TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Confederation of Indonesian People's Movement (KPRI) condemns the police for arresting Priest Sugiyanto along with a number of farmers at the KPRI office in Tulang Bawang District, Lampung, on October 11, 2016. Sugiyanto was accused of provoking the farmer’s movement against PT Bangun Nusa Indah Lampung (BNIL), which often creates conflicts with local farmers.
“The arrest itself shows that there is an ongoing attempt to criminalize activists from the people’s movement,” said KPRI Chairman Chabibullah on Thursday, October 13, 2016.
Sugiyanto is often known to accompany the Farmer’s Union victims of eviction conducted by PT BNIL. He was also accused of being involved in the clash that happened between the Farmers Union members and Swakarsa's security officers that happened in a land occupation conducted by residents on October 1, 2016.
KPRI admits that the arrest surprised them. Sugiyanto was never known to be under police’s target. They also demanded Sugiyanto to be released. “Release Priest Sugiyanto from all suspicion and charges, because all he’s doing is defending the people’s rights,” Chabibullah said.
Conflicts between PT BNIL and the local residents have started since 1993. The residents admit that they often get intimidation from PT BNIL in order to sell their lands to the company. According to data from KPRI, there are already nine casualties since the conflict began.
EGI ADYATAMA