MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): A labor activist reportedly told a
MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): A labor activist reportedly told a
colleague that he was responsible for mobilizing nearly 11,000
workers to stage a peaceful protest on April 14, which later
turned into anti-Chinese rioting.
Amosi Telaumbanua, chairman of the Medan branch of Prosperous
Trade Union (SBSI), was unable to control the furious protesters
who turned violent after they failed to see local officials, a
confidante of the activist told The Jakarta Post Monday.
Amosi, along with two other colleagues, turned himself in to
the Armed Forces headquarters in Jakarta last week. They were
transferred to Medan after receiving assurances they would not be
tortured during their interrogation here.
The government and the military have blamed SBSI for the mass
labor protests, which triggered racial riots and left one ethnic
Chinese businessman dead and scores of factories, cars and homes
damaged.
The source said Amosi mobilized 11,000 laborers from Medan and
surrounding areas to demand the investigation into the death of a
labor activist, Rusli, an employee rubber company of PT Karet
Deli.
Disappointed by the governor's absence, the angry protesters
vandalized shops, factories and cars. The protests developed into
major rioting for several days in and around Medan before the
authorities managed to restore order.
Amosi, whose questioning started yesterday, along with his
colleagues, Soniman Lasau and Fatiwanolo Zega, have sought
lawyers from the Legal Aid Institute (LBH).
Authorities in Medan, the third largest city in Indonesia,
have tightened control over labor activities following the
rioting.
On Sunday, security forces banned a planned gathering in
Pematang Siantar, 90 kilometers east of here, to commemorate
SBSI's 2nd anniversary.
Meanwhile, isolated worker strikes still went on Monday.
Hundreds of workers at rubber factory PT Asia Karet and
biscuit plant PT Asia Sakti went on strike Monday.
Workers of PT Asia Karet protested the company's bizarre
decision to abandon the increase their daily wage to Rp 3,100
(about $1.5) made on the heels of the riots, to the original Rp
2,800.(pan)