Saturday, December 21, 2019

1) Gunmen attack plane in Indonesia's Papua


2) Local Parliament urged to question security forces’ deployment to different regencies in Papua
3) TNI HQ confirms no additional deployment of troops in Papua  20th December 2019
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1) Gunmen attack plane in Indonesia's Papua

Saturday, 21 Dec 2019  8:11 PM MYT
JAKARTA: Gunmen opened fire on a small commercial plane as it landed in Indonesia's restive province of Papua carrying nine passengers, one of the plane's pilots said on Saturday (Dec 21). No casualties were reported.

The attack occurred in the hilly district of Puncak, a stronghold of separatists who have battled Indonesian rule in the mineral-rich but impoverished region since the early 1960s, said the Indonesian co-pilot, Purwanto Condro Usodo.

Usodo said that he and the Australian pilot, Michael Cumming, were initially unaware of the shooting and managed to land the aircraft safely at Beoga airport from the mining town of Timika until passengers told them that they saw gunmen spray the plane with bullets while landing.

Usodo said in a video obtained by media on Saturday from a source in the Indonesian army that about 30 minutes later, the gunmen tried to shoot people who were unloading supplies and luggage from the plane.

But the gunmen fled into the jungle after soldiers on the ground returned fire, while the pilots and passengers were evacuated to a security post near the airport.

It was unclear whether any of the gunmen were killed in the shootout, which lasted over three hours, Usodo said.

Military spokesmen did not answer calls seeking comment on the shooting, which happened amid an apparent escalation of attacks since Dec. 1 by the West Papua National Liberation Army, or TPNPB, the military wing of the Free Papua Movement.

A declaration of independence from Dutch rule on Dec. 1, 1961, was rejected by the Dutch and later by Indonesia.

A low-level insurgency for independence has simmered in Papua since it was transferred from Dutch to Indonesian rule in 1963.

The region, which makes up the western half of the island of New Guinea, was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 following a UN-sponsored ballot that has since been dismissed as a sham.

Indonesian military and police said earlier that three soldiers and a policeman have been killed during recent clashes in Papua, sparking fear among residents of the predominantly Christian region, with the attacks coming just ahead of Christmas. - AP 


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2) Local Parliament urged to question security forces’ deployment to different regencies in Papua
Jayapura, Jubi – The Second Secretary of Papua Customary Council of the Third Papua Congressional Hearing in Biak, John NR Gobai, urges the Papua House of Representatives to clarify the police and military regarding the deployment of security forces in several regencies since the last week.
He said he got the information from the people if 13 December 2019 a total of four helicopters of the air force that transport the armed military forces to Paniai Regency. The next day, about five to ten trucks of military forces departed from Nabire to Dogiyai, Paniai and Deiyai.
“I also get the information, in Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency on 13 and 14 December 2019, there were military and Brimob personnel sent there using the helicopter. As well as at Beoga, Puncak Regency,” Gobai told Jubi on Tuesday (17/12/2019).
He worried that the troops’ deployment to some regencies would emerge unrest among people during the Christmas.
According to Gobay, some days ago he has asked this issue to the military commander of Cenderawasih/XVII about the deployment that aims to secure the Christmas 2019 and New Year Eve 2020, as well as the shift of on-duty personnel for several months in many areas of Papua to their units.
“I hope the Papua house of representatives immediately asks for clarification on the existence of these troops in many regencies. Do not let this situation occurred for a long time. I am worried it makes people trauma,” he said.
Moreover, he said it would be better if there are no additional troops deployed to many areas in Papua. the security in each regency/municipality should be handed over to local security forces on “We have also asked the National Human Rights Commission to review this situation and back up our request,” he said.
A day before, the Vice Commander of Mobile Brigade Corps, Brigadier General Abdul Rakhman Baso, said Brimob still prepare about 5.000 personnel to secure the Chrismas and New Year Eve in Papua and Papua Barat.
Quoted by Antara News Agency, Abdul Rakhman Baso said the Brimob personnel will be divided into several task units. (*)
 
Reporter: Arjuna Pademme
Editor: Pipit Maizier

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/138479/tni-hq-confirms-no-additional-deployment-of-troops-in-papua
3) TNI HQ confirms no additional deployment of troops in Papua  20th December 2019

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Defense Forces (TNI) Headquarters does not intend to dispatch additional troops to Papua Province after an exchange of fire with the armed criminal group on Tuesday (Dec 17) that killed its two soldiers.

Although another gunfight broke out, the TNI Headquarters will not step up the number of troops stationed in the easternmost Indonesian province, Chief of the TNI Information Center Major General Sisriadi clarified at the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkao, East Jakarta, on Friday.

"Papua continues to use troops that have been stationed there," he remarked.

Related news: TNI Commander Tjahjanto to take office in Papua

Related news: Withdraw troops from Papua to avoid confrontation: analyst

Two TNI soldiers -- identified as First Lieutenant Erizal Zuhry Sidabutar and Second Sergeant Rizky Ramadhan -- were killed after members of the armed criminal group in Intan Jaya District, Papua Province, attacked them on Tuesday, (Dec 17).

The bodies of the two soldiers were flown in to Jakarta and Medan, North Sumatra, respectively on Thursday (Dec 19) for burial. The body of First Lieutenant Erizal was flown to Kualanamu Airport in Medan soon after arriving at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Cengkarang, west of Jakarta.

In the meantime, the body of Second Sergeant Rizky Ramadhan was laid in state at the bereaved family's house shortly after it was brought to Jakarta. He would later be buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta on Friday.

Sisriadi stated that the two soldiers killed in the line of duty would receive posthumous ranks.

Related news: Social approach needed to settle Papua conflict: Kalla
Reporter: Syaiful Hakim/Suharto
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Friday, December 20, 2019

From the ocean to the east, it looks like Australia's Pacific policy is all at sea

Todays SMH





From the ocean to the east, it looks like Australia's Pacific policy is all at sea

By Ben Bohane December 20, 2019 — 11.45pm
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1) On Trial



2) Another soldier killed in gunfight with rebels in Indonesia's Papua 
3) Security chief Mahfud reiterates no chance of referendum for Papua
4) In emotional speech, Surya Anta asks court ‘has reformasi gone backwards’
5) Arraignment sees Jakarta six formally charged with treason, criminal conspiracy
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Ambrosius Mulait cries after answering some questions from journalist before his trial at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday. (Antara Photo/Nova Wahyudi)

1) On Trial 
BY :ANTARA PHOTO 
DECEMBER 20, 2019 
West Papuan student Ambrosius Mulait has been charged with treason, which carries a possible penalty of life imprisonment, for waving a morning star flag during a peaceful protest in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta in August. Ambrosius, who wore traditional Papuan clothing and headgear during his trial on Thursday, has denied any wrongdoing. 


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2) Another soldier killed in gunfight with rebels in Indonesia's Papua 
Source: Xinhua| 2019-12-20 18:54:38| Editor: zh

JAKARTA, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- One soldier was killed and three others were injured in an exchange of fire with a band of rebels the government called as "the criminal armed group" in Indonesia's eastern most province of Papua, local media reported Friday. The gunfight occurred in Ugimba of Intan Jaya district on Thursday, leaving the soldier named M Ramadhan dead and three other soldiers, Arif Aria, Ari Budiarta and Gunawan, wounded, according to the report by Antara news agency. All the victims have been evacuated to Timika town in the province. On Tuesday, two soldiers were gunned down in an attack launched by the separatists group while transporting goods in the district. The separatist Free Papua Movement has sought an independent trough guerrilla wars since decades ago. Their targets include soldiers, police personnel and civilians.
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3) Security chief Mahfud reiterates no chance of referendum for Papua
CNN Indonesia – December 17, 2019
Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Security, Politics and Legal Affairs Mahfud MD says that Indonesia is entitled to take any and all measures to hold on to Papua.
He said this in relation to demands for a referendum on self-determination for Papua in the name of international law.
Mahfud said that there is no possibility of a referendum for Papua. This is based on two legal foundations. First the Indonesian constitution, which states that Papua is a legitimate part of Indonesia.
Second, international law, namely United Nations General Assembly Resolution Number 2405 in 1969 which officially declared that Papua is part of the Indonesian Republic.
“And based on the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) all countries that have sovereign rights over a territory are allowed to take any and all measures to maintain their sovereignty over that territory or area by all means at their disposal”, said Mahfud during an event titled Papua Development Conference at the JW Marriot Hotel in Jakarta on Tuesday December 17.
From here he said that any efforts to separate Papua from Indonesia must be seen as opposition to the legitimate government.
“Papua is a legitimate part of the Indonesian Republic. So, the assumption at this seminar is how we think, that developing Papua is developing Indonesia”, said Mahfud when he was speaking as a representatives of President Joko Widodo.
The government will only give the green light to plans to add new regions to Papua and West Papua provinces. The decision, he said, would be made by Home Affairs Minister (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian.
“There is a possibility of it in the near future, it will continue to be discussed. The possibility of yes or not well the Mendagri will of course determine this”, said Mahfud.
Nevertheless, Mahfud believes that the proposal is still immature and still needs to be evaluated. “It’s still in the inventory process. The proposal is still not mature. It’s still in its infancy and will continue to be discussed”, said Mahfud.
Earlier this year, United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Chairperson Benny Wenda stated that he was prepared to meet with President Widodo to discuss Papua. The Papua separatist figure however presented a number of preconditions which had to be met first.
One of them was the meeting must discuss the “long-held demand of the West Papuan people to hold an independence referendum or an act of self-determination”. (jps/arh)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Mahfud Sebut RI Boleh Ambil Semua Langkah Pertahankan Papua”.]

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4) In emotional speech, Surya Anta asks court ‘has reformasi gone backwards’
CNN Indonesia – December 19, 2019
Jakarta – Surya Anta and five other Papua activists heard the formal charges against them during the first hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday December 19. Following their arraignment, Anta and the other defendants presented emotional speeches to the court.
“People who talk about humanity are silenced, moreover after more than 20 years of reformasi [the democratic reform process that began in 1998] we are still being silenced, we must ask ourselves, is this the era of colonialism, an era of fascism, the era of [Suharto’s] New Order [dictatorship] or the era of reformasi, has reformasi gone backwards?”, asked Anta.
During his speech, Anta and several of the other defendants shed tears, although Anta continued his speech despite being choked by emotion. According to Ana, for a people and a nation, being civilised is to have humanitarian values in one’s heart and actions.
“[How can we be civilised] if humanitarian values no longer exist in our hearts and actions, because we are afraid of speaking out, despite us speaking peacefully, because behind us are the makar articles, there are the weapons, there are the jails, and there are the isolation cells”, said Anta.
“Then tomorrow we will see, people with black skin and curly hair, minorities, people with yellow skin and narrow eyes, the poor, will no longer have anyone to defend them”, he said to shouts of support from the crowd in the public gallery.
The six defendants, Surya Anta along with Issay Wenda, Arina Elopere, Charles Kossay, Ambrosius Mulait and Dano Tabuni have been charged with makar(treason, rebellion, treason) and criminal conspiracy for flying the Morning Star independence flag during a rally in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on August 28.
Constitutional right
Following the arraignment, Anta and his colleagues wanted to present a demurrer (eksepsi) rejecting the prosecution’s charges. The panel of judges however adjourned the hearing until Thursday January 2.
“So that the eksepsi can be made jointly, the hearing is adjourned until January 2, 2020”, said presiding judge Agustinus Setya Wahyu Triwiranto.
The prosecution has charged Anta and the other five Papua activists with makar and criminal conspiracy. The prosecutor said that the actions of the six defendants were aimed at separating Papua and West Papua provinces from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
Prior to committing makar, the prosecution also said that the six committed a criminal conspiracy by planning to commit makar.
Anta had an opportunity to give a response after hearing the prosecution’s charges. He questioned the indictment against him.
“Specifically and in particular, was my presence at the action a form of makar? For as long as I have been an activist, [holding an] action has been a right. Demanding something from the state is a constitutional right”, said Anta. (yoa/osc)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Surya Anta Orasi dan Menangis: Apakah Reformasi Sudah Mundur?”.]


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5) Arraignment sees Jakarta six formally charged with treason, criminal conspiracy
CNN Indonesia – December 19, 2019

Jakarta – The public prosecutor charged six Papua activists, Surya Anta, Charles Kossay, Dano Tabuni, Isay Wenda, Ambrosius Mulait and Arina Elopere with makar and criminal conspiracy during their formal arraignment at the first hearing at Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday December 19.
In the first of two indictments, the six Papua activists were charged with violating Article 106 in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code (KUHP) otherwise known as makar (treason, subversion, rebellion).
“That the Central Jakarta District Court which has the authority examine and try the case of these individuals who have committed or participated in committing an act, namely makar, with the intent that all or a part of the country’s territory fall into the hands of enemies or to separate a part of the country’s territory from the rest of the country”, said prosecutor P Permana as quoted by the Antara state news agency.
The second charge meanwhile was for violating Article 110 Paragraph (1) of the KUHP on criminal conspiracy as a result of the six Papua activists holding an action in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on August 28 in which the Morning Star independence flag was flown.
“That the Central Jakarta District Court which has the authority examine and try the case of these individuals who have committed criminal conspiracy with the intent that all or a part of the country’s territory fall into the hands of enemies or to separate a part of the country’s territory from the rest of the country”, said Permana.
The six activists will be tried in three groups. The first hearing will try the defendant Arina Elopere.
In the second court hearing the court will summon the defendants Paulus Surya Anta Ginting, Charles Kossay, Ambrosius Mulait and Isay Wenda.
After this, the final court hearing will be held for the defendant Dano Anes Tabuni.
Songs and prayer
Before the court hearing began, Anta and his colleagues made time to form a circle and to pray and sing a song after entering the court room.
According to the Antara, at 4.10 pm, three of the defendants, namely Dano Tabuni, Arina Elopere and Ambrosius Mulait wore Papuan traditional headdresses and ornamentation.
After being asked to be seated in the court room, the six people stood up and formed a circle to pray. Following this they formed a straight line and sung the song Mysterious Life written by Papuan activists Arnold Clemens Ap. (Antara/osc)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Jaksa Dakwa Surya Anta cs Makar dan Pemufakatan Jahat”.]
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Thursday, December 19, 2019

1) Indonesia gets defensive in ‘Year of Protests'


2) Members of Militant Group JAD Go Into Hiding in Papua

3) Social approach needed to settle Papua conflict: Kalla  
4) Six Charged With Treason in Indonesia After Papua Protest
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1) Indonesia gets defensive in ‘Year of Protests'
Dian Septiari The Jakarta Post
Jakarta   /   Thu, December 19 2019   /  02:18 am
At the start of the week, two native Papuans entered a courtroom in Jakarta shirtless but adorned in their traditional attire, complete with feathered headdress and war paint. The word “monkey” was boldly strewn across their bare chests as they silently waited for their trial to begin.
The trial was eventually adjourned, but the scene had already become a foil for one of the most serious accusations leveled at Indonesia in recent years: discrimination against Melanesian Papuans.
Throughout President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s first term in office, Indonesian diplomats shrugged off what they called efforts to “internationalize” the issue of Papua, including attempts to challenge the status quo by a small but persistent separatist movement.
In a joint communiqué issued in mid-August, members of the Pacific Islands Forum “strongly encouraged” Indonesia to commit to a schedule that included a visit by the United Nations human rights chief to the region to investigate alleged rights abuses. The government was quick to express its objection, telling them that they should instead talk about issues like climate change.
In the past few years, Jakarta has stepped up efforts to contain antigovernment sentiment by enacting a “Look East” policy that aims to provide development assistance to low-lying island nations in the hopes of painting an image of Indonesia as a benevolent giant in the region.
For the most part, experts argue this strategy has succeeded as the majority of these nations have stopped peddling allegations of human rights abuses in Indonesia’s easternmost provinces.
However, Indonesia failed to claim the higher moral ground this year after local authorities and members of a mass organization in East Java were accused of perpetuating racism against Papuan students in Surabaya, inciting waves of protests in many cities in Papua and other parts of the country.
What had begun with a slur equating the students with monkeys later spiraled into violent riots and a wider call for self-determination in Papua and West Papua, regions with a predominantly Melanesian population.
Long considered a backwater region exploited for its wealth of mineral resources, the two provinces have become a development focus for President Jokowi in his second term.
However, violent protests that killed at least 33 civilians and forced thousands to flee the city of Wamena provided ample opportunities for countries like Vanuatu, outspoken in its support of the separatist movement, to raise the issue at the UN General Assembly in September.
Indonesia hit back by accusing Vanuatu of “state-sponsored separatism”, alleging that it had provoked people and triggered conflict that damaged infrastructure and disrupted everyday life.
It was becoming increasingly clear that Indonesia was not immune to the discontent that has plagued many other countries around the world.
In a year that is increasingly being dubbed the “Year of Protests”, Indonesia has found itself on the back foot as it struggles to calm a public that is growing disenchanted with the way the state deals with various domestic issues, especially those with an undeniable international dimension.
Unrest in Papua is just one issue that has exposed Indonesia to criticism.
Indonesia has received flak for politicians’ plans to pass dubious laws that negate good governance, prompting thousands of people to take to the streets in the largest student movement since 1998, when the 30-year reign of dictator Soeharto came to an end.
At the height of the rallies beginning Sept. 23, protesters occupied the streets around the House of Representatives building, demanding that lawmakers stop its plan to pass a Criminal Code bill into law, while also voicing disappointment over the recent passage of a highly criticized amendment of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law.
Other countries, particularly those from the more developed West, expressed concern over Indonesia’s lawmaking, with some singling out the Criminal Code bill, which carries the risk of criminalizing, among other things, consensual sex among unmarried couples and cohabitation.
Australia, for instance, took note of this issue in its latest travel advisory, urging its citizens thinking of visiting Indonesia to be wary of possible persecution. As many as 1 million Australians visit Indonesia every year.
The newly appointed ambassador of the European Union, Vincent Piket, also expressed worries that the Criminal Code bill, if passed into law, might affect EU citizens visiting or residing in the country.
Meanwhile, economists and private sector players urged Jokowi to roll back the amendment to the antigraft law, arguing that unchecked corruption would hamper investment. This appeared to hit home with Jokowi, who looks to grow the economy by increasing exports and canvassing foreign investment. In the end, the President did not bow to public pressure.
However, Jokowi appears to have learned from the wave of protests ahead of his second term in office. In November, he urged security forces and regional heads in a national coordination meeting not to underestimate signs of public discontent, a global trend that he noted has spread to places as far-flung as Hong Kong, Chile and Bolivia.
Dozens of other countries, including France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Russia, are also struggling with civil unrest, while the leaders of Algeria, Bolivia, Iraq, Lebanon and Sudan have been ousted or forced to step down due to issues that vary from corruption to economic hardship.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin described discontent and public distrust as a “virus” that could “trigger instability”, a message that has been echoed by Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi at various occasions.
Though people had largely vacated the streets, Indonesia should not consider it “mission accomplished”, political economist Dinna Wisnu of Atmajaya University said as she warned of the dangers of a polarization in society that could drive further division.
“We shouldn’t immediately think that a problem can be solved by giving people financial support,” Dinna argued in a recent discussion in Jakarta. “People in Papua,'' she noted, “are already fed up and they don’t feel a part of [Indonesia].” (tjs)
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 https://jakartaglobe.id/news/members-of-militant-group-jad-go-into-hiding-in-papua

2) Members of Militant Group JAD Go Into Hiding in Papua 

BY :BERITASATU 
DECEMBER 19, 2019 
Jakarta. Members of militant group Jemaah Ansharut Daulah have tried to go into hiding in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua, police said on Thursday following the arrests of eight suspected militants there.
Police launched separate operations in the province's capital Jayapura earlier this month and arrested eight JAD members from North Sumatra and Lampung.
"We arrested the eight suspected militants for conducting activities that according to the law may constitute as crimes," National Police spokesman Chief Comr. Asep Adi Saputra told reporters at his office in South Jakarta.

Interrogation of the suspects revealed they had plans to extend the JAD network to Indonesia's eastern regions, but there was no indication they were planning immediate attacks in the area, Asep said.
"They have been cornered in many other areas in the country, so they moved there. But we found no indications they were planning to carry out attacks in Papua," he said.
The suspects were detained at a Papua Police facility before being flown to Jakarta for further questioning on Tuesday.
JAD has been blamed for a series of attacks in Indonesia over the last few years, the latest of which include the stabbing in October of then chief security minister Wiranto and a suicide bomb attack at the Medan Metropolitan Police headquarters in November.

Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said the militants had come to Papua to do paramilitary training.
"They ran away from Medan and Lampung and ended up here to do some training, before they could launch attacks somewhere else," Paulus said on Tuesday.
"They were arrested after we collected convincing evidence against them. We don't arrest people without a reason," the officer said.





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3) Social approach needed to settle Papua conflict: Kalla  
3 hours ago

Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - The government should focus on social approach in resolving the conflict in Papua, former Vice President Jusuf Kalla believes.

"There still needs to be social efforts and better education," he said in a press conference after receiving the Hamengku Buwono IX Award at Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University, Thursday.

President Joko Widodo has made various efforts to build Papua, also known as 'Bumi Cenderawasih', he said.

However, he believed there is still a need to resolve social problems in order to ensure that Papuans can fully enjoy the positive impact of development in their everyday lives.

Until now, the development in Papua had often been seen as inadequate, but he believed the progress has been extraordinary, he further said.

"In reality, the development has been extraordinary, which means there are social problems that we need to pay attention to in regards to Papua," he said.

Conflicts happen in all parts of the world and each one is different from the other, he further said.

Despite that, conflicts need to be resolved with dignity, he added.

Kalla received the 2019 Hamengku Buwono IX Award in the summit of the 70th Anniversary of the University of Gadjah Mada for his services in the social field through concrete contributions in increasing the people's capabilities and welfare, as well as his role in prosperity and peace. (INE)

Related news: Government to prioritize holistic development for Papua
Related news: Bappenas composes policy centering on swifter development in Papua
Related news: President's youth staff to promote young Papuans' products in US
Reporter: Luqman Hakim/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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4) Six Charged With Treason in Indonesia After Papua Protest
By Reuters December 19, 2019 02:39 PM
An Indonesian prosecutor charged five men and a woman with treason on Thursday, accusing them of organizing a protest in Jakarta demanding independence for the easternmost province of Papua.
The peaceful protest of about 100 people had been held outside the presidential palace and military headquarters on Aug. 28 and followed a period of unrest in Papua.
Prosecutor P.  Permana read out the indictment in the Central Jakarta court saying the six defendants had organized a rally demanding the Indonesian government allow a vote in Papua to let it separate from Indonesia One of the six waved the "Morning Star" flag, while dancing and singing, the indictment said. The flag is a banned symbol of Papuan nationhood.
"The action by the defendants is treason with the aim to separate Papua province and West Papua province from the unitary state of Indonesia," said Permana.
There was a small protest outside the court on Thursday held by pro-Papuan activists calling for the release of the six.
The six could face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.
A hearing for the defense is due on Jan. 2, but the six have said it was their constitutional right to participate in the rally.
Resource-rich Papua was a Dutch colony that was incorporated into Indonesia after a controversial U.N.-backed referendum in 1969. The region has since endured decades of mostly low-level separatist conflict.
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Wednesday, December 18, 2019

1) Why many Indonesians are fed up with pro-Papuan activists in Australia


2) Two Indonesian soldiers killed in separatist attack in Papua
3) Supreme Court raises prison term for Polish man over treason, link with Papuan rebels 

4) Indonesia authorities arrest suspected ISIS terror cell in Papua
5) Police rebuke baseless rumors of additional troops in Papua's Sugapa
6) PLI launch a new campus in West Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
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1) Why many Indonesians are fed up with pro-Papuan activists in Australia

 By: Erwin Renaldi and Tasha Wibawa
ABC  Posted 14 minutes ago





The West Papuan Morning Star flag has been a point of contention across Indonesia for decades.

For many West Papuans, it represents freedoms that have been taken away.


Key points:

  • The West Papuan flag is seen as a symbol of independence
  • West Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1963 following Dutch occupation
  • Many Indonesians believe foreign reporting on West Papua is one-sided




Every year on December 1 — the date the flag was first raised in 1961 — activists fly the Morning Star as a symbol of independence and resistance to incorporation into Indonesia.
They have supporters in many parts of the world: This year events were held in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Fiji, to name a few places. 
But despite the many supporters, there are also many Indonesians who say the Morning Star flag actually represents a betrayal of the national motto "unity in diversity" and that their voices on the issue are not being heard. 
"The reporting of West Papua is one-sided in Australia, that's why we feel we need to make a political statement," a member of the Sydney-based Indonesian community group Projo told the ABC on the condition of anonymity.
Just a few weeks ago a Morning Star flag-raising event at Leichhardt Town Hall in Sydney's inner west raised the ire of some Indonesians.
Indonesia's Consulate General in Sydney said it "regrets" that the council allowed "a symbol of separatism" to be raised, adding that it could be "misinterpreted to represent support from the Australian Government".
Others, like Indonesian-born Sydney taxi driver Hendra Ong, said the move by the council was "offensive and humiliating".
"The decision for flying the flag at the town hall degrades and insults Indonesia as a nation," he told the ABC.
In a statement, the council told the ABC it had been raising the flag for a number of years and was "not aware of receiving any complaints from the general public".
However, the Indonesian Consulate General has "objected to the flag-raising in writing most years", it said.


'Even if the cost is death’



PHOTO: Indonesians in Sydney wearing shirts that translate to "stop spreading hoaxes" about Papua. (Supplied)

Papua and West Papua are Indonesia's easternmost provinces, and commonly referred to internationally as West Papua.
The region has been embroiled in conflict on and off ever since its incorporation into Indonesia in 1963.
The latest flare-ups earlier this year, in which protesters clashed with authorities, resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.
Rights groups say there are continual human rights abuses, while foreign media are routinely denied access to the region.
The Indonesian Government remains firm in its stance that the region is part of a unified Indonesia and has been since a United Nations-backed referendum, and that any unrest is a domestic issue.


PHOTO: West Papuans often protest against their treatment by Indonesian authorities. (AP: Tatan Syuflana)
For some Indonesians, such as Diana Pratiwi, who lives in Melbourne, West Papua should "not be allowed independence", however flying the flag was simply "a symbol of Papuan culture" and "freedom of expression".
But for others, the flag is less tolerable.
A number of Indonesian community groups in New South Wales have called on members to create videos showing their support for a united Indonesia, which includes West Papua as an ingrained part of the country.
One video showed a group of men and women wearing red and white — the colours of the Indonesian flag — and yelling: "We are Indonesia, Papua is our brother. A united Indonesia, even if the cost is death."
The video aimed to counter the narrative by the Papuan pro-independence activists in Australia, the community group Projo said.

Remnants of East Timor 'trauma' continues

PHOTO: West Papuan activists are commonly referred to as "separatists" by the Indonesian Government. (Supplied)

Richard Chauvel, West Papua researcher from the University of Melbourne, said the deep fears about foreign interference stemmed from the "trauma" felt by Indonesians following Australia's involvement in East Timor.
"There is great suspicion … across Indonesia about any interest, any statement of whatever nature by any section of Australian society about West Papua given that history on East Timor," Dr Chauvel said.
"It reflects back on the role that Australia played in 1999 … and how [East Timor independence] has been interpreted and understood by Indonesians and politicians until today."
There is much debate over exactly what role Australia played during East Timor's move to independence but it was clearly a significant one and included leading a multinational peacekeeping force during 1999 and 2000.
As for the situation in West Papua today, the Australian Government has remained largely silent on the recent violence and will only say that it urges "all sides to avoid violence and exercise restraint".
Dr Chauvel said under the Lombok Treaty of 2006, Australia and Indonesia agreed to respect each other's sovereignty and would not support "separatist movements".

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2) Two Indonesian soldiers killed in separatist attack in Papua
 Posted about 9 hours ago

Two Indonesian soldiers have been shot dead in Indonesia's eastern-most province of Papua, ambushed by separatist rebels while transporting goods to a village in a remote area.

Papua has suffered a simmering conflict for decades, led by a mostly poorly armed and fractured separatist movement.

Key points:

  • The separatist movement has been in conflict with Indonesian soldiers in Papua for a decade 
  • Indonesian soldiers have since been guarding the village to ensure resident security
  • A military spokesman said 10 separatist rebels ambushed the group of soldiers, killing two



Muhammad Aidi, intelligence assistant for Indonesia's special forces unit, said the rebels attacked when soldiers and local residents were transporting goods for year-end celebrations from a helicopter pad to Kulapa village in Intan Jaya regency.
"Around 150 metres from the outskirts of the village, suddenly 10 members of an armed separatist group with various weapons attacked," Mr Aidi said in a statement, adding the bodies of the two soldiers remained at the location.

He said the rough terrain, bad weather and poor communications in the area were hampering the evacuation of the victims.
Soldiers have been guarding the village to ensure the security of residents.
A former Dutch colony, resource-rich Papua was incorporated into Indonesia after a controversial UN-backed referendum in 1969. 
The region has since endured decades of mostly low-level separatist conflict.
After a spike in protests and civil unrest in August, Indonesia sent about 6,000 additional military and police personnel to the region.
Reuters

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3) Supreme Court raises prison term for Polish man over treason, link with Papuan rebels 
News Desk The Jakarta Post

Jakarta   /   Wed, December 18, 2019   /   07:15 pm
The Supreme Court has increased the prison sentence of Jakub Fabian Skrzypski, a Polish national and reportedly the first foreigner convicted of treason in Indonesia, to seven years in prison for his role in assisting a separatist group in Papua.
The sentence given by the country’s highest court is two years longer than the five-year sentence handed down in May by the Wamena District Court in Papua, which found Skrzypski guilty of treason for his involvement in a plot to overthrow the Indonesian government and making contact with a rebel group in Papua.
“The Supreme Court sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment, while the Wamena District Court [sentenced him to] only five years,” the district court’s crime unit head, Richarda Arsenius, said as quoted by Antara.
In response to the matter, Papua’s Jayawijaya Police chief Adj. Comr. Suheriadi said they coordinated closely with the Jayawijaya Prosecutor’s Office to follow up on the Supreme Court’s verdict.
“Now that the final decision has been made, the prosecutor’s office has the authority to execute the verdict by relocating [Skrzypski] from the detention center at the Jayawijaya Police headquarters to Wamena prison,” he said.
“If [Skrzypski’s] lawyer, family or [the Polish] consulate would like to relocate him, they must send an official letter to the Law and Human Rights Regional Office.”
Throughout his stay at the detention center, Skrzypski reportedly never encountered health problems because he was examined on a daily basis by health officers at the police’s medical center.
Skrzypski was arrested at Habema Lake in Jayawijaya in August last year, according to the police. The 39-year-old was found with documents and video detailing the Papuan struggle for independence. 
He and his lawyer, Latifah Anum Siregar – who previously said his client was the first foreigner convicted of treason – denied all wrongdoing while the prosecutors accused him of having met with leaders of the Free Papua Organization (OPM). 
Latifah said the Supreme Court’s verdict was “too heavy”. She and Skrzypski are currently discussing the next steps, including the possibility of filing a judicial review to challenge the top court’s ruling, which means it must find evidence of legal flaws made by the court.
"Skrzypski has rejected the accusations from the beginning," Latifah said as quoted by the AFP.
The European Parliament described the Polish man as a political prisoner and called for his transfer back to his home country.
The country’s easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua have long been dealing with the separatist movement, which the Indonesian government routinely blames as being as the actor behind various cases of violent unrest in the restive region. (vla)
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4) Indonesia authorities arrest suspected ISIS terror cell in Papua
Indonesian police have swooped on group of ISIS-inspired suspected terrorists, accusing them of planning an operation in the province of Papua.
The arrest was a “pre-emptive strike” by the anti-terrorism squad earlier this month in several locations in Papua, National Police spokesman Asep Adi Saputra said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The suspects have been transferred to Jakarta for questioning.
They were suspected of having links to the Islamic State-inspired Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), which has carried out a series of attacks in Indonesia.
Police said the arrests were made after officers conducted surveillance of meetings between the suspects, as well as training and preparation for suspected attacks.
“Their target and their plan is currently being investigated,” Saputra said.
Separately, Papua police chief Paulus Waterpauw said on Tuesday the suspects were part of JAD networks on the Indonesian island of Sumatra that had moved to Jayapura, the provincial capital of Papua.
He said the arrests prompted police in Papau to heighten security in the area, especially before the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Indonesia is predominantly Muslim but some areas, particularly in the east, including Papua, have Christian majorities.
Papua has suffered a simmering conflict led by a mostly poorly armed and fractured separatist movement for decades, though not the type of sectarian or religious conflict in some other parts of Indonesia.
Two Indonesian soldiers were shot dead in Papua, ambushed by separatist rebels while transporting goods to a village in a remote area, a military spokesman said on Wednesday.
-AAP
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5) Police rebuke baseless rumors of additional troops in Papua's Sugapa  
14 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Papua Police spokesman Commissioner A.M. Kamal dismissed unsubstantiated information on more troops being deployed to Sugapa in Intan Jaya District, Papua Province.

"Information on the deployment of security personnel by an army and police helicopter in Sugapa is not true," he informed ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday while speaking in connection with rumors spread among members of the public through online media.

Kamal confirmed that no additional troops were stationed in Sugapa. The security personnel deployed in the area conduct routine patrols and visits to villages in order to maintain peace and security in the run-up to this year's Christmas celebrations.

"The routine patrols and visits are aimed at offering a sense of security and comfort to the local community members ahead of this year's Christmas and New Year celebrations," he remarked while urging the people at large to remain careful with the information they receive.

Kamal warned that those spreading hoaxes were subject to violation of the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law for which they should remain cautious and careful with the information and news they receive through social media platforms.

The security situation in the provinces of Papua and West Papua Provinces remains critical owing to the terror acts by armed Papuan rebels.

On Nov 30, 2019, a group of Papuan gunmen had opened fire at an escort car owned by PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) at around Mile 60 in Tembagapura Sub-district, Mimika District, Papua Province, but no casualties were reported in the incident.

The gunmen who fired at PTFI's "Delta Zone" escort car might belong to an armed Papuan rebel group, led by Hengki Wamang, spokesman of the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command Colonel Eko Daryanto stated.

Related news: Papua police probe killing of three Ojek drivers

The ill-fated vehicle came under attack when the driver Ramadhani and two passengers, Latif and Matthew Philips, were awaiting the arrival of an employee shuttle bus from the Timika bus terminal, he stated.

The shooting took place at around 3:50 p.m. local time. Some 10 minutes later, several members of the Indonesian military and police task force were deployed to the site of the attack to assist the victims and secure the Mile 60 area, he noted.

"No one is injured in the shooting incident," he remarked, adding that the military and police personnel should stay alert to the armed Papuan criminals, who were keen to hinder Papua's security.

Papua and West Papua have come under the radar of both the Indonesian and foreign media after a spate of violence erupted in several parts of these two Indonesian provinces in August and September 2019. Related news: Government to prioritize holistic development for Papua

Related news: Bappenas composes policy centering on swifter development in Papua

EDITED BY INE
Reporter: Anita PD, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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6) PLI launch a new campus in West Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Published 2 days ago on 17 December 2019 By Admin1
Vanimo, Jubi – Papua Language Institute (PLI) officially launch a new branch in West Sepik Province.  A higher education service in Papua New Guinea has a similar vision with the PLI, which aims to reach educational service in all regions.
“Through our institution, we want to build collaboration to support the people of Papua and Papua New Guinea in learning English and Bahasa Indonesia,” Samuel Tabuni, the founder of Papua Language Institute told reporters in West Sepik on Friday, (13/12/2019).

Tabuni further admitted his institution has collaborated with a higher educational service in Papua New Guinea for two years before the launching. This collaboration is not only focused on language learning development but also other business.
“Papua and Papua New Guinea are families. But because of the language barrier, it hampers our communication and relationship. Therefore, we launch a branch of PLI here,” said Tabuni.

According to him, the provincial government of Papua has built good diplomatic relations with PNG. But, it needs to further transform this diplomatic relationship into an institution that can facilitate business, economy, and education. He believes that the international branch of PLI would not only launch in Vanimo, but there are also possibilities to launch in some border regions.
Furthermore, Tabuni hopes that the collaboration between the people of PNG and Papua can support the economic development of both areas and improve people’s livelihood.
“We hope there would be further collaboration in other sectors. Therefore, we can achieve better development and address poor communication, told Tabuni.
A student of PLI, Samuel Womsiwor, acknowledge the launching of PLI branch office in PNG. According to him, this international branch would enable students in PNG to exchange learning information with Papuan students to improve their intellectual skills.
“It’s very beneficial to improve the livelihood of people in Melanesian region as well as in Pacific,” said Womsiwor (*).
Reporter: Hengky Yeimo
Editor: Pipit Maizier
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