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[Pale]

Anyone hear about the latest fiasco at AIS Jakarta? The story was released by the Australian media yesterday.

The article below is from 'The Australian' newspaper.

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Aussie school teacher investigated over sex claims

By Simon Kearney and Stephen Fitzpatrick
April 12, 2007 07:42am


A SENIOR teacher at the Australian International School in Jakarta has been stood down after a joint Indonesian and Australian police operation began investigating him for child sex offences.

The nature of the offences is unclear but parents at the exclusive private school - popular with hundreds of Australian expatriates living in Indonesia - have been told the former head-of-school, Peter Walbran, had been suspended.

Last night, school principal Penny Robertson released a statement to clarify "the circumstances surrounding the recent departure" of Dr Walbran.

On March 12, Mrs Robertson told parents that Dr Walbran was "returning to Australia for health reasons".

"It has now been confirmed that Dr Walbran will not be returning to his position as head-of-school," last night's statement said.

"At the time of his departure from AIS, unproven allegations had begun to surface in relation to Dr Walbran's private life, in particular to unsubstantiated crimes involving children."

The statement said none of the allegations involved past or present AIS students.

Contacted at his home in Sydney's northern beachside suburbs last night, a clearly upset Dr Walbran declined to comment on the investigation, referring queries to his lawyers.

Speaking through an intercom, he said: "It's like a crucifixion, isn't it? It sticks. Guilty or innocent, it sticks."

Allegations about Dr Walbran have been circulating among parents in Jakarta but Indonesian police have admitted they do not have evidence to charge him.

Jakarta police confirmed last night they were investigating the allegations.

"The case is under investigation right now," Police Commissioner Ahmad Rifa'i, from Jakarta Police Headquarters, told The Australian.

"We're still compiling information that has been collected in the field. It was based on a report from people who were unhappy (with Mr Walbran)."

However, Mr Rifa'i said the former head-of-school had not yet been arrested.

"We still don't have witnesses or know the victims because the matter is still being investigated," he said. "Of course, we are concerned (over the allegations) but we can't arrest him if we don't have enough evidence - which we don't."

A spokesman for the Australian Federal Police confirmed that it was aware of the allegations, which named Dr Walbran, but could not release any details.

"These allegations are subject to an ongoing investigation so it is not appropriate to comment further," he said.

The school, which has campuses in Jakarta and Bali, is popular with Australian expatriates in Indonesia.

It was surveyed by Jemaah Islamiah as a potential terrorist target in 2003 but the bombers decided on the Marriott hotel in Jakarta instead.

The blast killed 12 people and injured more than 150.

Last night's statement from the school said the allegations against Dr Walbran were raised in a meeting between senior management and the senior teacher on March 9.

"AIS has since passed the information pertaining to the allegations to the appropriate authorities," it said. "AIS is currently assisting the authorities with their inquiries.

"The school has provided relevant information to its staff and families and counselling services have been made available for those seeking support."

Senior child sex crimes unit officers held meetings in Jakarta yesterday about the case.

Staff at the school were being interviewed by Indonesian police last night.


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[gugelhupf]

Quite a scoop, then... This bloke who may or may not be arrested for something he may or may not be charged with, relating to unknown offences against unspecified persons who may or may not give evidence. Oh, and the school in question may or may not have been an intended terrorist target (except it never happened in the end).

It is a perfect story for the Aussie press because it is about something nasty and horrible that concerns Indonesia.

Am I to assume this was one of those papers with small pages and big headlines?

[KCA420]

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