SBSI condemns activist's arrest

SBSI condemns activist's arrest

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union, SBSI,
condemned the arrest of one of its activists in the North Sumatra
capital of Medan on Tuesday.

In a statement signed by acting chairman Tohap Simanungkalit
and secretary general Sunarti, SBSI said Soniman Lafau, 30, was
arrested in the Medan Industrial Estate.

SBSI claim the activist was arrested for carrying a calendar
featuring the union's chairman Muchtar Pakpahan, who is now
serving a four-year sentence for inciting a labor riot in Medan
last year.

"Soniman, a former match factory worker, was arrested when he
was making a call in a telephone booth. He is now being held in
the local military precinct," the statement said.

Soniman had just been released from jail on Jan. 25 after
serving an eight months in prison for his involvement in last
year's rioting. (pan)