[Onthebarricades] On the Barricades - ASIA - part 4 (+ Pacific Islands)

Mon Apr 4 04:23:32 PDT 2005

TITLE: Workers demand governor's resignation

SOURCE: Jakarta Post - January 19, 2005
Batam, Riau Islands -- Some 5,000 workers on Batam staged another  protest on Tuesday, demanding Riau Islands acting governor Ismeth Abdullah's resignation over his failure to improve workers' welfare.  The acting governor was condemned for not raising the minimum wage in Batam from Rp 635,000 (US$70.5) to Rp 728,000 a month, a hike that the workers had been demanding for the last few months.  The protest on Tuesday almost ended in violence when hundreds of  security guards and police officers prevented the workers from entering the governor's office compound in downtown Batam.

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

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Surabaya students 'walk backwards' to protest fuel price 

hikes

Detik.com - February 17, 2005

Budi Hartadi, Surabaya - There are many ways to express 

opposition to fuel price increases. On Thursday February 

17, scores of students from the University of Airlingga 

(Unair) Student Executive Council (BEM) chose to 

demonstrate by walking backwards to the East Java 

provincial parliament in Surabaya.

Before holding the walking backward action, the 

demonstrators held speeches opposing price increases in 

front of the State Grahadi Building on Jalan Gubernur 

Suryo. "The policies of the government of SBY-Kalla 

[President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Vice president Jusuf 

Kalla] and their ministers have failed, because they only 

side with the big companies and ignore the economic [needs] 

of the little people", shouted one of the demonstrators.

The president of Unair BEM, Bagus Wiyono, told journalists 

that the action was held because they had heard rumors that 

the government would increase fuel prices today. "As a 

result of this news public unease has grown. What's more 

it's added to by increases in the price of a number of 

basic goods", he said.

According to Wiyono, in a critical situation such as this 

the government should conduct an audit of the state fuel 

company Pertamina. In this way the public would know where 

the subsidies which are being given to Pertamina are going. 

"What's more the issues being raised by the government [to 

justify cutting subsidies], it's not clear what direction 

they are going", explained Wiyono.

After giving speeches in front of the Grahadi Building, the 

demonstrators held the walking backwards action to the 

Surabaya parliament which was quite far away, around 300 

metres.

The action became somewhat heated when the demonstrators 

were about to enter the grounds of the parliament. This was 

because scores of security personnel from the South 

Surabaya Sectoral Police forbid them from entering.

As well as giving speeches, the demonstrators also sung 

songs of struggle and brought posters reading "Reject fuel 

[price increases] right now" and "The people's misfortune, 

Pertamina's profit". (asy)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

INDONESIA
Workers demand higher salaries 
National News - March 10, 2005 
BATAM, Riau Islands: Some 2,000 hotel and
entertainment workers in Riau Islands province staged
a protest on Wednesday in Batam, demanding that the
government raise the minimum wage in the area.
The increase in the minimum wage should follow on the
increase of fuel price, the protesters said. 
"The fuel price hike has led to increases in the price
of basic necessities, making these basic necessities
unaffordable for us," said Joko, a protester who works
as a bell boy in a local hotel in Batam. - JP

Yogya students seal off petrol station and Pertamina 

offices

Detik.com - February 5, 2005

Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta - Opposing planned fuel (BBM) 

price increases by the government of President Susilo 

Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice-president Jusuf Kalla (SBY-JK), 

scores of demonstrators from the National Student League 

for Democracy (LMND) sealed off a petrol station (SPBU) and 

the offices of the state oil company Pertamina.

The action which was held on Saturday February 5 began at 

9.30am at the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) roundabout in 

Yogyakarta, Central Java. The demonstrators, who came from 

a number of Yogyakarta schools of higher education, carried 

posters, banner and red flags with the symbol of LMND.

One particular poster, black in colour, which was carried 

by the demonstrators read "If BBM goes up = SBY-JK will be 

brought down and the people will unite to form an 

alternative government". Other posters read "overthrow SBY-

JK", "Cancel the foreign debt", "Try the corrupters" and 

"If BBM goes up unemployment increases".

In a speech the Yogyakarta LMND chairperson Lalu Hilman 

Afriandi said that fuel price increases are evidence of the 

fact that the SBY-JK government and the People's 

Representative Assembly have failed to bring about the 

people's hopes for change. The SBY government is not the 

solution to solve the crisis.

The promise to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism 

and the try the corrupters within the first 100 days of the 

administration is obviously just rhetoric. Afriandi said 

that SBY should use existing evidence to arrest the 

corrupters and they be called on to prove themselves 

innocent.

"In other words the mark for SBY's report [on the first 100 

of his administration] is totally red. The government of 

SBY is unpopular because it hasn't sided with the people 

and isn't pro-democratic", said Afriandi.

After 30 minutes of speeches at the UGM roundabout, the 

demonstrators then held a long-march towards the Terban 

SPBU on Jalan C. Simanjuntak. Along the way speeches were 

given and leaflets handed out to people.

Before sealing off the Terban SPBU, demonstrators gave 

speeches at the entrance to the station. As a result people 

wanting to buy petrol and diesel fuel were forced to give 

up. When demonstrators arrived the 10 petrol station 

attendants immediately stepped aside and moved near the 

office. The petrol pumps were only guarded by Yogyakarta 

city police officers both in uniform and wearing civilian 

cloths.

The demonstrators then sealed the petrol pumps while others 

gave speeches in front of them. A length of white cloth 

which was used as a head band with the writing "oppose BBM 

price increases" was tied around the hose and canister of a 

gas fire extinguisher. The pumps were sealed with a message 

reading "Sealed: This SPBU will supply [BBM] at the old 

price".

>From the Terban SPBU the demonstrators continued the long-

march towards the Central Java-Yogyakarta Pertamina Trade 

Office on Jalan Mangkubumi. There they also sealed of the 

office with the writing "This office has been sealed by the 

people". They were not however able to enter the Pertamina 

office itself because it was already guarded by security 

personnel and police so they posted the message on the 

front gate. (jon)

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/03/01/news/indonesia.html
INDONESIANS PROTEST FUEL PRICE INCREASES
13,000 police and other forces on alert

JAKARTA Students took to the streets in at least 10
Indonesian cities on Tuesday to protest steep fuel
price increases in what could be one of the biggest
political tests for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
since he took power.

The government said Monday that it was reducing fuel
subsidies in a budgetary move that would result in
average price increase of 29 percent, and the price
increases took effect Tuesday. 

Fuel prices have been a sensitive matter in Indonesia,
ever since riots over a price increase in 1998
hastened the collapse of the authoritarian Suharto
regime.

The authorities placed about 13,000 police and other
security forces on alert to deal with any violent
protest. The cutting of the subsidies angered many
poor Indonesians who depend on cheap vehicle fuel to
earn a living. There also is concern that the rise in
fuel prices may make other basic commodities more
expensive. 

One of Yudhoyono's major political allies in
Parliament, the Prosperous Justice Party, criticized
the cutting of the subsidies, saying the government
had yet to work out a detailed plan to compensate the
poor.

El Shinta radio and the official Antara news agency
reported student protests and strikes by
public-transportation drivers in at least 10 cities
across the country on Monday and Tuesday.

Hundreds of students blocked roads in the city of
Makassar in eastern Indonesia, El Shinta said.

In Jakarta, students burned tires near a major
intersection and shouted slogans accusing Yudhoyono of
failing to defend the poor, witnesses said.

Gasoline now costs 2,400 rupiah, or 25 cents, per
liter, up from about 1,800 rupiah, but is still the
cheapest in Asia. In Malaysia, which also moved on
Monday to cut fuel subsidies, unleaded gasoline sells
for 1.42 ringgit, about 37 cents, per liter. 

Previous phased reductions of subsidies have set off
violence and forced presidents to roll back some price
increases.

Yudhoyono, Indonesia's first directly elected
president, said last week that he was prepared to lose
popularity by sticking to the plan, but with a small
support base in Parliament, he could come under
political pressure if the protests turn violent.

Yudhoyono, who took office in October, told
Indonesians on Monday the measures were a bitter but
necessary step.

Economists have welcomed the decision, saying
Indonesia needs to free up funds for infrastructure
and development spending. The subsidies last year cost
the state 59 trillion rupiah, about $7 billion.
Officials said the cuts would result in a fuel subsidy
cost this year of 39.8 trillion rupiah, about 10
percent of budget expenditure.

Indonesia is a member of the Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries, but it was a net crude
oil importer in months in 2004 because of production
problems and low investment.

Now, gasoline prices have increased by 32.6 percent
and automotive diesel fuel prices by 27.3 percent.

Household kerosene, vital to impoverished Indonesians,
was left unchanged.

Anticipating the price increase, motorists lined up at
fuel stations late into Monday night.

The government has promised that some of the money
saved by the reduction of subsidies will be redirected
to improving schools and housing for the poor.

But many critics are concerned that the money could be
lost to corruption, which is endemic at all levels of
Indonesian society.

Officials have promised the creation of a fund to help
those who suffer the most from the price increases.

But Rama Pratama, a member of the Parliament's budget
commission from the Prosperous Justice Party, said the
details of that plan were unclear.

The party, he said, "rejects the fuel price increases
because the government has not prepared details of the
compensation program, to show they can reach the right
target."

"The government also has no clear plan to deal with
the inflation that will be triggered by simultaneous
increases in the prices of staple goods," he said.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

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

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Makassar students protesting fuel price hikes hijack fuel 

truck

Detik.com - February 17, 2005

Gunawan Mashar, Makassar - Planned fuel price hikes which 

are soon to be announced by the government continue to 

attract a response from the public. Students in the South 

Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar demonstrated 

against the price increase by hijacking a petrol truck.

Actions took place at two separate locations. The first was 

in front of the Makassar Islamic University (UIM) and the 

second at the reformasi toll road intersection. As of going 

to print, Thursday February 17, the actions were still 

taking place.

The demonstration at UIM on Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan was 

joined by scores of students. They had been demonstrating 

since 10am, giving speeches on the road and setting fire to 

tyres.

They also hijacked two petrol trucks owned by the state oil 

company Pertamina as they drove by although they were 

released a short time later. As well as giving speeches the 

students held a theatrical action by wrapping themselves in 

cotton shrouds.

As a result of the action there was a traffic jam on Jalan 

Perintis Kemerdekaan. Also visible were banners reading 

"Reject fuel [price] increases"

The other action which took place at the same time was at 

the reformasi toll road intersection which was joined by 

around 20 people from the National Student League for 

Democracy (LMND). They also detained a petrol tanker and 

gave speeches opposing increases in the price of oil. (jon)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

TITLE: Aceh students again rally for free tuition

SOURCE: Jakarta Post - February 15, 2005

Banda Aceh -- Hundreds of students from Syiah Kuala University 
(Unsyiah) in Banda Aceh again held a protest at the university 
compound on Monday, demanding the university president, Abdi 
Abdul Wahab, to provide them and the lecturers shelter and free 
tuition for one semester.

The two-hour long protest was the third in the past week.

Zulfikar, the chairman of the university's student association, 
said that shelter provision was aimed at creating a better 
learning environment as many of their homes as well as those of 
many lecturers were destroyed in the tsunami on December 26.

IWD in Bandung also takes up fuel price issues

Detik.com - March 8, 2005

Ahmad Yunus, Bandung - Around 100 women and farmers from 

the People's Struggle Front (Front Perjuangan Rakyat) held 

an action commemorating International Women's Day. In their 

action, the demonstrators who originate from Pengalengan in 

West Java, also opposed fuel price increases.

The action was held in front of the Sate Building on Jalan 

Diponegoro in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung 

on Tuesday March 8 at around 11.10am. As well a Kuda 

Lumping(1) artistic performance, demonstrators also brought 

dozens of posters and issued 10 demands.

The demands included ending all forms of discrimination and 

violence against women, rejecting polygamy, rejecting 

contract labour and opposing fuel price increases. They 

also brought dozens of young children to the action.

"I was taken to Japan in 1942-1945, I was broken hearted 

[because I was] violated and coerced by the Japanese", said 

75-year-old Emah Astimah, a form comfort women during a 

speech.

>From data contained in the leaflets which were being handed 

out, in 2001 as many as 300,000 Indonesian children were 

victims of human trafficking to Hong Kong, Malaysia and 

Taiwan while 650,000 women were trapped in prostitution.

Police officer were visible but did not guard the action 

very tightly. One woman was seen to faint and was carried 

to the shade to recover.

Notes:

1. Kuda Lumping - Horse made of plait work with which men 

dance themselves into a trance.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Yogya demonstrators: Fuel price hike more important than 

Ambalat

Detik.com - March 8, 2005

Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta - On Tuesday March 8, dozens of 

students from a number of groups in the Central Java city 

of Yogyakarta held actions opposing fuel price increases. 

They also called on Yogyakarta people not to be influenced 

or provoked by the Ambalat dispute(1) between Indonesia and 

Malaysia to the point where the issue of fuel price 

increases disappears.

This call was raised by one of the participants, Mamad, who 

is also a member of the Yogyakarta Indonesian Islamic 

Student Movement (PMII). Mamad and his colleges were giving 

speeches in front of the offices of the state owned oil 

company Pertamina on Jalan Mangkubumi. "We declare [that 

we] still oppose fuel price increases which were made by 

the SBY [President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono] government. We 

also call on the Yogyakarta people and students not to be 

influenced by the Ambalat issue", he said. 

Mamad explained that the Ambalat dispute between Indonesia 

and Malaysia should not be used to shift the issue away 

from fuel prices. Students and the people must continue to 

voice their opposition to fuel price increases. "The fuel 

issue is far more important than Ambalat, because fuel 

[price increases] touch [the lives of] millions of poor 

people in Indonesia", he asserted.

The joint action between PMII from the Gadjah Mada 

University (UGM), the Yogyakarta State University and 

STIEBBANK, started at the UGM campus roundabout in 

Bulaksumur. As well as bringing posters with messages 

opposing fuel price increases, they also called on 

Yudhoyono to reshuffle his cabinet, particularly his 

economic ministers and to seize the assets of the 

corrupters.

>From the UGM campus they held a long-march to the 

Yogyakarta provisional parliament on Jalan Malioboro ending 

up at the State Palace on Jalan Ahmad Yani. During the 

long-march, some 10 motorcycles owned by students who's 

engines had been turned off escorted the rally.

Separately, dozens of activists from the Women's and 

People's Coalition for Reform (KPRP) commemorating 

International Women's Day also held an action opposing the 

increases and demanding a reduction in the price of fuel.

In her speech, one of the participants from KPRP, Dian 

Novita, said the ones who are suffering most because of the 

fuel price increases are ordinary people, particularly 

women, that is housewives. The cuts to fuel subsidies has 

resulted in the people sliding further into poverty with 

the price of basic goods continuing to increase day by day. 

"Fuel price increases have also caused more and more 

working-class women to fall into poverty", she said. (nrl)

Notes:

1. Ambalat - In February 2005 a maritime boarder row 

erupted between Indonesia and Malaysia over an oil-rich 

offshore area near North-East Kalimantan and the Malaysian 

state of Sabah. Some believe that the dispute is being used 

by the military to push for defense budget increases which 

would be paid for by money saved from the fuel subsidy cuts 

announced on March 1. Nationalistic rallies around the 

country also served to divert the public attention away 

from the fuel subsidy issue.

Actions against fuel price hikes dominate IWD rallies in 

Solo

Detik.com - March 8, 2005

Muchus Budi R., Solo - International Women's Day (IWD) 

which fell on March 8 was commemorated by demonstrations in 

the Central Java city of Solo. The actions was organised by 

two small groups with the same aims, opposing fuel price 

increases which they believe will further worsen the 

economic conditions of the people. Ambalat(1) was no 

included among the issues raised.

The first action was held by around 40 women calling 

themselves the Surakarta Women's Alliance. From 

observations on the ground, most of them were women who 

have been active in a number of non-government 

organisations in Solo.

The demonstration which was held between 9am to 10am on 

Tuesday March 8 used the Gladag roundabout as the site for 

the action. As well as unfurling a banner opposing fuel 

price increases they also distributed leaflets to 

passersby.

Although there numbers were few, there threats were quite 

angry. "If the policy (to increase fuel prices) is not 

withdrawn, we will withdraw the mandate of SBY-Kalla's 

[President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Vice-president Jusuf 

Kalla] who have failed to fulfil their promises to bring 

about better reform, but instead have brought further 

suffering to the people", they wrote in their statement.

Several moments after the women's action dispersed, dozens 

of students from the Solo University arrived at the Gladag 

roundabout to demonstrate opposing fuel price increases. 

The action was also held to commemorate IWD with the group 

calling itself Women's Solidarity Against Fuel Price 

Increases. (nrl)

Notes:

1. Ambalat - In February a maritime boarder row erupted 

between Indonesia and Malaysia over an oil-rich offshore 

area near North-East Kalimantan and the Malaysian state of 

Sabah. Some believe that the dispute is being used by the 

military to push for defense budget increases which would 

be paid for by money saved from the fuel subsidy cuts 

announced on March 1. Nationalistic rallies around the 

country also served to divert the public attention away 

from the fuel subsidy issue.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Peaceful demo in Palu attacked by police, three students 

wounded

Tempo Interactive - March 7, 2005

Darlis M., Palu - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's 

warning not to act violently against demonstrations 

opposing fuel price increases appears to be only words. 

Police in the Central Sulawesi city of Palu were unable to 

restrain themselves, attacking and beating students who 

were demonstrating in the centre of the city. As a result, 

it caused traffic jams and chaos. "They are still 

militaristic in carrying out their duties", said the action 

field coordinator M. Taufik.

The peaceful action by 300 students from across Palu 

started at 10am with demonstrators giving speeches in front 

of the Central Sulawesi parliament on Jalan Samratulang. 

They were demanding that the government's policy to 

increase the price of fuel be reviewed because if they 

persists with the policy the Yudhoyono government will be 

taking a very serious political gamble. "SBY-Kalla 

[Yudhoynono-Vice-president Jusuf Kalla] must resign from 

their posts", shouted the demonstrators.

The action was tightly guarded by a platoon of police 

officers. Suddenly, in the middle of the student's 

speeches, a stone flew in the direction of the police. The 

provocation made police furious and they angrily chased and 

beat demonstrators, pursuing them onto the main road and 

causing a traffic jam on Jalan Protokol Kota.

Five students who were hit by truncheons were rushed to 

hospital with head wounds. One of them suffered serious 

injuries and had to be put on an artificial resperator. 

Police also arrested three students.

The action only ended after the three students were 

released with the assistance of members of the Central 

Sulawesi parliament. According to Taufik, who is also the 

chairperson of the Tadulako University Student Executive 

Council, they will take legal action over the incident. 

They are to appoint the Central Sulawesi Institute for 

Legal Development and Human Rights (LPSHAM) as their legal 

representative. "The security forces and police haven's 

changed, [they are] still inclined towards violence", he 

said.

According to Taufik, Palu students will not retreat from 

their opposition the fuel price increase policy, even if 

they are deal with violently. Students plan to remain at 

the parliament until council members agree to sign a 

document opposing the price increases. "On Tuesday, 

tomorrow, we will consolidate [our forces], we will go to 

the streets again and demonstrate", he said

[Translated by James Balowski.]

No letup in actions against fuel price increase

Detik.com - March 6, 2005

Astrid Felicia Lim, Jakarta - Those traveling around the 

city of Jakarta need be ready to be held up by traffic jams 

because of actions opposing fuel price increases which are 

being organised by members of the public and activist 

groups. Actions in the capital city against price increases 

continued on Sunday March 6.

The United People's Alliance, who had earlier vehemently 

opposed the fuel price increases, will be organising an 

open forum, rally and be distributing leaflets. The 

demonstration will start at the Poncol Senen Monument in 

Central Jakarta, continue south via the railway line and 

end at the Jatinegara train station. The action is planned 

to begin at 3pm.

Activist from the City Forum (Forkot) meanwhile, plan to 

hold an action to collect signatures which will be held on 

Saturday March 5. The action will be held in the Kampung 

Melayu area in East Jakarta at around 12noon. Forkot will 

also be working jointly with a number of other 

organisations including several from outside Jakarta to 

organise a general strike.

Since the price of fuel was increased on March 1, a total 

of 327 actions have been held by students, housewives, 

drivers and activists in various cities across Indonesia. 

(ast)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Demonstrations escalate as government announces fuel price 

hikes

Detik.com - March 1, 2005

[The following is an abridged translation of a selection of 

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

on March 1 after the Indonesian government of President 

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice-President Jusuf Kalla 

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

subsides.]

Makassar students burn tires over fuel price increases

Gunawan Mashar, Makassar - Makassar students greeted fuel 

price increases by demonstrating on the night of Monday 

February 28. Demonstrations were held at a number of parts 

of the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar with 

student burning tires and reading from the Koran as symbols 

of the "death of the little people" who are being burdened 

with a higher cost of living.

Piles of tires were burnt in front of the Makassar State 

University while students waited for an official 

announcement on the price increases. At the Makassar 

Islamic University students from the Indonesian Islamic 

Student Movement burnt tires and gave recitations from the 

Koran.

A demonstration was also organised at the Alauddin State 

Institute of Islamic Studies where student gave speeches in 

the middle of the road.

Hundreds of students in Kupang blockade roads

Emmy F, Kupang - Around 100 students from the National 

Student League for Democracy (LMND) held a demonstration 

protesting against fuel price increases.

The students who came from a number of colleges in Kupang, 

blockaded Jalan Soeharto and gave speeches. They also 

brought banners and posters with messages condemning the 

SBY-Kalla government.

Students said that the policy to increase fuel prices was 

made under pressure from the rich countries and the IMF and 

that it only represents a continuation of the policies of 

the previous government because the majority of the cabinet 

are people from the New Order regime of former President 

Suharto. They rejected the increases and urged the 

authorities to arrest the corrupters and seize their wealth 

to pay for subsidies for the people.

As of going to press, the blockade which started at 9am is 

still in place. Dozens of police officers were present but 

took no action.

Dozens of angkot (small inter-city public transport 

vehicle) drivers also held a similar action at the 

government office for public relations in Kupang. They 

urged the government to adjust fares because the fuel price 

increases will be followed by increases in the price of 

spare parts.

Opposing price increases, students highjack petrol truck

Ismoko Widyaya, Jakarta - Lively demonstrations against the 

government's decision to increase fuel prices are 

continuing. On Tuesday March 1, Students from the Syarif 

Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) protested the 

increases by highjacking a fuel truck.

The action which was organised by around 100 students, had 

been going on since 9am at the UIN campus in Ciputat, South 

Jakarta. A number of students wore head bands with the 

writing "We oppose BBM increases".

The started the action by burning tires in front of the 

campus. Scattered around the burning tires were posters 

with messages condemning the increases such as "BBM goes 

up, SBY goes down", "SBY constantly lies" and "The people 

have suffered enough, reduce BBM right now".

At 10am a kerosene tanker drove by and the students 

immediately encircled and "highjacked" it, planning to 

distribute the kerosene to the people. It turned out 

however that the tanker was empty and was eventually 

allowed to go at 11am.

UIN Student Executive Council spokesperson Rahmat Sahid 

said that they would continue the protests for four days 

straight demanding the cancellation of the price increases 

and a reduction in the price of basic goods.

Fuel prices increase, Yogya students 'seal off' Pertamina 

offices

Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta - Hundreds of students from a 

number of different groups in Yogyakarta, Central Java, 

demonstrated opposing fuel price increases by 'sealing off' 

the state oil company Pertamina offices on Jalan 

Mangkubumi. Students believe that the SBY-Kalla government 

has failed to fulfil its promises and must therefore 

resign.

The action on Tuesday March 1 which began at 9.30am, was 

joined by students from the Muhammadiyah Student 

Association (IMM), the Islamic State University (UNI) and 

the Yogyakarta Student Alliance which represents a 

coalition of Student Executive Councils from the Gadjah 

Mada University, the Yogyakarta State University, the 

Islamic Student Association for Reform (HMI-MPO) and the 

Yogyakarta Indonesian Muslim Student Action Front (KAMMI)

Before 'sealing off' the Pertamina offices the students 

gave speeches and burnt tires at the Yogyakarta monument. 

As well as bringing the flags of their respective 

organisations, they also brought posters reading "SBY where 

is your promise?", "BBM = A burden for the people", "BBM 

goes up = Tsunami chapter II", and "Stop oppression in the 

name of BBM increases".

After some 30 minutes of speeches, demonstrators held a 

long-march to the Pertamina offices. Because Pertamina knew 

it was a target, the front gates had been closed since 9am 

and tightly guarded by police and soldiers from the sub-

district military command.

At around 10.30am the number of demonstrators grew even 

larger after hundreds of members from the Yogyakarta Social 

Alliance joined the rally. Although students had already 

asked permission to enter, security personnel refused to 

allow them to go in.

After negotiations, the demonstrators were finally allowed 

to 'seal off' the Pertamina offices. The offices windows 

were covered with massages reading "Sealed off, BBM goes up 

= the little people suffer". They then held a long-march to 

the Yogyakarta parliament on Jalan Malioboro.

Opposing price increases, students also burn tires in 

Jakarta

Hendi Suhendratio, Jakarta - An action against fuel price 

increases on Tuesday March 1 was also organised by students 

from the Indonesian Christian University (UKI). Like other 

demonstrations, they also burnt tires as symbol of protest.

The action in front of the UKI campus in Cawang, South 

Jakarta, had been in progress since 11am. In front of the 

UKI campus gates a huge banner was erected reading "The 

people are suffering, oppose BBM increases".

The students numbering around 100 gave speeches and 

repeatedly shouted "Oppose BBM right now". They also set 

fire to tires in front of the campus and as would be 

expected, it created a traffic jam.

Action coordinator Onis said that the students had planned 

to highjack a passing fuel tanker however none had passed 

the campus yet so student gave speeches while they waited 

for one to pass.

In a statement, they demanded that the fuel price increases 

which had only just been announced the previous night be 

canceled and that cutting fuel subsidies was not the 

correct solution to subsidising needs of the people's.

1,680 demonstrate over price increase, State Palace a 

favorite target

Muhammad Atqa, Jakarta - Thousands of students from 11 

Jakarta student organisations have held demonstrators 

against fuel price increases with the State Palace being 

the favorite target.

This was revealed in data gathered by the Intelligence 

Directorate and Metro Jaya police on Tuesday March 1. Of 

these eleven student groups, seven chose the State Palace 

as the location for their actions.

The groups include 150 students from the University of 

Indonesia Student Executive Council (BEM) who had earlier 

held an action at the national parliament, 250 students the 

Jakarta Student Action Circle, 100 people from the Poor 

People's Youth Militia, 100 workers from the Port 

Transportation Trade Union, 80 student from the Jakarta 

Students Central Movement and 150 students from the Student 

Liberation Movement.

Other groups which chose the State Palace for their actions 

included 300 students from the Greater Jakarta Student 

Executive Council and 100 students from the State Islamic 

University who also invited bus drivers and conductors to 

go on strike.

In addition to this, 150 students from the Indonesian 

Christian University (UKI) demonstrated in front of the 

Cawang campus in South Jakarta and around 150 students from 

UKI who demonstrated at the Salemba campus in Central 

Jakarta.

The Metro Jaya police said that they would break up 

demonstrations without permits and if they burnt 

photographs of the president and vice-president police will 

take action in accordance with the law because it is an 

insult against the head of state. To safeguard the State 

Palace, police have deployed around 452 personnel.

Demonstration against price increases causes one-hour 

traffic jam

Hendi Suhendratio, Jakarta - Students from the Indonesian 

Christian University (UKI) set fire to tires in the middle 

of the road as a protest against fuel price increases on 

Tuesday March 1. As a result, Jalan Mayjen Sutoyo in 

Cawang, South Jakarta, was brought to a standstill for 

almost one hour.

At first students only burnt tires in front of the campus 

however from 2pm they started burning them in the middle of 

the road. The action took up four lanes leaving only two 

for motorists to use. As a result cars and buses were 

unable to move. Only two traffic police were present so 

they were busy guarding the student action. It wasn't until 

3.15 that traffic began to flow again.

The spokesperson for the action, Onis, said the UKI 

students would continue holding demonstrations until the 

price of fuel is brought back down. Earlier they had tried 

to highjack a fuel truck but there weren't enough students 

hold the truck for long.

Three students arrested for burning photograph of SBY

Arry Anggadha, Jakarta - Three students who were involved 

in an action against fuel price increases were arrested by 

police on Tuesday March 1 for burning photographs of 

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).

The arrests were have been confirmed by the Metro Jaya 

police chief Inspector General Firman Gani. "Yes, it's 

true, there were three people who were arrested but not 

those which were holding an action in front of the [State] 

Palace. They were holding an action at the University of 

Indonesia in Salemba and come from the United People's 

Alliance", said Gani when asked for confirmation of the 

arrests.

Gani said the three were arrested because they were 

intending to burn photographs of SBY. Evidence of this was 

found at the location of the demonstration where 

photographs of SBY were found which had already been 

crossed out. Also found were tires and petrol.

"At the moment they are being question by the Metro Jaya 

police. If proven [guilty], there is a possibility that 

they will be [formally charged and] arrested", he said.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Protests erupt across the country over fuel price increase

[The following is an abridged translations of a selection 

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

site on February 28, the day before the Indonesian 

government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice -

President Jusuf Kalla (SBY-JK) took the highly unpopular 

decision cut fuel (BBM) subsides.]

KAMMI students call for economics minister to be replaced

Astrid Felicia Lim, Jakarta - Prior to a meeting of the 

People's Representative Assembly Budgetary Commission at 

which fuel price increases will be discussed, dozens of 

students from the Indonesian Muslim United Action Front 

(KAMMI) held a demonstration at the parliamentary building 

in Jakarta on Monday February 28.

As well as opposing fuel price increases, they also called 

on the government to reshuffle the economic affairs cabinet 

team. According to KAMMI general chairperson, Yuli Widy 

Astono, their opposition to the price increases are final 

as it is a demand of the ordinary people and students.

"This is final, the policy of increasing fuel prices will 

result in increases to the prices of other basic goods. The 

government should use other alternatives. For example, 

reducing subsidies for bank re-capitalisation which are as 

high as 41 trillion rupiah and increase [the state oil 

company] Pertamina's efficiency", he said.

They said that government's argument that the fuel 

subsidies are only being enjoyed by the rich is false. In 

realty, the public already knows that the fuel price 

increases are being done to plug the budget deficit. Astono 

added that the target of the compensation funds for cutting 

fuel subsidies is unclear and will only lead to worse 

corruption.

A number of demonstrators brought posters and banners which 

read "Oh I'm confused, the feet become the head, the head 

becomes the feet", "BBM goes up again", "BBM goes up the 

little people panic", "A sad story: BBM goes up again" and 

"Wasn't it enough that a tsunami struck down the country".

With regard to the Budgetary Commission meeting which had 

just started, Astono said that they are lobbying the DPR to 

allow a delegation to enter and convey the student's 

position to the commission, that is their opposition to the 

price increases.

Yogyakarta students demonstrated against fuel price 

increases

Bagus Kurniawan -- Actions opposing fuel price increases 

also occurred in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta with 

students from the Islamic Student Association for Reform 

(HMI-MPO) and the Yogyakarta Muslim Student League (LMMY) 

carrying a student wrapped in a shroud to the action.

The action, which was held on Monday February 28, began on 

the grounds of the Yogyakarta provisional parliament at 1pm 

where they gave speeches and set fire to an old tire.

As well as bringing HMI flags, demonstrators also carried a 

student wrapped in a white shroud with the writing 

"casualty of BBM increases" and posters reading "BBM goes 

up, the people are strangled", "Oppose BBM increases" and 

"SBY what happened to your promise".

After 15 minutes of speeches they held a long-march to the 

central post office where they distributed leaflets calling 

for opposition to the planed fuel price increases and for 

the arrests of those hoarding fuel and basic goods.

In a speech, action coordinator Panji Hariyanto said the 

people are obliged to oppose the planned price rises and if 

the government withdraws fuel subsidies then the people 

should withdraw their trust in the government and bring the 

Yudhoyono-Kalla administration down.

According to Hariyanto, rising the price of fuel is not the 

only way to solve the budget problems. "The solution is not 

to reduce subsidies, but to wipe out KKN [corruption, 

collusion and nepotism]. Not by getting the small fish but 

the big fish and seizing their assets/wealth to pay the 

debt", he said.

University of Indonesia students oppose fuel price 

increases

Arry Anggadha -- Around 100 students from the University of 

Indonesia Student Executive Council demonstrated against 

fuel price hikes at the State Palace carrying a bamboo bier 

with the writing "Rest in Not Peace (an embittered 

death)(1) on SBY-JK's conscience". The bier covered with a 

black cloth was carried by four students who also wore 

black clothing.

Before going to the State Palace the students held a long-

march from the National Monument which was barricaded by 

around 100 police. After negotiations the students were 

finally allowed to demonstrate on the National Monument 

grounds in front of the State Palace.

Most of the students were wearing jackets of their 

university's colours and yellow head bands with the writing 

"We don't care SBY-JK"(2). Banners were filled with three 

ultimatums of the people: "Cancel plans to increase the 

price of BBM", "End economic policies of liberalism" and 

"Arrest the corrupters and seize their wealth".

There were also posters reading "BBM increases will add to 

the suffering of the Acehnese people", "A gift for the 

Acehnese people, increasing BBM" and "This is not the time 

for 'corruption' but the time for 'caring'".

Although the action proceeded in an orderly fashion it 

caused a traffic jam disrupting traffic from roads at the 

nearby Gambir train station to Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara.

Opposing price fuel incases, Makassar students call for 

general strike

Gunawan Mashar -- Opposition against planned fuel price 

increases has continued in the South Sulawesi provincial 

capital of Makassar where students are even calling for a 

general strike tomorrow

One of the demonstrations was organised at the South 

Sulawesi provisional parliament by dozens of students from 

the National Student League for Democracy (LMND) who 

arrived at the parliament at around 10am. They brought 

banners reading "Seize the corrupter's wealth [to pay] the 

subsidies for the poor". A number of students wore 

traditional farmer's hats with the writing "Casualties of 

BBM increases".

"There are many other solutions which should be taken by 

the government without having to increase the price of fuel 

which is the same as oppressing the little people. This 

includes seizing the wealth of the corrupters or increasing 

the import duties on luxury goods", said one of the 

students, Adi.

A Similar action took place in front of the Aluaddin State 

Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN). Students from the IAIN 

Student Executive Council demonstrated by hijacking a 

vehicle transporting dozens of LPG tanks. The vehicle was 

abandoned in the middle of the road resulting in traffic 

jams in the area near the demonstration.

Students also protested in front of the Makassar Islamic 

University where they carried kerosene stoves which were 

placed in the middle of the road as symbol of their 

opposition to fuel price increases. They also held a 

theatrical action and called for a general strike on 

Tuesday. Other rallies also called for a general strike.

Opposing fuel price increases, convoy of vehicles heads for 

State Palace

Arry Anggadha -- Around 300 demonstrators from a number of 

groups organised a convoy of 25 public transport vehicles 

to the State Palace. They plan to hold an action opposing 

fuel price increases.

The demonstrators from the Urban Poor Network, the Greater 

Jakarta Becak (pedicab) Network and the Greater Jakarta 

Public Transport Network began gathering in front of the 

Indonesia Plaza in Central Jakarta at 10.15am.

As well as angkot (small inter-city public transport 

vehicle) and becak drivers, the action was joined by 

housewives and small children. To enliven the action, a 

number of house wives brought kitchen utensils.

The convoy moved off at 11.10am bringing traffic on Jalan 

Thamrin to a stand still. The convey stopped at the Indosat 

Building on Jalan Merdeka Barat then continued on foot 

leaving their vehicles parked along the side of the road.

Students burn photos of president and vice-president

Ahmad Dani -- Dozens of students from the Social and 

Political Science Faculty of the Indonesian Christian 

University (UKI) held a demonstration against fuel price 

increase in which they set fire to tires and burnt 

photographs of SBY-Kalla.

The action was held in front of the UKI campus in Central 

Jakarta on Monday February 28 causing a traffic jam when 

they set fire to tires and burnt photographs in the middle 

of the street.

In speeches they said that the SBY-Kalla government has 

proven itself not to side with ordinary people and rejected 

fuel price increases saying that in order to subsidise the 

people's needs the government should bring the corrupters 

to trial and use their money to subsidise the people.

Palembang transport workers strike over fuel price 

increases

Taufik Wijaya -- In the South Sumatra capital of Palembang, 

around 150 ankot drivers went on strike over plans by the 

government to increase fuel prices.

Angkot and city buses had begun "disappearing" since 12noon 

leaving hundreds of passengers on various routes stranded 

and forcing them to use motorcycle taxis or three-wheeled 

bemos which are more expensive.

According Robi, one of the angkot drivers, they plan to 

take their demonstration to the mayor's office where they 

will urge the municipal government to adjust public 

transport fares for short and long distance trips. 

Monkey also opposes fuel price increases

Arry Anggadha - Around 300 people from the Urban Poor 

Consortium (UPC) demonstrated against fuel price increases 

using a "monkey act" to draw attention to their action.

The demonstration which was joined by members of the Urban 

Poor Network and ankot and becaks (pedicabs) drivers 

operating in Greater Jakarta was held in front of the State 

Palace in Central Jakarta on Monday February 28.

The demonstrators held a long-march from the offices of the 

Ministry for Political, Security and Legal Affairs to the 

State Palace. On arriving at the State Palace, they 

organised a "monkey act". "Look, even the monkey oppose BBM 

increases", said the head of UPC's advocacy division, 

Berkah Gamulya, during a break in the action.

A monkey, which was given the name Iis, could be seen 

dancing while carrying an umbrella and basket. Following 

this, the monkey rode around on a becak and bicycle.

The majority of the demonstrators were housewives and 

children who banged household utensils such as pans, woks 

and jerrycans. A huge banner was unfurled which read 

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

The action proceeded in an orderly manner guarded buy 

around 100 police officers.

Notes:

1. The implication here is that a person who is murdered "isn't

ready to die" and will return as a ghost and haunt the 

person who committed the crime.

2. "We don't care" is play on words taken from a recent 

statements by Yudhoyono that he "doesn't care" about his 

declining popularity over the government's failure to 

fulfil key election promises in the first 100 days in 

office.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

TITLE: Disabled people demand equality
SOURCE: Jakarta Post - January 25, 2005
Yogyakarta -- Dozens of disabled people in Yogyakarta staged a protest on Monday to demand equal treatment and an end to discrimination by the authorities, and the enactment of special legislation to ensure their rights were protected.  The protesters met with several members of the local council, and complained about a lack of employment opportunities and public facilities for them.  "We don't ask for pity. We are just demanding fair and equal treatment. For how long will we continue to be treated like this?" said coordinator Nuning Setyaningsih, who is also the director of the Center for Improving Qualified Activity in the Lives of People with Disabilities (CIQAL).  She said that the main cause of discriminatory treatment against disabled people was the lack of legislation to protect their rights.

TITLE: Change of hospital status sees protests
SOURCE: Jakarta Post - February 2, 2005
Jakarta -- The Jakarta administration's decision to change three city hospitals into corporate entities in a bid to boost their  professionalism, has received a negative reaction from several hospital staff and local residents.  Fearing that the policy would reduce health services for the poor, dozens of local residents and activists protested on Tuesday at Pasar Rebo Hospital, East Jakarta, one of the hospitals cited in the policy decision, which took effect on January 1.  "We are afraid that hospital fees will increase," said Pius Toa, 57, a Pasar Rebo resident. "Any corporation by definition is profit-oriented."  The City Health Agency head, Abdul Chalik Masulili, defended the city's decision to incorporate the three city-run hospitals: the Pasar Rebo Hospital and the Haj Hospital in East Jakarta and the Cengkareng Hospital in West Jakarta.  "There is no way that this will increase costs for the poor," said Abdul Chalik. "Whatever the legal form of a hospital, its main mission is still a social one." Out of the 250 hospital beds at Pasar Rebo, 50 percent are designated as third class facilities, which are covered by the city under its health care scheme for the poor.  Abdul Chalik said that the change in status was necessary as previously, when they were government units, the hospitals were hampered by bureaucracy and staff management issues.  "The change is purely meant to increase the flexibility of management," explained Chalik. "So that they can better manage the hospital's assets, finances and staff." Siti, who has worked as a nurse for more than 10 years, said that many of the hospital workers joined the protest out of concern that the hospital would deny access to the poor to health services.  "When it was a government unit, I used to be able to go home at 2 p.m., now I have to stay here to at least 4 p.m." The city still legally controls all the hospitals, owning 99 percent of the shares of Pasar Rebo and Cengkareng Hospitals and 51 percent of the Haj Hospital.  The administration will also incorporate the three remaining city-run hospitals: Tarakan Hospital in West Jakarta, Koja  Hospital in North Jakarta and Budi Asih Hospital in East Jakarta.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Air strike
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m12.shtml
University strikers demand vice-chancellor resign
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/wkrs-m12.shtml
Hundreds protest over Aussie search of PNG PM

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1335475.htm

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/31/content_2770186.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200504/s1336599.htm

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Deal ends public-sector strike
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/wkrs-f26.shtml

FIJI: Government workers stage walkout

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=18565

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=18738

Water supply workers strike over back pay

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=18583

NEW CALEDONIA:  MINE BLOCKADED (report from Mining Watch)

Kanaks Blockade Inco's Goro Site in New Caledonia, 
Demand Respect for Indigenous Rights

For Immediate Release - February 3, 2005

(Ottawa/New Caledonia) On February 1 at 4:00 in 
the morning 150 members of the indigenous Kanak 
Rhéébù Nùù Committee blockaded the entrance to 
Inco's Goro Nickel site. On February 2 the number 
had grown to 250 protestors. Today, according to 
reports, the new shift of workers for the site 
were turned away by the Rhéébù Nùù activists and 
Inco told its remaining 50 workers on site to 
evacuate. This is the latest effort in a 
long-standing struggle by the Kanak population of 
New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the 
South Pacific, to force Canadian nickel giant 
Inco to respect their indigenous rights.

André Vama, chairperson of the Rhéébù Nùù 
Committee says that the blockade will last as 
long as it takes to get Inco and the Southern 
Province to the negotiation table. In a press 
release issued by the Rhéébù Nùù Committee on 
February 1, André Vama said, "Let us sacrifice 
current income earning activities to gain our 
rights and have them being respected over the 
promise of 200 years of exploitation of our 
natural mineral resource heritage."

On February 3, André Vama was taken into custody. 
Supporters of the Rhéébù Nùù Committee and the 
local Kanak population fear that the French 
special police forces (gardes mobiles) will soon 
charge the people on the barricades.

Recognized Kanak authorities representing the 
major Kanak institutions of the Sénat Coutumier 
and the Rhéébù Nùù Committee demand that Inco:
1) halt recently resumed construction of the Goro facility,
2) initiate a negotiation process that will 
result in a agreement with recognized Kanak 
authorities that responds to their social and 
environmental concerns concerning the Goro 
project, and
3) allow an independent assessment of Inco's 
Environmental Impact Assessment.
Kanak authorities have repeatedly pointed to the 
agreements Inco negotiated with the Labrador Innu 
and Inuit as an example of the process they seek 
with Inco.

Inco's response to these requests has been highly 
combative and confrontational. Following a 
three-day blockade early in 2004, Inco filed a 
lawsuit against the then-leader of the Rhéébù Nùù 
Committee, Raphaël Mapou. However, in a landmark 
ruling in November, Justice Dominique Gilles 
ruled that Raphaël Mapou and the Rhéébù Nùù 
Committee are the legitimate representatives of 
the Kanak people affected by the Goro project and 
that their protest was peaceful and its goals of 
protecting Kanak concerns and the environment 
were legitimate. Inco has filed another suit 
against Raphaël Mapou for "damages" incurred by 
the three-day blockade.

Justice Pradal of New Caledonia's capital Noumea 
has threatened expulsion of the current Rhéébù 
Nùù blockade by force.

"André Vama and the members of the Rhéébù Nùù 
Committee are showing enormous bravery in 
standing up for the rights of their people in the 
face of possible police action and Inco's 
litigious aggression," says Catherine Coumans of 
MiningWatch Canada. "It is shameful that a 
Canadian company that should know better is 
violating the basic rights of the indigenous 
people of New Caledonia."