It has been around one month since the media reported about the circulation of a Video showin sexual intercourse between a man who looked like vocalist of pop band Peterpan, Ariel, and two female who looked like model and presenters i.e. his girlfriend Luna Maya, and Cut Tari.
All of this time there is nothing new about this case, the Police had only named Ariel as Suspect and although both women have been questioned time and again, but their statuses still remain Witnesses. And few days ago the Police announced that they have named eight persons who are involved in the distribution of the video as suspects. This very slow investigation is really very surprising if we compare it with the Police's recent successes in eliminating (= killing) alleged Terrorists.
Like any other news about celebrities, the development of this case has been very closely monitored and reported by the news media almost every hour of the day, as if it is the most important thing in Indonesia right now.
As a result, people pay more attention to this rubbish news than to other news which are far more important for them like the 10 to 18% Electricity Hike starting 1 July, followed by announcements about plans to increase Tariffs for : Toll Road, Transportation, Car Taxes. Besides, there are also other news about the rising prices of daily commodities, about Cylinder Gas explosions, Corruptions, etc., etc., etc. .................
Considering the above, I felt that the Sex Video have distracted public's attentions from what are actually much more important for them, and therefore saving the government from all the troubles, i.e. massive public protest, that might have been caused by those more important news.
Further, the Sex Video news benefited the print and electronic News Media who got more viewers and readers, thereby attracting more advertisements.
Furthermore, the Sex Video news benefited Ariel, Peterpan, the recording company and distributors of the band's new album which is planned to be release sometime in the near future.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Deadly Gas Cylinders
In an effort to minimize subsidy for imported fuels, in 2006 the government converted the use of Kerosene into Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) distributed in 3-Kg. Gas Cylinders .
Since then, every day the news media have been reporting about so many people who died and/or wounded because of the explosions of the very low quality Gas Cylinders. In response to people's protests, some members of the House of Representatives have asked the government to withdraw all Gas Cylinders from circulation.
The most shocking thing is that in spite of the frequent explosions causing many casualties, no one seems to be willing to take responsibility for those explosions. The state-owned petroleum company PT. Pertamina that supplied the Gas and Gas Cylinders, blamed the consumers for not being careful in using the Gas Cylinder, its Hose and Regulator.
Only after the President, Vice President and some Cabinet Ministers commented on this grave matter, PT Pertamina come with a suggestion that LPG consumers should change the Hose and Regulator for the Gas Cylinder they currently used by buying new, better quality and cheaper ones, from Pertamina.
Considering that the 3-kg. Gas Cylinders have exploded, killed and wounded so many people in many parts of Indonesia, I hope that the government would treat this case very important, therefore ask the law enforcement agencies to investigate thoroughly, like they investigated the far less important Sex Video case.
I also hope that PT Pertamina would closely monitor the distribution of Gas Cylinders, so that they would not explode again.
Related media reports :
- Converted to Death (Tempo)
- Polisi Selidiki Penyebab Ledakan Gas 3 Kg (Inilah)
- 14 Produsen Selang Tabung Gas 3 Kg Dievaluasi (PosKota)
- DPR: Tarik Semua Tabung Gas 3 Kg. (VivaNews)
Since then, every day the news media have been reporting about so many people who died and/or wounded because of the explosions of the very low quality Gas Cylinders. In response to people's protests, some members of the House of Representatives have asked the government to withdraw all Gas Cylinders from circulation.
The most shocking thing is that in spite of the frequent explosions causing many casualties, no one seems to be willing to take responsibility for those explosions. The state-owned petroleum company PT. Pertamina that supplied the Gas and Gas Cylinders, blamed the consumers for not being careful in using the Gas Cylinder, its Hose and Regulator.
Only after the President, Vice President and some Cabinet Ministers commented on this grave matter, PT Pertamina come with a suggestion that LPG consumers should change the Hose and Regulator for the Gas Cylinder they currently used by buying new, better quality and cheaper ones, from Pertamina.
Considering that the 3-kg. Gas Cylinders have exploded, killed and wounded so many people in many parts of Indonesia, I hope that the government would treat this case very important, therefore ask the law enforcement agencies to investigate thoroughly, like they investigated the far less important Sex Video case.
I also hope that PT Pertamina would closely monitor the distribution of Gas Cylinders, so that they would not explode again.
Related media reports :
- Converted to Death (Tempo)
- Polisi Selidiki Penyebab Ledakan Gas 3 Kg (Inilah)
- 14 Produsen Selang Tabung Gas 3 Kg Dievaluasi (PosKota)
- DPR: Tarik Semua Tabung Gas 3 Kg. (VivaNews)
The Notorious FPI
On 21 May 1998, President Soeharto stepped down after 32 year of authoritarian rule, since then Indonesia experienced a liberal democratic system.
One of the by product of such system is the creation of an organization called Front Pembela Islam (FPI) or Islamic Defender Front in 1998.
In spite of its name, FPI's actions did not reflect that of a religious organization, its members often carried out brutal violence such as raiding entertainment places and making threats. The worst thing is that most of such actions were untouchable by the law. For that reason, many people alleged that FPI has been maintained by the Police and/or the military for certain purpose.
The latest act act of violence was on 24 June when a group of people who claimed to be members of FPI ransacked a seminar organized by some members of the House of Representatives in Banyuwangi, East Java, which FPI accused has been organized illegally by former members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) which was disbanded in 1965.
The above acts of violence have been strongly protested by the public, many of them demanded that FPI should be disbanded.
However, in several TV interviews FPI's spokesman denied that they took part in the said violence in Banyuwangi, saying that FPI has changed its paradigm from violence to non violence, and will dismiss members who do not obey this rule.
Further, FPI accused that its name has been used by certain people to divert public's attention from far more important things that is happening in Indonesia today.
Considering the fact that FPI's frequent violent actions were almost untouchable by the laws, I felt that FPI has been intentionally maintained by the security agencies to do things which would divert public's attention from far more important things in life like the (10% to 20%) electricity hike starting 1 July. And such action seems to be quite successful.
I hope that the law enforcement agencies would investigate all allegations against FPI and punish them if proven guilty.
Related articles in the media :
- Islamic Defenders Front (Wikipedia)
- Daftar Aksi Front Pembela Islam (Wikipedia)
- Front Pembela Islam (FPI) in Indonesia (Indonesia Matters)
- Kronologis Peristiwa Banyuwangi (FPI site)
- Ulil: FPI Harus Dibubarkan (Tempo)
- Rieke Punya Bukti Keterlibatan FPI (Kompas)
- Tuntutan Pembubaran FPI Tidak Mengada-Ada (Legalitas)
- Menko Polkam: Percuma Kita Bubarkan (Rakyat Merdeka)
One of the by product of such system is the creation of an organization called Front Pembela Islam (FPI) or Islamic Defender Front in 1998.
In spite of its name, FPI's actions did not reflect that of a religious organization, its members often carried out brutal violence such as raiding entertainment places and making threats. The worst thing is that most of such actions were untouchable by the law. For that reason, many people alleged that FPI has been maintained by the Police and/or the military for certain purpose.
The latest act act of violence was on 24 June when a group of people who claimed to be members of FPI ransacked a seminar organized by some members of the House of Representatives in Banyuwangi, East Java, which FPI accused has been organized illegally by former members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) which was disbanded in 1965.
The above acts of violence have been strongly protested by the public, many of them demanded that FPI should be disbanded.
However, in several TV interviews FPI's spokesman denied that they took part in the said violence in Banyuwangi, saying that FPI has changed its paradigm from violence to non violence, and will dismiss members who do not obey this rule.
Further, FPI accused that its name has been used by certain people to divert public's attention from far more important things that is happening in Indonesia today.
Considering the fact that FPI's frequent violent actions were almost untouchable by the laws, I felt that FPI has been intentionally maintained by the security agencies to do things which would divert public's attention from far more important things in life like the (10% to 20%) electricity hike starting 1 July. And such action seems to be quite successful.
I hope that the law enforcement agencies would investigate all allegations against FPI and punish them if proven guilty.
Related articles in the media :
- Islamic Defenders Front (Wikipedia)
- Daftar Aksi Front Pembela Islam (Wikipedia)
- Front Pembela Islam (FPI) in Indonesia (Indonesia Matters)
- Kronologis Peristiwa Banyuwangi (FPI site)
- Ulil: FPI Harus Dibubarkan (Tempo)
- Rieke Punya Bukti Keterlibatan FPI (Kompas)
- Tuntutan Pembubaran FPI Tidak Mengada-Ada (Legalitas)
- Menko Polkam: Percuma Kita Bubarkan (Rakyat Merdeka)
Monday, July 5, 2010
Heavier Punishment for Tax Inspector
In Indonesia, men and women working with the Directorate General of Taxation are given a lot much higher salary compared to other civil servants, so that they can do their job properly and responsibly in collecting Tax badly needed for the management and development of the country.
Due to this fact, it is obvious that Tax Inspectors who are not honest in doing their jobs should face heavier legal consequences.
Please find below a related article that I quoted from The Jakarta Globe.
Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Jail Time for Tax Inspector
Due to this fact, it is obvious that Tax Inspectors who are not honest in doing their jobs should face heavier legal consequences.
Please find below a related article that I quoted from The Jakarta Globe.
Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Jail Time for Tax Inspector
Prosecutors are seeking a 12-year sentence for suspended tax official Edi Setiadi for his role in a Rp 81.43 billion ($8.9 million) tax evasion case involving a provincial government-owned bank in West Java between 2001 and 2002.
Edi, a former chief tax investigator at the West Java Tax Office in Bandung, is alleged to have manipulated the tax returns of lender PT Bank Jabar-Banten in exchange for Rp 2.55 billion in bribes, prosecutors told the Anti-Corruption Court in Jakarta on Monday.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) previously said the tax fraud amounted to Rp 44.3 billion, but have since revised that estimate based on witness testimony to Rp 81.43 billion.
“The defendant’s actions caused substantial losses to the state,” KPK prosecutor Hadianto told the court.
Prosecutors allege that in 2001, Bank Jabar was supposed to have paid Rp 129.2 billion in taxes, which Edi slashed to Rp 74 billion. In 2002, the lender owed the state Rp 51.8 billion, which Edi again reduced to Rp 25.57 billion, prosecutors say.
The KPK last week named four of Edi’s former subordinates suspects for conspiring in the felony. They include Roy Yuliandri, Dedy Suwardi, Muhammad Yazid and Dien Rajana Mulya.
Edi is alleged to have taken Rp 565 million from the Rp 2.55 billion kickback and given the rest to the four others.
The KPK has also named former Bank Jabar chief accountant Hery Achmad Buchori a suspect in the case.
Prosecutors are seeking a Rp 200 million fine from Edi and restitution amounting to the sum of money he allegedly took.
Former Bank Jabar director Umar Syarifudin has already been convicted in the case and sentenced to seven years in prison.
In a separate case, the KPK has given 10 members of the Jakarta City Council an ultimatum to hand over the bribe money they allegedly received from the city administration to suppress a follow-up inquiry into April’s Tanjung Priok riot.
“A week ago we sent the councilors summons to clarify the issue and hand over any money they may have received as illegal gratuities,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi said on Monday. “So far none of them has come forward.”
Council Deputy Speaker Triwisaksana previously alleged that administration officials had attempted to bribe the councilors to not follow through on findings from the inquiry that may have seen several city officials face criminal negligence charges for the deadly riot.
But Triwisaksana said he was not aware of any councilor having taken a bribe.
Several weeks after the riot, in which three people died, a fact-finding team from the City Council called for the North Jakarta mayor and public order agency chief to be held accountable for their roles.
However, the recommendations were not followed up on by either the council or the city administration.
Edi, a former chief tax investigator at the West Java Tax Office in Bandung, is alleged to have manipulated the tax returns of lender PT Bank Jabar-Banten in exchange for Rp 2.55 billion in bribes, prosecutors told the Anti-Corruption Court in Jakarta on Monday.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) previously said the tax fraud amounted to Rp 44.3 billion, but have since revised that estimate based on witness testimony to Rp 81.43 billion.
“The defendant’s actions caused substantial losses to the state,” KPK prosecutor Hadianto told the court.
Prosecutors allege that in 2001, Bank Jabar was supposed to have paid Rp 129.2 billion in taxes, which Edi slashed to Rp 74 billion. In 2002, the lender owed the state Rp 51.8 billion, which Edi again reduced to Rp 25.57 billion, prosecutors say.
The KPK last week named four of Edi’s former subordinates suspects for conspiring in the felony. They include Roy Yuliandri, Dedy Suwardi, Muhammad Yazid and Dien Rajana Mulya.
Edi is alleged to have taken Rp 565 million from the Rp 2.55 billion kickback and given the rest to the four others.
The KPK has also named former Bank Jabar chief accountant Hery Achmad Buchori a suspect in the case.
Prosecutors are seeking a Rp 200 million fine from Edi and restitution amounting to the sum of money he allegedly took.
Former Bank Jabar director Umar Syarifudin has already been convicted in the case and sentenced to seven years in prison.
In a separate case, the KPK has given 10 members of the Jakarta City Council an ultimatum to hand over the bribe money they allegedly received from the city administration to suppress a follow-up inquiry into April’s Tanjung Priok riot.
“A week ago we sent the councilors summons to clarify the issue and hand over any money they may have received as illegal gratuities,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi said on Monday. “So far none of them has come forward.”
Council Deputy Speaker Triwisaksana previously alleged that administration officials had attempted to bribe the councilors to not follow through on findings from the inquiry that may have seen several city officials face criminal negligence charges for the deadly riot.
But Triwisaksana said he was not aware of any councilor having taken a bribe.
Several weeks after the riot, in which three people died, a fact-finding team from the City Council called for the North Jakarta mayor and public order agency chief to be held accountable for their roles.
However, the recommendations were not followed up on by either the council or the city administration.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
U.S Kretek Cigarette Ban
On September 2009, the United States of America issued the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act that prohibits the sales of all kinds of flavored cigarettes including Indonesia's Kretek cigarettes in the U.S, except menthol cigarettes.
Indonesia thought that this law violated regulations of theWorld Trade Organization (WTO), because it excemps menthol cigarettes which is actually flavored cigarettes like Kretek. Therefore Indonesia has brought this matter to WTO's dispute settlement body.
Please find some details below that I have quoted from an article in Kompas.
I hope that the WTO would make a fair decision on this matter.
Indonesia thought that this law violated regulations of theWorld Trade Organization (WTO), because it excemps menthol cigarettes which is actually flavored cigarettes like Kretek. Therefore Indonesia has brought this matter to WTO's dispute settlement body.
Please find some details below that I have quoted from an article in Kompas.
I hope that the WTO would make a fair decision on this matter.
Indonesia Urged US to Scrap Its "Kretek" Cigarette Ban
Jumat, 2 Juli 2010 | 10:08 WIB
AP/Steve Helber.
In this photo made May 18, 2009, flavored cigarettes are on display at a tobacco store in Richmond, Va. Kretek International Inc. , the nations top distributor of clove cigarettes, is offering fans a new way to get their fix after the spice-flavored cigarettes are banned later this year cigars.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia has urged the United States to lift its ban on aromatic cigarette imports that would cause Jakarta to cut its ’kretek’ (clove-flavored) cigarette exports to that country and reduce its foreign exchange earning.
"Indonesia’s foreign exchange income from kretek cigarette exports is expected to drop significantly this year due to the imposition of the ban," Frans Rupang, director for prosecution and prevention of the Directorate General of Customs, said.
The United States has imposed the ban since September 2009 based on its law that prohibits the entry into the country of aromatic tobacco, yet both nations are still negotiating the matter. According to US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R Hume, Indonesia and the US are still negotiating the US ban on Indonesia’s kretek cigarette exports to the United States.
Speaking on the sidelines of the US Independence Day anniversary which falls on July 4, in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday evening, Cameron R Hume said that Indonesia was of the view that the ban violated the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s regulations. Therefore, the United States and Indonesia were discussing the matter but the envoy said he could predict what would come out of the negotiation process.
"Let’s wait," he said.
However, if the United States remains to impose the ban, Indonesia’s cigarette exports and income from this sector would decline significantly. Frans Rupang said that in 2009 cigarette exports contributed 6.451 million dollars to the state. Indonesia’s kretek cigarette exports to the United States in 2008 totaled 298.932 million pieces worth US$6.662 million and in 2009 they stood at 267.308 million pieces worth US$6.451 million.
Since the imposition of the ban, there was practically no Indonesia’s kretek exports to the United States this year. Rupang said that the contribution to the state of the country’s kretek cigarette exports to the United States was the biggest one compared to that exported to other countries. Therefore, the ban reduced Indonesia’s income from kretek exports significantly, he said.
According to the Ministry of Trade, exports of various kinds of cigarettes to the US in 2007 reached US$11,165,432 and dropped to US$9,703,991 in 2008 and US$8,338,419 in 2009. The realization of exports of the product from January to March 2010 reached US$2,531,317 higher than in the same period last year that was recorded at US$2,531,989.
During the period however no exports of cigarette tobacco that include clove cigarettes were done. This happened following the implementation of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act as of September 2009. The law prohibits sale of all kinds of flavored cigarettes including clove cigarettes in the US except menthol cigarettes.
The Indonesian government has asked the WTO to solve its dispute over the ban of its kretek exports to the United States. Washington has banned the commodity’s imports based on its health law which also prohibited the importation of other aromatic cigarettes in an effort to prevent youths from being addicted.
Indonesia has previously taken the ban to Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO with regard to the imposition of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. The Indonesian government considers the law running against the WTO regulation because it exempts menthol cigarettes while menthol and clove cigarettes are like products according to Article 2.1 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade or TBT Agreement.
Around 99 percent of clove cigarettes sold in the US are imported from Indonesia while all menthol cigarettes are produced in the US and because of that, according to the Indonesian government, the US implicitly bans imports of clove cigarettes.
The government considers the ban discriminative. As a member of the WTO, the US must have carried out its international obligation as mentioned in the TBT Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade or GATT of 1994.
The director general of international trade cooperation of the ministry of trade, Gusmardi Bustami, said the move to take the matter to the WTO dispute settlement body was the last resort. He said the government has already expressed its opposition to the regulation while it was still being discussed at the US Congress.
Indonesia, he said, has also conveyed its complaint in various bilateral forums at senior official and ministerial levels for more than four years but it had come to no avail.
"This is about principles. There has been discrimination," Gusmardi said.
In the DSB WTO meeting on June 22, 2010 in Geneva, the Indonesian delegation conveyed reasons and legal basis for the need to form a panel to deal with the problem.
He said Indonesia had asked the panel to investigate the violation by the US against Article III of the GATT of 1994 and the use of Article XX of GATT 1994 without providing scientific evidence and meeting the provisions in a number of articles in the TBT and Sanitary and Phythosanitary Act (SPS).
In the meeting the US delegation expressed disappointment over the Indonesian move. The US has asked Indonesia to reconsider its request for the establishment of a panel to investigate the case.
Gusmardi said the rejection by the US was common, had often happened in a DSB meeting because the US as a disputed party has a right to block the move on the first occasion in line with the WTO’s provision on Dispute Settlement Understanding.
"Indonesia’s foreign exchange income from kretek cigarette exports is expected to drop significantly this year due to the imposition of the ban," Frans Rupang, director for prosecution and prevention of the Directorate General of Customs, said.
The United States has imposed the ban since September 2009 based on its law that prohibits the entry into the country of aromatic tobacco, yet both nations are still negotiating the matter. According to US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R Hume, Indonesia and the US are still negotiating the US ban on Indonesia’s kretek cigarette exports to the United States.
Speaking on the sidelines of the US Independence Day anniversary which falls on July 4, in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday evening, Cameron R Hume said that Indonesia was of the view that the ban violated the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s regulations. Therefore, the United States and Indonesia were discussing the matter but the envoy said he could predict what would come out of the negotiation process.
"Let’s wait," he said.
However, if the United States remains to impose the ban, Indonesia’s cigarette exports and income from this sector would decline significantly. Frans Rupang said that in 2009 cigarette exports contributed 6.451 million dollars to the state. Indonesia’s kretek cigarette exports to the United States in 2008 totaled 298.932 million pieces worth US$6.662 million and in 2009 they stood at 267.308 million pieces worth US$6.451 million.
Since the imposition of the ban, there was practically no Indonesia’s kretek exports to the United States this year. Rupang said that the contribution to the state of the country’s kretek cigarette exports to the United States was the biggest one compared to that exported to other countries. Therefore, the ban reduced Indonesia’s income from kretek exports significantly, he said.
According to the Ministry of Trade, exports of various kinds of cigarettes to the US in 2007 reached US$11,165,432 and dropped to US$9,703,991 in 2008 and US$8,338,419 in 2009. The realization of exports of the product from January to March 2010 reached US$2,531,317 higher than in the same period last year that was recorded at US$2,531,989.
During the period however no exports of cigarette tobacco that include clove cigarettes were done. This happened following the implementation of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act as of September 2009. The law prohibits sale of all kinds of flavored cigarettes including clove cigarettes in the US except menthol cigarettes.
The Indonesian government has asked the WTO to solve its dispute over the ban of its kretek exports to the United States. Washington has banned the commodity’s imports based on its health law which also prohibited the importation of other aromatic cigarettes in an effort to prevent youths from being addicted.
Indonesia has previously taken the ban to Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO with regard to the imposition of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. The Indonesian government considers the law running against the WTO regulation because it exempts menthol cigarettes while menthol and clove cigarettes are like products according to Article 2.1 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade or TBT Agreement.
Around 99 percent of clove cigarettes sold in the US are imported from Indonesia while all menthol cigarettes are produced in the US and because of that, according to the Indonesian government, the US implicitly bans imports of clove cigarettes.
The government considers the ban discriminative. As a member of the WTO, the US must have carried out its international obligation as mentioned in the TBT Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade or GATT of 1994.
The director general of international trade cooperation of the ministry of trade, Gusmardi Bustami, said the move to take the matter to the WTO dispute settlement body was the last resort. He said the government has already expressed its opposition to the regulation while it was still being discussed at the US Congress.
Indonesia, he said, has also conveyed its complaint in various bilateral forums at senior official and ministerial levels for more than four years but it had come to no avail.
"This is about principles. There has been discrimination," Gusmardi said.
In the DSB WTO meeting on June 22, 2010 in Geneva, the Indonesian delegation conveyed reasons and legal basis for the need to form a panel to deal with the problem.
He said Indonesia had asked the panel to investigate the violation by the US against Article III of the GATT of 1994 and the use of Article XX of GATT 1994 without providing scientific evidence and meeting the provisions in a number of articles in the TBT and Sanitary and Phythosanitary Act (SPS).
In the meeting the US delegation expressed disappointment over the Indonesian move. The US has asked Indonesia to reconsider its request for the establishment of a panel to investigate the case.
Gusmardi said the rejection by the US was common, had often happened in a DSB meeting because the US as a disputed party has a right to block the move on the first occasion in line with the WTO’s provision on Dispute Settlement Understanding.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Indonesia's Melting Glacier
The Indonesian Province of Papua in the Island of New Guinea, has lots of specific natural characteristics, one of which being an all year long glacier on the top of Puncak Jaya mountain.
Unfortunately, due to global warming this last remaining glacier in the Pacific has melted by 60% in the last 40 years, and if nothing change it will totally disappear by 2050.
Please find below more details that I have quoted from The Telegraph.
Indonesia's last remaining glacier 'to disappear'
The last remaining glacier in the Pacific will disappear within years because of global warming, scientists have warned.
They found that while the ice has been shrinking throughout the last century the speed has increased dramatically since the last scientific expedition.
Lonnie Thompson, who led the expedition, said: “The Papuan glaciers are dying. Before I was thinking they had a few decades, but now I’d say we’re looking at years.”
Glaciers worldwide are in retreat, with major losses already seen across much of Alaska, the Alps, the Andes and numerous other ranges.
The Papuan glaciers are melting quicker than others because they are unique in lying along the fringe of the world’s warmest ocean.
They are important in understanding more about weather patterns as the region generates El Nino disturbances and influences climate from India’s monsoons to Amazon droughts.
Researchers found that the mountain had lost about 80 per cent of its ice since 1936 — two-thirds of that since the 1970s.
Unfortunately, due to global warming this last remaining glacier in the Pacific has melted by 60% in the last 40 years, and if nothing change it will totally disappear by 2050.
Please find below more details that I have quoted from The Telegraph.
Indonesia's last remaining glacier 'to disappear'
The last remaining glacier in the Pacific will disappear within years because of global warming, scientists have warned.
Puncak Jaya, in Indonesia, has melted by 60 per cent in the past 40 years. If it continues at this rate it could vanish completely by 2050.
Thousands of years ago ice covered much of Papua but today the glacier extends across a surface area of just one square mile.
Glaciologists trekked to the remote glacier on one of Indonesia’s most isolated corners to carry out the first study there since the early 1970s.
Glaciologists trekked to the remote glacier on one of Indonesia’s most isolated corners to carry out the first study there since the early 1970s.
They found that while the ice has been shrinking throughout the last century the speed has increased dramatically since the last scientific expedition.
Lonnie Thompson, who led the expedition, said: “The Papuan glaciers are dying. Before I was thinking they had a few decades, but now I’d say we’re looking at years.”
Glaciers worldwide are in retreat, with major losses already seen across much of Alaska, the Alps, the Andes and numerous other ranges.
The Papuan glaciers are melting quicker than others because they are unique in lying along the fringe of the world’s warmest ocean.
They are important in understanding more about weather patterns as the region generates El Nino disturbances and influences climate from India’s monsoons to Amazon droughts.
Researchers found that the mountain had lost about 80 per cent of its ice since 1936 — two-thirds of that since the 1970s.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Software Piracy in Indonesia
For many years, Indonesia has been known as a haven for Software Piracy.
This is ironic because Indonesia has been trying its best to protect Copyrights in general and Computer Software in particular for the last 28 years, i.e. since the Copyright Law was promulgated in 1982.
Further, Indonesia has also tried to satisfy the wishes of foreign countries by amending the said law three times i.e. in 1987, 1997 and 2002.
Furthermore, Indonesia has also ratified international conventions for protection of Intellectual Property Rights, i.e establishment of the World Trade Organization which includes Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in 1994, Bern Convention in 1997 and World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty in 1997.
Unfortunately, all those efforts failed to prevent Software Piracy, which can be seen from the fact that it is not difficult to get a fake Computer Software from many shopping places in Jakarta and vicinity.
According to the Business Software Alliance (BSA) i.e. an agency established by the world's prominent software producers a.o. Microsoft, Apple, Autodesk, Adobe, Corel and Symantec, Software Piracy in Indonesia will be increasing this year.
In spite of the gloomy situation, some local Software manufacturers have been quite successful in developing and marketing their own products in Indonesia and foreign market.
Considering the above, I felt that more serious efforts must be made to eradicate Software Piracy in Indonesia i.e. by enforcing the above mentioned Copyright Law, so that the Software industry can be developed more rapidly.
Please find below some related articles :
- Hak Cipta (Copyrights)
- Indonesia To See Software Piracy Rising This Year.
- Indonesia's Global Brand (Part 8 : Software).
This is ironic because Indonesia has been trying its best to protect Copyrights in general and Computer Software in particular for the last 28 years, i.e. since the Copyright Law was promulgated in 1982.
Further, Indonesia has also tried to satisfy the wishes of foreign countries by amending the said law three times i.e. in 1987, 1997 and 2002.
Furthermore, Indonesia has also ratified international conventions for protection of Intellectual Property Rights, i.e establishment of the World Trade Organization which includes Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in 1994, Bern Convention in 1997 and World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty in 1997.
Unfortunately, all those efforts failed to prevent Software Piracy, which can be seen from the fact that it is not difficult to get a fake Computer Software from many shopping places in Jakarta and vicinity.
According to the Business Software Alliance (BSA) i.e. an agency established by the world's prominent software producers a.o. Microsoft, Apple, Autodesk, Adobe, Corel and Symantec, Software Piracy in Indonesia will be increasing this year.
In spite of the gloomy situation, some local Software manufacturers have been quite successful in developing and marketing their own products in Indonesia and foreign market.
Considering the above, I felt that more serious efforts must be made to eradicate Software Piracy in Indonesia i.e. by enforcing the above mentioned Copyright Law, so that the Software industry can be developed more rapidly.
Please find below some related articles :
- Hak Cipta (Copyrights)
- Indonesia To See Software Piracy Rising This Year.
- Indonesia's Global Brand (Part 8 : Software).
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