Writing on tree trunk reads “deforestation”, word from elephant’s mouth reads “help”

Adi Ahdiat, Jakarta – In the lead up to the 2019 Idul Fitri holidays at the end of the fasting month, the Jakarta provincial government destroyed around 18,000 bottles of illegal alcohol (miras) at the National Monument in Central Jakarta on Monday May 27.

Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – Following the riots that took place in Jakarta on May 22, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and 15 LBH branches across Indonesia are calling on the political elite to stop triggering conflicts.

Maria Rosari Dwi Putri, Jakarta – The Anti-Corruption Civil Society Coalition has rejected the composition of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) candidate leadership selection committee (pansel capim) established by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Friday May 17.

Jakarta – Lokataru Foundation Human Rights and Law Director Haris Azhar is pessimistic that the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have the political will to resolve the murder of labour activist Marsinah 26 years ago.

Jakarta – The mayor of the Acehnese provincial capital Banda Aceh, Aminullah Usman, has prohibited coffee shops from serving customers during shalat tarawih (evening prayers) during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Two hundred protesters held an action commemorating May Day 2019 or Labour Day on May 1 which was centred in front of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh. The action also included a motorcycle convoy around the city.

Friski Riana, Jakarta – The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) will not join other workers rallying in Jakarta during the commemoration of May Day or International Labour Day on May 1.

Datuk Haris Molana, Lhokseumawe – Protesters from the Malikussaleh University Law Students Alliance held a commemoration of May Day in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh. The demonstrators called on the government to revoke Government Regulation Number 78/2015 on Wages and to prioritise local workers at state-owned companies in Aceh.

Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) and the Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) have again warned that both presidential tickets – incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and running mate Ma’ruf Amin as well as rival Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno – have close ties with retired TNI (Indonesian military)

Agus Setyadi, Banda Aceh – The Brunei Darussalam sultanate has enacted laws ranging from canning to stoning to death for the crime of homosexuality. Prior to enacting the laws, Brunei conducted comparative studies in Aceh to learn about Islamic law.

Jakarta – An independent team called the Nduga Case Investigation Team has reported a number of alleged human rights violations (HAM) during the military operations conducted by the TNI (Indonesian military) and Polri (Indonesian police) in Nduga regency, West Papua.

Samarinda – Scores of protesters wearing multi-coloured clothing from the Samarinda Anti-Sexism Alliance began gathering at 2 pm local time at the Samarendah Park on Friday March 8.

Lisye Sri Rahayu, Jakarta – Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is known to hold land use rights (HGU) over thousands of hectares of land in Aceh and East Kalimantan. Prabowo has promised to return the land to the state within 10 days after being inaugurated as president.

Husaini Endehttp, Banda Aceh – Hundreds of cross-sector women activists in the Banda Aceh provincial capital of Aceh from the Syura Ureung Inong Aceh Association (BSUIA) held a long-march on Friday March 8 to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2019.

Mulia Ramdhan Fauzani – The word golput or white group – to abstain from voting – has been heard more frequently in concert with the approach of the 2019 legislative and presidential elections. The general narrative that is most often heard is that golput is that it is irresponsible.

Padang – National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) chairperson Ahmad Taufan Damanik says that the move by the West Sumatra (Sumbar) provincial government to wage war on the deviant sexual behaviour of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people does not violate Human Rights (HAM).

Muhammad Ifdhal, Banda Aceh – Aceh Regional House of Representatives (DPRA) Commission VIII chairperson Ghufran Zainal Abidin says that Indonesia’s western-most province rejects the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS) which is currently being deliberated by the House of Representatives (DPR).

Mela Arnani – Every year February 9 is commemorated as National Press Day which, it is hoped, will be an impetus to improve press freedom in Indonesia.

Jakarta – The planned release of Abu Bakar Bashir has turned into a polemic with the government still vacillating about whether or not to release the leader of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI).