Thursday, August 22, 2019

1) Papuan Students Demand Referendum in Front of State Palace


2) Jokowi orders police to 'take stern action' against racial abuse 
3) Internet shut down in Papua to stem unrest  Agustinus Beo Da Costa
4) AJI Condemns Internet Block in Papua
5) West Papua is Safe, Local Government Says
6) Community leaders in Biak reject racism against native Papuans  
7) Papuan students stage peaceful rally in Bali against Surabaya incident
8) Ikmapal draws Jokowi's attention to Papuans' welfare, social justice  
9) Kominfo to Revoke Internet Restriction in Papua on Conditions 
10) Papua Dorm Incident; Jokowi Wants Punishment for Racist Soldier
11) Papuan soccer captain proud of team, calls for end to racism
-----------------------------------------



1) Papuan Students Demand Referendum in Front of State Palace 
Translator: Laila Afifa Editor: Laila Afifa

22 August 2019 19:31 WIB





Papuan students staged a protest in front of Merdeka State Palace in Jakarta, August 22, bringing masks of monkey face as a form of protest of racial discrimination against Papuan students in East Java. TEMPO/Ahmad Faiz


TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Papuan students collected in the anti-racism, capitalism, colonialism, and militarism group staging a protest today at 13:00 in front of state palace asked for a referendumof the region.
"We want a referendum, we don't want development, Papua is not red and white (Indonesian national flag). Papua is morning star (West Papuan flag)," said the leader of the demonstration in Jakarta, Thursday, August 22.

About 60 Papuan students joined the rally that is staged as a form of an anti-racism protest following the persecution against fellow students in Surabaya. Acts of racism have allegedly triggered the rioting in West Papua's city of Manokwari and Sorong.

"The Papuans asked for a settlement of human rights violation. The Papuans don't need development and road construction. Don't make the Papuans mad," he said.

The protesters urged the government to grant West Papua rights to self-determination in ending the racism and colonialism in the region. They asserted the needs of eliminating racism against the people of Papua.

"I'm telling you, the people of Papua are fed up because we need to be respected as a decent human being. The government shouldn't do anything arbitrarily. Papua wants independence at a fixed price. A referendum of Papua. Independent Papua," he said.

The university students have previously gathered in front of the Home Affairs Ministry since 11:45 and conducted a long march heading to State Palace. A number of police officers guarded the demonstration and there were a riot and act of pushing each other.

Halida Bunga

—————

2) Jokowi orders police to 'take stern action' against racial abuse 
  • Marchio Irfan Gorbiano
    The Jakarta Post
    Bogor, West Java   /   Thu, August 22, 2019   /   06:31 pm


President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has finally spoken out against the racial abuse suffered by Papuan students in Surabaya, East Java, following days of protests in Papua and West Papua.
"I have followed the developments in Papua and alhamdulillah [praise God], the situation has returned to normal," he said at a press conference at the Bogor Palace on Thursday. 
"I have also ordered the National Police chief to take stern, legal action against acts of racial and ethnic discrimination."
Jokowi added that he would invite public, cultural and religious figures from Papua and West Papua to the palace to talk about "accelerating prosperity in the land of Papua".
Jokowi's statement came after four consecutive days of protests in Papua and West Papua triggered by physical and verbal attacks aimed at Papuan students in East Java. 
In Surabaya, members of mass organizations as well as some security personnel were reportedly heard calling Papuan university students “monkeys”, “pigs” and “dogs” on Friday, while police also stormed the city’s Papuan student dormitory with tear gas on Saturday.
In a previous statement made on Monday, Jokowi called on Papuans to forgive their fellow citizens while declining to comment on the racial abuse, drawing criticism from Papuans and rights groups. (kmt)

TOPICS :


-----------------------

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6344279/internet-shut-down-in-papua-to-stem-unrest/?cs=14232
AUGUST 22 2019 - 11:44AM

3) Internet shut down in Papua to stem unrest  Agustinus Beo Da Costa


Indonesia has cut off internet access in eastern Papua to prevent provocative posts online from fuelling violence, after protesters torched buildings, a market and a prison over mistreatment of students and perceived ethnic discrimination.

Police have flown in 1200 additional officers to Papua to quell sometimes violent protests since Monday in several towns, including Timika - which stands near the giant Grasberg copper mine operated by Freeport McMoran's Indonesian unit - as well as Manokwari, Sorong, and Fakfak.

Smaller demonstrations and rallies in favour of Papua flared up throughout Indonesia on Thursday, while Indonesia's chief security minister, police chief and military commander visited Sorong on Thursday to inspect where the most violent protests had occurred.

Two new rallies, described as peaceful by officials, unfolded in the Nabire and Yahukimo parts of Papua, according to Indonesian news site Kompas.


A separate and more tense protest erupted on Thursday in Jakarta where more than a hundred Papuan students demonstrated in the heart of the Indonesian capital.

As they marched from the Indonesian army headquarters to the gates of the presidential palace, demonstrators shouted pro-independence slogans demanding "referendum for Papua" or "freedom for Papua".

Some held posters demanding the right to self-determination and "to end racism and colonialism in West Papua".

Another smaller Papuan student protest also started on Thursday in the nearby city of Bogor.

While a separatist movement has simmered for decades in Papua, with frequent complaints of rights abuses levelled against Indonesian security forces, the recent anger appears to be linked to racist slurs against Papuan students who were detained last week.

The students were arrested from their dormitory in the city of Surabaya in East Java after being accused of disrespecting the Indonesian flag during a celebration of Indonesia's Independence Day.

Indonesia's communication ministry has blocked access to telecommunication data and internet to prevent Papuans from accessing social media since Wednesday night, though calls and text messages will still work, Ferdinandus Setu, ministry spokesman said.

"This is an effort to curb hoax and most importantly stop people from sharing provocative messages that can incite racial hatred," he said, adding that the curb may be lifted "if the situation has calmed".

Police have arrested 34 people in Timika, where thousands of protesters threw rocks at a parliament building, houses, shops and a hotel on Wednesday, officials told local media. They accuse 13 of being members of a pro-Papua independence separatist group.

Papua and West Papua provinces, the resource-rich western part of the island of New Guinea, were a Dutch colony that was incorporated into Indonesia after a widely criticised UN-backed referendum in 1969.

President Joko Widodo has been informed that the situation in Papua was under control, his Cabinet Secretariat said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Widodo has sought to ease tensions and improve welfare by building infrastructure in the provinces.

He has visited the restive region more frequently than any of his predecessors, and plans to go to Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, next month, to open a new bridge, the secretariat said.

Australian Associated Press

———————————————




4) AJI Condemns Internet Block in Papua
Translator: Mahinda Arkyasa   
Editor: Mahinda Arkyasa 23 August 2019 02:11 WIB
TEMPO.COJakarta - Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia Abdul Manan, condemned the internet block applied in Papua and West Papua by the government starting on Wednesday, August 21, 2019. Manan claimed that the policy disturbed Papuan citizens from receiving and deliver information.
"Especially for journalists, many journalists in Papua who were directly affected by the block," Manan said to Tempo on Thursday evening, August 22, 2019.
Manan asserted that the government may argue that the policy was intended to stop the spreading of hoaxes. However, at the same time, he said that the people's rights to receive information has been restricted. Whereas, Manan said that receiving and delivering information is one of the human rights.
Moreover, Manan noticed a potential problem when access to information is limited. Mana explained that the public will not aware of any information on violation of human rights committed by officials in conflict areas.
"Which one is more important?" he said.
According to AJI, there are other methods of preventing the spreading of hoax instead of blocking the internet. "The government was focuses on handling the smoke but not putting out the fire," Manan added.
Manan asserted that the root of the problem is the racial attitude of official and public organization, which he viewed as intolerant and causing anger, even riot. Therefore, Manan argued that the government should take firm action against the perpetrator as part of the commitment in resolving the issue.
CAESAR AKBAR



————-

https://en.tempo.co/read/1238881/west-papua-is-safe-local-government-says?TerkiniUtama&campaign=TerkiniUtama_Click_4

5) West Papua is Safe, Local Government Says
Translator: Mahinda Arkyasa
Editor: Petir Garda Bhwana
22 August 2019 07:09 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua Provincial Government guaranteed that situation in Manokwari Regent is now safe.

Deputy Regent of West Papua Mohamad Lakotani said in a press conference on Wednesday, August 21, 2019m that all state apparatus and the local residents to resume normal activities.

Lakotani understands that the recent riot that occurred on Monday, August 19, 2019, had resulted in a trauma related to the security in Manokwari.

"We have held meeting between local leaders and with public figures, clerics, including student activists. There has been a joint commitment to provide security, there is a guarantee that Manokwari is safe," Lakotani confirmed.

Lakotani also instructed all civil apparatus to return to their respective offices and provide services as normal. The regional government together with the National Army,  and the Police are working hard to maintain security in the region.

Chief of Operational Bureau of the West Papua Regional Police Sr. Comr. Muhammad Sagi hoped that the public would not immediately believe any hoax or information that are yet to be confirmed.

"If a chain information went in [to the inbox], check for the truth. Do not immediately spread it because it will makes things worse," Sagi explained.

Sagi further added that the West Papua Regional Police and the Manokwari Resort Police are ready to provide the latest information concerning security in all of West Papua.

Based on the observation made by ANTARA journalists the economic activities and government services in Manokwari are yet to return to normal. Although traffic on the streets of Manokwari had returned to normal, stores and markets are yet to open.

Gas stations that were previously closed during the riot has now open. Public transportation services in Manokwari had also resumed.

ANTARA

————

https://en.antaranews.com/news/131422/community-leaders-in-biak-reject-racism-against-native-papuans

6) Community leaders in Biak reject racism against native Papuans  
2 hours ago
Biak, Papua (ANTARA) - Leaders of several ethnic community-based organisations in Biak Numfor District, Papua Province, have deplored the Surabaya incident, saying that they completely rejected all forms of racism and intolerance against indigenous Papuans.

Speaking on behalf of the Community Organisation of the Archipelago or "Payuguban Masyarakat Nusantara", these non-native Papuan community leaders echoed their stance on the Surabaya incident in a petition that they read out at an event here on Thursday.

The event was attended by Biak Numfor District Head Herry Ario Naap, Deputy Speaker of the district's legislative body Godlief Kawer, Chief of the 1708/BN District Military Command Lt.Col.Ricardo Siregar, and Coordinator of Caring for Native Papuans' Justice Forum Willem Rumpaidus.

Meanwhile, the ethnic community-based organisations whose representatives joined the declaration were the Unity in Diversity as well as the Community Organisation of West Java, Banten, Central Java, East Java, South Sulawesi, Maluku, and North Sumatra.

"We, members of the Community of the Archipelago, deplore the acts of racism against the Papuan students in Surabaya and Malang," said Asep, representative of the "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity) Organisation.

For the sake of maintaining Indonesia's unity in diversity, they called on President Joko Widodo and Police Chief General Tito Karnavian to bring perpetrators who had passed racist slurs against the Papuan students in East Java on August 16, to justice.

Biak Numfor District Head Herry Ario Naap praised these ethnic community-based organisations for firmly rejecting all forms of racism and intolerance against their Papuan brothers and sisters, and, for maintaining unity among community members.

On August 19, several thousands of people in Manokwari, West Papua Province, and Jayapura, Papua Province, demonstrated to voice their discontent over alleged racist action against Papuan students in Surabaya and Malang, East Java.

During the rally in Manokwari, a local parliamentary building was set on fire. The demonstrators also torched tires in several parts of the city and main streets.

However, National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian stated that the situation was normalized in Manokwari. He also ordered the police chiefs of Papua and West Papua to adopt security measures and avoid the use of excessive force.
Related news: Papuan students stage peaceful rally in Bali against Surabaya incident
Reporter: Muhsidin, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto

————-

https://en.antaranews.com/news/131412/papuan-students-stage-peaceful-rally-in-bali-against-surabaya-incident
7) Papuan students stage peaceful rally in Bali against Surabaya incident
5 hours ago


Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - A group of Papuan students in Denpasar, Bali Province, held a peaceful demonstration on Thursday to express their angst over the racist abuse of their compatriots in Surabaya, East Java, on August 16.

The students congregated at the Renon Field and Roundabout. The Denpasar city police deployed 118 personnel to secure the rally. They were assisted by those from the Denpasar public order agency (Satpol PP) and "Pecalang," or Balinese traditional security guards.

Head of the Denpasar city police's operational department, Senior Commissioner I Nyoman Gatra, lauded the Papuan students for staging the rally in a peaceful and orderly manner.

While echoing their opinion in public areas, demonstrators are required to not exhibit anti-Indonesian sentiments; violate regulations, other people's human rights, and public order; and disrespect the moral values of society, Gatra pointed out.

The Surabaya incident has triggered protests from various groups of Papuan students currently studying in different cities outside the provinces of Papua and West Papua.

In Medan, North Sumatra Province, several Papuan students at the University of Sumatera Utara (USU) also expressed solidarity for their friends in Surabaya by staging a peaceful protest to echo the message of peace and justice.

In Lampung Province, the Association of Papuan Students (Ikmapal) urged President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to divert more focus on Papuans’ welfare and social justice and bring to book those passing racist slurs against Papuan students in Surabaya.

Speaking in connection with the riots that recently broke out in several cities in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, Ikmapal Head Isaskar Bisbin noted that the Papuan people yet perceived the central government as having underestimated them and their homeland.

With PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), a mining company conducting exploration for ore containing copper, gold, and silver in the Grasberg minerals district in Papua Province, the Papuan people believe that their homeland has contributed significantly to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia over the past decades.

"We have Freeport, whose gold is absorbed by the United States and Indonesia every day, but prosperity and justice continue to elude our people," Bisbin, a student of Lampung University's Civil Engineering Department, pointed out.

Resentment ran deep among Papuans over the perpetrators yet to be brought to court for their alleged racist behavior against the Papuan students in the East Java cities of Surabaya and Malang, he pointed out.

In restoring a sense of justice for the Papuans, Bisbin suggested that the central government take firm action against those, who had racially treated the Papuan students, by bringing them to court. "Saying sorry is not sufficient," he emphasized.
Related news: East Java Police avers no Papuan students faced racism

EDITED BY INE

Reporter: Ayu KP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto

—————
https://en.antaranews.com/news/131398/ikmapal-draws-jokowis-attention-to-papuans-welfare-social-justice
8) Ikmapal draws Jokowi's attention to Papuans' welfare, social justice  
8 hours ago
Bandarlampung, Lampung (ANTARA) - Association of Papuan Students in Lampung (Ikmapal) urged President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to divert more focus on Papuans’ welfare and social justice and bring to book those passing racist slurs against Papuan students in Surabaya.

Speaking, here, Thursday, in connection with riots that recently broke out in several cities in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, Ikmapal Head Isaskar Bisbin noted that the Papuan people yet perceived the central government as having underestimated them and their homeland.

With PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), a mining company conducting exploration for ore containing copper, gold, and silver in the Grasberg minerals district in Papua Province, the Papuan people believe that their homeland has contributed significantly to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia over the past decades.

"We have Freeport, whose gold is absorbed by the United States and Indonesia every day, but prosperity and justice continue to elude our people," Bisbin, a student of Lampung University's Civil Engineering Department, stated.

Resentment ran deep among Papuans over the perpetrators yet to be brought to court for their alleged racist behavior against the Papuan students in the East Java cities of Surabaya and Malang, he pointed out.

In restoring a sense of justice for the Papuans, Bisbin suggested that the central government take firm action against those, who had racially treated the Papuan students by bringing them to court. Saying sorry is not sufficient," he stated.

"As the head of state, President Jokowi must immediately win over the hearts and minds of the Papuan people by also resolving past cases of human rights abuse," he remarked.

He also appealed to Presidential Special Staff for Papua Lenis Kogoya to choose his words carefully while giving statements on the Surabaya racism case, as it could hurt the sentiments of his fellow Papuans.

Bisbin also appealed to his fellow Indonesians nationwide to laud and respect their Papuan brothers and sisters akin to the fair treatment given to them by community members in Lampung Province in their day-to-day social interactions.

"Lampung is good, and we, Papuan students, have no problems here," he stated.

On August 19, several thousand people in Manokwari, West Papua Province, and Jayapura, Papua Province, demonstrated to voice their discontent over alleged racist action against Papuan students in Surabaya and Malang, East Java.

Related news: Police Chief confirms situation placated in West Papua

During the rally in Manokwari, a local parliamentary building was set on fire. The demonstrators also torched tires in several parts of the city and main streets.

However, National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian stated that the situation was normalized in Manokwari. He also ordered the police chiefs of Papua and West Papua to adopt security measures and avoid the use of excessive force. Related news: 200 Brimob personnel reach Timika to ensure conducive atmosphere

Related news: Indonesian soldier shot by separatist succumbs to injuries

EDITED BY INE

Reporter: Dian Hadiyatna, Rahmad Nasutio
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
——————————————


9) Kominfo to Revoke Internet Restriction in Papua on Conditions 
Translator: Dewi Elvia Muthiariny   Editor: Petir Garda Bhwana 
22 August 2019 10:52 WIB
TEMPO.COJakarta - Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo) decided to apply a temporary block on internet access in Papua and West Papua Province following the mass demonstration that continued until Wednesday, August 21. The ministry’s spokesman Ferdinandus Setu said his institution set two conditions before revoking the network restriction.
“First, after the situation returns to normal,” said Ferdinandus or Nando to Tempo, Thursday, August 22.
Nando explained the normal situation means no riot or people staging a rally in the street.

The network will also be opened if the spread of hoax information citing provocative narration in the province decreased. Throughout the last three days, the ministry spotted 62 active accounts distributing sensitive reports that might spark unrest.
The contents spread through social media platforms and messaging application such as Whatsapp, Instagram, and Facebook. “[It will be revoked] if the number of hoax related to the kidnapping and killing Papuan student drops to 2-3 reports,” said Nando.
According to him, the provocative contents circulated in a close intensity that made the ministry decided to shut off internet access temporarily.
Therefore, the ministry has yet to ensure when the blocking policy will be lifted. At present, it is still evaluating the matter once every three hours.
Kominfo decided to block the internet access since Wednesday evening, August 21 in a bid to expedite the recovery process. The restriction was also taken in consideration of security and order purposes.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA
————————————

10) Papua Dorm Incident; Jokowi Wants Punishment for Racist Soldier

Translator: 
 
Editor: 

Markus Wisnu Murti


TEMPO.COJakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has ordered Armed Forces (TNI) Commander Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto to take stern action against any of his soldiers proven to have made racist remarks against Papuan college students in Surabaya, East Java. 
“The president told the Commander yesterday, that if there was any soldier who actually made those [racist] remarks, punish [him], no excuse,” Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said at the Bina Graha Building in Jakarta, Thursday, August 22, 2019. 
Moeldoko said that on Wednesday night the president, upon arriving in Jakarta from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), sent for and met with the TNI Commander, National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto to seek solutions to the incident. 
“Because this should not have happened. No one should have done it, even if this was committed by just one undisciplined person, and clearly a person who did not understand the situation that is so dynamic.”
Earlier, a video footage that went viral showed the siege of a Papuan students’ dormitory in Surabaya, East Java, during which a person--allegedly a soldier--shouted racist remarks at the Papuan students.
 
FRISKI RIANA

———————————————



11) Papuan soccer captain proud of team, calls for end to racism

Wahyoe Boediwardhana 
The Jakarta Post  Surabaya   /   Fri, August 23 2019   /  12:14 am
It has been two years since Ruben Karel Sanadi first made an appearance for Persebaya Surabaya, yet every time he steps onto the soccer club’s pitch, he still gets excited. Ruben, who is now the team captain, praised the environment of the club and everything that came with it.

“I really enjoy playing here. Everything is alright. We’re very professional,” he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Ruben, a defender, is one of three Papuan players on the team, the other two being striker Osvaldo Haay and winger Nelson Alom.

The Papuans have played a key role in promoting Persebaya to Liga 1, the country’s top league. When the club was still in Liga 2, there were four other Papuans — Ricky Kayame, Fandry Imbiri, Nerius Alom and Samuel Reimas — who together with Ruben were the main engine of the club’s push for promotion.

In 2017, the five were instrumental in bringing the club the Liga 2 trophy.

Ruben’s presence in Surabaya became a topic of interest shortly after incidents revolving around racism took place in Malang and Surabaya last week.

On Friday afternoon, scores of security personnel along with members of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and youth organization Pemuda Pancasila reportedly went to a Papuan student dormitory on Jl. Kalasan in Surabaya, and launched physical and verbal attacks against the students following the finding of an Indonesian flag that was apparently discarded near the dorm.

When asked about the incident, Ruben acknowledged that what happened to his fellow Papuans was unacceptable and hurt his feelings.

“I feel the same way about them, my fellow student friends,” he said, adding that he had no intention of making the situation worse by saying the wrong things.

Ruben said he expected all related stakeholders to sit together to find a solution to the tensions so similar incidents could be prevented.

“I have been enjoying my time here with the team and want to continue playing with them. I hope this will end soon,” Ruben, who was recently called up to the national soccer team, said.

Along with Amiruddin Bagus Kahfi and Hanif Sjahbandi, Ruben is set to join the squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

The secretary of Persebaya team management, Ram Surachman, said racism was not tolerated at the club.

“We do not tolerate any form of racism here. The club opens its doors wide to those capable of joining hands with others in displaying fine sportmanship and integrity,” he said.

Ram denied rumors that there was animosity against the Papuan players. He added that the club had vowed to be the house that united all, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion and background.

Adji Soko, head of the Persebaya fan club, said the fans had always viewed the Papuan players as part of the team. These players had won their hearts and had proven they were pivotal to the club’s success.

“The Persebaya fans don’t do politics. We played no part in whatever happened at the Papuan students’ dormitory. Those guys are our friends, too,” he said.

Racism in soccer is not new to Indonesia. An Indonesian Cup soccer match between Papua’s Persiwa Wamena and Persib Bandung in January saw some fans starting racist chants.

In 2013, when Persib played against Persija Jakarta, Cameroon’s Mbida Messi of Persib was referred to as monyet (monkey) from members of the opponent’s Jakmania fan club.

Papua Governor Lukas Enembe urged President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to end the trend.

“Arrest [the racists]. It’s not a new thing. It’s been going on for a while. Racism even happens in soccer,” he said.
----------------------

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.