Indonesian prisoners refuse to cooperate with authorities

Issue 

People's Democratic Party (PRD) prisoners in Jakarta are refusing to answer any questions from the attorney-general's interrogators.

In a letter smuggled out from the attorney general's detention centre, PRD chair Budiman Sujatmiko, PRD leaders Wilson and Astika Anom, and Student Solidarity for Indonesian Democracy (SMID) leaders Garda, Wignyo and Peter state they are refusing to cooperate with any activities related to the 1962 Anti-Subversion Law, which was instituted by the government of the day to legitimise suppression of its political enemies.

The letter confirmed that they were in good health and called on those in "the big prison outside" to "consolidate the organisation and keep close to the people. Quickly or slowly, the people will march forward to make their own history. Believe in each other and help each other. We in prison will keep up the fight the best we can.

"They will not be able to destroy the movement for democracy by imprisoning and intimidating us. Prison is our school ... We send our solidarity to our comrades who are still being hunted. We know this will not last long and that everybody will maintain their political stamina."

On September 25, the PRD central office in Indonesia issued a list of PRD prisoners. At least 35 leaders and activists have been arrested. They include individuals active in KIPP (Independent Election Monitoring Committee), PPBI (Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggles), SMID, STN (National Peasants Union)and Jaker (People's Art Network).

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