Uwazi

The coordinator of the Batui shrimp farming community, Febriyanto Hado alias Ale, was arrested in the middle of the night at around 23.00 Wita by several members of the Banggai police. Friday, January 5, 2024.

The arrest was suspected of criminalization. The reason is, previously Ale and dozens of residents of the former Batui shrimp pond owners held a demonstration at the Banggai Regent's Office.

Ale is one of dozens of former shrimp farm owners who are fighting for their ancestral land.

In the arrest warrant number: Sp.Kap/63/Res.1.24./2024/Reskrim by the Banggai Police, Febriyanto Hado alias Ale is suspected of making threats pursuant to Article 355 of the Criminal Code at the location of the former shrimp ponds in Sisipan Village, Batui District.

According to Jenie, Ale's wife, her husband only had a verbal argument with the company PT Matra Arona Banggai. This was because the company continued to carry out activities on residents' land even though they had signed a statement that they would remove the equipment from residents' land.

"According to my husband, he only asked the company not to carry out activities because the manager promised not to carry out activities until there was a settlement, but after returning from the demonstration around 11 o'clock, my husband returned home and was intercepted in front of the house and immediately taken to the Banggai Police," said Jenie.

It is known that this is not the first time Ale has been questioned. Previously, the company reported Ale with three different cases, including document forgery, creating a people's resistance portal and being accused of threatening.

For this arrest, students and the community who are members of the alliance will hold a demonstration at the Banggai Police Station and write an official letter to the President, National Police Commission, National Human Rights Commission, Presidential Staff Office and Menkopolhukam.

"It is the umpteenth time, the criminalization of former shrimp pond farmers was carried out by the company. We on behalf of the Alliance of Students and Communities, in the near future, will officially write to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, National Police, National Human Rights Commission, Presidential Staff Office and Menkopolhukam," said Rifat Hakim.

Environmental activist from Karimunjawa, Central Java, Daniel Frits Maurits Tangkilisan was sentenced to 7 months in prison for EIT Law.

The verdict hearing was held at the Jepara District Court, Central Java, Thursday (4/4). The trial was led by Chief Judge Parlin Mangantas Bona, Member Judges Joko Ciptano, and Yusuf Sembiring.

"Adjudging that, one, the defendant Daniel has been proven legally and convincingly guilty of the crime of without the right to disseminate information aimed at creating hatred for certain groups of people based on ethnicity, religion, race and intergroup or SARA," said Parlin Mangantas Bona when reading out the trial verdict.

"Two, punish the defendant with imprisonment for seven months and a fine of Rp 5 million, provided that the fine is not paid, it will be replaced by imprisonment for one month," he continued.

In addition, in his decision, the judge ordered evidence, namely Daniel's cellphone and Facebook account, to be destroyed.

On that occasion, the Chief Judge also read out the aggravating and mitigating considerations in handing down the verdict. The aggravating factor was that the defendant Daniel was considered to have caused unrest to the Karimunjawa community.

The mitigating circumstances in the view of the panel of judges were that the defendant was an environmental activist. In addition, the defendant was cooperative and polite during the trial.

"The mitigating factors are that the defendant has never been convicted, the defendant is polite, and cooperative in the trial, the defendant is an environmental activist, an educational service that has contributed to the community not only in Karimunjawa and many other areas," he said.

The Regional Board of Indonesian Islamic Students (PW PII) Banten plans to hold a demonstration in front of the Banten Police office, Serang City.

The action aimed to highlight the issue of weak law enforcement against illegal mining in Lebak Regency and the lack of response from the Banten Police regarding the issue, on Tuesday, December 2, 2023.

However, the action organized by PW PII Banten did not go smoothly.While on the road in front of the Banten Police office, the action was blocked by the police, causing a tense situation at the location.

Action Coordinator, Kiki Baehaki, explained that the demonstration was carried out in response to the negative impact felt by the people of Cidoyong Village, Lebak Gedong District, due to illegal gold mining in the area.

"We held the demonstration because of the bad impact felt by the local community in Cidoyong Village, Lebak Gedong District, on Mount Cidoyong due to the impact of illegal gold mining excavation, flooding occurred in several villages in Cipanas District," said Baehaki.

He continued by saying that the illegal mine in Lebak Gedong was sealed in 2020 by the Banten Police, but after being surveyed by PW PII Banten, it was found that the mining activities were still ongoing until this year.

"We found the largest gold mine in Ciguha Pilar Cileksa, Sukajaya District, Bogor Regency, which has not received firm action from the police," he continued.

He said, alluding to Law 158 on the prohibition of illegal mining, Baehaki emphasized that miners without a license can be subject to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of 100 million rupiah. However, he questioned the minimal law enforcement related to illegal mining cases in Banten.

"With this issue, I suspect that there is collusion between the Banten Police, Lebak Police, and gold mining bosses regarding the security of illegal mining operations," he said.

He revealed that this action was blocked by the police when passing on the Cipocok District road towards the Banten Police. There was an argument and police intimidation of the protesters who wanted to continue the demonstration in front of the Banten Police.

"But despite the intimidation, PW PII Banten remains committed to continuing the legal struggle related to the illegal mining issue," he said.

In closing, Baehaki stated that this case shows the tense situation regarding the issue of illegal mining in Banten and the tension between the demonstrators and the police.

"So the plan is to continue the legal justice movement in Banten by offering an audience and reporting illegal mining cases to the Police Headquarters," he concluded.

The South Sulawesi Police disbanded a discussion held by Forum Anomali and the Muhammadiyah Student Association or IMM Parepare in Parepare City, South Sulawesi today, Friday, January 19, 2024. The discussion discussed the future and anomalies of democracy today.

The speakers in the discussion were UI BEM Chair Melki Sedek Huang, UGM KM BEM Chair Gielbran M. Noor, Unpad BEM Chair Muhammad Haikal, and Sema Paramadina Secretary General Afiq Naufal. They are also the founders of Forum Anomali, which initiated the discussion.

According to Melki, Parepare Police Chief Arman Muis had urged the organizers to cancel the event before it took place. "Reportedly it is a directive from the South Sulawesi Police," Melki said when contacted via WhatsApp message, Friday, January 19, 2024.

Melki said that his side was not allowed to hold discussions, carry out criticism, and bring corn, which is a symbol of their movement. "There was almost a conflict, but we still held the discussion in the right place," he said.

When the event took place, Melki said the Parepare Police Chief came to the location in uniform to supervise the discussion. He said the Parepare Police Chief directed the press not to cover the event. "Even though they have been invited," said Melki Sedek Huang.

Regarding the number of personnel who dispersed the discussion, Melki said he did not count exactly.

However, he said there were approximately ten to twenty personnel.

Until now, Melki admitted that he did not know the reason why the discussion was disbanded."We only heard a police officer stating that this was the direction of the South Sulawesi Police," he said.

Forum Anomali was founded by Melki, Gielbran, Haikal, and Afiq to spread the understanding of safeguarding democracy to many regions. Before holding the discussion, they and the students held a #DemocracyJagung action in Makassar on Thursday, January 18, 2024,

Daniel Frits Maurits Tangkilisan, a resident of Karimunjawa, Jepara Regency, who objected against shrimp farming, was indicted for ten months' imprisonment. The indictment was read out by the prosecutor in a hate speech trial under the Electronic Information and Transaction Law (EIT Law) that ensnared Daniel at the Jepara District Court on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

In a copy of the indictment Tempo obtained, Daniel was charged with violating Article 45A Paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 28 Paragraph 2 of Law number 19 of 2016 concerning amendments to Law number 11 of 2008 concerning EIT.

"Imprisonment for 10 months minus the detention period already served by the defendant and a fine of IDR 5 million, provided that if the fine is not paid, it will be replaced by one month of imprisonment," read the indictment quoted on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Daniel was reported for his comments on Facebook. Daniel initially uploaded a 6:03-minute video on his Facebook account on November 12, 2022. The video shows the condition of the Karimunjawa coast which is affected by shrimp pond waste.

A number of accounts then commented on the upload, both pro and con. Daniel replied to one of the comments with the sentence, "The shrimp brain community enjoys eating free shrimp while being eaten by farmers. In essence, the brain shrimp community is just like the shrimp farm itself. Fed deliciously, a lot, and regularly to be harvested."

The director and three constitutional law experts featured in the viral documentary movie, Dirty Vote, were reported to the National Police by the Indonesian Santri Communication Forum (Foksi) on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Dirty Vote is a documentary film directed by Dandhy Laksono that exposes alleged systematic election fraud by President Joko Widodo or Jokowi’s administration and is explained by three constitutional law experts, namely Zainal Arifin Mochtar, Feri Amsari, Bivitri Susanti

“We tried to file a report. We filed it yesterday but we lacked documents. Today, we are completing the documents,” Foksi chairman M. Natsir Sahib told Tempo in a text on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Natsir believed that the long-form movie had harmed one of the pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates contesting in the election. He accused the four people of committing election violations, especially since the film was released during the cooling-off period before voting day on Feb. 14.

“Releasing a film about election fraud during the cooling-off period in order to create an uproar and corner one of the presidential candidate pairs is against the Election Law,” he stressed.

To back up his accusation, Natsir alluded to the involvement of Zainal, Feri, and Bivitri in the legal reform team at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs under the leadership of Mahfud MD, who is currently running for vice president with Ganjar Pranowo.

“These academics have destroyed the democratic order and fulfilled the elements of malicious conspiracy to create issues that cannot be accounted for, resulting in slander and false data being distributed to the public,” he reiterated.

Natsir argued that the director and the three academics had violated Article 287 paragraph (5) of Law No. 7 of 2017 concerning elections. He also urged the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit to handle the case professionally. “Since it was published during the cooling-off period, it is a serious violation and tendentious against one of the candidates,” he concluded.

Dozens of academicians have voiced strong warnings against the Jokowi administration, which they say has violated ethics and undermined democracy.

But in the midst of these calls and criticisms, observers said, the police actually showed neutrality by making a tactic to ask a number of campus officials to make a video aimed at appreciating President Jokowi's performance.

Political expert from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Devi Darmawan, said the police clearly wanted to undermine the critical attitude of the academic community.

Devi also urged that the police officers who did this be dealt with firmly. Because as protectors of society, he said, law enforcement officers "must not serve the interests of the government, let alone Jokowi personally".

Responding to this issue, Karopenmas of the National Police's Public Relations Division, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, argued that the request to make a video testimony was a form of security maintenance so that the community would not be provoked or divided ahead of the election.

Since the end of January until Wednesday (07/02), at least 50 universities have delivered moral appeals and criticisms of President Jokowi's administration.

The latest is Semarang State University (Unnes), which calls it the 'Moral Call of Sekaran Campus'.

Professor of Unnes, Prof. Issy Yuliasri, said that the current state of democracy in Indonesia is being threatened due to "authoritarianism in the name of law".

The ideals of reform to create a democratic, free-expression state have been eroded by oligarchic power behavior that she called "intimidative to civil liberties and abuse of power".

This condition is exacerbated by the erosion of the role model of state administrators and the rampant symbolic manipulation of political elites.

That is why Unnes calls on the president, vice president, ministers and state officials to uphold the principles of democracy, the constitution, and the mandate of reform.

State officials are also urged not to abuse power for personal or group interests or momentary electoral gain.

To the Police / TNI, he called on them to uphold neutrality and not be manipulated by power for momentary interests.

"Which sacrifices integrity and commitment to the administration of a state that is clean from corruption, collusion and nepotism."

"Meanwhile, all elements of the nation are invited to close up to guard the upholding of dignified democracy, the constitution, and the rule of law..."

Lecturer at STF Driyarkara, A. Setyo Wibowo, said that the social criticism expressed by dozens of universities in Indonesia is part of the campus responsibility called the 'tridharma of higher education'.

In addition to teaching and research, the 'teaching of truth' carried out by the campus is community service.

"If there is something that is not right in community service, we are also responsible. We voice that the matter of ethics, please yes, that ethics is the basic foundation of living together.Ethics cannot just be put aside in political pragmatism," Setyo said.

In this context, a number of issues that have become the concern of the academic community are the decision of the Constitutional Court that passed President Jokowi's son to the 2024 presidential election.

In addition, the decision of the Election Organizer Honor Council (DKPP) also stated that the chairman and members of the KPU violated the code of ethics for accepting the registration of Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

"We already feel this is not right. We voiced our concerns," Setyo explained.

He also emphasized that the voices of concern of 50 universities, including the academicians in them who criticized Jokowi's administration, were partisanship on values and ethics.

"We are partisans of values, so our alignment is with democratic values and ethical values," Setyo continued.

Meanwhile, Professor Franz Magnis-Suseno - who is also a professor at STF Driyarkara - responded to the phenomenon of police asking campuses to give appreciation to the performance of the Jokowi administration as "too much".

"Now pressure and intimidation are used to silence criticism. The criticism voiced by the academic world is appropriate and should be responded to politically rather than trying to suppress or intimidate," said Romo Magnis - Franz Magnis-Suseno's nickname.

The man who is prolific in producing scholarly books assesses that what happened in Semarang is not in accordance with the right to freedom of speech.

Romo Magnis also sees the position of the police as "a little squeezed" due to pressure.

"I think the intervention in Semarang was at least polite, so it must be recognized, but the police should have rejected something like that," he said.

Furthermore, Romo Magnis assessed that this method is very common in authoritarian countries, when the ruler has difficulty relinquishing his power.

However, President Joko Widodo still has time to stop the incident in Semarang, which may also occur in other areas.

"The police will not make it on their own initiative. They feel pressured, the president is ultimately responsible. If the president allows it, it means he supports it," said Romo Magnis.

Under increasing pressure, the wider academic community generally criticized ethical violations in Gibran's candidacy. Another thing is to urge President Jokowi to take a neutral stance, and guarantee elections without fraud.

At least, there is still one week before the election takes place President Jokowi responds to the call from dozens of universities in Indonesia.

"So it depends on him. But if the pressure continues, it's a shame that he will go down in history, like the president who ended up strangling the results of the good ideas of the reform struggle," said Romo Magnis.

Political observer from BRIN, Devi Darmawan, agrees.

He said, what was conveyed by the academic community towards the non-neutrality of the Jokowi administration over the implementation of the 2024 Election is both a truth and a concern.

This is because the irregularities committed by the President by showing favoritism to the Prabowo-Gibran candidate have damaged the quality of elections and democracy in Indonesia.

For this reason, Devi said, they are willing to 'go down the mountain' to voice these inequalities despite the stakes of their careers and positions at the university.

"We know that it is not easy in the current political situation to voice the truth because there are things that are sacrificed. For example, their position or how campus rules do not allow it to be done by academics," Devi told BBC News Indonesia.

"But they choose to speak out even though they know there will be an impact on them personally and their careers."

Unfortunately, continued Devi, in the midst of calls and criticism of Jokowi's government, law enforcement officials have shown non-neutrality by "serving the interests of the government, let alone Jokowi personally".

The trick is to ask a number of campus officials to make a video aimed at appreciating President Jokowi's performance.

For Devi, the police clearly wanted to undermine the critical attitude of the academic community.

"Loyalty to leadership should not make the police, who have the authority to protect and protect the community, instead serve the government and Jokowi personally," she said.

"We have the boundaries of the state but because of Jokowi's [interests] it seems as if everything must serve what Jokowi wants ... it shouldn't be like that."

A number of universities are known to have been asked by the police to make videos aimed at appreciating President Jokowi's performance.

The Rector of Soegijapranata Catholic University, Semarang, Ferdinandus Hindiarto, admitted that he refused the request because it was considered not in accordance with the attitude of the university.

Previously, Unika along with 26 members of the Association of Indonesian Catholic Universities (APTKI) had made a statement of concern over the condition of Indonesian democracy.

There were six points voiced, which essentially asked the President and his staff to carry out their duties according to the principles of good governance and uphold the oath of office.

"I answered that our choice, our attitude could not fulfill that request. Because we have a strong basis, namely the Apostolic Constitution that Catholic universities seek, find and disseminate the truth," he said as reported by Antara.

But besides Unika, a similar request was apparently addressed to the State Islamic Institute (IAIN) Kudus, Central Java.

The Rector of IAIN Kudus, Prof. Dr. H. Adurrohman Kasdi, confirmed that he had made a video in which he appreciated President Jokowi's performance as requested by the police.

So did the Rector of the University of Semarang (USM), Supari.

In a video spread on social media, he said that "Mr. Joko Widodo leads Indonesia wholeheartedly. He is a statesman who has led Indonesia for ten years to make leaps of progress..."

Other campuses that made 'appreciation videos' include the Rector of Ma'arif Nahdlatul Ulama University Kebumen Imam Satibi, Rector of Jenderal Soedirman University Purwokerto Ahmad Sodiq, and Rector of Muhammadiyah University Purwekorto Jebul Suroso.

A demonstration by Papuan students in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), turned violent. Dozens of students were beaten by a mob from one of the mass organizations, then they were arrested by the police.

The demonstration of Papuan students took place on Jalan Piet A Tallo, Friday (1/12/2023). They rallied there in commemoration of the West Papua independence declaration day.

While protesting, the students were approached by a group of mass organizations Garda Flobamora and Garuda. They were told to stop protesting. Chaos ensued until they were taken to the police station.

"We are temporarily at the police station. We were dispersed and beaten by the Garuda mass organization," said the coordinator of the mass action, Yeri Wali.

Yeri explained that the incident began when two people suspected of being intelligence officers arrived using a white car to conduct monitoring at around 09.07 Wita.

Then at 09.15 Wita, around 50 people from the Garuda mass organization came to the protesters angry, argued and ended up beating them blindly, causing the clothes of a number of protesters to be torn off.

In addition, a protestor named Ririn was beaten until she fainted. Another protestor, Jek, also received a blow on his lip that broke. They were then transported to the Kupang City Police Station.

"Currently, we all have injuries and many bumps on the head, face and lips," said Yerri.

Kupang City Police Public Relations Section Head Aipda Florensi Ibrahim Lapuisaly confirmed the arrest. However, he suggested that they go directly to the Kupang City Police Headquarters.

"There is indeed information (of arrests) but I don't know how many were secured. Because I and Mr. Kapolresta still have Friday Curhat activities in Oepura Village," he said.

detikBali monitored at the Kupang City Police Station that the protesters had not been released. Meanwhile, the masses from the Garuda Kupang mass organization had already dispersed at 10:40 Wita. There has been no official statement from the Garuda organization about the riot.

The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) commemorated the independence of the Papuan nation on December 1, 1961.

The action, which was supposed to take place at Barito market in Gamalama sub-district, Ternate city, was dispersed by TNI and Polri officers in front of SMAN 3 Ternate city, Gambesi sub-district, South Ternate district, (1/12).

The field coordinator when confirmed, said that after the mass transportation vehicle left the gathering point to the action point, soldiers in full uniform about 7 people immediately blocked the action truck. Meanwhile, a soldier forced the truck driver to stop the car and forced the driver to get off and confiscate the truck keys.

"The truck left the gathering point, and was immediately blocked and sabotaged by soldiers in full uniform, totaling around 7 people. And a lot of plainclothes police," concluded Nando.

In addition, one of the Papuan Alliance Students said that the purpose of this action was to convey to the entire community that the Papuan nation is an independent nation and has been recognized de facto de jure.

"On December 1, everything was carried out. The declaration and submission of a political manifesto as a concrete form of the establishment of the West Papua state," he said.

He also said that the declaration of independence of the Papuan nation is clear evidence that the formation of the state was purely carried out by the Papuan people.

"It is not a country made by the Dutch, but it is a pure country founded by the people of the west Papuan nation," he said.

He also conveyed that the current situation in Papua is very concerning. Because the Indonesian state colonized and annexed an independent nation, this then led to various kinds of human rights violations that were increasing and massive, so this needs to be conveyed objectively what is happening in Papua.

"Many human rights violations and their escalation are always increasing and massive from year to year. And it leads to genocide of systematic racial extermination, so that today the indigenous Papuans are on the verge of racial extinction," he said.

Meanwhile, Lipantara, when confirmed, said that the forced dispersal carried out by the security forces was an act of suppression of democratic space, where restrictions on expressing opinions in public were carried out openly by the state through the power of the TNI / Polri apparatus.

Whereas the very nature of democracy is to provide the freedom to express opinions in public in full, without any restrictions.

"Because the freedom to express opinions is precisely the heart of democracy, if it is stifled then democracy will slowly die," he said.

Until now, the protesters are still securing themselves from the TNI / Polri sweep.

The action of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in criticizing the administration of President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has resulted in a series of terror. On Friday, December 8, 2023, BEM UGM held an open stage accompanied by the installation of a large billboard with a picture of President Jokowi with the title 'Jokowi is the Most Embarrassing Alumnus' installed at the UGM Roundabout.

The action also drew pros and cons, especially on social media. Chairman of BEM UGM Gielbran Muhammad Noor, who led the action, admitted that he was intimidated. "The harshest form of intimidation was when an individual claiming to be an intelligence officer came to my faculty a few days ago. He went to the dean's office to ask for my biodata," said Gielbran on Friday, December 15, 2023.

The Faculty of Animal Science UGM student continued, the person claiming to be intel did not include a letter of duty from their institution. "Because he did not bring a permit, my data was not given by the dean's office," said Gielbran.

Gielbran said that another form of terror or intimidation that he directly observed was the doxing of his family through social media. In addition, there was also a poster leaflet that cornered Gielbran, narrating that his action was ridden by political interests.

The poster was circulating in an area of Sleman Regency. The content of the poster accuses Gielbran's parents of being legislative candidates or candidates for political parties that are at odds with the Jokowi government.

He emphasized that his parents were not affiliated with any party. He also chose to be relaxed about the anonymous issue. "We deplore such acts of intimidation. Intimidation will not make us afraid to speak out," said Gielbran.

Despite the intimidation, Gielbran admitted that he also received quite a lot of moral support from various parties, especially from students and lecturers at UGM.

Gielbran said, the action carried out with BEM UGM so far is a pure movement to criticize President Jokowi's leadership which is considered increasingly deviant. For example, starting from the emergence of controversial decisions in the Constitutional Court or MK about the age limit for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, the weakening of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), and policies that are not pro-people such as the Job Creation Law.

"The movement we are doing is to spark other student movements to be more sensitive and objective in seeing the problems that are happening in this country," said Gielbran.

Three farmers from Sidondo I Village, Sigi Biromaru Subdistrict, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, were criminalized by the Forest Security Operation Team of the Sulawesi Regional Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement and Security Patrol Team of the Lore Lindu National Park (TLL). This was allegedly related to resistance to the eviction of farmers' land at the location.

The three farmers arrested by officers on December 11, 2023 were Farid alias Papa Fangky, Arwin alias Papa Angga and Emon alias Papa Dafa.

Chairman of the Agrarian Reform Movement Alliance, Mohammad Ali, said that the arrest was improcedural because the arrest warrant was only sent on December 13, which was two days after the three farmers were arrested without any news at all to the family.

"The investigation process was also carried out without giving the three people the right to request and obtain legal assistance," Ali told reporters, Sunday (17/12/2023).

According to him, this is not the first act of violence and criminalization in the Lore Lindu National Park area. However, the criminalization this time is a complement to the bad record of human rights violations that have been carried out by BBTNLL against the people around the TNLL area.

In 2013, there was an arrest of one farmer in Poso District on charges of illegal logging. In 2014, 13 dongi-dongi farmers were criminalized on charges of illegal logging. Then in 2016 14 Dongi-dong farmers were shot at while preparing for a demonstration demanding the boundary of TNLL.

"We consider that the origin of these acts of violence and criminalization in the TNLL area is BBTNL's claim to the land and territory of the people around the TNLL area, which has long been disputed by the people around TNLL," he said.

Moreover, long before the presence of BBTNLL, the area was not empty land but land that had been cultivated and utilized by the surrounding people. The utilization is still going on until now.

Ali said, the presence of BBTNLL with a very large land acquisition of 215,733.70 hectares has not been added to the various plantation licenses that are also located around the circumference of the TNLL area.

In addition, the arrest of three people is contrary to the Agrarian Reform program. The state is also considered increasingly unserious in carrying out the agrarian reform program that has been launched.

"The Agrarian Reform programmed by Jokowi is False Agrarian Reform because it reinforces the monopoly on land in the hands of landlords on the one hand and increasingly excludes people's rights to land on the other," he explained.

The law guarantees protection for environmental defenders who want to maintain a safe and healthy environment from criminal and civil charges. The reality, on the contrary, is that environmental activists are threatened by the law. The latest case is that of Daniel Frits Maurits, an environmental activist from Jepara, Central Java, who is active in the #savekarimunjawa movement. Last December 5, he was detained by Jepara Police for alleged violation of Article l28 Paragraph 2 of the ITE/2016 Law.

The police suspended Daniel's detention a day later but the investigation of this case is considered a form of threat to the struggle for environmental improvement in Indonesia.

"The reporting is very weak. I did not mention any name, identity or group. This is purely to educate the public on what is happening on the coast of Karimunjawa," he said when contacted by cellular, December 8.

He said that his case began with a video uploaded on Facebook social media on November 12, 2022. In the video, he tells how the condition of Cemara Beach, which is polluted by shrimp pond waste.

Later, on February 8, he was reported to the Jepara Police for the 6.03-minute video. The report was filed by Ridwan, Chairman of the Karimunjawa Bersatu Community Association. This association emerged after protests over the existence of shrimp farms in Karimunjawa became more widespread.

Daniel is not too concerned about the legal case against him. He realizes that the problem is part of the risk of fighting for the right to a decent environment.

He is ready to follow the legal process. "For me there is something much bigger than (the reporting), namely the pollution that occurs in Karimunjawa. That is far more important than my problem," he said.

Tri Hutono, Secretary of the Kawali Indonesia Lestari Coalition (Kawali) DPD Central Java regretted the police's move to process the report.

According to him, Daniel's attitude, which often protests the pollution of shrimp pond waste, is protected by law.

"The PPLH (Environmental Protection and Management) law guarantees that those who fight for the right to improve the environment cannot be charged criminally or civilly," he said.

Tri also sees the report not only as an attempt to castrate the community's right to be fully informed about the impact of shrimp farm waste pollution, but also as part of a scenario to deflect the main issue in Karimunjawa.

"The main issue is pollution by ponds in Karimunjawa. That should be what the investigators are investigating because it is clearly illegal, not widening it everywhere."

He believes that the reporting of Daniel is a form of criminalization. In fact, the disposal of waste by the farms has actually caused problems on the coast of Cemara Beach. The beach is dirty and odorous.

According to Tri, waste contamination from hundreds of ponds has caused massive growth of silk moss. Some coral reefs there died because they were covered in moss.

The situation is considered detrimental to the fishermen even though many residents depend on it for their livelihoods, ranging from finding seaweed, fish, to tourism.

"This proves how weak state protection is for those who are struggling to realize a better environment," Daniel said by telephone.

Parid Ridwanuddin, National Walhi's Coastal and Marine Campaign Manager also highlighted this case. According to him, the police must be observant to see the problem.

What Daniel did, he said, was part of an effort to protect Karimunjawa's coastal areas from the contamination of shrimp pond waste. For this reason, the police's move to name Daniel as a suspect contradicts Article 66 of PPLH Law Number 32/2009.

According to Parid, the article guarantees that anyone who fights for a better environment cannot be caught in criminal or civil law. Moreover, in the context of Daniel's case, the alleged pollution has been confirmed by a number of parties, including the Jepara Regency Government.

In fact, the Jerapa Government has formed an integrated team to resolve the issue.

Parid said that those who fight for environmental improvement are not criminals who deserve suspect status. On the contrary, they are the foremost people who volunteer their time and energy for a better environment.

One of the residents with the initials BT who refused to be relocated for the national strategic project (PSN) Rempang Eco City was summoned by Galang Police. BT was accused of violating Article 28 of the Law on Electronic Information and Transactions (UU ITE).

The summons was issued on September 25 with the number B/02/IX/2023/Reskrim. BT's summons is scheduled for Wednesday (27/9) at the Galang Police Criminal Investigation Unit.

"For the purpose of the investigation, you are requested to be present to provide information which will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023," reads a copy of the summons.

BT was summoned after sending a message in a Whatsapp group regarding the rejection of relocation. BT is said to have called on residents to reject the basic necessities distributed by uniformed officers because it would lead to a request for residents' approval for relocation.

"[She] sent a message through the WhatsApp group of Sel Buluh residents, Kel Sembulang about her invitation / appeal / incitement to Sel Buluh residents not to easily accept free food if they don't want to end up being evicted from the village," wrote the summons.

Galang Police assessed that the message contained criminal elements, referring to Article 28 of the ITE Law, which reads that every person intentionally and without the right to disseminate information aimed at causing hatred or hostility of individuals and / or certain community groups based on ethnicity, religion, race and intergroup (SARA).

Public Relations Section of Barresta Police AKP Tigor Sidabariba denied that the letter was a summons. He said the letter was only for clarification.

"It was just a clarification, not a summons," Tigor told CNNIndonesia.com, Tuesday (7/26).

Form of criminalization LBH Pekanbaru Public Lawyer Wilton Amos Panggabean believes that the accusation is a form of criminalization against residents who refuse to be relocated.

"It is true like that [there is a summoning of residents], the accusation is in accordance with the article in the letter as a form of silencing the residents. They are trying to be criminalized," Wilton said when contacted.

Wilton said that until now the 43 residents who became suspects for refusing in Rempang have not been released. The 43 residents are not only from Rempang, but also Batam and Tanjung Pinang who are in solidarity to reject the project.

Wilton said that the Rempang advocacy team has not been able to access all the detained residents. Only 24 residents have been successfully assisted, the rest are still being sought.

"The advocacy team still cannot access all of them, so far we have assisted around 24 people and 2 people have been accompanied by others, we will continue to assist 43 people, including this new one," he explained.

Wilton admitted that there were still obstacles to assisting the 24 residents. The reason is, the advocacy team has difficulty meeting residents who are detained because the pretext is still in the process of investigation.

Thousands of residents of Rempang, Batam, Riau Islands are threatened with having to leave their homes because of the construction of the Rempang Eco City area.

The project, carried out by PT Makmur Elok Graha (MEG), will use 7,572 hectares of land or about 45.89 percent of the total area of Rempang Island of 16,500 hectares.

Thousands of residents did not accept having to leave the land they had lived on long before Indonesia proclaimed its independence. They persisted in defending their homes, even though TNI-Polri officers were deployed so that Rempang residents would agree to be relocated.

Clashes were inevitable. On September 7 and 11, 2023, clashes broke out. Police sprayed tear gas and children were rushed to the hospital. To date, 43 people who refused the relocation were arrested, accused of being provocateurs.

The action taken by the Head of Satpol PP and Linmas of Ternate City, Fhandy Mahmud, has drawn criticism from various parties.

This followed the viral 28-minute video uploaded by the Instagram account @aksikamisanternate, on Thursday, August 28, 2023.

In the video recording, Fhandy appeared angry because he was recorded by the camera of one of the protesters.

Meanwhile, the Kamisan Action activist who recorded it said that the recording was carried out in a public space where there were no restrictions.

In this regard, Muhammad Tabrani Mutalib, a law academic at Khairun Ternate University, said that he deeply regretted the attitude of Kasatpol PP who prohibited the delivery of aspirations and prohibited the protesters from recording when they dispersed them.

This attitude, according to Tabrani, is based on the utmost ignorance of the Ternate Satpol PP Head. This is because there is no authority for Satpol PP to disperse people who gather to express their thoughts orally and in writing.

"It is a human right as well as a constitutional right of every citizen guaranteed by Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution. If that right is restricted, it means a violation of the human rights and constitutional rights of citizens," said Tabrani, Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Tabrani also questioned what was the legal basis for Satpol PP's dissolution of people gathering to express their thoughts orally and in writing.

"Only on the grounds of public order? What article is the rule? Moreover, the delivery of thoughts orally and in writing is carried out peacefully," said Tabrani.

"It is even more stupid to threaten protesters not to record themselves. There is no legal basis that prohibits people from recording official actions," he continued.

Tabrani considered that the actions of the Kasatpol PP who came to disperse the protesters were official actions, not personal, so they were not subject to recording without permission as regulated by the ITE Law.

"What is prohibited by the ITE Law is if people prohibit someone's private life and then spread it without that permission. Basic understanding like this should be understood, especially the position of Kasatpol PP," he explained.

"So this happened due to the accumulation of ignorance and lack of understanding of the rules of law by Kasatpol PP."

He said, do not because of the celebration of the arrival of the wives of regional heads in Ternate City then prohibit people from delivering demonstrations and conveying thoughts.

"The action of Kasatpol PP is against the law. The Mayor of Ternate must evaluate Kasatpol PP for the incident. so that such incidents do not happen again," he concluded.

Two journalists in Banda Aceh received unpleasant treatment from the bodyguard team of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman Firli Bahuri.

The two journalists were intimidated while filming Firli Bahuri eating durian at Warkop Sekber Jurnalis, Banda Aceh, Thursday (9/11) night. The two journalists are Raja Umar from Kompas TV and Lala Nurmala from Puja TV.

Raja Umar said he initially wanted to interview Firli. But Firli refused because he was eating durian.

"At that time I wanted to interview the KPK chairman regarding the agenda of the visit to Aceh and ask for his response to Firli's accusation of buying time from the Metro Police summons. Then Firli replied 'no comment, I'm eating durian'," Umar told reporters, Friday (10/11).

Umar then asked for permission for Firli to comment after eating durian while waiting some distance from the table where Firli was eating. However, the police escorting Firli came to Umar to delete all photos and videos.

At first Umar did not respond to the police request, because he had called himself a journalist while showing a press ID card. Then Umar was again visited by plainclothes police to check all his cellphone galleries.

"Because I was forced to open the gallery on my cellphone, I immediately turned on the recording I recorded, then I asked while opening the gallery which photos I had to delete. and the policeman knew I was recording audio he also asked to delete the recording then I resisted," he said.

The audio recording has also been sent by Umar to his editor and to other journalist groups in Aceh, so that it can be used as evidence if something happens to him.

Meanwhile, Puja TV journalist Lala Nurmala received the same treatment as Umar. She had recorded when Umar asked permission from Firli for an interview.

Lala's action was also noticed by Firli Bahuri's bodyguard team and asked Lala whether she took a video or not. At that time Lala replied that she was not recording.

Then the bodyguard asked Lala to open the phone gallery to delete all photos and videos related to Firli. Then Lala deleted some photos and videos under pressure.

"Then he asked me to delete them. I finally deleted them. Yes, I was already under pressure. He asked to open our cell phone, even though the cell phone is our privacy. Meanwhile, from the beginning I said I was not recording, but he insisted," she said.

KPK News Section Head Ali Fikri said that his party had received the information and would check first.

"Oh yes, I read the news, of course we will immediately check it because we don't know who did it," Ali said at the KPK's Red and White Building, Jakarta, Friday.

Ali said that intimidation cannot be justified, especially to people who are doing their jobs.

"What is certain is that it is not allowed if there is really intimidation of journalist friends because we strongly believe in press freedom for friends to get information and convey it to the public," said Ali.

"We don't know whether it was from the KPK or not. If you can make sure it is from KPK officers, then we will check again, of course," he said.

It is known, Firli Bahuri's arrival to Aceh in order to take part in the KPK bus road show and Road To Hakordia. On the sidelines of the KPK official activities, Firli was also observed learning to cook fried rice, playing badminton, celebrating his 60th birthday and eating durian accompanied by media owners who are members of JMSI.

Police are suspected of carrying out arbitrary arrests of farmers in Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi. Walhi Sultra considers this arrest to be criminalization.

A group of plainclothes police arrested Ande bin Tokoano or often known as Nderi, a resident of Sandey Village, Angata District, South Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, early Monday morning (27/11/2023). At that time, after dancing Malulo in a traditional event, the crowd of Sandey residents began to disperse and the village began to become quiet. Suddenly a group of people in plain clothes claiming to be police forced Nderi to come with them.

Initially, some of the remaining residents suspected that the act was kidnapping. But one of them shouted that they were the police.

"The arrest was flawed because the police did not show identification and did not show an arrest warrant," said Regional Executive Director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) Southeast Sulawesi, Andi Rahman, when contacted by telephone.

Andi admitted that the information he received stated that Nderi's wife had only been sent a letter the next day. In the letter, Nderi was suspected of setting fire to land belonging to PT Marketindo Selaras (MS) and was charged under Article 187 Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code jo. Article 55 Paragraph (1) 1 of the Criminal Code carries a threat of 12 years in prison.

According to Andi, the police's actions were an attempt at criminalization. A total of 8 villages in Angata District, including Sandey, he said, were in conflict with PT MS. For more than 20 years, residents have proven their control of the land, marked by community activities in land management in the form of plantations and plants that provide a livelihood for the community, such as sago, cashew nuts, white teak and secondary crops as a form of local life that needs to be preserved.

In accordance with PP Number 24 of 1997 Article 24 paragraph (2), community land control over cultivated land for more than 20 years is the basis for the Angata community to have legal land control. Meanwhile, PT MS claims 1,300 hectares of land.

"The Konsel Police have clearly criminalized Angata farmers with Article 187 paragraph 1 juncto, Article 55 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code which was carried out haphazardly and with legal procedural flaws in carrying out the arrest and handing over the detention to the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police," he stressed.

Andi revealed that since 2002, 1,300 hectares of cultivated land was previously cultivated by PT Sumber Madu Bukari (SMB), but it was never legally valid. Likewise, the transfer of company power to PT MS in 2019 was also legally and procedurally flawed.

The Jakarta Commercial Court (PN) Judge's Determination No. 33/Pailit/2003/PN.Niaga/JKT PST dated February 20 2004 stated that the assets owned by PT SMB, namely the sugar factory covering an area of 66.24 hectares including mess, vehicles, land released in the Forest area of 12,600 hectares, which includes 1,300 hectares of plotting land located in the villages of Motaha, Puao, Teteasa, Lamooso and Sandarsi Jaya. "However, in the asset attachment, the 1,300 plotting land is not part of PT SMB's assets," he said.

Chairperson of the University of Indonesia (UI) Student Executive Board (BEM) Melki Sedek Huang admitted that he received intimidation, including his family in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. He suspects that the intimidation is related to the student movement about the Constitutional Court (MK) decision regarding the minimum age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Since the beginning of the management of BEM UI in 2023, Melki admitted that he and a number of other students often received digital attacks and terror in various forms.

However, the intensity has increased since the frenzy of the Constitutional Court decision led by President Joko Widodo's brother-in-law, Anwar Usman.

"I don't know what the motive is, but I have confidence that this is quite closely related to the socio-political conditions that are currently in the air, one of which is about the frenzy of the Constitutional Court's decision," Melki said when contacted by CNNIndonesia.com, Wednesday (8/11).

Melki said his family in Pontianak, West Kalimantan was also visited by a number of parties claiming to be security forces a few weeks ago. Melki said the party did not mention the origin of the unit. They only claimed to be officers.

"The worst thing was that my mother was at home in Pontianak, visited by people in TNI and police uniforms. They asked about Melki's habits at home, what he used to do, what my mother did when she came back home, whether she came back at night or at what time. Yes, asking about the habits of people at home," he said.

In addition, Melki also admitted that he received news from his teacher at SMA Negeri 1 Pontianak that someone had asked about his habits while attending school. Until now, Melki has not reported the terror incident to the police.

"Until now, we are still waiting and seeing," he added.

The terror, said Melki, has been discussed within BEM UI.

CNNIndonesia.com has attempted to contact West Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Pipit Rismanto regarding Melki's claim. However, until this news was published, he had not yet responded.

Kapendam XII Tanjungpura Colonel Inf Ade Rizal Muharram admitted that he had not received information about the alleged terror of the authorities against Melki's family in Pontianak. He said he would immediately inform you if he received information about the alleged incident.

"I'll find out first," Ade told CNNIndonesia.com, Wednesday night.

The Constitutional Court has ruled on the minimum age requirement for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, which was originally 40 years old, to be 40 years old or have / are currently holding positions elected through elections, including regional elections.

The decision finally opened the door for Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is still 40 years old, to run in the 2024 presidential election. It is known that Gibran is the eldest son of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as well as the nephew of Anwar Usman, who at that time served as Chairman of the Constitutional Court.

The decision reaped pros and cons. There were a total of 21 reports of alleged violations of the ethics of constitutional judges filed by a number of parties. Anwar was the most reported party, namely 15 reports.

The Constitutional Court Honor Council (MKMK) finally declared Anwar proven to have violated serious ethics related to conflicts of interest in the Constitutional Court's decision on the minimum age requirement for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Then, Anwar was sanctioned with the dismissal of Anwar Usman from the position of Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. The verdict was read out by MKMK Chairman Jimly Ashhiddiqie at the MK Building, Jakarta, Tuesday (7/11) evening.

Jimly said this decision was made after MKMK conducted an examination of Anwar and collected facts and a defense from Anwar. Among the nine MK judges, Anwar was examined twice by MKMK in this alleged ethical violation.

Violence against journalists has occurred again. This time it happened to a senior journalist in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province named Ichsan Mokoginta.

According to the official statement from the press organization Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Pangkalpinang City, the violent incident happened to Ichsan Mokoginta who is a journalist from Trasberita.com.

The attack from an unknown person befell Ichsan at his residence on Jalan Kampung Baru, Petaling Banjar Village, West Mendo District, Bangka Regency on Saturday (25/11/2023, around 13.30 WIB.

When confirmed by AJI Pangkalpinang City, Ichsan explained the chronology of the attack he experienced. The incident began when he was approached by an unknown person wearing a black helmet, dark jacket and white and red checkered long-sleeved shirt.

"The perpetrator used language with a Palembang accent and asked about the house of someone named Mamad, to which I answered that I didn't know. However, the question about Mamad's house kept being repeated," said Ichsan, Sunday (26/11/2023).

Ichsan, who received the uninvited person, felt suspicious and then chose to keep his distance by going deeper into the living room of his house. Ichsan's actions were apparently followed by the perpetrator who also entered the house.

The perpetrator then took out a bottle similar to a vinegar bottle from his pocket and then, using both hands, immediately sprayed the liquid in the bottle at Ichsan.

"The perpetrator then fled on a motorbike after I shouted," he said.

The liquid spray, which was thought to be acid, did not cause significant injuries to Ichsan's body. It's just that the liquid spray made the skin around Ichsan's face, neck and stomach feel hot.

"I suspect that this incident is related to my reporting about the existence of illegal tin mining in Penagan Waters, West Mendo Village. I have been aggressively reporting on the mine. I even reported it when fishermen who rejected the mine sent a report to TNI Headquarters about the involvement of individuals in the mine," explained Ichsan.

Currently, said Ichsan, this incident has been reported to the authorities, namely the West Mendo Sector Police (Polsek), which investigators have followed up by visiting the crime scene (TKP) and asking for information.

"A few days before the physical attack, I was invited to meet by one of the individuals and asked me not to report on the Penagan mine. The day before, I found that I was being followed by people who then monitored activities around my house," he said.

The indigenous people of Poco Leok Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), were reported to have received arbitrary treatment by the National Police and TNI officers who were tasked with securing PT PLN and the FPIC team (Private Consent without Coercion) who visited Poco Leok, an area targeted for industrial development geothermal mining. This incident occurred on Saturday, November 25, 2023.

Judianto Simanjuntak, from the Poco Leok Advocacy Coalition, said that at that time the Poco Leok indigenous community took action to reject the arrival of the PLN group. PLN itself, he said, Tuesday (28/11/2023), came to Poco Leok accompanied by armed officers in Polri and TNI uniforms. No less than seven cars and a number of two-wheeled vehicles were deployed to provide security.

This action by the residents, continued Judianto, was then responded to with repressive action by the authorities. The officers pushed and even beat residents who blocked the group's arrival. "Taking cover behind the National Strategic Project (PSN) in an effort to liberalize electricity power, PLN, using the hands of the authorities, did not hesitate to injure residents," said Judianto.

According to Judianto, the Poco Leok indigenous community rejects the presence of PLN geothermal and the Padiapatapa team, because the indigenous community does not want their traditional territory to be confiscated for the purposes of building a geothermal power plant (PLTP).

"The living space of the Poco Leok indigenous people will be lost to build this geothermal power plant," said Judianto.

According to Judianto, the repressive actions of the authorities towards the Poco Leok indigenous community constitute a violation and denial of the right to freedom of expression and expression as guaranteed in the 1945 Constitution, Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, and Law Number 12 2005 concerning Ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Judianto believes that the principle of "prior consent without coercion" by PLN is just outdated jargon as a complement to the requirements for smoothing loans from banks to finance geothermal projects. People have repeatedly refused, but they haven't heeded it. The answer to refusal was the butt of the gun, the swing of the gun and the lunge of the officer's field shoes.

The rejection of the indigenous people of Poco Leok, Manggarai, regarding the construction of a geothermal power plant in Poco Leok, is an effort to defend their traditional territory, as guaranteed in national legal instruments and international law which recognize and respect the rights of indigenous peoples, namely Article 18B paragraph (2) of the Constitution In 1945 Jo. Article 28I paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution Jo. Article 6 paragraph (2) Law no. 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights Jo. Constitutional Court (MK) Decision Number 35/PUU-X/2012, 16 May 2013 in conjunction with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) in conjunction with ILO Convention No. 169 of 1989 concerning Customary Law Communities.

Judianto said, due to repeated incidents of violence by the authorities against the Poco Leok indigenous community, the Poco Leok Advocacy Coalition emphasized that it condemned the acts of violence carried out by PLN through the security forces (TNI and Polri), urging the National Police Chief to remove the East NUSA Tenggra Regional Police Chief and the Manggarai Police Chief for violating the principles human rights.

Then urge the National Police Chief and TNI Commander to order the withdrawal of the security forces on duty in Poco Leok, urge the National Police Chief, East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police Chief, and Manggarai Police Chief to stop criminalizing the Poco Leok indigenous community, by stopping summonses in any form against the Poco Leok indigenous community, and urge the Minister of BUMN to carry out an evaluation of the PT PLN Board of Directors regarding the incident in Poco Leok.

"Finally, we urge the Indonesian Government and PT PLN to temporarily stop any activities related to geothermal development in Poco Leok until there is an official statement that they will follow the principles contained in free, prior, informed, consent (FPIC) in accordance with the guidelines of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Community customs (UNDRIP)," said Judianto.

The Poco Leok Advocacy Coalition itself is a combination of a number of civil society organizations, namely the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AMAN), the Association for the Defense of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (PPMAN), the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam), Trend Asia, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Makassar, JPIC OFM, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation- Societas Verbi Divini (JPIC-SVD), Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) East Nusa Tenggara, Sunspirit for Justice and Peace, Labuan Bajo, and the Institute Legal Aid (LBH) Labuan Bajo.

The development of the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP), which targets the Poco Leok traditional region, Manggarai, NTT, began with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources' designation in 2017 of the Flores region as a Geothermal Island.

This determination is contained in the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 2268 K/MEM/2017.

Then, looking at the potential of the area, PT PLN as the owner of the Ulumbu PLTP intends to expand the capacity from 7.5 MW to 40 MW. The Poco Leok area was chosen which consists of 14 traditional villages in 3 villages.

The expansion of the Ulumbu PLTP geothermal project is based on Decree Number HK/417/2022 concerning Determination of Locations for the Expansion of PLTP Units 5-6 in Poco Leok which was signed by the Regent of Manggarai. Poco Leok has also been designated as part of PSN, and is funded by the German Development Bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) through PT PLN (Persero).

There are 60 planned drilling points which could result in environmental damage and loss of living space for the Poco Leok indigenous community. Problems occurred when the project did not involve the participation and opinions of the Poco Leok indigenous people. "The government does not recognize the existence of the Poco Leok indigenous community," said Judianto

The Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH) has urged the Papua Police Chief to immediately order the Merauke Police Chief to release 20 participants of the Ampera South Papua (PS) peace rally. LBH Papua Director Emanuel Gobay said the arrests made by the Merauke Police occurred on Saturday (18/11) morning, when they were preparing for the Ampera PS peace rally.

Emanuel confirmed that his party had also sent a letter of notification of the peaceful action plan with the topic 'The Law is Dead for Awyu Indigenous Peoples in Boven Digoel' to the Merauke Police.

"The Merauke Police, who had received a peaceful action notification letter, instead came to the gathering point and dispersed the Ampera PS protesters and arrested 20 AMPERA PS protesters," he said in a written statement.

Emanuel said that of the total 20 peaceful protesters who were arrested and taken to the Merauke Police Station, one of them was a woman.

He also criticized the arrest steps which were considered arbitrary.

The reason is, the protesters have given a notification letter to the Merauke Police. Therefore, he called the arrest a form of violation of the right to freedom of speech stipulated in the Law.

On the other hand, Emanuel said that the Merauke Police Chief and his staff had also violated the existing authority as stipulated in Article 6 letter q of Government Regulation Number 2 of 2003 concerning Discipline of the Indonesian National Police.

"Evidence that the Police Chief and his staff have silenced democratic space and clearly violated National Police Chief Regulation Number 8 of 2009 concerning the Implementation of Human Rights Standards and Principles in the Duties of the Indonesian National Police," he explained.

Therefore, he urged the Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fakhiri and the Governor of South Papua to immediately order the Merauke Police Chief to release all the protesters who had been arrested.

"Immediately release the 20 people of the AMPERA PS Action Period because the dissolution and arrest are contrary to the Principles of Perkap Number 8 of 2009 concerning the Implementation of Human Rights Standards and Principles in Police Duties," he said.

CNNIndonesia.com has attempted to contact Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fakhiri and Head of Papua Police Public Relations Commissioner Ignatius Benny Prabowo. However, until this news was published, both of them had not yet responded.

The Forum of Journalists Against Violence (FORJAK) condemned the act of obstruction and alleged repression against journalists by unscrupulous officers of the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) at the North Sumatra Governor's Office on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

The alleged violence and intimidation was carried out by Satpol PP officers of the North Sumatra Provincial Government in the middle of the handover ceremony of the memory of the North Sumatra Governor, Edy Rahmayadi, to Acting Governor Hassanudin.

In an official statement obtained by Liputan6.com from FORJAK, Wednesday (6/9/2023), there were 12 journalists who were victims of obstruction of coverage. It started when a number of journalists wanted to enter the Raja Inal Siregar Hall, Second Floor, North Sumatra Governor's Office, Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro, Medan City.

At the entrance to the hall, a number of Satpol PP members were on guard. At that time, civil servants, citizens and journalists jostled to get into the hall. However, when it was the turn of the journalists to enter, Satpol PP officers blocked them.

A Satpol PP member known as EA Lubis suddenly pulled IDN Times journalist Prayugo Utomo, who was about to enter the hall. The Satpol PP officer asked Prayugo about his identity. After being explained, the Satpol PP even said that IDN Times was not an official media.

"What is IDN Times. It's not official," said EA Lubis.

The Satpol PP officer also pushed and pulled the body of the IDN Times journalist who was about to enter. Likewise with other journalists. The Satpol PP officer pushed them away from the hall entrance.

"We are also surprised, why is it even said to be unofficial. I also did the coverage by carrying out the procedure. Using identification or Press ID. I have also explained nicely, but the Satpol PP officer pulled me away, and still said I was not an official media and could not cover the event," said Prayugo, who also serves as the Coordinator of the Advocacy and Legal Division of Pewarta Foto Indonesia (PFI) Medan.

As a result of the obstruction, Yugo suffered losses. He was unable to cover the event.

The Ambon Legal Aid Institute (LBH Pers Ambon) ensures that it will oversee the case of violence experienced by journalist Oce Leisubun, a contributor to Carang TV in Southeast Maluku Regency (Malra).

LBH Pers Ambon also rejected the restorative justice offered by the Malra Police Resort (Polres) to the victim who was assaulted at his home on Monday (25/9/2023). The victim's house is in the Pemda Complex, Langgur, Malra Regency.

According to the victim, the violence he experienced was allegedly related to news written about a statement by the Catholic Youth Branch Commissariat (Komcab) of Malra and the Southeast Maluku Community Forum (Formama). This youth group was responding to a case of sexual violence allegedly committed by the Regent of Southeast Maluku, Taher Hanubun.

Before being beaten, Oce Leisubun admitted to receiving threats by telephone at 17.30 WIT. Someone named DR contacted the victim but who picked up the phone, Reny Bunga, his wife. The reason is, the victim's cellphone was left at home. After returning home, an hour later he heard the threatening sentence through his wife.

Not long after, three people including DR came to his house and asked about the news he had written. That's when the victim was hit on the right chin. There was an argument because the perpetrator urged the victim to stop reporting on the Regent's case.

Oce Leisubun was then invited by DR to the Malra Regent's house in Tual City. Although they met, there was no discussion about the beating. For this reason, the victim, along with other journalists and activists, reported the threat and persecution to Malra Police.

"Due to Oce Leisubun's belief regarding the motive for the beating, he asked that this case be prosecuted," said Director of LBH Pers Ambon, Sarchy Sapury at the AmbonKita.com editorial office, Friday (29/9/2023).

The Bandung Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen Kota Bandung) condemned the violent methods used by the police in handling the protests of the residents of Dago Elos, Bandung, Monday, August 14, 2023. In addition to residents and solidarity groups, violence also befell two journalists who were covering the events at the location.

From the report received by AJI Bandung, the journalists who were beaten were AR from Bandung Bergerak online media; and AES, a journalist from Radar Bandung. The beatings were carried out on the shoulders, abdomen, thighs, hands, hair was grabbed, and the head was hit. When the incident happened, they ran to a resident's house, which was then visited by the police.

AR who was arrested had claimed to be a journalist and showed his press identity, but was ignored. "He was even threatened to be killed or killed by the police," said Fauzan Sazli, Coordinator of the Advocacy Division of AJI Bandung through a press release, Thursday, August 16, 2023. According to AJI Bandung, violence committed by the police against journalists is a serious crime.

The police not only violated Press Law No. 40 of 1999 Article 4 paragraph 3, but also committed a criminal offense in violation of Article 170 of the Criminal Code. Police officers have obstructed and hindered the work of journalists under the provisions of Article 4 paragraph (3). According to Fauzan, this action can be imprisoned for a maximum of 2 years, and a maximum fine of Rp 500 million.

In addition, police officers have also committed arbitrary violence against persons or property as stipulated in Article 170 of the Criminal Code. This action is punishable by a maximum imprisonment of five years and six months. "There is no reason for police officers to commit violence against journalists. If left unchecked, this incident will set a bad precedent for the climate of press freedom in Indonesia," he said.

AJI Bandung condemns the violent methods used by the police against journalists covering the riots at Dago Elos. In addition, AJI Bandung also urged the police to thoroughly investigate this case of violence against journalists. Similar insistence was conveyed by the Coordinator of the Dago Against Forum, Angga Sulistia Putra. According to him, the problem of apparatus violence must be highlighted. "Don't let freedom of expression, freedom of the press also be threatened," he said when met at Dago Elos, Wednesday, August 16, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Bandung Police Chief, Chief Commissioner Budi Sartono, who was met by Tempo after a meeting with representatives of Dago Elos residents and their attorneys, was reluctant to provide information when asked about violence against journalists by the authorities.

The Dago Elos riots on Monday night, August 14, 2023, occurred after residents accompanied by legal counsel reported alleged fraud by those who would evict their homes to the police. Heri Pramono, a member of the legal team from the Bandung Legal Aid Institute (LBH), said that the residents had reported the alleged fraud twice to the Bandung Police Station, previously in March.

Both reports were rejected on the same grounds of lack of evidence. The police, among others, asked for proof of land ownership certificates of the residents who reported so that there was legal standing. "We want to report the crime, but why do we keep discussing the land," said Heri, Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

Returning to Dago Elos, residents who were disappointed waiting for the results of the report since morning, blocked the highway in front of Terminal Dago Bandung while burning tires. At that time, negotiations were held between residents and the police to open the road and residents were asked to return to submit a report to the Bandung Police Headquarters. However, the plan fell apart when tear gas was fired.

An online media journalist named Erfandi was assaulted by a number of TNI members at the Kalinget Harbor Post, Sumenep, East Java. The journalist was beaten by TNI members while reporting at the location.

Quoted from Antara, the persecution incident occurred on Saturday (29/7/2023) at around 22.00 WIB at the Kalianget Port Security Post. At that time, Erfandi was about to report on a three-wheeled motorcycle carrying fuel out of a gas station in Kalianget to Kalianget Harbor.

"At that time, I didn't have time for an interview, and only asked the security guard at the port post about the fuel being transported by a tricycle. He said the fuel belonged to the Navy," Erfandi said.

Shortly afterwards, the guard called three people, who then unceremoniously beat Erfandi. There was no interview. There was no time to explain.

The incident was recorded on video with a duration of 1:26:22 (1 hour 26 minutes 22 seconds). One of the perpetrators' faces appears quite bright. So is the look of the gunman pointing a gun at Erfandi.

"I hope what I experienced is the last. Hopefully no more journalists will be victims of violence like what I experienced," he said.

Erfandi was ganged up on by a number of TNI members until he was bruised, slammed, dragged, then a number of his belongings were confiscated such as wallets and cell phones. He was even forced to crawl on the ground.

For the incident, Batuporon Naval Base Commander Lieutenant Colonel Imam Ibnu Hajar apologized for the case of mistreatment by four members of the Navy to a journalist named Erfandi at the Kalianget Port Post on July 29, 2023.

"I, on behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Imam Ibnu Hajar as Commander of the Navy, sincerely apologize to fellow journalists for the incident that happened to Erfandi," he said in a recorded video statement received by the media in Pamekasan, East Java, Thursday (3/8/2023).

When delivering the apology, Imam Ibnu Hajar was accompanied by the journalist who was the victim of the persecution, Erfandi, and the victim's legal counsel, Sulaisi Abdurrazak.

In addition to delivering an apology, Danlanal Imam Ibnu Hajar also promised to fulfill the demands of the victim and the victim's lawyer, namely mutating the four members of the Navy who mistreated the journalist Erfandi.

"We will also fulfill the demands to transfer them out of Madura," Imam said in a 1-minute 19-second video recording.

He expressed his gratitude to the Commander of Kodim 0827 Sumenep Lieutenant Colonel Czi Donny Pramudya Mahard for helping mediate the case between the Navy and the Sumenep journalist.

The demand to mutate four members of the Navy who served in Kalianget, Sumenep and persecute the Sumenep journalist is one of the three points of demands conveyed by the victim during the media.

Other demands asked the four Navy personnel who were persecuting journalists to apologize publicly and face to face with the victims, as well as process their laws in accordance with the provisions in military institutions.

"However, a direct apology by the four Navy personnel cannot be done because they are no longer in Sumenep after being withdrawn by the unit to Batuporon for punishment. The apology by Danlanal Batuporon Lieutenant Colonel Imam Ibnu Hajar in the video also represents the four members," said Erfandi's legal counsel, Sulaisi Abdurrazak, contacted by telephone from Pamekasan on Thursday night.

The reporting of two protesters by the Director of PT BMU to the South Aceh Police raised the suspicions of the two residents. They reported the South Aceh Police to the Chief of Police because they suspected that there was something odd in the handling of the mining company's report.

Through an unconfirmed letter, the two reported parties, Sutrisno and Jumra, sent a letter to the Chief of Police on August 19, 2023, one day after the date of their summons to the South Aceh Police on August 18, 2023. In the letter to the Chief of Police, it was stated that they were very surprised to receive a summons from the police.

"We were very surprised to receive a summons from the Polres Number B/50N llJ/RES. I.24/2023 dated August 18, 2023, addressed to me, SUTRISNO and summons Number B/49Mll/RES. I.24/2023 dated August 18, 2023 addressed to me JUMRA based on Hj LATIFAH HANUM's report dated August 18, 2023 regarding the alleged crime of Unpleasant Acts," they wrote in the first point.

In the next point, they explained that in the Central Kluet District area of South Aceh Regency, PT Beri Mineral Utama has been operating a gold mine for a long time. This company, he said, has an iron ore IUP OP. "The Aceh ESDM Office around April 2023 has given a written warning," the two residents accused.

It was explained in point 4, that during the visit of the integrated team from Aceh Province to the mine site on July 25, 2023, an agreement was reached with all the people present to stop and close the PT BMU mining operation which was obviously said to have damaged the environment.

Quoting a statement from the Aceh Government's One Stop Integrated Licensing Office through an online media, it was stated that the operating license of PT Beri Mineral Utama (BMU) had been suspended. The step was taken based on an integrated team report dated July 25, 2023 and the results of a meeting with the community at the mine site.

At the end of their letter, the two residents added that the facts on the ground were that PT BMU was still operating. "In fact, until August 17, 2023, PT BMU continued to operate gold mining, resulting in a demonstration from the community to the Kluet Sub-District Office, South Aceh Regency," they explained.

The two residents admitted that they felt strange when the South Aceh Police responded so quickly to the report of the mining company, Hj Latifah Hanum on August 18, 2023, which was submitted on August 18, 2023. Because, on the same date the Polres immediately sent summons to these two residents. "In our opinion, the Aceh Selalan Police should follow up on the alleged illegal mining practices of PT BMU, because the license is iron ore, but mining gold," said this resident.

Not only about the alleged misuse of mining licenses, these residents also accused PT BMU of carrying out exploration in prohibited areas. "According to media reports, almost 90% of PT BMU's mining land is in the Leuser ecosystem area," he concluded.

Hundreds of personnel were deployed to secure pepper farmers who were protesting in front of the PT Vale Indonesia camp in Tanamalia Block, Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

These personnel consisted of TNI and Brimob. Even several Brimob personnel were armed with long barrels.

Instead of providing security when the pepper farmers expressed their aspirations to PT Vale, according to a pepper farmer who participated in the action, he was intimidated by one of the Brimob personnel.

"One of the Brimob officers threatened to burn our car if we did not stop the demonstration," he said.

The action taken by the Brimob personnel disappointed the farmers. According to him, the act of threatening residents makes it seem as if the security forces want to protect the company.

At least 20 people were wounded when police used batons, water cannon and tear gas to disperse hundreds of people who joined rallies in Indonesia’s West Papua region on the 61st anniversary of an agreement that made the territory part of Indonesia, news agencies report.

The US-brokered 1962 New York Agreement allowed Indonesia to annex the Christian-majority region after the end of Dutch colonial rule, according to a report in the UCA News.

Riot police attacked peaceful demonstrators in three locations near the provincial capital Jayapura yesterday, alleged Emmanuel Gobay, a Catholic and an official of the Papua Legal Aid Institute.

The demonstrators called on the international community to review the agreement and take action to end ongoing violence and repression in the region, said the report.

“In fact, they only held peaceful demonstrations,” said Gobay, who joined one of the rallies.

He stated that more than 20 people were beaten, with one of them later being treated in hospital.

“One person was seriously injured and was immediately transported to the hospital for treatment,” he said.

Listening to speeches Videos and photos obtained by UCA News showed police attacked with water canons and fired tear gas while people were listening to speeches from leaders of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), the protest organiser.

Gobay said that although the authorities viewed the KNPB as a “separatist — pro-independence — group “they should have the right to express their opinion” as guaranteed in the nation’s constitution.

“Moreover, they submitted an official letter notifying police about the programme beforehand,” he added.

He condemned the use of water cannon and tear gas on demonstrators.

These should only be for anarchic demonstrations — “not peaceful demonstrations,” he said.

Gobay alleged that police committed criminal offences by torturing and beating protesters, and called on the Papuan police chief to immediately prosecute the perpetrators so that there was a deterrent effect, said the UCA News report.

Father Bernard Baru from the Jayapura Diocese’s Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission said that this repressive action was a repetition of the discriminatory treatment of Papuans by the state.

Brutal police action ‘normal’ “In Papua, police actions like this are considered normal. This only deepens discrimination against Papuans,” he said.

Police officials were not available for comment.

KNPB spokesman Ones Sahuniap issued a statement to condemn the police brutality and claimed those who were beaten suffered serious head injuries and bled profusely.

Suhuniap said the police used rattan and batons to beat and break up the demonstration.

The KNPB simultaneously held demonstrations in Papua and in other parts of Indonesia, asking the United Nations to review the 1962 New York Agreement.

During the rallies, KNPB leaders called the New York Agreement “a violation of human rights of Papuans” sponsored by Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United States and the United Nations.

Not party to agreement As per the agreement, later added to the agenda of UN General Assembly, the Netherlands agreed to transfer the control of West Papua New Guinea to Indonesia, pending an UN-administered referendum.

The Papuans were not party to the agreement and it paved the way for the 1969 Act of Free Choice, an independence referendum favoring Indonesian rule in Papua whuch was largely regarded as a sham.

Indonesia’s annexation of Papua and use to force to crush dissent sparked an armed pto-indeoendence movement.

Thousands of civilians, soldiers and rebels have been killed and tens of thousands have been displaced due to the conflict in the easternmost region in the past decades.

On November 13, 2023, during a hearing at the East Jakarta District Court, the Public Prosecutor requested Fatia Maulidiyanti, former Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), FIDH Vice-President, and OMCT General Assembly member, be sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a fine of 500,000 Rupiah (30 Euros), and Haris Azhar, Executive Director of Lokataru, be sentenced to four years in prison and a fine of one million Rupiah (60 Euros).

The Observatory recalls that a defamation case against Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar was initiated in August 2021, after Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, and retired army general, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, sent them a subpoena in relation to a talk show video posted on Haris Azhar’s YouTube channel, in which the two human rights defenders alleged the Minister was involved in controversial gold mining activities in Papua Province.

As Ms Maulidiyanti and Mr Azhar refused to apologise, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan filed a police report on September 22, 2021, against the two human rights defenders alleging that both violated criminal defamation provisions, namely “attacking someone’s honour or reputation with accusations” and “defamation” (Articles 310 and 311 of the Criminal Code, respectively) and Article 45(3) of the amended Electronic Information and Transaction (EIT) Law. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan asked for 300 billion rupiah (approximately 18 million Euros) in compensation. The trial of Ms Maulidiyanti and Mr Azhar began on April 3, 2023, before the East Jakarta District Court and 28 hearings have taken place since then. On November 27, 2023, the two human rights defenders are scheduled to submit their defence at the East Jakarta District Court.

The Observatory denounces the ongoing judicial harassment against Fatia Maulidiyanti and Harris Azhar, which seems to be only aimed at punishing them for their legitimate human rights activities and for exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression, enshrined in international human right law, and particularly in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Indonesia is a state party.

The Observatory urges the Indonesian authorities to dismiss the case against Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar, and to put an end to any acts of harassment – including at the judicial level – against them and all other human rights defenders in the country, and to ensure that they are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without any hindrance or fear of reprisal.

Several police officers dressed casually are suspected of intimidating and using violence against journalists while covering the forced return of protesters at the Grand Mosque of West Sumatra in Padang, West Sumatra. Three journalist organizations condemn the obstruction of journalistic work.

Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Padang Aidil Ichlas, Sunday (6/8/2023), said that at least four journalists were victims of intimidation or violence by the apparatus. The four journalists are Nandito Putra (Tribunnews), Fachri Hamzah (Tempo), Dasril (Padang TV), and Zulia Yandani (Classy FM).

"We condemn such actions. In fact, a female journalist has also become a victim. Some of the journalists who tried to break up and release their colleague who was about to be lifted were also threatened and their shirt collars were grabbed," said Aidil.

Tribunnews journalist, Nandito Putra, in a press statement, explained that he was grabbed by plainclothes police officers while recording the return of protesters and doing a live broadcast for his media on Saturday afternoon. Prior to that, he was also prohibited from taking photos and his cellphone was about to be confiscated by the authorities.

According to Nandito, around 3:30 pm, he was broadcasting live on Facebook Tibunpadang.com to record the situation of West Pasaman residents who were rejecting the national strategic project (PSN) in the courtyard of the West Sumatra Grand Mosque. After recording the condition of the residents for two minutes, he directed the camera towards the police who were pulling a woman.

“I followed the crowd to a distance of about 3 meters. However, when I was recording, suddenly some plainclothes people came and grabbed me. My cellphone was taken by force. Then the apparatus asked me what my purpose was and I explained that I was reporting," said Nandito.

Nandito was only released after two journalists protested against the police officer's actions. However, in that effort, the security forces also lifted Fachri Hamzah's shirt collar, a Tempo journalist, and made threats. The same officer also threatened Aidil Ichlas, Chairman of AJI Padang, who at that time was also trying to release Nandito.

The incident ended a few minutes later after several officers from the Padang City Resort Police intervened and apologized to Nandito, Fachri, and Aidil for the incident.

On another occasion, Dasril, a journalist from Padang TV, also experienced intimidation by police officers. At the time, Dasril was recording the arrest of a member of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Padang who was accompanying the protesters.

Suddenly, a police officer obstructed Dasril's camera from recording. "That's enough, don't record anymore," said the officer. However, Dasril continued to do his job.

Meanwhile, Zulia Yandani, a female journalist from Classy FM, also experienced violence during the chaotic mass repatriation incident. At that time, Zulia had just finished praying and heard the commotion on the first floor of Masjid Raya Sumbar.

Seeing the tense situation, Zulia then recorded the incident, but was approached by a number of police officers who then took her phone. "I have explained that I am a journalist, but they still pulled me and lifted both of my legs. They were going to take me to the car," she said.

Due to the police's act of intimidation and violence towards journalists, three journalist organizations in West Sumatra, namely AJI Padang, Pewarta Foto Indonesia (PFI) Padang, and Ikatan Jurnalis Televisi Indonesia (IJTI) Sumbar, issued a joint statement through a press release.

These three journalist organizations are of the opinion that the actions taken by the police have violated press freedom. However, Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press has clearly regulated matters related to journalistic work.

Such intimidation action also violates Article 18 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 40 Year 1999. The article states, "Any person who unlawfully and intentionally performs actions resulting in obstructing or impeding the implementation of the provisions of Article 4 paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of 2 years or a maximum fine of IDR 500 million."

Therefore, AJI Padang, PFI Padang, and IJTI Sumbar condemn the acts of intimidation and violence by the police towards journalists on duty at the Grand Mosque of Sumbar. The three associations also urge the Chief of West Sumatra Regional Police to apologize for the incident of intimidation and violence.

The Chief of Police of West Sumatra is urged to process his members who intimidate and use violence against journalists in accordance with regulations. In addition, the Chief of Police of West Sumatra is requested to ensure that standard operating procedures for handling demonstrations always prioritize professionalism, persuasion, and respect for press freedom.

On the other hand, AJI Padang, PFI Padang, and IJTI Sumbar appreciate the actions taken by several police officers from Polresta Padang who prevented violence against several journalists and immediately apologized. Finally, the three journalistic organizations also urged journalists to continue to adhere to the journalistic code of ethics while working.

On Saturday afternoon, at the Masjid Raya Sumbar, one of the journalists who became a victim, Zulia Yandani, reported the issue to the Inspector General of Sumbar, Suharyono. Initially, Suharyono responded jokingly to the alleged behavior of his member who is suspected of being intel. "So the intel is still fond of you, Mom," he said.

However, after Zulia convinced that the police officer's actions were serious, Suharyono summoned the Director of Intelligence of the West Sumatra Provincial Police, Commissioner Sunarya, to apologize directly to Zulia for the incident.

A hunger strike by domestic workers at the House of Representatives building in Jakarta ended in violence. Police confiscated their property and beat the protesters. The action has been held since August 14, 2023 until the Domestic Workers Protection Bill is passed.

During the action on August 16, 2023, the police beat and confiscated the protesters' equipment. The head coordinator of JALA PRT, Lita Anggraini, was suddenly hit during an argument with the police at the House of Representatives Building, Jakarta.

A female police officer named Ponco stated that in welcoming Independence Day, no protest should take place.

"We are celebrating independence, so we must not organize protests," said Ponco.

Lita Anggraini stated that this protest was carried out because it was celebrating the independence of domestic workers, "Same, because today we are celebrating the independence of domestic workers, so we carried out the protest."

Ponco and dozens of other police officers then closed in around the protesters who were carrying small red and white flags with the words pass the PPRT bill. The police told the protesters to go home because they were disrupting the independence day celebrations and jamming traffic.

"Today many domestic workers have been victimized, ma'am," said Jihan Faathiah, an protestor from Perempuan Mahardhika.

Then the next second, the police told the protesters to go home. The protesters refused, and one of the police men was in civilian clothes. Then, they hit the protest signs and hit Lita Anggraini on the head.

"The police hit my head, yes, watch out, don't do violence," Lita Anggraini shouted.

The police kept telling the protesters to go home. However, the protesters refused and remained in front of the DPR RI Building. At that time, President Jokowi was reading out his State of the Nation Address.

The protesters hoped to meet President Jokowi. They asked the President to urge the DPR leadership to immediately pass the Domestic Workers Protection Bill. This bill has been pending for 19 years.

Domestic Workers (DWs) are staging a hunger strike starting on Monday, August 14, 2023 in front of the House of Representatives Building, Jakarta. This protest will be carried out until the PPRT Bill is passed into law.

The protest was held in 6 cities in Indonesia, namely Jakarta, Medan, Tangerang, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Makassar. Not only domestic workers, community leaders and civil society networks also joined these protests.

The situation of domestic workers and labor today is not good, following several bad practices in the legislative process carried out by the Government. Among them, not listening to waves of criticism and resistance by continuing to force the enactment of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation.

The same thing is felt by Domestic Workers who have been waiting for about 19 years. The urge is for the Draft Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers (RUU PPRT) to become a DPR Initiative Bill.

Since it was drafted in 2001, the PPRT Bill was submitted to the DPR in 2004. After the stipulation process in Baleg on July 1, 2022, KSP formed the PPRT Law Task Force 2002. On January 18, 2023, President Joko Widodo delivered a statement to accelerate the discussion and ratification of the PPRT Bill. March 21, 2023, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives established the PPRT Bill as a House Initiative Bill. The government has sent a Presidential Letter on April 5 and DIM of the PPRT Bill on May 16, 2023 to the DPR. However, during the May - July 2023 session, the PPRT Bill was never discussed and passed.

19 years is not a short time for domestic workers to wait for a legal umbrella to protect them. For 19 years, the PPRT Bill has been held hostage, just as domestic workers are held hostage in modern slavery and human trafficking. During this time, the omission of suffering and violence experienced by domestic workers by the DPR has become a collective memory that must be heard by the legislators that the ratification of the PPRT Bill must be done immediately.

Among the victims of human trafficking, there are also domestic workers. However, the emergency situation of violence and human trafficking in Indonesia is not accompanied by the seriousness of the DPR to follow up on the discussion of the PPRT Bill.

The Gorontalo Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) condemned the obstruction of journalistic work by Gorontalo Police officers on Tuesday (3/10/2023).

The act of obstruction occurred when journalists from Tribun, Antara, and Dulohupa were covering the case of the death of one of IAIN Sultan Amai Gorontalo's freshmen, which the family and their attorney wanted to report to the Gorontalo Police.

While taking photos and videos, a number of journalists were suddenly prohibited from taking pictures or covering inside the SPKT office of the Gorontalo Police.

Because of this treatment, the journalists decided not to record or take pictures anymore and chose to leave the SPKT room. They were forced to sit outside the building while waiting for the victim's family to report.

Some time later, after the victim's family lawyer left the SPKT room, the journalists returned to conduct interviews. During the interview, the police officer suddenly prohibited the journalists from recording and asked for the recording to be deleted.

Journalists were prohibited from taking pictures with the SPKT building in the background. The officer asked the journalists to conduct the interview elsewhere, and asked not to take the writing or the SPKT building.

The reason was because he was worried that there would be public misunderstanding in understanding the news. Another reason given by the police officer was that the report from the citizen being covered by the journalist was not yet clear.

Wawan Akuba, Chairman of AJI Gorontalo condemned the action. According to him, freedom of the press is not limited by the clarity of the report. Journalists have the right to cover an event, whether it is a clear event or an unclear event.

In addition, the actions of the police officers were also intimidating. The police officer clearly prohibited journalists from taking pictures or recording in the SPKT area with an arrogant tone.

"This can cause fear and anxiety for journalists in carrying out their duties," said Wawan.

Church bodies have joined advocacy groups to complain against alleged use of intimidatory measures by Indonesian police against villagers protesting a geothermal project in a Christian-majority province.

In a complaint submitted to the National Human Rights Commission in Jakarta on Oct. 20, they accused police of carrying out "intimidation and criminalization" against residents opposing the power project led by State’s Electricity Company (PT PLN) at Poco Leok in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The organizations, including Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPIC) of the Franciscans and Divine Word, pointed out that the summons issued to seven residents earlier this month and 12 others this week were “an arbitrary act by the Manggarai Police.”

"The Poco Leok indigenous community does not know the reason why the police carried out this summons which was completely unreasonable," they said.

The Manggarai Police in the summons, a copy of which was obtained by UCA News, accused the residents of committing a crime "by deliberately obstructing or impeding the development of a geothermal business and by using violence against officials who were carrying out their legitimate duties."

Manggarai Police spokesman I Made Budiarsa said residents were "randomly summoned to ask for clarification regarding police officers' information reports” about an incident on Sept. 27.

Around 30 police and military personnel had gone to Poco Leok on that day to escort officers from the state-owned Electricity Company on a visit to the geothermal project site.

Syamsul Alam Agus, chairman of the executive board of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago said it is the duty of police to protect vulnerable people.

“Unfortunately, the police protect individuals or companies who come to destroy the land of indigenous peoples," he added.

Valens Dulmin, a lawyer from Franciscans’ JPIC Commission said the police action violated the 1945 Constitution which assures “equal treatment before the law.”

Meanwhile, Melky Nahar, coordinator of the Mining Advocacy Network, said that "in the name of a national strategic project that was created without prior consultation, small people are being evicted from their territory."

Hari Kurniawan, a commissioner at the National Human Rights Commission said they would convene a joint meeting before arriving at a decision on the complaint.

The Poco Leok geothermal project is an expansion of the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant, about 3 kilometers west of Poco Leok, which has been operational since 2012.

The government aims to hike the project capacity to 40 megawatts from the current 10 megawatts through the expansion.

However, the project funded by the Germany-based Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) continues to face opposition from local residents who fear it will take away their ancestral land and livelihoods across 10 villages.

Most of the affected residents, who are farmers and also raise livestock, are Catholics under the Ruteng diocese.

Flores Island was designed as a geothermal spot by a 2017 government decision.

It has a total geothermal potential of 902 megawatts, or 65 percent of the total capacity in East Nusa Tenggara province, according to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

The criminalization of several farmers from the Tani Nelayan Union (STN) by the Jambi Police occurred in Betung Village, Kumpeh, Muaro Jambi Regency on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

Even more ironic, one of the lecturers from a well-known university in Jambi, initials H, was involved in committing violence against farmers.

"This is inhumane treatment from the authorities. And ironically academics are also involved. We strongly condemn this criminalization," said Suluh Rifai, Chairman of STN, when giving a statement to the media crew.

According to Rifai, inhumane actions occurred when several farmers were treated like animals, tied up by the neck and then dragged by police officers and several people from the Fajar Pagi Plasma Cooperative of PT Ricky Kurniawan Kertapersada (PT RKK).

Rifai could not understand the criminalization carried out by the authorities and unscrupulous lecturers. In fact, according to him, the power possessed by the police and lecturers should be devoted to the people, not to the cooperative.

"I can't stop thinking. The police are no longer an institution to protect the people. But the oppressor of the people. These lecturers are also the same, they have tarnished higher education institutions that should be independent from corporations, instead they are under the feet of corporations," said Rifai angrily.

When asked for information on the criminalization of farmers, Rifai said that the Fajar Pagi Cooperative, former plasma of PT RKK, had violated the law from the beginning and caused losses to the state for dozens of years because it had planted oil palm plantations in the Industrial Plantation Forest (HTI) area.

Previously, PT RKK had also been defeated by the judges at all levels that the rightful owner of the land occupied by PT RKK was now PT WKS.

After all, according to Rifai, the government permit given to PT WKS is an Industrial Plantation Forest (HTI) concession.

However, Rifai explained, PT RKK has broken the law and violated the PTUN decision by continuing to use the Industrial Plantation Forest (HTI) area with oil palm plantations on an area of 2391 hectares since 2008.

"The state has been tricked by PT RKK since a dozen years. For me this is a shame, as big as Indonesia can be fooled by PT. RKK, which is now bankrupt," Rifai said, again.

Not finished there, PT. RKK also said Rifai was the culprit for burning forests and destroying ecology in Muaro Jambi but never paid fines until now, which amounted to more than 191 billion.

For the actions of PT RKK, Rifai urged the Indonesian Ministry of Environment (KLH), the National Police Chief and the Ministry of Education to immediately punish PT RKK and its plasma Fajar Pagi Cooperative and Jambi Police who were involved and unscientific lecturers.

Rifai also demanded that the Ministry of ATR / BPN RI immediately cancel the HGU of PT. RKK and asked the Chief of Police to stop and take over the case being handled by the Jambi Police for the detention of several farmers without trial.

The conflict between the people of Nagari Bidar Alam and the people of Nagari Ranah Pantai Cermin with PT Ranah Andalas Plantation (PT RAP) in South Solok Regency led to the criminalization of 6 residents. All six were named as suspects by South Solok Police. The summoning of the six people in Bidar alam originated from police report Number LP/168/IX/2020/SPKT related to the crime of theft on September 14, 2020, which was reported by the company.

Responding to the criminalization of residents, Diki Rafiqi, Coordinator of the Advocacy Division of LBH Padang said that LBH Padang and Walhi West Sumatra West Sumatra made three demands. First, urging the South Solok Police to stop the criminalization of the Bidar Alam community. Second, urging the Regent of South Solok to revoke PT RAP's license. Third, the South Solok Police should investigate PT RAP's criminal allegations, including gardening without a permit, embezzlement of community revenue sharing money, and taxation crimes.

Diki explained that the problem stems from agrarian conflicts that are still unresolved in South Solok Regency. Even though PT RAP, which allegedly reported the community, no longer has any legality. "This is reinforced by the Decree of the South Solok Regent which revoked PT RAP's location permit on July 29, 2008. In addition, PT RAP also does not have Business Use Rights (HGU) in Nagari Bidar Alam and Nagari Ranah Pantai Cermin," he said in an official statement Monday, September 25, 2023.

Initially, said Diki, PT RAP was present due to an agreement between the ninik mamak and PT RAP that there would be a 60 percent - 40 percent profit sharing since the construction of the plantation, but until now the community has not received their rights at all from PT RAP. "Decades of people waiting for good faith from PT RAP to provide 40 percent profit sharing from the harvest have never been obtained," he said.

The impact of the 60 percent to 40 percent agreement, PT RAP has broken its promise to the community. In mid-2020, the community took over their land by harvesting on their own land. In addition, there is also no clarity on conflict resolution by the Regent of South Solok until now. The choice to reclaim rights by the community is based on the situation of economic needs that the company used to promise to prosper.

However, the South Solok Police responded to the reclaiming of land rights by naming a suspect in the alleged crime of theft. This condition certainly intensified the conflict in Nagari Bidar Alam and Nagari Ranah Pantai Cermin.

According to Diki, this is clearly one of the criminalization efforts carried out by the police that can silence the struggle for rights carried out by the community. This criminalization also gives fear to the community so that the company can regain control of the community's land. If the police read the agreements between the community and PT RAP in partnership to build oil palm plantations, it can be concluded that the oil palm plantations belong to the community and the company.

"Then how can a person who owns be accused of stealing on his own land and oil palm trees that are 40% capitalized by the landowning community. Don't think that the plantation was only built by the company because the mechanism built between the company and the community is a partnership and profit sharing," he said.

Before the South Solok Police accepted PT RAP's report, said Diki, the police should have questioned the legality of the company, because the company no longer has legal legality there. In addition, PT RAP not only harms the community but also harms the state by not paying taxes. The state should take action against things like this instead of punishing people who have long been cheated. "In addition, the issue of PT RAP and the landowners is not a criminal issue but a civil issue," said Diki.

Tommy, Head of Advocacy of Walhi West Sumatera, stated that the oil palm plantation cultivation activities carried out by PT RAP without having land rights and business licenses are illegal. Because, plantation cultivation business activities and / or plantation product processing businesses can only be carried out by plantation companies if they have obtained land rights and fulfill business licenses related to plantations from the central government (article 42 paragraph (1).

Furthermore, said Tommy, article 55 of Law 39 of 2014 concerning Plantations as amended by Law Number 06 of 2023 concerning the Stipulation of Government Regulations in Lieu of Law Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation into Law also emphasizes norms that prohibit everyone (including companies) from unlawfully working on, using, occupying, and / or controlling plantation land (including on customary land), harvesting or collecting plantation products.

With the illegality of the activities of working on, using, occupying, and/or controlling plantation land by PT RAP, it does not have land rights and does not have a business license.

So, said Tommy, PT RAP can be subject to plantation crime, regulated in article 107 of Law 39 of 2014 concerning Plantations as amended by Law Number 06 of 2023 concerning the Stipulation of Government Regulations. Substitute for Law Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation into Law which emphasizes that every person who unlawfully works, uses, occupies, and controls plantation land, community land or customary land rights of indigenous peoples.

"With the intention of the plantation business, cutting plants in the plantation area; harvesting or collecting plantation products as referred to in Article 55, shall be punished with a maximum imprisonment of 4 (four) years or a maximum fine of Rp. 4,000,000,000," he said.

Eight residents of Torobulu, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) were reported to the police by the mining company PT Wijaya Inti Nusantara (WIN). They were reported for taking action against mining activities

"Yes, the one who reported was PT WIN's attorney," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of South Konawe Police AKP Henryanto Tandirerung to detikcom, Sunday (15/10/2023).

PT WIN made a police report against the 8 residents on Thursday (28/9). The police then sent a summons to the reported parties to submit clarification on Monday (16/10) tomorrow.

"Initially I intended to mediate these 8 people but they didn't come. So now I want to clarify," he said.

Torobulu Resident Coordinator, Ruhima, said that 8 residents were reported to the police after they held a protest at the PT WIN mine site in Torobulu Village, Laeya District, Konsel, Southeast Sulawesi, Wednesday (27/9). However, only 2 people were summoned by the police.

"Yes, eight people were reported, but it seems only two people have been summoned," said Ruhima.

Ruhima said the action was carried out because the agreement by the sub-district government and residents was violated by PT WIN. PT WIN continues to mine at the location even though it has been asked to temporarily stop mining activities.

"After being mediated by the sub-district head, both residents and the company were asked to stop mining activities first. But two days they were mining, so the residents went to withhold (PT WIN's heavy equipment)," Ruhima said.

But after a few days, Ruhima continued, residents received information about a police report. Eight residents were summoned for mediation, but did not come.

"We were called to the police station, but that was when we were summoned for mediation, we asked to come down to Torobulu, and they said (the police) wanted to intervene," explained Ruhima.

Jakarta Police Chief Inspector General Karyoto explained that the police's decision to detain several students who were about to join the protest on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan on Friday was a preventive measure to avoid provocation.

"At the beginning, there was information that it was feared that among the students there were people who intended to wreak havoc," said Karyoto on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jakarta, Friday (20/10).

He said that protesters whose intention was only to protest would only carry banners of demands or similar objects and obey the command of their field coordinator.

Meanwhile, if protesters are caught carrying toothpaste, which is usually used to protect the eyes from irritation when exposed to tear gas, it shows that there are bad intentions.

"If so, it means there are bad intentions, so we detained them for further questioning," said Karyoto.

He also said that some of the students who were detained were underage and not yet in a position to participate in such protests.

However, Karyoto emphasized that all students who were detained had been released after questioning by the police.

Previously, police detained 12 students who arrived at Gondangdia Station, Central Jakarta, before they could join the group of protesters who gathered on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat on Friday afternoon.

The 12 students were released and returned to their colleagues at the location of the action at 19.00 WIB after a dialogue between the protesters and the main expert of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Joanes Joko. Police said they were taken to the police station.

Previously, students who were arrested by the police only wore black T-shirts without wearing university alma maters as identity. "Once again, if you don't wear the alma mater uniform, please step back. Enough is enough," said one of the police officers on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Friday (20/10/2023). The arrested student was suspected of trying to break through.

"Those who enter to incite us, please step back, please step back, there will be time for negotiations. Please step back," continued the police through a loudspeaker. Not long after that, representatives of the students for the audience were asked to enter the safe area.

Chaos occurred when the released students were escorted back to their colleagues by Joanes and the police.

One of the released students was then given the opportunity to speak. In his oration, he admitted that he was apprehended with his colleagues after arriving at the station.

Protesters from the Student Executive Boards of various universities began to gather and express their opinions in front of the Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue at around 15.30 WIB. After exceeding the time limit for the protest at 18.00 WIB, they dispersed from the location of the protest at around 19.45 WIB.

Activists have slammed the Indonesian police for rights violations after officers reportedly shot dead a villager and injured at least two others during a protest against an oil palm plantation company in Borneo.

Gijik, 35, was shot in the chest during the Oct. 7 protest held by residents of the mostly Indigenous Dayak village of Bangkal, Central Kalimantan province, according to AMAN, Indonesia’s main alliance of Indigenous peoples. Another protester, Taufik Nurrahman, 21, was shot in the waist and is in critical condition, Bangkal community leader James Watt told Mongabay Indonesia. A third person, Ambaryanto, 53, was injured in the arm and leg, while police also arrested some 20 villagers, according to James.

Police opened fire on the villagers as they protested against plantation firm PT Hamparan Masawit Bangun Persada (HMBP), an affiliate of the BEST Group. The Bangkal villagers have been protesting since Sept. 16 to demand the company comply with its obligation to allocate 20% of its concession to the community under a government-mandated sharing scheme known as “plasma.”

“What happened in Seruyan today is a crime against humanity, a violation of human rights, and a violent act done openly by the state,” said Uli Arta Siagian, forestry and plantation campaigner at the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi).

Sekar Banjaran Aji, national coordinator at the Public Interest Lawyer Network (PIL-NET), called the police’s action “inhuman” and unjustifiable.

“We can see how the police failed to use their logic so that they resorted to using excessive force, which claimed a life,” she said.

Central Kalimantan Police spokesman Erlan Munaji said the police’s actions during the protest were in accordance with the rules of engagement. He told local media that a pre-deployment check of all weapons showed none of the police personnel were carrying live ammunition, only blanks, rubber bullets and tear gas.

“We’re in the process [of finding out] whether [the victim] died because of that [shooting],” he said.

Photos shared on social media and accounts from those on the ground appear to show clearly how Gijik died. Alexius Elister, who identified himself as a relative of the slain protester, said autopsy results concluded that he died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

“What’s left to do is determining who’s responsible, and I will take legal action,” he said as quoted by local media.

‘Aim for the head!’ There are conflicting accounts of what happened in Bangkal on Oct. 7.

Police say it was the protesters who first attacked them, using bladed weapons. Erlan said that while some of the villagers had reached an agreement with HMBP to farm part of its concession, others had refused to accept the agreement and continued protesting against the company. This latter group then attempted to harvest palm fruit from the plantation on the morning of Oct. 7, Erlan said.

When the police warned the villagers against doing so, the protesters started attacking them, he added.

However, various organizations that have been monitoring the situation for the past month say it was the police who started firing tear gas and bullets at the protesters without any provocation.

In videos taken during the protest, a man can clearly be heard shouting orders over a loudspeaker to fire on the protesters: “Prepare the tear gas! Aim for the head! Ready the AK! Let’s play!”

In another video of the same moment from a different angle, the person can be heard urging fellow protesters “don’t get provoked” by the police.

Shortly after the shouting, gunshots can be heard.

“Without any trigger from the protesters, the security forces shot tear gas and bullets from firearms,” said Bayu Herinata, director of Walhi’s Central Kalimantan chapter. “Based on information that we got from the ground as well as videos sent by people on the ground, there’s clearly an instruction from the commander of the security forces to shoot the protesters.”

In two previous protests in the long-running dispute, it was also the police who started attacking the protesters unprovoked, Bayu said.

“So we need to question the statement from the police that they were attacked first by the protesters,” he said.

Ferdi Kurnianto, the Central Kalimantan chapter head for Indigenous alliance AMAN, said some of the villagers did carry bladed implements during the protest. But these were traditional Dayak weapons known as mandau, which are intended for homemaking or defense purposes, not for attacking people, he said.

Companies over communities Uli of Walhi said the Bangkal dispute is emblematic of how the Indonesian government manages the country’s lands and resources.

“There are hundreds of companies in Indonesia, whether in the industries of palm oil, forestry or mining, that unilaterally claim ownership of ancestral lands and community territories,” she said. “The pleas of those who reject the companies’ presence in their territories, or refuse to have their lands taken by the companies, are ignored [by the government].”

Many of the land conflicts between communities and companies end in the persecution and criminalization of the communities, she added.

HMBP, the company in the Bangkal case, has a history of conflicts with other villages in which protesters and their supporters have faced persecution. In 2020, the company filed criminal charges against Indigenous farmers in the village of Penyang, also in Central Kalimantan province, who had been embroiled in a long-standing land dispute with the company.

HMBP accused two of the farmers of stealing palm fruit from its plantation. However, the farmers had harvested the fruit from land claimed by the villagers but cultivated illegally by HMBP; the district government had already declared the company to be operating outside its concession in 2010. The district chief also ordered HMBP to cede the disputed land back to the community — an order the company has duly ignored.

Police also arrested James Watt, the prominent community activist, while he was in Jakarta, for allegedly orchestrating the alleged theft by the two farmers.

In June 2020, a district court sentenced James to 10 months in prison, while one of the farmers got eight months prison sentence. The other farmer, Hermanus Bin Bison, died in custody, reportedly after being refused proper treatment for his ill health.

Abdul Haris, a campaigner at TuK Indonesia, an NGO that advocates for social justice in the agribusiness sector, blamed the conflict in Bangkal on HMBP’s failure to allocate 20% of its concession to the community, as required by law. He said similar conflicts will keep happening since many other plantation companies are also noncompliant on this front.

More than 80% of the 292 palm oil companies operating in Central Kalimantan haven’t provided plasma plantations to communities, Haris said, citing government data. Nationwide, only 21% of 2,864 plantation firms in the country have allocated the mandatory 20% of their concessions, according to the government’s audit agency, the BPKP.

Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran has asked President Joko Widodo to evaluate existing permits in the province, and to revoke those of any companies that fail to comply.

Sugianto said the conflict in Bangkal isn’t the fault of the villagers.

“I don’t blame the people because they are demanding their rights that are cemented in the obligations for companies to allocate 20% of plasma [plantations],” he said as quoted by local media.

Sekar of PIL-NET said the deployment of police in conflicts between communities and companies is a result of the government’s decision in 2018 to categorize oil palm plantations as a national vital object. And in most cases, the security forces side with companies over the communities, she said.

“Our brothers and sisters in investment areas are losing their rights as citizens because the state is prioritizing investors,” Sekar said. “The government keeps saying that it’s championing sustainable development. But sustainable development is development that’s wanted by the people. But in this case, it claims victims and prosecutes the people. So who are the investments for? Who are defended by the security forces? Are they defending citizens or investors?”

Justifying excessive force Sekar said there’s also a tendency by police to use excessive force in conflicts between communities and companies. She traced this to the rhetoric of President Widodo, who in 2021 instructed the police to crack down on anyone standing in the way of investors — a complete U-turn from an order he issued in 2019 to prioritize locals over investors.

Other senior officials have used similarly strong language, with Luhut Pandjaitan, the senior minister overseeing investments, saying in 2022 that he would “bulldoze” anyone blocking the ease of investment and permit issuance.

“What’s happening in Central Kalimantan is likely to be caused by the president’s instruction, because it’s not only in Central Kalimantan [where the police used excessive force], but also last month in Rempang Island,” Sekar said.

The conflict on Rempang, part of the Riau Islands archipelago in the Malacca Strait, centers around a plan by Chinese industrial giant Xinyi Glass to build the world’s second-largest glass and solar panel factory there, taking advantage of the abundant quartz sand around the island.

The plan entails the eviction of the native islanders, prompting them to stage several protests. This drew a heavy-handed response from the security forces, who on Sept. 7 fired on protesters with rubber bullets and tear gas, including at a middle school.

According to data from the NGO Consortium on Agrarian Reform (KPA), at least 69 people have died in land conflicts since 2015, a year into the Widodo administration.

As long as the conflict in Bangkal remains unresolved and the community remains at risk of persecution, police must withdraw from the region to ease the tension, said Mohammad Ali, the head of NGO Alliance of Agrarian Reform Movement (AGRA).

It’s also important for the community to get its rights recognized through the allocation of plasma plantations, he added.

The police dispersed Greenpeace Indonesia’s oligarchy monster action at the HI Roundabout in Central Jakarta today, October 6. The environmental NGO installed a giant octopus-shaped monster holding three mannequins wearing masks depicting three presidential contenders, namely Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, and Prabowo Subianto.

Upon arrival at around 6:30 a.m., the police escorted the activists to police cars. Greenpeace Indonesia’s media campaigner Rahma Sofiana confirmed they were taken to the Menteng Police post. “Menteng,” she told Tempo today.

At the Menteng Police station, a policeman who declined to be named said the action was dispersed for lack of a permit. “No permit for that,” he said.

During the action, 12 Greenpeace activists jumped into the pool at the HI Roundabout carrying posters that read "Vote for Climate, Not Oligarchy" and "Suffocated by Air Pollution, Choked by Forest and Forestry Smog".

Iqbal Damanik, Greenpeace Indonesia's forest campaigner, said the campaign aimed to encourage presidential and vice-presidential candidates to make a serious commitment to stand with the people and break away from the oligarchy's agenda.

According to him, the people have suffered from the negative effects of the strengthening political and economic power of the oligarchs in the archipelago, such as threats to democracy and the environment, as well as the confiscation of living space. “Please show this commitment in the vision and mission document submitted to the KPU,” Iqbal asserted.

Greenpeace first staged the Oligarchy Monster peaceful action on October 5, 2021, as a symbol of refusing to forget the passage of the Job Creation Law. In addition to Jakarta, a series of anti-Oligarchy actions were also held in several regions this week, including Sorong on October 5 and Jayapura today, October 6.

Press organizations in Papua, including the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) of Jayapura City, the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) of Papua, and the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) of Papua, lambasted what was reported to be intimidation against Abdel Gamel Naser, a journalist from Cenderawasih Pos. The incident occurred while he was covering the case of mangrove forest destruction in the Youtefa Bay Nature Park conservation area in Jayapura City on Tuesday (11/7/2023). Gamel, as he is commonly known, allegedly faced intimidation from two police officers who were present near the location. The officers approached Gamel and questioned his reasons for photographing the area. Despite explaining that he was a journalist, the officers insisted on deleting the photos, resulting in Gamel deleting three images from his reporting.

“To avoid further conflict so I can continue my reporting elsewhere, I deleted the photos. As I was leaving the location, they issued further threats,” Gamel stated in a press release issued by the press organizations on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Gamel was among a group of approximately a dozen journalists who were covering the halt of logging and material stockpiling in the mangrove forest area of Youtefa Bay Nature Tourism Park. The halt was carried out by the Papua Forestry and Environment Service, the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center, and the Papua Police Special Crimes Unit.

According to Gamel, the intimidation occurred while he was capturing images near a location where police lines had been established, and several police personnel happened to be present nearby.

Lucky Ireeuw, chairman of the AJI Jayapura, strongly condemned the alleged intimidation faced by Gamel during his work. Such repressive actions hinder the exercise of press freedom in Papua.

“The intimidation suffered by Gamel obstructs press freedom and violates Law No. 40/1999 on Press,” Ireeuw asserted.

He further called on the Papua Police to take decisive action against the officers implicated in the alleged intimidation.

“We urge the police to ensure press freedom in Papua,” Ireeuw added.

Meanwhile, PWI Papua deputy, Ridwan Madubun strongly condemned the display of arrogance that resulted in the alleged intimidation of his fellow journalist Gamel. Madubun believes such actions are unjustifiable, especially when they occur while journalists are carrying out their responsibilities in the public domain.

He also expressed dismay at the ongoing repressive acts against journalists in Papua. It is important to note that journalists are safeguarded by the law in carrying out their coverage duties to inform the public.

Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ignatius Beny Ady Prabowo mentioned that efforts have been made within the police institution to educate police personnel about press freedom since their training at the National Police School.

“I have just been made aware of the alleged intimidation against Gamel. Journalists who encounter such incidents can report them to our Internal Division,” Prabowo added.

Four residents of Legok Jabon, Cirendang Village, Palabuhanratu District, Sukabumi Regency were reported to the police by PT Yanita Indonesia, regarding the act of threatening the delegation from PT Yanita Indonesia to resolve the issue of land cultivated as intercropping by the community and land grabbing company property.

The results of information collected by the team in the field stated that the four people were suspected of threatening one person while 3 others were accused of land grabbing.

Harna, one of the residents of Legok Jabon village who was reported by the agricultural company, felt criminalised as he and three other residents who were reported felt they were innocent.

"Yes, it is true that there has been summons from the police to me and the three other residents, I am accused of threatening PT Yanita's employees," said Harna.

Harna told the media crew on Friday 30/06/2023 at his residence, the incident began with information from one of the residents that there was a group of company employees who came to the location of residents' cultivated land with tools and herbicides to poison the residents' plants.

"This made the cultivators in block 9 angry including me and finally we met with a group of officers from the company on the way after they left the location, the company denied that they would poison the plants and strip the cultivated land, the company argued that they only wanted to list the cultivators," said Harna.

"The statement from the officer was what ignited my emotions, the masses wanted to record the cultivators and instead came to the location of the cultivated land and brought a blower as if they wanted the fields to be poisoned, if indeed they wanted to record why didn't they come to the village or the homes of each cultivator or coordinate with the village and invite the cultivators, that's where I got angry so I said things like what was alleged," said Harna.

"I myself and other cultivators are willing to hand over our cultivated land to the company if it wants to be used by the company and we are not allowed to work on it anymore, we will not hinder or defend the land, because it does not belong to us but to the company," concluded Harna.

Harna also explained that he worked for a long time at the PT Yanita company as a casual labourer so he and his family were allowed to work the land in block 9 which was not used by the company and he and other residents have been working on the land for decades for daily subsistence.

The Cirendang village head confirmed the incident and regretted that PT Yanita had exaggerated the problem without coordinating with the local community.

"I regret that PT Yanita should be able to solve this problem at the village level, through deliberation, we have Babinkamtibmas and Babinsa officers, they should not immediately report our residents to the police," said Abdul Ajid, Cirendang Village Head to reporters, Friday (30/06/2023).

"Regarding the occupation, it is actually not an occupation, the community is only intercropping, and it's been going on for decades. The community also realises that if the land is needed or wants to be used by the company, the community is ready to return it, since the commitment has always been like that," explained Abdul Ajid.

"Harna's words were not threats. Harna told PT Yanita employees that if the land was poisoned or destroyed, the community would put up a defence, only if the land was poisoned. The community would tolerate if cultivation had to be stopped, then they would stop," continued the village head.

"The cultivators will stop but wait until the harvest is complete, the community's request is just that simple, not violent nor forceful," said the Village Head.

The village head explained, "Please do so if the land really wants to be used by PT Yanita. It has been abandoned by PT Yanita for decades, I myself witnessed it before becoming the village head because it was near the border with my village and I knew exactly that the land was abandoned."

"Until now, PT Yanita has never provided social and public facilities for the village, besides that PT Yanita also uses community facilities such as village roads when entering its plantation area," said the Village Head.

As the village head, he will continue to assist his citizens regarding this issue. "Yes, I will continue to assist residents until this problem is resolved and resolved so that it is clear and clear," he said.

The team tried to confirm with the agricultural company PT Yanita Indonesia, but no one was available, until this news was released there was no official confirmation from the company.

Seventeen days after starting a peaceful protest, road blocking protest by residents of Pematang Bedaro Hamlet, Teluk Rasa Village, Kumpeh Mulu, Muaro Jambi, Jambi, was forcefully dispersed by hundreds of police on Thursday, 20 July 2023. A total of 29 residents, including two six-year-old children, were arrested and taken to Jambi Police.

The protest began when five residents of Pematang Bedaro Hamlet were arrested in early July. They were accused of stealing palm fruit from land disputed between the community and PT FPIL. Residents of Pematang Bedaro Hamlet demanded that the five be released, by blocking the company's main road. However, the residents experienced violence and intimidation.

"My hands were handcuffed with grip rope, and the police slammed me," said Nunung Sugianto, one of the victims who was rushed to hospital and treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Another victim named Angga, aged 18, suffered punches and kicks that injured his lip and lower face.

From the video and photo documentation obtained by Betahita, it appears that police officers pulled and dragged residents by force. A number of videos circulating on social media show the same thing. One video shows police tearing down a tent erected by residents to recite Surat Yasin in front of the company's main road.

The residents' last protest on Thursday, 20 July 2023, involved a joint prayer to commemorate the Islamic New Year. Because they were protesting, the prayer event was held on the PT FPIL road.

According to Edy Kurniawan Wahid, a researcher from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), violence and intimidation still occurred when residents were questioned at the police station, except for two children. One resident named Yusuf claimed to have been slapped and hit with a blunt object, sustaining injuries to his nose and a busted upper lip.

"On the morning of 21 July, 29 residents were released. But with the condition that they are obliged to report. The possibility of arrest remains if they do not report. In addition, eight mobile phone units belonging to residents were still confiscated by the police," Edy told Betahita, on Friday, 21 July 2023.

"The children who were arrested also suffered psychological trauma. They refused to go to school because they were still traumatised by the police arrest," Edy added.

Edy said that the residents were also not accompanied by legal counsel when examined, so they were not at liberty to provide information. Edy assessed that the mandatory reporting status did not make sense. Because legally, the mandatory report status only applies in investigations or when someone has been named a suspect, such as in city or house arrest.

"There is no mandatory reporting term if you are not a witness or suspect. Therefore, we consider this a form of further intimidation of the community. The impact is that people are discouraged from fighting for their rights," said Edy.

Edy said YLBHI also condemned the use of violence and criminalisation by the police in handling the agrarian conflict.

""The community did not commit a crime, nor did they destroy anything. They just sit and pray. Most of those who participated were women, who are vulnerable groups. So we regret and condemn this force dispersal," said Edy.

Frandody from the Jambi Regional Secretariat of the Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA) said that the conflict between the people of Pematang Bedaro Hamlet and PT FPIL has been going on for 25 years. According to him, the first conflict began when the company seized 400 hectares and 340 hectares of community land (Sumber Jaya Village).

"For 25 years, residents have never received compensation for the seized land. Instead, they faced injustice and intimidation," said Frandody.

According to Frandody, Komnas HAM had investigated the case and provided recommendations for compensation for the community's land. However, this was not done. A number of facilitated dialogues, including in the Jambi DPRD Special Committee, were also not attended by the company.

"This agrarian conflict was left prolonged. Meanwhile, the community has lost their livelihood. This is also what drives resistance from the community," said Frandody.

"We deeply regret the arbitrary actions of the police. They should have been guarding the protesters, not siding with the company," he concluded.

Security threats from conservative Islamic groups in Indonesia have forced organizers of a Southeast Asian LGBT event to move it from Jakarta to an undisclosed location.

The Indonesian capital was to host the five-day ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Queer Advocacy Week conference from July 17.

However, the organizing committee which received death threats from conservative groups decided to move the venue citing "security reasons after monitoring the situation very closely, including the anti-LGBT wave on social media.”

“The decision was made to ensure the safety and security of the participants and the committee,” the committee said in a statement.

Arus Pelangi, a Jakarta-based LGBT rights advocacy outfit and the local organizer, claimed in a July 16 statement that they received a barrage of death threats via social media like Twitter and Instagram.

Personal accounts of its activists and the identity of the organizers were disclosed on social media to tarnish its image, Arus Pelangi further claimed.

Hendrika Mayora Victoria, 35, a Catholic transgender and coordinator of Fajar Sikka, a same-sex advocacy group, said, "Indonesia is not ready to accept diversity and is increasingly homophobic."

This latest case was a worrying signal, Victoria added.

"What's sad is that hate speech, under the pretext of certain religious teachings, continues to be echoed," Victoria told UCA News.

"The event actually aims to unify the vision of an inclusive ASEAN region and strive for a safe space for civil society."

The Journalists Union for Diversity and the Alliance of Independent Journalists in a July 16 joint statement lamented local and national media coverage which fueled persecution of same-sex couples.

Most online media reports contain more statements from politicians, police, Ulema (religious) councils, and government officials calling for anti-LGBTQ laws “to increase hostility, hatred, discrimination and persecution against the group," they said.

The Human Rights Working Group, a coalition of NGOs, with the Secretariat for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscans as one of its members, urged the police to investigate and take action against perpetrators of hate speech.

Daniel Awigra, the group’s executive director, said the cancellation of the event in Jakarta was "a form of powerlessness and failure of the state in its constitutional obligation to guarantee a sense of security for everyone without exception to express and assemble peacefully."

"The state should actually take action against the perpetrators who have been spreading incitement and hatred," he said.

Same-sex couples are vulnerable to discrimination in Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation in the world.

Earlier this month, Garut district in West Java province passed a regulation criminalizing same-sex activities.

In December last year, a visit by US special LGBTQ envoy Jessica Stern was canceled after resistance from Islamic groups.

In December 2021, Bogor, a city in West Java province passed a regulation to prevent sexually deviant behavior.

Between 2006 and 2017, Arus Pelangi recorded 172 cases of persecution in Indonesia, including intimidation, physical and verbal abuse, and maltreatment against same-sex couples.

Police officials have forcibly returned more than a thousand residents of Pasaman Barat who had been demonstrating at the West Sumatra Governor's Office since Monday (31/7/2023). The process was marked by turmoil and the arrest of several residents, students, and non-governmental organization members who were accused of being provocateurs.

The forced repatriation of residents of Nagari Air Bangis, West Pasaman, consisting of adult men and women, children, and elderly residents, occurred at the Grand Mosque of West Sumatra, in the city of Padang, on Saturday (5/8/2023) afternoon. The incident took place while approximately 20 representatives of the masses were in a dialogue with the Governor of West Sumatra and members of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) at the Governor's Office of West Sumatra.

During the incident, the crowd who had been using the first floor of the Grand Mosque of West Sumatra as a place to stay during the demonstration were reciting prayers while waiting for the results of the dialogue with their representatives. However, the police dispersed the residents and some of them were lifted onto buses to be sent to Pasaman Barat.

"We were forced to leave the mosque. Our belongings were scattered. We didn't want to leave, but we were dragged away. As women, we are not strong enough to resist," said Rismawati (40), one of the protesters who were forced to leave by the authorities, while waiting for a bus in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque of Sumatra Barat, on Saturday afternoon."

Rismawati, who is a resident of Jorong Pigogah Patibubur, Nagari Air Bangis, explained that actually she and her husband have been participating in the protest since Monday and will not go home until their demands are met. However, their family cannot do anything.

"I don't know what will happen next," said Rismawati resignedly. This family is threatened with losing a hectare of oil palm land because it is affected by the 30,000 hectare oil and petrochemical refinery national strategic project (PSN) that has been proposed by the Governor of West Sumatra to the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment since 2021.

On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of remaining residents gathered in the courtyard of the Masjid Raya Sumbar. They were waiting for buses to take them back to their hometowns. Hundreds of police officers were guarding and overseeing the process of mass repatriation.

Samsul (35), a resident of Jorong Pigogah Patibubur, expressed the same thing. "We were forcibly sent home without any negotiation, while our friends were still in dialogue at the governor's office. Some residents were immediately put on the bus, how could we resist," he said.

Previously, around 1,500 residents of Nagari Air Bangis accompanied by students and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) held a demonstration in front of the West Sumatra Governor's Office since last Monday. The residents demanded that the national strategic project proposal be revoked as it encompasses their managed area.

The masses also demanded that the land they had managed for generations be removed from production forest status. They also demanded that members of the Mobile Brigade guarding the community plantation forest (HTR) program managed by the multi-business cooperative (KSU) in the area be withdrawn. HTR locations also overlap with community land.

In addition, the crowd also demands that two people detained by the West Sumatra Regional Police for purchasing farmers' harvest be released. They were detained for allegedly buying palm oil plantation products located in forest areas without permission.

Not only did the police forcefully return the residents, they also arrested dozens of citizens, students, and NGO members who accompanied the crowd. They were accused of being provocateurs who held the crowd back from returning to Pasaman Barat.

Director of Legal Aid Institution (LBH) Padang, Indira Suryani, in a written statement, stated that there were 4 citizens, 3 students, and 7 legal assistants who were arrested and forcibly taken to the West Sumatra Regional Police Office.

"The police's actions constitute an abuse of power and a violation of human rights as their use of force clearly violates the guarantee of protection and respect for freedom of expression in public, as regulated by the 1945 Constitution, the Human Rights Law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Freedom of Expression in Public Act, and the Human Rights Law," he said.

Separately, the Head of the Operational Bureau of the West Sumatera Regional Police, Chief Commissioner Djadjuli, stated that there were indeed several individuals who were taken by the authorities, but he did not know the exact number. "Several are suspected of inciting residents to persist, so we detained them for questioning," he said.

Regarding the forced repatriation of protesters, Djadjuli explained that the authorities had previously invited and urged citizens to go home. Some citizens agreed, while some did not, and some provoked others to not leave. "We took those who provoked us, and those who did not want to go, we transported them (to Pasaman Barat)," he said.

According to Djadjuli, law enforcement officers cannot wait for the crowd to be sent home after the dialogue process is completed. Because it is feared that after the dialogue, the crowd will still remain at the Masjid Raya Sumbar and Padang City. "This is a place of worship and it disturbs the activities of other communities," he said.

Djadjuli added that during the last 5-6 days of holding protests, the residents also did not have permits. The mass action on Jenderal Sudirman Street in front of the West Sumatra Governor's Office disrupted traffic. "We are helping these Air Bangis residents to return home, so that they can continue their activities. Children can go to school, parents can work," he said.

Intimidation of indigenous people resisting mining continues to occur in East Halmahera. In addition to being policed, officials and company representatives knocked on residents' houses and threatened that if they rejected the company, they would be reported to the police.

Two Tobelo Boeng Helewo Ruru Hoana Wangaeke Minamin indigenous people in East Halmahera, North Maluku, received a second summons from Wasile Selatan Police. They are Novenia Ambeua and Julius Dagai.

The summons stated that the investigation was related to the alleged criminal offence of obstructing and or disrupting the mining business activities of PT Mega Haltim Mineral (MHM) complained by Muhammad Fitra Abdullah Selang.

"Alleged criminal offences of any person who obstructs and or interferes with the mining business activities of holders of IUP, IUPK, IPR, or SIPB who have fulfilled the conditions experienced by PT Mega Haltim Mineral (MHM) as referred to in the formulation of article 162 of Law No. 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining as amended by Law No. 3 of 2020 ...," the letter read.

Nove thinks the summons is an attempt to criminalise the rejection of mining by residents. He said that on Thursday 18 May 2023, residents took spontaneous action to expel the company's heavy equipment that entered the company.

"At that time, after the Easter service, they got information that the company's heavy equipment had entered their land, so they were expelled. This is an effort to defend our land, if it is considered a crime then this is criminalisation," he said over the phone.

Nove's concerns over criminalisation are not idle. This is because until now the number of residents who have received summonses continues to increase.

"Until now, four people have received summonses, two people have received second summonses, and we hear that it will continue to grow. This is clearly intimidation and criminalisation," he explained.

The eviction itself was carried out because the company carried out activities without consent and information to residents. Even though the land is still in conflict status.

"This action was spontaneous and they, the workers and heavy equipment, were taken to the road, out of the land," continued the Chairman of the North Maluku Council of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN).

He said residents had gathered near his house and held talks. They then agreed to put up a banner rejecting the mine.

After this summoning, he received information that the authorities and company people knocked on residents' houses. They threatened that if they continued to reject the mine, the residents would be summoned by the police.

Data from Minerba One Data Indonesia (MODI) states that PT MHM has a production operation permit with a concession area of 13,510 hectares. However, residents have never received any notification about the company's concession on their land. Even though the land of 30 families is included in the concession.

The company and the government set land compensation at IDR 3,000 per square metre for compensation. However, residents have rejected the presence of the mine since late 2019. They first refused by blocking heavy equipment in the forest by performing traditional rituals.

The arrest on treason charges of dozens of political activists in Papua will only add to the long list of human rights violations in the region, activists say. However, the police said it was in accordance with the law.

The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) claims there was no declaration of 'Free Papua' in its organisational activities in Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua.

Meanwhile, the police said they had two pieces of evidence related to three KNPB members in Tambrauw as treason suspects with a life sentence or a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The police denied that this was part of the suppression of civil and political rights.

On the other hand, a number of groups consider that the arrest of three KNPB members on treason charges will only add to the long list of civil and political rights violations in Papua.

KNPB's version of the arrest chronology

In a statement to BBC News Indonesia, KNPB national spokesperson Ones Suhuniap said, "There was no declaration whatsoever."

This refers to the arrest of 19 KNPB members in Tambrauw, Southwest Papua on Friday (09/06).

"There, the KNPB has a sector management, in this case, the community environment in the countryside. They were there to inaugurate the sector management," said Ones.

After the inauguration activities were completed and the participants were "sitting eating and drinking coffee" suddenly the police came with complete weapons, and made arrests.

"The activity did not interfere with residents' activities... It did not interfere with anything. Disrupting public activities, and disturbing other people, that doesn't exist," Ones continued.

He also dismissed allegations that his organisation was affiliated with TPNPB-OPM.

"Has the KNPB ever held a gun and killed the police? Did the KNPB shoot civilians, be it indigenous Papuans or non-Papuans in Papua?" Ones wondered.

According to Ones, the activities carried out by the KNPB are guaranteed in Law No. 9 of 1998 concerning Freedom of Expression in Public.

He urged the release of the three members because "There is no legal basis for detaining them."

According to Ones, his organisation still "exists", because the problems in Papua are "getting murkier".

Even though for more than a decade, the four roots of the Papuan problem have been clearly raised in the research, he said.

However, they have not been resolved, making the conflict in Papua protracted, Ones added.

He then explained what he called the "four roots of the Papua problem".

These are, among others, the issue of the history and political status of Papua's integration into Indonesia, and protracted military operations that only create collective wounds.

Then, what he called the "marginalisation of Papuans from the modernisation process, and the failure of Papuan development".

The Indonesian government under President Joko Widodo is trying to boost development in Papua, which consists of Papua Province and West Papua Province, mainly through infrastructure projects.

Since 2001, the central government has also implemented a special autonomy policy in Papua, which is characterised by, among other things, the disbursement of funds for the benefit of the Papuan people.

This special autonomy policy is claimed to be evidence of Jakarta's seriousness in solving problems in Papua, however, some experts say the funds have failed to be utilised properly and have been misused several times.

Police claim to have two pieces of evidence

Of the 19 arrested, three KNPB members were named as treason suspects. A total of 16 others have been released, police said.

It is said that the three suspects with the initials UK, YY and WY are threatened with life imprisonment or a maximum imprisonment of 20 years.

Tambrauw Police Chief, AKBP Bendot Dwi Prasetyo, said his party had pocketed two sufficient evidences.

"Here, we have obtained these evidence tools, witness statements that the suspects have committed the act," he said.

In addition, the KNPB's activities are under police supervision because the organisation is "not registered" with the National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol). In a report by the Antara news agency, a number of KNPB members were also suspected of carrying out an attack on Posramil Kisor in 2021.

"So, that is what grounds us that the KNPB is a banned organisation," said AKBP Bendot Dwi Prasetyo.

The Coalition of Kawali Indonesia Lestari (KAWALI) held a consolidation meeting with the Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of KAWALI in Central Java on Saturday (17/6/2023) at the Secretariat of Padepokan Lintang Kemukus Paduraksa, Pemalang Regency, Central Java. The consolidation was attended by the National General Chairman of KAWALI DPN along with the Legal Team, Management of DPD, and DPW in Central Java.

This consolidation discussed the handling of environmental issues in Karimunjawa following the identification of Daniel Frits Maurits Tangkilisan, Head of the IT and Propaganda Department of KAWALI DPD Jepara, as a suspect by the Jepara District Police Criminal Investigation Unit due to posting on FB social media related to the follow-up on the pollution of Cemara Beach in Karimunjawa due to the impact of pond waste disposal. He uploaded his post on November 12, 2022.

The post received responses from both pro-pond and opposing groups. In a reply in the comments section, Daniel wrote, "The shrimp-brained society enjoys a free meal while being devoured by pond farmers. Essentially, the shrimp-brained society is like shrimp livestock itself. Fed well, plentiful, and regular, ready to be consumed."

Ridwan, Chairman of the Karimunjawa Community Association, reported this comment by Daniel to the Jepara District Police on February 8, 2023. Daniel was reported for committing a crime as referred to in Article 28 paragraph 2, in conjunction with Article 45A paragraph 2 of Law No. 19 of 2016 concerning Amendments to Law No. 11 of 2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions.

Daniel was declared a suspect according to the Notice of Suspect Determination Letter Number B/ /VI/2023/RESKRIM referring to the Letter of Determination of Suspect Number S.Tap/82/VI/2023/Reskrim, dated June 1, 2023, and the Report of the Case Investigation Hearing Results, dated May 31, 2023.

Criminalization? The National General Chairman of KAWALI DPN, Puput TD Putra, believes that designating an environmental activist as a suspect is suspected to be an act of criminalization. "What is demanded is still biased and should have a long way to go before being declared a suspect. This limits the space for movement in advocating for environmental protection and rejecting shrimp pond industries that have long been environmentally destructive," said the General Chairman of KAWALI in a press conference on Saturday (17/6/2023).

"I think Daniel FMT, as an environmental activist, should not receive injustice for his joint efforts with the Karimunjawa community to obtain justice and environmental rights. We will initiate a nationwide movement and urge law enforcement agencies and the state to stop the criminalization of environmental activists," continued Puput.

Meanwhile, Andi Rustono, Chairman of DPW KAWALI Central Java, stated that this consolidation is a sign of our collective resistance and a demand for civil society's promises regarding repressive actions, manipulated cases, baseless lawsuits, against communities fighting to preserve a healthy environment and other fundamental rights due to bad investment practices and discriminatory policies.

Andi Rustono emphasized "We see that the legal rationale doesn't align, as someone who is currently advocating for the environment is being subjected to something very different from what they are advocating for. The rationale is not fitting, providing an unfair treatment before the law for someone fighting for the environment," said Andi.

Meanwhile, Secretary of DPD Kawali Central Java, Tri Hutomo, who also attended the consolidation, explained that the state has regulated that anyone advocating for a good and healthy environment cannot be criminally charged or civilly sued.

"Based on Article 66 of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, the rights of activists to fight for environmental preservation must be guaranteed by the national legal system," explained Tri.

Procedures for case resolution, including investigation and suspect determination, must be carried out professionally, proportionally, and transparently to prevent abuse of authority.

A journalist who is a victim of alleged abuse and intimidation by a police officer in Bulukumba Regency, Sudirman Anwar or Dirman reported to the South Sulawesi Regional Police Propam, Monday, April 17, 2023.

The victim who was accompanied by attorneys from the Press Legal Aid Institute (LBH Pers) reported suspected violations of ethics and discipline.

The legal counsel for the victim from LBH Pers Makassar, Firmansyah, said that the report was an initial stage regarding an initial description of what happened to the victim when he was subjected to violence and intimidation by police officers in Bulukumba Regency.

"The inspection process lasted for about 3 hours. Today it is still in the report stage or is still only a general description of the incident that happened to our client," he said, Monday, April 17, 2023.

Firman revealed that what happened to his client was an inappropriate action for a law enforcer to take, so he asked the South Sulawesi Regional Police to resolve this matter professionally.

"We ask the South Sulawesi Regional Police to seriously complete this report if it creates a deterrent effect for the perpetrators and provides justice for the victims," ​​he explained.

Moreover, he said, this case was not the first to occur in South Sulawesi. In fact, he said, what Dirman experienced added to the long list of cases of violence experienced by journalists and perpetrated by unscrupulous police officers.

iNews TV Bureau Head, Andi Muhammad Yusuf Aries, said the report he was reporting was a form of resistance to allegations of violence that befell MNC Media contributors in Bulukumba Regency.

"As an institution, we really hope and trust the police to thoroughly investigate the alleged case," he explained through a press conference after accompanying Dirman to report to the Polda Propam.

He also stated that apart from reporting this to the South Sulawesi Regional Police Propam, his party would also follow up on reports at the Bulukumba Police for alleged general crimes.

"In any case, there can be no reason to commit acts of violence, especially against journalists who are temporarily carrying out journalistic duties in the field," he said.

Previously, MNC Media journalists were victims of violence perpetrated by a member of the Bulukumba Police, Dirman. The violence was carried out by police officers while covering a demonstration against the Job Creation Law by students.

This alleged violence occurred on Monday, April 10, 2023, around 17.30 WITA. To be precise, when there was a riot during a student demonstration against the Job Creation Law. At that time the victim was passing by when the incident occurred.

However, while taking the picture, the victim was pelted with stones by a police officer. Next, come to the victim and abuse and intimidate the victim.

There was an action of snatching mobile phones between the victim and the alleged perpetrator. Several punches were also received by the victim in this situation.

It didn't stop there, the police officer also threatened the victim by using his firearm and directing it directly at the victim.

Intimidation was experienced by Tempo journalist Shinta Maharani regarding a news report on the closing of the statue of the Virgin Mary at the Sasana Adhi Rasa Saint James prayer house in Degolan, Bumirejo, Lendah, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta.

Shinta came under pressure from the leaders of the Ka'bah Youth Movement (GPK) who objected and protested because they were accused of intimidating and intervening in the closure of the statue of the Virgin Mary at the Sasana Adhi Rasa Saint James prayer house.

GPK DIY is an organization under the Yogyakarta branch of the United Development Party (PPP).

The report was written by Shinta, after reporting in the Prayer House, one day after the statue was closed. Then Shinta conducted interviews with the guard of the Prayer House, the village head of Bumirejo, the field coordinator and the leaders of the community organization, as well as various parties including the Kulon Progo Police Chief and the DIY Regional Police Chief.

Shinta wrote the report based on data, reportage and interviews with a number of sources in the field. The report was later published in Tempo magazine entitled "Hail Mary, Full of Tarpaulin". Several other reports were published on Tempo.co, including the title "Protested by community organizations, statue of the Virgin Mary covered with tarpaulin during the month of Ramadan".

Shinta was pressured on Thursday 6 April 2023. The chairman of the DIY GPK called and sent a message to Shinta via WhatsApp. He objected because their organization was connected with the closing of the statue of the Virgin Mary.

He also objected to the Tempo graphic which shows data on a series of intolerant actions by members of their organization, even before the closing of the statue of the Virgin Mary.

Shinta answered the phone call from the chairman of GPK, and said that if you have any objections to Tempo's reporting, please apply for the right of reply by sending a letter to the editors of Tempo or taking the dispute route to the Press Council.

The next day, on Friday April 7 2023, Shinta received a message from an unknown WhatsApp number. The contents of the message conveyed a GPK press release entitled "GPK Ultimatum Tempo, Don't Pit Us Against Each Other".

A few hours later, the Yogyakarta GPK chairman called Shinta and asked for the address of the Tempo representative office in Yogyakarta.

A demonstration by Papuan students commemorating 56 years of PT Freeport Indonesia in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on April 7 was broken up by the Indonesian Muslim Brigade (BMI) and a biker gang as the protesters were marching towards the Mandala Monument.

Around 30 students from the Papua Student Alliance (AMP) initially took turns giving speeches in front of the Papua student dormitory on Jalan Lanto Daeng Pasewang.

They conveyed a number of demands aimed at the central government while they unfurled a banner with the message "Close PT Freeport Indonesia and all foreign companies in the land of Papua. Withdraw the military from the land of Papua. Papua is not an empty land. Stop land theft".

"Give [us] the right to self-determination as a democratic solution for the nation of West Papua", said action coordinator Miku on Friday.

The students also demanded that the revised Special Autonomy Law been revoked immediately and the cancellation of the recently created provinces of Southwest Papua, Central Papua, the Papua Highlands and South Papua.

"Then open up the widest possible access to both foreign as well as national journalists in West Papua. Withdraw all organic and non-organic military in West Papua", they demanded.

They also asked the Indonesian government to immediately and unconditionally release all West Papuan political prisoners.

"Close PT Freeport, BP, LNG Tangguh as well as reject the development of the Wabu Block and exploitation by PT Antam in the Bintang Highlands. Then arrest, try and imprison the human rights violating generals", said Miku.

After giving speeches, the demonstrators then moved off from the dormitory towards the Mandala or West Iran Liberation Monument on Jalan Jendral Sudirman under the close guard of police.

Half way through the march to the monument however, members of the BMI and a gang of bikers suddenly attacked the students using sticks.

Finding themselves under pressure by the BMI and biker gang, the Papuan students chose to disband and return to their dormitory.

The demonstration by Cipayung Plus students was a form of reflection in commemorating the 149th anniversary of the Pandeglang Regency, where several demonstrators gave red report cards to the Pandeglang government which they deemed failed to eradicate inequality and poverty in the Regency (Tuesday 04/04/2023).

Burhanuddin from the Pandeglang Branch Leadership Council of the youth organisation, Angkatan Muda Indonesia Raya (AMIRA) regretted the incident that was carried out by several police officers, Burhanuddin believed that the police were obliged to secure the demonstration until it was finished, instead of disbanding it forcibly as if the action was illegal because he believed the Cipayung Plus comrades were carrying out the demonstration upon prior notification to the police and having the obligation as a community security and order institution, they should secure the demonstration, not doing things like market thugs.

"Pandeglang Regency is no longer young at the age of 149 as if it has no identity because the gap and welfare of the Pandeglang people are still visible to the naked eye and that's what made Cipayung Plus friends take action to give a red report card to the Pandeglang Regency Government, so the authorities should secure the course of the action instead of disbanding it forcibly.” said Burhanuddin.

He also added that the actions of the Cipayung Plus group should be a barometer for the bureaucracy to not be anti-critical, especially considering that conveying aspirations in public is protected by law, AMIRA strongly condemned the action carried out by unscrupulous members of the police who were tasked with securing the demonstration.

"It's inappropriate, the Cipayung Plus demonstration which should be protected by the police as to convey criticism to the government was instead disbanded by several unscrupulous members of the police who seemed arrogant and tended to act like lawless market thugs," he said.

As a local who serves as Secretary of the Pandeglang branch of AMIRA, he hopes and wants progress and prosperity for the general public so that they can catch up with other regencies/cities.

"We are young people who long for and hope for progress for the welfare of society in general, so we never get tired of expressing our aspirations through demonstrations, and we are also very concerned and will also voice out with other youth organisations, as a form of our disappointment with the members of the police who commit acts that are not commendable”, he said.

The demonstrators who were members of the Papuan People's Solidarity Against Racism (SRPMR) were forcibly dispersed by the police when they wanted to speak freely in front of the Jayapura District Court (PN) office, Tuesday (11/4/2023) morning.

In previous hearings, the demonstrators held silent demonstrations in order to press for a decision on the case of Victor Yeimo, spokesman for the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), who was charged with treason during an anti-racism rally in 2019.

Ones Suhuniap, national spokesperson for the Central KNPB, explained that the masses began to gather around 07.00 WIT in front of the Jayapura District Court. At around 09.00 WIT, said Ones, the security forces immediately dispersed the demonstrators.

Because they were forcibly dispersed by being hit with rubber batons, the demonstrators then chose to move to the Abepura circle until they stopped at Jalan Biak. There they gathered and gave speeches. They also read out the attitude statement.

According to Ones, the forced dispersal of the silent mass was carried out by the police in a repressive manner so that several people were injured.

“Earlier the police dispersed the silent mass demonstration by force. We saw that someone was beaten until he bled. One person was arrested, but the police took him where we were looking for," Ones told suarapapua.com via cell phone.

Ones said nine people were beaten by the police when they were forcibly dispersed, including Ronald Mirin, Kurus Felle, Eko Passe, Kenias Payage, Kelaus Bay, Pumegen, Nodi, Anto and Awe Gobai. One person named Iman Kogoya was arrested.

“As a result of the beatings, some of them experienced swelling on their backs, hands and heads that were bleeding. All pamphlets and banners were also confiscated by the police earlier," he explained.

Kenias Payage, the person in charge of the silent action, said Victor Yeimo had undergone 33 trials. Of the 5 fact witnesses presented by the Public Prosecutor (JPU), there were no incriminating testimonies that even proved Victor Yeimo committed treason and incitement during the August 19 2019 action.

"Victor Yeimo and the KNPB were not responsible for the racist act on 19 August 2019 in the city of Jayapura. Victor Yeimo was present to deliver an oration at the request of the people. Victor Yeimo has never called for mass demonstrations to carry out anarchic acts," said Kenias.

It was emphasized that the four articles charged against Victor Yeimo had been broken with the testimony of expert witnesses presented by Victor Yeimo's legal advisory coalition.

"From all the facts at the trial it is clear that Victor Yeimo is being criminalized by the state with political sentiments to silence Victor Yeimo as an activist for the Free Papua movement," said Kenias.

Victor Yeimo, according to him, was criminalized with the target of facilitating the Indonesian government's intention to exploit natural resources (SDA) in the Land of Papua through the second special autonomy policy, the division of 6 new provinces and the division of districts/cities that are again being proposed.

At least 14 residents of Dingin Indigenous Village, Muara Lawa District, West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan were arrested by the local police on Saturday (25/3). The reason, they are considered to hinder mining business activities. Of that number, all were named as suspects.

"One more was released because he was underage but remains a suspect," said Pokja 30 Director Buyung Marajo when confirmed by CNNIndonesia.com, Wednesday (5/4) afternoon.

Buyung said that actually the dozens of residents only wanted to protect their area from becoming a mining area. This is because their source of livelihood from the forest can disappear if it becomes a mining area.

It's not only Dingin Village that feels the impact, there's also Latoq Village. Both are areas of Muara Lawa District.

"However, when they wanted to defend their territory, 12 indigenous people from Tinggi Village were arrested and made suspects. Likewise one lawyer and a minor," said Buyung.

Dozens of indigenous people were charged with Article 162 of the Minerba Law because they were considered to be obstructing mining business activities. There are also those who are charged with Emergency Law No. 12/1951 concerning Sharp Weapons.

Responding to this, the Director of LBH Samarinda, Fathul Huda stated that this situation was tantamount to violating human rights. The reason is, these residents only want to defend their rights to land and rivers so that they are not mined.

"The struggle to defend land and rivers by the indigenous people of Dingin Village is not a crime, let alone hindering company activities. The police should be the party that facilitates the fulfillment of these citizens' rights," said Fathul.

"From the beginning this was their right (land), long before the mining company entered," he added some time ago.

Activists in Indonesia, including Catholics, have accused the government of hacking their social media accounts to prevent them from raising a compensation issue near the venue of the 42nd ASEAN Summit that Indonesia is hosting.

Melky Nahar, a Catholic activist, said the WhatsApp accounts of 12 activists and journalists were hacked after they protested the government's failure to provide compensation to villages in Labuan Bajo, whose properties were acquired for a road project connected to the ASEAN summit.

Nahar, the national coordinator of the non-governmental organization Mining Advocacy Network, said he realized the hacking when he turned on his phone. “Then, a notification appeared that my number was no longer registered and there was a request for verification.”

"Sometime after that, the accounts of three other staff also experienced the same issue on May 11," he told UCA News.

Rosis Adir, editor-in-chief of Floresa.co, a local media based in Labuan Bajo, told UCA News that one of his journalist's Telegram and WhatsApp accounts were hacked after he filed a report on Labuan Bajo.

The journalist also received calls from an army intelligence officer who had previously intimidated him for writing about the Labuan Bajo road project, Adir added.

Sasmito Madrim, chairperson of the Alliance of Independent Journalists, strongly condemned the hacking attempt, and called it a "form of state control over information."

Nahar had joined many other civil society groups to organize a series of discussions on the government’s neglect to provide compensation to villagers in Cumbi, Nalis and Kenari in Labuan Bajo, the venue for the ASEAN summit on Flores island in the Christian-majority province of East Nusa Tenggara.

The summit formally kicked off on May 10 and is chaired by Indonesia, after its turn in 2011. The villagers continue to fight for compensation after their land and farms were acquired for a 25-kilometer road, leading to one of the ASEAN summit venues in Golo Mori. The new road was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on March 14.

At least 51 families, most of whom were farmers, were evicted while 23 houses, 14,050 square meters of yards, 1,790 square meters of rice fields, and 1,080 square meters of farmland were confiscated without compensation.

Villagers planned to hold a protest on May 9. However, it was canceled after warnings from the National Police Headquarters that they would be compensated as long as they don't protest.

The New Indonesia Expedition Team, which highlighted the issue on its social media, stated that three of its staff's WhatsApp accounts were hacked.

Sunspirit for Justice and Peace, a Labuan Bajo-based advocacy group, received a message on WhatsApp from an account using the official cyber police logo, asking it to delete a tweet on the government’s neglect of compensation.

According to the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network, which champions digital rights, digital crackdowns have increased over the past three years from 147 cases in 2020 to 193 cases in 2021 and 302 cases in 2022 in Indonesia.

Last year, hacking topped the list with 178 incidents, followed by a leak of personal data with 40 cases. Nearly 42.81 percent of the victims were critical groups such as activists, journalists, media and civil society organizations, with a total of 140 victims.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) supports the statement of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) condemning all forms of repression and intimidation against civil society during the preparation and implementation of the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). Based on the information we received, one of the cases was the alleged criminalization attempt by West Manggarai Police officers against four Labuan Bajo residents, they are Mr. Ladislaus Jeharun, Mr. Dionisius Parera, Mr. Viktor Frumentus, and Mr. Dominikus Safio Sion by the West Manggarai Police on May 6 2023. They were summoned by the police concerning allegation of incitement. Meanwhile, journalists who report on the voice of the people become victims of hacking and intimidation. Most recently, four Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) activists also experienced hacking.

Based on the information we gathered, the summons to the four residents was due to a demonstration that the local residents wanted to carry out. The reasons/demands behind a number of residents holding the demonstration are because until now the right to compensation related to the houses and land of residents who are suspected of having been evictioned for the construction of the Labuan Bajo-Golo Mori road ahead of the ASEAN Summit has not been received.

We regret that the action that will be held by a number of residents actually responded excessively by the police by summoning a number of residents on charges of alleged criminal acts of incitement. The police should be able to see this problem as a whole by looking at the construction of demonstrations by residents demanding the right to eviction compensation as part of freedom of expression.

We consider that the allegation of the incitement article as stated in the summons is of course very problematic. Because, in that article 2 there is an element of inciting to commit a crime. Even though demonstrations are legal and constitutional actions and are guaranteed by statutory instruments, for example Law no. 9 of 1998 concerning freedom of expression in public. In addition, voicing opinions related to the obligation to compensate for the land that was confiscated is a form of maintaining life and increasing the standard of living guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Looking back, the various forms of repression that existed cannot be separated from the statement by the Chief Police of NTT Regional Police who banned the action at the end of April 2023. Thus, that the existing attacks from the police on the community can be classified as systematic violations.

Furthermore, the delay in providing compensation for evictions by the state has resulted in various forms of multi-layered violations of the basic rights of citizens, including the right to a right to live properly, the right to peaceful and secure, and the right to a proper job. Furthermore, this action not only violates the human rights guaranteed in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, but also the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which the government has ratified through Law Number 11 of 2005.

This is not the first time the repression has been committed against the residents of Labuan Bajo. Previously, there were cases of arbitrary arrests of Labuan Bajo residents who blocked the road to refuse force eviction for a national strategic project. The allegation of arbitrary arrest experienced by Mr. Paulinus Jek, a resident of Racang Buka, because of his effort to stop an excavator which will be conducting force evictions on his land.

Moreover, repressive methods as part of the security approach at major events also occurred in the midst of the G20 at the end of 2022. At that time, excessive methods were used by security forces such as the use of facial recognition, spying, forcibly dissolving discussions, blocking activist activities and stigma against groups that refused. Ironically, the group that refused was also stigmatized as rioters. This is of course very dangerous if it continues and at the same time continues paradoxical practices. On the one hand, Indonesia wants to improve its image in the eyes of the international community, but on the other hand, it continues to silence people’s rights. The decline in democracy is again evident from the Indonesian democracy index published by Freedom House in 2023 which shows a decrease from the previous year from 59 to 58 point.

The situation is getting worse marked by digital attacks targeting against journalists who report on the other side of the ASEAN Summit. Media Floresa.co, which collaborates with the Mulatuli Project in making a report on a case where a road was made for a resident’s land, was hacked. This action is a clear violation of press freedom. In addition, the hack that was directed at four JATAM activists was not only a violation of the right to privacy, but also a serious threat to the work of human rights defenders.

Based upon above-mentioned situation, the AHRC urges that:

First, the security forces stop all forms of repression and intimidation of citizens at the ASEAN Summit and other major agendas in the future.

Second, the Central Government and related institutions are immediately responsible for fulfilling the obligation to pay compensation to the victims of the evictions.

Third, the security forces to immediately investigate the actors who hacked journalists and the four JATAM activists. The police must find the perpetrators of digital attacks and prosecute them under the fair trial principles in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations.

One of the demonstrators was secured by members of the police during the demonstration by the Free Women's Alliance. A man who took part in a demonstration in commemoration of International Women's Day which took place at the Saronde Roundabout, Gorontalo City, Wednesday (08/03) was considered provocative.

Monitored by the media, during the demonstration, several demands were issued, namely providing free education, scientific, and non-discriminatory treatment towards women, eliminating patriarchal culture, passing the PPRT Bill, rejecting the new Criminal Code, rejecting the Job Creation law, implementing the TPKS law in accordance with the expectations of protection for women, and eliminates discrimination in the rights of women in Papua.

Gorontalo City Police Chief, Kombes Pol. Dr. Ade Permana, S.I.K, M.H said that initially the demonstration was proceeding safely, but after 17.55 WITA, negotiations had been carried out by the Gorontalo City Police negotiating team, the Field Coordinator (Korlap) of the masses of action, to immediately disperse because the time allowed according to Perkap No. 7 of 2012, concerning procedures for providing services, securing and handling cases of expressing opinions in public, Article 7 paragraph 1 letter (a) that expressing opinions in public, in an open place, is allowed between 06.00 and 18.00 WITA.

"Until 18.15 WITA, the demonstrators did not disperse, so the police took persuasive action against the demonstrators, where the actions of the security forces were in accordance with Article 20 letter (d) and (e) of Perkap number 7 of 2012," he said.

The 2000 Police Academy alumnus continued, after being advised to return, the masses refused and one person who was considered provocative, was secured by the police so that nothing untoward would happen.

"So there was no mistreatment of one of the demonstrators like the issue that was circulating, we only secured one person who was suspected of provoking it. After the demonstrators dispersed, the person we secured have been handed back to the representatives of the demonstrators," he explained.

He also added that his party asked the demonstrators to prioritize good manners and comply with the rules, where the time limit that had been set when carrying out the demonstration was only until 18.00 WITA, considering that Gorontalo City is the Veranda of Medina, and it was time for Maghrib prayer.

"In the notification letter from the Free Women's alliance, there are many things that violate procedures. Among them, judging from the time the notification letter was sent, the day of implementation, and the name of the Korlap mass action, which was deliberately disguised, so that the principles of independence of expressing opinions in public that are transparent, are no longer fulfilled, "concluded the former Head of the Boalemo Police.

A joint demonstration by students and workers called the North Sulawesi Community Action Movement in front of the DPRD office of North Sulawesi (North Sulawesi) Province, Tuesday (14/3) had to be dispersed by the police. This was because the demonstrators suddenly burned tires in front of the DPRD office which is located on the Kairagi road section. Actions that were deemed not in accordance with this permit were immediately disbanded by the officers on guard. However, previously there were student representatives who were received by the North Sulawesi Provincial DPRD to hold discussions or dialogue related to the demands of the mass action. Previously, students and workers held demonstrations demanding that they refuse to ratify the Law or the Job Creation Law, as well as several other demands related to workers' rights. "We reject the ratification of the Job Creation Law because it is the workers who are harmed. For this reason, we ask the government and DPRD not to pass this Job Creation Law," said Taufik, one of the speakers at this demonstration.

Taufik said, as a representative of the people of North Sulawesi, the North Sulawesi DPRD was urged to immediately take a stance both institutionally and politically regarding the rejection of the Job Creation Law. "We ask that our representatives really side with us," said the demonstrators. Meanwhile, this action began to heat up when the demonstrators began to force their way into the North Sulawesi DPRD building. Debate ensued between students, police officers. However, it was finally agreed that several representatives would be accepted into the DPRD office. However, some of the waiting crowds suddenly burned used tires which they had provided beforehand. Seeing this action, the security forces immediately took action to put out the fire and asked the demonstrators to disperse.

The demonstration carried out by approximately 3,000 combined masses from various labor and student organizations in front of the People's Representative Council (DPR) building to reject Legislation (Perppu) Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation (Ciptakerja) or the omnibus law on Tuesday (14 / 3) disbanded by the police.

According to Gatra.com monitoring, the disbandment by the apparatus was carried out at 18.42 WIB via loudspeakers. However, even though the police had given this warning more or less three times, the demonstrators refused to leave the DPR building, because there was no certainty from the DPR whether there was any intention in listening to the people's aspirations.

The dispersal was carried out by the police, because the action had exceeded the specified time limit, in accordance with Police Chief Regulation No. 9 of 2008, for demonstrations in the open only until 18.00 WIB.

At 19.44 WIB the police asked representatives of the demonstrators to coordinate. And finally at 20.00 WIB, the masses of demonstrators began to leave in front of the DPR building.

"We will come back with more crowds," said a representative from the demonstration against the Perppu Ciptaker at the DPR, Tuesday (14/3).

"Us going home doesn't mean that we stop fighting," he continued.

As previously reported, according to Gatra.com monitoring, demonstrators began to crowd the DPR building starting at 10.00 WIB. As of 4:51 p.m. it was still observed that they had not left the DPR building.

This action is a continuation of the demonstrators on Monday (13/3) yesterday. The demonstration this time was a joint action from various trade union organizations in a number of areas, from Jakarta, Subang and others.

A number of students also joined the protest against the Ciptaker Bill, one of which was from the University of Indonesia, which totalled around 20 students.

In this action, the demonstrators still brought the same four demands, namely, rejecting the ratification of the Omnibus Law on the Job Creation Law or the Ciptaker Bill, rejecting the Health Bill, passing the PPRT Bill, and urging the government to conduct a forensic audit of state tax revenues, and remove the Director General of Tax.

A man went berserk asking for an Orang Utan Discussion discussing the Batang Toru hydropower problem, North Sumatra in the Tebet area, South Jakarta, Thursday (9/3/2023). While licking his teeth, he forbade the discussion to take place when talking about things that are against development.

General Chairperson of the Indonesian Society of Environmental Journalists or SIEJ, Joni Aswira explained that the man did not come alone, but with three other people. They came before the discussion started in a cafe at 10.30 WIB.

The man in question immediately shouted for the discussion to be dismissed immediately.

"The committee calmed down, but the person concerned still insisted that the discussion not continue and hit the chair with emotion," Joni said in a written statement, Thursday (9/3/2023).

The man did not explain which institution he came from. It's just that one of them claimed to have come from Salemba, Central Jakarta.

Joni said, the tension lasted about 15 minutes. Finally, the atmosphere started to be conducive after the committee brought the man downstairs to the cafe for dialogue.

The committee was forced to call a security guard because the man still refused even though they had explained about the event.

What is the problem? The Orang Utan discussion in question was in response to collaborative coverage by 5 national media which raised the issue of the threat of hydropower to the Batang Toru landscape, North Sumatra. From the results of the coverage found a number of problems.

The problem that arises from the construction of the Batang Toru hydropower plant is the threat to the orangutan area and habitat.

"PLTA was also built on an area that was considered a disaster fault," explained Joni.

Joni revealed that there have been many landslides that have killed human lives, including workers in the area.

From the results of the collaboration coverage it was also revealed that the construction of the PLTA has the potential to raise state finances.

"In addition, the hydropower project which is claimed to provide clean energy is also a finding of the Supreme Audit Agency. The project is considered to have the potential to raise state finances."

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) confirmed that environmental activist and human rights defender, Heri Budiawan alias Budi Pego, was arrested and subsequently detained at the Banyuwangi Penitentiary. Budi Pego, who was very outspoken against PT Merdeka Copper Gold's mining activities in Tumpang Pitu, was previously detained 10 months after the East Java High Court's verdict upheld the Banyuwangi District Court's verdict. Budi Pego's arrest and detention on Friday (24/3/2023) was the execution of the Supreme Court's decision through Decision Number 1567 K/PidSus/2018 which sentenced him to 4 years in prison. Komnas HAM, which once issued a protection letter for Budi Pego in 2018 as a "human rights defender", regretted the execution of this Supreme Court decision and firmly stated that the case against Budi Pego was criminalization.

Moreover, Budi Pego's family and attorneys are said to have never received a copy of the Supreme Court decision. "What Budi Pego is demanding was not done at all because it was just an attempt to criminalize him, limiting his space for movement to advocate against mining that has been destroying the surrounding environment, and several other notes related to the Tumpang Pitu mining activity in Banyuwangi," said the Coordinator of the Promotion Sub-Commission HAM, Anis Hidayah, in a press conference, Sunday (26/3/2023). "Budi Pego himself does not understand what Marxism, communism and Leninism are, the fact is that at trial the banner was not made by residents and the evidence was lost," added Komnas HAM's commissioner for complaints, Hari Kurniawan, on the same occasion. Responding to the execution of Budi Pego, Komnas HAM stated several positions.

First, asking Indonesian President Joko Widodo to grant amnesty to Budi Pego. Second, urging that the legal process, including at a higher court level (if legal proceedings for judicial review/PK are later carried out), can be carried out independently, impartially, transparently and fairly in accordance with human rights principles, and guarantees Budi Pego's rights. "Third, asking the Minister of the Environment to immediately issue a Minister of Environment Regulation concerning the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in the Environmental Sector," said Anis. Fourth, Komnas HAM asked the East Java Provincial Government, Banyuwangi Police, and PT. Merdeka Copper Gold together with its subsidiaries, namely PT Bumi Suksesindo and PT Damai Suksesindo to comply with the recommendations issued by Komnas HAM number 0.961/R-PMT/VI/2020 dated 10 June 2020 to prioritize business and human rights principles.

Komnas HAM claims to have actively coordinated with various parties to ensure Budi Pego is in good condition and being detained according to human rights principles.

Criminalization of Budi Pego since 2017- Since 2015, Komnas HAM has received complaints from the public that reject the existence of the Mount Tumpang Pitu gold mine in Pesanggaran District, Banyuwangi Regency which is managed by PT Bumi Suksesindo. The company is a subsidiary of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk, with a mining business license for production operations since 2012. This permit has raised objections from residents around the mine, because the operation of this mine has an impact on socio-ecological aspects and the safety of people's living space in 5 villages, namely Sumberagung, Pesanggaran, Sumbermulyo, Kandangan and Sarongan villages. Budi Pego, together with dozens of Pesanggaran residents, then carried out a banner display against the Tumpang Pitu gold mine on April 4 2017.

"However, in the midst of the banner display, there was an insert banner bearing the hammer and sickle logo, which was clearly not made by the residents," said Hari Kurniawan in a press conference, Sunday (26/3/2023). "Even when the residents made dozens of banners, they were supervised by the Babinmas and Babinkamtibmas of Pesanggaran District," he continued. Furthermore, Budi Pego was charged and tried for violating the provisions of Article 107a of the Criminal Code, deemed to have taught the teachings of Marxism, communism and engineering.

"Budi Pego is a former Indonesian migrant worker in Saudi Arabia who is also devout in worship and a member of the Pagar Nusa Pencak Silat School which is a Silat College under Nahdlatul Ulama," said the man who is familiarly called Wawan. The Banyuwangi District Court sentenced Budi Pego to 10 months in prison in 2017. Prosecutors and lawyers both appealed, but the East Java High Court's decision strengthened the Banyuwangi District Court's decision. The two of them filed an appeal and on October 16 2018, the Supreme Court Panel of Judges through Decision Number 1567 K/Pid Sus/2018 sentenced Budi Pego to 4 years in prison.

Cases of abuse against members of the press occurred again at the Keerom District Government office, Papua Province, on Thursday 09/03/2023, around 14:00 WIT.

This abuse occurred in the office area of ​​the Keerom Regency Border Area Management and Cooperation Agency, while carrying out his journalistic duties in the online media globalinvestigation.com, whose initials "N" were beaten by security officers (Police).

According to the victim's statement, the chronology of the incident of persecution allegedly occurred because of previously published reports regarding the beating of a member of the public against a Satpol PP officer who was on duty in the Deputy Regent's and Keerom Regional Secretary rooms.

Moments later, the police officer (perpetrator) came out of his room and looked for the victim (journalist) then shouted loudly reprimanding and hitting the victim while he was standing near the betel nut seller, next to the Border Area Management Agency office. The victim saw a security guard (police) with several of his colleagues walking quickly up to him, then the security officer (police) said

"I just got the news that was shared. Why bring down the Keerom Government?” he said.

Then the security guard (police) punched the victim, and the victim only tried to dodge and block the blows, but several punches were made to the victim's face resulting in bruises.

Then from that, the victim ran into the room of the secretary of the Border Agency office to save himself, but the security guard (police) continued to chase the victim and the victim fell down, then was beaten again by him ".

"When the victim was hit, it was suspected that there was a tone of threat to shoot the victim with a gun," said the person loudly to the victim "Don't you know me? person against the victim".

After that, the victim told the unscrupulous person that the news did not bring down the Keerom District Government.

The victim made this report spontaneously when an incident occurred when a member of the public beat a Satpol PP officer, besides the victim was not far from the TKP.

JLW, when confirmed by the media crew, confirmed that the victim's family had made a Police Report (LP) and a post mortem et repertum was being carried out at the Kwaingga Keerom Hospital.

He conveyed that he, as a family, deeply regretted the unethical behavior of unscrupulous members in the persecution of his younger sibling.

He asked that unscrupulous members be dealt with strictly according to applicable law and investigators must also apply the rules of the Press Law because at the time of the incident the victim was a journalist carrying out his journalistic duties. This has hindered his work as a journalist and the perpetrators must also be charged under Article 18 of the Press Law No. 40 of 1999 which carries a penalty of 2 years in prison or a fine of Rp. 500 million.

JLW continued, "there is no word of peace", the behavior of unscrupulous members also seriously injured our family's honor. If these unscrupulous members are not processed, then I as a family will complain about this to the National Police Headquarters, "said JLW.

A number of journalists from Floresa.co, a local media from Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, were intimidated by TNI officers after reporting on the inauguration of the Labuan Bajo - Golo Mori road by President Joko Widodo, whose land was taken from residents without giving compensation.

The news entitled President Jokowi Inaugurates a Road in Labuan Bajo Built Without Compensation for Residents was published on March 14, while the intimidation that allegedly came from intelligence officers at the Manggarai District Military Command occurred on March 15.

The Floresa journalist who was contacted by Suara.com from Jakarta said that the intimidation was carried out over the phone by two people who claimed to be TNI officers from the Manggarai Kodim. They repeatedly called and sent messages via WhatsApp to the journalist.

The TNI officer called and asked the journalist to meet and "have coffee together".

"During the conversation, he immediately mentioned the name and area of ​​origin of the Floresa journalist, and said 'want to meet' because 'want to make new friends. If there is any information, share it with us. Let's drink coffee together'," explained the journalist, imitating the invitation from the apparatus.

The following is a chronology of intimidation attempts that Floresa journalists received:

1. At 16.16 WITA, a Floresa journalist (A) received a call via WhatsApp from a new number. When picked up, the caller introduced himself as a TNI member named Ardo from the Manggarai Kodim. During the conversation, he immediately mentioned the name and area of ​​origin of the journalist, and said "I want to meet" because "I want to make new friends." "If there is information, share it with us. We drink coffee together."

When the journalist said he was in Labuan Bajo, the caller said he took part in providing security during President Jokowi's visit on March 14, 2023.

"If only I knew yesterday, we would've had coffee at Bajo," he said. After that, he said, "might be annoying," then hung up on the journalist.

Before hanging up he confirmed the Floresa journalist's name. He also asked that his contact number be saved under Ardo's name. When the journalist checked his number through the Getcontact application, it was written "Intel TNI Serda Ardo." He called back at 16.21, but was not picked up by the journalist.

2. At 16.18 WITA, another Floresa journalist (B) received a greeting message from another number via the WhatsApp application. The Floresa journalist did not reply. Between 4:32 p.m. and 4:36 p.m., the number then made five voice calls, and did not receive a response.

3. The same number then contacted another Floresa journalist [C] at 16.38 WITA via the WhatsApp application. However, there was no response.

4. At almost the same time at 16.38 WITA the same number again contacted journalist Floresa (A). He introduced himself from the Manggarai Kodim. He asked whether it was true that journalist A wrote the news on President Jokowi's visit to Floresa. Journalist A answered, yes. After that he asked for the address of Floresa's office "to meet for coordination." Journalist A responded by saying, "Regarding the news of the president's visit, I will convey it to the editor-in-chief and the Floresa editorial team." Journalist A then asked the reason for the coordination regarding the news and what was wrong with the news, but was not answered.Then, journalist A asked him to turn off the phone.

5. After the call, he sent a message via WhatsApp to journalist A and again asked for "Floresa's editorial number," while forwarding the news link "President Jokowi Inaugurates Road in Labuan Bajo to be Built Without Compensation for Residents." In his message, he invited Floresa journalists to meet at Starbucks, Labuan Bajo, which, again, he said was "to coordinate" regarding the news. However, the journalist did not respond to him and asked him to convey it directly if there was a problem with the news.

6. At 17.14 WITA, a journalist from another media in Labuan Bajo called journalist A, but he did not pick up. The journalist then called again at 17.23 WITA. The call lasted for 5 minutes, asking journalist A to meet with a person he described as a TNI intelligence.

The journalist said that the TNI intelligence agent had telephoned him, asking to become a liaison to bring journalist A together with the intelligence agent. He said the intelligence agent invited journalist A to meet because his boss asked him to find out the name of the journalist who wrote the news. Floresa journalists still chose not to follow the invitation.

Floresa said that the news about the inauguration of the troubled road by Jokowi in Labuan Bajo was a journalistic product that reported the issue of neglecting the rights of residents to receive compensation in the project.

"We consider that the efforts of the two intelligence agents are forms of intimidation and a serious disturbance of the journalistic work that we carry out," said Floresa in a press release.

The road that was inaugurated by President Jokowi in Labuan Bajo provide access to Golo Mori. The road was built to support the 2023 ASEAN Summit which is planned to be held in the area in May.

A number of journalists are covering the pre-reconstruction case of the alleged abuse by two members of the Medan City DPRD, one of the night entertainment venues, who were intimidated by thugs. The thugs kicked them out and asked them to delete the videos and photos on the cellphones of the journalists who were covering the incident. The pre-reconstruction took place in front of a nightclub on Jalan Abdullah Lubis, Medan City, Monday afternoon, 27 February 2023. As a result, chaos was inevitable because the thugs admitted that a member of the OKP continued to threaten a number of journalists at the scene. "Eh, don't record it, I'll stab you later. This you mark me Rakesh," shouted the man claiming to be named Rakesh.

Rakesh, wearing a purple shirt, did not hesitate to issue a tone threatening to kill journalists. If not leave the location of the reconstruction. "You delete that video. I'll kill you later," said the purple shirt, pointing to journalists at the pre-reconstruction location. Journalists were intimidated, from various media such as online media, newspapers in Medan City to TV ONE journalists who were also targeted by the thugs. Pre-reconstruction was carried out by the Medan Police Criminal Investigation Unit, on suspicion of abuse cases allegedly committed by two members of the Medan DPRD HS and DS against Khalik Fazduani (30) in one of the nightclubs in Medan City.

The beatings started when Khalik was at a nightclub to attend a friend's invitation. When he was about to go home, Khalik saw a crowd of people who were making a fuss. Then Khalik asked, suddenly a man with the initials DRGS hit his forehead. After that, a man with the initials HS also beat him, followed by a man with the initials DS stampede on his body. However, the two members of the Medan City DPRD still have the status of witnesses. In the aftermath of the thugs' intimidation, a number of journalists made a report to the Headquarters of the Medan Polrestabes. The journalists asked the police to arrest the purple-clad thug.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of AJI Medan, Christison Sondang Pane criticized the intimidation by thugs. He asked the police to arrest the thug immediately. Which is considered to interfere with the work of journalists at the scene. "When he was about to take a picture, a man claiming to be named Rakes and admitting that he was a member of OKP forbade journalists from reporting. According to media colleagues at the location, Rakesh kicked ST online journalists and threatened AL online journalists. In fact, Rakes also abused TV One journalists. , BS," Christison explained. Accompanied by the Coordinator of the Advocacy Division of AJI Medan, Array A Argus. Christison explained that in carrying out their duties, journalists are protected by Article 8 of Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. AJI Medan deeply regrets the act of thuggery committed by a man claiming to be suspected of being a member of the OKP. "The actions allegedly taken by OKP members contradict Article 4 paragraph (3) concerning press freedom. The article explains that to guarantee press freedom, the national press has the right to seek, obtain and disseminate ideas and information," he said.

The moment of President Joko Widodo's arrival to Medan City was used by a number of activists who held the Kamisan action in front of the Pos Block, Jalan City Hall, Medan City.

According to one participant in the Kamisan Action, Rimba, this action is the 34th time it has been held every Thursday.

However, on the exact day that the President came to Medan City, he plans to convey his aspirations directly to Joko Widodo.

"We raise the theme of solidarity for farmers in Gurilla (Pematang Siantar) whose land was confiscated yesterday by PTPN III, to be used as our oil palm plantation here too," said Rimba to the Tribune-medan, Thursday (9/2/2023).

He plans, if he meets with President Jokowi, he will also convey a number of human rights violations that have not been saved.

"Because the president came to Medan City, we actually wanted to meet with Jokowi or Jokowi who came to us, to discuss all kinds of human rights customers in Indonesia," he said.

However, Rimba said that until the demonstration was over, President Jokowi had not crossed that road.

"Incidentally, we didn't get to meet the president and we also didn't see the president pass by here," he said.

Rimba also said that prior to President Jokowi's arrival, a number of WhatsApp colleagues had been hacked by irresponsible people.

"The hack was on Wednesday night, my friends got hacked. Their WhatsApp can't be used anymore, five people have hacked it, they haven't used it to this day," he said.

After getting hacked, he also admitted that he had received intimidation from someone who claimed to be a member of the North Sumatra Police.

"Someone called and claimed they were from the Regional Police to be invited to meet to discuss it so they would not take action and there were indications that they wanted to be given symbolic money as silence," he said.

"This is because we think that they are afraid of us conveying our aspirations in front of the president," he concluded.

Less than one month after President Jokowi expressed his acknowledgment and regret for 12 gross human rights violations in Indonesia. On January 11, 2023, there were at least two events that were the opposite of what was expected. Hope for survivors, families of victims and the public in general to feel safe from the potential repetition of serious crimes against human rights – as stated in Presidential Decree No. 17/2022 concerning the establishment of a Team for the Non-Judicial Resolution of Past Serious Human Rights Violations. The two events in question were intimidation of survivors of the Simpang Kertas Kraft Aceh Incident (Simpang KKA) and the hacking of the WhatsApp accounts of at least five activists from the Kamisan Action in Medan on 8-9 February 2023 and banning the Kamisan Action from 9 February 2023 on the grounds that the President was coming to commemorate National Day. National Press in the capital of North Sumatra Province.

On 7 February 2023, a survivor of the KKA Simpang Incident felt intimidation by a number of parties from the local police and military. Apart from being called numerous times to request data on the victims of the KKA Simpang Incident, a group of people suspected of being members of the Lhokseumawe Police and the Dewantara Police came to his house and asked him and other victims of the KKA Simpang Incident not to demonstrate and carry attributes that were "against" when President Joko Widodo visited Aceh to inaugurate a fertilizer factory on 10 February 2023. The next day, 8 February 2023 a group of people suspected of being Babinsa came to his house and said that they did this because they were ordered by their superiors. This of course does not show the professionalism of the Indonesian police and army, if it cannot be further said as thuggery. In the context of resolving serious crimes against human rights, the parties authorized to obtain information within the framework of investigations, investigations and preparations for court proceedings are Komnas HAM and the Attorney General's Office, not the police and military. Apart from that, such actions also have the potential to re-traumatize the survivors and the victims' families who have deep trauma from the activities of the apparatus during the implementation of the Military Operations Area and Martial Law on Bumi Rencong.

This intimidation should be considered as continued insensitivity, considering that since mid-2022, the Province of Aceh has been led by an Acting Governor who has a military career background, namely Major General TNI (Purn.) Achmad Marzuki. Evaluation and correction of officials involved in a number of serious crimes against human rights in Aceh that have not been held because there is no Human Rights Court is also a valid factor for survivors' concerns about intimidation by security forces.

The second incident of intimidation occurred on 8-9 February 2023. President Jokowi's working visit which took place on Thursday, 9 February 2023 coincided with the day of the Medan Kamisan Action. Human rights activists and citizens who used their rights to peacefully assemble and express their opinions were terrorized and silenced. The mass of the Kamisan Action, which numbered only a dozen people, was surrounded by hundreds of police who were on guard, experienced intimidation and the props for the action were taken by force. The identity of the party who contacted the North Sumatra Regional Police also showed excessive and unnecessary effort so that it was clear that the wrong step of restriction on the implementation of the Medan Kamisan Action was clearly visible.

The pattern of human rights violations in the two incidents above can be seen related to President Jokowi's planned visit to a number of places. Intimidation and repression of freedom of expression and opinion actually occurred in the locations that President Jokowi would visit.

Even though there were no direct instructions from President Jokowi, the existence of a "superior order" in the two incidents above is a form of wrong action by the TNI and POLRI. Even though the PPHAM Team's recommendation that Jokowi himself had accepted had mentioned TNI and POLRI reforms both structurally and culturally. The methods of intimidation using the Police and the TNI are New Order styles which no longer have a place in Reformation. President Jokowi and his staff must pay attention to this fact in order to ensure that gross human rights violations do not recur for the people of Indonesia.

On Friday the 3rd of February 2023, Mr. Mulyadi, Mr. Suwarno and Mr. Untung were forcibly arrested by the police officers of the East Java Regional Police by blocking the car that they were travelling in and immediately leading them into a police car.

Illegal arrest

According to the information that we received, the police officer who arrested them did not show an assignment letter and was unable to show arrest warrants, the reasons for the arrest and a brief description of the alleged crime and where they were going to be taken. The AHRC considers this action to be an act of deprivation of liberty that violates human rights as stipulated in Article 18 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (KUHAP).

Moreover, the AHRC also refers to Law, No. 26 of 2000 on the Human Rights Law under Article 34:

Paragraph 1: Every victim of and witness to a gross violation of human rights has the right to physical and mental protection from threats, harassment, terror, and violence by any party whosoever.

Paragraph 2: Protection as referred to in Clause (1) is an obligatory duty of the law enforcement and security apparatus, provided free of charge.

Paragraph 3: Provisions on procedures for protecting witnesses shall be further governed in a Government Regulation.

Police Regulation (Perkap) Number 8 of 2009, Article 17 stated:

Paragraph (1): In conducting an arrest, an officer must: a. inform/present his/her identity as an Indonesia National Police officer; b. present a warrant for arrest, except where the suspect was caught during the commission of a crime; c. inform the reason for the arrest; d. explain the charges and the possible punishment to the suspect upon arrest; e. respect the legal status of a minor perpetrating a crime and inform the parent or guardian immediately following the arrest; f. protect the privacy of the suspect in custody; and g. inform the suspect of his/her rights and how to exercise such rights, consisting of the right to remain silent, the right to receive legal support and/or to be accompanied by a legal counsel, and other rights as provided under the Penal Procedural Code.

Paragraph (2): Following an arrest, an officer must prepare a report of the arrest which states: a. the name and identity of the officer making the arrest; b. the name and identity of the person under arrest; c. the location, date and time of the arrest; d. the reason for the arrest and/or the charges; e. the place of temporary detention during custody; and f. The health condition of the person under arrest.

Invalid suspect status

In addition, before being forcibly arrested, Mr. Mulyadi, Mr. Suwarno and Mr, Untung had already been named suspects by the East Java Regional Police for alleged fake news as stated under the Law, Number 1 of 1946 on the Handling of Hoax News.

The three of them knew that they had been named suspects on January 20th, 2023 based on a summons as suspects. According to the information that we have received, prior to the determination of them as suspects, the three of them had never provided prior information as potential suspects or witnesses, and though the three of them had been summoned, the summons they had received was inappropriate because they had received the new summons after the examination schedule in the overdue letter. In addition, they never clearly knew about the accusations and evidence in the case against the three, and because of that, the Coalition considered that the determination of the trio as suspects by the East Java Regional Police violated Article 1 Point 14 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and also the Constitutional Court Decision No. 21/PUU/XII/2014 and is therefore invalid.

​​​​​​​Mulyadi, Suwarno and Untung are human rights defenders

The judgment of the three is clearly a practice of prosecuting human rights defenders, due to the fact that the accusations against them do not stand alone but because of their activities to defend and fight for their rights of agrarian resources which are in conflict with the Bumi Sari Company (PT. Bumi Sari) since a long time ago. This pattern of prosecution is common and affects human rights defenders, and for this reason, the Government should take steps to protect it as stated in Article 28C Paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution and Article 100 of the Law on Human Rights, and Article 1 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

Pretrial is in progress

Before being forcibly arrested by the East Java Regional Police, on January 30th 2023, the three were submitted to a pretrial at the Banyuwangi District Court in relation to their determination as suspects which was allegedly carried out haphazardly and arbitrarily by the East Java Regional Police, at a time when the investigation against the three should have been suspended temporarily until the pretrial to be decided by the Judge who receives, examines and adjudicates the case.

The Indonesian authorities should immediately release Robison Saul, a fisherman and activist on Sangihe Island in North Sulawesi province, and quash his politically motivated conviction, Human Rights Watch said today. A court on January 17, 2023, convicted Saul under an emergency law of possessing a knife at a protest and sentenced him to nine months in prison.

The police arrested Saul, 45, on June 30, 2022, after two weeks of protests and roadblocks organized by villagers on Sangihe Island against the gold mining company PT Tambang Mas Sangihe. The company is an Indonesian subsidiary of the Vancouver-based Baru Gold Corp., which has been involved in a legal dispute in its effort to mine gold from the small island.

After his arrest, Saul spent months in pretrial detention. Police and prison officials repeatedly obstructed lawyers and family members’ access to him, and prison guards allegedly beat him repeatedly between September 28 and October 1, according to his wife and his lawyers.

“Indonesian police and prosecutors brought a politically motivated case against a local fisherman who participated in anti-mining protests, claiming a knife that is a tool of his trade somehow justifies abusive pretrial detention and a prison sentence,” said Andreas Harsono, Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities on Sangihe Island should immediately quash Robison Saul’s conviction and release him, and provide him with adequate compensation for his mistreatment.”

In January 2021, Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources granted PT Tambang Mas Sangihe a license to explore and mine approximately 420 square kilometers – an area about half the size of New York City – on Sangihe Island for 33 years. The North Sulawesi provincial government, which administers the island, also issued the company a permit.

The concession area constitutes about 57 percent of the island’s landmass and overlaps with 80 villages, according to the nongovernmental organization Jatam; it also encompasses a forest area called Sahendarumang, which serves as a water source for local residents. Most residents of Sangihe rely on farming and traditional fishing for their livelihoods.

The two licenses prompted the islanders to organize the Save Sangihe Island coalition and sue the government at the administration courts in Jakarta and Manado, the North Sulawesi capital. The islanders contended that the licenses should be revoked because they contravene Indonesia’s Marine Law, which allows issuing a mining license only on islands bigger than 2,000 square kilometers. Sangihe Island is fewer than 750 square kilometers.

In June 2022, the Manado administrative court ruled in favor of the 56 Sangihe women who had filed the petition, ordering the provincial government to revoke the permit and the company to stop their activities. Among other grounds, the court found that the mine’s environmental impact analysis did not meet legal requirements. Specifically, the assessment had failed to consult an appropriate number of residents and also failed to provide them with adequate information about all the likely environmental impacts associated with the mining operations.

In September, the Jakarta administrative high court ruled against the government, directing the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to revoke the permit. But the police and the prosecutors have not carried out the ruling.

In August, the company filed a lawsuit against the Indonesian government, including President Joko Widodo and several cabinet members, seeking damages of IDR 1 trillion (US$64 million) for cancelling the project. The Supreme Court ruled against the company in January 2023.

PT Tambang Mas Sangihe has continued to move forward with its mining operations on the island. It stated in a news release that it intends to apply for a new permit, contending that: “Sangihe Island has a history of rampant illegal mining that has heavily polluted the environment, including the dumping of mine tailings into the ocean, reefs, and mangroves, and the polluting of the river and ocean with mercury. These illegal miners have had no permits and are largely not residents of Sangihe Island.”

The company announced that since October 2021 it has been clearing land, constructing waste dumps, and building a processing plant area and associated access roads. It sent bulldozers, drillers, and multiple other heavy machines to the island, moving them via 10-wheel trucks from a small port to the company’s base camp in Bowone village.

Many islanders responded to the company’s actions, which they consider to be in defiance of court rulings, by blocking the trucks.

On June 14, 2022, Saul, who had just returned from fishing, joined a peaceful roadblock set up by hundreds of villagers who were trying to stop several mining trucks that were heading to Bowone village.

Saul carried his knife, a pisau besi putih (white steel knife) commonly used by fisherman to cut nets or lines at sea, inside its pouch. A soldier prevented Saul from climbing onto a truck, and as he did so, he found the knife in Saul’s pocket. He confiscated it, and later handed it to the police.

The police kept the knife but they did not charge Saul at the time. The villagers maintained the roadblock for another two weeks and during that time, another police officer called Saul and told him to dissociate himself from the Save Sangihe Island movement. Saul refused. The police summoned him to their station on June 30, and immediately arrested him.

His lawyer, Adhitiya Augusta Triputra of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, said Saul was interrogated twice without any legal representative. His wife and lawyers reported they had serious difficulties in meeting with Saul in custody.

Prison officials refused to let the lawyers meet with him because the officials claimed they didn’t have permission from the Sangihe district court. Saul informed his lawyers that four prison guards beat him repeatedly inside the Tahuna prison on Sangihe Island between September 28 and October 1. The lawyers said Saul was shoved inside a bathroom, causing his head to hit the toilet, resulting in serious bleeding. The authorities failed to give him medical treatment for his injuries.

“Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights should urgently investigate the alleged beating of Robison Saul inside the Sangihe prison as well as efforts to block his access to legal counsel,” Harsono said. “Saul’s prosecution appears intended to intimidate him and other villagers to accept a mining project that many oppose because of the serious threat to their livelihoods and way of life.”

The DKI Jakarta High Prosecutor's Office stated that the case of defamation of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan had been declared complete. The case ensnared two human rights activists, Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar, as suspects.

"It's already P21, dated February 3, 2023," said Head of Legal Information Section for the DKI Prosecutor's Office Ade Sofyansyah, Monday, February 20, 2023.

P21 is a code in the world of law which means that the prosecutor has considered the case file to be complete. Ade said the prosecutor's office was ready for the second phase of the suspect transfer. "The DKI Prosecutor's Office is ready for stage 2," said Ade.

This case began with a video uploaded on Haris Azhar's YouTube entitled "There is Lord Luhut Behind the Economic Relations-Military Ops Intan Jaya General BIN Also Exists" on August 20, 2021. The video shows a conversation between Fatia and Haris about the results of a research entitled "Economy- The Politics of Military Deployment in Papua: The Intan Jaya Case".

The report states that the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan still owns shares in the Toba Sejahtra Group company. The Toba Sejahtra Group, through its subsidiary, PT Tobacom Del Mandiri, is suspected of embracing a portion of PTMQ's shares. West Wits Mining as PTMQ shareholder shares shares with Tobacom in the Derewo River Gold Project.

Not accepting his name being associated with a mine in Papua, Luhut through his subordinates sent a subpoena to Fatia and Haris. The subpoena led to a report to Polda Metro Jaya. Polda investigators named Haris and Fatia suspects of defamation in March 2022.

In his report, Luhut considered the statements of the two activists to be slander and fake news. Luhut also plans to sue the two for Rp 100 billion.

Luhut's move to police Fatia and Haris was flooded with criticism. Andalas University constitutional law expert, Feri Amsari, for example, considers that Luhut violated at least two laws when reporting. According to him, as a state administrator Luhut cannot report on people who give criticism or input to the government.

"There is a law order that states administrators are not allowed to report citizens participating in providing input," he said in a virtual IM57+ Institute discussion, Saturday, March 26, 2022.

Feri also stated that the public's right to express opinions was protected by article 28 of the 1945 Constitution. Article 28 F of the 1945 Constitution also gave the public the right to manage the information to be conveyed.

As many as 26 students who were members of the Indonesian People's Assembly (IPA) mass action for the NTB region were arrested by the police while holding an action to criticize the G-20 meeting, Tuesday (11/15/2022). The arrests took place at two different locations. A total of 14 people were arrested by the Mataram City Police, while 12 students were arrested by the East Lombok Police. "The action hasn't started yet, but our colleagues have been disbanded by the police, on the grounds of G20 security. They were forcibly transported to the Mataram City Police," explained Badaruddin, Coordinator of LBH Mataram to Kompas.com, Tuesday night (11/15/2022) ). Badar explained that the IPA coordinator for the NTB region, Muhammad Alwi, was also arrested. Another arrest occurred in Selong, East Lombok. As many as 12 students who were involved in the action were secured at the East Lombok Makodim. "Both in Mataram and East Lombok were just about to start their actions, the authorities arrested them," said Badaruddin. He was surprised because one of the students was arrested at his boarding house, because he was suspected of carrying out an action. Until this news was written, all students were still being held by the police. A number of LBH Mataram Teams who checked the whereabouts of these students reported that all students had not been questioned. Meanwhile, the Mataram LBH Team has not been allowed to meet the 12 students who were detained at the East Lombok Police Headquarters. Spokesperson for the Mataram National Student Front (FMN), Andini Nurcholisah, explained that the IPA action in the NTB region was a coordinative action carried out simultaneously by IPA in all regions nationally. This action was a response to the ongoing G20 meeting in Bali, since November 15, 2022. "The last few days, the FMN secretariat in Mataram, which is a member of the IPA NTB, was visited by officers. They stood guard and did not let us leave the secretariat to hold an action," Andini said. "Allegations of a people's movement that will disrupt the security and continuity of the G20 Summit are baseless and fabricated accusations," said Andini. Andini regrets that until Tuesday (15/11/2022) evening, FMN had not received any information regarding the condition of their colleagues who were arrested. Kabid Humas Polda NTB, Kombes Pol Artanto and Kapolres Kota Mataram, Kombespol Mustofa, who were confirmed, have yet to provide an answer regarding the arrest of dozens of students. "I will check first," said Kabid Humas Polda NTB, Kombes Pol Artanto.

The police arrested 13 students from the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) who raised the Morning Star flag during a demonstration at the local campus in Padang Bulan, Jayapura.

Jayapura Police Chief Kombes Victor Mackbon said that apart from raising the Morning Star flag, the dozens of students with the help of their colleagues carried out anarchic acts and threw stones at officers when the action was about to be dispersed.

In fact, the police were forced to fire tear gas to disperse the student anarchist action.

"Four police personnel were injured in the incident, so they were immediately ordered to receive an autopsy," said Kombes Mackbon quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, November 10.

The Kapolresta has yet to confirm the status of the 13 students who were secured, whether they are pure USTJ students or not. "Investigators are still examining the 13 students," he added.

Separately, USTJ Deputy Chancellor for Student Affairs Isak Rumbarar acknowledged that there were students who were secured at the Jayapura City Police.

"I can't say for sure whether they are all USTJ students or not because currently they are still being handled by the Jayapura City Police," said Isak.

Isak admitted that he was shocked when he learned that the demonstration by students on his campus was accompanied by the raising of the Morning Star flag, prompting the security forces to act according to applicable law.

According to him, USTJ provides space for students to express their aspirations, but student actions that violate the law by raising the Morning Star flag cannot be justified.

"There was an pelting action by a group of students and the police fired tear gas," explained Isak Rumbarar.

The Papuan Student Alliance of the Bali City Committee is planning a demonstration at the Renon Roundabout, opposing the G20 Summit and demanding that the government give the Papuan people the right to self-determination. Then there was a riot. It all started when the masses were going to the point of action, around 9.30. They also carried posters with their demands. “Prior to the action point, we were immediately intercepted by a large number of mass organizations, pecalang and Banjar Renon village officials. Then silenced and repressed the masses, and shouted racist words," said the spokesman for the action, Herry Meaga, to Tirto, Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

At 10 o'clock, the demonstrators were surrounded and pelted with stones, wood and bottles. Even mass organizations are said to have used slingshots to block them. "Then we couldn't stop the repression from the mass organizations because the number of mass organizations was increasing, they kept pushing and pushing back the comrades," said Herry. So the action coordinator ordered the masses to return to the dormitories. An hour later, the masses read out their position statements. In this incident, six students were injured due to the alleged assault and seizure of alliance flags and posters, and severing megaphone cables. The Head of Public Relations of the Bali Police, Kombes Pol Stefanus Satake Bayu, regretted this incident. At that time, pecalang were on guard around the student dormitory, there were no police. He also stated that there was no letter of action notification from the student alliance to the police. "There was no notification letter for the demonstration (of Papuan students). If they have a notification, we can help with security," he said to Tirto. "But we have appealed to organizations that want to demonstrate to postpone it, because Indonesia is currently having an international event. The TNI and Polri are focusing on securing the G20 Summit," Bayu continued. Today is the last day of the G20 Summit in Bali. With regard to Circular Letter Number 35425/SEKRET/2022 concerning Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities in the Context of Implementing the G20 Presidency, which was signed by the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster on October 25, 2022, it is only natural that students are prohibited from demonstrating. The circular letter emphasized that "Restrictions on community activities in the South Kuta District, Badung Regency, and South Denpasar will be implemented on 12-17 November 2022, covering education, government and private offices, traditional ceremonies, religious activities, except for health facilities."

The Alliance of Student Executive Boards (BEM) together with hundreds of students from all over Jayapura held a protest against the G20 Summit at the Lower Gate of Cenderawasih University (Uncen), Abepura Jayapura Papua, Wednesday (16/11).

The action against the G20 Summit began at 08.00 Papua Time. The demonstrators gathered at four points, namely Expo Waena, Upper Uncen, Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) Campus, Uncen Faculty of Medicine, and demonstrators from Lower Uncen.

The masses of action began to gather together at the Lower Uncen Gate. At around 11.30 Papua Time, the demonstrators from Uncen Atas descended and. Here there was a clash between the demonstrators and the demonstrators were forcibly dispersed by security forces from the police.

Around 12.00 Papua Time, the situation became chaotic when the police fired tear gas, removed and shot the demonstrators with rubber bullets, threw stones and arrested the demonstrators.

At that time the mass action started to heat up because the TNI/Polli entered the campus area and attacked students so that several students were hit, lost their cell phones, motorbike keys and noken.

The names of the students who were detained by the police were Gerson Pigai, an Uncen student, as the Public Field Coordinator. Both Yabet Lukas Degei, Uncen students.

Third, Abel Pauwok, Uncen student; fourth, Uncen's student Bayage Dictionary; fifth, Ayus Heluka, Uncen student, sixth Lukas Gane, Uncen student and seventh, Tinus Heluka, Uncen student.

The seven students are still at Jayapura Porlesta and are receiving assistance from the Papuan Legal Aid Institute (LBH).

The demonstrators could not proceed to the target location of the Papua Province People's Representative Council (DPR) office because the situation was getting hotter and impossible. Then at 12.30 the demonstrators were dispersed by TNI/Polri officers.

The West Papua Regional Police of Manokwari Police have arrested 15 people suspected of being involved in the treason act when dozens of residents commemorated the anniversary of West Papua New Guinea (WPNG) at the Wosi Manokwari terminal, Sunday (28/11).

Head of the Manokwari Police Station AKBP Parasian Herman Gultom confirmed that 15 people had been arrested and they were currently undergoing investigations at the Manokwari Police Headquarters to find out their role in the action.

"The action allegedly contradicts the ideology of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia but is covered with worship activities, because there are cries for an independent Papua to the display of symbols that are prohibited in our country," said the police chief.

The police chief said that based on the initial examination, the 15 people were identified as field coordinators, community liaisons and sympathizers who were present at the prohibited activities.

"At the time of the action, they said that their president was currently in the Netherlands. Therefore, after the investigation, we will hold a hearing to determine who should be named as a suspect in accordance with Article 106 of the Criminal Code on treason," said the police chief.

He explained that the action which was held around 11.30-12.00 WIT at the Wosi terminal began with worship activities and continued with speeches up to the unfurling of the Morning Star flag.

"Our members have made an appeal, but the appeal was not heeded, so law enforcement measures were taken to enforce the forced dissolution to secure the 15 people," said the police chief.

After the forced disbandment and the arrest of 15 people during the WPNG action at the Wosi terminal, the security situation for the Manokwari city area was under control, the Police Chief appealed to the people of Manokwari not to be provoked by provocative issues, and to continue their activities as usual "Until Sunday night the Manokwari situation was under control, the community could carry out their activities as usual and were not easily provoked by various provocative issues," said the police chief.

Thursday (3/11), there was another attempt to silence the people who were defending their land. Wednesday (2/11), 5 farmers from Bunga Raya District, Siak Regency were examined as witnesses for alleged joint criminal acts of violence and threats when rejecting the activities of PT. TKWL on September 29, 2022 based on Police Report No. LP/B/461/IX/2022/SPKT/RIAU dated 30 September 2022.

Last September 29, dozens of farming communities rejected the activities of PT. TKWL on the land they manage because a few weeks earlier, PT TKWL informed residents that the heavy equipment to be operated would only function to repair roads. However, in reality, the heavy equipment entered the land and made excavations on the people's land.

The summons as a witness is a form of criminalization effort to stop people who are members of farmer groups from stopping to manage their own land. Previously, Anton et al were questioned at the Riau Police regarding alleged criminal acts on plantations on complaints from PT. Teguh Karsa Wanalestari No. 008/TKWL/EXT/VIII/2022 dated 25 August 2022 (https://www.lbhpekanbaru.or.id/menagih-jan-reforma-agraria-di-areal-kerja-pt-tkwl/).

“The criminalization patterns of Bunga Raya farmers are very real and this effort also scares farmers who in the end they are evicted from their own land. For this reason, stop scaring farmers, stop all efforts to criminalize in resolving agrarian conflicts because criminal law is actually not a place for resolving agrarian conflicts," said Noval Setiawan, public lawyer for LBH Pekanbaru.

Apart from that, Noval also explained that the criminalization efforts carried out by PT TKWL were a denial of human rights as regulated in Article 28 G of the 1945 Constitution which reads, "Everyone has the right to protection of himself/herself, family, honor, dignity, and property owned by under his authority, and is entitled to a sense of security and protection from threats of fear to do or not do something which is a human right.”

"This effort adds to a series of bad things that have injured the farmers' struggle with patterns of criminalization and silencing," said Noval.

In line with that, the Director of LBH Pekanbaru, Andi Wijaya, stated that Anton and other friends, are local people who have lived for a long time and have a livelihood that came from the transmigration program in the 90s. resolve the issue of agrarian conflicts and accelerate the process of agrarian reform for transmigration communities in Siak district.

"On January 20, 2022, Anton et al who are members of the Marhaen Ideal Farmers Association have written to the President and related ministries including the ATR/BPN ministry to grant their rights which have been mandated in the 1945 Constitution and fulfill the president's commitment to agrarian reform," explained Andi Wijaya.

Repressive actions taken by members of the police occurred again, this time targeting the people of Kalasey Dua Village, Minahasa, North Sulawesi on Monday (7/11/2022). The action was marked by violent arrests, tear gas shots and insults to the public.

The Manado Legal Aid Institute (LBH) reported the incident, which said that 46 people were arrested, ranging from farmers, LBH public lawyers to students.

Director of LBH Manado, Frank Tyson Kahiking, stated that the repressive actions of the local police and Satpol PP were related to the evictions carried out by the North Sulawesi Provincial Government on land cultivated by farmers in Kalasey Dua Village.

"Since 10.00 WITA, the police and Satpol PP have forced their way into the farmers' land to carry out evictions. Farmers who refused to attend have blocked the road, but the police officers continued to force the demonstrators with repressive measures so that some suffered neck injuries. and left hand," Frank said when contacted by Suara.com on Monday (7/11/2022).

Then at 15.10 WITA, a total of 14 people were arbitrarily arrested, then taken to the Manado Police.

It was later reported that the number of people arrested had increased. In fact, it is estimated that the number reached more than 46 people and was taken to the Manado Police.

"Until now there are still several residents and students who continue to chase and be arrested by the Police and Satpol PP in a repressive manner using violence, even the Kalasey Dua Village Farmers Post was destroyed so that several students and farmers had to run into the forest to save themselves," said franks.

LBH Manado stated that the evictions were carried out by the North Sulawesi Provincial Government, in this case the Governor of North Sulawesi did not comply with the legal process.

"That the land is still in the process of cassation efforts and there has not even been a decision to carry out an execution," said Frank.

"However, the North Sulawesi Provincial Government used security forces with full firearms to force their way in and fired tear gas several times at the demonstration. In fact, one police officer was recorded as swearing at farmers," he continued.

Regarding this, LBH Manado together with the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) conveyed their urging,

1. Stop Forced Evictions in Kalasey Dua Village, Minahasa.
2. Withdraw the Police and stop intimidating farmers, students and legal assistants.
3. Release the farmers, students and LBH Manado Public Lawyers who were arrested and taken to the Manado Police.

The Bandung Legal Aid Institute (LBH) urged the court to acquit four farmers from Cikandang and Margamulya, Cikajang District, Garut Regency. The four of them were jailed on a report from PTPN VIII accusing them of cultivating the land illegally.

LBH Bandung's legal team for Cikandang farmers M Rafi Saiful Islam said, on Wednesday (30/11/2022), the four farmers named Nandang, Saepudin, Ujang Juhana, and Pakih had undergone an indictment hearing from the Garut District Attorney. The four were charged with violating Article 170 of the Criminal Code Jo Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code Jo Article 107 letter c Jo Article 55 letter c Law No 39 of 2014, which carries a penalty of 5 years in prison.

"The four farmers who are members of the Badega Farmers Union have been criminalized by PTPN VIII after working on abandoned land in the Cisaroni afdeling land. Their cultivated land includes Margamulya Village and Cikandang Village," said Rafi in his statement, Thursday (1/12/2022).

"We urge the release of the four detained farmers. In fact, these four farmers are agrarian reform fighters who are fighting for land to be managed as a livelihood," he added.

Rafi said the four farmers from Cikandang, Garut, were fighting for land rights that they should have been able to get. This is because the land they are working on is no longer productive and has been neglected by PTPN VIII. However, because of the regulation on cultivation rights (HGU), farmers cannot immediately work on PTPN VIII's land. Even though the land cultivated by the farmers had been abandoned by PTPN VIII and was not productive at all.

"As is the real condition on the ground, the land area located in Cikandang Village, the area cultivated by Cipancur blocks 5 and 6, is no longer productive and has been neglected by PTPN VIII," he said.

According to LBH, the land abandoned by PTPN VII must be of benefit to the surrounding community. Moreover, the four of them were sharecroppers who did not have their own arable land at all. "Most of the people in Cikandang Village are people who make a living in the agricultural sector. However, limited agricultural land causes farmers in this area to work as farm laborers, which results in their income being inadequate and far from enough to support their families. So farm workers in there are many who become cultivators of unproductive or neglected land in the PTPN VIII plantation area," he said.

LBH also urged PTPN VIII's HGU regulations to be repealed for farmers in Cikandang Village, Garut. They also urged the four farmers to be immediately released, and asked law enforcement officials to review their decision. "Revoke the PTPN VIII HGU of Cikandang Village in the area cultivated by Cipancur blocks 5 and 6 which have been abandoned land and cultivated by farmers for a source of life. (And) law enforcement officials should look more at the context of land tenure where these farmers are actually getting land tenure rights is not answered through punishment," he said. Chronology of Events

When confirmed again, Rafi told the chronology of the case. The case that happened to four Cikandang farmers occurred in mid-2022. They were reported by PTPN VIII to the Cikajang Police with accusations of destroying tea trees. "From the beginning of 2022 there was actually a conflict. Until mid-March, June, July, the conflict escalated somewhat and resulted in a report from PTPN to the Cikajang Police. The report was destruction of plantation land," Rafi told detikJabar.

Rafi revealed that the farmers in CiSometimes Village did not feel they had damaged the land or the tea trees on PTPN VIII's land. The residents even helped to re-productive the land on the land because it had been called neglected by PTPN VIII for years. Not only that, residents, according to Rafi's narrative, also felt that since 1995 they had not found any more activity on the land which now has the status of PTPN VIII. According to him, if it has been neglected, the residents have the right to work on the land that PTPN is not using at all.

"The facts on the ground are that the land has been abandoned, the tea trees are approximately 4 meters high and filled with shrubs. Anyway, it's like a wilderness, not like tea plantations in general," he said.

"That's why the residents took the initiative to clear the land. But in fact it ended in a report from PTPN to the Cikajang Police. Even though nothing was damaged, because the land was abandoned land. So there is no such thing as destroying tea plantations, but the residents are working on abandoned land," said Rafi.

Prosecutor's Response

In response to this, the Garut State Prosecutor's Office opened their voices. The Public Prosecutor (JPU) Friza Adiyudha said that currently the case was already being tried.

"The agenda is already in court. Our detention will be made on November 14, during the second stage. We will go to court on November 20, then issue a decision from the court on November 23," said Friza to journalists in his office, Thursday (1/12/2022).

Based on the case file that was transferred by the Garut Police to the Attorney General's Office, investigators charged the four suspects with Article 170 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code, as well as an alternative charge, namely Article 107 C of RI Law Number 39 of 2014 concerning Plantations. "As for the threat of punishment, Article 179 is 5 years and 8 months, for more than 5 years you can be detained. The alternative to Article 107 is 4 years maximum," said Friza.

Friza said, based on the case files he received, the case started with the felling of a number of tea trees, which was carried out by the four defendants, namely Nandang, Saepudin, Ujang and Pakih around June 2022. "The defendants and other perpetrators who are still on the wanted list carried out logging or clearing of PTPN VIII's tea trees. There are many trees, hundreds maybe. Because this happened in several PTPN areas," he said.

The defendants admitted to their actions. According to Friza, based on the testimony of the defendants, they felt they had the right to manage the land which he acknowledged as state property. "Only, in this case, PTPN objected so PTPN finally reported it to the Police. Even during the trial, the defendants still felt that what they did was not wrong," said Friza.

The police arrested five people suspected of being sympathizers of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).

They were detained during a commemoration of International Human Rights Day in the Uncen Abepura campus area, Jayapura City, Papua, Saturday (10/12/2022).

Jayapura City Police Chief Kombes Victor Mackbon said the action did not receive permission from his party.

Firm action was forced to be taken because the masses put up resistance when given persuasive appeals.

"The action that was carried out today was not permitted, because there were several requirements that could not be met," he told a number of journalists, including Tribun-Papua.com.

Initially the police personnel called on the masses from the KNPB to disperse.

However, it is regrettable that there was resistance from the person who was suspected of being the provocateur of the action.

He said the five demonstrators who were detained were now taken to his headquarters for questioning.

The former Mimika Police Chief emphasized that his party always tries to open up space for the community to express their aspirations in a dignified manner.

"However, there are always provocateurs who take advantage of the situation to disrupt the smooth running of Kamtibmas, of course we always anticipate this," he said.

Meanwhile, Kombes Victor said the current situation in Jayapura City was safe and conducive.

Eight activists from the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua and the Papuan Student Alliance were arrested by the police in Ternate City, North Maluku, on Thursday (1/12/2022), during a demonstration commemorating the raising of the Morning Star flag at the Nieuw Guinea Raad Office ( NGR) or Dutch New Guinea Council in Holland on 1 December 1961. The eight activists were taken to the Ternate Police Headquarters, and were questioned there.

This was stated by the Head of the Department of Unification of the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua, Anton Trisno, to Jubi via the WhatsApp service, Thursday. Anton stated that the eight people arrested by the police were activists from the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua (FRI-WP), the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP), the Indonesian Student League for Democracy (LMID), and individuals.

Those arrested by the police were Jack (FRI-WP activist), Hengky (AMP activist), Dino (AMP activist), Susan (AMP activist), Malo (LMID activist), Kama (LMID activist), Rino (individual), and The (individual) wave. "Our friends were arrested by the police while holding a demonstration commemorating the embryonic independence of the West Papuan people on December 1, 1961," said Anton.

He said the December 1 commemoration action was held in Ternate since Thursday at around 10.46 WIT. During the long march, they met a group of motorcycle taxi drivers. "Shortly after, police and soldiers in plain clothes [came to] the location of the action, and opposed the action, because this is Ternate, not Papua," said Anton.

Moments later, the police came. At around 10.58 WIT, the demonstrators for the December 1 commemoration were dispersed by the security forces along with motorcycle taxi drivers, on the grounds that they were disturbing the activities of other residents.

“The mass action was dispersed by motorcycle taxi drivers, police and soldiers. [They said], 'if you want to say that Papua is free, look for another country'," Anton said, imitating the words of the group that broke up the demonstration.

When the masses moved in the Jatiland Mall Ternate area, clashes again occurred at around 11.00 WIT. “[A number of participants in] the action were injured, and eight people were arrested. They were secured at the Ternate Police for questioning," said Anton.

Anton Trisno expressed disappointment with the disbandment of the demonstration. "We are very disappointed with the arbitrary arrests by the police of FRI-WP, AMP, and Individual activists," he said.

Anton asked the police to immediately release the arrested activists. "We ask for solidarity so we can monitor and advocate for it," he said.

A number of students from Papua who are members of the Human Rights and Democracy Forum Alliance (Formasi) held a demonstration in front of the Widya Mandira Catholic University Kupang Campus on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Merdeka Village, Kota Lama District, Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Thursday (1/12/2022). Dozens of students who are a combination of the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) of Kupang City, the Papuan Student Communication Forum (Fokmap) of NTT and the West Papua Indonesian People's Forum (FRI-WP), held a demonstration to voice human rights and democracy issues in Papua. During the action, students carried banners that read their demands. Starting from human rights and democracy issues in Papua, rejection of plans to exploit the Wae Sano geothermal in NTT and rejection of ticket increases and business monopoly in the Komodo National Park in NTT, as well as rejection of the RKUHP. During the demonstration, the students were disbanded by Community Organizations (Ormas). ) Guard Flobamora XXX. The police officers guarding the action then took the students to the Kelapa Lima Sector Police Headquarters for safekeeping. "That's right, our members have secured them (Papuan students) at the Kelapa Lima Police," said Head of Public Relations for the NTT Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Ariasandy to Kompas.com, Thursday (1/12/2022). After that, the student from Papua was taken to the Kupang City Police Headquarters for security reasons. Then, the Kupang City Police took steps to secure the dispute between the Ormas and the students. The police also appealed to both parties not to take actions that violate the law which affect stability, security and public order in Kupang City. "Members of the Kupang City Police then sent the students home using a bus belonging to the Kupang City Police to the Oesapa Village, Kelapa Lima District," he said.

A demonstration demanding the repeal of the Criminal Code (KUHP) in Bandung, Thursday (15/12/2022) afternoon, ended in chaos. The action, which was carried out by hundreds of masses from a combination of students from all over West Java, was dispersed by the police.

The action this time was the form of the umpteenth time rejecting the Criminal Code which was later passed by the DPR and the government some time ago. The masses carried the theme of the action "West Java Sues, Bandung Seas Anger".

One of the participants in the action, Audi, said that initially the action went smoothly. The students demanded that the Criminal Code, which contains problematic articles, be repealed immediately. They gave speeches voicing their demands in front of the West Java DPRD Building until 18.00 WIB.

The demonstrators had asked to have an audience with members of the West Java DPRD, but several people's representatives only stood at the door, not meeting the demonstrators.

After the sunset call to prayer, conditions began to become unfavorable. Allegedly there was a provocation that made the action heated up.

"And finally, right after the call to prayer, we started to break up," said Audi, to Bandungmoving.id when met at the Bandung Polrestabes, Thursday night.

In the midst of a chaotic situation, the masses asked members of the West Java DPRD to leave. But then the first water cannon shots started at around 19.30 WIB. This causes the masses to scatter.

After having retreated for a while, the masses returned to the fence area of the West Java DPRD Building. It was then that the students said they started receiving tear gas shots. The crowd scattered, some of them fainted.

Police armed with batons then chased and dispersed the demonstrators. As a result, a number of students were injured, several people were rushed to the hospital.

"We are advancing again, the tear gas was shot behind the (first) DPRD fence, only then the second tear gas was shot out. There the masses started to get upset, there started a lot of victims from students in West Java," said Audi.

Audi itself became one of the victims. The student from a private university in Bandung admitted that he was hit with a bat and was knocked unconscious. Two of his friends were even caught and taken to the Bandung Polrestabes.

Not only that, several other campus students also became victims of repression. Among others, from UIN Bandung. Preliminary data from the students noted that 17 people were arrested and taken to the Bandung Polrestabes. This data is still being updated.

Head of BEM Unpad, Virdian Aurellio regretted the repressive actions of the police in securing the action. He recorded how many students were examined and their devices were detained to be taken to the Bandung Polrestabes.

"We didn't do anything to point fingers, where here, we checked our wallets, checked our cellphones, then our friends were told to squat like criminals," he said.

On the other hand, a number of public defender activists from the Bandung Legal Aid Institute (LBH), the Indonesian Legal Aid Association (PBHI), and LBH Berani experienced difficulty accessing them when they tried to provide legal assistance to students who were arrested at the Bandung Polrestabes. New legal assistance can be given at 22.25 WIB.

"Like the previous pattern regarding entry, we provide access to legal assistance, of course we encounter difficulties. To be precise, they were prevented even though we had received complaints, we were carrying out legal aid work, but still (obstructed)," said Heri Pramono from LBH Bandung.

The demonstration against the Criminal Code that was carried out by a coalition of civil society in front of the DPR RI building today, Tuesday (6/12), was dispersed by the police.

In fact, the masses planned to hold demonstrations until the evening.

Based on CNNIndonesia.com's monitoring, the civil society coalition disbanded after receiving warnings from the police twice via loudspeakers.

"Please disperse," said one of the police.

Apart from that, they have also been visited by the police several times and asked for the same thing. The coalition had asked for the action to continue, but the police kept reminding them to disperse.

The coalition also asked the police for time to carry out the Maghrib prayer. The request was granted. However, they still had to disband afterward. Finally they disbanded around 18.45 WIB.

In action, a coalition of civil society set up two tents. The erection of the tent was carried out as a symbol of the action that will be carried out continuously and for a long time.

They admit that they will continue to reject the Criminal Code, which was just passed today. Because, according to them, the Criminal Code still includes several articles that are problematic and threaten civil liberties.

The Jakarta street paralegal and action field coordinator, Dzuhrian Ananda Putra, previously said that the demonstration would be carried out until the evening. This was done at the same time as testing the impact of the new Criminal Code on space for expression. According to him, demonstrations or actions should not be limited.

"We want to say why tenting, camping, camping is a long activity, requires our energy, and we want to say that the community's resistance will be long and will continue," said Dzuhrian.

"The wave was not only yesterday, today, tomorrow, but also because the impact of the new Criminal Code is very clear," he added.

It is known that the DPR RI and the government finally approved the Draft Criminal Code (RKUHP) to become law at a plenary meeting held at the parliament complex, Tuesday (6/12). Although the RKUHP still contains controversial articles.

The commemoration of International Human Rights Day (HAM) December 10, 2022 was colored by mass actions in Papua. Action oration just about to start, police officers dispersed the masses of action. Several people were reportedly detained at the local police station.

Information gathered by the media from a number of sources, at least 85 people were arrested by the security forces at several points in the area when they were about to commemorate 74 years of world human rights day (10 December 1948-20 December 2022) with a peaceful demonstration, Saturday (10/12/2022).

Forced dispersal and mass arrests took place in Sentani, Jayapura district. Likewise in Wamena, Jayawijaya district. As well as in Abepura and Waena, the city of Jayapura.

According to Ones Suhuniap, spokesperson for the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), 108 protesters were arrested by security forces.

“Earlier there were arrests of 108 people. First in Wamena 30 people. Then in Sentani 51 people and in the city of Jayapura there are 4 people," he said in response to confirmation from suarapapua.com via WhatsApp, Saturday night.

Quoting field reports, said Ones, the silencing of democratic space by means of forced dissolution to arrests and beatings of peaceful demonstrators took place in various cities in the Land of Papua.

"Peaceful demonstrations to commemorate world human rights day were carried out in 9 cities in Papua. Among others, in the city of Jayapura, Jayapura district in Sentani, Gunung Bintang district in Oksibil, Jayawijaya district in Wamena, Tolikara district, Lanny Jaya district, Manokwari and Sorong.”

Outside Papua, Ones explained, peaceful demonstrations were carried out by Papuan students organized by the Indonesian Consulate which were centered in Manado and Gorontalo.

Sentani

The peaceful demonstration in Sentani, Jayapura district, was carried out at 6.15 WIT. With the action point at the eye of the Post 7 Sentani road.

"At 7.30 WIT, police from the Jayapura Police arrived at the demonstrators and forcibly dispersed them. Several action mobs were hit. There were also arrests. 51 people were arrested,” he explained.

Ones confirmed that the action was facilitated by the KNPB Sentani Region to commemorate 72 years of world human rights day and at the same time urged the Indonesian government to resolve various cases of human rights violations in the Land of Papua and demand an immediate referendum as a democratic solution.

Of the 51 people transported by the police from Post 7 Sentani, five of them were injured.

"The victims were injured on behalf of Agustina Darla Kobak (on the head), Zeth (on the head), Insu Ina Su (on the arm), Nodi Tepmul (on the hand), and Frangki Kogoya (on the hand)."

The names secured by the Jayapura Police: Agus Bahabol (person in charge), Sadrack Lagowan (General Coordinator), Demi Tabuni, Silis Uopdana, Nando, Agn, Malis Uopkulir, Dortius Tenget, Saugas Lokon, Oktovianus Wakel, Betok Uropmabin, Eleck Tepmul , Gaulin Balingga, Inzu Ina Su, Frengky Kogoya, Menis Siep, Agustina Darla Kobak, Yosua, Yopina Pahabol, Ance Yoku, Milka, Hinus Siep.

Ektam Kalakmabin, Melly Tepmul, Kurus DM Felle, Oviana Kha Websa, Meksi Taplo, Eiko Taplo, Yan Itlay, Imer Matuan, Elison Pahabol, Eco Passe, Bella Wesapia, Berto Taplo, Gerry Matuan, Steven Tengket (Wakorlap), Mario Kassar, Miles Itlay, Fehri Molama, Elli Sugun, Man Waker, Charles Kogoya.

"We have not recorded the other 10 people," said Ones.

"The demonstrators who were arrested have been transported to the Jayapura Police in Doyo," he continued.

Security forces also took a number of action devices. In the form of billboards, megaphones, pamphlets, command lines and seven KNPB flags.

In addition, 1 Readmi 05 handset belonging to Sadrack Lagowan was also confiscated.

Wamena

Forced dispersal of mass demonstrations and mass arrests also occurred in Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya district. Apart from the gathering point at the Mission Wouma Market, police officers dispersed the demonstrators at the Jibama Market.

Reportedly, 30 people were taken to the Jayawijaya Police.

"12 people from the Mission Wouma market point, 13 people from the Jibama market, and from Potikelek 5 people were arrested and taken to Jayawijaya Police," he explained.

The protesters from the Wouma Mission Market point that were secured were Nopius Asso, Jhon Iksomon, Nahason Pahabol, Niel Asso, Wene Kabak, Niris Pahabol, Abet Kabak, Tolak Asso, Nikon Kabak, Wei, Sini Ulunggi, Alimos Pahabol.

From Jibama Market, namely Othen Gombo, Mau Iaba, Wilem Kenelak, Ima Alya, Pokemon Wantik, Masongan Endambia, Fakalis Kisa, Yalince Wandikbo, Lidia Wandikbo, Yos Logo, Yosael Gombo, Aten Jaga, Junani Sibak.

Meanwhile, from the Potikelek point, namely Erik Aliknoe, Wenealem Y Kabak, Aten Asso, Lani Yikwa, Rosyan Zine Kogoya.

"All of them are KNPB members," said Ones while adding that the 25 people were undergoing examination.

Before the security forces disbanded, Ones received a report that the mass demonstrations in the context of World Human Rights Day in Wamena had started to move since 08.00 at several points.

Apart from the three gathering points which were forcibly disbanded and dozens of people arrested, said Suhuniap, the mass demonstrations from other gathering points were blockaded.

"Meanwhile, the demonstrators from Sinakma moved at 09.56 to successfully march towards the Jayawijaya DPRD office, but the gate was closed. The masses occupied in front of the DPRD office on Jalan Yos Sudarso Wamena."

Student Action

The commemoration of World Human Rights Day held by the Jayapura Alliance of Student Executive Boards (BEM) at the Uncen Abepura campus was also disbanded by security forces.

The student action in front of the Uncen Auditorium was prevented until several students were secured by members of the Jayapura Police.

The identities of the demonstrators detained were: Engel AP You, Tayai Kotopa Keiya, Olison Pakage, Iso Pekei and Yosep Douw.

The report that Ones received from Francis Yobee, the General Coordinator, stated that a number of students were treated harshly and even injured.

Seven people were beaten, namely Nando Boma (hit in the head), Okto Mote (swollen spine, injured finger), Yoten Mirin (hand wound), Hendrik Muyapa (hand wound, cellphone confiscated), Yabet Degei (back swollen, his clothes were torn), X Dogomo (ear wound), Olison Pakage (head bleeding).

Meanwhile at the Uncen Perumnas III Waena campus, the police dispersed the peaceful student demonstration. The action is centered on the upper Uncen gate.

Forcibly disbanded, the students moved to Perumnas I to join the Waena Expo demonstration masses.

Again, the police blockaded the demonstrators until they were forcibly dispersed at the Expo Waena bridge.

The demonstrators from Expo Waena, Buper and its surroundings gathered at the Papua Museum from 09.30 to 10.30 WIT, and were again disbanded.

The mass of protesters who gathered at the Abepura Circle also shared the same fate. Disbanded the security forces.

At around 13.00 WIT, the demonstrators from the USTJ campus, the lower Uncen campus headed for the Mimi hostel. The mass of action that was dispersed from Abe's circle also joined.

Gathering at the Mimin Dormitory's volleyball court, the masses delivered speeches and read out their position statements.

Manokwari and Sorong

In Manokwari, a peaceful demonstration to mark World Human Rights Day aimed at blocking the West Papua DPR office from the Manokwari Police and the Amban Police.

The action started at 09.00 WIT.

Both Amban and other points have been blockaded since morning.

In Sorong, the plan for peaceful action was centered in front of Ellin Maranata. From 7.00 WIT, at the location of the action, the security forces were on standby before the masses arrived.

The security forces appeared in full gear. By using cars and motorbikes, the security forces were on alert while terrorizing the mass action.

The mass of the KNPB action continued to unfurl banners, pamphlets and put up two KNPB organizational flags.

Beginning with a prayer, orations were delivered alternately at 9.00 WIT.

Delivery of speeches for one hour until 10.00 WIT.

The apparatus then limited it because it had exceeded the time limit.

Several times the KNPB board led by Dengky Pagawak negotiated with the police because they had submitted notification letters about plans for peaceful demonstrations.

Plans for a long march to the DPRD office were canceled because officials did not allow it.

In a matter of two minutes the mass of action must disperse.

Avoiding various bad possibilities, the action was ended after members of the Polres began moving to remove the command lines, pamphlets, banners, and took the KNPB flag.

"The demonstrators were forcibly dispersed around 10.58 WIT."

Unable to survive due to the strength of the number of armed troops, the demonstrators dispersed safely.

Four Current Districts

Actions to commemorate Human Rights Day which were held in four other districts: Lanny Jaya, Tolikara, Gunung Bintang, and Paniai, went smoothly.

Human Rights Day commemoration activities in Tiom, the district capital of Lanny Jaya, were centered in front of the Nirigi Hotel, Tiom.

From the districts, the masses have been moving toward a central point since 08.00 WIT.

The demonstrators were intercepted by the security forces, finally all were able to gather at 13.10 WIT. Then deliver speeches alternately.

The reading of the statement ended the peaceful demonstration in Tiom.

The same action was carried out in Karubaga, the district capital of Tolikara.

Celebration of World Human Rights Day in Tolikara district starts at 09.46 WIT. In general, it runs safely and smoothly.

Likewise in Oksibil, the capital of the Bintang Mountains district. Attended by hundreds of people, the commemoration of World Human Rights Day took place from 09.00 WIT until finished.

In Paniai district, the action was centered on the Karel Gobay field, Enarotali, East Paniai district. Attended by residents from various districts. The masses moved from morning to where the pulpit was free.

The peaceful demonstration was escorted by police officers from the Paniai Police.

A veteran journalist known for covering rights abuses in Indonesia’s militarised Papua region says a bomb exploded outside his home yesterday and a journalists group has called it an act of “intimidation” threatening press freedom.

No one was injured in the blast near his home in the provincial capital Jayapura, said Victor Mambor, editor of Papua’s leading news website Jubi, who visited New Zealand in 2014.

Police said they were investigating the explosion and that no one had yet claimed responsibility.

“Yes, someone threw a bomb,” Papua Police spokesperson Ignatius Benny told Benar News. “The motive and perpetrators are unknown.”

The Jayapura branch of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) condemned the explosion as a “terrorist bombing”.

In Sydney, the Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) and Pacific Media Watch in New Zealand protested over the incident and called for a full investigation.

Mambor said he heard the sound of a motorcycle at about 4 am and then an explosion about a minute later.

‘Shook like earthquake’ “It was so loud that my house shook like there was an earthquake,” he told Benar News as reported by Radio Free Asia.

“I also checked the source of the explosion and smelt sulfur coming from the side of the house.”

The explosion left a hole in the road, he said.

The incident was not the first to occur outside Mambor’s home. In April 2021, windows were smashed and paint sprayed on his car in the middle of the night.

Mambor is also an advocate for press freedom in Papua. In that role, he has criticised Jakarta’s restrictions on the media in Papua, as well as its other policies in his troubled home province.

The AJI awarded Mambor its press freedom award in August 2022, saying that through Jubi, “Victor brings more voices from Papua, amid domination of information that is biased, one-sided and discriminatory.”

“AJI in Jayapura strongly condemns the terrorist bombing and considers this an act of intimidation that threatens press freedom in Papua,” it said in a statement.

‘Voice the truth’ call “AJI Jayapura calls on all journalists in the land of Papua to continue to voice the truth despite obstacles. Justice should be upheld even though the sky is falling,” said AJI chair Lucky Ireeuw.

Amnesty International Indonesia urged the police to find those responsible.

“The police must thoroughly investigate this incident, because this is not the first time … meaning there was an omission that made the perpetrators feel free to do it again, to intimidate and threaten journalists,” Amnesty’s campaign manager in Indonesia, Nurina Savitri, told BenarNews.

The Papua region, located at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago, has been the site of a decades-old pro-independence insurgency where both government security forces and rebels have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians.

Foreign journalists have been largely barred from the area, with the government insisting it could not guarantee their safety. Indonesian journalists allege that officials make their work difficult by refusing to provide information.

The armed elements of the independence movement have stepped up lethal attacks on Indonesian security forces, civilians and targets such as construction of a trans-Papua highway that would make the Papuan highlands more accessible.

Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, has accused Indonesian security forces of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and mass forced displacement in Papua.

Security forces kill 36 Last month, Indonesian activist group KontraS said 36 people were killed by security forces and pro-independence rebels in the Papua and West Papua provinces in 2022, an increase from 28 in 2021.

In Sydney, Joe Collins of the AWPA said in a statement: “These acts of intimidation against local journalists in West Papua threaten freedom of the press.

“It is the local media in West Papua that first report on human rights abuses and local journalists are crucial in reporting information on what is happening in West Papua”.

Collins said Canberra remained silent on the issue — ‘the Australian government is very selective in who it criticises over their human rights record.”

There was no problem raising concerns about China or Russia over their record, “but Canberra seems to have great difficulty in raising the human rights abuses in West Papua with Jakarta.”

On November 10, Jurnalisa, the chief editor for online media outlet Kabargayo.com, was threatened by two project managers overseeing the construction of a traditional market in the Ketol district of western Indonesia’s Aceh province. Arriving at the journalist’s home in the early morning, the two assailants attempted to strike Jurnalisa and allegedly said they wanted to kill him.

The day before the incident, Jurnalisa published an article detailing several budgetary and scheduling issues with the ongoing development of the Rejewali traditional market, due for completion on December 15. Jurnalisa had attempted to obtain a quote from the project administrator before publishing the piece but received no answer.

In Indonesia, many journalists in both metro and regional areas face incidents of harassment. On October 29, police officers from Polres Tomohon, North Sulawesi, summoned local Manado Pos journalist Julius Laatung for his coverage of an illegal lottery. En route to the police station, police officers interrogated Laatung, demanding that he betray the confidentiality of his sources and accused him of publishing the story to discredit the police.

In a separate incident on November 7, North Sulawesi police harassed and arrested Sulawesian reporter Noufriadi Sururama while he was at a land dispute protest in Mandolang.

The combined officers of the Tanjungpinang Police, Satpol PP, Kesbangpol and Tanjungpinang Immigration Detention again dispersed the demonstration of hundreds of asylum-seeking refugees from Afghanistan which was held at night in front of the shop complex, Jalan DI Panjaitan Tanjungpinang, Riau Archipelago, Tuesday (18/10/2022). The demonstration by hundreds of refugees was disbanded after previously the joint apparatus failed to negotiate so that the refugees would not take action in front of the shop complex because it disrupted traffic and public order. Tanjungpinang Police Chief Kombes Pol Heribertus Ompusunggu said, previously the police had sealed off their shelter at the Badra Bintan Hotel, so they could not hold an action in Tanjungpinang. "The Polres carried out insulation, but they left individually with the excuse of buying personal needs, after being traced it turned out that they had their gathering point, then they both headed to Tanjungpinang," said Kombes Pol Heribertus. Kombes Heribertus further said, the refugees went to Tanjungpinang on foot with the aim of the UNHCR and IOM representative offices. "They carried out the action on the road, but we have separated them earlier so they don't close the road, ended up in shophouses and it is now time for us to finally transport them and return them to the Badra Hotel where they are sheltering," continued the Head of the Tanjungpinang Police. Finally, Kombes Heribertus also said that he would coordinate with the Bintan Police and related agencies so that this refugee action does not happen again.

"Later, together with the Bintan Police, Kesbangpol, we will convey that there is guard in front of the Badra Hotel, so that this does not happen again. Because it disrupts the activities of the community and road users," explained the Tanjungpinang Police Chief. The demonstration was held late into the night by hundreds of refugees from Afghanistan This has been repeated many times in Tanjungpinang. Every action they take, often ends in an attempt to forcibly disband by the joint apparatus.

Farmers in Malin Deman District, Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu Province have experienced another arrest and suspicion of criminalization. As many as 5 farmers in the district were criminalized, on charges of theft of palm fruit by PT Daria Darma Pratama (DDP).

On October 5, 2022, Hamdi and three workers harvesting oil palm from the land he was cultivating, were summoned by the Mukomuko Police to be questioned in an alleged case of theft of palm fruit. This summons is based on Police Report Number: LP/B/556/IX/2022/SPKT/Polres Mukomuko/Polda Bengkulu, dated 20 September 2022.

At around 14.30 WIB the three harvest workers appeared before the investigator Aiptu Madyana in the Mukomuko Police Headquarters room and were immediately questioned as witnesses. Then at 16.15 WIB the Criminal Investigation Unit asked Hamdi to enter the investigator's room to be questioned as a witness on PT DDP's report.

A few hours later, at around 20.30 WIB, Hamdi, Randa Fernando, Muhtar and Dosi Saputra finished being questioned by investigators and were asked to wait outside the room because a case was immediately being held.

At around 22.30 WIB, the investigators summoned the four of them back into the room, this time along with their attorney, and in the room it was announced that the four of them had been named suspects. The lawyer for the farmers, Saman Lating, questioned the basis for naming the suspect against his client, as well as PT DDP's legal standing as a reporter to Madyana, but these questions received no answer.

"I see that investigators have hidden something from the determination of our client as a suspect, because investigators cannot explain the basis for determining the suspect and the legal standing of PT DDP as the reporter, because the land that was harvested belonged to Hamdi's brother who was cultivated from around 1989, before the existence of PT BBS. especially PT DDP," explained Saman Lating, in his written statement to Betahita.

Apart from arresting farmers and farm workers, six days earlier, the police also arrested Rahmad Sidi, another farmer from Talang Baru Village, on the same charge of stealing PT DDP's palm fruit. The determination of the suspect without clear reasons then prompted dozens of Malin Deman residents to come to the Mukomuko Police.

Chronology of Land Conflicts

Back in 1986, before the existence of PT Bina Bumi Sejahtera (BBS) HGU, the land that became the object of conflict was the customary territory of Malin Deman District. This is evidenced by land tenure by local indigenous peoples. The people use the land to grow rice, coffee and jengkol in Talang Arah Village, Malin Deman District.

One of the indigenous people who manages the area is Darmin (65). In 1991-1992 PT BBS started measuring the land and began unilaterally evictions, because the farmers who worked the land did not want to sell the land that they had managed for generations.

On August 1, 1995, the North Bengkulu Regency National Land Agency (BPN) issued an HGU certificate for PT BBS, with Number 34 with an area of ​​1,889 hectares, with the commodity type cocoa/chocolate. Certificates are issued based on the Decree of the Minister of Land Number: 42/HGU/BPN/95. dated June 12, 1995.

The planting process is carried out by PT BBS. Approximately 350 hectares are planted with cocoa/cacao and 14 hectares are planted with hybrid coconut. However, since 1997 PT BBS has stopped managing its HGU land. The cessation of PT BBS's activities has forced the community to work on abandoned land by planting oil palm, rubber, jengkol, durian and other plants.

In 2005-2012 PT DDP conveyed verbally to the community working on the ex-PT BBS land, that the company had purchased the ex-PT BBS land. At that time 24 farmers were forced to accept compensation. The PT DDP company then cleared the land cultivated by the farmers and planted oil palm -- different from PT BBS's HGU commodity.

In 2012, farmers who did not want to receive compensation from PT DDP had their land forcibly evicted. A number of farmers, namely Ali Martopo (40), Abdullah (43), Sendri (29) and Darmin (65) experienced intimidation during the process of confiscating their cultivated land.

The intimidation received from the police was also experienced by other farmers who until now have managed to control the land. The farmers have tried to write to the Mukomuko Regency DPRD and the MukoMuko Regency DPRD has followed up by summoning PT DDP, the Mukomuko Regency Plantation Office, and the Mukomuko Regency BPN.

The chairman of the Mukomuko district legislature, Arnadi Pelam, stated in a hearing that PT DDP's control over the ex-BBS land was illegal, so PT DDP was asked to stop all its activities on the status quo land.

Four police officers in North Halmahera, North Maluku, allegedly tortured a student named Yulius Yatu alias Ongen (YY alias O) until he fainted. The victim was also put in a dog kennel and forced to apologize to a dog.

Quoted from Kompas.com, the inhumane actions of 4 North Halmahera Police officers against him were reported by the victim to the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS).

KontraS Deputy Coordinator Rivanlee Anandar said that the incident occurred on September 20, 2022, a day after the victim made a WhatsApp status related to securing a demonstration of rising fuel prices.

''A day later, 4 unidentified people came to look for victims at his residence at around 21.00 WIT. While the four perpetrators asked the victim about the identity of a photo, the perpetrators suddenly punched him right in the face, strangled the victim, and took him out of the house to a public road," said Rivanlee in a written statement received by Kompas.com, Thursday (6/10 /2022).

"When the victim was dragged away, the perpetrator continued to beat the victim causing bruises under the eyes, cracked lower lip, and strangled the victim again until the victim fainted," he added.

The victim was then taken by 4 perpetrators to the North Halmahera Police, dragged and put in a dog kennel. It is said that the victim was even threatened with death until no one knew, before being beaten, kicked, forced to roll over again, until told to prostrate and do push-ups.

"Furthermore, the victim was forced to squat and run around the area of ​​the North Halmahera Police, until he rolled on the asphalt road, and again ran around the volleyball field 5 times," said Rivanlee.

"While forced to carry out the order, the victim continued to be intimidated and told to apologize to the sniffer dogs of the North Halmahera Police," he added.

The torture is said to have lasted 2 hours before the victim was taken home by one of the perpetrators.

KontraS also asked that this incident be investigated by the North Maluku Regional Police Chief and the perpetrators be given maximum punishment for the sake of a deterrent effect. They insisted that methods such as these should not be used in any case settlement.

"Apart from that, we also urge the victims and their families to be given the widest possible access to information regarding the ongoing legal process against the perpetrators," said Rivanlee.

The Perpetrator Has Been Detained

The North Maluku Regional Police admitted that they had followed up on the alleged violence committed by the person on duty at the North Halmahera Police against the victim YY.

Head of North Maluku Regional Police Public Relations, Kombes Pol Michael Irwan Tamsil explained, the case is now being handled both criminally and ethically by the police.

For criminal acts, it is handled by the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation while ethics is handled by Propam.

"The order from the Chief of Regional Police, we will act decisively, first we will do it criminally which was carried out by Crimem, secondly it will be handled ethically by Propam," said Michael.

He confirmed that there were four police officers who were currently detained.

"Four members were detained this afternoon at the North Halmahera Police," he said.

However, Michael denied that if the victim was forced to apologize to the dog. According to him, the person concerned was only asked to make a testimonial video apologizing for the upload he made on social media.

"That's not true (apologize to the dog), so we asked for a testimonial video of an apology for the post," said Michael.

The case, he said, started with a demonstration at the North Halmahera Regency DPRD Office, North Maluku.

The North Halmahera Police conducted security, and from Sabhara also used sniffer dogs, which were then photographed by the victim.

After the demonstration, the victim uploaded a WhatsApp status, 'can't use hands, uses sniffer dogs'

“That post. Then that night a member visited, asked what the post meant but they didn't admit that it was the post, so they took them from home to the office. Then action was taken, ordered to squat and so on," he said.

"Then the members are told to make testimonials, the members who recorded them, to apologize for their posts. But after that he admitted that he was the one who posted it," added Michael.

On November 7, North Sulawesi police harassed and arrested Sulawesian reporter Noufriadi Sururama while he was at a land dispute protest in Mandolang. Police officers asked for Sururama’s identity card, but according to reports did not respect his press card. Law enforcement apprehended the journalist, tearing his shirt in the process. Sururama was detained and taken to the Manado Precinct Police office.

In 2017, the Indonesian Press Council signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Police, agreeing to decriminalise journalistic practice and respect press freedom. Under the Indonesian Press Law, disputes over news reporting must be settled through a press council mechanism, which includes the right to reply and corrections.

An internal meeting and gathering of the management of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and 18 LBH offices in Sanur, Bali, was forcibly disbanded by the police, Saturday (12/11).

Head of YLBHI M Isnur said the incident started at around 12.30 WITA, five people claimed that village officials/pecalang entered the villa in Sanur.

They questioned the activities and schedule for returning home and repeatedly conveyed the prohibition of carrying out any activities during the G20 presidency.

They asked YLBHI to make a statement and explanation. After that, the pecalang left the villa.

At around 17.00 WITA, dozens of police personnel who were not in uniform along with the pecalang were said to have returned to the villa and accused YLBHI of broadcasting live.

"They asked us to stop the meeting, disband the event, ask for KTPs and wanted to conduct a search to check all participants' cellphones/laptops and the event location," said Isnur.

"The request was not granted because it violates the law and human rights," he continued.

Isnur said the authorities repeatedly stated that YLBHI's activities did not have a permit from the local village and were implementing restrictions on activities in several areas.

However, YLBHI has checked that the villa area in question is not included in the restricted location.

"YLBHI staff were detained and were not allowed to leave the villa," he added.

After negotiating, around 20.00 WITA, some participants were allowed to leave. While some others have to live in a villa.

"During the trip, several unidentified people followed all of the participants' vehicles. Meanwhile, several other people watched the villa all night until early in the morning," said Isnur.

"YLBHI strongly suspects that security forces pressured village officials to come and carry out the above actions," he continued.

On Sunday (13/11) morning at around 08.00 WITA, one of the participants wanted to leave the villa because there was a flight schedule. However, it was banned by several people who claimed to be pecalang on the grounds of an officer's order.

One participant was asked to wait until 09.00 WITA, but still did not receive permission.

"After waiting for some time, finally at around 11.12 WITA the participants living in the villa were able to leave and change places," said Isnur.

YLBHI, explained Isnur, condemned all acts of terror, intimidation and arbitrary detention (depriving of independence according to Article 333 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code) carried out by the police. According to him, all of these actions were actually counterproductive to the government's statement that Bali was in a safe condition during the G20.

"Therefore, we urge the government, especially the police, to investigate all crimes and anti-democratic actions that occurred during the dissolution of internal meetings and YLBHI gatherings. Apart from that, we also urge that all perpetrators, both the police and other groups, be dealt with firmly," he concluded.

Since 7 November 2022, YLBHI officials have been invited and participated in other conference forums. Among them is the Asia Democracy Assembly 2022 which is being held by the Asia Democracy Network (ADN) and the South East Asia Freedom of Religion and Belief (SEA FORB) Conference in Bali.

Independent media outlet Konde.co was hit by a cyber-attack after publishing an article on sexual harassment within the Indonesian Ministry of Cooperatives and Small Medium Enterprises. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its Indonesian affiliates, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia and SINDIKASI, in condemning the attack and urging authorities to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation.

On October 24, Konde published an article about incidents of sexual harassment committed by four public servants at the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small-Medium Enterprises (MSME). The article detailed the long history of sexual harassment by MSME staff, including one incident where a victim was forced to marry their abuser to prevent legal repercussions for his behaviour.

At 4:31 pm the same afternoon, Konde.co’s website was reported as down after the article spread rapidly across social media platforms. Later investigation by Konde.co staff revealed the website had suffered a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, in which a party attempts to disrupt the normal functioning of an internet server by overloading it with traffic.

This is the second attack experienced by Konde.co after publishing an article on sexual violence. In May 2020, the Konde.co website was made inaccessible to the public and staff were locked from their official Twitter account.

In recent years, journalists and news outlets across Indonesia have been targeted by various digital attacks, including in 2020 against media outlets Tirto, Tempo, and Magdalene and in 2021, against alternative media outlet Project Multatuli. In late September 2022, 37 journalists and former staff from Narasiwere targeted in a social media hacking incident. Narasi’s website also suffered a DDoS attack.

A total of 10 students from a number of universities in the city of Bandung were arrested by the police during a demonstration against the increase in the price of fuel oil (BBM) which led to chaos, Thursday (23/9/2022). This was stated by one of the participants in the action who is also the spokesman for the West Java Student Alliance to Sue (AMJM), Agung Andrian.

According to him, the 10 students were arrested when the police tried to push back hundreds of students after the riots broke out. It is known that the riot in front of the West Java DPRD Building, Jalan Diponegoro, Bandung City, broke out after hundreds of students were desperate to force their way into the West Java DPRD Building, which was heavily guarded by the police.

The police, who tried to prevent the student action, finally fired water from a water cannon and tear gas into the crowd of students and pushed the students back towards Jalan Trunojoyo to Jalan Ir H Djuanda and Gedung Sate. "There were 10 participants in the action who were also arrested by the police after the rejection of fuel prices at the West Java DPRD Building," said Agung. The police themselves have not provided an official statement regarding the arrests of students from demonstrations against the increase in fuel prices.

The field coordinator for the protest against the increase in fuel prices, Syaiful Bahri, regretted the police action to forcefully disperse students who protested against the increase in fuel subsidies. Because it is a repressive measure.

“This act is immoral and does not reflect humanist values. We were going to hold the microphone before we gave our speech. Suddenly, it was seized and our friends were immediately taken into custody. There is no mediation," said Syaiful Bahri when met by reporters at the Sampang Police Headquarters, Thursday (8/9/2022).

The demonstration against the increase in subsidized fuel prices by student activists was forcibly dispersed by the police for violating the rules regarding the expression of opinions in public according to Law Number 9 of 1998 Article 9 paragraph 2 letter a.

A demonstration on behalf of the Alliance of Student Executive Boards (BEM) throughout Pamekasan Regency was held at the Pertamina Camplong Depot, Sampang Regency, on Thursday afternoon.

The police arrested 11 students and one person as the action coordinator was named as a suspect, namely Syaiful Bahri (SB) and others as witnesses.

According to him, the purpose of the demonstration at the Pertamina Camplong Depot was only to have a discussion with the Pertamina Director. At the same time, he asked Pertamina Camplong about the results of the Pamekasan DPRD's inspection, which was previously promised to students.

"We are not making demands. So we want to ask Pertamina Camplong whether there has been an inspection and what evidence. Then we want to ask whether the BBM application is right on target or not because there has been no socialization," explained Syaiful Bahri, who is now a suspect.

He explained that prior to the demonstration a week ago, a notification letter was sent to Pertamina and it was also penetrated to the Sampang Police.

"Regarding the notification letter, it was a week ago that even yesterday a member of the police came to us," he said.

He asked the Sampang Police to evaluate professionalism which does not reflect humanist values.

The peak of the National Sports Day (Haornas) commemoration in Balikpapan was marked by demonstrations from the Islamic Student Association (HMI).

The demonstrators rejected the arrival of Vice President (Vice President) Ma'ruf Amin in the aftermath of protests against the increase in subsidized fuel prices. A number of demonstrators also received intimidation from unscrupulous members of mass organizations to the police on Friday (9/9/22) afternoon.

Head of HMI Balikpapan Branch, Rafsyan Hassan Ratuwara explained the chronology of intimidation and detention they experienced when they wanted to express their aspirations.

The incident began when dozens of HMI masses took action on foot from their gathering point in the Balikpapan KNPI Building to the action point at the Plaza Balikpapan intersection.

“We got there around 17.30 WITA. Just arrived, suddenly a number of people from mass organizations have been visited," said Rafsyan when confirmed, Friday (9/9/22) night.

The group of unscrupulous members of the mass organization, said Rafsyan, carried out intimidation and prohibited the demonstration participants from voicing their aspirations.

"There was a fight because we were not allowed to express our aspirations," he explained.

To avoid unwanted things, this mass of action then chose to move from the place and held a demonstration right at the intersection in front of Balikpapan Plaza.

“After shifting, we opened several banners and cardboard with our aspiration to reject the increase in fuel prices. We really want to convey this because it coincides with the Vice President who is in Balikpapan," he explained.

"The points we bring are the rejection of the increase in fuel prices and the refusal of the presence of the Vice President in Balikpapan, as well as asking to revoke the policy of increasing fuel prices," continued Rafsyan.

But when they were about to express their aspirations, suddenly the police came to the masses who were about to demonstrate. The police forbade them to hold demonstrations.

“I was just about to start giving speeches when suddenly the Head of the Ops Division of the Balikpapan Police was appointed. I don't remember what language he spoke to me, suddenly someone grabbed me from behind," he said.

Rafsyan admitted, twice he was cooped up by police with different ranks of non-commissioned officers. He and his colleagues were then taken and detained at the Balikpapan Police Headquarters.

"We were brought into the car, as if we were prisoners. I was pushed into the car and taken to the Balikpapan Police Station," said Rafsyan.

Rafsyan said that around 11 students were brought and detained to the Balikpapan Police.

"I was detained and told to wait, until finally the Head of Badko and a lawyer came to take care of us to be released," said Rafsyan.

Rafsyan said they were detained for two hours. At that time they were interrogated about their personal data until they were asked about the reason for holding the demonstration.

"About two hours of detention, they interrogated us about personal data. The intelligence unit asked the reason for our demonstration,” he explained.

Even though he and all his colleagues have now been released, Rafsyan feels that what he has experienced should not have happened. Because before holding the demonstration, they had reported the activity to the Balikpapan Police, the day before.

“Yesterday we coordinated to ask for permission to be delivered directly with some of our cadres. We even handed over the softfile so we don't know the reason for the disbandment and we brought it with us," he concluded.

The action of dozens of farmers from Padang Lawas (Palas), who was staying in front of the North Sumatra DPRD building was forcibly dispersed.

The forced dispersal was carried out by the Medan Satpol PP and police personnel, on the evening of Monday 19 September.

The farmer's tent, which is in front of the right side of the building, was forcibly opened by the Satpol PP.

This mass of peasants who were dominant in mak-mak rejected the officers' actions so that chaos could not be avoided.

The action of pushing each other between officers and farmers occurred so that it ended in chaos.

Farmers suddenly screamed and even cried hysterically, seeing the actions of the Satpol PP and police officers.

"Where else do we have to go," shouted the mothers.

"Is it wrong for us to demand our rights? We are fighting for our rights," said another.

However, the officers from the Satpol PP still opened the tents belonging to the farmers.

"I don't feel sorry for you to see this little boy," said a farmer, pointing to a sleeping child.

The action of the officers was stopped, because the farmers were still holding on to the tarpaulins they had laid out.

Demonstrations carried out by students at the South Sumatra Provincial DPRD were forcibly dispersed. It was observed in the field that mass demonstrations carried out burning tires at the Simpang Lima DPRD of South Sumatra Province.

Before burning tires, the police had fired tear gas or water cannon at the crowd to disperse the demonstrators.

Conditions began to heat up when the protesters were not allowed to enter by the police. Therefore, the students and KSBSI tried to break through, so the police were forced to fire water cannons, triggering a riot.

Dozens of Bhabinkamtibmas personnel were dispatched directly to the crowd to reduce tension. However, it was unavoidable that the mass action and the police officers would push and push. In fact, two units of officers' tactical vehicles sprayed water towards the crowd.

Student Arrested

A number of students were detained by officers for allegedly carrying out provocative actions by forcibly opening barbed wire that was installed as a barrier between demonstrators and the police.

The officers even fired tear gas several times at the protesters.

In addition, members of the South Sumatra Police Mobile Brigade and Ditsamapta South Sumatra Police continued to press forward to disperse the demonstrators.

Several times the demonstrators also retaliated against the police by throwing bottles of mineral water and boulders.

Until now, officers are still on guard at the Simpang Lima area of ​​the South Sumatra Provincial DPRD while urging demonstrators to disperse.

Acting Chairman of the DPP for Cyber ​​Journalist Observer (PJS), Mahmud Marhaba contacted victims of violence against journalists by public officials, Nurkholis Lamaau, Saturday afternoon. The editor-in-chief of the cyber meticulous.co.id media was contacted through the network of PJS administrators in North Maluku.

Saturday at around 15.10 WIB, Mahmud Marhaba spoke directly via telephone with the victim who was registered as a member of the press organization, the Maluku Alliance of Indonesian Journalists (AJI).

To Mahmud Marhaba, Nurkholis told the chronology of how he was abused, beaten by relatives of the Deputy Mayor of Tidore City.

Worse still, the victim's face was grabbed by the Deputy Mayor, while in the SPKT room of the Tidore City Police, right in front of the police officers when giving BAP information regarding the report.

"This is really outrageous what public officials have done," said Mahmud through a release that was distributed to all PJS administrators and members in 25 provinces.

The action which is seen as hampering the work of journalists began when Nurkholis on Tuesday night, August 30, 2022, made an opinion entitled 'Inhaling Coal Dust Get Rewards.'

The article quoted the Deputy Mayor of Tidore Islands, Muhammad Sinen, when giving a speech at the opening of the domino tournament in Rum Balibunga Village, North Tidore District, Sunday, August 28, 2022 night.

For Nurkholis, this statement contrasts with the coal dust pollution caused by the impact of the Tidore PLTU activities on the residents, to the commitment the government made during a meeting on Friday morning at the Tidore Mayor's Office: relocation or conversion of fuel from coal to environmentally friendly energy. Nurkholis is quite active in overseeing meetings between the community, the City Government and the PLTU.

For three hours Nurkholis finished writing the opinion and published it on the online media website meticulous.co.id. The writing that made the deputy mayor and his family angry, he shared it in several WhatsApp groups and his Facebook media account.

Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at around 00.33 WIT midnight, the younger brother of the Deputy Mayor of Tidore, Usman Sinen, came to his father-in-law's residence, in the Rum Balibunga village.

Usman asked to delete the writing on the grounds that Muhammad Sinen came at the opening of the domino tournament, not in his capacity as Deputy Mayor, but as a big family of Rum Balibunga residents.

In fact, in reality Muhammad Sinen was invited to the capacity as Deputy Mayor of Tidore Islands.

"The submission in the form of 'breathing coal dust can be rewarded' is just a joke or not serious," said Nurkholis quoting Usman's statement.

In order not to prolong this case, Nurkholis also deleted his opinion writing with the approval of his editor-in-chief.

Surprisingly, at around 09.00 WIT, Ari, the eldest son of one of Muhammad Sinen's brothers named Yunus Sinen, came knocking on his door.

Ari received Nurkholis's wife, Nurjanah Yahya and said that her husband was sleeping. However, Ari forced Nurjanah to wake her husband.

When meeting Ari, Nurkholis explained that the writing was an opinion and it was a form of criticism of an official's statement in a public space. Moreover, coal dust is not a trivial matter.

Nurklholis also received harsh intimidation from Ari, saying that he was just a newcomer to the area.

Before he could explain, Ari threw a blow to the back of Nurkholis's head twice, which was witnessed by his wife and sister-in-law. Ari also challenged Nurkholis to report his beating to the police.

"Want to report to the police? Please. I'll wait 5 minutes from now," said Nurkholis quoting Ari's statement at the time.

He rushed to the Tidore City Police Station, accompanied by his wife. At around 12.47 WIT, Muhammad Sinen, Ari, and their father, Yunus Sinen, arrived at the Resort Police.

In front of the police officers in the SPKT room, Muhammad Sinen immediately approached and grabbed Nurkholis's face. Nurkholis did not accept this treatment and said why the Deputy Mayor was treated like a thug. Luckily the police were quite responsive and tried to get rid of him.

Not quite there, Nurkholis also received death threats from the Deputy Mayor.

"Earlier, if we believed that the deputy mayor was the deputy mayor, we killed Pengana. We went to jail and nothing happened. (Earlier, if my sister was the deputy mayor, I killed you. I went to jail, it's okay," said Nurcholis to the Ketum DPP PJS, imitated the deputy mayor's words.

On that incident. Nurkholis also submitted 2 reports to the Tidore City Police. The first is a pure crime for beating Ari against himself and the other is a violation of Article 18 of Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press which carries a penalty of 2 (two) years or a maximum fine of Rp. 500,000,000.00 (Five hundred million rupiah).

"Every person who unlawfully intentionally takes an action that results in obstructing or hindering the implementation of Article 4 paragraph (2) and paragraph (3) shall be sentenced to a maximum imprisonment of 2 (two) years or a maximum fine of Rp. 500,000,000.00 (Five hundred million rupiah)" Law number 40 of 1999 article 18 paragraph (1)."

Unfortunately, this case report has not received a positive response from the police. Nurkholis said that until today, he had not received a report on the progress of the investigation from the Tidore City Police.

Observing the case of cyber media journalists in Tidore, Chairman of the DPP PJS Cyber ​​Journalist Observer (PJS), Mahmud Marhaba requested that the police, in this case the Tidore City Police, carry out their investigative duties in a professional manner.

If there are indications of flirting or lack of seriousness in handling the criminalization of journalists by an unscrupulous deputy mayor of Ternate on Nurkholis, he asked the National Police Chief to act decisively on his members, including the North Maluku Police Chief and the Tidore City Police Chief.

"I request that the National Police Chief, who is very concerned with the criminalization of journalists in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia, to process the case of the alleged criminalization of journalists in Ternate."

"If there are indications of flirting in the case, I request that the National Police Chief take action against the officers involved in it, including the North Maluku Police Chief and the Ternate City Police Chief," Mahmud said while asking the North Maluku PJS DPD administrators as well as DPC administrators in Ternate City and Tidore City to supervise the course of the investigation of the case.

A total of six demonstrators were arrested by the police during a demonstration against the increase in the price of fuel oil (BBM) at the Horse Statue of Arjuna Wijaya, Monday (5/9/2022).

Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Komarudin said the six demonstrators were arrested for stopping an official car belonging to a Banten Provincial Government (Pemprov) official while crossing Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan. "So they were secured because they stopped vehicles that would pass in the Horse Statue area," said Komarudin when confirmed, Tuesday (6/9/2022). Not only stopping the car, said Komarudin, the six people also climbed into the front of the car with a red plate. "Riding vehicles, so they jump up and down or stand on the vehicle," he said.

According to Komarudin, the six participants in the action are still being questioned by the Jakarta Metro Police investigators. "We are still checking because there are reports," said Komarudin. "The six of them are still being questioned by investigators from the Polda Metro Jaya," he continued. It is known from the video that circulated on social media Instagram @wargajakpus, a group of participants in the action stopped a Toyota Camry Hybrid car that was passing. It is suspected that the car with the police number A-1-R is an official vehicle belonging to the Mayor of Cilegon. In the video, two people can be seen sitting and lying on the hood of the black car. The two people seemed to refuse when asked to get off the front of the car. In addition, the mass of action also pulled the plate of the car.

Two men who work as journalists in Batam, Riau Islands, allegedly experienced intimidation and persecution. The perpetrators were a number of security officers in an industrial area in Punggur Lake, Kabil.

The beating started when the two were investigating allegations of waste pollution from the area. Two journalists from the television media were injured. They claimed to have been hit by a motorbike.

The two of them reported this case to the Barelang Police, but there is no suspect yet. A victim, Darmawan Alamsyah alias Ateng said, on Sunday (11/9/2022), he and Irwanto were tracing a black liquid that was in the drainage in the Kabil area, Nongsa District.

The waste is thought to flow directly into the sea and pollute the environment. "The waste flows into the sea," said Ateng, Tuesday (13/9/2022).

After being investigated, it turned out that the waste came from a company in the vicinity of the location. While taking the documentation, they were suddenly approached by a man who claimed to be the security forces.

"He asked what he meant, 'we cover', then he called his five other friends," said Ateng. A number of security guards did not then intimidate and delete the photos and video recordings of the coverage. Both journalists refused.

"We were forced, then I was hit by a motorbike and I fell over, then they ganged up on us and took our cellphones," he said.

The two were then taken to the guard post. They were intimidated, held captive, and asked to delete the footage. Out of necessity, the two of them deleted the tape and finally released it.

"But before I delete the documentation, I have secured it and sent it to my colleagues, it will also be used as evidence later," said Ateng.