Pacific leaders gather this week in Papua New Guinea for their annual summit West Papuan leader and freedom campaigner Octo Mote says the support for West Papua has never been stronger.

This is despite his being thrown out of the Pacific Island Development Forum in Fiji just last week.

Mr Mote says thanks to social media West Papua's cry for freedom is now being heard across the region and Pacific leaders are finding it harder and harder to ignore.

Octo Mote left New Zealand today for the Pacific Forum summit in Port Moresby where he says they will be pushing three main issues.

"One is our membership at the PIF. Secondly we are asking UN Secretary General to appoint special envoy and conduct a human rights assessment besides the human rights assessment by the forum leaders themselves. And then the relisting of West Papua back to the decolonisation committee."

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/283508/freedom-campaigner-says-west-papua-is-a-regional-issue

Pato explains PNG's position

The National - September 7, 2015

West Papua's non-attendance at this week's Pacific leaders' summit in Port Moresby is because of different agreements between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, says Foreign Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato.

He said that on Friday when answering a question at the Pacific Islands News Association/Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Forum regional media workshop on Port Moresby on PNG's stand on West Papua's attendance.

"PNG's position is governed by different agreements and treaties Papua New Guinea has entered into with the Republic of Indonesia," Pato said. "We have a very strong relationship with that country.

"As I've said in the past, Papua New Guinea would not do anything as would jeopardise or call into question the sovereignty, and the integrity, and the jurisdictional competence of the Republic of Indonesia over the five Melanesian provinces of the Republic of Indonesia.

"If there is any issue as to attendance at the PIF in Port Moresby, I think the decision will have to be made by the leaders, and of course there are rules and regulations in the PIF framework which govern what leaders can and cannot do.

"We will follow the letter of the rules and regulations that apply to it. It is independent member states of the Pacific Islands Forum that are entitled to participate. Anyone who's not a member of the Pacific Islands Forum I don't think should be permitted to enter."

Source: http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/94295

The time is now to act on West Papua

Pina - September 7, 2015

Joey Tau – Solidarity groups throughout the Pacific including Australia and New Zealand are calling on Pacific leaders to act on the West Papua issue at this Forum Leaders meeting.

To not act on the issue of West Papua would be considered a moral failure of our collective leadership in the Pacific.

The call on leaders has gained momentum in light of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), with leaders expected to convene in Port Moresby this week, with West Papua being one of the top contentious priority areas on the leaders agenda.

Solidarity movements in the Pacific have peacefully demonstrated with a firm message to PIF to endorse a fact finding mission to West Papua to investigate human rights violations, support call for a UN Special Envoy on West Papua and assist in placing West Papua on the decolonisation list at the UN.

Historically, Pacific Islands Forum leaders have demonstrated their moral and political leadership recognising the right to self determination struggles in our region, notably in relation to New Caledonia and in seeking just resolution for many other politically difficult issues in our region such as the radioactive contaminants in the Marshall Islands.

Our leaders have facilitated these difficult political issues with integrity in Pacific solidarity with the struggles of our people.

PNG Union for West Papua (PNGUWP) Chairman, Ken Mondiai said the issue of self determination including that of West Papua had been brought up at numerous Pacific leaders forum over the years, but very little had been done to address the growing human rights violations what continue to flood the media.

"The time is now and our current Pacific leaders must act on the issue drawing their strength from historical leadership to resolve this on going conflict in a just and peaceful manner.

"PNG has an important role to play at this forum and as host and incoming chair of PIF, we call on the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and his Pacific counterparts to act morally and consciously when deliberating on West Papua," stressed Mondiai. PNG parliamentarian on West Papua and Oro Governor, Gary Juffa shared similar sentiments saying world leaders including our Pacific leaders have failed West Papua and continue to do so.

Governor Juffa labelled the United Nations as a failed organisation saying, "the UN has done nothing to address its apathy in 1969 when it supervised and watched with disinterest the Act of No Choice in West Papua when 1024 elders were forced at gunpoint to vote under duress to be part of INDONESIA on behalf of the entire people of West Papua, yet the UN preaches about the rights, violence, and torture in other parts of the world."

"We are not free in the Pacific until West Papua is free...the challenge is on our leaders to act on West Papua this week and we expect some firm outcomes."

The Solomon Islands Solidarity Movement for West Papua has also joined in the regional call, stressing on other Pacific leaders to support the stand behind the leadership of Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare and special envoy on West Papua, Mathew Wale.

Coordinator of the Solomon Islands movement, Lilly Chekana said the people of the Solomon Islands have high expectation of their Prime Minister to champion the issue of West Papua, but are calling on other leaders in support the leadership of Sogavare.

"Sogavare was vocal during the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders meeting this year in Honiara and we expect him to do the same at this year's PIF. The people of the Solomon Islands will continue to stand with our Pacific brothers and sisters in West Papua."

Meanwhile, regional youth movement for West Papua, Youngsolarans have taken a strong social media drive with demonstrations outside.

"We stand in solidarity with other regional movements are call on our leaders to endorse an independent fact finding mission to West Papua...we also want the leaders call on the UN to appoint a human rights special envoy to West Papua," said Youngsolwarans Fiji spokesperson, Vuetasau Buatoka.

Buatoka said there are talks of intense pressure from Indonesia on Fiji and PNG, "and we hope that our Pacific leaders are not influenced in their own space to negate their moral responsibility to West Papuans." As leaders travel into to PNG today, solidarity movements for West Papua will be hosting rallies throughout the Pacific.

Source: http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=21607584555ee08205fcfe9243d4c8

Pacific NGOs want West Papua mission

Radio New Zealand International - September 4, 2015

Pacific civil society groups are adding their weight to a call for a Pacific Islands Forum mission to the Indonesian region of West Papua.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua recently asked that a fact- finding mission be sent to to investigate allegations of human rights abuses.

Civil societies and non-governmental organisations have met in Port Moresby before the Forum Leaders summit next week.

Emele Duituturaga from the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs, or PIANGO, says the two main issues the group wants Forum leaders to address are climate change and West Papua.

Ms Duituturaga says the group wants an international binding agreement on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. She says the time has also come to look at West Papua.

"We have information directly from West Papua of the human rights violation atrocities. Yes, we know that this is being questioned. This is also why we are calling for a fact-finding mission into those human rights violations. This is quite urgent."

United Liberation Movement for West Papua was recently granted observer status at the Melanesian Spearhead Group sub-regional organisation.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/283315/pacific-NGOs-want-west-papua-mission

West Papuan leader denied PNG visa again

Radio New Zealand International - September 4, 2015

The West Papua independence activist, Benny Wenda, has been denied entry into Papua New Guinea.

Mr Wenda was invited to Port Moresby by the city's governor, Powes Parkop, to attend a conference and other events, including next week's Pacific Islands Forum Summit.

But he says his visa application was denied with no explanation, and his lawyers say there was nothing wrong with the application. The denial follows Mr Wenda's deportation from PNG last year when it emerged he did not have a required visa.

Mr Wenda says he received assurances he was clear to enter PNG again, but he suspects he may be on some immigration blacklist.

"The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea has already stated in a media interview that 'if Benny applied for a visa, he's free to come in'. So I tried to apply for a visa to enter the country, but again [I was] rejected for the second time. So I don't know whether it's a country decision to not allow me to enter."

A call has been made to Papua New Guinea's Immigration Department, but they are yet to respond.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/283301/west-papuan-leader-denied-png-visa-again

Papuan students call on Jokowi to withdraw military

Jakarta Post - September 4, 2015

Archipelago – Dozens of Papuan students demonstrated on Friday in Malang, East Java, calling on President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to bring an end to violence in the eastern-most Indonesian province of Papua by, among other things, withdrawing the military from the province.

Two Papuans were killed – Imanuel Mailmaur and Yulianus Okoware, both aged 23 – and two others injured – Marthinus Apokapo (24) and Marthinus Imapula (25) – when two soldiers opened fire on Aug. 28 in Timika, Papua.

The protesters also demanded that the President ensure that the Indonesian Military (TNI) carry out a proper investigation into the shootings so that the culprits could be prosecuted.

"We know that Indonesia is a country governed by the law, so, investigate and prosecute those who shot the Papuans," said Nhoten Suhuniap, a spokesperson for the action held at Malang City Hall as quoted by tempo.co.

According to the protesters, the withdrawal of the military will end the violence in Papua.

During the demonstration, they also revealed the alleged kidnapping and torture of civilians on Aug. 27 this year. "It was a serious human rights abuse," said Suhuniap, adding that more than 500,000 Papuan people had been killed since 1963.

They also demanded that President Jokowi fulfill his promise to give greater access to foreign journalists coming to Papua.

The demonstrators carried various posters and banners, their messages including: "Self-determination is the solution", "Democracy for the Papuan people" and "Stop exploiting Papua's wealth".

Dozens of police officers guarded the demonstration, allowing the protesters to safely voice their views. "The most important thing is that the demonstration is held peacefully. Police officers are only keeping an eye out," said Malang Deputy chief Comr. Dewa Putu Darmawan. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/04/papuan-students-call-jokowi-withdraw-military.html

Papuan students urge Jokowi to withdraw the military from Papua

Tempo - September 4, 2015

Eko Widianto, Malang – Dozens of students from Papua united under the Papuan Students Alliance launched a protest at the Malang City Hall on Friday, September 4, 2015, demanding President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to investigate civilian shootings by military personnel.

"This is a nation of laws. The shooter must be probed and brought to trial," protest coordinator Nhoten Suhuniap said on Friday, September 4, 2015.

Last week on August 28, 2015, two civilians in Timika, Papua, were shot dead and two others were injured by the Indonesian Military. The students demanded that the incident must be prevented from recurring. In addition, they demanded the president to withdraw military personnel from Papua.

The students claimed that the number of Papuans killed since May 1, 1963 has reached 500,000 people. Data from the Central Statistics Agency revealed that Papua is currently occupied by 1.7 million Melanesians and 2.3 million non-Papuan people.

The students also urged the government to open the access for international journalists to cover issues occurring in Papua. "The law provides a guarantee for us to express our opinions in public," Nhoten said.

The students also claimed that they were supported by about a thousand of West Papuan pro-independence students. Dozens of police personnel were deployed to secure the protest.

"The protest was peaceful and non-violent," said Malang City Precinct Police deputy chief Comr. Dewa Putu Darmawan.

Source: http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/09/04/055697858/papuan-students-urge-jokowi-to-withdraw-the-military-from-papua

Freedom fighter shown the way out

Fiji Times - September 4, 2015

Siteri Sauvakacolo and Solomone Rabulu – West Papua will apply to be a member of the Pacific Islands Development Forum, even though freedom fighter Octovanius Mote was denied entry into the PIDF meeting currently being held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

Mr Mote, the General-Secretary for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, was part of the Solomon Islands delegation. Prior to the opening of the summit, he was told that he would not be part of the meeting and to leave the Grand Pacific Hotel premises.

PIDF interim secretary-general Amena Yauvoli said he was not aware of a West Papua delegation and he would also not comment on political matters. "I am free in this Melanesian land, I am home, I don't care if I am not part of the meeting," Mr Mote said.

"Everybody is behind us in the West Papua fight and no nation can stop us and even though I might not be inside the meeting. It doesn't matter to me, it's too late, our solidarity groups are there." Mr Mote said he was told he was not in the right place at the right time when he was disallowed from being part of the summit.

Mr Mote said opportunities such as the PIDF gave him the confidence to lobby leaders and gather more countries to rally behind their fight for freedom.

"We will apply to be a member of the PIDF next year, we also ask the leaders to form a fact finding mission and conduct human rights assessment in West Papua and we also ask leaders to call on the UN Secretary-General to call on a special envoy to conduct human rights assessment.

"The West Papua issue is not a local issue anymore, it is a Melanesian issue, it is a South Pacific Forum issue so I have to convey my gratitude to all my solidarity groups because we all work together. As I said, West Papua issue is a human right issue and it's an issue of all human beings who have a heart."

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=320364

Indonesian bishop seeks justice for killings in restive Papua

UCAN News - September 2, 2015

Katharina R. Lestari, Jakarta – Indonesian Bishop John Philip Saklil of Timika in Indonesia's Papua province accused the military and police of carrying out violent attacks on civilians in the conflict-prone region, calling security personnel "protectors of immoral criminals".

"Based on our record, there are a number of violent incidents being brutally committed by members of the Indonesian military and police in our ecclesiastical area," the bishop said in a statement sent to ucanews.com on Sept. 2.

Bishop Saklil referred to five specific acts of violence that occurred between December and August. None of the incidents were properly investigated by the military or police, he said.

The latest violence happened Aug. 28 when two soldiers allegedly opened fire on a graduation party being held inside a church compound in Timika, killing two people and injuring five.

According to the bishop's statement, the soldiers had tried to enter the party earlier in the evening, but were blocked by parish security personnel. They later returned, allegedly enraged and drunk, according to the bishop's statement.

The soldiers entered the church compound and pointed their weapons at members of the congregation before opening fire. Killed in the attack were Imanuel Herman Mairimau, 23, and Yulianus Okoware, 23, both Catholics. The pair were buried Aug. 30 following a funeral Mass in St. Francis Mission Station in Timika.

Local media reported that several suspects were arrested, but Bishop Saklil raised doubts that the military can be trusted to investigate themselves.

Transparency

The bishop said military and police commanders lacked the "good will" to perform a transparent investigation. The police and military are "protectors of immoral criminals, instead of protectors of people," he said.

"Whatever the reason is, attacking civilians by using the state apparatus is surely a violation against human rights," Bishop Saklil said.

Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Wuryanto told local media that the Timika military police were investigating the most recent killings. "We will ensure that the military court law will be strictly imposed on any soldier proven guilty," he said.

However, in a Sept. 1 statement, the Jakarta-based Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence said that the military court lacks the transparency and accountability to conduct a fair investigation that offers justice to the victims.

Father Amandus Rahaded of Timika, who celebrated the funeral Mass for Mairimau and Okoware, also demanded transparency into the murder investigation. "The legal process must be transparent. Everyone must know about the ongoing legal process," he told ucanews.com.

Father Rahaded said the violent incidents were initially investigated, but eventually "faded away." "So now people feel hopeless," he said.

Papua has been beset by a decades-long conflict over Indonesia's takeover of the region following the withdrawal of the Dutch colonial administration in 1962. The guerrilla Free Papua Movement has led a low-level insurgency against Indonesia, marked by sporadic clashes and crackdowns on the Papuan people.

Source: http://www.ucanews.com/news/indonesian-bishop-seeks-justice-for-killings-in-restive-papua/74194

It is necessary to issue restriction number of military policy in Papua

Tabloid JUBI - September 2, 2015

Jayapura, Jubi – Chairman of the Board of Regional Leadership Student Association Central Mountains of Papua Indonesia (DPW-AMPTPI) East Indonesia, Nathan Naftali Tebai revealed that the military's heavy presence is hampering development programs in Papua.

Tebai urged the Government of Papua Province to evaluate the performance of the military.

"I talked to the governor, DPRP and MRP to immediately evaluate the performance of the military in Papua because the presence of the military, police and other military in Papua would interfere the development process in all aspects, "said Natan Naftali Tebai in Jayapura on this week.

Nathan said, the Provincial Government of Papua to immediately issue provincial regulation on military restrictions in Papua. "Based on our observation, current organic and non organic military in Papua are never recorded by the governor, DPRP and MRP," Tebai said.

As a result it continued violence in Papua. "Stop violence, murders and shootings to children, students and youth in Papua. All the generations of the Papuan people are haunted in the woods like cuscus, "he said.

He also urged Regional Commander XVII/Cenderawasih to undertake legal proceedings to the perpetrators of the shooting in Timika.

"We (AMPTPI) urges all parties and NGOs to oversee Timika, Paniai, Dogiyai and Yakuhimo cases and the seriousness of the new military commander to standing for justice," he said hopefully.

Chairman of the Working Group of Indigenous Papuan People's Assembly (MRP), James Dumupa declared, human beings are created by God.

"If it is believed that God created man, the question is why is people who feel entitled to kill people ?," said Dumupa in Abepura, Jayapura on Monday (08/31/2015). (Abeth You)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/en/2015/09/02/it-is-necessary-to-issue-restriction-number-of-military-policy-in-papua/

Abepura prison head denies Filep Karma is free

Tabloid JUBI - September 1, 2015

Jayapura, Jubi – Political prisoner Filep Karma has refused sentence cuts granted to prisoners by the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights to mark independence day.

The head of Abepura Prison, Bagus Kurniawan told Jubi on Saturday (29/8/2015) that Filep Karma is still in jail.

"No, not yet. Who said he's free? We have not received the decree from Jakarta. Media are often corrupted by rumors. We will inform media if he got remission or otherwise inform him if he received the Independence Day's remission," Bagus said.

When further asked about the decree, if it was received, does it mean Karma should be free, he said it would be informed later to prisoner. We will told him and his family about the decree approving his release and he would be free by law," he said.

But, according to Filep Karma, he will be still in jail for at least 3.5 years because he refused all remission offered.

"I was punished by the Indonesian Court to be sentenced for 15 years. But, now I was pushed to get my freedom on 17 August 2015. Based on my account, I will still spend my time in jail for three and half years because I refused all remission," Karma told Jubi some times ago.

According to him, he refused to be granted based on his attitude during his prison. It would be acceptable if it was granted because of the political prisoner aware of his mistake or changes his ideology and proclaim Indonesia as his country.

"I don't agree with that because this regulation was applied for criminals. It made as if the political prisoners are those who criminalized. It should be offered through political terms, such as he was granted for pardon in condition he signed a statement of loyal to Indonesian Government. I refused it. And now it's offered without any condition, so I also refused it because I didn't commit any crime," he said.

According to the Prison Head, he is also still waiting for decree from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, since Filep Karma sent a letter of rejection concerning to his remission. "Mr. Karma has sent a letter to Jakarta stating his rejection upon the remission. So, we are just waiting," he said.

When urged with a question what about the political prisoner insisted to be in jail although the decree of release is issued, he said it depends on next decision. "Just wait. The Decree has not issued yet," he said briefly.

"I, Filep Karma, herewith refuse remission of my detention in the commemoration of Indonesian Independence Day on 17 August. My independence day is the independence day of West Papua on 1 December," stated Karma who was sentenced for 15 years prison since 2004. (Roy Ratumakin/rom)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/en/2015/09/01/abepura-prison-head-denies-filep-karma-is-free/

Human rights & justice

Government urged to renew probe into Munir's death

Jakarta Post - September 7, 2015

Haeril Halim, Jakarta – The wife of slain human rights defender Munir Said Thalib, Suciwati, on Sunday called on President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to establish an independent team to find the mastermind behind the murder of her husband following half-hearted investigations conducted by previous administrations over nearly 11 years.

Suciwati made the appeal as the country prepares to observe on Monday the 11th year since Munir's death, a tragedy dating back to Sept. 7, 2004, when the country was led by Jokowi's patron, former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, the current chairman of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Investigations into Munir's death have so far seen two administrations, starting with former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who took office after Megawati, as well as the current Jokowi administration.

But as of today, law enforcement institutions have only prosecuted former Garuda Indonesia pilot Pollycarpus Budihari Prijanto, who walked free from prison on parole in November last year, one month after Jokowi assumed leadership. He served six years of a 14-year sentence for the murder.

Suciwati said the establishment of an independent team was important since a fact-finding team under Yudhoyono indicated that Munir's death was a scheme involving more than one perpetrator, possibly including people from the National Intelligence Agency (BIN).

"Jokowi earlier made a statement that if [he failed] to provide prosperity for Indonesians then it meant that he violated the country's constitution. This is just the same. If Jokowi fails to solve Munir's case then he will violate the constitution," Suciwati told reporters at the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) office on Sunday.

Attending the press conference, Al Araf, the director of human rights watchdog Imparsial, said that activists in Indonesia would continue to face uncertainty in terms of security when voicing criticism against the performance of the government if Jokowi failed to find the mastermind behind Munir's death.

"We have to see that the solution to Munir's case will give a sense of security in society. If this case is not solved, in the future it will be harder to solve a case involving activists who are poisoned due to their criticisms of the government's performance," Al Araf told reporters.

Kontras chairman Haris Azhar said that Munir's family deserved to know who killed the human rights defender and added it was the responsibility of the government to provide such an answer to the family of the slain activist.

Munir, who was a prominent human rights campaigner, died from arsenic poisoning during a flight to the Netherlands.

In addition to the freed Pollycarpus, Muchdi Purwoprandjono, a former BIN deputy chief who was accused of being involved in the case, was acquitted of all charges in late 2011.

Leaked US diplomatic cables, released by WikiLeaks, alleged that former BIN chief Hendropriyono, who is a close friend of Jokowi, "chaired two meetings at which Munir's assassination was planned" and a witness at those meetings told police that "only the time and method of the murder changed from the plans he heard discussed; original plans were to kill Munir in his office".

Haris further said that Jokowi should not be hampered in making decisions on Munir's case in the future even though people like Hendropriyono, who helped Jokowi during his presidential campaign in 2014, had potential roles in the case.

"It's been proven that Munir was killed with the help of intelligence agents under Hendropriyono's tenure. Jokowi should not feel indebted [to Hendropriyono for his help during the presidential campaign]," Haris added.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/07/govt-urged-renew-probe-munir-s-death.html

Government paves way to atone for 1965 atrocities

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Margareth S. Aritonang and Haeril Halim, Jakarta – The government is preparing a comprehensive mechanism to reconcile with all victims of gross human rights violations, including those who suffered from the 1965 anti communist purge. The process is expected to gradually restore the rights of victims and their families.

A government team set up to resolve long-abandoned cases of human rights abuse is assessing two possible alternatives. First, to express an official form of regret for the brutality inflicted upon victims, or second, to declare an official state apology to all the victims of past human rights abuse.

"We are still discussing which of these two options to take, whether to express an official apology or something more akin to regret," Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly said on Monday.

Yasonna said the ongoing discussion surrounding this subject involved his office and other related state institutions such as the office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister, the Attorney General's Office, the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Intelligence Agency and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

All these institutions plan to formally admit the reality of severe rights violations imposed on Indonesians by the state during dark periods in the country's history.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) plans to emphasize the brutal abuse inflicted on Indonesians during the 1965 anti communist purge.

"Whichever of the options is taken, it will highlight the abuse. If the state apologizes, it will be for all of the violations committed by the state on innocent Indonesians [during the 1965 communist purge], and not for violations against the PKI [Indonesian Communist Party]," Yasonna said.

He repeatedly reiterated this statement in an apparent move to clarify a misunderstanding circulating among the public that the government planned to direct its apology to the now defunct PKI. "Why would we apologize to the PKI? No one will do that."

However, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who was also present at the press briefing, personally rejected plans by the government to apologize to people who suffered as a result of the purge. "We haven't thought about it," he told reporters.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said in a speech to commemorate the country's 70th anniversary that the government was preparing a national reconciliation process so that the nation could come to terms with past human rights tragedies.

The ongoing reconciliation process will also likely confront the bloody 1989 Talangsari tragedy in Central Lampung, the 2001 and 2003 killings of villagers in Wamena and Wasior in Papua, various acts of forced disappearance, unresolved mysterious shootings in the 1980s and the violence that occurred during the 1998 May riots.

Many have applauded the ongoing process and hope that it will help the country move forward. "Making peace with our dark past will help us, as a nation, confidently aspire for a better future," said historian and Catholic priest Baskara T. Wardaya from Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/govt-paves-way-atone-1965-atrocities.html

Labour & migrant workers

Hundreds of workers in Cilacap reject foreign employees

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Agus Maryono, Cilacap – At least 500 workers who are members of several labor unions in Cilacap regency, Central Java, staged a rally on Tuesday to reject the government's policy to ease requirements for foreign employees seeking jobs in Indonesia.

At the rally, they urged the government to review the policy, which included the abolition of a mandatory Indonesian language proficiency test for foreign workers, as it would only harm local workers in the country.

"All foreign workers in Indonesia must be able to speak Indonesian. Reject foreign workers in Cilacap who cannot speak Indonesian fluently," said a protester who spoke from the top of a truck. The workers demonstrated in front of the Cilacap regent's office, forcing Cilacap Regent Tatto S. Pamuji to take part in the rally.

Among labor unions participating in the rally were the Chemical, Energy and Mining Industries Federation of Labor Unions (FSP-KEP), the Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers Unions (FSPMI), the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (GSBI) and the Mass Labor Movement (Gemuruh). Several labor union officials from security services company Nawakara Perkasa Nusantara (PUK NPN) 911 also joined the rally.

Rally coordinator Agus Hidayat said easing foreign worker requirements would only bring suffering to local workers. "All this time, we have been miserable, with a minimum wage below the cost of basic living needs per month," he said.

"The use of foreign workers should not violate Law No. 13/2003 on industrial relations, which will eventually close opportunities to local workers to get decent work and slow down the country's economic growth," said Agus.

"In Cilacap, there are hundreds of foreign workers. They are very exclusive people. They don't want to be acquainted with us. They are living in luxurious hotels while our salaries are far from enough to cover just our basic needs," said Darmono, 34.

He urged the government to review its policy on the minimum wage so it could cover basic needs of workers in the regency. According to the workers, the minimum wage in Cilacap of Rp 1.2 million (US$85.2) per month was not enough to cover basic living costs.

Responding to their demands, Tatto said he would convey Cilacap workers' aspirations to decision makers in Jakarta. "This is because the authority to make policies on foreign workers is not in my hands as a regent. It is the authority of the central government," Tatto said. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/hundreds-workers-cilacap-reject-foreign-employees.html

Government fears further lay-offs as workers take to streets

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Haeril Halim, Jakarta – With the economic slump continuing, the government is expecting lay-offs to increase.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that the economy grew 4.67 percent in the second quarter this year, lower than the 5.12 percent growth it saw in the same period last year. The bad news has taken its toll, with several firms dismissing workers.

Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri had called on businesses to use termination of employment only as a last resort.

"From the data we have today [Monday], the number has reached 26,000 [workers], whereas earlier we predicted 30,000. The government is currently working hard to fix the economy and stop more workers being made redundant. We expect companies to use redundancy as a last resort," he said after a ministerial coordination meeting ahead of Tuesday's scheduled mass protest driven by fears of redundancy.

At least 50,000 workers from Greater Jakarta are reported to be preparing to march from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to the State Palace to demand swift action from the government to prevent lay-offs.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the government welcomed the rally, but would deploy police and military personnel to guard it.

"The government is aware that there are still demands from workers that it cannot accommodate because of existing regulations, but the government wants its workers to be prosperous," Luhut said.

The government, Hanif said, was currently developing community-based programs to facilitate the growing number of laid-off workers in order to keep them "economically competitive". "The fall-back programs are in the form of labor-intensive and entrepreneurship programs," Hanif added.

Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) chairman Pandu Sjahrir said that at least 3,040 small-scale coal miners in Sumatra and Kalimantan were struggling to maintain operations, as coal prices continued to decline.

"Most [firms] that have stopped operation are in Sumatra; about 50 percent of mines operating in the region," he said as quoted by Kontan weekly. In Kalimantan, he added, about 30 percent of total mining companies had ceased operations.

Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki) secretary-general Togar Sitanggang said the palm oil sector had yet to see any lay-offs. "The effect [of the weakening economy] is more apparent in the declining price of the commodity itself. We haven't heard of any redundancies yet," he said.

Retailers have also felt the pinch of the weakening business climate. Traders at Glodok City Market in West Jakarta have seen the sales of electronic goods decline as a result of the rupiah's sharp depreciation against the US dollar.

The currency's fall has pushed prices of imported goods up, while public purchasing power is weakening.

Elsa, 24, a trader at the market, said her revenue from the sales of electronic household goods, such as rice cookers, irons and blenders, had declined by 30 percent since June. "Customers appear to be cutting back, while we've had to raise our selling prices by at least 10 percent."

Glodok City Market is the most popular electronics shopping center in the capital. However, last Saturday, the market, which is usually full of customers from inside and outside Jakarta, was quiet, with several blocks entirely desolate. Most of the electronics on sale at the market, Elsa said, were imported from China, Japan, South Korea and the US.

Boseph, another trader, had a similar story. His kiosk, selling cameras and tripods, had seen a month-long decline in customers, causing a revenue slump of 30 percent. "I have been a trader here for 12 years and this year is the worst." (foy)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/govt-fears-further-lay-offs-workers-take-streets.html

Massive labor protests

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Jakarta – Thousands of laborers started to flood the streets near the National Monument (Monas) park at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The park is expected to become the central point for a large labor demonstration.

A number of labor activists guided them to certain places to minimize their disruption to the traffic, which started to slow due to the presence of the laborers on the city's main thoroughfare, Jl. M.H Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

Hundreds of laborers from Depok, West Java, gathered in Cimanggis before heading to Jakarta. Hundreds of other laborers form South Tangerang, Banten, gathered in Serpong. While waiting for other laborers to come, some of them have started to voice their aspiration.

The central point of their aspiration is calling on the government to take action on the economic slowdown that had already affected their purchasing power and they also feared that the continuous economic deceleration would force the factories to lay off their workers.

"We are seriously affected by the condition of the economy," chanted one of the laborers in South Tangerang on Tuesday calling on the government to have a concrete solution as quoted by Antara news agency.

Kompas.com reported that from Depok that the laborers took three buses as they parked their motorcycles in Cimanggis. Depok Police chief Sr. Comr. Dwiyono said that he deployed some 500 police officers to guard the demonstration and to escort the buses from the starting point.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama prepared to welcome the laborers with accommodations. "I prepared Monas park for them and City Hall. We have prepared food for them," he was quoted by tempo.co as saying.

He said that Monas is also equipped with toilets. But chairman of the Indonesian Workers Unions Confederation Said Iqbal said that the laborers would use the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout for their protest.

Jakarta city police chief. Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian said that the police would take tough action against the demonstrating laborers if any of them violated the regulations. He also demanded that the police arrest anyone going around to the factories and forcing workers to join the demonstration, many of whom preferred to work rather than demonstrate.

"I have ordered all the police precinct heads in the city to arrest those who are forcing others to demonstrate," he stressed. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/massive-labor-protests.html

Government urged to deal with massive layoffs

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Jakarta – Indonesian Workers Union Association (Aspek) president Mirah Sumirat has called on the government to anticipate massive layoffs that might occur due to the country's economic slowdown and the weakening of the rupiah.

"One of the measures the government must carry out is lowering fuel and basic commodity prices so that the people's purchasing power can be maintained," she said as quoted by Antara in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Mirah said a decline in fuel prices would reduce production costs so that companies could maintain their production activities without needing to start laying people off.

The labor activist further said that many policies the government had taken contradicted real conditions in the country.

While thousands of workers were being threatened with layoffs, the government had instead eased requirements, including a mandatory Indonesian language proficiency test for foreign workers who sought jobs in Indonesia, she added.

"We reject such a policy because the number of unemployed people and layoffs in Indonesia is still high. According to the Central Statistics Agency [BPS], the number of unemployed people in Indonesia increased by 300,000 to 7.47 million in February," said Mirah.

Citing data earlier presented by Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri, 26,000 employees were laid off in 2015.

"The government should have responded to this situation by giving adequate protection to Indonesian workers, instead of giving a 'red carpet' to foreign workers so they can easily get a job in Indonesia," said Mirah.

She said that instead of submitting to the influence of foreign investors, the government must be brave and protect the interests of its people. Article 27 (2) of the 1945 Constitution guarantees citizens the right to decent work and employment without any discrimination. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/govt-urged-deal-with-massive-layoffs.html

Freedom of information & press

Detained British journalists ask for deportation

Jakarta Post - September 7, 2015

Fadli, Batam – Two British journalists detained by Indonesian authorities for making a documentary about piracy in the Malacca Strait without proper papers have asked to be deported soon, their lawyer has said.

Noted lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis asked that legal proceedings against the two reporters, Neil Bonner, 31, and Becky Prosser, 30, be sped up and conclude in a deportation decision.

"They have been detained by the Immigration Office for too long. Three months," Todung told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

He said the journalists had admitted to using tourist visas as their working visas had not yet been granted by the Indonesian embassy in London, despite having submitted their applications well in advance.

According to Todung, the journalists were arrested by the Indonesian Navy while making observations, and they had not yet begun filming.

"The documentary has a good intention. It's not propaganda. I think it's just an immigration violation, better to just deport them," he said, adding that he has prepared to defend his clients to be charged under the Immigration Law for working in the country while on tourist visas which carries a maximum punishment of five years in jail.

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has asked the government to free the journalists.

Earlier, the Batam Prosecutors Office's general crime head Ali Akbar said that his prosecutors had been preparing dossiers against the journalists, who would be tried in Batam District Court as soon as the dossiers were completed.

On May 28, the Indonesian Navy patrol arrested the two journalists along with nine Indonesian nationals in Belakang Padang Island, Batam, as they were about to film a reenactment of an incident of piracy.

The nine locals have been identified as Zamira Lubis, 52; Andi Kusnanto, 36; Ahmadi, 36; Marsel Karel, 50; Indratno, 43; Apson Kakahue, 49; Samsul, 49; Diki, 28; and Lamusa, 36. The nine were released on bail on May 30.

The two have reportedly admitted that the documentary, which featured former pirates as actors, was to be aired on the National Geographic Channel.

On Tuesday, the Indonesian Navy's Western Fleet commander, Rear Adm. Taufiqurrahman, told the Post that the Navy had rejected pressure from the British government to free the two journalists.

Taufiqurrahman said the documentary could tarnish the image of the Malacca Strait as a crime-prone area, saying that the reenactment of piracy in the film was inaccurate.

An agency focusing on piracy and armed robbery, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), said that 129 sea attacks were reported from January to September 2014, predominantly in Indonesia, the South China Sea, the Malacca Strait and the Singapore Strait.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/07/detained-british-journalists-ask-deportation.html

5 years in prison sought for 2 British journos

Jakarta Post - September 3, 2015

Fadli, Batam – Two British journalists detained by Indonesian authorities since May for making a documentary on piracy in the Malacca Strait without proper papers could face five years' imprisonment for breaching the country's immigration laws, an official has said.

Speaking to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, the head of the Batam Prosecutors' Office's general crimes unit, Ali Akbar, said his office had received a notification letter on the investigation order (SPDP) against the two journalists, 31-year-old Neil Bonner and 30-year-old Becky Prosser, from the Batam Immigration Office.

The pair, Ali said, would be charged under the Immigration Law, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, for working in the country while on tourist visas.

"In their case dossiers, both admitted that they were British journalists. The immigration office is still preparing the dossiers." Ali said. Once their dossiers are completed, the journalists, according to Ali, will undergo trial at Batam District Court.

The Malacca Strait is a maritime area that borders four states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The strait connects three major seas: the South China Sea in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has emphasized the importance of securing the Malacca Strait from piracy.

On May 28, the Indonesian Navy patrol arrested the two journalists along with nine Indonesian nationals in Belakang Padang Island, Batam, as they were about to film a reenactment of piracy.

The nine locals have been identified as Zamira Lubis, 52, Andi Kusnanto, 36, Ahmadi, 36, Marsel Karel, 50, Indratno, 43, Apson Kakahue, 49, Samsul, 49, Diki, 28, and Lamusa, 36. The nine were released on bail on May 30. Lamusa has said that he received US$250 for three hours of shooting.

On Tuesday, the Indonesian Navy's Western Fleet (Armabar) commander, Rear Adm. Taufiqurrahman, admitted that the Navy had been under pressure from the British government to free the two journalists.

"From the beginning, there were efforts from the UK government to free them, but I firmly said no. We rejected such efforts," he told the Post.

According to Taufiqurrahman, the two admitted that the documentary, which featured former pirates as actors, was to be aired on the National Geographic Channel. "What they were reenacting was not accurate and could tarnish the image of the Malacca Strait as a crime-prone area," he said.

A center focusing on piracy and armed robbery, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), said that 129 sea attacks were reported from January to September 2014, predominantly in Indonesia, the South China Sea, the Malacca Strait and the Singapore Strait.

Taufiqurrahman was quick to rebuff criticism of the Navy for halting journalistic activity. He also said that as of Wednesday, no local or international journalist associations had demanded the release of the two documentary-makers.

"We are open to the press. Yesterday, we helped a crew from China's CCTV cover problems in the Malacca Strait. We are also set to give Al Jazeera access to cover the area. If the journalistic duties are conducted openly, we will give access," he said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Alliance of Indonesian Journalists' (AJI) Batam chapter, Muhammad Zuhri, said his association had received a request from AJI's national board to ensure the two journalists were given their due rights while in custody at the detention center.

"We will not interfere with the legal process, but if they are tried in their role as journalists, we will demand that they be released," Zuhri said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/03/5-years-prison-sought-2-british-journos.html

Two English journos to face trial soon

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Jakarta – Two English journalists arrested in Batam, Riau Islands, will soon face trial for allegedly violating immigration regulations, according to Ronny F. Sompie, the head of the Law and Human Rights Ministry's immigration directorate general.

"Neil Borner and Becky Prosser can be charged for their crimes. Their dossiers are currently being examined by prosecutors. Once they're complete, the first hearing will be held," Ronny said at the Presidential Palace on Monday.

The two were arrested by navy personnel in Batam waters in May. According to Ronny, they were engaged in journalistic activity despite holding only tourist visas.

The prosecution has continued despite President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's recent call to protect the rights of foreign journalists working in Indonesia.

Borner and Posser reportedly applied for journalistic visas at the Indonesian Embassy in London on April 16 and 17 this year, but as of May 20, their applications had not been approved.

The pair decided to forge ahead regardless with their film project, traveling to Sekupang Port in Riau Islands to recruit locals. They were subsequently arrested by the navy and brought to military headquarters in Batam.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/national-scene-two-english-journos-face-trial-soon.html

Political parties & elections

PAN chief backtracks, denies leaving KMP

Jakarta Post - September 4, 2015

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Despite rumors that the National Mandate Party (PAN) will be awarded positions in the Cabinet for joining the government's coalition, its chairman, Zulkifli Hasan, denied that the party had exited the opposition Red-and-White Coalition (KMP) after a closed meeting with leaders of the coalition on Thursday.

Speaking after the one-hour meeting at the Bakrie Center in Jakarta, Zulkifli denied joining the ruling coalition of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, the Great Indonesia Coalition (KIH).

"I didn't say that I was exiting [the KMP] or joining the KIH. We are joining the government by focusing on how to tackle the problems that this nation is facing. That's the form of our support and the participation of PAN in the government," he told reporters, flanked by KMP luminaries including Golkar Party chairman Aburizal "Ical" Bakrie and Gerindra chairman Prabowo Subianto.

Zulkifli had previously pledged that PAN's faction at the House would follow the direction set up by Jokowi's ruling coalition. However, he denied this meant his party would be permanently opposed to the KMP.

"Is it really necessary to pit the KMP against the KIH all the time? The KMP will support [the government] if its programs are pro-people. I believe the substance is more important than the outfit," he said.

Zulkifli's move nonetheless drastically weakens the KMP. The opposition coalition is now primarily made up of loyal members of the Gerindra Party, the leading opposition party, and the Islamic Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

The KMP had already been crippled by the descent of two of its factions, the Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP), into bitter internal divisions stemming from leadership disputes. These changes have caused both Golkar and the PPP to gravitate toward the government.

Having officially declared its support for Jokowi, PAN will bring in an additional 48 votes to the existing 208 votes secured by the ruling coalition at the legislature.

Zulkifli's equivocation puts PAN on a par with the Democratic Party, which has refused to join either House coalition, professing to remain neutral and choosing its own stance on each debate.

The Democratic Party, however, was quick to join the opposition to obtain all leadership posts at the House and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Zulkifli, who is also MPR speaker, is said to have been handpicked by Democratic Party chairman and former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to be nominated in the race.

In subsequent political processes at the House, the Democratic Party has regularly switched between supporting and opposing the government.

By claiming to support the government, PAN may try to position itself as a supporter of the President and his Cabinet, instead of making permanent alliances with either of the party coalitions.

Zulkifli did not warn other KMP members of his planned announcement on Wednesday, and many were taken aback upon hearing of it.

"I wanted to tell Pak Ical and Pak Prabowo, but I was worried that [the delivery of the message] was not complete. That's why I asked Pak Ical for his time to convey PAN's stance on the government," Zulkifli said.

KMP coordinator Idrus Marham, however, said that any important decision made by a member of the coalition should be first discussed with coalition partners.

Idrus added that PAN was an integral part of the opposition coalition, all members of which had endorsed the same presidential candidate.

"The embryo of the KMP's birth was the presidential candidate pair of Prabowo from the Gerindra Party and Hatta [Rajasa] from PAN. The PKS and the Golkar Party were just supporters," he noted.

Both Aburizal and Prabowo, meanwhile, said that the opposition coalition understood PAN's decision and fully supported it, Prabowo adding, however, that his party would not change its stance.

"I reaffirm that we respect our friend's decision [...] we also reaffirm our stance that in order to conduct democracy properly, we need checks and balances for the greater good," he said.

Aburizal, for his part, claimed that the coalition was not disappointed by Zulkifli's defection. "Disappointed? Disappointment is a matter for the heart – a matter for lovers, not for politicians," he said smilingly.

His smile was nowhere to be seen, though, during Zulkifli's post-meeting remarks to the press. Abuziral and Prabowo both remained stony-faced until the press conference ended and they were asked to pose for photos with their erstwhile ally.

In the photos, the pair could only muster a thumbs-up each and refused to join and raise their hands, a common pose for the opposition caucus. Pressed by photographers to adopt the pose, Zulkifli responded curtly, "That'll do. That's enough, isn't it?"

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/04/pan-chief-backtracks-denies-leaving-kmp.html

Jokowi strengthens his power base

Jakarta Post - September 3, 2015

Ina Parlina, Jakarta – The National Mandate Party (PAN) announced on Wednesday that it would join the ruling coalition of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, a move expected to improve the government's relationship with the House of Representatives.

PAN chairman Zulkifli Hasan, who is also chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), said that the decision would create political stability at a time of national economic downturn.

"We unanimously declared to the President that PAN would join [the government]. PAN had previously stated it supported [the government], and now we declare our decision to join the government, to support all government programs for the interests of the nation and the Indonesian people," Zulkifli told a press conference at the State Palace after a meeting with Jokowi.

Zulkifli was joined by PAN secretary-general Eddy Soeparno, PAN Advisory Council chairman Soetrisno Bachir and Hanura Party chairman Wiranto, who served as mediator in the meeting with Jokowi.

In the same press conference, Jokowi said he welcomed PAN's entry into the ruling coalition, calling it proof of the party's commitment to prioritizing the nation and its people.

"Effective governance is essential today to face the global economic challenges. Amid this challenging situation, I truly appreciate PAN's decision to join the government," Jokowi said.

Jokowi also invited other political parties to join the ruling coalition. "I invite everyone to use this occasion to strengthen the spirit of nationalism and unity," he said.

Having officially declared its support for Jokowi, PAN will add 48 votes to the existing 208 votes secured by the ruling coalition within the legislative institution.

With the fate of the Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP) still in the balance given the unresolved internal rifts over the parties' leaderships, PAN's decision to support Jokowi has significantly reduced the power of the opposition Red-and-White Coalition.

The coalition now controls only 113 seats in the House, 73 votes from the Gerindra Party and 40 votes from the Islamic Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, meanwhile, has pledged to stay neutral, emphasizing its position as a "balancing power".

Zulkifli pledged that PAN's faction at the House would also follow the direction set up by Jokowi's ruling coalition. "All pro-people government programs will also be the task of our party," he said.

The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) welcomed PAN's decision to join the government. PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said he was confident that PAN could bring additional legislative support to secure Jokowi's policies and wrest control of the House of Representatives from the opposition camp.

"We have long discussed [PAN joining the government]," Hasto told The Jakarta Post. "PAN's presence will strengthen consolidation within the government and at the same time positively build the perception that the President is backed by a dominant legislative power."

Although Zulkifli claimed that all PAN's executives and members, including its senior politicians, endorsed the move, he declined to explain why he had met only with Jokowi, and not PDI-P chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri.

He also claimed that PAN had unilaterally made the decision without consulting any members of the ruling coalition.

Wiranto, meanwhile, said that political divisions between the ruling and opposition coalitions were no longer relevant now that PAN had joined the government.

"There should be a new paradigm that transforms the two coalitions into a Nusantara Coalition, a coalition of all national components to make steps to ensure the survival of our nation in the challenging global arena," Wiranto said.

Political communication experts Gun Gun Heryanto and Effendi Gazali said PAN's move was "predictable" following Jokowi's presence at the party's national congress in May, which resulted in the election of Zulkifli.

The inclusion of PAN in the ruling coalition is widely seen as another step forward by Jokowi in his recent consolidation of his power base.

Following the appointment of his aide Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister, on Wednesday Jokowi also announced the promotion of former antigraft activist Teten Masduki as Presidential Chief of Staff, replacing Luhut.

Teten is widely seen as another confidant of Jokowi, and was involved in Jokowi's election campaign last year.

In what many deem as Jokowi further testing the water, unconfirmed reports said on Wednesday that the chief of the National Police's detective corps, Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, would be removed from his position.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/03/jokowi-strengthens-his-power-base.html

PAN officially switches sides, joins Jokowi's coalition

Jakarta Globe - September 2, 2015

Jakarta – The opposition National Mandate Party, or PAN, has officially joined the pro-government Awesome Indonesia Coalition, or KIH, its chairman said on Wednesday.

"Today we announce that we have joined [the KIH]," Zulkifli Hasan, who is also the speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), said at a press conference at the State Palace with President Joko Widodo.

"Previously we said that we support [the government], but now we're saying we've become a part of the coalition to help the government make their programs a success." Zulkifli said the decision to abandon the opposition Red-White Coalition (KMP) and align with the KIH had been thoroughly discussed by the party leadership.

"This is for the benefit of the republic; it's not for personal, party or group interests," Zulkifli said, referring to slowing economic growth that he argued called for a full support of the government by all parties to deal with.

President Joko commended the PAN for putting the interests of the state and Indonesian people above its own. "I hope that with the PAN joining the government, we will have a united spirit to make a better future for Indonesia," he said.

Prior to the announcement, Zulkifli met in private with Joko, PAN secretary general Eddy Soeparno, and Wiranto, chairman of the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), a KIH coalition partner.

The PAN is the fifth-biggest party in the House of Representatives, with 48 seats, or 8.8 percent of total seats. During last year's presidential election then-PAN chairman Hatta Rajasa ran as the vice presidential candidate to the KIH's Prabowo Subianto.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/pan-officially-switches-sides-joins-jokowis-coalition/

Environment & natural disasters

Most of Sumatra blanketed by smoke

Jakarta Post - September 4, 2015

Jakarta – Most regions of Sumatra are currently blanketed by smoke from land and forest fires and the pollution will potentially reach neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.

"From our data this morning, almost all of Sumatra is covered in smoke, with affected regions including South Sumatra, Jambi, West Sumatra, Riau, Medan and Aceh," said head of the Pekanbaru Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Sugarin on Friday as quoted by Antara news agency.

Sugarin said that only a few areas were relatively free from air pollution, those including Lampung and parts of Bengkulu.

In Pekanbaru, for instance, the smoke was still thick on Friday afternoon and has reached a hazardous level of air pollution and caused visibility to drop to around 700 meters.

The smoke is said to be coming from land and forest fires in South Sumatra, Jambi and Riau, from which smoke is blown by the wind toward the north, increasing the possibility that it will reach neighboring countries.

According to data from NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, there were up to 362 hot spots in Sumatra at 5 a.m. on Friday. Most of them were located in South Sumatra, where there were 173 hot spots, followed by Jambi with 148, Riau with 31, and Bangka Belitung with 8. (kes)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/04/most-sumatra-blanketed-smoke.html

Thick haze paralyzes schools, airports in Sumatra, Kalimantan

Jakarta Post - September 3, 2015

Rizal Harahap and Apriadi Gunawan, Pekanbaru/Medan – Thick haze caused by ongoing land and forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan has forced local authorities on the two islands to temporarily shut down schools and delay or cancel flights on safety concerns.

In Riau, the Pekanbaru municipal administration on Wednesday decided to close down schools until Thursday in response to ever-thicker haze that has blanketed the city over the past few days.

Fuad Jabbar, a student at SMP 8 Pekanbaru state junior high school, expressed relief that students were finally sent home, saying that he had been suffering from a cough for the past week.

"My nose hurts and it's hard to breathe. I'm also suffering from an eye irritation, making it hard to concentrate," he said, adding that some of his friends were suffering similar symptoms.

Pekanbaru Education Agency head Zulfadil said the decision to send local students home was necessary, as the air quality in the city had continued to drop in recent days.

"We want to anticipate any negative impacts," Zulfadil said, adding that the agency might extend the schools' closure if the city's air quality did not quickly improve.

In Kampar and Rokan Hulu regencies, a number of schools also decided on Wednesday to send their respective students early.

Pelalawan regency, meanwhile, had taken the same policy earlier on Tuesday and schools are scheduled to resume activities by Friday.

"We are advising schools to give their students days off if the air quality in their respective region stays at unhealthy levels for three consecutive days," explained Riau Health Agency head Andra Sjafril.

Local authorities in many parts of the country, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan, have been struggling over the past few months to extinguish massive land and forest fires triggered mainly by this year's extended dry season.

Haze has also played havoc with flights at a number of airports in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

According to authorities at Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport in Pekanbaru, limited visibility on Wednesday forced 10 domestic and international flights to delay their arrivals at or departures from the airport, Antara news agency reported.

In North Sumatra, 11 flights were canceled from landing at or taking off from Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang regency on Wednesday on similar concerns.

"Before 1 p.m., 10 flights canceled their arrivals at or departures from the airport. Another flight was canceled at 3:10 p.m.," Kualanamu airport duty manager Indra Lubis told The Jakarta Post.

Meanwhile in Central Kalimantan, Susi Air's flights from and to Beringin Airport in Muara Teweh, North Barito regency, were also canceled on Wednesday because of thick haze.

"The flights were canceled because the haze has been relatively thick since this morning," airport officer Akhmad Sidik told Antara.

While most of the recent land and forest fires are the result of natural causes, others have been intentionally sparked by irresponsible parties.

In Jambi, the local police announced on Wednesday that they were investigating five cases of intentional land burnings in the province.

Jambi Police chief Brig. Gen. Lutfi Lubihanto said three people had been named suspects for allegedly burning 819 hectares of land in Tebo Ilir district, Tebo regency. The case, he said, was being handled by the Tebo Police.

[Jon Afrizal in Jambi contributed to the article.]

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/03/thick-haze-paralyzes-schools-airports-sumatra-kalimantan.html

Graft & corruption

Case against Abraham will go to trial, despite chief detective's removal

Jakarta Globe - September 5, 2015

Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office says it will not consider dropping a criminal case against the suspended chairman of Indonesia's antigraft commission, following the removal from office of the controversial police general accused of fabricating the charges.

Attorney General H.M. Prasetyo said on Friday that any notion that his office would shelve the case against Abraham Samad was "out of the question."

"Don't even talk about that, because [dropping it] would require very serious deliberations," he said. "It could only be done if it was considered to be in the public's interest."

Abraham was suspended in February as chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) after police charged him with document forgery in connection with assisting an unrelated woman submit domicile documents for a passport application.

Police on Thursday also charged Abraham's brother, Imran Samad, a subdistrict chief in their hometown of Makassar, South Sulawesi, with aiding in the alleged document forgery.

Abraham had on Tuesday, through a lawyer, called for the case against him to be dropped, arguing that the investigation had dragged on for months with neither the police nor the AGO able to compile sufficient evidence to bring it to court.

Prasetyo, though, denied this, saying there was "every indication that the file in question is compete and will be ready to submit to court" for a trial date. He suggested the case would be filed with the court within a month.

The charges against Abraham are widely seen as fabricated by the police in response to the KPK naming police general Budi Gunawan, now the deputy police chief, a suspect for bribery and money-laundering in connection with undeclared millions of dollars in transactions through his personal bank accounts.

Budi Waseso, a self-styled acolyte of Budi Gunawan's and the chief of detectives who spearheaded the investigation into Abraham – as well as similar highly dubious probes against other KPK officials – was on Friday demoted to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), following a months-long outcry over his antics in office over the past several months.

In his parting shot to the new chief of detectives, Anang Iskandar, Waseso demanded that the cases he had instigated should be followed through, including those against Abraham, suspended KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto, and senior KPK investigator Novel Baswedan.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/ago-case-KPKs-abraham-will-go-trial-despite-chief-detectives-removal/

Activists call on new detectives chief to review cases against KPK

Jakarta Globe - September 4, 2015

Jakarta – Antigraft activists have demanded that the new National Police chief of detectives review the many controversial investigations launched by his predecessor after police announced a sweeping reshuffle.

Rumors of Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso's ouster from the post, the second-most powerful in the force after that of the police chief, began on Wednesday and were finally confirmed late on Thursday when Gen. Badrodin Haiti, the police chief, announced that Waseso had been moved to head up the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) in a trade with BNN chief Comr. Gen. Anang Iskandar.

"Yes, it's true, Anang from the BNN has switched places with the chief of detectives," Badrodin wrote in a brief text message to reporters.

Waseso has courted controversy since taking up the post of chief detective, largely by spearheading a campaign to undermine the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

A self-proclaimed acolyte of deputy police chief Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, Waseso launched a series of suspiciously timed and dubious investigations against KPK officials after the antigraft body charged Gunawan with bribery and money-laundering in January, in connection with undeclared millions of dollars in transactions through his personal bank accounts.

Under Waseso's watch, the police's detectives' unit has pursued criminal investigations against two KPK commissioners – chairman Abraham Samad and deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto – and senior investigator Novel Baswedan on trumped-up charges going back up to a decade.

Waseso has also opened a criminal investigation against supporters of the highly regarded KPK, charging two Judicial Commission members with slander for criticizing a court ruling that cleared Gunawan of all charges. Waseso's office also charged former deputy justice minister Denny Indrayana with corruption after Denny sided with the KPK in the brouhaha.

These cases have spurred thousands to demand Waseso's removal through an online petition.

Waseso also earned the ire of the government in recent weeks, with high- profile raids on state-owned port operator Pelindo II and the Pertamina Foundation. Pelindo II chief Richard J. Lino threatened to resign and even brought the matter up to several ministers and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, denouncing the police raid on his office – with a media entourage in tow – as excessive and unwarranted.

Waseso claims that Pelindo II, under Lino, squandered billions in state funds on the purchase of container cranes, a charge that the port operator has strenuously denied by citing independent audits showing the purchases were justified.

Trimedya Pandjaitan, a deputy chairman of the House of Representatives' House Commission III, overseeing legal affairs, said he would recommend that the commission set up an inquiry committee into the Pelindo case in light of Waseso's removal.

He called the removal "highly politicized," and said Waseso was the "victim" of business interests. (No one from the House used those words to describe the police's treatment of the KPK officials mired in trumped-up charges.)

"We deplore the lack of support [for Waseso] from the police force, because he was a victim of the Pelindo case. That's why Commission III will set up a special committee on Pelindo, so that the investigation that Waseso started can continue," said Trimedya, a PDI-P member.

Re-examination

One of Waseso's most outspoken critics, Ahmad "Buya" Syafii Maarif, has urged Anang to review all the investigations launched by Waseso, particularly those involving KPK leaders Abraham and Bambang and their supporters.

"Re-examine [the cases] and see whether they are truly based on solid evidence or based on certain interests," said Syafii, a former chairman of Muhammadiyah, the country's second-biggest Islamic organization.

Syafii, a former member of a team appointed by the president earlier this year to quell the hostilities between the police and the KPK, previously blasted Waseso as being "mentally unstable," and said "This chief of detectives doesn't understand detective work. He doesn't have the least bit of competence or professionalism."

Legal expert Rasyid Alam Perkasa Nasution noted that despite embarking on a flurry of high-profile investigations, the detectives' unit under Waseso had failed to bring a single suspect to trial – a strong indication that the cases were weak and/or trumped up to begin with.

Waseso "has done nothing but cause controversy," Rasyid said, criticizing the police general's transparently brazen attempts to ape the KPK's method of breaking open major corruption cases.

"Law enforcement [under Waseso] has been nothing more than a show. What has the detectives' unit accomplished this whole time? Compare that with the KPK, which delivers results," Rasyid said.

Restoring ties

Anang, meanwhile, said he hoped to restore ties with the KPK, which have deteriorated since Waseso took office in January.

"The success of my role [as chief of detectives] relies on building good cooperation with the KPK, PPATK" – the government's anti-money-laundering watchdog, which first flagged the irregularities in Budi Gunawan's accounts – "and other agencies which have the same function in our criminal justice system," Anang told Detik.com on Friday.

Anang said it was important to restore ties with the KPK, noting the rampant corruption within the police force and the BNN, with officers often treating criminal suspects as "walking ATMs" in systematic shakedowns.

"There are certain individuals with the authority to handle drug cases who are taking advantage of their position by way of extortion, offering to lessen charges in exchange for a payoff, providing protection to [drug smuggling] rings and even becoming drug dealers. They are turning drug [suspects] into walking ATMs," Anang said.

He added that under his watch, the BNN had consulted extensively with the KPK to address the problem. Cooperation with the antigraft commission, he went on, has led to better supervision of drug cases and the investigators handling them, something that Anang said he was keen to emulate in his new post.

"The goal is for the KPK to monitor rogue law-enforcement officers," he said – a stark contrast from the stance adopted by Waseso.

Anang said there was no reason the National Police, widely perceived as the most corrupt government institution in the republic, could not adopt the continuous-evaluation model in use at the BNN. "All we have to do is replicate in the detectives' unit what we have established at the BNN," he said.

The KPK, meanwhile, has expressed its readiness to cooperate with the new chief of detectives. "For the KPK, it is important to build communication and synergy between law enforcers," KPK interim deputy chairman Indriyanto Seno Adji said as quoted by Detik.com.

Still 'ferocious'

For Waseso, the move to the BNN comes as a "reward." "I think this is a regular rotation for rejuvenation purposes and the good of the [police] institution. I don't think we should make a fuss about it," Waseso told reporters in Jakarta on Friday.

"I'm becoming the BNN chief. This is a position directly under the president. So this is a reward." He added that he would live up to his nickname of Buwas, which sounds like buas, the Indonesian word for ferocious, in his new role at the BNN.

"You will see my performance at the BNN. I will conduct an internal reform, optimize the BNN's strength. This is a challenging role because this involves powerful drug syndicates and mafia. We have to be fierce," he said.

Cleaning house

The official memo issued on Friday announcing Waseso's transfer also listed his deputy, Insp. Gen. Johnny Mangasi Samosir, and his director of special and economic crimes, Brig. Gen. Victor Simandjuntak, as among those being moved in what the police force calls a "routine rotation."

Victor, who will be replaced by Brig Gen. Bambang Waskito, the National Police's head of operations, had earlier this week claimed that he would quit if Waseso was forced out of office.

Badrodin responded by warning all of Waseso's subordinated to be "loyal only to the force," and on Friday indicated that Victor was made to retire because of his comments.

"The person is retiring so he can say whatever he wants," Badrodin told reporters at the State Palace. "So what if he threatens to resign? Even if he didn't make such a threat, he was due to be replaced anyway."

Victor has been involved in nearly all the controversial investigations Waseso has instigated since taking the post of chief of detectives in January, particularly the cases against officials from the KPK.

House support

Waseso, though publicly maligned, has garnered support from the House, which has repeatedly tried to curtail the KPK's powers and whose members continue to provide fodder for the commission's ongoing series of high- profile arrests.

"The government should be supporting [Waseso's] efforts to unravel corruption cases that cost hundreds of trillions [of rupiah]," said Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) legislator Aboebakar Al Habsyi.

"[His] removal is part of efforts to undermine the [police's] credibility in fighting corruption."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/wrap-activists-call-new-chief-detectives-review-wasesos-cases-KPK-officials/

Activists criticize KPK selection process after final eight names

Jakarta Globe - September 2, 2015

Jakarta – Anti-corruption activists criticized the selection process for top posts inside the Corruption Eradication Commission, saying some candidates have visions that are counterproductive to the country's fight against graft.

President Joko Widodo on Tuesday announced the final eight candidates to lead the anti-graft agency, known as the KPK, which includes a police general, an intelligence officer, a lawyer and a returning KPK commissioner. The candidates were selected by an ad hoc committee that conducted four stages of screening with hundreds of hopefuls.

"The committee's selection process has failed to weed out problematic candidates from the start and ensure that only very qualified candidates who have shown real commitment to fighting graft go through," Indonesia Corruption Watch researcher Febri Hendri said.

Febri highlighted remarks made Brig. Gen. Basaria Panjaitan during an interview with the committee last week as an example, during which she said the KPK should only recruit police officers as investigators.

The KPK had been recruiting independent investigators on its own since 2012, after realizing that relying on the police presents a possible conflict of interests when it is investigating corruption cases inside the police force, dubbed as the most corrupt institution by various studies.

Joining Basaria in the final eight are interim KPK deputy chairman Johan Budi SP and KPK director for cooperation Sujanarko. Saut Situmorang, a staffer at the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) and Agus Raharjo, chief of the State Goods and Service Policy Agency were also recommended.

The selection committee listed a number of leading legal professionals, including Alexander Marwata, an Anti-Corruption Court judge. Alexander joins lawyer Surya Tjandra and Laode M Syarif, an activist and lecturer at the Hasanuddin University Law School.

The final eight will join former KPK deputy chairman Busyro Muqoddas and State Secretary expert Roby Arya Brata for a final vetting process at the House of Representatives. The five commissioners will serve a four-year term from Dec. 16.

Choky Ramdhan of the Indonesian Judiciary Watchdog Society (MaPPI) noted that there had been many interventions and threats aired by National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, which could have put pressure on the committee.

"The National Police has made repeated threatening statement to the media regarding the names of the candidates. This greatly distracts and demoralizes the committee in doing their work," he argued.

Budi recently claimed that police had flagged a number of KPK hopefuls, and named at least one of them a suspect, without explaining who and why they are problematic. Budi has also threatened to summon the committee for questioning if these hopefuls made it to the final eight.

The KPK and the National Police have engaged in a bitter rivalry since,when the former investigated a top police general for a corruption case. The National Police responded by opening a criminal case against three KPK commissioners.

Tensions resurfaced again early this year when the KPK named another top general, Budi Gunawan, as a graft suspect, foiling his bid to lead the police force.

The National Police responded by opening a separate criminal cases against all five KPK commissioners and 21 KPK investigators for alleged offenses which date back as far as 10 years.

Analysts and activists have noted that the charges were trumped up, with some able to be categorized as ethical violations and misdemeanors instead of criminal offenses.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/activists-criticize-KPK-selection-process-final-eight-names-revealed/

Suryadharma embroiled in a haj pilgrimage scandal

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Jakarta – The state prosecutor at the Jakarta Corruption Court has accused senior politician Suryadharma Ali of abusing his power during his time as the minister of religious affairs to enrich himself and other individuals by misusing haj pilgrimage funds, which were obtained from the payments of haj pilgrims and state funds.

Suryadharma misused Rp 27.28 billlion (US$1.95 million) from the haj fund and received Saudi 17.96 million reals from a Saudi businessman who wanted to win contracts for haj accomodation. Suryadharma could be imprisoned for up to 20 years if the court rules in favor of the prosecution.

From 2010 to 2013, the former United Development Party (PPP) chairman committed a series of graft and abuses of power, including abuse of the ministry's operational fund (DOM) for his personal interests.

Suryadharma, who served as minister of religious affairs for five years until 2014, also appointed 180 haj management committee (PPIH) officers, including several legislators, although he knew very well that such an act was against the ministry's own regulations.

He was also charged with sending 1,771 friends, family members, relatives and even his driver on haj pilgrimages at the cost of people who were actually entitled to the service.

"The defendant sent people who were close to him, including family members, adjutants, personal body guards, the defendant's driver and his wife's driver to perform their haj pilgrimage for free," said prosecutor Supardi.

"During his tenure, the defendant used around Rp 1.82 billion of the fund for his own benefit, which is against Law No. 17/2013 on state finance," he said.

The defendant also allegedly used around Rp 226.83 million of the fund to pay for visas and plane tickets when he and his family visited his daughter in Australia, Supardi said.

Suryadharma also provided some members of the House of Representative (DPR) Commission VIII with free facilities when performing their religious obligations by appointing them as the PPIH officials, according to Supardi. "These acts are against Law No. 28/1999 on clean governance and Law No. 13/2008 on haj pilgrimage management," the prosecutor insisted.

The prosecutor concluded that Suryadharma had violated Articles No. 1 and No. 3 of the 2001 Corruption Law. According to the articles, Suryadharma could be imprisoned for up to 20 years and fined a maximum of Rp 1 billion.

Meanwhile, Suryadharma said he could not be blamed for the corruption at the ministry as he was only a policy maker at the time. "The ones who should be held responsible when there were irregularities at the ministry are the ministry's director general and ministry officials," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/suryadharma-embroiled-a-haj-pilgrimage-scandal.html

Islamic law & morality

Purwakarta limits dating hours, threatens forced marriage

Jakarta Post - September 7, 2015

Arya Dipa, Bandung – The Purwakarta regional administration in West Java has recently issued a regulation that bans premarital dating after 9 p.m., suggesting that those who break the curfew get married or break up.

"This is to prevent unwanted pregnancy," Regent Dedi Mulyadi told The Jakarta Post via phone on Friday, adding that if those aged above 20 years old violated the regulation and refused to get married then it would be suggested that they break up.

He said the subdistricts' public order officers were obliged to warn couples who violated the regulation three times before inviting their families and advising them to get married.

"Visiting hours are restricted to before 9 p.m. because it's already the time to have a rest," said Dedi, who recently delivered a cultural speech in front of the world's young leaders forum at the UN headquarters in New York.

In various interviews, Dedi has said that public order officers would raid couples who were dating after 9 p.m.

In contrast to the less forceful "advising", in a recent interview with tempo.co, Dedi said couples "would be forced to get married [if found dating after the time limit]".

He said the regulation was also aimed to prevent obscenity and unwanted pregnancy cases, which damaged parents' dignity, and the high rate of maternal and baby mortality due to abortions in the province.

The national maternal mortality rate, according to the Health Ministry, is 359 out of 100,000 childbirths, a high figure compared to other Asian countries. The figures for the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand are 94, 48 and 40 out of 100,000 childbirths, respectively.

According to data from West Java Health Agency, maternal mortality in the province in 2014 was over double the national average; 748 out of 100,000 childbirths. Teenage mothers being physical unprepared has been blamed as one of the causes of the high maternal mortality rate in the province.

The new regulation No. 70/2015 on cultured villages, according to Dedi, was also intended to prevent children under 16 years of age riding motorized vehicles.

"If they are caught riding motorcycles while dating they will be taken home by the subdistrict security officers and the regulation will be discussed with their parents," Dedi said.

Dedi said the dating-hour restriction would be applied starting in October in five out of the province's 192 subdistricts. The five villages include Cilandak, Linggamukti, Cilingga, Mekarjaya, Cibeber and Sukamulya.

The five were selected because they were considered to still uphold the original cultures and traditions that prioritize customary law. The establishment of these cultural villages, Dedi said, was based on the thinking of the subdistrict heads and their respective development consultative bodies.

The regulation, according to Dedi, dealt with various aspects of inter- community relations, environment management, forest logging, water resources and security at the subdistrict level.

Separately, Cilandak village head Dadang Zakaria said that his administration began preparing 18 months ago for the subdistrict regulation as mandated by the regent regulation.

He said his people were ready to implement the policy. "We have many rented houses here. We don't want unwanted things being committed here," Dadang said.

He said all access to the village would be gated and officers would ask ID cards for those who wanted to visit their lovers. "If it is pass the curfew time we will ask the male lovers to leave."

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/07/purwakarta-limits-dating-hours-threatens-forced-marriage.html

No dating after 9: Purwakarta regent

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Archipelago – Lovebirds in Purwakarta, West Java, may have to use their dating time wisely and efficiently, as their regent has introduced a new regulation that prohibits dating after 9 p.m.

"The sanction will be forced marriages," Purwakarta Regent Dedi Mulyadi said, as quoted by tempo.co on Tuesday.

Dedi said that he had explained the new rule that would take effect this September to 193 subdistrict council heads in his region.

He also said that he had encouraged the subdistrict council heads to issue a bylaw to enforce the new rule. The enforcement, he added, would include routine raids by local security officers.

"The bylaw must be finalized by mid-September. If they fail, their regions will not receive assistance funds," he said.

The aim of this rule, according to Dedi, was to maintain the morality of the youth as well as protect the honor of the parents of girls. Apart from that, the policy was also a response to parents' concerns about the rise of pregnancy outside marriages in the region. "We want to achieve a more cultured Purwarkarta," he said.

In response to the regent's instruction, many subdistrict council heads welcomed the plan to issue the policy.

Cilandak subdistrict council head Dadang said he did not mind with the new rule. "This is meant to be for the common good and is meant to create a more ethical and cultured society," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/no-dating-after-9-purwakarta-regent.html

Land & agrarian conflicts

Minister defends Yogyakarta's racist policy on land ownership

Jakarta Post - September 4, 2015

Bambang Muryanto, Yogyakarta – The governor of Yogyakarta's ban on non- indigenous citizens owning land in the province is not problematic, according to Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Ferry Mursyidan Baldan.

"It's a clear, firm, good [policy]. What is the problem?" Ferry told reporters after a graduation ceremony for students of the National Land College (STPN) in Yogyakarta on Thursday.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) previously sent two letters to the Yogyakarta special region provincial administration, urging it to revoke letter No.K.898/I/A/1975 on land ownership.

The implementation of the governor's policy, which was signed by Deputy Governor Paku Alam IX, is ostensibly intended to prevent big investors from controlling land ownership in the province. According to Komnas HAM, however, the policy's major flaw is to assume that all large investors are of Chinese descent.

Ferry said that the policy on land ownership in Yogyakarta was part of the special status of the province as guaranteed by Law No. 13/2012.

"This is not against the Constitution. Its is part of the special status as recognized in the Constitution. Go ahead and ask the Constitutional Court," Ferry said.

Chinese-Indonesian residents of Yogyakarta have long expressed displeasure at the province's refusal to issue them with land-ownership documents.

On Tuesday, National Antidiscrimination Movement (Granad) chairman Willie Sebastian told a discussion forum that the policy was a legacy of the New Order era of president Soeharto that had been allowed to live on.

"If it is the law, I will obey it. If it is just a letter, I refuse to obey, because a letter is not a product of law and is not recognized by Indonesian law," said Willie, who has lived in Yogyakarta for 70 years.

The government, he said, should revoke the letter as it was contrary to the Constitution and human rights.

Willie previously filed a lawsuit against the president of Indonesia on Feb. 23, 2011. In a response to the lawsuit, the National Land Agency (BPN) issued letter No. 4325/016-300/XI/2011 addressed to the head of BPN's Yogyakarta office.

The letter affirmed that Law No. 5/1960 on agrarian principals applied in Yogkarta province, and that the regulation only divided land-ownership subjects into Indonesian citizens (WNI) and religious and social entities without differentiating between indigenous citizens and those of Chinese descent.

Yogyakarta Provincial Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) head Tavip Agus Rayanto, meanwhile, said that the provincial administration would accommodate Willie's complaints. "This is an old problem. I have received your complaint, and we will look into it," Tavip said in response to Willie's letter.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/04/minister-defends-yogyakarta-s-racist-policy-land-ownership.html

Parliament & legislation

Fadli Zon threatens to sue New York imam for criticizing Trump stunt

Jakarta Globe - September 7, 2015

Jakarta – Indonesian House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon has threatened to sue the prominent Indonesian imam of a New York City mosque after the latter accused him and House Speaker Setya Novanto of showcasing inappropriate support for US billionaire and presidential hopeful Donald Trump.

"We were not showing support or anything as such. It's not like we have a right to vote or hold any sway in the US presidential [election]," Fadli said in a press statement on Saturday, according to Indonesian news portal metrotvnews.com.

"Donald Trump hasn't even [officially] nominated himself. He is only trying to win the support of the Republicans," he added.

Setya and Fadli made a surprise appearance at a campaign event by Trump in New York on Thursday, in a stunt both the Indonesian legislature and the Foreign Ministry said they were not aware of.

Both of the House leaders claimed that Indonesians liked Trump very much, event though in reality it is unlikely that the majority of the Indonesian population even know who Trump is. Plenty of those who do, do not have an opinion of him all and many also see him as a controversial US TV figure.

"I don't mean to disrespect honorable House members. But being present at the Donald Trump event is lowering yourselves and the dignity of the nation [Indonesia]," Shamsi Ali, an Indonesian national and the imam of Al-Hikmah Mosque in New York City's Astoria neighborhood, said on his Facebook page on Saturday – a post that was widely shared.

"Who is Donald Trump to treat the [Indonesian] House speaker and his deputy like that – after the event ended he just abandoned them like a bunch of confused people," he added.

Shamsi, a well-known interfaith activist in New York, added that attending campaign events like the one held by Trump on Thursday could be interpreted by viewers as a show of support – despite Setya's and Fadli's denials.

"It is unethical for state officials to be present at meetings like that," said the former imam of New York's largest mosque located in the Islamic Cultural Center of New York.

The lawmakers' trip also attracted the attention of the watchdog group Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra), which calculated that it cost Indonesian taxpayers at least Rp 4.6 billion ($325,000), but likely a lot more. Meanwhile, others pointed to a costly watch apparently worn by Setya, which was seen fleetingly on the House speaker's wrist during the meeting with Trump.

Fadli accused Shamsi of defamation, criticizing the latter for basing his judgment and criticism on incomplete information.

"You've disparaged us by saying [Trump] only received us for three minutes prior to making us show up on the stage. You drew a conclusion without first examining what we discussed [with Trump]; you didn't know that there had been a meeting [before the televised appearance]," the House deputy speaker said.

According to Fadli, he, Setya and several other Indonesian lawmakers had had a closed-door meeting with Trump at the 26th floor of the Trump Tower prior to attending the campaign event in the building's lobby – although he stopped short of mentioning what the meeting was about.

Fadli said they were in New York representing Indonesia at an inter- parliamentary gathering hosted by the United Nations. He added that as the group intended to leave Trump Tower through the lobby, they stumbled across a large crowd, with Trump holding a press conference.

"So, showing some courtesy, we watched until the press conference ended," Fadli explained, adding that he had felt "honored" to have met the outspoken US billionaire, who has been labeled as a racist by opponents.

"The person we met wasn't corrupt, a war criminal or a thug – but a successful businessman who is also investing in Indonesia," Fadli said.

He added that as a religious leader, Shamsi should have applied the Islamic principle of "tabayyun" – or clarifying information – before he criticized the House leaders publicly.

Fadli also demanded that the imam retract his statement. "Otherwise I will sue you for violation the electronic information and transaction law," he said.

Last month, Trump Hotel Collection, the tycoon's luxury hotel chain, signed an agreement with Indonesian business conglomerate MNC Group to manage a six-star resort and residential estate in Bali.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/fadli-zon-threatens-sue-new-york-imam-criticizing-trump-stunt/

PDI-P, PKB to report Trump's Indonesian friends to ethics council

Jakarta Post - September 5, 2015

Jakarta – Members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) are set to report the House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Setya Novanto and DPR deputy speaker Fadli Zon to the ethics council on Monday following their attendance at US presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign event in New York on Thursday.

"As members of the DPR, we declared a protest and will report them to the ethics council," PDI-P lawmaker Budiman Sudjatmiko told a press conference on Saturday as quoted by tempo.co.

Besides Budiman, other DPR members who supported the move include Maman Imanulhaq from the PKB and Adian Napitupulu, Charles Honoris and Diah Pitaloka from PDI-P.

Budiman said that the DPR is the symbol of Indonesia's sovereignty and thus represents the entire nation. Charles added that Setya and Fadli's actions were an embarrassment for the House since they traveled to the US using the state's budget and facilities.

"They even still wore their DPR pins, which means they said 'yes' to Trump as the speakers of the DPR," said Charles, who is a member of House Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs. Charles added that the ethics council should impose strict sanctions on both Setya and Fadli.

According to the House's code of ethics article 232, all members should maintain their dignity, honor, image and credibility while conducting their duties. (kes)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/05/pdi-p-pkb-report-trump-s-indonesian-friends-ethics-council.html

House speaker's $140k watch steals limelight after Trump photo op

Jakarta Globe - September 5, 2015

Jakarta – The surprise appearance of Indonesia's House speaker at a Donald Trump campaign event in New York on Thursday has spawned a torrent of questions back at home, but perhaps none as beguiling as that surrounding the purported $140,000 watch seen fleetingly on his wrist.

Setya Novanto stunned fellow politicians and the Indonesian public alike when he was brought up to the podium and shook hands with Trump, in a fawning appearance that members of the House of Representatives in Jakarta condemned as unethical because it could be perceived as an explicit endorsement by Indonesia of Trump's presidential bid.

Fellow politicians have vowed to launch an ethics probe against the House speaker and his deputy, Fadli Zon, who was also at the event at Trump Tower, while questions are being asked about the more than Rp 4.6 billion ($325,000) in taxpayer money used to fund the legislators' trip to the United States.

For Setya, the PR firestorm has also homed in on the gold watch that flashed briefly from beneath his shirt cuff as he shook Trump's hand. Some on Twitter have identified the timepiece as a Swiss-made Richard Mille RM 011 Flyback Chronograph "Rose Gold", which luxury watch aficionado online forums and sellers list at 92,500 pounds ($140,000) brand new and upward of $100,000 used.

House members earn around $55,700 a year, and also receive various allowances for housing and transportation. Setya could not be reached for comment on his watch.

Richard Mille timepieces appear to be a favorite of top Indonesian officials, with the former military commander, Moeldoko, also photographed wearing one of the Swiss watches, an RM 011 Felipe Massa Flyback Chronograph "Black Kite", with a reported price tag of above $100,000. Only 45 of the timepieces were produced for the Asia region.

Moeldoko later claimed, rather proudly, that the watch was a counterfeit and that he had a large collection of fake watches.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/time-house-speakers-140k-watch-steals-limelight-trump-photo-op/

'House leaders' controversial US visit costs Indonesia at least Rp 4.6b'

Jakarta Globe - September 5, 2015

Jakarta – The work visit to the United States by leaders of the House of Representatives, during which some of them appeared in public with presidential hopeful Donald Trump, cost the Indonesian taxpayer more than Rp 4.6 billion ($325,000), a budget watchdog has calculated.

Both House Speaker Setya Novanto and Fadli Zon, a deputy speaker, were seen standing in a group of people behind Trump as he spoke at the Trump Tower in New York on Thursday. After he finished speaking, Trump walked away from the podium only to return with Setya, whom he introduced to the crowd.

"The speaker of the House of Indonesia, he's here to see me. Setya Novanto, one of the most powerful men and a great man," Trump said, as quoted by Business Insider. "And his whole group is here to see me today. And we will do great things for the United States is that correct?" "Yes," Setya said.

Trump then asked "Do they like me in Indonesia?", to which Setya responded, "Yes, highly. Thank you very much."

"The behavior of the House speaker and his entourage is inappropriate, as if Indonesia is a tiny country that can be made fun of by America," Yenny Sucipto, secretary of the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra), said on Friday.

According to a conservative estimation by Fitra, looking at flight tickets, hotel costs and daily standard allowances, the 12-day trip – by nine people in total – probably cost at least Rp 4,631,428,800.

"But we suspect that the budget is bigger, it could be more than Rp 10 billion when you take into account all the various allowances," Yenny said. "The agenda for the US trip is also unclear, and taking some pictures with US politicians is just embarrassing the Indonesian people. This is a waste of state funds."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/house-leaders-controversial-us-visit-costs-indonesia-least-rp-4-6b/

House leaders hobnob with Trump

Jakarta Post - September 5, 2015

Tama Salim and Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The government has denied that the presence of House of Representatives leaders at a campaign event staged by real estate tycoon and aspiring US presidential candidate Donald Trump amounted to an endorsement of the controversial figure.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said the presence of House speaker Setya Novanto, deputy Speaker Fadli Zon and chairman of Commission III overseeing legal affairs Aziz Syamsuddin at Trump's campaign event in New York did not represent the view of the Indonesian government regarding the US presidential election.

"I did see pictures circulating of Setya Novanto at Donald Trump's campaign event at Trump Tower [in New York]. It should be very clear that members of the House are not part of the government, but of our legislative institution," Arrmanatha told reporters during a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.

He added that the ministry was aware that a number of Indonesian lawmakers were visiting the US to partake in the 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in New York. The House leaders also plan to meet the speaker of the US House, John A Boehner, in Washington, DC, in addition to meeting with Indonesian diaspora living on the country's west coast.

The ministry issued the statement in response to the surprise appearance of the House leaders at the event, which ended with Trump formally introducing them to the audience.

According to media reports, Trump was about to leave when he suddenly came back to introduce Setya, who had been standing behind the real estate magnate as he spoke, as his special guest.

"The speaker of the House of Indonesia, he's here to see me. Setya Novanto, one of the most powerful men and a great man," Trump explained, as quoted by Business Insider.

"And his whole group is here to see me today. And we will do great things for the United States, is that correct?" "Yes," Setya answered.

Trump then proceeded to ask the Golkar Party politician whether the Indonesian people liked him, to which Setya said, "Yes, highly."

Deputy House speaker Fadli said in a statement on Friday that the meeting between the Indonesian lawmakers and the Republican candidate was informal and not part of their official agenda in the US.

"We met Donald Trump at 1 p.m. local time at his 26th-floor office at Trump Plaza. It was informal. We just talked about the economy and Trump's investments in Indonesia," Fadli said, referring to the real estate mogul's plan to work with Indonesian companies on projects in West Java and Bali.

Fadli claimed that the group had been invited to attend Trump's press conference after their brief meeting. "Trump introduced the House speaker – it was ad hoc. We stayed around until our host was finished as dictated by courtesy. We were on our way out," he said.

Fadli also denied that Setya's appearance indicated House support for Trump. "I answered a journalist's question [regarding the matter], and said it was up to US voters to vote for whom they like. We are pleased that US President [Barrack Obama] is friendly with Indonesia. And as Obama is our friend, Trump as a businessman is also Indonesia's friend," he said.

Meanwhile, the deputy chairman of House Commission I overseeing foreign affairs Tantowi Yahya told The Jakarta Post that the meeting with Trump was a show of appreciation for the celebrity politician's investment ventures in Indonesia.

Tantowi, who was not present at Trump's event, said the House leaders hoped that Trump would invest more in the country. "Indonesia would certainly benefit from that," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/05/house-leaders-hobnob-with-trump.html

Customs & immigration

PKS warns of spies, rabble-rousers and drug traffickers under visa rule

Jakarta Globe - September 3, 2015

Jakarta – Indonesia's most conservative political party has expressed concern about the government's move to waive visa requirements for visitors from an addition 47 countries – bringing the total to 92 – saying national security could be compromised.

The government announced earlier this week that the new rule would go into effect at the start of October, as part of efforts to boost tourist numbers and encourage greater investment into Indonesia.

But a politician from the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) argued that it would open the floodgates to a host of social ills.

"We cannot just let in foreigners who are seeking to carry out intelligence missions or incite conflicts," Jazuli Juwaini, the head of the PKS caucus at the House of Representatives, said on Thursday.

He added that a potential increase in drug trafficking was another cause for concern – despite the fact that the majority of transnational drug arrests made in Indonesia involve Indonesians.

Jazuli said the PKS was also worried the visa-free policy would be easily abused by foreign jobseekers entering Indonesia under the pretext of tourism.

"There should be tight monitoring by both the Justice Ministry" – which oversees the immigration department – "and the public. There should be clear regulations," he said.

He denied that the PKS was waging "anti-foreigner propaganda." "It's impossible for us to have an anti-foreigner stance, but we must ensure that foreigners' presence here doesn't violate immigration and manpower laws, as well as other regulations," Jazuli said.

On Tuesday, the coordinating minister for maritime affairs, Rizal Ramli, said the government would waive visa requirements for nationals from 47 countries.

"We're doing this because offering free visa [entry] is the quickest way to increase tourist numbers – and it costs nothing," he said as quoted by CNN Indonesia.

Once the new measure comes into effect, visitors from a total of 92 countries will be able to enter Indonesia for short-term tourism stays without the need to apply for a visa in their home country. The list was earlier this year expanded from 15 to 45.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/pks-warns-flood-spies-rabble-rousers-drug-traffickers-expanded-visa-free-rule/

Jakarta & urban life

Jakarta ranks 9th among the world's least friendly cities in 2015

Jakarta Post - September 2, 2015

Jakarta – Jakarta, the Indonesian capital notorious for gridlocks and bad air pollution, ranks 9th among the world's least friendly cities this year, a recent survey by an international travel magazine shows.

Readers of the highly regarded luxury travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler included Jakarta for the first time on its "10 unfriendliest cities in the world" list this year.

Also included on the list were Moscow, Russia; Cairo, Egypt; New Delhi, India and, surprisingly, Cannes, France, which is at the bottom of the list.

In the survey, one of the readers said Jakarta was "the scariest place I have ever been to" with its congestion and aggressive locals.

The survey also highlighted the city's bad pollution as well as excessive and uncontrolled flooding during the rainy season. On hindsight, the traumatic tourists state in the survey that they find solace in the local food, especially nasi Padang.

Released in August, the survey is based on Conde Nast Traveler's annual choice awards, which collects over a million votes from nearly 77,000 readers.

The magazine also issues a list of the 10 friendliest cities in the world with Sydney stealing the number one spot, followed by Dublin, Ireland; Queenstown, New Zealand; Krakow, Poland and Bruges, Belgium.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/02/jakarta-ranks-9th-among-world-s-least-friendly-cities-2015.html

Armed forces & defense

Air Force to get more Sukhois

Jakarta Post - September 4, 2015

Nani Afrida, Jakarta – After prolonged discussion, including the comparison of five different types of jet fighters, the Defense Ministry has decided to procure Russian-made Sukhoi SU-35s to replace the retiring F-5 Tiger jet fighters.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu announced the decision after conducting inspections in three military units: the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus), Cavalry Battalion Yonkav 1/1 Kostrad and Infantry Battalion 201 Yudha Jaya.

"We will sign the agreement [on the Sukhoi procurement] this month," Ryamizard said, adding that Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo and Air Force chief of staff Air Chief Marshal Agus Supriyatna had backed the decision.

Ryamizard said there was no special reason behind the decision to buy the Sukhoi jet fighters. "We have bought Sukhois before and our pilots are accustomed to flying Sukhois, so they will suit us well," he said.

He added that the decision to buy jet fighters from Russia would not strain the relationships between Indonesia and other jet fighter manufacturers in the world.

"We have bought weapons systems from many countries; China, Russia, the US and European countries. So it shows that Indonesia is quite a neutral country. We don't want to take sides. We want to be friends with all countries," Ryamizard said.

It was reported that before being selected, the Sukhoi SU-35 had to compete against four other types; the American-made F-16 Block 60, the Swedish-made JAS-39 Gripen, the Eurofighter Typhoon, a collaboration between Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, and the French-made Rafale jet fighter.

Ryamizard said that besides purchasing the Sukhoi Su-35s, Indonesia also planned to procure Boeing aircraft and Chinook helicopters from the US. The Sukhoi purchase will be carried out in stages depending on the government's financial capacity.

"We wanted to buy one squadron, but we are aware of the current [financial] situation so maybe [we will buy] around eight [units]. The jets will be all brand new and have complete weapons," Ryamizard said. The current price of a Sukhoi Su-35 is estimated to be US$65 million.

Director general of defense planning at the Defense Ministry Air Vice Marshal M. Syaugi said the procurement of the Sukhois would follow requirements stipulated in Law no. 16/2012 on the defense industry.

According to the law, in order to buy weapons systems from foreign countries the government must follow several requirements including a mandatory 70 percent of transfer of technology (ToT), offset and countertrade.

"We're still waiting for the go-ahead from the government about our plan [to buy the Sukhois], including the National Development Planning Board's [Bappenas] approval," Syaugi said.

According to research conducted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) earlier this year, the modernization of the TNI's weapons systems began 15 years ago, but has proceeded slowly due to a lack of funds.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/04/air-force-get-more-sukhois.html

Government insists situation calm in wake of fatal TNI-police clash

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Haeril Halim and Andi Hajramurni, Jakarta/Makassar – The National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) have agreed to cooperate to resolve a case involving the death of a TNI member during a clash in Polewali Mandar regency, West Sulawesi, according to Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

Luhut on Monday described the clash as a "minor" incident and called on all involved to refrain from any action that could inflame the situation.

"It has been resolved 'customarily' and there're no more problems. It was not a serious incident – more like a spat between siblings," Luhut told reporters at his office.

A TNI member identified as Second Pvt. Yuliadi was shot dead, allegedly by a police officer, during a brawl that erupted at a motorbike racing circuit in Pekkabata subdistrict, Polewali city, on Sunday. National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti said on Sunday that the police were attempting to find the shooter and bring him to justice.

"We're trying to identify who was at the scene at the time of the incident [...] we will then identify the shooter. The perpetrator will be brought to justice," Badrodin said.

The situation in Polewali was back to normal on Monday after the previous day's bloody flare-up.

Under the terms of the truce between the two institutions, all police personnel have been taken off the streets, while TNI personnel have been stationed to guard all of the regency's police offices and stations.

Polewali Mandar Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agoeng Adi Kurniawan confirmed the deployment of TNI members to guard police offices in Polewali, adding that both the TNI and the National Police's headquarters had dispatched teams to West Sulawesi to investigate the incident.

"The situation is calm today. We've withdrawn all our personnel from the field. No police are patrolling or on duty until the situation is completely back to normal," Agoeng said on Monday.

Kodam VII/Wirabuana commander Maj. Gen. Bachtiar said all TNI personnel had also been withdrawn from the field, except those assigned to guard police offices and stations in Polewali.

"All personnel are under control and all weapons have been put in storage. We will maintain the current calm to ensure things don't boil over. I can guarantee that our two institutions will not come to blows again," Bachtiar added.

The investigation team is currently questioning witnesses, while the Polewali Mandar Police have taken into custody four police officers who were at the crime scene when the fight took place. Two of the four are suspected of having fired gunshots during the incident.

"We have taken into custody four officers, three of whom are currently being questioned at the South-and-West Sulawesi police headquarters [in Makassar]. We've also confiscated two guns used during the clash," Agoeng revealed.

He added that the police were still identifying which of the two guns fired the shot that killed Yuliadi. "We are still waiting for the forensic results from the laboratory," Agoeng added.

Yuliadi was buried in his hometown in Bone regency, South Sulawesi, on Monday.

Separately, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu describe Sunday's bloody incident as a "disgrace" for both institutions. "It's embarrassing," Ryamizard remarked to reporters after meeting with Luhut and Badrodin at the office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs on Monday.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/govt-insists-situation-calm-wake-fatal-tni-police-clash.html

Police & law enforcement

Police Chief: Spat with Muhammadiyah's Syafii sparked Waseso's removal

Jakarta Globe - September 5, 2015

Jakarta – Indonesia's police chief has revealed that the removal of his controversial chief of detectives was being considered since at least mid- July, following a public spat with a highly regarded community figure.

Responding to reports that it was President Joko Widodo who agitated for the removal of Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti said he first considered a transfer after a public backlash over Waseso's taunting of Ahmad "Buya" Syafii Maarif, a former chairman of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second-biggest Islamic organization.

Buya, who was appointed by Joko to a panel to find a resolution to an acrimonious dispute between the police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), called on July 14 for Waseso to be fired for his blatant criminalization of KPK officials.

Badrodin, who at the time said the police would not bow to Buya's calls, told Tempo on Friday that it was indeed the former Muhammadiyah chief's remarks, and Waseso's response – "There's no need for him to comment or interfere in law enforcement matters when he doesn't even understand law enforcement" – that precipitated the moved to replace Waseso as the chief of detectives.

"In order to quell the public outcry, we decided that a rotation was needed so that we could focus on law enforcement, which is our main priority," Badrodin said.

He added the issue of moving Waseso to another post was discussed at several meetings since then. "We continued to look at the problem and evaluate it," he said. The order to finally remove Waseso came late on Thursday night.

The spat between Waseso and Buya was sparked by Waseso's office charging two judicial commissioners for recommending the suspension of a judge who had handed down a highly questionable and irregular ruling in favor of a police general, Budi Gunawan, named a suspect by the KPK for bribery and money-laundering.

Buya said at the time that it was ridiculous that the police would see fit to charge members of a government-mandated watchdog for doing their jobs.

"That's the sign of an official [Waseso] who lacks confidence. He's mentally unstable if he can so easily name people as suspects," the famously plainspoken Buya said. "I hope the nation no longer has to be led by someone as erratic as this."

He called on Joko to immediately order the dismissal of Waseso from his post. "How hard could it be? Just ask Haiti to replace him," he said.

Buya has made the call on several occasions since the KPK came under attack from Waseso's office after naming Budi Gunawan a suspect in January.

"This chief of detectives doesn't understand detective work," he told Vice President Jusuf Kalla during a meeting in March. "He doesn't have the least bit of competence or professionalism."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/police-chief-spat-muhammadiyahs-syafii-july-sparked-wasesos-removal/

House deplores 'victimization' of contentious police general Waseso

Jakarta Globe - September 4, 2015

Jakarta – Legislators plan to launch an inquiry into the chief of state- owned port operator Pelindo II in connection with the removal from office of the police general who instigated a corruption probe into the company.

Masinton Pasaribu, a legislator with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said on Friday that the removal of Budi Waseso as the National Police's chief of detectives was precipitated by Pelindo president director Richard J. Lino's outburst over a police raid on his office last Friday.

"Lino even phoned his superiors" – including Vice President Jusuf Kalla – "and threatened to resign because his office was raided," Masinton said. "It seems Lino was afraid, which is why he made that threat."

The raid centered on allegations that Pelindo, under Lino's watch, squandered billions of rupiah in state funds on mobile cranes. The company has denied the allegation, pointing to an independent audit that showed there was nothing wrong with the purchase.

The raid, replete with a media entourage invited by the police, was just one in a litany of controversial investigations instigated by Waseso since he took office in January.

The police general, perhaps most notorious for pursuing highly dubious criminal charges against antigraft officials, was on Friday removed as the National Police's chief of detectives – the most powerful office in the force after that of the police chief – and transferred to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).

Masinton, whose party has long supported Waseso throughout the general's campaign against the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), said Lino appeared to wield "unusual" powers in "agitating" for Waseso to be removed from office. (For the record, Lino made no such demands; he only questioned the merit of the investigation and threatened to resign from Pelindo.)

"This raises the question of just who is Lino, really? Let's dig into his history, because he's the agitator in this case. He was the one who made the phone call as his office was being raided, which led to a further series of phone calls, resulting in [Waseso] being removed as chief of detectives," Masinton said.

Aboebakar Al Habsyi, who like Masinton serves on the House of Representatives' Commission III, overseeing legal affairs, said it was clear that Waseso's transfer was the result of outside interference in the police force.

"There were indications that pressure was brought to bear after the Pelindo [...] raid, and now it's become even more apparent," said Aboebakar, from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

Trimedya Pandjaitan, a deputy chairman of House Commission III, said he would recommend that the commission set up an inquiry committee into the Pelindo case in light of Waseso's removal.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/house-deplores-victimization-contentious-police-general-waseso/

Waseso loyalists removed from office in police purge

Jakarta Globe - September 4, 2015

Jakarta – Loyalists of a police general best known for trying to undermine the national antigraft commission have been removed along with their commander.

A memo issued on Friday announcing the removal of Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso as the National Police's chief of detectives also listed Waseso's deputy, Insp. Gen. Johnny Mangasi Samosir, and his director of special and economic crimes, Brig. Gen. Victor Simandjuntak, as among those being moved in what the police force calls a "routine rotation."

According to the memo, signed by the police chief, Gen. Badrodin Haiti, Waseso trades places with National Narcotics Agency (BNN) head Comr. Gen. Anang Iskandar. Johnny is replaced by Insp. Gen. Syarhul Mamma, currently stationed at the office of the chief security minister, while Victor, seen as Waseso's enforcer in a blatant campaign to undermine the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), has been forced into early retirement.

Victor, who will be replaced by Brig Gen. Bambang Waskito, the National Police's head of operations, had earlier this week claimed that he would quit if Waseso was forced out of office.

Badrodin responded by warning all of Waseso's subordinated to be "loyal only to the force," and on Friday indicated that Victor was made to retire because of his comments.

The investigations are widely seen as retaliation for the KPK's decision to charge Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, now the deputy police chief, with bribery and money-laundering in connection with undeclared millions of dollars in transactions through his personal bank accounts.

Waseso did little to disprove the allegations of a police-led witch hunt against the KPK, claiming publicly that he was an acolyte of Budi Gunawan's and taunting the KPK to fill in his wealth report for him.

To date he has failed to submit the report, which is mandatory for all senior public officials.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/waseso-loyalists-removed-office-police-purge/

Plenty of confusion, but no denials, over reported firing of Waseso

Jakarta Globe - September 2, 2015

Jakarta – There has been a flurry of remonstrations, but tellingly no outright denials, over reports that the controversial police general spearheading the campaign to undermine the antigraft commission has been removed from his post.

The news first surfaced early on Wednesday, when anonymous officials from the State Palace told reporters that President Joko Widodo had summoned Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, the National Police's chief of detectives, to a late-night meeting at the palace on Tuesday to admonish him for reportedly overreaching his authority in a wide range of cases.

While the sources were agreed on the point that Waseso had been ordered out of office and into a desk job, they diverged on the issue of who would replace him. One official said the recently appointed chief of the Jakarta Police, Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, would be named the new chief of detectives – the most powerful seat in the National Police outside the police chief – while another said the post would go to Insp. Gen. Saud Usman Nasution, the head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT).

Waseso, when asked about the reports, neither confirmed nor denied that he had been fired. Instead, he took issue with the widely speculated reason given: that his aggressive bid to outdo the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in going after graft allegations was exacerbating an already fraught economic climate.

"You have to prove that I slowed down the economy. The point is I didn't because I'm protecting state assets from the people who are trying to undermine national interests," he said.

Waseso, stalked by controversy since he came to office in January, managed to rile senior government officials with a far-reaching probe into alleged corruption behind the clearance of container traffic through Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Port.

Richard J. Lino, the head of state-owned port operator Pelindo II, threatened to resign last week because of the disruption wreaked on his office's operations as a result of a series of raids by Waseso's men, which he argued were unwarranted and excessive.

Waseso also broke protocol last week when he claimed that one of the 19 candidates short-listed for a seat on the KPK was a suspect in an ongoing criminal investigation. He promised to name the individual on Monday, but was headed off by the police chief, Gen. Badrodin Haiti, who said it was against procedure to do so. Observers saw Waseso's claim as a barely concealed attempt to influence the selection of the final eight candidates by the KPK selection committee.

And though he was pre-empted from naming the alleged suspect, his men still went on to raid the offices of the Pertamina Foundation in a purported antigraft investigation. The foundation was until recently headed by Nina Nurlina Pramono, one of the 19 KPK candidates. She did not make the final eight, announced on Tuesday.

Other officials the Jakarta Globe reached out to for confirmation of Waseso's reported firing also stopped short of denying the speculation. "I can't comment on that because I haven't received official notification," Luhut B. Panjaitan, the chief security minister, said at the State Palace on Wednesday.

State Secretary Pratikno, whose office would have handled the paperwork for the appointment of a new chief of detectives, said he wasn't aware of the matter. "But I do know that that decision would be up to the police chief to make," he added.

Top-ranking police officials also said they knew nothing of the reported development, but did not refute the claim. The Globe was unable to reach Badrodin for comment as of press time.

In addition to the Pelindo II and Pertamina Foundation probes, Waseso has come under fire for his rabid investigation of alleged cattle stockpiling by feedlotters, whom he blames for a recent surge in the price of beef.

The real reason for the price spike was the Trade Ministry's ill-advised move to slash the quarterly cattle import quota by more than 80 percent. Joko subsequently replaced the trade minister in a reshuffle last month, with the new minister promptly increasing the import quota in one of his first tasks in office.

Outside of these cases, Waseso is most notorious for pursuing criminal charges widely seen as fabricated against KPK officials. The detectives' unit has charged two KPK commissioners – chairman Abraham Samad and deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto – and senior investigator Novel Baswedan in a series of dubious cases going back up to a decade.

The charges only emerged in the wake of the KPK charging Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, a candidate for police chief, with bribery and money-laundering, in connection with undeclared millions of dollars in transactions through his personal bank accounts. Budi was later dropped from the running for police chief, but was later appointed deputy chief.

Waseso has publicly proclaimed himself an acolyte of Budi Gunawan's. Public opposition to the controversial general has mounted in the months since he took office, with an online petition launched in July demanding that he be fired. The petition has drawn more than 19,000 signatures to date.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/plenty-confusion-no-denials-reported-firing-controversial-police-general-waseso/

Bali police see tourists as ATMs: 'kick them and they spit out money'

Sydney Morning Herald - September 2, 2015

Michael Bachelard – Applying for a job as a policeman in Bali is not as simple as filling in a form. You may need to pay $50,000 or more just to be hired.

The exact amount varies by how much you'll be able to extract during your career in bribes and kickbacks, so not surprisingly, buying a job in a "wet" area – such as traffic or vice, which is likely to yield the biggest money – costs the most.

Bali's tourist trade makes it the most lucrative Indonesian province for police by far, so the most attractive for police work.

In April, a Dutch tourist exposed how lucrative the traffic division could be when he secretly filmed himself being shaken down for not wearing a helmet, then posted it on Youtube.

So when seven Australians were unwise enough to hire a buck's night stripper at a bar in Kuta earlier this year, they were creating an opportunity.

Police were probably tipped off by the bar or security guards. It's quite common for senior police to be silent partners in bar ownership in Kuta. They have a hand in the drug and sex trades. They associate with the street gangs and bouncers who act as enforcers and run protection rackets.

Money earned by police in these situations flows up and down the ranks, buying discipline from lower-downs and protection from higher-ups, according to Murdoch University academic Jacqui Baker, who has made a study of the black economy in the Indonesian police force.

If the bar owner did not get a cut of the $25,000 proceeds of the buck's night sting, then the superiors of the officers involved almost certainly did. To corrupt police, foreigners are "fantastic, low risk targets".

"They're disconnected from any Indonesian network, so they have no patron or political power of their own. And they throw around cash. They're like an ATM, you just kick them and they spit out money."

Baker advises tourists to stay below the radar: wear the helmet, keep your wits about you, don't antagonise anyone. If you're caught out, the best advice appears to be to do what these seven Australians did: pay up fast and leave the country.

What's most surprising about this story, though, is that the police involved have actually been caught. Time will tell if they actually receive punishment.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/bali-police-see-tourists-as-atms-kick-them-and-they-spit-out-money-20150902-gjdmo6.html

7 Balinese police confess to extorting Australian buck's night partygoers

Sydney Morning Herald - September 2, 2015

Denpasar – Seven Balinese police officers will go on trial for extortion after an investigation confirmed they received a bribe from a group of Australians apprehended after hiring strippers at a buck's night in Seminyak.

Bali Deputy Police Chief Nyoman Suryasta said firm action would be taken against the officers, who had "damaged the name of Indonesian police, especially Bali police". He said the punishment for breaking the professional ethics code ranged from being sacked to an apology, and would be decided by the trial judge.

The revelation came just a day after Kuta Police Chief Deddy Januartha denied any of his officers had asked for money. He produced a handwritten statement, apparently signed by the buck's night party, that apologised for the men's actions and said "I did not pay any to for police (sic)".

Fairfax Media reported in June that 16 Australians were apprehended by police after they hired strippers at the February buck's weekend of marketing consultant and former model, Mark Ipaviz in Bali.

Various members of the group were allegedly pistol whipped and shocked with taser guns by private security guards and then forced to pay a bribe of about $25,000 to avoid trumped-up charges and threats of a 10-year prison sentence.

The group included prominent nightclub owner Nick Russian, several former models, celebrity hairdresser Joey Scandizzo, and other friends such as Simon Phan and Dan Beckwith.

Mr Nyoman said the allegations were investigated after the Indonesian Embassy in Australia reported strong reaction on social media to the Fairfax story in June. He said a team from the intelligence and crime departments and Propam (internal affairs) had led the investigation.

"We investigated and we confirmed it's true, it really happened, there were facts," Mr Nyoman said. "We have reported this to the Indonesian Police Chief. We will take firm action."

He said the seven officers had admitted wrongdoing. They said the bribe was less than $25,000 but "clearly they have broken the ethical profession code". "It's more than just breaking the disciplinary code, it's the professional ethical code."

Mr Nyoman said the Kuta Police Chief had been questioned as a witness but the information thus far suggested he had not been involved. However he said the investigation was ongoing. Fairfax Media is seeking comment from members of the buck's party.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/seven-balinese-police-confess-to-extorting-australian-bucks-night-partygoers-20150902-gjd31k.html

Mining & energy

Only 29 percent of mining companies pay tax

Detik Finance - September 7, 2015

Lani Pujiastuti, Bogor – Currently there are 10,922 companies holding Mining Business Permits (IUPs) in Indonesia. Of this total, only 29 percent pay tax.

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) research and development directorate staff member Abdul Aziz revealed that data from the Ministry of the Environment on the status of the mining concession zones based on the results of a map overlay of national forestry regions shows that mining concessions throughout Indonesia cover 38,894,231 hectors comprising 7,468 mining ventures.

He then showed data from the Tax Directorate General's office for the period 2010-2012 indicating that only 29 percent of IUP holders pay tax.

"IUP holders represent 7,834 companies from a total of 10,922 IUPs that have been issued. Only 76 percent have NPWPs (taxpayer registration numbers) or a total of 5,984 IUPs. Unfortunately, although they have NPWPs, those that diligently pay tax are only 29 percent of all IUP holders or a total of 2,304 IUPs", explained Abdul Aziz during the Journalists EITI Workshop at the Novotel Hotel in Bogor, West Java, on Monday September 7.

As a consequence, between 2014 and 2015 there were 1,087 whose IUPs were revoked. The majority were in Jambi (South Sumatra) totalling 171 IUPs, Central Sulawesi with 148 IUPs and East Kalimantan totalling 96 IUPs.

Aziz added that based on data from the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources for August 2015, IUPs with a Clean and Clear (CnC) status only numbered 58 percent of all IUPs.

"The IUPs with a Clean and Clear status totaled 6,264 representing 3,787 from the minerals sector and 2,477 from the coal sector. There are still 42 percent that have yet to obtain a CnC status or a total of 4,563 IUP [holders] from the mineral sector and 3,151 from the coal sector. This includes 1,739 new IUPs from rock based commodities", he explained.

Aziz added that as a result of the large number of mining companies not paying tax, the state has suffered trillions of rupiah in financial losses.

"Between 2003 and 2011 unpaid [tax] obligations from IUPs amounted to as much as 3.342 trillion rupiah, PKP2B [Work Activity and Coal Mining Agreements] amounting to as much as 3.433 trillion rupiah and Work Contracts amounting to as much as 1.532 trillion rupiah", he said. (rrd/rrd)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "Dari 10.922 Perusahaan Tambang, Hanya 29 percent yang Taat Bayar Pajak".]

Source: http://finance.detik.com/read/2015/09/07/180324/3012479/1034/dari-10922-perusahaan-tambang-hanya-29-yang-taat-bayar-pajak

Angry job seekers block access to mining site

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Mataram – Hundreds of people seeking jobs at PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT) staged a rally on Monday, blocking the main access road to the company's Batu Hijau mining site in Sekongkang, West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The protesters, who demanded NNT employ them, blocked the road from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, forcing the company to temporarily stop its mining activities.

"Employees who were about to go home after completing their work shift could not leave the site, while those about to start their shift could not enter the site," NNT spokesperson Ruslan Ahmad told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

The protesters said they have been applying for jobs at the company since last year. Ruslan said the decision to recruit new employees would mainly rely on the condition of the company at present.

NNT employs about 6,000 employees at the Batu Hijau mine. Since the company started its operation in 2000, it has contributed some Rp 90 trillion (US$6.4 billion) to Indonesia in taxes and royalties, Ruslan said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/island-focus-angry-job-seekers-block-access-mining-site.html

Economy & investment

Scrapping Indonesia's bullet train leaves top investors confused

Reuters - September 5, 2015

Kanupriya Kapoor & Gayatri Suroyo, Jakarta – Indonesia's 11th-hour decision to scrap plans for the nation's first high-speed railway has sown confusion among top investors from China and Japan, potentially undermining the strong foreign investment that has been a rare economic bright spot.

China and Japan had been battling over the multi-billion dollar contract, until it was abruptly pulled in what appeared to be the latest in a series of regulatory flip-flops and erratic policy-making moves under President Joko Widodo.

Indonesia's chief economics minister was left to explain to the two Asian giants on Friday the reason why Jakarta decided at the last-minute that a bullet train was no longer viable for Southeast Asia's largest economy.

"It looks like a sudden move because the recommendation was made after a review of both proposals," Teten Masduki, presidential chief of staff, told Reuters. "But the recommendation is in the best interest of the country."

Tokyo and Beijing had lobbied heavily for the $5 billion contract, each sweetening the terms of their bids up until Monday's deadline.

Analysts believed that whoever had won would likely have been the front- runner for future high-speed rail projects in Asia, including one linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

"It was the recommendation from independent consultants that suggested to the government that a medium-speed rail was a better option because the cost is cheaper and the time of the journey isn't much longer," Masduki said.

President Widodo announced late Thursday that a bullet train between the capital Jakarta and the textile town of Bandung was unnecessary, since it would never reach its maximum speed of more than 300 km (188 miles) per hour in between station stops.

The administration instead advocated a slower train for the 150 km journey and asked China, Japan, and others to submit new proposals.

"Consequently, both proposals extended by our government and the Chinese government are not accepted," Yasuaki Tanizaki, Japan's ambassador to Indonesia, told reporters on Friday. "I have expressed my regrets."

The train was initially intended to be the first instalment of a 763 km rail link connecting Indonesia's two biggest cities, Jakarta and Surabaya – The presidential palace said it still wanted to build a bullet train covering the entire Java island.

A Chinese embassy official in Jakarta declined to comment until more information was provided by Indonesia.

"The project was a priority for China because it would have been one of the first and most visible manifestations of President Xi Jinping's 'One Belt, One Road' overseas investment drive," said Tom Rafferty, Beijing-based analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

"Chinese firms have not always been sensitive to political risk in foreign markets but on this occasion the lobbying and marketing effort was extensive. The decision therefore seems likely to dim China's confidence in the Indonesian market."

Japanese ambassador Tanizaki said he did not think Thursday's decision would affect Japan's investment in the country. He said Tokyo was waiting for details on the medium-speed rail project before deciding whether to participate.

The road to Thursday's decision was particularly bumpy for Tokyo, which had initially believed it won the contract in March after completing a more than $3 million feasibility study. But Indonesia decided to invite other offers in order to get the best deal.

Japan is Indonesia's second largest investor and is no stranger to the uncertainty surrounding major infrastructure projects in the world's fourth most populous country.

Japanese firms have been waiting four years to build a $4 billion coal- fired power plant, Southeast Asia's biggest, and were told by President Widodo last week that construction was now set to start.

But obstacles still stand in the way with dozens of landowners refusing to give up their paddy fields, leaving investors still uncertain on when ground will finally be broken.

"The cumulative effect of delays on a number of projects could send a bad signal to investors," said Paul Rowland, a Jakarta-based political analyst. "It's clear that the president is frustrated with the pace of things."

Source: http://www.irrawaddy.org/asia/scrapping-indonesias-bullet-train-leaves-top-investors-confused.html

Licensing still a hassle: Study

Jakarta Post - September 1, 2015

Jakarta – Business licensing processes remain lengthy and complicated in Indonesia's major cities, despite the launch of a one-stop service program to process business permits more speedily.

According to a study carried out by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Regional Autonomy Watch (KPPOD) in five business cities in 2014, Jakarta and Surabaya were the worst at handling business licensing applications, ranking lower than Makassar, Balikpapan and Medan.

KPPOD executive director Robert Endi Jaweng said the survey indicated that licensing processes were still hampered by inefficiency. "The most difficult cities were Jakarta and Surabaya, which represent Indonesia at the global level," Robert said in a discussion in Jakarta on Monday, citing the World Bank's Doing Business report, where Jakarta and Surabaya represented the whole of the country.

The study, which was conducted from February to December 2014 but was updated until May 2015, examined the implementation of licensing and regulation reforms in the country.

The government had promised to ease business practices, with then vice president Boediono announcing a policy package consisting of 17 initiatives to improve the investment climate in 2013.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo then launched the one-stop integrated service (PTSP) in January this year. The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has since taken over the issuance of 134 permits from 22 ministries and agencies.

However, according to the study, anyone starting a business in Jakarta had to go through 10 different procedures over 48 days, while in Surabaya, there were nine procedures that took 27 days to finish. Makassar required 25 days and eight procedures.

Company registration certificates (TDP) and permanent business trading licenses (SIUP), which according to Trade Ministry regulations should be issued simultaneously in three days by the PTSP, took 14 days in Jakarta and were issued by separate agencies in Surabaya after seven days.

"Surabaya needs special attentions. It's the sole remaining city that doesn't have a one-stop service office. People still need to go to a number of agencies to process their licenses," Robert said, adding that lengthy procedures were also more vulnerable to corruption.

Surabaya does have the One-Roof Integrated Service (UPTSA) and the Surabaya Single Window, which boasts of transparency in permit-issuance, but the processing and signing of permits was still scattered across state agencies, the research noted.

The study also indicated that the Jakarta and Surabaya authorities had yet to transfer authority for the issuance of building construction permits (IMB) to the PTSP, resulting in further delays.

Robert also questioned Jakarta's commitment to providing one-day services (ODS), as Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja promised this month.

Meanwhile, Jakarta PTSP head Edy Junaedi Harahap slammed the report's data, calling it "outdated" and "inaccurate". "Since the launch of the PTSP in January, there have been a lot of improvements. Business trading licenses can be processed in one day," Edy said, adding that every PTSP branch had an ODS booth.

He insisted that all permits from all city administration units had been transferred to the PTSP, although some "moderate" and "heavy" permits would require cooperation with related agencies.

"The regional government is even more progressive than the central government. We in Jakarta have cut SIUJK [construction services business permit] issuance to one day compared with the 10-day maximum imposed by the central government," he said.

Overlapping bureaucracy at the regional level has been blamed for the World Bank ranking the country 114th out of 189 countries in its 2015 Doing Business report. Indonesia was ranked 155th for starting businesses and 153rd for dealing with construction permits.

The country is aiming for a total of Rp 519.5 trillion (US$37 billion) in realized foreign and domestic direct investment this year. (fsu)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/licensing-still-a-hassle-study.html

History & culture

Black Armada exhibition shows Australia's support for Indon independence

Sydney Morning Herald - September 1, 2015

Jewel Topsfield – Anthony Liem still has memories of the Indonesian war of independence.

He was barely three when a bomb exploded near his home in Semarang, on the north coast of Java, in late 1945. "My father was a doctor, so he went out and treated the dead and wounded."

Little did Mr Liem know, more than 5000 kilometres away in Sydney, his future father-in-law, Fred Wong, was also doing his bit for Indonesian independence.

In a period of history that has largely been forgotten by both nations, Australians such as Mr Wong played a central role in the Indonesian fight for freedom from Dutch rule.

This remarkable connection between the two countries is explored in Armada Hitam (Black Armada), which opened at the Museum Benteng Vredeburg in Yogyakarta on Monday. It is simultaneously on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.

The Dutch administration had fled to Australia in 1942 after the Japanese occupation of what was then known as the Dutch East Indies.

They brought with them 10,000 Indonesians, including political prisoners. That was something of a shock to Australians, Mr Liem wryly observes, given the White Australia policy.

In late 1945, when the war was over, the Dutch prepared to return to Indonesia in the Black Armada – ships loaded with military arms and personnel – in order to re-establish colonial control.

However, Australian maritime workers sympathetic to the Indonesian independence cause boycotted the ships, refusing to supply them with coal, food and munitions. "In fact, everything Dutch is black," a leaflet issued by the Trades and Labor Council said.

Support for Indonesian independence grew from the maritime workers to the Chifley government and Australia led the way in international political recognition of Indonesia.

A decade ago, Mr Liem discovered his father-in-law's role in the struggle when he read a research paper, "Unbroken Commitment: Fred Wong, China, Australia and a World to Win" by University of Western Sydney academic Drew Cottle.

Mr Wong, a greengrocer from Leichhardt, helped organise meals for waterside strikers in Chinese cafes. "The whole family didn't know anything about this political background," Mr Liem says.

The paper also mentioned a film, Indonesia Calling, which featured Mr Wong's best friend, Arthur. The film is based on a re-enactment of a mutiny by Indian seamen on board the Patras, a Dutch ship sailing for Indonesia that was forced to return to Sydney Harbour. Mr Liem believed the fascinating story of this period of transnational co-operation needed to be told to a wider audience.

In 2008, he approached the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney and the Museum Benteng Vredeburg in Yogyakarta and suggested an exhibition.

"I thought it was an excellent story about the maritime connections between the two countries that has almost been forgotten in the public consciousness," Stephen Gapps, curator of the National Maritime Museum, says.

Armada Hitam features Indonesia Calling on continuous loop. On display in the National Maritime Museum is also a gamelan (Javanese percussion instrument) made from sardine tins and cooking pots by an Indonesian political prisoner, Bapak Pontjopangrawit.

The Dutch brought the political prisoners with them to Australia, fearing the prisoners would establish a guerilla force if left behind that could make the Dutch return to Indonesia difficult.

They were initially interned in Australian camps with Japanese, German and Italian prisoners of war, where Pontjopangrawit entertained prisoners with his makeshift gamelan.

However, the prisoners were released after unions lobbied then attorney- general Herbert Evatt, pointing out the Indonesians were not political enemies of Australia. Mr Liem marvels at the Australian support for Indonesians at the time.

"Australia had just come out of a terrible war in Asia in 1945 and if a Chinese, Indonesian or Japanese person was walking down the street, people wouldn't have known the difference. This is a story about Australians 70 years ago who had the courage to stand up for their beliefs and their courage and foresight of a modern, multicultural, dynamic Australia."

Dr Gapps hopes Armada Hitam is just the tip of the iceberg. "I see so much potential for a grander, larger exhibition about all the historical connections between the two countries that would suit the 75th anniversary of the Black Armada."

Black Armada is at the Australian National Maritime Museum until February 24, 2016.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/black-armada-exhibition-at-national-maritime-museum-shows-australias-stand-to-support-indonesian-independence-on-show-20150901-gjbiyy.html

Analysis & opinion

In search of good cops

Jakarta Post Editorial - September 5, 2015

Regardless of the motives behind the latest major reshuffle within the National Police, there is a pressing need for President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to stamp his authority over the law enforcement agency.

The center of gravity is the replacement of Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso as the National Police the chief of the National Police's Criminal Investigation Corps by Comr. Gen. Anang Iskandar, the current head of National Narcotics Agency (BNN). Based on a decree signed by National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti on Thursday, the two police generals will change places.

Budi's substitution, Badrodin says, is a normal reassignment that also affects a number of police officers, including eight provincial police chiefs.

But for many, the shake-up marks the end of mounting public uproar targeting Budi, whom they accuse of masterminding criminal investigations into anti-graft campaigners, notably former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief Abraham Samad, deputy chief Bambang Widjojanto and investigator Novel Baswedan.

Reports about Budi's rotation had circulated since Wednesday after Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, who is ex-officio chairman of the National Police Commission, held talks with Badrodin to follow up the results of Badrodin's meeting with President Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Tuesday.

Without belittling civil society's role in Budi's exit from the third-most influential post within the police force, such as via a public petition through change.org, it was the general who put himself in trouble. He paved the way for his own departure following a controversial raid at the office of state port operator PT Pelindo II's president director Richard Joost Lino last week.

At that time Budi, under the media spotlight, led National Police detectives in the search for documents that the police would need to prove alleged corruption in the company's procurement of mobile cranes. Lino complained about the procedure, which he said reminded him of the police's crackdown on terror suspects.

Kalla jumped to the defense of Lino, calling Budi to warn him against criminalizing corporate policies, such as those implemented by Lino. Such a raid, Kalla said, would only generate political noise and blur the original aims of corruption eradication. The Vice President knows well what would happen if criminal investigations were conducted into corporate behavior. The result would be legal uncertainty and in turn, an exodus of investors from the country.

Budi's replacement must be approved by President Jokowi and, as in the furor over his selection of the National Police chief earlier this year, he must pass the test of leadership. As the direct superior of the police chief the President should be in full command of the law enforcement agency. In the context of Budi's rotation, accusations of the President's intervention with the police's internal affairs are just exaggerations.

The President's next job now is to ensure credible enforcement of the law by the police, simply because of their deficit in public trust.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/05/editorial-in-search-good-cops.html

The politics of flood alleviation in Jakarta

Jakarta Post - September 5, 2015

Ian Wilson, Murdoch, Western Australia – The violent evictions in Kampung Pulo have once again drawn attention to the politics of flood alleviation in Jakarta and the tenuous place of the city's poorer residents.

As with previous evictions in Pluit, Muara Baru and Ria Rio, and the many more scheduled to be carried out over the coming months, the justification given by the city administration has been on two separate but interrelated fronts.

The first is that it is necessary to alleviate the city's chronic flooding by restoring the capacity of its main waterways, drainage and catchment areas.

The second is that it is a much needed assertion of the rule of law and attempt to bring "order" to Jakarta's chaos, in particular the illegal occupation of land.

Each has played a powerful role in shaping policy and public opinion, particularly amongst the city's middle-classes, and hence are worthy of some critical examination.

In 2013 the city administration began, after years of delays, the Jakarta Urgent Flood Mitigation Project Dredging Initiative, or JUFMP. At a cost of US$190 million, most of it loaned from the World Bank, its objective is to "normalize" the capacity of existing waterways. The concept of waterway "normalization" is something of a misnomer considering that the norm has been regular and periodically catastrophic flooding.

In part this is an inevitable historical consequence of building the administrative centre of the former colonial regime, national capital and now heaving megacity, on a swampy plain.

The intensity and frequency of flooding has, however, increased significantly in recent years. The floods of 2007 and 2013 for example were some of the worst in recorded history, inundating up to 40 percent of Jakarta.

Experts have identified a number of key causes. One is subsidence. Jakarta is quite literally sinking under the weight of its own development, with estimates of land sinkage ranging from 10-26cm per year. The impacts of subsidence are further exacerbated by rising sea-levels linked to climate- change and the destruction of remaining coastal mangroves with some areas already 6 meters below sea-level.

Another factor is increased rain run-off from surrounding highlands due to deforestation and soil erosion. Here the largely unregulated spread of luxury villas in and around Bogor has been a significant contributing cause.

Third, which the JUFMP project seeks to address, is the reduced capacity of existing waterways due to the long-term build-up of sediment and waste. The most significant source of this is industrial waste pouring into waterways from factories and industrial estates.

Of the roughly 6,000 tons of rubbish produced daily in the capital up to a third of this also finds its way into the river system, the result of both bad habits and the absence of adequate municipal waste disposal services.

What is the relationship between this and the residents of neighborhoods such as Kampung Pulo? Empirically, very little.

World Bank project assessment reports make clear that these communities are not a cause of flooding. Where evictions are considered necessary it is ostensibly in order to clear sufficient space for waterway inspection roads and extend concrete embankments.

Why then has the administration repeatedly claimed that river-dwelling residents are to blame for floods and carried out evictions well beyond project requirements? This becomes clearer when we examine the second justification for eviction: the illegal occupation of land.

In practice it is less about enforcing the law than it is about pushing a specific neoliberal vision of development and order that benefits elites.

In the tangled and murky web of land ownership laws in Jakarta, "legality" of tenure is often determined by money, connections and political imperatives rather than the exercise of any clear or impartial legal process. The poor are structurally disadvantaged within such a system.

For decades Kampung Pulo was for all intent and purposes a "legitimate" neighborhood. It was included within local government administrative structures and budgets and was connected to the national electricity grid.

Residents regularly paid land tax and many traced an inter-generational continuity of residence extending prior to the establishment of the Indonesian Republic.

Its transformation into a "den of squatters" occurred with shocking speed, evidence of how easily illegality and an attendant loss of rights can be politically manufactured.

Low cost rental apartments or rusun have been offered to eligible residents. However these create new sets of challenges. Apartment design and management ignores the socio-economic reality of the poor. Residents are prohibited from operating home enterprises or modifying apartments to accommodate extended families.

Limited shop space is prohibitively expensive. Many experience a loss of social and economic autonomy compounded by the fragmenting of crucial networks of support and opportunity.

The move towards rusun-ification of the poor looks set to increase in momentum. As one senior government advisor told me, "Jakarta's future must be vertical".

Ultimately, in this view, the poor should be moved from urban kampong into multi-storey estates, freeing up space for public-private partnership ventures and key political and economic constituents. It would also further the spatial divide between social classes.

Infrastructure is rarely, if ever, simply a technical matter. It reflects, produces and reinforces relations of power and coalitions of social, political and economic interest.

The JUFMP provides the city administration with a Trojan horse for a broader neo-liberal vision for reordering the city and the place of the poor within it.

Meanwhile many complicit in contributing to flooding woes remain seemingly immune. Of the numerous malls and gated estates built on allocated green zones, water absorption areas or protected mangroves, none to date have been the subject of the governor's apparent zeal for law and order. Most have been able to procure 'legality' in some form.

Land reclamation projects by developer oligarchs such as Agung Podomoro and Agung Sedayu Group are even heralded as potential saviors of the city.

The proposed Pluit City development or current private island building in Pantai Indah Kapuk are being sold as buffering the city from flooding while, incidentally, turning swathes of Jakarta Bay, a national asset, into luxury waterfront property.

Both are significant contributors of Corporate Social Responsibility funds used by the Jakarta administration for its flood alleviation and rusun programs.

Selective and contradictory assertion of the "rule of law" points to a clear politics of interest in flood alleviation measures in Jakarta, one in which the poor and vulnerable remain scapegoats and soft targets while powerful private economic interests still exercise a largely free reign to shape the city in ways antithetical to the public good.

[The writer is a lecturer in politics and developments studies and a research fellow at the Asia Research Center, Murdoch University, Western Australia.]

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/05/the-politics-flood-alleviation-jakarta.html

Red tape is stifling business

Jakarta Post Editorial - September 3, 2015

More than six months after President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's administration launched the one-stop integrated investment services (PTSP) in Jakarta, business-licensing processes remain lengthy and complicated, a study by the Asian Development Bank and Regional Autonomy Watch (KPPOD) in five major cities has concluded.

The conclusion, announced on Monday, simply confirmed the findings of the latest annual survey called "The Ease of Doing Business Index" report of the World Bank, which ranked Indonesia at 114th out of 185 countries studied mainly due to complicated licensing and procedures for starting up business.

On the same day the ADB-KPPOD study report was revealed, President Jokowi himself conceded at a meeting with economics editors "we are trapped in excessive procedures and licensing systems". He added that his office and the chamber of commerce had listed more than 130 regulations affecting business operations for a comprehensive review.

On Tuesday, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) announced the findings of its study on special economic zones (SEZ), showing that at only two of the eight SEZ decreed by the government have operations started.

One is the tourism-centered SEZ in Tanjung Lesung in West Java and the other is the palm oil-based SEZ at Semangke in North Sumatra. But even the Semangke SEZ has only two factories already in operation. Worse still, most of the basic infrastructure, such as rail links and access roads to the nearby Kuala Tanjung seaport, has yet to be built.

The main problems are the same: excessive regulations, complicated licensing procedures and acute lack of inter-ministerial coordination. The Law on SEZ that was enacted in early 2009 seems ineffective in accelerating SEZ development.

Indeed, whenever it comes to licensing authority, inter-ministerial coordination has been most challenging in the country because the various ministries and government agencies always fight hard, sometimes overzealously, to defend their respective turf without regard to the bigger national goal.

The blunt fact is that within the government bureaucracy, notorious for being one of the most corrupt in the world, licensing authority often serves as a gold mine for rent seekers.

Jokowi fully understands the frustration and the pain suffered by businesspeople in obtaining all the necessary permits to start up a business. He generated a great deal of optimism when he made reform of the investment licensing system one of his top priorities. But it turns out that reform is not that simple because every measure has to be thoroughly assessed to ascertain the new measures do not violate existing laws and regulations, the number of which is quite excessive.

Another example of the uphill challenge of implementing bold reform is the government initiative to expedite the procedures for budget execution. The State Secretariat started the drafting of the presidential decrees for that reform four months ago, but no information is yet available as to when the reform measures will be announced.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/03/editorial-red-tape-stifling-business.html

Indonesia: going nowhere fast

The Strategist - September 3, 2015

John McBeth – It took 24 hours – and apparently an angry call from a blindsided President Joko Widodo – for Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo to revoke a raft of new restrictions on visiting foreign journalists, which were similar to those in force during President Suharto's 32-year rule.

Why they were introduced in the first place is difficult to understand in the current democratic climate, but it showed once again the mixed signals emanating from the Widodo government when it comes to Indonesia's dealings with the rest of the world.

Cabinet reshuffles or not, the president will have to work harder at ensuring there's a lot more policy coordination and a lot less economic nationalism if he is to achieve his goal of attracting foreign investment and bringing a better balance to the economy.

New manufacturing industries are vital for sopping up unemployment and steering the country away from its past dependence on natural resources and onto a growth path that will propel it above the current 5%.

Right now, Indonesia is going nowhere fast, offering a welcoming hand in one instance and an arresting hand the next. It's left the overriding impression that because of the size of its domestic market – and the profits to be gained from it – everything has to be on its terms.

It wasn't always like this. In the years following the 1997 financial crisis, Indonesians were in despair, wondering where they had gone wrong and why it was taking so long for the country to recover. The arrival of the 2004-2012 commodity boom changed all that.

Officials trot out figures which appear to show productive foreign investment pouring in. But ask any foreign business group or investment bank analyst and they leave no doubt that investors have Indonesia firmly on the back burner.

There are different reasons for this. Admittedly, many centre on the general economic slowdown, with commodity prices still in the doldrums, domestic consumption sinking and a sluggish China weighing down hopes of an imminent world-wide recovery.

But that's not all. In private forums, businessmen complain about regulatory uncertainty and cloying red tape; they talk of ministries working at cross-purposes and the economic coordinating minister seemingly incapable of getting them on the same page.

In places like Malaysia and China, start-up ventures are lavished with new buildings, modern technology and attractive incentives. In Indonesia, there's nothing but bureaucratic obstacles, poor infrastructure and a take-it-or-leave-it attitude among senior officials.

One large global company, for example, still can't secure approval to import a common agriculture commodity for its processing plant – a necessary contingency plan in the event that Indonesia is unable to produce enough to keep it running at full capacity in the future.

Two Korean companies hoping to set up garment and shoe factories in Central Java to take advantage of cheaper labour costs found they had acquired land that was either in the middle of nowhere or not zoned for industrial use.

The list of gripes go on, topped by the Manpower Ministry's policy of slashing work permits and its recent decision to force all non-resident directors and commissioners to obtain temporary permits, whether they attend meetings in Indonesia or not.

Like the media restrictions, you would think it would take only a phone call to resolve. Instead, Widodo demonstrated his ignorance of procedures by saying he wanted to scrap temporary stay visas. That would leave the related work permit issue untouched.

Foremost among the mixed signals is the Government's fixation on adding to the so-called Negative List – sectors where foreigners aren't permitted. Yet even in areas where foreign investors are encouraged, such as the creative economy, they're only allowed minority ownership.

Another complaint is the Government's requirement for foreign-owned projects to use local content. It's not that it can't be done, but the way officials beat investors over the head with it. Similarly with a new requirement for all companies engaged in public service to build data centres, even if there is no need for them.

In this climate, the targeted incentives on offer in neighbouring countries are almost unheard of. Instead, by far the most common complaint is the whimsical introduction of regulations, which are both unclear and lacking in the certainty necessary for business plans to work.

A classic template is the 2009 Mining Law, the broad provisions of which were initially greeted with cautious enthusiasm. Then three years later, the Government came up with implementing regulations that changed everything, giving miners an impossible year-long deadline to build smelters.

Instead of facing up to reality, Indonesia plays its now-familiar game of smoke and mirrors. Beef prices are at record levels because the Government continues to restrict meat and live cattle imports in an effort to show it has attained self-sufficiency. It hasn't and it probably never will.

Indonesians are assured that the looming El Nino weather phenomenon, which meteorologists are warning could be even worse than the devastating 1997-98 event, will have little impact on agriculture. But the impacts are already being felt, and no-one knows how much more is to come.

Then there was the recent spectacle of President Widodo attending the ground-breaking ceremony for a 2,000-megawatt Japanese-funded power station, hailing it as an example of the Government removing bottlenecks to infrastructure development.

Yet buried in the stories appearing in local newspapers was the revelation, well-known to most people who follow the power industry, that developers still have to win a years-long battle to acquire a crucial 10% of the land.

On that front, little has changed. Despite having the state-owned Pertamina oil company as a partner, land issues meant it took ExxonMobil more than a decade to finally get East Java's Cepu oilfield on stream. The reason, according to one senior energy official: 'too much democracy.'

For all the bluster aimed at a gullible domestic audience, Indonesia is losing the perception game where it counts: out in the world. But before new chief economic minister Darmin Nasution can come up with ways to turn that around, he must first convince ministers and bureaucrats alike that carrots work better than sticks.

Source: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/indonesia-going-nowhere-fast/