Following months of unrest by the supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (2001-2006) the people of Thailand on 3 July carried out a general election and elected 500 members of Parliament.
Result of election was very surprising, whereby the opposition Phue Thai Party led by Yingluck Shinawatra (44), sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, won 265 seats in Parliament, while the ruling Democrat Party led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva only got 159 seats.
Prime Minister Abhisit has acknowledged his defeat and congratulated Yingluck Shinawatra for her victory, the military forces, which played dominant role in Thailand's political life, do not raised any objection, and the Monarchy most probably would also agree with the result of election.
Due to the above mentioned facts, it is most likely that Yingluck Shinawatra will become Thailand's first female Prime Minister.
Thailand is not a strange country for Indonesia, not only because both countries were founding fathers of ASEAN, but also because of centuries of historical relationship which each other.
Indonesian market today is filled with many products imported from Thailand like the Monthong Durian and other Fruits, Rice, Toyota Vios and Honda City cars.
And every year many Indonesians traveled to Thailand for vacation and/or shopping.
Moreover, both countries have experienced authoritarian military rulers, now adopting the same kinds of liberal democracy, and fighting against corruptions.
I hope that the positive things that have happened in Thailand would be taken as good examples by the politicians and military generals in Indonesia on how to govern the country and people.
Showing posts with label ASEAN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ASEAN. Show all posts
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Singapore is a Safe Place to Hide
On 23 May, the Democrat Party dismissed M. Nazaruddin as it's General Treasurer for his alleged role in a Bribery case surrounding a South East Asian Games construction project and an attempt to bribe the Secretary General of of the Constitutional Court Janedri Gaffar with Sing $ 120,000.00.
On 24 May, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) asked the Immigration Office to forbid Nazaruddin from traveling outside Indonesia so as to facilitate investigation on the allegations against him.
Unfortunately, Nazarrudin has departed for Singapore the night before immediately after he was dismissed by his party.
KPK also targeted Nunun Nurbaeti. wife of former Vice Chief of the National Police now a member of the House of Representatives of the Welfare Justice Party (PKS) Adang Darajatun, who has recently been named a Suspect in the Bribery of members of the House of Representatives during the election of Miranda Gultom as the Deputy Chairperson of the Bank Indonesia.
Until now Nunun cannot be questioned because she was reported to be suffering Amnesia, can't remember what happened to her in the past, and before she was named a Suspect Nunun went to Singapore for medical treatment.
Before that, there were other people wanted by the National Police who ran away to Singapore. One of them was ex Tax man Gayus Tambunan who was investigated by the Police for allegations of corruption. Luckily the National Police was able to persuade Gayus to return to Jakarta.
Beside that, there was also Anggodo Wijaya who was found guilty of corruption by the Court in Jakarta, but cannot be jailed because he ran away to Singapore before the authorities arrested him.
The fact that Indonesian and Singapore do not have extradition treaty has made it impossible for Indonesian law enforcement agencies to ask Singapore to turn anyone who broke the laws in Indonesia if they go and hide in Singapore.
However, I hope that Indonesia and Singapore would soon sign an extradition treaty, especially that both are members of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) which in 2015 will become the ASEAN Community.
On 24 May, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) asked the Immigration Office to forbid Nazaruddin from traveling outside Indonesia so as to facilitate investigation on the allegations against him.
Unfortunately, Nazarrudin has departed for Singapore the night before immediately after he was dismissed by his party.
KPK also targeted Nunun Nurbaeti. wife of former Vice Chief of the National Police now a member of the House of Representatives of the Welfare Justice Party (PKS) Adang Darajatun, who has recently been named a Suspect in the Bribery of members of the House of Representatives during the election of Miranda Gultom as the Deputy Chairperson of the Bank Indonesia.
Until now Nunun cannot be questioned because she was reported to be suffering Amnesia, can't remember what happened to her in the past, and before she was named a Suspect Nunun went to Singapore for medical treatment.
Before that, there were other people wanted by the National Police who ran away to Singapore. One of them was ex Tax man Gayus Tambunan who was investigated by the Police for allegations of corruption. Luckily the National Police was able to persuade Gayus to return to Jakarta.
Beside that, there was also Anggodo Wijaya who was found guilty of corruption by the Court in Jakarta, but cannot be jailed because he ran away to Singapore before the authorities arrested him.
The fact that Indonesian and Singapore do not have extradition treaty has made it impossible for Indonesian law enforcement agencies to ask Singapore to turn anyone who broke the laws in Indonesia if they go and hide in Singapore.
However, I hope that Indonesia and Singapore would soon sign an extradition treaty, especially that both are members of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) which in 2015 will become the ASEAN Community.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
ASEAN Summit 2011
The Head of States / Governments of 10 members of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) will meet today, Saturday 7 May, and Sunday 8 May, at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta.
As the annual Chairman of ASEAN for 2011, President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono is scheduled to open the meeting at 9 am this morning. There are three main agenda for the summit meeting :
1) To ensure the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015
2) To ensure that South East Asia will remain as a peaceful and stable region
3) ASEAN participation in maintaining world peace.
Beside that, there are other important issues such as the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, South China Sea dispute, Thai-Cambodia border conflict, Joint Rice Buffer Stock, Fighting Pirates, etc.
In connection with the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015, I hope that all the governments of member countries would socialize the ASEAN programs to their people.
Related articles :
- Indonesia will lead Charge to Establish ..... (The Jakarta Globe)
- Tiga Priotitas Ketua ASEAN (Indonesian Foreign Ministry)
- KTT ke 18 ASEAN di Jakarta (Detik)
As the annual Chairman of ASEAN for 2011, President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono is scheduled to open the meeting at 9 am this morning. There are three main agenda for the summit meeting :
1) To ensure the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015
2) To ensure that South East Asia will remain as a peaceful and stable region
3) ASEAN participation in maintaining world peace.
Beside that, there are other important issues such as the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, South China Sea dispute, Thai-Cambodia border conflict, Joint Rice Buffer Stock, Fighting Pirates, etc.
In connection with the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015, I hope that all the governments of member countries would socialize the ASEAN programs to their people.
Related articles :
- Indonesia will lead Charge to Establish ..... (The Jakarta Globe)
- Tiga Priotitas Ketua ASEAN (Indonesian Foreign Ministry)
- KTT ke 18 ASEAN di Jakarta (Detik)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Peace Loving People
Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Java Jazz Festival has been carried out successfully and peacefully at the Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
According to the event's organizer, around 150,000 people came to watch live performances by world class musicians like Carlos Santana, George Benson, Corine Bailey Rae, George Duke, Bob James, together with many Indonesian jazz musicians like Bubi Chen, Barry Likumahua, etc. The number of audience has increased almost 50% compared to last year's 103,000 people.
Actually the above success in maintaining peaceful events attended by large crowd is not very special for us. Because on 17 February 2011 we have also been successful in organizing an open air rock concert by British rock group Iron Maiden at the Ancol beach resort, North Jakarta attended by around 20,000 people..
Beside that, last December we have also successfully organized several football matches part of the Asean football tournament (AFF-Suzuki Cup) in Jakarta where more than 80,000 people attended per match, even when our national team lose against the champion i.e. the Malaysian team
Considering the above, I believe that the people of Indonesia are peace loving people. I therefore hope that this would make the government and law enforcement agencies more confident in enforcing the laws and never hesitate to take necessary actions against anyone who violates.
That way, Indonesia would be a more peaceful and better place to live for its citizens, and more foreigners would want to come to our country.
According to the event's organizer, around 150,000 people came to watch live performances by world class musicians like Carlos Santana, George Benson, Corine Bailey Rae, George Duke, Bob James, together with many Indonesian jazz musicians like Bubi Chen, Barry Likumahua, etc. The number of audience has increased almost 50% compared to last year's 103,000 people.
Actually the above success in maintaining peaceful events attended by large crowd is not very special for us. Because on 17 February 2011 we have also been successful in organizing an open air rock concert by British rock group Iron Maiden at the Ancol beach resort, North Jakarta attended by around 20,000 people..
Beside that, last December we have also successfully organized several football matches part of the Asean football tournament (AFF-Suzuki Cup) in Jakarta where more than 80,000 people attended per match, even when our national team lose against the champion i.e. the Malaysian team
Considering the above, I believe that the people of Indonesia are peace loving people. I therefore hope that this would make the government and law enforcement agencies more confident in enforcing the laws and never hesitate to take necessary actions against anyone who violates.
That way, Indonesia would be a more peaceful and better place to live for its citizens, and more foreigners would want to come to our country.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Football oh Football
All of my life I have never really love playing or watching football matches.
I played or watched football matches merely to have some good times with my friends who love football.
That was before our national football team played at the ASEAN football tournament i.e. the AFF-Suzuki Cup 2010 last December.
After that, I never missed any match played by our team, discussions about it in the media, and also discussed with friends about the said tournament.
By watching football I could get away from all the ugly news about what's been happening around us i.e Corruption, Injustice, Poverty, Unemployment, Dirty Politicians, et cetera et cetara.
And when our team loose, I didn't mind at all because they tried their best but the Malaysian team was better and deserve to be champion. Anyway, the AFF-Suzuki Cup tournament was a tournament among ASEAN countries, so the most important thing was to maintain the spirit of camaraderie.
This can be seen from the facts that not long after the tournament was over, Malaysian Striker Mohd Safee Sali was transferred to the club Pelita Jaya, and Philipine Strikers James and Phillips Younghusband were transferred to the club Jakarta 1928.
What's disappointing for me was the management of football run by All Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) lead by Nurdin Halid since 2003, including several years when he was jailed for corruption, who proudly declared that he is a member of the Golkar Party and only obeyed his party boss Aburizal Bakrie.
Considering that PSSI is a sport organization funded by the state, Nurdin's attitude has annoyed President SBY and his Democrat Party which is actually in coalition with the Golkar Party.
PSSI's failure to develop better football players and team during Nurdin's leadership has inspired the birth of the Indonesian Premier League (LPI) initiated by businessman/politician Arifin Panigoro. PSSI rejected LPI because they said they already have the Indonesian Super League (LSI). And based on Nurdin's lobby, the international football association FIFA refused to recognize LPI. This has made many people protest and demand for changes in PSSI and asked him to resign.
As Nurdin's office term in PSSI is about to end, he nominated himself and Nirwan Bakrie, brother of Aburizal Bakrie as candidates for the next Chairman and Vice Chairman of PSSI. They have successfully made the candidates qualification committee to dismiss nomination of Army Chief of Staff General George Toisutta and businessman/ politician Arifin Panigoro as candidates.
Anti-Nurdin protests were getting more wild every day, called for PSSI Revolution and took over PSSI office after our pre-Olimpic games team loose 1-3 against Turkmenistan a few days ago.
Considering the above, I felt that football in Indonesia has been contaminated by non-sports interests of those who are managing PSSI. I hope that PSSI would soon be managed by people who have never commited crime, free from non-sport interests and really want to dedicate themselves to develop football in Indonesia.
.
Logo : Courtesy of PSSI.
I played or watched football matches merely to have some good times with my friends who love football.
That was before our national football team played at the ASEAN football tournament i.e. the AFF-Suzuki Cup 2010 last December.
After that, I never missed any match played by our team, discussions about it in the media, and also discussed with friends about the said tournament.
By watching football I could get away from all the ugly news about what's been happening around us i.e Corruption, Injustice, Poverty, Unemployment, Dirty Politicians, et cetera et cetara.
And when our team loose, I didn't mind at all because they tried their best but the Malaysian team was better and deserve to be champion. Anyway, the AFF-Suzuki Cup tournament was a tournament among ASEAN countries, so the most important thing was to maintain the spirit of camaraderie.
This can be seen from the facts that not long after the tournament was over, Malaysian Striker Mohd Safee Sali was transferred to the club Pelita Jaya, and Philipine Strikers James and Phillips Younghusband were transferred to the club Jakarta 1928.
What's disappointing for me was the management of football run by All Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) lead by Nurdin Halid since 2003, including several years when he was jailed for corruption, who proudly declared that he is a member of the Golkar Party and only obeyed his party boss Aburizal Bakrie.
Considering that PSSI is a sport organization funded by the state, Nurdin's attitude has annoyed President SBY and his Democrat Party which is actually in coalition with the Golkar Party.
PSSI's failure to develop better football players and team during Nurdin's leadership has inspired the birth of the Indonesian Premier League (LPI) initiated by businessman/politician Arifin Panigoro. PSSI rejected LPI because they said they already have the Indonesian Super League (LSI). And based on Nurdin's lobby, the international football association FIFA refused to recognize LPI. This has made many people protest and demand for changes in PSSI and asked him to resign.
As Nurdin's office term in PSSI is about to end, he nominated himself and Nirwan Bakrie, brother of Aburizal Bakrie as candidates for the next Chairman and Vice Chairman of PSSI. They have successfully made the candidates qualification committee to dismiss nomination of Army Chief of Staff General George Toisutta and businessman/ politician Arifin Panigoro as candidates.
Anti-Nurdin protests were getting more wild every day, called for PSSI Revolution and took over PSSI office after our pre-Olimpic games team loose 1-3 against Turkmenistan a few days ago.
Considering the above, I felt that football in Indonesia has been contaminated by non-sports interests of those who are managing PSSI. I hope that PSSI would soon be managed by people who have never commited crime, free from non-sport interests and really want to dedicate themselves to develop football in Indonesia.
.
Logo : Courtesy of PSSI.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The ASEAN Community
The meeting discussed about the ASEAN Community which shall be effective in 2015, and other matters such as pressures on Myanmar by Western countries, etc.
This news reminded me of a seminar about ASEAN organized by our Foreign Ministry and the Bekasi Blogger Community in Bekasi, West Java on 7 August 2010, that I attended with 100 other bloggers, students, teachers and journalist.
The Ministry was represented by the Director General of ASEAN Cooperation and three directors who explained that on 15 December 2008, ASEAN launched a Charter, that turned the organization into a legal entity and aimed to create a single Free Trade Area for the region encompassing more than 550 million people.
When the Free Trade Area between ASEAN and China became effective on 1 January 2010, many industrial and trade organizations in Indonesia protested by saying that they are not ready to compete with Customs Free imported goods especially from China, and requested for 2-3 years postponement.
While the ASEAN Community will start in 2015 and will be based on three pillars i.e. Security Community, Economic Community and Socio-Cultural Community.
I hope that the governments of ASEAN countries would do their very best to socialize the idea of ASEAN Community and the benefits that it would bring, so that people in those countries would want to have a closer relationship with each other. This can be done among others by conducting joint events in the fields of sports like the AFF Soccer tournament, culture, education, etc.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Malaysia: Champion, Indonesia: Runner-Up
However, the Indonesian team failed to be Champion, because the Malaysian team have beat them with a score of 0-3 in the first leg match in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.
Therefore, the Malaysian team became the Champion, congratulations! and the Indonesian team became Runner-Up, congratulations!.
In spite of this fact, I am very proud of our team's players, Nasuha and Ridwan who made the above two goals, Gonzales, Okto, Arif, Irfan, Markus and all the other players for their hard works. Thank you very much!
A very big thank you to Coach Alfred Riedl and his assistants who have done their very best to our team.
Moreover, I would like to thank 80,000 supporters of our team who have watched tonight's match peacefully at the Bung Karno Stadium.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Getting Ready for the next Match
The Indonesian national football team was beaten 0-3 by the Malaysian team during the first leg of the Final Round of the AFF-Suzuki Cup in Kuala Lumpur last night.
During the first 45 minutes of the match, both teams have been playing quite balanced, therefore no goal was made.
In the next 45 minutes, the matched was stopped for awhile after our team's goal keeper Markus Horison protested against the frequent use of laser beams that struck his eyes thus obstructed his sightings. But after five minutes the match was resumed.
Our national players became discouraged and unfocused after the Malaysian players made their first goal, followed by second and third goals.
In my opinion, our team lose the match because the players do not play as good as they used to be, and the Malaysian team has played very well.
In spite of the above, I believe that our team still has a chance to become champion if it can get more than three goals in the second leg of the Final Round which will be held in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Why ? Because the players will be playing in front of more than 80,000 supporters and on the same old ground where they have beaten the same Malaysian team 5 - 1 few weeks ago.
Let us hope that our team will learn from their mistakes and do a lot much better this time.
During the first 45 minutes of the match, both teams have been playing quite balanced, therefore no goal was made.
In the next 45 minutes, the matched was stopped for awhile after our team's goal keeper Markus Horison protested against the frequent use of laser beams that struck his eyes thus obstructed his sightings. But after five minutes the match was resumed.
Our national players became discouraged and unfocused after the Malaysian players made their first goal, followed by second and third goals.
In my opinion, our team lose the match because the players do not play as good as they used to be, and the Malaysian team has played very well.
In spite of the above, I believe that our team still has a chance to become champion if it can get more than three goals in the second leg of the Final Round which will be held in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Why ? Because the players will be playing in front of more than 80,000 supporters and on the same old ground where they have beaten the same Malaysian team 5 - 1 few weeks ago.
Let us hope that our team will learn from their mistakes and do a lot much better this time.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
McMenemy and Rahma Azhari
Two days have passed since the Indonesian football team beats the Philippines a.k.a Azkals 1-0 in the Semi Final of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Tournament last Sunday, but the news media in both countries are still discussing about match.
While our media focused on final matches versus Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on 26 December, and Jakarta on 29 December, Filipino media discussed about their team's failure, and relationship between their British coach Simon McMenemy and Indonesian actress Rahma Azhari after the match in Jakarta
Please find below an article quoted from the Filipino media ABS-CBN News.
Indonesian actress gets cozy with Azkals coach
The Jakarta Post believes that the pictures were taken at a nightclub in Jakarta after the Azkals’ AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal match against Indonesia on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Azhari, who is also a model for men’s magazines, is a magnet for controversy, according to Indonesian media.
Other photographs of her with men in compromising positions are also shown online in various Indonesian blogs. The 32-year-old McMenemy was unavailable for comment.
While their national team was busy playing against the Philippines, Indonesian girls were swooning on the Internet over the Younghusbands.
“I fall in love with nomer 10 philpin #younghusband,” said @flegong, highlighting her post with hashtags to be read by more users of the microblogging service.
Even Indonesian men were bitten by the Younghusband bug.
While our media focused on final matches versus Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on 26 December, and Jakarta on 29 December, Filipino media discussed about their team's failure, and relationship between their British coach Simon McMenemy and Indonesian actress Rahma Azhari after the match in Jakarta
Please find below an article quoted from the Filipino media ABS-CBN News.
Indonesian actress gets cozy with Azkals coach
Posted at 12/21/2010 12:56 AM | Updated as of 12/21/2010 11:32 AM
 |
MANILA, Philippines – Who is Rahma Azhari?
Google her name and head to the images section. Satisfied?
Now imagine her in the arms of the Philippine Azkals’ British coach Simon McMenemy.
Wait, don’t imagine anymore.
Azhari has already uploaded a photo of her and McMenemy together during a party in Jakarta.
“Hhhmm goodbye simon, have a nice trip back to manila xoxo,” the Indonesian actress said in her Twitter account.
The Jakarta Post believes that the pictures were taken at a nightclub in Jakarta after the Azkals’ AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal match against Indonesia on Sunday.
“He's just a friend... What a lovely person... Glad to actually met him! Had a great time!” Azhari tweeted.
“Yes that’s him... McMenemy feverrr... :))," she added.
The 29-year-old Azhari, who is also a model for men’s magazines, is a magnet for controversy, according to Indonesian media.
She made the headlines in the world’s most populous Muslim country in November 2008 after naked pictures of her and her sister, Sarah Azhari, made rounds on the Internet.
Other photographs of her with men in compromising positions are also shown online in various Indonesian blogs. The 32-year-old McMenemy was unavailable for comment.
 |
Two Azkals players, brothers James and Phil Younghusband, earlier set female Indonesian Twitter users on fire.
While their national team was busy playing against the Philippines, Indonesian girls were swooning on the Internet over the Younghusbands.
“I fall in love with nomer 10 philpin #younghusband,” said @flegong, highlighting her post with hashtags to be read by more users of the microblogging service.
Even Indonesian men were bitten by the Younghusband bug.
“#TimnasIndonesia #TimnasIndonesia #TimnasIndonesia Bonus #Younghusband,” said Agus Siswoyo.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Indonesia vs Philippines : 1 - 0
The Indonesian national football team beats the Philippines 1-0 in the AFF-Suzuki Cup Semi Final at the Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta.
Christian Gonzales
The single goal was made by striker Christian Gonzales at the 32nd minutes of the first round, watched by 80,000 people including President SBY and the First Lady Ani Yudoyono.
According on AFF rules, the Semi Final should be held on a home and away basis, and tonight's match was supposed to be hosted by the Philippines in their country, but considering that they do not have football stadium that meets AFF's requirements, therefore the Philippines have chosen to host the first leg in Jakarta.
The second leg of the Semi Final shall be held at the same stadium next Sunday, in which our team only need to hold the Philippines draw in order to go to the final round and face the winner of the matches between Malaysia and Vietnam. In the first leg in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia won 2-0. The second leg shall be held in Vietnam next Saturday.
I hope that our team will always be successful all the way. God Bless Indonesia
Photo : Courtesy of Kompas
The single goal was made by striker Christian Gonzales at the 32nd minutes of the first round, watched by 80,000 people including President SBY and the First Lady Ani Yudoyono.
According on AFF rules, the Semi Final should be held on a home and away basis, and tonight's match was supposed to be hosted by the Philippines in their country, but considering that they do not have football stadium that meets AFF's requirements, therefore the Philippines have chosen to host the first leg in Jakarta.
The second leg of the Semi Final shall be held at the same stadium next Sunday, in which our team only need to hold the Philippines draw in order to go to the final round and face the winner of the matches between Malaysia and Vietnam. In the first leg in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia won 2-0. The second leg shall be held in Vietnam next Saturday.
I hope that our team will always be successful all the way. God Bless Indonesia
Photo : Courtesy of Kompas
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The National Soccer Team
Last night I watched on TV the Indonesian national soccer team beat the Laos team with a very convincing score of 6-0 in the AFF Suzuki Cup tournament.
That was the second victory for our national team after they beat the Malaysian team with a score of 5-1 last Wednesday, 1 December.
Coached by Alfred Riedl (Austrian) and lead by the Captain Firman Utina(29) the national team has good players, the most notable ones were Irfan Bachdim (22) , Christian Gonzalez (34), Octovianus Maniani (20).
These two victories make the national team as the winner in Group A and ensure that they will go to the Semifinal. Next Tuesday evening (7.30 pm), they will play against Thailand.
Sources:
- Video Pertandingan Indonesia vs Malaysia 5-1 (Blogg3r)
- Indonesia vs Laos 6-0 (Youtube)
- Indonesia Keen to rest Key Players vs Thailand (The Jakarta Globe)
Photo: Courtesy of The Jakarta Globe
That was the second victory for our national team after they beat the Malaysian team with a score of 5-1 last Wednesday, 1 December.
Coached by Alfred Riedl (Austrian) and lead by the Captain Firman Utina(29) the national team has good players, the most notable ones were Irfan Bachdim (22) , Christian Gonzalez (34), Octovianus Maniani (20).
These two victories make the national team as the winner in Group A and ensure that they will go to the Semifinal. Next Tuesday evening (7.30 pm), they will play against Thailand.
Sources:
- Video Pertandingan Indonesia vs Malaysia 5-1 (Blogg3r)
- Indonesia vs Laos 6-0 (Youtube)
- Indonesia Keen to rest Key Players vs Thailand (The Jakarta Globe)
Photo: Courtesy of The Jakarta Globe
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Indonesia and Malaysia Today
Indonesia and Malaysia are two neighboring countries in South East Asia that have lots of similarities.
The majority population in both countries speak languages that are similar i.e. Indonesian and Malay, have the same religion i.e Islam, and share arts, culture, dishes that are quite similar.
Further, both countries are founding members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) which is getting solid after ratification of the Asean Charter on December 2008, which will be followed by the creation of an Asean Political-Security, Economic and Sosio-Cultural Community in 2015.
In the '70s, many Malaysian came to study in various universities in Indonesia, and many Indonesian Teachers and Lecturers, Medical Doctors, Engineers were sent to Malaysia.
But now the condition is different, most Indonesians who go to work in Malaysia are low educated people who work as maids or similar jobs. Although there many others who go to Malaysia for business, study, vacation and medical check-up.
Relationship between the two neighbors have often been disturbed by bad treatment of Indonesian workers in Malaysia, misunderstandings about ownership of works of arts (i.e batik, dances), or border dispute (i.e the Ambalat water), all of which were settled amicably between both of them.
The latest dispute was caused by the arrest of three patrol officers of the Indonesian Maritime and Fishery Ministry (KKP) by Malaysian Police, following the arrest of seven Malaysian fishermen by KKP patrol on sea north of Bintan Island on 13 August.
This case is rather confusing, because each of them have their own versions of what happened that day.
The KKP alleged that three of their officers were arrested on board the fisherman's boat on Indonesian territory, thus the Malaysian Police have tresspassed our border.
While the Malaysian Police alleged that KKP patrol intercepted the fisherman's boats on Malaysian teritory, then took seven fishermen to Indonesian teritory after the Malaysian Police came, leaving behind the three KKP officials behind on board the fisherman's boat.
After negotiations between the Indonesian Foreign Ministry and their Malaysian counterpart, the three KKP officers, and the seven fishermen were released on Tuesday 17 August.
For details, please read the following articles :
- Arrests at Sea Raise Tensions With Malaysia
- 7 Fishemen kidnapped in Riau
- Petugas KKP Dibebaskan Polisi Malaysia
- 7 Nelayan Malaysia Dipulangkan
The majority population in both countries speak languages that are similar i.e. Indonesian and Malay, have the same religion i.e Islam, and share arts, culture, dishes that are quite similar.
Further, both countries are founding members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) which is getting solid after ratification of the Asean Charter on December 2008, which will be followed by the creation of an Asean Political-Security, Economic and Sosio-Cultural Community in 2015.
In the '70s, many Malaysian came to study in various universities in Indonesia, and many Indonesian Teachers and Lecturers, Medical Doctors, Engineers were sent to Malaysia.
But now the condition is different, most Indonesians who go to work in Malaysia are low educated people who work as maids or similar jobs. Although there many others who go to Malaysia for business, study, vacation and medical check-up.
Relationship between the two neighbors have often been disturbed by bad treatment of Indonesian workers in Malaysia, misunderstandings about ownership of works of arts (i.e batik, dances), or border dispute (i.e the Ambalat water), all of which were settled amicably between both of them.
The latest dispute was caused by the arrest of three patrol officers of the Indonesian Maritime and Fishery Ministry (KKP) by Malaysian Police, following the arrest of seven Malaysian fishermen by KKP patrol on sea north of Bintan Island on 13 August.
This case is rather confusing, because each of them have their own versions of what happened that day.
The KKP alleged that three of their officers were arrested on board the fisherman's boat on Indonesian territory, thus the Malaysian Police have tresspassed our border.
While the Malaysian Police alleged that KKP patrol intercepted the fisherman's boats on Malaysian teritory, then took seven fishermen to Indonesian teritory after the Malaysian Police came, leaving behind the three KKP officials behind on board the fisherman's boat.
After negotiations between the Indonesian Foreign Ministry and their Malaysian counterpart, the three KKP officers, and the seven fishermen were released on Tuesday 17 August.
For details, please read the following articles :
- Arrests at Sea Raise Tensions With Malaysia
- 7 Fishemen kidnapped in Riau
- Petugas KKP Dibebaskan Polisi Malaysia
- 7 Nelayan Malaysia Dipulangkan
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
ASEAN and Blogger
On 15 December 2008, ten members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) including Indonesia, ratified a constitution for the organization called the ASEAN Charter.
Further, on 1 January 2010, the ASEAN China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) came into effect, reducing tariffs on 7,881 product categories in those countries to zero.
Furthermore, in 2015 an ASEAN Community shall be established based on three pillars i.e Security, Economy and Socio-Culture.
Considering that all those " big projects " will surely effect the people living in ASEAN countries, there must be serious efforts to socialized them to the public.
For this purpose, the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with Be-Blog (Bekasi blogger community) to organize a bloggers' gathering on :
Day/Date : Saturday, 7 August 2010
Time : 9 am to 1 pm
Venue : Hotel Horison Bekasi, Krakatau Room, Jl. KH. Noer Ali, Bekasi
Participants : Bloggers in Bekasi, Jakarta and other area.
For detailed agenda and registration, please click here.
I hope that fellow bloggers would use the above event to express whatever they have on their minds, including the impact of the Asean China FTA on Indonesia's economy.
Further, on 1 January 2010, the ASEAN China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) came into effect, reducing tariffs on 7,881 product categories in those countries to zero.
Furthermore, in 2015 an ASEAN Community shall be established based on three pillars i.e Security, Economy and Socio-Culture.
Considering that all those " big projects " will surely effect the people living in ASEAN countries, there must be serious efforts to socialized them to the public.
For this purpose, the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with Be-Blog (Bekasi blogger community) to organize a bloggers' gathering on :
Day/Date : Saturday, 7 August 2010
Time : 9 am to 1 pm
Venue : Hotel Horison Bekasi, Krakatau Room, Jl. KH. Noer Ali, Bekasi
Participants : Bloggers in Bekasi, Jakarta and other area.
For detailed agenda and registration, please click here.
I hope that fellow bloggers would use the above event to express whatever they have on their minds, including the impact of the Asean China FTA on Indonesia's economy.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Are we paying too much for Freedom?
With a population of 240 million living in 17,000 island, with 6 major religions and different cultures, Indonesia is one the most plural country in the world.
Most of the people are Moslems living side by side with Protestants, Catholics, Hindu, Buddha and Confucian.
Since independence on 17 August 1945 until May 1998, Indonesia was governed by authoritarian regimes, where everything, including freedom of expression, should be based on social-political-economical stability and order. People in general and the news media in particular must speak, write and/or do things which are according to the regimes' rules of the games. Otherwise there would be severe consequences.
As a result, social, inter religion, political life seemed to be normal, and the economy grown quite stable.
Then came the so called "Reformasi" after the late President Soeharto stepped down from 32 years of authoritarian rule on 21 May 1998. The Constitution was amended several times, all members of parliament must be elected directly by the people - no more 20% seats for hand picked military representatives - the economic system changed from socialist planned system into a free fight liberal system, people are free to create political parties and organizations, the news media are free to write, talk, show almost everything, etc. etc.
As a result, religious hardliners who were banned in other countries were allowed to return, thereby causing so many problems like years of violence between Moslems and non Moslems in Ambon-Maluku and Poso-Sulawesi. Although the inter-faith violence have ended in both regions, many smaller scale problems happened in other regions. Beside that I should also mention the series of suicide bombings in Bali and Jakarta carried out by people who were "brainwashed" by hard line religious fanatics that have killed so many innocent people.
As I write this post, there are two disputes reported by the media, first one is Moslems violent rejection on the construction of Christian churches and religious activities, and the second one is Moslems rejection on the existence of a Moslem Sect i.e. Ahmadiyah.
Beside that, there are people who died because of other causes, like the Speaker of North Sumatera Parliament who died of heart attack after an angry mob ransacked a plenary meeting. There was also human right activist Munir who was poisoned to death by who knows who? Violence in Papua caused by various reasons including Freeport, regional election campaigns, etc. etc.
Moreover, the concept of free fight economy has made the owners of financial capital to prosper from imports of products in stead of producing locally, causing the closing down of factories : textile and garment, floor and roof tiles, furniture, steel products. Even fruits and vegetables are imported.
With the China-Asean Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) that started on 1 January 2010, that created the Free Trade Area between China and 10 ASEAN countries, things are getting more worst every day.
If no serious efforts is made to protect local industry, including postponement of the CAFTA for 3-5 years, high unemployment rate can be expected to increase in the years to come. As a logical consequence, crime rates would inevitably increase.
But now that the water is already flowing under the bridge, there is no need to regret for what we have chosen. The most important thing right now is that the leaders (Executive, Legislative and Judiciary) should have strong and consistent will to adopt and implement all the laws based on the concept of Rule of Law i.e. Supremacy of Law, Equality Before the Law, Presumption of Innocence, Respect of Human Rights. For that purpose, we need strong, smart, honest, fair and firm leaders who are willing to do his/her very best efforts only for the very best interest of the people of Indonesia.
If we can have all that, we can expect that freedom will bring much better things, and I am sure that Indonesia will prosper continously in the future.
Most of the people are Moslems living side by side with Protestants, Catholics, Hindu, Buddha and Confucian.
Since independence on 17 August 1945 until May 1998, Indonesia was governed by authoritarian regimes, where everything, including freedom of expression, should be based on social-political-economical stability and order. People in general and the news media in particular must speak, write and/or do things which are according to the regimes' rules of the games. Otherwise there would be severe consequences.
As a result, social, inter religion, political life seemed to be normal, and the economy grown quite stable.
Then came the so called "Reformasi" after the late President Soeharto stepped down from 32 years of authoritarian rule on 21 May 1998. The Constitution was amended several times, all members of parliament must be elected directly by the people - no more 20% seats for hand picked military representatives - the economic system changed from socialist planned system into a free fight liberal system, people are free to create political parties and organizations, the news media are free to write, talk, show almost everything, etc. etc.
As a result, religious hardliners who were banned in other countries were allowed to return, thereby causing so many problems like years of violence between Moslems and non Moslems in Ambon-Maluku and Poso-Sulawesi. Although the inter-faith violence have ended in both regions, many smaller scale problems happened in other regions. Beside that I should also mention the series of suicide bombings in Bali and Jakarta carried out by people who were "brainwashed" by hard line religious fanatics that have killed so many innocent people.
As I write this post, there are two disputes reported by the media, first one is Moslems violent rejection on the construction of Christian churches and religious activities, and the second one is Moslems rejection on the existence of a Moslem Sect i.e. Ahmadiyah.
Beside that, there are people who died because of other causes, like the Speaker of North Sumatera Parliament who died of heart attack after an angry mob ransacked a plenary meeting. There was also human right activist Munir who was poisoned to death by who knows who? Violence in Papua caused by various reasons including Freeport, regional election campaigns, etc. etc.
Moreover, the concept of free fight economy has made the owners of financial capital to prosper from imports of products in stead of producing locally, causing the closing down of factories : textile and garment, floor and roof tiles, furniture, steel products. Even fruits and vegetables are imported.
With the China-Asean Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) that started on 1 January 2010, that created the Free Trade Area between China and 10 ASEAN countries, things are getting more worst every day.
If no serious efforts is made to protect local industry, including postponement of the CAFTA for 3-5 years, high unemployment rate can be expected to increase in the years to come. As a logical consequence, crime rates would inevitably increase.
But now that the water is already flowing under the bridge, there is no need to regret for what we have chosen. The most important thing right now is that the leaders (Executive, Legislative and Judiciary) should have strong and consistent will to adopt and implement all the laws based on the concept of Rule of Law i.e. Supremacy of Law, Equality Before the Law, Presumption of Innocence, Respect of Human Rights. For that purpose, we need strong, smart, honest, fair and firm leaders who are willing to do his/her very best efforts only for the very best interest of the people of Indonesia.
If we can have all that, we can expect that freedom will bring much better things, and I am sure that Indonesia will prosper continously in the future.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Imports from China - Up 33.33%
The Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) has just been effective on 1 January 2010, and in only three weeks the number of containers carrying goods from China that arrived at the Jakarta port have reached 12,359, an increase of 33.33 % compared to similar period last year.Pos Kota quoted a Public Relations Officer of the Jakarta port authority as saying that this number is larger than the number of containers that carry goods exported from Indonesia to China during same period which only totaled 9,276.
A member of the People's Representative Council was quoted as saying that the ACFTA is unfair for Indonesia, because the Chinese government provide subsidy for their products making their selling prices much lower than ours. He urged the government to renegotiate the agreement so as to enable our industry prepare themselves. Besides, the Chinese goods must be according to the Indonesian National Standard and bear labels written in Indonesian language.
If this go on uninterrupted, our industries would not be able to compete with much cheaper Chinese goods, and sooner or later they'll be forced to stop production and change business into importing and trading Chinese goods which would be easier and profitable. Their workers would loose their jobs and the number of unemployment would increase drastically.
Considering the above fact, I hope that the government would do its best to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the ACFTA, among others by postponing for at least three years so as to enable our industry prepare themselves to compete with cheaper Chinese products.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Asean-C FTA Readiness
It seems that not all industries are pessimistic about the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement that starts on 1 January 2010.
According to Tempointeraktif the Food and Beverage industries are ready. I hope that the others would also be optimistic.
Food and Beverage Industry Optimistic in Facing ASEAN- China FTA
Monday, 18 January, 2010 | 14:52 WIB
TEMPO Interactive, Surabaya:The Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (Gapmmi) chairman Thomas Darmawan, is optimistic that all food and beverage businesses in Indonesia will remain competitive, despite the ASEAN –China free trade.
“Our products are still preferred over Chinese products,” Thomas said on Monday.
This can be seen from the increasing turnover of local food and beverage businesses. In 2007, the turnover of these two products amounted to Rp 402 trillion. The
amount increased to Rp 505 trillion in 2008 and Rp 545 trillion in 2009.
“We are confident that Indonesians will choose local products over Chinese products,” Thomas
said.
According to Thomas, preference for local products is also indicated by the reduced volume of imported food and beverages. In 2008, imports were worth $1,95 billion, and decreased to $1,90 billion in 2009 and $1,2 billion in 2010.
According to Tempointeraktif the Food and Beverage industries are ready. I hope that the others would also be optimistic.
Food and Beverage Industry Optimistic in Facing ASEAN- China FTA
Monday, 18 January, 2010 | 14:52 WIB
TEMPO Interactive, Surabaya:The Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (Gapmmi) chairman Thomas Darmawan, is optimistic that all food and beverage businesses in Indonesia will remain competitive, despite the ASEAN –China free trade.
“Our products are still preferred over Chinese products,” Thomas said on Monday.
This can be seen from the increasing turnover of local food and beverage businesses. In 2007, the turnover of these two products amounted to Rp 402 trillion. The
amount increased to Rp 505 trillion in 2008 and Rp 545 trillion in 2009.
“We are confident that Indonesians will choose local products over Chinese products,” Thomas
said.
According to Thomas, preference for local products is also indicated by the reduced volume of imported food and beverages. In 2008, imports were worth $1,95 billion, and decreased to $1,90 billion in 2009 and $1,2 billion in 2010.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Asean-China FTA Carries On
In spite of the requests for postponement made by industrialists, the Indonesian government will implement the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) effective 1 January 2010.
Kompas quoted Trade Minister Mari Pangestu as saying that the FTA will boost export of agricultural products like Crude Palm Oil (CPO) and Cacao.
Kompas quoted Trade Minister Mari Pangestu as saying that the FTA will boost export of agricultural products like Crude Palm Oil (CPO) and Cacao.
Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu KOMPAS/LUCKY FRANSISKA
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — The ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) applied since January 1, 2010, reaps controversy. The reason is that the agreement nullifies import duties for thousands of products feared to be threatening the national industry.
Even so, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu underlines that the FTA may benefit Indonesia's export and investments.
"We had the FTA coming from a long while ago. Many sectors can benefit from it," she stated at the New Year press conference, Department of Trade office, Jakarta, Tuesday.
The minister stated that the export sector for main commodities, such as crude palm oil (CPO), cacao, and glass will have a boost due to the FTA. Furthermore, the minister is optimistic that the FTA can boost investments from China to Indonesia. "Our export to China will increase, such as for CPO and cacao."
The minister admits that some industrial sectors have objected the FTA. Therefore, the ministry has formed a special team to deal with the FTA.
Besides, the government has also notified all ASEAN countries and China regarding the objection. Hopefully, the FTA can be postponed for some sectors.Even so, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu underlines that the FTA may benefit Indonesia's export and investments.
"We had the FTA coming from a long while ago. Many sectors can benefit from it," she stated at the New Year press conference, Department of Trade office, Jakarta, Tuesday.
The minister stated that the export sector for main commodities, such as crude palm oil (CPO), cacao, and glass will have a boost due to the FTA. Furthermore, the minister is optimistic that the FTA can boost investments from China to Indonesia. "Our export to China will increase, such as for CPO and cacao."
The minister admits that some industrial sectors have objected the FTA. Therefore, the ministry has formed a special team to deal with the FTA.
"The government is taking rapid responses and will continue to counter the emerging issues. Each sector has its own issues, so it must be studied first," she concluded.
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Asean-China FTA Begins
People in Indonesia, including the government, have been very busy thinking, talking and doing things which are related to Indonesian domestic matters, like Corruption & Injustice, that they forgot that the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will come into force today.Under this agreement, China and six founding members of Asean, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei, will remove tariffs on around 7,000 product categories. While the other Asean members, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia and Laos, will follow on 2015.
The problem is that industries in Indonesia, e.g Steel, Textile, Furniture, have stated that they are still not ready to compete with very cheap Chinese products and requested for temporary postponement of the implementation of FTA. However, considering that the government has not responded positively, therefore Indonesia have to implement the FTA.
For details, please click here, here, here and here.
In spite of the above, I still hope that the government will use its rights, as given by the FTA, to request for at least 3 years postponement, merely because the FTA will have great impact on our industries and cause massive operational close down that will cause massive unemployment and social-politic instability.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Asean-China FTA
On 1 January 2010, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between 10 members of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) and the People's Republic of China shall be implemented.As a consequence, 2,528 goods manufactured in the People's Republic of China will be able to enter the ASEAN market free of any customs.
For Indonesia, where most manufacturers of those products have expressed that they are not ready, implementation of FTA would be like committing an industrial suicide.
Business and manufacturers associations like the Indonesian Iron & Steel Industries Association (IISIA), Association of Indonesian Businessman (Apindo), Indonesian Cosmetic Association (Perkosmi), have stated that their products are not yet ready to compete with much cheaper Chinese goods. Even before the FTA, Chinese good have taken quite a large portion of the market share.
The Coordinating Minister for Economy said that 303 products are not ready to compete e.g. cosmetics, textiles, steel, electronics, tires, furniture, cocoa processing, health care instruments, aluminium, upstream petrochemicals, sheet glass, footwear, machine tools and motor vehicles.
Due tho which facts, the Chairman of APINDO Sofyan Wanandi urged the government to use Article 23 of the FTA which enable countries to request for postponement of implementation of the FTA.
For detailed media reports on the above matter, please click here, here, here, here and here.
I hope that the government realize the devastating impact that the FTA will have on our economy i.e. stop of industries which will lead to widespread unemployment, and therefore postphone Indonesia's implementation of the FTA on products which we are still not ready for at least 3 years.
Image: Courtesy of Deplu Junior.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Chinese Market Domination
For many years, very low priced industrial products made in China, starting from toys, garments, electronics, motor vehicles, have been dominating the Indonesian markets.
According to The Jakarta Globe, starting 1 January 2010, domination by Chinese products will become more worst, because 6,682 of them shall be able to be imported free of duties.
This is part of the pact between 10 member countries of the South East Asian Nations and the Chinese government in November 2002 that agreed to gradually scrap import duties on a wide number of products by 2012.
In response, Airlangga Hartarto of the House of Representative said that domestic producers would be difficult to compete as the Chinese industry was well-integrated from production to distribution in a very efficient way.
While Hidayat Triseputro of the Indonesian Iron & Steel Industry Association (IISA), said eliminating import duties on Chinese goods would allow China to practice what he called a form of “market colonialism.”
However, Rachmat Gobel of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), and head of PT Panasonic Gobel, said that with the Pact, we can hope that illegal imports would be minimized because they threaten our local industries.
However, the Minister of Industry M. Hidayat said that ready or not, we have to proceed with the deal, because we have very little time to renegotiate, and 6 (including Indonesia) out of the 10 ASEAN members have accepted the deal.
Considering that the very cheap Chinese products already beaten Indonesian products, causing many local factories to close down and layoff thousand workers, allowing more of those products to enter without import duties would endanger many more industries and their workerss.
Due to these frightening facts, I hope that the government would reconsider once again and renegotiate the time for Indonesia to carry out the above deal.
According to The Jakarta Globe, starting 1 January 2010, domination by Chinese products will become more worst, because 6,682 of them shall be able to be imported free of duties.
This is part of the pact between 10 member countries of the South East Asian Nations and the Chinese government in November 2002 that agreed to gradually scrap import duties on a wide number of products by 2012.
In response, Airlangga Hartarto of the House of Representative said that domestic producers would be difficult to compete as the Chinese industry was well-integrated from production to distribution in a very efficient way.
While Hidayat Triseputro of the Indonesian Iron & Steel Industry Association (IISA), said eliminating import duties on Chinese goods would allow China to practice what he called a form of “market colonialism.”
However, Rachmat Gobel of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), and head of PT Panasonic Gobel, said that with the Pact, we can hope that illegal imports would be minimized because they threaten our local industries.
However, the Minister of Industry M. Hidayat said that ready or not, we have to proceed with the deal, because we have very little time to renegotiate, and 6 (including Indonesia) out of the 10 ASEAN members have accepted the deal.
Considering that the very cheap Chinese products already beaten Indonesian products, causing many local factories to close down and layoff thousand workers, allowing more of those products to enter without import duties would endanger many more industries and their workerss.
Due to these frightening facts, I hope that the government would reconsider once again and renegotiate the time for Indonesia to carry out the above deal.
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