Jakarta – A group of farmers who are members of the Indonesian Farmers Union (SPI) held a demonstration near the Horse Statue in Central Jakarta on Wednesday September 24 to mark National Farmers Day (HTN).
From observations, the group of farmers arrived wearing traditional farmer's hats or caping. They also brought agricultural products such as rice, pumpkins, bananas and petai vegetables. The farmers claimed to come from several areas in West Java.
SPI Deputy Chairperson Zainal Arifin said that they are taking up six demands at today's demonstration.
First, they are asking the government to comprehensively resolve the agrarian conflicts faced by SPI members and Indonesian farmers, and to stop all forms of violence and criminalisation in resolving these conflicts.
"Stop all criminalisation of farmers", said Arifin.
Second, requesting that the government reallocate land controlled by plantation and forestry companies as Agrarian Reform Land Objects (TORA). The release of forest areas currently being implemented by the Forest Area Regulation (PKH) Task Force must be part of TORA.
Third, revising Presidential Decree Number 62/2023 on the Acceleration of Agrarian Reform to align with the food sovereignty agenda and improve the welfare of farmers and rural communities.
Fourth, revise the Food Law (UU Pangan) to achieve food sovereignty, the Forestry Law (UU Kehutanan) for agrarian reform, the Cooperatives Law (UU Koperasi) to strengthen farmer cooperatives, and encourage the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples Law (UU Masyarakat Adat).
Fifth, asking the government to immediately revoke the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, which is considered to have led to Indonesia's economic decline, job losses, widening agrarian inequality, dependence on food imports and a decline in education and healthcare in Indonesia.
Sixth, request the establishment of a National Council for Agrarian Reform and a National Council for Farmers' Welfare to ensure the sustainability and implementation of agrarian reform and food sovereignty policies. (yoa/ugo)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Rombongan Petani Demo di Jakarta, Bawa Padi hingga Labu".]
