August 9, 2016 edition

THE National Narcotics Agency (BNN)together with the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Policereported Coordinator for Commission for Missing Persons and the Victims of Violence (Kontras) coordinator Haris Azhar to the police. Those three institutions objected to what Haris wrote about the personal testimony of Freddy Budiman. This death row inmate allegedly spoke about the suspected involvement of the police, the military and BNN officials in the illegal narcotics business. The strong reaction of those three institutions has drawn criticism from many circles. However, according to BNN chief Com. Gen. Budi Waseso, questioning and verification will be expedited to check if Freddy's 'admission' is true or not. "The President ordered us to quickly follow up on that information," Budi Waseso told Tempo reporter Linda Trianita at the BNN office last week.
Why did BNN rush to report Haris Azhar to the police?
Because this matter had already been published, the police have the authority to prove its truthfulness. To handle the case, the police must have the grounds to act. That police report will be the basis for summoning Haris. This does not mean that Haris can become a suspect. This is for the legal process. If there is no report, the police cannot summon him.
Three institutions agreed to file that police report?
No. We did not meet. I gave the order to make a report to the police for the purpose of expediting verification. The national police and the TNI also reported it due to an interest in verifying the matter. This happened concurrently, (although) it was reported that it was a joint decision. Accordingly, a two-star TNI general protected Freddy, that a certain police officer received Rp90 billion. BNN was also mentioned. We were surprised. This is dirty. We must clean it up.

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August 2, 2016 edition

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July 26, 2016 edition

It took eight days and thousands of armed personnel to corner and kill Santoso, Indonesias top fugitive. But the hunt for his remaining 19 followers continues.

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July 19, 2016 edition

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July 12, 2016 edition

SINCE September last year, the government has issued 12 economic policy packages aimed at attracting investments and accelerating growth. However, there are hurdles making the policies difficult to implement.
"It will be good if we can survive," Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution said in an interview at his office on June 29. To Tempo reporters Agus Supriyanto, Akbar Tri Kurniawan, Ayu Prima Sandi, Ali Nur Hidayat and Gustidha Budiartie, the former Bank Indonesia governor spoke about problems hampering the effectiveness of deregulations.

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July 5, 2016 edition

Gazing at the dozens of students gathered, Gus Reza told the story of a blind Jewish woman who reviled the Prophet Muhammad on a daily basis. Gus Reza, whose full name is Kiai Haji Reza Ahmad Zahid, was sitting cross-legged on the mosque's porch area at the Al-Mahrusiyah Islamic boarding school in Kediri, East Java, on the second day of the Ramadan fasting month. Whenever someone approached, said Reza continuing the story, the blind beggar woman who lived in a corner of the market in Medina spread hatred so that people would not believe in Muhammad's message. "Muhammad is a liar, a magician," said the woman, as told by Reza.
The Prophet was aware of all this. Yet, every morning he brought the elderly Jewish woman food and fed her by hand. He did not say a word when he did this. One day, Muhammad went away and the elderly woman felt the loss of the person who had always given her food. It was only after missing him for several days that the woman found out from Abu Bakar Ash-Shiddiq, a friend of the Prophet, that the despised Muhammad had been the one feeding her all along. "This teaches us that Muhammad respected his haters, as well as people of different faiths," said Reza.

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June 28, 2016 edition

Marina Ratna Dwi Kusumajati received two calls on her cell phone in less than half an hour. The calls were from Sigit Sutantiyo and Susiana Martha, employees of state-owned trading company Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PPI). The two were offering frozen imported beef to Marina, who is CEO of Dharma Jaya market. Marina was open to the offers. "As long as the price is good and the beef is imported legally," she told Tempo last week.
As general manager of PPI, Sigit tried to reassure Marina that the beef from his company, which obtained an import license, was legal. Not long after Sigit called, Susiana called to discuss the offer. They did not reach a deal. "Dharma Jaya already had its own supplier," said Sigit.

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