Home › Regions › Region: Sumatra ›

Politics & democracy

Farmers call for agrarian justice

Down to Earth No. 41 May 1999

Two meetings of peasant farmers' organisations this year have come up with important messages for the current and future governments of Indonesia concerning land and resource rights.

The United Federation of Indonesian Farmers (FSPI), founded in July last year, held its first congress in February.

An alternative development strategy

Down to Earth No. 41, May 1999

Farmers, workers, indigenous peoples, fisherfolk, NGOs, students and academics are coming together to formulate people-centred, environmentally sound development strategies to replace the obsolete, bankrupt and abusive money-centred practices of the Suharto era.

The struggle for land

Down to Earth No 40, February 1999

Indonesia's farmers are organising to challenge the powerful business conglomerates and the unequal distribution of agricultural land.

The fall of Suharto, the economic crisis and a desperate need to grow food have intensified the battle for farmland now being fought in many parts of Indonesia.

Bob Hasan's fall from favour

Down to Earth No. 38, August 1998

Just four months ago Bob Hasan was one of Indonesia's main power-brokers as President Suharto's right-hand man. But now that his benefactor and partner-in-greed has been forced out, Indonesia's top timber baron is being called to account.

Since the fall of Suharto, Bob Hasan's fortunes have been on the decline.