Indonesia
Hundreds arrested as Indonesians protest against new investment bill

Hundreds of people were arrested in Jakarta Thursday as tens of thousands protested across Indonesia for a third day against a controversial new law that critics say will harm labour rights and the environment.
Thousands of security personnel were deployed to block access to the capital and prevent workers and students from demonstrating in front of the presidential palace and parliament.
Jakarta police spokesman Yusri Yunus said more than 400 people — mostly teenagers — had been arrested in the past two days, accusing them of provoking unrest during the protests.
“We are now questioning them,” Yunus told AFP on Thursday, adding the situation in Jakarta was “under control”.
The government hopes a new bill — which aims to cut red tape by amending dozens of existing laws covering taxation, labour and environment regulations — will attract foreign investment.
But labour activists and green groups have slammed the legislation, with Amnesty International saying it was “catastrophic” for workers.
Police banned Thursday’s demonstrations citing coronavirus concerns, but workers and students marched anyway in dozens of cities across the archipelago.
Violent protests have taken place in several other cities this week, including Lampung and Bandung.
Indonesians also expressed their anger online with hackers blocking access to parliament’s website and changing its name to the “Council of Traitors”.
They also created an account on the Indonesia e-commerce platform Tokopedia and put parliament “on sale” for a pittance, according to media reports.
– AFP

-
Opinion5 days ago
Shanmugam’s call to avoid politicising Nee Soon’s kickback case exposes hypocrisy given his 2015 attack on WP
-
Politics5 days ago
Shanmugam defends response in kickback scandal at Nee Soon Town Council
-
Singapore6 days ago
SM Lee urges Singaporeans to embrace new citizens for national unity during Chinese New Year speech
-
Opinion2 weeks ago
Revisiting HDB ownership: Are flat buyers owners or long-term lessees?
-
Opinion2 weeks ago
Li Shengwu’s comments put the spotlight back on Lucien Wong’s controversial appointment
-
Letters2 weeks ago
An open letter to the PAP: Losing trust and the disconnect with the people
-
Singapore1 week ago
Singapore’s diversity and unity are vital assets, says PM Lawrence Wong in Chinese New Year message
-
Singapore3 days ago
Healthcare worker’s death sparks public dispute between TTSH and Red Dot United’s Ravi Philemon