Report on Indonesian struggles

NEWCASTLE -- Green Left correspondent Michael Tardif addressed a forum on Indonesia here on January 29.

Tardif outlined the broad progressive movement in Indonesia and the growing grassroots opposition to the Indonesian dictatorship. The visit was covered by local community radio 2NUR-FM.

Tardif was expelled from Indonesia in October for photographing a student demonstration in solidarity with workers who were being paid less than the legal minimum wage.

As an example of struggles taking place, Tardif said that the Pertamina oil company and the military authorities in Cilacap on Java bulldozed the homes and fields of 1000 families to make way for the company to sell the land to downstream industries. This resulted in the displaced people organising in the area and even sending a delegation to the parliament in Jakarta.

While recognising the difficulties facing activists, the audience, including people from East Timor and the Philippines, was inspired about the potential for change in Indonesia.

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