Indonesia news (page 2)
Politics, disasters and news from across Indonesia and the region.
Environmental problems muddy the water in Java
The gas well in East Java, that has been leaking boiling hot toxic mud, for the last 4 months is causing all kind of headaches. The latest plans are to divert the mudflow into the ocean .
Telling it like is, still a problem in Indonesia
Former Indonesian dictator Suharto came to power in 1965. The former general had colleagues executed, claiming they were Communist sympathisers.
Indonesia issues travel warning for Thailand
Thailand has a new military government, an event that passed without violence earlier this week. In responce to that the Indonesian embassy in Thailand issued a travel warning for Thailand.
Indonesian prisons better that a 'crack house'
Former Bali police chief Made Pastika, now the National Narcotics Agency chief, says that drugs are flowing through indonesia's prisons, creating an atmosphere where drug dealing prevails.
Indonesia's forests getting attacked from both ends
The recent meeting of the World Bank in Singapore, promoted a ban on foreign demonstrators. Not really a surprise, who needs democracy when we're talking about money?
Indonesia needs money but can it get its house in order?
Indonesia's Vice President Jusuf Kalla, said on friday that the country needs 500 trillion rp (54.7 billion U.S. dollars) for infrastructure . That is a whopping figure, no matter where you are from.
Paranormals called into stop eco-disaster in Java
Indonesia is a Muslim country, but the old animist traditions, worshipping mountains, giving offerings to ward of evil spirits, etc. is still practiced.
Anti-corruption officer jailed for corruption
Indonesian President SBY is trying hard to rid the country of corruption. His Corruption Eradication Commission has done a lot of good work weeding out corrupt governers, but as a Jaakrta Post…
Tommy Suharto to be free in September
Tommy Suharto, son of the former Indonesian dictator, is currently serving a 10 year prison sentence for conspiring to murder a Supreme Court judge.
What can Indonesia do to stop the burning of its forests?
Indonesia's annual forest burning, which occurs in July and shrouds other parts of SE Asia, in suffocating smoke, has to stop, according to President SBY.
Ecological accident enrages East Java residents
Ecological accidents are always bad news, but in a country like Indonesia, where people jealously guard their land, and live in close proximity to others, an accident can seem catastrophic.
Hot & Rainy in Singapore
Singapore has been super humid recently, and yesterday afternoon there was a massive downpour . I was in the Chinese market area at Albert St. & Queen St. in close to the Bugis area.
Singapore to get wi-fi: All of it
Singapore, the Lion rising out of the sea, is to get wi-fi, covering the whole country. I'm in an interent cafe now, price per hour, $3Sing. Speed, very fast.
Bali the engine behind Indonesian tourism
Bali is the driving force behind Indonesia's tourism economy. With its unique culture, intertwining with the landscape in a seamless fashion, still being the major draw, or at least the canvas, upon…
Former head of Indonesian investment board goes to the 'Big House'
Indonesian President SBY's attempts to rid the country of corruption, have scored another victory.
Indonesian haze getting better
Indonesian Environment minister says that the 'haze' that covers parts of Indonesia and SE Asia, will be completely gone in 2 years.
Indonesian prisoners use chili to escape
Resourceful Indonesian convicts used chili's to aid their escape from jail. I've heard of a rope made of bed sheets, and a gun hidden inside a bible, but never a bag of jalapeno's.
ASEAN free-trade zone by 2015
Trade is what makes the world go round, and like a wolf in the chicken coop, every producer wants access to the punters with cash.
Indonesia wants more tax revenue in 2007
Indonesia is a developing country, rich in resources (forestry, oil, fish, gas ) but short on infrastructure, qualified workers and cash flow.
Carolia Charity: Helping educate Balinese kids
Reading an article in the Mandurah Mail inspired me to put it on the site. It talks about 2 Australian ladies from the Carolia Charity , that helps fund the education of Balinese kids.
Australian prisoner exchange possible by end of 2006
Indonesian Justice Minister, Minister Hamid Awaluddin said today that an agreement over the transfer of prisoners with Australia, may be possible, by the end of 2006.
Indonesian Independence day: August 17th
Its not the 4th of July, but it is the 17th of August. In Indonesia that means a day of national pride, celebrating Indonesia's Independence from the Dutch.
Indonesia adds more troops to Middle East
Indoensian President SBY has decided to send a total of 1,000 Indonesian troops to Lebanon. Himself a military man, SBY is aware of his position as leader of the world's most populous Muslim country.
Indonesia to introduce bio metric passports
Indonesia is planning to introduce bio metric passports, in order to combat crime and international terrorism.
Indonesia going all out for foreign investment
Indonesia is going all out for foreign investment, and its not only President SBY who is jetting around the world, trying to flog nasi goreng. Indonesia's Trade Minister, Australian bred Dr.
Indonesian VP slams reseachers
Indonesian VP Jusuf Kalla, known for his unique views, has launched an attack on the country's scientists...at an awards ceremony.
Indonesia hopeful of travel advisory review
Indonesia is a country that is often the subject of foreign travel advisories. While Indonesia has no control over this, it recognizes the negative effect the advisories have on the economy.
Australia urged to clarify stance on capital punishment
Australia's official line on capital punishment, is that it is barbaric, and should not be allowed anywhere.
Bali seemingly indifferent to Mid East crisis
Almost everyday I read articles in Indonesian media about rallies in Jakarta / Kalimantan, protesting Israeli aggresion in Lebanon.
Indonesian fires shroud smokey Malaysia
August is the time of year when Indonesian farmers in Sumatra burn the waste from the harvest to clear fields for future crops.
Indonesia and Australia close to prisoner exchange deal
Indonesia and Australia close to prisoner exchange deal, according to The Australian .
Indonesia will not stop citizens travelling to Mid East
Indonesia has said it will not stop its citizens from travelling to the Middle East to join Muslim fighters against Israel.
Israel wants diplomatic relations with Indonesia
Israel wants diplomatic relations with Indonesia and Malaysia (but not Lebanon I guess), in order to help deal with the Lebanon situation and to deal with the 'culture of hatred' that exists in both…
Indonesian interfaith group denounces mid East violence
An interfaith group in Jakarta has passed on a message to the United Nations, condeming the violence in the Middle East. I have a friend in Israel who emailed me today, this is what she said.
Indonesia's Muslims do not want a Sharia state
Indonesia's Muslims do not want a Sharia state, despite the rantings of extremists.
Mid East violence does not go unnoticed in Indonesia
Indonesia is the world's most populous country, and as such takes notice of events in the Middle East.
New draft of criminal code an attempt to curb freedoms
A new draft of the criminal code seeks to make cohabitation a crime, punishable by 5 years in jail.
Miss Indonesia runs fowl of Muslim group
Miss Indonesia, Nadine Chandrawinata is in hot water with a local Muslim group for participating in the Miss Universe pagent.
More Quakes in the Archipelago: Indonesia
Candika rang me last night and told me there was a small earthquake off Singaraja late yesterday.
Sail Indonesia
Most of my life I have lived near the sea whenever I haven't been on the road and sailing in boats or just paddling around in a dinghy always gives me pleasure.
Sunday is No TV Day in Indonesia
Can you imagine kids these days being told they can't watch TV for whole day!. Well not actually can't be a nice please. It'll never happen in a lot of households.
VP Backs Clean Journalism: Indonesia
My aspirations upon entering University the first time was to become a journalist. Spasmodic travelling put pay to that idea and I eventually ended up studying languages and cultural Anthropology.
Plonco and Educational Methods: Indonesia
I didn't have a clue what Plonco was or how it was applied. To me it sounded like someone who is fond of his booze!. But it seems this is not the case in Indonesia.
Batam Mangroves Become Charcoal: Sumatra, Indonesia
Previously I have posted articles about how precious the Mangrove system is to the bio-diversity in Indonesia and ecologically important.
Businesses Worry about Tsunami on Tourism: West Java
When the tsunami struck the southern coastline of Java it caused immense damage. Not only to residents living in the area but also businesses and tourism in the area.
Girl Reports French Man:Lombok, Indonesia
No doubt most of you have seen at one time or another upon your travels these lecherous bastards preying on innocent girls and boys for sexual gratification.
Muslim Hardliners Lash Out at 3rd Playboy Edition
The third copy of Playboy has hit the streets and so has the Muslim hardliners bent on delivering us from the devious grips of pornography and nudity. Get a life, it's only a magazine!.
Bali Billboards Empty
There is a certain artistic beauty about billboards. Some people say they are ugly and mar the surroundings they are erected on. Some of the best in Bali that I have seen are at the Kuta Galleria.
Disasters Dent for SBY's Popularity: Indonesia
It is always the main man that gets the rough end of the pineapple when the proverbial hits the fan after his government fails to act immediately or near enough to it when a disaster occurs in the…
Bali to Install Six Disaster Warning Towers
I can recall several weeks ago reporting about the installation of Tsunami Warning System already being installed on the beaches in Kuta in anticipation of any future earthquakes and tsunami waves.
Tax Incentives for Indonesian Visitors
At one time years ago I used to enjoy buying my duty-free goods in Australia before returning to Indonesia.
Bali+ Organization and People with HIV/AIDS: Bali
There are so many fabulous organisations in Bali that are set up to help those less fortunate and it's a credit to them all for the wonderful work they do.
Police to Get Tough on Protesters: Indonesia
In countries that I have seen protests, and that includes Australia , protesters in Indonesia are probably the most well-behaved of all except of course until authorities step in and try to rout…
Coastal Villages Draw the Ghouls: West Java
Always it has fascinated me the way that people can't help themselves checking out a situation that is bad. By that I mean being mesmerised by a disaster or a traffic accident.
Experts Assess Java Tsunami
As happens after any major disaster, the experts come out of the woodwork, voice their opinion and pass the buck. It happens everywhere in the world.
Touch Football Championships: Canggu, Bali
Besides soccer, my all time favourite game has to be Rugby whether it is League or Union. Australian Rules football I can watch and tolerate but it's not on the top of my list as favourite sports.
Rumours Start Panic: Pangandaran, West Java
It is only natural human instinct to react when you are in the midst of a disaster when rumours abound that more tsunamis are on the way or the ground starts to shake violently.
Australian Role Changed: Timor Leste
Several news sources were quoted as saying that the Australian troops in Timor Leste would soon be returning home to Australia. But it seems this is maybe not the case.
Monumental Disrespect in Bali
Everybody has their own opinion about the Bombing Memorial opposite Poppies Lane 2 and whether or not it is a good monument to those who lost their lives or that the funds could have been used for a…
Indonesia Struggles to Save Mangroves
A few weeks ago I posted an article on the Mangrove swamps at Sanur in Bali and mentioned that the pollution there was getting out of control.
Australian PM Visits Timor Leste
It appears John Howard has to nip over and check out the situation in East Timor himself just to make sure the country is doing alright.
Quake and Tsunami Hit West Java
An estimated 106 people have been killed in a tsunami triggered by an earthquake off the island of Java. The earthquake which had a magnitude of 7.2 struck off the town of Pangandaran.
Bali is Simply the Best
Bali was named the 'The Best Island' and numerous Bali hotels were named in 11th Annual World Best Awards from the Travel & Leisure Magazine .
SBY Fronted at Jamboree: Java, Indonesia
You have to give full marks to the dude that had the ingenuity to front the top man of the country and put him on the spot so to speak. It happened at the opening of the Boy Scout Jamboree in Java.
A Stalled Recovery for Bali
The June 2006 arrivals may indicate that Bali's tourism recovery has stalled with the gap in month-on-month arrivals widening slightly after encouraging signs of gradual improvement during the period…
Prisoners to be Used in Reconstruction Work: South Sulawesi
When I was trekking around Java during the Soeharto regime I was astounded to see prisoners being used to clean up rivers and cities. But later when I thought about it, it was a great idea.
Indonesian Students Win Gold in Physics
When I was in my senior years at high school I used to adore Physics. I never understood the principles nor did I pass the exams but I enjoyed it.
Another Bird Flu Death in Indonesia
The lack of progress in stamping out or keeping under control the bird flu situation in Indonesia has resulted in yet another death and this time of a 44 year old Indonesian man.
Bali Ends its Month Long Art Festival
Yesterday, Bali ended the month-long Bali Arts Festival which was on from June 17 to July 15 and involved over a thousand artists from Bali and other Indonesian regions as well as those from foreign…
Man Charged with Sex Offences in Indonesia
An Australian man detained by police on the Indonesian island of Lombok has been charged with having sexual relations with four underage boys.
Indonesia Forecasts Longer Dry Season
Whenever I head over to Bali during the month of October it is generally hot and I mean hot!. But hey, that's good if you want to crisp the skin a tad and down more coldies than usual.
A Bird Flu Free Indonesia Not Likely
Although it is nearing a global problem, Bird flu will eventually affect our way of life unless a suitable vaccine can be produced. Mutations of the virus seem to be a great threat.
Power Transmission to Improve in August: Indonesia
How I wish I could get a dollar for every blackout I have been in during my travels in Indonesia. They are commonplace and can in many ways be a downright annoyance.
Police Destroy Booze and Drugs: Jakarta, Indonesia
It is enough to make an alcoholic cry in his bottle or a junkie weep in his syringe. I am talking about the police in Jakarta destroying confiscated booze and dope.
World Food Programme Almost Cut Food: Central Java, Indonesia
World Food Programme officials said they nearly had to halt emergency food aid to 100 thousand victims of Indonesia's devastating May 27 earthquake because of lack of money from donor nations.
Worms and Things
I collect all sorts of things and my favourite being books, but I also like useless information that is rather interesting.
Scholarships for Indonesian Tourism
In cooperation with 27 Bali travel and cargo agencies in Bali, Singapore International Airlines have again granted much needed scholarship to deserving students attending the Island's tourism and…
6 Months as Bali's Chief of Police
At one time you would hardly see an officer of the law on the streets of Bali but the bombings put paid to that and the police are ubiquitous in their presence everywhere.
Fires Cause Possible Haze Blanket:Indonesia
Every year it happens when the winds blow northwards. Smoke from seasonal fires in Sumatra and other islands in the archipelago cause a smoke haze to cover the cities in South-East Asia and mainly…
Raden Ajeng Kartini
A respected Javanese emancipist, Kartini was responsible for giving voice to women in Indonesia during a time of injustice to females in society.
Indonesia's Oil Imports Rise 39%
This is one thing I will never understand about Indonesia and that is that they import oil from other countries.
International Scout Jamboree in Indonesia
My recollections of Scouting days in England I would rather forget and mainly because I was kicked out for unruly behaviour. If the truth be known I was only consulting with Girl Guides at the time.
Traffic Jams and Kuta: Bali
I don't know whether it is just my thinking or is the traffic increasing along Jalan Legian of recent years.
Stopping the Klungkung Land Grab: Bali
Land is at a premium in the tourist areas and the further hotels and other facilities for tourists are built then the cost of land will rise. Bali is slowly but surely being 'eaten up' by developers.
Red Cross Urges Awareness: Indonesia
The Red Cross have been the stalwart in assisting those in need for over a Century. During war times they are there and, during peace times whenever there is a natural disaster.
Indonesia May Raise Coal Output
It was only at the end of last week that the government of Indonesia was hailing the new direction it was embarking on in biofuels in an effort to reduce the use of fossil fuels and thus lessen…
Experts Predict Powerful Quake: Indonesia
In what can only be expressed as a portent, experts at the East Java Disaster Mitigation Agency have predicted a massive earthquake in East Java is likely in the next 14 years.
Avian Patterns a Mystery: Indonesia
In a previous article a few days ago I mentioned that Indonesian pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers Biofarma were going all out to make a vaccine for the bird flu virus.
DHL Expands Denpasar Gateway
How many of you can remember when the airport in Denpasar was literally a tin shed in the paddock?.
Moderate Earthquake in Eastern Indonesia
With Indonesia sitting on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where there is a meeting of the continental plates it is understandable that this causes high volcanic and seismic activity.
Ramos-Horta Named as Prime Minister: Timor Leste
It was blatantly obvious who was going to be the new PM of Timor Leste with the credentials of a Noble Peace Prize in your back pocket.
The Values of Pancasila: Indonesia
Belief in one supreme God, humanism, national unity, consultative democracy and social justice.
Agriculture or IT for the Future: Indonesia
It seems Indonesia is quite a good consumer of technologies, but has not been a significant supplier of information technology.
World Cup Brought Indonesians Together
Only last week the residents of Bandar Lampung were up in arms at power cuts and the reason for this anger was because they might not be able to watch the World Cup soccer!.
Rape Case in Juvenile Court: Jakarta, Indonesia
How does a court handle the prosecution of mere children when they have been accused of rape?. Moreover, if they are found guilty then what sentence should be imposed?.
Licenses for Eleven Airlines Revoked: Indonesia
It is definitely cutthroat this airline business in Indonesia. The national carriers of which there are many are undercutting each other on fare prices and as such are not up to scratch in the areas…
Indonesian Company to Produce Avian Vaccine
Laboratories around the world are working 24/7 in an effort to produce a vaccine for the deadly Avian Bird Flu.
Indonesia to Spend Rp 9t to Rebuild Quake Area
Rebuilding certain areas of Yogyakarta will most probably take a decade and even then the beauty of the areas will never be the same.
Year Sought for Aussie Woman: Lombok, Indonesia
Doing drugs or dealing drugs wherever you travel overseas is a dumb move. Getting arrested and thrown into a stinking slammer is one way of not only stuffing up your life, but also your health.
Pollie Blogging: Indonesia
Blogging is big business these days and a great way to get into other people's lives and minds. Weblogs are everywhere on the net.