The Rule of Law on West Lombok
September 12, 2011
Much has been said in recent weeks about security of access for Southern Arc’s West Lombok property. I’ve said little on this subject so far, preferring to conduct, what is apparently to some, the novel task of ‘gathering evidence.’ Too often, people are quick to jump to conclusions, based on no information, or even worse, false information. Separating fact from fiction sometimes takes a little effort.
In the case of last weekend’s attack on the Regency police precinct at Gerung, a number of claims have been made on the Stockhouse online discussion forum for Southern Arc. Rarely do I accept this anonymous bulletin board as a credible source of intelligence. My preference is to speak with people whom I know by name and by face.
On the discussion forum, one anonymous poster (well, he thinks I don’t know who he is, but that’s the sort of person I like to call… wrong) has claimed that:
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Police shot at protestors before they rioted.
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This notion (see point 1., above) has been published in “all the Indonesian newspapers.”
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Police fired indiscriminately into the crowd of demonstrators.
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The West Lombok Regent held a press conference, in which he suggested that:
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police actions were unnecessary and overdone
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police should show more restraint
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police should have used rubber bullets or tear gas
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the widow of one of the deceased men had filed a lawsuit against the police for abuse of authority
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police were ordered not to use deadly force in any confrontation
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police procedures are now under review by the Department of the Interior
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there is a “very big and untouchable” fish behind the attacks
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the “big fish” is close to the Vice Regent or the Governor
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the people arrested for vandalism on Southern Arc drilling rigs are proven to have been nowhere near the sites at the time of the attacks
I think you’ll agree that this is quite a package of allegations.
Before getting into chronological detail on last weekend’s incident, I would add that: eye witness statements made by the Company and Police/Army have identified the arrested suspects; and there is photographic and video evidence from the August 8 incident.
There’s no chance, knowing these things, that the Regent would suggest (in a press conference, no less) that the arrestees, who have not been released, were proven NOT to have been present during the August 8 attack.
I ask questions for a living, quite literally. I’ve been asking a host of questions in recent days. From what I’ve learned, points 1. through 3., above, are false. Period. Moreover, the Regent did not issue any statements critical of the police. Period. How likely is it that the Regent would, in a press conference environment, talk about a ‘big fish’ with proximity to the Vice Regent or the Governor? This is, in my view, sheer nonsense, and should be discarded out of hand without hesitation. Such claims call into question anything put forward by that particular poster and his sources.
Here’s what happened on September 3rd.
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Initially, a group of 300+ people gathered together, comprised of organizers and conscripts. Of this group, a delegation of 10 persons traveled (30 km) to the Regent’s official residence to request the release of the two detained suspects from the August 8th attack on Southern Arc drilling rigs. The Regent and this small delegation then traveled from the Regent’s residence to the Regency Police Station, a distance of some 6-7 km. In the meantime, the 300+ person crowd had also traveled to and gathered outside the Regency Police Station.
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By the time the Regent and the 10-person delegation reached the Regency Police Station, tempers had already frayed, following the police refusal to release the two detained suspects. As the situation was considered unsafe, the Regent returned to his residence. His official vehicle suffered some damage from rocks thrown by the demonstrators.
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As the situation heated up in a verbal exchange, protestors began throwing rocks at the police. As the barrage increased, the police were given permission by the Provincial Police Chief to discharge the standard three overhead warning shots, and if not effective, the right to shoot the antagonists in the legs (standard police policy).
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It is not certain at what time, but the protestors also attacked the Regency Police Chief’s house, which at the time contained his wife who had only recently delivered a baby.
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Unfortunately, the warning shots were ignored, so the police acted on their mandate, discharging live rounds into the group of protestors. In the course of this, one person was shot in the head and died on the way to the hospital, while at least five other protestors were wounded with minor-to-serious torso and leg injuries. It is uncertain how many shots were fired by the police, but it was enough to disperse the crowd. A total of 13 people were arrested.
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There has been only one confirmed death, although there are rumours of others who left the scene, but died later of gun shot wounds.
I would note here that it is customary for Muslims to bury their dead within 24 hours, and to perform a follow-up ceremony nine days later (that would be today, I believe) in respect of the buried person. This waiting period calls for great cultural sensitivity and respect for the dead. [read this carefully] Discretion during this quiet period is warranted.
After any shooting incident, the police conduct internal reviews to ensure that procedures were followed and no human rights violations have taken place. In this case, the internal review has concluded that there were no procedural violations and that the police were justified in the actions taken.
KONASHAM is an independent federal government committee established 12-13 years ago. This committee has the legal mandate to review any possible human rights violations within Indonesia. The family of the deceased protestor has reported the incident to this committee and it is assumed that they will investigate the case.
It is my understanding that no lawsuit has been filed against the police.
Hamish Campbell is in regular contact with the West Lombok Regent, who is reported to be fully supportive of the police in this matter. It is my understanding that Mr. Campbell has also met with the Kapolda (Provincial Police Chief) five times in the past week alone, including for a helicopter tour over the affected area. Notably, there are now 500 police officers, including local, provincial, and military dedicated to this case, namely, to ensure security in West Lombok against such protests and attacks.
In contradiction to reports on the discussion forum, the press is largely echoing cries from the local population for even more arrests of the perpetrators of these attacks. There is also some call in the local press for a stoppage in arrests, but this is thought to come from a small number of people with vested interest in local itinerant mining.
A total of fifteen people, then, have been arrested so far, and all have been transferred, or are to be transferred, to the provincial capital, Mataram. This is a major centre, with a population of more than 300,000. I suspect it highly unlikely that any attempted attacks by a rock-wielding crowd of villagers will enjoy much success there.
Notably, a warrant has also been issued for the arrest of the village head of Kedaro (as a prime instigator of an incident resulting in death), and he has gone into hiding.
A meeting of all West Lombok village heads and representatives is scheduled for early this week to discuss how security over the Regency can best be maintained.
There are currently 65 armed elite Mobile Brigade military police (Brimob for short) protecting Southern Arc’s interest in West Lombok. This number is anticipated to rise as activities expand on drilling sites in the weeks ahead. Forces are encamped on the property and are present 24 hours per day, seven days per week. This Brimob presence will be maintained throughout the drilling program until it has been completed in support of the compliant resource estimates. Period.
With the full backing and will of three levels of government, secured access to the property, and a groundswell of support from the general population, Southern Arc’s exploration program will proceed.
These are the facts as I see them.
With respect,
Kevin Graham