International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Elections without a Left

Alex de Jong, Zely Ariane — 2014-08-17T10:14:41Z

Many progressive Indonesians must have breathed a sigh of relief when it became clear that Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo had won the presidential elections of July 9, instead of his rival Prabowo Subianto. But there is not much to celebrate; the elections showed the weakness of the Left in the country of 247 million people and the persisting legacy of the Suharto-dictatorship.

- IV475 - August 2014 / Indonesia

Letter to Jokowi

Zely Ariane — 2014-07-27T12:14:17Z

Welcome to our struggle, Brother.

This morning I read your first speech as the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Surely it was a more daring speech than we're used to hear from SBY. I'm glad it was you who received the majority vote from the people, because the other one shouldn't have made it as presidential candidate from the start. Unfortunately, he too received quite a lot of votes from the people.

- IV474 - July 2014 / Indonesia

Social struggles in Indonesia, women workers and the Left

Alex de Jong, Wolfgang Alles, Zely Ariane — 2014-04-01T07:22:08Z

Despite high economic growth rates, massive poverty persists in Indonesia. And while the fall of Suharto's “New Order” dictatorship in 1998 drastically enlarged democratic space in the country, old representatives of the dictatorship are making a come-back. The army remains a powerful political player and democratic freedoms are under attack. We publish here an interview with activist Zely Ariane on how the Indonesian Left is trying to find a new way forward.

- IV471 - April 2014 / Women, Indonesia

The power of the working class - national strike in Indonesia

Zely Ariane — 2013-11-04T07:20:44Z

The Indonesian working class is fighting to end the age of cheap labor. A little over a year after the national strike on 3 October 2012, Indonesian workers launched another national strike. The demand: a fifty per cent increase of the minimum wage.

- IV466 - November 2013

Indonesian class struggle; the bosses retaliate

Zely Ariane — 2013-01-07T11:43:56Z

The recent strike movement in Indonesia gave new proof of the potential power and strategic role of the working class movement. Several months of struggles, mainly in industrial zones in Bekasi, West Java, culminated in a 24-hour strike in 80 industrial estates, spread over 24 cities. The movement won significant pay rises and restrictions on outsourcing in Indonesia.

- IV456 - January 2013 / Indonesia

Hightide for the Indonesian workers movement

Zely Ariane — 2012-09-14T10:43:39Z

Throughout 2011 and until now, we are seeing new wave of workers radicalization. The momentum started when thousands of workers mobilised under the banner of the Social Security Action Comittee (KAJS), demanding that the law on Social Security Provider (BPJS) would be passed mid 2011. Beside debate on the pro and cons of the law between workers organisations, mobilisations proved to be an effective way of pushing the demand and the draft law was passed after an occupation of the parliament.

- IV452 - September 2012 / Indonesia, Trade unions/workplace organizing

Fundamentalism, a challenge for the Left

Farooq Tariq, Zely Ariane — 2012-09-13T07:57:02Z

The idea of interviewing Farooq Tariq came from a lecture he gave during the Asian Global Justice School in Manila at the end of July 2012. I remember him stating firmly that Marxism is totally opposite of religion, particularly because the main basis of religion is private property, which is in line with class based society and capitalism. He also highlighted the position of LPP towards religion, that they dont discuss religion nor make jokes about it, just as they oppose using religious arguments for socialism. At the same time, Farooq also gave inspiring examples of the role of socialists to defend religious freedom in Pakistan. For my context in Indonesia, a majority Muslim country which is seeing an increase of religious intolerancy and violence, this conversation was very important, especially concerning the attitude of the left. I also took the chance to ask him on the recent left collaboration project in Pakistan.

- IV452 - September 2012 / Marxism, Pakistan, Indonesia, Religion, Debate section

International Women's Day in Indonesia: a struggle for liberation

Zely Ariane — 2012-03-07T16:57:31Z

This year International Women's Day in Indonesia is marked by an increase of attacks on women. The increasing frequency of violence against women, particularly sexual violence, and the recent government plan to raise the fuelprice threatens and burdens all women, especially poor women. Perempuan Mahardhika (Free Women) is a women's organization that has been trying to build a women's movement against all forms of oppression and exploitation caused by capitalism, patriarchy, and militarism. Fighting sexual harassment and economic policies which would further feminize poverty are parts of the important struggle for women's liberation in Indonesia.

- IV446 - March 2012 / Women, Indonesia

Indonesian feminists: 'Don't blame the victim!'

Vivi Widyawati, Zely Ariane — 2011-10-03T15:15:06Z

Around 100 women and men took part in a rally named Mini Skirt Protest - Women against Rape at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, Thamrin, Jakarta, on Sunday September 18th 2011. Dozens of women, including several activists from Perempuan Mahardhika, wore miniskirts, as a statement that rape has nothing to do with the way women dress.

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The democratic struggle and the fight for socialism

Zely Ariane — 2011-07-24T11:34:04Z

"Thirteen years ago Suharto had to be overthrown. This decision was a brilliant move from a generation..." — Nurul Khawari, one of those that took part in the overthrow of Suharto's New Order regime in May 1998, Solo Post, May 5, 2011.

- IV438 - July 2011 / Indonesia