An open letter to the leaders of the nation and
higher state institutions:

1. President of the Republic of Indonesia

2. House of Representatives

3. Regional Representatives Council

4. Commander in Chief of the Indonesian Military

5. Chief of the Indonesian National Police

6. Minister for Defense and Security

7. Minister of Justice and Human Rights

8. Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia

9. Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia

On May 13 at 1am local time around 30 people,
including members of the army (one of which was
arrested — private first-class Makmur from the
Raksatama 711 Infantry Battalion) attacked the South
Sulawesi regional offices of the National Liberation
Party of Unity (Papernas) in Palu City. At least
three Papernas members were seriously injured and
had to be treated in hospital.

This incident strengthens earlier suspicions of the
significant involvement of elements from the
Indonesian military (TNI) in a series of attacks and
acts of violence against Papernas: Surabaya
(September 17, 2006), Yogyakarta (January 18-20,
2007/May 1, 2007), Batu-Malang Raya (March 4, 2007),
Jakarta (March 29, 2007), Tuban, Sukoharjo,
Tangerang and similar incidents in other parts of
the country over this period.

Based on direct and indirect observations, as well
as evidence gathered at the scene of the incident,
it can be concluded that this involvement was
systematic in nature. Meaning the TNI as an
institution, which should be able to identify or be
aware of the activities of its troops, at every
level of its territorial structure, has acted in a
way or taken steps that contract the spirit of
democracy.

The commander of the 132/Tadulako Sub-District
Military Command (Korem) has stated that these
actions were not carried out upon his orders. But in
view of the pattern of repeated attacks on the
ground, we can emphatically state that there are
significant and influential elements within the TNI
that are seeking to take the TNI as an institution,
directly or indirectly, back into the realm of
practical politics. Moreover, the political role
being played is one of terror, intimidation and
violence against the Indonesian people themselves,
in which the TNI is now caught up in a plot to sow
disunity among the Indonesian people and the nation.

The problems facing the Indonesian nation at this
time requires solutions that are democratic and that
place the people as the highest holders of
sovereignty. The people’s efforts to organise and
strengthen themselves, among other things through
establishing political parties, must be fully
guaranteed as a basic right, which must be respected
by one and all. If just a single violation against
these rights is permitted, then it will become a
precedent for similar kinds of acts. Not just
against Papernas, but against all democratic
activities that are frowned upon by those with
different interests. Because of this therefore, all
elements of society must take a serious stand
against these fascist tendencies.

Aside from this, for us, the organisation of the
people’s struggle within a united vehicle is
urgently needed in order develop the country’s
political life, that up until now has been dominated
by a handful of people who clearly take no
responsibility for the people, the nation or the
state. Because of this, arbitrary actions, whether
it be the attack that took place recently in Palu as
well as the series of incidents that proceeded it,
is a manipulation and an endeavor shift the people’s
attention away from the concrete problems they are
facing. This is an attempt to revive the seeds of
stupidity that were been planted by the New Order
dictatorship of former President Suharto to create
an atmosphere of fear, to prevent the people from
struggling in a united vehicle to confront the
economic and political interests of global
corporations owned by the United States and
associated countries (read imperialism).

Based on the views presented above, the Central
Leadership Committee of Papernas states the
following:

1. Because the latest attack against Papernas
clearly involved the state apparatus, and indicates
the institutional involvement of the tools of state
power, we call on all higher state institutions (the
President, the House of Representatives, the Supreme
Court, the Constitutional Court and the Regional
Representatives Council) to openly declare their
commitment to democracy, by affirming our right as
Indonesian people and citizens to the freedom of
association, assembly and expression as an endeavor
to find a solution to the problems of this nation in
a manner that is peaceful, transparent and
democratic.

2. By taking a firm stand such as this, it will be
followed by legal action being taken against the
parties that have been utilised to attack, slander
and falsely accuse Papernas. The police must arrest
the perpetrators, uncover the real motives behind
the attacks and reveal these to the people so as to
turn this into a lesson for the our future
democratic life together.

3. Because this crime comes within the domain of
civil law, with regard to the latest incident in
Palu, we are calling for the perpetrators to be
indicted in a civil court in order to be able to
seek an outcome that is just, transparent and in
accordance with the principles of civil law.

4. We urge the TNI as an institution and its members
of all ranks to consistently follow the doctrine of
Three Missions One Deed (the three wings of the
military), that is to be free from involvement in
politics and is not be provoked into falling into
the errors of the past by acting in the name of
safeguarding the state.

5. We have always called on all elements of this
nation, the working class, peasants, students and
the oppressed ordinary people to unite their ranks
together with all democratic, nationalist and
populist elements to confront all types of
imperialist exploitation that brings suffering to
and has the potential to destroy this nation. This
also means therefore that we must shun efforts to
sow disunity by parties that seek to continue to
fool the nation, and in the end plunge the people
into a never ending cycle of suffering and misery.

Raise the Three Banners of National Unity for the
welfare of the people:

– Repudiate the foreign debt!
– Nationalise the mining industry!
– Build the national industry for the welfare of the
people!

We have been a nation of coolies long enough! Rise
up to be come an independent nation!

Jakarta, May 14, 2007

Agus Priyono, Papernas General Chairperson

Dominggus Oktavianus, Department of Political and
Democratic Affairs

Copies sent to:

1. The ambassadors of friendly countries in at their
respective embassies in Jakarta

2. Amnesty International

3. The United Nations Human Rights Commission

4. The National Human Rights Commission

5. Colleges in struggle in the political parties

6. Colleges in struggle in the mass organisations,
trade unions, peasant organisations, student
organisations, youth, non-government organizations
and so forth

7. All ordinary people that support this open letter

For more information on the Palu attack and previous
attacks against Papernas visit

www.asia.pacific.action.org/southeastasia/indonesia
/papernas/papernas.htm

and other articles on this section of ESSF website.