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Updated: 33 min 10 sec ago
Candidates to meet with SBY
Candidate pairs Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Jusuf Kalla and Prabowo
Subianto-Hatta Rajasa are scheduled to meet with President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono at his private resident in Puri Cikeas, Bogor regency,
on Wednesday evening.
“Pak Jokowi accompanied by Pak Kalla will meet the President at 9:30 p.m. and Pak Prabowo and Pak Hatta at 11:30 p.m.,” the President’s special advisor for political communications, Daniel Sparringa, said as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Daniel said both candidate pairs had requested to meet with President Yudhoyono. He said he did not know the agenda of the meetings except that the President would convey messages to the public to maintain self-restraint.
“The President will repeat his message to the public, which asks all parties to keep self-control and pay respect to the vote counting process until the General Elections Commission [KPU] makes an official announcement on the result of the 2014 presidential election,” he said.
Yudhoyono first conveyed this message in a press conference held at his private residence on Wednesday afternoon, responding to heightened political tensions following the vote. Both Jokowi-Kalla and Prabowo-Hatta have claimed victory according to quick count results. (nfo)
“Pak Jokowi accompanied by Pak Kalla will meet the President at 9:30 p.m. and Pak Prabowo and Pak Hatta at 11:30 p.m.,” the President’s special advisor for political communications, Daniel Sparringa, said as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Daniel said both candidate pairs had requested to meet with President Yudhoyono. He said he did not know the agenda of the meetings except that the President would convey messages to the public to maintain self-restraint.
“The President will repeat his message to the public, which asks all parties to keep self-control and pay respect to the vote counting process until the General Elections Commission [KPU] makes an official announcement on the result of the 2014 presidential election,” he said.
Yudhoyono first conveyed this message in a press conference held at his private residence on Wednesday afternoon, responding to heightened political tensions following the vote. Both Jokowi-Kalla and Prabowo-Hatta have claimed victory according to quick count results. (nfo)
Categories: Indonesian News
SBY meets Jokowi, telling him to restrain celebration
After a 30-minute meeting, Jokowi expressed appreciation for Yudhoyono’s leadership in ensuring a smooth election.
“The President asked us to restrain our celebrations. We agreed to comply so I called on volunteers, supporters and party cadres to not hold any celebrations starting tomorrow. But it's OK to hold a mass prayer to express gratitude," said Jokowi.
Speaking to journalists, Yudhoyono urged both camps to restrain from inflaming tensions.
“Supporters from both camps must be prevented from inciting conflict or violence while waiting for the General Election Commission (KPU) to issue the official result,” he said.
The results of quick counts so far are still temporary but the official real count results will be announced on July 22nd 2014
SBY meets Jokowi, telling him to restrain celebration
After a 30-minute meeting, Jokowi expressed appreciation for Yudhoyono’s leadership in ensuring a smooth election.
“The President asked us to restrain our celebrations. We agreed to comply so I called on volunteers, supporters and party cadres to not hold any celebrations starting tomorrow. But it's OK to hold a mass prayer to express gratitude," said Jokowi.
Speaking to journalists, Yudhoyono urged both camps to restrain from inflaming tensions.
“Supporters from both camps must be prevented from inciting conflict or violence while waiting for the General Election Commission (KPU) to issue the official result,” he said.
The results of quick counts so far are still temporary but the official real count results will be announced on July 22nd 2014
@wawan373 @Metro_TV Pres @Sbyudhoyono memohon tim Capres @jokowi_do2 dan @Prabowo08 menahan diri sabar http://t.co/OMDOz4BBlb #Pemilu2014
— BaliPromotionCenter (@translatorbali) July 9, 2014
Presidential election reflects maturing of democracy in RI: UNDP
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Indonesia's country
director, Beate Trankmann, said Indonesia’s presidential election this
year was a reflection of the country’s maturing democracy.
She said in Jakarta on Wednesday that Indonesia had experienced rapid progress in conducting elections.
In the 1999 elections, she said, the UNDP had helped the General Elections Commission (KPU) to provide a main platform for the election administrative process and arranged the flow of international funds for the development of electoral infrastructure in Indonesia.
“Fifteen years after that, the need for the international community to support Indonesia was minimal, and even zero. This country has carried out everything by itself, and I think this is a good sign,” Trankmann said, adding that the electoral system had become well-rooted in the country.
On the sidelines of her tour to several polling stations, including those in elite housing compounds around Suropati Park, Menteng, low-cost apartments in Bendungan Hilir subdistrict and kampungs in Kebon Kacang subdistrict, Trankmann said that overall, Indonesia’s presidential election had run well, although it did not yet represent a fully ideal concept of a presidential election.
“I saw that many people cared about their country and were interested about who should lead their country. That’s something that we should be proud about,” she said.
“The election process was very transparent. We saw many people watching the quick-count process. I’m very impressed,” she added.
The KPU recorded 190,307,134 voters on the final voter list (DPT), up by 2,454,142 from the 187,852,992 registered for the legislative election in April.
In Wednesday’s election, candidate pairs Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Jusuf Kalla and Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa competed to become Indonesia's next president and vice president. (ebf)
She said in Jakarta on Wednesday that Indonesia had experienced rapid progress in conducting elections.
In the 1999 elections, she said, the UNDP had helped the General Elections Commission (KPU) to provide a main platform for the election administrative process and arranged the flow of international funds for the development of electoral infrastructure in Indonesia.
“Fifteen years after that, the need for the international community to support Indonesia was minimal, and even zero. This country has carried out everything by itself, and I think this is a good sign,” Trankmann said, adding that the electoral system had become well-rooted in the country.
On the sidelines of her tour to several polling stations, including those in elite housing compounds around Suropati Park, Menteng, low-cost apartments in Bendungan Hilir subdistrict and kampungs in Kebon Kacang subdistrict, Trankmann said that overall, Indonesia’s presidential election had run well, although it did not yet represent a fully ideal concept of a presidential election.
“I saw that many people cared about their country and were interested about who should lead their country. That’s something that we should be proud about,” she said.
“The election process was very transparent. We saw many people watching the quick-count process. I’m very impressed,” she added.
The KPU recorded 190,307,134 voters on the final voter list (DPT), up by 2,454,142 from the 187,852,992 registered for the legislative election in April.
In Wednesday’s election, candidate pairs Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Jusuf Kalla and Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa competed to become Indonesia's next president and vice president. (ebf)
Categories: Indonesian News
Public told to stay calm despite polarizing quick count results
With both presidential candidates declaring victory in the
presidential elections on Wednesday, the public is being urged not to
respond with agitation to the uncertainty of not having a clear winner.
Supporters of both camps have been cheering the quick count results, with some pollsters showing Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to have won the election and others showing the winner to be the Gerindra Party’s Prabowo Subianto.
General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Husni Kamil Manik said on Wednesday that the public should stay calm as they await the announcement of the official result from the commission.
"They should realize that the quick count results are not the official result from KPU," he said at a press conference at the KPU's headquarters in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
"They should still refer to the official tally, which will be decided and declared on July 22," he added.
The Peoples Synergy for Democracy in Indonesia (Sigma) director, Said Salahuddin, said on Wednesday that the differences in the quick count results were extremely odd because there had never before been such inconclusive results in a presidential election.
“In past presidential elections, the differences in quick count results concerned percentages, not victors,” he said. “Therefore, the public must now be wondering: which results should we trust?”
The differences in the results also put a burden on the KPU's shoulders, as the institution is entrusted for ensuring reliable election outcomes and it has been rumored that the commission is divided into two camps by their candidate preferences.
“As long there is no decision from the Election Organizers Ethics Council [DKPP] stating that a KPU commissioner has violated the ethics of neutrality, then the KPU should still be believed to be carrying out its duty,” he said. (nvn)
Supporters of both camps have been cheering the quick count results, with some pollsters showing Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to have won the election and others showing the winner to be the Gerindra Party’s Prabowo Subianto.
General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Husni Kamil Manik said on Wednesday that the public should stay calm as they await the announcement of the official result from the commission.
"They should realize that the quick count results are not the official result from KPU," he said at a press conference at the KPU's headquarters in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
"They should still refer to the official tally, which will be decided and declared on July 22," he added.
The Peoples Synergy for Democracy in Indonesia (Sigma) director, Said Salahuddin, said on Wednesday that the differences in the quick count results were extremely odd because there had never before been such inconclusive results in a presidential election.
“In past presidential elections, the differences in quick count results concerned percentages, not victors,” he said. “Therefore, the public must now be wondering: which results should we trust?”
The differences in the results also put a burden on the KPU's shoulders, as the institution is entrusted for ensuring reliable election outcomes and it has been rumored that the commission is divided into two camps by their candidate preferences.
“As long there is no decision from the Election Organizers Ethics Council [DKPP] stating that a KPU commissioner has violated the ethics of neutrality, then the KPU should still be believed to be carrying out its duty,” he said. (nvn)
Categories: Indonesian News
Jokowi declares victory, Prabowo won't concede defeat
Presidential frontrunner Joko "Jokowi" Widodo delivered a victory
speech on Wednesday evening before thousands of supporters at the
historical Proclamation Monument in Central Jakarta, where the founding
fathers declared Indonesia's independence.,
In his speech, Jokowi said that winning the presidential election meant he would serve the people, take care of people’s interests and move all components to achieve prosperity and justice.
"I want to assert, that this victory is not the victory of Jokowi-JK [Jusuf Kalla], not the parties’ victory, nor the victory of the success team. This is the victory of the entire Indonesian people. Once again dear all, this is the victory of the whole Indonesian population!" he said.
"Now our obligation is to guard today’s election outcome until it becomes the official result of the KPU. We must guard it and make sure that vote counting at the KPU proceeds properly, cleanly and without any intervention from any party. I call on all parties not to try to tarnish the sincere aspiration of the people of Indonesia in today’s ballot."
Several hours after Jokowi's speech, rival Prabowo Subianto took the stage inside the ballroom of the Bidakara building in South Jakarta to deliver a fiery speech in which he instructed his supporters not to believe quick counts that were not financed by his team.
"It is not over. We should respect the KPU [General Elections Commission]. The battle is not over. We should ensure that the KPU is not influenced by circulating quick counts that are misleading," said Prabowo.
The KPU is scheduled to officially announce the tally between July 20 and 22.
"I ask my supporters to remain calm. But we should not be deterred from responding to insults. We can be firm on that," he said.
Previously in the house of his late father Soemitro Djojohadikoesoemo in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Prabowo and his supporters prayed in gratitude after several pollsters financed by him announced that he had won the election. (ren)
In his speech, Jokowi said that winning the presidential election meant he would serve the people, take care of people’s interests and move all components to achieve prosperity and justice.
"I want to assert, that this victory is not the victory of Jokowi-JK [Jusuf Kalla], not the parties’ victory, nor the victory of the success team. This is the victory of the entire Indonesian people. Once again dear all, this is the victory of the whole Indonesian population!" he said.
"Now our obligation is to guard today’s election outcome until it becomes the official result of the KPU. We must guard it and make sure that vote counting at the KPU proceeds properly, cleanly and without any intervention from any party. I call on all parties not to try to tarnish the sincere aspiration of the people of Indonesia in today’s ballot."
Several hours after Jokowi's speech, rival Prabowo Subianto took the stage inside the ballroom of the Bidakara building in South Jakarta to deliver a fiery speech in which he instructed his supporters not to believe quick counts that were not financed by his team.
"It is not over. We should respect the KPU [General Elections Commission]. The battle is not over. We should ensure that the KPU is not influenced by circulating quick counts that are misleading," said Prabowo.
The KPU is scheduled to officially announce the tally between July 20 and 22.
"I ask my supporters to remain calm. But we should not be deterred from responding to insults. We can be firm on that," he said.
Previously in the house of his late father Soemitro Djojohadikoesoemo in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Prabowo and his supporters prayed in gratitude after several pollsters financed by him announced that he had won the election. (ren)
Categories: Indonesian News
Prabowo lashes out at journalists
Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto scolded a number of
journalists, from online to television, when he was about to be
interviewed in his house in Bogor, West Java, just after he cast his
vote.
"[online media] Berita Satu is not fair. It is harsh, just like The Jakarta Globe. The Jakarta Globe is cruel," Prabowo said on Wednesday as quoted by tribunnews.com.
A bit annoyed, a Berita Satu female journalist decided to show no reaction and waited for what would happen next. Fortunately, Prabowo was willing to go ahead with the interview.
Prabowo also scolded reporters from other stations, such as Kompas TV and Metro TV.
"Metro TV is cruel. What sins I have committed that makes Surya Paloh [NasDem Party chairman and Metro TV owner] very cruel to me? Your coverage is not balanced. If you do not want to be hurt, you cannot hurt others. Every religion teaches that value," he said.
"I have never done anything to Surya Paloh. Are you willing to ask Surya Paloh?"
"I have a lot of people behind me, supporting me. If I ask them not to watch Metro TV, that would be the end of your company. The same goes for Kompas, Berita Satu and Tempo," he continued.
He then asked every journalist who had interviewed him to return to their offices, saying "Those who have interviewed me can leave now. This is my home." (nfo)
"[online media] Berita Satu is not fair. It is harsh, just like The Jakarta Globe. The Jakarta Globe is cruel," Prabowo said on Wednesday as quoted by tribunnews.com.
A bit annoyed, a Berita Satu female journalist decided to show no reaction and waited for what would happen next. Fortunately, Prabowo was willing to go ahead with the interview.
Prabowo also scolded reporters from other stations, such as Kompas TV and Metro TV.
"Metro TV is cruel. What sins I have committed that makes Surya Paloh [NasDem Party chairman and Metro TV owner] very cruel to me? Your coverage is not balanced. If you do not want to be hurt, you cannot hurt others. Every religion teaches that value," he said.
"I have never done anything to Surya Paloh. Are you willing to ask Surya Paloh?"
"I have a lot of people behind me, supporting me. If I ask them not to watch Metro TV, that would be the end of your company. The same goes for Kompas, Berita Satu and Tempo," he continued.
He then asked every journalist who had interviewed him to return to their offices, saying "Those who have interviewed me can leave now. This is my home." (nfo)
Categories: Indonesian News
Divided public opinion to blame for Jokowi’s slim victory in quick counts, says expert
University of Indonesia political expert Salim Said says quick
count results showing a very slim margin between the two presidential
tickets was the result of divided public opinion.
“The difference is very slight, only 1 percent and less, and this is because public opinion was divided,” he said as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Salim went on to say that people’s support for the Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Jusuf Kalla ticket and for the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa ticket in today’s election were equally strong.
Such a phenomenon has never happened in previous presidential elections, in which one presidential-vice presidential candidate always took a significant lead.
“It has never happened before. In previous elections, there has always been a very significant difference of votes between two contesting candidates,” said Salim.
He said such a very slight difference in votes in today’s presidential election came from the fact that support for both presidential-vice presidential candidates was equally strong.
“Initially, Jokowi took a significant lead, but Prabowo made his strength equal to that of his rival,” said Salim.
The analyst further predicted that results of manual vote counting by the General Elections Commission (KPU) would not be that different from that of the quick counts.
“This is very sensitive. We cannot directly make a conclusion about it, but one thing we can be sure about is that the difference remains very slight,” said Salim.
Based on quick count results of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jokowi-Kalla gained 53.18 percent of the vote to lead over Prabowo-Hatta’s 40.89 percent, while according to Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting, Jokowi-Kalla lead with 53.72 percent to Prabowo-Hatta’s 46.26 percent. (ebf)
“The difference is very slight, only 1 percent and less, and this is because public opinion was divided,” he said as quoted by Antara news agency in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Salim went on to say that people’s support for the Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Jusuf Kalla ticket and for the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa ticket in today’s election were equally strong.
Such a phenomenon has never happened in previous presidential elections, in which one presidential-vice presidential candidate always took a significant lead.
“It has never happened before. In previous elections, there has always been a very significant difference of votes between two contesting candidates,” said Salim.
He said such a very slight difference in votes in today’s presidential election came from the fact that support for both presidential-vice presidential candidates was equally strong.
“Initially, Jokowi took a significant lead, but Prabowo made his strength equal to that of his rival,” said Salim.
The analyst further predicted that results of manual vote counting by the General Elections Commission (KPU) would not be that different from that of the quick counts.
“This is very sensitive. We cannot directly make a conclusion about it, but one thing we can be sure about is that the difference remains very slight,” said Salim.
Based on quick count results of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jokowi-Kalla gained 53.18 percent of the vote to lead over Prabowo-Hatta’s 40.89 percent, while according to Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting, Jokowi-Kalla lead with 53.72 percent to Prabowo-Hatta’s 46.26 percent. (ebf)
Categories: Indonesian News
Prabowo asks allies to learn from Brazil defeat in World Cup
Gerindra Party chief patron and presidential candidate Prabowo
Subianto has hinted that he wants to see a member of his presidential
coalition lead the future House of Representatives (DPR), saying that
political parties supporting his candidacy should stay as team players
to form a strong legislative body.
"I take our [presidential] coalition seriously. Our partnership means that if we have qualified members from any party [in the coalition], we will support them, including to lead the legislative body," Prabowo told reporters on Wednesday after casting his vote at a polling station near his home in Bogor, West Java.
Prabowo and running mate Hatta Rajasa were endorsed by a coalition of six political parties - Gerindra, the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Star Crescent Party (PBB). President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, which previously said it would be neutral in the election, also recently decided to lend its support to the Prabowo-Hatta camp.
The former Army lieutenant general compared his coalition to a soccer team.
"[Playing] soccer needs cooperation. [We] can't rely on one or two superstars - just like Brazil that was defeated last night," said Prabowo, referring to Brazil's humiliating 1-7 defeat by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinal.
Prabowo admitted that he had been a die-hard supporter of Brazil's national soccer team since he was a child. The father of one said he had also watched the Brazil-Germany game, which was broadcast live a few hours before polling stations opened.
Asked by journalists whether he was tired when arriving at the polling station, Prabowo said, "Yes, a bit".
"I take our [presidential] coalition seriously. Our partnership means that if we have qualified members from any party [in the coalition], we will support them, including to lead the legislative body," Prabowo told reporters on Wednesday after casting his vote at a polling station near his home in Bogor, West Java.
Prabowo and running mate Hatta Rajasa were endorsed by a coalition of six political parties - Gerindra, the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Star Crescent Party (PBB). President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, which previously said it would be neutral in the election, also recently decided to lend its support to the Prabowo-Hatta camp.
The former Army lieutenant general compared his coalition to a soccer team.
"[Playing] soccer needs cooperation. [We] can't rely on one or two superstars - just like Brazil that was defeated last night," said Prabowo, referring to Brazil's humiliating 1-7 defeat by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinal.
Prabowo admitted that he had been a die-hard supporter of Brazil's national soccer team since he was a child. The father of one said he had also watched the Brazil-Germany game, which was broadcast live a few hours before polling stations opened.
Asked by journalists whether he was tired when arriving at the polling station, Prabowo said, "Yes, a bit".
Categories: Indonesian News
Purity of people’s aspirations must be preserved, says Jokowi
Presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has urged all parties
to preserve the genuineness of aspirations people have shown with their
votes in the 2014 presidential election.
“We urge all parties to preserve the purity of people’s aspirations. Don’t ever try to taint what is desperately wanted by the people,” he said as quoted by Antara news agency on Wednesday.
He was speaking at a press conference at the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri’s private residence on Jl. Kebagusan Dalam IV, South Jakarta.
Jokowi made the statement in response to the results of quick counts broadcast by several private television stations stating that Jokowi and his running mate, Jusuf Kalla, were leading over rival Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa.
For the possible win, Jokowi expressed gratitude to all Indonesians and volunteers and PDI-P members for supporting the Jokowi-Kalla ticket.
“[I want to express] my deep gratitude to people and all volunteers and party members from Sabang to Merauke, who worked hard day and night,” said Jokowi.
Jokowi said he and Kalla as well as all party members were grateful for the results of the quick counts.
“It’s time for us to guard vote recapitulations at the Regional General Elections Commissions (KPUDs) and the General Elections Commission (KPU) so that the process can run clean, honestly and with no intervention,” said Jokowi. (ebf)
“We urge all parties to preserve the purity of people’s aspirations. Don’t ever try to taint what is desperately wanted by the people,” he said as quoted by Antara news agency on Wednesday.
He was speaking at a press conference at the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri’s private residence on Jl. Kebagusan Dalam IV, South Jakarta.
Jokowi made the statement in response to the results of quick counts broadcast by several private television stations stating that Jokowi and his running mate, Jusuf Kalla, were leading over rival Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa.
For the possible win, Jokowi expressed gratitude to all Indonesians and volunteers and PDI-P members for supporting the Jokowi-Kalla ticket.
“[I want to express] my deep gratitude to people and all volunteers and party members from Sabang to Merauke, who worked hard day and night,” said Jokowi.
Jokowi said he and Kalla as well as all party members were grateful for the results of the quick counts.
“It’s time for us to guard vote recapitulations at the Regional General Elections Commissions (KPUDs) and the General Elections Commission (KPU) so that the process can run clean, honestly and with no intervention,” said Jokowi. (ebf)
Categories: Indonesian News
Hydrating properly during Ramadhan
Cheers: Break the fast with one glass of water
before having light meals, but choose drinks that are not too sweet,
then drink another glass of water. AFP/Franck Fife
Water makes up around 60 percent of the human body and is an essential element in maintaining metabolism.
It distributes the nutrients of what we eat, regulates body temperature, removes toxins through urine and feces and is a lubricant for the joints.
The Health Ministry suggests adults should drink a minimum eight glasses or two liters of water every day. But during the fasting month of Ramadhan, Muslims must limit their water intake.
It is common for those who are fasting to experience light dehydration, marked by thirst and a dry mouth. Sometimes, fasting can lead to severe dehydration where people can lose concentration, feel weak and experience digestion problems.
“Every day, we lose around two liters of water and we need to replace the fluid by drinking that same amount,” Saptawati “Tati” Bardosono, chairwoman of Indonesian Hydration Working Group, recently said.
“During fasting, our body experiences a change in eating patterns, and we should take this seriously to avoid dehydration and a lack of nutrition.”
However, one should not stop consuming the proper amount of water, she said.
“We can apply the 2-4-2 strategy during Ramadhan to keep ourselves hydrated.”
Tati said that the strategy required people to drink two glasses of water during iftar, the meal eaten to break the fast in the early evening; four glasses over the next several hours before going to bed and another two during the sahur (pre-dawn meal).
“There hasn’t been any study that regulates water intake during fasting, but in general, it is important to drink eight glasses of water each day. And that amount of water consumption can’t be replaced with other kinds of beverages, like sweet drinks, soda or caffeine-based drinks,” she said.
Quenching your thirst: “Every day, we lose around two liters of water and we need to replace the fluid by drinking that same amount,” Saptawati “Tati” Bardosono says. AFP/Denis Charlet
She said it was important to immediately drink water to break the fast to replace the loss of fluids during the day.
“Break the fast with one glass of water before having a light meal, but choose food that is not too sweet, then drink another glass of water,” she said.
She added that consuming fruit and vegetables that contained lots of water, such as watermelon, mango, carrot and tomato, could also help balance the loss of fluid in the body.
Tati also said it was better to drink room-temperature water to break the fast, which should be closer to the body’s temperature, which usually increases during fasting.
“If we have a cold drink, our stomachs will be uncomfortable, because they haven’t been fed for hours and our bodies’ heat has increased due to a lack of fluids,” Tati said.
Despite the benefits of wate, drinking too much in a short period of time can cause several health problems.
According to Air Bagi Kesehatan (Water for Health), a book written by a group of doctors, excessive water intake can cause hypernatremia, where the blood sodium levels drop below normal, which can lead to water intoxication.
In addition, drinking copious amounts of water can also reduce the liver’s ability to filter toxins and flush them out, causing the blood to be waterlogged.
“Eight glasses or 2 liters for adults and seven glasses or around 1.2 to 1.7 liters for children is safe,” Tati said.
Danone Aqua health marketing director Pradono Handojo said it was also important to regularly check if one was properly hydrated or not, especially during Ramadhan.
“To ensure we are hydrated, we can do urine color self-examinations regularly. If the urine looks dark yellow, that means we don’t drink enough water. If it looks clear, then we are properly hydrated,” he said.
Water makes up around 60 percent of the human body and is an essential element in maintaining metabolism.
It distributes the nutrients of what we eat, regulates body temperature, removes toxins through urine and feces and is a lubricant for the joints.
The Health Ministry suggests adults should drink a minimum eight glasses or two liters of water every day. But during the fasting month of Ramadhan, Muslims must limit their water intake.
It is common for those who are fasting to experience light dehydration, marked by thirst and a dry mouth. Sometimes, fasting can lead to severe dehydration where people can lose concentration, feel weak and experience digestion problems.
“Every day, we lose around two liters of water and we need to replace the fluid by drinking that same amount,” Saptawati “Tati” Bardosono, chairwoman of Indonesian Hydration Working Group, recently said.
“During fasting, our body experiences a change in eating patterns, and we should take this seriously to avoid dehydration and a lack of nutrition.”
However, one should not stop consuming the proper amount of water, she said.
“We can apply the 2-4-2 strategy during Ramadhan to keep ourselves hydrated.”
Tati said that the strategy required people to drink two glasses of water during iftar, the meal eaten to break the fast in the early evening; four glasses over the next several hours before going to bed and another two during the sahur (pre-dawn meal).
“There hasn’t been any study that regulates water intake during fasting, but in general, it is important to drink eight glasses of water each day. And that amount of water consumption can’t be replaced with other kinds of beverages, like sweet drinks, soda or caffeine-based drinks,” she said.
Quenching your thirst: “Every day, we lose around two liters of water and we need to replace the fluid by drinking that same amount,” Saptawati “Tati” Bardosono says. AFP/Denis Charlet
She said it was important to immediately drink water to break the fast to replace the loss of fluids during the day.
“Break the fast with one glass of water before having a light meal, but choose food that is not too sweet, then drink another glass of water,” she said.
She added that consuming fruit and vegetables that contained lots of water, such as watermelon, mango, carrot and tomato, could also help balance the loss of fluid in the body.
Tati also said it was better to drink room-temperature water to break the fast, which should be closer to the body’s temperature, which usually increases during fasting.
“If we have a cold drink, our stomachs will be uncomfortable, because they haven’t been fed for hours and our bodies’ heat has increased due to a lack of fluids,” Tati said.
Despite the benefits of wate, drinking too much in a short period of time can cause several health problems.
According to Air Bagi Kesehatan (Water for Health), a book written by a group of doctors, excessive water intake can cause hypernatremia, where the blood sodium levels drop below normal, which can lead to water intoxication.
In addition, drinking copious amounts of water can also reduce the liver’s ability to filter toxins and flush them out, causing the blood to be waterlogged.
“Eight glasses or 2 liters for adults and seven glasses or around 1.2 to 1.7 liters for children is safe,” Tati said.
Danone Aqua health marketing director Pradono Handojo said it was also important to regularly check if one was properly hydrated or not, especially during Ramadhan.
“To ensure we are hydrated, we can do urine color self-examinations regularly. If the urine looks dark yellow, that means we don’t drink enough water. If it looks clear, then we are properly hydrated,” he said.
Categories: Indonesian News
The embryo of Islam in Gorontalo
Hunto Mosque: The first and oldest mosque in Gorontalo.
A
noon breeze blows gently. While the sun blazes outside, cool air
pervades an old mosque. This makes many of the people inside fall asleep
on the floor. Some are reciting Koran verses, while others gather in a
small circle, discussing Islamic teachings.
This is the atmosphere that prevails in the month of Ramadhan at the Hunto Mosque of Sultan Amay in Biawu subdistrict in Gorontalo city. It is the first and oldest mosque in the area. Written on the mosque gates is “1495 AD/899 Hijriah”, the year of its establishment.
At the age of 519, the mosque contains several objects and furnishings related to religious worship, including a wooden lectern two meters high that is still used by preachers to deliver their sermons.
“The upper part of this [...] is in its original form but the lower part is now permanently cemented because the wood has rotted with age,” said Faisal Tees, manager of the mosque and caretaker of the Cultural Heritage Center of Gorontalo.
In a front corner of the main room of the mosque, a medium-seized drum still stands and is struck five times daily to mark the calls to prayer. The drum, too, is as old as the mosque.
On the left is a six-meter-deep well, equally old and built from coral. Its spring has never been depleted, even during the dry season, according to Faisal. Many local residents facing water scarcity rely on the well for their household needs.
This is the atmosphere that prevails in the month of Ramadhan at the Hunto Mosque of Sultan Amay in Biawu subdistrict in Gorontalo city. It is the first and oldest mosque in the area. Written on the mosque gates is “1495 AD/899 Hijriah”, the year of its establishment.
At the age of 519, the mosque contains several objects and furnishings related to religious worship, including a wooden lectern two meters high that is still used by preachers to deliver their sermons.
“The upper part of this [...] is in its original form but the lower part is now permanently cemented because the wood has rotted with age,” said Faisal Tees, manager of the mosque and caretaker of the Cultural Heritage Center of Gorontalo.
In a front corner of the main room of the mosque, a medium-seized drum still stands and is struck five times daily to mark the calls to prayer. The drum, too, is as old as the mosque.
On the left is a six-meter-deep well, equally old and built from coral. Its spring has never been depleted, even during the dry season, according to Faisal. Many local residents facing water scarcity rely on the well for their household needs.
Ever flowing: This
well, built at the same time as the mosque that houses it, has never
subsided, even during the dry season, according to local residents.
Sultan
Amay (1460-1535) was king of Gorontalo and was the first to promote
Islam in the area, earning him the title of Ta Olongia Lopo Isilamu or
the “Islamic proselytizer king”.
It began when the king proposed marriage to Princess Owutango, a daughter of King Palasa Ogomonjolo of the Gulf of Tomini, who himself had previously embraced Islam. “This mosque was meant as a dowry as required by King Palasa, when Sultan Amay intended to propose to his child,” Faisal said.
The mosque used to measure only 12 square meters (sqm) in a wooden structure with a shingle roof. To Faisal’s knowledge, the mosque has been renovated seven times with some expansion, making its current size around 20 sqm.
It began when the king proposed marriage to Princess Owutango, a daughter of King Palasa Ogomonjolo of the Gulf of Tomini, who himself had previously embraced Islam. “This mosque was meant as a dowry as required by King Palasa, when Sultan Amay intended to propose to his child,” Faisal said.
The mosque used to measure only 12 square meters (sqm) in a wooden structure with a shingle roof. To Faisal’s knowledge, the mosque has been renovated seven times with some expansion, making its current size around 20 sqm.
Renovated: The
mosque has been renovated several times in its more-than-500-years of
existence, replacing what was once made of wood with more exquisite
material.
However, according to Faisal, the present building still bares traces of its original form. The four hexagonal concrete pillars in the middle of the main room, for instance, were built in accordance with the original design. Renovations were conducted in 1978.
The four pillars represent the companions of the Prophet Muhammad: Abubakar Ash Shidiq, Ali Bin Abi Thalib, Umar Bin Khattab and Usman Bin Affan. The hexagon shape symbolizes the six core beliefs of Islam: belief in one God, Allah; in God’s angels; in God’s revealed books; in the prophets, with the last prophet as Muhammad; in the Day of Judgment; and in Divine Predestination, or the will of God.
Three large doors on either side of the main building have also been restored. Previously, the doors had been detached and replaced by walls.
Faisal said that the restoration had been initiated after considering the suggestions of local elders about the original shape of the building. At the time, Gorontalo province had no cultural heritage center. One was set up only in 2009.
“The wooden doors and their upper ventilation holes with carvings were crafted by replicating parts of the original ones that had been removed earlier,” he said. The word hunto, from which the mosque takes its name, can be interpreted as a place where people gather from all directions.
Syamsuri Kaluku, 66, an elder and imam of the mosque, recounted how the propagation of Islam had started there. After building the mosque, Sultan Amay summoned local residents to convert to Islam.
He ordered the people, who were adherents of Alifuru, an animistic belief, to slaughter a pig and smear its blood on their foreheads. The event became known as the “Oath of Bontho”, a local acronym for bolo yingoyingontiyolo monga boyi or “It’s the last time to consume pork”.
The oath marked the conversion of Gorontalo to Islam. Pork, widely consumed at the time, became a symbol of misfortune and was prohibited by Islam. Those violating the Oath of Bontho were said to have faced various mishaps.
Based on Hasanuddin’s History of Education in Gorontalo, Sultan Amay instructed the lesser kings of Siendeng, Tamalate, Lemboo, Hungalato, Siduan, Sipayo, Songinti and Bunuyo to guide their people to Islam and draft customary rules (adat) in accordance with the new religion.
Amay and the eight kings produced 185 rules covering wedding and death ceremonies, family behavior, social life, guest reception and the inauguration of leaders. The formulation was known as Saraa Topa-Topango to Adati, or Sharia on Shifting Local Customs.
The customary principles formulated by Amay were later revised under King Eyato (1673-1679) to become Adati Hulahulaa To Saraa, Saraa Hulahulaa To Quruani, meaning “local customs hinge on sharia, which in turn is based on the Koran” — a philosophy maintained until this day.
In memory of the sultan, the State Islamic Institute of Gorontalo bears his name. Amay’s tomb at the rear of the mosque is also frequented by pilgrims from different parts of the country, notably during Ramadhan.
However, according to Faisal, the present building still bares traces of its original form. The four hexagonal concrete pillars in the middle of the main room, for instance, were built in accordance with the original design. Renovations were conducted in 1978.
The four pillars represent the companions of the Prophet Muhammad: Abubakar Ash Shidiq, Ali Bin Abi Thalib, Umar Bin Khattab and Usman Bin Affan. The hexagon shape symbolizes the six core beliefs of Islam: belief in one God, Allah; in God’s angels; in God’s revealed books; in the prophets, with the last prophet as Muhammad; in the Day of Judgment; and in Divine Predestination, or the will of God.
Three large doors on either side of the main building have also been restored. Previously, the doors had been detached and replaced by walls.
Faisal said that the restoration had been initiated after considering the suggestions of local elders about the original shape of the building. At the time, Gorontalo province had no cultural heritage center. One was set up only in 2009.
“The wooden doors and their upper ventilation holes with carvings were crafted by replicating parts of the original ones that had been removed earlier,” he said. The word hunto, from which the mosque takes its name, can be interpreted as a place where people gather from all directions.
Syamsuri Kaluku, 66, an elder and imam of the mosque, recounted how the propagation of Islam had started there. After building the mosque, Sultan Amay summoned local residents to convert to Islam.
He ordered the people, who were adherents of Alifuru, an animistic belief, to slaughter a pig and smear its blood on their foreheads. The event became known as the “Oath of Bontho”, a local acronym for bolo yingoyingontiyolo monga boyi or “It’s the last time to consume pork”.
The oath marked the conversion of Gorontalo to Islam. Pork, widely consumed at the time, became a symbol of misfortune and was prohibited by Islam. Those violating the Oath of Bontho were said to have faced various mishaps.
Based on Hasanuddin’s History of Education in Gorontalo, Sultan Amay instructed the lesser kings of Siendeng, Tamalate, Lemboo, Hungalato, Siduan, Sipayo, Songinti and Bunuyo to guide their people to Islam and draft customary rules (adat) in accordance with the new religion.
Amay and the eight kings produced 185 rules covering wedding and death ceremonies, family behavior, social life, guest reception and the inauguration of leaders. The formulation was known as Saraa Topa-Topango to Adati, or Sharia on Shifting Local Customs.
The customary principles formulated by Amay were later revised under King Eyato (1673-1679) to become Adati Hulahulaa To Saraa, Saraa Hulahulaa To Quruani, meaning “local customs hinge on sharia, which in turn is based on the Koran” — a philosophy maintained until this day.
In memory of the sultan, the State Islamic Institute of Gorontalo bears his name. Amay’s tomb at the rear of the mosque is also frequented by pilgrims from different parts of the country, notably during Ramadhan.
- Photos by JP/ Syamsul Huda M. Suhari
Categories: Indonesian News
Guess what?: Aliando Syarief quits school
Kapanlagi.com
JAKARTA: Teen sinetron (soap opera) actor Aliando Syarief says he’s leaving school to pursue his career.
The 17-year-old star of the vampire sinetron Ganteng Ganteng Serigala said that the decision had been made after he and his family had a one-week meeting to decide his educational and career moves.
“It was not an easy decision,” he told kapanlagi.com.
Aliando said that he would continue his education in the future but was not certain when.
“Insyaallah, I will return to school. We’ll see how things turn out,” he said.
Aliando’s mom, Teuku Resi Revando, also stressed that the young actor would have to someday complete his education.
“Ali is now at an important turning point in his career where he needs to be fully focused. But in the future, I want to see Ali graduate from school,” Resi said.
JAKARTA: Teen sinetron (soap opera) actor Aliando Syarief says he’s leaving school to pursue his career.
The 17-year-old star of the vampire sinetron Ganteng Ganteng Serigala said that the decision had been made after he and his family had a one-week meeting to decide his educational and career moves.
“It was not an easy decision,” he told kapanlagi.com.
Aliando said that he would continue his education in the future but was not certain when.
“Insyaallah, I will return to school. We’ll see how things turn out,” he said.
Aliando’s mom, Teuku Resi Revando, also stressed that the young actor would have to someday complete his education.
“Ali is now at an important turning point in his career where he needs to be fully focused. But in the future, I want to see Ali graduate from school,” Resi said.
Categories: Indonesian News
Guess what?: Happy urges women to stay clean
Kapanlagi.com
JAKARTA: Actress Happy Salma says women needs to look after their cleanliness all the time.
“Women must diligently bathe and smell good all the time,” the 34-year-old, who is married to photographer Tjokorda Bagus Dwi Santana Kertayasa, said, as reported by kompas.com.
Happy, who starred in Riri Riza’s Gie biopic, said that she always took time to look after herself and stay clean regardless of her busy schedule.
“If I get really tired, I always take some time to go to a salon for treatments,” she said.
As for fitness, Happy, who won a Citra award for her role as a prostitute in 7 Hati 7 Cinta 7 Wanita, said she likes to work out at home.
“I do yoga and swimming regularly at home,” she said.
JAKARTA: Actress Happy Salma says women needs to look after their cleanliness all the time.
“Women must diligently bathe and smell good all the time,” the 34-year-old, who is married to photographer Tjokorda Bagus Dwi Santana Kertayasa, said, as reported by kompas.com.
Happy, who starred in Riri Riza’s Gie biopic, said that she always took time to look after herself and stay clean regardless of her busy schedule.
“If I get really tired, I always take some time to go to a salon for treatments,” she said.
As for fitness, Happy, who won a Citra award for her role as a prostitute in 7 Hati 7 Cinta 7 Wanita, said she likes to work out at home.
“I do yoga and swimming regularly at home,” she said.
Categories: Indonesian News
Multistrada aims to up market share, production capacity
Tire maker PT Multistrada Arah Sarana (MASA) is looking to boost
its domestic market share in the next two to three years by increasing
its production capacity in Southeast Asia’s major automotive
manufacturing base.
Multistrada’s president director, Pieter Tanuri, said the company aimed to increase its market share by 2 percentage points by 2016 or 2017.
“Currently, the company’s market share in Indonesia is around 13 percent. We aim to increase market share to 15 percent in the next two or three years,” he said on Monday evening.
To achieve the target, the company is working to boost its production capacity.
Multistrada currently produces 10 million tires for cars and 6 million tires for motorcycles, under brands that include Achilles, Corsa and Strada.
“Next year, the company intends to increase its overall production capacity to around 17 to 18 million tires per year,” Pieter said.
The company has so far this year absorbed around 70 percent of its total allocated capital expenditure of US$40 million amid the output expansion plans.
“The company used the funds to reduce bottlenecks [in the factory]. We are trying to balance production capacity in every section of the factory […] so that overall capacity can increase,” he said.
Multristrada, according to Pieter, had also purchased necessary machinery to support the balancing efforts and expansion plans.
The company plans to sell 8.4 million car tires this year, and expects to boost sales by around 20 percent to 10 million car tires next year. Sales of motorcycle tires are expected to top 4 million this year.
Multistrada also planned, according to Pieter, to add to the number of its tire outlets in Indonesia to cater to the increased tire production. It currently has 170 outlets, and plans to have a total 200 stores by year-end.
He added that one of the main obstacles that had affected the company’s sales performance this year was the fall in price of several commodities, including palm oil and rubber, which had dented people’s purchasing power outside Java.
“This situation affected around 5 to 10 percent of the company’s sales performance,” he added.
Multristada’s net sales fell 15 percent in the first quarter of this year to $73.61 million, down from $86.65 million posted in the same period last year.
Exports remained the top contributor to the company’s sales, making up 69 percent of overall net sales, while the remaining 31 percent was derived from sales in the domestic market.
In the export market, its sales fell by 16 percent in the first three months of this year to $50.5 million compared with $60 million during the same period in 2013.
A drop also occurred in the firm’s domestic sales, as Multistrada booked a 13 percent loss in net sales in the first quarter of this year of $23 million compared to net sales of $26.5 million during the same period last year.
According to kontan.co.id, Multistrada was planning to book a 5 percent in net sales this year to $340 billion this year, up from $324 million last year.
Shares in Multistrada were trading at Rp 310 at Tuesday’s close, down 0.64 percent from the previous day. The shares have lost almost 14 percent in value this year, under performing the broader Jakarta Composite Index’s (JCI) 17.6 percent gain. (ask)
Multistrada’s president director, Pieter Tanuri, said the company aimed to increase its market share by 2 percentage points by 2016 or 2017.
“Currently, the company’s market share in Indonesia is around 13 percent. We aim to increase market share to 15 percent in the next two or three years,” he said on Monday evening.
To achieve the target, the company is working to boost its production capacity.
Multistrada currently produces 10 million tires for cars and 6 million tires for motorcycles, under brands that include Achilles, Corsa and Strada.
“Next year, the company intends to increase its overall production capacity to around 17 to 18 million tires per year,” Pieter said.
The company has so far this year absorbed around 70 percent of its total allocated capital expenditure of US$40 million amid the output expansion plans.
“The company used the funds to reduce bottlenecks [in the factory]. We are trying to balance production capacity in every section of the factory […] so that overall capacity can increase,” he said.
Multristrada, according to Pieter, had also purchased necessary machinery to support the balancing efforts and expansion plans.
The company plans to sell 8.4 million car tires this year, and expects to boost sales by around 20 percent to 10 million car tires next year. Sales of motorcycle tires are expected to top 4 million this year.
Multistrada also planned, according to Pieter, to add to the number of its tire outlets in Indonesia to cater to the increased tire production. It currently has 170 outlets, and plans to have a total 200 stores by year-end.
He added that one of the main obstacles that had affected the company’s sales performance this year was the fall in price of several commodities, including palm oil and rubber, which had dented people’s purchasing power outside Java.
“This situation affected around 5 to 10 percent of the company’s sales performance,” he added.
Multristada’s net sales fell 15 percent in the first quarter of this year to $73.61 million, down from $86.65 million posted in the same period last year.
Exports remained the top contributor to the company’s sales, making up 69 percent of overall net sales, while the remaining 31 percent was derived from sales in the domestic market.
In the export market, its sales fell by 16 percent in the first three months of this year to $50.5 million compared with $60 million during the same period in 2013.
A drop also occurred in the firm’s domestic sales, as Multistrada booked a 13 percent loss in net sales in the first quarter of this year of $23 million compared to net sales of $26.5 million during the same period last year.
According to kontan.co.id, Multistrada was planning to book a 5 percent in net sales this year to $340 billion this year, up from $324 million last year.
Shares in Multistrada were trading at Rp 310 at Tuesday’s close, down 0.64 percent from the previous day. The shares have lost almost 14 percent in value this year, under performing the broader Jakarta Composite Index’s (JCI) 17.6 percent gain. (ask)
Categories: Indonesian News
China’s leading smartphone maker to build plant in RI this year
China’s leading smartphone maker, Oppo Mobile Telecommunications
Corp., plans to build a factory in Indonesia this year, a senior
minister has said.
Industry Minister MS Hidayat said the factory, the construction of which may begin “in the near future”, would be located in West Java.
“They consulted us about their plans and also applied for a business permit to the Investment Coordinating Board [BKPM],” Hidayat told reporters on Monday evening.
He declined to elaborate on the value of the planned investment, but said that Oppo aimed to tap into the enormous opportunities
provided by the country’s huge domestic market of more than 240 million people.
The firm expected the Indonesian plant to also serve demand across Southeast Asia, Hidayat added.
The 10 members of ASEAN are preparing for the establishment of a single market as well as a single production base by next year, with the so-called ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
Oppo is flexing its muscles in the region, including by entering the Philippines market with the launch in April of one of its flagship phones, the OPPO Find 7.
President director of Oppo’s Indonesian division, Jet Lee, said as quoted by Koran Tempo that Oppo would realize its investment plan after the presidential election, as it was waiting to see if there would be any policy changes that may potentially affect its business.
Oppo planned to produce between 5 million and 10 million cell phones each year to serve the Indonesian market, according to Lee.
Oppo entered the Indonesian market in April last year. Despite being a newcomer, it has seen its monthly sales hit 200,000 in Indonesia, the company’s second-largest market after China.
Indonesia heavily relies on imports to meet its surging demand for cell phones. The country imported more than 62 million cell phones last year and in the first half of this year, inbound shipments are estimated to have surpassed 27 million phones.
The government raised taxes earlier this year on consumer goods, including cell phones, to 7.5 percent, compared with 2.5 percent previously, amid concerns over the widening trade deficit.
The government had also mulled charging a 20 percent luxury goods tax on cell phones to spur the fledgling domestic cell phone industry, but it recently delayed the plan due to fears that it could stimulate growth in illegal imports.
The local cell phone industry is rising with some new investments. Local manufacturer PT Hartono Istana Teknologi, which produces consumer electronics under the Polytron brand, has expanded its facility in Kudus, Central Java, to meet robust demand. It aims to produce 100,000 feature phones and 100,000 smartphones each month in the long run.
Other makers are also setting up new facilities, such as PT Teradata Indonusa — which assembles tablets and smartphones under the Axioo brand — and PT Arga Mas Lestari, which assembles tablets under the Advan brand.
Another producer, PT Sat Nusapersada launched production last week at its factory in Batam, Riau Islands, which will produce 4G smartphones.
The local component industry is also gearing up, with 15 component plants being built last year that are slated to produce a wide range of parts, from liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) to cameras.
The expansion of the domestic cellular phone industry would significantly lower imports by around US$2 billion annually, the Industry Ministry’s director general for high-technology priority industries, Budi Darmadi, said.
Industry Minister MS Hidayat said the factory, the construction of which may begin “in the near future”, would be located in West Java.
“They consulted us about their plans and also applied for a business permit to the Investment Coordinating Board [BKPM],” Hidayat told reporters on Monday evening.
He declined to elaborate on the value of the planned investment, but said that Oppo aimed to tap into the enormous opportunities
provided by the country’s huge domestic market of more than 240 million people.
The firm expected the Indonesian plant to also serve demand across Southeast Asia, Hidayat added.
The 10 members of ASEAN are preparing for the establishment of a single market as well as a single production base by next year, with the so-called ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
Oppo is flexing its muscles in the region, including by entering the Philippines market with the launch in April of one of its flagship phones, the OPPO Find 7.
President director of Oppo’s Indonesian division, Jet Lee, said as quoted by Koran Tempo that Oppo would realize its investment plan after the presidential election, as it was waiting to see if there would be any policy changes that may potentially affect its business.
Oppo planned to produce between 5 million and 10 million cell phones each year to serve the Indonesian market, according to Lee.
Oppo entered the Indonesian market in April last year. Despite being a newcomer, it has seen its monthly sales hit 200,000 in Indonesia, the company’s second-largest market after China.
Indonesia heavily relies on imports to meet its surging demand for cell phones. The country imported more than 62 million cell phones last year and in the first half of this year, inbound shipments are estimated to have surpassed 27 million phones.
The government raised taxes earlier this year on consumer goods, including cell phones, to 7.5 percent, compared with 2.5 percent previously, amid concerns over the widening trade deficit.
The government had also mulled charging a 20 percent luxury goods tax on cell phones to spur the fledgling domestic cell phone industry, but it recently delayed the plan due to fears that it could stimulate growth in illegal imports.
The local cell phone industry is rising with some new investments. Local manufacturer PT Hartono Istana Teknologi, which produces consumer electronics under the Polytron brand, has expanded its facility in Kudus, Central Java, to meet robust demand. It aims to produce 100,000 feature phones and 100,000 smartphones each month in the long run.
Other makers are also setting up new facilities, such as PT Teradata Indonusa — which assembles tablets and smartphones under the Axioo brand — and PT Arga Mas Lestari, which assembles tablets under the Advan brand.
Another producer, PT Sat Nusapersada launched production last week at its factory in Batam, Riau Islands, which will produce 4G smartphones.
The local component industry is also gearing up, with 15 component plants being built last year that are slated to produce a wide range of parts, from liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) to cameras.
The expansion of the domestic cellular phone industry would significantly lower imports by around US$2 billion annually, the Industry Ministry’s director general for high-technology priority industries, Budi Darmadi, said.
Categories: Indonesian News
Krakatau to partner with Germany’s Siemag on new mill
Indonesia’s biggest steel maker, PT Krakatau Steel (KS), will
team up with German firm Siemag AG to build a hot strip mill this year,
in a bid to tap further into the rapidly growing domestic steel market.
KS corporate secretary Iip Arief Budiman said Tuesday that the construction of the new plant, to be located at the Krakatau Industrial Estate Cilegon, Banten, was expected to be finished by 2017. It was slated to produce 1.5 million tons of hot-rolled coil (HRC) each year.
“We will sell the output to the domestic market as the demand for HRC is growing,” he said.
The new project is aimed at meeting KS’ target to expand its hot strip mill capacity by more than 60 percent to 3.9 million tons, from 2.4 million tons at present.
The construction will be financed by the US$105.6 million raised in KS’ 2010 initial public offering (IPO).
KS signed the contract to construct the plant with a consortium comprising Siemag AG and its engineering subsidiary, PT Krakatau Engineering, on July 4.
Apart from the planned hot strip mill, KS is also working on several expansion projects, including a blast furnace, port upgrade and a power plant. The company has set aside a total of $508 million to finance the projects.
Separately, KS president director Irvan Kamal said on Monday that it had made progress with its blast furnace project, completing half of the overall planned construction.
“So far it is on track with our schedule to complete the construction by July or August next year,” he told reporters at the Industry Ministry’s office.
The blast furnace, built with an investment of more than $500 million, is designed to produce 1.25 million tons of hot metal, which will serve as intermediary materials to make a variety of finished steel products.
KS, traded at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) under the code KRAS, has a long term target to double its output to 7.15 million tons of steel annually by 2018.
As part of its efforts to meet that goal, the company is also partnering with other firms, particularly foreign firms.
At the end of last year, KS began construction of its steel plant in Cilegon, built jointly with South Korean steel giant Posco.
The plant, designed with a production capacity of 3 million tons of steel, mostly steel plate, is reaching 80 percent of its utilization rate, according to Irvan.
In its latest move, KS is also working on a partnership with Japanese steel makers Nippon Steel Trading Co. Ltd. and Osaka Steel Co.
The state-owned steel maker aimed to conclude joint venture agreements with the two firms by the end of this year, Irvan said.
KS posted a net loss of $46.4 million in the first quarter of this year, down from a net profit of $9.1 million in the same period last year, driven by shrinking revenues and rising foreign-exchange (forex) losses.
— JP/Linda Yulisman
KS corporate secretary Iip Arief Budiman said Tuesday that the construction of the new plant, to be located at the Krakatau Industrial Estate Cilegon, Banten, was expected to be finished by 2017. It was slated to produce 1.5 million tons of hot-rolled coil (HRC) each year.
“We will sell the output to the domestic market as the demand for HRC is growing,” he said.
The new project is aimed at meeting KS’ target to expand its hot strip mill capacity by more than 60 percent to 3.9 million tons, from 2.4 million tons at present.
The construction will be financed by the US$105.6 million raised in KS’ 2010 initial public offering (IPO).
KS signed the contract to construct the plant with a consortium comprising Siemag AG and its engineering subsidiary, PT Krakatau Engineering, on July 4.
Apart from the planned hot strip mill, KS is also working on several expansion projects, including a blast furnace, port upgrade and a power plant. The company has set aside a total of $508 million to finance the projects.
Separately, KS president director Irvan Kamal said on Monday that it had made progress with its blast furnace project, completing half of the overall planned construction.
“So far it is on track with our schedule to complete the construction by July or August next year,” he told reporters at the Industry Ministry’s office.
The blast furnace, built with an investment of more than $500 million, is designed to produce 1.25 million tons of hot metal, which will serve as intermediary materials to make a variety of finished steel products.
KS, traded at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) under the code KRAS, has a long term target to double its output to 7.15 million tons of steel annually by 2018.
As part of its efforts to meet that goal, the company is also partnering with other firms, particularly foreign firms.
At the end of last year, KS began construction of its steel plant in Cilegon, built jointly with South Korean steel giant Posco.
The plant, designed with a production capacity of 3 million tons of steel, mostly steel plate, is reaching 80 percent of its utilization rate, according to Irvan.
In its latest move, KS is also working on a partnership with Japanese steel makers Nippon Steel Trading Co. Ltd. and Osaka Steel Co.
The state-owned steel maker aimed to conclude joint venture agreements with the two firms by the end of this year, Irvan said.
KS posted a net loss of $46.4 million in the first quarter of this year, down from a net profit of $9.1 million in the same period last year, driven by shrinking revenues and rising foreign-exchange (forex) losses.
— JP/Linda Yulisman
Categories: Indonesian News
Holcim, Lafarge set up divestment committee
JAKARTA: Cement manufacturer Holcim Indonesia (SMCB) announced
that its parent company, Holcim Ltd., has established a divestment team
with Lafarge to move forward the divestment process, following their
planned merger.
In a statement published on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) website on Tuesday, Holcim said the committee had drawn up a list of proposed asset disposals, representing a major part of the total assets that both Holcim Ltd. and Lafarge plan to divest.
However, the list does not contain any information regarding assets in Indonesia. Presently, Holcim produces cement under the Holcim brand, while Lafarge produces cement under the Semen Andalas brand.
Holcim previously said the merge would increase Holcim’s and Lafarge’s domestic shares to 17 percent. Holcim currently produces 7 million tons of cement and clinker annually.
In a statement published on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) website on Tuesday, Holcim said the committee had drawn up a list of proposed asset disposals, representing a major part of the total assets that both Holcim Ltd. and Lafarge plan to divest.
However, the list does not contain any information regarding assets in Indonesia. Presently, Holcim produces cement under the Holcim brand, while Lafarge produces cement under the Semen Andalas brand.
Holcim previously said the merge would increase Holcim’s and Lafarge’s domestic shares to 17 percent. Holcim currently produces 7 million tons of cement and clinker annually.
Categories: Indonesian News
Jokowi and Prabowo call on God’s blessing
Presidential frontrunner Joko “Jokowi” Widodo took only a few
hours of rest after his return from Saudi Arabia where he had performed
umrah (minor haj pilgrimage), before proceeding with another prayer
session with his family members at his rented house in Menteng, Central
Jakarta, on Tuesday.
Rival candidate Prabowo Subianto, meanwhile, attended a Koran recital gathering organized by the Majelis Dzikir Az-Zikra at the Az Zikra Mosque in Sentul, West Java.
Jokowi and his entourage, which included his wife Iriana, daughter Kahiyang Ayu and son Kaesang Pangarep, campaign activists and several noted Islamic figures such as former Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi, arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Internatonal Aiport in Cengkareng, Banten, on Tuesday morning.
“We have done our best, let God decide the rest,” he said at the airport, succumbing to the calls by the flock of journalists for him to break his promise not to talk to the media during the cooling-off period.
Jokowi and his family members were scheduled to cast their ballots at the polling station in Surapati Park in Menteng. Jokowi is then scheduled to join a gathering at the residence of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri in Kebagusan, South Jakarta.
Prabowo, meanwhile, held a breaking-the-fast gathering at his luxury residence in Hambalang, West Java, after joining the Koran recital. Present in Hambalang were Prabowo’s relatives and politicians from his coalition.
To kill time before breaking the fast, Prabowo played soccer with some of his youth supporters in Cibinong, West Java, said head of his campaign team Mahfud MD.
“Prabowo has passed the cooling-off period with light activities,” the former Counstitutional Court chief justice said.
Prabowo is scheduled to cast his vote at the polling station nearest his home in Hambalang.
Jokowi’s running mate, Jusuf Kalla, meanwhile, has been in Makassar, South Sulawesi, his hometown, since Monday.
On Tuesday, the 72-year-old businessman and politician welcomed journalists into his private residence in the city, with whom he engaged in light banter.
“Do you know what was the most boring thing about the whole campaign? Wearing a white shirt all day long,” he joked, referring to the white shirt the Jokowi-Kalla camp had decided was his “uniform” for the presidential election.
The former vice president said he always brought along at least a dozen white shirts during his campaign tours.
Kalla reiterated his confidence about winning the race.
“Now I am even more confident of getting at least 60 percent of the vote. Thanks to two words: ‘Kalpataru’ and ‘sinting’ [insane],” he said.
Kalla was referring to the mistake made by Prabowo’s running mate Hatta Rajasa during the last televised debate on July 5. At that time, Hatta attempted to question Jokowi’s commitment to the environment by saying that Jakarta and Surakarta, the cities of which Jokowi had been governor and mayor, respectively, had not received the Kalpataru award under his administration.
Kalla then corrected Hatta by pointing out the Kalpataru was only awarded to individuals, the Adipura was awarded to cities. Hatta’s plan to embarrass the non-active Jakarta governor thus backfired.
The mistake rapidly went viral on the Internet triggering widespread online ridicule of Hatta.
Kalla was also referring to a Twitter post by outspoken Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Fahri Hamzah of the Prabowo-Hatta camp, which described Jokowi’s proposal to name 1 Muharram (the Islamic new year) as a national santri (Islamic students) day a sinting idea.
“So from those two words alone, Jokowi-Kalla has ‘stolen’ 10 million votes from the Prabowo-Hatta camp,” Kalla said laughing.
In the meantime, Hatta is slated to cast his vote in his home town of Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), South Sumatra.
Yuliasri Perdani, Hasyim Widhiarto and Margareth S. Aritonang also contributed to this report.
Rival candidate Prabowo Subianto, meanwhile, attended a Koran recital gathering organized by the Majelis Dzikir Az-Zikra at the Az Zikra Mosque in Sentul, West Java.
Jokowi and his entourage, which included his wife Iriana, daughter Kahiyang Ayu and son Kaesang Pangarep, campaign activists and several noted Islamic figures such as former Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi, arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Internatonal Aiport in Cengkareng, Banten, on Tuesday morning.
“We have done our best, let God decide the rest,” he said at the airport, succumbing to the calls by the flock of journalists for him to break his promise not to talk to the media during the cooling-off period.
Jokowi and his family members were scheduled to cast their ballots at the polling station in Surapati Park in Menteng. Jokowi is then scheduled to join a gathering at the residence of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri in Kebagusan, South Jakarta.
Prabowo, meanwhile, held a breaking-the-fast gathering at his luxury residence in Hambalang, West Java, after joining the Koran recital. Present in Hambalang were Prabowo’s relatives and politicians from his coalition.
To kill time before breaking the fast, Prabowo played soccer with some of his youth supporters in Cibinong, West Java, said head of his campaign team Mahfud MD.
“Prabowo has passed the cooling-off period with light activities,” the former Counstitutional Court chief justice said.
Prabowo is scheduled to cast his vote at the polling station nearest his home in Hambalang.
Jokowi’s running mate, Jusuf Kalla, meanwhile, has been in Makassar, South Sulawesi, his hometown, since Monday.
On Tuesday, the 72-year-old businessman and politician welcomed journalists into his private residence in the city, with whom he engaged in light banter.
“Do you know what was the most boring thing about the whole campaign? Wearing a white shirt all day long,” he joked, referring to the white shirt the Jokowi-Kalla camp had decided was his “uniform” for the presidential election.
The former vice president said he always brought along at least a dozen white shirts during his campaign tours.
Kalla reiterated his confidence about winning the race.
“Now I am even more confident of getting at least 60 percent of the vote. Thanks to two words: ‘Kalpataru’ and ‘sinting’ [insane],” he said.
Kalla was referring to the mistake made by Prabowo’s running mate Hatta Rajasa during the last televised debate on July 5. At that time, Hatta attempted to question Jokowi’s commitment to the environment by saying that Jakarta and Surakarta, the cities of which Jokowi had been governor and mayor, respectively, had not received the Kalpataru award under his administration.
Kalla then corrected Hatta by pointing out the Kalpataru was only awarded to individuals, the Adipura was awarded to cities. Hatta’s plan to embarrass the non-active Jakarta governor thus backfired.
The mistake rapidly went viral on the Internet triggering widespread online ridicule of Hatta.
Kalla was also referring to a Twitter post by outspoken Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Fahri Hamzah of the Prabowo-Hatta camp, which described Jokowi’s proposal to name 1 Muharram (the Islamic new year) as a national santri (Islamic students) day a sinting idea.
“So from those two words alone, Jokowi-Kalla has ‘stolen’ 10 million votes from the Prabowo-Hatta camp,” Kalla said laughing.
In the meantime, Hatta is slated to cast his vote in his home town of Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), South Sumatra.
Yuliasri Perdani, Hasyim Widhiarto and Margareth S. Aritonang also contributed to this report.
Categories: Indonesian News
Mahfud certain of Prabowo-Hatta win with at least 54% of the vote
Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa campaign team chief Mahfud MD is
certain that the candidate pair will win the presidential election by
obtaining 54 percent of the vote nationally.
He made the prediction based on results of their internal exit polls, in which Prabowo-Hatta lead candidate pair Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Jusuf Kalla, 52 to 47 percent.
“My prediction is Prabowo-Hatta will win 54 percent of the national vote at minimum,” said Mahfud as quoted by kompas.com at Polonia House, East Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Echoing Mahfud, Democratic Party executive Syarief Hasan said he was convinced Prabowo-Hatta would win the 2014 presidential election.
“My feeling is that Prabowo will win with a vote margin of around 4 percent,” said Syarief after casting his vote at polling station (TPS) 01 in Senayan subdistrict, at the Widya Chandra complex, in Jakarta, on Wednesday.
He said he was sure that if elected, Prabowo would continue the programs that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had developed.
Syarief added that the Democratic Party had agreed to support Prabowo, partly because of the presidential candidate’s vision and mission to continue Yudhoyono’s programs.
“I have deepened my understanding of Prabowo’s vision and mission. One thing that is substantial is that he will continue President Yudhoyono’s programs,” said the cooperatives and small and medium enterprises minister.
Syarief said that whoever won, the election result must be accepted by both candidates. (ebf)
He made the prediction based on results of their internal exit polls, in which Prabowo-Hatta lead candidate pair Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Jusuf Kalla, 52 to 47 percent.
“My prediction is Prabowo-Hatta will win 54 percent of the national vote at minimum,” said Mahfud as quoted by kompas.com at Polonia House, East Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Echoing Mahfud, Democratic Party executive Syarief Hasan said he was convinced Prabowo-Hatta would win the 2014 presidential election.
“My feeling is that Prabowo will win with a vote margin of around 4 percent,” said Syarief after casting his vote at polling station (TPS) 01 in Senayan subdistrict, at the Widya Chandra complex, in Jakarta, on Wednesday.
He said he was sure that if elected, Prabowo would continue the programs that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had developed.
Syarief added that the Democratic Party had agreed to support Prabowo, partly because of the presidential candidate’s vision and mission to continue Yudhoyono’s programs.
“I have deepened my understanding of Prabowo’s vision and mission. One thing that is substantial is that he will continue President Yudhoyono’s programs,” said the cooperatives and small and medium enterprises minister.
Syarief said that whoever won, the election result must be accepted by both candidates. (ebf)
Categories: Indonesian News
Most regions geared up for polling day
Official seal: An election official locks a
ballot box to be used in today’s presidential election, in Petojo,
Central Jakarta. The Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPUD) said
Tuesday that all polling stations in the capital had received all the
materials they needed ahead of the vote. JP/DON
While most regions across Indonesia have expressed their preparedness for conducting the presidential election on Wednesday, 26 districts in Yahukimo regency, Papua, confirmed they would be unable to conduct the poll on schedule as a result of logistics problems due to bad weather.
Chairman of the Papua General Elections Commission (KPUD), Adam Arisoi, said that as of Tuesday ballot materials had yet to reach 26 out of the regency’s 56 districts.
“Bad weather has been the main challenge in Yahukimo, as all the materials have to be transported by plane,” Adam said on Tuesday.
He said he would report the case to the central election body on Tuesday night. The election would be held once the materials had arrived at the districts, he added.
Statements of readiness and optimism for a successful election were expressed by the Riau KPUD as materials had been distributed to the polling stations across the province’s 12 regencies/municipalities under escort by the police.
“Everything ran smoothly. No significant constraints have been experienced as of the day prior to the election,” chairman of Riau KPUD, Nurhamin, said on Tuesday.
In Bali, nearly 3 million eligible voters are expected to go to polling stations (TPS) across the resort island on Wednesday to elect their favored candidates for president and vice president for the next five years.
The government has declared the day a public holiday to give all voters the chance to vote. Polling stations will open at 7 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. Many Balinese voters are expected to wear traditional Balinese costumes to go to their polling stations.
The Bali KPUD head, Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi, confirmed that all preparations for the election had been completed, and the island was ready to vote. “All ballot papers have been distributed to all villages across Bali and will be ready for election day,” he said.
Separately the Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Jusuf Kalla camp have expressed worries that the noken system applied in Papua would benefit a particular presidential candidate pair. The system allows a tribe’s chief to represent his people in the election.
Baharudin Farawowan of the Jokowi-Kalla camp said that 10 regencies in the Pegunungan Tengah area with a combined total of some 1.4 million voters were areas where their campaigners did not have political access. “We’re worried that there will be vote herding toward a particular ticket,” Baharudin said in Jayapura on Tuesday.
Responding, Radius Simbolon of the rival Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa camp said there was no need for concern about something that had not yet happened.
“There is nothing to worry about in the system. It’s not a new thing in Papua. Why should we worry?” Simbolon said, adding that his camp never encouraged voters to vote for Prabowo-Hatta. If the pair won, he said, it would be the people’s choice.
In Yogyakarta, the Jokowi-Kalla camp has offered a reward of Rp 2 million (US$172) to anyone who reports incidents of vote-buying during the election along with evidence.
“We have received a report today, but we will verify it,” Eko Suwanto of the Jokowi-Kalla campaign in Yogyakarta said on Tuesday.
He said his team had readied a legal and advocacy team to fight against electoral fraud, be it intimidation, biased reporting or defamation.
Chairman Joko Praswanto said his team had set up posts for the people to report incidents of cheating. The posts, he said, were established in all subdistricts and districts across the province.
After the Obor Rakyat tabloid which reportedly defamed Jokowi, another tabloid, Sapujagat with the headline “Revolusi Mental? Itu Cara PKI” (Mental Revolution? It’s the communist way) circulated in several regions in Central Java.
Jokowi’s volunteers found thousands of copies of the Surabaya-based Sapujagat in an office of Prabowo’s volunteers in Ungaran.
“It’s a violation of election regulations during the cooling-off period before polling day,” Jokowi’s Central Java campaign team deputy head Bondan Marutohening told reporters.
Earlier, police had named the editors of Obor Rakyat as defamation suspects. The tabloid published several articles questioning Jokowi’s faith and ethnicity.
Election Stages:
July 4-6:
The overseas polling
stations voting
July 6-8:
Presidential and vice
presidential election
campaign cooling-off
July 9:
Voting and counting
(including the overseas
polling stations)
July 20-22:
Official election results
announced
July 23-25:
Submission of election
result disputes
Aug. 4-21:
Dispute settlement
process
Aug. 22-24:
Election result verified by
Constitutional Court rulings on
dispute cases
Oct. 20:
The inauguration of
the new president and
vice president
Ni Komang Erviani in Denpasar, Slamet Susanto in Yogyakarta and Suherdjoko in Semarang contributed to this story
While most regions across Indonesia have expressed their preparedness for conducting the presidential election on Wednesday, 26 districts in Yahukimo regency, Papua, confirmed they would be unable to conduct the poll on schedule as a result of logistics problems due to bad weather.
Chairman of the Papua General Elections Commission (KPUD), Adam Arisoi, said that as of Tuesday ballot materials had yet to reach 26 out of the regency’s 56 districts.
“Bad weather has been the main challenge in Yahukimo, as all the materials have to be transported by plane,” Adam said on Tuesday.
He said he would report the case to the central election body on Tuesday night. The election would be held once the materials had arrived at the districts, he added.
Statements of readiness and optimism for a successful election were expressed by the Riau KPUD as materials had been distributed to the polling stations across the province’s 12 regencies/municipalities under escort by the police.
“Everything ran smoothly. No significant constraints have been experienced as of the day prior to the election,” chairman of Riau KPUD, Nurhamin, said on Tuesday.
In Bali, nearly 3 million eligible voters are expected to go to polling stations (TPS) across the resort island on Wednesday to elect their favored candidates for president and vice president for the next five years.
The government has declared the day a public holiday to give all voters the chance to vote. Polling stations will open at 7 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. Many Balinese voters are expected to wear traditional Balinese costumes to go to their polling stations.
The Bali KPUD head, Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi, confirmed that all preparations for the election had been completed, and the island was ready to vote. “All ballot papers have been distributed to all villages across Bali and will be ready for election day,” he said.
Separately the Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Jusuf Kalla camp have expressed worries that the noken system applied in Papua would benefit a particular presidential candidate pair. The system allows a tribe’s chief to represent his people in the election.
Baharudin Farawowan of the Jokowi-Kalla camp said that 10 regencies in the Pegunungan Tengah area with a combined total of some 1.4 million voters were areas where their campaigners did not have political access. “We’re worried that there will be vote herding toward a particular ticket,” Baharudin said in Jayapura on Tuesday.
Responding, Radius Simbolon of the rival Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa camp said there was no need for concern about something that had not yet happened.
“There is nothing to worry about in the system. It’s not a new thing in Papua. Why should we worry?” Simbolon said, adding that his camp never encouraged voters to vote for Prabowo-Hatta. If the pair won, he said, it would be the people’s choice.
In Yogyakarta, the Jokowi-Kalla camp has offered a reward of Rp 2 million (US$172) to anyone who reports incidents of vote-buying during the election along with evidence.
“We have received a report today, but we will verify it,” Eko Suwanto of the Jokowi-Kalla campaign in Yogyakarta said on Tuesday.
He said his team had readied a legal and advocacy team to fight against electoral fraud, be it intimidation, biased reporting or defamation.
Chairman Joko Praswanto said his team had set up posts for the people to report incidents of cheating. The posts, he said, were established in all subdistricts and districts across the province.
After the Obor Rakyat tabloid which reportedly defamed Jokowi, another tabloid, Sapujagat with the headline “Revolusi Mental? Itu Cara PKI” (Mental Revolution? It’s the communist way) circulated in several regions in Central Java.
Jokowi’s volunteers found thousands of copies of the Surabaya-based Sapujagat in an office of Prabowo’s volunteers in Ungaran.
“It’s a violation of election regulations during the cooling-off period before polling day,” Jokowi’s Central Java campaign team deputy head Bondan Marutohening told reporters.
Earlier, police had named the editors of Obor Rakyat as defamation suspects. The tabloid published several articles questioning Jokowi’s faith and ethnicity.
Election Stages:
July 4-6:
The overseas polling
stations voting
July 6-8:
Presidential and vice
presidential election
campaign cooling-off
July 9:
Voting and counting
(including the overseas
polling stations)
July 20-22:
Official election results
announced
July 23-25:
Submission of election
result disputes
Aug. 4-21:
Dispute settlement
process
Aug. 22-24:
Election result verified by
Constitutional Court rulings on
dispute cases
Oct. 20:
The inauguration of
the new president and
vice president
Ni Komang Erviani in Denpasar, Slamet Susanto in Yogyakarta and Suherdjoko in Semarang contributed to this story
Categories: Indonesian News
Islamic groups protest JPcartoon
Frank discussion: Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT)
Jakarta branch leader Haris Amir Falah (right) talks to The Jakarta Post
chief editor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat (left) regarding the publication
of an editorial cartoon, featuring the flag of Islamic State of Iraq
and the Levant (ISIL), at the Post’s office in Jakarta on Tuesday, while
members of Haris’ delegation look on. JAT lodged a protest with the
Post on Tuesday for publishing the cartoon, which contained religious
symbolism that may have caused offense. The Post published an apology on
its front page on Tuesday and immediately retracted the cartoon.
JP/Jerry Adiguna
Representatives of two Islamic organizations met with editors of The Jakarta Post on Tuesday to protest its publication of an internationally syndicated cartoon last Thursday.
Publishing the cartoon critiquing the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) “strengthens the stigma that Islam represents senseless murderers”, said Haris Amir Falah, who leads the Jakarta chapter of Jamaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT).
Despite the apology and retraction posted on the Post’s website on Monday and published on the front page of Tuesday’s print edition, Edy Mulyadi of the Jakarta Preacher’s Corps said the cartoon was “an extraordinary insult” to Islam, adding that it confirmed non-Muslims hated Islam and its followers.
He said suspicions of an ulterior agenda at the Post arose because it was known as a reputable newspaper.
The cartoon portrayed the actions of ISIL, which declared a caliphate — an Islamic state — on the first day of Ramadhan more than a week ago. As it has stormed through Syria and Iraq, ISIL has reportedly committed summary executions and other brutal acts of violence.
Haris pointed out that religious symbols on the ISIL flag were not specific to one group but belonged to all Muslims.
The visitors met on Tuesday with chief editor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat and a number of other editors at the Post’s office.
Haris said that although the Post had officially issued an apology, calling the publication of the cartoon an “error in judgment”, it was inevitable that the cartoon would be viewed as offensive to Islam.
Considering the ISIL cartoon in the same league as protested publications such as cartoons in a Danish newspaper depicting the Prophet Muhammad and the novel The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, Haris said, “This incident confirms the phenomenon of Islamophobia.”
He also said that the cartoon was an “insult to beliefs”. The editors explained that although the cartoon was from an international syndicate, the Post was nevertheless responsible for its publication.
Meidyatama and senior editor Endy Bayuni reiterated that the Post had taken the maximum steps by apologizing for and retracting the cartoon, adding that there had never been any intention to insult Islam or any other religion.
Endy, a co-founder of the International Association of Religion Journalists, said the association aimed to ensure better coverage of religion, as the media shared responsibility for interfaith harmony.
The representatives from the Islamic groups said they would consider taking further steps, including legal measures. “[The cartoon] is still insulting although it was unintentional,” Haris said.
Representatives of two Islamic organizations met with editors of The Jakarta Post on Tuesday to protest its publication of an internationally syndicated cartoon last Thursday.
Publishing the cartoon critiquing the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) “strengthens the stigma that Islam represents senseless murderers”, said Haris Amir Falah, who leads the Jakarta chapter of Jamaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT).
Despite the apology and retraction posted on the Post’s website on Monday and published on the front page of Tuesday’s print edition, Edy Mulyadi of the Jakarta Preacher’s Corps said the cartoon was “an extraordinary insult” to Islam, adding that it confirmed non-Muslims hated Islam and its followers.
He said suspicions of an ulterior agenda at the Post arose because it was known as a reputable newspaper.
The cartoon portrayed the actions of ISIL, which declared a caliphate — an Islamic state — on the first day of Ramadhan more than a week ago. As it has stormed through Syria and Iraq, ISIL has reportedly committed summary executions and other brutal acts of violence.
Haris pointed out that religious symbols on the ISIL flag were not specific to one group but belonged to all Muslims.
The visitors met on Tuesday with chief editor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat and a number of other editors at the Post’s office.
Haris said that although the Post had officially issued an apology, calling the publication of the cartoon an “error in judgment”, it was inevitable that the cartoon would be viewed as offensive to Islam.
Considering the ISIL cartoon in the same league as protested publications such as cartoons in a Danish newspaper depicting the Prophet Muhammad and the novel The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, Haris said, “This incident confirms the phenomenon of Islamophobia.”
He also said that the cartoon was an “insult to beliefs”. The editors explained that although the cartoon was from an international syndicate, the Post was nevertheless responsible for its publication.
Meidyatama and senior editor Endy Bayuni reiterated that the Post had taken the maximum steps by apologizing for and retracting the cartoon, adding that there had never been any intention to insult Islam or any other religion.
Endy, a co-founder of the International Association of Religion Journalists, said the association aimed to ensure better coverage of religion, as the media shared responsibility for interfaith harmony.
The representatives from the Islamic groups said they would consider taking further steps, including legal measures. “[The cartoon] is still insulting although it was unintentional,” Haris said.
Categories: Indonesian News
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