2) Military deployed to extinguish fires in southern Papua
3) Thick Haze, Papua Flights Cancelled for First Time
4) Going for Gold
5) WPNCL PRESS RELEASE
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1) Inalum, Antam encouraged to buy Freeport shares
thejakartapost.com, Jakarta | Business | Tue, October 20 2015, 12:05 PM -
State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Minister Rini Soemarno is set to encourage state-owned aluminum maker PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) and state-owned diversified miner PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) to purchase shares as part of PT Freeport Indonesia's upcoming share divestment.
“The ministry is currently conducting detailed calculations and analysis to see how Inalum should join in Freeport’s share divestment," said Rini in Jakarta on Monday as quoted by Antara news agency.
According to Rini, the BUMNs were financially ready to increase the government's shares in Freeport thanks to the full support of state-owned banks such as Bank Mandiri, BRI and BNI.
"We feel that Inalum should join in since it doesn’t yet own any mines and thus can hopefully serve as an effective Freeport shareholder," said Rini. She added that the banks would certainly be eager to support [the plan] since Inalum had very strong finances and Freeport was of great strategic value.
"Other than domestic companies, international financial institutions will definitely compete to help fund the purchase as well," said Rini.
Antam, which currently focuses on a smelter-grade alumina refinery in Mempawah, West Kalimantan, is considered a strong and effective partner for potentially assisting Inalum to take purchase a slice of Freeport.
Rini added that the ministry was currently completing a study on the share divestment.
"[We expect] the study will be completed before the end of October. We will soon submit a proposal to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry," said Rini.
Under PP No. 77/2014 on mineral and coal mining business activity, Freeport must divest 10.64 percent of its shares to the government by Oct. 14, to bring Indonesian ownership of the company up to 20 percent. After accepting an offer, the government has 90 days to negotiate with Freeport. (ags/kes)(++++)
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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/10/20/military-deployed-extinguish-fires-southern-papua.html
2) Military deployed to extinguish fires in southern Papua
Nethy Dharma Somba, thejakartapost.com, Jayapura | National | Tue, October 20 2015, 10:32 AM - See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/10/20/military-deployed-extinguish-fires-southern-papua.html#sthash.XKPM7qle.dpuf
Hundreds of Indonesian Military personnel have been dispatched to extinguish spot fires across southern Papua that have caused thick smoke and disrupted flights at Mosez Kilangin Airport over the last two weeks.
“Currently, around 300 military personnel have been deployed to put out fires in several areas, especially in Merauke and Mappi regencies,” Kodam XVII/Cendrawasih commander Maj. Gen. Hinsa Siburian told thejakartapost.com on Monday. He was speaking on the sidelines of his visit to Kepi, the capital of Mappi regency, to monitor the handling of fires in the area.
“From the aircraft, we could clearly see spot fires that have spread across Mappi, Merauke and Kimaan Island. The spot fires are not only in one place but scattered across several areas, some close to villages,” said Hinsa.
He said that Papuans burn land to make it more fertile. “It is the habit of local people to burn land during the dry season in the hope that new buds will grow. This habit has been passed down for generations but it is unfortunate that this year, the dry season is a bit longer so spot fires have quickly spread,” said Hinsa.
Military personnel deployed to extinguish the fire are also tasked with sharing information with local communities about extinguishing fires and how to not burn land.
“The land they have burned is not meant for plantations. They burn land near their settlements or land they will use for hunting,” said Hinsa.
“The burned land is in Mappi and Merauke but it has disrupted flights in Timika and affected other activities,” he added.
Separately, the head of Timika’s Transportation, Communications and Information Agency, John Rettob, said that as of Monday the Mosez Kilangin Airport in Timika was still unable to operate. “It is still closed,” he said. The airport has not taken any aircraft arrivals since Thursday as smoke has reduced visibility to only 500 meters.
According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Papua, the number of spot fires in Papua and West Papua has reached 219, comprising 169 spots in Papua and 50 in West Papua. (ebf)(++++)
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3) Thick Haze, Papua Flights Cancelled for First Time
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Sriwijaya Air management admitted for the first time they experience flight cancellations because of the haze that in Papua, airline officials said Monday, October 19.
"It's a unique incident, this is the first time we experienced cancellations due to haze in Timika," said Sriwijaya Air Corporate Communications Agus Sujono to Tempo on Monday.
Sriwijaya Air cancelled flights four times due to haze in Timika. The four flights are on the routes from Jakarta to Timika, Timika to Jayapura, Timika to Sorong and Timika to Makasar.
Previously, Timika Meteorology station forecaster Ardy Onda Ndaya Sipatu said according to Terra and Aqua satellites observations, there are 142 hotspots in Merauke and surrounding areas, triggering thick haze in the southern region of Papua.
"According to the latest satellite observation data, there are 142 hotspots spread around Merauke, Yos Sudarso Island until Mappi. The number of fires is increasing compared to previous day that reached 131," said Ardy in Timika on Saturday.
Since Thursday all flight activities at the Kilangin Moses airport in Timika, especially wide-bodied planes such as Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya Air and Airfast Indonesia had to be canceled.
"These conditions had greatly affect the aviation sector. Garuda Indonesia and Sriwijaya Air has not landed in Timika since October 15. Since Friday and Saturday, October 17, larger planes had not landed in Timika. Smaller planes are still operating," said Ardy.
ARIEF HIDAYAT
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4) Going for Gold
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Whatever the government's decision on Freeport Indonesia, the 1945 Constitution must be its main point of reference. The Constitution clearly states that the soil, water and natural resources of Indonesia must be managed by the state and must be exploited to the maximum for the benefit of the Indonesian people. The government is mandated to put this principle above all in its negotiations with the American company before its contract of work ends in 2021.
In line with the latest government regulation, negotiations on Freeport's contract extension must take place two years before its expiration date. By comparison, in the risky oil and gas sector, investors are given the opportunity to submit their contract extensions 10 years before their expiration date. So, we can understand if Freeport wants an earlier decision, given that the company plans to invest another US$18 billion, or more than Rp 240 trillion, over the next few years.
Renegotiations are normal whenever one or both parties find an unfair element in the previous contract. And it is not unusual if there are new issues that must be mutually-agreed upon, before the contract can be extended. In 1991, the New Order regime requested improvements to the Contract of Work I that was agreed on 1967, long before the end of the 30-year agreement.
The question now is whether Freeport is the best choice and whether it provides the most benefit for Indonesia. The minister of energy and mineral resources should consider this carefully before he submits his proposal to President Joko Widodo. The new formula must give the people and the regional government an opportunity to obtain the best possible benefit from the mining of the gold, copper, silver and other minerals from their own land.
The government must not weaken in the face of the immense capital involved. The current uncertain economic situation should not weaken its negotiating position. Yes, we need to open the door wide to investors and prevent those already in the country from leaving but foreign investors in Indonesia should only be welcomed with one condition: that their business benefits the people of this nation.
The government must use these accelerated negotiations as an opportunity to ensure that it obtains a larger contribution from Freeport's operations in Papua. The 1 percent royalty paid since 1967 is too little in proportion to the profits Freeport earns from mining in Papua. Many nations obtain royalties above 5 percent out of similar mining operations.
This is why the President or the energy minister must explain why they have only asked for around 3.5 percent in these negotiations. Additionally, why was the government too quick in agreeing to reduce Freeport's concession area from 213,000 hectares to 90,000 hectares, despite Law No. 4/2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining, limiting production areas to a maximum of 25,000 hectares? In the new agreement, there must be no special treatment or exceptions.
Every point negotiated must be backed by strong and rational arguments. The policy of divesting 30 percent of shares in 2019 must be monitored carefully to ensure that it is implemented without any vested interests or collusion. The obligation to build a smelter to process the mining products, as well as the requirement to acquire a bigger portion of domestic goods and services, should not be negotiable.
Indonesia has a much stronger bargaining position than it had when the Suharto regime renewed Freeport's contract of work in 1992. Jokowi has more ammunition and better weapons to back him up: for Freeport, 2.27 billion tons of ore reserves in its concession area is a gold mine. The government must stand firm because Freeport will fight hard to prevent its concessions from slipping out of its hands. (*)
Read the full story in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine
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5) WPNCL PRESS RELEASE
WEST PAPUA NATIONAL COALITION FOR LIBERATION
Secretariat: Box 1571, Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu,
Ph.:+678 7740808, E-mails:
When injustice becomes law Resistance becomes duty
Date: 17 October 2015
BRIG. GEN. URIA RICHARD JOWENY, COMMANDER OF
WEST PAPUA NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY (TPN) AND
CHAIRMAN OF WPNCL HAD PASSED AWAY
(4 December 1942 – 16 October 2015)
Brig. Gen. Joweny passed away at 11.00 pm on Friday, 16 October 2015 in Jayapura and was buried with Military honor on Sunday 18 October 2015 at his jungle Head Quarters. He is succeeded by 2 sons and 1 daughter. His passing was received with deep sorrow by families and friends especially members of TPN and the independence movements as a whole because his Wife Johanna had just passed away on 22 September 2015. His passing is a temporary setback for the independence movement because the movement had just completed its Congress following the results of this year‘s MSG and PIF decisions. There were structural adjustments to be made and appointments to fill the position of Vice Chairman due to the passing of Dr. John Ondawame and earlier the passing of Pacific Rep. Clemens Runawery. There were also major recommendations to be followed through with the agenda for self-determination and independence. His leadership would be greatly missed.
EUOLOGY
Brig. Gen. Uria Richard Joweny is the longest serving Commander of the Military Wing (TPN) of the Free Papua Movement (OPM). He rarely mentioned his home Village in Wondama of the Manokwari region. As a Papuan nationalist he feels at home anywhere in West Papua. His wisdom and strong sense of Patriotism is reflected all the time in his leadership that always places unity and cooperation at the center of his decisions. He is highly disciplined and always lead by example. On duty he is tough but off duty he is humble and easy to crack jokes with. He is a complete role model for those that he command. He is utterly religious and observed and practiced his Christian faith daily.
He was Chief of Staff under Gen. Rumkorem responsible for political education during TPN 3-4 months Military training. He earned the position of Brig. Gen. after he established TPN regional commands throughout West Papua. He recommended regional commanders like Kwalik, Jogi, Awom etc for appointment by Gen. Rumkorem.
Uria Yoweny joined the OPM at the age of 23 but during his teenage years he was active as leader of Youth Fellowship for his Church in down town Jayapura. After he came back from 2 years study in Java he worked for the Department of Commerce and Industries. While working he joined the underground nationalist movement called PENTANA that maintained communications with OPM leaders Jacob Prai and Agus Jerisetouw near the border with PNG. In 1968 there was active recruitment by KKPB now TPN run by former PVK Sergeant Tukayo. Uria left his job and together with some members of PENTANA including Rex Rumakiek, Dan Kafiar, Louis Nussy, Louis Bonay and others from Colleges around Jayapura took to the mountains to join the training.
In early 1970 the air of anger and the fighting spirit was still high because of the bad results of the act of free choice a few months earlier. There were highly skilled public servants from the Dutch era who just walked off from their jobs. Brig, Gen. Seth Rumkorem and some of his men also follow the example of Uria and went bush. There was no need for recruitment people took to the mountains willingly looking for training and arms. Being a skilled youth worker Uria was active in arranging meetings and organizing people in the camps and assisted with the staff. His administrative skills were recognized by the other leaders and become an important member of the staff at the Victoria Head Quarters of TPN. Not for long he was promoted to Chief of Staff by Gen. Rumkorem.
On 1 July 1971 Brig. Gen Seth Rumkorem and Jacob Prai unilaterally proclaimed the independent State of West Papua. Brig. Gen Seth Rumkorem was made President while Mr. Jacob Prai was the Chairman of the Senate. The proclamation they claimed, was West Papuan people’s response to the fraudulent act of free choice of 1969. They declared Waris a liberated zone where they set up the offices of the Provisional Revolutionary Government (RPG) of the Republic of West Papua. Uria was appointed the Minister of Information. In 1976 Mr. Jacob Prai attempted a coup against Rumkorem but failed so he set up another government called Defacto. The conflict was not contained and spread to become conflict between highlanders and coastal people. TPN was split and the Senate in disarray. TPN was weakened considerably and could not respond effectively to the Indonesian attacks causing many deaths. The original Victoria was abandoned; many members of the RPG sought asylum overseas while Uria and Rumkorem took the remaining TPN personnel away from the border area. In 1982 as Rumkorem was preparing to travel overseas, Uria was appointed Minister of Defense.
Vanuatu that since independence in July 1980 declared its support for OPM was very concerned about the disunity within the OPM. The late PM. Fr. Walter Lini and Barak Sope, then Secretary General of Vanuaaku Pati worked with Andy Ayamiseba the Manager of the Black Brothers and OPM representative Rex Rumakiek to try and find a solution to the disunity. Finally, a break through. Both leaders accepted an invitation by the government to come to Vanuatu to resolve their conflict. They were told that if they don’t unite it would be hard for Vanuatu to take the case to international forums. On the 10 of August 1986 Prai and Rumkorem signed what was known as Port Vila Declaration.
Once again Port Vila became host to another West Papuan leaders meeting when WPNCL was inaugurated in April 2008. It was in this meeting that Uria Richard Joweny was elected as Chairman of WPNCL, the late Dr. John Ondawame Vice Chairman and Rex Rumakiek, Secretary General; all members of OPM. Brig. Gen. Uria Richard Jowey had visited Vanuatu and met with leaders of the country. He has also visited Fji, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Under his Chairmanship West Papua was officially placed on MSG agenda and West Papuan right of self-determination being recognized.
In 2014 when Vanuatu once again hosted a unitary meeting on the request of MSG, Uria Yoweny led a delegation of 100 leaders and members of WPNCL (TPN/OPM, Presidium Dewan Papua, Dewan Adat, WPNCL, KNPB/PNWP, dan Bintang-14). These leaders managed to come as far as Port Moresby. They could not continue on to Port Vila due to lack of finance. The new body United Liberation Movement for Wes Papua was established without their presence. They remained in Port Moresby until the Secretary General arrived from Port Vila to brief them before they could go home. They all support the Saralana Declaration of Unity in respect of Vanuatu people and their government.
For further details contact,
Rex Rumakiek, Secretary General, +61414149001,
Andy Ayamiseba, Head of Vanuatu Mission, +678 7740808
Paula Makabory, Head of Australian Mission, +61 423451540
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