Friday, July 31, 2015

1) Discourse: Nationalizing Freeport could be disastrous for the economy -

2) Freeport’s Export Permit Extended  
3) Papua’s first railroad  to connect Sorong-Manokwari - 

4) Papua`s cultural events effectively attracting tourists

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1) Discourse: Nationalizing  Freeport could be disastrous  for the economy - 
The Jakarta Post | Discourse | Fri, July 31 2015, 2:27 PM - 
The future of PT Freeport McMoran in Indonesia is hanging in the balance with the government refusing to negotiate the extension of its contract until 2019, two years before it will expire. The American gold mining giant, which operates the world’s largest gold mines in Papua, is lobbying to get the negotiations underway. Political analyst Ikrar Nusa Bhakti of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), who has done extensive research in Papua, talks to The Jakarta Post’s Safrin La Batu to discuss the future of Freeport. The following are excerpts from the interview.

Question: What do you think of the growing demands for nationalizing Freeport?

Answer: The majority of Freeport’s employees in almost all divisions are Indonesian; from the lowest to the highest positions. In fact, up to 98 percent of its employees are Indonesian. I was told that jobs with certain expertise, like explosive handling, are still handled by Filipinos because Indonesians are not as capable. 

But the government has made Freeport use Indonesian-made detonators supplied by PT Pindad, the state-owned arms company. That seems like a fair deal. 

The company also now buys its food and beverages from Indonesia rather than from Australia as it 
did in the past. Some Indonesian workers have also been sent to work at Freeport’s other operations in Australia.

But would nationalizing Freeport make sense to you?


I would say that I am a nationalistic person, but I am also realistic. The mining industry is a lucrative sector. If our leaders, cabinet members, governors and local leaders are greedy and cannot control themselves, then nationalization will be counterproductive. 

This was exactly what happened during the massive nationalization of Dutch companies in 1957. The impact for our economy was catastrophic, and lasted until 1971. There was mismanagement by army officers with little knowledge and skill who were entrusted to manage state-run companies. They didn’t have the international market networks.

So, should we just forget about nationalization?

Nationalization is possible, but it needs process and time. Before even thinking about it, we need to fix and strengthen the governance of state-owned companies and create a system that stops officials from working for their own personal gain.

The government instead should focus on enforcing existing laws or come up with new ones that are more pro-people. 

Do you think Freeport is doing enough to help with the economic development in Papua?

Freeport can do more in helping to build infrastructure facilities. Infrastructure development in Papua, such as road construction, is not evenly distributed. Freeport has already helped build roads in the Mimika regency [where it operates], and it can help with the development in other parts of Papua like Merauke.

Freeport says they have also contributed large sums for education in Papua. But how many schools have they built? How many Amungme people [the main tribe in Mimika] have benefited from this program? They should also help to bring the many tribes in the area, who are often in conflict with one another, together. Freeport needs to have peace and stability in the area to be able to operate.

Is Freeport also responsible for fostering harmony in Papua?


We have to question the results of Freeport’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. They must have spent a huge sum, but where did the money go? 

The people living in areas near its operation should get a proper education, not just material benefits.

The recent Tolikara tragedy (communal conflict between Christian Papuans and migrant Muslims) was just the tip of an iceberg. The biggest problem in Papua is education, and the target is for all the people in the province, whether they live in the highland or the coastal areas, or whether they are indigenous Papuans or migrants, is learning to live in harmony. -

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FRIDAY, 31 JULY, 2015 | 21:12 WIB
2) Freeport’s Export Permit Extended  
TEMPO.COJakarta - The government has officially extended Freeport's permit to export copper concentrate on Friday, July 31, 2015. Bambang Gatot Arianto, the director general of mineral and coal at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, said that the letter of permit extension had been signed by the Trade Minister.
"It's official. Freeport's commitment has been realized," Bambang said on Friday, July 31, 2015 in Jakarta.
The Energy and Mineral Resources issued the recommendation letter for Freeport's permit extension on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 allowing the giant mining company to export 775,000 tons of copper concentrate for next six months.
Bambang explained that Freeport had met the requirement set by the Energy and Mineral Resources related to its smelter construction. Currently, the company's smelter construction in Gresik has progressed to 11 percent. Under Finance Ministry's Regulation Number 153/PMK.011/2014, Freeport is entitled to export duty reduction from 7.5 percent to five percent.
Freeport has also paid its commitment fee under Energy and Mineral Resources Minister’s Regulation Number 11/2014, requiring the mining company to pay 60 percent of the total smelter construction cost on a semester basis to a government-owned bank. In the period of January-June 2015, the smelter construction cost in Gresik reached US$280 million.
"We will continue to supervise the smelter construction," Bambang said.
ROBBY IRFANY
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3) Papua’s first railroad  to connect Sorong-Manokwari - 
The National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) has announced that the first railway service in Papua will be the Sorong-Manokwari route in West Papua.
Bappenas transportation director Bambang Prihartono also said that other routes are soon to follow, as the Ministry of Transportation is currently doing feasibility studies to decide which areas are suitable for railroad.
“We are hoping that the feasibility studies will be wrapped up by the end of this year,” Bambang said in Jakarta as quoted by Antara news Agency.
The project will accommodate both passenger and freight trains to increase connectivity in Papua, as well as supporting the planned development of industrial areas on the island.
Bambang explained that the project will need years of preparation before physical construction can start. After the feasibility study is finished, the Ministry of Transportation will begin the detailed engineering design (DED); both phases have an estimated cost of around Rp 33 billion (US$ 2.4 million).
The government is setting the target for physical construction to start as early as 2019.
The railroad project is one of the infrastructure priorities set by the government to facilitate transport on all major islands in the country. The Transportation Ministry Directorate General of Railways earlier has estimated the cost of the projects to be around Rp 234 trillion. (rad)(++++
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4) Papua`s cultural events effectively attracting tourists

Jumat, 31 Juli 2015 15:33 WIB | 945 Views
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Annual events, such as the cultural festivals of Lake Sentani, Baliem Valley, and Humboldt Bay have proven effective in attracting both domestic and foreign tourists to Indonesias easternmost province of Papua.

Increasingly more numbers of foreign tourists have shown profound interest in these cultural festivals and are visiting the province to enjoy its natural beauty and to gain firsthand information about the local culture.

According to Mayor of Jayapura Benhur Tommy Mano, the number of tourist arrivals in Papua through the provincial city of Jayapura continues to increase every year. 

He noted that the annual tourism and cultural events in Papua have served as a yearlong gateway for the tourism industry in the province.

"In line with the several tourism events in Papua, the number of tourist arrivals has continued to increase during the past four years," Mano remarked in Jayapura on Thursday.

He noted that the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Papua in 2014 comprised 7,268 foreign tourists and 66,137 domestic tourists.

Mano further explained that the increase in the number of tourist arrivals was a result of the efforts made by the Jayapura Culture and Tourism Office to intensively promote the local tourism attractions.

"In a bid to develop the tourism attractions in Papua and to make it a tourist destination in eastern Indonesia, the local authorities continue to work closely with the tourism ministry and other relevant institutions for holding the tourism events," Mano affirmed.

He stated that the local authorities annually organize events such as the Humboldt Bay Festival, Baliem Valley Festival, and Lake Sentani Festival to promote the local culture and tourism attractions.

Mano expressed optimism that the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Papua through the city of Jayapura will continue to increase until the cultural events kick off.

In an effort to attract more tourists, Papua will host the Humboldt Bay Festival on August 5-7, which will be followed by the Baliem Valley Festival to be held on August 6-8, 2015.

Scheduled to take place in Usilimo region in Jayawijaya district, the Baliem Valley Festival is usually enlivened by various fascinating art and cultural performances, including traditional Papuan dance performances, pig racing, Puradan Rattan Spear Throwing, Sikoko Spear games, and Papuan traditional musical performances, among several others.

The festival will also feature a special Sege-throwing competition and an archery competition for foreign visitors as a mark of appreciation for attending the festival.

The mayor of Jayapura stated that the Humboldt Bay Festival is part of the efforts to support Papua Governor Lukas Enembes program to make the province one of the key tourist destinations in eastern Indonesia.

Mano also affirmed that the Humboldt Bay Festival will be synchronized and coordinated with the implementation of other events such as the festivals of Lake Sentani and Baliem Valley.

"We will certainly create a calendar, which will include the agenda of the festivals in the regions that can be useful to the local and foreign tourists," the Jayapura mayor noted.

In the meantime, Jayapura Culture and Tourism Office spokesman Bernard Fingkreuw has stated that the Humboldt Bay Festival will be organized in a bid to preserve Papuas unique and traditional arts.

Known as the land of "Cendrawasih," or bird of paradise, Papua is truly blessed with an abundance of natural resources and unparalleled traditional arts and culture that must be maintained.

"Whether it will be themed "Beautiful Numbay", "Beautiful Humboldt", or any other theme, the important aspect is that the festival should showcase the beauty of Humboldt Bay and feature various art and cultural activities and attractions," Fingkreuw remarked.

According to the spokesman, the city administration of Jayapura has assigned an event organizer for the annual Humboldt Bay Festival.

"We have appointed an event organizer to make preparations for the Humboldt Bay Festival this year. This is the first time that we have done it," Fingkreuw noted.

He added that the event organizer was appointed to make the festival, which has been included in the national tourism calendar, more professional.

"If the government organizes the festival again, it will be monotonous. However, with the event organizer, which includes creative people, the atmosphere of the festival will be different and even better this year," he affirmed.

Further, he affirmed that the Humboldt Bay Festival in Jayapura will be supported by the Ministry of Tourism. 

Jayapura city, known in the past as Hollandia, is located in Yos Sudarso Bay, which was earlier known as Humboldt Bay.

American travelers to Jayapura will be interested to learn about the citys connection to the United States, and the role it played in World War II.

Fingkreuw noted that the Humboldt Bay Festival was scheduled in early August to avoid overlapping with the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival in Wamena, which is held on August 9 every year.

"We chose to hold the Humboldt Bay Festival early in the month of August, so that the visitors traveling to Wamena can stop over in Jayapura to attend the event," he explained.

Therefore, Papua Governor Enembe emphasized that the Humboldt Bay Festival should be promoted widely and packaged carefully, so that it can generate revenue for the city of Jayapura.

"This festival is unique and nice, as it will feature traditional dances, flute and drum performances, traditional menu cooking contest, hair weaving contest, and ornamental nut," he revealed.

Enembe also stressed that if all aspects of this annual event are well-packaged by involving all stakeholders from the board of hotels and restaurants, travel agencies, and related businesses, then it will be able to attract several local and foreign tourists.

(O001/INE)
EDITED BY INE
(O001/KR-BSR/F001) 

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Badrodin Calls for Full Investigation into Tolikara Case

FRIDAY, 31 JULY, 2015 | 11:34 WIB
Badrodin Calls for Full Investigation into Tolikara Case

TEMPO.COJakarta- Speaking during the job transfer ceremony for Papua and West Papua Police chiefs at National Police’s Headquarter on Friday, July 31, 2015, National Police chief Badrodin Haiti has called for full investigation into the Tolikara case.
Badrodin also called for communication and persuasive approaches in solving the case to avoid conflict.
Badrodin revealed that Police has initiated efforts to restore the condition in Tolikara. He added Police summoned four reverends to be questioned on Thursday, July 30, 2015. However, they failed to answer the summons.
“The questioning will probably conducted on Monday [August 3, 20150,” Badrodin said.
Earlier, Badrodin inaugurated Papua Police chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpaw to succeed Insp. Gen. Yotje Mende who will be transferred to the National Police Headquarter. Previously Paulus served as West Papua Police chief. 
The West Papua Police chief position will be filled by Brig. Gen. Royke Lumowa. Previously Royke served as a deputy at the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Ministry. 
MITRA TARIGAN
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Thursday, July 30, 2015

1) Depopulation of Papuans Becomes Obvious

2) President Jokowi to have a guest house in Papua: Minister
3) Water an urgent need in Papua province
4) Seven Points of Agreement to Resolve Tolikara Incident
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1) Depopulation of Papuans Becomes Obvious
Jayapura, Jubi – Human right activist Markus Haluk said the threat of Papuan population has became obvious. The population of indigenous Papuan begins to decrease while the number of non-Papua is drastically rising. It predicts the number of Papuan in 2030 would be 15% of total population in Papua comprising of 2,371,800 indigenous and 13,228,800 non-Papuans.
Haluk said the change was very visible in Dr. Jim Elmslies’ research of West Papua demographical change. The research indicated the population in Papua in 1971 was 923,000 which comprising 887,000 indigenous and 36,000 non-Papuans. In 1990, it extremely changed. The number of Papuans was 1,215,827 while non-Papuans were 414,210 of total 1,630,107.
Fifteen years later, in 2005, said Haluk, the number of Papuans and non-Papuans has become equal. Indigenous Papuans were 1,055,795 and non-Papuans are 1,087,694 of 2,646,489 of total population in Papua. In 2011, it became more surprising. The Papuans have become minorities on their own land. The number of indigenous was 1,700,000 compare with the number of non-Papuans that reached 1,980,000 of 3,680,000 of total population in Papua.
This change then predicted that the number of indigenous Papuan would become 1,956,400 while the population of non-Papuan would become 4,743,600 in 2020 of 6,700,000 of total population in Papua. The number would continue to improve in 2030, that is the number of Papuan would turn 2,371,200 and non-Papuan would become 13,228,800 of 15,600,000 of total population in Papua.
“The change of population number has extremely occurred though the number of birth was decreased. It was happening because none of leaders paying attention on this issue,” Haluk said in One-Day Seminar held by Foreign Affairs of Papua Central Highland Association of Indonesia (AMPTPI) and Student Executive Body of Jayapura Science and Technology University (BEM-USTJ) on Wednesday (29/7/2015).
Meanwhile Yulianus Mabel who participated in the seminar said this change has become obvious. Poor health services towards indigenous Papuans and rapid access of non-Papuans to entry to Papua were highly influenced this change. “I hope the government could pay attention on this changing instead to regard this as regular circumstance. The government is much care about their own business and its counterparts than paying attention to the threat of the existence of indigenous Papuan,” he said. (Mawel Benny/rom)
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2) President Jokowi to have a guest house in Papua: Minister

Rabu, 29 Juli 2015 20:04 WIB
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A guest house will be built for Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in Papua to enable him to closely interact with the people in the countrys easternmost province, a minister stated.

"A special team is in the process of deciding the exact location for the guest house," Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno stated here on Wednesday.

Speaking at a seminar themed, "the Voice of Papua" here, he remarked that the guest house will be used by the head of state for work and also as a place that will make him feel closer to the people of Papua.

The request for the presidential guest house in Papua was originally put forth by the officials of the State Palace, taking into consideration that he could visit the province thrice or even four times a year, Tedjo affirmed.

"The guest house will not be like the Bogor Palace. It need not be luxurious. The most important aspect to build the guest house is that the president can get closer to the people, and they can easily meet him there," he affirmed.

When questioned about the presidents security, Tedjo explained that it will not be a problem as the Papuans love the head of state, and this was reflected by the high number of votes that he had received during the 2014 presidential election.

"Mr. President has frequently visited Papua and has got closer to the local people. He has never felt threatened during his visit in the province," he remarked.

The seminar on the Papuan issue was attended by former transportation minister Freddy Numberi and former Indonesian ambassador to the Philippines Johny Lumintang, among others.

(Reported by Michael Siahaan/Uu.R013/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
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3) Water an urgent need in Papua province
Updated at 1:37 pm on 30 July 2015
The Indonesian Red Cross Society says water is an urgent need for remote communities in the Papua region still suffering from a severe cold snap.
The society is delivering aid to the hard to reach Lanny Jaya district after hail storms and extreme cold weather left nine people dead and killed a large number livestock.
Thousands are in need of food and clean water as local sources are reportedly frozen or have been contaminated, and supplies of bottled water are unavailable in local markets.
Affected villages are nestled in high mountains, and delivering aid is a major challenge, with Red Cross volunteers having to walk for three days to deliver supplies.
So far 500 gallons of drinking water, as well as blankets and food have been delivered.
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4) Seven Points of Agreement to Resolve Tolikara Incident
Jayapura, Jubi – GIDI and Muslim communities at Tolikara agreed to resolve the last incident of 17 July 2015 at Karubaga, Tolikara Regency. Both sides also agreed to solve their problem alone without any intervention from others outside of Papua.
Facilitating by Inter-religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) on Wednesday (29/7/2015), both sides have agree on seven points as reference of conflict resolution due to incident. Applied as witnesses of this agreement are Nahdatul Ulama Papua Province, Kingmi Church Synod and Papua Civil Community Association.
Seven points of agreement are as following:
“Agreement Between Muslims and Christians of Karubaga, Tolikara Regency”
Today, on Wednesday of 29 July 2015, herewith the undersigned who are representing Muslim and Christian communities at Karubaga, Tolikara Regency stated their agreement that:
1.Incident that occurred on the celebration of Eid al-Fitr on Friday, 17 July 2015 in Tolikara Regency is not a religious conflict but only ‘miscommunication’ between both parties and we express our condolence at the lost of both life and goods.
2.We sincerely forgive each other.
3.We agree to go through the customary law in order to end the dispute and ask both parties to must end the legal process.
4.We agree to rebuild the Musholla (little mosque).
5.We agree to review this agreement regularly and maintain the peace and harmony between both parties.
6.We will mutually maintain, respect and appeal to the entire religious communities in Indonesia to keep respecting to both GIDI and Muslim communities to do prayer as usual.
7.We call on government to guarantee the freedom of religion and faith practice as well as the freedom to build the worship house.
The agreement is not only raised because of our anxiety, concern or fear but it was rooted in experience of peace and respectful between Christian and Muslim communities for decades at Karubaga, Tolikara Regency and our expectation of more peaceful and respectful life.
Jayapura, 29 July 2015.
We are the undersigned:
1. Ustad Ali Mukhtar;
2. Ustad Ali Usman;
3. Rev. Nayus Wonda;
4. Rev. Marthen Jingga;
5. Rev. Imanuel B. Genongga
Witnesses :
1. Chairman of NU Papua Province, Dr. H. Tonny VM, Wanggai, MA;
2. President of GIDI, the Rev. Dorman Wandikbo, S.Th;
3. The Rev. Lipiyus Biniluk, M.Th
(Victor Mambor/rom)

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1) Trade official’s illness delays Freeport’s Indonesia export permit

2) Ombudsman: Victims’ Family Are Complaining on Interview by Many Parties
3) Papua’s Parliament Doubts Police Could Reveal Tolikara’s Shooting Perpetrator
4) Papua Police Forced the Tolikara’s Shooting Victims to Sign a Statement Letter
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1) Trade official’s illness delays Freeport’s Indonesia export permit
Deals Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:50am EDT
The implementation of an export deal reached earlier this week by Indonesia and Freeport-McMoRan (FCX.N) has been delayed indefinitely due to the sickness of a senior trade ministry official.
Arizona-based Freeport, which runs one of the biggest copper mines in Papua, reached an agreement with the Indonesian government to export 775,000 tonnes of copper over the next six months on Monday, after proving sufficient progress on the construction of a second domestic smelter.
Freeport and Indonesia were involved in an export spat for much of last year which hurt shipments and was only resolved after the miner agreed to build a domestic smelter, pay higher royalties and divest more of its Indonesian unit.
"The recommendation (from the mine ministry) came yesterday," Didi Sumedi, director of export industry and mining product at the trade ministry told reporters on Wednesday. "With the current situation, perhaps we'll need some more time."
"The dirgen (director general) is currently recovering from a health condition, but I think it won't be long," said Sumedi, who was unable to give a timeframe but added that the permit would need the director general's signature.
Partogi Pangaribuan is the Indonesian trade ministry's director general for foreign trade, and Sumedi said Pangaribuan is due to retire on Aug. 1 and be replaced soon after.
Freeport Indonesia agreed to deposit the last $20 million instalment for the building of a second copper smelter as part of Monday's deal.
Freeport Indonesia Chief Executive Maroef Sjamsoeddin told reporters on Wednesday that although export approval was yet to be received from the trade ministry, a shipment of 20,000-30,000 tonnes was ready to be shipped immediately once it came through.
(Reporting by Bernadette Christina and Wilda Asmarini; Writing by Michael Taylor; Editing by Michael Perry and Tom Hogue

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2) Ombudsman: Victims’ Family Are Complaining on Interview by Many Parties
Jayapura, Jubi – Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia Papua Representative conduct an inspection to Dok II Jayapura Public Hospital related to lack of services on six Tolikara’s shooting victims on 17 July 2015.
The inspection was aimed to clarify to hospital authority about their service, and the inspection hold on 24 July was aimed to meet with the Director of Dok II Hospital Jerry Msen related to seven referral patients from Tolikara as stated in Ombudsman’s press release received by Jubi on Tuesday (28/7/2015).
“The victims are seven people who referred to the hospital but one died because of bleeding and didn’t get the first aid from referral hospital,” said Ombudsman in the release.
Further, the six victims have received the proper treatment according to medical treatment procedure at Emergency Room by three doctors who cleansed up their wounds before surgery. According to Ombudsman the six victims has got a surgery on 22 and 23 July 2015. Both Director and Deputy Director of Dok II Hospital confirmed to put the victims of Tolikara incident as priority, while they needed further treatment by specialist through specific equipment to detect the bullet fragments in their body.
About the hospital’s negligence over the victims, Director Jerry Msen accompanied with the Head of Medical Service said it’s not true because once they had referral patients, three doctors were already prepared to take care of them at Emergency Room. Dr. Anton Mote who also managed the referral process and brought the patients to Dok II Hospital said similar statement.
Ombudsman conveyed to the Director of Dok II Hospital and his staffs that it’s important to provide a good service and fulfill the patient’s right for a service. Furthermore, Ombudsman visited the six victims and ensure their condition is getting better and ready to return to Tolikara.
Meanwhile, according to Ombudsman, both victims and their family are still complaining about many parties who still want to meet the victims for interview. It made them feel uncomforted and they need more comforted care. Ombudsman also advised the victims’ family to submit their complaint directly to the Director of Dok II Hospital or to Ombudsman Papua Representative.
The Office Head of Ombudsman Papua Representative Iwanggin S. Olif said the victims have the right to obtain the compliance of service and to be free of other intervention in order to support and accelerate the recovery process.
Additionally, Iwanggin said Ombudsman expects this clarification could become information to all beneficiaries if they found the similar situation. According to Iwanggin, all parties should be coordinated to fulfill the service to the public in general, and particularly related to Tolikara’s victims. He said it needs clear confirmation to avoid becoming another issue. (Dominggus Mampioper/rom)
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3) Papua’s Parliament Doubts Police Could Reveal Tolikara’s Shooting Perpetrator
Jayapura, Jubi – Human Right Special Committee of Papua Legislative Council stated their doubt on the police to reveal the shooting perpetrator over 12 civilians at Karubaga, Tolikara Regency, Papua in the incident of two weeks ago.
“I doubt the police can reveal the actors behind the incident that killed a boy and wounded 11 others at Tolikara,” the Chairman Laurenzus Kadepa told Jubi on Tuesday (28/7/2015).
According to him, it’s not only the shooting case at Tolikara, but he also doubt another shooting cases that previously occurred in Papua could be revealed, such as the shooting case that killed four students and wounded dozens of civilians at Enarotali, Paniai, or Yahukimo case, Dogiyai case and so on.
“It’s not limited to those cases, but also a lot of cases in Papua are still not being solved. It is a evidence that the police is not capable though there’s so much evidences, data and witnesses,” he said.
Related to the statement of one of Tolikara’s shooting victims, Amaten Wenda who confessed he and his friend were forced to give their thumbprint by the police while under the hospital’s treatment, Kadepa also criticized it.
“I don’t agree if it was done by force, the police forced to take their thumbprint. For whatever it is, it’s wrong. Moreover, the victims didn’t know what is the purpose,” he said.
The victims and their family earlier said the police forced them to sign a letter without they noticed about the content. Two of six victims were forced to give their thumbprint by a man claimed officer of Papua Police. “He grabbed my hand and put my thumb on a paper. I didn’t want it but he forced me. I couldn’t fight him because my arm is hurt,” said Amaten Wenda. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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4) Papua Police Forced the Tolikara’s Shooting Victims to Sign a Statement Letter
Jayapura, Jubi – A man claimed officer of Papua Police forced the Tolikara’s shooting victims to sign a statement letter without noticing the content, told the victims and their family to Jubi on Monday (27/7/2015).
The man reportedly forced two of six victims who are currently staying at man’s surgery room of Dok II Public Hospital to give their thumbprint. “He took my hand then put my thumbprint on a paper,” told Amaten Wenda who was shot on the right arm and should be got two surgeries as bullet crushed the bone.
Right now his right arm is still His right arm is still bandage covering and swelling. “I didn’t want it but he forced me. I couldn’t fight him because my arm’s hurt,” the 30 old years farmer Wenda said.
Besides Wenda, paramedic who accompanied the six young men said similar thing happened to Yetimbula Yikwa. “He’s mute, unable to speak. That man (the police) came and talked with him but he cannot answer. Then, the man grabbed his hand and put his thump on a paper,” said paramedic Jekson Weya.
This coercive measure was occurred on Sunday (26/7). Meanwhile, other victims admitted refusing to sign since there’s no explanation about its purpose. “I refused because do not know what is it for. I hope my parents, and the Church could check over this,” said Yulianus Lambe who’s been shot on left leg.
Lack of Medical Care
Chairman of GIDI Youth, Yadianus Mabel deplored the police’s action taking signature of victims with violence.
“I deplore the police’s attitude. Why could he grab the victim’s hand like that? It’s still hurt. It was suspicious. If they want to help they couldn’t do that way,” said Mabel.
He said he has met with two police officers when they want to meet with other victims for signature on Monday. He said to the officers to leave the victims alone because they are already traumatized by the incident.
“We already have a lawyer. Just call our lawyer if want to meet. The police who want any information, please contact our lawyer,” he firmly said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of GIDI Youth Amos Kobak who also came to visit the victims at hospital said the coercive measure could be happened due to lack of attention and weak of control from hospital authority.
“We also deplore about no medical attention. There are patients in here but the hospital just let the others came using force to get the signature. They should help the patients from others for their comfort,” said Kobak. (Yuliana Lantipo/rom)