INDONESIA TO EMBRACE INT'L BIODIVERSITY DAY, YEAR By Fardah

Jakarta, May 5, 2010 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has been acknowledged by scientists as one of the world`s mega centers of biodiversity for her abundant flora and fauna species and a wide range of natural habitats.

Having a population of around 235 million, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, located between two oceans, the Pacific and the Indian, and bridging two continents, Asia and Australia.

The country consists of more than 17,000 islands, including five main islands - Java, Kalimantan (Borneo), Papua, Sumatera and Sulawesi, which host the world`s third largest forest area after Brazil and Zaire.

KPK FINALLY SUMMONS VP, FINANCE MINISTER ON CENTURY BAILOUT By Fardah

Jakarta, April 27, 2010 (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has finally done what many people following developments in the Bank Century case had been waiting for : summoning Vice President Boediono and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani.

Boediono, former Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor, and Sri Mulyani, former chairperson of the defunct Financial System Stability Committee (KSSK), are considered key figures in the government`s decision to bail out the failed bank.

RI STARTS LOOKING AT GREEN ECONOMY STRATEGY By Fardah

Jakarta, April 23, 2010 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when addressing the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Bali last February, called for the adoption of a green economy development strategy which was pro-growth, pro-job and pro-poor.

"Striving for a Green Economy, we will more quickly mainstream ecological concerns into our economic decision-making. This can ensure sustainable and inclusive growth and the achievement of the MDGs. Thus we have a clear opportunity to reshape our economic systems and to introduce ``green growth` as a global paradigm," he told roughly 100 environment ministers attending the forum.

RI Gets Int`l Support For Its Climate Change Fight by Fardah

     Jakarta, April 20, 2010 (ANTARA News) - Indonesia, home of the world`s third largest forest area after Brazil and Zaire, has received support from several countries for its efforts to preserve some of the `Earth`s lungs`.
     "Bilateral cooperation in forest preservation with a number of other countries has been smooth. A while ago, I received delegations from 15 countries including Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, France, Iran and Algeria," Environment Minister Gusti M Hatta told ANTARA on the sidelines of a global environment ministerial-level meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali Province, last February 2010.

SRI LANKAN BOAT PEOPLE IN LIMBO AS AUSSIE CLOSES DOOR by Fardah

Jakarta, April 20, 2010 (ANTARA) - About a week after the Australian government decided to tighten its door close, immigration authorities transferred 134 Sri Lankan immigrants in Banten to the Tanjungpinang immigration detention center in Riau Islands.

The Sri Lankan refugees had so far been held in their boat at Indah Kiat harbor, Banten, since October 2009. They had refused to leave their boat for six months during which they kept on insisting on being allowed to travel to Australia.

NGOs HAIL PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR COOPERATION IN FIGHTING ILLEGAL LOGGING By Fardah

Jakarta, April 9, 2010 (ANTARA) - Before leaving for an ASEAN Summit in Vietnam, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made a significant call for partnership with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in environmental preservation.

"The government and non-governmental organizations share the same spirit with regard to environmental conservation efforts," the head of state said before leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam, to attend an Asean summit on Wednesday (April 7).