In May 2007, a new investment law has been enacted by the government of Indonesia. Civil society acknowledges that this Act no 25 / 2007 is in opposition with Indonesia Independence Constitution. Many of its articles are not on the behalf of the people and tend to aggravate people lives. For example, one part of the articles prolongs land-usage concession from 25 years up to 90 years.
Thus on Thursday, July 5th 2007, Bina Desa as part of the coalition which refuses this regulation, together with other organizations registered for judicial review. This coalition, called Gerak Lawan, people’s movement against neocolonialism and imperialism, demanding to abate this law. While waiting for lawyers to register the case, around 300 people were demonstrating outside the building and held people tribunal.
In the joint statement there are three major fallacy of this law.
- This regulation is not on the behalf of national interest but rather serving the concerns of capital internationalization. This regulation is also against the constitution of The Republic of Indonesia by facilitating foreign capital to overrule people-dependent productions.
- This regulation does not protect Indonesian people right to work, particularly labors that are easily being ceased from work due to factory adjournment.
- This regulation aggravates economic, social and cultural rights violation which were done by state and non state actor specifically corporation.
Other than demanding the abatement, the coalition also urge government to build an independent national economy for people’s welfare by implementing true agrarian reform and build a strong national industry in regard to constitutional mandate.
