NEWS FROM INDONESIA

(Bukan) Kesempatan Yang Terlewat

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:04:00 +0000

Man arrested for illegal kerosene

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:35:00 +0000

AKARTA: Jakarta Police arrested a truck driver on Wednesday, labeling him suspect in an illegal kerosene distribution racket, an officer said on Wednesday.

Identified only as BS, the suspect was later detained at Jakarta Police detention center.

"He was arrested because he failed to provide us with legal documents for the kerosene," Adj. Sr. Comr. Rudi Setiawan of Jakarta Police said.

In a preliminary questioning session, the suspect admitted to having transported the kerosene from Lampung, and said he had intended to sell it in North Jakarta, Rudi added.

Along with the arrest, the police had also confiscated some 2,800 liters of kerosene that was being stored in nine large drums in different locations.

Rudi said the suspect was accused of violating the Natural Gas and Oil Law and could face up to five years in prison if found guilty.

Jakarta to implement business retribution holiday

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:34:00 +0000

The Jakarta administration will soon erase all business retribution to boost local businesses, head of the Jakarta Small-Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Agency Ade Harsono said Thursday.

He said the total retribution generated to date, which is around Rp 15 billion, was negligible.

"The amount is nothing when compared to society's entrepreneurial spirit," Harsono told Kompas.com.

"I have suggested this initiative to the State Minister for Small-Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives in November," he said. "If this has already taken place in many countries abroad, why not in ours?"

According to Harsono, Jakarta governor Fauzi Bowo has already approved the initiative.

"The governor approves the erasure blueprint. Businesses will still need to apply for operating permits, but no fee is incurred," he said, adding that once a particular business is running, it will be taxed instead.

Apart from a business retribution holiday, the Jakarta administration will also hold various expos at home and abroad, specifically to support the development of small-medium enterprises.

The agency reportedly has set aside Rp 15 billion for its trade promotion budget next year.

"The plan is to hold expos in six countries and also within the country," Harsono said.

Thursday, November 20, 2008 8:32 PM Be a member & get the benefits! Register or login Int'l, local markets demand bags

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:33:00 +0000

Colorful bags created by the island's artists are becoming more popular among foreign tourists and domestic consumers here.

And as the demand for these bags increase, producers are becoming more and more innovative with their creations.

The island's artists currently use various raw materials to create these eye-catching products, from water hyacinth fibers (known locally as eceng gondok) and bamboo strips, to fragrant roots and coconut shells.

"The foreigners are usually more interested in products that are made of natural materials, that's why we use natural materials in the production of our bags," Komang Mariani, a local bag producer, said.

Mariani owns a shop in Gianyar that sells and exports the bags. She also runs a small bag factory.

"Foreign markets are still our biggest consumers. Each month we export as many as 3,500 bags to different countries," she said.

Mariani added the biggest markets for the island's bags were Australia, Japan and Italy.

Besides using natural, raw materials, local artists have also explored the use of batik.

"Batik gives a touch of exoticism and uniqueness to the products," she said.

"We need to continuously innovate our line of products to attract market interest."

Continuous innovation, Mariani said, also had a positive impact on the pricing of such products.

Currently, the bags are priced at Rp 45,000 for a batik bag; Rp 50,000 for a coconut-shell bag; Rp 25,000 for a fragrant-root bag; and Rp 100,000 for an intricately woven bag.

Another bag maker, Swasty, agreed that innovation was the key to the future success of her products.

Swasty owns a company that specializes in bags made from pandan and palmyra leaves.

"Each month, my company comes up with five to eight new bag models," she said.

Swasty said her staff got ideas for the new models from three main sources; foreign fashion magazines, observing the current trends and from discussions with her loyal customers.

Swasty's company produces up to 5,000 bags per month. It also produces a large quantity of wallets and fashion accessories.

"The prices of our bags range from between Rp 25,000 to Rp 40,000 per piece," she said.

The trade brings Swasty a monthly net profit of Rp 15 million, and the success of her bag industry has inspired her to establish a community cooperative aimed at assisting local artisans in improving their financial conditions.

The cooperative now runs a workshop in Belega village, Bona.

"Each month we receive a delegation from other region in Indonesia that wants to learn about this industry," she said.

Separately, Mariani said the domestic market had shown an increasing interest in the bags created by Balinese artists.

"Recently, demand from the domestic market has increased. I now receive a regular monthly order of 2,500 bags for the domestic market.

"Perhaps this is a sign that Indonesian people are beginning to appreciate the products made by their own artisans," she said.

Nusa Penida: A sanctuary for the endangered Bali Starling

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:32:00 +0000

On a small island off Bali's coast, Nusa Penida, a little white bird with a vivid blue mask is successfully breeding in the wild.

Over the past six months, 45 of the 65 Bali Starlings bred and released by the Begawan Giri and Friends of the National Parks Foundations since 2006 have hatched offspring.

While not native to Nusa Penida, the Bali Starling has been released on the island in an effort to ensure its survival in the wild.

Back on Bali, where the Bali Starling is the province's emblem, the bird has become critically endangered through poaching and loss of habitat.

Bali Starling breeder and veterinarian, Bayu Wirayudha of Friends of the National Parks Foundation, said the reason for the difference in the birds' survival is simple; on Nusa Penida, traditional laws on the protection of birds and animals are still in place.

"But in West Bali, where the Bali Starling has been bred in captivity and released into the West Bali National Park for decades ... there is not this traditional land-based law," said Bayu.

Shifting breeding of the Bali Starling to Nusa Penida has drawn the ire of some organizations, Bayu said, however the recent bird count of 45 birds born in the wild on the island tells Bayu his experiment in creating new colonies in safe zones is working.

Creating new colonies for endangered birds is often a successful method of preventing extinction of a species. The United States Fish and Wildlife service is currently working with scientists to relocate the endangered short-tailed albatross from its volcanic Torishima Island breeding grounds in Japan to the Bonin Islands -- at a cost of US$5.67 million, writes the Environment News Service website.

The 45 Bali Starlings bred and hatched on Nusa Penida have brought wild populations of the Bali Starling back from the abyss of extinction.

For almost a century, the Bali Starling has been at threat of extinction. Bird counts from 1912 show a contraction in habitat range and by 1966 the bird was declared endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). In 1978, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) placed the Bali Starling on its critical list.

The Indonesian Government and bird protection organizations around the world saw, as early as the 1980's, that immediate action was needed to prevent the bird from being lost in the wild. Captive breeding programs were successfully established in Bali, however birds released into the wild were quickly poached and populations of the bird continued to plummet.

Unlike most starling species, the Bali Starling with its white feathers and vivid blue mask is a highly attractive bird. Its beauty spelt its downfall, with poachers collecting both wild and captive-bred released birds for sale; and at Rp 5 million to Rp 10 million per bird, poaching in Bali's national parks was a lucrative business.

"The only reason for their extinction is illegal poaching. All starling breeds are very adaptable and can live by the sea, in mountain zones, urban regions and grasslands," said Bayu.

"The Bali Starling is simply too beautiful and everyone wants one as a caged bird -- it's about prestige," said Bayu of the bird that is found in greater numbers in aviaries in England or America than in the wild on its home territory.

Bayu began breeding the Bali Starling in captivity at the Bali Bird Park in 1992.

"We were the first people to officially breed the Bali Starling. The bird had been declared endangered in 1966 by IUCN and on the CITES critical list by '78," said Bayu, adding if populations were numbered below 20, they were classified as extinct.

There were grave fears that the Bali Starling, with constantly falling numbers, could reach a crisis point in wild breeding viability.

"Until a recent release in the West Bali National Park, there were believed to be less than 10 birds in the wild. However, in 2005, I could only count five birds and of those only one was not closed-banded.

"Closed-banded birds have all been bred in captivity. That suggests of those five birds only one had bred naturally in the wild ...," said Bayu.

He added that bird counts in the Bali Barat National Park showed populations would grow with captive bred releases, then plummet sharply, suggesting a high level of poacher activity.

"Its easy work for the poachers when there are a lot of birds; we see the population grow and then overnight it collapses. Poachers can collect a lot of birds in a couple of days and make a lot of money."

And it is the poacher problem that has been the cause of population failures on Bali, Bayu said. Addressing that issue at the grassroots level is why Nusa Penida island was seen as a safe haven for released birds.

"We started the Nusa Penida program in April 2004. We located nine villages that still had traditional laws protecting birds, so we were not bringing in a totally new idea.

"We then met with 16 other villages to discuss bird protection person to person," said Bayu, adding that by June 2006, all villages on Nusa Penida had written bird protection into their traditional laws.

"Each village has its own bird protection law and punishments. One village even purchased all the caged birds in their village and released them ... their regulation states there is no reason to have caged birds, Bayu said.

Despite high levels of poverty on Nusa Penida, to date not one bird has been poached, says Bayu of a conservation project that depends on the support of local people for its success.

"In rural regions, people still have great respect for traditional laws. When birds are released from captive breeding we hold a ceremony in the temple and the birds are blessed. So the Bali Starling on Nusa Penida is protected by government law, local law and also by God, from the temple blessing."

Convincing people from impoverished villages that they had a role to play in protecting wildlife called for genuine support for those villages, said Bayu. But with sponsorship from Bank Danamon, American Express, Pertamina and Karya Tangan Indah, agro farming of white teak, mahogany and sandalwood trees for farmers as well as reforestation is now underway across the island.

"Nusa Penida had positive press for their protection of the Bali Starling and that made them really proud. Before that Nusa Penida was seen as a poor and dry area.

"If the bird release is the main course in this, the side menu must somehow help locals ... this is the idea behind the agro forestry and reforestation program, to improve the environment and economy," said Bayu of the grassroots approach to conservation and wildlife protection that is benefiting all.

Two Indonesians sentenced to death in Malaysia

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:30:00 +0000

A court in Kuala Lumpur sentenced two Indonesians to death by hanging for marijuana dealing on Friday. Drug crimes are punishable by death in the country.

Mohammad Idris (32) and Zainuddin (40), both from Aceh, were caught trying to sell marijuana at a kiosk in the city in September last year. Local police confiscated 5.7 kilograms of marijuana from them.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty in the charges, claiming they were told by a man call Yan to deliver a bag to the kiosk, and denied knowing what was inside the bag.

The court, however, rejected their defense, saying the defendants were never able to bring Teungku Yan forward as a witness.

According to Sabri, Zainuddin's younger brother, Malaysian police had previously jailed his brother on marijuana possession charges in 1993.

"I am hoping for the government's help so my brother can have his penalty reduced," he told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

There are at least 300 Acehnese detained in Malaysia on drug-related charges. They are either being investigated or awaiting trial.

Indonesia to export rice next year: FM

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:29:00 +0000

Thursday, November 20, 2008 8:29 PM

Be a member & get the benefits! Register or login
Indonesia to export rice next year: FM

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 11/14/2008 11:39 AM | National

Indonesia would be able to export rice next year to alleviate a global food crisis, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda told the Australian Parliament recently.

The planned export will be the country's first in 16 years.

"Indonesia's rice production first reached self-sufficiency and surplus levels 16 years ago. With a projected rice production increase of 5 percent this year, Indonesia should be able to export rice again from next year," Wirajuda said in Australia on Friday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Indonesia, which is currently the fourth most populous country in the world, has been importing rice for several years due to shortages in local rice production levels.

Officials, however, have shunned the rice import this year, saying production levels were already sufficient

Kalla expects RI to benefit from world defense expo

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:28:00 +0000

The country's largest defense exhibition kicked off Wednesday, with officials expecting the event to boost the national arms industry.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla said upon opening the 2008 Indo Defense and Indo Aerospace Expo and Forum at Halim Perdanakusuma airport in East Jakarta the biennial event was key to strengthening international cooperation for developing defense technology.

"The defense sector is very much related to technology and the fast pace of technological development in the world," he said.

"It is important for us to follow and understand each countries' developments."

Also attending the opening ceremony were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono, Industry Minister Fahmi Idris, Indonesia Military (TNI) chief Gen. Djoko Santoso and dozens of Indonesian and foreign military delegates.

Juwono said the exhibition evidenced the resurrection of the national defense industry.

"The exhibition is expected to serve as a driving force behind the development of our defense industry," he said.

The Indonesian Military remains largely dependent on foreign weapons suppliers, although the national defense industry has posted increased growth of late.

Enlivening the event's opening ceremony was an air display involving three Indonesian Air Force F-5E Tiger jet fighters, which performed a low pass and a high risk "bomb burst" maneuver.

There was also a demonstration of Indonesian armored personnel carriers (APC) manufactured by state arms maker PT Pindad.

The government has pledged to buy 150 units of the 6X6 APC medium personnel transport.

Kalla expressed interest in some foreign-made aeronautical and naval hardware while touring the exhibition's makeshift halls, which have been built onto the apron of the main airport building.

The Vice President also visited the pavilions of several state-owned strategic industries, including PT Pindad's and ship builder PT PAL's, which are exhibiting their latest products.

Later in the afternoon, Juwono received a number of courtesy calls from various delegations, including deputy defense ministers from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and South Africa; the Timor Leste defense secretary and a number of foreign military officials, including from Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.

The biennial event traditionally takes place at Kemayoran Fairground, before moving to the airport for the aerospace expo, which was introduced last year.

The maiden and second expos, held in 2004 and 2006, only featured the Indo Defense Expo and Forum.

A seminar themed "Defense Technology Capabilities and Improving the Role of National Air Transportation" will be held Thursday.

The seminar, which will be held at the Persada Executive Club in Halim, is scheduled to be opened by TNI chief Gen. Djoko Santoso. Juwono. Transportation Minister Djusman Syafii Djamal will present the keynote speech at the discussion.

The expo will open to the public Saturday, with an entry fee of Rp 100,000 (US$8.33)

BPK chief defends stance in BI case

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:26:00 +0000

Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) chairman Anwar Nasution was implicated Wednesday in the illegal disbursement of Bank Indonesia money by former legislators Hamka Yandhu and Anthony Zeidra Abidin, who are on trial for their roles in the case.

"Anthony came to my BPK office twice on Dec. 8, 2006 and Dec. 15, 2006," Anwar said during a session of Anthony and Hamka's trial at the Corruption Court.

During their first meeting, Anwar said, Anthony had seemed upset because he had been summoned for questioning by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in connection with the distribution of Rp 31.5 billion (US$2.6 million) from the central bank.

The money was distributed to members of House of Representatives Commission IX overseeing financial and banking issues so they would accelerate an amendment to the BI law and approve the settlement of an earlier central bank corruption scandal.

"He (Anthony) asked me why it had only been his name written in the summons and the letter had made him feel insecure in his role as Jambi deputy governor," Anwar said.

During the second meeting, Anwar said, Anthony had accused him of personally intervening in a BPK audit of Rp 100 billion disbursed from the central bank, Rp 31.5 billion of which was allocated for legislators.

"He thought that I had a motive of revenge behind the audit because members of Commission IX did not vote for me for the BI governor position," said Anwar, who is a former deputy senior central bank chief.

He said the audit was purely a BPK matter and that he had never intervened in the process.

Anwar said Anthony had also accused him of being "indecisive" in relation to the scandal.

The BPK chief was among the signatories of a decree issued in 2003 by the BI board of governors to endorse the disbursement of Rp 100 billion, but he denied any wrongdoing in the case.

Anwar said he could not accept such an accusation because during a BI board of governors meeting on July 22, 2003, the only board meeting he attended, he rejected the idea of establishing the Social and Community Development Committee, which would be tasked with distributing the funds.

"I said I didn't know about the purpose of the establishment of the committee, while the disbursement of the money had no legal basis," Anwar said.

Anthony's lawyer, Maqdir Ismail, then proposed the panel of justices listen to a recorded conversation between Anthony and Anwar that had taken place during the second meeting, which he claimed countered Anwar's argument.

However, the quality of the recording was poor, and nothing could be made of it.

While the tape was playing, Anwar made notes on paper in front of him and appeared relaxed.

Maqdir later proposed the tape be replayed, but the notion was rejected by presiding justice Masrudin Chaniago, who said he could not even recognize the voices on the tape.

Former Commission IX members Darsup Yusuf and Dudhie Makmun Murod admitted in the same trial they had received payments from Hamka Yandhu, but claimed the money had not been ill-gotten.

Darsup said the Rp 250 million he had received was just a "gift" from Hamka, whom he knew as a successful businessman, while Dudhie denied any links to the BI scandal.

5,000 child sex victims: Activists

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:26:00 +0000

According to estimates, around 5,000 children, most of them girls, in Jakarta are being sexually exploited today, rights activists said over the weekend.

Even worse, the activists added, some girls had been forced to perform sexual acts by their parents of close friends.

"Some of the children who are now under our assistance are between the ages of 14 and 17. They said they were forced to become sex workers after they left school due to financial problems," Anna Sulika of Bandung Wangi Foundation, which assists more than 200 underage sex workers in East and North Jakarta, told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

She said most of the underage sex workers who sought protection worked as waitresses at night clubs or cafes. After working hours they prostitute themselves.

"We found this in many places, particularly in North Jakarta," she added.

Established in 1999, Bandung Wangi Foundation was aimed at giving both additional life skills and legal assistance to underage sex workers or child victims of sexual abuse.

The foundation has built its shelters on the outskirts of Jakarta, such as in Pisangan, East Jakarta, and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta, where they conduct additional life skill courses for underage sex workers.

Ahmad Sofian, national coordinator for the movement against the sexual exploitation of children, said many of these underage sex workers come from regions like Jakarta, Indramayu in West Java and several other regions along the north coast of Java.

"Most of them were coming with motivations to help alleviate their parents from financial problems. Some of them admit that they were being set up by close friends or ex-boyfriends to become prostitutes," he said recently.

He said besides those who decided to quit school and start working as underage prostitutes, there were still many youngsters who stayed in school, while operating as sex workers.

"These schoolgirls usually work for pimps who take orders through cellular phones," he said.

In most schoolgirl cases, financial hardship was not the main motive for the girls.

"When we interviewed these underage sex workers, we found financial hardship was not the sole motivation. In fact, it turns out that more teenagers become underage sex workers because they are attracted to consumerism," Ahmad added.

"It is their desire to own popular cellular phones, or maybe laptops and apparel that draws them into this kind of world."

Ahmad said his organization estimated 150,000 children were being exploited around the country today.

"Different types of exploitation applies here. In cities like Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya, we find that most of them are working as prostitutes, while in Bali, we find victims of pedophilia," he said.

He said that up to this date there was no legal protection potent enough to reduce the number of cases. He said he doubted the newly passed anti-pornography law would protect these children from sexual exploitation and abuse.

Rihanna cancels concert over security fears

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:25:00 +0000

The management of pop singer Rihanna has canceled her Friday concert in Jakarta for security reasons, the event promoter's spokesperson Troy Waroka announced on Thursday.

"The concert will be postponed until January or February," Troy aid, as quoted by Tempointeraktif.com.

Troy explained that Rihanna's management considered Indonesia's security to still be on alert. He suspected the sudden decision had something to do with the execution of three convicted terrorists on Sunday.

"They said Indonesia's security is not supportive," Troy said, adding that a team had been sent to Singapore to lobby the management to change its decision.

A laborious and costly preparation had been arranged for the Friday concert, Troy said, including the rental of a private jet scheduled to pick up Rihanna from Singapore, complete with and a security unit on par with those used to escort state officials.

A cancellation of the concert would mean billions of rupiah worth of losses, Troy added.

"All tickets are already sold out," he said, adding that the promoter would give a full refund to all customers

New look for old markets: Clean, shiny -- and empty

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:23:00 +0000

Suryat had been waiting for customers at his tempe (soybean cake) stall at Cipete market in South Jakarta since 6:00 a.m.

"Only a few customers have come to buy my tempe today, I wonder where the others are," he said over the weekend.

Weekends are normally peak times for market vendors, but not for those at Cipete. Suryat said the market had seen fewer buyers since it was renovated three years ago.

"Of course, many people still come here, but the number is getting smaller day by day. Perhaps they prefer to go to the supermarkets near here," he said.

The middle-aged man has spent almost his entire life as a tempe seller at Cipete. He says he cannot imagine doing anything else.

"I've been here since the market was still small and dirty before the government decided to temporarily close it down for renovation. Now we have a proper clean market to work in," he added.

Cipete market has tile floors and every seller is allocated a table on which to display their merchandise.

However, much to the puzzlement of the traders there, the renovation has not lured more customers, rather the opposite.

"We are now surrounded by two supermarkets," Suryat sighed. "I don't know. Perhaps that's why."

He said he had heard rumors the government would repair the market again, this time to a higher standard. However, he said the rumor was likely false, as the lack of customers would dispel any government incentive to spend more money.

"This market is empty. It is only bustling around the times of big holidays, like the fasting month and Idul Fitri," he said.

Mede market, also in South Jakarta, faces a similar situation. Mede was renovated by city-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya several years ago.

The market is now clean and comfortable. It has an efficient drainage system and its floors too are tiled.

Even the meat and fish section appears tidy and hygienic.

"Before it was renovated, many people came here. I don't know why only a small number of people come now," Syahro, a meat seller at the market, told the Post.

It has two floors, including a basement, which is home to the vegetable, meat and fish stands.

Most people visit the basement because it is easier to access.

"Many shops on the first and second floors have closed because only a few people come to shop there," said Abdurrahim, a parking attendant.

He believes the city's more modern, cleaner and air-conditioned markets in the area have stolen Mede's customer base.

"You can find modern markets that offer not only fruit and vegetables, but also rice, no more than 50 meters from here," Abdurrahim added.

Although the evidence points to a growing prevalence for modern markets over traditional markets in the city, Pasar is optimistic the traditional market will survive.

"People of the middle to lower-income brackets who cannot afford to go to supermarkets need the traditional markets. Here, if you have no money, you can still get stuff on credit," said Nur Hafid, Pasar's public relations officer.

Going up in smoke: Raids begin

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Rizki, 22, was about to get off a bus at the Blok M terminal, South Jakarta, when a public order officer caught him for smoking a cigarette.

The officer informed him that he had violated a bylaw on smoking in two restricted areas: public transportation and bus terminals.

“Really? I don’t even know about the bylaw,” a confused Rizki told the officer. “I often smoke on the bus because there are no written rules about not doing so.

“If you forbid me from smoking in public areas, I can do it. But if you ask me to quit smoking, well, that will be hard,” he said.

Rizki was one of dozens of commuters and bus drivers caught smoking at the bus terminal on Wednesday.

Officials from the Jakarta Environmental Management Body (BPLHD) took down each violator’s personal details as part of judicial investigation procedures, while members of antismoking NGOs, including the Indonesian Network of Women Against Tobacco and the Indonesian Consumers Foundation, lectured on the bylaw and the dangers of smoking.

That was the scene on the first day of antismoking raids conducted by the BPLHD, municipal agencies and NGOs.

The sweep, which would end on Nov. 27, targets smokers flouting the bylaw on smoking in public areas such as office buildings, medical centers, schools, places of worship, playgrounds, public transportation and shopping centers.

On Wednesday, the BPLHD ran its campaign in South Jakarta, taking in the Blok M bus terminal, Blok M Mall, the Amazone game arcade at Blok M Plaza, the Victoria office building, Pertamina Hospital, Al-Azhar high school and Al-Azhar mosque.

The bus terminal netted the most violators — 20 — followed by Blok M Mall and Al-Azhar Mosque with six smokers respectively, Pertamina Hospital with three, and no smokers spotted at either Amazone or Al-Azhar high school.

Most of those caught smoking pleaded ignorance of the bylaw.

“Never heard about it. If the administration really wants to enforce the bylaw, they should provide smoking rooms,” said Andi, a university student.

Joni Tagor, head of the South Jakarta BPLHD, said violators would not face punishment because the raids were more about raising people’s awareness of the bylaw than about enforcing it.

“We will put more ‘No Smoking’ signs around the terminal and in public transportation in a bid to raise people’s awareness,” said Joni, admitting the lack of such signs was behind the high number of violators at the terminal.

The sweep at the Victoria office building saw BPLHD officers check on the provision of ‘No Smoking’ signs and smoking rooms in the building.

Joni urged the building management to be strict in forbidding staff or visitors from smoking outside the designated areas.

Bachtiar Sonda, head of the building’s tenant association, said he supported the raids, saying it could help reduce the number of smokers.

Ria Musiawan, from the Indonesian Network of Women Against Tobacco, agreed the raids were quite effective.

KEEP ON FIGHTING PORN BILL

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:11:00 +0000

Balinese dancers performs during an anti-pornography bill protest in front of the governor office in Denpasar, Bali, on Saturday. Indonesia's parliament passed the bill banning pornography, ignoring opposition from lawmakers and rights groups who worry that it will be used to justify attacks on artistic, religious and cultural freedom. (AP/Firdia Lisnawati)

By The Way: Porn bill fuel for a modern-day witch hunt

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:08:00 +0000

Reading the great play The Crucible by Arthur Miller in my American literature and culture class, I couldn’t help but wonder, are we still witch-hunting? My first response is, no way, dude.

Witch-hunting is so way behind us, isn’t it? It’s time for the Internet, e-mails, Facebook and online news.

We’re logical people. We’re modern, or maybe even postmodern. We are humans who have had evolution, and even revolution, for most part of our lives. We are green lovers, we are peacemakers and we are problem solvers.

But wait, have we really passed the witch-hunting era? Have we really passed the tragic phenomenon in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts?

Have we no trace of the tragedy that in essence is about finger-pointing, false witness, mass hysteria, jealousy, hatred and superstition? The tragedy which so easily define black and white, right and wrong?

I am now staying in the country where it all happens, and I would say, quite assuredly, that we, as human beings, have never really lost that trace of the Salem witch hunt, even if we don’t even know what the tragedy was really about.

They’re always in us because that’s how we were taught to live, and survive.

I honestly would say that I have always had the essence of that tragedy in my daily life. I’ll finger point when I feel I’m cornered.

I keep my hatred and jealousy for someone, let it out by saying something bad about him or her to my close friends, when I know that I’m spreading negativity.

I’m devilish? If you think I am, that’s just clear evidence that we are raised to easily point at the devil, which sounds so much like what happened in Salem more than 300 years ago.

We’re Indonesian, but surprisingly we might inherit some of the Puritans’ characteristics that initiated The Salem Tragedy, even if we are living so far away from the historical context.

Here’s some evidence: We can’t stop believing that bad children learn from bad parents, can we? We won’t agree that woman can lead the country. We see freedom of religion as something sinful and hellish, that we have to ban any belief that we consider unfathomable. Even some of us, especially those in high positions, cannot take the responsibility of planned “mistakes”, that we have to accuse other people. And we can’t handle the long-repressed greed, so we have to tackle anybody who gets in our way. The freshest example that we witness together now is the passing of the porn bill.

Now, let’s compare.

The Salem Witch Trial objectified women as witches just because their jealous and voracious neighbors pointed out that they saw something suspicious or smelled something fishy.

At that time, neighbors could say, “I heard that woman singing, and suddenly I felt my body ache. She’ a witch!” People could make up stories and improper accusation in a snap, and the court would make what was actually false witness as the basis of a witch trial.

Now, with the porn bill, any women can be objectified by any horny toad or nasty gossiper who would love to point the finger at ladies they resent or envy.

And now it’s not impossible to hear rapists saying, “It’s a woman’s fault for making me horny, the way she dresses and the way she moves turns me on! So don’t blame me for being a man, and do what any real man would do to this strumpet: Rape her!”

It’s possible to see the man walking free, while the woman has to suffer accusations. Now the woman is a witch because she has created a provocative atmosphere. Ah, Indonesian and Salem people are not so different, are they?

So, let’s not be surprised when a tragic phenomenon happens in our country. Maybe, we can simply say, “Let’s go witch-hunting!”

AGO may let Yusril off the hook

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:06:00 +0000

With much publicity surrounding the possible ensnarement of former justice and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra in a Rp 400 billion (US$33.9 million) graft case at the ministry, prosecutors are now scrutinizing three of his former aides.

The Attorney General’s Office said Wednesday it would focus on completing the dossiers on the three former officials who have been named suspects in the case, by finding more incriminating evidence, including Yusril’s account.

The AGO has named the ministry’s former director general for public legal administration Romli Atmasasmita and his two successors Syamsuddin Manan Sinaga and Zulkarnain Yunus suspects in the case.

Prosecutors will question Yusril on Thursday and his successor Hamid Awaluddin on Friday.

“We need to question Pak Yusril again as a witness to gather more evidence. We also need testimony from Pak Hamid. We are still considering whether to summon Pak Andi,” AGO spokesman Jasman Pandjaitan said, referring to current justice minister Andi Mattalata.

Jasman said summonses had been sent to Yusril and Hamid, the current Indonesian ambassador to Russia.

Yusril confirmed he had received the summons and was ready for a second round of questioning.

“I was only asked as a witness against the three suspects. The questions were not about me,” he said.

Legal expert Irman Putra Sidin said the AGO was focusing on the three suspects because of the difficulty in proving Yusril’s decisions to appoint PT Sarana Rekatama Dinamika (SRD) and
activate the website, which is at the heart of the scandal, were illegal.

Ninety percent of the website’s revenue went to SRD, with the rest going to the ministry. Of the latter’s share, 40 percent went to it’s cooperatives.

“I think the prosecutors can easily see that the three former director generals and their family members benefited from the 10 percent revenue,” Irman said.

He added that unless Yusril received kickbacks from the company in return for approving the revenue-sharing scheme, the AGO would find it difficult to implicate the former minister.

University of Indonesia legal expert Rudy Satrio expressed similar sentiments, saying Yusril’s defense would be to point out there was no loss of state money in the project, and that revenue from the project was not non-tax revenue for the state.

“There are no regulations requiring the money to be submitted to the state as non-tax revenue,” he added.

However, prominent lawyer Yozua Makes argued the AGO could still implicate Yusril if it focused on the substance of the case: alleged abuse of state facilities by the ex-minister.

“The website would not have operated without the minister’s authority to issue a permit. So it is a state facility, and income earned from it is state revenue,” he said.

Yozua added the AGO should question the rationale behind the 90:10 revenue-sharing split. Abdul Khalik

Aburizal to sue ‘Tempo’ for defamation

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:05:00 +0000

Rather than make use of the press law to settle a dispute with Tempo magazine, chief welfare minister Aburizal Bakrie has chosen to file criminal charges against the magazine for allegedly defaming him.

Aburizal, an influential politician and one of the country’s wealthiest people, accused the investigative magazine of “character assassination” by defaming him in a report on the plight of the Bakrie Group’s plummeting shares, published in its Nov. 17-23 edition.

The report described the coordinating minister for the people’s welfare as one of the biggest sponsors of the 2004 presidential campaign of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Jusuf Kalla.

Another offending item was the magazine’s cover, which had the number 666 prominently marked out on the minister’s portrait. The number is considered a negative symbol among certain groups.

“Pak Aburizal insisted on filing a lawsuit against Tempo. Hopefully the report will be filed on Monday next week with the Jakarta Police,” Aburizal’s spokesman Lalu Mara Satriawangsa told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

The report, which quoted unnamed sources, claimed Aburizal’s huge contributions to the Yudhoyono-Kalla campaign earned him the post of coordinating minister for the economy.

Aburizal was retained in the Cabinet as coordinating minister for the people’s welfare, despite Yudhoyono’s dismissal of several other ministers for their poor performances, it added.

“Probably because of this (funding), Aburizal was only moved from the post of coordinating minister for the economy to that of coordinating minister for the people’s welfare,” the report, “Who cares about Bakrie”, read.

Mara said the report was very unbalanced and breached the press law by spreading “slanderous news” about Aburizal.

He said the minister refused to use options in the press law to settle the case — including having a rebuttal published in Tempo or reporting the case to the Press Council — because the magazine had clashed with Bakrie Group many times in the past.

“It is unbalanced because so many lines are dedicated to making accusations against Pak Aburizal, and only one paragraph for him. Tempo could have requested an interview. It is necessary to report it to police to teach them a lesson,” Mara said.

Tempo chief editor Toriq Hadad dismissed Aburizal’s claims, saying his magazine had followed all journalistic standards in publishing the report.

“What we reported were the facts. We never meant to expose the negative aspects of anyone, including Pak Aburizal. This is just a regular disagreement between the media and a newsmaker. So we should use the press law and the Press Council to settle the case,” he told the Post.

Toriq said a Tempo reporter had submitted a request for an interview with Aburizal, but had received no reply in time for the press deadline.

University of Indonesia legal expert Rudy Satrio said any dispute over press reports should be solved using the press law rather than the Criminal Code.

“(Aburizal) can file a report with the police if he has a legal basis for that,” he said. “But any good police officer will use the press law as the basis for handling this case.”

Rupiah still within ‘favorable range’

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:59:00 +0000

The rupiah’s recent heavy falls against the U.S. dollar do not pose a threat yet to the business community, with the fluctuations still within an acceptable range, businesspeople say.

On Wednesday, the rupiah slumped to 12,350 per dollar, its lowest level since September 1998, before recovering to 12,100 at 5:02 p.m. here in Jakarta, Bloomberg reported. The rupiah has dropped by about 20 percent in the past month.

On Jan. 1, the rupiah traded at 9,153 per dollar, central bank figures show, putting the currency’s fall at about 30 percent for the year.

“(The rupiah’s fluctuation) was predicted earlier,” said Sofjan Wanandi, chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) and owner of the Gemala Group conglomerate.

“We have calculated the rupiah at about 12,000 (per dollar) for imports.”

However, Sofjan said the business community was concerned about the currency hitting the 15,000 level, and called on the central bank and the government to take all measures to cushion the rupiah from reaching this critical figure.

He suggested the central bank allow the rupiah to fluctuate according to the market, and intervene when necessary.

Indonesia has $50.58 billion in foreign exchange reserves as of Oct. 31.

Bank Indonesia governor Boediono said earlier the bank would maintain the rupiah at a “realistic level”. The current level favors exporters by making their products more competitive in the international market, but is hammering local importers.

Thomas Dharmawan, chairman of the Indonesian Food and Beverage Producers Association (Gapmmi), said importers of raw materials remained relatively immune to the impact of the rupiah’s decline because the prices of the goods were also plummeting.

“Prices of commodities such as wheat and soybean have fallen by about 50 percent. This compensates for the 30 to 40 percent drop in the rupiah,” he said.

“Besides, as other world currencies also fall against the dollar, the prices of their products drop. Only imports from the United States are getting more expensive because of the strengthening dollar.”

He said only those companies that directly sold imported finished products in the domestic market would feel the pinch of the rupiah woes.

Gapmmi expects the rupiah to bounce back to about 10,500 per dollar by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said people and businesses needed to adjust to the rupiah’s current level when planning economic activities.

“The problem now is not a shortage of liquidity (in dollars), but of people who don’t want to trade because of a lack of confidence (in other currencies),” she said.

Mulyani added world finance ministers would try to restore the confidence by pushing dollar transactions while the U.S. pumps more dollars into the global market.

“In the end, the combination of these efforts will ease the pressure on the local currency,” she said.

She pointed out that all other global currencies were tumbling against the dollar, with the rupiah still inside a “relatively safe border” compared with other currencies.

Australia, India, Singapore and Thailand have all seen their currencies drop by about 40 percent this year, Mulyani added. Aditya Suharmoko

Police Express Prostitution Case in Internet

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:47:00 +0000

Police Express Prostitution Case in Internet

JAKARTA, SELASA - Special Criminal Detective Directorate of Polda Metro Jaya successfully express practice of pelacuran/prostitusi through internet or often is called as cyber sex.

" Now has just one resistant we the accuseds. There are still possibility that other the accused," said Special Criminal Detective Director of Polda Metro Jaya Komisaris Besar Polisi Raja Erizman in Jakarta, Selasa ( 18/11).

In disclosure of this case an its(the the accused is successfully is protected, namely Albert Timotius ( 27) is acting as pimp along with its(the the existing three entertainer women still be made eyewitness. Police still refuse to mention identity three womens is.

Disclosure is having initial from confession of three woman eyewitness has been catched in a hotel in Mangga Besar, Jakarta Barat, some times ago. This arrest started after police to do browsing in situs internet www.wanita18.com. Then, police tries does transaction several times so successfully catchs the three entertainer women.

" Have been thrice we fail to meet perpetrator and has just been fourth time of this we successfully catchs the three in a Hotel in Mangga Besar," he said.

From third description of this eyewitness police gets name of Albert Temotius having address in Pasar Minggu, South of Jakarta, as organizer or pimp. After getting accurate data, Police then the perpetrator house beehive and catchs it, at Monday ( 17/11) night to be asked responsibility to its(the deed.

To Police, Albert confessed did illicit binis of this since 2007 even situs have been opened it since 2005. In recruitment of entertainer woman candidate, perpetrator initially doing chating. Then offers the profession with tariff Rp 800 thousand finite of Rp 1,6 million per once kencan with division of Rp 300 thousand for pimp and Rp 500 thousand for its(the entertainer woman.

After intertwining agreement, this entertainer woman candidates asked photograph send to which later dipajang would in situs. Later if there are inviting boy makes a date may directly pay in cash and or through bank account.

" This first time of we express this case. There is tens of woman presented in situs but we has just caught three. Still many situs like that but need to process to express that," he said.

King also tells, besides requires length process to express its(the case, police also must hard work to identify organizer register known mostly is false data.

Meanwhile, to the existing perpetrator of police ensnares with Section 296 about Pencabulan with threat 1 year 4 month of prison and Section 506 Criminal Law with threat one years prison.

Gegana Bomb Comb in Theology College Jakarta

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:37:00 +0000

Gegana Bomb Comb in Theology College Jakarta

JAKARTA, SELASA - Terror in the form of bomb threat still happened. Theology College Jakarta in Jl Proklamasi Nomor 27, Jakarta Pusat gets bomb threat nearing Tuesday ( 18/11) early morning.

The information is received [by] Kepolisian Sektor Metro Meneng, Jakarta Pusat around at 0300 WIB. Now, bomb tamer team Gegana has been sent to field to check.

" Its(the development is for a while Tim Gegana has glided to field," says Brigadir Seto, officer piket Polsek Metro Menteng when contacted [by] this morning. He tells coastal area process still be done.

Besides Team Gegana, officer from Polsek Metro Menteng also have been sent to field. Including Kapolsek Metro Menteng also partakes going down to field.

Woman of smoker reachs eight percentage of the active smoker amounts in Jakarta

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:22:00 +0000

JAKARTA, SELASAKOORDINATOR PENANGGULANGAN MASALAH ROKOK YAYASAN LEMBAGA KONSUMEN INDONESIA ( YLKI) Endless Heartfelt lays open, number of women of active smoker in Jakarta increases around one % every year.

" Woman of smoker reachs eight percentage of the active smoker amounts in Jakarta," said Tulus in Jakarta, Selasa ( 18/11).

Based on smoking prevalence data from The Institute of Indonesia University Demography the year 2008, number of active smokers in Jakarta is estimated to reachs three million or 35 percentage of resident amounts 9,057 million.

He is mensinyalir eight % or around 240000 is smoker woman. In the year 2001 woman smokers only 1,5 percentage of active smoker amounts. The year 2004 increasing is treble become 5,1 %.

Meanwhile, full scale of active smoker in Jakarta also increases around one % per year. Based on the data also, in Indonesia there are 1172 dies per day because disease resulted by cigarette.

To prevent the many victims dies as result of cigarette, Heartfelt insists on Pemprov DKI Jakarta to uphold prohibition to smoking in place of publics in room, because till now order prohibition to effective void smoking.

" Various collisions many happened and there is no sanction of law applied. Till now applying of the ill defined prohibition of its(the execution," he said.

Since the year 2005, Pemprov DKI has order about prohibition to smoking in place of public. The order written in Perda No 2 The year 2005 about Control of contamination of Air and Peraturan Gubernur No 75 The year 2005 about Kawasan Bebas Asap Rokok.

Area specified is free smoke of cigarette for example place of the management of education?studied and baby deposit, shopping centre and market, place of religious service, workplace, publik transport, port and airport.

mystical power athletics teacher PROFESSOR Cakra Murti

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:12:00 +0000

mystical power athletics teacher PROFESSOR Cakra Murti, Prof. IGK PUTRA WIRAWAN, MM, mentions that only they sensitive with energy from outside just x'self kesurupan capable to. So, doesn't mean man which is easy is weak or bad kesurupan. ¨ They this exactly more sensitive,¨ says Putra.

Exactly only man who its(the mind and heart just cleanness of which able to reach level of calm awareness, situation of meditatif or its(the awareness changes, dissociation, or trance. ¨ Of course in a few case, kesurupan emerges as result of existence of position of man who is undignified,¨ he/she said.

Its(the example, we are big tree felling promiscuously, without requesting permit invisible mahkluk occupying it. In this case, process of kesurupan is way of immaterial world dweller submits its(the protest or disagreement at real world dweller.

In consequence, there is habit gives offerings among Hinduist or other trust, which is sure that besides this real world there are also world is not reality which its(the place much the same to with lived [by] man.

Giving of this offerings is form of real world dweller manner when changing or relocation of dwelling of the world dwellers is not reality, so that they can be fraternize or doesn't bother. Putra x'self, even s(he believes in Hindu, doesn't give offerings.

¨ I butuh only when calm that can communicate and requests permit the immaterial world dwellers occupying tree which will be cut away for example, and asks in order not to bother,¨ its(the papar.

But, it is possible that, said Prof. Luh Ketut Suryani, situation kesurupan is supporting facilities for for immaterial world dweller to inform that situation that happened is present inappropriateness again with concept trihita karana ( balance between microcosms or man x'self, macrocosm or a world of we lived, and God).

So, because its(the form and energy level differs in between uses living in this world with immaterial world, communications also would difficult. Happened phenomenon so-called this kesurupan.

Prof. Suryani affirms, ditangkal that need to be kesurupan as result of other souls causing fatal. ¨ Believes is just with God strength,¨ calls it.

According to law spiritual, soul besides man, may not and cannot bother man because God to protect every believer is sheltering to it.

Besides labouring dead sleep, so that happened balance in our x'self. Balance if it is, logic remain to be functioning, x'self trust emerges, and finally we can have a command over x'self.

18 Santri Kesurupan Together

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:09:00 +0000

18 Santri Kesurupan Together

18 santri Pondok Pesantren ( Ponpes) Sabilul-Huda, Yellows Flower Orchard, Fluent Countryside, Prohibition District, Sub-Province Pamekasan, Jatim, Wednesday, around at 1100 WIB experiences kesurupan.

Santri experiencing kesurupan, initially three and always increased until 18. Finite of this news degraded, mass kesurupan still happened.

According to nursemaid Ponpes, Jufri Nawawi, case kesurupan of like this had happened since three last month. But, happened this santri which kesurupan the numbers more.

pupils that is is not fainted lingers on in field

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:10:00 +0000

its(the KEDIRI, SENIN SEDIKIT 15 Country Junior High School student 7 City Kediri, Jawa Timur, anticipated experiences kerusupan of smooth creature when following commemoration ceremony of Hari Palawan in its(the school. Effect event of that, ceremony is disbanded ahead of schedule completed.

According to speech Riadi, mathematics subject teacher SMPN 7 City Kediri, in the middle of abrupt ceremony some insensible pupils. They is direct in bringing to space Usaha Kesehatan Sekolah ( UKS).

Sometime later, what is insensible increased many finite of space UKS insufficient. " Not only, that, student that is at first fainted, at the time of awaking x'self instead berteriak-teriak is not karuan like people kesurupan," he said, Monday ( 10/11).

The case effect, ceremony is disbanded. However, pupils that is is not fainted lingers on in field. Then is performed event of prayer together. Fear which kesurupan more and more, headmaster orders pupils to return home each.

The side of school also directly contacts insensible student parent to bring its(the chlid return. There is also taken to hospital closest.

Still according to speech Riadi, causative the many insensible students and berteriak-teriak is anticipated is fatigue of physical experienced by. The reason is, all insensible students before all follows Perkemahan Sabtu Minggu ( Persami) in school.

Activity followed 320 students is performed for the agenda of greeting new member of Adolescent Red Cross SMPN 7 City Kediri. " Its(the activity is very solid, thus possible they ( victim) fatigue. More than anything else insensible simply was children which at event of Persami yesterday became committee," he/she said.

Obama's Childhood Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (srw) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:07:00 +0000

JAKARTA: Democrat Barack Obama was elected the 44th US president in Tuesday's presidential election.

While the election was participated solely by American citizens, most Indonesians have given Obama huge moral support and are looking to the first African-American president-elect with superfluous confidence and faith.

Obama received his education at Sekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01 for primary three and four before leaving for his native Hawaii, spending those two childhood years in Indonesia with his mother, stepfather and half-sister.

School principal Kuswadijanto told Harian Indonesia that Obama studied in primary three in that school way back in 1970, and later proceeded to primary four. He said the school was still not air-conditioned at that time.

Kuswadijanto said the school was under principal Samingatun binti Hardjodarson when Obama was studying there, adding that the female principal had died years ago, otherwise she would be able to offer more details on Obama's school days.

"Most of the teachers teaching this boy, who will very likely become the leader of the world's most powerful nation, have either retired or passed away."

He said all that he knew about Obama's primary school days in Indonesia had been told to him by the senior teachers.

The fifth principal of the school, Kuswadijanto said the whole school was confident this outstanding alumnus could eventually win the election. The US embassy in Jakarta recently sent someone to visit the school and promised to make arrangements for Obma to visit the alma mater if he were elected the US president.

"We hope he will win the election. It's going to be a very touching moment if he were to visit his alma mater some day, I was thinking..."

He also said the school had already planned a series of activities to celebrate his election, which he would choose to announce in public at a proper timing later.

"Whether Obama wins the election or not, he is the pride of all Indonesians. Of course, we hope he will make it!"

He said the school had been closely following up the latest developments in the US election, and was especially excited as the clock ticked closer to the election. Kuswadijanto also said the school was delighted to learn that Obama was enjoying a comfortable lead over his opponent John McCain in polls, and was confident he could eventually win the White House race.

Although the two classrooms at Sekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01 in which Obama was studying have gone through the merciless natural ageing process, they are still well preseved today. Even the conventional blackboard used during the Dutch colonial times are still in use today!

The so-called conventional blackboard looks largely the same as the ones commonly used today except that it is only half in length but split into upper and lower halves, allowing the teacher to pull up or down.

Kuswadijanto is very delighted with this conventional blackboard and takes pride in its intact preservation.

The 74-year-old Sekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01 was founded in 1934 and has been fully air-conditioned since five years ago. There are currently 24 teachers and five non-teaching staff at the school, while its 463 students are placed in 13 classes.

Kuswadijanto said the primary three and four classrooms where Obama pursued his education have not experienced major changes except that the original five foot tall wall was later built higher because of air-conditioning. (Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Harian Indonesia)