News Desk – Armed Conflict In Papua 

14 June 2023

 

Jayapura, Jubi – The deployment of military troops to Papua has prompted calls for evaluation. The presence of numerous troops has intensified the armed conflict in the region and heightened tensions.

Anum Latifah Siregar, the director of the Democracy Alliance for Papua, stressed the importance of assessing the deployment procedures for these troops.

During a public lecture organized by the International Relations Study Program of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Cenderawasih University, Siregar highlighted that the deployment of troops for military operations other than war has granted the central government the ultimate decision-making power over security policies in Papua. This transfer of authority has implications for the region’s governance and autonomy.

The escalating conflict and the centralization of security policies have raised questions about the feasibility of engaging in constructive dialogue to address the underlying issues. Siregar’s remarks shed light on the complex dynamics at play and the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the troop deployment and its implications for Papua.

According to the Democracy Alliance for Papua, a significant number of security forces with combat and intelligence qualifications, totaling 9,205 individuals, were deployed to Papua in 2022. Among them were 7,850 TNI soldiers and 1,355 police personnel.

As reported by the 2022 Papua Human Rights Commission, there were 10 casualties among TNI soldiers and 14 others who sustained injuries. Additionally, four policemen lost their lives, and three others were injured during the same year. Meanwhile, five members of the TPNPB lost their lives, a total of 39 civilians died, and ten civilians were injured throughout 2022.

Siregar pointed out that the deployment of troops to Papua had not followed the correct procedures thus far. The deployment for military operations other than war should require approval from the House of Representatives. Siregar doubted whether the President as the highest command sought such approval. It appears that this step was omitted.

Meanwhile, Septer Manufandu, the coordinator of the Papua Peace Network (JDP), said peaceful dialogue was the most effective approach to resolve the conflict that did not entail sacrificing lives.

Manufandu mentioned that JDP had developed the Jakarta-Papua peace dialogue concept, which had been disseminated in 42 districts in Papua through different approaches. He hoped that all conflicting parties and those impacted by the conflict would support peaceful dialogue as the pathway to resolution.

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Foto: Pelantikan pengurus KNPB Sektor Tambrauw, Papua Barat Daya. (Dok. Istimewa)

Baca artikel detiksulsel, “KNPB Angkat Bicara soal Deklarasi di Tambrauw Dibubarkan gegara Dugaan Makar” selengkapnya https://www.detik.com/sulsel/hukum-dan-kriminal/d-6767593/knpb-angkat-bicara-soal-deklarasi-di-tambrauw-dibubarkan-gegara-dugaan-makar.

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Detik Sulsel – June 12, 2023

Juhra Nasir, Tambrauw — The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has spoke out about the declaration and inauguration of its management board in Tambrauw district, Southwest Papua province, which was broken up by police on Friday for alleged treason.

The group has also denied accusations that they planned to spread separatist ideas.

“We’re not separatists but we are Papuan freedom fighters”, KNPB Maybrat Chairperson Yohanes Assem told Agence France-Presse on Monday June 12.

Assem said that KNPB was formed not to spread terror and argued that its activities are carried out peacefully.

“The KNPB is not terrorist, the KNPB does not threaten, rather the KNPB teaches the way towards independence in a peaceful and dignified manner”, he said.

Meanwhile in relation to the arrest of KNPB activists, the group [does not] understand the reason for the arrests. The argued that that the declaration and inauguration of the Tambrauw sector KNPB had already finished.

“Essentially, the core agenda had finished, on the matter of the arrests, that’s normal for us”, explained Assem.

Earlier it was reported that TNI (Indonesian military) and Polri (Indonesian police) officers broke up a declaration and inauguration of the Tambrauw KNPB management board in Sarwom Village, Bamusbama district on Friday June 9. They were alleged to be planning to spread separatist ideas.

“The aim of those being inaugurated was they planned to spread separatist ideas, wanting to separate from the NKRI [Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia]”, said Tambrauw police chief Assistant Superintendent Bendot Dwi Prasetyo on Sunday June 11.

During the incident, the police arrested 19 people. Based on the results of the police investigation, three of them, UK, YY and WY, have been declared suspects.

“UK as the initiator who brought the people together, carried out indoctrination and also invited people to join in their activities”, Prasetyo explained.

“YY is part of the KNPB organisational structure as a courier or intel.

While WY was tasked with maintaining security over the activities during the declaration”, he added.

Prasetyo explained that the suspect UK has been charged under Article

106 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on makar (treason, subversion,

rebellion) and faces a sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment.

YY and WY meanwhile were charged under Article 55 of the KUHP in conjunction with Article 106 of the Criminal Code. “[They also] face a sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment”, he added.

Meanwhile Tambrauw district police operational division chief (Kabagops) Deputy Commissioner Putiho said the other 16 KNPB activists have been sent home.

They will receive guidance and have made a statement in front of the Tambrauw regency government, the TNI, Polri and traditional community leaders.

“They signed a statement in front of the Tambrauw regency government, the Dandim [district military commander] 1810, the Tambrauw police chief, community leaders, the DPRD [Regional House of Representatives] and traditional leaders [pledging] to build Tambrauw and not be easily provoked by sweet promises that go against the NKRI”, he concluded.

(sar/hsr)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “KNPB Angkat Bicara soal Deklarasi di Tambrauw Dibubarkan gegara Dugaan Makar”.]

Kompas.com – June 14, 2023

Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta — Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) Coordinator Agus Sunaryanto it’s inappropriate for House of Representatives (DPR) members to ask for business class seats from Garuda Indonesia Airlines to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the Haj.

He thinks that that the DPR should be ashamed because many other people have to queue for a long time to perform the holy pilgrimage.

“Members of the DPR should be ashamed asking for business class seats to go on the Haj. Ashamed before the people who may be their constituents.

Many of them have to queue for a long year and even dozens of years in order to get on the quota to go on the Haj”, said Sunaryanto on Wednesday June 14.

Sunaryanto said the DPR should have sensitivity over the issue of the long queue, not instead asking to be facilitated for personal gain, which should be allocated to the general public.

“Don’t ask for special treatment from Garuda as a BUMN [state-owned enterprise”, he added.

Earlier, Garuda Indonesia’s President Director Irfan Setiaputra revealed that the DPR has asked to be provided with as many as 80 additional business class seats for members of the DPR departing for the Haj to the holy land.

Setiaputra said the request was made by DPR Secretary General Indra Iskandar from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

The DPR’s request was leaked by Setiaputra when he was attending a public hearing with the DPR’s Commission VI at the parliament building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday June 13.

“But, the other day we were contacted by the DPR secretary general to ensure that [we could accommodate] around 80 additional DPR members to be able to leave for Haj”, said Setiaputra.

Setiaputra said however that that Garuda could not confirm additional aircraft for the DPR members because it requires permission from the Saudi Arabian General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA).

“So stay tuned, we cannot promise additional aircraft. Because this is indeed a matter of permission from the Saudi Arabia GACA, which actually requires that the 22nd is the last day for flight for the Haj”, he said.

Nevertheless, said Setiaputra, Garuda will still try to provide business class seats for DPR members who want to go on the Haj.

“Hopefully we can provide the seats, especially business classes in accordance with the expectations of the ladies and gentlemen in the DPR”, added Setiaputra. [Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Soal DPR Minta Kursi Kelas Bisnis untuk Haji, ICW: Malu dengan Masyarakat yang Antre Belasan Tahun”.]

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Muhadjir Effendy (right), at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (June 14, 2023). (ANTARA/Sean Filo Muhamad/nbl)

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian government is committed to providing follow-up assistance to the Republic of Vanuatu following the delivery of disaster relief assistance in May 2023, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy said.

“The government’s follow-up action is through the provision of assistance for the restoration of the VIP terminal of Vanuatu’s Port Vila International Airport,” the minister informed at a press conference here on Wednesday.

He said that his ministry will cooperate with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing to rehabilitate Port Vila airport’s VIP terminal.

The VIP terminal rehabilitation project is now in the planning and designing phase, he informed.

“The program will be implemented at the end of June and is expected to be completed in July 2023,” Effendy said.

Meanwhile, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry has appointed state-owned construction company PT Pembangunan Perumahan (PTPP) as the contractor for executing the VIP terminal rehabilitation project, he informed.

Related news: Indonesia sends assistance to Vanuatu aboard two charter planes: BNPB

The project will be funded through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s (BNPB’s) budget, he added.

“The budget is projected to surpass Rp14 billion (US$938 thousand), and we are still calculating it,” Effendy said.

The terminal rehabilitation assistance will follow the provision of basic logistics aid to Vanuatu on May 8, 2023. The assistance consisted of tents, generators, bedding, hygiene kits, clothes and jackets, crafting tools and lights, and food.

Assistance for the Republic of Vanuatu was provided to accelerate the handling and recovery process following tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin and a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the country last March.

The coordinating minister also expressed his utmost gratitude to government ministries, agencies, and state-owned enterprises who contributed to the humanitarian assistance delivery.

Executive Director of LP3BH Manokwari Yan Cristian Warinussy – Personal Documentation

News Desk – Bloody Wasior 

13 June 2023

Manokwari, Jubi – The alleged human rights violations in the 2001 Bloody Wasior in Papua’s Wondiboy District, Wondama Bay Regency, remain unresolved.

President Joko Widodo, who was anticipated to address the Bloody Wasior case, did not bring about any resolution.

According to Yan Cristian Warinussy, the director of the Research Institute for the Assessment and Development of Legal Aid (LP3BH), the incident originated from an assault on five mobile brigade members and an employee of a timber company by an armed civilian group led by Daniel Awom.

“Afterward, an operation was conducted under the leadership of then Manokwari Police chief Lt. Col. (now Adj. Sr. Comr.) Bambang Budi Santoso. I remember it vividly, they carried out a pursuit operation that did not directly target the alleged perpetrators and therefore affected the civilians,” said Warinussy on June 11, 2023.

During the operation, numerous civilians became victims, with some being killed, tortured, and raped. Moreover, some residents were detained and subsequently brought to court, while others were detained without any further legal action.

Warinussy mentioned that some of the alleged perpetrators were currently serving in the local police station while others were already serving in the Papua Police.

“I am speaking out because I have been involved in the investigation process carried out by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). According to the investigation, there is strong evidence indicating that the Wasior case involves severe human rights violations,” he said.

Komnas HAM has provided recommendations based on the investigation to the Attorney General’s Office, but until now, the AGO has not taken any further action on the case.

“Up until now, the Attorney General’s Office has not referred the case to the Human Rights Court. However, it is worth noting that the Bloody Wasior case occurred prior to the Bloody Wamena case in 2003 and the Bloody Paniai case in 2014, yet the latter has already been brought to trial and the defendants were acquitted in the Paniai case,” he added.

Head of the AGO’s Legal Information Center Ketut Sumedang has not responded to Jubi’s inquiry regarding the progress of the case file concerning alleged human rights violations in Wasior.

One of the Bloody Wasior victims named Djanes Marambur, meanwhile, expressed that the case had not seen any significant efforts towards legal resolution up to this point. Marambur himself was pursued by security forces during a military operation and managed to escape from Wasior during the operation.

“If the government is unable to resolve even the 1965 tragedy and Munir cases alone, which were [both human rights violations] happening in Indonesia’s center of governance, Java, how can they be expected to address the problems in Papua?” Marambur said.

“For us, it would be preferable if we didn’t have to discuss the Bloody Wasior case anymore if there is no intention to solve it.  It only adds to the suffering of the victims,” he added.

Pekei urged all parties to convey accurate information to the public and refrain from spreading false information that could disturb the community, suggesting that physical violence is still ongoing in Topo and Nabire.

“I urge all parties to refrain from portraying the conflict in Topo as a tribal war without considering the dynamics of the conflict and the actual situation’s development. Not all Mee and Lani tribesmen are involved in the Topo conflict. Therefore, the conflict in Topo should not be equated with tribal wars that have occurred in other areas,” he appealed.

Pekei mentioned that the conflict in Topo has been addressed by the local regents and security forces. He called for all parties to support the ongoing efforts to handle and resolve the conflict, aiming for a proper and comprehensive resolution.

“I hope the Mee and Lani tribes in Nabire could maintain mutual security and avoid interfering with each other. This will create a conducive environment for dialogue and problem-solving. It is important to refrain from provoking the situation,” said Pekei.

He also expressed his hope that the Mee and Lani communities outside of Nabire would not be influenced by the conflict in Topo and refrain from bringing the problems to other areas. He emphasized that there was currently no physical violence occurring in Topo or Nabire.

Translator Ricky Mohammad Nugraha 

Editor Petir Garda Bhwana 

19 June 2023 13:25 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Inactive Papua Governor Lukas Enembe has been indicted for bribery charges with a spectacular amount of Rp45.8 billion, or roughly US$3 million, which was given by two private sector actors in relation to infrastructure projects in Papua. 

“Such gratification was given to the defendant, which is an act that goes against his duties,” says the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) public prosecutor in reading the indictment file at the Jakarta Corruption Court on June 19.

According to prosecutors, the first businessman providing the graft was Piton Enumbi who owns  PT Melonesia Mulia Mulia, and reportedly also owns PT Lingge-Lingge, PT Astrad Jaya, and PT Melonesia Cahaya Timur. Enumbi is charged with bribing the Papuan governor up to Rp10.4 billion. 

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Prosecutors have also charged Lukas Enember over bribes he received from Rijatono Lakka, the director of PT Tabi Anugerah Pharmindo and PT Tabi Bangun Papua, and CV Walibhu. KPK has indicted Lakka for bribing a state official up to Rp35.4 billion.

The prosecutor explained that the alleged money flowing from Piton Enumbi began when Lukas was elected Governor of Papua in the 2013 regional leader election. Piton was Lukas’ former campaign team in the local election. After taking office, Lukas ordered the Head of the Papua Public Works and Housing at that time Mikael Kambuaya to give the project to Piton.

Meanwhile, the graft money flowing from Lakka was detected in 2017 when Lukas Enembe is believed to have ordered his subordinates to provide construction projects for companies owned by Rijatono, marred with kickback deals. 

The amount of bribes in this indictment is far greater than the KPK’s initial allegation when naming Lukas Enembe as a suspect at the end of 2022. Initially, KPK suspects that Lukas only received Rp 1 billion in bribes and Rp 10 billion in gratuities from various projects in Papua Province.

ADE RIDWAN | M. ROSSENO AJI

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News Desk – Indigenous Papuan Refugees 

21 June 2023

Presenters, who are also direct victims of armed conflict, share their stories during the commemoration of World Refugee Day, June 20, 2023 at STT Walter Post, Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua. – Doc Committee for Jubi

Jayapura, Jubi – The presence of Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police in conflict-ridden areas of Papua has allegedly caused trauma among internally displaced Indigenous Papuans.

The displaced people urge the government to immediately cease military operations and restore their communities to normalcy. These concerns were expressed during a discussion attended by displaced women on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, as part of World Refugee Day commemoration.

Raga Kogoya, a displaced woman from Nduga Regency, is currently residing in a camp in Jayawijaya Regency with her four children. Raga, along with thousands of Nduga residents, fled to the forest and eventually sought refuge in Wamena City in December 2018.

She longs to return to her hometown, a sentiment shared by other displaced families. However, their hopes of returning to Nduga have not been fulfilled.

“If I could go back home, I would,” said Raga, who hasn’t been able to return since December 2018.

“But I have nowhere to live because they burned my house five years ago. Moreover, there are still TNI posts in the area,” she added.

Raga admitted that she still carries traumatic memories. The acts of violence committed by TNI soldiers against pregnant women and minors remain vivid in her mind.

These memories, according to Raga, deter them from returning to their hometowns despite the government’s assurance of safety and invitation to return.

“We, the Nduga displaced people, will only go back home if the state withdraws the security forces. They are still here today, especially in the Nduga area. They must be withdrawn first. Only then will the people of Nduga feel safe to return home,” she said.

Lamberti Faan shares a similar story to Raga’s. The mother of four expressed the immense difficulty she faces in meeting her children’s daily needs.

Following the attack on Kisor Military Post in Maybrat Regency in September 2021, which was succeeded by military operations in five districts of Maybrat, Lamberti has been living with several others in a relative’s house in Sorong Regency.

“This situation makes our lives very challenging. We struggle to find food, drink, and even a place to sleep. We have to bear with these difficult conditions,” Lamberti explained.

If it were possible for her family to return to their house in Faan Kahrio Village, she would gladly take her children back. Unfortunately, her hopes remain uncertain and unfulfilled.

“For now, I am compelled to stay in the evacuation site in Sorong because my house, village, church, and school have been occupied by the TNI as military posts. It is impossible for me to go home as long as soldiers and police still reside in our house, school, and church,” she lamented.

Since December 2018, over 5,000 indigenous Papuans have been displaced, seeking refuge in forests and other areas within Papua. Many residents have even sought safety near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border to avoid the armed conflicts between the TNI-Police and the TPNPB. Internal displacement of Papuan residents

By APR editor –  June 19, 2023

SPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya

Next month, on July 10, six months will have passed since Papua’s Governor Lukas Enembe was “kidnapped” and flown to Jakarta for charges over alleged one million rupiah (NZ$100,000) graft.

Despite his deteriorating health, he has been detained in a Corruption Eradication Commission’s cell (KPK) in the Indonesian capital — more than 3700 km from his hometown of Jayapura.

He is due to appear in court today, but that depends on his health status.

• READ MORE: Yamin Kogoya: Arrest of Papuan governor Enembe condemned as illegal Jakarta ‘kidnap’
• Other Lukas Enembe reports

His drawn out ordeal has been full of drama and trauma. There has been indecisiveness around the case and the hearing date has been repeatedly rescheduled — from 20 more days, to 40 more days, and now into months.

There are no clear signs of any definite closure. For his family, friends, colleagues, and the Papuan people, this has been a nightmare.

While being held captive and tortured in the KPK’s prison cell in Jakarta, his kidney, stroke, and heart specialists in Singapore are concerned about what has been happening to their long-term patient.

In December 2020, Governor Enembe had a major stroke — for the fourth time. He lost his voice completely in Singapore, but his medical specialists at Mount Elizabeth hospital brought his voice back.

Since then, during a covid lockdown in 2021, he had another stroke, and was flown to Singapore.

Between 2020 and 2022 he had been receiving intensive medical assistance from Singapore. He was about to go to Singapore last September as part of his routine check-ups, only to discover that his bank account had been frozen, and his overseas travel blocked.

The trip in September was supposed to fix his already failing kidneys. He was unable to walk properly, his foot kept swelling and he began to lose his voice again.

He was on a strict diet as advised by his doctors in Singapore.

After Jakarta’s special security forces and KPK “abducted” him during a happy lunch hour at a local restaurant in his homeland on January 10, all his routine medical treatment in Singapore came to an abrupt halt.

Governor’s health
Following the abduction, medical specialists in Singapore expressed their concern in writing and requested that the medical report of his latest blood test from KPK Jakarta be released so that they could follow up on his critical health issues.

On 24 February 2023, the medical centre in Singapore wrote a medical request letter and addressed it directly to KPK in Jakarta.

The above mentioned (Lukas Enembe) is a patient at Royal Healthcare Heart, Stroke and Cancer Centre under Patrick Ang (Senior Consultant Cardiologist) and Dr Francisco Salcido-Ochoa (Senior Renal Physician). He was last reviewed by us in October 2022. As his primary physicians, we are gravely concerned about his current medical status. 

We are aware that his renal condition has deteriorated over the last few months with suboptimal blood pressure control. We are humbly requesting a medical report on his renal parameters via biochemistry, blood pressure readings and a list of his current medications.

To date, however, KPK has prevented his trusted long-time Singaporean medical specialists and family members from obtaining any reports regarding his health.

The governor’s family in Jakarta have repeatedly requested for an independent medical team to oversee his health, but KPK has refused.

Only KPK’s approved medical team is allowed to monitor his health and all the results of his blood tests, types of medications he has been offered and overall report on his treatment since the kidnapping has not been released to the governor, his family, medical specialists in Singapore or the Papuan people.

Elius Enembe, spokesperson of the governor’s family said they want the panel of judges at the Tipikor Jakarta court to appoint a team of independent doctors outside the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) to check the governor’s health condition.

According to the family, it was important to ensure Enembe’s current health conditions are verified independently before the court hearing takes place. This is because “we consider IDI to no longer be independent”, Lukas Enembe’s brother, Elius Enembe, told reporters in Jakarta, reports Medcom.

“After all,” he continued, “Indonesia’s Human Rights Commissioner had issued a recommendation that Lukas continue his treatment, rights that had been obtained before being arrested by the KPK, a service to be received from the Mount Elisabeth Singapore hospital doctor’s team.”

An independent opinion of the governor’s actual health condition is critical before the hearing so that judges have a clear, objective picture on his health condition.

“If there is an independent doctor, then there is another opinion that could be considered by the judge to ensure the governor’s health condition. This is what we are hoping for, so that the panel of judges can objectively make its decisions,” said Elius Enembe.

The court hearing
One of his five times failed case hearing attempts was supposed to be held in Central Jakarta’s District Court at 10am last Monday, 12 June 2023. This highly publicised and anticipated hearing did not take place.

Two conflicting narratives emerged about why this was adjourned.

KPK’s view
According to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Lukas Enembe’s actions hampered the legal process. In fact, the head of the KPK news section, Ali Fikri, stated that his first session was met with a very uncooperative attitude.

“We regret the attitude of the defendant, which we consider uncooperative,” Fikri said in his statement quoted by Holopis.com on June 12.

“The confession of Lukas Enembe, who was ill and could not attend the trial, was considered strange and far-fetched by the KPK. The defendant can answer the judge’s questions and explain his situation, even though he later claims that he is ill,” he said.

Fikri also threatened Lukas Enembe by saying that the Governor would face consequences during the prosecution process.

“The KPK Prosecutor Team and the panel of judges will assess his attitude separately when conducting prosecutions or drafting charges,” he said. ‘

“Of course, there are aggravating matters or mitigating issues, which will be a consideration when a defendant is uncooperative in the trial process,” he continued.

“When the trial process takes place, the KPK will always include a doctor’s health report to anticipate Luke’s uncooperative attitude in the retrial,” Fikri said. “The KPK Prosecutor Team will convey to the court in detail the defendant’s health condition during the next [hearing],” he said.

The first hearing in Lukas Enembe’s gratuity case has been postponed until this week. The reason for this is that Lukas Enembe claimed he was sick and could not participate in the virtual trial.

The Governor’s legal team protest
The Governor’s legal team protested against the KPK, saying that it was a “deliberate attempt” by the agency to manipulate public opinion based on biased and inaccurate information about what actually happened on Monday, June 12.

The following is the account provided by the Governor’s legal team after KPK was accused of spreading media news that the hearing had failed due to an “uncooperative governor” in terms of the legal proceedings on that day.

Monday, 12 June 2023, around 9.30am local Jakarta time, a guard entered the KPK’s detention room where Papua’s Governor, Lukas Enembe, was detained. The guard was requested to accompany the detained Governor to the hearing room.

Upon arriving at the door, the Governor asked the guard where the hearing was being held. The guard explained that he was taking him to the online courtroom in the red and white KPK building (red and white symbolise the colours of Indonesia’s flag or Bendera Merah Putih in Bahasa Indonesian).

The Governor said he would not attend the hearing via tele link. The Governor wanted to attend the hearing in person, not virtually via a screen.

Afterwards, the Governor went to his detainee room and wrote a letter of protest, explaining his aversion to viewing the proceedings on television. After the letter was written, the guard accompanied the Governor to the detention room to inform them of his desire to appear in court physically.

The court hearing was scheduled for 10am that day. Guards from KPK’s detention arrived at 9.30am to escort the Governor, allowing him only 30 minutes to prepare.

The Governor’s legal team was waiting outside the KPK’s building. As 10am approached, the legal team (Petrus, along with Cosmas Refra and Antonius Eko Nugroho), went to KPK’s receptionist and asked why they were not called to enter the hearing room.

The receptionist replied that they were still in the process of coordination since Enembe was not yet awake. Moments later, officers took the legal team into the detention visiting room, where there were masses of visitors because it was visiting time.

At one corner of the room, Governor Enembe was surrounded by prison guards working on a laptop. The governor’s lawyers were then told that the hearing would begin when the audio system was fixed.

When the Governor and the legal team finally met, the legal team asked Enembe why he was wearing shorts and a T-shirt to court. Governor Lukas said he was annoyed at the guard for suddenly arriving to escort him without warning, which is why he had not dressed neatly. He could not wear sandals because his feet were swollen.

Governor Enembe refused to have an online hearing because he had not been informed in advance of Monday’s hearing and the summons was only signed once the hearing was opened by the judges.

If the KPK prosecutor had notified him at least the day before the hearing, Governor Enembe would have cooperated. But he was only notified 30 minutes earlier.

As the judge covered the trial, the legal team led by Petrus, informed Governor Enembe to appear before the court on 19 June 2023. The governor nodded in agreement.

“In light of this explanation, we must emphasise that Mr Lukas does not intend to be uncooperative in facing the alleged case,” said the legal team.

According to Petrus, “the detained Governor Lukas Enembe did not immediately leave the detention room because he was still writing a statement that the prosecutor had not informed him in advance of the trial scheduled for Monday, 12 June 2023”.

The Governor’s next court hearing has been rescheduled for today and whether he can physically attend will depend on his health.

However, the main issue is will he be found guilty of the charges? There is a lot at stake.

Yamin Kogoya is a West Papuan academic/activist who has a Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development from the Australian National University and who contributes to Asia Pacific Report. From the Lani tribe in the Papuan Highlands, he is currently living in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Jubi News Desk – Armed Conflict In Papua 

15 June 2023

Volunteers from Talenta Keadilan Papua Legal Aid Institute and students from Puncak Regency, Central Papua, pose for a group photo after complaining about the shooting and mutilation of Tarina Murib to Komnas HAM in Jakarta. – Doc. LBH Talenta Keadilan Papua

Nabire, Jubi – Mis Murib, representing the Talenta Keadilan Papua Legal Aid Agency (LBH TKP), said his party had reported to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) about the shooting and mutilation of Tarina Murib, a resident of Yugumoak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province, as well as the shooting of nine other civilians from Yugumoak, allegedly carried out by security forces during their pursuit of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).

The legal aid agency also reported the shooting of Panius Tabuni, a teacher at YPPGI Sinak High School, which occurred in Sinak District’s Tapulinik Village.

Mis elaborated that these complaints, along with several other cases, were presented during his meeting with Hari Kurniawan, one of the commissioners of Komnas HAM.

“I described the situation in Ilaga, the capital of Puncak Regency, and several other districts that have become conflict zones between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police and TPNPB troops, resulting in civilian casualties who were unaware of the conflict,” he explained.

“Following the shooting and mutilation, civilians from Yugumoak District and Mageabume District have fled to Puncak Jaya Regency, Nabire Regency, and Timika Regency,” Mis added.

Regarding the situation in Puncak, Mis stated that the armed conflict had led to restrictions on civilian activities by security forces. He had also informed Komnas HAM about this matter.

“We also told Komnas HAM that places of worship are closed, gardening activities restricted, and there is strict surveillance of people’s homes by security forces. This is the situation in Puncak, particularly in the Sinak area,” Mis said.

He expressed his hope that Komnas HAM would dispatch a team to observe the conditions faced by the people in Puncak. “We sincerely hope that the Komnas HAM will directly visit to witness the people’s situation. Observing it solely through media or reports will not be enough. We urge Komnas HAM to collect data on the ground and take legal action against those responsible for the violence against residents,” Mis concluded.

Manise Murib of the Puncak Student Executive Board across Java and Bali also appealed to Komnas HAM to give priority to addressing cases of alleged human rights violations in Papua, particularly in Puncak’s Yugumoak District.

Manise requested that Komnas HAM identify the individuals responsible for the shooting and mutilation of Tarina Murib. He also called upon the National Police chief and the TNI commander to ensure that every personnel deployed in Papua receives specialized training on anthropology and the local way of life in Papua.

“It would be unfortunate if we continue to have victims due to a lack of understanding,” Manise remarked.

Responding to the report, Hari Kurniawan of Komnas HAM announced that Komnas HAM commissioners will soon visit Papua.

Hari also mentioned that his office is open to the possibility of forming a dedicated team to handle cases of alleged human rights violations in Papua. “We also seek support from civil society groups, students, and the families of the victims for data collection since we lack knowledge about the conditions in the Puncak area, which is prone to conflict,” he added.

No one takes the blame

Amidst the shooting and mutilation of Tarina Murib in Yugumuak District on March 3, 2023, both the TNI and TPNPB blamed each other for the incident. Col. Kav Herman Taryaman, the spokesperson of XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command, in a written statement on March 6 said that Tarina Murib was shot by TPNPB members.

According to Herman, the news saying TNI’s involvement in the shooting and mutilation of residents in Pamebut was a hoax spread by the TPNPB to undermine the authority of the security forces who were attempting to rescue the Susi Air pilot taken hostage by TPNPB.

On the other hand, Kalenak Murib TPNPB’s Sinak War Area Command denied that TPNPB had shot civilians. Instead, he accused the TNI of being responsible for shooting the civilians.

“We deny the statement made by the Indonesian Military claiming that TPNPB shot civilians. We have never targeted civilians or burned people’s houses. The shooting of civilians occurred when TNI soldiers pursued us in Winisu Village,” said Kalenak.

On March 8, 2023, Usman Hamid, the executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, urged the security forces to conduct a thorough investigation into the reported shooting and mutilation of Tarina Murib.

He emphasized the importance of not jumping to conclusions before a comprehensive investigation is carried out in accordance with established procedures. Usman also reminded all parties that acts of violence involving the security forces and pro-independence groups in Papua would only result in increased casualties and should be avoided.

Arie Firdaus 2023.05.31 Jakarta

A proposal to establish a regional command for the army in each of Indonesia’s 38 provinces has sparked an outcry from human rights and security experts, who fear it could herald the return of the military’s dominance over civilian affairs that ended with the fall of autocratic President Suharto in 1998.

The plan comes amid efforts by the military to revise a 2004 law that regulates its role and function, seeking to expand its involvement in government agencies and other non-military domains.

Indonesian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Dudung Abdurachman said in May the military wanted to establish 23 new regional commands, known as Kodam, to improve the army’s readiness and responsiveness in case of emergencies or threats. The plan has the backing of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Armed Forces Chief Adm. Yudo Margono, he said.

But the twin proposals have come under fire by human rights groups, who are wary of the military’s history of violent suppression across the archipelago. 

The Setara Institute, a human rights watchdog, said the plan would blur the line between military and civilian roles and reverse progress made by the reform movement that ousted Suharto.

During Suharto’s 32-year rule, the military had a prominent role in politics and society, with officers appointed to civilian posts at various levels of government, enabling the “New Order” regime to take an iron-firsted approach against dissent.

“The idea of adding regional commands and revising the TNI law reeks of expanding the military’s role in the civilian sphere,” said Ikhsan Yosarie, a researcher at Setara, referring to the Indonesian National Armed Forces by their acronym.

“Reform should push the TNI to focus on defense capabilities, not regress to the New Order era.”

The initiative to revise Law No. 34 of 2004 was intended to accommodate a larger role for the military in state affairs and enhance its professionalism, Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Hamim Tohari said.

The proposal seeks to amend 15 articles in the law, including allowing active-duty officers to hold more civilian posts, diluting the authority of the president over the armed forces and increasing the types of missions the military can carry out. 

If passed, the law would expand military operations beyond defensive roles to supporting local governments, helping the police maintain security and public order, and assisting with disaster management, counterterrorism, border control and maritime security.

“Threats and challenges are becoming more complex. The army must adapt to these dynamics,” Tohari told BenarNews.

But Al Araf, a security expert and director of think tank the Centra Initiative, said these changes were unnecessary and dangerous for democracy. He argued that using soldiers as a security tool like police officers was wrong because they were trained for war.

“Putting military functions as a state security tool is wrong and dangerous for democracy because the military can be used to deal with people if they are considered state security threats,” he said.

An illiberal turn?

Some analysts have said that President Joko Widodo, who is popularly known as Jokowi, has overseen a period of democratic regression and increasing illiberalism since he took office in 2014. 

One sign is the influence of former military officers from Suharto’s era in his administration, they said.

Natalie Sambhi, an expert on Indonesian security affairs at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C., wrote in a 2021 report that Jokowi has appointed several retired generals to key positions in his cabinet, relied on the army’s territorial system for development projects and allowed former officers to shape public discourse and policy.

“While the military’s influence is not new, Jokowi’s lack of familiarity not just with security affairs but his lack of background from the political and military elite has necessitated the active courting of relationships with power brokers in the armed forces,” she wrote.

Jokowi’s lack of ideological commitment to democracy or liberalism has made him comfortable with delegating security matters to trusted military figures who have shown little respect for human rights and civil liberties, she added.

The report said that Jokowi’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic had intensified “the military’s de facto ‘dual function’” of playing both security and political roles.

Suharto used his control over the military to suppress dissent and secure his re-election every five years. Though governments afterwards have reduced the military’s role in politics and society, it still wields considerable influence and prestige.

The plan to create new garrisons follows the establishment of four new provinces in the restive Papua region last year.

The government said the move would boost development and public services in the region, which has long lagged behind other parts of Indonesia.

But some Papuans and human rights activists have expressed concerns that the new provinces would dilute the political representation and cultural identity of indigenous Papuans. 

They also fear that the increased military presence would lead to more violence and human rights violations in a region that has witnessed decades of conflict between separatist rebels and security forces.

Tubagus Hasanuddin, a member of the House of Representatives’ defense commission, said there was no need to add new regional commands or expand their tasks.

Hasanuddin, who is from Jokowi’s ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), said that using threats as a pretext for such moves was “illogical.”

“It has no urgency,” he said. “What is needed is improving and modernizing weaponry.”

The plan has also been criticized by former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, who chairs the PDIP.