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The Jakarta Post News Channel
Updated: 53 min 34 sec ago
KPAI to fight for student suspects' rights
The Indonesian Child Protection
Commission (KPAI) has said that the five high school students arrested for
allegedly using violence against their juniors during a mountain climbing trip
in the Tangkuban Perahu area of West Java should receive their rights as
children.
"The KPAI is currently fighting for these five children's rights. They are entitled to psychological assistance and should be detained at a different place to other prisoners. Children cannot be in the same cells as murderers," KPAI secretary Erlinda said at the KPAI headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday, as reported by kompas.com.
Currently the four male suspects are being held at the Salemba detention center and the female suspect at the Pondok Bambu detention center, both in Jakarta.
On Tuesday, the KPAI summoned senior state high school SMAN 3 Jakarta's principal, Ni Ketut Dia Chaerani, who was accompanied by vice principal La Ode Makbudu and several other teachers.
Erlinda said that as a result of the meeting, the KPAI would summon the Sabhawana mountaineering club instructor on Thursday, July 10.
"The KPAI has just started investigating this case. We will continue to monitor the case to make sure that it is in accordance with the [2002] Child Protection Law," KPAI commissioner Susanto said.
Ni Ketut also expressed her gratitude toward the KPAI for offering its assistance.
On June 19, during an outdoor trekking activity, a student named Arfiand Caesar Al Irhami passed out and was later collected by the parents of one of his fellow students who had also become sick on the trip. Arfiand was taken to the Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC) Hospital in Jakarta, where he died on June 21.
Furthermore, another junior student who took part on the trip recently passed away after undergoing intensive medical treatment at the Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung.(fss)
"The KPAI is currently fighting for these five children's rights. They are entitled to psychological assistance and should be detained at a different place to other prisoners. Children cannot be in the same cells as murderers," KPAI secretary Erlinda said at the KPAI headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday, as reported by kompas.com.
Currently the four male suspects are being held at the Salemba detention center and the female suspect at the Pondok Bambu detention center, both in Jakarta.
On Tuesday, the KPAI summoned senior state high school SMAN 3 Jakarta's principal, Ni Ketut Dia Chaerani, who was accompanied by vice principal La Ode Makbudu and several other teachers.
Erlinda said that as a result of the meeting, the KPAI would summon the Sabhawana mountaineering club instructor on Thursday, July 10.
"The KPAI has just started investigating this case. We will continue to monitor the case to make sure that it is in accordance with the [2002] Child Protection Law," KPAI commissioner Susanto said.
Ni Ketut also expressed her gratitude toward the KPAI for offering its assistance.
On June 19, during an outdoor trekking activity, a student named Arfiand Caesar Al Irhami passed out and was later collected by the parents of one of his fellow students who had also become sick on the trip. Arfiand was taken to the Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC) Hospital in Jakarta, where he died on June 21.
Furthermore, another junior student who took part on the trip recently passed away after undergoing intensive medical treatment at the Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung.(fss)
Categories: Indonesian News
Rupiah strengthens to 11,664 per dollar on Tuesday afternoon
The rupiah traded among banks in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon
appreciated by 48 basis points to 11,664 per US dollar from the previous
11,712 per dollar.
"Fundamentally, political euphoria ahead of the presidential election on July 9 is expected to run smoothly, hence giving positive sentiment to rupiah," Monex Investindo Futures research head Ariston Tjendra said in Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by Antara news agency.
He said that if the election ran safely and smoothly, automatically the economy would grow.
A free and fair election would also help improve the confidence of investors in Indonesia.
"A number of investors will stay alert to the result of the election on July 9 and Bank Indonesia's new monetary policy on July 10," he added.
Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia mid-rate data showed the rupiah was traded at 11,695 per US dollar, up from the previous 11,787 per dollar. (nfo)
"Fundamentally, political euphoria ahead of the presidential election on July 9 is expected to run smoothly, hence giving positive sentiment to rupiah," Monex Investindo Futures research head Ariston Tjendra said in Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by Antara news agency.
He said that if the election ran safely and smoothly, automatically the economy would grow.
A free and fair election would also help improve the confidence of investors in Indonesia.
"A number of investors will stay alert to the result of the election on July 9 and Bank Indonesia's new monetary policy on July 10," he added.
Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia mid-rate data showed the rupiah was traded at 11,695 per US dollar, up from the previous 11,787 per dollar. (nfo)
Categories: Indonesian News
Prabowo-Hatta team files smear campaigns report to police
An official from the
campaign team for candidate pair Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa filed a report
to the National Police on Tuesday regarding allegations of smear campaign tactics across several
regions in the country.
“We bring evidence, such as books, pamphlets, publications and bulletins that contain smear campaigns against Prabowo-Hatta. One of the bulletins, called Tibyan Al-Kazieb, contains misinformation about Prabowo,” Fadli Zon, secretary of Prabowo-Hatta campaign team, said as quoted by Antara news agency.
The team's lawyer, Mahendra Datta, said the materials could trigger conflict as several were distributed at mosques during Friday prayer.
Mahendra said his team had only decided to file police report over the allegations a day before the election, after previously choosing to ignore them, due to external pressures.
“Many have seen us as free from smear campaign, which was deemed as a sign that we were guilty of slander against our rival. This influenced our decision to file a police report,” he said.
Mahendra said the perpetrators could be charged with articles 310 and 311 of the Criminal Code on libel, as well as articles 156 and 157 on inciting hatred.
“We bring evidence, such as books, pamphlets, publications and bulletins that contain smear campaigns against Prabowo-Hatta. One of the bulletins, called Tibyan Al-Kazieb, contains misinformation about Prabowo,” Fadli Zon, secretary of Prabowo-Hatta campaign team, said as quoted by Antara news agency.
The team's lawyer, Mahendra Datta, said the materials could trigger conflict as several were distributed at mosques during Friday prayer.
Mahendra said his team had only decided to file police report over the allegations a day before the election, after previously choosing to ignore them, due to external pressures.
“Many have seen us as free from smear campaign, which was deemed as a sign that we were guilty of slander against our rival. This influenced our decision to file a police report,” he said.
Mahendra said the perpetrators could be charged with articles 310 and 311 of the Criminal Code on libel, as well as articles 156 and 157 on inciting hatred.
Categories: Indonesian News
JCI rises 0.72% in Tuesday closing
Just one day before the presidential election, the Jakarta
Composite Index (JCI) closed on a positive note, rising by 0.72 percent
to 5,024.71 during Tuesday's final trading session.
Shares in the finance sector made a significant contribution to the JCI's climb, as finance rose by 2.09 percent in the afternoon.
Miscellaneous industries and construction were the second- and third-largest contributors to the index at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, rising by 1.53 percent and 0.74 percent, respectively, kontan.co.id reported.
According to Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) data, 120 stocks strengthened during the closing session, while 178 stocks went down and 92 stocks remained unchanged.
PT Sekawan Intipratama, PT Batavia Prosperindo, PT Rukun Raharja and PT Multi Prima Sejahtera were the LQ45 Index's highest gainers.
The index's biggest losers, meanwhile, were PT Magna Finance, PT Ancora Indonesia, PT Sorini Agro Asia Corporindo and PT Bayu Buana. (nfo)
Shares in the finance sector made a significant contribution to the JCI's climb, as finance rose by 2.09 percent in the afternoon.
Miscellaneous industries and construction were the second- and third-largest contributors to the index at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, rising by 1.53 percent and 0.74 percent, respectively, kontan.co.id reported.
According to Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) data, 120 stocks strengthened during the closing session, while 178 stocks went down and 92 stocks remained unchanged.
PT Sekawan Intipratama, PT Batavia Prosperindo, PT Rukun Raharja and PT Multi Prima Sejahtera were the LQ45 Index's highest gainers.
The index's biggest losers, meanwhile, were PT Magna Finance, PT Ancora Indonesia, PT Sorini Agro Asia Corporindo and PT Bayu Buana. (nfo)
Categories: Indonesian News
ACE hardware opening 15 new outlets
PT ACE Hardware Indonesia, publicly listed retailer of
home-improvement products, is set to open 15 new outlets across the
archipelago by the end of the year, to tap into the growing consumer
demand in Indonesia.
ACE investor relations Imelda Widjojo said that the company had recently opened 10 new stores; seven stores outside Java and three stores in Java outside Jakarta.
"We plan to open three more outlets after the Idul Fitri celebration," Imelda said in Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by kontan.co.id.
Idul Fitri is expected to fall on July 28.
Imelda said the two remaining outlets, in Jakarta and outside Java, would be opened after the presidential election, which is slated to take place on Wednesday.
She said the firm spent around Rp 20 billion (US$ 1.72 million) on each new outlet, on 2,100-square-meter sites. She declined to give details on outlet expansion in cities outside Jakarta.
The company aims to increase its sales by 20 percent to Rp 4.62 trillion this year from the Rp 3.85 trillion it booked throughout last year. (nfo)
ACE investor relations Imelda Widjojo said that the company had recently opened 10 new stores; seven stores outside Java and three stores in Java outside Jakarta.
"We plan to open three more outlets after the Idul Fitri celebration," Imelda said in Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by kontan.co.id.
Idul Fitri is expected to fall on July 28.
Imelda said the two remaining outlets, in Jakarta and outside Java, would be opened after the presidential election, which is slated to take place on Wednesday.
She said the firm spent around Rp 20 billion (US$ 1.72 million) on each new outlet, on 2,100-square-meter sites. She declined to give details on outlet expansion in cities outside Jakarta.
The company aims to increase its sales by 20 percent to Rp 4.62 trillion this year from the Rp 3.85 trillion it booked throughout last year. (nfo)
Categories: Indonesian News
Adhi Karya former boss sentenced to 4.5 years in prison
The Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced Adhi Karya’s former
construction division director, Teuku Bagus Mokhamad Noor, to four years
and six months in prison and a Rp 150 million (US$12,853) fine, or an
additional three months imprisonment.
The panel said Teuku Bagus was proven guilty of corruption in the Sports School and Education and Training Center (P3SON) construction project in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java.
“The defendant has been proven guilty of carrying out a collective corruption crime,” presiding judge Edi Santoso said as quoted by kompas.com when he read out the verdict at the court in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The sentence is lower than the Corruption Eradication Corruption (KPK) prosecutors’ demands, who sought seven years in prison and Rp 300 million in fines, or additional six months imprisonment.
The judge said the mitigating factors were the defendant’s courteous demeanor during trial, his cooperation and no previous convictions. Teuku Bagus had also returned all the money to the KPK.
The judge said Teuku Bagus was proven guilty of misusing his authority to enrich him himself personally and other people.
Teuku Bagus was proven to have channeled a sum of money to several parties to allow Adhi Karya win the Hambalang project tender, the judge said. His collective corruption had caused Rp 464.51 billion losses to the state, according to the Supreme Audit Agency’s (BPK) calculations.
It was also said Teuku Bagus was found guilty of enriching himself with Rp 4.53 billion from the Hambalang project.(fss/ebf)
The panel said Teuku Bagus was proven guilty of corruption in the Sports School and Education and Training Center (P3SON) construction project in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java.
“The defendant has been proven guilty of carrying out a collective corruption crime,” presiding judge Edi Santoso said as quoted by kompas.com when he read out the verdict at the court in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The sentence is lower than the Corruption Eradication Corruption (KPK) prosecutors’ demands, who sought seven years in prison and Rp 300 million in fines, or additional six months imprisonment.
The judge said the mitigating factors were the defendant’s courteous demeanor during trial, his cooperation and no previous convictions. Teuku Bagus had also returned all the money to the KPK.
The judge said Teuku Bagus was proven guilty of misusing his authority to enrich him himself personally and other people.
Teuku Bagus was proven to have channeled a sum of money to several parties to allow Adhi Karya win the Hambalang project tender, the judge said. His collective corruption had caused Rp 464.51 billion losses to the state, according to the Supreme Audit Agency’s (BPK) calculations.
It was also said Teuku Bagus was found guilty of enriching himself with Rp 4.53 billion from the Hambalang project.(fss/ebf)
Categories: Indonesian News
Kalla satisfied with debate performance
Vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla said on Tuesday he was
satisfied with his performance during the presidential and vice
presidential debates held by the General Elections Commission (KPU).
Kalla explained that he and presidential candidate Joko "Jokowi" Widodo could only really prepare their opening speech, closing speech and the questions they had planned to ask their opponents Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Rajasa, as reported by kompas.com.
"We couldn’t really prepare anything other than those two because we didn’t know what our opponents or the moderator would ask us," he said in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Tuesday.
However, Kalla said that to counter their shortcomings, the pair deepened their knowledge of the debate topics, sharpened their logic skills and also trained themselves to make quick decisions.
He cited his refusal to answer rival Hatta's question in the last presidential debate on July 5 because Hatta had mistaken the Adipura environmental award, which is awarded to cities, for the Kalpataru environmental award as an example.
Although several people criticized Kalla's direct approach during the debates, he said he felt sure political debates were unlike academic debates, which sought the truth.
"People say that I like to attack, that I am not a statesman, but this is a political debate. Of course in a political debate we are going to attempt to attack each other and downgrade each other, but by using more polite language," he said. (fss)
Kalla explained that he and presidential candidate Joko "Jokowi" Widodo could only really prepare their opening speech, closing speech and the questions they had planned to ask their opponents Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Rajasa, as reported by kompas.com.
"We couldn’t really prepare anything other than those two because we didn’t know what our opponents or the moderator would ask us," he said in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Tuesday.
However, Kalla said that to counter their shortcomings, the pair deepened their knowledge of the debate topics, sharpened their logic skills and also trained themselves to make quick decisions.
He cited his refusal to answer rival Hatta's question in the last presidential debate on July 5 because Hatta had mistaken the Adipura environmental award, which is awarded to cities, for the Kalpataru environmental award as an example.
Although several people criticized Kalla's direct approach during the debates, he said he felt sure political debates were unlike academic debates, which sought the truth.
"People say that I like to attack, that I am not a statesman, but this is a political debate. Of course in a political debate we are going to attempt to attack each other and downgrade each other, but by using more polite language," he said. (fss)
Categories: Indonesian News
Complaint about caricature
Complaint about caricature: The Jakarta Post chief editor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat (left) speaks with Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) Jakarta chief Haris Amir Falah (second right)
and his members at the Post's office on Tuesday. Haris lodged the
Islamist group's complaint about a caricature depicting Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) activities in Iraq, which was published by
the Post on July 3. (JP/Jerry Adiguna)
Categories: Indonesian News
Govt prioritizes negotiation to resolve disputes with Newmont, says minister
Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin says the government
is ready to give priority to negotiations to resolve the disputes with
PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT), a subsidiary of US-based Newmont
Corporation.
“We are trying to settle the problems without taking legal action. We have prepared ourselves to go to arbitration as well, however, although the government’s position is very strong,” he told journalists on Monday.
NNT has filed for international arbitration against the government over its ore-export ban policy, which the company claims has cost it dearly.
The company filed the arbitration with the Washington-based International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), requesting an interim solution to allow NNT to resume exporting copper concentrate so that its Batu Hijau mine could resume operations.
The ore-export ban, which took effect on Jan.12, had halted NNT’s Batu Hijau production and violated both the contract of work (CoW) between the government and the company, in which Dutch firm Nusa Tenggara Partnership BV has a major shareholding, and bilateral treaty between Indonesia and the Netherlands, said the company in a recent written statement made available to The Jakarta Post.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has exempted Newmont and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. from the new Mining Law, which forbids the export of raw ore beginning in 2014, by signing a regulation allowing the export of semi-processed copper concentrate.
Finance Minister Chatib Basri later introduced a progressive export duty on copper concentrates in a move to compel mining firms to build smelters to add value to the nation’s downstream mineral sector.
Amir also said the government would continue negotiations with PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), the local arm of Freeport McMoRan Gold & Copper Inc. on issues such as royalty payments and contract extension before discussing export permits related to the imposition of the Mining Law.
He said there would be no problem with the government having a memorandum of understanding with PTFI.
“There will be no problem as long as the agreement does not contravene the existing laws,” said Amir, adding that he was sure that Coordinating Economic Minister Chairul Tanjung would not issue public policies that would contravene those laws. (put/ebf)
“We are trying to settle the problems without taking legal action. We have prepared ourselves to go to arbitration as well, however, although the government’s position is very strong,” he told journalists on Monday.
NNT has filed for international arbitration against the government over its ore-export ban policy, which the company claims has cost it dearly.
The company filed the arbitration with the Washington-based International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), requesting an interim solution to allow NNT to resume exporting copper concentrate so that its Batu Hijau mine could resume operations.
The ore-export ban, which took effect on Jan.12, had halted NNT’s Batu Hijau production and violated both the contract of work (CoW) between the government and the company, in which Dutch firm Nusa Tenggara Partnership BV has a major shareholding, and bilateral treaty between Indonesia and the Netherlands, said the company in a recent written statement made available to The Jakarta Post.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has exempted Newmont and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. from the new Mining Law, which forbids the export of raw ore beginning in 2014, by signing a regulation allowing the export of semi-processed copper concentrate.
Finance Minister Chatib Basri later introduced a progressive export duty on copper concentrates in a move to compel mining firms to build smelters to add value to the nation’s downstream mineral sector.
Amir also said the government would continue negotiations with PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), the local arm of Freeport McMoRan Gold & Copper Inc. on issues such as royalty payments and contract extension before discussing export permits related to the imposition of the Mining Law.
He said there would be no problem with the government having a memorandum of understanding with PTFI.
“There will be no problem as long as the agreement does not contravene the existing laws,” said Amir, adding that he was sure that Coordinating Economic Minister Chairul Tanjung would not issue public policies that would contravene those laws. (put/ebf)
Categories: Indonesian News
JCI up almost 1% at noon
The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) climbed by 0.98 percent to 5,037.98 by lunchtime on Tuesday.
The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) showed 118 stocks strengthened while 161 stocks went down slightly and 61 stocks remained stable, kontan.co.id reported.
The volume of transactions during the midday trading session involved 4.68 billion shares worth Rp 6.721 trillion (US$571.28 million).
Shares in seven out of 10 sectors traded on the IDX recorded growth by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday with finance leading the list, rising 2.37 percent.
Behind the finance sector were miscellaneous industry and infrastructure, increasing 1.69 percent and 1.31 percent, respectively.
Stocks in the LQ45 index's highest gainers at noon included PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia, PT Sentul City and PT Pakuwon Jati.
PT Visi Media Asia, PT Harum Energy and PT Charoen Pokphand were the index's biggest losers. (nfo)
The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) showed 118 stocks strengthened while 161 stocks went down slightly and 61 stocks remained stable, kontan.co.id reported.
The volume of transactions during the midday trading session involved 4.68 billion shares worth Rp 6.721 trillion (US$571.28 million).
Shares in seven out of 10 sectors traded on the IDX recorded growth by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday with finance leading the list, rising 2.37 percent.
Behind the finance sector were miscellaneous industry and infrastructure, increasing 1.69 percent and 1.31 percent, respectively.
Stocks in the LQ45 index's highest gainers at noon included PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia, PT Sentul City and PT Pakuwon Jati.
PT Visi Media Asia, PT Harum Energy and PT Charoen Pokphand were the index's biggest losers. (nfo)
Categories: Indonesian News
Security heightened on eve of polling day
As of Monday afternoon, the Jakarta Police, in cooperation with
the city administration, have heightened security in the city and its
surrounding areas ahead of polling day on Wednesday.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Dwi Priyatno stressed on Monday that the police were fully prepared to maintain security and order before, on and after polling on July 9 to help ensure a free and fair presidential election.
He said that the police would heighten security at polling stations (TPS) in Greater Jakarta in light of previous experience from the last two general elections of confl icts, fraud and other violations occurring at polling stations.
“We will deploy our personnel at all polling stations this afternoon [Monday] at around 4 p.m.,” he told reporters.
Dwi said that a total of 22,101 personnel was being deployed to maintain security, including at some of the 32,874 polling stations in Jakarta. The Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Community Protection Unit (Linmas), he said, would also assign their personnel to support the police as backup.
He said the TNI would deploy 7,300 personnel while the Limnas would deploy 65,748 security guards. A total of 95,149 personnel from the police, military and Limnas will be assigned to maintain security and order during the presidential race.
Dwi also said that more police personnel would be deployed to areas that were prone to conflicts, vote rigging and other types of manipulation. “We have identified 292 polling stations that are prone to chaos and conflicts and we have decided to increase the number of police personnel at the polling stations,” he said.
Separately, Jakarta’s Acting Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama said the city was also ready to give assistance to the police and the military in efforts to ensure security and public order in the city during the election.
Ahok said that besides guarding polling stations, the police would also protect vital facilities such as sluice gates, power stations and water pumps. “We do not want to take any risks that would put this vital infrastructure in danger,” he said, refusing to elaborate in detail.
Ahok said the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) would also assist the police and the TNI in guarding the strategic locations and the election.
Satpol PP head Kukuh Hadisantoso said his personnel had been readied to help the police in handling any untoward situations.
“We have around 6,000 personnel and 685 well maintained vehicles that can be used at any time,” he said.
Kukuh said, however, the Satpol PP personnel would not be deployed all at once but at the discretion of the police.
“We still have other duties like regulating night-time entertainment spots during Ramadhan,” he said.
— JP/Corry Elyda
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Dwi Priyatno stressed on Monday that the police were fully prepared to maintain security and order before, on and after polling on July 9 to help ensure a free and fair presidential election.
He said that the police would heighten security at polling stations (TPS) in Greater Jakarta in light of previous experience from the last two general elections of confl icts, fraud and other violations occurring at polling stations.
“We will deploy our personnel at all polling stations this afternoon [Monday] at around 4 p.m.,” he told reporters.
Dwi said that a total of 22,101 personnel was being deployed to maintain security, including at some of the 32,874 polling stations in Jakarta. The Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Community Protection Unit (Linmas), he said, would also assign their personnel to support the police as backup.
He said the TNI would deploy 7,300 personnel while the Limnas would deploy 65,748 security guards. A total of 95,149 personnel from the police, military and Limnas will be assigned to maintain security and order during the presidential race.
Dwi also said that more police personnel would be deployed to areas that were prone to conflicts, vote rigging and other types of manipulation. “We have identified 292 polling stations that are prone to chaos and conflicts and we have decided to increase the number of police personnel at the polling stations,” he said.
Separately, Jakarta’s Acting Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama said the city was also ready to give assistance to the police and the military in efforts to ensure security and public order in the city during the election.
Ahok said that besides guarding polling stations, the police would also protect vital facilities such as sluice gates, power stations and water pumps. “We do not want to take any risks that would put this vital infrastructure in danger,” he said, refusing to elaborate in detail.
Ahok said the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) would also assist the police and the TNI in guarding the strategic locations and the election.
Satpol PP head Kukuh Hadisantoso said his personnel had been readied to help the police in handling any untoward situations.
“We have around 6,000 personnel and 685 well maintained vehicles that can be used at any time,” he said.
Kukuh said, however, the Satpol PP personnel would not be deployed all at once but at the discretion of the police.
“We still have other duties like regulating night-time entertainment spots during Ramadhan,” he said.
— JP/Corry Elyda
Categories: Indonesian News
Granny saves babies from poor nutrition
As many parents would readily testify, feeding the baby is not as
easy as making it. Baby food should not contain preservatives, too much
sugar or salt and no monosodium glutamate; so, exactly the opposite of
what adults eat everyday.
Cooking specially for babies, for many parents, is time-consuming, therefore, they cut corners and feed their babies inappropriate food. Retired nurse Mardiastuty, 69, has had it with mothers feeding their infants with chicken porridge bought from street vendors.
Mardiastuty, herself a grandmother of six, said the mothers usually ate the meat and fed the porridge to their babes in arms. To make the rice porridge more colorful, they often add soy sauce, which is contaminated with preservatives, she said.
“Feeding babies with chicken porridge equates complicity in putting poor nutrition into their bodies. How can they grow well? It is not healthy at all,” she told The Jakarta Post recently.
She said that she understood baby food because she had worked at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Salemba, Central Jakarta, for 31 years.
One day, Mardiastuty decided to invest Rp 200,000 (US$16.40) and use her nursing knowledge to sell nutritious baby food from her home on Jl. Kayu Manis IV No. 11 in Matraman, East Jakarta, in 2003.
“I do not sell for profit, but to help babies,” she said.
Her baby food sells for Rp 3,000 per 200-gram portion.
“My baby porridge contains nutrition. All mothers should feed their babies with food like this,” she said.
She said that people, mostly young fathers, flocked her house at 5:30 a.m. to buy her porridge, which sold out in less than two hours.
Setyandhi Nyoto, 66, said that he always bought Mardiastuty-made porridge for his grandchildren.
Mardiastuty’s porridge, he said, was a different flavor everyday, so his grandchildren were never bored.
He said that unlike his daughters or daughters-in-law who only mixed their porridge with chicken broth, Mardiastuty added carrots, sweet corn, tomatoes and green beans, as well as beef or fish.
Integrated health services (Posyandu) offi cer Sumaeni, 61, said that her post had around 75 six-monthold babies registered, when their mothers visited the Posyandu, she recommended they feed their babies with healthy porridge.
According to her own observations, many mothers, especially young mothers, did not know how to cook healthy porridge.
Although some mothers living in her area knew how to make porridge like Mardiastuty, they were mostly lazy, she said.
“I frequently witness mothers buying instant porridge at mini markets to feed to their babies,” Sumaeni said. “I then recommend Mardiastuty.”
Mardiastuty said that she had 123 branches across the capital city. She also had branches outside Jakarta, including Bandung, Bogor, Karawang (all in West Java) and Tangerang (Banten).
At her house on Jl. Kayu Manis, she revealed that she, helped by four employees, used 16 kilograms of rice everyday from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. She rings in a net profit of Rp 700,000 a day from selling baby porridge. (alz)
Cooking specially for babies, for many parents, is time-consuming, therefore, they cut corners and feed their babies inappropriate food. Retired nurse Mardiastuty, 69, has had it with mothers feeding their infants with chicken porridge bought from street vendors.
Mardiastuty, herself a grandmother of six, said the mothers usually ate the meat and fed the porridge to their babes in arms. To make the rice porridge more colorful, they often add soy sauce, which is contaminated with preservatives, she said.
“Feeding babies with chicken porridge equates complicity in putting poor nutrition into their bodies. How can they grow well? It is not healthy at all,” she told The Jakarta Post recently.
She said that she understood baby food because she had worked at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Salemba, Central Jakarta, for 31 years.
One day, Mardiastuty decided to invest Rp 200,000 (US$16.40) and use her nursing knowledge to sell nutritious baby food from her home on Jl. Kayu Manis IV No. 11 in Matraman, East Jakarta, in 2003.
“I do not sell for profit, but to help babies,” she said.
Her baby food sells for Rp 3,000 per 200-gram portion.
“My baby porridge contains nutrition. All mothers should feed their babies with food like this,” she said.
She said that people, mostly young fathers, flocked her house at 5:30 a.m. to buy her porridge, which sold out in less than two hours.
Setyandhi Nyoto, 66, said that he always bought Mardiastuty-made porridge for his grandchildren.
Mardiastuty’s porridge, he said, was a different flavor everyday, so his grandchildren were never bored.
He said that unlike his daughters or daughters-in-law who only mixed their porridge with chicken broth, Mardiastuty added carrots, sweet corn, tomatoes and green beans, as well as beef or fish.
Integrated health services (Posyandu) offi cer Sumaeni, 61, said that her post had around 75 six-monthold babies registered, when their mothers visited the Posyandu, she recommended they feed their babies with healthy porridge.
According to her own observations, many mothers, especially young mothers, did not know how to cook healthy porridge.
Although some mothers living in her area knew how to make porridge like Mardiastuty, they were mostly lazy, she said.
“I frequently witness mothers buying instant porridge at mini markets to feed to their babies,” Sumaeni said. “I then recommend Mardiastuty.”
Mardiastuty said that she had 123 branches across the capital city. She also had branches outside Jakarta, including Bandung, Bogor, Karawang (all in West Java) and Tangerang (Banten).
At her house on Jl. Kayu Manis, she revealed that she, helped by four employees, used 16 kilograms of rice everyday from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. She rings in a net profit of Rp 700,000 a day from selling baby porridge. (alz)
Categories: Indonesian News
Cafes, restaurants showing matches can stay open late
Soccer fans can rejoice as the city’s Tourism Agency has
determined that restaurants and cafes airing live World Cup matches can
remain open since they are exempt from operating hour limits imposed on
entertainment establishments during the Ramadhan fasting month. Jakarta
Tourism Agency head Arie Budiman
“Restaurants and cafes are allowed to organize nobar [group viewing] during the ongoing World Cup in Brazil and soccer fans are allowed to attend because restaurants and cafes are not included as entertainment centers whose operating hours are limited during the fasting month,” said Jakarta Tourism Agency head Arie Budiman.
He also said his agency would comply with Bylaw No. 10/2004 and Gubernatorial Decree No. 98/2004 on the operational hours of entertainment venues to determine whether an establishment was allowed to remain open for 24 hours.
“We will comply with the initial regulation,” he said, adding that the city administration had prohibited venues such as nightclubs, discotheques, saunas, massage parlors and pubs from remaining open 24 hours a day.
Additionally, some 915 karaoke lounges, live music shows and billiard halls in the city are only allowed to operate from 8:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.
“So, they are allowed to hold nobar only during those hours,” he said.
Nico Angelo, a lawyer, said that he did not agree with the regulation. He said even though cafes and restaurants could remain open while showing a match, that they were forced to close immediately after was inconvenient for patrons.
“I experienced it myself during the latest World Cup match when my friends and I were asked to leave just after the match ended. It was uncomfortable,” he said.
University of Indonesia lecturer Biondi Firmansyah, however, expressed appreciation for the “leniency” granted by the regulation, which he acknowledged was passed by the city to help all residents perform their fasting solemnly.
“The World Cup is only held every four years, right? So I think it is fine,” he said.
Football fan Dody Agung said that the regulation would be very difficult to implement correctly, as it would be hard for restaurant and cafe owners to ask their customers to leave immediately after the final whistle had blown.
“The government has good intentions by issuing this regulation, but I am not sure that it will be easily applied,” she said.
Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) chairwoman Wuryanti Sukamdani said that as far as she knew, the administration did not limit the working hours of restaurants and cafes during the holy month of Ramadhan.
“I think that nobar is not a problem for restaurant and café owners,” she said.
She added that during the World Cup four years ago, the city administration did not forbid owners of restaurants and cafes from holding communal screenings and expected this year to be the same. (idb/alz)
“Restaurants and cafes are allowed to organize nobar [group viewing] during the ongoing World Cup in Brazil and soccer fans are allowed to attend because restaurants and cafes are not included as entertainment centers whose operating hours are limited during the fasting month,” said Jakarta Tourism Agency head Arie Budiman.
He also said his agency would comply with Bylaw No. 10/2004 and Gubernatorial Decree No. 98/2004 on the operational hours of entertainment venues to determine whether an establishment was allowed to remain open for 24 hours.
“We will comply with the initial regulation,” he said, adding that the city administration had prohibited venues such as nightclubs, discotheques, saunas, massage parlors and pubs from remaining open 24 hours a day.
Additionally, some 915 karaoke lounges, live music shows and billiard halls in the city are only allowed to operate from 8:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.
“So, they are allowed to hold nobar only during those hours,” he said.
Nico Angelo, a lawyer, said that he did not agree with the regulation. He said even though cafes and restaurants could remain open while showing a match, that they were forced to close immediately after was inconvenient for patrons.
“I experienced it myself during the latest World Cup match when my friends and I were asked to leave just after the match ended. It was uncomfortable,” he said.
University of Indonesia lecturer Biondi Firmansyah, however, expressed appreciation for the “leniency” granted by the regulation, which he acknowledged was passed by the city to help all residents perform their fasting solemnly.
“The World Cup is only held every four years, right? So I think it is fine,” he said.
Football fan Dody Agung said that the regulation would be very difficult to implement correctly, as it would be hard for restaurant and cafe owners to ask their customers to leave immediately after the final whistle had blown.
“The government has good intentions by issuing this regulation, but I am not sure that it will be easily applied,” she said.
Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) chairwoman Wuryanti Sukamdani said that as far as she knew, the administration did not limit the working hours of restaurants and cafes during the holy month of Ramadhan.
“I think that nobar is not a problem for restaurant and café owners,” she said.
She added that during the World Cup four years ago, the city administration did not forbid owners of restaurants and cafes from holding communal screenings and expected this year to be the same. (idb/alz)
Categories: Indonesian News
City slammed for low budget spending
The City Council has criticized the city administration for the
latter’s poor performance in spending the city’s huge 2013 budget.
In a plenary session in Jakarta on Monday, many factions were of the same opinion that the low absorption of the city’s budget was a strong indication that not enough physical development, including infrastructure and public transportation, was carried out.
The joint National Awakening Party (PKB) and National Mandate Party (PAN) faction said that besides the low absorption of the city budget, the city also failed to collect its targeted income.
The joint faction’s spokesman, Moch Asyari Jama, cited that the city administration brought in only Rp 39.52 trillion (US$3.35 billion) of its target of Rp 40.8 trillion.
“It is a sign of decreasing achievement from the city administration,” he said, adding that the city’s income in 2012 exceeded the target.
Asyari explained that the city also failed to spend the 2013 city budget worth Rp 50.1 trillion, adding that by the end of December 2013, only 80 percent of it had been spent.
He added that his faction was also concerned with findings from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) regarding leakages in the city’s 2013 budget, saying the acting governor should work harder to eliminate the culture of corruption in the bureaucracy.
The BPK recently reported that it found 86 irregularities worth some Rp 1.54 trillion in programs run by the city administration in 2013.
The audit agency found Rp 85.36 billion in city losses, Rp 1.33 trillion in potential losses, Rp 95.01 billion in shortfalls and Rp 23.13 billion in losses for money audits.
Irregularities were found in many development programs, including the bus procurement project, several projects at the Public Works Agency and leakages relating to the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) and School Operational Fund (BOP) programs.
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction said that the spending of the city’s 2013 budget was not carried out in a normal way because a bigger part of the budget was spent in a short period, or the second semester, indicating that all physical development was conducted in a hurry.
PKS spokesman Igo Ilham said that the abnormal spending could be traced to reports from community unit heads who were paid without any clear allocations.
“Neighborhood unit heads in many areas of Jakarta also received funds outside their monthly salaries at the end of 2013,” he said.
Igo said many part of the city were still inundated by floods during the rainy season because the city administration was less serious in carrying out flood mitigation programs.
“Up to now, floods still haunt the city’s residents during the rainy season,” he said.
The Gerindra Party and United Development Party (PPP) factions, who are supporting presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto in the upcoming election, used the plenary session as an opportunity to criticize Prabowo’s rival Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who they said should be held responsible for the low absorption of the city’s 2013 budget.
PPP spokesman Abdul Aziz said during the plenary meeting that Jokowi should return to his post in the city following the presidential election, to complete development programs.
According to the faction, the city administration underperformed under Jokowi’s leadership.
“The low budget spending is not due to efficiency but because the governor did not focus on his work,” he said, adding that the governor was busy enhancing his political brand through impromptu field inspections and visits.
Gerindra Party spokesperson Endah S. Pardjoko concurred and said his party hoped that Jokowi would return to the position of Jakarta governor to finish his development programs.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, which is backing Jokowi as a presidential candidate, praised his good performance.
In a plenary session in Jakarta on Monday, many factions were of the same opinion that the low absorption of the city’s budget was a strong indication that not enough physical development, including infrastructure and public transportation, was carried out.
The joint National Awakening Party (PKB) and National Mandate Party (PAN) faction said that besides the low absorption of the city budget, the city also failed to collect its targeted income.
The joint faction’s spokesman, Moch Asyari Jama, cited that the city administration brought in only Rp 39.52 trillion (US$3.35 billion) of its target of Rp 40.8 trillion.
“It is a sign of decreasing achievement from the city administration,” he said, adding that the city’s income in 2012 exceeded the target.
Asyari explained that the city also failed to spend the 2013 city budget worth Rp 50.1 trillion, adding that by the end of December 2013, only 80 percent of it had been spent.
He added that his faction was also concerned with findings from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) regarding leakages in the city’s 2013 budget, saying the acting governor should work harder to eliminate the culture of corruption in the bureaucracy.
The BPK recently reported that it found 86 irregularities worth some Rp 1.54 trillion in programs run by the city administration in 2013.
The audit agency found Rp 85.36 billion in city losses, Rp 1.33 trillion in potential losses, Rp 95.01 billion in shortfalls and Rp 23.13 billion in losses for money audits.
Irregularities were found in many development programs, including the bus procurement project, several projects at the Public Works Agency and leakages relating to the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) and School Operational Fund (BOP) programs.
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction said that the spending of the city’s 2013 budget was not carried out in a normal way because a bigger part of the budget was spent in a short period, or the second semester, indicating that all physical development was conducted in a hurry.
PKS spokesman Igo Ilham said that the abnormal spending could be traced to reports from community unit heads who were paid without any clear allocations.
“Neighborhood unit heads in many areas of Jakarta also received funds outside their monthly salaries at the end of 2013,” he said.
Igo said many part of the city were still inundated by floods during the rainy season because the city administration was less serious in carrying out flood mitigation programs.
“Up to now, floods still haunt the city’s residents during the rainy season,” he said.
The Gerindra Party and United Development Party (PPP) factions, who are supporting presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto in the upcoming election, used the plenary session as an opportunity to criticize Prabowo’s rival Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who they said should be held responsible for the low absorption of the city’s 2013 budget.
PPP spokesman Abdul Aziz said during the plenary meeting that Jokowi should return to his post in the city following the presidential election, to complete development programs.
According to the faction, the city administration underperformed under Jokowi’s leadership.
“The low budget spending is not due to efficiency but because the governor did not focus on his work,” he said, adding that the governor was busy enhancing his political brand through impromptu field inspections and visits.
Gerindra Party spokesperson Endah S. Pardjoko concurred and said his party hoped that Jokowi would return to the position of Jakarta governor to finish his development programs.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, which is backing Jokowi as a presidential candidate, praised his good performance.
Categories: Indonesian News
Prabowo attends mass prayer, Jokowi returns from Mecca
Presidential candidates Prabowo Subianto and Joko "Jokowi" Widodo
continue to work through their busy schedules a day before the
presidential election on July 9.
Prabowo is scheduled to attend a mass prayer held by the Majelis Dzikir (mass prayer group) Az-Zikra in Sentul, West Java, as reported by tribunnews.com.
He is then scheduled to attend a group viewing of the World Cup semifinal at the NPC Polo Club Jagorawi Cibinong Golf Complex in West Java early on Wednesday morning.
Rival Jokowi recently returned to Jakarta from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday. In Mecca, Jokowi went on a minor pilgrimage for two days to pray for the presidential election.
"Of course I prayed for our nation, for the smooth commencement of the presidential election tomorrow morning," he said at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten on Tuesday.
Jokowi said he left his fate and the results of the presidential election to God. (fss)
Prabowo is scheduled to attend a mass prayer held by the Majelis Dzikir (mass prayer group) Az-Zikra in Sentul, West Java, as reported by tribunnews.com.
He is then scheduled to attend a group viewing of the World Cup semifinal at the NPC Polo Club Jagorawi Cibinong Golf Complex in West Java early on Wednesday morning.
Rival Jokowi recently returned to Jakarta from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday. In Mecca, Jokowi went on a minor pilgrimage for two days to pray for the presidential election.
"Of course I prayed for our nation, for the smooth commencement of the presidential election tomorrow morning," he said at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten on Tuesday.
Jokowi said he left his fate and the results of the presidential election to God. (fss)
Categories: Indonesian News
Hidden cameras capture endangered species
Night prowler: A photo of a Javan leopard is
captured by a camera-trap unit set by Chevron for its Eye on the Forest
conservation program. The leopard is part of an ecosystem that Chevron
looks to preserve using the program. Photo courtesy of Chevron
Just 100 kilometers south of Jakarta lies a jungle, the survival of which depends on exploitative capitalism finding a balance with the ecosystem.
The jungle is located in the Mount Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS) in Bogor, West Java.
Covering more than 113,000 hectares of land, the park is an important part for two critical ecosystems at Halimun and Mount Salak, connected by an 11-km forest corridor.
Endangered species like the silvery gibbon, Javan leopard and Javan hawk-eagle rely heavily on the existence of the park and the corridor connection.
Nearby the park, US-based energy giant Chevron operates a geothermal power station, which produces around 377 megawatts of energy. Chevron owns around 10,000 hectares in the area and utilizes around 3 percent of it for its power station facilities.
Realizing the importance of the ecosystem within the area, Chevron has launched numerous initiatives to preserve the endangered species and their environment.
For example, at the end of 2011, Chevron started the Green Corridor Initiative (GCI) to support existing conservation programs in the corridor. The company has also aimed to disburse US$1 million to restore 500 hectares of land over the next five years.
To complement the CGI program, Chevron also started a camera and video-trap program, called Eye on the Forest, in January this year to monitor the species within the park and its corridor.
Chevron conducts both the CGI and the Eye on the Forest programs in cooperation with non-government environmentalist organization Conservation International Indonesia (CII) and with the local park rangers on Mount Salak.
The apparatus used in the Eye on the Forest program is a Cuddeback digital camera. The camera trap is a combination of an automatic digital camera with passive infrared moving-heat sensor and is placed inside a waterproof and shock-proof box.
The infrared sensor is used to detect any endothermic animal movement in front of the camera. When an endothermic animal passes by the infrared sensor, the system will immediately activate the camera to capture the image.
There are five camera traps installed in various spots within the park area.
A recent trip to Mount Salak to collect the latest data from the cameras showed there had been limited progress in the effort to protect endangered species.
Some cameras were also able to capture rare occurrences.
For example, a camera located in the AWI 3 area showed a photo of a male leopard and a female leopard in the same frame.
“This kind of photo of both male and female is very rare. In fact, this might be the first time for a camera to capture a moment like this,” CII researcher Anton Ario said while examining the photo.
“The leopards might be mating and this is a positive development for their preservation,” he added.
The male leopard shown in the photo also had spot patterns on his body, which is also a rarity according to Anton.
“So far, all of the male leopards captured by our cameras do not have spot patterns. All of them have been black leopards,” Anton said.
From Jan. 20 to April 9, the cameras captured six mammal species, including wild boars, deer and forest cats.
Anton said that data from the cameras confirmed that the CGI program was helping to ensure the survival of species in the area.
He added that the positive results from the data might be enough to be used as a basis for future cooperation between Chevron and CII in protecting endangered species.
The current initiative and cooperation between Chevron and CII will end this June. Anton said there had been a plan to expand the cooperation for the next three years should the current initial project show positive results.
Should the cooperation continue, CII would expand its partnership with Chevron by providing more cameras and education programs both for the corporate employees and the locals on how to deal with the species should they encounter them and how to preserve them as well.
Official data from the local ranger also showed the three endangered species in the area were breeding, although not rapidly.
The population of silvery gibbon rose by 12.96 percent to 61 in 2013 from 54 in 2008.
Data on the Javan hawk-eagle is fluid. In 2008, there were 10 of this species recorded by the ranger. Their numbers then rose to 16 in 2011 but then declined again to only 11 by 2013.
The Javan leopard, the top predator in the ecosystem, has experienced the most significant increase, up 30 percent to 18 in early 2014 from only six recorded in 2008.
The local ranger chief, Tri Siswo Rahardjo, said the data on the species revealed a positive development.
“The data is extremely positive for the leopard. It shows the leopards are not only surviving but also breeding,” he said.
Just 100 kilometers south of Jakarta lies a jungle, the survival of which depends on exploitative capitalism finding a balance with the ecosystem.
The jungle is located in the Mount Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS) in Bogor, West Java.
Covering more than 113,000 hectares of land, the park is an important part for two critical ecosystems at Halimun and Mount Salak, connected by an 11-km forest corridor.
Endangered species like the silvery gibbon, Javan leopard and Javan hawk-eagle rely heavily on the existence of the park and the corridor connection.
Nearby the park, US-based energy giant Chevron operates a geothermal power station, which produces around 377 megawatts of energy. Chevron owns around 10,000 hectares in the area and utilizes around 3 percent of it for its power station facilities.
Realizing the importance of the ecosystem within the area, Chevron has launched numerous initiatives to preserve the endangered species and their environment.
For example, at the end of 2011, Chevron started the Green Corridor Initiative (GCI) to support existing conservation programs in the corridor. The company has also aimed to disburse US$1 million to restore 500 hectares of land over the next five years.
To complement the CGI program, Chevron also started a camera and video-trap program, called Eye on the Forest, in January this year to monitor the species within the park and its corridor.
Chevron conducts both the CGI and the Eye on the Forest programs in cooperation with non-government environmentalist organization Conservation International Indonesia (CII) and with the local park rangers on Mount Salak.
The apparatus used in the Eye on the Forest program is a Cuddeback digital camera. The camera trap is a combination of an automatic digital camera with passive infrared moving-heat sensor and is placed inside a waterproof and shock-proof box.
The infrared sensor is used to detect any endothermic animal movement in front of the camera. When an endothermic animal passes by the infrared sensor, the system will immediately activate the camera to capture the image.
There are five camera traps installed in various spots within the park area.
A recent trip to Mount Salak to collect the latest data from the cameras showed there had been limited progress in the effort to protect endangered species.
Some cameras were also able to capture rare occurrences.
For example, a camera located in the AWI 3 area showed a photo of a male leopard and a female leopard in the same frame.
“This kind of photo of both male and female is very rare. In fact, this might be the first time for a camera to capture a moment like this,” CII researcher Anton Ario said while examining the photo.
“The leopards might be mating and this is a positive development for their preservation,” he added.
The male leopard shown in the photo also had spot patterns on his body, which is also a rarity according to Anton.
“So far, all of the male leopards captured by our cameras do not have spot patterns. All of them have been black leopards,” Anton said.
From Jan. 20 to April 9, the cameras captured six mammal species, including wild boars, deer and forest cats.
Anton said that data from the cameras confirmed that the CGI program was helping to ensure the survival of species in the area.
He added that the positive results from the data might be enough to be used as a basis for future cooperation between Chevron and CII in protecting endangered species.
The current initiative and cooperation between Chevron and CII will end this June. Anton said there had been a plan to expand the cooperation for the next three years should the current initial project show positive results.
Should the cooperation continue, CII would expand its partnership with Chevron by providing more cameras and education programs both for the corporate employees and the locals on how to deal with the species should they encounter them and how to preserve them as well.
Official data from the local ranger also showed the three endangered species in the area were breeding, although not rapidly.
The population of silvery gibbon rose by 12.96 percent to 61 in 2013 from 54 in 2008.
Data on the Javan hawk-eagle is fluid. In 2008, there were 10 of this species recorded by the ranger. Their numbers then rose to 16 in 2011 but then declined again to only 11 by 2013.
The Javan leopard, the top predator in the ecosystem, has experienced the most significant increase, up 30 percent to 18 in early 2014 from only six recorded in 2008.
The local ranger chief, Tri Siswo Rahardjo, said the data on the species revealed a positive development.
“The data is extremely positive for the leopard. It shows the leopards are not only surviving but also breeding,” he said.
Categories: Indonesian News
A test for Southeast Asia's model democracy
Indonesia gets another chance to test the depth of its democratic
roots this week when millions of voters in Southeast Asia's biggest
democracy cast their ballots for a new president.
The country of 240 million people was a dictatorship until 1998, when the Suharto regime finally collapsed. Indonesian democracy is thus relatively young, but it rests on strong foundations laid down over the past decade and a half.
Indonesian politicians are reputedly just as much given to corruption as their counterparts elsewhere in Southeast Asia, but the voters have maintained faith in elections as the method of selecting their leaders.
Over the past 16 years, Indonesians have seen a diverse array take the post of president: male and female, layman and cleric, good and bad. But, whatever their background and actions, once in office they have been allowed to finish their term in office as mandated by the voters.
The two front-runners in the current race for the presidency are Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, better known as "Jokowi", and former army general Prabowo Subianto. Their backgrounds are neither perfect nor absolutely "clean".
Jokowi has faced no allegations of outright corruption, but he has been linked with suspect business cronies. He enjoys a good record running the capital, but many say he is politically naïve, while his foreign policy is still largely a mystery.
Prabowo suffers from just as many shortcomings. His record on human rights is tainted by his close connection with late dictator Soeharto. People still remember the bloody crackdown he ordered in East Timor during the uprising their against Soeharto, his mentor.
Like its politicians, Indonesian election campaigns are no cleaner than those seen in its regional neighbours. Smear tactics and bribes are common. Jokowi has been accused of being "Christian Chinese" in a blatant bid to encourage large sections of the electorate to see him as an outsider.
The stakes are high, but months of campaigning have brought no reports of serious violence. The police and security forces have been handed the job of maintaining law and order during the run-up to the poll, with the military kept firmly away from politics.
Indonesia's military is just as tough as its counterparts elsewhere in Southeast Asia. It has the firepower to stage a coup, but it has declined to intervene directly since the waning of its influence in politics nearly two decades ago.
The commitment to democracy means that the generals have been discouraged from taking political sides for nearly two decades, again since Soeharto was ousted.
Indonesia's Constitutional Court issued a ruling late last month confirming that military and police personnel were ineligible to vote in the presidential election.
Prabowo is a former general, and the military has been closely monitored to ensure it doesn't use its influence or force to secure his victory. The top brass has to prove it's dedicated to its duties - which means staying away from politics. Election authorities are investigating allegations of military involvement in the election. The signs are positive that the election will be safeguarded and that democracy will continue to strengthen so that the government and its leaders genuinely reflect the will of the people. (***)
The country of 240 million people was a dictatorship until 1998, when the Suharto regime finally collapsed. Indonesian democracy is thus relatively young, but it rests on strong foundations laid down over the past decade and a half.
Indonesian politicians are reputedly just as much given to corruption as their counterparts elsewhere in Southeast Asia, but the voters have maintained faith in elections as the method of selecting their leaders.
Over the past 16 years, Indonesians have seen a diverse array take the post of president: male and female, layman and cleric, good and bad. But, whatever their background and actions, once in office they have been allowed to finish their term in office as mandated by the voters.
The two front-runners in the current race for the presidency are Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, better known as "Jokowi", and former army general Prabowo Subianto. Their backgrounds are neither perfect nor absolutely "clean".
Jokowi has faced no allegations of outright corruption, but he has been linked with suspect business cronies. He enjoys a good record running the capital, but many say he is politically naïve, while his foreign policy is still largely a mystery.
Prabowo suffers from just as many shortcomings. His record on human rights is tainted by his close connection with late dictator Soeharto. People still remember the bloody crackdown he ordered in East Timor during the uprising their against Soeharto, his mentor.
Like its politicians, Indonesian election campaigns are no cleaner than those seen in its regional neighbours. Smear tactics and bribes are common. Jokowi has been accused of being "Christian Chinese" in a blatant bid to encourage large sections of the electorate to see him as an outsider.
The stakes are high, but months of campaigning have brought no reports of serious violence. The police and security forces have been handed the job of maintaining law and order during the run-up to the poll, with the military kept firmly away from politics.
Indonesia's military is just as tough as its counterparts elsewhere in Southeast Asia. It has the firepower to stage a coup, but it has declined to intervene directly since the waning of its influence in politics nearly two decades ago.
The commitment to democracy means that the generals have been discouraged from taking political sides for nearly two decades, again since Soeharto was ousted.
Indonesia's Constitutional Court issued a ruling late last month confirming that military and police personnel were ineligible to vote in the presidential election.
Prabowo is a former general, and the military has been closely monitored to ensure it doesn't use its influence or force to secure his victory. The top brass has to prove it's dedicated to its duties - which means staying away from politics. Election authorities are investigating allegations of military involvement in the election. The signs are positive that the election will be safeguarded and that democracy will continue to strengthen so that the government and its leaders genuinely reflect the will of the people. (***)
Categories: Indonesian News
Guess what?: Sherina prefers figurines to clothes
Warta Kota
JAKARTA: Singer Sherina Munaf says unlike many women, she prefers to hunt for action figures and CDs rather than clothes.
“I’m not the type of person who likes to go to malls or abroad to hunt for outfits,” she said as quoted by kapanlagi.com.
The 24-year-old said when she was abroad, however, she sometimes could not resist the temptation to buy things.
“When I was in Japan, I looked for anime-related things, like action figures or T-shirts. I also like to buy movie soundtrack CDs which are not available in Indonesia,” said the “Cinta Pertama dan Terakhir” (The First and Last Love) singer.
Sherina, who stars in Petualang Sherina (The Adventures of Sherina), released her last album, Tuna, in 2013. Currently, she is busy with her study in Australia.
JAKARTA: Singer Sherina Munaf says unlike many women, she prefers to hunt for action figures and CDs rather than clothes.
“I’m not the type of person who likes to go to malls or abroad to hunt for outfits,” she said as quoted by kapanlagi.com.
The 24-year-old said when she was abroad, however, she sometimes could not resist the temptation to buy things.
“When I was in Japan, I looked for anime-related things, like action figures or T-shirts. I also like to buy movie soundtrack CDs which are not available in Indonesia,” said the “Cinta Pertama dan Terakhir” (The First and Last Love) singer.
Sherina, who stars in Petualang Sherina (The Adventures of Sherina), released her last album, Tuna, in 2013. Currently, she is busy with her study in Australia.
Categories: Indonesian News
Guess what?: Endah N Rhesa opens a coffee shop
Kapanlagi.com
JAKARTA: Pop duo Endah N Rhesa is embarking on a new venture by opening a coffee shop, called earHouse.
“We just opened a coffee shop in Pamulang [South Tangerang] near our house. earHouse offers snacks and drinks,” Endah Widiastuti, the guitarist and vocalist, said as quoted by kompas.com.
She said they named the food on the menu after the title of their songs, like Escape Choconut, which was taken from their third album.
Endah said the cafe also served as a place to hold community events.
Apart from keeping busy managing their new business, they are also busy preparing the launch of their new album for Japan and South Korea. “We will release an anthology album in Japan and Korea; it’s like the compilation of our songs,” Endah said.
JAKARTA: Pop duo Endah N Rhesa is embarking on a new venture by opening a coffee shop, called earHouse.
“We just opened a coffee shop in Pamulang [South Tangerang] near our house. earHouse offers snacks and drinks,” Endah Widiastuti, the guitarist and vocalist, said as quoted by kompas.com.
She said they named the food on the menu after the title of their songs, like Escape Choconut, which was taken from their third album.
Endah said the cafe also served as a place to hold community events.
Apart from keeping busy managing their new business, they are also busy preparing the launch of their new album for Japan and South Korea. “We will release an anthology album in Japan and Korea; it’s like the compilation of our songs,” Endah said.
Categories: Indonesian News
Guess what?: Melly wears hijab in new music video
Kapanlagi.com
Jakarta: Pop singer and songwriter Melly Goeslaw has released a music video for her latest single “Cinta dan Ibadah” (Love and Worship), which marks the first time she has worn a hijab in a music video.
“My fans wanted me to stay unique and different, so I needed to experiment. I researched a lot about hijab style; I got a lot of inspiration from the Internet,” Melly said as quoted by tempo.co in Jakarta.
Melly, who is known for her quirky fashion choices, said she was comfortable wearing the veil.
“People say the hijab is hot, but I just feel the same. Wearing or not wearing a hijab, it still feels hot [in this climate],” the mother of two said.
The 40-year-old said she would keep experimenting with her fashion style. “My husband and children support me. I still have a lot of clothing items in my wardrobe that I can wear with the hijab. Those that I can’t wear, I will donate to people who need them.”
Jakarta: Pop singer and songwriter Melly Goeslaw has released a music video for her latest single “Cinta dan Ibadah” (Love and Worship), which marks the first time she has worn a hijab in a music video.
“My fans wanted me to stay unique and different, so I needed to experiment. I researched a lot about hijab style; I got a lot of inspiration from the Internet,” Melly said as quoted by tempo.co in Jakarta.
Melly, who is known for her quirky fashion choices, said she was comfortable wearing the veil.
“People say the hijab is hot, but I just feel the same. Wearing or not wearing a hijab, it still feels hot [in this climate],” the mother of two said.
The 40-year-old said she would keep experimenting with her fashion style. “My husband and children support me. I still have a lot of clothing items in my wardrobe that I can wear with the hijab. Those that I can’t wear, I will donate to people who need them.”
Categories: Indonesian News
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