Indonesia news (page 3)
Politics, disasters and news from across Indonesia and the region.
Another Bird Flu Death: Jakarta, Indonesia
Sadly, a three year old Indonesian girl has died of bird flu near Jakarta in the latest case of the virus to hit the country a senior health ministry official said.
Indonesian Children Not Eating Enough
Many people in Indonesia do not get enough to eat, significant numbers of the country's children are underweight and infant mortality continues to be a problem right across the island nation's…
Textile Exports Expected to Rise: Indonesia
Don't you just love to hate globalisation. But for Indonesia it has proven beneficial in many ways and especially regarding the exporting of the nation's textiles.
Suicides in Bali
I could never understand what would make a person contemplate suicide, nor do I profess to be an expert on the subject but in today's society with all its woes and worries it does becomes clearer.
Jatropha as Alternative Fuel: Indonesia
I had never heard of Jatropha until I did a Google search and found out it was just plain old castor oil.
Air Quality Determine Clean City Award: Indonesia
I never did find out just who won the cleanest city in Indonesia award. It doesn't really matter because they could lose this title next year if the State Ministry for the Environment includes air…
Rebel Soldiers Surrender Arms: Timor Leste
Maybe, just maybe there will be some kind of normalcy returning to the strife torn country of Timor Leste with a group of rebel soldiers surrendering their weapons to Australian peacekeepers as a…
Unseasonal Weather to Continue: Indonesia
The bizarre and unseasonal weather continues across the archipelago and it makes one wonder just what the heck is going on up there in the sky.
Ex-General Arrested for Illegal Logging: Kalimantan, Indonesia
At the moment we have a retired general currently under investigation for a large arms cache of which he cannot explain.
Kalimantan Faces Ecological Imbalance: Indonesia
There are numerous factors that can cause an ecological imbalance - pollution, illegal logging, deforestation, the introduction of a species to eradicate a pest, natural disasters, and the list goes…
Cops Question Playboy Covergirl: Jakarta, Indonesia
One of my brothers in Indonesia managed to get hold of a copy of Playboy Indonesia when it first appeared on the stands.
New International Call Services: Indonesia
So many times while sitting at the Internet Outpost in Poppies Lane 2 in Kuta the computer has crashed or just slowed right down.
Govt Urged to End Death Penalty: Indonesia
Indonesia is now a democratic country of sorts and as such it seems the government wants or is urged to adopt certain policies of other democratic countries.
Foreign Tourist Numbers Down: Indonesia
According to the Indonesian Minister of Tourism Jero Wacik the country's tourism industry had gradually recovered from the decline after the Asian financial crisis in 1997 but the suicide bombing…
Police Confiscate Ganja-Laced Ciggies: West Nusa Tenggara
Don't you love it when the Indonesian police make a big drug bust and then turn around red-faced because it was only a minor offence.
Indonesia to Boost Oils Output to Promote Biofuel
Pollution is an increasingly big problem in Indonesia. The use of fossil fuels is doing nothing to help with the Beautiful Indonesia image that the government is so eager to promote.
Police Caught Possessing Drugs: Jakarta, Indonesia
Who said there was no corruption in Indonesia and who said that the police are squeaky clean?.
Demonstrations at US Embassy: Jakarta, Indonesia
When I spent my time in Yogyakarta I was always fascinated by the daily demonstrations by mostly disgruntled University students. They would clog the main road through the centre of town, Jl.
Anybody Want an Uzi: Indonesia
I abhor guns and what they represent and more especially what they do to people. When I was a kid my father bought me a spud gun for my birthday and that was quickly rejected.
Corby's Close Crop: Bali, Indonesia
Whilst watching the late news last night I was intrigued to see a story about Schapelle Corby and her new look. Off came the long hair and now she is sporting what I call a very sexy look.
Police Investigate Blast that Kills a 14yr Old Boy: Sulawesi, Indonesia
There is supposed to be two seasons in Indonesia - the dry and the wet. But I reckon there is a third season and I call this the crazy and silly bomb season.
Alkatiri To Walk Free: Timor Leste
You have to admire this forgive and forget attitude of the politicians in Timor Leste.
Timor Leste to Get New Prime Minister
East Timor could have a new prime minister within a few days. Mari Alkatiri quit as prime minister after weeks of pressure for him to step down.
The In-Absentia Trial for Suharto
It was only a short while ago that SBY decided along with the Attorney General not to prosecute Suharto and terminate the prosecution of graft charges against the former, invalid president.
Nuclear Powered Electric Generator In Jepara
The nuclear issue seems to be concreting itself in Indonesia now with a planned nuclear powered generator being built in the north of Central Java.
Russia Extends Credit to Indonesia
I for one would be a tad suss about Russian involvement and especially where money and arms are concerned.
Govt to Buy New Presidential Plane
Now if I was president of a country that had massive unemployment, its people suffering and starving from all kinds of natural disasters and its national airline on the verge of bankruptcy, then…
Prehistoric Fish Filmed: Sulawesi
First up they find fossils of the ancient fish, and now, the scientists have actually filmed the extremely primitive and rare coelacanth fish in deep waters off Manado, North Sulawesi.
Prisoner Exchange Pact a Possibility: Indonesia
It is great news for those Australians languishing in the hot and deplorable conditions of Indonesian jails, that Australia and Indonesia will finally sign an agreement pact on prisoner exchange.
East Nusa Tenggara Hit by Fuel Shortage
Like most people I hate paying ridiculous prices for petrol and I bitch when the fuel prices jump to AUS$1.45 a litre.
Gusmao's Wife Blames Alkatiri: Timor Leste
She has been a stalwart for Xanana Gusmao for years and rarely makes comments, but, the Australian born wife of East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao has accused former prime minister Mari Alkatiri…
Australian Intentions in Timor Leste
Ask anybody that has some kind of understanding of the situation in Timor Leste and what Australia's real intentions are and they will tell you it's the money and that the humanitarian effort is just…
The Vitazone Bali TV Race: Bali
Fancy a ten kilometre run whilst you are in Bali on holidays?. I didn't think so!. But that is the distance on the Vitazone Bali TV run according to a small article in the Bali Discovery .
Alkatiri Resigns at Last: Timor Leste
The maybe I will and maybe I won't scenario has finally ended with the resignation of Prime Minister Alkatiri yesterday.
World Cup Fever: Indonesia
I have to admit that when it comes to soccer then I am a real sucker. I love the game. Fortunately I have been able to watch most games and those I wasn't able to watch, I taped.
Govt Undermines Community Land Rights: Indonesia
Last Wedneday in Ubud the 11th Biennial Conference of the International Association for the Study of Common Property was convened.
Travel Firm Panorama Eyes 33 Percent Increase
Despite a decline in the number of tourist arrivals to Indonesia, publicly listed tours and travel firm PT Panorama Sentrawisata is upbeat it will achieve a 33 percent increase in revenue for 2006 by…
Australia Blamed for East Timor Crisis
In an interview released on Friday Portuguese Gen. Assuncao was quoted as saying that the government of Canberra is an enemy of East Timor as it always wanted to control everything and furthermore…
Many Missing in Sumatran Ferry Sinking
Indonesia seems to be cursed at the moment with yet another disaster and this time it was the sinking of a ferry of North Sumatra recently.
RI to Miss 2007 Ozone Deadline
The widespread illegal trade in ozone depleting substances means the government is unlikely to meet a treaty deadline to eliminate the chemicals by the end of next year according to experts in an…
Bali Recovers Slowly
Tourism confidence in returning to the island of Bali seemed to wane last month as the latest figures show.
Mangroves Under Threat, Sanur, Bali
Last week I wrote an article about the beauty of the Mangrove Swamps and the delights of strolling through the area along the boardwalks.
Domestic Tourism Down in Bali
I was reading an article today where the blame for the lack of domestic tourists visiting Bali was because of the recent earthquake in Java.
Geothermal Power Plant in Sumatra
It seems only natural for a country that lies on a volcanic rim to utilise the sources below its surface. They do it in New Zealand and Japan quite effectively.
Lawrence Failed to Heed Warning: Bali
Convicted drug smuggler Renae Lawrence says her former lover had warned her about getting involved with the ring leader of the Bali Nine according to am article in the Courier Mail .
Jihad Soccer
I used to play soccer when I was at school and never in my wildest dreams saw it as a hate game or a game for recruiting people to go on a rampage of mayhem.
Mt. Merapi poised for eruption in Java
According to an Australian professor, Mt. Merapi could be ready for an eruption. Initially authorities were saying the earthquake, south of Yogya, was unrelated to the situation at Mt. Merapi.
Countries rally to help with Java earthquake
Foreign countries have rallied to help out in the Java earthquake. Yesterday a team of medics from China arrived and the task now is to provide medical care, food and water to the injured.
Portable hard drive can solve your digital problems in Bali
Travelers often grapple with the digital storage problem, of where to put photos. You know the story, you get all excited, buy a camera with 10 mega pixels, take off to Bali, and find out you can't…
Indonesia aid site: From Jakartass
Jakartass is down right now due to technical difficulties. He have me a great website, that follows the ongoing tragedy in Yogyakarta. Indonesiahelp has news, photos and charities you make donate to.
Dutch given VOA (Visa On Arrival) in Indonesia
Dutch nationals can now receive VOA (Visa on Arrival) when visiting Indonesia. VOA means you will be charged $25 (in US currency) on arrival, and be given 30 days. VOA is not extendable.
Dead toll 4,900 in Java quake
The rising death toll in the Java earthquake has risen to 4,900. Seems like every time I load a BBC web page the number goes up.
East Timor coup attempt underway
According to East Timor's prime minister, the security situation in the capital Dili, amounts to an attempted power grab .
Death toll rises to 3,700 in Java quake
The death toll now stands at 3,700 in the Java earthquake . Yogyakarta in Central Java, experienced a 6.3 quake early on Saturday morning. The epicenter was close to the famous Borobudor site.
Latest from Barrie on Yogya quake
As many people are aware, Barrie has lived in Yogyakarta for 10 years, before moving back to Perth. His wife, Candika, still lives in Yogya.
Its a merry old time in East Timor
East Timor, the world's newest country, is out of control right now, after sacked troops turned violent.
Australia offers quake aid: No Aussie casualties
Australia has pledged $1m to the Indonesia Red Cross and Red Crescent Society charities. The money is to help the immediate victims of today's earthquake in Central Java.
Yogyakarta hit with massive earthquake
Yogyakarta in Central Java has been hit with a massive earthquake . Early this morning a 6.2 quake hit close to the city, leaving 2,000 people dead and many injured.
Indonesia: Petri dish for bird flu
Indonesia is grappling with bird flu and there have been culls of chickens in various parts of the country over the last month. One interesting case involves a family in north Sumatra.
Suharto on his last legs: Protestors in Jakarta
Former Indonesian President Suharto is on his last legs in Jakarta. The other day current President SBY paid him a visit in hospital. Some say let him be in his old age.
Australian woman in Lombok drugs case
Barbara Kathleen Higgs of Western Australia, appeared in court in Lombok today, accused of drug possesion. The 43 years old former Pinjarra local, was caught with 50 grams of marijuana in February.
Mt. Merapi locals take part in ceremony on mountain
Local people living around the slopes of Mt. Merapi in Central Java, took part in a ceremony to apease the mountain.
Palestinian Foreign Minister to visit Indonesia
The Palestinian Foreign Minister, Mahmud Al Zahar will visit Indonesia on May 25-27th.
Mt Merapi guarded against theft
Mt. Merapi in Central Java keeps threatening to blows its top. Residents are more concerned with their neighbors than the volcano. Indonesia has a problem with respect for the rule of law.
Indonesian rupiah: World's most active currency
The Indonesian rupiah is the World's most active currency at the moment with a 6% slide, followed by a 2.4% gain in the last 4 days. A while ago the rupiah was 10,000 to the US$, now its 9,067.
Ethnic tensions in Makassar Indonesia
Makassar in South Sulawesi was traditionally a trading port, the Bugis sailors originating from here and dominating the Java Sea, in their pirate prahu galleons, equipped wih a huge cast bronze…
Merapi starts to erupt in Central Java
As expected, Mt Merapi in Central Java has started to erupt. On Monday Merapi spewed hot ash and smoke, the ash covering fields 10km from the base.
Indonesian entertainment industry hammered by new tax law
The geniuses who make laws in Indonesia, have come up with another great one. As Bali Discovery reports, the maximum allowable tax on certain entertainment businesses has been raised from 35% to 75%…
The World through the looking glass: Iran & WTO
The D8 ( Developing 8) conference involving 8 developing Muslim countries, in Nusa Dua, has ended.
Merapi about to erupt in Central Java
Mt. Merapi is now in the final stage before eruption, according to authorities in Central Java. The warning level is now at 4, the highest, meaning everyone in the immediate vicinity must get out.
D 8 meeting starts in Nusa Dua Bali
The D8 (Developing 8) confernce has begun in Nusa Dua, at the Westin resort. Indonesian President SBY opened the meeting with a welcoming speech, and assumed leadership of the conference.
Iranian leader coming our way tonight
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be in Bali later tonight. At the moment he is in Jakarta and will attend Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Jakarta, before flying out.
Off the hook, on the hook - SBY cancels Suharto pardon
Indonesian President SBY has dropped plans to pardon former President Suharto. SBY appointed State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra, to look into Suharto's history of wealth building and decide if…
Mt.Merapi spews lava on west side
Mt. Merapi in Central Java has spewed lava 1.5 km on its west side. There has also been a flow towards th south of 200m.
Sulawesi police catch schoolgirl murders
Sulawesi have caught 7 JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) operatives responsible for beheading 3 Christian schoolgirls in October 2005.
SBY stops Suharto investigation
Indonesian President SBY has stopped the investigation of former president Suharto.
Mr Nuclear coming to Bali this weekend
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be coming to Bali for the weekend. I don't blame him, the weather will be good, sexy dancers at Galaxy, party night at Double Six and plenty of time to…
Iranian President meets Indonesian President in Jakarta
Today the Iranian President met the Indonesian President in Jakarta, to discuss nuclear power issues.
Iranian President comes to Indonesia
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is arriving in Jakarta tonight. His 6 day visit will include a meeting with Indonesian President SBY, to discuss nuclear power, atom bombs and all that good…
Suharto in hospital again
Former Indonesian President Suharto is in hospital again , with signs of internal bleeding.
East Timor on edge after riots
East Timor fought long and hard to get independence from Indonesia. Since those times, life has not been a bed of roses.
Arab tourism in Indonesia
Indonesia knows it must re-tool its tourist industry, and shoot for regional tourism, as much as long distance market. One growing market is the Arab tourism sector.
Morality police out of control in Tangerang Java
Tangerang, the suburb just west of Jakarta has introduced some morality laws recently. The person behind these are the mayor, Wahidin Halim.
Bird flu a serious matter in Indonesia
Indonesia has the world's second-highest human fatality count, from bird flu. The standing count is 26 deaths from 34 confirmed cases.
Mt. Merapi ready to pop in Central Java
Central Java's Mt. Merapi is close to erupting, says a leading geologist, Subandriyo. Central Java is densely populated with fertile land surrounding the volcano.
Economics often the cause of tensions in Indonesia
Indonesia, the worlds' largest archipelago, has 180 ethnic groups. Some would say 'lucky them', others would say ' poor them'.
May Day in Indonesia: Protestors crowd Jakarta
Today is Monday May 1st, May Day in Indonesia. Though not a National Public Holiday, May Day represents a day time to recognize workers rights. That whole subject is debatable the world over.
Anti pornography bill drawing opposing views from all sides
Anti pornography bill supporters and protesters have been getting into it in Jakarta recently.
Indonesia unhappy about playing tennis in Israel
Indonesia has been drawn to play Israel in the Federation Cup tennis competition .
Bali courts in action today
Bali's High Court saw the appeal of convicted heroin traffickers, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan rejected.
SBY on charm offensive in the Middle East
Indonesian President SBY is on a charm offensive in the Middle East right now. The leader of the world's most populous Muslim country carries some weight and also occupies a useful position.
Indonesia to restrict petrol consumption
Indonesia uses more fuel than it produces, which is a shame for an oil rich country. Indonesians are heavily dependent on diesel, petrol and kerosene for cooking.
Playboy on hold for right now in Indonesia
Playboy Indonesia, the ground breaking, news making, headline grabbing mag with no nude ladies, is on hold right now.
'Angel Gabriel' Lia in hot water for her beliefs
Religion is never far from the front page here in Indonesia, and today the Jakarta Post carries a story about Jakarta resident, Lia Eden.
Indonesia - Australia relations. Has Australia gone too far?
Living in Indonesia there seems no end to political & religious problems. Often they overlap, with politics being used to further the aims of religiously motivated politicians and their supporters.
ASEAN to meet in Bali on wednesday
ASEAN ( Association of South East Asian Nations ) is having a meeting in Bali starting Wednesday. The subject of the meeting is a ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Retreat .
Aceh relief money corruption
Relief money that was supposed to rebuild Aceh , has been evaporating from sight, and local contractors have been the beneficiaries.
Earthquakes & volcanoes in Indonesia
Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are part of life when you live on the edge of a tectonic plate.
Easter Sunday: National holiday in Indonesia
Good Friday and Easter Sunday are National public holidays in Indonesia. Indonesia actually has a large Christian population and I know Javanese Christians who go back to Jakarta for Easter.
Islamic protestors attack Playboy offices in Jakarta
Offices of men's magazine Playboy were attacked today by member of ultra conservative Islam Defenders Front (FPI).