[Onthebarricades] On the Barricades - ASIA - part 3

Mon Apr 4 04:22:49 PDT 2005

SRI LANKA:  More protests by tsunami survivors

Date : 2005-02-16
Growing dissatisfaction in eastern Sri Lanka
On-the-spot report: Part One
By Shantha Kumar and Priyadarshana Meddawatta -World Socialist Web Site
[From: Asia Tribune (Bangkok) 16 February 2005]

Even before the tsunami hit Sri Lanka, the Eastern Province was one of
the poorest and most economically backward regions of the island. Like
the Northern Province, the area has been ravaged by two decades of
civil war and many people live below the poverty line. It has one of
the lowest levels of infrastructure including roads and
telecommunications in the country.

The disaster has compounded all of these social problems, destroying
jobs, homes and facilities, and condemning many more people to
poverty. More than 166,000 people are now homeless with about 80,000
currently in 73 overcrowded refugee camps and the rest living with
relatives or fending for themselves. Some 29,373 houses, 50 schools,
and 477 religious buildings and other structures were completely
destroyed. The official death toll is 7,154 people and 391 missing,
but eyewitnesses say at least 25,000 people were killed.

We spent three days travelling in Ampara's coastal areas. While rival
political parties were stoking up communal tensions, Tamil and Muslim
refugees recalled with gratitude the selfless support they received
from Sinhalese people. Distrust of the government and government
officials is widespread and increasing. This has been compounded by
allegations of corruption, including the misuse and appropriation of
emergency aid.

On February 4, a few days after we left, the Daily Mirror reported
that a large number of Muslims had protested outside the Kalmunai
divisional secretariat after Friday prayers over the unfair
distribution of aid. The resentment has been fuelled in part by highly
publicised inauguration ceremonies for new housing projects for
tsunami victims in the Sinhalese south of the island. No such schemes
have been started in the East.

One protestor told the newspaper: "We want homes, boats and fishing
nets, we want our children to go back to school and face examinations.
No government relief has reached us so far and we are surviving thanks
to the aid brought in by NGOs and other individuals. No Muslim
ministers or MPs are concerned about our plight.

"The divisional secretary [DS], the additional DS and the
administrative officer should all be transferred. We don't care even
if their replacements are Tamils as long as they are honest. We are
here to fight for the rights of Tamils as well".

Angry Tamils spoke to the Daily Mirror about the deteriorating hygiene
in eight refugee camps that house hundreds of people. They said they
would be forced to seriously consider seizing land, unless they were
allocated decent accommodation.

We first visited Ampara township, 20 km inland, where a large number
of displaced people have taken refuge, and subsequently travelled to
Karaitivu, Kalmunai, Akkaraipattu and Thirukkovil on the coast.

In the absence of adequate government assistance, conditions in the
refugee camps have seriously deteriorated over the past month with the
danger of malaria, diarrhea and skin disease ever present. Water
supply is irregular and grossly inadequate and hundreds of families
are forced to share the three or four toilets in each camp.

The government provides only 2 kg of rice, 1 kg of sugar and 1 kg of
lentils per person per week. But there are many who are denied these
meagre rations because, officials claim, they did not suffer any
"direct losses". Many refugees fear that the government will even stop
these limited supplies. Hardly any aid has reached remote areas such
as Thirukkovil.

Medical supplies are inadequate and dwindling. Akkaraipattu hospital,
for example, which is nominally a base hospital, lacks basic medical
equipment, buildings, doctors and other health staff. None of the
hospitals in the area have psychiatrists or counsellors to treat the
widespread cases of psychological trauma.

Dr. M.J. Nowfel, the Medical Officer at Akkaraipattu, explained: "I
requested help from the local authority to supply the refugees' basic
needs and to clean the areas. But the response has been zero." He
added that the government had not helped either. Nowfel said that the
danger of malaria and dengue was acute, there had been sporadic cases
of diarrhea and many patients were suffering from skin diseases.

Many of the tsunami victims were fishermen. They are angry that the
government has used the disaster to ban people from resettling within
200 metres of the seashore. They said that the directive was not to
protect them from future dangers but to clear the coastline for the
tourist industry.

After President Chandrika Kumaratunga directed the security forces to
take charge of relief operations, the army and police have extended
their operations in the area. Heavily-armed police from the Special
Task Force (STF) are in charge of the refugee camps. We had to obtain
their permission to enter and refugees have to sign a book before
leaving. The STF is notorious for its abuse, particularly of Tamils.

In Ampara, the refugee centre was located just outside the hospital.
Nominally run by the Church of Ceylon, the camp, was, in fact,
controlled by the security forces, with troops outnumbering refugees.
Most of the displaced were from Kalmunai.

Poomani, 32, a mother of three children, said: "We have survived up to
now on the food supplied by Sinhalese people. The government supplies
never came in time to save us. But how can we continue to live like
this and when will we get meals like we used to have before the incident?"

Poomani dismissed government promises to pay 5,000 rupees ($US50) to
each affected family. "I haven't seen a single cent for the last 35
days. When will our children be able go to school?" she asked.
"Information has been collected from us but where will we end up? Up
to now no one has given a firm word about our resettlement."

Paul, 25, whose father had been a fisherman in Kalmunai, said: "I
don't know what the government is planning to do about us. Our future
is uncertain." L. Selvarajh, 64, a driver, added: "The people in the
camp have decided not to go anywhere until the government tells us
where we are going to be settled and what sort of housing we will be
provided with".

Thirty-year-old K. Sunil, a welder, explained that the village level
government officer had told refugees to "find land" and that he would
"make arrangements" to provide them with tents. "But how are we
supposed to do this? It is the duty of the government to find land for
us," he said.

In Karaitivu, there are 2,908 displaced families in four relief camps.
We visited the R.K.M. boys' school camp, which houses 505 people, and
received a warm response from the people who were anxious to vent
their anger against the government.

Ilayathamby Pakyarajh, 32, who lost four children and his wife, said:
"President Kumaratunga came and promised good living conditions until
we were settled permanently within six months. But we are still living
without proper food and sanitary conditions. This shows what the
government has in store for us in the coming months."

Ehambaram, 65, a fisherman, explained: "Minister Farial Ashraff
[National United Alliance leader] came here and promised to do lot of
things but up to now there has been no action. We have been informed
that in future weeks we will be issued a ration card for 375 rupees a
week a person. Without any job how can you live on this?"

A group of people gathered around us all anxious to tell us their
views: three fishermen- Nandakumar, 24, and Sri Bala Shanthakumar, 25,
and Rasa Mahadevan, 38, who lost his wife and children-and Udayakumar,
24, a day labourer. In the course of the discussion, Bala Shnathakumar
explained: "Everyone who comes here assures us that we will be
provided houses and jobs but no one says when, where and how. We've
been asked by authorities to vacate the school building where we are now."

Rasa Mahadevan added: "They tried to take us to Valathepathy and
Malwatta-both areas far from the sea. We refused to go because it
would deprive of us our livelihood, that is fishing. What we want are
well-constructed houses in our own area."

Parasuraman Kengesabapathy, 62, said: "Finance Minister Sarath
Amunugama came here and went without any concrete promise. We have not
seen the TNA [Tamil National Alliance] MP Kanagasabe for whom we
voted. We live by fishing. We are paid only one tenth of the value of
our catch and the major portion goes to the boat owner. He too is now
helpless having lost his boat and net. We have no job opportunities now."

Kalmunai, a coastal town bordering the Batticaloa district to the
north, was our next stop.

There were 8,770 displaced families in 20 relief camps. These included
the Fatima College camp with 353 families, Wesley high school with 215
families, and another relief camp in a Sinhala school with 197
families. Twenty-six families have been transferred from the Sinhala
school to a nearby location and are living in tents donated by the
Kalmunai Rotary Club.

T. Dushyanthi, a 17-year-old girl at the Fatima relief camp, lost both
her parents. "I can't sleep, thinking of my dead family. I can't think
of a life without them," she told us. "Two weeks ago government
officers came and asked me some questions but they left and have not
come back. How am I supposed to believe that the government is going
to assist me? We are completely helpless."

Sixteen-year-old Vairamuthu Thatchyini, who just completed her grade
10 examinations, lost eight of her family members, including both
parents. "I am the only one left," she said. "There is no one to look
after me and if we are removed from the camp I have nowhere to go. I
can't continue my education and have no alternative but suicide."

Pathmanathan Pushparanie, 24, who lost her father and mother, said: "I
don't know what to do next-to live or to die. I wish that I'd also
been washed away." S.I. Jaleel, 15, another refugee lost 13 members of
his family and is currently being looked after by others in the camp.

Many refugees complained about the inadequate medical facilities at
the camp and said the lack of medical care. Nadarajah Wimala, 40,
said, "My husband is a diabetic but we have no money for his medicine.
The medical officers who visited us said they didn't have any either."

Government food supplies to the camp are limited to a few items-rice,
lentils and sugar. One refugee explained that although the LTTE-based
Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) had supplied some pots and
stoves, they had not provided vegetables or other provisions. "The TRO
used come here often but now it is only once a week," he said.

E. Thilagawathi, 40, a mother of seven children, said: "My husband was
a fisherman but I lost him. How am I supposed send my children to
school? I don't hope for any government assistance. We don't get
enough milk powder for our babies and I can only feed my baby son milk
once a day. I can't provide him milk when he cries in hunger. Why
should I expect a house and other benefits [from the government] in
the future?"

At the Islamabad Muslim refuge camp in Kalmunai, there were 1,365
refugees, packed into a hall made from aluminum sheeting and iron bars
and partitioned into 60 units. Almost all of the refugees were
fishermen who had lost all of their fishing gear. Ministry of
Fisheries and Water Resource officials had collected information about
their losses, but nothing had been done. Water supplies were
inadequate or there were no sanitary facilities at the camp.

Vadivel Gopalapillai, 44, a local TNA representative, said that
Sinhalese people from Ampara had provided desperately needed food and
clothing. "If not for them," he said, "we would have died waiting for
the other so-called aid to arrive."

He openly criticised a local TNA MP. "All these people voted for TNA
parliamentarian Pathmanathan in the last general elections but 33 days
have passed and he still hasn't come here. In fact, none of the TNA
parliamentarians have visited. But if they don't come to see me, how
are they going to see ordinary people and provide for their needs?" he
asked.

Letchchimee Kanthan, who was selected to study veterinary science at
the University of Peradeniya in Kandy, warned of the danger of
starvation. "We have no possibility of continuing our studies so the
majority of us have decided to discontinue our education and find
whatever work we can to get food each day. If the conditions in the
camp don't improve, we could die of malnutrition," she said.

To be continued

- World Socialist Web Site -

http://www.asiantribune.com/show_article.php?id=2156

NEPAL:  Coup is greeted with protests

http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/11/stories/2005021115331100.htm

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7609696

http://www.reuters.co.in/locales/c_newsArticle.jsp?type=topNews&localeKey=en_IN&storyID=7604250

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200502/s1301286.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13633-2005Feb10.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10010701

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5529927

http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/?action=fullnews&id=71234

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20050210-0420-nepal.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050211/WORLD11-2/TPInternational/Asia

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050211/main2.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/02/09/nepal.protests.reut/

http://www.reuters.co.in/locales/c_newsArticle.jsp;:420aed2a:c23ddd5fb2b17c1b?type=topNews&localeKey=en_IN&storyID=7586698

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7586507

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL291822.htm

http://www.keralanext.com/news/indexread.asp?id=110696

Opponents arrested amidst protests

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=547254

"The worst news of the day is yet to be fully confirmed. The BBC Radio reported that the security personnel entered the hostel of the Prithivi Narayan Multiple Campus in Pokhara on Tuesday night after the students initiated a protest rally and sounds of shooting were heard. Although the BBC said it was not clear what types of bullets were used, it said that more than 250 were injured and arrested. Later, I heard a report that at least 15 have been shot dead. And, all the newspapers and FM stations outside the Valley have been forced to close down. It appears that the king wants no media at all." -- Radio Free Nepal blog posting, Feb. 4

http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/050223glaser/

Trade unions organise international protests against the coup

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00336.htm

Pro-Maoist trade and student unions call a series of strikes

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050201/wl_sthasia_afp/nepalmaoist_050201041016

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=29911

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=29265

Youths stage surprise protest as telephone ban ends

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050209/asp/frontpage/story_4355547.asp

Bloggers, journalists defy crackdown

http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/050223glaser/

Detained politicians stage hunger strike

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=32817

Students stage protests for democracy and peace; some arrested

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=32854

Maoist trade union strike flunks, ends
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2005/mar/mar07/news04.php
Last-minute ban on International Women's Day march
http://www.union-network.org/uniapron.nsf/db1cb10297249246c1256f6c005f9629/0cf7531c8a0d6b70c1256fbe004e6f78?OpenDocument
Seven arrested in more anti-monarchy protests - police baton-charge peace rally

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1535&ncid=731&e=7&u=/afp/20050327/wl_sthasia_afp/nepalpoliticsprotest

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050315/asp/siliguri/story_4493832.asp

750 arrested nationwide on a day of mass protests

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=34355

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34983-2005Mar14.html

Journalists stage protest, defying ban

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_30-3-2005_pg4_24

Daring protesters march on government offices - dozens arrested

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/03/28/nepal.arrests.ap/

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=619501

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20050328-0440-nepal.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1064600.cms

Former ministers arrested in defiant protest

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1332514.htm

Students stage protest rally in defiance of ban; oppose coup

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=106345&Sn=WORL&IssueID=27355

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20050311132107419

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_10-3-2005_pg4_19

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EVIU-6ABH32?OpenDocument

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=aCXatKsbtzqea1Ua2a9a0HNamal&folder=aCXatK&Name=City&dtSiteDate=20050314&sImageFileName=

Mass protests called by opposition groups and parties

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/03/08/international/i081534S54.DTL

Hundreds held as police suppress mass protests against the coup

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=aFanata0sa3qzpea1Ta3a9a.axamal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20050309

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=33804

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=aelbT3X1t1no&refer=asia

Another party joins the protests

http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2005/apr/apr01/news05.php

Police arrest student protesters

Students belonging to seven different student unions took out protest
rallies against the political developments following 1 February Royal
move in Kathmandu and other parts of the country on Sunday, reports
said Monday.

According to reports, police intervened the protest rallies and
arrested four student leaders including Basu Koirala- general
secretary of the Nepal Students Union (NSU), student wing of the
Nepali Congress, in Maitidevi, Kathmandu. The names of the other
arrested students are not known.

Authorities are yet to confirm the arrests.

Similarly, students staged demonstrations in Pokhara, Dhangadhi and
Rautahat on Sunday, demanding `restoration of democracy', reports said.

Student protests follow appeals of major political parties- Nepali
Congress and CPN UML. Earlier, the parties had appealed to their
cadres to court arrests and move ahead with protest programmes against
the 1 February Royal move.

Five major opposition parties have called for countrywide protest
rallies today (Monday). nepalnews.com pd Mar 14 05

http://www.nepalnews.com/

Over 400 protesters released in Janakpur

Local administration in southern district of Dhanusa has released over
four hundred demonstrators in Janakpur while orders have been issued
against 51 political activists to be detained for the next three
months, according to latest reports.

Over 500 protesters were arrested in Janakpur while taking part in
peaceful demonstrations Monday demanding restoration of peace and
democracy in the country.

According to Kantipur daily, two dozen protesters were injured in the
nearby Mahottari district when police resorted to indiscriminate
baton-charging on a group of protesters. A total of 37 activists were
detained.

In the far-western town of Mahendranagar, police fired one round of
bullet in the air to stop the protesters and detained three activists,
but nobody was injured.

At least half a dozen protesters were injured when police resorted to
lathi-charge at a group of demonstrators in far-western town of
Dipayal. Seven activists were detained.

In Rautahat, 11 out of 21 protesters held were released by the police.
In Sarlahi, police have released 13 Congress activists who were
detained while taking part in peaceful demonstrations.

Reports said over 700 protesters had been detained in various parts of
the country on Monday in the biggest peaceful demonstrations since
February 1. nepalnews.com by Mar 15 05

http://www.nepalnews.com/

NEPAL/GLOBAL: Worldwide solidarity protests
http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991221426&Language=EN

CHINA:  Yancheng workers rally over nonpayment of
allowance
http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/en/web/article.php?article_id=50252
Worker protests in China plentiful - but pre-empted?
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2005/02/18/2003223555

Tianshi print workers protest against pay cut
Redundant workers march in Yancheng City
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m05.shtml
Jewellery workers strike over health issues
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m26.shtml
Petitioners arrested for lobbying parliament

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3209846a12,00.html

TAIWAN: Protesters condemn Chinese secession law

Thousands protest the warmongering law and call for peace

http://publish.gio.gov.tw/FCJ/current/05040111.html

http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2005/03/26/massive_protest_in_taiwan_against_china_law/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4893407,00.html

http://english.www.gov.tw/index.jsp?action=cna&cnaid=7642

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/detail.asp?ID=59286&GRP=A

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05066/467440.stm

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/11069324.htm

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/135949/1/.html

http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2005/03/06/taiwan050306.html

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1317109.htm

Rice bomber threatens to go on hunger strike; supporters rally

http://english.www.gov.tw/index.jsp?id=13&recid=104993&viewdate=0

MONGOLIA: Protests against corruption; protest movement head meets PM

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/03/30/2003248361

http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1112264367&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4389623.stm

JAPAN:  Protests over detention of chess champion Fischer

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=329758

Teachers meet to oppose nationalist rituals

http://www.labournet.net/world/0503/newz1.html

http://www.labournet.net/world/0503/japan3.html

Rail strike against speed-ups, hazards, privatisation and war

http://www.labournet.net/world/0503/japan4.html

KOREA:  Workers disrupt banker's old-age party in protest over job cuts

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200502/18/200502182241459009900090509052.html

Clashes at KCTU conference - dissident faction spray paint thinner to prevent a vote on talks with bosses

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200502/200502020041.html

KOREA:  KCTU members blockade conference hall to stop
sellout
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=040000&biid=2005031677908
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200503/15/200503152220323209900090409041.html
Hanil cement workers on strike
http://www.ifbww.org/index.cfm?n=44&l=2&c=1448&on=2
http://www.ifbww.org/index.cfm?n=155&l=2&trad=1441&detail=true
Migrant workers' struggle continues

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=233

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&no=236

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=234

Anti-war festival

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=229

Solidarity events with people facing eviction

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&no=237

Workers end job action at Daewoo Heavy
March 11, 2005 ㅡ Union workers at Daewoo Heavy
Industries & Machinery Ltd., South Korea's biggest
construction equipment maker, resumed full-time work
yesterday after holding partial strikes for three
days.
Operations have resumed, Daewoo Heavy said yesterday
in a statement to the Korea Stock Exchange. Union
workers stopped work for four hours every day from
Monday, in an effort to win job security and better
wages from Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co.,
which agreed last month to buy Daewoo Heavy.
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200503/10/200503102244392809900090509051.html

TAIWAN:  Nude protest over Kyoto and Taiwan government's eco-policies

http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/413925.htm

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/detail.asp?GRP=E&id=58427

http://www.etaiwannews.com/E-Learning/2005/02/17/1108618498.htm

PHILLIPINES:  Still no end to Luisita strike

http://www.tarlacnews.net/main/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=365

http://www.tarlacnews.net/main/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=358

http://www.labourstart.org/docs/en/000093.html

Dispute continues

http://www.philippinerevolution.org/cgi-bin/abshow/abshow.pl?year=2005;month=02;day=21;edition=eng;article=09#top

Mill finally shuts amid ongoing strike
http://money.inq7.net/topstories/view_topstories.php?yyyy=2005&mon=03&dd=19&file=2
http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?index=1&story_id=28667
Troops deployed once more to Hacienda Luisita
http://www.tarlacnews.net/main/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=409
Priest who supported Luisita strikers murdered
http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=2&story_id=30389
Militant farmers allege bosses plan mass displacement
of 30,000
http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=28799
Luisita villagers shoo away troops

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/mar/16/yehey/prov/20050316pro4.html

Protest against road tolls; protesters dismantle barriers

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2005021528699.html

Activists stage Valentine's Day protest against VAT

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2005/02/14/militants.stage.valentine.s.day.protest.(8.05.p.m.).html

http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=25832

Immigrant maids protest against minimum wage cut

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/6/latest/211911000fore&sec=latest

Prison revolt by Abu Sayyaf suspects - statists kill 21 rebels

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/03/14/philippines.prison/index.html

http://manila.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=3351

http://www.cageprisoners.com/articles.php?aid=5910

http://www.bulatlat.net/news/5-7/5-7-bicutan.html

Ecological protesters mark ten years of anti-mining
protests
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/03/307040.html
IWD events by Gabriela Network in Phillipines and US
http://manila.indymedia.org/?parentview=0&pagenumber=5
http://manila.indymedia.org/index.php?action=newswire&parentview=3309
http://qc.indymedia.org/news/2005/03/2790.php
http://qc.indymedia.org/news/2005/03/2768.php
Tumanduk demand troops out
http://qc.indymedia.org/news/2005/03/2737.php
Freedom from Debt Coalition hold picket over power
prices
http://qc.indymedia.org/news/2005/03/2781.php
Democracy protesters target Burmese tyrant
http://manila.indymedia.org/index.php?action=newswire&parentview=3050
Mapua students rally against name change
http://manila.indymedia.org/index.php?action=newswire&parentview=3271
Villagers protest against plans to displace them for a wildlife sanctuary

http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=2&story_id=29946

Rally against attempts to restrict family size

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/mar/05030705.html

Squatters rally to defend their homes, and vow to fight evictions

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?section=Metro&OID=69747

PHILLIPINES/AUSTRALIA: Filipino seafarers mutiny on wheat ship, win concessions

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/347

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m19.shtml

THAILAND:  Conflict likely to escalate as company bans anti-privatisation demos
http://www.mcot.org/query.php?nid=36039

Air workers protest outsourcing
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m05.shtml
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/wkrs-f26.shtml

Protest over Nike supplier's sacking of workers

http://www.all4all.org/2005/03/1530.shtml

International campaign wins reinstatement of activists

http://www.nosweat.org.uk/article.php?sid=1234&mode=&order=0

World Bank effigy burned in dam protests

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OreadDaily/message/676

CAMBODIA: Villagers protest after murders during land eviction

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BKK168933.htm

http://abcasiapacific.com/news/stories/asiapacific_stories_1331870.htm

MALAYSIA:  Plantation workers stage hunger strike to protest unfulfilled promises

http://www.asianlabour.org/archives/003394.php#more

Oinkers detain foreigners after clashes between local and immigrant workers

http://www.asianlabour.org/archives/003393.php#more

Protest over alleged land grab

http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/MM/Wednesday/National/20050330110936/Article/index_html

EAST TIMOR: Activists take Australia dispute to seabed boundary

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/asiapac/programs/s1335911.htm

INDONESIA:  Protests over fuel price hike

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/615/615p19b.htm

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/03/01/news/indonesia.html
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-03-01T052019Z_01_DOB118534_RTRUKOC_0_INDONESIA-FUEL-PROTESTS.xml

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/618/618p18.htm

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p19b.htm

Protesters tear down parliament gate in fuel price protest

Student protesters clashed with cops and threw Molotov cocktails

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JAK5332.htm

Hotel workers demonstrate for wage increase
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m12.shtml
Lombok protesters clash with and brick police, storm barricades, trash government buildings and try to march on a prison in an attempt to free local MPs accused of corruption

http://www.laksamana.net/vnews.cfm?ncat=35&news_id=8014

Earthquake survivors loot rice depot

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/03/29/indonesia.quake.scene.reut/

INDONESIA:  Tribal protesters defend forests

Jambi forest dwellers fight loggers
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailfeatures.asp?fileid=20050208.Q02&ire
c=2
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

"My God, where can we settle and make a living with our forest gone?"
Women and children in the interior of Mangkekal (Makekal), Bukit
Duabelas National Park (TNBD), Jambi province, cry out and complain
every time they see illegal logging occurring in their area.

Forest people, members of the local Anak Dalam tribe, have been
struggling to protect the TNBD forest zone from illegal logging
operations. "Adults as well as children are struggling for the
conservation of this forest," said tribal chief Tumenggung (regent)
Mirak.

The national park zone covers an area of around 60,000 hectares and is
home to some 1,500 Anak Dalam tribesmen scattered over seven areas
including Mangkekal, Kedasung, Air Hitam and Terap.

In his capacity as Tumenggung for 20 years, Mirak heads the largest
group of 550 people in Mangkekal. "We need government assistance to
overcome forest theft and farm clearance as we can't do it alone," he
urged.

Up to now forest people have protected the forests by building fences
like those found in plantations, meant as a physical barriers to the
entry of outsiders.

To meet the food needs of his family, comprising two wives, 12 children
and 30 grandchildren, Mirak relies solely on the forest.

"Fruit and paddy are still sufficiently available. What we fear is
uncontrolled illegal logging that will deplete resources and cause food
scarcity," he added.

The key wisdom of forest dwellers is to never fell trees
indiscriminately. Even if they need firewood, only broken twigs are
collected. Rivers are never fouled; they keep waterways and streams
clean for drinking, bathing and washing.

It is difficult to prevent looting, however.

"Illegal loggers are stubborn and hard to overcome with the law in our
tribe. Our ancestors handed down a law that says anyone caught stealing
wood must pay a fine in the form of 500 sheets of cloth. But the point
is actually to prevent trees being felled. Outsiders do not obey our
law," he lamented.

Rampant forestry theft has been the major concern for Mirak's people
during his 20 years as regent of Mangkekal. Many forest plants like
gaharu (fragrant aloes) and resin trees have been cut down. Sadly, when
logging is carried out, smaller plants and fruit-bearing vegetation is
often crushed by falling trunks.

The existence of jerenang trees is especially important to the zone's
community because its gum is used to color local plaitwork handicrafts.
Meanwhile, random tree felling also causes pollution in rivers, with the
water causing itchiness after bathing in it.

Tribespeople have repeatedly fought logging to protect their forest,
with women and children often bursting into tears when they see parts of
their jungle destroyed because it has made their lives materially and
spiritually poorer.

Pengendum, one of Mirak's grandchildren, has twice been beaten up by
illegal loggers as he tried to stop their activity. Almost every week,
at least seven trucks carrying chainsaws enter Mangkekal to fell trees,
mostly during the rainy season, with the logs being transported along
the river system.

"I have often been to towns and I have felt the urban atmosphere and is
not as comfortable or tranquil as the forest. Town people perhaps feel
the same when they have to stay in the woods. So I hope outsiders will
not damage the forest, because this is our home. We may become very
angry if our homes and environment are destroyed, just as they would be
furious if we damaged their homes," said Pengendum.

Residents protest ring road project 

Wahyuana, The Jakarta Post, Bekasi

At least 100 residents of the Pasar Kecapi and Jatiwarna subdistricts in Pondok Melati, Bekasi, protested against the Jakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR) project on Thursday after they failed to reach an agreement about land prices.

The protesters burned tires and tore down some construction work along the Hamkam Raya-Jatiasih section. 

"We had agreed to give up our houses and lots and receive compensation worth Rp 1.1 million a meter as stipulated in a decree issued by Bekasi Mayor Ahmad Zurfaih. But, until now, PT Jasa Marga has not paid us. I heard Jasa Marga does not want to pay compensation," Awing Asmawi, a protester, said to The Jakarta Post. 

The angry residents said they would give Jasa Marga two weeks to pay, or they would destroy the toll road now under construction. 

State company Jasa Marga is currently constructing a nine-kilometer road linking Hamkam Raya in East Jakarta with Cikunir in Bekasi, West Java. The Hamkam Raya-Cikunir road is one of two sections of the Hankam Raya-Jatiasih toll road project. 

Protesters from Jatiwarna staged the protest at the Hankam Raya-Jatiasih section. They said Jasa Marga had not paid compensation for more than 8 hectares of land affected by the project. 

Sunarto, head of the toll road project, told the Post on Thursday that the firm was not willing to pay compensation as high as Rp 1.1 million a square meter. 

"We cannot afford to pay Rp 1.1 million a meter," said Sunarto, complaining that land brokers had provoked local residents to raise the prices of land there. 

"We have proposed an alternative solution to the dispute. We agree to pay Rp 1.1 million for land used for the main body of the road. The farther the land from the body of the main road, the cheaper it becomes," he said. 

Sunarto said the firm had set up a small team, which along with Ministry of Public Works officials, would negotiate with residents and the Bekasi municipal administration. 

"We will wait for the results of their negotiations," he said. 

Municipality spokesman Endang Suharyadi said "the residents have agreed to give up their lands for Rp 1.1 million a square meter. If Jasa Marga does not want to pay that much, they have to negotiate directly with these people." 

Last week, a special team established by the Bekasi Council to help to find resolution to the land dispute had met with a team from the Ministry of Public Works. 

Ministry of Public Works official and team member Riri said the team was working on new quotes for the land affected by the project. 

The development of the outer ring road project started in the early 1990s by private company PT Marga Nurido Bhakti. 

After the 1997 economic crisis, the company ran out of money and the construction was stopped. 

In 2000, however, Jasa Marga took over the project.

S'porean investor embroiled in N. Sumatra protest 

Ridwan Max Sijabat and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Merek

A landslide and a hotel development in a 200-hectare area encroaching on conservation land have pushed the small town of Merak into the spotlight.

A nationwide controversy emerged when the development of the tourist resort by a Singaporean company caused a landslide that washed away three hectares of paddy fields belonging to locals. 

Several other villagers whose farmland was also affected by the landslide have not yet received any compensation, prompting them to protest. 

Problems for the developer deepened when the North Sumatra provincial administration discovered that part of the tourist resort was in a protected forest and PT Merek Indah Lestari (PT MIL) had not yet obtained an environmental impact certificate (Amdal). 

The administration asked the management to suspend development activities until the land status was clarified but the management has so far ignored the plea. 

Several villagers in Kodon-kodon village, which is located on an area lower than the tourist resort and facing Lake Toba, said the empty land was theirs but say they have not yet received any compensation from the company. 

Company management has disclosed documents that purport to show the company's official ownership of the land and said it bought the land from the residents of three neighboring villages, Kodon-kodon, Pangambantan and Tongging. 

Other Kodon-kodon residents, meanwhile, have expressed opposition to the ongoing development project, following the recent landslide that washed away paddy fields and fish breeding ponds. 

"The creation of waterways and the development of a golf course and other facilities on vulnerable land could trigger more landslides and the flooding of villages on lower-lying land," a villager, J. Simanjorang, told The Jakarta Post here recently. 

Before the work started the infertile land on a barren rocky mountainside land had remained undeveloped. 

Monang Simanjorang, another resident of Kodon-kodon, and Anthon Bahrul Alam Munthe, a resident of Pangambatan, said people from the three villages had received compensation in 2000. 

"The unpaid residents will receive what is their right directly from the management, but they can no longer claim the land as theirs because it has already been sold by the Simanjorang family to the company," Monang said. 

PT MIL president Mustika Akbar said his company had obtained an investment permit from the Capital Investment Coordinating Agency (BKPM) and the Karo regental administration to develop an international-standard tourist resort. 

"The Singaporean investor has allocated Rp 150 billion to develop a nine-hole golf course, a five-star hotel with large swimming pool, an interfaith religious park and a commercial greenhouse. 

"Beside being a source of income to the local administration, the tourist resort will employ more than 1,000 people, to be recruited from the subdistrict," he said. 

He denied a report that part of the tourist resort was included in the protected forest and the company was damaging the environment, saying the forest land that had been used to accommodate a hotel previously belonged to local people. 

"The company is committed to preserving the environment by developing a safari garden and an eight-hectare orange plantation, and planting large trees around the resort's border areas," he said. 

Mustika said it was impossible to prevent landslides during the rainy season. "The landslide came from the dredging of land to create waterways inside the hilly resort," he said. 

His company would continue with the development as it had received the go-ahead from the local administration, he claimed. 

Singaporean investor had become interested in the area because of its natural beauty, with Lake Toba in the background. 

"The tourist resort will be able to attract tourists from Europe, Japan, the United States and ASEAN countries," he said. 

North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin said he had asked PT MIL to suspend the development project until his team had completed its check on the proposed tourist resort's status and boundaries. 

"The project must be halted permanently if the area includes the protected conservation area. My team, accompanied by officials from the Tanah Karo regental administration, is still at the site," he said. 

North Sumatra Environmental Forum executive director Herwin Nasution said the government had yet to revoke the investment permit and order the management of PT Merek Indah Lestari to suspend the project. The development was taking place in a protected forest and impacted on the water catchment area in the Toba highlands, which had to be maintained to supply water to Lake Toba, he said. 

"The government should form an independent team to investigate the matter. PT MIL has also breached Law No. 41/1999, which prohibits any human activities in protected forests and parks as part of the tourist resort is being built in the protected forest, which is home to numerous rare mammals," he said. 

Jaya Arjuna, another environmental activist, said that in accordance with the sustainable development concept, development activities on environmentally important areas were tolerable as long as they did not cause environmental degradation and used environmentally friendly technology.

=================^========================================

I N D O L E F T  -  News service  > >

=================^========================================

Roundup of fuel price demonstrations from Detik.com

Detik.com - March 15-18, 2005

[The following is an abridged translation of a selection of 

articles from Detik.com which were posted on its web site 

between March 15-18. Demonstrations have continued almost 

daily throughout the country after the government of 

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice-President Jusuf 

Kalla (SBY-Kalla) announced the decision cut fuel (BBM) 

subsides on March 1.]

Makassar students issue no-confidence motion

Gunawan Mashar, Makassar - Around 200 students from the 

Greater Makassar Student Executive Council (BEM) presented 

a no-confidence motion to the South Sulawesi provincial 

parliament because they believe that assembly members have 

not support actions opposing fuel price increases.

The student arrived at the parliament at 11am and requested 

that the head of the parliament, Agus Arifin Nu'mang, meet 

with them and declare his support for canceling the 

increases. After waiting an hour however, not one assembly 

member emerged.

Infuriated, the students attacked the front gates of the 

parliament. "Starting now, we, all South Sulawesi students, 

issue a no-confidence motion in the members of the South 

Sulawesi provincial parliament", said BEM chairperson from 

the Alauddin Makassar State Institute of Islamic Studies, 

Ibnu Hajar.

After issuing the motion, students organised a convoy and 

returned to their respective campuses to demonstrate. As 

well as the groups of student from BEM, the parliament was 

also inundated by a other student groups who were 

demonstrating against the price increases including the 

Makassar chapter of the Association of Islamic Students 

(HMI) and the National Student League for Democracy (LMND).

Anti-fuel price demonstrators arrested by police

Astrid Felicia Lim, Jakarta - Dozens of demonstrators from 

a number of different organisations who were demonstrating 

against fuel price increases in front of the Atmajaya 

Campus in Semanggi, Jakarta, were arrested by police on 

March 14.

According to information from the City Forum (Forkot) 

public relations officer, Miksil Mina Munir, yesterday 

night an action was to be held at the national parliament 

in Senayan however it was canceled because it did not have 

permission from the police.

Around 300 demonstrators therefore returned to their 

coordination post in front of the Atmajaya campus and held 

an action there where they gave speeches and set fire to 

tires until around 10pm.

At 11pm, 500 police officers arrived and cordoned off the 

area then forcibly took away a number of female students 

and housewives who had participated in the demonstration.

"Then, at 12 midnight, the 35 people remaining were also 

forcibly removed and taken to the South Jakarta district 

police [station]. Up until now they are still there", said 

Munir when phoned by Detik.com on Tuesday morning (15/3).

Munir said however that the action would continue this 

afternoon at the national parliament. A number of groups 

are to participate including Forkot, the Indonesian 

Heroines of Democracy (SDI), the Volunteers for Democratic 

Struggle (RPD), the People's Opposition Front (FOR), the 

Urban Poor People's Union (SRMK) and the Women's Alliance 

(AP).

When contacted by Detik.com, the South Jakarta police 

denied holding a number of demonstrators overnight.

Yogyakarta students take to the streets again

Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta - On March 15, student from a 

number of different groups again took to the streets to 

oppose fuel price increases. During the action they said 

that the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono 

and Vice-President Jusuf Kalla was neither pro-reform or 

pro-people.

The first action, which was held by the National Unity 

Front (FPN) at the Veteran National Development University 

campus in Yogyakarta, had been joined by dozens of students 

since 10am.

The second action was held half-an-hour later by the Joint 

School Forum (Sekber) and started at the Yogyakarta 

monument. They then held a long-march to the Yogyakarta 

provincial parliament ending up at the central post office.

Accompanied by a number of police officers, the 

demonstrators went to the provincial parliament were they 

gave speeches. Other potential targets such as the 

Pertamina state oil company offices and the State Palace 

were tightly guarded by police.

They also brought posters reading "BBM increases = SBY-JK 

step down", "Bring down prices = bring down SBY-JK" and 

"Reject BBM increases, reduce the price of basic goods".

The coordinator of Forum Sekber, Astra Diswan, said in a 

speech that Yudhoyono and Kalla had lied to the people and 

that the price increases have impacted most on the poor 

bearing in minded that the price of basic goods has 

increased in concert with fuel prices. "Meanwhile the 

subsidies which have been promised by the government [to 

compensate the poor] are just empty words and the price of 

fuel must come down again", said Diswan.

They also demanded that Yudhoyono replace his economic 

ministers who are clearly pro-IMF and other foreign lending 

institutions.

Housewives and children demonstrate at national parliament

Ahmad Dani, Jakarta - Around 50 housewives and children 

from the Indonesian Heroines of Democracy (SDI) 

demonstrated at the national parliament on March 15. They 

were demanding that the parliament force the government to 

cancel the fuel price increases.

The group arrived at the parliament in two busses at around 

11.45am and immediately unfurled a banner filled with 

signatures opposing fuel price increases. They then took 

turns giving speeches.

One of the housewives accused Yudhoyono of going back on 

his promises. "SBY has not fulfilled his promises. Why is 

it always the little people who are now often victimised", 

she protested.

At 1pm seven SDI representatives entered the parliament to 

meat with the head of the parliament.

Fuel truck hijacked and escorted to East Java parliament

Budi Sugiharto, Surabaya - Around 100 activists from the 

Cipayung Group hijacked a fuel truck in the East Java city 

of Surabaya and escorted it to the provincial parliament. 

They were calling for fuel prices to be brought down.

The fuel truck, which was filled with Premium petrol from 

the state oil company Pertamina depot in Tanjung Perak was 

stopped on Jalan Pahlawan Surabaya at around 12.45pm on 

March 15.

The truck was then driven directly to the provincial 

parliament accompanied by a number of demonstrators. The 

other demonstrators followed behind on foot or riding 

motorbikes. On arriving at the parliament, the truck was 

used as a "ornament" for speeches. It was finally released 

at around 1pm.

The demonstrators failed to meet assembly members because 

dozens of police had blockaded the entrance. By 1.45pm, 

demonstrators were still trying to force their way in.

The demonstrators came from a number of groups including 

the Association of Catholic Students (PMKRI), Indonesian 

Islamic Students Movement (PMII), the Indonesian Christian 

Students Movement (GMKI) and the Indonesian Nationalist 

Students Movement (GMNI).

They were demanding the cancellation of fuel price 

increase, revoking the law on liberalising oil and gas, 

bringing down the price of basic goods and increasing the 

duty on luxury goods.

Fuel price demonstration almost highjacks fuel truck

Ahmad Dani, Jakarta - A demonstration against fuel price 

increases held by hundreds of students from four different 

groups and the People's Democratic Party (PRD) in front of 

the national parliament almost succeeded in highjacking a 

fuel truck from the state oil company Pertamina on March 

15.

As the truck went by, the student and PRD demonstrators 

were forming up under a pedestrian overpass in front of the 

parliament. A group of five students broke away and climbed 

up onto the vehicle. The spontaneous action resulted in an 

argument between the driver and students who eventually let 

the driver and the truck leave.

The demonstration creating a lengthy traffic jam on Jalan 

Gatot Soebroto because it took up two of the four lanes of 

traffic.

Demonstrators used a Mikrolet (small public transport 

vehicle) as stage for giving speeches. "We only have two 

demands, fuel is brought down or SBY-JK is brought down", 

said one of the students.

The four groups who had earlier been demonstrating in front 

of the Atma Jaya University campus were from the Indonesian 

Islamic Students Movement (PMII), the National Student 

League for Democracy (LMND), the Indonesian Christian 

Students Movement (GMKI) and the Indonesian Nationalist 

Students Movement (GMNI).

Students 'cordon off' national parliament

Ahmad Dani, Jakarta - Around 150 Indonesian Muslim United 

Students Action Front (KAMMI) and Greater Jakarta Student 

Executive Council (BEM) students demonstrated demanding 

that the government revoke Presidential Decree Number 

22/2005 on fuel price increases.

The students held a long-march from the Hotel Indonesia 

roundabout to the national parliament in Senayan, Jakarta, 

on March 15. On arriving at the parliament, they held the 

action on the left side of the parliaments gates 

immediately in front of the building meaning the parliament 

was blocked by demonstrators.

KAMMI chairperson Yuli Widiastono said that the students 

would continue to hold actions and urge the parliament to 

oppose fuel price increases. "If this doesn't happen, then 

we will urge the DPR to use the right to [hold] an inquiry. 

If that doesn't happen as well then we will mobilise even 

more people", said Widiastono. 

Present of cow dung given to the national parliament

Ahmad Dani, Jakarta - The People's Representative Assembly 

(DPR) continues to be a target of protests against fuel 

price increases. This time demonstrators presented the 

parliament with a sack of cow dung.

The action was held by the Greater Jakarta Student 

Executive Council (BEM) and Indonesian Muslim United 

Students Action Front (KAMMI) in front of the parliament in 

Senayan, Jakarta, on March 15.

The students left the cow dung after their representatives 

failed to gain entry to a parliamentary plenary meeting. As 

many as 20 BEM and KAMMI representatives were blocked by 

security officers as the approached the meeting room which 

was being used to discuss the results of a parliamentary 

consultation meeting on the fuel price increases with 

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Disappointed with their failure to get into the meeting, 

the students unloaded a sack of cow dung from a vehicle 

which was then opened and the dung spread over the road.

"This cow dung is a present for DPR who's performance is 

such that it is indeed appropriate to give them dung. 

Meaning the DPR's performance has been extremely poor", 

said the chairperson of KAMMI Bekasi, Aryanto Hendrata.

Earlier the action was marred by students and security 

personnel pushing and shoving each other however students 

calmed and at around 5.25 they disbanded and left.

More fuel price demonstrations at national parliament

Ahmad Dani, Jakarta - Around 200 people from the Greater 

Bandung Student Executive Council (BEM) and the University 

of Indonesia Student Action Front (FAM) held demonstration 

at the national parliament on March 17 opposing fuel price 

increases.

Demonstrators started arriving from the West Java 

provincial capital of Bandung by bus at around 11am and 

immediately launched a demonstration at the front gates of 

the parliament. Shortly afterwards they were followed by 

demonstrators from FAM.

Demonstrators called on the parliament to oppose the fuel 

subsidy cuts which they said only adds to the people's 

problems and this violates of the 1945 Constitution.

Nine student representatives are presently lobbying to be 

allowed to enter the parliament to view a consultation 

meeting between assembly leaders.

Makassar students collect signatures against fuel price 

increases

Gunawan Mashar, Makassar - Demonstrations against fuel 

price increase have continued in the South Sulawesi 

provincial capital of Makassar. On March 17 around 20 

students from the Islam Makassar University held a 

demonstration in which they stopped drivers, especially 

government officials, asking them to sign a length of white 

cloth as a social protests against fuel price increases.

The students who were from the Indonesian Islamic Student 

Movement (PMII) started the action at 10.30am by spreading 

the white cloth out on the road.

"We will collect signatures and then we will show them to 

Mr. JK (Vice-president Jusuf Kalla) if he returns home to 

Makassar. [It demonstrates] that the people of South 

Sulawesi don't agree with the fuel increases", said one of 

the students in a speech.

The students ended the action at 1pm and plan to hold 

another demonstration tomorrow.

Workers and students in Sidoarjo set fire to tires

Budi Sugiharto, Sidoarjo - On March 17, around 500 workers 

and students in the East Java city of Sidoarjo set fire to 

tires as a protest against fuel price increases.

The demonstration began with a four kilometer long-march 

from the Delta Surya Stadium to the local parliament. The 

head of the Sidoarjo parliament, Arlie Fauzi sempat, met 

with demonstrators and promised he would convey their 

demands to the central government.

After dispersing, some of the demonstrators dove in the 

direction of Buduran to 'seal off' a petrol station but 

they were prevented from doing so by police. Six students 

were detained for questioning although police said they 

would not be charged.

Yogyakarta students almost clash with police

Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta - Hundreds of students from the 

Yogyakarta Social Alliance held an action against fuel 

price increases on March 17. Failing to break down the 

gates of the Yogyakarta Agung Building a clash nearly 

occurred with police.

The action was joined by BEM students from the University 

of Gadja Mada, the State University of Yogyakarta and the 

National Development University, the Association of 

Muhammadiyah Students (IMM), the Indonesian Muslim United 

Students Action Front (KAMMI), the Yogyakarta NGO Forum, 

the Yogyakarta National Students Forum and the Muslim 

Students Association for Reform (HMI-MPO). They carried a 

number of posters with messages such as "Cancel the BBM 

increases or SBY-JK step down", "DPR-SBY = coalition of 

people's oppressors" and "The DPR must reject BBM 

increases".

On arriving at the Agung Building students held prayers 

then presented speeches in the grounds of the Yogyakarta 

provisional parliament. In a speech, action coordinator Adi 

Prianto said the government of Yudhoyono and Kalla must be 

brought down immediately and the price increases canceled. 

"If within a short period SBY doesn't cancel and revoke the 

fuel price increases, students will continue to fight and 

take to the streets", threatened Prianto.

After holding a long-march through the Malioboro shopping 

district the group arrived at the Agung Building at around 

3.30pm. Three platoons of police however had already 

cordoned off the building so they could get no closer than 

three meters from the main gate.

Although it was tightly guarded, it failed to deter the 

students from attempting to break down the gates. Singing 

"Sir, come on Sir, lets play, push and shove..." students 

and police pushed each other back an forth. The students 

were eventually forced back and the situation was 

eventually brought under control when the Yogyakarta chief 

of police intervened to calm the demonstrators down. 

Makassar students cover their mouths with tape

Gunawan Mashar, Makassar - If previous actions against fuel 

price increases were made through public speeches, this 

time students form the South Sulawesi provincial capital of 

Makassar held an action covering their mouths. The action 

was held as a symbol of the fact that the government 

doesn't want to listen to the voices of the people.

The demonstration was held by around 20 students from the 

Makassar Islamic University on March 18 in front of their 

campus who covered their mouths with tape. "Talking doesn't 

have any use, because the government does not want to pay 

attention to our demands. So it's better to be silent", 

said one of the students Anto.

The action started at 11am with speeches after which 

students simultaneously covered their mouths and gathered 

in front of the road with posters and pamphlets which they 

had brought.

Actions against fuel price increases have been held 

frequently by UIM students who have held continuous actions 

since prices were increases.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

=================^========================================

I N D O L E F T  -  News service  > >

=================^========================================

People's Forum demonstrates against hospital privatisation

Detik.com - March 9, 2005

Niken Widya Yunita, Jakarta - Believing it will be 

commercialised, the People's Forum for Health Concerns 

(Forum Rakyat Peduli Kesehatan) held a demonstration 

opposing the privatisation of the local public hospitals 

(RSUD) and turning them into limited companies.

The action was held by around 50 people at the Jakarta 

provisional parliament on Jalan Kebon Sirih in Central 

Jakarta starting at 11.30am on Wednesday March 9.

Demonstrators wore white head bands with the writing 

"Reject privatisation" and brought a number of posters with 

messages including "RSUD rats seeking big profits" and 

"Return RSUD to its social function".

A red banner was also unfurled reading "Privatisation of 

RSUD an act which will bring suffering to society". The 

demonstrators declared their opposition to the 

privatisation of the Pasar Rebo, Cengkareng and RS Haji 

Pondok Gede public hospitals.

In addition to this, they also called for government 

regulations 13, 14 and 15 of 2004 on changing local public 

hospital into limited companies to be revoked. "There will 

be no bargaining, we will continue to ask that the 

government regulations be revoked. We will hold continuous 

actions if [we] are not heard", said the action's public 

relations officer Rendra Valentino accusingly.

The demonstrators did not send representatives to meet with 

council members but instead asked the members to join the 

action. But as yet no council members were prepared to do 

so.

The action proceeded in an orderly manner and traffic 

flowed smoothly. Around 20 security personnel guarded the 

action while the gates to the parliament building were 

tightly closed. (sss)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

STUDENTS HIJACK FUEL TRUCKS

=================^========================================

I N D O L E F T  -  News service  > >

=================^========================================

Makassar students hijack fuel trucks yet again

Detik.com - February 23, 2005

Gunawan Mashar, Jakarta - For the umpteenth time, on 

Wednesday February 23 students from the South Sulawesi 

provincial capital of Makassar have again hijacked fuel 

tankers. This time, after hijacking two kerosene tankers 

they drove them round and round the city.

Around 30 students from a number of Student Executive 

Councils (BEM) at the Makassar State University (UNM) 

initially held the demonstration in front of their campus 

on Jalan Andi Pettarani. The action was in protest against 

planned fuel price increases and the scarcity of kerosene 

in South Sulawesi. They then hijacked two fuel trucks which 

drove by the demonstration.

Feeling that students at other universities were 

unconcerned about the welfare of ordinary people, the UNM 

students drove the two tankers to a number of campuses in 

Makassar including the Indonesia Muslim University, the 

University 45 and the Hasanuddin University.

"We wanted to arouse [our] other comrades, [show them] 

where their concerns are about the people [should lie]", 

said one of the students while giving a speech from on top 

of one of the fuel tankers.

The action, which was tightly guarded by police from the 

East Makassar municipal police, didn't finish until around 

2pm.

Actions hijacking fuel tankers have occurred frequently in 

Makassar. Several days ago, State Institute of Islamic 

Studies students hijacked a diesel truck and drove it to a 

demonstration at the Makassar Region VII representative 

office of the state oil company Pertamina. (asy)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

**********************************************************

TRADERS PROTEST OVER FEES

Traders protest against new mall (Jakarta Post)

PADANG: Some 7,000 members of the Padang Market Traders Association (KPP) held a protest against the Padang municipality's plan to build a shopping mall on the site of the Goan Hoat bus terminal, located near Pasar Raya market.

The plan will likely have a serious impact on the traders, as it will block people's access to the market. 

Chairman of KPP, Irzal Mudazir, said that the plan to turn the terminal into a shopping mall would mostly affect medium and small scale traders. 

The association has conveyed their objections to Padang Mayor Fauzi Bahar and the municipal council, but there has been no response as yet. --JP

ACEH STUDENTS DEMAND FREE EDUCATION IN TSUNAMI AFTERMATH

TITLE: Aceh students demand free tuition

SOURCE: Jakarta Post - February 11, 2005

Fadli, Banda Aceh -- Hundreds of Syiah Kuala University students 

protested on the Banda Aceh campus on Thursday to demand that 

their tuition be waived and that the rector resign for attempting 

to force them to pay tuition beginning on February 14.

Muhammad Subhan, vice president of the Unsyiah Students Big 

Family association, told The Jakarta Post some 500 students held 

the protest in response to a circular from Rector Abdi Abdul 

Wahab requiring the students to re-register and pay their tuition 

starting on February 14.

"Many students were victims of the (tsunami) disaster and many of 

them are still living in shelters after losing their homes. How 

can the rector not see (their suffering) and issue a regulation 

requiring them to re-register and pay their tuition on time? If 

we don't pay, we might not be able to study this semester," 

Muhammad said.

The students, he said, want their tuition waived this semester 

and are demanding the rector step down for his failure to 

recognize the students' suffering.

"We [students] demand the replacement of the Unsyiah rector. Find 

another person who understands the students' situation," he said.

The protest started at 10 in the morning and lasted until about 1 

p.m. "I am now live under Lamnyo bridge because there's nowhere 

else to live. I came to Banda Aceh from Sigli because I have to 

re-register. I wonder how the rector can ignore our suffering," 

said Usman, a 24-year-old student in the university's School of 

Law.

Students are required to pay Rp 450,000 (US$50) every semester in 

tuition, a huge amount for those students who lost everything in 

the tsunami.

"If we didn't have to pay tuition, we could use the money to buy 

a bed or to find another boarding house. I only have the clothes 

that I am wearing now. All of my books and my bed were lost in 

the tsunami," Usman said.

Rector Abdi Abdul Wahab was not at the university during the 

protest. The rector's deputy of student affairs, Azhar Puteh, met 

with the protesting students and said the university would make 

exceptions for students affected by the tsunami.

He said students affected by the disaster had to fill in a form 

to have their tuition waived. Those students not affected by the 

tsunami were still required to pay tuition.

According to data from the university, of its 23,000 students, 

9,000 of them lost their houses or relatives in the December 26 

tsunami. There is no available data on the number of students who 

died in the disaster.

"The policy is very reasonable. We hope the students not affected 

pay their tuition, considering the high operational costs of the 

campus," he said. "I hope the students understand." He said the 

university's operations costs would be about Rp 5.6 billion this 

semester.

TITLE: Release of youth leader demanded

SOURCE: Jakarta Post - February 19, 2005

Kupang -- Hundreds of residents staged a protest on Friday 

outside the East Nusa Tenggara council building, demanding the 

release of a local youth leader allegedly detained by soldiers.

Aldi Dalton Ndolu, the chairman of Kayu Putih Youth Organization, 

was apprehended by soldiers on Thursday after he attended the 

funeral of a local resident in Kupang city.

Separately, Kupang Military Police chief Col. Helvis confirmed 

that the military police had detained Aldi for one night for 

questioning, but the youth leader had already been handed over to 

the local police headquarters for further interrogation.

Aldi was taken to the military police headquarters for 

questioning due to his alleged involvement in the beating of a 

soldier in the city.
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