Andi Saputra, Jakarta – In response to the recent banning of five books and moves by Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar to examine 20 more for possible banning, 83 intellectuals and pro-democracy activists have rejected the banning of books by the government.

Anwar Khumaini, Jakarta – Newly appointed Deputy Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has already once been refused entry into the United States. He does not however feel there will be any difficulties in performing his duties in the superpower country.

Jakarta – A coalition of non-government organisations (NGOs) have expressed their opposition to the appointment of Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin as Deputy Minister of Defense saying that he was involved in many cases of gross human rights crimes when he was an active member of the Indonesian military (TNI).

Jakarta – A existence of a human rights court and ad hoc human rights judges needs to be reexamined. Moreover ad hoc human rights judges are seen as excessive and consideration needs to be given to whether such ad hoc judges are in line with international justice.

Wisdom cannot be measured by how long one has lived...

Jakarta – Like previous years, 2008 was marked by a variety of actions by students who took to the streets opposing government policies that they believe harm the people.

Only, in concert the approach of the 2009 legislative and presidential elections, so too has the tendency for these student actions to end in clashes and violence.

Muhammad Taufiqqurahman, Jakarta – The Solidarity Action Committee for Munir (Kasum) sees 2009 as a year of gloom that failed to provide any clarity in the ongoing investigation of Munir’s murder.

Amanda Ferdina, Jakarta – Shouting “Long live SBY”, on Wednesday December 30 scores of protesters form the Indonesian People’s Solidarity Coalition (KSRI) demonstrated at the launch of the book Unmasking the Cikeas Octopus: Behind the Bank Century Scandal.

Amanda Ferdina, Jakarta – Supporters of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) from the Indonesian People’s Solidarity Coalition (KSRI), who were protesting against the launch of the book Unmasking the Cikeas Octopus: Behind the Bank Century Scandal, were challenged to take part in the event.

Ramadhian Fadillah, Jakarta – The Indonesian military (TNI) is cited as the party that murdered five Australian journalists in the film “Balibo”. The TNI however does not plan to make a rival film to straighten out what actually happened.

Irwan Nugroho, Jakarta – The Indonesian Film Society (MFI) believes that the banning of a film about the deaths of five Australian journalists in East Timor or the Balibo Five makes no sense, saying it was surprised over why the government is so afraid of the film being seen by the Indonesian public.

Mega Putra Ratya, Jakarta – A number of protest actions will colour Jakarta today with at least nine demonstrations expected to inundate various parts of the capital. Watch out for traffic jams!

Nala Edwin, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) is urging the government to investigate the beating of Buchtar Tabuni, a prisoner at the Abepura jail near the Papuan provincial capital of Jayapura. The beating triggered a riot at the jail on November 26.

Jakarta – The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) no longer has any grounds to postpone submitting a judicial review on the release of former National Intelligence Agency (BIN) deputy chief Muchdi Purwopranjono in the murder case of human rights activists Munir.

Yogyakarta – Scores of students from the Politics of the Poor-National Student League for Democracy (LMND-PRM) held a protest action at the University of Gajah Mada traffic circle on Tuesday November 17 urging the government to provide free education and review education policies that harm the people.

Jakarta – The number of voters represented by the nine political parties that obtained seats in the national House of Representatives (DPR) following the 2009 legislative elections is less that who are not represented.

Anwar Khumaini, Jakarta – The wife of the late human rights defender Munir, has lamented the application of the law in Indonesia, saying the state only prosecutes the poor.

Baban Gandapurnama, Bandung – Workers from the Preparatory Committee for the Indonesian Labour Movement Union (KP-PPBI) are demanding a minimum wage increase across all regions in 2010 of as much as 50 percent.

Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta – Hundreds of students from various groups in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta held an action opposing the inauguration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Vice President Boediono on October 20. The protest was marked by the burning of T-shirts with pictures of Yudhoyono and Boediono.

Muchus Budi R., Solo – A demonstration by students in the Central Java city of Solo on October 20 against the inauguration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was broken up by police before it could even start.