Tuesday, October 18, 2016

1) West Papua: Widow’s Infrastructure Projects Won’t Fix Human Rights Issues, Activists Say


2) Jokowi`s emotional relationships with Papua
3) One-fuel price policy will create social justice in Papua: Jokowi
4) Jokowi launches new fuel pricing policy for Papua, West Papua 
5) Pertain Adjusts Fuel Prices in Papua
6) Indonesian bulldozer driver killed in gold mine plunge

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October 18, 2016
1) West Papua: Widow’s Infrastructure Projects Won’t Fix Human Rights Issues, Activists Say



                                                      Photo courtesy of @UCAnews


Indonesia’s president Joko Widodo has announced large investments in welfare and infrastructure in West Papua, a region that over the last decades suffered continuous repression and disregard by the government in Jakarta. Widodo gained a majority of Papuans’ votes in the 2014 presidential elections, as many believed he would bring change and promote dialogue. Those hopes are now withering. Activists worry Widodo thinks he can solve past and present wounds with development alone, and without acknowledging and addressing human rights abuses that have occurred and still occurr. Furthermore, Jakarta recently responded dismissively to accusations of such abuses tabled by Pacific island nations at the UN.
The article below was published by UCAnews:
Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s development of Papua needs more emphasis on human rights, according to activists.
Father Neles Tebay, a Papuan activist priest said that in the two years since Widodo took office he has not brought any significant improvement in human rights.
"The president presented a new paradigm in dealing with Papua by using welfare and various infrastructure projects, such as the construction of rail, bridges and highways that cost trillions of rupiah," he said.
"But infrastructure development cannot run concurrently with murder, kidnapping and the suppression of civil society," the priest said during a discussion at the Setara Institute for Justice and Peace in Jakarta on Oct. 13.
He was referring to a report by the Setara Institute documenting such violations. This year, according to the report, 2,293 Papuans were arrested, 61 shot and 13 killed by the army, police and the military wing of the Free Papua Movement.
The priest also pointed out that the international community has drawn attention to the Papua issue. At the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York in September, the leaders of six countries in the Pacific region, such as Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalum and Tonga raised the issue.
"The countries’ attention indicates that the world is still questioning Indonesia’s commitment to resolve the Papua conflict," he said.
He demanded that Widodo hold a dialogue with the Papuan people to find a solution because the government has so far not listened to them.

Father Antonius Benny Susetyo, Setara Institute’s council secretary said Widodo is at a turning point.
Widodo likes dialogue but his chances at resolving the conflict "depend on his political commitment," he said.
Bonar Tigor Naipospos, deputy chairman of the Setara Institute said Papuans trust Widodo and he won 70 percent of their votes during the last presidential election "because they had high hopes that he would bring change."
However, he made no significant progress and even Papuan resistance to the government has increased, according to Naipospos.
"Widodo’s failure lies in his idea that development will solve everything but it is not just about poverty. The most important thing is to seize the hearts and minds of Papuans and make them feel part of Indonesia," he said.
Cypri Jehan Paju Dale, a researcher who has published several books on Papua, said that the increased international attention is an important test for Indonesia.
"It is clear that a militaristic approach would worsen the situation," he said.
Indonesia’s denial of the human rights issues in Papua at the U.N. General Assembly does not help anyone and does not fix the real situation in Papua, he said.
"There is no other rational and ethical choice for Indonesia, as well as development they must take responsibility for what has happened in Papua," Dale said.
At the U.N. General Assembly meeting, Nara Masista Rakhmatia, an official at Indonesia's permanent mission to the United Nations, said that the Pacific countries’ statements were designed to support separatist groups.
She reiterated Jakarta's stand that it has mechanisms in place to deal with human rights abuses in Papua.
"With such a vibrant national democracy, coupled with the highest commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights at all levels, it would be nearly impossible for any human rights allegations to go unnoticed and unscrutinized," she said.
Papua consists of two provinces — Papua and West Papua — and has a population of nearly four million, according to government statistics. The majority are Protestants — 52 percent — and Catholics count for 15 percent.
Indonesian authorities are frequently accused of repressive measures in Papua and West Papua provinces, where there has been a long-simmering independence movement among indigenous Papuans, who are predominantly Christian.



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Seals, 18 Oktober 2016 18:26 WIB | 746 Views Pewarta: Budi Setiawanto/A. Saragih

2) Jokowi`s emotional relationships with Papua
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, has been only two years as president, but has set foot on the countrys most backward regions of Papua and West Papua more often than any of his predecessors.  

His most recent visit to Papua was on Oct 17 and 18 commissioning a number of infrastructure projects including power plants and airport. 

It was his fifth visit to Papua. No Indonesian president had visited Papua and West Papua so often.

"I would be visiting Papua at least three times a year. Please remind me if I failed to meet my promise," Jokowi said during his first visit to that region as head of state and government to attend Christmas day celebration with local people in Jayapura in 2014. 

For Jokowi, the people of Papua need not only medical care, education, road infrastructure and port. The people need to be heard and be involved in discussions of a lot of things.  

Jokowi, more than other presidents before him, has shown much sympathy to the people of Papua and serious attentions to their condition. 

The first was a working visit in Dec. 27-29 to Papua, the second was in May 8-11 in 2015 , third was to West Papua on Dec 29-Jan. 1 , 2015 and the fourth was in April 29-30 in 2016.

The visits were so often that military chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo called the visit to Papua by Jokowi as a home coming to Papua.

The president was mingled and talked with the local people in traditional market centers and other public places creating problem for his security guards. Papua is still one of the countrys hot spots where separatists are waiting for an opportunity to attack and ambush. 

"He looks unmindful of the danger and threat not far from him," a security guard said.  

Papua Governor Lukas Enembe expressed appreciation for the attention shown by Jokowi to the region with his frequent visitS to Papua.  

"The visits are important and highly appreciated by the people as the president spent his time not only in the provincial city of Jayapura but also in interior towns such as Wamena and Nduga, which have never been seen by the preceding leaders of the country," the governor said. 

The commissioning of six electricity infrastructure projects in Papua and West Papua by the president himself showed great attention of the central government to the two provinces, Governor Enembe said. Every visit by the president would inspire a push to development in Papua, and motivate the regional administration to work the harder, he said. 

The six projects are a 2x20 megawatt hydroelectric power of Orya Genyem, 3 MW Prafi Manokwari solar power plant, 175 kilometer circuit 70-kilo volt high voltage air transmission cable of Genyem-Waena-Jayapura, 43.5 kilometer circuit 70 kilo volt high voltage air transmission cable of Holtekamp - Jayapura, 20 mega volt ampere electric relay station of Waena-Sentani and 20 mega volt ampere electric relay station of Jayapura.

Before commissioning the six power infrastructure projects, the president and the First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo visited an elementary school in the regency of Jayapura to attend a ceremony distributing additional food (PMT).

Jokowi shows great attention to the nutrition of the people.

In the second day , the Presiden visited the regency of Yahukimo where he commissioned the airport of Nop Goliat Dekai, an a new program for single price of oil fuel in Papua, and to inspect oil fuel aircraft of Air Tractor AT-802.

Jokowi named the first woman from Papua in his cabinet, Yohana Yembise as the Minister for the Protection of Women and Children. He named Lenis Kogoya, the chairman of the Papua Tradition Community Agency as a presidential staff. 

Achievements 

As outlined in the report of achievements in two years of the Jokowi-JK government published by the presidential staff office, issue of Papua is one of special topics in the report beside international diplomacy, tourism, agrarian reform, maritime axis, tax amnesty , rural development and law reform. 

The government has used comprehensive approach in the development of Papua saying Papua would grow and prosper if balance is created in project development and human resource development.

The government has set aside Rp43.6 trillion for Papua this year or 15 percent higher than in 2015 and Rp16.5 trillion for West Papua or 10 percent higher than last year. 

Human Development Index in Papua rose from 56.75 in 2014 to 57.25 in 2015. Development in infrastructure sector included 22 units of traditional markets , new roads in Papua and West Papua totaling 4,480.05 kilometers, terminals of three airports , and procurement of new ferry boats. 

The infrastructure projects would facilitate transport in the two provinces and logistics to reduce price difference with other regions in the country. The prices of consumer goods have been much higher in Papua and West Papua than other provinces especially Jakarta. 

The government has also built and repair seaports and airport including the port of Sorong and seaport of Sorong , Werur airport, Depapre port, naval port facility in Sorong, Wamena airport, Sea fish terminal of Merauke, border infrastructure and the Holtekamp bridge. 

In educational sector the government granted 356,617 student Smart Indonesian Card, built 10 new buildings of boarding school, and 25 school buildings in frontier areas. 

In addition, the government has built additional class rooms in 33 schools, provided scholarships for 500 students , built 45 libraries , provided 646 teachers in frontier areas , program assistance for 40,166 teachers and included 141 teachers in the school master exchange program and teacher aid program for university graduates and post graduate education. 

In medical sector, the government provided health security for 3,600,162 holders of Healthy Indonesian Card and program to reduce malaria cases. 

For the first time , the government granted recognition of communal rights in nine Papua traditional communities as part of protection for traditional communities . The government granted certificate for customary communal lands in Papua and West Papua.

The government also encouraged improvement of farm land productivity through introduction of modern farming and trade in the two neighboring provinces.  

The number of market centers in the two provinces, has been increased from only three units in 2013-2014 to 25 units in 2015-2016. The markets have become the backbone of economic development in the regions.

In addition the expansion of the market helped reduce prices especially price of oil fuels in isolated, mountainous areas in the regencies of Puncak, Pegunungan Arfak, Mamberamo, and Nduga.

The one price policy of President Jokowi to be effective all over the country including Papua and West Papua , would encourage the opening of fuel distribution agents (APMS) and development of fuel filling stations (SPBU) with prices the same as in other regions in Indonesia.

The great attention shown by the president in development of Papua and West Papua is certainly not without reason. One reason is emotional relationship with the people of Papua. 

"My wife is named Iriana. Irian was former name of Papua. Her grand father lived in Papua for years as school teacher. That makes my wife and me close to Papua," Jokowi said when he and his wife visited Papua in political campaign ahead of the 2014 presidential election. At that time Jokowi and Iriana visited a number of areas including the village of Yoka, near Lake Sentani, Papua.(*)


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3) One-fuel price policy will create social justice in Papua: Jokowi
Ayomi Amindoni The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | October 18, 2016 | 08:01 pm
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said the government’s one-price fuel policy in Papua and West Papua aims to bring social justice to all Indonesians.
During the launch of the program at Nop Goliat Dekai in Yakuhimo, Papua, on Tuesday, Jokowi said the government should not let injustice in Papua continue. With this program, he said, people residing in the country’s easternmost provinces could enjoy fuel sold at the same price in western and central parts of the country.
“The premium [fuel] price is now Rp 6,450 [4.95 US cents] per liter. All this time, for decades, premium was selling at Rp 50,000 per liter, and sometimes even as high as around Rp 60,000 to 100,000 per liter," Jokowi said as quoted in a Presidential Press Bureau’s press statement.
Jokowi said he had instructed State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno and state-run energy firm Pertamina to immediately implement the one-price fuel policy, which was also aimed at boosting economic growth in Papua and West Papua.
“Both transportation and logistics costs will be cheaper, so commodity prices will drop. This is indeed a 'step-by-step' process," he went on.
To implement the program, Pertamina's subsidiary Pelita Air Service, which operates the Air Tractor AT-802—an aircraft with a capacity of 4,000 liters—will use the aircraft specifically to distribute fuel to remote areas. Pertamina has also designated nine fuel distribution agents in 8 regencies in Papua and West Papua.
With the one-price fuel policy, premium is now priced at Rp 6,450 per liter while diesel and kerosene are sold at Rp 5,150 and Rp 2,500 per liter respectively. (ebf)
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4) Jokowi launches new fuel pricing policy for Papua, West Papua 
Nether Dharma Somba The Jakarta Post
Dekai, Papua | October 18, 2016 | 07:31 pm
After bearing the burden of high fuel prices for decades, people living in Papua and West Papua can now buy fuel at affordable prices.
On the second day of his working visit to Indonesia’s easternmost region on Tuesday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced the One Fuel Price policy. The policy aims to make the price of fuel in Papua and West Papua the same as prices in other areas across Indonesia.  
Under the new policy, premium sells at Rp 6,450 (4.95 US cents) per liter while diesel and kerosene are priced at Rp 5,150 and Rp 2,500 per liter, respectively.
“Residents can now buy premium at Rp 6,450 per liter while diesel is sold at Rp 5,150, far lower than the previous rates, which ranged between Rp 50,000 to Rp 100,000 per liter,” Jokowi said during the launch of the One Fuel Price policy for Papua and West Papua in Dekai, Yahukimo, Papua, on Tuesday.
The President hopes the policy will directly impact people’s prosperity.
“The prices should not be more than Rp 10,000 per liter. I will continue to monitor this. We should not let just one or two people enjoy the fuel prices enjoyed by other parts of the country, while others have to buy fuel at a higher price,” said Jokowi.
With the One Fuel Price policy, the President said state-run oil and gas firm Pertamina must allocate Rp 800 billion in subsidies every year.
“The most important thing is not about the money, but about social justice for all Indonesians,” he said. (ebf)
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TUESDAY, 18 OCTOBER, 2016 | 20:10 WIB
5) Pertain Adjusts Fuel Prices in Papua

TEMPO.COJakarta - Dwi Soetjipto, CEO of state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, said that the company will adjust the prices of fuel in all regions of Papua and West Papua. The adjustment will be made based on President Joko Widodo's instruction. The President expected that the price of fuel in Papua will be the same as in Western Indonesian regions.
Dwi said that new fuel price will be similar to prices in Java and will apply for all types of fuel. Dwi added that President Jokowi will make the official announcement during his work visit in Papua, Tuesday, October 18, 2016.
Dwi explained that adjusting fuel prices in Papua will not affect the company’s financial balance because Pertamina, according to Dwi, has been successful carrying out its company efficiency program within the last two years. Dwi explained that the efficiency program has allowed the company to book more profits, which in turn will be used to subsidize fuel prices in Papua.
"The profit [Pertamina made] is for our distant brothers, who purchased fuel with a high price all this time," Dwi said.
ADITYA BUDIMAN
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6) Indonesian bulldozer driver killed in gold mine plunge
BY ON ON
TIMIKA, Indonesia: A bulldozer driver whose machine plunged into a gold mine in Indonesia has died, the site’s US owner said Tuesday, the latest in a string of deaths at the pit.
Police said the road the vehicle was traveling on had given way under its weight, sending the bulldozer tumbling 20 meters into the open-pit mine at Grasberg, one of the world’s biggest gold and copper ventures.
“The one who was killed was in the vehicle, and was thrown out of the vehicle” on Monday, local police chief Yustanto Mujiharso told AFP.
A second worker was injured.
The mine, which sits high in the mountains of eastern Papua province, is owned by Freeport-McMoRan, whose local spokesman confirmed one worker had died in an “incident”.
Monday’s death is the latest tragedy at the mine.
In January last year, three security personnel who had been patrolling the grounds were found dead with bullet and machete wounds, while six months later in July a worker was killed in an accident.
In May 2013, a training tunnel collapsed, killing 28 miners as they took part in a safety course, in one of Indonesia’s worst-ever mining accidents.
AFP
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