Carlos Roy Fajarta Barus & Deti Mega Purnamasari, Jakarta – Some 200 people claiming to be residents of Pinangsia in North Jakarta protested in front of the governor's residence on Tuesday night in a show of anger over plans to evict them from their long-time homes.

The group gathered outside the home of Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama at the Pantai Mutiara housing complex in Pluit, North Jakarta, demanding the governor stop his office's plan to remove houses built illegally on the banks of Anak Ciliwung river.

Gugun, 38, one of the angry protestors, claimed to have lived in the area since 1989 and demanded a new house should the residents be evicted next Wednesday.

"We've lived there for years and now they want to evict us just like that?" he said. "We're asking for a place in flats that are located somewhere near our current house."

The people, who began to flock to the area at about 10 p.m., chanted and tried to force their way into the complex to meet the governor. The rally stopped at 12.30 a.m. after officers from the North Jakarta Police arrived and instructed the group to leave.

Basuki on Wednesday said that he would continue with the planned evictions and was not concerned about the protests. "I think it's understandable that they react in such ways, but what else can we do? We won't tolerate it and the eviction must be conducted," he said.

According to Basuki, his office had held a meeting with some of the representatives of the Pinangsia community, who eventually requested the evictions take place after the National Examination period.

"They have made a promise. Now, if we wait any longer, they will make excuses like for instance wait until after the Lebaran holiday," the governor said.

The soon-to-be-destroyed houses in Pinangsia, which stretch almost three kilometers, have existed on the banks of the Anak Ciliwung river for decades.

They have been blamed for causing flooding and traffic jams between Gunung Sahari and Ancol in North Jakarta. "Now, do you prefer some 10 million people getting in distress or relocating these people?" Basuki asked.

Basuki added that his office could not grant the Pinangsia residents' demand of housing near their current location due to possible misuse of rooms. "We have had experiences where people end up renting the rooms or leave the rooms uninhabited," said Basuki.

Basuki said he did not mind criticism of his administration's planned evictions. "I understand that this is not a popular move, but my job is not about becoming popular. My job is to make Jakarta free from floods and traffic jams," he said.

North Jakarta Mayor Rustam Effendi said that 612 households would be evicted next Wednesday. "The plan was made back in 2014 and has been postponed multiple times. We will continue communicating with the local residents and issue warning letters," Rustam said.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/jakarta/north-jakarta-residents-rally-evictions-outside-governors-house/

West Papua

Funding for MSG academy

Fiji Times - May 30, 2015

Repeka Nasiko – Police Commissioner Ben Groenewald says funding has been received from the Indonesian Government for the development of the Melanesian Spearhead Group regional police academy.

While visiting the Western Division earlier this week, Mr Groenewald said regional discussions on the progress of the academy were held recently.

"The regional police academy is part of the MSG and we had a meeting in the Solomon Islands where the chiefs of police from all MSG countries attended," he said. "We are progressing in the inter-country training through the regional police academy."

He said the Indonesian Government provided funding that would go towards the possible upgrade of the institution.

"I had a discussion with a representative from the Indonesian Government recently, and yes, they have already sponsored us. The money will be used in either building or upgrading existing accommodation for the regional police academy."

The funding comes in light of the recent support by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama towards the Asian country's bid to be included in the MSG.

While speaking to the press in Japan, Mr Bainimarama said having Indonesia as an associate member made sense given that a large population of Melanesians lived in Indonesia.

"There is a whole lot of talk about Papua but you know Papua comes under the governance of Indonesia and if you want to do anything in Papua, the best thing to do is to bring in Indonesia, no matter what," he said. "If we bring in Papua separately, it doesn't make sense."

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=307758

47 would-be protesters taken into custody

Jakarta Post - May 28, 2015

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The Jayapura Police took into custody 47 would-be protesters who were preparing for a rally in support of Papua's efforts to secure membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in Jayapura on Thursday.

"The 47 demonstrators have been taken into custody and questioned about a protest they were to carry out today. From the 47 people, we will examine who was the coordinator or mastermind of the rally and who were just followers. For the followers, we will release them after taking their fingerprints, but for the coordinator, we will process him or her further," said Jayapura Police deputy chief Comr. Albertus Andrian, adding that five out of the 47 protesters were female.

He said police arrested the 47 individuals at three gathering points, namely the Waena Expo Hall and the University of Cendrawasih campus, both in Waena, and Imbi Park, which is in Jayapura.

Albertus said the planned demonstration had not received a permit from the Jayapura Police. "Their acts are against the state apparatuses," he said.

Albertus said the police would charge the ringleader of the planned rally with violating Article 160 of Criminal Code (KUHP) on instigating people to fight against the government, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/28/47-would-be-protesters-taken-custody.html

Indonesia police arrest dozens at rallies in Papua

UCA News - May 28, 2015

Ryan Dagur, Jakarta – Police arrested at least 71 members of the pro- independence West Papua National Committee (KNPB) during two peaceful rallies on Thursday in Wamena of Jayawijaya district and Jayapura, the provincial capital of Papua.

"Forty-six activists were arrested in Jayapura – Five of them suffered serious injuries after being hit by police when they were giving speeches at the entrance to the University of Cendrawasih," Victor Yeimo, chairman of KNPB, told ucanews.com. "One was hit in the head by a rubber bullet," he added.

In Wamena, 25 activists were arrested as they were about to start their rally, he added.

The rallies were to show support for the application by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

The MSG is an intergovernmental organization comprising the states of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu, as well as the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front, a political party from New Caledonia

"What happened clearly shows that promises given to us are nothing but empty words," Yeimo said. "The president recently released five Papuan political prisoners, but such arrests continue," he said.

President Joko Widodo granted clemency to several political prisoners on May 9 during a visit to Papua.

Oktovianus Pogubau, who attended Thursday's rally in Jayapura, said the police moved in almost as soon as the rally started. "The activists were speaking. Suddenly the police came and started to hit them," he told ucanews.com.

Andreas Harsono, Indonesia researcher for the New York-based Human Rights Watch, said Widodo "has to tell his own police commanders not to criminalize peaceful speeches". "It sends the wrong message if the police keep on arresting peaceful protesters in Papua," Harsono added.

However, Brigadier-General Andogo Wiradi, deputy for data analysis and strategic information in the Presidential Office, said the arrests were part of an investigation.

"Such arrests by police often happen, not only in Papua, but elsewhere including Jakarta. Some people are arrested at protests. They will be released if no crime has been committed," he told ucanews.com.

Asked about the alleged heavy-handed approach used by police to make the arrests, he said past acts of violence meant that police had to be careful. "There have been cases in which some police personnel and soldiers have been shot dead. So the police were very cautious," Wiradi said.

Poengky Indarti, executive director of the Jakarta-based watchdog Indonesian Human Rights Monitor (Imparsial), said the situation in Papua has become more sensitive since the ULMWP's application to join MSG.

"Ordinary people support the move. On the other hand, the authorities see as an attempt to make the security situation unstable," she told ucanews.com.

Source: http://www.ucanews.com/news/indonesia-police-arrest-dozens-at-rallies-in-papua/73693

Jokowi urged to explicitly spell out Papua's media freedom

Jakarta Post - May 28, 2015

Jakarta – Human Rights Watch (HRW) deputy Asia director Phelim Kine has said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo should issue an explicit written directive spelling out Papua's new media freedoms and the obligations of government officials and security forces to respect it, otherwise he could not turn his vision into reality.

He made his comments in response to recent statements by two of Jokowi's Cabinet ministers, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, which contradicted the President's promise to lift restrictions on foreign journalists covering Papua.

"The willful ignorance or outright hostility of key ministers such as Purdijatno and Ryacudu will doom that plan unless President Jokowi addresses their obstructionism head-on," Kine said in a statement on Thursday.

The rights activist said that on May 26, or just two weeks after Jokowi signaled a shift in Indonesia's long-standing policy on media freedom in Papua, Tedjo told reporters that a team including Indonesian Military and National Police personnel would continue to tightly monitor foreign journalists who reported from Papua.

"Purdijatno defended the agency's snooping by asserting that, 'We aren't spying on them [the journalists]. We're simply monitoring their activities'," he said.

On the same day, he said, Ryamizard explained that if access to Papua was granted to journalists, it came with an obligation to produce "good reports."

"Ryacudu didn't precisely define 'good reports', but he explicitly equated foreign journalists' negative Papua reporting with 'sedition'," Kine said. "Ryacudu's solution for foreign media whose reporting displeases the government: 'We can easily expel them'," he said, quoting the minister.

Kine said that until the President issued an explicit written directive, media freedom in Papua would continue to be held hostage by those who preferred Papua's truths remained hidden rather than reported. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/28/jokowi-urged-explicitly-spell-out-papua-s-media-freedom.html

Jailed French journalist says he doubts Indonesia will lift reporting ban

ABC Radio Australia - May 28, 2015

Elodie Largenton – A French journalist who was jailed in West Papua last year for not having the correct entry permit says he doubts Indonesia will follow through with its promise to lift the region's media ban.

Indonesia's president Joko Widodo announced the end of the decades-long restriction on foreign journalists reporting on West Papua during a visit earlier this month.

Thomas Dandois, along his colleague Valentine Bourrat, was jailed for two- and-a-half months last year while in the province filming a documentary on the Papuan separatist movement.

"I think it will not change dramatically overnight," he told Radio Australia. "The reports won't please the Indonesian government. There will be things they do not want to hear."

Since Mr Widodo's announcement, a senior Indonesian official said that foreign journalists would still have to apply for permits and would be subjected to screening.

"Is West Papua definitely opened to journalists, will they be able to do their job? We don't know it yet and we must stay extremely careful about it," Mr Dandois said.

Mr Dandois has returned to France but still closely follows events in the resource rich area.

"I have the feeling that if I request a visa, I will not get it," he said. "That was the first idea that came to my mind when I heard the news. I thought, well, let's see how they will react if I ask for one."

Mr Dandois had already been in prison in Niger before his arrest in Indonesia. The father of two had vowed "not to go back into a war zone, not to take that risk." But the possibility of the ban being lifted has made him think again.

"We did not have enough for a full report. But it could be interesting, today... or a year and a half later, to complete our report by interviewing both parties," he said. "This would allow us to do a full report, not a biased one against the Indonesian government."

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-28/journalist-doubts-indonesia-will-lift-west-papua-reporting-ban/6503798

Threats detected after Papua shooting

Jakarta Post - May 28, 2015

Jakarta – The police in Papua have yet to identify those responsible for the shooting of a pro-independence leader in Nabire on Tuesday, but they detected a threat on migrants following the incident.

Papua Independence Movement (OPM) leader Leo Yogy was fatally shot in a raid on the resistance group's hideout.

"Regarding the shooting, we have yet to learn who was behind it. But a threat was detected after Leo Yogy was shot and later died," Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Patrige Renwarin said in Jayapura on Thursday.

According to police data, Leo was an OPM leader in Paniai. Police raided his hiding place and shot him on April, 30. Leo died after being treated at the Nabire regional hospital.

Tension escalated in Nabire following's Leo's death. Two other OPM leaders, Puron Wenda and Enden Wanimbo, voiced opposition to the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the police and threatened all migrants in the province.

Commenting on the threat, Patrige said it was nothing new and that the police were ready to respond to any situation and keep local residents, including migrants, safe.

"Therefore, we are using a persuasive approach with rebels. To help alleviate fear among local residents and migrants, the Mulia Police chief met with residents to create a feeling of security among them," he said as quoted by kompas.com. (rms)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/28/threats-detected-after-papua-shooting.html

Pair of soldiers taken hostage in Papua

Radio New Zealand International - May 28, 2015

An armed group in Indonesia's Papua province has reportedly taken two soldiers along with a teacher hostage in Enarotali in Paniai District.

According to a report gathered by Antara, the two soldiers and some civilians were shopping on a speed boat.

It says all the sudden a group of armed men approached and took the two soldiers and the teacher as hostages, while the others on the boat were released.

Tempo.co says the soldiers that were taken are Second Class Sergeant Lery, from Koramil Komopa, and Private Second Class Soleh, from Kostrad 303/Raider posted in Komopa Post.

The civilian taken hostage is Elda Sanadi, a teacher in Inpres Komopa elementary.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/274831/pair-of-soldiers-taken-hostage-in-papua

Benny Giay: Enden Wanimbo's 'war declaration' needs to be verified

Tabloid JUBI - May 28, 2015

Jayapura, Jubi – An alleged statement by the Commander of West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), Enden Wanimbo declaring an open war against Indonesian security forces provides ammunition for those who want violence to occur in Papua, a church leader said.

Parties seeking to take advantage of that statement might use it to get funds and justify violence against civilians in Papua, Chairman of Papua Evangelical Church Synod, Benny Giay. Civilians could become victims of that vague statement, he said.

"Those who are currently playing game take advantage of the statement, for instance to get financial support by legitimizing the security operations and strengthening the public opinion on the presence of separatists in Papua," Giay told Jubi at the Sentani Airport, Jayapura Regency this week.

He said all parties should verify the truth or whether it was really Enden Wanimbo who made the statement. "Is it true or it was just cited from other parties? We must check who spoke on behalf of him," he said.

Last week, some Indonesian media outlets reported Wanimbo's statement of war threats against the Indonesian Security Forces and non-Papua civilians. In responding the reports, Filip Karma asked Papuans to learn the reportages about Papua to verify between hoax and the fact.

"We have to learn to identify who's the journalist and who's the agitator," said Karma who recently refused a pardon from the Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (Mawel Benny/rom)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/en/2015/05/28/benny-giay-enden-wanimbos-war-declaration-needs-to-be-verified/

Indonesia should penalize reporters for biased news on Papua: Journalist

Antara News - May 27, 2015

Jakarta – The executive director of Indonesian news agency Antara, Saiful Hadi, said that Indonesia should penalize journalists, including those from abroad, who broadcast biased and imbalanced news about Papua.

"We should subject journalists to a strict penalty if they broadcast news on Papua that is based on fictive information and data," he stated here on Tuesday.

Hadi added that the penalty issue is related to the governments policy on providing foreign journalists open access to enter Papua.

The form of penalty to be given should be discussed with the Indonesian Press Council with the hope that journalists, including foreigners, maintain professionalism in their reporting.

Hadi pointed out that the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Tedjo Edhy Purdijanto had also said that the foreign journalists would be allowed enter Papua and West Papua on the condition that they avoid slander that tarnishes Indonesias image.

One way to reduce reporting biased news is to improve the abilities of public relations officers of local administrations so journalists get valid information and data, he suggested. "This way, news about Papua will be balanced and positive," Hadi affirmed.

Imbalanced reporting was one of the reasons the Indonesian government severely limited the arrival of foreign journalists to Papua, besides safety factors and indications of support for the separatist movement in the province.

"The provinces of Papua and West Papua are part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and the subject is no longer debatable, according to the UN General Assembly Resolution Number 2504 of November 19, 1969," he emphasized.

Moreover, regarding the sanctions for domestic and foreign journalists, the Indonesian Press Council encourages people to take action in accordance with the code of ethics and Law Number 40 of 1999 on the press.

"We have put forward the right to answers and correction," a member of the press council I Made Ray Karuna Wijaya said.

The Indonesian government has given freedom to foreign journalists to cover all areas of Papua, including the Papua and West Papua provinces. This policy was announced by President Joko Widodo on Sunday, May 10, long after Indonesia prevented foreign reporters from covering Papua.

Source: http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/99071/indonesia-should-penalize-reporters-for-biased-news-on-papua-journalist

Victor Yeimo: OPM threats of war were exaggerated

Tabloid JUBI - May 27, 2015

Jayapura, Jubi – The Chairman of West Papua National Committee (KNPB), Victor Yeimo, said threats of an open war allegedly made by OPM leaders Enden Wanimbo and Puron Wenda were exaggerated.

"It was intentionally blown up by the Indonesian media. It's an intelligence operation to dismiss and obscure the peaceful struggle of West Papuan people in their support for the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) to become a member of Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG)," Yeimo told Jubi on Tuesday (26/5/2015).

Further, he said the claims were an attempt to cover up the murders, intimidation and arrests against the West Papuans in their current nonviolent activities.

"As usual, the paid journalists have been used as countered. Their used a tactic to manipulate the issue of West Papua's struggle to become a member of MSG with violence. Therefore it becomes a reason for MSG to refuse the ULMWP's application," added Yeimo.

Yeimo explained the declaration of war by OPM leaders in any Papuan regions wasn't new. Without the declaration, the Papua Free Movement and Indonesian Security Forces in Papua are actually at war at any place and any time. "I hope the West Papuan people to keep focus on the current agenda of the national struggle," said Yeimo.

The Papuan figure Filep Karma who is serving 15 years in prison for raising the morning star flag in 2004 earlier told the news was a hoax blown up by media.

"We have to be careful. It's a hoax blown up by journalists. We don't know what the purpose is and who's behind it. We have to learn to identify who's the real journalist and who's the agitator," Filep Karma told Jubi on Monday (25/5/2015). (Victor Mambor/rom)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/en/2015/05/27/victor-yeimo-opm-threats-of-war-were-exaggerated/

Vote for West Papua is the message to the government

Solomon Star News - May 27, 2015

Charles Kadamana – Hundreds of Solomon Islanders demonstrated their support for West Papua with an appeal for the government to consider West Papua a full member of the Melanesia Spearhead Group, during a peaceful rally last Friday.

West Papua through the United Liberation Movement for West Papua will made an application for membership when the MSG leaders meet in Honiara next month.

Leaders from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji will attend the meeting and their votes are import for the West Papua cause.

With that intention, Solomon Islands Solidarity for West Papua (SISWP) group staged the peaceful rally to get the government's attention to West Papua's struggles. The message during the rally was loud and clear and that is for MSG leaders to vote for West Papua.

Representative of the Secretary of the SISWP Reverend Mark Graham said the rally goes back to a one day Pacific Conference of Churches held in Honiara on March 20.

He said Solomon Islands Solidarity for West Papua Freedom was born out of the conference to create a link with the government with the intention to inform the leaders and government of the situation of West Papua.

"It is important that our leaders are well versed with the situation in West Papua particularly on the issues of justice and their struggle for freedom."

He said they have written a letter to the Prime Minister on April 7 to consider the application of West Papua and on April 12, they also wrote a letter to all MPs for the same reason.

He said the peaceful rally yesterday was a public demonstration and an appeal to the current government to consider West Papua to become a member of the MSG. He said the most of those that took part in the rally were USP students thus encouraging to see young generations standing up for justice.

"We felt that the time is right to inform the government of the plights of West Papua because when the Prime Minister was in the opposition seat, he was vocal about West Papua. "Now that he is the Prime Minister, it is important for him to be informed of the cries of West Papua and should give a big yes," he said.

Rev Graham said West Papua is part of Melanesia therefore it is not right to stand and watch our own people tortured and killed or pushed around. He acknowledged the presence of the Police and the behaviour of those who partook in yesterday's rally.

"I think, the police commissioner's decision to allow the rally was great understanding on his part and that of the police and shows the ability to weigh issues of risk to the society.

"The behaviour and good peaceful demonstration also demonstrated the same reciprocal token of responsibility by the group to police that such activities are done with good intentions."

Source: http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/7090-vote-for-west-papua-is-the-message-to-the-government

One dead, five injured in Papua shooting by unknown gunmen

Jakarta Globe - May 27, 2015

Robertus Wardhy, Jayapura – Five local residents have been injured and one killed during a shooting by unknown gunmen at a house in Puncak Jaya district, Paupa, on Tuesday night.

Sr. Comr. Patrige Renwarin, a spokesman for the Papua Police, told the Jakarta Globe that the shooting took place at 11 p.m. at the family home of a Papuan civilian named Jufri Tandi Payung

Pengga Anumbi, 31, died after being shot in the head while five others, Suryanto Tandi Payung, 26, Alfret Tandi Payung, 28, Yulianus Tandidatu, 32, Yogi Gerang, 21, and Marten Tandi Payung, 39, were wounded on their hands and legs.

"The victims were evacuated at 11:20 p.m. to Mulia Regional Hospital in Puncak Jaya to get treatment," Patrige said.

The police have not yet identified the assailants, but are investigating the incident, he added. Patrige said the situation is secure and called on local residents to remain vigilant.

"The people were a bit worried. However, police officers have urged them the remain calm and aware, and also asked them to contact the police if they receive irregular information," said Patrige.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/one-dead-five-injured-papua-shooting-unknown-gunmen/

Jokowi's ministers reluctant to open up Papua

Jakarta Post - May 27, 2015

Tama Salim & Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo may have confidently ordered his Cabinet ministers and the security apparatus to open up Papua to foreign journalists, but his ministers appear unenthusiastic about overturning decades-long policy on restricted media access.

Coordinating Political, Legal & Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno said the government would maintain its controversial "clearance house" team, which scrutinized the visits of foreign journalists to Papua. It recently changed its name to the Monitoring Team for Foreign Journalists in Indonesia.

The team, consisting of 12 government ministries and agencies, as well as the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police, will retain its previous functions despite the name change.

"[What the team does is] monitor the journalists' movements. If for instance, they enter dangerous territory, we'd be able to watch over them so no one ends up missing," Tedjo said on Tuesday.

The President announced his policy on May 10 while visiting the rebellious provinces of Papua and West Papua. The area has been closed to international media coverage for several decades on the basis that the presence of journalists there will endanger security and stability in the country's eastern most provinces.

The government also practiced such a policy in Aceh during the civil war there and in East Timor (now Timor Leste), when the latter was still under Indonesia's control. "We aren't spying on them [the journalists]. We're simply monitoring their activities," Tedjo said.

He added that local law and security enforcers were responsible for the safety of foreign journalists venturing into the area, but maintained that the government's prerogative was to protect national interests.

"Foreign journalists should still respect Indonesia as a sovereign country with its own set of laws and regulations," he said.

Separately, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu expanded on the government's policy of opening up the Papua region to foreign journalists.

Ryamizard told a press briefing on Tuesday that the Jokowi administration was committed to such a policy as long as foreign journalists helped to communicate Indonesia's interests. "We will support them if they produce good reports, but we can easily expel them if they are found commiting sedition," said Ryamizard.

Meanwhile, University of Indonesia international law expert Hikmahanto Juwana was hopeful that international press coverage could help eliminate the negative perceptions of Indonesia, especially on Papua-related issues.

"There should not be any discrimination. Foreign journalists and media outlets are subject to sanctions from the Indonesian Press Council if found guilty of violating the journalistic code of ethics," Hikmahanto explained. "Just because they are foreign journalists, it doesn't mean they get special treatment."

2009: Police arrested four Dutch journalists in Papua for covering a rally marking the return of Free Papua Organization (OPM) cofounder Nicholas Jouwe after 40 years in exile in the Netherlands. They are Gabriela Babette, Peter Mariaw Smith and Ronald Wigman are from the channel NRC TV. The fourth, Elske Schouten, is the Jakarta-based correspondent of the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad.

2010: Two French television journalists, Baudouin Koenig and Carole Lorthiois, were detained in Papua after filming a human rights rally by some 100 students. 2014: French journalists Thomas Dandois and Valentine Bourrat were arrested and jailed for not having the proper permits to report in Papua. The journalists were caught trying to make a documentary on a Papuan separatist movement.

On Oct. 24, 2014, the Jayapura District Court convicted Dandois and Bourrat of visa abuse and sentenced them to two months and 15 days in jail. The two journalists have been detained since Aug. 6.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/27/jokowi-s-ministers-reluctant-open-papua.html

New military command slammed

Jakarta Post - May 27, 2015

Jayapura – Human rights activists have opposed the presence of a military command in West Papua, later named as the Kasuari/XVIII Military Command, as it is against the Papua Special Autonomy Law, especially on regional security.

"Articles 48 and 49 of Law No. 21/2001 on Papua Special Autonomy regulate on security in Papua by the police. The West Papua Police are now present in West Papua, so the presence of the military command is not too urgent should it be intended for security," said human rights activist Yan Warinussy in Manokwari, West Papua, on Tuesday.

Warinussy said that based on reports from human rights activists, there were many indications the military had committed violence against civilians, so the new military command would not give a sense of justice to Papuans.

Separately, Indonesian Military (TNI) Army chief of staff Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo failed to lay the cornerstone for the construction of the Kasuari/XVIII Military Command in Arfai village, South Manokwari, on Tuesday as West Papua Governor Bram O. Atururi was not available in Manokwari.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/27/islands-focus-new-military-command-slammed.html

Journalism education crucial for Papuans: Indonesian Press Council

Antara News - May 26, 2015

Jakarta – Journalism education is important for Papuans, now that foreign journalists and international organizations have been given open access to Papua and West Papua, the Indonesian Press Council said.

"It is important to ensure that Papuan people are educated about ways to defend their rights from unbalanced news," a member of the Indonesian Press Council, I Made Ray Karuna Wijaya, said after speaking at a seminar on "Opening Access to Journalists to Enter Papua" here on Tuesday.

Wijaya wants Papuan people to be able to report directly to the press council if they are harmed by foreign and national media. In addition, Papuan people must also be aware that they have the right to contact the media directly.

"Everyone has the right to hold a dialogue with the media, from the head of the region to government officials, tribe leaders and community members," he affirmed.

The Indonesian Press Council itself refused to bring the issue of unbalanced reporting to the criminal realm. The agency encouraged people to act in accordance with Law Number 40 of 1999 on the press and journalistic code of ethics. "We have to put forward the right of reply and correction," he stated.

Therefore, Wijaya urged national and foreign journalists who wish to cover Papua to be mature. "Journalists in all countries follow the same code of ethics," he emphasized.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo had ordered the TNI and the National Police to stop using repressive security approaches in Papua. The president also stressed on the need to engage in a dialogue with Papuan people as one of the key measures to build mutual trust. (Uu.A063/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/99065/journalism-education-crucial-for-papuans-indonesian-press-council

Foreign journalists in Papua must abide by Indonesian laws: Minister

Antara News - May 26, 2015

Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno asserted that foreign journalists who wish to cover Papua should abide by the laws of Indonesia.

"As a sovereign country, Indonesia has laws and territorial sovereignty. Foreign journalists should abide by the rules that apply in Indonesia," Purdijatno said at a seminar on "Providing Open Access to Papua for Foreign Journalists" here on Tuesday.

The minister remarked that providing open access to journalists to enter Papua was a strategic policy and that it will help to establish a positive image of Indonesia in the international community.

"It can change the idea the international community has of Papua. The message that violence and violations of human rights do not happen in Papua can be disseminated," Purdijatno pointed out.

In addition, he believes that there are parties who deliver negative information about human rights violations in Papua. Therefore, any foreign journalists wanting to cover Papua must follow legal procedures such as immigration laws.

Foreign journalists intending to report on Papua are required to fill out permission request forms and submit a letter of assignment from their respective media houses.

Purdijatno also explained that clearance house was essentially to preserve national interests and national sovereignty. "For a while, the term "clearance house" was renamed to the foreign monitoring team of Indonesia that had the same duties and functions," he added.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo had ordered the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police to stop using repressive security approaches in Papua. The president also stressed on the need to engage in a dialogue with Papuan people as one of the key measures to build mutual trust.

With regard to providing open access to foreign journalists and international organizations to enter Papua and West Papua, Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives Tantowi Yahya lauded the governments step to resolve the problems occurring in Papua. "It is a good motive to handle the problems in Papua," he said.

Moreover, Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives Mahfudz Siddiq stated that the TNI should not be provoked by the OPM that challenges it to wage a war. "The TNI must promote smart power through the optimization of intelligence operations in handling the OPM," Siddiq remarked here on Monday.

Siddiq pointed out that the Indonesian government should pay serious attention to the region, which is prone to political and military conflicts.

He strongly believes that the OPM wants to incite the Indonesian government into using hard power to handle the separatist movement. "Because the OPM will take a lot of advantage," he noted.

Siddiq emphasized that the problems in Papua cannot be separated from the interests of foreign actors. Therefore, he called on the Indonesian government and the TNI to not be provoked by the OPM. (Uu.A063/INE/KR- BSR/A014)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/99064/foreign-journalists-in-papua-must-abide-by-indonesian-laws-minister

They knew I once refused a pardon, says Filep Karma

Tabloid JUBI - May 25, 2015

Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan independence activist Filep Karma who recently rejected a pardon offered by Indonesian President Joko Widodo firmly said the genture wasn't new for him.

"They (the Government of Indonesia) also knew that I have rejected a pardon once," Karma, the chairman of West Papua Political Prisoners' Forum, told Jubi on Saturday (23/5/2015).

Before Jokowi granted a pardon in early May, Papuan political prisoners have rejected the offer from former Indonesian President Soesilo Bambang Yoedhoyono (SBY) in 2013 through an official letter sent on 27 May 2013. In the letter, they stated they do not need being released but wanted Papua to be liberated of from the Republic of Indonesia. All political prisoners signed the letter including Filep Karma.

According to Karma, it's more important to demand Jokowi release 90 political prisoners in Papua and Maluku through amnesty and abolition program. "I also want to see his decision to open access for international media in Papua is proven," Karma said.

He also thought the pardon that recently granted to five Papuan political prisoners is not synergetic with the attitude and the act of the security forces in Papua who actually the president's subordinate. The security forces are still arresting and detaining the Papuan activists who involved in peace demonstration and even criminalized them. "Criminalization against the West Papua National Committee is also occurred until now," said Karma who's prisoned for eleven years.

The church figure in Papua, Benny Giay earlier said that Karma was offered a position as a member of the president's expert staff if he requested a pardon to the President Jokowi. According to him, this offer was directly delivered by Judith Dipodiputro, a member of Jokowi's Papua Working Group when visited Karma at Abepura Prison.

"I came to Abepura Prison to visit Filep Karma. At the same time, Judith Dipodiputro talked to him. She asked him to write a letter to the President Jokowi," Giay said on Friday (22/5/2015).

Karma told Jubi on Thursday (7/5/2015) he would never write a letter to the Indonesian president for his release or saying gratitude for Jokowi's decision to release the Papuan political prisoners. "If he wanted to grant an amnesty, thank you then. But we never ask or beg for it. Moreover to write a letter of request for exemption and grateful," he said.

He also admitted he met the president's ambassador to talk about his released and he was asked to write a letter. "I was asked to write a letter. I don't what is for about. But I will never write a letter to ask or beg for my release," stressed Karma. (Victor Mambor/rom)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/en/2015/05/25/they-knew-i-once-refused-a-pardon-says-filep-karma/

Fijian PM supports Indonesia's move to become MSG associate member

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation - May 25, 2015

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has supported Indonesia's bid to become an associate member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

PACNEWS reports Bainimarama confirmed that having Indonesia as an associate member made sense given the population in Papua is more than 11 million Melanesian people in Indonesia.

Voreqe Bainimarama says Fiji will not interfere in Indonesia's sovereignty saying Papua comes under the governance of Indonesia and for anything to do with Papua – the best thing to do is to bring in Indonesia.

He adds Indonesia will continue to do what it wants to do and hearing talks of assault, human rights abuses – the best thing to do is to bring in Indonesia as an associate member of the MSG.

He also says the issue of alleged human rights abuse by Indonesia will best to be dealt with if Indonesia is allowed in the MSG bloc.

Bainimarama adds that at the end of the day, Papua comes under the sovereignty of Indonesia and the last thing Fiji wants to do is to interfere with someone else's sovereignty.

The Prime Minister believes if they talk to Indonesia about some of these allegations they will do something about it.

It is expected a decision on the issue will be decided when the Melanesian Leaders will meet in Solomon Islands in July. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill earlier this month backed a move by Indonesia to become an associate member of the MSG.

Source: http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/29766/fijian-pm-supports-indonesia's-move-to-become-msg-associate-member

Government urged to pull security personnel out of Papua

Jakarta Post - May 25, 2015

Jakarta – Papuan students called on the government to withdraw all security personnel and stop the ongoing construction of military and police infrastructure in the country's easternmost province.

Papua's Central Highland Students Association (AMPTPI) secretary-general Januarius Lagowan said Papuan students opposed the development of the police's Mobile Brigade base in Wamena, Jayawijaya.

Markus Haluk, cofounder of AMPTPI, said the government should withdraw all security personnel from the resource-rich province because the security approach was no longer effective in maintaining security and political stability in the province and had triggered public unrest.

"The social welfare approach mentioned by the government is just lip service, since violence and shootings still happen in the province," he said as quoted by kompas.com.

He called on the government to hold talks with Papuans to identify major problems and settle them peacefully to create a sense of security among the people and improve their welfare. (rms)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/25/govt-urged-pull-security-personnel-out-papua.html

Engage with Indonesia over Papua: Bainimarama

Radio New Zealand International - May 25, 2015

Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama says engagement with Indonesia is the best way to handle issues of abuse in the Indonesia region of Papua.

The Fiji Sun reports Mr Bainimarama as saying there is a lot of concern about what is happening in Papua with talks of assault and human rights abuses. But he says at the end of the day it was an issue of Indonesia's sovereignty.

He says the best thing to do is to make Indonesia an associate member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group and it did not make sense to bring in Papua separately. Mr Bainimarama says he is sure if Indonesia was engaged about some of the allegations it would do something about it.

The prime minister was speaking to the media after a meeting of Pacific leaders in Japan.

Last month, the chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Victor Tutugoro, said a special summit was planned for May 21st to examine the membership bid of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, but the meeting failed to take place.

The bid for membership was formally submitted to the MSG secretariat in February after an earlier attempt by the West Papuans was rejected because the MSG didn't consider the application to be representative of the Indonesian province.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/274530/engage-with-indonesia-over-papua-bainimarama

Human rights & justice

Time to set record straight: Megawati

Jakarta Post - May 29, 2015

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chair Megawati Soekarnoputri has called for nationwide soul- searching, especially by examining what really transpired during the 1965 anticommunist purge.

Speaking at an event organized by the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) on Thursday, Megawati, who was the country's fifth president, emphasized the crucial need for people to view critically what she described as "a painful chapter in the country's history".

"I am a living witness of the 1965 [purge]. This country went through psychological turmoil because we were influenced by what happened," Megawati said. Furthermore, the country had yet to recover, she went on, from the trauma caused by the events.

"The incident left a scar on the heart of the people. But we have the choice to fix the past and set the country back on track. [...] I choose to face the future and repair the past," she said. Megawati did not elaborate, but encouraged her audience to ponder "what really happened in 1965".

The former president was invited as the sole speaker at the lecture, which was arranged as part of a series of events to celebrate Lemhanas' 50th anniversary.

In addition to her reflection on the events of 1965, Megawati also touched on a range of topics from traditional Padang cuisine to the chaotic political situation ahead of the local elections set for Dec. 9. "I am confused by the discussions on local elections – we seem to be unprepared," she said.

Megawati also shared her thoughts on the need for Indonesian students to receive education in Eastern European countries, such as Russia, instead of Western nations, especially the United States.

Regarding Lemhanas, Megawati called on the institution to be more open to the public, particularly to younger people from various backgrounds of expertise.

"Lemhanas can be a guiding star in the effort to chart the course of the country, because most people in the country have no clue about where the country is heading. Many are asking whether we are heading toward liberalism or socialism," she said. Lemhanas could step in to provide assistance in setting the course, Megawati said.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) declared on Monday that the systematic prosecution of alleged members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) after the failed 1965 coup was a gross human rights violation. The commission urged that military officials involved in the purge be brought to trial. The purge paved the way for the military to seize power from then president Sukarno, Megawati's father. Sukarno died five years after the purge, having been placed under house arrest by his successor, Soeharto.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/29/time-set-record-straight-megawati.html

Indonesia needs formal law to protect human rights activists: Komnas HAM

Jakarta Post - May 29, 2015

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has called on the government to make a regulation to ensure the safety of human rights activists after an escalation in cases of violence against them, which, according to Komnas HAM, employs patterns used during the New Order era.

Komnas HAM said that complaints over violations against rights activists reported to the institution centered on violations of freedoms of speech and assembly, which hampered activists in further advocating the rights of the public.

Komnas HAM identified three measures often employed by government officials, in particular the police, to hamper the work of human rights activists, namely criminalization, arbitrary detention and murder.

"These are patterns that were widely used to intimidate activists during the New Order regime. The adoption of such acts in this democratic era is regretful," Komnas HAM commissioner Siti Noor Laila said on Friday.

"Komnas HAM thus will endorse stipulations to ensure the protection of rights defenders in an amendment of the 1999 law on human rights," she added.

Komnas HAM data reveals that intimidation of rights activists took place mostly in the easternmost province of Papua. Of the 22 incidents reported to the rights commission, five took place in the conflict-prone region.

Meanwhile, an escalation in cases of intimidation against rights activists occurred in West Java, East Java, South Sulawesi, Yogyakarta and North Sumatra provinces.

The national rights body is currently investigating the murder of environmentalist Jopi Peranginangin in a nightclub in Jakarta last week, in addition to the arrest of four activists promoting human rights in West Papua.

The lack of a strict regulation to protect activists in their work has allowed the recurrence of violence against them, Komnas HAM says. "And this puts democracy under a serious threat," Komnas HAM chief Nur Kholis stressed.(hhr)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/29/ri-needs-formal-law-protect-human-rights-activists-komnas-ham.html

Kontras blasts government on abuses

Jakarta Post - May 27, 2015

Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), a human rights NGO, has lambasted the government's recent decision to opt for a non-judicial mechanism to resolve past human rights abuses, saying that it will fail to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO), along with a number of institutions, including the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), decided last week to settle the past cases through reconciliation, citing complexities in proceeding with legal measures.

Kontras coordinator Haris Azhar said that instead of reconciliation, the government should set up an ad hoc human rights court to resolve cases of past violations as it would provide "legal certainty" for the victims.

"The government should issue a presidential decree to establish an ad hoc human rights court," Haris said, referring to Law No. 26/2000 on human rights courts. Article 43 of the law stipulates that gross human rights violations that took place before the enactment of the law should be tried at an ad hoc human rights court.

He added that the government should urge the AGO and Komnas HAM to press ahead with their investigations into the cases. "There should also be a presidential instruction for Komnas HAM and the AGO to continue their investigations." Haris said.

Following years of investigations, Komnas HAM reported seven unresolved cases of past human rights abuses.

The cases are the 1989 Talangsari massacre, the enforced disappearance of anti-Soeharto activists in 1997-1998, the Trisakti University shootings, the Semanggi I and II shootings in 1998 and 1999, the mysterious killings of alleged criminals in the 1980s, the communist purge of 1965-1966 and abuses in Wasior in 2001 and Wamena in 2003, both in Papua.

Komnas HAM has submitted the results of its years-long investigations to the AGO for further investigations, but to no avail because of a prolonged debate over technical issues.

Attorney General M. Prasetyo previously said that efforts to proceed with legal measures to settle past rights abuse cases had faced stumbling blocks, making the planned reconciliation committee the "best possible solution".

"We opted for a non-judicial approach as there are many cases that took place long ago. We have found it difficult to collect evidence, contact witnesses and find the perpetrators for such old cases," Prasetyo said.

Haris said that Prasetyo's statements were baseless as the AGO had never followed up on Komnas HAM's reports with further investigations. He also said Komnas HAM had been weak in defending its reports and pushed for a judicial mechanism.

"Komnas HAM has been unable to defend its own findings. It has taken a pragmatic approach with this reconciliation move." (alm)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/27/kontras-blasts-govt-abuses.html

Komnas HAM criticized for support of reconciliation commission

Jakarta Post - May 27, 2015

Jakarta – A number of NGOs and families of victims of gross human rights violations have criticized the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), which is supporting and promoting the establishment of a reconciliation commission that they deem will be unaccountable.

Speaking in a joint press statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, they say Komnas HAM has a mandate to investigate rights violations instead of actively supporting and promoting the establishment of a reconciliation commission.

"The reconciliation commission is no more than an effort to preserve impunity as such a commission has no clear legal basis. Its work targets and position in Indonesian jurisprudence are not clear either," said the NGOs and the victim families who were united in a number of groups.

They include the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) and the Association of May 1998, the Murder Victims' Research Foundation (YPKP 65), the Struggle for Rehabilitation of New Order Regime Victims Association (LPR-KROB), the Association of Families of Talangsari Lampung Victims. Other associations include the Union of the Tanjung Priok Victims' Families (Ikkapri), the Families of 1997/1998 Forced Dissappearance Victims, the Families of Semanggi II Victims and the Families of 1965/1966 Tragedies.

They condemned both the actions and stance of Komnas HAM commissioners for the period of 2012-2017, who they said have been actively involved in the establishment of the reconciliation commission President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's administration has initiated.

They said such support was a proof that Komnas HAM had participated in attempts to simplify the settlement of gross human rights violations in Indonesia, namely through reconciliation, in which the state and victims were pushed to forgive each other, without anyone being held accountable. The NGOs said the investigation mandate stipulated in Law No.26/2000 on human rights tribunals had been manipulated for the sake of political compromise.

Therefore, the NGOs said, they strongly rejected Komnas HAM's stance and statement, which supported the establishment of a reconciliation committee under the Attorney General's Office.

"It's just a form of Komnas HAM's escape from its inability to defend the work of its commissioners in the previous periods," they said. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/27/komnas-ham-criticized-support-reconciliation-commission.html

Labour & migrant workers

Nearly 50,000 factory workers lose their jobs

Jakarta Post - May 27, 2015

Linda Yulisman and Hasyim Widhiarto, Jakarta – Nearly 50,000 factory workers have been dismissed in recent weeks as the country's economic slowdown has begun to pinch the country's labor intensive industries.

Around 200 footwear manufacturers in Tangerang, Bandung and Surabaya have laid off about 40,000 workers so far, according to the Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo). In addition, 120 textile producers in Bandung regency, West Java, took similar measures, firing at least 6,300 workers, according to the Indonesian Textile Association (API).

The business groups said Tuesday that the firms, mostly small and medium enterprises, had been hurt by domestic sales plunging significantly as people's purchasing power weakened on the back of an economic slowdown.

Indonesia's economy decelerated to 4.71 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the first quarter, its slowest pace in nearly six years, partly due to lower domestic consumption.

Aprisindo chairman Eddy Widjanarko said that shoemakers' sales dropped by nearly 50 percent in the first quarter due to a decline in orders in the local market. The decline continued in April and no signs of recovery were expected in the coming months, he added.

"Normally, we produce a lot ahead of Idul Fitri as demand rises. But, now we are stopping operation because stocks are piling up in warehouses," he told The Jakarta Post. Demand for shoes and clothing usually increases a month ahead of Idul Fitri, which will fall on July 17-18 this year.

Eddy further said that the current wave of layoffs could last longer than usual, with the impact likely to be felt within eight months.

Similarly, API chairman Ade Sudrajat had said textile firms trimmed production time from seven days to just three days as a result of weak sales. Sales slumped by more than 40 percent in the January-April period from the past year. "We are really shocked by this situation. Our warehouses are full because we cannot sell," he said.

A recent Nielsen survey revealed that more than half of Indonesians considered the country currently "in a recession".

Although they still maintained an optimistic outlook on personal finances and job prospects, they tended to forgo purchases of "less important items", including clothes and electronic devices, while prioritizing other personal needs, such as groceries and financial services.

Both Eddy and Ade agreed that in the short term the government should take immediate measures to shore up people's purchasing power, such as by accelerating government spending to finance various projects.

The Industry Ministry's director general for chemical, textile and miscellaneous industry, Harjanto, played down the layoffs, saying that the situation was only seasonal and solely affected producers that focused on the domestic market.

"This only happened in the first quarter. We hope there will be an improvement in the second quarter as the government disburses its budget, which can boost people's purchasing power," he said, citing the disbursement of village funds that totaled Rp 20.7 trillion (US$1.57 million) as a factor to stimulate domestic consumption.

Separately, Manpower Minister Muhammad Hanif Dhakiri said he had learned about the layoffs from media reports and had asked the director general for industrial relations and social security to investigate the matter.

However, he said that as of Tuesday, the ministry still could not determine whether the layoffs indicated an alarming trend for workers.

"Our investigation will determine whether the layoffs can be considered an isolated case faced by particular companies or a problem faced by a certain industry, for example, labor intensive industries," he told the Post after a meeting with the House of Representatives.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/27/nearly-50000-factory-workers-lose-their-jobs.html

Political parties & elections

Independent candidates racing against time

Jakarta Post - May 30, 2015

Hasyim Widhiarto, Jakarta – With only a couple of weeks remaining before the kickoff of the initial stage of simultaneous regional head elections, individuals aspiring to run as independent candidates have stepped up efforts to garner a minimum amount of public support for their nominations.

Semarang-based Soegijapranata Catholic University lecturer Djoko Setijowarno, 51, who is planning to run as an independent candidate for the upcoming mayoral election in the Central Java city, said he had been collecting signatures and copies of electronic identity cards (e-KTP) from local residents with help from his students and campaign volunteers.

"According to the rules, I will need to collect official support from at least 105,000 Semarang residents to be able to participate in the mayoral election. It means that I will need around 600 signatures from every subdistrict in the city," Djoko told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Despite his recent entry into politics, Djoko, who is known as a transportation expert, said he did not feel nervous about competing against more experienced politicians.

"As a newbie, I have an advantage as a 'clean candidate' in front of the public. They will see me as carrying no political sins," Djoko said, adding that he was confident about being able to submit enough public support for his nomination to the local General Elections Commission (KPUD) next month.

Michael Remizaldy Jacobus, who is campaigning for the mayoral candidacy in Bitung, North Sulawesi, shared a similar view.

After declaring his candidacy last week, the 34-year-old lawyer turned politician and his campaign volunteers spent several days meeting local residents and collecting their endorsements.

Michael has also relied on social media to attract young voters to support his candidacy, which will need backing from at least 20,000 local residents to be considered official by the KPUD.

"Collecting 25,000 ID cards is actually an impossible mission, but not for God: Nothing is impossible," Michael recently told his supporters through his official Facebook account.

As many as 269 provinces, regencies and municipalities, or half of the total number in the country, are slated to simultaneously hold regional elections in December. It will be the first time in Indonesia's history that citizens in hundreds of regions elect their governors, regents and mayors concurrently. The system has been deemed a breakthrough that could save time and money.

According to the 2015 Local Elections Law, independent candidates are required to gather the signatures and copies of ID cards of at least 10 percent of local residents to be able to participate in a local election held in a province with a population of fewer than 2 million, or in a city with fewer than 250,000 residents.

Those who are running in a province with a population of 2 million to 6 million, or in a city with 250,000-500,000 residents, meanwhile, must garner support from at least 8.5 percent of local people, and those running in a province with a population of 6 million to 12 million, or in a city inhabited by between 500,000 and 1 million residents, will need support from at least 7.5 percent of local people.

Independent candidates in a province with a population of more than 12 million, or in a city with more than 1 million residents, must collect endorsements from at least 6.5 percent of local residents.

These requirements, however, are stricter than those for previous local elections, which required independent candidates to collect support from 3 percent to 6.5 percent of the local population.

Political analyst Ikhsan Darmawan from the University of Indonesia's Center for Development and Political Studies, however, did not see the new requirements as a violation of the principles of democracy.

"With party elites controlling the nomination of candidates in local elections, independent candidates emerge as alternative figures for voters. A stricter requirement, however, will help ensure that only highly qualified individuals are able to run [as independent candidates]," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/30/independent-candidates-racing-against-time.html

Golkar foes make truce

Jakarta Post - May 31, 2015

Hasyim Widhiarto, Jakarta – After months of bickering the two factions in the Golkar Party agreed Saturday to sign a temporary peace agreement to make sure that the country's second-largest political party would be able to run in the upcoming local elections.

Following a prolonged leadership dispute between two camps led by Aburizal Bakrie and Agung Laksono, Golkar was on the verge of losing the opportunity to nominate candidates for Indonesia's first-ever concurrent local elections for regional heads, scheduled for Dec. 6.

Due to disagreements over who would take over the party last year, Aburizal and Agung were separately elected as Golkar chairman in two different national congresses and have since competed against each other in legal disputes to secure governmental recognition of their leadership.

This schism made it impossible for the party to offer official endorsement to regional candidates to register with the Provincial General Elections Commission (KPUD) during the registration period July 26-28.

After negotiations facilitated by Vice President Jusuf Kalla over the past few weeks, Aburizal and Agung agreed on Saturday to reconcile.

In a meeting held at the Vice President's official residence in Central Jakarta, Aburizal and Agung, along with their respective secretaries- generals, Idrus Marham and Zainudin Amali, signed a four-point reconciliation document that says the two factions will prioritize a few key goals: participating in the upcoming local elections, forming a joint candidate-selection team, endorsing candidates who meet certain criteria and ensuring that the documents to nominate Golkar candidates are signed by the party leadership recognized by the General Elections Commission (KPU).

In his opening remarks before the signing, Kalla said the reconciliation was necessary to save Golkar from downfall.

"We should see Golkar not only as the country's past but also its future. This meeting will unite us again under a mutual platform," he said.

Both Aburizal and Agung, who were accompanied by dozens of their supporters during the meeting, welcomed the agreement but insisted that their reconciliation was "temporary" and for "limited" purposes only.

"The [leadership] dispute hasn't ended yet as the basic problem still exists. Just let the court settle it," Agung said.

Aburizal had a similar view, adding that the agreement would at least secure the party's participation in local elections despite the ongoing leadership dispute.

"With this agreement, we are expecting to see our candidates able to immediately sign up [with the KPUD]," he said. According to the 2015 Local Elections Law, to be able to nominate a candidate for a local election in a particular region, a political party, or a coalition of political parties, must control at least 20 percent of the seats in the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), or garner at least 25 percent of the total votes in a given region.

On May 18, following an appeal by Aburizal's camp at the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) over the issuance of a decree from the law and human rights minister, which recognized Agung's leadership, the court invalidated the decree.

The ministry responded by filing an appeal with the Supreme Court.

Both camps, however, said that the absence of a final and binding court ruling on Golkar leadership would not hamper the party's joint efforts to select candidates for local elections.

"For example, we will use a popularity survey as an objective tool to assess the prospective candidates," former minister Sharif Cicip Sutarjo, one of Aburizal's deputy chairmen, told The Jakarta Post.

Earlier on Saturday, KPU chairman Husni Kamil Manik reiterated that the KPU would not postpone the kickoff of the simultaneous local elections to accommodate the participation of Golkar and the United Development Party, another political party that has been struggling with a prolonged leadership dispute.

"Election organizers cannot be blamed should the parties fail to participate in the elections. That could happen if they themselves do not want to settle their own conflict," he said.

University of Indonesia political observer Chusnul Mariyah, meanwhile, applauded the efforts of Golkar elites to reconcile their differences for the good of the party.

"The competing factions within Golkar must learn how to manage differences without violence or establishing splinter groups," she said.

"It is a common thing for any political party to have factions. Members of the factions, however, must put the interests of the political party first."

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/31/golkar-foes-make-truce.html

Reconciliation prospects look dim within PPP

Jakarta Post - May 28, 2015

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – While rival camps in the Golkar Party are getting close to securing a deal to end a month-long standoff that would allow the party to contest upcoming local elections, the Islamic- based United Development Party (PPP) has in recent weeks seen its worst infighting over who should have control of the party.

The Djan Faridz-led camp and the Muhammad "Romy" Romahurmuziy-led camp have so far failed to come to the negotiating table, further dimming the party's prospects of contesting the 269 regional elections set to take place simultaneously throughout the country on Dec. 9.

Although the elites of the two camps are aware of the urgency to settle the dispute as the deadline for parties to register their candidates with the General Elections Commission (KPU) looms, neither side has been willing to take the initiative to start a dialogue.

"We offered a truce in the past. We even proposed the establishment of a reconciliation team to mediate the two factions, but the other camp rejected it," the deputy chairman of the Djan-led camp, Epyardi Asda, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Epyardi, who was appointed by Djan to lead the PPP faction at the House of Representatives, further blamed the worsening rift on Romy and his supporters for "arbitrarily" taking control of the party by putting their men in key positions in the party's local branches.

As the first stage of the local elections nears – registration for candidates opens on June 28 – the Djan-led camp is open to restarting a dialogue, considering the risk of failing to reconcile, Epyardi said.

"But on one condition: They [Romy-led camp] must make the first move to approach us with no ulterior motive," he said.

Epyardi said the situation was dire as many party members were considering abandoning the party to join the tickets of other political parties.

Epyardi himself is expected to run in the West Sumatra gubernatorial election on the PPP ticket. "It's a crucial time for many of us," Epyardi said.

The power struggle within the PPP dates back to the days approaching the presidential election last year over the different stances of members on political support for the two contesting pairs: the Joko "Jokowi" Widodo- Jusuf Kalla ticket and the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa ticket.

Then PPP chairman Suryadharma Ali announced PPP's support for Prabowo, a decision that was eventually challenged by Romy and his followers, who claimed the chairmanship after the presidential election and pledged to support President Jokowi's administration.

In February, the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) annulled a Law and Human Rights Ministry decree that officially recognized Romy's leadership and thus returned control over the PPP to Djan, who was elected chairman to replace Suryadharma after the latter was named a graft suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPU).

Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly, however, has filed a lawsuit with the State Administrative High Court (PTTUN) to challenge the ruling. The PTTUN is expected to announce its ruling next month.

Hasrul Azwar, an executive from the Romy-led camp, said he was convinced that a ruling by the PTTUN would not necessarily end the standoff as the each camp would certainly challenge the decision.

"Thus, reconciliation seems the best way. But we don't know how to start it because both factions are equally selfish," Hasrul told the Post.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/28/reconciliation-prospects-look-dim-within-ppp.html

KPU upholds impartiality amid Golkar, PPP disputes

Jakarta Post - May 25, 2015

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The General Elections Commission (KPU) has expressed impartiality to the long-standing infighting within political parties, ensuring that the institution would not interfere with ongoing reconciliation efforts aimed to pave the way for fighting parties to join the upcoming local elections.

The KPU ensured that political parties, including the Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP), held full authority to take any measures to participate in the elections. But the KPU also affirmed that it would uphold the existing regulation and would thus only approve registration by parties that obtained recognition from the Law and Human Rights Ministry.

"We exclude details of how parties obtain the government's recognition from our job description. It's not our responsibility. Ours is to screen registration documents of parties and to ensure the elections run well," KPU commissioner Hadar Nafis Gumay told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

"Therefore, any party can join the elections as long as it submits a decree issued by the Law and Human Rights Ministry validating the leadership," he emphasized.

KPU has been in the spotlight over its insistence to uphold a regulation on local elections, which, if not revised, will likely hamper Golkar as well as PPP from contesting the upcoming 269 elections to take place concurrently on Dec. 9 due to ongoing legal battles over internal party leadership.

In order for either Golkar or PPP to join the race, the KPU has required any of the competing factions within both parties to provide a final and binding court ruling on the party's chairmanship, or seal a peace pact that will be officially approved by the Law and Human Rights Ministry.

The House of Representatives has thus proposed amendments to Law No. 8/2015 on local elections and Law No. 2/2011 on political parties, which will provide a legal basis for the KPU to add a proposal by the House in its regulation, which will allow Golkar and PPP to instead provide the latest court ruling on the leadership battle, should both parties fail to fulfill any of the existing requirements.

The House's request has faced a stumbling block as the government as well as the ruling Great Indonesia Coalition declined to support it. The Democratic Party, which supports neither of the distinguishing political coalitions at the legislative institution formally, has recently officially opposed the plan as well.

The competing leadership camps within Golkar have engaged in ongoing reconciliation talks mediated by former Golkar chairman, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, in order to settle the deadlock following an exposed threat of being eliminated from participating in the elections.

Kalla arranged separate meetings with Aburizal Bakrie and Agung Laksono to discuss possible options that both camps could agree to, which so far led to a formation of a joint team, which will be comprised of equal amounts of representatives from both factions, to arrange for Golkar's preparations for the elections.

"It's a limited reconciliation," Agung said on the sidelines of a meeting at Golkar's headquarters in Slipi, West Jakarta, on Sunday. "We are considering settling the dispute temporarily and working together for the sake of the elections only."

Agung however quickly made sure that such a possible collaboration would not disrupt ongoing legal battles over the party's chairmanship. Agung's remarks reiterated those of Aburizal, who said the legal battle between the two competing camps would continue.

"It [the teamwork] is only temporary. It is meant to allow Golkar to join the local elections," Aburizal said after a meeting with Kalla over the weekend.

The "temporary" reconciliation plan however might lead to another standoff regarding whose signatures will be used on official documents submitted to the KPU for registering nominees.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/25/kpu-upholds-impartiality-amid-golkar-ppp-disputes.html

Feuding Golkar camps agree on selection process for regional elections

Jakarta Globe - May 24, 2015

Novianti Setuningsih, Jakarta – The two feuding factions of the Golkar Party – Indonesia's oldest political party – have agreed to set aside their differences in order to select candidates for upcoming regional elections.

The two factions' leaders – incumbent chairman Aburizal Bakrie and his rival, Agung Laksono – came to an agreement after they met separately with Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Saturday night.

"The vice president has spoken to Agung Laksono," Aburizal said, following his closed-door meeting with Kalla. "JK [Kalla] told me that Agung has agreed to let both sides nominate prospective candidates."

The stopgap measure is a rare show of unity for the party, which has been locked in a bitter leadership struggle since December last year.

Kalla – a former Golkar chairman – is leading mediation efforts between Agung and Aburizal, who both claim to be the rightful leaders of the party.

This week the Jakarta State Administrative Affairs Court (PTUN) annulled a decree from the Justice Minister that recognized Agung's claim to chairman and reinstated Aburizal.

However, the court ruling was immediately appealed by Agung's camp and Justice Ministry has said it will file a separate challenge.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/feuding-golkar-camps-agree-selection-process-regional-elections/

Internet & social media

Mixed signals for plan to block kids' mobile-phone use

Jakarta Globe - May 28, 2015

Kennial Caroline Laia, Jakarta – A proposal by the Indonesian government to ban the use of mobile phones by children has met with both support and criticism, with proponents claiming it can keep minors away from viewing porn, and detractors denouncing it as pointless and counterproductive.

The move was announced by Yohana Yembise, the minister for women's empowerment and child protection, on Wednesday.

"We are currently drafting a set of rules [to forbid children using cell phones]," the minister was quoted as saying by Antara. "I think kids, especially the ones still in elementary schools, do not need cell phones."

The minister, who was speaking at public seminar at Jakarta State University, said mobile phones could lead children to harmful websites, including those containing pornography. They also distract children from their studies and impair their social skills, she said. She did not cite any studies to back up her claims.

Yohana also proposed extending a partial ban to teenagers. "Even when they are already in junior and senior high school, only certain mobile phones should be allowed for them," she said.

She did not outline any practical details about how the ban would be enforced or whether it would just be applied in school or beyond.

Control the children

The plan seems to have found a favorable reception among a portion of Indonesian parents concerned about cyberbullying and easy access to "harmful" material.

The use of mobile phones has grown exponentially in Indonesia over the past two decades, and police have occasionally been required to investigate incidents of online bullying and abuse.

Several legislators on Thursday also spoke up in approval at the plan. "Such a regulation would make it easier for parents to control their children," said Endang Srikarti Handayani. "Children can also focus and concentrate on learning at school."

The Golkar Party politician, who serves on the House of Representatives' oversight commission for social affairs, is perhaps best known for asking, during a public hearing on livestock technology, whether bovine artificial insemination could be used to make a woman pregnant.

Another legislator, Saleh Partaonan Daulay of the Islamic-based National Mandate Party (PAN), said the proposed ban "is worth the shot". "We need to protect children from the negative impacts of developments in information technology," he told the Republika newspaper.

He added another solution was to permit children, particularly those aged under 16 years, to only use feature phones. "For children of this age, parents should only give cell phones with limited features, which is essentially all they really need," Saleh said.

However, he cautioned that the ban would only work as long as the government was committed and allocated enough resources to enforce it.

Unfair regulation

Children's rights activists, on the other hand, have decried the minister's proposed ban, saying it is not the right solution for the problems arising from growing access to technology.

"This draft regulation sounds quite unfair," Seto Mulyadi, the chairman of the National Commission for Child Protection, or Komnas Anak, told the Jakarta Globe on Thursday.

"We can't just blame gadgets for the problems that children are facing today. How the gadgets are used depends on the user. There are kids who use their gadgets wisely, and some who use it for indecent purposes. So the minister should reconsider her arguments when proposing such a regulation."

Seto argued that the government must instead focus on educating children and parents about using technology wisely and positively, as well as warning them about the dangers of online predators and cyberbullying.

"Parents play a very crucial role. So instead of banning the use of cell phones, the minister should instead host a seminar or discussion with parents, all the way to down to the grass-roots level," he said.

Child porn

Yohana's remarks came in the wake of a police investigation into a viral video depicting a boy and a girl, believed to be no older than 10 years, engage in sexual acts. Adults can be heard talking in the background of the video, according to authorities.

Child protection activists have described the video as "massively disturbing," after it was uploaded to the Internet last week from a location in eastern Java, representatives from two child protection agencies said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The Indonesian Commission for Child Protection, or KPAI, has urged the police to investigate the video and charge those suspected of creating and uploading it under the 2008 Anti-Pornography Law and the 2014 Child Protection Law.

"This phenomenon has massively disturbed the public," said Maria Advianti, the deputy chairwoman of the KPAI. "Kids have been exploited into becoming subjects in pornography." The police have vowed to look into the matter.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/mixed-signals-plan-block-kids-mobile-phone-use/

Environment & natural disasters

NGOs demand swift, transparent probe into activist's murder

Jakarta Post - May 25, 2015

Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has urged the National Police and its personnel to carry out a comprehensive and in-depth investigation into the murder of environmental activist Jopi Teguh Lesmana Peranginangin.

Jopi, who was a member of the environmental group Sawit Watch, was stabbed to death outside a night club in Kemang, South Jakarta, on Saturday.

According to a press release published by Kontras on Saturday, a witness said that Jopi was attacked by a group of robust men with crew cuts after Jopi tried to mediate a fight between his friend, identified as A, and the group. The perpetrator, according to a witness, claimed that he was a member of the military.

"The murder of Jopi is added to the list of violent crimes against activists and human rights defenders in Indonesia, violence which is causing the society to feel unsafe," said the press release by the Kontras deputy coordinator Krisbiantoro.

The latest case against an environment activist was on Feb. 27, when a farmer-cum-activist Indra Pelani, was murdered, allegedly by security guards of the forest industry company PT Wira Karya Sakti in Tebo, Jambi, which is owned by Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), according to a press release by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) in Jambi.

Jefri Gideon Saragih, the executive director of Sawit Watch, an NGO addressing the negative impacts of oil palm plantations, said on Sunday that before his death, Jopi had just finished research into massive oil palm plantation expansions that allegedly involved corruption and improper licensing procedures.

"The research was carried out in North Kalimantan and Central Sulawesi, and its goal was to draft local regulations that could limit and control plantation licensing," he said over the phone, adding that the research results were going to be published in a book.

He went on to say that his office did not know yet if the incident had anything to do with the activities of Jopi, whose latest position in Sawit Watch was as a campaigner and project head of oil palm plantation licensing research.

"However, this incident has caused activists to be more cautious about what we are doing," he said, expressing hope that the perpetrator could be nabbed soon and processed through the prevailing legal procedures so that no speculations spread out in the public.

According to Jefri, who started his tenure at the Sawit Watch in 2013 after years at the Indigenous People's Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), the case investigation was still running well.

"We have our in-house lawyer watching the investigation. Some NGOs, like Kontras and AMAN, are also accompanying the process so that the truth of the case can be revealed to the public," he said, adding that his office would provide data and information required by the police in solving the case.

AMAN deputy secretary-general Mina Susana Sestra said on Sunday that Jopi's death was a big loss to her and her organization.

"He had done many things for AMAN. He initiated all of our media outlets, such as our magazine and community radio station, to disseminate information about our movement and encourage indigenous people to get involved," she said over the phone.

Mina said Jopi had been involved in many organizations, such as the leftist League of National Students for Democracy (LMND), Tanah Merdeka Foundation, Greenpeace, AMAN and Sawit Watch.

"He was more than just an activist to us but also a cheerful friend with a straightforward manner. We are shocked that this kind of incident happened to someone in our close circle," she said. (prm)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/25/ngos-demand-swift-transparent-probe-activist-s-murder.html

Navy personnel likely behind activist killing: Police

Jakarta Post - May 25, 2015

Jakarta – The Jakarta Police said Monday it would coordinate with the Navy's Military Police (POMAL) to prosecute a Navy officer allegedly behind the killing of environmental activist Jopi Teguh Lesmana Peranginangin.

Jopi, who was a member of the environmental group, Sawit Watch, was stabbed to death outside a night club in Kemang, South Jakarta, on Saturday morning.

"The South Jakarta Police are coordinating with the Navy, as they suspect the involvement of an officer in the alleged murder," said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Muhammad Iqbal. Iqbal declined to provide further details on the identity of the alleged killer.

Under existing laws, the police have no authority to prosecute military personnel. Trials for such personnel are carried out by military tribunal.

According to a press release published by the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) on Saturday, a witness said Jopi was attacked by a group of robust men with crew cuts after he tried to break up a fight between his friend, identified as A, and the group. The perpetrator, according to a witness, claimed he was a member of the military. (ren)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/25/navy-personnel-likely-behind-activist-killing-police.html

Activist stabbed to death

Jakarta Post - May 24, 2015

Environmental activist Jopi Peranginangin has died after being stabbed during an altercation outside a nightclub in Kemang, South Jakarta, early on Saturday.

Jopi was known as being an activist for various causes, having been a member of the environmental group Sawit Watch, a 1998 reform era activist, a former member of the leftist People's Democratic Party (PRD) and one of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's volunteers during his presidential election campaign in 2014.

A witness, identified only as MF, stated he was with Jopi and six other friends in the Venue bar in Kemang at 4 a.m., when the bar announced it was closing. "Some men then came and said: finish, out out! They looked drunk," said MF at the South Jakarta Police station, on Saturday, as quoted by kompas.com.

One of Jopi's friends, identified only as A, agreed to leave but was met with hostility by one of the men. Jopi tried to mediate but became involved in the fight instead. Several men were seen beating him in the parking lot in front of the nearby office of the Habibie Center. When his friends came to his assistance, they found that Jopi had been stabbed.

Jopi was rushed to the Pertamina Central Hospital (RSPP), before being pronounced dead at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

The South Jakarta Police are investigating the case and have questioned four witnesses. They are also examining CCTV footage from the bar.

South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Wahyu Hadiningrat said the police did not yet have any motive for the killing. It is unclear whether the incident was related to Jopi's activism.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/24/activist-stabbed-death.html

Class action planned over Montara oil spill

Sydney Morning Herald - May 23, 2015

Jewel Topsfield, Jakarta – An Australian law firm is preparing a class action on behalf of Indonesian fishermen and seaweed farmers who say their livelihoods were devastated by one of Australia's worst oil disasters.

In 2009, a leak in the Montara oil field, off the northern coast of Western Australia, spewed tens of thousands of barrels of oil into the Timor Gap.

The company responsible, PTTEP Australasia, says studies show no oil reached the Australian and Indonesian mainlands and there was little or no detectable impact on any marine ecosystem or species.

But coastal communities in Nusa Tenggara Timur – one of Indonesia's poorest provinces – say the oil spill killed fish and seaweed and caused skin diseases.

And the Australian Lawyers Alliance has suggested the poverty caused by the oil spill may have led to an increase in people smuggling from the region.

West Timor Care Foundation chairman Ferdi Tanoni will fly to Australia this week to discuss the class action with law firm Ward Keller. He says at least 100,000 people from the coastal community have suffered as a result of the disaster.

"The income for local seaweed farmers has dropped between 75 and 90 per cent," Mr Tanoni says. "People are dying because they have no income and their kids can't go to school. Every month I get 10 or 20 text messages from people who say they can't pay their bills."

Greg Phelps is a senior associate at law firm Ward Keller, which has been working with the Nusa Tenggara Timur community since 2011. "It's just a blatant injustice – it's a tragedy beyond belief in many ways."

Mr Phelps expects the class action to be launched within six months. However, he says this will not solve the whole problem because it would only benefit those who can demonstrate economic loss.

Ward Keller, the Australian Lawyers' Association, the West Timor Care Foundation, the Australian Greens and the Indonesian government have consistently called on PTTEP to fund a study to determine the impact of the Montara oil spill in Indonesian waters.

"But they are not game to do it because they are afraid of what they will find," Mr Phelps says.

A PTTEP spokesman says the company is aware of the claims and has been consistently willing to address them with the Indonesian government.

"To date, we have not received any credible evidence that oil from Montara caused damage to the environment in West Timor," he says.

"The Montara Environmental Monitoring Program showed there was no long-term damage to the marine environment, notably at various reefs and shoals in Australian waters closest to Montara."

The spokesman says independent studies published by the Australian Environment Department found 98 per cent of Montara oil stayed in Australian waters.

Indonesian fisherman Mustafa Arsyad found blobs of oil in 2009, which when analysed by Victorian laboratory Leeder Consulting were found to match the Montara crude oil.

"We want the waters to be clean again so fish will return to the sea," says Mr Arysad, who was forced to become a carpenter in 2011 because none of his men could find fish anymore.

"Many fishermen, including people working the crab ponds and shrimp farmers, gave up their jobs because nothing is there anymore. But the ones who suffered the most are the seaweed farmers because they have to soak in the sea everyday."

Mr Arysad says the men have itchy boils all over their bodies which medicine won't make go away. "We don't know if the disease was caused by the oil spill or not because there has been no study conducted."

Australian Lawyers Alliance legal and policy officer Emily Mitchell says scientific studies that found oil did not reach Indonesia were based on observed evidence.

"The real issue is that these studies never did any primary evidence gathering themselves in Indonesia," she says. "Communities saw oil wash up on the coastline and watched their seaweed farms die. In one village in Rote Island, oil swept through the mangroves and destroyed them. The village was subsequently flooded by the ocean."

In its submission to the 2012 Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, the Australian Lawyers Alliance said the Montara oil spill may have led to an increase in people smuggling in the region.

"In 2012, the Australian Human Rights Commission conducted an inquiry into the treatment of people charged with people smuggling while suspected of being minors. Under freedom of information laws, we found that of 157 individuals whose place of origin had been identified, 57.5 per cent came from Nusa Tenggara Timur. Of these, half again, came from Rote Island, which was particularly devastated after the spill," Ms Mitchell says.

Law firm Ward Keller has written to three successive Australian prime ministers urging the government to help resolve the Montara tragedy.

"Sadly, the Australian government has been shamefully slow in taking any action to assist the victims of Montara in the Nusa Tenggara Timur region. They say they can't do anything – of course they could do a lot," he says.

Last month, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop wrote to Mr Phelps reiterating the government had no jurisdiction to compel Australian companies to settle disputes with other governments or perform research activities in another country.

However she did say Nusa Tenggara province was a focus area for the Australian aid program. "The government of Indonesia has not asked that Australia's assistance be directed to communities in that region affected by coastal pollution," she wrote.

Mr Phelps would like to think Ms Bishop was steering them in the right direction. But he's sceptical; he's been there before. "When we go back and say: 'Here's a request from the Indonesian government saying please help these poor people' they have another excuse." (With Karuni Rompies)

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/world/class-action-planned-over-montara-oil-spill-20150523-gh80t3.html

Health & education

Indonesia suffering setbacks in fight against nicotine addiction: Activists

Jakarta Globe - May 28, 2015

Dessy Sagita, Jakarta – Anti-tobacco activists have claimed Indonesia is walking away from the fight against nicotine addiction, thanks largely to the current government's reluctance to implement strong policies.

Speaking at a conference in Jakarta on Thursday, Kartono Muhammad, chairman of the Association of Indonesian Public Health Experts' Tobacco Control Support Center (TCSC), said the fight against tobacco was losing momentum in Indonesia.

He said the current cabinet, led by President Joko Widodo, was a bigger opponent to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) than the one that preceded it.

Indonesia is the only country in the Asia-Pacific region that has not ratified the FCTC, which seeks to curb tobacco consumption through advertising restrictions and pictorial warnings on cigarette packs.

Kartono said some ministers in former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's cabinet were willing to show their commitment to tobacco control. Although Yudhoyono's government failed to ratify the convention, they agreed to accede to some points, which were expected to be settled at the beginning of 2015.

But the drive towards greater tobacco control has lost traction under Joko, Kartono said. "In terms of policy, we are definitely experiencing a setback. Honestly, we can't expect much from this government," he said.

Kartono said that if current conditions persisted Indonesia's universal health care program managed by the Social Security Organizing Body (BPJS) would go bankrupt.

"If people keep puffing away [on cigarettes], we will see more people suffer from non-infectious diseases and BPJS will soon run out of money," he said.

Health Minister Nila Moeloek admitted that persuading people to quit smoking or to comply with smoking regulations was a tall order. "Maybe it's time for us to stop persuading and start making stern warnings," Nila said.

The 2014 Global Tobacco Adult Survey again revealed Indonesians to be among the heaviest smokers in the world. The survey, which involved 47 countries, found that two out of every three Indonesian adult males were active smokers.

Furthermore, the survey found that one out of three Indonesian teenagers aged between 13 and 15 smoked regularly. Half were already addicted to nicotine, the survey said.

Tjandra Yoga Aditama, who leads the Ministry of Health's research agency, said that despite the disturbing figures, the situation could still be rectified.

"More than 80 percent of child smokers actually want to quit," Tjandra said, adding he believed commercials played a large role in encouraging underaged children to smoke.

He said half of all Indonesian children were exposed to various forms cigarette advertising, despite restrictions implemented by the government. Indonesia is one of only three countries in the world to still allow cigarette commercials on television.

The government has attempted to counter the high volume of cigarette ads with positive campaigns encouraging youths to avoid smoking, but the effort has not shown satisfying results, Thandra said.

"Advertisements encouraging youths to avoid smoking did not resonate because they were produced by government officials instead of professional advertising agencies," he added.

Kartono said greater tobacco control measures would be futile as long as the government allowed cigarettes to be advertised and sold cheaply. "What we need is a total ban on cigarette ads, not just a restriction. We also must increase cigarette prices and taxes on tobacco," he said.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-suffering-setbacks-fight-nicotine-addiction-activists/

Gender & sexual orientation

Women, LGBT raise awareness over online violence

Jakarta Post - May 24, 2015

Corry Elyda, Jakarta – Ayu, a 26-year-old activist in an institution representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, never thought that breaking up with her boyfriend after a six-year relationship would prove to be such an exhausting and traumatic experience.

"He was an Information Technology [IT] student when I broke up with him in 2008. He could not deal with our separation. He called me more than 40 times an hour and hacked my Facebook account," she said on Saturday.

Ayu said she did not know about the hacking until her fellow college student told her that her profile picture had been changed into an X-ray of a chest with an exploding heart and her account was also full of inappropriate posts.

The ex-boyfriend also targeted her email, threatening her that he would expose secrets shared in the email address.

Meanwhile, Lini, another 26-year-old LGBT activist, said she decided to filter her friends in Facebook in order to prevent hate speech she used to receive every time she campaigned about LGBT rights on her account. "I also post status or articles only to particular friends," she said.

Ayu and Lini were among a number of participants who joined a series of training sessions on digital security that were aimed at ending online violence against women and members of the LGBT community.

The three-day training is part of the International Feminist Hackathon (FemHack) held in 26 countries all over the world. The event was also held to commemorate the death of Sabeen Mahmud, a Pakistani human rights activist who was gunned down on April 24.

Dhyta Caturani, a women's rights activist who initiated the event in Jakarta, said that FemHack in the capital city focused on educating women and LGBT community members to be more aware about digital security, especially related to online violence.

Dhyta said the awareness of Indonesian people of digital security was very low, so Internet users were prone to various kinds of violence. "According to an estimate by the United Nations, 95 percent of aggressive action, molestation and abusive language on the Internet is addressed to women," she said.

Dhyta said women and the LGBT community needed to be able to master technology in order to use it to express their ideas and stances without being afraid of becoming the subject of online violence.

According to Dhyta, online violence can include cyber stalking, hate speech, revenge porn, threats and information hacking.

She said the violence on the Internet and in social media was similar to that offline. "However, on the Internet, the violence is conducted faster and is more repetitive," she said, adding that the perpetrators usually believed they could hide their identities.

One of the most worrying phenomena of the tech-related violence, Dhyta said, was that it was often dismissed as it was merely virtually and law enforcers rarely took such threats seriously. "I have received several rape threats. However, I cannot be sure whether the threats are serious," she said.

Dytha said Internet users should take several measures to protect themselves by creating strong passwords, being cautious in sharing private information, being wary of viruses, software updates and phishing emails to access valuable personal data, as well as regularly erasing their browsing history.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/24/women-lgbt-raise-awareness-over-online-violence.html

Refugees & asylum seekers

Hope amid the horror

Red Flag - May 24, 2015

Jordan Humphreys – While regional governments responded to Rohingya and Bangladeshi refugees by closing borders, working people showed that there is hope amid the horror.

When news of the stranded refugees reached Tamiang, in Aceh, locals sprang into action. A network of fishers organised by Muhammad Hendra, head of the Tamiang Farmers and Fishers Association, rescued 47 refugees from the sea.

Within hours, the people of Tamiang organised to help those who had been rescued. They collected supplies, including more than 30 kilograms of rice and piles of clothes, for those who had suffered so long, day by day losing hope on the ocean.

Hendra explained to the Sydney Morning Herald why he and his community responded as they did: "The Rohingyas were rejected by Thailand, they were rejected by Malaysia, even our own navy rejected them... You know they were on boats for so long, they lost everything, we felt pity for them".

This is the natural, logical, human response that people all around the world felt when looking at the pictures of those thousands fleeing across the ocean.

The fact that such a response was utterly absent from the actions of regional governments – most notably Australia's – is an indictment of those in power. It is so simple that anyone not blinded by the need to protect their own wealth and privilege can see the solution to the refugee crisis: let them in.

Whether they are fleeing from oppression in Myanmar, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka – anywhere on the planet where people feel that their lives are so threatened that they risk everything in order to escape – the response must be to welcome them.

Often, advocates for refugee rights are told that the way to change the world is find supporters among the elite, the educated and the privileged: to find a way to tug at their heart strings.

The last week has shown that those who rule couldn't care less about the thousands fleeing Myanmar any more than they care about the plight of those they exploit and oppress within their own borders.

The people of Tamiang have shown that an alternative is possible, if only the "lowly", rather than those on high, were to run the world.

Source: https://redflag.org.au/article/hope-amid-horror

Graft & corruption

Chief detective refuses to declare wealth to KPK

Jakarta Globe - May 29, 2015

Kennial Caroline Laia, Jakarta – The National Police's chief of detectives, Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, declined to report his wealth to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Friday. Instead, he asked investigators from the anti-graft agency find out themselves.

"I don't want to report my wealth, but the KPK itself is more than welcome to fill in the details," Budi said, as quoted by news portal Kompas.com, referring to the form of the official annual wealth report that government officials have to regularly submit.

"Let the KPK team do the counting because self-reporting is a subjective mechanism that may differ from what the KPK will find at a later date."

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Donal Fariz criticized Budi, saying that the chief detective was violating the law and tarnishing the police's reputation with his rejection.

"This amounts to disobedience, and it is embarrassing as it comes from an officer of the law," Donal told the Jakarta Globe on Friday. "Budi's supervisor [National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti] has himself reported his wealth to the KPK, so why shouldn't he?"

Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) coordinator Haris Azhar said Budi's defiance was unbecoming.

"Budi's stance could spark suspicion among public," Haris said. "It's his duty to report his wealth as a government official. If he doesn't want to follow the procedures, he'd better resign from his position."

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/chief-detective-refuses-declare-wealth-KPK/

Budi must step down if he declines to report wealth: Kontras

Jakarta Post - May 29, 2015

Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Haris Azhar, criticized the chief of the police's Detective Corps, Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, for his reluctance to report his wealth to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as required by the law.

As a public official, Budi is required by the 1999 Clean Governance Law to report his wealth to the commission. "If he does not want to comply with such a procedure, he should not have become a public official," kompas.com quoted Haris as saying in Jakarta on Friday.

Haris said Budi's resistant stance could spread to other police officials and undermine the corruption eradication agenda. "He is building a bad precedent that could be followed by other police officials not reporting their wealth. It is dangerous," he said.

Budi, who took up his current job on Jan. 19, 2015, said he would report his wealth and challenged the commission to trace it objectively because not giving a report on wealth to the commission was not a crime. (rms)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/29/budi-must-step-down-if-he-declines-report-wealth-kontras.html

Judge Haswandi makes paradoxical ruling: KPK

Jakarta Post - May 28, 2015

Haeril Halim, Jakarta – Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) commissioner Indriyanto Seno Adji lambasted judge Haswandi for issuing a ruling that contradicted his own earlier decisions on two major graft cases handled by the KPK.

Indriyanto openly questioned the judge's integrity because he had imprisoned two graft defendants using the KPK Law, but on Tuesday Haswandi used the same law to argue a graft case should be dropped.

"This creates a sense of ambiguity on his previous rulings," said Indriyanto, who is also a professor of law at the University of Indonesia.

The Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced former youth and sports minister Andi Mallarangeng to four years in prison in July 2014, less than the 10 years sought by KPK prosecutors, after finding him guilty of abusing his power as sports minister to rig the Rp 2.5 trillion (US$190 million) Hambalang sports-complex project in West Java.

The same court also sentenced former Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum to eight years in prison in September 2014, less than the 15 years demanded by KPK prosecutors, for using Rp 2 billion from the funds meant for Hambalang to win the Democratic Party chairmanship.

Haswandi was the presiding judge in both trials.

In his controversial pretrial ruling on Tuesday, Haswandi ordered the KPK to free former tax director general and Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) chief Hadi Purnomo, who was involved in a high-profile tax case connected to Bank Central Asia (BCA), which caused more than Rp 2 trillion in state losses.

The chief of the notorious South Jakarta District Court also ruled that the KPK's 12-year practice of naming suspects at the end of a preliminary investigation phase rather than at the beginning was illegitimate. Furthermore, he claimed that the status of independent KPK investigators was also illegitimate.

The KPK however insisted that it would not stop its investigations into the BCA case. In addition, it claimed its independent investigators – coming from a number of institutions aside from the National Police, including the BPK and the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) – who were all illegitimate according to Haswandi, would resume business as usual, disregarding the controversial ruling.

Indriyanto said the KPK's independent investigators had solved 371 cases that were supported by the Supreme Court (MA), which trumped Haswandi's ruling.

"Additionally, the fact that the solved cases have been confirmed by the Supreme Court has made the ruling debatable. From that perspective, they should continue investigating graft cases as per usual," Indriyanto said.

Indriyanto also said the KPK would continue with the same investigation model, justified under Law No. 30/2002 on the KPK, despite Haswandi's order to instead complying with the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP), which states that someone should be named a suspect during the preliminary investigation phase.

"The KPK Law is built on the regulation [the KUHAP]," Indriyanto said, adding that there was no reason for the KPK to not obey its own law, which also grants authority to the KPK to hire independent investigators.

Contacted separately, MA spokesman Suhadi called on the KPK to respect Haswandi's ruling despite its "perceived" controversy, adding that the MA would study Haswandi's ruling before deciding whether to establish guidelines for pretrial judges.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/28/judge-haswandi-makes-paradoxical-ruling-KPK.html

Police ready to take over KPK's cases

Jakarta Post - May 28, 2015

Fedina S. Sundaryani, Jakarta – Following a court ruling on Tuesday that it was illegal for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to hire its own investigators, the National Police expressed its readiness to take over all the KPK's cases, or send active officers to the antigraft body.

The National Police's Detective Division chief, Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, said on Wednesday that his division was prepared to support the KPK by taking over ongoing cases handled by the so-called "independent investigators".

"We are ready [to take over], we'll just wait for the KPK to ask for our assistance, especially if it is proven that the KPK's operations have been violating the law all this time," he told reporters at the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta on Wednesday.

Budi added that if the KPK was unwilling to hand over the cases to his office, he would offer more police investigators to be stationed at the KPK to assist.

The three-star general spoke in response to the South Jakarta District Court's decision on Tuesday, which declared the KPK's investigation into the case of former taxation director general and Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) chairman Hadi Purnomo as illegal because the antigraft body had used independent investigators.

Most of them were hired investigators who had permanently resigned from their positions at the National Police or the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

The sole judge of Hadi's pretrial hearing, Haswandi, claimed that graft investigators could only lawfully carry out investigations if they continued to serve at their respective institutions as stipulated by the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP).

The ruling throws 371 KPK-prosecuted graft cases into limbo as they were mostly handled by independent investigators.

This does not take into consideration that articles 43 and 45 of the 2002 KPK Law stipulate that KPK investigators from other institutions are all temporarily suspended from their respective institutions.

"The KUHAP is at a higher position [than the KPK Law] and must be followed. It clearly states that KPK investigators must be from the National Police. There's nothing you can do about it," Budi said.

The judge's ruling was another heavy blow to the highly respected KPK. It recently lost two commissioners, Abraham Samad and Bambang Widjojanto, after the police declared them suspects in relatively minor cases.

Both Abraham and Bambang were regarded as responsible for naming former National Police chief candidate Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan a graft suspect in January.

Muhammadiyah University criminal law expert Chairul Huda agreed that the KPK must comply with the KUHAP and only hire investigators from the police force or the AGO. However, he also said that it would be a waste of time for the police force to take over the KPK's graft cases willy-nilly.

"The KPK should just hire more investigators from the police force who will then re-examine any evidence and retake any witness testimonies in the cases to prevent any 'wild' investigators from continuing the investigations," he told The Jakarta Post.

Separately, Judicial Commission (KY) member Imam Anshori asserted that although the KPK did have to comply with the KUHAP, the KPK Law existed in order to fill any legal holes that the KUHAP did not cover.

"So a specialized law must have priority over a general law, which is the KUHAP in this case. If there is a clear difference between the general law and the specialized law then a judge must refer to the specialized one," he said.

"We are ready [to take over], we'll just wait for the KPK to ask for our assistance, especially if it is proven that the KPK's operations have been violating the law all this time."

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/28/police-ready-take-over-KPK-s-cases.html

Another big setback for KPK

Jakarta Post - May 27, 2015

Haeril Halim, Jakarta – The South Jakarta District Court issued a ruling on Tuesday that threatens to nullify all graft cases prosecuted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) since the antigraft body's founding in 2004.

In a pretrial hearing for former director general for taxation and Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) chairman and graft suspect Hadi Purnomo, Haswandi, the sole judge at the court, considered that because "independent investigators" had been used by the KPK to probe Hadi's role in a graft case involving the country's largest lender, Bank Central Asia (BCA), the investigation was illegal.

In his decision, Haswandi claimed Hadi's case had been handled by independent investigators hired by the KPK who had resigned from positions with institutions such as the National Police and the Attorney General's Office (AGO). He argued that graft investigators could only lawfully carry out investigations if they continued to serve at their respective institutions.

The ruling throws into question the 371 KPK-prosecuted graft cases confirmed by the Supreme Court, because as was the case with the probe into Hadi, the cases were handled by investigators who had resigned from their institutions. The verdict also opens the door for hundreds of graft convicts to appeal their cases with the Supreme Court.

In the ruling, Haswandi stated the KPK's 12-year practice of naming an individual a suspect at the end of a preliminary investigation phase was illegitimate, as such a move must occur during a primary investigation phase, as occurs in cases handled by the police.

The ruling, meanwhile, said nothing about the evidence against Hadi, who is suspected of unilaterally approving BCA's request for income-tax leniency while serving as director general for taxation between 2002 and 2004, a decision the KPK said had triggered more than Rp 2 trillion in state losses.

"Any investigation into the plaintiff [Hadi] was illegitimate, including the KPK's move to conduct raids and confiscate [his assets]," Haswandi said in court.

Acting KPK chairman Taufiequrachman Ruki swiftly condemned the ruling, lambasting the judge for ruling beyond what Hadi had requested in his pretrial claim.

"The plaintiff only wanted the court to declare that the KPK's investigation was illegitimate, but the judge further moved to order the KPK to stop investigating him in the case, a move that will violate the KPK's own law which stipulates that we can't stop any investigation," Ruki said.

Ruki further added that deciding whether the KPK was allowed to hire independent investigators was a matter for the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN), and could not be adjudicated at a pretrial hearing.

The KPK chairman said the KPK would not comply with the controversial ruling and would ramp up its investigation into Hadi.

"KPK leaders have reached the conclusion that this pretrial ruling is a systematic attempt to undermine the KPK's effort to eradicate corruption in the country. We will exhaust all legal avenues to challenge the ruling, which has created chaos in the law-enforcement system," Ruki said. The KPK said it would consider filing a report against Haswandi with the Judicial Commission (KY) and the Supreme Court.

Tuesday's ruling is the latest in a series of efforts to undermine the KPK, which emerged bruised and battered from its scuffle with the National Police following the antigraft body's move to name Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, now the National Police deputy chief, a suspect in a bribery case in January.

In February, the South Jakarta District Court ordered the KPK to halt its probe into Budi, catalyzing a rash of pretrial hearing petitions.

In response to a public outcry over the Budi decision, the court rejected pretrial petitions filed by a number of graft suspects, claiming a pretrial court had no authority to examine a person's suspect status.

However, on April 28, the Constitutional Court moved to revise the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP) by inserting an article authorizing lower courts across the country to proceed with pretrial petitions that challenge suspect-statuses handed down by law enforcement agencies.

The Constitutional Court (MK) made the ruling in response to a judicial review request from PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia official and graft convict Bachtiar Abdul Fatah. Following the MK ruling, the South Jakarta District Court ordered the KPK to halt its probe into former Makassar mayor Ilham Arief Sirajuddin.

Tuesday's pretrial ruling came just days after the KPK grilled BCA president director Jahja Setiaatmadja for 11 hours as a witness in Hadi's graft case.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/27/another-big-setback-KPK.html

House urges police to probe Bank Century

Jakarta Post - May 26, 2015

Haeril Halim, National – The House of Representatives' Commission III overseeing legal affairs has lashed out at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for failing to prosecute former vice president Boediono and other Bank Indonesia (BI) governor's board members in connection with the controversial 2008 Rp 6.7 trillion bailout of Bank Century, calling on the commission to hand over the case to the National Police.

The KPK has so far only prosecuted former BI deputy governor Budi Mulya, and the antigraft body is currently in limbo following the suspension of its chairman, Abraham Samad, and deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto, due to criminal charges.

Samad had pledged to prosecute Boediono and others in the case before the end of his tenure in December, but the investigation into the case may be discontinued, as the current interim KPK leaders have hinted they were focusing on other cases.

"The KPK is currently in the recovery process until it has new leaders in December, but the public cannot wait until the new leaders [are installed] to prosecute other individuals in the case. Thus, it is better if the case is transferred to the police for swift action," Commission III member Bambang Soesatyo said on Sunday.

The Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced Budi to 10 years in prison in July 2014, after which the KPK has said it would wait until the Supreme Court ruled on Budi's appeal before investigating others in the case. In April, the Supreme Court confirmed Budi's conviction and increased his sentence to 15 years. As of today, however, no fresh probe has been launched against other figures in the case.

Others implicated in include former BI senior deputy governor Miranda Goeltom and former BI deputy governors Siti C. Fadjrijah, Budi Rochadi, Muliaman Hadad, Hartadi Sarwono and Ardhayadi Mitroatmodjo. The case also implicates former Bank Century shareholder Robert Tantular, the bank's president director, Hermanus Muslim, and economist Raden Pardede, who served as the Financial Sector Policy Committee (KKSK) secretary.

"The Bank Century case deserves priority treatment. New KPK leaders will effectively start working on January 2016, which is [a] long [time away]," Bambang said.

The initiator of the House 2009 inquiry team into Bank Century case said it was unfair if Budi was the only one prosecuted in the case, as the bailout decision was made collectively at the central bank.

The KPK charged Budi with violating articles 2 and 3 of Law No. 20/2001 on corruption in conjunction with articles 55 and 64 of the Criminal Code on collective crime and continuous crime. The use of Article 55 suggests prosecution of other individuals at a later date.

KPK spokesman Priharsa Nugraha said since the antigraft body had yet to launch a new probe into the case, all other law enforcement institutions like the National Police and the Attorney General's Office (AGO) were free to investigate without an official transfer from the KPK.

We have completed the investigation into Budi, and so far that's the only investigation we have done. So which investigation should be transferred at this point? Still, the door is open for others to jump into the case," Priharsa said.

KPK interim deputy chairman Johan Budi said the KPK still wanted to investigate other individuals in the case, but any new probe would not be opened until KPK investigators were done studying the Supreme Court's ruling on Budi.

National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Agus Rianto said the National Police had no authority to comment on the possible transfer of the Bank Century case from the KPK to the police.

"It's not in our power to issue any statement about it," Agus said on Sunday.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/26/house-urges-police-probe-bank-century.html

KPK screening team vows fairness, prudence

Jakarta Post - May 26, 2015

Ina Parlina, Jakarta – The newly established committee tasked with selecting commissioners for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) pledged on Monday to run a transparent process to single out people with integrity without undue external influence.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo himself assured them that he would not interfere in the process.

Jokowi invited the team to a meeting on Monday at the State Palace where he briefed them about the current antigraft campaign to ensure the team produced the best candidates that would fit the cause.

Financial and monetary expert Destry Damayanti, who serves as the selection committee's chairperson, said they would work their best in netting credible candidates to replace the current KPK leaders who will end their tenures in December.

"Fighting corruption is the responsibility of all of us since it involves many aspects in which the President also stressed that we would not only focus on enforcement [measures], but also prevention," she said after the meeting.

Speaking during a press conference after the meeting, Jokowi said he had confidence in the team and later reiterated the hope for the future of the KPK he expressed last Thursday when he announced the nine new committee members.

"I'd like to say that I put full trust in the selection committee to select credible KPK leaders, who have integrity and also public trust," he said, adding that the future KPK leaders should be able to strengthen the antigraft body.

"The selection committee also needs to think how to ensure the KPK will improve itself and become a dignified institution and how the future KPK leaders will be able to develop a modern investigation system and strengthen the internal integrity system," Jokowi added.

The President also said KPK leaders should be able to develop networking and cooperate internally and with other institutions.

The State Secretariat, which supervised the selection committee, will provide technical support for the whole process.

Information technology and management expert Betti S. Alisjahbana, who serves as the team's spokesperson, said the President indeed gave assurances that he would not interfere with the selection process.

"One of the reasons why the nine of us were picked was because we are independent. So, Insya Allah [God willing] we cannot be interfered with," she said.

The team held a meeting later that day to start drafting a work plan and is scheduled to hold another meeting on Tuesday morning as it faces a deadline before the tenures of the current KPK leaders end in December.

The committee will ensure a transparent process by providing regular updates to the public and will draft a code of conduct for the members to ensure impartiality in running the selection process, said Betti.

The committee will also involve and ask for input from several parties, including the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), the former members of the KPK selection committee and the KPK itself, as well as the Attorney General's Office and the National Police.

"We will involve several parties, for example, probably, the PPATK [the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre], to conduct tracking [of the backgrounds of candidates]," she said. "We want to get input so that we can have a comprehensive understanding [for selecting candidates]."

Other than accepting applications, the committee will also proactively scout people to search for reliable candidates, said Betti.

Jokowi has won praise for his pick of the nine members of the committee, with many saying the move could restore his credibility, particularly following the recent rivalry between the KPK and the police.

Unlike previous speculations that the government was considering law experts with track records of supporting graft suspects to be part of the team, Jokowi instead chose scholars and professionals.

State Secretary Pratikno said the working mechanism was solely under the authority of the team. "It is a internal matter of the selection committee; the President has given his word not to interfere with the work of the committee," Pratikno said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/26/KPK-screening-team-vows-fairness-prudence.html

Terrorism & religious extremism

Densus 88 arrests 6 alleged terrorists after deadly Poso shootout

Jakarta Globe - May 25, 2015

Farouk Arnaz, Jakarta – Indonesia's counter-terrorism unit Densus 88 arrested six terrorist suspects for their alleged involvement in a shootout in Poso's Gayatri village, Central Sulawesi, on Sunday.

The six are also suspected of being members of the East Indonesia Mujahedeen (MIT), a religious extremist group led by terror fugitive Santoso.

"We found and arrested A.Z., S, F, A.I. and H, at two different locations in Makassar [South Sulawesi] after Sunday's shooting. Today we arrested another suspect, N., in Central Sulawesi," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Agus Rianto said on Monday.

The gun battle between Densus 88 officers and the suspects erupted after the anti-terrorism squad and Sulawesi Police arrested on Friday a terrorist suspect identified only as A.Q., who is believed to have served as an ammunition courier for Santoso.

Sunday's incident killed two members of the alleged terrorist group, Asis and Enoch, and injured two police officers.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/densus-88-arrests-6-alleged-terrorists-deadly-poso-shootout/

Freedom of religion & worship

Papuan churches want Jokowi to do more

Jakarta Post - May 23, 2015

Jakarta – Representatives from churches in Papua say the central government has not done enough to protect the rights of indigenous people there, despite President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's recent visit to the restive province as part of efforts to foster peace.

The Ecumenical Forum of Papuan Churches said the government had also not been sincere in its reconciliation efforts in Papua. The leaders of the organization said the recent decision to grant clemency to five political prisoners in Papua was not as it seemed.

"Prior to the move, several presidential staff forced the prisoners to sign clemency letters. And the clemency was conditional," priest Dorman Wandikmbo said on Friday during a discussion held at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute.

Dorman said the five Papuans were told that they would be freed if they did not create further tension that could create instability in Papua. "They were told not to talk anymore about human rights, freedom, separatism and so on," he said.

Dorman said the prisoners preferred to remain inside prison rather than have their freedom of speech limited. "It's better for them to remain in prison than to be free but deprived of their rights."

In a bid to promote peace in Papua, Jokowi visited the province early this month, when he granted clemency to five political prisoners in Jayapura.

The five Papuans, who had the remainder of their prison terms waived, were convicted of breaking into a military base in Wamena in 2003.

Three of them, Apotnaholik Lokobal, Linus Hiluka and Kimanus Wenda, were sentenced to 20 years in prison, while the other two, Numbungga Telenggen and Yafrai Murib, were sentenced to life.

Jokowi said the granting of clemency was carried out as part of conflict resolution efforts in Papua. During his visit, the President also announced that he would open up access to the Papua region for foreign journalists and international organizations.

Fellow priest Benny Giay said Jokowi's pledge would likely ring hollow, as several of his subordinates had hinted that foreign journalists still had to meet certain conditions before being allowed to enter the region.

Benny referred to a statement of Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno and the Papua Police, which indicated that "foreign journalists still have to go through a numer of special procedures". "They will also be escorted by members of the military," he added.

The government earlier said that foreign journalists no longer had to seek special permission from the Foreign Ministry to report on Papua.

Over the past decade, journalists reporting on the province have had to fill out forms requiring approval from a number of government institutions. Failure to do so would be met with criminal charges.

Jokowi went to Papua as part of his five-day visit to several provinces in eastern Indonesia, which has long been considered the country's underdeveloped region, despite its abundant natural resources.

Separatist groups in Papua have complained that the central government has given the province an unfair share of wealth, after it became part of Indonesia in 1969. (alm)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/23/papuan-churches-want-jokowi-do-more.html

Poverty & social inequity

Indonesia still a long way from closing wealth gap

Inter Press Service - May 29, 2015

Sandra Siagian, Jakarta – Every afternoon, Wahyu sets up his wooden food cart by the side of a busy road in Central Jakarta to sell sweet buns, known as bakpao, to people passing by. In a good month, the street vendor can make around Rp 800,000, which amounts to roughly $62.

Across the road from where Wahyu hawks his wares stands one of the many malls that dot Indonesia's capital city, home to 9.6 million people, filled with high-end designer labels like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci.

Despite Wahyu's position literally opposite the entrance to the plaza, it's unlikely he will ever set foot inside it, let alone shop there.

Indonesia's wealth gap has widened over the years, with the nation's Central Statistics Agency (BPS) revealing that the country's Gini index – a ratio measuring wealth distribution on a scale of 0 to 1 – increased from approximately 0.36 in 2012 to 0.41 in 2014.

While some are making their fortunes in this Southeast Asian nation of 250 million people, millions are languishing in destitution.

An estimated 28 million people live below the poverty line, and half of all households are grouped at or below the poverty line, set at Rp 292,951 per month, according to the World Bank.

When Indonesia's President Joko Widodo came into office last October, he pledged to work towards minimizing the country's income inequality. At the same time, the president emphasized that he was keen to boost the investment appeal of the world's fourth-most populous country, a plan that has some trade unions on edge, fearing the impact of unchecked foreign investment on a vulnerable workforce.

"We agree with the government's plan to invite investors as we need investment for economic growth in the country. We support him," says Said Iqbal, the chairman of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI).

"But we also need the government to take a welfare approach to make sure that our low-income workers are protected," he tells IPS.

The nation's average minimum wage is around Rp 1.5 million, the equivalent of $115, according to data from BPS.

Each region sets its own minimum wage in line with the amount needed for workers to achieve a decent standard of living. The current rate for the capital city is Rp 2.7 million per month, about $206, a figure that labour unions argue is not in line with the rising costs of basic needs.

"Thailand has a minimum wage equivalent to Rp 3.2 million, the Philippines at an equivalent of Rp 3.6 million, and in Malaysia it's more than Rp 3 million rupiah," says Said, who joined thousands of workers in Jakarta this past May Day to demand higher wages.

"We [labor unions] have met with Jokowi and we welcome his vision. But we haven't seen any action; we need him to implement policies. We need to see wages increased to reflect the increase in oil prices and consumer goods."

As pointed out in a January 2015 report by the International Labor Organization, one in three regular employees – or 33.6 percent of the total workforce engaged in full-time work – receives a low wage.

While low wages in some emerging economies can symbolize a workforce about to move into a higher income bracket, "for many Indonesian workers low-wage employment tends to be the norm, rather than a springboard," the ILO report found.

The report also found that 45.9 percent of regular wage employees were "receiving wages below the lowest wage that is permissible by law in August 2014."

Sharan Burrow, the general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), tells IPS that Indonesia is not doing enough to tackle the country's rising inequality or its growing informal economy – two things she says pose economic and social risks.

"The unions here have fought the low-wage culture for many years [...]; it is still not a wage on which people can live with dignity against rising costs for basic needs," says Burrow, who was in Jakarta for the May Day celebrations. "Likewise, social protection is still not deep enough and is not universal."

According to the World Bank, employment growth has been slower than population growth, while "public services remain inadequate by middle- income standards."

Health and infrastructure indicators are also poor, and the country is a ways off from achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nation's poverty-reduction blueprint that is set to expire at the end of the year.

For instance, the country continues to be plagued by high infant and maternal mortality ratios, with 228 infant deaths and 190 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births.

Meanwhile, only 68 percent of the population has access to improved sanitation facilities, far short of the MDG target of 86 percent.

With 153.2 million people, or 62 percent of the total population, living in rural areas without easy access to medical, educational and financial institutions, experts say there is an urgent need for the country to devise schemes that will allow a more equitable sharing of wealth among its people.

While some analysts say Indonesia's low wages act as a magnet for investment, business insiders disagree.

"The business community is aware that low wages are no longer the attraction they used to be," says Keith Loveard, a senior risk analyst with Concord Consulting in Jakarta, adding that increased inequality over the past decade has seen the bottom 50 percent of the population make very few gains.

The government could reverse this tide by tackling bureaucratic bottlenecks in various sectors.

According to Loveard, "Indonesia's logistics costs make up more than a quarter of production costs and the only way companies can deal with that is to squeeze workers. So realistically, until you lower logistics costs with better infrastructure and cut the red tape, it's very difficult to do business in areas such as manufacturing that create lots of jobs."

Indonesia's manufacturing sector is the second-largest contributor, after the service sector, to regular wage employment and a strong factor for economic and employment growth in the country, according to the ILO.

Organizations like the World Bank, which estimate that Indonesia has one of the fastest rising rates of income inequality in Southeast Asia, say that unless the country adopts social protection programs for the poorest people, and invests in infrastructure that will enhance their productive capacity, Indonesia will find itself losing social, political and political cohesion in the years to come.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-still-long-way-closing-wealth-gap/

Agriculture & food security

FAO: 8 percent of Indonesians are chronically hungry

Jakarta Globe - May 31, 2015

Jakarta – Nearly 20 million Indonesians, of a total population of 250 million, go to bed hungry every night, according to a regional overview of food insecurity in Asia and the Pacific, issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The total number of hungry people in Southeast Asia has reached 60 million, meaning a third live in Indonesia, according to the overview.

Despite reaching the MDG-1 hunger reduction target and halving number of hungry people to 7.6 percent in the past 25 years – thanks to rapid economic growth and appropriate policies in the food and agricultural sectors – Indonesia is still facing an uphill battle in fighting undernutrition, especially among children under the age of 5.

The most recent data, from 2013, shows the prevalence of stunting in children under 5 in Indonesia is close to 37 percent, the FAO said, explaining that this statistic implies inadequate access to diverse and nutritious foods.

"There is clearly more work to be done. Our priority is to create a 'Zero Hunger generation,' and at the same time ensure that Indonesian people, especially children, have sufficient nutrition for an active and healthy life," said Mark Smulders, the FAO representative in Indonesia.

Anthea Webb, the World Food Program representative in Indonesia, said that Indonesia's success in halving hunger was a positive sign that the proposed Sustainable Development Goal, to end hunger and achieve food security by 2030, is possible. "We are proud to work with Indonesians for a day when everyone's nutrition is improved and agriculture is sustainable."

Equitable access to food

Efforts have been made in Indonesia to strengthen the enabling environment to improve food security and nutrition, observers have said.

The Food Law (No. 18/2012) institutionalized sufficient food as a human right and defined the state's obligations to ensure the availability and affordability of sufficient, safe and nutritionally balanced food for all people at all times.

However, challenges remain in the way the Food Law is applied, especially at the local level.

For many years, the Indonesian government's food policies have aimed at achieving national food self-sufficiency, particularly with regard to rice as well as with other commodities, such as corn and soybeans. This was in response to the Asian economic crisis of 1997-98, and after the food price crisis of 2007-08.

The challenge facing Indonesia today, and Southeast Asia as a whole, is not only to produce more food from an increasingly limited resource base, but also to ensure more equitable access to food. This needs to be done while addressing a variety of threats, such as climate change and erratic weather patterns, and it needs to be done while consciously investing in rural areas.

"Almost half of Indonesia's population live in rural areas – and agriculture and fishing are the mainstay of their livelihoods. Investing in rural areas will sustainably reduce hunger and boost economic growth," says Ronald Hartman, country program manager at the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

"IFAD is working with the government to support rural women and men to increase productivity and develop new market opportunities for smallholder farmers and fishers. The recently completed Rural Empowerment and Agricultural Development Project has shown that this approach can work."

Sustainable development agenda

As Indonesia works toward the economic development of a large population across a vast archipelago, a number of challenges, such as urbanization, natural resource degradation and climate change, require collective efforts for steady progress to be achieved, the FAO says.

"A number of policy commitments and institutional and technological innovations aimed at the eradication of hunger and malnutrition, combined with effective social protection measures, are needed to meet these challenges," it says.

The organization added that such efforts would need to be done within an overall framework of sustainable economic growth that is more equitably shared and environmentally sustainable.

"FAO calls on all sectors and development partners to accelerate actions through the Zero Hunger Challenge and other relevant food security and nutrition initiatives, focusing on supporting resource-poor family farms and the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society," country representative Smulders said.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/fao-8-percent-indonesians-chronically-hungry/

Agriculture & rural life

Government disburses less than half of village funds

Jakarta Post - May 25, 2015

Jakarta – Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said the government disbursed Rp 3.8 trillion, or one-fifth of the total of Rp 20.7 trillion in village funds last month, due to administrative glitches in regions.

He said that some regions had yet to issue a local regulation required for the disbursement. "For the first term in April, we were supposed to disburse Rp 8 trillion, but so far we've only disbursed Rp 3.8 trillion," Bambang said on Sunday as quoted by kompas.com.

The government has allotted Rp 250 million for every village for locally- initiated development, hoping to stimulate the rural economy.

"We demand the Regional Representatives Council [DPD] remind the regents to issue the regulation," Bambang said.

Bambang added that since the village fund was part of the state funds, there would be a stricter audit on its allocation. "Village heads should really use the money for development," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/25/national-scene-govt-disburses-less-half-village-funds.html

Armed forces & defense

TNI women allowed to wear hijab in Aceh only

Jakarta Post - May 29, 2015

Jakarta – Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Moeldoko has said that the TNI would accept female military personnel wearing an Islamic headscarf (hijab) only in Aceh.

"We have regulated that there is no prohibition [to wear the hijab]. If [you] want to wear the hijab then [you will be] transferred to Aceh. End of discussion," he said in response to a question on the issue from a woman soldier in Surabaya, East Java, on Friday.

"In principle, we are not rigid. We are accommodative," he said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Aceh is the only region where Islamic law is fully enforced.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/29/tni-women-allowed-wear-hijab-aceh-only.html

TNI extending its influence in civilian life

Agence France Presse - May 25, 2015

Jakarta – The Indonesian military is taking on more roles in civilian life, a think-tank warned Monday, almost two decades after the armed forces' wings were clipped following the downfall of authoritarian ruler Suharto.

Think-tank the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) said in a report that under President Joko Widodo, who took office in October, the military has once again expanded its influence into the civilian sphere.

"The longer they stay engaged in such activities, the greater their political clout and the harder it will be to extract them, especially given that they are effectively immune from prosecution under civil law," the report warned.

The armed forces have gradually expanded their influence in civilian life by signing agreements with ministries, allowing them to take on such tasks as distributing fertiliser, guarding prisons and public and private infrastructure, IPAC said.

This month the military reached a memorandum of understanding with the national anti-narcotics agency to help with the country's war on drugs, a campaign that is being pushed by Widodo, who has ordered the execution of foreign drug convicts.

The report said the military appeared to be taking advantage of a weakened president who has been beset by numerous crises and a deeply corrupt, unpopular police force. Rights groups were also worried about the armed forces' growing influence.

"It could be that the president is closing his eyes to this to gather support from the military given his weak political support in parliament," Al Araf of rights group Imparsial told AFP. "We fear that the past – of violence and human rights violations – could happen again."

The armed forces committed numerous human rights violations during the decades-long rule of Suharto, who was himself an army general, and following his downfall in 1998 and the introduction of democracy, they were stripped of much of their influence in public life.

Its members lost the right to become provincial governors, cabinet ministers or members of parliament and the military was limited to defence roles.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/25/tni-extending-its-influence-civilian-life-study.html

Indonesia's military creeps back into civilian affairs

Reuters - May 24, 2015

Kanupriya Kapoor and Randy Fabi, Jakarta – Nearly two decades after Indonesia's military was squeezed out of civilian affairs with the downfall of strongman leader Suharto, President Joko Widodo is drawing the army more closely into his wars on drugs, terrorism, and corruption.

Palace and military officials say Widodo's move is partly designed to counterbalance senior police officers who have crossed swords with him and who, critics say, are trying to undermine the agency leading the campaign against graft.

The police acknowledges "problems" in its relationship with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), but says it is working with the agency to tackle graft.

The prospect of a greater role for the military in civilian matters does not presage a return to the authoritarianism of army General Suharto, when it oversaw government policy as well as providing national security, the officials said. Indeed, military chief Moeldoko has sought to quell such concerns.

"As long as the military is needed by the country to safeguard the national development carried out by ministries, then go ahead," Moeldoko, who retires in July, told reporters this month. "But nobody should try to drag the military into politics."

Nevertheless, critics of Widodo's move fear it sets a dangerous precedent in a country where the military has a long tradition of involvement in politics and which directly elected a president for the first time only 11 years ago.

"While symbolic engagement with the military is important to get things done and to send a signal of stability, we're treading a dangerous line here," said Tobias Basuki, political analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a local think-tank.

"In the long term it will create a new Goliath within Indonesian politics if the military doesn't steer clear of civilian life."

Power play

A senior government official with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Widodo, the first president from outside the country's political elite or armed forces, has struggled to assert himself over the police force and its political patrons, who include senior figures in his own party.

He trusts the military more than the police, the official said, and sees it as a potentially counterbalancing force.

The army's expansion into civilian affairs began last month, with the first major counter-terrorism operation since the response to a spate of hotel bombings in Jakarta in 2009. Anti-terrorism efforts are traditionally the domain of the police.

Approved by Widodo, who came to power in October, the military launched the six-month exercise to crack down on militants with suspected links to Islamic State.

Then, this month, the armed forces signed a memorandum of understanding to help the country's main anti-narcotics agency with its war on drugs, a top priority for Widodo.

Government officials said they are now considering legislative changes that would allow serving military officers to work in state ministries and agencies.

The ministries of transportation and fisheries, which handle projects and industries steeped in corruption, have asked that military personnel join their staff.

"If these requests are to be fulfilled, they should not violate any law," Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto told reporters recently.

Battle over corruption agency

The KPK has taken the unprecedented step of seeking the military's assistance after being severely weakened by a tit-for-tat dispute with the police.

General Moeldoko said he already had two officers in mind to join the KPK after they retired from service in a few months.

The agency, popular with ordinary citizens for going after Indonesia's moneyed elites, hopes the military's inclusion will protect it from police intervention. KPK officials were not immediately available for comment.

Since the KPK declared a prominent police general a corruption suspect in January, the police has launched a series of investigations against the agency that have led to the suspension of two of its commissioners.

The KPK has since dropped its case against police general Budi Gunawan, who was subsequently named deputy police chief. The police do not see the expansion of the military's powers as a threat.

"We don't at all think the military is a threat to us or our role in society. We don't think there is any sort of balancing going on," said Agus Rianto, national police spokesman.

He also said the police would investigate complaints of corruption made against it, and added: "To say there is a public perception that the police is corrupt is not accurate."

Activists say allowing the military to help fight corruption may be an effective stop-gap measure to shore up the KPK, but it threatens to leave the military immune to graft investigations itself.

The military has a history of acquiring strategic assets, especially in the resources sector. Suharto was reported to have a sprawling business empire worth $15 billion when he resigned in 1998.

"The consequence is that the military will be untouchable in corruption investigations," said Adnan Topan Husodo of Indonesia Corruption Watch.

[Additional reporting by John Chalmers; Editing by John Chalmers and Mike Collett-White.]

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/24/us-indonesia-military-idUSKBN0O90ZQ20150524

Indonesia will have Asia-Pacific's fastest growing defense budget: HIS

Asia Times - May 23, 2015

Indonesia will have the fastest growing defense budget in Asia Pacific over the next five years, according to a report by global analysis firm IHS.

Indonesia's defense budget will increase by 17% in 2015, from IDR83.3 trillion ($6.3 billion) to IDR97.4 trillion ($7.4 billion) and is expected to grow 14% a year until the end of the decade (average annual growth). IHS Aerospace, Defence & Security forecasts that the Indonesian defense expenditure will pass IDR180 trillion ($14.3 billion) annually by 2020.

"Growth of this scale is certainly exceptional and the Indonesian government appears committed to raising defense spending significantly" said Craig Caffrey, principal budget analyst for IHS Aerospace, Defence & Security.

"The economic outlook for Indonesia remains strong and President Widodo's removal of the fuel subsidy will free up additional money for defense."

For the next five years, Indonesia is likely to see a consistent level of growth. "Achieving sustainable high growth rates seems entirely possible given the strong political backing defense appears to have," Caffrey said.

Indonesia was the world's 15th largest importer of equipment in 2014, according to IHS data, importing $1.8 billion worth of equipment. The single largest supplier of equipment to Indonesia last year was South Korea ($450 million).

Growth elsewhere in Asia Pacific is also expected to be robust over the remainder of the decade averaging 4.

% in real terms. "Asia Pacific is really expected to be the driver behind global defense spending increases over the next five years," Caffrey said "By the end of the decade, regional spending is expected to reach around $550 billion, or around a third of all global expenditure."

Source: http://atimes.com/2015/05/indonesia-will-have-asia-pacs-fastest-growing-defense-budget-over-next-five-years-ihs/

Economy & investment

Government keeps 2016 growth target despite doubts

Jakarta Post - May 29, 2015

Grace D. Amianti, Jakarta – The government has maintained its economic growth target for 2016, despite most factions at the House of Representatives insisting that the estimate is unrealistic.

Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said in Jakarta on Thursday that the government was optimistic that the economy would grow between 5.8 and 6.2 percent next year, as set out in the proposed 2016 state budget.

Speaking during the deliberation of the 2016 macroeconomic assumptions with the House, Bambang said the expected sharp increase in infrastructure spending and high domestic consumption would help to accelerate economic growth.

The minister was responding to statements given by the House's factions two days earlier on the proposed economic indicators.

At an earlier session, 300 lawmakers from nine parties and the government agreed to further discussions, with the proposed budget considered "too optimistic" in light of the slowdown in the world economy.

"Despite domestic and external risks, we think that the assumption of 5.8- 6.2 percent economic growth next year is realistic," Bambang said in his speech.

Indonesia saw 4.7 percent economic growth in the first quarter of this year following weakened global growth on falling commodity prices and struggling major economies, including China.

While acknowledging that global commodity prices would remain low, Bambang said the government's optimism was based on a better outlook for the world economy next year, which would, according to many international agencies and analysts, grow by at least 3.8 percent.

Bambang said a number of countries, including Indonesia's major trading partners, were expected to grow more rapidly next year, while domestic and foreign investments would increase as infrastructure development improved, claiming that household consumption would grow around 3-5 percent next year.

"Indonesia has a demographic structure dominated by a productive age population expected to push household consumption, which comprises around 55 percent of the country's gross domestic product [GDP]," he said.

In order to achieve the goal next year, Bambang said the government would increase its spending on infrastructure development to strengthen connectivity, mainly related to the maritime sector, food and energy sovereignty, manufacturing and tourism, although he refused to give the exact figures.

Also on spending, Bambang said the newly introduced village funds would drive regional development, with the government planning to allocate around 6-7 percent of the total budget to villages, higher than this year's 3 percent. The portion would also be higher than the spending on ministries and agencies of the central government, he added.

"We also want to fulfill the mandate of the health law by allocating 5 percent of the budget to the healthcare sector, which will have a positive effect on the Health Ministry and special allocation funds, as well as other health institutions," Bambang said.

On the revenue side, Bambang said the government would also increase the level of non-taxable income (PTKP) from Rp 2 million (US$151.5) a month to Rp 3 million in order to boost people's purchasing power, as the country had seen weak consumption lately.

The country having seen weak tax revenue in the first quarter, Bambang said the government, in the proposed 2016 budget, would focus on better management of fiscal risk, adding that next year's deficit would be in a controlled range of 1.7-2.1 percent "without leaving the quality of productive spending".

"We want to provide a larger stimulus for the economy next year, while also reducing net additional debt to maintain a healthy budget," Bambang said.

President Jokowi will deliberate the proposed 2016 state budget with the House during the Financial Note speech on Aug. 17, a legislative tradition.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/29/govt-keeps-2016-growth-target-despite-doubts.html

Analysis & opinion

Calling out Indonesia's Papua censorship reflex

Jakarta Globe - May 29, 2015

Phelim Kine – It appears to be business as usual this week for Indonesian government officials intent on maintaining the decades-long restrictions on foreign media access to the far eastern provinces of Papua and West Papua.

Just two weeks after President Joko Widodo signaled a shift in the long- standing policy, chief security minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno told reporters on Tuesday that a team including military and police would continue to tightly monitor foreign journalists who report from Papua.

Tedjo defended the snooping by asserting that, "We aren't spying on them [the journalists]. We're simply monitoring their activities." That same day, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said that if access to Papua was granted to journalists it came with an obligation to produce "good reports." He didn't precisely define "good reports," but he explicitly equated foreign journalists' negative Papua reporting with "sedition."

Ryamizard's solution for foreign media whose reporting displeases the government? "We can easily expel them," he said.

Tedjo and Ryamizard's comments are more than repugnant expressions of contempt for media freedom. They blatantly undermine Joko's May 10 announcement of an immediate revocation of restrictions on foreign media access to Papua. That was a much-anticipated change Joko signaled in his election campaign last June when he stated during a stop in Papua that the government "has nothing to hide" there.

Joko's initiative was aimed at removing the official obstacles that have long prevented foreign media who manage to get permission to enter Papua from freely reporting. The government rarely approves requests to visit or delays processing them, hampering efforts by journalists and NGOs to report on breaking events. Journalists are invariably shadowed by official minders who control their movements or make it difficult to interview people privately and without fear of consequences.

The government has long justified those controls as a necessary security precaution due to the ongoing conflict with the Free Papua Organization (OPM), a small and poorly organized independence movement. The government also consistently arrests and jails Papuan protesters for peacefully advocating independence or other political change.

Joko's initiative to allow foreign media to freely report from Papua indicates that he sees media freedom as part of the solution to Papua's toxic combination of political repression and impunity. The willful ignorance or outright hostility of key ministers such as Tedjo and Ryamizard will doom that plan unless Joko addresses their obstructionism head-on.

The president should start by issuing an explicit written directive spelling out Papua's new media freedoms and the obligations of government officials and security forces to respect it. Until he does so, media freedom in Papua will continue to be held hostage by those who prefer Papua's truths remain hidden rather than reported.

[Phelim Kine is the deputy director in Human Rights Watch's Asia division.]

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/opinion/commentary-calling-indonesias-papua-censorship-reflex/

Mobile-phone ban for children doesn't fly

Jakarta Globe Editorial - May 28, 2015

Another day, another controversy under President Joko Widodo's administration. The minister for women's empowerment and child protection, Yohana Yembise, announced on Wednesday that the government was now drafting rules that could potentially ban the use of cell phones by children.

The minister argued that cell phones could lead children to harmful websites, including those containing pornography, distract them from studies and impair their social skills.

While we agree that we must protect our children from harmful material such as violence and pornography, creating a law specifically designed to be able to take away cell phones from children is excessive at best and damaging to society as a whole at worst.

A cell phone is merely a tool. Like other tools before it, a cell phone can be used for good or bad purposes. A knife is very useful for cooking, for instance, but it can also be used to kill. Does this mean we must ban knives as well?

Following the minister's logic, if a cell phone, or in this case, a smartphone, can harm our youth because it allows access to pornographic material, then the same should apply to laptop or desktop computers, which also allow the same access. The ban therefore should be applied across the board.

The ban could also prove problematic in enforcement. The government will need to really consider the measures involved in order to effectively let the ban take effect.

Ultimately, the government has many other pressing issues and should focus on less trivial matters. The real priority should be advocating responsible parenting. Parents should be given the option to choose to give their children a cell phone, and the government should not forcefully intervene.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/opinion/editorial-mobile-phone-ban-children-doesnt-fly/

Delegitimizing the KPK?

Jakarta Post Editorial - May 28, 2015

One by one, graft suspects are humiliating the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in court, capitalizing on the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP) to not only escape the commission's enforcement of the law, but also insult the country's fight against corruption.

Former Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) chief Hadi Purnomo is the third man to have dealt the KPK – once the nation's most feared state body – a big blow after the South Jakarta District Court invalidated the KPK's investigation into Hadi in connection with an alleged tax crime involving the country's largest private bank, Bank Central Asia, when he was the tax office chief.

In his consideration, the sole judge, Haswandi, said the KPK had assigned independent investigators, whom he deemed illegitimate, to handle the high-profile case, rendering the investigation illegal.

But it is not only Hadi's win that should give this nation cause for concern. Through his decision, judge Haswandi has set a bad precedent that will nullify the KPK's hard-fought battle against corruption, because all the 371 cases it has investigated and had been confirmed by the Supreme Court are now in question.

Corruption convicts can now file case reviews to get their names cleared because the KPK has involved independent investigators, a procedure that the South Jakarta District Court says is unlawful.

The KPK lost the two previous court battles over investigation procedures to then National Police chief candidate Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan and former Makassar mayor Ilham Arief Sirajuddin, because it failed to present at least two items of evidence to declare them suspects.

In granting Hadi's pretrial motion, judge Haswandi turned a blind eye to Article 43 of the 2002 KPK Law, which allows the commission to appoint investigators, but simply relied on the KUHAP, which says investigators are police officers or certain civil servants who are authorized by the law to carry out investigations.

Given the globally accepted legal principle that special laws like the KPK Law derogate common laws, the KPK should appeal judge Haswandi's verdict not only to enable it to carry on its much-anticipated probe into the tax crime case but also to fend off possible legal moves to delegitimize it.

The problem in Indonesia is that judges have the freedom to, and often do, ignore the principle. There are many cases that involve the media in which judges opt to refer to the Criminal Code (KUHP) over the Press Law when it comes to news reports that are regarded as having discredited individuals or groups.

Indonesia enacted the KPK Law because of the urgent need to deal with entrenched corruption in the first place. The inception of the KPK Law was a result of a national consensus that mirrored a state of emergency in which the KUHP was deemed insufficient for tackling the problem.

Corruption is considered an extraordinary crime in the country, but a series of moves to undermine the KPK and its leaders and investigators show otherwise. The trend may not end anytime soon, perhaps because the KPK is too difficult to control.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/28/editorial-delegitimizing-KPK.html