Mathias Hariyadi

Former Deputy Major General Muchdi Purwopranjono is suspected of involvement in the assassination of a well known human rights activist, poisoned on a Garuda flight in 2004. Munir’s wife describes the first steps towards finally “unveiling the vast plot” possibly orchestrated by the secret services.

He was condemned to death in 2003, for the 2002 bombing that killed 202 people. After many delays, the execution has been scheduled to take place in a small town in central Java. But it could be delayed again following the announcement of a new appeal.

In his visit to Jakarta East Timor prime minister apologies on behalf of his president who had accused Indonesia of involvement in the attack against him in February. The visit is also meant to vet the possibility of military co-operation between the two countries, something which the international community views with concern.

The controversial local laws inspired by sharia are now being applied to non-Muslim citizens. Female students who do not wear the headscarf are suspended, and few have the courage to rebel, because of fear of reprisals from fundamentalists.

Confirmation comes from president Yudhoyono, who emphasises their nationality in response to accusations of collusion with the attackers made against Jakarta by Timorese authorities.

Police have confirmed the capture of Agus Idrus and Abdurrahmin, in March, in Malaysia. The two are top leaders of the terrorist network in South East Asia, linked to al Qaeda.

Created by former President Suharto, who died in January, the Yayasan Supersemar Foundation is told to repay the government US$ 385 million for using foundation’s money in business transactions.

The Catholic congregation of St John the Baptist Parish Church in Parung comes under attack. They had built a tent-church to accommodate all the faithful for Easter services but were stopped by some 200 young Muslims. For years local Catholics have applied for a permit to build a church but no avail.

Groups for the defence of the environment denounce the falsity of Jakarta's commitment to combating deforestation. A recent presidential decree grants protected zones to mining companies for 200 dollars a hectare. Each year, the country loses 1.8 million hectares of forest.

According to Muslims and minorities, the norms threaten religious freedom and multiracial coexistence. The laws are in practice applied even to non-Muslims. It's a growing phenomenon, while the central government stands by and watches.

After more than a year, the health minister sends to the WHO 12 blood samples, after securing a guarantee for rights over the eventual vaccines produced. Health minister Supari accuses the United States and the World Health Organisation of manipulating the virus to produce chemical weapons and vaccines inaccessible to poor countries. The controversy.

Findings by a special parliamentary committee absolve Lapindo Brantas of any responsibility for the 2006 disaster that impacted 10,000 people. Victims’ anger boils over compensation as lawmakers talk about “political interests”. One of the stakeholders in the company involved is in fact the country’s Social Affairs minister.