1 Sept 2006

Indonesian Social Movements Denounce Crimes Against Humanity by WB and IMF



By Web Editor
Created Sep 1 2006 - 12:14
August 29, 2006 from La Via Campesina

As the September 19-20 Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in Singapore draw nearer, public protests against the international financial institutions kicked off in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 28.

Federasi Serikat Petani Indonesia (Federation of Indonesian Peasant Union, FSPI) initiated an action in front of the Singapore Embassy, Kuningan-Jakarta . The action was also supported by other organizations, such as Perhimpunan Bantuan Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia Indonesia (Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association, PBHI), Koalisi Anti Utang (Anti-Debt Coalition, KAU), Front Perjuangan Pemuda Indonesia (Indonesian Youth Struggle Front), Serikat Buruh Jabotabek (Jabotabek Workers Union, SBJ), and other student movements.

Activists gathered on Monday morning and held a theatrical action, performing scenes of people suffering from debt—symbolized by a man hung at the gate of the Embassy. The protesters asked the Singapore government not to host the World Bank and IMF meetings because they are criminal institutions. However, if the meetings eventually take place, the activists urged the Singapore authorities to open the public space and to allow people to express their views democratically.

FSPI and their allies oppose the new imperialism imposed by the World Bank and the IMF: the institutions force developing countries to adopt policies that benefit large transnational companies and destroy local economies. The farmers group also denounce the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the World Bank and the IMF in poor and developing countries—especially Indonesia.

“Indonesian debt mounted over US$ 151 billion, and the World Bank and the IMF have contributed to sink our country in what people see as an endless debt” said Achmad Ya’kub from FSPI.

The debt itself is far beyond the government budget for public services. It is six times higher than the national health budget, twice the education budget, 11 times higher than public housing and facilities budget, and 33 times higher than the social security budget. World Bank projects such as the Land Administration Project (LAP) or the Water Resources Sector Adjustment Loan (WATSAL) caused havoc and suffering to people in the agrarian sector: water privatization and the opening of the land markets to investors have deprived rural communities from their livelihood and have destroyed the environment.

During the meeting in Singapore, Indonesian civil society organizations will continue to struggle against the World Bank and the IMF and will keep fighting for people’s rights and livelihood.

Contact person: Achmad Ya’kub (FSPI) + 62 817712347 – www.fspi.or.id

9 comments:

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

I think these wankers should clean up their own house first before blaming strawmen like the IMF, World Bank or International Financiers for their "endless cicle of debt".

Long story short: you can't spend more than you produce, and you cannot solve the lack of money by borrowing money.

The People Always Get The Government and The State They Deserve.

For generations, the people of Indonesia have: allowed corrupt dictators to rule, supported and developed a culture of collusion and corruption, no qualms about screwing each other for "survival" (instead of cooperating), allowed the spread of politicised Islam, turned a blind eye and even supported the brutal oppression of E Timorese, Acheh, and its territories in New Guinea.

Fuck them. As far as I'm concerned they are legally liable for every rupiah they owe. And they can dam well pay, even if it leads to the total FAILURE of the Indonesian Nation State. (I would like for that to happen)

Anonymous said...

"Fuck them. As far as I'm concerned they are legally liable for every rupiah they owe. And they can dam well pay, even if it leads to the total FAILURE of the Indonesian Nation State. (I would like for that to happen)"

___________________

It's generally not healthy to be situated in the same neighbourhood as failed states. To wish that upon a neighbour is not only unkind but foolish.

I believe in Karma ... but still, unless Singapore can up anchor and float next to a more salubrious neighbourhood like near Maui and Oahu, I wish that they can clean up their act and stop being a basket case.

If they can't even stop the the timber barons and farmers from causing the choking haze with the indiscriminate land clearing year after year there's frankly not much hope for anything else.

Pessimistically,

PS

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

The likelihood of Indonesia failing as a state is Karma In Action.

With crisis comes danger and opportunity.

When states fail, it is because the state in power looted the people of their property and their liberty.

Everyone has a chance to learn form their mistakes.

Is that unkind? I think not.

Anonymous said...

Matilah_Singapura said..in part

"Everyone has a chance to learn form their mistakes.

Is that unkind? I think not."

__________________

Wishing ill on others isn't being unkind? Yea, right.

I would love to see my neighbour fail and become a bankrupt. That way he has a chance to learn from his mistakes.

Am I being unkind for wishing? I think not.

Sincerely,
Self-deluded hombre.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

> That way he has a chance to learn from his mistakes. <

Oh. Sorry. I stand corrected.

Learning from one's mistakes is a natural right, which is not to be interfered with. To do so would be interfering with the person's free will, and his (natural) right to use his free will in any way he chooses. (The idea of self-ownership)

I always take the moral high ground in issues such as natural rights. Therefore, the MORAL thing to do is to leave people alone to learn (if they so choose) from the mistakes they OWN (their actions lead to consequences which they own - their private property).

I appreciate you pointing out the error I made. Many thanks,

Old Whig

Anonymous said...

Matilah_Singapura said...

"Fuck them. As far as I'm concerned they are legally liable for every rupiah they owe. And they can dam well pay, even if it leads to the total FAILURE of the Indonesian Nation State. (I would like for that to happen)"
___________________

The point is, you said that you would like for that to happen...

And if wishing for a neighbouring country to fail isn't ill will or unkind then what is it?

It seems ironical that for someone who claims to speak from the moral high ground you can't even differentiate between what is and isn't kind.

From:
Still self-deluded.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

The *point* is that "wishing and hoping" are passive — nothing happens. Unless of course you believe in fairy tales, then all you have to do is to close your eyes and wish very hard... ;-)

Action, makes things happen. I'm not doing *anything* to escalate the demise of the Indonesian state.

I merely expressing a preference — at that time. At this time, I'm indifferent to what happens. Like every human being, my preferences will vary.

Have you got "the point" yet?

Anonymous said...

Matilah_Singapura said...

"The *point* is that "wishing and hoping" are passive — nothing happens.

Have you got "the point" yet?"

____________________

Ok, I get it.

Here's hoping these looney, basket cases, good for nothing bufoons all die a thousand deaths and red ants shall crawl up their pants and do their dastardly deed before they do.

Why, of course I am not having unkind thoughts. Just a passive wish which happens to be my preference .. for now.

Semantically slippery bloke.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

That's right.

The failure of any state is a good thing.