Archive for November, 2007
Bandarlampung (ANTARA News) - The Sunda Strait Festival which will be held to celebrate the 51st anniversary of South Lampung district will not be affected by Krakatau lesser`s volcanic activities, a local official has said.
“There is no official information about prohibition to hold events including shipping activities on the Sunda Strait due to Krakatau lesser`s activities so that the festival remains to be held,” spokesman for the South Lampung district administration, Sugiarto, said here Sunday.
The festival will have many activities and most of them will take place on the sea like a swimming contest to cross the 38-kilometer long strait and a traditional rowing competition on November 30, 2007, as well as a jet ski exhibition and parachuting attraction on December 1.
“The cross-country competition on Mt Rajabasa will be held on November 12, and a 10-K race on November 13,” he said. (*)
Source: ANTARA News
November 14th, 2007
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal said the European Union (EU) team that conducted an audit and verification in Indonesia from November 5 to 9, 2007, was in general satisfied with the current condition of the country`s airline companies.
“They were satisfied after auditing the airlines as they saw improvements in the skills of the pilots and crew members, maintenance and others, both hardware and software,” the minister told newsmen here Friday.
The EU team led by Frederico Grandini including five experts from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), was in Indonesia from November 5 to 9, 2007, to audit and verify the condition of the Indonesian airlines including the regulators and operators.
The team consisted of Jean-Luis Ammeloot of EASA (Germany), Declan Fitzpatrick (EASA, Ireland), Dick Nederlof (EASA, the Netherlands), Annette Ruge (EASA, Germany) and Auke Tjeerd Sebastian van der Weide (EASA, Germany).
Regarding the regulators (based on their explanations to the transportation minister), the minister said they considered there were a number of things, in this case regulations, which should be improved but they were not the fundamental ones.
“They did not specifically mention (the regulations which need improvement),” Jusman said.
According to the minister, they are now drawing up reports and recommendations which will be handed to Indonesia next Monday (Nov 12) and then to the safety 27-member team of the EU.
“The Air Transportation Director General is invited to their meeting on November 19, 2007, to explain and convince the EU members that improvements had been made,” the minister said.
On the EU team`s findings about things that should be improved by the regulators and operators, Jusman said they had yet to make final decisions as they were only a technical team, and no decision makers.
The minister said the most important thing was that he had expressed the Indonesian government`s wish for the lifting of the flight ban against 51 Indonesian airline companies imposed since July 6, 2007.
“Otherwise, the airline companies in Indonesia will find it difficult to grow,” the minister said.
He further said they would not directly lift the ban but probably after a phase of evaluation.
On a different occasion, Air Transportation Director General of the Transportation Ministry Budhi M Suyitno said the airlines which were verified and audited by the EU team were Garuda Indonesia, Mandala, Premi Air and Air Fast.
“The four airlines have direct flights to Europe,” he said.
The EU team made a surveillance, oversight and verification on the findings in the field and then made recommendations, he said, adding, “Based on the recommendations, we must take measures of correction”.
On the possibility that the ban would not be lifted or even extended, Budhi said, “we improve the safety condition not for the EU, but for our own public, then for theirs”.
“With or without a ban by outsiders, we must work hard to improve the our flight safety condition,” Budhi said.(*)
Source: ANTARA News
November 14th, 2007
JAKARTA (Thomson Financial) - Actual domestic and foreign direct investments (FDI) in Indonesia during the first 10 months of the year rose 113 percent from a year ago to 114.70 trillion rupiah, an official said Tuesday.
The figure exceeded the previous record of 111.44 trillion rupiah set in January-October 2005, chairman of the National Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Muhammad Lutfi told Thomson Financial.
Actual FDI in the first 10 months more than doubled to 81.72 trillion rupiah equivalent against 40.32 trillion rupiah a year ago, he said.
Meanwhile, actual domestic investment rose 144 percent to 32.98 trillion rupiah.
The approved FDI proposals in first 10 months increased 177 percent to 330.75 trillion rupiah equivalent, while the approved domestic investment grew 22 percent to 175.56 trillion rupiah, Lutfi said.
Source: http://www.forbes.com/
November 13th, 2007
TANGERANG: Supermal Karawaci in Tangerang is supporting the annual JakJazz music festival by presenting live musical performances at its Coco Walk every Friday and Saturday in November.
Performances will be given by Star Band and a group from Pelita Harapan University.
The management will also organize an event called JazzFever at the food court on Wednesdays, with a performance by Rika Roeslan and the Troubadours starting at 7 p.m., it said in a press release made available to The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
JakJazz will be held in Jakarta from Nov. 23 to 25.
“The musicians to play at our string of JakJazz Fever events will also perform at JakJazz.
“With local bands also playing in the events, we expect better relationships with the surrounding community,” said the mall’s marketing and communication manager, Jannywati. — JP
Source: The Jakarta Post
November 13th, 2007
By Supriyatin
SUNDA STRAIT, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano lets out a massive roar as it blasts a gigantic cloud of smoke and flaming red rocks hundreds of metres into the night sky.
A few hours later, a river of lava and stones glowing like embers glide down the slopes of Mount Anak Krakatau as the muted light of the rising sun tries to break through thick clouds settled above the mountain.
The volcano, whose name means “Child of Krakatau”, formed in the Sunda Strait close to Java island after Mount Krakatau’s legendary eruption in 1883. It rumbled to life about two weeks ago and since then has been dazzling scientists and visitors with its amazing pyrotechnics.
Scientists monitoring the volcano say Anak Krakatau is not especially dangerous and will continue to rumble for some time, but warn people to stay out of a 3 km zone around the mountain.
“We are a little worried sometimes when we heard the big boom and we see rocks that fall from, I don’t know, half kilometre from the hole,” Chad Bouchard, one of a group of eight tourists who spent the night in a boat in the ocean to watch the volcano.
“Sometimes we see the splash inside the ocean. That’s a little scary but no, I think it might be stupid but I feel safe.”
DEVASTATING DISASTER
Anak Krakatau, which lies 42 km from the nearest observation post in Serang on the westernmost edge of Java, gradually formed after the volcanic island of Krakatau blew up in a massive eruption in 1883, triggering tsunamis and killing more than 36,000 people.
Ashes from that eruption, one of the most devastating natural disasters in recorded history, were carried by upper level winds as far away as New York City.
Krakatau, one of dozens of volcanoes in the sprawling Indonesian archipelago, last erupted in 1988, but its eruptions have never approached the ferocity of its parent.
Child of Krakatau is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, but authorities have not yet raised the alert level to the highest which would require the evacuation of people around the volcano.
A vulcanologist monitoring Anak Krakatau said the volcano was likely to rumble and roar for some time.
“It is still at the third level of alert. It is safe and there aren’t any problems. There were approximately one hundred explosions yesterday,” Saut Simatupang, head of volcano observation in Bandung, told Reuters.
“If the energy is the same as this, it is more likely it will stay at this level for quite some time as the tremors are frequent. Today only, there have been one hundred.”
Visitors who had their morning coffee in a boat in the shadow of the volcano in the Sunda Strait’s choppy waters about a one-and-a-half-hour ride from the mainland said they felt safe.
“It’s spectacular, it’s just amazing to be here,” said Patricia Anderton, a tourist from New Haven in the United States.
“I feel incredibly lucky to be able to see it.”
Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/
November 12th, 2007
Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo, The Jakarta Post, Sydney
What’s happening in the underground world in Indonesia may one day take the international fashion world by storm.
At least that’s how Jodia Natapradja, an Australian-born clothing and accessories designer whose parents came from Bandung, perceives growing clothing scene from the city.
“There are so many happening things in Bandung for fashion design there. It’s untapped and the world has yet to see,” says the 26-year-old designer for Insight 51 label, a street and surf wear brand from Sydney.
Jodia says that creative-wise, the young designers from Bandung, who establish their own distros (independent label), have much to offer to the global urban fashion scene.
The label that he works (also known as Insight) was formed 10 years ago by an Australian surfer. Then it designed only t-shirts but has now shifted into designing more dress.
The brand is similar to other surf labels, such as Quiksilver, Billabong and Ripcurl, but has an eclectic edge to its design, apparent in its t-shirts, handbags and scarves.
Insight, which target market are people from age 16 to 25, started with only 25 personnel. Now it has more than 60 people with brand presence in 40 countries. Besides the U.S. and Europe, the label has entered the Indonesian market in which it has its own domestic designers.
“I’ve tried to tell the people in Insight Indonesia to check out the distros rather than the big name shops. The designers for those distros have the most talent. They have an international kind of flavor,” says Jodia, who visits Bandung twice a year.
Insight headquarter in Sydney supervises the blueprint from Indonesia. The Indonesian team proposes the design of apparel that they like, because “obviously they know more than we do on what will sell there,” he says.
“They send their artwork to me. If they fit within our guidelines than I will approve it or tell them to make some changes.”
For the Indonesian market, the label needs a conspicuous modification.
“Our clothes can become quite expensive. And for Indonesians, if they buy expensive clothes, they like to show the brand. Whereas here, a lot of customers don’t like to have their Insight brand shown on their clothes.”
The trend of style in Indonesia tends to be a bit slower than Australia. Sydney has a 10-week cycle. Every 10 weeks the creative artists need to come up with fresh ideas for the designs.
Despite his affection towards Bandung, Jodia reckons that Sydney is richer in inspiration for urban design rather than Indonesian cities.
“In Indonesia, there isn’t a city where you can go and walk around outside. The cities is so congested, there are so many people and everything is based around a shopping mall.”
Insight t-shirts, which are manufactured in China and a few in Indonesia, have starting retail price of about AUS$50 (Rp 400,000) and go higher for the clothing selection.
Its market so far is obviously Australia. But soon, Jodia says, Europe and the U.S should take over.
“Although I’m an Australian citizen, I still feel Indonesian,” says Jodia at his office, which is basically a warehouse cum office space.
Nonetheless, Jodia says that living outside Indonesia has its own benefit.
“When I was living (in Indonesia) it was really hard for me to express myself. Maybe it’s just the way of living. I found it hard for me to speak out or express my mind whereas here, I live in a multicultural country, your mind is already open to other things.”
Jodia, a huge hip hop fan, says that he takes much inspiration such a cooperative climate, which should be developed.
A multitude of Indonesians living here who should be more of them designing stuff and bringing their cultural distinction here, he adds. “I still feel a big connection with Indonesians. I meet many of them during Idul Fitri events or Indonesian bazaars.”
Meanwhile, a designer from Bandung’s Distro 347, Dendy Darman, says that the unique lifestyle of the inhabitants make all the difference.
“The street visual style of Bandung derives from a myriad of perspective. We are a mix of people from different backgrounds such as skateboarders and ‘indie’ musicians,” he says.
“It’s a close-knit community so we influence each other.”
Dendy, who sees himself more as having a career in the creative rather than the clothing industry, adds that compared to the style in Jakarta, Bandung’s style is generally “easier to digest”. “Visually, Jakarta is more avant-garde.”
Dendy, who is one of five main designers for the label, says that good relations between communities of two cities, such as Jakarta and Bandung, can boost a better hybrid in fashion design.
Source: The Jakarta Post
November 12th, 2007
Aceh Besar (ANTARA News) - A Malaysian airline, AirAsia, opens direct flights from the Indonesian province of Aceh to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“This is a new history for Malaysia in view of the opening of cooperation opportunity in tourism and economy,” Malaysia tourism promotion director Noor Azman Samsudin said at Sultan Iskandar Muda airport here on Tuesday for a maiden flight to Kuala Lumpur.
He said the flight would be carried out three times a week namely on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
He said in the company of Malaysian consulate general in Medan Fauzi AirAsia would operate an Airbus-320 for the service that has 180 seats.
“From now on people in Aceh would no longer have to go to Medan first if they wish to fly to Malaysia, or to arrive in Medan from Malaysia before reaching Aceh,” he said.(*)
Source: ANTARA News
November 9th, 2007
Serang, Banten (ANTARA News) - Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait on Tueday began to spew out red-hot lava flares 500 to 700 meters into the sky from its southern crater.
The volcano has been showing signs of increased activity for nearly the past 15 days.
Anton, the chief of the volcano`s observation post, said the red-hot lava flares were triggered by the volcano`s increased activity.
According to data recorded by the volcano`s observation post, from 00.00 to 06.00 local time on Tuesday the volcano produced 74 clouds of ashes, followed by four deep volcanic quakes, 20 shallow volcanic quakes, and four tremors.
Meanwhile, the Bandung-based Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) is still keeping the volcano`s status at the third level of alert.
“Due to the emission of ashes followed by volcanic quakes lasting 3 to 6 minutes, it is dangerous for tourists to get close to the volcano`s slopes. Visitors are only allowed to watch its activity from a distance of three kilometers,” Anton said.(*)
Source: http://my-indonesia.info/
November 9th, 2007
Beijing (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Embassy in Beijing will organize a music concert themed:”The Rhythms of Indonesia,” at Beijing`s Concert Hall at 7.30 pm local time on Wednesday.
“The concert will be held to promote Indonesia`s arts and culture, and its traditional music instruments,” Third Secretary for Social and Cultural Affairs of the embassy Arianto Surojo said here on Monday.
Indonesian musicians who will perform in the music show include Dwiki Dharmawan who will collaborate with the Krakatau Band, Ita Purnamasari of National Symphony Orchestra and traditional dancer and comedian Didik Nini Thowok.
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Angklung` bamboo music from West Java will also be presented.
“During the performance, local musicians will collaborate with Indonesian musicians,” Arianto said.
He said it was expected that the Chinese people and foreigners staying in Beijing would be better informed of Indonesian arts with the performance.
“This will eventually promote Indonesian arts and culture to the international community,” he said adding that the embassy will actively promote Indonesia`s cultural potentials to the world through, among others, music and arts performances.
He said that the event would be held as part of the realization of a strategic cooperation signed between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Chinese President Hu Jintao in April 2005.
The strategic cooperation was aimed at increasing bilateral cooperation in various sectors such as politics, economy, social and culture, he added. (*)
Source: http://my-indonesia.info/
November 8th, 2007
By Ahmad Pathoni
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia’s top volcano watcher, Surono, has had a frantic time in the past month. No fewer than four volcanoes on his watch have suddenly rumbled to life, giving the 52-year-old geophysicist and his staff many sleepless nights.
The head of Indonesia’s Centre for Vulcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation and his colleagues are keeping a close eye on the famous Anak Krakatau, or “Child of Krakatau”, and on Java’s Mount Kelud, which is particularly hard to monitor because of its crater lake.
Last week, Surono, who obtained his doctorate from France’s Universite de Savoie and speaks French, decided to move his office temporarily from the peaceful hill-top city of Bandung in West Java to a monitoring post near Mount Kelud.
While Surono kept a close watch on Kelud, whose crater lake has turned from blue to white because of all the sulphur bubbling up from inside the volcano, some of his colleagues have been dispatched to the Sunda strait separating Java and Sumatra to monitor Anak Krakatau.
The island volcano is a popular tourist attraction, but now tourists have been told to stay away as Child of Krakatau is spewing ash. The volcano was gradually formed after its famous “parent” Krakatau blew up in a massive eruption in 1883, triggering tsunamis and killing thousands of people.
Alerts have also been issued for Mount Soputan, in North Sulawesi, which erupted last month spewing columns of ash 1,000 metres high, and Mount Karangetan off Sulawesi island.
“I have had many sleepless nights. But I have no complaints. This is my life choice and I have to take the risk,” said Surono, who admits he has taken to catnapping in his car to catch up on lost sleep.
Indonesia has the highest number of active volcanoes of any country, sitting on a belt of intense seismic activity known as the “Pacific Ring of Fire”.
Kelud lies about 90 km southwest of Surabaya, the capital of East Java province and Indonesia’s second-largest city. An estimated 350,000 people live within 10 km (6 miles) of the 1,731-metre (5,700-foot) volcano, farming on the rich volcanic soil in the area.
Surono’s office raised Kelud’s alert status to the highest level on October 16, as its activity increased and an eruption appeared imminent. The authorities tried to persuade nearby villagers to evacuate the area, but with mixed success.
The volcano’s name means “sweeper” in Javanese, a reference to the fact that when it erupts, it sweeps away everything in its path. About 5,000 people died in 1919 when it spewed scalding water from its crater lake.
At the Kelud monitoring post, Surono oversees a team of 22 scientists including geophysicists, and computer and seismic experts. It is the biggest team devoted to monitoring a volcano in the country.
On Saturday, the volcano experts initially thought that Kelud, which was obscured by cloud, had erupted. The lake’s temperature had surged and the frequency of tremors went off the scale of the monitoring equipment and could no longer be read by instruments.
But a few hours later, the scientists changed their minds and they are still waiting for the volcano to blow.
“The complexity of Kelud is very high. Its character is hard to comprehend,” Surono said.
Since Kelud’s activity increased last month, the volcano has released energy four times as strong as when it erupted in 1990, when about 30 people were killed, Surono said.
But so far, the energy has only sent boiling water spilling from the crater lake down one side, he said.
As the number of tremors soared and the temperature of the crater lake suddenly jumped on Saturday, Surono ordered his team to evacuate the post, fearing for their safety.
“They are valuable assets and they must survive to protect the safety of the people,” said Surono. But he is concerned that many residents living nearby underestimate the danger.
Many villagers in Java are superstitious, and in this particular area they believe that as long as they turn off the lights and do not speak ill or loudly, the spirit of the volcano will calm down.
Some also say that they know the character of the mountain well and can take care of themselves in the event of an eruption.
“(But) people don’t understand that an upcoming eruption may be entirely different from the previous ones,” Surono said.
Source: http://uk.reuters.com/article
November 8th, 2007
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