Archive for August, 2007
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
After being performed in eight cities in Java, Kalimantan and Sumatra, a play titled Nyai Ontosoroh will be staged for Jakartans at the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center in Central Jakarta on Aug. 12-14.
Written by scriptwriter/producer Faiza Mardzoeki, Nyai Ontosoroh is an adaptation of Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind), a novel by renowned author Pramoedya Ananta Toer.
“Nyai Ontosoroh is a figure in the novel who has a strong personality. She provides inspiration. Overall, the novel has some dramatic elements that drove me to bring them to the stage,” Faiza told a media conference Friday.
Bumi Manusia, Faiza said, is a very interesting novel as it provides historical information about Indonesia. It also presents the struggle of a woman against subordination in colonial times, she explained.
Considered by Soeharto as promoting leftist ideology, many of Pramoedya’s works were banned. Although the restrictions still exist today, people can easily find Pramoedya’s works in bookstores.
An fan of Pramoedya’s works, Faiza spent almost two years on the script. After finishing it, she then offered it to theater troupes in several cities.
To her surprise, most of the theater troupes she met gave positive responses and staged the play between December 2006 and March 2007.
“The show in Jakarta will be the climax,” Faiza said.
For this project, Faiza has worked together with director Wawan Sofwan and co-producer Andi K. Yuwono. The main character, Nyai Ontosoroh, will be played by artist Happy Salma, who is also an admirer of Pramoedya.
Wawan said he immediately accepted the job when he was asked to direct Nyai Ontosoroh in March.
“I accepted the offer as I liked the script. We had four months for rehearsal. I appreciate the good cooperation among team members. We will do our best for the audience,” he said.
Meanwhile, Andi hailed the hard work of all 125 crew members, and expressed the hope that the audience would enjoy the performance.
According to Faiza, the Jakarta audience has been enthusiastic about the play. About 80 percent of the tickets for the three-day performance have been sold out.
Nyai Ontosoroh is a joint production by several non-governmental organizations, and has been sponsored by a number of private firms and foreign embassies.
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/
August 13th, 2007
BADUNG—Tourism promotion carried out by the Badung Government Tourist Office through the Indonesian Travel Mart in Jakarta not long ago called a success. Brochures and books carrying the information on tourist objects and other tourism products were thronged by a crowd of visitors. According to Mr. Dewa Made Sumitra, the exhibition held for several days was excellent as from the opening session through the closing the booth of Bali represented by Badung Regency and Denpasar Municipality never lacked of visitors. “We were overrun by abundant visitors who eagerly asked a variety of tourist package brochures,” he observed.
Source: http://www.bali-travelnews.com/
August 10th, 2007
DENPASAR—Eight envoys from the provinces across Indonesia participated in showing off their art ability in the National Ethnic Dance Festival for the level of Senior High School/Vocational High School at the Natya Mandala Hall, the Indonesia Institute of Arts (ISI) Denpasar. They were from Papua presenting a dance entitled “Rights Capture”, South Sulawesi (the Pakarena), Samarinda (the Mandau), East Lesser Sundas (the Hegong), Padang Panjang (the Umbrella), Yogyakarta (the Kelono Mask), Surakarta (the Gambir Anom) and Bali (the Warrior). According to the Rector of the ISI Denpasar, Dr. I Wayan Rai, MA, the festival was conducted in relation to its triumph to win the Program of Superior Grant Competition for Arts domain (PHK B-Seni) Bacth II. “Hopefully, this festival could tighten the national sense of unity and integrity, reinforce nationalism, prevent national disintegration and encourage the love of young generation to the richness of ethnic arts of Indonesia,” he said. (BTN/015)
Source: ttp://www.bali-travelnews.com/
August 10th, 2007
Trisha Sertori, Contributor, Melbourne
A recent Australian advisory warning against travel to Indonesia has concerned the Indonesian Consul General to Victoria and Tasmania, Budiarman Bahar, who said repeated travel advisories could lead businesses to question the closeness of the two countries’ relationship.
Stressing his understanding of the Australian government’s “constitutional responsibility” to protect its citizens, Budiarman said the renewal of high-level security warnings in its travel advisory were a concern — given the relative safety of Indonesia compared to countries that were more frequent victims of terrorism, such as the United Kingdom.
The Australian travel advisory on the U.K. was downgraded last month to “exercise caution”, whereas the advisory on Indonesia directs citizens to “reconsider your need to travel”. The downgrade came despite the recent failed bomb attacks in England and a foiled airport attack in Glasgow late June.
“People are traveling to Bali again, but unfortunately the Australian government has renewed travel advisories (to Bali), while England has actually had an attack, but the level of travel advice on Indonesia is much higher, so it is unfair,” said Budiarman, who was appointed Indonesian Consul General to Victoria and Tasmania four months ago.
The Australian government’s travel advisory for Indonesia and the United Kingdom, posted on July 9, presents disparities that may be confusing to travelers.
The downgraded advice of “exercise caution” to the United Kingdom came just days after two car bombs were discovered and defused in Central London, and a burning vehicle was driven into Glasgow’s main airport terminal.
At the same time, the travel advisory on Indonesia was upgraded to “reconsider your need to travel” following the arrests and deaths of “high-level terrorist operatives in Indonesia”.
The continuing and upgraded travel advisories to Bali and other parts of Indonesia not only have an impact on the tourism industry, but also on trade and business, according to the Consul General. He added that he believed many within the Indonesian and Australian business and academic spheres felt the upgraded travel advice to be exaggerated.
“I find it strange that when I speak with many Australians from business, academia and even some parliamentarians, they say the level of travel advice is not needed,” he said. “Some suggest the travel advice warnings need to be downgraded, but unfortunately the federal government is maintaining (them).”
He continued: “This is a concern, as these travel advisories will give the wrong signal to other Indonesians. I am afraid those in favor of strong relations with Australia may rethink their opinions, as it may be read that Australia is not sincere in its relationship with Indonesia.”
Budiarman stressed that Australia was Indonesia’s closest neighbor, and that the joint relationship was important, “not just politically, but (also) in organizations and business”.
Vice Consul Ratna Harjana agreed, adding that she feared repeated travel advisories could cause people to drop their guard when traveling — a level of caution required when traveling anywhere in the world.
“People can become immune to calls for personal security — a ‘Peter cried wolf’ scenario,” said Ratna. “I certainly hope nothing ever happens, but when people are seeing repeated warnings with nothing happening, as in this most recent travel advice, I feel there is a risk they will not heed advice when it is actually needed.”
According to Denny Kusuma of the Victorian Mahindra Bali organization, travel advisories should be seen as a catalyst for Indonesia to get its security act together.
“I think as Indonesians, we need to take heed of these advisories and really upgrade our security, not just at the government level, but at the banjar, or community, level,” he said.
“As Indonesians it is our responsibility to ensure our nation is not only safe, but is seen to be safe and that needs to come from our communities. We can no longer be complacent, expecting others to take on the role of keeping our communities, and our guests, safe,” said Deny, stressing that he believed Bali and most of Indonesia was safe.
“I only recommend that people stay away from places like large shopping malls, because I have found they are no longer listening to, or believing, the government travel warnings.”
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/
August 9th, 2007
WHEN YOU GO
VISITING JAKARTA’S PORTS
• If you are staying at one of Jakarta’s tourist hotels, ask the bellman to arrange a taxi for you. Ask the bellman to tell the driver that you want him to wait for you while you are at the port. Otherwise, it may be difficult to find a taxi for the return trip. Jakarta traffic can be horrendous, so allow plenty of time, three hours or more for the round trip.
• At the port, don’t be surprised if a self-appointed tour guide appears at your side and begins bombarding you with facts about the place. Don’t be put off. These guys can enhance your visit and even arrange entrée to a ship or two, if you’re willing to traverse the narrow planks to go on board. The guides work for tips; $5 or $10 should do it, and it’s well worth it.
• If you want to make a day of it, consider visiting nearby Old Batavia, or Kota, the former center of the Dutch colonial administration. Attractions include the Maritime Museum, Jakarta City Museum and the Museum Wayang, featuring Indonesia’s traditional puppets. Leave time for a meal at the classy Old Batavia Inn.
RESOURCES
• A U.S. State Department travel warning is in effect for Indonesia because of the possibility of terrorist attacks. For information and advice, go to the State Department Web site (www.state.gov) and check the section for international travel, or go directly to travel.state.gov/travel/ cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_918.html.
• For information on Indonesian culture and destinations, see the Web site of the Indonesian Embassy, www.embassyofin donesia.org.
Source: http://www.dallasnews.com/
August 8th, 2007
Dubai Business Group Pledges to Build Resorts and a Giant Mosque to Lure Middle East Passengers to Lombok.
(8/4/2007) Taj Hamaad, an Advisor to the Dubai-based Group Emaar International Properties, have confirmed that they will invest US$800 million in a new tourism resort development in Lombok, an island just east of Bali.
According to Hamaad, technical agreements and final a final memorandum of understanding (MOA) are now being hammered out prior to ground-breaking ceremonies planned for later this year.
Among the technical issues being resolved between Hamaad, Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik and the President’s special envoy for eastern Indonesia Alwi Shihab are tax issues, investment licenses and land leases.
The Emaar Group has world-wide investments in various locales, including California and Malaysia, encompassing office buildings, resorts and mall complexes.
The Lombok project will occupy a 1.175 hectare site in Central Lombok owned by the PT Perusahaan Pegelola Asset - a State-owned firm.
The government has pledged that they will support new tourism investment in Lombok through the construction of an international airport capable of handling wide-bodied aircraft.
Development with a Middle Eastern Slant
The Emaar Group have indicated that they will steer Middle Eastern visitors to the new resort development, diverting Emirate Airline passengers to Lombok once the airport is completed. Once landed in Lombok, the Middle-eastern passengers will be greeted by two purpose-built luxury resorts and a massive mosque – all built by the Dubai investor.
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, told the Indonesian-language Bisnis Indonesia: “I hope that by 2009 the airport and the resort will be finished and both operational. The investors are optimistic that Lombok will surpass the popularity of Bali offering a range of international facilities.”
Source: http://www.balidiscovery.com/
August 7th, 2007
The annual festival shows alternative fashion designs as well as works by original trendsettters, according to organiser Dynand Fariz.
“It’s kind of like Indonesia’s Rio de Janeiro Carnival,” Dynand told Indonesian travel website IndonesiaLogue.
It was estimated more than 150,000 people turned out to watch the spectacle, which this year included a display by a group from the island of Borneo that was inspired by Kalimantan’s exotic wildlife.
The island - Indonesia’s largest - is under threat of environmental destruction and the organisers wanted to use the festival to highlight the plight of its animal and plant life.
“The Jember Fashion Carnival wishes to remind citizens of the need to protect against the imminent extinction of Kalimantan’s natural and cultural riches,” Dynand said.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
August 6th, 2007
By Ben Johnson
“THIS is surfing paradise,” I thought as I flicked easily off a wave, which seemed to be descending into the setting sun.
Then I spotted noted big wave rider Tim Taplin and his dad Pete – and didn’t feel quite so cocky.
Tim, 20, has threaded more tube rides at the aptly-named Macaronis break, off the Indonesian islands, than the rest of our group combined. As I watched in awe, his dad and his mates towed each other into mountainous outer-reef breaks with all the enthusiasm of five-year-olds on monkey bars.
Australian South Coast legends, Tim and his dad were enjoying a father-son odyssey aboard chartered yacht The Barrenjoey.
Seconds after he had conquered one large peak during a memorable late afternoon surf, Pete was sledding behind the jetski, waving at me descending from my relatively pedestrian backhand turn.
But what the heck … as we paddled out, colourful tropical fish splashed at our surfboards to counterbalance the equatorial heat and glare amid this shark-free domain – happily adrift 150km west of the Indonesia island of Sumatra.
Mentawais a surfing Mecca
Six surfers – three young, three not so – are revelling in swells that have charged thousands of kilometres across the Indian Ocean to pitch on the Mentawai Island’s triangular reefs in bath-like 27-degree water.
Surging energy and tropical warmth combine to make this location arguably the best in the world for surfers, certainly the finest our crew of loose friends has enjoyed.
Here, the sea is speckled with golden beaches and gilded with lime-green rainforests concealing neither car park nor concrete cancer-ridden surf club.
In fact, schools of exotic fish are the only traffic you’ll encounter if you go on a boat trip or stay at one of several resorts dotting this billboard archipelago, where plumes of smoke spiralling from village fires are the only hint of civilisation.
Fishermen are equally spoilt in the Mentawai chain, where spanish mackerel, trevally and barracuda abound and are barely bothered by local anglers in canoes carved from trees.
Dinner fished fresh nightly
Three-hour late afternoon surfs are followed by some well-earned relaxation aboard our luxury Tasmanian-built catamaran – Tengirri (Spanish Mackerel) – where the fish caught trolling between surf breaks are served gourmet-style each night – except when steak, crab, hamburgers or spaghetti bolognaise are on the menu.
More grub than a hungry surfer could ever eat is dutifully supplied three times a day by chilli-happy Indonesian chef Donald, whose skills in the kitchen complement his skipper’s handiwork with a filleting knife.
“Oh, about a hundred tonne,” deadpans our fish purveyor when asked, sarcastically, if he’d ever filleted a mackerel before.
Wafer-thin sashimi strips (dipped in soy sauce laced with wasabi) support his claim and make the perfect starter to mackerel steaks grilled to perfection as the sun goes down, together with a few Bintang beers.
Tengirri is a 14-metre purpose-built catamaran that offers you both excellent comfort and excessive amounts of food and beer on regular 12-day Mentawai Island adventures.
Guests and crew sleep in six separate cabins – two with a double bed in each, two with two single beds and two cabins with one single bed in each for crew.
Two large, fully-shaded decks provide an ideal platform to chill out and take in the scenery. Guests can wash in an indoor shower and toilet or at the stern in an outdoor set-up.
Meals are served in a spacious, air-conditioned indoor dining area boasting a huge flat-screen TV, stereo and satellite phone.
Third world realities slip away
This post-surf indulgence is all a far cry from your initial impressions of Indonesia, when you arrive by plane in the provincial city of Padang – and third-world realities smack you in the face.
You continue questioning your travel plans on the transfer from airport to pier as wild monkeys bustle with families on motor scooters in pouring rain along sheer cliff roads.
But, ironically, it’s during this adrenalin rush you’re made aware of the holiday that awaits.
“Yeah, we’ve got the guests and we’re about half an hour away,” tour host Phil Kiem says, after answering his mobile phone.
As former rugby players more accustomed to organised 80 minutes of pain, the word “guest” reminded you there’d be nothing backbreaking or onerous, other than a lot of paddling, on this pleasure voyage.
Although, the scolding I suffered from Tengirri’s seasoned skipper during a wrestle with a 17kg spanish mackerel bore a remarkably similar tone to post-loss blasts from punch-drunk rugby coaches.
“Oh, it’s not that hard,” tormented the sunshine coast captain, torn by manners learned in 25 years at sea and the courtesy expected of a hospitality worker.
“Don’t let him run, whatever you do – pull and wind when you come down,” snarled the hardened trawler brawler.
After nearly handing him the rod, as my bicep cramped during the 10-minute fight in a heaving tinny, I held out and preserved my credibility to land the tastiest of dinners for grateful crewmates.
Surf charter operators such as the Tengirri crew have mastered the art of nautical hospitality, with crew taking note of minor details, even down to presenting guests with their respective towels after six hours in the water.
The experience is a true adventure, thanks to the experience of its skipper and the vigilant swell monitoring of host Phil Kiem.
The Sunday Telegraph
August 6th, 2007
JAKARTA: The Cultural and Tourism Ministry has chosen a stylized logo featuring the Garuda (mythical Eagle) for its Visit Indonesia Year 2008 program.
“Yesterday, after three months of deliberation, we decided on the Garuda logo,” Thamrin B. Bachri, the ministry’s marketing director, told Antara on Thursday.
Five colors are used in the logo, which is accompanied by the slogan “Celebrating 100 Years of the Nation’s Awakening”.
Thamrin said the logo was one of 30 entries submitted to the ministry by 17 contestants.
He said it would be introduced to the public by next month. – JP
Source: The Jakarta Post
August 3rd, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
To boost bilateral trade between Indonesia and India, the World Trade Center (WTC) Jakarta is holding an exhibition displaying export-quality products from Indonesia’s small and medium enterprises (SME), with the focus being on the Indian market.
The three-day exhibition, titled Indian-Indonesian Trade Fiesta 2007, gathers together exporters, traders and businesspeople from both countries with a view to seeking opportunities for cooperation.
Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Navrekha Sharma said that the event would provide a great boost to the two countries’ goal of achieving bilateral trade worth US$10 billion by 2010. This goal was agreed on by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the former’s visit to India in 2005.
“There has been impressive growth in bilateral trade. The total trade between India and Indonesia in 2004 was $3.2 billion, and it rose to $4.798 billion in 2006, which was a jump of 22 percent over the previous year,” Sharma said during the opening ceremony for the exhibition Wednesday.
She said that in 2006, India’s exports to Indonesia reached $1.4 billion, and Indonesia’s exports to India $3.39 billion, with the balance of trade being in favor of Indonesia.
The ambassador said he saw great potential for an SME partnership between India and Indonesia as people to people contacts were increasing and there were major potentials in the fields of tourism, handicrafts, gems and jewelry, furniture, leather goods, cosmetics and textiles.
“With a middle class of more than 300 million, India is a market waiting to be tapped by Indonesian entrepreneurs, who should be eager to sell many value-added products to Indian consumers,” said Sharma.
However, she said that there needed to be an appreciable shift in the trade pattern, which remained heavily reliant on raw and unprocessed materials from Indonesia, if the two countries wanted to put their trade on a sustainable path in the long term.
“Garuda Airlines should be more aggressive about exploiting the growing Indian tourist market, which sends millions of tourists to Southeast Asia every year. We send about 400,000 tourists to Malaysia each year, why not to Indonesia, a much bigger country?” asked Sharma.
Besides displaying products such as garments, fashion, leather goods, herbal products, handicrafts and furniture, the event, which is sponsored by global freight forwarder Damco, will also feature seminars on trade and tourism issues, and a short course on how to become an exporter.(02)
Source: The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
August 3rd, 2007
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