Pro-Abdul Gafur masses boycott mining operations in Halmahera

Nickel mining operations at three companies on Halmahera island and Gebe island, in Central Halmahera district, had gone to a standstill following a boycott by its workers since Friday, Koran Tempo daily reported on Monday.

The daily reported that the workers staged a strike in protest against North Maluku legislative council that would conduct re-election of the province's governor and vice governor, following a pros and cons over the election of Abdul Gafur-Yamin as governor and vice governor.

The masses, apparently, are the supporters of Abdul Gafur-Yamin, the cadres of the former ruling Golkar Party.

The strike started at 9.30 a.m. local time at nickel mining operation in Gebe island belonging to state-owned PT Aneka Tambang, and it was followed by workers at nearby private companies, namely PT Weda Bay Nikel in Weda district, PT Yudistira BUmi Bhakti in Tanjung Buli, Maba district - all in Central Halmahera district.

Besides striking, they also held protests and occupied government offices in Weda, Patani and Maba Buli districts. (*)