Tuesday, September 6, 2016

1) West Papua an issue to be pursued, says Forum Secretary General

 
2) Pacific NGO’s pleased with Forum engagement space
3) Govt to build border regions into investment-preferred areas
4) Papua Police Chief: Investigation on Sugapa Case Will Be Transparent
5) Papua Transportation Office Upbeat About Airport Construction Projects
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1) West Papua an issue to be pursued, says Forum Secretary General  
By Nic Maclellan (Islands Business magazine) in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

The issue of West Papua will be on the agenda at this week’s Pacific Islands Forum, in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.

Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, says that West Papua is a sensitive issue for some Pacific governments, but one that needs to be debated.

“It’s an issue that needs to be pursued and it’s not going to go away,” she said. “Our bigger countries in the region like Australia and New Zealand realise that this issue is just not going to go to sleep – and it shouldn’t go to sleep, because it is very important for our region.”

At last year’s Forum in Port Moresby, West Papua was one of five core topics proposed to Forum leaders through the Framework on Pacific Regionalism – a new mechanism to develop regional policy and collective action. 

In the final communique from the Port Moresby summit, Pacific leaders reaffirmed Indonesia’s sovereignty over the two Papuan provinces but “called on all parties to protect and uphold the human rights of all residents in Papua and to work to address the root causes of such conflicts by peaceful means.”

Forum Chair PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill was tasked to approach Indonesia to propose a Forum fact-finding mission to West Papua. As outgoing chair, O’Neill will report back to this week’s meeting in Pohnpei, but Indonesia has already made it clear that any mission is unwelcome. 

In Pohnpei, Dame Meg Taylor confirmed that the Indonesian Embassy in Suva has told the Forum Secretariat that Jakarta would not welcome a Forum delegation, and was uncomfortable with the term “fact-finding.”

Indonesia is clearly unhappy that the issue of human rights is being connected to broader questions of self-determination, in a region where independence movements in New Caledonia, Bougainville and Guam are preparing for referendums or plebiscites on their political status.

Speaking after a ministerial meeting in Australia last December, Indonesia’s Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu – a former army chief of staff - said that West Papua should not be an issue for regional discussion: 

“There are countries that are getting involved in the issue of Papua. For us, Papua is in the United Republic of Indonesia. There is no other solution to talk about it, that’s it, that’s the way it is. So this is so that everyone will know that that doesn’t need to be spoken about.”

Even with the Forum constrained by the policies of larger members like Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, other Pacific Islands countries have continued to advocate for West Papua on the regional and international stage.

At the 2015 summit of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Melanesian leaders granted associate membership to Indonesia, but also observer status to the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP), the umbrella organisation for West Papuan nationalist groups campaigning for self-determination.

The ULMWP’s bid for full membership of the MSG has been blocked by Papua New Guinea and Fiji, despite support from the other three MSG members: Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia’s independence movement Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS).

Under Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Solomon Islands has expanded its diplomatic support for the West Papuan nationalist movement, aligning with long-standing supporters like Vanuatu and the FLNKS.

On the sidelines of last week’s Pacific Islands Leaders Conference (PICL) in Honolulu, Prime Minister Sogavare convened a meeting of the People’s Coalition on West Papua, first proposed last July.

As Forum leaders arrive in Pohnpei for this week’s summit, Forum Secretary General Taylor notes: “The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands has called together other countries that are interested in pursuing an alternative strategy to ensure that the issues pertinent to West Papua are raised at the international level.”

Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the FLNKS are now joined by Nauru, Tuvalu, Tonga and Marshall Islands, which have expressed support for self-determination and an end to human rights abuses in West Papua. The Coalition also includes the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO), reflecting growing public awareness on the issue, as information from within West Papua is shared internationally through social media.

Noting that the MSG was also split on the issue, Dame Meg acknowledged that Forum debate would continue to be a sensitive one for the regional organisation: “The challenge here is - will there be a consensus amongst all the leaders of the Pacific?”

Prime Minister Sogavare will not attend this Saturday’s leaders’ retreat, but the debate will continue in the region and internationally. Next April, Indonesia must submit its five-yearly Universal Periodic Review on human rights to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the issue of West Papua will be central to the review.

The ongoing issue of impunity for human rights abuses in Indonesia has been re-kindled by the recent appointment of an indicted war criminal, General (retired) Wiranto, as Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security Affairs. In 2003, Wiranto was indicted by a UN-backed court for his role as commander of the military in the security force violence during Timor-Leste's 1999 independence vote.
Despite pledges to improve dialogue with West Papuan leaders in Jayapura, Wiranto’s appointment by Indonesia’s President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has signalled that the army and police will continue to play a central role in Indonesia’s democratic transition.

As West Papuans continue to seek regional support in the Pacific islands, “this issue is just not going to go to sleep, said Dame Meg.


SOURCE: ISLANDS BUSINESS/PACNEWS

Read more: http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/09/west-papua-issue-to-be-pursued-says.html#ixzz4JVfs6jkL



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2) Pacific NGO’s pleased with Forum engagement space

Pacific civil society organisations are pleased with the improved engagement they are being accorded by the Pacific Island Forum.
One aspect of this was a leaders breakfast with civil society heads first held last year in Papua New Guinea and again being proposed ahead of this year's Forum leaders meeting in Pohnpei on Thursday.
This also includes having the main outcomes of a Micronesia Civil Society Roundtable held this week being presented to the Forum Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor for inclusion in the leaders meeting.
These include issues around the need for attention and policy discussions on climate migration, West Papua, gender-based violence, disabilities, youth development and strengthening regionalism particular with Northern Pacific states and territories.
 PIANGO Executive Director, Emele Duituturanga. Photo: supplied
The Executive Director of the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs Emele Duituturanga said the increased engagement is an encouraging start towards having more issues and concerns of the people of the Pacific being heard by Forum leaders.
"There are a couple of issues there that if not for Civil Society wouldn't be going to the leaders and so we have a stake and we have a great sense of ownership that the leaders do discuss these issues that we put before them and they do consider the reccomendations that we have also been involved in formulating," she said.
Following the Civil Society Roundtable there was also a call for the Forum to strengthen development ties with Micronesia.
More than 50 representatives from Nauru, Marshall Islands, Guam, the Northern Marianas and the Federated States of Micronesia were joined by their counterparts from Australia, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga for the meeting.
Micronesian board representative of the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Government Organisations Sarah Thomas Nededog said the call for more vigorous regionalism arose because the Northern Pacific was not well informed about the policy processes of the Pacific Islands Forum.
The CSO Roundtable was organised with support from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the European Union.

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3) Govt to build border regions into investment-preferred areas
Anton Hermansyah The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Tue, September 6 2016 | 06:25 am

Despite budget cuts that have reduced the government’s capacity in running programs, the Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Ministry has maintained efforts to focus on developing border regions into preferred investment destinations.
The ministry saw a Rp 2.08 trillion (US$158.18 million) cut in its budget allocation this year, which greatly reduced the government’s capacity to develop remote areas and border regions, the ministry’s director general for the development of specific areas, Suprayoga Hadi, told The Jakarta Post at his office in Jakarta on Monday.
However, he reiterated that the government would not scale back its priority to develop border regions and would offer incentives to potential investors.
“We believe if incentives, such as a tax allowance and special economic zone status, are applied to border areas, investors will be eager to develop the areas," Suprayoga said.
Currently, five border regencies are being prioritized, namely Morotai (North Maluku), Sarmi (Papua), Sabu Raijua (East Nusa Tenggara), Western Southeast Maluku and East Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara). Morotai has been declared a special economic zone for tourism.
"Morotai is just a model. It is not necessarily to be a special economic zone, but at least we need to negotiate with other ministries to make other border regions enjoy almost the same incentives as that of Morotai," Suprayoga said. (ags)
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4) Papua Police Chief: Investigation on Sugapa Case Will Be Transparent
3 Sept 2016

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police Chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw promised transparency in handling the investigation into the shooting of Otinus Sondegau, 15, allegedly perpetrated by a Mobile Brigade officer last month.
He said the police would not cover up the investigation the events that led to Otinus’ untimely death.
“We will investigate the incident. We will be transparent in handling this case. After the incident, we promptly sent a team to Sugapa. Deputy Chief Inspector General Rudolf Alberth Rodja was leading the team,” said the chief on last week.
Police investigators have questioned 23 witnesses. including 8 civilians who live near the scene, 10 Mobile Brigade officers and 14 local police officers.
One of the witnesses from the civilian group is a rental car driver who asked for help to Sugapa Police Station.
“Basically they confessed, knew and saw the incident at the moment. As well as the mobile brigade officers who admitted to fire the warning shot at the location around the victim,” he said.
In addition, before the victim was buried, the police investigation team asked permission to the family to do a post mortem over the body. In this investigation, the Papua Police team doesn’t work alone but supported by a team from the Indonesian Police Headquarters.
The police are currently investigating the shooting perpetrator. Papua Police team has repositioned to find out the position of the witnesses in the time of the incident, whether they were civilians, mobile brigade or Sugapa police officers.
“The scene investigation has been done as well. But the cause of the victim’s death is still under further examination. Based on the post mortem report, the shot was allegedly not straight hitting the victim but came from the back and penetrated down to the chest. The relevance of the finding is the shot wasn’t come from the close range. It might come from 100 meters or more,” he said. (*/rom)
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3 Sept 2016
5) Papua Transportation Office Upbeat About Airport Construction Projects
Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Transportation Office said it remained optimistic it would realize airport construction projects in the province.
The Head of Papua Transportation Office Djuli Mambaya said there is no reason for airport construction in Papua to be delayed, because it would directly connect to those who live in the sub-districts or remote areas.
“Currently we are focusing to the airport in Sugapa, Intan Jaya, while Mamit Airport in Tolikara is also a concern,” he said.
cleardot.gif
About the construction, said Djuli, the provincial transportation office is currently reviewing the contract, including the airport construction in Mamit, in Sugapa and some other regions. “We have checked the airports along with our staffs and consultants including those from PPTK,” he said.
According to him, he has reviewed the contract document and ready to sign it, then the construction process could be run, and we are very optimistic that it could be completed. “The contract document has been on my table, after the signing, the construction could be done,” he said.
Earlier, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe has launched new passenger terminal building and airport apron in Oksibil Airport, Pegunungan Bintang Regency some times ago.
“We hope the new terminal building and apron in Oksibil Airport could be used and benefited by people,” said Enembe.
Meanwhile, the Head of Oksibil Airport Frits J. Ayomi said new passenger terminal building and airport apron in Oksibil Airport were built using the Regional Budget of Pegunungan Bintang Regency. “The governor only launched the building, while the operation would be implemented in 2018,” said Ayomi. (*/rom)
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1) West Papua petition tabled in NZ parliament


2) 47th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting Begins Tomorrow in the Federated States of Micronesia
3) Govt shifts to anthropological approach in developing Papua
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1) West Papua petition tabled in NZ parliament
5:23 pm today 
A petition has been tabled in New Zealand's parliament calling on the government to make a number of representations on the plight of West Papuans.
The public petition, which garnered 1367 signatures, was handed over to a group of Labour and Greens MPs today before being tabled in the chamber.
Pala Molisa and Tere Harrison present a petition on West Papua to New Zealand MPs Marama Davidson, Lousia Wall, Catherine Delahunty and Su'a William Sio, outside the country's parliament. 6 September 2016. Photo: Supplied
It calls on the parliament to urge the New Zealand Government to address the ongoing human rights situation in West Papua by taking a series of actions.
These include publicly advocating for the Indonesian government to uphold the rights of the indigenous people of Papua region, or West Papua, to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.
It also calls for Indonesia to be condemned for the arrest and intimidation of thousands of peaceful protestors in West Papua in the last two years, as well as the for "state sanctioned torture and killing of West Papuans".
Furthermore, the petition urges New Zealand to support the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression for a visit to West Papua; and to implore the the Pacific Island Forum to also support this stand and advocate for Papua at the UN.
The petition is expected to be sent to Foreign Affairs Select Committee for consideration.
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2) 47th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting Begins Tomorrow in the Federated States of Micronesia
Increasing the economic returns of regional fisheries, and responding to the effects of climate change and disaster risk management are two priority issues that Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum will discuss at their 47th Meeting in Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia tomorrow.
Other key issues identified for Leaders to consider under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism include implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, upholding human rights in West Papua, reducing the burden of cervical cancer, coordinating regional information and communications technology, trade integration, and a framework to support the rights of persons with disabilities.
Leaders from the Smaller Island States (SIS) of the Forum meet first on Wednesday 7th September. Their focus will be on an implementation plan for the recently endorsed SIS Strategy. The Strategy highlights 5 key areas – climate change finance, air and sea transport, marine, mobility, and health - that, due to the unique circumstances and vulnerabilities of the SIS, require specific attention. 
On Thursday 8th September six representatives of Civil Society from across the region will breakfast with the Forum Troika (Leaders of Papua New Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia and Samoa) to put forward their perspective on the regional agenda. Thursday will also see Pacific Leaders of the African Caribbean Pacific (PACP) grouping meet to discuss future perspectives of the ACP group and post-Cotonou arrangements, current programming of the Pacific Regional Indicative Program under the 11thEuropean Development Fund and other trade and PACP related matters.
The official opening of the 47th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting takes place on Thursday evening in Kolonia, Pohnpei. It is followed by the full Leaders Plenary Session with Associate Members and Observers on the 9th September and a dialogue with private sector representatives. The Leaders Retreat will be held on 10th September.  On Sunday the 11th, the Forum’s dialogue partners will meet with Leaders for the Post Forum Dialogue which provides an opportunity to align development support behind the Forum’s policy priorities. 
Follow #FSMPIF2016 on social media for updates across the week.
Inquiries can be addressed to: media@forumsec.org


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3) Govt shifts to anthropological approach in developing Papua
Anton Hermansyah The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Mon, September 5 2016 | 09:10 pm
The government has changed its approach in developing Papua from administration-based development to anthropological-based development.
The development, while also tapping into economic potential, is to be carried out in accordance to the culture of seven areas comprising Mamta, Saireri, Ha Anim, La Pago, Mee Pago, Bomberai and Domberai. Areas like Mamta and La Pago will be focused on plantations.
"The Southern region like Ha Anim, which includes Merauke where many homesteaders reside, will be focused on rice farms," Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Ministry's director general for the development of specific areas, Suprayoga Hadi, told The Jakarta Post on Monday in his office.
He added, the changes in the development approach intend to minimize conflict among Papuan tribes while also improving the welfare of the Papuan people.
By clustering the regions based on cultural similarities, the government expects the development of local resources to be better optimized.
"The groupings based on cultural dimensions were actually used by the Dutch colonial government in 1934. We need to learn why Papuan people during the colonial era lived in relative peace," Suprayoga said. (ags)
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Monday, September 5, 2016

1) Tuvalu, Nauru join growing group for West Papua


2) West Papuan leader rallies support ahead of summit

3) Pacific coalition on West Papua gains momentum

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/312567/tuvalu,-nauru-join-growing-group-for-west-papua

1) Tuvalu, Nauru join growing group for West Papua

12:05 pm today 

Two more countries have joined the Pacific Coalition on West Papua, voicing their concerns over human rights abuses in the Indonesian province and asking that the United Nations intervene.
The group was set up by the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, in response to the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s inclusion of Indonesia as an observer and not granting West Papua membership of the group.
Tuvalu's PM Enele Sopoaga has added his country to the Pacific Coalition on West Papua Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
A number of Pacific heads of government have raised their concerns over West Papua at the United Nations, with the Tongan PM, 'Akilisi Pohiva last year asking the UN to intervene.
At a meeting in Honolulu last week, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Enele Sopoaga, and Nauru's ambassador to the Pacific nations, Marlene Moses joined the group.
Others who have already joined are Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia's FLNKS, and the United Liberation Movement of West Papua and the Pacific Islands Alliance of Non-Governmental Organisations, or PANGO.
In August, the MSG leaders deferred a decision on West Papua's membership bid after Fiji and PNG continued to oppose its application.


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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/312598/west-papuan-leader-rallies-support-ahead-of-summit

2) West Papuan leader rallies support ahead of summit

5:09 pm today
West Papua's Dr Octo Mote in Majuro  Photo: RNZI/Giff Johnson
A West Papua leader says he is the most optimistic he has been in years about gaining support from this week's Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in the Federated States of Micronesia.
The secretary general of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Octo Mote, said support for West Papua human rights and self-determination had been building throughout the island region over the past year.
He said a year ago that just the Melanesian Spearhead Group and Tonga supported them, but this year there was backing from Micronesian, Polynesian and Melanesian countries.
The key to his optimism was the strong advocacy of the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who last year appointed the first government envoy for West Papua and provided government funding for his work.
Dr Mote said the Marshall Islands President, Hilda Heine, had made it clear her country was backing the West Papua cause.
He said for the Marshalls human rights was the main issue.
Dr Mote said West Papua's case for self-determination would finally get back to the United Nations Decolonization Committee for review.
The ULMWP asked the Forum to support a call to the UN to review the case of West Papua.

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3) Pacific coalition on West Papua gains momentum
00:22 am GMT+12, 05/09/2016, United States

The Pacific Coalition on West Papua (PCWP) is gaining momentum with the addition of two new members and the confirmation of the membership of two other parties who indicated their profound support for the initiative since its introduction in Honiara, Solomon Islands in July this year.
 
The PCWP was initiated by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare who is also the Chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group with the aim of securing the support of the wider Pacific region for preposition of taking up the issue of West Papua with the United Nations for intervention. The initial membership comprises Solomon Islands Government, Vanuatu Government, Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) and the United Liberation Movement of West Papua and the Pacific Islands Alliance of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO).
 
The two new members are the governments of Tuvalu and the Republic of Nauru who were represented by Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga and Nauru's Ambassador to the United Nations, Marlene Moses.
 
The other two parties who indicated support for the initiative when it was introduced in Honiara at the margin of the 4th Pacific Islands Development Summit are the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Marshall Islands.  
 
The expressed support of the governments of these two countries was confirmed with the attendance of Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva and the Republic of Marshall Islands Minister for Public Works, David Paul.
 
All the initial PCWP members were represented at the meeting in Honolulu Friday except for the Republic of Vanuatu Government. The Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor was also present at the meeting.
 
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Sogavare said the nations of the Pacific have a duty as closest neigbours to West Papua to address the issues of concern to West Papuan.
 
He said the right to self-determination being denied to the people of West Papua since the last 50 years is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter, just like the rights to life and dignity that they are also denied as a result of their self-determination pursuit.
 
He added that the intention of the PCWP is perfectly in line with the principles of human rights and democracy, the very basis of the UN Charter, which all UN Member states should adhere to and protect.
 
Prime Minister Sogavare said it would not be an easy task to unwind the wrongs that have been perpetrated by the complications and cover-up on the issue of West Papua over the years and this is where the need for collaborative and strategic approaches to this issue comes in.
 
“Only by working together and strategically dealing with the issue of West Papua can we accomplish the objective of our mission,” he said.
 
PIF Secretary-General Dame Taylor in her contribution to the discussions presented the forum’s position on the issue. She said the 46th PIF Summit in Port Moresby in 2015 resolved to send a fact-finding mission to West Papua, however the Indonesian Government sees the term ‘fact-finding’ as offensive and therefore that resolution impending implementation.
 
Dame Taylor said she has meet with the PIF’s Chair, Prime Minister O’Neill of Papua New Guinea and also the Indonesian President on the way forward on the resolution and the PIF’s Chair will meet with the President.
 
The Secretary-General of the ULMWP, Octovanius Mote said the ULMWP represents the freedom movement of West Papua, which continues to pursue the rights of West Papuans to their land, self-determination and all other human rights enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
 
Prime Minister Sopoaga of Tuvalu said his country fully appreciates and sympathises with the aspirations and wishes of the people of West Papua to be on their own and fully realises their rights to exist as a country and determine their own continuation as a people.
 
The Pacific Coalition of West Papua members and friends discussing the way forward for the struggles for self-determination by the people of West Papua.
 
Minister Paul of the Republic of Marshall Islands said his country sees the issue of West Papua from a humanitarian perspective and humanitarian issues are at the forefront of the Marshall Islands Government.
 
The FLNKS representative, Rodrigue Tiavouane said the FLNKS fully supports the PCWP initiative and the strategy by which it will be implemented.
 
He said the FLNKS went through the same process with its self-determination bid- starting with the Melanesian Spearhead Group then on to the Pacific Islands Forum and finally the UN Committee 24 (Special Committee on Decolonisation).
 
Prime Minister Pohiva of Tonga said it is a moral obligation to address the human rights abuses in West Papua and deteriorating conditions and call for self-determination and independence.
 
He said at the 70th United Nations General Assembly last year he spoke of how the objectives of good governance and accountability are all impossible without full support for human rights of people in areas of conflict throughout the world including the Pacific Islands.
 
Ambassador Moses of Nauru said it is important that the issue of West Papua be taken to UN C24 and to be successful it is important for the Pacific to have strong leadership in pursuing it in a strategic manner.
 
She said what works some people does not always work for others.
 
PIANGO Tonga Member, Drew Havea said he was encouraged by the leadership on the issue of West Papua displayed by Prime Minister Sogavare.
 
He said PIANGO acknowledges the pain of the people of West Papua as the pain of the Pacific and would like to urge Pacific leaders to come to an agreement to stop the violence in West Papua and find a peaceful and dignified pathway to self-determination.
 
The meeting concluded with the expression of commitment by all PCWP members to their mission objective.


SOURCE: SOLOMON ISLANDS PM'S PRESS SECRETARIAT/PACNEWS
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Sunday, September 4, 2016

1) Biak Numfor Keen to Host Sail Cenderawasih


2) End the silence on West Papua oppression

3) LGBT Community in Papua Keep Growing Every Year
4)  400 Housewives Get Cervical Cancer Checks

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HTTP://EN.TEMPO.CO/READ/NEWS/2016/09/04/199801488/BIAK-NUMFOR-KEEN-TO-HOST-SAIL-CENDERAWASIH
SUNDAY, 04 SEPTEMBER, 2016 | 10:58 WIB
1) Biak Numfor Keen to Host Sail Cenderawasih

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Attempting to develop the Biak Numfor district in Indonesia`s easternmost province of Papua into a leading international tourist destination, the local government is keen to host Sail Cenderawasih Bay as part of Sail Indonesia.
Sail Indonesia is an annual yacht rally that has run every year since 2000, and is supported by the Indonesian central government as well as the local government centers at the destinations the sail participants will visit as they cross the country.
It is a series of sailing and other events, supported by high profile tourist destinations to international yachtsmen and women with a view to expanding the tourism potential and introducing visitors to delightful natural and cultural features of the Indonesian archipelago that they might otherwise not visit.
The Sail Cenderawasih Bay, if implemented, would increase foreign tourist arrivals, Biak Numfor Culture and Tourism Office Head Yubelius Usior stated.
In addition, the foreign tourists coming to the district will have the opportunity to recognize the potential of natural and cultural resources of various districts in the Gulf of Cendrawasih.
The plan to host the international maritime event of Sail Cenderawasih needs assessment and understanding along with the tourism departments in Cenderawasih Bay which covers the districts of Biak Noemfoor, Supiori, Waropen, Yapen Islands, and Nabire, Usior stated.
The future plan about Sail Cenderawasih Bay has been discussed with the representatives of the Tourism Ministry at the opening of Biak Munara Wampasi (BMW) cultural festival at Numfor Island, according to him.
Various potentials of tourism, fisheries and culture in Cenderawasih Bay are very natural and have a special quirk that needs to be combined with the tourism flagship program, Usior admitted.
"The marine nature, culture and forests in Cenderawasih Bay have a lot of potential and need to be made a joint program to increase tourist visits to the region," he remarked.
Every year, Biak Numfor holds a BMW cultural festival to promote a variety of native indigenous cultural attractions and to bring foreign tourists to Padaido Island.
Held from July 1-4, 2016, the BMW cultural festival showcased Japanese traditional "katana" samurai swords from World War II (WW-II) vintage.
The festival was expected to help boost Padaido Islands tourism and the local economy, and will especially benefit traders and small and micro businesses.
The local authorities continue to develop marine tourism in Padaido and Aimando islands by improving various supporting facilities and infrastructure such as home-stay, roads, seaport, and streetlights, according to Usior.
The local government has made Padaido and Aimando Marine Park the center of marine tourism with activities featuring underwater diving around the islands, Usior remarked.
The cluster of Saerrei Bay in Padaido Island stores various types of underwater natural beauty, CEO of WWF Indonesia Benja Mambai admitted separately.
"Due to its underwater beauty, Padaido Island is eligible to be developed into a tourist attraction in the district of Biak Numfor," Mambai said.
In addition to the potential for tourism, Padaido Island region has become a center of research and surveys, nature conservation education, and cultural development of Biak Numfor, he noted.
Further, the Biak Numfor Culture and Tourism Office was determined to develop marine tourism at the Padaido Island to make the district an international tourist destination in eastern Indonesia.
Comprising 30 small islands, Padaido is a small archipelago with its unique attractions that can be developed to make it a leading tourist destination in West Papua.
The cluster of Padaido Islands has alluring beaches and offers varied habitats, such as atolls, reef edges, and underwater caves.
Therefore, the islands need to be developed to boost the local economy by involving the local people, investors, and environmental observers.
Padaido is derived from the local language, which means "inexpressible beauty", and in the past, it was named Schouter after William Schouter, a Dutch sailor who first discovered the islands in 1602.
It takes just an hour from the Bosnik port to reach Padaido using a motor boat, and about 3 to 4 hours using a canoe paddle to the islands, which offer an array of attractions, underwater caves, and tunnels.
The beaches on those islands have cotton-white sand and clear waters allowing the sunlight to reach the seabed, thereby enabling the visitors to enjoy the marine life from the mainland.
Besides having the greatest biodiversity of coral ecosystems in the world, other things that the divers should not miss are challenging underwater caves to be explored, the wrecks of sunken ships, aircraft, and tanks.
Padaido is one of those places blessed with the greatest biodiversity of coral ecosystems in the world, according to a study conducted by Biodiversity Conservation Network (BCN).
The waters of Padaido have 95 coral species and 155 species of fish, such as various types of reef sharks and octopuses and numerous other maritime riches.
The Padaido Island has a reef area spanning about 9,252 acres and 328.2 acres of deep reefs.
Some international divers believe the Padaido beach area has the most spectacular coral reefs in the world, and therefore, this marine park is perfect for diving and snorkeling.
The Biak Numfor district government in Papua aims to promote regional development and empower the local communities who live in primitive conditions.
 
ANTARA
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http://www.afr.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letters-tax-solutions-and-west-papua-20160902-gr7dix

Letter in Financial review

2) End the silence on West Papua oppression

I have just returned from a visit to Indonesian-occupied West Papua. Nothing had prepared me for seeing how the West Papuan people are treated in their own land and the overwhelmingly oppressive atmosphere of violence and terror they face every day.  
Corruption and intimidation have characterised Indonesian rule in West Papua since 1963, when the United Nations, to its shame, handed over the former Dutch colony to  a "transitional administrative Indonesian  authority".
Indonesia was allowed to terrorise the people into compliance in a sham referendum in 1969 and has continued to oppress West Papua – one of Australia's closest neighbours – ever since. Indonesia has repeatedly "warned" Australia to hold its tongue on the crimes against humanity being committed in West Papua. The only honourable response that our government – and we as individuals – can make to Indonesia's occupation of and oppression of West Papua is to protest and to do everything in our power to ensure that West Papuans be given an opportunity to have a safe and  democratic vote on autonomy. We must not be bystanders, we must demand that the United Nations and our own government do everything in their power to halt the oppression. 
West Papuans are a proud and independent minded people. They are forced to live under political, religious and economic oppression, as second class citizens in their own land. They deserve all the help and support that we can give them. 
Bill Anderson
Surrey Hills, Vic

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3) LGBT Community in Papua Keep Growing Every Year
2 September 2016
Jayapura, Jubi – Chairman of the Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association Jayapura Municipality, Agus Fauzi, said the number of LGBT in Papua is continuously growing each year.
“I will not say the total, as well as the venue where they often hang out together, but the number is growing from year to year as the result of the same sex interaction,” he said at his office in Jayapura on Thursday (1/9/2016).
LGBT, said Agus, apparently started from the interaction between the young people of the productive age. Further, LGBT in Papua already formed a community to accommodate them.
According to him, IPPA already provide socialization to the LGBT community and hope they do not adversely affect the others or transfer their LGBT character to others. “We must do an extra work to disseminate the information to the public that started from 12 years old, the first age of puberty, children must get the education on reproduction health to avoid them to become the LGBT,” said Agus who’s also the Department Head of Special Area of BKKBN (Family Planning Agency) Papua.
In addition to the same sex relationship, according to Agus, the life style is also affecting the LGBT growth. He took an example, if someone had friendship with a perfume seller, he would smell fragrant. If he got a blacksmith friend, he would smell of charcoal.
He said the only way to overcome the LGBT is to provide enforcement and education to the children from an early age and when they grow to be teenagers. “Because of hormonal factor and often hang out with the LGBT, they must become one of them as well. This could be healed; the important is the family’s support. But if you still relate with those persons, you won’t be healed,” he said.
One of LGBT in Abepura who refuse to be named said he was attracted to the men since he was 14 years old. “I don’t know why, but that’s what I feel. Since in the elementary and junior high school, I always get along with the girls. Perhaps this is the reason why I become like this, but I hope I could be just normal like the others,” he said. (*/rom)
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4)  400 Housewives Get Cervical Cancer Checks
1 September 2016
Jayapura, Jubi – The Familiy Planning Coordinating Agency in Papua Region has launched a campaign on the importance for housewives to have cervical cancer checks.
The campaign has been conducted in several regencies targeting about 250 housewives.
Up to now, BKKBN has treated 400 housewives, said the Head of BKKBN Papua Region Charles Brabar to reporter on Wednesday (31/8/2016) during the socialization and IVA/IUD integrated Pap smear service at the yard of BKKN Papua Region Office.

“This is the fifth time we conduct the activity. It was conducted in Keerom, Biak Numfor, Merauke, Jayapura and Jayapura Municipality. Our initial target was 250 women, but we managed to examine 400 women, which is exceeding our set-up target,” he said.
More and more women, at least the housewives, knew about the risk of cervical cancer, then they must aware to maintain the hygiene of their reproductive organ.
“Many deaths caused by HIV/AIDS were occurred among the housewives. So through this socialization, we expected the housewives could spare their time to do the medical check-up or early detection of cervical cancer,” he said.
“Many people are already aware about the importance of the cervical cancer prevention. The cancer must be taken from the cervix. Do not feel embarrassed to check the health of uterus,” said Charles Brabar.
A participant Mrs. Siti said she was very helpful with this socialization in which delivered the specialist, because through the socialization she could learn more about the cervical cancer.
“This is very positive action, I am glad. I asked a lot of questions related to my symptoms. Actually I have consulted this to the doctor, but at least through the socialization I could understand more,” she said.
Though the socialization, she currently knew that the virus of cervical cancer was not entirely from the women, but also could be part of the men. “I don’t know with other people’s marriage. But with the material I got from the socialization, I can discuss it with my husband at home,” she said. (*/rom)
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Saturday, September 3, 2016

1) Too Many Papuans Get Killed on Their Land, says Councillor


2) Freeport Suspected of Mining Gold in Lorentz National Park underground
3) FKUB and Kesbangpol Sorong Hold Meeting Anticipating the Post-Terror Security

4) Students Cannot Read, Kidman Junior and High School Provide Special Classes

5) Armed Security Personnel Present in Kogoya Pre-trial Hearing

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1) Too Many Papuans Get Killed on Their Land, says Councillor


1 September 2016
Jayapura, Jubi – Chairman of Papua Legislative Council Yunus Wonda expressed his concern over series of violence occurred in Papua recently, especially over the indigenous Papuans. The latest incident was the shooting of a teenager in Sugapa, Intan Jaya that allegedly perpetrated by Mobile Brigade officer.
He said too many Papuans were killed on their own land. Too much blood was spilled on the Land of Papua. Too many people become the widows and widowers and too many children become the orphans.
“It’s enough. Papuans were suffering for long time on their own land. No more kill over Papuans. Killing or shooting over Papuans is not a solution. If they made a mistake or were considered harmful to the security force, they shouldn’t get shot for dead. Why not be paralyzed?” said Wonda on Wednesday (31/8/2016).
He expressed his disappointment towards the security force’s attitude in Sugapa. He measured them to show their arrogant and emotional attitude. “The perpetrator must be really punished. Don’t let it go. Papua Police Chief must stop such violence way,” he said.
Wonda who’s politician from Democrat Party said he wanted the Mobile Brigade officers served in Papua Central Highland area to be pulled out. He more accepted if the police officers and military personnel assigned in that area.
“We asked to all Mobile Brigade officers in Papua Central Highland to be pulled. They don’t deserve it. They are arrogant and overreacted. Let the police and military to be assigned there,” he said.
According to him, the Mobile Brigade could get ready in the critical situation, but in normal condition, the police officers are sufficient to guard the area. “If really want to shoot people, they better go to Gaza Strip. Shooting is not a solution to solve the problem,” he added.(*/rom)

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2) Freeport Suspected of Mining Gold in Lorentz National Park underground
2 Sep[tember 2016
Papua Regional Secretary Hery Dosinaen in Jayapura on Thursday (1/9/2016) said the underground mining activities were suspected to have occurred in the area of Ilaga, Jila, Hoya, Ermakawiya and Bela where the ground is the Lorentz National Park, and possibly there is a tunnel connecting the area.
“If not, the mining would keep undermining the nature in Papua from the underground, though the forest on the top was protected,” he said.
He stated about the current situation of the international economy policy, in which the regional government is now indirectly under the pressure of the donor countries, in the context to maintain the sustainability of Lorenz National Park.
“So at the end, about 10 regencies where located surrounding the national park are not able to implement the development optimally,” he said.
For instance, he said, Asmat Regency is the area located on the top of water and can not build the capital of regency because it is surrounded by Lorentz National Park.
“We should reveal this fact, therefore it would be a regulation to support the implementation of development without conflict with the legal process,” he said.
He said since 1980, the construction of Trans Irian Jaya crossroad from Sorong to Merauke by the Ministry of Public Works crossed the area of the national park, that it turned an obstacle in the process of development. (*/rom)
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3) FKUB and Kesbangpol Sorong Hold Meeting Anticipating the Post-Terror Security
Sorong, Jubi – Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) and National and Political Unity (Kesbangpol) Sorong Regency, Papua Barat, held a meeting in order to anticipate the threat to security and public order after the bombing in Medan, North Sumatra some times ago.
Head of Regional Sorong Kesbangpol Adri B. Timban said the meeting was held in Sorong on Wednesday (31/8/2016) to encourage the public for not easily being provoked by the incident.
“We socialize this through youth representatives of each religion,” he said.
He said the latest incident has encouraged the effort to keep maintaining the security and order stability that has been stood since long time ago in Sorong.
Furthermore, ahead to the regional head election in 2017, people were asked to become alert towards the interference of irresponsible parties.
Chairman Deputiy of FKUB Sorong the Rev. Andreas Sesau said the situation in Sorong Regency is relatively secured. Even he admitted FKUB has regularly held a monthly meeting to maintain the stability of security in the region. (*/rom)
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4) Students Cannot Read, Kidman Junior and High School Provide Special Classes
31 August 2016
Merauke, Jubi – A number of junior and high school students in Kimaam were not able to write and read, Chairman of the Commission A of Merauke Regional Legislative Council Moses Kaibu said, urging the school administrators to provide additional classes.
“There are special classes arranged in both Junior and High School Kimaam for a number of students who can not write and read. Teachers must coach and train the children very well,” said Kaibu to reporter at his office on Tuesday (30/8/2016).
He asserted this is occurred on those students because the teachers forcedly passed them when they were at the elementary school. “When they were at the elementary school, the teachers have never been at their duty site. Therefore the children were not well educated,” he asserted.
This condition, he explained, is remaining to be happened until now. Even from his visit to remote area Kimaam, the teachers with civil servant status were not here, but only the contracted teachers.
“I am not questioning the teachers who move to the city to continue their study, because it was a program of the Central Government. But the government should manage it to avoid a vacant of teachers in the village,” he added.
The Head of Education and Learning of Merauke Regency Johanes Samkakai admitted if most of teachers are currently in the town to continue their study as mandated in the regulation to oblige all teachers to get the bachelor degree.
To fill the vacant of teachers in the village, the education office has recruited the contract teachers and delivered them to the remote areas. ‘We have a program hiring the temporarily teachers to teach in several areas, in particular the remote areas,” he said. (*/rom)
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5) Armed Security Personnel Present in Kogoya Pre-trial Hearing

31 August 2016

Jayapura, Jubi – Obby Kogoya’s pretrial court hearing on Tuesday (30/8/2016) at Sleman District Court, Yogyakarta was marred by the presence of four security personnel who stood behind the judge carrying rifles.
Kogoya’s lawyer from LBH Yogyakarta, Emamanuel Gobay, said Wednesday (31/8/2016) two armed personnel were already there when he and Kogoya entered the courtoom, each standing next to the defendant and pleader.
“Then, before the judge came to the courtroom, four mobile brigade officers with long-barreled weapon were stood behind the judge,” said Gobay who then charged objection to the Judge Bagindo Rajoko Harapap before reading the court’s decision.
“We asked the judge to direct the four armed officers to leave the room, as the honor towards the court that must be clean of the arm,” he said.
Then the Judge asked the four officers to leave the courtroom while saying he (the Judge) was earlier examined. “The Judge said he didn’t know about their presence, whether it was the consideration of the court of the police initiative, but surely he didn’t know about it,” Gobay imitating the Judge Bagindo said to him.
For Obby’s lawyer who is indigenous Papuan, the incident of four armed officers was the harassment over the courtroom, “the armed people in the courtroom was the harassment toward the court,” he asserted.
The four mobile brigade officers left the courtroom indeed, but the two provosts were still at their position from the start to the end of the trial. Emanuel Gobay explained the presence of armed personnel at the trial of Obby Kogoya have occurred twice. Besides the recent trial, the trial of evidence on Friday (26/8) was also tainted by the presence of the pleader’s witnesses who take their weapons.
“We had asked the judge to secure their weapons,” said Emanuel. But he also very disappointed with the fact of the strict security procedure inside and outside of the trial, while Obby is only a victim and regular student. Imam Ghazali, reporter for KPM Ekspresi UNY Yogyakarta, who attended the trial also confirmed about this.
“The verdict trial against Obby Kogoya was too exaggerated if must be guarded strictly by armed officers, even they entered the courtroom. This act indicated the officers ignored the applied law in the trial. This act is not suitable with the purpose of the police as the law enforcement but in contrarily violating the law in the trial,” he said through text messange to Jubi on Wednesday afternoon (31/8/2016). Even, he continued, the number of security personnel attended the trial is larger than residents.
Court’s Verdict
LBH Yogyakarta considered the decision of the Judge rejected the pre-trial court of Obby Kogoya and adjusted the police’s act of arrest as the ignorance of the crucial facts. “Whereas during the trial, it was revealed the number of illogical facts in the process of named suspect,” according to LBH Yogyakarta.
The first fact, continued LBH, all the evidences relied upon the police to accuse Obby Kogoya were not obtained in the investigation stage. Then, there are weapons in the courtroom, the Judicial Commission should notice this as the insult against the court. Another fact, the post mortem letter has not a legation as the evidence.
“We asserted once more that Obby Kogoya never conducted the violence against the officers, the named suspect over him was full of manipulation, and during the trial, the police clearly showed their arrogant and racial discrimination,” wrote the statement.
Related to the verdict’s court, Emanuel Gobay would continue is assistance to Obby Kogoya. “He’s still town-prisoner. We have asked the suspension on his arrest with a guarantee that he is a student. If the case was handed to the prosecutor, we would continue the suspension because he is still an active student,” said Gobay.
He also obtained some evidence of video and photographs of the violence perpetrated by officers that would be used for the next advocacy. “This is convicted us, besides some witnesses that they didn’t see Obby do any action. Our witnesses even saw the police who do violence, hitting and beating,” he said.
When asked about the physiological condition of Obby Kogoya who’s now only 20 years old, Gobay said so far he is fine. “I am ready to run this process because basically I am do not do any crime,” said Gobay imitating Obby.(*/rom)
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