Year-Ender - INDONESIA INTENSIVELY HUNTS DOWN TERROR SUSPECTS IN 2012 by Fardah

   Jakarta, Dec 31, 2012 (ANTARA) - Although there were no reports of major terror attacks in Indonesia during 2012, the national police's special anti terror squad known as Densus 88 has intensively hunted down terror suspects in several parts of the country over the past one year.

    Indonesian Police Chief General Timur Pradopo said in a year-end statement in Jakarta on December 28, 2012, that Densus 88 handled a total of 14 terrorist cases with 78 suspects so far this year.

PANGOLINS REMAIN TO BECOME VICTIMS OF POACHING, ILLEGAL TRADING IN 2012 by Fardah

   Jakarta, Dec 31, 2012 (ANTARA) -  Pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters, are not cute animal that people would like to keep as pets, but they are in high demand because their meat and scales are prized mostly in China and Vietnam as food and medicine.

         In 2011 alone, around 41,000-60,000 pangolins are believed to have been removed from the wild for these purposes.

News Focus - INDONESIA URGED TO PROTECT NAPOLEON FISH by Fardah

  Jakarta, Dec 29, 2012 (ANTARA) - Marine life lovers adore Napoleon fish - also called Napoleon wrasse, humphead wrasse or humpback wrasse - for their comical look with a big hump on their forehead, oversize lips and friendliness.

         The Napoleon fish (Cheilinus undulatus) - an emperor of tropical coral reefs -  is one of the most spectacular sights in the ocean and can grow up to 2 meters weighing 190 kg. Despite their large size, they are a friendly fish and will often approach divers and swim along side them.

Year-ender - INDONESIA REMAINS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD By Fardah

     Jakarta, Dec 28, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, a staunch supporter of Palestine's struggle for independence, has continued to demonstrate its commitment to assisting Palestine's efforts to develop as a nation state by providing capacity-building programs for Palestinian people and mobilizing its political supports at various international forums.

         "The cause of our brothers and sisters in Palestine is the cause of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). It is also Indonesia's cause. We must, therefore, take concrete and vigorous steps to ensure that Palestine's bid for enhanced status in the United Nations succeeds this year. We must also see to it that the establishment of a Palestine state in 2013, as envisioned by Palestinian leaders, is realized," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said at the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was held in Tehran, Iran, in August this year.

News Focus - INDONESIA APPEALS YOUTHS TO HELP SAVE LIVES BY DONATING BLOOD by Fardah

     Jakarta, Dec 27, 2012 (ANTARA) - Blood donation is crucial for Indonesia particularly because the world's largest archipelagic country with more than 17,500 islands and around 245 million population, is prone to natural disasters such as earthquake, tsunami, volcano eruption, flood, and landslide.  
    The most devastating disaster happening in this modern era was  a powerful earthquake and a subsequent gigantic tsunami that struck Aceh Darussalam Province and Nias Island (North Sumatra Province) on December 26, 2004. The tsunami killed over 200,000 people and rendered around one million others homeless in Aceh and Nias.  

Year-ender - UPS AND DOWNS OF MALAYSIA-INDONESIA RELATIONS By Fardah

    Jakarta, Dec 26, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and its immediate neighbour, Malaysia, have maintained close relations, as reflected in increased political and economic cooperation between the two countries and regular meetings between their leaders.

    However, there have been some thorny issues between the two nations this year.

         Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Kuala Lumpur on December 18 to attend the 9th Annual Bilateral Consultation with Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Najib Abdul Razak, where they reaffirmed their bilateral ties.

Year-ender - INDONESIA EXPERIENCES NO MAJOR NATURAL DISASTERS IN 2012 by Fardah

    Jakarta, Dec 25, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, a country which is prone to natural disasters - floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, droughts, tsunamis and forest fires -  has not experienced major disasters in 2012.

         A total of 730 natural disasters have hit Indonesia this year, but none of them have had devastating effects, said Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency's (BNPB) spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, on December 20, 2012.

Year-ender - SECURITY CONDITION IN PAPUA NEEDS EXTRA ATTENTION by Fardah

     Jakarta, Dec 24, 2012 (ANTARA) - Security officers and civilians in Papua and West Papua Provinces continue to be affected by violence despite the government's efforts to improve the security situation and the economic development.

        On December 20, 2012, seven fishermen were shot by unidentified armed members in the waters of Raja Ampat, West Papua. Four of them were killed and three were injured.

        Last week, a group of unidentified people torched an unguarded police post in the Jayawijaya district of Wamena, Papua.

HABIBIE RESPONDS INSULT BY MALAYSIA'S EX-MINISTER WITH SMILE by Fardah

      Jakarta, Dec 16, 2012 (ANTARA)  - Former Indonesian president BJ Habibie's recent visit to Malaysia as an official guest of the Selangor State Government to deliver a speech on democracy, has angered a former Malaysian information minister.

         Following the visit, the ex-minister, Zainuddin Maidin, wrote an editorial in the Utusan Malaysia daily where he called Habibie a "traitor to his nation" and compared him to top Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim. He also called them both "dogs of imperialism".  

Year-Ender - INDONESIA WINS GLOBAL RECOGNITION FOR MDG IMPLEMENTATION by Fardah

    Jakarta, Dec 14 (ANTARA) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier this year requested Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to co-chair a High Level Panel of Eminent Persons to work on the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

         "Today, I am pleased to announce that the following leaders have accepted my invitation to serve as co-chairs of this high-level panel: His Excellency President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia; Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia; and His Excellency Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom," Ban Ki-moon said in New York on May 9, 2012, during an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly.

HIV CASES IN INDONESIA RISING SHARPLY by Fardah

   Jakarta,  Dec 13, 2012 (ANTARA) - Within a period of five years, the cumulative number of reported HIV infections in Indonesia has risen sharply -from 7,195 in 2006 to 76,879 in 2011, according to a  National AIDS Commission (NAC) report.

         According to the 2009 national estimates of HIV infection, about 186,257 people were infected with HIV and 6.4 million people were at risk.

Roundup - INDONESIA MARKS INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY by Fardah

   Jakarta, Dec 10, 2012 (ANTARA) - Joining other countries in marking the International Anti-Corruption Day which falls on December 9, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono led the Anti-Corruption Day 2012 celebrations at the State Palace here on Monday.

         The event was attended by, among others, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Chairman of the Presidential Working Unit for Supervision and Management of Development (UKP4) Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo, a number of ministers, governors from the country's 33 provinces, and Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission Abraham Samad.

INDONESIA IS WORKING HARD TO STOP ILLEGAL FISHING by Fardah

    Jakarta, Dec 10, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia is home to more than 17,500 islands and vast water bodies, which is why it is difficult to protect the country's waters from illegal fishing.

         Illegal fishing activities are carried out by foreign vessels, and they are rampant in Indonesia's waters. The country suffers material losses of around Rp30 trillion or approximately US$3.21 billion because of illegal fishing, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a UN body.

ABOUT TIME TO INVEST IN "BLUE ECONOMY" by Fardah

   Jakarta, Dec 10, 2012 (ANTARA) - As the world's largest archipelagic nation with around 17,500 islands and 95,200 km coastline - the second longest after that of Canada - Indonesia has huge marine resources potentials.

         Last year, coastal and ocean economic sectors including capture fisheries, aquaculture, energy and mineral resources, marine tourism, sea transportation, and maritime industries and services contributed about 30 percent to Indonesia's GDP and employed more than 20 million people, according to former maritime affairs and fisheries minister Rokhmin Dahuri.

UNESCO'S RECOGNITION TO PROMOTE NOKEN by Fardah

    Jakarta, Dec 6, 2012 (ANTARA) - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has added Papua's traditional woven bag, Noken, to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

         "The women of Papua are very happy today," said Titus Pekei, chairman of the Papua Ecology Institute, on Wednesday (December 5), following the report on the UNESCO's recognition of Noken as an intangible cultural heritage item.

CILIWUNG, PILOT PROJECT OF INDONESIA'S RIVER CLEAN-UP PROGRAM by Fardah

    Jakarta, Dec 5, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia is a country with a number of rivers, and they have become an important part of the lives of Indonesians, particularly for those living in rural areas.

        However, in big cities, most of the rivers are polluted as many people live along the rivers' banks, and they throw solid and liquid waste into the rivers, ignoring the regulations that ban people from building houses along the rivers banks, and disposing waste into the rivers.

WITH AGEING POPULATION ON THE RISE, RI NEEDS SENIOR-FRIENDLY CITIES By Fardah

     Jakarta, Dec 4, 2012 (ANTARA) - With the world's fifth largest population of elderly people, numbering some 23 million, Indonesia needs to have senior-friendly cities.

     "None of Indonesia's cities are suitable enough for elderly people, whether it be in the form of transportation means, elevators or building facilities," Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri said recently during a meeting on senior citizen issues.

       Since Indonesia does not have any senior-friendly cities, the minister called for the establishment of cities that are suitable for the elderly.

INDONESIA HAILS PALESTINIAN 'BIRTH CERTIFICATE' OF INDEPENDENCE By Fardah

    Jakarta, Dec 3, 2012 (ANTARA) - Out of the 193 United Nations member states, 138 countries responded positively after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the UN General Assembly to issue its long overdue "birth certificate" for the Palestinian state at the UN Headquarters in New York on November 29.

        "Sixty-five years ago on this day, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 181, which partitioned the land of historic Palestine into two states and became the birth certificate for Israel. The General Assembly is called upon today to issue a birth certificate of the reality of the State of Palestine," Abbas told the Assembly, as quoted by Reuters.

INDONESIA SEEKS NORWEGIAN SUPPORT TO DEVELOP FISHERIES INDUSTRY By Fardah

   Jakarta, Nov 30, 2012 (ANTARA) - The recent visit of Norwegian Crown Prince Hakoon Magnus and Crown Princess Mette-Marit - the first ever by a member of Norway's royal family to Indonesia - has helped boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as deforestation, democracy, and fishery.
        The Norwegian fishing industry is one of the world's largest, and seafood is Norway's third largest export item - after metal and oil and gas.

LONG AND WINDING ROAD TOWARDS SUNDA STRAIT BRIDGE By Fardah

   Jakarta, Nov 29, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has been dreaming of building the Sunda Strait Bridge, a mega project that will connect Indonesia's two major islands, Java and Sumatra.

         The initiative to construct the 31-kilometre-long bridge was introduced in 1960 when Prof Sedyatmo of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) conceived the plan to connect the two islands, which are currently separated by the Sunda Strait.

INDONESIA'S CORAL TRIANGLE INITIATIVE WINS INT'L RECOGNITION by Fardah

     Jakarta, Nov 28, 2012 (ANTARA) -  When President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited New York, US, last September 2012, he was bestowed with the first-ever "Valuing Nature Award" for his leadership in recognizing the importance of natural resources and working to conserve them.

         The award was presented by The Nature Conservancy, World Resources Institute and WWF - three leading global environmental and conservation organizations, specifically to  recognize Yudhoyono's leadership in establishing the multilateral Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI).

INDONESIA EXCEEDS TARGET OF ANNUAL ONE-BILLION TREE PLANTING MOVEMENT by Fardah

   Jakarta, Nov 28, 2012 (ANTARA) - Thousands of Indonesians - from the President to farmers -  throughout the country planted trees to mark the Indonesian Tree Planting Day and National Planting Month 2012 on November 28, with the aim to promote environmental preservation.    
   In line with the Presidential Decree No. 24/2008, the government had declared November 28 as the Indonesian Tree Planting Day (HMPI) and December as the National Planting Month (BMN).  This year's theme for HMPI and BMN is "Urban Forests Promote Green Indonesia".

INDONESIA'S PARLIAMENT SENDS DELEGATION TO GAZA TO SUPPORT PALESTINE by Fardah

    Jakarta, Nov 24, 2012 (ANTARA) - Since Israeli aggression in Gaza began earlier this month, a number of Indonesian cities have seen daily rallies organized by Muslim and students organizations to protest the Zionist air strikes that killed many Palestinian children and women.

         Most of the Indonesian protestors urged the government and the United Nations to take concrete steps to stop recent Israeli air strikes on Gaza and help the Gaza people.

INDONESIA TO LAUNCH `ORANGE REVOLUTION' TO BOOST TROPICAL FRUIT EXPORTS by Fardah

    Jakarta, Nov 21, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia is a country blessed with natural beauty and is home to 10 percent of the world's plant species.

        There are around 40,000 species of flowering plants, including 5,000 species of orchids and more than 3,000 fruit-bearing tree species, according to Britannica.com.

VOLUNTEERS EAGER TO FINISH CONSTRUCTION OF INDONESIA HOSPITAL IN GAZA By Fardah

     Jakarta, Nov 21, 2012 (ANTARA) - Despite Israeli air attacks on Gaza, the Medical Emergency Rescue-Committee (MER-C) volunteers from Indonesia are determined to complete the construction of a hospital in Bayt Lahiya, North Gaza, to help Palestinian victims of Israeli aggression.

         Bayt Lahiya is a crowded area and has often suffered Israeli air attacks.

Rainy Season Sees Parts of Indonesia Hit by Floods, Landslides by Fardah

      Jakarta, Nov 20, 2012  (ANTARA News) - The rainy season has only begun in Indonesia, which has only two seasons, rainy (November to March) and dry (June to October), yet a number of provinces have already experienced floods and landslides.
      And this year, the nation has to be extra careful, as Jakarta anticipates floods, which come in five-year cycle. Jakarta authorities fear the capital city will again see major floods this year, half a decade after the massive deluge in 2007 that killed more than 80 people in Jakarta and surrounding areas.

INDONESIAN MUSLIMS CONDEMN ISRAELI AGGRESSION ON GAZA by Fardah

   Jakarta, Nov 19, 2012 (ANTARA) - Over the past two consecutive days, Indonesian Muslims staged rallies in front of the US embassy to protest the Israeli Aggression on Gaza where at least 90 Palestinians including children and women, were killed during the Israeli air
strikes across the Gaza Strip over the last six days.

        "Send Troops, Free Gaza", "Stop out-of-date solution, send troops immediately to drive away Israel", and "the US Supports Israel, Destroy it," were among texts in the banners being demonstrated during a rally participated in by around 200 protesters in Jakarta, on Monday.

INDONESIAN GOVT URGED TO PROTECT MIGRANT WORKERS By Fardah

   Jakarta, Nov 16, 2012 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has been urged to offer better protection to the nation's migrant workers overseas, in the wake of two cases of alleged rape involving Indonesian female workers in Malaysia this month.

        The latest rape case occurred on November 9, when a 25-year-old Indonesian restaurant waitress from Central Java, identified as SM, claimed that she was gang-raped by three Malaysian Police officers at Perai police office, Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Penang State.

GOVT PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS TO REDUCE MATERNAL DEATH RATE By Fardah

   Jakarta, Nov 14, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia's maternal mortality rate of 228 per 100,000 live births remains the highest in Southeast Asia, but the figure must be reduced to 102 per 100,000 by the year 2015 in order to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

         According to Indonesian demographic and health survey (SDKI) data, the country's infant mortality rate decreased from 35 per 1,000 live births in 2004 to 34 per 1,000 live births in 2007.

New Governor Envisions Jakarta Having 1,000 parks

     Jakarta, Nov 10, 2012 (ANTARA News) - Ten days after his inauguration as the new governor of Jakarta, Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, toured the parks of the capital city on October 26 until the evening.
      "Don`t follow me, I am going to see other parks of Jakarta until the evening," he told the press at the Semanggi park.
      On November 4, Jokowi joined Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto on a bicycle ride to launch the "Jakarta Green City" campaign concurrently with "Land Spatial Day".
     On the occasion, the governor expressed his commitment to providing Jakarta's residents with green open spaces covering 30 percent of the capital city`s total land area by the end of his five- year term.

Indonesia hails re-election of Obama, `the Menteng Kid` by Fardah

    Jakarta Nov 10, 2012 (ANTARA News) - Following re-election of US President Barack Obama, many Indonesians have hailed the victory of `The Menteng Kid.`
    Obama spent a few years of his childhood in Indonesia, from 1967 through 1971, with his mother and Indonesian stepfather. He studied at an elementary school in the Menteng area of Central Jakarta.
     He had described his visit as `pulang kampong` or home coming, when he visited Jakarta in November 2010. He spoke several Indonesian words, and especially mentioned his favorite Indonesian food such as `baso` (meat ball) and satem (satay or grilled chicken/meat).
     Obama even thrilled Indonesians by declaring "Saya bagian dari Indonesia (I am part of Indonesia)" while speaking at the University of Indonesia (UI), on the southern outskirts of Jakarta, two years ago, on November 10, 2010.

MALARIA REMAINS A THREAT IN INDONESIA By Fardah

    Jakarta, Nov 6, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia is still among the countries hardest hit by malaria, with almost half of the nation's 244 million population living in malaria-endemic areas, particularly in its eastern-most island of Papua.

         According to official data, there were 374 malaria-endemic districts in Indonesia in 2011. The number of confirmed malaria cases reported last year was 256,592, out of a total of 1,322,451 suspected cases.

NORTH KALIMANTAN PROVINCE EXPECTED TO BE ESTABLISHED IN 2013 by Fardah

     Jakarta, Nov 5, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, will soon have its 34th province as the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government have officially endorsed the establishment of  North Kalimantan Province.

         The North Kalimantan Province will consist of five districts, namely Bulungan, Malinau, Nunukan, Tarakan, and Tana Tidung. Tanjung Selor will be its capital city.

GOVT TO PROTECT LOCAL PEARL INDUSTRY FROM INFLUX OF IMPORTED PEARLS FROM CHINA By Fardah

     Jakarta, Nov 2, 2012 (ANTARA) - The number of Indonesian pearl companies has dropped from 86 to 27, a decrease of about 64 percent, due to an influx of freshwater pearls from China into Indonesia.

   "The local companies were forced to close down as they were not able to compete with the low prices of imported pearls," said Saut Hutagalung, the maritime affairs and fisheries ministry's director general for fishery products processing and marketing, on the sidelines of a pearl festival on November 1.

INDONESIA AIMS TO BECOME GLOBAL HUB OF VACCINE DEVELOPMENT By Fardah

     Jakarta, Nov 1, 2012 (ANTARA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target that by 2015 there should be adequate production of influenza vaccine to immunize 2 billion people, and that this vaccine should be available on the market six months after the transfer of the vaccine prototype strain to vaccine manufacturers.

     The UN organization reported on its official website that seasonal influenza vaccine production capacity has increased globally from less than 500 million doses per year in 2006 to close to 1 billion doses per year at the end of 2010.

LOCAL PROMINENT FIGURES URGED TO HELP END VIOLENCE IN LAMPUNG By Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 31, 2012 (ANTARA) - At least 14 people were killed in a two-day clash, which was triggered by a trivial issue, involving inhabitants of several villages in Waypanji and Kalianda sub-districts, South Lampung district, Lampung province.

         The clash took place after two native Lampung girls from Agom village, Kalianda sub-district, were reportedly harassed by some young men of Balinese descent from Balinuraga village, Waypanji sub-district, on Sunday (October 28).

E KALIMANTAN EXPECTED TO BECOME STRATEGIC ECONOMIC GROWTH CENTER by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 29, 2012 (ANTARA) - East Kalimantan is known as a resource-rich province and is one of the best-established mining areas in Indonesia because of its oil, natural gas, coal and gold reserves as well as large forest areas.

        Located on Kalimantan Island, East Kalimantan is the second-largest Indonesian province and has two major cities: Samarinda, which is the capital city and a centre for the timber industry, and Balikpapan, which is considered a petroleum centre because of the large number of oil refineries located there.

TIME FOR INDONESIA'S EXPORTERS TO LOOK FOR NON-TRADITIONAL MARKETS by Fardah

      Jakarta, Oct 25, 2012 (ANTARA) - Amid a decline in Indonesia's exports lately, hope of new potential markets for its export products was indicated, particularly during the Trade Expo Indonesia 2012.

         Trade transactions at the Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2012 were mainly dominated by purchases from buyers from non-traditional countries.

ALL STAKEHOLDERS MUST HELP ADDRESS POVERTY By Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 23, 2012 (ANTARA) - Although no special event was organized during the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17, the government has declared its commitment to reducing the poverty rate.     

    To mark the day themed "Ending the Violence of Extreme Poverty: Promoting Empowerment and Building Peace", representatives of governments and civil society gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to discuss how poverty violates fundamental rights.

INDONESIA MEETS SOME MDG TARGETS DESPITE CHALLENGES by Fardah

     Jakarta, Oct 20, 2012 (ANTARA) - Out of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations, Indonesia has been able to meet at least three despite facing many challenges as the fourth most populous country in the world.
     Having a population of 237 million, Indonesia has been striving hard to overcome problems such as poverty, high infant and maternal mortality rates, gender inequality, and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDs, malaria and tuberculosis, in its efforts to achieve MDG targets.

INDONESIA REACHES SURPLUS OF TABLE SALT PRODUCTION by Fardah

     Jakarta, Oct 19, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia is a country having sunshine for almost all year long and has the second longest coastline after Canada, which makes it an ideal place for salt production.
      However, domestic production of salt in general has been up and down, while industries in particular have depended on imports for good quality salt for industrial purposes.

INDONESIAN GOVT SEES PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN by Fardah

       Jakarta, Oct 17, 2012 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has claimed that its priority infrastructure development program called the Indonesian Economic Development Acceleration and Expansion Master Plan (MP3EI) 2011-2025 has made a lot of progress after being implemented for just one year.

       "Since it was launched on May 27, 2011, up until July 2012, the MP3EI programme has made a lot of progress. The groundbreakings of 135 projects, with a total investment of more than Rp490 trillion in infrastructure development and real sector, have already been done," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in his state of the nation address before the Parliament, on August 16, 2012, a day before the 67th anniversary of Indonesian independence.

WASHING HANDS SEEN AS CHEAPEST, EASIEST WAY TO SAVE LIVES By Fardah

      Jakarta, Oct 16 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, together with around 70 other countries celebrated the fifth Global Handwashing Day on Monday (October 15) by mobilizing about 750,000 students in 2,147 elementary schools throughout the country to promote washing of hands.

      Washing hands with soap can help avoid diarrhoea, pneumonia and many other diseases that afflict children under the age of five, often causing death. Therefore, the theme for this year`s Global Handwashing Day was "Help More Children Reach Their 5th Birthday".

POLICE, ANTI-GRAFT BODY EXPECTED TO COOPERATE By Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 13, 2012 (ANTARA) - Each time a fiasco occurs involving the National Police (Polri) and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is called upon to mediate and issue clear instructions on both law enforcement agencies` respective tasks.

The latest showdown between the two agencies culminated with police officers entering the KPK office on October 5 (Friday) and trying to arrest Police Commissioner Novel Baswedan, a KPK investigator who handled a vehicle simulator procurement corruption case allegedly involving, among others, a high ranking officer, Inspector General Djoko Susilo.

The police sought to detain Baswedan on October 5 and charged him with the fatal shooting that killed a civilian in Bengkulu, Sumatra, in 2004.

According to police investigation, Baswedan was the head of the Bengkulu police criminal unit at the time and was, therefore, responsible for the action of his men, who shot and killed a suspect following a robbery incident.

As the police officers arrived at the KPK building to question Novel Baswedan, hundreds of people flocked to the KPK offices to express support for Baswedan.

Indonesia Striving To Be More child-friendly by Fardah

      Jakarta, Oct 8, 2012  (ANTARA News) - Around 30 percent or 83 million of Indonesia`s total population of 245 million people are children who are considered potent for Indonesia`s future.
       Children are the future of the nation. Therefore, they need to be nurtured and protected. And any negligence while rearing them is bound to have dire consequences for the nation`s future.

ARTIFICIAL RAINS BEING CONSIDERED TO PUT OUT FOREST FIRES by Fardah

      Jakarta, Oct 4. 2012 (ANTARA) - Forest fires have hit several provinces in Indonesia over the past few months and produced haze that has had an effect on air traffic as well as local people`s health.

       Indonesia is currently experiencing drought, particularly in Lampung, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and West Papua, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBN).

INDONESIA TO REVIVE OLD WISDOM TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM By Fardah

      Jakarta, Sept 29, 2012 (ANTARA) - Using their native wisdom, culturally-rich Indonesians have practiced environmental preservation and sustainable development activities since ancient times.

     According to the World Fish Center, Indonesia has the largest number of and longest enduring traditional community-based coastal resource management systems in Southeast Asia.

STOP ABUSING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND DROP DOUBLE STANDARDS By Fardah

        Jakarta, Sept 28, 2012 (ANTARA) - Although it was not for the first time that the United Nations General Assembly debated on the issue of religious defamation, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang highlighted the need to take action against blasphemy at the UN meeting.

       Yudhoyono, speaking on the first day of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly`s General Debate in New York, on September 25, called for the establishment of an international framework to tackle religious defamation.

TURKISH, INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTS COMMITTED TO CLOSER BILATERAL TIES by Fardah

      Jakarta, Sept 25, 2012 (ANTARA) - Bilateral relations between Turkey and Indonesia have been strengthened following the visits of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Turkey in June 2010 and Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Jakarta in early April 2011.
       The two leaders` visits were historic for both nations because Yudhoyono`s visit was the first by an Indonesian President to Turkey in the last 25 years, while Gul`s visit was the first by a Turkish President to Jakarta in the last 16 years.

AIPA HELPS STRENGTHEN ASEAN INTEGRATION by Fardah

        Jakarta, Sept 22, 2012 (ANTARA) - Having a conference on the beautiful island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara Province must be inspiring and refreshing for ASEAN legislators taking part in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

       Bearing the theme of "Strengthening the Parliamentary Roles Towards ASEAN Community 2015", the 33rd General Assembly of AIPA was held September 16-22, 2012 and attended by delegations from the ten ASEAN member nations - Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar.

TURKEY KEEN TO PARTICIPATE IN ASEAN MEETINGS

      Jakarta, Sept 20, 2012 (ANTARA) - Turkey wants to take part in the various meetings of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as an observer, according to a Turkish legislator.
       "Turkey has applied to be present at ASEAN meetings because the organisation promotes regional stability and peace, which fits our philosophy. Turkey has always wanted to have good relations with other countries, including our neighbouring nations," Turkish parliamentary delegation head Volkan Bozkir told ANTARA here on Wednesday.

TURKI HARAPKAN DUKUNGAN UNTUK BERPARTISPASI DI ASEAN

         Jakarta, 19/9/2012 (ANTARA) - Delegasi Parlemen Turki mengharapkan dukungan Pemerintah Indonesia agar Turki bisa berpartisipasi dalam berbagai pertemuan Perhimpunan Bangsa Bangsa Asia Tenggara (ASEAN).
       "Turki ingin hadir dalam pertemuan-pertemuan ASEAN karena organisasi ini mendorong terciptanya perdamaian dan stabilitas wilayah. Hal ini sesuai dengan filosofi kami yang ingin menjalin hubungan baik dengan berbagai negara, termasuk negara-negara tetangga," kata Volkan Bozkir, ketua delegasi parlemen Turki, mengatakan kepada ANTARA di Jakarta, Rabu.

INSULT AGAINST RELIGION NOT PART OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION by Fardah

       Jakarta, Sept 18, 2012 (ANTARA) - The production of anti-Islam film `Innocence of Muslims" by a small group of US citizens has hurt religious tolerance.
      The short film has triggered a storm of protests by Muslims in at least 20 countries, causing several people to be injured. Lives have also been lost, including that of Chris Stevens, the US ambassador to Libya, as part of the protests.

"SAIL INDONESIA 2012", MOMENTUM TO PROMOTE MOROTAI AS ECONOMIC HUB by Fardah

     Jakarta, Sept 15, 2012 (ANTARA) - In the evening of September 15, at least 2012 lobsters were grilled and served to participants and guests of Sail Morotai or Sail Indonesia 2012 in Morotai Island District, North Maluku Province.
      By organizing the gala dinner, North Maluku wanted to show off its maritime and fishery potential to foreign and national guests.

Govt preparing blueprint for improved de-radicalisation programmes by Fardah

     Jakarta, Sept 12, 2012 (ANTARA News) - On Tuesday, thousands of US citizens commemorated the 11th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center in New York in 2001.
     On October 12 this year, a number of Indonesians and Australians will commemorate the victims of the first Bali bombing that occurred on the same date 10 years ago in Kuta, a town popular with tourists on the Indonesian island of Bali.

INDONESIA TO FOCUS ON SUBSTANCES, LOGISTICS FOR APEC SUMMIT 2013 by Fardah

     Jakarta, Sept 11, 2012 (ANTARA) - The Russian government handed over the APEC (Asia and Pacific Economic Cooperation) chairmanship to Indonesia at the end of the APEC CEO Summit in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 8, which was attended by more than 700 CEOs of the Asia-Pacific Region`s largest companies.

      President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as the next chairman of the APEC forum summit, was present at the APEC summit in Russia.

Palestine's cause is also Indonesia`s cause by Fardah

     Jakarta, Sept 8, 2012  (ANTARA News) - As a staunch supporter of Palestine, Indonesia has often expressed its commitment to helping prepare the establishment of Palestine`s state by providing capacity building programs for Palestinians.
     In July 2008, Indonesia hosted a New Asian African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) Ministerial Conference on Capacity Building for Palestine. Participants of the meeting agreed to provide training programs for 10,000 Palestinians within a five-year period, from 2008 to 2013.

SAIL MOROTAI EXPECTED TO BOOST N MALUKU'S TOURISM AND FISHERIES By Fardah

     Jakarta, Sept 6, 2012 (ANTARA) - The final preparations are under way for Sail Indonesia 2012, or Sail Morotai, which will be held in Indonesia`s northernmost island of Morotai from September 12-15.
       Approximately 5,000 guests, including foreign sailors, are expected to attend the international maritime event. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to inaugurate the Sail Morotai peak event at Daruba beach, Morotai island, on September 15.  

AMBON GEARS UP FOR ANNUAL YACHT RACE By Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 28 (ANTARA) - Early on Tuesday morning, Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy and the residents of Negeri Amahusu flocked to the city`s harbor in Amahusu village in Maluku province to greet the skipper and 12 crew members of the `Australian Maid' yacht.
      The `Australian Maid' captained by Lisa Jane Chamberlain was the first yacht to cross the finish line of the Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race (DAYR) on Tuesday at 7:37:15 a.m. local time.
     Lisa Chamberline, the winner of the race, expressed her happiness at being able to cross the finish line first.

VIOLENCE AGAINST SHIITE MUSLIMS IN SAMPANG CONDEMNED By Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 27 (ANTARA) - Various parties including NGOs, politicians, ministers and the president have condemned the latest violence against minority Shiite Muslims on Madura Island, East Java Province.
     A mob of hard-line Muslims attacked Shiite community and set their houses on fires in Nangkernang, Karanggayam village, Omben sub- district, Sampang regency, on Sunday, killing two Shiites and injured scores of others.

2013 BUDGET TARGETS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH By Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 25, 2012 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono recently revealed while presenting the draft state budget of 2013, that the proposed infrastructure spending for next year has been raised to Rp194 trillion or US $20 billion, up from the expenditure target of Rp169 trillion set for 2012.
     "We need to support national efforts aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, which will ensure sustainable growth," the head of state had said during his annual address on the draft state budget before Parliament on August 16.

CASUALTIES DURING 2012'S IDUL FITRI EXODUS RISE By Fardah

     Jakarta, Aug 24, 2012 (ANTARA) - Latest data from the Indonesian police has revealed that the number of deaths resulting from accidents that took place during the Idul Fitri exodus this year has increased compared with the number of casualties in the same period last year.
     Some 689 people have been killed in as many as 3,927 traffic accidents that occurred between August     11 and August 21, during which time more than 10 million holiday travelers headed home and later returned after celebrating the festival with their families and friends in their hometowns.

FIRST DAY ATTENDANCE AT WORK IN SPOTLIGHT AFTER IDUL FITRI HOLIDAYS by Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 24 (ANTARA) - As Idul Fitri holidays ended, civil servants were expected to show up at work throughout Indonesia on Thursday (Aug 23) or face sanctions if they extended their holidays without prior notice.

      This year, Indonesian Muslims celebrated Idul Fitri, the largest and most important Muslim holiday that marks the completion of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, on Aug 19 and 20.

INDONESIA TO OFFER HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO ROHINGYAS By Fardah

     Jakarta, Aug 17, 2012 (ANTARA) - After expressing concern for and solidarity with the Rohingya ethnic minority, Indonesia will now offer concrete assistance to the community, which has become a victim of discrimination and violence in Myanmar`s Rakhine province.
     In his state of the nation address to the Parliament on Thursday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reiterated Indonesia`s commitment towards solving the problems of the Rohingya Muslims.

HOMEWARD-BOUND TRAVELERS URGED TO TAKE SAFETY-FIRST APPROACH By Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 16, 2012 (ANTARA) - The police have placing ads along the highways, which read "Give Priority to Safety: Your Family Is Waiting For You at Home", to remind motorbikers and car drivers to drive carefully and abide by the traffic regulations.
     The ads campaign is very relevant given the fact that Indonesia`s roads are prone to traffic accidents due to reckless drivers and traffic congestion. 

REMITTANCES FROM MIGRANTS SOFTEN GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS BLOW By Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 9, 2012 (ANTARA) - A huge banner reading, "Welcome Foreign Exchange Heroes," has been put up in the arrival lounge of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, to welcome Indonesian migrant workers, which mostly include young women from rural areas who work overseas as domestic helpers.
     With annual remittances totaling around US $6 billion, migrant workers have become the second largest contributor to Indonesia`s foreign exchange reserves.

SOEKARNO-HATTA EXPANSION TO BOOST INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: PRESIDENT By Fardah

Jakarta, Aug 3, 2012 (ANTARA) - A major-scale expansion project of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Indonesia`s main international airport and the 12th busiest airport in the world was inaugurated by President Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by among others Vice President Boediono.  The renovation, which is expected to be completed in 2014, should help increase the airport`s passenger as well as flight capacities significantly. Construction work has already begun at Terminal 3, which is expected to raise annual passenger capacity to 25 million from 4 million.

INDONESIA CALLS FOR UN PEACEMAKING FORCES IN SYRIA By Fardah

     Jakarta, July 31, 2012 (ANTARA) - Muslim-majority countries that are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will meet in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on August 14-15 to discuss the prevailing conditions in a number of Muslim countries, particularly Syria.
     The emergency Islamic summit has been organised by Saudi King Abdullah in order to unify Muslim countries "in this fragile time of discord", according to Saudi press.

Indonesia, Asean urged not to remain silent on atrocities againts Rohingya by Fardah

           Jakarta, July 30, 2012 (ANTARA) - As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Indonesia as a prominent ASEAN member country seem to remain silent on the violence against Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar, the public protests are in fact mounting.

         Last Friday, the Rohingya-Arakan Information and Advocacy Center (PIARA) staged a rally and eventually sealed a gate of the ASEAN Secretariat building for disappointing that none of ASEAN Secretariat's officials was willing to meet them.

NTT GEARS UP FOR SAIL KOMODO 2013 By Fardah

     Jakarta, July 27, 2012 (ANTARA) - The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) administration, which is responsible for the organisation of Sail Komodo 2013, has started kicking things into high gear by sprucing up the city to welcome foreign guests and participants.
     The annual international maritime event, attended by sailors from as many as 20 countries, is expected to capture the imagination of the world through eye-catching events that showcase the true spirit of Indonesia.

GOVT FINALLY RESPONDS TO TEMPE PRODUCERS' DEMANDS by Fardah

     Jakarta, July 25, 2012 (ANTARA) - The impact of global warming is real on the dining tables of most Indonesians who love eating tofu and tempe (fermented soybean cake).
     Tempe and tofu, favorite food of many Indonesians, reportedly disappear from markets following a strike by tempe and tofu producers to protest the price hike of soybean, the basic material for making tempe and tofu.

WOMEN'S ROLE IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ENCOURAGED IN ISLAMIC AWAKENING By Fardah

     Jakarta, July 21, 2012 (ANTARA) - For the first time in the history, over 1,000 Muslim women from 85 countries gathered in Tehran, Iran, to discuss the women`s role and the Islamic awakening in a two-day international conference, July 10-11, 2012, organized by the government of Iran.
      Indonesia was represented by around 20 delegates from universities such as the University of Indonesia, the University of Padjajaran, and NGOs such as MER-C Indonesia, in addition to two female journalists, in the World Conference on Women and Islamic Awakening held at Milad Tower International Conference Center in Tehran.

FOOD PRICE CONTROL, MARKET OPERATIONS URGED DURING RAMADHAN by Fardah

     Jakarta, July 20, 2012 (ANTARA) - The prices of basic necessities such as rice, meat, and eggs, often run up for no justified reason prior to the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan (the fasting month).
     Food stocks are adequate at most times, but traders seemingly increase food prices in a bid to rake in more profits. However, this food price hike burdens the people and indirectly leads to plateauing of salary incomes.

TAMAN-TAMAN MEMBUAT TEHERAN RAMAH PADA PENDUDUKNYA oleh Fardah

     Jakarta, 18/7/2012 (ANTARA) -Pemandangan alam Iran terlihat gersang dan dikelilingi gunung bebatuan dari atas pesawat yang akan mendarat di Teheran. Namun ternyata ibu kota Iran itu menyimpan kejutan bagi para pendatang.

        Teheran merupakan kota dengan peradaban yang sangat tua dan budaya yang kaya. Menurut salah satu versi sejarah, kota ini pertama kali didirikan oleh raja pertama Iran, Houshang, pada tahun 4000 SM.

INDONESIA TINGKATKAN PROMOSI PARIWISATA DI IRAN

      Teheran, 10/7/2012 (ANTARA) - Dubes Indonesia untuk Iran Dian Wirengjurit mengatakan Pemerintah akan meningkatkan promosi pariwisata Indonesia di Iran, yang telah memiliki masyarakat kelas menengah yang kuat.
      "Promosi kita selama ini kurang oleh karena itu harus ditingkatkan. Akan ada dana ekstra untuk memprioritaskan promosi di kawasan Timur Tengah termasuk Iran," ujar Dubes kepada wartawan ANTARA dan Republika di Teheran, Selasa.

AHMADINEJAD EMPHASIZES IMPORTANT ROLE OF WOMEN

      Tehran, July 10, 2012 (ANTARA) - Iran President Mahmud Ahmadinejad told over 300 Muslim women from 85 countries, including Indonesia, that women play important and more lasting roles particularly in the social development.
       "When women awaken, the whole nation will awaken," Ahmadinejad said in the opening of the World Conference on Women and the Awakening of Islam, here, Tuesday.

PRESIDEN IRAN TEKANKAN PERAN PENTING PEREMPUAN

      Teheran, 10/7/2012 (ANTARA) - Presiden Iran Mahmud Ahmadinejad di depan lebih dari 300 muslimah dari 85 negara, termasuk dari Indonesia, mengatakan perempuan mempunyai peran penting dan sangat berpengaruh khususnya untuk pembangunan sosial.
       "Jika perempuan bangkit, maka seluruh masyarakat bangkit," kata Ahmadinejad pada pidato pembukaan Konperensi Internasional Tentang Perempuan dan Kebangkitan Islam di Teheran, Iran, Selasa.

KONFERENSI PEREMPUAN DAN KEBANGKITAN ISLAM BANGKITKAN SUASANA HEROIK SEKALIGUS MENGHARUKAN oleh Fardah

    Teheran, 10/7/2012 (ANTARA) -Diam-diam beberapa perempuan Indonesia meneteskan air mata ketika menyimak pidato dan menyaksikan cuplikan video perjuangan kaum hawa di medan perang yang diputar pada pembukaan Konferensi Internasional Tentang Wanita dan Kebangkitan Islam di Teheran, Iran, Selasa (10/7).

        "Pidato Presiden Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad luar biasa. Saya sampai menangis. Isi pidato tersebut bukan saja memotivasi wanita , tapi juga seluruh masyarakat dunia. Indonesia harus belajar banyak dari Iran, misalnya menyangkut percaya diri," dr Zackya Yahya Sp OK, ketua koordinator penelitian MER-C Indonesia Timur, mengatakan pada ANTARA, setelah mengikuti prosesi pembukaan konperensi tersebut.

INDONESIA INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ By Fardah

      Jakarta, July 4, 2012 (ANTARA) - The recent visit of Iraqi deputy prime minister Hussain Ibrahim Saleh Al-Shahristani to Indonesia is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Iraq, particularly in the economic, business and investment sectors.
      Al-Shahristani invited Indonesia's state-owned and private companies to participate in the reconstruction of Iraq, such as in the development of energy, oil and gas sectors, as well as of infrastructure, most of which was destroyed after the US invasion.

INDONESIA PROMOTES INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OVERSEAS By Fardah

     Jakarta, July 3, 2012 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at a Monday evening banquet hosted by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Darwin, Australia, invited Australian businessmen to invest in infrastructure projects within the Master Plan of Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development (MP3EI).
      "I invite Australian businessmen to be actively involved [in the MP3EI projects], not only in Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara, but also in Maluku and Papua," the head of state said.

PLANNED DISTRIBUTION OF FREE CONDOMS DRAWS CRITICISM by Fardah

Jakarta, June 29, 2012 (ANTARA) - A plan to distribute free condoms to fight HIV/AIDS by the health ministry has been criticized by a number of parties, including Muslim scholars and some legislators.

Recently, hundreds of members of Muslim mass organization Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) staged a rally protesting the new condom policy, which is alleged to encourage adultery.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS BEING CONSIDERED FOR POST-2015 MDGs by Fardah

         Jakarta, June 25, 2012 (ANTARA) - As the 2015 deadline for the current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaches, the United Nations (UN) is gearing up for higher targets for the next 20 years by appointing a small high-level team to handle the task.

        UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to co-chair a team called "High Level Panel of Eminent Persons" to work on the post-2015 MDG framework.

Sail Morotai To Revive WW II General Mac Arthur Memories by Fardah

   Jakarta, June 23, 2012 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to attend the main ceremony at the international maritime event Sail Morotai on Morotai Island, North Maluku Province, on September 15, 2012.

        The date was picked not by accident, as it has historical significance.  On 15 September, 1944, Allied Forces from the USA and Australia, under the leadership of US Supreme Commander for the West Pacific, General Douglas MacArthur, landed on Morotai's southwest corner, where the Japanese had constructed an airstrip, but later abandoned it in favor of the island of Halmahera to the south.

GOVT URGED TO TIGHTEN GUN CONTROL TO CURB ARMED-RELATED VIOLENCE by Fardah

 Jakarta, June 21 (ANTARA) - Armed robberies and shooting incidents have been reported in Jakarta and other provinces, particularly in Papua and Aceh, over the past few months and this has prompted the security authorities to intensify investigations and street patrols. 

From January to June 2012, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, known as Metro Jaya, reported 32 armed robberies of mini-markets operating 24 hours in the capital city alone.

RHINO INTERNATIONAL YEAR EXPECTED TO BOOST GLOBAL COOPERATION by Fardah

Jakarta, June 20, 2012 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the leader of one of the world`s most diverse countries, is scheduled to attend the Rio+20 (United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which will be held from June 20-22.

The Rio+20 conference will mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which was held in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

GOVT TRYING TO "BRING PAPUA IN HARMONY WITH UNITARY STATE OF INDONESIA" by Fardah

Jakarta, June 19, 2012 (ANTARA) - The situation in Jayapura city, in particular, and Papua Province, in general, seems to be peaceful, after being hit by random shooting incidents committed by unknown people.
Police personnel and military troops, however, are still stationed at several spots in Jayapura.

The security situation was quite worrying last weekend following the death of Mako Tabuni, one of the coordinators of the National Committee for West Papua. Some mourners went on a crime spree, burning shops, cars and other motor vehicles, as well as torturing people in Waena, Jayapura.

INDONESIANS REPATRIATED FROM SYRIA CAUTIOUSLY by Fardah

Jakarta, June 12, 2012 (ANTARA) - The Arab Spring has continued to affect Indonesia indirectly, as over 12,000 Indonesians, mostly migrant workers are still trapped in the violence-ravaged Syrian towns of Homs, Hama, and Allepo.

In 2011, Indonesia was busy evacuating thousands of its citizens from Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen - the Arab countries that saw popular uprisings, known as the Arab Spring or Arab Awakening.

GOVT IMPLEMENTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURES by Fardah

Jakarta, June 8, 2012 (ANTARA) - Realising that Indonesia is no longer an oil-rich country, the government has implemented a number of energy efficiency measures, particularly aimed at reducing the consumption subsidised oil and preventing budget deficits.

Cutting down on subsidised oil consumption became crucial after the government`s failure to increase fuel prices; else, the country would face a huge deficit in the amended state budget.

SAR EFFORTS END, WHILE SUKHOI CRASH INVESTIGATION BEGINS by Fardah

Jakarta, June 4, 2012  (ANTARA) - The search and rescue efforts with regard to the Sukhoi Superjet 100 victims` remains and the ill-fated aircraft`s wreckage were declared to be completed, after the finding of the plane`s flight data recorder (FDR) on May 30 and the transferring of the victims` remains to their families on May 23, 2012.

"As we have found the FDR, I declare that the evacuation process is completed. Concerning the plane`s debris, I leave it to the Sukhoi company," the chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Vice Marshal Daryatmo, stated at Halim Perdanakusuma air force base, East Jakarta, on May 31, 2012.

INDONESIA MULLING OVER SINGLE TIME ZONE By Fardah

      Jakarta, May 31, 2012 (ANTARA) - In October 1928, a group of young men from several islands together made a pledge they would be united under one motherland, one nation, and one language: Indonesia.
      Eighty-four years later, Indonesia is considering merging its three time zones - GMT+7, GMT+8, and GMT+9 - into one single zone: GMT+8. The government is planning to use the new single time zone starting October 28, 2012.

INDONESIANS URGED TO CARE FOR, LOVE ELDERLY PEOPLE By Fardah

     Jakarta, May 30, 2012 (ANTARA) - With the significant improvement in life expectancy worldwide, global aging has become a striking phenomenon, including in Indonesia.
       Life expectancy has risen rapidly to nearly 70 years for women and 65 for men, and further improvements are expected.

GOVT GEARS UP FOR DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF HYBRID, ELECTRIC CARS by Fardah

     Jakarta, May 29, 2012 (ANTARA) - The government is preparing for the domestic production of hybrid and electric cars, as the nation is facing a fossil fuel crisis and trying to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
    A hybrid car is one that employs two separate power sources - typically a gasoline-powered engine, along with an electric motor powered by rechargeable batteries.

OPPOSITION TO LADY GAGA EXPANDS TO OTHER CITIES by Fardah

     Jakarta, May 26, 2012 (ANTARA) - A number of members of different organizations in several cities in Indonesia, including Pamekasan, Solo, Bandung and Riau, are protesting the planned June 3 Jakarta concert by US pop singer Lady Gaga.
       Opposition to the concert began in Jakarta by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI). The rejection was later followed by other Islamic organizations in the capital city, such as Muhammadiyah, Muhammadiyah`s Youth, Persis, Mathlaul Anwar, and Nahdah Islamiyah, as well as in other regions.

CLEMENCY FOR DRUG OFFENDER DRAWS HARSH CRITICISM by Fardah

     Jakarta, May 24, 2012 (ANTARA) - The decision of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to cut the sentence of Australian marijuana smuggler Schapelle Leigh Corby by five years on humanitarian grounds, has drawn harsh criticism at home.
      Corby, 34, was caught on October 8, 2004, at Bali`s Ngurah Rai airport when she was attempting to smuggle 4.2 kilogrammes of marijuana upon her arrival from Australia. The District Court in the Bali provincial capital of Denpasar on May 27, 2005, sentenced her to 20 years in jail.

E-ID CARD PROJECT SEEMS TO BE RUNNING SMOOTHLY by Fardah

      Jakarta, May 22, 2012 (ANTARA) - In the beginning, the implementation of the electronic identity (e-ID) cards, locally known as e-KTP, got delayed due to the late arrival of data recording equipment reportedly imported from the United States.
      Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi became the main target of criticism because the project was handled by his ministry and was supposed to begin simultaneously in various cities on August 1, 2011.

Round-up - SALVAGE OPERATIONS END, 45 PEOPLE CONFIRMED DEAD IN SUKHOI CRASH By Fardah

     Jakarta,  May 21, 2012 (ANTARA) - Thirteen days after the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100) crashed into Mount Salak`s cliff, the salvage operations of the plane`s wreckage and victims were finally concluded on Monday (May 21), with not a single survivor found.
      The SJJ-100 took off from Halim Perdanakusuma air force base in East Jakarta at 2.21 p.m. on May 9, 2012, for a short demonstration flight above Jakarta and Bogor (West Java). However, around 12 minutes later, at 2.33 p.m., the Russian-made plane disappeared from the radar.

Round-up - YUDHOYONO'S VISIT BOOSTS CLOSER TIES WITH TIMOR LESTE by Fardah

     Jakarta, May 20, 2012 (ANTARA) - Ten years after East Timorese people had decided to separate from Indonesia, the bilateral relations between Indonesia and the half-island nation called Timor Leste have become very close and sound.
      The just-ended two-day working visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Timor Leste is seen to have brought the relationship to even a more advanced level as both governments have agreed to strengthen the bilateral ties in various fields, including in the fields of economics, politics, socio-culture and cooperation in many international forums.

GOVT TO LIMIT EXPORT OF UNPROCESSED MINERALS TO CURB EXPLOITATION by Fardah

       Jakarta, May 17, 2012 (ANTARA) - The export of mining minerals is believed to have brought very little benefits to the people of natural-resources-rich Indonesia so far.
      Most major mining companies operating in the country belong to foreign nations, and their products are for export.

NEW REGULATION EXPECTED TO PAVE WAY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT by Fardah

     Jakarta, May 16, 2012 (ANTARA) - Problems in acquiring land for infrastructure projects have so far been regarded as the main stumbling block that has delayed the development of a number of toll roads, bridges, and railroads in Indonesia.
     Based on the examples of other countries such as China, Indonesia has realised that infrastructure - such as roads and bridges that connect islands and cities - is crucial to help boost the country`s economic growth.

"JOYFUL" DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT TURNS INTO TRAGIC AIR CRASH by Fardah

     Jakarta, May 11, 2012 (ANTARA) - Many were enthusiastic about joining the demonstration flight of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 which took off from Halim Perdanakusuma air force base, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (May 9). For a Trans TV journalist, it was reportedly her first experience in an airplane.
      The night before her flight, Ismiyati (23), who had just joined Trans TV, sent her father a short text message asking for his permission and requesting him to pray for the flight`s safety. She wrote that she was slightly nervous to be flying for the first time.

SUNDA STRAIT BRIDGE PROJECT TO BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH by Fardah

      Jakarta, May 10, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia is likely to start construction on its most ambitious project - the 31-km-long Sunda Strait Bridge that will connect the islands of Java and Sumatra - in 2014.
      The bridge will significantly cut travel time between the islands, which currently takes several hours by ferry. Some 20 million people crossed the strait in 2006, and this figure is predicted to double by 2020.

GOVT STARTS REALISING PROMISES TO WORKERS by Fardah

       Jakarta, May 8, 2012 (ANTARA) - On the eve of May 1, when workers all over the world, including in Indonesia, celebrated May Day or International Labour Day, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced "special gifts" for Indonesian workers.
        "This year is very special for Indonesian workers because the president has issued a number of strategic decrees to promote their living standard," said Daniel Sparingga, the president`s special aide for political communication, in a press statement on April 30.

INAFIS PROJECT PART OF POLICE'S EQUIPMENT MODERNIZATION by Fardah

        Jakarta, May 4, 2012 (ANTARA) - Responding to criticisms, the National Police (Polri) has halted its Indonesia Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (Inafis) project, which was considered to overlap with the electronic identity card (e-KTP ) project.
        Critics said Inafis, or fingerprint identification, could be incorporated with the home affairs ministry`s ongoing e-KTP project or be included in the driving license (SIM) document.

Obituary - INDONESIANS MOURN DEMISE OF MINISTER ENDANG by Fardah

      Jakarta, May 3, 2012 (ANTARA) - In October 2010, many Indonesians were shocked to learn that Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih was suffering from lung cancer, and now they are mourning the death of the hard-working minister.
      "Endang was one of the nation`s best daughters, a woman who was an inspiration to others and a symbol of strength, who kept on fighting until her last breath," said Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar, Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister, on Wednesday after hearing about the demise of Endang.

SLAIN MIGRANT WORKERS NOT FORGOTTEN ON MAY DAY by Fardah

       Jakarta, May 2, 2012 (ANTARA) - The three Indonesian migrant workers who died after being shot in their heads and chests by five Malaysian policemen in March 2012 were remembered by workers observing May Day on May 1.
       In the May Day rally in Jakarta, workers grouped under the Indonesian Workers Council expressed their condolences over the shooting of the three workers by the Malaysian police.

GOVT TO GO AHEAD WITH LIMITING SUBSIDIZED FUEL CONSUMPTION by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 27, 2012 (ANTARA) - Following criticism from some sections of the media for appearing "indecisive," the government finally confirmed that it will go ahead with its plan to limit the consumption of subsidized gasoline.
      The government had initially planned to increase fuel prices by Rp1,500 per litre and allocate compensation funds amounting to Rp35 trillion to sectors affected by the fuel price hike, such as transportation, education and rice for the poor.

INDONESIA LOSES IDEALISTIC, HUMBLE FIGURE, WIDJAJONO PRADIGDO by Fardah

     Jakarta, April 24, 2012 (ANTARA) - Since he was installed as the deputy minister of energy and mineral resources (ESDM) in October 2011, Widjajono Pradigdo has stolen the public attention with his "eccentric" appearance including long hair and casual clothing.
      Widjajono has also been active in promoting energy savings and the need to reduce fuel subsidies that have burdened the national budget.

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY TO FOCUS ON GREEN ECONOMY by Fardah

      Jakarta, April 11, 2012 (ANTARA) - Indonesia, along with the entire world, will observe World Environment Day (WED), which has been commemorated every June 5 since 1972.
     Initiated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), World Environment Day is aimed at personalizing environmental issues and enabling all people to realize their responsibilities and their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development.
      For WED 2012, the Indonesian government has coined a national theme: "Green Economy: Change the Habits, Improve the Environment`s Quality".
      "UNEP has designated `Green Economy: Does It Include You?` as the 2012 theme for World Environment Day, while nationally we will focus on changing habits," Indonesia`s Environmental Affairs Minister Balthasar Kambuaya said in Jakarta, recently.
      Balthasar urged Indonesians to use the momentum of World Environment Day to change their habits and encourage others to do the same.
     The commemoration of World Environment Day will begin at Merdeka Palace on June 5, and will be marked by the presentation of the Adipura, Adiwiyata and Kalpataru awards by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
      World Environment Day will also be highlighted with an Environment Week exhibition held at the Jakarta Convention Center from June 7 to 14, 2012.
      The minister said there are several definitions of what a green economy is, and in Indonesia it concerns a change of habits, because environmental problems are closely related to the public`s behavior.
     "We also define a green economy as a way of improving the welfare of the people while, at the same time, preserving the environment," the minister noted.

UNEP describes a green economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one that is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, when addressing the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Bali in February 2010, called for the adoption of a green economy development strategy which is pro-growth, pro-jobs and pro-poor.

The Second United Indonesia Cabinet later launched a green economics program as part of its sustainable development plan.

To support the implementation of green economics, the cabinet has drawn up programs on food resilience by implementing sustainable agriculture, sustainable forestry management, efficient and renewable energy usage, clean technology support, waste management, efficient and low carbon transportation management, and green infrastructure development.

In the industrial sector, for instance, the Industry Ministry is considering granting incentives to various industries receiving green industry awards in 2012 as part of its efforts to encourage businesses to use natural resources in a sustainable way.

The incentives may come in the form of a discount for industries

intending to convert their equipment and machines to produce green

products, Arryanto Sagala, the head of the ministry`s board for industrial climate and quality policy studies, said last March 2012.

"The incentives are in the form of a 10 percent discount to be made available to textile, footwear and sugar industries. The program will reduce the use of energy by up to 25 percent," Sagala noted.

At the grass root level, the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) launched a two-day Green Saturday market for organic foods on March 23, 2012 as part of its efforts to realize local food sovereignty in the country.

Upi Gufiroh, Walhi`s coordinator for the Green Saturday organic

market, explained at the launch that the aim of the project was to increase the public`s appreciation of local foods so that the local food industry in Indonesia would not be suppressed by the materialism and consumerism that has penetrated the country`s villages.

Besides presenting organic foods, the opening of the market was

also marked by demonstrations of food processing, discussions, a

poster exhibition and a film on the environment.

Last year, around 1,200 young people from over 100 countries participating in the UNEP Tunza International Children and Youth Conference in Bandung, West Java, referred to the green economy as "the only integrated framework that is truly sustainable - placing human well-being, social equity and environmental protection on an equal footing."

"The trend and science tell us that we cannot wait another generation (until a Rio+40) before acting - the green economy is our only future," the young people stated in a Bandung Declaration issued on the final day of the conference, which was organized from September 27 to October 1, 2011.

The Bandung Declaration also identifies access to green jobs as critical for achieving a sustainable transition to a green economy.

"In the next ten years, as the world`s population passes 7 billion, we need to provide jobs for more than 1 billion young people - employment that will both enable them to live productive and worthwhile lives and to contribute to the transition to a just green economy," the Declaration states.

It is estimated that nearly 40 per cent of the world`s unemployed, over 80 million people, are between the ages of 15 and 24.

President Yudhoyono, when addressing the 100th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva in June 2011, expressed his support of promoting green economics.

"In Indonesia, we intend to advance a national green skills development strategy. We plan to pursue a decentralized youth apprenticeship programme for green jobs and take measures to foster entrepreneurship and self employment in the green sector," he said.

According to UNEP, investment in a Green Economy could create millions of new jobs. One of the main engines for economic growth is a higher rate of employment, which both reduces a burden on the economy and gives consumers the purchasing power to sustain lives through supporting industries.

Over 2.3 million people working in green jobs in just six leading countries (China, Denmark, Germany, India Spain, and the United States) were estimated to be employed in the low-carbon sector in 2008.

The Green Economy is, therefore, not just a passing environmental fad, but is one of the best solutions available for sustainable economic growth that recognizes the social component, UNEP said. ***3***

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