Media release -A people betraye

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, Sydney, Australia 2088

Media release 1 May 2012

A people betrayed

Forty nine years ago today, the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) transferred administration of the Dutch colony of Netherlands New Guinea to Indonesia. From the moment Indonesia took over the administration from UNTEA, the oppression of the West Papuan people began and forty nine years later the oppression continues and so does the struggle of the West Papuan people for self-determination.

The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) plans to hold a number of peaceful rallies to protest the handover but the police have refused permission.    The Head of public relations for the Papuan Police said he expects that KNPB to respect the authorities. He also said if the KNPB staged a demo it would conduct surveillance on the demonstrators.

Joe Collins of AWPA said, we keep hearing how Indonesian is now a democracy yet 

in the past year the Indonesian security forces conducted numerous military operations throughout West Papua. In October 2011 there was the crackdown on the 3rd Papuan Peoples congress where security forces used excessive force when arresting up to 300 Papuans. Up to six people were reported killed and five of the organisers arrested and charged with treason. They received three years in prison for subversion.  Large numbers of rallies also took place with people calling for a true act of self-determination. 

If Indonesian was truly a democracy political prisoners such as Filep Karma and Forkorus Yaboisembet would not be in jail for simply being part of rallies where the Morning Star flag was raised. Indonesian should release all political prisoners immediately as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people and governments including the Australia one should be encouraging Jakarta to do so.

Ends

“An Agribusiness Attack in West Papua: Unravelling the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate” is now online at:

“An Agribusiness Attack in West Papua: Unravelling the Merauke
Integrated Food and Energy Estate” is now online at:
http://awasmifee.potager.org
(direct pdf download:
http://awasmifee.potager.org/uploads/2012/03/mifee_en.pdf )

The Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) is a vast
mega-project, a plan for over a million hectares of plantations and
industrialised agriculture that threatens the people and environment
across the southern part of West Papua. Indonesian and foreign companies
have each claimed their share of the land, and offer the local Malind
people next-to-nothing in exchange for the forest that has sustained
them for countless generations.

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Amnesty International-Indonesia must end impunity for police violence

25 April 2012

Indonesia must end impunity for police violence

Police in Indonesia shoot, beat and even kill people without fear of prosecution, leaving their victims with little hope of justice, Amnesty International reveals in a new briefing. 

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/indonesia-must-end-impunity-police-violence-2012-04-25

Report at 

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA21/010/2012/en/4e9322f8-5dd3-4e81-9f6b-3be702934d5e/asa210102012en.pdf

AWPA letter re Filep Karma

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, Sydney, Australia 2088

Drs. Untung Sugiyono

Director General of Prisons



Ministry of Justice and Human Rights

Jl. Veteran No. 11
, Jakarta Pusat


Indonesia

22 April 2012

Dear Untung Sugiyono

I am writing to you on behalf of the Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) concerning the health of Filep Karma who is serving a 15-year sentence at the Abepura prison because he was part of a peaceful demostration where the  Bintang Kejora was raised.   

Doctors at the Dok Dua hospital in Jayapura conducted a medical examination last month and suspect a tumour of the colon. They have confirmed that he requires a colonoscopy and follow-up treatment. However as the necessary equipment is not available in Papua they have referred him to the Cikini hospital in Jakarta. Although the Abepura prison authorities have given permission for Filep Karma to travel to Jakarta, they have refused to cover the cost of his medical treatment and travel. By law, all medical costs for treatment of a prisoner at a hospital must be borne by the state (Regulation No. 32/1999 on Terms and Procedures on the Implementation of Prisoners’ Rights in Prisons).

Filep Karma has suffered a number of medical problems in detention, including bronchopneumonia, excess fluid in the lungs and a urinary tract infection. Filep Karma is also undergoing physiotherapy for an injury to his hip bone from a fall he suffered in detention in 2006.

I urge you to see that Filep Karma receives any medical treatment he may require and that the cost of such treatment be covered by the authorities in accordance with the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment (Principle 24) and Indonesian regulations.

I also urge you to ensure that prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners meet the standards provided for in Indonesian law as well as UN Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners. 

Filep Karma is a prisoner of conscience and we urge that he be  immediately and unconditionally released.

Yours sincerely

Joe Collins

Secretary

AWPA (Sydney)

CC.

Primo Alui Joelianto Ambassador, Indonesian Embassy Canberra

Liberty Sitinjak,  Head of Abepura Prison 


Daniel Biantong  Head of Papuan Provincial Department of Justice and Human Rights

URGENT ACTION PRISONER'S MEDICAL TREATMENT PREVENTED

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA21/017/2012/en
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA21/017/2012/en/c4513a35-ac69-48fe-87da-62f66ecd2434/asa210172012en.pdf
UA: 109/12 Index: ASA 21/017/2012 Indonesia Date: 19 April 2012


URGENT ACTION
PRISONER'S MEDICAL TREATMENT PREVENTED


Indonesian prisoner of conscience Filep Karma is in urgent need of medical treatment. He needs to travel to receive this treatment, but the prison authorities have refused to pay for his transport and medical costs.
Filep Karma is serving a 15-year sentence at the Abepura prison in Papua province for raising a banned regional flag. Doctors at the Dok Dua hospital in nearby Jayapura conducted a medical examination last month and suspect a tumour of the colon. They have confirmed that he requires a colonoscopy and follow-up treatment. However the necessary equipment is not available in Papua province and they have referred him to the Cikini hospital in the capital, Jakarta. The Abepura prison authorities have given permission for Filep Karma to travel to Jakarta, but they have refused to cover the cost of his medical treatment and travel. By law, all medical costs for treatment of a prisoner at a hospital must be borne by the state (Regulation No. 32/1999 on Terms and Procedures on the Implementation of Prisoners’ Rights in Prisons).
Filep Karma has suffered a number of medical problems in detention, including bronchopneumonia, excess fluid in the lungs and a urinary tract infection. In July 2010 he was sent to a hospital in Jakarta for prostate surgery and other care. In November 2011 he was transferred to the Dok Dua hospital in Papua for an operation after he experienced bleeding haemorrhoids, chronic diarrhoea and blood in his stool. He has continued to pass blood in his stool since the operation. Filep Karma is also undergoing physiotherapy for an injury to his hip bone from a fall he suffered in detention in 2006.


Please write immediately in English, Indonesian or your own language:
ν Urging the authorities to ensure that Filep Karma receives full and immediate access to any medical treatment he may require;ν Urging them to cover the cost of such treatment in accordance with the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment (Principle 24) and Indonesian regulations;
ν Calling on them to release Filep Karma, and all others prisoners of conscience in Indonesia, immediately and unconditionally;ν Urging them to ensure that prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners meet standards provided for in Indonesian law as well as UN Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 31 MAY 2012 TO:

Head of Abepura Prison
Liberty Sitinjak
Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (Lapas) Abepura
Jl. Kesehatan 11, Jayapura
Papua 99351, Indonesia
Fax: +62 984 24721Salutation: Dear Liberty Sitinjak

Head of Papuan Provincial Department of Justice and Human Rights
Daniel Biantong
Jl. Raya Abepura No. 37,
Kotaraja - Jayapura 99117,
Papua, Indonesia
Fax: +62 967 586112Salutation: Dear Daniel Biantong

And copies to:
Director General of Prisons
Drs. Untung Sugiyono
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights Jl. Veteran No. 11
Jakarta Pusat
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 3483 2101

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

URGENT ACTION
PRISONER'S MEDICAL TREATMENT PREVENTED
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Filep Karma was arrested on 1 December 2004 after taking part in a peaceful ceremony in Abepura, Papua province. He was among approximately 200 people who took part in the ceremony during which the banned “Morning Star” flag, a symbol of Papuan independence, was raised. He was charged with “rebellion” (makar) under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on 26 May 2005. His sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court on 27 October 2005. Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience.
In November 2011 the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) declared Filep Karma’s detention to be arbitrary on the grounds that he was imprisoned for the exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly – Opinion No. 48/2011 (Indonesia). These rights are guaranteed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a state party, and in the Indonesian Constitution. The WGAD also found Filep Karma’s detention to be arbitrary because he had been subjected to an unfair trial. Article 14 of the ICCPR guarantees the right to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law.


The Indonesian authorities have an obligation under national law and standards to provide medical treatment to all prisoners in the country. Article 17 of the Indonesian Government Regulation No. 32/1999 on Terms and Procedures on the Implementation of Prisoners’ Rights in Prison requires the prison authorities to provide adequate access to medical treatment. International standards also provide for medical treatment for prisoners. The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners provides that prisoners needing treatment not available in the prison hospital, clinic or infirmary should be transferred to an appropriate institution outside the prison for assessment and treatment. Principle 24 of the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment requires that prison authorities cover the costs of such treatment.
In view of the potentially serious nature of Filep Karma's medical problem, Amnesty International believes the authorities' refusal to arrange prompt and appropriate examination and medical care for him could amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Name: Filep Karma Gender m/f: m
UA: 109/12 Index: ASA 21/017/2012 Issue Date: 19 April 2012 

AWPA letter to Rt Hon David Cameron, MP.

Rt Hon David Cameron, MP.

Prime Minister,

10 Downing Street

London SW1

16 April 2012

Dear Mr Cameron,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) in Sydney concerning your visit to Indonesia. AWPA is particularly concerned that your Government will allow the sale of military equipment to Indonesia. Although it is true that Indonesia has made great progress towards democracy in recent years this has not translated to democracy in West Papua[1]. 

In the past year the human rights situation in West Papua continued to deteriorate with the Indonesian security forces conducting numerous military operations throughout West Papua in 2011.  In January 2011, three soldiers were put on trial for the torture of two West Papuan men that was captured on video and circulated on the Internet in October 2010. The video footage caused outrage around the world. The soldiers received light sentences of between 8 and 10 months and were not even charged with torture but with disobeying orders. The message West Papuans take from this is they will receive no justice under Indonesian rule. A number of articles in the Sydney Morning Herald in August 2011 reported on leaked Kopassus documents which showed lists of West Papuans who are supposed to be supporting separatism when in reality they are members of civil society organisations concerned about the human rights situation and the welfare of the people of West Papua. The documents show that the level of spying by the Indonesian military on West Papuans is oppressive, with agents spying at every level of West Papuan society. There is an obvious systematic campaign to intimidate both human rights defenders and the West Papuan peoples a whole . A large number of rallies also took place throughout the year with demonstrators calling for their right to self-determination, for a referendum and rejecting the special autonomy package.

In October 2011 there was a crackdown on the 3rd Papuan Peoples congress where security forces used excessive force when arresting up to 300 Papuans. Up to six people were reported killed and five of the organisers arrested and charged with treason. They received three years in prison for subversion.  At no time did these men commit violence and they have been jailed solely for peacefully expressing their political views as is their right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As opposed to the three year sentence given to the five activists, no action was taken against the security force personal who were involved in the brutal crackdown and they received only written warnings. 

Amnesty International in its annual report 2011 on Indonesia states  

The security forces tortured and otherwise ill-treated detainees, and used excessive force against protesters, sometimes leading to death. No adequate accountability mechanisms were in place to ensure justice or act as an effective deterrent against police abuses. The criminal justice system remained unable to address ongoing impunity for current and past human rights violations. Restrictions on freedom of expression were severe in areas such as Papua and Maluku.

In May 2012 it will be forty nine years since Indonesia took over administration of West Papua from UNTEA in 1963 and the West Papuan people still continue their struggle for justice and self-determination. The large number of peaceful rallies by thousands of West Papuans calling for a referendum indicate just how unhappy West Papuans are with Jakarta's rule over their lives. Jakarta and the international community should be asking the question, why?

We urge you to rethink the sale of military equipment to Indonesia as we believe any equipment sold to Indonesia could be used against the West Papuan people.

Yours sincerely

Joe Collins

Secretary

AWPA (Sydney) 

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[1] AWPA (Sydney) uses the name “West Papua” to refer to the whole of the western half of the Island of New Guinea. However, “West Papua” at this time is divided into two provinces, Papua and West Papua.

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Reply to AWPA letter from DFAT

Australian Government

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Dear Mr Collins

Thank you for your letter of 17 March 2012 about the five Papuan men who were found guilty of subversion in Jayapura on 16 March 2012 and sentenced to three years imprisonment . I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

While we do not support the political objective of those convicted, Australia has a consistent and universal position of upholding the right of persons to peacefully express their political views. Australian Embassy officials in Jakarta have raised our concerns with the Indonesian Government over the convictions . As you may be aware , we regularly bring up the issue of human rights in the Papuan provinces at senior levels with the Indonesian Government. Most recently , Papua and human rights were discussed at the meeeting between Senator Carr and Indonesian Foreign Minister Natalegawa on 15 March in Canberra. Australia will continue to urge Indonesian to respect the human rights of all its citizens.

As you would be aware , Australia is committed to the territorial integrity of Indonesia, including its sovereignty over the Papuan provinces. Australia believes the best means of achieving a safe and prosperous future for the Papuan provinces is through reinvigorating the process of Special Autonomy. Australia provides substantial development aid to the Papuan provinces, $16.4 million in 2010-11, while our efforts are aimed at improving governance and living standards.

Thank you for bringing your views to the attention of the Minister.

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TAPOL letter to David Cameron

13 April, 2012

Rt Hon David Cameron, MP.

Prime Minister,

10 Downing Street

London SW1

Dear Mr Cameron,

TAPOL has been closely following your visit to Indonesia this week. We note that you praised Indonesia as a ‘Democracy (which) offers hope to the Muslim World’. You were also quoted as saying that you had decided ‘to relax controls of arms exports to Indonesia … as a sign of Indonesia’s democratic maturity’. Your delegation to Indonesia included representatives from several British arms manufacturers.

I would remind you that two years ago in an article on West Papua in The Daily Telegraph you were quoted as describing ‘the plight of the tribespeople as a terrible situation’. This is a valid description of what has been happening in the past few years.  Bearing that in mind, we would reasonably have expected you to use the occasion of your visit to Indonesia to express concern about the situation in West Papua.

The sufferings of the Papuan people are to a great extent due to operations by the Indonesian military, TNI, which has been conducting ‘sweep operations’, including several now underway in the Central Highlands of West Papua. Whole communities have been attacked and homes destroyed, along with churches, traditional meeting centres and public buildings. Such assaults, purportedly aimed at eliminating the poorly-armed Papuan resistance, have forced villages to flee their homes in search of security in nearby forests where they are cut off from their livelihoods and face the possibility of starvation and disease.

Allow me to draw your attention to certain other recent incidents and developments. According to data collected by TAPOL, since 2008 at least 80 Papuans have been arrested and charged with  ‘treason’ or related offences simply for peaceful actions such as raising the Papuan  Morning Star Flag. They have been imprisoned for terms ranging from 10 months to six years.  Under Article 106 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code, anyone found guilty of treason can face a sentence of up to 20 years or life. Among those now incarcerated is Filep Karma, a civil servant, who was arrested in December 2004, convicted of treason and sentenced to fifteen years in jail.

In October 2011, the Third Papuan People’s Congress was held in Jayapura, attended by hundreds of people. The Congress proceeded peacefully for three days. However, as the participants were dispersing after the final session on 19 October, police and army troops rounded up hundreds of the participants. Without provocation, the troops opened fire and killed three people. The fact that no-one has been held accountable for the killings is indicative of the impunity enjoyed by security forces personnel.  By contrast, five Papuan leaders who were taken into custody following the Congress were put on trial, found guilty of treason and last month sentenced to three years in prison. This exemplifies the severe restrictions on the right to free expression experienced by the Papuan people.

We call upon you to acknowledge that such acts of repression and human rights violations against unarmed civilians should never occur in a democratic country.

We further call upon you to take account of all of these facts and urge you not to  allow the sale of military equipment to Indonesia to proceed.

We hope that your government will use its close relationship with the Indonesian government to urge it to end to the practice of charging peaceful Papuan demonstrators with treason and press the Indonesian Government to release all those now serving sentences for peaceful political activities.

Yours sincerely

Carmel Budiardjo

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letter to Prime Minister John Key from Indonesia Human Rights Committee

 

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Indonesia Human Rights Committee,

Box 68-419,

Auckland.

 

 

13 April, 2012

Media Release:  Prime Minister John Key urged to raise human rights issues in West Papua during his forthcoming visit to Indonesia.

 

Prime Minister John Key must not overlook the ongoing suffering, killings and gross restrictions of fundamental freedoms in West Papua when he talks to Indonesian Government leaders.  IHRC has faxed  him a letter on the eve of his departure to highlight recent gross injustices – including military sweepings and the arrest on trumped up ‘treason’ charges of respected Papuan leaders.  Letter follows

 

For further information Maire Leadbeater 09-815-9000 or 0274 436 957

 

13 April, 2012

 

Rt Hon John Key,

Prime Minister,

Parliament Buildings,

Wellington.

 

Fax 04 499 0704

 

Dear John Key,

 

We understand that you are about to visit Indonesia, and this morning’s media report suggests that you will seek to encourage a ‘warmer’ relationship.

Your visit follows that of  the British Prime Minister David Cameron, who chose the occasion of his visit to announce the relaxation of arms exports to Indonesia as a recognition of  Indonesia’s ‘democratic progress’.  This move has been condemned by human rights groups as  a threat to the interests of the people of West Papua, who have been on the receiving end of Indonesian military violence for decades.

New Zealand has a special responsibility not to forget our Melanesian neighbours in West Papua.  We must not overlook ongoing human rights issues, in the rush to acknowledge the positive changes that have taken place in Indonesia post Suharto.

Indonesia maintains a hugely disproportionate military presence in West Papua – including crack Special Forces (Kopassus) troops - and restricts outside access, but these days with video and digital technology the reports of abuses cannot be easily suppressed.   The Indonesian military  has recently conducted   ‘sweep operations’, in the Central Highlands of West Papua.   These attacks destroy  homes, churches, and  traditional meeting places, while forcing villagers to flee into nearby forests for  security, at the risk of  starvation and disease.

According to the data collected by British human rights group, TAPOL, since 2008 at least 80 Papuans have been arrested and charged with  ‘treason’ or related offences simply for peaceful actions such as raising the Papuan  Morning Star Flag. They have been imprisoned for terms ranging from 10 months to six years.  For example,  Filep Karma, a civil servant,  and Amnesty International ‘prisoner of conscience’  was arrested in December 2004, convicted of treason and sentenced to fifteen years in jail.

 

 

 

 

We have been writing to you and to Foreign Minister Mc Cully to urge you to speak out about the events in October 2011, when the Third Papuan People’s Congress was held in Jayapura, attended by hundreds of people from across the country. This peaceful Congress was violently dispersed by police and army troops who opened fire without any provocation and killed at least three people.

 

Since then some 17 police personnel have received ‘administrative sanctions’ but no one was held accountable for the deaths,  or for the unprovoked violence which caused injuries to at least 90 people or for the arbitrary arrest of some 300 people.

 

The Indonesian  military continue to enjoy impunity,  while the five Papuan leaders (Selfius Bobii, Agus Kraar, Dominikus Sorabut, Edison Waromi, and Forkorus Yoboisembut) , who were taken into custody following the Congress were put on trial, found guilty of treason and last month sentenced to three years in prison.

 

We believe that the decision to convict and imprison these men for their involvement in an entirely peaceful event decision flies in the face of Indonesia’s professed commitment to international human rights norms.  Declaring a wish or commitment to freedom and independence is not ‘treason’.

 

Indonesia is a signatory to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and Indonesia’s constitution also protects these rights.

 

We understand that  New Zealand diplomatic representatives  have monitored events in West Papua and  followed  (but did not observe) the conduct of this trial.  So you will be aware of the many criticisms of the trial process, and the heavy presence maintained by  armed members of the security forces during the trial sessions. We urge you to raise these issues during your meetings with Indonesian Government representatives.

 

New Zealand must use its close relationship with the Indonesian Government to urge it to release all prisoners currently serving sentences for peaceful political activities and exercising their freedom of expression .  New Zealand should also urge open access to West Papua for journalists and humanitarian workers.

 

West Papuan leaders are calling for the opportunity to take part in a peaceful dialogue with representatives of the Jakarta government as a first step towards addressing the territory’s deep problems and ongoing suffering.  We urge you to support this constructive proposal.  

Yours sincerely,

Maire Leadbeater

(for the Indonesia Human Rights Committee)

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4 media reports on attack on aircraft in West Papua

NOTE. The danger of the latest shooting incident is it will result in yet another security operation in the Puncak Jaya region. Many of the military operations in the past have been in  in response to such a shooting incident. None of the media reports below accuse the OPM of the attack , refering to the attackers as gunmen or armed gang.  However, many reports have documented that the security forces create incidents to show that they are needed to counter so called separatism.  The impact of these military operations are creating a traumatized population living in fear. 

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1) After plane attack, SBY tightens security in Papua

2) Police chief condemns deadly shooting in Papua

3) Authorities investigating whether airplane shot by criminals or separatists

4) Airplane shooters intend to halt development in Papua

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/09/after-plane-attack-sby-tightens-security-papua.html

1) After plane attack, SBY tightens security in Papua

Bagus BT Saragih, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 04/09/2012 5:02 PM

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered security forces to intensify and heighten security measures in Papua following the attack on a commercial aircraft by an armed gang at an airport in the country’s easternmost province.

“The Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister [Djoko Suyanto] has reported the incident to the President who was shocked by the report. The attack proved the situation in the region was still unsafe and thus requires a special approach by security authorities,” Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha told reporters at the Presidential Office on Monday.

A Twin Otter plane operated by privately run Trigana Air was attacked on Sunday morning shortly after it touched down at Mulia Airport in the Puncak Jaya regency, killing a journalist and injuring several other people onboard including the pilot and first officer.

The pilot lost control and the plane hit a warehouse.

“We are dealing with armed groups so the security measures must be ‘special’,” Julian said. “Attacks on commercial aircraft are a serious threat,” he added.

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/09/police-chief-condemns-deadly-shooting-papua.html

2) Police chief condemns deadly shooting in Papua

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 04/09/2012 4:22 PM

A | A | A |

National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo condemned Sunday’s deadly shooting attack on a commercial plane in Puncak Jaya, Papua, and said an investigation of the case was still ongoing.

“Our personnel in Papua, in cooperation with the military are investigating the case. The investigation is led by the Puncak Jaya police chief,” Timur said on Monday on the sidelines of the Air Force anniversary at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

A Trigana Air plane, registration number of PK-YRF, and with five people on board came under fire when touching down at Mulia Airport, Puncak Jaya, on Sunday morning.

The shooting claimed the life of a passenger identified as Leiron Kogoya, 35, a journalist with the Papua Post of Nabire and injured the four others including the pilot and co-pilot.

Timur said he was still waiting for the investigation’s result and in the meantime he was committed to improving security in the area.

“We have deployed our personnel in some spots in Puncak Jaya especially in the Southern part of Freeport,” he said.

Leiron, who was covering the Puncak Jaya election, was the third fatality in a string of mysterious shooting incidents in the regency this year.

Kismarovit was shot dead on Jan. 20 and Sukarno, a member of the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) police unit, was ambushed on Jan. 28.

The shootings have haunted the regency since 2010, but the authorities have yet to catch any perpetrators. (iwa)

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3) Authorities investigating whether airplane shot by criminals or separatists

Mon, April 9 2012 17:21 | 194 Views

akarta  (ANTARA News) - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro has said security authorities are continuing to investigate whether gunmen involved in the Sunday airplane shooting in Papua were separatists or criminals.

"We must investigate the shooting incident at Mulia airport in Puncak Jaya (Papua Province). If the perpetrators are separatists, TNI (Indonesian Defense Forces) will deal with them, but if they are criminals, then police will handle them. We are still waiting for the report (from security authorities in Papua) on who committed (the shooting)," Purnomo said at Halim Perdana Kusuma airforce base, here Monday.

The minister noted that TNI has not deployed additional personnel to Papua, but is relying on the existing four battalions of TNI personnel in the Papua border area.

"For the troops from outside, they are only deployed in the border area. We have four battalions in the border area," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Indonesian Air Force, Marshall Imam Sufaat, said he is still waiting for instructions from his superiors to help deal with the airplane shooting in Papua.

"We do have personnel in Biak, Jayapura, Merauke, and Timika. In Biak, Merauke and Timika, we have radar that must be guarded. We can mobilize the personnel any time," he said.

Several people were wounded and one died when a Twin Otter airplane, flight code PK-YRF, was shot at as it was landing at Mulia airport, Puncak Jaya District, Papua Province, Sunday.

Its pilot, Bebi Astekyang, was hit in the leg, while Latoge Kogoya, a reporter of Papua Pos of Nabire, was struck in the neck and died.

Co-pilot Willy was also hit by a bullet fragment in one of his fingers and was unable to control the flight, causing the plane to crash into a building at the airport. The shootings by the armed group left holes in the airplane.
(Uu.F001/INE /KR-BSR/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH

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4) Airplane shooters intend to halt development in Papua

Mon, April 9 2012 17:06 | 249 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto said the Sunday shooting of an airplane by a gang in Papua is an act of terror seeking to stop development in Papua.

"Such a crime must be stopped," Minister Djoko said at Halim Perdanakusuma airbase here on Monday.

The Twin Otter plane belongs to Trigana Air, which has been serving flight routes to remote areas in Papua.

"So far, the (Trigana Air`s) planes have never been disturbed. Trigana has been operating in Papua since I was posted there in the 1990s, and there has never been any disturbance. The planes are used to distribute logistics, such as food and fuel," Djoko said.

The armed group`s members must be investigated and arrested, he added, saying that such a crime must never happen again.

"I don`t care whether the perpetrators are members of OPM (separatist Free Papua Movement) or an armed group. For sure, they have committed a crime against the civilians in Papua and could hamper development in Papua," Djoko said.

The Twin Otter plane, flight code PK-YRF, was shot at as it was landing at Mulia airport, Puncak Jaya, Papua Province, on Sunday. Four people were injured and one killed in the shooting.

Also, the airplane`s pilot, Bebi Astekyang, was hit in the leg, while Latoge Kogoya, a reporter of Papua Pos of Nabire, was struck in the neck and died.

Co-pilot Willy was also hit by a bullet fragment in one of his fingers and was unable to control the flight, causing the plane to crash into a building at the airport.

A woman, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was also hit in the hand. The shootings by the armed group left holes in the airplane.

"We are still investigating the case. We suspect an armed gang is behind this incident," National Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar said in Jakarta on Sunday. ***1***

S037

(f001/ INE/O001)



(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/O001) 09-04-2012 15:04:03

Editor: Priyambodo RH

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5) Polri deploys police officers in Puncak Jaya after airplane shooting

Mon, April 9 2012 16:59 | 129 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The National Police (Polri) has deployed officers in Puncak Jaya, particularly in southern PT Freeport area, Papua Province, to apprehend members of an armed group that shot at a Twin Otter airplane on Sunday, killing one passenger.

"All police officers in Papua, with the support of TNI (Indonesian Defense Forces), have taken investigative measures led by Puncak Jaya Police Chief Alek Korwa," Polri Chief General Timur Pradopo said on the sidelines of the commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) here, Monday.

The general did not mention the exact number of officers being deployed in Puncak Jaya. He said, however, that more officers were being sent to remote areas.

Meanwhile, Puncak Jaya Police chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Alek Korwa said in Papua on Sunday that police and military personnel were hunting the unidentified gunmen who shot at a Twin Otter airplane at Mulia airport, Puncak Jaya district, Papua on Sunday morning.

"Security officers are chasing the armed gang members. But we have a problem because they are hiding in a mountainous area near the airport," Alek Korwa said.

Security officers from Papua Police Mobile Brigade and from TNI are hunting the armed gang members, he said.

He noted that security officers and gunmen repeatedly exchanged fire during the chase.

Also, it was reported earlier that five passengers were hit by bullets in the shooting of the Trigana Airlines aircraft in Mulia, capital of Puncak Jaya district.

The Twin Otter plane, with a flight code of PK-YRF, was shot at as it was landing at Mulia airport.

Its pilot, Bebi Astekyang, was hit in the leg, while Latoge Kogoya, a reporter of Papua Pos of Nabire, was hit in the neck and died.

Co-pilot Willy was also hit by a bullet fragment in one of his fingers and was unable to control the flight, causing the plane to crash into a building at the airport.

A woman, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was also hit in the hand. The shootings by the armed group left holes in the airplane.

"We are still investigating the case. We suspect an armed gang is behind this incident," National Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar said in Jakarta on Sunday..
(T.S037/Uu.F001/ INE /KR-BSR/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH

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