Hasan Basri, Makassar – Workers in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar have criticised the new regulation on foreign workers which was recently issued by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

Lalu Rahadian – A number of trade unions have chosen not to support President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo or Prabowo Subianto in the 2019 presidential elections.

The Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) has decided to support Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) chairperson Prabowo Subianto as a candidate for the 2019 presidential election. The decision was taken at a KSPI national working meeting (Rakernas).

Jakarta – Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) president Said Iqbal says that the KSPI will declare its support for Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) chairperson Prabowo Subianto as candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

On April 19-20, representatives from some 42 organisations gathered in Jakarta to take part in the People’s Movement Conference (KGR).

Mukhlis Dinillah, Bandung – Padjadjaran University (Unpad) students are protesting the use of Mobile Brigade (Brimob) paramilitary police as security on campus. The students say that their presence threatens the democratic freedom of Unpad students.

Moh Nadlir, Jakarta – The Labour Movement for the People (Gebrak) will call for the formation of a political alternative at May Day demonstrations or the commemoration of International Labour Day on May 1.

Jakarta – House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker Fadli Zon from Prabowo Subianto’s Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) has initiated a right of inquiry special committee into the issue of foreign workers in Indonesia.

Political observers say that if President Widodo (left) and his likely contender in the 2019 presidential election, former general Prabowo Subianto (right), try to use the same old strategies they did in 2014, it will only alienate votes.

The People’s Movement Conference (Konferensi Gerakan Rakyat) which was held over two days on April 19-20 at the Hotel 678 Cawang in Jakarta, was a historical milestone in carving out a new hope for the emergence of a united movement comprising all elements of the people.