Document reads licence/permit, chair reads Echelon I (director general)

Kid: So you won’t be looking after the crocodile (the police) any more right Mr? (Dog collar reads Scenthound)

Despite the souring cost of rice on the market, the price of unhusked rice (gabah) produced by local farmers has fallen to around 0.37 US cents per kilogram.

The government and other circles have agreed to restrict the room to maneuver for non-government organisations (NGOs) that disrupt national sovereignty. Not only that, they could also face criminal charges.

These moves are linked with a black campaign against palm oil plantations taking place at the moment.

An East Java court sentenced 70-year old Asyani to 15 months probation and a US$40,000 fine for stealing seven pieces of wood belonging to state company PT Perhutani. Asyani insists she took the wood from her own land years ago but lacked the proper documentation.

Bandung – More than 3,000 workers demonstrated in front of the governor’s office at the Gedung Sate building in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung demanding that companies pay more attention to their rights, particularly the rights of women workers.

Edzan Raharjo, Yogyakarta – International Labour Day in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta was commemorated by thousands of workers from various different organisations who came together under the “People’s Movement” (Gerakan Rakyat) to hold a rally in the Malioboro shopping district on Friday May 1.

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.

Subur Dani, Banda Aceh – Hundreds of workers from the Aceh Workers Alliance (ABA) held a peaceful action commemorating International Labour Day at the Simpang Lima traffic circle in the Achenese provincial capital of Banda Aceh on Friday May 1.

Nurul Arifin, Surabaya – A protest action in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya by students from the Papua Student Alliance (AMP) has ended in chaos with two demonstrators being arrested by police. The action was also marked by the use of the Morning Star, the symbol of the free Papua movement.

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.

Dwi Renjani, Bandung – Scores of people from the Papua Student Alliance (AMP) joined workers demonstrating in front of the governor’s office at the Gedung Sate building in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung on Friday May 1.

Mei Amelia R, Jakarta – Tens of thousands of protesting workers have packed the Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic Circle in Central Jakarta this morning, Friday May 1, turning the Thamrin business district into a sea of people.

Avit Hidayat, Surabaya – Commemorating International Labour Day in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) held a silent protest at the Surabaya monument for press struggle on Friday May 1.

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.

Hari Istiawan, Malang – Hundreds of workers from the East Java city of Malang gathered at the monument traffic circle to commemorate International Labour Day on May 1. Some of the workers also brought their children to take part in the mass meeting.

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.

Puji Sukiswanti, Denpasar – Hundreds of workers from the Balinese United Labour Alliance (ABBB) held a rally at the Bali Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building in the provincial capital of Denpasar on April 30.

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.

Following a series of regulatory flip-flops and erratic policy-making moves, President Widodo’s much touted Nawacita or nine priorities agenda appears to be going in circles.