INDONESIA: JAKARTA: GUSMAO FREED
English/Nat
East Timorese rebel leader Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao left the government accommodation on Tuesday where he'd been held under house arrest for several months.
Heavily guarded by Indonesian soldiers and surrounded by the media, he was driven to the Justice Ministry where he was expected to sign papers that would formally make him a free man.
The Indonesian government hopes Gusmao, who is widely expected to become president of independent East Timor, can help calm the desperate situation in his native East Timor.
Neither he, his aides nor government officials spoke to a crowd of reporters about Gusmao's status.
Government officials had earlier promised his full freedom this week.
His supporters worry for his personal safety if he travels back to the bloodbath in East Timor immediately.
The Indonesian government had insisted that he should return to East Timor immediately, but softened that position late Monday.
Gusmao was arrested and imprisoned in November 1992.
He was released from gaol and put under house arrest in February.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
INDONESIA: JAKARTA: GUSMAO FREED (2)
Eng/Indonesian
Timorese rebel leader Xanana Gusmao was freed from detention by Indonesian authorities at the Justice Ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The Justice Minister and a representative from the U-N both expressed hope that Gusmao can help calm the situation in East Timor.
Gusmao pledged to do his best to help end the violence, which has left the territory in savage chaos over the past few days.
Anxious last moments for Xanana Gusmao as he waited for seven years of imprisonment to end.
Heavily guarded by Indonesian soldiers and surrounded by the media, he left his house in Jakarta in the mid-morning to be granted his release and amnesty.
Negotiations for his release had intensified as it is hoped he will be able to help calm down the situation in East Timor.
Gusmao has become the de facto leader of the independence movement there.
The territory voted overwhelmingly to separate from Indonesia in a consultation vote administered by the U-N last week.
Since the result was announced there has been chaos in the capital, Dili, and reports of fighting and massacres across the island.
Gusmao appeared to be in a jovial mood as he prepared for the big step toward freedom in the morning.
Friends and comrades took pictures and exchanged gifts, as he was not
expected to return to the house he has been detained in.
Security is a large concern, and he is expected to leave Indonesia soon.
Supporters outside his house were obviously pleased, and expressed hope that he could bring peace to East Timor.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
I think Xanana maybe he can solve may problems in East Timor now.
SUPER CAPTION: Hugo Fernandez, Gusmao Supporter
SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesia)
Xanana is the key to our ability to separate from Indonesia and settle with the pro- integration people. We already received the result of the vote last week. With the release of Xanana we think that he will help East Timor immensely, especially concerning the safety of the East Timorese people.
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, Jose Gusmao Supporter
There had been widespread speculation that Gusmao would go straight to the territory to try and mediate a ceasefire.
But concerns for his own personal security will prevent that.
He fought the Indonesian military for 17 years before being arrested and will not be trusting them to provide protection for a return to East Timor.
Many of his aides do not feel he is even safe in Jakarta.
At the Justice Ministry, he signed the official release document which would make him a free man.
Justice Minister Muladi said he hoped Gusmao would stay in Indonesia so that he could help stop the fighting in East Timor.
SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesian)
We hope Xanana will be able to contribute his active participation in bringing about a long term peace to the situation in East Timor.
SUPER CAPTION: Justice Minister Muladi
The two men exchanged gifts and afterwards, Gusmao and the U-N representative Samuel Tamrat held a new conference.
Tamrat is the senior political affairs official for the U-N team that conducted the Aug. 30 referendum which resulted in a landslide in favor of independence.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
As a free man I will do everything to bring peace to East Timor, and to my people. Thank you very much.
SUPERCAPTION: Xanana Gusmao, East Timorese rebel leader
SOUNDBITE: (English)
We hope in the near future Mr Gusmao will be able to return to his homeland, and actively contribute to the resolution of the problem, and of the establishment of security and reconciliation.
SUPERCAPTION: Samuel Tamrat, U-N representative
After being released, Gusmao drove to the British embassy where is to take up residence until deciding on his next move.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
INDONESIA: JAKARTA: GUSMAO FREED (3)
Eng/Portu/Nat
The leader of the East Timorese Rebel movement, Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao, has been released from house arrest in Jakarta - ending seven years of imprisonment.
It's hoped that his eventual return to East Timor can calm the violence that has sent thousands fleeing the half-island territory.
However, his imminent arrival in Dili has been put off for security concerns and the fear that he would be a prime target for the wrath of the pro-Indonesia militia.
Speaking at the British Embassy in the Indonesian capital, Gusmao appealed for the international community to act in defence of his people.
The amnesty given to Gusmao by the Indonesian government did little to quell his anger toward the administration's handling of East Timor, despite their decision to place the province under martial law.
SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese)
What do you think these battalions are going to do in East Timor? When everybody knows that they are themselves who kill, persecute, destroy, massacre and loot the population.
SUPER CAPTION: Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao, East Timor resistance leader
The 53-year-old rebel leader is massively popular among the pro-independence majority and commands the respect even of many of his pro-Indonesian enemies.
But he is conscious of the fact that he has no direct control over the forces involved in the current violence.
He also blamed the Indonesian military for creating the current situation.
SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese)
I appeal to the conscience of the Indonesian authorities to put an end to violence that the armed forces of Indonesia are creating. I appeal to the conscience of Indonesian politicians to think that they are killing defenceless people. I appeal to the Indonesian generals to tell them (militia and troops), enough is enough.
SUPER CAPTION: Jose Alexandre 'Xanana' Gusmao, East Timor resistance leader
With much criticism befalling the Indonesian's inability to safeguard the East Timorese, Gusmao urges the international community to lend in a strong hand.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
I appeal to the international community to help this heroic, this brave, but so defenceless people. Help to stop the violence, to stop the killings. Help to save lives; children's lives; elderly people's lives; youths; everyone.
SUPER CAPTION: Jose Alexandre 'Xanana' Gusmao, East Timor resistance leader
Gusmao is determined that East Timor will eventually see itself as an independent nation despite of the crisis.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
The destruction taking place in East Timor is to persuade East Timor to be slaves forever. My people (have) proven, during twenty four years, their determination to achieve their freedom, because only with freedom can we create peace and prosperity.
SUPER CAPTION: Jose Alexandre 'Xanana' Gusmao, East Timor resistance leader
The rebel leader, popularly known as Xanana, was captured in 1992 and sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of leading an insurgency against Indonesian rule in East Timor.
Twenty four years after Indonesia took over the former Portuguese colony, East Timor voted for independence in an historic plebiscite held on August 30th.
But it was the announcement of that overwhelming vote that sent the anti-independence supporters and militia into a frenzied campaign of revenge that is now ravaging the province.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
INDONESIA: JAKARTA: FREED HOSTAGES ATTEND FUNERAL
English/Nat
Four Britons, two Dutch and three Indonesians rescued after four months being held by rebels have attended the burial of an Indonesian hostage slain during the military raid.
Navy Panekenan was buried with military honours - he was one of two Indonesian hostages killed by rebels during the dramatic rescue by Indonesian soldiers.
The European ex-hostages have now been turned over to their governments and are expected to return to their families soon.
An armed guard brought the coffin of Navy Panekenan to the Jakarta burial site where he was buried Friday.
The funeral was attended by the group of ex-hostages who had spent months in captivity with Panekenan.
The foreign ex-hostages looked pale but otherwise appeared to be in good condition, while the three Indonesians were in wheelchairs.
Navy and another Indonesian were stabbed to death by members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM).
They were killed as the rebels attempted to escape from the Indonesian army, which staged an operation to rescue the hostages earlier this week.
At Panekenan's funeral, police guards stood with the former hostages as about 500 people surrounded his grave.
His coffin was opened to let his girlfriend, ex-hostage Adinda Saraswati, kiss his face and put a ring on his finger.
The funeral was too much to bear for the former hostages.
All were in tears as the coffin was lowered into the ground.
Along with the relatives, they then threw flower petals into the grave.
The second Indonesian victim, Yosias Matias Lasamahu, was buried in Bandung, West Java, in a military ceremony with a rifle salute.
The armed forces said both the Indonesians received military honours because they had rendered a service to the nation.
Earlier, the hostages had faced the press for the first time.
Posing for pictures at the Gato Subroto military hospital, they looked tired but remarkably well considering their ordeal.
Some even managed a smile.
But they were still too traumatised to talk about their ordeal.
They had spent the night at the hospital in Jakarta where they had health checks.
The hostages were also given a psychological evaluation to see how much their four- month captivity had affected them.
All were said to be in relatively good health, though two were suffering from insomnia and depression.
But as they faced the press, and with the realisation that their ordeal was finally at an end, some of the hostages had to struggle to control their emotions.
One of the British hostages - Anna McIvor - witnessed the murder of the two Indonesian hostages.
She was the last to be found by the Indonesian troops after becoming separated from the main group.
As if to mark the severity of the situation, an Indonesian official signed papers and gave them to the British and Dutch ambassadors in a somber ceremony marking a symbolic handing over of the hostages.
Graham Burton, the British ambassador, paid tribute to the Indonesian authorities for their help and expressed his sympathy for those who had died.
SOUNDBITE:
Today is a happy day for those we have back, but it's tinged with regret and sadness for those who have been lost. And we expressed our sympathies on behalf of government and our peoples and of course with our embassy and community here to the relatives of all those who were lost over the four months and in particular in the last two days to the relatives of those hostages.
SUPER CAPTION: Graham Burton, British Ambassador
The Europeans are expected to fly home in the next few days to be reunited with their families.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Indonesian kids given pet chicks in effort to wean them off smartphones
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for free here:
Authorities in the Indonesian city of Bandung launched an unusual project called ‘chickenisation’ to distract children from their smartphones. Around 2,000 4-day-old chicks will be given to pupils at elementary and junior high schools and the youngsters must take care of their new pets. This project has been welcomed by parents, who believe taking care of pets is more beneficial for their kids.
Follow us on:
Website:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Instagram:
Linkedin:
Neil Bantleman : Nightmare in Indonesia - the fifth estate
Neil Bantleman and his wife were in search of adventure when they went to teach at a prestigious private school in Jakarta. But then came the horrifying accusation from a parent who believed her boy had been sexually abused by staff at the school. It set off an never-ending nightmare for the two Canadians. Last April, Neil Bantleman was convicted of sex assault. Though he won on appeal, he now awaits the ruling of Indonesia's top court and prays that one day they will be free to leave Indonesia and put to rest the terrible nightmare.
For more on the fifth estate :
Follow us on Twitter :
Like us on Facebook :
INDONESIA: JAKARTA: STOCKMARKET
English/Nat
The Jakarta stock market recovered from its losses on Friday as investors regained confidence in negotiations between the U-N and the Indonesian government.
The crisis in East Timor had been affecting prices on the Indonesian stock market in recent days.
Panic selling had been reported as the situation in East Timor worsened.
Yet markets are rebounding - with the Indonesian rupiah rising - as investors speculate that the worst effects of the East Timor crisis are already over.
There are growing signs of an international willingness to take economic action against Indonesia if the situation in East Timor does not improve.
Australia is considering breaking its financial ties with Jakarta.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer warned Indonesia on Friday that its economy would suffer grievously if it did not restore peace in East Timor, or allow it to be restored by the United Nations.
Canada's Foreign Minister said his government welcomed news that the International Monetary Fund is reconsidering its aid package for Indonesia.
And U-S President Bill Clinton said he could suspend economic assistance to Indonesia if it continues to resist East Timor's clear, unambiguous desire for independence.
Nevertheless, some brokers on the stock market seem to think that the worst might already be over for the market.
Markets are rebounding with the Indonesian rupiah rising as investors speculate that the worst effects of the East Timor crisis are already over.
The Indonesian currency, the rupiah, shot up, breaking the 8000 barrier to the dollar.
Bargain hunting is the other driving force, as many analysts feel share prices had hit near rock bottom.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
The market seems to have taken it positively and the panic selling that we experienced yesterday and the day before seems to have eased and people - investors are back in the market. They have been waiting on the sidelines, eager to enter the market because it dropped so much.
SUPER CAPTION: Anton Karlam, Panin Securities
Investors are rushing back into the market to pick up lower priced shares, confident that the Indonesian government will cooperate with the U-N in restoring peace to East Timor.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Shopkeeper snoozes through robbery in Indonesia
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for free here:
An Indonesian shopkeeper who had fallen asleep behind the counter failed to wake up as a robber started helping himself to cash from the register at 4.30am. The 2017 incident in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra was caught on recently-released surveillance camera footage. The video shows the shopkeeper eventually waking up and giving chase, as the thief ran away with 100,000 rupiahs (US$7.9).
Refugees families in Indonesia left in limbo
Indonesia is struggling to deal with refugees escaping conflict and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia.
It is only supposed to act as a transit country, not being a signatory to in the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
However, many refugees in Indonesia said they have been left in limbo for years, waiting for documentation so they can be resettled.
Al Jazeera's Raheela Mahomed reports from Jakarta.
- Subscribe to our channel:
- Follow us on Twitter:
- Find us on Facebook:
- Check our website:
#AlJazeeraEnglish #Indonesia #Refugees
In Depth Tour Honda Freed E [GB3] Last Facelift (2014) - Indonesia
In Depth Tour Honda Freed E [GB3] Last Facelift (2014) - Indonesia
INDONESIA: JAKARTA: STUDENT PROTESTS
Eng/Indonesian
Demanding that the army get out of government, dozens of students have been protesting in Indonesia against the slow vote count in the country's parliamentary election.
Four days after the vote, officials had compiled only 20.3 per cent of the tally in an election heralded as the key step in a democratic transition after three decades of authoritarian rule.
Opposition leader Megawati Sukarnoputri was in the lead with 34.9 per cent of the vote and the ruling Golkar party was in second place with 20.3 per cent despite expectations that it would fare poorly.
About 50 students gathered outside a Jakarta hotel where election officials are collating results.
They were complaining about the slow rate at which votes for the country's June 7 poll are being counted.
They also demanded a trial of Suharto, the country's former president, who faces a corruption investigation, and said the armed forces should be denied a political role.
The military, which says it is neutral, is guaranteed 38 appointed seats in the new 500-member Parliament, down from 75 in the current legislature.
Several senior cabinet ministers are generals or retired generals, including military commander General Wiranto, who has been touted as a possible presidential candidate.
Under Suharto, Golkar always won landslide victories in parliamentary elections by handing out favours to village chiefs and using government machinery to pull in the votes.
Golkar was an instrument of the authoritarian rule of Suharto, who quit a year ago amid pro-democracy protests and deadly riots in Jakarta and other major cities.
The people of Indonesia say this election should bring about change.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
We want the election for the Indonesian future, to make a change for the Indonesian people and make a democracy and to make the next government very nice for us.
SUPERCAPTION: Vox Pop
Out on the streets of Jakarta people are curious to know what stage the results for the country's election are at.
International observers have said that this year's peaceful election was generally free and fair despite scattered irregularities.
But they worry that the delay in vote-counting might undermine confidence in Indonesia's democratic transition.
Opposition leader Megawati Sukarnoputri was in the lead with 34.9 per cent, and the ruling Golkar party was in second place with 20.3 per cent despite expectations that it would fare poorly.
SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian)
I can see that there is the perception that there is a delay in the results. But I think the delay is caused by the distance between the various polling stations and the centre (Jakarta).
SUPERCAPTION: Vox Pop
Uncertainty over the election result was likely to linger for days.
The tally remained too small to predict an outright winner, and the chairman of the General Election Commission, Rudini, said the official result would be announced on June 21.
Indonesians say they are just praying for a peaceful result.
SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian)
The general election can be a success. The small people can also feel safe and peaceful.
SUPERCAPTION: Vox Pop
Friday prayers passed peacefully at the main mosque in Jakarta where President B.J Habibie and Suharto usually come, despite fears that there may have been trouble.
The election for 462 seats in parliament was the first step toward selecting a president.
The new legislators and the 38 military representatives, as well as 200 government appointees, will choose a head of state in five months.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Crowded Jakarta train
Crowded train leaving station in Jakarta during afternoon rush hour. Who said the locomotive is not taking any passengers....
INDONESIA: JAKARTA: SECOND DAY OF STUDENTS' PROTESTS
I
ndonesian/Nat
SOURCE: APTV
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
193 Bangladeshi men freed from traffickers (Indonesia) - BBC News - 8th February 2019
193 Bangladeshi men were freed in Indonesia as they were held by traffickers. They were trying to make it to Malaysia but will now be sent back to Bangladesh.
INDONESIA: JAKARTA: SECOND DAY OF ANTI GOVERNMENT RIOTS
English/Nat
Security forces in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, have clashed for a second day running with anti-government protesters.
The latest show of force by the government comes a day after a crackdown on pro- democracy demonstrators sparked the worst rioting the country has seen in three decades.
In a rare outburst of popular frustration with Indonesian President Suharto, protestors took to the streets of Jakarta again Sunday, lighting fires and chanting pro-democracy slogans.
A police cordon in this street in Jakarta charged protestors, beating and detaining a number of them.
Sunday's clashes came a day after a crackdown on pro-democracy forces sparked Indonesia's worst rioting in three decades.
Protests were much smaller Sunday than the previous day, when as many as 10- thousand people attacked state-owned buildings.
Unlike police on Saturday, who had only clubs, the Marines were carrying M-16 rifles and tear gas as they patrolled the streets -- but, according to reports, did not use them.
As Sunday was a Muslim holiday, traffic was light and most stores opened for business -- although under army guard.
The government announced two deaths in the protests that erupted Saturday, after police raided opposition party headquarters and fought supporters of pro-democracy leader Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Megawati, 49, is the daughter of the late President Sukarno, Indonesia's founding father, who was overthrown by Suharto in 1966.
She isn't an immediate threat to Suharto, but he apparently is afraid her movement -- supported by her father's admirers -- could challenge his authority.
President Suharto has ruled Indonesia with an iron hand for 30 years and rejects growing calls for greater political freedoms in this Asian nation of 200 million people.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
We are fighting for democracy. We are fighting for our freedom. We have served years under the rule of the dictatorship of Suharto, the so called new order government. We are fighting, we are still fighting.
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, protester
Earlier Sunday, police apparently trying to head off protests beat and detained about 20 people near Democratic Party headquarters, where broken glass and debris from the raid Saturday had just been cleaned up.
Hundreds of soldiers with machine guns patrolled Salemba Street, a major business thoroughfare where windows were broken in nearly every building, including offices of the state oil company Pertamina.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Mudik Lebaran, Enakan Pakai Ini Daripada MPV Sejuta Umat?
Ini adalah REVIEW MOBIL BEKAS:
10 HAL yang Perlu Diketahui dari Honda Freed 2009 - 2015 Indonesia
Freed dalam keadaan bekas ini dijual di:
XL Autocars - CARSENTRO SOLO
Sentra Niaga, Kawasan The Park Mall,
Jl IR Soekarno, Solo Baru, Sukoharjo,
Jawa Tengah
Kisaran Harga: Rp 130 juta - Rp 210 jutaan
Data Spesifikasi Honda Freed:
Mesin : L15A
Jumlah Silinder: 4, Segaris
Teknologi Mesin: SOHC, i-VTEC
Tenaga Maksimum: 116 hp (118 ps) @ 6.600 rpm
Torsi Maksimum: 146 Nm @ 4.800 rpm
Layout Mesin: Mesin Depan Penggerak Roda Depan
Transmisi: Otomatis 5-percepatan
Kapasitas Tangki: 42 liter
Panjang: 4.215 mm
Lebar: 1.700 mm
Tnggi: 1.740 mm
Wheelbase: 2.740 mm
Sistem Kemudi: Electric Power Steering
Radius Putar: 5,2 meter
Ground Clearance: 170 mm
Suspensi Depan: MacPherson Strut dengan Stabilizer
Suspensi Belakang: H-Shape Torsion Beam
Rem Depan/Belakang: Cakram Ventilasi/Teromol
Sistem Rem: ABS, EBD
Ukuran Ban: 185/65 R15
Jangan lupa like, subscribe, juga share video-video kami, Informasi mengenai dunia otomotif, ask, follow dan like:
- Web :
- Twitter :
- Facebook :
- Instagram :
- Google+ :
INDONESIA: JAKARTA: TIMORESE ACTIVIST PROTEST AT UN OFFICE
Natural Sound
Timorese pro-independance activists demonstrated outside the U-N's office in Jakarta on Tuesday, calling for the disarming of militias on the island and the involvement of international peacekeepers.
At the same time, a high-level military delegation from Australia met their Indonesian counterparts - East Timor is likely to be high on their agenda.
Some 40 demonstrators gathered to chant, wave flags and plead their case for an independent East Timor.
They chose the United Nations office because they want the organisation to get involved in a peacekeeping effort on their island.
The Indonesian military (ABRI) has been accused of arming anti-independence militias and siding with them during clashes.
The protestors want the militias disarmed and the U-N to monitor the military's behaviour.
The concept of a peacekeeping force has been a hot topic of discussion among diplomats and the different political factions of East Timor.
The island was annexed by Indonesia in 1975.
A guerilla war has been waged by Timorese nationalists ever since.
The protestors also called for the release of one of the rebel leaders, Xanana Gusmao.
Gusmao has been incarcerated for seven years, and has recently been moved to house arrest.
He is a key figure in the arrangement of an eventual settlement, and he supports the idea of a peacekeeping force.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
We are afraid of attempts by ABRIS (Indonesian Military) factions and we are still thinking about some kind of minimum military personnel maybe because it is ....the solution in East Timor should be a peaceful solution not a military solution because we are seeing their paths obstructing the process. We don't want the possibility of a minimal army personnel being sent to East Timor.
SUPER CAPTION: Xanana Gusmao Jailed Timorese Rebel Leader
One country keeping a close eye on the unfolding events is Australia.
Canberra expects to have to contribute to the economy and security of an independent Timor.
Top military brass from Indonesia and neighbouring Australia sat down to talk bilateral defence issues amid a campaign by Indonesia to reform its powerful armed forces in a push for greater democracy and improved human rights.
Organisers said some 50 senior personnel from the Indonesian military, including its commander and Defence Minister Gen. Wiranto, would attend.
About 20 of Australia's top officers, including Barrie, would also take part in the forum, which is the first of its kind, they said.
The two nations have recently held close consultations on defence issues.
They often hold joint training exercises as well.
Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer left the door open for a role for his country in peacekeeping in East Timor when he visited Indonesia two weeks ago.
The officers meeting in Jakarta were tight-lipped about their agenda, but it is widely anticipated that East Timor is a major topic.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
INDONESIA: EAST TIMOR'S REFERENDUM: GUSMAO CASTS VOTE
Indonesian/Nat
East Timorese rebel commander Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao, has cast his vote in the referendum which is expected to deliver independence for his homeland.
The 53-year-old rebel leader has been living under house arrest in government guest quarters, after being let out of prison in February.
If the expected approval of independence occurs, it will be the fulfillment of a quarter-century struggle for Gusmao.
But a result in the ballot is not expected for about a week.
Under police escort, Gusmao voted at a U.N.-run polling station in central Jakarta.
There were wild scenes as supporters surrounded Gusmao's vehicle for a view of their hero, and security guards jostled with dozens of photographers and television crews.
Indonesian forces arrested Gusmao in November 1992, after he had spent years of hiding in East Timor's rugged, tropical wilderness.
He was sent to prison for 20 years for leading the rebel cause.
The 53-year-old rebel leader has been living under house arrest in government guest quarters, after being let out of prison in February.
Since then, he has been talking to foreign leaders and working with Indonesian officials on East Timor's future.
Gusmao urged a big turnout for the ballot amid fears that many pro-independence voters might stay away from the polls after a deadly terror campaign by anti-independence militiamen.
Gusmao distributed copies of a statement in English, Portuguese and the Indonesian language saying that the international community would witness East Timor deciding its our destiny.
However he steered clear of voicing any comment during the ballot, leaving his lawyer to explain why.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
If what (sic) an explanation or a comment on the direct ballot today yeah, because he did not want to influence the counting of the vote.
SUPERCAPTION: Mr Hendardi, Gusmao's lawyer
Gusmao's future appears to be bright.
The Indonesian government has promised to release him in mid-September, and he's likely to become the president of East Timor if voters choose independence.
A result in the referendum isn't expected for about a week.
All the ballot boxes from the 850 polling stations throughout East Timor will be taken to the capital Dili, where the voting slips will be counted.
The result will then have to be ratified by the United Nations in New York before being made official.
Indonesia forcibly occupied East Timor in 1975 and declared the former Portuguese colony its 27th province the next year.
Following the ouster of autocratic President Suharto last year, the Habibie government gave the go-ahead for an independence ballot.
About 451,000 people, including 13,000 East Timorese living abroad, have registered to vote for the referendum which is being co-ordinated by UNAMET, the United Nations Mission in East Timor.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Indonesia, 1946- A Japanese Troop Patrol in Jakarta
In August 1945, the Japanese Imperial army surrended to the allied command, and Indonesia had soon declared independence. No one had control of Indonesia, until the allies could send an army, and so despite surrendering Japanese troops kept an uneasy peace.
Watch the Series- Indonesia, the Independence War
This posed a series problem for the allies, as they were instructed to restore Dutch control of Indonesia, despite the fact that in the hearts, and minds of Indonesians, this surrender signaled independence from colonialism.
The allied war against Japan continued, but nationalist armies rose and started taking control of towns and cities across Indonesia, as the returning allied armies were too few to quell this uprising.
The allies decided to ask the defeated Japanese army to defend these areas, until enough troops and supplies reached Indonesia, so whilst Tokyo was being fire bombed-, the remaining Japanese troops in Indonesia, maintained order.
All across the thousands of Indonesian Islands, a twilight zone of freed interned prisoners, allied sea landings, and battles between local nationalists, with Japanese & allied soldiers continued.
1945, was the birth of the Indonesian nation, but the events that followed this beginning, are some of the strangest in the history of World War Two- The enemy Japan, fought on the side of the allies, at a time their homeland was still at war.
Here is footage of a Japanese patrol in Batavia, Jakarta, in the background you can see the writing on the wall. Indonesians, simply wanted independence.
East Timor's president and FM visit Jakarta
1. President of East Timor Xanana Gusmao walks up to and shakes hands with Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri
2. Close up of hand shake
3. Various shots of President Gusmao inspecting honour guard
4. Medium shot of (left to right) Kirsty Sword-Gusmao, President Gusmao, President Megawati, Megawati's husband Taufiq Kiemas, on steps of palace
5. Close up of Presidents Gusmao and Megawati shaking hands then walking inside
6. Wide shot of meeting room with delegates from both countries entering
7. Close up of President Gusmao and Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta sitting down at table
8. Wide shot of Timorese delegation in meeting room
9. Medium shot of both foreign ministers sitting at table in front of both presidents
10. Close up of Hasan Wirajuda, Indonesian Foreign Minister
11. Close up of Jose Ramos Horta, East Timor's Foreign Minister
12. Wide shot of foreign ministers shaking hands and handing over signed memorandum of understanding
13. East Timorese delegation
14. SOUNDBITE (Bahasa Indonesia) Xanana Gusmao, President of East Timor:
We want to thank the Indonesian government once again for helping our new country in several ways.
15. Indonesian delegation
16. SOUNDBITE (Bahasa Indonesia) Megawati Sukarnoputri, President of Indonesia:
We've just finished a most cordial and productive bilateral meeting. The Indonesian government raised ideas on how to deal with several problems we're yet to solve.
17. Journalists
18. Both Presidents leave room
STORYLINE:
East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao, who spent seven years in jail in Jakarta for leading his country's independence struggle, on Tuesday began his first official visit to the country since becoming head of state.
Gusmao inspected an honour guard and received a 21-gun salute at the state palace before meeting Indonesian leader Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Since becoming president of the former Indonesian territory, Gusmao has repeatedly emphasised that good relations with the neighbouring country are crucial for East Timor's stability and economic development.
During his five-day visit, Gusmao will meet cabinet ministers and politicians to discuss several unresolved issues, including compensation for Indonesian-owned property remaining in East Timor and the fate of up to 40-thousand East Timorese refugees still in Indonesia.
Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and ruled it with an iron hand until 1999, when a UN-sponsored referendum resulted in a massive vote for independence.
Gusmao, who commanded the guerrilla army resisting the occupation, was captured in 1992.
He remained in jail in Jakarta until the 1999 plebiscite, which was followed by an orgy of violence unleashed by Indonesian forces as they withdrew from the territory.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive: