1. DISCOURCSE: 1 LINE, 49 COUNTS<\/p>\n
Social movement improves Indorayon's green awareness<\/p>\n
With his dissertation Gerakan Sosial Baru di Toba Samosir:
\nStudi Kasus Gerakan Perlawanan Rakyat Terhadap Indorayon (New
\nSocial Movement in Toba Samosir: A study case on people's
\nopposition movement against Indorayon) last month, Victor Silaen
\nobtained his doctorate from the University of Indonesia. In a
\ndiscussion with The Jakarta Post staff on Friday, including
\nAdianto P. Simamora, Silaen talked about the people's struggle
\nagainst pulp and rayon producer PT Indorayon, which is located in
\nPorsea, North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Question: What is the main focus of your dissertation?<\/p>\n
Answer: I studied a social movement in Toba Samosir, North
\nSumatra, in this case people's opposition to the giant Indorayon
\ncompany from 1983 to 2000. The company was set up in 1983 but in
\n1999 its operations were temporary halted following public
\npressure. After a Cabinet meeting, Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri decided to reopen Indorayon, but this time it was
\nonly allowed to produce pulp, and not rayon.<\/p>\n
Why have you described the opposition to Indorayon as a new
\nsocial movement?<\/p>\n
Theoretically, there are two kinds of social movements; the
\nold and the new. Old social movements are primarily concerned
\nwith issues relating to economic justice. These movements are
\nheavily reliant on the power of mass action, that frequently hold
\nprotests against high-level groups. Members of these kinds of
\norganizations are mostly farmers or laborers.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, new social movements struggle for broader issues,
\nsuch as human rights, or about cultural, social or environmental
\nissues. These movements depend more on networking than mass
\nmovements. Members of these groups include businessmen, well-
\neducated people and prominent community figures.<\/p>\n
In Indorayon's case, the new social movement has been
\nstruggling for the closure or the removal of Indorayon from
\nPorsea. The movement uses their powerful links extending from
\nPorsea, Pematang Siantar, Medan to Jakarta, and even overseas to
\ncountries such as Germany, England and Belgium, in order to
\nachieve their objectives. They don't stage many rallies but these
\ngroups continue fighting for the closure of Indorayon.<\/p>\n
Though they failed to achieve their ultimate objective (the
\nclosure of Indorayon), the movement has made a great impact in
\nterms of the changes that the company has had to make. Indorayon
\nhas changed its paradigms to be a environment-friendly company
\nproducing only pulp products. The company has also applied more
\nsophisticated technologies to minimize pollution. The company's
\nmanagement has also employed increasingly more local residents
\nthat contributes some Rp 500 million (US$ 55,000) annually for
\ncommunity development in that area. Currently, about 90 percent
\nof employees working in Indorayon are local residents.<\/p>\n
How do you see the impact of Indorayon's presence on the
\neconomic condition of local residents?<\/p>\n
If we learn from the past, before the reopening of Indorayon,
\nthe presence of the company caused relatively big losses to local
\nresidents. For example, many people suffered from diseases, fish
\nwere being killed, and the production of paddy continued to
\ndecline. Farmers' income dropped sharply due to direct pollution
\nbecause 90 percent of local residents still depend largely on
\nnatural resources to make a living.<\/p>\n
Regarding the changes that were made by Indorayon due to the
\nnew social movement, do you know of similar cases in other
\ncompanies in Indonesia?<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, I have yet to see similar cases in other
\ncompanies in Indonesia. Indorayon case is very different; the new
\nsocial movement demanding the closing of Indorayon has been
\nstruggling for about 20 years. The opposition comes not only from
\nlocal residents but also from other communities within and
\noutside Indonesia. As a result, the management of the company,
\nthe government and the legislative, whether they liked it or not,
\nwere forced to listen to the people's voice.<\/p>\n
But why seemingly there is much less opposition now?<\/p>\n
First, we must look back on the tragedy of 2002 when then
\nminister of manpower and transmigration, Jacob Nuwawea, gave
\npermission to reopen Indorayon. There were repressive measures
\ntaken by the government and security officials who arrested some
\npeople including a Protestant reverend and his wife, and who were
\nsent to jail. This incident might have discouraged people from
\nfurther opposition.<\/p>\n
Second, Indorayon currently has been hiring more and more
\nlocal residents. The company is no longer as arrogant as they
\nwere in the past.<\/p>\n
I think these two factors were very significant in reducing
\nopposition to Indorayon. Today, opposition is only on a small
\nscale.<\/p>\n
Do you think that changes at the national political level have
\nalso influenced changes made by Indorayon?<\/p>\n
Yes, the fall of president Soeharto in 1998 had encouraged
\nlocal residents to be more open in expressing their aspirations
\nfor the closure of Indorayon.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Indorayon's management felt that they couldn't rely
\nany more on the power of the government. That's why months after
\nSoeharto era closed, President B.J. Habibie ordered Indorayon to<\/p>\n
2. TNI: 2 LINES, 15 COUNTS<\/p>\n
TNI chief to be
\nreplaced soon<\/p>\n
After a rigorous debate between the President and lawmakers
\nover the replacement of the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief, a
\nPresidential aide disclosed on Monday that a reshuffle of the
\nmilitary's top leadership would take place in February.<\/p>\n
\"Yes, his replacement will take place in February,\" Cabinet
\nSecretary Sudi Silalahi told reporters after a ceremony at the
\nState Palace on Monday.<\/p>\n
He said that the President was finalizing talks on the issue
\nwith TNI headquarters.<\/p>\n
Sudi refused to confirm whether Army Chief of Staff Gen.
\nRyamizard Ryacudu would be named as the new TNI Commander,
\nreplacing Endriartono Sutarto, saying that the President had yet
\nto decide.<\/p>\n
A source close to the Palace, however, said that the President
\ndelivered a letter proposing Ryamizard as the next TNI chief
\nabout two weeks ago. It has also been reported that the President
\nplans to replace National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar.<\/p>\n
The rumor mill has it that Insp. Gen. Sutanto, a former East
\nJava police chief, will get the top police job.<\/p>\n
An Army source said that TNI headquarters would call for a
\nhearing to decide on the replacement of the Army chief first,
\nbefore the appointment of the new TNI chief.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard's deputy Lt. Gen. Djoko Santoso has reportedly been
\nearmarked for the Army top post.<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been under pressure
\nfrom the House to immediately replace Endriartono, who actually
\ntendered his resignation last year. Some lawmakers have even
\ninsisted that Susilo appoint Ryamizard.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono said
\non Monday that he had not received any letter from the President
\nregarding the replacement of the TNI chief.<\/p>\n
\"Not yet. Had I received the letter, I would have reported it
\nduring the plenary meeting,\" Agung told The Jakarta Post by
\nphone.<\/p>\n
A staff member, Fauzi Saidi, added that usually such a letter
\nfrom the President was brought directly to the House leader by
\ncourier.<\/p>\n
\"As far as I know, the House speaker has not received any
\nletter,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the House's Commission I on political,
\nsecurity and foreign affairs, Theo L. Sambuaga, also denied that
\nthe letter had been sent to the House, saying that \"as of today,
\nthe House leaders have yet to ask us to arrange a hearing with
\nthe candidates for the TNI commander's post.\"<\/p>\n
3. PILKADA: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS<\/p>\n
First direct elections
\nin Aceh regencies delayed<\/p>\n
While other regions across the country are gearing up to hold the
\nfirst direct regional elections in June, five regencies in Aceh
\nwill have to delay the event following the tsunami disaster.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs M. Ma'ruf said on Monday that
\nregional elections in five regencies of Aceh including Calang,
\nMeulaboh and the mayoralty of Banda Aceh will be postponed
\nindefinitely.<\/p>\n
The three areas were severely affected by the Dec. 26 tsunami.<\/p>\n
\"Public facilities have been badly damaged, and officials are
\nnot ready and residents are still suffering,\" he told reporters
\nafter a breakfast meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
\nat the Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
Ma'ruf could not say when residents in the five regencies
\ncould exercise their right to elect their respective leaders
\ndirectly.<\/p>\n
\"We don't know yet because these regencies are still under
\nemergency rule,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ma'ruf said that the President would issue a presidential
\ndecree on the postponement.<\/p>\n
Various regions across the country are set to hold regional
\nelections in June to directly elect more than 200 regional
\nleaders including regents, mayors and governors whose terms will
\nend soon.<\/p>\n
The government has ruled that other regencies in Aceh, which
\nsurvived the earthquake and ensuing tsunami, must conduct the
\nregional election as scheduled, including voting for a new
\ngovernor.<\/p>\n
Aceh's current governor, Abdullah Puteh, was suspended by the
\nPresident after he was charged with corruption last year.<\/p>\n
For Papua, Ma'ruf said that the government would conduct the
\nelection in line \"with existing legislation\", referring to a
\ngovernment regulation on the establishment of the Papua People's
\nAssembly (MRP) and Law No. 21\/2001 on special autonomy in Papua.<\/p>\n
\"We'll push for the establishment of the MRP first (before
\nconducting the election),\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, the General Elections Commission (KPU) announced
\nthat it would issue national guidelines for KPU branches (KPUDs)
\nin a bid to standardize the regional election process across the
\ncountry, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
KPU Chairman Nazaruddin said that the technical guidance, such
\nas budgeting and ballot logistic preparations, was mandatory for
\nKPUDs as it would be the first experience for all of them in
\nconducting regional elections.<\/p>\n
\"Currently, different KPUDs have different guidelines for<\/p>\n
4. BYLAW: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS<\/p>\n
Jakarta drops plan to ban old cars<\/p>\n
There was good news for owners of old cars when the City Council
\ndropped its proposal to introduce vehicle age restrictions.<\/p>\n
People will, however, need to ensure that their vehicle
\nemissions remain within the set limits as otherwise they will
\nface a Rp 50 million (US$555) fine or six-months in prison.<\/p>\n
The final draft of the new air pollution bylaw made public on
\nMonday does not include a restriction on vehicle age as had been
\ndemanded by a number of councillors, environmentalists and
\nadministration officials.<\/p>\n
Instead, it increases the fines for emission limit violators
\nto Rp 50 million from the Rp 5 million originally envisaged in
\nthe draft bylaw submitted by the administration.<\/p>\n
Council deputy speaker Ilal Firhard said on Monday that the
\nfinal draft of the air pollution bylaw did not include age
\nrestrictions as the Jakarta public was opposed to such a policy.<\/p>\n
\"We believe, however, that a large fine for polluters will
\nforce everyone, including the owners of polluting vehicles, to
\nabide by the regulations,\" Ilal told the press after chairing a
\ncouncil leadership meeting to discuss the final draft.<\/p>\n
The meeting was attended by the chairmen of all of the
\ncouncil's five commissions and its seven factions.<\/p>\n
Previously, the council's legal and administrative affairs
\ncommission had proposed a ban on vehicles of more than 15 years
\nof age in the case of private cars and 1O years of age in the
\ncase of public transportation vehicles as part of the effort to
\ncurb air pollution.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the City Environmental Management Agency (BPLHD)
\nKosasih Wirahadikusumah supported the idea, saying that such a
\npolicy would not only be good for the air, but also good for
\ncurbing the high growth of vehicles that sparked traffic
\ncongestion.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the council's team that drafted the proposed
\nbylaw, Muhayar, said the team failed to agree on the vehicle
\nlifetime issue as a number of councillors argued there was no
\ncorrelation between air pollution and vehicle age.<\/p>\n
\"What we are concerned about is the need to reduce air
\npollution. Therefore, we need to focus on how to the minimize
\npollution caused by both vehicles and industry,\" Muhayar told The
\nJakarta Post, adding that emission tests for private cars would
\nhave to be conducted every six months.<\/p>\n
Apart from threatening polluters with fines and jail terms,
\nthe draft bylaw also contains a range of administrative sanctions
\nthat may be imposed on them. According to Article 39, these<\/p>",
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