Timorese protesters in Jakarta demand Australia walk away from Timor Sea

Java Post (JPPN) - March 24, 2016

Jakarta – East Timorese students are calling on Australia to leave East Timor's territorial waters accusing the Kangaroo Country of too long exploiting and profiting from East Timor's natural wealth.

This was articulated by students from East Timor from the East Timor Student's Association (Klibur Estudiante Timor Leste, Keustil) at a demonstration in front of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday March 24.

The protest action was similar to those held by their sisters and brothers in East Timor over the last few days. "We demand Australia [leave] because it has sabotaged our territorial waters and taken [our] oil from East Timor's territory", explained action coordinator Nelson Pereira.

According to Nelson, starting in 1971 Australia began holding illegal negotiations with Indonesia over the maritime area referred to as the Timor Gap without ever inviting the people of then Portuguese Timor to participate. "The result of the negotiations which took place in November 1973 was that Australia obtained the bulk of the benefits from these negotiations", he explained.

Nelson went on to explain that despite the August 30, 1999 referendum in which the Maubere (Timorese) people decided to separate from Indonesia, Australia continued to use the maritime boundary agreements with Indonesia in 1971 and 1972 without automatically setting a new maritime boundary. "So based on this, the agreement that has continued to be used up until this day is in fact illegal", asserted Nelson.

With regard to the exploitation of oil, Nelson explained that the Laminaria-Carollina oil fields have been exploited by more than 100 million barrels by Australian Petroleum, BHP and Shell. "The Australian government received profits of US$900 million which were never enjoyed by the Timorese people. And these oil reserves are almost exhausted", he explained.

Because of this therefore, the protesters are challenging Australia to prove itself as a big country which says it is ready to help developing nations in the Asia Pacific without conditions or ill intentions. "So this open hearted country doesn't become a country of hypocrisy", said Nelson. (rmol/dil/jpnn)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "Gelar Aksi di Jakarta, Mahasiswa Timor Leste Tuntut Australia Hengkang".]

Source: http://m.jpnn.com/read/2016/03/24/365703/Gelar-Aksi-di-Jakarta,-Mahasiswa-Timor-Leste-Tuntut-Australia-Hengkang-.

Timorese students in Jakarta say Australia is violating international law

Tribune News - March 24, 2016

Valdy Arief, Jakarta – Students from East Timor calling themselves the East Timor Students Association (Klibur Estudiante Timor Leste, Keustil) held a demonstration in front of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on the afternoon of Thursday March 24 demanding that Australia withdraw from the East Timor sea.

Action coordinator Nelson Pereira said that Australia has violated international law because of its actions in exploiting oil in East Timor's territorial waters.

"We demand that Australia leave East Timor's maritime boarders", said Nelson speaking in front of the Australian Embassy on Jl. HR Rasuna Said in the Kuningan area of South Jakarta.

According to Nelson, the treaty to jointly exploit the Timor Gap agreed to between Indonesia and Australia in 1989 should already have expired because East Timor separated from Indonesia in 1999.

Nelson said that the Laminaria-Corallina oil field, which is managed by Woodside Australian Petroleum, has already produced in excess of US$900 million for the Kangaroo Country. "This oil field is almost exhausted, meanwhile the people of East Timor have received nothing", he said.

Nelson demanded that Australia demonstrate its pledge to assist its neighboring countries in the Pacific region. "Demonstrate that Australia wants to assist smaller countries in the Pacific without conditions and without deception", said Nelson.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Sejumlah Mahasiswa Timor Leste Berunjuk Rasa di Depan Kedutaan Australia.]

Source: http://www.tribunnews.com/internasional/2016/03/24/sejumlah-mahasiswa-timor-leste-berunjuk-rasa-di-depan-kedutaan-australia.

Tan Malaka monolog performance in Bandung canceled after threats, intimidation

Detik News - March 23, 2016

Tia Agnes, Jakarta – A monolog performance titled Tan Malaka: I am a Red Haired Deer should have been held by a theater group from the West Java provincial capital of Bandung at the Main Theater at the Bandung Francaise D'Indonesie Institute (IFI) on Jl. Purnawarman Bandung on March 23-24.

The play had to be canceled however over concerns for the safety of the audience, students and IFI Bandung employees. "In the end it was canceled. We took into consideration the safety of the people involved in the play", said Tan Malaka playwright Ahda Imran when contacted by Detik on Wednesday March 23.

March 23 was chosen by the organisers because 53 years ago based on Presidential Decree Number 53/1963, Indonesia's founding president Sukarno declared Tan Malaka a national hero.

"We wanted to write about people who have been forgotten. So we can review the histories that have been forgotten, in the years 1945-1949 there were hidden narratives. Which for me still hold their own mysteries", continued Ahda.

Tan Malaka was known as a socialist and left-nationalist figure. Born in West Sumatra in 1897 he died at the age of 51 in 1949. "Tan Malaka was a most highly respected figure. During the New Order era [of former dictator Suharto] his name was proscribed so we need to present this monolog", explained Ahda.

Ahda reemphasised that the monolog presentation was only about Tan Malaka. "It isn't an issue of ideology or something of that kind!".

Ahda explained that earlier members of the District Military Command (Kodim) and the Bandung Metropolitan District Police Chief (Polrestabes) came to the Main Theater at IFI Bandung. They questioned the organisers about the technique, permit and substance of the monolog. They also asked whether the play was part of the Turn Left Festival (Belok Kiri Festival) held recently in Jakarta.

Ahda then explained about the script and the permit for the event. "We said, the Tan Malaka monolog is not part of the Turn Left Festival".

However the discussion was unable to reach an agreement and scores of people from three mass organisations arrived at the IFI Bandung, threatening to close the play down and intimidating the organisers that were present.

"We tried to negotiate with them. But no agreeable solution could be found. In the end the monolog was cancelled", said Ahda. (tia/doc)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "Diancam Ormas, Pertunjukan Monolog Tan Malaka' Batal Digelar di IFI Bandung.]

Source: http://m.detik.com/hot/art/3171923/diancam-fpi-pertunjukan-monolog-tan-malaka-batal-digelar-di-ifi-bandung.

Jakarta military gets wind of 'New Style Communists' behind Buru Island film showing

Pos Kota - March 16, 2016

Jakarta – Signs of the rise or reemergence of communism in Indonesia termed New Style Communism (Komunisme Gaya Baru, KGB) is apparent in a variety of different forms.

The differences are found in their colour and quality. If in the past the most dominant approach used by communists was through violence and or killings, now however it is by a strategic approach through soft power.

Communism is active in all pillars of life including the legislative and executive and has crept into the midst of Indonesian society. KGB is also active in the political parties that tend to support the existence of communism.

In confronting such a situation, the Jakarta military command (Kodam Jaya) through its intelligence officers and regional commands is continuing to monitor all threats by this KGB, even though the methods they are currently using are concealed and masked as social activities. This method has resulted in society being lulled into a false sense of security and the view has spread that communist ideas are not dangerous.

The Jakarta military command is also endeavoring to provide socialisation, both internally as well as in social circles through Bintara Pembina Desa [Babinsa, village based non-commissioned officers], that the state ideology of Pancasila cannot be altered. All communities in Indonesia must continue to be united under Pancasila ideology which represents the identity of the Indonesian nation.

"Recently intelligence agents have gotten wind of signs of the reemergence of actions by New Style Communist groups through the planned activity of a film showing of the film Buru Island My Home Land", said the Jakarta Military Command Intelligence Detachment Commander (Dan Den Intel).

According to information obtained by officers on the ground, the film showing of Buru Island My Home Land will be held on Wednesday March 17 at the Guest House Jalan Sam Ratulangi No. 9-5 in Menteng Central Jakarta at 5-8.30pm.

It is believed that the film will distort [historical] facts by relating how the state acted in a callous and inhuman manner in banishing citizens to Buru Island, with the aim of gaining sympathy from the common people, particularly the younger generation that do not yet have an understanding of or have directly heard stories about the brutality of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in 1965.

"We are trying to ensure that this event isn't held, because if it is it will provoke a reaction from Ormas [mass organisations] that oppose communism in Indonesia, which will end in a clash and harm many parties", said the intelligence detachment commander.

Jakarta military command intelligence officers can be likened to eyes and ears that are on the lookout at all times to supervise all situational changes in an area and will always be on guard against all activities carried out by the KGB.

It also needs to be remembered that communists in Indonesia represent a latent threat that has never died out, but has simply changed its form and will continue to develop though new styles. Society very much needs to play a role in supporting the TNI (Indonesian military) in safeguarding the country's sovereignty and the integrity of the NKRI (Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia) from the dangers of latent communism.

Because of this therefore, we as citizens of the state must assist one another in stemming the development of communist ideas in Indonesia. Remember, "THE COMMUNISTS ARE EVERYWHERE!!!".

Notes

Buru Island My Home Land (Pulau Buru Tanah Air Beta) by renowned Dili-based film maker Rahung Nasution is about the journey of two ex-political prisoners accused of being affiliated with Indonesian Communist Party and interned on the notorious prison island Buru Island, who return to meet with other former political prisoners who still live there. The film tries to show the contribution of political prisoners who underwent forced labor there, turning the island into the main source of rice for East Indonesia.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Intelijen Kodam Jaya Endus Muncul Komunis Gaya Baru.]

Source: http://poskotanews.com/2016/03/16/intelijen-kodam-jaya-endus-muncul-komunis-gaya-baru/.

IWD protest in Jakarta highlights anti-women policies, discriminative bylaws

Tribune News - March 8, 2016

Lendy Ramadhan, Jakarta – Scores of women calling themselves Women's Solidarity (Solidaritas Perempuan) held a protest action in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Tuesday March 8 to commemorate International Women's Day (IWD) 2016.

A representative of the demonstrators named Zakia explained that current government polices do not side with women and instead tend to discriminate against women. She gave the example of the Qanun Jinayah, a criminal code based on Sharia law in Indonesia's northernmost province of Aceh that consistently paints women as bad.

"(We) demand that the government look at the state of Indonesian society, particularly women in Indonesia, it's [happening] in all regions, Makassar, Jakarta, Mataram, Sumbawa, Palu, Palembang, Lampung and so on, it's about their source of livelihood, with policies that should side with the interests of women", she said.

Zakia explained that current policies on resources, fishing communities, [women's] bodies and discriminative bylaws in Aceh do not side with women. For example, the Qanun Jinayah in Aceh which severely discriminates against women.

"How is it that women aren't allowed to sit astride [a motorcycle], how is it that if a women is raped the perpetrator just utters an oath four times and is free, how is it that women must wear a jilbab [Islamic headscarf], in all of this women are deemed to be criminals", she said.

Brandishing a pamphlet containing their demands, the protesters held a long-march from the Horse Statue in Central Jakarta to the nearby State Palace. The group hopes that the government will hear and then agree to their demands.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Solidaritas Perempuan: Qanun Jinayah Diskriminatif.]

Source: http://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2016/03/08/solidaritas-perempuan-qanun-jinayah-diskriminatif.

Women workers in Bandung demand equal wages, prosperity and end to outsourcing

Tribune News - March 8, 2016

Bandung – Workers in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung from the Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance (KASBI) protested at the city hall on Tuesday March 8 demanding equal wages for women workers, the abolition of outsourcing and prosperity for workers.

"Coinciding with this March 8, as International Women's Day, we women also have the right to equal wages and prosperity", said one of the women protesters in a speech.

Based on Tribune's observations, a number of police personnel were mobilised to secure the protest action. Several worker representatives also entered the city hall in order to meet with officials and discuss their demands. (ff)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Buruh Perempuan Demo Menuntut Kesetaraan Upah di Balai Kota Bandung.]

Source: http://jabar.tribunnews.com/2016/03/08/buruh-perempuan-demo-menuntut-kesetaraan-upah-di-balai-kota-bandung.

Women's Parade of Struggle conveys Indonesian women's pain and sorrow on IWD

Kabar Buruh - March 8, 2016

Jakarta – The Indonesian Women's Parade of Struggle held an action in Central Jakarta on March 8 to commemorate International Women's Day (IWD).

The Indonesian Women's Parade of Struggle is a front made up of women from the Indonesian Labour Union Confederation (KPBI), the Independent Workers Solidarity Movement (GSBM), the Indonesian Unionists Solidarity Forum (FSUI), the North Jakarta 1992 All Indonesia Trade Union (SPSI 92 Jakarta Utara), the North Jakarta National Trade Union (SPN Jakarta Utara), Free Women (Perempuan Mahardhika), the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Jakarta), the Women's Legal Aid Foundation (LBH APIK), the Foundation for Psychological Recovery and Psychosocial Empowerment (Yayasan Pulih), the Service Provider Forum (FPL), the Indonesian Disabled Women's Association (HWDI), the Populist Student Front (FMK), the Indonesian Student Union (SMI), United Indonesian Struggle (PPI), the People's Politics (Politik Rakyat), the National Network for Domestic Workers Advocacy (JALA PRT), the Jakarta Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI Jakarta) and the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KONTRAS).

In 1910 an international conference in Copenhagen organised by socialist groups agreed to use the momentum of International Women's Day on March 8 as a form of respect for the struggle for women's human rights.

The Indonesian Women's Parade of Struggle took to the streets this year in an action joined by around 500 people, the majority of which were women. At 10am they gathered a the the Horse Statue in front of the Indosat building (the National Monument entrance) in Central Jakarta then moved off to the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry (KPPA) and finally to the nearby State Palace. There they rang 100 gongs in front of the State Palace as a symbol of anger over the problems faced by women in Indonesia, which are becoming more urgent year by year.

Nawaduka [literally meaning Nine Sorrows] represents the political position of Indonesian women who have yet to see any reforms under the administration of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla as outlined in their nine point priority program Nawacita.

Up until now, coinciding with 106 years of the international women's movement, the Widodo administration has failed to keep its pledge in accordance with Nawacita and on the contrary has deepened the Nawaduka of Indonesian women. Because up until now the state has yet to treat women with respect: there is no menstrual leave, maternity leave or places to breast feed at work in accordance with the law. There are still low wages and employment insecurity for domestic and migrant workers.

Women are also venerable to sexual harassment and violence, particularly in virginity test for female applicants to the Indonesian military and national police. Women also often face discrimination and difficulties in accessing public services.

"The sorrow of poverty and free market policies mean that women are the first casualties when there are mass dismissals. Women also do not have access to healthcare services and this contributes to increasing levels of maternal mortality rates because of problems accessing the BPJS [Social Security Management Agency]", said Mutiara Ika from Free Women. (jum)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Parade Juang Perempuan Indonesia Sampaikan Nawaduka Perempuan Indonesia.]

Source: http://kabarburuh.com/parade-juang-perempuan-indonesia-sampaikan-nawaduka-perempuan-indonesia/.

IWD action in Yogya calls for end to discriminative laws, equal rights

Suara Merdeka - March 8, 2016

Yogyakarta – On Tuesday March 8 scores of students from the Women's Struggle Committee (KPP) held a protest action at the zero kilometre point in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta. The group demanded that all laws and regulations that discriminate against women be revoked.

In addition to this, according to action coordinator Pipin, all of the democratic rights belonging to men must also be given to women. They also called for assistance for single parents and for women's right to equal pay for equal work.

The KPP action was joined by students from various higher education institutions in the area and was held to commemorate International Women's Day (IWD) which falls on March 8.

In commemorating this historic day, the KPP action called for legal, political and social equality for women. During the action, they brought banners and posters with demands calling for equality for women. The action proceeded smoothly although it was watched over from a distance by security personnel.

The action also called for women to be able to control their own bodies because women have a basic right to decided whether or not they wish to prevent or terminate a pregnancy.

After giving speeches the protesters disbanded with students returning to their respective campuses under the watchful eye of police. (Sugiarto/CN41/SMNetwork)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Sambut Hari Perempuan Internasional Dengan Aksi.]

Source: http://berita.suaramerdeka.com/sambut-hari-perempuan-internasional-dengan-aksi/.

Women's Struggle Committee re-launched for IWD, ongoing fight for equality

Koran Migran - March 8, 2016

The Indonesian People's Center of Struggle (PPRI) has re-launched the Women's Struggle Committee of the People (KPPR, Komite Perjuangan Perempuan Rakyat), which had begun to die down over the last few years, to coincide with the momemntum of commemorating International Women's Day (IWD) which for the last 100 years has been commemorated on March 8.

As if reborn with a new spirit, it is hoped that the KPPR will become a front for the struggle of women's groups that will be strong, solid and capable of fighting for equal rights for women.

Meanwhile in the context of the protest action pioneered by the KPPR to commemorate IWD this year, they will be taking up the theme, "Women and People Fight Capitalism, Militarism and the Culture of Patriarchy" in two locations.

The first target will be the offices of the Ministry of Education and Culture followed by the State Palace. With around 500 protesters, which are dominated by women, both young and old will join in the same strength of spirit.

A number of demands will be taken up by the different organisations that make up the PPRI alliance which includes the National Labour Movement Centre (SGBN), the Indonesian Migrant Workers Trade Union (SBMI), the Indonesian People's Union of Struggle (SPRI), the Populist Democratic Trade Union Federation (F-SEDAR), the Solidarity Alliance for Labour Struggle (GSPB), the Student Struggle Center for National Liberation (PEMBEBASAN), the People's Youth Movement Centre (SGMK), the Indonesian Cultural Society Union (SeBUMI), Solidarity Net (Solidaritas.net), the People's Liberation Party (PPR), the Working People's Association-Organisational Saviours Committee (KPO-PRP), the Contract Workers Challenge Alliance (ABKM), the Hong Kong Progressive Migrant Worker Alliance (AMP-HK) and the PT Nanbu Plastic Earth of Mankind Trade Union (Nanbu SEBUMI).

PPRI's demands:

1. Wages for housewives
2. Basic commodities for the poor
3. Equal rights and treatment in the work place
4. An 8 hour working day for Indonesian migrant workers (BMI)
5. A 50 percent wage rise
6. The abolition of all payments for BMI placement overseas
7. The provision of free social security for BMIs and their families
8. A 5 day working week for BMIs
9. Allow BMIs to process independent contracts
10. Save Rita and all BMIs overseas [facing the death penalty]
11. The provision of high-tech, easy to use and affordable household equipment for women in the home
12. Equal opportunities for public positions
13. Affordable, scientific and democratic education
14. The provision of public kitchens, public washing facilities, child care and care for the elderly
15. Maternal and menstrual leave
16. Equal wages for equal work
17. Access to affordable healthcare services, particularly in relation to reproductive health
18. Stabilise the price of basic commodities for the people
19. Try and seize the assets of corruptors
20. Develop a strong national industry
21. Revoke bylaws that discriminate against women and reject all anti-democratic legislation and regulations
22. Reject all forms of sexual violence against women
23. Reject the positioning of women as objects of entertainment in the arts
24. Ratify the Law on Domestic Workers and the Law on the Protection of BMIs
25. Implement genuine agrarian reform
26. Abolish all contract labour systems and outsourcing

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was KPPR Bangkit Kembali di Momentum IWD - Memperingati IWD 8 Maret 2016.]

Source: http://www.koranmigran.com/2016/03/kppr-bangkit-kembali-di-momentum-iwd.html.

'Women and the people fight capitalism, militarism and the culture of patriarchy'

Solidarity Net - March 8, 2016

Jakarta – Two hundred demonstrators from the Women's Struggle Committee of the People (KPPR) held a march to commemorate International Women's Day (IWD) from the Horse Monument in front of the Indosat building to the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Tuesday March 8.

The KPPR, which was formed by groups that make up the Indonesian People's Centre of Struggle (PPRI), rallied under the theme, "Women and the People Fight Capitalism, Militarism and the Culture of Patriarchy".

Indonesia's economic development which follows the dictates of the market has had a terrible impact on the ordinary people, particularly women. Only 28 percent of women have access to job opportunities in developing countries. Meanwhile according to the World Bank, some 117 million out of a total population of 231 million people live in poverty.

"Today we fight poverty which is also the enemy of women", said Indonesian People's Union of Struggle (SPRI) chairperson Marlo Sitompul. The culture of patriarchy sidelines and provides a basis for the exclusion of women from productive social labour and the discrimination that follows this.

In addition to the KPPR, a group of protesters calling themselves the Women's Movement Against Inequality also joined the action. The group highlighted the discriminative policies implemented by the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) which bans the appearance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people on television. They protested this policy by going to the offices of the KPI and the Ministry of Communication and Information. (Kominfo).

"I represent women without vaginas, who are often referred to as waria [transsexuals], whose voices are often not heard, except in relation to HIV... stop controlling us", said one of the speakers from atop the command vehicle.

When they had almost reached Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara in front of the State Palace, the KPPR protesters were blocked by police and a water cannon. The police prohibited the demonstrators from protesting near the Palace and only allowed them to give speeches in front of the National Monument gate some 100 metres from the Palace.

The police used Article 9 of Law Number 9/1998 on Expressing an Opinion in Public which only allows for protests to take place 100 metres from the State Palace gates.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was KPPR Peringati Hari Perempuan Sedunia 2016.]

Source: http://www.solidaritas.net/2016/03/kppr-peringati-hari-perempuan-sedunia-2016.html.