Wednesday, May 31, 2017

1) Nordic Investment in Indonesia, Singapore Linked to Deforestation: Report



2) West Papua not mentioned in NZ-Indonesia defence deal
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1) Nordic Investment in Indonesia, Singapore Linked to Deforestation: Report
By : Jakarta Globe | on 6:14 PM May 31, 2017






While Nordic countries are on the forefront of global environmental initiatives, their asset managers have invested more than $2 billion in six Indonesian and Singaporean banks that finance environmentally damaging palm oil companies. (Antara Photo/Rony Muharrman)

Jakarta. While Nordic countries are on the forefront of global environmental initiatives, their asset managers have invested more than $2 billion in six Indonesian and Singaporean banks that finance environmentally damaging palm oil companies, says a report released by Rainforest Foundation Norway, AidEnvironment Asia and Fair Finance Guide Sweden on Tuesday (30/05).
According to the report, "Nordic Investments in Banks Financing Indonesian Palm Oil," finds that the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) has contributed the largest sum — $1.3 billion.

It is followed by Nordea with $0.3 billion, AP-Fonderna with $163 million, Swedbank with $140 million and Handelsbanken with $66 billion.
"Evidence that Norwegians and Swedes are indirectly supporting an industry that has destroyed huge tracts of rainforest is hard to square with this region’s reputation as a global leader in the fight against deforestation," senior policy adviser Vemund Olsen of Rainforest Foundation Norway said on the organization's official website.
"It's a sobering reminder of the powerful economic forces propelling Indonesia’s palm oil industry and rewarding companies that adopt a scorched earth approach to palm oil production."
Which Banks?
The main recipients of the Nordic investments in Indonesia are Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), Bank Mandiri, Bank Nasional Indonesia (BNI), and Bank Central Asia (BCA) – all of which, according to the report, have been backing palm oil companies that do not adopt sustainable practices.
Bank Mandiri, BNI, and BRI are said to be the three largest lenders to the palm oil sector, while BCA is "likely" the fourth.
Bank Mandiri has been linked to companies such as Darmex Agro/Duta Palma and Sawit Sumbermas Sarana, both of which have been charged with clearing forests. The latter even operates on forest land without a permit.
BNI has financed Best Group and Korindo, which have poor fire prevention and mitigation systems. The former has been involved in violation of workers' rights, while the latter is suspected of intentional forest burning.
BRI has given loans to Tunas Baru Lampung and Sampoerna Agro, both of which have been draining peatlands and are involved in land disputes with local communities.
The report also links BCA to HPI Agro and Indo Agri/Salim responsible for peat drainage.
The palm oil industry accounts for approximately 8 percent of the banks' total lending — approximately half of all lending for the industry.

Since early 2014, outstanding agriculture sector loans of the four banks have increased by 70 percent, and at the end of 2016, the loans for palm oil sector reached about $12.5 billion.#China
The Singaporean banks accepting Nordic investments are the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC) and DBS Bank. Neither of them has disclosed details of their involvement in Indonesian palm oil sector, but their activities on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) indicate that it exists.
By the end of 2016, OCBC had outstanding loans of Rp 12 trillion ($901.24 million) in the agriculture and mining sector, while DBS's outstanding loans to agriculture and fisheries stood at Rp 8 trillion.
According to AidEnvironment, among the banks behind the 16 palm oil companies listed on IDX, outstanding loans with OCBC and DBS respectively were the 6th and 8th largest.
OCBC has been giving loans to Tunas Baru Lampung and Sampoerna Agro, while DBS to Sampoerna Agro and Indo Agri/Salim.
"These [Indonesian and Singaporean] banks are a major part of the palm oil problem because they are funding destructive and unethical palm oil ventures while their narrow financial interests, which favor rapacious producers over more responsible companies, undermine efforts to make the industry more sustainable," Olsen said.
Solving the Problem
Fair Finance Guide Sweden project manager Jakob König called on the Nordic banks and pension funds to withdraw investments from banks that support environmentally damaging palm oil businesses.
"We cannot be a credible leader in the fight to preserve the world’s rapidly dwindling rainforests when so much Nordic money is so closely tied to rainforest destruction," he said, as quoted by Rainforest Foundation Norway.
The report authors demand that the Southeast Asian banks adopt the No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) financing policy, aimed at ending deforestation, protecting peatlands, ensuring consent from communities for any land use and no human rights violations.
To address the problem, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia and Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) have come up with a project titled "First Movers on Sustainable Banking," aimed at improving the environmental and social governance of Indonesian banks, and encouraging them to play a bigger role through their risk management frameworks, WWF said in a statement released on Wednesday.
WWF Indonesia and OJK have also developed a practical guide for responsible financing in the palm oil sector.

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2) West Papua not mentioned in NZ-Indonesia defence deal
7:09 am today 

The New Zealand defence minister and his Indonesian counterpart have signaled stronger defence ties between the two countries without acknowledging humanitarian concerns in West Papua.
The ministers signed a Joint Statement on Defence Relations on Wednesday at a meeting in Jakarta.
The statement identifies a range of areas to further strengthen the defence partnership between New Zealand and Indonesia.
They include joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, emergency assistance and training visits.
The New Zealand defence minister Mark Mitchell said Indonesia plays a fundamental role in supporting security in the Asia-Pacific region.
However, a joint statement issued by both governments following the meeting made no mention of instability in West Papua, where the indigenous pro-independence movement had reportedly been suppressed by security forces since Indonesia annexed the province in 1962.
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A total of 77 members and managers of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Merauke and two managers of the National Governing Body KNPB police arrested Resort Merauke

A total of 77 members and managers of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Merauke and two managers of the National Governing Body KNPB police arrested Resort Merauke

A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at

After the appointment of a new manager, KNPB Merauke arrested
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - 18:52
Jubi | News Portal Papua No. 1:




The atmosphere of KNPB Merauke / Almaso secretariat when visited by Merauke Resort Police officers who arrested 77 members of KNPB - IST



Jayapura, Jubi - A total of 77 members and managers of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Merauke and two managers of the National Governing Body KNPB police arrested Resort Merauke using one truck and four patrol cars Dalmas, Wednesday (31/05/2017) at around 11 am local time, at the Secretary of KNPB Merauke in sheep Street 4. Rimba Jaya, Merauke.

"The arrest took place at 11 noon in Merauke on the activities in the secretariat. All mass is lifted into a large car Dalmas, four patrol cars, including the Board and the masses who follow the activities of the existing 77 people. Even a 3-year-old children participated brought, "said Mecky Yeimo, the Management Board KNPB Center via telephone connection to the Jubi, Wednesday (05/31/2017).

Mecky that when contact was in Merauke District Police Office said there were five members who are being questioned by police in the Police Investigation Unit. They are Charles Braun was elected as chairman, Emanuel Metemko, Novaris Wopai, Mother Pankresia Yem and Marius Yandum.

Novaris Wopai, general secretary KNPB Merauke region or regions Almaso in his statement to the Jubi said after the interrogation, the police asking questions about the activities they did that morning.

"They ask your name, department, activity started at what time, and fill out their activities just about anything, after that they asked what the purpose of it. I know that this activity within the framework of the strengthening of the management board of the new. They also asked what the vision and mission of KNPB, and I say generally we fight for the right to self-determination through a referendum, "said Novaris via phone connection.

Mecky Yeimo of evidence, police made arrests in the Secretariat at around 11 because KNPB is an organization that is not registered in Kesbangpol. "So (the arrest) is not a matter of consent, because we're done making the appointment, until the closing prayer, they just come," Becky said.

He continued that the security forces have taken too much time to the secretariat to bring the masses to Merauke police.

"They forced participants to undress BK (Morning Star), camshaft-camshaft symbol BK were also seized, they even remove the words are not good (gross) when performing a search of the office. The police mass also pulled a forced entry into the room to be interrogated by detectives Merauke , "said Becky.

The man who first interrogated, he said, are the ones who use the clothes of the Morning Star, while others examined from head to toenails, "noken also all checked and carry-in, HP-hp disita.k

The appointment of the governing body or the Merauke region they call KNPB Almaso region is the internal organization after selecting managers through conference Merauke region.

"It's in the office of its own activities in the sector Sheep, if we did open the outside certainly we give notice. This action is not a rule, too forced, but for us, this is just a test of mental struggle just to KNPB in Merauke, firmly Mecky.

Merauke Police Chief: We are trying to dig out

Bahara AKBP Marpaung, Merauke police chief who had just served a one week AKBP aroused replace Irpan Awaludin, confirmed the arrests to 77 people. But he refused to call the capture.

"Not caught, but we coordinate it first what their purpose gather and formalize the organizational structure which they claimed KNPB in Merauke. So we're still trying to dig out of it. And then we also associate later with evidence and clues what we get, "the statement when contacted by police chief Bahara Marpaung Jubi (31/5) via a telephone connection.

According to him the number of people who "collected" and "directed" is around 72-73 people, and it is a normal procedure. "This is a normal procedure, but later on we will evaluate the results of the interrogation, comes down to it and we associate with existing evidence, we conclude new later," he said.

Regarding the evidence in question, and what violations committed by members of KNPB, police chief could not give evidence because it is still waiting for the remote interrogation and examination.

"It is precisely here that we are looking for evidence that we can make the user if later we like (use) for mempersangkakan one, now the evidence that we get just banner appointment KNPB and prayer time. If the preliminary evidence is sufficient will we fine directing . So this is not enough, is still in the research process, we see the results of his interrogation, "says Bahara Marpaung.

Until news written by some members of the police chief KNPB already they return. "Now we have some return, some still


However, based on the information Jubi obtained from the Governing Body of KNPB, until 18:00 local time, the 77 people have been released.

"But our personal belongings confiscated by the Police apparatus are not returned by them, just hp," Mecky said. (*)


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1) Mimika Police Arrest Rally Coordinator over Threats to Indonesia



2) THE WTP BPK SCANDAL IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN PAPUA
3) PEOPLE ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH PALM OIL COMPANIES IN MUTING
4) Manokwari Airport Closed after Sriwijaya Airplane SkidsOff Runway
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HTTPS://EN.TEMPO.CO/READ/NEWS/2017/05/31/055880214/MIMIKA-POLICE-ARREST-RALLY-COORDINATOR-OVER-THREATS-TO-INDONESIA

WEDNESDAY, 31 MAY, 2017 | 11:38 WIB
1) Mimika Police Arrest Rally Coordinator over Threats to Indonesia
                                       TEMPO/Subekti

TEMPO.CO, Timika - Mimika Police in Papua have arrested a coordinator of a petition declaration and communal prayer held at the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) secretariat office after perceived threats to the unity of the Republic of Indonesia.
Mimika Police chief said that the KNPB activists had been warned against giving speeches and spreading propaganda that contravenes the national ideology but they ignored it.
“Since our warning has been ignored, we have taken harsh action by stopping their activity and confiscate various attributes and search the offices they had used to hold a wide range of actions,” Victor explained.
Victor added that the police will not allow rallies that could undermine the national unity.
Aside from arresting the coordinator, police also seized the Morning Star flag, banners and flyers, musical instruments and military outfits.
Shortly after the arrest, the KNPB and the Mimika People’s Regional Parliament (PRD) officials visited the Mimika Police station in Timika.
The Timika PRD deputy chairman Sem Asso denied that the rally featured political speech.
“There was no speech, only an announcement. Information was conveyed on a petition for international support,” Sem Asso said.
ANTARA
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2) THE WTP BPK SCANDAL IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN PAPUA
May 31, 2017

Jakarta, Jubi – A bribery case involving the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and the Village Ministry, the Development of Underdeveloped Regions and Transmigration (Kemendes PDTT) in the pursuit of an unqualified opinion (WTP) in the ministry’s financial report, undermines public confidence in purity to obtain Predicate from BPK.
The allegations also came from Mimika community leaders who had been the Acting Regent of Mappi and Mimika, Athanasius Allo Rafra, who suspected BPK’s decision in giving the WTP opinion to the provincial and district government’s financial reports.
Allo Rafra said it has become a public secret that regency government (Pemkab) and city government (Pemko) in Papua is difficult to make accountability report of local financial management for various reasons.
People feel there are many problems with the management of government projects or programs implementation which receive enormous budget allocations.
If in the end, BPK came with the decision of giving WTP, of course this is questionable. “What is up,” he said.
If there are briberies in Jakarta in the case of giving opinion for WTP by BPK to the financial management report from the PDTT Ministry of Village, it is probable that the practice is similar in the (Papua) regions. Moreover, Papua, said former Head of Bureau of Governance of Papua Province who had served as Chairman of Commission A of DPRD Mimika, is quite difficult in conducting supervision because it was hit with geographical, characteristic and other constraints.
Allo Rafra accused BPK for only focus on administrative completeness in the local government financial management report without accompanying physical examination in the field.
KPK findings
WTP or “unqualified opinion” is the highest predicate in BPK’s opinion on the financial statements of each agency. Under the WTP there are WTP with explanatory paragraphs (WTP-DPP), fair with exception (WDP) or “qualified opinion”, unfair opinion or “adverse opinion”, and also no disclaimer.
Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Agus Rahardjo on Saturday (May 27) explained the results of the previous day’s hand-held operation of a number of BPK and Kemendes PDTT officials that allegedly given bribery by Inspector General Kemendes PDTT Sugito to Major BPK Auditor Rochmadi Saptogiri to change WDP status becomes WTP.
In Rochmadi’s working room was also found money Rp1, 145 billion and 3,000 US dollars that have not been known in connection with any case.
The KPK, meanwhile set up four suspects consisting of two bribers namely Sugito and Jarot Budi Prabowo, and two recipients of bribes namely Rochmadi Saptogiri who is the echelon I official in BPK and BPK Ali Sadli.
Suspicion of the bribery behind the giving of the WTP opinion by the BPK to a number of local governments in Papua is increasingly prominent due to the recognition of people who have been audited by BPK auditors that they are meeting outside Papua such as in Bali, Semarang and Jakarta.
Allo Rafra claimed to have heard such information. Later upon completion of the examination of a group of local work units (SKPD), the examined person meets with the examiner at a certain place outside Papua.(*)
Source: Antara
Editor: Zely Ariane
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3) PEOPLE ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH PALM OIL COMPANIES IN MUTING

May 31, 2017

Merauke, Jubi – People in Muting Village, Muting District, Merauke Regency-Papua expressed their disappointment because of land clearing for oil palm plantation, which is not consulted with local people as the owners of communal land rights.
This was revealed by the Head of Muting Village, Roberthus Mahuze to Jubi, Monday (May 29). It said, when their first entry the company promised to hire customary owners once it is operating. But in reality only a few people are employed.
“Frankly, we are very disappointed with companies that promise to hire indigenous people. We can count by our fingers of how many people work there, “said Mahuze without mentioning the name of the company.
According to him, the company should not deny the agreement that has been made when the company plans to open the land for the development of oil palm.
Asked for payment of compensation, Mahuze admitted there was no real compensation, only what it’s called “a concern” payment. It is in accordance to the company’s agreement with customary rights owners.
It is expected that in the future the company will not ‘turn a blind eye’ to indigenous Papuans in Muting. Since they are the owners of customary rights and are obliged to be given the opportunity to work.
Another resident, Yulius Gebze said similar thing. “Yes, there is lack of good attention from the company to the owners of customary rights. So there is a sense of dissatisfaction,” he said.
“It is true that since the company entered for the first time, there has been an agreement for the customary rights owner to be involved. But during their operation only a few people are accepted. While others left behind,” he said.(*)


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WEDNESDAY, 31 MAY, 2017 | 12:56 WIB
4) Manokwari Airport Closed after Sriwijaya Airplane SkidsOff Runway

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Manokwari Rendani Airport in Papua is temporarily closed until 9 pm UTC (6 pm local time) after a Boeing B737-300 belonging to private carrier Sriwijaya Air skids off and blocked the runway.
“The airport is temporarily closed to give a chance to officers and the National Transportation Safety Committee [KNKT] team to remove the plane to a safer place that will not disturb flights. We have issued the NOTAM pertaining to the issue,” the Transportation Ministry official Pramintohadi Sukarno said Wednesday.
Airport authorities and relevant parties are currently removing the aircraft and the Directorate of Airworthiness and Airplane Operations is probe the case, Pramintohadi said. The KNKT team will also investigate the causes of the incident.
At 00:10 am UTC (9:10 pm local time), a Boeing B737-300 belonging to Sriwijaya Air skids off the runway of Rendani Airport as rain lashes the region.
The aircraft carried 146 passengers.
ANTARA
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Tuesday, May 30, 2017

1) NEW ZEALAND SUPPORT FOR WEST PAPUA GROWS AFTER ‘HISTORIC DECLARATION’ SIGNED


2) Locals Committed to Protecting Dugong in Raja Ampat

3) POLICE BACKED A LIQUORS SELLER IN SORONG
4) MAYOR OF JAYAPURA COMMITTED TO FIGHT ALCOHOL
5) Benny Wenda accuses Indonesian police of torturing Papuan official
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HTTP://ASIAPACIFICREPORT.NZ/2017/05/30/NEW-ZEALAND-SUPPORT-OF-WEST-PAPUA-GROWS-AFTER-HISTORIC-DECLARATION-SIGNED/

1) NEW ZEALAND SUPPORT FOR WEST PAPUA GROWS AFTER ‘HISTORIC DECLARATION’ SIGNED

By  - 
  


By Kendall Hutt in Auckland
Political support in New Zealand for an independent West Papua is growing after a “historic declaration” was signed during free West Papua advocate Benny Wenda’s visit to the country this month.
Several politicians from across four political parties signed the Westminster Declaration, which calls for West Papua’s right to self-determination to be legally recognised through a vote.
Green MP Catherine Delahunty – who has been a vocal supporter of West Papuan independence throughout her political career – told Asia Pacific Report the meeting at Parliament by the IPWP was “amazing”.
“We had a really amazing evening at Parliament with the Westminster Declaration. We had a number of MP’s – nine MP’s on the night – including others subsequently signing the declaration, which as you know calls for a referendum, supervised independently by the UN for West Papuans to talk about and identify their views on self-determination.
“That was a really powerful moment. Benny said it’s very important for him travelling the world that he can actually meet the politicians and that the politicians actually – from a number of parties in this case – and sign up to the declaration.”
West Papua was controversially incorporated into Indonesia through a so-called “Act of Free Choice” in 1969 – only 1,026 selected West Papuans out of a population of 800,000 voted to become a part of the country – under duress.
In 2016, politicians from across the globe signed the declaration, first launched in the United Kingdom by Labour leader and co-founder of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP), Jeremy Corbyn.
11 MPs signed upEleven members of Parliament from across four political parties – Greens, Labour, National and the Māori Party – have signed the declaration.
Green MPs Catherine Delahunty, Barry Coates, Mojo Mathers, Jan Logie and Steffan Browning have signed, along with Labour MPs Louisa Wall, Carmel Sepuloni, Adrian Rurawhe and National MP Chester Burrows.
Co-leader of the Māori Party Marama Fox and Labour MP Aupito S’ua William Sio have also signed.
Delahunty is certain this number will grow, as the declaration is now circulating through caucus, she said.
“Not everyone could make the event, but there are people who are keen to sign up.”
However, National MP Chester Burrows was the only member of National to sign the declaration, reaffirming Delahunty’s belief a change of government is needed for the issues in West Papua to truly gain traction politically.

“It’s frustrating because dreadful things are happening everyday and we’re not getting the political leaders of this country to take it seriously in the government.”
This is because support of West Papua would not come from National, Delahunty said, although she is hopeful.
‘Real core of support’
“We have got a real core of support for that declaration from across the House. Of course we haven’t got the government’s political support, but that’s what we’re working on.”
Delahunty said the rest of Benny Wenda’s visit to New Zealand was also “very lively”.
“In dire weather conditions, about 30 people marched to the Indonesian embassy. For the first time the embassy – the Indonesian officials – actually came out.
“They came out to tell us we were wrong about our views and to hand out propaganda to the university students about how everything is great in West Papua and that West Papuans are leading their own country.
“I challenged them back pretty hard … that was quite a lively experience.”
Speaking with Asia Pacific Report earlier this month, Benny Wenda said the purpose of his visit to New Zealand was to hopefully gain the country’s commitment to West Papua independence:
“West Papua’s hope is Australia and New Zealand. This is a regional issue, this will never go away from your eyes and this is something you need to look at today. Review your foreign policy and look at West Papua.”
During his visit, Wenda also met with Ngāti Whatua, unions, aid agencies, and students while in Wellington, echoing the solidarity found at his talk in Auckland, organised by the Pacific Media Centre.
“There was a very powerful dialogue with some young Pasifika and Māori students, and some young people expressing their support,” Delahunty said.
“I think it was useful and consolidated a lot of relationships, Benny being here. I think it helped us ride a wave of growing awareness which is slow, but steady, and we do see more and more people taking stock of this issue.”


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HTTPS://EN.TEMPO.CO/READ/NEWS/2017/05/30/199879911/LOCALS-COMMITTED-TO-PROTECTING-DUGONG-IN-RAJA-AMPAT
TUESDAY, 30 MAY, 2017 | 14:02 WIB
2) Locals Committed to Protecting Dugong in Raja Ampat

TEMPO.CO, Sorong - Indigenous people in Aduwei village in Raja Ampat, West Papua are committed to protecting dugongs.
Adewei village chief Karel Fatot said that dugongs are easily found in the waters off the village. “Indigenous people are protecting dugongs and other marine species with a tradition the locals call Sasi,” he said yesterday, May 29, in Sorong.
He explained that Sasi is a traditional prohibition on catching dugongs and fish in the waters off the village. “People may only catch fish in the waters off the village after the Sasi period ends or Sasi is revoked. Sasi typically applies for six months in a year,” he said.
According to him, people may catch fish after the end of Sasi period but may not hunt dugongs.
Locals protect dugongs because the animals attract tourists.
He said that Aduwei village in Raja Ampat boasts a beautiful marine attraction and tourists can easily interact with dugongs. He, however, bemoaned the lack of transport modes in the area and marketing campaign to draw visitors.
ANTARA
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3) POLICE BACKED A LIQUORS SELLER IN SORONG
May 30, 2017

Sorong, Jubi – Illegal liquors seller named Frengky aka Ongko Botak who operates in Rufey, West Sorong District, Sorong City, West Papua province claimed to be backed up by Reskrim Polres Sorong Kota in selling unlicensed liquors.
According to him, he has not yet extinguished the liquors sales permit because he is still waiting for the inauguration process of Sorong’s mayor.
He suggested that journalist may ask the sales permit to head of criminal resort division (Kasat Reskrim) of Sorong Kota Police. Because he only conducting his activities according to the instructions of the Kasat.

“If the reporters want to talk and confirm it, then wait for me to check and ask the Kasat, because that is the order,” said Ongko Sunday (May 28).
Head of Criminal Sorong Police, AKP Fernando Saragih when confirmed separately claimed he never ordered as alleged by illegal liquors seller. He argued that the statement was incorrect.
“That is not true. I never ordered things like that,” he said. (*)
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4) MAYOR OF JAYAPURA COMMITTED TO FIGHT ALCOHOL
May 30, 2017

Jayapura, Jubi – Member of Commission I Papua House of Representatives, in charge of government, politics, law and human rights, Laurenzus Kadepa supported the Regent of Jayapura, Mathius Awoitauw in demonstrating his commitment to combat liquors in his region.
He said the commitment of governemnt to eradicate circulation of liquors should be followed by other regional governments in Papua. In disciplining the circulation of alcohol, Jayapura Regency Government involves various related parties. Cooperation among stakeholders is important to succeed target policy in the region.
“This is one of the leaders’ attitudes, implementing the existing rules, Jayapura Regent does not say much but focuses on his actions. Since he took office he has never issued alcohol license. Last year despite the pro and cons, he dared to close Tanjung Elmo localization,” said Kadepa Sunday (May 28).

The regent of Jayapura, Mathius Awoitauw and related parties, destroyed thousands of bottles of alcoholic drinks, drugs and other illegal goods on Jayapura Regent Office yard last Friday (May 26).
Thousands of bottles of alcoholic drinks, drugs and number of other illegal goods were confiscated by the authority of Airport Terminal Klas 1A Sentani during the last six months.
The Regent of Jayapura, Mathius Awoitauw, said, in order to suppress the circulation of alcohol in his region since he took office five years ago, he did not issue any permission to alcoholic sellers.
“But in fact, some still sell illegally. To prevent this, we continue to intensify the raids to locations suspected of selling. We also continue to make an appeal to stop the sale of alcohol, “said Awoitauw. (*)

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5) Benny Wenda accuses Indonesian police of torturing Papuan official
By  - 
  
Police in Indonesia are facing allegations of torture from West Papuan independence leaders after a prominent human rights commissioner was beaten by police.
A statement by the Office of Benny Wenda, co-founder of the Free West Papua Campaign, detailed how Nareki Kogoya, of the National Human Rights Commission (KOMNAS HAM), was tortured until he was “covered in blood”.
It is alleged Indonesian police tortured Kogoya following a search of his home on May 18, 2017 in Jayapura.
Kogoya was then driven to the police station where he was interrogated, Wenda stated.
If Kogoya repeated his “ordeal” he would be charged, police allegedly threatened.
Tabloid Jubi also reported the alleged torture, stating it had been carried out after Kogoya attempted to defend several “kids” accused of murdering a local lecturer.
“I said, I’ll help them, I’m guarding them, and I don’t want them to get hit,” Kogoya said.

‘Intimidated and terrorised’
Tabloid Jubi reports Kogoya’s lip was wounded in a beating which took place in a police car.
“I feel intimidated and terrorised,” Kogoya has said of his ordeal.
“It brings more heartache, tears and sadness for the people of West Papua to learn that another innocent West Papuan person has been brutally tortured by the Indonesian police,” Wenda said.
“This horrible torture of a very well-known human rights figure in West Papua shows that the Indonesian police and military have no respect for West Papuan human rights whatsoever.”

Wenda claimed the Indonesian military and police treated West Papuans as “subhuman” and “animals” because of the colour of their skin.
Wenda has since questioned what Kogoya’s treatment – who represents West Papua in the Indonesian Human Rights Commission – means for his fellow Papuans.
“If this is how representatives of government agencies are treated in the capital city of West Papua, what about ordinary people? What about activists? What about the people in the villages whose stories never get told, who are killed by the Indonesian military and police like animals with no media attention?”
Tortured for days
Wenda said Kogoya’s alleged torture further demonstrates that Indonesia is not complying with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
“There is no freedom of expression, freedom of press or freedom of assembly; there is NO freedom in occupied West Papua.”
Ursula Florence of Rappler reports a pre-trial involving three Tangerang City residents, who admitted to being tortured by police investigators, failed to proceed on May 29, 2017.  The victims, referred only to as Herianto, Aris and Bihin, were allegedly “subjected to torture for days” after being accused of multiple thefts.
Rappler reported the victims were beaten and their genitals mutilated.
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Monday, May 29, 2017

THE ECUMENICAL WORKING FORUM OF PAPUAN CHURCHES: “WE HAVE NO FUTURE IN INDONESIAN SYSTEM”



THE ECUMENICAL WORKING FORUM OF PAPUAN CHURCHES: “WE HAVE NO FUTURE IN INDONESIAN SYSTEM”
A May 29, 2017

Jayapura, Jubi – Three religious intellectuals and leaders from Ecumenical Working Forum of Papuan Churches made a clear statement today, Monday (May 29) expressing their concern of the ongoing killings, shootings, hunting, battles, as well as stigma and sorrow that have experienced by their congregations.

                                           The mass blockade on May 25 in front of Makorem Padang Bulan, Jayapura – IST
“This week we (as previous weeks, months and years before) our congregations have experienced sorrow, death, hunting, shootings and battles; As well as the stigma in which the state institution (the weak one) always comes out with the politics of ‘talk and act differently’. Therefore we issue today a ‘Shepherd Letter’,” as written in their statement to public.
It consists of six part, from concern related to various actors who playing out in the dynamic of Papua insecurity recently, to a strong statement of rejection to what they call as Indonesian system. It said, ‘there is no future for the people of Papua in the Indonesian system’.


Here is sections of statement signed by Pastor Dorman Wandikbo, Pastor Socrates Yoman and Pastor Benny Giay today.

Left to tight, Pdt. Socratez Sofyan Yoman, Pdt. Dorman Wandikbo, and Pdt. Benny Giay in a press conference in 2016 – Jubi/Arjuna
“The first section, the pastoral letter is aimed at various parties who are playing out in dynamic in various levels (from Jakarta) up to Papua which consequently affect the lives of congregations/civil society in Papua.
The second and fourth sections show how the face of Indonesia State shows itself in the way they deal cases of violence. The theme of adoptive racism is applied here. This is also our adoption once again in part 4, where we show the institutionalized racism of the State through TNI/POLRI which is trying hard to lead us all (public) to ‘support the TNI/Police to denounce National Committee of West Papua (KNPB) and higland people’.
Our third part reflects the experiences of the struggle activists and the churches’ works that has shaped us in the past that continues to shadow us.
On the fifth part, we state our position as Church relate to OPM, KNPB or ULMWP. As we had submitted on December 16, 2011, that OPM and KNPB or ULMWP are infants (nationalism) born as a result of forced marriage (Act of Choices 1969) between Indonesia and Papua which both parties must guard. Like Soekarno and Moh Hata which according to Indonesia is supportingNationalism, so do we. We positioned the OPM, KNPB, and ULMWP as flag bearers of Papuan Nationalism; which has been labeled separatists, as the Dutch used to send Sukarno to jail on separatist charges.
Sixth, we tell the congregation that based on the experience and events that we have experienced in the last few days, “there is no future for the people of Papua in the Indonesian system. Papua must build itself; by learning from Persipura. We, Papua, create our own agenda. Learn from Persipura with discipline, continuous training, focus and direction; be on time to follow fixed schedule, with spirit of fire. No other nation will come to help. Papuans should help themselves by making a commitment to prioritizeeducation in all fields. Education, Education. Keep that commitment to put children to school and fight to the end.
We invite the whole congregation: “Let us bury the culture of waiting, for good that come from heaven; or that particular nation or particular partieswill come to the rescue “. We have to say “we are facing a cultural and ideological wall and racism”. We are facing the ideology and development policy of “migrant bias”.
We say good luck. Fight to create theologians and lawyers and the future Papuan economists ‘with eyes fixed on Christ’ (Iberani 12: 7)
Have a good fight!”(*)
Reporter: Zely Ariane

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