[The following is a translation of a press release issued by the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) following the release of five Papuan political prisoners on May 27.]

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.

A recent case in Gowa, South Sulawesi, has highlighted numerous instances of illegal logging uncovered since COVID-19 began to spread across the country. The Environment and Forestry Ministry investigated at least five other similar cases in April alone and many more over the last three months.

Left image: “Indonesia? Whatever! Do whatever you like”

Right image: Stupid trumps Covid

Social media users have deploying the hashtag #IndonesiaTerserah (#WhateverIndonesia) to express their frustration over the public’s apparent disregard for physical distancing measures and the government’s inconsistent COVID-19 policies.

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.

Dwi Bowo Raharjo and Stephanus Aranditio – The release and reintegration of five out of six Papuan political prisoners (tapol) was suddenly cancelled today, Tuesday May 12. Supporters say they are being screwed over by the Indonesian state.

Reza Gunadha and Erick Tanjung – Six Papuan political prisoners in Jakarta, namely Surya Anta Ginting and his companions are to be released from Salemba prison in Jakarta today, Tuesday May 12.

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).

Sack reads “Social Aid”, “Accurate Data?”

The Indonesian Ombudsman says complaints about the government’s social aid (bansos) programs dominated hundreds of inquiries to its new Covid-19 online complaint center.

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 – 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 – 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.