INDONESIA RECORDS HIGHEST NUMBER OF NATURAL DISASTERS IN 2016 -- by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 31, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia was battered by 2,342 natural disasters in 2016, the highest in the past 14 years, making it one of the most violent years in recent memory.

         According to data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the number of natural disasters increased by 35 percent during 2016 from 1,732 in the previous year, with flooding, landslides and whirlwinds still dominating.

            As many as 522 people were killed, and some three million others were affected or displaced in the disasters, which also damaged at least 70 thousand houses. The nation lost tens of trillions of rupiahs due to the catastrophes.      
      Ninety-two percent of the natural disasters that hit Indonesia during the year were hydro-meteorological in nature -- floods, landslides, and whirlwinds.

           The country was stricken by 766 floods (up 52 percent from 2015), 612 landslides (up 19 percent), and 669 whirlwinds (up 15 percent).

          Flooding claimed 147 lives and affected 2.72 million people. Landslides killed 188 people, an increase from 135 in 2015.

          "Natural disasters have caused a lot of suffering, mostly among the poor," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman of BNPB said in a statement issued on Dec 29, 2016.    
      "Surveys in several regions show that the poor people have suffered more because of the natural disasters. Imagine, those living along Bengawan Solo River have been hit by floods five times a year, and in Sampang (Madura) 15 times a year, on average," he said.

CENTRAL SULAWESI TO REVIVE TOURISM THROUGH TOUR DE CENTRAL CELEBES by Fardah

 Jakarta, Dec 29, 2016 (Antara) - Tourism in Central Sulawesi is now back in business as the provincial government has planned an international cycling and tourism event called Tour de Central Celebes (TdCC), starting next year.

       Celebes is the former name of Sulawesi, one of the four Greater Sunda Islands, and the world's eleventh-largest island, situated between Kalimantan (Borneo) and the Maluku Islands.

        Sectarian conflicts in Poso, Central Sulawesi, from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, had slowed down the tourism industry in Central Sulawesi Province.

       But now, peace has returned to the province, which was once known for its inter-faith harmony and tolerance before the conflicts were provoked.

       In March this year, the total solar eclipse phenomenon turned into a free tourism promotion event for the province. Many domestic and foreign tourists came to Sigi District, some 15 km from the Central Sulawesi capital of Palu, to watch the rare natural phenomenon.

        In addition, Central Sulawesi has a number of popular tourist destinations, including mountainous areas, lakes, beaches, and forests. The tourist attractions include Lake Poso; Lore Lindu National Park, which is filled with mysterious megaliths and has a wildlife-rich jungle; Togean National Park; the Salodik and Saluopa Waterfalls; the Morowali Nature Reserve where the Wana people of the jungle live; Talise Beach; and the white-sand Tanjung Karang Beach for divers and beach bums alike.

HOSTAGE CRISIS FINALLY ENDS WITH RELEASE OF LAST TWO INDONESIANS by Fardah

 Jakarta, Dec 27, 2016 (Antara) - The year 2016 was tainted by five hostage-taking incidents, occurring between March and July, with a total of 24 Indonesians being kidnapped for ransom by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group hiding in the Philippine forests.

       The first incident occurred on March 26, when 10 Indonesian ship crew members were abducted in waters near the Philippines.

       They were released in May as a result of effective cooperation between the Philippine and Indonesian governments, according to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

        Flanked by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo, the head of state revealed that both formal and informal approaches had been deployed to secure the release of the abducted Indonesians.  
   The latest incident occurred on July 9, when three Indonesians were abducted from a Malaysian-flagged trawler, LLD113/5/F, in the Felda Sahabat waters, Tungku, Lahad Datu, Sabah State, Malaysia.

        Most of the captives from all incidents were gradually released unharmed in September and October, except for two persons identified as Mohammad Nazer, 62, and Robin Peter, 32, taken hostage with five other crew members of the tugboat Charles on June 22, off the waters of Sulu.

SOCIAL SOLIDARITY CALLED POWERFUL TOOL FOR DEALING WITH NATIONAL PROBLEMS by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 24, 2016 (Antara) - Having more than 1,300 ethnic groups and 400 distinct languages and dialects, are certainly challenges for the 250-million population of Indonesia, the fourth most populated nation in the world, after China, India and the US.

         Moreover, the country comprises some 17,000 islands and lies between the Ring of Fire and the Alpide Belt, resulting in the country being prone to volcano eruptions, earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis.

         The Ring of Fire is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur annually. With its 40,000 km horseshoe shape, it is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and/or plate movements. It has 452 volcanoes, including more than 75 percent of the world's active and dormant volcanoes.

         Indonesia has experienced among the world¿s deadliest natural disasters, such as the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa Volcano, and a magnitude-9.3 earthquake off Aceh waters that triggered a massive tsunami on Dec 26, 2004.

        The Indian Ocean earthquake and its resulting tsunami killed an estimated 225,000 to 230,210 people, mostly in Aceh Province and Nias Island (North Sumatra Province), as well as several other countries in Southeast and South Asian regions.

PEATLAND RESTORATION HELPS PREVENT FOREST FIRES by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 24, 2016 (Antara) -  Set up nearly a year ago, Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG)  has wasted no time in protecting and restoring peatlands and, consequently,  preventing wildfires in Indonesian forests.   
   The destruction of peatlands and forest fires are closely linked, because clearing and draining peatlands for oil palm and pulpwood plantations are major causes of Indonesia's recurring fire and haze crises.

        Last year, haze produced by forest fires impacted the health of thousands of people in South-East Asia, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan Islands, and cost Indonesia's economy an estimated $16.1 billion, according to data from the World Bank.

        And this year, Indonesia remains haze free, after two decades of experiencing annual forest fires that triggered haze and chocking much of the public, Environmental Affairs and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya has confirmed.

        "For the first time, in 2016, we did not experience major forest fires, thanks to the joint hard work of many in the regions. The number of hotspots decreased by 80 to 92 percent, according to the NOAA and Terra satellite methods," the minister said on Dec 10, 2016.  
   The government has set up an integrated forest fire control team comprising, among others, military and police officers, as well as a preventive and early detection mechanisms to curb forest fires.

        Additionally, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), under Presidential Regulation No. 1 of 2016, dated January 6, 2016,  established BRG to prevent forest fires, particularly those affecting peatlands, and to restore areas destroyed by fires.

WEST NUSA TENGGARA TO BOOST YACHT TOURISM by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 22, 2016 (Antara) - West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province is blessed with beautiful white-sand beaches, forest-covered mountainous areas and a distinct culture. The province comprises islands of Lombok, Sumbawa and hundreds of smaller ones.   
   Located not far from Bali and scenically no less beautiful than Bali, NTB attracted 2.25 million tourists in 2012, 2.49 million in 2013, and 2.51 million in 2014.

        The NTB administration has set a target of attracting three million tourists in 2016, and is expected to generate Rp750 billion in revenue from tourism.  Besides, the province also hopes to attract 3.5 million visits by 2017 and four million by 2018. 
   The target has been incorporated into the provincial Medium Term Development Plan 2018.

        Lalu Moh Faozal, head of the NTB Tourism and Culture Office said recently that the target was determined after taking into account the number of tourists staying at hotels and those who visited the region via any entry point, be it the Lembar seaport in West Lombok, Sape seaport in Bima, Bangsal seaport in North Lombok, or the Lombok International Airport in Central Lombok district.

        "Those are the mainstays through which tourist enter West Nusa Tenggara," Faozal added.

        The number of visitors coming to the province for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) was also factored in while setting the target.

       "Currently, the number of tourists has reached 2.9 million. Before the close of the year, we are optimistic that the target of three million tourists will be achieved," he assured.

CILIWUNG RIVER IN BOGOR BOTANICAL GARDEN NOW CLEANER by Fardah

 Jakarta, Dec 20 , 2016(Antara) - As holiday season to celebrate Christmas and New Year is approaching, many Indonesians are getting ready to spend the holidays with their families in tourist resorts and parks, including Bogor botanical garden.

         To help beautify the botanical garden, members of the Presidential security unit (Paspampres) on Dec 17 joined a clean-up activity for Ciliwung River, which crosses the garden, located in Bogor City, West Java.

          President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and the First Lady live in the Bogor Presidential Palace, located within the complex of the 87-hectare botanical garden, against the backdrop of Mt. Salak.

         Wearing a sport shirt, Jokowi came out of the Bogor palace at 10:30 a.m. local time on that day to watch his guards cleaning the river. He also toured the botanical garden and greeted the garden's visitors.

         "Ciliwung River is cleaner now. It's still dirty, but it is cleaner than it was in the past," the Head of State said.

         The Commander of Paspampres Major General Bambang Suswanto noted the clean-up was organized to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the unit.

         The event drew participation from more than 200 people, including police and military officers and members of the Ciliwung Care Community (KPC), among others, who picked up trash in the Ciliwung River.

         "We hope to see a cleaner Ciliwung River passing through the botanical garden, but so far, we have seen garbage on both sides of the river," he stressed.

INDONESIA SUCCESSFULLY FIGHTS FOREST FIRES IN 2016 by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 17,2016 (Antara) - Many inhabitants of Riau Province have a fleeting sense of relief since, for the first time in the past 18 years, they were not choked by haze coming from forest and plantation fires, thanks to all out efforts by Indonesian authorities to put out the fires.

         Indonesia remained haze-free in 2016, after two decades of experiencing annual forest fires that had triggered haze, Environmental Affairs and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya has confirmed.

       "For the first time, in 2016, we did not experience major forest fires thanks to the joint hard work of many in the regions. The number of hotspots decreased by 80 to 92 percent, according to the NOAA and Terra satellite methods," the minister said on Dec 10, 2016.   
   The number of hotspots, from January 1 to December 9, 2016, reached 3,844, a significant drop from 21,847 during the same period in the previous year.

        In Riau, the Sumatran province worst hit by haze, there were 1,924 hotspots last year, and this year, there are only 371. In Central Kalimantan, the number of hotspots dropped from 4,283 last year, to 257 this year.

         Based on data from the TERRA and AQUA Satellites from NASA, during this same period the number of hotspots significantly decreased from 70,252 last year, to 3,814 this year.   
   The minister expressed her appreciation to all members of the forest fire teams who have done their best in the field to prevent or extinguish forest and plantation fires. The teams were made up of  military and police personnel, regional administration officers, and local inhabitants.

INDONESIA LENDS HELPING HAND TO ROHINGYA PROBLEM by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 15, 2016 (Antara)- Indonesia has expressed concern  over the problem in  Rakhine State in Myanmar, where Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority continuously faces persecution and atrocities.

        Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi conveyed the concern during her meeting with Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw on Dec.6, 2016.

         "Indonesia hoped that condition in the Rakhine State could be normal again with human right protection and respect including the rights of Muslim community there," Retno Marsudi said. 
    The recent bloodshed in November 2016 was the most serious since hundreds were killed in communal clashes in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine in 2012.

         In late 2012, sectarian violence between Rohingya Muslims and Rakhine Buddhists had again broken out and claimed about 200 lives and left at least 110,000 displaced in Rakhine. A vast majority of the victims were Rohingya Muslims.

       The 2012 tragedy had prompted the then Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa to visit Myanmar to get first hand information about the problem there.

        After the conflict in June 2012, the quality of life of the Rohingya ethnic group had been badly affected, particularly because they have no source of income.

        To demonstrate Indonesia's sympathy and solidarity, the Indonesian government had donated US$1 million in humanitarian aid to the victims of the ethnic violence in Rakhine State for the construction of their houses.      

STRENGTHENING TRADE, INVESTMENT COOPERATION WITH INDIA by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 14, 2016 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) paid a state visit to India in the last month of 2016 to boost bilateral trade and invite Indian businessmen to invest more in Indonesia.

          India is Indonesia's largest trade partner in South Asia and fourth largest trade partner in the world, with a trade balance reaching US$14.6 billion, or 4.9 percent of Indonesia's total trade value in 2015.

        In the same year, India invested in 43 projects worth $15.5 million in Indonesia, an increase from the $12.89 million it invested in 2014. India mostly invests in the food, textiles, and transportation sectors.

         Indonesia has enjoyed a large trade surplus with India and continues to boost bilateral trade ties, particularly by diversifying products and commodities exported to India.

         Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said, in addition to CPO and coal, which are Indonesia's main exports to India, Indonesia should be able to export other products to the South Asian nation, such as furniture, gambier, and areca nuts.

         During the two-day visit (Dec 12-13), the president explored the possibility of diversifying exports.   
    The first visit of President Jokowi to India is intended to reciprocate the visit of the Indian prime minister to Jakarta in 2013 and the visit of the Indian vice president to Indonesia in November 2015.  

PIDIE JAYA EARTHQUAKE BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF 2004 TSUNAMI by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 12, 2016 (Antara) - While many people were asleep, a strong shallow earthquake rocked Pidie Jaya and neighboring districts in Aceh Province, at 5:03 a.m. local time, on Dec 7.

        Following the tremor, they rushed out of their buildings and tried to reach higher ground, as the quake was felt strongly and had raised memories of the deadly tsunami that had devastated Aceh in December 2004. One of the locals even said she felt the earthquake had been stronger than that of 2004.

        However, this time, there was no tsunami after the tremor, which the US Geological Survey said struck just offshore at a depth of 8km.

         Indonesia's Meteorological, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the epicenter of the 6.5-magnitude earthquake was at 5.19 degrees northern latitude and 96.36 degrees eastern longitude, at a depth of 10km on land, some 18km northeast of Pidie Jaya, or 106km southeast of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh Province.

         BMKG said the quake's intensity was a VII-VIII MMI (Marcelli Modified Intensity) in Pidie Jaya.

         It also recorded 74 aftershocks that were felt by inhabitants of the districts of Pidie Jaya, Pidie, Aceh Besar, Sabang, Bireun, and Lhokseumawe.

          The tremors have traumatized locals who are reluctant to stay indoors.

         A total of 103 deaths have been confirmed so far. Some 8 thousand inhabitants were seriously or slightly injured in the disaster, and they were evacuated to receive medical treatment.

BALI DEMOCRACY FORUM CALLS FOR SYNERGY OF RELIGIONS, TOLERANCE AND DEMOCRACY by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 10, 2016 (Antara) - The Bali Democracy Forum, attended by over 200 delegates from 96 countries and five international organizations, has called for a synergy of religions, tolerance and democracy during the two-day meeting that took place in Nusa Dua, Bali, some 20 days before the year 2016 ends.
         The theme of this year's forum is "Religion, Democracy and Tolerance," which is highly relevant due to the current global situation witnessing an increase in narrow understanding of religions.
         "Tolerance is needed because we are diverse," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said in his opening remarks on Dec 8.
         Religion plays a crucial role in people's lives in terms of their social, economic and political existence on a national, regional and global scale, he stated.
         He said Islam came to Indonesia first in the 7th century with a peaceful spirit, which Indonesian Muslims have continued to foster until now.
         "Beside Muslims, Indonesia is also home for Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Confucians," he said, emphasizing the importance of tolerance and pluralism.
         "There are more than 1,300 ethnic groups in Indonesia. Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim nation. Muslims make up 85 percent of the population of 252 million," Jokowi noted.
         The Indonesian Government has been active in encouraging synergy between democracy, religion, and tolerance, to promote harmony among Indonesian citizens. 
    The head of state said it is crucial to make sure that democracy works well, supports stability and peace, and brings prosperity to the public.

JAKARTA'S "212" MASS FRIDAY PRAYER FOR NATIONAL UNITY by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 5, 2016 (Antara) - A mass Friday prayer held in downtown  Jakarta on December 2, 2016 was a historic event for the Muslims of Indonesia as it was believed to be the largest ever Friday prayer held on the streets with several million people attending.

        Muslim men and women who participated in the prayer came not only from Jakarta but also from other provinces throughout Indonesia. No flags of political parties or banners of any gubernatorial candidates were seen during the mass prayers. Several non-Muslim sympathizers, including those of Chinese descent, were also present.

        Most of the audience came on its own, bearing their own expenses, and many of them claimed they were moved to join the prayer because of their love for Islam and in particular for its Holy Book, Al Quran, and for maintaining the unity and diversity of Indonesia.

        Even the organizer of the mass Friday prayer, the National Movement of Guardians of the Indonesian Ulema Council's Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) did not make any claim that bringing together so many people was in any way their success.

        The GNPF-MUI leaders believed that no figure or party or organization could have mobilized such big numbers. The crowd turned up because of an appeal to their conscience.

        No one could have the exact count of audience's numbers but the GPMUI estimated it to be around 7.5 million. Different media, however, came out with different estimations, varying from hundreds of thousands, one million, two million, or even three million.

TOUR DE TIMOR CYCLISTS THRILLED BY EXTREME TOPOGRAPHY OF TIMOR by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 3, 2016 (Antara) - Fifty cyclists who participated in the cycling and tourism event, Tour de Timor (TdT), reached the finish line in Kupang, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Dec 2, 2016, after traversing through six districts of Timor Island.

       Their arduous journey had begun on Nov 30, 2016.

        NTT Governor Frans Leburaya greeted the participants who had started from Belu District, which shares border with the tiny country called Timor Leste, located in the eastern part of Timor Island.

       Riky, a TdT event organizer, disclosed that all the participants were Indonesians.

        All of them agreed that they enjoyed the tour very much, right from the start till the finish, Ricky added.

        They expressed their gratitude towards the local inhabitants and officials of the six districts for their hospitality and warm welcome.

        The cyclists were thrilled and challenged by the extreme topography of the Timor Island, which was very steep in certain locations, beritantt.com reported.

        They looked forward to again participating in the annual sports event, and hoped more cyclists from many countries will join them.

         Governor Leburaya promised to hold the TdT and Tour de Flores events annually to promote tourism in his province.

        He admitted that the TdT's implementation witnessed some shortcomings this year and promised to improve these next year.

CROSS-MINISTERIAL COORDINATION NEEDED TO HANDLE STREET CHILDREN PROBLEM by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 2, 2016 (Antara) - It takes a village to raise a child, according to an African proverb that leverages the cultural context and belief that it takes an entire community to raise a child.

         To deal with the problem of street children in particular, the Social Affairs Ministry alone is not enough. The cause needs cross-ministerial coordination, among other things, to return the children to their homes so that they can live decently.

         Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa recently informed that an MOU among multiple ministries and community elements was signed on helping street children. 
    "We agreed today to have an MOU among multiple ministries and community elements. There is a commitment to achieve a street-children free Indonesia by 2017," the minister said during an event, named "Declaration Towards Street-Children Free Indonesia (MIBAJ) by 2017." The event was held at the National Monument (Monas), Central Jakarta, on Nov 28, 2016.

         This was in line with a commitment to achieving the target under the street-children free Indonesia program by 2017.

         In fact, the declaration about the program was made for the first time in 2015, and the latest event was to reiterate that determination.

         Among the ministries involved in the program are the Manpower Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Coordinating Ministry for Cultural and Human Development, and the Health Ministry.

"UNITED NUSANTARA" CELEBRATES "UNITY IN DIVERSITY" OF INDONESIA by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 1, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic country, is blessed with more than 17 thousand islands, 700 tribes, and over 1,100 different local languages and dialects.

         Although over 80 percent of its population of more than 250 million comprises Muslims. People having different faiths such as Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists, have been living here in harmony for many decades.

         "Our diversity is God's gift that we must all be grateful for. This is also our strength and we can boast about it to other countries. Though we have a lot of diversity, we remain united," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said while speaking before young members of Indonesia's second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, in Banten, on Nov 30.

         The country's founding fathers have been very wise in choosing "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," or Unity in Diversity as the national motto.

         To celebrate the diversity and unity of the nation, a peaceful assembly called United Nusantara (Archipelago) was organized simultaneously at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta, and in other cities across the country, on Nov 30.

         The assembly, aimed at strengthening the sense of unity and integrity of the nation, witnessed the participation of thousands of people that included prominent religious figures, ulemas, students, musicians, youth and other elements of the nation.   
     The Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), General Gatot Nurmantyo, and Chief of the Indonesian Police, General Tito Karnavian, attended the gathering which was also called a 'roll call.'

HIV PREVENTION CRUCIAL TO END AIDS EPIDEMIC by Fardah

 Jakarta, Dec 1, 2016 (Antara)- World AIDS Day is held on the 1st December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate people who have died.

        Held for the first time in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day,  aimed at raising awareness of AIDS epidemic, according to information on www.worldaidsday.org.

        Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.   
    An estimated 34 million people have the virus globally.

         The theme of World AIDS Day this year is "Hands Up For #HIVPrevention," which is highlighting how HIV prevention needs to be re-invigorated as a crucial part of efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

         Prevention programs that include  providing HIV information, condom distribution and outreach to young people and key populations, are often the first entry point for individuals to HIV testing and treatment.

          In Indonesia, the commemoration of World AIDS Day was centered in Surabaya, that has the highest number of HIV virus infection in the country.

         "East Java is a province with high rate of HIV infection, along with Jakarta, Papua, West and Central Java," Indonesia's Health Minister Nila F Moeloek said while leading the function in Surabaya, East Java, on Dec 1.

TREE PLANTING CRUCIAL FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS by Fardah

 Jakarta, Nov 29, 2016 (Antara) - The World Commission on Sustainable Development Report entitled "Our Common Future" has reminded that the quality of life for the future of world's children depends on the decisions taken today.

       "We borrow environmental capital from future generations with no intention or prospect of repaying. We act as we do, because we can get away with it. The future generations do not vote; they have no political or financial power; they cannot challenge our decisions, "the report, issued 35 years ago, said.

       President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has carried out an action toward sustainable development to secure the next generations' needs when he led a tree planting movement in Tasikharjo Village, Jenu sub-district, Tuban District, East Java Province, on Nov 28, 2016.

        "In fact when we plant trees, it means we plant prayers, we plant hopes, (and we) plant our works for survival of the future generations," Jokowi said during the commemoration of Indonesian Tree Planting Day.

         Ignoring the sustainability of the nature would trigger disasters such as floods and landslides in various regions.

        Indonesia has experienced the consequences of not preserving the nature, such as haze resulting from burning of forests and floods resulting from cutting down the trees.

        He cited major flooding in Bandung and Garut in West Java Province as an example of conversion of forest area into farming and residential areas, as well as mining and industrial areas.

PALEMBANG BEAUTIFIES TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO WELCOME ASIAN GAMES 2018 by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 29 (Antara)- Palembang City, the capital of South Sumatra Province, is busy beautifying its tourist attractions.

         The city is gearing up for the 18th Asian Games, a regional sporting event for Asian nations, to be co-hosted by Palembang and Jakarta in 2018.

         Thousands of athletes from 54 countries are expected to participate in the games.

         The South Sumatra provincial administration in general, and the Palembang municipality government in particular, are determined to use the event to promote its tourism attractions in order to attract as many tourists as possible.

         For that purpose, they have been busy improving and renovating several tourist attractions in the city, and developing infrastructure and facilities to support the tourism industry. Among tourist objects being renovated are Kuto Besak Fortress, Ampera Bridge and Kemaro Island.

         An investor has expressed interest in investing in the tourism industry in Palembang.

         The businessman intends to invest Rp70 billion particularly to beautify the Kemaro Isle tourist site, one of the icons of Palembang, Isnaini Madani, head of the Palembang Tourism Office, said. He did not reveal the identity of the investor.

         Kemaro Isle is a small delta, nearly six kilometers from Ampera Bridge, in the middle of the Musi River.

         A Chinese temple was built on the isle in honor of a legendary love story between a Chinese prince, Tan Bun Ann, and a princess of Palembang, Siti Fatimah.

PLAN TO REINSTATE NOVANTO AS HOUSE SPEAKER TRIGGERS CONTROVERSY by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 25, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia's political situation has been very dynamic and interesting following a plan to reinstate Setya Novanto as House Speaker, a position he had given up in December 2015 over the "Papa asks for share" case.   
    Golkar Secretary General Idrus Marham confirmed that the party has sent a letter to the House of Representatives (DPR) concerning its wish to reinstate Novanto, the current chairman of Golkar, as House Speaker.

         Marham explained that Novanto was expected to cool down the political situation in the country, as he is capable of improving the relations between the government and the Parliament, and make the ties more productive.

         With Novanto at the top, the DPR would perform better in its supervisory, legislative and budgeting functions, he said.

         The Golkar Party Executive Board (DPP) in a meeting on Nov 8 decided to reinstate Novanto as House Speaker, because the party believed Novanto was not proven guilty in "Papa Asks for shares" case, where he had been accused of using the president's name to seek shares of gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia last year.

          Executive Chairman of the Golkar Executive Board Nurdin Halid said the decision was taken referring to the ruling of the  Constitutional Court (MK) concerning "Papa asks for share" case and also based on the fact that the Parliament¿s Ethics Council (MKD never sanctioned Novanto.

         The ruling by the MK accepted the judicial review submitted by Novanto that said that a recording could not be viewed as an valid evidence.

INDONESIANS URGED TO PRAY FOR AND HELP PROSECUTED ROHINGYA by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 23, 2016 (Antara) - The Rohingya ethnic group living in Myanmar's Rakhine State is one of the world's most persecuted minority groups.

        The United Nations (UN) has acknowledged the tragedy and the world was well aware of it, but Rohingya people have continued to suffer more and more.

        Over 1,200 homes have been razed in villages inhabited by Muslim Rohingya minority living in the Buddhist-majority Myanmar in the past six weeks, the BBC said recently, quoting Human Rights Watch.

         The group has released a batch of new satellite images that showed 820 structures destroyed between November 10 and 18.

         The military is conducting security operations in Rakhine but the government denies it is razing homes.

         A BBC correspondent on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border spoke to fleeing Rohingya families who described what was happening in northern Rakhine as "hell on earth."
    A total of 130 people have been killed in the latest surge of violence in the country, according to the Myanmar army.

       Al Jazeera reported on November 17 that the bloodshed was the most serious since hundreds were killed in communal clashes in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine in 2012.

         It has exposed a lack of oversight of the military by the seven-month-old administration of Suu Kyi.

         Deeply concerned about the safety and wellbeing of Rohingya civilians, the United Nations entities on Nov 18 urged the Myanmar authorities to take immediate action to address humanitarian and human rights situation.

FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL FISHING ACTIVITIES INTENSIFIED by Fardah

 Jakarta, Nov 22, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia has been blessed with abundant maritime natural resources that could make other countries envious.

        This prompts several other nations to carry out illegal fishing activities in Indonesian waters.

        The government has claimed that the illegal fishing activities in the country's waters had caused a loss of hundreds of trillions of rupiahs a year to the state.

        The Joko Widodo (Jokowi) administration has declared a war against illegal fishing activities since the inauguration of the president in October 2014.

        As of now, hundreds of foreign fishing boats caught illegally operating in Indonesian waters  have been exploded and sunk in the sea over the past two years of the present government.

        The war against illegal fishing activities has been spearheaded by Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti with the support of other parties, particularly the Indonesian Navy.

        The government has even set up an Illegal Fishing Eradication Task Force (Task Force 115) to combat poaching in Indonesian waters.

         The Task Force 115 has made a synergy with other agencies and institutions in its operation.

        The inter-ministry task force acts as the supervisor and executor for the legal process of tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing cases.

         Pudjiastuti has lauded the Task Force 115 for its successful performance in seeking to stamp out illegal fishing.

TOWARDS A SLUM-FREE INDONESIA BY 2019 by Fardah

 Jakarta, Nov 19, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia has around 137 million urban dwellers who make up 53.7 percent of the total population.  By 2025, an estimated 68 percent of Indonesians will be living in cities.  
   Slums claim 23 thousand hectares of land in Indonesia, according to data from the Public Works and Public Housing Works Ministry.

        About 29 million Indonesians live in slums with poor basic services with 11 million lacking access to sanitation and 9 million lacking access to safe water. Indonesia's urban poor pay 10 to 30 times more to buy clean water from private providers, compared to the better off families with access to water utilities.

        The government, in line with the Law No. 17 of 2007 regarding National Long-Term Development Plan 2005-2025, has set a target of achieving a "city without slums" by 2020.

        The current government under the leadership of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), however, has intensified work to improve living conditions in slum areas in order to achieve a "slum free" status by 2019.

        Jokowi, in fact, has made poverty alleviation program one of his administration's key development efforts.

        Nine cities have been chosen for the first stage of the slum free program, according to the Ministry of National Development Planning.

        The cities are Banjarmasin, East Kalimantan; Pekalongan and Semarang in Central Java; Surabaya and Malang, East Java; Tangerang, Banten; Makassar, South Sulawesi; Palembang in South Sumatra; and the city of Yogyakarta.

ayam rica-rica

BAHAN AYAM RICA-RICA :

1 ekor ayam, potong-potong sesuai selera
800 ml air
30 gram daun kemangi
10 lembar daun jeruk
4 daun bawang, iris kecil-kecil
2 lembar daun pandan
1 buah jeruk nipis, ambil airnya
Garam dan gula secukupnya

BUMBU AYAM

RICA-RICA YANG DIHALUSKAN :

10 buah cabe merah keriting
8 siung bawang merah
5 buah cabe rawit merah
4 siung bawang putih
4 butir kemiri
2 cm jahe
1 cm kunyit
1 cm lengkuas, memarkan
1 batang serai, memarkan

ANOTHER RALLY NOT NEEDED WHILE AHOK BLASPHEMY CASE GOING ON by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 19, 2016 (Antara) - The public are expected to calm down and follow the developments of the legal process handled by the Crime Investigation Department (Bareskrim) of Indonesian Police (Polri), regarding the blasphemy case involving Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok).

           As promised by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), the central government will not make any intervention in the law enforcement to uphold justice regarding the case.

         "The legal process is proven, and there is absolutely no need for government intervention affecting the enforcement of justice," Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs Wiranto said in a statement on Nov 16.

        The security minister said the legal process of Ahok, as a suspect, was purely based on investigation of testimonies given in a professional manner.

         Wiranto appealed to the people to respect the legal process at this time and entrusted it entirely to law enforcement authorities, in order to resolve the problem completely.     
        The police has named Ahok a suspect for his alleged blasphemous statement regarding the Holy Quran.

           The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued an edict that the statement was a blasphemy and should be processed legally in line with the country's existing laws. Bareskrim received 11 reports from Muslim organizations against Ahok.

        "The investigation has been upgraded with Ahok as the suspect," Indonesia Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Rikwanto said.

INDONESIA AIMS TO BECOME MAJOR FRUIT EXPORTER by Fardah

 Jakarta, Nov 18, 2016 (Antara) - Fruit is an integral part of Indonesia's culture, as many local rituals and ceremonies make use of fruits.

         Every region in Indonesia has its respective specific tropical and exotic fruits that have been cultivated in large scales.

         Therefore, fruit plantations are not only good to produce fruits for domestic and international markets but also for agro-tourism.

         Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said at least 12 varieties of local fruits have been recognized as Indonesia's endemic fruits.

        "They are Balinese 'keprok' pomelos, durians, mangoes, mangosteens, avocados, pineapples, rambutans, salaks, bananas, papayas, melons and watermelons," the minister said.

         Indonesia is believed to have a huge potential to become one of the world's largest fruit exports, because the country has been blessed with fertile land and fruits that are abundant both qualitatively and quantitatively.

          In 2014, Indonesia produced 1,999 tons of oranges, 856,000 tons of durians, 2,464 tons of mangoes, 111,000 tons of mangosteens, 306,000 tons of avocados, 1,874 tons of pineapples, 733,000 tons of rambutans, 1,036 tons of salaks, 1,080 tons of bananas, 830,000 tons of papayas, 184,000 tons of melons and 684,000 tons of watermelons.

KENDAL INDUSTRIAL PARK SHOWCASES NEW MILESTONE OF INDONESIA, SINGAPORE RELATIONS by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 18, 2016 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo of Indonesia and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long of Singapore officiated the opening of the Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java Province, on November 14, 2016.

         The 2,700 hectares industrial park, which is also known as Park by the Bay, is a joint development between Singapore's Sembcorp Development and Indonesia's industrial estate developer PT Jababeka, and has opened a year before the 50th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Singapore.

         "Lee and I agree that the investment cooperation in Kendal Industrial Park marks a new milestone in our bilateral relationship, particularly in the investment sector," Jokowi said in a joint statement in the Central Java provincial capital of Semarang after holding the First Indonesia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat.

         The project is a win-win outcome for both countries, the Singapore prime minister said in his opening remarks. "Our economies are closely intertwined. If Indonesia does well, Singapore will also do well. This is why Singapore wants Indonesia to succeed," he noted.

         Lee considered the large scale project a significant one as it will create up to 4,000 jobs in Kendal. In fact, about 100,000 jobs are expected to be created by 2021, when phase one of the project is complete, according to Sembcorp Development.

         The park's masterplan, which was unveiled at the ceremony, features industrial clusters such as a Fashion City, Food City, Furniture Hub and Building Materials Zone.

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR WELFARE OF PAPUA PEOPLE by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 16, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, who has been stressing the importance of shifting from a Java-centric model of development, had assured that he will be visiting Papua frequently, a move aimed at underlining his approach of equitable development of various regions.

          "I will visit Papua frequently," the president had said when he had come visiting the Waringin Sports Stadium in Jayapura, Papua Province, on December 27, 2014.

         That was around two months after his presidential inauguration. Jokowi,  as the head of state is better known, has kept his promise. In the past two years, he has visited Papua five times.

        This is a decisive move towards a pan-Indonesia vision of development, Jokowi had explained during the  National Heroes Day celebrations in Surabaya, East Java, on November 10 last year.

        Jokowi has been paying special attention to the development programs in eastern Indonesia, particularly in the Papua Island that comprises Papua and West Papua Provinces.   
   The government has allocated enough funds, amounting to Rp85.7 trillion, for development programs in Papua.

        On Nov 8, the President chaired a limited cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Jakarta to review the ongoing development programs in Papua.

FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 12 (Antara) - The Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has warned that the overall impact of climate change on rice production is likely to be negative.

         While there is still ongoing scientific exploration into climate change, IRRI recognizes two universal trends predicted by all climate change models, namely the increase in temperatures, resulting in more heat stress and rising sea levels; and frequent and severe climate extremes.

         Furthermore, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) report entitled "Climate Change: Impact on Agriculture and Costs of Adaptation" forecasts that by 2050, rice prices will increase between 32% and 37% as a result of climate change. They also point out that the loss of yield in rice could be between 10% and 15%.        
    The threat of climate change was also confirmed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which said that food security remained one of the biggest issues related to climate change.

         This is why FAO's global message for World Food Day 2016 is "Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too."
    The world's poorest - many of whom are farmers, fishers and pastoralists - are the hardest hit, due to temperatures and an increasing frequency in weather-related disasters.

         At the same time, the global population is growing steadily and is expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050, according to FAO official website during the 2016 commemoration of World Food Day on October 16.

PRESIDENT JOKOWI REACHES OUT TO ULEMAS, SECURITY OFFICERS IN POLITICAL SAFARI by Fardah

   Jakarta, Nov 12, 2016 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) postponed his state visit to Australia that was originally scheduled for Nov 5-8, and instead opted to go for a political safari to meet top military and police officers as well as ulemas (Islamic scholars) over a week.

         The president's decision followed the massive rally on Nov 4, held by thousands of people after Friday mass prayers in Jakarta.

         The head of state visited the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) Headquarters to give directives to 2,185 soldiers on Monday (Nov 7).

         In his address to the soldiers in the courtyard of the Army Headquarters, the president appreciated all security agencies for their efforts to secure the peaceful Nov 4 rally, popularly known as 411 rally.

         The head of state said the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) must continue to forge national unity and a sense of cohesion.  
    On the evening of Nov 7, Jokowi visited the central executive board of Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) to meet a number of ulemas of the country's largest Muslim organization.

         Flanked by Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, the President was greeted by secretary general of NU executive board, H Helmy Faishal Zaini.

         Shortly after arriving at the office of the NU executive board, the president held a limited meeting with the board members, including NU's general chairman Said Aqil Siradj, secretary general Helmy Faishal and advisory board's chairman, Ma'ruf Amin.

INDO DEFENSE EXPO SUPPORTS MARITIME AXIS VISION by Fardah

  Jakarta, Nov 11, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia has once again successfully organized the Indo Defense Expo at the Jakarta International Expo in Kemayoran area, Jakarta, from November 2 to 5, 2016.

        The exhibition is one of Southeast Asia's biggest expo and conference on defense, aerospace and marine industry.

        This year, the military weaponry industry expo was themed 'Bolstering Defence Industry Cooperation: Achieving a Global Maritime Fulcrum and a Secure World,' to support the government's vision to make Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic country, a global maritime axis.

        Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, in his opening remarks, confirmed that the Seventh Indo Defense Expo was in line with the global maritime axis goal.

         Maritime defense has become vital for maintaining the safety of national and international shipping, according to Ryamizard.

        Ryamizard noted that the international exhibition opened up cooperation opportunities for the participants and visitors from various defense industrial companies and countries across the world.

         "Indo Defense Expo and Forum 2016 is expected to benefit not only the defense field but also the country's economy and tourism, including research and technology development," he stated. 
   He expressed hope that Indonesia would be able to build submarine and military aircraft through technology transfer cooperation with other countries.

CONSOLIDATION, RECONCILIATION NEEDED FOLLOWING MASSIVE NOV 4 RALLY by Fardah

 Jakarta, Nov 10, 2016 (Antara) - In the beginning, Andreas Gunawan and Wiwid Margareta were worried and hesitated whether to continue their plan to wed in Jakarta's Catholic Cathedral on November 4, that coincided with a massive rally staged by Muslims.

       The country's oldest and largest cathedral is located across Istiqlal Grand Mosque, where hundreds of thousands of Muslims gathered and performed Friday mass prayers at noon, prior to staging a peaceful rally in front of the Jakarta City Hall and moving to the Presidential Palace. In the evening, the protestors went to the Parliament Building.

        As the couple decided to go ahead with their wedding ceremony in the cathedral, they were surprised and very pleased that police officers, together with protestors in fact, helped them reach the cathedral safely and smoothly, amid large crowds flocking in the heart of the city.

         Net.TV interviewed the happy and grateful couple on that day and reported that despite the presence of crowds in its surrounding areas, the cathedral operated as usual.

         Up to 1 million people turned up for the gathering believed to be the largest rally ever in Indonesia's history, although data on the exact number was not available. 
   The rally was called by the so-called National Movement of Guardians of Indonesian Ulema Council's Fatwa/Edict (GNPF-MUI) to demand justice and legal enforcement.

        Following Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama's alleged blasphemous statement regarding the Holy Quran, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued an edict that the statement was a blasphemy and should be processed legally in line with the country's existing laws.

INTERPOL GENERAL ASSEMBLY HELPS IN SHARING COUNTER-TERRORISM EXPERIENCES by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 9, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia feels lucky to be the host of the 85th General Assembly of the International Police (Interpol) being held in Nusa Dua, Bali, from November 7 to 10, 2016.

         The country has seen the major gathering as a good forum for sharing counter-terrorism experiences with the group's 190 member countries, besides offering an opportunity to promote Bali tourism.

         Joining Interpol since 1954, Indonesia has in fact reaped many benefits by coordinating with member countries and learning from their counter-terrorism plans and knowledge.

         "We have uncovered many new modes of operation which had never been found in Indonesia before, but we knew this is based on information from other countries," Head of International Relations Division of the Indonesian Police Headquarters, Inspector General Ketut Untung Yoga, said on the sidelines of the Interpol General Assembly on November 8.

        Indonesia could adopt technics, tactics as well as technologies from other members to improve its capability to cope with a new case, including establishment of regulations, which has yet to be stipulated in the current laws.

         Currently, transnational crimes, which are borderless, demand international cooperation with advanced technology.

         Therefore, Indonesia is backing efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Interpol by exchanging information on ISIS and the emergence of new global threats from foreign terrorists returning home.

         Indonesia's Police Chief General Tito Karnavian earlier confirmed that the meeting would discuss the efforts to strengthen cooperation among police institutions throughout the world in the fight against global security threats such as terrorism.

INTERPOL STRENGTHENS GLOBAL COLLABORATION FOR SAFER WORLD by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 8, 2016 (Antara)- The International Police (Interpol) is holding its 85th General Assembly in Nusa Dua, Bali, from Nov 7 to 10, 2016, with a main agenda to setting a global roadmap for international policing, and topics varying from terrorism to illegal fishing activities on the table of discussions.

         "Identifying and meeting member countries' security needs in the face of an ever-changing threat landscape is the focus of the INTERPOL General Assembly which opened in Bali, Indonesia today," the Interpol wrote on its official website following the opening of the major gathering by Indonesian Vice President M Jusuf Kalla on Nov 7.

         The meeting is also expected to address the need for enhanced information sharing via Interpol  particularly biometric data, to assist countries identify and interdict these potential threats, detection, investigation, prevention and prosecution of organized crime groups operating across a range of illicit markets.

         Besides, some 830 police chiefs and senior law enforcement officials from 164 countries participating in the assembly also talk about the increasing sophistication and diversification of the modus operandi of cybercriminals will also be addressed during the conference.

         "We are here because the INTERPOL General Assembly is a forum to realise global interests related to our shared responsibility in protecting and securing the global community. Good cooperation between law enforcement will help develop and maintain security and stability and support economic development in an ever-developing and borderless world," Kalla said in his opening remarks.

soto banjar

Resep Soto Banjar yang Enak dan Gurih, Lazieesss!!

28/10/2016 Aristya Yulianti ART, FOOD

 

1 ekor Ayam, dipotong menjadi beberapa bagian
2 liter Air
250 cc susu cair
1/4 butir pala cukup
2 butir cengkeh
3 buah kapulaga
Secukupnya garam
10 cm kayu manis

Haluskan bumbu Soto Banjar :
1 sendok teh merica butir
5 siung bawang putih segar
10 siung bawang merah segar

Bahan pelengkap Resep Soto Banjar :

Beberapa buah Perkedel kentang
6 butir telur ayam rebus , dipotong-potong
100 gram Soun, direndam sampai lunak dengan air panas, ditiriskan
2 batang daun bawang, diiris tipis
Secukupnya lontong / Ketupat
Secukupnya daun seledri, dirajang halus
4 sendok makan bawang merah goreng
secukupnya kecap manis
secukupnya jeruk nipis

  Langkah awalnya rebus daging ayam sampai empuk lalu tambahkan garam secukupnya. diangkat, ditiriskan.
~ Lalu sisakan air sisa rebusan tadi 1,5 liter saja, ini untuk dijadikan kuah nantinya.
~ Kemudian potong daging ayam lalu suwir-suwir kecil, sisihkan.
~ Setelah itu sobat tumis bumbu halus diatas api sedang sampai harum, matikan api, angkat.
~ Sekarang sobat masukkan hasil tumis bumbu ini ke kedalam kuah sisa rebusan ayam yang tadi.
~ terus beri kayu manis, pala, kapulaga juga cengkeh, lalu masak lagi sampai mendidih.
~ Langkah terakhirnya sobat tambahkan susu cair sedikit demi sedkit sambail terus diaduk-aduk perlahan jangan sampai pecah. angkat, beres nih Resep Soto Banjar.

DECLARATION OF PEACE MARKS JAKARTA GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN by Fardah

  Jakarta, Oct 29, 2016 (Antara) - The implementation of gubernatorial election in Jakarta has been considered as a barometer of other regional head elections (pilkada) to be held simultaneously in 101 regions across Indonesia on February 15, 2017.

          It is even seen as a miniature of the implementation of democracy in Indonesia in general, according to Chairman of the Jakarta General Election Commission (KPU DKI) Sumarno.

         Therefore, three pairs of Jakarta gubernatorial candidates were requested to sign an inscription of peace declaration to symbolize their commitment to maintaining security and order during their campaign that began on October 28, 2016 and will end on February 11, 2017.

          The candidates signing the inscription were Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni, incumbents Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) and Djarot Saiful Hidayat, and Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno. Members of their success teams also joined the campaign.  
      The declaration was voiced in an event at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, on October 29, and attended by supporters of the candidates. A decorated vehicle carnival was organized to highlight the declaration.

           The candidates read out the peace declaration text and received props for regional head campaign activities. They have declared their commitment to campaign peacefully and with integrity.

         They and members of their success teams pledged to follow a democratic and peaceful election process with integrity, as well as maintain the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) based on state ideology Pancasila and the UUD 1945 Constitution.

       They will promote the progress of Jakarta and promised to abide by every prevailing regulation.

       Besides, they also promised to accept whatever the results of the pilkada, whether they are elected or not.

           The three pairs of candidates for the posts of governor and vice governor recently received their ballot numbers for the Pilkada 2017.

         Yudhoyono and Murni were allotted ballot number 1, incumbents Purnama alias Ahok and Hidayat received ballot number 2 while Baswedan and Uno were given ballot number 3.

             In the principles of democracy, differences and diversity are not a problem, Sumarno said while kicking off an event of the Declaration of Peace for the 106-day campaign. The declaration of a peaceful campaign aims to prevent conflicts, chaos, and disunity.

          Despite differences and diversity in campaign props, they must remember that they are all residents of Jakarta and must be united within the frame of diversity, he said.

            Furthermore, the commission is committed to implementing an independent election, Commissioner of the National General Elections Commission (KPU) Fery Kurnia said.

          He urged every party to help maintain the unity of Indonesia in order to have a quality pilkada implementation.

          In the meantime, Acting Governor of Jakarta Sumarsono has reminded all bureaucratic elements of the Jakarta Administration to be neutral during the implementation of the Jakarta pilkada process.   Those who were not neutral would be fired.

          He, himself, would keep a distance from the three pairs of the candidates for the sake of neutrality, he said.

           "I belong to the candidate No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, but I have to keep a distance from the three pairs," he said.

            He also called on the candidates and supporters to implement a peaceful pilkada.

            The next gubernatorial election in Jakarta is expected to be both exciting and interesting, since important political figures are sponsoring each candidate pair.

            The three pairs are considered competent, with every candidate having their own characteristics, qualities, and shortcomings. Further, most of them are relatively young, and they represent different races, tribes and religions.

            Ahok and Djarot are supported by former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, who is concurrently chairperson of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDIP).

           The Baswedan-Uno duo has been nominated by ex-presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, who is also chairman of the Gerindra Party.

          The Agus-Sylviana pair is being promoted by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is chairman of the Democratic Party and the father of Agus.

            President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has expressed hope that the Jakarta pilkada, as well as other elections to be simultaneously organized across many regions, will be conducted peacefully and democratically.

            The government has pledged to remain neutral, including in the Jakarta pilkada, said Jokowi, who had paired with Ahok, with the support of PDIP, during the Jakarta gubernatorial election in 2012.

            "The president has said that everything has to run democratically, in choosing a leader who is capable of building  Jakarta, because Jakarta needs a strong leader who has a large commitment to making major contributions for Indonesia to become a great country," Minister/State Secretary Pratikno told the press in Jakarta on September 28.

          The General Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) has reminded the candidates to campaign honestly and avoid money politics or they will have to face disqualification as a consequence.

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(f001/INE)
EDITED BY INE

(T.F001/A/BESSR/F. Assegaf) 29-10-2016 14:56:39