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)