Detik.com
- April 29, 2009
Khairul
Ikhwan, Medan – Thousands of farmers in North Sumatra (Sumut) have threatened
to boycott the July 8 presidential elections if the various problems facing
farmers are not resolved. This threat was conveyed during a protest action at
the offices of the North Sumatra National Land Agency (BPN) on Jl. Brigjen
Katamso in Medan on Wednesday April 29.
The farmers,
who came from the North Sumatra Politics for the Poor-National Farmers Union
(STN-PRM), urged the government to listen to their aspirations about the
liberation of the people’s land in North Sumatra.
“We are
disillusioned with the Sumut BPN and the BPN in Jakarta because not one of the
land problems in North Sumatra has been resolved, yet the land dispute
resolution operation has already been running for the last two years,” said
action coordinator Mangiring P. Sinaga.
This
disillusionment, said Sinaga, of is often felt and farmers who are fed up.
Because of this therefore, if their request is not realised, then the farmers
will not cast their vote in the coming presidential elections.
The protest
action by the farmers – who came from three North Sumatra regencies – was held
in the form of a long-march from the Merdeka Square in Medan. These three areas
represent the centre of land disputes in North Sumatra, namely the regencies of
Sahan, Labuhan Batu and Deli Serdang. The total amount of land under dispute in
these areas is around 360 hectares.
In a press
statement the farmers called for a resolution to the land disputes and asked
for the return of the people’s land in accordance with the mandate of the 1945
Constitution and Law Number 5/1960 on Agrarian Reform. (rul/djo)
[Translated
by James Balowski.]
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The people’s movement must be able to build the economy – Max Lane
Kompas -
April 28, 2009
Jakarta – The people’s political movement should not just be directed towards taking power, but it would be preferable if the movement is also direct towards building the economy. In Indonesia such a measure is extremely important because from the start Indonesia has not had the power of capital.
During a discussion held by the Independent Journalists Association (AJI) on Monday April 27, labour affairs observer Max Lane said that coming out of the Dutch colonial period, Indonesia failed to inherit any kind of industrial base, and this situation was aggravated by the emasculation of the right to organise during the era of Suharto’s New Order regime. This situation, according to Lane, is actually what has led to Indonesia being impoverished.
Indonesia does not have a history of capitalisation and because of this it has also resulted in a failure to take a capitalist path [of development], and following on from this, the Indonesian people are not become accustomed with a genuine discourse on their ideology. If this problem is not overcome, Indonesia will remain impoverished and may become even more destitute.
“I apologise, if I have to say that Indonesia’s situation is actually far more acute than just the [problem] of the effect of the current of neoliberalism”, said Lane.
In order to overcome this, what is needed is to strengthen the mechanisms of people’s control along with strengthening the people’s organisations and the trade unions. All of the fighters for reform must be able to build a target, such has how many active members in this movement.
Sastro from the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) said that in fact the power held by workers in Indonesia is huge. Up until now however, this power has not yet been sufficient to influence the national political stage. Yet in order to actively participate in politics or to take power, it isn’t necessary to build a party. (JOS)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Jakarta – The people’s political movement should not just be directed towards taking power, but it would be preferable if the movement is also direct towards building the economy. In Indonesia such a measure is extremely important because from the start Indonesia has not had the power of capital.
During a discussion held by the Independent Journalists Association (AJI) on Monday April 27, labour affairs observer Max Lane said that coming out of the Dutch colonial period, Indonesia failed to inherit any kind of industrial base, and this situation was aggravated by the emasculation of the right to organise during the era of Suharto’s New Order regime. This situation, according to Lane, is actually what has led to Indonesia being impoverished.
Indonesia does not have a history of capitalisation and because of this it has also resulted in a failure to take a capitalist path [of development], and following on from this, the Indonesian people are not become accustomed with a genuine discourse on their ideology. If this problem is not overcome, Indonesia will remain impoverished and may become even more destitute.
“I apologise, if I have to say that Indonesia’s situation is actually far more acute than just the [problem] of the effect of the current of neoliberalism”, said Lane.
In order to overcome this, what is needed is to strengthen the mechanisms of people’s control along with strengthening the people’s organisations and the trade unions. All of the fighters for reform must be able to build a target, such has how many active members in this movement.
Sastro from the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) said that in fact the power held by workers in Indonesia is huge. Up until now however, this power has not yet been sufficient to influence the national political stage. Yet in order to actively participate in politics or to take power, it isn’t necessary to build a party. (JOS)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Monday, April 27, 2009
Trade Unions reject election results in lead up to May Day
Okezone -
April 27, 2009
Depok – In the lead up to the commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day, the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) and the Greater Jakarta Railway Workers Trade Union (SPKAJ) are planning massive actions in Jakarta on May 1.
As part of the preparations for May Day, the groups held a protest action at the University of Indonesia (UI) train station in front of the university this afternoon.
Aside from collecting donations from sympathisers, they also called for the main agenda item for May Day to be rejecting the results of the April 9 legislative elections. In order to attract support from UI students, they gave speeches and handed out hundreds of May Day leaflets with calls to reject the election results.
According to the workers, the recent elections were not a people’s election, were fraudulent and are illegitimate. The grounds for the workers’ rejection of the elections is because the ‘festival of democracy’ failed to give birth to an elite or assembly members who side with the interests of workers – for example who have the courage to abolish contract labour systems (outsourcing) which is extremely harmful to workers.
The action was also marred by an argument between demonstrators and a UI security guard who tried to stop the demonstration because they did not have permission from the rectorate. Nawawi – the UI security guard – said that they should have submitted a request for written permission with the rectorate two week before the demonstration. After negotiations however, they were finally allowed to hold speeches for half-an-hour or so.
The protesters chose UI as a site for the demonstration because students are the most critical in responding to the corruption and dishonesty that is occurring in the nation and the state. Unfortunately, it appeared as if the UI students were unconcerned about the labour movement and many leaflets that had been distributed were simply thrown away.
Action coordinator Surya Ginting meanwhile said that in addition to rejecting the 2009 elections, workers would be articulating four demands. First, calling a national industry and agrarian reform that is strong and self-sufficient. Second, the nationalisation of industry under the control of the ordinary people. Third, refusing to pay the foreign debt by selling off the country’s assets. And forth, the eradication of corruption and the seizure of corruptors’ assets.
There was also a speech by a former Hotel Indonesia employee who related how after the hotel’s assets were sold off, the situation for his family became miserable. [Okezone.com]
Depok – In the lead up to the commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day, the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) and the Greater Jakarta Railway Workers Trade Union (SPKAJ) are planning massive actions in Jakarta on May 1.
As part of the preparations for May Day, the groups held a protest action at the University of Indonesia (UI) train station in front of the university this afternoon.
Aside from collecting donations from sympathisers, they also called for the main agenda item for May Day to be rejecting the results of the April 9 legislative elections. In order to attract support from UI students, they gave speeches and handed out hundreds of May Day leaflets with calls to reject the election results.
According to the workers, the recent elections were not a people’s election, were fraudulent and are illegitimate. The grounds for the workers’ rejection of the elections is because the ‘festival of democracy’ failed to give birth to an elite or assembly members who side with the interests of workers – for example who have the courage to abolish contract labour systems (outsourcing) which is extremely harmful to workers.
The action was also marred by an argument between demonstrators and a UI security guard who tried to stop the demonstration because they did not have permission from the rectorate. Nawawi – the UI security guard – said that they should have submitted a request for written permission with the rectorate two week before the demonstration. After negotiations however, they were finally allowed to hold speeches for half-an-hour or so.
The protesters chose UI as a site for the demonstration because students are the most critical in responding to the corruption and dishonesty that is occurring in the nation and the state. Unfortunately, it appeared as if the UI students were unconcerned about the labour movement and many leaflets that had been distributed were simply thrown away.
Action coordinator Surya Ginting meanwhile said that in addition to rejecting the 2009 elections, workers would be articulating four demands. First, calling a national industry and agrarian reform that is strong and self-sufficient. Second, the nationalisation of industry under the control of the ordinary people. Third, refusing to pay the foreign debt by selling off the country’s assets. And forth, the eradication of corruption and the seizure of corruptors’ assets.
There was also a speech by a former Hotel Indonesia employee who related how after the hotel’s assets were sold off, the situation for his family became miserable. [Okezone.com]
Friday, April 24, 2009
Workers Challenge Alliance opposes elections, say capitalism is bankrupt
Detik.com
- April 24, 2009
Ari Saputra, Jakarta – Around 40 workers from the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) held a demonstration on April 24 calling on the political elite – who are in middle of fighting over the presidency and vice presidency – to pay more attention to the people.
“The 2009 elections have not been effective in changing the situation. We reject them. They have only perpetuated the elite’s [position],” said action coordinator Anwar Ma'ruf at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta on Friday.
During the action, the demonstrators wore T-shirts with the writing “Capitalism is Bankrupt”. The workers said that the capitalist system, which has been applied in many countries, including Indonesia, has failed to bring much change to the situation. They believe that the affluence promised by the capitalist system is simply figment of imagination.
“We are inviting workers to unite and take to the streets. There will be even larger [actions] on May 1”, said Ma'ruf.
The demonstration, which proceeded for around 45 minutes, did not attract any significant security from police. The protesters disbanded on their own volition and did not create any traffic congestion because the number of demonstrators was not overly large. (Ari/nrl)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Ari Saputra, Jakarta – Around 40 workers from the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) held a demonstration on April 24 calling on the political elite – who are in middle of fighting over the presidency and vice presidency – to pay more attention to the people.
“The 2009 elections have not been effective in changing the situation. We reject them. They have only perpetuated the elite’s [position],” said action coordinator Anwar Ma'ruf at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta on Friday.
During the action, the demonstrators wore T-shirts with the writing “Capitalism is Bankrupt”. The workers said that the capitalist system, which has been applied in many countries, including Indonesia, has failed to bring much change to the situation. They believe that the affluence promised by the capitalist system is simply figment of imagination.
“We are inviting workers to unite and take to the streets. There will be even larger [actions] on May 1”, said Ma'ruf.
The demonstration, which proceeded for around 45 minutes, did not attract any significant security from police. The protesters disbanded on their own volition and did not create any traffic congestion because the number of demonstrators was not overly large. (Ari/nrl)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Monday, April 6, 2009
Political parties just throwing around false promises
Kompas -
April 6, 2009
Yogyakarta – On Sunday April 6, around 40 students from the United People’s Committee (KRB) demonstrated at the Gadjah Mada University roundabout in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta. The protesters were opposing the 2009 general elections and calling for the immediate creation of an anti-imperialist government.
The KRB – which is made up of some 10 different organisations – believe that the 2009 election is not the correct solution to overcome the problems the country is facing. The elections are still dominated by fake reformists parties and the remnants of Suharto's New Order regime, who work not in the interests of the little people but rather for their personal or class interests.
“Those participating in the elections are the ones that created the country’s problems [in the first place] so their seriousness in taking care of Indonesia is doubtful. For the poor, the 2009 elections are just an arena for the consolidation of elite power that is in direct conflict with the interests of the ordinary people”, said KRB speaker Andi Suli.
One of the problems that the KRB is focusing on is the suffering of the little people as a consequence of erroneous policies by those in power who tend to submit to foreign machinations. The economic crisis is worsening and poverty and unemployment rates are rising sharply, so the selling off of the nation’s assets is evidence of the ineptitude of those in power.
“Learning from experience, the 2009 general elections (will again) produce a government that will worsen the crisis and harm the people. Although during [election] campaigns the issue of economic self-sufficiency is heard, this does not preclude the possibility that the political actors (the political parties and figures) will in fact support money politics and sell off [the nation’s] wealth to foreign countries”, said Andi Permana from the Politics for the Poor-National Student League for Democracy (LMND-PRM).
Undemocratic
Action coordinator Mutiara Eka Pratiwi expressed the view that the elections will not bring about change that will benefit the ordinary people, but rather will strengthen the grip of foreign colonial domination. It is because of this therefore, there are a number of reasons that the KRB are opposing the 2009 elections.
Among other things this is because the elections are seen as undemocratic and restrict the participation of the people as a whole. This problem is apparent from the legislation [on the elections and political parties], the preparations for the elections, the election campaigns and the elections themselves. The parties established by the little people have failed, while conversely the parties owned by the wealthy can easily participate in the elections.
According to the KRB, the parties that exist at the moment continue to throw around false promises. They fail to take responsibility and even seem to have washed their hands of past sins. Conversely, there is not one new political party that is truly clean or originates from the people’s movement.
The other factor that supports the people’s mistrust is the level of golput which is steadily increasing to the extent that the Indonesian Ulama Council issued a fatwa stating that it was haram not to vote. (WER)
Notes:
1. Golput – Golongan putih or white movement, meaning not to mark the ballot paper or abstain from voting.
2. Such is the level of concern among the elite about the increasing levels of golput (as high as 40 percent in some regional elections), that in January the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) issued a fatwa (edict) stating that it was haram (forbidden) for Muslims not to vote.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Yogyakarta – On Sunday April 6, around 40 students from the United People’s Committee (KRB) demonstrated at the Gadjah Mada University roundabout in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta. The protesters were opposing the 2009 general elections and calling for the immediate creation of an anti-imperialist government.
The KRB – which is made up of some 10 different organisations – believe that the 2009 election is not the correct solution to overcome the problems the country is facing. The elections are still dominated by fake reformists parties and the remnants of Suharto's New Order regime, who work not in the interests of the little people but rather for their personal or class interests.
“Those participating in the elections are the ones that created the country’s problems [in the first place] so their seriousness in taking care of Indonesia is doubtful. For the poor, the 2009 elections are just an arena for the consolidation of elite power that is in direct conflict with the interests of the ordinary people”, said KRB speaker Andi Suli.
One of the problems that the KRB is focusing on is the suffering of the little people as a consequence of erroneous policies by those in power who tend to submit to foreign machinations. The economic crisis is worsening and poverty and unemployment rates are rising sharply, so the selling off of the nation’s assets is evidence of the ineptitude of those in power.
“Learning from experience, the 2009 general elections (will again) produce a government that will worsen the crisis and harm the people. Although during [election] campaigns the issue of economic self-sufficiency is heard, this does not preclude the possibility that the political actors (the political parties and figures) will in fact support money politics and sell off [the nation’s] wealth to foreign countries”, said Andi Permana from the Politics for the Poor-National Student League for Democracy (LMND-PRM).
Undemocratic
Action coordinator Mutiara Eka Pratiwi expressed the view that the elections will not bring about change that will benefit the ordinary people, but rather will strengthen the grip of foreign colonial domination. It is because of this therefore, there are a number of reasons that the KRB are opposing the 2009 elections.
Among other things this is because the elections are seen as undemocratic and restrict the participation of the people as a whole. This problem is apparent from the legislation [on the elections and political parties], the preparations for the elections, the election campaigns and the elections themselves. The parties established by the little people have failed, while conversely the parties owned by the wealthy can easily participate in the elections.
According to the KRB, the parties that exist at the moment continue to throw around false promises. They fail to take responsibility and even seem to have washed their hands of past sins. Conversely, there is not one new political party that is truly clean or originates from the people’s movement.
The other factor that supports the people’s mistrust is the level of golput which is steadily increasing to the extent that the Indonesian Ulama Council issued a fatwa stating that it was haram not to vote. (WER)
Notes:
1. Golput – Golongan putih or white movement, meaning not to mark the ballot paper or abstain from voting.
2. Such is the level of concern among the elite about the increasing levels of golput (as high as 40 percent in some regional elections), that in January the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) issued a fatwa (edict) stating that it was haram (forbidden) for Muslims not to vote.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Anti-election protesters say Yudhoyono government has failed
Waspada
Online - April 6, 2009
Medan – The North Sumatra Union for the Politics of the Poor Front (FPPRM) believes that the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has failed. Because of this therefore, they are opposing the 2009 general elections.
In addition to this, seen from the General Election Commission's level of preparation and logistics the FPPRM believes that the government has yet do demonstrate its seriousness about holding the elections.
This has been demonstrated in various parts of the country where there are duplicate voters, political parties that have not submitted campaign funding reports plus the many criminal electoral violations that remain untouched by the law.
“Currently there is no political party that originates from the people’s movement. The 2009 elections are not political education for the people but exhibit the buying and selling of votes. If the 2009 elections go ahead, it will result in the people suffering even further because of the high price of basic commodities”, said FPPRM representative Muhammad Roslan.
The solution being offered by the FPPRM is for the ordinary people to build their own force by uniting the people themselves like the people’s struggle against the Suharto dictatorship in 1998. “The people united will never be defeated”, said Roslan. (amr/wol-mdn)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Medan – The North Sumatra Union for the Politics of the Poor Front (FPPRM) believes that the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has failed. Because of this therefore, they are opposing the 2009 general elections.
In addition to this, seen from the General Election Commission's level of preparation and logistics the FPPRM believes that the government has yet do demonstrate its seriousness about holding the elections.
This has been demonstrated in various parts of the country where there are duplicate voters, political parties that have not submitted campaign funding reports plus the many criminal electoral violations that remain untouched by the law.
“Currently there is no political party that originates from the people’s movement. The 2009 elections are not political education for the people but exhibit the buying and selling of votes. If the 2009 elections go ahead, it will result in the people suffering even further because of the high price of basic commodities”, said FPPRM representative Muhammad Roslan.
The solution being offered by the FPPRM is for the ordinary people to build their own force by uniting the people themselves like the people’s struggle against the Suharto dictatorship in 1998. “The people united will never be defeated”, said Roslan. (amr/wol-mdn)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Protesters denounce elections as ‘festival of the elite’
Warta
Jatim (East Java News) - April 6, 2009
Surabaya – On Sunday April 5, protesters from the East Java People’s Union Against the Elections (PRTP) held a demonstration at the Bungkul Park in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya.
The hundreds of demonstrators from 11 labour and student organisations are opposing the election because they say it is nothing more than a festival of the political elite.
PRTP coordinator Afif Irwanto said that the elections will not bring any significant change to the national situation nor provide any solutions to overcoming poverty and unemployment.
“The elections are not a people’s festival. Up until now the ordinary people have cast their votes, but do not obtain the right to have a better life,” said Irwanto.
In addition to giving speeches and unfurling posters, the PRTP demonstrators also set fire to voter registration cards as a symbol of choosing to golput the elections. (red)
Notes:
Golput - Golongan putih or white movement meaning not to mark the ballot paper (leave it blank) or abstain from voting.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Surabaya – On Sunday April 5, protesters from the East Java People’s Union Against the Elections (PRTP) held a demonstration at the Bungkul Park in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya.
The hundreds of demonstrators from 11 labour and student organisations are opposing the election because they say it is nothing more than a festival of the political elite.
PRTP coordinator Afif Irwanto said that the elections will not bring any significant change to the national situation nor provide any solutions to overcoming poverty and unemployment.
“The elections are not a people’s festival. Up until now the ordinary people have cast their votes, but do not obtain the right to have a better life,” said Irwanto.
In addition to giving speeches and unfurling posters, the PRTP demonstrators also set fire to voter registration cards as a symbol of choosing to golput the elections. (red)
Notes:
Golput - Golongan putih or white movement meaning not to mark the ballot paper (leave it blank) or abstain from voting.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Sunday, April 5, 2009
‘2009 elections a festival of the corrupters’ – Activists
Surya
Online - April 5, 2009
Palu, Central Sulawesi – On April 5, scores of activists from the Central Sulawesi Union for the Politics of the Poor (PPRM Sulteng) declared their opposition to the 2009 general elections saying they are undemocratic and only involve the wealthy elite.
“The 2009 elections are a festival of the corruptors so it will be very problematic if they [end up] sitting in government or the legislator,” said action coordinator Muhammad Aqsa on Sunday.
During the action – which took place at the GOR Park in the Central Sulawesi city of Palu – participants took turns in giving speeches. They also distributed leaflets containing a statement opposing the 2009 elections.
According to Aqsa, there are still many remnants of Suharto’s New Order regime taking part in the elections with the aim of returning to power. “On the grounds of helping the poor, it is precisely they who are manipulating the people in order to reap personal profit”, he said.
In addition to this, continued Aqsa, there are also fake reformists who are intentionally taking advantage of the momentum of the electoral campaign to curry favour from the people. “What has become of your promises. The people are fed up with being lied to”, he asked.
Aqsa also said that in order to reduce the number of people living in poverty, what is needed is a leadership that is honest and capable of prioritising the interests of the ordinary people. Through the nationalisation of industry, he said, the people will be more prosperous because it will create large numbers of job opportunities.
Following the action, the protesters disbanded in an orderly manner. No security personnel were present.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Palu, Central Sulawesi – On April 5, scores of activists from the Central Sulawesi Union for the Politics of the Poor (PPRM Sulteng) declared their opposition to the 2009 general elections saying they are undemocratic and only involve the wealthy elite.
“The 2009 elections are a festival of the corruptors so it will be very problematic if they [end up] sitting in government or the legislator,” said action coordinator Muhammad Aqsa on Sunday.
During the action – which took place at the GOR Park in the Central Sulawesi city of Palu – participants took turns in giving speeches. They also distributed leaflets containing a statement opposing the 2009 elections.
According to Aqsa, there are still many remnants of Suharto’s New Order regime taking part in the elections with the aim of returning to power. “On the grounds of helping the poor, it is precisely they who are manipulating the people in order to reap personal profit”, he said.
In addition to this, continued Aqsa, there are also fake reformists who are intentionally taking advantage of the momentum of the electoral campaign to curry favour from the people. “What has become of your promises. The people are fed up with being lied to”, he asked.
Aqsa also said that in order to reduce the number of people living in poverty, what is needed is a leadership that is honest and capable of prioritising the interests of the ordinary people. Through the nationalisation of industry, he said, the people will be more prosperous because it will create large numbers of job opportunities.
Following the action, the protesters disbanded in an orderly manner. No security personnel were present.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Activists say elections just a way for candidates to enrich themselves
Antarsumut.com
- April 5, 2009
Medan – On April 5 scores of people from the North Sumatra Union for the Politics of the Poor Front (FPPRM-SU) held a protest action at the Mejestik roundabout in the North Sumatra city of Medan opposing the April 9 legislative elections.
In a speech, one of the protesters, Djohan, said that the 2009 legislative elections are simply an arena to enrich the legislative candidates themselves. “The people’s fortunes will not be able to change, the legislative elections only enrich the legislative candidates themselves”, he said.
Djohan added that the massive amount of funds used to organise the elections should be used to bring prosperity to the people. “The budget for the organisation of the elections should be used to bring prosperity to the ordinary people, such as providing job opportunities”, he reiterated.
During the action, the demonstrators also handed out leaflets to pedestrian in the area containing calls to reject the 2009 elections. (I01MOSR02MOS)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Medan – On April 5 scores of people from the North Sumatra Union for the Politics of the Poor Front (FPPRM-SU) held a protest action at the Mejestik roundabout in the North Sumatra city of Medan opposing the April 9 legislative elections.
In a speech, one of the protesters, Djohan, said that the 2009 legislative elections are simply an arena to enrich the legislative candidates themselves. “The people’s fortunes will not be able to change, the legislative elections only enrich the legislative candidates themselves”, he said.
Djohan added that the massive amount of funds used to organise the elections should be used to bring prosperity to the people. “The budget for the organisation of the elections should be used to bring prosperity to the ordinary people, such as providing job opportunities”, he reiterated.
During the action, the demonstrators also handed out leaflets to pedestrian in the area containing calls to reject the 2009 elections. (I01MOSR02MOS)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Students in Medan call for election boycott
Detik.com
- April 2, 2009
Khairul Ikhwan, Medan – Some 50 or so students in the North Sumatra city of Medan demonstrated on April 2 against the general elections that will take place on April 9. The group said that students believe that the elections will not bring about change or resolve the problems of the ordinary people.
The statement was made by some students from the United Medan Student Movement (GMMB) during an anti-election protest action in the Jl. Gatot Subroto roundabout area of Medan on Thursday.
In addition to unfurling posters and banners, the students also held a theatrical action depicting the oppression by the political elite against the little people.
One of the demonstrators, Gosmen, said that in its efforts to win power, the political elite and legislative candidates frequently serve up sweet sounding promises during their campaigns.
“[But] after [gaining] a seat on the soft legislative bench, will they remember the people’s difficulties? [No] they will only think about how to get the money back that [they] have been throwing around during the [election] campaign”, said Gosmen.
In its statement, the GMMB invited local people to golput (to abstain from voting, boycott or cast an invalid ballot) by ticking all of the legislative candidates names and the parties on the ballot paper on election day, because to golput is also the ordinary people’s right.
In addition to this, the GMMB also condemned the political elite and the legislative candidates who have been conducting campaigns on campus grounds, including candidates who have intentionally put up posters and banners on campuses. (rul/djo)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Khairul Ikhwan, Medan – Some 50 or so students in the North Sumatra city of Medan demonstrated on April 2 against the general elections that will take place on April 9. The group said that students believe that the elections will not bring about change or resolve the problems of the ordinary people.
The statement was made by some students from the United Medan Student Movement (GMMB) during an anti-election protest action in the Jl. Gatot Subroto roundabout area of Medan on Thursday.
In addition to unfurling posters and banners, the students also held a theatrical action depicting the oppression by the political elite against the little people.
One of the demonstrators, Gosmen, said that in its efforts to win power, the political elite and legislative candidates frequently serve up sweet sounding promises during their campaigns.
“[But] after [gaining] a seat on the soft legislative bench, will they remember the people’s difficulties? [No] they will only think about how to get the money back that [they] have been throwing around during the [election] campaign”, said Gosmen.
In its statement, the GMMB invited local people to golput (to abstain from voting, boycott or cast an invalid ballot) by ticking all of the legislative candidates names and the parties on the ballot paper on election day, because to golput is also the ordinary people’s right.
In addition to this, the GMMB also condemned the political elite and the legislative candidates who have been conducting campaigns on campus grounds, including candidates who have intentionally put up posters and banners on campuses. (rul/djo)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
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