Muhammad Irfan, Jakarta – Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Coordinator Yati Andriani is calling on President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to learn from Indonesia’s fourth president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid in how to deal with the problems in Papua, including the flying of the symbolic Morning Star flag.

Jakarta – The Denny JA Indonesia Survey Circle (LSI) predicts that the presidential elections (pilpres) in 2024 will be enlivened by a contest between four different ideologies, namely reformasi, political Islam, the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945) and human rights (HAM).

Zunita Putri, Jakarta – The Denny JA Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) predicts that there will be 14 possible contenders for the 2024 presidential election.

Jakarta – Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) researcher Aisah Putri Badriati is surprised that neither presidential candidate raised the issue of West Papua in first presidential debate on January 17.

M Guruh Nuary, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) says that the four year administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla has failed to resolve past cases of gross human rights (HAM) violations.

On Monday May 8, Coordinating Minister for Politics, Security and Legal Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Wiranto, Justice and Human Rights Minister (Menkumham) Yasonna Laoly, Home Affairs Minister (Mendagri) Tjahjo Kumolo and National Police Chief (Kapolri) General Tito Karnavia issued a statement at the security affairs ministry on the dissolution of th

Surya Anta – The term red trade union is perhaps one that seems rather odd and worthy of debate. But the use of the term red trade union is indeed a reality in Indonesia.

Kartika Virgianti, Jakarta – One hundred and thirty-two civil society and non-government organisations (NGOs) have expressed their concern over Indonesian democracy which will soon return to the era of the New Order dictatorship.

Aditya Revianur, Jakarta – The Nahdlatul Ulama’s Central Board (PBNU) with the support of retired army officers and mass organisations is strongly opposed any form of apology by the government or the Indonesian president for the 1965-1966 tragedy.

Nurvita Indarini, Jakarta – Dita Indah Sari and labour are two things that are inseparable. But over the last three months, she has chosen to work within bureaucratic circles. And in those 3 months, her weight has dropped by 3kg. Duh!

Kompas – The families of the victims of forced disappearances in 1997-1998 are hoping that the government will soon form a team to search for the 13 people still missing. It is hoped that this demand will be fulfilled before the end of the 100 hundred days of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration.

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

Indonesia’s fourth president Abdurrahman ‘Gus Dur’ Wahid died at the age of 69 on December 30. Widely respected for his commitment to religious tolerance and pluralism, he was known for his way with words and his love of jokes. He often used the offhand remark ‘Why sweat it?’ (Gitu aja kok repot?) to dismiss issues he considered unimportant.

Oppose the 2009 elections of the political elite – an election of the human rights violators, capitalists, corruptors and opportunist!

[The following is a statement from (the temporary) National Collective of National Student League For Democracy-The Politics of The Poor (Liga Mahasiswa Nasional untuk Demokrasi-Politik Rakyat Miskin, LMND-PRM), Indonesia, about the capitalist crisis now and the solutions being taken by our government, the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Jusuf Kalla re

Kid: …Becoming a leader is a heavy response-ability remember Mr! (placard reads Basic Commodities Party).

Man: Yeah… “Just responding to the call-ability! …

...Eh, ‘why be frightened!’ (a play on a famous quip by Abdurrahman ‘Gus Dur’ Wahid – ‘why let it trouble you’)

Nurvita Indarini, Jakarta – A number of organisations are endeavouring to thwart the government’s plan to increase the price of fuel and are planning to besiege the State Palace in Central Jakarta on May 21 (the 10th anniversary of the overthrow of former President Suharto) and June 1.

Iqbal Fadil, Jakarta – A warning signal was raised today for political parties referring to themselves as Islamic parties. It is predicted that their votes in the 2009 elections will plummet and are unlikely to match those gained in the 2004 general elections.

Medan – A declaration and inauguration by the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) in the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan has been canceled. The event was planned to be held on the grounds of the Merdeka Medan Square on Tuesday Afternoon.

Ramdhan Muhaimin, Jakarta – Former President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) has condemned the attack on the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) by the Islamic Defenders Militia (LPI) which is affiliated with the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).