Colette Davidson – When journalist and media activist Victor Mambour wants information from inside Papua, Indonesia, he knows how to get it – he has to ask someone who isn't Papuan.

"I'm Papuan so when something happens, I ask the police about it but they don't give me an answer," says Mambour. "My friend, who isn't Papuan, can ask the same thing and get an answer."

The situation epitomizes how Mambour has had to operate in order to fill the pages of his Papuan-based newspaper, Jubi.

"If you want to be a real journalist in Papua and committed to ethics, it's very hard, from the reporting to the salary," says Mambour. "There's a double standard for Papuan journalists and a lot of discrimination."

The Indonesian government has used the long-standing conflict in Papua to justify implementing harsh rules in the region, offering limited opportunities and restricted access to journalists. While authorities may withhold information from local Papuan journalists – who are identified by their family name or physical characteristics – foreign journalists have little chance of even accessing the region.

But while the lack of access to Papua means that coverage of the region remains limited, some say that the coming year will be a test for Indonesia as it gets set to host UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day celebrations on May 3, 2017. Many Papuan journalists say they are fed up with the censorship, self-censorship and dangers that go along with reporting from and about the region and they are ready to let the world know.

Papua and West Papua have a long-standing history of human rights abuses, ever since the Free Papua Movement began its low-level guerrilla war against the Indonesian state in the 1960s. Since then, West Papuans have protested for independence, accusing the Indonesian government of violence and abuses of freedom of expression. In an attempt to mask the suppression of Papuan nationalism, the Indonesian government has long made outside access to Papua a challenge.

For journalists who do tackle the task of reporting on Papua, the primary focus is often related to the environment, with topics on resource extraction or corruption – topics very difficult and dangerous to report on.

Recently, the Indonesian government looked ready to open access to Papua, when President Joko Widodo made an announcement in May 2015 stating that the government would lift restrictions on foreign media access. But Phelim Kine, the Deputy Asia Director of Human Rights Watch in New York, says that the announcement hasn't pulled much weight.

"It was never followed up by any written decree, so while it was a rhetorical opening to Papua, foreign media still can't get in," says Kine. "And if they do get in, they're subject to surveillance and harassment that makes effective reporting very difficult."

Kine says journalists routinely self-censor material, and that the Indonesian government and security forces in Papua often place informers into media organizations to monitor and influence coverage. At other times, an intelligence operative will be required to follow a journalist into the region, restricting what they can report on and how sources offer testimony.

The result is that little or no coverage exists about the realities inside Papua, where civilians – especially in remote areas – are victims of civil, social and economic rights violations. Many in the region have no access to health or education services, or risk having their land stolen by the police or military. Because of their isolation, they have no one to whom they can report the violations.

But as much as authorities within Papua have tried to censor incriminating material, much of the news that comes out of the region remains negative, says Lina Nursanty, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers' (WAN-IFRA) Indonesian Media Freedom Committee chair and a West Java-based freelance editor.

"Whenever we hear anything about Papua, it's always about a tribal war or human rights abuses," says Nursanty. "The news we get from there is always violent."

As hosts of next year's UNESCO World Press Freedom Day celebrations, Indonesia has the challenging task of convincing the world that it deserves to act as a platform for media freedom.

Nursanty says that while attending last year's Press Freedom Day event in Helsinki, she joined a meeting with the Indonesian ambassador, where the discussion of Papua was at the top of the agenda. "The Indonesian press council representative said that our biggest homework for next year is press freedom in Papua," says Nursanty.

The Indonesian press council is currently creating a press freedom index for each region. And while the country's overall index is improving, many Papuan journalists say it's not enough. Mambour says that at next year's World Press Freedom Day, he is willing to expose the truth about Papua, even if it puts his personal safety at risk.

"We need to take the opportunity to tell the world about what's happening in Papua," says Mambour. "We need to say how we are not granted freedom of the press and about the discrimination there. I'm already past paranoia. I'll talk about what's going on. I'm not worried. Sometimes you have to take the risk."

The WAN-IFRA Indonesia Media Freedom Committee is organizing a joint reporting trip to Papua at the beginning of 2017. The initiative will see 10 Indonesian media organizations provide a week of joint coverage from the region, working with local Papuan journalists to shift the national news agenda and provide more detailed coverage of issues of importance to Papuans.

Source: https://www.thestreet.com/story/13924144/1/indonesia-gets-a-chance-to-prove-its-more-journalist-friendly-in-2017.html

Major demonstrations staged in Papua

Radio New Zealand International - December 13, 2016

Last weekend at least six thousand West Papuans demonstrated in the town of Wamena to mark Human Rights Day.

It was the latest in a series of large demonstrations by Papuans in the Indonesian province who want a referendum about self-determination.

Police arrested nine Papuans at another demonstration in the capital of West Papua province, Manokwari.

Guyon Espiner spoke with Johnny Blades about the Wamena demonstration and asked if it was met with a violent reaction from Indonesian security forces.

Transcript

Johnny Blades: The police didn't have a violent response to this big demo in Wamena. I guess probably its sheer size – something like 6 to 8 thousand people – meant that police exercised restraint. No arrests either. But as you mentioned, there was a fairly brutal response down in Manokwari: police whipping Papuans with rattan canes, and a bunch of arrests.

Guyon Espiner: And is this reaching something of a crescendo, do you think?

JB: It does feel like that. This year there's been an increase in big public demonstrations in the main Papuan cities and towns. Big rallies, peaceful affairs, and they've also spread to non-Papuan cities, like Makassar, elsewhere in the republic. And non-Papuans are getting on board too. But huge amounts of arrests in some of these other demonstrations in Papua. Indonesia's constitution does guarantee basic rights like freedom of expression, but when it comes to anything touching on Papuan independence aims, or when they're flying like their banned nationalist flag the Morning Star, it's generally not permitted by the police. However it hasn't stopped the Papuans from taking to the streets. So there is definitely a sense of momentum in the West Papuan pro-independence movement or among those at least calling for their basic rights to be respected.

GE: Well, let's talk about that movement for a second because we talk about this group wanting self-determination but are they one group, what sort of unity is there among them?

JB: Yeah I think they're a lot more unified now than they were in the past. There were divisions, tribal divisions and so forth which held them back. But in the past few years, let's say the past five years, they've largely put down their guns, those sort of West Papuan guerillas in the jungles and mountains, and really committed to non-violent struggle. And we're seeing a far more cohesive, non-violent civil resistance now, and that is of course directed into support for the organisation called the United Liberation Movement for West Papua which is doing a lot of stuff abroad. You just get the feeling now, this year, that Papuans see this current phase as a window, an opportunity they must take, where they have to stand strong for their rights, knowing too that the issue is increasingly internationalised.

GE: Well, what about that international reaction? Melanesian countries, some have supported these calls for self-determination. Some of the big powerhouse Melanesian countries – I guess PNG, Fiji – would they come on board, do you think?

JB: That's the big question, Guyon, because of course in the Melanesian countries there is widespread support for West Papuans to be treated like basic human beings and to have self-determination, a legitimate process. But the governments of that region are split, particularly when it comes to this bid by the Liberation Movement for greater regional representation. PNG and Fiji, who are the two biggest countries there, appear to be siding with Jakarta, firmly supporting Indonesian territorial control of Papua. But at the same time, there's been quite some movement across the wider Pacific Islands region: just a couple of months ago at the UN general assembly, leaders of seven Pacific nations spoke out on their concern over rights abuses in Papua, and supporting Papuans in their right to a proper self-determination. They are pressing the UN to take action on both fronts. Whether the UN will respond, that's another matter, but there's certainly an unprecedented level of discussion on Papua taking place.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201827540/major-demonstrations-staged-in-papua

Thousands of West Papuans mark human rights day

Radio New Zealand International - December 12, 2016

At least 6000 West Papuans are estimated to have demonstrated in the Papuan Highlands town of Wamena to mark Human Rights Day at the weekend.

According to reports from Indonesia's Papua region, the demonstration was organised by the West Papua National Committee, KNPB. It was the latest in a series of large demonstrations by Papuans calling for a legitimate self-determination referendum.

The demonstrators had initially converged outside the local parliament building, but due to the huge crowd decamped to a central street in the Highlands town.

They were protesting about unaddressed human rights abuses, and reportedly signed a petition submitted to the Jayawijaya member of the House of Representatives. The petitioners urged the Indonesian government to accept fact-finding missions by the UN and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Various ground reports put the number of demonstrators between six and eight thousand people. The KNPB has been central to some of the biggest demonstrations in Papua this year, several of which resulted in mass arrests.

There were no reports of arrests at the Wamena demonstration, however police arrested nine Papuans at a demonstration to mark Human Rights Day in the capital of West Papua province, Manokwari.

There have been reports from the Indonesian city of Makassar that police blocked university students in their dormitory, preventing them from demonstrating.

This year has also seen an increase in demonstrations outside the Papua region by young people supporting West Papuan rights and self-determination aspirations.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/320167/thousands-of-west-papuans-mark-human-rights-day

KNPB activists arrested and released twice in Papua

Radio New Zealand International - December 12, 2016

About a dozen West Papuan activists were arrested and released twice within two days in the capital of Indonesia's Papua province.

On Friday, 17 members of the West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, were arrested in Jayapura for writing "Free West Papua" graffiti on walls. They were released after being interrogated by police.

However, on Saturday 14 of the KNPB activists were arrested a second time for writing the same message as public graffiti again. According to the Indonesian public interest lawyer, Veronica Koman, they were were released later in the day.

Also on Saturday the KNPB organised a huge demonstration in the Highlands town of Wamena. At least 6,000 people were reported to have attended the demonstration, protesting against human rights abuses in Papua and calling for a legitimate self-determination referendum. There were no reported arrests.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/320232/knpb-activists-arrested-and-released-twice-in-papua

PNG opposition leader calls for 'honest' take on Papua

Radio New Zealand International - December 12, 2016

Papua New Guinea's opposition leader says his country and Australia need to play a greater role in responding to human rights abuses in neighbouring West Papua.

Don Polye said basic human rights of West Papuans continue to be repressed by Indonesian authorities and security forces, requiring a more "honest" approach from neighbouring countries.

He said the problem had a set of direct consequences for PNG, yet its government continued to turn a blind eye to what was going on. Mr Polye said recent remarks by Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop playing down reports of rights abuses in Papua were unfortunate.

"She said that there is not enough justification or evidence to show if there is any human rights abuse along the border between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. I believe that Australia should assess the situation more closely, in partnership with Indonesia as well as with Papua New Guinea, to be honest about it and to look at the issues more carefully," he said.

Mr Polye said as party to international conventions on human rights, PNG and Indonesia needed to engage more to address the situation in Papua. He said that West Papuan calls for a legitimate self-determination process could no longer be ignored.

A need for meaningful dialogue at both international and bilateral level, he said, also required leadership from the Melanesian Spearhead Group. However the MSG's full members – PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia's Kanaks – are divided over advancing the Papua issue.

Governments of PNG and Fiji in particular appear opposed to granting the United Liberation Movement for West Papua full membership in the group. They also firmly support Indonesian territorial control over Papua.

Yet Mr Polye says the example of France in granting a self-determination referendum to its Melanesian territory of New Caledonia shows that the Papua question could be solved peacefully.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/320202/png-opposition-leader-calls-for-honest-take-on-papua

West Papuan Liberation Movement lobbies at the UN

Radio New Zealand International - December 9, 2016

United Liberation Movement for West Papua leaders have been in New York this week, lobbying at the United Nations about their self-determination struggle in Indonesia.

The Liberation Movement's secretary-general Octo Mote and spokesman Benny Wenda said they have been meeting with officials from several UN departments and various embassies.

They have been talking about their hopes for a new internationally-supervised self-determination vote for the indigenous people of Indonesia's Papua region.

Mr Wenda said the lobbying gives them an opportunity to correct misinformation spread internationally about Papua by Jakarta and people within the UN system appreciate the discussions.

"We're also updating the current situation (on the ground in Papua) and this is like... that West Papua has been neglected for the last fifty years, so they're surprised that this has been going on. So there's a number of diplomats we met in New York."

Mr Wenda said that taking the matter to the UN is part of the new phase of their struggle.

He said the combined issues of human rights abuses in West Papua, and Papuans' self-determination struggle, are considered an issue for the whole Pacific islands region, and that Pacific countries are increasingly supportive.

Jakarta said Papua's incorporation into Indonesia is final and that human rights abuses in the region are being addressed. It also said it is devoting significant resources into creating better conditions for economic development at grassroots levels in West Papuan communities.

However, despite Jakarta's sensitivity to it, there have been various diplomatic gains made this year in advancing West Papua as an issue for the UN to address.

This includes the call by the International Parliamentarians for West Papua for an independence referendum in Papua, and the rise of the Pacific Coalition for West Papua.

It is still unclear if the Melanesian Spearhead Group will accept the Liberation Movement's bid to be a full member in the group – a decision could be made before Christmas, according to the MSG secretariat.

However Mr Wenda said Papuans were greatly encouraged by the unprecedented call by seven Pacific states at the UN General Assembly in September for the world community to take action about alleged historical and current injustices in Papua.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/320036/west-papuan-liberation-movement-lobbies-at-the-un

Aceh

Aceh earthquake: Spectre of Boxing Day tsunami haunts as more than 23,000

Sydney Morning Herald - December 9, 2016

Jewel Topsfield, Pidie Jaya, Indonesia – As the number of displaced people from Wednesday's earthquake ballooned to more than 23,000, the scarred communities of Aceh confronted an old fear: the spectre of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

Mariana Yusuf is among several thousand people sheltering at Taqwa mosque in the hard-hit town on Meureudu, breastfeeding her baby amidt the chaos.

Her wooden home, on stilts above water, is intact after the earthquake. However the family is too traumatised to return after living through the 2004 disaster, which struck the day before Ms Yusuf's wedding and almost washed away their home. She knew dozens who were killed.

"The morning of the earthquake [on Wednesday] we went out, we ran here," Ms Yusuf says. "After that we were too afraid to go home. There were cracks on the streets, they were split open."

Like many fishermen, Ms Yusuf's husband is too afraid to go to sea. "When it's safe, he will go to sea."

Pidie Jaya continues to be buffeted by aftershocks, with many people choosing to sleep outside. "We still have fear. There was damage to the mosque itself but we feel safe because this is the house of Allah," said Media, another woman at the shelter.

The earthquake death toll is now 100, having been revised down, with more than 700 injured.

The National Search and Rescue Agency on Friday painstakingly searched for people still trapped alive below the rubble at Meureudu market, where more than 15 bodies had already been found. Pandawa Ady from the agency said sniffer dogs had pinpointed three possible locations for bodies. At least one family was still missing.

The litany of destruction is already extensive: more than 11,500 houses and 71 mosques damaged and 52 bridges broken or cracked. Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency said that displaced people are being accommodated in 28 shelters across three regencies.

The International Organisation of Migration's Paul Dillon says memories of the Boxing Day tsunami, which killed 170,000 people in Indonesia alone, are still powerfully imprinted, particularly in coastal areas.

"Clearly there is a high degree of awareness of possible issues relating to the fallout from earthquakes," he says.

"From our perspective as an agency that works with displaced people we are obviously concerned to see an uptick from the 3200 displaced figure 36 hours ago to the new figure," he says.

"It's unclear how many will be long-term or medium-term displaced – the picture is opaque at the moment to the level of damage."

The Indonesian spirit of resilience is personified in Mariana, a housewife whose brick-and-cement house was completely destroyed in the convulsion. "If you have a wooden house you will be OK, if it's a permanent house forget it if it is not earthquake-proof," she tells us.

Despite her own worries, Mariana has volunteered to cook at the Taqwa mosque shelter, cheerfully emptying packets of powdered flavour into an enormous noodle pot. For every meal, 140 kilos of rice is cooked.

Aceh is abuzz with the visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Friday. He toured a hospital in Sigli in the regency of Pidie and spoke to survivors at Atta Karuf mosque in Pidie Jaya.

The President asked children his standard question: can they name the five pillars of Pancasila, the founding principles of the Indonesian republic, from memory? The prize for knowing the answer was biscuits and books.

"I hope you all keep high spirits in your study, keep singing and stay happy. OK?" he tells them.

Mr Joko later announced the families of those who died would be eligible for 15 million Ruipah ($1500) in compensation and those who were injured would receive 5 million Rupiah.

The government would also help rebuild earthquake-resistant homes providing a stimulus of 40 million Rupiah for heavily damaged houses and 20 million Rupiah for partially damaged homes.

But despite the morale-boosting presidential visit, the list of casualties on the whiteboard outside Pidie Jaya's main hospital is a grim reminder of the devastation wreaked by Wednesday's 6.5-magnitude earthquake.

Abandoned trolley beds and a bundle of bloodied clothing litter tents outside the hospital. The hospital itself was ravaged by the quake, damaging the ICU unit, and prompting the transfer of severely injured patients to other hospitals.

"Patients started coming in one by one but they were difficult to treat because people were too scared to go into the hospital," says Dr Sri Wahyuzar. "Some doctors grabbed what supplies they could, sutures, IV, and treated people outside on mats."

Patients are still being treated outside in walkways covered by corrugated iron because aftershocks make it too dangerous to return to the already cracked building.

There are remarkable stories from the hospital beds lining the corridors. Wardiyah was asleep with her two-month-old son when her house began to shake. She instinctively rolled over to protect her baby, saving him from timber that struck her on the back.

"I didn't want to move because I was worried more debris from the roof would hit the baby," she says. "I was born here, I knew straight away it was an earthquake."

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/aceh-earthquake-spectre-of-boxing-day-tsunami-haunts-as-more-than-23000-displaced-20161209-gt7tyu.html

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/action/printArticle?id=1016533110

'I carried his body': Grim work at the heart of Aceh's killer quake as toll

Sydney Morning Herald - December 8, 2016

Jewel Topsfield – They are clearing a marketplace in Meureudu which was flattened by the earthquake that struck Aceh on Wednesday morning.

Villager Taufik Hidayat, who has been volunteering at the site since just after the quake struck at 5.03am, has seen far worse. "I wasn't scared. I was there to help. I carried his body," says Mr Taufik, sweating under his beanie.

A wedding was supposed to be held at this market on Thursday. Instead drones buzz overhead as police, military, search-and-rescue personnel and villagers sift through the devastation.

More than 15 people have been found dead here alone. A stallholder tells us he is trying to find his stuff – he salvages his mobile phone and several bottles of orange water from the rubbish. He opens one and drinks from it. Police recover a giant stuffed panda.

Meureudu is the capital of Pidie Jaya, the regency that bore the brunt of the 6.5-magnitude earthquake. As of Thursday morning the death toll was 102, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency. Ninety-nine of those killed were in Pidie Jaya.

"We cannot say how many are still trapped under debris. But we believe the death toll will still rise," the National Disaster Management Agency's Sutopo Purwo Nugroho says.

Detectors that pick up mobile phone signals are being used to try to locate those buried alive.

"That's why we have to work quickly within seven days because it is a golden time when we believe people are still alive," Mr Sutopo says. They have been used before in Indonesia when landslides have buried people in mud.

Another 250 people in Aceh are wounded after the earthquake, many severely, and more than 3000 have taken refuge. More than 420 houses, 14 mosques and a hospital were destroyed.

There were 36 aftershocks and many people are too afraid to return to their homes. Another quake occurred on Wednesday night in Aceh Besar regency with an initial magnitude of five, later revised to four. There were no casualties from that quake.

Thirteen shelters for displaced people have been established in Pidie Jaya and Bireuen regencies.

There is an urgent need for supplies. What is needed most now is clothes, food, drugs and nappies, according to Rudy Padmanto, the National Disaster Management Agency's director of logistics. Orthopaedic experts are also required because many people have broken bones. "We also need more excavators to clean up the debris," he says.

Aceh has declared a state of emergency until December 20. An astonishing 148.4 million Indonesians live in earthquake-prone areas.

"In Pidie Jaya many people died because the buildings are not earthquake-resistant," Mr Sutopo said. "The earthquake in Pidie Jaya reminds us of the importance of mitigation efforts." "We cannot say when an earthquake will happen but we have a map of these areas."

In the village Ulee Gle, a two-storey religious education and cultural centre resembles a shipwreck. Its caretaker Abdul Hanan tells us he was reading the Koran, waiting to sound the call to prayer when the earthquake hit. "I tried to stand up twice but I fell over both times," he says.

"I crawled to the stairs (outside the building)." It was only then that the centre, which the villagers had saved for years to build, collapsed. Abdul Hanan has no doubt God saved him.

The road in Meureudu is riven with massive cracks, into which people have poked red warning flags and foliage. A table with an incongruously cheerful floral tablecloth is in the middle of the road to warn traffic.

In the village of Trienggadeng, Faisal Marwan still appears stunned. He sits on a plastic chair, a makeshift bandage around his knee, on the side of the road.

Mr Faisal was up with his sick nine-month-old son when the quake struck. He tried to reach the door but the quake kept slamming him against the walls. Eventually he jumped from his second floor home, damaging his knee.

His neighbours were not so lucky. He shows us a photo of Syahrul Gunawan, who had started at the neighbouring roadside food stall two days ago. The photo shows him trapped under the building.

He is still alive in the photo but his abdomen was crushed and he died in hospital. On the other side of his home a couple and their son died. "The family that died were like parents to me, I had known them for so long," Mr Faisal says.

Save the Children, speaking through its local partner Yayasan Sayangi Tunas Cilik (YSTC), said it had significant concerns for the physical and psychological well-being of children affected by the Sumatra earthquake.

"Children will be experiencing a community that is grappling with fear and uncertainty after having its life uprooted," said YSTC's humanitarian manager, Ronald Sianipar.

"We must also be aware of the psychological impact these events can cause. Aceh is still living with the trauma of the 2004 [Boxing Day] tsunami and yesterday's earthquake will trigger strong and possibly dark memories among survivors of that event."

The National Disaster Management Agency will send tents, generators, food, body bags and folding beds worth 3.5 billion rupiah ($350,000). Mr Sutopo said Indonesia had not asked for international assistance because its own resources were sufficient.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/i-carried-his-body-grim-work-at-the-heart-of-acehs-killer-quake-as-toll-passes-100-20161208-gt7182.html

Thousands take refuge in mosques after deadly Aceh quake

Associated Press - December 8, 2016

Meureudu, Indonesia – Thousands of people in the Indonesian province of Aceh took refuge for the night in mosques and temporary shelters after a strong earthquake Wednesday killed nearly 100 people and destroyed dozens of buildings.

Some were homeless after the quake made their houses unsafe and others were too scared to return home. Killer quakes occur regularly in the region, where many live with the terrifying memory of a giant Dec. 26, 2004, earthquake that struck off Sumatra. The 9.1 magnitude quake triggered a devastating tsunami that killed more than 100,000 Acehnese.

Maj-Gen Tatang Sulaiman, chief of the army in Aceh Province, said at least 97 died in the 6.5 magnitude quake that hit before dawn Wednesday, while four people had been pulled from the rubble alive. The Indonesian government declared a two-week emergency period in Aceh and some aid was already reaching hard-hit areas.

The rescue effort involving thousands of search officials, villagers, soldiers, and police is concentrated on Meureudu, a severely affected town in Pidie Jaya district near the epicenter. Excavators and rescue teams removed debris from shop houses and other buildings where people were believed buried.

TV footage showed rescuers in orange uniforms shining flashlights into the interiors of broken buildings as they searched for signs of life. The pace of the search slowed after night fall, hampered by rain and blackouts.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered about 19 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Sigli, a town near the northern tip of Sumatra, at a depth of 17 kilometers (11 miles). The agency had initially placed the epicenter undersea. It did not generate a tsunami.

Siti Rukiah, 51, a mother of four, was among the many people taking refuge in local mosques. She and about 100 other people from Pante Raja, a seaside village in Pidie Jaya district, fled to Nur Abdullah mosque located on higher ground in a nearby hamlet.

She said the quake was shallow and felt so powerful she had to grab onto a table to keep from falling down. She was sure a tsunami was coming.

"I'm really scared about a tsunami," said Rukiah, whose brother and neighbors died in the 2004 disaster. "I don't want to return home tonight, not only because my house is damaged, but I am still afraid an aftershock could cause a tsunami."

Aceh's disaster mitigation agency said more than 600 people were injured. The national disaster agency said about 245 buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed in Pidie Jaya and neighboring Bireuen district, including 14 mosques. The rest were mainly dwellings and shop houses. Roads also cracked and power poles toppled over.

The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The 2004 quake and tsunami killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Aceh.

John Ebel, professor of earth and environmental sciences at Boston College, said there is a risk of aftershocks that even if relatively weak could cause further damage to buildings, particularly because modern building codes aren't consistently enforced in Indonesia.

In the capital, Jakarta, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he had ordered all government agencies to take part in the rescue efforts for Aceh, a conservative Muslim province that has considerable autonomy from the central government under a peace deal with separatists.

Aiyub Abbas, the chief of Pidie Jaya district, said there was urgent need for emergency supplies.

Zunaidi, a village chief in Pidie Jaya, said about 1,700 people from the village moved to a temporary shelter at an Islamic boarding school about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Meureudu town. He said most took shelter because they feared aftershocks could knock down their houses that were partially damaged.

"We are still afraid to return home because of aftershocks, downpours, and blackouts," said Zunaidi, who goes by a single name. The boarding school was providing generators, food and medicine, but people complained of a lack of clean water and baby food, he said.

The Indonesian Red Cross deployed emergency response teams and advertised bank accounts for donations. Its head of disaster management, Arifin Hadi, said five water trucks had been sent into the quake area. Aid, including hygiene kits, tarpaulins, jerry cans, blankets, and family assistance kits, is being distributed, with more to be sent from Jakarta, he said. The International Organization for Migration sent an assessment team to Aceh.

The general hospital in Pidie Jaya was overwhelmed with the numbers of injured and many people were being treated in tents pitched on its grounds, according to its director Muhammad Reza Faisal. He said five of the quake victims died at the hospital.

Villager Ahmad Salam said he and his family couldn't sleep in their house because its roof was damaged and rain was pouring in. The family went to the same mosque they took shelter in after the 2004 disaster. "Even after 12 years, it feels like yesterday that the tsunami washed away my house," Salman said.

Source: http://www.irrawaddy.com/news/asia/thousands-take-refuge-in-mosques-after-deadly-aceh-quake.html

Military ties

Indonesia to host trilateral military exercise in Kalimantan

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Novan Iman Santosa, Manila – Indonesia will hold a trilateral military exercise in Kalimantan early next year, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has said.

"The combined exercise will involve small units from Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia at the company level," he said after meeting his Philippine counterpart, National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, in Manila on Thursday.

"We will focus on basic skills, such as anti-guerilla warfare, urban warfare and patrol duties."

Ryamizard said the joint exercise would be held in Kalimantan in early 2017, before the launch of a joint operation. "We will exchange knowledge and experiences on how to conduct anti-guerilla operations," said Ryamizard.

"Based on our own experiences, it is important to win the people's hearts and minds." In the field, he added, the military had to separate the population from hostile forces to win guerilla warfare.

Ryamizard said the combined exercise was important to prevent further abductions by Abu Sayyaf militants and to forestall any attempts by the Islamic State group to establish a strong base in the region. (dmr)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/indonesia-to-host-trilateral-military-exercise-in-kalimantan.html

Human rights & justice

Government involved in 'more rights violations'

Jakarta Post - December 13, 2016

Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – The state of freedom in the country has fallen to a new low with more rights violations committed by the government and local administrations, according to a report.

Human rights watchdog the Setara Institute has revealed that in 2016, the index of freedom of religion and faith in the country decreased from 2.57 to 2.47. The range was from 0 to 7, with 4 constituting a moderate score.

Setara researcher Sudarto said on Monday that 2016 had put the country on alert regarding freedom of religion, although the institute had recorded fewer violations of religious freedoms, with 184 as of Dec. 8 this year from 197 as of Dec. 31, 2015.

"Although lower in quantity, the cases this year are more dangerous and systematic in quality, which then leads to more serious destruction," Sudarto said.

Discrimination against minority groups, such as the Fajar Nusantara Movement (Gafatar), Ahmadiyah followers and Shia believers, was among the factors that contributed to the low score.

Gafatar members experienced systematic discrimination, from the issuance of an Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) fatwa declaring Gafatar a heretical organization that spread deviant religious teachings, to discriminatory comments from high-level state officials, arson attacks on houses and evictions.

The Ahmadiyah religious community has suffered intimidation and threats of expulsion from people and local authorities. In Bangka regency, located off the east coast of Sumatra in Bangka-Belitung Islands province, for example, the local administration demanded Ahmadiyah followers either convert to Sunni Islam or face expulsion from Bangka.

The latest example was an intolerant act by Muslim hard-liners against a Christian community in Bandung, West Java. The Reformed Injili Indonesia Church was forced to cancel a Christmas service at Sasana Budaya Ganesha (Sabuga) by a group calling itself the Ahlu Sunnah Defenders (PAS), which claimed the event was "illegal" because it was held at a public facility.

Sudarto said the rise of intolerant acts was triggered by regulations that seemed to not support religious freedom, one of which is the 1965 Blasphemy Law, which is linked to the Criminal Code (KUHP).

"The regulations have repeatedly been used by certain groups to criminalize religious minority groups. The government should revise or, even better, scrap it," Sudarto said.

Moreover, Setara said the fatwas issued by the MUI also contributed to discriminatory acts. "MUI's fatwas really contributed to the discriminatory acts because many local authorities refer to them as a legal basis, thus intolerant groups feel they have legitimacy to attack minorities," Sudarto added.

Freedom of expression also saw a decreasing score, to 2.1 from 2.18 in 2015. The lower score was reportedly caused by criminalization of human rights activists and journalists.

Setara recorded 32 criminalization cases against activists in 2016, higher than 23 in the previous year. Another contributor to negative sentiment regarding freedom of expression is the newly passed Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, which contains several articles that restrict freedom of expression.

"Nowadays it's difficult for us to differentiate between criticism and hate speech. Many people have been arrested for allegedly spreading hate speech when they only expressed their criticism to the government," Setara deputy chairman Bonar Tigor Naipospos said.

Human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis said freedom of the press and expression in the country had also eroded in recent years, due to a number of draconian articles in the ITE Law and a proposed revision of the KUHP.

Under the regulation, journalists and other people can be sent to prison for insulting a judge or court. According to the bill, parties can be barred from commenting on a court verdict they deem unfair because there are not yet clear guidelines about what constitutes "insulting judges" or "attacking judges' integrity".

Other articles may also jeopardize free speech, while another article in the bill could lead to people being imprisoned for up to two years for spreading lies or fake news that could in turn generate unrest.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/13/govt-involved-more-rights-violations.html

Jokowi still owes resolution of past rights abuses

Jakarta Post - December 9, 2016

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – After two years of running the country, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has still not fulfilled his campaign promise to address long-unresolved human rights abuse cases, a promise that is thought to have sealed his victory against his former contender Prabowo Subianto, who is implicated in the forced disappearances of pro-democracy activists in 1998.

"The government must fulfill its obligation to solve all cases of gross human rights violations that occurred in the past," prominent human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis said at a discussion on Friday. "The President will forever owe us that promise unless he keeps his word".

The unresolved cases that Jokowi promised to address consist of the 1989 Talangsari massacre, the forced disappearance of anti-Soeharto activists in 1997 and 1998, the Trisakti University shootings, the Semanggi I and Semanggi II student shootings in 1998 and 1999, the mysterious killing of alleged criminals in the 1980s, the anticommunist massacres of 1965 and various abuses that took place in Wasior and Wamena in Papua in 2001 and 2003, respectively.

Activist Al Araf from the Jakarta-based human rights watchdog Imparsial cited a lack of political will to prioritize human rights among Jokowi's administration as a core reason behind the lagging attempts to address the issues during Jokowi's two-year presidency.

As the world will commemorate International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10, Al Araf called for Jokowi and his subordinates to make the resolution of human rights abuse cases one of the government's priority programs. "Otherwise Jokowi's regime will be no different to his predecessors," he said. (evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/09/jokowi-still-owes-resolution-of-past-rights-abuses.html

Feminism & women's rights

Six women get posthumous awards for fight against inequality

Jakarta Post - December 10, 2016

Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – Nusye Hanarti wears a nostalgic smile while remembering her experience in 1998, when she joined her aunt, the late senior journalist and activist Siti Latifah Herawati Diah, in a movement for Indonesian women's political rights.

Alongside other journalists and activists in women's rights movement Gerakan Perempuan Sadar Pemilu (GPSP), she joined Herawati during the reform era to promote female empowerment before the 1999 general election.

"Together we would carry out campaigns for women not to merely follow their husbands [in election voting] and to be independent voters," Nusye, 66, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

"My aunt was active in promoting women's rights in politics. She always said 'at least 30 percent of parliament should be women'. It was not an easy goal," she recalled.

Herawati, one of the first board members of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) established in 1998, passed away in September at age 99 due to a blood clot.

She is one among six late Indonesian women's rights activists who were given the Women Human Rights Defenders Awards by the government and Komnas Perempuan on Thursday for their inspiring work in defending women's rights and empowerment throughout their lives.

This year's award recipients also include Islamic figure Lily Zakiyah Munir, women empowerment activist Zohra Andi Baso, Papuan anthropologist Mientje DE Roembiak, education campaigner Darmiyanti Muchtar and activist Theresia Yuliawati Sitanggang.

Officials from the Law and Human Rights Ministry and the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) handed the awards to the activists' families, as part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence Campaign from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.

Komnas Perempuan chairman Azriana said the awards were presented to remind the nation that these women fought to promote gender equality. "They never once asked to be awarded, but they dedicated their lives to help Indonesian women," Azriana said with teary eyes.

Lily, a Muslim women's rights activist, was the director of the Jakarta-based Center for Pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) and Democracy Studies, which campaigned for equality for men and women in politics. She was listed as one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World in 2009, published by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.

Zohra was a journalist and activist who established a number of NGOs in South Sulawesi, including Forum Pemerhati Masalah Perempuan. She made it on the list of candidates for Nobel Peace Prizes in 2005, among 977 women from 153 countries.

A senior anthropology lecturer at the Political Science Faculty of Cendrawasih University, Papua, Mientje has promoted women's roles in politics. She once held the chairperson position of Women Working Group (Pokja) in the Papuan People Assembly (MRP).

As a Komnas Perempuan member, Theresia, who died young at 33 in 2014, was an activist who campaigned against sexual violence. She was an initiator of the Sexual Violence Bill, which is about to begin deliberation by the House of Representatives.

Yanti, who had been part of Indonesia's women's movement since the 1980s, was the director of Kapal Perempuan or the Women's Ship Institute, where she worked for alternative education, targeting adults in disadvantaged and marginalized communities. Yanti passed away in 2015 after a long battle with cancer.

During the commemoration of the 17th anniversary of Komnas Perempuan in 2015, the commission listed a number of women's rights advocates who had passed, including Zohra who died in 2015.

Komnas Perempuan has been discussing with government officials about creating a medical plan that could be accessed by activists who are prone to illnesses, including reproductive cancer.

"These women, like many other citizens, may be using BPJS Kesehatan [Healthcare and Social Security], however, we want them to have easy access to medical care because they work as human rights defenders," Azriana said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/10/six-women-get-posthumous-awards-fight-against-inequality.html

Freedom of speech & expression

Inmate accused of defaming police chief

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Jakarta – Police have named an inmate at Tangerang penitentiary in Banten a suspect in a case of defamation against National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian.

The inmate, identified as MRN, 46, allegedly posted a merged picture of the police chief alongside the leader of the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), DN Aidit, on his Facebook account via his handphone. The edited picture made the two men appear to look alike.

"The suspect does not make speeches, but he has posted many criticisms containing hate speech in his content," said Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono on Wednesday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

MRN is charged with defamation under the Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE) Law, as the picture and posts that he uploaded are regarded as defamation.

Before uploading Tito's and Aidit's picture, he had earlier posted defaced photos of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Muhammadiyah leader Syafii Maarif.

The police have confiscated his handphone and also frozen his email and social media accounts.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/national-scene-inmate-accused-defaming-police-chief.html

Blasphemy & the Jakarta elections

Accompanying text of Ahok video not intended as transcript: Buni Yani

Jakarta Post - December 14, 2016

Safrin La Batu, Jakarta – Buni Yani, the uploader of an edited video of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's allegedly blasphemous remarks, has argued that the accompanying text of the video he uploaded on his Facebook account was a mix of his opinion and the gist of Ahok's remarks in the video, not a transcript of Ahok's speech.

The argument was put forward in his pretrial motion that was read by his lawyers during the first hearing at the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday.

"[The accompanying texts] were not the transcriptions of the video, which has the duration of one hour and forty minutes. It is rather the essence [of Ahok's remarks] mixed with [Buni's] personal opinion," one of Buni's lawyers, Aldwin Rahardian, said in the hearing, reading from Buni's pretrial motion.

Buni has been named a suspect of inciting religious and ethnic hatred for uploading the video. In his Facebook post about the video on Oct. 6, Buni wrote an accompanying text that was similar to Ahok's remarks but lacked the word "pakai" or "using" from his original video.

In the original video, Ahok said "ladies and gentlemen [...] you have been deceived by the use of Al Maidah 51 [of the Quran]", meanwhile in the accompanying texts, Buni wrote "ladies and gentlemen [Muslim voters] have been deceived by Al Maidah 51". (jun)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/14/accompanying-text-of-ahok-video-not-intended-as-transcript-buni-yani.html

Records of mixed-faith judicial panel give hope of justice

Jakarta Post - December 14, 2016

Indra Budiari, Jakarta – Observers say there should be no reason for distrusting the panel of judges in the ongoing blasphemy trial of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama as there are very few controversial rulings in the records of the five judges.

North Jakarta District Court spokesman Hasoloan Sianturi has said that the five — Dwiarso Budi Santiarto, Jupriadi, Abdul Rosyad, Joseph V. Rahantoknam and I Wayan Wirjana — were the best judges for the trial, which is one of the country's most high-profile of 2016.

The panel of judges, presided over by Dwiarso, is facing a serious test due to heavy pressure from conservative Islamic groups that have staged large-scale protests in Jakarta demanding that the incumbent gubernatorial candidate be imprisoned for blasphemy.

Unlike standard criminal trials, the court has assigned five judges instead of three. A five-judge panel is only mandatory for trials of corruption and human rights abuse cases.

Hasoloan said the decision was made to make sure that the case could be examined objectively. He also stressed that none of the judges had ever received sanctions for ethical violations from the Judicial Commission, which oversees the conduct of members of the judiciary.

Not only that, but the judges are also of different faiths. While Dwiarso, Jupriadi and Abdul are Muslim, Joseph and Wayan are Catholic and Hindu, respectively.

Previously, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) said that three of the 13 state prosecutors handling Ahok's case were Christian while the others are Muslim.

Judicial Commission member Farid Wajdi also suggested that all the five judges were "so far clear". However, he said that two of the five judges had once been reported to the commission but a preliminary investigation did not find any evidence of wrongdoing.

"I cannot mention any names because it could affect the public's faith in them," Farid said, adding the commission had also deployed a team to monitor every hearing of Ahok's trial.

Choky Ramadhan from the University of Indonesia's Judicial Watch Society (MAPPI) said the judges' "clean" track records could not guarantee their integrity. "We still have to look closely at how they lead the trial," Choky said.

Ahok's defense team has expressed concerns that the judges' independence might be compromised if protesters continued chanting outside the courtroom about sending Ahok to prison.

During the initial hearing on Tuesday, around 100 people chanted Quranic verses and yelled that Ahok was a "blasphemer who should be jailed as soon as possible". They have vowed to be outside the court during every hearing until the judges deliver their verdict.

Reading the defense statement titled "Trial by the Mob", lawyer Triemoeldja D. Soerjadi described the demonstration and protest outside the court as "external pressures"."Such pressure is a clear threat against the country's democracy and constitution," he said.

Lead prosecutor Ali Mukartono read out the eight-page indictment. It stated that interpretation of the Quran should be limited to Muslims only.

"What the defendant did, according to Article 156 (a) of the Criminal Code, constituted an act of hostility, hatred or insult toward one [religious] group of Indonesian citizens," Ali said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/14/records-of-mixed-faith-judicial-panel-give-hope-of-justice.html

Ahok being tried by the mob: Lawyer

Jakarta Post - December 13, 2016

Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – The legal team of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama referred to Ahok's hearing on Tuesday as a "trial by mob" following large-scale demonstrations against the governor.

"Indonesian citizens have witnessed public pressure in this case [as demonstrators] filled the protocol roads. This has led the irregular acceleration of Ahok's legal process," lawyer Trimoelja D. Soerjadi read the objection note, referring to large-scale protests on Oct. 14, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 against Ahok over allegations of blasphemy.

Trimoelja criticized the police's swift action in investigating Ahok's case. After naming him a suspect on Nov. 16, police submitted Ahok's case dossier to the Attorney General's Office (AGO) on Nov. 25. He also highlighted that within three working days, the AGO declared that Ahok's 826-page dossier was complete.

He also cited a statement from National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian in which he said police had set aside a circular letter issued in 2015 that ordered police to postpone investigations into election candidates until the end of an election, to speed up the legal process against Ahok.

"It makes sense to assume that this public pressure aimed to cut Ahok from the election. This is a real threat to democracy in the country," he said. (jun)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/13/ahok-being-tried-by-the-mob-lawyer.html

Trial of Jakarta governor Ahok begins as hundreds of Islamic hardliners protest

The Guardian (Australia) - December 13, 2016

Kate Lamb, Jakarta – The much anticipated blasphemy trial of Jakarta's Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama has opened amid tight security and mobs of Islamic hardliners chanting for his arrest.

Hundreds of protestors, some dressed in white Muslim garb, gathered outside the court in the Indonesian capital for the first day of the trial, demanding the governor be jailed for allegedly insulting Islam.

Ahok, as he is better known, has caused intense anger in Indonesia over recent months after he referred to a verse in the Qur'an on the campaign trail in September.

Citing Al Maidah 51 from the Islamic holy book, the straight-talking mayor told voters they should not believe religious leaders who claim the Qur'anic verse forbids Muslims from being led by non-Muslims. He has since repeatedly apologised for his statements.

Ahok, a Christian and member of the country's ethnic Chinese Indonesian minority, is an anomaly in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

In an emotional speech in court, Ahok said it was never his intention to cause any offence and insisted his comments were aimed at politicians "incorrectly" using the Qur'anic verse. "As a person who grew up in Islamic circles, is not possible for me to insult Islam," he told the court.

Stressing his deep respect for Islam, in his statement to the court and five sitting judges, Ahok also mentioned his beloved Muslim godparents, saying that insulting Islam was akin to causing deep offence to his own family, an infraction he would never willingly commit.

"What I said was not intended to insult Al Maidah 51, let alone blaspheme Islam or offend Muslims," he said. "My remarks were directed at politicians who use Al Maidah 51 incorrectly, because they don't want to compete in elections in healthy way."

He broke down in tears twice during his statement in which he recalled how he helped poor Indonesians to perform the Hajj pilgrimage when he was a district chief a decade ago.

Ahok was responding to the official charges of blasphemy, after they were read out by prosecutors. Under Indonesia's 1965 blasphemy law, Ahok faces a maximum five-year jail term if found guilty.

The Ahok trial is being closely watched, and is viewed by many as a crucial test of Indonesia's commitment to religious tolerance and diversity.

With three mass rallies against Ahok since October, the case has also drawn concerns of 'mob justice', the ability of the masses to pressure the Widodo administration and influence judicial outcomes. Ahok's lawyer told reporters on Tuesday the governor is being trialled by the mob.

The protests over recent months, one that turned violent, were organized by a newly formed coalition of Islamist groups called the National Movement to Guard the MUI Fatwa (GNPF-MUI).

Among those most prominent in the new coalition are members of a well-known hardline group, the Islamic Defender's Front (FPI), widely seen as a group of Islamic thugs.

By seemingly bowing to pressure from the masses, and even agreeing to pray with hardline leaders at the last mass protest this December, President Joko Widodo has set a dangerous precedent, argue some analysts.

"I didn't agree that the president join the rally because it legitimates people who for a long time have insulted him, undermined him and caused chaos," noted Hendardi, chairman of the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace.

"I deplored the action because it gives the impression that pressure from the masses can become law, that the law on its own does not work," he added.

Ahead of the election for Jakarta Governor next February, a race that Ahok is also contesting, analysts have also suggested the case against him also has a strong political dimension. The trial has been adjourned until 20 December.

[Associated Press contributed to this report.]

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/13/trial-of-jakarta-governor-ahok-begins-as-hundreds-of-islamic-hardliners-protest

Emergence of political Islam puts Indonesian president to a test

Reuters - December 12, 2016

Jakarta – As the ranks of protesters thickened in central Jakarta on Dec. 2, turning into Indonesia's biggest mass demonstration since the end of authoritarian rule in 1998, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo grappled with a dilemma: should he join the rally or stay away?

Recounting what happened behind the scenes that day, two senior officials told Reuters Jokowi chose to ignore warnings from security chiefs and went into the crowd, appearing alongside the firebrand leader of a hardline Islamic group.

His move was widely applauded for cooling tensions that had been building for weeks over remarks by Jakarta's ethnic-Chinese Christian governor that were deemed to be insulting to the Koran.

But critics worry Jokowi's decision may have conferred some legitimacy on a hardline strain of political Islam emerging in the world's biggest Muslim-majority country, where politics is secular and the majority of believers are moderate, putting social stability at risk.

"Jokowi may have had some tactical gains in the short run," said Tobias Basuki, an analyst at the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, referring to the president by his popular name.

"But, for the longer term, Jokowi, his government and the police have been playing a dangerous game. As a result, political Islam has been co-opted by hardliners and progressive Muslims have been sidelined."

The resurgence of political Islam has been accompanied this year by the reappearance of militant Islamic cells who swear allegiance to Islamic State and have been involved in a series of attacks and foiled plots.

Many of the jihadist were first indoctrinated at mosques that spawned various Islamic vigilante groups similar to the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), which was at the forefront of the Dec. 2 mass protest in Jakarta, according to counter-terrorism police. The FPI insists it is neither political nor militant but just wants to uphold Islamic principles.

Motley group of plotters

A senior government official, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the president had voiced some reservations before joining FPI leader Habib Rizieq on the stage.

Before dawn that day, police rounded up a motley group of figures allegedly plotting to use the rally to launch a popular revolt against Widodo by leading protesters to parliament.

Among those detained was a daughter of independent Indonesia's first president, Sukarno; a rock star who once appeared in a video wearing a Nazi-style uniform, and a former army general who backed one of Widodo's rivals for the presidency in 2014.

The official, briefed on discussions between the police chief and one of the president's most trusted ministers, Luhut Pandjaitan, said Rizieq was on an original list of 20 people suspected of sedition. Police could not confirm such a list.

Rizieq was not detained, however. Instead, he was allowed to lead the protest later that morning.

Minister Luhut told police to arrest the least powerful people on the list of 20 to send a message that the government would not tolerate anybody trying to exploit the tensions, the official said. Jokowi's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Sharia law

The FPI, which claims around five million members and advocates sharia law across Indonesia's multi-cultural archipelago, has a history of harassing minorities. It has forced churches and mosques run by non-Sunni Muslims to close and raids nightclubs and bars it believes foster immorality.

It grabbed the political spotlight by seizing on Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's indelicate remark on the Koran during his re-election campaign, where he is standing against two Muslim candidates. Ahok goes on trial for blasphemy starting on Tuesday in a Jakarta court.

As an ally of the governor, Jokowi was the target of some of the outrage from Muslims – at an initial rally on Nov. 4 and then the larger one that brought over 200,000 protesters into the heart of Jakarta a month later.

Ahead of the Nov. 4 rally, Jokowi's security staff persuaded him to leave the presidential palace, said the senior government official. He went to the capital's airport where, according to his office, he inspected a rail project. Violence broke out as the demonstration wound up that day.

Another official, at the presidential palace, denied a report that Jokowi had gone to the airport as a precaution to flee the country. Underlining his alarm over the situation, however, the president did abruptly call off a visit to Australia the next day.

Widodo was given the same security advice ahead of the Dec. 2 protest, the two officials said. But Luhut urged him to appear at the rally to puncture the mood of animosity.

"He said he did not want to be seen standing... on the same stage as Habib Rizieq, but Luhut said it was a chance to show real leadership and calm the tensions," the palace official said.

Fall of Suharto

Rizieq, 51, was not available for comment. The chief of FPI's Jakarta chapter, Novel Bamukmin, responding to rumors FPI will form a political party and nominate Rizieq for president in 2019, told Reuters Rizieq had no political ambitions.

"Habib Rizieq's role has clearly been that of a figure who is pushing togetherness and unity. It is a movement of tolerant Islam," Bamukmin said.

The movement toward a more conservative and hardline Islam has been developing in Indonesia since the fall in 1998 of strongman Suharto, who had brutally repressed politicized Islam during his three decades in power.

Tim Lindsey, an expert on Indonesian law at the University of Melbourne, said Widodo – perhaps aware of the country's grim history of popular unrest – had put quelling the masses ahead of squelching the resurgence of political Islam.

"It's now about 'mass' – the easily manipulated masses that are on the streets, a nightmare for any political leader in Indonesia given the events of 1998, when Suharto was toppled," Lindsey said. "Jokowi now has to crack down because he has let the situation get out of control."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/emergence-political-islam-puts-indonesian-president-test/

Verdict in Ahok blasphemy trial likely to put Indonesia's democracy in the dock

Sydney Morning Herald - December 12, 2016

Jewel Topsfield, Jakarta – On December 2, students at a junior high school in Purbalingga, Central Java, were asked this question in their multiple-choice history test: "What is the name of the current gubernatorial candidate who insulted the Koran?"

The "correct" answer was d) Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, widely known as Ahok, the embattled governor of Jakarta whose blasphemy trial for allegedly insulting Islam begins tomorrow.

The right of individuals to be considered innocent until proven guilty is enshrined in Indonesian law and the teacher was forced to apologise after the Muhammadiyah (the second-largest Islamic civil organisation in Indonesia) schools board learned of the question.

But it illustrates what many commentators fear: that Ahok's conviction (he faces a maximum five-year jail sentence) is a foregone conclusion.

Police have confirmed that maximum security measures will be in place during the trial, after three massive rallies spearheaded by Islamic hardliners, one of which ended in violence, called for Ahok to be jailed.

But there are real fears Indonesia could become what Tempo magazine dubbed a "mobocracy". The respected magazine, banned under the Suharto regime as a threat to national stability, wrote in a rousing editorial: "A legal system that bows to pressure from the masses would turn Indonesia into a mobocracy... Such a state of affairs, [Aristotle] declared, is nothing short of anarchy."

More worrying than the fragile state of the rule of law in Indonesia, the magazine says, is the likelihood of the Ahok case becoming a precedent, with anyone being indicted because of mass pressure: "Nobody in their right mind would allow this to happen."

The most recent rally on December 2 was attended by about 500,000 protesters, some carrying dramatic banners dripping with painted blood that demanded Ahok be jailed.

The controversial governor – the first openly ethnic Chinese Christian to occupy the role – opened a Pandora's box when he allegedly provocatively told voters they had been deceived by his opponents citing verse 51 from the fifth sura or chapter of the Koran, al-Ma'ida.

Some interpret this as prohibiting Muslims from living under the leadership of a non-Muslim, although others say the scripture should be understood in its context – a time of war – and not interpreted literally.

Radical Islamic organisations have long opposed Ahok because they refuse to be led by a kafir (non-Muslim) but he proved stubbornly popular with his policies on reducing traffic congestion, flood mitigation, bureaucracy reform and free healthcare, appealing to middle-class Jakartans.

After inheriting the role of governor when his boss and political patron, Joko Widodo, was elected Indonesia's president in 2014, Ahok looked set to win in his own right in the gubernatorial elections next February.

His opponents, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's son Agus – whom a Jakarta Post columnist snidely suggested was being marketed largely on the "handsome factor" – and former education minister Anies Baswedan, were trailing in the polls.

But then Ahok's inflammatory comments gave his opponents – both of whom are Muslim – the ammunition they were looking for and profoundly changed the political landscape.

After a November rally calling for his imprisonment turned ugly, police declared Ahok a suspect, whilst admitting expert witnesses and investigators were divided over whether his comments were in fact blasphemous.

The move was widely interpreted as an attempt to appease the masses, with President Joko sufficiently alarmed about the civil unrest to cancel a state visit to Australia and commence a "political safari" of party and state institution leaders urging calm.

But the mob was not satisfied and another political rally – the biggest demonstration in Indonesia since the fall of Suharto – went ahead on December 2 demanding that Ahok be put behind bars.

The national police chief, General Tito Karnavian, appeared to play into their hands telling the cheering crowd: "We have done the maximum. Imagine, several times he was investigated by the KPK [Corruption Eradication Commission], but [Ahok] wasn't able to be named a suspect. Handled by the police, he can be named a suspect."

"In Ahok's case, by demanding that the police have been too slow, Islamists put pressure on the police to hasten the process," Dr Melissa Crouch, an expert on Indonesia's blasphemy laws from the University of New South Wales, writes in policyforum.net.

"By demanding that the Attorney-General arrest Ahok, they are already presuming charges will be laid. By a show of force in the capital, Islamists issue an implicit threat to the judiciary who may hear the case – we will mob your courtroom next. So much for a fair and impartial hearing."

At the eleventh hour President Joko made the abrupt and controversial decision to join the prayers at the December 2 rally alongside the radical Islam Defenders Front and then address the crowd. This was applauded as a canny tactical win by many, although others argued it legitimised political extremists.

To an extent he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't – his decision not to meet with protesters at the earlier November rally served to inflame tensions.

"[Joko] demonstrated considerable courage in rising to stand before a giant, largely hostile crowd," analyst Kevin O'Rourke wrote on the Reformasi website. "Nevertheless, [Joko]'s actions do nothing to aid his former running mate and political ally, Purnama [Ahok].

Ahok has never been afraid of ruffling feathers. He is loathed as much as he is loved, with his policy of evicting slum dwellers angering the urban poor and his plans for the reclamation of Jakarta Bay attacked by environmentalists.

His political rivals have successfully exploited anger over the alleged blasphemy comments to undermine both Ahok and his ally, President Joko. Ahok is now behind the other gubernatorial candidates in some polls.

There is also little doubt racism is at play. Only around 1 to 4 per cent of Indonesia's 250 million people are ethnic Chinese, but their economic success has caused resentment to bubble away for centuries. Ahok has been described as both a "Chinese bastard" and "the Chinese Infidel".

"Anti-Chinese sentiment has been growing during Jokowi's presidency as unprecedented Chinese investment pours into the country," writes Associate Professor Greg Fealy from the Australian National University.

He writes that it is now difficult to imagine that Ahok can avoid being found guilty because the government cannot afford for it to be otherwise, given Ahok has become so reviled a figure in the Muslim community.

"Over the past decade Indonesian democracy has been regressing on numerous fronts, including religious freedom," Professor Fealy says.

"The Ahok case and mass mobilisation that has surrounded it represents yet another reversal. The events of the past two months give a hollow ring to Indonesia's claim to being a moderate Muslim democracy."

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/verdict-in-ahok-blasphemy-trial-likely-to-put-indonesias-democracy-in-the-dock-20161212-gt9dgi.html

Activists defend Ahok amid prolonged blasphemy case

Jakarta Post - December 11, 2016

Jakarta – A number of human rights activists under the Civil Society Alliance for the Constitution (Amsik) have said Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama is a victim of a crime he did not commit.

Law professor and activist from the University of Indonesia, Sulistyowati Irianto, claimed on Saturday that certain parties had fabricated Ahok's case to affect the Jakarta governor's popularity and impact his chances of reelection.

"Politicians and the authorities can forge articles to rule the case in their favor. Therefore, we want the judges to maintain independence in the trial," Sulistyowati said. Ahok's trial is scheduled for Dec. 13, with the National Police looking for a safe venue for the proceedings.

Ahok, named a blasphemy suspect on Nov. 16 because of controversial remarks about a Quranic verse, allegedly violated articles 156 and 156a of the Criminal Code (KUHP).

The chairman of human rights watchdog the Setara Institute, Hendardi, said the Attorney General's Office (AGO) had bowed to public pressure as Ahok's dossier was hastily submitted to court in less than a week.

"The dossier consists of 826 pages; how can it be examined so fast? The AGO is like a postman that delivers a message from the police to the court," he said. (adt/evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/11/activists-defend-ahok-amid-prolonged-blasphemy-case.html

Activists question court's independence ahead of Ahok's blasphemy trial

Jakarta Globe - December 11, 2016

Jakarta – Activists say they doubt that the court can maintain their independence during Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's blasphemy trial, arguing that there have been serious questions over law enforcers' credibility and impartiality since the controversial case first came to light.

Tuesday's opening session of the trial is expected to draw more protests from hardliners, who have already staged a series of massive anti-Ahok street protests in the past two months.

The police said they will step up security in Jakarta during the trial, but activists say people should be more concerned with whether or not the judges can maintain their independence under intense public pressure.

"Mob rule is the biggest problem in this case. Can the judges stay independent?" human rights activist Hendardi said. Hendardi pointed out that law enforcers have shown a surprising swiftness in processing Ahok's case.

The police declared Basuki a suspect in the blasphemy case in mid-November following two large demonstrations by Muslim hardliners, who accuse the Christian of Chinese descent of insulting the Koran.

Ahok's case dossier was handed over to prosecutors less than a week after he was named a suspect.

Prosecutors then declared the dossier complete just three days after receiving it from the police, and handed over the case to the court on the very same day.

This was just a day before the third massive Muslim demonstration in Jakarta. The police and prosecutors have denied that the rush in handling Ahok's blasphemy case had anything to do with the public protests.

The judges appointed to the blasphemy trial have also vowed to maintain their independence, and activists are calling on them to stick to that commitment.

"The judges should have the guts to stay independent, fend off attempts at intervention and not bow to public pressure," interfaith activist Mohammad Monib said. "The trial should be fair and transparent."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/activists-question-courts-independence-ahead-ahoks-blasphemy-trial/

Hardliners assertiveness draws criticism as Ahok's blasphemy trial nears

Jakarta Globe - December 10, 2016

Jakarta – Protests against the blasphemy case launched by Muslim hardliners against Jakarta's Christian governor are mounting ahead of his first trial, with observers calling him a "victim of criminalization."

Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama is set to be tried on Tuesday (13/12), just weeks after being named a blasphemy suspect in a police probe launched in the face of mass pressure from hardliners.

The case has sparked concerns over rising religious and ethnic tensions ahead of February's much-contested Jakarta gubernatorial race, in which Basuki is seeking re-election.

According to Sulistyowati Irianto, a professor at the University of Indonesia, the blasphemy allegation is nothing more than a "politicization of identity" against the governor.

"The sharpening of differences to seek certain political interests is apparent in the case. This will be dangerous for the future of our national life," she told the press in Jakarta on Saturday (10/12).

Basuki had referred to a Koranic verse in his re-election campaign remarks in September, prompting the Indonesian Ulema Council to issue a statement the next month saying he insulted Islam.

However, this was dismissed by Neng Darra Affiah, leader of a Banten-based Islamic boarding school. "There's no blasphemy in the case. There's no single motivation, intention, or even statement to insult certain religion," she said.

Basuki has repeatedly apologized to Muslims for his remarks, but the statement already fired up religious sentiment across the world's largest Muslim-majority country.

Hardliners staged three rounds of mass Muslim demonstrations in the capital within the past two months, with protesters demanding that Basuki step down.

"What does exist in the case is politicization, efforts to hamper his gubernatorial candidacy. Even if the case hasn't occurred, other ways will surely be sought against him," Neng said.

Tuesday's much-anticipated trial is expected to draw further protests by Muslim hardliners, with police set to heighten security at areas surrounding the court and vital areas in the capital.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/hardliners-assertiveness-draws-criticism-ahoks-blasphemy-trial-nears/

Securing Ahok's trial venue necessary to avoid trial by mob: Setara Institute

Jakarta Post - December 9, 2016

Safrin La Batu, Jakarta – Moving the venue of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's blasphemy trial to a safer location is necessary both to maintain the independence of judges and to avoid a trial by the mob, a human rights organization has said.

Setara Institute chairman Hendardi said on Friday that the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP) allowed the moving of the trial to a new location from its initial venue if threats to security were anticipated.

"The moving of a trial venue is necessary not only to maintain the independence of the judges but also to ensure the security of the trial," he said in a statement. "The possibility of a trial by the mob has presented itself ever since this case was reported to the National Police," he went on.

Ahok's alleged blasphemy has triggered a nationwide uproar, with thousands of people staging a massive rally on Dec. 2 to demand the immediate arrest of the governor.

With growing rumors about another massive rally during the non-active governor's trial, which is scheduled to begin on Dec. 13, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said on Tuesday that the police were looking for a safer venue for the trial. Among alternative locations they suggested was Cibubur, an area in the outskirts of Jakarta.

On Friday, the Jakarta Police confirmed that the authorities had eventually decided to hold the first hearing of Ahok's trial at the North Jakarta District Court, which is temporarily located at the former Central Jakarta District Court building on Jl. Gajah Mada No. 17, Central Jakarta, next Tuesday.

However, they will later discuss whether they will hold the following hearings at the same court after observing the situation during the first hearing. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/09/securing-ahoks-trial-venue-necessary-to-avoid-trial-by-mob-setara-institute.html

Class action suit demands Ahok pay cost incurred by 'Islamic community' for

Detik News - December 8, 2016

Edward Febriyatri Kusuma, Jakarta – I Love the Fatherland (Aku Cinta Tanah Air, ACTA) deputy chairperson Ali Lubis is suing Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama over the campaign speech he made at the Thousand Islands in late September.

The suit is asking for compensation amounting to 470 billion rupiah in the name of the Islamic community that hates the man known affectionately as Ahok.

"This suit is being made by anti-Ahok groups over his statement that attracted many protests incurring material and immaterial losses. Currently we are trying to formulate the material damages", said class action suit plaintiff Lubis at Central Jakarta district court building on Jl. Gajah Mada in Central Jakarta on December 8.

"Essentially we will use [the money] for Islam's future struggles, with such a budget we will act against things like blasphemy. Essentially for the community's struggles like building mosques", he continued.

Lubis claimed that the law suit has been agreed to by the anti-Ahok Islamic community. He also explained the grounds for the suit he is representing.

"The weakness is that not everyone can [launch] a suit. So we are representing [them] in our capacity of understanding the law in submitting a suit", he explained.

Lubis said the nominal amount of 470 billion rupiah was calculated based on a calculation of the costs outlaid by the Islamic community during the previous day's activities. The outlaid costs were incurred by the various communities that took to the streets.

"We calculated the 470 billion rupiah from the other day's actions. At a minimum [each] person who took part in the other day's action spend 100,000 rupiah. Because there were stories of people using their own money, not being paid. We're not counting it all. At the first and second actions, there were around 4,700 people at the third action. This is the minimum number right, we didn't count the detailed costs per person, such as the individual cost of hotels", he said in conclusion.

Earlier, Lubis along with his lawyer Nurhayati registered the 470 billion rupiah class action suit with the Central Jakarta district court. According to the suit the money will be used to build mosques throughout Indonesia. (edo/asp)

Notes

According Berita Teratas, Ali Lubis had earlier challenged Ahok to a 12-round public boxing match.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "Gugat Ahok Rp 470 Miliar, Ali Lubis: Untuk Bangun Masjid".]

Source: https://news.detik.com/berita/d-3366743/gugat-ahok-rp-470-miliar-ali-lubis-untuk-bangun-masjid

Another politician arrested for treason, hate speech

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – The Jakarta Police arrested politician M. Hatta Taliwang on Thursday morning for allegedly being involved in a treason plot along with other individuals previously arrested.

The former National Mandate Party (PAN) politician was also charged with disseminating hate speech for allegedly exploiting the ethnic, religious, racial and social group (SARA) sentiments.

"We arrested him today at 1:30 a.m. at the Benhil [Bendungan Hilir] low-cost apartments in Central Jakarta," Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono said at Jakarta Police headquarters on Thursday. Argo said Hatta, who had been named a suspect, posted provocative messages on his Facebook account.

Hatta, who was interrogated at police headquarters, was charged under Article 28(2) of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law concerning the dissemination of information to incite hatred based on SARA, which carried a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Earlier, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochammad Iriawan said Hatta had attended meetings initiated by the daughter of first president Sukarno, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, for the alleged agenda of committing treason.

On Friday morning, activist Ratna Sarumpaet; former anti-Soeharto activist Sri Bintang Pamungkas; Rachmawati; the secretary general of Rachmawati's Pioneers' Party, Eko Suryo Santjojo; activist Firza Husain; retired Army generals Kivlan Zen and Adityawarman Thaha; and Alvin Indra were named as treason suspects and detained by the police. (evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/another-politician-arrested-for-treason-hate-speech.html

Rachmawati says meetings, cash transfer not evidence of treason

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – Treason suspect Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, the daughter of the country's first president Sukarno, has denied the police's accusation that she had organized meetings in her house with the agenda of committing treason on Dec. 2.

Rachmawati, the founder of the Soekarno Education Foundation (YPS) and organizer of Bung Karno University, said that she held various meetings in her home. She added that lately she often had meetings in her home regarding the plan to develop Bung Karno University.

"Why have the police become suspicious about my meetings? I'm not an unemployed person. I have an education institution that I'm going to develop," Rachmawati said at her house on Jl. Jati Padang Raya, Pasar Baru, South Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Rachmawati, who initially planned to hold a protest in front of the House of Representatives on Dec. 2, also denied the rumor that she had transferred money to some people to commit treasonous activities.

"My question is, what money transfer? If people plan to hold a demonstration, it is normal to provide them with [payment for] logistics. I'm not conglomerate. If people wanted to commit treason, their money wouldn't be as limited as mine is," she said, adding that she had never tried to find a sponsor to fund a treason plot.

Previously, National Police deputy spokesman Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul said police investigators had found new evidence of a cash transfer that corroborated their treason allegations against several recently arrested figures.

Police were still investigating aspects of the transaction, including the source of funds and recipients, Martinus said. (dmr)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/rachmawati-says-meetings-cash-transfer-not-evidence-of-treason.html

'Post-truth' politics in Jakarta may cloud voters' judgment

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Liza Yosephine, Jakarta – The amplification of negative news regarding the Jakarta gubernatorial candidate pairs on social media may compromise voters' ability to make informed decisions when electing the next governor.

A recent survey by Indonesia Indicator reveals that negative news articles are easily amplified online, especially via social media, with incumbent candidate pair Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat receiving the largest amount of negative sentiments.

"The public is more receptive to negative issues. Furthermore, they would retweet a post without checking and rechecking facts, fueling a state of post-truth politics, especially via social media," Indonesia Indicator communications director Rustika Herlambang told The Jakarta Post over the phone recently.

With "post-truth politics", Rustika was referring to the sharing of information on social media platform Twitter, where objective facts are less influential while false claims tend to spread rapidly.

The survey, which looked at data throughout November, has found that 36 percent of a total of 67,385 online news articles about Ahok and Djarot contained negative sentiments directly aimed at the pair, including in the titles.

Meanwhile, of the 6,729 articles about the Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno candidate pair only 4 percent were negative and of the 6,089 articles about Agus Harimurti Yudhoyno and Sylviana Murni only 2 percent were.

Throughout the month, Ahok-Djarot was tweeted 2,181,184 times, far more than Agus-Sylvi with 293,727 and Anies-Sandi with 64,168. Ahok and Djarot were mentioned by 694,967 Twitter users, Agus-Sylvi by 94,085 and Anies-Sandi by 38,158.

"What we found is that negative issues easily gained traction and thus amplified rapidly," Rustika said. Clarification of stories that were found to be false would get far less attention in comparison, she added.

Yose Rizal, director of PoliticaWave, one of the nation's first social media-monitoring sites, said the same thing.

"People have the tendency to read and spread online what supports their own beliefs, at times even without minding the credibility of the media from which they share the news," Yose told the Post.

He also noted that conversations surrounding the elections have not yet focused on the programs promised by the candidate pairs, but instead have been dominated by ethnic, religious or racial sentiments, as well as talk about blasphemy.

Various recent polls have shown incumbent candidate Ahok struggling to regain the majority support he held before being named a suspect in a case of alleged blasphemy.

Some Muslims in Indonesia and abroad grew angry after an edited recording of Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, telling residents in the Thousand Islands regency last September that a verse of the Quran had been used for political purposes went viral.

The embattled governor is set to stand trial on Dec. 13 following several large protests by conservative Muslim groups.

Meanwhile, former military officer Agus appears to be a potential dark horse after at least three recent surveys by notable pollsters placed him as the frontrunner.

A political observer and the executive director of Charta Politika, Yunarto Wijaya, said misleading headlines and readership ignorance can deceive the public by creating a false impression about the quality of a candidate.

"The risk is that it's not unlikely that the election of a candidate would not be based on facts, but on the formation of opinions often not based on correct data, which is dangerous," Yunarto said.

Today's social media usage and online news are not exclusive of each other, Yunarto said, adding that the unverified nature of identities on social media accounts makes it difficult to trust the credibility of any information.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/post-truth-politics-in-jakarta-may-cloud-voters-judgement.html

Agus promises to help evictees adapt to 'vertical housing'

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has promised to humanely relocate residents from densely populated villages near riverbanks and help them adapt to "vertical housing", in a bid to mitigate flooding in the city.

Agus said he realized that residents who would be relocated needed an adaption process to living in low-cost rental apartments (rusunawa).

"We will educate and help them adapt to the vertical housing concept. We will communicate the program with the residents from the beginning of the process," Agus told reporters at Tegal Parang, Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Many evictees relocated to rusunawa have complained of lower income and higher expenses.

The eldest son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he would provide social workers to explain to the residents what life would be like living in the apartments.

With the proper communication and preparation, the residents would not find any aspect of the relocation program surprising, he said.

Previously, Agus said he wanted to construct 300,000 apartment units in 700 towers. The apartments would be integrated with social, public, and health facilities so that residents would find it convenient living there, he said. (evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/agus-promises-to-help-evictees-adapt-to-vertical-housing.html

Surveys & opinion polls

Study finds majority of people condemning Ahok's 'blasphemy' not well informed

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Few Indonesian people who believe that Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has committed blasphemy have a clear understanding of the context of his speech during which he quoted a Quranic verse, a survey has found.

The survey commissioned by Jakarta-based pollster Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) revealed on Thursday that 45.2 percent of respondents regarded Ahok's remarks during his conversation with local residents in Thousand Islands regency on Sept. 27, in which he cited Surah al-Maidah, as blasphemous.

However, when they were asked about the governor's remarks, only 11.5 percent of the respondents said they clearly understood what Ahok had said. The study further found that only 12.9 percent of the public had seen the video of Ahok's speech uploaded on the Internet.

"As the study found that only a very few people had actually watched the video [of Ahok's statement], much of the blasphemy-related negative sentiment about Ahok is baseless," SMRC founder Saiful Mujani told a discussion on Thursday.

SMRC surveyed 1,220 respondents aged 17 years and above in its study conducted from Nov. 22 through 28 in response to the massive anti-Ahok demonstration organized by Islamic organizations, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), on Nov. 4. The survey was conducted through direct interviews with respondents in various areas across the country. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/study-finds-majority-of-people-condemning-ahoks-blasphemy-not-well-informed-1481198256.html

Public faith in Jokowi remains high despite anti-Ahok movement

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo retains a high level of public trust despite his perceived role in the blasphemy case currently implicating Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, a study has concluded.

The study commissioned by Jakarta-based pollster Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) found that a majority of the public still put its faith in Jokowi's leadership despite rumors of his interference in the ongoing legal process in Ahok's case.

The study reveals that only 3 percent of respondents felt disappointed with Jokowi's performance, even after the massive Nov. 4 rally that was rumored to have been targeted at ousting Jokowi.

"This means that the [Nov. 4] demonstration had no impact on Jokowi's performance as president," SMRC founder Saiful Mujani told a discussion on Thursday.

Conducted from Nov. 22 through Nov. 28, the study aimed to examine the effects of the anti-Ahok rally on Nov. 4. SMRC interviewed 1,220 respondents from areas across Indonesia for the study.

The pollster also said that in the study, the majority of respondents also expressed a high level of faith in public institutions, including the Indonesian Military (TNI), the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Attorney General's Office (AGO), which according to Mujani, had led to its conclusion that "Jokowi's administration is on track". (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/public-faith-in-jokowi-remains-high-despite-anti-ahok-movement.html

Mass organisations & NGOs

Government to put stricter regulations on mass organizations

Jakarta Post - December 14, 2016

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The government is set to impose tougher regulations for all mass organizations in an effort to discipline groups that have violated Indonesian values, a minister has said.

Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly said the new rules include stricter requirements for the establishment of a mass organization and severe punishments for disobedient groups.

"We will dissolve groups that are not good for the nation because they violate Pancasila and other state values," he told journalists on the sidelines of a hearing at the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Yasonna, a politician from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), further explained that as a first step toward the goal, his office would prepare for a government regulation (PP), through which technical provisions stipulated in the law on mass organizations would be explained in more detail.

The minister said although the issuance of the PP would be a bit late, implementing this regulation was crucial because it would explain preliminary efforts so the government could begin to discipline certain mass organizations.

"We will make sure that it will no longer be easy for mass organizations [to commit violations]," Yasonna asserted. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/14/govt-to-put-stricter-regulations-on-mass-organizations.html

Journalism & press freedom

Media 'contribute to' growing sectarianism

Jakarta Post - December 9, 2016

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The media's role in protecting multiculturalism and pluralism in the country is at a crossroads, as some publications are believed to be endorsing religious fundamentalism.

Human rights advocates say the media has encouraged anti-democratic moves by publishing reports on religion-motivated incidents without covering different perspectives.

"The media lacks a sense of responsibility," human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis told a discussion in Jakarta on Friday. Todung explained that such irresponsibility could be seen from the absence of the endorsement of law enforcement in stories of religion-motivated violence, which is rampant in the country.

"Covering both sides is of course important. But, we must remember that the spirit of reporting [religious violence] is to call for law enforcement," Todung said. "All media need to self-criticize and reexamine the purpose of their publishing".

Activist MM Billah concurs. The former commissioner of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has called on the media to highlight poor law enforcement as well as corrupt behavior that has consequently hampered the full implementation of human rights in the country.

"And this applies to the activists as well as institution in charge of upholding human rights in the country," he said. (evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/09/media-contribute-to-growing-sectarianism.html

Environment & natural disasters

Total ban issued on peatland clearance

Jakarta Post - December 9, 2016

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – Environmentalists have hailed the government's decision to issue a total ban on the clearing of carbon-rich peatland across Indonesia through the revision of a government regulation on peatland protection, despite skepticism about whether the policy will be fully implemented.

The revision, which was signed by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo into law on Dec. 1, will prohibit the draining and clearing of not only new peatland, but also concession land previously licensed to plantation companies.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said the ban could slash greenhouse-gas emissions and prevent disastrous peat fires that had plagued the region in recent years.

"This is an extremely positive and historic decision, both for Indonesia and for global efforts to tackle climate change. Such a moratorium has the potential to deliver huge health benefits for the Indonesian people, protect the country's incredible environment and deliver one of the biggest commitments yet to the implementation of the Paris Agreement," UNEP head Erik Solheim said, adding that the moratorium was an example of the kind of leadership that the world needed right now.

Peatland stores a massive amount of carbon. When it is drained or burned, often for the production of commodities like palm oil and wood fiber, they release the carbon into the atmosphere.

An analysis by the World Resources Institute (WRI) has found that draining a single hectare of tropical peatland is roughly equivalent to burning more than 6,000 gallons of gasoline. During several days in 2015, fires on Indonesia's peatland exceeded daily emissions from the entire United States economy.

As peatland stores a huge amount of carbon, the new ban could help Indonesia cut up to 7.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, equivalent to roughly all the annual greenhouse gases emitted by the US, according to the WRI.

"By strengthening the efforts to prevent damage to peatland such as by banning virtually all conversion of peatland to plantations and by encouraging peat restoration, this regulation will be a major contribution to the Paris climate agreement and a relief to millions of Indonesians who suffer the effects of toxic haze from peat fires," WRI Indonesia director Nirarta Samadhi said.

He applauded the new regulation, which was a revision of Government Regulation No. 71/2014 on peatland protection, for building on a strong set of existing policies, including a 2011 Presidential Instruction that prevented the issuance of new permits for use of primary natural forest and peatland.

Likewise, Herry Purnomo, a scientist at the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and professor at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), said he expected the new regulation would be instrumental in stopping the annual peatland and forest fires. "However, the implementation won't be easy," he said.

Herry pointed out that to enforce the moratorium would require a massive amount of resources, from the police and other law enforcement institutions.

He said the government should provide alternatives to farmers and companies, now that they were not allowed to clear peatland, until the government finished determining whether a peatland area was supposed to be a conservation zone or a cultivation zone.

It the peatland area is deemed to be safe for cultivation, permit owners should conduct land clearance sustainably using equipment like tractors, not burning.

"Clearing peatland sustainably is easy by using tractors but they're not cheap. So let's say people agree not to burn, but where are the tractors? And if they want to use money from carbon trading, where's the money?" Herry said.

According to the Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG), the ban takes effect immediately. The new regulation follows an announcement in April by Jokowi that he planned to push through a moratorium on new permits for oil palm plantations. It also comes after the 2015 haze crisis, which saw air pollution caused partly by peatland fires hitting record levels.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/09/total-ban-issued-peatland-clearance.html

CSR Sugar owner linked to palm oil deforestation

ABC 7.30 Report - December 8, 2016

The owner of some of Australia's most famous food brands has been linked to deforestation in Indonesia after new footage of land clearing in North Sumatra was obtained by 7.30.

Transcript

Hayden Cooper, reporter: The aerial view of deforestation in Indonesia. This footage was filmed earlier this year. It reveals the rainforests of West Papua, cleared and ready to be replaced by palm oil plantations.

Gemma Tillack, Rainforst Action Network: Papua is a critically important tropical rainforest. It is an area that we cannot afford to lose, and right now it is being threatened by palm oil development including the development for other crops like pulp, paper, and other agri business commodities.

Hayden Cooper: This is the end result – massive plantations of palm oil as more companies line up to capitalise often at the expense of the environment and local Indigenous communities.

Wensi Fatubun, Papuan filmmaker: Papuan people facing difficult with economic development project create by Indonesian governments. Economic development project for who? This is the big question, from the Papuans to the Indonesian government.

Hayden Cooper: This has been occurring across the region at an extraordinary rate.

Indonesia and Malaysia produce 85 per cent of the world's palm oil. Across Aceh, Sumatra, Borneo, Kalimantan and now Papua, millions of hectares of forests have been cleared and replaced by the lucrative crop, often endangering species like the Sumatra orangutan.

The palm oil is shipped all over the world and used in roughly half of the products in a typical supermarket.

Gemma Tillack: So what you can see here is excavators ripping down the rainforests.

Hayden Cooper: San Francisco-based Australian, Gemma Tillack monitors the industry for the rainforest action network.

Gemma Tillack: So right now we're at a critical juncture in the fate of Indonesia's rainforests.

The Indonesian president has actually taken a big, bold step forward and announced a moratorium on the further development of oil palm plantations in Indonesia. So we have a critical opportunity right now to get it right and to act together as a global community to protect Indonesia's rainforests.

Hayden Cooper: But this footage obtained by 7.30 reveals destruction continues in Indonesia's rainforest and peatlands despite the moratorium. It was filmed in North Sumatra, in the crucial Leuser Ecosystem.

Gemma Tillack: It is the last place on earth where you can find the Sumatra orangutans, the tigers, the elephants and the rhinos all co-existing together in the wild.

Hayden Cooper: This land clearing can be linked to some of Australia's most famous food brands through their parent company, Wilmar.

Wilmar International is the world's biggest palm oil trader. The Singapore-based agri business is controlled by the Malaysian billionaire Kuok Khoon Hong. It's the owner of CSR Sugar, one of Australia's most popular brands.

Together with the Hong Kong based conglomerate, First Pacific, Wilmar also owns Goodman Fielder, the maker of many well-known Australian food products. The footage was filmed last month and shows a plantation owner clearing forest in the vulnerable Tripa peatland.

Gemma Tillack: You can see that the excavator is ripping down the rainforest in the Tripa peatland. This is the orangutan capital of the world. So this is prime habitat for the Sumatra orangutan.

Hayden Cooper: The workers have been digging canals in the area and the clearance appears to have been under way for months.

Gemma Tillack: The drainage of the peat systems reduces the water table so that you can actually plant oil palm on the land.

Hayden Cooper: The Rainforest Action Network researchers decided to investigate further.

At the same plantation, they filmed palm oil fruit being loaded into a truck. They followed it as it drove to a nearby processing mill. The name of the site, PT Raja Marga. This mill is listed on Wilmar International's website as a supplier.

Gemma Tillack: I was shocked. I actually thought that by now Wilmar would have identified all of the third party actor that were still destroying the Leuser and convinced them to either stop or to shut down their operations.

Nick Xenophon, NXT senator: It's pretty full on, isn't it? There's no, it's not selective. It's just...

Hayden Cooper: Senator Nick Xenophon is a vocal critic of the palm oil industry. It even got him deported from neighbouring Malaysia three years ago. Should Wilmar be held accountable for what is going on there?

Nick Xenophon: Look, absolutely, and they need to be up front with Australian consumers, all of us, who would have consumed one of the products that Wilmar now controls or owns as to what's going on here. Particularly where there appears to have been a blatant disregard in the supply chain of a moratorium announced by the Indonesian government.

Hayden Cooper: Wilmar International declined 7.30's request for an interview. In a statement it said it shares the concerns about the Leuser Ecosystem. It says it proactively audits its supply chain and after its own investigation it halted buying from the rogue processing mill in October.

Gemma Tillack: Two years ago Wilmar did commit to stopping deforestation, to stopping the destruction of peatland and the exploitation of workers and communities.

So it has taken the first step with this commitment but what we have found on the ground is that its third party suppliers continue to destroy rainforests including those in the Leuser ecosystem.

Nick Xenophon: Well, Wilmar is talking the talk but not only are they not walking the walk, they're actually walking away from their previous commitments.

Hayden Cooper: So how far will the deforestation of Indonesia's rainforests go? West Papua is now considered the last frontier. But there, too, major companies are looking to expand.

Camellia Webb-Gannon, Western Sydney University: The companies that are interested in buying the land tend to be Malaysian, Indonesian, Korean and Singapore-based companies, and these companies are the world's major traders in oil palm.

Hayden Cooper: Among them is Indo Agri, a key subsidiary of Wilmar's business partner First Pacific, the other part owner of Australia's Goodman Fielder. As this footage confirms, it's now on the hunt in West Papua.

What's your company, say again?

Indo Agri worker: I'm from Indo Agri.

Hayden Cooper: Indo Agri?

Indo Agri worker: Yeah.

Hayden Cooper: That's a group of...?

Indo Agri worker: A company.

Hayden Cooper: A company? Based in Jakarta?

Indo Agri worker: Yes, based in Jakarta.

Hayden Cooper: Your core business is...?

Indo Agri worker: Oil palm.

Hayden Cooper: Oil palm? Oh okay.

Hayden Cooper: The encounter was filmed near the hometown of a Papuan filmmaker, Wensi Fatuban. Wensi Fatubun: When (inaudible) come and taken Marine people's land, they not only lost land but they also lost their culture.

Camellia Webb-Gannon: For the majority of these negotiated contracts, there has not been free, informed and prior consent on behalf of the Indigenous peoples and that is something companies are beholden to ensure.

Hayden Cooper: These latest images have inspired Nick Xenophon to act. He'll reintroduce a bill to require better labelling of palm oil products.

Nick Xenophon: At the moment palm oil is just labelled as a vegetable oil and it's given a number. It's meaningless in terms of consumers being informed.

Hayden Cooper: In the meantime, the clock is ticking for Indonesia's forests and the famous Australian brands that have aided their demolition.

Gemma Tillack: Wilmar is connected to the destruction of Tripa's peatland and it is connected to the destruction of the Leuser ecosystem. That needs to change. Wilmar need to go beyond the mill, they need to get down to the front line of forest destruction and stop the bulldozers in their tracks.

Leigh Sales: Hayden Cooper reporting.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2016/s4589563.htm

Health & education

Indonesia's tobacco road map annulled for contravening prevailing rules

Jakarta Post - December 13, 2016

Anton Hermansyah, Jakarta – The Supreme Court has annulled the Industry Ministry's tobacco road map, which aimed to increase cigarette production by 5 to 7.4 percent per year, from 2015 to 2020.

Praising the court's decision, an anti-tobacco coalition said all parties must be alerted of similar regulations in the future.

"The road map's annulment is final. The industry minister [Airlangga Hartarto] can do nothing but revoke it," the coalition's spokesman, Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto, said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Requesting the judicial review of a 2015 decree on the tobacco road map, Haryo said the Industry Ministry's policy contravened five prevailing regulations, including the 1999 Human Rights Law, the 2002 Child Protection Law and the 2009 Health Law.

He further said if tobacco industry players followed the road map, Indonesia would produce 524.2 billion cigarettes per year from 2020.

Haryo said in the 2015-2019 medium term development plan (RPJMN), the government planned to cut the country's smoking prevalence for smokers under 18 years old from 7.2 in 2013 to 5.3 in 2019.

The road map was not in line with the government's target. Moreover, it was not stipulated clearly on the road map whether producers should export most of their products.

"We must still be aware of other similar rules in the future. The fight against tobacco is like a never-ending story," Haryo said, adding that a notification letter on the road map annulment from the Supreme Court was received on Dec.6. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/13/indonesias-tobacco-road-map-annulled-for-contravening-prevailing-rules.html

Minister fails to convince Jokowi to scrap national exam

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Ina Parlina and Moses Ompusunggu, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo told Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy on Wednesday to think twice before moving ahead with his plan to scrap the national exams.

This was the first time the controversial issue of national exams was discussed by the Cabinet, following Muhadjir's public announcement that the exams burden students and the state budget.

While opening the plenary Cabinet meeting, Jokowi did not mention the exams. He only said that Muhadjir would present his findings. Muhadjir, a senior member of the country's second-largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, joined the Cabinet in July.

Presidential spokesman Johan Budi said, after listening to the minister's arguments, that the President concluded more thorough evaluation should be conducted. Muhadjir should take into account input and suggestions from other ministers and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who had openly opposed the plan.

"No decision has been made to scrap the national exams," said Johan, a former commissioner of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Jokowi will hold another Cabinet meeting to give the minister a chance to present his position on the national exam issue, said Johan.

Many teachers, academics and education activists have long been pushing to abolish the national exams, arguing that they are ineffective in measuring the national education system, as the quality of education varies wildly from one region to another. The supporters of the exams argue national standarization is needed to ensure quality of national education.

The Constitution requires the government to allocate at least 20 percent of its annual budget for the education sector, however, this obligation has never been met.

Asked about whether he accepted the President's decision on the suspension plan, Muhadjir responded, "All I can say is that I have explained the ministry's considerations [to scrap the national exams] to the Cabinet members."

Kalla said last week that national exams were still relevant as an evaluation of education. Later on Wednesday, Kalla said the reason to run a further review was because a type of national exam was still needed as a benchmark to boost education in the country.

"Without national exams, how can we improve education and determine a benchmark [to portray achievement] between regions?" Jusuf said as quoted by Antara News Agency.

Education expert Doni Koesoema criticized Jokowi's hesitation over the plan, saying that it was a move that "could worsen the country's education".

"Since being implemented 13 years ago, the national exams have failed to improve our education system. The national exams have forced teachers to only teach their students how to prepare for the tests, while, at the same time, students have grown accustomed to studying only for the exams," Doni said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/minister-fails-to-convince-jokowi-to-scrap-national-exam.html

Terrorism & religious extremism

Indonesia nabs woman, others in thwarted Jakarta bomb plot

Associated Press - December 12, 2016

Jakarta – Indonesian police said they safely detonated a bomb on the outskirts of the capital after arresting a female would-be suicide bomber and other suspected Islamic militants who were allegedly planning to attack the presidential palace this weekend.

The thwarted plot is likely to cause particular concern in Indonesia because of the possibility that women with militant network associations are now being recruited into more active roles, including plotting and carrying out attacks.

"This marks a new chapter of terrorism in Indonesia, where the suicide bombing was to be carried out by a woman," terrorism analyst Ridwan Habib said in an interview with Indonesian TV.

Umar Surya Fana, the police chief of Bekasi, a Jakarta satellite city, said the militants were followed by a police counterterrorism squad as they drove to Jakarta from Solo in central Java. The city is known for its radical mosques and Islamic boarding schools.

Police said two men were arrested after dropping the 27-year-old woman at the boarding house with the pressure cooker bomb. A fourth suspect, a man, was arrested in Solo, said Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono. The bomb potentially could have caused damage within a wide area, Yuwono said.

People living within a 300-meter (328-yard) radius of the boarding house were evacuated during the police operation on Saturday.

Police believe the militants were planning to bomb a presidential guard-changing ceremony on Sunday that is a tourist attraction in Jakarta, Fana said.

The woman's will, which was retrieved by police after the group stopped at a post office to mail it to her family, stated her desire to take part in "amaliyah," an Arabic term used by extremist groups for attacks or suicide bombings.

"They deliberately chose the target on a Sunday, when many families are hanging out around the national monument and near the palace, with the intention of causing a lot of casualties," said Habib, the analyst.

Police said those arrested are suspected to be part of a militant network responsible for a bomb-making lab raided last month in West Java province that was operating under the direction of Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian fighting with the Islamic State group in Syria.

He was linked to the attack in January in Jakarta that killed eight people, including the attackers, and several unsuccessful attacks in Indonesia since then. Those arrested in last month's raid planned to bomb targets in Jakarta, including the parliament and the Myanmar Embassy.

Muslim-majority Indonesia has carried out a sustained crackdown on militants since the 2002 bombings on the tourist island of Bali by al-Qaida-affiliated radicals that killed 202 people. But a new threat has emerged in the past several years from IS sympathizers.

Source: http://www.irrawaddy.com/news/asia/indonesia-nabs-woman-others-in-thwarted-jakarta-bomb-plot.html

Police name terrorist suspects in Jakarta bombing plot

Jakarta Post - December 12, 2016

Arya Dipa, Bandung, West Java – National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said the police had named seven suspects during their investigation into a recent discovery of active explosive bombs in Bekasi, West Java, on Saturday.

"As of today, seven people have been named suspects, including the alleged bomb assembler who was arrested in Ngawi, East Java," he said in Bandung on Monday.

Boy further said the police had also arrested another bomb assembler and a woman. She was suspected to have been prepared for a suicide bombing mission.

Boy said all of those suspects were part of a terrorist network led by Bahrun Naim, who was suspected by the police to have orchestrated terror attacks on Jl. M. H. Thamrin in Jakarta in January. They were also suspected to be part of a terror network behind a suicide bomb attack at the Surakarta Police headquarters in July, he further said.

"Thus, these terror cells had direct contacts with Bahrun. They operated in several cities. They belonged to a terror cell in Surakarta, Central Java. They had planned a terror attack, in which Bekasi was just a transit area before they moved to their main target area, Jakarta," said Boy, adding that all suspects had been brought to Jakarta for a further investigation.

Earlier, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said the terrorist group in the Bekasi terror attack plan was comprised of six people who coordinated directly with Bahrun. It was believed he was still in Syria. Nur Solihin, a terror suspect arrested by personnel of the police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad at his home in Kampung Griyan, Laweyan, Surakarta, Central Java, was the leader of the small group, Tito said.

"They prepared bombs that they learned to assemble on the internet. For the mission, Bahrun provided funds he sent via banks. Nur's second wife, the woman arrested, was prepared as 'the bride'," said Tito, using terminology that references a suicide bombing perpetrator.

They learned to make a high explosive bomb using a pressurized cooker with the security post at the State Palace in Jakarta as their main target, Tito added. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/12/police-name-terrorist-suspects-in-jakarta-bombing-plot.html

Indonesia counter-terrorism forces arrest suspects, thwart plan to bomb

ABC Radio Australia - December 11, 2016

Adam Harvey, Indonesia – Police in Jakarta say they have foiled a plot by extremists to detonate a bomb today at the presidential palace.

Counter-terrorism police raided a house in the east Jakarta suburb of Bekasi and found a pressure cooker packed with three kilograms of high explosives. They cleared the area and detonated the bomb at the scene.

Officers from the counter-terror squad Densus 88 arrested four people, including a woman who police say intended to detonate the bomb at a changing of the guard ceremony today at the palace.

The ceremony outside the palace gates is popular with tourists and locals. Tight security at the palace would have stopped the woman from entering the grounds but there would have been little stopping her from detonating the device among the crowd watching the ceremony. Police say the bomb would have had a blast radius of 300 metres.

Links to Syria-based Indonesian extremist

This is the closest extremists have come to a terror attack in Indonesia's capital since January's bomb and gun assault at a Starbucks cafe and police post that killed four innocent people.

A police spokesman said officers were tailing the woman in Bekasi when she went to a local post office with a box containing her clothes as well as a suicide note.

Police tailed her and two men back to the Bekasi house and arrested them. Another man connected to the plot was arrested in the city of Solo.

Police have linked the attackers to the Syria-based Indonesian extremist Bahrun Naim, who has been trying to inspire an attack in Indonesia for over a year.

Most of the attacks linked to Naim have failed, such as an assault on a police post in Solo in which the attacker blew himself up and injured a police officer.

Authorities in Indonesia have disrupted numerous plots this year against police and the Government. The hardliners responsible for the plots are unhappy with the Government's crackdown on extremists.

The nation's most infamous terrorist, Santoso, was killed by police in a Sulawesi jungle in July after a long manhunt.

Last month a three-year-old girl was killed by an extremist who threw a Molotov cocktail into the grounds of a church in East Kalimantan. Three other children were badly burned in the attack.

Source: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2016-12-11/indonesia-counterterrorism-forces-arrest-suspects-thwart-plan-to-bomb-presidential-palace-police-say/1638796

Concerns mount over antiterror bill

Jakarta Globe - December 8, 2016

Jakarta – Activists in Jakarta issued a joint communique on Thursday, Dec. 8, rejecting the government's new antiterrorism bill, which they say will only worsen the country's human rights record.

The government is seeking tougher action against terrorists with the bill, amid fears of rising militancy in the country.

It might still be months before the bill is finally enacted, since lawmakers' deliberation over it has dragged on amid growing human rights concerns.

In Thursday's communique, activists urged the government and lawmakers to "improve and revise stipulations in the bill that can threaten human rights."

"Revisions to the antiterrorism law must maintain a balance between guaranteeing public security and protecting citizens' rights," Setara Institute deputy chairman Bonar Tigor Naipospos told the press in Jakarta.

The new bill says an alleged terrorist can be detained without trial for up to one month, compared to seven days under the existing law. The bill also increases the detention period for a terror suspect from 180 days to 450 days.

The bill also prescribes "preventive detention," in which an alleged terrorist can be detained for up to six months in a non-specified location, a rule many have dubbed as the "Guantanamo article." A terrorist may also have their citizenship revoked according to the bill.

Activists reserve their strongest objection for an article in the bill that allows the active involvement of the military in counterterror operations.

They warn against jeopardizing the country's hard-won democracy, saying, if approved, the bill can shift the government's approach in handling terrorism from a criminal justice approach to a "war model."

"Protecting the country against terrorism should not be carried out by creating a political and security regime that will only threaten freedom and human rights," Indonesian Civil Society Circle director Ray Rangkuti said.

The government and lawmakers have defended the bill, citing what they call growing complexities in detecting terror threats in the country.

The government moved to revise the antiterrorism law earlier this year, when the country was forced to go on heightened alert following an Islamic State-linked attack in downtown Jakarta.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/concerns-mount-antiterror-bill/

Freedom of religion & worship

Diversity, religious tolerance highlighted at celebration in Bandung

Jakarta Post - December 12, 2016

Arya Dipa, Bandung, West Java – Amid growing religious tensions countrywide, a commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, held by the Daarut Tauhid Islamic Boarding School in Bandung, West Java, on Monday, highlighted the importance of respect for diversity and religious tolerance.

At least 20,000 students of the Islamic boarding school, which is led by prominent ustadz (Islamic teacher) Abdullah Gymnastiar, attended the event at Gasibu Square, Bandung.

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said he appreciated the celebration, which ran smoothly although it was attended by a large number of people. "Islam is rahmatan lil'alamin [a blessing for the universe]. It does not differentiate between people based on ethnic, religious, racial or intergroup affiliations," he said.

Ahead of Christmas celebrations on Dec. 25, the police chief asked all groups to respect and allow Christians to perform religious services peacefully. "If Bandung is safe, West Java and Indonesia will be safe as well."

Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil reminded leaders to always be careful about what they said. "Please pray for us so that as leaders, we can continue to restrain ourselves from saying anything that could offend someone else," he said.

Tito and Ridwan were among the prominent figures who attended the celebration, which coincided with the 26th anniversary of the school.

West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan and his deputy Deddy Mizwar, Siliwangi Military District Command commander Maj. Gen. Muhammad Herindra, West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Bambang Waskito and Indonesian Ulema Forum head Athian Ali were also present. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/12/diversity-religious-tolerance-highlighted-at-celebration-in-bandung.html

MUI, PGI to assist in Christmas security arrangements: Top cop

Jakarta Globe - December 12, 2016

Jakarta – National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said he had ordered regional police chiefs to work together with MUI, the Indonesian Ulema Council, and PGI, the Indonesian Communion of Churches, to keep Christmas celebrations safe this year.

All the regional police chiefs have been instructed to make security arrangements for this year's Christmas celebrations in consultation with the MUI, PGI, FKUB, or the Inter-Religion Harmony Forum, other Islamic mass organizations and also local religious leaders, Tito said.

"Intelligence will play a big role. We have to identify groups that may plan an attack on Christmas and stop them," Tito said in Jakarta on Sunday (11/12).

Tito said police officers are allowed to incorporate local Islamic groups to secure Christmas events, including Nahdlatul Ulama's paramilitary force Banser.

As previously reported, experts have called on the government to flex its muscles to protect the rights of all Indonesian citizens to conduct religious services following the shutdown of a Christmas celebration in Bandung by a hardline Muslim group.

The Bandung incident is the latest in a long list of cases where law enforcers have failed to protect minority groups.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/mui-pgi-assist-christmas-security-arrangements-top-cop/

Bandung mayor tells hardline Muslim group to apologize for stopping Christmas

Jakarta Globe - December 11, 2016

Jakarta – Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil posted on his official Facebook account a series of notices regarding an incident on Tuesday, Dec. 6, when a hardline Muslim group called PAS, or the Defenders of Ahlus Sunnah, stopped a Christmas service at a convention center in the city, raising the ire of many.

The notices were agreed upon after a meeting with local leaders, including those from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Bandung office. There were nine points mentioned in the Facebook post in total.

"Within seven days PAS must send an apology to Bandung's Christian Revival Service, or KKR, and a letter to the Bandung city administration stating that PAS will always comply to the laws of the Indonesian government," one of the points said.

"If PAS ignores this notice, the Bandung administration will ban PAS from conducting any activity in the city," another point said.

Indonesian laws prohibit discrimination based on one's ethnicity, religion, race and social group.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/bandung-mayor-urges-hardline-muslim-group-to-apologize-in-christmas-celebration-dismissal/

Nine Muslims ejected from Kupang in retaliation for anti-Christian action in

Jakarta Post - December 10, 2016

Djemi Amnifu, Kupang – Nine Muslims from South Sulawesi who landed at El Tari Penfui Airport in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday were intercepted by a group calling themselves the Brigade Meo Timor, in what seemed to be a retaliation for an Islamic group disrupting and closing Christian services in Bandung on Tuesday.

When the nine, all wearing long white shirts, got off a Garuda Airlines plane the group intercepted them. The Brigade Meo Timor notified East Nusa Tenggara Police and later police officers went to the airport and took the nine men to the police station.

The East Nusa Tenggara Police's director of intelligence, Sr. Comr. Agus S., said the nine were going to Atambua in Belu regency to conduct religious services for 36 days to Muslims from the Bugis ethnic group in Atambua. The men were from a mosque on Jl. Kerung Kerung in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

The police later sent the men to the home of Abdul Kadir Makarim, the head of the East Nusa Tenggara Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

Brigade Meo Timor coordinator Benyamin Banoe said the group did not want the men in Kupang because Kupang residents were preparing for Christmas. He said the group wanted the police to prohibit the nine men from doing religious activities in East Nusa Tenggara to avoid "social unrest". East Nusa Tenggara residents are mostly Christians.

"Peace is expensive. Thus, to keep harmony in East Nusa Tenggara, the nine men from South Sulawesi should be sent home," he said.

MUI Abdul Kadir said the nine men should be returned home. "Don't go to Atambua because the situation is not good. Don't get us into trouble here," he said.

East Nusa Tenggara Police chief Brig. Gen. Widyo Sunaryo said the nine men had not violated any laws. He said the police and MUI decided to send them home in consideration of "the current conditions after the Jakarta and Bandung situations". (evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/10/nine-muslims-ejected-from-kupang-in-relatiation-for-anti-christian-action-in-bandung.html

Christians in Indonesia refuse to give in to fear

Jakarta Post - December 10, 2016

Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – On the heels of a series of intolerant acts by hard-liners, including the recent mob attack on a Christmas service in Bandung, West Java, Christian groups have said they will celebrate Christmas as usual and will not bow down to pressure.

The Gereja Kemah Abraham (GKA) church, whose congregation performs its religious activities in a hall in the ITC Permata Hijau shopping center in South Jakarta, said they would not change their Christmas service schedule despite concerns about rising intolerance in the country.

"Even though there are a lot of issues [regarding intolerance], our [Christmas] services will take place as usual because we hope that everything will be safe," GKA secretary Sozawato Telaumbanua told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

He added that the GKA and other churches had been coordinating with police personnel to ensure the security of the services it is going to hold, including the Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24 and the New Year's Day service on Jan. 1, 2017.

Similar statements were made by business entities in the capital, including the management of Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, who said the hotel would promote tolerance by running its business as usual and decorating its building in a Christmas theme, as it did for all major religious occasions.

Kempinski's public relations director Rebecca Leppard told the Post that the hotel would stage special events for their clients who celebrate Christmas, such as buffets, dinner and choir performances, just as they did every year.

"Our staff are also repeatedly reminded that we serve our clients without discrimination and that they should also show professionalism in their relations with each other [of whatever religious background]," she said.

In the past week, Indonesia has seen two incidents where hard-line Muslims intimidated people from other religious groups and forced them to give in to their demands.

Last Tuesday, an Islamic group calling themselves the Ahlu Sunnah Defenders (PAS) forced a Christian community to cancel a Christmas service at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha, a popular auditorium in Bandung. The protesters, who stormed into the building and broke up the service held by the Reformed Injili Indonesia Church, claimed the event to be "illegal" because it was held at a public facility.

The following day the Muslim People's Forum (FUI) of Yogyakarta forced Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW) to take down billboards that featured a student wearing a hijab, claiming that the billboards "insulted Islam".

The acts of intimidation carried out by hard-line groups come amid escalating sectarian tension surrounding the blasphemy case involving Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who is a Christian of Chinese descent.

The secretary-general of the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), Gomar Gultom, called on Christians to remain vigilant, saying that every church should ensure security during Christmas services.

"I hope people will understand that [Christmas] is only once a year and even though some congregations perform the services in public halls, they have obtained all legal permits," Gomar told the Post.

Executive secretary of the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia's (KWI) Justice and Peace Commission, Paulus Christian Siswantoko said the government should ensure that all religious groups were able to perform their services peacefully.

The KWI would intensify its communication with other religious communities and the government to strengthen harmony amid concerns of a weakening of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), the nation's philosophy, he said.

"We should safeguard harmony within all these differences. We should use Christmas time to spread peace in society, which is now on the brink," Paulus said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/10/christians-in-indonesia-refuse-to-give-in-to-fear.html

Inclusive universities help promote pluralism

Jakarta Post - December 10, 2016

Bambang Muryanto and Arya Dipa, Yogyakarta/Bandung – Dozens of hijab-clad students were sitting in groups in the yard of Sanata Dharma Catholic University in Yogyakarta on Friday afternoon, seemingly in the middle of discussions about their studies.

They were joined by male and non-hijab-wearing female students in the campus located on Jl. Gejayan, Sleman, in Yogyakarta. This idyllic view stands in contrast to the claims made by hard-line Muslim group Muslim People's Forum (FUI), which recently forced another non-Muslim university Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW) to take down billboards depicting a female student wearing a hijab. The group claimed the billboards were an insult to Islam.

Sanata's billboards also feature a student wearing a hijab together with other students, a seemingly accurate depiction of what was seen in the campus' yard on Friday. "There is no Christianization here. The campus even provides a prayer room," Ardiya D. Nurahma, a Sanata Dharma English major student.

The campus has declared that it will refuse to bow down to pressure to take down the billboards, as UKDW has done in compliance with the FUI's demands.

Of the total 3,800 students at UKDW, 266 are Muslim, according to the university's data. The university said it had decided to comply with the demands to prevent disruptions to campus' activities.

The billboards depicting a hijab-clad student was not a violation of religious laws, but instead aimed to promote inclusivity and pluralism, principles regarded highly in Islam, Yogyakarta's Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University rector Yudian Wahyudi said on Friday. Inclusive educational institutions are pivotal to creating a society that supports pluralism, he added.

"They want to show that it is an open campus that upholds diversities," he told The Jakarta Post, adding that the advertisement should not be interpreted negatively based on fears of Christianization.

Accepting students from different faiths has been a long-standing practice at Islam-based universities such as Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University, the university's rector Bambang Cipto said.

The advertisement did not constitute an ethical violation either, advertising lecturer at the Gadjah Mada University Pulung S. Perbawani said, adding that the campuses wanted to promote their embrace of multiculturalism.

The protests over the campus billboards has been the latest incident that indicates a rising level of intolerance and aggressive tactics from hard-line Muslims toward people of other faiths.

The incident took place a day after two Islamic groups – Ahlu Sunnah Defenders (PAS) and Dewan Da'wah Islamiyah Indonesia (DDII) – rallied against a religious service led by Rev. Stephen Tong at a popular auditorium, the Sasana Budaya Ganesha (Sabuga) Building, in Bandung on Tuesday. The groups claim the service should not have been held in a public facility.

The incidents follow widespread religious tension centering on the blasphemy case against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil said on Friday that groups wishing to hold religious events in his city did not need a permit but only inform local police, countering claims from PAS members that the Christmas service was illegal.

"If there are parties saying a religious service requires a permit, it is not true. They do not need any permit, no matter what and when," he said.

He made the statement after a meeting with representatives of state institutions and religious organizations on Thursday evening. Ridwan said that during the meeting it was agreed that the use of public buildings for religious services was allowed as long as they were non-routine events.

"What we strictly prohibit civil groups from doing is entering houses of worship of other religions. If that happens, they can be charged with violating articles 175 and 176 of the Criminal Code [KUHP]. But even in the worst situation, it is only the police that have the authority to take action against such a violation," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/10/inclusive-universities–help-promote-pluralism.html

Bigotry haunts nation

Jakarta Post - December 9, 2016

Haeril Halim, Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, and Bambang Muryanto, Jakarta/Yogyakarta – The National Police have come under fire for failing to uphold the law in the face of intolerant actions by hard-line groups, which have become more assertive in the midst of rising conservatism in the country.

In the past three days, the country has seen at least two incidents where hard-line Muslims intimidated people of other faiths and forced them to give in to their demands.

A day after an Islamic group called the Ahlu Sunnah Defenders (PAS) in Bandung forced a Christian community to cancel a Christmas service on Tuesday, the Muslim People Forum (FUI) of Yogyakarta forced Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW) to take down billboards that feature a student wearing a hijab on Wednesday.

The billboards show three female students, one of whom is wearing a hijab, studying in a library as a symbol of religious pluralism on the campus. The billboards have stood for about three months in a number of spots in Yogyakarta, including one on the campus compound, to welcome prospective freshmen. It was not until Wednesday that the hard-line group claimed the billboards "insulted Islam".

UKDW rector Henry Feriadi said campus management had no choice but to bow to the demands of the hard-line group because the university did not want to create noise that could disrupt activities at the campus and in Yogyakarta.

"The group said the billboards were misleading because it [hijab] is a symbol of Islam, and we did not ask permission from the mass organization to display such billboards. We never engage in proselytization [as accused] because we respect pluralism," Henry told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

After the UKDW incident, other Christian universities in Yogyakarta fear they could be the next targets.

Atmajaya University in Yogyakarta may take down a billboard depicting a student wearing a hijab on Jl. Urip Sumoharjo in the city. Meanwhile, the Catholic Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta is also on alert following circulating information on social media that the FUI will pay a visit because the campus has a similar billboard displayed in front of the university.

The brazen acts of intimidation by hard-line groups has sparked concerns that the police are too soft in dealing with their antics.

Setara Institute chairman Hendardi criticized the police for failing to uphold the law and instead acting as a mediator when handling acts of intolerance. "Sometimes the police get confused over what they need to do in such a situation, so they always bow to pressure from intolerant groups," Hendardi said.

The police should take firm action against intolerant groups, National Awakening Party (PKB) lawmaker Maman Imanulhaq said. "Those groups think they are free to do anything they want. That's because law enforcers have never been firm," he added.

National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar dismissed accusations that the force had bowed to hard-line groups and defended their approach of mediating conflicting parties rather than enforcing the law.

"If the intolerant groups violate the law and move to conduct violence such as torture or destruction, they will be punished for sure. For now, mediation is important to find the root cause of the problems," Boy said.

Police have been under pressure from hard-line Islamic groups following the blasphemy accusation against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

After speeding up the investigation into Ahok's blasphemy case, the police are pushing the North Jakarta District Court to move the location of Ahok's trial for fear that it could attract protesters, including hard-line groups, potentially triggering security problems. The court, however, has said that it may ignore the police's recommendations.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/09/bigotry-haunts-nation.html

Police should flex muscles to counter intolerant groups: Criminal expert

Jakarta Globe - December 9, 2016

Jakarta – The government should flex its muscles to protect the rights of all Indonesian citizens to conduct religious ceremonies according to their faith, a legal expert said on Thursday, Dec. 8.

Agustinus Pohan, a criminal expert from Parahyangan University, claimed the shutdown of a Christmas celebration in Bandung by a Muslim group has added to a long list of cases where law enforcers have failed to protect minority groups. The police, according to Agustinus, should hunt the thugs behind the incident.

"When the Christmas celebration in Bandung was forcibly shut down, the police did not do anything to protect the congregation. This cannot go on, the government should protect the rights of every citizen to practice his or her religion," Pohan said.

According to Pohan, the Defenders of Ahlus Sunnah (PAS) – the Muslim group that forced the Christmas service at the Sabuga convention center in Bandung to be shut down – had no right to disrupt the event.

Muslim communities have also spoken out against PAS. Most of them said they had no problem with church services at the Sabuga.

The organizer of the Christmas service has already dismissed PAS' claim that they had not secured the necessary permit to hold the event, saying they already received a letter from the police confirming the service could go ahead.

"The police ceded to PAS' demand to stop the service, because they said they did not want to cause more trouble. This is absolutely the wrong move," Pohan said. "I went to the Sabuga and there weren't actually that many people demonstrating against the event, but the police quickly gave in to their demand."

According to Indonesian law, public facilities can be used for religious events as long as organizers acquire the necessary permits from the authorities.

Just four days before the incident in Bandung, a mass prayer-cum-rally in Central Jakarta saw hundreds of thousands of Muslims taking part in a Friday prayer at the National Monument and on the streets around it.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/police-flex-muscles-counter-intolerant-groups-criminal-expert/

Religious services do not require permits: Bandung mayor

Jakarta Post - December 9, 2016

Arya Dipa, Bandung, West Java – Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil has asserted that religious services in the city do not require permits, though the organizer should send a notification letter to the police.

"If there are parties that have said the organizing of a religious service here requires a permit, it's truly wrong. It doesn't need any permit, no matter what and when," he said in Bandung on Friday.

The mayor highlighted the matter after a meeting with representatives of state institutions and religious organizations on Thursday evening.

Ridwan said it was agreed during the meeting that the use of public buildings for religious services was allowed as long as it was incidental in nature and not something held routinely.

"What we strictly prohibit civil groups from committing is entering houses of worship of other religions. If that happens, they could be charged with violating articles 175 and 176 of the Criminal Code [KUHP]. But even in the worst situation, it is only the police that have the authority to take action against such a violation," he said.

Supporters of two Islamic mass organizations, namely Pembela Ahlu Sunnah (PAS) and Dewan Da'wah Islamiyah Indonesia (DDII), staged a rally against a religious service led by Rev. Stephen Tong at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha (Sabuga) Building in Bandung on Tuesday.

The protesters demanded the congregation hold its religious service in a church, not in a public facility, including Sabuga. They entered the building and forced the congregation and choir members to disperse. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/09/religious-services-do-not-require-permits-bandung-mayor.html

Minister says mass organizations may not disrupt religious activities

Jakarta Globe - December 9, 2016

Jakarta – Chief Security Minister Wiranto has called on Indonesians to respect the right of all religious communities to practice their faith, while stating that no organization may disrupt such activities.

"No action that violates the law on intolerance is justified. Our nation is [based on the state ideology of] Pancasila. Respect every religion, give opportunities for congregations to practice their faith safely and peacefully," Wiranto said in Jakarta on Thursday (08/12).

The former general said one-sided actions by groups to disrupt religious activities is not appropriate. "As long as the service takes place in an orderly way at the location, there should be no problem," he said.

Wiranto said any actions aimed at preventing people from participating in religious activities should be reported to the authorities.

'Unfortunate'

Religious Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin earlier deplored the action by a group calling itself the Defenders of Ahlus Sunnah (PAS) to disrupt a Christmas celebration at the Sabuga Convention Center in Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday evening. The incident triggered widespread condemnation.

"It is very unfortunate that it happened. Members of the congregation, who were conducting their practice, should be respected and protected," Lukman said in a written statement on Wednesday.

PAS justified the action by claiming that the organizers of the event had not secured the required permits, but this has been rejected by a member of the church committee, who asked not to be identified. The person said all the requirements to hold a church service in a public space had been met, including submitting notification letters to the local administration and the police.

According to Indonesian law, public facilities can be used for religious events as long as organizers acquire permits from the authorities, such as the Dec. 2 mass rally in Central Jakarta, which saw hundreds of thousands of Muslims take part in a Friday prayer at the National Monument (Monas) complex and surrounding streets.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/minister-says-mass-organizations-may-not-disrupt-religious-activities/

Nothing wrong with university ads featuring hijab-clad students: Expert

Jakarta Post - December 9, 2016

Bambang Muryanto, Yogyakarta – Universities in Yogyakarta with billboards featuring hijab-clad students do not violate ethical codes of advertising, a communications expert has said.

"A hijab-clad student featured in the Duta Wacana Christian University [UKDW] admission ad in fact aims to show the spirit of multiculturalism," Gadjah Mada University communications lecturer Pulung S. Perbawani told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Pulung was asked to respond to the demands of hard-line group the Muslim People's Forum (FUI), which called on the university to take down the billboards, claiming the ad might be misleading for Muslim students considering enrolling in the university.

Pulung said through such ads, universities wanted to communicate that educational institutions did not subscribe to favoritism based on ethnicity, race or religion.

"UKDW is definitely not the first to make such an ad. Some universities in the US and Britain also display ads using hijab-clad models to emphasize that they embrace multiculturalism," she asserted.

In Yogyakarta, aside from UKDW, Sanata Dharma University and Atma Jaya, both managed by Catholic foundations, also have similar ads.

UKDW rector Henry Feriadi said many of the university's students were Muslims. "At least 7 percent or around 3,800 of our students are Muslim," Henry said.

Meanwhile, Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University spokesperson RA Vita Noor Prima Astuti said the university allowed students to wear the hijab as it was an inclusive institution.

"Many [Muslim students] have asked whether they are allowed to wear the hijab while on campus. We said 'they are allowed'," she said. (dmr)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/09/nothing-wrong-with-university-ads-featuring-hijab-clad-students-expert.html

Religious intolerance may increase ahead of Ahok trial, Christmas: Researcher

Jakarta Post - December 9, 2016

Safrin La Batu and Ahmad Junaidi, Jakarta – Cases of religious intolerance could increase in Indonesia amid Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's blasphemy trial and ahead of Christmas celebrations.

Setara Institute research director Ismail Hasani said intolerant groups had grown more confident after a large-scale rally against Ahok in the National Monument (Monas) area, Central Jakarta, on Dec. 2. "And it's now heading toward Christmas," Ismail told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

A few days after the rally, he said a conservative group dispersed a Christmas event held at Sasana Budaya Ganesha in Bandung. West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan and Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil apologized for the incident on Tuesday.

The following morning, in Yogyakarta, members of the Muslim People's Forum (FUI) visited Duta Wacana Christian University and asked the university to take down billboards depicting a female student wearing a hijab.

On Thursday, the university decided to remove the billboards. The move prompted fears that the group would ask other universities to remove similar billboards.

However, Sanata Dharma Catholic University said it would refuse to remove its billboards, which also depict a female student in a hijab, if the group visited the university. (jun)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/09/religious-intolerance-may-increase-ahead-of-ahok-trial-christmas-researcher.html

Muslims lambast Christmas service raid in Bandung

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Haeril Halim and Arya Dipa, Jakarta/Bandung – The country's largest Muslim organizations have vowed to help protect Christians across the country ahead of Christmas, in the wake of the latest intolerant act by hardliners against a Christian community in West Java's provincial capital of Bandung.

The Reformed Injili Indonesia Church was forced to cancel a Christmas service at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha (Sabuga), a popular auditorium in Bandung, on Tuesday after a number of people calling themselves the Ahlu Sunnah Defenders (PAS) stormed into the building and broke up the service.

The protestors claimed the event to be "illegal" because it was held at a public facility.

The incident took place amid widespread religious tension centering on the blasphemy case levelled against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahja Purnama.

The country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) lashed out at PAS for its brutal action and asked the government "to dissolve such an anti-pluralist organization".

NU said its youth wing Barisan Ansor Serbaguna (Banser) across the country would help ensure Christians could peacefully prepare for and celebrate Christmas.

"Banser members will be at the forefront of protecting Christian fellow citizens while conducting prayers and activities ahead of Christmas. This is in the name of tolerance," NU deputy secretary-general Imam Pituduh told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Imam called on the government to investigate the motivation behind PAS' disruption of the Christmas service in order to ensure the protection of minority groups.

Similarly, Muhammadiyah, the country's second-largest Islamic organization, said it would intensify interfaith dialogue.

Muhammadiyah Youth chairman Dahnil Simanjuntak said hard-line groups were also encouraged to participate in the discussions. "They are just a few [groups]. There are a lot more Muslims who are more tolerant out there," he told the Post.

Muhammadiyah has an interfaith program called "Clean, Pray and Love" (CPL) which encourages young people to engage in interfaith activities such as cleaning houses of worship, including churches and mosques.

The National Police said they would deploy a total of 155,000 personnel across the country from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, 2017.

Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil said that the disrupted Christmas service was legal. "We deplore the intimidation by the organization, which is inappropriate and disrespectful to the spirit of Bhineka Tunggal Ika [unity in diversity, the National Philosophy]," Ridwan said, adding that he was on a visit to Jakarta when the incident took place.

West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, however, said the intolerant act was something that people "should not be worried about". "It's just a minor incident," said the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician.

Setara Institute chairman Hendardi said the recent large-scale anti-Ahok rallies could have emboldened intolerant groups. Hendardi urged the authorities to bring the perpetrators of the Bandung incident to justice. "Otherwise, similar incidents could happen ahead of Christmas," he said.

The Religious Affairs Ministry said the Bandung incident had inspired it to draft an article in the protection of religious followers bill, still being drawn up by the ministry, which will stipulate criminal charges for individuals and organizations that disrupt public religious activities.

The committee of the canceled Christmas service said in a statement that it had acquired all necessary permits. "We regret the disruption by a number of people who represented an organization, and that the police failed to protect the dignity of the state and the constitution," the statement said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/muslims-lambast-mob-attack-in-bandung.html

Religion & morality

Religious court judge sacked for adultery

Jakarta Post - December 14, 2016

Moses Ompusunggu, Jakarta – Two Indonesian top judicial authorities decided to dismiss a top local religious court judge in Padang Panjang in West Sumatra on Tuesday for what they deemed as her "immoral act" of cheating with another man while married.

Elvia Darwati, 49, a former Padang Panjang Religious Court chief, was dismissed with honor by the Judge Ethics Council, which consists of four Supreme Court justices and three Judicial Commission (KY) top officials, for breaching two provisions within the 2009 and the 2012 judge code of ethics on the integrity of judges.

This was the 46th ethical violation case managed by the council since its inception in 2009 – around 28 percent of the cases were related to judge decency, KY data revealed.

KY commissioner Farid Wajdi said the verdict provided an impetus for the Supreme Court to evaluate the mechanism of court chief appointments in the future.

"This is another blow for the country's judiciary system, for her [Elvia's] last position while in office was a religious court chief," Farid said in a statement.

Elvia, who admitted her wrongdoing when pleading her defense statement in the Tuesday hearing, fainted while the council was reading its verdict.

Elvia, who had served as a judge for 15 years, was found in a low-cost hotel room in Bukittinggi in West Sumatra, a Muslim-majority province, with a man she said was her high school friend during a raid in October by the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), the police and the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Following the raid, the mother of four paid a Rp 2 million (US$150) fine for violating a Bukittinggi regional regulation on social problems and was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Court.

The Padang High District Court in West Sumatra also launched an examination after the raid to determine if Elvia breached any ethical violations. The court found that she had committed a "serious ethical violation" and recommended to the Supreme Court that it dismiss her without honor.

But the ethical council decided to rule out against the Padang court's finding, taking into account that Elvia had a good track record while in office — she had committed zero ethical violations before the Tuesday verdict — and still has to pay child support.

KY head of supervision Jaja Ahmad Jayus, who was one of the council members overseeing the case, said that the Tuesday ruling was final and legally binding for Elvia, who would be formally dismissed pending a dismissal letter issued by the Supreme Court.

Jaja added that with Elvia having been dismissed with honor, she will still receive her pension fund.

Tuesday also saw a hearing on an alleged ethical violation by Jambi High District Court judge Pangeran Napitupulu called off by the council due to him being sick. The hearing was rescheduled for Jan. 4 next year, Farid said.

While serving as a Jakarta Corruption Court judge in 2013, Pangeran made headlines when he acquitted former Merpati Nusantara Airlines president director Hotasi Nababan in a corruption case related to the lease of two Boeing aircraft. The ruling was annulled by the Supreme Court a year later.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/14/religious-court-judge-sacked-adultery.html

Land & agrarian conflicts

Kendeng farmers disappointed with new cement factory permit

Jakarta Post - December 10, 2016

Suherdjoko, Semarang – After four days of walking approximately 150 kilometers from Rembang to Semarang in Central Java, Kendeng mountain farmers ended their journey in disappointment to find that Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo had issued a new environment permit for a cement factory in Rembang.

The Supreme Court, in an October decision, has ordered a revocation of the old permit and about 300 farmers did the long march to pressure Ganjar to revoke it. However, apparently the governor revoked the old one and issued a new on on Nov. 9. The farmers learned about the new permit on Friday, on the last day of their march, when they met with Central Java top official, Siswolaksono. Siswolaksono said Ganjar could meet them because he was in Riau, but he told the farmers that Ganjar had signed a new permit last month.

"We're disappointed. A new permit has been signed to allow [state-owned cement producer] PT Semen Indonesia to mine [in Kendeng mountain]," community leader Gunretno said. Gunretno said he would discuss their response with the other farmers. "We have to be careful about this."

The farmers have fought against the cement factory in the Karst mountain area for almost three years, arguing that the factory would reduce the supply of water for their agriculture. The farmers have said they want to farm in peace and they do not need the factory because their agricultural lands have provided sufficient prosperity for them.

In April, several women from the Kendeng mountain area decided to cement their feet into a box in front of the presidential palace in protest of the factory. The images of the women with their feet in the box have been an iconic image of farmer resistance in Indonesia.

The factory is almost complete and the residents living around the factory have split into two camps, those who are for the factory and those against. The pro camp says the factory has given them benefits, like employment for 1,200 construction laborers.

Semen Indonesia has denied that their factory would damage the environment. (evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/10/kendeng-farmers-disappointed-with-new-cement-factory-permit.html

Governance & administration

Palace warns of another Cabinet reshuffle next year

Jakarta Post - December 11, 2016

Jakarta – Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung has signaled that another Cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place should Indonesia fail to narrow its position gap with regional powerhouses in the World Bank's flagship report on ease of doing business next year.

Pramono said although Indonesia had jumped significantly by 15 places to 91st position in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index for 2017, released in October, it was still far below Singapore and Malaysia, ranked second and 23rd, respectively, in the index.

Continuous improvements, Pramono said, were currently being undertaken to make sure that the country could secure a position above 50th in the index, regarded as a parameter for investors around the world, by next year.

"President [Joko "Jokowi" Widodo] has decreed that [the country's ease of doing business ranking] should be better than 50th next year, otherwise he will replace [relevant] ministers," Pramono said on Saturday during the "Indonesianisme Summit" seminar initiated by the Bandung Institute of Technology's alumni association.

In April, President Jokowi issued the 12th economic stimulus package that specifically targeted a significant improvement in the World Bank's index by scrapping many procedures and reducing both the time and cost involved in starting a business.

The significant jump in Indonesia's ranking is based on improvements made in starting a business, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, paying taxes, trading across borders and enforcing contracts.

On July 27, the President announced the composition of his new Cabinet, which saw nine new names replacing previous officials, in an effort to create a more efficient Cabinet. This was the second reshuffle the President made after the first one in August 2015, when he sacked six Cabinet members.

Also attending Saturday's seminar were Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto and Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, the latest two are among the new members of the Cabinet. (win/hwa)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/11/palace-warns-of-another-cabinet-reshuffle-next-year.html

Jakarta & urban life

Cyclists struggle to find place in mean city

Jakarta Post - December 10, 2016

Indra Budiari, Jakarta – On Dec. 17, 2012, then Jakarta governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo officially opened a dedicated bicycle lane in the East Flood Canal, claimed to be the city's longest bike lane.

Hours later, motorcycles invaded the lane, an illegal move that faced no resistance from law enforcement institutions. Therefore, each time Mahardika Putra rides his bike to the office, he struggles as hundreds of motorcycles pack the lane.

It is a horrible experience that would discourage anyone from switching to the more environmentally friendly mode of transportation, he said. No one, he said, treated it as a dedicated line for cyclists.

"I have never seen a cyclist get angry when motorcycles take over the lane and I have never seen a motorcyclist express guilt for doing so," he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, adding that the situation was even worse during rush hour.

Stretching 6.7 kilometers of the 23.5-km canal that runs from Cipinang Besar Selatan to Duren Sawit in East Jakarta, cyclists have complained about the poor construction of the lane. The lane, for instance, is paved with concrete, making it slippery after downpour.

Wardani, who lives nearby, said to add to the misery of cyclists, dozens of street vendors also packed the area on weekends, as the open green space had become a popular spot for locals to hang out and exercise.

"Sausage and beverage sellers can be seen along the lane, and young people sometimes use the lane for motorcycle racing," she said.

The city administration has constructed other bicycle lanes in South Jakarta that are rarely used by cyclists, as motorcycles, cars and street vendors seem to have a habit of taking over the lanes.

In Jakarta, bicycles are not popularly used by people as a means of transportation, with pollution and safety as the main considerations.

The city administration constructed its first bike lane in Ayodya Park to Blok M in South Jakarta to attract more cyclists and reduce congestion in 2011, but lack of commitment from locals, law enforcement institutions and the city administration to sterilize the lane created serious doubt over whether the plan would ever see success.

Toto Sugito from the Bike to Work community said he believed the city administration should invest in changing the behaviors of residents instead of infrastructure by building bicycle lanes, emphasizing that the absence of regulation to protect the lanes from other modes of transportation as the biggest challenge to creating cyclist-friendly areas.

The community has been holding discussions with the city administration since 2009, however he said for some reason the administration failed to understand that building infrastructure without issuing regulations was useless.

"If there was a regulation to protect the lanes, it would be easier for law enforcement officers to take firm action against motorcyclists or street vendors invading the lanes," he said.

He said the city administration under Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama recently promised to create a better environment for cyclists by, among others efforts, building an elevated lane for bikes in Central Jakarta.

"However, talks between us and city administration must be postponed due to the Jakarta election. I hope talks can commence soon," he continued.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/10/cyclists-struggle-find-place-mean-city.html

Armed forces & defense

After 2024 is the best time for TNI personnel to exercise voting rights:

Jakarta Post - December 14, 2016

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo has reiterated that all active personnel should be able to exercise their right to vote. However, he said, such a right was likely applicable only in the next 10 years.

In a hearing at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Gatot asked lawmakers to reconsider extending voting rights for TNI members but suggested this should be done after 2024, when legislative, presidential and regional elections would take place simultaneously for the first time in the country's history.

"We can implement this after the 2024 simultaneous elections. You can examine the exact time for TNI members to be able to exercise their voting rights," he told members of a special committee assigned to deliberate a bill on elections.

Gatot said after 2024 was the best time for parties to determine the fate of voting rights for active military personnel, concerning the Indonesian public.

Gatot conveyed his suggestion to respond to lawmakers' queries about his expectation that TNI personnel should be allowed to exercise their rights to vote. The military commander has highlighted the issue in public discussions several times, saying that by denying political rights of military personnel, the country treated them like foreign citizens.

Lawmakers expressed immediate rejections over Gatot's proposal saying that TNI's impartiality during elections is essential.

"It's better for TNI to stand above all elements of the country," said Golkar lawmaker Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa. Participating in the elections would disable TNI to embrace all groups impartially, he added. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/14/after-2024-is-the-best-time-for-tni-personnel-to-exercise-voting-rights-commander.html

TNI warns against 'foreign interference' dividing Indonesia

Jakarta Post - December 11, 2016

Jakarta – Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo reiterated on Saturday that the country must close ranks to maintain unity because there were indications that external parties were attempting to divide the nation.

"We have to be aware of 'invincible hands' that are designing efforts to weaken our nation," he said at the 'Indonesianisme Summit' discussion held in Jakarta.

Providing an example, Gatot said there were some people who currently wanted to exploit Muslim groups' anger against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who was named a blasphemy suspect last month, to overthrow President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

On Nov. 20, fake news spread on the internet claiming that Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab had been hospitalized after being beaten by a member of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad).

The FPI jointly organized two massive rallies in Jakarta on Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 to push for the prosecution of Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, who allegedly made a blasphemous comment about a Quranic verse during a visit to Thousand Islands regency in late September.

Investigations by law-enforcement agencies, however, found that the sources of the fake news were internet portals in Australia and the United States, Gatot said.

Cases like this, he said, had to be dealt with in the spirit of unity, by upholding the national philosophy of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika – Unity in Diversity.

"If there is no Islam, it is not Indonesia; if there is no Christianity, it is not Indonesia; if there is no Hinduism, it is not Indonesia; if there is no Buddhism; it is not Indonesia," he said. (win/hwa)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/11/tni-warns-against-foreign-interference-dividing-indonesia.html

Police & law enforcement

Six officers detained for brawl at police HQ

Jakarta Post - December 10, 2016

Pekanbaru – After months of questioning, the Riau Police have detained six of their officers suspected of taking part in a brawl with locals in the Meranti Islands of Riau province.

The arrested officers include five men and one woman. The suspects have only been identified by their initials. They are Sec. Brig AS, Brig. DY, Sec. Brig EM, Chief Brig. D, Brig. BS and Brig. LN.

In addition to internal disciplinary action for their misconduct, the suspects will face a public court trial, Riau Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Guntur Aryo Tejo said on Friday.

"The Riau Police's internal affairs division will handle the disciplinary violations while the criminal investigation division will handle their criminal offenses," he said on Friday.

The six personnel were named suspects for allegedly torturing and causing the death of 24-year-old Apriadi Pratama, or Adi, a contract worker for the Meranti Islands' administration who was named a suspect for allegedly stabbing Brig. Adil S. Tambunan, a member of Meranti Islands Police precinct.

The alleged torture of Adi sparked a protest leading to a brawl between locals and members of the police at the Meranti Islands Police headquarters on Aug. 15.

The six officers could face dishonorable discharge if the court declared them guilty for the offenses and sentenced them to more than three months in prison, Guntur added.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/10/island-focus-six-officers-detained-brawl-police-hq.html

Six police officers arrested for allegedly torturing detainee to death

Jakarta Post - December 9, 2016

Rizal Harahap, Pekanbaru, Riau – After months of investigation, six police officers have been arrested and named suspects for allegedly torturing a detainee. The arrested officers include five men and one woman.

The suspects stand accused of torturing Apriadi Pratama, 24, leading to his death in August. Apriadi, a contract worker for the regional administration of Meranti Islands, Riau, had been named a suspect in the death of a Meranti Islands Police officer, Brig. Adil Tambunan.

Apriadi's death sparked public anger and violent rallies against the police. One man was killed in the ensuing riots. Police rejected accusations of having shot the man, saying he had died after being hit by a stray rock.

Riau Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Guntur Aryo Tejo said the police officers would get disciplinary punishment and would be tried in a public court. "The disciplinary violation is under the authority of the internal affairs division of Riau Police, while the alleged crime is [handled by] Riau Police's Criminal Investigation Department," he said Friday.

"We have detained them in separate places, some at Riau Police, others at Pekanbaru Police, but we are not keeping them with non-police detainees," he said. (evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/09/six-police-officers-arrested-for-allegedly-torturing-detainee-to-death.html

Mining & energy

Oil and gas outlook still gloomy next year

Jakarta Post - December 14, 2016

Fedina S. Sundaryani and Viriya P. Singgih, Jakarta – Despite potential crude price hikes after a nearly two-year slump, the upstream oil and gas sector may not benefit much from higher global investment due to overbearing policies and lack of business certainty.

Global crude price has gained around 17 percent since the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed to cut output by 1.2 million barrels of oil per day (bpod) next year, according to Bloomberg.

Although the output reduction will only be partially applied by its members, lower production will still lead to an annual crude price average of US$53 to $58 per barrel on benchmark Brent Crude, according to energy think tank Wood Mackenzie.

Prices may further increase to $60 to $65 per barrel by May next year if non-OPEC members meet their commitment to trim output by 558,000 bopd.

According to Andrew Harwood, Wood Mackenzie's Asia Pacific research director for upstream oil and gas, global investment in exploration and production activities, in line with the price trend, global investment in exploration and production activities will also climb to $450 billion, up 3 percent from this year, despite still 40 percent below investment in 2014.

In addition, around 20 to 25 financial investment decisions will be completed in 2017, rising exponentially from a measly nine this year.

In spite of this brighter outlook, the energy consultancy group predicts Indonesia would not benefit from higher crude prices as well as bigger global investment due to the country's notorious reputation of rampant red tape.

"On a pure fiscal basis, Indonesia compares with some of the countries we've mentioned," Harwood said at the 2016 Pertamina Energy Forum on Tuesday.

"What investors are looking for, though, is legal certainty and policies that stimulate investment and I think that is an area where Indonesia falls down."

Indonesia falls into the category of countries with high prospectivity and fiscal attractiveness to lure investment, which also include the United States and Australia.

Despite this potential, as of end of November, investment in the upstream oil and gas sector only stood at US$10.43 billion, comprising $10.3 billion for production activities and $309 million for exploration activities, according to data from the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas).

Although the government aims to garner $12.05 billion, total investment is expected to reach only $11.4 billion, dropping from about $14 billion booked last year.

Several major investors, including Total E&P Indonesie, Chevron Indonesian and ConocoPhillips Indonesia, will likely decrease their investment in Indonesia, according to the consultancy group.

Acknowledging ongoing policy reforms, Harwood, however, noted that the efforts to address red tape did not run as rapidly as expected, while the offered fiscal terms remained undesirable.

"More needs to be done and quicker, and you're not going to see the tangible benefits of it, for example more wells, more investment until toward the end of this decade," he said.

Oil and gas industry players also shared similar concerns. Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) head of energy, oil and gas regulations Firlie Ganinduto maintained a gloomy outlook, particularly about domestic oil exploration, as investors would be reluctant to place their money without legal certainty.

"Basically, they all want to invest in a long-term plan, at least for around 10 to 20 years. But it's hard to convince them if we change regulations each time a new president, or even a new minister, takes office," Firlie said.

All players were waiting to see the results of the government's plan to replace the cost recovery scheme for the upstream oil and gas industry with the so-called gross-split sliding scale, he added.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/14/oil-and-gas-outlook-still-gloomy-next-year.html

Freeport continues to buy time on smelter development

Jakarta Post - December 8, 2016

Viriya P. Singgih, Jakarta – Gold and copper mining giant Freeport Indonesia has yet to realize its commitment to build a smelter in Indonesia in support of the government's downstream industry push, triggering lawmakers to demand the government cancel the company's export permit.

Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of United States giant Freeport McMoRan Inc., said Wednesday that it would only build a new smelter if the government could grant an early extension of the company's contract, which is due to expire in 2021. The earliest miners can renegotiate contracts is two years before they expire, according to a local regulation.

The smelter development is compliant with a local mining law that bans raw mineral exports, slated to take full effect on Jan. 12, 2017, to encourage smelter development in the country and strengthen the processing sector.

"The point is, Freeport Indonesia is committed to building the new smelter. Nonetheless, there are some considerations that need to be addressed first, including the assurance of our contract extension," said the newly appointed Freeport Indonesia president director Chappy Hakim during a hearing with the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

"We need funds to build the smelter and such funds can be secured if we have extended our contract," said Chappy, a retired Indonesian Air Force chief of staff.

Lawmakers of Commission VII overseeing energy affairs bombarded the company with criticism, saying it was just buying time until it gets clearance to extend its contract in 2019.

"We have talked about this over and over again, but it seems like there's no progress at all with Freeport's new smelter development. So it looks like such a commitment is only the company's trick to extend its export permit," said Endre Saifoel of the NasDem Party.

The progress of the new smelter development is crucial for Freeport Indonesia, as it is currently seeking a recommendation from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry's mineral and coal directorate general for an extension of its export permit for copper concentrate, which will expire on January 12, 2017.

"It's been around 40 years since Freeport first operated here, and considering the profit you guys have made since then, the development of new smelter should not be a problem at all. It's not like you want to build a whole new country. It's only a smelter," said Mat Nasir from the Democratic Party.

Hence, House Commission VII concluded the hearing by urging the ministry's mineral and coal directorate general not to give a recommendation for Freeport Indonesia's export permit extension as long as the company was yet to show real commitment to the new smelter development.

"Whatever decision made by the government later is to ensure the smelter development in Indonesia," the ministry's mineral and coal director general Bambang Gatot Ariyono said in response to lawmakers' calls for export permit stoppage.

At present, Freeport Indonesia sells most of the copper concentrate produced from its Grasberg operation overseas and sends roughly 40 percent of its production to PT Smelting Gresik, which operates the only copper smelter in the country. Freeport Indonesia has a 25-percent stake in Smelting Gresik.

On the other hand, it has allocated US$2.2 billion in capital expenditure for the new smelter development, even though only $212.9 million of it has been disbursed, including $115 million as collateral to the government and $50 million for preparing the smelter's environmental impact analysis (Amdal) document, early works and basic engineering.

Even so, the company is yet to decide where the new smelter will be located, mulling a land plot owned by state-owned fertilizer maker Petrokimia Gresik and the industrial estate Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE) operated by Berkah Kawasan Manyar Sejahtera. Both are located in Gresik, East Java.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/08/freeport-continues-buy-time-smelter-development.html

People & places

Anticorruption activist George Aditjondro passes away in Palu

Jakarta Post - December 10, 2016

Ruslan Sangadji, Palu – Activist, researcher, scholar and former Tempo magazine journalist George Junus Aditjondro died in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday at 5:45 a.m. local time. He was 70 and died by his widow, Erna Tenge, and son from his earlier marriage, Enrico Suryo Aditjondro.

Since 2012 when a stroke affected his health, George had difficulty speaking. He died in Bala Keselamatan Hospital in Palu.

George was known as a passionate critic of what he saw as corrupt power. During the Soeharto regime he researched the business empire of the "Cendana family", referring to Soeharto's family that resided on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta. He also wrote about military business in Indonesia.

A prolific writer and researcher, George, who earned his PhD degree from Cornell University, had written dozens of books and hundreds of papers. His works and audacity to speak up had put him into trouble several times. He had to leave Indonesia during the Soeharto era and he went to Australia from 1995 to 2002. He taught sociology at Newcastle University in Australia and was a guest lecturer at Murdoch University.

He also taught at Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga, Central Java, when he was part of a trio of passionate critics from the university at that time: Ariel Heryanto, Arief Budiman and George himself.

After he returned home from Australia, he wrote more controversial books, including "Dissecting Cikeas Octopus: Behind the Scene of Bank Century Scandal", which discusses then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The book looks into Yudhoyono and how four foundations allegedly helped raise money for his 2009 election campaign.

During the launch of the book in 2009, he was accused of violence against Ramadhan Pohan, a politician from Yudhoyono's Democratic Party. Ramadhan said George hit him with a book.

His last controversial criticism was in 2011 when he lived in Yogyakarta while his wife finished her PhD at Gadjah Mada University (UGM). In a discussion at UGM about the controversial Sultan Ground, in which the Yogyakarta Sultanate marked plots of lands in the province as "Sultan Ground", he criticized the sultanate. Several residents said he insulted the sultan and he was barred from his own home in Yogyakarta. Later he tried, to no avail, to apologize in person to Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX.

In September 2014 he moved to Palu after his Poso-born wife Erna completed her doctorate degree from Geography School at UGM. In Palu he researched and wrote about military and police operations in conflict-ridden Poso in Central Sulawesi. He joined Tanah Merdeka Foundation in Palu and did his research as an activist in the foundation.

George was born on May 27, 1946, in Pekalongan, to a Javanese father and Dutch mother. Before Erna, he married Bernadetta Esti and they had a son, Enrico Suryo Aditjondro. After his separation with Bernadetta, George, who loved to keep his hair long, married Erna, 60, a scholar at Economic School in Tadulako University. (evi)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/10/anticorruption-activist-george-aditjondro-passes-away-in-palu.html