Tuesday, July 21, 2015

1) Aid Arrives for Hail and Snow Victims in Papua

2) Editorial: Tolikara Incident Shows We Can’t Take Pluralism for Granted
3) Who Orchestrated the Tolikara Incident?
4) Post Tolikara Incident, Papua Legislative Council Urges Replacement of Local Police Chief
5) Jokowi Is Considered Being Not Cared and Tolerating the Killing over Indigenous Papua
6) Teenager Killed As Army Open Fire at Protestors in Karubaga
7) Freeport is a Nightmare for Papuans
8) Police investigates 29 people in connection with Tolikara incident
9) Tolikara incident should increase awareness: Indonesia police
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TUESDAY, 21 JULY, 2015 | 10:00 WIB
1) Aid Arrives for Hail and Snow Victims in Papua

TEMPO.COJakarta - Aid consisting of around 15 tons of rice, 300 blankets, 600 boxes of instant noodles, 600 packets of food produces and 600 packets of children's food have been dispatched to hail victims in the province of Papua.
The aid was symbolically handed over by Social Minister, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, to Timika's Head of Social Agency, Ribka, at the VIP waiting room at Timika's Mozes Kilangin Airport on Tuesday.
The Minister was initially scheduled to fly out to Lani Jaya to ensure that logistics are adequately distributed to those affected in the area. However, her plan had to be abandoned due to bad weather in the area. It is known that the Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Yohana Yambise, was also scheduled to join.
Khofifah's entourage was also supposed to fly out to Tolikara, to meet with the victims of the Tolikara Riots on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
The persistent snow and hail in the Regencies of Nduga, Lani Jaya, and Puncak, has caused harvests to fail - as a result, 21,600 families across 21 villages in six districts are facing the threat of starvation.
The cold weather has also caused livestocks to perish, in addition to causing harm to the health of scores of residents. According to information received by the Lani Jaya Health Agency, 11 has succumbed to the cold - consisting of five infants, two children, and four adults.
The distribution of aid has thus far impeded by the rough terrain of the affected area - which is located at 2,700 metres above sea level.
 
ANTARA
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2) Editorial: Tolikara Incident Shows We Can’t Take Pluralism for Granted
By Jakarta Globe on 03:37 pm Jul 21, 2015
Category EditorialOpinion

One of the main foundations of modern Indonesia was the awareness that the nation could only survive if it would accept, respect and accommodate differences. Therefore the primary – of not sole — task of the country’s elite and all of its people is to protect and nurture this spirit of tolerance and make sure that generation after generation will inherit this way of life.
Our founding fathers have sacrificed their egos, narrow-minded ideals and goals to allow the establishment of a pluralist nation, which we call Indonesia. This former colony could have easily been turned into an Islamic state if the nation’s Muslim leaders — who formed an overwhelming majority — had insisted on doing so.
Just a few months before the proclamation of independence on Aug. 17, 1945, there was broad agreement that Islam would be the foundation of the new nation-state. But after long discussion and protests from Christian leaders, who threatened to quit their support for the nation, it was ultimately agreed that Indonesia would be a secular state.
Building a pluralist nation, however, remains work in progress. We can’t take peace for granted and we have to have a solid strategy to maintain it.
On the national level, Muslims form the overwhelming majority, but minorities everywhere need to be protected if necessary. Unfortunately, sectarian violence and attacks in recent years have suggested our strategy needs amendment.
Differences of interest at the local level can create clashes between Indonesians of various ethnicities or religions. Fortunately small-scale clashes have over the years remained largely isolated — as long as no outsiders try to fan the flames of conflict. Indeed, conflicts have become political tools for those who seek power.
The history of sectarian conflict in Indonesia is a story of local elites and those in Jakarta playing roles in minor clashes and seeking escalation when they can benefit. We know this from deadly conflicts in Ambon, Poso, Aceh and Kalimantan. Instead of working to contain the clash, elite players take advantage in an effort to gain influence and popularity.
That’s why we call on Jakarta’s elites to stay away from last week’s incident in Tolikara, Papua. The alleged attack on a congregation of Muslims should remind us that a peaceful, pluralist society cannot be taken for granted. We all have a role to play, but de-escalation should be the primary concern.


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Note: In article the suggestion “ The strongest opinion so far came from Fahmi Habsyi, Executive Director of the Trisakti Evaluation Centre (Pusaka Trisakti), who believed that what happened in Tolikara was purely an intelligence operation”.

http://www.globalindonesianvoices.com/21680/who-orchestrated-the-tolikara-incident/

3) Who Orchestrated the Tolikara Incident?
Posted On 21 Jul 2015By : Felix Utama Kosasih 
CommentsTag: Conflict, Indonesia, Papua, Perspective, Tolikara

Jayapura, GIVnews.com – Amid the festivities surrounding the Eid al-Fitr celebration in Indonesia, the peace and happiness characteristic of the holiday was broken by an attack in Tolikara, a regency in the island of Papua.
Six houses, eleven kiosks, and a mushala (small mosque) were burned, and a man was shot dead. The conflict started when several people from the GIDI (Gereja Injili di Indonesia), a Christian church denomination, confronted the Muslims who were conducting their Eid prayers. GIDI claimed the sound amplifiers used by the mushala was disturbing a nation-wide seminar held by the church at the same time. By this point, different versions of the story are told by the differing parties. GIDI says its members burned only the kiosks after one man was shot dead by the police guarding the Eid prayers, but the fire later spread to the mushala as well. Another version of the event maintains that not only did the GIDI people burned the mushala, they also threw stones at the mushala.

Then, there is also rumors of a letter issued by GIDI, numbered 90/SP/GIDI-WT/VII/2015. The letter forbids the Eid prayers in its entirety, plus banning the building of any houses of worship in Tolikara, including churches not affiliated to GIDI. It was signed by Pastor Nayus Wenda, Chairman of GIDI Tolikara. The selfish ruling has been slammed by representatives of all religions in Indonesia, as no one should be allowed to prevent anyone from exercising his religious beliefs.

External Influence?

All these uncertainties, combined with the loss of life and the fact that this unfortunate incident occurred on the usually highly tolerant Papua, has sparked the theory that the entire conflict was orchestrated by someone outside Papua. This perpetrator is believed to aim for chaos by causing sectarian conflicts in Papua, a region which has only recently started to improve its relationship with Jakarta, under the support and leadership of President Widodo.
The strongest opinion so far came from Fahmi Habsyi, Executive Director of the Trisakti Evaluation Center (Pusaka Trisakti), who believed that what happened in Tolikara was purely an intelligence operation. Habsyi trusts that the Papuan people are tolerant and very polite, and thus the incident cannot be seen on its own. He also thinks that the attack may be related to Widodo’s policy of accelerating development in Papua.
“The sequence [of events] must be seen from several one-sided actions which have demanded a referendum on Papua… Someone is trying to create trouble, and also offers the solution through another motive and aim for a compromise. This is a classic style. Hopefully [President Widodo] can see it. Do not underestimate the incident. Remember the riot in Ambon 1999, it was sparked by a mere fight in a terminal. What happened in Papua is more serious than that,” explained Habsyi to Berita Satu.
Habsyi’s sentiment is echoed by Laode Ida, Chairman of the Presidium of East Indonesia Association (PPIT). “Violence towards a religious group is not the character of Papuans. The Papua people are not like that. They are tolerant and respectful of other people’s religious freedom. We strongly believe there are groups who come from outside Papua and then spread a provocative propaganda.” Ida also demanded the government to mediate a formal reconciliation process in Tolikara to prevent a cycle of revenge, as reported by Kompas.
The possibility of an outsider whispering to the GIDI congregation has not escaped the attention of General Badrodin Haiti, head of the National Police. “Someone deliberately set the riot. However, we can’t confirm yet the existence of a foreign power in the incident. But there are several people from out of the region who were involved in the riot. We are still looking for the intellectual actor.”
Meanwhile, state leaders and religious elders alike have called for restraint and peace among all elements in society. In Papua, 15 Christian and Muslim leaders have conducted a meeting and issued a joint apology on the attack. Furthermore, they also requested the law-enforcing authorities to completely investigate the incident and punish the perpetrators in full accordance to the law.
“We regret the burning of mushala and the attack on Muslims in Tolikara, which caused the loss of life in Eid al-Fitr celebrations. In regard of this event, we also push the authorities to immediately solve the problem completely and professionally by processing the actors according to the law. We also ask the people not to be provoked by false issues [spread by] irresponsible people. [We ask] security officals to immediately calm down the situation through strict acts, but without violence, to identify the perpetrator and the cause, so that riots would not expand and repeat itself,” said Pastor Herman Saud in the leaders’ joint statement.
Other than the 15 elders, pleas for calm have also been voiced by President Widodo, VP Kalla, the Minister for Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, National Police General Badrodin Haiti, and various religious organizations including the Muhammadiyah, PGI (Indonesian Council of Churches), KWI (Indonesian Conference of Churches’ Representatives), and MUI (Indonesian Council of Ulema).
In such a time of great celebration of victory for the Muslim people, it is such a shame that several people saw fit to spread violence and hatred. What they did was a great mistake, and they deserve a just punishment. Nevertheless, revenge acts and more riots will not solve anything, neither will it rebuild the burned houses, kiosks, and mushala. Let us spread love and compassion instead, and pray together for a more tolerant and peaceful Indonesia.
About 
Felix Utama Kosasih is a Singapore-based GIV Correspondent.



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4) Post Tolikara Incident, Papua Legislative Council Urges Replacement of Local Police Chief

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Legislative Council wishes the local police chief to be replaced following the Tolikara incident on 17 July 2015.
The member of Commission I of Papua Legislative Council for Politic, Legal and Human Right Affairs, Emus Gwijangge said the incident shouldn’t be happened if the security forces were ready to anticipate the possibilities might be occurred.
“I regret it. This incident shouldn’t be happened due to the negligence of security forces in Tolikara. It is a crime, do not be misinterpreted and directed to the issue of SARA (conflict involved ethnic-religion-race-group),” Gwijangge confirmed through email to Jubi on Monday (20/7/2015).
According to him, for decades the inter-religious communities in Tolikara are living in harmony. There’s never been a friction between them. “So I wish the Papua Police Chief to replace the Tolikara Police Chief because he was not able to provide security to the people and prevent the unexpected incident to be happened,” he said.
He also reminds those who do not know about the incident directly to not give a comment and create the confusion. “People also need to stay calm and not being provoked by misleading issues,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of GP Ansor Papua and West Papua, Amir Madubun said Tolikara incident shouldn’t used as political commodity by certain parties. He said there is no conflict between religious groups in the entire land of Papua.
“I appeal all Muslims, especially the youth leaders and Islamic organizations in Indonesia to be restraint and not be provoked by media coverage that seems judging the incident was the conflict of race and religion,” said Madubun. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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5) Jokowi Is Considered Being Not Cared and Tolerating the Killing over Indigenous Papua
Jayapura, Jubi – Related to series of incident that recently occurred in Papua under his administration, the Indonesian President Joko Widodo is considered tolerating violence against indigenous Papuan.
Chairman of Human Right Investigation Team of Papua Legislative Council, Laurenzuz Kadepa said what was happening to indigenous Papua under Jokowi’s administration indicates as if the former Jakarta Governor neglected the killing of indigenous Papuan.
“The evidence of Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla’s ignorance over indigenous Papua is indicated through the sharp and intended shooting incident in Enarotali, Paniai that killed four high school students and injured dozens of civilians on 8 December 2014. Another proof is the shooting incident against indigenous Papuans in Yahukimo Regency that caused one dead and dozens of people injured,” Kadepa confirmed to Jubi through short message on Monday afternoon (20/7/2015).
According to him, another incident that could be taken as evidence is the shooting over indigenous Papuans on 25 June 2015 in Ugapuga, Dogiyai Regency that killed a boy and wounded many others.
“And now the current shooting incident towards indigenous Papuans in Tolikara on 17 July 2015. A boy was killed and eleven people were injured. The people of Papua give their trust to Jokowi, but up to now none of these cases get assurance to be resolved,” he said.
Meanwhile, on one occasion the Deputy Chairman of Human Right Investigation Team of Papua Legislative Council Decky Nawipa said Jokowi must keep his promise to Papuan people to resolve the human right violations in Papua as promised during his campaign on the last presidential election. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)



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6) Teenager Killed As Army Open Fire at Protestors in Karubaga

Jayapura, Jubi – A 15-year-old boy was killed and eight others wounded as troops opened fire at protestors in Karubaga, Tolikara on Friday (07/17/2015).
The president of the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI), Rev. Dorman Wandikbo said the shooting occurred around 7 am, coinciding with the day of Eid and the Youth Seminar and KKR GIDI.
Four victims were referred to the hospital in Wamena and six were sent to the hospital in Dok 2 Jayapura.
The teenager, Edi Wanimbo, died of gunshot wounds at public hospital in Dok 2, Jayapura on Friday afternoon (17/07/2015).
“He was a good boy, we just want him to finish school, be a good person, find a job and work well,” Wanimbo’s aunt told JUBI in the hospital at the same day.
Amid of sobs family, other victims, Julian Lambe, who suffered a gunshot wound in the left thigh, said he is disappointed with the actions of the apparatus that’s easy to shoot civilians, including himself.
“They (soldiers) treated us like we are animal who easily shot arbitrarily. They did not treat us humanely, ” said Yulianus, UNCEN student who was attending an international youth seminar and KKR, which took place from 15-18 July 2015.
Rev. Wandikbo explained, first, there was a shooting, when some youths came to the mosque in Karubaga. Its purpose was to ask the people in the mosque in order not to use loudspeaker during worship since it would interfere the ongoing Youth seminars and KKR for this week.
“To that end, we’ve issued a notice in advance and known to all parties including chief of Tolikara police, Tolikara regent and the church, “he said.
“Indeed, today is the day of Eid yet I as a leader of GIDI in Tolikara has been already written a noticing letter because there are seminars and KKR. But then now the police and soldiers shot teenegers, “he added.
He regretted there was not action from police about the agreement of not using loudspeakers that have been done before the seminar the youth.
Before the Seminar and KKR in Tolikara, the church has issued a notice that there is no other activity. And it is already known by chief of Tolikara police, Tolikara regent and and President GIDI (Evangelical Church in Indonesia). (Yuliana Lantipo/ Tina)

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7) Freeport is a Nightmare for Papuans
Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Legislative Council (DPRP)’s speaker said the presence of PT Freeport Indonesia has created a lot of problems in the province and has not benefited native Papuans significantly.
House Speaker of DPRP Yunus Wonda said Freeport has been destroying the economy of indigenous Papuans, damaging thousands of hectares of indigenous land and causing the native Papuans to suffer.
“Freeport’s presence in Papua does not solve anything. It actually leaves a lot of problems in this land, These have shown that Freeport does not change” Yunus Wonda said last weekend.
According to him, Freeport does not have a serious intention to build Papua and Papuans, it only focuses on how to exploit Papua’s natural wealth for the benefit.
“Freeport’s new president has said, the discussion of the work contract should not be delayed because it would impact on the people of Papua. Stop saying things in the name of Papuans and stop selling Papuans. What has Freeport done for Papuans? “he questioned.
He further said It is no problem if Freeport is closed as its impact is for other people and not for the people of Papuans.
“Currently the issue of Freeport’s contract work extension is becoming hotly discussed and the Jakarta people are busy to discuss it while the mine is operating in Papua. If you think Papua is a part of Indonesia, the Papuan government should be engaged in that discussion. Oddly, DPRP or Governor of Papua did not get involved, “he said.
PT Freeport is in Papua and not in Java that the Papua provincial government and indigenous customary owners should get involved.
“Not because during this time Freeport supports Persipura so it thinks it has built Papua. Actually, It is too small to build Papua, “he added. (Arjuna Pademme/ Tina)

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8) Police investigates 29 people in connection with Tolikara incident
Selasa, 21 Juli 2015 12:36 WIB | 463 Views
Pewarta: Evarukdjati
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - The Tolikara Resort Police Station has investigated 29 people related to the incident that occurred in Karubaga, Tolikara Regency, Papua, Chief Directorate General of Criminal Investigation of Papua Police Command Senior Commissioner Dwi Riyanto stated.
 
Speaking to journalists, here on Tuesday, Riyanto revealed that the 29 people who were investigated were only witnesses, and no one has been named as a suspect. 
 
Six amongst the witnesses are policemen. 
 
The witnesses who had been questioned were the victims of a stone-pelting incident while performing Eid prayers at Karubaga sub-district military command field.
 
Riyanto pointed out that the police are still investigating and collecting evidence and statements from the witnesses for both the victim and those who saw the incident.
 
The Directorate General of Criminal Investigation of Papua Police Command has also deployed 12 investigators to assist Tolikara Resort Police Station to solve the case related to the attacks on muslims performing prayers during Eid and the burning down of kiosks that also resulted in a mosque (Islamic house of prayer) located around the stalls catching fire.
 
Meanwhile, the case of civilians being shot during the attacks is now being investigated by the police's Profession and Security Division of Papua Police Command, Riyanto remarked.
 
Several people were shot and wounded when the police tried to stop a mob from attacking Muslims performing their Eid al-Fitr morning prayers at a mosque in Karubaga, the capital of the Tolikara district in Papua. 
 
One person aged 15 died, and 54 kiosks, houses, and a mushala were burnt down during the incident.
 
However, the situation in Tolikara is now conducive, and the government is rebuilding the kiosks and mushala.
 


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9) Tolikara incident should increase awareness: Indonesia police
Selasa, 21 Juli 2015 15:30 WIB
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Tolikara incident should serve to increase awareness at both the individual and national level, according to the Indonesia National Polices Head of the Public Relations Division, Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan.

"Indonesia is a great nation that has matured," Charliyan stated here on Tuesday.

According to Charliyan, the incident could improve solidarity, tolerance, and unity among all elements of the nation without creating any further divisions in the society.

He also urged the people to demonstrate to the international community that Indonesia is a nation that has been able to mature and evolve. The Indonesian society is a religious society that upholds interfaith tolerance.

"Indonesia is not a nation that promotes mutual revenge. Indonesia is a nation that cannot be provoked easily," he affirmed.

Earlier, the Tolikara Resort Police Station investigated 29 people related to the incident that occurred in Tolikara Region, Papua, Chief Directorate General of Criminal Investigation of Papua Police Command Senior Commissioner Dwi Riyanto stated.

Conversing with journalists, here on Tuesday, Riyanto revealed that the 29 people who were investigated were only witnesses, and no one has been named as a suspect.

The witnesses who had been questioned were the victims of a stone-pelting incident while performing Eid prayers at Karubaga sub-district military command field.

Riyanto pointed out that the police are still investigating and collecting evidence and statements from the witnesses for both the victim and those who saw the incident.

The Directorate General of Criminal Investigation of Papua Police Command has also deployed 12 investigators to assist Tolikara Resort Police Station to solve the case related to the attacks by members of the Evangelical Christians in Indonesia (GIDI) on Muslims performing prayers during Eid and the burning down of kiosks and houses belonging to Muslims.

The fire also razed a mosque (Islamic house of prayer) located around the stalls catching fire.

Meanwhile, the case of civilians being shot during the attacks is now being investigated by the polices Profession and Security Division of Papua Police Command, Riyanto remarked.

Several people were shot and wounded when the police tried to stop a mob from attacking Muslims performing their Eid al-Fitr morning prayers at a mosque in Karubaga, the capital of the Tolikara district in Papua. One person died, and 54 kiosks, houses, and a mosque were burnt down during the incident.

However, the situation in Tolikara is now conducive, and the government is rebuilding the mosque and kiosks.
(Uu.A063/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
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