Elaine Pearson – As Indonesia's president, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, touches down in Australia for the first time since assuming the presidency, will human rights feature at all in the talks?

Indonesian officials are already working overtime to control the agenda, with the defence minister, Ryamizard Ryacudu, warning Australia against "interfering in the West Papua issue" and asking Australia to send a message to Pacific Island nations that support autonomy for Papuans.

Ryamizard told an Australian journalist, with no apparent irony: "Those countries better keep their mouths shut and mind their own business. It is better that Australia speaks to them gently. If it was left up to me, I would twist their ears."

Although Australia has consistently supported Indonesian sovereignty over Papua, the issue remains one of various sensitivities in the Australia-Indonesia relationship. But that discomfort does not give Indonesia a free pass to commit human rights abuses in the province, nor should Australia shy away from discussing such matters at the highest levels.

The provinces of Papua and West Papua are a remote, isolated region, where the OPM (Free Papua Movement) has led a low-level insurgency for decades. That insurgency has long been the excuse for significant military involvement in Papua. With the heightened police and military presence, there have been reports of security force abuses including killings, torture, excessive or unnecessary use of force, and mistreatment of peaceful protesters.

At least 37 Papuans remain behind bars for peaceful acts of free expression or expressing solidarity with the independence movement. All of this impunity is aided by reduced scrutiny of abuses as foreign journalists and human rights organisations face a half century-long restriction on visiting the province.

Perhaps Indonesia feels especially confident in rallying Australian support, since it scored something of a coup in August with the Papua visit by the attorney general, George Brandis. He was the first Australian cabinet minister to visit Papua, and human rights were glaringly absent from all public statements he made about that visit. His choice of travelling companion was also troubling – he was accompanied by Wiranto, Indonesia's poster child for impunity for serious abuses.

Wiranto, the co-ordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, was Indonesia's armed forces chief in 1999 when the military and government-backed militias carried out atrocities against the East Timorese after they voted for independence.

In fact, given that background, it's even more important for the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, and foreign minister, Julie Bishop, to ask some hard questions about what Indonesia is doing to address human rights violations in Papua and how Australia can help.

Australian acceptance of Indonesian sovereignty over Papua does not mean discussion of human rights concerns in Papua should be taken off the table. Let's remember that Jokowi himself has previously called for greater respect for human rights in Papua and for the Indonesian government to stop blocking foreign journalists and observers from visiting Papua.

Here's one suggestion that Turnbull could broach with Jokowi: if Indonesian officials are so keen to gain Australia's support on Papua, then why not allow a multi-party parliamentary delegation from Australia, accompanied by journalists, free access to visit the province?

Australia's parliament has long had an interest in the region, with a Parliamentary Friends of West Papua group co-chaired by Jane Prentice MP and Senator Richard Di Natale. Such a visit, not a junket, should include a range of Australian politicians armed with expertise in trade, tourism, economic and social portfolios and include meetings with Papuan leaders, civil society, imprisoned activists and ordinary Papuans.

In fact, when General Luhut Pandjaitan, then coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, visited Canberra in June he extended an invitation to the Australian government to visit Papua, saying,

"I ask also any member of the cabinet to join us to go there. We have nothing to hide. It is not the time to hide something. Let us work together to make it transparent. If you want to criticise Indonesia we are happy to receive that criticism. But please, give that criticism based on data, not rumour."

A visit would help Australian politicians understand more about a region only a few hundred kilometres to our north that remains isolated and undeveloped. It would enable Australians to hear directly from Papuans about the issues affecting their lives – surely this is part of what Jokowi wants in trying to win the hearts and minds of Papuans.

[Elaine Pearson is the Australia director at Human Rights Watch.]

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/05/australia-should-go-to-papua-and-see-the-human-rights-situation-for-itself

Solomons won't enter media duel with Jakarta

Radio New Zealand International - November 4, 2016

The Solomon Islands government says it's not in a position to respond to a warning from Indonesia's government not to speak out about West Papua.

Indonesia's Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has urged Australia to pass on a message to Pacific Island governments to not interfere in Indonesian domestic affairs.

In media comments in the past week, he pressed Canberra to rebuke Pacific states, in particular Solomon Islands, for raising Papua in global forums and inviting Papuans to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The Solomons' envoy on West Papua, Rex Horoi, said his government won't respond to what is effectively a media statement.

"Due to the fact that we have not received any formal communication (on the matter) either from Jakarta or from Canberra, why should we respond at this stage? Therefore we will not respond until we receive such communication through diplomatic channels," he said.

Mr Ryacudu also told Australian media that it is better if Canberra delivers the warning to Pacific governments, because if it was left to him he would 'twist their ears' and described Indonesia as a sleeping tiger that can attack if disturbed.

However Mr Horoi said Pacific countries raised Papua in global fora because West Papuans lives matter.

"We speak collectively on abuse and human rights violations in West Papua because we have received reliable sources of information," he explained, "and therefore that is the collective concern of the civil society, public and governments of the region."

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has confirmed having discussed West Papua last week with the Indonesian Defence Minister, but wouldn't be pressed on whether Canberra will pass the warning on.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/317311/solomons-won't-enter-media-duel-with-jakarta

Jakarta diplomacy odd and backwards, ULMWP

Radio New Zealand International - November 3, 2016

A warning by Indonesia's Defence Minister for Pacific countries not to speak out about West Papua has been described as an odd and backward form of diplomacy.

The Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu urged Australia to rebuke Pacific states, in particular Solomon Islands, for raising West Papua in global forums and inviting Papuans to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). no caption

He subsequently told Australian media that it's better if Canberra delivers the warning to Pacific governments, because if it was left to him he would 'twist their ears'.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua's Pacific regional ambassador Akabou Amatus Douw said the minister's statements in the past week show a militaristic attitude, out of touch with Pacific Islanders.

At September's UN General Assembly session, leaders of seven Pacific states spoke out about rights abuses in Papua and on support for Papuan self-determination.

Ryamizard warned that Indonesia would not stay silent when its sovereignty is compromised – he described Indonesia as a sleeping tiger that can attack if disturbed. Mr Douw said the minister's sleeping tiger analogy was, in a sense, apt.

"This expression is symbolic," he explained, "meaning that Indonesia's sleeping face [will] never wake up to see what [is] their wrongdoing with massive atrocities and genocide to the Papuan minority."

The ULMWP, which has observer status in the MSG, is pushing for full membership in the group, something opposed by Indonesia which is an associate MSG member.

Mr Douw has urged the leaders of Australia and Indonesia to have a robust discussion on West Papua.

The Indonesian President Joko Widodo is due to have his first state visit to Australia this month for bilateral talks with Australia's prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Douw is pushing for the two governments to abolish the Lombok Treaty between the two countries which formalised both governments' agreement to oppose Papuan separatism.

"This already became a hell policy," said Mr Douw, "because the fact that Australian government trained Indonesian army who evolved in killing and torturing Papuan freedom fighter then we indicated that killing of younger generation is new form of genocide."

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/317225/jakarta-diplomacy-odd-and-backwards,-ulmwp

West Papua resources fray discussed alongside climate

Radio New Zealand International - November 3, 2016

A conference getting underway in Sydney today looks to address two major areas of concern to people in the Pacific region in the same sitting.

'At the Intersection: Pacific Climate Change and Resource Exploitation in West Papua' runs for two days, hosted by Western Sydney University and the University of Sydney's West Papua Project.

The keynote speaker is Vanuatu's Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Ralph Regenvanu. Others attending include climate change scientists and West Papuan analysts.

The conference has been organised by Dr Cammi Webb-Gannon from Western Sydney University who said climate change and pernicious resource extraction in West Papua had a deep connection.

She said there was a need to find common strands of the two problems, and how it might it be useful to address them together.

"The Indonesian colonisation of West Papua is what has led to this gross resource exploitation, and the flow-on effects of human rights violations and environmental destruction in West Papua. So the two are very related," she explained.

"They've never been discussed in tandem, but that's the point of this conference, to do so."

Dr Webb-Gannon said there were various critical issues that required attention. She noted how the impacts of climate change throughout the Pacific Islands region highlight the importance of preserving West Papua's rainforests from rampant logging and forest clearance.

"We want to question in this conference whether if we can halt or even stop some of the resource exploitation – whether that's mining at Freeeport, gas mining along the coast of West Papua or even looking at reducing the land clearing in Merauke – then maybe this can help slow down Pacific climate change which is also quite alarming."

The conference will utilise Open Space Technology to elicit creative strategies and policy advice from expert participants.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/317189/west-papua-resources-fray-discussed-alongside-climate

Papuans mull over lost local cuisines on council's birthday

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Nethy Dharma Somba Jayapura – The Papuan People's Assembly (MRP), an institution formed as part of the implementation of the 2001 Law on Special Autonomy for Papua, will focus on the rescue of Papuan culture, which is in crisis as a result of the rapid influx of other cultures.

"The MRP will focus on rescuing the culture of Papua and rescuing culture is the same as saving the people of Papua. All Papuan communities have been complaining about how their culture is starting to be ignored by outside cultures," said MRP chairman Matius Murib during the 11th MRP anniversary in Jayapura on Monday.

One of the factors behind this cultural loss is the rapid, unfiltered flow of foreign cultures into Papua, he added.

The younger generation in Papua also seemingly yearns for cultural preservation. In a series of speeches delivered in their mother tongue from 10 youths representing the five cultural regions of Papua, they all wished for the preservation of culture and language to be included in school curriculums.

"If we, the younger generation no longer have culture, then we will lose our identity and no longer be recognized as Papuans. We hope the governor, the Papuan People's Representatives Council [DPRP] and the MRP devise a regulation to preserve Papuan culture, one measure of which being setting Oct. 31 as Papuan Cultural Day," said a young man from Asmat representing the Anim Ha culture in the southern Papua region.

The MRP, said Murib, held a hearing to ascertain the views of all indigenous communities from the five cultural regions of Papua. "In the meeting, members of indigenous communities complained about local culture increasingly being eroded by foreign cultures, so there must be a concerted effort to save it," he said.

The indigenous communities also reportedly complained about the long period of Papuans losing their own land, especially with the proliferation of regional division.

"Land is heritage, so land should also be maintained and preserved. I hope the regional administrations in Papua will make regulations to protect customary land. I urge indigenous people not to sell their land but only to lease it," added Murib.

Papua Jungle Chief community head Charles Toto considers Papuan cuisine to be one aspect of the region's culture that is nearly extinct. "I see that 80 percent of the special food of Papua is no longer cooked by Papuans. It's a sign that the typical cuisines of Papua are being further neglected," said Toto.

Toto and his colleagues are currently mapping out different cuisines in Papua. "Many of the typical cuisines of Papua are no longer prepared by the local community because of the many foreign cuisines consumed by people every day. Papua's typical food must be preserved because it is Papua's uniqueness," said Toto.

He cited the fact that only vegetable salt in the world existed only in Papua, which is made by the community from the Korowai tribe. The vegetable salt is made from the leaves of young rattan. "Such cultural wealth must be preserved because it is the wealth of the community," said Toto.

Papua provincial secretary Heri Dosinaen said he would support the establishment of Oct. 31 as Papuan Cultural Day with a regulation. "A special bylaw will be made so that Papua Cultural Day is commemorated every Oct. 31. The regulation will soon be written and subsequently set into special provincial regulation," he said.

Papua is made up of the cultural regions of Saireri, La Pago, Mee Pago and Anim Ha and 273 local dialects.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/papuans-mull-over-lost-local-cuisines-council-s-birthday.html

Protester crashes Dutch royal visit

SBS News - November 2, 2016

The Dutch royals were welcomed to Canberra by a little half-Dutch girl, a protester for West Papua, and a slew of Australians with Dutch heritage.

It was a family gathering of sorts when the Dutch King and Queen met Australians with heritage from the land of tulips and windmills.

But King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's visit to the nation's capital on Wednesday wasn't without controversy as a protester crashed their tour to demand rights for West Papuans.

The royals capped off their Canberra visit at the National Archives of Australia where they inspected the document which led to thousands of Dutchmen and women heading to Australia, the 1951 migration agreement.

They met Petronella Wensing, who was a 29-year-old mother of two when she arrived after a two-month boat journey in 1953.

She marked a new life Down Under when on her first day she gave birth to her third son, Ed.

"I think the connection will always stay there," she told AAP. "I hope my kids appreciate the Dutch background."

The royals posed for a picture with a number other Australians with Dutch heritage, including sports journalist Stephanie Brantz. "Family portrait," Ms Wensing chuckled to them.

But the royal visit didn't entirely go to plan, with the couple met by a protester outside the Archives reminding the Dutch of their colonial history in West Papua.

"Your royal highnesses, welcome to Australia!" he bellowed with a megaphone. "Next time you see your government, could you please ask them to apologise to the people of West Papua."

In another unplanned moment, the couple earlier arrived at Parliament House to meet a half-Dutch toddler joyfully sitting on the road outside.

Nearly 20-month-old Eleanor Eschauzier waved the Dutch flag waiting for the king and queen after they laid a wreath at the MH17 memorial. When the little girl in a red coat sitting on the road flopped over and began to cry, the king joked that's what he would do too.

Earlier, the couple visited the memorial for Australian victims of MH17 in a garden adjacent to parliament, laying sunflowers at its base. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Speaker Tony Smith joined them.

The royal couple later met members of the federal police, consular staff and defence representatives who helped in the aftermath of the July 17, 2014 event.

Mr Smith noted 298 people lost their lives, including 196 Dutch citizens and 38 people who called Australia home. "Australia is very grateful for your country's leadership and solidarity in the response to the MH17 tragedy," he said at a morning tea.

The royals are expected in Sydney on Thursday.

Source: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/11/02/protester-crashes-dutch-royal-visit

Australian activist speaks out against Jakarta request

Solomon Times - November 2, 2016

Leader of the Australian West Papua Association (Sydney) (AWPA), Joe Collins, has spoken out against reports that Jakarta has requested Australia to pass on a message to the Solomon Islands to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Indonesia.

He said that it is a pity that Australia does not follow the Pacific leaders in also condemning the ongoing human rights abuses committed by the Indonesian Military.

"This is an outrageous request as it is the duty of all nations to raise concern about human rights abuses not only in West Papua but no matter where they are committed.

"The Solomon Islands and the other six Pacific leaders who raised concern about the human rights abuses in West Papua (at the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September) are to be congratulated for their courageous stand on the issue of West Papua," said Mr Collins.

He said that it is a pity that Australia does not follow the Pacific leaders in also condemning the ongoing human rights abuses committed by the Indonesian Military.

"Not only should Australia refuse the request of the Indonesian defence minister but should be supporting the Pacific leaders in calling on Jakarta to allow a PIF facing mission to West Papua."

Indonesia's Defence Minister was quoted by media as having requested Australia to pass on the message to the Solomon Islands, saying that as a major donor, Australia should raise the issue of non-interference with Solomon Islands.

[Joe Collins, along with AWPA's Secretary Anne Noonan, were awarded the 2012 John Rumbiak Human Rights Defender Award.]

Source: http://www.solomontimes.com/news/australian-activist-speaks-out-against-jakarta-request/8620

Jakarta pressures Julie Bishop on Papua

The Australian - November 2, 2016

Amanda Hodge – Indonesia has asked Australia to caution its Pacific Island neighbours against interfering in the West Papua issue and to urge them to withdraw support for West Papuan membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, warning that the issue could pose a "stumbling block" to closer bilateral ties.

Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu told The Australian yesterday he made the request to Australia's defence and foreign ministers during their annual meeting in Bali last week and "the response has been good. It is unlikely they will refuse".

"I have told Australia... we should maintain our close relationship and not let issues like this be a stumbling block to our relationship," he said.

At Friday's ministerial meeting, Australia and Indonesia also agreed to consider joint patrols of areas of the contested South China Sea and pirate-infested Sulu Sea between Indonesia and The Philippines. That will likely be discussed further when Indonesian President Joko Widodo makes his first official state visit to Australia on Sunday.

General Ryamizard's decision to publicly raise the West Papua issue appears designed to pressure Canberra into adopting a stronger public defence of Indonesia's position.

The bid for West Papuan membership of MSG, likely to be decided by year-end, has become a rallying point for the Free West Papua movement, which argues that the territory's UN-supervised vote to stay with Indonesia in 1968 was secured by cheating and military intimidation.

Indonesia is an MSG associate but is lobbying hard against Papuan admission since the United Liberation Movement of West Papua gained observer status last year.

The group's chairman, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, champions West Papuan representation. He was one of seven Pacific leaders to speak out against human rights abuses in the Papua provinces and to support self-determination at last month's UN General Assembly.

After the ministerial meeting on Friday, General Ryamizard said: "I have told Australia we never interfere with the internal affairs of any other country and we will strongly object if other countries do so to us.

"So please tell Solomon Island and those six nations (from the MSG) never to interfere or encourage West Papua to join them.

"Those countries better keep their mouths shut and mind their own business. It is better that (Australia) speaks to them gently. If it was left up to me, I would twist their ears."

John Blaxland, of ANU"s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, said Canberra would have little choice but to speak to the Solomons (which gets $162 million Australian aid this year) and "remind them of which side their bread is buttered".

However, the Indonesian minister's public statements were "extremely unhelpful" because they brought the issue into the open, which was wanted only by pro-independence activists. Dr Blaxland, said it was "completely toxic for Australia".

"The restoration of the bilateral security relationship is predicated on us being supportive over West Papua and the Indonesians are acutely sensitive to Australia's role in that.

"We can't afford for West Papua to sour relations between Australia and Indonesia when there are so many other issues on the agenda dependant on us maintaining an even keel in that relationship," he added.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop yesterday confirmed West Papua was discussed at last week's meeting but would not say whether Australia would pass on Indonesia's message to Pacific Island nations.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/foreign-affairs/jakarta-pressures-julie-bishop-on-papua/news-story/7558f2119d8ad1f800f1a45865ff4ea9

Respect for human rights is a UN principle

Solomon Times - November 1, 2016

News that the Indonesian government is upping the ante against supporters of West Papua comes as no surprise, a well-placed senior government source said.

"It is no surprise to us, and I think it is not right to say that we are interfering with the internal affairs of Indonesia, we are simply raising an issue of concern regarding our Melanesian brothers of West Papua.

"We are all members of the United Nations, and the respect for Human Rights is one of the key cornerstones of the Charter," he says.

"That is what we are asking from the UN, to send an independent assessment team to find out the facts on the ground and to report back to the members."

He says that it is not an unreasonable request, nor is it unprecedented, it is a process established by the UN, and one that Solomon Islands and other Pacific countries are calling on the UN to use.

He says that the membership of West Papua in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is an issue for the MSG alone to decide.

"This is no different from the membership of New Caledonia's FLNKS, no different, and in fact this is in line with the establishment of the MSG."

He says that France may not have been supportive of the idea for the FLNKS to join the MSG, "but perhaps they recognized the importance of allowing the FLNKS to raise issues of concern in a proper forum."

"We have historical and cultural ties to the West Papuan people, so we cannot stand idly by when allegations of human rights abuses are raised time and again.

"So we will use whichever fora we deem appropriate to raise such issues, not to interfere but to remind ourselves of our obligations to certain universal principles and values."

The Defence Minister of Indonesia has urged the Australian government to rebuke Pacific states, in particular Solomon Islands, for raising Papua in global fora.

A Research Fellow at the Australian National University's State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Program, Stewart Firth, told Radio New Zealand that "Jakarta has misinterpreted Australia's relationship with Pacific countries."

"These are sovereign states. And in particular in the case of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands has a right to do that [speak out about West Papua] as a sovereign country, and Australia's not in a very good position to tell them differently," Dr Firth said. (With radionz.co.nz)

Source: http://www.solomontimes.com/news/respect-for-human-rights-is-a-un-principle/8619

Aceh

Regions heighten security as bomb is found in Aceh

Jakarta Post - November 7, 2016

Hotli Simanjuntak, Ruslan Sangadji, and Djemi Amnifu, Lhokseumawe/Palu/Kupang – Local authorities in several regions have stepped up security measures to prevent conflicts or violence following the massive rally that turned violent in some locations in Jakarta last Friday.

In Lhokseumawe, Aceh, the police went into full alert after an object suspected of being a bomb was found at the door of Tirta Buddhist temple on Jl. Cut Mutia, Pusong, Banda Sakti district.

The discovery caused alarm among the residents of Lhokseumawe, which is one of the biggest cities in the predominantly-Muslim province. Witnesses said the item was left by an unidentified person.

The suspected bomb was believed to have been placed at the location before dawn, but was only discovered at around 8:30 a.m. local time by Aliong, 55, as he opened the door from inside the temple.

Local police deployed the bomb squad at about 10 a.m. and the device was made safe within half an hour. The team also swept the temple compound to make sure that no other device had been left at the site.

"The homemade bomb is thought to have been placed there between 5 and 6 am when it was still quiet," Lhokseumawe Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hendri Budiman said at the temple on Sunday.

He said the bomb could have been placed there to heighten sectarian tension in the city, and was aimed at causing division among the interfaith communities in the city and surrounding areas.

Relations in the city have largely been harmonious up to this point. "We call on local people to remain calm and not link this to interfaith conflict," Hendri said.

The temple is located next to the Huria Kristen Batak protestant church.

In Palu, Central Sulawesi, meanwhile, the police erected barbed wire along Jl. Sam Ratulangi due to growing security threats in the provincial capital.

Following Friday's massive rally in Jakarta, a number of Islamic organizations in Palu said they would also hold big demonstrations should the police fail to name Jakarta Governor, and gubernatorial candidate, Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama a blasphemy suspect.

"We could also occupy the DPRD [Central Sulawesi Legislative Council]," said Husen Alhabsyi, one of the organizations' coordinators.

Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Rudy Sufahriadi and local Army commander Col. M. Saleh Mustafa were quick to respond to the threat by inviting the organizations to come for a meeting at the police's provincial headquarters.

Rudy managed to calm the protesters after explaining that Ahok was still undergoing a legal process in Jakarta. "I hope all Muslims in Central Sulawesi can be patient," the police chief said.

In Kupang, the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Ansor Youth Movement (GP Ansor), under the auspices of the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia Nahdlatul Ulama, has publicly expressed support for Ahok, in his candidacy as Jakarta governor and said the alleged blasphemy by Ahok should not be politicized or used to divide the nation.

"We will support and defend Ahok. Regarding the alleged blasphemy, let it be legally processed, especially as Ahok has already publicly apologized," NTT GP Ansor leader Abdul Muis told The Jakarta Post after attending Friday prayers.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/07/regions-heighten-security-bomb-found-aceh.html

Military ties

Indonesia, US hold joint military training

Jakarta Post - November 3, 2016

Manado – US Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force personnel attended on Tuesday the opening ceremony of the 10-day Cope West joint training exercise held by the two countries' militaries in Manado, North Sulawesi.

Held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 11, the Cope West exercise is the first time in 19 years of bilateral cooperation that fighter-to-fighter exercises have been held between the US and Indonesian air forces.

"US-Indonesia defense cooperation has never been stronger or more comprehensive than it is today, and we are proud to be Indonesia's top defense partner in joint exercises and other engagements," US charge d'affaires Brian McFeeters said at the ceremony.

Cope West is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, bilateral, tactical fighter-to-fighter exercise involving the US and Indonesian air forces.

The exercise is designed to advance interoperability between the US and Indonesia to allow for the exchange of techniques related to combined air operations specific to US and Indonesian aircraft, and to promote cooperation and unity of purpose, the US Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/03/island-focus-indonesia-us-hold-joint-military-training.html

Russian and Indonesian governments to strengthen ties at Indo Defense 2016

Jakarta Globe - November 3, 2016

Jakarta – The Russian government has reaffirmed its commitment to increasing defense and security partnerships with Indonesia, Ambassador Mikhail Galuzin said during a press conference on board Russian destroyer Admiral Tributs-564 in Jakarta on Wednesday (02/11).

"It has been proven by the participation of several Russian companies in Indo Defense 2016 exhibition," Galuzin said.

"Russia's partnership with Indonesia is vast, including in economy, social, culture and military.

The advancement of partnerships in various sectors is important for the future of both countries."

For the exhibition, Russia is showing off its high-tech fighter jets, battleships, land-battle vehicles and the latest air defense system, the S-400.

Russia has brought its battleship, the Admiral Tributs-564, to the event and docked it at the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) II in Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta.

The battleship, measuring 163 meters long and 19.03 meters wide, weighs in at 6,955 tons and boasts a cruising distance of 2,600 at 30 knots or 7,700 at 18 knots. It is also equipped with various weapons and sensors.

Onboard Deputy Commander of Flotilla of Pacific Fleet, Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov said the anti-submarine battleship would be in Jakarta until Nov. 5.

"The ship was built 30 years ago in Leningrad, with a goal to destroy submarines. Before arriving in Jakarta, the weaponry of this ship has been modernized," Mikhailov said. The battleship has a crew of 325.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/russian-indonesian-governments-strengthen-ties-indo-defense-2016/

Indonesia, US hold joint military training exercise in N. Sulawesi

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Jakarta – US Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force personnel attended on Tuesday the opening ceremony of the 10-day Cope West joint training exercise held by the two militaries in Manado, North Sulawesi.

Held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 11, the Cope West exercise is the first time in 19 years of bilateral cooperation that fighter-to-fighter exercises between the US and Indonesian air forces have been held.

"US-Indonesia defense cooperation has never been stronger or more comprehensive than it is today, and we are proud to be Indonesia's top defense partner in joint exercises and other engagements," said US Charge d'Affaires Brian McFeeters at the ceremony.

He later highlighted the strength of the strategic partnership between the US and Indonesia. "The US is a strong friend and enthusiastic partner with Indonesia in many areas, including in strengthening Indonesia's aviation and defense. We look forward to a continuation of our robust and growing relationship."

Cope West is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, bilateral, tactical fighter-to-fighter exercises involving the US and Indonesian air forces. The exercise is designed to advance interoperability between the US and TNI AU, to allow for the exchange of techniques related to combined air operations specific to US and Indonesian aircraft, and to promote cooperation and unity of purpose, the US Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

Six US Marine Corps F-18s and six TNI-AU F-16s are participating in the joint exercises.

"Indonesia is a strong regional partner and we use these exercises to not only improve technical skills but also to strengthen friendship, mutual understanding and mutual respect between the two Armed Forces," said Lt.Col. Stephen McClune, representing the US military. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/indonesia-us-hold-joint-military-training-exercise-in-n-sulawesi.html

Human rights & justice

Palace to challenge KIP ruling

Jakarta Post - November 5, 2016

Jakarta – The State Secretariat has appealed a ruling issued by the Central Information Commission (KIP) instructing it to disclose a report drawn up by a state-sanctioned investigation into the murder of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib.

"The reason [why we've appealed the ruling] is that we think the ruling is ambiguous," State Secretary Pratikno said as quoted by kompas.com on Friday.

The official said the State Palace did not have the report requested by the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) and therefore it was odd for the commission to order it to disclose it.

The State Palace said that it had received a report from former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, but the State Palace decided not to disclose it.

The palace, instead, decided to forward the report to Attorney General HM Prasetyo as he was instructed by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to resolve the Munir case.

Munir, who cofounded Kontras, was murdered on board a Garuda Indonesia flight to Amsterdam in September 2004.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/05/national-scene-palace-challenge-kip-ruling.html

Labour & migrant workers

Urgent improvements in migrant-worker management needed

Jakarta Post - November 6, 2016

Jakarta – The recent fatal boat accident, which left 54 people dead, in Batam, Riau Islands, has highlighted the government's poor management of migrant workers, a researcher has said.

International migration expert from Gadjah Mada University's Population and Policy Study Center, Sukamdi, condemned the latest in a series of such incidents that had occurred in the past year. The tragedy clearly demonstrated the ineptitude of the government's migrant worker placement management.

Even though the government had imposed a moratorium, it had never been able to stop the flow of Indonesian workers seeking jobs abroad, said Sukamdi.

"For me, it's not a matter of legal or illegal. They [migrant workers] are also our citizens so the state should have been able to guarantee their safety and the fulfillment of their basic needs. They have migrated to meet their living needs. Could this country not facilitate them?" he said recently.

He said the Batam sinking should be a wake-up call for the government to immediately improve the placement of Indonesian migrant workers.

The 2011-2015 Indonesian migrant worker-placement data released by the Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Abroad (BNP2TKI) show more than 2 million Indonesian people worked abroad. The number is probably higher because many Indonesian migrant workers do not have official documents and go abroad via illegal routes.

The BNP2TKI data also show that remittances from Indonesian migrant workers amounted to Rp 119.7 trillion (US$8.65 billion) in 2015, making Indonesia the world's fourth-highest remittance-receiving country. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/06/urgent-improvements-in-migrant-worker-management-needed.html

Low costs, simpler procedures among reasons why Indonesian migrants choose

Jakarta Post - November 6, 2016

Panca Nugraha, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara – The recent sinking of a ferry carrying undocumented Indonesian migrant workers and their families in Batam, Riau Islands, has shown how prevalent illegal labor dispatch practices are in the country.

Many Indonesian citizens, including those in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), are willing to use risky illegal routes to get a job in Malaysia because they are cheaper and have simpler and faster procedures.

"It's a fact and the government must be sensitive to the matter. If not, we should not be surprised to see similar accidents continuing to happen in the future," chairman of the NTB office of the Indonesian Labor Supplying Companies Association (APJATI), Muhammaddun, said in a recent interview in Mataram.

He further said departure costs that must be covered by an Indonesian migrant worker who wanted to go to Malaysia legally had continued to increase significantly during the last three years following new policies applied in Malaysia.

The new regulations relate to visa arrangements, health examinations and immigration fingerprint screening for Indonesian migrant workers who want to work in Malaysia.

With the three new regulations, Muhammaddun said, each Indonesian migrant worker had to pay an additional 420 ringgit or around Rp 1.5 million (US$114.26). Visa fees have also increased to 220 ringgit from 15 ringgit.

"It takes up to three months to process all of the documents. That's why many people tend to use illegal routes, such as applying for tourist visas but later using them to work," said Muhammaddun. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/06/low-costs-simpler-procedures-among-reasons-why-indonesian-migrants-choose-illegal-routes.html

Workers shouldn't be provoked by political games behind anti-Ahok protests

Solidarity Net - November 4, 2016

Jakarta – A demonstration by thousands of people in Jakarta calling on Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama to be arrested and charged for blasphemy has elicited a variety of responses from labour groups.

Ahok stands accused of insulting Islam during a visit to the Thousand Islands north of Jakarta because in a speech he said that Maidah 51, a verse in the Quran, is often used by his political rivals to fool people into not electing a non-Muslim leader.

Support and opposition have marked the action. Although many people, including workers, are hostile to Ahok because they feel upset by his lack humanity.

There are also other workers who are unwilling to automatically discriminate against others simply on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, race or social group (SARA).

For workers, this is the same as negating the country's pluralism. Moreover as long as such leaders defend the poor, no matter what their religion, race or ethnicity, they will certainly be defended by the majority of people.

Workers Challenge Alliance (ABKM) president Mujiyo is of the view that there is nothing wrong with the November 4 action because it is allowed by law. But, he said, the issues being taken up by demonstrators has to be underlined.

"The issues [being taken up in] tomorrow's demonstration are ridden with political interests in the lead up to the [Jakarta] regional election [in February] and are dominated with sentiments of SARA, workers should focus on the struggle to improve their welfare because we know that workers' rights are frequently emasculated by business and government", said Mujiyo.

Another view says that there are more important problems than discriminating against people because of SARA.

Economic difficulties for example, companies paying less than the minimum wage, the use of contract labour, outsourcing, apprenticeships, trade union bashing and other labour violations.

As related by Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance (KASBI) secretary general Unang Sunarno: "Ahok has apologised already. So the issue doesn't need to be blown out of proportion and politicised this way, as if Ahok intentionally insulted the Islamic community", he told Solidarity Net on Wednesday November 2.

So if accusations are to be leveled at Ahok, said Unang, they should be related to his policies that fail to side with the poor, not because he is an ethnic Chinese. Unang believes questions still need to be asked about the movement against Ahok which claims that it is defending Islam because the movement is being used for political interests.

Similar remarks were made by Boyo, a worker from the company PT Devananda Mustika. According to Boyo, the November 4 demonstration is not just about insulting religion but is instead a battle between the political elite, between Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) chairperson Prabowo Subianto and Democrat Party patron former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"It is in the interests of the political elite to bring in issues of SARA concealed behind the label of religion. Workers, all the people shouldn't be provoked this religious issue. Workers should focus on the 2017 [minimum] wage which will soon be set based on Government Regulation 78]", he explained.

Boyo asserts that there are many labour issues that need to be untangled and resolved. So workers don't need to be caught up in the political interests concealed by the issue of SARA.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "Kata Buruh Mengenai Aksi 4 November".]

Source: http://www.solidaritas.net/2016/11/kata-buruh-mengenai-aksi-4-november.html

RI's ambition to woo investors jolted by workers' protests

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Andi Hajramurni, Jon Afrizal and Apriadi Gunawan, Makassar/Medan/Jambi – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's attempt to lure in investors by providing certainty in the labor market is facing fresh challenges after workers across the country took to the streets to protest the new annual minimum wages recently announced by regional administrations.

The government has attempted to guarantee certainty for businesses by issuing a new wage-setting policy. But the new formula has come up with minimum wages that have failed to satisfy unions.

In late 2015, Jokowi issued Government Regulation (PP) No. 78/2015 stipulating that the calculation of minimum wage increases must take into account the current fiscal year's inflation and gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates.

As a consequence of this new formula, the minimum wage increase for 2017 is pegged at 8.25 percent. Labor activists, meanwhile, have insisted that the new wages should be based primarily on the basic cost of living, which, if taken into account, should result in an increase of around 25 percent.

"Some provinces have reported their new minimum wage level for 2017 to comply with the new regulation. We're still waiting from others," the Manpower Ministry's director for wage payments, Andriani, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

As a result, workers in different locations across Indonesia took to the streets to protest the 2017 minimum wages and the new formulation that created them.

In Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, Indonesia's fourth most-populated province, workers from different unions protested the province's 2017 minimum wage, which has been set at Rp 1.96 million (US$150) per month. This represents an 8.25 percent increase from the Rp 1.81 million listed for this year.

Willy Agus Utomo from the North Sumatra Labor Movement Alliance (ABBSU) said his union had urged North Sumatra Governor T. Erry Nuradi to increase the minimum wage by at least 25 percent.

He said workers would stage a much bigger protest should the provincial administration refuse to fulfill their demands. "We can paralyze the industrial sector in North Sumatra if the administration continues to play down our demands," he told the Post.

In East Java's capital of Surabaya, which is the country's second-largest city after Jakarta, workers also protested the new minimum wage.

East Java Governor Soekarwo announced that the minimum wage for 2017 would be Rp 1.39 million. Speaking before hundreds of protesting workers, the governor argued that the amount was fair.

All-Indonesia Labor Union (SPSI) East Java chairman Achmad Fauzi, however, claimed that the new minimum wage was too low and thus should be revised.

The South Sulawesi provincial administration, meanwhile, has set the 2017 minimum wage at Rp 2.5 million per month, representing an 11.1 percent increase from the current wage of Rp 2.2 million.

Based on the 2015 regulation, the new minimum wage should have been set at Rp 2.44 million, but South Sulawesi Manpower and Transmigration Office head Agustinus Appang denied that this constituted a violation of the central government's policy.

"The minimum wage we announced today does not exceed the government's regulation. We just rounded the figure up," he said.

By contrast, it is businesspeople who have rejected the provincial administration's decision.

"Based on a survey by employers and workers on the current economic situation, the new minimum wage in South Sulawesi should be Rp 2.06 million per month. We submitted the results of the survey to the governor, but it was not taken into consideration," said the Indonesian Employers Association's South Sulawesi chapter head, Latunreng.

Worker demonstrations also reportedly took place in Jambi, Lampung and Riau.

Last year, soon after the regulation was announced, major protests took place in different cities. As many as 26 protesters were arrested by the police for disrupting public order. (adt)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/ri-s-ambition-woo-investors-jolted-workers-protests.html

Apindo backs government's minimum wage increase plan

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Jakarta – The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) shared on Wednesday its support for the government's plan to increase the provincial minimum wage by 8.25 percent next year, as long as the government stayed consistent during the implementation process.

The powerful business lobby group said it considered the figure "fair", as it was calculated in accordance with the formula stipulated in Government Regulation (PP) No. 78/2015. The regulation stipulates annual wage increases must take into account gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates and the current fiscal year's inflation.

"PP 78 was issued last year through consultation with Apindo and other stakeholders. We support the plan and hope the government is consistent in executing it," Apindo deputy chairman Shinta Widjaja Kamdani told The Jakarta Post.

Shinta said the government needed to ensure all provincial administrations complied with the recommended figure, instead of making their own decisions.

"For example, the South Sulawesi provincial administration has raised the 2017 UMP[provincial minimum wage] by 11 percent, which is higher than the figure we have agreed to," she said.

The government has set Nov. 1 as the deadline for all provincial administrations to submit their final minimum wage for their respective regions.

Anton J. Supit, another Apindo executive, also stressed the importance of regional administrations' compliance with the standardized minimum wage increase level.

"During unfavorable economic times and high unemployment, [policy] consistency would help maintain a strong investment climate," he said. (win/hwa)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/apindo-backs-governments-minimum-wage-increase-plan.html

Productive Indonesians struggle to find jobs

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Jakarta – Although Indonesia is blessed with a demographic bonus, meaning that productive-aged people outnumber children and the elderly, many young graduates are having difficulties finding jobs because of a major skills gap.

Youth unemployment for those aged 15 to 24 is a serious problem in Indonesia, according to a study on skilled labor within five Southeast Asian countries released on Tuesday by JP Morgan and Singapore Management University (SMU).

Indonesia faces the most severe youth unemployment problem with close to 20 percent of the country's youth not being able to find a job, a level that is close to that in the crisis-hit eurozone and the highest among the countries surveyed in the report, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

Indonesia and the Philippines, which both aim to join the ranks of upper middle-income countries, face the daunting challenge of equipping their workers with basic skills and the knowledge required by key growth industries that need basic science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills.

"In both countries, the public sector is under tremendous pressure to prepare workers to pick up job-specific skills," the report reads. Indonesia's youth unemployment rate has consistently trailed the Philippines' 16 percent for many years, while Thailand has the lowest unemployment rate of 0.9 percent.

The fact that one in three young Indonesians remain unemployed for 12 months, despite having a tertiary education, reflects a mismatch between the skills that Indonesia's youth possess and the skills that industries require, according to an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report.

To tackle this huge skills gap, the government is trying to create a "national internship roadmap" to link graduates from vocational schools to workplaces. "We are working on it," Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said on Monday.

Darmin expected that a master plan for the roadmap would be issued at the beginning of next year and would involve four ministries, namely the Research and Technology and Higher Education Ministry, the Culture and Education Ministry, the Manpower Ministry and the Religious Affairs Ministry.

The government would also change the vocational certification system so it allowed students to get certificates every year, as opposed to three years at present, so that students could still find jobs even if they decided to quit during the middle of their studies, he said.

The Manpower Ministry, for one, already has an internship program. The program has collaborated with 2,648 companies since August, the ministry's labor market development director Roostiawati said.

As internships are already part of vocational school programs and universities, the government needs to do more than just present a roadmap, said Hadi Subhan, a law and manpower expert from Surabaya's Airlangga University. "It is not effective. The government should revitalize vocational education instead," Hadi said.

The JP Morgan-SMU report recommends that the government develop a skills training roadmap, relax rules on skilled foreign workers and expand efforts to raise the youth employment rate. The private sector is also urged to forge a stronger role in leading skills training.

"A large and persistent skills gap in eight key growth sectors will undermine the country's ambition of graduating into a middle-income country in the medium term," reads the report, referring to Indonesia's top sectors, namely agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing, marine, tourism, telecommunications and the development of strategic areas. (wnd)

[Stefani Ribka contributed to this story.]

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/productive-indonesians-struggle-to-find-jobs.html

Freedom of speech & expression

Government to block more websites, raising censorship specter

Jakarta Post - November 5, 2016

Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – The government says it will intensify its crackdown on websites accused of spreading hatred based on issues of ethnicity, religion and race (SARA) after receiving more requests to do so, raising the specter of online censorship.

The move came as religious sentiments over the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election escalated and spread online, mainly after Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama was accused of disrespecting Al-Maidah 51, a verse in the Quran.

The Communications and Information Ministry claimed that since Oct. 31 it had received more requests to block websites allegedly spreading SARA-based hatred from several authorities, including the National Police, the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN)

At least 38 websites accused of provoking SARA-based hatred alone were reported to the ministry and among 16 of them had been shut down, including 11 websites recently blocked on Wednesday, acting ministry spokesperson Noor Iza told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

"In late October, the intensity [of reports on such websites] has increased [more than in previous months]. Before, such provocative issues were mostly reported for their circulation in social media, not on websites," Noor said.

He argued that as long as sites that circulated such hateful campaigns kept growing, the ministry had to act to curb such rampant hate speech on the internet.

Authorities claim the crackdown has been carried out in accordance with the law. The National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) special economic crimes director, Brig. Gen. Agung Setya, said the force utilized regulations stipulated under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law and related laws to assess websites' content.

"If a sentence contains "occupy the House of Representatives' complex" [on a website], it is already provocative. [But] it will be further verified by a language expert and criminal expert before we declare it provocative," Agung said.

Article 40 of the ITE Law stipulates that the government can block access to electronic documents suspected of disseminating, among other things, information related to pornography, terrorism and defamation.

Insp. Gen. Arif Dharmawan, the BNPT deputy of enforcement, said the force reported such websites to the ministry after receiving suggestions from netizens of several websites they considered provocative, especially those related to radicalism and terrorism.

But human rights and press groups said what the government did in blocking 11 websites recently was arbitrary and could be construed as censorship.

The government, they said, should not have closed down the websites without first initiating a legal investigation into the websites' operator it accused of spreading hatred.

"Hate speech that leads to violence should be [shut down] to prevent it from inciting people, but it should be done through a fair and correct legal mechanism such as a court order," said Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) executive director Nawawi Bahrudin.

The Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) said Article 40 of the new ITE law had legalized the government's online censorship regime.

"Article 40 of the revised ITE law, in the ICJR's view, all this time, has been institutionalizing the incorrect mechanism to block [websites] that has been carried out by the government," ICJR researcher Anggara said.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that every person has a right to freedom of opinion and expression.

Meanwhile, LBH Pers said before blocking websites with news-element content, the ministry should have first coordinated with the Press Council as Law No. 4/1999 on the press stated that the council had the right to evaluate whether news or the media were under the protection of the law.

"If it is revealed that media sites that have been blocked are [protected] under the Press Law, the ministry has actually undertaken [illegal] censorship," LBH Pers said.

The ministry announced on Thursday that it had shut down 11 sites, namely lemahirengmedia.com, portalpiyungan.com, suara-islam.com, smstauhiid.com, beritaislam24h.com, bersatupos.com, pos-metro.com, jurnalmuslim.com, media-nkri.net, lontaranews.com, and nusanews.com.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/05/govt-block-more-websites-raising-censorship-specter.html

Man charged with defamation for complaining about vet clinic

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – The newly revised Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law has once again shown its draconian nature in inhibiting the right to freedom of expression after a Yogyakarta man was charged with defamation for complaining about a veterinary clinic.

Fatkhur "Fatur" Rohman posted on his Facebook page that his cat died after being treated at a local clinic, suggesting that his pet could have been a victim of malpractice.

Fatur had filed a police report for the alleged malpractice, but the police turned down his report as it was considered incomplete.

The police instead charged him with violating Article 27 (3) of the 2016 ITE Law on defamation with a maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment.

Article 27 (3) of the law stipulates criminal punishment for anyone found guilty of transmitting electronic information or documents that intimidate or defame another party.

Fatur's story first started when he brought his cat named Boy to NarooPet Clinic in Sleman, Yogyakarta, for a shave in August last year. He consulted the clinic employees about the condition of Boy's eyes.

Without any diagnosis or analysis, two employees at the clinic namely, Laili Choiriyah and Sri Dewi Syamsuri, immediately took action and shaved Boy's eyelashes, Fatur said at Yogyakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Yogyakarta) office.

"Two or three days later, Boy's eyes became irritated. I brought him to the emergency unit at Gadjah Mada University's (UGM) Soeparwi animal hospital," Fatur said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.

The doctors said Boy suffered from cat eye disease and should be treated with operations. However, several days later, Boy died.

Fatur was saddened when he heard that the people who had handled Boy at NarooPet Clinic were not doctors, paramedics or certified animal health workers.

In his Facebook post dated Feb. 20, Fatur uploaded a picture of Laili and Sri when they were treating Boy and said, "This is evidence that proves the people responsible for treating my cat were not veterinarians. They were only crazy people who acted clever [...] Everything I had posted before was based on facts."

"After uploading the status, people came to my apartment. There were six of them, and they forced me to follow them to the [Yogyakarta] Police office, but I refused. They asked for my ID card, which I did not provide," Fatur said.

On Feb. 24, Sri, who owned the clinic, reported Fatur for alleged defamation.

LBH Yogyakarta advocate Ikhwan Sapta Nugraha, who assisted Fatur, slammed the draconian. Ikhwan claims Fatur should be a victim but instead has become a suspect.

"ITE Law is used to silence freedom of expression. We urge Article (3) of Law No. 11/2008 to be revoked," Ikhwan said, adding that the LBH Yogyakarta would continue assisting Fatur on the matter.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/man-charged-with-defamation-complaining-about-vet-clinic.html

'Right to be forgotten' to be upheld: Government

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Moses Ompusunggu, Jakarta – The government says the "right to be forgotten" clause in the new Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law will be upheld, although critics say the country lacks the legal infrastructure to enforce it.

All internet content providers, ranging from search giant Google to online news outlets, must comply with the provision, a top government official said Tuesday, adding that those who refused to comply would face sanctions.

Henri Subiakto, an expert staff member at the Communications and Information Ministry and the representative of the government in deliberations on the 2016 ITE Law, said details regarding the possible sanctions would be included in a government regulation.

"We have to force [content providers] to comply with the law. If they neglect a court order to delist unwanted online stories, they have to be punished," Henry told The Jakarta Post.

A person's right to request the deletion from the internet of past improprieties under their name, dubbed the right to be forgotten, can now be exercised following the issuance of the revised law last week.

Under Article 26 of the ITE Law, anyone from politicians to recently released convicts can seek a court order to remove online stories about them that they claim are inappropriate and have become irrelevant.

In the revised law, there is no explanation of how to implement the right to be forgotten, which Henri said would also be detailed in the upcoming regulation.

The government regulation detailing Article 26 was set to be available next year, Henri said, adding that deliberations would commence soon after the ITE Law came into force on Nov. 27.

Representatives of Google in Indonesia were not immediately available for comment on the subject.

Theoretically, a court order could not be used as a basis for punishing content providers as it was not legally binding for them, said Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) executive director Supriyadi Widodo Eddyono.

Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) researcher Wahyudi Djafar said an independent body should be established to execute the sanctions.

The practice of internet content deletion received international legal backing after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in May 2014 in favor of Mario Costeja Gonzalez, a Spanish national who demanded that a search result regarding a 1998 article in La Vanguardia newspaper be removed.

Gonzalez said the article in question regarded the auction of his home because of outstanding debts. However, despite having paid his debts, the article still showed up in Google searches 16 years later.

The ECJ ruled in its verdict that people could ask search engines to remove content that the former deemed inappropriate and irrelevant. "Seeing the Spanish man's case, the right to be forgotten should be adopted in Indonesia," said Henri, referring to the ECJ ruling.

The government and the House of Representatives claim that the clause on the right to be forgotten, proposed by the latter at the eleventh hour of the law's deliberation, is intended to uphold internet privacy. They say people have the right to restore their reputations because inappropriate news about them published online could ruin their lives in the future.

But experts believe Indonesia is not ready to implement the deletion clause, arguing that the country lacks legal mechanisms to do so.

Wahyudi said there were no regulations on data protection, including directives on content deletion, to support the implementation of the right to be forgotten in the country.

He also criticized the absence of details regarding Article 26 in the ITE Law, citing Article 28J of the Constitution, which stipulates that any restriction of people's rights has to be regulated by law.

The practice of online content deletion would put "people's right to information" in jeopardy, thus should be specifically stipulated in the revised ITE Law, Wahyudi said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/right-be-forgotten-be-upheld-government.html

Revised ITE Law may hamper free speech

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Jakarta – The newly revised Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law could limit people's rights to freedom of expression because many provisions in the law expanded the government's role in controlling information, a researcher said on Monday.

Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) researcher Wahyudi Djafar said Article 40 of the ITE Law, for instance, enabled the government to block access to electronic documents suspected of disseminating information related to, among other things, pornography, terrorism and defamation.

"Granting the government full authority to deny access to prohibited content on the internet is dangerous because it carries huge risks for the abuse of power," he said on Monday.

Article 26 of the revised law enables people to request the deletion of published information if it is deemed to have become irrelevant. A suspect that has been found not guilty, for example, can ask for any information he or she considers to be no longer relevant to their case to be eliminated from the internet.

"This may benefit some groups who want to cover up their track record, such as deleting information about past human rights abuse cases," Wahyudi said.

The House of Representatives passed the draft revision of Law No. 11/2008 on ITE into law in a plenary meeting on Oct. 27.

Communications and Information Ministry spokesman Noor Iza told The Jakarta Post that the government had decided to revise the law because there were deficiencies in implementation of several of its articles.

"This [revision] has been what the public has wanted all this time, namely letting the government have greater power in managing information technology," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/national-scene-revised-ite-law-may-hamper-free-speech.html

Democracy & civil rights

Indonesia's democracy takes one step forward, one back, survey finds

Jakarta Globe - November 4, 2016

Jakarta – Indonesia's democracy rating has dropped slightly on the back of increasing discrimination and alleged corrupt practices among lawmakers and political parties, a leading researcher has said.

A Central Statistics Agency (BPS) study released in August found Indonesia's Democratic Index reached 72.82 points, a 0.22 point drop on the last report. The number reflects the fluctuation in democratic processes across the country, but is still firmly in the "safe" category and remains stable.

BPS uses local newspaper reporting, local and gubernatorial regulations, discussions with focus groups and in-depth interviews to determine the index.

In a commentary article to Jakarta Globe, political analyst Pitan Daslani said that the practice of democracy in Indonesia is moving backwards. The former journalist pointed to discriminatory ethnic and religious sentiment within the political sphere ahead of next year's regional elections.

Political rights

This year's survey resulted in the highest ranking for political engagement – such as the right to vote or hold office – since the study first began in 2009. The ranking has shot up 63.72 in 2014, after a dismal 46.25 in 2013, climbing a further 6.91 points in 2015 to reach 70.63.

Syamsuddin Haris, a political researcher from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said the increase is due to the expansion of freedoms under the current government.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who made international headlines after winning the presidency for his humble background outside of political dynasties, faced tough anti-democratic campaigning in 2014 with results disputed by his establishment opponent.

February's regional elections, particularly the gubernatorial race in Jakarta, is widely expected to be the next test in Indonesia's democracy after incumbent Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama became embroiled in a blasphemy case at the beginning of the campaign period.

Civil freedoms

While engagement improved, civil freedoms and executive, legislative and judiciary institutions decline.

Straddling the "good" and "safe" categories, civil freedoms dropped from 82.62 to 80.30 following investigation into movement, speech, religious freedoms and discrimination.

The report cited events such as the August police blockade on a Yogyakarta university dormitory, ostensibly to trap up to 70 Papuan students who had demonstrated in support of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).

Indonesia maintains pluralism and harmony through the founding Pancasila ideology and the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) motto, but Syamsuddin says the government, including the Jokowi administration, fails to protect all citizens.

"[Some] legislators manipulate religious issues for their political needs, so they could still get elected in the next period," Syamsuddin said.

He emphasized government policies, which play an important role in ending discrimination and upholding constitutional rights of all Indonesians, despite race, ethnicity, religion and inter-group dynamics.

"If discrimination remains high, our democracy would likely be low," Syamsuddin said in Jakarta last week.

Declining institutions

Functioning of democratic institutions has declined the furthest, dropping from 75.81 in 2014 to 66.87 points. Political parties, legislative assemblies and the House of Representatives are all taken into account when assessing the index.

"Our representatives, in both the House and Regional House, haven't made any improvements in quality," Syamsuddin said. Representatives have dragged the country's democracy index after a string of high-profile graft cases involving lawmakers across the country.

Despite the Saber Pungli task force, launched by Jokowi a year ago, sniffing out extortion and graft in the institutions, Syamsuddin said the process is still on-going and will take a long time.

Syamsuddin added that Indonesia's politics remains transactional among the established parties, of which the country has dozens vying for power. The current system, in which citizens elect their local representatives in the House via elections, is prone to money politics.

"If there are 10 house political parties means 10 different thoughts on one subject. During the process of negotiating, they sell their political rights in exchange of money," Syamsuddin told the Jakarta Globe.

"The public positions that were contested by members of political parties is being manipulated and used as an ATM to fund their party."

Currently, 19 governors, 10 former ministers, officials of the Constitutional Court and Judicial Commission and hundreds of mayors, district heads and ad hoc government officials have been arrested in graft cases.

Transparency International's annual Corruption Perception Index last year saw Indonesia move up the ranking slightly to 56 of 178 countries on 47 points, just behind Malaysia ranked 55.

Syamsuddin said the government must intervene and create a subsidy for political parties, as is the case in other countries, in an effort to battle money politics. The parties themselves, meanwhile, must improve the quality of human resources.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesias-democracy-takes-one-step-forward-one-back-survey-finds/

Blasphemy & the Jakarta elections

Indonesian Police probe political actors behind Nov. 4 rally

Jakarta Post - November 7, 2016

Haeril Halim and Moses Parlindungan,Jakarta/Denpasar – The National Police have launched their investigation into President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's suspicions that political actors were behind the eruption into violence of a previously peaceful rally held by Muslim and youth organizations on Friday.

After effectively preventing the violence from escalating, the police have moved swiftly to respond to the President's stern statement delivered in a furious tone, by Javanese standards, late on Friday, suggesting that political actors were taking advantage of the situation.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar confirmed the police's move on Sunday, saying that the probe "was part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged provocateurs of the riot".

"It is part of the information that the police are currently trying to confirm. The intelligence unit of the National Police is in charge of it," Boy said on the sidelines of an event in Nusa Dua, Bali.

More than 100,000 protesters gathered in front of the Presidential Palace on Friday calling for the criminal prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy.

The rally ended in violence as protesters defied a police order to disperse, and a small riot occurred later in Penjaringan district in North Jakarta, an area where many Chinese-Indonesians live.

The violence left one protester dead from complications related to chronic asthma and dozens injured, including a policeman who lost an eye while trying to control the hostile situation.

The Jakarta Police have released 10 protesters from detention for allegedly provoking the violence, but are yet to name any suspects.

However, the police have detained and declared 13 people suspects for allegedly instigating the riot in Penjaringan, and put 15 others on their wanted list.

While the authorities have not shed any light yet regarding specific political actors suspected of being behind the incidents, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, which holds less than 10 percent of the seats in the House of Representatives, has already felt the heat.

The party's executive Syariefuddin Hassan demanded on Saturday that Jokowi clarify his allegation as it could cause political instability.

"The President has to reveal the names that he alleges [were involved in the rally] in order to prevent suspicions among the public," said Syariefuddin, former cooperatives and small and medium enterprises minister during Yudhoyono's presidency.

Syariefuddin said Jokowi's allegation was "very serious" and made in the middle of a "critical" situation. "Who knows? The political actors may have been those inside Jokowi's political circle" he said.

Prior to the rally, Yudhoyono held a press conference to deliver his strong refutation of allegations that he orchestrated Friday's rally leveled against him by the intelligence community.

He also complained about what he said was unjust treatment from the government toward him and his son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, and positioned himself as a victim of Agus' bid to compete in the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial race against Ahok – widely regarded as Jokowi's "golden boy".

No Democratic Party politicians or people close to Yudhoyono attended Friday's rally. But several bigwigs, including House deputy speakers Fadli Zon of the Gerindra Party and Fahri Hamzah of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), were seen at the protest. National Mandate Party (PAN) patron Amien Rais also attended the rally.

Gerindra and PKS remain in opposition to Jokowi's ruling coalition, which accounts for more than 70 percent seats in the House, while PAN recently joined the Jokowi camp. The Democratic Party has thus far remained neutral.

Jokowi's party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), whose chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri reportedly holds a grudge against Yudhoyono, quickly defended the President's move.

PDI-P deputy secretary-general Ahmad Basarah said it was best for political party elites to refrain from exploiting the situation to push their agendas at a time when Jakarta is preparing for a gubernatorial election.

"The election should be a chance to consolidate our democracy, not to allow anyone who wants to change the Pancasila (Indonesia's philosophical foundation) with other ideologies," said Basarah, who is also the spokesperson for Ahok's election campaign team.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/07/indonesian-police-probe-political-actors-behind-nov-4-rally.html

Violence stems from inter-ethnic tensions

Jakarta Post - November 7, 2016

Liza Yosephine, Jakarta – Pre-existing inter-ethnic tensions could explain the looting and violence that broke out in majority Chinese-Indonesian areas in North Jakarta on Friday night. Police also say the violence had nothing to do with the massive rally held by Muslim groups on the same day.

The rioting was likely fueled by existing tensions in the area and initiated by local mobs taking advantage of the situation caused by the religious rally in Central Jakarta, historian from Pelita Harapan University Yosef M. Djakababa said.

"It is the excess that arises and can occasionally explode, such as it did on Friday, because of long existing seeds of suspicion between communities in the area," Yosef said on Sunday.

Relations between different ethnic groups in Indonesia more or less have their roots in the colonial period, including the division of different regions and the make-up of their populations, he said. However, he expressed regret that ethnic tension remained in some areas.

The government and local figures must also facilitate communication and interaction between residents in the area to ease pre-existing tensions and avoid further clashes, Yosef said.

"The government must be present, and the communities in the locations must continue to work hard to reduce mutual suspicion, and that is not attained by building higher walls in residential areas," he said.

Meanwhile, sociologist from state University of Indonesia Ricardi S. Adnan noted that trauma from 1998 was still too significant to allow a repeat of such events, adding that the rally had attempted to stay focused on its main goal, which was to demand that the police prosecute Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy.

However, Ricardi continued, crowds could be breeding grounds for out-of-control incidents. "In a crowd situation, there is always a risk of actions that are beyond control, as well as other parties who take advantage of a violent situation for their own gain," he said.

The police on Sunday named 13 suspects for their alleged involvement in the riot in Penjaringan, North Jakarta.

"Twelve people were initially declared suspects and we named another one after further investigation," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono said in a statement on Sunday.

Besides naming 13 suspects, Awi said police had also put 16 names on a wanted list for their alleged involvement in the riot.

On Saturday, at least 10 businesses were recorded as being victims of the attacks. They included two convenience stores, an Alfamart and an Indomaret, and Bakso Tukul, a meatball soup outlet owned by well-known comedian Tukul Arwana.

Police lines have been set up around the area, located in front of the Pakin Transjakarta bus station, while as of Saturday night broken glass was still scattered around. People also pelted stones at police officers when the looting broke out at around 7:30 p.m.

Paryanto, 35, a field coordinator for vendors in Jl. Gedong Panjang in Penjaringan, said that most of the vendors affected were not traumatized by the invasion of hundreds of looters, but regretted their losses which were estimated to reach hundreds of millions of rupiah.

Meanwhile, despite initial fears residents of the Chinatown area of Glodok in West Jakarta, said they would keep their businesses open as usual but would stay alert.

Ahok, a Christian and Indonesian of Chinese descent, has sparked uproar among Muslim groups after he made a comment about a verse of the Quran during a visit to the Thousand Islands regency in late September. At least 100,000 people swarmed the streets of Central Jakarta demanding the outspoken governor be prosecuted over his allegedly blasphemous remarks. (fac)

Timeline of Ahok case

Sept. 21: Incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama officially registers his candidacy for the gubernatorial election in February with the Jakarta Elections Commission.

Sept. 27: Ahok speaks to local residents and city officials in Thousand Islands about voting rights. The governor cites Al-Maidah, verse 51 of the Quran, which has often been used by politicians to deter Muslim voters from electing non-Muslims.

Oct. 06: Buni Yani, a communications lecturer at the London School of Public Relations (LSPR) in Jakarta, edits the video of Ahok citing the verse and uploads part of it onto his Facebook page with a provocative heading. The video goes viral and sparks public outrage. Buni is a PhD candidate in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology at Leiden University, in the Netherlands, and he holds a master's degree in Southeast Asian studies from Ohio University in the US.

Novel Chaidir Hasan, secretary-general of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), files a report with the National Police, charging Ahok with religious defamation.

Oct. 10: Ahok apologizes to Muslims for any offense caused by the statement.

Oct. 11: The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) officially announces that Ahok has committed blasphemy over his reference to the Al-Maidah verse. In a talk show aired by TVOne, Buni Yani admits to making a mistake in writing the transcript of Ahok's speech that he posted online. He claims he misheard Ahok's statement because he did not use earphones when listening to the video.

Oct. 14: Anti-Ahok rallies are held in Jakarta, Surabaya in East Java, and Bandung in West Java. The protesters demand Ahok be sent to prison for the alleged blasphemy.

Oct. 25: Ahok meets President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and visits the National Police's detective unit in a bid to put the allegations he insulted the Quran to rest before he hits the campaign trail.

Oct. 28: Campaign period for the gubernatorial candidates officially kicks off. It will end on Feb. 11 before polling day on Feb. 15.

Oct. 31: Jokowi visits his former presidential election rival and opposition camp leader Prabowo Subianto of the Gerindra Party. Jokowi appeals to Prabowo to ask him to join in calling on political groups to ease tensions ahead of a Nov. 4 rally organized by Muslim groups, in which they will demand immediate legal action against Ahok.

Nov. 1: Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launches a tirade against the government, accusing it of producing a false intelligence report that alleged he and his family are behind the planned Nov. 4 rally involving thousands of hard-line Muslims in the capital. Jokowi invites leaders from Islamic organizations, the MUI, Nahdlatul Ulama and the Muhammadiyah to the Presidential Palace and asks them to join him in calling on Muslim groups to ease tensions ahead of the rally.

Nov. 03: Investigators from the National Police question Yogyakarta-based Indonesian Islamic University (UII) criminal law lecturer Mudzakir and FPI leader Rizieq Shihab as expert witnesses in Ahok's alleged blasphemy case.

Nov. 04: A massive rally calling for the criminal prosecution of Ahok for the alleged blasphemy ends in violence as protesters defy a police order to disperse. Jokowi believes "political actors" to be behind the violence, which leaves one protester dead from complications related to chronic asthma and dozens injured, including a policeman who lost an eye while trying to control the hostile situation.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/07/violence-stems-from-inter-ethnic-tensions.html

Jokowi supporters report singer Ahmad Dhani for alleged defamation

Jakarta Post - November 7, 2016

Jakarta – Representatives of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's People's Soldiers (LRJ) and Pro-Jokowi supporters filed a complaint against singer and composer Ahmad Dhani to Jakarta Police on Monday morning over alleged defamation during the Nov. 4 mass rally.

"We have handed in visual evidence in the form of video file to police investigators," LRJ chairman Riano Oscha said as quoted by tempo.co.

According to Riano, Dhani's speech during the rally demanding the immediate incarceration of inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama for blasphemy allegations, has violated the law for degrading the President.

Dhani's speech that was circulated over social media networks allegedly showed him insulting the President for the latter's reluctance to meet with the protesters last Friday. Riano said his organization did not contact Dhani in relation to their complaint. (dmr)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/07/jokowi-supporters-report-singer-ahmad-dhani-for-alleged-defamation.html

Rally organizer blames violence on 'provocateurs'

Jakarta Post - November 5, 2016

Safrin La Batu, Jakarta – The organizer of the Friday large-scale rally has suspected that some people stirred up a riot in the initially peaceful rally that later turned violent.

The Movement of Indonesian Council Edict Supporters (GNPF-MUI), the rally organizer, said the people, whom they referred to as provocateurs, could have been both the participants and the police.

"There were provocateurs infiltrating the participants' side of the rally [...] their haircuts were short, we have their photographs. But [they are] not necessarily from the military or police," GNPF-MUI chairman Bachtiar Nasir said on Saturday.

Bachtiar suspected there were also provocateurs on the police side because police officers who shot tear gas at the participants did not follow the orders of National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and Military Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, who both instructed the officers to stop shooting.

He said when police officers opened tear gas fire at the participants, some representatives of the rally were in the middle of mediation with the State Palace's representatives. Some in the State Palace, including Vice President Jusuf Kalla, he said, were shocked by the sudden shooting from the officers.

He said both Tito and Gatot came out of the State Palace and immediately instructed the officers to stop shooting the tear gas, but they continued shooting.

Early in the morning, the National Police said they were currently questioning 10 people for allegedly stirring up the riot. The police showed the picture of young men in casual attire violently attacking police officers with bamboo. (evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/05/rally-organizer-blames-violence-on-provocateurs.html

Indonesian president blames 'political actors' for stoking Jakarta blasphemy

Reuters - November 5, 2016

Indonesian president Joko Widodo lashed out at politicians for stoking a huge protest that briefly turned violent on Friday night as a hardcore group pressed for the resignation of Jakarta's governor, a Christian accused of insulting the Qur'an.

The first ethnic Chinese politician to lead this sprawling city of 10 million people, Basuki Tjahja Purnama is standing for re-election in February, competing with two Muslim candidates for the job.

The governorship of the capital is a powerful position and was a stepping stone for Joko Widodo to the presidency two years ago.

At a news conference in the early hours of Saturday, Widodo called for calm and took a swipe at politicians – whom he didn't name – for whipping up demonstrators after most had already gone home.

"We deplore the incident after the Isha prayers, when should have already disbanded but became violent. And, we see this was steered by political actors who were exploiting the situation," Widodo said.

During the protest police fired tear gas and water cannon to subdue the crowd that authorities said swelled to about 150,000 after Friday prayers as they congregated around the presidential palace.

Some protesters threw rocks at the police, two vehicles were torched and a fire broke out near the city's national monument, but by the evening the demonstration was fizzling out.

However, in a northern neighbourhood of the city there was a late-night clash between police and a few dozen protesters, and social media reports showed a convenience store being looted.

Hundreds camped out until around four in the morning beside the parliament building, demanding Purnama be charged with blasphemy.

A police spokesman said one person died and 12 were hurt. Local media said about 23 people were arrested, most of them in the north, where overnight police guarded shopping and residential areas that are home to predominantly non-Muslims.

About a dozen Muslim groups have accused Purnama of insulting Islam after he said his opponents had used a verse from the Qur'an to deceive voters. The verse implies that Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders.

Chanting "God is greatest", many in Friday's protest waved placards calling for Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, to be jailed for blasphemy. A white banner hung at an overpass was painted with red letters that read "Hang Ahok here".

Police are investigating the case against Purnama, who has apologised for his remarks, insisting he was not criticising the Qur'anic verse but those who used it to attack him.

Purnama has a reputation as a no-nonsense reformer with little patience for the corruption widely blamed for the chaos and dilapidated infrastructure in an overcrowded city.

He remains popular despite efforts by Muslim groups to vilify him and is seen as the frontrunner in the election, though many voters are angry with him for evicting large numbers from slums to modernise Jakarta.

Widodo, a Muslim, has vowed not to interfere in any legal proceedings against Purnama, according to media reports. But he said at his news conference that any legal process involving Purnama would be executed "swiftly, firmly and transparently".

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country, but protests on such a large scale are rare. Ethnic Chinese make up just over one per cent of the country's 250 million people, and they typically do not enter politics.

Indonesian Chinese have faced persecution and violence in the past, especially during the political and social turmoil that gripped Jakarta when former president Suharto was toppled.

On Saturday Widodo cancelled a planned three-day visit to Australia, citing the security situation in Jakarta.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/05/indonesian-president-blames-political-actors-for-stoking-jakarta-blasphemy-protests

Violence in Jakarta as Muslims protest, demand Christian governor Ahok be jailed

Sydney Morning Herald - November 5, 2016

Jewel Topsfield, Jakarta – The streets of Jakarta erupted into violence on Friday night leaving one dead and multiple people injured as police clashed with demonstrators following a rally of about 150,000 people demanding the arrest of the city's Chinese Christian governor.

Jakarta police spokesman Awi Setiyono said one person had died from asthma and at least 12 police officers and four protesters were injured in the protests.

The protest was largely peaceful during the day however the mood soured after clashes between police and demonstrators on Friday night culminated in police using tear gas to disperse the remaining crowd outside the presidential palace.

Demonstrators threw stones and vehicles belonging to the police paramilitary force BRIMOB were set on fire. The head of the Islamic Students' Association (HMI), Mulyadi P Tamsir, denied the group started the fight with police, saying they had been planning to leave at 6pm but were hemmed in.

"There were around 1000 HMI members," he told Fairfax Media. "We were sitting about 30 to 100 metres from the broken barricade, we backed away immediately after the tear gas shooting. My eyes hurt, my face was hot, we scrambled for water to wash our faces. We backed away immediately. I don't have any reports yet if any of our members were hurt. It was a peace action, we stuck to that."

Mr Mulyadi said the fight had been initiated by a group next to them. "There was a small incident in the afternoon, some garbage, not tires, were burned, but it was put out immediately. It was a peace action."

The rally, spearheaded by the militant Islamic Defenders Front, came about because Muslim hardliners want Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, widely known as Ahok, to be jailed for allegedly insulting the Koran.

About 20,000 police and military personnel secured the route of the demonstration in Central Jakarta amid fears it would be hijacked by extremists keen to foment violence.

Simultaneous protests took place in other Indonesian cities including Medan and Bengkulu.

"Arrest and try Ahok and his cronies dead or alive," read a sign suspended from Istiqlal mosque, the largest mosque in South East Asia.

Several embassies, including those from Australia and the US, had warned their citizens to stay away from the protests, and some schools in the capital closed.

Ahok is being investigated by police for alleged blasphemy after he appeared to suggest in an edited video transcript that voters were being deceived by a verse in the Koran.

Others say the scripture should be understood in its context – a time of war – and not interpreted literally.

Ahok apologised for the offence caused by his comments and insisted he was not criticising the Koranic verse but those who used it to attack him. However many Muslims continue to call for him to be arrested and jailed.

Jakarta had been on tenterhooks in the days leading up to the protest, which had ignited ugly anti-Chinese sentiment throughout the country, and sparked fears of a repeat of the 1998 riots.

It is estimated more than 1000 people died in the 1998 riots which began as a protest against the Suharto regime but often targeted ethnic Chinese, looting and burning their shops.

Helicopters chakk-chakked over head on Friday as tens of thousands of protesters marched from Istiqlal Mosque towards the presidential palace in Jakarta.

At times it was impossible to move as the streets heaved with people. Demonstrators sang: "Hang Ahok, Hang Ahok, do it now" – to the tune of a popular birthday song urging that the cake be cut now.

The governor had this week told rally organisers they were welcome to protest as long as they didn't trample on the street gardens. "Don't step on the gardens, step on Ahok," yelled one man.

They brandished signs saying: "We love the police – punish the man who insults the Koran."

Dr Ratman, whose community house Rumah Amanah Rakyat prepared thousands of meals for protesters and coordinated 50 ambulances, said if the president did not ask the police to arrest Ahok, he should "step down like Suharto".

"People will not accept it if Ahok is free. He has insulted Islam and Islam is our belief. The best thing is for the President [Joko Widodo] to instruct the police to arrest Ahok before the worst happens," Dr Ratman told Fairfax Media.

"The President looks like he is protecting Ahok. Who is Ahok? What has he done for this country? Nothing."

Agah, from Cakung in East Jakarta, said he attended the rally to defend Islam and protest against religious defamation. He said according to Islamic law the punishment for religious defamation was stoning.

"We do not apply Islamic law so he must be legally processed with a minimum imprisonment of 10 years," Agah said.

Vice-President Jusuf Kalla tweeted on Friday evening that he would meet representatives from the rally at his office. Ahok had spent the day campaigning in a Chinese part of North Jakarta.

President Jokowi, who will this weekend travel to Australia, spent the day working as usual. He received two ministers in the morning and then inspected the progress of the airport train in the afternoon.

In the absence of any violent incidents earlier in the day, television coverage of the demonstration reverted to colour stories, such as a 35 per cent increase in the profit turned by street vendors.

Ian Wilson, from the Asia Research Centre at Murdoch University, said it was important to consider some of the context of the protests. He said since taking office as governor in 2014, Ahok had presided over one of the most aggressive eviction campaigns in the modern history of the city.

"What many have failed to consider, or simply ignored, is the massive groundswell of anger and resentment generated by this policy regime. It has spread far beyond the tens of thousands directly impacted through extended family, friends, neighbours and social, cultural and work networks," he wrote in New Mandala.

"Reliable statistics on the numbers directly affected are difficult to come by. However, reports compiled by the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation estimate that more than 16,000 overwhelmingly poor and working class families have been displaced in the past two years alone. Only 30 per cent have been offered any alternative accommodation, the social and economic impacts of which have been devastating."

"This anger has, unsurprisingly, sought to find avenues of expression and amelioration."

[With Karuni Rompies and Amilia Rosa.]

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/violence-in-jakarta-as-muslims-protest-demand-christian-governor-ahok-be-jailed-20161104-gsifnm.html

Rally erupts in violence

Jakarta Post - November 5, 2016

Haeril Halim and Ina Parlina, Jakarta – A massive rally calling for the criminal prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja "Ahok" Purnama for alleged blasphemy ended in violence on Friday night as protesters defied a police order to disperse.

At midnight, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo praised the rally's Muslim leaders for keeping the rally in order during the day. "However, we regretted the violence in the evening. Political actors took advantage of this situation," he said.

The President further stated that the legal process against Ahok would take place in a transparent fashion.

The anti-Ahok rally ran peacefully early in the day, but soon after dusk, violence broke out following a scuffle involving a small number of protesters, who were allegedly members of the Muslim Students Association (HMI) and activists from the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), the firebrand Islamic organization that played a leading role in Friday's protest. In a strange turn of events, the FPI joined forces with the police at one point to call for the HMI students to disperse and not to get closer to the State Palace.

As the scuffle broke out between the riot police and the alleged HMI students, unidentified protesters torched three police trucks parked on the corner of Monas Square. In the midst of the chaotic situation, the police started firing tear gas and used water canons to disperse the crowd.

Learning about the clash, hundreds of protesters, who were on their way back to Istiqlal Mosque, started streaming back to the area near the State Palace. Three police officer was reported to have been injured in the confrontation.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto went down to the protest site near the State Palace soon after 9 p.m. to calm down the protesters.

"They should have all dispersed. They know me, they should have calmed down. Back off," Wiranto told the protesters. Some of the protesters retreated and headed toward the House of Representatives complex.

Earlier this week, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Zulkifli Hasan, a National Mandate Party (PAN) politician, said the compound would be open to protesters who wanted to spend the night there after the protest.

Earlier on in the protest, signs promoting violence could be seen in the crowd, which was composed of a number of Muslim groups. Some of the signs used strong language to condemn Ahok's statements about a verse in the Quran, which the protestors deemed as insulting to the Muslim faith.

Carrying banners reading "prosecute Ahok," "arrest Ahok," and "Ahok go home," some groups in the crowd threatened Ahok with death. Some protesters gathered in front of Istiqlal Mosque were caught on camera chanting "bunuh, bunuh si Ahok sekarang juga" (kill, kill Ahok right now)."

Elsewhere, near Gambir Station, a group of protesters hung a makeshift banner bearing the words: "gantung Ahok disini" (Hang Ahok right here).

While the majority of the more than 100,000 protesters who showed up for the anti-Ahok rally were concentrated around the State Palace, a small number of protesters managed to reach the residential area of Pantai Mutiara, Pluit, North Jakarta, where Ahok lives.

The crowd failed to enter the residential complex, which was heavily guarded by scores of personnel from the Jakarta Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI). The protestors could only chant "Ahok, get out,".

The protesters carried a banner reading "Laskar Masjid Luar Batang" (Luar Batang Mosque Militia). Luar Batang residents have been in dispute with the Jakarta administration following the city's plan to demolish houses in the area as part of the revitalization of the mosque for religious tourism.

The Friday protest went smoothly during the day without any incidents and the majority of the protesters left the demonstration grounds before 6 p.m., the deadline given by the Jakarta Police for the rally. Some of the protestors enjoyed the festive mood of the demonstration.

The security authorities have been credited for taking measures aimed at easing tensions.

Along the way from Istiqlal Mosque, where the protesters gathered for Friday prayers, to the State Palace, food and drinks provided by the FPI were easily available for the marchers.

"The supplies were delivered by the leaders at our headquarters in Petamburan [in Central Jakarta]," said Anwar, an FPI member. Anwar said he did not know who had financed the purchase of the food.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochamad Iriawan said that in order to prevent possible clashes, on-duty police personnel were not allowed to use firearms or bayonets. Police personnel were also instructed to chant the Asmaul Husna (the 99 names of God) to calm down the crowd if they became violent.

The Jakarta Police also dispatched dozens of female officers wearing hijabs to stand guard in front of the State Palace in the hope of calming protesters.

It was at this peaceful stage of the rally that leaders of the demonstration tried to negotiate their way into the State Palace to meet with the President.

But because Jokowi, who on Thursday pledged to remain at the palace during the rally, decided to go to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, for an impromptu visit to check on the progress of the construction of a railway network linking downtown Jakarta with the airport, the leaders of the demonstration could only meet with Wiranto.

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin also attempted to talk with the protesters. At around 3 p.m., however, the protesters declined to negotiate with Wiranto and insisted on meeting with Jokowi.

"Yes, I am representing the government. We are representing the government," Wiranto told the leaders, referring also to Lukman Hakim, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

The rally leaders declined to talk with Wiranto and left the grounds of the State Palace. "I can't [go on]. I'm just a messenger," said Muslim cleric Bachtiar Nasir, one of the rally's leaders.

Later in the afternoon, the protest leaders agreed to meet with Vice President Jusuf Kalla at his office on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara in the vicinity of the State Palace.

Speaking after the meeting, Kalla said the investigation into the alleged blasphemy case implicating Ahok would be completed within two weeks. "Our conclusion is that in the case involving Ahok, we will uphold the law indiscriminately and it will be completed within two weeks," Kalla told reporters.

Tito earlier said that the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department had scheduled a questioning session for Nov. 7 and would soon summon Ahok.

[Safrin La Batu, Indra Budiari, Agnes Anya, Callistasia Anggun Wijaya contributed to this report.]

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/05/rally-erupts-in-violence.html

Anti-Ahok rally raises alarm over growing intolerance

Jakarta Post - November 5, 2016

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – While Friday's rally was largely free of clashes, at least until it was officially over at 6 p.m., it was marred by frequent racist and violent chants, with white-clad protesters singing and chanting "kill Ahok". Jakarta-based religious freedom watchdog Wahid Insitute said that the rally should raise great concern about growing intolerance.

"For a long time now, the use of SARA issues has been the easiest tool to mobilize people in Indonesia," the foundation's executive director, Yenny Wahid, told The Jakarta Post.

SARA stands for suku (ethnicity), agama (religion), ras (race) and antar golongan (societal groups).

Yenny, who is also the daughter of the nation's pluralism icon and former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, said the country should remain alert following the rally and not let the demonstration fuel intolerance.

"[We] have to remain alert so that this use of SARA issues does not develop. It takes maturity from politicians not to use these issues," she said.

Human Rights watchdog Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace also warned that the demonstration was a sign of rising intolerance, as it was able to gather large masses of people, many from outside Jakarta.

"I think intolerance has been displayed since the very beginning, even before the rally, through various statements by religious leaders," the watchdog's chairman, Hendardi, told the Post.

Therefore, it was the government's task to address the root of the problem, he said. "This is a warning to us that there's a problem that needs to be fixed by the government right from the very beginning," Hendardi said. "We have to start with education."

If left unadressed, intolerance could ultimately lead to the rise of radical movements, including terrorism, he cautioned. "Intolerance is the first step toward terrorism. So we can't just tackle the end result of the problems, but have to start at the roots," said Hendardi.

He also pointed out the irony of the rally, which demanded that Ahok be prosecuted without any interference, especially by the government. "But by staging the rally, they actually tried to interfere in the legal process. So they have to understand that what they're doing is also a form of intervention," Hendardi said.

Antonius Benny Susetyo, a Catholic priest and a religious-freedom advocate, also urged law enforcers not to be influenced by external pressures.

"The law cannot succumb to public pressure. This is when our democracy is tested," he told the Post. "At the same time, the public also has to have faith in the legal process and apply the presumption of innocence."

Din Syamsuddin, a Muslim scholar and Inter-Religious Council (IRC) chairman, however, said that the public should not be worried about the aftermath of the rally as the rally did not espouse radical opinions.

"As we've just witnessed, the big rally passed peacefully and they did not demand anything radical. They just demanded law enforcement, which is a positive thing," he told the Post.

Din added that the demand was realistic as Ahok had, according to him, insulted Islam. "It is undeniable that what he did was religious blasphemy. He judged other people's interpretation of religion. Not to mention that he added derogatory words, such as 'stupid'," he said.

If the government failed to respond to the protesters' demands, then the feeling of injustice might grow and could be directed toward other religions and races, Din warned.

"It all depends on the response [from the government]. I'm worried that if the government has some sort of communication breakdown and it ignores [the demands], then the tension will intensify," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/05/anti-ahok-rally-raises-alarm-over-growing-intolerance.html

Police provide anti-Ahok protesters with free public transport

Republika.co - November 5, 2016

Ali Yusuf, Jakarta – The thousands of demonstrators rallying at the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta have begun to disburse.

They are being directed to get on to light-blue Transjakarta buses. The public buses owned operated by the Jakarta regional government will deliver the protesters to their respective areas throughout the Greater Jakarta area (Jabodetabek) for free.

"Come on, mind your step, all aboard", said Tactical Police Unit officers [under the command of] Deputy Police of Commissioner Wiharto as they directed the demonstrators to board busses on the morning of Saturday November 5.

The busses won't just transport them to all parts of Jabodetabek, but will also take them to areas beyond Jabodetabek such as the West Java cities of Bandung, Tasik[malaya], Sukabumi, Cianjur, Garut and other areas.

"It's totally free, including toll road fees", Central Jakarta district police deputy chief of operations Assistant Superintendent Triyulianto told Republika.co.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "Massa di DPR Diantar Pulang ke Daerah dengan Transjakartsa".]

http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/jabodetabek-nasional/16/11/05/og555i368-massa-di-dpr-diantar-pulang-ke-daerah-dengan-transjakarta

Metro TV crew driven away for 'bias reporting' of Ahok case

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Apriadi Gunawan, Medan, North Sumatra – Hundreds of protesters in Medan, North Sumatra, forcibly drove away a television crew from Jakarta-based Metro TV station who wanted to cover their rally on Friday for allegedly broadcasting bias reporting of an alleged blasphemy case involving Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

The rally, held in front of the Medan Grand Mosque, was held simultaneously with that in Jakarta and some other major cities to demand the criminal prosecution of the incumbent gubernatorial candidate for allegations of religious defamation.

The incident began when Eka, one of the rally's orators, accused Metro TV, a national TV station owned by ruling NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh, of bias reporting on the case.

"We warn all media, in particular Metro TV, to cover this peaceful really with balance [of reporting]. Where is [the crew of] Metro TV, drive them away because they are pro-Ahok [media]," Eka said in his speech, which was apparently responded with a crowd forcibly expelling the crew and their satellite news gathering (SNG) van away from the venue.

Although no physical injuries were sustained, the crew said the incident was traumatizing. "We're really shocked with what happened. We're just employees," said Edi, one of the crew.

Metro TV's Medan bureau chief Elverina Hidayat said she had reported the incident to the police. "The work of journalists is protected by the [Press] Law. This incident should not have happened," she said. (hwa)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/metro-tv-crew-driven-away-for-bias-reporting-of-ahok-case.html

Violence spills over into North Jakarta

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Jakarta – Local media have reported that violence involving unidentified groups of protesters broke out in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, in an apparent spillover from the clash between protesters and police in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Friday evening.

MetroTV reported that hundreds of people vandalized a minimart and motorcycles in the area next to the residence of embattled Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama at around 6 p.m.

Online news portal Tempo.co reported that the mob attempted to breach a barricade erected by security forces safeguarding Ahok's housing complex. Fighting broke out between the mob and the security personnel consisting of police and soldiers with the mob pelting the security forces with stones.

The security forces managed to disperse the mob by firing tear gas and they had brought the situation under control by 10 p.m.. (dmr)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/violence-spills-over-into-north-jakarta.html

Anti-blasphemy rally runs peacefully in Central Java

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Suherdjoko, Semarang, Central Java – Around 2,000 people under the banner of the Semarang Muslim Forum called on the Central Java Police to proceed with the religious blasphemy case implicating inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama during a rally in Semarang on Friday.

Departing from Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Simpang Lima, Semarang, the Islamic forum's sympathizers marched to the Central Java Police headquarters on Jl. Pahlawan.

They brought posters emblazoned with a portrait of Ahok and a message, which read: "Bring Religious Blasphemy Perpetrator to Justice". Another poster with a portrait of Ahok and President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is written with a message "Put Ahok in Jail: Make Your Decision, Pro-Ahok Will be Punched".

The rally's coordinator Mursalin Ishak said the demonstrators did not have any intention to commit destructive acts. "We are fully supporting the National Police to legally process the alleged religious defamation committed by Ahok," he said.

A Semarang-chapter Association of Islamic Students (HMI) member, who introduced himself as Hakim, said his organization would safeguard Ahok's legal process. "We have also asked the police to carry out the legal process fairly," he said.

Semarang Police chief Sr. Comr. Abiyoso Seno Aji said the parallel Nov.4 rally ran peacefully. "We prepared a lot number of personnel to secure the rally," he said. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/anti-blasphemy-rally-runs-peacefully-in-c-java.html

PAN, Gerindra and PKS leaders join FPI chief Rizieq Shihab at anti-Ahok demo

Kompas.com - November 4, 2016

Jakarta – Islamic Defenders Front's (FPI) leader and patron Rizieq Shihab rode atop one of the command vehicles during the mass demonstrations against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama in Jakarta on Friday November 4.

Also riding in the same vehicle were House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker and Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) deputy chairperson Fadli Zon and former lawmaker and Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) leader Fahri Hamzah.

Both wore white shirts. Zon carried a red-and-white flag with Hamzah alongside him.

As the command vehicle passed through Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, it stopped opposite the Constitutional Court. "Please make way, [National Mandate Party (PAN) party patron] Pak Amien Rais wants to get on", said Shihab.

As of 4.25pm, protesters were sill filling Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat. Under Shihab's command, they will to move off towards the State Palace where they plan to hold afternoon prayers.

Several of the demonstrators however held afternoon prayers along the side of the road near Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat.

Notes

A photograph of Amien Rais, Fadli Zon, Fahri Hamzah and Habib Rizieq riding the command vehicle at the November 4 protest can be viewed on the Kompas.com website.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "Amien Rais, Fadli Zon, Fahri Hamzah, dan Rizieq Shihab Berada dalam Satu Mobil Komando".]

Source: http://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2016/11/04/15454711/amien.rais.fadli.zon.fahri.hamzah.dan.rizieq.shihab.berada.dalam.satu.mobil.komando

Anti-Ahok campaigners demand to meet Jokowi in person

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Ina Parlina and Haeril Halim, Jakarta – A brief meeting between government officials and representatives of protesters who took the streets in front of the State Palace on Friday ended up with nothing after the latter insisted to meet President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in person to express their demands.

At around 15:30 p.m., Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto invited some of the rally leaders, including cleric Bachtiar Nasir, to the State Palace compound to discuss the protesters' demands to the government.

The supposed meeting, however, ended briefly a few minutes later after Bachtiar complained that the protesters' representatives could not meet President Jokowi in person.

"I can't [go on]. I'm just a messenger," Bachtiar said, adding that he would consult with the other rally coordinators to decide whether they would agree to meet with Wiranto or not.

The rally, which kicked off on Friday afternoon, saw over 100,000 people from multiple Islamic organizations swarm the Jakarta streets to demand the criminal prosecution of gubernatorial candidate and incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy.

Ahok, a Christian and Indonesian of Chinese descent in the Muslim-majority country, sparked uproar among Islamic groups and communities after he made a comment on verses in the Quran during his visit to Thousand Islands regency in late September. The police have received around a dozen reports regarding the case.

Ahok risks losing his candidacy in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election should he be named a suspect in the case.

A number of leading Muslim figures have accused law enforcers of protecting Ahok in the case. Ahok, who previously served as deputy governor of Jakarta, replaced President Jokowi after the latter won the presidential election in 2014.

Wiranto, meanwhile, said that it was up to the protesters to decide. "I do hope there will be a middle ground by opening communication with them," he said.

In a possible move to anticipate security tensions, President Jokowi left the State Palace compound on Friday afternoon to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, in what the Palace claimed was a working visit.

"The President is visiting Soekarno-Hatta to inspect the progress of transportation infrastructure development, in particular the airport train [project]," Presidential spokesman Johan Budi said.

The police granted the protesters a permit to stage the rally until 6 p.m. (hwa)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/anti-ahok-campaigners-demand-to-meet-jokowi-in-person.html

Free food, drinks keep protesters happy

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta – The massive rally organized by Muslim organizations against Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja "Ahok" Purnama has seen a seemingly endless flow of free food and drinks to keep protesters happy.

The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) drove in trucks filled with bags of food. "The logistics were delivered by our leaders at our headquarters in Petamburan [in Central Jakarta]," said Anwar, an FPI member. Anwar said he did not know who financed the food purchases.

An organization known as Indonesian Muslim Unity (PUI) also deployed dozens of its members to distribute food in plastic bags. "Giving is also part of jihad. This free food is to strengthen our spirit in the rally," said Rosidah, a PUI member from Bekasi, West Java.

The rally was organized to urge the police to charge Ahok, who is seeking a second term in the February gubernatorial election, with blasphemy over his statement about a Quranic verse. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/free-food-drinks-keep-protesters-happy.html

Fadli Zon takes to streets in 'supervisory function'

Jakarta Globe - November 4, 2016

Jakarta – House of Representatives deputy speaker Fadli Zon, who planned to attend the protest rally on Friday (04/11), has hit back at House Speaker Ade Komarudin who said the deputy speaker did not have the blessing of the House and would be attending as a private citizen.

Ade had told press Fadli's presence at the protest is in a personal capacity, rather than representing thing House.

"Our supervisor is not the House speaker, but the people. Whether it is personal or not, you may assess it. We are present in a supervisory function," Fadli said.

While House leadership called for lawmakers to avoid the demonstration, Fadli said he should attend in support of the people. "I am sure I am not alone. I know several lawmakers have joined in the protest. I do not need to mention names," Fadli said.

[Fadli Zon is the deputy chairperson of Prabowo Subianto's Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) – JB.]

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/fadli-zon-takes-streets-supervisory-function/

Alleged hate sites shut down

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Liza Yosephine, Jakarta – The government has blocked almost a dozen websites it accuses of stirring up ethnic, religious or racial (SARA) hatred, in a move that highlights the dilemma the country faces in upholding free speech while countering rampant hate speech on the internet.

The move came shortly before a mass rally scheduled for Friday involving Muslim hard-liners demanding that incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama be charged with blasphemy over his remarks on a Quranic verse.

The Communications and Information Ministry announced on Thursday that it had shut down 11 sites – namely lemahirengmedia.com, portalpiyungan.com, suara-islam.com, smstauhiid.com, beritaislam24h.com, bersatupos.com, pos-metro.com, jurnalmuslim.com, media-nkri.net, lontaranews.com, and nusanews.com.

"Yes that is correct, 11 websites have been blocked since [Wednesday] night at our request," acting ministry spokesperson Noor Iza confirmed on Thursday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

The ministry claimed several authorities, including the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) and the police, had requested the sites be shut down. However, at the time of writing The Jakarta Post could still access four of the websites on the list.

The Alliance of Independence Journalists (AJI) has called on the government to be cautious in carrying out the blocking, saying it must respect freedom of expression as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the UN Covenant on Civil and Political rights.

AJI chairman Suwarjono said in a statement on Thursday that the AJI was committed to defending press freedom and guarding the freedom of every citizen to express themselves. However, he also noted that the extent of such freedom should be confined within limits of the principles in the Universal Declaration, as well as the Covenant.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration states that every person has a right to freedom of opinion and expression, noted Suwarjono.

However, he was also careful to cite articles in the Covenant that emphasize national security and law enforcement. Article 19 of the Covenant states the right to expression has obligations and specific responsibilities, while Article 20 states that any warlike propaganda may be prohibited by law.

The AJI warned the government against inadvertently undermining freedom of speech, saying it must have a clear judicial mechanism to determine if the websites were proven to have disseminated hate speech or incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

"A judicial evaluation mechanism is important, so that state authority in ensuring freedom of expression in line with the regulations on the Civil and Political Covenant is not misused to further the interest of [political] leaders," Suwarjono said in the statement.

AJI advocacy field head, Iman D Nugroho, warned that as long as the government and legal authorities did not formulate a judicial mechanism, then many kinds of blocking could potentially violate citizens' freedom of expression. The AJI further called on all parties to exercise freedom of expression responsibly.

Mass communication analyst, Agus Sudibyo, expressed similar sentiments, saying that the public sphere belonged to everyone and therefore all actors must speak with maturity, responsibility and empathy toward others.

"Social media and the mass media should be regarded as means to share and realize social empathy," Agus said. Freedom of speech without ethics and respect for others would only give birth to anarchy, he further said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/alleged-hate-sites-shut-down.html

More Muslim groups to join anti-Ahok rally

Jakarta Post - November 3, 2016

Arya Dipa and Rizal Harahap, Jakarta/Bandung/Pekanbaru – As hundreds of Islamic hard-liners leave their hometowns to join a planned rally in Jakarta on Friday, the police and military have flexed their muscles, showing off thousands of personnel ready to secure the demonstration.

Protesters in some regions, however, decided to hold simultaneous demonstrations in nearby cities, expanding the scale of the tensions to the national level, with security concerns raised across the archipelago.

Hundreds of people reportedly left Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday to join the Nov. 4 rally in Jakarta, which is aimed at demanding the prosecution of gubernatorial candidate and incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for blasphemy.

West Java Islamic Movement Alliance head Asep Syaripudin said 11 buses and 23 cars had left for Jakarta so far.

He said the demonstrators came from different groups, such as the Indonesian Muslim Student Action Union, the Greater Bandung Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and the Islamic Reform Movement.

He added that they came from areas across the province, including Sumedang, Garut, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis and Pangandaran regencies. Separately, the leader of the FPI's Karawang chapter, Ade Dahyar, said the organization would send at least 400 of its members.

FPI members from Jambi will also join the rally in Jakarta. "As many as 162 FPI members from Jambi will depart on Thursday to join FPI members from all over Indonesia," Jambi FPI regional representative board secretary Abdullah Hamid said on Wednesday.

In Pekanbaru, Riau, thousands of hard-liners claimed they would hold a rally in the provincial capital.

The Pekanbaru Police said they had received a proposal from Islamic organizations to stage a rally that could see over 2,000 demonstrators hit the city's streets. Pekanbaru Police chief Sr. Comr. Toni Hermawan said some 500 personnel would secure the rally.

Separately, head of the Religious Affairs Ministry's Riau office, Ahmad Supardi Hasibuan, said he had gathered all executives of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) from across the province to discuss the planned rally, as he had heard that hundreds of Muslims from Riau would also depart for Jakarta.

Pekanbaru city councilor Mulyadi was among those intending to join the peaceful rally in Jakarta. "I am already in Jakarta. We are not being paid for the rally. This is purely my personal intent," the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician said.

Similar rallies are reportedly set to take place in other cities, such as Makassar and Surabaya.

In Jakarta, some 5,000 personnel from the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) gathered at the National Monument in Central Jakarta on Wednesday. They were part of 18,000 personnel being readied ahead of the rally.

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and TNI commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo attended the briefing to signal the level of attention they are giving the issue, as the threat of violence continues to loom.

Several personnel from the West Java Police were also seen at the ceremony wearing white Muslim caps and clothing over their police attire. They are to be deployed at the forefront of the rally.

Tito said the meeting was primarily intended to ensure that the personnel were ready to secure the capital for the upcoming gubernatorial election, but highlighted the Nov. 4 rally as a phase of the campaign that could potentially "create violence".

"It is different in Jakarta, where citizens are now becoming polarized and have their own interests," Tito told reporters after the meeting.

He said he hoped the rally would run "smoothly and peacefully", adding that police personnel set to secure the rally would not carry guns or live bullets, and would instead be equipped with non-lethal weapons such as water cannons and tear gas.

"We have prepared [all of the measures] just in case [there is a riot], you know. We always think of the worst scenario," Tito said.

[Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jon Afrizal and Andi Hajramurni contributed to this story from Jakarta, Jambi and Makassar.]

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/03/more-muslim-groups-join-anti-ahok-rally.html

SBY throws salvo at Jokowi

Jakarta Post - November 3, 2016

Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Ina Parlina, Jakarta – In an unprecedented move, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has launched a tirade against the government, accusing it of producing a false intelligence report about him and his family.

The conflict between Yudhoyono and his successor, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, seemed to have reached a boiling point on Wednesday, when Yudhoyono invited journalists to his residence in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, to quell rumors that he is behind an upcoming rally involving thousands of hard-line Muslims in the capital.

The rally has been organized to urge the police to charge Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who is seeking a second term in the February gubernatorial election, with blasphemy over his statement about a Quranic verse.

Ahok, a close friend of Jokowi, is running against former education and culture minister Anies Baswedan and Agus Harimurti, Yudhoyono's eldest son.

A visibly emotional Yudhoyono claimed he had nothing to do with the planned rally, saying that circulating information that suggests he is the mastermind behind the rally was an "intelligence failure and error".

"It is slanderous and insulting for [a party] to accuse certain people or political parties of [masterminding the rally] in the name of intelligent analysis," Yudhoyono said in a high tone of voice. "And it's very dangerous for the country."

Yudhoyono said he had tried to make a clarification regarding the information with Cabinet members. On Tuesday, he met with Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto and Vice President Jusuf Kalla to clarify the allegation.

He said the state should not consider information shared on social media to be reliable intelligence, particularly information spread by "buzzers" or social media users paid to spread political propaganda. "Intelligence bodies [during my administration] never reported something that hadn't been proven to be accurate," Yudhoyono said.

The former president said the rally planned for Nov. 4 and the gubernatorial race were two separate things, emphasizing the need for Ahok to go through the legal process for his alleged blasphemy.

A legal case against Ahok could seriously hurt his chances in the gubernatorial race. Jokowi has promised not to interfere in Ahok's legal quagmire, while the police have repeatedly said they would follow up on the blasphemy allegation.

Yudhoyono has claimed to have been a target of a number of political attacks since his party and his allies decided to field Agus in the Jakarta race. It is believed that Agus, a former Army major, is being groomed by Yudhoyono as his political heir and a possible presidential candidate for the 2019 election.

He said he was irked by the information in the media about him receiving a new house from the state, emphasizing that the regulation had been in place since 1978 and his administration had only made minor revisions to it. "Don't think that it's only me that has received such a house from the state," he said.

He also questioned the government's move to put the blame on him for the missing investigation report into the murder of prominent human rights defender Munir Said Thalib.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO), he said, planned to question him about the report. "It is absurd for SBY to be accused of being complicit in the Murnir killing. Come on, use your common sense," he said, adding that it was now the Jokowi administration's job to resolve the case.

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung declined to comment on Yudhoyono's claims. Wiranto said the government did not want to be engaged in a blame game and, therefore, he did not need to respond to Yudhoyono's statements.

"As a former state official, he is aware of what he says. And those are his personal statements," Wiranto said, adding that the public had the right to respond as they wished.

Senior political expert Siti Zuhro from the Indonesia Institute of Science (LIPI) said Yudhoyono and Jokowi were now engaged in open conflict.

"Yudhoyono is very offended and feels driven into a corner by all the blame put onto him. Those are all very serious [allegations] that could hurt his dignity. So, it's not surprising that he wants to make a clarification," Siti said.

Political expert from Al-Azhar University in Jakarta Rachmat Bagja said that Yudhoyono wanted to remind people that he remains a political power to be reckoned with.

"He wants to show he still exists and that his son will compete on the national political stage," Rachmat said. "Who knows, maybe he will run in the 2019 presidential election. No law prohibits him from doing so," he added.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/03/sby-throws-salvo-jokowi.html

As things get personal, derision is what SBY may harvest

Jakarta Post - November 3, 2016

Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta – Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono may have had enough with what he suspects to be deliberate attempts by the ruling government to send a "hurricane" to his family following his eldest son's bid to compete in the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial race.

After complaining about how the government had treated him and his son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono unjustly, and positioning himself as a victim, the sixth president has broken a long-held tradition of forging mutual respect between presidential predecessors and successors.

Yudhoyono's press conference on Wednesday may be seen as a bold move aiming a gun at President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, and it seems to have been a personal one.

The conference has also showcased how the retired Army general is in baper (touchy and over-emotional) mode regarding the plight he and his family are suffering from at the hands of the Jokowi administration.

In an obviously furious tone, at least by Javanese standards, Yudhoyono said he could not accept the allegations leveled against him by the intelligence community that he had orchestrated the upcoming rally on Nov. 4 by Muslim hard-liners, who are demanding the prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy.

Yudhoyono suspects that the allegation is aimed at eroding the possibility of Agus winning the election against Ahok, who is dubbed by many as Jokowi's "golden boy".

In the past couple of days, Jokowi has taken a raft of measures to limit the impact of the rally following indications that hard-liners will attempt to incite violence and generate sectarian and ethnic conflict.

Vigilante gangs such as the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) flourished during Yudhoyono's presidency, and now these hard-liners have repeatedly campaigned for the legitimacy of employing violence unless Jokowi agrees to have Ahok prosecuted.

Taking the threat seriously, Jokowi has rounded up Indonesia's biggest and most influential Muslim organizations, which have since pledged not to participate in the rally. Police and military personnel, as well as intelligence officers, are being deployed to ensure that the protest runs peacefully.

But this is perceived by Yudhoyono as an attempt by Jokowi to restrict free speech, cast fear into society by exaggerating the threats to Indonesia's unity and lead the public to believe that Yudhoyono and his Democratic Party, which has less than 10 percent of seats in the House of Representatives, are the plotters behind the protests.

Yudhoyono met with Wiranto, his former military commander and now the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister, and Vice President Jusuf Kalla to clarify the allegations on Tuesday.

The public was largely unaware of the allegations surrounding Yudhoyono, and it was only after he renounced them, in public, and with such force, that the subject began to circulate and garner attention.

He may have been spared from public scrutiny and ridicule on social media if he had simply refrained from calling the press conference and denying his alleged role in mobilizing the hard-liners.

Yudhoyono went further, using his old trick of playing the victim to gain public sympathy for the plight of his family following Agus' participation in the election – a move that has had no impact and has been met with scorn. Social media is now awash with jokes and memes mocking Yudhoyono's quandary.

But Yudhoyono may have reason to suspect Jokowi of intentionally trying to ruin his image and undermine Agus' chances of taking out Ahok. In the past couple of weeks, attempts to have Yudhoyono sidelined have intensified.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) plans to summon the former president in relation to a "missing" report into the mysterious death of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib.

Officials from the State Secretariat recently announced that they handed over a luxury house, paid for by taxpayers, in a prestigious business district in South Jakarta to Yudhoyono as part of the former president's compensation for holding the highest office.

Yudhoyono has also claimed that a television station aired an allegation that he had accrued Rp 9 trillion (US$692 million) in wealth. Because Yudhoyono did not name the station, many suspect that he is just making things up.

Perhaps in retaliation and to even the score against Jokowi, Yudhoyono has called publicly for the prosecution of Ahok as the only solution to ease the tensions engulfing the Muslim community and to prevent the rally from escalating into something even more unsettled.

But the call was made in a tone perceived by some as an act of provocation that could disintegrate into sectarianism and Yudhoyono seems to have disregarded the fact that the Nov. 4 rally will be attended by hard-liners with a penchant for igniting violence.

Yudhoyono has the right to launch a tirade against Jokowi, but what cannot be accepted is his irresponsible intervention into the furor surrounding Ahok and his alleged blasphemy, demanding a court trial in a tone that contained more than a hint of provocation.

"If this nation does not want to be engulfed in anger, Ahok should be prosecuted. There should not be any supposition that he is immune to the rule of law," Yudhoyono said. This comment is one of many examples of Yudhoyono toying with religious sentiment.

After observing how Jokowi has skillfully clipped his political rivals and has positioned them to serve under his wing in less than two years, it would be foolish to think that the seventh President is just going to sit idly by and allow Yudhoyono to get away with his machinations unscathed.

And though Yudhoyono seems to have taken the feud personally, one hopes that Jokowi will not be tempted to use his natural talent for crushing his opponents to leave the last man standing against him shattered and neutered.

One hopes this for the sake of democracy. It is best for Jokowi to run with the hare and hunt with the hound. Allow Yudhoyono to quack, but not to whack.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/03/as-things-get-personal-derision-what-sby-may-harvest.html

Police question FPI's Rizieq Shihab in blasphemy investigation

Jakarta Globe - November 3, 2016

Jakarta – Police have questioned Rizieq Shihab, a member of the Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI, as part of an investigation into blasphemy charges leveled against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

The police have held a hearing for Rizieq Shihab of the Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI, in an investigation over blasphemy allegedly committed by Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

National Police criminal investigation unit chief Comr. Gen. Ari Dono Sukmanto said Rizieq would be asked to explain why the governor should be charged with blasphemy.

"Rizieq, named a witness by his colleagues who filed a police report, will be asked to explain when and how the blasphemy occurred," Ari told reporters on Thursday (03/11).

Three groups have filed police reports last month against Basuki, whom they accuse of having committed blasphemy by referring to a Quranic verse during a speech early last month. The speech angered some Muslim clerics who then claimed the governor had defamed the Quran.

Ari said Basuki came to the criminal investigation unit last week to explain the matter and will be investigated on Monday. The police have not named any suspects.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/police-question-fpis-rizieq-shihab-blasphemy-investigation/

Rising religious tensions in Jakarta fuel radicalism: Analysts

Jakarta Post - November 3, 2016

Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – The simmering sectarian tensions in the nation's capital ahead of the gubernatorial election could be used by extremists to "fan the flames of jihad", analysts say.

In a test case for Indonesian democracy, a Christian candidate is leading in voter surveys in the race for the top job in the capital, where Muslims account for more than 90 percent of the population.

A number of hard-line Muslims have been rallying against incumbent Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, as they believe Islam prohibits its followers from electing a non-Muslim, a notion that has been rejected by other Muslims.

The religious sentiment against Ahok escalated and spread beyond Jakarta after the governor was accused of blasphemy for suggesting that some people had been "deceived" by others using Al-Maidah 51, a verse in the Quran.

Thousands of members of Islamic organizations will stage a major rally in front of the State Palace on Friday to demand that he be arrested and charged with blasphemy.

Radical organizations committed to jihad, including pro-Islamic State (IS) groups and those supporting Al-Qaeda, appeared to have taken advantage of the religious tensions to spread radicalism, Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) director Sidney Jones said during a discussion at the Wahid Institute in Jakarta on Tuesday.

In recent days, photographs of purported Syrian rebels calling for "national jihad" against Ahok have been circulating on social media. Those pictured are believed to be members of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, previously known as the Al-Nusra Front, the Al-Qaeda branch in Syria.

They were holding signs saying "Prosecute Ahok or we will sentence him with our bullets" and "Arrest Ahok or national jihad". In another photo, a fighter with his index finger raised up squatted down beside a box labeled "Ahok's coffin". The images have not been verified as genuine.

Indonesian IS supporters had encouraged each other via Telegram and other messaging services to use the Friday rally "to fan the flames of jihad" in Indonesia, Jones said.

The IS supporters, she said, were ordered to imitate the action of an IS sympathizer in Tangerang who stabbed several police officers in a terrorist attack last month. They were asked to do the same thing on Nov. 4, when thousands of police officers would be deployed to secure the rally, she added.

In a photo circulating online, hard-line cleric Syamsuddin Uba, a former leader of pro-IS group Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), was seen during the first demonstration against Ahok. At the time, IS' infamous black flag was also seen being held within a cluster of other flags.

National Police chief. Gen. Tito Karnavian told reporters Wednesday that he believed local IS sympathizers would join the Friday rally. "The question is, are they going to incite a riot or not?" he said.

The police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) issued its highest security level, known as "Siaga 1", and Indonesian Military (TNI) troops are also being deployed to deal with the demonstration.

Former Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) member Nasir Abbas warned Indonesian Muslims to remain vigilant and restrain themselves from joining the rally, which he said could serve as a channel for terrorist groups to recruit more people to join their cause.

"The extremists are using the Jakarta gubernatorial election to show off their existence, that they will stand up with Muslims to face Ahok as an enemy because they cannot accept a non-Muslim as their leader," Nasir said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/03/rising-religious-tensions-jakarta-fuel-radicalism-analysts.html

Angry protesters ambush Ahok during campaign

Jakarta Post - November 3, 2016

Haeril Halim and Agnes Anya, Jakarta – Police rescued Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama from a mob on Wednesday during a campaign stop in Rawa Belong, West Jakarta.

Ahok was rushed into a public minivan by plain clothed police officers and then to a nearby police station after a group of angry protesters tried to attack him while he was campaigning at a traditional market.

The failed attack was inspired by recent public anger over remarks the governor had made during a speech in Thousands Island regency in September. Some considered them blasphemous.

Ahok had arrived at the site at 4 p.m. He got out from his car and approached citizens at the market to start campaigning.

"Did you make this yourself?" Ahok asked a meatball seller at the market, as quoted by tribunnews.com. "Yes, I made it myself. Can I take a picture with you? It is rare to see you coming to this place," the meatball seller said to Ahok.

After chatting with residents, Ahok, who was wearing his iconic checkered shirt, entered a small lane, Jl. Ayub, near the market.

Residents seemed to welcome Ahok's campaign in the area until dozens of angry protesters carrying a banner that read, "Ahok is Religion Insulter", approached the location.

"Where is Ahok?" they shouted as they ran toward the governor, who was guarded by five adjutants and his campaign team members.

The plainclothes police officers decided to remove Ahok from the market after seeing that the situation had turned tense with the protesters trying to disrupt Ahok's activities.

"We are all brothers here. Don't try to sacrifice Muslims [by protecting Ahok]," one of the protesters, Habib Idrus Al Ashi, who was wearing long white Muslim-style clothing, demanded of the police officers.

"We don't accept if our village is visited by a religion insulter. We don't want to make any noise here, but police officers should take him out of here," Habib said.

The plainclothes officers removed Ahok from the market after they stopped a public minivan that had a number of passengers and asked the driver to empty the vehicle.

Ahok was taken to Kabon Jeruk police office 15 minutes after starting his campaigning at the market. The governor had been slated to visit the Salam Raya area near the market and the Sekertaris River in West Java.

With this incident, Ahok has so far faced two strong public protests in the first four days of his campaign.

Previously, when Ahok was campaigning in Lenteng Agung, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, a number of men tried to repel him with a banner that read, "Mosque Congregation Rejects Quran Insulter to be Our Leader", as well as with provocative orations.

"Jagakarsa residents firmly reject Ahok. A Quran insulter must not walk in this area," said one speaker, who refused to give his name, on Monday. "This is not related to the election. We just don't want a Quran insulter to be here."

He also said that Ahok had to be arrested because he had insulted the Islamic holy book.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/03/bandung-implements-ban-styrofoam-use.html

Fears over violence in Jakarta as hardline Islamists protest governor's

The Guardian (Australia) - November 2, 2016

Oliver Holmes – Security forces in the Indonesian capital Jakarta are on high alert in preparation for a Friday rally by hardline Islamist groups against the city's non-Muslim governor.

Thousands of people are due to move into the capital to protest against Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese and Christian nicknamed 'Ahok', who has governed the city since 2014.

They accuse him of blasphemy after he criticised his opponents for referencing a verse in the Koran that warns against allying with Christians and Jews.

In September, Ahok suggested those who used the passage against him were "lying", leading to outrage from some hardliners who interpreted his comments as criticism of the Islamic holy text. He later apologised.

President Joko Widodo said on Monday that he had ordered the "state apparatus to be on alert" during the protests.

The main group behind the rally, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) which formed in 1999, is known for violent demonstrations and attacks on minorities.

The group tried unsuccessfully in 2014 to block Ahok from becoming governor on the grounds that a Christian should not lead a Muslim-majority city. And later that year, a protest by the FPI turned violent leaving several police officer injured.

On Friday, demonstrators will attend prayers at Istiqlal Mosque and then march to the presidential palace, where armoured personnel carriers have been stationed and the police and military will be deployed.

"I appeal to everyone to stay calm. Do not be easily provoked by the social media," said National Police Chief General Tito, adding that 18,000 personnel have been deployed. The Indonesian military will provide a further 500 troops.

The rally is the second large demonstration against Ahok in a month. On 14 October, thousands took park in a generally peaceful event outside city hall.

As the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, Indonesians largely practice a moderate form of Islam. While the FPI is a relatively small group, the country's largest Islamic organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama, has told its 40 million members not to support the protests.

But equally, Indonesia's Ulama Council, the country's top Muslim clerical body, agreed that Ahok had committed blasphemy and should be prosecuted. It said a non-Muslim should not become a leader of Muslims.

The southeast Asian nation has a history of sporadic and isolated violence against Christian as well as its large ethnic Chinese minority, many of whom are Buddhists.

International militant jihadists, some with influence and members in Indonesia, are looking to capitalise on the anti-Ahok sentiment.

Last month, al Qaida's branch in Syria, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, said that Indonesia should sentence Ahok or it would "sentence him with bullets'. And ISIS supporters have sent messages to their supporters asking them to use the rally "to fan the flames of jihad".

"It's clear that everyone is worried about violence, and huge numbers of police and soldiers have been called up for duty," said Sidney Jones, the director of the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict.

The governor is looking toward a February election and looks likely to win. He is politically close with president Widodo, who also served as Jakarta governor for 18 months before rising to the country's highest office and handing over to Ahok.

But Jones said that supporters of Anies Baswedan, a former minister of education who is second behind Ahok in the gubernatorial race, are exploiting the potentially explosive upheaval to damage him politically.

"The problem is that there are too many interests involved here: Ahok's rivals would like to decrease his likelihood of winning; hardline civil society groups want to show that they control the streets; pro-shariah groups want to show massive support for Islamic law; the tiny jihadi groups are urging their members to show their courage by attacking police."

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/02/fears-over-violence-in-jakarta-as-hardline-islamists-protest-governors-blasphemy

Indonesia on edge as jihadists urge violence at Jakarta rally against governor

Sydney Morning Herald - November 2, 2016

Jewel Topsfield and Karuni Rompies, Jakarta – Jihadists are urging violence at a massive rally planned in Jakarta on Friday by Islamic hardliners calling for the city's Chinese Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, widely known as Ahok, to be jailed for insulting the Koran.

Former terrorist Nasir Abas, now a consultant to Indonesian police, showed a forum a photo of armed members of the Syrian-based jihadist group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham holding a sign that said: "Punish Ahok or our bullets will."

Mr Abas, once one of the most wanted jihadists in South-east Asia, warned there was a risk that both supporters of Islamic State and al-Qaeda's regional affiliate, Jemaah Islamiyah, would attend the November 4 demonstration.

"In Syria, those two groups are rivals," he said. "But in Indonesia they can be united because there is a common enemy. In their view, it is Ahok."

Authorities are bracing for the demonstration to turn ugly, with about 20,000 police and military personnel recruited from all over the country to provide security.

National police spokesman Agus Rianto told Fairfax Media that Indonesia's paramilitary police, BRIMOB, had moved to their highest security level, known as "Siaga Satu", "to make things easy for moving personnel if needed".

A clearly spooked Indonesian President Joko Widodo is urging Muslim leaders and even his former rival in the 2014 presidential election – Prabowo Subianto – to help maintain calm and ease tensions ahead of the rally.

Terrorism expert Sidney Jones said radical groups sent an instruction through messaging service Telegram urging followers to emulate a suspected supporter of IS who wounded three police officers last month in Tangerang, on the outskirts of Jakarta.

"The instruction says something like: 'Follow the example of the brave young man in Tangerang. Take advantage of the thousands of police deployed during the protest'," Ms Jones said. "They are being urged to follow the example and stab people."

Ahok is being investigated by police for alleged blasphemy, after he claimed voters had been deceived by his opponents who attacked him using a verse from the Koran.

Some Islamic groups had urged voters not to re-elect Ahok on the basis of verse 51 from the fifth sura or chapter of the Koran, al-Ma'ida, which some interpret as prohibiting Muslims from living under the leadership of a non-Muslim. Others say the scripture should be understood in its context – a time of war – and not interpreted literally.

Ms Jones criticised the government for allowing the situation to mushroom out of control.

"Why was there no effort to summon Ahok and/or big (Islamic) organisations such as NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) and Muhammadiyah to cool things down?" she said. "I blame the Indonesian politicians who let the situation go this far."

She said organisations committed to jihad, including IS, were taking advantage of the protest and urging their followers to "ensure the flames of jihad are spread across the country".

The rally may have been spearheaded by the militant Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and hijacked by extremists but there are undoubtedly also political motives at play from those keen to undermine Ahok.

Senior figures from political parties supporting Anies Baswedan, another candidate in the gubernatorial election in February, are supporting the demonstration. There have also been rumours that former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, whose son is also standing for governor, has been involved.

Dr Yudhoyono called a press conference on Wednesday and said it was "slander" to suggest a "certain political party" was behind the rally.

President Jokowi has spent this week scrambling to meet with Muslim leaders from NU, Muhammadiyah and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

"The three of us agreed not to encourage Muslims to participate in the protest and to stay away from the possibility of the bigger damage," said NU advisory board member Ahmad Ishomuddin, who met with the president. "NU has told its members to stay home on November 4 and sleep."

In a bizarre photo opportunity, President Jokowi posed with Mr Prabowo on horseback – some wags called it horse diplomacy – before the former general said he agreed with the president on the need to guard against those who want to divide the country. Politicians from Prabowo's Gerindra Party are expected to attend the rally.

Meanwhile Ahok, the man at the centre of the storm, has vowed to campaign as usual on Friday in the urban villages known as kampungs.

Ahok is normally not backwards in coming forwards. Earlier this year he told a group of visiting Australian journalists about protests by the FPI: "I tell them they should come inside [the Jakarta governor's office]. I still have a good punch!"

But for now he seems to be taking a less confrontational approach. "Pak [Mr] Ahok respects people's freedom of expression," his spokesman Raja Juli Antoni told Fairfax Media.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/indonesia-on-edge-as-jihadists-urge-violence-at-jakarta-rally-against-governor-20161102-gsggx6.html

Police take extra caution as photos of Ahok are found in Syria

Jakarta Globe - November 2, 2016

Jakarta – Provocative pictures with the texts "Tangkap Ahok" (Arrest Ahok) or "Peti Mati Ahok" (Ahok's Coffin), suspected to have come from radical group Jaisy Al-Fath in Syria, have gone viral on the internet.

It is still unknown whether the pictures are related to the planned protest dubbed "Aksi Bela Islam" (Defend Islam) at the State Palace and the City Hall in Jakarta on Friday (04/11). However, the police are taking extra caution to prevent security problems.

"We are monitoring what's happening on social media. But the photos shown are in Syria. It was part of an intelligence report, so we are taking them seriously," Jakarta Police spokesman Chief Comr. Awi Setiyono said on Wednesday.

Awi said the police have set their eyes on social media accounts that have been posting provocative content.

However, law enforcers must cooperate with the Ministry of Communications and Informatics and internet service providers to be able to ban or delete these accounts. "We can't just blacklist them. But we've got our eyes on them already," Awi said.

Police investigators are paying special attention to social media accounts that have been attacking governor nominees in the 2017 Jakarta election. "We're collecting data to find out who [the account owners] are. If they commit a crime, we will take action," Awi added.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/police-take-extra-caution-photos-ahok-found-syria/

Yudhoyono meets with Jokowi's men, quashing rally rumor

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – One day after President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo made a joint appearance with Prabowo Subianto, the chairman of the Gerindra Party and his former rival in the 2014 presidential election, during which the two political heavyweights made a statement calling for calm and unity ahead of a Nov. 4 rally in Jakarta, political elites in the capital are scrambling to respond to the show of force.

Former president and chairman of the Democratic Party Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, for example, met with Wiranto, the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister, on Tuesday morning for a 50-minute discussion on the latest political developments in the nation.

Later on Tuesday evening, Yudhoyono held another meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, his former deputy during his 2004-2009 term.

After the meeting, Kalla said the two had discussed the latest political developments, including ways to deal with the planned rally by Muslim groups on Nov. 4 and their call for the prosecution of incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy.

When asked if the meeting discussed the allegation that Yudhoyono was behind the planned rally, Kalla said: "No, I don't believe he [Yudhoyono] had anything to do with it. We did not discuss that issue."

Unconfirmed reports have claimed that individuals close to Yudhoyono orchestrated the rally to demand the prosecution of Ahok in the hope that once the governor was tried for blasphemy and found guilty, he would be disqualified from running in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election. This would then dramatically boost the chances of victory for Democratic Party candidate and son of Yudhoyono, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono.

Kalla said the Democratic Party would not play any role in the planned rally on Friday. "It is very likely that the Democratic Party will take a softer stance and does not want to create more trouble," Kalla said.

In his meeting with Wiranto, Yudhoyono claimed that the two of them had only discussed current national issues. "[They] only discussed issues facing the nation," Democratic Party deputy chairman Roy Suryo told The Jakarta Post.

Wiranto, meanwhile, maintained that they did not discuss a missing report on the murder case of prominent human rights activist Munir Said Thalib, or anything related to the Nov. 4 rally.

Wiranto said he had a good relationship with the former president that dated back to their military days. Both officials played key roles in the 1998 transition period when Wiranto served as commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces and defense minister and Yudhoyono served as chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces Social and Political Affairs Division.

"Our relationship has lasted until today. Sometimes I also visit Cikeas [Yudhoyono's home] just to talk, so there is nothing special [about today's meeting]," Wiranto said.

Many, however, see the meetings between Yudhoyono and Wiranto and Kalla as a snub from Jokowi. Jokowi and Yudhoyono have had a cool relationship to date, marked by gestures and statements that many see as hostile.

In March this year, Yudhoyono said Jokowi's administration had allocated too much money to infrastructure projects. Jokowi responded by visiting the deserted Hambalang sports facility project in Bogor, West Java, which was halted after a corruption scandal rocked the Democratic Party.

Late in October, the State Palace blamed Yudhoyono's administration for the missing report into Munir's case, as the fact-finding team tasked with probing into the murder case was set up during Yudhoyono's tenure in 2004. Yudhoyono responded by speaking out and saying that he wanted the truth behind Munir's murder to be revealed, and gave a copy of the missing report to the State Palace.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/yudhoyono-meets-with-jokowi-s-men-quashing-rally-rumor.html

Yudhoyono slams inaccurate intelligence reports on Friday's anti-Ahok rally

Jakarta Globe - November 2, 2016

Bogor. After dozens of religious and political leaders called for peace ahead of Friday's massive anti-Ahok rally, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also offered the same advice, asking protesters to keep calm and not be afraid of using their constitutional right to speak their opinion in public.

The former president, popularly known as SBY, also slammed inaccurate intelligent reports that claimed certain groups and political parties are behind what the media predicted will be a frightening protest.

SBY, the chairman of the Democratic Party, made his comment after a coalition of hardline Muslim groups demanded the police investigate Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy.

The two-time former president spoke at his leafy home in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java on Wednesday (02/11) after meeting Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Chief Security Minister Wiranto the previous day.

SBY said staging a protest is never a political crime since the right to do so is protected by the law. However, he underlined that Friday's rally must be peaceful and not cause any damage to public facilities.

"During my 10 years as president of this country, there were protests almost every day. But, my administration didn't fall because of them. I was able to keep working and to keep the economy growing as well. My intelligence officials never reported anything inaccurate," SBY told the press at his home.

The former president criticized intelligence reports that claimed certain people, groups or political parties are funding Friday's rally, which will see more than 35,000 people take to the streets of Central Jakarta.

"Intelligence has to be accurate. You can't use sloppy intelligence that just throws around accusations. That's just slander. And slander is worse than murder," SBY said, quoting a line from the Quran.

"I have heard a lot of community leaders are advising against anarchy in Friday's rally. I totally agree, not only a hundred percent but 300 percent. That's my view and also the Democratic Party's view," he continued.

Friday's protest is expected to bring many Muslim groups to the streets of Jakarta, including the ubiquitous Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI. They will demand that Governor Ahok be brought to court for insulting Islam, even though he had already apologized to Muslims.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/yudhoyono-slams-inaccurate-intelligence-reports-fridays-anti-ahok-rally/

Fadli Zon demands Jokowi give his word to protect protesters during Friday's

Jakarta Globe - November 2, 2016

Jakarta – The deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Fadli Zon, said he had sent a letter to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, asking him to make sure that law enforcers will protect the protesters during a massive rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama planned for Friday (04/11).

Fadli claimed he had spoken with clerics who support the Muslim hardliners expected to take to the streets of Jakarta during the protest on Friday. They are protesting against the governor's alleged misquotation of a verse from the Quran in a speech early last month, claiming Ahok has been guilty of blasphemy against Islam. According to Fadli, the leaders of the protest hope to receive the full protection of the government during the rally.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/jakarta/fadli-zon-demands-jokowi-give-word-protect-protesters-fridays-anti-ahok-rally/

Candidates turn pious to lure Jakarta's Muslim voters

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Indra Budiari, Jakarta – In a long white shirt, kopiah (cap) and with a green scarf over his shoulder, deputy governor candidate Sandiaga Uno climbed the narrow wooden stairs to the second floor of an old house belonging to a local cleric named Saman in Cengkareng, West Jakarta.

Followed by his entourage, he performed wudhu (ablutions) and joined the front row with dozens of people to recite the dzuhur (midday prayer). Shortly after the prayer ended, the businessman-turned-politician took the microphone and introduced himself to the congregation. With soft-spoken words, Sandiaga began his campaign by asking the audience to vote for number three in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election, the ballot number assigned him and his running mate, governor candidate Anies Baswedan.

It was important for Muslims to remain calm in the face of people who were trying to undermine the religion, Sandiaga said in his speech on Tuesday.

"Don't hate him or even be angry at him. Just don't vote for him as your governor," he said in an apparent jab against incumbent Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

Saman's house was the second place Sandiaga visited after a nearby pesantren (Islamic boarding school), where he vowed to pay more attention to the teachers and students if he and Anies were elected to the capital's top posts.

A recent survey by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) showed that the majority of Jakarta's residents did not care about race and religion when choosing a leader. Still, Muslims voters are to play a significant role in the capital's election, which is slated to take place in February.

The capital's Muslims, who make up 90 percent of the total population, are a game changer in the election, said Siti Zuhro, a political analyst from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).

"There is no better moment than now to elicit votes from people in pesantren or Muslim clerics. They are still hurt by Ahok's comment and their votes are there to grab," she told The Jakarta Post.

That statement rang true for Ahok who needed to secure Muslim votes to keep him in the lead after the recent release of an edited video in which he criticized how some people have used the Quran against him has left him open to accusations of religious defamation that could put his gubernatorial bid in danger.

The outspoken governor pleaded to Muslim students on Santri Day before the campaign started on Oct. 21 that he needed their support and prayers. During his tenure, Ahok had also carried out several policies to show his great interest for Muslim communities, including sending mosque caretakers on umrah (minor haj) and becoming the first governor to build a mosque in the City Hall complex.

He also claimed on Monday that the religious defamation accusations against him had ended following his public apology and clarification to the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) last week.

Meanwhile, young candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono had also tried to sway Muslim voters by visiting the executive councils of the country's largest and second largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, as well as several pesantren before the campaign began. His most recent move was to visit Sunda Kelapa Mosque in Central Jakarta on the first day of the campaign on Oct. 28, where he met with mosque management and food vendors around the mosque area, according to tribunnews.com.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/candidates-turn-pious-lure-jakarta-s-muslim-voters.html

Muslim leaders reject violent rally

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Haeril Halim, Jakarta – The country's two largest Muslim organizations have stated that they do not support a rally slated for Friday, which is expected to draw hundreds of Islamic hard-liners.

The announcement was seen as a bid to ease tension after circulating information suggesting the rally could turn violent has put Jakartans on alert for the past few days.

Leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah said separately that they would not encourage their members to take part in the rally, let alone any provocative actions at the event.

Thousands of extremists including from outside Jakarta are expected to stage a protest in front of the State Palace to demand the prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy when citing a Quranic verse a month ago.

"[No member] is allowed [to join the rally]. I prohibit them," NU chairman Said Aqil Siradj said on Monday, adding that the use of NU symbols at the rally was also prohibited. According to him, the rally would violate religious principles if it caused damage and national instability.

The country's second-largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, which has around 40 million followers nationwide, meanwhile, said it would not prohibit its members from participating in the rally, but emphasized that it would never intentionally mobilize them for such purposes.

"Joining a rally is every individual's right, but those who are interested [in participating] should not bring any organizational attributes," Muhammadiyah secretary-general Abdul Mu'ti told The Jakarta Post. He added that Muhammadiyah "has its own way to voice its aspirations".

In Bandung, West Java, Rachmat Syafe'i, the chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) West Java chapter, called on all MUI members not to join or support the rally.

"Our position is in line with the stance of the MUI central board, which is that we urge law enforcement bodies to take firm action toward all people who are proven to have insulted the Quran. But we are against the rally and prohibit the use of our attributes at it," he said in Bandung.

The rally will be the second major demonstration against Ahok after a previous one on Oct. 24. Islamic hard-liners have claimed that they would not stop until the National Police charged Ahok for his alleged insult of Islam.

Executives of the Gerindra Party Fadli Zon and Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Fahri Hamzah, who are supporting the Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno ticket in the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial race, have said they would join the rally.

For some, the move was seen as an affirmation that the demonstration had a hidden political agenda to undermine the Ahok-Djarot Saiful Hidayat ticket.

House of Representatives Speaker Ade Komarudin said on Monday that "all party elites should refrain from taking part in the rally".

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo took preemptive measures in anticipation of possible violence at the event by inviting leaders from various Islamic organizations to discuss the Nov. 4 rally at the State Palace on Tuesday.

"I will encourage religious and political leaders to help calm down the situation," Jokowi said after a two-hour closed-door meeting with Gerindra Party chairman and his former presidential election rival, Prabowo Subianto, at the latter's residence in Hambalang, West Java, on Monday. Mukti confirmed that Muhammadiyah had been invited by Jokowi to the State Palace.

In Riau, meanwhile, Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Zulkarnain Adinegara said as many as 200 Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel in the province would be deployed to Jakarta to reinforce security during the rally.

[Arya Dipa and Rizal Harahap contributed to this story from Bandung and Pekanbaru.]

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/muslim-leaders-reject-violent-rally.html

Jokowi, Prabowo call for calm ahead of rally

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Haeril Halim and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, Jakarta – The mood was jovial. When asked to ride a horse, a sturdy stallion called Salero, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo amused his host, Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto, with a typical self-deprecating joke.

"This is a very big horse and I am very light. I saw the horse giving me a smile," Jokowi said, referring to his slender physique. "He certainly has one advantage. He is light and horses like light riders," Prabowo responded affirmatively.

Later in the living room of Prabowo's spacious ranch in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, the topic of conversation was anything but light.

Jokowi visited Prabowo, his former rival in the 2014 presidential election and leader of the opposition camp, to ask him to join in calling on political groups to ease tensions ahead of a Nov. 4 rally organized by Muslim groups.

The groups have called for the prosecution of incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja "Ahok" Purnama for alleged blasphemy.

The planned rally, a follow-up to a chaotic street protest on Oct. 21, which was spearheaded by the firebrand Islam Defenders Front (FPI), will call for the imprisonment of Ahok for insulting the Quran. If the plan materializes, it would effectively ban Ahok from seeking reelection in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election.

FPI leader Rizieq Syihab has called for schools, businesses and government offices to close on Friday, urging people to join the rally.

Senior politicians from Prabowo's Gerindra Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), including House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon and outspoken lawmaker Fahri Hamzah, are expected to attend.

In a statement after their meeting, Prabowo said he agreed with the President on the need "to maintain unity and guard against those who want to divide the country".

"We are a plural country with many tribes, religions and races. If we have problems, let's solve them peacefully," Prabowo said, adding that he shared Jokowi's concerns about possible security threats at the planned rally.

"Among other things, I am concerned about the security developments and I have to deliver my views to him because he is the country's commander in chief. I am always ready to give input to the government when needed," Prabowo said.

Speaking after Prabowo, Jokowi declined to refer directly to the rally and only said that religious and political leaders should do more to ease tension related to regional elections.

"I agreed with what has been said by Pak Prabowo. Religious and political leaders should join forces to cool down the situation," Jokowi said. Jokowi also said the talk was a follow-up to a meeting in 2014 that took place shortly before he was inaugurated as president.

The two politicians met again in January 2015 in the early months of Jokowi's administration, when the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) was threatening to withdraw its support from Jokowi's presidency, following his decision to postpone the inauguration of Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, a former aide of PDI-P matriarch Megawati Soekarnoputri, as National Police chief.

After his meeting with Prabowo, Jokowi was scheduled to hold talks with several Muslim leaders, asking them to contribute to calls for peace during the simultaneous regional elections in 2017.

On Tuesday, Jokowi is scheduled to meet with leaders from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, the country's largest and second largest Islamic organizations, respectively, to discuss the Nov. 4 rally.

Political analyst Gun Gun Heryanto of the Political Literacy Institute said Jokowi recognized that tensions had reached such an alarming level that he needed Prabowo to amplify his message.

"When the two leaders meet, it usually takes place in situations where political tension is at its highest. From today's meeting, I see that Jokowi knows well from whom he could seek help to calm down tensions, which result from sectarianism ahead of the Jakarta election," Gun Gun said.

Despite warnings from Prabowo, House Deputy Speaker Fadli said he would not call off his plan to participate in the rally as the meeting between his party chairman and Jokowi had nothing to do with the planned rally or the Jakarta election.

"The rally is not about politics, but about law enforcement against Ahok. The President's meeting with Pak Prabowo is a regular get-together, following Jokowi's promise in 2014 that he would visit Hambalang," Fadli said.

House Speaker Ade Komarudin, a Golkar Party lawmaker, said the meeting between Jokowi and Prabowo could contribute to easing tensions in the capital.

"When two influential elites from two rival parties can sit together, it really helps deliver a message to calm down the current situation, because party members at the grassroots level can easily follow their actions," Ade said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/jokowi-prabowo-call-for-calm-ahead-of-rally.html

NasDem youth wing to support police during Anti-Ahok rally

Jakarta Globe - November 1, 2016

Jakarta – Garda Pemuda, the youth wing of the National Democrat party, or NasDem, has thrown its support behind measures to ensure a mass protest held on Friday (04/11) takes place safely and peacefully.

Martin Manurung, chairman of Garda Pemuda, said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's comments guaranteeing the right of all people to make their voices heard should be applauded.

"We support the security personnel in conducting their duties professionally according to the president's instructions," Martin said in Jakarta on Monday (31/10).

"I instructed all members of Garda Pemuda NasDem in Indonesia to support and cooperate with regional leaders, security officials and related institutions to ensure the success of president's instruction."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/nasdem-youth-wing-support-police-anti-ahok-rally/

FPI spokesman on Ahok: Those who insult religion must be decapitated

Coconuts Jakarta - November 1, 2016

Top Indonesian politicians including President Joko Widodo and opposition leader Prabowo Subianto have called for calm ahead of Friday's planned mass protest against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama by hardline Muslim groups.

But if the people within these groups are allowed to spread hatred based on religion as they are currently doing, then there's a good chance that the protest on Friday will be anything but calm.

During a discussion about Ahok's case in Jakarta today, Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Spokesman Munarman made the outrageous threat that they would take Ahok's life in a gruesome manner if the authorities don't arrest the governor for his alleged blasphemy against the Quran.

"If [Ahok] is not processed by the law, then the state is allowing the enforcement of Islamic law. According to sharia law, those who insult religion must be decapitated," Munarman said, as quoted by Merdeka today.

Munarman then made accusations about Ahok being protected by top government officials, which is why the National Police isn't moving forward as quickly as they should with investigating his alleged blasphemy. That said, Munarman said still hopes that Ahok would be found guilty and jailed for 4 years for insulting religion.

Thousands of members of the FPI and other hardline groups are expected to protest en masse in Jakarta and various other cities throughout Indonesia against Ahok on Friday. They are demanding that Ahok answer for his alleged blasphemous words against the Islamic holy book of Quran, which was said in an edited and out-of-context video.

This is not the first time the FPI has made a threat against Ahok's life. The last anti-Ahok protest carried out by Muslim hardliners like the FPI on October 14 was also dominated by calls to hang Ahok and burn him alive.

According to the KUHP (Criminal Code), making a threat against someone's life is punishable by up to 2 years and 8 months in prison.

Source: http://jakarta.coconuts.co/2016/11/01/fpi-spokesman-ahok-those-who-insult-religion-must-be-decapitated

Journalism & press freedom

AJI expresses concern over violence against journalists at Jakarta rally

Jakarta Post - November 6, 2016

Jakarta – The Independent Journalists Association (AJI) has called on the police to investigate violence against journalists during the mass rally on Friday but at the same time urged journalists to respect codes of ethics.

"All parties have to understand the way how journalists work. Journalists' work is protected by law," AJI chairman Suwarjono said in a statement issued on Sunday.

The AJI recorded numerous instances of violence against journalists – both physical and non-physical – during the rally, including a TV crew being expelled from Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta because the television station was accused of biased reporting.

Suwarjono also expressed concern over provocations against journalists that spread on the internet in the days leading up to the event. "That means a situation of hatred had been developed from the beginning. That is a bad precedent for freedom of the press," he said.

However, AJI head of advocacy Iman D. Nugroho also stressed the need for journalists and media companies to carry out introspection on whether they had carried out their tasks based on journalistic ethic codes.

"The mass media should be independent and work based on facts. They are not allowed to mix facts and opinions in their journalistic work," said Imam, adding that the presumption of innocence should also be respected. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/06/aji-expresses-concern-over-violence-against-journalists-at-jakarta-rally.html

Environment & natural disasters

Government to curb excessive use of plastic

Jakarta Post - November 3, 2016

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Indonesians' love of plastic has propelled the country to become the world's second-biggest contributor to plastic waste in the ocean, choking the seas with soda bottles and plastic bags and wrecking aquatic ecosystems.

According to a 2015 study published in the journal Science, Indonesia produced 3.2 million tons of plastic waste in 2010, with around 1.29 million tons of that ending up in the ocean, second only to China with its 8.8 million tons of waste.

As plastic waste keeps piling up, creating vortices where humanity's trash bobs atop the water for kilometers on end, the government is trying to come up with a nationwide action plan.

In the first stage of the plan, the government, assisted by the World Bank and Denmark, is conducting a study in 15 urban centers to identify the core of the problem as well as where waste comes from.

Preliminary findings of the study, which commenced in June this year and is expected to run until December, suggested that the main issue was a spillover of land waste, with an estimated 80 percent of marine plastic coming from land-based sources.

"We want to know if it's true that we are number two [globally in polluting the ocean with plastic]. In order to know that, we have to know how much of our plastic waste is leaked into rivers, because rivers in Jakarta and Surabaya are already clean," said Arief Havas Oegroseno, an assistant with the office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister, on the sideline of the Indonesia Marine Plastic Debris Summit.

He said spillovers could occur at garbage collection sites, landfills or bays. "After that, we will identify the solutions as well as the costs," said Arif. "If the leakages occur in landfills and rivers, why don't we build waste-based power plants in the estuaries of rivers?"

The study results will feed into the national action plan to be presented at the World Ocean Summit in Bali in February 2017.

The study also suggested that some of Indonesia's ocean plastic waste came from other countries.

According to the study, two in five plastic bottles found on a small island north of Banten, West Java, were from overseas. The overseas trash was suspected to have come from Singapore and South Asia, while the rest was from Kalimantan and Central Java.

"It means that 20 percent of our ocean plastic waste might be from other countries because Indonesia is at the crossroads of the global ocean conveyor belt," Arif said.

The global ocean conveyor belt is a constantly moving system of deep-ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity, moving from the Pacific Ocean to north Papua, down to Aru Islands, entering Bali, exiting southern Java, moving down to southern Africa, up to the Atlantic Ocean, and finally going back to the Pacific Ocean.

"This current transport islands of waste. In the Pacific, there are 100,000 tons of waste islands, while in the Indian Ocean, the number is three times that. How do we catch the garbage? If we try to stop the leakage nationally, but our neighboring countries do not do the same, then how?" Arif said.

While other countries may contribute to Indonesia's marine plastic waste problem, Indonesia could also be adding to other countries' trash.

"So there's a chance that we might contribute [our plastic waste] to other countries," the Environment and Forestry Ministry's ocean and coastal pollution management director, Heru Waluyo, told The Jakarta Post.

He said some countries had complained to Indonesia about the issue. "Australia, for instance, found indications that some of its plastic waste came from Indonesia because the wrappers were in Indonesian," Heru said.

Before the government comes up with its plan, Heru urged the public to change its behavior, starting with reducing the use of plastic bags, which make up a large portion of marine plastic waste.

"As long as we don't change our behavior, the problems will remain," he said. "We haven't been able to change our culture. If we go to Singapore, we automatically change because there is law enforcement."

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/03/government-curb-excessive-use-plastic.html

Gender & lgbt rights

Leave students alone: Activists

Jakarta Post - November 5, 2016

Syamsul Huda M. Suhari, Gorontalo – Students must not be the target of discriminatory policies set by the State University of Gorontalo (UNG) as they need to study in a safe and supporting environment regardless of their sexual orientation, activists say.

A coalition of 16 NGOs have lambasted UNG rector Syamsu Qamar Badu for issuing a campus policy that monitors and forces lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students back to "normalcy".

Not only was it discriminatory, the regulation also violated basic human rights for people to get an education as stipulated in the Constitution, head of Nahdlatul Ulama's Institute for Research and Human Resources Development (Lakpesdam) Wahiyudin Mamonto said on Friday.

"The policy is based on mere hatred," he said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post.

Suara Kita director and LGBT rights activist Hartoyo also called for Syamsu to revoke his plan to establish a special team to "normalize" LGBT students. UNG's campus should instead provide equal opportunity to education for all of its students.

"UNG must guarantee non-discriminatory education for people of whatever sexual orientation," he said.

Syamsu announced Thursday that he had set up a silent operation in a move that served as a warning to LGBT students. His plan included counseling and special treatment for students discovered to be of LGBT orientation by the team in order to maintain the campus' image as "the college of civilization".

"This identification process will not be easy, but we can't just let it happen if there are male students wearing lipstick on campus," he said.

Even though he said he would not have LGBT students expelled, the campus would revoke scholarships to those who refused to give up their LGBT identity.

Meanwhile, Kristianto Galuwo from Gorontalo's branch of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) also called for mass media to refrain from reporting news on the LGBT community based on hatred.

He regretted a news report by a local newspaper that called the LGBT community a virus spreading on campuses. Journalists must work within its code of ethics and not write reports based on prejudice and discrimination against people's race, religion or gender, Kristianto added.

AJI Gorontalo and Lakpesdam are among 16 organizations in the coalition along with Arus Pelangi, AJI Manado, North Sulawesi Transgender and Lesbians, the Manado Men community and Bandung-based Padjadjaran Resource Center on Gender and Human Rights Studies.

The country's LGBT community has been facing hard times following remarks from state officials earlier this year demeaning their existence as not part of Indonesian cultural norms.

The condemnation also led to several hard-liners groups pushing for bans toward LGBT communities in several areas such as Yogyakarta, where the first transgender Islamic boarding school eventually succumbed to threats and shut down their operations in February.

The latest attack on the community occurred when a group of academics under The Family Love Alliance (AILA) filed a judicial review to the Constitutional Court in August seeking to outlaw any sexual relationship outside of marriage, including partners of the same sex.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/05/leave-students-alone-activists.html

UNG to force LGBT students to change their sexual orientation

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Syamsul Huda M.Suhari and Haeril Halim, Gorontalo/Jakarta – State University of Gorontalo (UNG) Rector Syamsu Qamar Badu decided on Thursday to take stern measures against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students on campus.

Syamsu plans to establish a special team to monitor students who have claimed an LGBT sexual orientation. The LGBT students will be obligated to attend special sessions to be "normalized", and if they defy the requirements, the university will impose severe sanctions against them.

The special team will include psychologists and other related experts and will function like an intelligence agency, in which its members will work undercover making friends with students in order to diagnose their sexual orientation.

Students discovered to be homosexuals by the team will later be asked to register for counseling in order to be given "special treatment" so they can return to "normalcy".

The announcement on the establishment of the team, said Syamsu, would serve as a warning to students with an LGBT identity. The rector said that being homosexual was against the image of the campus, which is known as "the college of civilization".

"This is simply a warning. [LGBT people] must return to their true and correct nature," Syamsu said on Thursday.

All students diagnosed as LGBT will face thorough interviews. The team has been granted power by the university to summon the parents of students found have an LGBT identity.

"This is a silent operation. We will not investigate all students at once. We don't want to draw unnecessary attention to the process," the rector said.

However, Syamsu emphasized that students confirmed to be LGBT who refused to give up their LGBT identity, would no longer be supported by the college and their scholarships would be revoked.

"One of the [threats] facing LGBT students is scholarship withdrawal, and they will no longer be permitted to use other campus facilities," said Syamsu.

Syamsu said the campus would not expel LGBT students because he "respects their right to receive an education".

The rector further said the team would only examine sexuality in students and not lecturers because he does not believe any of the school's lecturers are LGBT.

Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir threatened to ban LGBT people from entering state universities in January. He retracted his statement following strong public protests. Several universities, such as the University of North Sumatra and Yogyakarta State University, also adopted a harsh stance against LGBT students.

Meanwhile, the ministry's director general for learning and student affairs, Intan Ahmad, said the ministry's stance on LGBT students would remain consistent with Nasir's statement, saying that it was the decision of the rector at the UNG to make a policy regarding LGBT students.

However, he said he disagreed with the plan to revoke scholarships and other campus facilities if LGBT students continued to identify as LGBT.

"In my opinion, students have the right to earn scholarships as citizens despite their race, religion, etc. I am planning to visit UNG to discuss this issue with the rector. I suggest that UNG not revoke student scholarships," Intan said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/ung-force-lgbt-students-change-their-sexual-orientation.html

Graft & corruption

Calls for Komnas HAM commissioner to resign mount as KPK investigation continues

Jakarta Globe - November 3, 2016

Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights, known as Komnas HAM, has called for the resignation of commissioner Dianto Bachriadi following allegations of budget misuse.

Dianto was suspended last week after Komnas submitted a budget irregularity report to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which found he had allegedly embezzled Rp 330 million ($25,400) in funds designated for his official residence.

Komnas chairman Imadadun Rahmat called for the commissioner's resignation following a meeting with KPK investigators on Wednesday (02/11). Komnas HAM has also reported alleged misuse of Rp 820 million at its general secretariat.

KPK deputy chairwoman Basaria Pandjaitan said the antigraft agency will investigate the report before summoning witnesses. "We will see whether it is a graft case or not and whether it should be handled by the KPK or another law enforcement agency," she said.

The calls to investigate irregularities in the rights body's budget were made after the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) questioned its 2015 financial report.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/calls-komnas-ham-commissioner-resign-mount-KPK-investigation-continues/

Terrorism & religious extremism

Law amendment seeks to compensate terror victims

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Moses Ompusunggu, Jakarta – The Terrorism Law is on the brink of an overhaul as lawmakers continue to revise all aspects of counterterrorism.

After announcing a plan to increase the military's role in the fight against terrorism, the House of Representatives special committee tasked with the amendment's deliberation has proposed more provisions to protect the rights of victims.

The bill will elaborate more comprehensively on mechanisms and bureaucratic procedures to ensure that the victims impacted by terror attacks can immediately receive compensation and rehabilitation.

The current Terrorism Law already regulates compensation and rehabilitation, but there is no clear stipulation as to implementation, meaning that no victims have received compensation.

The main hurdle in the current process is that the victims, through the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), can only demand compensation from the Finance Ministry if there is a court order.

The lawmakers are seeking to cut the legal requirement, meaning that the courts will not be needed to determine who is a victim and who can receive compensation and restitution. Under the bill, either the LPSK or the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) will have the authority to make these decisions.

The bill will also mandate that all available hospitals must serve terror attack victims immediately after a terror attack has occurred. Furthermore, payment for the treatment will be billed to the government, through the Health Ministry.

"All impacts and consequences caused by acts of terror are the responsibility of the government. So we want to make [the bill] more comprehensive, not only in preventive measures and operations, but also in regards to post-attack measures," committee chairman Muhammad Syafi'i of the Gerindra Party said.

The House is halfway through its deliberation process, although it hopes to complete the bill by mid-2017. More details about the protection mechanism will be discussed during deliberation of the bill's problem inventory list (DIM) next month following the recess period.

Advocacy group Indonesian Alliance for Peace (AIDA) believes that compensation and retribution are crucial rights of victims. According to the alliance, since the Terrorism Law was implanted in 2003, the country has experienced several terror attacks, but the victims of these atrocities have never received compensation or benefitted from retribution.

"Many parties, either from the private sector or government, come to the victims and give donations. But it is a donation, not official compensation as mandated by law," group member Hasibullah Sastrawi said.

He added that it was important to clearly define terror victims in the bill. "If there is no clear definition, anyone could can claim themselves to be victims, even state officials," he added.

BNPT chairman Suhardi Alius has recommended that the bill specifically define who is a victim and to what extends the victim deserves compensation and rehabilitation. He also suggested there should be a sanctions for perpetrators or their relatives who do not pay restitution to the victims. "It's crucial for the government to protect the rights of victims," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/law-amendment-seeks-compensate-terror-victims.html

Freedom of religion & worship

Review of 1965 law needed to protect democracy, tolerance

Jakarta Post - November 7, 2016

Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – The violence that followed the massive rally in Jakarta, on Friday, has prompted activists to renew calls for the government to review the obsolete 1965 Blasphemy Law.

Despite such pressure, the government appears to wish to uphold the draconian law for the sake of preserving social order among religious groups, but with few efforts made to improve the mechanism to protect minorities.

The law was used by Islamic hard-liners to mobilize tens of thousands of Muslims from different regions to rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

They accuse Ahok, a Christian, of committing blasphemy when he cited a Quran verse during an official visit to Thousand Islands regency in September.

During the massive rally calling for Ahok's prosecution on Friday several protesters were seen carrying black posters stating "Blasphemy is a threat to democracy".

"The government has tried to accommodate majority interests in order to protect social cohesiveness, but in reality, violations against religious freedom have increased and the problem is [intolerant groups] often refer to the Blasphemy Law when acting," researcher Wahyudi Djafar from the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) told The Jakarta Post.

In 2010, the Constitutional Court rejected a judicial challenge seeking to repeal the law. However, in the ruling, the court's justices acknowledged that the law should be revised. Six years have passed, however, and neither the government nor legislators have made significant efforts at revision.

"The recent case against Ahok has also shown that the Blasphemy Law and Article 156 of the Criminal Code have rather problematic elements when they come to implementation," he said

Article 156 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) stipulates that those found guilty of publicly displaying hostility, hatred or contempt toward a group of people could face a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Human rights group Imparsial's deputy director Gufron Mabruri said the 1965 law had also become a major problem in upholding freedom of belief because "it is used [by pressure groups] to increase intolerance among the public".

Ahmadiyah and Shia believers have also been subject to repeated attacks. The Ahmadis, who are considered heretics, have faced numerous types of discrimination ranging from the closing of mosques to being denied public services.

In June last year, Banda Aceh District Court found six members of the controversial Fajar Nusantara Movement (Gafatar) guilty of blasphemy and sentenced them to between three and four years in prison for defaming Islam by claiming local preacher Ahmad Musadeq was a prophet.

Musadeq, founder of Al-Qiyadah Al-Islamiyah and the leader of Gafatar, was himself sentenced to four years in prison in 2008 by the South Jakarta District Court.

The UN Human Rights Council's quadrennial Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2012 recommended that Indonesia amend or revoke laws and regulations that "banned religious freedom", including the Blasphemy Law and the 2008 joint ministerial decree on the Ahmadiyah.

Indonesia is expected to have a hard time during the third session of the UPR, set to be held in Geneva in May 2017, after a group of NGOs submitted a report detailing the government's poor job in protecting human rights in the country.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/07/review-1965-law-needed-protect-democracy-tolerance.html

Religion & morality

Tangerang bans 'obscene' dangdut singers

Jakarta Post - November 3, 2016

Tangerang – The Tangerang Police in Banten have called on all dangdut singers to wear "proper" costumes and avoid "pornographic" behavior when performing on stage in the regency.

"Dangdung singers with minimal clothing could trigger crime and public disorder, not to mention sexual abuse," Tangerang Police chief Sr. Comr. Asep Edi Suheri said on Wednesday as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com.

He added that he had instructed all district police officers under his authority not to issue permits to dangdut musical groups if the singer had a reputation for being "nasty".

Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Tangerang Head Jasmaryadi said he welcomed the ban. "We have repeatedly received reports from members of the public about the rampant dangdut shows where singers are wearing obscene costumes with nasty body movements that could damage the morality of youths," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/03/greater-jakarta-tangerang-bans-obscene-dangdut-singers.html

Indonesian minister's doorless dormitories proposal sparks outrage

Reuters - November 2, 2016

Jakarta – An Indonesian minister's suggestion that doors should be removed from college dormitories to prevent promiscuity has been greeted with outrage and befuddlement.

The social affairs minister, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, said she was inspired by her visit to the doorless dormitories of a "very prestigious" university, where the activities of students in their rooms can be monitored.

"There are no more worries about the possibility of contact between men and men, and women and women," Parawansa said.

"I have seen how effective this is, and I think it can be made a role model." Parawansa did not disclose the name of the university she visited.

"Such a plan, if true, obviously does not make sense," said Bonar Tigor Naipospos, deputy chairman of Setara Institute, a Jakarta-based NGO that advocates democracy and peace.

A door represents the individual need for privacy, Naipospos said. "Yet the state, for reasons of morality, wants to smash through that door and make the behaviour and consciousness of individuals uniform."

Dian Najean Lestari, a student at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta, also rejected the minister's proposal, saying it might encourage theft and bring about other security risks.

The rights of Indonesia's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have come under "unprecedented attack" from government officials and some members of the public this year, according to the New York-based NGO Human Rights Watch.

A presidential spokesman said in August there was "no room" in the country for an LGBT "mass movement to influence other parties to become like them".

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/02/indonesian-minister-doorless-dormitories-students-proposal-sparks-outrage

Jakarta & urban life

Young filmmakers aim to change views of evictions

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Corry Elyda, Jakarta – The audience, mostly evictees, turned silent when they saw the scene showing their houses being demolished in a documentary titled "Jakarta Unfair", which was screened by the Ciliwung River bank in Bukit Duri, South Jakarta, last Friday.

"Astagfirullah [may God spare me]," said one of the audience members at the open-door screening situated near their former houses, which have now become empty fields.

The dramatic scene came after footage of then-Jakarta gubernatorial hopefuls Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama promising not to evict them.

The silence continued when the documentary moved to the low-cost apartments to where some of the evictees had been relocated. Most of them vented about similar things – the loss in income and the threat of being evicted once again.

"I've already received the warning letters. I owe the administration Rp 1.1 million [US$84.70]. I do not know how to pay them," said Etti, a former Kampung Pulo resident relocated to the nearby Jatinegara low-cost apartment complex in East Jakarta, in the documentary.

The film, produced by WatchDoc Production House in cooperation with 16 college students, revolves around the forced eviction of residents orchestrated by the city administration in various areas, including Kampung Pulo in South Jakarta, Kali Jodoh in West Jakarta, Pasar Ikan in North Jakarta and Kampung Dadap in Tangerang. The film also shows the plight of the evictees after losing access to their livelihood.

The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) has recorded that evictions took place across 113 locations in 2015 and 325 are targeted for 2016. According to an LBH survey, most of the evictees are not properly relocated. Most still face problems, including a loss in income.

The film shows that at least 6,000 families are threatened with a further eviction from their apartments as they cannot pay the rent, which averages Rp 300,000 (US$23.10) per month.

Dhuha Ramadhani, one of the directors, said 16 college students participated in the production with Watchdoc to present a side to the eviction story rarely talked about in the mainstream media.

"I myself was a student in criminology at the University of Indonesia. This is the first time I held a camera but I wanted to understand and help," he said.

Dhuha said the filming process, starting last May, helped him to understand many things about evictions. "I stayed over in all the locations. I know how it feels and what I got in the field is totally different from what I watched on the TV news or what I learned on campus," he said.

"Our aim is to give voice to the voiceless through this film. We want to show the eviction process from the perspective of the evictees," he said.

Besides making films, some other middle-class youngsters, who are not affected directly by evictions, have also started to research the issue.

Devil Rinaldo, a 24-year-old college graduate majoring in Planology, for example, said he had decided to join Ciliwung Merdeka, an organization that advocates for the residents of Bukit Duri, last year after witnessing the eviction process in Kampung Pulo.

"I wanted to help after realizing that what the city administration claimed about the residents was wrong. I learned that historically, villages were built on river banks," he said.

Occupying state land on river banks is one of the reasons the city administration emphasized to justify the forced eviction of the residents. The residents were evicted for a river normalization project, even though they had lived there for generations.

Sugiyanti, a 34-year-old Bukit Duri resident, said she could not bear the stigma stamped on them by the media and the city administration.

"We are not spoiled residents. We proposed solutions for building low-cost apartments near our homes. However, they did not want to listen," she said after the screening.

Sugiyanti, who was born and raised in Bukit Duri, said she was agitated by the way media and the government had treated the residents, especially the way the government had labeled them "illegal."

"When our lawsuit [against the eviction] was accepted by the court, the administration sent us warning letters. Who is behaving in an illegal way?" she said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/young-filmmakers-aim-change-views-evictions.html

Reclamation to continue, says acting governor

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Agnes Anya, Jakarta – Jakarta's newly appointed acting governor, "Soni" Sumarsono, has confirmed he will continue the Jakarta Bay reclamation projects, including the controversial islet G.

Soni, who has temporarily replaced the inactive governor and incumbent gubernatorial candidate Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, brushed off speculation suggesting he would review the projects when he took control of the administration.

Ahok, who had to take a leave of absence during the campaign period from Oct. 28, 2016, to Feb. 11, 2017, had strongly defended the projects, but many activists have challenged the policy citing environmental impacts and endangered fishermen.

"Regarding reclamation, our spirit is to continue [the project]. It is impossible to cancel it because the project is ongoing," Soni said during his first weekly meeting with the city's officials on Monday.

Soni, however, said some bylaws related to the reclamation projects, including those concerning the project's environmental impact analysis (Amdal), would be reviewed. This is related to the instruction of the Environment and Forestry Ministry to untangle the environmental problems in the projects, which must be done by Dec. 24.

In January next year, he added, the administration and City Council would resume deliberating bylaws related to the reclamation zoning and spatial planning, deliberations that are currently on pause.

Earlier this year, City Council said it would not continue deliberating the draft bylaws following the arrest of councilor Sanusi of the Gerindra Party by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

He was arrested while allegedly receiving bribes from the developer of islet G, one of 17 islets in the reclamation project.

The bribes were allegedly intended to persuade councilors to include a provision in the bylaws to allow the developers to pay only 5 percent of a contribution fee, instead of the 15 percent previously required by Ahok.

Amid the dispute, the central government, through the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and the Environment and Forestry Ministry, stepped in to order the project suspended.

In September, however, the temporary coordinating maritime affairs minister Luhut Pandjaitan said that the project could resume as all legal and environmental hurdles had been "cleared".

In October, Ahok requested City Council resume the bylaw deliberation as "there is no further problem" in the project with reclamation developers agreeing to comply with the 15 percent contribution.

Soni said the city administration would likely retain provisions previously drafted during Ahok's leadership in the next deliberation.

"Our main mission obviously is that we will not cut policies already set by Pak Ahok. Existing drafts will be retained with additional provisions based on our environmental examination," Soni added. "We will not go back to square one."

Soni's decision, however, triggered protests from activists, including the Indonesian Traditional Fishermen's Association (KNTI). The association said the bills must not continue as they are "flawed and not ecosystem-friendly".

"[Re-deliberating the bylaws] means repeating the lies of the city administration [as stated in the bills]," said Marthin Hadiwinata, KNTI chairman.

The Jakarta State Administrative High Court (PTTUN) recently ruled in favor of Ahok and overturned a decision by a lower court that ordered the Jakarta administration to halt the construction of islet G.

The petitioners, who also include KNTI activists, have said they would turn to the Jakarta Police and ask the force to charge Ahok and the developers for "damaging the environment".

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/reclamation-continue-says-acting-governor.html

Literature & the arts

Ultra-religious conservatism creeps into arts

Jakarta Post - November 7, 2016

The recent trend for musicians and actors to use the entertainment industry to propagate militant brands of Islam has raised concerns about conservatism creeping into the arts. The Jakarta Post's team Arya Dipa, Bambang Muryanto and Nani Afrida analyze how this trend might further complicate the role of political Islam in Indonesia.

During the heyday of the rock band Sheila on 7 in the 1990s, guitarist Saktia Ari Seno stood out for his swinging, long-haired, "head-banging" style on stage. But now, if you happened to be one of his long-lost fans and bumped into him on the street, the chances are that you would not recognize your idol. His appearance has radically changed: He sports short hair and has grown a full beard.

At his home in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on a recent afternoon, wearing a blue Arab-style robe, black pants and a white skull cap, he awaited his friends for a mass Quran recital at his house.

"This robe is the kind worn by the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. In this garb, I won't be tempted to do bad deeds, such as going to the cafe or casting amorous glances at a woman who is not my wife," he said.

Shortly thereafter, there arrived a group of men in robes. They sat themselves on the carpet in his living room. Then women in black burqas shrouding them from head to toe entered from a back door. "Today we're expecting members of punk band RW or Error Without Emotion," he said.

In the evening, Saktia – who has adopted the Arabic name Salman Al-Jugjawy, or Salman from Yogyakarta – was scheduled to speak at a Quran recital in a mosque in a neighboring village.

This is only part of Saktia's daily routine since he quit Sheila on 7 to become an Islamic preacher. It was a week's getaway in a friend's Islamic boarding school in Bali back in 2004 that changed his life forever.

And Saktia is only one of several celebrities who have become "born-again Muslims" in the wake of the robust fundamentalism that began to surface along with the newfound democracy following the end of 32 years of Soeharto's authoritarian rule in 1998.

Classic examples were singers Gito Rollies (1947 to 2008) and Irvan Sembiring. Dubbed the Mick Jagger of Indonesia, Gito left the glamorous world of entertainment and became a celebrity preacher.

TV personality and soap opera actor Teuku Wisnu from Aceh is the latest to have quit the "sinful" industry and dedicate himself to spreading the word of Islam.

In Bandung, the West Java capital famous nationwide for its singers and actors, punk rock band Jeruji sang the blues in 2015 after losing a member, Aldonny, better known for his stage name Themfuck, who chose to focus on religious activities.

Bandung indie music fans have also bid farewell to Aditya Ardinugraha and Yudistira Ardinugraha of the rock band Pure Saturday. They followed in the footsteps of Rocket Rockers frontman Ucay, who has changed his name to Noor Al Kautsar.

Oddly enough, most of them made news not only because they left the worldly glam and walked the religious path, but also for the strains of Islam they have chosen to embrace, Wahhabism or Salafism – both are commonly associated with ultraconservatism, militancy and intolerance toward others who do not share their dogmas.

While born-again Muslims like Saktia still use music as a medium of propagation, many others have turned their back on it. Aldonny considers music to be haram, or forbidden under the Islamic teaching he embraces.

Since he quit Sheila on 7 and joined a Quran recital group called Jamaah Tabliqh as a preacher, Saktia has released two Islamic albums titled Islam itu Indah (Islam is Beautiful) and Selamatkan (Save). "In the past, I loved music. Now, after I have studied Islam, I love it even more," he said.

His method of propagation bears a resemblance to that of a Jehovah's Witness. He goes from door to door to preach about the faith. "Some people thought I came for alms and others turned me away. But it's all OK because the Prophet Muhammad PBUH also experienced the same rejection when propagating Islam."

But militant believers like Aldonny, Aditya, Yudistira and Ucay belong to more reclusive sects. None of them would grant The Jakarta Post's request for interviews.

"Sorry I can't give you an interview because my cleric has asked me to study [more about Islam]," Aldonny said on the phone. On his Path account, he explains why he quit the band:

"I left the band because I wanted to focus on my bakso [meatball soup] business. Besides, I realized that my religion forbids music because the activity leads to immoral acts like drinking and adultery. I know that happened when we performed concerts. I know lots of people regret my exit but please understand I'm only His servant and I have to listen to and take my King's orders."

Upon his withdrawal from Jeruji, he started a bakso business and worked for a Muslim fashion outlet in Bandung.

The reclusiveness of Aldonny's community has also baffled Hikmawan Saefullah, an ex-guitarist with another Bandung-based indie band, who is doing research on political Islam for his doctoral thesis at the Asia Research Center of the Murdoch University, Australia.

"They become suspicious of strangers who do not share their religious beliefs. But they will open themselves up once they are convinced that the people they are talking to are like-minded," he said.

Hikmawan has concluded that some artists may have become radicalized after they became disillusioned with a political system they were unable to resist.

Then, when the state ideology Pancasila lost its luster along with the demise of Soeharto's New Order regime, people were in search of new ideologies.

Some have founded sectarian movements such as Punk Muslim, Ghuraba Militant Tawheed and Strangers Al Ghuraba – all have their own political agendas. Thufail Algifari, an activist who founded Ghuraba Militant Tawheed in 2009, revealed his mission was to promote the transnationalism of Islam.

Aldonny and Ucay were among the big crowd of Muslims who staged an anti-Shia rally at the West Java Legislative Council complex in Bandung in May last year.

The uptrend also bears witness to a worrisome development: Religious conservatism is creeping into the arts and campuses.

Recently, the renowned Indonesian Institute of Arts (ISI) in Yogyakarta has been awash with demonstrations against what students and the management see as infiltration of Islamic radicalism into their campus. The issue came to a head when lecturers affiliated to Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) refused to teach about drawing human figures on the pretext that it was haram.

HTI activists were present at the campus's mosque and propagated the idea of the caliphate – an ideology that the college regards as against the state ideology Pancasila and as a threat to the freedom of art and expression.

HTI activists have also been openly promoting their ideology at other major campuses in the "City of Education" Gadjah Mada University, the State University of Yogyakarta, the Islamic University of Indonesia and the State Islamic University of Sunan Kalijaga.

ISI rector Agus Burhan is drafting a decree banning the propagation of any ideologies other than Pancasila on the grounds that they restrict the freedom of art, curtail creativity and hamper campus academic activity.

"It will apply not only to the HTI, but also all other civil organizations and political parties," he said as quoted by tempo.co.

A HTI spokesman, Muhammad Ismail Yusanto, has defended his organization's activity on campuses. On the ISI controversy, he insists that religion should serve as the guiding light for the arts. On the caliphate issue, he argues that it in no way contravenes Pancasila.

The creeping religious conservatism in the arts and formal education also concerns Herry Sutresna "Ucok" Homicide, leader of Grinloc Records who is also a cultural activist.

"Leaving or using music for religious activism is everyone's right. What worries me is if it becomes a trend with a political agenda. Even more worrisome is that my friends are among them."

Now as radicalism spreads unabated, music means more than entertainment but it has also become an effective medium to propagate theocratic ideology and mobilize the masses for political purposes.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/07/ultra-religious-conservatism-creeps-arts.html

Armed forces & defense

Foreign defense firms ready to work with local companies

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta – Foreign defense suppliers expressed readiness on Thursday to transfer technologies to Indonesia in cooperation with local companies to meet the country's need for major weapons systems.

The Defense Ministry has identified several acquisition programs in its second Strategic Plan (Renstra), which spans 2014 to 2019, such as the replacement of the US-made F-5 E/F Tiger II light jet fighter and more transportation aircraft to supplement the current fleet of US-made C-130 H Hercules heavy transportation aircraft.

Swedish defense company Saab said it was ready to transfer knowledge and technology should Indonesia decide to buy its light jet fighter,the Gripen C/D.

"We are ready to deliver the aircraft in 18 months after the contract is signed," head of the Gripen program Jerker Ahlqvist told reporters at the 2016 Indo Defense Expo and Forum held at JIExpo in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

"Not only that, we will also be fully compliant with Law No. 16/2012 [on the defense industry] as required by the government."

The law requires that all major weapons systems be procured domestically. If domestic companies cannot fulfill the demand, foreign suppliers have to meet a certain local content level in cooperation with local defense companies. This can be done through industrial cooperation or an offset program.

Ahlqvist pointed to an industrial cooperation with Brazil, which has ordered a total of 36 Gripens, that sees up to 350 Brazilian engineers participating in training sessions at the Saab factory in Linkoping, Sweden, to prepare for a domestic Brazilian production line.

Another competitor to replace the F-5 E/F, US defense giant Lockheed Martin, boasts a successful industrial cooperation record with state-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI), when Indonesia purchased the 12 F-16 A/B Block 15 OCU light jet fighter in 1989.

Indonesia received an offset scheme of 35 percent of the total purchase value with PT DI sending a number of F-16 parts to the US.

"We were satisfied with PT DI's performance back then and we are sure PT DI will be able to do it this time around," said Randall L. Howard, integrated fighter group director at Lockheed Martin.

Howard was referring to the US defense firm's offer of a F-16 Viper, also known as the Block 70/72, the latest iteration of the venerable F-16, which has clocked some 17 million flight hours in more than 25 countries worldwide.

He said Lockheed Martin was involved in industrial cooperation worth US$45 billion for various F-16 customers.

Meanwhile, Italian defense giant Leonardo-Finmeccanica revealed that it was in talks with various parties in Indonesia on its own plan of setting up a training academy; a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) unit; and the possibility of having an Indonesian assembly line, mostly for its AgustaWestland helicopter models.

"We are in talks in various companies, both private and state-owned, for the training and MRO capabilities," said Lorenzo Pariani, head of the Southeast-Asia region of Leonardo's helicopter division.

Leonardo's Southeast-Asia regionhead, Bruno Bertella, said the company had been in Indonesia, in various entities, since the 1980s. "We have identified Indonesia as one of 12 strategic markets which are important for us.We are here to stay with a long-term investment."

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/foreign-defense-firms-ready-work-with-local-companies.html

Criminal justice & legal system

Indonesia's president Joko Widodo hints at abolishing death penalty

Australian Associated Press - November 5, 2016

Indonesia's president Joko Widodo has indicated his country wants to move towards abolishing the death penalty.

Speaking ahead of a three-day visit to Australia, Widodo told the ABC he thinks Indonesians will change their minds on execution laws as citizens in Europe had done in the past. "We are very open to options," he said. "I don't know when but we want to move towards that direction."

The execution in Indonesia last year of Australian drug traffickers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran strained relations between the two countries. Widodo's trip to Australia will be his first bilateral visit since Canberra withdrew its ambassador to Indonesia in protest against the executions.

"Indonesia has regulations, Indonesia has its own law, which still allows execution. That's what I complied to," the president told the ABC. "We also listened to what other countries had to say. But again, I have to follow the provisions of the law applicable in Indonesia."

But Widodo, who's also known as Jokowi, also stressed the importance of rebuilding trust between Australia and Indonesia. "The most important thing is definitely to have trust in between the country leaders, and then the relationship between the citizens," he said.

Widodo also stressed the importance of the two nations working together to address the thousands of asylum seekers believed to be stranded in Indonesia. "If we could sit down and talk through this, find the solution together I think in the future we'll have a much better relationship," he said.

Widodo arrives in Sydney on Sunday and is scheduled to address parliament in Canberra on Monday.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/05/indonesias-president-joko-widodo-hints-at-abolishing-death-penalty

Foreign affairs & trade

Indonesian president Joko Widodo cancels Australia visit amid protests in

The Guardian (Australia) - November 5, 2016

Helen Davidson – Indonesian president Joko Widodo has cancelled his imminent visit to Australia after violent Islamist protests erupted in Jakarta.

President Widodo – known as Jokowi – was set to arrive on Sunday for a three-day visit to meet his Australian counterpart, prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, as well as other ministers and business leaders. He was also scheduled to address the Australian parliament on Monday.

However, protests in the streets of Jakarta, which began peacefully on Friday in response to accusations the governor, a Christian, had insulted the Qur'an, turned violent.

Turnbull said he had received a call from Jokowi on Saturday afternoon to express regret that his trip would have to be rescheduled "as a result of the security situation in Jakarta which requires his personal attention".

"I said we were sorry we would not be able to welcome him to Australia tomorrow but entirely understood the need for him to remain in Indonesia at this time," said Turnbull.

"While disappointing, we agreed the postponement will not affect the need for continued and enhanced cooperation across a range of shared interests and challenges, including the threat of terrorism to our region."

In September, the Jakarta governor, Basuki Tjahja Purnama, was accused by Muslim groups of insulting the religion after he said political opponents had used a verse of the Qur'an to deceive voters and tell them they should not choose non-Muslims as leaders. Critics interpreted his comments as a criticism of the Qur'an, and he apologised.

Purnama, the first ethnic Chinese to lead the Indonesian capital, is up for re-election in February.

Jokowi called for calm as the protests – which swelled to an estimated 150,000 people following Friday prayers – escalated later in the night, and hit out at unnamed politicians for stoking the situation.

"We deplore the incident after the Isha prayers, when should have already disbanded but became violent. And, we see this was steered by political actors who were exploiting the situation," he said.

One protester has died, reportedly of an asthma attack, and 12 were injured in early skirmishes but reports later emerged of dozens of protesters and security personnel being treated for injuries.

Police fired teargas and a watercannon at the crowds gathered around the presidential palace. More than 18,000 personnel and military were deployed ahead of the rallies, the national police chief, General Tito, said.

Turnbull said the visit would be rescheduled as soon as "mutually convenient dates" were found. Negotiations on the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement would continue, he said.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/05/indonesian-president-joko-widodo-cancels-australia-visit-amid-protests-in-jakarta

Trust between Indonesia and Australia has been restored, says Jokowi

Sydney Morning Herald - November 5, 2016

Peter Hartcher, Jewel Topsfield – Trust between the leaders of Australia and Indonesia has been restored after years of wrenching crises, the Indonesian president has declared as he prepares to arrive for his first state visit.

President Joko Widodo, universally known by the nickname Jokowi, said he had been able to solve several problems simply by phoning Malcolm Turnbull. Yet he also suggested some sensitivities remain.

After the 2013 scandal of Australia tapping the mobile of his predecessor, President Jokowi revealed he does not use a mobile at all.

"I don't have a phone," he said in response to the question of whether he'd asked the Australian government for assurances that it was not spying on his mobile phone.

Indonesia recalled its ambassador and suspended security co-operation with Canberra when US whistleblower Edward Snowden exposed the Australian Signals Directorate for eavesdropping on the mobile phones of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife.

President Jokowi, laughing, told Fairfax Media in an interview in the presidential palace "I have an iPad," as he gestured to the device in front of him, "but I do not have a handphone", Indonesian vernacular for a mobile phone.

This makes him a rare individual in a country with 99.7 mobile phone connections per 100 people, according to official 2013 Indonesian data.

"That's truly remarkable," said ANU professor of international security Michael Wesley. "I don't know how a modern leader can survive without a mobile phone."

US President Barack Obama has complained that his phone has been stripped of almost all its functions as a counterespionage measure. It's as useful as a child's play phone, he has said.

President Jokowi emphasised trust as the top priority in the relationship as the basis for problem-solving: "I think the most important is building trust, mutual respect, mutual understanding."

The president arrives in Australia on Sunday for a three-day visit – only the seventh by a president of Indonesia in its 70-year history.

He made two key commitments in the interview, both of high value to the Australian government. He said he hoped to have a free trade agreement with Australia concluded within a year. And he asserted a firm commitment in standing up to Chinese claims to the waters around Indonesia's Natuna Islands, part of China's ambitious claim to the South China Sea.

"I think there's a new honeymoon now in relations with Australia," says a former top Indonesia intelligence analyst for the federal government, Ken Ward. Further, President Jokowi called for more Australian investment in his country.

The president, who will meet Australian investors during his visit, has pledged an ambitious infrastructure rollout, including ports, roads and railways.

With Indonesia's economy growing around 5 per cent a year against a government goal of 7 by 2019, the president said: "Trade and investment are important for Indonesia's development. We need to grow more than 5 per cent. I think this is a big opportunity to invest in Indonesia now."

He noted his government's deregulation program to ease access for foreign investors: "Not only in mining, not only cattle or beef, but infrastructure is very important, power plants also."

Australian investment in Indonesia has historically been low, despite its proximity and Indonesia's population of 250 million and burgeoning middle class.

Labor's Chris Bowen has called it "scandalously" underdone. Entrenched obstacles have included regulatory uncertainty, policies such as a ban on the export of raw minerals, land acquisition difficulties, bureaucracy, lack of transparency and an unreliable legal system.

At the end of last year Australian direct investment in Indonesia stood at just $5.5 billion, compared with $60.5 billion in New Zealand, with a population of 4.7 million.

A group of Australian firms would like Indonesia to declare an Australian-led special economic zone as part of a proposal to build a port and other facilities worth billions of dollars near Jakarta's international airport.President Jokowi said he had asked his ministers to fast-track the proposed free trade deal, known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with Australia and wants to have a deal done by the end of next year at the latest.

His trade minister is to meet Australia's during the presidential visit. The two leaders and groups of ministers are scheduled to hold talks on Sunday morning in Sydney, followed by a harbour cruise and a street walk.

President Jokowi will travel to Canberra on Monday and address a joint sitting of the parliament. But the President's commitment to trade liberalisation clashes with his policy of maximum food self-sufficiency.

He reportedly urged Indonesians to work harder to overcome the country's need for food imports during a visit to Boyolali in Central Java last weekend. "We have to solve this problem. We are sure in the future Indonesia will reach self-sufficiency in food," he said, according to the Jakarta Post.

This suggests Indonesia will demand that many agricultural products are exempted from a trade deal, according to Dr Jeffrey Wilson, from the Asia Research Centre at Murdoch University.

"One way of interpreting Jokowi's statements is that Indonesia is pushing for a free trade deal which will carve out sensitive agricultural sectors," he said. "From a trade point of view, if Indonesia takes some agricultural products off the table it significantly reduces the economic benefits for Australia."

Exemptions were common with trade deals, including those with China and Japan: "Sugar has been carved out of all Australia's free trade deals".

Dr Wilson said Trade Minister Steve Ciobo has talked about the deal using language focused on education, services and infrastructure.

"You could see this as managing expectations," he said. "Neither side has emphasised agriculture in their statements, potentially because there are significant headwinds to a strong agricultural component in the deal."

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/trust-between-indonesia-and-australia-has-been-restored-says-jokowi-20161104-gsht4s.html

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/action/printArticle?id=1015318972

Ministries keep mum on 'joint patrol' proposal

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Tama Salim, Jakarta – An awkward silence swept over the foreign and defense ministries on Tuesday following reports that Indonesia had proposed joint patrols with Australia in the highly disputed South China Sea (SCS).

The Foreign Ministry has remained tight-lipped since Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu proposed to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop the possibility of greater cooperation, during bilateral talks in Bali over the weekend.

Several Foreign Ministry officials declined to comment, referring queries on the matter to the Defense Ministry's Directorate General for Strategic Defense.

"I am currently looking into it together with the minister," director general for strategic defense Maj. Gen. Yoedhi Swastanto said. He was unavailable for comment when The Jakarta Post pressed further on the issue.

Last week, Ryamizard said Indonesia suggested bringing "peace patrols" to the SCS that would focus on countries safeguarding natural resources in their respective territories.

"There is no intention whatsoever of damaging the existing ties [in the disputed area]," he said. He added that the possibility of joint patrols and exercises "in the east" had been discussed with Australia.

He also made other vague remarks on the topic of security in the SCS, without elaborating further, including about meeting officials from other countries in the region, such as Cambodia, to propose similar engagements.

Ryamizard, accompanied by the Foreign Ministry's director general for Asia-Pacific and Africa, Desra Percaya, met his Australian counterpart, Marise Payne, and Bishop during a working dinner in Bali late on Thursday, as part of continued consultations under the banner of the Indonesia-Australia 2+2 Dialogue.

As a result of the meeting, both sides "welcomed ongoing bilateral cooperation on maritime security, including the conduct of bilateral coordinated maritime patrols in 2016".

"They also exchanged views on recent developments, security challenges and ways to foster stability in the South China Sea and Sulu Sea," the joint statement read, the latter referring to a stretch of water shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines east of the SCS.

Separately, the Australian side stepped cautiously around the issue by saying it would consider Indonesia's offer, with Bishop noting it was "consistent with our policies of exercising our right of freedom of navigation".

"That's in accordance with international law and our support for peace and stability in the region," Bishop told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio on Tuesday.

She added that Australia and Indonesia would notify other countries in the region of any planned exercises. "This is a regular part of what our navy does. This is part of our engagement in the region and this is in accordance with Australia's right of freedom of navigation including in the South China Sea," she said.

Amid the confusion surrounding the defense minister's remarks, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) researcher Evan Laksmana said there was no need to "get ahead of ourselves" before more details on the cooperative arrangements emerged.

The international security expert said the exact location and nature of the proposed cooperation remained unclear, but that it could spell trouble if Indonesia and Australia went ahead with common activities in the SCS.

"That would pose possible problems for us; not just because of possible Chinese responses, which [Indonesia's] President cares about, but also because several parts of our waters in the area are part of ongoing maritime delimitation negotiations, including with Malaysia," Evan said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/ministries-keep-mum-joint-patrol-proposal.html

Jokowi urged to discuss Timor Sea pollution with Australian prime minister

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Djemi Amnifu, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is expected to raise a discussion on pollution in the Timor Sea during his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra, in November, this year.

"The agenda item is very important to support the [current] class-action lawsuit filed by more than 13,000 East Nusa Tenggara seaweed farmers at the Australian Federal Court," the province's National Research Council chairman Gregorius Neonbasu told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Gregorius, who is also a lecturer at Widya Mandira in Kupang, said the meeting was high time to discuss the topic amid the lawsuit against PTTEP Australasia.

He said the pollution, which was caused by an oil spill at the Montara oil rig on Aug. 21, 2009, had affected 90 percent of Indonesian waters in Timor Sea and destroyed seaweed cultivation in the area.

Similarly, Muchtasor of the Surabaya-based 10 November Institute of Technology also suggested that Jokowi discuss the topic with Turnbull, saying that the pollution was a crime against farmers.

"Besides the seaweed farmers, local fishermen also suffered significant income decreases," Muchtasor, who has conducted research on the social and economic impact of pollution in the Timor Sea, said. (jun)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/jokowi-urged-to-discuss-timor-sea-pollution-with-australian-prime-minister.html

Tourism & hospitality

Big plans in store for Indonesia tourist destinations

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Farida Susanty, Jakarta – As tourism slowly takes its place as a new engine of economic growth, the government is making aggressive plans to improve and promote new tourist destinations.

Morotai in Maluku, Labuan Bajo in West Nusa Tenggara and Tanjung Lesung in Banten are three names that may sound unfamiliar to the domestic and international community, but they are among the so-called 10 emerging tourist destinations that the government expects can be as famous as Bali.

The other seven destinations are Tanjung Kelayang in Belitung, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java, the Thousand Islands in Jakarta, Borobudur in Central Java and Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara.

However, raising them to Bali's level will take a lot of work, a fact acknowledged by the government, especially as it hopes to attract 20 million foreign tourists by 2019.

In its latest Indonesia Economic Quarterly report, the World Bank states that implementation of this plan will require efforts on multiple fronts and infrastructure will play a crucial role.

Indonesia currently ranks in the bottom half of countries on several infrastructure-related tourism competitiveness indicators, such as ground and port infrastructure, tourist service infrastructure, health and hygiene, information and communications technology (ICT) readiness and environmental sustainability.

The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, one of the government's most strategic posts for infrastructure development, has stated that it will focus on infrastructure development for three destinations in the next two years, namely Lake Toba, Mandalika and Borobudur.

An integrated master plan for the development is also being formulated by the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry and Tourism Ministry.

"I hope with the integrated master plan, there will be cooperation between ministries and regional governments for the development of the three destinations," Rido Matari Ichwan, the ministry's regional infrastructure development agency (BPIW) head, said recently.

The government has allocated Rp 1.6 trillion (US$122.74 million) in the state budget in 2016 and 2017 for various infrastructure projects in the three destinations, including road access, water system, drinking water, waste management and housing, among others.

Data from the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry reveals that the development plan for Lake Toba includes the construction of toll roads connecting Medan-Kualanamu-Tebing Tinggi and Tebing Tinggi-Siantar-Parapat, access road to the Sibisa airport in Parapat and 14.3 kilometers of piping in Simalungun, among others.

Development for Borobudur includes initiatives such as self-built housing development in Magelang, a toll road connecting Yogyakarta and Bawen, a regional drinking water system, and reconstruction and expansion of several roads.

Meanwhile, Mandalika will see several works carried out, such as the Sulin bridge improvement, road expansion and maintenance, and irrigation network construction in central Lombok.

Rido added that the ministry would also cooperate with the Transportation Ministry on the development of the airports in the new tourist destinations.

In addition to state budget funds, the government is also seeking other funding sources. It is looking to obtain a US$200 million to $500 million loan from the World Bank to fund the infrastructure development in the three destinations. Discussions are taking place and the loan is expected to be ready for disbursement by July next year.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya previously stated that the government would also launch a limited participation mutual fund (RDPT) by next year, through which it sought to garner Rp 10 trillion to develop all 10 destinations.

"We will use the funds to build amenities. They will be channelled first to the four special economic zones [and tourism destinations], such as Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Lesung, Mandalika and Morotai," he said.

The World Bank says the government will also need to attract private investment to finance its goals.

Early indicators are promising, with total foreign and domestic direct investment in hotels and restaurants reaching nearly $1 billion in 2015, an increase of 45.5 percent compared to 2014, while the number of investment licenses approved in the hotel and restaurant sectors surged more than five times to 266 licenses in 2015 from 2014.

Licensing simplification is one important aspect that will help spur more investment, according to the World Bank. "As a first step, it will be essential to establish an inventory of the number and type of business licenses needed [at the national and subnational level] to establish a tourism-related business," he added.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/big-plans-in-store-for-indonesia-tourist-destinations-.html

Mining & energy

Setback in 35,000 MW project irks Jokowi

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Fedina S. Sundaryani, Jakarta – The government's ambitious 35,000 megawatt (MW) power plant construction program has suffered another setback, this time regarding the sluggish issuance of business feasibility guarantees by the Finance Ministry.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo expressed his annoyance over the setback during a limited Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, emphasizing that all parties needed to draw on all necessary resources so that the project meets the 2019 deadline.

"I need to know what the exact obstacles are and I need them to be evaluated one by one so that we can understand the issues and resolve them in the field," he said.

President director of state electricity company PT PLN Sofyan Basir has blamed the problem on the Finance Ministry.

Sofyan said several projects developed by independent power producers (IPPs) required a business feasibility guarantee in order for them to obtain funding from overseas banks, particularly those involving Japanese companies.

The Finance Ministry is responsible for issuing the guarantee, which provides assurance that PLN has the financial capacity to purchase the power produced by IPPs.

Despite the setback, Sofyan said that he remained upbeat that the program could still be completed by the deadline. "A majority of programs developed by Chinese companies are already up and running because they don't need the guarantee," he said.

The construction of power plants with a total generating capacity of 25,000 MW was offered to the private sector, technically called IPPs, while the remaining 10,000 MW went to PLN, which almost holds a monopoly over the country's power business.

Sofyan claims that only 5,000 MW worth of IPP projects have reached financial closure, meaning that they are ready for construction. The financial closure of another 6,300 MW has been postponed until the business feasibility guarantees are issued with the expectation that the problem can be settled by the end of the year.

As of September, PLN data shows that only 232 MW of the total 35,000 MW is already in commercial operation.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said in August that only between 23,000 MW and 25,000 MW of the project would be reached by 2019. However, several officials have said it could be far lower than that.

Poor business processes and governance issues in PLN, assigned to spearhead the construction and partner with the private sector, have also been blamed for exacerbating the already-protracted problems afflicting those in the private sector wanting to participate in power plant construction.

The 35,000 MW project is basically a continuation of the 10,000 MW policy launched by then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his first presidential term in 2005, to keep reserve margins – the difference between capacity and peak demand – within the International Energy Agency's recommended level of 20 to 35 percent.

As the nation is at risk of a power crisis should the level decline to below 20 percent, Jokowi has taken the initiative to boost power capacity to accommodate higher economic growth.

Of the 35,000 MW, only 18,000 MW are actually new projects offered to private investors, according to PLN data, while the remaining 7,000 MW are a carryover from Yudhoyono's term, and 10,000 MW are PLN's share.

Aside from the 35,000 MW program, Jokowi has also instructed PLN to seriously develop power plants fueled by renewable energy. "We should give priorities to geothermal, waste, hydro and micro hydro plants because we have the potential to do so," said Jokowi.

PLN has repeatedly expressed its reluctance to develop renewable energy, citing expensive investment and the lack of subsidies provided by the government.

The government has initiated the development of waste-to-energy plants in seven cities across the nation, with the West Java capital of Bandung set to lead by example.

Bandung mayor Ridwan Kamil said that the most pressing concern was the unattractive price of electricity purchased by PLN from these plants. "Investors said the price should be at least 17 US cents per kilowatt hour [kWh] for the plant to be feasible," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/setback-in-35000-mw-project-irks-jokowi.html

Economy & investment

Ministries reach out to private sector amid tight budgets

Jakarta Post - November 7, 2016

Farida Susanty, Jakarta – With reduced budgets in 2017, the Transportation Ministry and Public Works and Public Housing Ministry have once again reiterated their wish to partner with the private sector, with offers of long-term contracts as a solution.

The ministries are among several institutions tasked with carrying out the government's ambitious infrastructure projects, which are expected to cost Rp 344.6 trillion (US$26.3 billion) next year alone. The objectives include improved air, sea and land connectivity.

The Transportation Ministry will only receive funding of Rp 45.9 trillion in the 2017 state budget, down from the previous expectation of Rp 48.7 trillion, as the state budget remains tight. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi stated that it would offer long-term contracts to private firms to attract their participation in its programs.

"We will offer long-term contracts to private companies and ask them to buy the buses or ships," he said recently, adding that state enterprises such as shipping firm Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) might be interested in the offer.

The contracts will reassure the companies that their purchases will not be in vain and provide an assurance for the Transportation Ministry that the buses and ships will be used optimally.

"In the current practice, we sometimes assign ships to third parties, but it turns out they don't even operate them. Anyway, because we've run out of cash, we have to take this kind of measure," he said.

The Transportation Ministry still has several multiyear procurement projects that will continue as planned, including 15 navigation vessels and 50 pioneering ships.

However, Budi claimed that the long-term contracts and the provision of operational subsidies for the companies would still be a more affordable option for the ministry, as opposed to purchasing all means of transportation by itself.

The budget cuts come amid the government's efforts to cope with limited revenue. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo stated earlier that he wanted next year's budget to be "realistic" and "more credible", making it a reliable fiscal instrument to support poverty eradication, a reduction in inequality and the creation of more jobs.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani has insisted she does not intend to repeat this year's budgetary mistakes, which forced the government to carry out two rounds of budget cuts in anticipation of a massive tax revenue shortfall of Rp 219 trillion.

The Transportation Ministry's own budget cut this year has affected some strategic railway projects, including the Madiun-Kedungbanteng double-track project in East Java, which is a part of the trans-Java railway project.

Meanwhile, Public Works and Public Housing Ministry secretary-general Anita Firmanti said that it had attracted the private sector for several projects, but was looking for more.

"We have some toll road and dam projects, in which we see the private sector participating," she said, citing the Karian dam in Banten as an example. The ministry will only receive Rp 101.5 trillion in next year's budget, lower than the previous estimate of Rp 105.56 trillion.

The ministry will participate in the upcoming Infrastructure Week, which will take place from Nov. 8 to 11 to lure private firms to invest in government projects.

The projects offered include the $450 billion infrastructure projects to be built by 2019, as contained in the National Mid-Term Development Planning Program (RPJMN).

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/07/ministries-reach-out-to-private-sector-amid-tight-budgets.html

Government campaigns for pharma after liberalization

Jakarta Post - November 4, 2016

Dylan Amirio, Jakarta – The government is intensifying efforts to support the country's long-stagnant pharmaceutical industry after opening up the sector to foreign investment in its latest revision to the negative investment list (DNI).

The efforts were evident at a dialog on "Expediting the Development of Indonesia's Pharmaceutical Industry" organized by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) on Thursday that gathered together players in the pharmaceutical industry and its related sectors.

"Most of the existing companies make medicines, whereas the raw material businesses is small. Roughly 90 percent of raw material for the pharmaceutical industry is imported from India or China. We have to change this," BKPM investment monitoring and implementation deputy chairman Azhar Lubis said during the event.

In a bid to encourage the raw material industry, the government has revised the DNI, which lists the sectors restricted to foreign investment. Following the revision, the government now allows 100 percent foreign ownership in pharmaceutical companies, from 85 percent previously.

Following the issuance of the regulation, no fresh interests on raw material sector have been expressed by foreign investors, Azhar said. However, there have been 18 new licenses for investments in the pharmaceutical industry issued by BKPM from January to September worth Rp 2.1 trillion.

Apart from campaigning for investment in pharmaceutical factories, the BKPM will also push research and development (R&D) in the sector to encourage new innovations in new medicines that are locally made, Azhar added, citing R&D centers in Singapore and Europe.

However, industry players said the problem with investment in the pharmaceutical sector lay in the fact that there was a relatively small number of hospitals and doctors for whom the medicines would be distributed.

"Boosting the industry does not only mean pushing for medicine production and factories. What's also needed is hospitals, doctors and clinics as the infrastructure to feed the pharmaceutical industry," said International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (IPMG) executive director Parulian Simanjuntak.

Investments in the pharmaceutical sector have stagnated in recent years, reaching just Rp 8.9 trillion from January 2011 to September 2016, BKPM data shows. Also, there are only 214 pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia, most of which make medicines. Just a few of them manufacture raw material for pharmaceuticals.

"If production [of raw material] were to start in Indonesia, it would take around three years to really get going and it would definitely cost more than importing from other countries," said Arustiyono, the director of supervision and therapeutic product distribution at the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).

"The research and development phase for the chemical reactions would itself take a year," he added.

The pharmaceutical industry is 70 percent dominated by local players, including privately-owned Kalbe Farma and state-owned Kimia Farma, among others.

"The stimulus package for raw material factory investments will bring about a positive impact for the pharmaceutical industry because the source for materials will shift to local sources. This will inoculate the industry from the rupiah's fluctuations," Kalbe Farma corporate secretary Vidjongtius said. "In this way, medicine production costs can be more controlled. This, however, is a medium to long-term project."

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/04/govt-campaigns-pharma-after-liberalization.html

Businesses condemn extreme fines proposal in law revision

Jakarta Post - November 3, 2016

News Desl, Jakarta – Business players have strongly criticized a government-sanctioned business competition watchdog's plan to increase fines for companies proven guilty of cartel practices in the proposed revision of the 1999 Monopoly Law.

The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has endorsed the revision of penalties for such violations from the current level of a maximum Rp 25 billion (US$1.9 million), to 30 percent of a company's total sales.

Sutrisno Iwantono, an Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) executive in charge of public policy, said the proposal could hamper business growth as the penalties could easily send businesses into bankruptcy.

"Thus, it will be fairer to calculate fines based on illegal profits obtained from cartel practices. Then, it could be multiplied by one, two or three times in accordance to the severity of the offences committed," Sutrisno said Wednesday in a discussion.

KPPU head Syarkawi Rauf argued that the new policy would create a stronger deterrent effect.

"The prevailing law is not fair because the KPPU could set fines to as low as Rp 1 billion and the highest at Rp 25 billion. Thus, small size businesses are forced to bear huge fines whereas big businesses can't be fined more," he said.

Lawmaker Azam Azman Natawijana, deputy chairman of House of Representatives' Commission VI overseeing trade, industry and investment, meanwhile, said the House's Legislation Body (Baleg) had received the draft revision. Lawmakers, he said, would discuss it early next year with the government to decide whether they would proceed with the revision. (win/hwa)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/03/businesses-condemn-extreme-fines-proposal-in-law-revision.html

Improvements sought to calm, lure foreign investors

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Fadli, Batam – The recent departure of lithium battery maker PT Sanyo Energy Batam (SEB) from Batam, Riau Islands, should become a wake-up call for the government to intensify efforts to improve the investment climate in the industrial region, businesses and workers suggested. Batamindo Industrial Park general manager Mook Sooi Wah said SEB's decision to close down its business, which it claims was triggered by the rising labor cost, indicated that Indonesia should make some improvements to compete with other investment destinations.

"It is getting expensive [to do business in Indonesia] compared to other locations. That's not only because of the labor cost but also other factors, like low productivity of workers, cost of port," Mook told The Jakarta Post.

SEB announced on Tuesday the closure of its production facility in Batam, citing high labor expenditures that led to soaring production costs. The firm, a local unit of Japanese electronics giant Sanyo, opened its production facility in Batam in 1992 and has until now invested US$2 million to support its operations.

Indonesian Metal Workers Federation's (FSPMI) Batam chapter head Suprapto, however, disagreed that the labor cost had become the only factor for SEB to make the decision. "Investors are leaving Batam mainly because of complicated bureaucracy in the region," he said.

The minimum wage in Batam currently stands at Rp 2.9 million (US$222.4), slightly lower than that in the capital city of Jakarta, where it is Rp 3.1 million. The Batam regional administration has recently decided to increase the minimum wage by 8 percent in 2017. (hwa)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/improvements-sought-to-calm-lure-foreign-investors.html

Latest results show Indonesian recovery still patchy

Jakarta Post - November 2, 2016

Prima Wirayani, Jakarta – The earnings of Indonesian companies as of September has revealed a patchy recovery in local firms as they continue along a bumpy road with persistently weak demand. However, efficiency and currency gains are compensating for financial pressures.

The mixed results of the January to September financial performance of publicly listed firms is reflected in the performance of the benchmark Jakarta Composite Index (JCI), which has hovered around the 5,400 level for the past two weeks during corporate earnings announcement season.

"The 50:50 result, by which half of the listed companies announced higher-than-expected earnings while the other half were bad, brought the index nowhere," Recapital Securities analyst Kiswoyo Adi Joe said on Tuesday.

Indonesia's economy is expected to recover this year and reach a 5 percent growth rate from a six-year low level of 4.79 percent last year.

But sluggish global demand and a slump in commodity prices are hampering sectors such as trade, mining and agribusiness, while consumer goods, infrastructure and financial companies are showing resilience, according to the JanuarySeptember financial reports submitted to the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX).

Diversified conglomerate Astra International, whose mining related business is being hit by low prices this year, saw net profits contract by 6 percent to Rp 11.28 trillion (US$865.3 million). Revenues were 4 percent lower in the January-September period year-on-year (yoy).

"Astra's performance is a reflection of our domestic economy. If it's good, we can hope the economy will move faster," Kiswoyo said. The second largest listed Indonesian company by market value has seven business lines from automotives and palm oil to finance and heavy equipment.

Cigarette maker HM Sampoerna, Indonesia's largest company by market value, saw net profits surge 20 percent to Rp 9.1 trillion on the back of huge financial revenues and a 7.3 percent rise in sales to Rp 70.3 trillion in the January to September period yoy.

Another consumer goods giant Unilever saw its net sales and net profits grow by 9.5 percent and 14.3 percent yoy, respectively. The company's efforts to lower operating costs included lowering advertising and promotions spending in the third quarter of this year from the previous quarter.

Instant noodle maker Indofood CBP saw its sales increase by 10 percent while its net profit jumped by 19.1 percent.

Overall, consumer goods stocks on the IDX rose by 0.57 percent during the earnings announcement season in October as the benchmark stock index flat-lined. In the telecommunications sector, a stronger rupiah has helped XL Axiata reverse its losses although its revenues dropped by around 5 percent.

Financial revenues from interest on time deposits and plunging costs have also helped state-owned miner Aneka Tambang (Antam) prop up its earnings. The state-run miner reversed its losses amid sales that contracted by more than 28 percent and costs that dropped by almost 30 percent.

In the financial sector, banks booked varying results. State-owned lenders mostly recorded positive performances across the board, but private companies recorded gloomier results as their credit growth was still floating around or even below the industry average.

Going forward, banking remains the overweight sector for First Asia Capital analyst David Sutyanto. "Banking will perform well because they'll get fresh funds from the tax amnesty," David said. "Second, the mining sector will get a windfall from rising commodity prices."

The government's ongoing tax amnesty runs from July this year to next March and has seen nearly Rp 3.9 quadrillion in assets declared, of which Rp 143 trillion have been repatriated from overseas.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/02/latest-results-show-indonesian-recovery-still-patchy-.html

South Korean investors lambast business obstacles in field

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Jakarta – South Korean investors have begun complaining of irregularities they face in running their operations in Indonesia, amid the government's efforts to improve the business climate.

Despite applauding Indonesia's attempts to ease the business atmosphere by issuing economic policy packages, the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Indonesia's (Kocham) president Lee Kang Hyun said many obstacles had caused them trouble in the field.

He cited that immigration officials, for example, often carried out extortion and excessive raids against foreigners, including Korean investors, even at midnight.

"We are here to help the Indonesian economy grow, but we feel like we are treated like criminals," he said at a South Korean investors' forum held by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

Lee said there should be a dedicated hotline to report any wrongdoings committed by officials to provide investors with the assurance of convenience. The BKPM previously established a dedicated desk to serve Korean investors. "If the situation continues, [...] Indonesia's image might be at stake," he said.

Kocham immigration and labor committee chairman Kim Min-gyu presented another problem, saying that in order to change the status of a Temporary Stay Permit (KITAS) to a five-year Stay Permit (KITAP), Korean investors needed to pay additional fees to officers at the immigration office, even though they had fulfilled all administrative requirements.

"They will approve our request only after we pay some amount of money. For each individual, the cost to obtain recommendation is up to Rp 15 million [US$1,149]," she said, adding that if they refused to pay, the applications would not be processed.

The complaints come on the back of the government's latest efforts to improve the business climate, including by eradicating illegal levies.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said on Oct. 12 that the legal system should be overhauled from top to bottom, adding that immediate and substantial legal reforms were key to improving public services.

A global corruption perception index in 2015 ranked Indonesia in 88th place among the countries surveyed. Denmark, Finland and Sweden were acknowledged as the three least corrupt countries. On the rule of law index, Indonesia ranked 52nd.

The government has issued 13 economic policy packages since September 2015, which includes the acceleration of permit issuance to only three hours. Investors wishing to use the facility are required to invest at least Rp 100 billion or employ 1,000 domestic workers.

Meanwhile, data from the BKPM showed that South Korean investors were the eighth largest in terms of realized investments in the January to September period. Most of the investments, worth $743.81 million, were in manufacturing projects, such as shoes and textile.

Kim Chang-nyun, the Korean Embassy's ministerial counselor, said the Indonesian government should focus on intensifying partnerships with established investors instead of grabbing new ones.

Hendratmoko, an official at the Immigration Directorate General's resident permits division, said his office had made regulations easier, including by creating an online application system. He, however, acknowledged the tight supervision of foreigners.

"Many foreigners come to Indonesia with a visitor's visa, particularly after the implementation of the free-visa policy. However, they start to conduct other activities, such as working. This is forbidden because they have to earn a permit from the Manpower Ministry," he said. (fac)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/south-korean-investors-lambast-business-obstacles-in-field-.html

Focus

The $100bn gold mine and the West Papuans who say they are counting the cost

The Guardian (Australia) - November 2, 2016

Grasberg mine in the Indonesian province has been a source of untold wealth for its owners, but local communities say it has brought poverty and oppression

Susan Schulman, Timika – In 1936, Dutch geologist Jean Jacques Dozy climbed the world's highest island peak: the forbidding Mount Carstensz, a snow-covered silver crag on what was then known as Dutch New Guinea. During the 4,800-metre ascent, Dozy noticed an unusual rock outcrop veined with green streaks. Samples he brought back confirmed exceptionally rich gold and copper deposits.

Today, these remote, sharp-edged mountains are part of West Papua, Indonesia's largest province, and home to the Grasberg mine, one of the biggest gold mines – and third largest copper mine – in the world. Majority-owned by the American mining firm Freeport McMoRan, Grasberg is now Indonesia's biggest taxpayer, with reserves worth an estimated $100bn (£80bn).

But a recent fact-finding mission (by the Brisbane Archdiocese's Catholic Justice and Peace Commission) described a "slow-motion genocide" taking place in West Papua, warning that its indigenous population is at risk of becoming "an anthropological museum exhibit of a bygone culture".

Since the Suharto dictatorship annexed the region in a 1969 UN referendum largely seen as a fixed land grab, an estimated 500,000 West Papuans have been killed in their fight for self-rule. Decades of military and police oppression, kidnapping and torture have created a long-standing culture of fear. Local and foreign journalists are routinely banned, detained, beaten and forced to face trialon trumped-up charges. Undercover police regularly trail indigenous religious, social and political leaders. And children still in primary school have been jailedfor taking part in demonstrations calling for independence from Indonesia.

"There is no justice in this country," whispered one indigenous villager on condition of anonymity, looking over his shoulder fearfully. "It is an island without law."

Dozy had not set out to find gold in 1936; his goal was to scale the region's highest glacial peak. But his discovery sparked the interest of Freeport Sulphur – later to become Freeport Minerals Company and then, through a 1981 merger with the McMoRan Oil and Gas Company, Freeport McMoRan – whose board of directors included the well-connected Godfrey Rockefeller (serving from 1931 until the early 1980s) and Henry Kissinger (1988-1995).

Today, indigenous tribes such as the Kamoro and the Amungme claim their communities have been racked with poverty, disease, oppression and environmental degradation since the mine began operations in 1973.

"We are a coastal people, and we depend on the environment," says the Kamoro's chief, Hironimus Urmani, in Tipuka, a lowland village down-river from the Grasberg mine. "Nature is a blessing from God, and we are known by the three Ss: sago [trees], sampan [canoes] and sungai[rivers]. But life is very difficult now."

Urmani motions to the river opposite, languishing green and motionless. He claims that tailing sediment from the mine has raised the riverbed, suffocating the fish, oysters and shrimp on which the Kamoro diet and economy are traditionally based. A 2012 report from Earthworks and MiningWatch Canada asserts that mine waste from Grasberg has "buried over 166 square kilometres of formerly productive forest and wetlands, and fish have largely disappeared".

Although most Kamoro still try to eke out a living fishing and foraging for food, they struggle to find paid work, says Urmani. "We need to earn money. But now we face major competition from non-Papuan migrants."

Locals fear that the government's controversial transmigration programme, which resettles Indonesians from high-density islands such as Java to low-population areas, is wiping out their population completely. Indigenous Melanesian Christians – they comprised 96% of the population in 1971 (pdf) – now make up a 48% minority, with numbers expected to fall to 29% by 2020 if migration rates continue.

Clashes between the indigenous Christians – and migrant Indonesian Muslims – have also resulted in riots, fires and injuries.

"Land has been taken away, directly by Freeport... and indirectly, as the Indonesian settlers have appropriated it," says Dr Agus Sumule, professor of agricultural socio-economics at the province's University of Papua. "The stresses [on indigenous people] are intense," says Sumule. "They have been very negatively impacted."

The Indonesian government signed over to Freeport the right to extract mineral wealth from the Grasberg site in West Papua in 1967. A 2002 report from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) details that land agreements were not negotiated with the Amungme until 1974, a year after the mine opened, and with the Kamoro in 1997. The compensation paid for Kamoro and Amungme land has been mainly in the form of communal benefits, such as the building of homes, schools and places of worship. The IIED report notes, "Perceptions of land rights and historic compensation claims are a continuing source of dissatisfaction and conflict in the mining area."

Recent census data shows Papua's GDP per capita at $3,510, compared to the Indonesian average of $2,452. Yet Papua has the highest poverty rate in the country, nearly three times the national average. It also has the highest infant, child and maternal mortality rates in Indonesia, as well as the worst health indicators, and the poorest literacy rates.

Estimates from Earthworks suggest that Freeport dumps as much as 200,000 tonnes of mine waste, known as tailings, directly into the Aikwa delta system every day. The practice has devastated the environment, according to Earthworks and locals, turning thousands of hectares of verdant forest and mangroves into wasteland and rendering turgid the once-crystal waters of the highlands.

The tailings from the Grasberg mine are so rich with ore that Papuans walk for as long as a week to get here. Crowding the length of the river and the delta wasteland, thousands of unlicensed panners shore up small sections to slow the river's flow and dig into the thick sediment on the side.

Although some of these panners are located within Freeport's official mining operations, they are not evicted or controlled in any way, they said. Instead, they claim they sell their findings to the police and military who work as security on the mine. (An anonymous Freeport source also confirmed this).

"You can only survive with money, and you can only find money from gold," says Martine, who followed her husband to the delta 15 years ago by walking 60 miles over the mountains from their remote highland village.

"I work really hard as I want to give my children better lives, so they can go to school. But it isn't enough, so she helps me here mining," says Martine of her daughter, nine, who swings a gold pan in her hands. "On a good day, I can get three grammes, which I sell either to the police or [to buyers] in Timika."

A tiny village when Freeport arrived here 40 years ago, Timika is now a boom town dotted with bars, brothels, gold-processing shops and various military personnel. Under Indonesian law, Freeport is a designated "strategic industry", which mandates that external security for the mine, its access roads and its pipelines all be provided exclusively by Indonesia's security forces. Freeport has never been implicated in any human rights abuses allegedly committed by the Indonesian military in Papua.

Freeport McMoRan, based in Phoenix, Arizona, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The company's website defends its method of disposal of tailings at Grasberg, managed by PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), an affiliate company: "PTFI's controlled riverine tailings management system, which has been approved by the Indonesian government, uses the unnavigable river system in the mountainous highlands near our mine to transport tailings to an engineered area in the lowlands where the tailings and other sediments are managed in a deposition area."

A 2009 report by the company says it utilises levees to contain tailings in the deposition area, and that the tailings management programme costs Freeport McMoRan $15.5m (£12.7m) each year. According to the report, company monitoring of aquatic life in the rivers found that fish and shrimp were suitable for consumption, as regulated by Indonesian food standards, while water quality samples met Indonesian and US Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards for dissolved metals. In a 2011 BBC report on alleged pollution in the area surrounding Grasberg, the company says that the tailings management method was chosen because studies showed the environmental impact caused by its waste material was reversible.

Elsewhere on its website, the company says: "We are committed to respecting human rights. Our human rights policy requires us (and our contractors) to conduct business in a manner consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to align our human rights due diligence practices with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles)."

The company also emphasises its work with indigenous people in West Papua. A 2015 Freeport McRoRan report on working towards sustainable development said: "PTFI has engaged with indigenous Papuan tribes for decades, including through numerous formal agreements to promote workforce skills training, health, education and basic infrastructure development... In 2015, PTFI continued to evaluate the effectiveness of alternate options for Kamoro community members whose estuary transport routes are impacted by sedimentation associated with the controlled riverine tailings management system. Provision of smaller sized boats, in addition to 50 passenger vessels, for route flexibility as well as additional local economic development programmes were identified as additional mitigation measures during the year."

Back in the area surrounding the Grasberg mine, many Papuans, struggling for work, find themselves pulled into the bar and sex industries that cater to the miners, particularly around the highland village of Banti. Here brothels and bars line up side by side, allegedly with help from the Indonesian military, who are said to supply sex workers and alcohol, according to a Freeport source who wished to remain anonymous.

Indigenous chiefs have watched as a newfound promiscuity has brought sexually transmitted infections that have ravaged their communities. "Traditional Papuan culture forbids free sex, but alcohol makes our communities vulnerable," says the Amungme chief, Martin Mangal. "And brothels make it easy to contract HIV."

HIV rates in West Papua are of "epidemic" proportions, according to the UN, 15 times higher than anywhere else in Indonesia. Driven almost entirely by unsafe sex, HIV is also far more prevalent among indigenous Papuans. Yet the existence of only one hospital – built by Freeport – means that most people, particularly those in remote highland villages, don't get the help they need.

Late last year, the Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, claimed he was willing to work towards a "better Papua": "I want to listen to the people's voices."

However, human rights violations have actually increased since Widodo took power, according to Indonesia's Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras), which has logged 1,200 incidents of harassment, beatings, torture and killings of Papuans by Indonesian security forces since his election in 2014.

The Indonesian government did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The country's military has consistently denied any wrongdoing in Papua.

Despite everything, there have been small glimmers of hope. This summer, Dutch human rights law firm Prakken D'Oliveira submitted a formal legal complaint against Indonesia to the UN Human Rights Council, accusing the government of "long-term, widespread and systematic human rights violations" and the "complete denial of the right to self-determination of the people of West-Papua".

Later this year, West Papua is expected to be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, an important sub-regional coalition of countries including Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

The Brisbane commission, which warned of the risk of genocide, is calling on Indonesia to allow Papua, once and for all, the right to self-determination.

Yet some fear the opportunity for change in Papua is long gone. "Is healing even possible?" asked Professor Agus Sumule, shaking his head. "It could be too late."

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/nov/02/100-bn-dollar-gold-mine-west-papuans-say-they-are-counting-the-cost-indonesia

Analysis & opinion

The criminalisation of separatism

The Spectator - November 5, 2016

Esther Anderson – When Indonesian President Joko Widodo visits Australia this coming week, he may be surprised to find that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are designated official flags of Australia and are frequently flown at official occasions.

I'm guessing this will be surprising to him because in Indonesia, flying the flag of the indigenous people of West Papua (the Morning Star flag), or flying the Moluccan flag, carries a heavy jail sentence with torture or beatings thrown in as an extra deterrent. In April this year, Steven Italy a West Papuan from Timika made a speech at a prayer meeting asking people to pray for West Papua to become a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (a group of Melanesian nations with the major aim of fostering Melanesian culture). The meeting was broken up by Indonesian soldiers and police and Steven Itlay was arrested and charged with treason under Article 106 of the Criminal Code. It was reported that evidence seized at the meeting included a banner reading 'Referendum' and woven bags with the Morning Star flag pattern. He is still in jail, waiting trial. Over the years, hundreds of West Papuans have been jailed for the 'crime' of expressing a wish for independence. Earlier this year thousands of demonstrators were detained for peacefully demonstrating in support of a referendum on self-determination. Recently the Papua Police chief stated that students who called for independence would receive a criminal record on their police clearance letters, which will hamper them in getting jobs in the future, because 'maintaining the unity of Indonesia' was an obligation.

Not long after the referendum on Scottish independence, I had a bizarre conversation with an Indonesian man from Java. There had been recent arrests of West Papuans for raising their flag, and so I asked him why, if the UK government tolerated the nationalist Scottish flag, the St Andrew's cross, the Indonesian government could not allow West Papuans to fly their Morning Star flag. He laughed and said that I was lying – that it must be a crime to fly the separatist Scottish flag in the UK, and the UK government would never allow such a thing. Although I told him that, if I wanted, I could wave the Scottish flag anywhere in the UK in perfect safety, he still insisted this was impossible and that I was trying to deceive him. Eventually I suggested that he phone the UK Embassy and ask if it's a criminal offence to fly the Scottish flag in Britain. I'm not sure that he ever did, but it was a surprise to realise that the concept 'separatism equals criminality' was apparently accepted as the norm by Indonesians outside West Papua.

The criminalisation of expression of political aspirations by the Government of Indonesia is a blatant contravention of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is also counter-productive. I've spoken to a number of Papuans who have been jailed for peacefully expressing their political beliefs about self-determination (including Jacob Rumbiak who was in jail in Indonesia with East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmao), and, not surprisingly, the jail terms had done nothing to change their minds about their wish for independence from Indonesia. If Indonesian politicians wonder why any Papuans would want to separate from Indonesia, they should visit West Papua and look at it with the eyes of a stranger. In Jayapura, for example, they would see that almost all the businesses are owned and staffed by non-Papuans brought in by the on-going transmigration program, while the Papuans sit on the steps outside supermarkets, shopping malls etc., selling newspapers and other small items, or sitting on the ground in the tarpaulin-covered fruit and vegetable market. Outside major towns, Papuans are often forced off their traditional lands, which are mined, logged, or cleared for agriculture (in particular palm oil plantations) with most of the profits flowing out of West Papua.

The massive military presence in West Papua is not conducive to fond thoughts towards Indonesia. When police or soldiers approach, many Papuans look at them with fear and resentment, as the only purpose for such a massive military presence in their land appears to be to intimidate them, as neighbouring Papua New Guinea can't really be seen as a military threat to Indonesia.

Indonesia's claims to West Papua are tenuous, and this is perhaps why it has criminalised expressions of desire for independence. In Mark Worth's documentary Land of the Morning Star, which records West Papua's independence struggle and the brutality by which it was crushed (watch it if you haven't already – it's on YouTube), the arguments justifying Indonesia's actions seem to be 1) West Papua was a former Dutch colony, 2) a song was written saying Indonesia stretches from Sabang (in Aceh) to Merauke (in West Papua) and 3) a sham referendum was held, involving a tiny fraction of the population, voting under extreme duress. Compare this with the situation at Australian federation. When the former British colonies, Victoria, Queensland, NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania formed the Federation of Australia, it was originally planned that the British colonies of Fiji and New Zealand should join them. However they politely declined. If now the Australian Government commissioned a song, 'Australia stretches from Adelaide to Auckland, from Hobart to Labasa' and declared New Zealand and Fiji part of the unitary state of Australia, subject to a referendum where a tiny minority would be whisked away by the Australian army and commanded to vote for integration, there would be a few raised eyebrows around the world.

The criminalisation of peaceful political expression, and the banning of the Morning Star flag has not cemented Indonesia's hold on West Papua, but has merely embittered Papuans and incurred condemnation from organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and neighbouring countries in the Pacific. It's time for Widodo to rethink this policy.

[The post Indonesian notes appeared first on The Spectator.]

Source: http://spectator.com.au/2016/11/indonesian-notes/

The Pacific is divided on West Papua

East Asia Forum - November 5, 2016

Patrick M. Walsh – The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has just been given approval to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) as a full member this December, which advances their position from the observer status granted in 2014. This marks the most significant recognition of West Papua as a political identity since the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority administration in the 1960s.

This decision by the MSG is rich with political meaning and adds further depth to the already intricate mosaic of Pacific island relations: the Free West Papua campaign celebrates a tangible advancement in its age-old bid for self-determination; the MSG wrangles with its own internal politics; and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) emerges from its last annual gathering two members larger (with admission of French Polynesia and New Caledonia) but apparently hamstrung on the West Papua issue.

Although the Free West Papua campaign has gained considerable momentum and popular appeal in recent years, the bid for self-determination has been long, tragic and even to this day deliberately overlooked by the international community. In 1969, the UN acknowledged Melanesian rights to self-determination in Western New Guinea by facilitating an 'Act of Free Choice'.

Many claim that Indonesia interfered with the referendum through intimidation and coercion of voters. Since the so-called 'Act of No Choice', Melanesian sovereignty in West Papua has been reduced to a memory and a fringe resistance movement.

The international community's neglect of indigenous Papuans forms a familiar story – the rights of a sovereign people subverted by Cold War politics, under-the-table mining contracts and a fear of antagonist aggression. West Papua is still held in this decades-old inertia.

While Pacific island nations have undoubtedly been the most vocal in support of their Melanesian brothers and sisters, the Free West Papua campaign has driven a wedge within regional forums.

The Pacific Islands Forum has several times attempted to address the West Papuan issue throughout their annual meetings. But the Forum has been careful to avoid specific mention of the indigenous quest for self-determination and consistently recognises Indonesia as the sovereign power of former Dutch New Guinea. In 2016 the Forum seems to have shelved the issue, given the cursory and almost dismissive mention of West Papua in the official communique.

The actions of seven Pacific island leaders at the 71st UN General Assembly revealed the lack of internal PIF consensus. In the absence of a whole-region forum to lobby on their behalf, leaders from Tuvalu, Palau, Vanuatu, Tonga, Nauru, Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands individually called for immediate global attention to human rights abuses in West Papua. Notably, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands associated human rights abuses against indigenous Papuans with their right for self-determination.

While Pacific activism at the UN is almost becoming an institution, this latest round of politicking is a useful litmus test of the current state of Pacific regionalism.

Critics would argue that PIF inactivity on West Papua is yet another example of the organisation's inability to act collectively on behalf of their constituencies. Although a changing diplomatic dynamic in the Pacific might justify the PIF diverting sensitive issues into sub-regional and individual hands.

Regardless of the interpretation, it is obvious that West Papua has brought to public attention an unresolved issue within the Forum – their collective stance on decolonisation. The West Papua case sits alongside the puzzling granting of full PIF membership to New Caledonia and French Polynesia, both French colonies. This seems inconsistent with the PIF's identity as defender of independence and self-determination in the Pacific.

Perhaps West Papua is appealing to the PIF at a bad time: an age of 'new diplomacy' characterised by internal fractions, a potentially unwieldy number of interest groups, and the rise of sub-regional identities. Or perhaps the PIF has decided to bet on Indonesia as an emerging partner in the region, perpetuating the political inertia that has prevented West Papuan independence since decolonisation.

In contrast with the PIF, the Melanesian Spearhead Group's acceptance of West Papua as a full member cements their role as the new regional champions for self-determination, even if PNG and Fiji did not seem to actively support the decision.

It is unlikely that extra-regional support for the Free West Papua campaign will happen without regional cohesion. The PIF needs to wrangle out of their 18 members a clear message on decolonisation. And the MSG should at least appear united in their acceptance of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua. Ambivalence on the West Papua issue won't help gain the attention and sympathy of a historically reluctant international community.

[Patrick M. Walsh is a researcher at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.]

Source: http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/11/05/the-pacific-is-divided-on-west-papua/

Did the Horse make a monkey out of SBY?

Maverick - November 3, 2016

It might be the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese cosmology but where Indonesians are concerned this might as well be the Year of the Horse.

Hot on the heels of the show of Equestrian Diplomacy by Jokowi and Prabowo on Monday, canters in a new horsey concept "Lebaran Kuda" (Literally, the holy day of Eid for Horses).

The phrase sent Netizens into hysterics and propelled Lebaran Kuda and Pak SBY into Trending Topics on Twitter all Wednesday.

The source of all this mirth came from a press conference held by Democratic party Head and former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at his country home in Cikeas.

He told the media that the Government needed to listen to the aspirations of the people who would be demonstrating on November 4 to demand that Jakarta Governor Basuki Purnama or Ahok, be legally prosecuted for disrespecting Islam.

Yudyohono said that the huge demonstration must have a cause. If this is not accommodated there will be further demonstrations. "Probably this is because the protesters felt that their complaints haven't been heard. If their complaints are not heard we will have demonstrations until the cows come home (Ok, this is tricky, the equivalent English phrase is "till the cows come home" but in Indonesian it is usually expressed in using another animal, the monkey as in Lebaran Monyet or the Eid of Monkeys).

Yudohono's choice of animal, the horse as in Lebaran Kuda, reaped scorn and derision from Netizens. As far as Indonesians are concerned there are two official "eid" holidays Idulfitri and Iduladha. Colloquially Indonesians jokingly use the phrase "Lebaran Monyet" but no one says Lebaran Kuda.

Cynicism and derision that appeared most probably because the netizens felt that Yudhoyono's statement was aimed at helping his eldest son, Harimurti Agus Yudhoyono (AHY) who is one of the candidates contesting the upcoming gubernatorial elections against Ahok.

According to several polls, Argus's popularity is just below Ahok so if Ahok was taken out of the race through being found guilty of blasphemy, Agus's electoral chances will be greatly enhanced.

Yudhoyono supporters and sympathisers, however, wasted no time telling Netizens not to be affected by jokes about Lebaran Kuda. SBY, they said, was only reminding law enforment officers to process the allegations of blaspheny against Ahok. So he should not be bullied.

Others said that it can't be denied that SBY's statement has the potential of raising political tensions since he seemed to support the contention that Ahok is guilty of blasphemy and eligible to be sentenced. As a national figure and the head of a political party SBY would be better off adopting a neutral rather than provocative position regarding Ahok.

Such views were forwarded by people such as LIPI senior political analyst Syamsuddin Haris @sy_haris (4.800 followers): "In a an atmosphere of heightening political tensions political and religious leaders should issue statements to calm people down, not provoke them".

All this raises important questions on the role of ex Presidents in an atmosphere of heightening political tensions surrounding the gubernatorial elections.

Was SBY right to speak up so that then law would be enforced? Was he doing it to increase the electoral chances of his son? Or did he step out of line and added to the problems rather than help solve them?

What do you think?

Source: https://maverick.co.id/horse-make-monkey-sby/

Making enemies out of friends

New Mandala - November 3, 2016

Ian Wilson – In a city where demonstrations are a daily almost banal occurrence, one scheduled for 4 November has left Jakarta on an uncharacteristic edge.

Dominating headlines for several weeks, concerns over the possibilities for violence recently prompted the President, Joko Widodo, to pose for awkward photos on horseback alongside his former presidential rival, Prabowo Subianto – in a measure apparently intended to ease tensions. Meanwhile, senior figures in the military have speculated out loud of a possible 'Arab spring' like uprising, while some analysts have warned of infiltration by ISIS sympathisers.

Organised by the Islamic vigilante organisation the Defenders of Islam Front (FPI) together with a number of other hard-line Islamist groups, it will be the second demonstration in as many months demanding the arrest of Jakarta's governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or Ahok, for allegedly insulting the Qur'an.

The rhetoric surrounding the demonstrations has become increasingly ugly and violent in tone. Accusations of blasphemy have merged with overtly racist hate-speech.

The governor is an ethnic Chinese Christian. Banners inciting ethnicised violence have popped up around the city, invoking painful memories of the anti-Chinese violence of 1998. With elections for the governor scheduled for February 2017, it has sparked alarms campaigning will be marred by sectarianism.

The FPI are by no means newcomers to this kind of politics, having over the past 16 years mastered the art of prizing open various social and economic tensions, and injecting them with a distinctly unpleasant sectarian odour.

Similar vitriol and threats of violence have been directed against followers of the Ahmadiyah sect, Batak Christians, LGBT and Shiite Muslims, while back in 2001 the FPI protested against the presidency of Megawati on the grounds that it was forbidden for a woman to be leader of a Muslim majority nation.

This mix of wedge politics, morality racketeering and street level thuggery together with a perennial 'use value' to political elites has enabled a relative minnow in comparison to large mainstream Islamic organisations such as Nahdatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah to continue to punch far above its weight. The hype surrounding the demonstration, regardless of whatever transpires, will be seen as invaluable marketing in this regard.

What, however, explains the increasing numbers of poor and working class people rallying around the FPI's vitriolic campaign against the governor? Is this, as some analysts have suggested, signs of growing intolerance and religious extremism allowed to fester unchecked by government, presumably due to fear of prompting an Islamic backlash? Or is it as others have argued, just another case of Jakarta's political elites mobilising rent-a-mobs as part of their jockeying for advantage in the lead up to the February elections?

While the above cannot be wholly discarded it's important here to consider some context. Since taking office as governor in 2014, Ahok has presided over one of the most aggressive campaigns of evictions and forced displacements in the modern history of the city.

Reliable statistics on the numbers directly impacted are difficult to come by. However, reports compiled by the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation estimate that upward of 16,000 overwhelmingly poor and working class families have been displaced in the past two years alone. Only 30 per cent have been offered any alternative accommodation, the social and economic impacts of which have been devastating.

This policy has been immensely popular amongst the cities middle-class and seen as part of an uncompromising effort to tackle endemic problems of flooding, traffic congestion and lawlessness.

What many have failed to consider, or simply ignored, is the massive groundswell of anger and resentment generated by this policy regime. It has spread far beyond the tens of thousands directly impacted through extended family, friends, neighbours and social, cultural and work networks. This anger has, unsurprisingly, sought to find avenues of expression and amelioration.

When Ahok's entourage was confronted by hundreds of stone-throwing youths in Penjaringan in the city's north in June, some may have been yelling 'Allahu Akbar', but the sentiment animating them was not religious extremism. It was solidarity with friends and neighbours who had lost their homes. As one teenager involved in the violence explained to me, 'I got involved because half of my class have been left homeless by Ahok. He's not welcome here'.

Many of the same youths attended the October demonstration calling for Ahok's arrest, and will likely also be present on 4 November.

Some neighbourhoods now rallying against the governor under banners provided to them by the FPI and other hardliners were just two years earlier some of his most enthusiastic supporters. All have since been subject to forced evictions.

The seeming ease with which religious hardliners and other reactionary groups have been able to capture and shape the tone of opposition to Ahok amongst segments of Jakarta's poor and working class has been made easier by the relative absence of any coherent alternatives.

Since the rise of Jokowi public intellectuals and middle-class activists have largely abandoned the struggles of the city's poor. Mainstream religious organisations such as Nahdatul Ulama have also remained conspicuously silent, despite their membership heartland in Jakarta's north being especially hard hit by forced evictions.

The last hope of many kampung residents was that the self-proclaimed party of the 'little people', the PDI-P, would back an alternative candidate for the governor. When it instead declared its support for Ahok's re-election, the despair and frustration were tangible.

The apparent impunity of the governor, such as his disregard of the legal status quo in the eviction of Bukit Duri, has only served to magnify the perception that he is a law unto himself. In this space, conspiracy theories of cabals of Chinese developers pulling strings have found fertile ground. Rumours of his alleged insulting of the Qur'an were, for many, the final straw.

With no voice or coherent organisational vehicle for those marginalised by Ahok's policies, the door has been left wide open for hardliners. And they have jumped at the opportunity.

For Ahok strategists the apparent 'radicalising' of opposition to him and alarmism generated around 4 November is by no means a bad thing. It provides proof to middle-class constituents that opposition to him is driven by sectarianism, rather than rational grievances, and confirmation that the poor and working class are illiberal and dangerous.

Public debate over the impact of his evictions regime or the legality of the contentious reclamation project in Jakarta Bay has, for the moment, disappeared entirely. Ahok's election campaign manager Ruhut Sitompul, a former senior figure in New Order gangster organisation Pemuda Pancasila, went so far as to refer to the blasphemy demonstrators as Ahok's 'success team'.

Whatever transpires on 4 November the anger of those marginalised and maligned by the administration's policies against the governor will remain. It would pay to take the time to listen.

[Ian Wilson is a lecturer in politics and security studies, and a Research Fellow at the Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University.]

Source: http://www.newmandala.org/making-enemies-friends/

Why Indonesian extremists are gaining ground

The Interpreter - November 1, 2016

Sidney Jones – If anyone wonders why Indonesia has been ineffective in curbing extremism, the anti-Ahok campaign provides an object lesson. In the name of demanding that the Jakarta governor be prosecuted for blasphemy, it brings together violent extremists, moralist thugs and powerful political interests. And because of the latter, no one dares challenge it.

Indonesia's spineless political leaders have allowed extremists to seize the momentum and foment religious hatred against the governor – who happens to be an ethnic Chinese Christian – for more than a month without challenging the substance or methods of their arguments. Now this hatred is culminating in a march on Jakarta on Friday 4 November that even has jihadists in Syria actively urging violence. Jakarta is on highest alert, and armoured personnel carriers are stationed near the presidential palace.

How could it come to this?

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, otherwise known as Ahok, had been deputy governor but succeeded to the top job when then-governor Jokowi was elected president in 2014. Muslim hardliners had tried to prevent him from taking office on the grounds that a Christian should not govern a Muslim-majority city, but their efforts failed. One protest led by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) in October 2014 turned violent, leading Ahok to become the first senior elected official to request formally that FPI be dissolved.

Now Ahok is running for governor in his own right in an election that will not be held until February 2017. He is backed by Jokowi's party, PDIP, and polls show him ahead of the other candidates. Running second is Anies Baswedan, former Minister of Education, who is backed by the Gerindra party of former general Prabowo Subianto, and the Prosperous Justice Party (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera, PKS), an Islamist party. Even further behind is Agus Yudhoyono, son of the former president, who seems bent on creating a political dynasty.

Conservative Muslim opposition to Ahok was noise in the political background. Then on 4 September a large demonstration was held in central Jakarta, with various hardline Muslim organisations, among them FPI and Hizbut Tahrir, coming together to exhort all Muslims not to allow a kafir, or non-believer, to lead them, citing a Qur'anic verse warning Muslims against allying with Christians and Jews. No politician dared suggest that this constituted spreading religious hatred. On 27 September, Ahok, in a speech to a group of city officials, played directly into the hands of his opponents when he said (author's translation):

Ladies and gentlemen, you don't have to vote for me because you've been lied to, with Surat Almaidah 51 (the Qur'anic verse in question) and the like. That's your right. If you feel you can't vote for me because you fear you'll go to hell, because you've been lied to, no worries. That's your personal right. These programs will go forward. So you don't have to feel uncomfortable. Follow your conscience, you don't have to vote for Ahok.

The comments were unquestionably arrogant and provocative. Videos of the talk appeared on YouTube on 5 October and a firestorm erupted, claiming the Ahok had committed blasphemy by attacking the verse and the religious scholars who quoted it. Again, pluralist politicians, like President Jokowi, were silent. No one said, 'Let's stop this in it tracks'. Neither the President nor Vice-President did anything to try to cool tempers.

On 10 October, Ahok apologised 'to all Muslims and anyone who felt offended', saying it was not his intention to slight Islam or the Qur'an. The next day, the Indonesia Ulama Council held a meeting and determined that Ahok had indeed committed blasphemy and should be prosecuted. In a statement to the media, the MUI said:

Surah al-Maidah explicitly forbids non-Muslims from becoming leaders.
Based on this surah, ulama are obliged to convey to all Muslims that it is obligatory to choose a Muslims leader.
Every Muslim must understand the truth of this surah as a guideline for choosing leaders.
To say that the prohibition against making non-Muslims leaders is a lie constitutes an insult to the Qur'an.

To say that ulama who use Surah al-Maidah as their evidence for forbidding non-Muslims from becoming leaders are liars constitutes blasphemy toward ulama and the Muslim community.

Even if politicians wanted to distance themselves from Ahok, where was a ringing defence of the constitution? If the MUI's arguments were to be accepted by the state, it would be a rejection of the compromise worked out in 1945 between secular nationalists and Muslim leaders that obliged Indonesians to believe in one God but dropped a phrase requiring Muslims to follow Islamic law.

Police moved very cautiously to begin an investigation of the case, as hardline organisations stepped up pressure for Ahok to be prosecuted – or else. On social media and elsewhere the campaign began to take on anti-Chinese overtones as well. Still politicians confined themselves to 'hope' that the election campaign would be peaceful and refused to take on those elements that were doing their best to ensure otherwise.

Nahdlatul Ulama, the Muslim social organisation with millions of members, took the most measured stance, urging its members to calm tensions but also urging the police to 'follow legal procedures according to existing laws so that the public will feel that justice has been done without abandoning the presumption of innocence.'

The parties backing Anies Baswedan are clearly supporting the rally and the push to prosecute, and they are hoping to see support for Ahok drop. Fadli Zon, Gerindra leader and deputy head of the Indonesian parliament who has a long history of supporting Islamist hardliners, met on 28 October with the activist clerics organising the rally. A video shows them warning Fadli and others present that they will be unable to control their supporters unless they get what they want – a formal indictment of Ahok.

If political interests are exploiting the anger against Ahok, military-police rivalry is also part of the backdrop. The police have the lead in providing security for the rally, with thousands of paramilitary police (Brimob) on duty, but with military back-up. Hardline social media is portraying the Indonesia military (TNI) as a friend and the police as an enemy, and someone started a false rumour that police had been given an order to shoot unruly demonstrators on site. If violence does erupt, there is certain to be an element of schadenfreude in military ranks at a time when TNI is seeking to expand its internal security role.

Inevitably, violent extremists also see an opening. On 29 October, photographs appeared on social media of non-Indonesian and fully armed members of Syria's Victory Front (Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, previously known as the al-Nusra Front) holding signs that said 'Sentence Ahok or We Will Sentence Him with Bullets' and in front of a large wooden box, 'Ahok's Coffin'.

ISIS supporters are less interested in Ahok than in the police. Over Telegram and other messaging services, they have been encouraging each other to use the 4 November rally 'to fan the flames of jihad' across the country. They have specifically urged each other to emulate the young ISIS supporter from Tangerang who stabbed several police last week and was then shot and killed. His 'bravery' has been cited in the latest issue of the ISIS bulletin, Al-Naba.

In the meantime, President Jokowi and other senior politicians have studiously avoided any criticism of the hardliners, even though it is clear they are worried. On Monday, President Jokowi made a highly unusual visit to the home of Gerindra head Prabowo, where both announced that they would work to prevent the 4 November rally from being disrupted by elements 'that want to divide the nation'.

But it is precisely those same elements that the government has repeatedly failed to confront. This is why extremism and intolerance are growing in Indonesia: because no one dares draw a line and recognise religiously-inspired incitement for what it is, let alone condemn it or take measures to stop it.

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-indonesian-extremists-are-gaining-ground

ULMWP and the insurgent Papua

Live Encounters - November 2, 2016

Dr Budi Hernawan – Since the United Liberation Movement for West Papua was established in December 2014 in Vanuatu, Papua's international diplomacy has gained a new momentum.

Papua political factions no longer presented themselves in different voices but rather, it has come in a unified voice. The Saralana Declaration reflects a strong commitment of all three major Papuan political organisations, namely West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL), Federal Republic of West Papua (NFPB), West Papua National Parliament (WPNP). It states, "We declare and claim that all West Papuans, both inside and outside West Papua, are united under this new body and that we will continue our struggle for independence".

While many critics and skeptics, who claim to be realists, remain unconvinced of the sustainability and solidity of ULMWP, they argue that this might be just another episode of the Papuan factionalism. One umbrella organisation after another seems to be the pattern.

The critics might overlook the facts that the ULMWP has been effective in representing the Papuan political aspirations at the domestic and international fora just in two years. The ULMWP has secured international recognition from the Melanesian Spearhead Group and has gained more attention from the United Nations and the Pacific Island Forum. Papua has become an effective insurgency.

If we looked back to the Papuan Spring in 2000 when Papua gained much more space to express their political identity, the commitment to 'gain international recognition' was formulated during the 2nd Papuan Congress in Jayapura in June 2000. During the Congress, which was politically and financially supported by the late Indonesian President Abdurahman Wahid, Papuans elected the Papuan Presidium Council as their leaders led by late Theys Eluay, who was assassinated by the Indonesia Special Forces. The Congress gave mandate to the Presidium: [1] "to struggle for world recognition of the sovereignty of the Papuan people and for investigations into and the trial of the perpetrators of crimes against humanity in West Papua; [2] to speedily set up an Independent Team to enter into peaceful negotiations with Indonesia and the Netherlands under the auspices of the United Nations for a referendum on recognition of the sovereignty of the Papuan people and Nation; [3] to use available resources in Papua in a non-binding manner to fund endeavours to achieve the objectives of the struggle."

It took fifteen years before the Papuan leaders convinced the Pacific nations under the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). During the 2015 MSG Summit hosted by Solomon Island in Honiara, the Forum gave an observer status to the ULMWP to the forum. The decision marked a historic moment for Papuans. Backed by Solomon Island popular and particularly churches' support, the Papua was born as an international legal entity. Since then, Papua no longer need Vanuatu or Solomon Island flags to raise their voices at this diplomatic forum because it has raised its Morning Star flag.

This year Papua is expecting a full-membership status at the MSG. The trajectory remains fragile. The proposal split the MSG leaders into two camps: Papua New Guinea and Fiji which are keen to maintain the status quo, on the one side, and Vanuatu, Solomon Island and the FLNKS on the other side, which envisage fundamental change for the forum. As the decision has been deferred to be discussed by the end of this year, this development might reflect the irreconcilable differences within the MSG as they have to take decisions by consensus.

The Papua insurgency has only penetrated the MSG but more broadly, the Pacific Island Forum, the diplomatic forum that covers the whole Pacific nations. In the recent Pacific Forum Island's communique held in Phonpei, Federated Republic of Micronesia, PIF shed a new light on the issue of Papua, "Leaders recognised the political sensitivities of the issue of West Papua (Papua) and agreed the issue of alleged human rights violations in West Papua (Papua) should remain on their agenda. Leaders also agreed on the importance of an open and constructive dialogue with Indonesia on the issue."

The statement reflects the struggle of the Pacific leaders in dealing with Papua. On the one hand, they are concerned with "alleged human rights violations" but on the other hand, they are well aware that Papua is a "sensitive issue" for them. The sensitivity relates to their relations with Indonesia, a large and influential neighbour. For some PIF members, Indonesia provides a profitable market for their trade that sustains their domestic economy particularly Australia, New Zealand, PNG, and Fiji. Its political influence has been seen as a bridge between Asia and the Pacific.

In a parallel move, Papua's influence has convinced seven UN member states from the Pacific spoke up. They raised their concerted voices on Papua during the prestigious 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York last September. This was an unprecedented turn.

Nauru started the intervention by highlighting the issue of human rights violations in Papua, followed by a newcomer in the discourse of Papua: the Marshall Islands.

Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands followed suit and went one step further by specifically highlighting the issue of the right to self-determination for Papuans. Tonga emphasised the gravity of the problem and Palau, another novice, called for constructive dialogue with Indonesia to solve the Papua issue.

In other words, we might see another Papua Spring like we experienced in 2000. The question is whether the Spring will lead to Summer or back to Winter as we had in 2000 after Theys Eluay was assassinated? Many Papuans might believe that the progress is linear and irreversible so they put high expectations of the political process in the Pacific. The expectation is understandable but it needs the ULWMP leaders to manage it. Further, we need to put it in a broader political dynamics of Indonesia.

As we know, however, in comparison to Aceh, which found peace settlement for its political dispute with Jakarta through the 2005 Helsinki Agreement mediated by the European Union, Papua remains experiencing negative peace. That is, Papuans only experience the absence of war but continue suffering from multipolar of violence. That is, the ongoing state-sponsored violence is not the only source of Papuans' grievances. They have confronted the increasing pressure of non-state actors that exploit their natural resources. The business interests of large corporations, particularly extractive industry, have put Papuans in a more vulnerable position as the local governments continue issuing licences to these corporations with little consultation with the Papuans.

Once a business project is established, it attracts jobseekers from all over Indonesia to go to Papua to fill the job market. As we have seen Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate in Merauke, BP Gas Project in Bintuni, various timber industry in Sorong, and the classic example of Freeport Indonesia in Timika, any large business projects also mean a demographic shift as many skilled and non-skilled labor will enter Papua simply because Papua does not have enough manpower. The demographic shift without proper social and cultural mitigation on the part of the local governments has caused resentment and widening social gaps between different ethnic groups in Papua that often lead to communal clashes. All of these different elements have merged into complex grievances that are not properly addressed by the Indonesian government.

At the international diplomacy, Indonesian diplomats simply deny the reality of human rights by referring to the state sovereignty argument. They overlook the unchanging reality of impunity on the ground in Papua. In the meantime, different ministries endorse overlapping and sometime opposing policies towards Papua. While President Joko Widodo endorsed open-door policy for Papua for international observers, the Indonesian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Military remains reluctant to implement the President policy. Similarly, when victims of human rights violations and human rights organisations in Indonesia call for justice, the President appointed Wiranto the Coordinating Ministry for Security, Legal and Political Affairs who then promote non-judicial measures to address human rights abuses. Given his alleged involvement in human rights abuses in East Timor, many are not so convinced that non-judicial manners will address the lingering question of impunity.

The non-monolith response from Jakarta suggests that it grapples with a formidable challenge in formulating and implementing a coherent policy to Papua. The situation illustrates that the domestic politics will unlikely change in the near future. It means that Jakarta will not be prepared to engage any meaningful discussion with Papua at either domestic or international levels. In this context, the ULWMP leadership will have to work hard. On the one hand, they have to navigate and negotiate with political powers in Jakarta and the Pacific, domestically they have also to deal with the expectations of their constituents. If the ULWMP leaders pass this ordeal, they will confirm their solidity. Otherwise, they might confirm the doubts of the critics and skeptics.

[Dr Budi Hernawan is a lecturer at Paramadina Graduate School of Diplomacy and Research Fellow at Abdurahman Wahid Centre at University of Indonesia in Jakarta.]

Source: http://liveencounters.net/2016-2/12-december-2016/1-dr-budi-hernawan-ulmwp-and-the-insurgent-papua/

Expecting miracle in Munir murder investigation

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2016

Imanuddin Razak, Jakarta – The nation has refreshed calls for a resolution to the murder of prominent human rights activist Munir Said Thalib aboard a Garuda Indonesia flight in September 2004, sadly without knowing who the perpetrator is, let alone the motive.

Three different presidents have ruled the country since then, yet the investigation into the assassination has led justice seekers in a direction they never expected.

A fact-finding team (TPF) mandated by then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2005 only paved the way for the conviction of former Garuda pilot Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto and former Garuda president director Indra Setiawan. They were sentenced to 20 and 15 years' imprisonment, respectively, for abetting the murder.

The investigation could not uncover the mastermind of the murder. Former State Intelligence Agency (BIN) deputy chief Muchdi Purwoprandjono, who was named in a report filed by the team, was also brought to justice but was later acquitted.

Due to the poor results of the prosecution, there have been increasing calls lately for a new investigation, with all names mentioned in the report from the Yudhoyono government-sanctioned TPF to be investigated, including former BIN chief AM Hendropriyono.

Former TPF members have said his name was mentioned among those who were allegedly responsible for poisoning Munir with arsenic on his way to the Netherlands on a Garuda flight. Hendropriyono has repeatedly denied any role in Munir's death.

Such calls for a fresh investigation have gained momentum especially after the Central Information Commission (KIP) issued a ruling on Oct. 10 this year that the investigation report authored by the TPF and submitted to Yudhoyono's administration in 2005 was public information and therefore should be disclosed immediately.

In reaction to the commission's ruling, activists have demanded that the findings of the investigation into the 2004 murder serve as a way for President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to honor his commitment to resolving past human rights abuses. They say publishing the report authored by a government-commissioned fact-finding team would prove that Jokowi's recent pledge to resolve gross human rights abuses was not mere lip service.

The firm ruling of the KIP, however, has led to more uncertainty as both the past administration of Yudhoyono and the current Jokowi administration have traded blame regarding the missing original copies of the 2005 TPF report. The State Secretariat has claimed it has no knowledge of the report's whereabouts and therefore was unable to follow up on the case.

Meanwhile, Yudhoyono said on Tuesday that five original copies of the TPF report were distributed to five institutions after he received them from the TPF in 2005.

Hendardi, a human rights activist and member of the TPF, however, said Yudhoyono received six copies from the commission, five of which were handed over to the National Police, the Attorney General's Office, BIN, the Law and Human Rights Ministry and the State Secretariat.

In view of the uncertainty on the whereabouts of the original TPF report, which has largely been assumed to be the sole legal channel needed to follow up on its recommendation, the idea of conducting a fresh investigation into the murder case is therefore an essential element to bring about the settlement of past cases of rights violations.

This country has a bad tradition of neglecting the thorough settlement of state problems or cases, particularly those associated with the basic rights of its people. Worse is the fact that many of those cases have been prolonged with no concrete results along with the passing of their witnesses.

Cases like the Sept. 30, 1965 coup attempt, which was blamed on the now defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and the subsequent pursuit and murder of people who supported or were associated with the PKI, and the 1966 Supersemar, a controversial letter of authorization issued by then president Sukarno for Soeharto, who was the highest military officer in command at the time, to take necessary action to create stability and order in the country in the aftermath of the failed coup, are good examples of how state negligence has led to unanswerable truths in such cases to date.

A thorough investigation into the Munir murder case is expected to set a legal precedent for the settlement of past rights cases, particularly ones in which the majority of the suspects are still alive and could therefore testify for clarification purposes. The Jokowi administration could make a historical landmark and simultaneously respond to doubts on the President's rights protection commitment, should it be able to embark on a thorough investigation into Munir's murder.

However, pursuing a thorough investigation into the murder will apparently not be an easy task. In a statement, Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) deputy coordinator Puri Kencana Putri said she was aware of the influence of Hendropriyono in Jokowi's administration that could affect Jokowi's commitment to upholding justice over "personal relations". The former BIN chief is also known to be a close friend of Megawati Soekarnoputri, former president and the chairwoman of Jokowi's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

The thorough settlement of the Munir case is a historical test facing the President. It will serve as a means for him to prove that he does not just talk, but also walks the talk. It will also provide significant momentum to prevent the repetition of such cases in the future.

[The author is a staff writer at The Jakarta Post.]

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/01/expecting-miracle-munir-murder-investigation.html