While regional elections slated for December 9 will be a watershed for Indonesia – with elections being held simultaneously in 269 regions throughout the country – little else has changed with candidates trotting out the same tired old promises which people know from experience won’t be kept once they’re elected.

Kid: This is a generic drug isn’t it Dad? (bottle reads PIL KADA, regional election)

Man: Generic, patented whatever! What’s important is we’re healthy, prosperous and free of the virus of politics and greed! (Headlines read: Political bride price, puppet candidates, incumbent)

The Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP) are facing the threat of disqualification from the upcoming regional elections (pilkada) due to prolonged internal power struggles, with Golkar divided between two camps, those supporting Agung Laksono (bottom left) and those loyal to Aburizal Bakrie (bottom right), and the PPP split betwee

Jakarta – Scores of demonstrators from the Indonesian People’s United Resistance (PPRI) demonstrated in front of the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday May 20 calling on President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to abdicate from his throne.

Makassar – In commemorating May Day 2015, a number of different organisations from the group People’s Solidarity (SORAK) held a peaceful rally underneath the Jl. Jenderal Urip Sumoharjo overpass in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on Friday May 1.

Tens of thousands of workers from various different factory units, trade unions and labour confederations packed the streets in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on May 1 to declare the formation of a new labour party, although not all groups were united in this.

Ihsan Dalimunthe – Workers are sick and tired of the empty promises made by the political elite and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. It is time for workers to have their own political vehicle that is born out of their own womb.

Dwi Renjani, Bandung – Hundreds of workers held a rally in front of the governor’s office at the Gedung Sate building in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung on International Labour Day where they made a number of demands.

Abraham Utama, Jakarta – International Labour Day or May will be commemorated tomorrow on Friday May 1 in a number of different countries. On Thursday however, labour groups in Indonesia were still divided over plans to establish a new labour party.

Syahrul Ansyari, Foe Peace Simbolon – In the lead up to the commemoration of International Labour Day 2015 or May Day, the Indonesian Labour Movement (GBI), which is made up of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), the Confederation of the All-Indonesian Workers Union (KSPSI), the Confederation of Prosperity Labour Unions (KSBSI),