The wRap Indonesia: Sept. 25, 2014

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Thursday’s vote on the controversial bill that seeks to get rid of direct local elections in Indonesia and the guilty verdict for former Democratic Party chair Anas Urbaningrum lead our wrap of stories from Indonesia the past day.

1. Thursday could see Indonesians lose their right to vote for local leaders

After weeks of political hemming and hawing, lawmakers are set to vote Thursday, September 25, on the controversial Regional Elections Bill (RUU Pilkada) that critics say would deal a huge blow to Indonesia’s democracy. If passed, Indonesians would no longer be able to directly vote for their governors, mayors and district heads. Instead, the system will go back to the way it used to be before 2005, when local legislative councils (DPRD) selected those who sat in these executive positions. The bill – which more than 80% of Indonesians reject according to a survey – initially had the support of a majority of parties aligned with losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party. But the ruling Democratic Party, which was thought to be on their side, has expressed support for direct local elections, giving the upper hand to those opposed to the bill. There is no guarantee, however, that all 560 lawmakers will show up to vote on Thursday, or that they will all vote according to party lines. 

2.  Will the now-convicted Anas hang himself at Monas?

It was a quote that made headlines on almost every newspaper and online news portal in Indonesia. When corruption allegations were first raised against then Democratic Party chair Anas Urbaningrum in 2012, he infamously said: “I’m sure, if I corrupted even one rupiah from Hambalang (sports complex), hang me at Monas (National Monument).” And so on Wednesday, after he was sentenced by the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court to 8 years in jail for corruption, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was kind enough to remind him of his promise. Anas – who back in 2010 was hailed as a promising young politician who had just been elected chairman of the ruling political party – maintained his innocence and said he would consider appealing the verdict. Ironically, he was found to have corrupted funds to finance that 2010 campaign for party chairmanship.

3. Why no gold medals yet, Indonesia?

Three days into the Asian Games in South Korea, Indonesia has so far only collected 5 medals – 3 silvers and 2 bronzes – putting it at 18th place in the medal standing. This is a far cry from the 59 gold medals China has amassed (of the 118 it has in total so far), and embarassingly less than what Mongolia (13 total medals, 4 golds) and North Korea (17 total medals, 4 golds) have achieved so far. Indonesia was initially targeting to bring home 9 gold medals and make it to the top 10, but given the performance so far, Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Roy Suryo said the target was now down to 5. “It would be great if the football team wins. The disappointment of not making it to the top 10 can be consoled,” Tempo.co quoted him as saying. The U-23 football team suffered an embarassing 0-6 loss to Thailand on Monday, and faces North Korea on Friday.

4. Have a pest problem? Call the ‘SWAT team’ of wasps.

An “eco-friendly SWAT team” of 2,000 tiny wasps was released in Indonesia on Wednesday to battle mealybugs threatening to devour cassava crops, a major staple and source of income for millions in the country. The cassava pink mealybug is one of the world’s most destructive pests preying on cassava. But the 2-millimeter A. Lopezi parasitic wasps need to consume the mealybugs to survive. Read the full story on Rappler. 

5. Aceh’s bylaw against adultery and gay sex stumbles on witness requirement 

Aceh wants to punish adultery and homosexual relations under a strict new Shariah-based bylaw, but the head of the local legislature deliberating it on Wednesday questioned how realistic it was. The draft bylaw wants to adultery to be punishable by 100 lashes in public and homosexual relations by 100 lashes or a fine of 1 kilogram of pure gold or 100 months imprisonment. However, it also requires 4 witnesses be presented to prove it happened. “Of course it is difficult to implement,” Ramli Sulaiman said, adding that the evidence must be corroborated by a medical examination. At the same time, falsely accusing other people of adultery without sufficient witnesses can merit someone 80 lashes under the draft law. Despite the stumbling block, he said he believed they would be able to pass the bylaw by Friday, September 26. Read the full story on Rappler.