Political Issues Environment Issues Economic Issues Regional/International Issues Socio-Cultural Issues

Bi -Weekly Bulletin Issue 3 News & Views February 1, 2010 www.indonesian-embassy.fi Top quotes inside this issue: ♦ “The rating action reflects Indonesia’s relative resilience to the severe global financial stress test ... which has been underpinned by continued improvements in the country’s public finances ... and a material easing of external financing constraints ”(page 3)

♦ “Archaeologists in Indonesia have uncovered a 1,000-year- EAST KALIMANTAN old temple that could shed light on the country’s Hindu As a major producer of oil and timber, East Kalimantan is the past.” (page 13) most industrially advanced province of Kalimantan Island. It is ♦ also home of the original inhabitants of Kalimantan, Orang “Indonesia had been elected by Korea ..., with a potential for Gunung or the Mountain People. The tribes are collectively called international cooperation in Dayak, although this name is not embraced by many tribes-people general development, and in themselves, who prefer to be known by separate tribal names such view of Indonesia's strong wish as Iban, Punan and Banuaq. Local tribes traditionally live in the to introduce the KSP along communal longhouses called Lamin or Umaq Daru. They are with Korea. ”(page 20) built on wooden piles, about 3 meters high as protection against wild animals and flooding. ♦ ”Indonesia is home to world’s largest Muslim population, and source: www.my-indonesia.info , indonesiatraveling.com has been held up by the Western world as a model working democracy...”(page 24) Indonesia Recovery on Track

Indonesia's recovery is Standard Chartered's while exports would likely have on track, and the economy is chief economist and group a "very weak rebound". He estimated to expand 5.5 head of global research, said warned that a "combination of percent this year and Monday (18/1/2010), adding capital inflow and firm accelerate to 7 percent in that Indonesia had been a domestic demand could bring 2012, Standard Chartered strong performer amid the inflation to Asia". Bank says. global recession last year. Tai Hui, Standard "Growth this year Lyons said domestic Chartered's head or research may accelerate further to 5.5 demand would be the key for the Southeast Asia region, percent," Gerard Lyons, driver to growth in Asia said ... continue to page 3 RELATED EVENTS TO INDONESIA Useful links of Indonesia: Government www.indonesia.go.id February 2010 Mo Tue We Thu Fri Sat Sun Department of Foreign Affairs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 www.deplu.go.id

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Ministry of Cultural and Tourism www.budpar.go.id , 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 www.my-indonesia.info

National Agency for Export 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Development www.nafed.go.id

Investment Coordinating Board >>> Tallinn, Estonia, 12 - 14 February 2010 www.bkpm.go.id Participation of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia at TOUREST Travel Trade Fair 2010 . See you in Tallinn at our booth ”INDONESIA” HALL A 6 !

>>> Jakarta, 3 February - 3 August 2010 The Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival 2010. Jakarta Fairground Kemayoran. More information, please visit www.javajazzfestival.com/2010/

Location: Komodo Island

Issued and published by:: Information, Socio - Cultural Affairs Telp. +358 9 477 0370 Fax +358 9 458 2882 Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia [email protected] Kuusisaarentie 3, 00340 Helsinki [email protected] FINLAND www.indonesian-embassy .fi

designed by Ayu Abusamah, Embassy of Indonesia Bi – Weekly Bulletin, Issue 3, February 1, 2010

Contents

DOMESTIC ISSUES Political Issues President to Issue Decree on Border Management ………………………………………………….. 1 President Yudhoyono Reminds About Ethics in Democracy……………………………………….. 1 Foreign Minister Opens Indonesia - US Interfaith Dialogue ……………………………………….. 2 Indonesia to Help Empower Afghan Government and People …………………………………….. 2

Economic Issues Indonesia Economic Recovery on Track ……………………………………………………………. 3 Fitch Ups Indonesia Ratings As Economy Strengthens …………………………………………….. 3 Indonesia Upgraded Rating A Result of Good Macro Management: BI ……………………………. 4 Korean Company to Run Gold Mine in Southeast ……………………………………….. 4 Korean Investor to Build PLTA in …………………………………………………………. 4 Chinese Investor Interested in Building South Sumatra Power Plant ………………………………. 5 Dublin Port Starts Realizing Investment in Sabang …………………………………………………. 5 China Investment to Indonesia R ose US$ 50 Million per Year ……………………………………. . 6 Minister: New Investors to Build Sugar Mills ……………………………………………………….. 6 Produces 150,000 Tons of Cocoa per Year …………………………………………. 7 Indonesia and China to Explore Cooperation in Defense Industry …………………………………… 7 Indonesia May Scrap Cost Recovery Payment in CBM Projects ……………………………………. 7 Indonesia Opens ‘Fast-Track’ Door to Private Energy Producers …………………………………… 8 News Focus: One -Stop Services System for Investors Draws Favorable Reactions b y Bustanuddin .. 9 Indonesia's One-Stop Services Policy Expected to Boost Australian Investment …………………… 10 Indonesia Now Only One Notch from Investment Grade…………………………………………… 11

Socio-Cultural Issues Indonesia Dispatches Humanitarian Team to Haiti …………………………………………………… 12 Indonesian Aid for Haiti Arrives in Dominican Republic ……………………………………………. 12 Foreign Tourists To Be Able To Extend Visa-On-Arrival …………………………………………… 12 Immigration to Introduce VoA Single Tariff …………………………………………………………. 13 Indonesia Intends to Host New Seven Wonders Selection Meeting …………………………………… 13 Another 1000 Year-Old Heritage ………………………………………..……………………………… 13 Indonesian Tourism Industry Remains Competitive in 2010 ………………………………………….. 14 Most "Sail Banda" Activities to Take Place in Ambon ………………………………………………… 14 ASITA Urges Introduction of Tax Refund System for Tourists ……………………………………….. 15 Twenty Indonesians Receive 2010 Australian Endeavor Awards ……………………………………… 15 Indonesia by province: East Kalimantan ………………………………………………………………. 16

ENVIRONMENT ISSUES Indonesia Supports Copenhagen Accord ……………………………………………………………… 17 Indonesia Signs Bilateral Funding Agreements ………………………………………………………. 18 Indonesia Ready for Binding Targets on Emissions Reduction ……………………………………….. 19

REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL ISSUES US Envoy for Science and Technology Cooperation to Visit Indonesia ……………………………… 20 Korea Chooses Indonesia to Receive KSP Project Support ………………………………………….. 20 Indonesia-Sponsored Resolution Adopted by WHO Executive Board Meeting …………………….. 21 WHO Approves Indonesia's Proposal to Declare July 28 Hepatitis Day …………………………….. 22 Indonesia to Hold International Muslim Conference on Climate Change …………………………… 22 Indonesia Wins US Praise for Religious Tolerance …………………………………………………… 23 Indonesia and US Religious Groups Team Up to Tackle Poverty ………………………………. 24

IINNDDOONNEESSIIAA UULLTTIIMMAATTEE IINN DDIIVVEERRSSIITTYY

F L O R A

www.my-indonesia.info Bi – Weekly Bulletin, Issue 3, February 1, 2010

fchi DOMESTIC ISSUES In his speech at the confirmation of collective leadership of the National Council of the Corps of Alumni of the Islamic Student Political Issues Association (KAHMI) at Hotel Borobudur the head of state said that democracy must not President to Issue Decree on Border become a mere aim but must be implemented Management along with ethics and values. "This means real democracy is not mere Batam - President Susilo Bambang rallies, disputes and voting but also about how Yudhoyono will issue a Decree on a National to express views politely, properly, Border Management Agency, Home Affairs proportionately and contextually," he said. Minister H Gamawan Fauzi said here Friday At the end democracy must benefit the (15/1/2010) night. whole people with regard to improving their "God willing, the decree will be issued this welfare and social justice, he said. week," he said in a general lecture when The Indonesian nation, he said, is actually a installing the management of Riau Islands big nation because it could preserve its Alumni Association of Andalas University traditions well namely respecting differences Law Faculty (IKA Unand Kepri). in all aspects of life. The agency had been set up by the President "Let us further maintain and preserve it because the existing border coordination in while making transformations for national Papua, Kalimantan and Timor Leste, the front progress," he said. line with other countries is still inadequate, President Yudhoyono hoped Indonesia in apparently because the management by 25 the future could implement democracy in its ministries and non-departmental institutions full meaning which is a way, a goal and a lacked coordination. value. The National Border Management Agency "We should not only prioritize its first will be chaired by the Minister of Home aspect namely democracy as a way but also Affairs a coordinator also preparing several implement it in harmony with the second and first and second echelon officials this year. third aspects," he said. The Home Minister also said the President President Yudhoyono expressed his will soon also issue a grand strategy gratitude that Indonesia had developed into a standardization regulation until 2025 on the democracy in the past decade so that freedom division of Indonesia into several provinces, of expression was assured. regencies and cities. The press, he said, has also grown well. The He said that in the last 10 years of post- head of state however reminded that no reforms, Law No 22 of 1999 on Regional freedom was without a limit because there Administrations and regional expansion (Law were always responsibility and obligations in No 32 of 2004), there are new 205 provinces, an individual right. regencies and cities. On the occasion the head of state also Thus now there are 524 provincial, regency expressed the hope that KAHMI could and city administrations, but only 38 preserve its critical stance and independence disadvantaged regions as the result of and could become one of the main pillars for expansion, and 183 regencies/cities also with the nation's big transformation. disadvantage status, he said. (ANTARA) He expressed his appreciation to all HMI alumni spreading and being active in various President Yudhoyono Reminds About fields including in his cabinet. Ethics in Democracy "On this important occasion may I express the wish that all KAHMI members and leaders Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang would always maintain their critical power and Yudhoyono has reminded all parties in the independence and with full responsibility country about the need to observe certain continue to contribute with constructive ideas ethics in democracy, namely that would reflect for the progress of Indonesia," he said. respect to dignity, self-esteem and status. President Yudhoyono on the occasion also witnessed the confirmation of the collective

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leadership of KAHMI for 2009-2012 that Indonesia to Help Empower Afghan includes Abidinsyah Siregar, Harry Azhar Government and People Aziz, Anas Urbaningrum, Viva Yoga Mauladi, Mubyl Handaling and Tamsil Linrung. Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa Former president Jusuf Kalla was seen left Tuesday (26/1/2010) for London to attend attending the event along with former House an international meeting on the political Speaker Akbar Tanjung and former chief of deadlock in Afghanistan. the Constitutional Court, Jimly Indonesia said it would share its views Asshidiqie.(ANTARA) with Afghanistan government officials and local civil society groups about democratic Foreign Minister Opens Indonesia - US governance. Interfaith Dialogue Observers and lawmakers, however, urged Indonesia to play a more active role as Jakarta - Foreign Minister Marty the largest Muslim population worldwide, Natalegawa here Monday officially opened the including initiating the Afghan government first Indonesia-US interfaith dialogue that will and Western countries to form dialogue with run until January 27, in Jakarta on Monday the Taliban. (25/1/2010). "One form of assistance we will offer He said he hoped the dialogue would is capacity building in areas of democracy," further enhance bilateral relations between the Marty said Monday. two countries, especially in the social and "We will also explore the possibility of cultural sectors. contributing to the reconciliation of Themed "Building Collaborative Afghanistan, but in the meantime we will Communities: Enhancing Cooperation among focus on providing technical assistance. The People of Different Faiths", the dialogue is a Afghan government expects our aid." follow up action from both countries to Indonesia will participate at the Afghan enhance bilateral relation and understanding conference, co-hosted by British Prime between people coming from different Minister Gordon Brown, Afghanistan backgrounds and religious belief. President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary- The three-day event will have think tanks General Ban Ki-moon, in London on and academics from both countries discuss Thursday. possible bilateral cooperation in such things as Marty will join more than 60 other empowerment of moderate societies and ways foreign ministers at the conference to discuss to cope with negative images already efforts to help the Afghanistan government constructed among people from both countries. find a solution to the prolonged conflict for the Another issues to be discussed during the next two years under the new terms of the interfaith dialogue are steps to promote Karzai presidency. harmonious life in human civilization, ways to Matthew Rous, British Embassy tackle poverty, climate change and enhance deputy head of mission in Jakarta, said cooperation in cultural and governmental Indonesia would participate at the Afghan sectors. conference for the first time after it began in The result of the discussion is expected to 2006 in London. be applicable in the everyday life of people in "As well as security, there are two both countries. other equally essential elements of *Karzai's* On the same occasion, Minister Natalegawa second administration. These are supporting also launched a book containing comments by economic development to give Afghans a stake prominent US figures about Indonesia. The in the success of their country; and book entitled "Insight into Indonesia: The consolidating improvement in democratic, Perspectives of Americans", It contains transparent governance," Rous said. writings from former US Secretary of State "Indonesia has vast experience in both Henry Kissinger and several areas and so it's entirely fitting that Indonesia Congressmen.(ANTARA) has the opportunity to contribute at the conference."

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Meanwhile, experts and legislators said Fitch Ups Indonesia Ratings As Economy Indonesia could play a more active diplomatic Strengthens role as Jakarta had the leverage. Indonesia is home to the largest Fitch Ratings on Monday (25/1/2010) Muslim population and the third largest upgraded Indonesia’s long-term foreign and democracy worldwide. local currency ratings to BB+ from BB, one It has been touted as an example where Islam level below investment grade, citing the is compatible with democracy. country’s resilience to the global financial "Indonesia can exercise its diplomatic crisis. The ratings’ outlook is stable. muscle with Pakistan and Iran to halt the flow of weapons to Afghanistan," said Fahmi “The rating action reflects Indonesia’s relative Salsabila of the Indonesian Society for Middle resilience to the severe global financial stress East Studies at the Indonesian Institute of test of 2008 and 2009, which has been Sciences. underpinned by continued improvements in the Al Muzzammil Yusuf, lawmaker from country’s public finances, a fundamental the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said the sovereign rating strength and a material easing Indonesian government should take a different of external financing constraints,” Ai Ling approach to the US in the Afghan conflict. Ngiam, Fitch’s director of Asian sovereign "The US government takes a military ratings, said in a statement. approach, resulting in deadly backlashes that claim civilians' lives. Indonesia can form Moody’s Investors Service on Jan. 21 dialogue with Taliban militants and the Afghan maintained its Ba2 rating for Indonesia, while government for a domestic reconciliation," he Standard & Poor’s raised the outlook on its said.(The Jakarta Post) BB- rating for the country to BB+ on Oct. 23, Bloomberg reported. S&P’s rating is three levels below investment Economic Issues grade, while Moody’s is two levels below investment grade. Indonesia Economic Recovery on Track “With the upgrades, the costs of borrowing are Indonesia's recovery is on track, and expected to be more efficient; and they also the economy is estimated to expand 5.5 push investment to Indonesia because the percent this year and accelerate to 7 percent in country’s risks have declined,” said Rahmat 2012, Standard Chartered Bank says. Waluyanto, the Finance Ministry’s director "Growth this year may accelerate general of debt management. further to 5.5 percent," Gerard Lyons, Standard Chartered's chief economist and Bank Indonesia said the upgrades were a result group head of global research, said Monday of Indonesia’s sound macroeconomic (18/1/2010), adding that Indonesia had been a management. strong performer amid the global recession last Indonesia’s foreign exchange reserves year. continued to increase to almost US$70 billion Lyons said domestic demand would be last week from $66.11 billion as of Dec. 31, the key driver to growth in Asia while exports said BI Deputy Governor Hartadi Sarwono. would likely have a "very weak rebound". He warned that a "combination of capital inflow “The budget deficit and financing were also and firm domestic demand could bring quite healthy, particularly compared to other inflation to Asia". countries in the peer group,” he said. Tai Hui, Standard Chartered's head or research for the Southeast Asia region, said “If we continue to manage the macro economy Indonesia's central bank might hike rates consistently and carefully, the country’s earlier than its peers because of accelerating economic prospects will be better.” inflation. (The Jakarta Post)

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BI expects GDP to expand 5.2 percent this assessment of Indonesia to BB plus on year, up from an estimated 4.3 percent in 2009, Monday (25/1/2010), one notch below on the back of the global economic recovery. investment grade. The rating's outlook is stable. Indonesia was one of 15 Fitch-rated sovereigns that recorded a year-on-year decline in the Bank Indonesia (BI) deputy governor Hartadi government’s debt position to the gross A. Sarwono said Indonesia's foreign exchange domestic product (GDP) in 2009, Fitch said. reserves continued to increase to nearly US$70 billion, up from $66.1 billion at the end of The current macroeconomic path and fiscal December. He also said last year's budget policy framework may push Indonesia’s debt- deficit and financing were healthy compared to to-GDP ratio down during Fitch’s forecast Indonesia's peers. period. "If we continue to manage the macro economy “There is fiscal flexibility for the authorities to consistently and carefully, Indonesia's embark on an ambitious agenda to tackle economic prospects will improve," he said. longer-term developmental issues, such as addressing infrastructure constraints and BI estimated that the economy would expand investment promotion, as well as raising at a rate of 5.2 percent this year, up from about industrial and export competitiveness, which 4.3 percent in 2009.(the Jakarta Post) are central to further alleviating Fitch’s concerns on risks surrounding Indonesia’s Korean Company to Run Gold Mine in external finances,” Ngiam said. Southeast Sulawesi

Fitch warned long-term development priorities Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi - A Korean might get sidelined if “fiscal expenditure company, Future Green Human (FGH Group), inefficiencies remain unresolved”, as the signed a cooperation deal with the Southeast government delays hiking the electricity rate Sulawesi provincial administration on natural and subsidized fuel prices. resources management, especially in the Sudden investor risk aversion and capital mining sector. outflows may arise from more severe or abrupt The cooperation has been signed by administrative price hikes in 2011, it added. Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam, president director of PT FGH Group Indonesia The government is revising the draft 2010 state Park Soon Up, and Chairman of FGH Grup budget to adjust for the increase in commodity Korea, Oh Myung Suk, in Kendari Tuesday prices, particularly oil, said Finance Minister (19/1/2010) night. Sri Mulyani Indrawati. Nur Alam told the media he welcomed the Korean investors in natural resources Crude oil for March delivery traded at $74.51 management, especially in the gold mine in per barrel in after-hours electronic trading on Bombana regency. the New York Mercantile Exchange at 3.44 The company would be able to assess the p.m. in Singapore, Bloomberg reported.(the value of the project after conducting a research Jakarta Post) of the gold mines in Bombana. The governor said the Korean company will Indonesia Upgraded Rating A Result of not only run the gold mine, but will also build Good Macro Management: BI a factory, and even a power plant with a capacity of 50-100 megawatts to supply The central bank says Indonesia's upgraded electricity for the local population and the credit rating is a result of good macroeconomic factory.(ANTARA) management, which has allowed the economy to remain resilient amid the global financial Korean Investor to Build PLTA in Mamuju crisis. Mamuju, West Sulawesi - A Korean Global credit rating agency Fitch upgraded its investor has expressed readiness to make an

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investment in a hydro-power plant (PLTA) in fueling the projected power plant would be the Karama river basin in Mamuju, West known and discussed later this month. Sulawesi province. Further discussions on the project would be The remark was made by West Sulawesi held in February by the stakeholders. Talks on Governor Anwar Adnan Saleh after visiting the sale of the power plant's output to state Ummi Darmiati, a young boy suffering from a electricity company PLN would take place in strange disease being treated at a hospital here March. Sunday (24/1/2010). Thursday's meeting with the South Sumatra Anwar said the foreign investors conducting governor was a follow up of the result of an inspection of the Karama river basin along Noerdin's recent visit to China to explore the with a group of Chairman of the Capital possibility cooperating in the exploration of Investment Agency (BKPPM) Gita Wirjawan energy sources. last week have reached good results as one of Meanwhile, Noerdin said the provincial them has expressed interest in investing in government, its work partners and the Chinese PLTA Karama. investor were eager to carry out the power "A proposal sent to Jakarta was directly plant project as soon as possible.(ANTARA) responded to by the Korean investor by way of his embassy in Jakarta. Right now we are only China Investment to Indonesia Rose US$ 50 awaiting the follow up for PLTA Karama," he Million per Year said. He said the building of the 1,800 megawatts Realization investment from China to (MW) PLTA Karama may cost Rp 6 trillion. Indonesia after the signing of the Free Trade Anwar said PLTA Karama will supply Area/AC-FTA tends to increase, an average of enough electricity to various parts of West US$ 50 million per year (2005-2009). Sulawesi, especially that PLTA Bakaru currently operating there could not fully satisfy This was conveyed by Minister of Industry, the power needs of the population.(ANTARA) MS Hidayat in a joint working meeting Minister of Trade, Minister of State of Chinese Investor Interested in Building Enterprises, the State Minister for South Sumatra Power Plant Cooperatives and SMEs, the Minister of Finance to the House of Representatives Palembang, S Sumatra - A Chinese Commission VI, today (20/1/2010). investor is interested in building a coal-fired power plant (PLTU) in cooperation with PT Hidayat said the investment rate was increased Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam (PTBA) and US$ 16 million per year (2000-2004), the South Sumatra provincial government, a compared with before signing the AC-FTA. local official said. The Chinese investor had expressed its According to the Ministry of Industry data, the interest at a meeting with South Sumatra investment flows from China into the Governor H Alex Nurdin and PTBA manufacturing sector achieved the highest rate representatives here on Thursday (21/1/2010), in 2008 of US$ 132.4 million and with total the provincial goverment's chief information permits 13 investment licenses. officer, Thontowi HEP, said. The projected power plant, named Mulut Hidayat admitted to obtain data on Indonesia's Tambang, would be located at Central Banko, investment profile in China, he had tried to Muara Enim District, and have a capcity of contact the Embassy of Indonesia in Beijing 4X600 Mega Watt (MW), he said. and BKPM on January 15, but there is no At the meeting with Governor H. Alex answer yet. Noerdin, PTBA was represented by the company's development director, Heri Decisions of AC-FTA is made by the heads of Supraptro, and the Chinese investor by state / government of ASEAN and China to Yedejie, he said. form a "framework of economic cooperation Thontowi further said the results of an and the establishment of an ASEAN free trade analysis of a sample of the coal to be used in area, China" at the ASEAN summit in Brunei

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and China, November 6, 2001. The initiative The development of Sabang port is carried was later confirmed as a "framework out in stages with the first covering extension agreement on comprehensive economic of three cargo tiers from currently 180 meter cooperation between member countries of long and 25 meter wide to 423 meter long and Asean and China" which was signed in 50 meter wide. Cambodia, 4 November 2002. Syaiful said the first phase of the project would cost around Rp1 trillion which would Protocol amendments signed by economic come from the national budget allocated for ministers on October 6, 2003. Furthermore, 2006-2012. Indonesia ratified the AC-FTA framework If the tiers are ready and operational in 2012 through a presidential decree No. 48/2004, ships weighing up to 4,000 TEUs could anchor signed June 4, 2004. ( unofficial translation, at the Sabang port and they would also be able Bisnis Indonesia) to accommodate around 4,000 containers, he said. Dublin Port Starts Realizing Investment in The Sabang port is a natural port and has a Sabang depth of 22 meters. "That means if it is all finished large cargo ships will easily be able to Banda Aceh - Dublin Port Company of anchor at the port," he said.(ANTARA) Ireland has started realizing its investment in the Sabang free port and trade area in the Minister: New Investors to Build Sugar Indonesian province of Aceh. Mills "Dublin Port through its subsidiary, HD Asia Maritime, is now renovating warehouses Jakarta - A total of 32 investors have as an initial step of its investment cooperation expressed a commitment to build new sugar in Sabang," the head of the Sabang Concession mills in order to meet the need for sugar which Area Agency (BPKS), Teuku Syaiful Achmad, is estimated to reach 5.7 million tons in 2014, a said here on Friday (15/1/2010). minister said. BPKS and Dublic Port Company have "There are 32 new investors who have signed a memorandum of understanding as a expressed a commitment to construct new follow-up to an operational management sugar mills," Industry MS Hidayat said after a cooperation between HD Asia Maritime which seminar on the revitalization of sugar in is headquartered in Jakarta. industry here on Monday (25/1/2010). "The Dublin Port has also prepared capital He said that in order to support the for development and training on how to revitalization of sugar industry in the country, manage an international port. The training the Forestry Ministry would provide 500 itself will be carried out in Ireland," he said. thousand hectares of land in Lampung, South The Indonesian government declared Sumatra and Sulawesi. Sabang as a free trade area and port in Law "Actually we only need 300,000 Number 37 of 2000, covering some areas in hectares, but it seems that the forestry ministry the district of Aceh Besar and the entire will provide 500,000 hectares, of which about Sabang. 400,000 hectares are already available," he "Through the determination of us all Sabang said. will progress and become a locomotive for the But the minister admitted he could not economy of not only Aceh but also other yet make an estimate on the amount of funds provinces in Sumatra," he said. the 32 investors would need to set up sugar Using the funds mostly from the national cane plantations on the 500,000 hectares of budget BPKS would develop various important land. infrastructure to attract investment to the The government through the Ministry region, he said. of Agriculture has set a participation funding "We are seeking to realize an international- post in the state budget for a sugar cane scale freeport. Sabang is a strategic place for revitalization program but several state-owned ships to call at as it is located at the tip of the firms (BUMNs) have proposed other funding Mallaca Strait," he said. options beyond the participation funding scheme.

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According to Hidayat, at present there "The two countries have agreed to are 51 sugar mills in the country, of which 41 strengthen their already good relations through are owned by BUMNs and 10 by private cooperation in the field of security and defense companies. industries," vice presidential spokesman Yopie In the meantime, chairman of the Hidayat said here on Friday (22/1/2010). Indonesian Food and Beverage Industries Hidayat made the statement after Vice Association (Gapmmi) Thomas Darmawan President Boediono had received Chinese said the construction of sugar mills will need at Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and least 40,000 hectares of land. "Except for Security Affairs Dai Bingghuo. refined sugar factory, it will need a smaller The vice president on the occasion was size of land," he said. accompanied by Coordinating Minister for The growth of food and drink Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko industries continues to experience an upward Suyanto and Foreign Affairs Minister Marty trend every year. In 2008, these industries Natalegawa. grew by 27 percent while the value of their Quoting Bingghuo, Hidayat said China investment in 2009 reached Rp530 regarded Indonesia as an important and trillion.(ANTARA) strategic partner, and thus it wanted to help Indonesia develop its security and defense West Sulawesi Produces 150,000 Tons of industries. Cocoa per Year "China also asked that all the cooperative relations so far established between the two Mamuju, West Sulawesi - Cacao estates in countries would continue to be stepped up for West Sulawesi province are now producing mutual benefit," Hidayat said. more than 150 thousand tons of cocoa per year. He said this year would mark the 60th "With a total of 180,835 ha in five regencies anniversary of Indonesia-China`s bilateral in West Sulawesi, the cacao growers will relations and therefore there would be no more produce more than 150,000 tons of cocoa per freezing of diplomatic relations. year," West Sulawesi Governor Anwar Adnan "As we all know, Indonesia-China Saleh said here Sunday (24/1/2010). diplomatic relations once soured but they hope He said the biggest cocoa producer among there will be no low tide in the 60th year of the five regencies is covering bilateral relations," Hidayat said. 65,448 ha producing 53,457.9 tons per year. Asked if China had offered its weapons to The second biggest producer is Polewali Indonesia to buy, Hidayat said it was not Mandar regency with 45,724 ha producing discussed at the meeting of Vice President 37,347.4 tons per year. Boediono and Bingghuo. In the meantime, North Mamuju produces "The vice president and his guest only 33,758.9 tons per year from 38,000 ha of cacao discussed political and security matters besides estates in northern part of West Sulawesi. other issues related to the improvement of Anwar said that Mamasa regency managed cooperation in various fields," Hidayat said, to increase its cocoa production to 16,800.9 adding that Bingghuo also invited Boediono to tons per year from 20,569 ha. make an official visit to China "The smallest cocoa producer is Majene later.(ANTARA) regency with 9,061.6 tons from 11,094 ha," he said.(ANTARA) Indonesia May Scrap Cost Recovery Payment in CBM Projects Indonesia and China to Explore Cooperation in Defense Industry The government may offer coal bed methane (CBM) contractors a new production- Jakarta - The Indonesian and Chinese split scheme in which the latter’s cost recovery governments are exploring the possibility of will be phased out in a bid to accelerate gas forging bilateral cooperation in the field of commercialization. security and defense industries to strengthen CBM is a form of natural gas extracted their relations. from coal beds, and can be used in electricity

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generation by burning it to run a gas turbine or were waiting for more details from the to heat a steam boiler. government about the new production scheme. Evita H. Legowo, director general for “We appreciate the government’s oil and gas at the Energy and Mineral efforts to simplify the CBM development Resources Ministry, said Tuesday the ministry procedure,” he said. had finished the revised draft of the CBM “But in this matter, we want to see the contract terms and conditions. details of the government’s proposal. What’s “For CBM, the [production] split important is that the new scheme doesn’t turn between the contractors and the government into a disincentive that may worsen CBM will not be calculated from the net commercialization.” [production], but from the gross [production],” Indonesia has 11 basins with estimated she said. CBM reserves of 453.3 trillion cubic feet Edy Hermantoro, the ministry’s (TCF). upstream oil and gas director, said under the The government began awarding CBM gross production-sharing contract, the CBM contracts in 2008, following increasing output would be divided directly between the domestic demand for gas. government and the contractors without any To date, the government has awarded reduction for the cost recovery payment. 20 CBM contracts, and now expects some of “This means that the contractors’ costs the CBM blocks to enter the production stage will not be charged to the government,” he in 2011. (the Jakarta Post) said. Indonesia’s oil and gas production- Indonesia Opens ‘Fast-Track’ Door to sharing contract (PSC) allows contractors to be Private Energy Producers reimbursed for expenses incurred in the exploration stage of a project, within the scope A presidential decree signed on Friday of the cost recovery payment rules. has formalized a plan for private-sector power The money is paid up after the producers to supply power under the second contractors enter the production stage. phase of the government’s “fast-track” At present, the regulations for CBM generating program, a senior Energy Ministry are largely the same as those that apply for oil official said on Wednesday (13/1/2010). and gas blocks, meaning the output can only be A copy of the decree was still sold after a block’s plan of development unavailable, but Jacobus Purwono, the (POD) is approved by the government. ministry’s director general of electricity and The approval, meanwhile, is only energy utilization, said it would permit state granted once the block reaches the production utility company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara stage. to develop coal, geothermal and hydropower However, the government points out generating plants in cooperation with CBM gas is of a different nature than independent producers. conventional gas, as it can be flared even “The president signed it [the decree] during the exploration stage. on January 8,” he said. As such, the government plans to PLN is already buying electricity from propose the gross production sharing scheme, independent power producers to address its which it believes will help accelerate the production shortfalls. commercialization of CBM. The first phase of the “fast-track” “The new scheme will help accelerate generating program, aimed at meeting the CBM commercialization because the gas country’s increasing energy needs, will see an utilization can commence before the POD extra 10,000 megawatts of capacity added by stage,” Edy said. 2013, mostly through coal-fired plants. The “In this way, the contractors can second phase, which will shift away from coal, control their costs, and the government’s non- is intended to add a second 10,000 MW of tax revenue is also secured.” capacity by 2013 or 2014. Sammy Hamzah, president director of The presidential decree will strengthen CBM contractor PT Ephindo, said contractors a number of other regulations intended to involve independent producers in the program,

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Jacobus said. The government plans to endeavors to achieve its economic growth subsidize the cost of power purchased by PLN target of 6 percent to 6.8 percent per year. from independent producers, he said. The policy was aimed to make it easier for A number of public-private electricity investors to meet existing bureacratic deals have stalled because of PLN’s requirments and improve the Investment unwillingness to meet the producers’ asking Negative List as part of efforts to achieve the prices. Prices differ from one project to economic growth target, Capital Investment another, depending on a variety of factors such Coordinating Board or BKPM Chief Gita as location, capacity and the type of power Wirjawan has said. plant. Wirjawan during a visit in Pekanbaru, Riau In December, the government released province, on Monday (18/1/2010) said the a ministerial decree on the benchmarking of government had set its investment target for the price of geothermal electricity sold to PLN. 2010 at US$ 25 billion - US$ 35 billion. But Jacobus did not explain whether such a On November 2009 or a month after his plan had been expanded in last week’s decree installation, Wirjawan stated he would give or in other regulations. priority to efforts to create an integrated one- In the second phase of the fast-track stop services system to improve the process of project, PLN will build power plants with obtaining investment approvals in Indonesia. capacity totaling 6,415 MW, while another The policy was adopted in line with the 4,262 MW will be supplied by independent government`s commitment to make it easier power producers. for local and foreign investors to operate in PLN has said it needs $7.6 billion Indonesia. through 2014 to add 6,415 MW of capacity. A couple of days after Wirjawan made the Natal Argawan Pardede, corporate statement in Riau, Australian Ambassador to secretary of state-owned infrastructure firm PT Indonesia, Bill Farmer told Antara in an Wijaya Karya (Wika), said the biggest interview in Jakarta on Thursday (Jan 21) that obstacles to private sector participation in the the policy to apply the one-stop services fast-track program were financing and the system is expected to encourage more price at which independent producers can sell Australian investors to sink their capital in the electricity to PLN. country. “I see a strong commitment by the "We are very encouraged by the government to stimulate the private sector to commitment of the chief of Indonesia`s Capital join the scheme,” Natal told the Jakarta Globe. Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Gita “If somehow the government offers a scheme Wirjawan, to apply the one-stop services that can give IPPs [independent power system for investors, he said. producers] better prices, of course their project Farmer also expressed hope that the new feasibility improves.” policy would make it much easier for Wika is working on a $100 million Australian investors to put their money in project to build geothermal power plants with a several industrial sectors in Indonesia. total capacity of 40 MW. According to Farmer, Australian investment Jacobus said the government is in the mining sector in Indonesia had finalizing the necessary regulations and PLN is decreased over the past few years for several preparing the required documents so tenders reasons, namely security conditions in for the second phase of the fast track program Indonesia which some investors considered to can be realized by February. (Jakarta Globe) be not conducive. "Some investors in the mining sector have News Focus: One-Stop Services System for complained about difficulties in obtaining Investors Draws Favorable Reactions by approvals from local and national government Bustanuddin officials because the latter adhere to different policies," he said. Jakarta - A policy to apply the one-stop The envoy said further that up till now, services system in Indonesia`s investment there were 400 Australian companies engaged sector has drawn positive reactions from in several sectors in Indonesia, namely mining, related parties amid the government`s

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finance, banking, transportation and food and In 2009, the realization of domestic beverages. investment in the country ranging from US$ 13 Apart from that, some 200 businessmen to 14 billion, while foreign investors from countries grouped in the Indonesia- contributed ten percent of the amount. Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Investment in the country may reach will attend a meeting in Pekanbaru, Riau Rp2,000 trillion so that the average economic Province, February 5-7, 2010 to discuss growth target of 7 percent in the coming five investment. years is achievable, the investment chief said. In the 28th Joint Business Council Meeting "It is not easy to attract an investment of (JBCM) 2010 of IMT-GT, the businessmen Rp2,000 trillion but it is neither impossible. would discuss investment cooperation in the We will work hard to attract foreign and fields of among other things, infrastructures, domestic investors," Gita Wirjawan said. tourism, human resources, agriculture, and He said that Indonesia now had good assets plantation. to attract private investment which was M Herwan, Executive Director of the Riau targeted at 55 percent of the total investment chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of need. Commerce and Industry (Kadin), made the The BKPM chief said that one of the good statement on Thursday, adding that most of the assets was the well-preserved macro economic businessmen who will join the IMT-GT stability. Regardless of it however, the meeting are members of respective countries` government still had to do various homeworks, chambers of commerce and industry. apart from improvement of regulations and In addition, on January 18, Wirjawan said bureaucratic reforms that had been carried out that a total of 15 ministries and technical so far. institutions have delegated their authority to "There are homeworks that have to be done the Capital Investment Coordinating Board or in order to improve the investment climate," he BKPM on the implementation of the One-Door said. Integrated Services system for investors. Apart from macroeconomic stability, the "At least 15 ministers and high ranking establishment of special economic zones officials have signed a statement delegating would also help attract foreign investors to do authority to BKPM on the related investment business in Indonesia, he added. process of the One-Door Integrated Services In the meantime, Hiramsyah Sambudi system," he said. Thaib, president director of Bakrieland The 15 ministries are among others industry Development, said that the biggest foreign ministry, trade ministry, home affairs ministry, investment was usually made in the finance ministry, justice and human rights infrastructure sector. ministry and the national police, he said. Therefore, the government should be able According to him, through the delegation of to attract foreign investors to do business in the authority, all permits related to foreign country not only in the capital market but also investments or domestic investment will only in other sectors. be processed at BKPM in accordance with the "Infrastructure is needed. The government PTSP program in effort to start their should soon issue policies that attract foreign investment. direct investment (FDI), not only capital He reiterated that the government made market investors, but also long-term ones," he such progress in the economic field in effort to added.(ANTARA) ease investing and improve the Investment Negative List in order to achieve the economic Indonesia's One-Stop Services Policy growth target of 6 to 6.8 percent per year as set Expected to Boost Australian Investment by the government. "Thus, an investor will no longer necessary Jakarta - The policy to apply the one-stop to go back and forth to each ministry for services system in Indonesia's investment instance in a bid to provide an immigration sector is expected to encourage more permit to foreign workers, it can be obtained at Australian investors to sink their capital in the the BKPM through the immigration technical country, Australia's top diplomat here said. equipment," he said.

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Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Indonesia`s rating was the Indonesian Farmer, said in an interview here on Thursday economy`s resilience amid external upheavals, (21/1/2010). he said. "We are very encouraged by the commitment of the chief of Indonesia's Capital The other factor was Indonesia`s balance of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Gita payments which had tended to continuously Wirjawan, to apply the one-stop services record a surplus in terms of current account system for investors. The new policy is and capital account, he said. expected to make much easier for Australian investors to put their money in several Hartadi said Indonesia`s foreign exchange industrial sectors in Indonesia," Farmer said. reserves had continued to increase and now Citing an example, Farmer said, Australian totaled nearly US$70 billion, up from US$69 investment in the mining sector in Indonesia billion at the end of last year. had decreased over the past few years for several reasons, namely security conditions in Indonesia`s state budget deficit was still sound Indonesia which some investors considered to compared to those of other countries belonging be not conducive. to the same group and this was another factor "Some investors in the mining sector have considered to upgrade its credit rating, he said. complained about difficulties in obtaining approvals from local and national government If Indonesia continued to manage its macro officials because the latter adhere to different economy consistently and carefully, its policies," he said. economic prospects would become even better, Up till now, there were 400 Australian he said. companies engaged in several sectors in Indonesia, namely mining, finance, banking, Fitch upgraded Indonesia`s credit rating to transportation and food and beverages. BB+ on Monday, one notch below the BKPM chief Gita Wirjawan, on November investment grade. The rating`s outlook is 2009 or a month after his installation, stated he stable. would give priority to efforts to create an integrated one-stop services system to improve The upgraded rating is for Indonesia`s long- the process of investment approvals in term debts. Fitch also upgraded the rating of Indonesia. Indonesia`s country ceiling from BB+ to BBB The policy was adopted in line with the and maintained the rating of its short-term debt government's commitment to make it easier for at B. local and foreign investors to operate in Indonesia.(ANTARA) Ai Ling, a director in Fitch`s Sovereign Ratings team, said in a statement the rating Indonesia Now Only One Notch from reflected Indonesia`s relative resilience to the Investment Grade 2008-2009 severe global financial stress test, underpinned by continued improvements in the Jakarta - Bank Indonesia (BI or central bank) country`s public finances, a fundamental said Monday (25/1/2010) Indonesia was only sovereign rating strength, and a material easing one notch away from an investment grade after of external financing constraints. global rating agency Fitch had upgraded the country`s credit rating to BB+ earlier in the Fitch also noted that Indonesia`s public debt day. ratio continued to fall to only 30 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009. "Given the upgraded rating, we only need to Foreign exchange reserves, including gold also go up one more notch to reach an investment rose by 28 percent to US$66 billion and grade," Bank Indonesia (BI) Deputy Governor economic growth increased to 4.6 percent last Hartadi A Sarwono said in a short text year. message to journalists. But Fitch added the priority risk of long-term Among the positive factors pushing up development would overshadow the

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performance if inefficient fiscal spending take over the delivery but we will try to bring remained unsolved in line with deferred it directly to Haiti,” he said. increase in electricity tariffs and fuel oil Indonesia has sent 30 ton of aid worth prices.(ANTARA) US$22 million to Haiti but cannot reach the county sooner than Feb. 7, the date of entry permit, because the local airport is already Socio-Cultural Issues swamped with other flights carrying aid. The delegation then opted for sending the relief Indonesia Dispatches Humanitarian Team first to the Dominican Republic. to Haiti Delegation head Lt. Col. Eko Margiyono said there was a possibility that Padang - Indonesia has sent a team to Haiti only 10 people from the 81-strong delegation to help in humanitarian activities for victims of that could get into Haiti as access to the quake- a 7.0 earthquake that had hit that country. devastated country was restricted. "Today we sent a team of 60 people “The rest of the team members may including from the Indonesian Red Cross have to leave here and go back to Indonesia if (PMI) to Haiti," PMI Chairman Jusuf Kalla they cannot get access to Haiti,” he said. said here on Friday (15/1/2010). Access to Haiti has been difficult due He said the sending of PMI members to to the limited capacity of the local airport, at a Haiti also reflected the country`s readiness to time when many people are reportedly dying in deal with disasters at home and abroad. hospitals due to the lack to medical supplies. "PMI must always be ready to help in any Reuters reported a new earthquake disaster anywhere, home or abroad," he said. shook the devastated Haitian capital on The sending of the team was also a form of Wednesday morning, creating panic among international cooperation, he said adding survivors of last week’s devastating quake Indonesia must not only be willing to receive camped out in the streets but apparently but also give help. causing no new destruction. He said under the international cooperation The powerful 6.1 magnitude framework e PMI had previously also sent aftershock at daybreak sent shrieking Haitians humanitarian teams to Iran and Pakistan when running away from buildings and walls in the earthquakes had hit those countries. shattered city fearing a repeat of the magnitude PMI must always be ready to help people 7 earthquake that killed tens of thousands of affected by disasters caused by natural factors, people eight days ago. human mistakes or conflicts, he “It felt really strong. Each aftershock said.(ANTARA) is frightening. We feel it right here [pointing at his stomach] because after last Tuesday you Indonesian Aid for Haiti Arrives in never know how strong it is going to be,” said Dominican Republic Lenis Batiste, camped out on some grass with two children. Indonesia’s aid for Haiti and a The US Geological Survey said delegation of 81 people have arrived in Wednesday’s tremor was centered 60 km west- neighboring Dominican Republic on southwest of Port-au-Prince. Wednesday (20/1/2010) evening after leaving Desperate and hungry residents of from Honolulu. Port-au-Prince have been sleeping outdoors “The aid will likely be distributed by since the Jan. 12 earthquake because their the UN to Haiti from the Dominican Republic homes were destroyed, or from fear of if the ongoing negotiation, which will last aftershocks. (The Jakarta Post) untill 1 a.m. [Thursday morning], fails to allow us direct entry to Haiti,” said Priyadi Kardono, Foreign Tourists To Be Able To Extend head of information and data for the National Visa-On-Arrival Disaster Management Body. “There is no information yet on when Foreign tourists visiting Indonesia can the aid can be brought to Haiti if the UN has to now extend their visas-on-arrival for another 30 days, as of Jan. 26, the Indonesian

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immigration office announced Monday Nirwandar, the tourism and culture ministry`s (25/1/2010). director general, said here on Saturday Prior to this, foreign tourists were not (23/1/2010). allowed to extend their visas-on-arrival. They Indonesia had an interest in the event as one had to leave the country to get a new visa. of the country`s tourist destinations, Komodo In the new ruling, the immigration Dragon National Park, was a finalist in the new office has decided to scrap the seven-day visa- Seven Wonders of nature selection process, he on-arrival. The office will now only issue visas said. for a 30-day stay at the rate of US$25, "Indonesia would be automatically extendable for another 30 days. (The Jakarta promoted through the event," he said. Post) The ministry also planned to relaunch the promotion of `Vote Komodo for New Seven Immigration to Introduce VoA Single Tariff Wonders of Nature` in various places, he said. Up to now, the Komodo National Park is Jakarta - The Directorate General of among the top 28 finalists in the new Seven Immigration of the Law and Human Rights Wonders selection. Ministry will introduce a single tariff system "The Komodo rating is fluctuating but still to Visa on Arrival (VOA) management. in the green area or safe area," he said. "The single tariff is aimed at facilitating The 28 finalists will be divided into 7 supervision," Director General of Immigration categories. Among competitors of the Komodo Muhammad Indra said in Jakarta Tuesday Dragon national park is Sunburn in China, (26/1/2010). Blackforest in Europe, and Amazon in The Immigration will introduce a 25 US Argentine, Paraguay, and Brazil. dollar single tariff to VOA applicants to stay The new seven Wonders will be officially in Indonesia for 30 days as of January 26, announced in 2011.(ANTARA) 2010. Two VOA tariffs had been charged earlier, Another 1000 Year-Old Heritage namely 10 US dollars for a seven days stay and 25 US dollars for 30 days stay. Indra explained that the single tariff rate would not affect the VOA sector income too much, which caused an extension of the single tariff system. Indra also emphasized that the single tariff is aimed to simplify the visa management and therefore, VOA manipulation will not be repeated in the future. This is a very good news for everyone. Archaeologists in Indonesia have uncovered a As reported earlier, some local immigration officials were involved in VOA management 1,000-year-old temple that could shed light on at the Ngurah Rai airport, Bali. the country’s Hindu past. The temple was found on the grounds The Ministry of Law and Human Rights had reported the matter to the State Audit Board of Yogyakarta’s Islamic University as workers (BPK) and punished the guilty immigration probed the ground to lay foundations for a new library, and they realised the earth beneath officers involved in the case.(ANTARA) their feet was not stable. Digging soon revealed still-standing Indonesia Intends to Host New Seven temple walls three metres underground. Wonders Selection Meeting Heavy rains then exposed the top of a Jakarta - Indonesia intends to host an statue of the Hindu god Ganesha in pristine condition. A few weeks into the excavation, international meeting to select the New Seven Wonders in 2011, a senior tourism official archaeologists are declaring the temple and its said. rare and beautiful statues an important discovery that could provide insights into "We want to be the host country of the meeting to select `new seven wonders`," Sapta Indonesia’s pre-Islamic culture.

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This temple is a quite significant and "In Indonesia`s case, its positive growth is very valuable because no one has ever found a not triggered by declining Thailand or other temple as whole and intact as this one. For factors. It is much more likely caused by the example, looking at where the statues are value for money in Indonesia," he said. placed in this temple, they are in their original Despite this favourable condition, he positions, unlike the other temples. This admitted that Indonesia faced a lot of internal temple is important for understanding the challenges that could hamper its tourism culture of Indonesians ancestors. industry development. A volcanic eruption is thought most The regional governments` minor efforts to likely to have covered the temple around the develop and maintain their tourist objects and 10th century, about 100 years after it was built. destinations were one of the serious threats, he The eruption preserved its statues and said. reliefs in better condition than almost A part from the existing challenges, he was everything else discovered in Indonesia from confident that Indonesia`s tourism sector that period, including the Borobodur and would still enjoy a positive growth this year. Prambanan temple complexes. The ministry of culture and tourism has GNFI believes that this site was targeted seven million foreign tourists entering established during the ancient Mataram Indonesia in 2010 with a total income of 6.75 Kingdom era, which abandoned the area due billion US dollars, he said. to devastating Merapi volcano eruption. They The ministry also expected to gain an then marched to the east to settle in the deep income of 138 trillion rupiah from 230 million midland of East Java. Hey, this site is only a domestic travelers along this year, he said. walk-distance to my house. Compared to last year, Indonesia could only Yogyakarta’s Islamic University wants receive 6.459 million foreign visitors. This to open the site to the public once the dig is number increased about 0.4 percent from that complete.(GNFI) of 2008 despite the global crisis as well as hotel bombing and swine flu cases, he Indonesian Tourism Industry Remains added.(ANTARA) Competitive in 2010 Most "Sail Banda" Activities to Take Place Jakarta - Indonesia`s tourism industry in Ambon remained able to compete with such countries as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand amid the Ambon - Most of the activities in the world`s declining tourist visits, an official said. international marine event "Sail Banda" in "The world`s tourism generally declines. July-August 2010 will take place in Ambon Instead, ours could still gain positive growth city, Maluku`s provincial capital, Ambon last year," said Sapta Nirwandar, the tourism Mayor Jopi Papilaya said here on Saturday and culture ministry`s director general for (15/1/2010). marketing, said. "I attended a meeting with Sail Banda With the positive growth, he remained national committee chairman Fadel optimistic on Indonesia`s ability to compete in Muhammad in Jakarta on January 12, 2010 attracting foreign tourists in the region despite and it was explained that most of the Sail the fact that its last year`s growth was only 0.4 Banda activities will be conducted in Ambon," percent. Papilaya said. "With 0.4 percent growth, Indonesia is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on luckier than countries, like Australia, December 14, 2009 appointed Marine Affairs Singapore, and Thailand which get negative and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad as growth. We can maintain our target amid the chairman of the Sail Banda national global financial crisis," he said. committee. Nirwandar said the global crisis and "Thus the basic principle of Sail Banda "internal factors" of Indonesia`s competitors, 2010 is part of a central government such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, breakthrough to promote Maluku`s tourism partly contributed to the decreasing flows of and other outstanding sectors to attract the coming tourists.

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attention of the international community," Bali's Ngurah Rai, will be the location of the Papilaya said. system's pilot projects. In addition, the Ambon mayor said, Sail Later, the system would also be set up in Banda would be a momentum to show to the all international airports in Indonesia. international community that peace prevails in The VAT refund facility would only be Maluku and that the different components of available to foreign passport holders who have its population are now coexisting in perfect spent money buying things in Indonesia. When harmony after a three-year communal conflict they leave the country again, all the money which erupted on January 19, 1999 in Ambon they have paid for VAT in buying things in the city. country will be returned to them. Therefore, Papilaya said, it was necessary The system has already been applied for a to draw up the schedule of the activities and long time in such countries as Japan, provide for the supporting facilities as soon as Singapore, China, Australia, and Malaysia, possible. Yongki said. "I have taken data on a number of hotel "If we consistently apply the system, it will rooms and other accommodations, stimulate foreign tourists to come to and shop transportation and other supporting facilities in Indonesia," he said. because we have only five months left to Through the consistent application of the organize the international marine event," VAT refund system, the tourism sector could Papilaya said. then significantly increase its contribution to For the implementation of Sail Banda 2010, the country's GDP (gross domestic product), the central government had allocated funds and according to Yonkie. the Maluku provincial administration itself had He said ASITA was also requesting that also earmarked Rp12 billion for the event. travel agencies be given full freedom to The Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry become a player in the inbound or domestic had untertaken the d organization of Sail tourism segment. Banda 2010 which was the brainchild of Moreover, by working on the inbound former marine affairs and fisheries minister pillar, the potential to boost the number of Freddy Numberi and former director general of incoming tourists and increase their spending coastal area and small island affairs Alex in Indonesia would also grow. Retraubun. They evolved the idea after the "The government should also be willing to success of Sail Bunaken 2009 in Manado, give tax holidays to inbound travel agencies," North Sulawesi. (ANTARA) he said. In 2010, Indonesia hopes to attract some 7 ASITA Urges Introduction of Tax Refund million foreign tourists with the amount of System for Tourists their spending in the country projected at 6.75 billion dollars. The number of domestic tourist Jakarta, - The Association of Indonesian trips is projected at 230 million trips and their Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) has called spendings at Rp138 trillion. on the government to immediately implement Last year, Indonesia was visited by 6.459 a tax refund scheme for foreign tourists to million foreign tourists, an increase of 0.4 stimulate their spending in the country. percent compared to 2008. Domestic tourists "To boost foreign tourist spendings we made 226 million trips, up from 225.4 million must apply a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund trips in 2008.(ANTARA) system for international tourists who shop in Indonesia," Jongki Adiyasa, vice chairman of Twenty Indonesians Receive 2010 ASITA's Jakarta chapter, said here on Australian Endeavor Awards Saturday (16/1/2010). The government is planning to implement a Jakarta - Australian Ambassador to Value Added Tax (VAT) refund scheme for Indonesia Bill Farmer on Thursday foreign tourists for the first time in April (21/1/2010) night honored 20 high-achieving 2010, and two of Indonesia's international Indonesian recipients of the Australian airports, namely Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta and Government Endeavor Awards for 2010.

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According to Australian Embassy media Indonesia by province: East Kalimantan release, the recipients included two winners of The Prime Minister`s Australia Asia Endeavor Award, a prestigious scholarship newly announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. "Australia is very proud of these high- achieving Endeavor Awardees," Farmer said, adding that the recipients of these prestigious Awards would continue to strengthen research and professional linkages between Australia As a major producer of oil and timber, East and Indonesia and enhance their professional Kalimantan is the most industrially advanced careers in their chosen field. province of Kalimantan Island. It is also home A recipient of the Prime Minister`s of the original inhabitants of Kalimantan, Australia Asia Endeavor Award, Agustian Orang Gunung or the Mountain People. The Sutrisno, National Program Officer for tribes are collectively called Dayak, although UNESCO, said that furthering studies at a PhD this name is not embraced by many tribes- level in Australia will refine his educational people themselves, who prefer to be known by management skills by conducting research separate tribal names such as Iban, Punan and based on actual educational management Banuaq. Local tribes traditionally live in the practices. communal longhouses called Lamin or Umaq "Qualified researchers in the field of Daru. They are built on wooden piles, about 3 education are very rare in Indonesia and, by meters high as protection against wild animals completing my PhD, I will be a researcher and and flooding. The Punan people are nomadic an academic who is able to provide evidence- hunter-gatherers, and only use the longhouse at based inputs and advice on the development of the height of rainy season. Steeped in tradition, our educational sector," Sutrisno said. the interior of the longhouse is typically Ms Agnes Sumargi, a senior lecturer at divided into separate family quarters with Widya Mandala Catholic University in communal areas connecting each of the Surabaya, is also a recipient of The Prime families. The communal areas are also place Minister`s Australia Asia Endeavour Award for villager to hold meetings and ceremonies and plans to research the effect of parenting performed. Guardian statues are normally education programs on parenting skills in placed in front of longhouses to protect them Indonesia. against evil’s spirits who bring disease and bad Australia has been providing scholarships fortune. The more remote and traditional to Indonesia for almost 60 years. tribes-people have pierced earlobes, which The Endeavor Awards are an over the year have become stretched by the internationally competitive, merit-based weight of heavy gold or brass rings, and scholarship program providing opportunities beautifully elaborated tattoos. for leading researchers and professionals to undertake short or long term study, research Traveling along the Mahakam river and professional development in a broad range mainstream is a fascinating adventure. River of disciplines. boats slide unobtrusively through heavily silt- This year six Australians also won laden waters, wild orchids drip off trees. Endeavor Awards to conduct research in Proboscis monkeys signal your arrival to the Indonesia. crocodiles and legendary hornbills. A 5,000 For more information on the Endeavour acre Orchid Reservation close to the village of Awards, please visit: Kersik Luwai cultivates 27 different species of www.endeavour.deewr.gov.au or orchid including the very rare “Cologenia www.australianscholarships.gov.au. pandura” the Black Orchid. (ANTARA) Tourist Office: Jl. Kusuma Bangsa Balaikota Samarinda 75123

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Phone (0541) 741669, 731447 Fax. (0541) Berau 736866 The remains of Keraton (palace) Gunung Tambur and the Keraton Sambaling can be Getting there: found in Berau. Balikpapan is the gateway to East Kalimantan, Garuda Indonesia Airlines fly from Kuala Tanjung Isuy Lumpur to Balikpapan via Jakarta. Balikpapan Tanjung Isuy has a traditional Dayak can be reach by flight directly from Jakarta, longhouse which has been turned into lodges Manado and Surabaya as well as from for visitors that located nearby Lake Jempang. Tarakan. Visitors are usually given a welcome ceremony and dance performed by Dayak Places of Interest: Benuaq tribe. Dressed in skirt of leaves, cures Samarinda his patients at night by performing the rites Samarinda is a capital of East Kalimantan prescribed by ancestors to the frenzied province known for its fine sarong. The accompaniment of gongs and drums. To get Garden of Mulawarman University has the Tanjung Isuy, visitors will pass across the education forest with 62.4 ha arboretum, about Mahakam River and enjoying the floating 12 km north of Samarinda. The city provides a village and forest scenery. number of modest but comfortable hotels for tourists. Derawan and Sangalaki Islands Derawan and Sangalaki Islands can be Balikpapan reached within 3 hours driven boat from Balikpapan, the center of Kalimantan’s oil Tanjung Redep in the north. There are many industry, is also the gateway to East rare animals such as the green turtle, the scarlet Kalimantan with air and sea connections to turtle, star fruit turtle and sea cow. Derawan Jakarta and other major points in Indonesia. and Sangalaki islands hold an amazing marine Balikpapan has a major number of good hotels, environment, including fabulous coral including one of the international standard, as formations, canary crabs, green turtles and well as recreation facilities. It has the second- pearls. busiest airport in the nation after Jakarta. Muara Ancalong Tanah Merah Indah-Lempake A small ox-bow lake is about 1 km upstream This is a recreational park called Tanah Merah on the right bank of the Sungai Telen. The lake Indah-Lempake where water fall situated 16 has not been visited because according to local km from downtown Samarinda. It can be information, it houses a large colony of Fruit reached by car or public transportation. Bats Pteropus vampyrus. On April 14 1985, the compiler estimated a total of some 17,000 Tenggarong bats flying S.W. over the village at dusk. If Tenggarong is the capital of Kutai regency and bats were also flying in other directions out was once the seat of the Kutai sultanate. The from the roots, the total colony must number Sultan’s palace at the riverside of Mahakam tens of thousands. river is now a museum where the old royal (source: www.my-indonesia.info . paraphernalia are kept, as well as an excellent www.extremeborneo.com ) collection of antique Chinese ceramics. Dayak statues can be admired in the yard. A curious thing about the royal paraphernalia is that they ENVIRONMENT ISSUES display a strong resemblance with Java’s court traditions. Every 24th of September, the Indonesia Supports Copenhagen Accord former palace becomes a stage of dance and music performances given to celebrate the Jakarta - Indonesia will soon express town’s anniversary. support to the Copenhagen Accord reached at the 15th UN climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009.

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"Indonesia will be associating with the and clear program of climate change Copenhagen Accord with several provisions," mitigation. expert staff of the Environment Minister for On the same occasion, expert staff of the global environment and international Forestry Minister for partnership Wandojo cooperation Liana Bratasida told a seminar on Siswanto said the deforestation rate needs to be socialization of the Copenhagen Accord in calculated along with the Ministry of Forestry Jakarta Tuesday (26/1/2010). with other sides like the Ministry of Liana, who is also chairwoman of the Extra Agriculture, the Ministry of Energy and Agency for Implementing the World Body for Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Climate Change 2008-2009 said Indonesia has Environment. asked the United Nations Framework "As the deforestation rate is related to the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for use of land for agriculture, mining and other a more detailed explanation on the emission sectors," Wandojo said. reduction target of Annex-2 countries, action Meanwhile, member of the Presidential mitigation program and others. Advisory Council Emil Salim said the Ministry Besides associating with the Copenhagen of Forestry needs to follow the projected Accord, Indonesia will also make a submission scenario on the 26 percent emission cut of the the greenhouse gas emission 26 percent cut National Development Planning Agency target in 2020, climate change mitigation (Bappenas). program to be introduced to the UNFCCC. "Forestry needs adjustment to the scenario The statement called Namas (National of Bappenas," he said.(ANTARA) Appropriate Mitigation Actions) will contain the names of the countries and their action on Indonesia Signs Bilateral Funding January 31, 2010, according to the soft Agreements deadline of the UNFCCC to all countries.(ANTARA) While the pledges for huge amounts Under the Copenhagen Accord, every made at multilateral talks remain to be seen, country is required to submit a NAMA to the Indonesia has signed a number of bilateral developing countries, and the projected GRK agreements with richer nations to get climate emission to the advanced countries with a soft funding — mostly in forest-related areas. deadline set on January 31, 2010, and not later State Environment Minister Gusti than at the 16 climate change summit in Muhammad Hatta argued that the bilateral Mexico in December 2010. deals were currently the faster way to get In the meantime, deputy to the Environment climate funding. Minister for Increasing Natural Resources “But, even without their money Conservation and Environmental Damage Indonesia will go ahead to protect the planet,” Control Masnellyarti Hilman said since the Hatta told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. soft deadline of the UNFCCC for submission “It is our moral responsibility to tackle from all countries is merely a soft deadline, climate change for the sake of our people.” Indonesia will give only a broadline of the He also insisted that bilateral NAMA program. agreements would not ruin ongoing "The submission does not necessarily have multilateral talks on climate change after the to be in detail, as we still have to set together Copenhagen conference failed to hammer out a to discuss inter-sectoral policies," she said. binding agreement on emissions cuts and Masnellyarti also said that the scenario of climate funding. Indonesia's 26 percent cut emission is not yet After the Copenhagen meeting final, because the GRK emission target of the Indonesia signed MoUs on climate change agricultural sector is not yet final. issues with the governments of Australia, The agricultural sector which will England, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, contribute 60 percent (48 percent from the Norway, New Zealand and the United States. change of land and 12 percent of peatland) to The Australian government has the national emission cut target, she added, provided A$30 million (US$27.74 million) to does not clearly mention the deforestation rate fund a Reducing Emissions from Deforestation

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and Forest Degradation (REDD) project in “We will meet the deadline, although Jambi, which is scheduled to begin in January. we have not yet finished the details on how to Jambi’s forests are estimated to cover reach the targets,” he told The Jakarta Post on around 2.1 million hectares. Thursday. It also channeled A$40 million to Hatta admitted that once the report another REDD project in Central Kalimantan was submitted to the UN secretariat, Indonesia in 2009. would be bound to slashing its emissions by 26 It is not clear how much funding has percent by 2020. been promised from other countries but most “But we are ready for that of the money will be used to cut emissions [obligation],” he said. from the forestry sector. Indonesia is one of 26 countries which Indonesia is the world’s third-largest signed the accord during the Copenhagen forest nation, with around 120 million hectares meeting last December. 192 countries are of rainforest. members of the UNFCCC. The Indonesian Forum for It is not yet clear whether all the Environment (Walhi) earlier said Australia’s countries would submit their emission reports REDD projects in Indonesia were used to to the UNFCCC because most of them have offset emissions cuts down under. not signed the accord. The Copenhagen Accord recognizes President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono the role of forests in reducing emissions named Hatta’s office as responsible for through the REDD plus scheme, by rewarding coordinating other departments in slashing companies or forest owners for keeping their their emissions. forests intact. Indonesia was the first developing Planting new trees could also be country to announce emissions cuts targets of counted toward financial incentives under the 26 percent by 2020, 41 percent with carbon trading scheme.Indonesia plans to plant international support after developed nations 1 billion trees this year. refused to put emissions targets on negotiation Hatta said the money from bilateral table. deals would be used to reduce Indonesia’s Developing countries are not bound to greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent as emissions cuts under the Kyoto Protocol. promised by Indonesia. The Kyoto Protocol, the only binding President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono treaty on emission reductions, requires only has promised to cut Indonesia’s emissions by developed nations to cut emissions by 5 26 percent by 2020 with the state budget, and percent until 2012. when the Protocol expires. another 15 percent if rich nations provide Most countries have failed to meet the target. financial aid. (the Jakarta Post) The Copenhagen meeting failed to reach a new legally-binding treaty on Indonesia Ready for Binding Targets on emissions cuts. Emissions Reduction But a number of countries have announced their emissions cuts targets to be State Environment Minister Gusti included in the Copenhagen accord. Muhammad Hatta has insisted that Indonesia The United States pledged to cut 17 will submit an official report on the country’s percent of emissions by 2020 from 2005 emissions cuts target to the United Nation by levels, equal to only about 3 to 4 percent from the end of this month, which will bind 1990 bases. Indonesia to emissions reduction. In contrast, China has promised to The Copenhagen accord obliges each reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2020, while country adopting the accord to submit a report India has offered a 20 percent cut by 2020. outlining emissions cuts targets, including A draft report on emissions targets detailed plans to meet the pledged target to the from the State Environment Ministry showed United Nations Framework Convention on that with the 26 percent target, Indonesia Climate Change (UNFCCC) by Jan. 31 at the should cut about 0.7 million tons of carbon latest. dioxide (CO2) with an expected cost of Rp 83.3 trillion.

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If developed nations provided Rp 168 Indonesia's research and technology miniter. trillion, Indonesia could slash its emission by The cooperation with the United States was another 15 percent to meet the pledged 41 halted in 2002 and there had been no percent. cooperation since then, Setiapermana said. It said if business runs as usual, The arrival of Prof. Alberts from the Indonesia would emit some 2.95 billion tons of National Institute of Sciences (NAS) next CO2 in 2020, of which 48 percent would come week would be to reciprocate a visit by a LIPI from land conversion and the forestry sector, and Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI) 21 percent from the energy sector, 12 percent delegation to the United States some time ago from peat fires, and 11 percent from waste to explore sci-tech cooperation, he said. management. Prof.Alberts' visit would be a follow up to The draft said emissions cuts would be President Barack Obama's commitment to focused on those sectors. restore US relations with the Muslim world “We are still formulating the emissions which he made in Egypt last year. cuts from each sector and where will it take "Through US Secretary of State Hillary place,” he said. Clinton, the US govenrment had selected three He admitted his office had reached an academics to visit Muslim countries to explore agreement with the Public Works Ministry on cooperation in the sci-tech field with them. how to cut emissions from the waste The selected academics were Dr.Bruce management sector. Alberts, Dr. Ahmed Zewail, and Dr.Elyas Z," Hatta’s office said earlier that it would he said. enforce the 2008 law on solid waste that During his visit to Jakarta, Prof.Alberts required all districts to change from open would give a lecture titled "Science policy in dumping to more sanitary landfill systems and the framework of climate change on human to separate methane (CH4) and use it as a security and environment" at LIPI on Tuesday source of electricity. (The Jakarta Post) (Jan 19). The US researcher would also visit a number of laboratory facilities at the LIPI REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL Center for Science, Cibinong, West Java, such ISSUES as the Zoological Museum, Herbarium Museum in Bogor, the Research Center for US Envoy for Science and Technology Biotechnology, and Chemical Research Center Cooperation to Visit Indonesia at Puspiptek Serpong, the Ancol Oceanographic Research Center, also the Geo- Bogor, - Indonesia will be the first technology Research Center in Bandung. predominantly Muslim country to be visited by "His (Prof.Alberts's) visit is also related to a US envoy exploring science and President Obama's plan to visit Indonesia in technology cooperation based on President mid-2010," he added.(ANTARA) Barack Obama's commitment to mend the US relations with the Islamic world. Korea Chooses Indonesia to Receive KSP The US envoy would be Prof D Bruce Project Support Alberts of the National Institute of Sciences (NAS), according to Dr Deddy Setiapermana, Jakarta - The Korean Ministry of Strategy head of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences and Finance and the Korean Development (LIPI)'s science and technology cooperation Institute had chosen Indonesia to receive the and familiarization bureau, here Saturday incentive support under the Korean knowledge (16/1/2010). sharing program project. Prof.Alberts' visit was intended to explore "The Korean experience of assisting the possibility of re-establishing science and Indonesia, such as Korea in 1997 and 1998 technology cooperation with Indonesia which carried out budget reforms," Director of the was discontinued in 2002. Korean Financial Institute Nowook Park said "Indonesia actually was already cooperating at a meeting with the media in Jakarta, in the sci-tech field with the US in 1978 to Wednesday evening. 2002 when Prof.Dr.BJ.Habibie was

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Nowook who is also member of the Korean lessons and experience in Korean Financial Institute team said that Korea has development. started introducing the performance-based For this year's KSP, the first stage is started state budget. with the visit of a Korean delegation to "The drawing up of a mid-term budget Indonesia led by Korean deputy prime minister (more than a year) and a performance-based and minister of financial stragegy Okyu Kwon. budget is also important," he said. He is also KSP project manager. The KSP provides recommended policies to The delegation meets government high the developing countries on the basis of the officials to discuss important policies as a experience of Korea which was first a poor solution for the Indonesian country but had developed into one of the 10 government.(ANTARA) big economies in the world. Korea has given policy recommendations for 134 cases in 15 Indonesia-Sponsored Resolution Adopted countries. by WHO Executive Board Meeting MOSF and KDI had chosen Indonesia as a project country for projects in 2009 and London - The Indonesian delegation to a conducted research work with the theme WHO executive board meeting in Geneva has "Indonesia toward an advanced economic successfully sponsored a resolution on power". improvement of people`s health through safe The themes that had been forwarded and environmentally sound waste included competition and development of management, an Indonesian official said at the financial policies, Indonesia's financial control, 126th session of the WHO executive board in formation of liquidity and derivative market, Geneva. and mid-term finance and the development of Acep Sumantri, spokesperson of the office performance-based budgets. of the Indonesian Permanent Representative in The Korean research delegation had carried Geneva, told ANTARA on Saturday out its tasks from April to June 2009. The (23/1/2010) Indonesia had presented the draft result of the research will be presented in a of the resolution at 128th session of the WHO Final Reporting Workshop and Senior Policy executive board as president of the Basel Dialog on January 21, 2009 at Grand Hyatt Convention. Hotel in Jakarta. Indonesia`s initiative was a follow-up to the As a country chosen to receive the KSP Bali Declaration on Waste Management for incentive support, the Korean delegation will Human Health and Livelihood which was hold a high-level meeting with economic adopted at the ninth conference of parties officials like those of Bappenas. (COP) to the Basel Convention in Bali in June MOSF and KDI will carry out the KSP for 3 2008, he said. years (2010-2013) and carry out the project In the proposing process, the Indonesian intensively integrating comprehensive research delegation gained the support of 37 WHO on economic and social problems, policy member countries, namely Argentina, recommendations, KSP training and education, Armenia, Brunei, Bangladesh, Chile, to improve the relations with the Indonesian Colombia, Guatemala, Monaco, Nigeria, government as a strategic partner. Switzerland and 27 EU member states, Indonesia had been elected by Korea as a Sumantri said. partner country for strategic developments for In response to the adoption of the 2010 based on the economic and diplomatic resolution, Indonesia`s permanent relations between the two countries, with a representative in Geneva, Ambassador Dian potential for international cooperation in Triansyah Djani, said it was strong evidence general development, and in view of that the WHO recognized Indonesia`s Indonesia's strong wish to introduce the KSP leadership in both health and environmental along with Korea. issues. Previously Indonesia was also KSP partner The resolution itself was also an admission of Korea in 2005, with the theme the reform of that mismanaging unfriendly and harmful important economic institutions in Indonesia: wastes would have an impact on public health.

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Therefore, WHO member countries needed The WHO Executive Council considered the to work together with the WHO director resolutions important to enhance global general to improve public health through a cooperation in preventing and handling sound, safe, and environmentally-friendly hepatitis, it said. waste management, he said. In a statement to the WHO Executive The HHO executive board session was Council, Indonesian Health Minister Endang opened last January 18 and ended on January Rahayu Sedyaningsih underscored the 23. The Indonesian delegation was headed by importance of the resolutions to assist Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih. developing nations in preventing and handling At the meeting, the participants discussed a hepatitis. wide range of issues, including influenza The resolutions will encourage developing pandemics and global efforts to eradicate countries to stress the need for cooperation and measles and prevention and control of technical aid to conduct surveillance, and have noncommunicable diseases. access to hepatitis B vaccines at affordable They also talked about strategies to reduce prices as well as universal access to medical the harmful use of alcohol, a global code for treatment. recruitment of international health workers and Given the resolutions the WHO was the proposed revision of WHO guidance on expected to increase its role in encouraging all international control of psychoactive countries to prevent and handle hepatitis, the substances. minister said. On the influenza pandemics, Endang said to Dr. David H. Muljono, a member of the enhance the world`s ability to respond to these Indonesian delegation to the meeting, said an pandemics more rapidly, the WHO`s 2007 estimated 500 million people worldwide are Resolution on influenza pandemic infected with hepatitis B and C, and more than preparedness should be implemented in 600 thousand people died of hepatitis B and C transparent, fair, sustainable, and balanced every year.(ANTARA) ways. Through the resolution`s transparent Indonesia to Hold International Muslim implementation, WHO member countries Conference on Climate Change would get maximum benefit from the resolution, Endang said as quoted by Acep Indonesia is scheduled to hold an Sumantri. international Muslim conference on climate The WHO executive board has 34 members change in Bogor, West Java, from March 1 to technically qualified in the field of health. March 2, 2010. Members are elected for three-year Head of the conference's steering terms.(ANTARA) committee Ismid Hadad told a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday (26/1/2010) WHO Approves Indonesia's Proposal to that the Muslim conference would be a Declare July 28 Hepatitis Day continuation of the declaration of the Muslim Seven-Year Action Plan for Climate Change London - The World Health Organization concluded in Istanbul, Turkey, in June last (WHO) has approved Indonesia`s proposal to year. declare July 28 as World Hepatitis Day. Ismid, who is also the chairman of the The world body gave the approval at the patronage council of Kehati Foundation, said 126th session of its executive board in Geneva there would be three items to be discussed at on Saturday with the aim of creating a the conference, including climate change issue momentum to fight hepatitis in every country, and what Muslims can do, Antara news agency first secretary of the Indonesian permanent reported. representative office in Geneva Acep Somantri The second item will be the plan to said in a statement on Sunday (24/1/2010). establish a Muslim Association for Climate The session also approved by consensus Change Action (Macca), which is expected to draft resolutions proposed by Indonesia and become an umbrella organization for the Brazil on viral hepatitis after two days of implementation of the action plans in various debates, the statement said. Muslim countries around the world.

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The third item will be the declaration Vendley said the American of four cities in the Muslim countries as green community did not see the enactment of cities or “Al Khaer City”, which will also sharia-based bylaws and hardliners’ recent include Bogor. The other three will be moves to ban Muslim pluralist activities as a Madinah (Arab Saudi), Salleh (Morocco) and looming threat to diverse religious life as Sanaa (Yemen). “there is deep confidence that there is a Up to 150 environmental experts, profound [national] commitment to scientists and elemas have been invited to the Pancasila”, the country’s ideology that conference from 30 Muslim countries defends freedom of religion. including the United Arab Emirates, Brunei “Educated Americans are alert to the Darussalam, Malaysia, African countries, shape of Islam globally actually look to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait and Egypt. (The Indonesia as a bridging country... well- Jakarta Post) positioned to understand pluralism, which is very characteristic of the US, and at the same Indonesia Wins US Praise for Religious time a country that is uniquely positioned to Tolerance function as a faithful interlocutor and partner with other countries that have less pluralism,” Indonesia’s religious tolerance has he said. won praise from the US government and civil Under the regional autonomy system, society groups despite concerns that the several local administrations in Indonesia have country may tilt toward more radical Islamic enacted sharia-based bylaws that require ideas, with several regions enacting sharia- Muslim women to wear a hijab or put them based bylaws and hardliners reportedly trying under restrictions at night in relation to outdoor to stifle pluralism. activities. Moderates have also been alarmed Indonesia and the US kicked off a by hardliner groups attempting to impose harsh three-day interfaith dialogue Monday in restrictions on the way women may dress and Jakarta to deepen bilateral cooperation and perform on television broadcast shows, cultural relations. especially under the pornography law, as well The 20-member US delegation is led as recent attacks on minority places of by Pradeep Ramamurthy, senior director for worship. global engagement of the White House “We haven’t focused so much on these National Security Council. issues and what we want to emphasize is that The Indonesian delegation comprises Indonesia is diverse and embraces diversity...” 30 people from religious organizations, said Darcy Zotter, deputy political counselor of including Nahdlatul Ulama and the US Embassy in Jakarta. Muhammadiyah, and is headed by Andri Hadi, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa the Foreign Ministry’s director general for said the idea of the interfaith dialogue was information and public diplomacy. floated by then foreign minister Hassan A member of the US delegation, Wirajuda during a visit to the US to meet US William F. Vendley, who is the secretary- Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton last June. general of Religions for Peace, said the “Today, we convene to... implement American perception of Indonesia was the commitment to strengthen the voice of positive, with people increasingly aware moderation and foster dialogue for cooperation Indonesia was the country with the largest as one way to address today’s critical Muslim population in the world. challenge,” Marty said. “The US government is enormously The interfaith dialogue is part of US- impressed with both the Indonesian Indonesia cooperation covering a range of government’s and the people’s commitment to areas from education to counter terrorism to pluralism. Although the majority of the sanitation that have been established in the population is Muslim, they welcome context of a comprehensive bilateral diversity... They see Indonesia as a model for a partnership. (The Jakarta Post) religiously diverse society functioning in a harmonious and peaceful fashion.”

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Indonesia and US Religious Groups Team that also engage in social projects such as Up to Tackle Poverty education and household economy empowerment. Participants at an interfaith forum in Jakarta have pledged to work closely to end poverty The country’s biggest Muslim organizations, and enhance education while trying to help Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, run a people cope with climate change. host of programs aimed at bettering the livelihoods and standards of living of The joint declaration came at the conclusion of grassroots communities. the three-day forum Wednesday (27/1/2010), attended by religious leaders from the United “Interfaith dialogue should not be self- States, Indonesia and Thailand, the absorbed, that the discussion is the religion per Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Japan. se, but rather how it can contribute to people’s lives and be inclusive for all,” Foreign The leaders expressed their commitment to Minister Marty Natalegawa said Monday on creating partnerships on a wide range of issues the sidelines of the forum’s opening session. to allow better understanding about religious diversity in the region, still gripped by radical He added the interfaith dialogue would movements that have in recent years often establish a partnership between Indonesia and devolved into violence. the United States in various fields that would allow people from different backgrounds to Thailand and the Philippines, both with benefit. significant Muslim minorities, have for decades been engaged in quelling insurgencies US delegation head Pradeep Ramamurthy said in their respective southern provinces, Washington was looking forward to working dominated by Muslims. together with Indonesia’s religious groups as they had the capacity to “mobilize and deliver” Deadly attacks in three provinces in the south the necessary action to resolve a wide range of of Thailand have claimed thousands of lives issues. since the 1970s, while the Philippine government is fighting Muslim rebels in the “President Obama has spoken frequently about southern island of Mindanao. the importance of listening to one another, Indonesia has faced years of inter-religious even to those groups with different strife in places such as Poso in Central perspectives, as well as building bridges Sulawesi and Ambon in Maluku. Only recently between people and leading partnership and has the government managed to bring peace to action,” said Ramamurthy, the senior director these areas. for global engagement on the White House’s National Security Council. Jean Duff, executive director of the Center for Interfaith Action on global poverty, said the “This is vital in a world where we share more joint declaration would be the basis for civil challenges than at any other time in human groups to enhance their communication and history.” understanding about Islam in Indonesia and Scholars and religious leaders pledged to Asia, which differs greatly from its Arab roots. engage the community in raising awareness about the causes of poverty, while empowering Indonesia is home to world’s largest Muslim youth and women in the fight against it. population, and has been held up by the Western world as a model working democracy, They also agreed to educate the community particularly in light of many Arab countries’ about the importance of climate change and dismal records on human rights and freedom of protection of minority groups. expression. The recommendations will be presented to the Jakarta’s increased leverage on the world stage governments of both countries.(The Jakarta is attributed partly to moderate Muslim groups Post)

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