Prima Gumilang, Jakarta – The Internationale was sung at the close of a commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day in Jakarta. Thousands of workers from the Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance (KASBI) sang the song which was popularised by followers of socialism in the 19th century.
“Arise those who are oppressed, arise those who are hungry...” [sic] sang the protesters loudly as they raised their left fists in the air in front of the offices of the Ministry of Human Development and Culture in Central Jakarta on Sunday May 1.
The song, which was written by Eugene Pottier in 1871 has been translated into many different languages around the world. The first translation into Indonesian was done by Ki Hajar Dewantara, the father of Indonesian education.
As they sang the song, several people also lit fire crackers. Others lit flares so red smoke blanketed the area around the protest action. After singing The Internationale, the demonstrators then sang the Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya.
Several people then destroyed a giant puppet in the form of an axe wielding devil locked in a prison cell as a symbol of the people’s resistance.
“The Ogoh-ogoh [giant puppet] is a symbol of corruptors and the enemies of the people who should be locked up in prison. They must be destroyed”, said KASBI action coordinator Sarman after the action had ended.
Earlier, a number of workers held a theatrical action in which three workers were incarcerated in a replica jail because they had tried to fight for their rights. Others then broke open the bars and freed the jailed workers. (gir)
[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Lagu Internasionale Menutup Hari Buruh di Jakarta.]
