Top: Queuing for alms...

Bottom: Queuing for bribes!

21 women were killed on September 17 in a stampede during the distribution of alms to a crowd in Pasuruan. Scores of former and current lawmakers meanwhile have been linked with a massive bribery scandal involving the deliberation of a bill on the central bank.

Writing on wreath of flowers: Pasuruan Tragedy.

Basket on right: 20,000 rupiah note.

Jakarta – Indonesian people appear to be getting even richer. In the midst of a difficult situation it is precisely the wallets of a small handful of Indonesian’s that have become fatter.

Khairina – The narrow lane in Rawa Terate, Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta, was dirty and suffocating that afternoon. Less than half-a-meter wide, the lane was filled with housewives sitting around and gossiping, young children crying and a small herd of goats.

Jakarta, Kompas – Increases in the inflation rate is putting increasing pressure on workers’ real wages. Because of this therefore, the government must, as soon as possible, realise intervention programs that can indirectly improve workers’ welfare, such as the construction affordable housing for workers.

Yogyakarta – Street actions demanding a reduction in the price of basic commodities are commonplace. But the action held by the Poor Politic-Indonesian Student League for Democracy (LMND-PRM) at the post office intersection in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on the afternoon of Thursday February 14 was more interesting then usual.