INFID
INFID | TAPAK Ambon | AKUI
| PosKo Zwolle | Diverse Artikelen
Title
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Short News Overview.
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No
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79
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Period
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15 February 2002 - 21 February
2002
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NGO News
Annual Assembly of West Papuan Network, March 15-16, 2002 in Wuppertal,
Germany.
Theme: Self-determined development in Papua: Concepts & Strategies in the
Context of the Current Discussion on Development Policy
For more information please contact: West Papua Netzwerk, e-mail: west-papua-netz@vermission.org
INFID Related Issues
Debt
Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia said that Indonesia’s debt to fall due
in the first semester of 2002 totalled around US$20 billion, which many
predicted would put new pressure on the value of Rupiah against US Dollar.
Meanwhile, pressure is growing to scrap a debt extension plan for private
debtors, as Minister of Finance Boediono said the plan might impede
Indonesia’s debt restructuring talks with the Paris Club of creditor nations.
The Paris Club negotiation next April are aimed at rescheduling Indonesia’s
sovereign debt payments from a deficit state budget. The budget targets
around Rp36.7 trillion (about US$3.6 billion) in both foreign debt
rescheduling and new loan programmes to partly offset a deficit estimated at
Rp42.1 trillion. But that target may be at risk now with the debt extension
plan for debtors of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA). The plan
delays by up to six years the payment of billions of US Dollars to the state,
most of which fall due this year.
Sources: Kompas 19/02, JP 19/02
TNI/Police
Commission for Missing Person and Victim of Violence (Kontras) asked
President Megawati not to approve the appointment of Maj.Gen. Sjafrie
Sjamsoedin as the TNI spokesperson (Kapuspen TNI). “To approve the
problem-ridden Sjafrie as Kapuspen TNI is a fatal mistake for Megawati’s
government”, Co-ordinator of the Executive Committee Kontras Orie Rahman said
on 19/02 in Jakarta. According to Kontras, approving Sjafrie appointment
means Megawati has fallen into the trap of TNI’s political scenario. It shows
that the government does not care about cases of human rights violation
related to Sjafrie. Furthermore, Kontras sees the appointment of Sjafrie as
Kapuspen TNI as military disobedience to civil supremacy. TNI has been
behaving alike when they refused to meet the Investigation Commission on
Human Rights Violation (KPP HAM) Trisakti, Semanggi I and II; also when they
just turned a deaf ear, despite protests, in the issue of re-establishment of
military regional command (KODAM). Kontras is of the opinion that TNI has
never been serious in building a military institution that accommodates
public aspiration and prioritises respect for law.
Former chief of the Armed Forces' General Affairs Lt. Gen. (ret) Soeyono said
that Sjafrie's appointment would give him the chance to explain TNI policy to
the public. "Sjafrie's position as TNI spokesman allows him to directly
explain to the public about TNI policies, and this is a special challenge for
him," Soeyono said. Sjafrie himself said that he was merely carrying out
the task. More on Sjafrie and his bloody career: http://infid.ngonet.be/thebloodycareer.html
Sources: Repulika 19/02, JP 20/02,
Kompas 20/02)
General News
Chinese Indonesian
President Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision on Feb. 17 to declare the
Lunar New Year or Imlek a national holiday beginning 2003 is a step toward
bridging the divide between the ethnic Chinese and indigenous Indonesian
communities, Chinese Indonesians say. They, however, call on the Megawati
administration to follow the ruling with legislative reform to address
remaining inequalities. National Mandate Party (PAN) legislator Alvin Lie
said on Feb. 18 that the declaration was an act of political recognition of
Chinese Indonesian citizens. However, Indonesian National Unity Faction
(FKKI) legislator Astrid S. Susanto said the declaration of Imlek as a
national holiday would entrench ethnic separatism rather than promote unity.
"I don't think there is a need to create more national holidays. I
wonder if there are tribal groups who want to have their own holiday --
should we make more national holidays for them?" Astrid asked.
Harry Tjan Silalahi, a researcher from the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS), disagreed, stating the move to make Imlek a
national holiday would ease resentment among the ethnic Chinese community and
facilitate a more inclusive society.
"Chinese Indonesians feel humanized by the government decision. The
decision will increase the sense of belonging of Chinese Indonesians to this
country," he said.
Harry said the right to express aspects of Chinese culture and traditions was
an essential step in the reconciliation between the ethnic Chinese and
indigenous Indonesian communities.
"The government should give Chinese Indonesians freedom of religion, and
room to perform Chinese cultural activities such as the barongsay in the
public sphere," he said.
Notwithstanding the symbolic importance of declaring Imlek a national
holiday, Alvin said reform had stalled since former President Abdurrahman
Wahid overturned Decree No. 14/1967 banning activities related to Chinese
culture and Confucianism in 1999.
Alvin called on Megawati to adopt a firm approach to ensure the democratic
rights of all citizens regardless of ethnicity. "The main issue is not
related to whether there is a holiday or not. Our main concern is that the
government abolish all regulations and policies that are discriminatory
toward Chinese Indonesians," he said.
There are currently 50 laws and ordinances deemed discriminatory on the
grounds of ethnicity, including the requirement for Chinese Indonesians to
produce certificates of citizenship (SKBRI) every time they apply for
official documents such as identification cards and passports.
Source: JP 19/02
Regional News
Aceh
The head of the Indonesian military in the restive Aceh province on
Tuesday warned the Muslim paramilitary Laskar Jihad group not to stir up
violence in the conflict-torn region. "I do not want the security situation
in Aceh to be disturbed. We, the Indonesian armed forces, will face those who
want to create violence," said Brigadier General Jali Yusuf. Earlier
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) spokesperson Sofjan Dawood had warned Laskar Jihad
not to set their foot in Aceh, saying the conflict was not a religious one
and Aceh had enough ulemas and did not need any help from a Java-based
radical Muslim group. Laskar Jihad said the statement had shown GAM arrogance
in understanding the Koran.
Laskar Jihad, making its first foray into Aceh, on 18/02 called a mass rally
at the main Baiturrahman mosque in the provincial capital Banda Aceh. Laskar
Jihad chief Jaffar Umar Thalib gave a sermon inside the mosque but only
around 100 people -- half of them his followers -- turned up.
Yusuf asked Laskar Jihad to explain its mission in the staunchly-Muslim
province of 4.3 million people. Thalib, meanwhile, defended the presence of
his group as a routine trip. "We have set up a provincial chapter here.
We are here for social activities and to promote Islam, like we do in other
places," he said.
New dimension in Aceh war:
Children used as spies: http://infid.ngonet.be/thechildrenheldhostagetowainaceh.html
Australia helping Indonesian army to kill: http://infid.ngonet.be/acehaustraliahelpingkilling.html
Sources: AFP 19/02, SI 15/02
Maluku
The peace accord for Maluku signed in Malino, Central Sulawesi on
February 12, 2001 was tested once again as protesters greeted the delegates
upon their return in Ambon, the Maluku provincial capital, on Feb. 15. In
their protest against peace, a vocal group of Muslims condemned the peace
delegations as they were on their way from Pattimura airport to the Maluku
governor's office in the city. Another group apparently from the local
Christian community also pelted the cars carrying Muslim delegates with
stones as they passed the Navigasi seaport area en route to the governor's
office. Antara news agency reported that the situation became very tense when
hundreds of Muslims gathered at the Al-Fatah Mosque, only 200 meters away
from the rock-throwing Christians, but, later, both groups were dispersed
without further incident. On Feb. 14, two bombs were detonated in
Mardika-Batumerah subdistrict at 11 p.m. local time but there were no
casualties reported. The local police are still investigating the incident.
The Java-based paramilitary force, Laskar Jihad has come out squarely in
opposition of the peace agreement which, among other things, specifically
names them and requires the 3,000 or so armed militiamen to leave the
province. The force's leaders, however, claim they should not have to leave
because they are Indonesian, and they intend to conduct
"humanitarian" operations. In addition to clashes with security personnel,
the presence of Laskar Jihad had contributed to the prolonged conflict,
according to experts. Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, who was visiting
Jakarta on Feb. 15, ordered the police chief and the Pattimura military
command chief to investigate the bombings and rock-throwing and arrest those
responsible. Maluku Provincial Police Chief Brig. Gen. Sunarko who felt
ashamed by the two incidents, said the police would investigate thoroughly
and would deal harshly with those found guilty of violating the law and
groups who were trying to breach the peace accord. "I will not stay
calm. harsh measures will be taken against the people who are trying to ruin
the peace agreement. The law shall be enforced strictly and equally," he
said.
New!!! International Crisis Group report on Maluku: http://www.intl-crisis-group.org/
Source: JP 15/02
Papua
The National Investigation Commission (KPN), mandated to investigate the
murder of the chairperson of Papua Council Presidium (PDP) Theys Eluay, has
not started working yet, but it has received objections from three
non-governmental organisations (NGO). The three NGOs will propose a judicial
review on the Presidential Decree (Keppres) No. 10/2002 about the set up of KPN.
KPN is considered as having no legal foundation and therefore must be
dissolved and replaced by an ad hoc team
of the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) involving elements
of society and international parties. Papua Co-ordinator of Commission for
Missing Person and Victim of Violence (Kontras) Pieter Ell said on 18/02 that
they were waiting for authorisation from the PDP to begin with the judicial
review process. Kontras, together with Legal Aid Institute (LBH) and the
Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy (ELSHAM) Papua have been the
legal representatives of PDP to investigate the murder since the very
beginning. Peter added that PDP leaders and Papuan public figures and
religious leaders had never welcomed the present of KPN. Therefore if the
government insist on presenting KPN, it would be useless since the Papua
people would never accept it. Actually, Pieter said, Komnas HAM should have
directly set up an ad hoc team like the Investigation Commission on Human
Rights Violation (KPP HAM), and included international elements such as
Amnesty International as observers and/or resource persons. It is stated in
the UU (Law) No. 26/2000 about Human Rights Trials that the only institution
had the right to investigate severe violation of human rights is Komnas Ham.
Source:
Kompas 19/02
Abbreviations
AFP Agence France Presse
JP The Jakarta Post
SI Serambi Indonesia
Terug
Stichting TitanE
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