1) Australia, Indonesia strengthen cyber-security ties but West Papua ignored
2) AWPA: Isu Papua Barat jadi Gajah Antara Indonesia dan Australia
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Saturday, February 4, 2017
1) Most Discriminated against journalists Papua
2) Region KNPB Deiyai launched
3) Election commission calls on Jayapurans to vote despite sole candidate pair
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A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
original bahada link at
1) Most Discriminated against journalists Papua
Author Arnold Belau -Februari 5, 2017
Devices and Identity Journalists Papua. (Indra -Cendana News)
JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com - At least eight awful fact found eight journalists from eight media based in Jakarta, Solo and Makassar, in a week-long visit in Jayapura, Timika and Merauke.
One of the findings is their treatment of government officials and security discriminatory against journalists OAP (original person Papua) and non OAP vice versa.
In addition, mentioned in the press release received suarapapua.com tonight, there is stigmatization of journalists between the pro-independence and pro Homeland. Stigma is then used as a weapon for officials to intimidation. Stigmatization also makes journalists fragmented.
Eight journalists Indonesia: Palupi Annisa Auliani (Kompas), Arientha Primanita (The Jakarta Post), Adi Marsiela (Voice Reform), Angelina Maria Donna (suara.com), Gadi Makitan (Tempo), Rini Yustiningsih (Solo Pos), Anita Kusuma Ward (East Tribune), Sunarti Sain (Dawn), note the facts have not fully opened access for foreign journalists to Papua.
Since President Joko Widodo open access to foreign media to cover in Papua in 2015, there were 16 foreign journalists to come and cover in Papua. Nevertheless, the issue of independence remains questionable, because 11 of them came accompanied by government officials.
Another fact, wrote in a press release, the mass media in Papua has not been a lot of preaching about environmental damage due to pressure by certain parties.
"The environmental damage related to the economic impact and development that often marginalizes human rights and local knowledge was not widely reported because of the many restrictions and intimidation against journalists in the field," he wrote.
The team that facilitated the Media Freedom Committee Indonesia (MFCI) and supported by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), find facts occurrence of cases of sexual harassment of women journalists in Papua. The cases of both reported and not reported.
From the results of the trip was direkomendir that need to strengthen the capacity of journalism in Papua, from the application of the code of ethics, understanding of the journalist profession, to the mastery of technology, including a business model that is not hostage independence of the press.
In addition, the need for change in the perspective of the media outside Papua in coverage and reporting of Papua to get the fact that a more comprehensive and factual.
Also, keep equalization communications infrastructure and access to information technology across Papua to improve the quality of public services and competition.
Lina Nursanty of MFCI added, the Press Freedom Index compiled Press Council in 2015 stated that Papua province in a state of somewhat free (score 63.88). Meanwhile, the province of West Papua province recorded as less free (score 52.56).
MFCI lowered 8 reporter visited three cities in Papua since January 29 to February 3, 2017 to get the facts on the ground related to press freedom in Papua. This trip is part of the Strengthening Media and Society, supported by WAN-IFRA.
Eko Maryadi, WAN-IFRA Regional Manager Asia, said the week-long program was reporting an investigation to better understand the issues, difficulties and problems facing journalists in Papua.
In this way, Eko said as quoted by Antara news agency, is expected as a contribution of Indonesian journalists examine the issue of freedom of the press in order to subsequently received great attention from the government of Indonesia and the world, especially the perspective of freedom of the press.
Because, according to Eko, until now it sees the efforts of friends journalists and journalist organizations in Indonesia to Papua issue is not running smoothly.
The output of this activity, Eko said, will be made in a single report in commemoration of Press Freedom Day throughout the world on May 3, 2017 in Jakarta. This year Indonesia hosts, so it is considered appropriate to campaign for press freedom situation in Papua.
Announcers: Arnold Belau
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A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
original bahada link at
2) Region KNPB Deiyai launched
Dozens of activists KNPB region Deiyai group photo after the launching in Deiyai. (Doc Suara Papua)
JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com- Housed in offices Indigenous Institute, West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Region Deiyai has dilauching on Friday (02/03/2017).
Sadrak Kudiai, field teams say almost all districts in indigenous territories have formed KNPB MEEPAGO region. Among other things Paniai, Dogiayai, Nabire and Deiyai newly launched.
"Only two districts in between the district and the district Deiyai Intan Jaya. But for Deiyai today we will arrange the board, "said Sadrak Kudiai, hall LMA, Buwoudimi, District Tigi, Deiyai, Papua.
Further Kudiai, field teams will focus reorganize its structure and will form a committee in Intan Jaya district.
"Once in Deiyai, we will focus on priorities for the establishment of management KNPB in Intan Jaya," he said.
Kudiai urges that all the people in Deiyai to unite to fight and be on the command line KNPB Deiyai as KNPB Center.
"We must end the oppression of the colonial peoples, for that we must be united," she said.
Meanwhile, the elected chairman of the Regional KNPB Deiyai, Augustine Mote said he would be more consistent to fix and all sectors in the region.
"I will try and complete the board-level KNPB regions and sectors," he said.
Not only that, he also urges that all youth in the Deiyai, in order to join the KNPB.
"Youth as agents of change, let us open the eyes and hearts to see all the oppression that occurred in Papua, especially in the area Deiyai," he concluded.
Announcers: Arnold Belau
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3) Election commission calls on Jayapurans to vote despite sole candidate pair
Nethy Dharma Somba The Jakarta Post
Jayapura | Sat, February 4, 2017 | 02:23 pm
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has called on Jayapura residents to vote in the upcoming election, even though there is only one candidate pair running, saying that voting for the pair or leaving the box blank had the same political value.
He encouraged those who did not want to vote for the pair to visit a polling station anyway and leave the ballot paper blank. “Choosing a blank box counts as equal to choosing the sole candidate because it is your political aspiration,” KPU official Sigit Joyowardono said on Saturday during an election simulation in Jayapura, Papua.
Numerous residents came to see the election simulation event in Abepura, Jayapura. “I am a first-time voter and now I have to choose between a candidate and a blank box. I just learned today that we have only one candidate,” Nita, 20, said on Saturday.
Nita said although it would be her first time voting, she had adequate information because officials had explained the process clearly.
(Read also: Golkar denies double endorsement in Jayapura)
Haji Idrus, 69, felt different about leaving a ballot paper blank. “I feel different because usually we have several choices for candidates. But I have decided on my choice,” he said.
Jayapura is one of 11 regencies and municipalities in Papua that will hold elections on Feb. 15.
The municipality has 308,775 registered voters spread across 629 polling stations in five districts. The candidate pair in Jayapura is incumbent mayor Benhur Tomi Manno and Rustan Saru. (evi)
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Photos of refugee rally in Sydney (4 Feb.)
Photos of refugee rally in Sydney (4 Feb. 2017 )
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2 photos below from RAC Sydney Facebook page
Friday, February 3, 2017
Indonesia wants assurance from Army chief
3 FEB 2017 - 6:12PM
Indonesia wants assurance from Army chief
Source: AAP
3 FEB 2017 - 6:12 PM UPDATED 33 MINS AGO
Indonesia is seeking assurances from Australia that offensive training material used at a Perth barracks was a one-off case.
Indonesia will be seeking assurances from Australia that training material which offended a trainer at a Perth barracks was a one-off case and not systemic.
Army Chief Angus Campbell will meet with his Indonesian counterpart General Gatot Nurmantyo next Wednesday in Jakarta.
The Indonesian military last month froze all defence co-operation with Australia before swiftly backing down and clarifying the suspension only applied to language programs at special forces academies.
The suspension was triggered following an incident last November involving teaching materials causing offence to a special forces trainer at the Campbell Barracks in Perth.
The material poked fun at Indonesia's founding philosphy - Pancasila.
Pancasila stipulates Indonesia's five principles of religion, civilised humanity, unity, democracy and social justice.
There were also concerns regarding the use of a Wikipedia article about former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's father-in-law and his controversial military service in West Papua.
Lieutenant General Campbell will discuss the findings of the Australian defence department's investigation into the incident.
AAP understands Indonesia is keen for an assurance that the problem is "not systemic" but an individual case and the person involved has been appropriately counselled.
Indonesia is reportedly satisfied by various written apologies from the Defence Force and Defence Minister Marise Payne.
The long running language course could be back up and running in the short term.
Indonesia's Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu is due to visit Australia for talks with Senator Payne later in February.
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Thursday, February 2, 2017
1) 165 ballots found damaged in Jayapura
2) Indonesia, Australia focus on cutting off terrorism financing
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1) 165 ballots found damaged in Jayapura
Nethy Dharma Somba The Jakarta Post
Jayapura, Papua | Thu, February 2, 2017 | 11:07 pm
The Jayapura General Elections Commission (KPU) says it has found 165 damaged ballots and requested replacements from a partnering printing house.
“The folding process of ballot papers has been completed. We found 165 damaged ballots and we have sent a letter to the printing house to replace them,” KPU Jayapura member Sutjipto said on Thursday.
He said it was hoped that the commission would receive the new ballot papers as soon as possible because ballots must be distributed to voting locations three days before the election on Feb. 15.
KPU Jayapura is set to deploy 5,661 officials on election day, comprising 4,403 officials recruited by the commission and 1,258 Community Protection (Linmas) officers dispatched by the Jayapura administration. Two Linmas officers will be stationed at every polling station.
The number of voters in Jayapura amounts to 308,775, around 100,000 lower than the 409,388 voters during the Papua gubernatorial election in 2013.
“There is quite a huge gap between the number of registered voters for the 2017 regional elections and those registered for the 2013 Papua gubernatorial election. This is because there has been an improvement in population data at the Jayapura civil and registration agency [Dukcapil],” said Sutjipto.
“In 2013, many residents who were no longer living in the city were still registered at Dukcapil.”
KPU Jayapura is busy setting up 629 polling stations in five districts and 39 villages. Only one candidate pair, namely Benhur Tomi Mano and Haji Rustam Saru, is contesting the Jayapura mayoral election. (ebf)
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2) Indonesia, Australia focus on cutting off terrorism financing
Kamis, 2 Februari 2017 21:46 WIB | 629 Views
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian and Australian governments are continuing cooperation on cybersecurity, mainly to cut off the financial lifelines of terrorists.
During the 3rd Australian-Indonesia Ministerial Council on Law and Security meeting held in Jakarta, Thursday, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto and Australian Attorney General George Brandis, as the heads of the countries delegations, particularly discussed measures that could be taken by both countries to stop terrorism funding.
"We discussed how Indonesia and Australia can work together to cut off the lifelines of terrorists, as we understand that terrorism can thrive through funding from some parties," Wiranto noted.
Through the third ministerial council meeting, both Indonesia and Australia are cooperating to find sources of terrorism funding and develop joint measures to cut off their financial lifelines.
"Looking at rapid developments in todays world, we are fully aware that (terrorism) funding can come from anywhere. Hence, without accusing any country, we are trying to intensify our cooperation on countering terrorism as well as violence and extremism," Wiranto stated.
Brandis emphasized that one of the most important agendas between the two countries officials and institutions for maintaining stability and security in the region was working together to develop cybersecurity as an effective tool to cut off the financial lifelines of terrorists.
"The most effective move to combat the threat of terrorism is to cut off funding," he noted.
To this end, Indonesian and Australian financial intelligence agencies PPATK and AUSTRAC have signed an agreement to focus on countering terrorism financing and money laundering.
According to information released by the Australian Embassy in Indonesia on its website, the PPATK-AUSTRAC Partnership Program for 2017 is a seven-year collaboration and allocates almost US$500 thousand for six new projects, including deploying IT specialists to strengthen PPATKs reporting and analysis systems and conducting exchange programs to enable PPATK experts to learn first-hand from AUSTRAC.
The money will also be spent to hold intensive workshops on crimes specific to terrorism financing and money laundering to enhance investigative and analytic capabilities within the PPATK.
In addition, PPATK and AUSTRAC will launch a new cyber project later this year to enhance Indonesias capabilities to counter the rise in online threats.(*)
During the 3rd Australian-Indonesia Ministerial Council on Law and Security meeting held in Jakarta, Thursday, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto and Australian Attorney General George Brandis, as the heads of the countries delegations, particularly discussed measures that could be taken by both countries to stop terrorism funding.
"We discussed how Indonesia and Australia can work together to cut off the lifelines of terrorists, as we understand that terrorism can thrive through funding from some parties," Wiranto noted.
Through the third ministerial council meeting, both Indonesia and Australia are cooperating to find sources of terrorism funding and develop joint measures to cut off their financial lifelines.
"Looking at rapid developments in todays world, we are fully aware that (terrorism) funding can come from anywhere. Hence, without accusing any country, we are trying to intensify our cooperation on countering terrorism as well as violence and extremism," Wiranto stated.
Brandis emphasized that one of the most important agendas between the two countries officials and institutions for maintaining stability and security in the region was working together to develop cybersecurity as an effective tool to cut off the financial lifelines of terrorists.
"The most effective move to combat the threat of terrorism is to cut off funding," he noted.
To this end, Indonesian and Australian financial intelligence agencies PPATK and AUSTRAC have signed an agreement to focus on countering terrorism financing and money laundering.
According to information released by the Australian Embassy in Indonesia on its website, the PPATK-AUSTRAC Partnership Program for 2017 is a seven-year collaboration and allocates almost US$500 thousand for six new projects, including deploying IT specialists to strengthen PPATKs reporting and analysis systems and conducting exchange programs to enable PPATK experts to learn first-hand from AUSTRAC.
The money will also be spent to hold intensive workshops on crimes specific to terrorism financing and money laundering to enhance investigative and analytic capabilities within the PPATK.
In addition, PPATK and AUSTRAC will launch a new cyber project later this year to enhance Indonesias capabilities to counter the rise in online threats.(*)
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Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Media release -West Papua-the elephant in the room
Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
Media release -West Papua-the elephant in the room
2
February 2016
Rally outside Indonesian Embassy Canberra 27 Jan 2017
Attorney-General
George Brandis, Justice Minister Michael Keenan and Dan Tehan, will meet with
Indonesia’s top security minister Wiranto and other Indonesian Ministers today
in Jakarta for the third Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) on Law and Security.
Joe
Collins of AWPA said, “as usual we can expect the issues of
counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security to be on the
agenda but no doubt West Papua will be the elephant in the room again. The
human rights situation in West Papua should be raised not only at this meeting
but raised by Australian officials at all bilateral talks between Australian
and Indonesian officials.
In a
joint press release from the Australian side it states “Australia and
Indonesia share a steadfast commitment to a stable and prosperous Indo‑Pacific region”.
Joe
Collins said that "West Papua is the one issue of great concern in our
region and Australia should be doing all it can to encourage Jakarta to sit down
and dialogue with West Papuan representatives to discuss all the issues of
concern they have'. It
is now 54 years since Indonesia took over the administration of West Papua and
the courageous West Papuan people are still marching in the streets
risking arrest and torture and calling for their right to self-determination.
The
West Papuan people and their representatives have achieved great victories in
the past few years and as support continues to grow for West Papua not only in our region
but world wide, Australia and Indonesian must realize that West Papua is truly back
on the agenda and won’t be going away.
Ends.
1) Garuda Indonesia Spreads Its Wings for Flight Expansion in Papua
2) Indonesia, Australia to hold third MCM on law and security
3) Australia arrests Indonesian mission trespasser
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1) Garuda Indonesia Spreads Its Wings for Flight Expansion in Papua
Wednesday, 01 February 2017 | 05:59 WIB
JAKARTA, NETRALNEWS.COM - The easternmost provinces of West Papua and Papua, which were formerly one province called Irian Jaya before they were split into two provinces in 2003, have difficult geographical conditions for transportation services.
Land transportation is not yet effective as the infrastructure, notably roads, are not yet suitable for smooth connectivity among regions within the two provinces. So far, many travelers within the regions have been transported using small planes that could land at airstrips.
Therefore, the country's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is planning to increase its flight services in Papua and West Papua in order to provide adequate transportation means for the people of Papua and West Papua.
For West Papua, Garuda is planning to use a wide-bodied Boeing 737-800 aircraft to serve the Sorong-Jakarta route, while for the Papua, it is planning to expand its local flights by opening the Jayapura-Dekai route. Garuda Indonesia plans to open the Jayapura-Dekai route in Yahukmo District, after it identified a relatively high potential in serving the route.
"We are planning to start flights on the route from Jayapura to Dekai, probably in July 2017," Garuda's Sales and Marketing Manager for Jayapura Octavianus J. H. Tampi stated in Jayapura on Monday (Jan 30). According to Tampi, Garuda will use a 70-seater ATR aircraft.
"We have identified the route's potential. Hence, we are planning to start flight services locally in Papua Province," Tampi remarked. The Garuda manager pointed out that the state-owned airline company will use new aircraft to daily serve the new route to Nop Goliat Airport in Dekai. It plans to fly every day. The route could be Jayapura-Dekai-Timika.
The route will be served with relatively small aircraft; however, for the Sorong-Jakarta route, Garuda will deploy a larger aircraft. In its efforts to increase its services to the people of Papua, Garuda will use wide-bodied Boeing 737-800 aircraft to serve the Sorong-Jakarta route, a Garuda sales manager stated.
Radhitya Prastanika, Garuda Sales Manager for Sorong, remarked in Sorong on Tuesday that his company was planning to operate Boeing 737-800 to serve the Sorong-Jakarta route next April.
The airlines will use a large aircraft to serve the route to support the government's efforts to offer better access for tourists to the Raja Ampat tourism destination. Raja Ampat is a district in West Papua with Waisai as its capital city.
The Raja Ampat District Administration has been improving infrastructure, facilities and services to support the tourism industry. According to Yusdi Lamatenggo, head of the Raja Ampat tourism office, an airport will be built on Misol Island. "The Raja Ampat district administration has set a target that by late 2017, aircraft similar to Susi Air planes could land on Misol Island," he noted.
Therefore, Garuda will use Boeing 737-800 aricraft to serve Sorong-Jakarta route. Currently, Garuda is waiting for a letter of permit to land at Sorong's Domine Eduward Osok Airport.
"We are waiting for the official letter from the Domine Eduward Osok Airport authority for allowing a large aircraft to land at the airport," Prastanika said.
According to Prastanika, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which will serve the Sorong-Jakarta route, has a seating capacity of 162 passengers, of which 150 are economy class seats and 12 are executive class.
"Garuda is committed to offering convenience to the people of Sorong," he added. This year, Garuda Indonesia is planning to increase the number of its flights and start new routes in Papua and West Papua. However, the first priority will be accorded to Boeing 737-800 to serve the Sorong-Jakarta route.
"If the airport authority issues the letter before April, Garuda will be ready to operate its Boeing 737-800 aircraft," Prastanika stated. In expanding its flight services, the airlines continues to set strategies, particularly to face competition, which will be increasingly stiffer in the coming years.
Earlier in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Garuda President Director Arif Wibowo stated that Garuda had outlined anticipatory steps to face tough competition in the aviation sector in 2017.
Garuda has prepared anticipatory steps in the face of possible oil price hikes in the global market and fluctuations in foreign currencies, Wibowo said on the sidelines of a joint anniversary celebration of 22 state-owned enterprises in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, last Saturday.
He remarked that as part of its strategies, the national flag carrier has pegged the assumed price of avtur, or aircraft fuel, and has conducted hedging of foreign currencies to anticipate fluctuations.
After all, the global economy, which is forecast to have not yet fully recovered, has a major impact on the aviation business. Based on the assumption of an increase in the avtur prices, Garuda has fixed an assumed price of 57 US cents per liter.
Oil price is the main factor in the context of cost strategy, as it could have a direct impact on the performance in 2017. Garuda has also applied hedging in a bid to protect the value of the company's loan payments from fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates.
However, Wibowo declined to reveal the value of hedging, by merely saying that the step was intended to protect the company's financial balance from the adverse impact of the weakening of the rupiah.
Wibowo said that despite stiff competition among airlines in 2017, Garuda has set a passenger growth target at 8.7 percent, higher that the aviation industry's projection at 6.9 percent.
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2) Indonesia, Australia to hold third MCM on law and security
Pewarta: Yashinta Difa Rabu, 1 Februari 2017 21:35 WIB
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Australia again committed to enhancing relations in the fields of law and security by organizing the third Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) on Law and Security in Jakarta on February 2, 2017.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto has been appointed as head of the Indonesian delegation, while Australian Attorney General Senator George Brandis is the head of Australias delegation.
At the meeting, the two countries will hold talks on several issues, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security, as quoted from a statement released by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs on Wednesday.
In line with strengthening cooperation in the law sector, both countries will review the cooperation among law enforcement personnel.
Through the third MCM meeting, Indonesia and Australia have agreed to enhance mutual understanding on issues relating to law and security, a common concern for both countries.
It is a commitment of both nations to maintain security and stability and create prosperity in the region. Such a commitment will be comprehended at the end of the meeting in the form of a Joint Communiqu.
The meeting will also be attended by Indonesian Attorney General HM Prasetyo, Minister of Communication and Information Rudiantara, Military Chief General Gatot Nurmayanto, Police Chief General Tito Karnavian, Head of the Indonesian Intelligence Agency Budi Gunawan, and Head of the Counter Terrorism Agency Commissioner General Suhardi Alius.
Head of the Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Centre Kiagus Ahmad Badaruddin and Head of the Anti-Drugs Agency Commissioner General Budi Waseso will also attend the meeting.
Australian Minister of Justice Michael Keenan and Australian Minister of Cyber Security Affairs Dan Tehan will attend the meeting as members of the Australian delegation.
Indonesia-Australia MCM on Law and Security is a forum for holding ministerial-level meetings, the first edition of which was held on December 21, 2015, in Jakarta and the second in Sydney on June 8, 2016.
(Uu.Y013/KR-BSR/A014)
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto has been appointed as head of the Indonesian delegation, while Australian Attorney General Senator George Brandis is the head of Australias delegation.
At the meeting, the two countries will hold talks on several issues, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security, as quoted from a statement released by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs on Wednesday.
In line with strengthening cooperation in the law sector, both countries will review the cooperation among law enforcement personnel.
Through the third MCM meeting, Indonesia and Australia have agreed to enhance mutual understanding on issues relating to law and security, a common concern for both countries.
It is a commitment of both nations to maintain security and stability and create prosperity in the region. Such a commitment will be comprehended at the end of the meeting in the form of a Joint Communiqu.
The meeting will also be attended by Indonesian Attorney General HM Prasetyo, Minister of Communication and Information Rudiantara, Military Chief General Gatot Nurmayanto, Police Chief General Tito Karnavian, Head of the Indonesian Intelligence Agency Budi Gunawan, and Head of the Counter Terrorism Agency Commissioner General Suhardi Alius.
Head of the Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Centre Kiagus Ahmad Badaruddin and Head of the Anti-Drugs Agency Commissioner General Budi Waseso will also attend the meeting.
Australian Minister of Justice Michael Keenan and Australian Minister of Cyber Security Affairs Dan Tehan will attend the meeting as members of the Australian delegation.
Indonesia-Australia MCM on Law and Security is a forum for holding ministerial-level meetings, the first edition of which was held on December 21, 2015, in Jakarta and the second in Sydney on June 8, 2016.
(Uu.Y013/KR-BSR/A014)
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3) Australia arrests Indonesian mission trespasser
News Desk The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Wed, February 1, 2017 | 08:12 am
Australian authorities finally captured on Monday a man for trespassing on protected Indonesian property after almost a month of pursuit and multiple warnings from Indonesia.
The 42-year-old unidentified man was arrested in the Melbourne suburb of Williamstown for trespassing on the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Melbourne earlier this month, the Australian Embassy in Jakarta revealed Tuesday.
The arrest was made just a few days after Indonesian government officials and legislators criticized Australia for failing to arrest a man who climbed onto the roof of the KJRI and hoisted the Morning Star flag of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM).
“The Australian Federal Police [AFP] can confirm it arrested a 42-year-old man in the Melbourne suburb of Williamstown on Monday,” the Australian Embassy said in a statement to The Jakarta Post.
The individual was charged with Trespassing on a Protected Premises, contrary to Section 20 of the Protection of Persons and Property Act, the statement added.
“He has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, Feb. 23.”
The Embassy did not provide further comment on the case, saying it would be inappropriate because it “is now before the court.”
Section 20 of the 1971 Act carries a fine ranging between 10 and 20 penalty units, whereby 1 penalty unit is equal to A$180 (US$135.93) for federal offenses.
The flag-hoisting incident was filmed by an accomplice from outside the Indonesian premises, which was then posted on social media for wide distribution.
Indonesian Consul General in Melbourne Dewi Wahab told the Post on Tuesday that there was only one suspect in the case, as the person recording the video did not engage in a criminal act.
Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir rejoiced following news of the arrest, conveying Indonesia’s hope that the perpetrator would be duly processed in accordance with the law.
“We received information from the Consul General that the AFP detained [...] the criminal responsible for the Melbourne KJRI incident,” he said. “We appreciate that the AFP was finally able to capture the perpetrator.”
Last week, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that lawmakers from the foreign affairs commission of the House of Representatives demanded that the Australian government take swift measures to legally process the demonstrator, who had remained at large since the Jan. 6 incident.
The incident further exacerbated tensions with Canberra following Indonesia’s temporary suspension of military cooperation on language exchange programs with Australia, pending an investigation into another troubling affair that is scheduled to conclude by the end of this month.
Australian authorities were accused of showing little interest in resolving the incident, until last week’s protests by the Indonesian government and lawmakers.
The arrest also comes ahead of the expected arrival of an Australian delegation in Jakarta to attend the Ministerial Council on Law and Security
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