The Indonesian military (TNI) has prohibited fisherpeople operating in Indonesia’s northern most province of Aceh from picking up or bringing back ethnic Rohingya stranded at sea in Indonesian territorial waters, except in the case of boats that are sinking, according to the TNI’s spokesperson.

The government and other circles have agreed to restrict the room to maneuver for non-government organisations (NGOs) that disrupt national sovereignty. Not only that, they could also face criminal charges.

These moves are linked with a black campaign against palm oil plantations taking place at the moment.

Bandung – More than 3,000 workers demonstrated in front of the governor’s office at the Gedung Sate building in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung demanding that companies pay more attention to their rights, particularly the rights of women workers.

Edzan Raharjo, Yogyakarta – International Labour Day in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta was commemorated by thousands of workers from various different organisations who came together under the “People’s Movement” (Gerakan Rakyat) to hold a rally in the Malioboro shopping district on Friday May 1.

Makassar – In commemorating May Day 2015, a number of different organisations from the group People’s Solidarity (SORAK) held a peaceful rally underneath the Jl. Jenderal Urip Sumoharjo overpass in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on Friday May 1.

Subur Dani, Banda Aceh – Hundreds of workers from the Aceh Workers Alliance (ABA) held a peaceful action commemorating International Labour Day at the Simpang Lima traffic circle in the Achenese provincial capital of Banda Aceh on Friday May 1.

Nurul Arifin, Surabaya – A protest action in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya by students from the Papua Student Alliance (AMP) has ended in chaos with two demonstrators being arrested by police. The action was also marked by the use of the Morning Star, the symbol of the free Papua movement.

Tens of thousands of workers from various different factory units, trade unions and labour confederations packed the streets in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on May 1 to declare the formation of a new labour party, although not all groups were united in this.

Dwi Renjani, Bandung – Scores of people from the Papua Student Alliance (AMP) joined workers demonstrating in front of the governor’s office at the Gedung Sate building in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung on Friday May 1.

Mei Amelia R, Jakarta – Tens of thousands of protesting workers have packed the Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic Circle in Central Jakarta this morning, Friday May 1, turning the Thamrin business district into a sea of people.