FSPSI sympathizes with Pakpahan
JAKARTA (JP): The sole officially-sanctioned labor union, Federation of All-Indonesian Workers Union (FSPSI), showed a gesture of friendship yesterday by coming to the defense of Muchtar Pakpahan, the chairman of an unrecognized labor union who is detained for his alleged involvement in the July 27 riots.
Newly-elected chairman Marzuki Achmad said that the union's executive board recently agreed to express solidarity and sympathy to Pakpahan, who is facing subversion charges.
FSPSI leaders showed their kindly feelings by visiting Pakpahan at the Attorney General's Office detention center, Marzuki said.
"We are not heartless, we have feelings, but we can't do much to help him," Marzuki said, saying Pakpahan remained a labor activist despite differences in the ways he and his Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) fight for labor causes.
Marzuki, elected last week chair of the FSPSI executive presidium, said former FSPSI chairman Bomer Pasaribu and Secretary General of International Confederation of Free Trade Unions Bill Jordan had also visited Pakpahan recently.
The rearrest of Pakpahan, an outspoken government critic, has drawn criticism both home and overseas. The International Labor Organization has recently in Geneva criticized Indonesia's poor labor record as well as Pakpahan's arrest.
It placed the blame on the government for meddling in FSPSI and for violating basic labor rights, including the right to form associations.
Wilhelmus Bokha, a presidium member who accompanied Marzuki to the press meeting, called on authorities not to "manipulate or abuse" the laws to oppress government critics and dissident groups.
A number of legal experts, practitioners and students have also denounced the recent Supreme Court ruling sending Pakpahan back to prison, for inciting a 1994 labor riot, after it had quashed all charges last year.
Pakpahan had been found guilty of inciting a bloody rioting in Medan, North Sumatra, in April 1994. But, in September, 1995, he was acquitted of all charges by a team of Supreme Court judges led by Deputy Chief Justice for General Crimes Adi Andojo Soetjipto.
Marzuki and Bokha also spoke on other matters yesterday, including the labor union's stance in the general election next year. Marzuki, a member of the ruling Golkar, said the FSPSI is an independent and free trade union, and takes a neutral position.
"FSPSI will call on all workers to exercise their right to vote in a free and direct manner," Marzuki said.
Most FSPSI officials, including those in provincial chapters, come from Kosgoro, an organization affiliated to Golkar. (rms)