2) FOR THE SAKE OF PALM OIL, BRIMOB ALLEGEDLY PERSECUTED CUSTOMARY LAND OWNER
3) Australia and Indonesia: are we there yet?
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1) PAPUA DECEMBER 1ST MARKED WITH DOZENS OF ARREST
Dec 04, 2017
Dozens of KNPB members and sympathizers arrested and taken to Merauke Police – Jubi / Frans L Kobun
Nabire, Jubi – Anniversary of West Papua 1st December day of Independence Manifesto marked with arbitrary arrest in Nabire, Merauke, Salatiga and Ternate.
In Nabire Regency, Papua Province, police arrested three members of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Nabire. They were arrested by Nabire Police Resort on Friday (December 1st) at 07:56 am Papua time.
Yohanes Kogopa, a member of KNPB told Jubi during a press conference at KNPB Nabire secretariat. He said the three KNPB members were Melcisedek Yeimo, Kris Mote, and Yulianus Boma.
“The Police came to our secretariat at around 7:00 am when I still asleep. I was very surprised,” he said on Friday (December 1st). He also said there were about four gun shots heard. “When I was awake and dribbled for the third shot, I ran to the back of the secretariat,” he said.
Several police personnel also smashed some part of the secretariat, which resulted of several broken glass, broken front doors, broken boards, and a blackboard hollowed out. “The three of our member were then forcibly arrested,” he said.
While arresting their members, their motorcycle was also taken by the police. “But it’s not our motorcycle, it’s owned by our neighbor,” he said.
Up until 17:15 PM when the press conference took place, the three are still detained in Nabire resort police.
Alex Pigai, one of Nabire’s KNPB administrators, added that KNPB demands their friends held in Porles Nabire to be released immediately.
“There are many incidents such as this, and the police are constantly intimidating us,” he said.
Another KNPB member, Anton Gobai, also said that the pattern of arrest is similar as happened few times. “This time, they (the police) were not only arrested our friends but also took bananas, cassava, ginger, and sugar cane that were ours. They took those to the police car,” he said.
When Jubi contacted the Nabire resort police to ask for confirmation and comment, there was no response until the news was released.
Arrested in Merauke
Earlier in Merauke, dozens of KNPB members and sympathizers were arrested by Merauke. A total of 20 people of KNPB supporters were arrested on Thursday (November 30) night. It is said that they plan to be discharged on Friday afternoon.
“The KNPB sympathizers were secured in one of the houses around Jalan Cikombong, Kamundu Village overnight at around 24.00 WIT,” said the Head of Merauke Police Station, Police Commissioner (Kompol) Marthen Koagouw, to Jubi on Friday (December 1st).
Marthen said they were held a discussion as well as planning an action of December 1st on Friday. He said the police did not know for sure what the discussion was about. When the police came, the discussion has stopped. “But obviously there is a plan to take action December 1,” said Marthen.
It is noted that in order to monitor the anniversary of December 1 in Papua, Merauke police held patrols in three places in 2017. They were also monitor KNPB activists and sympathizers activities. The three places are Jalan Bupul, Jalan Domba and Jalan Cokombong.
“We did not find people gathering and doing various activities,” he said.
Merauke Police Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner (AKB) Bahara Marpaung said the situation is safe and conducive. “Indeed a number of people were secured last night, because they gathered to talk about something. But we immediately secured and taken them the Merauke police station,” said Bahara.
After some inspection they will be returned, he said. “Last night they stayed at Merauke Resort Police Station. But today (December 1) they will be taken back to their homes by car,” he said.
Police took 30 students in Salatiga
Papua Student Alliance (AMP) activists in Salatiga City, Central Java, were also arrested by the police, just before dawn of the December 1 celebration.
“Initially we celebrated December 1st on November 30, 2017 at midnight, which is also the night entered December 1, 2017,” said Leadership Alliance of Papua Students of Semarang and Salatiga, Jackson Gwijangge, in a press release, Saturday (December 2).
He explained that the arrest occurred when Salatiga AMP activist wearing customary clothes and Morning star ornamental on his face made a pose with West Papua Independence Day’s Cake to celebrate the event. “The activity was recorded and uploaded with video photos to social media,” Jackson said.
Following the morning, December 1, 2017 at 02.00 pm they AMP held a worship celebrating the day of political manifesto of the people of Papua.
During the service, TNI and Police officers surrounded their dormitory and intimidated the students who were worshiping.
At that time the police officer asked Yance Murib, but not answered by students who were doing worship. “Then the police officer took us to police station for interrogation,” said Jackson.
It was said that police interrogated Tommy Meage, Magel Kobal and Yance Murib because they were the students’ negotiator to the police. However, they still at the police station until 5 pm with no news.
“There were 30 people in the Polres yard and the three negotiators were still being interrogated in the room related to photos, video clips with Morning Star ornament updated through social media,” he said.
The 1st December has been a historical moment for West Papuan to be celebrated. It was on 1st December 1961 the independence political manifesto and morning star flag first being raised. Indonesia government are oppsed any celebration of that historical moment, and morning star flag are banned.(tabloidjubi.com/Zely)
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2) FOR THE SAKE OF PALM OIL, BRIMOB ALLEGEDLY PERSECUTED CUSTOMARY LAND OWNER
Dec 04, 2017
Yan Ever Mengge, an alledged victim of violence in Puragi Village, South Sorong, West Papua Province – IST
Jayapura, Jubi – Three Brimob personnel in West Papua Police allegedly mistreated civilians, Yan Ever Mengge, in Puragi Village, Metamani District, South Sorong Regency, on October 23, 2017, while held a vigil at PT Permata Putera Mandiri (PPM) palm plantation area, a subsidiary of ANJ Group.
According to a Press release by civil society organizations received by Jubi per e-mail in Jayapura on Monday (November 20), the man is one of the three members who were hit at the back with a rifle butt.
The apparatus also uses boots and hands, kicking the ribs and belly of the victim, head and knee, made the victim unable to walk. His whole body was bruised, vomiting blood, dizzy and unable to sleep.
“Currently Bowake (the nickname of victim) survive suffer from pain, trauma and have not received justice or recovery for the suffering they and their families suffered,” said Simon Soren of the Iwaro Student Youth and Student Association, who are members of Solidarity for Victims of Violence and Indigenous Peoples of Iwaro through their press release.
Mentioned in the statement, violence against indigenous Papuans by elements of the TNI-Polri in securing the area of plantation business, mining, logging and other natural resources utilization efforts in Papua often occurs.
Violence against Iwaro tribal peoples in Puragi has been repeated throughout 2017.
“This incident occurred since Iwaro tribe in Puragi and the surrounding kampong, perform “customary barriers “on their customary land, forest and food hamlets, dismantled, evicted and eliminated by PT. PPM, without deliberation and approval of land owners,” he said.
In 2015, he continues, four locals – landowners were imprisoned after the demonstrations and protested to demand their rights which the company seized.
On that basis, the solidarity from 14 representatives denounced the brutal actions of the authorities.
“We ask the West Papua Provincial Government and South Sorong Regency, and West Papua Police Chief, to take immediate action. To investigate Brimob officers who are on duty at the location of plantation business, inspect and punish the perpetrators who are involved in such acts of violence, “said Franky Samperante, from the PUSAKA Foundation in Jakarta.
Solidarity also calls for a security, intimidation and violence approach to civil society to be stopped.
Minister of Agriculture, Minister of ATR / BPN, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, West Papua provincial government and South Sorong regency are also required to audit and sanction the activities and permits and business rights of all ANJ Group subsidiaries operating in the area.
The company’s activities are suspected to involve several acts of violence and human rights abuses, as well as the taking off customary lands.
Seven clans garnered PT PPM activities
Since September, seven clans gathered in Puragi, namely the Gue, Atoare, Mengge, Bumere, Kawaine, Oropae 1, and Oropae 2 clans are customary to the activities of PT PPM in Ureko to Nyono.
They accused the company has not completed their obligations regarding the status of land and compensation for losses and loss of community life. The company is also considered to be non-transparent in discussing the empowerment program of socio-economic and cultural rights for the community.
Indigenous peoples of seven clans continue to organize corporate activities. This makes the tension between society and the company. The company also uses the “services” of Brimob personnel to watch in the company area.
Not infrequently these individuals commit acts of violence, intimidation and threatening citizens.
Violence against indigenous peoples
Beginning in October 2017, Head of Kampong Puragi, Nataniel Oropae together with the community of seven clans of landowners from Puragi, Sorong and Teminabuan (Sorsel) came to the contractor’s office (RPU), Kapiremi Hamlet, at Kilo 3, to demand that the company to pay the losses and land and yield rights of local forests damaged by the company.
It was rains and Nataniel took shelter beside the guard post. He reprimanded a Brimob officer who was at his side.
“Ade, what’s looking for?” Nataniel asked.
Instantly the officer was angry and threatened Nathaniel to hit him.
“Do not hit!” Said Nataiel, until the officer dropped his intention.
In the community dialogue with the company, which was attended by the authorities, there was no payment of customary land according to Gubernatorial Regulation Number 5. They only pay the wood cubic up to 30 up. While rattan, sago, rosin is not paid. People are disappointed and continue to protest.
The landowners in Kapiremi Hamlet, whose land was evicted by PT PPM without deliberations involving the wider community and landowners, Arnold Bumere, in October 2017 protested and posted a ban.
But he was greeted with intimidation. The incident happened in Logpond Jamarema.
A similar event was experienced by Edison Oropae, the owner land in the desert Ureko. He experienced verbal violence.
On October 23, 2017, Yan Ever Mengge met a company operator displacing land and forests in Kapiremi Hamlet. He wanted to inquire about the demands of the community regarding the payment of compensation for lost land and forest products, because, according to the company’s promise, it was realized on October 22, 2017.
Then he requested the company’s activities be stopped. Brimob officers came to the scene and asked the perpetrators. They also pursued Mengge, who is called the perpetrator of ill-treatment.
Unfortunately, the three officers beat and tortured Mengge with a long rifle to his knees. His back, his waist and knees hurt. “Brimob say, this is the day we kill you here. Brimob kicked me like a ball,” the story of Yan Ever Mengge.
He was taken to the company camp to be treated for some time. However, the bones and back of the body are still sick and often vomiting.
West Papua Police Chief Inspector General Pol Alberth Roja when confirmed per cellular on Thursday afternoon (November 23) has not provided clarification.
Jubi tried to send a short message via the cellular number but not yet replied. Similar thing was attempted to the company. But Jubi has not managed to ask for their clarification.(Timo Marten/Zely)
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THE PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMANT DECEMBER 5 2017 - 12:15AM
3) Australia and Indonesia: are we there yet?
The people of these neighbouring nations know surprisingly little about each other.
Jenny Stewart
My neighbour on the plane was an Indonesian, going home to Jakarta, after having spent many years living and working in Australia. "What takes you back?" I enquired. Like most Australians, I tend to assume that anyone from a developing country who gets the chance would prefer to live and work in Australia.
"Job opportunities," he replied. Jakarta was growing fast, and with the skills he had (he was in IT), he thought he could do much better there than in Sydney.
He was no doubt right about that, although, when I got to Jakarta, I wondered how anyone could survive, let alone prosper, in a city with traffic congestion of mind-boggling dimensions and air pollution bad enough to make your eyes water.
It's difficult to get your head around Indonesia. Our two countries differ in almost every conceivable way: in history, religion, population, linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as overall economic development. We cannot ignore each other, yet common ground is difficult to delineate.
The Turnbull government's recent foreign policy white paper sees Indonesia through the lens of China's growing strategic power. Indonesia is billed as an Indo-Pacific democracy with which we will build closer economic and other relations, helping to secure greater balance in the region. Australia, we are reminded, favours open markets and the rule of law, and will continue to push for these good things regionally and internationally.
Foreign policy statements play primarily to a domestic audience, so in a sense it doesn't matter whether the other countries in the drama agree with their Australian-assigned roles. In any case, the real action lies in bilateral relations, which will always be advancing and retreating, largely unheralded, on a range of fronts.
Even so, something seems not quite right. We used to spend a lot of time talking about Indonesia (only Papua New Guinea is closer), but unless something happens to upset or inconvenience us, our near neighbour excites little public interest. I expected to meet many Australians as I travelled around Java; to my surprise, I found almost none. All the Australians, I was told, were on Bali, and most never got beyond Kuta. Other tourists were European, predominantly Dutch. No doubt many had connections going back to the days (over 70 years ago now) when the Netherlands was the resident colonial power. I suspect the lack of interest is reciprocated: most Indonesians I met seemed to know little about Australia. Having established through friendly enquiry that I was Australian, if I said I was from Canberra, people looked a bit puzzled.
Should we be concerned? Australia is a more prosperous and certainly more populous country than it was, yet fewer year 12 students are studying Indonesian than 40 years ago. And that's absolute numbers. While students from Indonesia study in Australia, the numbers are not huge: about 14,000 at all levels, many funded through aid scholarships. Richer Indonesians seeking tertiary education tend to go to the United States.
I was looking forward to catching up with my contact in Jakarta, a former student, who is now a middle-ranking public servant. My friend picked me up the following day in a very smart SUV. It was late in the morning so we were able to make our way very slowly to see some of the city.
I complimented her on her car. She used to take the bus to work, she explained, but the service was unreliable and she found the experience of being squashed up with mostly male passengers unpleasant. She does not wear the hijab, which I suppose didn't help. Her daily commute from her suburban flat to the CBD and home again was about seven hours. "You could ride a motorbike," I suggested. For every SUV clogging the inadequate road system, there were at least two motorbikes, whose drivers (mostly male but some women, too) zapped in, out and around the traffic. "It's not safe," she said. I could see her point. Although the car drivers did not exactly follow the rules, the motorbike riders were even worse. Indeed, they were banned from some parts of the city.
It's not easy, living in a city of 10 million people, on an island of 140 million, in a country with 260 million. You must live and let live. Middle-class drivers may decry the army of motorbikes, but it's difficult to see how Jakartans could get around at all without them. There are several motorbike-based ride-sharing services, each with its own app. And when you want to drive out of a car park or side street into a main road clogged with traffic, a chap called (in Bahasa) a "Pak Ogah" will appear to help you out. The Pak Ogah walks into the middle of the traffic, holds up his hand, the cars stop and, as you exit, you push a small sum into his palm. Not everyone pays – there are always free riders – but enough to make it worthwhile.
I'm unsure we have the right mindset to deal with Indonesia's complex, contradictory society.
My friend had done quite well so far. I wondered, though, how she would fare in the future. It's definitely not easy being a woman and trying to pursue a career. Girls go to school but, particularly in Java's more traditional areas, are then expected to marry, have children and stay home to look after them. Indonesia's mostly moderate, but conservative, form of Islam is unhelpful for women's equality.
There is certainly a strong-arm element in the Indonesian character. But perhaps this is understandable. It's a wonder a nation of such astonishing diversity holds together at all. Perhaps because of a fear of breakaway movements, their sense of sovereignty is strong. When Indonesian fishing boats ferried asylum seekers to Christmas Island, the passengers all came from eslewhere. A decade ago, some unfortunate Papuans tried to escape to Australia. Their return was demanded, and they were quickly sent back.
I am unsure we have the right mindset for this complex, contradictory society. Beyond our immediate concerns, we seem too unambitious in some ways, too high-minded in others. There is much we can give. We could, for example, do more to support Indonesian female students, here and in Indonesia, following up and supporting their careers as much as possible. The rule of law and open markets are attractive concepts, but they don't always correspond with the reality on the ground.
Foreign direct investment into Indonesia is dominated by Singapore, China, Japan and the Netherlands. In trade, Australian companies have done well through live-cattle exports but have struggled to make much impact in other areas, such as infrastructure. Clearly, access depends on much more than just propinquity. Indonesia is unlikely to open its domestic market to more Australian imports unless there is some advantage to it in doing so. Unless we can come up with more creative ways of linking overall policy to economic and business interests, we will continue to miss out.
Professor Jenny Stewart is a visiting fellow in UNSW Canberra's school of business.
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