Mathias Hariyadi

Pollycarpus Priyanto was the only person charged in the poisoning of the well-known Indonesian activist Munir, who was killed in 2004. One year ago, Privanto was cleared of the charges against him, but last summer the case was reopened on the basis of new evidence that also pointed toward the secret service.

Today he was paid a visit by President Susilo and his deputy, Kalla. Provisions are already being made for a state ceremony. Some however criticise “exaggerated honours” for a man was is deemed corrupt and responsible for bloodshed.

The Christ’s Peace Parish Church was shut down under pressure from Muslim extremists who have challenged its legal status. Its resident priest wanted to celebrate at least Sunday mass, but local authorities have “strongly advised” him against it. Some 4,000 local Catholics now feel like they have been forced “underground,” denied the right to practice their faith.

According to a report by the International Crisis Group, widespread corruption among staff in Indonesian prisons allows inmates associated with the Jemaah Islamiah to continue recruiting followers and run their affairs from behind bars. The NGO appeals to the government, urging it to undertake a large scale reform of the prison system.

Following the fatwa of the Council of ulemas and attacks by extremist group’s Indonesian authorities decide to outlaw the Muslim group who do not believe that Mohammad was the last Prophet. The case of Al Qiyadah is not an isolated one; the government concerned by a growth in sects and social tensions provoked by fanaticism.

After days of warnings and subsequent recalls, experts confirm the beginning of the eruption A 10 kilometre zone surrounding the crater is declared off limits, but thousands refuse to abandon their homes.

The movement calling on the government to ban al-Qiyadah is growing; it opposes the sect because the latter believes that Hajj is not compulsory and is expecting a new prophet. Today the country’s two largest Muslim organisations joined the campaign. The police is tracking the sect leader, but some Indonesians disagree with this kind of reaction.

Since May 2006 hot mud is flowing out of a well, breaching the dike built to contain it. Several villages have already been swamped displacing thousands of people. The Lapindo Brantas Co, which is responsible for the disaster, is refusing to pay full compensation to those who lost jobs and homes.

A quake with a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale triggered the Tsunami warning system which has since been revoked. Hitting in the middle of the night it forced thousands to flee inland. It is the latest in a series of aftershocks and movements following last month’s earthquake.

Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Muslim organisation, offer President Abbas concrete help to reconcile Palestinian political groups as a necessary step towards independence.

It took 10 minutes for over 500 Muslims to tear down a “domestic mosque” belonging to the Lembaga Dakwa Islam Indonesia, an Islamic missionary group believed to be radical in nature. Fresh violence announced.

Former dictator tops a UN list of the most corrupt leaders with assets estimated at US$ 15-35 billion, allegedly embezzled and deposited abroad. In New York President Susilo will meet Zoellick.