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Indonesia & East Timor Digest

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February 21, 2006

Agence France Presse - February 21, 2006

Jakarta – Transforming Indonesia's tarnished but powerful military into a modern defence force will be an uphill battle, even for its new pro-reform chief who took over this week, analysts say.

Jakarta Post - February 21, 2006

Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Activist groups united on Monday to oppose the government's plan to "legalize" the military's security business, in which private companies pay soldiers to protect their industries in conflict areas.

Jakarta Post - February 21, 2006

M. Azis Tunny, Ambon – Chaos broke out Monday after the Ambon District Court sentenced Idi Amin Tabrani Pattimura, aka Ongen Pattimura, to life in prison for masterminding a deadly attack on a karoake bar last year.

After the verdict was announced, dozens of Ongen's supporters began shouting at the judges and rushed toward prosecutors.

Jakarta Post - February 21, 2006

Jakarta – Suciwati, the widow of murdered human rights activist Munir, met with legislators Monday, a week after an earlier call on the House of Representatives from a former intelligence deputy chief implicated in the case.

Pacific Media Watch - February 21, 2006

Sydney – The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written to the Indonesian Government demanding the removal of the ban on foreign media in West Papua immediately.

Jakarta Post - February 21, 2006

Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta – Hoping to jump-start stalled negotiations over the minimum monthly wage, thousands of Jakarta's workers are threatening a March 1 strike.

Detik.com - February 21, 2006

Fitraya Ramadhanny, Jakarta – Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial) has protested the unearthing of 23 sites suspected to be graves of victims of human rights violations in the North Aceh town of Bireun. Imparsial also expressed its disappointment with police for allowing it to happen.

February 20, 2006

Jakarta Post - February 20, 2006

Jakarta – There is increasing evidence women are being used by terrorist groups here to smuggle and receive explosives and weapons, the National Police say.

Five women in two separate cases have been arrested and charged recently with smuggling bomb detonators and explosive materials from Malaysia into Indonesia.

Jakarta Post - February 20, 2006

Hera Diani, Jakarta – Although the government has completed the revision of the controversial decree on the establishment of places of worship, Christians are skeptical it will succeed in its aim of improving interfaith relations.

Jakarta Post - February 20, 2006

Jakarta – Representatives of all major religions in Indonesia joined hands Saturday to condemn the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Their united front comes amid concerns that some forces are using the row to set off a wider conflict between Muslims and Christians.

Jakarta Post - February 20, 2006

Jakarta – The government has no intention of partitioning Aceh because it would violate the Helsinki peace agreement signed by Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) last year, Information and Communications Minister Sofyan Djalil says.

Jakarta Post - February 20, 2006

Jakarta – Hundreds of protesters from the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) attacked the US Embassy on Sunday during a rally accusing Washington of masterminding the controversy about cartoons of Prophet Muhammad to destroy Islam.

Jakarta Post - February 20, 2006

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Influential Papuan church groups and community organizations are supporting the Papuan Legislative Council's opposition to the creation of West Irian Jaya province.

Jakarta Post - February 20, 2006

Banda Aceh – A convicted gambler from North Sumatra was caned in front of hundreds of spectators Friday in Banda Aceh.

The convicted gambler, identified as Syafaruddin Nasution, 35, was lashed 10 times with a bamboo cane after Friday prayers outside the Ateuk Pahlawan Mosque in the Baiturrahman district.

Jakarta Post - February 20, 2006

Jakarta – As the increase in the number of roads is not corresponding with the increase in the number of cars, by 2014, some cars might never make it to the open road, a survey on the city's land transportation showed Saturday.

Agence France Presse - February 20, 2006

Dili – Stray pigs roaming free in East Timor's capital are a disgrace and must be dealt with before they affect foreign investment, Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta said Monday.

February 18, 2006

Jakarta Post - February 18, 2006

Jakarta – Outgoing Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto's suggestion that soldiers be allowed to vote in the 2009 elections has caused an outcry among those who fear the military still has too much power.

Jakarta Post - February 18, 2006

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The Papuan Legislative Council announced Friday it would oppose the partitioning of Papua to create West Irian Jaya province.

Jakarta Post - February 18, 2006

Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said Friday that several articles in the Military Criminal Code, mainly pertaining to prosecution of Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel, needed amendment.

Detik.com - February 18, 2006

Ken Yunita, Jakarta – The debate over the question of giving voting rights to the TNI (Indonesian military) and the police continues to provoke discussion. The People's Democratic Party (PRD) agrees with members of the TNI and police participating in the 2009 general elections.

Jakarta Post - February 18, 2006

Soeryo Winoto, Jakarta – "He who knows not that he knows not is a fool, shun him!" That's the old saying for ignorant people who are not aware of their ignorance, but instead believe they are smart.

The Economist - February 18, 2006

The installation this week of Marshal Djoko Suyanto, previously chief of the air force, as head of Indonesia's armed forces made front-page news. The armed forces formally withdrew from politics only in 2004, when they gave up their reserved seats in parliament, bringing to an end dwi fungsi, their dual political and military function.

Jakarta Post Editorial - February 18, 2006

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has become obsessed with the idea that the megalopolitan concept of development is the answer to the capital's numerous long-standing problems.

Jakarta Post - February 18, 2006

Urip Hudiono, Jakarta – The government has prepared a package of 153 policy actions for this year to encourage private investment in the much-needed development of infrastructure to support higher economic growth.

Jakarta Post - February 18, 2006

Tiarma Siboro and I Wayan Juniartha, Tampak Siring, Bali – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Friday that Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao's decision to submit a report – detailing alleged human rights abuses by the Indonesian Military in the former Indonesian province – to the UN was a domestic matter.

Weekend Australian - February 18, 2006

Sian Powell, Tampak Siring, Bali – The presidents of East Timor and Indonesia agreed yesterday to publicly ignore the conclusions of a damning UN-sanctioned report that found Jakarta committed war crimes during its 24-year occupation of the former Portuguese colony.

Paras Indonesia - February 18, 2006

Roy Tupai – Former East Timorese pro-Indonesia militia leader Eurico Guterres, currently appealing his five-year jail sentence for crimes against humanity, has been elected chairman of National Mandate Party's (PAN) chapter in East Nusa Tenggara province.

International Federation of Journalists Media Release - February 18, 2006

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written to the Indonesian Government demanding the removal of the ban on foreign media in West Papua immediately.

Jakarta Post - February 18, 2006

ID Nugroho, Surabaya – State Minister of the Environment Rachmat Witoelar has defended the government's out-of-court settlement with PT Newmont Minahasa Raya, saying US$30 million was better than no compensation at all.

February 17, 2006

Tempo Interactive - February 17, 2006

Timor Leste – Indonesia residents asked that Fretilin's crimes against humanity in the 70's be divulged. "It is what is fair, after Timor Leste reported human rights violation by the Indonesian Army (TNI) from the 1970's," said Mateus Maya, Chief of the Timor Union Aswain in Denpasar, Bali, yesterday, 16 February.

Melbourne Age - February 17, 2006

Andra Jackson – The leader of the 43 West Papuan asylum seekers on Christmas Island has made a direct appeal to the Australian public for protection.

Tempo Interactive - February 17, 2006

Joniansyah, Jakarta – The Department for Culture and Tourism this afternoon launched the National Movement for Clean Public Toilets. The event took place at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, the Juanda Airport in Surabaya and the Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar Bali.

Agence France Presse - February 17, 2006

Jakarta – Indonesian police have finished their investigation into eight suspects accused in the 2002 slayings of two American teachers in Papua province and handed over their charge sheets to prosecutors, a spokesman said Friday.

Jakarta Post - February 17, 2006

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang – Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim vowed Thursday to come down hard on anyone stepping out of line because of drink or women.

Jakarta Post - February 17, 2006

Vincent Lingga, Jakarta – The country's economic growth rose to 5.60 percent last year from 5.13 percent in 2004. While this may seem like good news, there is reason to worry, because expansion in 2005 was lower than the official target of 6 percent.

Jakarta Post - February 17, 2006

Jakarta – Police must protect the witnesses of the 1989 Talangsari massacre from harassment and intimidation, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) says.

Jakarta Post - February 17, 2006

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – The former National Intelligence Agency (BIN) deputy chief, whose name has come up in connection to the murder of human rights campaigner Munir, has gone on the defensive, telling lawmakers he has nothing to hide.

Jakarta Post - February 17, 2006

Tb. Arie Rukmantara and Suherdjoko, Jakarta/Semarang/Makassar – Despite 512 arrests from an ongoing operation to curb illegal logging in Java and the promise of more detentions, an activist says the crackdown will do little to reduce the environmental cost to local communities.

Jakarta Post - February 17, 2006

Fadli, Batam – Holding his five-year-old son, Arman stared at a dark-colored pool of water near his house in Batam, Riau Islands province. The pool is a "souvenir" from sand mining in the area.

Detik.com - February 17, 2006

Iqbal Fadil, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has put forward four preconditions that have to be met before the right to vote is given to members of the TNI (Indonesian military).

Agence France Presse - February 17, 2006

Washington – Indonesia must give immediate priority to completing tax, labour and other key reforms aimed at drawing investments crucial to boosting economic growth, a senior IMF official said.

Associated Press - February 17, 2006

Bali – Indonesia's president embraced his East Timorese counterpart Friday, and said a report detailing atrocities committed by Indonesia during its occupation of the tiny nation would not affect ties.

Tempo Interactive - February 17, 2006

Imran MA, Banda Aceh – The Blang Pidie representative offices of the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) in West Aceh was attacked by a group of around 100 militia on Friday February 17. All of the office equipment including a typewriter, radio and other materials were destroyed. The office is now under a tight police guard.

Jakarta Post - February 17, 2006

Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Ati Nurbaiti, Jakarta – Ahead of next week's legislative deliberation on the Aceh governance bill, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle reiterated its opposition, saying the bill would give too much to the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

February 16, 2006

Jakarta Post - February 16, 2006

Several regional administrations have introduced bylaws that support the implementation of sharia, which observers fear could upset relations between religious groups in the pluralistic country. Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshiddiqie expressed his views on the matter in an interview with The Jakarta Post's Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Dwi Atmanta.

Jakarta Post - February 16, 2006

Hera Diani, Jakarta – There is much to enjoy from overseas trips, but Vice President Jusuf Kalla says the praise he hears heaped on Indonesia's democratic transition has begun to grate.

Tempo Interactive - February 16, 2006

Yophiandi Kurniawan, Jakarta – The general chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati Sukarnoputri, is pessimistic that the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government and the Free Aceh Movement will be in accordance with expectations.

Detik.com - February 16, 2006

Fitraya Ramadhanny, Jakarta – The Draft Law on Pornography has received support and opposition from the public. The Children's Rights Monitoring Foundation (YPHA) includes those who reject it. They believe that the draft law will not address the real problem.

Tempo Interactive - February 16, 2006

Jakarta – Former president Abdurrahman Wahid, known as Gus Dur, has confirmed a report by the State Intelligent Agency (BIN) that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) still wants independence for Aceh, even though it has made peace with the Indonesian government.

East Timor and Indonesia Action Network Release - February 16, 2006

In light of Friday's meeting between the presidents of Timor-Leste and Indonesia, the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) today called on Indonesia to fully accept the findings and enact the recommendations of Timor-Leste's Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (known by its Portuguese acronym, CAVR).