In the wake of the 8.8 magnitude Earthquake that hit and killed more than 200 people in Chile early Saturday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii, USA, has issued a Tsunami Warning across the Asia Pacific region.
In reaction to this alert, authorities in Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Island, Australia and New Zealand have have warned citizens living in the coastlines of their countries about the possibility of giant killer waves caused by the earthquake in Chile.
Meanwhile, according to the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Agency, the said warning does not include Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua, because it is located very far away from the epicenter of the earthquake i.e. in Chile.
For details, please click here, here and here.
Considering Indonesia has been frequently struck by earthquake including the 2004 Tsunami in Aceh that killed more than 200,000 people, I hope that our authorties would always pay serious attention to any tsunami warnings issued by the international tsunami center.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park
The Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park contains some of Indonesia's largest remaining lowland and mountainous forests.
The 400 Square Kilometers park is located in the Regencies of Bogor and Sukabumi, West Java, and Lebak, Banten, can be reach by around four to five hours drive from the city of Jakarta.
The national park has a wide variety of animals and plants, waterfalls, tea plantations and other interesting things.
For details, please click here, here, and here.
Photos : Courtesy of Komunitas Untuk Semua.
The 400 Square Kilometers park is located in the Regencies of Bogor and Sukabumi, West Java, and Lebak, Banten, can be reach by around four to five hours drive from the city of Jakarta.
The national park has a wide variety of animals and plants, waterfalls, tea plantations and other interesting things.
For details, please click here, here, and here.
Photos : Courtesy of Komunitas Untuk Semua.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Garuda's Flight to Amsterdam
National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has just been certified as a Four-Star Airline by a London based flight service certification institution, Skytrax, which places Garuda in the same rank as 26 other four-star airlines.
This has motivated Garuda's management to revitalize the Jakarta-Amsterdam-Jakarta flight, via Abu Dhabi, starting 1 June 2010. Please find below an article in Kompas for reference.
Garuda to Fly Jakarta-Abu Dhabi-Amsterdam Route in June
Jumat, 26 Februari 2010 | 19:17 WIB
SURABAYA, KOMPAS.com - Now officially a four star airline by the standard of Skytrax in terms of international flight service quality, Garuda Indonesia will expand its international route on June 1, 2010. The new route is Jakarta-Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates-Amsterdam.
"The new international route is categorized as the profitable one," stated PT Garuda Indonesia's General Director and Director of HRD, Achirina, Friday.
Garuda is also preparing two other new routes to London (England) and the United States.
Achirina claimed that, other than expanding its international routes, Garuda Indonesia is also improving its innovation and creativity to aim at being a five-star airline. "In stages we target Garuda Indonesia to be a five-star airline by 2014, considering that now it's already a four star."
Garuda Indonesia was certified as a four-star airline from the international flight service certification institution, Skytrax, based in London, England. The certification places Garuda Indonesia in the same rank as 26 other four-star airlines. The considerations for certification are based on the ground and inflight services.
So far there are only six airlines with five star certification: Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Kingfisher Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. (C5-10/C17-09)
This has motivated Garuda's management to revitalize the Jakarta-Amsterdam-Jakarta flight, via Abu Dhabi, starting 1 June 2010. Please find below an article in Kompas for reference.
Garuda to Fly Jakarta-Abu Dhabi-Amsterdam Route in June
Jumat, 26 Februari 2010 | 19:17 WIB
"The new international route is categorized as the profitable one," stated PT Garuda Indonesia's General Director and Director of HRD, Achirina, Friday.
Garuda is also preparing two other new routes to London (England) and the United States.
Achirina claimed that, other than expanding its international routes, Garuda Indonesia is also improving its innovation and creativity to aim at being a five-star airline. "In stages we target Garuda Indonesia to be a five-star airline by 2014, considering that now it's already a four star."
Garuda Indonesia was certified as a four-star airline from the international flight service certification institution, Skytrax, based in London, England. The certification places Garuda Indonesia in the same rank as 26 other four-star airlines. The considerations for certification are based on the ground and inflight services.
So far there are only six airlines with five star certification: Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Kingfisher Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. (C5-10/C17-09)
Lapindo Today
On 28 May 2006, the mining company PT. Lapindo Brantas failed to follow standard procedures for drilling natural gas which caused disaster i.e. never ending Hot Mud Flow in Sidoardjo, East Java.
By late 2009, the Mud Flow have swarmed a land area of around 10 square kilometers in Porong. More than 12,000 houses, dozens of factories and public facilities, and thousands of hectares of agriculture properties were buried in the mud.
However, Lapindo refused to be responsible for the losses, claiming that the disaster was a natural disaster caused by a 6.3 Richter Scale earthquake that struct Jogyakarta (300 KM away) wto dats before Lapindo drilled the gas in Sidoardjo.
And the fact that Lapindo's majority owner i.e. Aburizal Bakrie, was the Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare in President SBY' s 2004-2009, has enabled Lapindo to be in a safe position.
Today, almost four years after the disaster starts, Tempointeraktif reported that two officials of Lapindo, VP Relation Yuniwati Teriyana and Operational Manager Bambang Susatyo, have nominated themselves as candidates for the election of the Chief of the Regency of Sidoardjo next.
In spite of the above, I hope that there will be serious efforts to carry out an over all investigation on what really cause the Lapindo Mud Flow, after which perhaps a solution can be found to stop the Mud Flow and the sufferrings of people victimized by the disaster.
Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia.
By late 2009, the Mud Flow have swarmed a land area of around 10 square kilometers in Porong. More than 12,000 houses, dozens of factories and public facilities, and thousands of hectares of agriculture properties were buried in the mud.
However, Lapindo refused to be responsible for the losses, claiming that the disaster was a natural disaster caused by a 6.3 Richter Scale earthquake that struct Jogyakarta (300 KM away) wto dats before Lapindo drilled the gas in Sidoardjo.
And the fact that Lapindo's majority owner i.e. Aburizal Bakrie, was the Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare in President SBY' s 2004-2009, has enabled Lapindo to be in a safe position.
Today, almost four years after the disaster starts, Tempointeraktif reported that two officials of Lapindo, VP Relation Yuniwati Teriyana and Operational Manager Bambang Susatyo, have nominated themselves as candidates for the election of the Chief of the Regency of Sidoardjo next.
In spite of the above, I hope that there will be serious efforts to carry out an over all investigation on what really cause the Lapindo Mud Flow, after which perhaps a solution can be found to stop the Mud Flow and the sufferrings of people victimized by the disaster.
Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Environment Award for Indonesia
The news media have been reporting about destruction of nature in Indonesia, such as Destruction of Ocean Coral and Mangrove Forests and Deforestation.
For this reason, I am very glad when I read the news in Tempointeraktif about Indonesia receiving an Environmental Award from the United Nations.
I hope that this award will strengthen the government's will to implement the Environmental Protection and Management Law.
Award for Indonesia Sea Promotion
Thursday, 25 February, 2010 | 19:38 WIB
TEMPO Interactive, Nusa Dua:Indonesia received the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Award at the opening of Global Environment Forum yesterday.
Indonesia is considered to be successful in promoting sea management and the life source potentials in the sea.
The award was provided by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and received directly by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
“This award will push us to be even better in managing the sea,” said the President.
Indonesia is considered to be successful in promoting sea management and the life source potentials in the sea.
The award was provided by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and received directly by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
“This award will push us to be even better in managing the sea,” said the President.
ROFIQI HASAN
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Deposit for Marrying Woman
The Marriage Bill prepared by the government seemed to contain some controversial matters such as the prohibition of Unregistered Marriage (Siri Marriage) and Contract Marriage.
Beside that, the Bill also has a stipulation that will require a foreign man who wants to marry an Indonesian woman must pay a deposit of Rp. 500 Million. Please find below a related article in Kompas.
Getting Married with The Bond of Rp 500 Million
Rabu, 24 Februari 2010 | 13:07 WIB
KOMPAS.com — The marriage draft for the Religion Court has been quite a buzz in Indonesia. But most discussions on the draft are regarding the unofficial marriage and marriage by contract, especially whether they should be criminalized. Actually the draft has another interesting aspect: marriage with a foreigner.Chapter VI of the draft arranges 'international' marriages. A male foreigner who wishes to marry an Indonesian woman must deposit a hefty sum of Rp. 500 million. Wow!
The draft mentions that the money is as insurance in case the husband suddenly left without notice. The money, however, isn't given to the wife, but it's deposited at an Islamic Bank.
It can be understood that the draft was set to protect women. However, on a different perspective, this brings complications for Indonesian women who are currently involved romantically with a foreign man. If the draft is applied then the guy would be obliged to pay half a billion rupiahs to marry his love.
A number of women who are already married to foreign men initially wouldn't even believe that the draft has such an arrangement. But now they can read it on the internet.
Perhaps for some foreign men it's fine to pursue the relationship without marriage, and thus also avoiding the Rp. 500 million deposit, but in general they still view marriage seriously. And of course, obeying religious tenets is still advisable.
The Rp. 500 million deposit also gives the impression that Indonesian women are 'for sale'. A French colleague even jested, "You (Indonesian women) are quite expensive, around 45,000 euro! Wow!"
Perhaps the regulation is considered because of the number of cases that have occured, such as foreign men who married Indonesian women only to buy property in Indonesia, or expats who left their Indonesian family after their contract expires.
Isn't that instead an indication of how weak the Indonesian law is? If the officials could be bribed to allow dubious marriages then what's the guarantee that if the wife was left she could withdraw the deposit easily? It would be a pity if she was left by her foreign husband and then she gets tangled in bureaucracy and she has to bribe first to get the deposit. Furthermore, the deposit doesn't get any interest.
It's also possible for the woman to take advantage of a foreigner by marrying him for just three or four years and then dumping him to get the money.
There should be further discussion on the matter. The marriage problems between people of different nationalities go beyond material issues.
When the government issued the law of double nationality for the children of mixed-nationality marriages, that was a commendable act. The law should be made more solid and clear regarding marriage issues. (Dini Kusmana Massabuau/C17-09)
Mudslide in Bandung
Last Tuesday morning, a landslide hit the Dewata Tea Plantation in Bandung Regency, West Java, burying many workers and their houses.
Here is an article about the tragedy that I have quoted from The New York Times.
Rescue Teams Continue Search After Indonesia Mudslide
By PETER GELLING
Published: February 24, 2010
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Local villagers and government rescue teams, using sniffer dogs and farm tools, searched Wednesday for workers on an Indonesian tea plantation who were buried by a mudslide estimated to be 35 feet deep.
More than 17 bodies have been recovered, including two children, according to Priyadi Kardono, a spokesman for the country’s Disaster Management Agency. He also said they believed there were between 50 and 60 people still buried in the mud and presumed dead. The mudslide, in the village of Pasirjambu in West Java, happened about 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Mr. Priyadi said the authorities did not learn of the situation until eight hours later because of poor communication lines in the village, which is located about 125 miles southeast of Jakarta, the capital.
“I think also that people were panicking and so focused on saving their own lives and the lives of their family members that they didn’t think to contact the authorities sooner,” Mr. Priyadi said.
Villagers placed markers where they believed that people had been buried. Rescuers found two survivors under the mud, and they were being treated a local hospital.
Most of the victims were plantation workers — who are typically women — or their family members.
The rescue effort has been complicated by the remoteness of the village, which sits in a valley and is normally accessible only by a small road using all-terrain vehicles or motorbikes. Heavy rains and flooding in recent days worsened the road conditions, and the search was delayed overnight.
Backhoes and other heavy equipment began to arrive in the village Wednesday morning. The Indonesian vice president, Boediono, also traveled to the scene on Wednesday.
Fearing more landslides, the government evacuated about 1,000 people from the valley. The military set up temporary camps on higher ground nearby.
Although large-scale deforestation is often the cause of landslides in Indonesia, Mr. Priyadi said the heavy rains had likely set off the mudslide. He also said that a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck West Java last September could have caused the hills in the area to crack and become unstable.
He said a survey should have been done to determine whether the area might be vulnerable to landslides.
The island of Java, the country’s most populated, has been deluged by rain this month, resulting in floods that have displaced thousands. In the city of Bandung, 55 miles from Tuesday’s mudslide site , flooding has displaced an estimated 10,000 families.
Thousands of people in Jakarta also were forced from their homes last weekend after city canals overflowed during heavy rains.
Here is an article about the tragedy that I have quoted from The New York Times.
Rescue Teams Continue Search After Indonesia Mudslide
By PETER GELLING
Published: February 24, 2010
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Local villagers and government rescue teams, using sniffer dogs and farm tools, searched Wednesday for workers on an Indonesian tea plantation who were buried by a mudslide estimated to be 35 feet deep.
More than 17 bodies have been recovered, including two children, according to Priyadi Kardono, a spokesman for the country’s Disaster Management Agency. He also said they believed there were between 50 and 60 people still buried in the mud and presumed dead. The mudslide, in the village of Pasirjambu in West Java, happened about 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Mr. Priyadi said the authorities did not learn of the situation until eight hours later because of poor communication lines in the village, which is located about 125 miles southeast of Jakarta, the capital.
“I think also that people were panicking and so focused on saving their own lives and the lives of their family members that they didn’t think to contact the authorities sooner,” Mr. Priyadi said.
Villagers placed markers where they believed that people had been buried. Rescuers found two survivors under the mud, and they were being treated a local hospital.
Most of the victims were plantation workers — who are typically women — or their family members.
The rescue effort has been complicated by the remoteness of the village, which sits in a valley and is normally accessible only by a small road using all-terrain vehicles or motorbikes. Heavy rains and flooding in recent days worsened the road conditions, and the search was delayed overnight.
Backhoes and other heavy equipment began to arrive in the village Wednesday morning. The Indonesian vice president, Boediono, also traveled to the scene on Wednesday.
Fearing more landslides, the government evacuated about 1,000 people from the valley. The military set up temporary camps on higher ground nearby.
Although large-scale deforestation is often the cause of landslides in Indonesia, Mr. Priyadi said the heavy rains had likely set off the mudslide. He also said that a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck West Java last September could have caused the hills in the area to crack and become unstable.
He said a survey should have been done to determine whether the area might be vulnerable to landslides.
The island of Java, the country’s most populated, has been deluged by rain this month, resulting in floods that have displaced thousands. In the city of Bandung, 55 miles from Tuesday’s mudslide site , flooding has displaced an estimated 10,000 families.
Thousands of people in Jakarta also were forced from their homes last weekend after city canals overflowed during heavy rains.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Are Boediono & Sri Mulyani Guilty?
At the final session of the People's Representative Council last night, four political parties i.e. PDIP, Hanura and 2 members of President SBY's coalition: Golkar and PKS, stated that the Bail Out of Bank Century has been done illegally.
They accused former Governor of Central Bank and current Vice President Boediono, and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani responsible for such illegal action, and urge the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to investigate the case.
Earlier, SBY's Democrat Party stated that there is nothing wrong with the Bail Out and it has been done legally.
Meanwhile, other members of the coalition i.e. PPP, PAN and PKB, and the opposition party Gerindra stated that there were indications of corruption and illegalities in the bailout, but they only mentioned institutions but no names.
For details, please click here, here and here.
I hope that the above decisions are made based on the best interests of the people of Indonesia, thus not just part of their political effort to gain power.
They accused former Governor of Central Bank and current Vice President Boediono, and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani responsible for such illegal action, and urge the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to investigate the case.
Earlier, SBY's Democrat Party stated that there is nothing wrong with the Bail Out and it has been done legally.
Meanwhile, other members of the coalition i.e. PPP, PAN and PKB, and the opposition party Gerindra stated that there were indications of corruption and illegalities in the bailout, but they only mentioned institutions but no names.
For details, please click here, here and here.
I hope that the above decisions are made based on the best interests of the people of Indonesia, thus not just part of their political effort to gain power.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
MUI Rejected Body Scanners
The Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) has rejected the plan to use of Body Scanners on passengers at the airports because it is against the Islamic laws and human rights.
Please find below a related article in The Jakarta Globe for reference.
An airport staff member demonstrating a full body scan in progress at Britain’s Manchester Airport. (AFP Photo)
MUI Says Airport Body Scanners Would Violate Human Rights
The Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) had rejected a plan to use full body scanners in Indonesian airports, claiming it would be a violation of Sharia law and human rights.
“Don’t use it in Indonesia. We are not a paranoid or frightened country, What we are afraid of is the scanner violating human rights and being used as a toy to abuse women,” Amidhan, the council’s chairman, told detik.com.
The council agreed with Pope Benedict’s objections to full body scanners.
“It violates human rights. If only the bones are visible then it’s all right but if it’s the body then it could become a toy,” Amidhan said.
The MUI said that there would be one exception, however.
“It could only be used in emergency situations regarding national security and women should scan women and men scan men,” he said.
Amidhan said that he believed Indonesia was not in an emergency situation at the moment and airport security staff could still make use of other tools.
“As long as other equipment is available, it’s not an emergency,” he said.
The government planned to use ProVision scanner made in USA. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said the scanner would not show individual’s “sensitive parts.” At present, ProVision scanners are on trial in Canadian and French airports, while in Indonesia, the device would be used for passengers heading to the United States.
Please find below a related article in The Jakarta Globe for reference.
MUI Says Airport Body Scanners Would Violate Human Rights
The Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) had rejected a plan to use full body scanners in Indonesian airports, claiming it would be a violation of Sharia law and human rights.
“Don’t use it in Indonesia. We are not a paranoid or frightened country, What we are afraid of is the scanner violating human rights and being used as a toy to abuse women,” Amidhan, the council’s chairman, told detik.com.
The council agreed with Pope Benedict’s objections to full body scanners.
“It violates human rights. If only the bones are visible then it’s all right but if it’s the body then it could become a toy,” Amidhan said.
The MUI said that there would be one exception, however.
“It could only be used in emergency situations regarding national security and women should scan women and men scan men,” he said.
Amidhan said that he believed Indonesia was not in an emergency situation at the moment and airport security staff could still make use of other tools.
“As long as other equipment is available, it’s not an emergency,” he said.
The government planned to use ProVision scanner made in USA. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said the scanner would not show individual’s “sensitive parts.” At present, ProVision scanners are on trial in Canadian and French airports, while in Indonesia, the device would be used for passengers heading to the United States.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Manohara again
The relationship ended after Mano ran away from her husband, and each of them initiated legal actions against the other. But, considering that such actions were taken in each of their own countries, therefore none of them became legally effective.
Afterward, Mano played in an highly paid Indonesian TV Sinetron (soap opera) which was not popular as expected. Beside that, she also tried to maintain popularity by taking part in anti corruption demonstration and other high profile activities.
And recently, KapanLagi.com reported about photos of a person who looks like Mano with a man only described by his initial AM. But someone at Mano's home said that the are not photos of Mano.
Considering that the legal status of her marriage is still unclear, I wonder how will her husband Prince Fakhry will react when he find out about the above photos.
Photo: Courtesy of Yahoo/KapanLagi.
Facebook and Politicians in Pekalongan
That's what I thought when the news media reported about photos in Facebook depicting intimate postures of 2 top officials of the Regency of Pekalongan, Central Java, i.e the Regent Siti Qomariyah (pic-left), and her Deputy Wahyudi Ponco Nugroho (pic-right).
The reason why I felt that way because when both politicians were campaigning for their present offices in the 2006 regional election, similar photos appeared on the internet. Somehow. those photos do not seem have effect on the people who voted for both of them.
And now that both politicians will end their office terms next year and the news media have reported that will run again as candidates in the 2011 regional election, such photos appeared again.
Regarding the photos, the self proclaimed telematic expert Roy Suryo have said that the 2006 photos were originally taken using mobile phone camera.
Meanwhile, the Vice Regent of Pekalongan only said that he never own a Facebook account but refused to answer when journalists asked him about the originality of the photos.
For detailed media reports, please click here, here and here.
All I can say about the story is : very interesting!
Indonesia-Malaysia Borders
Last year, the Indonesian news media reported about disturbing stories on the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia.
One of the most disturbing was about both countries' claims over the sovereignty of the Ambalat water area at the Celebes Sea that separate the northern part of Borneo Island and northern part of Sulawesi Island.
Last Thursday, government officials of both countries finally came to their senses and realized that they belong to neighboring countries that are members of ASEAN, and agreed to prevent clashes between their naval ships in the disputed area as well other area that borders both countries. Please find below a report by Antara.
Malaysia, Indonesia agree on rules of engagement at sea
One of the most disturbing was about both countries' claims over the sovereignty of the Ambalat water area at the Celebes Sea that separate the northern part of Borneo Island and northern part of Sulawesi Island.
Last Thursday, government officials of both countries finally came to their senses and realized that they belong to neighboring countries that are members of ASEAN, and agreed to prevent clashes between their naval ships in the disputed area as well other area that borders both countries. Please find below a report by Antara.
Malaysia, Indonesia agree on rules of engagement at sea
Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News/Bernama) -- Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed on the rules of engagement at sea to prevent clashes between the navies of both countries, Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
This also covers patrols in disputed area of Ambalat in the Celebes Sea which both countries have overlapping territorial claims.
"We have agreed on the rules of engagement when carrying out operations to prevent clashes and to ensure peace is maintained," he told a joint news conference with his Indonesian counterpart Prof Dr Purnomo Yusgiantoro after attending the 38th Malaysia-Indonesia General Border Committee meeting here Thursday.
The meeting was attended by Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Azizan Ariffin, Immigration Director-General Abdul Rahman Othman and Army Defence Intelligence Director-General Abd Hadi Husin.
Among those in the Indonesian delegation were Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Da`i Bachtiar and Indonesian National Armed Forces Commander Gen Djoko Santoso.
The Ambalat issue received a wide play-up in the Indonesian media in June last year following accusation that the Malaysian Navy had encroached into the Ambalat water.
Meanwhile, Purnomo said that although the Ambalat issue was not specifically discussed in Thursday`s meeting because the matter was being handled by the Foreign Ministry, the subject nevertheless cropped up when the discussion touched on the issue of rules of engagement.
Meanwhile, Zahid said the meeting also discussed several issues including the operations of panels under the committee such as the Coordinated Operations Control Committee, Joint Exercise Committee, Joint Police Operations Committee and the Socioeconomy Working Group.
He said that both sides also agreed to deploy more personnel at five border posts in Entikong and Simanggaris in Kalimantan on the Indonesian side and in Biawak and Lubuk Antu in Sarawak and Seliku in Sabah, on the Malaysian side.
Both sides also agreed to enhance joint exercise initiatives and had approved the Malaysia-Indonesia Samudera and Angkasa Joint Land Exercise, he said.
"The bilateral exercise will be held once in four years involving all three branches of the armed forces, with the inaugural exercise to be held in Malaysia`s southern state of Melaka from March 25 to April 10," he said.
To tackle trans-border crime, police of both countries agreed to carry out joint operations and to share information in the efforts to combat illegal activities.
The meeting also welcomed the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency as its newest member. The 39th meeting will be hosted by Indonesia in 2012. (*)
COPYRIGHT © 2010
This also covers patrols in disputed area of Ambalat in the Celebes Sea which both countries have overlapping territorial claims.
"We have agreed on the rules of engagement when carrying out operations to prevent clashes and to ensure peace is maintained," he told a joint news conference with his Indonesian counterpart Prof Dr Purnomo Yusgiantoro after attending the 38th Malaysia-Indonesia General Border Committee meeting here Thursday.
The meeting was attended by Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Azizan Ariffin, Immigration Director-General Abdul Rahman Othman and Army Defence Intelligence Director-General Abd Hadi Husin.
Among those in the Indonesian delegation were Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Da`i Bachtiar and Indonesian National Armed Forces Commander Gen Djoko Santoso.
The Ambalat issue received a wide play-up in the Indonesian media in June last year following accusation that the Malaysian Navy had encroached into the Ambalat water.
Meanwhile, Purnomo said that although the Ambalat issue was not specifically discussed in Thursday`s meeting because the matter was being handled by the Foreign Ministry, the subject nevertheless cropped up when the discussion touched on the issue of rules of engagement.
Meanwhile, Zahid said the meeting also discussed several issues including the operations of panels under the committee such as the Coordinated Operations Control Committee, Joint Exercise Committee, Joint Police Operations Committee and the Socioeconomy Working Group.
He said that both sides also agreed to deploy more personnel at five border posts in Entikong and Simanggaris in Kalimantan on the Indonesian side and in Biawak and Lubuk Antu in Sarawak and Seliku in Sabah, on the Malaysian side.
Both sides also agreed to enhance joint exercise initiatives and had approved the Malaysia-Indonesia Samudera and Angkasa Joint Land Exercise, he said.
"The bilateral exercise will be held once in four years involving all three branches of the armed forces, with the inaugural exercise to be held in Malaysia`s southern state of Melaka from March 25 to April 10," he said.
To tackle trans-border crime, police of both countries agreed to carry out joint operations and to share information in the efforts to combat illegal activities.
The meeting also welcomed the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency as its newest member. The 39th meeting will be hosted by Indonesia in 2012. (*)
COPYRIGHT © 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
No more Short Visa
For many years, government officials have stated that the tourism sector is a very important source of income for Indonesia, therefore very serious efforts must be made to attract foreign tourists to come and stay here as long as possible.
I wonder whether that that's the reason why the short time visa would be scraped, as reported by Tourism Indonesia below.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Indonesia's new visa rule sparks outcry
Resort developers and tour agents who market tour packages for Batam and Bintan islands are crying foul over Jakarta's sudden decision to change its visa rules.
On Jan 25, the Law and Human Rights Ministry said it would scrap the option for a US$10 visa-on-arrival for visitors from non-Asean countries, like the United States and Australia, which would let them stay in Indonesia for seven days.
It said that from Jan 26, only the 30-day visa costing US$25 would be issued.
Officials pitched the change as a bonus. Tourists could now stay longer to see more of the country, as their 30-day stay could then be extended by another month without them having to leave the country.
The government also said that having just one type of visa would reduce incidents of graft. It cited cases of officials issuing US$10 visas to those who paid US$25 and pocketing the difference.
But their move caused panic among travel agents in places such as Singapore and Taiwan. Many had already sold packages to Batam and Bintan, which are part of Indonesia's Riau Islands province, and had to dig into their own pockets to cover the extra costs.
Mr Andrew Dixon, one of the owners of the Nikoi Island resort off Bintan, pointed out that many visitors went to the islands for only a day of golf. 'It will increase the cost of a visit to Bintan for a family of four by US$60,' he told The Sunday Times. 'The weekend travel market is already price-sensitive as it competes with Malaysia.'
I wonder whether that that's the reason why the short time visa would be scraped, as reported by Tourism Indonesia below.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Indonesia's new visa rule sparks outcry
Resort developers and tour agents who market tour packages for Batam and Bintan islands are crying foul over Jakarta's sudden decision to change its visa rules.
On Jan 25, the Law and Human Rights Ministry said it would scrap the option for a US$10 visa-on-arrival for visitors from non-Asean countries, like the United States and Australia, which would let them stay in Indonesia for seven days.
It said that from Jan 26, only the 30-day visa costing US$25 would be issued.
Officials pitched the change as a bonus. Tourists could now stay longer to see more of the country, as their 30-day stay could then be extended by another month without them having to leave the country.
The government also said that having just one type of visa would reduce incidents of graft. It cited cases of officials issuing US$10 visas to those who paid US$25 and pocketing the difference.
But their move caused panic among travel agents in places such as Singapore and Taiwan. Many had already sold packages to Batam and Bintan, which are part of Indonesia's Riau Islands province, and had to dig into their own pockets to cover the extra costs.
Mr Andrew Dixon, one of the owners of the Nikoi Island resort off Bintan, pointed out that many visitors went to the islands for only a day of golf. 'It will increase the cost of a visit to Bintan for a family of four by US$60,' he told The Sunday Times. 'The weekend travel market is already price-sensitive as it competes with Malaysia.'
Returning Orangutan
The news media has been reporting about the plan of the Department of Forestry to transfer maintenance of endangered animals to other parties, such as by renting out Sumatra Tigers to rich people, and renting out Komodo to a zoo in Budapest, Hungary.
Actually, there are better ways to save endangered animals, as reported by The Jakarta Globe below.
Rescued Orangutans Return to the Wild
Lone Droscher-Nielsen, left, and her staff at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Project plan to release 75 rehabilitated orangutans into the wild early next year. (Photo: Linda Davidson, AP)
Actually, there are better ways to save endangered animals, as reported by The Jakarta Globe below.
Rescued Orangutans Return to the Wild
Over the past decade, Lone Droscher-Nielsen, a former Scandinavian Airlines Systems flight attendant, has saved nearly 600 orphaned orangutans in Borneo from almost certain death. Funded by donations from abroad, she’s given the apes food, shelter and better health care than many humans in these parts ever get.
Now, the 46-year-old Dane is preparing for a more difficult — and controversial — task: returning for the first time ever tame orangutans to the wild. “They were born wild and they deserve to go back in the wild again,” said Droscher-Nielsen, founder and director of the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Project. “That is our ultimate objective.”
Early next year, if all goes according to plan, she’ll release a first batch of about 75 rehabilitated orangutans into a remote forest in Central Kalimantan. Tiny radio transmitters placed under the skin will monitor their movements — and also help answer a big question: Can they survive?
Some experts wonder whether orangutans raised by humans will be able to hack life in the forest, and also worry that diseases they might have caught in captivity will harm kin that never left the jungle.
Droscher-Nielsen, whose 10-year-old project has grown into the world’s largest primate rescue effort, expects most to make it. “The ones we set free are not going to be wild, but they can manage,” she said.
It will take a couple of generations for bad habits picked up in captivity to be completely purged. Disease, she added, shouldn’t be a problem because the area selected for the trial release doesn’t have a viable orangutan community of its own.
The orangutan — which in Indonesian means “man of the forest” — is one of mankind’s closest cousins in the animal kingdom, sharing about 97 percent of its DNA with humans. But it has suffered catastrophically from contact with man.
A century ago, Borneo had more than 300,000 wild orangutans. Today, the number has fallen to about 50,000, most of which live in Central Kalimantan. They could vanish if forests keep getting chopped down at the current rate of what Indonesian environmentalists say equals the size of six football fields every minute. Palm oil plantations, which have expanded rapidly in recent years as demand for the cheap oil surged, have led to an even bigger influx of baby apes at the rescue center.
Droscher-Nielsen initially hoped to start returning orangutans to the wild years ago but, as forests kept retreating, it became increasingly difficult to find a safe place to put them. The task was further complicated by the fact that rehabilitated apes don’t fear humans — a big problem when many humans see them as a menace and want them dead.
Keeping orangutans fed and sheltered is expensive. The Nyaru Menteng project has a staff of about 200 people. Salaries, food, medicines and other expenses mean that it costs about $2,000 a year for each of the nearly 600 apes in residence. That is more than twice the average annual income for humans in the area. Another 400 or so are being cared for in other rehabilitation centers elsewhere in Borneo.
“I’d like to be an orangutan,” said Nordin, a local environmental activist. “They get given meals and when they get sick they get sent to hospital.”
Adult orangutans spend much of the day in a nearby peatland forest that is off-limits to loggers and oil palm growers. Each afternoon, dozens come out of the trees for a “social hour” in the main compound. They munch fruit, climb on a jungle gym and play on swings. At night, the adults are escorted to a cluster of cages while the young are piled into wheelbarrows and taken to a separate sleeping area.
To survive back in the wild, orangutans will have to forget their pampered past lifestyle. Droscher-Nielsen’s staff has devised a number of techniques to try and help prepare them for life on their own in the forest. About 125 apes have been moved onto islands in a nearby river, where they have little contact with humans. They still get most of their food provided but have to work harder to get it: It has been stuck up in trees instead of just left on the ground.
Some of her center’s orangutans, said Droscher-Nielsen, have scant chance of ever surviving in the wild, so they will have to stay put until they die. This could mean decades, as the average life expectancy is 40 to 45 years. Those likely to stay include the blind, the maimed and apes “just too plain stupid to make it.”
Rescuing baby orangutans is a “welfare issue but it is not good for conservation,” said John Burton, head of World Land Trust, a British conservation group. He’s against returning orangutans that might be carrying human diseases to the forest and thinks that keeping them in expensive rehabilitation centers is “not cost-effective” as it only adds to a “world surfeit of captive orangutans.” The main focus, he said, should be on protecting forests and the wild apes that live in them.
“I don’t look at this with my brain. I look at it with my heart,” Droscher-Nielsen said. “We’re the cause of their becoming orphans. What should we do, just euthanize them? Should we just kill them say, ‘I don’t really care?’ ”
The Washington Post
Now, the 46-year-old Dane is preparing for a more difficult — and controversial — task: returning for the first time ever tame orangutans to the wild. “They were born wild and they deserve to go back in the wild again,” said Droscher-Nielsen, founder and director of the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rehabilitation Project. “That is our ultimate objective.”
Early next year, if all goes according to plan, she’ll release a first batch of about 75 rehabilitated orangutans into a remote forest in Central Kalimantan. Tiny radio transmitters placed under the skin will monitor their movements — and also help answer a big question: Can they survive?
Some experts wonder whether orangutans raised by humans will be able to hack life in the forest, and also worry that diseases they might have caught in captivity will harm kin that never left the jungle.
Droscher-Nielsen, whose 10-year-old project has grown into the world’s largest primate rescue effort, expects most to make it. “The ones we set free are not going to be wild, but they can manage,” she said.
It will take a couple of generations for bad habits picked up in captivity to be completely purged. Disease, she added, shouldn’t be a problem because the area selected for the trial release doesn’t have a viable orangutan community of its own.
The orangutan — which in Indonesian means “man of the forest” — is one of mankind’s closest cousins in the animal kingdom, sharing about 97 percent of its DNA with humans. But it has suffered catastrophically from contact with man.
A century ago, Borneo had more than 300,000 wild orangutans. Today, the number has fallen to about 50,000, most of which live in Central Kalimantan. They could vanish if forests keep getting chopped down at the current rate of what Indonesian environmentalists say equals the size of six football fields every minute. Palm oil plantations, which have expanded rapidly in recent years as demand for the cheap oil surged, have led to an even bigger influx of baby apes at the rescue center.
Droscher-Nielsen initially hoped to start returning orangutans to the wild years ago but, as forests kept retreating, it became increasingly difficult to find a safe place to put them. The task was further complicated by the fact that rehabilitated apes don’t fear humans — a big problem when many humans see them as a menace and want them dead.
Keeping orangutans fed and sheltered is expensive. The Nyaru Menteng project has a staff of about 200 people. Salaries, food, medicines and other expenses mean that it costs about $2,000 a year for each of the nearly 600 apes in residence. That is more than twice the average annual income for humans in the area. Another 400 or so are being cared for in other rehabilitation centers elsewhere in Borneo.
“I’d like to be an orangutan,” said Nordin, a local environmental activist. “They get given meals and when they get sick they get sent to hospital.”
Adult orangutans spend much of the day in a nearby peatland forest that is off-limits to loggers and oil palm growers. Each afternoon, dozens come out of the trees for a “social hour” in the main compound. They munch fruit, climb on a jungle gym and play on swings. At night, the adults are escorted to a cluster of cages while the young are piled into wheelbarrows and taken to a separate sleeping area.
To survive back in the wild, orangutans will have to forget their pampered past lifestyle. Droscher-Nielsen’s staff has devised a number of techniques to try and help prepare them for life on their own in the forest. About 125 apes have been moved onto islands in a nearby river, where they have little contact with humans. They still get most of their food provided but have to work harder to get it: It has been stuck up in trees instead of just left on the ground.
Some of her center’s orangutans, said Droscher-Nielsen, have scant chance of ever surviving in the wild, so they will have to stay put until they die. This could mean decades, as the average life expectancy is 40 to 45 years. Those likely to stay include the blind, the maimed and apes “just too plain stupid to make it.”
Rescuing baby orangutans is a “welfare issue but it is not good for conservation,” said John Burton, head of World Land Trust, a British conservation group. He’s against returning orangutans that might be carrying human diseases to the forest and thinks that keeping them in expensive rehabilitation centers is “not cost-effective” as it only adds to a “world surfeit of captive orangutans.” The main focus, he said, should be on protecting forests and the wild apes that live in them.
“I don’t look at this with my brain. I look at it with my heart,” Droscher-Nielsen said. “We’re the cause of their becoming orphans. What should we do, just euthanize them? Should we just kill them say, ‘I don’t really care?’ ”
The Washington Post
Thursday, February 18, 2010
New Hope for Sumatra Rhino
The Sumatran rhinoceros is a one of the most endangered animals in the world, with only about 200 remaining in the wild, 180 in Indonesia and the rest in Malaysia.
In the last 15 years, their numbers have decreased more than 50%, mostly killed by men who hunted for their horns believed to have medicinal ingredients.
Recently, Indonesian conservationists at the Rhino Sanctuary in Lampung, made a breakthrough in efforts to save the rhino after an 8 years old female called Ratu became pregnant in captivity. It happened after Ratu mate with Andalas, the first of only three Sumatran rhinos born in captivity in more than a century. Andalas was born on September 13, 2001 at a zoo in Cincinnati, USA, while Ratu was rescued in 2005 after she was chased from a forest in Sumatra by villagers. The baby is predicted to 36 days old, and expected to be born on May 2011.In the last 15 years, their numbers have decreased more than 50%, mostly killed by men who hunted for their horns believed to have medicinal ingredients.
For details, please click here and here.
This is a very good news for us. I hope efforst to save the endangered Sumatra Rhino would be continued so that their numbers will increase.
Photo: Courtesy of Google/AFP.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Transvestites Contest in Aceh
So when an Acehnese woman, Qory Sandioriva, was elected as Miss Indonesia 2009, Ulamas (Muslim cleric) in Aceh have strongly protested against it.
Due to the above, I was very surprised when I read that on 14 February, Transvestites (homosexuals) in Aceh held its first beauty pageant for Transvestites. And Zifana Lestisia (19) from Lhokseumawe was chosen as the Social & Culture Envoy 2010 who will represent Aceh at the national level.
The event organizer told the media that Ulama in Aceh have given their permit for the event. But this was denied by the Ulama who said that the transvestites came to them to ask for guidance to hold a charity event, not a beauty pageant. The ulama felt that they have been fooled by the Tranvestites.
For details, please click here and here.
Hmmmm ...... it would be very interesting to know the further development of this case.
Photo : Courtesy of Yahoo/Viva.
Unusual Marriages
The Marriage Law No.1/1974 adopted the Monogamy concept, whereby a man can only marry one woman, and a woman can only marry one man.
However the said Law also give possibility for men to practice Polygamy, i.e. marry more than one woman under very strict conditions, as follows :
1) The man should get an approval from the Court to marry another woman;
2) The man's wife is not able to fulfill obligations as a wife; or severely ill or cannot give birth to a child;
3) The man's wife should give a written approval for him to marry another woman;
4) The man should be morally & materially capable to support more than one family;
5) The man should be able treat his families equally;
Considering the above very strict conditions, some men would marry again illegally:
1) Based on his own religion but not registered with the registrar office as required by the Marriage Law, this illegal practice is known as SIRI Marriage.
Example: Illegal marriage between Syeh Puji(43) and Ulfa (12).
2) Only based on a mutual agreement between a man and woman, thus against the Marriage Law which require religious ceremony and official registration.
Note: Usually between an expatriate and an Indonesian woman.
Due to their illegal status, the man can dump his illegal wife anytime and any way he wants, and their children would only have legal relationship with the woman (as mother).
Considering the above, the Department of Religion has prepared a Bill of Law regarding unusual marriages i.e. Polygamy and Ilegal Marriages which will make people who are involved in illegal marriages criminals. This Bill has been supported by the Chief of the Supreme Court, Chief of the Constitutional Court, the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), memberrs of Parliament, and Female activists.
For detailed reports, please click here, here and here.
I hope that the Bill of Law would firmly determine the status of Unusual Marriages, including Polygamy.
However the said Law also give possibility for men to practice Polygamy, i.e. marry more than one woman under very strict conditions, as follows :
1) The man should get an approval from the Court to marry another woman;
2) The man's wife is not able to fulfill obligations as a wife; or severely ill or cannot give birth to a child;
3) The man's wife should give a written approval for him to marry another woman;
4) The man should be morally & materially capable to support more than one family;
5) The man should be able treat his families equally;
Considering the above very strict conditions, some men would marry again illegally:
1) Based on his own religion but not registered with the registrar office as required by the Marriage Law, this illegal practice is known as SIRI Marriage.
Example: Illegal marriage between Syeh Puji(43) and Ulfa (12).
2) Only based on a mutual agreement between a man and woman, thus against the Marriage Law which require religious ceremony and official registration.
Note: Usually between an expatriate and an Indonesian woman.
Due to their illegal status, the man can dump his illegal wife anytime and any way he wants, and their children would only have legal relationship with the woman (as mother).
Considering the above, the Department of Religion has prepared a Bill of Law regarding unusual marriages i.e. Polygamy and Ilegal Marriages which will make people who are involved in illegal marriages criminals. This Bill has been supported by the Chief of the Supreme Court, Chief of the Constitutional Court, the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), memberrs of Parliament, and Female activists.
For detailed reports, please click here, here and here.
I hope that the Bill of Law would firmly determine the status of Unusual Marriages, including Polygamy.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The SIRI Marriage
Basically, a man can only have one wife, and a woman can only have one husband.
However, a man can request the Court of Law to allow him to marry more than one woman, if his existing wife gave her approval.
In spite of the above stipulations of the Marriage Law No. 1/1974, some Muslim men have married women based on the Islamic Law but do not register the marriage with with the marriage registrar office. Such kind of marriage is called the SIRI marriage.
According to Kompas, women activists have protested against SIRI marriage because it does not provide legal protection to women. They proposed that men who practiced SIRI Marriage should be treated as criminals, and punnished by the Court of Law. This proposal was supported by the Chief of the Supreme Court Harifin A. Tumpa, and the Chief of the Constitutional Court Mahfud MD.
Considering the above, I hope that the law enforcement agencies would make more serious efforts to prevent the SIRI Marriage.
Photo : Courtesy of Kompas
Monday, February 15, 2010
Internet Censor
This draft shall forbid the distribution, transmission and access to Pornography, Indecency, Gambling, Humiliation & sensitive issues pertaining to Ethnics, Religion and Racial through the internet.
Besides, there will be a Multimedia Content Team of 30 people, 15 from society 15 from government, which shall determine the legality of a content, for which purpose it shall analyze internet contents and make sure that they are "safe".
In reaction to the above draft of regulation, online activists in Facebook, Twitter and Kaskus have launched campaigns to fight against the draft.
Considering the above, I hope that the Minister would reconsider said draft of regulation, and even if it should be issued it would not limit freedom of expression that is done in a decent and legal manner.
Source : Courtesy of Yahoo/Viva.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Anand Khrisna & Sexual Harrashment
The students, Tara and Sumidah, said that Anand harassed them after he "brainwashed" them.
And they plan to report Anand to the Police soon.
In reaction to the above allegation, Anand told reporters earlier today that it is not true, because he never give treatment or meditate with one or two students but always with a group of students.
However, Anand said that he is ready to face legal action that will be taken by both females against him.
For detailed media reports, please click here, here, here and here.
This case really surprised me, because the media have always been reporting Anand Khrisna as a famous Spiritual Guru who always talked and write about Inter-religious Harmony, Peace and Culture.
Therefore I hope that this case would be clarified very soon so that people would not be confused anymore.
Photo : Courtesy of Liputan6.
Happy Chinese New Year
Image = Courtesy of Greetings123
Google Buzz
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Freedom of Expression
As a result, every day news media like TV stations, newspapers, magazines reported, online and offline, have been reporting about things that happened in our society that should be improved such as Injustice, Corruption, etc.
Unfortunately, said media also spread information which is sensitive and inappropriate for some people, especially underage children, such as sexual assaults, people being beaten, stabbed or even murdered for slight misunderstandings, and other horrifying stories.
Especially that all TV stations are showing Sinetrons (soap opera) which I personally think not worth watching like horror stories, extra marital affairs, full of lots of rude behaviors and harsh words.
Moreover, the internet provides all kinds of writings and pictures, including Pornography and Violence, which may not be suitable for some people especially under aged children.
Personally, I strongly believe that freedom of expression should be protected. But, as a member of society I want to live in a peaceful & harmonious environment, therefore I strongly believe that freedom of expression should be carried out responsibly and accountably, otherwise it would cause disharmony in society.
Considering the above and cancellation of the draft of the Minister of Information & Communication regarding Multimedia Content, I hope that as Bloggers we always respect other people’s rights, and aware the effect that our words and actions might bring to our society. That way, our Indonesia would be a much better place to live.
Tax Incentives for Renewable Energy
Ever since its oil wells started to dry several years ago, Indonesia has been developing renewable energy projects such as Geothermal and Solar Power.
In order to expedite the development process, on 29 January the government has offered Tax Incentives for such projects.
Please find below an article that I found in Reuter for reference.
JAKARTA, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Indonesia is offering tax incentives to develop renewable energy projects, including geothermal energy, to cut dependency on fossil fuels, a decree published on the finance ministry's web site (www.depkeu.go.id/ind/) showed.
Indonesia has said previously that its wants to use more renewables and is targeting by 2025 an energy use mix of 30 percent from gas, 20 percent from oil-based fuels, 30 percent from coal, and the rest from renewables such as geothermal and solar power.
According to the decree, signed Jan. 29 by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the government will reduce net tax by 5 percent per year on total investment for 6 years.
The government will also allow faster asset amortization and impose a lower tax rate on dividend payments for non-resident investors, the decree said.
The government will also provide exemption from value-added tax and import duty for equipment and machinery used in renewable energy projects.
An exemption on value-added tax on equipment used for exploration of oil and other energy resources, including geothermal, has also been extended until December.
Indonesia, with hundreds of active and extinct volcanoes, has the potential to produce an estimated 27,000 MW of electricity from geothermal sources.
However, that potential remains largely untapped because the high cost of geothermal energy makes the price of electricity generated this way expensive.
Chevron, Local energy firm Medco Energi Internasional and state oil firm Pertamina currently have geothermal investments in Indonesia.
Indonesia has also been offering new exploration rights and financial incentives for oil and gas investors in a bid to stem a steady decline in production that has increased the need for imports.
However, oil industry players have said that the incentives are not sufficient.
Indonesia has turned into a net importer of crude oil in recent years as production has slumped after a failure to tap new fields fast enough. Its crude oil production has dropped from about 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in the 1990s to about 815,000 bpd currently.
(Reporting by Muklis Ali; Editing by Ed Davies)
In order to expedite the development process, on 29 January the government has offered Tax Incentives for such projects.
Please find below an article that I found in Reuter for reference.
Indonesia offers tax incentives for renewable energy
Indonesia has said previously that its wants to use more renewables and is targeting by 2025 an energy use mix of 30 percent from gas, 20 percent from oil-based fuels, 30 percent from coal, and the rest from renewables such as geothermal and solar power.
According to the decree, signed Jan. 29 by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the government will reduce net tax by 5 percent per year on total investment for 6 years.
The government will also allow faster asset amortization and impose a lower tax rate on dividend payments for non-resident investors, the decree said.
The government will also provide exemption from value-added tax and import duty for equipment and machinery used in renewable energy projects.
An exemption on value-added tax on equipment used for exploration of oil and other energy resources, including geothermal, has also been extended until December.
Indonesia, with hundreds of active and extinct volcanoes, has the potential to produce an estimated 27,000 MW of electricity from geothermal sources.
However, that potential remains largely untapped because the high cost of geothermal energy makes the price of electricity generated this way expensive.
Chevron, Local energy firm Medco Energi Internasional and state oil firm Pertamina currently have geothermal investments in Indonesia.
Indonesia has also been offering new exploration rights and financial incentives for oil and gas investors in a bid to stem a steady decline in production that has increased the need for imports.
However, oil industry players have said that the incentives are not sufficient.
Indonesia has turned into a net importer of crude oil in recent years as production has slumped after a failure to tap new fields fast enough. Its crude oil production has dropped from about 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in the 1990s to about 815,000 bpd currently.
(Reporting by Muklis Ali; Editing by Ed Davies)
Is Valentine's Day Haram?
The Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) has issued a fatwa/Edict that consider Valentine Day as Haram (Forbidden).
Although MUI's decision is not part of our national legal system therefore there is no sanction for violation, however considering that MUI is the highest official Islamic organization in Indonesia, therefore such Fatwa would be followed by many Muslims especially those who are fanatics.
The problem is that most Indonesian Muslims are moderates who think and see things from a positively point of view. For them, Valentine Day is a celebration of Love, that is not related to any religion.
I can only hope that these two different groups of people would not conflict frontally against each other.
Please find below an article in The Jakarta Globe for your reference.
Although MUI's decision is not part of our national legal system therefore there is no sanction for violation, however considering that MUI is the highest official Islamic organization in Indonesia, therefore such Fatwa would be followed by many Muslims especially those who are fanatics.
The problem is that most Indonesian Muslims are moderates who think and see things from a positively point of view. For them, Valentine Day is a celebration of Love, that is not related to any religion.
I can only hope that these two different groups of people would not conflict frontally against each other.
Please find below an article in The Jakarta Globe for your reference.
A man works out in a Jakarta gym. The Indonesian Ulema Council has warned against provocative aerobics moves and tight clothes in gyms. (JG Photo)
Indonesian Clerics Slap a Ban on Valentine's Day
Devout Muslims should not spend Sunday gazing at their sweethearts across a romantic, candle-lit dinner, the Indonesian Ulema Council has recommended, declaring celebrations of Valentine’s Day as forbidden in Islam.
Amidhan, head of the council, also known as the MUI, told the Jakarta Globe that celebrating Valentine’s Day was tantamount to spreading Christianity.
“We have to ban Valentine’s Day because we are celebrating another religion’s holiday,” the outspoken cleric said. “Santo Valentino was a Christian, so it is not allowed in Islam. People who celebrate Valentine’s Day are spreading Christian beliefs.”
Muslim leaders in the Islamic stronghold of East Java have already called on their congregations not to celebrate the holiday, arguing that it was sinful and would promote casual sex.
The MUI also ruled against aerobic exercises in “sexy” attire, and expressed reservations about Koranic verses used as cellphone ringtones. “Overenthusiastic aerobic moves with sexy attire, such as tight pants, can arouse sexual desire,” Amidhan said.
“Besides, women are not allowed to wear such attire as they reveal their aurat,” he said, referring to parts of the body that must be covered.
The MUI’s South Sumatra chapter on Friday declared that most workout clothing was un-Islamic and that aerobic exercises involved movements that could ignite sexual desire.
MUI leaders in Tasikmalaya, West Java, also declared Koranic ringtones inappropriate because it would “degrade” the holy book if phones rang in the bathroom or at places such as discotheques.
Soleh Mahmud, deputy secretary general of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), supported the MUI’s advice.
“We have seen the degradation of morals among Muslims in this country as they are adopting Western lifestyles,” he said. “The MUI should be the moral compass for the country’s Muslims.”
But Azyumardi Azra, a prominent academic who advises the vice president, said the MUI was going overboard with its fatwas, or religious decrees.
“They should weigh the issues they want to ban carefully as we have to see it in the social, cultural and political contexts,” he said.
If the MUI continues to issue edicts and bans without considering the broader context, Muslims will just end up ignoring them, Azyumardi said.
“The substance of Valentine’s Day is love, and love is the basis of Islam,” he said. “We don’t have to relate this to faith, as that’s just going overboard. It seems to me that those ulemas who issued the fatwa are narrow-minded.”
Amidhan, head of the council, also known as the MUI, told the Jakarta Globe that celebrating Valentine’s Day was tantamount to spreading Christianity.
“We have to ban Valentine’s Day because we are celebrating another religion’s holiday,” the outspoken cleric said. “Santo Valentino was a Christian, so it is not allowed in Islam. People who celebrate Valentine’s Day are spreading Christian beliefs.”
Muslim leaders in the Islamic stronghold of East Java have already called on their congregations not to celebrate the holiday, arguing that it was sinful and would promote casual sex.
The MUI also ruled against aerobic exercises in “sexy” attire, and expressed reservations about Koranic verses used as cellphone ringtones. “Overenthusiastic aerobic moves with sexy attire, such as tight pants, can arouse sexual desire,” Amidhan said.
“Besides, women are not allowed to wear such attire as they reveal their aurat,” he said, referring to parts of the body that must be covered.
The MUI’s South Sumatra chapter on Friday declared that most workout clothing was un-Islamic and that aerobic exercises involved movements that could ignite sexual desire.
MUI leaders in Tasikmalaya, West Java, also declared Koranic ringtones inappropriate because it would “degrade” the holy book if phones rang in the bathroom or at places such as discotheques.
Soleh Mahmud, deputy secretary general of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), supported the MUI’s advice.
“We have seen the degradation of morals among Muslims in this country as they are adopting Western lifestyles,” he said. “The MUI should be the moral compass for the country’s Muslims.”
But Azyumardi Azra, a prominent academic who advises the vice president, said the MUI was going overboard with its fatwas, or religious decrees.
“They should weigh the issues they want to ban carefully as we have to see it in the social, cultural and political contexts,” he said.
If the MUI continues to issue edicts and bans without considering the broader context, Muslims will just end up ignoring them, Azyumardi said.
“The substance of Valentine’s Day is love, and love is the basis of Islam,” he said. “We don’t have to relate this to faith, as that’s just going overboard. It seems to me that those ulemas who issued the fatwa are narrow-minded.”
Friday, February 12, 2010
Buffaloes Are Not Allowed to Protest
President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) seems to hate Buffaloes so much that his newly formed government has forbid the animal participate in any political protests. Please find below a related article in The Telegraph.
Indonesia bans buffaloes from political protests
Indonesian government bans buffaloes from attending street protests after president expressed his hurt at being compared to the animals.
Published: 1:34PM GMT 04 Feb 2010
Indonesia said it will enforce a ban on buffaloes at street protests after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed his hurt at being compared to one Photo: AFP/GETT
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that he was upset by having his picture stuck onto a water buffalo during a protest in Jakarta.
The softly-spoken ex-general took exception at the suggestion he was "big, stupid and slow like a buffalo".
Protesters had brought the animal to one of a series of protests marking the first 100 days of Mr Yudhoyono's rule.
"They said that I am like a buffalo – big and stupid and slow in moving," he said.
"That statement is not ethical or moral, and to use a buffalo can violate other regulations, like traffic laws."
State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said a long-standing ban on the beasts at protests would be enforced.
"There's a law that's been violated ... which states clearly that protesters should not bring animals, buffaloes," he said.
"Firstly, that's a violation of the law, and secondly, which is more critical, when buffaloes are angry they'll kick and gore."
Mr Yudhoyono was re-elected to a second five-year term in a landslide in July but he is often criticised for being slow, indecisive and failing to use his mandate for reform.
Desmond Mahesa, from the opposition party Gerindra, called the buffalo ban an overreaction and said it shows the president is a weak leader.
"I think he is not a dictator, as long demonstrations are allowed in this country – but he too often complains about people's protests and critics against his administration," he said.
Indonesia bans buffaloes from political protests
Indonesian government bans buffaloes from attending street protests after president expressed his hurt at being compared to the animals.
Published: 1:34PM GMT 04 Feb 2010
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that he was upset by having his picture stuck onto a water buffalo during a protest in Jakarta.
The softly-spoken ex-general took exception at the suggestion he was "big, stupid and slow like a buffalo".
Protesters had brought the animal to one of a series of protests marking the first 100 days of Mr Yudhoyono's rule.
"They said that I am like a buffalo – big and stupid and slow in moving," he said.
"That statement is not ethical or moral, and to use a buffalo can violate other regulations, like traffic laws."
State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said a long-standing ban on the beasts at protests would be enforced.
"There's a law that's been violated ... which states clearly that protesters should not bring animals, buffaloes," he said.
"Firstly, that's a violation of the law, and secondly, which is more critical, when buffaloes are angry they'll kick and gore."
Mr Yudhoyono was re-elected to a second five-year term in a landslide in July but he is often criticised for being slow, indecisive and failing to use his mandate for reform.
Desmond Mahesa, from the opposition party Gerindra, called the buffalo ban an overreaction and said it shows the president is a weak leader.
"I think he is not a dictator, as long demonstrations are allowed in this country – but he too often complains about people's protests and critics against his administration," he said.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Corruption Fighter Sentenced to 18 years in Jail
This afternoon, the District Court of South Jakarta has decided that the former Chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Antasari Azhar is guilty of premeditated murder of a state owned company director Nazruddin and sentenced him to 18 years in prison. Please find below a report in Kompas.
Considering that many key witnesses have testified against the Prosecution in court, Antasari is planning to appeal against said court verdict, the further development of this case would be interesting.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The panel of judges has finally given its verdict for the former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief, Antasari Azhar, accused for the murder of the director of PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran, Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, at the South Jakarta State Court, Jakarta, Thursday. The accused is sentenced for 18 years of imprisonment.
"The panel of judges sentence the accused for 18 years of imprisonment," stated presiding judge Herri Swantoro, Thursday afternoon. The sacked chief of Indonesia’s anti-corruption commission was sentenced after a trial dismissed as a sham by his supporters.
Considering that many key witnesses have testified against the Prosecution in court, Antasari is planning to appeal against said court verdict, the further development of this case would be interesting.
Antasari Proposes A Plea for 18 Year Imprisonment
Kamis, 11 Februari 2010 | 16:17 WIB
"The panel of judges sentence the accused for 18 years of imprisonment," stated presiding judge Herri Swantoro, Thursday afternoon. The sacked chief of Indonesia’s anti-corruption commission was sentenced after a trial dismissed as a sham by his supporters.
“The defendant has been found guilty of involvement in a premeditated murder,” chief judge Herri Swantoro told the South Jakarta District Court at the end of the four-month trial. After the chief judge read the verdict, Antasari proposed a plea for it.
Earlier today the other three accused for masterminding the premeditated murder of Nasrudin have all received their verdicts. The standing so far is: 12 years for Wiliardi Wizar, 15 years for Sigid H. Wibisono, five years for Jerry Hermawan Lo, and finally 18 years for Antasari Azhar.
Antasari's litigation has taken up four months. Antasari's side has stated even before the verdict came out that they'd settle for nothing less than a total victory. "I respect the trial... but as a citizen who obeys the law, we still want to seek the truth, thus we will appeal," stated Antasari himself at the end of the trial. (C17-09)
Earlier today the other three accused for masterminding the premeditated murder of Nasrudin have all received their verdicts. The standing so far is: 12 years for Wiliardi Wizar, 15 years for Sigid H. Wibisono, five years for Jerry Hermawan Lo, and finally 18 years for Antasari Azhar.
Antasari's litigation has taken up four months. Antasari's side has stated even before the verdict came out that they'd settle for nothing less than a total victory. "I respect the trial... but as a citizen who obeys the law, we still want to seek the truth, thus we will appeal," stated Antasari himself at the end of the trial. (C17-09)
Chinese New Year Cakes
Chinese New Year in Indonesia is celebrated by citizens of Chinese origin as well as other Indonesians.
This can be seen from the fact that so many shopping places and other public places, especially in the cities, decorate their place with Chinese decorations like Lanterns, and the Barongsai Dragon attraction.
For example, Kompas reported that Ciputra Mall in West Jakarta, prepare to celebrate this year's Chinese New Year of the Tiger on Sunday 14 February, by displaying a giant replica of the Pagoda temple made of 1,888 Chinese Cakes.
I hope that this New Year of the Tiger will bring more Joy, Peace, Harmony and Prosperity for my fellow Indonesian Chinese citizens as well as other people in the country.
The Marvelous Pagoda Made of Chinese New Year Cakes
Kamis, 11 Februari 2010 | 08:07 WIB
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — To celebrate the coming Chinese New Year, each mall in Jakarta is having its own festivities to attract visitors. Ciputa mall has put up a pagoda replica made of 1,888 Chinese new year cakes. These sticky cakes are also known as sweet nian gao on the mainland.
The pagoda is 5.3 m high, its base is 3.5 x 3.5 m. It's constructed of wood and decorated with unique Chinese ornaments mostly in red.
The pagoda will be displayed for 25 days, from January 27 to February 21, 2010, at the mall's atrium. It took six persons to finish this 600 kg pagoda that costs Rp. 27 million.
On the last day of the pagoda's display, on February 21, the plan is to give away all the cakes to the mall goers then. The replica has received an award from the Indonesian Museum of Records (Muri) for being unique.
"This is Indonesia's first pagoda replica made of Chinese new year cakes," stated Jaya Suprana, the director of Muri, when granting the award, Wednesday, at Ciputra mall's atrium. (HIN/C17-09)
This can be seen from the fact that so many shopping places and other public places, especially in the cities, decorate their place with Chinese decorations like Lanterns, and the Barongsai Dragon attraction.
For example, Kompas reported that Ciputra Mall in West Jakarta, prepare to celebrate this year's Chinese New Year of the Tiger on Sunday 14 February, by displaying a giant replica of the Pagoda temple made of 1,888 Chinese Cakes.
I hope that this New Year of the Tiger will bring more Joy, Peace, Harmony and Prosperity for my fellow Indonesian Chinese citizens as well as other people in the country.
The Marvelous Pagoda Made of Chinese New Year Cakes
Kamis, 11 Februari 2010 | 08:07 WIB
The pagoda is 5.3 m high, its base is 3.5 x 3.5 m. It's constructed of wood and decorated with unique Chinese ornaments mostly in red.
The pagoda will be displayed for 25 days, from January 27 to February 21, 2010, at the mall's atrium. It took six persons to finish this 600 kg pagoda that costs Rp. 27 million.
On the last day of the pagoda's display, on February 21, the plan is to give away all the cakes to the mall goers then. The replica has received an award from the Indonesian Museum of Records (Muri) for being unique.
"This is Indonesia's first pagoda replica made of Chinese new year cakes," stated Jaya Suprana, the director of Muri, when granting the award, Wednesday, at Ciputra mall's atrium. (HIN/C17-09)
Eddy Silitonga, the Cultural Envoy
I always thought that anyone who is appointed to promote Indonesian Culture and Tourism to the world should be very nice looking, passionate & know lots of things about Indonesia, and about other countries, at least their language.
Based on the above thoughts, I have always imagine that the Minister of Tourism & Culture would appoint a popular, intelligent, passionate, and strikingly beautiful lady to take the job.
That is why I was very surprised when I read Twitter message from BeradaDisini yesterday saying that Eddy Silitonga (59), a singer popular in 1970 and 1980 but not anymore, has been appointed as Indonesia's Tourism Envoy.
As part of his duty, Eddy will conduct an overland tour to 49 countries from16 April 2010 until 10 January 2011.
For detailed media reports, please click here and here.
Considering Eddy's old age of 59, and the long and tough overland tour to 49 countries that he should carry out, I wonder whether the promotion would reach its goals effectively.
Nevertheless, I am sure that the Minister and his staffs have carefully considered every possibilities before appointing Eddy Silitonga.
That is why I was very surprised when I read Twitter message from BeradaDisini yesterday saying that Eddy Silitonga (59), a singer popular in 1970 and 1980 but not anymore, has been appointed as Indonesia's Tourism Envoy.
As part of his duty, Eddy will conduct an overland tour to 49 countries from16 April 2010 until 10 January 2011.
For detailed media reports, please click here and here.
Considering Eddy's old age of 59, and the long and tough overland tour to 49 countries that he should carry out, I wonder whether the promotion would reach its goals effectively.
Nevertheless, I am sure that the Minister and his staffs have carefully considered every possibilities before appointing Eddy Silitonga.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Good & Bad about Facebook
This year, the Indonesian news media have reported good and bad news about the social networking media Facebook.
Let's start with the First Good News, about Islamic Schools in Bogor, West Java, supporting the use of Facebook to facilitate communications within their school communities. For details, please click here.
The Second Good News, about Facebook users participating in collecting donation amounting to Rp 1 Billion (US$ 106,000.00) needed for the Liver Transplant of a 17-month-old girl, Bilqis Anindya Passa. Her cause rallied 98,000 Facebook users to join the Bilqis Love Coins group, dedicated to fund-raising via the collection of coins. For detailed report, please click here.
Now we move on to the Bad News, first about Marietta Nova Triani, a 14 years old girl from Surabaya, East Java, who was abducted from 6 to 8 February by Febriari, an 18 years old boy living in Tangerang, Banten, whom she met through Facebook. For details, please click here.
Then the Second Bad News, about the Police in East Java arrested two men for recruiting at least 20 girls, some aged as young as 15, through Facebook, and then posting pictures and profiles of them on their Facebook accounts to arrange “hook-ups” with older men. For details, please click here.
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And then the Last Bad News, about the General Election Commission in Lamongan, East Java, that plan to sue a Facebook user who has written on his FB page a very insulting comment on the Commission. For details, please click here.
In spite of the bad news, I believe that Facebook provide many good things for us. Beside the above two good news, this was also proven last year when FB users forced the Police to free two Deputy Chairmen of the Corruption Erradication Commission (KPK), Bibit and Chandra, from groundless detention; and there was collection of money to help Prita Mulyasari, mother of two toddlers, pay compensation ordered by the Banten High Court, merely for sending e-mails to her friends complaining about the below standard service of the Plaintiff : Omni International Hospital.
The Second Good News, about Facebook users participating in collecting donation amounting to Rp 1 Billion (US$ 106,000.00) needed for the Liver Transplant of a 17-month-old girl, Bilqis Anindya Passa. Her cause rallied 98,000 Facebook users to join the Bilqis Love Coins group, dedicated to fund-raising via the collection of coins. For detailed report, please click here.
Now we move on to the Bad News, first about Marietta Nova Triani, a 14 years old girl from Surabaya, East Java, who was abducted from 6 to 8 February by Febriari, an 18 years old boy living in Tangerang, Banten, whom she met through Facebook. For details, please click here.
Then the Second Bad News, about the Police in East Java arrested two men for recruiting at least 20 girls, some aged as young as 15, through Facebook, and then posting pictures and profiles of them on their Facebook accounts to arrange “hook-ups” with older men. For details, please click here.
.
And then the Last Bad News, about the General Election Commission in Lamongan, East Java, that plan to sue a Facebook user who has written on his FB page a very insulting comment on the Commission. For details, please click here.
In spite of the bad news, I believe that Facebook provide many good things for us. Beside the above two good news, this was also proven last year when FB users forced the Police to free two Deputy Chairmen of the Corruption Erradication Commission (KPK), Bibit and Chandra, from groundless detention; and there was collection of money to help Prita Mulyasari, mother of two toddlers, pay compensation ordered by the Banten High Court, merely for sending e-mails to her friends complaining about the below standard service of the Plaintiff : Omni International Hospital.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Komodo Rental
The Jakarta Rangunan Zoo planned to rent out two endangered giant lizards known as the Komodo to a Zoo in Budapest, Hungary.
Please find below photo of one of the Komodo quoted from The Jakarta Post.
If the purpose of renting out those animals is to look for an alternative way to breed them, then it's okay. However, considering that the original habitat of the Komodos is in the island of Komodo, which like other parts of Indonesia has tropical climate, whereas Hungary is like most European countries has sub-tropical climate with four seasons, therefore the purpose is questionable.
Beauty and the beast: Animal activist Zeby Febrina poses with a komodo dragon named Bagol, 16, at Ragunan Zoo in Jakarta on Sunday. Bagol is one of two komodos to be shipped to Sosto Zoological Park in Hungary, as breeder-in-loans for the next five years. JP/Wendra Ajistyatama
Please find below photo of one of the Komodo quoted from The Jakarta Post.
If the purpose of renting out those animals is to look for an alternative way to breed them, then it's okay. However, considering that the original habitat of the Komodos is in the island of Komodo, which like other parts of Indonesia has tropical climate, whereas Hungary is like most European countries has sub-tropical climate with four seasons, therefore the purpose is questionable.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Keeping Tigers as Pets
The Department of Forestry has planned to sell Endangered Sumatra Tigers to rich people at the price of Rp 1 Billion a couple. And endangered animals lovers have stated their protests.
Apparently, there are people who have actually kept Tigers as pets at their own homes for many years. Please find below a related report in The Jakarta Globe.
Five endangered tigers, including three cubs, have been discovered in the apparently illegal possession of a man with a long-standing penchant for keeping tigers in the great concrete wilds of Tangerang.
A possible link between the man, Kusbanu Hadisumarto, the father of minor celebrity actress Unique Priscilla, and the Taman Safari Indonesia wildlife park has prompted calls for an investigation of the park by the Ministry of Forestry.
Awriya Ibrahim, director of forest protection at the ministry, said Friday that following a tipoff, two adult tigers and three cubs were found Thursday.
He said the ministry would conduct DNA tests to determine if the animals were endangered Bengali tigers, as claimed by Kusbanu, or critically endangered Sumatran tigers.
Regardless, Awriya said, it was still illegal to posses either species without proper documentation.
“If they are Sumatran tigers then we can use the 1990 Law on Conservation [to prosecute] but if they are Bengalis then we need to use international law,” he said.
Under the 1990 Law on Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, those found to be transferring protected animals within Indonesia or abroad face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of Rp 100 million ($8,500).
Kusbanu told local media that the tigers were from Taman Safari, though the respected conservation park denied the claims. It did acknowledge previously lending Kusbanu a Bengali tiger for breeding purposes.
Irma Hermawati, coordinator of the Wildlife Advocacy Institution, said the ministry should impose strict sanctions on Taman Safari should Kusbanu be found guilty of transferring any animal without permission.
“Even if they are Bengalis, they are still listed as an endangered species based on CITES [the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species] so anyone who would want them would need permits from CITES and the host country,” Irma said.
Taman Safari director Tony Sumampau told the Jakarta Globe that in October 1996, Kusbanu asked the park to check on the health of his animals and they discovered that he had a Sumatran tiger and a number of Bengali tigers, “which are not protected.”
Tony said the Taman personnel asked Kusbanu to hand over the Sumatran tiger to the park for conservation and protection.
“Kus finally agreed in exchange for a Bengal tiger from Taman Safari as a mating partner for the ones he had,” Tony said, adding that Taman Safari agreed to temporarily move a Bengali tiger to Kusbanu’s private residence in September 1997.
The permit was extended for another six months in 1998 and the last tiger was returned in 2006, he said.
“We did this only for the sake of saving the Sumatran tiger,” he said, adding that Kusbanu’s aides took the animal to the park and the process was documented.
The ministry’s plans to confiscate the animals on Friday, however, had to be delayed. They will “stay the night” at Kusbanu’s home because the government lacks the facilities to both house and feed the five tigers.
Apparently, there are people who have actually kept Tigers as pets at their own homes for many years. Please find below a related report in The Jakarta Globe.
Bengal tigers cool off in water at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand. (EPA Photo)
Man With Five Tigers in His Home Claims They Came From Taman Safari
Five endangered tigers, including three cubs, have been discovered in the apparently illegal possession of a man with a long-standing penchant for keeping tigers in the great concrete wilds of Tangerang.
A possible link between the man, Kusbanu Hadisumarto, the father of minor celebrity actress Unique Priscilla, and the Taman Safari Indonesia wildlife park has prompted calls for an investigation of the park by the Ministry of Forestry.
Awriya Ibrahim, director of forest protection at the ministry, said Friday that following a tipoff, two adult tigers and three cubs were found Thursday.
He said the ministry would conduct DNA tests to determine if the animals were endangered Bengali tigers, as claimed by Kusbanu, or critically endangered Sumatran tigers.
Regardless, Awriya said, it was still illegal to posses either species without proper documentation.
“If they are Sumatran tigers then we can use the 1990 Law on Conservation [to prosecute] but if they are Bengalis then we need to use international law,” he said.
Under the 1990 Law on Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, those found to be transferring protected animals within Indonesia or abroad face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of Rp 100 million ($8,500).
Kusbanu told local media that the tigers were from Taman Safari, though the respected conservation park denied the claims. It did acknowledge previously lending Kusbanu a Bengali tiger for breeding purposes.
Irma Hermawati, coordinator of the Wildlife Advocacy Institution, said the ministry should impose strict sanctions on Taman Safari should Kusbanu be found guilty of transferring any animal without permission.
“Even if they are Bengalis, they are still listed as an endangered species based on CITES [the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species] so anyone who would want them would need permits from CITES and the host country,” Irma said.
Taman Safari director Tony Sumampau told the Jakarta Globe that in October 1996, Kusbanu asked the park to check on the health of his animals and they discovered that he had a Sumatran tiger and a number of Bengali tigers, “which are not protected.”
Tony said the Taman personnel asked Kusbanu to hand over the Sumatran tiger to the park for conservation and protection.
“Kus finally agreed in exchange for a Bengal tiger from Taman Safari as a mating partner for the ones he had,” Tony said, adding that Taman Safari agreed to temporarily move a Bengali tiger to Kusbanu’s private residence in September 1997.
The permit was extended for another six months in 1998 and the last tiger was returned in 2006, he said.
“We did this only for the sake of saving the Sumatran tiger,” he said, adding that Kusbanu’s aides took the animal to the park and the process was documented.
The ministry’s plans to confiscate the animals on Friday, however, had to be delayed. They will “stay the night” at Kusbanu’s home because the government lacks the facilities to both house and feed the five tigers.
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