Yogyakarta – Scores of students from the Politics of the Poor-National Student League for Democracy (LMND-PRM) held a protest action at the University of Gajah Mada traffic circle on Tuesday November 17 urging the government to provide free education and review education policies that harm the people.

Left: Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari holding Health Law.

Legislators’ credibility was further dented when it was discovered that a clause in the newly enacted Health Law identifying tobacco as an addictive substance had mysteriously disappeared. NGO activists argue it was no accident saying tobacco companies had lobbied hard to have the section removed.

1st Man: Free schooling for all...

2nd Man: Free? Isn’t it getting more expensive?

1st Man: What’s free is the children, the parents still have to pay.

Despite recent education spending increases, the government concedes it will not mean free education for all as the largest component will be eaten up by teachers’ salaries and welfare.

Parwito, Temanggung – Thousands of tobacco farmers throughout Central Java gathered at the Temanggung regency town square on Monday February 16 to hold a massive protest against the Indonesia Ulama Council (MUI) edict (fatwa) against smoking.