Reading Opens World Horizon

Walikota Bogor Nikahi Gadis 19 Tahun Sebagai Istri Keempat

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:55:00 +0200

Mengejutkan! Walikota Bogor Diani Budiarto kembali menikah dengan seorang remaja berinisial SI (19). Ini adalah pernikahaan keempat untuk Diani yang berlangsung dengan pengamanan ketat di Perumahan Bogor Nirwana Residence (BNR).

"Iya benar Pak Walikota Diani sudah menikah lagi. Ini istri keempatnya," kata Kabag Humas Pemkot Bogor Asep Firdaus di Macaroni Panggang, Taman Suryakencana, Bogor, Jumat (24/6/2011).

Meski demikian, Asep membantah kalau Diani menikahi ABG. Menurut dia, istri keempatnya sudah berumur 19 tahun dan sudah dianggap dewasa.

"Tapi itu bukan ABG lagi perempuannya, sudah 19 tahun. Jadi tidak ada yang salah," kata dia.

Resepsi telah berlangsung pada Kamis (23/6) kemarin dengan undangan terbatas di Cluster Panorama, Bogor Nirwana Residence, Bogor, tempat kediaman walikota. Para undangan berbaju batik datang dengan bus Blue Bird.

Jika ada tamu undangan yang memakai mobil pribadi, harus menunjukkan undangan. Bahkan, wartawan sempat melihat mobil pribadi Wali Kota Bogor Diani Budiarto bernomor polisi F 1678 BE yang biasa digunakan untuk bertugas memasuki area cluster Panorama.

Pernikahan keempat ini dikritik. Sebab, Fauziah Budiarto, istri pertamanya, saat ini sedang terbaring sakit di salah satu rumah sakit di Jakarta.

"Pejabat publik level Walikota, seharusnya menjadi panutan baik bagi masyarakat. Apalagi menikah untuk empat kali dan diduga telah memalsukan surat-suratnya alias tanpa restu istri-istri sebelumnya," kata Irianto, Ketua LSM Barisan Monitoring Hukum (BMH) Bogor, kepada wartawan, Kamis (23/6).

Diani Budiarto menjadi walikota Bogor untuk kedua kalinya dalam Pilkada 2009 lalu. Dia yang berpasangan dengan Ahmad Ru'yat itu diusung oleh Partai Golkar, PDIP, PKS, Partai Patriot, PKPI, PPDI, PSI, PBSD, dan PDK. | detiknews

2 Anggota Hizbullah Mengaku Jadi Mata-mata CIA

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:51:00 +0200

Pemimpin kelompok Hizbullah Hassan Nasrallah mengungkapkan, dua anggota kelompoknya telah mengaku bekerja sebagai mata-mata untuk badan intelijen Amerika Serikat, CIA.

Nasrallah menolak menyebutkan identitas kedua orang tersebut. Namun dikatakannya, saat ini ada pula orang ketiga yang sedang diselidiki karena diduga menjadi mata-mata untuk CIA.

"Hasil penyelidikan kami telah menemukan bahwa perwira-perwira intelijen (CIA) telah merekrut dua anggota kami secara terpisah, yang tidak akan kami sebutkan namanya guna menghormati privasi keluarga mereka," kata Nasrallah.

"Yang pertama mengaku dia direkrut lima bulan lalu... sementara yang kedua mengaku dia telah direkrut sebelum itu," tutur Nasrallah seperti dilansir kantor berita AFP, Sabtu (25/6/2011).

Menurutnya, kedua anggota Hizbullah itu direkrut oleh agen-agen CIA yang menyamar sebagai diplomat-diplomat di kedutaan AS di Beirut, Libanon. Nasrallah pun menyebut kedutaan AS di Beirut sebagai "sarang mata-mata".

Namun seorang jurubicara kedutaan AS di Beirut menyatakan tuduhan Nasrallah tersebut tidak mempunyai dasar. "Ini merupakan tuduhan-tuduhan kosong Hizbullah yang berkali-kali telah kami dengar," ujar jurubicara itu.

Nasrallah juga mengatakan, pihaknya tengah menyelidiki apakah seorang anggota Hizbullah lainnya juga telah direkrut oleh CIA, Mossad (badan intelijen Israel) atau badan intelijen sebuah negara Eropa. | detiknews

Lolos dari Hukuman Mati di Saudi, Mari Berharap Darsem Bebas Murni

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:46:00 +0200

Uang diyat Rp 4,7 miliar untuk pembebasan Darsem dari hukuman mati di Arab Saudi sudah dibayarkan. Darsem kini bebas dari hukuman mati.

Namun, Darsem tetap meringkuk di tahanan. Dia akan menjalani hukuman. Namun, masih terbuka kemungkinan Darsem segera dibebaskan.

"Bebas murni terbuka, namun belum bisa dipastikan," kata juru bicara Kemlu, Michael Tene saat dikonfirmasi, Sabtu (25/6/2011).

KBRI Riyadh, lanjut Michael, akan mengupayakan agar Darsem bisa segera bebas dari hukuman bui. "KBRI mengupayakan pembebasan," jelas Michael.

Uang diyat yang dibayarkan hanya membebaskan Darsem dari hukuman pancung. Namun tidak dari hukuman fisik, kuat dugaan dia kan di penjara hingga hitungan tahun di Arab Saudi.

"Untuk tuntutan publik belum lepas," tutur Michael.

Darsem divonis bersalah telah membunuh saudara pria majikannya di Arab Saudi. Pembunuhan itu terpaksa dilakukan sebagai upaya membela diri karena pria tersebut akan memperkosanya, pada Desember 2008. Oleh pengadilan Arab Saudi, dia dijatuhi hukuman mati.

KBRI Riyadh melakukan lobi-lobi, sehingga keluarga korban bersedia memaafkan Darsem dengan "uang darah" yang cukup tinggi, Rp 4,7 miliar. Uang ini dirogoh dari anggaran Kemlu RI. | Detiknews

Nazaruddin Bantah Tinggalkan Indonesia dan Menetap di Singapura

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:12:00 +0200

Sudah sebulan lebih mantan bendahara umum Partai Demokrat, Muhammad Nazaruddin, berada di Singapura di tengah pencekalan KPK atas kasus suap Kemenpora. Berbagai spekulasi Nazaruddin akan menetap di Singapura pun kian gencar.

Banyak yang menduga Nazaruddin sudah mengantongi paspor Singapura. Banyak juga yang menduga Nazaruddin tengah berusaha melakukan investasi bisnis di Singapura dalam skala besar agar mendapat hak permanent resident, yakni izin bagi orang asing untuk menetap di Singapura.

Namun semua dugaan tersebut dibantah oleh Nazarudin. Meski tak ada yang bisa menjamin Nazaruddin akan benar-benar pulang ke Indonesia dan memenuhi panggilan KPK.

"Saya sedang berobat pak, kalau sembuh saya pulang pak," ujar Nazaruddin.

Hal ini disampaikan Nazaruddin saat dikonfirmasi mengenai isu dirinya mengejar paspor dan permanent resident di Singapura. Hal ini disampaikan Nazaruddin kepada detikcom, Sabtu (25/6/2011).

Namun wajar saja spekulasi ini makin liar. Nazaruddin pergi ke Singapura dengan alasan berobat sejak tanggal 23 Mei 2011 lalu. Hingga hari ini tak ada seorang pun yang mengaku mengetahui keberadaan Nazaruddin di Singapura. Semakin mengkhawatirkan karena banyak desas-desus Nazaruddin tinggal bersama anak dan istrinya di sebuah apartemen mewah di Singapura.

Tim pencari fakta internal PD yang sudah menemui Nazaruddin di Singapura pun mengaku tak tahu dimana Nazaruddin tinggal. PD yang sudah kehilangan kontak dengan Nazarudin juga enggan membantu KPK memulangkan Nazaruddin. Jadi, masih percaya Nazaruddin akan pulang ke Indonesia dan memenuhi panggilan KPK? | Detiknews

Siswa Gagal UN Tidak Bisa ke Sekolah Negeri

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:07:00 +0200

Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Rembang menyatakan siswa SMP yang gagal ujian nasional (UN) tidak bisa mendaftar ke sekolah negeri, sebab pelaksanaan ujian nasional kesetaraan digelar setelah masa penerimaan peserta didik baru (PPDB) SMA negeri berakhir.

"Ini sudah menjadi risiko siswa yang gagal UN. Namun, mereka tetap bisa mendaftar ke sekolah swasta,," kata Kepala Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Rembang Dandung Dwi Sucahyo di Rembang, Sabtu.

Dandung menjelaskan pelaksanaan UN kesetaraan paket B untuk tingkat sekolah menengah pertama (SMP) baru digelar pada 12 Juli hingga 14 Juli 2011, padahal PPDB SMA negeri di Kabupaten Rembang serentak dimulai 27 Juni hingga 1 Juli 2011.

Dengan begitu, katanya, siswa eks sekolah formal yang mengikuti ujian nasional kesetaraan, tidak bisa mendaftarkan diri ke SMA negeri.

Dandung mengatakan, mengenyam pendidikan di sekolah negeri atau swasta sama saja.

"Sekolah negeri atau swasta sama saja, tergantung kemauan serta semangat belajar setiap siswa agar bisa bersaing," katanya.

Meski kesempatan mendaftar sekolah negeri hampir pasti tertutup, kata Dandung, belum ada satu pun siswa eks sekolah formal yang mengundurkan diri sebagai peserta ujian nasional kesetaraan paket B.

"Dari 67 siswa SMP atau setingkatnya yang gagal UN 2011, sebanyak 63 siswa di antaranya yang mendaftar ujian nasional kesetaraan dan belum ada satupun yang mengundurkan diri hingga Sabtu (25/6)," katanya. (ANT/K004) Antara News

Menakertrans Limpahkan Sebagian Kewenangan Kepada BNP2TKI

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:05:00 +0200

Menteri Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi Muhaimin Iskandar meyatakan melimpahkan sebagian kewenangannya dalam operasional pengawasan tenaga kerja Indonesia di luar negeri kepada Badan Nasional Penempatan dan Perlindungan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia atau BNP2TKI.

"Tugas Menteri Tenaga Kerja itu sangat berat harus mengawasi jutaan TKI (tenaga kerja Indonesia) di luar negeri, karena itu saya menyerahkan sebagian kewenangan kepada Kepala BNP2TKI," kata Muhaimin Iskandar pada`diskusi "Polemik: TKI Ruyati dan Harga Diri Negeri" di Jakarta, Sabtu.

Pembicara lain pada diskusi tersebut adalah, Analis Kebijakan Publik Migrant Care Wahyu Susilo, Anggota Komisi IX DPR RI Nursuhud, serta

Ketua Pusat Kajian Wanita dan Gender Universitas Indonesia Sulistyowati Irianto.

Menurut Muhaimin, kewenangan yang diserahkan kepada Kepala BNP2TKI adalah 99 persen operasional pengawasan TKI, sedangkan kebijakan pengawasan masih 100 persen merupakan kewenangan Menteri Tenaga Kerja.

Dengan diserahkannya 99 persen kewenangan di bidang operasional, kata dia, untuk membagi tanggung yang sangat berat serta agar tidak terjadi tumpang tindih kewenangan antara Kemnterian Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi dengan BNP2TKI.

"Mengawasi jutaan TKI di luar negeri sangat berat, tidak seperti membalik telap tangan, apalagi sistem hukumnya juga berbeda-beda," katanya.

Menurut dia, persolan TKI bukan hanya sekadar tanggungjawab Menteri Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi serta Kepala BNP2TKI, tapi merupakan tanggung jawab semua pihak terkait, dari hulu hingga ke hilir.

Persoalan TKI, kata dia, tidak hanya ketika terjadi kekerasan di luar negeri, tapi harus melihatnya secara konprehensif, mulai dari pencarian calon TKI di desa-desa.

Karena itu yang bertanggungjawab pada persoalan TKI, katanya, mulai dari kepala desa, camat, pejabat pemda, sampai ke diplomat, dan duta besar Indonesia di negara tujuan TKI.

"Apalagi, TKI yang bekerja di luar negeri sebagai pembantu rumah tangga masih berpendidikan sekolah dasar. Ini sangat berat," katanya.

Muhaimin mengimbau, agar TKI yang diberangkat ke luar negeri adalah TKI yang memiliki keterampilan, baik pekerjaaqn di dapur, paham bahasa di negara tujuan, maupun siap bekerja di luar negeri untuk waktu tertentu," katanya.

TKI yang tidak siap, kata dia, agar jangan dipaksakan diberangkatkan keluar negeri. (*) Antaranews

PPP Sumut Solid Dukung Suryadharma Ali

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:04:00 +0200

Ketua Dewan Pimpinan Wilayah (DPW) Partai Persatuan Pembangunan (PPP) Sumatera Utara H Fadly Nurzal memastikan, komponen partai di daerahnya solid mendukung Suryadharma Ali kembali memimpin partai itu untuk lima tahun ke depan.

"Kita di Sumut punya 75 suara dan semuanya solid mendukung SDA (Suryadharma Ali, red). Itu sudah final," katanya ketika menjawab ANTARA usai pembukaan Musyawarah Kerja Cabang (Mukercab) PPP Kota Medan di Medan, Jumat (24/6) malam.

Ia memastikan tidak ada persoalan lagi terkait dukungan yang akan diberikan PPP se-Sumut pada Muktamar VII PPP yang akan berlangsung di Bandung, 3-7 Juli 2011.

"Bagi kita masalah ini (dukungan untuk Suryadharma, red) sudah selesai, sudah final. Seluruh 75 suara mulai dari DPW hingga DPC dipastikan solid mendung SDA," tegasnya pada kesempatan yang juga dihadiri Ketua DPP PPP H Hasrul Azwar itu.

Dukungan kepada Suryadharma Ali untuk kembali menjadi Ketua Umum DPP PPP periode 2011-2016 sebelumnya juga sudah menjadi keputusan dalam Musyawarah Kerja Wilayah (Mukerwil) I DPW PPP Sumut yang berlangsung di Asrama Haji Medan, 17-19 Juni 2001.

Menurut Fadly Nurzal, Suryadharma Ali masih merupakan figur terbaik untuk memimpin PPP ke depan. Suryadharma juga dinilai tegas dalam menjaga keutuhan partai disamping memiliki hubungan yang kuat dengan kalangan pemuda di PPP.

"PPP memiliki banyak kader yang layak diberi kepercayaan untuk memimpin partai, namun SDA dinilai masih yang terbaik di antara figur yang ada," ujarnya.

Lebih jauh ia menyebutkan, saat ini pihaknya tinggal mengurus keberangkatan para muktamirin asal Sumut.

"Kita tinggal menyiapkan keberangkatan, sementara soal dukungan sudah final dan tidak dapat diganggung-gugat lagi, kecuali SDA sendiri mundur dari pencalonan," tegas Fadly Nurzal. (ANT/K004)

Sack officials responsible for maid's execution: PDI-P

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:21:00 +0200

Politicians from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) have lambasted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for not replacing the officials responsible for protecting migrant workers.

They were referring to Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar and head of Workers Placement and Protection National Agency Jumhur Hidayat, whom they said should be held to account for the government's failure to save Ruyati from her execution by beheading in Saudi Arabia last week.

"We really hope that the President wants to prioritize the thousands of our migrant workers over the political support of a group of people," Rieke Dyah Pitaloka of the House labor commission said Friday.

She said the two officials' incompetence could not be ignored.

However, she added, it would require more that their dismissals to ensure proper protection for migrant workers.

The House's labor commission has decided to temporarily halt dealings with minister Muhaimin as a show of protest for what they considered Muhaimin's failure to protect migrant workers.

USA legends visit Indonesia

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:48:00 +0200

US Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel gave welcoming remarks in the Embassy courtyard for the USA Legends who are visiting Indonesia under the sponsorship of the Development Basketball League (DBL), the US Embassy here said in its website on Tuesday.

The USA Legends then hosted a coaching clinic with sixty orphans and high school students from the Jakarta area at the U.S. Embassy basketball courtyard.

The Ambassador later joined the discussion on "What Basketball Mean to Me" hosted at @america, including the USA Legends and members of the National Basketball League Indonesia.

Both events highlighted the role basketball can play in teaching youth American values such as teamwork and provide an opportunity to reach underserved populations.

Finance ministry wants part in coal work contract renegotiation

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:45:00 +0200

The finance ministry wishes to take part in renegotiation on 76 coal mining work contracts in order to ensure optimum state revenue from this sector, Finance Minister Agus Martowardoyo said.

"We have to take anticipatory steps. The government has never been involved in the conclusion of mining work contracts although they do affect state income such as taxe and so forth. In this case we should not stay silent, we have to be active," Agus said here Thursday.

The minister said the president`s request on renegotiation of mining work contracts should be heeded.

At present, more than 40 mineral industry work contracts and 8,000 mining concessions needed to be reviewed.

He said the finance ministry was never involved in talks on extension of the concessions and the conclusion of coal exploitation work contracts and other types of work contracts.

50,000 flee storm in Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:43:00 +0200

Some 50,000 people were in evacuation centres in the Philippines on Friday after fleeing their homes following days of torrential rains caused by Tropical Storm Meari, officials said.

More than 3,200 people fled their homes overnight in the capital Manila alone as the storm added to seasonal monsoon rains, bringing massive flooding to city streets, the civil defence agency said.

The swift evacuation of Manila residents as the waters rose overnight prevented any deaths, said Benito Ramos, executive director of the official National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

"It is a good thing we pre-positioned rubber boats. Thankfully, people reacted well. When we told them to evacuate, they evacuated," Ramos said.

However 11 people were still missing in or near the less-developed Bicol peninsula southeast of Manila that bore the brunt of Meari as it brushed past the eastern side of this country, the council added.

The missing included 10 fishermen who ventured out to sea from the island of Catanduanes before Meari struck and a woman swept away by flash flooding in another part of Bicol, a council said.

The rains, which have been falling for most of the week, intensified on Thursday, forcing people to flee their homes, fearing floods and landslides.

Most schools in and around Manila cancelled classes on Friday due to the flooding with debris blocking many streets, authorities said.

Science Department Undersecretary Graciano Yumul said that rain would further intensify over the main island of Luzon where Manila is located, even though the storm was moving away from the Philippines towards Taiwan.

The government weather station reported that Meari had strengthened as it moved northwest towards Taiwan, with gusts of 100 kilometres (60 miles) per hour.

President receives Singaporean foreign minister

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:41:00 +0200

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received new Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam at his office here Friday.

The visit of Minister Shanmugam was to introduce himself, presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said.

The head of state and his quest were also expected to discuss ASEAN issues including its priority programs and connectivity, he added.

On bilateral relations, Indonesia talked about its economic development acceleration program and invited Singapore to be involved in the Sumatra corridor project.

"Singapore has expressed commitment to using the existing opportunities. Indonesia`s economic progress will affect the region. Both nations are committed to mutual contribution," he said.

He said 12 million tourists not only visited Singapore but also other regions so Indonesia could take benefit from that.

At the meeting which was also attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Mary Natalegawa, the president and his guest discussed the upcoming ASEAN leaders retreat meeting which will among other things deal with legal issues.

Green growth key to Asia-Pacific food, energy security

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:13:00 +0200

Asia-Pacific countries can cushion themselves against food and fuel price shocks and natural disasters by more efficient use of resources and energy, the United Nations economic body, ESCAP, told a forum of world leaders in Seoul on Monday.

"Green growth remains an essential and urgent task for enhancing the energy and food security of each country (in the Asia-Pacific region)," UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Dr. Noeleen Heyzer told the Global Green Growth Summit organized by the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The one-day summit marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of OECD brought together 800 participants from 25 countries, a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) said here on Tuesday.

The current energy, resource and carbon intensive development pattern must give way to Green Growth? to reduce wasteful use of resources and energy, Dr. Heyzer said, adding that this was particularly important at a time when the Asia-Pacific region faces triple threats from recurring climate-related natural disasters and soaring food and fuel prices. Latest ESCAP estimates show that rising food and oil prices can keep an additional 42 million people in the region in poverty in 2011.

The region is also the world's most vulnerable to natural disasters, with its people four times more likely to be affected by nature?s wrath than those in Africa and 25 times more likely than those in Europe or North America.

"Green Growth, as one of the strategies to achieve sustainable development by improving the efficiency of the way we use our energy, resources, and in particular carbon, is no longer only an ecological conditionality but also an imperative to improve resilience of our economy against energy, food and resource price volatility," Dr. Heyzer told the summit.

"For Asia and the Pacific, a region whose efficiency in using energy and resources still remains low, improving the efficiency of our production and consumption will provide us with a new engine of growth," the ESCAP chief pointed out.

Green growth needs to be linked to inclusive and equitable economic initiatives and can be part of regional, subregional and bilateral development initiatives and partnerships. ESCAP has been pioneering green growth in the region, an example being the 2010 Astana Green Bridge Initiative linking Europe with Asia and the Pacific which will promote inter-regional cooperation in pro-poor, pro-environment growth. ESCAP is also developing a Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap for the region funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The world will have the chance at the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Brazil to commit itself to a global green economic growth model based on a partnership between rich and poor nations, Dr.Heyzer said.

Garuda to buy 50 A320 Airbus planes

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:09:00 +0200

Publicly listed PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk announced on Wednesday it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus Industrie for the purchase of 50 A320 Family planes.

Garuda Indonesia President Director Emirsyah Satar signed the MoU with Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy at the Paris Airshow 2011 on Tuesday, Garuda Indonesia spokesman Pujobroto said in a press statement on Wednesday.

Under the MoU, Garuda would buy 50 A320 planes consisting of 25 planes to be bought under a confirmed order and 25 planes under an option, he said.

The 25 planes will consist of 15 standard A320s and 10 A320neos. They will join Garuda Citilink fleet in stages from 2014 to 2018, or 5 planes in each of the years.

He said the purchase of the Airbus planes was designed to develop the potential market of Garuda Citilink which grew rapidly every year amidst rising demand for low-cost airline services at domestic and regional levels.

Garuda Indonesia President Director Emirsyah Satar said the purchase of A320s was part of the airline company`s program to develop Garuda Citilink by increasing its capacity and competitiveness.

He said A320s were very suitable for low cost flights because of their reliability and convenience.

Pujobroto said Garuda Citilink would gradually rejuvenate its planes starting this year. By the end of 2011, Garuda Citilink was expected to operate four A320s with a capacity of carrying 180 passengers each.

Currently, Garuda Citilink is operating six B-737-300s and 400s to link eight cities in Indonesia, namely Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Batam, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Makassar and Medan.

Kalla supports moratorium on migrant workers dispatch

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:07:00 +0200

Former vice president Jusuf Kalla has expressed appreciation for the government`s decision to impose a moratorium on the dispatch of migrant workers (TKIs) to Saudi Arabia.

The decision was in line with the national interest, Kalla, the chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), said here Thursday.

"It`s about time. Twenty years ago, yes we did need to send (TKIs). But, our country is now different from 20 years ago, our nation has made good progress," he said after attending the 57th anniversary of Indonesian Muslim University.

He, however, suggested that the moratorium be imposed on the dispatch of Indonesian women working as housemaids overseas, while those working in other professions such as nurses and construction workers, could continue.

"It`s about gender. But if female workers have skills as nurses, it`s okay. Meaning, we have to change the system," he said.

As a consequence of the moratorium, the government must create a lot of job opportunities at home , something the government does have the ability to do , Kalla said optimistically.

Kalla said one of the keys to create new jobs in Indonesia was by developing electricity infrastructures to generate more power.

Having adequate electricity supplies will automatically result in an increase in investment.

"The point is to develop electricity. If there is enough electricity supply, investors will come. I am sure we can give better salaries if our investment sector improves. There, the salary of our TKI is only Rp1.8 million, while our minimum regional salary is Rp1.2 million. It`s not much different," he said.

He also said the government should set up a legal aid team consisting of the country`s best lawyers to help troubled migrant workers overseas.

Obama says pulling 33,000 troops out of Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:05:00 +0200

President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he will withdraw 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by year`s end and a total of 33,000 by the summer of 2012.

In a nationally televised speech outlining a shift in U.S. policy after a decade of war, Obama said that after the initial reduction, more troops will be pulled out of Afghanistan at a steady pace as Afghans take over their own security by 2014.

"America, it is time to focus on nation-building here at home," he said.

Obama said the United States is able to remove troops as al Qaeda is under more pressure than at any time since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that precipitated the war.

He said the United States will join initiatives aimed at reconciling the Afghan people, including the Taliban, as the Afghan government and security forces are strengthened.

"This is the beginning -- but not the end -- of our effort to wind down this war," Obama said, saying huge challenges remain there.

Djarum preparing players to win RI open badminton championship

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 11:11:00 +0200

The Djarum Kudus badminton club has set itself the target of making its athletes qualify for the main round of the Indonesia Open badminton championship Primary Super series in Jakarta on June 21 through 26, 2001.

Head of Djarum Kudus badminton club Yoppy Rosimin said here on Friday, the badminton championship with prizes totaling US$ 600,000 will also be participated in by badminton players ranked 28th in the world.

Therefore, Djarum Kudus players who are ranked 50th in the world would have to fight hard to qualify for the main round, he said, explaining that Djarum Kudus will feature nine athletes who will compete in the man`s singles, woman`s singles, women`s doubles, men`s doubles, and mixed.

Andre Kurniawan who is in 73th place in the world will meet Thailand man`s single Tanongsak Saesomboonsuk. If Andre Kurniawan wins, he will challenge the winner of the match between Sonny Dwi Kuncoro and Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei).

In the woman`s singles, Fransiska Ratnasari will meet US player Wang Rena who ranks 50th in the world. Should Fransiska Ratnasari win, she will meet the winner of the match between Jiayuan Chen (Singapore) and Aprilia Yuswandari (Indonesia).

In the meantime, Ana Rovita will meet Elizabeth Cann. If Ana wins, she will meet the winner of the match between Adriyanti Firdasari and Michele Li (Canada).

In the women`s doubles, Aulia Putri Darajat/Khaeriah Rosmini will meet Leanne Choo/Renuge Veeran (Australia).

Ririn Amelia/Melati Daeva Oktaviani will meet the Canadian women`s double Gao Grace/Joycely Ko in the first round.

In addition, Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka who will directly fight in the main round, will challenge the South Korean man`s single Shon Wan Ho. If Rumbaka is successful, he will meet the fourth seeded Peter Hoeg Gade (Denmark).

Maria Febe Kusumastuti will meet Japanese woman`s single Ayane Kurihara. If Maria wins, she will meet the winner of the match between Salakjit Ponsana (Thailand) and Sayako Sato.

PLN to buy electricity from Malaysia for Entikong region

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 11:09:00 +0200

Stated-owned Electricity Company (PT PLN) will push through its plan to buy one MW of electricity from Sesco, Malaysia, to meet energy needs in the Entikong border region, Sanggau district, West Kalimantan province.

"The purchase plan is ready and our target now is to make the connection later this month," Bambang Budiarto, general manager of PT PLN`s operations in West Kalimantan, said here Saturday.

He explained, all the preparations were ready, including the transformer, so it just wait for the connection between electricity network owned by Sesco, Malayasia with PLN`s transformer in Entikong.

"Currently, the electricity purchase model at Sesco has been applied in Sajingan, Sambas district and Badau, Kapuas Hulu district in order to meet the electrical energy shortage in the border areas," Bambang noted.

The electricity purchases made since the distance between the power grid owned by Sesco, Malaysia is closer than that PLN has to build the existing network to power in the border areas, he added.

In addition, the construction of the power grid at the border requires a high cost because of its location is away.

Currently, PLN region West Kalimantan are still using diesel power plant so that the operational costs of Rp2,000 to Rp3,000 per kWh. While the highest selling price to the customer at Rp620 per kWh, so the rest is subsidized by the government.

"As if buying in Sesco, Malaysia it is only Rp900 per kWh. In addition, we do not need to pay maintenance and others. But the purchasing power is short-term," Bambang said.

The electricity purchased by PLN region West Kalimantan each of 400 kilowatts for Nanga Badau areas in Kapuas Hulu district and 200 kilowatts for Aruk in Sambas district.

Bambang stated, the purchase of such electricity is only temporary pending the construction of two steam power plant capacity of 255 MW in Parit Baru, Pontianak and Tanjung Gundul, Bengkayang district.

PLN region West Kalimantan will illuminate about 12 villages in the border region of Indonesia (Kalimantan Barat) - Malaysia in 2011.

The border villages included in the electricity into the village program among others are Temajok and Aruk in Sambas district, Jagoi Babang, Siding and Jagoibelida in Bengkayang district, Badau and Puring Kencana in Kapuas Hulu district, Jasa in Sintang district as well as Suruh Tembawang, Palak Pasang, Sekayam and Entikong in Sanggau district.

Russian president emphasizes Iran`s right to nuclear energy

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 11:07:00 +0200

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev once again reiterated on Iran`s right to nuclear energy for civilian purposes.

President Medvedev made the remark in a joint press conference with the visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao in Moscow on Thursday.

The Russian president also underscored on the necessity for resolving Iran`s nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations.

Russia and China, two member-states of the Group 5+1 unlike US and its western allies support Iran`s nuclear rights and have called for settling Iran`s nuclear issue through dialogue.

Moscow and Beijing have recently begun fresh diplomatic efforts aimed at resumption of talks between Iran and Group 5+1 (five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany).

Commenting on North Korea`s nuclear program, President Medvedev said that there are currently no obstacles in the way of resuming six-party talks.

In another part of his press conference, Medvedev said that Moscow and Beijing are determined to increase the volume of their trade transactions to 150 billion dollars by 2015 and to 200 billion dollars by 2020.

Vice President : RI must maintain food security

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 11:05:00 +0200

Vice President Boediono has said Indonesia should maintain its food security and therefore it was absolutely necessary to increase food production.

"Self-sufficiency in rice and other staple commodities should be reached and maintained because Indonesia must be safe in food," the vice president said at a function to open the Farmers-Fishermen National Week 2011 (Penas 2011) at Kutai Kartanegara district town of Tenggarong in East Kalimantan on Saturday.

He said Indonesia and other countries face the same challenge of food security and the problem, according to the vice president, was how a country could provide enough food to meet demand that was ever increasing at a fast rate.

According to the vice president, domestic food availability should continue to be maintained and the prices should be kept stable in order to be affordable by all people.

In such a global situation, Vice President Boediono said Indonesia had to secure its food supply as much as possible.

"Food prices are getting more unstable and increasing more and more, and increasingly difficult to anticipate. Such situations complicate all parties: producers, consumers, and the governments of developing countries alike," the vice president said.

Meanwhile, the National Farmers-Fishermen`s Week 2011 that runs from June 18 to 23 will be participated in by around 30,000 people, consisting of farmers and fishermen, government officials, agribusiness makers, businessmen, experts, and agriculture and fisheries extension officers.

Farmers and fishermen from Japan and several Southeast Asian countries will also be present to exchange information about agricultural development in a broader sense.

The opening ceremony of the Penas 2011 is also attended by Agriculture Minister Suswono, Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan, East Kamlimantan Governor Awang Faroek Ishak, Kutai Kartanegara district head Rita Widyasari, and Penas 2011 organizing committee chairman Winarno Tohir.

Initiated in 1971, the national week of farmers and fishermen is intended to step up the motivation of farmers, fishermen, and agribusiness makers to develop sustainable and competitive agribusinesses through mutually beneficial partnerships.

UNEP-WMO assessment complements urgent action needed to cut CO2 emissions

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 11:02:00 +0200

Fast action on pollutants such as black carbon, ground level ozone and methane may help limit near term global temperature rise and significantly increase the chances of keeping temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius, and perhaps even 1.5 degrees Celsius, according to a new assessment.

Protecting the near-term climate is central to significantly cutting the risk of "amplified global climate change" linked with rapid and extensive loss of Arctic ice on both the land and at sea, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said in a press statement sent from Bonn, Germany.

Fast action might also reduce losses of mountain glaciers linked in part with black carbon deposits while reducing projected warming in the Arctic over the coming decades by two thirds.

The scientists behind the assessment, coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), also point to numerous public health and food security opportunities above and beyond those linked with tackling climate change.

Big cuts in emissions of black carbon will improve respiratory health; reduce hospital admissions and days lost at work due to sickness, says the assessment, whose Secretariat is provided by the Stockholm Environment Institute.

Indeed close to 2.5 million premature deaths from outdoor air pollution could on average be avoided annually worldwide by 2030 with many of those lives saved being in Asia, it is estimated.

Big cuts in ground level ozone could also contribute to reduced crop damage equal to between one to four per cent of the annual global maize, rice, soybean and wheat production.

Cutting these so-called `short-lived climate forcers` can have immediate climate, health and agricultural benefits, the report concludes.

This is because, unlike carbon dioxide (CO2), which can remain in the atmosphere for centuries, black carbon, for example, only persists for days or weeks.

The researchers however also underline the fact that while fast action on black carbon and ground level ozone could play a key role in limiting near-term climate, immediate and sustained action to cut back CO2 is crucial if temperature rises are to be limited over the long-term.

It is the combination of action on short-lived climate forcers and long-lived greenhouse gases which improves the chances of keeping below the 2 degree target throughout the 21st Century.

The findings, released recently in Bonn, Germany, during a meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have been compiled by an international team of more than 50 researchers chaired by Drew Shindell of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "There are now clear, powerful, abundant and compelling reasons to reduce levels of pollutants such as black carbon and tropospheric ozone along with methane: their growing contribution to climate change being just one of them."

"This assessment underlines how the science of short-lived climate forcers has evolved to a level of maturity that now requires and requests a robust policy response by nations. The experts spotlight how a small number of emission reduction measures-- targeting for example recovery of methane in the coal, oil and gas sectors through to the provision of cleaner burning cook stoves; particle traps for diesel vehicles and the banning of open

burning of agricultural wastes-- offer dramatic public health, agricultural, economic and environmental benefits," he added.

The UNEP/WMO Integrated Assessment of Black Carbon and Tropospheric Ozone suggests that action could be catalyzed through not only the UN climate convention process but also via, for example, strengthening existing national and regional air quality agreements.

Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the WMO, said: "Most attention is focused on reducing the main greenhouse gas, CO2, to combat climate change. However, in recent years it has become clear that a range of other pollutants such as black carbon and tropospheric ozone are aggravating the challenge."

Tax consultant on trial for allegedly bribing Gayus

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:03:00 +0200

A tax consultant went on trial today at the South Jakarta District Court for alleged bribery that cost the state Rp 15 billion [US$1.76 million].

The consultant, Roberto Santonius, is charged with bribing graft convict Gayus H. Tambunan, a former tax officer, to ensure a favorable outcome in a tax dispute between PT Metropolitan Retailmart, a company that he represented, and the tax directorate general.

“We have garnered convincing evidence that proves Santonius had given Rp 925 million of bribe money to Gayus Halomoan Tambunan in order to win the tax dispute,” Prosecutor Heru Widarmoko said Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

Heru said that if proven guilty Santonius would face five years in prison.

Golkar happy with recent survey result

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:01:00 +0200

A Golkar Party politician admits that he is happy with the fact that the party managed to “steal” support from the Democratic Party, as revealed within a recent survey, saying that it could boost Golkar’s confidence to solidify its political work on the grass roots level.

“The survey was conducted by a reliable institution. We should respond to it by increasing the quality of our political work by accommodating more grass roots programs,” Priyo Budi Santoso said Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.

He then promised that Golkar would extend its best efforts to win the people’s hearts in the upcoming 2014 General Elections.

The Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) had announced that the Golkar Party had benefited from the recent controversy regarding the absence of former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin, who had twice been summoned to respond to a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigation.

The survey revealed that Golkar managed to reach the top position by securing 17.9 percent support from respondents, leaving the Democratic Party with only 15.5 percent of respondents giving them a favorable appraisal.

RI, China hold joint anti-terrorism exercise

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:57:00 +0200

Indonesian and Chinese special military forces began a joint anti-terrorism exercise here on Monday.

"The first military exercise so far will not only give a strategic effect on the region but internationally," China`s Jinan Military Command chief of staff Lt. Gen. Zhao Zonggi said.

Speaking at the opening of the joint exercise code-named "Sharp Knife 2011" he said the exercise was a concrete step in the strategic partnership that had been agreed by the two countries especially in the field of defense.

"The exercise is the follow up of the agreement between the two heads of state," he said.

He said he hoped the joint exercise, which is the first held by the Indonesian and Chinese militaries especially in anti-terrorism, could become a strategic milestone for the two countries` better and increasing relations and cooperation in the future "especially in dealing with terrorism that has become an international threat."

He said through the exercise the two sides could learn from each other and exchange experiences and knowledge as well as capability in technical as well as tactical terms.

The chief of the army`s special forces, Maj. Gen. Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus, meanwhile said the cooperation between the two countries` special forces had been pioneered since 2006 through consultation forums.

"Cooperation with a number of countries gives benefit to the two sides including with China that has grown fast in all fields including in the field of defense," he said.

Lodewijk said changes in strategic environment at regional as well as global levels had to be closely monitored, anticipated and responded quickly and correctly.

"Therefore through this exercise, swift and correct response could be created for the two countries to deal with developing threats, factual as well as potential," he said.

Lodewijk said through the exercise the two sides could fill each other`s gaps and develop the potentials they have to meet their needs for dealing with any threat.

The exercise will be carried out at the army`s special force Kopassus training center in Batujajar until June 19.

The exercises to be carried out include sniping, reaction 1 to 4 shooting, tire house raid, close-range combat techniques, method of entry, hostage-releasing tactics and techniques, static and free fall parachute jumping and a terrorism case study.

The exercise is aimed at increasing the capability and skills of Kopassus and People`s Liberation Army`s (PLA) personnel in special operations.

It is also aimed at improving the two parties` capability in anticipating terrorist threats.

Batam`s junior Red Cross rated best at Asia-Pacific jamboree

noreply@blogger.com (News Update) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:53:00 +0200

The Batam chapter of the Indonesian Junior Red Cross (PMR) was selected as the best teenage contingent at the "Youth and Volunteer Camp Asia Pacific Jamboree" in Malaysia recently, a PMR spokesperson said.

The Batam city`s PMR contingent was considered to be the most active and friendly during the event that was attended by more than 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, said Nurmilasari, head of the contingent, here on Friday.

The election was conducted through questionnaires among about 2,500 participants of the jamboree organized by Malaysia`s Crescent and took place in Kelantan, Malaysia.

"The questionnaire results showed that the Indonesian contingent was hospitable and most active in participating in the jamboree`s programs," she said.