4) Lukas Enembe's Lawyer Stefanus Roy Rening Charged With Obstructing Justice
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1) Why you will never hear an Australian leader call out Indonesia on West Papua
Damien Kingsbury
As reported by the Guardian, Australia is seeking to strengthen its defence relationship with Indonesia, despite well-documented human rights abusesby the Indonesian military in West Papua.
As tens of thousands of West Papuan civilians are turned into refugees in their own land and innocents are allegedly tortured and gunned down by Indonesian soldiers, Australia is embarking on further training and support for the Indonesian military and its counter-terrorism police.
Human rights considerations appear to have been pushed down the list of diplomatic priorities.
A formal military alliance with Indonesia – which would enact mutual national security obligations – is unlikely, however, because Indonesia still harbours suspicions about Australia as a trusted friend following the 1999 Timor-Leste intervention. Indonesia is also wary of being drawn into a war not of its choosing, and its military orientation is still largely internally focused.
Indonesia has undergone significant reforms since the Suharto era. It has regular, transparent elections, a free and fairly robust media and, outside West Papua, a military that has also undergone some reform.
Yet “money politics” continues to prevail in Indonesian politics, restrictive legislation has been passed in recent years and there remains huge disparities in wealth. Further, the Indonesian military effectively ceased its own, incomplete, reform process around 2007.
The military may be under civilian control, but it continues to fund some of its activities through its own business interests. Its minister, Prabowo Subianto, is a former military hardliner with extensive human rights skeletons rattling around his own closet.
Critically, too, Prabowo is running a very close second to Ganjar Pranowo for Indonesia’s 2024 presidential elections. With both candidates having less than 30% support, a solidifying of the presidential race over coming months could see Prabowo take the lead.
A man widely accused of being a human rights abuser could become the president of the country Australia wants to be closer to.
The calculation behind Australia’s closeness to Indonesia focuses on China’s assertive strategic reach. China has very close relations with Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, and has recently extended its illegal claim – and built up its bases – in the South China Sea. It has also been building stronger relationships in the Pacific as well as south Asia and east Africa, in what is referred to as the String of Pearls strategy.
Closer to home, China signed new economic and defence agreements with Timor-Leste this week. This follows China’s earlier, high profile investments in diplomacy and defence cooperation with the young nation.
After 15 years of overspending, and its oil-base sovereign wealth fund running dry, Timor-Leste’s economy is expected to run out of money in about a decade. Australia’s small neighbour is now looking for any new friends that might assist with a soft economic landing.
Timor-Leste also sees its strategic security being enhanced by having several powerful friends, rather than being dominated by one or two countries. China ticks a few important boxes.
Australia regards China’s diplomatic, economic and strategic reach in the region with considerable discomfort and some alarm. This has caused reflection on how Australia has taken for granted and sometimes abused regional relationships. After a couple of decades of trashing many of them, Australia is now playing diplomatic catch-up.
Part of this catch-up is for Australia to not further alienate countries it wishes to have as friends and strategic partners. Hence Australia is reluctant to question, much less criticise, Indonesia on human rights grounds.
The longsuffering people of West Papua, marginalised and abused in their own land, are therefore being sacrificed on the altar of real politik.
Damien Kingsbury is an emeritus professor at Deakin University and has published widely on regional political and security issues
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https://indepthsolomons.com.sb/pm-sogavare-msgs-approach-to-new-west-papuan-issue/
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has adopted a fresh approach in addressing the longstanding West Papuan issue, as confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare upon his return from the UNGA in New York last week.
During his arrival today, he provided clarification to the local media regarding the omission of the West Papuan issue from his discussions at the UN level this time.
Prime Minister Sogavare said, “We have agreed during our last MSG meeting in Port Vila not to pursue independence for West Papua. Pursuing independence at the MSG level has historically led to unnecessary human rights violations against the people of West Papua, as it becomes closely linked to the independence movement.”
Instead, he highlighted that the MSG’s new strategy involves initiating a dialogue with the Indonesian government. The focus is on treating the people of West Papua as part of Melanesia and urging the government of Indonesia to respect them accordingly.
He further explained, “The issue of independence and self-determination is a domestic matter that West Papua needs to address internally. The United Nations (C-24) has established a process allowing them the right to determine their self-determination.”
The United Nations C-24, known as the Special Committee on Decolonization, was established in 1961 to address decolonization issues. This committee, a subsidiary of the UN General Assembly, is dedicated to matters related to granting independence to colonial countries and peoples.
Prime Minister Sogavare’s statements underscore the MSG’s commitment to a diplomatic approach and dialogue with Indonesia, aiming for a respectful and inclusive resolution to the West Papuan issue.
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Opposition leader Matthew Wale has echoed disappointment with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare statement on right to self determination at the United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Sogavare last week addressed UNGA, stating that Solomon Islands reaffirmed the right to self-determination as enshrined under the UN Charter.
Whilst New Caledonia and French Polynesia were highlighted, Wale said it was sad that the plight of West Papua was not included.
The Opposition Leader said both the FLNKS and West Papuans are Melanesian peoples and both desire independence.
He said West Papua has been under very oppressive schematic & systematic Indonesian colonial rule, far worse than anything New Caledonia has suffered.
“We are Melanesians and we should always stand hand in hand with our brothers and sisters in West Papua,” he said.
Wale said diplomacy and geopolitics should never cloud our solidarity with our Melanesian people of West Papua.
The Opposition Leader said it was sad that Sogavare, who used to be a strong supporter of the West Papuan cause, has changed face.
“The Prime Minister was once a strong supporter of West Papua, a very vocal leader against the human rights atrocities even at the UNGA and international forums in the past.
“For sure, he has been bought for 30 pieces of silver and has clearly changed face,” Wale said.
He also reiterated his call to MSG leaders to rethink their stand on West Papua.
“The Prime Minister should have maintained Solomon Islands stand on West Papua like he used to.
“Sogavare is no different to Judas the Iscariot,” Wale said.
Jayapura, Jubi – The Indonesia Art Movement, in collaboration with the Monj Hen Wani Community and with support from various institutions, local communities, and art and environmental advocates in Papua, organized the Arumbay Tonotwiyat, also known as the Women’s Forest People’s Party. This event was held in Enggros Village, Abepura District, Jayapura City on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Taking place beneath the lush canopy of Enggros Village’s mangrove forest, Arumbay Tonotwiyat was a multifaceted celebration that seamlessly blended art, culture, and environmental conservation. This gathering served as a heartfelt expression of reverence for nature, preservation of cultural heritage, and a commitment to fostering harmony between humanity and the natural world.
Rumah Bakau Jayapura, Kampung Dongeng Jayapura, Forum Indonesia Muda Jayapura, Sangga Uniyap, and representatives from Cenderawasih University and ISBI Tanah Papua, and Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) supported this event.
The event engaged a wide range of participants, including children, teenagers, and adults. The activities commenced with a beach cleanup initiative at Cibery Beach, organized by Petronela. This cleanup effort was a demonstration of environmental love, acknowledging the persistent issue of marine debris washing ashore during rainy seasons.
Following the cleanup, participants were treated to a tour of Youtefa Bay, where they witnessed a performance by children from Tobati-Enggros Village. This performance depicted the story of a mangrove forest tainted by garbage and waste originating from Nafri Village, Hamadi Beach, and the Acai River.
Subsequently, the participants were guided to the Women’s Forest in Enggros, an area exclusively accessible to women. Here, women sought food sources to meet their household needs while also sharing their domestic concerns. The Women’s Forest was off-limits to men, and any breach of this custom would incur penalties, typically in the form of jewelry or other items.
Mama Ani (Mother Ani) explained that men were not permitted to enter the forest while women were foraging for food, as women in the forest swam without clothing. Within the mangrove forest, women typically gathered clams, crabs, shrimps, and fish as sources of sustenance. However, men could enter the forest in the absence of women, usually in search of dried mangrove wood for firewood.
Orgenes Meraudje, the former head of Enggros Village and a prominent community leader, emphasized that women also visited the Women’s Forest to share their domestic experiences. However, these stories remained within the forest, not to be brought back home. For the women of Enggros-Tobati Beach, the forest held sacred significance, and they foraged unclothed for their household necessities.
Yehuda Hamokwarong, a lecturer at Cenderawasih University who attended the event, stressed the importance of protecting the Women’s Forest.
“The forest served as an educational hub, imparting knowledge and survival skills to Enggros-Tobati women, encompassing practical skills, ethics, and morals. The Women’s Forest represented not only the lungs of the world but also a profound emblem of feminine identity,” she said.
In addition to the Women’s Forest, there is a designated area called “para-para”, a sort of hall exclusive for men, and women were prohibited from entering. Any woman entering this area would face customary fines.
From the Women’s Forest, participants were led to Mitudebi, the venue for the Arumbay Tonotwiyat folk festival. Here, local villagers had set up stalls offering homemade food, beverages, and various accessories. This stage featured a poetry reading competition and a speech contest conducted in the Enggros language, with the children of Enggros Village displaying great enthusiasm for these competitions.
Subsequently, the children were taken to the Enggros Village Kindergarten, assisted by Lantamal X, where they listened to a fairy tale titled “Si Obo and Mangi Named Jee and Nuy”. This was followed by a screening of a film produced by an environmentalist community, designed to instill environmental awareness among the children of Enggros Village and motivate them to protect and preserve their environment.
Gamel, representing Rumah Bakau Jayapura, one of the communities involved in organizing the folk festival, emphasized that the Arumbay Tonotwiyat was convened out of concern for the deteriorating condition of the mangrove forests in Youtefa Bay. He highlighted the adverse impact of infrastructure development, such as the Hamadi-Holtekamp Road access, the Ring-road, and the Youtefa Bridge on the Port Numbay forest, underscoring the urgent need for preservation.
Gamel expressed concern that the mangrove forests in the area had suffered damage due to extensive land filling. He emphasized that while they do not oppose development, it should be carried out with respect for local wisdom and not at the expense of the community’s well-being.
He also drew attention to the impact of the Youtefa Bay bridge construction, which has led to an influx of vehicles but has also brought along a significant amount of garbage, including discarded alcohol containers.
“While we have cleaned up a substantial amount of waste, there is still work to be done in educating people about responsible waste disposal,” he said.
He stressed the importance of preserving the remaining mangrove forests, as they are at risk of being rapidly lost or damaged due to ongoing development. Gamel called for collective efforts to safeguard these forests for future generations.
Meanwhile, Alhadir, a representative from the BKSDA Papua present at the event, pointed out that waste has consistently been a major issue in Youtefa Bay. He attributed this problem to a lack of environmental awareness among the local population, leading to careless disposal of garbage.
Furthermore, Alhadir highlighted that even flooding contributes to the issue by carrying debris into Youtefa Bay, resulting in sedimentation that poses a threat to the protected and conservation forests in the area. (*)
4) Lukas Enembe's Lawyer Stefanus Roy Rening Charged With Obstructing Justice
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Stefanus Roy Rening, the lawyer of Papua's inactive Governor Lukas Enembe, underwent an arraignment trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday, September 27. Stefanus was charged with obstruction of justice in his capacity as Lukas' defense lawyer in the alleged corruption case in which the latter is a suspect.
The public prosecutor from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Budi Sarumpaet, said in his indictment that Stefanus obstructed justice proceedings himself by deliberately trying to influence the parties undergoing investigation.
"Deliberately preventing, obstructing, or directly or indirectly thwarting, prosecution and examination at court of suspects and defendants or witnesses in corruption cases," he read out his indictment.
Prosecutor: Stefanus Directs Lukas to Miss KPK Summons, Mobilizes Crowd
According to Budi, Stefanus directed Lukas not to respond to the KPK's summons on the grounds of illness. Meanwhile, Lukas had already stated that he would willingly take part in the KPK examination.
"[Stefanus instructed him] by saying 'No Sir, you don't have to attend, or they will arrest you. Let's just say that you are ill'," Budi said. Let's just say that you're sick," said Budi, imitating Stefanus' statement to Lukas.
According to Budi, the conversation between Stefanus and Lukas took place at Lukas' residence in Jayapura on September 11, 2022. Lukas also failed to respond to the KPK's summons at that time.
Budi also said that Stefanus was the actor behind the mobilization of the crowd to the Headquarters of the Papua Police Mobile Brigade in Jayapura, to protest against the detention of Lukas Enembe after his arrest on January 10, 2023. The prosecutor said that Stefanus even gave a speech in front of the crowds who rejected the arrival of KPK investigators.
"Because of this, KPK investigators were unable to examine Lukas Enembe, and the large number of people demonstrating at Mako Brimob Jayapura caused the investigation process at Mako Brimob to be disrupted," said the prosecutor.
Influencing the Witness
Budi also stated that Stefanus asked the Papua Regional Secretary at that time, Ridwan Rudalamun, to not hand over evidence of Lukas Enembe's corruption to the Corruption Eradication Commission. This evidence is the operational funds worth Rp10 billion, which was used to hold a birthday party for Lukas Enembe's son.
"This made KPK investigators unable to confiscate Rp10 billion during the investigation process as evidence," said the prosecutor.
The prosecutor indicted Stefanus of violating Article 21 of Law No.31/1999 on Eradication of Corruption Crimes. Stefanus could face up to 12 years in prison if found guilty.
The KPK arrested Lukas on January 10 this year at a restaurant in Jayapura. The Democratic Party politician is scheduled to hear his verdict next month.
SULTAN ABDURRAHMAN
KSP expert staff Theo Litaay informed here on Wednesday that through the FGD, his side received inputs from Papuan stakeholders, including members of the media, the steering board for the Papua Special Autonomy Development Acceleration (BP3OKP), and college students.
"The purpose of this FGD is to receive input from development agencies, organizations, and actors who have been working with KSP in distributing news related to development in Papua," he said.
Through the FGD, Papuan stakeholders provided their inputs on which public communication model would be best applied in the region.
Litaay said that his side considered the activity very useful because the inputs will be considered while formulating development programs in Papua.
He explained that the communication between KSP and Papuan stakeholders has been running well and is expected to improve.
The communication between the two is expected to cover other issues, such as inputs on ways to provide more attention to villages, border areas, and poverty issues.
"KSP has a program called 'Selasa Papua' (Tuesday Papua) where all public relations (officials) of ministries and agencies in Indonesia on that day focus on reporting about Papua," he said.
KSP is seeking to enhance the program by involving Papuan content creators, he added.
"We think this is a good input because it increases interaction with the younger generation in Papua," he said.
On the same occasion, KSP advisor Wandy Tuturoong said that the FGD implementation was necessary to obtain feedback from Papuan stakeholders.
"Not only for KSP advisors who will still be serving next year, but also for anyone who will (hold the) rein (of) the government after the 2024 general election," Tuturoong said.
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