SIGNING OF COC SMOOTHENS INDONESIA-AUSTRALIA TIES by Fardah

 Jakarta, Aug 30, 2014 (Antara) - The signing of a joint understanding of Code of Conduct (CoC) between Indonesia and Australia in Nusa Dua, Bali, on August 28, 2014, marked the normalization of bilateral ties between the two neighboring countries.

         The signing of bilateral intelligence protocol is expected to formally end the diplomatic rift caused by allegations that an Australian spy agency had intercepted the phone calls of the Indonesian president.

         The CoC will also help resume cooperation in defense, intelligence, and border security between the nations.

INDONESIA, TIMOR LESTE COMMITTED TO GOOD NEIGHBORLY TIES by Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 29, 2014 (Antara) - The recent visit of the Indonesian president to Timor Leste has further strengthened bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries that were once in conflict immediately following a referendum in the former East Timor Province.

        President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had visited Dili, Timor Leste, on August 25-27, 2014--his second official visit to the half-island state after the previous visit in May 2012--at the invitation of Timor Leste President Taur Matan Ruak.

YUDHOYONO HELPS ENSURE SMOOTH TRANSITION OF NEXT GOVERNMENT by Fardah

  Jakarta, Aug 28 (Antara) - Since the beginning, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed his intention to assist the next president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in preparing for the transition from the current administration to the next government.

        "This is my moral obligation as a former president later and as a good citizen who wishes to continue to serve his country with dedication," Yudhoyono, who will end his second presidential tenure on October 20, 2014, stated while delivering his last state-to-the-nation address at parliament building in Jakarta on August 16, 2014.  

RAJA AMPAT'S ENDEMIC CORAL REEFS WELL PRESERVED by Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 27 (Antara) - Known for its intact marine ecosystem, West Papua Province's district of Raja Ampat has been actively promoted worldwide in attracting tourists over the last five years.  
    Literally meaning "Four Kings," Raja Ampat has been derived from a local myth and has one of the most beautiful marine panoramas in the world, and is located in the Coral Triangle area, the heart of the world's coral reef biodiversity.

         The archipelago comprises around 1.7 thousand isles and encompasses more than 9.8 million acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of West Papua Province. It has four major islands--Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta, and Misool--which are home to ancient rock paintings.  

BALI GEARS UP FOR SIXTH UNAOC GLOBAL FORUM by Fardah

   Jakarta, Aug 27, 2014 (Antara) - Bali Island, one of the world's most famous tourist destinations, is gearing up to host the Sixth Global Forum of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).

      The forum will be held at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) on August 29 and 30, 2014.

         President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to open the UNAOC Global Forum, which will be attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, UN High Representative of the UNAOC Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, and Timor Leste President Taur Matan Ruak, as well as scores of ministers. 
    The Sixth UNAOC Global Forum, with this year¿s theme "Unity in Diversity", is focusing on four pillars: Education, Youth, Media, and Migration. The theme is based on Indonesia's national motto of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" or "Unity in Diversity."

CONSERVATION PERMIT EXPECTED TO SAVE SURABAYA ZOO'S ANIMALS by Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 26, 2014 (Antara) - The Surabaya municipal administration was finally granted the wildlife conservation permit expected to help save Surabaya Zoo from being closed down as many animals had died due to mismanagement over the past few years.

         While presenting the document to Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini on August 8, 2014, Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan stated that the management of the zoo should be in accordance with the law on Natural Resource Conservation.

        "I have handed a decision of the Conservation Institution to the Surabaya mayor with regard to the Surabaya Zoo. So, I no longer owe anything to Surabaya. Under the decision, the zoo will serve as an education, recreation, and animal conservation center. Therefore, the zoo must not be managed like (it was done) in the past," Hasan noted.

PAPUA'S SPECIAL GIFT ON INDONESIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY by Fardah

 Jakarta, Aug 25, 2014 (Antara) - On August 16, 2014, about 700 former members of the outlawed separatist group Free Papua Movement (OPM) surrendered and declared their willingness to embrace the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) as their nation.

       The Kaswari group from South Manokwari, the largest part of OPM, surrendered their weapons a day before Indonesia's Independence Day to Major General Christian Zebua, Chief of the Cenderawasih XVII Military Command overseeing Papua and West Papua provinces, in Sumuruk kampong, Ransiki subdistrict, Manokwari District, West Papua Province.

        "We wish to enjoy the development within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, which celebrates its 69th Independence. We ask the Indonesian government to provide us with facilities such as proper housing, clean water supply, and economic welfare and prosperity for about 700 former members of OPM Kaswari, Manokwari," Yance Mandacan, spokesman of the group, said.

WARSHIPS, MILITARY OFFICERS SECURE SAIL RAJA AMPAT EVENT by Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 19, 2014 (Antara) - The sixth edition of the annual Sail Indonesia international maritime event, Sail Raja Ampat, is being organized in West Papua province from August 17 to 24, 2014.

        President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and several VIP guests such as ministers and foreign ambassadors are scheduled to attend the main event of Sail Raja Ampat in Waisai Torang Cinta Beach in Raja Ampat District, on August 23, 2014. Yudhoyono will also inaugurate several development projects in West Papua.

         Due to the presence of high-profile guests such as presidents and other eminent dignitaries, security measures have been heightened in Raja Ampat and its surrounding areas in the eastern Indonesian region.

RAJA AMPAT READY TO CHARM SAIL'S PARTICIPANTS by Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 18, 2014 (Antara) - "Don't die before going to Raja Ampat," West Papua Governor Abraham Octanianus Aturury recently stated while promoting Sail Raja Ampat 2014 in Jakarta.

        He is not exaggerating while describing the panorama of Raja Ampat, which has abundant natural resources and underwater beauty that has been included in the list of the world's ten best underwater paradises.

INDONESIA SEES ISIS AS THREAT TO ITS NATIONAL IDENTITY by Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 16, 2014 (Antara) - Indonesia is not an Islamic state although more than 80 percent of its 250 million people are Muslims, and therefore it rejects the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)'s ideology on its land.

         "Indonesia is a state that believes in one supreme God but it is not a country based on a certain religion," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said when delivering his last state-of-the-nation address related to the 69th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence at the Parliament Building in Jakarta, on August 15, 2014.

MALUKU PEOPLE URGED TO END VIOLENCE by Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 14, 2014 (Antara) - Following two recent communal clashes that had killed 11 people and injured tens of others, Maluku authorities have urged the public to maintain stability and live peacefully and harmoniously despite differences in their beliefs.

        "Let us maintain security and stability in Maluku and not be provoked," Maluku Governor Said Assagaff said in Ambon, Maluku, on August 8, 2014.

        The recent communal clash occurred in Ambon on July 31, 2014, involving neighboring villagers of Seith and Negeri Lima, Central Maluku District, which had led to the death of four persons and injured five others.     The incident also left 21 houses burnt and several others seriously damaged.

WARSHIP PARADE TO HIGHLIGHT SAIL RAJA AMPAT'S PEAK EVENT by Fardah

     Jakarta, Aug 12, 2014 (Antara) - After being delayed several times, international maritime event Sail Raja Ampat will finally be held in Raja Ampat District, West Papua, starting August 17, 2014, coinciding with the commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day.

         The peak event will be held in August 23 and will be highlighted with a parade of warships from Indonesia, Australia, and the United States.

         President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to be present during the parade, which will feature military fleet for peaceful purposes. The parade will be held in Torang Cinta Beach, Waisai, capital of Raja Ampat District.

INDONESIA WARNS CITIZENS TO REFRAIN FROM VISITING LIBYA by Fardah

 Jakarta, Aug 12, 2014 (Antara) - The Indonesian government recently evacuated its citizens from Libya and warned others not to visit the strife-ravaged country where violence has been steadily escalating across several of its cities.

        The civil war in Libya has killed more than 220 people, wounded some one thousand, and forced many foreign nationals to flee Libya lately.

        In a statement released on August 7, 2014, the Indonesian foreign affairs ministry stated that a total of 122 Indonesians living in Libya had been evacuated since July 29 by land via Ras Jedir to Tunis, in coordination with the Indonesian embassies in Tripoli and Tunis.

         The evacuation had been carried out in three batches, with the first on July 29 involving 34 citizens, the second on August 1 involving 51 nationals, and the third on August 3 involving 37 citizens.

ISIS MUST NOT EXIST IN INDONESIA by Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 5 (Antara) - As news reports of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)'s cruelty, such as beheadings and crucifixions, have been spreading across the world, the Indonesian government has condemned the organization.

        Indonesia's concern has increased further following a video footage uploaded on the social media network, YouTube, showing an ISIS member, who happens to be an Indonesian citizen, calling on fellow countrymen to join ISIS.

        ISIS is a threat to the Middle East and must not be allowed to enter nor exist in Indonesia, Chief of the Constitutional Court (MK) Hamdan Zoelva stated.

        "ISIS must not be permitted to develop (in Indonesia), because the organization will disturb security and order, and threaten the Unitary Republic of Indonesia," Zoelva said in Jakarta, on Tuesday.

News Focus - YUDHOYONO URGES WORLD LEADERS TO PURSUE PEACE-MAKING FOR PALESTINE by Fardah

          Jakarta, Aug 2 (Antara) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono could not sleep during the evening of the Islamic Eid al-Fitr celebration (July 28) as he recalled the destruction and killing of innocents in Gaza, Palestine, by the Israeli Zionist military.

         Over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed and 8,000 injured, two-thirds of them civilians, in Gaza in 24 days of Israel's brutal military aggression. At least 296 of the dead Palestinians were children, according to the UN.

         Wanting to stop the bloodshed and see long-term peace in Palestine, Yudhoyono decided to write an open letter to world leaders, and the leaders of Israel and Hamas.