Monday, August 31, 2015

1) National TNI, Komnas HAM run separate probes into Mimika shooting

2) Pacific church leader condemns West Papua killings
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1) National TNI, Komnas HAM run separate  probes into Mimika shooting 

Margareth S. Aritonang, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Mon, August 31 2015, 3:45 PM
Mourning: Family members and friends take the bodies of Yulianus Okoare and Herman Mairimau, victims of a recent shooting in Mimika regency, Papua, to their final resting place at a public cemetery in Kamoro Jaya village, Mimika Baru district, on Sunday.(Antara/Husyen Abdillah) -


Conducting its own investigation into a recent shooting in Koperapoka, Mimika regency, Papua, that claimed the lives of two civilians, the Indonesian Military (TNI) has promised to serve justice to any soldiers proven to have been involved in the incident.

While still questioning three soldiers who were arrested in connection with the incident, Army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Wuryanto said on Sunday that the Timika Military Police were also gathering statements by witnesses, including from locals, who might know how the shooting occurred.

“We cannot make any conclusions yet because it is an ongoing process. Our team is digging for information that will lead us to the complete story of how the incident happened,” Wuryanto told The Jakarta Post.

“But we will ensure that Military Court law will be strictly imposed on any soldier proven guilty,” he added.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Aug. 27 and claimed the lives of 23-year-old Imanuel Mailmaur and 23-year-old Yulianus Okoare. Two other locals were injured in the incident — 24-year old Marthinus Apokapo, who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, and 25-year old Martinus Imapula, who was shot in the leg.

The District Military Command (Kodim) 1710/Timika arrested two soldiers following the shooting — First Sgt. Arshar and Chief Sgt. Makher, who were reportedly drunk when they allegedly shot the men.

Besides the two soldiers, Wuryanto said that one more soldier, identified only as Chief Pvt. G, was at the location when the shooting took place and had been detained.

“We are still examining his involvement in the matter,” Wuryanto said. “However, regardless of the ongoing process, the Cendrawasih Military Command chief [Maj. Gen. Fransen G. Siahaan] has personally apologized to the families of the victims for the incident and ensured that the TNI will be responsible for the investigation.”

Two different versions how the shooting occurred have emerged so far.

According to the Military Command (Kodam) XVII/Cendrawasih, the soldiers shot in self-defense when a mob attempted to seize their weapons after an attack on Makher.

The other story circulating among residents claims that two men, later identified as Makher and Arshar, forced their way into a venue where a party was being held and threatened people at the party.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) will also send an investigative team to clarify the stories.

Komnas HAM chief Nur Kholis said the investigative team aimed to gather evidence to get reliable information from the field as the rights body frequently came up with different findings than the government, which it publicly announces.

“Several shootings have taken place in Papua and none of them have been publicly clarified by the government,” he said. “Relevant government institutions conducting investigations into similar shootings in the past kept silent about the results without clear and transparent follow ups”.

He cited the shooting in Papua’s Paniai in December last year that claimed the lives of five locals as an example.

“The lack of transparency in investigations into several shootings in Papua has in a way encouraged more incidents to emerge. This must stop,” Nur Kholis emphasized.

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2) Pacific church leader condemns West Papua killings
Updated at 4:04 pm on 31 August 2015


Pacific churches have condemned the killing of two West Papuans in a shooting involving Indonesian soldiers last week.
They have called on regional leaders to speak out against summary killings, torture and human rights abuse in the Indonesian region.
The church says reports from Timika in Mimika Regency say a group of Special Forces troops shot dead two members of the Catholic Youth Group at the Cathedral Parish of the Three Kings in Timika.
At the time the Kamoro people were performing traditional rituals.
The Council says the soldiers, who were refused entry to the area, went to their barracks, returned with weapons and fired on the group.
The General Secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches, Rev Francois Pihaatae, says the killings were uncalled for and an indication of Indonesia's contempt.
He says Pacific leaders have a duty to speak out, especially those who have invited Indonesia into the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
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Sunday, August 30, 2015

1) Timika shooting victims buried on Sunday

2) Komnas HAM to investigate  Timika shooting incident - 
3) Alumni expected to play  greater roles in RI, Australia  relations - 
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1) Timika shooting victims  buried on Sunday
Nethy Dharma Somba, thejakartapost.com, Jayapura | Archipelago | Sun, August 30 2015, 9:00 PM -
Two civilians from the Kamoro tribe, Herman Mairimau and Yulianus Okoware, who were allegedly shot by soldiers, have been buried in public cemetery TPU SP-4 Timika after a Requiem Mass led by Catholic priest Amandus Rahaded Pr at St. Fransiskus Koprapoka Church in Timika, Mimika, Papua, on Sunday.
Police and military officials, including Military Resort Command (Danrem) 174/AWT commander Brig. Gen. Supartodi, Papua Police Monitoring Inspectorate chief Sr. Comr. Petrus Waine, Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVII/Cendrawasih deputy commander Lt. Col. Ayub Akbar, Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Yustanto Mujiharso, Military District Command (Dandim) 1710/Mimika commander Lt. Col. Andi Koswara and the Mimika administration’s regional secretary, Ausilius You, attended the burial.
“The Mass ran smoothly and safely. The burial procession also ran peacefully. The victims’ families urged security authorities to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice in line with prevailing laws,” Santon Tekege of the Timika Diocese told thejakartapost. com on Sunday.
Danrem 174 commander Supartodi said the Army had covered all burial costs. It is also covering the medical costs of those injured in the incident, he added.
Timika Bishop John Saklil condemned the shooting of the civilians.
“The Catholic church condemns all violent acts, especially those resulting in fatalities. There is no justification for such violent acts because any incident that leads to a loss of life, especially those involving representatives of state institutions, must be brought to justice,” John said in a press statement.
The two civilians were reportedly shot dead by two soldiers, Chief Pvt. Makher and First Pvt. Ashar, who were intoxicated when they arrived at a party held by the Kamoro tribe early on Friday. The party was being held to honor Leonardus Tumuka, a Kamoro tribesman, who obtained a doctorate degree from a Philippine university.
Kodam XVII/Cendrawasih commander Maj. Gen. Hinsa Siburian apologized to the families of the victims, the Kamoro and all Timika residents for the incident. 
“[. . . ] there will be legal procedures against the perpetrators. Military tribunals will be organized to hear the charges against the perpetrators,” said Hinsa. (ebf)
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2) Komnas HAM to investigate  Timika shooting incident - 
thejakartapost.com, Jakarta | National | Sun, August 30 2015, 6:28 PM - 
A National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) team is scheduled to visit Timika, Papua, in the beginning of September to investigate into a shooting incident allegedly perpetrated by military personnel on Friday that killed two Kamoro ethnic group members.
Komnas HAM commissioner Natalius Pigai said the commission deplored the case, one of a great number in which innocent civilians were killed in attacks by security personnel in the province.
“We are scheduled to arrive in Timika in the beginning of September to investigate the case,” he said as quoted by Antara in Jakarta on Sunday.
Natalius said the shooting incident, which killed Emanuel Mairimau, 23, and Yulianus Okoare, 18, and injured a number of Kamoro ethnic group people in the Koperapoka Catholic Church complex, showed that security officers in Papua continued to use military approaches.
“We condemn the incident. Military approaches to solve the problems facing Papuans and the use of state institutions to kill people could not be justified,” said Natalius.
The commissioner further questioned President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s commitments to immediately resolve human rights violations that continued to occur in Papua. He said President Jokowi’s recent visits to Papua were mostly aimed at inaugurating projects in the area.
“We never heard that President Jokowi expressed his strong commitments, which were followed by concrete policies, to resolve root problems in Papua. In fact, Papuan people have long waited for such commitments so that security attacks that have killed civilians in Papua will not occur again in the future,” said Natalius.
He went on to say that the Timika shooting incident on Friday was a tough challenge for the two newly appointed Indonesian Military and National Police leaders in Papua, namely Papua Police chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw and the commander of Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVII/Cendrawasih, Maj. Gen. Hinsa Siburian, to resolve the case fairly and honestly. 
“Initially, we really hoped that the two new TNI and Polri leaders could apply better approaches to the Papuan people. Moreover, Paulus is a Papuan while Hinsa has long been assigned in Papua. Unfortunately, such a horrible case had occurred in the beginning of their new duties,” said Natalius. (ebf)


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3) Alumni expected to play  greater roles in RI, Australia  relations - 
Bambang Muryanto, thejakartapost.com, Yogyakarta | World | Sun, August 30 2015, 8:54 PM 

Alumni of the Australian Consortium for “In-Country” Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) should be able to play greater roles in easing political tension between Indonesia and Australia when bilateral relations of the two countries heat up, an expert has said.
“They can participate in calming down the political tensions by using simple measures, such as writing letters to the editor in news media companies,” ACICIS director David T. Hill told journalists in Yogyakarta on Friday.
The ACICIS is an Australian education consortium that aims to help students from Australia and other countries gain entry to universities in Indonesia. The organization is celebrating its 20th anniversary by holding a string of activities in Yogyakarta from Aug. 28 to 30 and in Canberra on Oct.13.
“Established 20 years ago, the number of ACICIS alumni has reached around 2,000 people,” said Hill, an Australian academic and noted expert on Indonesia.
He said ACICIS alumni cultures worked in key positions in various important institutions, such as in departments of the Australian government and in the Australian Embassy in Indonesia. Many of them had worked as academics at various universities and had become experts in business institutions. Those who understood Indonesian culture could give important input to increase mutual understanding between Indonesia and Australia.
“Many officials in Indonesia, such as former vice president Budiono, former foreign minister Marty Natalegawa and Ibu Mari Elka Pangestu [former trade minister], are alumni of universities in Australia who can help strengthen relationships between the two countries,” said Hill.
Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Australia have at times heated up due to certain political reasons. The last major flare up was when Indonesia executed two Australians, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, in April for drug trafficking.
ACICIS resident director Elena Williams said the organization was developing new programs in the field of agriculture, health and art for Australian students who wished to pursue their studies in Indonesia.
The ACICIS has 22 university members in Australia and two international members from the Netherlands and the UK. This year ACICIS is growing stronger thanks to support from the New Colombo Plan, an Australian government initiative that aims to increase Australians’ knowledge of Indo-Pacific issues by funding Australian students wanting to study in the region. (ebf)
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1) Komnas HAM Investigates Timika shooting

1) Komnas HAM Investigates Timika shooting
2) How to annoy the neighbours
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HTTP://EN.TEMPO.CO/READ/NEWS/2015/08/30/055696249/KOMNAS-HAM-INVESTIGATES-TIMIKA-SHOOTING

SUNDAY, 30 AUGUST, 2015 | 13:26 WIB
1) Komnas HAM Investigates Timika shooting
TEMPO.CO, Timika- The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) will come to Timika, Papua, early September to investigate the shooting of a number of Kamoro residents, the police told Antara Newsagency on Sunday, August 30.
Unscrupulous members of the army killed two people on Friday, August 28. The shooting killed Julian Okoare (18) and Emanuel Mairimau (23), and wounding a number of residents in the Kamoro Koperapoka Catholic Church complex proving that the security forces serving in Papua are still prioritizing militaristic approach.
Commission Commissioner Natalius Pigai confirmed the Komnas HAM’s plan to go to Timika and regretted the shooting of civilians in Papua.
"We strongly condemn this incident. The militaristic approach against Papuans is totally unjustified, especially utilizing state apparatus (weapons) to kill people," said Natalius.
He questioned the commitment of President Joko Widodo to solve human rights violations that still continue to occur in the Cendrawasih land.
"It is true that President Jokowi had visited Papua several times, but the presence of the President in Papua was only to inaugurate a number of projects and others. We have not heard that President Jokowi has a strong commitment and followed by real policy to completely deal with the entire root of the problem in Papua. This is precisely what is long-awaited by the people of Papua to avoid further bloodshed of civilians in Papua," he said.
Natalius added that the shooting of Kamoro residents in Timika on Friday was test for two high-ranking military and police officers which has started their service in the region; namely Papua Police Chief Brigadier General Paul Waterpauw and Military Regional XVII Commander/Cenderawasih Major General Hinsa Siburian to be able to solve it fairly and honestly.
"Actually, we are expecting the two new leadership of the military and police are able to take better approach to Papuans, especially Paul Waterpauw who is a Papuan and Hinsa Siburian who served for a very long time in Papua. But this case came when they newly assume office," Natalius said.
Regional Military Commander Major General Hinsa Siburian after the handover ceremony from his predecessor Major General Fransen Siahaan on Saturday directly visited Timika to mourn for the shooting victims at the Catholic Church Koperapoka Timika.
Together with Papua Police Chief Brigadier General Paul Waterpauw, Major General Siburian also visited the two surviving victims that were still undergoing treatment at the Hospital Community Partners (RSMM) Timika.
The bodies of Julian Okoare and Emanuel Mairimau were planned to be buried on Sunday afternoon.
ANTARA
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2) How to annoy the neighbours
By Online Editor
01:46 am GMT+12, 28/08/2015, Australia
With the Pacific Islands Forum meeting soon in Port Moresby, many island leaders are expressing frustration at Australia’s climate policies, writes Nic Maclellan
 
Members of the Pacific Islands Forum have had their differences over the years, but island leaders are usually reluctant to wash the dirty linen in public. Forging agreement between Australia, New Zealand and fourteen small island developing states inevitably involves compromises, and Forum communiques have often used bland wording to placate the sensibilities of Australian and New Zealand prime ministers on trade, decolonisation and nuclear testing. The fact that Canberra and Wellington fund much of the Forum’s budget has played no small part in this diplomatic balancing act.
 
Today, however, it’s getting harder and harder to reconcile widely divergent policies over climate change. This year’s Forum meeting, in Port Moresby on 7–10 September, comes just a few months before negotiations in Paris to finalise a global agreement on climate change. Many fear the Australian delegation will block key elements of the climate agenda advanced by island nations, leading to a policy consensus with little substance.
 
When Fiji’s prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced in May that he wouldn’t be attending the Port Moresby meeting, he highlighted the climate-policy gap. “As we see it, Australia and New Zealand have been put to the test on climate change and been found wanting,” he said. “It should be no surprise that we have formed the view that the very least, their position as full members of our island nation Forum needs to be questioned, re-examined and redefined. They simply do not represent our interests as we face this critical matter of survival.”
 
In every major speech this year, Bainimarama has beaten the climate drum. At the June summit of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, he told the assembled leaders: “We have less than six months to get this crisis on the global agenda. I urge you all to put it at the top of your own agendas and make your voices heard. Loudly.”
 
The Australian government’s engagement with the Forum in recent years has been patchy. Prime Minister Tony Abbott didn’t attend last year’s leaders’ meeting in Palau, leaving his deputy Warren Truss to wave the Australian flag. Not surprisingly, Abbott’s frequent pronouncements on climate change have managed to annoy many of his island counterparts.
 
Australia and Canada’s decision in 2013 not to contribute to the Green Climate Fund angered Pacific countries that rely on international finance to fund adaptation and technology transfer. The fact the announcement was made at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – a gathering that includes many of the least-developed countries, small island states and sub-Saharan African nations on the climate frontline – only made matters worse.
 
At a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in June 2014, Abbott proposed an international alliance to resist emissions trading schemes. Marshall Islands president Christopher Loeak said such as alliance would isolate Australia from its Pacific neighbours. “I’m very concerned that the prime minister is setting the wrong tone in what needs to be a very determined effort to tackle climate change,” he said, and went on to describe Abbott’s efforts as “a further indication that Australia is isolating itself on this issue.”
 
The same concern was raised a year ago when Samoa hosted the third global conference on small-island development states. Integrating environment and development has been a central part of the island agenda since this summit was first held in Barbados in 1994. In the lead-up to the September 2014 summit, host prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was forthright about Australia’s lack of initiative on climate policy.
 
“We do hope Australia’s current leadership could look at the Pacific Islands as a special case in terms of climate change,” he said. “In saying that, I am aware of the extreme preoccupation of the present leadership with budget savings. Australia and New Zealand are members of the Pacific Islands Forum and the membership there was especially important, because being the biggest member countries in the only consolidated grouping of islands in the Pacific, they should do more.”
 
The communique of the conference, known as the SAMOA Pathway, recognised that “sea-level rise and other adverse impacts of climate change continue to pose a significant risk to small island developing states and their efforts to achieve sustainable development and, for many, represent the gravest of threats to their survival and viability, including, for some, through the loss of territory.”
 
The following month, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon hosted the UN Climate Summit to advance the international climate negotiations. More than 120 world leaders attended, but the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand were not among them (even though Tony Abbott had been in New York the day before).
 
Once again, island leaders expressed their concern over Australia’s priorities. “Probably one of the most frustrating events of the past year for Pacific islanders is Australia’s strange behaviour when it comes to climate change,” Marshall Islands foreign minister Tony de Brum said at the time. “It just does not make sense, it goes against the grain of the world.” He added: “Not only is Australia our big brother down south, Australia is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum and Australia is a Pacific island, a big island, but a Pacific island. It must recognise that it has a responsibility. The problems that have befallen the smaller countries are also Australia’s problems.”
 
With climate financing a central pillar of the global negotiations, the November 2014 G20 meeting in Brisbane highlighted Canada and Australia’s isolation. With the United States contributing US$3 billion to the Green Climate Fund, and Britain, Germany and France each adding another billion, Julie Bishop finally buckled at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC, talks in Lima. The foreign minister announced a contribution to the fund of US$165 million over four years. Overall, Canberra is offering a sum well below the $2 billion of public and private climate funding required each year to meet Australia’s fair share of global pledges.
 
For years, Marshall Islander Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner has used poetry to translate the jargon of climate policy into a call to action.
 
From her poem “Tell Them” to “Dear Matafele Peneim” – her presentation to the opening of the 2014 UN Climate summit – her lyrics highlight islander concerns over government inaction. Her latest poem is “2 degrees”:
 
At a climate change conference a colleague tells me 2 degrees is just a benchmark for climate negotiations
I tell him for my islands 2 degrees is a gamble at 2 degrees my islands, the Marshall Islands will already be under water this is why our leaders push for 1.5
 
Two degrees is the compromise forged between the OECD and rapidly industrialising countries at the 2010 UNFCCC summit in Cancun. Governments agreed on the long-term goal of holding the increase in global average temperature below 2°C above preindustrial levels.
 
But this consensus on 2°C is a political, not a scientific, measure of safe climate boundaries. As climate analyst David Spratt has noted: “In reality, 2°C is the boundary between dangerous and very dangerous climate change and 1°C warmer than human civilisation has ever experienced.”
 
During the UNFCCC negotiations, which have been underway since 1992, Pacific governments have worked through the Alliance of Small Islands States, a grouping of 44 island and coastal states that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Reflecting the findings of a range of scientific studies, they have called for tougher targets than 2°C, requiring more urgent and extensive emissions reductions. At climate talks in Bonn in June, the alliance called for a long-term temperature goal of “below 1.5°C,” to be included in any agreement signed in Paris this year.
 
When they meet without Australia and New Zealand in the room, Pacific leaders constantly reiterate their support for the alliance’s policies on emissions reductions, climate financing and technology transfer. They also endorse the Warsaw Mechanism on Loss and Damage, a scheme to address the existing damage to water supply, agriculture and infrastructure caused by past greenhouse gas emissions and the failure to fund the necessary adaptation.
 
In July this year, the Polynesian Leaders Group issued the Taputaputea Declaration on Climate Change Island leaders from Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Cook Islands, Niue and French Polynesia repeated positions long advanced by other small island developing states, to “deal with the adverse effects of climate change by limiting global warming below 1.5°C and having access to tools and means to adapt to the adverse impacts caused by climate change.” The declaration highlights “that loss and damage is a critical element for building resilience against climate change” and that this should be “reflected in the legally binding agreement.”
 
Canberra doesn’t agree. Throughout this year, Australian officials have worked with other industrialised nations to systematically challenge positions on loss and damage advanced by the small-states alliance during climate negotiations.
 
Tony Abbott has argued that Australia’s “budget repair” will provide the revenue for ongoing engagement with the region to address climate change. But regional concern over climate policy goes beyond the current conservative backlash, which saw the abolition of Australia’s emissions trading scheme. Australia’s role as a major exporter of fossil fuel energy has led to the “carbon capture” of successive governments, affecting its relationship with other members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
 
Over the last two months, Australia, New Zealand and other countries have announced targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions after 2020. These targets, known as the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions or INDCs, are the basis for negotiation of an agreement at the next UNFCCC summit in Paris.
 
The Key government in New Zealand announced plans to reduce emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Australia’s INDC submission to the UN includes an even less ambitious target of greenhouse gas emissions: 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.
 
Island leaders joined an international chorus of disapproval. Marshall Islands Foreign Minister de Brum said: “Australia’s weak target is another serious blow to its international reputation. As with Prime Minister Abbott’s attempt to ignore climate change when hosting the G20 last year, this will send a serious shudder through the Pacific and raise concern amongst its closest allies, including the United States and Europe.”
 
De Brum went on: “This seems to be another example of Australian exceptionalism when it comes to tackling the biggest economic, environmental and security challenge of the twenty-first century. If the rest of the world followed Australia’s lead, the Great Barrier Reef would disappear. So would my country and the other vulnerable atoll nations on Australia’s doorstep.”
 
Based on current INDC pledges, global emissions are on a path to 3 or 4 degrees of warming, a catastrophic failure of ambition that will devastate small island developing states – and the rest of us.
 
In March, foreign minister Julie Bishop proudly highlighted Australia’s aid response to Cyclone Pam, which devastated Vanuatu and Tuvalu. But beyond the post-disaster hype, successive Australian governments have damaged the institutions that contribute to our engagement with the islands region on climate and disasters. Cutbacks to funding and staffing have reduced the capacity of the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology – which have partnered with Pacific meteorologists on cyclone research – as well as Radio Australia, a vital service that provides cyclone warnings to outlying islands.
 
The abandonment of a bipartisan target for Official Development Assistance has led to proposed cuts of $11.7 billion from Australia’s aid budget over four years, restricting the ability to pledge substantial climate funding. While aid cuts in this year’s budget focused on Africa and Asia, the Pacific islands will not be spared in next year’s budget, with another billion dollars to be slashed.
 
Under its current secretary-general, Dame Meg Taylor of Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Islands Forum is trying to address the global challenge of sustainable development, promoting a new Framework on Pacific Regionalism and improvements to the operations of the Forum Secretariat in Suva. But differences over climate policy threaten that momentum, and will reinforce the growing debate over whether the region might be better served by an “islands-only” Forum.
 
Nic Maclellan is a correspondent for Islands Business magazine (Fiji) and an adjunct researcher with the Swinburne Institute for Social Research.
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Saturday, August 29, 2015

1) Timika bishop condemns deadly shootings

2) Soldiers held after fatal  shooting in Papua
3) Many Elementary School Leavers in Yahukimo Can’t Read or Write, Councilors
4) Residents Complain about Poor Quality of Rice for Civil Servants
5) Lake Sentani Getting Dirtier

6) Search Continues for Yalimo Landslide Victims

7) Escaped Prisoners in Wamena Still on the Run

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1) Timika bishop condemns  deadly shootings
thejakartapost.com, Jakarta | Archipelago | Sat, August 29 2015, 4:47 PM - 
Timika bishop John Philips Saklil has condemned the shootings by military personnel that killed two people and wounded several others in Mimika regency, Papua, early Friday.
“The Church condemns violence, even more so when it causes deaths. Any act of violence will never solve problems,” the Bishop was quoted by tempo.co as saying. 
Saklil, however, called on the people of Papua to calm down, telling them not to take revenge because fresh violence could cause harm to more innocent victims. He called on people to entrust the case to law enforcers. 
A pastoral officer at Timika Church said that the incident occurred when local people organized a Tifa (Papuan drum) beating festival to celebrate the success of a Catholic resident in earning a doctoral degree in the Philippines.
Two drunken men reportedly wanted to join the event, but residents rejected them because they were drunk. The two men, who were later found to be soldiers, left the scene before returning with a gun and bayonet.
Previously, a resident said that the incident occurred when two soldiers opened fire in Timika Baru district, Mimika. Kompas.com reported that people who were partying on the road scolded the soldiers for driving fast, resulting in the soldiers challenging the group. The soldiers reportedly opened fire when they felt they were cornered. (bbn)
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2) Soldiers held after fatal  shooting in Papua
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Headlines | Sat, August 29 2015, 6:14 PM - 
Two members of the Military District Command (Kodim) 1710/Timika have been arrested following a shooting in Koperapoka, Mimika regency, Papua, that left two civilians dead and two others wounded.

The two soldiers, First Sgt. Arshar and Chief Sgt. Makher, were detained by the military police sub-detachment XVII-I/Cenderawasih.

“[If] both are guilty they have to be held accountable for what they did. They will undergo the legal process,” the commander of 174/Waning Ap Merauke, Brig. Gen. Supartodi, told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday at 1:33 a.m. local time. The dead victims were identified as Imanuel Mailmaur, 23, and Yulianus Okoare, 23. The injured were named as Marthinus Apokapo, 24, who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and Martinus Imapula, 25, who was shot in the leg.

Supartodi alleged that the soldiers were drunk when the shooting took place. 

So far two versions of the shooting have emerged. The first version was in the form of a press release by spokesperson for the Military Regional Command (Kodam) XVII/Cenderawasih, Lt. Col. Teguh Pudji Raharjo.

According to the release, the soldiers shot in self defense as a mob attempted to seize their weapons after an attack on Makher. However, the press release gave no reason as to why the mob attacked Makher.

The release said that upon receiving a report from locals about the attack on Makher, Ashar went to the scene to look for his colleague but was attacked on the way, beaten to the ground and attempts were made to take his weapon, whereupon he opened fire and the four civilians were shot, two fatally.

Santon Tekege, a pastoral staff member at Timika Diocese, denied that any attempts were made to grab the soldiers’ guns.

According to Santon, the shooting occurred when two drunk individuals — who were later identified as soldiers — arrived at a tifa (traditional drum beating event) in the yard of Koperapoka Catholic church, the tifa was being held as a thanksgiving party for the first person of Kamoro origin, Leonardus Tumuka, to earn a doctoral degree.

“They [soldiers] were refused admission and they left. Shortly after they returned, carrying rifles with bayonets and frightening the people who were celebrating,” Santon said.

Both men forced their way into the venue and threatened people at the party. Later as they were leaving they opened fire, killing two and injuring two others, he said.

Papua Police Chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw is currently in Timika to maintain order in the area.

Coordinator of the Papua office of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Olga Helena Hamadi, said she had received frequent reports about civilians being shot by members of the security forces in Papua.

“It’s a classic [response] to say that the security forces personnel fired in self-defense,” said Olga, adding that the excuse was often made in such incidents.

Separately Pastor Amandus Rahaded said the bodies of the victims were being held in Koperapoka Catholic Church. No date has so far had been scheduled for their funerals. “Their families are still having talks and waiting for the arrival of the Kodam Cenderawasih commander,” Amandus said.

The two bodies had previously been paraded to the Kodam base and placed in the middle of the street. They were moved to the church only after negotiations were held with the Papua police chief mediated by Amandus. 

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3) Many Elementary School Leavers in Yahukimo Can’t Read or Write, Councilors
POSTED BY: ADMIN AUGUST 25, 2015
Jayapura, Jubi – A member of the of Papua Legislative Council ( DPRP), Lazarus Sieb, said he believed many elementary school graduates are not able to read or write due to the lack of attention to education problems by the relevant agencies.
“There are many elementary students in Yahukimo but many are unable to read or write after graduating from school. For example, when students were asked to write letter P, they would write the letter B,” Sieb said on Tuesday (08/25/2015).
As a result, the students experienced difficulty when continuing Junior High School (SMP) in the city.
“Because of the lack of reading and writing, sometimes the students have to stay at the same grade at junior high school level. This is clearly very unfortunate as we need to build Papuan human resources,” he said.
The same thing was said to be members of the DPRP Nathan Pahabol. He said the improvement of education and health in Yahukimo is really poor.
“Yakuhimo regency needs to address and fix this condition “he added. (Arjuna Pademme/ Tina)
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4) Residents Complain about Poor Quality of Rice for Civil Servants
POSTED BY: ADMIN AUGUST 25, 2015
Jayapura, Jubi – Jayapura city residents complained about the poor quality of rice intended for civil servants, military and police in Papua.
“It smells musty and also its weighs less. Although the lice are not so many, it really makes the quality of rice bad, ” said Takayetauw, resident of Tanah Hitam when met Jubi in Abepura district on Monday (24/08/2015).
He said rice which should have been received 15kg on the packaging was only 12 kg when weighed.
“I am very disappointed with this, the government should be able to supervise and give serious attention on this case” Takayetauw said.
Arif Mandu, head of Logistic Agency in Papua ( Bulog) claimed that the rice for civil servants and the military, the police in Papua is in good condition with the appropriate weight indicated on the weight of the sack.
According to him when the rice is out of the barn and ready to be distributed to the regencies/ city, it is then the responsibility of the government.
“I hope the district and city will also oversees, as well as representatives from each of the regional work units (SKPD) in each district and the city,” he said. (Munir/ Tina)
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5) Lake Sentani Getting Dirtier
POSTED BY: ADMIN AUGUST 25, 2015
Sentani, Jubi – Sentani lake, one of tourist destinations in Jayapura, is getting dirty, a local councillor said, urging residents to keep it clean.
A member of Jayapura Legislative Council, Milly Mehue, took the initiative to hold a Trash Free Sentani Lake Action (ADSBS) in order to sensitize the residents around the lake.
“There are people who live around the lake and depend on it. Do not throw trash in the lake, ” Milly said when met Jubi in Sentani, Jayapura regency on Monday (24/8/2015).
ADSBS will be conducted this action simultaneously and will involve the citizens of the city and around the lake.
“We set this event in a schedule that must be implemented by every community who live in East to West Sentani. The action would be held once a week. This movement must be done by us as a society, “he explained.
“We will check the efforts of the people of the city, which does not have an official license, whether it is SITU, ownership of the EIA and the IMB, “he said.
Marshal Suebu, environmentalists and also a chairman of the CPA hirosi Papua said Jayapura regency status is still in the category of the dirtiest cities in Indonesia.
“If we want our environment clean and comfortable to live then we all have to start from ourselves, it is the basis on which the environment in the city. So that everyone who comes here still like to stay here, “Marshal said. (Engel Wally/ Tina)
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6) Search Continues for Yalimo Landslide Victims

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POSTED BY: ADMIN AUGUST 25, 2015
Wamena, Jubi – Rescuers continue the search for eight people believed buried after a landslide at Yalimo Regency on Monday morning (24/8/2015).  
The missing people were PT. PAB employees identified as Ardi Padidik, Yoseph Nussy, Versus Peon, Yopi Kepno and two residents Lasarus Wantik and Wilumus Wanti, truck drivers Ismail and Ferdy. Jayawijaya Police Chief Adjunct Senior Police Commisionaire Ronny Thaba confirmed to reporters on Tuesday (24/8/2015) that he and his officers are currently still on the scene.
“The eight victims are consisting of seven adults and a child. The incident was happened on Sunday night and damaged three trucks, 2 pick-ups and an excavator. All victims were been sleeping in a camp belonging to PT. BAP when the incident was occurred,” he said.
Currently the police and military personnel as well as local residents are still doing a search on location. He said currently the rescue team needs someone with special skills and full-equipment for the search. If it continues by hand, it’s worried raising another victims considering mud and strong river stream. (Islami/rom)
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7) Escaped Prisoners in Wamena Still on the Run

POSTED BY: ADMIN AUGUST 25, 2015
Wamena, Jubi – Fourteen prisoners who escaped from Wamena Prison early Monday  (23/8/2015) are still on the run and being chased by the local police.
“Once we got the report, we promptly formed an investigation team,” Crime and Investigation Unit Chief First Inspector I Wayan Laba told reporters at his office on Tuesday (24/8/2015).
The police will also question guards who were in charge at the time of the escape, Laba said. He said this incident wasn’t the first time. Two prisoners escaped from the same prison last July while 55 prisoners ran away in 2014.
Looking at two last cases that happened within this year, he said the police found names of the same guards who were on duty at the time when prisoners escaped from the prison. The police would also examine whether it was part of conspiracy or negligence. If so, there would be a legal consequence.
As reported earlier, fourteen prisoners have escaped from Wamena Prison on Monday dawn by breaking the ceiling in C2 and C3 blocks, and jumped over the fence using iron sticks used to apply as futsal goal gate and blankets.
Meanwhile, related to the escape of fourteen prisoners from Wamena Prison, that seven are prisoners under Wamena Prosecutor Office’s custody and the rest are prisoners of Wamena District court, the Head of Wamena Prosecutor Office, Dian Frits Nalle, SH questioned and regretted how could prisoners from jail all at once. It would greatly affect the legal process by the Prosecutor Office and the Court.
“It’s the authority of Wamena Prison who should responsible on this incident, although those fugitives are legally our prisoners. But based on regulation, they must be sent to Wamena Prison because the Prosecutor Office has no separate rooms to keep the prisoners. We have received the letter of announcement and coordinated with the police to find the fugitives,” Nalle told by phone on Tuesday (25/8/2015).
Nalle further questioned about the security system of prison to let prisoners escape without being known by guards. “It is clear that prisoners run away. They were only transferred from the police’s custody to Wamena Prison, and their cases have not yet decided by Court. Now they were escaped and by law the prison authority should be responsible on this, that guards and security system should be questioned,” said Nalle.
He futher said this case wasn’t the first time but it happened several times, thus all parties in particular the Directorate of Prison of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights should pay attention on this case. “The legal process would still continue but it’s would be very slow since we along with the police must seek and chase the fugitives to bring them to the Court,” he said. (Islami/rom)
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Commentary: Defending Indonesia's Fragile Media Freedom

http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/opinion/commentary-defending-indonesias-fragile-media-freedom/
Commentary: Defending Indonesia's Fragile Media Freedom
By : Phelim Kine | on 05:28 AM August 29, 2015
Category : Opinion, Commentary, Front Page
Indonesia’s hard-won media freedoms have just dodged a bullet.
On Aug. 26, President Joko Widodo revoked a new regulation that would have imposed onerous restrictions on foreign media in Indonesia. Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo subsequently apologized to the president for the “confusion” created by the now-canceled regulation. The proposed regulation was all the more puzzling given Joko’s announcement on May 10 that lifted the restrictions on access to Papua for accredited foreign correspondents. The willingness of some senior officials to even consider such measures is an alarming indicator of the disregard for media freedom among some elements of Joko’s government.

The regulation would have required foreign journalists to get permission from local authorities as well as the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) before doing any reporting in the country. The Home Ministry’s director general of political and general administration, Soedarmo, justified the rule as a means “to monitor all activities of foreign journalists in Indonesia.” The officials behind the rule went so far as to envision a new Foreign Ministry-supervised “Coordination Team of Foreigners Visitation taskforce” staffed by BIN and National Police personnel to vet the reporting plans of foreign journalists.

The proposed regulation was more than just a sinister throwback to the authoritarian media restrictions of the Suharto dictatorship, which collapsed in 1998 after three decades in power. The Indonesian nongovernmental media freedom group Independent Alliance of Journalists (AJI) rightly recognized  the rule as an effort to extend nationwide a longstanding restriction on foreign media reporting that previously applied only to the provinces of Papua and West Papua.

For more than three decades, accredited foreign media seeking to travel to Papua have had to apply for that accessthrough a Ministry of Foreign Affairs-supervised interagency “Clearing House” that included representatives of the National Police and BIN. The agency served as a strict gatekeeper by either failing to approve applications for Papua access -- placing journalists in a bureaucratic limbo -- or routinely denying the applications outright. On June 17, the Foreign Ministry announced that it had abolished the “Clearing House” in line with Joko’s May 10 directive. But the proposed “Coordination Team of Foreigners Visitation taskforce” suggests that elements within the government want the “Clearing House” revived and expanded.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Joko’s move to lift access restrictions for foreign journalists has evoked deep hostility among some government and security forces officials who reflexively equate foreign journalists with spies. The day after Joko’s announcement, the then-coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, insistedthat foreign correspondents would continue to need special access permits to Papua and that the government would continue to “screen” foreign journalists seeking that access.  On May 12, the National Police spokesman, Sr. Comr. Agus Rianto, asserted that the government would continue to restrict foreign correspondents’ Papua access through an entry permit system. Agus said there was a need to maintain foreign media access restrictions to Papua to prevent foreign media from talking to “people who opposed the government” as well as to block the access of “terrorists” who might pretend to be journalists to travel to Papua.
On May 19, the then-commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), Gen. Moeldoko, stated that foreign media would continue to require Papua access permits from the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s interagency Clearing House. Moeldoko warned that the Indonesian government would expel any foreign journalists whose Papua reporting was perceived by the government to “undermine our government and state” or whose reports “contain defamation that triggers unrest.” On May 26, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu warned that foreign media access to Papua was conditional on an obligation to produce “good reports.” Ryamizard didn’t precisely define “good reports,” but he explicitly equated foreign journalists’ negative Papua reporting with “sedition” and threatened expulsion for any foreign journalist whose reporting displeases the government.

These attitudes reflect the uphill battle the president faces in trying to restrain the censorship reflexes of elements of the government and security forces who want not only to maintain their foreign media chokehold on access to Papua, but to make it a template for all of Indonesia. Joko deserves credit for defying them by opposing policies that restrict freedom of expression. But it’s clear that he will need to remain vigilant in ensuring that all elements of his government and the security forces respect, not restrict, media freedom in Papua and beyond.
Phelim Kine is the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
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