SBSI chief detained for inciting violence<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Police have detained Muchtar Pakpahan, the
\nchairman of the outlawed Indonesian Prosperous Workers Union
\n(SBSI), on charges of inciting violence, his colleagues said.<\/p>\n
Muchtar was picked up from his home on Jl. Kayu Putih Selatan
\nVI in East Jakarta on Saturday morning by officers with a warrant
\nissued by the police precinct in Medan, North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro confirmed
\nthat his forces had detained Muchtar in order to find out about
\nthe extent of his involvement in the massive workers' riot last
\nApril which had its origins in a workers protests.<\/p>\n
The riot that went on for one week left one businessman dead
\nand extensive damage to dozens of factories and shops.<\/p>\n
\"We're trying to find out from the person concerned about the
\nprecise role of the SBSI, whether or not it masterminded the
\nprotest,\" Banurusman was quoted by the Antara news agency as
\nsaying on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Muchtar had shuttled between Jakarta and Medan several times
\nsince after the riot to help with the police inquiry although he
\nwas never formally charged.<\/p>\n
National Police Deputy Chief for Operation Maj. Gen.
\nKoesparmono Irsan said there are indications that the April
\nprotests were no longer \"pure\" but were already being used by
\ncertain parties for their political objectives. \"If this could be
\nascertained, then we will initiate legal process against him.\"<\/p>\n
The SBSI head office in Jakarta on Saturday immediately
\nlaunched a protest against the arrest, saying that it was another
\nattempt by the authorities to destroy the union once and for all.<\/p>\n
Suspicious<\/p>\n
In a statement signed by Tohap Simanungkalit, who is
\ncoordinating the SBSI's legal affairs, the union said that the
\ntiming was suspiscious, coming only a few weeks before a planned
\ngeneral strike called by the SBSI for October. \"Why has it taken
\nthem four months to decide that he should prosecuted?\"<\/p>\n
The union, formed in 1992 by labor activists, has never been
\ngiven official recognition and officials considered it illegal.
\nThe authorities never made any serious attempt to actually
\ndisband the organization but it has repeatedly harassed its
\nmembers and leaders, including breaking up its first ever
\ncongress in Puncak near here last year.<\/p>\n
The SBSI is challenging the government's policy of recognizing
\nthe All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) as the only organization
\nallowed to represent workers in disputes with managements.<\/p>\n
The workers' riots in Medan last April had its origin in a
\nmassive workers protests called by the SBSI. More than 80 workers
\nand activists, including the local SBSI leaders, have been tried
\nor are being tried in connection with the violence.<\/p>\n
Two top activists of the Medan office of SBSI were on the run
\nfor a few weeks before Muchtar himself helped deliver them to the
\nauthorities after assurances that they would not be tortured.<\/p>\n
The union in its statement questioned the method by which
\nMuchtar was arrested on Saturday, apparently by sending dozens of
\nofficers to his home \"as if he was a big time criminal\".<\/p>\n
\"Muchtar has been cooperative with the police all this time,
\ncomplying with their summons despite his feeling that it was all
\nunnecessary, time consuming, tiring and a waste of funds,\" it
\nsaid. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sbsi-chief-detained-for-inciting-violence-1447893297",
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