PRESIDENT CONCERNED ABOUT FOOD PRICE HIKES' IMPACT ON POOR by Fardah

       Jakarta, April 29, 2011 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed concern about the current food price hikes and their impact on poor families.
       "Fluctuations in food and energy prices are still going on worldwide," the head of state said in Jakarta when kicking off the National Development Planning Congress in Jakarta, Thursday (April 28).

RI, SOUTH PACIFIC NATIONS TO BOOST ECO-TOURISM by Fardah

       Jakarta, April 28, 2011 (ANTARA) - In line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Indonesia has offered its expertise in eco-tourism development to small South Pacific island states which have unique natural potentials to attract tourists.
        "Indonesia has technical cooperation program to assist other developing nations as we have large assets and experiences in developing eco-tourism," Director General for Information and Public Diplomacy at the Foreign Ministry Andri Hadi said recently.

FORESTRY MINISTER PLEDGES PRO-PEOPLE, PRO-GROWTH POLICIES by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 27, 2011 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has joined the world in celebrating the International Year of Forest 2011 as declared by The United Nations General Assembly to celebrate people`s action to sustainably manage the world`s forests.
      The International Forest Year 2011`s theme is "Forests for People".

GOVT'S SERIOUS, CONCRETE ACTIONS NEEDED TO CRACK DOWN ON IPR PIRACY by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 26, 2011 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, which has been seen as a heaven for intellectual property right (IPR) piracy, observed World Intellectual Property Day by organizing a National Convention on IPR here Tuesday (April 26).
       When officially kicking off the National Convention at the State Palace, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono instructed intensive eradication of intellectual property rights violations.

PEOPLE'S WELFARE IMPROVEMENT YET TO BE SEEN IN REGIONAL AUTONOMY by Fardah

     Jakarta, April 25, 2011 (ANTARA) - Vice President Boediono led a function to observe the 15th anniversary of Regional Autonomy Day in Bogor, West Java, Monday (April 25). Regional Autonomy Day was also commemorated in regions throughout the country.
       Regional Autonomy Day is observed every April 25, based on e Presidential Decree No. 11/1996 on Regional Autonomy. This year`s theme is "With the Spirit of Regional Autonomy, We Improve the Regional Administration Implementation Performance in Public Services and Regional Innovation."

RI STRIVES TO REDUCE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 23, 2011 (ANTARA) - As a country with the highest maternal mortality rate in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has been struggling to save more lives of women among other things by providing free birth delivery services and Family Planning program.

       Coordinating minister for people`s welfare Agung Laksono recently stated that the government had been committed to reducing the rate in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

INDONESIA BRACES FOR 18TH ASEAN SUMMIT by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 22, 2011 (ANTARA) - Indonesia as this year`s ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) chair, is bracing for the 18th ASEAN Summit to be held in Jakarta, May 7-8, 2011.
       Preparations for the ASEAN Summit and related activities which would be organized at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), from May 4 to 8, had basically been completed, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said last Tuesday (19/4) when announcing the host`s readiness.

ROSIHAN ANWAR, TRUE JOURNALIST by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 16, 2011 (ANTARA) - Rosihan Anwar who passed away on Thursday (April 14) is seen by many people, particularly his colleagues, as a true journalist and a role model.
      Jakob Oetama, founder of Kompas daily and a noted press figure himself, said he had learned a lot from Rosihan whom he described as a true, independent and smart journalist and author.

JAKARTA GEARS UP FOR REALIZATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 14, 2011 (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa and Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo have lately been busy discussing preparations for the implementation of infrastructure projects in Jakarta.
       They have given extra attention to the infrastructure projects after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had made a harsh criticism on stalled infrastructure development plans particularly in the capital city which is notorious for grave traffic jams.

RI CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN LIBYA by Fardah

       Jakarta, April 12, 2011 (ANTARA) - In line with the African Union`s proposed-Road Map to end conflicts in Libya, Indonesia has also called for immediate cease-fire and dialogs between the Muammar Gaddafi camp and the rebels.
       The most recent call for cease-fire was voiced by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono together with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in their joint statement on Libya issued when Gul was visiting Jakarta on April 5, 2011.

TRADE VALUE OF INDONESIA-TURKEY INCREASES: ENVOY

     Jakarta, April 7, 2011 (ANTARA) - The value of Indonesia-Turkey trade was recorded at 1.7 billion US dollars in 2010, up from 1.2 billion US dollars in 2009, according to an Indonesian ambassador.

          "Since the visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Turkey in June 2010 up to the visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Indonesia this week, there has been progresses in the bilateral trade value," Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Nahari Agustini said here Thursday.

PRESIDENT GUL'S HISTORIC VISIT BOOSTS BILATERAL TIES by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 7, 2011 (ANTARA) - Turkish President Abdullah Gul concluded his three-day state visit to Indonesia on Wednesday afternoon (April 6) after signing a number of agreements that will bring the bilateral ties between Turkey and Indonesia much closer.
       President Gul`s visit was successful as it was marked by the signings of several agreements and MOUs, Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Nahari Agustini said here Thursday.

FORESTS CAN'T AFFORD DELAY IN MORATORIUM'S IMPLEMENTATION by Fardah

       Jakarta, April 5, 2011 (ANTARA) - The government is supposed to impose a moratorium on deforestation starting January 2011, but it has been delayed for the last three months reportedly due to intervention from business and political interests.
      Immediate implementation of moratorium has been called for especially by environmental NGO activists to protect Indonesia`s remaining 130-million-hectare forest, which is the world`s third largest after Brazil and Congo.

SUMATRA ON ALERT AS BIRD FLU COMES BACK by Fardah

     Jakarta, April 2, 2011 (ANTARA) - The sudden death of thousands of chickens has been reported in several cities on Sumatra Island over the past several months.
     Local health authorities have confirmed that most of the chickens had died of bird flu or avian influenza (H5N1).   The poultry deaths due to bird flu have occurred among other things in the Sumatran provinces of West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Jambi and Bangka Belitung.