Bayu Marhaenjati & Antara – Indonesian Labor unions on Wednesday threatened to paralyze the economy if the government carried out its plan to cut fuel subsidies, as protests against the planned price rise erupted in nearly every major city in the country.
Said Iqbal, president of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI), said workers would disable major arteries in the country's economic infrastructure.
"If the government continues with the fuel price hikes, labor unions across Indonesia will close down public facilities such as toll roads and airports," Said said. Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port and Indonesian refineries would be among them, he said. And laborers would raid trucks carrying fuel tanks, he added.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, at least 4,000 people rallied in front of the National Monument complex adjacent to the State Palace in Central Jakarta. "We are here to reject the fuel hike," said Yono, a demonstrator from Bekasi.
The subsidy cut is expected to have a domino effect, impacting prices for transportation and basic commodities.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said that around 4,000 officers had been deployed to maintain security at the protest site but that 10,000 more were ready to be dispatched at a moment's notice.
The protest caused massive gridlock on nearby Jalan Thamrin, and Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, where the massive demonstration was staged, became virtually inaccessible.
Indonesia's labor unions have pledged to hold rallies across Java, including one in front of the House of Representatives building in Jakarta, on Tuesday, when the House is set to deliberate the subsidy cut for a final time.
The government's plan is to raise the price of Premium fuel from Rp 4,500 to Rp 6,000 (50 cents to 65 cents) per liter, effective April 1. Officials say the subsidies have put a massive strain on the national budget, especially as world fuel prices have skyrocketed.
On Wednesday, protests similar to the one in Jakarta were observed across the country.
In Bandung, dozens of women from Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir protested outside the governor's office by cooking food in front of it. "This is a symbol of the cry of the mothers unprepared for the planned fuel hike," said Siti Nafidah, who organized the demonstration. "Mothers will be directly impacted. Trouble after trouble will be felt [by women] if this plan goes ahead."
In Palembang, South Sumatra, Sriwijaya University students carried a coffin to the gates of the South Sumatra Regional Representatives office. The students also severed the head of a live chicken in front of council member Arudji Kartawinata, who agreed to meet with them.
In Batam, Riau Islands, more than 1,000 workers took to the streets to voice their rejection of the plan.
Djoko Suyanto, the coordinating minister for political affairs, said the government would not back down. "Demonstrations are only stopping people from doing their activities. They can't go anywhere because of the traffic," he said. "So [the protests] are not very productive."