Category Archives: Uncategorized

Vast inequality threatens democracy

Posted on by
Reply

he disparity is vast and immoral. Emotional language touches souls, but in Indonesia it should also grab economics and politics. The new government could demand reform. It wont.

We’ll call her Siti. Real name usage might threaten the uni graduate’s fragile job as an English teacher at a government school. She earns less than Rp 400,000 a month for working three days a week and being on call – with other time spent on higher study. For rough Oz dollar conversion divide by 10,000.

Survival is by living with her parents though she’s in her mid-20s. She could get more in a private school – though not much – but farewell pension entitlements.

Every year the national government lists basic wages for more than 500 cities. The monthly rate in Malang where Siti teaches is supposed to be a slither above Rp 3.1 million. That’s AUD 330.

Being a woman doesn’t help: The UN Gender Development Index reports the average Indonesian guy gets almost double the pay of his female colleagues even though rates are for humans whatever their sex.

Bureau of Statistics figures show women’s workforce participation rate is 53 per cent, compared to 82 for men. In parliament only 21 per cent of elected members are women.

Experience with Indonesian stats reveal official and unofficial figures jostle for inaccuracies. One marginally more reputable source reckons grads start at around Rp 5 million in Jakarta. Just across the 16 km Singapore Strait their mates pull in at least ten times more.

The published under-24 unemployment rate is above 14 per cent. Over-supplied markets keep wages down unless the worker is in medicine, IT or management.

Teachers are treated seriously in Europe where salaries can reach AUD 6,000 a month – and now chalkies are striking for more.

The Jakarta Post says that the Republic holds sixth place in the world for inequality and that the four richest men have more dosh than the combined total of the poorest 100 million:

‘An excessive concentration of wealth is considered a risk for democracy as those at the top have too much bargaining power to influence the course of public policies. Even though extreme poverty in the country has declined, income disparity last year was the worst in the last five years.’

When independence from Dutch colonial control was declared in 1945 the expectation was for a Republic of equals in a ‘Unitary State‘. Constitutionally the kampong battler has rights equal to the idle oligarch but in fact the gulf in government support is unbridgeable.

One gets next to nothing, and the other tax breaks, concessions, business opportunities, special dealings and often the chance for a hand in the till.

The issue briefly surfaced during the Presidential election campaign in February. However none of the three major contenders treated inequality as a priority to be fixed for the sake of the people, the economy and security.

Last year new employment laws seemed to give workers more rights like overtime pay, maternity leave and social service benefits. But exercising these isn’t easy away from international corporates with HR teams and watchful shareholders.

Stirring isn’t recommended in a culture where open dissent is only for the grimly determined backed by many of the like-minded.

Universities and unions have traditionally been where anger ferments into action. However, only 50,000 students and workers in and around Jakarta bothered to march on 1 May (International Labour Day), a number too small to bother politicians in a nation of 275 million.

Will anything change? That’s unlikely. The poor and poorly paid will remain – along with coal and mineral exports – as the source of the Indonesian economy.

The well is flooding at the top (5.05 growth last year) but little overflow is trickling down.

Despite being mega-rich (a declared AUD 240 million) the new president-elect, disgraced former general and current Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto knows how to kill but not nurture.

He’ll have to rely on the public service for financial advice and his colleagues in the upcoming right-wing government for direction.

There’s also no charismatic leader fronting any opposition. Three years ago the Partai Buruh (Workers’ Party) surfaced but has struggled to stay afloat.

Some losers in the last general election have already decided pragmatism trumps ideology.

Media mogul Surya Paloh and head of NasDem (National Democratic) Party endorsed academic Dr Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate.

The former Jakarta Governor scored second place behind Prabowo and his populist Gerindra (Great Indonesia Movement) Party. Surya has now kicked out Anies and wants to nestle with the winner.

If this goes ahead opposition will be further reduced leaving dissent to the NGOs and maybe the PDI-P (Democratic Party of Struggle) led by fourth president Megawati Soekarnoputri (2001-04).

Personal animosities are currently keeping her out of the coalition – though that may change as the magnetic pull of status and money intensifies.

So far there’s no indication that workers’ needs will be addressed when the Prabowo administration is sworn in come October.

Teacher Siti has a limited career future. Foremost is staying at the blackboard and hoping to slowly climb the promotion and reward ladder.

Alternatively she can use her language talents to get into an international trader hoping it might apply the standards it has to follow overseas.

But that would negate the advantage of a company investing in a country where wages are a minor cost of doing business.

Consider making a donation to support independent journalism

Pearls and Irritations relies totally on donations from its readers. We are independent and we don’t accept financial support from governments, their agencies or vested interests such as fossil fuel and arms manufacturing companies. We do not accept advertising, nor do we have a paywall.

Please consider a donation to help Pearls and Irritations extend its voice and reach.

Duncan Graham

Duncan Graham has been a journalist for more than 40 years in print, radio and TV. He is the author of People Next Door (UWA Press). He is now writing for the English language media in Indonesia from within Indonesia.
Duncan Graham has an MPhil degree, a Walkley Award, two Human Rights Commission awards and other prizes for his radio, TV and print journalism in Australia. He lives in East Java.

PM hints reason why WP not given MSG membership

Posted on by
Reply

While Prime Minister (PM) Charlot Salwai is engaging with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State Law Office on the historical demand for West Papua freedom, he said the question that needs to be clarified is that the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) is a political organisation and not a country to represent the people of West Papua.

The PM made the hint to the members of Vanuatu Free West Papua Committee (VFWPC) that met with him at his Office last week, to brief him on the West Papua issue.

He indicated that this seems to be the handicap for all member countries of MSG all voting to support ULMWP’s Application for full membership.

But he said the original stand for Vanuatu as declared by the late Prime Minister, Father Walter Lini, remains unchanged for West Papua to enjoy the same political freedom, that Vanuatu is enjoying today following its freedom which was achieved approximately 24 year ago on July 30 of 1980.

However following his presentation of the summary of the West Papua Struggle and where the VFWPC is, regarding its efforts to rally all member countries to stand for ULMWP’s Application for full membership of MSG, the Prime Minister replied that in line with the original spirit for full political freedom for West Papua, Vanuatu has its own position but that it would be the only member country to support such a stand (if it voted on it).

Vanuatu’s Special Envoy to West Papua, Mr. Morris Kaloran said ULMWP recognises PM Salwai for his outstanding contribution towards enabling ULMWP’s historic birth at the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs’ Nasara in Port Vila over nine years ago.

“We view your vital contribution to the birth of a West Papua boy in Port Vila going ten years ago with utmost respect,” Mr. Kaloran said.

“We made our appointment to meet you Mr. Prime Minister and you availed your valuable time to come down to our level to listen to us.

“We tried our utmost best to organise a similar meeting with your predecessor to meet with him just before the MSG Summit last year, but he was too busy to meet us.

“Now we take this opportunity to thank you for your positive response despite your busy schedule. We thank your Private Secretary, Mr. Victor Rory, for facilitating this meeting.”

The Special Envoy said the Legislative Council of ULMWP under Interim President, Mr. Benny Wenda, has set up three roadmaps for West Papua.

(a) ULMWP issue with MSG to become a full member.

(b) Importance of lobbying for Indonesia to allow the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Commissioner to visit West Papua on a fact-finding mission to West Papua.

(c) For the issue of West Papua to reach the UN General Assembly to enable a Resolution to be carried on it and finally

(d) For the Vanuatu Government to furnish the Office of West Papua in Port Vila. Basically the office lacks relevant furniture and equipment to operate as an international office.

While PM Salwai “is holding the MSG spear still” until it is handed over to the Fiji PM, Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka, to host the next MSG Summit, the Special Envoy appealed to the PM to consider supporting ULMWP’s Application to become a full member of MSG or to support the call to suspend or cancel Indonesia’s Associate Membership of MSG.

In addition, the Special Envoy briefed PM Salwai on Mr. Wenda’s lobbying internationally with the West Papua International Committee in England and an increasing number of countries in Europe on reports of continuing alleged human rights abuse on the population of West Papua, and to support ULMWP’s call for the freedom of West Papua.

“It is most unfortunate that for the last 60 years or so, the Dutch who were the former colonisers of West Papua, had been silent on the issues of the Melanesian country,” Mr. Kaloran said.

“However it looks as if the Dutch parliament is opening up and International Parliamentarian for West Papua and ULMWP President, Mr. Wenda, have had the opportunity to meet with a (Dutch) body called Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee.

“Finally Mr. Prime Minister, ULMWP is a child of Vanuatu born at the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs in Port Vila in 2014.

“At the time when Mr. Joe Natuman was Prime Minister, he spent approximately Vt15 million to fund the arrival and formation of the ULMWP represented by different warring factions from within West Papua, on behalf of our Malvatumauri National Council of chiefs.

“ULMWP was born and Vanuatu achieved a historic milestone no one had believed possible because the warring factions ceased their differences and became united under the ULMWP umbrella.”

Facebook Twitter Email Print

Security forces block Papua Annexation Day rally in Manokwari

Posted on by
Reply

Suara Papua – May 1, 2024

Jayapura — Eight civil society organisations from the Papuan People’s Front (FRP) held a peaceful demonstration on Jalan Gunung Fanindi in Manokwari, West Papua province, on Wednesday to commemorate 61 years since the annexation of the Papuan nation (May 1, 1963 to May 1, 2024).

The eight movement organisations that that make up the FRP are the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), the Papua Student and Youth National Front (FNMPP), West Papua Youth and Student National Solidarity (SONAMAPA), the Papuan People’s Struggle Movement (GPRP) and the West Papua Independent Student Forum (FIM-WP), along with other student and Papuan people’s groups.

The demonstration was held at three points, the first being in front of the Mansinam student dormitory, the second in front of the Amban Village head’s office and the third in front of the Papua Manokwari University campus entrance.

The peaceful actions to commemorate Annexation Day, which the Indonesian government calls integration day, took up the theme “Give the right of self-determination to the Papuan nation and the military emergency in the land of Papua”.

field coordinator Lotty Selak said the action commemorating the annexation of Papua into the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia

(NKRI) was to include a long-march to the West Papua Regional House of Representatives (DPR) offices.

The action began at 7.25 am when protesters moved out carrying protest materials such as pamphlets, megaphones, speakers, rafiah ropes to keep the demonstrators together and KNPB flags. Following this, they began moving to the individual gathering points.

“The protesters at the gathering point in front of the Mansinam student dormitory began to move off towards the location of the action accompanied by yells of ‘We are not the red-and-white’, ‘Indonesia is killing-killing the people’ and speeches while marching”, explained Selak.

Selak said that at 8.25 am a police car, two water cannon, a patrol car and a truck carrying police personnel took up a position to block the protesters at the Manokwari Makalo Monument.

At 9.15 am, before they had a chance to negotiate with police, the protesters were confronted by a water cannon in the middle of the road.

At 9.20 am protesters from the gathering point in front of the Amban Village head’s office arrived and joined the demonstrators in front of the Mansinam student dormitory at the Makalo Monument.

At 9.43 pm the demonstrators advanced by around five metres but security personnel block them again.

“The security forces did not allow the long-march to the West Papua DPRD offices. The demonstrators were asked to express their aspirations by using transportation provided by the security forces to go to the West Papua DPRD. Negotiations stalled, so the demonstrators sat down in the middle of the road”, he explained.

“At 11.04 am the security forces brought a DPRD representative. At 12.05 pm we were directed to deliver political speeches from each organisation. At the end of the political speeches a statement was read out”.

In the statement they said that the claims made by the Indonesian government about the status of the land of Papua as an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia are invalid, because they did not have authentic, real and true historical evidence, and that since December 1, 1961, the West Papuan nation have had genuine sovereignty as an independent nation that is equal to other nations on earth.

The West Papuan people firmly reject the results of the 1969 Pepera (the UN sponsored referendum on West Papua’s integration into Indonesia) because it was carried out on the basis of the New York Agreement that was legally and morally flawed and was conducted in an atmosphere of oppression beyond the limits of humanity.

The Papuan nation has the right to determine a future that is independent politically, legally and economically. West Papua is currently an emergency military zone, and therefore military operations must be halted immediately. May 1 is International Labour Day, so the Papuan nation supports the struggle of workers in Indonesia and the entire world.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Aksi Hari Aneksasi di Manokwari Dihadang Aparat, Pernyataan Dibacakan di Jalan”.]

































































Puncak Jaya’s glaciers shrank to 0.23 square kilometers by 2022: BMKG 

Posted on by
Reply

April 18, 2024 18:03 GMT+700 Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) – Central Papua’s Puncak Jaya has lost most of its glaciers, whose thickness had been recorded at only 0.23 square kilometers by April 2022, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

“The probable cause is the 2022-2023 El Nino phenomenon,” BMKG’s research and development department coordinator, Donaldi Permana, stated at a webinar on the 74th World Meteorology Day observed here on Thursday.

Permana remarked that the agency conducted a long-term observation of the glacier coverage in Indonesia’s highest peak from 2009 to 2023.

The agency found the snow thickness, which by December 2022 was recorded at six meters, had reduced to two meters on December 2023. Meanwhile, the average reduction in ice area from 2016 to 2022 was recorded at 0.07 kilometers annually.

Permana pointed out that climate change-induced global warming was the primary cause of the gradual disappearance of Indonesia’s only eternal snow.

The department chief stated that by 1850, Puncak Jaya’s snow coverage was 19 square kilometers. However, by 2020, the ice cap shrank to an estimated 0.34 square kilometers.

He said that such glacial thinning had not solely occurred in Puncak Jaya, as glaciers in other mountains in tropical regions, such as Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Quelccaya in Peru, and Naimona’nyi in Tibet, China, had also been affected by climate change.

The climate change made 2023 the hottest year recorded, and the average global temperature in 2014-2023 had increased by 1.20 plus-minus 0.12 degrees Celsius, Permana remarked.

The department head accentuated the need to reduce carbon emissions through mitigation and adaptive measures to reduce climate change effects and ensure the longevity of ice caps in tropical areas, such as Puncak Jaya.

Planting more trees, reducing plastic use, and using green energy will be simple steps to mitigate climate change, Permana stressed.

“If not mitigated or reduced, carbon dioxide will stay in the atmosphere, and even after 100 years, the concentration will remain at 33 percent,” he stated. 

Police arrest Russian tourist taking photos in Enarotali

Posted on by
Reply

Cases, Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 9 April 2024 

A Russian tourist, Mr Shmatov Ivan Aleksandrovich, was arbitrarily arrested by Indonesian security forces in the town of Enarotali, Paniai Timur District, Papua Tangah Province, on 11 March 2024 (see photo, source: Suara Papua). The arrest occurred while Ivan was photographing community activities at a local market. Local informants confirmed that Mr. Aleksandrovich visited the town as a tourist to document the cultural activities of the Mee tribe. Indonesian soldiers conducted the arrest because they suspected him of being a foreign journalist. Mr Aleksandrovich was detained and questioned for several hours before being released.

On 11 March 2024, at approximately 12:00 pm, Indonesian security forces apprehended Mr Aleksandrovich at the traditional market in Enarotali. The arrest followed reports of Ivan taking photographs at the market, prompting authorities to detain him for questioning. Thereupon, Mr Aleksandrovich was taken to the Paniai Police Station, where members of the police Intelkam Unit interviewed him. During the interrogation, he disclosed that he had traveled from Nabire to Paniai to capture images of the indigenous people’s way of life. Despite having a valid passport and visa, police officers claimed Mr Aleksandrovich did not possess a travel document from the Directorate of Intelkam of the Papua Regional Police (‘Surat Jalan’), permitting him to visit the area.

Lieutenant Dwi S, Legal Officer of Task Force Yonif 527/BY, responded to Mr Aleksandrovich’s arrest, stating, “Our members never secured the tourist. The tourist was secured and taken by the police to the nearest police station.” He refuted claims that Mr Aleksandrovich was detained and interrogated by military personnel, emphasizing that the police were responsible for handling the situation.

The arrest raises significant concerns regarding freedom of movement and ongoing reports of arbitrary detention in West Papua. The case highlights the restrictions individuals, particularly foreigners, face when visiting the region. The incident underscores broader issues related to the ongoing armed conflict and the human rights crisis in West Papua, which remains isolated from access by foreign journalists.

Background

The Indonesian government restricts access to West Papua for foreign journalists and international observers. Indonesian government agencies hinder foreign journalists from conducting media coverage in West Papua. Authorities use various repressive strategies against foreign journalists, including intimidation, bureaucratic obstruction, and physical attacks, to prevent journalists from covering politically sensitive events. This picture contradicts  President Joko Widodo’s statement on 10 May 2015 that West Papua would be open to foreign journalists. President Joko Widodo reiterated the opening of West Papua during his official speech on Indonesia’s Independence Day on 14 August 2015.

Jokowi’s ambitious statements were never put into practice. The Indonesian government requires foreign journalists to fulfill a large number of requirements. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs supervises the so-called clearing house process. The requirements included detailed information on persons to be interviewed, time schedules, and locations. Moreover, government agencies clarified that reporting on human rights-related or political issues in West Papua was prohibited.

President Joko Widodo’s statement was never followed up with a presidential instruction, which may be a major reason for the ongoing confusion regarding its implementation. Contradictory information given by multiple state representatives and security force commanders indicates a lack of coherent and unified government policy to repeal restrictions on foreign media access to West Papua. 

However, on the 17th June 2015, the general director of information in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Esti Andayani, said during an interview with Radio New Zealand that the government had abolished the clearing house system without providing any clear information on the new procedures which had replaced the former control mechanism. She further stated that foreign journalists would still be screened with regard to the fulfillment of visa requirements. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that all foreigners, including foreign correspondents, would still need a permission letter (‘Surat Jalan’) from the police intelligence unit if they intend to travel to West Papua. 

Possible changes in bureaucratic procedure have little impact on the situation in the field, as the arrest of Mr Aleksandrovich illustrates. If foreign journalists receive permission to cover West Papua, they still face obstructions by local government agencies and strict surveillance by the local police and intelligence. Persons interviewed by foreign journalists are at risk of being interrogated, arrested, and prosecuted, particularly if journalistic coverage includes political and human rights-related issues.

————————————————————

Investment Minister Lahadalia reported for bribery, extortion over mining permits

Posted on by
Reply

CNN Indonesia – March 19, 2024

Jakarta — The Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) reported Minister of Investment and head of the Investment Coordinating Agency (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) today, Tuesday March 19.

The report is related to the decision to revoke mining permits by Lahadalia that was allegedly ridden with corrupt practices, namely benefiting himself, certain groups and others, and allegedly harming the country’s economy.

“This report is important in order to reveal what patterns are used by state officials, especially Minister Bahlil in relation to the process of revoking permits that have attracted a polemic”, said JATAM Coordinator Melky Nahar at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Lahadalia was reported for allegedly receiving gratifications, bribes and committing extortion related to revoking and reissuing mining permits in Indonesia.

Lahadalia has been given the authority and a mandate to do this by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo since 2021.

Widodo issued Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 11/2021 on the Investment Acceleration Task Force in which Lahadalia was appointed as the head of the task force to ensure investment realisation and resolve licensing issues as well as tracking down unproductive mining and plantations permits.

In 2022, President Widodo signed Presidential Decree Number 1/2022 on the Land Use and Investment Arrangement Task Force.

Through this decree, Lahadalia was given the power to revoke mining permits, land use rights and forest area concessions, and made it possible to facilitate social organisations, cooperatives and the like to obtain land or concessions.

The climax of this, said Nahar, was in October 2023 when then President Widodo issued Presidential Regulation Number 70/2023 on Land Allocation for Investment Arrangements.

Through this regulation, Lahadalia was given the authority to revoke mining permits, plantation and forest area concessions and could give land use permits to ormas (social or mass organisations), cooperatives and so on.

“JATAM suspects that President Jokowi’s move, which give great authority to Bahlil such that he had the power to revoke thousands of mining permits that was actually full of corruption. The indications of corruption are strengthened by allegations that Minister Bahlil fixed the tariffs or fees for a number of companies that wanted their permits restored”, said Nahar.

JATAM is asking the KPK to follow up on the report of alleged corruption involving Lahadalia.

“JATAM hopes and is urging the KPK to work quickly after this report has been made to connect the facts that have already been revealed to the public so that we can see the whole picture of the puzzle, so that we can see how depraved the alleged corruption was that happened, following this just who the parties were that gained benefits” he said.

KPK Deputy Chairperson Alexander Marwata has ordered the KPK Social Complaints Team (Dumas) to follow up on the report.

“The leadership has asked the Dumas to review the information which has been conveyed by the public”, said Marwata when sought for confirmation via a written message.

Lahadalia meanwhile has declined to respond to the report submitted by JATAM. “I don’t know, I don’t know [about it] yet”, Lahadalia said after making a complaint with the national police Criminal Investigations Directorate. (ryn/fra)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “JATAM Laporkan Bahlil Lahadalia ke KPK”.]

Source:

https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20240319190659-12-1076318/jatam-laporkan-bahlil-lahadalia-ke-kpk

—————————————————————

Minister launches 500,000 hectares of farming land in S Papua 

Posted on by
Reply

April 16, 2024 20:20 GMT+700 Jakarta (ANTARA) – Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman and the South Papua provincial government launched 500 thousand hectares of rice fields in the region to increase agricultural production, both regionally and nationally.

“We once launched 10 thousand hectares of rice fields and now, the production has reached six tons per hectare, so it is successful,” Sulaiman said during a working visit to Merauke district here on Tuesday.

According to him, the newly launched 500 thousand hectares of agricultural land is part of the one million hectare target. “We want to make a future granary,” he said.

During the visit, he launched new farming fields developed from untapped land in South Papua.

The activity was carried out on the first day of work after the long Eid holiday. He asked local governments and farmers to utilize the farming land.

“This existing land is ready and very good, and its potential is extraordinary,” he said.

The agriculture potential in South Papua is very large in meeting domestic needs in eastern Indonesia, he added.

Sulaiman informed that currently, almost all countries in the world are experiencing long El Nino, which has led to a decline in food production.

“Here the potential is amazing and the water is abundant. Now, we make this our strength for the harvest,” he said.

Meanwhile, Merauke district head Romanus Mbaraka said that his district is known as a facade for trade and transportation in Eastern Indonesia, the Pacific, and the Melanesian sub-region.

Merauke in South Papua alone has potential agricultural land spanning 1.2 million hectares.

“South Papua province consists of four districts, 74 districts, 13 urban villages, and 674 villages. Merauke, with a total area of 127,280.69 square kilometers (and) has a population of 243,722,” Mbaraka added.

Vanuatu Daily Post Exclusive: Indonesian Gov’t says West Papua has never been colonised, reveals an increase in Indonesia-Vanuatu trade since 2022

Posted on by
Reply

By Doddy Morris 

The Vanuatu Daily Post Newspaper has criticised Indonesia for its contradictory stance on human rights issues, particularly supporting human rights activities in Gaza while overlooking the controversial ongoing situation in West Papua.

Indonesia had often condemned the violence and called for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Indonesian Government has also provided humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

During an exclusive interview by the Vanuatu Daily Post News Coordinator, Mavuku Tokona, with a delegation from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra, led by the Ambassador of Indonesia to Vanuatu, Dr Siswo Pramono, the Vanuatu Daily Post labelled Indonesia’s stand as hypocritical.

The Indonesian government’s response to these accusations sparked further discussion about the complication of international relations and human rights advocacy and their issue with West Papua, saying West Papua has never been colonised.

But Ambassador Pramono said labelling them hypocrites is not useful, as he outlines details on both sides of their conflict with West Papua.

“You called me a hypocrite, but I called you misinformed. It’s not useful to accuse somebody like that; we have a report from the University of Gadjah Mada that mentions every detail of casualties on both sides of the conflict,” he said.

“Data is very important because I don’t want to speculate on things. It’s a 2022 study by the University of Gadjah Mada revealing that the majority of the violence in Papua was carried out by criminal armed groups between 2010 and 2022.”

According to Dr Pramono, during a 12-year span from 2010 to 2022, 127 civilians, 61 military personnel, and 27 police of Indonesia were allegedly killed by the West Papua criminal armed group, and 104 civilians, 80 military personnel, and 46 police have been injured. On the other hand, 43 criminal armed group members from West Papua were killed, and 14 were injured.

He said the criminal armed group also committed violence against the local population, construction workers building bridges in Papua, and foreigners, such as the kidnapping of a pilot, (Philip Mehrtens).

Mr. Mehrtens, a Susi Air pilot, was abducted by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in February 2023 after landing in the remote region of Nduga. The rebel group has vowed not to release the pilot until Indonesia grants independence to its Papua provinces.

Ambassador Pramono added that according to the University of Gadjah Mada report, six schools, two elementary schools, and two high schools have also been destroyed by the rebels, along with their local district registry office and 33 civilian houses and teachers’ compound.

“This is all on record. So you cannot simply say there is no violence because there is violence, and the armed group is very active. You cannot imagine sending a journalist to a region like that,” said Dr Pramono.

“In any conflict region, normally the authority is going to impose some limitations, not only in Indonesia but everywhere, so the human rights situation — this is the reality. However, we rebuild what has been destroyed, and we replace the teachers who have been displaced or killed with new ones.”

The Vanuatu Daily Post also asked other related questions about the issue of West Papua, to which the Indonesian delegation led by Ambassador Pramonoresponded. These questions and responses are shared with our readers here:

Vanuatu has been very vocal about the West Papua conflict. What impact, if any, does this have on trade relations between Port Vila and Jakarta?

The trade relationship is good. Numbers speak for themselves, and you can verify them on the Internet. I won’t deceive you. Over the last two years, trade between Vanuatu and Indonesia has increased from U.S. 5.7 million dollars in 2022 to 8.7 million U.S. dollars in 2023.

So, in terms of trade, things are improving between the two countries. This is democracy. We respect your opinions, and you should respect ours. However, the reality is that business is thriving between our nations.

Due to Indonesia’s presence in West Papua, European countries have imposed bans on Indonesian products. Since Vanuatu has not followed suit, does this imply that Port Vila cannot afford to lose Jakarta as a trade partner?

I haven’t heard about European countries imposing a ban because of the Papuan issue. You should provide evidence for such claims. As far as I know, there is no ban on Indonesian products due to West Papua, perhaps on palm oil, but that’s unrelated to West Papua.

In fact, European countries are increasingly investing in Papua. Petroleum is a major industry with substantial European investment, and foreign investment in Papua is rising by 30%, including from Australia.

Why is Indonesia offering aid to Vanuatu, and why?

There are several reasons. Firstly, we aim for a more stable region because we are part of the Pacific. Stability in the region is crucial, which is why we engage not only with Vanuatu but also with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) as a whole and other Pacific nations.

Secondly, we believe in globalisation. It’s apparent that no one is isolated anymore; everyone is connected. If there’s an economic crisis in one place, it will affect other areas. Therefore, ensuring economic stability in the Pacific is vital. We refer to this as Pacific elevation – enhancing stability and economic well-being in the region.

In terms of development cooperation, we extend support to the Pacific. Firstly, to the MSG, and secondly, to independent countries like Vanuatu.

We offer a grant of 13 million U.S. dollars to the MSG and also provide voluntary contributions totalling about 100,000 U.S. dollars, all in aid of regional stability.

Indonesia also makes an annual contribution to the MSG, approximately 217,000 U.S. dollars since becoming associate members. Additionally, we’ve supplied two operational vehicles, both manufactured in Indonesia and known as Indonesian Toyotas, contributing to our positive relations with the MSG.

Moreover, we’ve provided humanitarian assistance amounting to 20,800 U.S. dollars and invested about two million U.S. dollars in renovating the VIP lounge at the Port Vila International Airport.

Does Indonesia support West Papua’s efforts to become a full member of the MSG?

When discussing West Papua and other Melanesian provinces in Indonesia, it’s important to distinguish between West Papua and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). If we’re talking about West Papua and other Melanesian provinces within Indonesia, we’re already members of the MSG. West Papua and Maluku are among the nine Indonesian provinces home to around 13 million Melanesians, making them already part of the MSG.

Vanuatu believes Indonesia was responsible for the massive cyber-attack that crippled the government’s Internet for four months in 2022 and caused significant disruption. Was Indonesia responsible for this?

No, Indonesia is not responsible for that. In fact, both Indonesia and Vanuatu have suffered greatly from cyber-attacks. In 2023 alone, Indonesia faced 361,000,000 cyber-attacks, severely impacting our economy.

One of the founding fathers of Vanuatu’s Independence, Father Walter Lini, made a statement that resonates through every generation, suggesting that if one Melanesian country is not free from another, then none of us are truly free. This statement is often related to West Papua and Indonesia, particularly concerning the efforts of ULMWP. What are your thoughts on this comment?

Given our commitment to decolonisation, it’s important to note that West Papua has never been on the United Nations (UN) Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24), which means West Papua is not colonised.

While Fr. Walter Lini’s sentiment may hold merit, it’s essential to understand that his comment does not apply to Papua, as it has been part of Indonesia’s decolonisation process. Papua’s integration into Indonesia was in accordance with international law at the time.

Considering that we were all once colonised by the Dutch, from Aceh to Papua, we inherited the colonial legacy upon gaining independence, adhering to the principle of ‘uti possidetis juris’ (as you possess under law).

This principle is observed in various regions worldwide, including Africa and Latin America. Hence, when discussing West Papua in the context of Walter Lini’s vision, it’s important to recognise this historical context.

While Indonesia may not be directly involved in this issue, we believe in supporting any Pacific country or region that requires decolonisation, particularly those within the C-24 framework of the UN system.

As members of the UN Charter, both Indonesia and Vanuatu are committed to upholding the principles of a rule-based order.

————————————————–

A prayer for democratic revival in Indonesia

Posted on by
Reply

President Jokowi kick-off the implementation of recommendations for non-judicial settlement of 12 cases of gross human rights violations in the past, at Rumoh Geudong, one of the former Tactical and Strategic Unit Posts (Pos Sattis) in Sector A-Pidie during the implementation of the Military Operations Area ( DOM) in Aceh (1989-1998), located in Gampong Bili Aron, Glumpang Tiga District, Tuesday, 27 June 2023.

The quick count of Indonesia’s recent elections indicates the winner is previously disgraced Prabowo. Accusations abound of voting fraud, vote buying, court-rigging, and corruption within the electoral commission, and many friends are despairing of Indonesia’s retreating democracy. I share that concern, but I can see a potential different interpretation of the facts. My prayer, and an exerted effort by political parties and civil society, Indonesia can revive its democracy in regional elections next November.

Pearls and Irritations published Duncan Graham’s “Indifference Killing Democracy in Indonesia” on 11 March, 2024. He presented well-documented sins of Prabowo under President Soeharto. But after Soeharto was forced to resign, Prabowo exiled himself to Jordon. He returned twenty years ago, declaring to be a different person because it was a different era.

Prabowo

In 2008 Prabowo formed Gerindra, his own political party. And in 2009, Megawati accepted this ally of the hated Soeharto as her running mate for the 2009 Presidential elections. They lost.

In 2014 and 2019 he campaigned dirty against Jokowi. After losing a second time, Jokowi appointed him as Minister for Defence. Thus both Megawati and Jokowi had accepted a changed Prabowo.

After a year working for Jokowi, Prabowo confessed that Jokowi was a better leader. Then in 2023 Jokowi supported Prabowo for Presidency in 2024, and it seems Prabowo has won.

On Monday 4 March 2024, less than three weeks after the election, Prabowo declared that Indonesia’s democracy has “a lot of room for improvement”, which he described as “vibrant and resilient”, though he said that democracy is “really very, very tiring; democracy is very, very messy” and “we are still not satisfied with our democracy.” Face value, Prabowo was saying he is pro-democracy but not pro Indonesia’s current democracy.

Prabowo has been supported up to now by his younger brother, businessman Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who has just now been reported as being bankrupt. Will Prabowo now revert to his military style, or to Soeharto’s kleptocracy, to save his brother that helped him get to the top? Or will he act like a convert, and un-mess Indonesia’s democracy?

Jokowi

Had Jokowi been practicing democracy for so long, and now leave such a trail undoing Indonesia’s democracy? Maybe he never was pro-democracy, maybe adept as manager and marketeer where his achievements seemed democratic. But maybe he believes his actions are to democratise Indonesia’s form of democracy?

In his first term he refused to appoint politicians to his cabinet. He avoided parliament (DPR). But in 2016, DPR supported his bill for simultaneous elections of regional leaders after Presidential elections in 2024. Was he laying the foundation for profound change?

Then big news after Jokowi was re-elected in 2019 was his ministerial appointment of Prabowo, his acrimonious rival.

Jokowi has been duplicitous concerning the 2004 undemocratic National System of Development Planning Law (UU SPPN), that requires a long-term development plan every twenty years and five-year development plans drafted before elections, only edited by incoming leaders and valid without amendment for five years. Jokowi’s 2019 five-year plan was 2279 pages long. Jokowi did not make any effort to change this problematic planning system, but he paid little attention to it.

And in 2019, Jokowi produced a vision for Indonesia by 2045, to be the basis for long-term planning in 2025. But he has retained UU SPPN, and demands long-term plans to be prepared in 2024.

The only scenario I can see for maintaining the planning law that Jokowi disdains, is that it is a lever over parties for the regional elections in November for the 550 positions of Governor, Regent and Mayor, to be elected by popular vote. Maybe Jokowi is attempting to reform local democracy.

Parties, all undemocratic, are under pressure in three ways. With too many elections and too many candidates, national party committees and party patrons cannot hold the reigns. They must delegate to their provincial branches.

Campaigns will be based on carefully overseen long term plans for 2025-2045, based on Jokowi’s Indonesia Emas 2045. No more room for candidates to campaign beyond their authority, and candidates mut look to the long term.

And economic outlooks must include collaboration to embrace connectivity within markets. From 2025, Jokowi is demanding decentralise governance of the economy. Political parties within provinces need to prepare collaborative campaigns, not just campaigns between local elites.

In 2019 Jokowi surrounded Prabowo with people who could monitor his faithfulness. Yes, Jokowi seems to be creating a dynasty. Maybe also keeping a watch over Prabowo, like he did in 2019. Could that very same brother-in-law in the constitutional court who helped create the dynasty, also keep close watch over any attempt to undermine the constitution? Will Jokowi demand he appoints opponents Ganjar and Mahfud or even Ahok as ministers, as he appointed Prabowo back in 2019?

Could he be demanding Prabowo oversee better decentralisation, a focus on SDG 2030, a revision of the Planning Law, and political party law to demand parties to be democratic?

Whether Prabowo returns to his old self, or whether my hope and prayer is answered, political parties can start preparing to change local democracy by being more democratic themselves. And local civil societies can be demanding it.

Consider making a donation to support independent journalism

Pearls and Irritations relies totally on donations from its readers. We are independent and we don’t accept financial support from governments, their agencies or vested interests such as fossil fuel and arms manufacturing companies. We do not accept advertising, nor do we have a paywall.

Please consider a donation to help Pearls and Irritations extend its voice and reach.

Owen Podger

Owen Podger is an Australian living in Indonesia. Since March 1998 when Soeharto was elected for the final time, he has concentrated on assisting Indonesian reforms , mainly in two areas: (1) policies to improve performance of government in Indonesia’s new democratic and decentralised system, and (2) sustainable urbanisation considering climate change and disasters.

The Australia West Papua Association condemns the brutal torture of a West Papuan man by Indonesian troops in Yahukimo.

Posted on by
Reply

A video of the  torture is circulating on social media. The video shows soldiers brutally beating a man as he stands in a barrel of water and slashing him with a knife.

Joe Collins of AWPA said , “one can only imagine the fear and terror the Papuan man must feel at this brutal torture being inflicted on him”.

Gustaf R. Kawer, chair of PAHAM Papua, (The Human Rights Lawyers Association)  said they have  tried to carry out a brief investigation and suspect that this torture incident was carried out by Non-Organic Troops from Kodam III/Siliwangi, Yonif Raider Unit 300/Brajawijaya, against civilians around Puncak or Puncak Jaya Regency (Mulia, Ilaga, Sinak, etc.).

PAHAM Papua is calling on Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission (and the TNI Commander) to immediately carry out a thorough investigation and take the perpetrators to court.

Benny Wenda has also condemned the torture stating 

“I am truly horrified by the video that has emerged from Yahukimo of Indonesian soldiers torturing a West Papuan man. More than anything, the sadistic brutality on display shows how urgently West Papua needs a UN Human Rights visit”. 

The video (with the warning : graphic, violent content ) is on the ULMWP webpage at 

https://www.ulmwp.org/president-wenda-a-crime-against-humanity-has-been-committed-in-yahukimo


Joe Collins said, “as more information comes to light about the incident , AWPA  will be writing to the Australian Foreign Minister  Penny Wong  not only about this incident but about the deteriorating human rights situation in the territory”. 

Ends.
——————————

Image from FB

————————-
PAHAM Papua media release (Translated) (posted on AWPA FB page)

Commanders and perpetrators of torture against civilians MUST be prosecuted and dismissed from the unit.

Good morning fellow Papuan media and activists, observing the video of very sadistic torture carried out by TNI officers in Papua which is circulating quite widely on online media, it is very important for us to work together to urge the perpetrators to be prosecuted, including the commander of this unit.

We have tried to carry out a brief investigation, while it is suspected that this torture incident was carried out by Non-Organic Troops from Kodam III/Siliwangi, Yonif Raider Unit 300/Brajawijaya, against civilians around Puncak or Puncak Jaya Regency (Mulia, Ilaga, Sinak, etc.).

This act of torture against one of the civilians was very sadistic, carried out by TNI officers without prioritizing the principle of presumption of innocence. If the person concerned was suspected of committing a criminal act/was involved in the TPN PB organization, TNI in sufficient numbers was accompanied by complete military equipment and faced with A mere civilian, helpless, does not deserve to be subjected to cruel acts of sadistic torture as circulated in the video. According to regulations, the TNI handed over suspected criminals to the police for legal proceedings before the court and the court determined the person guilty based on the facts of the trial.

The actions of the TNI officers constitute an act of extrajudicial torture, a thorough investigation needs to be carried out and if it is discovered that the victim has died, then the actions of the officers can be categorized as extrajudicial killing.

We from PAHAM Papua urge the Republic of Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission and the TNI Commander to immediately carry out a thorough investigation and take the perpetrators to court until they receive the maximum verdict, including being fired from the unit.

That’s our press release.

Best regards,

Gustaf R. Pawer

Chairman

 ——————-