The wRap Indonesia: Nov. 7, 2014

JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Joko Widodo’s statement on increasing subsidized fuel prices and the shooting of senior politician Amien Rais’ car lead our wrap of stories from Indonesia the past day. 

1. On raising fuel prices, Jokowi says he’s ready to be unpopular

“Some say I will become unpopular (if I raise subsidized fuel prices). I told them that I did not become a leader to seek popularity,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said in Yogyakarta on Thursday, November 6, amid increasing protests over the plan to raise fuel prices. With government officials indicating the price hike will take place within the month, opposition to it is also heating up, with even members of Jokowi’s own party not fully behind the plan. In some markets, fuel hoarding is already taking place and the prices of basic commodities are reportedly beginning to increase in anticipation of the fuel price hike.

2. Amien Rais’ car shot at by unknown gunman

In the early hours of Thursday, while National Mandate Party (PAN) Advisory Council chairman Amien Rais was asleep at his home in Yogyakarta, a man on a motorcycle stopped in front of his house and fired a shot at his black Toyota Harrier. There’s so far no indication of who the gunman was or what the motive behind the shooting was, but politicians are demanding a thorough investigation into the incident against the senior politician that has been labeled a form of “terror”. Read the story on Rappler.

3. Religious Affairs Ministry officials suspects in Buddhist textbook graft case 

Buddha and Allah would not be pleased. The Religious Affairs Ministry’s director for Buddhist Education Affairs, Heru Budi Santoso, and former director for the Directorate of Islamic Guidance, A. Joko Wuryanto, are among 5 individuals named suspects in the alleged embezzlement of funds from a IDR7.2 billion ($600,000) project to procure textbooks for Buddhist students. The project was approved in 2012, under the tenure of religious-affairs-minister-turned-corruption-suspect Suryadharma Ali, but the Attorney General’s Office said there was no indication he was involved. Read the story from the Jakarta Post.  

4. Indonesians might be able to access Vimeo again soon

He’s also staunchly against allowing access to pornography on the Internet, but new Communications and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara says he’s looking into repealing the ban on video sharing website Vimeo. Former Communications Minister Tifatul Sembiring banned the website in May 2014 for allowing nudity, but it is also known for hosting works of filmmakers and artists. “I understand that creativity needs to be encouraged. I can understand the concern of friends. Therefore, I’m trying to do this (repeal the ban on Vimeo),” he said, according to Kompas.com.

5. Acting Jakarta governor to open Indonesia Youth Conference

Acting Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and Wahid Institute director Yenny Wahid are among the high-profile speakers opening the Indonesia Youth Conference on Saturday, November 8. On its 5th year now, the festival gathers in Jakarta youth from all 34 Indonesian provinces to listen to and exchange ideas on various topics with some of the leading minds in the country today. For instance, urban planner Marco Kusumawijaya will talk about the environment and sustainable development, news anchor Desi Anwar will speak at the session on media and journalism, and antigraft commissioner Bambang Widjojanto will lead the session on anti-corruption. Read more about the event here and follow Rappler’s liveblog of the event.