The wRap Indonesia: Dec. 19, 2014

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The latest in the government’s plans to change the fuel subsidy scheme and the Corruption Eradication Commission’s new target lead our wrap of stories from Indonesia the past day. 

1. Government plans to propose fixed fuel subsidy in January  

The fixed fuel subsidy scheme government officials have been talking about looks like it will indeed happen next year. Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said the new scheme will be part of the revised 2015 budget the government will submit to the House of Representatives in January. The idea is that the amount the government subsidizes per liter of gasoline or diesel would be fixed, and the actual retail price would then fluctuate depending on oil markets and the exchange rate. The government’s subsidy spending would then only depend on the amount of fuel people buy. Read the latest update from Antara and the minister’s explanation of their subsidy reform plans on Rappler.

2. Former Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo is in KPK’s sights

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed it is looking into the alleged shady finances of former Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, who is now in Germany as the country’s ambassador. Fauzi is among 10 former and current regional leaders that have “fat bank accounts” and suspicious transactions, according to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), which submitted its list to the KPK. For Fauzi, one suspicious dubious transaction reportedly amounted to IDR60 billion ($47.15 million), the Jakarta Post reported. The list also includes current Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam, according to Kompas.com. The KPK is now looking at the suspicious accounts and comparing it to the officials sources of income and declared wealth, plus all the other things that have allowed it to convict 100% of those it prosecutes.   

3. Only 17 of 35 Indonesian crew found from Korean trawler sinking

Remember the South Korean trawler that sank in the Bering Sea on December 1? The 1,753-ton Oryong 501 was carrying 60 people, including one Russian inspector, 11 South Koreans, 35 Indonesians and 13 Philippine crew members. On Thursday, December 18, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said only 17 of the 35 Indonesians on board had been found – and only 3 of them are alive. The search continues for the other 18 Indonesians and other crew members, with efforts expanded to include 15 ships and an aircraft. 

4. Why has Jokowi been silent on the shooting in Papua?

Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto said Thursday that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo wanted the investigation into the December 8 shooting of teenagers in Papua concluded first before making any statements. Further, the president will go to Papua on December 27 to celebrate Christmas with the predominantly Christian locals. Activists accuse the military of firing shots at the teenagers who were dancing and protesting a beating incident the previous night, but various other versions have emerged, with some officials even suggesting the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) could have been involved. Police say the investigation is ongoing and about 50 people have already been questioned. 

5. Jakarta spends IDR9 billion for ‘animated’ trash cans 

Will these “animated” trash cans encourage you to throw your trash properly unlike most Jakartans? The Jakarta administration hopes so, because it has spent IDR9 billion ($720,000) to create 1,809 of these trash cans – which means each one is worth about IDR 5 million. And they’re not just frogs. You can also find dolphins, frogs, pandas and a variety of fruit-shaped bins throughout the capital. “By providing cute trash cans, we hope the littering habit of citizens could be minimized,” the head of Jakarta Cleanliness Department, Saptastri Edningtyas, said, according to Beritajakarta.com. What do you think? – Rappler.com