May 13, 2008 edition
Ten years have passed since reformasi (reforms) began. Much has changed. The president and local leaders are now elected directly by the people. Autonomy laws have enabled provinces to manage their own affairs. Local political stages are filled with newcomers. Their backgrounds are diverse: business owners, local politicians and even entertainers.
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More Cover Story articles in other editions
May 6, 2008 edition
AS a result of a fatwa on heresy issued by the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) and the Coordinating Agency to Oversee People’s Beliefs, an Ahmadiyah mosque was burnt down by a mob. Some of their facilities were also damaged.
At the State Palace, presidential advisors debated intensely on faith, the Ahmadiyah sect and politics.
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April 29, 2008 edition
The Namru lab is being charged with activities outside its mandate to conduct research. For the past 10 years a number of cabinet ministers and senior government officials concerned with security have been calling for the closure of this US Navy-operated laboratory in Jakarta. Government officials are divided on the issue. Intelligence circles say some people close to the President are involved, in the interest of Washington.
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April 22, 2008 edition
A member of the DPR, Al-Amin Nasution, was arrested by investigators from the KPK two weeks ago. He is suspected of accepting bribe money from Azirwan, Secretary of the Government of Bintan Regency, Riau province, who also happens to be Chief Commissioner of PT Bintan Inti Sukses. Both men were arrested together.
The money was allegedly given to facilitate the process of rezoning 8,300 hectares of protected forest in Bintan. This area is to be transformed into the regency’s capital city and a major business area. This massive project involves a consortium of Singapore tourism companies and a Jakarta businessperson. The total project is valued at Rp13 trillion.
From Bintan, Tempo reports that construction had already begun on part of the protected forest before the legislature gave its approval on April 9. A few multistory buildings have already been built there.
What are the details and the complications involving this project? Is it true that Al-Amin is the only “insider” on the project? A number of Tempo sources said that two other DPR members attended the Ritz-Carlton meeting on the night that Al-Amin was arrested. Here is the complete story.
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April 15, 2008 edition
For years, a timber mafia worked in unison to plunder the forests of Ketapang, West Kalimantan. They consist of dealers, loggers, members of the Forestry Office, police officers, officials of the Forestry Department and authorities from the local regency government. The Joint Team of National Police Headquarters and the Forestry Department estimates that state losses amount to Rp32.4 trillion annually. This is equivalent to 26 times the 2008 regional budget for West Kalimantan province.
Three weeks ago, the Joint Team was able to dismantle the mafia’s timber network in Ketapang. Among those arrested were the head of the Ketapang Office of Forestry, the Chief of the Ketapang District Police, and a candidate for the office of regent. Tempo reports from Ketapang.
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April 8, 2008 edition