Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – Representatives of nongovernmental organizations grouped under the Solidarity for Riau Farmers held an art performance outside the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Thursday to protest the death of a palm oil farmer at the hands of Mobile Brigade officers.

They also reported the murder of Yusniar, a 45-year-old mother of Kuantan Senggigi, to the police's detective directorate. Yusniar is believed to have been shot dead by the Mobile Brigade officers during a recent rally staged by hundreds of local farmers.

"The police have abused their authority. The killing was a proof that law enforcers are no longer public servants but the defenders of businesspeople," said Mukri Friatna, the Indonesian Environmental Forum's (Walhi) West Region manager.

Another farmer, Disman, is in critical condition due to gunshot wounds he sustains. Mukri said dozens of farmers were arrested.

The farmers staged the protest over allegations that PT TBS, a palm-oil plantation operator, had broken an agreement on production sharing scheme signed by the two parties in 1997.

Supri Suyardi, one of the farmers, said the agreement stipulates that the land concession lasted only until 2002. "But until today they have yet to return the land to us. That's why we protested by harvesting the palm oil," Supri said.

National Police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Zainuri Lubis said the provincial police was investigating the case.