Jakarta – There has been much discussion on the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) of late. This has raised the question of why discussions on the organisation which has been banned in Indonesia since 1966 has emerged in the month of May.

Jakarta – Four Papuan political prisoners immediately underwent a corona virus rapid test after being released from Salemba prison in Central Jakarta today. One of them was Paulus Suryanta Ginting or Surya Anta.

Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Egi Primayogha suspects that the practice of state highjacking or state capture has occurred through the revisions to Law Number 4/2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining (UU Minerba). The draft law was enacted into law by the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday.

Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition has expressed its opposition to a draft presidential regulation (Perpres) on the Indonesian Military’s Role in Handling Terrorism being deliberated any further by the House of Representatives (DPR).

Jakarta – The Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) is urging President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to temporarily halt operations by mining companies around the country which they believe are neglecting workers’ safety in the midst of the corona pandemic (Covid-19).

Jakarta – Former Banjarhits.id chief editor Diananta Putra has been detained at the South Kalimantan regional police (Polda Kalsel) detention centre since Monday May 4.

Jakarta – A photograph of Klaten Regent Sri Mulyani printed on a packet of social assistance (bansos) for those impacted upon by the corona virus (Covid-19) epidemic has attracted a polemic. The case has opened the public’s eyes to the politicisation of social assistance in the midst of the corona pandemic.

Jakarta – Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Chairperson Asfinawati says that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to postpone the deliberations on the sections of the Draft Omnibus Law on Job Creation related to labour will not actually stop the all encompassing law from going ahead.

Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia is calling for the release of 13 South Maluku Republic (RMS) activists who were arrested for commemorating the anniversary of the separatist group. Aside from being inappropriate amid the corona virus pandemic, the arrests are a violation of freedom of expression.

Jakarta – Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) is asking the government to review the form and type of training provided by the pre-employment card program.

Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition from the Indonesian People’s Faction (FRI) is asking the government to evaluate the performance of the police during the corona virus (Covid-19) epidemic. According to the FRI, a number of activists have been intimidated and terrorised.

Jakarta – The panel of judges in the Central Jakarta District Court have handed down jail sentences against Surya Anta and five other Papuan activists charged with treason. The Five other defendants are Charles Kossay, Ambrosius Mulait, Isay Wenda, Anes Tabuni and Arina Elopere.

Jakarta – Three students have been declared suspects after spray painting graffiti on several walls in the East Java city of Malang reading “Tegalrejo in Motion” and calling for resistance against greedy investors or capitalists.

Rizki Ramadhani – National businessperson Sandiaga Uno says that the Draft Omnibus Law on Job Creation is not a priority for investors at the moment. In the midst of the corona virus pandemic, they are instead pinning their hopes on policies which can cope with the Covid-19 virus.

Jakarta – The Civil Society Alliance says that they were removed then locked out of a House of Representatives (DPR) Legislative Body (Baleg) online meeting discussing the Draft Omnibus Law on Job Creation. The meeting was held amidst the corona virus pandemic using the Zoom videoconferencing platform on Monday April 20.

Jakarta – In the midst of the corona virus pandemic, tens of thousands of workers from the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) and the Indonesian Labour Council (MPBI) claim they will take to the streets to hold an action on April 30 in the lead up to International Labour Day or May Day which falls on May 1.

Jakarta – Trisakti University public policy analyst Trubus Rahadiansyah believes that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s strategy of overcoming the economic impact of the corona virus (Covid-19) with pre-employment cards is inappropriate.

Jakarta – Human Rights lawyers Veronica Koman and Jennifer Robinson have sent a letter to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the United Nations Special Rapporteur asking them to urge the Indonesia government to release 63 political prisoners (tapol) indicted on charges of treason related to the free Papua movement.

Jakarta – The Indonesian Confederation of Prosperity Labour Unions (KSBSI) is disappointed in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo because the Draft Omnibus Law on Job Creation is still being deliberated by the House of Representatives (DPR) despite the corona virus epidemic.

Jakarta – The Indonesian People’s Faction (FRI) is urging the House of Representatives (DPR) to halt deliberations on the Draft Omnibus Law on Job Creation in the midst of the corona virus pandemic. FRI member Asfinawati is asking the DPR to focus instead on overseeing the government’s handling of the Covid-19 epidemic.