Budi Sugiharto/FW, Surabaya – Thousands farmers from all over East Javanese regional districts poured on to the streets in Surabaya, capital city of East Java province. They have been holding a rally on Wednesday demanding the East Java regional government to pay more attention to their declining standard of living.

Led by the Coordinator of the East Java Farmer Organization Union chapter, Syamsul Arifin and supported by farmers from Gresik, Bondowoso, Lumajang, Situbondo, Pasuruan, Madura. A number of farmers representatives from different province also lend their solidarity. Together they have been demanding a reform on Agrarian Legislation.

They argued that the current Agrarian Legislation only favors of land owner's interest. Apart from reform on Agrarian Legislation, they also pleaded to the government not to use violence and intimidation to settle land dispute cases, a practice which had been a trade mark on Suharto's New Order period.

One of the orators also asked for a better welfare security and justice. The person believes that many farmers across Indonesia have not had the privilege to most basic human necessities. The orator emphasized the struggles of farmers everywhere who often could not taste the fruit of their hard work. "Whenever there's a hike in the price of rice, it doesn't reflect on the live of farmers," he said.

The long march started from the central landmark in this city. Then, they walked to East Java Provincial Legislative Council building 5 km away. Upon their arrival in the council building, they occupied the building square as well as the lobby.

Seven university students who went with the action, presented a theatrical show of the suffering life of farmers. They brought effigy made from straws and dipped themselves into the fish pond which placed in the council square.