Batam – Scores of workers from the Indonesian Metal Trade Workers Federation (FSPMI) in Batam, Riau Islands, held a demonstration at the Batam Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building on Tuesday July 2 urging house members to convey their concerns over the Draft Law on Mass Organisations (RUU Ormas).

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 67th anniversary (HUT) of the National Police (Polri) Monday, President Yudhoyono praised the force for their ‘outstanding performance in enforcing the law and maintaining security and public order’.

Putra Prima Perdana, Bandung – Voices of protest against the Draft Law on Mass Organisations (RUU Ormas) have again been taken up by students.

Siti Aisyah, Jakarta – Around 600 people from various labour organisations held an action opposing the Draft Law on Mass Organisations (RUU Ormas) on Tuesday July 2. The demonstration, which was initially orderly, created traffic congestion after protesters closed the road.

F-5/YUD, Jakarta – Hundreds of workers held a sweeping action in the Pulogadung Industrial Zone in East Jakarta on Tuesday July 2.

Jakarta – Temporary Direct Assistance to the Public (BLSM) could be ineffective because it may not be spent as intended. Using the Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) scheme in 2008 as a reference, 60 percent of the money allocated was used to pay off debts and the rest spent on cigarettes

Sign reads ‘Economic, Political Policies’, hand (right) reads ‘Prices’

Jakarta – The political system in Indonesia is controlled by a capitalist oligarchy. This group represents a handful of individuals who use material power to determine political policies and the election of public officials.

Man: Prices are under control... there’s a ‘driver’ right

From an oped piece titled The Social Exhibitionism of Politikus (Politikus – literally ‘political rat’, a derogatory term for politicians)

Kid: BaLSeM. Warm... provides instant relief for kerokan (after oiling and scraping the body) and soreness!

Man: Will it reach its target, no, yes? (chest reads Fuel Compensation Funds, book reads 2013 State Budget)

Man: Simalakama fruit is sweet too right Mr? (a play on the saying “Like eating Simalakama fruit, if you eat it your father will die, if you don’t your mother will die”)

Next year’s legislative election is unlikely to yield any improvement in the quality of lawmakers since political parties have selected candidates based on popularity rather than ability, with an Indonesian Voters Institute analysis of the candidate lists submitted by the 12 parties participating in next year’s ballot finding most contenders are

Man: Ready to win Mr?

Cakada: Yep

Man: Are you also prepared to loose?

Cakada: Yep...

Bomb reads: Terrorism, Bank Century scandal, Lapindo mudflow disaster, Hambalang corruption scandal, narcotics, police general’s fat bank accounts, beef import scandal, fuel price hikes, Poso sectarian violence, etc...

Man: Congratulations Mr [President]

Jakarta – The chairperson of the country’s top religious body the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), KH Ma’ruf Amin is calling on all parties to be on guard against the reemergence of the Indonesian communist movement.

Newspaper reads: Housing prices continue to rise, Palace of the Gods only 2.8 billion [rupiah].

Man: Is that the price, its so low...

Is Mujiarso, Jakarta – Even when he was a political fugitive, Wiji Thukul could still joke. When it was raining, he once wrote in a poem: The rain falls tonight/to protect me/the secret police with such small wages/must be really annoyed...