Archive for May, 2008
Beijing (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has been active in approacing Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in an effort to increase cooperation with the Central Asian countries, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said.
“The three countries are economically very dynamic and Indonesia has the interest to increase cooperation and expand bilateral ties with them,” the foreign minister said here Saturday.
He said that Indonesia would increase cooperation with the three Central Asian nations not only in the political field but also in the economic, trade, investment, tourism, cocial and cultural sectors.
The foreign minister made the remarks during his stop over here after visiting the three Central Asian nations. During the visit, he was accompanied by 17 national businessmen.
Hassan Wirajuda after the stop over continued his trip to Singapre where he would attend an ASEAN foreign ministerial meeting to discuss humanitarian aid for Myanmar.
The 17 business makers who joined the foreign minisster dueing his visit to the three nations were doing business, among others, in the enegy, oil, gas, telecommunications, general trade and banking sectors.
The minister said his visit to the three countries was strategic and was important for expanding diplomatic ties which had been running well so far.
He said that the visit was welcome by the governments of the three states and the respective parties saw big potentials on which they could establish mutually beneficial cooperations.
“The three countries have gained progresses with an economic growth ranging from 10 to 30 percent,” the foreign minister said.
He said that Kazakhstan, for example, could be said as the `Emirate` of Central Asia as it kept a large oil reserve and it had transformed a number of its cities to become modern ones.
The minister said that the contraint faced so far in the tourism sector betetween them was the inexistence of direct flights from those countries to Jakarta.
The three cities are so far covered by flights from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. “I hope that the flights would be connected to Jakarta so that tourists from the Central Asian countries would be visiting Indonesia,” he added. (*)
Source: ANTARA News
May 19th, 2008
Magelang, C. Java, May 18 (ANTARA News) - More than 10,000 handprints on 140 banners by activists were unfurled at the Borobudur temple compound, as part of a campaign to preserve the world`s heritage.
“We collect 10,000 handprints as a campaign to preserve Borobudur as a world`s heritage in Indonesia,” coordinator of Indonesia World Heritage Youth Network (IndoWYN), Lenny Hidayat said here, Sunday.
As many as 140 banners with handprints were carried in a procession by some activists, who walked around the temple on the occasion of Waicak (Buddha`s birth anniversary) on Tuesday.
Lenny said, the handprints were collected from 16 university students in Jakarta, Medan, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Bogor, since May 5.
The campaign is aimed at promoting awareness on the importance of developing information on the nation`s heritage.
“Especially for some sites which are known world wide like the Borobudur temple,” she added.
Currently, people living near the temple were not informed enough about Borobudur, she said.
The campaign received support from the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco), Tourism Ministry, Kadam Choeling Foundation, and the Borobudur Conservation Body.(*)
Source: ANTARA News
May 19th, 2008
Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - After recording a tremendous success in Indonesia, the “Ayat-ayat Cinta” ( Verses of Love) film is going to expand the wind of its business by screening in all Malaysian cinemas as of June 19, 2008.
The premiere of the film was watched by Indonesia`s Charge d`Affair in Kuala Lumpur, Tatang B Razak, Marketting Affairs Director General of the Culture and Tourism Ministry Sapta Nirwandar, Film Producer A Dhamoo Pubjabi and Majoj Punjabi and some Malaysian actresses and actors here on Thursday.
“The film is expected to gain a big success in Malaysia, as it conveys Islamic messages on the importance of creating peace, upholding sincerity and patience in life,” Tatak Rasak said.
In fact, this film had inspired President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyon to invite all Indonesian ambassadors to watch it, he said.
Besides, the screening of this film was also expected to improve the two countries` bilateral relations. “This is what we call diplomacy through film,” he told journalists in Malaysia who were invited to watch the maiden screening of the film.
In the meantime, Marketing Affairs Director General of the Culture and Tourism Ministry Sapta Nirwandar used the opportunity to promote “the Visit Indonesia Year 2008″ by providing various information on Indonesia to all invitees.
Film Producer Manoj Punjabi said the film had already been watched by around 3.6 million people in Indonesia. “I hope that the number will be able to reach four million with the addition of the Malaysian people.”
In Malaysia, there were about 1.2 million Indonesian workers, around 15,000 Indonesian students and 200,000 others with permanent residence permit.
There was a demand for the screening of the film in Singapore, and many Singaporeans came to Batam only to watch the film.
“Therefore, we will screen the film in Singapore as of May 5, 2008 and in Brunei Darussalam in a not-too-distant time,” he said. (*)
Source: ANTARA News
May 2nd, 2008
During this year PT. Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur Prambanan & Ratu Boko will hold a spectacular performance supported by more than 100 dancers and gamelan musicians who will be performed at Aksobya Open Theater at the glorious temple, Borobudur. The dance - drama will be presented 3 times a year, those are on 17 May 2008, 5 July 2008 and 2 August 2008.
The program wrapped in one package by having the dinner first before starting the performance. The concept uses teh garden party which is the atmosphere raises an ethnic - romantic impression. Not only the sight would be delighted, the tongue of the guests would also be spoiled by some chosen menus available in characteristically traditional stalls.
After the dinner the guests invited to proceed at Aksobya Open Theater to enjoy the colossal dance performed by professional dancers and experienced gamelan musicians who are from Institut Seni Indonesia (The Indoesian Institute of Arts) in Surakarta and the local artists around Borobudur. The Aksobya Open Theater has a capable to load 1000 spectators and it’s more fabulous at night when the lights illuminate the stage. Moreover, The Borobudur Temple that stands firmly is just looks so beautiful by the thousands watts of lights spotted to it. This is really a breath taking scenery and unforgotten experience during the life.
Come and see a colossal performance entitled The Borobudur Masterpiece Dance and get the memory as one to rember during the rest of your life by enjoying the nightlife in Borobudur.
For further information and reservation, please direct to 62 274 496402, 496406 cq. Mr. Aryono (Mobile: 081328711015), Esti & Retno or 62 293 788266 cq. Mr. Joni (mObile: 081328077097), Gonik. Email: candi@borobudurpark.com , prambanan@yogyes.com and manohara@yogyes.com
Source: http://my-indonesia.info/
May 2nd, 2008