SBSI chief detained for inciting violence

SBSI chief detained for inciting violence

JAKARTA (JP): Police have detained Muchtar Pakpahan, the
chairman of the outlawed Indonesian Prosperous Workers Union
(SBSI), on charges of inciting violence, his colleagues said.

Muchtar was picked up from his home on Jl. Kayu Putih Selatan
VI in East Jakarta on Saturday morning by officers with a warrant
issued by the police precinct in Medan, North Sumatra.

National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro confirmed
that his forces had detained Muchtar in order to find out about
the extent of his involvement in the massive workers' riot last
April which had its origins in a workers protests.

The riot that went on for one week left one businessman dead
and extensive damage to dozens of factories and shops.

"We're trying to find out from the person concerned about the
precise role of the SBSI, whether or not it masterminded the
protest," Banurusman was quoted by the Antara news agency as
saying on Saturday afternoon.

Muchtar had shuttled between Jakarta and Medan several times
since after the riot to help with the police inquiry although he
was never formally charged.

National Police Deputy Chief for Operation Maj. Gen.
Koesparmono Irsan said there are indications that the April
protests were no longer "pure" but were already being used by
certain parties for their political objectives. "If this could be
ascertained, then we will initiate legal process against him."

The SBSI head office in Jakarta on Saturday immediately
launched a protest against the arrest, saying that it was another
attempt by the authorities to destroy the union once and for all.

Suspicious

In a statement signed by Tohap Simanungkalit, who is
coordinating the SBSI's legal affairs, the union said that the
timing was suspiscious, coming only a few weeks before a planned
general strike called by the SBSI for October. "Why has it taken
them four months to decide that he should prosecuted?"

The union, formed in 1992 by labor activists, has never been
given official recognition and officials considered it illegal.
The authorities never made any serious attempt to actually
disband the organization but it has repeatedly harassed its
members and leaders, including breaking up its first ever
congress in Puncak near here last year.

The SBSI is challenging the government's policy of recognizing
the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) as the only organization
allowed to represent workers in disputes with managements.

The workers' riots in Medan last April had its origin in a
massive workers protests called by the SBSI. More than 80 workers
and activists, including the local SBSI leaders, have been tried
or are being tried in connection with the violence.

Two top activists of the Medan office of SBSI were on the run
for a few weeks before Muchtar himself helped deliver them to the
authorities after assurances that they would not be tortured.

The union in its statement questioned the method by which
Muchtar was arrested on Saturday, apparently by sending dozens of
officers to his home "as if he was a big time criminal".

"Muchtar has been cooperative with the police all this time,
complying with their summons despite his feeling that it was all
unnecessary, time consuming, tiring and a waste of funds," it
said. (emb)