The wRap Indonesia: March 3, 2015

 JAKARTA, Indonesia – In today’s wrap of stories from Indonesia, the Corruption Eradication Commission’s employees stage a protest against a controversial decision from its new acting leader, and the latest in the row between the Jakarta governor and the local legislature. 

1. Anti-graft agency employees protest new acting chairman’s decisions

Pagi ini(3/3) Pegawai KPK gelar aksi tolak pelimpahan kasus BG di depan gedung KPK pic.twitter.com/JaPrBm9Kmw via @KPK_RI

— Rappler Indonesia (@RapplerID) March 3, 2015

It wasn’t just activists who were mollified at Acting Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Taufiqurrahman Ruki’s decision to pass on the controversial case of Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan to the Attorney General’s Office. On Tuesday, KPK employees themselves protested in front of the building, demanding the new leadership to explain its corruption eradication strategy to them. In an interview with Rappler, Ruki said he was just “putting out the fire”. The case against the former police chief nominee had ignited such a firestorm that it was preventing KPK from dealing with the 36 other cases it had on its hands. Ironically, Ruki also signed the petition by employees on Tuesday morning. 

2. Threats and counter-threats fly in row between Jakarta governor and legislature

The budget row between Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and the Jakarta legislative council (DPRD) has taken a number of twists and turns, but shows no signs of ending soon. After the DPRD voted last week to exercise its inquiry rights against the governor, which can lead to impeachment proceedings, Ahok went to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to report the council. On Monday, March 2, two political parties suddenly decided to withdraw their support for the legislative inquiry, while others struck back harder: They threatened to report Ahok to the police for, among others, slandering and defaming the council. They also said they would report the governor to the KPK but didn’t explain what corruption allegation they had against him.

3. Tempo Magazine reported to police over Budi Gunawan article

A group calling itself the Indonesian Grassroots Society Movement (GMBI) has reported Tempo Magazine to the police for its report on Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan’s alleged illicint funds, Tempo.co reported on Tuesday, March 3. But the complaint isn’t about defamation; rather the group is alleging that Tempo leaked confidential banking information in the report, which was published in the magazine’s January 19-25, 2015, edition. Press Council member Yosep Adi Prasetyo defended Tempo, saying what it did was not a crime. The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) also urged police not to criminalize the work of journalists.  

4. Major AirAsia QZ8501 search and rescue operations end

Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) officially ceased its search operation on Monday for AirAsia flight QZ8501, which crashed into the sea off South Kalimantan two months ago. However, a much smaller operation will continue for a couple more weeks. So far, 103 bodies from the 162 on board have been found, and 97 of them identified. AirAsia Indonesia President Director Sunu Widyatmoko said the next of kin of three passengers — out of the 155 on board the AirAsia flight — had received IDR1.25 billion ($96,000) in compensation. Read the full story from the Jakarta Post.  Indonesia has retrieved the final major part of the fuselage of the AirAsia jet, officials said Saturday, February 28.

5. Indonesia sets Newmont deadline for Freeport smelter deal 

Newmont Mining Corp’s Indonesian copper export permit will not be renewed beyond March 19 unless it strikes a deal with Freeport-McMoRan Inc. to invest in the latter’s planned smelter, Coal and Minerals Director General Sukhyar said on Monday. Indonesia has been in talks with miners about their plans to develop domestic smelting and processing facilities. Early last year, Jakarta put in place export restrictions aimed at forcing mining firms to develop smelting and processing facilities so that Indonesia could refine all of its raw ores and concentrates. Read the full report from Reuters. – Rappler.com