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1) Freeport Indonesia ‘adjusting’ to new regulation

January 27, 2017, 12:20 pm
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2) Here is Freeport Indonesia Strategy When Its Contract Ends by 2021

3) Indonesia’s Foreign Minister says Melbourne consulate protester should be prosecuted

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1) Freeport Indonesia ‘adjusting’ to new regulation
Fedina S. Sundaryani The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Fri, January 27, 2017 | 04:45 pm
Major gold and copper miner Freeport Indonesia is currently reviewing the government’s newest set of regulations that allow the continued exportation of certain minerals in exchange for a contract conversion and a commitment to build a smelter. 
Freeport Indonesia president director Chappy Hakim guaranteed that the firm, a subsidiary of US giant Freeport McMoRan, would comply with the fourth revision of Government Regulation No. 23/2010 on the management of mineral and coal businesses, and other relevant regulations. 
“Since the government regulation has just been issued, Freeport Indonesia is currently trying to reposition itself to see how it can continue to survive. However, this means we cannot give anymore explanations [about the issue] as the process has not been completed,” he said during a seminar on the firm’s business strategies at the University of Indonesia (UI) in Depok, West Java, on Friday. 
Under the latest government regulation and subsequent energy and mineral resources ministerial decrees, Freeport Indonesia is obligated to agree to have its contract of work (CoW) converted into a special mining permit (IUPK) if it wants to continue exporting copper concentrate for the next five years. 
Furthermore, the regulation stipulates that the firm must also build a smelter by the end of the five years, and the progress will be evaluated by the government every six months. 
Moreover, Freeport Indonesia must immediately divest 51 percent of its shares to the state, or other relevant institutions and enterprises, instead of the 30 percent it was originally obligated to divest. (hwa)

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Papua urges US miner to pay $376M in taxes, penalties
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pdated 1:57 am, Friday, January 27, 2017

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The governor of Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua is urging Freeport to immediately pay $376 million in taxes and penalties after a court ruled against the U.S. mining giant in a water use case.
Lukas Enembe said Friday that the Tax Court ruled Jan. 17 that Freeport should pay much higher taxes on water the company drew from two Papua rivers between January 2011 and July 2015 to suspend tailings from its mining operations.
The Grasberg mine operated by Freeport is the world's largest gold mine by reserves and one of the biggest copper mines.
Under Indonesian law, payment is required about 30 days after receipt of the ruling. Freeport Indonesia, a unit of Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Enembe said the province was claiming taxes based on a 2011 local government decree. Freeport had argued it should pay a lower rate based on a decades old contract with Indonesia’s government.
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2) Here is Freeport Indonesia Strategy When Its Contract Ends by 2021
Friday, 27 January 2017 | 20:14 WIB
JAKARTA, NETRALNEWS.COM - President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) Chappy Hakim reveals the company already reported its strategy to Freeport McMoRan in the US if the contract which is going to expire by 2021 is extended.
Among others, he will take measures to develop air transport around Papua mines.
The former Air Forces Chief of Staff of Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) explained if Freeport exploration continued, the construction of air transport infrastructure may become something strategic. It is because the sole most effective access in East Indonesia is by air.
“The strategy if PTFI can continue; the next explorations I made strategies and have been submitted to US, McMoRan. There are some, among others, what is important is to develop air transport communication,” he said in Jakarta, Friday (1/27/2017). 
Chappy said land and sea transport have many limitations. Hence, development of air transport infrastructure makes company’s operations and economy in Papua increase.
“In Papua, when talking about maritime axes, it stops at beaches. Speaking about Indonesia actually maritime infrastructure is inadequate, [it] must be with air transport. In islands area, this becomes primary transportation system, in East Indonesia and several regions which do not have infrastructure,” he explained.
He said geologically, sky conditions in Papua are considered good with many passages of aircraft. Freeport is going to ask TNI Air Forces to utilize several unused airbases.
“Flight infrastructure in Papua is outstanding. Air passage, with limited field becomes major transportation mainstay. I proposed in Biak, airbases which are no longer used, whether Freeport can cultivate to develop N-219 aircraft. It would become air transport backbone there, because it is actually suitable,” he concluded. (*) 
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3) Indonesia’s Foreign Minister says Melbourne consulate protester should be prosecuted

Indonesia correspondent Adam Harvey
Updated yesterday at 9:18am

Indonesia's Foreign Minister has complained about the lack of action in Australia against a protester who broke into its Melbourne consulate earlier this month and held up the West Papua flag.
Retno Marsudi said the protester who climbed onto the roof of the consulate to display a West Papua flag violated international law and should be prosecuted quickly.
She said Australia needs to "solve" the legal process around the January 6 protest at the consulate.
"The problem is the person who trespassed is shown in the picture, there is a photo, we already know his name," Ms Marsudi said.
"The question is why until now the person is still free."
The relationship between Indonesia and Australia was tested earlier this month when Indonesia's top general suspended military cooperation between the two nations, over "offensive" training materials at a Perth barracks.
The complaint, in November last year, prompted Australian Defence leaders to launch furious efforts to try to smooth relations with their counterparts in Jakarta.
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1) Protester arrested outside Indonesian Embassy held in custody overnight for fine-only offences

January 28, 2017, 2:23 am
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2) Student fined for West Papua protest outside Indonesian embassy in Canberra
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1) Protester arrested outside Indonesian Embassy held in custody overnight for fine-only offences
By Elise Scott
Updated about 4 hours ago

A protester arrested outside the Indonesian Embassy has been fined and released from police custody after being held for almost 24 hours, under what his defence lawyer has described as unusual circumstances.
Adrian 'AJ' Van Tonder, 25, was arrested on Friday morning at the rally in Canberra, where he and his fellow protesters lay in the embassy driveway covered in sheets and fake blood.
Van Tonder, a Melbourne student, was with about 30 people protesting alleged human rights abuses by the Indonesian Government in West Papua.
The group blocked vehicles from entering and exiting by lying across the driveway.

This morning Van Tonder pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court to obstructing the embassy, refusing to provide a name and address and failing to comply with an order to move on.
He was fined $750 and released.
The combined offences carry a maximum penalty of up to $3,800.
The court heard the other protesters gave their details when asked by police to move on, but Van Tonder remained silent.
Van Tonder's defence said being held in custody overnight on offences that carry fine-only punishments was "not something that would normally happen" and it was not clear why it had.
Magistrate Robert Cook told Van Tonder the right to protest peacefully should be protected.
"You should engage in it and that's your right," he said.
But he warned against ignoring police instructions.
"Ultimately then you leave police with no choice than to remove you physically," he said.

Claims police trying to appease Indonesian Government 

A group of fellow protesters supported Van Tonder in court.
Outside, they said his time in custody was unfair and stressful.
"The last 24 hours have been horrible," Kiah Dennersterin said.
The protesters claim police are being pressured by Indonesia to arrest activists like themselves.
"Police are trying to appease the Indonesian Government and show they're being strong against West Papuan activists," another protester Rebecca Langley said.
"Recently there's been a bit of tension between Indonesia and Australia regarding their military cooperation and it means eyes are on."
Member of the West Papuan community Ronny Kareni said the arrest would not silence their message to free West Papua.
"It's evident that the Australian Government is bowing down to Indonesia's pressure," he said.
"[The arrest] will only create more fire and fuel more support from people in the streets."
The group said they travelled to Canberra from Melbourne to take part in this protest and Invasion Day protests.
ACT Policing was contacted for comment.
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2) Student fined for West Papua protest outside Indonesian embassy in Canberra

The friends of a man fined for refusing to cooperate with police during a protest outside the Indonesian Embassy expressed concern that he was kept in custody for almost 24 hours.
Adrian van Tonder, 25, pleaded guilty to obstruction, failing to comply with police directions and failing to provide his name or address to officers in the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday morning.

The Melbourne student was among a group of activists that donned white sheets with red ink and lay on the road outside the Yarralumla embassy during a protest in support of West Papuan independence on Friday morning.
The road was outside two authorised protest zones, and all protesters obstructing the embassy's driveway except van Tonder complied with police orders to move.
The court heard van Tonder refused to move or stand up and did not provide his name or address, requiring "several officers" to lift him off the road.
During questioning at the police station, van Tonder allegedly told police he was "not subject to Australian law".
van Tonder's defence lawyer told the court his client acknowledged the consequences of his actions, but had "limited scope" to pay a fine as he was on the Newstart allowance.
The defence asked that the almost 24 hours spent in custody be taken in account when the magistrate considered the scale of the fine.
Officers did not have the ability to place van Tonder in Friday's court lists before deadline.
The prosecution made no submissions beyond the police documents and criminal history tendered to the court.
van Tonder had previously been charged for protest-related offences in Victoria and Queensland.
In handing down his decision, Magistrate Robert Cook acknowledged the right to peaceful protest was a fundamental aspect of Australian democratic society.
"There needs to be at least a recognition... that you understand you went too far on this occasion," he said.
He fined van Tonder $250 each for the three offences.
A group of the protesters supported van Tonder in court, including his partner Kiah Dennerstein.
"The last 24 hours have been horrible," she said.
Fellow protester Rebecca Langley said she was concerned that van Tonder had been held in custody for almost a day.
"The pressure's on because recently there's been a lot of tension between Indonesia and Australia regarding military cooperation."
This week Indonesia asked why Australia had yet to arrest people who "trespassed" and waved the West Papuan separatist flag outside the country's Consulate-General in Melbourne.
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1) Indonesia awaits Aust visit and report

January 28, 2017, 12:28 pm
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2) Global petition for freedom in West Papua launched in London

3) Govt Targets to Finish Trans Papua by 2018-2019

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https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/34277891/indonesia-awaiting-aust-investigation/#page1
1) Indonesia awaits Aust visit and report

- AAP 
Indonesia will await the outcome of Australia's investigation into the training material behind this month's defence suspension before making a decision about further cooperation.
It has also called for Australia to ensure the "trespassers" who climbed onto the roof of Indonesia's consulate in Melbourne "immediately" face the law.
Indonesia's Chief of military General Gatot Nurmantyo, joined the country's defence and foreign ministers, as well the head of intelligence at parliament for the closed-door meet that ran for more than six hours on Thursday.
When it was finished, General Nurmantyo told reporters, Australia's chief of army Angus Campbell will come to Indonesia next month to convey the result of their investigation into the material which sparked the Indonesian general's announcement this month that defence cooperation was suspended.
"They (Australia) have apologised and they have evaluated the curriculum and they are investigating," General Nurmantyo said on Thursday.
"Whether or not we continue to cooperate will depend on that."
In a shock-move, General Nurmantyo announced the suspension earlier this month, saying an Indonesian officer discovered the material while on a language training course at a Perth base in Australia late last year.
General Nurmantyo said it poked fun at Indonesia's founding principles - Pancasila - and also suggested its province of Papua should be independent.
Initially it was reported the suspension would apply to all military ties, however, the government later said it was only in relation to language training.
"Australia is one of our most important partners, I think as a close neighbour we need each other," she told reporters after the parliamentary briefing," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.
With such a "high intensity relationship" it was no surprise that every now and then there would be "problems".
She said the parliament was also keen to see Australia bring those protesters who "trespassed" on the Indonesian consulate-general in Melbourne this month and displayed a West Papuan flag.
"Why up to now those people haven't been arrested? It has been more than 20 days," Ms Marsudi said.
"(We want Australia) to immediately solve this case and bring this case before the legal process."
Parliamentary member T. B. Hasanuddin asked: "How come they (Australia) have the capability to hunt terrorists so fast, and then when looking just for these two 'bums' they cannot (catch them)?"
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2) Global petition for freedom in West Papua launched in London
1:16 am today 
A global petition calling on the United Nations to put West Papua back on its decolonisation list has been launched in Britain.




(L to R) Tim, Tom and Joel from Swim for West Papua, Maria Wenda, Benny Wenda, Rt Hon Andrew Smith MP, Peter Tatchell, Lord Harries. Photo: International Parliamentarians for West Papua
The petition is open to people all around the World up until August, when a team of British swimmers plan to swim it 69 kilometres across Lake Geneva to present it to UN Secretary General António Guterres.
A spokesman for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda, said the swim would highlight the West Papuan struggle as a humanitarian issue rather than just a Pacific or a Melanesian one.
Along with the Swim for West Papua event, the petition was launched this week by the Free West Papua Campaign.
It calls on the UN to appoint a special representative to investigate the human rights situation in West Papua and for an internationally supervised vote on self determination.
Free West Papua said the aim of the petition was to demonstrate the growing international support for West Papuans to have the opportunity to decide their own future.
It said this would also build on growing diplomatic backing for a supervised vote.
Such a vote was described as being in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolutions 1514 and 1541 [XV].
While Jakarta said human rights problems in Papua are largely confined to the past, indigenous Melanesians of this region have claim there was a slow motion genocide being perpetrated in their homeland by Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Lord Harries of Pentregarth, co-founder of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua, shared a message of support from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu which decried the lack of international media attention on West Papua.
He also commended the Swim Team and called for solidarity with the West Papuan people saying 'we may live in different regions of the world, but we are one family'.
Lord Harries then declared the petition open for signing.


West Papuan people showing their support from inside the prison in Timika for the Global Petition for West Papua. Photo: Benny Wenda
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3) Govt Targets to Finish Trans Papua by 2018-2019
Friday, 27 January 2017 | 15:39 WIB

JAKARTA, NETRALNEWS.COM - The government via the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing keeps speeding development project of Trans Papua road and expects to connect all sections by 2018-2019.
“Trans Papua road has a total length of 4,330.07 kilometers. As of 2016-end, it has exceeded 3,851.93 km. It is targeted by 2017-end to add to more or less 3,963.87 km hence by year-end only 366.20 km left,” Public Works Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said in a release in Jakarta, Friday (1/27/2017).
Development of new section for Trans Papua last year, Basuki continued, reached 231.27 km for this year there will be new section addition of 143.55 km. 
One of sections which become the ministry’s focus is the road which connects mountainous area of Wamena-Habema-Kenyam-Mamugu along 278.6 km which is expected to connect this year.
The road existence is highly important to suppress premium cost experienced by people living around Wamena mountain, Papua.
According to plan by the end of January 2017 or early February 2017 the President of Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo will visit the road section.
Papua border road with a total length of 1,098.2 km as of 2016 has been constructed 884.3 km long. Meanwhile by 2017 new road of 8 km will be built hence by the end of 2017, it is expected to exceed 892.3 km.
Minister Basuki said infrastructure construction during the period has given positive impact on increase of Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global arena. Data from Global Competitiveness Index in 2016 reported Indonesia ranked 64th, rising from 2015’s 72nd.
“Not only is to spur economic development in cities, but constructing infrastructure in the border also to reduce gaps. Road construction basically is for [logistics] to be faster, safer and cheaper,” the minister explained.
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Police response outside Indonesian Embassy fails to silence Canberra Papua protest

January 28, 2017, 11:08 pm
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http://asiapacificreport.nz/2017/01/29/police-response-outside-indonesian-embassy-fails-to-silence-papua-peoples-protest/

Police response outside Indonesian Embassy fails to silence Canberra Papua protest

Asia Pacific Report By  - 
 

Police move in on protesters for West Papua outside the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, ACT, on Friday. Image: AWPA

About 20 protesters in support of West Papuan self-determination were defiant in the face of Indonesian nationalism “blasted at them from the embassy” and a police response in Canberra at the weekend.
“It is an immature and childish response from the Indonesian embassy,” said Anthony Rumbiak, one of the rally organisers.
With speeches underway, West Papuans and supporters blocked the entrance to the Indonesian Embassy by staging a “massacre” in protest against continuing human rights abuses in West Papua.
The West Papua human rights protest at the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra on Friday. Image: AWPA
Australian police responded immediately to protect Indonesia’s “sensitivity” and to avoid further pressure from their officials who stood among them.
One supporter was arrested and taken into custody for failure to provide a name and address. The activist was refused bail.
The Australian police reaction showed continuous protection of the Indonesian government and bowing to its pressure rather than question their treatment of West Papua’s indigenous people, protest organisers said.
The West Papuan struggle continues to gain momentum at the international level and remains a thorn in the side of the Indonesian state.
“The support for a Free West Papua shall not be silenced in Australia and it’s about time the Indonesian government must engage with West Papua’s legitimate body,” said Lewis Prai Wellip, one of the West Papuan activist leaders who travelled from Melbourne to Canberra.
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1) Shifting demographics in West Papua highlight conflict, says academic

January 29, 2017, 11:21 pm
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2) Papuan video advocacy faces regular pressure for permits

3) Papuans still unhappy over Merauke food and oil palm project

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1) Shifting demographics in West Papua highlight conflict, says academic
By  - 
  
Transcript:
JIM ELMSLIE: You’ve got to handle the figures with some degree of care and you’ve got to sort of doubt the accuracy to some extent because the large area that’s there, the terrain, the fact that large areas of the Highlands, I don’t know if you’d call it a revolt, but there are certain areas that are conflicts between certain areas of the island and the state are fairly entrenched. So the figures – what you can get clearly from them is the trend and the change over time and that’s clearly continuing because of the large-scale inward migration of non-Papuan settlers drawn into the region mostly for economic opportunity, and most of that economic opportunities are on the plains.
JOHNNY BLADES: You’ve established that the Melanesians – the Papuans – their growth rate is quite a bit less than the non-Papuans.
JE: That’s what the research shows and that’s even given that the numbers are a bit rubbery. Because for [Indonesia] to conduct an accurate census would be damn-near impossible and the figures that we have to use, so we use them. But anecdotally as well – from talking to health experts and looking at what’s going on on the ground compared to say PNG – then yeah the birth rate clearly is lower. There’s a whole range of reasons for that. One is the infant mortality and the maternal mortality rate is very high, there are untreated diseases that cause infertility. But that’s fairly clear and it’s also clear that large numbers of migrants are coming in, the government is building new ports, there are ships that come in on a weekly basis, there’s many flights every day from other parts of Indonesia. There’s clearly the demand, and as we’re talking, they are clearing tens of thousands of acres of rainforest and putting in labour-intensive things like oil palm plantations, where the workers are being brought in from Java rather than being recruited locally.
JB: Back in 2010 you had estimated that the total population of West Papuans in West Papua, that whole Papua region, was some 48 percent. And now with these new BPS [Indonesian Statistics Office] figures it’s indicating that their percentage is something like 66 percent. Isn’t that in some ways a positive, given that in the last couple of years a lot of the discourse around the West Papuan diplomatic wrangle has been around them having become a minority in their own land?
JE: Well, when you extrapolate these figures forward, and there’s two different population growth rates, you come up with these figures of the minoritisation of the Papuan population. And that was a projection, I guess, if all else remained the same. And I think the exact figures may vary but the trend is still there. So in terms of whether that’s positive or not… I think it certainly is positive that large areas of the Highlands of West Papua are still populated very strongly by groups of indigenous Melanesian people, even if that’s not the case in the lowlands. But it means that the Papuans, certainly in the Highlands, are not on the verge of disappearing under the weight of inward migration. So yes, I think that’s a positive thing. Some people seem to feel that the general conflict in West Papua would disappear over time as the Papuan population became a minority. Well that’s obviously not going to happen. That is happening in the lowlands, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon in the Highlands, even though – I must stress again – that there’s a lot of development going on there which will bring in outsiders, bring in more military, which will always be a threat to them [Papuans].
JB: Transmigrasi is no longer an official programme, is that right? But these people are still coming in?
JE: Yeah so there’s no official transmigration, but it’s the policy, I think, of the Indonesian government because looking at the bigger picture of Indonesia and the Indonesian  economy – and people talk about it growing – West Papua makes up something like 23 or 24 percent of the land mass of Indonesia and it’s got huge resources: obviously the forestry, when most of the rest of the trees of Indonesia have been cut down, so Papua is really the last place where there’s huge stands of rainforest; there’s also the mineral wealth which is possibly the richest part of the entire world – the Freeport mine is probably the biggest gold mine in the world, the biggest copper mine, it’s also the biggest economic entity in Indonesia and also the biggest taxpayer. So looking into the future, the Indonesians’ capacity to exploit the natural resources of West Papua, and with all that brings, that will be one of the factors that allow Indonesia to grow as people are predicting it to grow, and become one of the main economies in southeast Asia, and certainly bigger than Australia. Which is one of the fears, I guess, which is underlying Australian policy, that in some future when the Indonesian economy overtakes the Australian economy in size, and Indonesia becomes a more important country internationally, then that’s going to be quite a different situation than has been the case in this part of the world up until now, where the Australian economy and therefore its military resources and the rest of it were superior to the Indonesians. So a lot of that long-term growth will come out of West Papua. And if that continues, it will involve shifting more and more people down to that region.

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2) Papuan video advocacy faces regular pressure for permits
3:16 pm today 

A West Papuan video-based advocacy organisation says Indonesian security forces commonly demand that it show a permit to conduct its activities.


However, one of the filmmakers behind Papuan Voices says there's no legal requirement for a permit to shoot the type of videos they do.
Listen to Johnny Blades' report on Dateline Pacific duration 3:28
from Dateline Pacific
 
Add to playlist 
 
Wensi Fatubun said Papuan Voices was established to help West Papuans tell their own stories about everyday issues such as struggles for education, saving the environment, equality and dignity.
He said they were routinely bothered by police and the military.
"They always ask to us, if we need to filming, we need a permit from the authorities, Indonesian authorities. No, why we need to? Because under Indonesian rule, filming people, we don't need a permit."
Wensi Fatubun said this was an example of the tight control exerted by Indonesia's military and police on Papuans.

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3) Papuans still unhappy over Merauke food and oil palm project

9:51 am today 
Strong distrust remains among the indigenous Papuans of Indonesia’s Merauke regency about a major "food estate" project

Jakarta has thrown high level support behind the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate, or MIFEE, a project in the far south east of Papua province
Eventually expected to cover 1.6 million hectares, MIFEE has attracted dozens of investors, looking to grow food crops and palm oil.
Billed as a project to address food security concerns for parts of the country, local Papuan communities have complained that MIFEE is alienating them from their land.
A member of the video-based advocacy organisation Papuan Voices, Wensi Fatubun, said young Papuans in Merauke have begun using video to convey their opposition.
"We try to empower the community to do how they can protect their own land, their own rights, from the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate project."
However, the government said MIFEE was aimed at helping create improved living standards for Papuan communities.
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has personally visited the MIFEE site as part of his campaign to foster greater economic development in Papua.
Earlier this month, Government Affairs Assistant Secretary for Law and Human Rights in Papua, Wakerkwa Doren said a presidential special envoy was heading to Merauke to check on food security, and people's economic development.
He told Tabloid Jubi that as merauke is a regency bordering a neighbournig country, PNG, it was important to work with provincial government to address the people's concerns.
Meanwhile, recently released statistics released by Indonesia's Bureau of Statistics on the ethnic composition of Papua region's population identified Merauke regency as one of five regencies with a majority of non-Papuans.
Based on the population figures from Indonesia's 2010 census, non-Papuans make up around 63 percent of Merauke's population.
Australia-based specialist in West Papuan demographics, Dr Jim Elmslie expected that as Indonesia's economy grew, demographic change in Papua regions like Merauke would continue.
"So a lot of that long-term growth will come out of West Papua," he said, "and if that continues, it will involve shifting more and more people down to that region."
Other regencies where the indigenous Melanesians make up the minority of the population include two other regencies that, like Merauke, are close to the border with PNG.
The regencies where the non-Papuan population is concentrated tend to be areas where access to health and education services is best.
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1) Mining Boss: Freeport Indonesia is Not Only Just Gold

January 30, 2017, 11:36 am
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2) Indonesia blocks websites circulating #LetWestPapuaVote petition
3) Former regent nabbed as suspected drug user in West Papua
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1) Mining Boss: Freeport Indonesia is Not Only Just Gold

Freeport Indonesia started operation in Papua in 1967 and is currently Indonesia’s largest mining firm.






The Garsberg mine operated by Freeport in Indonesia. (Photo source: Kompas/Agus Susanto)

Jakarta, GIVnews.com – Giant copper and gold miner PT. Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is complaining about the company’s image. The main perception of many in the public is that the mining field, which is operated by the firm in Papua, is full of gold.


There is also a perception that the gold that has been mined by the company is already in the form of clods, which can readily be taken offsite.
This complaint was aired by current PTFI president director Chappy Hakim. He was giving a public lecture at the post-graduate school of the Economy and Business Faculty at Universitas Indonesia in Depok, near Jakarta, last Friday (27/1) as reported by mediaindonesia.com. PTFI is a subsidiary of US mining giant Freeport McMoran.
The former Air Force chief said, “Freeport’s mine is located in extreme area. Out of every ton of the ores excavated, only several grams of copper and a small amount of gold can be obtained.”
Moreover, alongside other related agencies, the Indonesian customs and excise office strictly control the processing of clods into ores at PTFI’s facilities. Therefore, it is not true that the company can easily make big money. This is according to Chappy Hakim who took up the president director post last November.
PTFI started operation in Papua in 1967 and is currently Indonesia’s largest mining firm. Chappy Hakim said in the 1992-2015 period, Indonesia received US$16.1 billion from the Freeport’s Papua operation. This compared with the $10.8 billion that went to the company. This means that so far they have got 60 percent and 40 percent in revenue sharing, respectively, he added.
Also in Depok, Chappy Hakim said that they were still reviewing the newly issued government regulations that allow PTFI to continue exporting certain minerals in compensation for a contract extension and a commitment to build a smelter.
He said as quoted by the Jakarta Post, “Since the government regulation has just been issued, Freeport Indonesia is currently trying to reposition itself to see how it can continue to survive.”
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2) Indonesia blocks websites circulating #LetWestPapuaVote petition
By  - 
  
Launch of the Free West Papua Campaigns 2017 global petition calling for an internationally-supervised vote for West Papua at Westminster last week. Video: Pouk Malay
By Badriyanto in Jakarta
Indonesian military (TNI) chief General Gatot Nurmantyo was relaxed in response to news that there is a West Papua people’s petition seeking to separate West Papua from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
“Everything’s okay with West Papua right. There isn’t any problem,” said Nurmantyo during a hearing with the House of Representative’s Commission I overseeing information and communications, defence and foreign affairs at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta.
Nurmantyo said he was not going to get upset over the various petitions initiated by “criminal” groups because it was a waste of time and energy on matters that were of little substance.
Nurmantyo also said that the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) had already blocked a number of websites that had been circulating the petition.
“If the petition’s not from an official group then why should we bother about it, it’s tiring right. Who made this [petitions], who makes them, there’s no end to them,” said Nurmantyo.

As already reported, an online petition has been circulating supporting West Papua’s separation from the NKRI.
The petition is targeting 20,000 people and will be taken to Geneva and handed over to the United Nations.
First published by Okezone in Bahasa on January 26. Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was “Tanggapi Masalah OPM, Panglima TNI: Papua Barat Baik-Baik Saja”.



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3) Former regent nabbed as suspected drug user in West Papua
Jakarta | Mon, January 30, 2017 | 01:21 pm

Police in West Papua will continue the legal process against a former regent, who was arrested on Sunday for allegedly using drugs, even though several parties have tried to intervene with the case.
Manokwari Police chief Adj. Comr. Christian Rony Putra said on Monday the police had named Teluk Wondama former regent Alberth Torey as a suspect for consuming crystal methamphetamine.
“Some parties have tried to intervene, but I will thoroughly process the case,” Rony said as quoted by tempo.co. “Drug cases can’t be resolved through customary law,” he added.  
Alberth was arrested at his house in Manokwari early Sunday with 0.02 grams of crystal methamphetamine. He is now being treated at Manokwari Regional Hospital.
Alberth also faced drug charges with his second wife Viviani Idriyani in April 2011.  
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1) To kill Papuan youth

January 31, 2017, 12:36 pm
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2) Protester charged with trespassing on Indonesian consulate-general in Melbourne
3) INSIGHT: Indonesia-Australia relations and the perils of success
4) Freeport may resume copper exports from Indonesia in ‘a day or two’ — authorities
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1) To kill Papuan youth
ANDRE BARAHAMIN - 30 JAN, 2017
Unless the role and power of security forces is limited in Indonesia’s troubled Papua region, more young locals will end up dead and cases like the Paniai killings will remain unsolved, writes Andre Barahamin. 
On 8 December 2014, five local teenagers were gunned down in Enarotali, a town in the Paniai regency of Indonesia Papua.
The young men were killed by shots that allegedly came from Indonesian security forces after police and military personnel fired on some 800 protesters. A further 12 people, including school children, were injured from the bullets.
The crowd had gathered to protest the beating of a 12-year-old Papuan boy by Indonesian security forces the day before. To further complicate the matter, Indonesian government officials offered conflicting reports of the violence, with some claiming that security personnel warned the crowd to disperse and fired because they had come under attack (as noted by Human Rights Watch).
From the results of a pre-investigation by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), According security forces had used live ammunition and firearms to break up the crowd, but there was no evidence that
the crowd presented any threat to security personnel. In late December 2014, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo promised to solve the killing.
“I want this case to be solved immediately so it won’t ever happen again in the future,” the president said. “By forming a fact-finding team, we hope to obtain valid information, as well as find the root of the problems.”
But the investigation into the case has since been delayed.
At least eight government institutions have sent their respective fact-finding teams to look in to the case. This includes, the Army, the Air Force, the National Police, the Papua Police, the Papua Legislative Council, the Office of Coordinating Minister for Security, Political and Legal Affairs, the Witness and Victims’ Protection Agency (LPSK), as well as Komnas HAM.
But none of these institutions have published a public report of their findings. So, after more than two years, and a President’s pledge, those who seek answers and justice have only been given broken promises, and no significant progress.
Perhaps most disappointing is the failure of Komnas HAM to deliver any real insights into what happened on that fateful day. Expected to be the leading institution in solving the Paniai killings, the human rights commission has spectacularly failed. In March 2015, it formed an ad hoc team to conduct its investigation, but it was not officially inaugurated until October 2016. Nothing has happened since then, and two investigation team members have already resigned.
According to Natalius Pigai, Komnas HAM commissioner, the main obstacles to solving the case are the police and military – with both institutions accused of being involved in several rights abuse cases across Papua. Such allegations, understandably, directly undermine the trust for authorities among the victims’ families. Rejecting an autopsy request on the victims’ bodies from Paniai has only increased the uncertainty that the case will ever be solved. Another complication is that investigators are unable to interview soldiers who were at the scene of the shooting.
However, delaying the investigation into the Paniai killings is not surprising at all. There are many cases of human rights violations in Papua that have yet to be solved. The list includes the Biak Massacre of July 1998, Wasior in June 2001, and Wamena in April 2003, when hundreds of Papuan were killed.
At the same time, the President’s determination to solve the case and make the perpetrators accountable under law would seem to have waned as well. In late 2016 Jokowi appointed Wiranto, a former general indicted for human rights violations in Timor Leste, as the country’s top security minister.
Jokowi’s decision to appoint Wiranto to such a contentious post has made the situation worse. Wiranto has openly said that he aims to solve all of these cases through non-judicial processes, which could mean impunity for any perpetrators.
Sadly Paniai isn’t even the latest case of violence. Papua Itu Kita have reported that 18 Papuan teenagers aged between 14 and 19 years have been shot by police and the military since October 2016. Eight of them were killed. Of these cases, only three were prosecuted by the institution to which the culprits belonged.
The cases include the Koperapoka shooting in Timika by members of the military that killed four Papuans, the Gorong-Gorong shooting against Fernando Saborefek (18) in Biak by the police force, and Sugapa of Intan Jaya where members of the Papua Police Mobile Brigade were involved with the shooting of Otinius Sondegau (15).
The trend of teen killings in Papua cannot be separated from pro-violence approaches by the Indonesia military and police to dealing with the complicated issue of Papua’s place in Indonesia. The excessive use of force continues because Jokowi has failed from the beginning of his presidency to limit the role and power of security forces in Papua.
Added to this volatile mix is ongoing discrimination towards Papuan youth. Young Papuans are racially targeted and labeled as troublemakers, primitive and potential future members of separatist movements. It would seem that being a young Papuan with dark skin and curly hair is more than enough to make you a target of violence.
Meanwhile, Komnas HAM have vowed to step up their investigation into the Paniai killings, claiming they will send out a team to interview “locals, victims, Papuan public figures and security officers from February 18 to 20.”
Only time will tell if it will achieve anything. It’s telling that it has already taken this much time.
Andre Barahamin is researcher of PUSAKA Foundation, and member of Papua Itu Kita (Jakarta-based solidarity campaign for Papua).
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2) Protester charged with trespassing on Indonesian consulate-general in Melbourne




A 42-year-old protester has been charged with trespassing on the Indonesian consulate-general in Melbourne after an incident which came at a time of renewed tensions in the bilateral relationship.
The arrest was made three days after Indonesia criticised Australia for not arresting a man who clambered onto the roof of the consulate-general and waved a separatist West Papuan flag on January 6.

"The Australian Federal Police can confirm it arrested a 42-year-old man in the Melbourne suburb of Williamstown on Monday, January 30," the Australian Federal Police said.
The arrest comes just days before Attorney-General George Brandis, Justice Minister Michael Keenan and Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan are scheduled to attend the Ministerial Council on Law and Security in Jakarta.

On January 26, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said a parliamentary commission requested the Australian government legally process the trespassing incident "because we know the faces of perpetrators, we have the pictures".
The incident featured a demonstrator waving the separatist West Papuan "Morning Star" flag, which is banned in Indonesia, while another person filmed the event. The video was posted on Facebook and distributed widely.
"The question is why has there been no arrest when 20 days have passed?" Ms Retno said on January 26.
"As close neighbouring countries, we have a very intense relationship and of course problems occur every now and then," Ms Retno said.
Another MP - Tubagus Hasanudin - went further than Ms Retno, saying Indonesia could take diplomatic measures if no legal action was taken.
Many Indonesians remain suspicious of Australia's intentions in Papua, even though it has signed the Lombok Treaty recognising Indonesian sovereignty over the restive province.
However the Indonesian Foreign Ministry stressed its concern was the trespass, which Ms Retno described as a criminal act that was "completely intolerable".
The AFP spokesman said the man had been charged with trespass of a protected premises, contrary to section 20 of the Protection of Persons and Property Act 1971.
Under the act, a person who trespasses on protected premises commits an offence, punishable on conviction by a fine of not more than 10 penalty units ($1800).
The man has been bailed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on February 23.
"As the matter is now before the court it would not be appropriate to provide any further comment," the AFP spokesperson said.
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3) INSIGHT: Indonesia-Australia relations and the perils of success
Jakarta | Mon, January 30, 2017 | 09:06 am
Evan A. Laksmana Researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)


Indonesia-Australia relations seem to have hit another snag this year. In early January, Kompas daily reported that the Indonesian military (TNI) was suspending all military cooperation with the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
As the news was confirmed by the TNI spokesman, the suspension made numerous domestic and international headlines. With the 24-hour news cycle, and the fact that Indonesia-Australia defense relations tend to be controversial, speculations ran wild and included some unnecessary ad-hominem attacks on the TNI commander.
It was only after the Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister clarified that the “temporary suspension” only covered language training activities — rather than defense-wide cooperation — that the dust began to settle.
At a deeper level, the incident underscores the perils of success in Indonesia-Australia defense relations, which stems in particular from an overemphasis on (and occasional “public sanitizing” of) the TNI-ADF relationship.
Given the geopolitical history between the two neighbors, Jakarta and Canberra understandably believe that the relationship between their respective militaries is vital to the broader bilateral relationship. The 1999 East Timor debacle and the centrality of the 2006 Lombok Treaty in restoring bilateral relations only served to reinforce this perception.
Indeed, since then, TNI-ADF relations have quietly flourished. Thousands of TNI officers have gone through numerous Australian schools and training programs over the past decade, while exercises and other cooperative activities grew. The presence of an alumni association for graduates of both Indonesian and Australian military education and training programs, IKAHAN, seemingly solidified the defense relations.
These successes, however, may have had unintended consequences.
First, they have created, perhaps unconsciously, the impression that defense relations had matured by 2016. This may have led to complacency in some instances; such as not carefully and transparently managing every detail of the various education or training environments.
In other instances, it could lead to “tunnel vision” during crisis. We can see this in one of the narratives sprung from the latest incident: rogue generals with political ambitions and anti-Australian sentiments are to blame. After all, the argument goes, defense relations have been so successful in restoring military trust that the suspension could not have possibly reflected deeper insecurities within the TNI over separatism or its own history.
Needless to say, such narratives were inaccurate and counterproductive. But perhaps more importantly, they also sidetracked potential opportunities to better review existing defense cooperation programs.
Second, the over-emphasis on and extra care of the TNI-ADF relationship may have inadvertently hindered the broader integration of defense cooperation into the wider bilateral relationship.
Paradoxically, military-to-military relations have been consequently more susceptible to the waxing and waning of the domestic politics in Jakarta and Canberra. One government source told me that during the 2013 wiretapping crisis, some considered defense cooperation more expendable (i.e. able to be temporarily suspended) because there were no “real and practical” ramifications in other areas of the bilateral relationship.
As such, we might want to stop seeing TNI-ADF relations as inherently unique and therefore needing “special status” or “protection”. Instead, moving forward, we could consider ways to expand and deepen the integration of defense cooperation within the broader bilateral relationship, rather than relying on the former to strengthen the latter.
We can do so by deliberately integrating multiple non-military stakeholders — from the police, Foreign Ministry, to scholars and industry players — into pre-existing defense cooperation activities or create new ones to accommodate them. This could integrate the TNI further within the strategic community and create additional stabilizing layers into the bilateral relationship.
We can consider, for example, renewing engagement and institutionalizing partnerships between the civilian defense and strategic communities from both countries that could act as counterparts and counterweights to — and perhaps even communication channels between — the TNI and ADF.
In counterterrorism and maritime security, we could expand joint exercises and training specifically designed for multiple agencies to work together simultaneously. To counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, for example, we need the Navy, coast guard and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, among other institutions. Similarly with counter-terrorism, there are numerous activities that should involve elements of the army, police and intelligence community, as well as civilian agencies such customs or prison authorities.
Developing and expanding various bilateral joint multi-agency activities — from education to exercises — involving both military and non-military elements might also help alleviate some of the bureaucratic infighting and stove-piping prevalent on some of those issues.
Additional cooperation between the legislative and judicial branches of both countries over military policies — such as defense planning and budgeting, or the military justice system— could provide an additional layer too. After all, defense establishments tend to be wider than military organizations alone.
We can also perhaps consider possible joint defense industrial projects — whether bilaterally or regionally with other ASEAN members — to strengthen the business side of defense relations. This might, in the long run, help us jumpstart the relatively sluggish economic relations between the two countries.
Strengthening defense relations by focusing on non-defense policies may seem paradoxical but if done properly it might stabilize both TNI-ADF cooperation as well as the Indonesia-Australia relationship.
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4) Freeport may resume copper exports from Indonesia in ‘a day or two’ — authorities
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Shares in Freeport McMoRan Inc (NYSE:FCX), the world’s largest listed copper miner, were down on Monday despite reports indicating that Indonesia may issue a temporary permit valid for up to six months to the company's local unit, which could pave the way for the mining giant to resume exports of concentrate from its Grasberg mine in Papua.

The temporary authorization could be issued "in one or two days", Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan said according to Reuters. Such permit is being considered to avoid a stoppage to Freeport's exports while it completes the requirements for a new special mining licence, he noted.
Indonesia’s fresh ban on concentrate exports kicked in on January 12 as part of the South East Asian nation's comprehensive change to mining regulations and ownership rules.
Some of the freshly introduced legislation require Freeport to obtain new mining rights before being allowed to resume exports.
The Grasberg mining complex in the remote Papua region of Indonesia is responsible for more than a quarter of Freeport's total output. Before the current troubles, it was set contribute an even greater proportion in 2017 as copper grades improve and gold production is boosted.
But in light of the export ban the company has said it may have to suspend planned spending of around $1 billion per year through 2021 to transition the mine to underground operations.
Last year, the iconic mine produced more than 500,000 tonnes of copper and over 1 million ounces of gold.
Shares in the company were down 1.9% to $16.06 in New York at 11:27AM local time.
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1) Garuda Indonesia Spreads Its Wings for Flight Expansion in Papua

February 1, 2017, 11:56 am
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 2) Indonesia, Australia to hold third MCM on law and security
3) Australia arrests Indonesian mission trespasser
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1) Garuda Indonesia Spreads Its Wings for Flight Expansion in Papua
Wednesday, 01 February 2017 | 05:59 WIB
JAKARTA, NETRALNEWS.COM - The easternmost provinces of West Papua and Papua, which were formerly one province called Irian Jaya before they were split into two provinces in 2003, have difficult geographical conditions for transportation services.
Land transportation is not yet effective as the infrastructure, notably roads, are not yet suitable for smooth connectivity among regions within the two provinces. So far, many travelers within the regions have been transported using small planes that could land at airstrips.
Therefore, the country's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is planning to increase its flight services in Papua and West Papua in order to provide adequate transportation means for the people of Papua and West Papua.
For West Papua, Garuda is planning to use a wide-bodied Boeing 737-800 aircraft to serve the Sorong-Jakarta route, while for the Papua, it is planning to expand its local flights by opening the Jayapura-Dekai route. Garuda Indonesia plans to open the Jayapura-Dekai route in Yahukmo District, after it identified a relatively high potential in serving the route.
"We are planning to start flights on the route from Jayapura to Dekai, probably in July 2017," Garuda's Sales and Marketing Manager for Jayapura Octavianus J. H. Tampi stated in Jayapura on Monday (Jan 30). According to Tampi, Garuda will use a 70-seater ATR aircraft.
"We have identified the route's potential. Hence, we are planning to start flight services locally in Papua Province," Tampi remarked. The Garuda manager pointed out that the state-owned airline company will use new aircraft to daily serve the new route to Nop Goliat Airport in Dekai. It plans to fly every day. The route could be Jayapura-Dekai-Timika.
The route will be served with relatively small aircraft; however, for the Sorong-Jakarta route, Garuda will deploy a larger aircraft. In its efforts to increase its services to the people of Papua, Garuda will use wide-bodied Boeing 737-800 aircraft to serve the Sorong-Jakarta route, a Garuda sales manager stated.
Radhitya Prastanika, Garuda Sales Manager for Sorong, remarked in Sorong on Tuesday that his company was planning to operate Boeing 737-800 to serve the Sorong-Jakarta route next April.
The airlines will use a large aircraft to serve the route to support the government's efforts to offer better access for tourists to the Raja Ampat tourism destination. Raja Ampat is a district in West Papua with Waisai as its capital city.
The Raja Ampat District Administration has been improving infrastructure, facilities and services to support the tourism industry. According to Yusdi Lamatenggo, head of the Raja Ampat tourism office, an airport will be built on Misol Island. "The Raja Ampat district administration has set a target that by late 2017, aircraft similar to Susi Air planes could land on Misol Island," he noted.
Therefore, Garuda will use Boeing 737-800 aricraft to serve Sorong-Jakarta route. Currently, Garuda is waiting for a letter of permit to land at Sorong's Domine Eduward Osok Airport.
"We are waiting for the official letter from the Domine Eduward Osok Airport authority for allowing a large aircraft to land at the airport," Prastanika said.
According to Prastanika, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which will serve the Sorong-Jakarta route, has a seating capacity of 162 passengers, of which 150 are economy class seats and 12 are executive class.
"Garuda is committed to offering convenience to the people of Sorong," he added. This year, Garuda Indonesia is planning to increase the number of its flights and start new routes in Papua and West Papua. However, the first priority will be accorded to Boeing 737-800 to serve the Sorong-Jakarta route.
"If the airport authority issues the letter before April, Garuda will be ready to operate its Boeing 737-800 aircraft," Prastanika stated. In expanding its flight services, the airlines continues to set strategies, particularly to face competition, which will be increasingly stiffer in the coming years.
Earlier in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Garuda President Director Arif Wibowo stated that Garuda had outlined anticipatory steps to face tough competition in the aviation sector in 2017.
Garuda has prepared anticipatory steps in the face of possible oil price hikes in the global market and fluctuations in foreign currencies, Wibowo said on the sidelines of a joint anniversary celebration of 22 state-owned enterprises in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara,  last Saturday.
He remarked that as part of its strategies, the national flag carrier has pegged the assumed price of avtur, or aircraft fuel, and has conducted hedging of foreign currencies to anticipate fluctuations.
After all, the global economy, which is forecast to have not yet fully recovered, has a major impact on the aviation business. Based on the assumption of an increase in the avtur prices, Garuda has fixed an assumed price of 57 US cents per liter.
Oil price is the main factor in the context of cost strategy, as it could have a direct impact on the performance in 2017. Garuda has also applied hedging in a bid to protect the value of the company's loan payments from fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates.
However, Wibowo declined to reveal the value of hedging, by merely saying that the step was intended to protect the company's financial balance from the adverse impact of the weakening of the rupiah.

Wibowo said that despite stiff competition among airlines in 2017, Garuda has set a passenger growth target at 8.7 percent, higher that the aviation industry's projection at 6.9 percent.

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 2) Indonesia, Australia to hold third MCM on law and security
Pewarta: Yashinta Difa Rabu, 1 Februari 2017 21:35 WIB
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Australia again committed to enhancing relations in the fields of law and security by organizing the third Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) on Law and Security in Jakarta on February 2, 2017.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto has been appointed as head of the Indonesian delegation, while Australian Attorney General Senator George Brandis is the head of Australias delegation.

At the meeting, the two countries will hold talks on several issues, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security, as quoted from a statement released by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs on Wednesday.

In line with strengthening cooperation in the law sector, both countries will review the cooperation among law enforcement personnel.

Through the third MCM meeting, Indonesia and Australia have agreed to enhance mutual understanding on issues relating to law and security, a common concern for both countries. 

It is a commitment of both nations to maintain security and stability and create prosperity in the region. Such a commitment will be comprehended at the end of the meeting in the form of a Joint Communiqu.

The meeting will also be attended by Indonesian Attorney General HM Prasetyo, Minister of Communication and Information Rudiantara, Military Chief General Gatot Nurmayanto, Police Chief General Tito Karnavian, Head of the Indonesian Intelligence Agency Budi Gunawan, and Head of the Counter Terrorism Agency Commissioner General Suhardi Alius.

Head of the Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Centre Kiagus Ahmad Badaruddin and Head of the Anti-Drugs Agency Commissioner General Budi Waseso will also attend the meeting.

Australian Minister of Justice Michael Keenan and Australian Minister of Cyber Security Affairs Dan Tehan will attend the meeting as members of the Australian delegation. 

Indonesia-Australia MCM on Law and Security is a forum for holding ministerial-level meetings, the first edition of which was held on December 21, 2015, in Jakarta and the second in Sydney on June 8, 2016.
(Uu.Y013/KR-BSR/A014)
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3) Australia arrests Indonesian mission trespasser
News Desk The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Wed, February 1, 2017 | 08:12 am
Australian authorities finally captured on Monday a man for trespassing on protected Indonesian property after almost a month of pursuit and multiple warnings from Indonesia.
The 42-year-old unidentified man was arrested in the Melbourne suburb of Williamstown for trespassing on the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Melbourne earlier this month, the Australian Embassy in Jakarta revealed Tuesday.
The arrest was made just a few days after Indonesian government officials and legislators criticized Australia for failing to arrest a man who climbed onto the roof of the KJRI and hoisted the Morning Star flag of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM).
“The Australian Federal Police [AFP] can confirm it arrested a 42-year-old man in the Melbourne suburb of Williamstown on Monday,” the Australian Embassy said in a statement to The Jakarta Post.
The individual was charged with Trespassing on a Protected Premises, contrary to Section 20 of the Protection of Persons and Property Act, the statement added.
“He has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, Feb. 23.”
The Embassy did not provide further comment on the case, saying it would be inappropriate because it “is now before the court.”
Section 20 of the 1971 Act carries a fine ranging between 10 and 20 penalty units, whereby 1 penalty unit is equal to A$180 (US$135.93) for federal offenses.
The flag-hoisting incident was filmed by an accomplice from outside the Indonesian premises, which was then posted on social media for wide distribution.
Indonesian Consul General in Melbourne Dewi Wahab told the Post on Tuesday that there was only one suspect in the case, as the person recording the video did not engage in a criminal act.
Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir rejoiced following news of the arrest, conveying Indonesia’s hope that the perpetrator would be duly processed in accordance with the law.
“We received information from the Consul General that the AFP detained [...] the criminal responsible for the Melbourne KJRI incident,” he said. “We appreciate that the AFP was finally able to capture the perpetrator.”
Last week, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that lawmakers from the foreign affairs commission of the House of Representatives demanded that the Australian government take swift measures to legally process the demonstrator, who had remained at large since the Jan. 6 incident.
The incident further exacerbated tensions with Canberra following Indonesia’s temporary suspension of military cooperation on language exchange programs with Australia, pending an investigation into another troubling affair that is scheduled to conclude by the end of this month.
Australian authorities were accused of showing little interest in resolving the incident, until last week’s protests by the Indonesian government and lawmakers.
The arrest also comes ahead of the expected arrival of an Australian delegation in Jakarta to attend the Ministerial Council on Law and Security
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Media release -West Papua-the elephant in the room

February 1, 2017, 3:40 pm
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Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)


Media release -West Papua-the elephant in the room



2 February 2016



                                            Rally outside Indonesian Embassy Canberra 27 Jan 2017 


Attorney-General George Brandis, Justice Minister Michael Keenan and Dan Tehan, will meet with Indonesia’s top security minister Wiranto and other Indonesian Ministers today in Jakarta for the third Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) on Law and Security.


Joe Collins of AWPA said, “as usual we can expect the issues of  counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security to be on the agenda but no doubt West Papua will be the elephant in the room again. The human rights situation in West Papua should be raised not only at this meeting but raised by Australian officials at all bilateral talks between Australian and Indonesian officials.


In a joint press release from the Australian side it states “Australia and Indonesia share a steadfast commitment to a stable and prosperous Indo‑Pacific region”. 


Joe Collins said that "West Papua is the one issue of great concern in our region and Australia should be doing all it can to encourage Jakarta to sit down and dialogue with West Papuan representatives to discuss all the issues of concern they have'.  It is now 54 years since Indonesia took over the administration of West Papua and the courageous West Papuan people  are still marching in the streets risking arrest and torture and calling for their right to self-determination. 

The West Papuan people and their representatives have achieved great victories in the past few years and as support continues to grow for West Papua not only in our region but world wide, Australia and Indonesian must realize that West Papua is truly back on the agenda and won’t be going away. 

Ends.



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1) 165 ballots found damaged in Jayapura

February 2, 2017, 1:08 pm
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1) 165 ballots found damaged in Jayapura

Nethy Dharma Somba The Jakarta Post
Jayapura, Papua | Thu, February 2, 2017 | 11:07 pm

The Jayapura General Elections Commission (KPU) says it has found 165 damaged ballots and requested replacements from a partnering printing house.
“The folding process of ballot papers has been completed. We found 165 damaged ballots and we have sent a letter to the printing house to replace them,” KPU Jayapura member Sutjipto said on Thursday.
He said it was hoped that the commission would receive the new ballot papers as soon as possible because ballots must be distributed to voting locations three days before the election on Feb. 15.
KPU Jayapura is set to deploy 5,661 officials on election day, comprising 4,403 officials recruited by the commission and 1,258 Community Protection (Linmas) officers dispatched by the Jayapura administration. Two Linmas officers will be stationed at every polling station.
The number of voters in Jayapura amounts to 308,775, around 100,000 lower than the 409,388 voters during the Papua gubernatorial election in 2013.
“There is quite a huge gap between the number of registered voters for the 2017 regional elections and those registered for the 2013 Papua gubernatorial election. This is because there has been an improvement in population data at the Jayapura civil and registration agency [Dukcapil],” said Sutjipto.
“In 2013, many residents who were no longer living in the city were still registered at Dukcapil.”
KPU Jayapura is busy setting up 629 polling stations in five districts and 39 villages. Only one candidate pair, namely Benhur Tomi Mano and Haji Rustam Saru, is contesting the Jayapura mayoral election. (ebf)
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2) Indonesia, Australia focus on cutting off terrorism financing

Kamis, 2 Februari 2017 21:46 WIB | 629 Views
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian and Australian governments are continuing cooperation on cybersecurity, mainly to cut off the financial lifelines of terrorists.

During the 3rd Australian-Indonesia Ministerial Council on Law and Security meeting held in Jakarta, Thursday, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto and Australian Attorney General George Brandis, as the heads of the countries delegations, particularly discussed measures that could be taken by both countries to stop terrorism funding.

"We discussed how Indonesia and Australia can work together to cut off the lifelines of terrorists, as we understand that terrorism can thrive through funding from some parties," Wiranto noted.

Through the third ministerial council meeting, both Indonesia and Australia are cooperating to find sources of terrorism funding and develop joint measures to cut off their financial lifelines.

"Looking at rapid developments in todays world, we are fully aware that (terrorism) funding can come from anywhere. Hence, without accusing any country, we are trying to intensify our cooperation on countering terrorism as well as violence and extremism," Wiranto stated.

Brandis emphasized that one of the most important agendas between the two countries officials and institutions for maintaining stability and security in the region was working together to develop cybersecurity as an effective tool to cut off the financial lifelines of terrorists.

"The most effective move to combat the threat of terrorism is to cut off funding," he noted.

To this end, Indonesian and Australian financial intelligence agencies PPATK and AUSTRAC have signed an agreement to focus on countering terrorism financing and money laundering.

According to information released by the Australian Embassy in Indonesia on its website, the PPATK-AUSTRAC Partnership Program for 2017 is a seven-year collaboration and allocates almost US$500 thousand for six new projects, including deploying IT specialists to strengthen PPATKs reporting and analysis systems and conducting exchange programs to enable PPATK experts to learn first-hand from AUSTRAC.

The money will also be spent to hold intensive workshops on crimes specific to terrorism financing and money laundering to enhance investigative and analytic capabilities within the PPATK.

In addition, PPATK and AUSTRAC will launch a new cyber project later this year to enhance Indonesias capabilities to counter the rise in online threats.(*)
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Indonesia wants assurance from Army chief

February 3, 2017, 12:10 am
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Indonesia wants assurance from Army chief
Source: AAP 
 3 FEB 2017 - 6:12 PM  UPDATED 33 MINS AGO
Indonesia is seeking assurances from Australia that offensive training material used at a Perth barracks was a one-off case.
Indonesia will be seeking assurances from Australia that training material which offended a trainer at a Perth barracks was a one-off case and not systemic.
Army Chief Angus Campbell will meet with his Indonesian counterpart General Gatot Nurmantyo next Wednesday in Jakarta.
The Indonesian military last month froze all defence co-operation with Australia before swiftly backing down and clarifying the suspension only applied to language programs at special forces academies.
The suspension was triggered following an incident last November involving teaching materials causing offence to a special forces trainer at the Campbell Barracks in Perth.
The material poked fun at Indonesia's founding philosphy - Pancasila.
Pancasila stipulates Indonesia's five principles of religion, civilised humanity, unity, democracy and social justice.
There were also concerns regarding the use of a Wikipedia article about former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's father-in-law and his controversial military service in West Papua.
Lieutenant General Campbell will discuss the findings of the Australian defence department's investigation into the incident.
AAP understands Indonesia is keen for an assurance that the problem is "not systemic" but an individual case and the person involved has been appropriately counselled.
Indonesia is reportedly satisfied by various written apologies from the Defence Force and Defence Minister Marise Payne.
The long running language course could be back up and running in the short term.
Indonesia's Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu is due to visit Australia for talks with Senator Payne later in February.
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Photos of refugee rally in Sydney (4 Feb.)

February 4, 2017, 2:43 am
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2 photos below from RAC Sydney Facebook page








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1) Most Discriminated against journalists Papua

February 4, 2017, 12:31 pm
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2) Region KNPB Deiyai ​​launched
3) Election commission calls on Jayapurans to vote despite sole candidate pair
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A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
original bahada link at
1) Most Discriminated against journalists Papua
Author Arnold Belau -Februari 5, 2017
                                            Devices and Identity Journalists Papua. (Indra -Cendana News)
JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com - At least eight awful fact found eight journalists from eight media based in Jakarta, Solo and Makassar, in a week-long visit in Jayapura, Timika and Merauke.

One of the findings is their treatment of government officials and security discriminatory against journalists OAP (original person Papua) and non OAP vice versa.

In addition, mentioned in the press release received suarapapua.com tonight, there is stigmatization of journalists between the pro-independence and pro Homeland. Stigma is then used as a weapon for officials to intimidation. Stigmatization also makes journalists fragmented.

Eight journalists Indonesia: Palupi Annisa Auliani (Kompas), Arientha Primanita (The Jakarta Post), Adi Marsiela (Voice Reform), Angelina Maria Donna (suara.com), Gadi Makitan (Tempo), Rini Yustiningsih (Solo Pos), Anita Kusuma Ward (East Tribune), Sunarti Sain (Dawn), note the facts have not fully opened access for foreign journalists to Papua.

Since President Joko Widodo open access to foreign media to cover in Papua in 2015, there were 16 foreign journalists to come and cover in Papua. Nevertheless, the issue of independence remains questionable, because 11 of them came accompanied by government officials.

Another fact, wrote in a press release, the mass media in Papua has not been a lot of preaching about environmental damage due to pressure by certain parties.

"The environmental damage related to the economic impact and development that often marginalizes human rights and local knowledge was not widely reported because of the many restrictions and intimidation against journalists in the field," he wrote.

The team that facilitated the Media Freedom Committee Indonesia (MFCI) and supported by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), find facts occurrence of cases of sexual harassment of women journalists in Papua. The cases of both reported and not reported.

From the results of the trip was direkomendir that need to strengthen the capacity of journalism in Papua, from the application of the code of ethics, understanding of the journalist profession, to the mastery of technology, including a business model that is not hostage independence of the press.

In addition, the need for change in the perspective of the media outside Papua in coverage and reporting of Papua to get the fact that a more comprehensive and factual.

Also, keep equalization communications infrastructure and access to information technology across Papua to improve the quality of public services and competition.

Lina Nursanty of MFCI added, the Press Freedom Index compiled Press Council in 2015 stated that Papua province in a state of somewhat free (score 63.88). Meanwhile, the province of West Papua province recorded as less free (score 52.56).

MFCI lowered 8 reporter visited three cities in Papua since January 29 to February 3, 2017 to get the facts on the ground related to press freedom in Papua. This trip is part of the Strengthening Media and Society, supported by WAN-IFRA.

Eko Maryadi, WAN-IFRA Regional Manager Asia, said the week-long program was reporting an investigation to better understand the issues, difficulties and problems facing journalists in Papua.

In this way, Eko said as quoted by Antara news agency, is expected as a contribution of Indonesian journalists examine the issue of freedom of the press in order to subsequently received great attention from the government of Indonesia and the world, especially the perspective of freedom of the press.

Because, according to Eko, until now it sees the efforts of friends journalists and journalist organizations in Indonesia to Papua issue is not running smoothly.

The output of this activity, Eko said, will be made in a single report in commemoration of Press Freedom Day throughout the world on May 3, 2017 in Jakarta. This year Indonesia hosts, so it is considered appropriate to campaign for press freedom situation in Papua.
Announcers: Arnold Belau
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A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
original bahada link at
2) Region KNPB Deiyai ​​launched
Penulis
 Arnold Belau
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                            Dozens of activists KNPB region Deiyai ​​group photo after the launching in Deiyai. (Doc Suara Papua)
JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com- Housed in offices Indigenous Institute, West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Region Deiyai ​​has dilauching on Friday (02/03/2017).

Sadrak Kudiai, field teams say almost all districts in indigenous territories have formed KNPB MEEPAGO region. Among other things Paniai, Dogiayai, Nabire and Deiyai ​​newly launched.

"Only two districts in between the district and the district Deiyai ​​Intan Jaya. But for Deiyai ​​today we will arrange the board, "said Sadrak Kudiai, hall LMA, Buwoudimi, District Tigi, Deiyai, Papua.

Further Kudiai, field teams will focus reorganize its structure and will form a committee in Intan Jaya district.

"Once in Deiyai, we will focus on priorities for the establishment of management KNPB in Intan Jaya," he said.

Kudiai urges that all the people in Deiyai ​​to unite to fight and be on the command line KNPB Deiyai ​​as KNPB Center.

"We must end the oppression of the colonial peoples, for that we must be united," she said.

Meanwhile, the elected chairman of the Regional KNPB Deiyai, Augustine Mote said he would be more consistent to fix and all sectors in the region.

"I will try and complete the board-level KNPB regions and sectors," he said.

Not only that, he also urges that all youth in the Deiyai, in order to join the KNPB.

"Youth as agents of change, let us open the eyes and hearts to see all the oppression that occurred in Papua, especially in the area Deiyai," he concluded.

Announcers: Arnold Belau

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3) Election commission calls on Jayapurans to vote despite sole candidate pair

Nethy Dharma Somba The Jakarta Post
Jayapura | Sat, February 4, 2017 | 02:23 pm
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has called on Jayapura residents to vote in the upcoming election, even though there is only one candidate pair running, saying that voting for the pair or leaving the box blank had the same political value.
He encouraged those who did not want to vote for the pair to visit a polling station anyway and leave the ballot paper blank. “Choosing a blank box counts as equal to choosing the sole candidate because it is your political aspiration,” KPU official Sigit Joyowardono said on Saturday during an election simulation in Jayapura, Papua.
Numerous residents came to see the election simulation event in Abepura, Jayapura. “I am a first-time voter and now I have to choose between a candidate and a blank box. I just learned today that we have only one candidate,” Nita, 20, said on Saturday.
Nita said although it would be her first time voting, she had adequate information because officials had explained the process clearly.
Haji Idrus, 69, felt different about leaving a ballot paper blank. “I feel different because usually we have several choices for candidates. But I have decided on my choice,” he said.
Jayapura is one of 11 regencies and municipalities in Papua that will hold elections on Feb. 15.
The municipality has 308,775 registered voters spread across 629 polling stations in five districts. The candidate pair in Jayapura is incumbent mayor Benhur Tomi Manno and Rustan Saru. (evi)
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1) Australia, Indonesia strengthen cyber-security ties but West Papua ignored

February 4, 2017, 4:54 pm
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1) Australia, Indonesia strengthen cyber-security ties but West Papua ignored

2) AWPA: Isu Papua Barat jadi Gajah Antara Indonesia dan Australia

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http://asiapacificreport.nz/2017/02/05/australia-indonesia-strengthen-cyber-security-ties-but-west-papua-ignored/

1) Australia, Indonesia strengthen cyber-security ties but West Papua ignored

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1) Poor Ethics and Governance Result in Unsustainable Forest Practices: Activist

February 4, 2017, 11:42 pm
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2) Australian army chief to meet Indonesian military leaders after spat
3) In Papua, sexual harassment often occurs in women journalists
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1) Poor Ethics and Governance Result in Unsustainable Forest Practices: Activist




Burning peatland forest in Ketapang district, West Kalimantan. United States-based environmental group Mighty Earth says Papua is the latest victim of unsustainable forest management practices after rampant deforestation left very few remaining trees in Sumatra and Kalimantan. (Photo courtesy of Greenpeace International)


By : Ratri M. Siniwi | on 6:25 PM February 02, 2017
Jakarta. Being home to the third largest rainforest in the world, Indonesia has always been watched closely by environmental groups concerned over deforestation.
Massive forest clearing in various parts of the country has been responsible for critical watershed conditions, major declines in endemic wildlife populations and habitat degradation.
According to United States-based environmental group Mighty Earth, Papua is the latest victim of unsustainable forest management practices after rampant deforestation left very few remaining trees in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Forest burning in Papua came into the spotlight last year when South Korean company Korindo cleared thousands of hectares of forest for palm oil concessions.

"First, the forest concessions in Sumatra were exploited. Then it moved to Kalimantan – all gone. Then a number of forest concessions moved to the eastern side of Indonesia, particularly Papua, with some measuring up to a million hectares,"
Bustar Maitar, the activist group's director for Southeast Asia, said on Wednesday (01/02).
His statement came up during a discussion on timber certification and its importance by the Dr. Sjahrir Foundation, which supports education, social welfare and the environment.
Bustar said the lack of urgency with the national mandatory timber legality assurance system, known as SVLK, is mainly due to a lack of ethics by industry players and poor governance by the authorities.
"It's a question of ethics when it comes to implementing policies [such as the SVLK] introduced by the government, as well as the environmental prerequisites [set by the certification]," he explained.
The activist added that Indonesian industry players should avoid the mindset that commodity certifications were being pushed by international demand to make the country uncompetitive in the global market.
"This might be true, but if we want to compete [in the global market], we must improve our standards. It would not just be for the global market, but it is to improve the value of our timber and to add to international recognition," Bustar said.
According to the Association of Indonesia Forest Concession Holders, the export volume of legal timber has been increasing every year, with 17.46 million tons recorded in 2016 from 15.73 million in the previous year.
However, the domestic market shows is more likely to source illegal timber due to a lack of education and the mindset Bustar mentioned.
"If it's not certified, it should be illegal," he said.


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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/australian-army-chief-to-meet-indonesian-military-leaders-after/3494152.html
2) Australian army chief to meet Indonesian military leaders after spat
  • Posted 05 Feb 2017 14:45


JAKARTA: Australian army chief Angus Campbell will meet Indonesian military leaders in Jakarta on Wednesday, after defence cooperation was suspended last month over "insulting" teaching material found at an Australian base.

Campbell is due to meet Indonesian military (TNI) chief, Gatot Nurmantyo and army chief of staff Mulyono, TNI spokesman Wuryanto said.

Indonesia's military chief declared the rupture in military ties after an Indonesian officer found "offensive" teaching material while on a language training course in Australia late last year.

Nurmantyo said that the material "discredited the TNI, the nation of Indonesia and even the ideology of Indonesia", referring to material concerning East Timor and "Papua needing to be independent", as well as mocking the country's founding principles, known as Pancasila.


Both governments moved quickly to try to cool tensions and Indonesia's chief security minister, Wiranto, later said only cooperation related to the military's Australia-based language training programme had been suspended.

Australian media said Campbell would discuss the findings of an investigation by the defence department into the issue after Indonesia had sought assurances over the training material.

TNI spokesman Wuryanto declined to comment on the agenda for Wednesday's talks. A spokesman for Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne confirmed the visit but also declined to comment further on the talks.

The countries have extensive military cooperation, which ranges from counter-terrorism cooperation to border protection.

But they have had a rocky military relationship in recent years. Australia stopped joint training exercises with Indonesian special forces (Kopassus) after accusations of abuses by the unit in East Timor in 1999 as the territory prepared for independence.


Ties resumed when counter-terrorism cooperation became imperative after the 2002 nightclub bombings on the resort island of Bali that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

Indonesia most recently suspended military ties in 2013 over revelations that Australian spies had tapped the mobile telephone of then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

(Reporting by Agustinus Beo Da Costa and Harry Pearl in SYDNEY; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Nick Macfie)

- Reuters


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3) In Papua, sexual harassment often occurs in women journalists
Jubi | News Portal Papua No. 1,
 Minggu, 05 Februari 2017 — 10:31

Jayapura, Jubi - In addition to the issue of freedom of the press is still cause for concern in Papua, Papuan women journalists face other problems that are not less alarming. Sexual harassment often override these women journalists after reporting.

This fact was discovered by eight journalists from eight media based in Jakarta, Makassar and Solo that since 29 January to 3 February 2017 visit to Papua to get the facts on the ground related to press freedom in Papua. Eight journalists have joined the Media Freedom Committee Indonesia (MFCI).

"It usually happens after my coverage. Sources covered starting to wonder through short messages (SMS). The initial question is usually about things that are reasonable. But the next question began to lead on matters of a personal nature and finally smelled of sexual abuse," Adi said Marsela, one of eight journalists who visited Papua in konsferensi Press held at aone, Jakarta, Saturday (02/04/2017).

He continued, cases of sexual harassment such as this are often taken for granted by women journalists.

"The journalist chose not to report a sexual abuse to the authorities," he said.

Another problem found by eight journalists are journalists regeneration. Media companies is difficult to recruit new journalists.

"Radar Timika never recruit journalists recently, in the first day there are thirty who joined the training, on the second day was reduced to 12 people, and on the third day is no more coming," said Palupi Auliani, journalists involved in the project MFCI in Timika ,

The business model is unhealthy effect on the independence of the media.

"For example in Timika, the media revenues sourced from Freeport and its subsidiaries and local governments," added Palupi.

For additional information, Press Freedom Index compiled Press Council in 2015 mentions Papua province in a state of somewhat free with a score of 63.88. The province of West Papua province recorded as less free with chord 52.56. (*)
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1) Tri Rismaharini in West Papua to help campaign for PDI-P candidate

February 5, 2017, 1:10 pm
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2) The Role of Women in the Struggle for Independence Papua
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1) Tri Rismaharini in West Papua to help campaign for PDI-P candidate
News Desk The Jakarta Post
Manokwari, West Papua | Sun, February 5, 2017 | 05:14 pm
The popular and outspoken mayor of East Java’s provincial capital of Surabaya, Tri Rismaharini, was in West Papua on Sunday to help campaign for West Papua gubernatorial candidate pair Dominggus Mandacan-Muhammad Lakotani.

Rismaharini was sent to the province by the central executive board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which had Dominggus and Lakotani’s backing.

“The people of West Papua have asked me to attend a biblical missionary event on Mansinam Island,” she said upon arrival at Rendani Airport in West Papua’s provincial capital of Manokwari, as quoted by kompas.com.

At the airport, Rismaharini was welcomed by a traditional Papuan ceremony, led by Manokwari Regent Demas Paulus Mandacan, who is also a PDI-P member.

Rismaharini said she would also visit a number of Papuan mama-mama(women) communities, who had previously visited Surabaya to learn about entrepreneurship and home industries.

“Some of them have started their own businesses. They have invited me to come and see the outcomes of what they have learned from their visit to Surabaya,” she said.

Rismaharini said she would also have meetings with a number of local figures as part of the Dominggus-Lakotani campaign, who were also backed by the NasDem Party and the National Mandate Party. (bbs)
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A google translate. Be-aware google;le translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at

2) The Role of Women in the Struggle for Independence Papua
Penulis
 Suara Papua
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By: Group of Papuan Women in Semarang) *





A woman in a demo Papua resisting the occupation and colonization of Indonesia on the territory of West Papua in Jayapura. (IST - SP)


Discussion was held again in the city of Papua student studies Semarang, Central Java. Discussion titled "The Role of Women in Papua Independence Struggle" was held on Wednesday (01/02/2017), guided by Merry Nawipa, with presenters Tarina Madai Madai and Nella as a court reporter.

Beginning with a prayer and salutation, resumed session pembahasaan material that preceded explanation umun topic of discussion this time.

From the discussion together, then summarized some important conclusions are reviewed in the following article. The formulation of the results of the discussion in terms of a variety of fields: politics, economics, education, health, arts and culture.

Discussion results

Every struggle aims to achieve certain results. The struggle takes the process. And the process in which there are various obstacles, obstacles and challenges, both internal and external.

Liberation struggle if contextualized with Papua, meaning there are a variety of ways, efforts and processes undertaken by all Papuans in achieving a common goal.

Speaking about the freedom struggle of Papua, certainly did not look at women or men. All the people who came from Papua, small or large, old or young, well, the rich or poor, have the duty and responsibility of the same. The only difference being the ways in the struggle itself.

Understanding the struggle according to the Dictionary of Indonesian Language, is an attempt to achieve the expected goals. Thus, the struggle is an important part of an effort by people to achieve an expected success.

Women struggling with his own way. From long ago, women were seen with the eye. Unconscious woman actually is an influential factor. She was actually the scorer cadre nation. Many roles are taken by women.

These roles are proven in various fields. Among other things, economics, politics, education, culture, economy, and health.

In detail, according the results of the discussion, can be summed up as follows:

Politic
In the past, women were seen with the eye. Women often synonymous with the affairs of the kitchen and the bed. That's a misperception that almost entrenched. However, over time, with the presence of many remarkable women who are increasingly persistent fight for the dignity of women, major changes occurred in the community. Evidently, the current reality in the field, single woman joined in various organizations, also in politics shutter. They took down the field through discussions, speeches moments of action, and many women do.

Economics
Women contextualized with the culture of Papua, in addition to being a mother at home, women must have had work done so that the results are used for the benefit of the family. In this case, women also play a role in the capture and anticipate the entry of goods or instant product that is increasingly filled with Papua.

Field of education
A major factor in the struggle is the education. Education became a major source of all things. Of course, to know something must be through education. Both the formal and non-formal education. In this case, many women today are taking classes. This is one way that made by women for women certainly scored cadre nation.

Women must have a higher knowledge, because the character is formed biological child would be a lot poured by the mother.

Health
The role of women in Papua liberation not only be in the economy and education. In terms of health too much to play. It can be proved with a capacity of Papuan women who become nurses, nurses and doctors.

A freedom would exist if there were human resources (HR) well and fulfilled. Many ways are done by our own or occupiers to spend Papuans. How smooth or rough that we see as pain, illness and others. It can be overcome by the presence of the hospital in which there are medical personnel.

field of Art
Art is a work everything created by humans in which there is an element of beauty. Everyone has the beauty of it.

For women of Papua, the art of weaving the camshaft has been like its own culture, because it is a habit that is derived from the ancient old man who used to weave with a particular bark. It still continues to this day with manila yarn. Women weave with a variety of motifs, even up to Papuan flag motif. It is also the role of women in the struggle for independence participated way.

Not only that. Many Papuan women are also capable of creating beautiful poems. Women devote entire country's heart through writing, beautiful words.

field of Culture
She was a patron. In the old days in a tribal war in Meeuwodide, women as male guardians. It used to be protective in a tribal war, if its context now, women's role as protector when politics.

Important role

Speaking about the role of women in the liberation struggle in Papua, would not be finished-finished, because everyone has their own way in the fight for the role. Of all the fields, women have the opportunity freely, because the dignity of women is now equated with men averaged.

Striving according to their own way, with what one has. Talents, interests and skills.

God has created each person with each has advantages. Excess can be glorified by doing something positive. Not only useful for yourself and your family, but it would be more valuable if it is dedicated to a lot of people.

*) This article is the result of a discussion group of Papuan Women in Semarang, Central Java.
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1) Getting Australia-Indonesia Military Ties Back on Track

February 6, 2017, 11:52 am
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2) Papua community are grateful workspace ULMWP in MSG Secretariat
3) Indonesian President Joko Widodo to visit Australia at end of month
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The Diplomat
1) Getting Australia-Indonesia Military Ties Back on Track
Australia’s army chief visit an opportunity to smooth over ties following a recent spat.

By Prashanth Parameswaran February 07, 2017


                                                      Image Credit: Australia Department of Defense

This week, Australia’s army chief Angus Campbell will meet Indonesia’s military leaders in Jakarta. Apart from reaffirming the importance of a key bilateral security relationship, the trip is also an opportunity to smooth over ties following a spat last month and pave the way for even greater collaboration between the two sides.
As I have noted previously, Indonesia and Australia, two neighboring, significant, and highly-capable actors in the Indo-Pacific, have been strengthening their defense relations over the past few years, with notable steps including the inking of the Lombok Treaty in 2006 and the launching of the two-plus-two dialogue in 2012 (See: “Why Do Australia-Indonesia Military Relations Matter?”). This has occurred despite periodical tensions and crises that have rocked ties.
Though the emergence of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in September 2015 had given a new boost to bilateral ties, in January, the rocky relationship hit another snag when Indonesia’s military spokesman said bilateral cooperation had been suspended temporarily due to concerns about some teaching materials at an Army language training facility in Australia (See: “Indonesia-Australia Military Relations Hit Another Snag”). While the extent of the fallout ended up being much more limited than initially suggested and both sides quickly signaled their commitment to preserve ties, it nonetheless once again revealed the fragile nature of a deepening defense relationship between the two countries.
Campbell’s trip would be one of a series of steps that would reaffirm the importance of the military relationship. To be sure, functional cooperation has continued on in spite of the hype about the latest snag, as evidenced by the convening of the third meeting of the Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Council on Law and Security last week which touched on topics including terrorism, cybersecurity, and intelligence collaboration (See: “Old Shadows in New Australia-Indonesia Military Spat”). But Campbell’s meetings will give him a chance to meet top defense officials including Indonesian military chief Gatot Nurmantyo and army chief of staff Mulyono.
More specifically, Campbell’s trip is also an opportunity to smooth over ties following the latest snag. Indonesian officials had subsequently clarified last month that only cooperation related to the military’s Australia-based language training program had been suspended, rather than the overall defense relationship as was speculated previously. Nonetheless, the concerns about teaching materials are far from minor; the allegedly offensive content ties into broader issues like West Papua and East Timor which are sensitive for the Indonesian military and have also roiled bilateral ties previously. Campbell’s visit is an opportunity for both sides to manage that issue, including discussing the findings of an ongoing investigation that Australia had already opened.
Clearing the air now would be additionally useful because it would patch things up ahead of Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s trip to Australia in a few weeks time. That much-anticipated trip was supposed to take place last November but was postponed as Jokowi had to contend with the fallout from blasphemy allegations against the Christian and ethnically Chinese governor of Jakarta, popularly known as Ahok.
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A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at

2) Papua community are grateful workspace ULMWP in MSG Secretariat
Senin, 06 Februari 2017 — 20:11




                          People who attended the celebration were listening to political speeches ULMWP - Jubi / Wesai


Jubi | News Portal Papua No. 1,

Wamena, Jubi - indigenous Papuan people in the Region Lapago consisting of three major tribes, Lanny, Yali and Hubula held Worship Celebration on the achievements of the work of the United Liberation Movement For West Papua (ULMWP) since its inception and 2017's. The achievement is the latest grateful MSG protocol policy towards ULMWP as members and the provision of specialized work space in the secretariat of MSG given officially to ULMWP.

Thanksgiving, which was centered in the yard ULMWP in the country, Jl. Trikora Wamena Maplima Complex, Monday (02/06/2017) and attended by about 1,500 people of Papua. The presence of this community to commemorate two years of receipt of ULMWP as an observer member in MSG which almost coincided with the anniversary of the Missionary in Papua February 5, 2015 last.

"In the younger age ULMWP have managed to achieve a variety of political progress," said Pastor. Theo Wetipo, S. Th, when reading out the written speech the Secretary General ULMWP Octovianus Mote

He said that, in the first year ULMWP not just become an observer member of the MSG, but also be able to set the Papua issue in the agenda of the annual meeting of the forum main countries of the Pacific Islands. Whereas in the second year of successful ULMWP ensure that Papua is no longer a problem in the countries of Melanesia but becomes a problem from the region

"It is evident by the strengthening of the Papua issue in the annual meeting of the heads of Pacific Island countries, in Phon Pei, the capital of Federated States of Micronesia. In a communique, they stated that the issue of human rights in Papua will always be on the agenda of their annual meetings "he said

Meanwhile, Octovianus Mote contacted Jubi recognize the tremendous progress ULMWP is currently Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Manasseh Sogavare form a new container named Pacific Island Coalition on West Papua (PICWP).

"The fruit of the commitment of these containers we have seen together when seven heads of state addressed the UN General Assembly. All these facts need to be understood properly in order not to fall for the cheap issues propagated by the Indonesian government and their accomplices" said Mote.

Further Mote, the cheap propaganda for example no claim ULMWP not a member of MSG, but today Indonesia and sat ULMWP equivalent in any official meeting leaders of MSG, MSG protocol treats ULMWP as members who have the same rights.

"At the beginning of 2017 the exact date of January 17, the official ULMWP get a work space in the secretariat MSG" Mote said.

Thanksgiving is done only a day after the anniversary of the Missionary coupled also with the inauguration of the board 31 tribal councils sub-tribe of the eight districts in Papua

These activities take place under the supervision of police officers Jayawijaya. Worship Sukuran and inaugural board sub-tribe of the traditional council led by Pdt. Isak Asso. Ceremonies customarily performed community Central Mountains by slaughtering 12 pigs and eat together. The policemen from Jayawijaya securing activities and even then ate together with people who attended the celebration. (*)
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3) Indonesian President Joko Widodo to visit Australia at end of month

Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo is slated to visit Australia at the end of this month, with Jakarta confirming its outgoing ambassador Najib Riphat Kesoema had been asked to stay on for the presidential trip.
The visit is a fillip for the bilateral relationship and reflects that lasting damage was not inflicted by the recent defence fracas over material found at an Perth army base that caused offence to Indonesia.
Ambassador Najib was farewelled at a diplomatic function in Canberra last month after serving a five-year posting in Australia.
However the Indonesian Foreign Ministry's director-general for Asia Pacific Affairs, Desra Percaya, told Fairfax Media he had been asked to stay on a bit longer.

"The ambassador's stay is extended because the president will be visiting Australia at the end of this month," Mr Desra told Fairfax Media.
Meanwhile, Australian Army chief Angus Campbell will on Wednesday meet with Indonesian military chief Gatot Nurmantyo in Jakarta to discuss an internal investigation into the allegedly offensive material found at Campbell Barracks in Perth.
Earlier this month General Gatot had described the material, which included a poster that ridiculed Indonesia's state ideology Pancasila, as "too painful to explain".
He was upset over teaching on topics such as past Indonesian soldiers, East Timor, that West Papua should be independent and "Pancagila", a spoof of the state ideology of Pancasila which suggests that its five principles are crazy.

It initially appeared as if all defence ties between the two nations had been suspended as a result, although Chief Security Minister Wirantolater clarified the postponement of cooperation related to the Special Forces Australia language training program only.
General Gatot said last month the action taken would depend on the result of the investigation.

Indonesian defence analyst Natalie Sambhi said there was a sense from the Indonesian side that the investigation had taken too long. She said she had also been asked whether any Indonesian officials had taken part in the investigation.
"There is a feeling of frustration the investigation wasn't concluded any sooner," Ms Sambhi said. "There is a suggestion that this is in part what might have driven it to become public."

Ms Sambhi, an analyst from the Perth USAsia Centre, said she hoped for three outcomes from the investigation.
Firstly, that an adequate explanation was given of the context in which the allegedly offensive material had been used at the army base.
Secondly, that an apology was issued and a reassurance given that this would not occur again.
And thirdly, that there would be a normalisation of the relationship between the Australian Defence Forces and Kopassus, the Indonesian Army Special Forces group.
There have been two incidents in Australia relating to West Papua in the wake of the defence fracas.
A protester was charged with trespassing on the Indonesian consulate-general in Melbourne on January 30, three days after Indonesia criticised Australia for failing to arrest anyone over the security breach.
On January 6 the man clambered onto the roof of the mission in Melbourne and waved the separatist West Papuan "Morning Star" flag, which is banned in Indonesia, while another person filmed the event. The video was posted on Facebook and distributed widely.
And in a recent vandalism attack, "West Papua" was written on the grass verge in front of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra using weedkiller.
West Papuan independence is an extremely sensitive issue in Indonesia.
Many Indonesians remain suspicious of Australia's intentions in Papua, even though it has signed the Lombok Treaty recognising Indonesian sovereignty over the restive province.
Trade Minister Steve Ciobo will accompany a business delegation to Indonesia for the second Indonesia Australia Business Week (IABW), which will take place across multiple cities from  March 6 to 10.
"I hope our Prime Minister will lead the delegation to Jakarta," Australia Indonesia Business Council national president Debnath Guharoy wrote in a recent newsletter.
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Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, interview by Todd Henry.

February 6, 2017, 11:59 am
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MAY 27, 2016   COMMENT 1

Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, on behalf of West Papuans

Words, photos, and interview by Todd Henry. 








Archaeological evidence tells us that the indigenous Melanesian people of the island of New Guinea have lived in these lands for over 40,000 years. In more recent times however, the nation of Indonesia has claimed sovereignty over the western half of the island, now known as West Papua. Indonesia obtained control of this region in 1969 through what has been described as a rigged voting initiative where a carefully selected group of West Papuans were essentially tricked into giving Indonesia lawful jurisdiction over the land. Indigenous West Papuans are currently subjects of Indonesia, a country that they share next to nothing in common with. There are increasing calls for West Papua to be granted independence, but this is not something that the Indonesian government is willing to negotiate at this point in time.

Relatively little information has made it out of West Papua due to an official ban on foreign journalists by the Indonesian government, but reports coming out describe a situation that is overwhelmingly dire for the West Papuans. Local accounts of unwarranted arrests, rapes, shootings, torture, murdered children, and even genocide at the hands of the Indonesian military and police are far too common. 


Fortunately for the people of West Papua, the news of their plight is spreading through the help of concerned foreign leaders (including Tongan PM, ‘Akilisi Pohiva), a growing number of grassroots movements in various countries, and exiled West Papuans who make great sacrifices in order to raise international awareness for their cause. International support for the West Papuan people has been steadily gaining momentum, but many say that positive change must come before it is too late.

Reverend Socratez Yoman is a member of the indigenous Lani tribe of West Papua. He travels the world to speak on behalf of his people, and he is a pronounced representative of the West Papuan independence movement. Socratez recently visited New Zealand to give a series of presentations on the plight of the West Papuan people, and he was nice enough to take the time to answer some of my questions.


Todd: Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, nice to meet you and I would like to thank you for doing this interview today. Can we just fill the readers in on who you are with some background information? Where are you from, and what is your personal story?



Socratez: Thank you Todd for your time, and for wanting to interview me. I was born in the highlands in West Papua on the 6th of June 1967. I grew up and went to primary school in my village, and for senior school I went to Nabire (a town in West Papua). After I finished senior high school I went to continue my studies at university, Cenderewasih University in Jayapura. I finished in 1994.

When I was back in my village I looked at my people’s situation, and saw the Indonesian military and police arresting my people. They were torturing and even killing. This is when I was in primary school. This is my own experience. When I went to the secondary school, it was a similar situation. I understood what was happening, and when I went to university I understood even more what is happening to my people in West Papua. I saw everyday how the Indonesian military and police attack my West Papuan people, arrested and tortured and then put them in prison, or killed them. I asked the question “why is this happening?” I realise that the Indonesians have occupied, or colonised West Papua. They are teaching Papuans everything Indonesian, Indonesian language, history, names, mountains, and heritage but they never teach about West Papuan cultures and history. I think they undermine West Papuans, they are killing all Papuan cultures and properties. This has been going on since 1963 until today, 2016, almost 53 years. We see also Indonesian military brutality on the people, on the behalf of the Indonesian territory’s insecurity.


This experience made me want to make it better. When I was in university I was always thinking about what we can do to help our people. I don’t know about the other students at university but this is what I was always thinking. This is an abnormal situation that is not good, and then I decided that I would go to study theology in West Java for one and a half years. After I finished, I went back to West Papua and I was elected as the General Secretary of the Fellowship Baptist Church of West Papua. I thought this was an opportunity to protect my people and speak out for my people because the church has values such as justice, peace, harmony, and respect for human dignity and human rights. The Bible says not to kill people, undermine people, or make people have a bad life. When I became secretary (in1998) I spoke out to oppose the human rights abuses, violations, and other atrocities happening in West Papua. In 2002 I was elected as the President of the Fellowship Baptist Church, and I got more chances to speak out for my people. Doing this is high risk, you know, because the Indonesian government is unhappy when we speak out and protect our people we go against them. Today I speak out to protect my people and make their lives better, better healthcare, education and economy.


Another problem faced by the Papuan people is that they have become marginalised on their own lands. They are hopeless and landless. Today, Indonesian migrants come in flocks and they are increasing in West Papua to become to majority in all sectors. They own all the businesses, shopping centres, restaurants, hotels, and public transportation are all owned by Indonesian migrants. The West Papuans are the owners of the land but they have become marginalised, and powerless. The people have been removed from their own lands for palm oil plantations. When they try to protect their lands they are stigmatised as being against the government, and against the law, and the people are arrested or shot and killed. Then the transmigrants from Indonesia settle these places. This is happening in West Papua.


It’s happening right now?

Yes, it is happening now. This is an atrocity.


I know a lot of countries in the Pacific region currently struggle with their own issues, but what makes the present situation in West Papua relevant? Why should the governments and the people of other Pacific nations worry about what is going on in West Papua?


Yes, thank you. We get a lot of attention from our brothers and sisters in Melanesian and Pacific communities. For example, Vanuatu is a strong supporter of West Papua. The Solomon Islanders support West Papua, as well as the Tongans and the Kanaks (the indigenous Melanesian people of New Caledonia) because they are part of the Pacific community. They cannot be silent anymore when their brothers and sisters are dehumanised and colonised, and under the brutality of the Indonesian government. Now a lot of Melanesian and Pacific communities are concerned, especially Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. They are with us 100%, the communities, church leaders, universities, and governments support West Papua. A lot of these groups in Vanuatu are united under one umbrella, The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) https://www.ulmwp.org/. The people of Fiji and Papua New Guinea, not the governments, but the people support West Papua and they have formed grassroots movements to help us. Recently 20 bishops from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands visited West Papua, and they could see what is happening to their brothers and sisters in West Papua. They support us.


‘Akilisi Pohiva, the Tongan Prime Minister, is the only Polynesian leader who has publicly shown support for West Papua. He raised his concerns for the people West Papua at both the UN General Assembly in New York in 2015, and also at the House of Parliament in London in May of this year. What does this kind of support mean to the people who are currently being victimised in West Papua?


 Yes, I believe that the Tongan Prime Minister sees people as a humanitarian. These are humanitarian issues and he is concerned. He sees with his heart and knows it is not a good situation. As the leader of an independent state he should support West Papua and I think he is a good person and made a good decision. I am very happy. On behalf of my people I would like to say thank you to ‘Akilisi Pohiva. I think other countries should follow his example in speaking out for us. This isn’t just a problem of Melanesia, or Polynesia, we see the human beings, and humanity. West Papua’s humanitarian issues are a global concern.


You are currently in New Zealand giving talks in order to tell the story of the West Papuan people and raise awareness of the human rights issues there. What can people do right now, even people in Pacific nations such as Tonga, to show their support for the people of West Papua?


They should support the ULMWP, as they represent the West Papuan people. People can also put pressure on their own governments to speak out, and they can put pressure on the Indonesian embassies in each country by sending letters to encourage the Indonesian government and president to engage in genuine dialogue and peaceful negotiation with the ULMWP and Indonesian representatives. This can be mediated by a third party. The voices of people and their solidarity is very important because West Papuan people today understand that they aren’t alone anymore. They have solidarities and friends, brothers and sisters all over the world. I came here to build awareness, not only in Pacific communities, but in all of the communities, Maori people, church leaders and communities, universities, and parliament.

I was last in New Zealand 10 years ago, and the human rights issues (in West Papua) have only become worse than they were before. More people are still being killed. We need support and solidarity from the people all over the world, not only from Melanesian and Polynesian communities. These are humanitarian issues, and human rights issues. Peace and dignity of the people must be respected.


People who are unfamiliar with the situation in West Papua may ask the question, “if what Socratez is saying is true, then why don’t we hear about it on the news?” Why is there so little news coverage of the situation in West Papua?


 The problem is that the Indonesian government does not allow the foreign journalists to visit Papua, so they cannot cover what is happening inside. Humanitarian workers also, like Red Cross International, they were removed from West Papua. Why? What is the Indonesian government hiding inside, because they do not allow foreign journalists to travel freely? The Indonesian government says that for 53 years they have developed Papua to make life better, but I ask what? Which part? Education? Healthcare? Economy? What is development? We don’t understand development! Indonesians say they are bringing development and are building shopping centres, hotels and the owners are Indonesian transmigrants. Development? They are building big roads to be used by the military and migrants cars. Is this development? What is the benefit for Papuans? There is no benefit. West Papuans generally don’t have cars, they travel by foot. This is a problem, and now the Indonesians are hiding something inside because they don’t let journalists or other outside people come in to see.


Why are the Indonesians so desperate to be in West Papua? Is it for the natural resources?

Good question. As you know, West Papua is very rich. Very, very rich. The worlds 3rdbiggest mine is there. Copper, gold, all of these things we have. They (the Indonesians) need only natural resources, and they will remove, kill and commit genocide to the people. They are systematically killing the people, they have undermined and paralysed the people of West Papua. Economically, educationally, and culturally the Indonesian government are paralysing and killing the people because they want to take over the land. They want to be the owners of the land, and they want to benefit from our natural resources. They don’t care about the people. For example, recently four students were killed in Paniai on 8th of December 2014. They were killed by the Indonesian military but there has been no investigation. They don’t care about the people, they care about natural resources, about the money.


Now, West Papuan people like me and my friends, we are educated men today. We are no longer going to be silent, we can’t be silent anymore. Now is the time to protect our dignity, protect our lands, our natural resources, our cultural values, and protect our children’s and our grandchildren’s future. We strongly support the ULMWP as the West Papuan representatives. Octa Mote is the general secretary and Benny Wenda is the spokesperson. Octa is based in New York in the USA, and Benny Wenda is based in Oxford in the UK, and Leonie Tangama in the Netherlands.

Once again, I would like to reaffirm that ULMWP is representative of West Papua, and they have been granted the position of observer at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) by the sovereign states of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. This means that there is international recognition of the ULMWP. Now it is time, and it is now clear who Indonesia can talk to and West Papua has a representative, ULMWP, the West Papuan umbrella. Please, Indonesia come around the table to talk equally and it will be mediated by a third party.


Malo ‘aupito Socratez for coming to speak in New Zealand on behalf of your people.




 
                                                    Socratez presenting at Auckland University’s Fale Pasifika. May 20, 2016











Socratez pictured with Carmel Sepuloni (left) and Jenny Salesa (right)
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1) Government stands firm as Freeport threatens to cut production

February 6, 2017, 11:50 pm
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2) How West Papua’s gold rush has created a wasteland: Indonesian island’s lush tropical riverland is laid waste by toxic dumping from the world’s biggest gold mine 

3) Papua`s Tanjung Saruri Tipped to become New Surfing Heaven

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1) Government stands firm as Freeport threatens to cut production
Fedina S. Sundaryani The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Tue, February 7, 2017 | 08:15 am
The government seems set to ignore threats by United States mining giant Freeport-McMoran Inc to cut production at its Papuan mine and slash its local workforce if it does not receive a permit to continue exporting copper concentrates by the middle of the month.
Last month, the government relaxed a ban on mineral exports so long as miners still in possession of a contract of work (CoW) converted it to a special mining permit (IUPK).
Freeport Indonesia, the mining giant’s local unit, has not complied, according to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. The ministry’s mineral and coal director general, Bambang Gatot Ariyono, said on Monday that not one mining firm had submitted an official application to convert to a IUPK.
“We have not given [Freeport Indonesia] an export permit because, as stipulated by ministerial decree No. 5/2017 and No. 6/2017, if the company has not submitted a proposal and has not fulfilled the requirements, then we cannot issue the permit. They must still submit a proposal,” he said.
The conversion is stipulated in the two ministerial decrees as derivatives of the fourth revision of Government Regulation No. 23/2010 on the management of mineral and coal businesses that allows miners to continue exporting copper concentrates, certain amounts of low-grade nickel and washed bauxite.
The issuance of the ministerial regulation contravenes the 2009 Mining Law, which imposed a total ban on mineral ore exports in 2014, and stipulated that mining companies must build domestic smelters in a bid to strengthen the processing industry.
According to the Processing and Smelting Companies Association (AP3I), 32 new smelters — 24 of which are nickel smelters — have been built in the country since 2012, with a total investment of around US$20 billion.
Nevertheless, Freeport Indonesia has not shown significant progress in developing smelters, and with its status as a CoW holder, it was forced to stop exporting copper concentrates on Jan. 12.
This does not seem to bode well for either Freeport Indonesia or Freeport-McMoran, which issued a press statement last Friday demanding that the government grant it a continuation of exports or else the firm would have to reduce its production to match available domestic capacity at PT Smelting, which processes approximately 40 percent of Freeport Indonesia’s concentrate production.
Freeport Indonesia said it would also be required to significantly adjust its cost structure, reduce its workforce and suspend investment in its underground development projects and new smelter.
“For each month of the delay in obtaining approval to export, PT FI’s [Freeport Indonesia] share of production is projected to be reduced by approximately 70 million pounds of copper and 70,000 ounces of gold,” it said.
Freeport-McMoran claims that by immediately converting to an IUPK, it would have to forgo its rights to fiscal and legal certainty and that it had “advised the government that it cannot accept these conditions unless a mutually satisfactory replacement agreement is completed”. Meanwhile Bambang said converting to an IUPK would nullify Freeport Indonesia’s CoW before its expiration in 2021.
Center for Energy and Mining Law (Pushep) executive director Bisman Bhaktiar said that although Freeport’s production cut might hurt state revenues in the short term, the long-term benefits of forcing all CoW holders to convert to an IUPK would be fruitful for the downstream sector.
“If [Freeport] cannot export it will definitely have a negative impact in both the social and economic sense. However, that will only be for the short term and the government’s task is to anticipate this and handle it quickly,” he said.

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Lots of photos in article

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4197548/How-West-Papua-s-gold-rush-created-wasteland.html

2) How West Papua’s gold rush has created a wasteland: Indonesian island’s lush tropical riverland is laid waste by toxic dumping from the world's biggest gold mine 

  •  In 1969 Indonesia annexed what had been Dutch New Guinea after a highly 'Act of Free Choice' referendum 
  •  Since then the area, whose indigenous people are ethnically similar to Papua New Guineans, has been  swamped by settlers from other over-crowded Indonesian islands
  • West Papua is home to the world's third largest copper mine and large deposits of gold have also been found
  • But the gold rush at the Grasberg mine has devastated the ecology of the rivers which run through the area
  • Indonesia is accused by an Australian group of a 'slow-motion genocide' against indigenous West Papuans 
By Chris Summers For Mailonline PUBLISHED: 09:23 +11:00, 7 February 2017 | UPDATED: 11:54 +11:00, 7 February 2017   



The western half of the island of New Guinea is rich in minerals, especially copper and gold, but its discovery has been a very mixed blessing for the local people.
It was the Dutch who first discovered minerals on the island in the 1930s and when the Netherlands cut its ties with the colony in the late 1960s it was the presence of the goodies underground which tempted neighbouring Indonesia. 
What had been Dutch New Guinea was annexed by Indonesia in 1969 after a highly questionable referendum, known as the ‘Act of Free Choice'. 


The indigenous people, who are ethnically Melanesian, mainly Christian, and kinfolk of neighbouring Papua New Guinea, have been oppressed ever since by Muslim Indonesian settlers and Jakarta's occupying army. 
In 1971 Melanesians made up 96 percent of the population but now they are in a minority and by 2020, if migration rates remain the same, they will be less than three in 10 of the population. 
The West Papuans have also suffered as the land they depend on has been devastated by mining.


Indigenous tribes like the Kamoro say they have been hit by disease, poverty and environmental degradation since operations began at the Grasberg mine in 1973. 
Their chief, Hironimus Urmani, told The Guardian: 'Nature is a blessing from God, and we are known by the three S's: Sago (trees), sampan (canoes) and Sungani (rivers). But life is very difficult now.'
The Free West Papua movement has been demanding independence for the territory but has struggled to gain attention in a world distracted by other issues. 
The Grasberg mine is owned by an American firm, Freeport McMoRan, which is based in Arizona. They did not respond to Mail Online's request for a response.

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TUESDAY, 07 FEBRUARY, 2017 | 14:28 WIB
3) Papua`s Tanjung Saruri Tipped to become New Surfing Heaven

TEMPO.CO, Biak - Located on the Pacific coast of the regency of Biak Numfor in Papua, Tanjung Saruri waters is expected to become a surfing destination. “The constructions of tourism facilities are underway,” Biak Tourism Office head Yubelius Usior said Tuesday, February 7, as quoted by Antara.
Yubelus said that the area boasts high waves and beautiful scenery. According to him, the local government has therefore built tourism information centers, access roads to Telaga Biru Samares tourist attraction in East Biak district, and toilets in Sanumin village and Bondifuar district. “Using APBD [regional budget], the Tourism Department is developing lodges and a theme park for visitors in Tanjung Saruri area to enjoy the marine scenery,” he said. Yubelius said that Tanjung Saruri tourist attraction will be operated by locals to fulfill the right of indigenous people. Going forward, tourism facilities will be operated professionally. “To generate revenue for the regency.” “In 2017, the Tourism Department will revamp tourism facilities in Biak Numfor with Rp1 billion funding support from the Tourism Ministry,” he said. ANTARA
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Indonesia fails media test in West Papua

February 7, 2017, 12:04 am
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In Islands Business Magazine January 2017








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