Jakarta – The Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) has accused President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s government of being undemocratic after police blocked a protest action by trade unions near the House of Representatives (DPR) and People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) building in Jakarta on Friday August 16.

Jakarta – Nduga Regent Yairus Gwijangge has asked for help from House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo to covey to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo that he wants the immediate withdrawal of all TNI (Indonesian military) and Polri (Indonesian police) personnel that have been conducting military operations in Papua since ea

Jakarta – the chairperson of the National Movement to Safeguard the Fatwa (GNPF) Ulama, Yusuf Muhammad Martak, has declared that they are no longer aligned with supporters of Prabowo Subianto.

Gita Irawan, Jakarta – Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) researcher for political affairs, Professor Syamsuddin Haris, is concerned that there is a plot to “tame” the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) through the selection of new batch of KPK leaders for 2019.

Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – The political parties in Prabowo Subianto’s electoral coalition will determine whether or not they will stay in opposition or join incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s camp after the Constitutional Court (MK) hands down its decision on the presidential election dispute next Thursday.

Jakarta – Some time ago President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gave his blessing to six ministers in his “Working Cabinet” to run as candidates in the 2019 legislative elections. But the majority of them failed to obtain enough votes to become representatives of the people in Senayan, as the parliament is known.

Jakarta – Indonesian Police Chief (Kapolri) General Tito Karnavian is threatening to use the maker (treason, subversion, sedition) articles to deal with mass movements or people’s power protests which have been called for by several parties following the April 17 presidential and legislative elections (pemilu).

Nur Azizah Rizki Astuti, Jakarta – The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) held its commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day 2019 at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Centre in Jakarta.

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.

Jakarta – Scores of people have been arrested and convicted using the “rubber” (catchall) articles in the Information and Electronic Transaction Law (UU ITE) as a result of a rise in criticism against the government.

Andhika Prasetia, Jakarta – Incumbent presidential candidate President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has emphasised that the ideology of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) is Pancasila. If anyone wants to replace this, he said, they will have to face the Pancasila Youth (PP).

Jakarta – The House of Representatives (DPR) has denied rumors that they are deliberating a law to legalise Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) activities.

The denial follows rumors about the ratification of a draft LGBT Law (RUU LGBT) in a broadcast message circulated on WhatsApp groups and social media.

Jakarta – House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III member Arsul Sani says that the government’s planned revisions to the 2009 Narcotics Law could open the way for the involvement of TNI (Indonesian military) personnel in combating the drug trade.

Jakarta – Presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto says he is deeply moved by the support given to him by the Indonesian Metal Trade Workers Federation (FSPMI) in the 2019 presidential election.

Gibran Maulana Ibrahim, Jakarta – Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo has spoken out about hundreds of books on communism that were seized last year in Kediri, East Java. According to Prasetyo, more raids need to be carried out if indeed these books contain communist teachings.

Ihsanuddin, Jakarta – A December 2018 survey by Denny JA Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) shows that six parties contesting the 2019 legislative elections will not get enough votes to pass the parliamentary threshold of 4 percent required to gain a seat in the House of Representatives (DPR).

Adityo Nugroho – A trade union leader linked to presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto says he regrets the issuance of Government Regulation Number 78/2015 on Wages because it abolishes trade union’s right to negotiate wage increases.

Kristian Erdianto, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia is calling in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s pledge to fully investigate cases of alleged human rights violations that have taken place in Papua.

Kristian Erdianto, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Security, Politics and Legal Affairs Wiranto is proposing an additional budget of 60 billion rupiah to fund diplomatic efforts related to the Papua problem.

Tsarina Maharani, Jakarta – National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) chairperson Ahmad Taufan Damanik hopes that past cases of gross human rights violations will be soon be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).