Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 51122 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08SURABAYA48, NORTH MALUKU: ELECTION DECISION FINALLY IN SIGHT; POPULATION

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08SURABAYA48.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08SURABAYA48 2008-04-18 09:52 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Consulate Surabaya
VZCZCXRO1529
RR RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJS #0048 1090952
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 180952Z APR 08
FM AMCONSUL SURABAYA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0194
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 0181
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0099
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0101
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHJS/AMCONSUL SURABAYA 0199
UNCLAS SURABAYA 000048 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, INR/EAP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON ENRG ID
SUBJECT: NORTH MALUKU: ELECTION DECISION FINALLY IN SIGHT; POPULATION 
MORE CONCERNED WITH RISING KEROSENE PRICES 
 
REF: A. Surabaya 20 and previous (North Maluku Governor's Race) 
     B. Surabaya 43 (Gas Conversion Program) 
 
This message is sensitive but unclassified.  Please protect 
accordingly. 
 
1. (SBU) After months of bureaucratic debate between provincial 
election officials and the central government and contradictory 
court decisions, it appears that North Maluku will soon swear in 
a new governor.  At the formal request of the Ministry of Home 
Affairs, the North Maluku parliament held a plenary meeting 
April 16 to determine the next governor.  With 20 of 35 members 
in attendance, the plenary announced that Abdul Gafur and 
Abdurahim Fabanyo -- supported by Golkar, United Democratic 
Nationhood Party (PDK), and National Mandate Party (PAN) -- were 
the legitimate winners of the contested November 2007 elections. 
 Hundreds of supporters of incumbent Thaib Armaiyan and Gani 
Kasuba protested the decision in front of the governor's office. 
 Seven protestors were slightly injured as police dispersed the 
protestors.  In general, North Maluku has remained relatively 
calm during the lengthy election process (ref a), with small, 
usually non-violent demonstrations by supporters of both sides. 
 
2. (SBU) According to local contacts, the Minister of Home 
Affairs and National Police Chief made a brief visit to Ternate 
on April 18 to meet with the interim Governor Timbul Pukianto, 
head of the North Maluku Attorney's Office, Provincial Police 
Chief, Maluku Military Commander, Ternate Military Commander, 
and local religious and youth leaders.  Alwy Sagarf, Director of 
local station Radio Diahi, told ConGen Surabaya the two-hour 
visit at the airport VIP lounge demonstrated that the central 
government was not serious about resolving local problems. 
"They are wasting state money." 
 
Kerosene Prices Double 
---------------------------- 
 
3. (SBU) Alwy Sagarf commented to ConGen Surabaya that the 
majority were fed up with the election dispute and more focused 
on how to pay for food, kerosene, and LPG.  North Maluku is one 
of Indonesia's poorest provinces, ranking 27 out of 33 on the 
Human Development Index.  In the past month, the price of 
kerosene (a staple for most families) has doubled from Rp 
2,500/litre (USD 0.27) to Rp. 5,000/litre (USD 0.55) and lines 
are growing as supplies diminish.  Alwy Sagarf explained that 
shortages were caused by national oil company Pertamina's 
shipping delays from Balikpapan, Kalimantan, and Makassar, South 
Sulawesi to Ternate.  LPG is also in short supply and costs are 
rising.  The price of a 12-kg canister of LPG has reached Rp 
138,000 (USD 15) and is expected to climb further.  By contrast, 
East Javanese residents pay Rp. 54,000 (USD 5.94) for 12 kgs. 
(ref b).  The government's gas conversion program is not yet 
implemented in North Maluku. 
 
MCCLELLAND