Phelim Kine – There are new hazards for foreign journalists attempting to report from Indonesia's restive easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua (generally referred to as "Papua"): visa denial and blacklisting. Just ask Bangkok- based France 24 TV correspondent Cyril Payen.

On January 8, the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok informed Payen that it had denied his application for a journalist's visa for a reporting trip to Indonesia's Papua province. The denial was not wholly unexpected. On November 8, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials notified the French Embassy in Jakarta that they considered Payen's previous reporting, which focused on pro-independence sentiment in the region, "biased and unbalanced."

Rather than engaging with Payen and France 24 to publicly challenge the report's alleged inaccuracies, the Indonesian government took the punitive and disproportionate step of a threatened visa ban for an unspecified period of time for any France 24 journalists seeking to report from the country.

Payen's predicament highlights the glaring gap between the rhetoric of Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's announced "opening" of Papua and West Papua (commonly referred to as "Papua") to foreign media and the far grimmer reality for journalists still blocked from reporting there.

Official reprisals for reporting on Papua that displeases the government are a threat to journalists and their sources alike.

A week after Marie Dhumieres, a Jakarta-based French correspondent, returned from a Papua reporting trip in October, police detained a Papuan activist who had travelled with her along with two of his friends. Police interrogated the trio for 10 hours, demanding details of Dhumieres' reporting trip.

Police subsequently released the men without charges. Dhumieres expressed her dismay in a tweet to Jokowi: "So Mr @jokowi, foreign journalists are free to work anywhere in Papua but the people we interview get arrested after we leave?"

None of this should be happening. After all, last May, Jokowi announced a long overdue lifting of the 25-year de facto ban on foreign media access to Papua. That policy change was supposed to put an end to placing foreign journalists in legal limbo through the denial of Papua reporting applications outright or a failure to approve them.

But Payen and Dhumieres' experiences highlight the disconnect documented in a November 2015 Human Rights Watch report between Jokowi's policy objectives and the fierce opposition of some elements of the Indonesian government and security forces to opening Papua to foreign media.

Since Jokowi's announcement, a series of senior government officials have publicly contradicted that policy change. They include National Police spokesman and Senior Commander Agus Rianto. On May 12 he asserted that the government would continue to restrict foreign correspondents' Papua access through an entry permit system. Rianto justified the need to maintain foreign media access restrictions to Papua to prevent foreign media from talking to "people who opposed the government" as well as to block the access of "terrorists" who might pretend to be journalists as a means to travel to Papua.

On May 26, Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu warned that foreign media access to Papua was conditional on an obligation to produce "good reports." Ryacudu did not precisely define "good reports," but he explicitly equated foreign journalists' negative reporting on Papua with "sedition" and threatened expulsion for any foreign journalist whose reporting displeased the government.

These statements reflect a deeply rooted perception among many Indonesian government and security agency officials that foreign media access to Papua is a recipe for instability in a region already troubled by widespread public dissatisfaction with Jakarta and a small but persistent armed independence movement.

The challenges to media freedom in Papua are compounded by obstacles faced by Indonesian journalists – particularly ethnic Papuan reporters. Local journalists who report on sensitive political topics and human rights abuses are often subject to harassment, intimidation and violence by officials, members of the public and pro-independence forces.

Conversations with Indonesian bureaucrats and government officials about the tenacity of official obstacles to foreign media access to Papua routinely reference East Timor and a persistent suspicion that the presence of foreign media and human rights activists in East Timor helped pave the way to that former Indonesian province's independence in 2002.

Indeed, the government's obstacles to Papua access extend beyond journalists. The security forces closely monitor the activities of international groups that the government permits to operate in Papua – those that seek to address human rights concerns get particular scrutiny. International NGOs such as the Dutch development group Cordaid that the government asserts are involved in "political activities" have been forced to cease operations, their representatives banned from travel to the region.

Government restrictions on foreigners have extended to United Nations officials and academics Indonesian authorities perceive as hostile. In 2013 the government rejected the proposed visit of Frank La Rue, then the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression, because he insisted on including Papua on his itinerary. Foreign academics who do get permission to visit the region have been subjected to surveillance by the security forces. Those perceived to have pro-independence sympathies have been placed on visa blacklists.

Lout Pandjaitan, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, the security minister, said on November 11 that he would take action if he were given evidence that government or security officials were obstructing foreign journalists from going to the Papua region. "Come back to me, and if it's necessary, we will fire them," he said.

The experience of Cyril Payen, Marie Dhumieres and other foreign journalists suggest that it's time that Pandjaitan deliver on that promise.

[Phelim Kine is the deputy director of Asia division at Human Rights Walk and a former Jakarta-based foreign correspondent.]

Source: http://thediplomat.com/2016/01/indonesias-papua-reporting-paranoia/

MSG Chair to facilitate Indo-Papua discussion

Radio New Zealand International - January 22, 2016

The chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group has offered to facilitate a meeting between the Indonesian government and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.

West Papua has seen a low-level separatist war since Jakarta took over the former Dutch colony in the 1960s.

Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare made the proposal in Honiara this week to a ULMWP delegation led by their secretary general Octo Mote.

The memberships of both Indonesia and the ULMWP were the highlight of last year's MSG summit in Solomon Islands with the former securing associate membership and the latter observer status in the sub-regional Melanesian body.

Mr Sogavare says he believes it is important that the MSG engage Indonesia in dialogue with the ULMWP to gauge its thinking on the issues facing its Melanesian Papua region.

Meanwhile the ULMWP has indicated its desire to establish an office in Papua to further engagement with Indonesia and to try and do away with assertions from Jakarta that it only represents exiled Papuans living abroad.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/294696/msg-chair-to-facilitate-indo-papua-discussion

US concerned about keeping Papuan forests intact

Radio New Zealand International - January 21, 2016

More details have emerged about the visit to West Papua by the US Ambassador to Indonesia, including American concern about destruction of rainforest in the region.

Papuan activists met with Ambassador Robert Blake in Jayapura on Tuesday to discuss issues such as human rights.

Mr Blake also discussed ongoing, rampant clearance of forest and peatlands in Papua which has some of the world's last remaining substantial tracts of rainforest.

One of the people Mr Blake met with was Father Neles Tebay of Papua's Catholic Justice and Peace Secretariat.

He says the ambassador was looking at how to help protect Papua's forests, in light of commitments made at last month's UN Climate Change summit in Paris.

"In my understanding, knowing the destruction of forests in Papua and its implications, he might raise the issue in his conversations with central government of Indonesia in Jakarta."

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/294618/us-concerned-about-keeping-papuan-forests-intact

Papua activists discuss Freeport with US ambassador

Jakarta Globe - January 20, 2016

Robert Isidorus, Jayapura – Papuan activists met with US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake in the provincial capital on Tuesday to discuss human rights, politics and US-owned Freeport Indonesia.

"The US ambassador said that Papua was important to the US, and he felt it was necessary to pay a visit to Papua. He wanted to know about Papua's human rights and political condition," Yuliano Languwuyo, coordinator of local organization Justice, Peace and Unity Secretariat (SKPKC), said after the meeting on Tuesday night.

Yuliano said the organization was told in mid-2014 that the restive easternmost province of Indonesia would have civilian leaders and see a steady downgrade of military presence in the area. "If they disappeared, so would the violence. But it never happened," he said.

Tight military monitoring of Freeport Indonesia sites on the island have a largely negative impact on locals, including reports of violence from officers, Yuliano said.

"We asked the ambassador if Freeport had any control over security, and if they [security personnel] have any training in human rights while performing their duties. They have to be trained by the National Commission on Human Rights [Komnas HAM] so they will be less violent when protecting the areas," he said.

Blake reportedly questioned the necessity of human rights training and refused to comment on Freeport's security, Yuliano said. Blake also refused to take questions from reporters after the meeting.

The meeting was held at a restaurant in Jayapura's East Sentani district and was attended by Yuliano, chairman of the Papuan NGO Cooperation Forum Septer Manufandu, Papua Komnas HAM chairman Frits Ramandey and Papuan Peace Network activist Neles Tebay.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/papua-activists-discuss-freeport-us-ambassador/

US ambassador concerned about West Papua abuses

Radio New Zealand International - January 20, 2016

Fresh from a trip to West Papua, the United States Ambassador to Indonesia reportedly expressed concern about human rights abuses in the country's remote, eastern region.

As part of his trip, Robert Blake visited Manokwari in West Papua province where he met with the Executive Director of the Institute for Research, Investigation and the Development of Legal Aid, Yan Christian Warinussy.

Mr Warinussy says the ambassador asked him about recent developments and the human rights situation in West Papua and Papua provinces.

He says he told Mr Blake that the situation continued to be highly unsatisfactory in view of many cases of human rights violations which had not been dealt with in a court of law.

Ambassador Blake was reportedly very concerned about such incidents and said that his government would push for those who had been responsible for these violations to be excluded from any US-linked local programmes related to education and human rights.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/294559/us-ambassador-concerned-about-west-papua-abuses

Jokowi to hold meeting on Papuan land-use rights

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2016

Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is set to hold a limited Cabinet meeting to review land-use rights in Papua at his office on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Also to be discussed at the meeting is the acceleration of the development of the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE), a program that is part of the food sovereignty agenda formulated by Jokowi's administration.

The MIFEE program in Papua is expected to cover a 1.2-million-hectare area, or a quarter of Merauke, which has proven to be a tough project to implement due to land issues. The large agricultural project threatens conservation areas, such as virgin forests and water catchment areas as well as the habitat of indigenous Papuans.

The meeting will be followed by further discussions on the issuance of right to control the land (HPL) and land replacement allocations on Batam Island, Rampang, Setotok, Galang and Galang Baru.

President Jokowi is slated to discuss the land issues after attending a consultation meeting with government institution heads in the morning. (liz/kes)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/19/jokowi-hold-meeting-papuan-land-use-rights.html

US ambassador's visit to Papua should contribute to conflict resolution

Tabloid JUBI - January 19, 2016

Victor Mambor, Jayapura, Jubi – Papua legislator Rube Magai said a visit by US ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake to Papua should not only involve sight-seeing but also focus on resolving the conflict.

He said the United States should not only think about its own interests, but also participate in pushing for an end to the conflict in Papua.

Moreover Papua has three trump cards as reasons to seek independence: Freeport's contract, human rights violations since 1963 to present and the political status of Papua that has been scrutinized by the international community, in particular Pacific countries.

"Those three things have close links with Papua's history that has not been resolved until now. The ambassador should not only come to visit, but also to participate in solving problems in Papua. During the time those who played the game in Papua are the United States and Indonesia for the sake of investment and potencies of natural resources in Papua," Magai told Jubi on Monday (18/1/2016).

Related to Freeport's issue, according to him, the company signed its first contract with Indonesia in 1967 or before Papua integrated with Indonesia in 1969, but never involved the indigenous Papua as landowners. About human rights violations in Papua, he said, it was occurred since 1963 to present and the Indonesian Government has not resolved it.

"The third problem is Papua's political status. Until now its political status continues to discuss in every meeting of Pacific countries, such as in MSG and Pacific Forum Island (PIF). In MSG, Papua is currently obtained status as observer. Papuan issues have not only taken to regional level but also to international level and even to the United Nations," he said.

He said it is now depending on the US to react on Papua, whether they would detain their ego for the sake of investment, that is the Freeport to continue sacrifice the indigenous Papua or they have a political action to push the resolution of many problems in Papua.

During the time, he added, the United States saw the Freeport as big investment; while the indigenous Papua are becoming victims and the Indonesian Government is being ignorant.

"These three issues are Papua's ace cards. Though the Indonesian Government was silent, the politic in Papua is still running. The Central Government should immediately solve the human rights violations that were occurred since 1963 to present. Then about Freeport's Contract of Work, it is the crime of the United States and Indonesia. The investment problem should be solved separately according to the issues. Do not blend it or politicized," he said.

Earlier, the Chief Representative of Human Right Commission Papua Region, Frits Ramandey stated he would run a dialog with the Ambassador of the United States for Indonesia, Robert Blake Jr. He though the ambassador would question about human rights agendas.

"Clearly the Human Right Commission has an interest to clarify about human rights cases, but also ask for some sort enforcement (intervention) from the US Ambassador for Indonesia towards several cases handled by the Human Rights Commission that have not been resolved," said Ramandey. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/eng/us-ambassadors-visit-to-papua-should-contribute-to-conflict-resolution/

West Papua independence leaders plan to open an office in Honiara, Solomon Islands

Papua New Guinea Today - January 18, 2016

Their leader Jacob Rumbiak arrived in Honiara on Friday to further discuss the intention with local supporters.

A member of the Solomon Islands Solidarity Group for West Papua Lily Chekana told the Sunday Star an office space was already allocated for West Papua.

She said the office was located inside the headquarters of Guadalcanal Province at Kukum, east Honiara. Chekana also added a plot of land in Honiara had been set aside for the West Papua office.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been a staunch supporter of the West Papua independence cause. As chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), he ensured West Papua was accorded observer status at the MSG summit held in Honiara last year.

West Papuan leaders were welcomed by their local supporters on arrival at Henderson Airport on Friday.

Source: http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/01/west-papua-plans-to-set-up-office-in.html

A decade on, asylum-seekers' struggle for West Papua

The Australian - January 18, 2016

Deborah Cassrels – Under cover of darkness, 43 West Papuan asylum-seekers clambered aboard a dugout canoe at midnight. The cue to flee Indonesian persecution in the province of West Papua in January 2006 was urgent.

They had been subjected to brutal repression at the hands of the Indonesian regime. Reports of government-sanctioned murders, political assassinations, imprisonment and torture were common.

Yesterday, many refugees marked the anniversary of their life-changing escape with a canoe and kayak re-enactment on Melbourne's Yarra River.

Mostly strangers in 2006, the tight-knit "family" – some of whom have married within their community, had children, separated and achieved university degrees since their odyssey – has nurtured an undying desire for self-determination.

Seven of the group tell The Australian in Melbourne of their journeys and the perilous four-day crossing that nearly cost them their lives and provoked a diplomatic crisis between Jakarta and Canberra. Lost in stormy seas, they exhausted food and water supplies, despairing as they prayed for deliverance.

On January 17, to their resounding relief, they spotted land but worried that they had inadvertently strayed back to Indonesian territory.

"We would have been killed," says Adolf Moro, 32, father of a six-year-old son born in Australia, owner of a small business and an engineering and business student at RMIT.

As it transpired, they were drifting off Queensland's Cape York Peninsula, oblivious to the fact that their arrival presaged a rift with Indonesia over concern that Australia was tacitly supporting Papuan independence.

Jakarta warned that bilateral co-operation to stop people-smuggling operations and counterterrorism were under appraisal. Amid accusations of appeasement, then prime minister John Howard agreed to change immigration procedures to ensure future boat arrivals would be processed offshore.

While trying to guess their location, the 43 noticed telltale crocodile warnings and signs depicting Australia's unofficial emblems: emus and kangaroos. It was a moment of sublime joy. "We were in Australia! We were so excited," says Marike Tebay, 28, from Papua's central highlands.

Huddled beneath a tree on the beach, Tebay was so ravenous she ate the ants crawling beside her. The eerie calm was short-lived: media soon hovered in helicopters, the navy and Australian Federal Police arrived. 'They pointed a gun at us. I was petrified," she says.

For three months they were on Christmas Island as Australian Immigration officials deemed their claims genuine, granting them temporary protection visas. Now most – two returned to West Papua – call Australia home but would prefer to live in their homeland, if it gains independence.

A low-level separatist insurgency has been waged in the former Dutch colony since Indonesia took control of the province in 1963. West Papuan deaths resulting from Indonesian military and police violence are disputed, says Indonesian Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono, but estimates vary at between 100,00 and 500,00.

Carrying Australian citizenship and permanent protection visas, the Papuans are scattered across the country, with a large nucleus in Melbourne. Some have never returned to West Papua; others have sporadically, and those who do complain of being followed and intimidated.

Yet it's still home. "I'm living in exile. We're still struggling for West Papua's freedom," says Moro. Echoing an overarching sentiment of the group, he aims to impart the skills learned in Australia and democratise the remote far-eastern island.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/a-decade-on-asylumseekers-struggle-for-west-papua/news-story/944f0f8505ea5163d9b3509f207d150c

Aceh

Aceh group files class action suit to save Leuser

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – A group of Aceh citizens will lodge a civil lawsuit against the Home Ministry at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday in a bid to preserve the Leuser Ecosystem Zone (KEL), which they consider a unique and irreplaceable natural environment.

The group, called Gerakan Rakyat Aceh Menggugat (GERAM), has accused the ministry of failing to fulfil its duty of including protection of the KEL in the Aceh Provincial Spatial Plan (RTWT-P).

"We are an alliance of concerned citizens who have been fighting for nearly two years, since the Aceh government legalized a new land use plan that would effectively dissolve protection of much of Aceh's remaining tropical rainforests, whitewashing crimes of the past and paving the way for a new wave of catastrophic ecological destruction," said one of the plaintiffs, Farwiza Farhan.

The KEL spans the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra. Over 35 times the size of Singapore, this majestic and ancient ecosystem covers more than 2.6 million hectares of lowland rainforest, peat land, montane and coastal forests and alpine meadows.

Globally recognized as one of the richest expanses of tropical rainforest found anywhere in Southeast Asia, the KEL is also one of Asia's largest carbon sinks.

To the community living in the area, the local forest is a source of livelihood. Therefore, more recent laws have served to strengthen the protection of the KEL and place the responsibility for managing its preservation and restoration with the Aceh provincial government.

The KEL also has special legal status as a national strategic area for its environmental protection function (under Law No. 26/2007 juncto Law No. 26/2008), prohibiting any activity that would reduce that function, including cultivation and infrastructure development.

However, the Aceh administration failed to mention the KEL's status as a national strategic area in its land use plan issued through Qanun (Islamic bylaw) No. 19/2013.

"The Aceh administration cannot contest the inclusion of the KEL in its spatial plan because it exists as a protected area in three legal regulations: Law No. 11/2006 on Aceh governance, Law No. 26/2007 on spatial planning, and its derivative, Government Regulation No. 26/2008 on the National Spatial Plan," said Nurul Ikhsan, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs.

The Home Ministry has reviewed the Aceh spatial plan and found numerous legal infringements that need to be resolved before it is accepted. Under Indonesian law, the Aceh government is required to revise the regulation and in the absence of revisions, the home affairs minister is required to reject it.

The Wildlife Conservation Society reports that from 2000 to 2009, the Mount Leuser National Park (TNGL) lost 18,839 hectares of its forest area annually. Furthermore, half of the 60,000-ha area of Tripa Swamp, a part of the KEL, has been converted into palm oil plantations.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/aceh-group-files-class-action-suit-save-leuser.html

Human rights & justice

Indonesia urged to take concrete action over past human rights abuses

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Liza Yosephine, Jakarta – The government must take a real step toward settling unresolved human rights abuses by first issuing a national apology to the victims and their families in a bid to move forward as a nation, a non-governmental organization has said.

The International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID) called on President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to issue a government regulation arranging settlement of the past human rights violations that still shadow Indonesia as a country.

"President Jokowi should apologize to the victims and their families since they have been victims of past government policies, as well as to Indonesia in an acknowledgement of past wrongdoings so that we can all move on as a nation," INFID senior program officer for Human Rights and Democracy Mugiyanto told thejakartapost.com on Wednesday.

An official statement of regret can be the initial step toward the resolution of the past human rights violations, such as 1965 Communist purge, the Talangsari killings, the Tanjung Priok incident, the students murdered during the 1998 movement, along with forced disappearances, the Wamena and Wasior incidents in Papua, up to the murder of human rights activist Munir.

"An apology was necessary because such a statement indicates a commitment from the government that such acts would not be repeated again in the future," he said adding that that the step must be followed by the fulfillment of victim's rights for truth, justice and reparations.

A thorough and fair settlement begins with the revelation of the truth, Mugiyanto said, highlighting that it was important for people to know what happened behind those events.

Mugiyanto himself was a student leader in the anti-Suharto reform movement in 1998 and was one of the pro-democracy activists who was kidnapped and later released alive. President Jokowi vowed to settle all past human rights violations by mid-year.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan suggested for the settlement would be made through a non-judiciary mechanism to speed up the process, explaining that a lack of evidence might hamper the investigation if the cases were to proceed to a legal settlement.

Equality

Another urgent suggestion put forward by INFID was the need for the government to accelerate the preparation of a roadmap in pursuit of reducing the Gini ratio – a measure of income inequality – from 0.41 to 0.36 as included in the National Mid-Term Development Plan (RPJM).

Citing an example from Brazil, which took 15 years to obtain that goal, INFID program manager Siti Khoirun Nikmah stressed the urgency of immediate concrete action.

"A 0.05 point drop is an ambitious goal that has been set to be reached within five years and the government has already wasted time throughout 2015," she said.

The organization's executive director, Sugeng Bahagio, expressed hope that the government will take into consideration INFID's suggestions in shaping their policy developments toward a better path throughout this year. (rin)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/indonesia-urged-take-concrete-action-over-past-human-rights-abuses.html

Komnas to launch rights guidelines for business

Jakarta Post - January 20, 2016

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is ready to launch a national action plan on business and human rights on the back of rampant human rights abuses committed by corporations.

Komnas HAM chairman Nur Kholis said on Tuesday that the commission had finished drafting the final version of the action plan.

"This action plan is only for businesses. This plan will regulate how companies should pay more attention to human rights, how the government could do more against corporations that fail to protect human rights, and support for victims," he told The Jakarta Post.

The action plan is crucial as currently there are no guidelines for stakeholders to resolve major issues such as labor disputes over low wages, the primacy of human rights over business interests and the debate over profits and workers' rights.

Even though the government has issued an action plan on human rights through Presidential Regulation No. 75/2015, it has only a general definition of human rights and lacks an action plan.

Nur Kholis said the new action plan would convey principles outlined in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for Sustainable Development, which had been tailored specifically for the situation in Indonesia.

In 2011, the UN Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

"The UK was the first country to adopt the principle into a national action plan. Why has it taken Indonesia so long to adopt it? It's been five years but we're stuck in this final draft," Nur Kholis said.

In recent years Komnas HAM has received more reports on agrarian conflicts, which mostly involve businesses, than any other type of human rights abuses. Komnas HAM commissioner Dianto Bachriadi said the commission received more than 1,000 reports in 2015 in which companies were accused of treating their employees unfairly,

Most of the companies were also accused of illegally taking over land from local and indigenous people.

"The number of companies that have complied with human rights principles continues to be small, maybe just 2 or 3 percent. This is a big challenge for Indonesia, which is now on the world stage but continues to struggle within. So if our companies want to go global, it will be difficult because their products have to meet international standards," Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) head of labor department Harijanto said on Tuesday.

Before Komnas HAM launches the action plan, it will conduct a high-level meeting with relevant ministries regarding its possible adoption.

Foreign Ministry director of human rights and humanitarian affairs Dicky Komar said the government should decide which ministry would be the host of the national action plan issued by Komnas HAM.

"When the action plan is finished, we hope that the plan is passed to the government and the government picks it up," he said on Tuesday.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/20/komnas-launch-rights-guidelines-business.html

Labour & migrant workers

Tobacco workers face layoffs as companies look to machinery

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – Thousands more jobs may be lost in the Indonesian tobacco industry, with companies preferring cheaper machine methods to hiring laborers, an expert has said.

Widyastuti Soerojo of the Public Health Scholars Association (IAKMI) said around 15,000 tobacco workers had lost their jobs last year as cigarette companies increasingly preferred to use machines rather than manual labor to produce cigarettes. In many cases, however, cigarette companies claimed that they had to fire workers as an impact of the implementation of tobacco control rules.

"The companies have used tobacco control as an excuse to fire their workers. At the same, according to our record, the production of cigarettes in Indonesia has continued to increase every year. If cigarette production is high, why do they need to fire thousands of workers?" asked Widyastuti.

Indonesia is likely to see further significant increase in cigarette production; a roadmap of tobacco production issued by the Industry Ministry aims to see 524.2 billion cigarettes produced between now 2020, up from the previous roadmap, which had a total production target of 260 billion cigarettes from 2015 to 2020, she went on.

Widyastuti said Industry Minister Saleh Husin had stated that the government considered the cigarette industry a labor-intensive industry and wanted to ensure it could employ more people.

The problem was, she said, the country's cigarette industry now preferred to use machines, rendering it unable to employ large numbers of people.

Tobacco Control Support Center chairman Kartono Muhamad criticized the Industry Ministry's decision to issue the tobacco roadmap, which encourages cigarette companies to use machines rather than manual labor.

"Doesn't [Saleh] realize that the companies can produce 5 billion cigarettes by manual operation? Instead, companies consider it more profitable and efficient to use machines than manual labor," he said.

With a shifting workforce, Kartono said, Indonesia's cigarette industry should no longer be considered a labor-intensive industry, negating the government's labor-related reasoning for pushing cigarette production.

Tobacco activists on Thursday called on Saleh to withdraw the tobacco roadmap, saying that it was aimed only at boosting tobacco production, consequently increasing the negative effects of tobacco use on public health. (ebf)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/tobacco-workers-face-layoffs-companies-look-machinery.html

Ahok calls for better workers' safety

Jakarta Post - January 20, 2016

Jakarta – The Jakarta administration has called for an improvement in workers' safety with many construction projects currently in the city involving thousands of workers.

Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama reminded companies that worker safety must be prioritized, especially in construction projects.

"Companies must maintain workers' safety and health, and every employee has the right to be protected in order to work in a healthy, safe and productive environment," Ahok said during an assembly at Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta on Tuesday.

Jakarta Manpower and Transmigration Agency head Priyono said the number of workplace accidents in the city was still high and that protection for construction workers was not yet optimal.

According to data from the Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) revealed there were 5,567 workplace accidents in 2015, 363 of which involved construction workers.

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan processed claims totaling Rp 150.2 billion (US$10.8 million), Rp 5.8 billion of which was for construction worker accidents.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/20/greater-jakarta-ahok-calls-better-workers-safety.html

Labor strike ends after PT Amtek gives nod to workers' demands

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2016

Fadli, Batam – Five days after going on strike, hundreds of workers from PT Amtek Engineering in Batam, Riau Islands, finally returned to work on Friday, after the Apple subcontractor agreed to meet the workers' demand to drop a plan to change the company's name.

The strike, which paralyzed the company's operation, concluded after an eight-hour mediation meeting between company executives and workers' representatives on Thursday. The meeting produced six points of agreement, including an agreement that the company would scrap the plan to change the company's name to Interplex.

"Even though some of our demands have not yet been accepted [by the company], we have decided to stop the strike and return to work," the chairman of the All-Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI) PT Amtek working unit, Parulian Simanjuntak, told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

During the meeting, the company's management, according to Parulian, had also promised to scrap sanctions for workers involved in the strike, appoint an Indonesian citizen as its human resource development manager, and reduce foreign worker numbers. "We will now work as usual. But, we'll closely review how the agreement goes," he said.

PT Amtek, a Singaporean firm, has been in operation in Batam since 1996, carrying out metal stamping and forming services. It has an investment value of US$60 million.

The company became a subcontractor for California-based multinational technology company Apple after the former bought Interplex, a company based in the US, in July last year.

Soon after the takeover, Amtek's parent company, Singapore-based Amtek Engineering Ltd., officially changed its name to Interplex Holdings Ltd.

PT Amtek was preparing to do the same but the company received opposition from workers who feared that the company's name change would put their service period back to zero.

On Monday morning, hundreds of workers went on strike, blocking the main and only entrance to the company's factory. They threatened to continue to strike until the end of the month.

Batam Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) member Uba Ingan Sigalingging, who oversaw the mediation, said his institution would supervise the implementation of agreements made during the mediation.

"The reduction of foreign workers, for example, will become our concern as it is not allowed for a company to employ foreign workers for positions that can actually be handled by local talent," the councilor said.

Data from the SPSI PT Amtek working unit shows that some 5 percent of the company's 2,000 employees are foreign nationals, with most of them working as supervisors and engineers.

The Batam Free Trade Zone Authority (BPK FTZ) chief, Mustofa Widjaja, welcomed the workers' decision to return to work.

"We have been reassuring the owner of PT Amtek, encouraging them to keep their operation in Batam. In the end, both the region and its investors need each other," he said. In response to the strike, the company had threatened to move its Batam factory to Vietnam.

Contacted separately, PT Amtek's human resources executive in Batam, Cucu Eva Lestari, confirmed that operation had returned on normal on Friday.

Cucu, however, said she could not comment on whether the company, in the long-term, would keep its operation in Batam following the dispute. "The question should be asked to the company's owner or lawyer," Cucu said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/16/labor-strike-ends-after-pt-amtek-gives-nod-workers-demands.html

Freedom of speech & expression

Universities bow to religious hard-liners

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Bambang Muryanto, Yogyakarta – Academic freedom and freedom of expression are under threat in Yogyakarta as several universities have reportedly bowed to pressure from hard-line Islamic organizations.

The State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta has canceled a lecture by scholar Muhsin Labib of the Shia-oriented Sadra Islamic Study College of Jakarta due to pressure from the Islamic Peoples Forum (FUI).

On its website, the university announced that the cancelation of the lecture, which had been scheduled for Thursday, was part of an agreement made in a meeting with the FUI last week.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga deputy rector Ruhaini said the university had accepted the FUI's objections to the planned lecture, because according to the FUI, Labib tended to be provocative. She said UIN was not a place of contest between Sunni and Shia teachings.

"We refused to ban Shia studies, which have been conducted at the university since the 1960s," she said.

Separately, the chairman of the RausyanFikr Foundation, which is widely reported as a Shia study group, AM Safwan, said that for those opposed to Shia beliefs, Muhsin was indeed seen as provocative.

It is not the first time campus activities have been canceled due to pressure from hard-line groups. On Jan. 8, 2015, the Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University's (UMY) School of Engineering failed to hold a planned screening of Joshua Oppenheimer's Senyap (the Look of Silence).

Taufiq Akbar of the organizing committee said the school had banned the screening of the film as it was seen to be defending the victims of the 1965 communist purge.

UMY's spokesperson Frizki Yulianti said the dean office of the school did not want students to be victims of Senyap, which still caused controversy in the community.

On Dec. 12, the director of a performing art piece entitled Cintaku di Kampus Biru (My Love on the Blue Campus) by Teater Gadjah Mada (TGM), Irfanuddin Ghozali, said he had been required to apologize and hand over the script of the play prior to the performance, following the distribution of the play's poster depicting two girls who were about to kiss each other.

"I felt oppressed, being required to hand over the script prior to the performance. This is reminiscent of what happened in the past," Irfanuddin said.

On Dec. 4, Gadjah Mada University's center of cultural studies moved a transgender art performance to an off-campus venue because the university reportedly refused to grant permission for the performance.

The director of the center, Aprinus Salam, denied the allegations, saying no such pressure had been exerted by the university. "We had received text messages threatening to obstruct the event. We just did not feel comfortable," he said.

UGM's spokesperson Iva Ariani said the university fully protected academic freedom and freedom of expression as long as they complied with the values of the campus, ethics and politeness.

UGM lecturer and activist Arie Sujito said the power of universities had been continuously decreasing and had been undermined by a group of people. He expressed hope the government take guarantee and protect academic freedom. "The universities should be united in fighting against this," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/universities-bow-religious-hard-liners.html

Environment & natural disasters

Death toll rises as heavy rains cause more flooding, landslides

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Jon Afrizal, Syamsul Huda M. Suhari and Lita Aruperes, Jambi/Gorontalo/Manado – Heavy downpours have continued to spread across the archipelago, triggering a landslide that killed at least three people in Jambi and North Sulawesi and floods that submerged hundreds of houses in Gorontalo.

A series of heavy rainfalls throughout Wednesday in Kerinci regency, Jambi, has triggered a landslide that buried three people alive in the hilly Sungai Air Sangkil area in East Air Hangat district.

The three victims, identified as Buyung, 42, Sardono, 24, and Wani, 37, worked as laborers on a farm in the area.

"The three victims were on their way home on Wednesday when the landslide buried them," East Air Hangat district chief Montes told reporters on Thursday.

As of Thursday, local authorities had only managed to recover the bodies of Buyung and Sardono.

"We are still looking for the body of the third victim," East Air Hangat Police chief First Insp. Iswanto said.

Another landslide triggered by heavy rainfalls in Manado, North Sulawesi, also killed 61-year-old Fredy Tengker on a farm near his house in Malalayang district on Thursday.

"I was delivering lunch for my brother when I found his body swept away by soil quite far from the farm," the victim's brother, Max Tengker, said.

Meanwhile in Gorontalo province, heavy rains poured in Gorontalo and North Gorontalo regencies from Wednesday evening to Thursday afternoon, triggering floods that inundated at least eight villages in the two neighboring regions.

Head of logistics at Gorontalo Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Tahir Laendeng, said floodwater and mud had inundated more than 200 houses in four villages in Gorontalo regency.

Tahir said his agency had set up two evacuation shelters to anticipate the continued impacts of the floods.

"We have also prepared food supplies for flood victims," he said.

In North Gorontalo, Nurdin, a local BPBD official, said floods had hit at least four villages in Sumalata district.

"Hutakalo subdistrict is the worst affected area as floodwater there has inundated dozens of houses up to two meters deep. As of this [Thursday] afternoon, there is no sign that the floodwater will subside," Nurdin said.

After experiencing a prolonged dry season last year, many parts of the country have welcomed the arrival of the rainy season over the past several weeks.

In late November, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned that several areas, including North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Jambi and South Sumatra, would be prone to floods on account of heavy downpours. Meanwhile, other regions, including Bengkulu, Aceh, southern parts of West Java, parts of Central Java and West Nusa Tenggara, were said to be prone to landslides.

Last month, more than a dozen villagers in Lebong Tandai, North Bengkulu, were killed when a landslide triggered by a heavy rainfall hit the huts where they were sleeping.

Meanwhile in Kampar regency, Riau, a 10-year-old child died earlier this week after he was swept away by floods due to heavy downpours and an overflowing Kampar River.

The BMKG, however, has warned that heavy rainfall will continue to pour in many parts of the country for the rest of the week.

"Rain with medium to high intensity will continue to spread across Gorontalo and North Gorontalo regencies starting on Thursday afternoon," Gorontalo BMKG forecaster Fatuhri said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/death-toll-rises-heavy-rains-cause-more-flooding-landslides.html

Kuta community opposes Benoa reclamation

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2016

Denpasar – Dressed in Balinese attire, more than 1,000 people flocked onto the streets of bustling Kuta on Sunday morning, voicing their opposition to a reclamation project in Benoa Bay, Bali.

Starting at Pura Desa temple, the protestors erected a billboard stating their opposition to the reclamation and then marched to Kuta beach.

"Do not be tempted by investors' sweet promises. Do not be lulled by investor seduction," said rally coordinator, Nyoman Graha Wicaksana.

Wicaksana said the reclamation plan could have severe environmental, economic and social impacts.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/18/islands-focus-kuta-community-opposes-benoa-reclamation.html

Health & education

Government urged to revoke tobacco production roadmap

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – Anti-tobacco activists joining with the Coalition against the Falsehood of the Cigarette Industry are calling on Industry Minister Saleh Husin to revoke a tobacco production roadmap, saying that it will increase the consumption of cigarettes in Indonesia.

The Coalition says the roadmap will benefit cigarette companies while, at the same time, it will leave Indonesian people at greater risk for diseases.

Hery Chariansyah, the director of the anti-tobacco group Raya Indonesia, said that the coalition conveyed its appeal to Saleh in a second letter sent to him this week after the minister left their first letter unanswered.

"He has not yet responded to our [first] letter until now. This shows that he doesn't have the good faith to protect our people from the danger of cigarettes," he said in a discussion in Jakarta on Thursday.

In its first letter dated Jan. 4, the coalition proposed a meeting with Saleh and requested the minister revoke the tobacco roadmap. The coalition also asked the minister to respond to the letter no later than 14 days after receipt.

Hery said as Indonesia was not a capitalist country, the government should make its best effort to increase the welfare of all Indonesian people, not only that of tobacco companies.

"Saleh deserves to be reshuffled by the President [Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo] because he did not consider the public's health when he decided on the roadmap," he said.

In the roadmap, the Industry Ministry is aiming to increase production to 524.2 billion cigarettes in 2020. It amends the previous roadmap, which only aimed for a total production of 260 billion cigarettes from 2015 to 2020.

Tobacco Control Support Center chairman Kartono Muhamad criticised the Health Ministry for being ignorant about the presence of the tobacco roadmap.

He said Health Minister Nila Moeloek, who previously wanted to decrease the number of Indonesian smokers, had only kept silent when the tobacco roadmap was issued by the Industry Ministry.

"Those two ministers should coordinate with each other when they decide on a regulation. Without coordination, any regulations issued will overlap," said Kartono.

The Coalition said it would convey a third warning letter to Saleh if the minister did not respond its second letter within 14 days. "If delivering warning letters doesn't work, we will continue our fight against the roadmap by filing a legal suit against the government," said Hery. (ebf)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/govt-urged-revoke-tobacco-production-roadmap.html

47 percent of schools in poor condition

Jakarta Post - January 20, 2016

Jakarta – Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama said on Tuesday he had told the city's education agency head to pay more attention to the physical condition of school buildings as he found that of more than 1,700 school buildings in the capital, 47 percent were in poor condition.

Ahok said immediate action was needed as low-standard school buildings posed a danger to students.

"It is really embarrassing, 47 percent of the schools are in bad shape. I have passed this data to the agency and I don't want to hear of any other unsafe school buildings," he said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

He also urged school principals to pay more attention to student welfare, saying that there were several schools in the city that did not have access to clean water and attracted a lot of mosquitoes.

"The mosquito issue must be handled, don't let [children] enter a school with a lot of mosquitoes," he continued.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/20/greater-jakarta-47-percent-schools-poor-condition.html

Mores schools to use 2013 curriculum

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2016

Magetan – The Education and Culture Minister, Anies Baswedan, has said that one-fourth of the nation's schools will begin to use the 2013 curriculum this year, after earlier suspension due to glitches.

The curriculum, which Anies had announced was to be suspended in December 2014, has been updated and will be implemented at both primary and secondary schools.

"[The glitches] have been corrected. There is to be an additional 19 percent [of the total number] of schools in the country using it," he said on Saturday as quoted by tempo.co.

Anies said the government had also trained 2.9 million teachers and updated textbooks to implement the curriculum. The books will be sent to schools next month. The implementation of the new curriculum will begin in July, at the beginning of the new academic year.

The 2013 curriculum, first implemented by Anies' predecessor, Mohammad Nuh, drew harsh criticism for creating confusion among students, parents and teachers, who had complained about the extra work it demanded.

While imposing many changes to the learning process established by the previous curriculum, the government implemented the new curriculum after a short one-year trial. The ministry later suspended the curriculum implementation and decided to review it.

Most schools have been using the 2006 curriculum, with a select few schools appointed to continue using the 2013 curriculum in order to participate in its development.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/18/national-scene-mores-schools-use-2013-curriculum.html

Gender & sexual orientation

Nation must stand shoulder-to-shoulder to overcome LGBT threat: PKS

Republika – January 22, 2016

Jakarta – House of Representatives Commission III member from the Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) faction, Muhammad Nasir Djamil says that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups represent a serious threat to the nation and all elements of society must stand shoulder-to-shoulder to overcome the threat.

Society cannot allow LGBT activities to develop in any shape or form especially LGBT communities that appear to be penetrating campuses using the justification of study groups or scholarly discussions.

"Campus [authorities] should be more aware and sensitive in fortifying their students against the infiltration of these LGBT ideas, whatever their modus. They must be resolute in opposing all [forms of] infiltration that damages the futures of this country's youth", said Nasir on Friday January 22.

A number of recent reports have suggested that LGBT groups have begun to target well-known campuses in the capital and are doing this through studies with themes related to reproduction and psychology.

This information has heated up the debate about LGBT groups in the country. Prior to this, there was a lively discourse in the media when there were deliberations on revising provisions in the Criminal Code (KUHP) relating to LGBTs.

Nasir, who several weeks ago criticised articles in the draft revision of the Criminal Code that appeared to legalise LGBT activates, also emphasised the importance of Islamic teachers (ulama) and Islamic groups in efforts to block these maneuvers by LGBT groups.

"[We must] insist that the ulama provide serious direction, guidance, lessons and at the same time a model for society in confronting this virus", he said.

He also called on religious people to as much as possible upgrade their methodology and proselytizing in this increasingly sophisticated era. "So their calls can reach all layers [of society]", said Nasir.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "PKS: Tolak LGBT, Apa Pun Modusnya".]

Source: http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/hukum/16/01/22/o1cmus361-pks-tolak-lgbt-apa-pun-modusnya

Refugees & asylum seekers

People smuggler cash scandal: Jail for boat crew paid by Australian official to turn

Sydney Morning Herald - January 17, 2016

Jewel Topsfield and Amilia Rosa, Rote Island – The captain of an asylum seeker boat who said he was paid thousands of dollars by an Australian official to return to Indonesia has been sentenced to five years and eight months' jail on people smuggling charges.

The panel of judges also ordered Yohanis Humiang, 35, to pay 700 million rupiah ($70,000) or serve an additional five months in prison.

The remaining five crew members were sentenced to five years and six months' jail and a fine of 500 million rupiah or an extra three months' prison time.

The cash payment scandal caused a diplomatic incident between Indonesia and Australia last year and led to a Senate inquiry and calls for a Royal Commission.

In June, Fairfax Media revealed an Indonesian police investigation had found the crew of the boat, which was intercepted by the Australian Navy, had been paid $US32,000 to return 65 asylum seekers to Indonesia.

"Since they received money from Australian customs, then it's proven that they (the captain and crew) made a profit from another party," presiding judge Ari Wahyu Irawan said on Thursday.

The explosive revelations were never denied by former prime minister Tony Abbott, who said the Australian government stopped the boats "by hook or by crook". He also said border protection agencies were "incredibly creative in coming up with a whole range of strategies to break this evil trade".

Judge Irawan said the crew members felt remorse for people smuggling and had families who were dependent on them. However he said their act encouraged others to come to Indonesia and the people-smuggling trade to prosper in the nation, which had a very wide border.

Mr Humiang said in November that he and the other crew members had made a mistake but were the victims of people-smuggling agents. He said the agents had told them they would not be paid until they took the asylum seekers, who were mostly from Sri Lanka, to New Zealand.

"We were just earning a living, we were trying to make money for our family, none of us intended to commit a crime," he said.

Mr Humiang told Fairfax Media last year that the turn-back payments, negotiated by an Australian official called 'Agus', were on the condition he "never ever do this work ever again".

Indonesian police were highly critical of the Australian Navy for sending the asylum seekers back to Indonesia on two boats with just one drum of fuel each, with one saying it was akin to a "suicide mission".

One of the turned back-boats ran out of fuel, and the asylum seekers were forced to transfer to the second in the middle of the ocean. The second boat then hit a reef near Landu Island in West Rote and the asylum seekers were rescued by local villagers.

An Amnesty International report last year called for a Royal Commission into the people-smuggling payments. It found Australian officials committed a transnational crime by, in effect, directing a people-smuggling operation, and put dozens of lives at risk by forcing asylum seekers onto poorly-equipped vessels.

The Australian government has repeatedly insisted that all of its officers acted within the law. However some public officials – such as those from the Australian Secret Intelligence Service – may have immunity from prosecution under Australian law.

The Senate inquiry, which is due to report in March, is examining, among other things, the legality of any payments to the crew members, the damage caused to the bilateral relationship and the extent to which "any such bribes constitute an incentive for people-smuggling operations in Australia".

The asylum seekers remain in limbo in Indonesia. Kandiha Kayuran and his wife, who gave birth in December, are still in immigration detention in Kupang.

He told Fairfax Media they had no idea what the future held. "No one cares, New Zealand is not listening, and Australia too, even after the Amnesty report came out. Please help us."

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/people-smuggler-cash-scandal-jail-for-boat-crew-paid-by-australian-official-to-turn-back-20160117-gm7jos.html

Graft & corruption

KPK 'should ignore' House protest over raid

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Jakarta – A human rights group has castigated the House of Representatives for its reaction to a recent Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) raid of the legislature in search of graft-related evidence.

Human rights advocacy group Setara Institute chair Hendardi said House Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah had overreacted to the raid.

"The KPK need not answer the House's summons, since it breached no laws. The substance of corruption cases should take precedence over technicalities in search procedures," Hendardi said on Wednesday in Jakarta.

Last week, the KPK searched the office of legislator and House Commission V member Damayanti Vishnu Putranti, who had been named a graft suspect; on the same occasion, and without a clear warrant to do so, KPK investigators conducted additional searches of the offices of Golkar Party politician Budi Supriyanto and Commission V deputy chairman Yudi Widiana of Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

During the search, Fahri, also a member of the PKS protested that the search was "in contempt of the legislature" because the KPK had brought in armed personnel from the police's elite Mobile Brigade (Brimob).

Fahri asked the KPK to send away the Brimob officers, sparking an argument that was recorded and subsequently went viral on social media. A few days later, the House sent a letter asking the KPK to come to the House to discuss search procedures.

KPK spokesperson Yuyuk Andriati said the commission was prepared to meet House representatives to explain standard search procedures, stressing that there had been no deviation from the process.

"[Being accompanied by] fully armed Brimob officers is standard procedure, and is intended to secure the search process as well as maintain order," Yuyuk said on Thursday as quoted by Tribunnews.com.

The presence of armed Brimob officers during a search was, she added, in accordance with the law as stipulated in articles 127 and 128 of the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP). (liz/ags)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/KPK-should-ignore-house-protest-over-raid.html

KPK leaders bow to House pressure over raid procedures

Jakarta Post - January 20, 2016

Haeril Halim, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has decided to review its raid procedures following protests from lawmakers over a recent search at the House of Representatives building.

The antigraft body's investigators, accompanied by armed officers from the National Police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob), raided on Friday the offices of three lawmakers implicated in a bribery case related to a planned construction project in the Maluku Islands.

The raid enraged House leaders, who believed that the KPK and police had disrespected the House by carrying weapons inside the state building.

KPK commissioner Basaria Pandjaitan maintained that bringing armed Brimob officials during the search was in line with existing regulations, but said the antigraft body was open to changes that would ensure "smoother and better" operations in the future.

"We will evaluate it. [The controversy] should have not happened. There was likely a misunderstanding," Basaria told reporters on Tuesday.

After arresting Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Damayanti Wisnu Putranti on bribery allegations on Wednesday night, KPK investigators searched her office, as well as that of Budi Supriyanto of the Golkar Party and Yudi Widiana of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), all of whom are members of House Commission V overseeing infrastructure.

Damayanti stands accused of accepting bribes from PT Windhu Tunggal Utama (WTU) CEO Abdul Khoir, who is eyeing the project in Maluku.

Abdul, who was arrested along with Damayanti on Wednesday night, is alleged to have distributed S$404,000 to a number of recipients, including Damayanti.

A quarrel broke out during Friday's raid when House Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah and lawmaker M. Nasir Djamil, both members of PKS, attempted to block KPK investigators from entering Yudi's office.

Although she said that the use of armed Brimob officers was justified under existing procedures, Basaria, who is a retired two-star police general, said that KPK commissioners would meet the House summons to provide clarification over the raid, a move that antigraft activists deemed as "unnecessary".

"Should we be invited to the House, we will accept the invitation," said the first female KPK commissioner.

House pressure on the KPK comes after the anticorruption body said that it would expand its investigation into Damayanti by naming more suspects, possibly House lawmakers, in the case.

Damayanti is the third House lawmaker to be arrested by the KPK since the legislative elections in April 2014. The KPK previously arrested PDI-P lawmaker Adriansyah and Dewi Yasin Limpo of the Hanura Party on allegation of accepting bribes in separate cases in 2015.

Anticorruption campaigner Erwin Natosmal of the Indonesian Legal Roundtable (ILR) lambasted Basaria for bowing to House pressure, adding that the House's move to summons KPK leaders aimed at intimidating the KPK. "I think the House has been successful," Erwin added.

Erwin further said that Basaria's comment on the raid evaluation plan had confirmed the public's assumption that the five newly sworn-in KPK commissioners were selected by the House to make the antigraft body a toothless law enforcement institution.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/20/KPK-leaders-bow-house-pressure-over-raid-procedures.html

KPK's raid on lawmakers' offices irk House leaders

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2016

Haeril Halim and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, Jakarta – Leaders of the House of Representatives have criticized the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for bringing armed members of the National Police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) along when raiding the offices of three lawmakers on Friday.

The House said that it respected the KPK's right to conduct the raid but the use of Brimob members equipped with weapons to guard Friday's raid had besmirched the good image of the House as a safe place.

Benny K. Harman of the Democratic Party, whose former party chairman Anas Urbaningrum was arrested by the KPK in 2014, said that it was unnecessary for the Brimob members to be armed when guarding the search.

"The legislature is part of the state's institutions, they don't need to use weapons on us," Benny said, adding that the antigraft body should learn how to respect the House, which has seen dozens of its lawmakers arrested after allegedly being caught red-handed accepting bribes from businessmen by the KPK.

After arresting Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Damayanti Wisnu Putranti on bribery allegations on Wednesday night, KPK investigators on Friday raided the offices of lawmakers Budi Supriyanto of the Golkar Party and Yudi Widiana of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), whose former chairman Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq was also prosecuted for bribery by the KPK in 2013. Damayanti's office was also scrutinized during the operation.

Benny said that as a law enforcement body, the KPK was authorized to conduct the raid, but the use of weapons was not acceptable as guns were the symbol of an authoritarian regime.

After holding a meeting on Monday, House leaders decided to summons KPK commissioners and National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti to seek clarification over the use of armed Brimob officers during Friday's raid.

Supratman Andi Agtas of the Gerindra Party also voiced similar disapproval, saying that the KPK should review its standard operation procedures for carrying out raids, but he did not know whether the use of weapons violated the law.

"All I know is there was something wrong with the way they carried out the raid," said the chairman of the House's Legislation Body [Baleg] and member of House Commission III overseeing legal affairs.

According to him, House Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah of PKS, who was involved in a quarrel with KPK investigators on Friday, was just fulfilling his duty to protect the House's image when he protested the use of weapons.

Mahfudz Siddiq of PKS said that House leaders and Commission III might summons related parties – Fahri, Brimob and the KPK – to resolve the matter.

"What Fahri did was right, showing his responsibility as the House's deputy chairman. It would be ridiculous if he did not do that," Mahfudz said. As far as he had seen, he said, previous raids on the House did not see such use of weapons by the KPK.

Responding to the House's criticism, the KPK said that it had conducted the raid in line with existing regulations, and that KPK commissioners would meet with House leaders to provide clarification should it be deemed necessary. "We are ready to visit the House," KPK spokeswoman Yuyuk Andriati said on Monday.

Yuyuk said that Brimob personnel accompanying KPK investigators on a raid were always equipped with weapons as mandated by Brimob's operating procedures, adding that the KPK did not want to give the impression of giving special treatment to the House by asking that the Brimob personnel go into the House unarmed. "The raid was conducted just like any other raid," Yuyuk added.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/19/KPK-s-raid-lawmakers-offices-irk-house-leaders.html

Choel Mallarangeng named suspect after four years

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2016

Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) decided not to arrest Andi Zulkarnaen "Choel" Mallarangeng, the younger brother of former youth and sports minister Andi Alfian Mallarangeng, on Friday after naming him a suspect in the high-profile graft case centering on the construction of the Hambalang sports complex.

KPK spokeswoman Yuyuk Andriyati said on Friday that it was not urgent to detain Choel and that investigators needed to question more witnesses before going further.

"The investigators still need to question the suspect and several other witnesses before moving to detain him," Yuyuk told reporters on Friday.

The antigraft body named Choel a graft suspect on Dec. 21 last year, accusing him of abusing his authority for personal or corporate gain in the infrastructure procurement for the sport complex in 2010 to 2012. The KPK has also imposed a travel ban on him, valid for six months.

Choel showed up at the KPK headquarters on Friday morning for a questioning, carrying a medium-sized bag, which he claimed to contain several shirts.

"I'm carrying this bag to show that I'm ready for detention," he said, promising that he would cooperate with the KPK investigators during the questioning.

During the seven-hour interrogation, Choel said KPK investigators asked him about the US$550,000 he received in the bribery scheme. "They actually asked me many times about that and I have admitted [about the bribery]," he said.

He said, however, that he had yet to receive any official document regarding the KPK's decision to name him a suspect in the case.

Choel took a swipe at the KPK for taking four years to name him a suspect in the case. "I'm quite surprised that they worked very slow in naming me a suspect as the case started four years ago, but it's fine," Choel said.

His brother Andi was found guilty of bribery in the Hambalang case. In 2014, he was sentenced to four years in prison and fined Rp 200 million for involvement in the same case, making him the first active minister to be charged with graft.

Under Andi's tenure, the Hambalang Sports Complex project was transformed from a modest single-year project worth Rp 125 billion into a multiyear project worth Rp 1.17 trillion.

During Andi's trial on May 19, 2014, Choel admitted that he had accepted $550,000 from Deddy Kusdinar, the chief of the financial and internal affairs bureau of the Youth and Sports Ministry, who was also found guilty in the case.

He also admitted receiving Rp 2 billion from Herman Prananto, president director of PT Global Daya Manunggal, one of the companies subcontracted by state-owned construction firm PT Adhi Karya for the Hambalang project.

Choel later claimed, however, that he had handed over all the money he received to the KPK. He also expressed remorse for his actions, saying that it was his fault that his brother had become a defendant in the case.

Former KPK leaders signed a sprindik (letter ordering the start of an investigation) on Choel on Dec. 16. Prosecutors intend to charge Choel with violating Article 2(1) or Article 3 of Law No. 31/1999 in reference to Law No. 21/2001 on corruption eradication and Article 55(1) of the Criminal Code.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/16/choel-mallarangeng-named-suspect-after-four-years.html

Terrorism & religious extremism

US continues cooperation with Indonesia to combat terrorism

Antara News - January 22, 2016

Sentani, Papua – The US government continues to cooperate with the Indonesian government to combat the threat of terrorism.

"I would like to explain that the US government stands side by side with Indonesia to counter the threat of terrorism," the United States Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O. Blake informed journalists here on Friday.

The ambassador offered condolences to the families of those killed during the bomb blasts and shootout that took place in a Starbucks cafe and near a police post in Jalan Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

"On behalf of the Government of the United States, I offer condolences to the families of those who were killed," he stated.

In addition, Blake lauded the performance of the police for handling the attacks swiftly. As a result, the police could minimize casualties during the incident.

Blake and his entourage met several Papuan activists, Papua's governor, and its police chief. They also visited numerous villages in the district of Jayapura. The ambassador is scheduled to meet Commander of the Military Regional Command (Kodam) XVII/Cenderawasih Maj. Gen. Hinsa Siburian tonight.

With regard to his visit to the Komba Elementary School, the ambassador was keen to observe the performance of the USAID program, which has been running in the past few years in the areas of education and health.

Earlier, the ASEAN member states had expressed their full support to the Indonesian government to combat terrorism following the attacks in Jakarta, Indonesia, on January 14, 2016, which led to the loss of innocent lives, injuries, and damage to property.

In a written statement received by Antara on Friday, the ASEAN has encouraged Indonesia to bring the perpetrators of the heinous act to justice.

The ASEAN remains united and committed to working with the international community to further intensify cooperation necessary to tackle terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever, and by whomsoever it is committed.

The ASEAN extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the Indonesian government and people, especially to the families of the victims of this attack. The ASEAN member countries commend the swift and courageous actions of the Indonesian security forces in response to the attack.

The bomb attacks and series of shootings in Jakartas business district on Thursday led to seven fatalities and injuries to 20 others.(*)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/102693/us-continues-cooperation-with-indonesia-to-combat-terrorism

Poll: 95% of Indonesians reject Islamic State

Jakarta Globe - January 22, 2016

Jakarta – An overwhelming majority of Indonesians disapprove of the Sunni militant group Islamic State, according to results from a survey published on Friday.

Ninety-five percent of the 1,220 people nationwide polled by Jakarta-based Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting said they rejected the presence of the group in Indonesia. Around 90 percent said they felt Islamic State posed a threat to the country, against 4 percent who said it was not a threat.

Less than 1 percent said they found the group's ideology acceptable, according to Djayadi Hanan, the SMRC executive director. The survey's margin of error is 3 percent.

The poll was carried out in December, weeks before the Jan. 14 terrorist attack in downtown Jakarta that killed four civilians and four perpetrators and was blamed on Islamic State.

"The figures show that Indonesians in general are aware of ISIS, but at the same time disagree with what the movement is fighting for," Djayadi said in a statement. "They see the ISIS movement as threat and reject its existence in Indonesia."

He added the results of the SMRC poll aligned with a similar survey by the Pew Research Center, released in November, which showed that only 4 percent of the 1,000 Indonesians polled supported the radical movement.

"In other words, ISIS is [seen as] the enemy of Indonesians, for both Muslims and non-Muslims, whatever their ethnicity, education level, gender, social class or domicile," Djayadi said.

In light of last week's attack, the administration of President Joko Widodo has called for urgent revisions to the 2003 Anti-Terrorism Law to allow security agencies to take more proactive measures to counter perceived threats from Islamic State sympathizers.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/poll-95-indonesians-reject-islamic-state/

Lawmakers not happy with government terror law plan

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Tama Salim, Jakarta – Lawmakers have expressed reservations about the government's plan to amend antiterrorism legislation, saying the plan is a knee-jerk reaction to the recent terror attack.

Members of the House of Representatives' commissions overseeing legal affairs and defense and security issues have spoken out against a recent deal reached between the executive and legislative branches to bolster the country's counterterrorism efforts by amending antiterrorism legislation, saying that the solution lies in improved coordination.

"I think that discussions between the House leadership and the President don't substantially represent the [opinion of the entire] House, especially without prior consultation with the relevant commissions," said Mahfudz Siddiq, chairman of House Commission I overseeing defense and intelligence, in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Mahfudz said both his commission and House Commission III overseeing legal affairs, human rights and security had agreed to host a joint-session with the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister and relevant institutions next month to review the implementation of existing provisions, in an attempt to find solutions in the fight against terrorism.

Mahfudz said it was "too early to support" the government's plan to introduce new provisions into anti-terror laws in the aftermath of last week's attack in Central Jakarta.

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician urged the government to formally propose the revisions to be included in the House's 2016 national legislation priority list, which is currently undergoing deliberation by the House Legislative Body (Baleg).

"Unless the government is willing to go in a different direction by having the President issue a Perppu [government regulation in lieu of law]. Even then I would suggest they do a comprehensive review of the situation – there's no need to be reactive or divisive," he said, adding that discussions should involve all relevant stakeholders.

A commitment was made on Tuesday following a meeting between President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's administration and members of legislative and judicial bodies, with the aim of introducing new legal guidelines to strengthen the country's counterterrorism efforts.

Jokowi said that his government was still mulling whether to propose an amendment to existing laws or issue a Perppu.

The government will press ahead with revisions to Law No. 15/2003 and Law No. 9/2013 on the prevention and eradication of terrorism, despite concerns that the changes would infringe on civil liberties and reinstate New Order-era intimidation tactics.

One of the provisions in the amendment would grant the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) the authority to carry out provisional arrests that would allow intelligence officials to detain suspects for up to two weeks.

Senior lawmaker TB Hasanuddin, a member of Commission I from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said such powers could lead to human rights violations. "It would be unfair if citizens had to covertly undergo questioning or trial [by intelligence officials]," Hasanuddin said at the House complex on Wednesday.

Commission III deputy chairman Desmond J. Mahesa of the Gerindra Party concurred, saying there was no need to give authority to more institutions in the fight against terrorism.

Under the existing antiterrorism legislation, only the police are allowed to hold suspects for one week based on preliminary evidence, which is obtainable from intelligence sources.

The new chairman of Baleg, Supratman Andi Agtas of the Gerindra Party said the strengthening of inter-agency coordination between BIN and the National Police would be enough to combat terrorism without having to amend the country's existing antiterrorism laws.

"[Gerindra] is convinced that the current antiterror laws are still very relevant, legitimizing the police force as the leading 'pro jusiticia' law enforcement institution for handling terrorism," the former prosecutor said on Wednesday.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/lawmakers-not-happy-with-govt-terror-law-plan.html

Civic freedoms at stake under terrorism law revisions: Activists

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – Human rights activists slam the government's plan to revise terrorism laws to expand the authority of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) because it may allow abuse of power and harm civil freedoms.

In the wake of an attack that struck the capital city on Jan. 14, BIN chief Sutiyoso has asked the government to give his agency wider authority to preemptively arrest and detain people suspected to be terrorists.

"Such a suggestion may harm Indonesian citizens. It will allow BIN to arrest and detain anyone under the assumption [that person is] threatening national security," Wahyu Wagiman, the executive director of the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), told thejakartapost.com on Wednesday.

Under Indonesian Law, only the National Police have the authority to arrest people suspected to be connected to acts of terrorism. Police are allowed to arrest suspected terrorists for seven days for investigation.

In the planned revisions of the 2003 and 2013 laws on terrorism prevention and eradication, the government is considering allowing the police to detain suspicious people for up to two weeks.

If BIN is given the authority to arrest, Wahyu fears that the suspected citizens would face difficulties in proving themselves innocent before the courts because BIN's verification process is different from that of other law enforcement bodies.

The discussions of the revisions began after Jan. 14's terrorist attack on Jakarta's main street of Jl. MH Thamrin that left eight people dead, including four of the terrorists, and left 25 people injured.

Critics fear the revisions could bring back the New Order regime when Indonesians were subject to a draconian anti-subversion law passed in 1963 under the dictatorship of then president Soeharto. The law was often abused to silence political activists and critics of the government. It was revoked under the administration of president BJ Habibie following the downfall of Soeharto in 1998.

Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) chairman Haris Azhar also criticized BIN's request and urged the agency to strengthen its intelligence cooperation with the police instead.

He said arresting suspected terrorists must also be carried out carefully with evidence by highly skilled law enforcement officers.

"That is to prevent any false arrest that may happen to anyone suspected to be a terrorist," Haris said. For example, he said, Indonesian people returning home from Syria could not all be suspected without valid evidence.

The chairman of the human rights advocacy group Setara Institute, Hendardi, also expressed similar concerns as he believed the current laws on terrorism were enough to handle terrorism issues in the country. He said the revision was a reactive step taken by the government and would only spoil BIN.

Separately, Jakarta Police chief Ins. Gen. Tito Karnavian also implied he disapproved of the idea of widening BIN's authority.

He said that under the current law enforcement practices of the police, the rights of people suspected to be terrorists could still be respected. "With another approach, such as through intelligence and the military, human rights are likely to be violated," Tito said on Wednesday.

Keeping the police as the only law enforcers able to arrest suspected terrorists and bring them to court would help combat terrorism, he claimed.

"Bringing the suspected terrorists to court can simplify the issues. The public will see terrorists as common criminals, not as notable people," he said. (rin)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/civic-freedoms-stake-under-terrorism-law-revisions-activists.html

Jakarta attacks: Indonesia vows to strengthen anti-terror laws

Sydney Morning Herald - January 21, 2016

Jewel Topsfield, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has vowed to tighten anti-terrorism laws in the wake of Jakarta's deadly attacks but it faces a delicate task given the history of repression under the Suharto regime.

President Joko Widodo? said there was an urgent need for police to be given more power to take preventative action.

No decision had yet been made but Mr Joko said one popular option was to strip Indonesians who commit a terrorist attack of their citizenship. Proposed changes include prohibiting Indonesians from joining radical groups such as Islamic State overseas and greater powers to detain suspects.

"We think there should be preventative and pre-emptive measures so that we will have authority to take action against those who return from Syria for instance," National Police spokesman Anton Charliyan said after the January 14 terror attack.

Under existing Indonesian laws it is not a crime for Indonesians to go to Syria and join Islamic State or to hold meetings in support of IS. Terror suspects can only be arrested once they have committed a crime.

"Police must be able to arrest someone when there is even a small indication of a possible terrorist act," said Adhe Bhakti from the Jakarta-based Centre for Radicalism and Deradicalisation.

"For instance, a farmer who piles up five kilograms of nails, ten kilograms of sulphur and another ten kilograms of fertilisers at his house. What would a farmer do with nails and sulphur? Right now, the police cannot arrest someone even though they find this stuff at his place. The police can only arrest him if he has put the stuff together into a bomb."

The head of Indonesia's National Intelligence Agency (BIN), Sutiyoso, also complained after the attacks that the agency didn't have the power to arrest or detain anyone. However the legacy of the authoritarian Suharto regime means Indonesians are very wary of the degradation of civil liberties.

"The deliberate degradation of the criminal justice system under Suharto meant courts became a branch of government and that people were often detained without a proper trial," said Tim Lindsey, Director of the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society at Melbourne University.

"This meant that having an open criminal justice process and avoiding arbitrary detention were among the key demands that the reform movement made after Suharto. These are still issues of great sensitivity in Indonesia."

For this reason Dr Lindsey said he did not believe the Jakarta attacks would have as much effect on the government as people outside Indonesia expect they would. "I don't think we should over-estimate the impact this will have on policy," he said.

Mr Joko said the government would consult with the parliament and other state agencies before a decision was made. "Everything is still under discussion," he said. "It could be a revised law, it could be a government regulation, it could be a new law on [terrorism] prevention."

Terrorism expert Sidney Jones said she believed a narrowly focused law banning support for IS, training in conjunction with IS and travel to IS-controlled areas would be preferable to amending the 2003 anti-terrorist law. "I also think it would be more politically palatable," she said in Tempo.

Ms Jones said the National Intelligence Agency should not be given arrest and detention powers. "More actors will not improve counter-terrorism efforts but likely fuel counterproductive competition and duplication of effort," she said.

Eight people, including militants, died as a result of the January 14 attacks that began with a suicide bomb inside a Starbucks outlet in Central Jakarta. Of the 28 wounded in the attacks, nine are still in hospital. – With Karuni Rompies

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/jakarta-attacks-indonesia-vows-to-strengthen-antiterror-laws-20160121-gmb2nj.html

Aman Abdurahman, not Bahrun, orchestrated attack: Analysts

Jakarta Post - January 20, 2016

Jakarta – Terrorism analysts have questioned the police's claim that alleged Islamic State (IS) movement member Bahrun Naim is behind the Jan. 14 terrorist attack in Central Jakarta, instead they believe another terrorist convict, Aman Abdurahman, is the initiator of the attack.

Former member of the Islamic State of Indonesia (NII) group Al-Chaidar said the planner of the attacks that left eight people dead was Aman, the leader of IS-affiliated group Tauhid Wal Jihad, who is currently being held in Nusakambangan prison island in Cilacap, Central Java.

Afif, also known as Sunakim, a terrorist convict killed in the attack, met with Aman in November, 2014 in prison, said Al-Chaidar. "From my viewpoint, it's not Bahrun, but [Aman], who is still in prison," Al-Chaidar said as quoted by tempo.co.

Similarly, former Jamaah Islamiyah member Nasir Abbas said Aman was the attack orchestrator who controlled the terrorist activity inside and outside the prison.

It was Aman who instructed Bahrun to handle the ammunition for a militant group in Central Java, leading to the imprisonment of Bahrun in 2011, after which he left Indonesia in February 2015, Nasir said.

Meanwhile, a terrorist convict, Muhammad Jibriel Abdul Rahman said contact between Afif and Bahrun was limited as Bahrun had dropped out of the group due to ideological differences.

Police identified Bahrun as the figure behind the Jakarta attack not long after the coordinated bombings and shooting occurred on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, but police have not named Bahrun a suspect.

Meanwhile, the police were still investigating the transfer of funds from Bahrun in Syria to suspected terrorists in Indonesia as well as the relationship between Bahrun and IS in Syria, said National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan.

A report from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) shows 10 suspicious transactions allegedly intended to fund the terrorist attack, which National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti said amounted to between Rp 40 million (US$2,876) and Rp 70 million from Syria through Western Union, a payment service company.

The National Police had cooperated with Interpol and intelligence agencies to monitor Bahrun, who was believed to currently reside in Raqqa, Syria and acted as the leader of IS in Southeast Asia, Anton said.

A recording of someone who appeared to be Bahrun, has circulated on Soundcloud, a global online audio platform. The person denied his involvement in the Jakarta attack, saying that he rarely went online and thus it was impossible for him to conduct communication.

Bahrun's family has confirmed that the voice in the recording is that of Bahrun. "We hope Mas Bahrun will immediately come home to give an explanation," Dahlan Zaim, Bahrun's brother, said on Tuesday. (afr/bbn) (+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/20/aman-abdurahman-not-bahrun-orchestrated-attack-analysts.html

Why a handsome cop broke the internet after the Jakarta terror attacks

Sydney Morning Herald - January 19, 2016

Jewel Topsfield – In the wake of the Jakarta terror attacks there were two manhunts: one for the terrorists and one for a handsome police officer at the scene who broke the internet.

Photos of a mystery pistol-brandishing copper, who appeared straight off a Hollywood set, sent netizens' hearts aflutter with his slicked back hair, sunglasses and sneakers that the eagle-eyed claimed were Gucci.

Before long #KamiNaksir (We have a crush) and #PolisiGanteng (handsome police) were trending on Twitter alongside the defiant hashtag "KamiTidakTakut (We are not afraid).

The officer was later identified as Commander Teuku Arsya Khadafi, who purportedly was married with children, prompting further hashtags such as #Kamisedih (We are sad).

This irreverence in the face of the Islamic State attacks has been seen as evidence of Indonesians' humour and resilience by some and derided as social media narcissism by others.

PhD student Herman Saksano wrote a blog widely circulated on social media called: "Five things that prove the terror attack in Indonesia is a failure."

He said that girls were more interested in the handsome police officer, street vendors continued to sell food at the site and people took selfies at the scene.

"This one of the world's largest terror attacks in the world's largest Muslim country since 2009," he wrote. "However, people in Indonesia refused to be intimidated by fear and terror. They decided to laugh at the terrorists and move on with their life. WE ARE NOT AFRAID"

However, police officer Untung Sangaji, who shot one of the gunmen, lamented that people stood around taking selfies in the middle of the carnage as he screamed out for an ambulance. "Oh these Indonesians!" he said. "Less than five minutes later I heard shooting, and I saw the one who had taken the selfie fall down."

Others have pointed to an interview with a satay vendor, a 66-year-old man named Jamal, that suggests his now famous decision not to budge from the bomb site was based more on pragmatism than defiance.

His wife Heni told Kompas news website that they wanted to run away when they heard the explosion but decided not to in case someone stole their satay stall.

"People were appropriating his motives as defying terrorism when in fact he was not – he was worried about his stall being stolen," says ANU academic Ross Tapsell, who researches the media in Indonesia. "Scholars who look at the impact of the digital divide would explain how those with internet access can appropriate the motives of those who don't."

That said, Dr Tapsell believes there are real positives that came out of the #KamiTidakTakut social media campaign, including a strong turnout at a peace vigil on Friday night at the site of the terrorist attack.

"I think #kamitidaktakut led to a lot of people being on the streets the next day and that's really great," he said. "It was inspiring to see some of the photos of the protests... people out in the streets, saying 'We are not afraid: we are here'."

Terrorism expert Noor Huda Ismail was hugely impressed when he saw supporters of Persija Jakarta soccer club singing and holding up placards at the peace vigil.

While extremists only represent a fringe minority in Indonesia, he says, the vast population who practice moderate Islam have historically been the silent majority. "Now the majority are standing up against violence on social media," he said.

"From a policy perspective this has a lot of implications because we have tended to look at terrorism as the responsibility of religious organisations. The fact football supporters are standing against this violence is remarkable, it's really something."

Mr Ismail believes this organic social media campaign is something that needs to be capitalised on as a counterterrorism strategy.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian president Joko Widodo's approach was entirely consistent with an internet meme that sprung up in the wake of the attacks: "Keep calm and bakar sate" ("Keep calm and grill satays".)

On Friday, he returned to the bomb site and observed that life had "returned to normal"."Traffic is also running as normal," the president added approvingly.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/why-a-handsome-cop-broke-the-internet-after-the-jakarta-terror-attacks-20160119-gm8ks0.html

RI nationals only small part of global IS fighters, report says

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2016

Nani Afrida, Jakarta – Although Indonesia is home to the largest Muslim population in the world, it only contributes a small number of fighters to radical movements in Syria and Iraq, a report says.

A US security strategic intelligence service company, The Soufan Group (TSG), has released a report titled Foreign Fighters, an updated assessment of the flow of foreign fighters into Syria and Iraq, revealing that the number Indonesians that have joined the Islamic State (IS) movement might be less than 600 people.

"In summary, it may be more accurate to say that there are at least 600 Southeast Asians fighting in Syria. The vast majority is from Indonesia, with Malaysians at a distant second, while many more were stopped before they could leave the country," the report says.

Based on its investigation, between 27,000 and 31,000 people have traveled to Syria and Iraq from 86 countries, dominated by Arab countries, North Africa and Russia.

The Indonesian government revealed in July that the number of Indonesians that had joined IS reached 700, higher than the count in the informal report.

The report noted that 30 to 60 Indonesians joined radical groups in 2014. According to the report, Southeast Asians were to initially form a group with central Asians, as there were now enough Indonesian and Malay-speaking foreign fighters with IS to form their own unit called the Katibah Nusantara (Malay Archipelago Combat Unit).

"Since July 2014, IS has posted propaganda and recruitment videos aimed at persuading Indonesians and Malaysians to perform a hijrah [journey] to Syria with their families," it says.

Besides the number of Indonesian fighters in Syria and Iraq, TSG also mentioned 162 fighters that had returned from the war zone to Indonesia.

"These fighters have since returned to Indonesia, some claiming disillusionment because they did not receive the pay they were promised. Another hundred, including women and children, were apparently deported from Turkey before they could cross the border into Syria," said the report.

Terrorist expert Al Chaidar has cited several reasons as to why Indonesians were not flocking to Syria and Iraq to join foreign fighters.

"To go to Iraq and Syria they need money, a lot of it before they can perform the hijrah," Al Chaidar said. "The other reason; it is very difficult to reach Syria and Iraq and many fighter candidates were deported back to Indonesia, when they wanted to go to Syria and Iraq through Malaysia," he added.

Indonesians also still doubt IS and other radical groups in Syria and Iraq. "I would say that only 4 percent of Indonesians support IS," Al Chaidar said.

The government has declared IS an illegal organization as it goes against the Pancasila state ideology. But the prohibition has no force of law.

Unlike in Malaysia and Singapore where IS supporters can be charged and detained upon their departure to the combat zone, local authorities still have no legal basis to do so.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/18/ri-nationals-only-small-part-global-is-fighters-report-says.html

Banser condemns deadly attack in Jakarta, challenging IS

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2016

Agus Maryono, Banyumas – The Banyumas chapter of Barisan Ansor Serbaguna (Banser), the youth wing of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, has condemned recent deadly terror attacks in Jakarta during a rally in Purwokerto, Central Java.

Hundreds of Banser members at the rally rolled out posters emblazoned with messages not only voicing strong criticism of the Islamic State (IS) group but also of other radical groups, as they marched from Alun-alun Purwokerto through the city streets.

Among the messages were "Go to hell terrorists!", "We are Banser Banyumas: Not afraid of you ISIS!", "Let's reject the Khilafah [a global Islamic state]! It damages NKRI [the Unitarian State of the Republic of Indonesia]", "Banser Banyumas is ready to fight ISIS and terrorism in Indonesia", and "NKRI is forever".

"Jakarta, we, the Banser Banyumas, condemn violent acts and terrorism perpetrated against the Indonesian people and nation," Banser Banyumas commander Slamet Ibnu Ansori told the press on Saturday.

Seven people including two civilians were killed and more than 20 people were injured in the suicide bombing and gun attacks in front of shopping mall Sarinah in Jakarta on Thursday.

Slamet said Banser Banyumas was ready to fight against radicalism and terrorism, including that perpetrated by ISIS, in Indonesia.

"Don't fear, don't be afraid. All Indonesian people must be optimistic and ready to work together to fight against any form of terrorism and radicalism in Indonesia," he said.

The young NU leader further said Banser Banyumas would disseminate information on the characteristics of radical and terrorist movements and their dangers to the people with the hope that its followers can better understanding ideologies not in line with Islamic teaching.

He said radical movements currently perpetrating attacks in Indonesia and other countries around the world were claiming to carry out their heinous acts on behalf Islam, while in fact, their acts were not in line with Islamic teaching. Some such organizations, he said, worked openly, while others moved underground.

Slamet called on members of all organizations claiming to be based on Islam but not acknowledging the Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution and the NKRI to immediately repent and ask God for forgiveness. "If they don't want to repent [to God], we hope they immediately leave this country," he said.

The NU activist further said all Indonesian people should remain vigilant against various forms of clandestine radical and terrorist movements, which were disguised as social or religious organizations although in fact have a mission of establishing an Islamic state.

Slamet said Banser Banyumas was ready to help the government and security authorities tackle and anticipate movements of such groups. "If needed, those organizations must be dissolved. The government must be firm in disbanding any [such] organization.(ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/17/banser-condemns-deadly-attack-jakarta-challenging-is.html

Indonesian police arrest 12 over Jakarta attacks as death toll rises to eight

Associated Press - January 17, 2016

Jakarta – Indonesian police said they have arrested 12 people suspected of links to the Jakarta bombings, as the death toll rose to eight after a third civilian succumbed to wounds.

An Indonesian man who was shot in the head when two attackers fired into the crowd died at a hospital late on Saturday, Jakarta police spokesman Col Muhammad Iqbal said Sunday.

The assaults by suicide bombers and gunmen on Thursday targeted a Starbucks and traffic police post in bustling central Jakarta, leaving eight dead, including three civilians, and more than 20 wounded.

It was the first major assault by militants in Indonesia since 2009. Police said the attackers were tied to the Islamic State group through Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian fighting with Isis in Syria.

The national police chief, Gen Badrodin Haiti, told reporters the 12 arrests were made in west and east Java and in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo Island.

Elaborating on an earlier claim that the militants received funding from Bahrun, he said police had determined money was transferred to Indonesia via Western Union. He said that one of those arrested had received money transferred from IS.

Separately, authorities say they have blocked more than a dozen websites expressing support for Thursday's attack as they try to counter radical Islamic ideology online. Communications ministry spokesman Ismail Cawidu urged Indonesians to report militant websites and social media accounts.

In recent years, Indonesian counter-terrorism forces successfully stamped out the extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah that was responsible for several attacks, including the 2002 bombings of bars in Bali that killed 202 people, as well as two hotel bombings in Jakarta in 2009 that killed seven people.

Terrorism experts say Isis supporters in Indonesia are drawn from the remnants of Jemaah Islamiyah and other groups, but are also trying to recruit new members.

Police on Saturday also released the names of the eight killed. Aside from the already identified Sunakin and Muhammad Ali, the additional attackers were identified as Ahmad Muhazan Saron, who exploded a suicide bomb inside the Starbucks, and Dian Joni Kurniadi. Police said they were still investigating the role of a fifth man known as Sugito. Their ages ranged from 25 to 43.

The civilian victims were Canadian Amer Quali Tahar and Jakarta residents Rico Hermawan and Rais Karna, who died on Saturday.

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/17/indonesian-police-arrest-12-over-jakarta-attacks-as-death-toll-rises-to-eight

Police 'fooled' by terrorists, should have prevented Jakarta attack: Expert

Jakarta Globe - January 17, 2016

Jakarta – Thursday's attack on the heart of the city should have been prevented by police, as the attackers were "the same old persons" who have long been on the radar of intelligence and police have been "fooled" by terrorists, an observer has said.

Investigators have identified two suicide bombers and two gunmen – all of who have a history of terror activities – behind the coordinated attacks in the Sarinah area, Central Jakarta.

One gunman – identified as Afif, but also known as Sunakim and Sunardi – was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 2010 after participating in militant training in the highland jungles of Aceh, only to be released on parole in 2013.

Co-conspirator Marwan, also known as Muhammad Ali, is alleged to have been involved in a string of armed bank robberies in North Sumatra to fund the Aceh training camp.

"These people must have been on the radar of counterterrorism and intelligence officials," Al Chaidar, a terrorism observer, said on Saturday. "Police should admit they were cheated by terrorists."

"Police might be facing terrorist intellectuals, but they already have their highly trained personnel and advance technology. There is no excuse."

Saud Usman Nasution, chief of the National Counterterrorism Agency, defended the police, saying all preventative measures ahead of the attack had been taken.

"No one was being fooled," Saud said, before adding there are more arrests to be made. "There are so many of them and we did not know where they were and what their targets are."

Meanwhile, the civilian death toll of Thursday's attack has risen after Rais Karna, a Bangkok Bank employee, succumbed to injuries overnight at the Abdi Waluyo hospital. Rais had been shot in the back of the head during the incident.

Two other civilians, identified as Rico Hermawan and Canadian national Amir Quali Tamer were also killed during the attack.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/police-fooled-terrorists-shouldve-prevented-jakarta-attack-expert/

Indonesia's 'weak' terror laws must be strengthened experts say

Jakarta Globe - January 17, 2016

Jakarta – Thursday's terror attack in Jakarta was proof Indonesia needs "stronger" antiterrorism laws, an official has said, pointing to a lack of legal support to make preemptive arrests.

Insp. Gen. Arif Darmawan of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) said the police's "insufficient" authority to move against terrorism suspects is partially to blame for the attack which killed seven people, including five attackers.

"We could do nothing before criminal elements are met," he said, citing Indonesia's 2003 antiterrorism law. "Even if we knew they were forming a group supporting ISIS [Islamic State], it would be useless capturing them."

Under the current laws, terror arrests made ahead of the execution of attacks can be thrown out by courts as charges may not meet the legal requirements, Arif said.

Al Chaidar, a leading terror expert, has also called on the government to revise the "weak" antiterrorism laws. Revisions would leave authorities "unimpeded" in pursuing suspects and preventing further attacks.

"The government should include a list of forbidden groups in the law," he said. "With this, police could immediately move against suspected terrorists before they could start plotting terror acts."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/jakarta-attack-proof-indonesias-weak-antiterror-law-needs-revisions-official-says/

Soeharto-era community patrols to be reactivated

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2016

Anton Hermansyah, Jakarta – The Jakarta administration plans to reactivate the New Order legacy of community patrols, known as siskamling, in a bid to help prevent terrorism by curbing the development of terrorist cells in neighborhoods.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat said the siskamling – a security system created in 1981 – would be stipulated in regulations along with bolstered obligations to report any temporary visitors staying in a neighborhood more than two days.

"The siskamling system must be reactivated to prevent any attempts of terrorism, because it may happen anywhere. The terrorist may be in your neighborhood," he said in Jakarta on Friday. If necessary, he added, he would issue an official letter to reactivate the volunteer neighborhood watch.

Siskamling are organized at the level of neighborhood units (RT) and community units (RW). Each family must send a representative to join the patrol in a group consisting of three or more persons, based on a collectively agreed schedule. (ags)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/16/soeharto-era-community-patrols-be-reactivated.html

Broadcasters censured for poor reporting during Jakarta attacks

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2016

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has reprimanded seven television stations and one radio station for inaccurate and inappropriate reporting of the terrorist attacks in Central Jakarta, which took place on Thursday.

On Friday, the KPI issued the reprimand to privately run news channel Metro TV, state-owned television station Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI), Trans 7 and Jakarta-based entertainment channel NET TV.

On Thursday, the KPI also reprimanded news channels TVOne, Indosiar and iNews, as well as news radio station Elshinta, for violating the commission's 2012 broadcasting guidelines.

"Some of these media outlets reported on yesterday's terror inaccurately, with sources that did not come from the authorities," KPI deputy chairman Idy Muzayyad told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Idy said TV stations such as TVRI, Metro TV, TVOne and iNews, as well as Elshinta radio station, were all guilty of spreading false news and rumors regarding the attacks.

"TVRI for instance broadcast news tickers saying that there were explosions in other areas [Palmerah in West Jakarta and Alam Sutera in South Tangerang]," Idy said. Other TV stations, like TVOne, meanwhile, broadcast information saying that explosions took place in Slipi, Kuningan and Cikini, all in Jakarta.

"Hoax reports of explosions in Alam Sutera, Kuningan and Palmerah were being spread throughout social media but they gained credibility by being broadcast by these media outlets. These TV stations were supposed to counter these hoaxes, not spread them," said Idy.

By spreading such false information, they helped to cause unnecessary fear among the public. "The public doesn't need inaccurate information, no matter how fast it is," Idy said.

Many residents of the city claimed the false information spread by the media had created panic. Indra Nugraha, a resident of Slipi, said he was alarmed after seeing the false information on TVOne. "It was horrible. I panicked because I live in a kost [boarding house] right behind Slipi Jaya Mall," he told the Post in Friday.

Indra said the hoax also caused his mother to worry. "She immediately called me asking whether I was alright because I live in Slipi," he said.

Apart from spreading false information, some of the TV stations were also given warnings for showing graphic, uncensored images. "NET TV, for example, broadcast images of corpses. Even though it was from afar, but you could still see the blood flowing, which caused revulsion among viewers," Idy said.

He said that TV stations should refrain from broadcasting images of dead bodies at all, even if they are blurred or pixelated. "To convey the horror, one doesn't need to use the image of corpses," said Idy.

Commenting on the warning, Metro TV editor-in-chief Putra Nababan said he would accept it. Metro TV was given a warning by the KPI for broadcasting the false information that an explosion had occurred in Palmerah.

While the station did broadcast a statement from National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan who said the information needed further clarification, this statement was not included in the news tickers.

"It means that there are people who paid attention, so that's good," he told the Post on Friday. "If there's a correction, we'll accept it. It's not a problem for us."

Putra said members of his news team had gone through all the procedures during the attacks. "A few minutes after that, we called Anton and he denied [the information] and we displayed his denial in bold type, in that way people got the information [that there was no Palmerah explosion] from us," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/16/broadcasters-censured-poor-reporting-during-jakarta-attacks.html

Jakarta gunman Sunakim had been jailed on terrorism charges

Sydney Morning Herald - January 16, 2016

Jewel Topsfield – At least one of the five assassins in the Jakarta attacks had been jailed for terrorism offences raising fears those convicted are becoming further radicalised behind bars.

The identity of the gunman photographed roaming the streets wearing a Nike cap, jeans and sneakers during the deadly assault has been revealed as Sunakim (alias Afif), who was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to seven years' jail for his role in a militant training camp in Aceh.

While in Cipinang, a top security prison in Jakarta, he became the masseur for Aman Abdurrahman, one of Indonesia's most influential jihadist ideologues and a vocal promoter of Islamic State.

The firebrand police believe is behind the attacks, Bahrun Naim, was also jailed in 2011 for possessing firearms. He is fighting for Islamic State in Syria.

National Counter-terrorism Agency director Brigadier General Dr Hamidin said the attacks occurred because prison sentences for terrorists were too light. "They were released from prison and expanded their radicalism by recruiting others," Dr Hamidin said.

Terrorism expert Noor Huda Ismail said there had been 40 known terrorist recidivism cases since 2009. "It is a common theme and shows the failure of the political system to deradicalise convicted terrorists in prison and post release," Mr Ismail said.

He said Cipinang jail was designed for 900 prisoners and held about 3000 and there were simply insufficient wardens and parole officers.

Former Jemaah Islamiyah member Bagus Budi Pranoto, also known as Urwah, was sentenced to 3-and-a-half years in prison for harbouring a militant.

Soon after, he was involved in the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotel bombings in Jakarta in 2009, reportedly coming into contact with other convicted terrorists while in jail.

Abdul Rauf, who was jailed over the 2002 Bali bombings, went to Syria to fight for Islamic State in 2014 and later died in Iraq.

A 2013 report by the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict found that the Indonesian government had little capacity to provide adequate post-release monitoring.

It said the problem was that systems were not yet in place to keep track of individuals who were considered potential problems.

Mr Ismail also said in Indonesia it was not illegal to join paramilitary training or to carry out violence abroad. "As a result, even though police can identify and capture returned foreign fighters, they cannot charge them with any wrongdoing," he said.

Meanwhile, police arrested at least seven terrorist suspects on Friday in Bekasi, Tegal and Cirebon, all of whom were thought to have links to the terror mastermind Naim.

Cirebon Police Chief Sugeng Hariyanto said an IS flag was found during a raid in Cirebon on the north coast of Java. He said three men were arrested based on preliminary investigation linking them to the Sarinah attacks.

"How they are linked we are still investigating," Mr Hariyanto said. "We found cut up plastic pipes [similar to those used in the Jakarta attack], an ISIS flag, a paper for a baiat [the ceremony of the appointment of a leader], a laptop and several other items."

Central Java police spokesperson Alloysius Liliek Darmanto said police counter-terrorism unit Detachment 88 arrested two men in Tegal – Ali Mahmud aka Lulu and Fachrudin. Evidence confiscated included 13 books, a pack of potassium, a video on Syria and jihad teaching and an airgun. (With Amilia Rosa)

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/jakarta-gunman-sunakim-had-been-jailed-on-terrorism-charges-20160116-gm7awb.html

Government blocks radical websites after Jakarta attack

Reuters - January 16, 2016

Jakarta – Indonesia shut down at least 11 radical websites and several social media accounts on Saturday after a deadly gun and bomb attack claimed by Islamic State rocked the capital earlier in the week.

Authorities said several accounts had been found on social networking website Facebook expressing support for Thursday's attack in Jakarta's commercial district, which killed seven people including five militants and injured around 30 others.

The brazenness of the assault, which lasted several hours, suggested a new brand of militancy in a country where low-level strikes on police are common.

"We are monitoring many websites and public complaints about this," said Ismail Cawidu, a public relations official at the communications ministry.

The government had also sent letters to social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Telegram requesting that radical material be immediately blocked or taken down, Cawidu said.

The alleged mastermind behind this week's attack, an Indonesian citizen fighting with IS in Syria, is believed to have used social media extensively to share his beliefs about Islamic State and communicate with contacts in Indonesia using blog posts and mobile messaging apps.

Police said late on Friday that two of the attackers had been identified as raids continued across the country to track down any other militants in the networks they belonged to. Authorities believe there are up to 1,000 IS sympathizers in Indonesia.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/govt-blocks-radical-websites-jakarta-attack/

Attackers identified, arrests made in aftermath of Jakarta blasts

Reuters - January 16, 2016

Jakarta – Police on Saturday named the five men they suspect launched this week's gun and bomb attack in the heart of Jakarta and said they had arrested 12 others linked to the plot, which was claimed by Islamic State.

As investigators pieced together clues from the radical group's first strike on Indonesia, neighboring Malaysia said it had arrested a man in Kuala Lumpur who had confessed to planning a suicide attack in the country.

"We... have carried out acts of force. We have done searches, we have made arrests and we have obtained evidence connected with the terrorist bombing at Sarinah," Jakarta police spokesman Mohammad Iqbal told a news conference.

"We will not say how many people or what sort of evidence we have as it will upset out strategy. Be patient, when the case is closed and things are clear we will disclose them."

Seven people, including the team of militants, were killed in Thursday's attack near the Sarinah department store in Central Jakarta. About 30 people were wounded.

Police held up pictures of the dead and wounded at the news conference, including a man who kicked off the siege by blowing himself up in a Starbucks cafe.

Another attacker, who opened fire with a gun outside the cafe, was named as Afif. A National Counter-Terrorism Agency spokesman said Afif had served seven years in prison, where he refused to cooperate with a de-radicalization program.

The brazenness of the Jakarta assault, which had echoes of marauding gun and bomb attacks such as the Paris siege in November, suggested a new brand of militancy in a country where extremists typically launch low-level strikes on police.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/attackers-identified-arrests-made-aftermath-jakarta-blasts/

Freedom of religion & worship

Gafatar members to receive corrective counselling

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Suherdjoko, Semarang – About 1,500 members of the illegal Fajar Nusantara Movement (Gafatar) will be housed in Semarang for re-education before they are sent back to their hometowns, officials have said.

"We will accommodate them in Semarang. We'll look for a place to house them – there's quite a few of them. We could be considered a kind of crisis center," Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said after meeting with Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Nur Ali, Diponegoro Military Command chief of staff Brig. Gen Joni Supriyanto and other provincial leaders.

Ganjar explained that parties including ulemas, psychologists, military and police officials and the provincial administration would counsel the Gafatar members, who are currently being housed at a military barracks in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

Three navy warships, he said, had been deployed and would pick up the group in Pontianak on Sunday. The evacuees were expected to arrive in the Central Java capital on Wednesday, he said, adding that he had a responsibility to address the issue given that some of the 1,500 were residents of the province.

Ganjar revealed that Gafatar had been registered in Central Java from 2011 to 2014, at which point the group had not applied to extend its permit. "At that time, the organization planned to set up a rural agrarian Pancasila program. Their proposal was approved for financial assistance," he said.

Gafatar executives have repeatedly denied that their organization, which was established in January 2012 and banned by the Home Ministry in November the same year, is based on or affiliated with any religion, insisting it cleaves instead to the state ideology, Pancasila.

The group is reportedly a successor organization to Al Qiyadah Al Islamiyah, which was founded by Ahmad Mussadeq, who was sentenced by the South Jakarta District Court to four years in prison in 2008 for blasphemy. Ahmad reportedly claimed to be a new prophet.

Ahmad is not mentioned and his picture not displayed on the official Gafatar website, but some of his followers have reportedly become leaders of the movement.

Gafatar spokesperson Wisnu Windani said on Wednesday the organization had dissolved itself in August last year and its former members moved to Menpawah regency, West Kalimantan, to engage in communal farming.

Thousands of local people on Tuesday besieged Gafatar members' houses in Menpawah, forcing police and military personnel to evacuate them. The mob then burned down the houses and a car belonging to the group.

National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) commissioner Sandra Moniaga criticized the police for failing to stop the attack. The police, Sandra said, had a duty to protect the right to live peacefully and the right to freedom of movement of all citizens, including Gafatar members.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI)'s Central Java chapter chairman, Ahmad Daroji, denied that his organization planned to "brainwash" Gafatar members, arguing that it was rather Gafatar that engaged in brainwashing.

"We will take a psychological and religious approach based on their respective beliefs," Daroji said, adding that the group's members would be convened at the Hajj Dormitory in Boyolali for guidance sessions.

"If they can come to their senses within three days, they'll be returned to their families, though it'll probably take five days," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/gafatar-members-receive-corrective-counselling.html

Local administrations main violators of religious freedom

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2016

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has not delivered on his promise to protect religious freedom, according to human rights advocacy group the Setara Institute.

The organization estimates that cases of religious intolerance metastasized by more than 50 percent in 2015 in comparison with 2014.

In its report on religious intolerance, the Setara Institute recorded 197 cases and 236 incidents of violence, most of which were conducted by local administrations.

"In 2014, the number of cases was only 134, with 177 incidents of violence," Setara Institute researcher Halili Hasan said during the presentation of the report on Monday. "In 2015, there was a pretty significant rise."

While protection for minority groups, including religious minorities, is outlined in Jokowi's Nawacita, there has been lack of implementation in the field, according to Halili.

"The Nawa Cita's impact at the local level is barely felt. We can see that from many restrictive policies, such as the banning of Shia celebrations, the banning of Asyura, [by Bogor Mayor Bima Arya], as well as prohibitions on certain houses of worship," Halili said, adding that the institute had recorded 15 restrictive policies in 2015.

Most alarming of all, the report argues that instead of fulfilling its constitutional duty to protect the rights of its people to practice their religious beliefs freely and without discrimination, the government is actually the main actor in perpetuating religious intolerance throughout the country.

"Compared to 2014, violations to religious freedom conducted by state actors experienced a sharp increase, from 39 incidents of violence in 2014 to 101 in 2015," said Halili. "One of the weak points in religious freedom protections is the state apparatus itself, especially at local level. This has to be taken seriously by the Jokowi administration."

Setara Institute deputy chairman Bonar Tigor Naipospos argued that the central government should punish local governments that failed to protect religious freedom. "Religions are under the domain of the central government, and thus the central government should have strategies on how to tackle this," he said.

As for non-state actors, local people still routinely violate religious freedom, with 44 incidents of violence being attributed to unaffiliated citizens in 2015. This figure is followed by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and the Islamic Mass Organization Alliance, both with 13 incidents of violence attributed to their name, and then the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) with 12, and religious and community leaders with eight.

"In nine years [since we started recording cases of religious intolerance], local people have always been a major actor. It means that the level for religious tolerance among our people is very low. It only takes a little trigger to create explosions," Halili said. "The trend of non-state actors has been fairly consistent," he added.

In contrast, there has been a major change in the victims of religious intolerance in Indonesia. The Shiites have recently overtaken the Ahmadis as the most targeted religious minority group in the country.

"In the 'top five' list of victims of religious intolerance, there has been a significant shift. Last year [2014], it was the Ahmadis, but this year [2015], it was the Shiites," said Halili.

In 2015, there were 31 cases of intolerance against the Shia community, followed by Christians with 29. The Ahmadis experienced 13 cases of intolerance.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/19/local-administrations-main-violators-religious-freedom.html

Ahmadiyah followers on Bangka need more protection: HRW

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2016

Jakarta – Rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on the government to immediately intervene to protect members of the Ahmadiyah religious community from intimidation and threats of expulsion by local authorities on Bangka Island. HRW made the statement after it obtained a copy of a letter issued on Jan. 5 by the local administration of Bangka regency, located off the east coast of Sumatra in Bangka-Belitung Islands province, which demanded Ahmadiyah followers on the island either convert to Sunni Islam or face expulsion from Bangka.

"Bangka officials are conspiring with Muslim groups to unlawfully expel Ahmadiyah community members from their homes," HRW's Asia deputy director Phelim Kine said in a statement on Monday.

"President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo needs to immediately intervene to uphold the Ahmadiyah's rights and to punish officials who advocate religious discrimination."

The letter was signed by Bangka administration secretary Fery Insani. It stated: "If the board of the Ahmadiyah community does not return to Islam, we have agreed that the board should leave Bangka and go back to where they belong." The letter stated that the directive was written on behalf of Bangka Regent Tarmizi Saat.

HRW said members of Bangka's Ahmadiyah community, which consists of only 14 families, told the group that the expulsion order followed months of harassment and intimidation by government officials, police officers and representatives of Muslim groups. Some Muslims perceive the Ahmadiyah as heretics because followers identify themselves as Muslims, but differ from other Muslims who believe that Muhammad was the "final" monotheist prophet.

Articles 28 and 29 of the Constitution guarantee freedom of religion. Prohibitions on the Ahmadiyah practicing their religion also violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Indonesia in 2006. Article 18 of the covenant protects the right to freedom of religion and to engage in religious practice "either individually or in community with others and in public or private". Article 27 also protects the rights of minorities "to profess and practice their own religion".

When he took office in October 2014, President Jokowi pledged to protect religious minorities and fight against religious intolerance.

"President Jokowi should demonstrate his opposition to religious discrimination by standing on the side of Bangka Island's Ahmadiyah community and acting against those officials trying to deprive them of their rights," Kine said.

"Jokowi has an opportunity to prove that the [former president Susilo Bambang] Yudhoyono era of turning a blind eye to attacks on religious minorities is finally over." (ebf)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/18/ahmadiyah-followers-bangka-need-more-protection-hrw.html

Land & agrarian conflicts

Lawyer closes firm to fight for farmers

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – The Yap Thiam Hien Foundation has named lawyer and activist Handoko Wibowo the 2015 recipient of the rights accolade for his relentless effort to fight for the land rights of farmers in Central Java.

Foundation chairman Todung Mulya Lubis said that the panel of judges decided to give the award to Handoko, a 53-year-old Chinese-Indonesian, to inspire young advocates to fight for marginalized people.

"Handoko is a role model. He is someone who chose not to become an advocate surrounded by material things. These are the things that I think should be honored," he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Handoko will receive the award in a ceremony at the National Museum in Central Jakarta on Wednesday night.

Handoko's commitment to promoting the rights of farmers was proven by his decision to give up his law practice in 2001 to focus on land conflicts in Batang, Central Java.

"In 1998, my neighbors, who were farmers, were causing riots, damaging the house of one of the foremen of a private company. I was surprised to learn that many of my neighbors were really poor [because they were victims of extortion by the foreman whose house was targeted]," Handoko told the Post on Tuesday.

After that, he tried to facilitate mediation between the farmers and the company. "Many farmers came to me [for help], thousands of them. Therefore, it was hard for me to divide my time between my professional career as a lawyer [and my advocacy work for farmers]. So I decided to shut down my law firm in 2001, but not because I was bankrupt [laughing]," Handoko said.

Since then, he has been advocating the rights of farmers in Central Java, helping them defend their land through peaceful means.

"I always prioritize dialogue and networking. I have always criticized my friends who think that advocating means fighting and making enemies. That's not the case, including in land conflicts," said Handoko.

He said that he fed these farmers with information through a social movement called Omah Tani, which was established seven years after he closed his law practice. Through Omah Tani, Handoko provided legal consultation, education, food as well as temporary shelters for those in need. This has helped farmers gain equal footing with other stakeholders during discussions. "When dialogue is carried out, they have dignity," Handoko said.

In his early days as an advocate, he said that he had to help farmers from his own pocket.

"It was a bit difficult [financially]. I wasn't able to keep my practice open. It would be funny to help rich clients who are in conflict with farmers while at the same time defending the same farmers. But that's alright, I'm not married and have no kids anyway [laughing]," Handoko said. "That said, I inherited an 8-hectare clover plantation from my father that can be harvested every year."

Besides helping farmers, he said that he was also open to lending a hand to other marginalized groups, such as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

"My house has turned into an oasis [for the marginalized]. For example, I've been helping the LGBT community in fighting HIV/AIDS. This is what makes us successful as we don't focus only on one area," said Handoko.

He said that his advocacy work and peaceful approach had earned him many friends, from thugs to politicians. "We know so many people that we are never attacked, even though I am a Christian and Chinese-Indonesian," Handoko said.

Commenting on the award, he said he was surprised to get a call from the foundation. "At first I thought it was a joke, [laughing]" said Handoko. "Because my work [as an advocate] is quiet, far from attention-grabbing. Land conflicts rarely attract the attention of the middle class. Therefore, this award means that there are still people concerned about this issue."

In the end, he considered winning the award a triumph for the farmers' movement. "This is a win for all, not only for me. This award will remind people that this movement is a worthwhile one," Handoko said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/20/lawyer-closes-firm-fight-farmers.html

Parliament & legislation

House tries to save face by cutting down on recess, overseas trips

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2016

Jakarta – Members of the House of Representatives agreed to reduce the length of their recess periods and limit overseas work visits in a bid to improve their poor performance, the speaker said on Monday.

Newly elected House Speaker Ade Komarudin said that all 10 factions at the House agreed to this in a meeting of the House leaders and all faction chiefs at the House complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta on Monday.

Ade claimed that he proposed the ideas as he aimed to increase the production of legislation by the House. "We have agreed on reducing recess time from one month to a maximum of two weeks," he said as quoted by kompas.com. The Golkar lawmaker added that in the meeting they also agreed to abolish trips carried out by House special committees. However, commission members, House internal councils and committees and also the House speaker and deputy speakers are still allowed to go on overseas trips.

Ade was appointed last week as House speaker to fill in the post left vacant by his fellow Golkar politician Setya Novanto, who stepped down from the position last year.

Since Setya took office in October 2014, the public has widely criticized the House's performance of having only passed three laws over about a year. The House was also under public scrutiny after Setya and House Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon attended an event held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump in New York last year.

The latest blow to the House happened when Setya sparked an ethical misconduct scandal when he met with with businessman Reza Chalid and the president director of PT Freeport Indonesia, Maroef Sjamsoeddin, to try to broker a deal to extend Freeport's mining contract. (liz/rin)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/19/house-tries-save-face-cutting-down-recess-overseas-trips.html

Jakarta & urban life

Fishermen continue to fight Jakarta Bay reclamation

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Indra Budiari, Jakarta – With a trial judging the Jakarta administration's decision to allow construction of artificial Islet G still ongoing, the Indonesian Traditional Fishermen's Association (KNTI) and the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Jakarta) have filed a second petition at the Jakarta State Administrative Court against permits for the construction of three other islets, namely islets F, I and K.

On Thursday, dozens of fishermen visited the court to file a petition against three permits issued by the city administration for reclamation projects. Permits were given on Oct. 22 last year to city-owned PT Jakarta Propertindo for Islet F and to PT Jaladri Eka Pakci for Islet I, and on Nov. 17 to PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol for Islet K.

KNTI advisory board head Riza Damanik said the petition emphasized several violations in the three permits, issued in the form of gubernatorial decrees by Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

"The requirements to issue reclamation permits are very strict, and must be legally based on a bylaw. However, despite no bylaws having been issued, the reclamation has continued to go ahead illegally," Riza told The Jakarta Post.

In September the Jakarta Development Planning Board (Bappeda) told the Post that it had finished drafting a bylaw to regulate the 17 man-made islets planned to be built off the city's north coast.

According to the bylaw draft, the islands will be divided into three areas; the East Zone, consisting of islets A to H, will function as housing; the Central Zone, islets I to M, will be a commercial area; and the West Zone, islets N to Q, will be for logistics and sea and air ports.

However, while the draft is still waiting to be passed by the city council, reclamation projects in several islets have been continuing; one, Islet C, appears half-finished in satellite imaging from Google Earth, despite the public still being denied access to a copy of the permit.

According to Riza, the plaintiffs demand that the court grant the petition and halt the reclamation project. There was a possibility, he added, that the KNTI would file a petition against construction permits for other islets.

Muhammad Tahir from the KNTI said that besides the legal aspect, reclamation projects also threatened the livelihoods of fishermen working on Jakarta's north coast. For example, he said, the area around Islet F had become an "entrance gate" for fishermen to access the sea. "The project in no way benefits these fishermen," Tahir said.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the court held a hearing of a petition filed by the KNTI, LBH Jakarta and the People's Coalition for Fisheries Justice Indonesia (Kiara) against the governor for granting permission for the construction of Islet G.

In Thursday's hearing, the plaintiffs submitted documents to the panel of judges to support their claim. Handika Febrian, a lawyer representing the fishermen, said he had submitted a number of documents to support the plaintiffs' legal standing.

"In the previous hearing they claimed that we didn't have a legal standing to file a petition. Today we are filing the documents that disprove that claim," Handika said.

He added that in the next hearing the plaintiffs would present six witnesses whose lives had been affected by the reclamation projects.

Meanwhile, Nadia Zunairoh from the city administration's legal bureau said she had submitted a number of documents, including Bylaw No. 1/2012 on spatial planning and several court verdicts that supported the project's legality.

The city has said that the legal bases for reclamation are the 2012 spatial Planning Bylaw and a 1995 presidential decree on Jakarta reclamation.

Presiding judge Ujang Abdullah said the trial would continue with witness testimony on Feb. 4.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/fishermen-continue-fight-jakarta-bay-reclamation.html

Demand for women-only motorcycle taxis surging in Indonesian capital amid safety

Reuters - January 19, 2016

The Indonesian capital, Jakarta, is seeing a boom in transport services catering exclusively to women, offering better security and comfort when compared to packed public buses and trains.

Ladyjek and Sister Ojek are the most recent entrants to the female-only taxi services in the city of 10 million people.

Since its launch in October, the Ladyjek mobile app has been downloaded about 50,000 times and hundreds of Indonesians use its services each day, said Ladyjek founder Brian Mulyadi.

The company employs about 2,400 drivers, mostly housewives or students, and hopes to soon expand outside the capital.

The firms have seen business take off less than four months after starting operations in the predominantly Muslim nation. Other companies similar to Ladyjek include Ojesy or Ojek Syari, which offers hijab-wearing drivers.

"In other public transportation such as public minivans, there are too many men in such a tight space, which makes me feel very uncomfortable," Uki Pratiwi said before hopping on a motorcycle driven by a Ladyjek employee. "However, I feel safe if it's Ladyjek because the bikers are also women."

Dozens of motorcycle-sharing companies have set up in Indonesia in the past year or so, seeking to emulate the success of Go-Jek, the first firm in Jakarta to use smartphones to tap into the country's millions of traditional motorcycle taxis, known as ojeks.

"The other online motorbike taxi services are very convenient, but there's no service to take care of the safety and comfort of women. That's why I created Ladyjek," Mr Mulyadi said.

The rape of a woman in a public minivan sparked uproar in Jakarta last June, but critics say the government has done little to prevent future cases.

"The government hasn't really done much," transportation analyst Azas Tigor Nainggolan said. "Even when there are passengers who felt they were harassed and reported it to authorities, the police are often confused about how to tackle the problem."

Source: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2016-01-19/demand-for-womenonly-motorcycle-taxis-surging-in-indonesian-capital-amid-safety-concerns/1537557

Residents show housing can be in harmony with nearby river

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2016

Indra Budiari, Jakarta – Ina Mariana, 30, could not take her eyes away from the second floor of her nearly finished house as her son ran around the neighborhood.

"It will be finished in a week. I can't wait to leave my rented room and move in," she told The Jakarta Post recently.

Ina and a few other residents on Jl. Tongkol in Ancol, North Jakarta, have finished the construction of five vertical houses, with the hopes of local people and the architect being that they will be viewed as pilot houses for riverbank living.

Located 5 meters from Ciliwung River, each house has three floors, and is built using preserved bamboo for the roof and window frames. Although each floor's area is small – 1.7 by 4.5 meters – for Ina, it is more than enough to protect her and her seven family members from the elements.

"I am aware that it is very small but, as the old saying goes, there's no place like home. The first floor is for my mother, the second floor is for me, my husband and our two children, while my brother and his wife will take the attic," she said.

Another resident Abdul Rohim said he was glad that his house was among the five remodeled houses, saying that previously he and his wife had lived on a second story with another family living beneath. He said the remodeling of each of the five family homes had cost less than Rp 30 million (US$2,514).

"I couldn't do any renovations in my previous house as it would disturb the family living under me. Now it feels like I have my own privacy," he said, adding that for the present he would use his first floor as a living room, second floor as bedroom and the attic for storage.

However, local resident Gugun Muhammad revealed that despite being upbeat about the redesign of their homes, the residents were aware that they were living on thin ice.

Gugun said the city administration had warned the residents that they could be evicted at anytime as the law prohibited any construction within 15 meters of a waterway.

"We are aware of the risk, but we hope the city administration can make an exception here as this area has potential as a tourism spot," he said. Jl. Tongkol is located less than a kilometer from city heritage site Kota Tua in West Jakarta.

According to Gugun, the 500 families in Jl. Tongkol would be delighted to remodel their houses vertically, to become an example of how to live in riverbank neighborhoods.

"When I say that the five houses are a pilot project for riverbank housing, I don't mean the construction of the buildings, but the cultural and social aspects. How we adjust our life to geographical conditions," he added.

He went on to say that not only had the residents not disposed of their waste into the Ciliwung River for years, but also organized river cleanup activities to limit the occurrence of floods. He said the septic tanks had also been modified so as not to flow into the river.

Tongkol residents operate and fund four rafts that regularly pick garbage out of the river in front of their houses. Launched in November on Ciliwung Day, 400 residents pitched in money to finance the initiative.

The Ciliwung River, which rises in Bogor in West Java and is one of the largest rivers in Jakarta, frequently bursts its banks in the rainy season, flooding parts of the capital.

One of the architects of the project Andrea Fitrianto said it would only take two or three months for all the residents to remodel their houses to vertical form, emphasizing that by using preserved bamboo instead of wood, the renovation costs could be reduced.

"We also used secondhand materials to build the stairs so we could save some more," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/18/residents-show-housing-can-be-harmony-with-nearby-river.html

Jakarta's LRT project in limbo again, groundbreaking postponed

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2016

Corry Elyda, Jakarta – The much anticipated Light Rail Transit (LRT) project is in limbo once more after the city administration decided to halt groundbreaking work indefinitely.

Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama said after a meeting at the State Palace on the high-speed rail project between Jakarta and Bandung on Friday that he had decided to postpone the project.

"In June or July, the central government will construct the high-speed rail project. I do not want the project's schedule to overlap," he told reporters at City Hall. Ahok added that he did not want the city to become overwhelmed with projects that would unduly burden commuters.

The high-speed rail project proposed by PT Kereta Api Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) will span 142 kilometers. The government has agreed to build four stations along the route, namely Halim, Karawang, Walini and Tegalluar, in addition to a facility outside Tegalluar. The groundbreaking for the high-speed rail project is slated for Jan. 21.

Ahok said that the LRT was designed to "feed" transportation while the city's transportation backbone would be the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project, presently under construction. It is thought, therefore, that the LRT plan should not interfere with the MRT project.

Ahok said the city should finish the MRT project while planning for the LRT. "We will delay the construction of the LRT serving Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta to Kebayoran Lama in South Jakarta because nine of its stations overlap with the MRT," he said.

Overlapping routes have become a major problem for the capital city's giant transportation projects.

Before the plan for high-speed rail, Jakarta planned at least six major transportation projects. Besides the city's LRT and MRT, others included an LRT project by the central government, an airport rail-line by state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), an elevated Transjakarta busway system and elevated toll roads.

However, many of the routes of the projects were drawn separately, without planners consulting each other and without a master plan. Stakeholders are now trying to iron out the problems, including those related to overlapping routes.

One of the most salient problems is having three giant projects connecting Jakarta with Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten: KAI's two projects – the extension of the current Greater Jakarta commuter line from Batu Ceper in Tangerang to the airport and the elevated rail line from Gambir station in Central Jakarta to the airport via Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) and Kamal Muara in North Jakarta – and the LRT project connecting Kemayoran in Central Jakarta to the airport. Other controversial routes that overlap include the six elevated toll roads to be built by PT Jakarta Tollroad Development (JTD).

Ahok said he was pessimistic that the LRT project to the airport would continue although he believed that such a project could be useful for the Asian Games in 2018.

Differing from Ahok, Jakarta Development Planning Board (Bappeda) head Tuti Kusumawati said that construction of the LRT would not necessarily be delayed. "We do need to prepare all the requirements to start the construction," she said.

Tuti said that the technical specification requirements were not yet completed. "The route has also not been determined by the Transportation Ministry," she said.

Tuti said that completing the requirements was something that was still in process. "We hope they can be completed as soon as possible," she said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/16/jakarta-s-lrt-project-limbo-again-groundbreaking-postponed.html

Transport & communication

Government to settle eco issues to keep train schedule on track

Jakarta Post - January 20, 2016

Ayomi Amindoni, Jakarta – Despite concerns raised by an environmental impact analysis (amdal), the government is insisting on proceeding with construction of the country's first high-speed railway, scheduled to launch on Thursday, saying that the remaining environmental issues could be settled in a day.

Preparation for Thursday's kick-off ceremony in Walini, a town the railway will pass through, was ready to go on Wednesday, said Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, including the stage from which President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will speak.

"Only a day left and we're now waiting for the Environment and Forestry Minister's decision," he said at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday as quoted by tempo.co, adding that President Jokowi had called on ministers to work together to settle the permit issue before Thursday's launch.

An Indonesian-Chinese joint venture, dubbed PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), has been formed to build the high-speed train connecting Jakarta and Bandung, at a cost of Rp 70 trillion (US$5.5 billion).

Unfortunately, according to a technical team in the ministry, KCIC's documents on the environmental impact of the project were incomplete and unclear. Analysts concluded that the project was not yet "worthy" of a construction permit.

"They must be patient, and should not only chase administrative requirements," said Widodo Sambodo, a member of the technical team and a director in the Environment and Forestry Ministry.

He pointed out an absence of detailed explanation of Walini's vital location in a water catchment area the for the Citarum River. This ecological function could be disturbed by a recklessly built train station, disrupting the water supply for Jatiluhur dam.

"The water reservoir is very important for irrigation and power production in Jatiluhur. Not to mention the fact that the area is prone to landslides," Widodo explained.

However, the Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya was confident that her institution would issue the environmental permit, as administrative requirements had been well looked after, in spite of some minor issues such as public objections.

"We cannot let those minor issues hamper the progress that the public needs. The permit must be completed today," she said on Wednesday at the Presidential Palace, adding that the ministry would set a 30-day deadline before which the public could raise questions and objections.

Strategic projects

The high-speed train is one of 62 strategic projects to be constructed by state-owned companies and scheduled for groundbreaking this year, with the projects totaling Rp 347.2 trillion in value, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno said.

"The construction of the high-speed train project is expected to commence soon. In total, there are 73 strategic projects which will be completed and inaugurated in 2016, with a total value of Rp 109.65 trillion," she said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The train, which will reportedly travel at more than 250 kilometers per hour on its 142 km track, is supposed to see construction begin in 2016, be finished by 2018 and start operating in early 2019.

Other projects scheduled for groundbreaking this year, Rini continued, included a power plant built by the state-owned electricity provider PLN and oil and gas projects undertaken by state-owned energy giant PT Pertamina.

PLN CEO Sofyan Basir said at end of 2015 his company had signed a 17,000 megawatt (MW) power plant construction contract with a total value of $24 billion. This year, PLN will also sign a 12,000 MW power plant construction contract with a total value of $18 billion.

"They are collaborative projects between PLN and various independent power producers (IPP). PLN's contribution alone accounts for approximately one quarter of all the projects," he said, adding that the construction of these projects would be completed in 2019. (ags)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/20/govt-settle-eco-issues-keep-train-schedule-track.html

Government to speed up transportation projects

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2016

Ayomi Amindoni – Twelve transportation projects will be started in the first quarter of the year as President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo witnessed the signing of 12 contracts totaling Rp 2.07 trillion (US$148 million).

The early implemented projects, aimed at speeding up budget spending, consisted of two roadways, four infrastructure installations for sea transportation, three for air transportation, two railways and a human resource development project.

"The old ways must be abandoned. In the past, most contracts were signed in October. Now it's going to be different. Contracts should be signed at the beginning of the year because doing it late in the mid-year may lead to economic contraction," Jokowi said in Jakarta on Monday.

Meanwhile, Jokowi added that projects on the regional level should be handed over to local contractors to boost the circulation of money in the community. "If there is no other way than appointing national contractors, then the sub-contractors must be from the region to broaden the circulation of money in the area," he said.

In addition, the earlier implementation of projects was expected to improve the quality of the projects. Typically, project construction was done during the rainy season at the end of the year, which reduced the quality of construction.

"And I command every project to be checked and controlled constantly, since anomalies and distortions usually appear in the field," Jokowi said, noting that earlier implementation of projects would likely help the ministry's budget spending to reach 90 percent of its total budget.

Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan explained that there will be 273 activities and/or projects to be signed in January, worth Rp 14.2 trillion, 34.15 percent of the Rp 41.7 trillion total capital expenditures.

"Our target is 70 percent of contract signing before March 31, or at least 85 percent tendered projects," Ignasius told the journalist, adding that the ministry signed several activity contracts worth more than 10 trillion as of Jan. 15.

Last year, budget spending of the Transportation Ministry was up to Rp 65.1 trillion, 76.5 percent of the total budget. In 2014, it was 75.4 percent of Rp 28.1 trillion. (ags)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/18/govt-speed-transportation-projects.html

Armed forces & defense

Military procurement most prone to graft: TI

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Ina Parlina, Jakarta – Indonesia remains a country that has a "high risk" of corruption and its defense and military sector are the areas most prone to graft, according to a survey conducted by UK-based antigraft watchdog Transparency International (TI).

TI announced on Thursday that the country's defense and military sector scored a D, which indicates high risk, in 2015, slightly better than 2014's score of E, which indicates a very high risk.

Scores for the index, which assesses 135 countries across the globe, range from A, for very low risk, to F, for very critical risk.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and the Phillipines scored the same risk level as Indonesia, while Cambodia and Myanmar received an F.

The only country that received an A in the region was New Zealand. Japan, Singapore and South Korea were all given a B.

TI researcher Tehmina Abbas suggested that the high corruption risk in Indonesia's defense sector was due to the long-standing secrecy surrounding procurement in military projects, in which leaders are not transparent about spending and block any attempted scrutiny from the public.

"Corruption in the defense sector can diminish the public's trust in the government and armed forces, which in turn can lead to instability and insecurity in the country. Transparency and accountability in the sector, therefore, matters so much," Abbas said, adding that in many parts of the world, defense was considered the most corrupt sector.

Abbas said that TI had looked at several indicators to determine countries' scores, including defense budgets and military operations.

Abbas said Indonesia also lacked laws that ensured effective monitoring, particularly of procurement. "The government should publish all procurement contracts and conduct regular audits," she said.

TI credited Indonesia's improved performance in 2015 to the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) continued prosecution of graft cases and to the corruption-free zone declared by then Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Moeldoko in August 2014.

The zone, which was established in response to TI's 2013 index, regulates all military officials to regularly publish their wealth reports.

Human rights watchdog Imparsial executive director Al Araf said the defense sector's dismal score was due to a lack of transparency and oversight in trade and procurement of defense systems.

"We still have a big problem with transparency and accountability in weapons procurement because we still depend on brokers. Conducting these transactions using a third party has the potential to open the door to corruption," Al Araf said.

Al Araf said that the KPK did in fact have the authority to investigate suspected corruption in military institutions as stipulated by Law No. 31/1999 in reference to Law No. 21/2001 on corruption eradication, but the agency continued to claim that prosecuting military officials was outside its jurisdiction.

KPK commissioner Saut Situmorang reiterated the antigraft body's previous stance. "We are still trying to find solutions. I also think that we have to do more than only review their wealth reports," Saut said.

He suggested that the House of Representatives amend the Corruption Law and the military tribunal laws, to allow the KPK to handle graft cases involving the military.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said that he had taken steps to ensure that all weapons procurement went through the proper procedures. "I said to those [third-party] brokers that they should not play around with me. So if people still hate me, I am alright with that," Ryamizard told reporters.

Meanwhile, Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Jundan Eko Bintoro said that the ministry had been trying to stamp out corruption and promised to do more in the future.

"We have already implemented the corruption-free zone and for our next initiative we will try to upgrade our official website so that the public can easily make complaints and access information about our budget," Jundan said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/military-procurement-most-prone-graft-ti.html

Indonesia introduces new defense strategy

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Nani Afrida, Jakarta – The government has announced a new defense strategy focusing on three priorities, namely becoming a global maritime fulcrum (GMF), the national minimum essential forces (MEF) and the state defense program for the next 10 years.

On Thursday, the Defense Ministry elaborated plans included in a newly released white paper to foreign military attaches. The event was attended by 50 military attaches from 41 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, the US, Timor Leste, Pakistan, India, Australia and a number of European countries.

The Defense Ministry's director general of strategic defense, Maj. Gen. Yoedhi Swastanto, said that the new document was a revised version after incorporating input from domestic and international sources.

"The new white paper consists of a new defense strategy that the government aims to accomplish, including a list of threats, defense development and the state defense program," he said, adding that the document was available to the public and aimed to improve trust among Indonesia and other countries.

The previous version of the white paper was welcome with input from a range of parties. Yoedhi added that the strengthening of defense and maritime diplomacy were also important issues and were included in the latest version of the white paper.

In the new strategy plan, the government has emphasized its commitment to meet MEF in its weaponry systems, but has no intention to prepare for war. The stronger weaponry system is aimed at protecting the country's integrity and sovereignty.

"[To build our weaponry system], we will prioritize the weapons from national industry in order to support the national economy. The strategic industry should be strong, independent and skillful to compete with other countries," Yoedhi said.

The government also revealed its target of seeing 100 million of people receive quasi-military training through the state defense program over the next ten years.

"The program aims to raise awareness and reduce the influence of radicalization among citizens. We will disseminate the values of state defense in educational, workplace and neighborhood environments," Yoedhi said.

He added that the state defense program aimed less to confront other nations than to deal with internal or non-traditional threats such as radicalism and terrorism.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said that currently Indonesia was engaged in conflict with no other countries.

"We are destined to be friends and so be it. Indonesia doesn't have any conflict with other countries and we don't consider our neighbors as a threat. We are friends," Ryamizard said in his speech during the event on Thursday.

Ryamizard cautioned, however, that the country had increasingly to deal with threats such as terrorism, cyber war, natural disasters, drugs and piracy.

He added his belief that these threats were not particular to Indonesia, but shared by all nations. "Terrorism is a common ground on which we can work together. This is a common threat all over the world and we should address this issue," the minister said.

Two previous governments published white papers, under then defense ministers Matori Abdul Djalil in 2003 and Juwono Sudarsono in 2008.

Law No. 3/2002 on national defense stipulates that white papers are a statement of comprehensive defense policy published by the Defense Ministry and distributed to the public, nationally and internationally, in order to generate mutual trust and eliminate conflict.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/indonesia-introduces-new-defense-strategy.html

Criminal justice & prison system

Death penalty still needed: Attorney General

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Erika Anindita, Jakarta – Indonesia's attorney general insists that death penalties must be maintained in the country's judicial system as a shock therapy against serious crime.

"I'm confident that the death penalty is a kind of therapy. It is an unpleasant action, but we must do it," said Attorney General HM Prasetyo in a working meeting with the House Commission III overseeing law and human rights, on Wednesday evening.

The statement came in response to a question raised by a Commission III member from the Democratic Party, Ruhut Sitompul, who asked about the spirit behind the death penalty in Indonesia.

In November 2015, the government suspended executions of death row convicts amid an economic slowdown. At that time, the government wanted to focus on improving the economy, which was expanding at a slow pace of 4.73 percent in the third quarter of 2015.

"The death penalty has no connection with the economy," Prasetyo said, adding that the reactions of foreign countries about the issue are excessive.

Foreign countries and human rights groups have slammed Indonesia for implementing capital punishment against convicts, as stipulated in the Criminal Code (KUHP). President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo had two groups of convicts, totaling 14 people, executed in January and April 2015.

Two of the convicts were Australian drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were executed in April 2015, causing bilateral tension and leading to Australia recalling its ambassador from Indonesia.

"We need a similar policy to fight drug crimes," Prasetyo said, adding that Commission III should issue a statement to put to death some convicts who already on death row. (ags) (+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/death-penalty-still-needed-attorney-general.html

Police & law enforcement

Komnas HAM highlights rights violations by police

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Fedina S. Sundaryani, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has raised concerns about the National Police's limited comprehension of human rights following thousands of cases of rights abuses reported throughout 2015.

Komnas HAM chairman Nur Kholis told The Jakarta Post that he and several other commissioners had told National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti during a closed-door meeting on Wednesday that the public had reported 1,780 cases of rights abuse at the hands of police officers last year.

"Every year the number of reports [related to police officers] is relatively high so it is important that the National Police do not to tackle this issue alone. We need to closely analyze what the main problems are," he said over the phone on Thursday.

Nur Kholis explained that Badrodin had agreed that the National Police and Komnas HAM would establish two teams that will analyze, categorize and evaluate the thousands of cases that were reported last year to see how they can be resolved. The teams will also analyze the most frequent rights abuses so that they can be prevented in the future.

Although Nur Kholis declined to disclose specific cases, he said that several cases were related to conflict over natural resources and investigation procedures.

"Apart from the National Police taking action internally, there is a possibility that [Komnas HAM] will help provide training related to human rights," he said.

Nur Kholis acknowledged that with around 400,000 personnel nationwide, it might be difficult to reach police officers in smaller cities and remote areas to educate them about the importance of upholding human rights.

"Right now education on rights has only reached high-ranking officers, and most of them are in the bigger cities. This is a challenge for the future and we need a systematic plan to tackle it [...] The police force is essential to ensure safety in a democratic country, however, the police force must respect human rights," he said.

He added that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Police would soon end in May and that Komnas HAM may request to add several more provisions in its renewal.

This is not the first time the National Police have been accused of rights abuses. The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) said that of all state bodies, the police had committed the most human rights violations in 2015, having been responsible for 85 cases. The violations include excessive use of force to disperse demonstrations and prohibiting freedom of expression in public.

Badrodin has asked Komnas HAM for concrete data that shows the alleged rights violations committed by officers.

"I have already asked for the data and the details so that the police can address this. [We need to see] which [actions] are perceived as rights violations and which aren't," he said on Wednesday evening, following the closed-door meeting.

Badrodin, who was once accused of committing rights violations in an anti-terrorism raid in 2007 during his tenure as the Central Sulawesi Police chief, said that many of the violations described by Komnas HAM were related to slow investigations and the suspect-naming process.

However, he said that there were several cases that were merely code of ethics violations and not rights violations.

"Code of ethics violations can be resolved through an ethics court. [People can] use legal measures, such as a pretrial petition, for complaints relating to suspect-naming or other investigation-related issues," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/komnas-ham-highlights-rights-violations-police.html

Former Kuta police chief punished over Australian buck's night scandal

Sydney Morning Herald - January 19, 2016

Jewel Topsfield and Amilia Rosa – A former Kuta police chief has been demoted for at least a year over a scandal in which a group of Melbourne men were forced by police to pay a bribe after they hired a stripper at a buck's night.

An ethics court also ordered the former police chief, Ida Bagus Dedy Januartha, to apologise to the Bali police chief over the incident.

The panel found he had violated the police ethics code by taking a cut of the bribe and failing to adequately supervise his officers. The judge said Mr Januartha's actions had a negative effect on the reputation of police.

Last June, Fairfax Media revealed 16 men who flew to Bali for the buck's weekend of marketing consultant and former model, Mark Ipaviz, were forced to pay a bribe to avoid trumped-up charges and threats of a 10-year prison sentence.

Twelve Bali police officers including Mr Januartha were implicated in the scandal. In September they were paraded before their colleagues at a routine morning briefing as part of a humiliation process and then forced to stand for two hours in the sun. A range of other punishments were meted out but no employee was sacked over the incident.

According to two men who attended the buck's night dinner at an upmarket eatery in Seminyak, the decision to hire a stripper prompted a raid by private security guards brandishing guns.

One of Mr Ipaviz's friends was hit over the head with a bottle, several were shocked with Taser guns, while another was pistol-whipped and threatened with death.

The 16 men and the stripper were bundled into vans and taken to a police station holding cell in Kuta, until a translator arrived in the morning.

After more than 24 hours in custody, two men were dispatched to withdraw money on behalf of the group from ATMs while chaperoned by the translator and an armed police officer. Once the bribe was paid, the group was released, but missed their return flights to Melbourne.

The police were interrogated after the Indonesian embassy in Australia reported a strong social media backlash when Fairfax Media revealed the corruption allegations in June.

On January 5, the ethics court found Mr Januartha "convincingly guilty of breaching the police ethical code". He was ordered to apologise to Bali's police chief and be transferred to a different position of a demoted rank for at least a year.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world/former-kuta-police-chief-punished-over-australian-bucks-night-scandal-20160118-gm8lrd.html

Foreign affairs & trade

Textile, footwear bank on EFTA trade boost

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Khoirul Amin, Business – Indonesia's textile industry players are hoping a free-trade agreement with four non-EU countries will give local garment and footwear manufacturers greater access to the European market.

Indonesian Textile Association (API) chairman Ade Sudrajat said on Tuesday that the agreements with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, collectively known as the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), were expected to open more widely the door to other European countries as well.

"While the countries are small in size and population, their per-capita income is relatively high [...], and there's a chance for an agreement between the EFTA and the EU that will ease the flow of our products," he said.

According to Ade, Indonesian textile products are currently subject to import tariffs between 11 and 30 percent in the four countries. Reducing tariffs to zero percent would make Indonesian goods more competitive.

Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo) chairman Eddy Widjanarko, meanwhile, said an agreement with the EFTA would definitely help increase shoe exports to the four countries, but he said he did not expect too much.

Footwear and apparel are among Indonesia's foremost export goods to the EFTA countries. Indonesian footwear exports to the EFTA countries rose from US$46.87 million in 2010 to $93.26 million in 2014, when they accounted for almost 18 percent of total Indonesian exports to the four countries, according to EFTA data. Woven and knitted apparel contributed a further 20 percent of Indonesian exports to EFTA countries.

Ade from the textile association added that EFTA markets harbored great potential for Indonesian textile products, as the countries' four seasons encouraged fashion trends.

Meanwhile, Mahmud Syaltout, an international trade law and policy expert with the University of Indonesia (UI), argued that the government needed to aim for a wider partnership with the EFTA countries, as trade links were "already good".

According to Mahmud, the government could lobby for more investment from the four countries, transfer of technology and greater involvement in the global value chain.

The Trade Minister's special staff member for international trade policy, Iman Pambagyo, said the government would resume talks on Indonesia-EFTA trade this year and that it would seek for lower tariffs on processed agricultural goods as well as bigger investment in various sectors.

EFTA countries currently imposed price compensation measures in addition to import tariffs on processed agricultural goods, subjecting Indonesian agricultural products to total levies of 40 percent, he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/textile-footwear-bank-efta-trade-boost.html

Mining & energy

House to set up Freeport case committee

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Tama Salim, Jakarta – The House of Representatives' Commission III overseeing legal affairs plans to set up a working committee with the objective of "assisting" Attorney General Office (AGO) prosecutors in their investigation of the high-profile Freeport conspiracy case.

Commission III member Bambang Soesatyo said the formation of the working committee was to help House speaker Setya Novanto deal with the AGO probe into his alleged attempt to secure shares in a backroom deal with Freeport executives.

"It is a gesture of solidarity from lawmakers," Bambang said at the House complex on Thursday.

The Golkar lawmaker also maintained that the working committee would be able to work objectively in helping the AGO resolve the case.

"Part of a working committee's job description is investigating, so we might also be able to provide the AGO with more material for their case," he added.

Meanwhile, fellow lawmaker Ruhut Sitompul of the Democratic Party, rejected the proposal for the establishment of the working committee, saying that it was unnecessary. "I'd say they are defending Novanto," he told reporters on Thursday. "We still have other work to do, such as working on legislation."

When asked about the stance of fellow Democratic Party lawmaker deputy chairman of Commission III, Benny K. Harman, who backed the proposal, Ruhut replied: "Benny can say whatever he likes."

House Commission III announced its plan to set up the working committee following a meeting on Wednesday that Attorney General HM Prasetyo also attended.

Concluding the meeting, Commission III chairman Azis Syamsuddin decided to include the proposal for the working committee as a footnote, despite protest from National Mandate Party (PAN) lawmaker Taufiqulhadi.

Azis ignored the objections, arguing that the proposal did not require the approval of all commission members. Earlier in the meeting, lawmakers lambasted the AGO for its slow work in handling the case.

Apart from members of the House ethics council, some of whom also hold positions in the legal affairs commission, many lawmakers have claimed that the AGO's involvement in the Freeport case was politically motivated.

Prasetyo defended how his prosecutors were handling the case, saying that the agency only acted on legal facts and evidence. Responding to the working committee plan, Prasetyo expressed his concerns that the committee would only get in the way of legal proceedings.

"I am worried that by forming a working committee an honorable institution such as the House will be seen as intervening with the work of law enforcement agencies," Prasetyo said after the meeting with lawmakers late on Wednesday.

Prasetyo said that the political process to deal with the involvement of the former House speaker in the alleged conspiracy should have ended with the conclusion of his hearing at the ethics council, and that it was up to his office to settle the case through legal means.

"Law enforcement doesn't require such [excessive] monitoring; that will naturally occur during the trial," he told reporters.

Allegations of conspiracy emerged following a taped conversation between Setya, oil import kingpin Muhammad Reza Chalid and former Freeport Indonesia president director Maroef Sjamsoeddin. In a taped conversation Setya can allegedly be heard asking for shares from the firm in return for his help securing an extension of the company's contract of work.

Maroef provided the recording to Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said, who subsequently reported Setya to the ethics council, eventually forcing Setya to resign from his position as House speaker.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/house-set-freeport-case-committee.html

Freeport's price unrealistic, assumes contract extension: House members

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Ayomi Amindoni – House of Representatives Commission VII overseeing the energy sector has described a share value that PT Freeport Indonesia offered to the Indonesian government as unrealistic.

Freeport Indonesia must explain the basis of valuation for the offering price of US$1.7 billion (Rp 23.69 trillion) for 10.64 percent of its shares to the government, said Commission XI member Ramson Siagian.

"We want a realistic calculation. They must give a realistic offer, by taking into account the updated market situation," Ramson said in a meeting with Freeport Indonesia at the legislative complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The price, he continued, was too high as the market value of Freeport McMoran was currently around $4.8 billion, amid a fall in the share price in the market to around $3.85 per unit.

Likewise, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) lawmaker Fallah Amri urged the government to review the price as it was made based on the company's assumption.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry's minerals and coal director general, Bambang Gatot Ariyono, said the government would form a special team to calculate a fair price for the stake.

"The $1.7 billion was based on the assumption the company made. However, that is not the government's benchmark. It will be evaluated by the team," Bambang said.

Meanwhile, Freeport Indonesia vice president Clementino Lamori confirmed that the share price offered to the government was calculated assuming Freeport Indonesia continued operations after the contract was renewed in 2021. "Including the investment of $4.3 billion for underground mining and $15 billion for the development of underground mining," he said.

Freeport Indonesia must sell the government a 10.64 percent stake in the huge Grasberg copper and gold mine in Papua as part of the process to extend its operating contract beyond 2021.

Under current regulations, the central government will be first in line to purchase the shares, followed by Papua's provincial and regency/municipal administrations, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and local administration-owned enterprises.

They have to express their interest within 60 days after Freeport's offer. If none are interested, the right to buy the shares will be taken over by private Indonesian companies. (ags)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/freeport-s-price-unrealistic-assumes-contract-extension.html

Jakarta unhappy with Freeport divestment offer

Radio New Zealand International - January 21, 2016

Indonesia's government is unhappy with the price on offer for shares in Freeport Indonesia, which operates a massive mine complex in Papua.

West Papuans have long expressed frustration about the environmental destruction caused by the Freeport mine operations in Mimika regency.

Under divestment rules, Freeport is required to sell a 10.64 percent stake of the Grasberg copper and gold complex to the government as part of the company's process to secure an extension to operate in Papua beyond 2021.

Freeport, whose parent company is US-based Freeport-McMoRan, has offered the stake for US$1.7 billion, which state-owned enterprises minister Rini Soemarno says is too expensive.

The Jakarta Globe reports her saying Jakarta is still interested, adding that SOE companies should have big mines and that these mines belong to Indonesia.

This comes amid protracted and difficult negotiations between Jakarta and Freeport, with both the Freeport Indonesia's president director Maroef Sjamsoeddin and the chairman of the board of Freeport-McMoRan, James Moffett, having resigned in the past month.

Setya Novanto has resigned as Indonesia's Speaker of Parliament after being recorded in an alleged extortion attempt related to negotiations over the renewal of miner Freeport McMoran's lucrative contract in Papua province.

The negotiations hit controversy last month when the speaker of Indonesia's parliament Setya Novanto was found to have sought to extort a stake in freeport's operations in return for assisting to secure the contract extension.

Despite the huge revenues generated by the mine complex in their province, Papuans have largely been ignored by the negotiations.

The Papua provincial governor, Lukas Enembe earlier indicated his administration would push to get a ten percent stake in the Indonesian component of Freeport.

Governor Enembe said that Mimika regency has sued Freeport over the traditional ownership of the land because the company hasn't paid anything to the local community for use, and destruction, of its environment.

Source: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/294629/jakarta-unhappy-with-freeport-divestment-offer

Freeport fails to complete planned smelter progress

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Anton Hermansyah, Business – PT Freeport Indonesia has failed to fulfill its planned smelter construction progress and thus the US gold and copper mining giant must keep paying 5 percent export duties and fines, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said has said.

The company's smelter progress was at only 14 percent of its target, according to the latest report from December 2015. It was far behind a preceding agreement that compelled the miner to reach 60 percent progress in January 2016.

Sudirman said he had discussed the matter with the Fiscal Policy Office (BKF), National Police, Attorney General's Office and Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP).

"The amount of fines is calculated based on the amount that Freeport should have spent to reach the 60 percent smelter progress. We are still estimating the number, and will inform Freeport via letter," he told journalists at a press conference on Wednesday.

The US-based company, Sudirman continued, must respond to the letter within two or three days despite a vacuum of power in its management after Maroef Sjamsoeddin resigned from his position as Freeport Indonesia president director.

"We have yet to receive any official letters from Freeport regarding the resignation of the CEO," Sudirman said, adding that the absence of a new president director must not stop the company from fulfilling smelter construction and shares divestment.

The government currently owns a 9.36 percent share in Freeport Indonesia, while Indocopper Investama (on behalf of Freeport McMoRan) has another 9.36 percent and Freeport McMoRan controls 81.28 percent.

With the latest divestment plan of 10.64 percent of shares at US$1.7 billion, the government's ownership would rise to 20 percent. Sudirman, meanwhile, expected the price evaluation result on Freeport's shares would be available in March.

"The 20 percent ownership is not significant, but at least the government can have more access in management such as controlling the dividends," he said. Freeport Indonesia dropped plans to share dividends in the last three years. (ags)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/freeport-fails-complete-planned-smelter-progress.html

House to probe resignation of Freeport boss

Jakarta Post - January 20, 2016

Tama Salim and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, Jakarta – Following the resignation of PT Freeport Indonesia (Freeport) president director Maroef Sjamsoeddin, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah plans to set up an inquiry to investigate irregularities in the local subsidiary of the giant US gold and copper mining firm.

Fahri, a Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician, claimed that Freeport had been involved in high-level mischief because before Maroef's resignation, there was last year's resignation of the company chairman James Moffett.

"We should take note of these phenomena and conduct a comprehensive investigation [into Freeport], particularly in regards to its management systems," Fahri said after attending an event at the headquarters of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Discourse about the establishment of such a team became hot talk at the House last year following the controversy that prompted the resignation of Setya Novanto from his post at the House.

At first, the planned inquiry aimed to uncover any political maneuvering behind Setya's alleged attempt to strike a deal between the government and the company.

Freeport rebuffed speculations surrounding Maroef's withdrawal, saying that his contract had simply expired and so he had tendered his resignation.

The House's ethics council (MKD) held a round of hearings last year to examine a report from Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said on Setya's alleged misconduct in negotiations to extend Freeport's work contract.

Sudirman attached recorded conversations between Setya, Maroef and businessman Reza Chalid to support his allegation that Setya had tried to wrangle shares from the company to secure the extension.

Maroef provided the taped conversations, arguing that he suspected that there had been a conspiracy to try and exploit the company.

BPK member Achsanul Qosasi said that it was possible for his agency to probe Freeport by auditing the royalties of the mining company. "If they want us to audit its royalties, sure, we can do that," Achsanul said.

Separately, various lawmakers expressed contempt for the slow progress of the Attorney General's Office (AGO) in investigating Setya's alleged corruption.

Members of the MKD, who also sit on Commission III overseeing legal affairs, ganged up on the AGO for failing to explain the nature of Setya's offense. This included Gerindra's Supratman and Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and the Golkar Party's Adies Kadir.

Syarifuddin Sudding of the Hanura Party asked the AGO to be forthcoming about whether or not they had enough evidence to press forward with the case. "If there [isn't enough to prove the allegations] then stop the investigation, because it has caused too much disturbance," Sudding said.

In response to his critics, Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo resisted pressure to reveal any details of the ongoing investigation, deflecting allegations of political partisanship.

"We do what we can and we focus on what we can do first. It would be uncalled for if we revealed the [specifics of this] case in this forum, since it is still under investigation," Prasetyo told the House's Commission III in a meeting on Tuesday.

"Give us time to deal with it. You may proceed if we have enough evidence – I am certain that it exists."

AGO junior attorney general for special crimes Arminsyah told reporters that prosecutors would continue to reach out to Reza for testimony, despite an absence of leads.

He said the investigation could theoretically progress to the next stage without Reza as the AGO had verified the recording with an expert from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/20/house-probe-resignation-freeport-boss.html

Mining firms neglect former sites

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2016

Palu – Commission III of the Central Sulawesi Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) says mining companies in North Morowali regency have failed to reforest 90 hectares of former concession areas.

"They should have reforested the former sites because it's part of their obligation, but we found that the sites have simply been abandoned," Commission III head Zainal Abidin Ishak told The Jakarta Post in Palu on Sunday.

He said that based on data derived by Commission III, North Morowali was currently home to 47 licensed mining companies. Seventeen are in production, while the rest are in the exploration or land reservation stages.

Zainal added that a company that had a nickel-mining permit in a 200-hectare site had not reforested the area which it had exploited.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/18/islands-focus-mining-firms-neglect-former-sites.html

Economy & investment

Investment outside Java boosted figures in 2015

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Anton Hermansyah, Jakarta – Investment activities outside Java rose by a quarter to Rp 248.7 trillion (US$18 billion) last year, narrowing the investment gap with Java to 46:54, and helping the investment board to score a larger investment realization at 105 percent of the target.

The investment realization ratio between areas outside of Java and Java stood at 43:57 in 2014.

According to the latest data, investment realization in non-Java regions in 2015 rose at a faster pace compared to that realized in Java, by 24.5 percent year-on-year outside Java compared to 12.7 percent on Java.

"This is in line with the President's mission not to keep Java-centric orientation," Coordinating Investment Board (BKPM) chairman Franky Sibarani said in Jakarta on Thursday.

In total, Indonesia recorded investment realization of Rp 545.4 trillion, 5 percent above the Rp 519.5 trillion target. Domestic direct investment rose 15 percent to Rp 179.5 trillion, while foreign direct investment (FDI) grew 19 percent to Rp 365.9 trillion.

Java was still the center of investment with 54.4 percent of the investment realized, worth Rp 296.7 trillion. Sumatra followed with 15.5 percent of the investment share, while Kalimantan gained a 17.1 percent share and Sulawesi grabbed 6.1 percent.

Unfortunately, the eastern parts of Indonesia including Papua, Maluku, Bali and Nusa Tenggara in total snatched only 6.9 percent of realized investment in the country.

Based on the origin of investment, Singapore topped all other nations in 2015 with $5.9 billion or 20.2 percent investment realization in Indonesia. Malaysia followed with $3 billion (a 10.5 percent share), and Japan with $2.9 billion (a 9.8 percent share).

"Investors put their trust in Indonesia, such as Asahimas Flat Glass which is expanding its business and will be ready for exporting its products in February 2016. The automotive industry, specifically Japan, is expanding," BKPM director Azhar Lubis said.

Based on the information, 59.3 percent of realized domestic investment was new investment, while the remaining 40.7 percent was for expansion. Foreign investment recorded a similar pattern, scoring 62.7 percent new investment and 37.3 percent investment for expansion.

Chinese companies, Azhar said, had expanded their smelters in South Kalimantan, while South Korean and Taiwanese companies had enlarged their garment and footwear businesses in Central Java. (ags)(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/investment-outside-java-boosted-figures-2015.html

Foreign ownership in e-commerce a threat to local players

Jakarta Post - January 22, 2016

Dylan Amirio, Jakarta – The government's move to allow foreign investors to have 100 percent ownership in Indonesian e-commerce companies has drawn criticism with claims that the policy will threaten local players.

The controversial policy is part of an e-commerce roadmap which aims to improve and develop the country's e-commerce industry.

The policy proposal was originally leaked by Communications and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara before the official announcement of the roadmap. According to the minister the roadmap will allow foreign e-commerce players to have 100 percent ownership in a Indonesian companies.

Foreign companies will potentially have to pay higher tax rates and will be required to invest more than Rp 20 billion.

Indonesian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Institute founder and IT expert Heru Sutadi said the policy had drawn concerns because it would put local players in a difficult position to compete in the market.

"The government lost its way when drafting the roadmap [...]. Even if allowances for foreign players are made, it should not be this open and liberal," he said, referring to foreign consulting firm Ernst & Young, which was approached to draft the roadmap's preliminary guidelines.

"Indonesian SMEs [small and medium enterprises] should be the priority, but with 100 percent investment for foreign players, it will be hard for local SMEs to compete," he added.

Heru suggested that because e-commerce was set to become the heart of the trade industry in the future, the government should reconsider or review this aspect of the roadmap in order to ensure that local SME's maintain their economic independence.

"There is time for the government to revise this point before the roadmap takes effect at the end of January, in order to ensure that this does not benefit foreign players more than locals," Heru added.

Indonesia's e-commerce roadmap was supposed to be finished and announced at the end of 2015, but additional reviews such as that of the negative investment index (DNI) to exclude e-commerce firms caused delays.

Among the initiatives are measures to minimize job cuts in the transition to the internet economy and the addition of new jobs in the sector. It also tries to underline the priority of securing the development of local SMEs through law revisions among other measures.

Rudiantara previously explained that with a proper roadmap, Indonesia would be able to earn up to US$130 billion from the industry by the year 2020 if the policies were implemented as soon as January.

The drafting of the roadmap began in December 2014. After one year, the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister, along with several other related government institutions, agreed on a formal roadmap that aims to benefit and develop the nation's e-commerce industry.

The plan, which is made up of 31 initiatives, aims to develop the country's burgeoning e-commerce industry via various measures, such as the encouragement and promotion of technological skills necessary for e-commerce access for all Indonesians.

It is set to legally come into effect by the end of January and also stipulates the formation of a program management unit that will coordinate all related ministries and institutions in monitoring the roadmap's progress.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/22/foreign-ownership-e-commerce-a-threat-local-players.html

Jokowi creates body to support faster industrialization

Jakarta Post - January 21, 2016

Ina Parlina, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has established a new government body, called the National Economic and Industry Committee (KEIN), whose role will be to support the President's plan to boost domestic manufacturing of natural resources.

The body, chaired by businessman and National Mandate Party (PAN) advisory council chairman Soetrisno Bachir, is made up of 20 businesspeople and economists who are tasked with providing feedback on industry and the economy to the President.

Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani, businessman Sudhamek AWS, economist Hendri Saparini and Arif Budimanta, a former member of Jokowi's economic advisor team during his presidential campaign, were among the 20 members of KEIN – which replaces the National Economic Committee (KEN).

Jokowi believes that input from such entrepreneurs and experts as make up the body is essential for the development of effective economic policy.

"Such a combination will provide [us with] better planning, whether for the short term, mid term or long term," Jokowi said after the swearing-in ceremony at the State Palace on Wednesday.

Jokowi said the new body was indeed different to KEN – which was formed by his predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – since KEIN would focus more on industry and measures to develop the manufacturing of natural resources. "Industrialization can provide added value. We will no longer export raw materials."

Article 5 of the 2010 Presidential Regulation No. 31 on KEN – which was promoted by tycoon Chairul Tanjung – stipulates that the committee's tenure would expire after the completion of Yudhoyono's administration.

Sutrisno said his team was seeking to draft a kind of economic industry roadmap soon, in order to provide them with better guidelines for assisting the President amid the global economic downturn.

"We are certain that now we have momentum for Indonesia to start industrializing [more quickly]. So that we are no longer a country that exports raw materials, but a country [that benefits from exporting]," Sutrisno added.

Sutrisno asserted that the new body did not have an overlapping role with other existing bodies, such as the presidential advisory board (Wantimpres), arguing that the committee's membership of entrepreneurs would give the President expert opinions on industry and the economy.

Shortly after the inauguration ceremony, Sutrisno, along with other KEIN members, held a meeting with Jokowi at State Palace, in which the President told them to only provide him with "concrete recommendations", said presidential spokesman Johan Budi.

The plan to replace KEN with KEIN was mulled by Jokowi in September last year after he invited Sutrisno to a closed-door meeting at the Palace, in which Sutrisno proposed to Jokowi several names to sit on the committee.

Sutrisno's appointment was made amid speculation that PAN would be given positions in the Cabinet as a reward for its recent move to partner with the government's coalition.

Yet, Sutrisno insisted that his appointment had no connection with PAN, adding that he would immediately step down from his post in the party. "I am here not as a representative of PAN, but as a professional entrepreneur," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/21/jokowi-creates-body-support-faster-industrialization.html

Four areas to open up for foreign investment

Jakarta Post - January 19, 2016

Jakarta – A top government official has confirmed plans to take as many as four business areas off the Negative Investment List (DNI), thereby making them fully open for foreign investment, namely cold storage, crane rubber, sugar and e-commerce.

"E-commerce will be open 100 percent for foreign investment, with the partnership requirement. With regard to the marketplace, further discussions will follow, as there is a provision regarding products sold in the marketplace," Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman Franky Sibarani said on Monday.

Franky explained that start-ups with initial capital below Rp 10 billion (US$718,000) would remain protected, in line with Law No. 20/2008 on small and medium enterprises.

In cold storage, crane rubber and sugar businesses, meanwhile, the government would allow foreign investors to own stakes of up to 100 percent.

A provision on (offline) retail, including department stores, supermarkets and minimarkets, meanwhile, is still being discussed by concerned ministries.

Franky said there was a possibility that the government would raise the foreign ownership cap on the three offline retail business activities.

The Trade Ministry's director general for domestic trade, Srie Agustina, said small retail business would continue to be reserved for local players.

Department store chains with fewer than 2,000 outlets, minimarkets with fewer than 400 outlets and supermarkets with fewer than 1,200 outlets are closed for foreign investment.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/19/economy-brief-four-areas-open-foreign-investment.html

Business group demands more rate cuts to stoke economy

Jakarta Post - January 18, 2016

Grace D. Amianti and Tassia Sipahutar, Jakarta – The central bank may need to slash its benchmark interest rate further to effectively boost economic growth, says powerful business group Apindo.

Hariyadi Sukamdani, chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), which represents business owners, said the central bank was supposed to cut its interest rate further after a 25 basis point cut (bps) on Thursday to 7.25 percent, thanks to positive momentum in the economy.

Annual inflation eased to 3.35 percent in December, the lowest since March 2010, providing room for Bank Indonesia (BI) to cut its rate to stoke growth in an economy that has slowed to levels unseen in six years in the past few quarters.

As BI cut its rate for the first time since February 2015 on Thursday, it also lowered deposit and lending facilities by 25 bps as well, to 5.25 percent and 7.75 percent, respectively.

The central bank's decision came just hours after Jakarta was hit by a series of explosions and gunfire that killed several people, the worst attack of such kind in the capital since 2009.

"The rupiah and the Jakarta Composite Index [JCI] have been resilient despite terrorist attacks. Both indicators have not necessarily plunged deeply when there was a sudden shock," he said on Friday.

Share prices and the rupiah plunged sharply in the morning following the attack, but both rebounded in the afternoon. The local exchange's JCI only dropped 0.5 percent to end the day at 4,513.18 after falling nearly 2 percent in morning trade, while the rupiah slightly weakened to 13,907 per US dollar at the end of the trading day after falling to Rp 13,980 in the morning.

Hariyadi said BI had ample room to reduce its key rate to 6.75 percent, or at least 7 percent if it was still considering several macroeconomic risks.

On Friday, BI Governor Agus Martowardojo said that the central bank still saw room for further monetary policy easing as it felt "pretty happy" with the development of the country's economic fundamentals, especially following the increase of the US' Federal Fund Rate on Dec. 16.

However, despite hinting at a possibility of a second rate cut, Agus insisted that macroeconomics and financial system stability would be key in determining just how far BI would relax its stance as external risks persisted, citing the slowing Chinese economy as an example.

At a gathering event held by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) on Friday evening, Vice President Jusuf Kalla expressed his appreciation toward the central bank's decision and asked banks to cut their lending rates soon, saying that "banks are responsible to change the current situation where people are accustomed to high lending rates".

Speaking in front of 700 executives of banks and financial service firms at the event, Kalla said the OJK's campaign to promote capital market investment would not be effective as yields on the bourse competed with high time deposit rates offered by banks.

"This has resulted in foreign investors controlling 65 percent of our capital market, meaning there is a danger [of volatility] to the country," said the Vice President, who also owns a business grouping called the Kalla Group.

Contacted separately, several banking executives viewed that they would have ample room to reduce cost of funds, which in turn would help decrease lending rates and attract higher demand for loans.

OCBC NISP president director Parwati Surjaudaja and Bank Danamon finance director Vera Eve Lim said they were ready to reduce their cost of funds as the BI rate cut had provided more room for them to cut time deposit rates.

"In general, loan growth last year was faster than third-party funds, but it was still at an acceptable level," Parwati said.

On the other hand, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) finance director Haru Koesmahargyo said the lender had yet to plan for rate cuts as it was still monitoring liquidity in the market.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/18/business-group-demands-more-rate-cuts-stoke-economy.html

Trade balance back in the positive due to weak economy

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2016

Anton Hermansyah, Jakarta – After three years with a negative balance of trade, Indonesia recorded a trade surplus in 2015 due to a decreasing oil and gas deficit and an increased non-oil and gas trade surplus compared to the previous year, the Central Statistics Agency's (BPS) latest data shows.

The BPS data reveals that Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of US$7.52 billion in 2015 after suffering a deficit of $1.88 billion in 2014. Meanwhile, Indonesia's oil and gas deficit reduced to $6.05 billion in 2015, from $13.13 billion the previous year. At the same time, the country's non-oil and gas surplus increased to $13.57 billion in 2015, from $11.24 billion the previous year.

The improved data, however, was caused by Indonesia's worsening economy and oil prices decreasing due to oversupply and did not reflect an improved export performance, an economist has warned.

Institute for Development of Economics and Finance economist Berly Martawardaya said that by volume in 2015, Indonesia had imported more gas and crude oil than in 2014, increasing by 16.35 percent and 15.70 percent respectively, although refined oil imports decreased by 12.65 percent.

"The slump in oil prices has cut Indonesia's oil and gas deficit. With an additional 10 million new motorbikes and one million cars in 2015, it is hard for us to cut oil and gas consumption," Berly told thejakartapost.com on Sunday.

The economist further said Indonesia's weak economy had aggravated the situation as people had cut their imports spending as a result.

According to BPS data, Indonesia's average price payed for imported oil and gas decreased by 42.39 percent in 2015. Meanwhile, the price decrease of exported oil and gas was slightly lower, at 38.44 percent. The non-oil and gas commodities showed lower decreases also, of 6.80 percent for imports and 4.48 percent for exports.

Berly further explained that Indonesia's weak business in 2015 was evident from a 21.4 percent decrease in raw material imports and a 15.6 percent decrease in capital goods imports.

Despite a quite significant 42.39 percent decrease in prices, the analyst said Indonesia's oil and gas export volume had increased by 7.56 percent in 2015, which meant that the country was selling more oil at the cheaper price, especially crude oil. The volume of crude oil exports increased by 24.92 percent from 2014.

Studies show that Indonesia's oil is mostly exported due to refinery problems, with most going to Singapore refineries and the refined oil being imported back to Indonesia. Despite improved capacity at several local refineries, the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas) has found that would likely be difficult for Indonesia to shift its crude oil export allocation over to domestic use due to problems related to international business structures.

"We asked [US-based] Chevron to sell oil from their Minas and Banyu Urip fields directly to Pertamina without exporting it first. They actually agreed but could not implement it because they had to sell their oil through Chevron Trading, which is located not in Indonesia, but in Singapore. Similar problems also restrict other multinational oil companies," SKKMigas head Amien Sunaryadi said. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/17/trade-balance-back-positive-due-weak-economy.html

RI trade balance moved back into surplus in 2015

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2016

Khoirul Amin, Jakarta – Indonesia's trade balance turned back into a surplus position last year after three straight years of deficits, with overall trade activity remaining weak as both full-year exports and imports kept declining, the government's latest data has shown.

The country's total exports declined by 14.62 percent year-on-year (yoy) to US$150.25 billion last year and its imports plunged by 19.9 percent to $142.74 billion, making it book a trade surplus of $7.51 billion in 2015, data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has revealed.

BPS head Suryamin said Friday that the trade surplus recorded last year was the first-ever after three-year drought, but remained lower than a surplus of $26.06 billion in 2011.

"The declines [in surplus value] were more due to [a commodity] price slump over the full year. In terms of export volumes, they actually increased or stagnated, except for mining commodities," he said in a press briefing.

Oil and gas exports declined by 38.2 percent yoy to $18.55 billion in 2015 as oil prices continued plunging during the year and hit a 12-year low at around $30 a barrel in recent days.

Similarly, a yoy price slump of crude palm oil (CPO), which is one of Indonesia's main commodities, dragged Indonesia's non-oil and gas exports down to $131.7 billion last year from $145.96 billion in 2014.

Institute Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) economist Enny Sri Hartati argued that the country's 2015 trade balance was not yet satisfactory. "Our full-year surplus was caused by a sharper decline of imports than of exports," she said.

Meanwhile in December alone, Indonesia's total exports and imports started picking up by 6.98 percent and 5.23 percent, respectively, from November.

The rising exports in December were due to the increasing prices of nine Indonesian commodities, like CPO, rubber and soybeans, during the month, according to Suryamin.

The increasing exports, however, remained very low compared to December's exports in 2014, making the trade balance hit a $235.8 million deficit in December last year.

Singapore-based Barclays senior regional economist Wai Ho Leong stated that while the weakness in exports remains broad-based, a faster pace of public investment and private consumption was reflected in higher-than-expected imports in December last year.

BPS data has shown that non-oil and gas imports rose by 4.5 percent to $10.32 billion in December from $9.88 billion in November, mostly because of rising imports of capital goods like machines and mechanical equipment.

"We continue to expect a sequential improvement in growth from the fourth quarter that extends well into 2016, supported by accelerated government disbursements on infrastructure projects and, increasingly, monetary policy stimulus," he said.

Indef's Enny said that the country needed to also develop its non-CPO commodities that had considerable market shares to keep boosting its exports this year, while imports were expected to keep rising as driven by continued government spending.

Voicing a similar view, Samuel Sekuritas economist Lana Soelistianingsih said that the country should not solely rely on CPO to increase exports because CPO prices fluctuated.

[Tassia Sipahutar contributed to this story.]

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/16/ri-trade-balance-moved-back-surplus-2015.html

Analysis & opinion

Indonesia: More than hashtags needed to defy terror

Pacific Media Centre - January 19, 2016

Andi Rahman Alamsyah, Jakarta (The Conversation/Pacific Media Watch – People were commenting on social media within moments of the terrorist bombings and shooting in Jakarta last Thursday by attackers linked to Islamic State (IS).

Two popular hashtags emerged on Twitter and Facebook: #PrayForJakarta and #KamiTidakTakut, which translates as "We are not afraid".

The Pray-for-something hashtag is a common phrase on social media to show concern and sympathy. Following the terrorist attack in Paris, #PrayForParis was also popular on social media.

The hashtag #KamiTidakTakut, which has been used by more than 100,000 people a day since the attack, has a tone of defiance against terrorism. We can see this in comments and memes using the hashtag.

International media reported on Indonesians' defiant reaction. But how effective is the response on social media in countering the goal of terrorists?

What does #KamiTidakTakut mean?

Social media users in Indonesia are mostly urban middle class, according to a study by the University of Indonesia's Centre for Communication Studies and Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association.

Thus, the hashtag #KamiTidakTakut reflects the attitude of urban middle-class Indonesians, not the general public. In reality, Indonesians have diverse attitudes toward extremist groups, ranging from feeling apathetic to being on guard to being afraid.

Social media users in Indonesia tend to use it to follow trends. Their use of social media does not always reflect their real daily lives or connect with the goals they want to achieve.

They move from one issue to another very quickly. Most netizens don't continuously campaign for a cause on social media to inspire action in real life.

It's not surprising, then, that after #PrayForJakarta and #KamiTidakTakut, the next hashtags that became trending topics are #KamiNaksir (We have a crush) and #PolisiGanteng (Handsome Police), which commented on the good looks of police at the scene.

The general social media users in Indonesia come from diverse backgrounds. They are free agents, not affiliated with each other as a group or strongly connected to the cause they support using hashtags. Therefore it's not easy to carry out a serious civil-society-based counter-terrorism movement online.

It's difficult, for example, to define what Twitter users meant with #KamiTidakTakut and what kind of activities can be a manifestation of it either in cyberspace or in real life. Therefore, aside from visiting the terror scene when it was safe to do so, it is not clear what else #KamiTidakTakut supporters would do to continue to campaign against terrorism.

Effective use of social media by terrorist groups

Radical groups also use social media to promote their movement. The terrorist groups are fighting in two arenas: the online and real world. While their main battlefield is in the real world, their social media campaign helps them achieve their goals. The issues they convey on social media can be diverse but still within the frame of their cause.

Extremists use social media to communicate, spread their propaganda and recruit members. These recruits are usually young. Social media users in Indonesia are on average between the ages of 18 and 25.

In the real world, perpetrators of terror are individuals who are part of a network of groups. They share a very strong commitment to their cause. It's not hard for them to organise, either online or in real life, people in their circle to carry out activities for their cause.

Hashtags activism is not enough

By comparing their ongoing commitment and impact, it's clear that terrorist groups are more effective at using social media as a tool for their movement compared to general social media users, particularly the followers of #KamiTidakTakut.

Defiant hashtags do send a message of defiance to terrorist groups and inspire people to denounce terrorism. But hashtags are not enough. If people really want to create a social movement to counter terrorism, we should expand our reach offline.

We should continuously work to oppose extremism by creating debate on relevant issues, such as on the meaning of jihad. That means we would have to engage with religious leaders. People would have to organise themselves to counter terrorism in real life, outside the online sphere.

Otherwise, #KamiTidakTakut will only be an online rhetoric that ends with absurd hashtags such as #KamiNaksir and #PolisiGanten

[Andi Rahman Alamsyah is a lecturer in sociology at the University of Indonesia. This article was first published by The Conversation.]

Source: http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/indonesia-more-hashtags-needed-defy-terror-9543