Djoko Tjiptono, Jakarta – Scores of student from the Student Action Front for Reform and Democracy (Famred) have again taken to the streets to demand the government nationalise foreign-owned oil and gas companies.

The students arrived at the Exxon Mobil offices on Jl. Jenderal Sudirman in Central Jakarta on August 4 on a convoy of motorbikes. The action was watched over by a number of security personnel.

“We the Indonesian nation have abundant oil and gas wealth. But so far, we the people of Indonesia have not yet been able to enjoy it to the maximum”, said action spokesperson Nana when speaking with Detik.com on Monday.

It is for this reason, continued Nana, that they are urging the government to nationalise foreign-owned oil and gas companies. The presence of these foreign oil and gas companies also violates Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution.

During the action, the students brought a number of posters and banners that read, among other things, “Nationalise foreign assets right now in the name of the Indonesian people” and “Based on the people’s suffering, starting from this point the Exxon Mobil company has being seized for the people”.

Following the protest in front of the Exxon Mobil office, the students then handed out leaflets to street traders and people at the Benhil Market in the Pejompongan area of Central Jakarta. (djo/iy)

Notes:

Article 33 point 2 of the Constitution states that “Branches of production which are important for the state and affect the life of most people shall be controlled by the state”, and that that the central government control these natural resources for the benefit of all citizens.

[Translated by James Balowski.]