SBSI supporters demand release of their leader

SBSI supporters demand release of their leader

JAKARTA (JP): The government in an unexpected move yesterday
agreed to meet with representatives of the outlawed Indonesian
Prosperous Workers Union (SBSI) who were demanding the release of
their chairman Muchtar Pakpahan.

A seven-person delegation from SBSI who visited the Ministry
of Manpower was met by Director for Industrial Relations Support
Sutrisno for a one hour discussion on the fate of Muchtar, who
was arrested in connection with his alleged role in a workers'
riot in Medan, North Sumatra, last April.

The ministry officials however were adamant that they had no
role in, nor any influence over, Muchtar's arrest, stressing that
the case is now being handled by the police and the court.

"We consider Muchtar's case as strictly criminal and unrelated
to workers' matters," Director General of Industrial Relations
Suwarto told The Jakarta Post by phone last night.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Muchtar is scheduled for
arraignment at the Medan District Court next week.

"We are aware the ministry has no immediate relation to
Muchtar's detention. However, we ask them to at least consider
discussing the matter with the related government agencies,"
Satrio told reporters after the meeting.

The government has declared SBSI as an illegal organization
and in the past has refused to meet with its representatives to
discuss labor affairs.

Businessman

SBSI has been blamed for fanning the workers' riot in Medan
last April which left one businessman dead and dozens of
factories damaged.

As the meeting proceeded, a group of workers and activists
from the Solidarity for the Defense of Workers' Rights staged a
protest outside the gates of the ministry building.

Some 50 protesters took part in singing national songs and
waving banners and posters with inscriptions such as "ABRI is the
people's army," "ABRI should defend laborers." ABRI is the
Indonesian acronym for the Armed Forces.

About 50 police in anti-riot gear, including long rattan
sticks, watched them closely, preventing them from entering the
building's grounds. No physical clashes occurred.

Satrio, while encouraged that he was allowed to meet with the
government officials, lamented their hands-off attitude. "We only
want them to show a sign of goodwill, but even this they couldn't
provide."

During what Satrio considered a one-hour session of "friendly
talks," the freedom to speak and assemble was also discussed.

Although both parties agreed to the concept, which is also
stated in Article 27 of the 1945 Constitution, "there was
apparently a difference of interpretation," he said.

The government, he said, recognizes the 13 sectorial unions
under the banner of the officially-recognized All Indonesian
Workers Union (SPSI) as 13 separate organizations.

"We don't see it that way, because they are all clearly under
one roof, which is SPSI," Satrio pointed out.

With this understanding, the delegation asked the officials to
legitimize SBSI so it could complement SPSI. "We are ready to
cooperate, because our movement is a peaceful one," he added.

Suwarto countered that the Constitution should not be the only
basis to justify the establishment of an organization.

"There are many other laws below the constitution that we must
not forget," he said, adding that SPSI's establishment also had a
long historical background and the national consensus to unite
workers at that time should also not be forgotten. (pwn)