2) Council’s Working Committee Investigates Freeport’s Mining Areas
3) Rp 10 Trillion Needed to Organise 2020 National Games in Papua
4) Government Has No Authority on Customary Villages
5) Fewer Indigenous Papuans Enrolled at IPDN
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http://www.globalindonesianvoices.com/26755/stories-from-the-border/
1) Stories From the Border
Posted On 23 Jun 2016
Indonesia shares land borders with a diverse group of countries: Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste, and coming with that are some interesting stories.
Illustration. (Photo source: Pixabay/Vira)
Illustration. (Photo source: Pixabay/Vira)
Perspective
Jakarta, GIVnews.com – Borders are not just boundaries. They are strategic entry and exit points, the door steps to Indonesia. But stories from the border are often untold hence they are unheard by those living in the inner side of the archipelago. Check them out below.
Jakarta, GIVnews.com – Borders are not just boundaries. They are strategic entry and exit points, the door steps to Indonesia. But stories from the border are often untold hence they are unheard by those living in the inner side of the archipelago. Check them out below.
Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam
One of the most interesting stories from this border, which separates Indonesia’s Kalimantan with Malaysia’s Sabah and Sarawak, is the “Love Hut.” A two-storey wooden hut with four rooms in each storey, the appearance of the hut is nothing special. But it helps the border guards contact their loved ones: apparently, that’s the only place where you can get mobile phone signals.
Even then, it’s still a struggle. For one, you need to hang your phone on the outer side of the hut’s walls to actually connect with the signal. Not to mention that somehow only old phones can catch the signal, making the latest smartphones useless.
It’s still better than nothing, though. One border guard, Hery, told Tempo, “Last Idul Fitri, the hut almost got destroyed because thirteen people entered.”
Another story comes from Brunei, which doesn’t exactly share a direct border with Indonesia, but nonetheless shares the same island of Kalimantan (or Borneo, depending on who you’re talking to). An Indonesian student in Brunei shared his story when he crossed the border by bus to go back to Indonesia. He contrasted Brunei and Malaysia’s forests, still lush with abundant trees, with Indonesian forests’ sad state.
On his way back, however, he happened to see some people wearing official uniforms, but without their names on them, as is customary. They collected passports from Indonesian overseas workers (TKI) and had those passports stamped, but when they return the passports they ask for money for their “service.”
His other concern was the condition of the roads in Indonesia, which are rocky and narrow, with overgrown grass, bushes and tree branches by the road side. Meanwhile, roads in Brunei and Malaysia are wide, smooth with clean-cut grass.
One of the most interesting stories from this border, which separates Indonesia’s Kalimantan with Malaysia’s Sabah and Sarawak, is the “Love Hut.” A two-storey wooden hut with four rooms in each storey, the appearance of the hut is nothing special. But it helps the border guards contact their loved ones: apparently, that’s the only place where you can get mobile phone signals.
Even then, it’s still a struggle. For one, you need to hang your phone on the outer side of the hut’s walls to actually connect with the signal. Not to mention that somehow only old phones can catch the signal, making the latest smartphones useless.
It’s still better than nothing, though. One border guard, Hery, told Tempo, “Last Idul Fitri, the hut almost got destroyed because thirteen people entered.”
Another story comes from Brunei, which doesn’t exactly share a direct border with Indonesia, but nonetheless shares the same island of Kalimantan (or Borneo, depending on who you’re talking to). An Indonesian student in Brunei shared his story when he crossed the border by bus to go back to Indonesia. He contrasted Brunei and Malaysia’s forests, still lush with abundant trees, with Indonesian forests’ sad state.
On his way back, however, he happened to see some people wearing official uniforms, but without their names on them, as is customary. They collected passports from Indonesian overseas workers (TKI) and had those passports stamped, but when they return the passports they ask for money for their “service.”
His other concern was the condition of the roads in Indonesia, which are rocky and narrow, with overgrown grass, bushes and tree branches by the road side. Meanwhile, roads in Brunei and Malaysia are wide, smooth with clean-cut grass.
Papua New Guinea
The traveller and storyteller Agustinus Wibowo previously shared his story with GIV, recounting his experience during the period when he explored the area surrounding Indonesia’s border with Papua New Guinea. There, he stayed with members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) at their camp.
“These people are forgotten. Nobody writes about their struggle. Nobody covers them. And they are full of fear of Indonesia and Indonesians so it was quite hard for me to get accepted by the people,” recounted the travel writer.
Many OPM camps are located in the southern part of the border, but they are hard to reach from the Indonesian side. If you go there from Papua New Guinea, you only need to cross three rivers; but from the Indonesian side, you have to cross five deep rivers.
For the locals, the border itself is so vague that they could not differentiate which part belongs to which country. There is even a village populated by OPM members that was built on Indonesian land, but marked with a Papua New Guinean flag. Residents go to the Papua New Guinean market, because they do not realize that they are on Indonesian territory.
“Nobody knows where the border is,” emphasized Agustinus. He also explained the story of OPM members.
“These people are the children of people who are struggling. In the 1984, they moved to Papua New Guinea,” said the knowmad. But that generation passed away and their children did not know about the struggle. “They don’t even know whether they are Indonesian or Papua New Guinean!”
The traveller and storyteller Agustinus Wibowo previously shared his story with GIV, recounting his experience during the period when he explored the area surrounding Indonesia’s border with Papua New Guinea. There, he stayed with members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) at their camp.
“These people are forgotten. Nobody writes about their struggle. Nobody covers them. And they are full of fear of Indonesia and Indonesians so it was quite hard for me to get accepted by the people,” recounted the travel writer.
Many OPM camps are located in the southern part of the border, but they are hard to reach from the Indonesian side. If you go there from Papua New Guinea, you only need to cross three rivers; but from the Indonesian side, you have to cross five deep rivers.
For the locals, the border itself is so vague that they could not differentiate which part belongs to which country. There is even a village populated by OPM members that was built on Indonesian land, but marked with a Papua New Guinean flag. Residents go to the Papua New Guinean market, because they do not realize that they are on Indonesian territory.
“Nobody knows where the border is,” emphasized Agustinus. He also explained the story of OPM members.
“These people are the children of people who are struggling. In the 1984, they moved to Papua New Guinea,” said the knowmad. But that generation passed away and their children did not know about the struggle. “They don’t even know whether they are Indonesian or Papua New Guinean!”
Timor-Leste
Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province borders Timor-Leste. An Indonesian border guard, Lucky, admitted he was shocked when he first saw his post.
“It was far, secluded and there was almost no development,” said Lucky. It took him three months to get used to the border post. Now, along with his 10 staffs, he guards the border while also becoming part of the local community.
“Some of us manage a field, take care of vegetable gardens, breed chicken and even wild birds. That’s how we cope with loneliness,” he said.
They also provide medicine for the locals. Lots of people come to them at night to ask for medicines, saying that the army’s supply is good, though Lucky suspects they come to the guards because the public healthcare clinic is far.
Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province borders Timor-Leste. An Indonesian border guard, Lucky, admitted he was shocked when he first saw his post.
“It was far, secluded and there was almost no development,” said Lucky. It took him three months to get used to the border post. Now, along with his 10 staffs, he guards the border while also becoming part of the local community.
“Some of us manage a field, take care of vegetable gardens, breed chicken and even wild birds. That’s how we cope with loneliness,” he said.
They also provide medicine for the locals. Lots of people come to them at night to ask for medicines, saying that the army’s supply is good, though Lucky suspects they come to the guards because the public healthcare clinic is far.
Economic potential
People living near the border often cross to work and trade. For example, some people near the Malaysian border cross over to Malaysia because the education system there is better and more accessible, goods are sold at a cheaper price and there are more, and better, facilities.
Nonetheless, in a village near the Malaysian border at least, the local government has spent hundred millions of rupiah to build the village’s infrastructure, making the residents less attracted to move to the other side. One of the Indonesian military personnel there, Hardika, said he heard the village’s development makes those who have previously moved to Malaysia regretted their choice.
Editor: Putra Musketeer
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2) Council’s Working Committee Investigates Freeport’s Mining Areas
24 June 2016
Jayapura, Jubi – A Working Committee on Freeport’s Boundary established by Commission IV of the Papua Legislative Council to tackle the issues related to the border mining areas of PT Freeport Indonesia would conduct a hearing with the regents who claimed Freeport mining area has intervened into their administrative territorial.
Working Committee Chairman Thomas Sondegau said it would invite the regents of Paniai, Deiyai, Dogiyai, Intan Jaya, Nduga, Puncak and Mimika that the latter is currently Freeport’s operation area.
“We will conduct a meeting with the regents from those regencies. They claimed Freeport’s underground mining areas have entered their regions. We want to hear their explanation directly,” he told Jubi by phone on Thursday (23/6/2016).
Besides hearing with the regents of six regencies, the working committee would also coordinate with the provincial government and related offices. After the meeting, it schedules to meet the representatives of Freeport. “If we have listened from many parties and had the required data, then we would meet with Freeport,” he said.
He said the working committee would ask this gold and copper company to explain the boundaries of their mining areas, in particular the underground mining areas. “Furthermore, Freeport impressed being closed all the time. We want to know their boundaries and which areas belong to them on their version,” he said.
In addition, he added, the central government also recognized Mimika as the only regency where Freeport’s mining activities are executed. While, Freeport is suspected already expanding its operation into other regencies surround its mining areas.
The Chairman of the Council’s Commission IV Boy Markus Dawir said the Working Committee on Freeport Boundary is working to measure the areas belong to the American Company. “It would be ensured whether the operation areas are fully in the MImika Regency or have expanded to other regencies. It is important, because despite relating to the community tenure rights and administrative region, it also affect to the Regional Income of related regencies,” said Dawir. (Arjuna Pedemme/rom)
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People living near the border often cross to work and trade. For example, some people near the Malaysian border cross over to Malaysia because the education system there is better and more accessible, goods are sold at a cheaper price and there are more, and better, facilities.
Nonetheless, in a village near the Malaysian border at least, the local government has spent hundred millions of rupiah to build the village’s infrastructure, making the residents less attracted to move to the other side. One of the Indonesian military personnel there, Hardika, said he heard the village’s development makes those who have previously moved to Malaysia regretted their choice.
Editor: Putra Musketeer
3) Rp 10 Trillion Needed to Organise 2020 National Games in Papua
24 June 2016
Jakarta, Jubi – Funding allocated for the 2020 National Games in Papua has reached Rp 10 trillion.
The funds are used for the construction of facilities and infrastructure needed to host the quadrennial event.
“Ten trillion is the whole package including the facilities and infrastructure. But, the detail will continuously be reviewed because it should be used properly,” said the Secretary General of PON 2020 Committee Yusuf Yambe Yabdi at the break of technology briefing towards PON 2020 in Jakarta on Thursday (23/6/2016).
According to him, despite the cost required for implementing the biggest multi-event championship in Indonesia is high, the Papua Provincial Government would cover not all the cost, because there would be some supporters. The Provincial Government, he said, only provided Rp 3 trillion, and the rest would gain supports from private sectors and Regional Budget of each participating regency as well as the Central Government.
“Clearly the plan would become a basis of how much budget is required. So the cost is approximately Rp 10 trillion. That’s for all,” said Yabdi who also the Head of Papua Sport and Youth Office.
Ahead to PON 2020, Papua must be prepared. In fact, most of the sport venues must be built, though some are in renovation. Moreover, many sport locations are also not centralized because it spreads in many areas.
In general, PON 2020 would be centralized in Jayapura, but there are four regions that would become a host, namely Biak, Wamena, Timika and Merauke. As for the sports that would be in competition are 55 branches including the exhibitions.
For succeeding PON 2020, Papua has acted promptly whether in preparing the infrastructures as well as the human resources. Especially for the infrastructure, the constructions have conducted gradually according to the budget proposal.
“There are multi-year planning but also a year planning. But clearly we used various systems. This year we targeted all infrastructure planning would be done and the construction could be started on next year. All infrastructures must be done within 2019,” he firmly said.
For the human resources, currently the government has prepared personnel in particularly to occupy 14 sectors including the secretariat, transportation, health service and accommodation. At least 140 personnel have been prepared for such posts.
Meanwhile, the General Chairman Deputy of the Central Indonesian Sport Committee Suwarno said the infrastructure planning of PON 2020 must be done within this year. This must be done to ensure the preparation is much better though still a long for execution time. He doesn’t want any problems occurred in the future.
“This year the infrastructure planning must be done to start the construction next year. It’s not only the infrastructure but Papua must also prepare their human resources, including how to prepare the event and determine the sports to be competed. Everything has to be prepared properly,” he said. (Alexander Loen/rom)
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4) Government Has No Authority on Customary Villages
24 June 2016
Sentani, Jubi – The local government cannot interfere in the affairs of established customary villages in Jayapura Regency, Papua, Jayapura Regent Matius Awoitau said.
“Customary villages are no longer the authority of the regional government, from the administrative system till the appointment of village chief by ondoafi (customary leaders),” said Awoitau told Jubi in Sentani on Thursday (23/6/2016).
Along with customary villages, there are some rules set up that the customary people should follow.
Jakarta, Jubi – Funding allocated for the 2020 National Games in Papua has reached Rp 10 trillion.
The funds are used for the construction of facilities and infrastructure needed to host the quadrennial event.
“Ten trillion is the whole package including the facilities and infrastructure. But, the detail will continuously be reviewed because it should be used properly,” said the Secretary General of PON 2020 Committee Yusuf Yambe Yabdi at the break of technology briefing towards PON 2020 in Jakarta on Thursday (23/6/2016).
According to him, despite the cost required for implementing the biggest multi-event championship in Indonesia is high, the Papua Provincial Government would cover not all the cost, because there would be some supporters. The Provincial Government, he said, only provided Rp 3 trillion, and the rest would gain supports from private sectors and Regional Budget of each participating regency as well as the Central Government.
“Clearly the plan would become a basis of how much budget is required. So the cost is approximately Rp 10 trillion. That’s for all,” said Yabdi who also the Head of Papua Sport and Youth Office.
Ahead to PON 2020, Papua must be prepared. In fact, most of the sport venues must be built, though some are in renovation. Moreover, many sport locations are also not centralized because it spreads in many areas.
In general, PON 2020 would be centralized in Jayapura, but there are four regions that would become a host, namely Biak, Wamena, Timika and Merauke. As for the sports that would be in competition are 55 branches including the exhibitions.
For succeeding PON 2020, Papua has acted promptly whether in preparing the infrastructures as well as the human resources. Especially for the infrastructure, the constructions have conducted gradually according to the budget proposal.
“There are multi-year planning but also a year planning. But clearly we used various systems. This year we targeted all infrastructure planning would be done and the construction could be started on next year. All infrastructures must be done within 2019,” he firmly said.
For the human resources, currently the government has prepared personnel in particularly to occupy 14 sectors including the secretariat, transportation, health service and accommodation. At least 140 personnel have been prepared for such posts.
Meanwhile, the General Chairman Deputy of the Central Indonesian Sport Committee Suwarno said the infrastructure planning of PON 2020 must be done within this year. This must be done to ensure the preparation is much better though still a long for execution time. He doesn’t want any problems occurred in the future.
“This year the infrastructure planning must be done to start the construction next year. It’s not only the infrastructure but Papua must also prepare their human resources, including how to prepare the event and determine the sports to be competed. Everything has to be prepared properly,” he said. (Alexander Loen/rom)
According to him, many villages are currently recognized as customary villages to coincide with the ending period served of the former government’s village chiefs. With this recognition, the village chief is no longer served. The decision is fully taken by the customary people in the village.
“Thus the authorities are in the hands of customary leaders and their people,” he said. He hoped with the expiration of the term of the government’s village chief, those villages would obtain new status. “It is the opportunity for the customary people after long time being forgotten. It’s time to stand up and see into the future of the people in the villages. The local government will give supports through empowerment development fund program and regular training so that people could experience the real prosperity,” he said.
Ondoafi of Demutru tribe from Iwon Village of Gresi Selatan Sub-District, Kostan Trapen said all this time he considered the customary village was raising a dualism of leadership in the village. “But it was wrong. After getting the information and socialization from the government about the customary village, as part of ondofolo (customary administrative), I am very grateful that the government has handed over the authority over the administrative system to each village,” Trapen said. (Engelbert Wally/rom)
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5) Fewer Indigenous Papuans Enrolled at IPDN
24 June 2016
Jayapura, Jubi – Student Executive Body of the University of Cendewasih Elius Wenda criticized the recruitment of the students in the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN), saying that none of candidates from Jayawijaya Regency passed the selection exams.
“When they did the test at the provincial level, they didn’t pass. We deeply regret this situation and it should be changed. The Provincial Government is responsible for the implementation of education at any levels in the province,” Wenda told Jubi in Jayapura on Thursday (23/06/2016).
He suspected there are particular culprits stirring the situation to not let the candidates from Jayawijaya to pass the test.
“What kind of recruitment system was applied? Is there such a quota for certain people or bribery system or purely qualified? We must clean up the culprits who played in the system for striking down the indigenous Papuans,” said Wenda.
According to him, the Law No. 21/2001 on Special Autonomy for Papua Province has clearly regulated about the alignments of indigenous Papuans.
“We ask to all related stakeholders whether at provincial or municipal or regional governments and councils to pay attention at the indigenous Papuans. So that in the recruitment of IPDN students, there is equal prioritization. Do not always prioritize those who able to pay more or have portion. Poor children also can!” he said.
The Chairman Deputy of Commission V of the Papua Legislative Council for Education Affairs, Nioulen Kotouki said there should be a special policy to prioritize the indigenous Papuans in the recruitment of students of IPDN Papua.
He said the governor and regents as well as mayor in Papua have to fight for protection which prioritizing the indigenous Papuans in the recruitment of IPDN students in Papua.
“All the time we observed that in the recruitment of IPDN students for Papua, the quota for indigenous Papuans is still limited. Sometime the indigenous candidates were ignored,” said Kotouki.
Earlier, the Head of National Civil Service Agency of Papua Province Nicolaus Wnda said in 2016 as many as 977 indigenous Papuans conducted the Basic Competency Test on Computer Assisted Test basis in the recruitment of IPDN students.
“The BCT would be conducted into three phases, which is the first phase would have 300 participants, and 400 participants for the second phase and 277 participants for the third phase,” he said.
According to him, the quota for Papua Province was lower than the previous year, which is 53 students from previously 54 students.
“So these 977 candidates would compete for 53 seats for Papua Province,” he said. (Abeth You/rom)
Jayapura, Jubi – Student Executive Body of the University of Cendewasih Elius Wenda criticized the recruitment of the students in the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN), saying that none of candidates from Jayawijaya Regency passed the selection exams.
“When they did the test at the provincial level, they didn’t pass. We deeply regret this situation and it should be changed. The Provincial Government is responsible for the implementation of education at any levels in the province,” Wenda told Jubi in Jayapura on Thursday (23/06/2016).
He suspected there are particular culprits stirring the situation to not let the candidates from Jayawijaya to pass the test.
“What kind of recruitment system was applied? Is there such a quota for certain people or bribery system or purely qualified? We must clean up the culprits who played in the system for striking down the indigenous Papuans,” said Wenda.
According to him, the Law No. 21/2001 on Special Autonomy for Papua Province has clearly regulated about the alignments of indigenous Papuans.
“We ask to all related stakeholders whether at provincial or municipal or regional governments and councils to pay attention at the indigenous Papuans. So that in the recruitment of IPDN students, there is equal prioritization. Do not always prioritize those who able to pay more or have portion. Poor children also can!” he said.
The Chairman Deputy of Commission V of the Papua Legislative Council for Education Affairs, Nioulen Kotouki said there should be a special policy to prioritize the indigenous Papuans in the recruitment of students of IPDN Papua.
He said the governor and regents as well as mayor in Papua have to fight for protection which prioritizing the indigenous Papuans in the recruitment of IPDN students in Papua.
“All the time we observed that in the recruitment of IPDN students for Papua, the quota for indigenous Papuans is still limited. Sometime the indigenous candidates were ignored,” said Kotouki.
Earlier, the Head of National Civil Service Agency of Papua Province Nicolaus Wnda said in 2016 as many as 977 indigenous Papuans conducted the Basic Competency Test on Computer Assisted Test basis in the recruitment of IPDN students.
“The BCT would be conducted into three phases, which is the first phase would have 300 participants, and 400 participants for the second phase and 277 participants for the third phase,” he said.
According to him, the quota for Papua Province was lower than the previous year, which is 53 students from previously 54 students.
“So these 977 candidates would compete for 53 seats for Papua Province,” he said. (Abeth You/rom)
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