PKS leader calls on PRD to unite against neoliberalism

RMOL.co - March 25, 2015

The aggressive implementation of neoliberal policies in Indonesia cannot be halted by a small handful of groups. At the moment moreover neoliberalism has again succeeded in maintaining the status quo by taking advantage of the interests of the political parties that are thirsty for power and positions.

Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) advisory board (MPP) member Soeripto says that neoliberalism can only be blocked by collaborating.

"As a member of the PKS' MPP I am ready to collaborate with the PRD (People's Democratic Party). Let us not be egotistical in confronting neoliberalism alone. We must unite", said Soeripto at a seminar on the international situation at the PRD's congress at the Acacia Hotel in Central Jakarta on Wednesday March 25.

The intelligence observer [and former State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief – JB] emphasised that he is ready to advocate on behalf of the PRD if there are groups that accuse them of being a communist party.

"The PRD must maintain the people's trust. Because right now the people are increasingly losing their faith in the political parties. This will not be easy", he said.

In addition to Soeripto, the seminar also presented National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) deputy for education TNI Major General Tony SB Hoesodo who elaborated on the state ideology of Pancasila which is the PRD's current ideology. [cho]

Notes

Tony Hoesodo is a former Army Special Forces (Kopassus) officer who worked on former New Order general Prabowo Subianto's presidential election campaign in 2014 and has known Prabowo since 1989.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Dedengkot PKS Ajak PRD Bersatu.]

Source: http://politik.rmol.co/read/2015/03/25/196770/Dedengkot-PKS-Ajak-PRD-Bersatu.

Activists in Yogya say women still treated as second-class citizens

Tribune Yogya - March 8, 2015

Khaerur Reza, Yogya – Because of the great many government policies that fail to side with women, women are still treated second-class citizens and only identified by the kitchen, the bed and washing.

This view was conveyed by an activist from the Commission for the Defense of Women (KPP) during a break in an action commemorating International Women's Day (IWD) at the zero kilometre point in front of the central post office in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Sunday March 8.

The activist said that although affirmative action policies have been implemented such as a 30 percent quota for women legislative candidates, these regulations have not however produced many policies that side with women.

"The fight for decent wages for women, children's rights, the right to leave and others are never fought for by the elite", she said.

Because of this therefore, in commemorating IWD the KPP is making eight demands. Namely, the provision of decent wages for women workers, menstruation and maternity leave for women workers and access to decent education for women.

The group also rejects virginity tests, opposes all forms of violence against women, is calling for the abolition of discrimination against transgender people, freedom of sexual orientation and equality for women in economic and political affairs.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was KPP Serukan Delapan Tuntutan Terkait Diskriminasi Perempuan.]

Source: http://jogja.tribunnews.com/2015/03/08/kpp-serukan-delapan-tuntutan-terkait-diskriminasi-perempuan.

IWD action calls for end to violence against migrant workers

Tribune News - March 8, 2015

Jakarta – International Women's Day (IWD) was commemorated by various different elements of society who held a demonstration in the vicinity of the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta on Sunday March 8.

During the action, the different elements that made up the International Women's Day United Struggle Committee (KPP IWD) demanded equality and welfare for women, particularly migrant workers.

The hundreds of KPP IWD supporters came from a several different mass organisations including the National Labour Movement Centre (SGBN), the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Jakarta), Free Women (Perempuan Mahardika), the Jakarta Transportation Front (Frontjak) and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Trade Union (SBMI).

In speeches the KPP IWD called on the government to end acts of discrimination and violence against women workers. Joining the action was a migrant worker named Nuraini who was paralyzed after being tortured by her employer in Kuwait.

After holding the action at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, the protesters moved off to the nearby State Palace at around 11.30am.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Demonstrasi Warnai Peringatan Hari Perempuan Internasional.]

Source: http://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2015/03/08/demonstrasi-warnai-peringatan-hari-perempuan-internasional.

Women workers in Jakarta call for equal pay, reject free market

Okezone.com - March 8, 2015

Jakarta – Commemorating International Women's Day (IWD), scores of workers from the International Women's Day United Struggle Committee (KPPIWD) held a protest action at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta on Sunday March 8.

The women's workers were demanding rights and welfare for women workers. They also affirmed their firm opposition to the agenda of liberalisation or free market that is being packaged under the agenda of the ASIAN Economic Community (AEC).

"The AEC agenda will hurt Indonesia greatly, particularly workers", said one of the workers Qori in a speech.

The protesters, who had gathered in front of Hotel Indonesia, plan to continue conveying their demands at the State Palace. After this, they will head off to the action at the Constitutional Court, which is located not far from the Palace.

In addition to this, the workers also called on the administration of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to abolish contract labour systems and outsourcing and to given equal wages to women workers. (raw)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Harapan Buruh Wanita pada International Women's Day.]

Source: http://news.okezone.com/read/2015/03/08/337/1115343/harapan-buruh-wanita-pada-international-women-s-day.

Yogya students call on government to end discrimination against women

Tribune Yogya - March 8, 2015

Hamim Thohari, Yogya – In commemorating International Women's Day (IWD), students from the Student Alliance for Women held a peaceful action at the Jl. Malioboro shopping district in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Sunday March 8.

The protesters said that in the midst of the era of reformasi [the reform movement that began in 1998] and openness, the fate of women has not automatically improved. Action coordinator Marsinah Dede said that the oppression of women of late has in fact increased.

"Discrimination, sexual violence, commodification of women's bodies and sexual control in legislation along with government policies are increasingly attacking women", said Dede during a break in the action.

Furthermore she said, there are several regulations that discriminate against women, including among others the marriage law which has not been revised since 1974, the anti-pornography law and the healthcare law, along with 282 regional bylaws that discriminate against women in various forms.

The protesters also questioned legal and government bias in cases of sexual violence. The continuing increase in cases of sexual violence against women, which have tended to become more sadistic, according to Dede, shows the government's helplessness in overcoming the issue.

The peaceful action, which began at the Abu Bakar Ali parking area north of Malioboro and ended at the zero kilometre point in front of the central post office, also stopped at the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building where the protesters gave speeches. (tribunjogja.com)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Mahasiswa Minta Pemerintah Hapus Dikriminasi Perempuan.]

Source: http://jogja.tribunnews.com/2015/03/08/mahasiswa-minta-pemerintah-hapus-dikriminasi-perempuan.