Jakarta – Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Chairperson Asfinawati has cited a number of symptoms showing a rise in authoritarianism over the first year of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin’s second term in office.

Dian Erika Nugraheny, Jakarta – Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Commissioner Fatia Maulidiyanti says that that they recorded 158 cases of violations against civil freedoms over the first year of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s second term in office.

Kanavino Ahmad Rizqo, Jakarta – Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) Secretary General Anwar Abbas has asked the Indonesian military (TNI) to take a firm position on soldiers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Abbas said this is simply to safeguard the TNI reputation so it is not destroyed in the eyes of the people.

Rahel, Jakarta – The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issue has again come under the spotlight after several Indonesian military (TNI) personnel were dismissed for having same-sex relationships.

Sabik Aji Taufan – Human rights organisations have slammed a visit to the United States by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. The chairperson of Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) is scheduled to fly to the US today, Thursday October 15.

Elza Astari Retaduari, Jakarta – The Indonesian military (TNI) has reasserted that it will firmly punish soldiers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Violators will be tried in military courts and dishonorably discharged from the military.

Jakarta – Trade unions and social organisations again held protest actions against the Omnibus Law on Job Creation on Monday October 12.

Protests against the law have been taking place since October 6 with workers and students not slackening the wave of protests despite the repressive actions of police last week.

Haryanti Puspa Sari, Jakarta – Defense Minister and Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) Chairperson Prabowo Subianto says that many of the protesters involved in actions opposing the recently enacted Omnibus Law on Job Creation over the last few days have yet to actually read the law and have influenced by hoaxes.

Indriyani Astuti – The General Elections Commission (KPU) has finalised the hundreds of candidate pairs which will compete in the simultaneous election of regional heads (pilkada) on December 9.

Jakarta – The Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) says that there is a repeated pattern to the violence committed by police against journalists covering protest actions.