Nawir Arsyad Akbar, Jakarta – Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Impunity Monitoring Division Head Jane Rosalina has revealed that 30 international institutions have rejected giving the 2nd president of the Republic of Indonesia the title of national hero.
This rejection was in the form of a joint statement signed by 30 international institutions that do not agree with Suharto being declared a national hero.
Kiki Safitri, Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf has stated that the government will consider all input related to the discourse on naming the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, a national hero.
This was conveyed by Gus Ipul, as he is called by his friends, when receiving a number of activists from the Civil Society Movement to Bring Suharto to Justice (Gemas), who reject Suharto being made a national hero.
The 1998 reform movement (reformasi) that successfully overthrew former president Suharto did not automatically change the political-economic power structure in Indonesia. The political system that was promised to be more democratic was still controlled by the old elite and the owners of capital. Various studies have shown that the oligarchy remains in power through the co-optation of the political parties and state institutions.
So far, the people have been asked to be patient. But until when? The reforms we fought for together have been hijacked! The agenda of social justice has been replaced with neoliberal policies. The capitalists and the bourgeoisie elite are increasingly powerful, while the working class and the poor are still being trampled on!
Miswanto – International Workers' Day (May Day) was born from the embers of resistance. It was not a compassionate gift from the ruling class, but the result of a long struggle by the international working class demanding the most basic rights: eight hours of work, eight hours of rest and eight hours of human existence.
This demand did not come from polite petitions or gentle mediation – it was paid for dearly, with blood at the Haymarket massacre in 1886, with the bodies of workers who died challenging the slavery of labour institutionalised by capitalism.
Responding to growing public concern that the proposed revisions to the Indonesian Military law will herald a return to the military's dwi-fungsi that it enjoyed under the New Order dictatorship of former president Suharto, the TNI has tried to reassure the public by saying it does not want a return to dwi-fungsi because it's already "multi-functional".
There are widespread concerns over proposed revisions to the Indonesian Military Law (UU TNI) that could allow active TNI officers to become involved in business activities. Trade unions for example say that many employers already use the military to provide security for businesses and the direct involvement of active military officers will further threaten workers' rights.
A surprise inspection at the Lenteng Agung Market in South Jakarta earlier this month led to the discovery that one-litre government subsidised Minyakita cooking oil containers did not in fact contain one litre of oil.
Analysts have warned that the new Danantara sovereign wealth fund – which was launched with much fanfare by President Prabowo Subianto on Monday February 24 – faces challenges in winning investor trust given its governance structure.
Indonesia's corrupt government officials and politicians have good reason to cheer President Prabowo Subianto's latest call to crack down on graft given his conflicting statements and lack of any real action on fighting corruption since taking office in October.
Responding to a series of incidents of excessive use of force and police violence against students, journalists and medical personnel during demonstrations commemorating International Labour Day (May Day) in a number of cities on May 1, Amnesty International Indonesia Deputy Director Wirya
Jakarta – A mass action by an alliance of workers that make up the Labour Movement with the People (GEBRAK) issued a number of demands during a May Day 2025 action in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Jakarta on Thursday May 1.
May Day or Labour Day for us, the organisations that are members of GEBRAK, is a day of momentum for the workers' struggle, we must always promote it. [...] There is no reason that is adequate for people who have up until now suffered bad policies and repressive treatment from the state to then become close to and unite with oppressive power.
Responding to the Constitutional Court's (MK) ruling that exempts government agencies, institutions and corporations as parties that can file defamation lawsuits, and stated that disturbances/riots in digital space are not criminal offenses under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE), Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Dire
Solidarity greetings! The Indonesian Poor People's Union (SPRI) conveys its respectful greetings and revolutionary solidarity to all workers, farmers, fishers, urban poor, oppressed women, students, indigenous peoples and all elements of working people who will commemorate International Labour Day (May Day) on May 1, 2025.
[The following is a translation of a statement by the Labour Movement with the People (GEBRAK) welcoming International Labour Day, National Education Day, Marsinah Day and 27 Years of Reformasi 1998.]
