Indonesia has a long history of struggle by the oppressed people against colonialism, feudalism, militarism and capitalism. In this struggle, left-wing ideas played a central role as one of the main currents in shaping political awareness, the strategies of struggle and the direction of national development.

Ghinan Salman, Surabaya – The Kraksaan sectoral police in Probolinggo, East Java, have reportedly returned four books with communist themes to literacy activists that are part of the Vespa Literacy community.

Bangun Santoso – The seizure of books allegedly containing communist ideas belonging to the Vespa Literacy community by the Kraksaan sectoral police and Probolinggo regency TNI (Indonesian Military) on July 27 was an abuse of power and violated the law.

Ahmad Faisol, Probolinggo – Police arrested two literacy activists who had setup a free reading stall at the Kraksaan public square in Probolinggo regency, East Java, on Saturday July 27. The two youths were arrested for allegedly displaying books by former Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) leader DN Aidit.

Jakarta – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has spoken out about banners which have appeared with the writing #JokowiBersamaPKI (#JokowiSameAsPKI – Jokowi is the same as the Indonesian Communist Party, PKI). The white banners smacking of slander have been put up around the Kebon Kacang area of Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta.

Solo – The National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) has been unlucky of late. A meeting to establish a branch management board in Tanjung Anom, Grogol, Sukoharjo, was forcibly broken up by a certain group.