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
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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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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...The Poor Blame Transnationals and Government for Impoverishing The Nation
2:58 PM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
In Makassar, South Sulawesi, hundreds of SRMI members, many of whom were housewives with their small children, joined a demonstration on Tuesday April 22 in front of the giant nickel producer, Vale-Inco, subsidiary office to protest government's policy of substituting kerosene for natural gas.
They carried empty containers and banners written with slogans like "Stop Abusing The Poor", "Take Control Over Oil and Reject Substituting Kerosene for Gas", "Without Kerosene The People Suffer", "Fuel Price Hike Equals Suffering People".
Kerosene is a cheap oil derivative widely used by the poor mostly for cooking and the government has tried to keep its price low despite the constantly increasing fuel price as an effort to dampen people's discontent.
After a couple of speeches condemning the policy, protesters marched for half a kilometer to a Fuel Distribution Unit installation owned by the state's oil company, Pertamina.
Pertamina's representative came out to tell the crowd that the plan to substitute kerosene for natural gas in South Sulawesi was postponed until the beginning of 2009.
On Wednesday April 23, about 1500 people from SRMI held a protest in front of ExxonMobil headquarter in the capital, Jakarta, condemning the transnational as an exploiter of the country's economy and natural wealth and for draining the state resource needed for subsidizing social services.
They called the government to nationalize foreign-owned extraction industry to provide universal health and education services as well as cheap basic goods.
"The government has sold out its natural wealth to the United States, they lied to the poor. They said the poor will get quality education and cheap basic goods, but Susilo Bambang (President) and Jusuf Kalla (VP) lied to us," said Soleh, the protest leader.
North Sumatran Students and Peasants in Solidarity with Urban Poor
In Siantar, North Sumatra, the Siantar Hotel management carried out a forcible eviction against peddlers by placing huge stones on the place where they use to sell food to make their living.
The arbitrary move was answered by a protest on Monday April 21, involving hundreds of peddlers supported by students groups like LMND, BEM SI, BEM HUKUM and peasants organisation like STN and JTR at the Siantar Municipal and Parliament.
They demanded government's responsibility to protect the peddlers from unjust act carried against them and threatened to kick the mayor out of office if he does not respond to peddlers' grievance.
Eventually, representatives of the peddlers were received by the Mayor who then promised to take firm measure against the hotel management's unjustified act.
POLICE SHOT THE POOR
5:21 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
We rise every morning with mind full of problems: what should we do to survive, what should be done to educate our children as the school is unaffordable for us. So will our children be next to fill up millions of those unemployment troops?
Never a day passes without painful struggle. We survive by our selves. Here, you are living in the jungles of blocks, of walls, of buildings, where there is no leader to protect your basic rights.
40 millions people of Indonesian work force are unemployment. More than 6 million Children between ages of 7-14 are never went into school. The states is not only deny obligation to fulfill people’s economic and social rights but also answer the people problem with repression. Repression becomes common answer to the strike, to move the informal sectors result in the massive lay off.
Tri kuncoro, secretary of PAPERNAS Madiun Sub district earns his living as a street singer in Madiun Sub district, Central java.
At 9 mornings on January 2008 after he sang struggle song: our country and Marsinah[1], all of sudden Police Joko Sutrisno grabbed his collar and forced him to go out of the bus. When he was about to went out the buss police shot his right arms without giving any warning shot. He is hospitalized for the fracture on his hand bone.
This indicates that the repression and militaristic character remain attached in the states apparatus in dealing with the people’s problem, in particular poor people. The National Liberation Party urges the police institution to responsible to this repression as well as responsible for victim’s health and economy and put the shooter to trial.
Police institution has been claimed that there has been a reform within the institution but this incident showing different things. Therefore, we consider that police and state apparatus must acknowledge Human Rights starting from its recruitment, education as well as the daily task. State must also take the welfare of the low-rank police to prevent psychology burden due to the economic burden. (** Katarina Pujiastuti)
[1] MARSINAH: Marsinah was a women activist who led a strike at the PT Catur Putra Surya watch factory in
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State Apparatus Restricted People’s Relief works
5:02 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
A week ago, Indonesian government of Susilo Bambang Yudoyono government announced that heavy rain could cause flood in certain area. However, government did not inform people about what to do or where to go or where to get the assistance in the case of flood.
Since 2 February 2007, People who dwelled in Pedongkelan, a slum area in
Urban Poor Union (Serikat Rakyat Miskin Kota), an organization affiliated into The National Liberation Party of unity (Papernas) initiated to collect and distribute aids. Seeing one police post which located in ITC Cempaka Mas was not affected by flood, SRMK requested to use it to storage aids.
Suddenly, on 7 February 2007 police deputy came and asked to clear the post. She even chased away a truck full of aids to go. Police clearly said to Marlo Sitompul, Chairperson of SRMK, “We must close this post, if aids remain here, people will refuse to be removed.
It is lately known that government set an evacuation center to locate flood victim. Unfortunately people react passively to government call since its location is very far from people’s house and work place.
People who tried to survive on their own; find shelter, collected and distributed food are disappointed to evacuation program which effectively run two weeks after flood. .
And again, this is not the first flood disaster after all.
Government of President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono may argued that flood affected area are too wide. But they should aware the similar situation of flood disaster which displace 22.000 residents in 2002.
Government now arguing flood prevention infrastructure will absorb great expenses of local budget. An officials estimate US$ 500 million to free
Urban Poor Union Emergency sites
- Jl. Kampung Guji Baru Rt 04/02 No. 19 Duri Kepa Kebon Jeruk
- Jl. Sugriwa Persada Rt 004/ Rw 04 Kel. Rawa Buaya Kec. Cengkareng Jakarta Barat - Indonesia
- Jl Tipar Cakung, Jakarta Utara - Indonesia
Marched to demand to recover the flood victims and build flood-prevention facility
4:32 AM Posted by National Liberation Party Of Unity (PAPERNAS)
On 22 February, 2007 hundreds of members of The National Liberation party of Unity( Papernas) staged a protest outside of
They marched to the major office they yield the slogan “the elites are flooded with money, we are flash flooded”. When the leader of the march asked who should take responsibility to flood disaster? They replied all together “The government Of Susilo Bambang Yudoyono and Sutioso (governor)”.
One of the firefighter members was also came approach and give his solidarity speech . Nurani, national committees of National Front of Indonesian Workers’ Struggle (FNPBI,) a workers organization in Papernas emphasized that the flood is not a natural disaster, it is the consequences of government policy. Government put the profit in their development framework, such a policy that sacrifying the poor.
They marched to three government building; the President palace, ministry of welfare and the governor office, and demanded the representative to meet the poor. None of them have enough courage to meet the poor and take responsibilty to this disaster. No one dare to see the poor and committed to take the responsibility of the flood-damaging consequnses.
Marlo Sitompul, Urban Poor Union (SRMK) an Organization in Papernas stated that Both national and regional administration has failed to overcome the poverty and failed to rescue the poor from disaster. We bring with us data of thousand of the poor : the damages homes, the disesased they have and the right they mis for unable to make any living during the flood. . “We here to hear directly their commitment to responsible for neglacting the citizen as they neglect the flood-prevention facility. (** KP)
(This statement was released during the mass action on 22 February 2007)
Government is responsible for relief work and prevents the future flood The Flood Prevention Action has been using as one of reason for Jakarta administration of Governor Sutiyoso to implement forced eviction to the slump district. Yet it is proven false, as the forced eviction massively sparked in
How did the government react to this? It is truly unbelievable to see that in this emergency situation, both local and national government did not take immediate action to : to evacuate people, to provide food, clothes and medical treatment, but they were busy to blame each other. It is improper to consider this as a natural disaster. It is more about misplan or deliberately mistaken in running the development program. There are many water reservoir are converted into high rise building and elites residence. About 60 percent of the roughly 200 lakes in
Both the national and local government did not learnt from bitter experience had happened five years ago. The flood threat was likely hit the city due to lack of flood-prevention infrastructure.
Post-flood period, the victims are suffering. Mud is still well up inside their homes; disease diarehea, Dengue Fever and Leptospirosis began to infect them. Futhermore ongoing heavy rain makes the water went into their homes over and over.
Now it is the time for the people to unite, build the strength to demand the responsibility of national and local government to overcome rehabilitate post-flood consequences and provide long-term solution of flood prevention facility. If we do not act to this, anoher flood will sink the city and obviously the poor are affected the most.
We demand the government to conduct the following action:
1. Realizing 1 Billion allocation to restore each affected district to clean and to rebuild the affected-homes and restore the material lost. It must be conducted.
2. Provide the decent evacuation shelter with the adequate food, water and medical threatment.
3. Provide acces to free medical threatment.
4. Established cheap and decent houses for the poor to reduce slum houses the edge of the river.
5. Immediately develop and restore reservoir , rehabilitated lakes (locally known as situ) flood gate, in
6. Increase city gardens and the absorption land of water.
7. Restore waste system, provide the extra big public waste place disposal in subdistrict level and Applying high technology in final waste disposal. Improving or increasing cleaning service structure by formally employing scavenger.
8. Develop flood assistance and flood prevention. Establish training school to deal with flood under the control of flood handling institute, financed by national or local government and controlled by supervosiry council that consist of elected- delegates each district that able to be revoked by the resident if he/she was proven corrupt or neglect the mandate.
9. Took firmly action on land misuse. The sanctions not only was put on perpetrators of the development but also the permission givers. The sanctions kind was not limited on administrative, but also civil sanctions, even criminal sanctions. In order to cause the wary effect.
10. Supervice the implementation of Environmental impact analysis (AMDAL) and strictly punish any corporation that violate the regulation in environmental impact analysis.





