We must maintain our vigilance against communism - Army chief of staff

Liputan 6 - September 30, 2011

• KSAD: Komunis Harus Tetap Diwaspadai - Liputan 6 – Jumat, 30 Sep 2011

Jakarta – Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Pramono Edhie Wibowo said today that vigilance must be maintained against communists so that the September 30, 1965 (G30S) affair, which was carried out by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), is not repeated.

"This event to recite the confession of the faith and a joint prayer organised by the Army in praying for our revolutionary heroes is not to prolong grudges, but we must understand that the [G30S] incident really did happen. We, as the successors of the nation must be vigilant, lest it be repeated", said Wibowo after holding a recitation of the confession of the faith and joint pray at the Sacred Pancasila Monument, Lubang Buaya (crocodile hole), in the Pondok Gede area of East Jakarta on Friday September 30.

According to Wibowo, the army continues to maintain a relationship with the families of those who are building this nation together. The recitation of the confession of the faith was also attended by a unit from the Jakarta Military Regional Command (Kodam Jaya) and the families of the victims who are also revolutionary heroes.

Jakarta Regional Military Command commander, Major General Waris said that the recitation of the confession of the faith and the joint prayer were held in the context of commemorating Pancasila Sanctity Day and praying for the revolutionary heroes that have fallen in battle. Aside from being seen from its religious aspect, he added, the event was held so that succeeding generations of the nation will have the duty and obligation to value and respect the contributions made by the country's revolutionary heroes.

The big challenge at the moment, according to Waris, is to implement [the state ideology of] Pancasila in the daily lives of the community, the nation and the state. "Pancasila can provide answers to the unrest that is happening at the moment, such as widespread violence, the weakening consciousness of national unity, and the decline in moral values", he said.

Waris believes that a failure to implement Pancasila will open the door to threats against Pancasila, namely the weakening of national unity. "We must endeavour to implement Pancasila by increasing vigilance against people who are unhappy with Indonesia's state ideology. Because of this therefore, we need to strengthen the spirit of unity", he said.

Speaking at the same event, the son of revolutionary hero retired Major General Sutoyo Siswohardjo, retired Lieutenant General Agus Widjojo, called on the successors of the nation to build the country and make it even better again. He expressed his thanks to Kodam Jaya staff for holding the event each year to remember the country's revolutionary heroes.

The event was also attended by the commander of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (green berets, Kostrad), Lieutenant General Asmyn Yusri Nasution, and the commander of the Army's elite Special Forces (Kopassus), Major General Wisnu Bawatenaya. (ANS/Ant)

[Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski.]

Two years on, Yudhoyono still ignoring recommendations on abducted activists

Kompas – September 29, 2011

• Korban penculikan: Sudah Dua Tahun Presiden Abaikan Rekomendasi DPR – Kompas. Kamis, 29 September 2011

Jakarta – For two years now, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has ignored the House of Representatives' (DPR) recommendations on the forced abduction and disappearance of 13 activists in 1997-1998. There were four recommendations issued by the DPR on September 30, 2009 in relation to the case.

The four recommendations were, first, that the president establishes an ad hoc human rights court. Second, that the president along with all government institutions and related parties attempt to find the 13 people declared missing by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM). Third, the government rehabilitate and provide compensation to the families of the victims. And fourth, the government immediately ratify the United Nations Convention Against Forced Disappearances.

"Now what about the president. We want the president's answer, has [the case] been put on ice or will it be followed up", said Effendi Simbolon, the former chairperson of the DPR's Special Committee on the Forced Abduction and Disappearances in 1997/1998, in Jakarta on Wednesday September 28, 2011.

Utomo, the father of one of the victims, Petrus Bima Anugrah, said that the president has committed a breach of justice. Two out of the four recommendations have been forwarded to the president but to this day it is unclear how he has followed them up. The president is intentionally playing for time and blocking the victims and their families from finding the truth, obtaining justice and rehabilitation.

"The president is also a military man, and he knows if there was a justification for what happened, [he] could convey this", said Effendi.

Because of this therefore, the DPR leadership is being asked to take action. Nasir Jamil, a member of the DPR's Commission III on law and security affairs, is calling on the DPR leadership to take the initiative, including summoning the minister responsible for the issue.

Eva Sundari, a legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said that the DPR has political options such as the right of interpolation or to declare an opinion. It should be that in accordance with Law Number 26/2000 on Human Rights Courts, an ad hoc human rights court to hear cases of gross human rights violations can be formed on a recommendation by the DPR to the president. "This relates to a constitutional mandate", asserted Nasir.

The deputy chairperson of the special committee meanwhile, Darmayanto, said that the issue should not be politicised. All parties, including the government and the ruling party, must seek to resolve this human rights issue.

Ahmad Yani, also a member of the DPR's Commission III, said that Komnas HAM should not relinquish its responsibilities in the case and oversee the matter after having released the results of its investigation, which found that gross human rights violations occurred in the forced disappearance of the 13 people in 1997/1998. Commission III has repeatedly asked the Attorney General's Office about what progress is being made in the case. "The response however is always that it remains to be upgraded to an investigation", he said.

Sipon meanwhile, the wife of abducted People's Democratic Party (PRD) activist and poet Wiji Thukul, told about the daily discrimination that she faces. She has found it difficult to obtain employment and the process of dealing with her land certificate has been left up in the air for five years. (EDN)

The 13 Abducted activists

1. Petrus Bima Anugrah - Student activist/PRD
2. Herman Hendrawan - Student activist/PRD
3. Suyat - Student activist/PRD
4. Wiji Thukul – Artist and poet
5. Yani Afri - PDI-P supporter
6. Dedi Hamdun – United Development Party (PPP) supporter
7. Ismail - Dedi Hamdun's driver
8. Noval Alkatiri – Colleague of Dedi Hamdun
9. Ucok M Siahaan - Student activist
10. Hendra Hambali - Student
11. Yadin Muhidin - Student activist
12. M Yusuf - Teacher
13. Sonny - PDI-P supporter

On September 29, 2009, the DPR made four recommendations to the government, but none of these have been followed up. The recommendations were:

1. Requesting that the president form an ad hoc human rights court.
2. Requesting that all government institutions and related parties conduct an immediate search for the 13 activists that are still missing.
3. Rehabilitate and provide compensation to the families of the victims that disappeared and ratify the UN Convention Against Forced Disappearances as form of support from the government.
4. End the practice of forced disappearances in Indonesia.

Source: Kompas Research and Development/YOH, prepared by the Indonesian Association of the Families of Missing Persons (Ikohi) and "Kompas" news reports.

Notes:

In 1999 Lieutenant General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was a member of the Officers Honour Council that examined the officers from the Army Elite Special Forces (Kopassus) who were involved in the abductions and is therefore believed to have key information on case.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Wikileaks source Sutanto backpedals on intelligence agency role in Munir murder

Kompas - September 13, 2011

• Kematian Munir: Sutanto Bantah Keterlibatan Intelijen - Kompas. Selasa, 13 September 2011

Jakarta – State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Sutanto has refuted a leaked Jakarta United States Embassy diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks. According to the leak, when Sutanto was the National Police Chief in 2006, he met with US Ambassador Lynn B Pascoe and mentioned the involvement of BIN in the murder of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib (see below).

"Previously what was conveyed came from the results of the investigation, it did not cite an institution. There was a specific communication that that was under judicial process and revealed in the [court] hearing. However in court it was declared unproven and [the individual] was released", said Sutanto on Monday September 12 at the State Palace complex.

Sutanto explained that what was conveyed was not an intelligence agency, but rather a rogue intelligence operative. The issue has already been reveled in court and it can be seen who the person was. "I did not mention an intelligence agency. Just rogue [intelligence operatives] and that was revealed in court and it can be seen who they are", he said.

It was hoped that Sutanto would be willing to provide information to help resolve the Munir murder case. Solidarity Action Committee for Munir (Kasum) member Choirul Anam said that the leaked Jakarta US Embassy cable in 2006 released by Wikileaks shows that Sutanto had information on the involvement of BIN in Munir's murder.

"The information has never been refuted by the US. The diplomatic cable coded 06Jakarta9575 relates to a meeting by [then] National Police Chief Sutanto and US Ambassador Lynn B. Pascoe. Sutanto expressed a strong suspicion of BIN's involvement in Munir's murder", said Anam in Jakarta on Monday. This information said Anam, should be used as new evidence in order to uncover the actors behind the scenes and fully resolve the Munir murder case.

Another Kasum member, Al Araf, said that Sutanto's position in BIN would make it even easier to expose the truth behind the case.

Speaking separately, Attorney General Basrief Arief responded to an open letter sent to him by Amnesty International from the dimension of general crimes and human rights. Speaking on Sunday evening in Padang, West Sumatra, after receiving an award as the best alumni at the Andalas University Faculty of Law, Arief said that there are two dimensions in the open letter that conflict with the Attorney Generals Office's (AGO) authority.

The Amnesty International letter, which was sent to Arief on September 6, primarily contained a request by 16 Amnesty International directors to conduct a new investigation into Munir's death. Arief said that in criminal terms, the AGO is not an investigator of general crimes. In terms of human rights, it would have to be proceeded by an investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM). "Of course an ad hoc court would have to exist. So the open [letter] was indeed for us, but the problem is the authority to carry out the task", he said.

In relation to efforts to conduct a judicial review on the case, Arief said that this is not the authority of the AGO. (ONG/INK/WHY)

Notes: Section of US diplomatic cable on Munir case

Reference ID: 06JAKARTA9575
Created: 2006-07-28 10:43
Released: 2011-08-30 01:44
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Origin: Embassy Jakarta

16. (C) In a private sidebar following the meeting, the Ambassador enquired about the Munir case. Sutanto assured the Ambassador that the INP [Indonesian National Police – JB] is serious about the investigation and believed it to be an important case for the country, and an important feather in INP's cap. With surprising candor, Sutanto said he was convinced that the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) was involved in the murder, but still lacked conclusive evidence. Sutanto said current BIN Chief Syamsir Siregar is sympathetic and cooperating with the INP, although other 'old school' BIN officials are not.
[Translated by James Balowski.]

Police deny torture claims following arrests and raid in Abepura

Kompas - September 5, 2011

• Kekerasan: Belasan Warga Papua Mengaku Dianiaya Polisi - Kompas. Senin, 05 September 2011

Jakarta – Jayapura district police have been accused of torturing 15 witnesses who were initially suspected of being members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in a violence related case in Abepura.

On Sunday September 4 the coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Haris Azhar, said that the individuals were taken away by police then mistreated before being released.

"Thirteen of them have already been released by police. They have undergone medical examination for their injuries. The victims are residents of the Vuria Kotaraja housing complex. They are members of the Wahno Baptist Church congregation in Kotaraja", said Haris.

The 15 were arrested on charges of carrying out a shooting at Nafri village in Abepura, Jayapura, on Monday August 1, which resulted in the death of three civilians and a member of the Indonesian military (TNI).

Haris said that during Wednesday's arrest (31/8) police failed to present arrest or search warrants. Those arrested were asleep or preparing to go out into the fields. The names of the individuals tortured are Yawanus Kogoya, Tinus Wenda, Siki Kogoya, Arinus Wenda, Yusman Kogoya, Mis Kogoya, Bodi Kogoya, Wen Wenda, Denias Kogoya, Ekimar Kogoya, Panius Kogoya, Yeskiel Kogoya and one other who's name is unknown.

According to Haris, they were struck with rifle barrels, kicked, cuffed, beaten and stepped on with military boots while handcuffed or tied. As a result the victims suffered bruising to their faces, bodies and feet. During the raid, continued Haris, the police fired gunshots. Police also sized bows and arrows, machetes, knives and other items from the location along with documents related to the OPM.

Kontras has condemned the torture as part of the negative stigma attached to Papuans that is developing among law enforcement officials. Haris warned that the practice of torture is an inhuman act and conflicts with Indonesian laws. Law Number 5/1998 on the Convention Against Torture states that Indonesia is bound by the International Convention Against Torture.

Ordered to lie face down

When contacted in Jayapora, police Senior Commissioner Wahyono from the Papuan regional police public relations department denied the charges of physical torture against the individuals who were brought in for questioning as witnesses. "I have contacted the investigators that questioned [them]. While they were at the place that the incident occurred they were only ordered to lie face down [on the floor]", said Wahyono.

Jayapura district police chief Deputy Senior Commissioner Imam Setiawan also said via an SMS message that it was untrue that they were tortured. "This is one of the OPM's strategies so that security personnel are not focused on finding the perpetrators of the shooting in Nafri", said Imam. (JOS/ONG)

[Translated by James Balowski.]