the peasants' reason in taking this action?
Rinaldi (STR):
Yes, actually the correct one is from Tasik Serai village to East Village. We are doing it because we realise that we have to consolidate all of our mass basis that recently become victims of repression by land mafia, land-grabbing companies, and police apparatus. By walking in this distance we will be able to visit each village, to convey our message and tell story about our struggle in village meetings, to every village residents. The culmination will be on this 29 January 2009, which is the 40th days since the attack on Suluk Bongkal village. The point is, we will spread the message from Suluk Bongkal peasants, who are carrying out a resistance against the land-grabbing company, to peasants in other villages that face similar situation.
Ulfa Ilyas (BO):
How many people will take part in this walk? Will there be other organisation involved in it?
Rinaldi (STR):
So the total number of peasants that left this morning were 38 people. Besides us, STR, some organisations involved are Riau Peasants Group, UNRI (Riau Univ.) Nature Loving Students (MAPALA)
BO: How is the technical preparations, for example, logistics, medics, security, etc. Have they been prepared?
Rinaldi (STR):
So we have a team that in every few hours will comb the location that has been passed, as well as report the situation in the field and the condition of the peasants that are taking part in the action. We decided to take rest once every 2 hours, and in each villages there will be kitchen soups. Besides that, we will hold meetings and discussions with residents of every village that we pass.
Ulfa Ilyas (BO):
What are the campaign or issue carried during the walk?
Rinaldi (STR):
So the campaign or issue is to call on the villagers that join or sympathise with us, to save their village from evictions carried out by PT. Arara Abadi. Second, to call on the forest workers of PT Arara Abadi that we will meet in several locations to get involved in the common struggle. Third, to bring awareness to each village of the human rights violation committed by the police. Fourth, to press the government to solve the agrarian conflict and to defend the peasants. Fifth, to push that the 75 peasants arrested by the police be freed. Sixth, we are also denouncing the release letter (SP3) issued for 13 companies that are clearly lumber thiefs and land-grabber of people's property. Finally, we will press demand to the national police HQ or the central government to immediately dismiss Riau Police Chief.
Ulfa Ilyas (BO):
What is the target to be achieved from this campaign or issues?
Rinaldi (STR):
The target that we want to achieve is to regain the moral of resistance among the peasants, and then to create a broad consolidation that will involve other villages that experience similar problem. The peasants have been in fear after the Suluk Bongkal tragedy, when they were hunted, had to hide in the forest, among other things. With this "long march", the peasants will at least know that STR still exist, STR still faithfully fight with the peasants, and will carry on the struggle. We feel that this is hard, but slowly but sure the victory will be on our side. We also want to open everybody's eyes, not just the peasants', to better comprehend this issue, both through mass media coverage of our action as well as from hearing about our campaign and directly reading our flyers, pamphletes, among others.
As well known, the long march will be a big burden, will demand a multitude physical preparation, but we are convinced that after this there will be a wave of support from many elements of the society to the peasants and STR.
Ulfa Ilyas (BO):
STR campaign this time, reminds me of the Zapatistas 2006 campaign; the walk from Chiapas to Mexico City while carrying their causes and issues. There was also the chinese peasants 8000 miles long march that took one year. Is STR's walk inspired by the Zapatista, or a decision that STR and Riau peasants made together themselves?
Rinaldi (STR):
To us, those were sources of inspiration for the struggle of the peasants here. But, the peasants in Riau do not have a lofty target, because they (the Zapatistas), if I'm not mistaken, carried out a campaign that went for one year. So, the peasant action here is only intended to rally the moral of struggle among the peasants, and pass on messages among them to forge the struggle and unity among the peasants. STR also call on other peasants to bring themselves together in to organisations of peasant struggle so that they can fight corporate greed and its apparatus (the regional police). We are hopeful that after the action, there will be a wave of collective civil lawsuit to fight against the presence of PT Arara Abadi.
Of course, the success of this campaign will require the support of network and friends from outside; journalists, student activists, popular organisations, NGOs, as well as other parties that sympathise with this struggle.
Ulfa Ilyas (BO) :
How will STR draw support from the people in the villages that it pass, especially to support STR campaign and other peasants?
Rinaldi (STR) :
To draw support, we will hold a series of open discussion, spread flyers, calls. As for flyers, the content of the campaign will be updated once every two days. Our friends in Pekanbaru will write and print flyers, and then send them to us to be distributed. Everytime we will meet with peasants, whether it be on the streets, fields, as well as their houses, we will give them flyers, rally their spirit so that they will remain determined to defend and fight for their rights.
The peasants will also engage in discussion everytime they meet with other peasants. From limited meetings, from coffe stalls, from ear to ear, our message will eventually spread to everyone. From here, we hope that it will raise a common awareness of the importance to unite the struggle against common enemy.
Ulfa Ilyas (BO):
Is STR sure that the method will benefit Suluk Bongkal peasants and win their demands? Or there are other methods carried out in parallel with the walk?
Rinaldi (STR) :
Yes, this is only one among other stages that we call Back in Solid. In this stage, we will comb and solidify peasants that are still determined to fight on. Through the "long march", peasants from many villages will see that STR still exist and is still in the front line of the fight for peasants' rights. This will not only be carried out on STR basis, but also in areas that are not STR basis. Afterwards, after the end of this long march, we will carry out an evaluation, and discuss about the next method of struggle. We would like to point out here that Suluk Bongkal peasants and STR would carry the struggle not only in this way, but in many way, including holding mass protests at the regional police office and Riau governor.
After this, there will be a collective civil lawsuit, from organisations as well as individual peasants that are hurt by the presence of PT Arara Abadi. The point is, after this action there will be a renewed and multiplied spirit from the peasants, to carry on the struggle. The peasants will also better realise that the struggle for their rights require sacrifices and persistence.
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Considering the high need of logistics, the working committee for "300 km walk" asks for some moral as well as material support from anyone who sympathises with the peasants. Those who want to support the struggle of Riau peasants can do so by calling the information centre at +62-852-788-81387; support in the form of fund can also be transfered directly to the bank account below:
Bank Nasional Indonesia (BNI)
cabang/branch Pasar Pusat Pekanbaru
account number 011 939 8122
An./under the name: Rinaldi
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.
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...
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...Farmer activist assassinated; police claim it was a heart attack
5:30 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
Jaukak Gulton, a farmer activist, aged 66, who was actively involved in struggles over a land conflict in Mariah Hombang village, Hutabayu sub district,
The Peasant National League (STN) as well as the Peasant Forum of Nagori Mariah Hombang (FNMH) firmly believed that he was assassinated as unusual evidence was found on his body.
There were wounds from a sharp object on the back of his head and on his lips and stomach. The killer appeared to have scratched “5” on the victim’s stomach as well as poured hot water on his body. His slippers was still on his feet but burn marks on his ankle and bruises on his
feet also indicated an unnatural cause of his death.
Despite all these facts, Simalungun Chief of Police Rudi Hartono confirmed that his death was caused by heart attack. The head of National Peasant Union of North Sumatra province strongly
believes that Jaukak’s active involvement on the land conflict that has lasted for the past two years was behind his death. Jaukak had reportedthreats made against him to police but had received no response at all.
Jaukak is one of the farmers who was actively struggling in the land conflict between Mariah Hombang Farmers and Kualung Gunung Lco. He was imprisoned for a year in prison in 2002 for his role in this struggle and he was arrested with 16 other farmers in 2007.(*Haris Sitorus)
Send your support to demand impartial and just investigation to
Indonesia National Police Headquarters
Fax: + 62-21-7218144
Email: info@polri.go.id
National Commission on Human Rights
Fax : +62-21- 3925227
Email : info@komnasham.go.id
Please send the solidarity to
National Peasant Union (STN)
Fax +62218354514
Email: serikat.tani.nasional@gmail.com
papernas@yahoo.com
The National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS)
Indonesia: Riau farmers fight for their rights
5:23 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
On January 15 and 16, a number of organisations affiliated to Papernas — the Riau Movement, the Central movement of Riau People, and the Urban Poor Union — organised a mass gathering in Pekan Baru, the capital of Riau province, in order to advance the struggle for their rights.
Nearly 3,000 farmers and the poor came from five districts, travelling for up to ten hours. The preparation for the gathering was carried out over three months — collecting daily dues, painting banners and placards and organising participants.
Riau farmers have won several recent battles. On 6-10 December, simultaneous take-overs of traditional land by farmers took place in the subdistricts of Suluk Bongkal, Pantai Cermin, Melibur and Blutu.
At the mass gathering, farmers urged the government to wipe out corruption, illegal logging and the land plunderers who have become parasites on the economy. So far 122 corruption cases in Riau have been investigated by corruption eradication committees and then transmitted to the police and Supreme Court.
Riau’s soil is rich with natural resources. Chevron Pacific
People’s land has been taken over ever since the government of Suharto, which provided privileged rights to exploit forest resources to certain private companies. In Riau more than half the land was granted to pulp companies, including 300,000 hectares of land granted to PT Arara Abadi.
Of the five million people who live in Riau, 50% live under the poverty line.
Dita Sari, head of Papernas’ advisory council, told the gathering: “Farmers have been demonstrating to win back their rights and have raised the slogan: ‘retake, plant on, and guard the land’.
“Land is supposed to be a source of life and welfare. How can land do this if more than half a million hectares are granted to private companies?”
“Without mass mobilisation the struggle of farmers will not gain great things”, Sari said. “Mobilisation without political consciousness will be easily defeated. Therefore, we, the people must take over politics in order to take back all the rights that have been plundered by the elites.”
At the gathering, the farmers promoted Rinaldi, the current head of Papernas in Riau, to be their candidate for governor in the coming election. The demonstrators enthusiastically chanted slogans in favour of the nationalisation of mining and oil industries so they can be run for people’s welfare and revoking the privileges granted to private companies to exploit Riau’s forests. (** Katarina Pujiastuti)