The West Nusa Tenggara Broadcasting Commission (KPID) has decreed that broadcasters are prohibited from airing dangdut songs deemed to have pornographic lyrics.

KPID claims they do not wish to curb anyone’s creativity but songs that may have a negative impact on children and teenagers cannot be played.

Ten dangdut songs with titles like “Jupe Likes 69 Best” “Rocking Van” and “Sorry I Got You Pregnant” were among the examples of songs deemed inappropriate for public airing.

Over 300 songs were reviewed over two weeks following complaints from citizens groups and cultural scientists.

The head of the broadcasting supervisory agency said that the words to Julia Perez’ song “Jupe Likes 69 Best” were delivered in an erotic voice, with lustful sighs and emphasis on lyrics which portrayed intimate relations and the singer’s preferred mode of sexual intercourse.

More vulgar still, according to Badrun, was “Rocking Van” by Lia M.J. and Asep Rumpi, which he said, promoted sex outside of marriage, and went into details of sex positions.

Stations caught broadcasting any of the 10 banned songs face a reduction in their broadcasting hours or loss of license.

Sources:
Jakarta Globe: 10 ‘Pornographic’ Dangdut Songs Banned From Airplay in NTB
Jakarta Post: Radio, TV stations told not to air ‘porn’ songs in West Java

Today’s Top Stories

Valentine’s Murders – a Grisly Affair
Tense Situation Continues at Kerobokan for Third Day.
New Travel Packages for Tourists
Dangdut Songs Labelled Pornographic.
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According to the vice chairman of the Bali Village movement (Kelian) Herdy Sayoga, Bali needs new tour packages to attract and maintain its existence as an international tourist destination.

“Package tours or new breakthroughs are needed to explore new market potential,” he said when meeting with the Head of Badung Tourism Office, Cokorda Raka Darmawan.

These new packages are planned to be presented at the upcoming ITB event in Berlin, which is the biggest tourism exhibition for the European market.

“The number of exhibitors from the island will be as many as 28, who are members of the tourism industry in Bali,” explained Herdy.

Cokorda Raka Darmawan shared Herdy’s enthusiasm for the new developments, saying that he would welcome any promotion event aimed at promoting tourism on the island.

“Promotion is an important part in every industry, including tourism. Without these elements it will undoubtedly be left behind by tourists,” he said.

Source:
Republika: Tarik Wisatawan Lebih Banyak, Bali Butuh Paket Wisata Baru

Today’s Top Stories

Valentine’s Murders – a Grisly Affair
Tense Situation Continues at Kerobokan for Third Day.
New Travel Packages for Tourists
Dangdut Songs Labelled Pornographic.
Police Arrest Major Ecstasy Dealer

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Foreign Students to Study at Indonesia Arts Institute
Airasia Soaring in 2012
Lion Air Passengers Told to Leave Aircraft Causing Discontent
Second Night of Riots at Kerobokan Prison

Negotiations with prison groups within the walls of Kerobokan prison saw many high level officials joining the talks yesterday.

The media and a large group of riot police gathered outside the jail as news came that all women, juveniles and foreigners would be removed to other prisons.

Despite the action on the outside dragging on throughout the day, less than thirty prisoners were seen leaving the jail, reportedly heading for Karangasem, Tabanan and some for Java.

The bulk of the foreign prisoners refused to move as news came later that the moves were voluntary.

The rioting, precipitated by a stabbing incident on Sunday, appeared to have died down and military presence was removed late yesterday.

Conflicting reports throughout the day added to the frenzy among media and onlookers. At the height of the stand off, Australian Bali Nine member, Scott Rush, was escorted out of the prison into a waiting car, sparking a rush of reporters and police scurrying to protect his identity.

Latest news is that security boss and possibly the new warden, Pak Nariwono, may be removed from office in response to prisoner demands.

Source:
Berita Bali: Rusuh Lapas, Napi Minta KPLP Dicopot

Today’s Top Stories

Valentine’s Murders – a Grisly Affair
Tense Situation Continues at Kerobokan for Third Day.
New Travel Packages for Tourists
Dangdut Songs Labelled Pornographic.
Police Arrest Major Ecstasy Dealer

Yesterday’s Top Stories

Foreign Students to Study at Indonesia Arts Institute
Airasia Soaring in 2012
Lion Air Passengers Told to Leave Aircraft Causing Discontent
Second Night of Riots at Kerobokan Prison

Police are still looking for three out of the four people involved and still at large in the triple murder of the Purnabawa family on Valentine’s Day in a housing estate in Benoa. Details are coming forth from the investigation into this grisly, cold-hearted murder case that according to police was planned the day before on Petitenget beach when the family driver, Heru met with four men to plan the murders.

“We will prosecute to the full extent of the law in this case,” said Bali Police Chief Inspector General Totoy Herawan Indra, Wednesday, in Denpasar. Article 340 of the Criminal Law of the murder has a minimum penalty of 20 years imprisonment to the death penalty.

The four men involved with Heru were named as HM, SG, HD, and AK. On Tuesday, police arrested AK in Situbondo. “There is a possibility that the other suspects are also in the same area, so we still have two teams in East Java,” said Totoy.

The revenge motivated killings took place on Tuesday 14 Feb at around 2.30 am. However, Totoy was reluctant to explain in depth more details of the resentment against the victim, which had caused the suspect Heru to execute such a reckless killing spree.

Chronology of events according to police

Before the act, Heru prepared execution tools; a piece of wood and pieces of iron pipe. In order not to draw suspicion, Heru and his wife continued to work as usual at the victim’s home.

That night, the employer’s wife and daughter slept in the master room. Meanwhile, Heru and his wife pretended to be asleep in their room.

At around 11.40pm, Purnabawa arrived home from work and went to sleep with his wife and daughter in the same bed because his daughter was ill. The door was left unlocked.

After knowing his master was asleep, Heru killed the house dog in the back yard and buried it about 200 metres from the house. Two hours later at around 2.30am Tuesday (14 Feb), arrived HM, SG, HD, and AK were helped inside by Heru.

After being shown the location of the master bedroom, all four men entered the room to bludgeon all three of the family to death with the equipment that had been prepared.

At about 3am the three corpses were wrapped in bedspreads and the dead family was put into the victim’s own Kijang Innova. Then, Heru and his wife and child drove the car with SG and HD, while HM and AK rode the victim’s motorcycles, a Jupiter MX and a Mio Soul behind them. They then drove to the West Bali.

The bodies were buried in a garden of a residential area in the district of Jembrana, until they were discovered a few days later by neighbours in a semi-decomposed state.

After dumping the bodies, the group crossed over to the port of Gilimanuk and drove in the direction of Situbondo, East Java.

Purnabawa older cousin, Ketut Subrata, said anyone who did such a heinous murder must be punished severely. “I was devastated. It turns out it was the killer’s own driver,” he said to reporters yesterday.

Bali police are still continuing to pursue in both Bali and Java the three men who remain at large.

Source:
TribuneNews: Purnabawa Sekeluarga Dibunuh Saat Tidur
BaliPost: Anita Bela Suaminya Heru Tak Ikut Eksekusi
MediaIndonesia: Inilah Kronologi Pembunuhan Satu Keluarga di Nusa Dua

Today’s Top Stories

Valentine’s Murders – a Grisly Affair
Tense Situation Continues at Kerobokan for Third Day.
New Travel Packages for Tourists
Dangdut Songs Labelled Pornographic.
Police Arrest Major Ecstasy Dealer

Yesterday’s Top Stories

Foreign Students to Study at Indonesia Arts Institute
Airasia Soaring in 2012
Lion Air Passengers Told to Leave Aircraft Causing Discontent
Second Night of Riots at Kerobokan Prison

Indonesian security forces have opened fire after rioting inmates at Kerobokan prison in Bali seized control of the jail for a second night.

An onlooker outside the jail said it was unclear whether security forces were shooting in the air, or at prisoners inside.

Indonesian riot police stormed the jail yesterday morning after inmates took control and began setting fire to buildings on Tuesday night.

Prisoners say that the riot began as a dispute over services such as healthcare and overcrowding.

About 400 police and military forces were outside the overcrowded Kerobokan prison again last night as violence erupted once again. Inmates are still without electricity or running water.

The prison holds about 1,000 inmates, including foreigners from 51 countries.

Gatot Goei, deputy program director for the Center for Detention Studies, said the clear cause of the Kerobokan violence was overcrowding.

He is calling for the release of prisoners charged with petty offences, juveniles and the elderly. The statement suggested allowing prisoners convicted of trivial crimes to serve their sentence outside of the jail or be given conditional release.

“The question is why nothing has been done to handle this known overcrowding,” Gatot said in a news release, adding that his organization was calling on the government to seek ways to immediately alleviate the overcrowding at Kerobokan.

House or city arrests could also be an option for petty offences.

The government could grant pardons for petty criminals who had served at least two years in jail, juvenile, elderly and handicapped convicts, it added. Drug users, it continued, could be moved to rehabilitation centres.

“Complete the construction of jails and detention facilities across Indonesia as soon as possible,” the center advised.

Sources:
news.com.au: Indonesian forces open fire at Bali jail
Jakarta Globe: After Bali Prison Riot, Criticism of Packed Indonesian Jails

Today’s Top Stories

Foreign Students to Study at Indonesia Arts Institute
Airasia Soaring in 2012
Lion Air Passengers Told to Leave Aircraft Causing Discontent
Second Night of Riots at Kerobokan Prison

Yesterday’s Top Stories

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New Traffic Control Systems for Denpasar
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Passengers aboard a Lion Air aircraft were angered after being told to disembark the aircraft shortly before takeoff at Nguarah Rai airport.

The flight was scheduled to take off at 10.40pm local time and land in Jakarta international airport.

Passengers were sitting in the plane for about half an hour before being told by cabin crew that they were waiting 10 more minutes for another passenger.

The irate travellers were then told that they had to recheck luggage by another Lion Air crew member. They were soon told to disembark the plane so that they could be rechecked and that the baggage could be manifested.

Many passengers elected to change their flights with the remaining passengers having to wait in the terminal.

After the making sure the manifest was in order, the flight finally left at 2pm angering many passengers who complained about the airline’s lack of transparency.

Source:
Oke Zone: Pesawat Lion Air Tak Kunjung Berangkat, Penumpang Kesal

Today’s Top Stories

Foreign Students to Study at Indonesia Arts Institute
Airasia Soaring in 2012
Lion Air Passengers Told to Leave Aircraft Causing Discontent
Second Night of Riots at Kerobokan Prison

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New Traffic Control Systems for Denpasar
Bird Flu Claims 12-year Old Boy
Authorities Retake Kerobokan Prison after Losing Control of Facility

Air Asia is expanding in leaps and bounds as 2012 takes off.

The low cost carrier will add 20 Airbus A320s to its fleet around the region this year, as it raises capacity and launches operations in Japan and the Philippines.

According to AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes, seventeen of the aircraft will come from the group’s backlog with Airbus, while the remainder will be leased.

AirAsia Indonesia, will launch three new domestic services during the first quarter of 2012.

The Denpasar to Bandung via Surabaya flights have already commenced operating a 180-seat A320 daily between the three airports. Jakarta – Semarang will begin soon.

“These new routes form part of the AAI strategy to bolster the Indonesian domestic market which has high growth potential given the rapidly rising incomes of the Indonesian middle classes,” said an AirAsia spokesman.

Frequencies will also rise on the existing routes from Jakarta to Denpasar. Two further routes will be launched from Malaysia to Semarang in Indonesia and Surat Thani in Thailand.

The new AirAsia Philippines will commence operations in March or April following the grant of its operator’s license in that country, and AirAsia Japan will follow in the second half of this year. The latter represents “a significant opportunity” given the small penetration of low-cost carriers in the market, said Fernandes.

According to a spokesman, forward bookings for the three operational airlines show passenger demand “remains positive”. January load factors fell slightly in Thailand and Indonesia, against the same period a year earlier, while Malaysia increased.

AirAsia Thailand and AirAsia Indonesia remain on course for their IPOs this year, said Fernandes.

Source:
FlightGlobal: AirAsia to add 20 A320s in 2012
AnnaAreo: Indonesia AirAsia launches new routes to Surabaya from Bali and Bandung

Today’s Top Stories

Foreign Students to Study at Indonesia Arts Institute
Airasia Soaring in 2012
Lion Air Passengers Told to Leave Aircraft Causing Discontent
Second Night of Riots at Kerobokan Prison

Yesterday’s Top Stories

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New Traffic Control Systems for Denpasar
Bird Flu Claims 12-year Old Boy
Authorities Retake Kerobokan Prison after Losing Control of Facility

The Indonesia Arts Institute (ISI) will be taking on board 58 foreign students from 22 countries around the world to educate them on the art of Balinese music and dance.

“That number is expected to increase with new admissions in 2012/2013, given that many foreign students are interested in continuing their education at higher education institutions of art on the island,” said the Rector of ISI Denpasar, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Rai last Saturday.

The majority of students will mostly come from Poland, Hungary, Japan and the US to study such diverse faculties as performing arts, fine art, art and design, art craft and photography. Other countries such as South Africa, Spain, Australia, Ukraine and Greece (among others) will be represented by one student each.

ISI Denpasar has been committed to educating foreign students in Balinese culture since 1998, with almost 500 students having passed through the institute since then.

Prof. Rai who is also University of California at Los Angeles alumni added that the ISI Denpasar graduates often develop creative uses in the arts after returning home, such as the collaboration of dance and gamelan music of Bali with western leaning.

“These conditions have a positive impact on the conservation and development of dance, gamelan and Balinese art and culture around the world,” he said.

Source:
Kompas: ISI Denpasar Didik 58 Mahasiswa Asing

Today’s Top Stories

Foreign Students to Study at Indonesia Arts Institute
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Lion Air Passengers Told to Leave Aircraft Causing Discontent
Second Night of Riots at Kerobokan Prison

Yesterday’s Top Stories

Murders Attributed to ‘Sakit Hati’
New Traffic Control Systems for Denpasar
Bird Flu Claims 12-year Old Boy
Authorities Retake Kerobokan Prison after Losing Control of Facility

Police have stormed Kerobokan prison this morning after ceding control of the facility to rioting prisoners who set fire to the main entrance the night before.

The previous night was the scene of a tense standoff with authorities struggling to control the flames under a barrage of rocks thrown from the prisoners. Hundreds of police officers armed with assault weapons and riot gear were on hand to contain the situation. Armed military personnel were also seen manning the perimeter.

The authorities moved in at dawn with hundreds of paramilitary officers storming the prison after firing a few warning shots in the air. After police retook the facility, three men were seen being taken away by ambulance.

Police are now in full control over the prison and have all inmates under lockdown. Prison officials and police have yet to make an official statement regarding the incident.

The riot started at around 11pm with guards subsequently fleeing the prison and losing control of the facility after inmates allegedly threatened them with improvised weapons. The riot follows an incident on Sunday afternoon when a smaller riot broke out after a prisoner was stabbed. It is still unknown whether the last night’s riot had stemmed from that prior incident.

Reports indicate that foreign and female prisoners were unhurt during the riot and subsequent police assault.

Pictures taken at the scene last night and this morning by the beat photographer, Angara reveal the prison’s large cache of firearms including shotguns and ammunition being taken out of the facility after police were able to regain control.

Source:
Republika: Napi LP Kerobokan Ngamuk, Ruang Kalapas Dibakar
The Age: Bali prison riot ends as police move in
Nine News: Riot officers enter Kerobokan jail in Bali
Sydney Morning Herald: Bali prison riot ends as police move in

Today’s Top Stories

Murders Attributed to ‘Sakit Hati’
New Traffic Control Systems for Denpasar
Bird Flu Claims 12-year Old Boy
Authorities Retake Kerobokan Prison after Losing Control of Facility

Yesterday’s Top Stories

Bad Weather Hampers Search for Missing Australian Tourists
Prosecutors Demand Seven Month Jail Sentence for Aussie
HARD ROCK rising on again
Young Family Allegedly Killed by Driver
Gas Fire in Denpasar Warehouse