National Liberation Front (FPN) May 21 action against proposed fule price increases.
National Liberation Front (FPN) May 21 action against proposed fule price increases.
GENERAL UPDATE NOTE: This morning’s papers carry reports of the heads of the youth wings of the Muhammidiyah and Nahdatul Ulama, the two largest religious socio-educational organizations have come out against the fuel price rises, as has Megawati and Amien Rais.
(The updates below are abbreviated translations of SMS text messages I have received from activists.)
Demands set out in leaflets:
“1. DEFEAT THE FUEL PRICE INCREASES
2. LOWER THE PRICES OF BASIC NEEDS GOODS
3. UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE PEOPLE, SEIZE THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, MOSTLY OWNED BY FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CAPITALISTS
All this is only possible if all of the peoples’ strength unites in large scale mass mobilizations, builds peoples organizations, builds unifications of the people.”
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REPRESSION IN TERNATE (an eastern island provinve):
Demonstration underway outside DPRD. FPN activist Dede, a lecturer at the Muhammidiyah University in North Maluku was detained at the local military command, but released a while later after interrogation. The demonstration is continuing outside the local parliament. (10.30am approx Indonesian time)
At approx 10.40, however, according to SMS reports there was a provocation and the demonstration turned “chaos”. Several activists have been arrested including Haekal (Gamhas), alan, Kardi, Sumarlan and Ono.
JAKARTA REGION:
Groups of 200-700 people have been reported to be gathering in different spots around Jakarta organizing speak-outs and handing our leaflets since early morning. The aim has been to leave central Jakarta meeting points for a march to the Presidential palace around 11.00am. Most of the messages indicate these are groups gathering in the Tangerang-Bekasi area.
(Apart from FPN, detik.com news websites also reports that FRM, FPR and also the All Indonesia Student Executive Bodies (BEM seIndonesia) are also demonstrating at the Palace today.)
LUWUK, South Sulawesi - about 500 students, are lead by FPN, from university of UNTIKA and are heading to another campus, UNISMU, to seek solidarity there. The ,arch is being accompanied by hundreds of ojek bike riders. (Men who take passengers on their motor bikes.) The action is planned to continue into the late afternoon.
SEMARANG, (Central Java) – FPN Semarang has started a speak-out of around 50 people.(1000am Indo time).