Papuan civilians around Timika have again been made wary of military provocations that may potentially revive a bloody horizontal conflict, after a former Freeport mine worker's mutilated body was found in a roadside trench on January 19.

Villagers from Kwamki Narama, just outside Timika, found the badly mutilated body of Hanok Rumansara, 40, from Biak, in a roadside ditch in front of the village. The autopsy on his body found Rumansara was riddled with over 23 stab wounds, plus a number of injuries cause by blunt objects, according to his human rights observers.

A human rights worker with Komnas Ham, going by the pseudonym Kobewas Kores, posted information on social media that Rumansara had been picked up by a motorcycle taxi (ojek) rider to take him to Kwamki Narama. Whilst on the road, a group of unknown persons (orang tak kenal or OTK) set up a road block, and was not seen again until his body was found, according to witnesses interviewed by human rights workers.

Indonesian police have claimed that though there is little information to work on, they are pursuing the culprits, according to citizen media website malanesia.com. Police have also claimed they have interviewed several witnesses and have secured arrows, bow, an axe and wood. However, Indonesian police have rarely showed a willingness to properly investigate OTK cases, which most credible observers in Papua laying the blame squarely on Indonesian special forces from either Kopassus or Densus 88.

A former worker at the contentious Freeport-McMoRan run giant Grasberg gold and Copper mine, Rumansara had reportedly been active in the ongoing Freeport industrial dispute, according to initial information. It is unclear why Rumansara had lost his job at the mine, but he was amongst hundreds of workers who failed to regain their jobs after the record- breaking seven month strike ended in December 2011.

Many Papuan ex-Freeport workers have been reportedly stranded from their home regions after not receiving any or enough severance pay from the management of the most lucrative gold mine on the planet. West Papua Media has no information at this stage to indicate that he was targeted in relation to his involvement at Freeport, or in the strike. If this were the case, it would represent a major escalation that would backfire significantly on the perpetrators, given the high political organisation of Freeport workers who are already tense given the recent gassing deaths of several workers.

However, Local human rights observers have questioned if the latest OTK killing – the first since community-led peace building put an end to a bloody military-fostered inter-tribal war from 20 May to 5 October 2012 – was a deliberate act of provocation to upset the current fragile peace. The 2012 horizontal conflict claimed over 2o lives in numerous OTK killings, as well as direct tribal violence, while police and Indonesian military conducted operations deliberately designed to incite violence.

'Kobewas Kores' believes that indeed there was an OTK killing, but they got their targeting wrong and killed a man from another part of Papua.

"Is it possible that the killing was deliberately done to give birth to a conflict breaking out in Kwamki Narama village? I think the scenario actually missed the target of an indigenous person to Kwamki Narama. In this case there are specially trained parties, the Indonesian military is trying to sow confusion in Timika and Papua in general," Kobewas said.

Growing international solidarity for West Papua freedom campaigns

West Papua Media - January 21, 2013

Herman Wainggai – It is likely that most US citizens who consider themselves informed about global events are aware of the genocides in Rwanda, Bosnia and East Timor, yet it's likely that few people in the US are aware of the ongoing genocide in West Papua, New Guinea.

In Rwanda, genocide resulted in an estimated 500,000 deaths in a 3-month period; in Bosnia, genocide resulted in an estimated 200,000 deaths in a 3-year period. In East Timor, there were more than 103,000 deaths in a 3- year period; and, in West Papua, New Guinea, there are conservative estimates of 100,000 Melanesian Papuans killed, and 300,000 displaced or missing over a 47-year period. Remarkable is the disparity of time between the Rwanda, Bosnia and East Timor genocides, ranging from 3 months to 3 years, contrasted with the ongoing 50-year genocide of indigenous West Papuans. In the aftermath of the Rwandan 3-month slaughter of 500,000 people, the carnage was blatant, the atrocities flagrant.

In view of the continuing carnage wrought in West Papua by the Indonesian military during the past 50 years, we must wonder why most people in the Western world are oblivious to the indigenous Melanesians' plight, and what factors are contributing to the protraction of such abuse.

Indonesia's colonization and military occupation of Dutch-owned West Papua was achieved, and continues, with the blessing of the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States, and facilitated by the operation of the world's largest copper and gold mine owned by Freeport- McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc., a US corporation.

In addition, for more than 50 years, some of the world's largest transnational mining corporations have been exploiting West Papua's oil and minerals, including Union Oil, Amoco, Agip, Conoco, Phillips, Esso, Texaco, Mobil, Shell, Petromer Trend Exploration, Atlantic Richfield, Sun Oil and Freeport (USA); Oppenheimer (South Africa); Total SA (France); Ingold (Canada); Marathon Oil, Bird's Head Peninsula (UK); Dominion Mining, Aneka Tambang, BHP, Cudgen RZ, and most critically, Rio Tinto (formerly RTZ-CRA) (Australia/UK).

The exploitation of natural resources by extractive industries results in catastrophic harms to human and environmental health and indigenous societies. Typically, mainstream global media, most of which are in thrall to corporate interests, look the other way when such military/corporate injustices are perpetrated upon indigenous populations.

New Guinea is the second largest island on earth, and one of 20,000-30,000 archipelagos in the South Pacific. The island is divided vertically, with independent Papua New Guinea occupying the eastern section and West Papua, now an unwilling province of Indonesia, occupying the western side. There are more than 250 tribes, more than 270 distinct languages and thousands of different pidgin dialects.

In addition to copper and gold, abundant natural resources include natural gas, oil, timber and fish. These resources profit corporate interests and the Indonesian government without compensation to the Melanesian population, who live in poverty.

In 1969, the Act of Free Choice consultation was held in West Papua to ascertain whether the indigenous Melanesian population preferred to remain a province within the nascent nation of Indonesia or become their own independent nation. The consultation was fraudulent, and free participation by the indigenous people was nil. Only 1025 West Papuans, representing a population of one million, were picked (by the government of Indonesia) to vote and it was not implemented in accordance with international law of the New York Agreement on August 15, 1962 - One Man One Vote. It was a whitewash. Nobody gave a thought to the fact that a million people had their fundamental rights trampled (CV Narasimhan, Deputy Secretary - General of the United Nations 1961 - 1978). Thus, the voiceless West Papuans became a province of Indonesia and the victims of 50 years of oppression.

The people of this forgotten land have struggled for freedom for 50 years under brutal Indonesian occupation. The people of the different tribes are raped, tortured and slaughtered, and their natural environment continues to be degraded. In their efforts to resist this injustice, their leaders have been arrested, tortured and threatened with death. For this reason, many now live in exile, where they continue to be involved in education and activism with the goal of enlisting the international community to join their efforts to achieve justice and freedom.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the rights of all people to freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to peaceful assembly and association. Indonesia is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and Indonesia's constitution also declares those rights. However, Indonesia's continued arrest and incarceration of nonviolent political activists since the 1980s, and the October 19, 2011 arrests of more than 300 civilians during the Third National Congress, including Edison Waromi and Forkorus Yaboisembut, Prime Minister and President, respectively, will not deter Melanesians from their nonviolent struggle to secure self-determination within a democratic framework, and are recognized, respected and supported by the international community.

For this reason, many peaceful demonstrations took place around the world on January 17, 2013. The Demonstrations commemorated the escape to freedom by 43 West Papuan refugees on January 17, 2006, when, after paddling across open ocean for four days and surviving a violent storm, they beached their traditional canoe in Australia and found asylum. Myself – Herman Wainggai – am one of those 43. The Free West Papua Political Prisoners Team in Washington DC is a group of academics and human-rights activists who are willing to stand up for justice and work toward a free West Papua that is independent from military and corporate colonization.

Human Rights Watch reports that Indonesia has incarcerated nearly 100 activists from Maluku and Papua for peacefully voicing their patriotism and political views. As one of those former political prisoners forced into exile, I am now a visiting scholar at George Mason University, after being imprisoned for more than two years after daring to raise the West Papuan flag. My uncle, Dr. Thom Wainggai, died while imprisoned for the same demonstration of patriotism.

Free West Papua Campaign in Los Angeles, California

"I want to commend Moana Nui for organizing this demonstration on behalf of the people of West Papua to give voice to their fight for freedom and self-determination. We call on the leaders of all governments to stop supporting human rights abuses, murder, genocide and the military occupation of West Papua. To our brothers and sisters in West Papua: Continue to fight for what you know is right, for your freedom, your culture, for humanity. Know that, in this fight, you are not alone." Harold Green. http://mnaa-ca.org/jan-17-2013-west-papua-action/

Free West Papua Campaign in Melbourne

Foreign Affairs Minister of the Federated Republic of West Papua, Jacob Rumbiak, said international activists are demanding that Indonesia remove its military personnel, and that president Yudhoyono must issue orders to stop the slaughter of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) members.

"Six activists were arrested and tortured in Serui yesterday for handing out pamphlets about today's rally, including Patris Rosumbre (Vice Governor, Saireri State, Federated Republic of West Papua) and Menase Karubaba," he said. Rosumbre has since escaped, but the whereabouts of Karubaba are not known, and there is deep concern for his safety.

The Federated Republic of West Papua has called for negotiations with the Indonesian government under the auspices of the United Nations since 2011, and, Rumbiak claims, "Indonesia is losing credibility with its international donors in failing to respond to our invitation."

Free West Papua Campaign in the Solomon Islands

In a statement from Honiara, Chairman of Solomon Islands for West Papua, Rexy Roses, highlighted that more than 50 years of tyranny and immeasurable human rights abuses suffered by the indigenous people of West Papua at the hands of the occupying Indonesian military forces is more than too much to bear, and it is now time for dialogue and negotiations to end the violence in West Papua and to allow a peaceful referendum. This year will be a challenging one, and we will ensure that the cries of the indigenous Melanesian people of West Papua be heard in every corner of the Pacific and beyond.

Since the recent peaceful demonstration in Yapen Island and Manokwari, I have been told that the military agents are increasing their violent activity in West Papua and in many other places around West Papua. It is not difficult to imagine the impact that tens of thousands of Indonesian troops have on the daily lives of the West Papuan people. This new action by the Indonesian military raises the question: Why would Indonesia send so many troops to West Papua? Is this to intimidate the West Papuan people, to deny us our freedom of speech and prevent us from peacefully gathering in the land of our ancestors to debate and challenge the domination of our land and freedom? This recent/West Papua Media/report clearly states that the Indonesian government does not provide for the protection of human rights in West Papua .

For West Papuans, daily life is a nightmare, full of pain, suffering, torture, rape and bloodshed. There is no freedom to speak or act freely. The systematic oppression, terror, intimidation, kidnapping, incarceration, poisoning and murder of indigenous Melanesians in West Papua has not changed since I fled the country in 2006. It's time to support the West Papuan people in their struggle for human rights and political independence.

[Herman Wainggai is a West Papuan civil resistance activist based in Washington DC USA, and former political prisoner. He lectures in strategic non-violence and civil resistance and is a visiting scholar at George Mason University, Washington.]

Oksibil community challenge police in provincial election boycott

West Papua Media - January 20, 2013

A January 19 demonstration of over 500 people asserting Papuan rights to freedom of expression defied a police ban on gatherings in the remote town of Oksibil, in the Pegunungan Bintang (Star Mountains) Regency, close to the Papua New Guinea border. Challenging police to arrest over 500 people, the protest also announced a boycott of provincial gubernatorial elections being held in the regency until January 29.

Credible local sources reported to West Papua Media that local Papuan people had been frustrated with ongoing restrictions on independent Papuan political expression, and were asserting their human rights to free expression despite the risk of arrest.

"(We are here) to express the community's opinion through a statement from the indigenous community of Papua, in regards to the matter of the blocking of the planned visit by the U.N Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right of Freedom of Expression and Opinion, Mr Frank La Rue, to Indonesia from 14-26 January 2012 which relates to the the decisions of the Human Rights Committee 107 and 108 at the U.N Session in Geneva," a spokesperson for the local rights group West Papuan Interest Association told West Papua Media via email.

The sources also reported that the gathering was angered by the Regency police chief's ban on public free expression, and so withdrew their consent and participation to the notoriously corrupt and divisive Indonesian imposed provincial gubernatorial election process.

The WPIA spokesperson told West Papua Media on Saturday afternoon via SMS that a large (but unspecified number) of police were physically blocking the demonstration from occurring, despite the rights to Freedom of Expression being guaranteed in both Indonesian law and also Special Autonomy legislation.

"The WPIA had sent a letter to the Head of Police in Pegunungan Bintang regarding the matter of the above peaceful gathering and advising them it would be carried out at Oksing-sing (in Pegunungan Bintang) on 23 January 2013, and that the group would remain in one location, nor would not disturb the proper order of public affairs or public activities, and would not be breaking any rules," said the WPIA spokesperson.

"However the Head of Police in Pegunungan Bintang gave a letter in response saying they would not authorise the gathering," said the spokesperson.

According to witnesses though, the gathered people were determined to go ahead with the planned action. Speakers said that if the action was prevented from occurring, the entire crowd of over 500 people would go immediately with the WPIA Organiser to the Pegunungan Bintang Police Headquarters.

"They would demand that the Police detain every one of them in the prison until 29 January 2013 after the general Election for the Provincial Governor, and then release them after that," the WPIA spokesperson told West Papua Media.

Police reportedly backed down after this, though West Papua Media has not as yet been able to independently verify this.

Oksibil historically only has sporadic public events of political free expression, and remote area expressions of political dissent have usually been met with brutality. For the police to not forcefully disperse a gathering is exceptionally uncommon.

The demonstration self-dispersed without reported incident, and no reports have been received as yet about any reprisal actions from police.

Buchtar Tabuni released from Abepura prison

West Papua Media - January 19, 2013

Buchtar Tabuni, the Chairman of the pro-independence National Parliament of West Papua, was released unexpectedly from Abepura prison around 12pm West Papua time today, to a waiting group of about fifty of his supporters from the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), according to multiple sources.

KNPB News reported that Tabuni sent an SMS message early this morning from prison. "To all the Free Papua fighters in Numbay, Sentani and its vicinity, at 9 this morning please pickup (at) Abepura LP", Buchtar's message read.

Local sources today reported to West Papua Media that about fifty KNPB members then escorted a relieved Tabuni from Abepura prison on a long march to the assassination site of his friend and KNPB colleague, former KNPB Chairman Mako Tabuni.

Mako Tabuni was gunned down in broad daylight in a political assassination carried out by Australian-funded and trained Detachment 88 counter-terror officers outside the Perumnas 3 Dormitories in Waena on June 14, 2012, one week after Buchtar's arrest. He was also due to be taken to the graveside of Mako Tabuni in order to pay his respects to his slain friend, colleague and clansman.

Tabuni was arrested on 6 June 2012 during an upsurge in mysterious "OTK" (orang Terlatih Khusus or "specially trained persons") shootings, and publicly linked by then Papua Police Chief Bigman Tobing to the shootings.

However, according to statements by Tabuni's lawyer during his criminal trial in September, the entire case was "nothing more than a set up." Lawyer Gustaf Kawer said at the time, "Buchtar had been linked to the shooting of Miron Wetipo but that case has already been solved, so it was clear that the authorities were trying to make a scapegoat of Buchtar."

Tabuni was in custody when more shootings occurred, so "Buchtar was not in any way connected with those shootings. So instead of being charged with the shootings," said Kawer during Tabuni's trial, "he now faces the charge of inflicting damage on the Abepura Prison in 2010, which means that he should have been arrested in 2010."

In a highly opaque trial closed to independent witnesses, and marked by significant intimidation of journalists by police and court officials, Tabuni was convicted on a charge "for having allegedly inflicted damage on the Abepura prison in December 2011," and "for exchanging harsh words with prison warders."

In recent months, Tabuni's health had suffered from his incarceration in Abepura prison, with complaints of respiratory illness, gastric diseases and dangerously low blood pressure, from his incarceration in atrocious and unhygienic conditions by Indonesian colonial prison authorities.

According to credible sources, Tabuni is spending the next days with family, friends and colleagues from KNPB to mourn the losses of his comrades, and to discuss and consider the next steps in the campaign for justice in West Papua.

Pensioner charged with planning to travel to West Papua as mercenary

Courier Mail - January 18, 2013

Brooke Baskin – A Melbourne pensioner charged with planning to travel to West Papua as a mercenary fighting against the Indonesian government had his matter briefly heard in the Brisbane Magistrate Court on Friday.

Gerard Michael Little, 45, was remanded in custody following his arrest at Brisbane International Airport on December 4.

The Victorian man was charged with committing preparatory act for incursion into foreign states between February and December last year and with performing drills in preparation for incursion by attending a military training camp in the Ukraine in August.

It is alleged Little was boarding a flight to Papua New Guinea moments before he was arrested and intended to "island hop" to the war-torn territory of West Papua and fight against the Indonesian Government as a mercenary.

Police alleged he used Facebook to garner support for his cause and posted about his mercenary plans.

Lawyer Lauren Phelps, for Little, said she was seeking a one-month adjournment in order to go through "two volumes of material" that had been received from the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecution.

Magistrate Jacqui Payne adjourned the matter until February 22. Little will not be required to attend.

Chaotic campaign event injures eight in Papua

Jakarta Globe - January 18, 2013

Banjir Ambarita, Jayawijaya, Papua – At least eight people were injured and dozens of vehicles were set on fire after a campaign event in Jayawijaya, Papua, turned violent on Friday.

Eyewitnesses said the event turned chaotic after the head of the neighboring district of Lany Jaya, Befa Jigibalon, who appeared at the event in support of the Lukas Enembe-Klemen Tinal ticket, distributed Rp 100,000 notes to select members of the audience, which numbered in the several thousands.

Those who did not receive any money became angry and threw stones at the stage, injuring eight people who were immediately rushed to the hospital.

"They kept throwing stones for about 15 minutes. Security officers were helpless to stop them," Ronald Tabuni, who witnessed the incident, told the Jakarta Globe on Friday.

The deputy district chief of Jayawijaya, John Banua, tried to calm down the crowd by distributing more cash, but the tactic didn't work. "Not everyone got the money, so they kept being anarchic and throwing stones," Ronald added.

The crowd also threw stones at shops and the Baliem Pilamo Hotel, where Lukas and Klemen were staying, not far from the campaign venue on Jalan Tikora, located in the subdistrict of Wamena.

Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Gede Sumerta Jaya said that no fatalities resulted from the incident, and when asked about the situation, he mentioned only the eight injured victims and the dozens of damaged vehicles. A car belonging to John was vandalized, as was another owned by local police.

Shops remained closed in Wamena at the time of publication, in fear of continued attacks. Owners of torched vehicles demanded Lukas and Klemen to compensate the damages.

Another campaign event also reportedly turned violent in the Papua district of Yahukimo, after supporters of gubernatorial candidates from the Golkar Party and the Democratic Party clashed.

A police officer was reportedly injured in the incident, while two police guns went missing. Papua, Indonesia's easternmost province and a restive region, is set to hold a gubernatorial election on Jan. 29.

Police fail to provoke violence as demo in Manokwari ignores protest ban

West Papua Media - January 18, 2013

Well over 1000 people engaged in a colourful and vibrant demonstration calling for West Papuan independence on Manokwari on January 17, despite Indonesian police banning the march and the display of the Morning Star Papuan Independence flag.

Amid worries of a security crackdown and violence from Indonesian security forces, organisers of the rally reported a generally peaceful event, with participants well-disciplined against reacting over severe intimidation tactics, preferring instead to use music, drumming and free expression to get their message across.

Organised by activists from the former Federated Republic of West Papua, the Manokwari protest saw several groups of singers, dancers and drummers converged at the Sanggeng sports stadium, marching 7 kilometres to the church at Elim Kwawi over four hours. They were shadowed at all times by at least police to secure the action is over 200 police personnel, 2 truckloads of soldiers, 8 armed motorcyclists, and an extra truckload of elite Dalmas Riot Police (a unit that includes personnel from the Detachment 88 anti-terror group funded by Australia).

To the shouts of "Merdeka!" (Freedom!), and accompanied by 4 groups of drummers and 2 flute bands, over 100 banned Morning Star flags were flown during the march, held high by mama-mama, youth, children and students. Sources at the march reported to West Papua Media that spirits were high amongst participants due to the music and dancing.

Speaking from Washington DC, Herman Wainggai, FRWP's representative to the United Nations, said in a statement that "Over the years, peaceful demonstrators in West Papua have been terrorized, imprisoned and killed by Indonesian military police. Edison Waromi, one of West Papua's human rights defenders, has been imprisoned for more than 14 years, and we were imprisoned together for two of those years. West Papuan activists Edison Kendi and Yan Maniamboy currently are threatened with 20 years in prison for organizing a nonviolent rally in support of the United Nations' International Day of the World's Indigenous People in New York in August 2012."

Wainggai repeated the demand "that Indonesia immediately and unconditionally free all West Papuan political prisoners and end its military occupation of West Papua. We also request that the UN Special Rapporteur, who is scheduled to be in Indonesia in January, visit West Papua and meet with imprisoned political leaders of the Federated Republic of West Papua, such as President Forkorus Yaboisembut, Prime Minister Edison Waromi, and others."

International solidarity actions were held outside the Indonesian Embassy to the United States in Washington DC, and also in the Solomon Islands, and Melbourne, Australia.

Rexy Roses, from the new Solomon Islands for West Papua solidarity group, called upon the Indonesian government to immediately release West Papua and Malukan political prisoners, and to respect their rights to free expression.

"More than 50 years of tyranny and immeasurable human rights abuses suffered by the Indigenous people of West Papua at the hands of the occupying Indonesian Military forces is more than too much to bear, it is time now time for dialogue and negotiations to end violence in West Papua and to allow for a peaceful referendum. This year 2013 is going to be a very challenging year and we will make sure that the cries of the indigenous Melanesian people of West Papua be heard in every corners of Melanesia, the Pacific and beyond, it is time for change, together lets stand for the change we want to see in West Papua and Maluku, " Rexy stated.

Police attempt to provoke trouble

Organisers of the rally had notified Indonesian Police of their rally but the Chief of Police in Manokwari forbade the rally from going ahead, contrary to the rights of peaceful expression guaranteed to West Papuan people under the now discredited (but still active) Special Autonomy legislation of 2001. However, according to reports from witnesses and our stringers, police stood by and allowed participants to gather, instead focussing their attention on the seizure of Morning Star Flags.

Upon an attempt to formally raise the Morning Star on flagpoles, police moved in and attempted to seize flags, however organisers led by West Papua National Authority Executive Governor of Region II Manokwari Markus Yenu negotiated with police, who allowed the mass to continue after receiving assurances that no flag raising would occur again. However, outside Biryosi petrol station, police seized flags from a young man, escalating into a tense situation due to the hostility between individual police officers and the youth.

According to West Papua Media's stringer at the protest, " the journey became increasingly tense as Police officers began intimidation by beginning to walk ahead (faster) than the rear of the masses," whilst in riot gear, using a common riot police tactic of dispersal.

"The Massa (collective group) felt that a scenario was being created by Indonesian police to disrupting the peaceful demonstration and provoke violence. This situation occurred precisely around Copal Sanggeng Manokwari. However our koorlap (Koordinator Lapangan or field coordinator) were able to ensure massa discipline and not be provoked by friction generated by these police officers," one field coordinator, who cannot be named, told West Papua Media.

The Rally dispersed peacefully around 3.30 pm local time after speeches by West Papua National Authority, Federated Republic of West Papua, and other activists, followed by prayers, with no reports of further intimidation of participants from security forces.

In Yapen meanwhile, security force intimidation and the arrest of seven activists on January 16 in Mantembu village by an Indonesian Army (TNI) unit, prevented the planned demonstration from taking place in Serui town. Reports received by West Papua Media from human rights sources early in the day described a tense atmosphere with several hundred heavily armed police and army patrolling key protest gathering point. Unconfirmed reports claimed that a joint police and army unit blockaded roads outside Mantembu village and threatened violence on any potential protest participants.

[West Papua Media editorial and stringers.]

Butchering of fishermen allegedly by TNI members despicable: Legislator

Antara News - January 18, 2013

Kendari, S.E. Sulawesi – A member of the Southeast Sulawesi regional legislative assembly described, alleged butchering of fishermen in Papua by members of TNI (Indonesian National Military) as despicable and immoral.

"I said it is despicable and immoral as the butchering in Raja Ampat, Papua on Dec 23, in 2012 was committed by members of TNI," Abdul Hasan Mbow, a Buton community leader, told reporters here on Thursday.

Hasan Mbou, who is also chairman of the provincial branch of youth organization Pemuda Panca Sila, said the people of Southeast Sulawesi, particularly those of Buton district were hurt by the incident.

"I feel sad and concerned after reading in a printed mass media about the brutality inflicted by TNI members on migrant people from Buton already living for years in Papua as fishermen," he said. He said the one most responsible for the butchering of the fishermen the chief of TNI.

The butchering by way of shooting the fishermen by alleged TNI members surfaced only after two escapees from the incident were brought to the National Commission for Human Rights and the Witness and Victim Protection Institution.

"Once again, the army chief is responsible as the those shot dead were no animals, they were human beings," Hasan Mbou said. The ones committing the murder must be meted out with heavy punishment, he added.

He strongly hoped the TNI leader would immediately settle whatever obligations as a result of the wrongdoings committed by its members either materially or non materially to restore the good name of TNI in the eyes of the people.

He said he hopes the incident in Papua would be the last of that kind and demanded justice be upheld by punishing those committing the crime. (ASG/B003)

Aceh

Ulema wants alleged police rapists in Aceh to be caned

Jakarta Globe - January 22, 2013

Nurdin Hasan, Banda Aceh – Islamic clerics in Aceh have demanded that the three police officers in the Simeulue district, who allegedly drugged and raped a 19-year-old woman, be caned for the reported offense.

Teungku Faisal Ali, the deputy head of the Aceh Consultative Assembly of Ulema (MPU), said on Tuesday that the alleged offenders, who have denied the allegations, deserved to be caned in public in keeping with the province's partial adoption of Shariah law.

"The police officers should be processed by using Islamic Shariah to serve as an example for everyone that Islamic Shariah in Aceh applies for everyone including police officers who are law enforcers," Faisal told the Jakarta Globe.

"There has been an impression among the public that police officers and soldiers who violate Islamic Shariah can not be charged with Shariah law. It is a wrong perception because who ever lives and stays in Aceh is equal before the law."

Marhadin, the uncle of the alleged 19-year old victim, said on Monday that the incident occurred last Thursday, when the woman arranged to meet one of the officers outside his rented room in the morning.

However, when they met, he and two other officers allegedly pushed her inside the room, where they forced her to consume methamphetamine. Marhadin said that she was raped by one of them while the others watched.

The police, however, insist there was no harm done, claiming that the sex was agreed upon beforehand and the officers had paid the victim afterward.

"The three police officers should be caned, even though it seems a light sentence, but it will serve as a lesson for people as it will have a deterrent effect and put them to shame publicly," said Faisal, who is also the chairman of the Aceh chapter of Nahdlatul Ulema.

But the Simeulue police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Parluatan Siregar told the Jakarta Globe that he would not charge the three officers with Shariah law as the sentence would be too light. "[They'll] likely get six cane strokes that won't deter them," he said.

He confirmed that the three officers had been placed in custody at the Simeulue Police office, not for the alleged sexual violence – after he claimed that the doctor who examined her did not find any rape indicators – but for using methamphetamine.

"What [was] said to be rape should be violence and threat, but there were none," Parluatan said.

"The suspects admitted that they agreed to pay Rp 200,000 ($20.7) per intercourse. So, we will process them with national law. The first is on [the] drug consumption case, and secondly on indecent behavior and violating code of conduct."

Woman allegedly drugged and raped by cops in Aceh

Jakarta Globe - January 21, 2013

Nurdin Hasan, Banda Aceh – A 19-year-old woman was allegedly forced to take methamphetamine and then have sex with a police officer while two other cops watched in a case local police refuse to call rape.

The Simeulue Police, which investigated the allegation itself, reportedly discovered that the three officers did consume meth – they all tested positive for the drug – before one of them had sex with the woman. But they stopped short of calling the incident rape, explaining that officers paid the woman afterward and that she "enjoyed it," according to reports in the local Serambi Indonesia newspaper.

"The three officers admitted to violating this girl and paying her Rp 200,000 for the enjoyment," Simeulue Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Parluatan Siregar told the Serambi Indonesia newspaper.

"So it wasn't a rape," he continued. "If she claims she was really raped by the officers, why didn't she get a medical checkup done when she was in the hospital?"

Parluatan, who did not answer repeated calls by the Jakarta Globe for confirmation, told Serambi Indonesia that the woman had previously agreed to have sex with the officers. The three cops were arrested for drug use, he said.

"All three tested positive for using meth," he said. "They all agreed to use meth before [having sex] so that they would enjoy it more. That's what they claimed."

The woman's uncle painted a different picture during an interview with the Jakarta Globe.

The woman met with one of the officers at his kost Thursday morning, Marhadin said. When she arrived two other officers reportedly forced her into the room. They allegedly made her consume meth before one of the cops raped her. "She was then raped by one of them while the others watched," Marhadin said.

When the officer finished, he allegedly refused to let her leave the room until later that night. The 19-year-old was still high when they finally let her leave, Marhadin said. She sought treatment at a local hospital.

Marhadin urged police to arrest and charge the three officers with raping his niece. "We demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice for their heinous crime," Marhadin said. "We hope that they are punished to the fullest extent of the law to serve as an example to others and so that acts like these no longer occur."

The Aceh Police denied hearing of the case. Spokesman Sr. Comr. Gustav Leo told the Jakarta Globe that any officer charged with a drug offense would be punished. He declined to address the rape allegations.

"The commitment of the Aceh Police chief [Insp. Gen. Herman Effendi] is clear in cases where police officers are found to have broken the law," he said. "What's more, this is a drug allegation, so obviously they will be punished accordingly."

Aceh governor tight lipped over Sharia bylaw

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2013

Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah declined to comment when asked about the bylaw that bans women from straddling motorbikes in Lhokseumawe.

Zaini did say that he had not been in contact with the Lhokseumawe administration to discuss the controversial ordinance. "I have not spoken with them, so I could not comment on this," Zaini said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Zaini pledged that he would find a solution to the problem. "We need to get this in order because it is very sensitive," he said.

The administration of Lhokseumawe, Aceh, has issued a bylaw banning women from straddling motorcycles, arguing that the practice is "improper" in a province governed by Islamic law.

Lhokseumawe Mayor Suaidi Yahya said that women should sit sideways on motorcycles, with their legs dangling off to one side.

Human rights & justice

Rights agency calls for Poso probe

Jakarta Globe - January 19, 2013

Farouk Arnaz – The new national human rights chief has vowed to work closely with police to address concerns about excessive use of force during ongoing counterterrorism raids in the Central Sulawesi district of Poso.

Otto Nur Abdullah, who was appointed chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in November, met with National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo on Friday to discuss the matter.

"We want to adopt a preventive attitude to avoid [rights abuses]," he said after the two-hour meeting. "If we were to wait until after an alleged abuse took place and tried to address it then, it would be difficult. That's why we want to work alongside the police, to keep up with how their approach to the Poso issue evolves."

Ties between the police and Komnas HAM flared up recently over Poso, where officers are conducting a manhunt to root out the leaders of a terrorist training camp responsible for a spate of attacks across the country.

The rights commission has questioned the police's heavy-handed tactics in hunting down suspected terrorists, which have led to the shooting deaths of several suspects. The police have denied the accusation and lashed out at Komnas HAM for its "groundless claim."

Otto said his meeting on Friday with Timur was intended to smooth over the friction and work more closely with the police to minimize the potential for rights abuses in their ongoing operations in Poso and surrounding areas.

Separately, Timur welcomed Otto's gesture, saying the police force was not reluctant to be held accountable for its actions.

Insp. Gen. Suhardi Alius, a National Police spokesman, said the police chief had also emphasized to the rights commission the problems faced by officers on the ground when going after armed and dangerous terror suspects.

"If indeed there's a violation of human rights [during police raids], we'll come out and we'll talk about it," he said. "We always double-check on everything. We've even sent an internal affairs team to Poso." Poso is widely considered the nerve center of the country's terrorist underground, revolving around a militant training camp with traceable links to regional terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaeda.

Police told to uphold human rights in Poso

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2013

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) went to the National Police headquarters on Friday to remind the police force to uphold human rights principles in dealing with extremists in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

The commission, which conducted an investigation into the growing tensions in Poso, reported that it found indications of basic human rights violations in the way the police treated suspected terrorists, some of whom were shot dead during raids.

Speaking to reporters after a two-hour closed door meeting with National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo, Komnas HAM chairman Otto Nur Abdullah said that Komnas HAM had expected the police to coordinate with the rights body in counterterrorism efforts to prevent potential rights abuses.

"We don't mean to interfere with the police. The police must independently carry out its policies. However, we must advise the police to respect and promote human rights values in all of its policies because we have found that violence has been committed by its personnel in Poso," Otto said.

Contacted separately, Komnas HAM deputy chairwoman Sandrayati Moniaga called on the police to avoid using torture methods to retrieve information from terror suspects. "Although Indonesia has yet to ratify the international anti-torture convention, we must comply with the UN values as one of its state members, which objects to torture," Sandrayati told The Jakarta Post.

The commission said that based on its investigation, the police might have breached existing procedures when they shot dead Poso terror suspect Khalid Tumbingo on Nov. 3, last year. The investigation also found that the police had tortured hundreds of demonstrators protesting the killing of Khalid.

Responding to Komnas HAM's findings, National Police spokesperson Ins. Gen. Suhardi Alius said that the National Police had sent a team to Poso for further investigations. "We will continue to communicate with Komnas HAM for alleged human rights violations committed by our personnel," he said.

AGO to guide rights body over inquest

Jakarta Globe - January 19, 2013

Rangga Prakoso – The Attorney General's Office says it will work with the national rights commission to direct the latter's constant attempts to get prosecutors to open an inquest into past rights abuses by the state.

Basrief Arief, the attorney general, said on Friday that the coordination was needed given that the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) kept repeatedly submitting its report about the abuses to the AGO without the necessary supporting documentation.

"We don't want to keep giving them directions and have them keep arguing with us without any effort to follow our directions," he said. He added he did not know how soon his office could meet with Komnas HAM officials to discuss the matter.

In a landmark report issued last July following a four-year investigation, Komnas HAM concluded that there was evidence of serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity during the state's anti-communist purge of 1965-66 and in a spate of extra-judicial killings of suspected criminals from 1982 to 1985.

The purge of members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and their families and suspected sympathizers left an estimated 1.5 million people dead.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono initially welcomed the release of the report and ordered the AGO to follow up with a legal probe into the findings.

However, Basrief said in November that his office could not proceed based on the dossier submitted by Komnas HAM, saying that the evidence gathered by the rights body was "insufficient to justify an official legal investigation."

The rights commission resubmitted the dossier to the AGO in December, but was again turned down. The AGO said it had once again "failed to fulfill our criteria and requirements."

Early this month, however, the AGO said it would look into the possibility of opening an inquest into the cases, but stressed that the handling of gross human rights violations cases had to be conducted based on a specific legal method.

Komnas HAM and independent rights activists have accused the AGO of dragging its feet on opening an inquest.

Nurkholis, a Komnas HAM commissioner, said last month that the AGO was purposefully slowing the investigation when it returned the documents to the rights commission on the grounds that they did not specify the guilty parties behind the violations.

He said the documents clearly pointed to Suharto's security forces as the main suspect in both the anti-communist purge and the extra-judicial killings, adding it would "be easy" for the AGO to investigate the allegations.

Women's rights

After 'straddling' proposal, ministry to review bylaws

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2013

Ina Parlina and Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The Home Ministry says it will review more than 2,500 bylaws in 2013 following a proposed sharia rule in Aceh to ban women from straddling motorcycles.

"We will verify all bylaws, the old ones and the new ones," Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi told reporters in his office on Thursday.

The ministry has been tasked with reviewing bylaws enacted by regional administrations to ensure that there are no conflicts with national law, which takes precedence, and that the bylaws do not hurt the nation's investment climate. It is not clear which bylaws will be given priority consideration.

While the ministry cannot annul bylaws, it can ask local administration to do so. In the last resort, the ministry can recommend that the President order bylaws amended or revoked.

Local administrations across the country have enacted a host of bylaws since they received legislative authority following the introduction of regional autonomy in 2002.

Gamawan said that the ministry has partially or completely rejected 951 of 15,000 bylaws that it has verified since 2009. The ministry annulled a further 1878 bylaws between 2002 and 2009, according to data.

Almost 1,800 of the annulled bylaws dealt with regional taxes and levies, 29 dealt with third-party political donations and 22 pertained to alcoholic beverage regulation.

Seven-hundred-fifty-eight bylaws are currently under evaluation by the ministry, comprising 589 on regional taxes and levies, 19 on alcoholic beverages, 71 on third-party political donations and 79 on other matters.

The Home Ministry's review comes after activists criticized the central government for ignoring discriminatory bylaws, which they say was evidence of the government's lack of interest in promoting pluralism.

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), for instance, claimed that it found 282 bylaws that justified discrimination against women as of August 2011. Muhammad Isnur from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute criticized the Home Ministry for failing to uphold the nation's motto Bhineka Tunggal Ika, or unity in diversity.

"They do not dare touch controversial areas," Isnur told The Jakarta Post. "They were there to settle problematic bylaws on regional taxes and levies, but not the ones that force Muslim women to wear headscarves or schoolchildren to be able to read Koran."

Isnur said that the Home Ministry was not doing enough to abolish bad bylaws, despite issuing joint ministerial decrees No. 20/2012 and No. 77/2012 with the Law and Human Rights Ministry to give the central government the authority to strike down discriminatory local ordinances.

In 2011, Isnur and the Indonesian Legal Aid pushed the ministry to recommend that the President revoke 11 bylaws issued by regional administrations across the country said to discriminate against followers of Ahmadiyah, an oft-persecuted minority Muslim sect. Isnur said there was no progress on the anti-Ahmadiyah bylaws as of today.

Concerns on regional administrations running roughshod over Constitutional rights and national laws reemerged earlier this month, after the administration of Lhokseumawe, Aceh, proposed introducing a bylaw to ban women from straddling motorbikes.

The proposal, prompted by fears of women revealing their curves on motorcycles, sparked outrage and mockery in Indonesia and overseas.

In his defense, Gamawan argued on Thursday that he could not do anything about the proposed anti-straddling bylaw, as it was only a proposal. Meanwhile, Muslim scholar and gender studies expert Musdah Mulia said the Home Ministry would likely continue to ignore cases of human rights violations.

"Without doubt, they will do nothing. They have no gender perspective, nor understanding of human rights and religion," she said.

Study: Women still lack equality in employment

Jakarta Globe - January 17, 2013

Antonia Timmerman – Women workers in Indonesia continue to face significant cultural, social, economic and religious barriers to equal treatment in employment, joint research by the International Labor Organization and Tufts University has found.

The research, which was revealed in a workshop at Jakarta's Sari Pan Pacific Hotel on Wednesday, found that the average Indonesian woman worker earned roughly 79 percent of the hourly wage her male colleagues got for the same job.

The study also found that men had better experiences in the workplace, with fewer reports of harassment and more opportunities for promotion and bonuses.

The research questioned 1,000 male and female participants in North Sumatra and East Java.

Drusilla Brown, a professor at Tufts University, said that Indonesian men were more likely than their female counterparts to be employed and receive social security benefits.

"As various other studies had found, men were also more likely to receive better treatment in the workplace and were promoted more often," Brown said.

In searching for the forces behind such discrepancies, Brown and her team constructed a series of questions to find out people's perceptions of gender roles. Brown concluded that Indonesia suffered from essentialism and benevolent sexism.

"Essentialism sexism is a belief that gender is a fixed and stable trait, which has distinct boundaries and is unchangeable, whereas benevolent sexism is a belief that women are purer than men, weak and delicate and therefore must be protected by men," she explained.

Brown also pointed out that both men and women in Indonesia share similar levels of benevolent sexist beliefs.

The workshop, called "Promoting Women's Access to Decent Work and Equality in Employment in Indonesia," was implemented under an AusAID program, aimed at the economic and social empowerment of Indonesian women.

Peter van Rooij, Indonesia country director of the ILO, said he hoped the workshop would provide a forum for dialogue to develop necessary steps that address the core problems of women workers.

"Experience has shown that women's empowerment is central to the success of the development at the country level, including Indonesia. The economic and social empowerment of women is a highly important objective and is essential for the achievement of sustainable human development," Van Rooij said in a statement.

Labour & migrant workers

Demands to stop extortion of migrant workers

Jakarta Globe - January 22, 2013

SP/Edi Hardum – Legislators have urged Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar to crack down on officials who extort illegal fees from migrant workers returning from overseas.

Arif Minardi, a member of House of Representatives Commission IX, which oversees labor affairs, said at a hearing with the minister on Monday that officials from the National Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BNP2TKI) were still forcing workers to pass through a separate terminal at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport where they were harassed and shaken down.

"I call on the minister to deal with thugs operating there," Arif said. "Officials from the BNP2TKI who are proven to be involved in this misconduct must be fired from the civil service."

Under a Manpower Ministry regulation issued in December, returning migrant workers are no longer required to pass through at Soekarno-Hatta's notorious Terminal IV, known as the Selapajang terminal. This followed numerous complaints about widespread extortion and harassment of the workers by officials and thugs allowed to loiter there.

But Arif said the regulation was being largely ignored and migrant workers were still being herded through Selapajang.

"That regulation remains pointless as long as officials and thugs are not disciplined," he told Muhaimin. "I'm still getting a lot of complaints about this problem."

In his response to legislators, however, Muhaimin insisted the Selapajang terminal was relatively safe for returning migrant workers, and said the job of cracking down on rogue BNP2TKI officials should be the responsibility of the agency chief, Jumhur Hidayat.

Anis Hidayah, executive director of nongovernmental organization Migrant Care, questioned the minister's rationale for issuing the regulation if he was unwilling to follow up on its provisions. She agreed with House Commission IX that Muhaimin needed to do more to enforce the terms of regulation.

"If he doesn't, then the public will get the impression that he only issued the regulation as a populist ploy," she said. "The way I see it, Muhaimin hasn't done anything concrete in relation to this."

Earlier this month, Reyna Usman, the Manpower Ministry's director general for migrant worker guidance and placement, said the ministry was in talks with other stakeholders about cracking down on the extortion taking place at the airport. " From this point on there won't be any more thugs operating," she claimed.

Workers protest against minimum wage delays

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2013

Jakarta – Thousands of workers took to the city's main thoroughfares on Wednesday to protest delays in the increased minimum wage and hikes in electricity rates.

The workers from industrial areas in Bekasi, Bogor, Depok, Jakarta and Karawang belonging to the Indonesian Metal Workers Federation (FSPMI), the All-Indonesia Workers Union (KSPSI) and the Indonesian Workers Assembly (MPBI), demanded that Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo instruct companies to immediately comply with the 44 percent raise of the provincial minimum wage to Rp 2.2 million (US$228) for 2013.

They also staged protests at the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry on Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta, demanding that the ministry not grant delays to a number of companies in Jakarta.

Chairman of the Confederation of Indonesian Workers Union (KSPI), Said Iqbal, said on Wednesday that a total of 908 companies had requested to delay the implementation of the wage increase, of which 46 had gained approval.

"These companies should have undergone an audit by public accountants to verify that they suffered losses during the past two years, and should have obtained approval from their workers over the delay before deciding not to implement it," he said.

They also demanded that the city police chief Insp. Gen. Putut Eko Bayusno protect them from assaults from organized thugs and to suspend Bekasi Police chief Sr. Comr. Isnaeni Ujiarto, saying the latter had failed to protect workers from such assaults that had injured 16 of them during rallies on Oct. 29 and Nov. 19 last year.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said the police had met with union representatives and would deliver their message to the police chief. "The Jakarta Police chief will soon evaluate his [Bekasi Police chief's] performance."

A group of workers also staged a rally in front of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to call on the ministry to not increase the electricity rate, as it would harm their purchasing power.

The rallies, which passed off peacefully, caused severe traffic congestion along Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta, forcing motorists to use Transjakarta bus lanes. (JP/nad)

Indonesian workers protest in Jakarta over minimum wage delays

Bloomberg - January 16, 2013

Hundreds of Indonesian workers joined protests in Jakarta today to urge the government to roll back increases in electricity and gas prices that they say are stalling efforts to introduce higher minimum wages.

The energy ministry raised electricity tariffs by 15 percent starting Jan. 1 to help cut subsidy costs by 14 trillion rupiah ($1.45 billion).

The increase has prompted companies to delay the implementation of higher minimum wages, Subiyanto, secretary general of the Confederation of Indonesian Labor Union, said today in an interview in Jakarta.

"We demand the government cancel the increase in electricity and gas tariffs because it will hurt workers," Subiyanto said. "Companies have been postponing minimum wage increases because of higher electricity tariffs."

Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo last year approved a 44 percent increase in minimum wages for workers in Jakarta to 2.2 million rupiah a month.

Indonesian consumer stocks including Gudang Garam and Ramayana Lestari Sentosa rallied in the days after the decision on speculation higher wages would boost consumer spending.

Minister Muhaimin forms task force to anticipate labor layoffs

Jakarta Globe - January 16, 2013

The Manpower and Transmigration Ministry has established a task force to monitor the threat of job dismissals following the implementation of monthly minimum wage standards considered as too burdensome by industries, the ministry said on Wednesday.

"Our task force is continuously monitoring, so that not a single job dismissal takes place because of the rising monthly minimum wage standards," the Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said in a ministry release.

"This task force will conduct early detection so that the application of the 2013 minimum wage standard will not disturb the performance of companies and not lead to job dismissals."

Muhaimin said that the task force will coordinate with manpower offices across the country to collect information, data and provide counseling in anticipation of dismissals due to the higher wages.

He said that if companies had no other way but to resort to job dismissals because of the high wage levels, they could coordinate with the local manpower office which would help seek solutions, including through possible postponement of the new wage levels.

"Most important is to prevent and avoid layoffs of workers in relation to the minimum wage standards," he explained. "Manpower offices in the region will help check, together with enterprises and workers unions, whether the company is really hurt and unable to pay its workers under the new wage standard."

He also said that the unions and the enterprises should also coordinate between themselves and try to seek solutions that would prevent layoffs.

"I hope that the rising workers' wage does not become a burden for the companies and therefore there should be incentives from other sectors. Let us, for example, encourage tax incentives, infrastructure improvements, logistics and banking interest rates for the companies," he said.

The minister said that a recent meeting organized by the top economic minister had resulted in an order for him to revise a ministerial decree on the process to obtain a deference of the implementation of the minimum wage standard.

"Let us all seek ways out so that the burden of the enterprises in 2013 is alleviated, but not by merely blaming the wage level of the workers, which are actually not yet at their maximum. We should seek a way out by applying incentives, to those companies," Muhaimin said.

The Jakarta administration decided to set the capital's minimum wage at Rp 2.2 million ($228) a month last November.

Freedom of speech & the press

Man gets 5 years for insulting Islam on Facebook

Jakarta Post - January 23, 2013

Bandung – The Bandung State Court has decided to add one more year to the prison term of Sebastian Joe, who was sentenced to four years imprisonment for blasphemy of Islam by the Ciamis District Court in West Java.

The state court decided on Tuesday to slap a higher sentence as it used the 2008 Information and Electronic Transaction (ITE) Law as a lex specialis (special law), instead of the Criminal Code (KUHP) used by the district court, said Sebastian's lawyer, Anang Fitriana, as quoted by tempo.co on Wednesday.

Sebastian was reported by the Ciamis chapter of the Islamic Defender Front (FPI) last year for a Facebook status he made, which they considered insulting to Islam. Anang said that he planned to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. (han)

Journalists attacked at demonstration outside Nasdem HQ

Jakarta Globe - January 16, 2013

A demonstration in front of the National Democratic Party's headquarters in support of a former Metro TV reporter on Wednesday ended in disorder, as protesters and journalists were allegedly attacked by party personnel.

Nineteen people associated with the Aliansi Metro, or Melawan Topeng Restorasi (Against Restoration's Mask), showed their support for Luviana, a former assistant producer with Metro TV who was allegedly fired by the news channel for her constant protests over employees' welfare and the company's poor management.

Luviana previously stated that the dismissal was also prompted by her and some of her former colleagues' intention to establish a worker union to push for better assessment of employee work performance, among other things.

The demonstrators urged Surya Paloh, the owner of Metro TV and recent founder of the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), to rehire Luviana.

The protest began at 1 p.m. outside Nasdem's headquarters in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday. By around 2:10 p.m., some 30 people stormed out of the building and demanded that the protestors disband immediately.

The Nasdem people threatened TV journalists at the site and told them not to broadcast the event, according to Gatra magazine. They then allegedly attacked protestors and destroyed equipment.

As a result, a vehicle used in the demonstration was wrecked. "They forbade me to take footage, [and threatened] to seize and destroy my camera," a TV journalist who wished to remain unidentified said, as quoted by Gatra.

"They damaged our commando car and prohibited anyone holding a camera and mobile phones [to take footage]," Kustiah, a spokesperson for Aliansi Metro, said.

A Twitter account devoted to Luviana's case, @DukungLuviana (Support Luviana), tweeted a picture of the cars smashed windshield.

The police officers who were present at the protest – though there were less than 10 of them – prevented the attackers from overturning the car.

"We regret the act of thuggery by the Nasdem people. We are advocating for human rights, but they repeated another human rights violation instead," Kustia, who is also a member of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), said as quoted by Tribunnews.com.

Nasdem Chairman Patrice Rio Capella denied his party ordered the attack. "We regret the incident. But certainly, there was no command to carry out the attack against fellow demonstrators," he said, as reported by news portal viva.co.id.

Patrice argued that staging a protest regarding a former Metro TV employee at Nasdem's headquarters was inappropriate.

"Our party and our mass organization did not know anything about this matter. I predict that this has been politicized," Patrice added. He suggested the protestors channel their complaints to Metro TV.

Political parties & elections

Islamic parties looking to attract secular voters

Jakarta Post - January 23, 2013

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – With various pollsters predicting a gloomy outlook in the upcoming elections, Muslim-based political parties are preparing strategies to appeal to the country's increasingly secular voters.

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the largest Islamic party, said it would focus on boosting its performance and image as a clean party.

"I think all political parties competing in the upcoming elections are facing the same problem, which is the decline of public trust. All parties share this problem due to the number of politicians implicated in corruption cases, as well as other scandals," Hidayat Nur Wahid, leader of the PKS faction at the House of Representatives said recently.

He added that changing the PKS' ideology would do nothing to boost the party's popularity if it failed to prove its commitment to good governance and corruption eradication.

The National Mandate Party (PAN) is planning to be less visually Islamic and more inclusive during campaigns to get more voters; regardless of ethnicity or religion. The party's secretary, Teguh Juwarno, told The Jakarta Post that the party would no longer use Islamic attributes in the upcoming elections as more non-Muslims have joined the party since 2009.

"We have Buddhist and Catholic lawmakers from Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara. In particular, our supporters in urban areas are mostly non- Muslims. Therefore, we will promote education and development in the future campaign instead of issues concerning religion," he said.

National Awakening Party (PKB) executive Abdul Malik Haramain said the party never introduced itself as an exclusive Islamic party even though the majority of supporters are Muslims.

Nonetheless, Haramain said that PKB would enhance the number of non-Muslim members of the party in order to develop the party's inclusivity in the future.

"We will open our door to non-Muslim members in order to widely promote the party's values and commitment. We do have non-Muslim members, some of whom are leaders at the regional councils, especially in the country's eastern areas," he said.

The United Development Party (PPP) said it would remain an exclusive Islamic party despite its declining popularity. PPP executive Arwani Thomafi said his party would only nominate Muslims to run in the 2014 legislative elections.

"I believe those who share the dream for a better future in this country will not be troubled our ideology," he said.

PKS, PAN, PPP and PKB are among the ten parties contesting in the legislative election slated for April next year. Previous opinion polls by the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) and the Saiful Mujani Research & Consulting (SMRC) predicted major Islam-based parties would secure less than five percent of vote if the elections were to take place at the time of the survey.

The implosion of Muslim-based political parties had been effected by voters put off by vigilante activism by Muslim linked groups, such as the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and the growing fear of efforts to introduce Islamic law in some parts of the country.

Unable to find real women, Golkar fears transvestites

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2013

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Chairman of the House of Representatives' Commission II on regional autonomy Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa has asked the General Elections Commission (KPU) to be lenient with regard to the 30 percent quota for female membership of political parties contesting in the 2014 legislative election.

"What do we do if women lack interest in politics? Should we nominate transvestites just to fulfill the requirement?" Agun asked in a hearing with the KPU and the Elections Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Agun, a Golkar politician, is not the only lawmaker complaining about the regulation. Other politicians, such as Malik Haramain of the United Awakening Party (PKB), previously said that PKB could not secure 30 percent female membership in several regions, citing Nusa Tenggara as an example.

Parties begin auditioning celebrities for legislative candidates

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2013

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The faces of celebrities will likely continue to fill the House of Representatives after the 2014 polls as political parties rush to recruit local actors, models and singers as their legislative candidates.

The parties have to work fast as they are required by the General Elections Commission (KPU) to submit their legislative candidates' shortlists in April.

The National Mandate Party (PAN), the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) have already confirmed their choice of celebrities.

PAN executive Bima Arya Sugiarto said on Thursday that celebrity couple Ikang Fauzi and Marissa Haque would become the party's representatives at the House. Marissa, a popular actress in the 1980s, was an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) lawmaker between 2004 and 2009. Her rock star husband Ikang, ran for office as a lawmaker in the 2009 polls and for South Lampung deputy regent in 2010, but the two bids failed.

"We are still speaking to some celebrities and will only recruit those that show a strong commitment. We don't want celebrities who will burden us," Bima told The Jakarta Post. PAN is still in talks with several soap-opera stars, including Dessy Ratnasari, Raffi Ahmad and Henky Kurniawan.

PDI-P secretary-general Tjahjo Kumolo said that singer Edo Kondologit, senior actress Yessy Gusman and presenters Nico Siahaan and Sony Tulung would be joining the party's selection process.

"Edo is on the priority list because he is a member of the party and a former legislative candidate in 2009 [...] Yessy has been active in the party's central board," Tjahjo said.

Gerindra is eyeing actress and writer Happy Salma and actor Irwansyah. Gerindra deputy chairman Fadli Zon said they expected celebrities to be good lawmakers and not just "vote-getters".

"It is true that popularity will help them win. However, what we [are interested in] is their performance after winning seats. They have to defend people's rights and make good policies," he said on Wednesday.

When asked if she has political aspirations, Happy was hesitant to say yes, but said that she admired Gerindra. "Gerindra is a new party that steals attention. It is aggressive and quite solid [...] We [both] have a vision to fight for the nation's improvement," she told the Post on Tuesday.

Happy – who is married to Ubud prince Tjokorda Bagus Dwi Santana Kertayasa – also said that her family would support any decision she might take.

The ruling Democratic Party, Golkar and the United Development Party (PPP) have also opened their doors to celebrities but have not revealed the names.

The recruitment of celebrities as lawmakers has not always been successful. In May 2012, the House of Representatives' ethics council warned comedian- turned-legislator Eko Hendro Purnomo, or Eko Patrio, of PAN over his frequent appearances on television.

In the following month, Democratic Party lawmaker Theresia "Tere" Pardede resigned to take care of her aging father and finish her master's thesis.

The latest study by political consultant firm politicawave.com showed that as a result of celebrity recruitment social media users perceived PAN negatively, mocking the party's abbreviation as Partai Artis Nasional (The National Celebrities Party).

Political analyst Yunarto Wijaya of the Charta Politika think tank reminded political parties not to give special treatment to celebrities as it could trigger jealousy among their cadres. "The parties should undertake a fair assessment when selecting legislative candidates, choosing devoted members over celebrities," he said.

Yunarto suggested political parties should give intensive political training to the chosen celebrities in preparation for next year's election. "A one year education in politics might be possible. However, it is hard to build a political career in just one year," he said. (yps)

Prabowo getting academics on board to shore up bid for 2014

Jakarta Globe - January 19, 2013

SP/Yeremia Sukoyo – Prabowo Subianto, the former Army general who tops most polls of prospective presidential candidates, says he is working to get the endorsement of the country's academic community.

"I already have the backing of dozens of professors and leading academics. If I didn't have their backing, there's no way I would nominate myself to run for president," he said on Thursday.

Prabowo, who founded and is now the chief patron of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), said it was important to get the support of academics not just because of their high standing and influence in society, but also because of their expertise and potential for contributing toward national development programs.

Most polls have Prabowo as the leading candidate for 2014, ahead of Megawati Sukarnoputri, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). However, observers note that his bid could be over before it begins because of a lack of party support.

Analysts say Prabowo burned his bridges with the PDI-P by glorifying his role in last year's Jakarta gubernatorial poll, thereby damaging his chances of being selected by Megawati. Though she did not mention Prabowo by name, Megawati blasted "free riders" for taking credit for Joko Widodo's election victory.

Analysts point to only two options open to Prabowo if he is to gather the necessary party support needed to mount a presidential bid. One is to persuade President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to allow his Democratic Party, which won 20.8 percent of votes in 2009, to support him.

A less likely scenario is that he forms a coalition with several minor parties. Megawati, widely expected to be the PDI-P candidate, trails Prabowo in the polls, followed by Jusuf Kalla, the former vice president and ex-chairman of the Golkar Party.

Social media users see Mahfud, Kalla, Prabowo as best candidates

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2013

Jakarta – Aburizal Bakrie is the most-talked about presidential candidate on social media outlets, but he is also considered by netizens as the least preferable person to become the country's next leader, according to a study by politicawave.com.

The study, released on Wednesday, found that outgoing Constitutional Court chief justice Mahfud MD, former vice president Jusuf Kalla and Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) chief patron Lt. Gen. (ret.) Prabowo Subianto are the most preferred presidential candidates according to the country's avid social media users.

Politicawave.com, a political consultancy that monitors political conversation online, said that the three figures garnered favorable impressions on six social media outlets – Twitter, Facebook, blogs, online forums, online news and YouTube – which catered for roughly 60 million Indonesian Internet users.

Yose Rizal, the consultancy's director, said that Mahfud topped the electability index with 10.05 points, followed by Kalla with 7.61 points and Prabowo, the former commander of the Army Special Forces (Kopassus), with 3.87 points.

Mahfud's image was boosted by his apparent no-nonsense attitude and many of his controversial rulings, including his decision to order the dissolution of upstream oil and gas regulator BPMigas.

Social media users praised Kalla's humanitarian work with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and also his performance while serving as vice president between 2004 and 2009. "Prabowo was criticized for [his alleged roles in] human rights violations," Yose said during a press conference in Jakarta. "However, people love him thanks to the victory of Jokowi-Ahok in the Jakarta gubernatorial election," he said, referring to Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his deputy, Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who is a Gerindra politician.

The former general is perceived as a strict leader and the strongest presidential candidate of Javanese descent, Yose explained.

Gerindra deputy chairman Fadli Zon claimed that Prabowo's rising popularity was due to the party's strategic online campaign.

"We have a special online team to post the latest news about Prabowo.His Facebook page has garnered more than 1.5 million likes," he said.

The study, conducted between October and December 2012, found that Internet users had both negative and positive impressions of Megawati Soekarnoputri, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson and former president of Indonesia.

The study found significant numbers of negative conversations on social media about Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan and most frequently Golkar's presidential candidate, Aburizal.

"Aburizal is the most talked-about presidential hopeful on social media, but people talk negatively about him. He should pay more attention to this, because opinions on social media are contagious," Yose said.

Aburizal was lambasted over cases implicating his business empire, particularly financial practices and the Lapindo mudflow disaster in Sidoarjo, East Java.

Social media users also mocked his declining popularity in some surveys and his television commercials. They also told him to learn about leadership from Kalla, a respected Golkar Party politician.

The study said Aburizal was mentioned in 32,670 conversations, Prabowo in 19,377 and Mahfud in 13,302. Dahlan was cited in 11,895 conversations, followed by Megawati and Kalla with 10,720 and 10,606 conversations respectively.

During the Jakarta gubernatorial elections, the political consultancy found that Jokowi was the most-talked about candidate and was also seen positively by netizens. His success in gaining the support of social media users is believed to have been crucial to his victory in the recent gubernatorial election.

Political analyst Yunarto Wijaya of the Charta Politika think tank said that the opinions of Indonesian social media users, who were mostly young and came from middle-class families, could create a snowball effect in the 2014 presidential election.

"The youth and middle-class are social influencers of people from other socioeconomic segments. Their thoughts [about presidential hopefuls] on social media will easily affect the decisions of swing voters," he said. (yps)

More celebrities consider legislative candidacy

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2013

Jakarta – In the run-up to the selection of legislative candidates in April, political parties have started to pick familiar faces that will attract voters to their parties in the upcoming 2014 legislative election.

Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party secretary-general Ahmad Muzani said that the party had started discussions with several celebrities, including actress Happy Salma and actor/singer Irwansyah.

"We have talked to Happy Salma, Irwansyah and another one whose name I don't remember. They came to me and expressed their interests in joining us," Muzani said Wednesday.

However, he added, the party had yet to decide whether or not the actors would be nominated by the party for the legislative race.

"We are arranging a system in which each cadre or newcomer interested in the nomination will get scored [based on certain criteria]. We will sum up the scores [to compare all cadres]," Muzani said.

National Mandate Party (PAN) faction chairman Tjatur Sapto Edi said that the party had held discussions with several celebrities.

"There are [singer] Ikang Fawzi and wife [actress-turned-politician] Marissa Haque and [TV personality] Dessy Ratnasari," Tjatur said, adding that his party welcomed anyone regardless their background.

"So long they don't have legal issues, have a good track record and are able to gather as many votes as possible. Celebrity is just another profession – we don't judge a potential nominee on his/her stardom," he added as quoted by kompas.com.

Political parties have been long known for their move to gather as many votes as they can by, among other things, recruiting celebrities as legislative candidates. Several names, including troubled Democratic Party politician Angelina Sondakh, actor Primus Yustisio, soap-opera star Vena Melinda and comedian Eko "Patrio" Hendro Purnomo, are examples of celebrities who currently serve as members of the House of Representatives.

Angelina, the winner of the Putri Indonesia 2001 beauty pageant, has just been sentenced to four-and-half years in prison in a graft case for abusing her authority as a lawmaker. (swd)

Environment & natural disasters

Environmental group to report Timor Sea oil spill to KPK

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2013

Jakarta – An environmental group in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) said that it would file a report to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) over alleged gratuities given by Thailand-based oil and gas producer PTTEP Australasia to a number of parties in Indonesia.

PTTEP Australiasia is responsible for the Montara oil spill in the Timor Sea, off the northern coast of Western Australia.

The environmental group in question, Ocean Watch Indonesia (OWI), alleged that the oil and gas company had paid gratuities to certain individuals to prevent them from speaking about the magnitude of the damage from the spill.

"The case has been going on for four years, but we haven't seen any efforts by the company, the Indonesian government or the Australian government to settle the problem. We suspect that there is a conspiracy resulting from the gratuities given," executive director of OWI Herman Jaya said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Herman said that the KPK should launch an investigation into a possible case of graft that resulted in no progress in the oil spill investigation.

The group said that the company's account of the disaster, published on a PTTEP AA Fact Sheet, could be used as a starting point for the KPK to begin investigations.

The report said there was no scientific evidence to verify that the oil spill had brought environmental degradation to Indonesian waters, Herman said. The OWI alleged that one of the country's top universities was responsible for authoring the report and was willing to do so only after payment from the company.

Earlier, fishermen who earned a living from catching fish or farming seaweed in the south of East Nusa Tenggara, had filed a lawsuit at the Australian Federal Court against PTTEP Australasia, after the company stated that it would not pay compensation to victims who had suffered from the impact of the oil spill since Aug. 21, 2009.

The lawsuit also demanded that PTTEP Australasia hire an independent team comprising of scientists from Indonesia, Australia, Timor Leste and the US to conduct scientific research to determine the impacts of the pollution in a scientific, transparent and accountable manner.

On Aug. 31, 2012, PTTEP Australasia accepted fines totalling A$510,000 (US$536,010) handed down by the Darwin Magistrates' Court for its responsibility in the 2009 Montara incident.

In Dec. 2010, then transportation minister Freddy Numberi said that PTTEP Australasia had acknowledged responsibility for the oil spill. Freddy said that the government had demanded Rp 23 trillion ($2.56 billion) in compensation from the company to repair the damage.

PTTEP Australasia's oil platform in the Montara field, off Australia's northern coast, exploded and spilled more than 500,000 liters of crude oil per day into the Timor Sea in August 2009.

Oil and gas leaks continued for 74 days until Nov. 3, 2009, and a permanent cap was installed a month later.

The oil rig, called the West Atlas, is owned by Seadrill, a Norwegian- Bermudan offshore drilling company, and operated by PTTEP Australasia, a subsidiary of the Thai-owned oil and gas company PTT.

Thirty eight percent of Indonesia's marine territory in the Timor Sea was reportedly affected by the spill.

Health & education

Government urged to revise tobacco regulation

Jakarta Post - January 23, 2013

Kusumasari Ayuningtyas, Klaten, C. Java – Some 2,000 tobacco farmers and artisans in Klaten regency, Central Java, staged a rally on Tuesday demanding that the government revise Articles 10 and 11 of Government Regulation (PP) No 109/2012 on the security of materials containing addictive ingredients, as the rule could threaten their livelihoods.

The farmers, who came from the eight districts of Manisrenggo, Prambanan, Gantiwarno, Jogonalan, Trucuk, Pedan, Ceper and Bayat, demanded that the regency administration act as a bridge for farmers to connect with the central government.

"There is no explicit ban on the farmers to plant tobacco but the articles will certainly cause problems for tobacco farmers sooner or later," said Joko Laksono of the National Coalition of Kretek Saviors (KNPK).

Joko said the two articles disadvantaged local farmers and gave advantages to imported tobacco. He said the requirement of testing the tar and nicotine content in tobacco through an accredited laboratory was impossible for local farmers to meet because it required big expenses.

"If the standardization is applied, who will buy our tobacco? We won't be able to afford the required test," Joko said.

He expressed assurances that if the regulation was effective, local tobacco products that currently dominated some 90 percent of cigarette products in the country would soon be replaced with imported tobacco, which presently only contributed some 7 percent to the country's cigarette products.

He also said he was not satisfied with Klaten Regent Sunarna's support for the farmers' demands, saying that the group would continue to provide monthly supervision until the central government really revised the two articles.

Joko said the farmers would stage a bigger rally and would later refuse to pay taxes should the central government fail to meet with their demand.

"We give 18 months for the government to do so, just as required for the regulation to be effective. But while waiting, we will keep asking the government every month to make the revision," he said.

Spokesperson from the Association of Klaten Tobacco Farmers (APTIK) Juwandi said there were some 3,000 farmers in the regency whose livelihoods depended on tobacco.

Klaten is home to some 7,000 hectares of tobacco plantations, with superior products including Noas (No), Virginia and Vorstenland tobacco. Tobacco products contributed some Rp 8.9 billion (US$924,000) to the regency's income through excise. "We have superior tobacco products in Klaten. The labor wage is also good, Rp 50,000 per day plus lunch. Farmers might not earn much if they don't plant tobacco," said Juwandi who plants tobacco on his 6 hectares of rented fields.

Sunarna and regency legislative council speaker Agus Riyanto said they would convey the farmers' demands to the central government through the provincial administration.

MUI pushes government to circumcise girls

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2013

Jakarta – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is bucking a United Nation's campaign to ban female circumcision, demanding that the government keep the practice legal.

MUI deputy secretary-general Amirsyah Tambunan told reporters at a press conference on Monday that the government should continue to allow female circumcision, calling it a constitutional right.

"Circumcision is a part of the Islamic teachings that were recommended for Muslims, both male and female," Amrisyah said at MUI headquarters as quoted by Antara news agency. "The MUI and Islamic organizations in the country firmly stand against any efforts to ban female circumcision."

Female circumcision performed by licensed doctors, nurses or midwives was legalized by a Health Ministry regulation issued in 2010 that defined the practice as "incising the skin that covers the front part of clitoris, without harming the clitoris".

Last month, the UN approved a non-binding resolution urging its 193 member states to enforce legislation prohibiting female genital mutilation.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), female genital mutilation can cause urination problems, severe bleeding and complications during childbirth. In Indonesia the practice ranges from the symbolic – a small tap with a bamboo stick – to slicing the clitoris off with scissors.

The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has consistently urged that the 2010 ministerial regulation be revoked, claiming it violated women's reproductive rights.

Meanwhile, Huzaemah, a member of MUI's fatwa commission, said that female circumcision was a religious obligation that should be done to control women's sexual desire.

Separately, the executive director of the Wahid Institute, Ahmad Suaedy, disagreed, saying that the practice was based on fiqih (Islamic jurisprudence) that could be interpreted differently by different ulemas.

"Female circumcision is not in the sharia. Maybe, the MUI drew their conclusions from a fiqih that was applied in a particular context and region," he told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Meanwhile, Enrico Renaldi, a physician from the Indonesian General Practitioners Association, said that local medical schools did not teach female circumcision procedures.

"I also have never heard of female circumcision training for doctors. Traditionally, this practice is only performed by midwives," he told the Post. (yps)

Rights groups push for female circumcision ban

Jakarta Globe - January 21, 2013

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) spoke out against the Ministry of Health's refusal to ban female circumcision on Monday, calling the practice, which is tolerated in some communities, a form of gender discrimination.

Rural Indonesian Muslims have historically tolerated a form of female circumcision where a small cut is made to the clitoris of a young girl by a dukun (shaman) shortly after birth.

The Ministry of Health banned health workers from performing female genital cutting in a 2006 decree. But in 2010, Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih issued guidelines that instructed health workers to "scrape the skin covering the clitoris, without injuring the clitoris" in an effort to provide a measure of safety in the widely unregulated industry.

Women's rights groups criticized the decree, arguing that the regulation was a tacit approval of female circumcision. Now, three years later, women's rights groups are pushing for Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi to ban the practice.

"Strange the Ministry of Health, as an institution, can be directed by the MUI [the Indonesian Ulema of Council]," Komnas Perempuan commissioner Ninik Rahayu, told the Indonesian newspaper Tempo.

Nafsiah said the ministry approved of health workers performing female circumcision under the existing guidelines.

"If [women] would like to get circumcised please make an inquiry to a health agency so a medical officer can handle [the procedure]," Nafsiah told Tempo. "Do not go to a dukun [shaman] because [circumcisions done by shamans] are prone to infection."

Nafsiah said that female circumcision did not cause any negative side effects if the clitoris isn't cut.

Komnas Perempuan questioned the ministry's decision. "What standards?" Ninik said. "Our medical officers have never been trained to perform female circumcision."

The MUI rejected any efforts to ban the practice on Monday. MUI chairman Ma'ruf Amin instead urged all hospitals and health centers in Indonesia to service those who want their daughters circumcised.

"What we reject is the ban. If there is a request [to perform a female circumcision], don't turn [the parents] away," Ma'ruf said.

The MUI considers circumcision an act of religious devotion. The MUI issued a fatwa five years ago, saying that female circumcision is a religious service. But Ninik argued that, under Islamic law, female circumcision is considered a tradition, not a religious order.

MUI opposes United Nation's campaign to ban female circumcision

Kompas.com - January 21, 2013

Jakarta – The Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) and a number of Islamic mass organisations oppose attempts to ban female circumcision by any groups on the grounds that it represents a religious teaching, the implementation of which is a human right protected by the Indonesian constitution.

"The procedures for performing female circumcision according to Islamic teachings are adequate by only removing the membrane covering the clitoris. Islamic teachings prohibit circumcision practices that are excessive, such as cutting or injuring the clitoris which could be dangerous", said MUI chairperson Dr KH Ma'ruf Amin at the MUI building in Jakarta on Monday January 21.

Amin said that the MUI does not make female circumcision compulsory or non-compulsory, but rather is opposing a ban on circumcision for women. He said that the MUI has already issued a fatwa (religious edict) stating that circumcision for women is "an honour" or religious act that is encouraged. According to Amin, not one ulama (Islamic scholar or leader) has forbidden circumcision for women so all hospitals in Indonesia must service requests for the procedure.

"Circumcision is part of Islamic religious teachings and is included as part of religious worship, which is strongly recommended for the Islamic community both males as well as females. The MUI and Islamic mass organisations explicitly oppose prohibitions of female circumcision by the government or any other party", said MUI Deputy General Secretary Dr Amirsyah Tambunan.

Tambunan said that Ministry of Health Regulation Number 1636/MENKES/PER/XI/2010 on Female Circumcision is in accordance with the mandate of the 1945 Constitution, the MUI edict and the wishes of the Islamic community. Because of this therefore, the MUI and Islamic mass organisations support the health ministry's regulation.

The MUI is calling on the government not to heed attempts by any parties or groups that are seeking a prohibition on female circumcision in Indonesia because it conflicts with Islamic teachings, the mandate of the 1945 Constitution and human rights.

"The MUI is urging the central and regional governments, the health ministry and health offices, organisations of the medical profession as well as healthcare workers, and Islamic mass organisations to socialise the health ministry's regulation on female circumcision as a guide for healthcare workers to provide circumcision services for female Muslims in Indonesia", he said.

Tambunan also said that these parties must formulate standard operational procedures on female circumcision and make it part of the content material in the educational curriculum for doctors and other healthcare professionals.

The MUI is also appealing to the Indonesian Islamic community to remain calm and not be influenced by erroneous efforts to shape public opinion on female circumcisions that is being carried out by certain parties.

MUI Edict Commission Secretary Asrorun Niam Soleh said that support for and opposition against female circumcision has been banded about since 2002. According to Soleh, several parties have prohibited female circumcision, including among others the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee, which believes that female circumcision is a form or genital mutilation.

"Even the American Medical Association believes that circumcision of males as well as females is mutilation", said Soleh. Soleh is concerned that efforts by the parties to ban female circumcision will influence the position of the ministry of health's 2010 regulation on female circumcision.

Notes

In December last year the United Nations adopted a resolution urging member states to ban female genital mutilation, which would compel the Indonesian government to revoke a Health Ministry regulation issued in 2010 that condones female circumcision. Indonesia is also a signatory to the CEDAW.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Diocese nixes Islamic teaching in Catholic schools

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2013

Indra Harsaputra, Surabaya – The Catholic Diocese of Surabaya, East Java, is saying that the local office of the Religious Affairs Ministry has misrepresented its position on the religious education of Muslim students at Catholic schools.

"We have been politicized and our statements have been spun by the ministry as if we agreed to the request to provide Islamic instruction for Muslim students," Rev. Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo, the diocese's vicar-general, told The Jakarta Post over the telephone on Thursday.

Agustinus said that reports were in error stating that two Catholic foundations in Blitar, East Java, had agreed with the local ministry office to implement a local ordinance requiring Muslim students to be able to read and write Koranic verses.

According to the vicar-general, Article 55 (1) of Law No. 20/2003 on the national education system said that Catholic schools were entitled to implement a curriculum following their own religious, social and cultural norms.

"The [Muslim] parents who enroll their children in those schools do not object to existing school regulations," Agustinus said.

"The chairman of the Yohanes Gabriel Foundation, Father Justinus Budi Hermanto; the executives from the Joseph Foundation; and I reject the request of the local authorities, including the Religious Affairs Ministry," he added.

It was previously reported that six Catholic schools run by the foundations had agreed to implement Blitar Mayoral Decree No. 8/2012, which contained the requirement for Muslim students.

The decree, according to the ministry's local office, was based on Government Regulation No. 55/2007 on religious teachings, which is in turn based on Law No. 20/2003.

The schools have been given until Jan. 19 to provide Islamic education classes or have their operational permits revoked.

The Yohanes Gabriel Foundation manages two junior high schools, an elementary schools, a vocational high school and a senior high school, while the Joseph Foundation manages Santa Maria kindergarten.

Agustinus said the attendance of Yohanes Gabriel Foundation executives at a meeting at the ministry's Blitar office did not mean that the foundations had agreed to the rule.

"We attended a meeting to fulfill an invitation from the ministry's local office. However, the office has spoken with the media as if we have agreed with the regulations that they are imposing," Agustinus said.

Separately, Blitar Mayor Samanhudi Anwar said he would not revoke the decree, claiming that it was issued based on the law and the government regulations.

"My intention in issuing the decree is so that students can get better religious lessons to become better congregation members in their own religions," Samanhudi told the Post over the telephone on Thursday.

"The regulation does not apply to Catholic schools only, I have obliged Islamic schools to provide religious instruction for their non-Muslim students."

The head of the ministry's Blitar office, Imam Mukhlis, said that schools were legally required to provide students with religious instruction in their own faith.

"This regulation is legally binding for the private Catholic schools. If the Surabaya diocese still refuses to provide Islamic instruction for its Muslim students, we can only make recommendations to the central government. We do not have the authority to close down those schools."

Gender & sexual orientation

Lesbians chased from Indonesian home for 'marrying'

Agence France Presse - January 16, 2013

Batam – Two women who married in Indonesia by disguising themselves as a heterosexual couple were chased away from their village after neighbors discovered they were lesbians, community members said.

Neighbors raided the couple's home on Batam island near Singapore after growing suspicious that Musdalifa was a woman because he never socialised with other men in the village and the couple always kept to themselves.

"We reject homosexuals here, so last week we raided their house and saw Musdalifa was obviously a woman. She'd been walking around in loose men's clothes," Marlina, 34, told AFP Wednesday. "We told Musdalifa to leave. They both fled and we haven't seen them since," said Marlina, who goes by one name.

It was discovered that Musdalifa was really a 23-year-old woman named Angga Soetjipto, who married her girlfriend Ninies Ramiluningtyas, 41, earlier this month.

The locals complained to the local Religious Affairs Office, which administers marriages and has reported the case to the Religious Affairs Ministry.

"There was no way we could have known, because they both had all the right documents, including a letter of identification from the village," office head Budi Dharmawan said.

He said the office would consider intensifying customary pre-marriage counselling to ensure illegal marriages do not slip through the net again.

Homosexuality is legal in Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation, though gay marriage is outlawed. Although the majority of Indonesians practice a moderate form of Islam, the country's sharia stronghold Aceh province has deliberated flogging homosexuals and has forced gay and lesbian couples to separate.

Sexual & domestic violence

Indonesia judge to face tribunal over rape joke

Agence France Presse - January 21, 2013

A senior Indonesian judge will face an ethics tribunal for saying rape victims enjoyed the act, an official said on Monday, after a judicial commission recommended his dismissal.

The judicial commission (KY), which monitors judges' conduct and professionalism, decided on Friday that High Court judge Daming Sunusi's comments during a hearing for a Supreme Court position were "disgraceful", spokesman Asep Rahmat Fajar told AFP.

"The commission questioned him last week. We concluded he had breached the judicial code of ethics with respect to the proper conduct of judges," he said.

"We recommended a heavy sanction, that he be dismissed from his profession as a judge. He will now face the ethics tribunal where he has the opportunity to defend himself," Fajar added, saying the tribunal would be held "as soon as possible."

Daming made the remarks in answering a question on whether the death penalty should be introduced for convicted rapists, saying capital punishment should not be applied because "the one raped and the rapist both enjoy it."

The remark prompted an uproar among lawmakers and rights groups who called for his dismissal. Daming has since apologized for the comment, insisting he was trying to lighten the mood of the tense interview.

The House of Representatives ethics council is also considering a probe into lawmakers who reportedly laughed at Daming's remarks, the Jakarta Globe newspaper reported.

"This is concerning the image of the parliament," ethics council member Alimin Abdullah told the Globe. "[The candidate's screening] isn't some comedy show."

No heaven for women, children in Bali

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2013

Agnes Winarti, Bali Daily, Denpasar – Although known as a paradise island, Bali has yet to be a paradise for Balinese women and children. Over the years, the number of domestic abuse cases toward Balinese women remains high, while cases of sexual violence toward children have soared at an even higher rate.

As of September last year, the Bali branch of the Community Service Center for the Protection of Women and Children (P2TP2A Bali), which is run under the auspices of the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry, found a total of 472 domestic violence and sexual abuse cases toward women and children across the island. The figure comprised 67 cases reported to Denpasar Police; 73 in Badung; 22 in Gianyar; 15 in Klungkung; 19 in Karangasem; 7 in Bangli; 73 in Buleleng; 45 in Jembrana; 14 in Tabanan; 66 reported to Bali Police; and 71 reports made at the P2TP2A Bali office.

"The data is not yet complete, as there more cases were reported in the last three months of 2012 that have not been compiled," Endang Widiati, head of the P2TP2A Bali told The Jakarta Post.

In the previous year, as many as 782 cases of violence toward women and children were recorded in Bali. Of this figure, an overall total of 253 cases of sexual offenses to women and children, including 190 cases of domestic violence, were recorded in the island's capital city, Denpasar.

Secretary of the Bali chapter of the Women's Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Apik), Luh Putu Anggraeni, regretted that of the 190 domestic violence cases, only four were brought to court. "Most victims revoke their recourse to criminal proceedings, choosing divorce instead to put an end to their domestic misery," said Anggraeni.

"Divorce is not a deterrent effect, however, to abusive husbands as they will likely visit their abusive behavior on other women if they remarry. Such cases of domestic violence requires mediation between the wife and husband to prevent a reoccurrence in the future," she said. Last year, LBH Apik Bali brought only 12 cases of domestic violence and 16 cases of child sexual abuse to Denpasar District Court.

"These women, who were victims of domestic abuse, don't usually receive much support from their families and relatives to file lawsuits against their husbands," said Anggraeni.

"Regretably, the few wives who persist with their lawsuits, often have to endure extremely long trial processes," said Anggraeni, citing one example of a domestic violence case, in which a husband had been proved guilty of physically abusing his wife.

When asked whether Balinese traditional norms regarded violence and infidelity by married men as common and acceptable, Anggraeni replied: "Very much so. The patrilineal family system and the caste system are both obeyed and glorified in Balinese families." Thus, she underlined the need to raise awareness among Balinese people that domestic offenses were unacceptable.

Law No. 23/2004 on the elimination of domestic violence stipulates that abusive husbands found guilty in court face a maximum five years' imprisonment or a maximum Rp 15 million fine. Meanwhile, according to Law No. 23/2002 on child protection, those convicted of child rape or child molestation may face between three and 15 years in prison or a fine of between Rp 60 million and Rp 300 million.

Rape victims suffer further at the hands of authorities

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2013

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – A coalition of NGOs has called on the authorities to protect the rights of rape victims, saying that the existing standard operating procedures to deal with victims further violated their rights.

Members of the coalition, mostly NGOs working for the protection of women and children's rights, said that not only had the police failed to prosecute rapists, they often abused the victims further, especially during the investigation stage.

The coalition, which was set up to respond to the controversial comment made on rape by judge Muhammad Daming Sunusi, called on the government and the House of Representatives to increase the minimum sentence for rape to at least 10 years' imprisonment. The group also called for the deployment of more female investigators in dealing with rape cases.

"We have found that many rape victims were degraded during investigations by members of the police. Some of them, for example, were asked to demonstrate how they were raped. Some were even asked how they felt after being raped," National Commission on Child Protection (KPAI) member Muhammad Ihsan told members of the House Commission III overseeing law and human rights.

Ihsan said that harassment of child rape victims was even worse. He said that reports revealed that victims were asked about the position of their bodies during the incident or whether the rapists told them to undress.

"How can you ask such questions of those who have just been raped? We've found that such insensitive questions continue to be asked by police personnel," he said.

The KPAI also found many cases where rapists were released because victims could not name a witness to the crime.

Ena Nurjanah of the Service Center for Protection of Women and Children (P2TP2A) in Depok, West Java, said that the abuse continued through to the courts where judges often underestimated the severity of rape cases.

"Several times I've known judges to order rapists to marry their victims in order to settle the cases. For them, marriage will resolve the case once and for all," she said. Ena added that Daming's rape comment was an indication of the authorities' ignorance about the crime.

Daming became the target of a public outcry after he made a statement implying that in some rape cases, the sex act could be consensual.

Responding to a lawmaker's question during a fit-and-proper test for the position of Supreme Court justice at the House of Representatives Commission III on law and human rights earlier this week, Daming said that he would not hand down the death penalty to rapists because both the rapist and the victim could have enjoyed the intercourse.

Political factions at the House have pledged not to select Daming following the comment. Tri-medya Panjaitan from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said that Daming's insensitive remark had disgusted members of his faction, which had decided to fail him in the fit-and-proper test.

"Our party is chaired by a woman. The leader of our party faction in the House is also a woman. So, how can we vote for someone who has blatantly insulted rape victims, who are mostly women?" Trimedya said on Wednesday.

Other political factions including the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the Democratic Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN), have also pledged to disqualify Daming. The House is expected to announce its decision on Jan. 23.

Rape victims suffer further at the hands of authorities

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2013

"How can you ask such questions of those who have just been raped? We've found that such insensitive questions continue to be asked by police personnel," he said.

The KPAI also found many cases where rapists were released because victims could not name a witness to the crime.

Daming became the target of a public outcry after he made a statement implying that in some rape cases, the sex act could be consensual.

Disgraced judge unfit for Supreme Court: Judicial Commission

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2013

Ina Parlina, Jakarta – The Judicial Commission (KY) says judge Muhammad Daming Sunusi, who made headlines on Tuesday after making a controversial "rape joke", is unfit to be a Supreme Court justice as the commission is currently studying whether or not he has breached the code of ethics.

"Of course [he is not fit]. Consciously or unconsciously, a judge, especially a potential Supreme Court justice, should be fully aware while making any statement. He cannot carelessly say something [like that]," commission chairman Eman Suparman said recently.

Commission spokesperson Asep Rahmat Fajar confirmed on Wednesday that Daming came to his office on Tuesday to undergo questioning on ethics, saying that the latter apologized to the commission during the examination.

Asep said the commission would soon to deliver its conclusion as to whether Daming had violated the judicial code of ethics. Should the commission find against him, Daming may face penalties or other sanctions.

"The possibility of [Daming] receiving a severe penalty is still there. Yet, a severe penalty or dismissal can only be imposed through a hearing of a panel of ethics. The panel will comprise the Judicial Commission and the Supreme Court," Asep said.

Choky Ramadhan from University of Indonesia's Indonesian Judicial Watch Society (MAPPI), which is also part of the Judiciary Watchdog Coalition, slammed the commission for recommending Daming in the first place.

"We gave them the Daming's track record, along with the track records of other candidates in 2011. They ruled out the facts," he said, adding that "we want the commission not to recommend those second-time candidates with bad track records."

According to the coalition's data for the 2011 selection process, Daming had a fancy lifestyle and used different private cars to go to office instead of using an official vehicle. He also concealed his real address in the curriculum vitae he submitted to the Judicial Commission in 2011, the coalition said.

The commission would be extra careful in selecting candidates in the future, Eman said.

During Monday's fit and proper test at the House of Representatives, Daming made an insensitive statement when asked about what he thought about the death penalty for rapists. He insinuated that both the rapist and the victim enjoyed the encounter, thus, rapists did not deserve such a heavy sentence.

Daming later held a press conference to deliver a public apology a day after his initial statement had sparked public outrage. (swd)

'Rape' judge may face dismissal, ethics review

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2013

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – A member of the National Commission on Child Protection wants a judge fired for comments on consensual rape he made during his "fit-and-proper" test to become a Supreme Court justice.

National Commission on Child Protection (KPAI) member Muhammad Ihsan said on Tuesday that Muhammad Daming Sanusi, currently a judge at the Banjarmasin High Court in South Kalimantan, made insensitive remarks that disregarded women and children's rights, calling into question the judge's impartiality.

Daming told lawmakers on House of Representatives Commission III on Monday that "both the victims of rape and the rapist might have enjoyed their intercourse together, so we should think twice before handing down the death penalty."

Ihsan wanted Daming fired. "We encourage the House to call on the Supreme Court to dismiss him [Daming] from his current position."

"He [Daming] doesn't have the right to make decisions that can affect the lives of others. More people will suffer from injustice if we have a judge like that," Ihsan told lawmakers at a hearing of House Commission III overseeing law and human rights.

A rights activist at the meeting told the lawmakers to reject Daming's nomination as a Supreme Court justice position, while criticizing lawmakers who laughed at Daming's comments.

"I don't understand what is so funny about such an insensitive remark that you could laugh about it," Nia Syarifudin of the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika National Alliance Forum told Commission III members.

Nia said Daming's comments and the lawmakers' response indicated that the nation's political establishment was oblivious to the rampant number of rape cases in Indonesia.

One lawmaker present on Monday denied that his peers laughed or agreed with Daming's comments. Lawmaker Al Muzammil Yusuf of the Prosperous Justice Party, who presided over the fit and proper hearing, said that lawmakers would not behaved inappropriately in such a formal setting.

"The fit-and-proper test is a formal session. We have agreed not to comment directly on statements from a candidate. Now, we know what's in his [Daming's] head. This will definitely influence our assessment of him," Al Muzammil added.

Meanwhile, Golkar Party lawmaker Poempida Hidayatulloh said that his smile after Daming's comment was not given in appreciation. "It was not for the joke. I was smiling because I knew that Daming had made a fool of himself," Poempida said.

Separately, a spokesman for the Judicial Commission (KY), which has the authority to recommend judicial candidates to the House, said that the commission had made a mistake in recommending Daming.

Judicial Commission spokesman Asep Rahmat Fajar said that Daming had scored well during the commission's selection process. "We never expected that he would make such a statement," Asep said.

The commission would question Daming on a possible breach of ethics, according to the spokesman. This is the second time Daming has been under consideration for a judicial posting by the House after he failed in 2011.

Graft & corruption

KPK targets big fish in Koran graft

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2013

Rabby Pramudatama, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has forged ahead in its investigation of the Koran procurement case at the Religious Affairs Ministry, by requesting travel bans for former high- ranking officials at the ministry.

A source at the KPK disclosed on Sunday that new travel bans had been issued against two officials at the ministry, former director of Sharia guidance at the directorate general for Islamic guidance, Ahmad Jauhari, and the general secretary of the directorate, Abdul Karim.

"Ahmad Jauhari and Abdul Karim have been prohibited from leaving the country. The letter was signed on Jan. 16. I am not sure whether the immigration office has received the letter," the source said over the weekend.

KPK spokesperson Johan Budi refused to confirm the report of the new travel ban. Maryoto Sumadi, a spokesperson for the Immigration Directorate General at the Law and Human Rights Ministry, also said he could not confirm the report.

The KPK has been very careful about disclosing information on travel bans for fear that suspects may flee the country on hearing the news.

Earlier this month, the KPK named Jauhari as a new suspect in the scandal, which took place in 2011 and 2012. The antigraft body has said that there is enough evidence to bring charges against Jauhari.

"He was named a suspect in relation to his position as the official in charge of the project at the ministry's Islamic guidance directorate general," acting KPK spokesperson Priharsa Nugraha told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Jauhari could be charged with Article 2 on self enrichment or Article 3 on abuse of authority of the 2001 Corruption Law. If found guilty he could receive a a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Jauhari was suspected of abusing his authority in his position at the directorate general in order to enrich himself, a crime which caused the state to suffer losses, Priharsa said.

According to the KPK's early estimate, the Koran procurement generated Rp 14 billion (US$1.5 million) in losses to the state. The total value of the procurement project was Rp 20 billion in 2011 and Rp 55 billion in 2012.

So far the KPK has named three suspects: Jauhari; Zulkarnaen Djabar, a lawmaker on the House of Representatives Commission VIII overseeing religious affairs and businessman Dendy Prasetya, who is Zulkarnaen's son.

Zulkarnaen allegedly rigged the budgeting for the project in the House so that Dendy, who ran a printing press, could win the tender. Both suspects are leading members of the Golkar Party-affiliated organization MKGR, one of Golkar's three core organizations.

Zulkarnaen is currently detained by the KPK while Dendy remains free while he gets medical treatment for a leg injury following a traffic accident.

Last week the KPK wrapped up its investigation into the two suspects and submitted their dossiers to the court. KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto said that the investigation into the Koran procurement graft remained on track.

"I want to say that our corruption eradication efforts have not stopped. I received confirmation from investigators that we have completed the dossier on suspects Zulkarnain Djabar and Dendy Prasetya," he said.

Graft convicts transferred to Sukamiskin prison

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2013

Bandung – Dozens of graft convicts detained in different cities across the country have been gradually transferred to Sukamiskin Penitentiary in Bandung, West Java, since Friday night.

They were initially detained in Jakarta, Central Java, Yogyakarta, Banten and North Sulawesi. Of the total detainees, 21 prisoners from Jakarta arrived on Friday night.

"About 75 convicts – comprising 54 convicts from Semarang, nine from Yogyakarta, 21 from Banten and one from Manado – will arrive on Saturday," Law and Human Rights Ministry West Java office head I Wayan K. Dusak said Friday as quoted by tempo.co.

Sukamiskin Penitentiary, where Indonesia's founding father and first president Sukarno was detained during the struggle for independence, has 546 cells – excluding the cell in which Sukarno was detained, which remains empty. As many as 130 prisoners of the total 327 prisoners currently detained in the prison are graft convicts.

Deputy Law and Human Rights Minister Denny Indrayana said the ministry aimed to turn Sukamiskin into a prison for graft convicts. "If there are still other convicts in Sukamiskin it is because other prisons are overcrowded," he said.

According to Denny, 1,800 graft convicts are currently being detained in different prisons across the country. The ministry plans to transfer all male graft convicts, who were politicians, councilors or officials sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison, to Sukamiskin. (swd)

Judges to get better pay to battle judicial corruption

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2013

Ina Parlina, Jakarta – The government has decided to give ad hoc corruption judges a pay rise in an attempt to make them less vulnerable to committing the crime they are supposed to be resolving.

Under the new 2013 Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 5, which was signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Jan. 10, an ad hoc corruption judge in a lower court will receive a Rp 20.5 million (US$2123.25) allowance a month, a high court judge will receive Rp 25 million and an appellate court judge Rp 40 million.

Previously, an ad hoc corruption judge in a lower court received an allowance of Rp 13 million a month, whereas a high court judge would have received Rp 16 million a month and an appellate court judge Rp 22 million.

The Judicial Commission (KY), which along with the Supreme Court, the Finance Ministry, the State Secretariat and the Administrative Reforms Ministry, was involved in advocating for better salaries for judges, welcomed the new regulation.

"We expect this increase in allowance to improve the quality and integrity of the ad hoc judges," commission spokesperson Asep Rahmat Fajar told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. "This is also a tool to prevent the recent misconduct by an ad hoc judge at a corruption court from happening again."

Asep was referring to a recent case involving ad hoc Semarang Corruption Court judge Kartini Marpaung. She was caught by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in August last year as she accepted Rp 150 million (US$15,400) in cash to acquit Grobogan Legislative Council speaker M. Yaeni of graft charges. Yaeni was accused of embezzling regional budget funds for the maintenance of the council's official cars.

Separately, the KPK said it applauded the government's move, as it showed extra effort and a seriousness about combating corruption.

"We hope that in the future they [the ad hoc judges] will focus only on handling the case and not be tempted should there be bribes," KPK spokesperson Johan Budi said on Wednesday. The new regulation also stipulates that ad hoc judges at industrial relations district courts and appellate courts will receive increases in allowance of Rp 17.5 million and Rp 32.5 million a month respectively. Previously, they received lesser allowances of Rp 5.5 million and Rp 12 million a month respectively.

I Made Hendra, an ad hoc judge at the Jakarta Corruption Court who has been serving since 2004, was not pleased with the new regulation.

"They should've done this from the beginning," he told the Post. "All we want is a decent pay as we've been struggling with cases all this time."

State suffers $438 million in losses due to haj fund mismanagement: ICW

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2013

Rabby Pramudatama, Jakarta – A new report from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) says that the alleged embezzlement of the haj fund overseen by the Religious Affairs Ministry caused state losses to the sum of US$438 million.

The antigraft watchdog found the irregularities after comparing data from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) with the cost of traveling to and staying in the Holy Land.

ICW researcher Firdaus Ilyas said on Wednesday that the total haj fund disbursed by the ministry between 2005 and 2011, according to the BPK report, was too high compared with the actual cost of flights and accommodation as compiled by ICW.

Data from the BPK shows that between 2005 and 2011, the ministry disbursed $4.7 billion when, in fact, the actual cost to run the operation was around $4.3 billion.

"This means that there is $438 million that is not accounted for," he told The Jakarta Post.

Firdaus alleged that officials at the ministry had embezzled the haj funds using a simple method, not unlike the one deployed by "the tax office mafia."

"It's simple, they just report higher spending than the actual amount disbursed. On the other hand, they also report a lower amount of revenue for haj fund management," he said.

The ministry's new directorate general for haj and minor pilgrimage affairs, Anggito Abimanyu, denied the accusation.

He said that there had been no irregularities in the disbursement of the haj fund as it had been approved by the House of Representatives.

"The fund disbursement had been approved by the House. And also we had to take into account the adjustment that had to be made with regard to efficiency and deviations," he said.

Anggito also said that the disbursement of the fund had been audited by internal and external auditors. "Nevertheless, I am happy to hear input from them [ICW] about calculating the fund disbursement," he said.

The ministry's inspector general, M Jasin, said that he currently oversaw an internal audit on haj fund management.

"Of course, we have our own internal method to audit the fund's disbursement. But we deal with problems where we can't find the individuals responsible for supplying the data," he said, adding that the ministry officials were often abroad or out of town.

Earlier, two agencies had pointed to the possible embezzlement of the haj fund.

The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) has reported many irregularities in the fund's management over the past eight years.

In its 2012 year-end report, the PPATK announced that the ministry had managed Rp 80 trillion ($8.29 billion) in total haj funds, which generated Rp 2.3 trillion in interest that was entirely deposited in a single bank account without a clear set of guidelines.

The PPATK's report supported the ICW's allegation that the interest had been used to pay for unrelated spending, including the purchase of stationery, the haj service's ISO standardization, or incentives for the ministry's staffers.

The Religious Affairs Ministry is ranked at the bottom of a list of 22 government institutions in the KPK's 2012 integrity survey. The ministry received a score of 5.37 out of a possible 10 points. The average score was set at 6.00.

Freedom of religion & worship

East Nusa Tenggara police to monitor 'deviant' religious group

Suara Pembaruan - January 23, 2013

Yoseph Kelen, Kupang – Police in the East Nusa Tenggara island district of Lembata are closely monitoring a group who have syncretized various religions and are suspected of spreading deviant religious teachings.

"We have reported this to the headquarters and we have been ordered to closely monitor this group," Lembata police chief Adj, Sr. Comr. Marthen Johannis said on Wednesday.

The group, which calls itself "Gafatar," has some 30 members and is active in Lewoleba in the Lembata district. "They have sought a permit to be able to conduct their group activities but I have not given it to them," Johannis said.

Johannis said their initial surveillance showed that the group was aimed at unifying differences in the country while mixing up several religious teachings.

"We can take action against them, but will limit our self to [just] monitoring the activities of this group," he said, adding that the group had not yet been declared a banned organization.

Viktor Mado Wutun, the deputy district chief of Lembata, said that so far the authorities saw the group as a non-governmental organization, and not as an organization that was spreading any particular religion or deviant teachings.

He said that authorities were awaiting a fatwa, or decree, from the provincial chapter of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI), before acting.

"If the East Nusa Tenggara MUI does not recognize this group, this Gafatar group, then the government will ask law enforcers to disband the organization and take their leaders to justice," he said.

Mado added that the organization had not only confined themselves to Lembata but also to the Flores island. Both Johannis and Mado could not provide any further details on the group.

Abdul Kadir Makarim, the chairman of the East Nusa Tenggara MUI, could not be reached for comment.

36 Ahmadis 'convert' to Sunni Islam

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2013

Tasikmalaya – Thirty six followers of Ahmadiyah "converted" to Sunni Islam during a ceremony conducted at Agung grand mosque in Tasikmalaya, West Java, on Thursday.

"We really appreciate the move from those former Ahmadiyah followers," said Tasikmalaya Religious Affairs Ministry office head Dadang Romansyah.

Dadang said that the ministry expected more Ahmadiyah followers would change religion and turn to Islam by pronouncing the syahadat (creed) as a sign that they acknowledge true Islamic teaching. "There have been around 400 out of 3,000 Ahmadiyah followers that have convert to Islam," Dadang said as quoted by tempo.co.

Amid rampant persecution against Ahmadiyah followers, who are accused of practicing "deviant" Islam, Dadang claimed that the ministry and social organizations used a friendly and soft approach to persuade them to convert to Sunni.

According to Muhammad Sofyan, a figure from the Tasikmalaya branch of the hard line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), the FPI is one of the organizations helping Ahmadiyah followers to turn to Islam.

Sofyan also said that the FPI would give religious counseling and guidance to the converts, who mostly came from Kutawaringin and Tenjowaringin villages in Salawu district.

"We do the counseling in a casual way. I often visit Kutawaringin to preach. Thank God, they were encouraged [to convert to Islam]," he said. Sofyan said that the FPI would initiate a group called the Association of Ahmadiyah Former Victims (Inkasa).

"We and the ministry promise to give attention to their financial situation," he said. He said the FPI and the ministry would give the converts training in animal husbandry, fisheries and agriculture.

A former follower of Ahmadiyah, Rani Rahmawati, 26, said she followed her personal's desire when converting to Sunni Islam. She said that she only followed Ahmadiyah teachings because her parents are Ahmadis.

Being a minority group among Sunni believers in Indonesia, Ahmadis often received physical and psychological threats from radical Islamic groups. In 2011, hundreds of people stormed an Ahmadiyah's village in Cikeusik, Banten, brutally killing three, injuring five and displacing dozens of others.

In West Nusa Tenggara, the Ahmadis have been forced to live in temporary shelters for years after being evicted from their homes. (cor/lfr)

Government accused of stoking intolerance

Jakarta Globe - January 17, 2013

Bhimanto Suwastoyo – Activists and experts on Wednesday said that the national government, including its officials and laws, were to blame for rising intolerance in the country.

Indonesia, a pluralist nation spread over thousands of islands, has been witnessing rising intolerance that has led to violence against minorities, including religious ones.

Father Benny Susetyo, a Roman Catholic priest and executive secretary of the Indonesian Bishops Conference, said a lack of leadership in the country was a key reason for the rising intolerance.

Speaking at dialogue on pluralism and tolerance hosted by the Strategic Review think tank, Benny said the number of incidents of violence against minorities had risen from 216 in 2010 to 371 last year and said that there were several explanations for the rapid rise.

"The first factor is the factor of politics, the lack of firmness of the rulers in taking actions" in dealing with cases of violence, Benny said, adding that this lack of firmness provided no deterrent.

He also pointed to the absence of government authority whenever violence took place against minorities. "The state has no courage to take actions against those perpetrators of the violence," he said.

Benny added that religious educations that were narrow and taught students hatred against people outside of their religion contributed to the rise of intolerance. He said that religious educators did not focus on a united Indonesia, but solely on the interests of their religion. He said the country needed a leader who was firm, had "an Indonesian soul" and could manage diversity.

Jalaluddin Rakhmat, an Islamic scholar and lecturer at Paramadina University, agreed that the government had an important role in promoting and safeguarding tolerance.

Most important, he said was for the government to avoid stereotyping minorities. He said that stereotyping, the first step toward persecution, attempted to cast a negative image of the group in question.

Jalaluddin said it would lead to vilification, marginalization, criminalization and finally persecution.

He added that there was a need for all Indonesians to work together to stem intolerance. "Laws that regulate religious life in detail should also be revoked," he said, adding that such laws provided a base for intolerance.

Golkar Party lawmaker Nusron Wahid, who is also chairman of GP Ansor, the youth wing of Islamic group Nahdlatul Ulama, said politics had a "very thick" role in strengthening intolerance.

He said that some of state regulation of religious issues provided the "incentive to engage in intolerance." He said institutions such as the Indonesian Ulema of Council (MUI) provided instruments that promoted intolerance through their fatwas, or religious edicts.

Yudi Latif, who heads the Center for Islamic and Nationalist Studies, said basic social integration of minorities was paramount for any democracy.

He said the current political system – which no longer includes specific representations of ethnic, religious and professional groups in the legislature – meant minorities lacked representation in institutions that drive public policy.

He said that grassroots intolerance usually exploded into violence if people were politicized, blaming in part government officials.

"Almost all indications of intolerance, directly or indirectly, relate to the low level of understanding of the principles of public life of the state apparatus," he said.

He added that state officials tended to position themselves as agents of particular groups, reflecting a lack of understanding of public morality.

All speakers at the event agreed that pluralism and tolerance were vital characteristics of the nation.

Plight of displaced Sampang Shiites continues

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2013

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – As Amnesty International called on the government to guarantee the safe return of members of the Shia community in Sampang, Madura, the local government has once again decided to cut off food and medical supplies for the displaced victims.

Shia leaders said that the local government in Sampang had cut off the supplies in late December last year. Shia cleric Iklil Al Milal, who is a leader of the local Shia community, told The Jakarta Post that the displaced victims were now depending on private donors to help them pay for food and medical supplies.

"The last food was distributed on Dec. 26. We are grateful for the assistance from people out there who have supported us so far, but we don't know how long we can stay like this," Iklil said.

He said that some of the victims were now suffering from respiratory problems because of poor sanitation in the sports stadium where they have been sheltering since a mob burned down their homes in Karang Gayam village, last August.

"One of us is suffering from dengue, while others, especially toddlers, are struggling to cope with the wet season. We beg the health authority to help us," Iklil said.

The local administration had earlier cut off food and water supplies for the displaced Shiites on Nov. 22, 2012. Following a flurry of media reports, the administration resumed the service two weeks later.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, the New York-based human rights group Amnesty International called on the government to guarantee the safe return of the displaced Shiites to their own community.

"The Indonesian authorities must guarantee the safe, voluntary and dignified return of the Shia community to their homes, according to their wishes, and help them to rebuild the homes that were damaged or destroyed," said Isabelle Arradon of Amnesty International's Asia Pacific Program in a statement.

The group also called on the government to end all forms of discriminations against the minority group.

"They must also end discrimination against religious minorities in the country and investigate reports that the local and provincial authorities are coercing Shia followers to renounce their faith before they are allowed to return to their homes," she said.

Amnesty International said that it had gathered credible local sources who testified that the local authorities had given the Shiites until March to convert to the majority Sunni faith otherwise they would remain displaced from their homes.

The group also reminded the Indonesian government about a similar case in Lombok, West Nusa Tengara, where an Ahmadiyah community suffered an attack in February 2008.

Members of that community are still living in a temporary shelter after six years. The Universalia Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHU), one of the groups which has provided legal assistance for the Sampang Shiites, said that there were currently 165 people sheltering in the sports center, including 29 young children.

The group also reported that the East Java Police had withdrawn officers deployed to protect the displaced Shia victims since Jan. 1.

Sampang Shiites still face pressure to convert: Amnesty

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2013

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – The displaced Shiite community in East Java continues to face pressure to convert to "true" Islam if they wish to return to their homes in Sampang district on Madura island, human rights group Amnesty International (AI) has said.

Credible local sources told AI that the authorities have given the villagers until March to convert to Sunni Islam, the predominant faith in Indonesia, if they want to go back to their village, the rights group said in a press statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

"The Indonesian authorities must guarantee the safe, voluntary and dignified return of the Shiite community to their homes, according to their wishes, and help them to rebuild the homes that were damaged or destroyed," said Isabelle Arradon of AI's Asia Pacific Program.

An estimated 165 Shia Muslims, including 48 children, have been living in substandard conditions at a sports complex in Sampang district on Madura Island since August 2012. They were forced to leave their village following an attack from intolerant groups.

Arradon urged the government to end discrimination against religious minorities in the country and investigate reports that the local and provincial authorities are coercing Shiite followers to renounce their faith before being allowed to return to their homes.

"Those involved in the attack on the Shiite community in August must also be brought to justice in proceedings that meet international standards of fairness, without the imposition of the death penalty," Arradon added.

The refugees' condition continues to deteriorate after the East Java Police withdrew officers assigned to protect the community on Jan. 1.

In late December, local authorities halted food supplies and medical services. They had previously cut off food supplies on Nov. 22, but resumed services on Dec. 4. Some of the children in the shelter, meanwhile, have fallen sick over the last few weeks, AI reported.

"The Indonesian authorities must ensure that the community is granted immediate access to essential services such as food and health services. In particular, more needs to be done to ensure that children who are currently unwell get access to adequate medical care," Arradon said. (lfr)

SBY wants Indonesia to listen to minorities

Jakarta Globe - January 16, 2013

ID/Novy Lumanauw & Arientha Primanita – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for the nation not to ignore the voice of minorities in what he insisted was a multicultural democracy.

"We should not ignore the voice of minorities with different group identities," he said on Tuesday in a presidential lecture organized by the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI).

Yudhoyono said that one of the biggest challenges in implementing a multicultural democracy was addressing differences in ideology and interests, while tackling clashes triggered by regional identities.

"Pluralism is a blessing, but an ability is needed to manage it. As a pluralist nation, Indonesia has to answer the challenge of democracy and also discuss the fundamental principles to adhere to, so that the life of democracy becomes increasingly peaceful," he said.

He called on all Indonesians to accept differences, including fundamental ones in religion, race and ethnicity.

"The views and aspirations of the majority indeed have to be accepted, but we should not ignore the voice of minorities, of the different groups in this country," Yudhoyono said.

"Every community should build a culture of resolving conflicts in a peaceful manner that avoids the use of force."

He also reminded Indonesians that personal freedoms should not lead "to insults, contempt or disrespect of the values or symbols of people of other identities."

The president also specifically asked national leaders to put those groups' interests over national interest.

"To safeguard calm, stability and the sustainability of a multi-party democracy, it is necessary for political and community leaders to show a proper attitude, views and examples in dealing with communities of a different identity," he said.

Yudhoyono suggested that the nation needed to wisely manage democracy in the midst of the prevailing pluralism. "What is the type of democracy we are building in the life of this nation which is pluralistic and diverse?" he asked.

"Let us look at the challenges we are facing. In the regions, it is also felt how differences open the possibility for conflict in this country, not only because of [differences in] ideology, interests and political parties, but also in terms of identity."

He said that if the nation was not smart in managing its differences, a serious threat to national integrity could arise. The president added that he believed embracing diversity was inevitable in such a diverse country in terms of ethnicity, religion and culture.

In his lecture, the president also referred to the 2014 legislative and presidential elections, saying that political parties' previous way of campaigning by drawing large rallies of often paid supporters were often ineffective.

He said this had prompted him to advise the General Elections Commission (KPU) to issue permits for campaign rallies on a smaller scale. This way, he said, the parties would be able to come up with messages that were more relatable and more cost effective.

"They should be reviewed and replaced with campaigns involving only 1,000 to 2,000 people instead of hundreds of thousands," Yudhoyono said. "If the elections are expensive, where will the money come from? I'm afraid that mistakes are made in looking for funding. It would be better if we can save costs."

He also praised the many individuals who had come forward as candidates in the next presidential election, but added that the public should research each candidate more thoroughly before voting.

"It should not be like choosing cats inside a bag. Look at their integrity, capacity, track records and so forth" he said. "Think it over thoroughly when choosing a leader."

Indonesia's varied ethnic and religious makeup has frequently caused simmering tensions to boil over between different groups, mostly between Sunni Muslims and members of other faiths, resulting in deadly clashes, pogroms and other forms of discrimination.

Amnesty calls to end discrimination against Indonesian Shiites

Jakarta Globe - January 16, 2013

Human rights watchdog Amnesty International is calling on the Indonesian government to end its discrimination against the Shiite Muslim minority in Madura, East Java, and guarantee the community a safe return to their homes.

In a press statement obtained by the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday, Amnesty International said that a potential forced relocation of the Shia community living in a temporary shelter in East Java represents the continuing discrimination against religious minorities in Indonesia.

An estimated 165 Shiites, including 48 children, have been living in inadequate conditions at a sports complex in the Sampang district of Madura Island since August 2012 after their village in the same district was attacked by a Sunni Muslim mob.

Amnesty, citing "credible local sources," said that the authorities have given the displaced villagers until March to convert to Sunnism if they wish to return to their homes.

Amnesty also called on the government to drag to court all those involved in the attack on the Shia community in Sampang.

Meanwhile, the rights watchdog also pointed out that the conditions of the community's temporary shelter are deteriorating, with provincial police on Jan. 1 withdrawing their personnel who had been deployed to protect the minority religious group.

The community, from Karang Gayam village in Sampang district, were displaced in August 2012 when an anti-Shia mob of around 500 people attacked the community with sharp weapons and stones. The mob also set fire to 35 houses belonging to the Shia community.

One person was killed and dozens were injured. Only five people have so far been charged by police.

Civil service & bureaucracy

Indonesia lifts moratorium on hiring civil servants

Jakarta Globe - January 21, 2013

The Indonesian government announced on Monday that the moratorium on hiring new civil servants was lifted at the end of December, 16 months after it was instituted, but that stringent recruitment policies would be maintained.

Vice President Boediono said that the essence of the moratorium would still be continued – zero growth policy. "The efforts to improve the employment policy and system will be intensified by, among others, adjusting the needs analysis for civil servants and the budget cycle," Boediono said in a press release obtained by Jakarta Globe.

The moratorium, which began in September 2011, was aimed at stemming the ballooning cost of running the bureaucracy, organizational restructuring and rightsizing, civil servant redistribution, transparent recruitment and improving civil servant professionalism.

According to data from the Civil Service Administration Board (BAKN), Indonesia had 4.64 million civil servants in October 2011. As of the end of 2012, Indonesia had 4.46 million civil servants, or 1.9 percent of the country's 241 million population.

In the future, Boediono said there would be three requirements before hiring new employees. The first is for ministries and other government institutions to have a five-year human resource plan, backed by position analysis and work-load analysis, that is in line with the civil servant redistribution plan. Government offices should also conduct an open, fair, clean, efficient and accountable recruitment process.

Second, only government offices that spend less than 50 percent of their total budgets for employees would be allowed to hire. Third, recruitment can only be done after receiving approval from the National Committee for Bureaucracy Reform, which is chaired by Boediono.

Azwar Abubakar, the minister for administrative reform, has said the government had a budget of Rp 212 trillion for civil servant salaries in 2012 and planned to allocate Rp 241 trillion in 2013's budget, which accounts for 15 percent of the total budget spending.

According to the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (FITRA), the Rp 241 trillion budget was only for civil servants working for the central government. Another Rp 306 trillion would be used to pay the salaries of civil servants working in regional administrations throughout the country.

Parliament & legislation

Watchdog slams lawmaker performance

Jakarta Globe - January 20, 2013

A parliamentary watchdog has called on the majority of Indonesia's lawmakers not to run in the April 2014 legislative election due to poor performance during their current term of office.

Lucius Karus, a senior researcher from the Concerned Citizens for the Indonesian Legislature (Formappi), said that according the watchdog organization's research, up to 90 percent of the 560 members of the House of Representatives displayed an unacceptable level of performance during the past term – the reason the House had managed to produce so few laws.

Formappi's figure for the number of unproductive lawmakers is even higher than the one quoted by House Speaker Marzuki Alie in 2011, when he said that "70 percent of the House members are carriers of disasters."

Karus was quoted by merdeka.com over the weekend as saying that voters would evaluate the performance of the lawmakers and, despite any aggressive campaigning, it would be the concrete results of their term in office that would determine their electability in 2014.

Aside from delivering few results in terms of passing laws, many lawmakers in the past term have also been dumped in jail for corruption, further eroding public trust in the legislative body.

A senior lawyer told the Jakarta Globe that of the total 600 laws passed by the House, at least 100 contain severe legal defects. Since 2004 alone, some 60 laws have been annulled by the Constitutional Court.

Therefore, Karus said, political parties must recruit more credible candidates to run in the next election and not allow the current members to return to their seats.

Jakarta & urban life

As waters recede, loss calculations begin in Jakarta

Jakarta Globe - January 21, 2013

ID/Grace Dwitya Amianti, Gita Rossiana & Tito Summa Siahaan – Companies and consumers have started to calculate damages and losses from the widespread floods that hit Jakarta last week, claiming at least 17 lives, displacing thousands from their homes and afflicting capital residents with water-borne illnesses.

State-controlled lender Bank Negara Indonesia said it suffered Rp 6.4 billion ($665,000) in losses due to the floods as some of its operational facilities were damaged. It calculated losses from affected branches at Rp 5.3 billion and Rp 1.1 billion in damages at some of its automated teller machines.

Tribuana Tunggadewi, corporate secretary of BNI, said that according to internal reports as of Friday, there were 47 bank outlets and 134 ATM units damaged by the floods.

"The losses at outlets were due to damaged properties, including furniture that was trapped in the water. Meanwhile, for the broken ATMs, which held money in them, we have insured them and customers' money remains safe," she said.

Another big lender, Bank Central Asia, said that on Friday it had to halt operations at 40 of its outlets due to the flooding.

Inge Setiawati, corporate secretary at BCA, said the 40 branches disrupted by the floods included ones in Thamrin, Bendungan Hilir, Sabang, Kelapa Gading, Angke and Grogol Permai. However, he assured customers that all of the bank's online services, such as Internet banking (klikBCA) and mobile banking (m-BCA), remained available. Inge did not disclose the lender's estimated flood losses.

Julian Noor, executive director of Indonesia General Insurance Association, said on Sunday that the estimated insurance claims of this year's flooding might exceed the figure of around Rp 15 trillion for the Greater Jakarta area in 2007, when the last massive flood struck the nation's capital.

"This year, the flood is worst because it hit the Thamrin and Hotel Indonesia circle area. There is also prolonged flooding in Pluit," he said, referring to a district in North Jakarta. Julian could not provide an immediate insurance claim report for the recent floods. "Maybe next week," he said.

In the multifinance sector, some said the floods had disrupted collections of loan payments for automotive ownership.

Frengkie Natawijaya, the president director of CIMB Niaga Auto Finance (CNAF), said the company's debt collectors had difficulties in collecting car payment installments from some customers who were requesting delayed payments.

Frengkie said those customers were likely prioritizing repairs to flood- damaged cars, rather than paying the installment. "Many of their cars were submerged during the floods, so they opted to fix it first," he said.

Despite the floods, Frengkie was optimistic that CNAF's nonperforming loans would not rise significantly from the current 0.7 percent of total loans disbursed. CNAF booked Rp 9 trillion in automotive loans last year.

Meanwhile, general insurance companies began to see a wave of insurance claims from policy holders.

Insurer Asuransi Adira Dinamika said that in the two-day period, from Thursday through Friday, it received 75 claims for cars alone. The insurer usually takes fewer than 25 claims in an average month. Adira's customer center, which operates 24 hours a day, reported 602 calls from customers making claims.

Ernita Sari, business support deputy division head at Adira, expected the numbers of claims to rise further as the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) announced that rain intensity would likely increase until February.

Another car insurer, Asuransi Astra Buana, said it had provided flood emergency services to 70 customers since Thursday. The insurer has established 44 evacuation points for its customers' cars.

Reinsurer Asuransi Maipark Indonesia said the company was studying the possibility of offering a "flood insurance" product. The company's president director, Frans Y Sahusilawane, said the company was making flood risk calculations and hoped to offer such a product to customers by the second half of this year.

Maipark is a specialist reinsurer that deals with catastrophe risks in Indonesia. It has handled insurance for earthquake and tsunami damage but not floods.

According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the floods in Jakarta forced 18,000 people from their homes and caused flood-related illnesses to 8,000 residents. There have been at least 17 fatalities.

BNPB said the flooding that took place since Tuesday covered a total of 41 square kilometers of land, approximately 8 percent of Jakarta's total area. It affected a total of 74 urban wards in 31 subdistricts across Jakarta's five municipalities, inundating more than 97,000 houses as well as some of the capital's main roadways.

BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo said the agency was still calculating the financial losses that had resulted from the floods.

One organization that suffered last week was water operator PAM Lyonnaise Jaya. On Saturday, the private company known as Palyja said in a statement it had cut its clean water supply services to as many as 250,000 customers in Jakarta after it found that its reservoir was contaminated by unsanitary refuse as a result of the floods.

Palyja said supply had been halted since Friday evening after it discovered that engine oil had contaminated its reservoir in Bekasi.

Yudhoyono vies with Jokowi for post-flood spotlight

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2013

Jakarta – In response to the current inundation affecting parts of Jakarta, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's actions in recent days have prompted many to speculate that he is competing with the popular Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

After touring areas affected by flooding on a military boat late last week, Yudhoyono stepped up his game on Sunday and held an emergency meeting inside an evacuation point in East Jakarta.

The highly-publicized event took place inside the Otista Sports Hall in Jatinegara where 1,558 flood victims are currently being housed. During the meeting, Yudhoyono listened to presentations by Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto regarding future plans for flood prevention as well as Jokowi and his preventive measures.

During the meeting Yudhoyono announced a Rp 2 trillion (US$207.68 million) comprehensive flood prevention project, which would focus on the Ciliwung River, Antara news agency reported.

Starting this year, the central government and the Jakarta administration will jointly construct a waterway to connect the East Flood Canal and Ciliwung River as well a massive river dredging project, part of plans to allow water to reach the North Coast of Jakarta unimpeded.

"[As seen] in the current flood situation: Why did the floodwaters flow only to the West Flood Canal, while the East Flood Canal is relatively empty? This is a waste. We have to channel some of the water to the East Flood Canal," Yudhoyono said during a press conference.

The Rp 500 billion waterway project is expected to be completed in 2014.

Yudhoyono said the government would also kick off a Rp 1.2 trillion river restoration project as well as a Rp 300 billion project for stopgap measures including the procurement of more water pumps and portable toilets for communities living on the banks of the Ciliwung.

Jokowi's presentation centered around a proposal for the construction of massive reservoirs in Ciawi, Bogor and Cimanggis, Depok. "We have met Vice President Boediono, [he said that] there was a 300 hectare piece of land bank available," Jokowi said.

The Public Works Minister balked at the proposal saying that the project would be too costly. "We already have the project in our master plan, but the cost is too high and it will only make a small impact on flood prevention efforts," Jokowi said.

Jokowi also said that the ministry would have the final decision on the "deep tunnel" project in the next month.

Following the meeting, Yudhoyono continued with his charm offensive by visiting the flood victims sheltering in the sports center. He told the victims to be patient as the government had prepared a strategic long term plan to prevent a reoccurrence of the situation.

In the shelter's emergency kitchen, Yudhoyono tasted some of the food prepared for the victims. "Delicious," he remarked after tasting an anchovy and peanut cracker.

From the sports center, Yudhoyono – donning a short-sleeved shirt and brown vest – took a walk to the Bidara Cina slums shaking hands and talking to local residents along the way.

Some of the residents seemed to be more interested in cheering for Jokowi, who is better known for his blusukan (unannounced visits). "Pak Jokowi, Pak Jokowi, let's take pictures together," some of the locals called out while trying to reach out to him.

Earlier this month, Yudhoyono made an impromptu visit to a fishing village in Tangerang, which many said was inspired by Jokowi's frequent trips to the city's corners.

Analysts have said that Yudhoyono's change of style was motivated by the necessity to drum up support for his Democratic Party, currently hit by graft scandals. (yps)

Parties told to keep politics out of flood relief efforts

Jakarta Globe - January 20, 2013

A noted political scientist has thrown his weight behind Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo over the motives of political parties' assistance to flood victims, saying that helping with ulterior political overtures must be rejected.

Ibramsyah, a professor of political science at the University of Indonesia, said that "helping flood victims with political motives would only distance people from political parties," because people are too smart to be fooled by such political maneuverings.

If the political parties sincerely wished to help, then they should go straight to the victims without advertising themselves or raising banners everywhere to attract public attention, the professor said.

Joko has said that political parties that wish to channel material assistance to the flood victims should drop their items at the many emergency centers already set up by the city government.

Defying the governor's appeal, political parties are making use of the flood momentum to win people's hearts through their distribution of material assistance way ahead of the 2014 legislative election.

Such a strategy cannot work effectively in the capital city where residents are very well informed, Ibramsyah said.

If they were smart, he continued, they would conceal their identity so that aid recipients would feel challenged to find out where the aid had come from. Having realized the source of the generosity, recipients would then feel genuine respect for the parties.

But a sudden display of generosity that comes with no rational explanation would only be counterproductive for the parties, no matter how big their contributions, Ibramsyah said.

Knowing that their appearance would run counter to the Jakarta governor's appeal and continuous mass media criticism, politicians from even the big and ruling parties have now deployed their wives in flood relief efforts, carrying food, medicines and clothes – and presumably also their business cards.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto has already urged an end to natural disaster politicking and called on politicians not to take advantage of the city residents' suffering.

The wives of House members from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) led the way on Thursday carrying instant food mixes, milk, blankets, medicines and other items to the victims.

Feeling "defeated," the wives of House members from the ruling Democratic Party did the same on the next day, immediately followed by the wives of politicians of the National Awakening Party (PKB). House speaker Marzuki Alie, who is a leading figure of the ruling party, was also visiting flood victims on Saturday.

Joko said he did not mind receiving assistance from political parties for the flood victims if indeed such assistance was not politically motivated. But the fact is, he said, parties are looking at the flood disaster as a great opportunity to garner support from the public.

For that reason, the governor asked for all contributions to be pooled at the emergency centers managed by the city government.

"If they want to come in, so be it, but not for setting up their own distribution centers, otherwise it would be difficult to coordinate," Joko said.

"If every party wants to do it its own way, residents will be confused because it will be unclear who is in command," said the governor, who has deployed more than 26,000 city employees at emergency centers.

Democratic Party politician Syofwatillah Mohzaib complained, however, that politicians always seemed to be doing something in the eyes of the people, even when they are only trying to do the right thing.

"Even when we do something right, it always looks wrong to many, and even more so when we don't do something right. So perhaps we had better give it to God to evaluate," Mohzaib said.

Mohzaib explained assistance from the Democratic Party that has for several days been channeled to flood victims was not intended to increase the party's popularity ahead of the legislative election.

In a related development on Saturday, urban political expert Irwansyah from the University of Indonesia said that Jakarta will be inundated by flooding every year for the next 10 years unless a total overhaul is made.

This means rebuilding the drainage and waste disposal systems, and improving related infrastructure in a comprehensive city planning overhaul, he said.

"If we don't have sufficient canals, water catchment systems are poor and public space deteriorates, it is no surprise that we will become a flooded city every year," Irwansyah added.

Heavy downpours in Jakarta and surrounding provinces in recent days have caused chaos in many parts of the capital as state electricity company PLN shuttered electricity distribution posts and shopping centers reported running out of candles – leaving thousands of residents in the dark at night.

On Saturday, many parts of the city were still inundated and mud spoiled the main roads. Flood waters, though, have receded significantly compared to a few days ago.

So far, no credible estimate has been made on the tangible losses to the local and national economies as well as to public life. But independent observers say the actual value of the damage could be in the trillions of rupiah.

Government aid remains out of reach for many victims

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2013

Andreas D. Arditya, Jakarta – Three days into the state of emergency and many affected Jakartans have yet to receive government aid despite the central and local governments' claims that flood relief was a high priority.

Gustida Budhiartie, 26, said on Saturday that hundreds of residents in her neighborhood in Kebon Me-lati, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, were still struggling.

"We have received no food, no clean water and no medical help from the government. We have to struggle to provide our basic needs ourselves," Gustida told The Jakarta Post.

Gustida said that around 1,400 residents in two neighborhoods in the area had resorted to setting up their own and only public kitchen. Gustida's neighborhood – located less than 500 meters from the city's main thoroughfare of Jl. MH Thamrin – has also been without electricity for the past three days.

Several hundred flood victims from Kebon Melati also sought refuge in the basement of the Grand Indonesia shopping mall after floodwater swamped their houses on Thursday.

A Grand Indonesia security officer, Heru, said the flood victims had stayed on the lower ground and ground floors from Thursday night until Saturday morning, when the waters began to recede, with the shopping mall's management providing warm food and clothes.

Christina, one of the volunteers helping flood victims in densely populated Muara Angke and Teluk Gong in North Jakarta, said the residents in those areas had not received any aid from the administration, forcing people like herself to voluntarily seek aid for the victims.

"At least 200 families were isolated and they had received no aid until volunteers started to arrive," she said. "We finally established an emergency kitchen for the victims today [Saturday]. However, more basics are still needed, like blankets, medicines, milk and diapers," she said.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) data shows that more than 18,000 people had yet to return to their homes as of Saturday due to the flooding. A total of around 250,000 people have been affected by the disaster, which began on Tuesday. The death toll increased to 21 as of Saturday afternoon.

In comments made on Saturday, Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gave no clear answer as to whether the city administration had enough basic supplies for the flood victims, but admitted that cash disbursements to city agencies had been slow, and that had ultimately affected the procurement of such supplies.

"There's a possibility they have run out. They probably have," he told reporters. Jokowi, however, confirmed that he had personally ordered 50 tons of rice from his hometown in Surakarta, Central Java.

Jokowi was inspecting repair work on a collapsed section of the West Flood Canal near Jl. Latuharhari in Menteng, Central Jakarta. The canal's section, on which repair work was expected to be completed on Saturday evening, collapsed on Thursday following exceptionally long-lasting and heavy rainfall.

The Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) reported that it had helped to distribute a total of 825 food packages across the capital.

Several private companies also joined the relief efforts for the flood victims. One of them, Artha Graha, distributed 10,000 packages of basic supplies, such as food, blankets and clothes, and provided evacuation and medical services through its Artha Graha Cares campaign. (nad)

Concrete jungle Jakarta cannot take any more water

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2013

Yuli Tri Suwarni, Depok – The condition of the environment in Jakarta and the upstream areas of West Java have contributed to the current floods, the worst since 2007, experts say.

Only comprehensive solutions can solve the problem. University of Indonesia hydrology expert Firdaus Ali said on Friday Jakarta's soil had become so saturated that it could only contain 15 percent of the rain water.

Also, the capital can no longer rely so heavily on the 13 rivers flowing across Jakarta, which have a capacity of 8 million cubic meters per second, and the West Flood Canal, which moves 500,000 cubic meters of water per second, because most of the drainage systems were broken, he said.

"Continuous rainfall and high tides in northern Jakarta, nullifies the amount of water Jakarta can contain," said Firdaus.

Meteorology and geophysics expert Armi Susandi from Bandung Institute of Technology said several factors were to blame for the current situation the capital finds itself in – with 102 out of 267 subdistricts in the capital flooded and 18,018 out of 10.18 million Jakartans displaced as of Friday.

While Firdaus blamed infrastructure, Armi said natural factors caused 75 percent of the floods and that was why it was hard to make the waters subside.

She said higher precipitation had shifted from Bogor, south of Jakarta, to southern Jakarta, with precipitation of 100 millimeters per day evenly across the capital.

The situation worsened because of high tides that prevented river water from flowing into the sea she said, adding the water absorption capacity had become "small in the concrete jungle of Jakarta".

"This year's floods may reach their peak in two to three weeks coming because the peak of the rainy season has yet to come," Armi said.

Land conversion and environmental damages along the Ciliwung riverbanks from Bogor to Jakarta meant water from the upstream areas was unstoppable.

Water catchment areas, such as small lakes, are also relatively limited in Jakarta, as are green spaces, she said, adding "we don't have the facility to pump water away from northern Jakarta to the sea."

She said improving riverbanks from upstream areas toward Jakarta was one way to save the capital.

The government and regional administrations, she said, should build water reservoirs in Depok that could serve as a drinking water container and as a water catchment area, while the rest of the water from the upstream could then be channeled into deep tunnels, a project the Jakarta administration is currently mulling over. Water catchment areas and pumps are also needed in East Jakarta and North Jakarta, respectively, she said.

Flood victims face hunger, overcrowding

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2013

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – More than 18,000 people have been displaced by the floods that have struck Jakarta. Some report facing hunger, dysentery and poor sanitation. Others have taken shelter in Transjakarta bus stops.

In Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta, hundreds of people have temporarily taken refuge in a low-rent apartment building. Bukhori, a resident of the inundated subdistrict, one of 102 of 267 flooded subdistricts in Jakarta, has been occupying a space in the building since Tuesday.

The 38-year-old said that several aid posts had been established nearby the apartment building, although aid distribution had been uneven, with some buying their own food.

"Some of us have been lucky enough. We still have some money to buy food. But some of us are starving and haven't received any aid," Bukhori, who works as a vendor at the Bendungan Hilir traditional market, said. "We are in dire need of help, be it from political parties or other organizations. It doesn't really matter where it comes from."

Another evacuee in the apartment building, Ruminah, 38, said that many children were suffering dysentery due to poor sanitation on the building's first two floors, where most of the evacuees have been staying.

"We received medicine from the PMI [Indonesian Red Cross], but that's not enough. A lot of people have started to suffer from colds as well, because some of us sleep on cold floors without any floor mats or blankets," she said.

In other flooded areas, Jakartans have taken to Transjakarta shelters for emergency accommodations while waiting for the waters to recede.

Transjakarta Management Agency spokeswoman Sri Ulina Pinem said that several people forced from their homes by the floods have taken refuge at four Transjakarta shelters on Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta, where waters have been as high as a meter-and-a-half.

"Each shelter is occupied by two to three families. We allow them to stay there, with supervision from our officers," Sri said. "We haven't prepared any specific aid for the flood victims, despite allowing them to stay at the shelters."

Meanwhile, several political parties have also been providing aid to the displaced. Nurul, 24, a resident of Rawa Jati, South Jakarta, said she received meals, blankets and used clothing from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) at her refuge under the Kalibata overpass.

General Elections Monitoring Body (Bawaslu) chairman Muhammad said the donations would be legal as long people were not encouraged to join the parties or state money was not used for the donations. (nad)

Torrential rain paralyzes Jakarta

Jakarta Globe - January 17, 2013

Heavy monsoonal rains triggered severe flooding in large swathes of the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Thursday, with many government offices and businesses were forced to close because staff could not get to work.

Weather officials warned the rains could get worse over the next few days and media reports said that thousands of people in Jakarta and its satellite cities had been forced to leave their homes because of the torrential downpours this week.

"For the next two or three days it is estimated that there may be increasing activity of the Asian Monsoon which could increase weather activity in southern Sumatra and Java," said Soepriyo, an official at the Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency.

An estimated more than 12 inches of rain had fallen overnight in the capital. This year's rainy season has brought some of the heaviest downpours for five years.

In the center of Jakarta, whose streets overflow with vehicles at the best of times, traffic was brought to a near standstill by waist high floodwaters.

Beritasatu.com reported that floodwaters of up to one meter deep inundated key roads, including Rasuna Said, Daan Mogot, Puri Kembangan, Tubagus Anhke, Kyai Tapa, Dukuh Atas, MH Thamrin, Jatinegara, Joglo, Merupa, Duri Kepa and Latumenten.

Along Rasuna Said in Kuningan, floodwaters around the Four Seasons hotel area caused massive traffic gridlock, Elshinta radio reported. The flooding is reportedly due to the overflowing West Flood canal. Traffic along Jalan MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta is also paralyzed as floodwaters reach around one meter.

Offices in Jakarta have been advising workers to not go to work and stay home.

Cars headed to Tugu Tani, Central Jakarta, have also reportedly been stuck in traffic for more than two hours. The city's main airport remained open but many roads leading there were reportedly blocked.

According to the official Twitter account of the Transjakarta busway, all bus corridors have stopped operating since 9:16 a.m. due to floods and inaccessible roads.

At the same time, trains from Bogor and Bekasi are only able to travel to Manggarai station and are unable to continue to Kota station and Sudirman station. Elshinta radio reported that floodwaters inundated both stations.

Due to the situation, TMC announced that three-in-one regulation is not in effect today. The Jakarta Stock Exchange did open but trading was light.

The presidential palace, the finance and agricultural ministries and the central bank were all open, spokesmen said. However, the trade ministry said it was forced to close because of a power cut triggered by the flooding. (Reuters/JG)

Jakarta in emergency status until January 27

Jakarta Globe - January 17, 2013

Ronna Nirmala – Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo on Thursday placed the entire capital under emergency status following the massive flooding that paralyzed the city.

"Because of the situation, we've declared an emergency status from today until Jan. 27," the governor known as Jokowi said on Thursday after meeting with some ministers and the head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency in his office.

The city administration will issue an official letter declaring the emergency status that would allow the government to take extraordinary steps to respond to the flooding crisis.

"This is for short-term solutions to the floods, such as the need for toilets," Jokowi said. "We can make direct purchases of [public] toilets, blankets and other needs without going through a tender process first."

Torrential rain from Wednesday night until Thursday morning had paralyzed the capital, with floodwaters up to one meter deep rendering several roads impassable.

The Transjakarta busway halted operations on Thursday morning while trains from Bogor were only able to travel to Manggarai as the Kota and Sudirman stations were inundated as well.

Jokowi further said that schools in flood-affected regions could suspend classes until the immediate problem was solved.

"Students will get [flood] holidays as we have already discussed," Jokowi said. "But this is only in subdistricts where the impact [of the flood] can no longer be handled. It's better to give them a holiday."

However, Jokowi said this policy did not apply to public servants. "No public leave. If necessary, they should also work on Saturday and Sunday," he said, commenting on false messages broadcast via Blackberry Messenger that the governor had announced today as a public holiday.

Antaranews.com reported that according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, 27 of the 44 subdistricts in Jakarta were affected by the flood.

Thousands caught in flood misery

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2013

Andreas D. Arditya and Multa Fidrus, Jakarta/Tangerang – The number of Jakartans forced to leave their flooded homes increased to at least 9,374 on Wednesday afternoon, increasing from around 6,100 on Tuesday according to the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), as rain continued to fall across the city and the upstream areas of West Java.

Most residents of Kampung Pulo, East Jakarta, have taken refuge as their neighborhood has been inundated by the Ciliwung River since Tuesday. Some residents decided to stay, using upper floors or attics in the hope that the waters would recede in less than a day.

Muktarom's family got it wrong. The 40-year-old father, his wife Desi and their 1-year-old daughter found themselves stranded on the upper floor of their house on Wednesday, rescue workers could not reach them due to the strong current.

"They refused to evacuate yesterday as they did not expect the flood water to get any higher. The flood was about 2 meters deep yesterday but now it has reached almost 4 meters. I'm worried about the baby," Desi's sister Enok, 45, told The Jakarta Post as she waited for her family to leave their house on the dry side of the neighborhood on Wednesday.

Flood waters have affected residential areas across 50 subdistricts of the capital in the last two days, affecting over 20,000 families – a total of 64,336 people.

The densely populated slums suffering from the overflowing Ciliwung River in Bidara Cina and Kampung Melayu in East Jakarta, and Bukit Duri in South Jakarta, are the worst hit with recorded water levels of up to 3 meters deep. BPBD reported that there were a total of 5,808 displaced people in the three areas alone.

Water from the overflowing river also cut access from connecting Kampung Melayu and Tebet, inundating Jl. KH Abdullah Syafei, especially the part of the road that crosses over the Ciliwung.

Bambang Suryaputra, BPBD's spokesman, said that the administration has set up coordinating posts and had distributed supplies to flood victims with the help of the Social Affairs Agency.

The Indonesian Red Cross' local chapter also helped to distribute food and set up a soup kitchen and medical post in East, West and South Jakarta.

Dien Emmawati, the City Health Agency chief, said that her office had set up 30 medical posts – each manned by at least four medical workers – in five municipalities in the past two days.

"Medical posts in evacuation areas are open for 24 hours, while in areas with no displaced persons we will remain open until 8 p.m.," Dien said.

In Tangerang, the municipal administration began to distribute supplies to help flood victims at a number of flooded residential areas in Periuk, Jatiuwung, Batu Ceper, Pinang, Cipondoh, Ciledug, Karawaci and Karang Tengah.

Areas along the Ciliwung River were still on flood alert on Wednesday evening, as water levels in the upstream area remained high, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said.

The water level at the Katulampa sluice gates in Bogor measured 180 centimeters on Wednesday afternoon, putting the level at its second highest, only beaten by the level recorded on Tuesday morning of 210 centimeters. Water from the upstream area takes between eight and nine hours to reach Jakarta.

The 210-centimeter upstream water level when it reached Manggarai sluice gates in South Jakarta on Tuesday night resulted in a water level of 910 centimeters. The level at Manggarai remained at 920 centimeters on Wednesday afternoon.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said that the city police had formed task forces in every police precinct to assist citizens in flood- prone areas.

"The police have deployed a total of 30 officers to every police precinct and 90 officers at the Jakarta Police headquarters to assist flood victims. We have also prepared six inflatable boats and 14 rafts at the headquarters," Rikwanto said. (nad/fzm)

Armed forces & defense

Indonesia negotiating purchase of warships from Britain

Jakarta Globe - January 21, 2013

Ezra Sihite – Indonesia has sent a team to London to negotiate the purchase of warships from Britain, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said over the weekend, several days after meeting with his British counterpart Philip Hammond in Jakarta.

Purnomo said Indonesia is interested in buying three frigates from Britain in a bid to modernize the country's naval fleet. "We are still negotiating the prices," he said.

The team has checked the ships several times already and is satisfied with them, Purnomo said. "The problem is we have our budget ceiling. That's why must have the ships within our ceiling."

Purnomo added that the agreement on the purchase was conducted on a transfer-of-technology basis as Indonesia was aiming to produce its own similar ships in the future. Purnomo said that he conveyed Indonesia's intention to purchase the ships during his meeting with Hammond on Wednesday.

Hammond told the Financial Times recently that he was hopeful that defense sales could form a key part of last year's pledge by British Prime Minister David Cameron and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to double bilateral trade by 2015.

He added, however, that as Indonesia sought to strengthen its military industry, its military contractors would have to incorporate more local production and the transfer of technology.

"The days of bashing metal in the northwest of England, crating it up and shipping it off are over," Hammond told the paper. "What people want to buy is the technology transfer and partnership but with local production, leveraging lower local production costs and also building an indigenous capability."

Indonesia has already sealed contracts with the British defense industry on supply of parts for Hawk jets and Scorpion battle tanks.

During their meeting on Wednesday, Hammond and Purnomo discussed defense training and defense system procurement. "Some of our equipment is from Britain, and we hope to share experience in that field," Purnomo said.

Yudhoyono and Cameron sealed a defense deal that would boost cooperation in research and development, investment and production.

Yudhoyono told a seminar at London's Royal College for Defense Studies last year that Indonesia would continue to modernize its defense. He said he was happy that Britain is assisting in that area.

After last week's meeting, Purnomo said that Indonesia would consider emulating Britain's army reserve.

TNI violence increases

Tempo Interactive - January 17, 2013

Subkhan, Jakarta – The number Indonesian National Army (TNI) soldiers who commit violence increased throughout 2012. Cases of violence by officers on duty amounted to 355 cases or up by 25 cases from the previous year.

The reported incidences include, among others, violence against journalists. TNI Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono said that violence against journalists is a violation of discipline.

The Enforcement Order and Yustisi Operation also recorded an increase in cases of adultery, which reached 275 cases last year. Meanwhile the number of deserters increased from to 1,123 soldiers.

Drug abuse amounted to 165 cases. Case of firearms misuse was recorded at 54 cases. Globalization, Agus said, plays a role in influencing the soldiers' patterns of thought and level of discipline. "In the future, we hope that they will be more disciplined."

Intelligence & state security

Poso tension is 'pretext for draconian law'

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2013

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Results from a preliminary investigation conducted by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) have revealed that the escalating tensions in Poso, Central Sulawesi, were allegedly stage-managed by the military to create unrest that would later serve as a pretext for the endorsement of the controversial national security bill.

Komnas HAM commissioner Siane Indriani, who heads Komnas HAM's investigative team on the Poso tensions, said the team had gathered enough evidence to indicate that the country's security forces experimented with social conflicts in Poso.

"We discovered tip-offs and warnings were distributed to people in the area before any attacks happened. We believe that the messages also reached the security authorities but nothing was done to prevent the threats from being carried out," Siane said on Tuesday.

The Komnas HAM report also said that instead of preventing possible attacks, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police decided to deploy more personnel to secure Poso only after violence had broken out. Siane said the military reinforcements were aimed at giving the impression that Poso was unsafe.

Central Sulawesi Police said on Monday that 1,185 police officers and 170 TNI personnel had been deployed for an operation in Poso to uphold law and provide basic social services following a series of terror attacks in the area late last year.

Komnas HAM also accused the security authorities of not taking immediate action to prevent terror attacks from triggering social conflicts.

The national security bill, which is currently being deliberated by representatives of the government and members of the House of Representatives, will allow the country's security forces to play a greater role in efforts to counter national security threats.

In the existing draft bill, there is no exact definition of what can be considered a potential threat to the country which, according to rights activists, will encourage a draconian response. Komnas HAM will soon be submitting its report findings to the TNI and police for clarification.

"Apart from submitting our findings to the military and police, we want them to explain their intentions in implementing the national security bill," Komnas HAM commissioner Siti Noor Laila said.

Earlier on Monday, Komnas HAM issued a statement opposing the national security bill, saying that if passed into law it could take the country backward to the kind of security imposed during the era of president Soeharto's authoritarian regime.

Komnas HAM chairman Otto Nur Abdullah argued that in an emergency situation, the bill could give the security authorities, the TNI in particular, tremendous powers that may result in severe operational practices.

He said that approving the bill would be akin to reviving the Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order (Kopkamtib), the highest security authority under Soeharto.

Contacted separately, TNI spokesman Rear Admiral Iskandar Sitompul denied the allegation, saying that the TNI had nothing but good intentions in helping the police to creating a conducive situation in Poso.

"There is nothing true in Siane's allegation. The military works under one command, TNI chief Admiral Agus Suhartono. He ordered us to help the police in handling [the situation in Poso]. We worked under the police's orders and none of our personnel contravened those orders," Iskandar told The Jakarta Post.

Economy & investment

Indonesia's FDI at Record $23 billion in 2012

Jakarta Globe - January 23, 2013

Dion Bisara – Foreign direct investment in Indonesia accelerated in the final quarter of last year due in part to investment in the metal, machinery and electronics industries.

FDI hit a record Rp 221 trillion ($23 billion) last year, up 26 percent from 2011, the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) announced on Tuesday. In the fourth quarter, FDI rose 23 percent to Rp 56.8 trillion ($5.9 billion) from the same period in 2011. That compared with a 22 percent gain recorded in the July-September quarter

Investment in the metal, machinery and electronics sectors reached $1.2 billion in the October-December period, while the mining sector held the second spot in investment at $1.1 billion.

The transportation, storage, and communications sectors came in third place with $900 million in investment, followed by the food industry ($600 million) and motor vehicles and other transport equipment industry ($500 million).

Chatib Basri, chairman of BKPM, said the higher trend in investment in value-added sectors was encouraging. "In order to avoid the middle-income trap, Indonesia has to put emphasis on innovation and technology, including in the resource-based sectors," Chatib said on Tuesday.

The middle-income trap refers to an economy that stagnates as it fails to move up to more value-added production. Multinational financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank have warned that the country risks falling into the trap if it fails to improve its infrastructure.

In terms of province, West Java attracted $1.2 billion in fourth quarter FDI, followed by Jakarta ($1.1 billion), Banten ($900 million), East Java ($900 million), and Papua ($500 million).

Singapore remained the biggest source of investment by country, pumping in $1.4 billion. South Korea came in second with $700 million, followed by Japan ($700 million) and the United States ($500 million).

Total investment – both foreign and domestic – increased 25 percent to Rp 313.2 trillion last year. Chatib said that this year the agency was aiming to increase investment by 38 percent to Rp 390.3 trillion.

With concerns of austerity in Europe and the fiscal problems in the United States, Chatib said that investors would prefer to put their money into emerging countries such as Indonesia, to seek higher returns than in developed nations.

"BKPM and other ministries and local governments are working together to continuously improve the service quality to the investor, simplify and speed up the license service procedure, as well as make sure the completion of infrastructure development is on schedule," Chatib said.

Business shakedowns 'hurting Indonesia's competitiveness'

Jakarta Globe - January 19, 2013

SP/Robertus Wardi – The hidden fees of doing business in Indonesia are a major factor keeping investors at bay and undermining the country's economic competitiveness, an analyst says.

Dian Revindo, a researcher with the University of Indonesia's School of Economics, said on Thursday that it was no secret that virtually all individuals and companies seeking to do business in the country had to pay illegal fees and bribes to government and regional officials.

"It's very common for businesses to have to pay some kind of fee to regional leaders depending on the value of their enterprise and their ties with the officials," he said at a discussion in Jakarta.

"The question is, where is the central government in all this? Why should a legitimate business be made to pay such illegal fees to regional authorities just to be able to do business?"

Dian said this was the kind of corrupt practice that was driving down Indonesia's global competitiveness, citing the country's constant slide down the World Economic Forum's annual Global Competitive Index since 2010.

The 2012-2013 GCI, published last September, ranked Indonesia 50th out of 144 countries, down from 46 out of 142 in the 2011-2012 GCI.

In the 2010-2011 index, Indonesia was in 44th place out of 139 countries. The report identified inefficient government bureaucracy and corruption as the two most problematic factors for doing business in the country. On the issue of "irregular payments and bribes," Indonesia ranked a lowly 111th out of 144.

Dian said the problem of illegal fees was also something that most Indonesians encountered on a regular basis, and cited as an example the process for applying for an identity card, or KTP, which is ostensibly issued without charge.

"Ordinary citizens know the frustration that comes of trying to get public services without having to pay illegal fees, which is abundantly manifest in requests by officials for 'grease money' in the process to issue a KTP," he said.

Analysis & opinion

Destroying local livelihoods with Mifee

Jakarta Globe - January 20, 2013

Brooke Nolan – At the launch of the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate project in 2010, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced that the agribusinesses involved would "feed Indonesia, then feed the world."

But the Malind Anim people of Merauke, Papua, say they are worried that the impacts of the project known as Mifee will prevent them from being able to feed their families for generations to come.

"Our rivers have been poisoned, our forests destroyed, our sago trees cut down and the animals we used to hunt killed. We've become poorer and our childrens' health suffer because of pollution from the companies," says Cornelis Tuwong, a representative for the secretariat for justice and peace from the greater diocese of Merauke.

In December, Tuwong led a group of eight Malind Anim clan leaders to the provincial capital Jayapura to seek help from Foker LSM Papua, a coalition of Papuan nongovernmental organizations, and Sawit Watch, the largest Indonesian NGO monitoring the development of palm oil plantations in the country.

The leaders hoped to gain support for their ongoing struggles over land and other natural resources with palm oil companies and agribusiness corporations now operating in Merauke under the Mifee project.

Clearing the land

Mifee is part of the central government's Masterplan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia's Economic Development (MP3EI) for 2011 to 2025. The project is valued at approximately $5 billion and aims to dramatically increase agricultural output, putting Indonesia on track toward self- sufficiency in basic foodstuffs.

During the so-called global food crisis of 2008 plans for Mifee initially began developing. Projections were made that through Mifee, 2.5 million metric tons of sugar, 2 million tons of rice, 2 million tons of corn, 937,000 tons of palm oil and 167,000 tons of soybeans would be produced, and 64,000 heads of cattle slaughtered each year.

To fulfill the ambitious Mifee aims, the Indonesian government declared that 1.2 million hectares of land would have to be cleared.

According to the 2011 Indonesia Agribusiness Report published by Business Monitor International, "the government claims that the new land will come from unforested scrubland, though considering the size of the proposed project it seems likely that natural forest would also have to be felled."

Indeed, that is precisely what has happened.

Nanang Sanjaya's documentary "Mama Malind su Hilang" ("Our Land Has Gone"), released in Bogor on Oct. 19 last year, depicts the rampant destruction not only of land, wildlife and forests but also cultural practices of the Malind Anim people.

Promises of jobs, schools and improved infrastructure have not materialized. Local nurses explain that the poisoning of fish, the destruction of sago plants and extinction of animals such as deer in the area have resulted in increased levels of malnutrition. Pollution from fertilizers and wood-chipping has caused an unprecedented number of bronchitis and asthma cases.

Interviews with indigenous people in the village of Zanegi, in the Animha district of Merauke, echo the pleas of the clan leaders led by Tuwong to Jayapura.

They say outsiders have been brought in to Merauke to work, while local people have been subjected to arbitrary detainment and violence at the hands of the police.

On Oct. 16, 2010, in a blatant attempt to intimidate those who oppose Mifee, the Merauke police reportedly arrested activists Billy Metemko, Thomas Tonggap and F.X. Sirfefa, three founding members of an organization known as Sorpatom, or the Papuan People's Solidarity in Rejecting Mifee. They were held without warrant for five hours.

Lasting impact

The Malind Anim people and other indigenous groups affected by Mifee, including the Awyu, Jair and Wambon people, are mainly sago farmers, fishermen and hunter-gatherers.

Damage to the natural environment caused by the industrial activities of agribusinesses and palm oil plantations has severely affected the health and food security of these indigenous groups.

"Metco is the biggest palm oil company in the area where I live. They've cheated us, cut down our trees and converted all the land into palm oil plantations," says Christianus Ungkujay, a clan leader from Kuel village, Elikobel district.

"The fertilizers they use have polluted the river. Now the fish are poisoned and the women have to walk at least five kilometers to get water to use at home. Our peanut, banana and sago plantations have either been cut down or died. The compensation they promised us hasn't been delivered."

Forty-six companies are now operating under the Mifee project in Merauke. Ten of these are palm oil companies, with Korindo, Tunas Sawerma and Agiprima Cipta Persada being three of the largest.

"We don't want to work for palm oil companies, we want our forest back," Ungkujay continues. "We work with iman [spiritual faith], not with modern equipment or capital. They haven't just destroyed our livelihoods, they've destroyed our culture. This is not development, this is deception. Our land belongs to our ancestors. How can we pass it on to our grandchildren now?"

Tuwong explains that some villagers in Merauke have struck deals with big companies, only to feel cheated once the transaction is completed.

"On June 1, 2012, Agiprima Cipta Persada paid the people of Marimbian village Rp 2 billion [$207,000] for land for palm oil plantations," he says.

"The people thought it was a lot of money, so they were happy. But the money was given to the leaders of the nine Marimbian clans. Then it had to be divided between all their relatives. In the end each person got between Rp 20,000 and Rp 80,000. Everyone regretted what they'd done. People were furious, but there was nothing they could do. Their land had already been taken."

Staunch resistance from local people has gone beyond protests and meetings with NGOs in Papua. The Malind Anim people have submitted their complaints to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights detailing the destruction of indigenous land, military coercion and the lack of an environmental impact assessment before the Mifee project began in Merauke.

The complaints have been forwarded to the Indonesian ambassador to the UN, who has been asked to explain the effects of transmigration on local people, the reasons why an EIA was not carried out and what measures had been taken to ensure "the free, prior and informed consent of Malind [Anim] and other indigenous peoples in Papua before carrying out the Mifee project."

The Indonesian government has not offered a response and has refused to engage in any dialogue with the UN regarding Mifee.

"The land the companies have taken is our ancestors' land. It belongs to our grandchildren," says Tuwong. "For these reasons, we reject Mifee."

Jakarta sinks

Jakarta Post Editorial - January 18, 2013

Although flooding in the capital city is a regular occurrence every rainy season, many were caught by surprise on Thursday. The capital's current flood emergency rivals the floods of 2007, when 50 died and 300,000 people fled their homes when the waters began to rise.

As happened six years ago, Jakarta was effectively paralyzed. Traffic came to a complete halt on Thursday, commuter trains had their journeys cut short and the entire TransJakarta system was closed down. Rain inundated school buildings, government offices and commercial areas, forcing students and employees to return home. Others could not even get out of their homes.

Even the Presidential office was not immune from the emergency. While flooding at the Merdeka Palace did not foil a bilateral meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his guest Argentinean President Cristina Elisabet Fernandez de Kirchner, the disaster has placed the country's reputation at stake. The President must be praying for the rain to stop before he welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Sinzo Abe on Firday.

Many residents of Jakarta were not prepared for such large-scale flooding due to a poor early warning system. Some who were reluctant to leave their belongings opted to wait for rescue workers to take them to temporary shelters.

However, the capital's ordeal may not be over just yet. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is predicting even more heavy downpours for Greater Jakarta in the coming days.

The Jakarta city administration made the right decision by declaring a state of emergency, a move that will expedite the response to the floods. The focus must remain on helping the victims. About 50,000 people have been displaced as of Thursday afternoon. They will need shelter, food, clothing, healthcare and other daily necessities.

In a time of crisis, it is not appropriate to look for scapegoats. Neither can we blame nature for this devastation. One thing is clear, however: The people of Jakarta have contributed to the current flood emergency through their ignorance and their lack of commitment to environmental preservation.

The city, for example, has allocated less than 10 percent of its land as open space – one-third the minimum requirement stipulated by spatial planning laws.

We agree with Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, who said the capital city needs a breakthrough to deal with the constant threat of floods, no matter how much the cost.

Jakarta needs a comprehensive solution with collaboration between the city and the central government to address this annual problem. The governor has proposed building a multi-function deep tunnel to channel floodwaters into the sea. However, what the city needs as soon as possible is the dredging of its principal rivers and the West Flood Canal to increase their capacity to accommodate rainwater.

The Indonesian Forum for the Environmental (Walhi) has estimated that the material losses from the 2007 flooding topped Rp 20 trillion (US$2 billion). Given that the worst is yet to come, this year's disaster might cost the capital more dearly, especially in terms of the lives lost.

Enough is enough. Seasonal flooding has brought misery to many. The city and its residents cannot let the disaster strike time and time again without anticipatory efforts, as other flood-prone cities in the world have done.

For the time being, the people of Jakarta are facing yet another test of solidarity.

Rape, too often a joke

Jakarta Post Editorial - January 16, 2013

Rape is never a joke": This phrase has spread like wildfire across social media sites since the news broke on a candidate justice joking about rape at the honorable House of Representatives. And the legislators conducting his "fit and proper" test merrily laughed along with him.

In what he described as his ice-breaker to the tense atmosphere, he had said some rape cases might involve consensual sex. "Both the victims of rape and the rapist might have enjoyed their intercourse together, so we should think twice before handing down the death penalty," M. Daming Sunusi, a career judge from Banjarmasin, East Kalimantan, said. By Tuesday afternoon, he was reported issuing a sobbing apology.

Earlier yesterday, one of the petitions demanding that the House Commission III on laws and human rights reject Daming contained more than 4,000 signatures.

The largest factions in the House – the Democratic Party, the Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) – have ordered their lawmakers to vote against Daming.

But a deep problem still engulfs the nation even if his name is crossed off the list.

When men – and even women – joke about rape, as they often do here, one wonders how they can remotely imagine the lifelong scars of a rape victim. Not surprisingly victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault rarely speak up; at best they risk ridicule, at worst they face death – or the endless threat of retaliation.

Nor is it surprising that rape victims of the May 1998 riots have never seen any measure addressing their injustice. Many are among those who died ahead of the New Order's downfall, which led to free elections – and which brought those lawmakers who treated rape as a joke to where they are now.

One of the latest victims of rape, aged 11, recently died and the perpetrator has not been found. The child of an impoverished East Jakarta family was just one of what child advocates say is an increasingly high figure of young victims of sexual assault. Another child in Bekasi, just east of here, is reportedly pregnant following a gang rape.

None of those jokers would have felt a slight connection to the massive rallies in India following the gang rape of a young woman who eventually died late last year; another gang rape followed shortly after.

What we have in common with India, apart from large-scale efforts to achieve meaningful democracy, is a violent culture hostile to some minorities, including those of "different" sexualities.

A persistent streak of misogyny, or hatred against women, is clear in interpretations of religions and customs. The display of power expressed through rape is so terrifying that the victims' names are suppressed for their own safety and that of their families – yet, the father of the first Indian victim said his late daughter should be named to help embolden other women.

Speaking up is far from easy when the woman is scrutinized and teased about what her behavior was like to expose herself to harassment or rape.

Almost 30 years ago, we ratified the UN convention to stop discrimination and violence against women. A thorough overhaul is evidently needed on what we think we grasp about what constitutes human rights.