Papernas offices in Central Sulawesi attacked, three hospitalised
Detik.com - May 13, 2007
Arfi Bambani Amri, Palu — Yet again the National
Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) has been
physically attacked. This time it was the turn of
the Central Sulawesi regional branch of Papernas.
The attack by around 50 unidentified assailants took
place at the Papernas offices on Jl. Jl Raja Moili
in the Central Sulawesi provincial capital of Palu,
on Sunday May 13.
"They arrived unexpectedly, and immediately began
hitting and beating us", said the chairperson of
Papernas’s Central Sulawesi branch, Martin Sibarani,
when contacted by Detik.com on Sunday.
As a consequence of the attack, three people had to
be rushed to the nearest hospital, one of which is
still being treated in intensive care.
"One person was hospitalised, because he suffered
very serious injuries. He was hit with a rock on the
back of his head. His name is Ikhsan, the head of
Papernas’s department of education and recruitment
for the East Palu sub-district of Palu city", said
Martin.
According to Martin, Ikhsan was abducted by the
assailants and it is possible that he was badly
tortured because strewn about the location where he
was found were rocks and a pair of scissors.
(aba/aba)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Soldiers attack Papernas office in Palu, three seriously injured
Kompas - May 14, 2007
Palu — The regional office of the National
Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) in the Central
Sulawesi provincial capital of Palu was attacked by
members of the Indonesian military (TNI) on Sunday
May 13 at around 1am local time. Three party
activists were beaten and suffered serious injuries.
One of the party members, Ikhsan, was also abducted
to a location in Seleksi Tilawatil Alquran, Palu,
around four kilometers from the incident. After
being interrogated by at least 10 people, Ikhsan was
returned and dropped off in the vicinity of the
Papernas office.
The three activists who were beaten were M. Ikhsan
(20), Wira Arezki (23) and Eko Arianto (24). All
three suffered bruising on various parts of their
bodies and Wira sustained a slash wound to his
mouth.
According to Ikhsan, at around 11.15 Wira received
an ominous phone call asking him to go to the Palu
Muhammadiyah University camps. When Wira refused the
caller said they would come to the Papernas office
on Jl. Rajamoili.
An hour later, seven or more motorbikes pulled up
and parked in front of the Papernas office.
Residents thought that police were conducting an
arrest. "They were heavily built, had close-cropped
hair and military style boots", said an eyewitness.
It was shortly after this that the beatings took
place.
One of the perpetrators, private first-class Makmur
was arrested by the Palu Municipal police and handed
over to the Palu military police headquarters. The
commander of the Palu 132/Tadulako Sub-district
Military Command (Korem), Colonel Husein Malik
admitted that Makmur, one of his subordinates was
involved in the incident. He denied however that the
attack was premeditated or motivated by the
political interests of the TNI.
The chairperson of Papernas’s Central Sulawesi
branch, Martin Sibarani has lodged a strong protest
while branch general secretary Aristan added that
the commander of the VII/Wirabuana Regional Military
Command (Kodam) and the commander of Korem
132/Tadulako must be held responsible for the
incident. (REI)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
Papernas offices under surveillance prior to Sunday’s attack
Tempo Interactive - May 14, 2007
Palu, Tito Sianipar — The secretariat offices of
the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) in
the Central Sulawesi provincial capital of Palu was
attacked by a large group of people on Sunday night.
"We suspect that they originate from one of the
[local military] units", said the chairperson of
Papernas’s Palu branch Martin Sibarani when speaking
with Tempo on Sunday night.
According to Martin, the assailants were heavily
built, had short-cropped hair and wore military
style boots. Moreover one of the attackers who was
caught was private first-class Makmur. "We have
(sic) already handed him over to the Palu Military
Police Detachment", he said.
As a result of the attack, three people that were at
the Papernas offices sustained injuries after being
beaten. The three victims are Wira, Ikhsan and Eko
Haryanto. "Ikhsan and Wira are currently being
treated at the Central Sulawesi Bayangkara Regional
Police Hospital", said Martin.
Based on testimonies by the victims and local
residents, the 40 or so attackers had already been
keeping the Papernas office under surveillance. They
even bought cigarettes and phone recharge vouchers
from stalls in the vicinity of the office. "Local
people were suspicious", he said.
Papernas general secretary Hari Sitorus expressed
his regrets over the attack. "We have asked police
to investigate the case and find the group of
assailants", he said. Hari said that Papernas has
appointed the People’s Legal Aid Association (PBHR)
as their attorney and have reported the attack to
police.
[Translated by James Balowski.]