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.