Indonesia

Indonesia executes four convicted drug offenders

Noor Rachmad told reporters outside the Nusakambangan prison that authorities have not decided when 10 other prisoners will be executed by firing squad.

Executed were two Nigerians, one Senegalese and one Indonesian. Petitions to review their cases had been denied.

One of the Nigerians was Humphrey Jefferson Ejike, who was unjustly killed, according to his legal team.

No place for the ULMWP in the future of the MSG: Indonesia

After years of building rapport, intensive lobbying and projecting itself as the benevolent giant in the region, Jakarta was afforded an opportunity to make its case for the inclusive development of its easternmost provinces and dispel any separatist sentiment.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), an important subregional grouping of Pacific island countries, has denied full membership to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).

West Papuans welcome decision by MSG

West Papuans have applied under the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMPW), a collaborative group comprised of united resistance organisations located both inside and outside of West Papua.

The MSG leaders said there was a criteria issue with the West Papuans' application, and the group's secretariat needed to establish guidelines for membership.

Despite the decision on whether the ULMPW can gain full membership of the MSG has been differed to September, the West Papuans are pleased that their application is being considered.

West Papua police chief warns about illegal fishing

Tabloid Jubi reports Royke Lumowa as saying illegal fishing should continue to be a concern for both central and local governments, suggesting that inaction would allow the problem to become rampant.

He said that because the remoteness of West Papua, as well as lack of resources for police to monitor the waters, a lot of illegal fishing went unchecked.

Mr Royke said that to counter illegal fishing, local police needed the help of the Navy, the Marine Department and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, especially in terms of equipment.

Leonardo DiCaprio comments may cause Indonesian ban

The Oscar winner recently made a one-day visit to protected Mount Leuser National Park in northern Sumatra and uploaded photos to his Instagram account, expressing concerns over species whose habitats are threatened.

"The expansion of palm oil plantations is fragmenting the forest and cutting off key elephant migration corridors," he posted.

Indonesia looks to resolve Papua human rights cases

According to RNZI, he said President Joko Widodo passed an order to settle the cases as soon as possible.

Mr Padjaitan said the government will reopen all cases and will ask the Human Rights Commission and Papua community leaders to contribute to finding a solution openly.

Australia's FM to open new diplomatic post in Indonesia's Makassar

Julie Bishop says she will formally open the new emabssy in Jakarta and also visit the Eastern city of Makassar to open a consulate-general there.

She says Makassar, on Sulawesi Island, is a key commercial hub for Australians doing business in the east of Indonesia.

Indonesian intelligence agency to form Papua peace taskforce

Tabloid Jubi reports the BIN chairman Sutiyoso saying the Task Force is composed of representatives from BIN and the Army Special Forces (Kopassus) who have extensive experience in Papua.

According to Sutiyoso, separatism in Papua can be ended by prioritising the fulfilment of public welfare in the region.

He says separatism exists in small, widely dispersed groups in Papua.

However the chairman says separatism should be taken seriously, and that a persuasive approach must be prioritised by Indonesia's government.

Forum Chair to ask Indonesia about fact-finding mission

The situation in Indonesia's eastern region was one of the main issues discussed at this week's Forum summit in Port Moresby amid intensive lobbying by civil society for more scrutiny on abuses in Papua.

Peter O'Neill says the concerns have been taken seriously by the Forum leaders.

West Papua special envoy criticises Indonesia

Since the admission of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) as an observer to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare appointed a Special Envoy on West Papua to highlight the situation in West Papua.

Member of Parliament, Matthew Wale is in Port Moresby this week to reach out to Pacific Leaders and remind them of their moral responsibility towards the sufferings of the more than 10 million West Papuans in Indonesia.