The wRap Indonesia: Jan. 19, 2015

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The execution of 6 drug convicts and the ensuing diplomatic fallout plus the latest on the Indonesian police chief controversy lead our wrap of stories today.

1. Indonesia steadfast on death penalty despite international fury

Brazil and the Netherlands have recalled their ambassadors to Indonesia for consultation after the execution of two of their citizens on Sunday, January 18, and Australia has said it was pleading again with Indonesia to spare the lives of its citizens on death row, but the government is showing no signs of softening.

Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno told reporters on Monday that it was normal for governments to provide legal assistance to their citizens embroiled in legal issues in other countries. But he added that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has already said there would be no pardons for drug convicts. “So don’t be selective,” he said.

In the tweet below, Vice President Jusuf Kalla says they appreciate the different opinions on the death penalty, but Indonesia is doing this for the sake of its national interest.

Ada byk negara berbeda pendapat terkait hukuman mati dan tentu kita hargai itu.Namun yg tetap kita jalankan adalah kepentingan nasional kita

— Jusuf Kalla (@Pak_JK) January 19, 2015

2. KPK begins interviewing witnesses against police chief nominee

Within the country, Jokowi is also still dealing with the police chief controversy. Late on Friday, January 16, Jokowi removed Gen. Sutarman as the chief of police but “delayed” the inauguration of his supposed successor, corruption suspect Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan. On Monday, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stepped up its investigation into Budi by summoning one-star police generals to question them about the allegations involving Budi. KPK says it has evidence that Budi received $5.7 million from a company called Pacific Blue International through the bank account of his son.

3. Fuel prices to be adjusted every two weeks

Indonesians on Monday began enjoying lower fuel prices, as the latest round of rollbacks took effect. Jokowi announced last week that gasoline will go down to IDR6,600 ($0.52) for areas outside Bali in line with falling global oil prices. It’s IDR6,700 in Java and IDR7,000 in Bali. Subsidized gas was priced at IDR6,500 before Jokowi lifted it to IDR8,500 on November 18, and was rolled back to IDR7,600 at the start of the year. Diesel is down to IDR6,400 per liter while LPG is down to IDR129.000 for the 12-kilogram canister. And the government says prices will be adjusted every two weeks.

4. Jokowi inaugurates new presidential advisory board

Presiden Jokowi melantik 9 anggota #Wantimpres hari ini (19/01) di Istana Negara, Jakarta. pic.twitter.com/otbU4vOTqc via @setkabgoid

— Rappler Indonesia (@RapplerID) January 19, 2015

Jokowi on Monday also inaugurated a 9-member presidential advisory board that includes members of different political parties, including Lion Air owner and chair Rusdi Kirana, who is also deputy chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB). The list included former Housing Minister Suharso Monoarfa, who comes from the United Development Party (PPP). Both said they would resign from their other positions. 

5. American woman accused in Bali suitcase murder gains access to mother’s trust fund

Heather Mack, the American woman on trial in Bali along with her boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, for murdering her mother, has been granted access to her mother’s nearly $1.6 million trust fund to pay her legal expenses. Trials for Mack and Schaefer began on Wednesday, January 14. Neither entered a plea in their initial appearance, and the two are due back in court this week. Mack, who is 7 months pregnant, maintains her innocence. Read the full report from Reuters. – Rappler.com