1) Police
generals implicated in Papua scandal
2) In Papua,
working together to prosper
3) A Remote Education Plan in Papua
4) Reports on KNPB web page re
rallies today
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1) Police generals implicated in Papua scandal
Yuliasri Perdani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Headlines | Mon, September 16 2013, 9:42 AM
An investigation by the Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) has found that a Papua Police officer paid bribes to 33 police officials, including the Papua Police chief.
It is alleged that Adj. First Insp. Labora Sitorus had paid the bribes, totalling Rp 10.95 billion (US$ 959,684), to protect his illegal logging and fuel-smuggling businesses.
IPW chairperson Neta S. Pane said on Sunday that Labora had wired and personally handed the money to officials at the Papua Police and the National Police between January 2012 and March 2013.
“He transferred funds to National Police officials in the water police division, Samapta [rapid response unit], Serse [criminal investigations directorate] and Propam [internal affairs division],” Neta said on Sunday.
“He also bribed a number of Papua Police officials, ranging from police precinct chiefs to the Papua Police chief.”
IPW data shows that Labora paid bribes to the Papua Police chief five times, through money transfer or handing it directly to him or through his aide.
“One time, he gave Rp 200 million to the Raja Ampat Police chief, who was then asked to transfer it to the Papua Police chief,” Neta said.
Neta, however, declined to confirm whether the Papua Police chief was Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, whose tenure started in September 2012. Tito replaced his predecessor Insp. Gen. Bigman Lumban Tobing after serving as deputy chairman of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT).
“We are still processing data to confirm whether Tito was among the beneficiaries,” he said.
The graft case involving Labora, a low-ranking officer stationed at West Papua’s resort island of Raja Ampat, came to light in May following a disclosure by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) stating that he was linked to bank transactions totaling Rp 1 trillion between 2007 and 2012.
The Papua Police promptly investigated the disclosure by PPATK and found that Labora and his family controlled companies that illegally traded timber and subsidized fuel.
The Papua Police, in coordination with the National Police criminal investigations directorate, is expected to charge Labora under the 1999 Forestry Law as well as the Oil and Gas Law and the Money Laundering Law.
Labora is expected to face trial soon as the Papua Police have completed his case dossiers.
Separately, chief of the National Police special economic crimes division Brig. Gen. Arief Sulistyo, said he doubted that high-ranking officials — particularly Tito — had ever received illicit funds from Labora.
“According to our investigation, there were no money transfers totaling Rp 10 billion from Labora’s bank accounts. Yes, we found that Labora had given a meager amount of money to an officer, but no high-ranking ones. And, the force has taken disciplinary action against him,” he told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
Shortly after the Labora case made headlines, Tito dismissed Raja Ampat Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Taufik Irfan and blamed him for failing to track Labora’s illicit businesses.
Arief also urged the IPW to hand over findings from the probe to the police.
“Neta should assist efforts by the law enforcement agencies by sharing the new evidence. This [sharing the findings only to the media] gives the Papua Police chief a bad name. He had put so much effort into the investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Ronny F. Sompie reiterated the force’s commitment to prosecuting officers involved in the graft case.
“If our investigation gets enough evidence [about the officers’ involvement], we will bring them to justice. Don’t use baseless allegations to smear those who are innocent,” he said.
It is alleged that Adj. First Insp. Labora Sitorus had paid the bribes, totalling Rp 10.95 billion (US$ 959,684), to protect his illegal logging and fuel-smuggling businesses.
IPW chairperson Neta S. Pane said on Sunday that Labora had wired and personally handed the money to officials at the Papua Police and the National Police between January 2012 and March 2013.
“He transferred funds to National Police officials in the water police division, Samapta [rapid response unit], Serse [criminal investigations directorate] and Propam [internal affairs division],” Neta said on Sunday.
“He also bribed a number of Papua Police officials, ranging from police precinct chiefs to the Papua Police chief.”
IPW data shows that Labora paid bribes to the Papua Police chief five times, through money transfer or handing it directly to him or through his aide.
“One time, he gave Rp 200 million to the Raja Ampat Police chief, who was then asked to transfer it to the Papua Police chief,” Neta said.
Neta, however, declined to confirm whether the Papua Police chief was Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, whose tenure started in September 2012. Tito replaced his predecessor Insp. Gen. Bigman Lumban Tobing after serving as deputy chairman of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT).
“We are still processing data to confirm whether Tito was among the beneficiaries,” he said.
The graft case involving Labora, a low-ranking officer stationed at West Papua’s resort island of Raja Ampat, came to light in May following a disclosure by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) stating that he was linked to bank transactions totaling Rp 1 trillion between 2007 and 2012.
The Papua Police promptly investigated the disclosure by PPATK and found that Labora and his family controlled companies that illegally traded timber and subsidized fuel.
The Papua Police, in coordination with the National Police criminal investigations directorate, is expected to charge Labora under the 1999 Forestry Law as well as the Oil and Gas Law and the Money Laundering Law.
Labora is expected to face trial soon as the Papua Police have completed his case dossiers.
Separately, chief of the National Police special economic crimes division Brig. Gen. Arief Sulistyo, said he doubted that high-ranking officials — particularly Tito — had ever received illicit funds from Labora.
“According to our investigation, there were no money transfers totaling Rp 10 billion from Labora’s bank accounts. Yes, we found that Labora had given a meager amount of money to an officer, but no high-ranking ones. And, the force has taken disciplinary action against him,” he told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
Shortly after the Labora case made headlines, Tito dismissed Raja Ampat Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Taufik Irfan and blamed him for failing to track Labora’s illicit businesses.
Arief also urged the IPW to hand over findings from the probe to the police.
“Neta should assist efforts by the law enforcement agencies by sharing the new evidence. This [sharing the findings only to the media] gives the Papua Police chief a bad name. He had put so much effort into the investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Ronny F. Sompie reiterated the force’s commitment to prosecuting officers involved in the graft case.
“If our investigation gets enough evidence [about the officers’ involvement], we will bring them to justice. Don’t use baseless allegations to smear those who are innocent,” he said.
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2) In Papua, working together to prosper
Hyginus Hardoyo, The Jakarta Post, Boven Digoel, Papua | Feature | Mon, September 16 2013, 11:31 AM
In Ogenetan, a tiny village located in Iniyandit, one of the more remote districts of Boven Digoel regency in Papua, residents recently donned their best traditional attire to welcome several guests from Jakarta.
Some, including several children, had painted their bodies black and white with makeup and danced to songs and chants as soon as the guests exited their cars. A group of women also started to dance at the other end, in front of the main building of the kampung, which is located deep in the rainforest near Indonesia’s border with Papua New Guinea.
As a group of young men started to play music using guitars and a plastic water drums, girls sashaying in grass skirts invited the guests to pass through.
“This is our way to give guests a warm welcome,” Yan Karowa, the local district head, said. “The dances and songs show our hospitality to anybody who is willing to come here.” Everybody was happy whenever guests visited the kampung, he said.
Ogenetan is inhabited by 57 families comprising 306 people, who rely principally on rubber farming, introduced to Papua in the early 1970s by Christian missionaries, as their main source of income.
Nearly every resident of the kampong was on hand at the hall, which houses the Nonggup Cooperative that they established.
People wanted to watch as the cooperative’s representatives stake a deal with PT Montelo, a private company. About one-and-a-half tons of good-quality rubber sheets were bought by the company for about
Rp 15,000 (US$1.33) a kilogram, described as a fair price given current conditions.
Several years ago, the local residents sold their rubber production rights to middlemen for very low prices. Many had been in deep in debt, often to the very people to whom they sold out. Sadly, the residents bartered away their rubber for basic foodstuffs, such as rice or instant noodles.
Living in isolation about 350 kilometers south of Jayapura, those who live in Ogenetan find that economic development comes very slowly.
Basic foodstuffs were previously exorbitantly expensive. Residents had to venture to places such as Tanah Merah, the capital of Boven Digoel, about five hours away. The journey had to be made by foot; the roads were almost impassable.
The hardships drove Yan Karowa and Riswanto from the NGO Wahana Visi Indonesia to establish the Nonggup Cooperative. “How can local people enjoy the fruits of their labor if they are burdened with huge debts and are unfavorably dependent on middlemen?” Riswanto said.
The local residents were at first reluctant to found a cooperative, due to previous failures, when money collected from the members was misused or taken away. However, through the work of the NGO, local residents became aware of how a well-organized and transparent cooperative could help the
community.
The cooperative was established in 2009 with just 29 people who pitched in Rp 8 million for its operating capital. Through the cooperative, the local residents reached an agreement with PT Montelo to sell the rubber sheets.
Realizing that a cooperative could work and generate profits, members of the kampung joined the cooperative in increasing numbers. Currently, more than 130 people from Ogenetan have signed up and representative offices have been opened in the neighboring districts of
Mindiptana and Arimop.
“The establishment of the cooperative enables us to easily communicate on the need to improve quality of rubber production from here,” Widia from PT Montelo said.
With total annual turnover of over Rp 300 million, a shop was opened under the supervision of the cooperative, providing affordable basic necessities and other agricultural produce to members. The shop is managed by Maria Wometa.
The mother of six says that business has been so good that she has been able to send one of her kids to study at a university in Merauke.
Bruno Etmop, the head of the cooperative, said that the cooperative booked a net profit of about Rp 23 million in its first year. By the third year, members were able to share a annual dividend of Rp 7 million.
Aloysius Bayub, a cooperative member, said he earned an average of Rp 1.5 million a month from the sheets made from sap from his 1.5-hectare rubber plantation. “It is enough to support my daily expenses, including paying the tuition fees for my youngest child at elementary school,” said Bayub, the father of three, whose wife has just died due to illnesses.
Bruno said that the cooperative’s rapid growth could not be separated from the discipline of its members in playing by the established rules. ”Each member of the cooperative who has debts has understood that the debt must be repaid in installments, together with interest.”
The money collected from the members was deposited in a BPR rural bank, whose officers came to Ogenetan once a month.
Backed by skilled assistants with a basic knowledge of management, Bruno said that he was confident that the cooperative could expand even further.
However small, this joint effort has contributed greatly to the local residents. A spirit for advancement has arisen from Papua, one of the most disadvantaged provinces in Indonesia.
— Photos JP/Hyginus Hardoyo
Some, including several children, had painted their bodies black and white with makeup and danced to songs and chants as soon as the guests exited their cars. A group of women also started to dance at the other end, in front of the main building of the kampung, which is located deep in the rainforest near Indonesia’s border with Papua New Guinea.
As a group of young men started to play music using guitars and a plastic water drums, girls sashaying in grass skirts invited the guests to pass through.
“This is our way to give guests a warm welcome,” Yan Karowa, the local district head, said. “The dances and songs show our hospitality to anybody who is willing to come here.” Everybody was happy whenever guests visited the kampung, he said.
Ogenetan is inhabited by 57 families comprising 306 people, who rely principally on rubber farming, introduced to Papua in the early 1970s by Christian missionaries, as their main source of income.
Nearly every resident of the kampong was on hand at the hall, which houses the Nonggup Cooperative that they established.
People wanted to watch as the cooperative’s representatives stake a deal with PT Montelo, a private company. About one-and-a-half tons of good-quality rubber sheets were bought by the company for about
Rp 15,000 (US$1.33) a kilogram, described as a fair price given current conditions.
Several years ago, the local residents sold their rubber production rights to middlemen for very low prices. Many had been in deep in debt, often to the very people to whom they sold out. Sadly, the residents bartered away their rubber for basic foodstuffs, such as rice or instant noodles.
Living in isolation about 350 kilometers south of Jayapura, those who live in Ogenetan find that economic development comes very slowly.
Basic foodstuffs were previously exorbitantly expensive. Residents had to venture to places such as Tanah Merah, the capital of Boven Digoel, about five hours away. The journey had to be made by foot; the roads were almost impassable.
The hardships drove Yan Karowa and Riswanto from the NGO Wahana Visi Indonesia to establish the Nonggup Cooperative. “How can local people enjoy the fruits of their labor if they are burdened with huge debts and are unfavorably dependent on middlemen?” Riswanto said.
The local residents were at first reluctant to found a cooperative, due to previous failures, when money collected from the members was misused or taken away. However, through the work of the NGO, local residents became aware of how a well-organized and transparent cooperative could help the
community.
The cooperative was established in 2009 with just 29 people who pitched in Rp 8 million for its operating capital. Through the cooperative, the local residents reached an agreement with PT Montelo to sell the rubber sheets.
Realizing that a cooperative could work and generate profits, members of the kampung joined the cooperative in increasing numbers. Currently, more than 130 people from Ogenetan have signed up and representative offices have been opened in the neighboring districts of
Mindiptana and Arimop.
“The establishment of the cooperative enables us to easily communicate on the need to improve quality of rubber production from here,” Widia from PT Montelo said.
With total annual turnover of over Rp 300 million, a shop was opened under the supervision of the cooperative, providing affordable basic necessities and other agricultural produce to members. The shop is managed by Maria Wometa.
The mother of six says that business has been so good that she has been able to send one of her kids to study at a university in Merauke.
Bruno Etmop, the head of the cooperative, said that the cooperative booked a net profit of about Rp 23 million in its first year. By the third year, members were able to share a annual dividend of Rp 7 million.
Aloysius Bayub, a cooperative member, said he earned an average of Rp 1.5 million a month from the sheets made from sap from his 1.5-hectare rubber plantation. “It is enough to support my daily expenses, including paying the tuition fees for my youngest child at elementary school,” said Bayub, the father of three, whose wife has just died due to illnesses.
Bruno said that the cooperative’s rapid growth could not be separated from the discipline of its members in playing by the established rules. ”Each member of the cooperative who has debts has understood that the debt must be repaid in installments, together with interest.”
The money collected from the members was deposited in a BPR rural bank, whose officers came to Ogenetan once a month.
Backed by skilled assistants with a basic knowledge of management, Bruno said that he was confident that the cooperative could expand even further.
However small, this joint effort has contributed greatly to the local residents. A spirit for advancement has arisen from Papua, one of the most disadvantaged provinces in Indonesia.
— Photos JP/Hyginus Hardoyo
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3) A Remote Education Plan in Papua
Jayapura. The Lippo Group has established a partnership with JSAT, Japan’s largest telecommunication satellite company, to build telecommunication networks in Papua in hopes of giving residents in the province’s remote areas better access to Internet and educational television programs.
Lippo Group chief executive James T. Riady said that education was the core solution to the various issues faced by the people of Papua and that the telecommunication network built by the partnership would provide basic infrastructure needed to boost access to education in the region.
“Indonesia has been independent for more than 65 years, yet there remains plenty of places that have yet to be touched by our national development efforts. As we can see, regions in Papua, especially remote areas such as Mamit and others, need infrastructure and attention in education,” James said during a visit to the Sekolah Lentera Harapan (SLH) in Sentani, Papua, last Tuesday.
JSAT has 16 satellites in Asia and has been in partnership with the Lippo Group previously. Lippo Star is the product of this partnership.
“They are willing to help in Papua, especially in the installation of VSAT [very small aperture terminals] in schools in remote areas, so that they would become connected. They provide Internet as well as the best educational programs in the world for students here to watch,” James said.
Three schools in Papua have been selected to be part of the pilot project in the partnership, namely SLH in Kampung, Harapan Kecamatan Sentani, Sekolah Papua Harapan (SPH) in the Doyo Baru village of Jayapura, as well as the SLH in Mamit Village in the Tolikara district.
In the future, the program will be aimed at other schools in remote areas, mainly those located in mountainous regions.
“The VSAT will be installed in one or two months, not just in Sentani but also in Mamit. The models will be found in two school in Sentani and one in Mamit, if the concept goes well,” James said.
Shinji Takada, chief executive of JSAT, said that they had put initial efforts to improve the quality of education and the school’s facility prior to constructing the connectivity network.
“We have sent teachers with a new concept, where education is not only offered through knowledge but also the learning process. Our teachers here are graduates of UPH [Universitas Pelita Harapan], and they have come from different parts of Indonesia to teach, with the support of local government,” Takada said.
Paul Wetipo, principal of SPH said the installation of a telecommunication network would be useful to teachers.
“This [VSAT] will open up access to the outside world, especially because education is something that continuously evolves. Accessing the internet will offer teachers more knowledge and they will also be able to guide students more effectively,” he said.
Full disclosure: The Lippo Group owns BeritaSatu Media Holdings, which owns the Jakarta Globe and several other media properties.
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4) Reports on KNPB web page re rallies today
Google translations of 2 reports on KNPB web page including names of those arrested.
Be-aware google translations can be erratic. original bahasa above translations
In Sorong, Dozens Arrested Demonstrators in the International Day of Democracy
September 16, 2013 By: admin Category: Regional KNPB
Sorong, KNPB news, peaceful demonstrations in Sorong today (16/9) forcibly disbanded by the joint military / police. A total of 27 demonstrators were arrested and intimidated, including the Chairman of the Regional KNPB Sorong. Police captured the entire demo equipment.
Originally dozens Papua masses led KNPB chairman Sorong, Yohame move from Martinus KNPB Malanu secretariat, Sorong. They then intercepted and forcibly disbanded. Suddenly, without compromise, as many as 20 activists were arrested KNPB.
They are: 1) Martinus Yohame, 2) Ezekiel Kosay, 3) Gusti Prabu, 4) Steven Peyon, 5) Benny Giban, 6) Jekson Manahan, 7) Mabel Tinus, 8) Marten Wenda, 9) Isak Senik, 10) Zet Spry, 11) Belkin Heluka, 12) Toto Oto, 13) Pdt. Khias, 14) Obaya Itlay, 15) Yewen Rufina, 16) Heluka Yahya, 17) Kelaus Heluka, 18) Jhon Wetapo, 19) Arnos Kepno 20). and chairman of the local People's Parliament Sorong,
Meanwhile, police also arrested demonstrators in Hslte Dom. They are: 1) Otto Major, 2) geby Mambrasar, 3) Siryani Wanane, 4) Anniversary Surabut, 5) Kantius Heselo, 6) Nikson Kabarek, 7) Mina Malak.
They were taken to the police station alone Raya. Police found no evidence and released at 4:00 this afternoon. According to Martinus Yohame, there are about 5 people but demonstrators were also arrested have been released.
In May police shot dead three protesters. Deputy Paul Waterpau Papua Police have a mission to make Sorong, Manokwari and Fak-Fak as murder and mayhem area of operations in order to have a new police there and he could be a police chief.
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Internasionsl Democracy Day , Police Arrest Activists & Intimidation 53 KNPB
September 16, 2013 By : admin Category : News
Jayapura , KNPBnews - Interlocking commemorated International day of democracy , Indonesian police arrest and mengintintimidasi people who want a peaceful demonstration in Jayapura , Sentani Waena and today ( 16/9 ) . A total of 53 activists arrested KNPB and citizens . Medium , brochures , banners and burned Toa Polisi.Menurut observation in the field , around 7.00am KNPB activists under the leadership of Chairman 1 KNPB , Agus Kosay and Uchak Logo to be giving speeches at the Housing Round 3 arrested Police in full force . One member called Jumex Komba KNPB arrested.
Jayapura at Imbi Park , about 14 activists arrested KNPB to be speeches by members of the Jayapura Police Station . They are: 1 ) ogram Wanimbo , 2 ) Oteka Tabuni , 3 ) Regi Wenda , 4 ) Jimi Buruai , 5 ) Tony Kobak , 6 ) Rebekah Kobak , 7 ) Wanimbo Nias , 8 ) Mulu Kobak , 9 ) Fan Tabuni , 10 ) Soa Mabel , 11 ) Denius Tabuni , 12 ) Wanimbo Nus , 13 ) Meksi yando , 14 ) Merius Tabuni .
At 9:00 am , at the Expo Waena , mass action under the leadership Warius Wetipo back forcibly disbanded . Joint military police arrested seven activists KNPB namely: 1 ) Warius Warpo Wetipo , 2 ) Henny Rumkorem , 3 ) Ukum Himan , 4 ) Anton Gobay , 5 ) Yas Wenda , 6 ) Yufri Wenda , 7 ) Rinal Wenda . They were beaten and equipment actions such as banners , brochures and Toa retrieved Police .
While in Sentani , demonstrations led by Chairman Allen KNPB Sentani area Halitopo Police blockaded at some point . Police arrest , intimidate activists and people of Papua peaceful demonstration . Originally by 9 mass arrested and taken to the Police Sentani . They are , 1 ) Noldi , 2 ) Victor , 3 ) Onny , 4 ) Carles , 5 ) Topianus , 6 ) John , 7 ) Matthew , 8 ) Yoniel , 9 ) . Agus .
Meanwhile at a different point , the police again arrested hundreds of mass action led by Alen Halitopo ; 20 activists were taken to the police station Doyo . They are: 1 ) Allen Halitopo , 2 ) John Suhun , 3 ) Maris Tabuni , 4 ) Rudy Wenda , 5 ) Abel Wantik , 6 ) Tabuni Esau , 7 ) Joshua Wenda , 8 ) Marius Wenda , 9 ) Elinus Wenda , 10 ) Kanius Tabuni , 11 ) Esony Tabuni , 12 ) Erius Wandikbo , 13 ) Yulinus Tabuni , 14 ) Maikel Tabuni , 15 ) Sikolon Tabuni , 16 ) Das Tabuni , 17 ) Orius Tabuni , 18 ) Aris Gombo , 19 ) Jupiter Wandikbo , 20 ) Tina Wenda .
In Sentani , they kicked and all amenities Police retrieved a peaceful demonstration . Police could not find evidence of a criminal so everything is released at noon today .
Intimidation and actions that led to the arrest of wanted mediated KNPB , to mark the international day of democracy , also in order to provide support for West Papua MSG to register as a member of MSG , in addition, the action plan as a support to the Prime Minister of Vanuatu , Moana carcasses Kalosil to discuss West Papua issue at the United Nations . ( wd )
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