Indonesian president in Britain for state visit

Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono begins a three-day state visit to Britain on Wednesday, with officials keen to impress the emerging Asian power with a display of pomp and pageantry.

Queen Elizabeth II is scheduled to formally welcome Yudhoyono and his wife Ani on Wednesday afternoon with a guard of honour on Horse Guards Parade, before accompanying them to Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn carriage.

The Indonesian leader and his wife will stay at the palace, where the 86-year-old monarch is hosting a lavish state banquet in their honour on Wednesday evening.

“As well having one of the world’s most thriving economies, Indonesia is in the vanguard of the political change shaping Asia,” Foreign Secretary William Hague told parliament on Tuesday.

“This visit will be an opportunity for us to build on the strong partnership established over the last decade.”

The president will hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday and attend a meeting of the high-level United Nations panel that is drawing up a strategy on how to build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Yudhoyono, who is the world’s only head of state to have served as a UN peacekeeper, will also give a speech at the Royal College of Defence Studies.

The 15th-century Guildhall, in London’s financial district, will host a second banquet on Thursday night.

Several trade announcements are expected during the three-day trip, with Britain keen to gain access to Indonesia’s fast-growing economy and 240 million consumers.

The state visit is part of Britain’s drive to boost its diplomatic presence in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia regarded by officials as the most influential player in the region.

As the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, it is also seen as a strategic ally in the Islamic world.

“Indonesia is far and away the most important country in ASEAN,” said a Foreign Office source.

Officials also see Indonesia as a potential future host for foreign campuses of its universities, similar to Malaysia where several British universities including Nottingham, Southampton and Newcastle have outposts.

Britain usually hosts two state visits each year, but Yudhoyono is the only foreign head of state to receive the formal hospitality in 2012 following months of diamond jubilee celebrations marking the queen’s 60th year on the throne.

The last state visit was by Turkish President Abdullah Gul in November last year.

Source: MSN News

West Papua province builds network with Balinese tourism

West Papua is hoping to develop its tourism and to reach out to foreign tourism markets by building networks with the Balinese industry.

The West Papua tourism agency hosted on Monday an event in Sanur entitled Promoting the West Papua Tourism Potentials, to which it invited tour and travel agencies, as well as other Balinese tourism stakeholders.

“We came here to learn by building a network with this island‘s tourism businesspeople. We hope that Bali is willing to help promote our tourism,” said West Papua tourism agency head Edi Sumarwanto, while praising Bali as an international tourism destination.

Edi said that West Papua had major potential as an eco-tourism destination, because 70 percent of its region was still undeveloped, with around 60 percent of its territory part of a conservation area.

Edi also said that the West Papua region was rich with exotic culture and land and underwater biodiversity.

“We have around 43 species of birds of paradise, not to mention other types of birds, fish and sea vegetation,” said Edi.

Edi acknowledged that West Papua still lacked sufficient accommodation facilities.

In the region’s most developed regency, Raja Ampat, currently, there are seven resorts, 11 hostels and 36 homestays, while Manokwari, the West Papuan capital city, has 34 hotels, four of which are star-rated hotels.

Access to tourist destinations and limited infrastructure have been the major problem due to the long distance between one site and another, while its airport does not have proper lighting, thus only allowing daytime flights.

“We have requested the central government improve access to West Papua, including renovating the airport and providing direct flights from Bali,” said Edi,.

He stated that the national carrier, Garuda Indonesia, had not opened a route to Sorong, while other airlines had. Direct flights from Jakarta to Sorong are available, but from Bali, passengers have to transit in Makassar.

Inter-regency access relies on water transportation, such as ferry and speedboat.

Head of Raja Ampat tourism and cultural agency, Yusdi Lamatenggo, said that Raja Ampat, with its groups of islets and the stunning beauty found under its sea, is among the 10 national tourism strategic areas set by the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry.

It has been proposed for listing among the seven wonders of the world.

The Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA)’s head of destination and promotional affairs, Edi Sanyoto, acknowledged that West Papua was one of Indonesia’s great tourism attractions that was still to be properly developed.

He said he was ready to make a visit to West Papua to see for himself the destinations, besides Raja Ampat, that were worth promoting to foreign visitors.

Source: The Jakarta Post

Police replace 23 regency chiefs in Papua

The Indonesia National Police have launched an overhaul of their institution in the provinces of Papua and West Papua by replacing 23 out of 29 police regency heads.

The major restructuring was conducted by Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, who was installed as the new Papua Police chief, replacing Brig. Gen. Lumban Tobing at the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Sept. 21.

Tito said at the joint installation ceremony in Jayapura on Monday that aside from being used to refresh the institution, the major restructuring was also intended to help support the fight against rampant corruption in Papua.

“This is only to refresh because there are many regency police chiefs who have held their current positions for a long time, while at the same time there are many young and clever officers who have to be given a chance,” Tito said.

“Our focus is on the rotation of office, but in every briefing they will be continuously reminded to help the fight against corruption,” he said.

In a coordination meeting with heads of detective and crime units of all the 29 police units throughout Papua and West Papua in Jayapura on Oct. 16, Tito reminded them that each police units had to be serious about uncovering corrupt practices in both Papua and West Papua provinces because rampant corruption had caused Papuans to suffer.

Post-New Order Indonesia resolved half of the Herculean job of keeping Papua as part of Indonesia through issuing the province special autonomy in 2001, which was intended to allow Papua to enjoy and manage the lion’s share of its revenue from natural resources.

The government is set to do more for Papua in the future, including renegotiating mining contracts with large-scale companies operating in the province.

The central government is also due to raise special autonomy funding for Papua to Rp 4.3 trillion (US$450.5 million) next year from this year’s Rp 3.10 trillion, and to Rp 1.8 trillion for West Papua from this year’s Rp 1.33 trillion.

“There is a lot of money being allocated for Papua and West Papua, but the fact is that most Papuan people, especially those inland and in remote areas, still live in poverty. There must be something wrong, so the police branches have to focus on uncovering allegations of fund misuse,” he said.

Tito’s remarks were warmly welcomed by the head of the Papua Church Leaders Forum (PGGP) Lipius Binilux. “In my capacity as head of PGGP, I fully support the commitment of the Papua Police chief to fight against corruption,” he said.

He said Papuan people had lost trust in Jakarta because it allowed rampant corruption practices to continue in Papua.

“I hope the Papua Police chief’s commitment to fight against corruption will be able to revive the Papuan people’s trust in Jakarta,” Lipius said.

Out of the 23 newly installed regency police chiefs, there was Adj. Sr. Comr Esterlina Sroyer, who has been promoted as the new Bian Numfor regency police chief and at the same time is the first woman police chief in Papua.

“This shows appreciation toward policewomen,” Lipius said.

Source: The Jakarta Post

World recognizes Indonesia`s role as global peace maker

The international community has recognized Indonesia`s role in creating global peace and security, Indonesian Permanent Representative to the UN, WTO and Other International Organizations Ambassador Triyono Wibowo said.

He made the statement shortly after presenting a letter of credence from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Director General of UN Office in Geneva Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the UN Headquarters in Geneva, First Secretary of the Indonesian Permanent Representative in Geneva Lynda Kurnia Wardhani said in a statement to an ANTARA News correspondent in London on Saturday.

On the occasion, Ambassador Triyono also reaffirmed Indonesia`s strong commitment to always cooperate with the UN in creating global peace and security in accordance with the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.

The international recognition of Indonesia`s role as global peace maker reflected the outstanding achievement of the country`s diplomacy that must be maintained and increased, he said.

At the meeting with Ambassador Triyono, Tokayev also touched on various important roles played by Indonesia at international forum, including in G-20.

He also praised Indonesia for its role in disarmament efforts by ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Indonesia will assume the President of Conference of Disarmament in 2013.

Triyono was formerly deputy foreign minister.

Source: ANTARA News

Indonesia to set up sport school in Papua next year

Papua provincial administration plans to build a sport school next year in the province, in a bid to find and develop promising young athletes as early as possible, local official said on Tuesday.

Papua Education, Youth and Sports Agency chief James Modouw said that the school would be at levels equivalent to junior and senior high school.

“We will recruit talented teenagers from all over Papua as students,” he said, adding that the administration plans to recruit 600 students.

Modouw said that the school’s curriculum would comprise 60 percent of sports and 40 percent of regular classes.

Modouw added that the schedule of the regular classes would be adjusted to the students’ training sessions.

“For example, they train from 6 am to 9 am, followed by regular classes until 3 pm. After finishing the classes, maybe they will go straight to another training session until 6 pm,” he said.

After undergoing trainings in the school, accomplished students will be further trained by the National Sports Committee (KONI), according to Modouw.

Source: Global Times

Over 1,000 flee flash floods in Papua, Indonesia

Flash floods in Papua in eastern Indonesia on Sunday (21/10) night has displaced over 1,000 people and damaged over 200 houses and other public facilities, an official of disaster relief agency said here on Monday.

Spokesman of the National Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that heavy rains at mountainous area led to overflow of Eranouli river and caused flash floods in Eranouli village in Panja district.

“Over 200 houses and scores of office building have been damaged and about 1,000 people have escaped to higher grounds,” he told the press.

The waters inundated the village by up to 2 meters high, said Sutopo.

The waters also damaged a health clinic and a clean water facility, he said.

Source: China Daily

Bombs found in Wamena

The Jayawijaya Police said on Wednesday that they found a 3-kilogram bomb in Abusa hamlet, Kurulu District, Jayawijaya, after a number of recent bombings in Wamena.

“From our investigation, the suspects said that there were around 20 kilograms of bombs across Wamena. So far, we have found 5 kilograms, so there are still many bombs left out there,” said Papua Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. I Gede Sumerta in Jayapura on Wednesday.

In September, a bomb blast rocked a room of the Jayawijaya Legislative Council, followed by another explosion at a police post.

The police so far have detained 10 suspects and they are still pursuing an additional five more suspects. Previously, the police discovered a bomb in Honai Lama.

“The 10 suspects violated the Law No. 21/1951 on Possession of Explosive Materials, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison,” said Sumerta, adding that the bombs were transported from Biak.

“It was also revealed that the gang had plans of bombing a number of regions across Papua on the same date and the Wamena bombings were just the beginning of the Papua bombing [campaign],” added Adj. Sr. Comr. Parlin Silitonga, head of the Papua Police’s Crime Unit.

Parlin went on to say that one suspect in the Wamena bombing was allegedly involved in a murder in Jayapura on August, which left four people dead.

Source: The Jakarta Post

Japanese ambassador visits Biak

Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yoshinori Katori

Japanese ambassador to Indonesia Yoshinori Katori paid a working visit to Biak Numfor regency in Papua to explore mutually beneficial cooperation with the local administration.

The Japanese envoy was welcomed by Biak Numfor regional secretary Johanis Than MM and some other local officials at the grass house of the Biak Regent.

Johanis Than hoped the Japanese ambassador`s working visit to Biak on Wednesday (Oct. 5) could establish cooperation, including in education for the local civil service.

“The Biak Numfor regency administration positively hailed the Japanese ambassador`s working visit hoping it would be followed up with the establishment of bilateral relations,” Johanis Than said.

In the meantime, Yoshinori Katori through his interpreter Ayako Masuda said the aim of their visit is to get acquainted with the condition and situation of Biak regency, develop cooperation in the economy, politics and culture.

“The relations between Japan and the Papua administration and Biak Numfor regency are very important,” Yoshinori hoped.

In the meantime, chairman of Biak legislative assembly Nehemia Wospakrik said many Japanese officials in Indonesia had already made working visits to Biak Numfor regency, but none have established concrete cooperation programs with the regency administration and people of Biak.

“The local legislative assembly said many Japanese officials had often made working visits there but none of them had established concrete cooperation or contributed to Biak Numfor regency,” the local legislative chairman Nehemia Wospakrik said.

He meanwhile hoped the Japanese government could give concrete assistance to the Biak regency administration and people so that the cooperation between the two sides would be beneficial to the interest of the people in the region.

In Biak, the Japanese ambassador and an entourage will visit several schools in Biak, inspect the famous Japanese cave, Second World War monuments, and several popular places and parks of recreation in Biak and surroundings.

Source: ANTARA News

Scouts find Jayapura secure, beautiful

“It turns out that Jayapura is beautiful and comfortable. It’s nothing like what I imagined before I come here,” girl scout Sri Lestari of North Maluku said upon her arrival at the Cenderawasih campground in Waena, Jayapura, Papua, on Thursday.

Sri, one of the participants of the Indonesian Scouts Movement’s Raimuna X national camping event in Waena from Oct. 8-15, said that prior to her arrival in Jayapura, she heard a number of negative things about the province of Papua.

She said she was told that Jayapura was not safe and frequently marred with rapes, kidnappings and riots, and leaving home, these worries still weighed on her mind. Yet, her impression changed as she met other fellow scouts from Papua on board the passenger ship KM Doloronda that took her to Jayapura. “They are friendly and quick to make friends,” Sri said.

Boy scout Misbakul Aulat of North Halmahera regency shared the same experience. “We were welcomed very warmly. It was completely different from the incidents we often see in the media,” he said.

Abdul Latief, a scout supervisor from Central Sulawesi said, “In fact, we don’t have such worries anymore after we moored at Jayapura Port.”

Unlike previous years, the participants in this year’s event do not need to erect tents as the organizing committee prepared uniquely designed huts whose walls and roofs were made of woven palm leaves, locally known as nipah.

Water containers have also been prepared at the campsite to allow the participants to conduct their activities during the event.

Some 4,000 scouts from across the country are attending the event that was officially opened by Vice President Boediono.

Source: The Jakarta Post

Govt to build several airports in Papua

The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Air Transportation, will develop a number of airports in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, according to local transportation office spokesman Bambang Tjahjono.

“In order that more commercial airlines serve the eastern Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua, the Ministry of Transportation will develop airports there,” he said here on Monday (08/10).

Bambang stated that the runways of Sentani in Jayapura and Sorong in West Papua would be extended.

“The runway of Sentani airport will be extended to 3,000 metres, in addition to the development of its taxiway and a boarding bridge or garbarata,” he noted.

“The Ministry of Transportation and Sorong mayor have also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the expansion of the runway of Sorong airport in West Papua,” Bambang said.

“The MoU also involves the construction of an alternative airport in Segun,” he added.

According to Bambang, other airports to be developed in Papua and West Papua include those in Kaimana, Wamena, Manokwari, Merauke, Wagete Baru in Deiyai, and Tamanof.

“The Ministry of Transportation has allocated a lot of funds for the eastern Indonesian region because we give our special attention to Papua and West Papua,” he explained.

Source: ANTARA News