ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya, Mon, 12/22/2008 11:05 AM, Headlines
Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Li Keqiang inspected a bridge project in East Java on Sunday to consider a further loan of US$68.93 million for the bridge, which connects Java and Madura.
"The visit is part of a planned disbursement of the second stage of the loan by the Chinese government," head of Suramadu bridge development Atyanto Busono said in Surabaya.
Atyanto said the Chinese government, through Bank Exim of China, had earlier provided the first-stage loan of US$160.2 million for the national project.
He said the disbursement of the second-stage loan was originally scheduled for October but had been postponed because of the global financial crisis.
"Moreover, Bank Exim of China requires a new progress report on the project," Atyanto said.
He said the loan would be used to finance the completion of the main span, which is now having box girders installed, and to purchase stayed cables.
The province-owned Bank Jatim earlier provided a bridging loan of Rp 50 billion (US$4.5 million) to continue the development of the 5.4-kilometer bridge while waiting for the payment from China, he said.
The bridge is being developed in three parts; the Surabaya causeway (1.4 kilometers), the Madura causeway (1.8 kilometers) and the main span (2.1 kilometers).
Atyanto said the Surabaya causeway was 99.80 percent complete and the Madura causeway 99.23 percent complete.
"So far, the development of the middle part or main span of the bridge has reached 81.74 percent," Atyanto said, adding that overall, the bridge was 88.46 percent complete and access roads on either side of the bridge were 90 percent complete.
The total cost of the project, which is due for completion next year, is Rp 5.4 trillion.
Once completed, the bridge, whose construction was inaugurated by former president Megawati Soekarnoputri in 2003, will be the longest in the country.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Weighing the social content of CSR
ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya, Thu, 12/18/2008 11:15 AM, Supplement
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs are often seen as magical cures for people's difficulties. However, a company may not fully comprehend the real needs of the concerned community and consequently all the good intentions may end up being for naught.
In the beginning of June, residents of Tuban, East Java, found themselves in the news. The people, who lived close to a well-known cement factory, rejected the company's CSR efforts there. They said the CSR program had been created by a number of NGOs in Tuban to make a profit from the company by "selling" the sufferings of the people of Tuban.
Their action, which was reported by several East Java newspapers and a website, fortunately did not make news nationwide. It also did not affect or halt the cement factory's production. However, it did demonstrate that CSR programs could be abused, and that it could happen anywhere.
CSR is nothing new. Initially, a number of companies ran community development programs in their efforts to help local administrations develop communities living close to their operation sites. However, as the issues addressed are more varied, the companies conduct community development activities under a CSR scheme.
In Indonesia, CSR became more intense after Law no. 40/2007 was enacted, making it compulsory for companies to conduct them. Article 74 of the law states that companies involved in natural resources are obliged to be environmentally and socially responsible and bear the costs.
State-owned companies, likewise, have to implement CSR programs based on Law No. 19/2003 pertaining to state-owned companies. CSR here is place in a respectable positioned as there are clear budgets and guidance for their execution through the state minister of state enterprises. All this is interpreted as the Environment Preservation and Partnership Program (PKBL) to be conducted by all state-owned companies.
What was implemented by PT Semen Gresik in mid-August can be considered an achievement in the history of state-owned companies' CSR activities. The Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) awarded the company as the initiator of certifying 1,000 masons.
"Today is a historic day for Semen Gresik. In its 51 years it has succeeded in producing 1,000 Friends in Developing the Nation from various cities in Java and Bali," said Semen Gresik president director Dwi Soetjipto.
The program of 1,000 masons as the Friends in Developing the Nation is a continuing program to create communities of highly skilled masons in every regency in the country. The masons are no ordinary masons. They have to be aged between 30 and 56 with work experience of at least 10 years and domiciled in the related regency. Their certificates are nationally recognized and are issued by the Skills Certification Agency as well as accredited by the Construction Development Agency (LPJK) in East Java.
To date, Semen Gresik's certification of highly skilled masons has covered 28 regencies in three provinces, namely East and Central Java and Bali. "All these masons are recognized as highly skilled professionals. They are available for employment at any time, while their value is quite high," said Dwi Soetjipto.
Under its CRS program, state electricity company PT PLN donated a Suzuki APV Home Care vehicle valued at Rp 136.8 million to the Palliative and Pain Center at Dr Soetomo Hospital in Surabaya. The company also provided a soft loan of Rp 100 million via its partnership program to the Seloliman-Mojokerto Micro Hydroelectric Power Generator.
Besides donating to the health sector, PT PLN has stated its concern about education, local culture, preservation of the environment and global warming. To date it has donated school books, tables, chairs and book shelves to the Pacitan Smart House Library, gamelan instruments, drums and six motorcycles as well as planted one million trees.
In the world of telecommunications, PT Telkom has made major strides. In May, the company provided aid amounting to Rp 416 million to the Food Resilience Program in East Java, which was earmarked for Surabaya and Madura island.
For its CSR programs, PT Telkom has allocated Rp 26.9 billion, which is a significant increase from the 2007 budget of Rp 20 billion. Out of this amount, Rp 8.9 billion is for environmental preservation covering related education, training, disaster relief, public facilities, health centers and places of worship.
From aforementioned examples it is clear that laws covering CSR have been effective. Today, almost every major company has CSR or community development (CD) programs. However, in the absence of standard procedures in implementation, CSR and CD programs have become nothing more than mere charity. What's worse, they very often become a company's image building program.
In one study on CSR, social policy analyst and CSR consultant Edi Suharto noted that many companies were implementing programs on a copy-and-paste basis and merely spending the allocated budget. As most of the communities' aspirations and needs are neglected, many CSR programs of various companies become similar and often overlap. As a result, a program does not empower communities but turns into three ills: dependency, as the communities become highly dependent on the aid; blackmail, as members of communities often force their will upon a company; and poison, which simply damages both the company and the public.
However, Edi Suharto said, a number of CSR programs are varied based on a needs assessment. The variety of programs can be seen from the following examples: development of education and health facilities, providing loans to small and medium enterprises, social forestry, breeding of butterflies, scholarships, information on HIV/AIDS, enhancing knowledge, development of society protection conducted by members of communities and many others. So CSR is no longer only a matter of "do good and look good", but also "create and make good" in the sense of improving the communities' welfare.
"The question is whether cooperation between a major company and small enterprises is economically beneficial for both sides or merely exploitation of the small entity by the giant corporation? Can this then be categorized as positive CSR?" wrote Edi in the study. This cutting question has indeed restated or redefined CSR, which remains varied. "In my opinion, the definition of CSR is the company's concern in allocating part of its profit for the good of the people and the environment in a sustainable way and based on accurate and professional procedures," wrote Edi further.
The director of the East Java Forum for the Environment (Walhi), Bambang Catur Nusantara, has a different opinion. The director said that in reality CSR only maintains a company's capital and other resources, while actually CSR means a company's responsibility in respecting the communities' rights from the very start of the company's establishment through to the production process and final production.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs are often seen as magical cures for people's difficulties. However, a company may not fully comprehend the real needs of the concerned community and consequently all the good intentions may end up being for naught.
In the beginning of June, residents of Tuban, East Java, found themselves in the news. The people, who lived close to a well-known cement factory, rejected the company's CSR efforts there. They said the CSR program had been created by a number of NGOs in Tuban to make a profit from the company by "selling" the sufferings of the people of Tuban.
Their action, which was reported by several East Java newspapers and a website, fortunately did not make news nationwide. It also did not affect or halt the cement factory's production. However, it did demonstrate that CSR programs could be abused, and that it could happen anywhere.
CSR is nothing new. Initially, a number of companies ran community development programs in their efforts to help local administrations develop communities living close to their operation sites. However, as the issues addressed are more varied, the companies conduct community development activities under a CSR scheme.
In Indonesia, CSR became more intense after Law no. 40/2007 was enacted, making it compulsory for companies to conduct them. Article 74 of the law states that companies involved in natural resources are obliged to be environmentally and socially responsible and bear the costs.
State-owned companies, likewise, have to implement CSR programs based on Law No. 19/2003 pertaining to state-owned companies. CSR here is place in a respectable positioned as there are clear budgets and guidance for their execution through the state minister of state enterprises. All this is interpreted as the Environment Preservation and Partnership Program (PKBL) to be conducted by all state-owned companies.
What was implemented by PT Semen Gresik in mid-August can be considered an achievement in the history of state-owned companies' CSR activities. The Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) awarded the company as the initiator of certifying 1,000 masons.
"Today is a historic day for Semen Gresik. In its 51 years it has succeeded in producing 1,000 Friends in Developing the Nation from various cities in Java and Bali," said Semen Gresik president director Dwi Soetjipto.
The program of 1,000 masons as the Friends in Developing the Nation is a continuing program to create communities of highly skilled masons in every regency in the country. The masons are no ordinary masons. They have to be aged between 30 and 56 with work experience of at least 10 years and domiciled in the related regency. Their certificates are nationally recognized and are issued by the Skills Certification Agency as well as accredited by the Construction Development Agency (LPJK) in East Java.
To date, Semen Gresik's certification of highly skilled masons has covered 28 regencies in three provinces, namely East and Central Java and Bali. "All these masons are recognized as highly skilled professionals. They are available for employment at any time, while their value is quite high," said Dwi Soetjipto.
Under its CRS program, state electricity company PT PLN donated a Suzuki APV Home Care vehicle valued at Rp 136.8 million to the Palliative and Pain Center at Dr Soetomo Hospital in Surabaya. The company also provided a soft loan of Rp 100 million via its partnership program to the Seloliman-Mojokerto Micro Hydroelectric Power Generator.
Besides donating to the health sector, PT PLN has stated its concern about education, local culture, preservation of the environment and global warming. To date it has donated school books, tables, chairs and book shelves to the Pacitan Smart House Library, gamelan instruments, drums and six motorcycles as well as planted one million trees.
In the world of telecommunications, PT Telkom has made major strides. In May, the company provided aid amounting to Rp 416 million to the Food Resilience Program in East Java, which was earmarked for Surabaya and Madura island.
For its CSR programs, PT Telkom has allocated Rp 26.9 billion, which is a significant increase from the 2007 budget of Rp 20 billion. Out of this amount, Rp 8.9 billion is for environmental preservation covering related education, training, disaster relief, public facilities, health centers and places of worship.
From aforementioned examples it is clear that laws covering CSR have been effective. Today, almost every major company has CSR or community development (CD) programs. However, in the absence of standard procedures in implementation, CSR and CD programs have become nothing more than mere charity. What's worse, they very often become a company's image building program.
In one study on CSR, social policy analyst and CSR consultant Edi Suharto noted that many companies were implementing programs on a copy-and-paste basis and merely spending the allocated budget. As most of the communities' aspirations and needs are neglected, many CSR programs of various companies become similar and often overlap. As a result, a program does not empower communities but turns into three ills: dependency, as the communities become highly dependent on the aid; blackmail, as members of communities often force their will upon a company; and poison, which simply damages both the company and the public.
However, Edi Suharto said, a number of CSR programs are varied based on a needs assessment. The variety of programs can be seen from the following examples: development of education and health facilities, providing loans to small and medium enterprises, social forestry, breeding of butterflies, scholarships, information on HIV/AIDS, enhancing knowledge, development of society protection conducted by members of communities and many others. So CSR is no longer only a matter of "do good and look good", but also "create and make good" in the sense of improving the communities' welfare.
"The question is whether cooperation between a major company and small enterprises is economically beneficial for both sides or merely exploitation of the small entity by the giant corporation? Can this then be categorized as positive CSR?" wrote Edi in the study. This cutting question has indeed restated or redefined CSR, which remains varied. "In my opinion, the definition of CSR is the company's concern in allocating part of its profit for the good of the people and the environment in a sustainable way and based on accurate and professional procedures," wrote Edi further.
The director of the East Java Forum for the Environment (Walhi), Bambang Catur Nusantara, has a different opinion. The director said that in reality CSR only maintains a company's capital and other resources, while actually CSR means a company's responsibility in respecting the communities' rights from the very start of the company's establishment through to the production process and final production.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Bambang Sunarto: A taste of Java in New York City
ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , New York | Tue, 12/16/2008 11:04 AM | People
The cold teased the group of people in the garden, and some occasionally shivered. "If you can't stand the cold you can come into the house, but don't forget to enjoy a special meal of Indonesian food," Bambang Sunarto told The Jakarta Post.
That Sunday morning, Bambang and dozens of members of Cakra, a Javanese community group in New York, were holding their monthly meeting -- in this case, their first after the Idul Fitri holiday on Oct. 1 and 2.
"It used to be a monthly meeting, but this time it's more special because we are holding the Halal Bihalal (a gathering especially to ask for forgiveness that follows Idul Fitri)," Bambang said.
Cakra was formed at the wish of young Javanese, although it is not exclusively Javanese. There are several other Indonesian community groups in the United States based on race, religion, address or the region where they live.
These include the Indonesian Youth Union Society New York, the Indonesian Downtown Youth (PDI) NY, the Maesa Family Group NY, the Maluku Community Family Association, the Aceh Community Union Society and the Minang Mangimbau Family Union Society.
The name Cakra is an amalgam created from the words cipta (to create), karsa (a wish or intention) and rasa (taste, sensation, feeling, sense). In other words, people who join Cakra must want to create something that is noble because their feelings come from the heart.
"But Cakra also has another meaning. It is a deadly weapon that is endowed with magical power to use in the fight against evil," said Mucharor Zuhri, one of the founders and a former leader of Cakra.
"This means that through Cakra the community members will be released from all sorts of evil temptations that may attract them during their time in America."
When Zuhri decided to move to Houston, Texas, a year ago, Bambang, originally from Wonogiri in Central Java, was chosen as head of the second generation of Cakra, a position with special responsibility, because "we carry the name of Java and Indonesia".
There are now about 1,000 Javanese in New York, which is quite a different situation to when Bambang first came to America in 1973, at the age of 24. "There were only a few Indonesians in America so there was no wish to demonstrate their existence here," he said.
That's hardly surprising: At that time, Bambang was a cook in a restaurant belonging to the Indonesian oil and gas firm PT Pertamina.
Bambang's two children -- Wenny Kartika and Yudha Wirawan, who were both born in the United States -- spend most of their time with their American friends rather than with friends from Indonesia. "Luckily my wife (Enny) and I keep introducing Indonesia to our two children so they haven't forgotten their roots."
Over time, more and more Indonesians migrated to the United States. According to data from the Indonesian Consulate in New York, there are 15,000 legal Indonesian immigrants registered across 15 states. There are also Indonesians who have not registered with the consulate or who may be illegal immigrants.
Bambang and other immigrants who have been in the country for a long time realized there was a good reason to give in to the wishes of the young Javanese who wanted to set up their own community group.
"Pak Zuhri and I, along with other friends, agreed to form Cakra," he said. Bambang's family fully support his involvement in Cakra, and all four always attend meetings together.
Bambang, who is now a member of the committee of Overseas Electors (PPLN) for the 2009 general elections, said people often had the wrong idea about Cakra and kejawaan (being Javanese), which is associated with the organization.
There are those who believe that Cakra is separatist and exclusively for Javanese, a belief, Bambang says, "that is totally not right". Actually, although they use the name of Java, the members of Cakra come from various backgrounds, and include not only ethnic Javanese, but also people from other ethnic groups across Indonesia. Some members are not even Indonesian.
"This usually happens because they married a Javanese person and followed them to join Cakra," Bambang said. Such people are welcome: The diversity brings color to Cakra and makes it more interesting.
The establishment of Cakra has started to create a spirit of togetherness among Indonesian immigrants; the group now has in its membership 63 families with a total of 252 people. "Actually when compared with the number of immigrants in America this is nothing, but didn't we all start from small beginnings?" Bambang said.
Every month, he holds a Cakra meeting, usually in the yard of a religious place or at the house of a Cakra community member. Although the group tries not to be too Javanese, Bambang and the other Cakra leaders do try to insert Indonesian culture (including Javanese) into Cakra activities.
The simplest way to do this is to serve Indonesian food at every meeting: ote-ote (prawn fritters), sate ayam, (chicken satay) urap-urap (vegetables and coconut), bakso (meat balls) and traditional market snacks.
"The food that we serve at the functions can't always be obtained in America, so this says a lot about the longing Indonesian people have for their food," Bambang said. Another way of keeping close to Indonesia is through Media Cakra, an Indonesian-language monthly publication that focuses on Indonesia.
"In Media Cakra, we discuss many things that breathe Indonesia, such as Ken Arok (the 13th century East Javanese leader of the Singosari kingdom), how to understand the Javanese alphabet, the Negara-kertagama (a Majapahit era document), through to recipes and how to make dishes that are specialties in Indonesia."
Even though these things are simple, Cakra manages to leaves a trace of Indonesia in the heart of young Indonesians living in America. "I still feel that I am an Indonesian," said 16-year-old Chita Boedidharma. For Chita, Chakra meetings are worth waiting for. "It's not only a place to hang out, it's also to remind us that we are Indonesians."
The cold teased the group of people in the garden, and some occasionally shivered. "If you can't stand the cold you can come into the house, but don't forget to enjoy a special meal of Indonesian food," Bambang Sunarto told The Jakarta Post.
That Sunday morning, Bambang and dozens of members of Cakra, a Javanese community group in New York, were holding their monthly meeting -- in this case, their first after the Idul Fitri holiday on Oct. 1 and 2.
"It used to be a monthly meeting, but this time it's more special because we are holding the Halal Bihalal (a gathering especially to ask for forgiveness that follows Idul Fitri)," Bambang said.
Cakra was formed at the wish of young Javanese, although it is not exclusively Javanese. There are several other Indonesian community groups in the United States based on race, religion, address or the region where they live.
These include the Indonesian Youth Union Society New York, the Indonesian Downtown Youth (PDI) NY, the Maesa Family Group NY, the Maluku Community Family Association, the Aceh Community Union Society and the Minang Mangimbau Family Union Society.
The name Cakra is an amalgam created from the words cipta (to create), karsa (a wish or intention) and rasa (taste, sensation, feeling, sense). In other words, people who join Cakra must want to create something that is noble because their feelings come from the heart.
"But Cakra also has another meaning. It is a deadly weapon that is endowed with magical power to use in the fight against evil," said Mucharor Zuhri, one of the founders and a former leader of Cakra.
"This means that through Cakra the community members will be released from all sorts of evil temptations that may attract them during their time in America."
When Zuhri decided to move to Houston, Texas, a year ago, Bambang, originally from Wonogiri in Central Java, was chosen as head of the second generation of Cakra, a position with special responsibility, because "we carry the name of Java and Indonesia".
There are now about 1,000 Javanese in New York, which is quite a different situation to when Bambang first came to America in 1973, at the age of 24. "There were only a few Indonesians in America so there was no wish to demonstrate their existence here," he said.
That's hardly surprising: At that time, Bambang was a cook in a restaurant belonging to the Indonesian oil and gas firm PT Pertamina.
Bambang's two children -- Wenny Kartika and Yudha Wirawan, who were both born in the United States -- spend most of their time with their American friends rather than with friends from Indonesia. "Luckily my wife (Enny) and I keep introducing Indonesia to our two children so they haven't forgotten their roots."
Over time, more and more Indonesians migrated to the United States. According to data from the Indonesian Consulate in New York, there are 15,000 legal Indonesian immigrants registered across 15 states. There are also Indonesians who have not registered with the consulate or who may be illegal immigrants.
Bambang and other immigrants who have been in the country for a long time realized there was a good reason to give in to the wishes of the young Javanese who wanted to set up their own community group.
"Pak Zuhri and I, along with other friends, agreed to form Cakra," he said. Bambang's family fully support his involvement in Cakra, and all four always attend meetings together.
Bambang, who is now a member of the committee of Overseas Electors (PPLN) for the 2009 general elections, said people often had the wrong idea about Cakra and kejawaan (being Javanese), which is associated with the organization.
There are those who believe that Cakra is separatist and exclusively for Javanese, a belief, Bambang says, "that is totally not right". Actually, although they use the name of Java, the members of Cakra come from various backgrounds, and include not only ethnic Javanese, but also people from other ethnic groups across Indonesia. Some members are not even Indonesian.
"This usually happens because they married a Javanese person and followed them to join Cakra," Bambang said. Such people are welcome: The diversity brings color to Cakra and makes it more interesting.
The establishment of Cakra has started to create a spirit of togetherness among Indonesian immigrants; the group now has in its membership 63 families with a total of 252 people. "Actually when compared with the number of immigrants in America this is nothing, but didn't we all start from small beginnings?" Bambang said.
Every month, he holds a Cakra meeting, usually in the yard of a religious place or at the house of a Cakra community member. Although the group tries not to be too Javanese, Bambang and the other Cakra leaders do try to insert Indonesian culture (including Javanese) into Cakra activities.
The simplest way to do this is to serve Indonesian food at every meeting: ote-ote (prawn fritters), sate ayam, (chicken satay) urap-urap (vegetables and coconut), bakso (meat balls) and traditional market snacks.
"The food that we serve at the functions can't always be obtained in America, so this says a lot about the longing Indonesian people have for their food," Bambang said. Another way of keeping close to Indonesia is through Media Cakra, an Indonesian-language monthly publication that focuses on Indonesia.
"In Media Cakra, we discuss many things that breathe Indonesia, such as Ken Arok (the 13th century East Javanese leader of the Singosari kingdom), how to understand the Javanese alphabet, the Negara-kertagama (a Majapahit era document), through to recipes and how to make dishes that are specialties in Indonesia."
Even though these things are simple, Cakra manages to leaves a trace of Indonesia in the heart of young Indonesians living in America. "I still feel that I am an Indonesian," said 16-year-old Chita Boedidharma. For Chita, Chakra meetings are worth waiting for. "It's not only a place to hang out, it's also to remind us that we are Indonesians."
Key points in Jakarta Declaration
Wed, 12/17/2008 11:11 AM World
With more than 1,400 journalists and media workers killed around the world in the line of duty between 1996 and 2008, the International News Safety Institute (INSI) unveiled a Jakarta Declaration at the end of its two-day conference on Tuesday in which it called on governments and media organizations for greater work safety.
*Governments are responsible for the safety of all of their citizens, including news media. They must end the culture of impunity in which journalists are murdered.
*News organizations are responsible for providing appropriate safety and trauma training, equipment and insurance for death or disability when their employees cover dangerous stories. Such provisions must cover all staff and freelancers.
*Journalists and media owners should discuss and agree on appropriate operational procedures governing safety and trauma.
*Journalists and other news media staff and freelancers must help and assist one another in hostile environments.
***
Reporters told to watch their own backs
ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Tue, 12/16/2008 11:06 AM The Archipelago
A regional conference on journalist safety concluded that the government, media organizations, professional organizations and journalists themselves should ensure the safety of reporters in the field.
It said all aforementioned parties should be informed of a journalist's whereabouts as a safety precaution.
Such suggestions were heard during the two-day Regional Conference on Creating a Culture of Safety in the Media in Asia Pacific, which began Monday.
The 60 journalists from 11 countries gathered at the forum said that safety conditions for reporters were improving, but agreed further precautions, including awareness of safety measures, were crucial.
ABC Australia's Peter Cave said journalists were now more cautious.
"There is a rising trend in the awareness over journalists' safety now, compared to when I started covering news. This is very important," he said.
However, Maria Ressa of the Philippines voiced the need for special regulations for journalists to increase safety conditions.
"There should be a protocol implemented in a particular area on that matter (journalist safety), such as what to do in a certain condition," said Ressa from ABS-SBN television station in the Philippines.
She said the protocol should not only be disseminated among journalists but also other parties, such as governments and the public, to increase understanding and coordination in an emergency situation.
Insany, a Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI) reporter in Ambon, Maluku, cited the dangers faced by journalists reporting on sectarian violence in Ambon.
"Journalists were absolutely subject to danger during the conflict. The people and military had placed journalists in a position in which they could become victims at any moment," he said.
"The military should have protected them, but instead placed their lives in jeopardy."
Alwyn Alburo, from the Philippines' GMA 7 News, said journalists were not protected in the Philippines.
"We just want to hear a statement to stop violence against journalists from the president of the Philippines," he said.
Based on a report released by the International News Safety Institute (INSI), 13 journalists have been killed in Indonesia so far, giving the country the 19th highest death toll out of countries in which journalists have died in the field.
The Philippines is ranked five on the list with 54 deaths, while Iraq tops the death list with 106.
INSI director Rodney Pinder said reporters should be provided with training and "safety devises".
"INSI is aware that it's costly, but their safety is paramount," Rodney said.
***
Myanmar journalists face intimidation, pressure from junta
ID Nugroho and Lilian Budianto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Wed, 12/17/2008 11:14 AM World
Journalists working in military-ruled Myanmar continue to face intimidation, torture and arrests in reporting on the country's corrupt and brutal regime, despite international calls for more press freedom, a conference on media safety heard Tuesday.
A Myanmar journalist, who asked not to be identified, told the conference that contrary to government claims, journalists in the country were treated as "dangerous enemies".
"There is no freedom for Burmese journalists to write about political and social conflicts," he said while asking that pictures of him and his colleague not be taken, out of safety concerns.
The Regional Conference on Creating a Culture of Safety in the Media in Asia-Pacific was organized by the International News Safety Institute (INSI) from Dec. 15-16, and brought together participants from 11 countries.
Mon Mon Myat, of the Burmese Journalist Protection Committee, said the junta had set up rules under a 2006 law on electronic media and 1996 law on film and computers that restricted how journalists could work.
Under the laws, journalists are not allowed to take pictures that might "pose a threat" to the government, with offenders facing up to 59 years in prison. Internet users are also under strict surveillance by the government, which requires service providers to check every five minutes websites visited by users and to immediately report suspicious or dangerous activities.
In 2008, 12 journalists and bloggers were arrested in Myanmar, the protection committee says. Several popular websites, including yahoo.com and hotmail.com, have also been blocked as the junta further isolates its people from the outside world.
"Eighty percent of Internet sites are banned by the government," said Ronald Aung Naing of the Burmese Journalist Protection Committee.
He added the government also monitored people regularly at checkpoints for cameras or video cameras with "dangerous" content.
Eko Maryadi, of the Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists, told the forum that although media freedom in Indonesia had improved since the fall in 1998 of former president Soeharto's 32-year regime, journalists still faced intimidation, harassment and lawsuits in reporting on certain issues.
"We have also seen more business groups filing complaints against journalists, claiming the reports harmed their reputation or business. This was rare in the past," he said.
The latest such case is the complaint filed by the Bakrie Group against Tempo daily over its reports on the financial problems of the group's top subsidiary, PT Bumi Resources.
The alliance recorded 43 cases of violence against journalists in 2005, with 53 in 2006, 75 in 2007 and 52 cases as of September this year.
The conference closed with a declaration calling on all governments in the region to take responsibility for the safety of all journalists working in their countries and to lift impunity for groups that had endangered the lives of journalists.
With more than 1,400 journalists and media workers killed around the world in the line of duty between 1996 and 2008, the International News Safety Institute (INSI) unveiled a Jakarta Declaration at the end of its two-day conference on Tuesday in which it called on governments and media organizations for greater work safety.
*Governments are responsible for the safety of all of their citizens, including news media. They must end the culture of impunity in which journalists are murdered.
*News organizations are responsible for providing appropriate safety and trauma training, equipment and insurance for death or disability when their employees cover dangerous stories. Such provisions must cover all staff and freelancers.
*Journalists and media owners should discuss and agree on appropriate operational procedures governing safety and trauma.
*Journalists and other news media staff and freelancers must help and assist one another in hostile environments.
***
Reporters told to watch their own backs
ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Tue, 12/16/2008 11:06 AM The Archipelago
A regional conference on journalist safety concluded that the government, media organizations, professional organizations and journalists themselves should ensure the safety of reporters in the field.
It said all aforementioned parties should be informed of a journalist's whereabouts as a safety precaution.
Such suggestions were heard during the two-day Regional Conference on Creating a Culture of Safety in the Media in Asia Pacific, which began Monday.
The 60 journalists from 11 countries gathered at the forum said that safety conditions for reporters were improving, but agreed further precautions, including awareness of safety measures, were crucial.
ABC Australia's Peter Cave said journalists were now more cautious.
"There is a rising trend in the awareness over journalists' safety now, compared to when I started covering news. This is very important," he said.
However, Maria Ressa of the Philippines voiced the need for special regulations for journalists to increase safety conditions.
"There should be a protocol implemented in a particular area on that matter (journalist safety), such as what to do in a certain condition," said Ressa from ABS-SBN television station in the Philippines.
She said the protocol should not only be disseminated among journalists but also other parties, such as governments and the public, to increase understanding and coordination in an emergency situation.
Insany, a Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI) reporter in Ambon, Maluku, cited the dangers faced by journalists reporting on sectarian violence in Ambon.
"Journalists were absolutely subject to danger during the conflict. The people and military had placed journalists in a position in which they could become victims at any moment," he said.
"The military should have protected them, but instead placed their lives in jeopardy."
Alwyn Alburo, from the Philippines' GMA 7 News, said journalists were not protected in the Philippines.
"We just want to hear a statement to stop violence against journalists from the president of the Philippines," he said.
Based on a report released by the International News Safety Institute (INSI), 13 journalists have been killed in Indonesia so far, giving the country the 19th highest death toll out of countries in which journalists have died in the field.
The Philippines is ranked five on the list with 54 deaths, while Iraq tops the death list with 106.
INSI director Rodney Pinder said reporters should be provided with training and "safety devises".
"INSI is aware that it's costly, but their safety is paramount," Rodney said.
***
Myanmar journalists face intimidation, pressure from junta
ID Nugroho and Lilian Budianto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Wed, 12/17/2008 11:14 AM World
Journalists working in military-ruled Myanmar continue to face intimidation, torture and arrests in reporting on the country's corrupt and brutal regime, despite international calls for more press freedom, a conference on media safety heard Tuesday.
A Myanmar journalist, who asked not to be identified, told the conference that contrary to government claims, journalists in the country were treated as "dangerous enemies".
"There is no freedom for Burmese journalists to write about political and social conflicts," he said while asking that pictures of him and his colleague not be taken, out of safety concerns.
The Regional Conference on Creating a Culture of Safety in the Media in Asia-Pacific was organized by the International News Safety Institute (INSI) from Dec. 15-16, and brought together participants from 11 countries.
Mon Mon Myat, of the Burmese Journalist Protection Committee, said the junta had set up rules under a 2006 law on electronic media and 1996 law on film and computers that restricted how journalists could work.
Under the laws, journalists are not allowed to take pictures that might "pose a threat" to the government, with offenders facing up to 59 years in prison. Internet users are also under strict surveillance by the government, which requires service providers to check every five minutes websites visited by users and to immediately report suspicious or dangerous activities.
In 2008, 12 journalists and bloggers were arrested in Myanmar, the protection committee says. Several popular websites, including yahoo.com and hotmail.com, have also been blocked as the junta further isolates its people from the outside world.
"Eighty percent of Internet sites are banned by the government," said Ronald Aung Naing of the Burmese Journalist Protection Committee.
He added the government also monitored people regularly at checkpoints for cameras or video cameras with "dangerous" content.
Eko Maryadi, of the Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists, told the forum that although media freedom in Indonesia had improved since the fall in 1998 of former president Soeharto's 32-year regime, journalists still faced intimidation, harassment and lawsuits in reporting on certain issues.
"We have also seen more business groups filing complaints against journalists, claiming the reports harmed their reputation or business. This was rare in the past," he said.
The latest such case is the complaint filed by the Bakrie Group against Tempo daily over its reports on the financial problems of the group's top subsidiary, PT Bumi Resources.
The alliance recorded 43 cases of violence against journalists in 2005, with 53 in 2006, 75 in 2007 and 52 cases as of September this year.
The conference closed with a declaration calling on all governments in the region to take responsibility for the safety of all journalists working in their countries and to lift impunity for groups that had endangered the lives of journalists.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Madura proposes special economic zone
ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Surabaya | Sat, 12/13/2008 11:14 AM | East Java
Ahead of the anticipated completion of the multibillion rupiah Suramadu bridge project, the Madurese are proposing the island be developed into a special economic zone under the authority of the Mudurese to allow it to catch up with the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya.
In a meeting with acting governor Setia Purwaka earlier this month, the Madura Development Board representing the island's regional administrations, religious leaders, politicians and informal leaders, hailed the bridge megaproject worth Rp 3 trillion (US$272.7 million) as a chance for the islanders to make changes -- especially economically -- while simultaneously maintaining their traditional, religious culture.
"The government should give the locals incentives to advance in the economic, education, political and environmental fields in order to counter modernization following the bridge's operation," said board spokesman Ahmad Zaini.
"The incentives will become the main capital for the least-developed island."
Asked about the details of the proposed special economic zone, Ahmad said the Madurese did not want special autonomy such as what Aceh had, but had wanted a decentralized government approach so that the island had the authority to make economic decisions which would benefit its inhabitants.
So far, Madura has depended on Surabaya in numerous sectors, including its public infrastructures, power and clean water, he said.
There are four regencies on the island: Bangkalan, Pamekasan, Sampang and Sumenep.
The bridge project, which began in 2000 but was suspended several times due to financial reasons, is expected to be completed in March and to begin operating in April.
The idea for the bridge was suggested by construction expert Sedyatmo in 1960.
The interisland bridge connects Surabaya's Ujung Pier with Ujung Kamal in Bangkalan, Madura, hence the name Suramadu which comes from Surabaya and Madura.
It is expected to facilitate transportation to and from Madura, encourage a rush of urbanization, speed up industrial development and attract more investors to the island.
Salamah Cholil, a board member and religious leader in Bangkalan, expressed fear that modernization would damage the Madurese culture and this was why the Madurese clerics had opposed the project in the past.
With modernization, the Madure people might no longer send their children to the mushrooming pesantren or Islamic boarding schools on the island which have been seen as the only answer to the island's poor education system, he said.
Ahmad said the board would continue to campaign for the bridge and its benefits for the island.
Setia appreciated the board's support for the project which he said would make major changes on the island.
The four regencies should put their weight behind the provincial government's plan to revise the province's spatial zoning which will support the island's economic development, he said.
Ahead of the anticipated completion of the multibillion rupiah Suramadu bridge project, the Madurese are proposing the island be developed into a special economic zone under the authority of the Mudurese to allow it to catch up with the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya.
In a meeting with acting governor Setia Purwaka earlier this month, the Madura Development Board representing the island's regional administrations, religious leaders, politicians and informal leaders, hailed the bridge megaproject worth Rp 3 trillion (US$272.7 million) as a chance for the islanders to make changes -- especially economically -- while simultaneously maintaining their traditional, religious culture.
"The government should give the locals incentives to advance in the economic, education, political and environmental fields in order to counter modernization following the bridge's operation," said board spokesman Ahmad Zaini.
"The incentives will become the main capital for the least-developed island."
Asked about the details of the proposed special economic zone, Ahmad said the Madurese did not want special autonomy such as what Aceh had, but had wanted a decentralized government approach so that the island had the authority to make economic decisions which would benefit its inhabitants.
So far, Madura has depended on Surabaya in numerous sectors, including its public infrastructures, power and clean water, he said.
There are four regencies on the island: Bangkalan, Pamekasan, Sampang and Sumenep.
The bridge project, which began in 2000 but was suspended several times due to financial reasons, is expected to be completed in March and to begin operating in April.
The idea for the bridge was suggested by construction expert Sedyatmo in 1960.
The interisland bridge connects Surabaya's Ujung Pier with Ujung Kamal in Bangkalan, Madura, hence the name Suramadu which comes from Surabaya and Madura.
It is expected to facilitate transportation to and from Madura, encourage a rush of urbanization, speed up industrial development and attract more investors to the island.
Salamah Cholil, a board member and religious leader in Bangkalan, expressed fear that modernization would damage the Madurese culture and this was why the Madurese clerics had opposed the project in the past.
With modernization, the Madure people might no longer send their children to the mushrooming pesantren or Islamic boarding schools on the island which have been seen as the only answer to the island's poor education system, he said.
Ahmad said the board would continue to campaign for the bridge and its benefits for the island.
Setia appreciated the board's support for the project which he said would make major changes on the island.
The four regencies should put their weight behind the provincial government's plan to revise the province's spatial zoning which will support the island's economic development, he said.
European students give back with big hearts for RI schools
ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Sidoarjo | Sat, 12/13/2008 11:14 AM | East Java
Maidina Salsa Billa's hand, holding a crayon, stopped moving the moment Anton Mikolasch came into her classroom at a state-run elementary school in Wonokalang, Wonoayu, Sidoarjo regency. Her eyes watched the Austrian student cross the room; he stopped right in front of her.
They looked at each other, Anton flashed a broad smile and Billa, aged eight, responded with a frank smile, before hunching over to resume drawing.
"The drawing books and crayons are part of our gift, we want the students to express themselves freely," Anton, a member of the aid group "Education for Indonesia", told The Jakarta Post.
As part of their goal to better education in the country, seven European students spent two days helping teachers and locals restore the school building, which was in poor condition.
This was the second mission organized by Education for Indonesia, a non-profit organization set up by alumni of the Indonesia-Europe Student Exchange Program in Bali -- the first took place in 2006.
Before Sidoarjo, the European students conducted similar activities in Bali. "We don't want to interfere in Indonesia's internal affairs on education, but this way we can give thanks to Indonesian society, which has allowed us to stay here and learn," said Anton.
Unlike other institutions, Education for Indonesia has no special funds to cover its activities and, therefore, the European students carefully selected the schools they wanted to visit and help. "Prior to conducting our activities, we survey the school we want to help and assess whether our visit can be effective or not."
The students brought educational materials worth Rp 10 million ($US950) and received a charming welcome from a total of 109 students and their teachers. "We do not see the assistance's value but we appreciate highly their goodwill," school principal Hadi Mulyo said.
He said the European students not only brought funds but took the initiative to help repair leaks in the school's roof along with teaching staff and local people. Their cooperation means classrooms will no longer leak when it rains.
Hadi said the financial assistance was used to repair the teachers' rooms by employing local workers.
Anton and his group were apparently proud of their work and contribution to the elementary school. "We want students to feel secure in their classes to allow them to study well," he said. The young students seemed happy with the European students and their interactions became more lively during games played on the second day.
Billa was one of the students who was made happy by the visit of foreign students, she was lucky enough to receive a drawing book and crayons from them. "I feel happy to get a gift from the bule," she said, using the colloquial term for foreigner.
Maidina Salsa Billa's hand, holding a crayon, stopped moving the moment Anton Mikolasch came into her classroom at a state-run elementary school in Wonokalang, Wonoayu, Sidoarjo regency. Her eyes watched the Austrian student cross the room; he stopped right in front of her.
They looked at each other, Anton flashed a broad smile and Billa, aged eight, responded with a frank smile, before hunching over to resume drawing.
"The drawing books and crayons are part of our gift, we want the students to express themselves freely," Anton, a member of the aid group "Education for Indonesia", told The Jakarta Post.
As part of their goal to better education in the country, seven European students spent two days helping teachers and locals restore the school building, which was in poor condition.
This was the second mission organized by Education for Indonesia, a non-profit organization set up by alumni of the Indonesia-Europe Student Exchange Program in Bali -- the first took place in 2006.
Before Sidoarjo, the European students conducted similar activities in Bali. "We don't want to interfere in Indonesia's internal affairs on education, but this way we can give thanks to Indonesian society, which has allowed us to stay here and learn," said Anton.
Unlike other institutions, Education for Indonesia has no special funds to cover its activities and, therefore, the European students carefully selected the schools they wanted to visit and help. "Prior to conducting our activities, we survey the school we want to help and assess whether our visit can be effective or not."
The students brought educational materials worth Rp 10 million ($US950) and received a charming welcome from a total of 109 students and their teachers. "We do not see the assistance's value but we appreciate highly their goodwill," school principal Hadi Mulyo said.
He said the European students not only brought funds but took the initiative to help repair leaks in the school's roof along with teaching staff and local people. Their cooperation means classrooms will no longer leak when it rains.
Hadi said the financial assistance was used to repair the teachers' rooms by employing local workers.
Anton and his group were apparently proud of their work and contribution to the elementary school. "We want students to feel secure in their classes to allow them to study well," he said. The young students seemed happy with the European students and their interactions became more lively during games played on the second day.
Billa was one of the students who was made happy by the visit of foreign students, she was lucky enough to receive a drawing book and crayons from them. "I feel happy to get a gift from the bule," she said, using the colloquial term for foreigner.
Madura Island gears up for vote reruns
ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Bangkalan, Madura | Tue, 12/09/2008 7:39 AM | Headlines
The political climate in Bangkalan and Sampang is set to boil over as the two regencies on Madura Island gear up for vote reruns next month.
The planned reruns have become a hot topic among natives in coffee kiosks, traditional markets and workplaces. The campaign teams of governor hopeful Soekarwo and his rival Khofifah Indar Parawansa are intensifying last-minute efforts to win voters.
The campaign teams from the United Development Party (PPP) and the Patriotic Party, which nominate Khofifah and her running mate Mudjiono, have chosen Islamic boarding schools and the Nadhlatul Ulama-affiliated Fattayat women’s organization as the foci for their campaign efforts.
The Democratic Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN), which support Soekarwo and his running mate Saifullah Yusuf, are concentrating their attention on winning over local elite groups.
Soekarwo, a former secretary of the provincial government, has won political support from the bureaucracy and local officials, many of whom have had their positions threatened by the issuance of Government Regulation No. 41 stipulating a reorganization of regional administrations.
Salimah Cholil, an executive of the Fattayat women’s organization in Bangkalan, said the Khofifah-Mudjiono pair had replaced their campaign team and witnesses with new faces. The pair has also picked her son, Imam Buchori Cholil, to lobby clerics and Islamic boarding schools in the two regencies.
She said four of the 12 Islamic boarding schools in Bangkalan supported Khofifah and the majority of eligible voters outside the boarding schools had voted for her in the run-off.
“But the vote counting in many polling stations was rigged to help Karsa win,” she said, referring to the pair of Sukarwo and Saifullah.
The Constitutional Court recently ordered a vote rerun in the two regencies and a vote recount in Pamekasan after finding massive and systematic violations had benefited Soekarwo and Saifullah during the run-off.
The provincial elections commission (KPUD) has planned to stage the recount between Dec. 13 and 16 and the vote reruns on Jan. 21, 2009.
Both camps said they were aware that the rerun would be decisive.
Based on the KPUD’s initial count, Soekarwo won the election, securing 291,781 votes to Khofifah’s 151,666 in Bangkalan. In Sampang, Soekarwo secured 240,552 votes compared to Khofifah’s 181,698 votes.
A local figure has called on the poll supervision committee, witnesses, monitoring agencies and the police to pay more attention during the recount in Bangkalan, which he said would be prone to rigging.
“Tanah Merah and Blega are the two districts where the most incidences of vote rigging occurred in the run-off. In Tanah Merah, witnesses for Khofifah were intimidated, and in Karang Gayam village, Blega, chairman of the local polling station, Supriyadi, said he was asked to punch 200 ballot papers to secure victory for a certain candidate,” he said.
Abdul Wasik, an executive of the Patriotic Party in Sampang, asked the public to stay vigilant to signs of vote rigging during the rerun. He said violations were rampant in the districts of Srenyak, Sukodono, Omben and Camplong.
“Yet, Bangkalan is apparently more crucial than Sampang,” he said.
The political climate in Bangkalan and Sampang is set to boil over as the two regencies on Madura Island gear up for vote reruns next month.
The planned reruns have become a hot topic among natives in coffee kiosks, traditional markets and workplaces. The campaign teams of governor hopeful Soekarwo and his rival Khofifah Indar Parawansa are intensifying last-minute efforts to win voters.
The campaign teams from the United Development Party (PPP) and the Patriotic Party, which nominate Khofifah and her running mate Mudjiono, have chosen Islamic boarding schools and the Nadhlatul Ulama-affiliated Fattayat women’s organization as the foci for their campaign efforts.
The Democratic Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN), which support Soekarwo and his running mate Saifullah Yusuf, are concentrating their attention on winning over local elite groups.
Soekarwo, a former secretary of the provincial government, has won political support from the bureaucracy and local officials, many of whom have had their positions threatened by the issuance of Government Regulation No. 41 stipulating a reorganization of regional administrations.
Salimah Cholil, an executive of the Fattayat women’s organization in Bangkalan, said the Khofifah-Mudjiono pair had replaced their campaign team and witnesses with new faces. The pair has also picked her son, Imam Buchori Cholil, to lobby clerics and Islamic boarding schools in the two regencies.
She said four of the 12 Islamic boarding schools in Bangkalan supported Khofifah and the majority of eligible voters outside the boarding schools had voted for her in the run-off.
“But the vote counting in many polling stations was rigged to help Karsa win,” she said, referring to the pair of Sukarwo and Saifullah.
The Constitutional Court recently ordered a vote rerun in the two regencies and a vote recount in Pamekasan after finding massive and systematic violations had benefited Soekarwo and Saifullah during the run-off.
The provincial elections commission (KPUD) has planned to stage the recount between Dec. 13 and 16 and the vote reruns on Jan. 21, 2009.
Both camps said they were aware that the rerun would be decisive.
Based on the KPUD’s initial count, Soekarwo won the election, securing 291,781 votes to Khofifah’s 151,666 in Bangkalan. In Sampang, Soekarwo secured 240,552 votes compared to Khofifah’s 181,698 votes.
A local figure has called on the poll supervision committee, witnesses, monitoring agencies and the police to pay more attention during the recount in Bangkalan, which he said would be prone to rigging.
“Tanah Merah and Blega are the two districts where the most incidences of vote rigging occurred in the run-off. In Tanah Merah, witnesses for Khofifah were intimidated, and in Karang Gayam village, Blega, chairman of the local polling station, Supriyadi, said he was asked to punch 200 ballot papers to secure victory for a certain candidate,” he said.
Abdul Wasik, an executive of the Patriotic Party in Sampang, asked the public to stay vigilant to signs of vote rigging during the rerun. He said violations were rampant in the districts of Srenyak, Sukodono, Omben and Camplong.
“Yet, Bangkalan is apparently more crucial than Sampang,” he said.
Poll workers protest court’s call for rerun
ID Nugroho and Indra Harsaputra , The Jakarta Post , Bangkalan | Tue, 12/09/2008 10:37 AM | The Archipelago
Numerous technical and logistical problems are expected to hamper a planned vote rerun in Sampang and Bangkalan regencies in Madura, including a shortage of personnel and social unrest, the local polling body says.
In Bangkalan, the 9,759 temporary election workers posted at the regency’s polling booths for the first vote have expressed reluctance to help in the rerun, saying they were disappointed by the Constitutional Court’s recent verdict ordering a recount in Pamekasan and a rerun in Sampang and Bangkalan within 60 days.
They said they were concerned mounting political tension in the region could lead to conflicts.
“Most of the non-permanent staff are disappointed by the court’s decision and are reluctant to conduct the vote rerun, but election committees in districts are still lobbying them all,” chairman of the polling body in Bangkalan, M. Zazuli, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
Mohammad Fauzan, a member of the polling body in Bangkalan, said Monday that more than 9,000 temporary election workers who manned polling booths in the regency for the initial election had decided not to work again in the rerun in protest of the court’s verdict.
He said he and his fellow workers would only agree to take part in a rerun if it were restricted to the six polling booths that had reported errors in the initial vote. He added the polling body would need at least another month to replace the workers.
“If the polling body is forced to rerun the vote, it will open an opportunity for the candidates defeated in the rerun to file complaints with the court,” he said.
The polling body will have to set up 1,445 polling stations under 843 district election committees for the rerun.
“The court’s decision indirectly gives the impression the voting went beyond the rules of the game in all polling stations during the second round,” Zazuli said, adding that his side was awaiting guidelines from the KPU on how to stage the rerun.
In Sampang, the local polling body had yet to coordinate with district electoral committees to hold the rerun.
“We do not know yet who will handle the vote logistics, including the printing of ballots and how their distribution will be conducted,” chairman of the local polling body M. Dofier said, adding that his side was learning about developments of the rerun from local media.
In Sampang, the polling body must prepare 90 electoral committees in 18 districts, 558 subcommittees in subdistricts and 9,759 subcommittees in 1,445 polling stations.
In Bangkalan, the local polling body must set up 70 electoral committees in 14 districts, 558 subcommittees in subdistricts and 9,282 subcommittees in 1,326 polling stations.
Numerous technical and logistical problems are expected to hamper a planned vote rerun in Sampang and Bangkalan regencies in Madura, including a shortage of personnel and social unrest, the local polling body says.
In Bangkalan, the 9,759 temporary election workers posted at the regency’s polling booths for the first vote have expressed reluctance to help in the rerun, saying they were disappointed by the Constitutional Court’s recent verdict ordering a recount in Pamekasan and a rerun in Sampang and Bangkalan within 60 days.
They said they were concerned mounting political tension in the region could lead to conflicts.
“Most of the non-permanent staff are disappointed by the court’s decision and are reluctant to conduct the vote rerun, but election committees in districts are still lobbying them all,” chairman of the polling body in Bangkalan, M. Zazuli, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
Mohammad Fauzan, a member of the polling body in Bangkalan, said Monday that more than 9,000 temporary election workers who manned polling booths in the regency for the initial election had decided not to work again in the rerun in protest of the court’s verdict.
He said he and his fellow workers would only agree to take part in a rerun if it were restricted to the six polling booths that had reported errors in the initial vote. He added the polling body would need at least another month to replace the workers.
“If the polling body is forced to rerun the vote, it will open an opportunity for the candidates defeated in the rerun to file complaints with the court,” he said.
The polling body will have to set up 1,445 polling stations under 843 district election committees for the rerun.
“The court’s decision indirectly gives the impression the voting went beyond the rules of the game in all polling stations during the second round,” Zazuli said, adding that his side was awaiting guidelines from the KPU on how to stage the rerun.
In Sampang, the local polling body had yet to coordinate with district electoral committees to hold the rerun.
“We do not know yet who will handle the vote logistics, including the printing of ballots and how their distribution will be conducted,” chairman of the local polling body M. Dofier said, adding that his side was learning about developments of the rerun from local media.
In Sampang, the polling body must prepare 90 electoral committees in 18 districts, 558 subcommittees in subdistricts and 9,759 subcommittees in 1,445 polling stations.
In Bangkalan, the local polling body must set up 70 electoral committees in 14 districts, 558 subcommittees in subdistricts and 9,282 subcommittees in 1,326 polling stations.
FIGHTING PIRACY
Business Software Alliance (BSA) representative Donny A. Sheyoputra holds up Tuesday a pirated and an authentic CD to journalists to show them how to identify the difference. BSA has teamed up with the police to fight software piracy in Indonesia, where 84 percent of software products sold last year were pirated versions. BSA estimated those losses at US$411 million.photo by iman d. nugroho
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