Short News Overview - February Edition

8/6/2019 Short News Overview - February Edition

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Edition : February 2011

The freedom of religion

becomes one of the

biggest issue happened in

Indonesia during

February 2011. INFID

stated that Ahmadiyah

case that happened in

Cikeusik as the

government failure to

protect citizens right to

freedom of religion and

belief.

MDGs achievement for all

targets in 2015 is really

hard to be achieved and

accomplished in time.

Many conditions, such as

poverty, malnutrition,

maternal health, women

empowerment, and

water and sanitation,

have no significant

progress for the

achievement. Beside,

Indonesia faces foreign

debt problem and it is

hard for Indonesia to get

off from this trap.

Violation of freedom of

religion and belief on

Ahmadiyah case will bethe headline news in this

SNO February edition.

Moreover, there are news

about MDGs achievement

in Indonesia and many

other news related to

situation in Indonesia

HEADLINE NEWS

Repor t on Mob Attack to be Sen t to UN

VIVANews,February7,2011INFID expects the UN will deploy its special

rappor teur on freedom of religion or belief.

A handful of NGOs in Indonesia will bring the case of mobattack against Ahmadiyah members in Cikeusik,Pandeglang, Banten, to the United Nations Human RightsCouncil.

"The Human Rights Council will hold an assembly betweenFeb 28 and March 25 in which a special session on tortureas well as religious and faith freedom," ProgrammesManager of the International NGO Forum on IndonesianDevelopment (INFID) , Wahyu Susilo, told VIVAnews inJakarta today, Feb 7.

The NGOs will urge the UN Human Rights Council to warnthe Indonesian government on countless cases of torturesand attacks against freedom of religion and belief."Indonesia claims it has recorded best practices inreligious tolerance," said Wahyu.

In addition, INFID expects the UN will deploy its specialrapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

He went on to say acts of violence against members of

Ahmadiyah have been noted by the International NGOssuch as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

Source

INFID Statement on Ahmadiyah Attack State Neglect

Over Acts of Violence Against Ahmadiyah Sect Members:

State Fails to Protect Citizens Rights to Freedom of

Religion and Belief


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INDONESIA UP DATECikeusik incident was planne d, organized: rights comm ission

ANTARANews/February23,2011 Temporary findings from National Commission forHuman Rights (Komnas HAM) showed the recent sectarian violence which happened inCikeusik subdistrict, Banten province, was planned and organized by certain people.

Based on investigation in the location, there was an indication that police`s intelligencedata was weak and that the attack was done by outsiders, not by locals. Komnas HAMwould also investigate whether onduty security personnel at the time had actively tried tosecure the situation or not.

A series of attacks on Ahmadiyah religious sect followers and their properties haveoccurred in some parts of Indonesia over the past two years. "The root cause of the recentCikeusik incident was first of all triggered by the society members` dissatisfaction with thegovernment`s weak stance on the Ahmadiyah problem," (the Indonesian Council ofUlemas) MUI`s Chairman Sahal Mahfudh said.

Full Text

UN Convention Ratification is Delayed for Seven Ye ars

Kompas/February2,2011 Group of activists which concern on migrant worker issueurged the governmeny to ratify convention about Migrant Workers that has been delayedfor seven years. Vice Executive Director of Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) Choirul

Anam said that he welcomed Indonesian Minister of Manpower and Transmigrations plan

to ratify 1990 UN Convention, which gives protection for migrant workers and their

families.

Up till now, the government delays ratification and argued that it will make many migrant

workers come to Indonesia. But, the more migrant workers come to Indonesia means our

economy is better, doesnt it? said Choirul Anam.

Another government excuse is, as a migrant workers sender Indonesia doesnt need to

ratify 1990 UN Convention. But actually the case is if the government ratify this convention,

our contry will get stronger bargaining position rather than other countries that become

migrantreceiving countries. In Indonesia, the government always in an unprofitable

position when bargain and discuss with receiving countries like Malaysia.

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Development

SBYs Developm ent Program: Good on paper but not in fact

INILAH.COM/ Feb rua ry 1 , 2011 The success indicator of Indonesian development on

paper is so surprisingly good. But, in fact, social welfare that should be the main objectiveof development is still far to be achieved.

Education, health, and infrastructure budget are increasing sharply in every national

budget. Poverty and unemployment rate are claimed decreasing drastically. Less foreign

debt compared with great economic growth. Development jargon addressed by SBY rezim,

which are ProGrowth, ProJob, ProPoor, and ProEnvironment, are considered not

appropriate with the achievement.

Eventhough the government is claiming about decreasing unemployment rate, which now

is 7.14% from total population, and also with poverty rate in 2010, which is 13.3%

(decreasing 1.5 million people)compared with 14.1% in 2009, but qualitatively, it is shown

different situation, said Chief of Director Board of Sabang Merauke Circle.

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Presiden t: Com m itment in developmen t must be fulfilled

ANTARANews/February21,2011 All parties who have made a commitment to steppingup national development should fulfill it, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said. "I willsign the master plan in the document but I hope the governors, ministers, and maininvestors will sign the document on the implementation of the development. Lest any of theinvestors break their promise," the president said.

In relation with the discussion and implementation of Indonesian economic developmentacceleration program, the head of state asked all parties to seriously implement theprogram to reach the expansion of economic development.

In the master plan there are also a number of short term and long term projects with high

costs, and thus the president asked all parties not to hurriedly reap the benefits of theprojects which will bear fruit in the next five to ten years.Full Text


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SBY lists 5 obstacles in developm ent program s

The Jakarta Post/ February 22, 2011 President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in aworking meeting Monday listed five factors hindering the countrys development.

The first is the bureaucracy lag, especially in the central government, in implementing

plans that have been agreed upon. The second hindering factor is regional governments

having their own interests, which become obstacles in carrying out agreed development

plans. The third is investors failing to fulfill their promises, thus halting development

programs. The fourth factor is when one knows that a regulation is hindering [the process],

and that it can be improved, and yet it is not. The fifth is an unhealthy political process at

central and regional levels.

Let us think clearly, he said.

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Debt becom es Consultants Business Field

KORANJAKARTA/February23,2011 The governments plan to cover deficit of 2011national budget with foreign debt has been criticized sharply by foreign debt issue

observer. Debt is considered no longer effective as finance because it only becomes

business field that involving government staff, donor consultant, and consultant agency.

General Directorate of Debt Management (DJPU) of Finance Ministry stated that Indonesian

governments debt in January 2011 is 1,695.34 trillion rupiah or increasing 17.13 trillion

rupiah compared with the end of 2010, which is 1,678.21 trillion rupiah. Executive Director

of International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID), Donatus Klaudius Marut,

said that foreign debt is only benefited by several people. Staffs and donor consultants

always need debt to save their job. And so do central government official. They need debt

for their additional income; even income from debt project is much more than their main

income as a government official.

He considered that government cannot be free from foreign debt because it has been put as

an integral part of development planning. On the other hand, government doesnt havecommitment to get off from foreign debt trap. Furthermore, aid effectiveness still cannot beseen clearly.

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MDGs Achieveme nt

BPS: poverty rate has really dropped

ANTARA News/ February 17, 2011 The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said thepoverty rate in Indonesia has continued to decline since 2006, although the number ofnearlypoor people has remained high.

"If calculated with reference to the poverty line the food poverty and nonfood povertylines the number of poor people has decreased from 39.3 million to 31.02 million since2006," Kecuk Suhariyanto, director of BPS`s Statistical Analytical and Developmentdivision, said at a seminar organized by ANTARA News here Thursday.

He gave the figures to counter a statement by several prominent religious figures who hadrecently accused the government of having lied for saying that the number of the poor in

2010 was 31,02 million, while the number of poor people receiving governmentsubsidizedrice was 70 million.

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Govt likely to m iss 2014 poverty re duction goa ls

TheJakartaPost/February22,2011 The government will not meet its target to reducethe poverty level to 8 to 10 percent by late 2014 unless it implements more appropriate

measures, economists say. Faisal Basri, a political economist from University of Indonesia,said on Thursday that poverty rate in Indonesia would not go down anytime soon due toineffective government strategies.

According to the Central Statistics Agencys (BPS) latest report, the number of Indonesiansliving in poverty in 2010 was 31.02 million, down from 32.5 million in 2009 and 35 millionin 2008. The poverty rate, he added, has declined slowly despite the increased state budgetdedicated to poverty alleviation. The government allocated Rp 80.1 trillion (US$9.05billion) to poverty alleviation programs in 2010, a significant increase over Rp 18 trillion in2004.

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RI`s un em ployed totals 8.32 million

ANTARANews/February2,2011 The number of unemployed in Indonesia so far hasreached 8.32 million , President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Wednesday.


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The president explained that the number of unemployed persons was equivalent to 7.14percent of the total 237.8 million population of the country. The president said the data onthe unemployed came from the Central Bureau of Statistics. According to the head of state,the government`s main focus was on creating job opportunities for the unemployed.

One of the opportunities for unemployed people was to become government employees but

unfortunately the head of state said those sectors were unable to absorb all ofthem. Therefore, the president asked the people to foster the entrepreneurial spirit toabsorb laborers.

Full Text

Provinces required to establish women, children`s

empowerm ent centers

ANTARANews/ February 23, 2011 State Minister for Women`s Empowerment LindaAmalia Sari Gumelar has asked all provinces and districts to establish an Integrated Servicefor Women and Children Empowerment (P2TP2A). Linda explained from 2002 2007 theState Minister for Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection had facilitated theestablishment of 17 P2TP2A in 17 provinces and 80 districts/municipalities.

According to her, things like that should be a concern of all parties because the evaluationresults of P2TP2A implementation indicated that limited human resources andinfrastructure had become obstacles so far. She explained that P2TP2A was a communitybased container service to women`s empowerment and child protection. Linda said

P2TP2A had a role in a bid to fulfill the need for improvement in education, health,economy, and for the management of violent acts against women and children.

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Infant in Central Java dies of m alnourishment

ANTARANews/February21,2011 A twoyearold infant named Sherilla Kayla, daughterof a couple in Tahunan village, Jepara district, Central Java, died of malnourishment onSunday. According to the hospital`s doctor, Kayla suffered from serious malnourishment,diarrhea, as well as lung and heart problems, the illfated baby`s father, Rofiq said."Unfortunately, my daughter did not receive special treatment such food supplements asinstant milk and biscuits from a local health center, he said.

Undernourishment cases remain serious in Indonesia. According to World VisionIndonesia, a nongovernmental organization which plays an active role in fightingmalnutrition, more than five million Indonesian children are malnourished. Extremepoverty has made millions of less fortunate Indonesians like Ruslia faced serious difficulties


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in obtaining proper medical treatment.

Full Text

BK KB N to give free ma ternity services

ANTARA News/ February 23, 2011 To reduce the national high risk of maternalmortality, Banjarmasin local government would impose free maternity expenses in everynational hospital or public health service, an official said here Wednesday.

This free maternity program is a government effort to reduce the high maternal mortalityrate that has reached 338/100,000 people, and targeted 224/100,000 people. As for thecurrent infant mortality rate at birth reached 34/10.000 babies, which would be reduced to15/10,000 infants.

The program was expected to reach low economic poor people, who were able to give birthat any national hospitals or public health center with expert medical personnel. "Thepublic`s low awareness on maternal health and noting the the midwives are one of the maincauses of high mother and baby maternal mortality," the South Kalimantan NationalDemography and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) chief, Chamnah Wahyuni, said.

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HIV/AIDS sufferers in B engkalis increase

ANTARANews/ February 22, 2011 The number of HIV/AIDS sufferers in Bengakalisdistrict, Riau province, Indonesia has increased dramatically each year, AIDS EradicationCommission Executive Chairman of Bengkalis district, Suayatno said here on Tuesday. Untilthe beginning of 2011, it was found that at least there are 52 cases including 29 women and23 cases men. "These cases were dominated by women and men whose age is still quiteproductive. This is certainly very view. This year, their number also increased by about 15percent from the previous year`s 44 cases," he said.

Meanwhile, the head of the Bengkalis district Health Office, Zulfan Heri said, the averageHIV/AIDS sufferers in the areas are commercial sex workers and transvestites. "Thenumber of commercial sex workers and transvestites who contracted this deadly diseasebecause free sexual intercourse which they routinely do to meet their life needs," he said.According to him, the root causes of HIV/AIDS are not only in terms of health, but alsosocial and family background of a weak economy.

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RI sees lower TB cases

TheJakartaPost/February25,2011 After 10 years of holding status as the worldsthirdlargest country with tuberculosis, this year Indonesia dropped to fifth rank, an officialsays. Health Minister Endang Sedyaningsih said that the rank drop was a Millennium

Development Goal achievement. She said that in 2010, the number of people withtuberculosis numbered 300,000, with deaths caused by tuberculosis reaching 61,000, or169 people per day.

She said that the handling of tuberculosis cases was already put in the ministrys 20102014 national strategy. The availability of medicine from hospitals to community healthcenters also helps push down the number of tuberculosis patients.

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INFID Activities

DiscussionThe Dynamicsof Egyptian Politicson Contemporary Politic Constellation inMiddleEast


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INFID held a discussion on 4th of February 2011 in INFID office. The main theme of the

discussion is The Dynamics of Egyptian Politics on Contemporary Politic Constellation in

Middle East. The main speakers on this dialogue are Guntur Romli (alumnus of AlAzhar

and actively engaged in Islam Liberal Network/JIL), Mufti Makarim (Director of Institutefor Defense Security and Peace Studies/IDSPS), and Zuhaeri (Chief of Center for Moderate

Muslim, activist of Nadhatul Ulama, and the Indonesian witness of Egyptian revolution).

Participants of the discussion are NGOs with various backgrounds that interested with this

issue.

The discussion is trying to answer and analyze what has happened in Egypt specially and

Middle East generally, there is relation between mass movement in Tunisia with movement

in Egypt or not, and how the impact of mass movement in Egypt to Middle East region and

also global politics. There are many statements and questions from participants duringdiscussion. Those are covered discussion about what will happen with Egypt and Middle

East after Mubaraks downfall, the role of military in Egypt, relation between Indonesia and

Egypt, the role of US in Egypt, and relation between crisis in US and Europe and mass

movement in Egypt.

INFID stands for the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development and was established in June 1985.

INFID is an open and pluralistic network of NGOs from Indonesian and various member countries of the Consultative

Group for Indonesian (CGI) as well as of International organization with an interest in and commitment to Indonesia

More information please visit: www.infid.org

Documents

Short News Overview - February Edition