3) Contention between representatives of
West Papua and Indonesia at the 19th MSG Summit
4) PNG deputy PM
Dion backs Indonesia, Kanaks
5) FSII condemns
Solomon Islands PM’s declaration on West Papua
6) Corruption Hurts Nation’s Poorest
7) Indonesian Air Force holds static show in Biak
8) Freeport to resume open-pit operation
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Posted at 05:47 on 24 June, 2013 UTC
Issues of decolonisation and self-determination took centre stage at the just-completed 19th Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders Summit in New Caledonia.
For the summit’s hosts and incoming chair of the MSG, New Caledonia’s FLNKS movement, the gathering was a strong endorsement of their preparation for possible independence from France.
However for the West Papuans of Indonesia, their bid to join the MSG and further their own struggle for self-determination, the summit was not all that they had hoped for.
Johnny Blades reports from Noumea:
The theme of Melanesian solidarity is central to all MSG summits. Much is made of how the group was set up to break the shackles of colonialism and support freedom for all Melanesian people. But beneath the celebrations, disquiet lurks over the long-running struggle for self-determination of the West Papuans of Indonesia’s heavily militarised eastern region. A formal bid for MSG membership by the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, whose leadership has lived in exile for many years, was the most anticipated discussion item at this summit. Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Moana Carcasses told the plenary session that the MSG must support the cause because continued denial of self-determination for West Papuans is unacceptable.
“MOANA CARCASSES: We are aware of the human rights violation and atrocities being committed against West Papuans in their motherland. And so, therefore, I’m calling for an end to the abuse of human rights. We move that any continuation or abuse of human rights should be immediately brought to the attention of the international communities. Never let our desire for freedom be extinguished by the power of money.”
Among the five members of the MSG, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and the FLNKS were in support of the West Papuan membership bid. But Papua New Guinea and Fiji - two countries who have in recent months forged closer ties with Indonesia - were uncomfortable with it. Earlier, the issue was debated at length by senior officials, with the leaders ultimately declaring that a decision on the West Papua application would be deferred until after a MSG mission had visited Indonesia to discuss West Papua more closely with Jakarta some time this year. PNG’s deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion - at the summit on behalf of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill who had opted to make a state visit to Jakarta with a huge business delegation instead - made clear that his country fully supports Indonesia’s territorial control of West Papua.
“LEO DION: I think the main thing that this conference has made is to the MSG members to be invited by the Indonesian government to go and dialogue with them. And I think that’s our greatest step forward.”
The secretary-general of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation was disappointed that the membership application had been deferred. But Rex Rumakiek is encouraged that there seems to be some movement on the issue.
“REX RUMAKIEK: Finally, our issue has been taken up by the Melanesian Spearhead Group, ’cause we have been trying for a long time. The very interesting thing here is that since they are now recognising, visually recognising the issue, and, collectively, they want to do something about. That’s the most important thing.”
However he is weary of delay tactics by opponents of West Papuan self-determination and says the mission to Indonesia could be open to manipulation.
“REX RUMAKIEK: It’s better to make it an decision now than wasting their time to go over there. ’Cause you won’t see anything new. Most likely, they’ll make sure that your mission fails to get whatever you want to see.”
But the incoming chairman of the MSG - the FLNKS’s Victor Tutugoro - insists the ministerial mission to Indonesia will proceed with eyes wide open.
“VICTOR TUTUGORO (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Yeah, we know what’s happening there. We see the actualities. We are conscious that maybe through this visit they will show us something else. We will see regarding our own decision, for the FLNKS.”
“JOHNNY BLADES: Wouldn’t giving them membership now be the most help to them?”
“VICTOR TUTUGORO (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We cannot break the MSG cohesion. This issue can break the cohesion of the MSG.”
Meanwhile, MSG Leaders declared commitment and direct assistance to the FLNKS’ independence cause. For the veteran FLNKS leader and former MSG chair, Roch Wamytan, assuming the chairmanship now is very important for New Caledonia’s Kanaks as they enter the final phase of the Noumea Accord which provides for a possible referendum on independence between next year and 2018.
“ROCH WAMYTAN: We are in the process, in the process of the Noumea Accord’s emancipation and decolonisation process. And I think it’s very important, as well, to be supported by the MSG for us to achieve our independence in the few years coming.”
There are few stauncher supporters of decolonisation in the Pacific than French Polynesia’s Oscar Temaru. A special guest at the MSG summit, Mr Temaru recently lost the Presidency of French Polynesia to the pro-France veteran leader Gaston Flosse, but the same week he succeeded in getting French Polynesia re-inscribed on the UN Decolonisation list.
“OSCAR TEMARU: We lost that battle, but I think we won the war - the goal of our fight for 35 years. We got our country back on the list, and I can see a new blood, a new force, in our struggle for the sovereignty of our country in the future.”
MSG countries were instrumental in lobbying support for French Polynesia’s reinscription. But the issue of West Papua remains a sensitive one in the MSG. Fiji’s Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, was centrally involved in Indonesia gaining observer status in the MSG two years ago and now with securing an invitation for the MSG to visit:
“RATU INOKE KUBUABOLA: Yeah. We need to recognise the fact that our administrative power is Indonesia. And we need to work with Indonesia, with Jakarta.”
But many in the MSG framework, such as Roch Wamytan, don’t agree with the Leaders’ direction on this issue.
“ROCH WAMYTAN: The opportunity to obtain a status of full member, it will be a good thing for West Papua. But we know Papua New Guinea and Fiji, they are not really on this process.”
For the West Papuan activist Paula Makabory, MSG leaders have West Papuan lives in their hands:
“PAULA MAKABORY: If the Melanesian leaders decided something just to appease Indonesian governments because of the relationships, in this state they are choosing to kill their own brothers and sisters in West Papua under Indonesian occupation. So they will create more human rights violence in West Papua. We have been facing the questions of genocide in West Papua.”
The MSG has grown in cohesion in recent years, becoming the Pacific islands region’s most powerful political and economic bloc. However that cohesion may face its biggest test from the creeping divisions over the West Papua issue.
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Posted at 05:47 on 24 June, 2013 UTC
Indonesia’s Ambassador to Colombia says West Papuans are playing a central role in the development of their region.
Michael Menufandu, who is a West Papuan, was part of the Indonesian delegation to last week’s Melanesian Spearhead Group summit in Noumea.
He and others from Jakarta oppose the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation’s application to join the MSG.
Mr Menufandu says the coalition has been exiled from Papua for too long to know what is happening there.
He says West Papuan hopes for independence are not realistic.
“Papua is a part of Indonesia and you know, all the leaders - provincial leaders and local leaders - 98 percent of them are indigenous people of Papua. They have the right to hold positions. There are ministers. ambassadors, commanders from Papua.”
Michael Menufandu says reports about human rights abuses in Papua are exaggerated.
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3) Contention between representatives of West Papua and Indonesia at the 19th MSG Summit
by Selpius Bobii
The General Chairperson: Front PEPERA West Papua
(A Papuan Freedom Political Prisoner in the Abepura Prison, Jayapura, West Papua.)18 June 2013“I Baltazar Kambuanya on behalf of both myself and my family most sincerely apologise to the wider Papuan A3 family (of Aitinyo, Ayamaru and Aifat tribes)in the Jayapura area for my involvement in the Indonesian delegation to block West Papua becoming a member of the MSG” stated the former Rector of the Cenderawasih University in Uncen who is presently the Indonesian Minister for the Living Environment......................................
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http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/new-caledonia/1587/png-deputy-pm-dion-backs-indonesia-kanaks/
4) PNG deputy PM Dion backs Indonesia, Kanaks
NOUMEA, New Caledonia ---Papua New Guinea recognises West Papua as an integral part of Indonesia, Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion says.
But Dion supported the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), a militant socialist pro-independence alliance of political parties in New Caledonia fighting for independence from France, Speaking at the Melanesian Solidarity Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit in Noumea, New Caledonia, last Friday, Dion reiterated what Prime Minister Peter O’Neill had said in Indonesia earlier last week.
MSG leaders noted that a roadmap in relation to the application by West Papua National Council for Liberation (WPNCL) for membership should be based on clear and achievable timelines.
They acknowledged that the human rights violations needed to be highlighted and noted that to progress the WPNCL’s application, it was important to continually engage with Indonesia.
They agreed to establish a process of dialogue and consultation with Indonesia.
They noted and welcomed the invitation from Indonesia to invite a foreign ministers’ mission to be led by Fiji and that confirmation on the timing of the mission was being awaited.
The outcomes of the WPNCL’s application would be subject to the report of the FMM mission.
“There are issues for discussions will constitute part of the meeting agendas that have implications on sovereignty and therefore, with the indulgence of my colleague prime ministers, it is important that we tread the issues with wisdom to arrive at a gainful conclusion,” Dion said.
“In that regard, on the issue of new membership, PNG maintains its position by recognising West Papua as an integral part of Indonesia under the Treaty of Mutual Respect, Friendship and Cooperation signed between Indonesia and PNG.”
Dion said the MSG had achieved much over the past 25 years since its inception in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.
He commended the eminent persons group (EPG) for putting together the MSG Vision that would guide it for another 25 years.
“I believe many important issues have been captured in the report of the EPG reflecting the wishes and desires of the people of Melanesia,” he said.
“The MSG Vision is a key master strategy that will pave the way forward in terms of guiding MSG on to achieving the key principles of why MSG was established 25 years ago in Papua New Guinea.
“The vision must be achievable, relevant and applicable to MSG countries to implement.”
Dion congratulated the FLNKS in taking up the role of the chair of MSG this year and for the next two years.
“The FLNKS is at the juncture of a very significant milestone of the Noumea Accord – that is the path leading up to the referendum of the people of New Caledonia scheduled for 2014,” he said.
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5) FSII condemns Solomon Islands PM’s declaration on West Papua
HONIARA, Solomon Islands ----Forum Solomon Islands international – FSII has expressed disappointment over the declaration by Prime Minister (PM) Gordon Darcy Lilo over on the West Papua issue during the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting last week.
In a statement Redley Raramo president of forum Solomon Islands international - FSII said the PM should be blasted for compromising the lives of our Melanesian brothers in West Papua in his declaration in the MSG meeting to undermine the West Papua agenda.
“It is inhuman to neglect humanity for the sake of a mere political structure. His statement in the media is totally irresponsible that ‘whilst he realized the atrocities against West Papua indigenous people, he continue to uphold and support the evil regime in Jakarta.
“The decision is absurd in the sense that human lives are not worth than the political structure and legitimacy.”
The statement said the political decision is a curse for Solomon Islands and this portrays the continuous arrogance of a so called people oriented government and leadership.
“Politics and economics is sweeping humanity out the backdoor and it is surprising that PM Lilo and his government see fitting to indulge by declaring a political assassin against the people of West Papua.
“The decision is an indicator that this government cares less about human lives than their political propagandas and agendas.”
Raramo said playing political card games at the expense of human lives is a treason and Solomon Islanders should hit Lilo and his government the hardest for offering a hand to slain the people of West Papua.
“Mind you, the blood of West Papuans are crying in our hands for that grave decision and SI will reap the consequence.
“On behalf of the FSII, I condemned the decision in the strongest terms for compromising humanity for politics/economics in particular the issue pertaining to freedom for West Papuans from the Indonesian government,” the statement by FSII president said
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6) Corruption Hurts Nation’s Poorest
A Kamoro boy in Timika, Papua. Around 30 percent of people in the province live below the poverty line. (JG Photo/Jurnasyanto Sukarno)
With poverty rates still high across the nation, a budget analysis and advocacy group has reported that government officials in one of the country’s least-developed regions had been embezzling funds intended for the counstruction of much-needed infrastructure to help lift the area out of poverty.
The Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra) announced on Sunday that the West Papuan administration had allegedly committed the most corruption of public facility budgets among five provinces.
Fitra said corruption in those provinces have resulted in the state losing more than Rp 726 billion ($73 million).
“The budget for public facilities were allocated for the development of school buildings, community health centers, bridges, hospitals and irrigations,” Maulana, Fitra’s advocacy coordinator told reporters in Jakarta on Sunday.
He said West Papua topped the list of graft-ridden provinces, with 10 cases worth a combined total of Rp 86.8 billion. In East Kalimantan about Rp 29.6 billion in corruption was committed, while it was around Rp 10.8 billion in South Kalimantan, Rp 7.8 billion in Aceh and Rp 5.8 billion in North Maluku.
Fitra also identified the North Sumatran city of Tebing Tinggi as the most corrupt with around Rp 4.9 billion having been embezzled, while the figures were Rp 2.4 billion for Ambon (Maluku), Rp 2.2 billion for Denpasar (Bali), Rp 2.1 billion for Bukittinggi (West Sumatra) and Rp 2.1 billion for Prabumulih (South Sumatra).
On a district level, Fitra identified Nduga (Papua) as the most corrupt with around Rp 89.5 billion stolen. That was followed by Sula Islands (North Maluku) with Rp 55 billion; Wajo (South Sulawesi) with Rp 25.5 billion; Berau (East Kalimantan) with Rp 18.7 billion; and Kapuas (Central Kalimantan) with Rp 15.9 billion.
Maulana said the modus for corrupting the budget is conducted in various ways, such as fictitious procurement projects, the marking up of procurement budgets, and by contractors who do not complete projects.
Maulana said provincial administrations often do not follow proper procedure when selecting contractors for the projects. Provincial administrations also often prioritized spending budgets without considering the quality of the chosen contractors on the procurement of goods and service projects.
“This shows inconsistencies in the implementation of tenders for the procurement of goods and services by provincial administrations,” Maulana said.
His organization has called on the Finance Ministry to limit the amount of cash transferred to the regions intended for financing the development of public facilities, especially to regions that have been proven to be prone to corruption.
Fitra made its remarks based on the findings announced by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and its own investigation of almost 240 districts and cities across the country.
Maulana said that in the second half of the BPK’s 2012 report, it announced that it had found more than 1,000 cases that resulted in losses to the state of Rp 726.4 billion. He said Fitra called on the regional governments to dismiss officials in charge of these procurement projects and also those in charge of selecting unqualified contractors.
BPK has announced that it will soon conduct an audit on the special autonomy funds channeled to Indonesia’s two easternmost provinces, Papua and West Papua.
The central government has disbursed more than Rp 40 trillion since the two provinces were granted special autonomy status in 2001, but since its integration into Indonesia 50 years ago both remain among the poorest and most underdeveloped regions in the country, fueling social unrest and residents’ calls for secession.
“We will conduct [the audit] this year,” BPK chief Hadi Purnomo said during a hearing conducted by the Regional Representatives Council late in April.
According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), both provinces have high rates of unemployment with a combined total of 77,000 people of working age currently without work.
Poverty is also common, the latest BPS figures show, with 30 percent of people in resource-rich Papua and 27 percent in West Papua, which is also rich in natural gas and currently enjoying a tourism boom, living below the poverty line.
During a recent meeting with Papua Governor Lukas Enembe, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he was considering providing Papua with even greater autonomy, calling it a solution for the unique problems facing the province.
Yudhoyono said the so-called “Special Autonomy Plus” would be implemented in Papua by August.
Priyo Budi Santoso, a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, said the government must first discuss the plan with legislators, adding that an amendment to the Special Autonomy Law would be needed before the proposal could be formally implemented.
Last year, it was reported that Indonesia had lost as much as Rp 2.13 trillion to corruption in 2011, with embezzlement having accounted for most of the losses.
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7) Indonesian Air Force holds static show in Biak
Sun, June 23 2013 20:18 | 241 Views
Biak, Papua (ANTARA News) - The national air defense command of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) in Biak Numfor District, Papua Province, held a static air defense exhibition at the Manuhua airbase on Sunday.
"The air defense exhibition may serve as a means to inform the Indonesian people of the TNI AU`s weaponry in securing the air territory of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia from Sabang to Merauke," the command`s chief, Air Commodore Asnam Muhidir, said here.
He expressed hope the static show can draw the people`s attention to the airspace defense and the TNI AU.
Several military planes displayed at the exhibition consisted of four F 16 jet fighter planes and C 130 Hercules cargo aircraft of the TNI AU`s Squadron III.
The static show is a part of exercise called Cakra and the command`s operations in Biak.
During the show the TNI AU`s Special Forces (Paskas) also conducted skydiving from C 130 Hercules. The exhibition was also aimed at encouraging youths` interests to become TNI AU soldiers.
"The exhibition displays the Indonesian military aircraft and weaponry. Through the exhibition, we can see for ourselves the condition of jet fighters and the performance of TNI AU soldiers in defending the air territory of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia," Fatima, an exhibition visitor, said.
Besides serving as a means of learning, she said the exhibition also enabled the public to understand soldiers and get information on air defense equipment of the TNI AU.
At least four F 16 jet fighters and a C 130 Hercules plane were parked in the yard of Manuhua airbase.
Many visitors took the opportunity to ask about the TNI AU and take pictures of the airplanes as well as air crew members.
In order to strengthen the air defense, the TNI AU has several new military planes consisting of EMB Super Tucano, and Sukhoi 30 MK.
Indonesia also has put an order for 16 fighter training jets of T 50 Golden Eagle to South Korea.
The TNI AU has sent six of its pilots to South Korea to attend six-month training on the new jet fighters.
(Uu.B019/S012)
"The air defense exhibition may serve as a means to inform the Indonesian people of the TNI AU`s weaponry in securing the air territory of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia from Sabang to Merauke," the command`s chief, Air Commodore Asnam Muhidir, said here.
He expressed hope the static show can draw the people`s attention to the airspace defense and the TNI AU.
Several military planes displayed at the exhibition consisted of four F 16 jet fighter planes and C 130 Hercules cargo aircraft of the TNI AU`s Squadron III.
The static show is a part of exercise called Cakra and the command`s operations in Biak.
During the show the TNI AU`s Special Forces (Paskas) also conducted skydiving from C 130 Hercules. The exhibition was also aimed at encouraging youths` interests to become TNI AU soldiers.
"The exhibition displays the Indonesian military aircraft and weaponry. Through the exhibition, we can see for ourselves the condition of jet fighters and the performance of TNI AU soldiers in defending the air territory of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia," Fatima, an exhibition visitor, said.
Besides serving as a means of learning, she said the exhibition also enabled the public to understand soldiers and get information on air defense equipment of the TNI AU.
At least four F 16 jet fighters and a C 130 Hercules plane were parked in the yard of Manuhua airbase.
Many visitors took the opportunity to ask about the TNI AU and take pictures of the airplanes as well as air crew members.
In order to strengthen the air defense, the TNI AU has several new military planes consisting of EMB Super Tucano, and Sukhoi 30 MK.
Indonesia also has put an order for 16 fighter training jets of T 50 Golden Eagle to South Korea.
The TNI AU has sent six of its pilots to South Korea to attend six-month training on the new jet fighters.
(Uu.B019/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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