East Timor

East Timor sets up commissions to draft constitution

Associated Press - October 10, 2001

Dili -- In its first concrete step toward drafting a new constitution, East Timor's national assembly Wednesday set up four commissions tasked with preparing sections of the national charter.

The assembly has until mid-December to pass the nascent nation's first constitution so that it can be in place before the UN- administered territory achieves independence next year.

East Timorese legislator Antonio Ximenes said the 88-member assembly had divided the document into four main themes: economics, human rights, national security and politics. Each committee will work on its own section of the constitution before submitting them to parliament for final review, he said. East Timor's 12 political parties have each prepared their own drafts, and will be pushing for them to be used, Ximenes said.

The national assembly, which was elected on August 30 and convened on September 15, has replaced an earlier transitional body consisting of UN officials and representatives hand-picked by UN administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello. Presidential elections are expected to be held within the first few months of next year, following the adoption of the new constitution. Independence leader Xanana Gusmao is widely expected to become the first head of state.

The half-island territory, situated in the south of the Indonesian archipelago, was colonized by Portugal for over almost 400 years. In 1975 it was occupied by Indonesia, whose army killed tens of thousands of people in a vain effort to overcome an armed resistance movement and integrate the region. In 1999, the territory voted overwhelmingly for independence in a UN- sponsored referendum. A violent rampage by the Indonesian military and local militiamen killed hundreds and left much of the territory in ruins.

A long wait for justice in East Timor

Christian Science Monitor - October 10, 2001

Simon Montlake, Jakarta -- More than two years after Indonesia's bloody revenge on East Timor for a pro-independence vote, hopes of justice for thousands of victims are fading fast.

Even before September 11, international pressure on Indonesia to punish its military for their role in East Timor had ebbed. Now, with a war on global terrorism bringing potential US allies across Asia in from the cold, Indonesia's commanders may never be held accountable.

One sign of that thaw is the US government's decision last month to resume low-level military ties with Indonesia, which had been suspended over the East Timor violence.

The resumption of ties came as Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri met with President Bush to voice support for the US-led counterterror campaign. US officials have urged Indonesia to clamp down on Islamic extremist groups in the island nation.

Given the push to cement links with moderate Islamic nations, opponents in Congress may find it hard to refuse further military cooperation with the world's most populous Muslim country, despite its tarnished record. Human rights activists say that would be a setback for Indonesia's fledgling democracy as it struggles to reverse decades of unchecked military impunity.

The international focus on East Timor, which has been under UN rule since September 1999, was seen as a way of bringing Indonesia's military under civilian control and imposing the rule of law. "We need to establish institutions that create precedents," says H.S. Dillon, a member of the national human rights commission. "But once you lose the initial momentum, it's difficult."

Last week Indonesia pledged to establish by December a long- delayed human rights court on East Timor to hear cases against 23 suspects, including some Army officers, who are accused of abuses. This follows a UN Security Council decision last year to resist calls for an international war-crimes tribunal on East Timor and instead let Indonesia conduct its own trials.

In 1999, hundreds of people were killed and about 250,000 others forced to flee during a rampage by Indonesian troops and militia proxies that only ended when foreign peacekeepers intervened. The Indonesian court, whose judges will be trained by UN experts in human rights law, is to investigate acts of violence from April to September that year.

Among those is the murder of Christian Science Monitor contributor Sander Thoenes, who was allegedly killed by an Indonesian Army unit in September 1999. Witnesses say Mr. Thoenes, a Dutch national, was shot dead by Indonesian soldiers under the command of then-Maj. Jacob Sarosa, according to a Dutch police investigation. The same battalion is accused of killing several East Timorese in a rampage.

Last year, Sarosa, now a colonel, was named by an investigating team of the human rights commission as among those implicated in the violence. But, despite a slew of witness statements and material evidence gathered by foreign investigators, prosecutors in Jakarta say it will be tough to make the Thoenes case stick because of conflicting autopsy results from Indonesian and Australian authorities. Contrary to local media reports, however, they deny that the case has been dropped.

"We don't have all the witnesses," says a spokesman for the Attorney General. "But the case is still in process." Members of the Indonesian team, who submitted their report to the Attorney General to help build trial cases, say prosecutors have tried to bury this and other cases that involve ranking military officers. "We can prove that troops from Indonesia were involved in the [Thoenes] killing," says Munir, a commission member. "It's not just militia ... that were involved in the [East Timor] killings." Diplomats say strong pressure from the Dutch government, has kept the spotlight on the Thoenes case. But they warn that military interference will limit the court's general scope for punishing commanders, rather than civilian militia and low-ranking soldiers who had no command role.

Another concern is the framing of human rights legislation used to create the tribunal. It includes a clause on retroactivity that could undermine convictions, if judges accept the argument that defendants can't be tried for acts that occurred before the new laws. "It's a legal loophole," says Harold Crouch, national head of the International Crisis Group, a global think tank. "They'll find some technical reason for not finding [military defendants] guilty."

The military remains a powerful force in Indonesia, even after the fall of strongman President Suharto -- a former general -- and the introduction of wide-ranging democratic reforms. A block of seats in the supreme legislature is allocated to the military and police, and the defense ministry has only nominal control over security operations and budgets.

After his election in October 1999, President Abdurrahman Wahid tried to weaken the grip of senior generals by promoting reformists to top posts, only to meet with resistance from within the army. This interference was also linked to a spate of violent civil disturbances in parts of Indonesia, including the Maluku islands, which critics say were instigated by the military in a show of defiance aimed at undermining civilian rule.

By contrast, Ms. Sukarnoputri, who replaced Mr. Wahid in July with backing from the military and a cross-party coalition, is a nationalist who initially opposed giving East Timor the right to secede. She has since recognized the country's eventual independence. Indonesia occupied East Timor for 24 years.

Activists say Megawati shares the military's reluctance to expose its actions in East Timor, and knows that she has little to gain domestically from upsetting her alliance. "I think [the new government] wants to put it behind them and hopes the international community will forget about it," says Mr. Dillon.

Indeed, a mark of Ms. Megawati's ambivalence towards East Timor is the presence of militiaman Eurico Guterres in her party's youth wing. Mr. Guterres is accused of direct involvement in several massacres in East Timor in 1999 and is among those named by the human rights commission.

Diplomats insist they won't ease pressure on Indonesia to try the East Timor suspects, even though the world's gaze has shifted. But they admit that the UN is highly unlikely to insist on holding its own war-crimes tribunal, even if Indonesia fails to secure any serious convictions.

For a new democracy struggling to enforce the rule of law, even a limited tribunal would give extra leverage to reformers who want to end the military's political grip. However, much depends on the political calculations of Ms. Megawati and her advisors. "We're pushing for a credible tribunal, although we're not convinced it will succeed," says a Western diplomat." Any trial here can only be successful when you have a clear commitment from the top."

East Timorese to decide status by December

Jakarta Post - October 9, 2001

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang -- Along with government aid for the 290,000 East Timorese remaining in Indonesia being discontinued at the end of December, the refugee status for people now living in West Timor will also be canceled.

"This means that on January 1, 2002, the 290,000 East Timor refugees will have been registered as Indonesian citizens who abide by Indonesian laws," East Nusa Tenggara deputy governor Yohanis Pake Pani said on Monday.

"However, the option is still open for those who want to return to East Timor at a later time to do so. The government of Indonesia will help them in such a way that they will be exempted from immigration requirements, such as passports," Pake Pani said.

According to Pake Pani, the cancellation of their refugee status would help the Indonesian government arrange resettlement programs for the people, who have been living in refugee camps in West Timor and depending on both UN High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) and government aid for almost two years.

When violence erupted after the United Nations-backed East Timor referendum in 1999, at least 500,000 East Timorese fled into West Timor. The government of Indonesia conducted a registration program in June, giving the refugees the choice of either keeping their Indonesian citizenship and staying in Indonesia, or returning to East Timor. The result was that only 1,250 people opted to return to East Timor.

Records kept by the East Timorese Refugee Resettlement Office in Kupang indicate that at least 8,000 people have returned to East Timor, or 6,750 more than previously registered.

"The number is expected to increase. Many of them want to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families now living in East Timor. This may encourage them to go to East Timor for good and join their relatives there," an official at the refugee resettlement office, Arifin Arto, said.

"All of the 8,000 people have returned to East Timor by land transportation, via Motaain and Sahlele districts in the regency of Belu, East Nusa Tenggara.

Another 2,000 people from the regency of Ainaro, including former Mahidi [a military-backed militia] commander Nomencio Lopes de Carvalho, will leave for East Timor soon," Arifin said.

Labour struggle

Shangri-La rejects hiring ex-workers

Jakarta Post - October 12, 2001

Jakarta -- As a group of former Shangri-La workers continued its demonstrations in front of the hotel demanding their jobs back, the hotel management said on Thursday that re-hiring was not a viable option.

The hotel considers as final the decision of the government- sanctioned Central Committee for the Settlement of Labor Disputes in May to allow the Shangri-La to lay off its protesting workers, and therefore considers the prolonged issue to be settled, according to senior manager Wastu Widanto. The hotel refused to rehire the 81 people as they had violated its working agreement by staging demonstrations against the management, he said.

A total of 606 workers were in dispute with the hotel over their demands for better working conditions. They staged a protest in December last year, causing the hotel to halt its operations for three months.

Currently there are 81 ex-workers belonging to the Shangri-La Independent Labor Union (SPSM) who are contesting the Committee's decision. Valentinus Wagiyo, the leader of the SPSM said they were also demanding to have their reputations cleared by the Shangri-La. SPSM claimed that the Shangri-La had issued a "black list" containing the names of people who had participated in the demonstrations. Shangri-La denied the allegation, saying that the hotel would never do such a thing.

Medan minivan drivers protest against illegal levies

Jakarta Post - October 11, 2001

Apriadi Gunawan, Medan -- Hundreds of drivers and owners of public minivans remained in their offices in Medan on Tuesday, some even choosing not to work temporarily despite their absence from the road on the previous day, when they gathered before the North Sumatra governor's office to launch a protest against unfair levies.

Affiliated with the Public Transport Drivers and Operators Association (Kesper AU), they were calling for a reduction in the motor vehicle tax (PKB), as well as complaining about extortion by local gangs and illegal corporate levies.

Kesper AU chairman Manahan Hutagalung told The Jakarta Post that, so far, public minivan (angkot) operators and drivers in the city had been subjected to a 0.9 percent PKB rate based on the motor vehicle price. It was later discovered that the rate, effective as of the date of the latest fare increase several months back, was not being applied in practice.

Although a regional by-law dictates that the tax rate should be set at 1.5 percent, and despite the provincial administration's decision to put it at 0.9 percent to lessen the tax burden, "in practice angkot drivers and owners have to pay PKB at a rate far higher than 0.9 percent. Since February 2000, the tax has increased by 60 to 70 percent," said Manahan.

Based on the present rate, they are required to pay around 120,000 rupiah a year, but in reality they are charged 190,000 rupiah a year, for the lowest motor vehicle price and cylinder capacity. If the car is the latest model, they must spend 1 million rupiah in PKB a year.

According to him, the high tax is not proportional to the income of drivers, let alone the illegal levies imposed by certain companies and gangs. Corporate levies on drivers in the form of contributions are fixed on the basis of 25 days a month, ranging from 6,000 to 20,000 rupiah. "They must pay contributions though they have more days off," he remarked.

In addition, criminal gangs charge 2,000 rupiah per driver daily, placing further strain on the angkot drivers' meager income. With their gross income of only 25,000-30,000 rupiah daily, some of them hire minivans at the daily rental fee of between 70,000 and 80,000 rupiah.

He admitted that most angkot drivers frequently forced 12-14 passengers into their vans even though the legal capacity of an Espass Daihatsu van was only eight. "This is a mistake and may endanger passengers, but they have to earn some money to survive. They do that just to make ends meet," argued Manahan.

In response to the protest, the North Sumatra regional administration plans to hold another meeting on Thursday to deal with the problem, by also inviting relevant agencies like the highway transport agency, the traffic police, the transport insurance company and the regional revenue office. "Unless the regional government responds to our complaints, more drivers will be launching a total strike," the Kesper AU chairman said.

Aceh/West Papua

Acehnese activist M. Nazar released

Jakarta Post - October 10, 2001

Ibnu Mat Noor, Banda Aceh -- After serving his full 12-month jail term at the Banda Aceh prison, Muhammad Nazar, chairman of the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA), was released on Tuesday.

Nazar's release which was witnessed by his lawyers Johnson Pandjaitan and Imam Syafiie Saragih, was greeted by more than 200 SIRA supporters who had awaited his release for several hours at the prison. SIRA supporters held up a huge banner which read referendum while awaiting the release of Nazar in front of the prison gates. His supporters greeted Nazar and put him on their shoulders to express their joy.

Nazar was jailed on November 20, 2000, for calling a self- determination referendum for Aceh's future and "displaying hostility" against the government.

Nazar asserted that he and his fellow activists would continue to seek a peaceful solution to the Aceh problem through a referendum. "Of the utmost importance is that Acehnese people must be freed from the ongoing terrors and intimidation and they must feel safe on their homeland," he said.

He said he would continue his fight along with SIRA which he believed would continue winning Acehnese support. "In the future we will focus on diplomatic struggle to seek a peaceful solution to all the fundamental problems in the province. Under the present situation, it is impossible to deploy masses in fighting for Acehnese people's aspirations," he said.

Meanwhile, a TNI soldier was reported killed and another one injured in a violent battle between the military and the Free Aceh Separatist Movement (GAM) in South Aceh on Tuesday. The deadly exchange occurred when a joint group of the local military confronted hundreds of GAM rebels on a routine patrol to Ujong Pasir Village in the regency.

Lt. Col. Agus Permana, chief of the South Aceh Military Subdistrict, said the body of First Private Bagus, who was killed in the clash, has been sent to his home village in Tegal, Central Java, for burial while Second Private Hartoyo has been hospitalized with gunshot injuries. He said the military, in cooperation with the Police, would continue to raid numerous areas which are known to be GAM strongholds in the regency.

Five bodies found in restive Aceh

Jakarta Post - October 9, 2001

Ibnu Mat Noor, Banda Aceh -- Five dead bodies with gunshot wounds were found in separate locations after a gunfight between security forces and members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) that lasted all of Sunday, an Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) volunteer worker said on Monday.

Muhammad Subur, a PMI worker based in Banda Aceh, said that the Red Cross workers evacuated three bodies from a ravine below the highway in Gunung Paroe area, some 30 kilometers south of Banda Aceh. "The three male bodies were then taken to Zainoel Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh," Subur said.

Later in the day, two more bodies with gunshot wounds were found separately, he said. One was found in the village of Lhong, Aceh Besar, 40 kilometers south of Banda Aceh, and the other was found in the village of Babah Dua Kuala, West Aceh, around 250 kilometers south of Banda Aceh.

There have been claims from both the security forces and GAM that the dead casualties were their own members. Neither party has yet claimed responsibility for the killings.

GAM spokesman for East Aceh Ishak Daud said that one of the clashes between the military and GAM members took place in Alue Bu Baroh, East Aceh, some 200 meters away from the GAM station where Aceh provincial legislative councillor Ghazali Usman is being held. "Failing to slip into GAM Headquarters, the [Indonesian] troops shot Zulkifli Daud, 27, who was working at his fish pond," Ishak Daud said. "We had to move our station after the clash."

The other clash on Sunday took place in the village of Paya Abeuk in Kuta Makmur district, North Aceh, around 20 kilometers south of Lhokseumawe. GAM claimed that at least five Indonesian Military (TNI) members were killed in the shootout.

In West Aceh, GAM claimed to have attacked the Police's Mobil Brigade (Brimob) station in Meulaboh, 245 south of Banda Aceh, but local GAM spokesman Tengku Cut Man did not say that any officers were killed. In South Aceh, GAM intercepted Brimob troops who were combing the village of Krueng Cut in the district of Kluet Utara, 500 kilometers south of Banda Aceh.

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Firdaus said on Monday that he had yet to receive any reports of GAM attacks. "GAM attacks in the night [Sunday] were very possible, but no TNI members or police officers were killed," Firdaus said.

Acehnese separatists have been fighting for independence since the 1970s.

Violence continues in the restive province despite attempts by the government to accommodate the demands of Acehnese people, who have become increasingly disillusioned with Jakarta following human rights violations committed by security forces in the past.

Anti-war/US

Students threaten to expel Japanese from Makasar

Jakarta Post - October 12, 2001

Makassar -- Hundreds of students from the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) in Makassar sent an ultimatum on Thursday for the Japanese government to withdraw its support for the US attacks on Afghanistan, or else they would expel Japanese from the city.

"Japan has to withdraw its logistical and military support for the US attacks on Afghanistan immediately, or else we will occupy its consulate general in Makasar and expel all Japanese citizens from the province," said Fadli Ibrahim, an executive of the UMI student council.

The students forced their way up to the consulate's front gate despite the presence of around 500 police guarding the compound. The students also demanded to talk with Consul General Yamashita Katsuo and at around 2:15 local time, five representatives of the students were allowed to meet him.

M. Natsir, one of the students who met with the consul general, told journalists after the meeting that the consul general had promised to bring the students' demands to the attention of his government and emperor. The forced meeting followed Tuesday's incident when UMI students forced consulate officials to haul down the rising sun flag at the consulate.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government lodged a strong protest over the destruction of property at its consulate general and the forced lowering of its flag in Makassar. Tokyo warned Indonesia that the good relations between the two countries would be in great danger not only if the government failed to ensure that such an unfortunate incident did not occur again, but also to take legal measures against the students who were guilty of a serious crime.

According to Japanese Embassy sources in Jakarta, Tokyo had instructed its ambassador to Indonesia, Yukio Takeuchi, to deliver the protest to Indonesia's highest authorities. "Our government is shocked by the incident. The Indonesian security authorities have promised to resolve the problem. We will wait for the government to deliver on its promises to us," a Japanese diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

The diplomat said his government would soon take strong measures to protect its citizens, including possible evacuation from Indonesia if the situation worsened here. Japan was taking into account the serious threats aired by some militant groups to retaliate against citizens of the US and its allies in Indonesia if their demands, including the severing of diplomatic ties between Indonesia and the U.S, were not met. "According to internationally accepted norms, such threats are serious crimes, and your government cannot just let them happen without taking any action," said the diplomat.

Separately, around 500 students from the Makassar Muhammadyah University (UMM) and Islamic Students Association protesting at the South Sulawesi provincial legislative council managed to force the council to issue a statement condemning the US attacks on Afghanistan. The statement was signed by South Sulawesi legislative council speaker Amin Syam.

The council also urged the central government to take a firm stance regarding the US attacks on Afghanistan and to urge the United Nations to demand accountability from the United States and its allies for their attacks on Afghanistan.

Farmers stage anti-sweeping rally

Jakarta Post - October 12, 2001

Jakarta -- Amid growing anti-American sentiment in some parts of the country, some 400 farmers from Bali's Pacung Baturiti village staged a rally in front of the provincial legislative council building on Thursday to protest any action against foreigners visiting Indonesia's world-renowned tourist island.

"The drop in the number of foreign tourists visiting Bali in the aftermath of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center coupled with a rumored witch-hunt against foreigners has inevitably had an impact on the income of local farmers, who also earn a lot from the tourist industry," rally coordinator I Wayan Sardjana was quoted by Antara as saying on Thursday. Thus, to revive the local tourism industry, people should not start hunting for foreigners either in Bali or other parts of the country, he said.

The protesting farmers, who were wearing traditional clothes, said they opposed all kinds of terrorist acts in all parts of the world as they would only hurt people. They also asked security authorities to take firm action against persons found launching witch-hunts for foreign tourists visiting Bali.

He said the local farmers were ready to act as the spearhead to help security authorities take action against those found launching a sweep for foreigners. He said all residents of Pacung village supported the statement made by the governor of Bali opposing a sweep of foreigners on the island and guaranteeing security on the island as one of the world's main tourist destinations.

Responding to the farmers' demands, Bali's provincial legislative assembly chairman Ida Bagus Putu Wesnawa said his side was ready to recommend that the security authorities take firm action against those launching any form of searches for foreigners. "Bali, whose population mostly relies on the tourism sector, does not want to see anything disrupting the safety and security of tourists," he said.

In Manado, capital of North Sulawesi province, the police have deployed personnel to areas where expatriates reside in the province. The chief of the Command and Operations Control Center of the North Sulawesi Police, Sr. Comr. Suharijono, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that they had actually been giving protection to expatriates living in the province even before the National Police issued an order to do so on October 7. "We took the initiative when we learned that the US had decided to act on Afghanistan," he said. "The first order from the National Police was to protect Americans, but now it has been extended to also giving protection to Australians, Britons, the Dutch, Belgians, the French, Swedes and Canadians," Suharijono said.

Foreigners mostly live or work at gold mining company PT Newmont Minahasa Raya in Ratatotok, PT Tarsius in Bitung, the Minahasa Masehi Injili Church Foundation in Tomohon and Klabat University in Airmadidi. "For Newmont alone, we have assigned two Mobile Brigade platoons," he added. He did not remember the number of expats living in the province, but said there were 25 Americans working there.

In Malang police said they remained alert in anticipation of all possibilities that could endanger the safety of expatriates, particularly Americans, following the spread of anti-US protests. Malang Police chief Sr. Comr. Supardi said on Thursday that the police had been collecting data on foreigners who lived in Malang, Pasuruan, Probolinggo and Lumajang regencies -- all of which came under the jurisdiction of the Malang Police.

Supardi urged all companies in those regencies that employed foreigners to report regularly to the police for security reasons. He disclosed that a total of 497 expatriates were working in Malang and other regencies under the Malang Police's jurisdiction between Aug. 10 and Sept. 30, 2001. They came from the US, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, China and Malaysia.

In the West Java town of Cirebon, more than 200 people from 13 community and student organizations took to the streets to condemn the U.S-led attacks on Afghanistan. They were tightly guarded by the police. Grouped under the Anti-American Community Movement (Gamas), the protesters also demanded a boycott of American products and denounced President Megawati Soekarnoputri for her "unclear" stance on the Afghan attacks. They urged the government to cut diplomatic ties with the super power.

Rally coordinator M. Galib Subhan said in a written statement that they were for the sending of what they called jihad volunteers to Afghanistan as a show of their solidarity with the plight of the Afghans. "The attacks on Afghanistan constitute a war against Muslims. The US, which claims to be the world's policeman, continues to display its arrogance. This must be stopped," he said. On Megawati, they said that the President had only expressed concern over the attacks "without any concrete action to stop the US-led attacks."

Protesters 'seal' American fast-food chains

Jakarta Post - October 11, 2001

Yogyakarta -- Hundreds of students from various universities in Yogyakarta staged two separate rallies on Wednesday to protest the US-led attack on Afghanistan, burning an effigy of US President George W. Bush and "sealing" popular American fast-food restaurants.

One group of protesters, claiming to be members of Muhammadiyah Students Association (IMM) and the Association of Islamic Students (HMI), burned an effigy of US President George W. Bush, while rallying at the provincial legislative council. "Bush kills innocent people," shouted one protester. The police did not intervene and the demonstration ended peacefully at 2pm.

Another group of students marched from the campus of the Indonesian Islamic University toward Yogyakarta's business area through Jl. Sudirman, chanting and shouting "Allah Akbar [God is Great]." They carried banners that read, "Bring Bush to the International Court", "Islam can't tolerate US arrogance", "Freeze US assets in Indonesia" and "Boycott US products."

Upon reaching Tugu intersection, the students stopped in front of a Pizza Hut restaurant and held a street theater performance, depicting hungry Afghans. "When you eat here, you help finance the assault on Afghanistan," said one protester. "Let's boycott this capitalist product from now on."

After holding speeches, the protesters symbolically sealed the front door of Pizza Hut with dozens of posters. Some posters read, "This restaurant is sealed", "Eating here means killing the poor Afghans", "This restaurant will be liquidated", "Freeze and boycott US investments here." Dozens of Pizza Hut customers, nevertheless, seemed to be unperturbed by the demonstration and continued with their meal.

From Pizza Hut, the protesters headed south to Jl. Malioboro. where McDonalds restaurant is located. Some 10 protesters "sealed" McDonalds, again by pasting posters on McDonald's windows. Other protesters shouted," Boycott American products!" Again, their actions did not disturb McDonald's customers, including some veiled schoolgirls who were enjoying their meal. The protesters then dispersed peacefully at 1pm.

In Bandung, West Java, about 300 students staged protests at the provincial legislative building, burning US flags and pictures of President Bush. The police, who outnumbered the protesters, did not take any action although the government had urged security forces to stop the burning of flags and other symbols of other nations. The protest ended peacefully as around 400 policemen stood by.

In Pekanbaru, Riau hundreds of students from Riau University staged protests at the provincial legislative building and the governor's office, where the protesters were received by Governor Saleh Djasit. The students demanded that the US stop its military operation in Afghanistan or they would boycott US products.

In Surabaya, East Java, continuing anti-US protests have prompted 66 out of 166 expatriates working here to leave the city. Those leaving the city included Americans working at the US consulate office.

In Palu, Central Sulawesi, Americans working in the province had prepared all necessary documents to leave the province should the situation worsen. Palu Immigration Office spokesman Bambang Satrio said his office had processed all immigration documents for the 52 Americans. Nevertheless, he said none of the Americans working in the province had left, noting that no incident against foreigners was reported.

In Cirebon, West Java, Sultan Maulana Pakuningrat guaranteed the safety of foreigners in the port town. "I have coordinated with all related agencies, including security forces in Cirebon. There will be no actions that could jeopardize the security of foreigners here," he told The Jakarta Post.

Indonesian Muslims hold anti-US rallies in Jakarta

Reuters - October 11, 2001

Achmad Sukarsono, Jakarta -- About 1,000 Indonesian Muslim students rallied outside parliament on Wednesday, with some trying to knock down the gates leading into the complex in the biggest anti-American protest in Jakarta this week.

Students danced around a burning effigy of US President George W. Bush and shouted slogans as several hundred earlier tried to breach the parliament gates under the watchful eyes of scores of riot police stationed just inside the compound.

Adding to jitters, a package of fireworks exploded on a road a few blocks from the British embassy in central Jakarta, although the blast was small and caused no damage, police said. They declined to speculate on whether the blast was linked to protests over US and British air strikes on Afghanistan.

The official Antara news agency said police arrested six students when they tried to burn an American flag outside the US embassy during a separate, minor rally. Witnesses said police, underscoring their willingness to use force, also hit several protesters with batons near the US embassy.

Unhappy at Jakarta's tacit acceptance of the US-led attacks on Afghanistan, the students had marched to parliament to urge MPs take a harsh stance over the military action. "America-America the terrorist!" students shouted. "America said they will only attack the Taliban and Osama. That's a lie. America is there to destroy Islam," one student shouted from atop a pick-up truck parked near the gates. By late afternoon, all had dispersed peacefully. Washington launched the strikes on Sunday after suicide hijack attacks on America last month that killed about 5,600 people. It says Osama bin Laden, a Saudi-born militant sheltered by the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan, masterminded those attacks.

Protests yet to cause major alarm

Before lunch, many of the same students outside parliament burned American flags and an effigy of Bush near the UN office in central Jakarta, not far from the US embassy which is surrounded by razor wire barricades and hundreds of police.

But analysts have noted that while the demonstrations in recent days have been noisy, they have been relatively small compared to some protests in volatile Indonesia in the past few years, partly easing fears in Jakarta of widespread violence.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country, with about 90 percent of its 210 million people followers of Islam. The security forces have also shown they will not tolerate any violence, firing warning shots and tear gas at about 400 Muslim protesters outside the US embassy on Tuesday when they shook razor barricades blocking the front of that compound. There were no protests reported in other Indonesian cities.

Reflecting the moderate views of most Indonesian Muslims, a poll of 3,000 people by local broadcaster MetroTV showed 80 percent believed the street protests were already excessive. Many, however, oppose the air strikes.

Indonesia has urged the United States and its allies to limit its military campaign against Afghanistan but stopped well short of openly criticising the strikes, a position that has angered radical Muslim groups. The US embassy was closed on Wednesday but the British embassy reopened.

The English-language Jakarta Post urged the government to convey a clearer message on the strikes. "At this critical time the Indonesian nation was hoping to see firm and cohesive national leadership," the newspaper said in an editorial. "The current perception is that both President Megawati [Sukarnoputri] and Vice-President Hamzah Haz are not sufficiently displaying a sense of urgency."

Megawati has adopted her familiar silence by saying nothing publicly on the strikes on Afghanistan, nor the delicate position they have put the government in. The United States is a vital trade and investment partner for a country battered by four years of crisis and desperate for fresh inflows of foreign funds.

United States flags burned, Japanese flag hauled down

Jakarta Post - October 10, 2001

Jakarta -- Students in Makassar, South Sulawesi, and Surabaya, East Java, defied a government ban and burned US flags in separate anti-US rallies on Tuesday.

In Makassar, hundreds of students from various groups rallied at different locations, including at the provincial legislative assembly compound, the Japanese consulate and even the city's largest shopping mall.

Some of the protesters were seen burning US and British flags in a protest against the US and British attacks on Afghanistan. "We only want to show our solidarity for the fate of Afghans. Violence versus violence will only victimize civilians," said Iswari Al Farisy from the National Mandate Party Youth Front.

At the Japanese consulate, the protesting students, claiming to be from the Indonesian Muslim University, forced consular officials to haul down the Japanese rising sun flag from the staff. The students initially demanded that Japan withdraw its support for the attacks on Afghanistan.

Through a loudspeaker, a Japanese consular official announced that the consulate would convey their message to the Japanese government. The students, however, were not satisfied and demanded that the consulate haul down the rising sun. Their demand was met after the students broke the glass cover of the consulate's name board.

Other groups of protesters marched toward Makassar's largest shopping mall, Ratu Indah Mall, where hundreds of them listened to speeches in front of a McDonalds outlet calling on visitors and passersby to boycott US products. The protesters then covered the McDonalds sign with a black cloth. They did the same thing to a nearby Kentucky Fried Chicken sign.

In Surabaya, hundreds of students picketed the US consulate, where they burned US and British flags, as well as an effigy of US President George W. Bush. The police took no action even though the government had expressly banned the burning of the flags or symbols of other nations, or effigies of their heads of state.

Different groups of protesters rallied at the consulate, which remained closed on Tuesday. The protests, nevertheless, ended peacefully.

In Yogyakarta, some 300 protesters from various student organizations continued with their anti-US protests on Tuesday. The protesters, from the Indonesian Muslim Students' Action Front (KAMMI), the Justice Party's Youth Front, Anti-America and Zionist Movement (GAZAK), and the Al-Qairat group, rallied at the provincial legislative assembly compound.

They shouted "Allahu Akbar" [God is Great] and other slogans, carried banners reading "Afghanistan under attack, jihad will ensue!" "Muslims are not terrorists", "Bush is the real terrorist", and "God damn the USA." A protester from GAZAK, Sidik Ahmadi, said his group was ready to travel to Afghanistan to help Afghans fight against the US and its allies. The protesters dispersed peacefully about 2.30 p.m.

In Medan, North Sumatra, students protests colored the city on Tuesday. The students, tightly guarded by the police, marched to the local office of TVRI state television where they delivered speeches for about 45 minutes. From there, the student protesters marched to the provincial administration offices, but they failed to meet the governor. They then dispersed peacefully.

Indonesian police clash with anti-US protesters

Reuters - October 9, 2001

Tomi Soetjipto, Jakarta -- Indonesian police fired warning shots, teargas and water cannon during a clash with 400 Muslim protesters outside the US embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday in a clear sign authorities will clamp down on anti-American violence.

Police took their first tough action against sporadic protests over US-led attacks on Islamic Afghanistan after demonstrators began shaking barbed wire erected in front of the embassy around midday.

Witnesses said two policemen and a protester were hurt, mainly hit by rocks thrown during scuffles between the opposing groups. In two other Indonesian cities, Muslim demonstrators burned effigies of US President George W. Bush. "Long live Osama [bin Laden]! America is the terrorist! God is Great!," the protesters chanted before the clash erupted outside the embassy.

The Jakarta protesters dispersed after police fired warning shots over their heads. By mid-afternoon, some returned to the embassy and were joined by other small groups, all of whom began to leave after darkness fell.

Few in the world's largest Muslim country back the views of radicals threatening violence against Americans and foreign assets although many oppose the strikes on Afghanistan, launched after suicide hijack attacks on the United States last month killed about 5,600 people.

Washington says bin Laden, a Saudi-born militant sheltered by the Taliban in Afghanistan, masterminded those attacks. The US embassy in Jakarta is closed and has become the focal point of protests by radical Muslim groups in the city, which otherwise was back to its bustling self after fears of widespread violence kept many residents at home on Monday.

Effigies of Bush burned

The protesters involved in the clash outside the US embassy earlier rallied in front of the United Nations office in Jakarta.

In Surabaya, capital of East Java and Indonesia's second largest city, some 200 protesters rallied outside the US consulate and burned an effigy of Bush. In the eastern city of Makassar on Sulawesi island, dozens of protesters did the same thing. There was no violence in either protest.

Much attention has focused on a Thursday deadline given to President Megawati Sukarnoputri by the small but vocal Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) to sever ties with Washington. They have threatened to expel Americans and other foreigners and destroy foreign assets if she does not. Some analysts doubt whether the threat will be carried out, especially since police have warned of harsh reprisals.

Megawati has not said anything publicly about the US-led strikes that began on Sunday, in keeping with her usual aversion to making statements about sensitive policy matters.

She needs Muslim support but also desperately needs Western investment and aid to keep Indonesia's economy afloat. About 90 percent of Indonesia's 210 million people follow Islam, although most have moderate views.

The country's largest Muslim group, the 40 million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), urged Indonesians not to harm foreigners. "[Foreigners] should not be harmfully treated," NU chief Hasyim Muzadi told Reuters. There are tens of thousands of Americans, Britons and citizens from other US allies in Indonesia.

Jakarta back to normal, security tight

Security remains tight in Jakarta with extra police and water cannon trucks posted outside the US ambassador's residence. International schools are closed and the US, Australian and British embassies have advised their nationals to stay at home. The US and British embassies were closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure. It was unclear when they would reopen.

Jakarta has urged Washington and its allies to limit their attacks but stopped short of criticising them, a stance that could stoke more anger among radical Muslim groups.

The NU said the government's position on the raids on Afghanistan did not send a clear enough message. "Our principle should be world peace without taking sides nor using double standards," Muzadi said. "The NU is against the attacks on Afghanistan. Our reason is that Osama's wrongdoing has not been proven. A frontal attack indeed will cause casualties among those who are not involved at all in the terrorist activities."

Muslim youth slam US, UK over attacks

Jakarta Post - October 9, 2001

Jakarta -- Muslim organizations in Yogyakarta and Solo, Central Java, noisily condemned the US-led retaliation on the Taliban's military installations and Osama bin Laden's terrorist indoctrination camps with calls for the expulsion of American and British citizens from the two towns.

The youth elements of the newly-formed group calling itself the Muslim Solidarity for Afghanistan in Solo called on the local Police to evacuate all American and British citizens. "No one can blame us if something [untoward] happens to American or British people in the city," Warsito Adnan, coordinator of the Surakarta Islam Defenders Front (FPIS), threatened on Monday. According to local administration's data, 23 expatriates, mostly American, are living in the city.

In Yogyakarta, around 150 Muslim students marched around the city to condemn what they called Western imperialism in Afghanistan. Calling for international solidarity with Afghans, the protesters brought with them anti- American banners reading: "Down with the USA", "Go to hell with your aid", "USA: The Great Satan", and "Beware of Neo-imperialism." Ridwan Haryadi, coordinator of the protesters, said: "Radical groups have threatened to take reciprocal actions against American and British citizens living in Yogyakarta and several towns in Central Java."

Many Muslim youth organizations also lambasted the government's ban on sending Indonesians to fight alongside Osama bin Laden against the US and its allies in their anti-terrorism campaign. "A registration has been open for those who want to join in the jihad [holy war]," Abu Bakar Ba'asyir of the Islamic Mujahedeen Council, said, adding that the registration center is at Jln. Veteran 17, Yogyakarta.

Ba'asyir said Muslims in Indonesia should show their solidarity by joining a jihad for humanitarian activities and to defend Muslim interests in Afghanistan. "The government's ban is against Islamic teaching," he said. He said his council had yet to decide on what actions would be taken against non-Indonesian residents, especially American and British citizens, in the province.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, the situation remained calm as local Muslim youth organizations and students threatened to stage protests at foreign consular offices in the city. "We are planning a demonstration in front of the Japanese consulate office here on Tuesday," Al Farisy, a Muslim student activist, said.

In Medan, North Sumatra, the Indonesian Student Solidarity (SMI) group criticized the allied retaliation against the Taliban's military installations and terrorist training camps, saying the SMI would hold a massive demonstration in the city on Tuesday. Martius Latuferissa, a spokesman for the group, said he would lead local Muslims to join a holy war against the US

In Purwokerto, Central Java, thousands of Muslims took to the streets to call for a holy war against the United States and its allies. Saefuddin Daldiri, chairman of the Jihad Thoriqotul Front (FTJ), said around 3,000 Muslims from many towns in the province's southern part have registered themselves to join the holy war.

"Responding to the call by the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), we have indoctrinated their minds with spiritual beliefs as well as the jihad vision and mission in accordance with Islamic teachings," he said. Saefuddin said extremist groups were still considering what actions they would take against American civilians living in the regency.

Deputy chief of Banyumas police Adj. Sr. Comr Raja Gukguk told reporters in Purwokerto on Monday that police have stepped up their security to protect expatriates living in Banyumas. He pointed out that there were 96 non- Indonesians in the region.

Militant groups rally outside US embassy against attacks

Jakarta Post - October 9, 2001

Damar Harsanto and Hanifah Abu, Jakarta -- Over a thousand demonstrators from several militant groups here staged rallies on Monday in front of the heavily guarded US Embassy, protesting the US-led strikes against Afghanistan which they called a form of terrorism.

The protesters represented various organizations across Jakarta including the Association of Islamic Students (HMI), the Indonesian Muslim Movement (GPI), the Indonesian Muslim Workers Union (PPMI), a Muslim women's group Yayasan Da'wah Ummahatul Muslimah, Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and HAMMAS.

Ali Nurman, chairman of HMI's Jakarta branch said that the demonstration on Monday was only an initial step to rally against the US "We will come again on Friday in larger numbers," he vowed.

The demonstrations began at 1.30pm with about 300 students of HMI, led by Ali. The protesters, many of them carrying sharpened bamboos sticks with banners attached to them, could not get close to the embassy as the police had installed a barbed wire barricade in front of the compound at 9.30am. Two armored vehicles and one police truck were seen parked near the embassy, while hundreds of police tightly guarded the embassy in two lines: one outside the gates, while another stood behind the barbed wire with batons and shields.

The demonstration proceeded relatively peacefully, marked by only minor incidents. At 4.30pm, some students of HAMMAS set fire to an American flag and stamped on it, but did not continue further destructive actions.

Demonstrators almost clashed with police when an FPI protester tried to stop plainclothes police from examining an FPI car. The quarrel drew attention and raised tension among the crowd, but the police managed to calm the protesters.

FPI coordinator Siradj Alwi said his group would camp outside the embassy, saying that they had provided food for members. "We will camp here for several days until our demands are met," he told reporters.

All the groups were united in condemning the US attacks, but divided in their stance over "sweeps" on American people and whether or not the government should sever diplomatic ties with the US

FPI and Hammas strongly supported the call by the Indonesian Ulema's Council for the government to break diplomatic relations with the US, while others maintained a softer stance on the issue. "We urge the government to terminate its ties with the US and its Western allies," FPI said in a statement to the media.

It also called for its members to dispatch "mujahidins" [soldiers ready for jihad] to Afghanistan to help the country and Islam. FPI and Hammas also distributed brochures urging the public to hold sweeps on all American people here.

But other groups disagreed with their stance, saying it would backfire on Islam as a peaceful religion. "I don't agree with the sweeps on Americans as it will damage Islam's image as a religion which propagates peace and love," Aliyah, 71, a coordinator of Yayasan Da'wah said.

Sharing a similar concern with Aliyah, Ali said his group also condemned such actions, saying that it would denigrate Islam into a violent movement. "Such a move should not be taken," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso called on Jakarta residents not to overreact over the US attack against Afghanistan. "We ask the public to remain calm. If they want to conduct demonstrations, it should be conducted according to procedures," said Sutiyoso.

He said the administration urged residents not to conduct "sweeping' or any violence against foreigners, promising that the administration would help provide security for foreigners.

He said any violence against foreigners and their assets would ruin Indonesia's reputation. "We will suffer losses if we react emotionally and express our solidarity through violence," the governor said after meeting religious leaders at City Hall.

Religious leaders urge government to cut ties with US

Jakarta Post - October 9, 2001

Jakarta -- The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) and leaders of Muslim groups condemned the US attacks in Afghanistan on Monday, and demanded that Jakarta freeze diplomatic ties with Washington.

MUI, which groups various Muslim organizations, demanded that the Megawati administration freeze diplomatic ties until the US and its allies stop attacking Afghanistan. "We strongly condemn the attacks in Afghanistan by the US and its allies because it goes against the Indonesian Constitution which promotes everlasting peace and the elimination of colonization," MUI said in a statement read out by its secretary Dien Syamsuddin.

Separately, moderate leaders of the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's largest Muslim organizations, called on the masses to refrain from venting anger at expatriates.

The American-led assault on Afghanistan also received criticism from Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo, the bishop of Semarang Diocese, who is also an executive of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference. He said it was unfair for the US to attack a poor country like Afghanistan as the victims would be mostly innocent.

MUI called for Muslims all over the world to unite and make concrete actions to pressure the US and its allies to stop the attacks in Afghanistan. It also called on Muslims, especially those in Indonesia, to offer humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

MUI urged the UN to make a prompt resolution to stop the attacks in Afghanistan. MUI chairman Umar Shihab said the statement was made based on syariah (Islamic law) and solidarity among Muslims.

Separately, NU chairman Hazim Muzadi also condemned the US attacks in Afghanistan on the pretext of hunting down Osama bin Laden. NU called on America to stop its aggression because Washington had yet to convincingly prove that bin Laden was guilty of masterminding the September 11 attacks on US landmarks. "The lack of convincing evidence has sparked speculation that the US had another agenda other than terrorism. This is where the problem lies. People think the US attacks had religious motives."

Condemnation has also come from Salahuddin Wahid, an NU executive, and Muhammadiyah chief Syafi'i Maarif, but they called on local Muslims not to overreact to the US-led attack by attacking foreigners and their interests.

Salahuddin said, "I think the attacks do not only cause concern in the Islamic world, but also other religious communities. I hope that they will end as soon as possible," Salahuddin told The Jakarta Post. Syafi'i said the US and Britain should immediately end their strikes against Afghanistan before the situation worsens. Syafi'i said the attacks on Afghanistan would have a global impact as Muslims around the world would not accept the attacks. "The US should stop playing cowboy as there will be a lot of victims among the innocent. Moreover, there is not enough evidence of Osama bin Laden's involvement in the attacks on America," Syafi'i told the Post on Monday.

"I am not a supporter of the Taliban. I don't think it is a good government.

My concern is for the Afghan people who have been suffering from poverty. The strikes by the US and British military will aggravate their misery," he added.

Syafi'i said the US could still be diplomatic in resolving the problems and learn from its mistakes in the Vietnam war. Syafi'i said any overreaction by Indonesian Muslims might jeopardize efforts to speed up an economic recovery as many western investors may decide to leave the country. "We are concerned about the attacks, but we should not overreact by breaking the law as it would cause more problems if all the investors left," said Syafi'i, a lecturer at Yogyakarta University.

Bishop Suharyo called for calm among the masses. He stressed that terrorism had nothing to do with religion and therefore religion should not dominate the US-Afghan issue in Indonesia. "The US-Afghan conflict may be politically and economically motivated, but not religiously," he said.

Government/politics

Indonesian MPs summon FM to explain stand on US attacks

Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2001

Jakarta -- Indonesia's parliament, taking a harsher line than the government on the US-led attacks in Afghanistan, has summoned Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda to explain the government's stance.

"Our stance is harsher than the government's. We condemn the attacks," deputy leader of the house commission on defence and foreign affairs, Astrid Susanto, told AFP on Wednesday. "We've asked the foreign minister to come to the parliament to explain the government's position."

House speaker Akbar Tanjung criticised the attacks on Monday. On the same day the government issued a six-point statement which neither condemned nor supported the military action but prioritised concern for civilians and called for the attacks to be limited.

On Tuesday Tanjung, who also chairs the former ruling party Golkar, questioned the official line. "If [the attacks] escalate or increase, we hope the government will take a firmer stance," he was quoted as saying by the state Antara news agency.

Susanto said parliament was more critical because it was reflecting the people's feelings. "We're the ones who deal with protesters, not the government. As the people's representatives we must convey their aspirations," she said. "We support the fight against terrorism but we disagree with attacks. We hopte the United Nations Security Council will take a stance and stop this from turning into a world war."

President Megawati Sukarnoputri has made no comment herself since the US-led coalition launched the first strikes on Afghanistan late Sunday. Megawati, leader of the world's most populous Muslim nation, is struggling to keep Muslim groups on side while maintaining stability for desperately needed foreign investment.

Radical groups have demanded she cut ties with the US and its allies while mainstream groups have also criticised her stance. The second largest Muslim organization, the Muhammadiyah, on Tuesday urged the government to take a tougher stance. "The US is fighting terror with more terror," it said in a statement. The Indonesian Council of Ulemas (Muslim scholars) wants Megawati to sever ties with the United States.

Small protests and as-yet-unrealised threats to drive Americans out of Indonesia have reversed the rupiah's gains since Megawati came to power two months ago. So far there have been no reports of foreigners being attacked.

More than 80 percent of Indonesia's 210 million people are Muslims, the majority of them moderate. Hardline groups are a vocal minority.

Signs of rift between Mega and Hamzah growing

Straits Times - October 9, 2001

Jakarta -- Discord between Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri and Vice-President Hamzah Haz is becoming increasingly obvious now, with the two frequently making conflicting statements, analysts and legislators said.

Officials at the State Secretariat said over the weekend that they were annoyed with statements made by Mr Hamzah, whom they described as one who talks too much.

They said his free-wheeling statements often contradicted Ms Megawati's stance, the latest being on the question of an Afghanistan jihad.

Mr Hamzah had said the government would not bar Indonesians wishing to travel to Afghanistan to participate in a jihad, but after a Cabinet meeting last week the government issued a statement prohibiting Indonesians from fighting in a war in any foreign country. Before that, the two leaders had differed on a more fundamental issue, the amendment of the 1945 Constitution. Mr Hamzah wanted to enshrine the position of Syariah (Islamic law) in the Constitution, but Ms Megawati objected to the idea.

If such disagreements are not addressed quickly, observers warned, they could be used by the administration's opponents to attack it. "The two leaders should restrain themselves from making statements just to satisfy their own constituents," political observer J. Kristiadi said on Saturday.

"They have to show true statesmanship and address the entire nation." He said both leaders should coordinate their statements, and adjust themselves to each other, considering that they came from parties with different ideologies.

Ms Megawati, with her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is widely-known as a nationalist, while Mr Hamzah is the chairman of the largest Muslim-based party in the country, the United Development Party (PPP).

"That is why, the two should build a more informal relationship. They could do it through having breakfasts together, for instance," Mr Kristiadi said, referring to the weekly breakfast meetings that used to be held by the President and Vice-President during the administration of former President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Meanwhile, legislators Alvin Lie from the National Awakening Party and Ferry Mursidan Baldan from the Golkar party, both of which helped Ms Megawati and Mr Hamzah come to power, said they could understand why the two leaders differed in some areas, considering their different political backgrounds

Indonesia expresses concern, urges US to limit strikes

Jakarta Post - October 9, 2001

Jakarta -- Expressing deep concern at the United States' decision to launch a military strike against Afghanistan, Indonesia urged Washington on Monday to keep its operation limited to minimize civilian casualties.

And in anticipation of an anti-American backlash from some groups in Indonesia, the government has appealed to the people to show restraint in expressing sympathy or outrage.

"The government of Indonesia has urged that the [military] operation, which is already underway, remains very limited, in terms of force, target and time, to reduce or minimize casualties among innocent people," said an official statement.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda read out the six- point statement issued after a limited Cabinet meeting to discuss Indonesia's response to Sunday's US attacks in Afghanistan.

The response was formulated following a series of meetings starting from Sunday night. President Megawati Soekarnoputri summoned her top ministers on Monday morning to give guidelines. The meeting to draw up the official response was led by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

With the number of civilian casualties from Sunday's attacks still unknown, the government's response was circumspect. The government "is deeply concerned that the military action had to take place in Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington," it said.

The government took note of Washington's announcement that the operation was aimed at terrorist training camps and military installations in Afghanistan.

Indonesia also took note of the US statement that the military operation was not a hostile action against the Afghan people or the Muslim world, and of its promise to send humanitarian aid to people in Afghanistan.

The government said it had decided to send food and medicine to Afghanistan and encouraged Indonesians to do the same as an expression of sympathy and to help ease the suffering of the people in Afghanistan.

On the domestic front, the government cautioned the public against breaking the law or disturbing peace and order when reacting to the attacks or expressing sympathy for Afghanistan.

Several Muslim groups have said any attack on Afghanistan by the United States would be construed as an attack on Islam. They have threatened to retaliate against US interests in Indonesia.

The government urged the United Nations Security Council, in line with its authority and responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, to take collective action in restoring the situation and handling humanitarian problems.

Vice President Hamzah Haz refrained from publicly commenting on the attacks, saying that he toed the official government line. Hamzah, the chairman of the Islamic United Development Party (PPP), nevertheless came under strong pressure from several Muslim groups to take a harder line, including from the chairman of the Indonesian Muslim Brotherhood Movement, Ahmad Soemargono, who met him in his office.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung took a harder line, condemning the US attacks and prodding the Megawati administration to go stronger in criticizing Washington. "I hope the Indonesian government will show its stance and warn the US that there could be more innocent casualties if the attacks continue," Akbar told journalists. Akbar appealed to the public to react in a proportional way and not to scare foreigners away.

The National Awakening Party (PKB), a moderate Muslim political party, regretted the attacks and urged Washington to stop the action in the name of justice. Deputy secretary-general Yahya C. Staquf said PKB called on the public to exercise restraint at least for one week, pending a satisfactory explanation from Washington for its decision to attack Afghanistan.

Government policies only benefit big businesses: MPR speaker

Jakarta Post - October 8, 2001

Jakarta -- People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais has criticized government policies, saying they only benefit big businesses and damage the economy.

"Many small companies are surviving during the economic crisis without any help from the government," Amien was quoted as saying by Antara on Saturday while visiting a toffee factory in the West Java town of Garut.

On the other hand, he said, large businesses, which had received huge funding from the government, were hardly surviving and had even worsened the economic crisis, he claimed. "It is unfortunate that the government's economic policies have yet to be changed. They continue to favor conglomerates instead of small-scale businesses," the MPR speaker said.

Amien, also chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), urged the government to pay more attention to the development of small businesses that did not rely on foreign loans.

Corruption/collusion/nepotism

Akbar Tandjung denies plundering Bulog money

Jakarta Post - October 12, 2001

Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta -- House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung denied stealing any money from the 40 billion rupiah in non-budgetary funds of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) while he was state secretary in 1999. Akbar said that all the money went to the poor under the state-sponsored social safety net program conducted by various ministries through their foundations.

"Oh, of course I did not divert a single cent of the money. The funds were all spent as part of the social safety net," said Akbar, who registered his personal estate as being worth 33.4 billion rupiah ($3 million) with the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) in May.

Akbar said that a food shortage in Indonesia due to the monetary crisis compelled then president B.J. Habibie to assign him and other ministers in charge of people's welfare to manage the safety net program. "The Bulog chief was ordered to use the non- budgetary fund and channel it through foundations ... but, sorry, I forget the foundations' names," Akbar said. Akbar's alleged role in the Bulog scam became public on Tuesday when former Bulog chief Rahardi Ramelan admitted that he disbursed 54.6 billion rupiah of the Bulog non-budgetary fund in 1999. Forty billion rupiah went to Akbar and 10 billion rupiah to the then military chief Gen. Wiranto, who needed money to finance his controversial project of recruiting civilians to help provide security for the presidential election at the People's Consultative Assembly.

The remaining 4.6 billion rupiah went to PT Goro Batara Sakti (formerly owned by Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra) in connection with a land swap deal. Rahardi has been named a suspect following investigations into the numerous facets of the Bulog scandal. Tommy and his business partner Ricardo Gelael were sentenced to 18 months in jail for their part in the land swap deal. Ricardo has been serving his sentence, but Tommy become a fugitive soon after his request for a presidential pardon was rejected. In a controversial decision, the Supreme Court overturned Tommy's conviction last week.

Akbar, who is also chairman of the Golkar Party, Indonesia's second largest political party, said the use of the money was completely legal because it was approved in a cabinet meeting. "I'm ready to explain it any time the Attorney General's Office summonses me," he said.

Slippery Tommy lands family in trouble

Straits Times - October 10, 2001

Devi Asmarani, Jakarta-The state wants the death penalty for one jailed grandson while two daughters and a son-in-law are under fresh graft probes.

Members of the Suharto clan continue to be in serious trouble with the law, except favourite son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra. He is the only one who has thus far been declared innocent of graft by the Supreme Court and has remained virtually untouched. The playboy billionaire never served the 18-month jail term handed last November and even managed to get the conviction overturned in a controversial Supreme Court decision last week.

On Monday, he disappointed state prosecutors for the second time by not showing up at their office to sign legal papers acknowledging his acquittal, an administrative yet vital procedure in the Indonesian law. South Jakarta chief prosecutor Antasari Azhar said he would give Tommy a third chance to show up, or the latter would retain his "fugitive" status. "It's up to him now-if he wants to be a free man or not," said Mr Antasari.

His lawyers and siblings' assurances that Tommy would come out of his 11-month-long hiding seemed no more than empty promises to stall time. President Megawati Sukarnoputri has reportedly backed lawmakers' calls to investigate the judges who acquitted Tommy.

But while Tommy continues to evade law, the same cannot be said of his relatives. His eldest sister Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, her husband Indra Rukmana-Kowara, and another sister Siti Hediyati Hariyadi were questioned on Monday for the alleged mark-up of the Jakarta Outer Ring Road project handled by the company they co- owned. This reportedly led to US$123 million in state losses. His older brother Bambang Trihatmojo was also investigated for the dubious acquisition of a textile company's assets.

Tommy's disappearance exposed some of his relatives' much- protected private lives to the authorities, landing them in trouble with the law. His jailed nephew Ari Sigit yesterday underwent trial for illegal possession of 70 bullets. They were found during a hunt for Tommy at the former's house. During a search last year at the house of Tommy's younger sister Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih, police also found an unlicensed gun. But she was never charged.

There have been threats by the authorities to arrest Tommy's wife and siblings for allegedly hiding his whereabouts from the police. His family members have been questioned for hours by the police and had their homes raided in the hunt for him.

Said a former aide of Suharto: "The fact that he hasn't come out despite the mess he's created shows what a callous, irresponsible person Tommy is." But Tommy reportedly remains at large because he is still a suspect behind the shooting of Supreme Court judge Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, who convicted him last year for graft, and several bombings in the capital.

New anticorruption body sets high principles for members

Jakarta Post - October 9, 2001

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, Jakarta -- A lawyer expressed the fear here on Monday that no Indonesian would be capable of meeting the criteria for membership of a "powerful" new commission to eradicate corruption (KPTPK) which would have a remit and powers far in excess of other law enforcement institutions.

Frans Hendra Winarta, a member of the National Law Commission, told a discussion that the members of such a commission should be impartial, imbued with moral and professional integrity, and be far removed from the culture of corruption of the past.

Monday's discussion, organized by the Society for Humanity and Justice (Humanika), analyzed the extent of the anticorruption commission's powers.

Frans said that a white paper on the establishment of the commission had been handed over to the House of Representatives for deliberation.

He pointed out that the wide powers to be entrusted to the commission could be prone to abuse. The suggested powers included the banning of suspects from traveling overseas, intercepting communications, monitoring the work of other law enforcement institutions and even reopening decided cases.

"We have figured out the criteria for joining the 'supercommission', but no names immediately come to mind. No one fits the criteria listed in the white paper. We did find a few names, but either they were already too old for the work or had already passed away," Frans remarked.

Teras Narang, chairman of the House of Representatives' Commission II for legal affairs, warned that some of the commission's tasks overlapped with those of the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN).

Admitting that the white paper on the establishment of the commission had yet be debated, he suggested that the KPKPN be dissolved as it did not have the power to investigate the sources of public officials' assets. "Just integrate it with the anticorruption commission. I'm afraid that such an overlap of authority could be used by the corruptors to seek out loopholes," he said.

John Pires, a member of the KPKPN, stressed that what the country needed was not the establishment of another commission, which would only place an additional burden on the state budget, but rather a way of strengthening the existing bodies in charge of supervising state officials and institutions, the police and the public prosecution service.

The proposal to establish the commission to eradicate corruption is in line with Law No. 31/1999 on corruption. The government had established a joint team to eradicate corruption as an embryonic version of the commission, but this was then disbanded by the Supreme Court for exceeding its authority.

Game of 'musical chairs' at the legislature

Jakarta Post - October 8, 2001

Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta -- An increasing number of legislators are playing a game of "musical chairs" in that while their colleagues are seriously involved in a plenary meeting or hearing, they feel themselves at liberty to abandon the hearing or meeting so as to attend another one.

Money would appear to be the main reason for the new-found popularity of musical chairs. A legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Suwignyo, for example, left a plenary meeting on the child protection bill when the deliberations were still going on. He left the room and walked to another one. "I have to go to another meeting on the state budget," he said in a whisper.

Suwignyo is not the only aficionado of musical chairs in the House of Representatives building. Many other legislators do the same thing. Only a couple of dozen legislators were to be seen in the 500-seat main auditorium that day. They were not listening to the speeches being delivered from the podium, but were mostly deep in conversation with colleagues.

On average, the number of legislators attending commission hearings only reaches about 50 percent or less of those who are supposed be in attendance.

When Commission II for government affairs held a hearing with Minister for Administrative Reform Feisal Tamin, only 18 legislators were in their seats at the start of the meeting, even after it had been delayed for some time.

Other legislators arrived later while at the same time some of their colleagues left to go to other meetings.

During a hearing with Attorney General M.A. Rachman, only 26 of the 62 commission members were present. Usually, the excuse is that they have to leave on other business. But money, as always, seems to play a significant role.

Patrialis Akbar from the Reform faction confirmed that the number of meetings a legislator attended determined the amount of cash they would get. For the deliberation of each bill that takes between 2 and 3 months, a legislator receives Rupiah 750,000 (US$77) in attendance allowances.

It must have come as a godsend to legislators to be allowed to become members of different teams deliberating various bills as they can earn more cash by appearing for a moment in one room before moving on to others. Thus, the game of "musical chairs" has become popular.

The question is, are they able to focus on each subject being deliberated? Skepticism would appear to be justified as data from the secretariat of the House's legislation bureau shows that legislators are slated to finish the deliberation of 58 bills during fiscal 2001. Given such a workload, each legislator would need to be registered on three different committees for the deliberation of three different bills.

Commenting on this situation, legislation bureau official Firman Jaya Daeli said that the legislators were ready to handle their legislative duties. "I think we will be ready and will improve our performance," Firman told The Jakarta Post.

He revealed that the number of bills to be passed had been rising significantly following the surrender of legislative authority from the government to the legislature.

A special assistant to the justice minister Oka Mahendra earlier said that legislators should be more active in initiating bills. "The power to create laws is in the legislators' hands and the government [only] has the right to advance ideas," he said.

Given the present reality, the legislature had no choice but to move forward in initiating an increasing number of bills. Quality, perhaps, would need to be the next area that required improvement.

Regional/communal conflicts

Madurese long to return to Kalimantan 'homeland'

Jakarta Post - October 10, 2001

Ainur R.Sophiaan, Surabaya -- The Madurese refugees from Sampit and Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, now living in shelters and camps in Bangkalan and other areas on the island of Madura hope to return to their "former homeland" in Central Kalimantan in the next three months after a bylaw on demography is issued.

Central Kalimantan Governor Asnawi A. Gani told the refugees in Bangkalan on Monday that the bylaw would apply to the migrants as well as the indigenous Dayaks. Asnawi visited the refugees in Bangka along with Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Yusuf Kalla, Minister for Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah, West Kalimantan Governor Aspar Aswin and East Java Governor Imam Utomo. The VIPs met with 100 people representing the 140,000 Madurese migrants, now living in Madura and other areas of East Java, who were displaced due to sectarian clashes in Kalimantan last year.

Sectarian clashes between Madurese migrants and Malays and local Dayaks took place late last year and early this year. Thousands of Madurese were killed, forcing the survivors to flee from their houses. "Insyaallah [God Willing] the refugees here will be able to return to Kalimantan in the next three months," said Asnawi.

On behalf of the minister of social affairs, and the two Kalimantan governors, Yusuf Kall handed over a total of 100 million rupiah for the refugees, represented by governor Imam Utomo.

Asnawi said that the Central Kalimantan administration is preparing a bylaw which will apply to the migrants and locals alike. "Hopefully, the bylaw can in the future curb any possibility of ethnic-related clashes. Once the bylaw goes into effect, the local administration will have a legal basis to rule the people and act in case of any conflict," he said.

Asnawi reiterated that the situation in Sampit was not yet acceptable for the refugees to return. "Recently around 125 Madurese migrants have attempted to return to Sampit. The authorities stopped them on the way fearing that something would happen to them." "Please be patient. We are facing very complicated problems," he told the representatives and officials.

The Madurese are asking the government to allow them back in addition to providing massive resettlement aid. The government has said it did not want to give money or land at this point to avoid feelings of resentment by the Dayaks again.

News & issues

Jakarta may end gambling ban in city

Straits Times - October 11, 2001

Devi Asmarani, Jakarta -- The local administration is considering a reversal of a 23-year-old ban on gambling to profit from the billions of rupiah that illegal gambling businesses reportedly rake in here and to curb the crimes that are linked to them.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso said that setting up a gambling centre would be an easier way to control gambling businesses, which have continued to thrive despite being outlawed. "Ideally there should be no gambling at all, but it's impossible," he said, adding he would hold discussions with Muslim clerics about the idea.

Muslim groups have staunchly resisted similar suggestions in the past because Islamic teachings forbid gambling. So while the proposal has already won support from some members of the provincial legislature, it could be shelved as a result of the strong opposition coming from Muslim groups.

Some radical religious groups have in the past year been going on rampages, vandalising and attacking night-time establishments serving alcohol, saying they are dens of sin. There could be similar repercussions if the government allows a gambling centre to operate legally. Said the head of the Jakarta Indigenous Betawi Group, Mr Abdul Syukur: "We do not need the illicit money that comes from gambling, like prostitution." To prevent a backlash from Muslim groups, the administration appears keen on making the Thousand Islands resort area just off the coast of Jakarta a designated gambling zone. The dozens of islands in the area are currently a favourite weekend getaway for families and divers from Jakarta.

"It is quite hard to reach from Jakarta, yet easy to control," Mr Sutiyoso said. He said the gambling centre might resemble the casino at Malaysia's Genting Highlands.

The Centre of Development Study said such a gambling centre would be able to lure ethnic Chinese and wealthy residents from Jakarta. "The gambling centre should be located far from the slum areas and would cater only to people who can afford it," said Mr Budhisantosa of the centre.

The gambling centre proposal first came from a research group at the University of Indonesia. The group said a legitimate gambling complex would boost the city's revenues and help it to control crimes and violence linked to illegal gambling businesses.

Under Governor Ali Sadikin in the 1970s, gambling was legal in certain designated areas in Jakarta and gambling operators were subjected to high taxes. The legendary governor used the revenues generated from the industry to develop the capital, building mosques, churches, schools and hospitals. But in 1978, after his tenure ended, gambling was outlawed across the nation with the issuance of a presidential decree. In practice, however, many gambling dens continue to operate, especially in Jakarta's Chinatown.

Mr Edy Waluyo, Speaker of the Jakarta legislature, said the council had urged the administration to demand a governmental review of the presidential decree. But councillor Ahmad Heriyawan of the Justice Party, one of the Islamic coalition parties, opposed the plan, and warned that there could be an adverse impact. "There is no guarantee that by making gambling legitimate at certain locations, the illegal gambling businesses will stop," he said.

Court finds for LPG consumers in class action

Jakarta Post - October 10, 2001

Annastashya Emmanuelle, Jakarta -- The Central Jakarta District Court ruled on Tuesday in favor of a class action filed by Kapak LPG against the state-run oil company Pertamina for arbitrarily raising the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) last November.

The court found that Pertamina and its government-appointed Board of Commissioners had acted unlawfully in increasing the price of liquefied gas without first fully informing LPG consumers about the hike.

The class action suit was first filed in February by the Kapak LPG, a coalition of 20 lawyers from the Indonesian Consumers' Foundation (YLKI), the Jakarta chapter of the Legal Aid Institute, the Indonesian Law Association, the Indonesian Legal Aid Center, and the Indonesian Center for Environment Law.

The court's verdict, which was read out by presiding judge Ali Akmal Haki, ordered Pertamina to revoke last November's decision to raise LPG price by 40 percent from 1,500 rupiah (15 US cents) to 2,100 rupiah per kilogram.

Pertamina was also required to compensate class members to the tune of 144,000 rupiah ($14.18) per month in material loses, and pay 16,000 rupiah ($1.57) to every person who could prove they were LPG consumers in Greater Jakarta.

The class members consisted of nine persons representing LPG consumers in Greater Jakarta. They were Waskito Adi Riwibowo from Central Jakarta, Wigali Ningsih from East Jakarta, Marharinche Manik from West Jakarta, Sukarni from North Jakarta, Riswati from South Jakarta, Sri Lisnawati from Tangerang, Waris from Bogor, Listiati from Depok, and Thamrin B.W. from Bekasi.

According to YLKI data, there are about 200,000 LPG consumers in the greater Jakarta area.

However, the court's decision will not to be executed immediately as Pertamina is to file for an appeal. "We're lodging an appeal ... nowhere is it stated in the law that a business has to familiarize its plans to the public before putting them into effect," said Linawati Djaja for Pertamina.

Indah Suksmaningsih, the chief of operations of the YLKI, told reporters that Pertamina's argument was weak and unacceptable. "The liquefied petroleum gas is consumed by the public. It should not make any drastic decisions which affect the public interest," Indah commented.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of the legal representatives from Kapak LPG hailed the court decision, saying that Tuesday's verdict represented a landmark following the enactment of the Consumer Protection Law, which came into effect in April last year.

"This is truly a milestone as regards the implementation of the Consumer Protection Law. We hope it will bring about more progress on consumers' rights," lawyer Mohammad Ihsan told The Jakarta Post. The LPG case is the first class action to have been won by consumers since Law No.8/1999 on consumer protection came into effect.

Informal sector/urban poor

Tangerang administration ignores traffic chaos: Locals

Jakarta Post - October 12, 2001

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang -- A passenger in a public minivan looks frustrated as her 10-month-old baby cries despite the various attempts to calm the child. Three other female passengers try to soothe the baby, but to no avail. Meanwhile, two men, in a show of irritation, decide to get out and move to another vehicle.

This is a scene that happened in a minivan plying the Cikokol- Serpong route. The minivan was trapped in heavy congestion at the Kebon Nanas junction on Jl. Thamrin heading to Serpong and Jakarta-Merak toll gate.

Yuliana, the mother, said her baby was crying because of the heat, noise and pollution. The minivan had been crawling for about 45 minutes in the one-kilometer-long line of traffic. "The authorities in this town have turned a blind eye to traffic congestion problems along this road for a long time," said Yuliana, 36, who lives near Bumi Serpong Damai housing complex.

Several police officers are assigned to direct traffic at Kebon Nanas, but they cannot do much as public vehicles stop and block part of the road to take on passengers right at the junction. The situation is aggravated by street vendors and pedestrians crossing the street or boarding public transportation.

On the other side of town, Iskandar, the driver of an air- conditioned bus that serves the Jl. Imam Bonjol route, was heading to Perumnas public housing in Karawaci when the bus got stuck in traffic. He was mad not only because of the traffic jam, but because another bus suddenly changed lanes and tried to get in front of him.

Iskandar was also upset because the longer he was trapped in traffic, the less money he earned. "We used to complete five trips a day, but the traffic congestion has become worse and worse. Now we can just make four trips a day," said the 43-year- old driver who serves the Cimone-Blok M route said.

Traffic along Jl. Imam Bonjol is also bad as every vehicle heading to Jakarta has to make a U-turn near the Karawaci toll gate, which is quite narrow.

Traffic jams also occur every day on Jl. Sudirman. It may take a commuter 40 minutes to get through traffic that is tied up for 300 meters. The main cause of traffic jams along Jl. Sudirman is construction of the Cikokol overpass as the work takes up half of the road. But the major cause of heavy traffic on Jl. Imam Bonjol and Jl. Thamrin is the narrow road, which is only about 10 meters wide.

The Tangerang Development Planning Agency recently hosted a discussion to find out the best way to overcome traffic problems at these three points. One of the most important suggestions was to widen the road. But local administration spokesman Hery Kusnadi told The Jakarta Post last week that the municipal administration did not have enough funds.

The comment upset Eddy Roeskanedi, a local public figure. "It is ironical that they claim to have no funds to widen the road, but they have enough to finance the administration center construction project, which cost 60 billion rupiah.

The local head of the land transportation agency, Engkan Lengkana, said his office had planned to build a crosswalk at the Kebon Nanas junction and fence off the median to prevent pedestrians from crossing at all points along the road. But he added that the best solution to deal with traffic on Jl. Sudirman was to accelerate the construction of the Cikokol overpass. Unfortunately, Cikokol flyover project manager Sulistiyo said that the project may not be completed before the target deadline of May 2002 due to technical problems.

Sutiyoso sued in class action over public order raids

Jakarta Post - October 11, 2001

Jakarta -- About 200 pedicab (becak) drivers, buskers, vendors and other low-income Jakartans staged a very vocal rally at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday as they gave support to their colleagues, who filed a class action lawsuit against Governor Sutiyoso in response to the city administration's raids against them.They also filed suit against the city police chief and the city military commander for backing the raids.

The large group crowded the court yard and displayed posters all the while loudly condemning the governor's policies, which they claim discriminate against low-income people. "Sutiyoso is the terminator of poor people," one of them shouted, in reference to the governor's attempts to clear the city from those regarded to have disrupted the order.

A total of 57 plaintiffs, who were organized by the Jakarta Becak Association of the Urban Poor Consortium, have appointed eight people among themselves as legal advocates. "The deployment of thousands of public order officers, police officers and military officers to fight against common people is an insult against people's rights," the plaintiffs claimed.

According to the plaintiffs, the city administration had spent "billions of rupiah" from the city budget 2001 to drive them from the city. So far this year, a total of 9,194 becak drivers, 71,847 street vendors and 50 street washers have been encouraged to go into other lines work because of the raids, the plaintiffs said.

They claimed that the city public order officers had arrested nine becak drivers, 255 buskers, 436 prostitutes, 10 street children, and 329 self-appointed traffic facilitators. In addition, they have also arrested 85 women and children who offered their services to motorists in order that they could drive in carpool lanes. The other people who were arrested were 12 street beggars and 22 lepers or mental patients.

One civilian guard was killed and eight people were severely injured because of the raids, while over 1,000 houses and shanties have thus far been destroyed in the city's ambitious clean-up program.

The plaintiffs demanded that the court order the accused to stop the sweeps against the people and stop arresting them. They also asked the court to fine Sutiyoso 1 million rupiah a day if he failed to carry out the court decision.

Another demand being made was for the city administration to close down the warehouse in Cakung, where the seized pedicabs had been stored as well as the shelter in Kedoya, where the arrested people ha been held. They also asked the city administration to make a public apology.

Health/education

Mental illness afflicts many

Straits Times - October 12, 2001

Robert Go, Jakarta -- One in three Indonesians living in big cities are suffering from some form of mental illness because of increased poverty and bloody sectarian conflicts in some areas of the country, the latest government survey showed. Not all cases are severe enough to require hospitalisation and a majority of them involve depression, stress and other minor neuroses.

But the survey, conducted periodically in 10 major Indonesian cities, also suggested that most patients have not had proper treatment due to lack of medical personnel, drugs and money. Indonesia has only 430 licensed psychiatrists and 33 hospitals that are equipped to deal with psychological cases for a population of nearly 210 million.

The government "recognises the danger of having so many stressed-out and imbalanced individuals on urban streets" and is adopting a new approach to fight mental illness, a top official at the Health Ministry said.

The biggest problem is lack of money -- the state does not have enough cash budgeted for hospitals or to provide adequate treatment for poor communities. Mr Azrul Azwar, Director-General for Community Health at the ministry, said: "Our budget is very limited. Until now, we have neglected non-essential services such as providing good mental health care."

He further explained that the government is currently encouraging Indonesian hospitals, private and government-run, to start providing mental health care and counselling services to patients. More psychiatrists and mental-health specialists would be trained and assigned to work in some 7,200 community health centres throughout the country.

"We will provide more subsidies and assistance to the needy. We've noticed a drastic increase in the number of cases suffered by the poor in the last five years," Mr Azrul said. "Most Indonesians would be ashamed to admit that they or their relatives and friends have psychological problems. This has to stop as it makes the problems worse," he added.

Armed forces/police

Killing strains ties between Police, military in Makassar

Jakarta Post - October 10, 2001

Makassar-Another police officer was killed in the city on Monday, further straining ties between the Provincial Police headquarters and the Military Command headquarters.

Second Brig. Charles of the provincial police headquarters was allegedly stabbed to death by First Private Darwis, a member of the combat unit of the military headquarters, in Losari coastal area on Monday night. According to witnesses, the incident occurred when the victim tried to reprimand Darwis, who was scolding a parking attendant at the scene.

Darwis, who was riding a motorcycle with two of his colleagues, took offense at the victim's approach. The two thenbecame involved in a fight. "The victim put up strong resistance but his feet slipped and he lost his balance, giving a chance for Darwis to stab him with his dagger several times," said a witness who asked for anonymity.

After learning of Charles's death, Darwis ran away and jumped into the sea to escape a number of police officers who arrived on the scene a few minutes later, he said.

Another witness said locals visiting the coastal area saw an interesting spectacle as police jumped into the sea to apprehend the suspect. Some bystanders punched the suspect. After being badly beaten, the suspect was brought to the Municipal Policeoffice for an intensive investigation.

Charles's death followed that of 2nd. Brig. Haris, who was allegedly killed by a soldier of the military headquarters last month.

Tension in the city mounted when eight officers of the military command's Military Police arrived at the Municipal Police office and ordered dozens of police officers then on duty to hand over the suspect. The Military Police officers left empty-handed.

Dozens of police personnel remain on high alert in the Municipal Police following spreading rumors that dozens of servicemen from the combat unit were prepared to take revenge for the eviction of Military Police officers from the police office.

Comr. Idris Kadir, head of the detective unit of the Municipal Police, said that police would continue monitoring the situation to avoid any unwanted incident that might result from the police officer's death and the eviction of the Military Police officers. "The police are still conducting a preliminary investigation into the case before the suspect is handed over to the Military police for further investigation. The Military Police should notmisunderstand the police's refusal to hand over the suspect, which is an attempt to avoid a wider conflict between local police and the military," he said.

He hoped the incident would not further damage the strained ties between the police and the local military and said it should be solved peacefully. He said that the police were deeply concerned with the incident because two police officers had been killed in less than 30 days.

Ties between the police and military have been deteriorating following two fatal incidents between the two sides over the last two months. On September 16, 2001, three civilians were killed and many others were injured in a gunfight between the Army Strategic Reserved Command's members and police personnel in the East Java town of Madiun. Previously, on August 27, 2001, two infantrymen were killed and two police staff were injured in a similar clash in the Irian Jaya town of Serui.

International relations

Indonesian ties with US in nation' interest: Ministers

Jakarta Post - October 11, 2001

Despite mounting public pressure from small, vocal groups for the government to sever ties with the United States, the government said on Wednesday that it would maintain good relations with the US and its allies.

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra told journalists in Jakarta that the government would watch closely the US-led military attacks on Afghanistan but would by no means consider the US an enemy. "Indonesia will push the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference to intervene and resolve the Afghan crisis," he said.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono echoed a similar view, urging the public at large not to be emotional. "I call on all Indonesian citizens not to be carried away by our emotions in deciding a very fundamental issue, including our relations with the international community," Soesilo told the press after speaking before military officers on Wednesday.

The two ministers were reacting to mounting public pressures, from militant Muslim groups, for Indonesia to cut ties with the US in protest of its air strikes against the Taliban which the US accuses of harboring suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden, the main suspect in the September 11 attacks which killed over 6,000 civilians from over 60 countries.

Immediately after the US and Britain bombed Taliban military targets and terrorist training camps on Sunday evening, the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) urged the administration of President Megawati Soekarnoputri to cut relations with the US The call has received limited support from students and militant groups which have staged daily protests against the United States since Monday and issued a series of ultimatums.

Soesilo emphasized that the decision to keep good relations with the United States was taken after carefully considered deliberations among high-ranking government officials. "We must take into account the fundamental interests of the nation and our people," Soesilo emphasized.

Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization, also opposed calls for Indonesia to cut ties with the US, arguing that such a move would only hurt Indonesia and its standing in the international community. "We should not damage ourselves for the sake of solidarity ... solidarity with the Muslims in Afghanistan must not sacrifice our national interests," he said.

Hasyim said Indonesia is not ready to cut ties with the US as many national interests are linked to America. "Moral support to Afghanistan is okay, but if Indonesia has to cut ties with the US, it is too premature as we have many interests that are related to America," he said.

Former president Abdurrahman Wahid also expressed his abhorrence over the calls to cut ties with the US, but he criticized the government's stance which, according to him, did not air any criticism against the US "I think it [cutting ties] is too strong. It is enough for us to condemn unfair actions against Afghanistan, however it does seem that the government is afraid of the US," Abdurrahman was quoted by Antara as saying in Surabaya, East Java.

Abdurrahman said the US must be criticized if it commits unfair actions, violates international laws, or takes action that is not democratic. "If we are just silent, they may think that we agree with their actions," said Abdurrahman, who is also chairman of the patron council of the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Rizal Mallarangeng, an analyst associated with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said on Tuesday that cutting ties with the US is unrealistic for Indonesia as it is not in the national interest. "Cutting ties with the US is ridiculous and it is consistent with our national interest," he said.

Meanwhile, legislators from Commission I, which is in charge of foreign affairs, on Wednesday disagreed with the rising demands from groups in society to sever ties with the United States. Commission Chairman Ibrahim Ambong said the commission would monitor the foreign policy to be made by the government. "We have a plan in the works. We will not recommend the government to sever diplomatic ties. We are optimistic that there will be a solution to the Afghan crisis," he said. Deputy commission chairman Isaac Latuconsina concurred and said the demand to cut ties with the US was too extreme and not a representative view of the majority of Indonesians.

Economy & investment

IMF agrees to revised budget assumptions

Jakarta Post - October 11, 2001

Berni K. Moestafa, Jakarta -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to the revision of key assumptions in the 2002 state budget draft, to ease Indonesia's budget targets in the face of a global economic recession.

"They (the IMF) don't object to the changes in the 2002 budget assumptions," Minister of Finance Boediono said after a meeting with the House of Representatives' budget committee.

The government and legislators agreed on Tuesday to a set of changes regarding the key assumptions for next year's state budget. The revisions followed new waves of uncertainty amid fears of a prolonged global economic downturn.

Economic growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), was reduced to 4 percent from 5 percent, and the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar was lowered to 9,000 from 8,500. Inflation was raised to 9 percent from 8 percent, while the Bank Indonesia interest rate target was maintained at an average of 14 percent. The oil production target, a large contributor to state revenue, was raised by 20,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.32 million bpd. Crude oil prices were maintained at US$22 a barrel.

The IMF dispatched a high level mission to Jakarta last week to review this year's state budget performance and next year's state budget outlook. The team, which left the capital on Wednesday, said it saw no need to revise this year's budget revenue targets, including those covered under the current Letter of Intent (LoI).

The LoI contains a set of reform targets the government must meet to obtain the IMF's aid. Among the reform targets vital for the budget are the government's privatization and asset sales program.

The two revenue sources should help finance this year's budget deficit, which the government hopes to contain at 3.7 percent of GDP. Asset sales have been progressing slowly and there have been no proceeds from privatization thus far. The government has earmarked 6.5 trillion rupiah (about US$650 million) in revenue from its privatization program this year.

Boediono acknowledged that the IMF had questioned the slow progress made in asset sales and privatization. He said they advised the government to speed up efforts to achieve those targets.

To catch up on the deficit financing, he said that the government would ask for the disbursement of foreign loans that were still in the pipeline. "There are some [loans] still pending, those from the World Bank, ADB [the Asian Development Bank] and probably also from Japan. We will request that the disbursement of these loans be expedited," he said, without remembering their total value. The ADB is reportedly withholding a US$600 million loan tranche until the government has met the bank's preconditions.

Elsewhere, Citibank N.A. economist Anton Gunawan said the revised budget assumptions were still too optimistic. He said that the Bank Indonesia interest rate next year would likely go higher than the average 14 percent targeted. "There is too much pressure to raise interest rates," he said.

He said foreign debt payments, inflationary pressure from cuts in energy subsidies and a weak rupiah reeling from domestic woes could prevent interest rates from relaxing. "We predict an average rupiah rate of about 10,000. Inflation is likely to come in at double digit rates, but slightly better than this year," Anton added.

Jakarta wants $600 million ADB loan conditions eased

Reuters - October 8, 2001

Jakarta -- Indonesia has asked the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to ease conditions required for the release of an up to $600 million loan, an official said on Monday.

The ADB earlier this year asked Indonesia to give more incentives and relax barriers against foreign investors as part of requirements for the loan.

But Jakarta says it needs more time. "Right now the government is asking the ADB to change the conditions [for the disbursement] to something the government can achieve," Syafrudin Tumenggung, head of the powerful Financial Sector Policy Committee, (FSPC) told reporters.

The FSPC comes under the Finance Ministry and signs off on major debt restructuring deals. Conditions the government was required to meet included drawing up three new laws covering money laundering and foreign investment.

But Tumenggung said little progress had been made on the requirements, which would need parliamentary approval, and the cash-strapped government wanted the funds by December.

The loans will finance four projects: financial reforms, community development, electricity and industrial competitiveness and development of small and medium enterprises.

Mini-malls plan to beat big squeeze on Jakarta retail space

Straits Times - October 8, 2001

Robert Go, Jakarta -- Trader Dani Hermawan wants to open shop in Jakarta but cannot find space in a decent location. "Kiosks in malls are tough to get into,' he said. "I've waited three months but I know people who have waited more than half a year for one."

Consumer activity has been a boon for crisis-stricken Indonesia. Experts credit a consistent growth in the retail sector with helping to keep the economy afloat.

Ironically, property developers stopped building after their financing dried up during the crisis years which began in 1997. Now, Jakarta's 1.7 million square metres of retail space is almost fully occupied. "Traders have difficulty securing space. Most shopping centres are filled to the brim," said Colliers Jardine Indonesia research and consultancy manager Adhitya Wisesa.

Mr Jay Smith of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Property Group reported waiting lists comprising hundreds of would-be traders at existing and planned shopping centres.

Developers are beginning to respond to the cries for more space but most are limited by financing difficulties. "A lot of developers are starting to look at the possibility of developing new retail centres," said developer Harun Hajadi. "But it's not an easy task, given financing limits and higher construction costs." His company, Ciputra, was "seriously considering" building small malls located within its residential developments around Jakarta and throughout Java.

Other developers say they have similar plans for adopting a "build small" strategy. Instead of mega-malls, their focus is on more modest complexes filled with kiosks as small as 6 square metres designed to appeal to and be affordable for Indonesia's middle-class traders.

Each new shopping centre would also aim to attract traders who sell the same type of goods, following the recent successes of existing goods-specific complexes in Jakarta.

Rebuilding for a portion of the 200,000 square metres lost in Glodok Chinatown during the May, 1998 riots is based on these lines. Developers benefit from the reduced-risk aspect of the new strategy. Most offer the kiosks for sale before foundations are laid, allowing incoming traders to help finance the projects. As traders then own the shops they occupy, developers spend less money on maintenance.

Prices for the kiosks reach as high as US$4,000 (S$7,100) per square metre.

Retailers think it's a win-win arrangement -- the set-up benefits small businesses and stimulates competition. "The smaller kiosks are the way to go.

There are lots of new retailers who cannot afford big spaces and want to start small," said Mr Surya Kencana. He owns six electronics outlets around town.

Analysts predict Jakarta's retail space is set for a 10-per-cent growth as developers fire up the cranes and bulldozers that fell idle during the crisis.