What's up Indonesia

Ponari The Little Shaman

2009-02-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

Ponari the little Shaman carried by a relative to heal his patients
Picture from : www.kompas.com

Hi everyone, this is my first posting in "in-indo" after 2007, well the phenomena of Ponari the little shaman from Jombang (a regency in east Java, Indonesia) has catch my attention and make me want to start to write a post again.
For anyone who has not know about Ponari phenomena here is a short review about him :

Ponari was just a regular third grade elementary student from Jombang who accidentally stroke by a lightning and find a magical stone that fell from the sky after the lightning. His cousin was sick from a fever and Ponari put the magical stone to his cousin drinking water and miraculously his cousin soon recover from his fever and healthy again.

The news then spread out mouth to mouth to everyone in Jombang and suddenly Ponari became the famous little shaman with his miraculous stone.
From a few days ago until now hundred or maybe a thousand more people comes to Ponari house and asking him to cure their illness. Ponari cured them by dropping his stone to a glass of his patient drinking water. Unfortunately until now there has not been any research about the stone content or is it really have the healing effect or just gave a great feeling of believers that make it can heal people. But Ponari is still just a little child who needs time to play, go to school and do all the regular things children do, and this phenomenon has take it all away from him.

From this morning news (16 February 2009) I heard that the Ponari shaman medical practice has close down in order to gave him time to do his regular children activity, but still hundred of people stay at his home to be healed by him. Several people who can not meet Ponari even take a hand of dirt from Ponari home or a glass of Ponari sewer water and hoping to get a healing miracle from it... WHERE HAS THE RATIONALITY GO???

Hemm... personally I feel sorry for them, maybe it is because the proper medical cost in Indonesia are still to high for poor people so this illogical phenomena becomes the only way for poor people to ge a medical care?? I don't know but again the question still run through my mind "Come on people please use your mind for a moment, the water is not even sterile enough to drink, how you can use it as a medicine???"

"Rasa sayange" song proven to be originally from Indonesia

2007-10-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

This is good news for the people in

Indonesia

. Finally a proof that tells about the “Rasa Sayange” song as Indonesian original song comes out from “tempo” newspaper dated 10 October 2007. I feel that this news must be spread widely so everybody in the world could now it.

A national printing company “Lokananta” in Solo found an archive of recorded “Rasa sayange” song. Roektiningsih the head of Lokannta said that the song was recorded on 15 August 1962 as a souvenir for Asian Games (SEA GAMES) IV on Jakarta. At the cover of the record there is a line saying “Souvenir from Indonesia, for ‘the fourth Asian Games”. The song was sang by more than one people in a disk with others songs such as Sorak-sorak Bergembira, O Ina ni Keke and Sengko Sengko Dainang. The song duration was 2 min 40 second. And according to Roektiningsih the song was recorded and copied by the order of Indonesian President which was Ir.Soekarno to the minister of information R.Maladi. And still according to Roektiningsih the master reel recording is still save in there with the registration number 253.

A staff from the minister of tourism, art and culture Jordi Pariaman meet with the head of Lokananta to ask for this evidence, and he said that with this evidence the ministry will make some legal action to Malaysia who uses the “Rasa sayange” song as their tourism jingle.

Well I think this is very good, all the truth finally will come up. If you are a country who said to have a big variety of culture why don’t you use your own art and culture to get the attention of the world tourism then using Indonesian culture? Please remember that we all do love peace but if someone trying to steal from us we won’t be quiet about it. Still this info is open to anyone who have another info about this. It is not for a fight. but it is to know the important truth in order to keep the relation between both country in a good way.Peace everyone :)

Gang Kelinci singer

2007-10-10T17:56:00.000-07:00

Indonesia is in grief again. Lilies Suryani a singer from the era of 60 which famous with the song of gang kelinci has past away on Sunday (7/10) at 21.30 WIB, in her house on Jalan Haji Naman Pondok Kelapa, East Jakarta. She past away because of uterus cancer which she got since 4 years ago.

Lilies Suryani start her career in 1963 when she was only 15 years old. She was in the entertainment singing world for over frothy years. Beside “Gang Kelinci” there were another popular song from Lilies such as “Asmara” and “Ulang Tahunku” which was created by another famous Indonesian artist Titiek Puspa.

She also wrote over than 50 songs such as 'Lenggang Kangkung', 'Ratapan Sang Bayi', 'Air Mata', 'Tepuk Tangan', and “Ujung Pandang' . She even create a song for president Soekarno with the title of “Paduka yang mulia” and “Muhibah”. And another song she write with the title of “Si Baju Loreng” was a song base on her admiration to one of the member of Indonesian army (ABRI); this was a song that was famous in middle of 60 as a heroism song.

This is the lyric of Lilies Suryani most famous song “Gang Kelinci”:

Jakarta kota ku indah dan megah

di situlah aku di lahirkan

rumahku di salah satu gang

namanya gang kelinci

entah apa sampai namanya kelinci

mungkin dulu kerajaan kelinci

karena manusia bertambah banyak

kasihan kelinci terdesak

sekarang rumahnya berjubel

oh...padat penghuninya

anak-anak segudang

krudak... kruduk...

kayak kelinci

kami semua hidup rukun dan damai

hanya satu yang aku herankan

badanku bulat tak bisa tinggi

persis kayak anak kelinci

Rasa Sayange song

2007-10-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

(Picture taken from : www.seasite.niu.edu)

The issue about the Malaysia who use the folklore song “Rasa sayange” as their theme song for tourism in Malaysia is being a hot topic in Indonesia this few weeks. Many of Indonesian people feel that their right of the song has been hijack by the Malaysian because they use the Maluku’s folklore song without permission.

There is a skeptical feeling that growth in Indonesian people maybe the Malaysian is trying to steal the rights of “Rasa sayange” song, they has tried it for batik, and angklung so what stopping them to get the “Rasa sayange” song too. So to prevent it many artists and the people of Indonesia in their own way try to fight for the right of “Rasa sayange” song.

It is true that in Indonesia the awareness for the claims of copyrights is still very low. It is very regrettable and it make it easy for another country (especially the one who said to have many similar culture and art with Indonesia) to claims the copyright and authority of many Indonesian culture and art as their own and discard Indonesia rights.

Semy Toisutta as the head of Maluku’s culture, aware that the writer of the song identity is unknown (NN à No Name) again it is because the low rate of Indonesian awareness to the importance of copyright claim. But he also said that the Rasa sayange song has been a Maluku’s folklore songs since centuries. The evidence is in the lyric it self the “e” letter behind “Rasa Sayange” is a characteristic of Maluku’s dialect not a Malay dialect. The song used by Maluku’s people in their community party since long time ago.

Hatta Rahardja as Indonesia nation secretary minister said “That we should not make it as a problem” about Malaysia who use Rasa sayange song. But for many people in Indonesia it is a problem, because they are trying to use something that is part of our culture to attract people to go tourism to their country (which I sure will make a lot of devise money for them) without our permission. Although they only use the melody with a small change lyric but it is still the “Rasa Sayange” melody song. And this in my point of view is equals to stealing. A foreign country is stealing from our country and Hatta Rahardja said that this is not a problem!! How come??

Fortunately this issue brings a great awareness to artist and some people in the government of Indonesia about the important things of copyrights claiming authority. Jero Wacik the minister of culture and tourism of Indonesia even said that he will be ready to help Indonesian artist to make the claims of copyright for Indonesian artist invention so in the future this kind of things won’t be happening again. I do hope that Indonesian people will continue to be aware of the importance of copyright so there won’t be another country who tries to steal the cultural richness of Indonesia. We have to be aware that our culture is priceless and we have to protect it so no one can steal our rights again.

Jakarta Traffic Jam

2007-09-26T22:34:00.001-07:00

(Picture taken from :www.liputan6.com)

Jakarta’s traffic has always been a big problem for the government. If you mention about the traffic in Jakarta then the image is a big and complex traffic jam all around the street. Especially in around 5.00 pm to 20.00 pm (the ending of office hours).

United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) has place Jakarta as the third most pollutant city in the world after Mexico City and Bangkok. The UNEP also said that 67 percent of the pollution comes form automobile emissions. And according to Kojima and Lovei in 2001 traffic is the biggest donator to particle emissions which contribute to the increasing of 80-90 percent lead or PB. And as we all know that PB is a very dangerous substance for human health.

Data from transportation department in Jakarta Shows that there is an increase on the amount of vehicle in Jakarta about 11 percent per years. The amounts of total vehicle in Jakarta now are about 4.9 million, 2.8 million is two wheals vehicles and 2.2 million is four wheal vehicles. According to a research from CIRUS in 1999 DKI Jakarta inhabitants who have daily activity traffic movement are 15.7 million people per year. And from that amount only 2.9 million people who use bus public transportation.

Another thing that make Jakarta traffic jam so big and complex is the unequal increase rate of street width and the increasing of vehicle significantly on the private vehicle. Data from transportation department said that the capacity of Jakarta to add the length and width of the street is less than 1 percent per years, meanwhile the increase of automobile is about 10 percent per years. So of course if we look through the data the street in Jakarta can not accommodate the increase of the vehicle per years.

If we observe the traffic jam in Jakarta we can see the rhythmic of the traffic jam. The most heavy traffic jam is always in the ending time of office hour especially in the primer street point to outer city area (BOTABEK à Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi and Depok). Such as in the Mampang-Buncit street (vehicle form south of Jakarta, Jakarta, Cinere, and Depok). A research in 2002 said that not less than 139.700 traffic take place in south of Jakarta with 716.000 total movements in traffic average speed only about 34.5 km/hours. Can you imagine how bad the traffic is??

Actually the government of DKI Jakarta has also think about the traffic jam problem and they come out with PRODASIH (clean air program). One of the example is “three in one” which means there should be three people or more in one car, but in the reality lots of the car owner use jockey to avoid the regulation. So it comes back to the people of Jakarta consciousness to make the traffic in Jakarta more enjoyable. If they can not do this then may be in the next year there will be all traffic jam in the street of Jakarta that make the people harder to go through even to go out of their home. I realize that now the traffic jam seems to be more crowded and long. Even in the place where usually never been any traffic jam now there is a jam and it is quite long and heavy.

Maybe the government can be stricter about the regulation that they have already made. And I suggest to the government if the want to build street infrastructure such as the busway for Trans Jakarta they should make a better planning in it. Because what I see now is that they make it all in one time which make all the street suffering worse in traffic jam because all the street are under construction. Can’t you make it just one by one Mr.Goverment? because if you make it one by one it will be easier for others to find alternative way in order to avoid the street construction.

Fight for the claims of Angklung rights

2007-09-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

(Picture taken from :web.sitcom.pl)

Last night (16 September 2007) I watched Metro TV news and found out that Malaysia is trying to get the paten rights for Angklung. And I said “WHAT???” Since I was a very little child and may be since our ancestor, we have already played angklung, to prove it just see some Sudanese traditional ceremony they use angklung as one of their music instrument. And through out the world Indonesian people have already well known for their Angklung as traditional music instrument from West Java. Isn’t it weird that now Malaysia claims angklung as their music instrument by giving it the new name “Bamboo Malay” meanwhile the reality is that Bamboo Malay does not have any difference from angklung?

Malaysia even claims that Angklung was not come from Indonesia. They even put angklung as an important substance in Malaysian education curriculum. If Malaysia wins the patent rights then it will be a threat for Indonesian Artist and entrepreneurs that involving in Angklung worlds. Beside that it will also be a disgrace for Indonesian authority because our Angklung will belong to other country and we lost the rights to claim it as our traditional music instrument. How scary it will be. Does Malaysia do it in purpose to threat Indonesia authority? We have lost once in Batik rights should we lost again in angklung battle?

Jero Wacik as Indonesian cultural and tourism minister said that they have register angklung in UNESCO so it will be known as Indonesian traditional music but now it is still in process because our country is not the only one who register angklung, and now they still trying to find which country who establish angklung for the first time.

I found out from wikipedia that if we look back through our history in Hindu period and Padjajaran kingdom era, Sudanese people used the angklung to sign the time for prayer. Later, Padjajaran kingdom uses this instrument as corps music in Bubat War (Perang Bubat).

Angklung functioned as building the peoples community spirit. It was still used by the Sudanese until the colonial era. But because of that the Dutch East Indies government tried to forbid people playing the angklung instrument. Because it was forbidden to play angklung during this time, the popularity of the instrument decreased and it came to be played only by children in this era.

In 1938 Daeng Soetigna expanded the angklung notations not only to play traditional pelog or slendro scales, but also diatonic. Since then, angklung is often played together with other western music instruments in an orchestra. One of the first well-known performances of angklung in an orchestra was during the Bandung Conference in 1955.

And who does not know about Udjo Ngalagena a student of Daeng Soetigna who opens the “Saung Udjo” (House of Angklung) in 1966 as a center of angklung development for angklung. Which make more variation in Angklung world. And the origin of Angklung has also been told in Angklung padaeng in National Seminar of Angklung ITB, 26 October 1989 (from: http://angklung-web-institute.com/content/view/87/74/lang,en/).

Angklung is Indonesian origin traditional instrument and we have to fight to prove it so there won’t be any other countries who try to steal it from us. Come on Indonesian people lets fight for it. If you have any info about angklung tell it to the world lets make it possible for us to get the authority of angklung in front of the world.

20 million rupiah penalty for buying goods from street trader

2007-09-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

(Picture taken from : community.kompas.com)

From 10 September 2007 there is a new regional regulation in Jakarta. That is prohibition to buy anything from street trader (asongan) or for giving money to the beggar and also to the street musician. And if you dare to break it by giving your donation to them, you will be fined 100 thousand until up to 20 million rupiah or put in jailed for 10 until up to 60 days. Quote from Jakarta Post, Arie Budhiman a city spokesman said that the regulation aims to clear Jakarta of beggars and street hawkers.

This regulation got much rejection from the Jakarta society such as: Agus Pambagyo (a well known politic observer) who said that this regulation contradictive to Religion believes, and from Wardah Hafidz (chairman of Urban Poor Consortium) who said that the regulation is nonsense because the fault is not from the Jakarta people but from the government who can not gave them proper occupation to support their life.

According to BPS (Indonesian statistic surveyor) 13, 56 million of people in the city on 2007 are categorize poor society. So if this regulation affective, the possibility of increasing the poverty in Jakarta society will probably happen. Because lots’s of Jakarta poor society support their live as street musician or street trader, and prohibit them to do their life occupation will make them more poor then they already are. Have the government think about it?

I myself agree if they make the regulation only for the beggar because I really think that they can do something else, but for the street traders and for the street musician I think that this regulation is not propriety If the city government wants to make Jakarta a clear city, what they have to do is provide more job vacancy for the people, an occupation that can support their live properly. And if they can not do this so they do not have the right to banned a person from their occupation that they do to support their life.

Governor Sutiyoso (quote from detik.com) said that all work effort to support life is acceptable unless they disturb other people. Well if that so then you should provide them some place else or other work so they wont disturb others, if you banned them then it will only make their life harder with out any other chance to make it a better.

PT.Dirgantara Indonesia bankruptcy

2007-09-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

Finally the Indonesian aero plane company “PT.Dirgantara Indonesia” ( formerly IPTN) was decided to have bankruptcy status by the commerce court in Jakarta on 5 September 2007. PT DI was made by prof.B.J Habibe since 31 years ago. It was the only aero plane manufacture company in south East Asia. And it was one of Indonesia icon that made all the people of Indonesia proud when they successfully made N-25- the first Indonesia homemade aero plane.

Unfortunately there was a lot of mismanagement in PT.DI that made it have the rights to be claim bankrupt. The company have debt in more than 2 creditors and cannot paid the debt. The company own debt over 1.7 trillion, and they also have debt to their employee, according to Panitia Penyelesaian Perselisihan Perburuhan Pusat (The center committee of argument solving for laborer) dated on 29 January 2004, PT.DI have the obligation to paid pension money to their employee, and until know it has not been done yet.

By that judgment the judge committee decide that the ex employee of PT.DI have the capacity to accuse PT.DI bankruptcy. The PT.DI argument that only the minister of monetary who have the power to claim bankruptcy according to the law section 2 subsection 1 No 37 year 2004 about the bankruptcy and postponement debt paying obligation (the law of bankruptcy) was over ruled by the judge committee.

Heru Pranomo one of the committee member said that there is not enough reason to keep PT.DI. In the last five year PT.DI suffers a financial lost about 5 billion rupiah according to a document year 2006.

Arif Minardi the general chairman of worker communication forum union (SP FKK) for PT.DI, said that the winning of the bankruptcy accusation. To the PT.DI is not only the victory of the PT.DI employee but also the winning of all the labor in Indonesia.

On the other side the bankruptcy claim of PT.DI shocking the Indonesian government. Sofyan Dalin the minister of state owned trading corporation (BUMN) said that the government will make a cassation to the Supreme Court as soon as possible and hoping that the result will be different. He also said that PT.DI condition is getting well so it is not worth it to claim it bankruptcy

Well as one of Indonesian people frankly I feel terrible and very sad to hear that PT.DI as one of our icon has gone bankrupt, but may be this is the truth that the government have to deal with and learn from this reality to make it go better in the future.

Formal inaugural ceremony of Soekarno-Hatta statue

2007-08-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

(picture taken from : www.geocites.com)

Today 29 August 2007, the Soekarno-Hatta statue will be formally inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 10.00 am. It will be officially stand up beside the highway of Soekarno-Hatta (the highway to the Sukarno-Hatta airport) exactly in the middle of Sheraton Hotel garden.

The statue was made from bronze and it was made on Soenaryo Studio in Bandung for eight months. Meanwhile the foundation of the statue takes time about six month to make it.

According to Alfon (the chairman of Soekarno-Hatta statue project) Soekarno's statue will be in standing position with the right hand forefinger pointing to the front of airport exit, meanwhile Hatta's statue will be holding a book in his left hand.

The statue will be standing on top of the foundation which was equip with black marble ceramic 4.8 meter in height, 5.2 meter in width, and 4.6 meter in length. The total weight of the statue is 7 ton, with height nearly 7.2 meter, and width dimension 4.4 meter.

According to Muhammad Wasfan (the speaker for PT Angkasa Pura II), "The statue will be the symbol of Indonesia for the International world". I myself feel very proud of the statue and I do hope it will make a good symbol for Indonesia :)

Children Kidnapping

2007-08-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

(picture taken from :www.deplujunior.org)

In Jakarta, recently there is a trend in crime, it is children kidnapping. There are a few motifs in this kidnapping: economical problem, revenge, and children black market selling. The latest one is the case of Raisha kidnapping, a daughter of a coal entrepreneur name Ali Said. Fortunately the kidnapping case has ended with Raisha brought back to her parent and the kidnapper arrested by the police.

During July to August 2008 according to POLDA metro JAYA (Police force for Jakarta), seven case of kidnapping happened in Jakarta, fortunately all the case has been handled. And most of them ended with happiness.

To prevent children kidnapping. There are a few steps that you can follow:

Educate your children to obey the old rule “NEVER TALK TO STRANGER”

Tell and educated your child to run from danger. A danger is when someone or something gets in their personal space using force without they wanting it.

Tell them to shout out loud if someone that they don't know try to grab them

Tell them to use any force that is necessary to get lose from the unknown person

Always watch your children carefully, never let them go without anyone that you know taking care and keep an eye on them.

Talk to them about security and give them the comfort around you.

Make sure that your child know how to take care of them self around danger

Give them a list of family member data that they can call when they need it

Learn the route that your children have to pass by when they go to school or any where they have to go, so you are familiar to the route

Hope the tips can help you in taking care of your children, and hope the kidnapping case will not be happening again.

Please do take care….

Danger in Children Toys

2007-08-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

After US and Europe Company withdraw many toys from

China

(Fisher-Price corp. withdraws almost 1 million and RC2 withdraw1.5 million of "Thomas the train", followed with Mattel company). APMETI (Indonesian association for educative and traditional toys activist) initiatively check a car model toy sample at Succofindo lab. And the result was very astonishing, the toy containing 353 milligram of plumbum per weight, which is 4 times higher than the standard of plumbum allowed.

Dhanang Sasongko the chairman of APMETI said that nearly 80 % toys from China contain toxic substance and plumbum. The characteristic of toys from China which suspected to contain dangerous substance are: made from plastic, 50% cheaper than regular toys, the weight are more light compared to local product. According to Dhanang, most of the toys are balls, car models (car toys), and dolls.

Toys that containing dangerous substance can be harmful if it contact with hot temperature, because the dangerous substance can decompose during the heating. The effect can't be seen in short terms, but if children play with toys that containing dangerous substance like plumbum for a long term it can cause autism, breathing problem, asthma, and low mind concentration.

Surprisingly until now, the government hasn’t done anything to control toys importer. Meanwhile the imported toys from China to Indonesia are constantly increasing.
Hemm...First it was food that containing formalin, now Plumbum in our children toys, then what else??

I do think Indonesian government has to make strict rules for imported goods if they care enough about the people of Indonesia.

Bali

2007-08-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

I have just read from a magazine (cita-cinta, august edition) that Bali Island again for six time in a row chosen to be the best tourism Island in the world. The award was from "Travel Leisure" a tourism magazine in USA base on a survey to all the reader around the world. The survey points are in the landscape beauty, restaurant, tourism place, tourism activity and the nature of the people. Bali won the survey with 86.30 percent.

The award was given by Nancy Novogrod (the head of Travel Leisure redaction) and July Mc Gowan (the publisher of the magazine) to the Indonesia consul in New York on 23 July evening, accepted by Trie Edi Mulyani as Indonesian representative.

The other award was given to:

Florence as the best city, Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India as the Best hotel, Crystal Cruises as the Best large ship cruise line, SeaDream Yacht Club as the Best small ship cruise line, Micato Safaris as the Best tour operator/safari outfitter, Midwest Airlines as the Best domestic airline, and Singapore Airlines as the Best international airline.

Hemm... I wonder, can Indonesia in the future win all the award? Wow that would be so magnificent. In the meanwhile all of us should be very proud for Bali to win the award of the best Tourism Island in the world. Congratulation to Bali and the people in Bali. Hope we can hold up to the award :)

Indonesia raya

2007-08-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

(Picture taken from www.indoupload.net )

In the month of Indonesian Independence Day celebration, there's a hot issue in Indonesia. Roy Suryo a well known Indonesian informatics expert, claims that he have found a video clip about Indonesia Raya songs (Indonesian nationality song) in full version which covering 2 part of the song which is now has gone from the new Indonesia raya song (the version that we use now).

Roy Suryo with "air putih" team claim that they found the original version of the song from a video that kept in a museum in Leiden-Holland. But lots of Indonesian people also claim that they have know the three step of Indonesia raya long before Roy Suryo found it.

Des Alwi one of Indonesia historical well known person said that the video was not the original one. He said that the original one is still in his hand. He said that in that video he act as the producer. The video showing the preparation of Indonesia independence whit text of the Indonesia Raya song included.

Indonesia Raya song since first introduce by the author W.R Supratman in 1928 was introduce as Indonesian nationality song. So which one said the truth actually is not really important. The important thing is one of Indonesia historical moment with historical song that help us through the struggle of independence has been found. And as a big nation we should honor this finding to enrich our history.

Although deep inside I still a little bit wonder why does the three step of original Indonesia Raya song vanish from the Indonesia raya song that we know right now as our nationality song? Is there anyone know the answer?

This is the Indonesia raya text that was claim as the original one:

Indonesia tanah airku, Tanah tumpah darahku.
Disanalah aku berdiri, Jadi pandu ibuku.
Indonesia kebangsaanku, Bangsa dan Tanah Airku.
Marilah kita berseru "Indonesia bersatu."

Hiduplah tanahku, Hiduplah negriku,
Bangsaku, Rakyatku, semuanya.
Bangunlah jiwanya, Bangunlah badannya
Untuk Indonesia Raya.

Refrain:
Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Tanahku, negriku yang kucinta.

Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya.

Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Tanahku, negriku yang kucinta.

Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya.

Indonesia! Tanah yang mulia, Tanah kita yang kaya.
Di sanalah aku berada Untuk slama-lamanya.
Indonesia, Tanah pusaka, Pusaka Kita semuanya.
Marilah kita mendoa, "Indonesia bahagia!"

Suburlah Tanahnya, Suburlah jiwanya,
Bangsanya, Rakyatnya semuanya.
Sadarlah hatinya, Sadarlah budinya
Untuk Indonesia Raya.

Refrain

Indonesia! Tanah yang suci, Tanah kita yang sakti.
Disanalah aku berdiri menjaga ibu sejati.
Indonesia! Tanah berseri, Tanah yang aku sayangi.
Marilah kita berjanji: "Indonesia abadi!"

Slamatlah Rakyatnya, Slamatlah putranya,
Pulaunya, lautnya semuanya.
Majulah Negrinya, Majulah Pandunya
Untuk Indonesia Raya.

Refrain

(taken from wikipedia.com)

Earthquake in Java on 9 August 2007

2007-08-08T22:08:00.000-07:00

On 9 August 2007 12: 04 am Indonesian zone time (Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 17:04:58 (UTC)), an earthquake with the magnitude of 7.5 happened n the Java island in

Indonesia

(Indramayu is the exact place). With the exact location on 5.968°S, 107.655°E, and depth: 289.2 km (179.7 miles). The earthquake can be feel slightly in Jakarta and several cities near Jakarta, Bandung, Cirebon, and Sukabumi.

A website (http://astrosymm.com/earthquakes.htm) said that this earthquake have a connection with the astral position, it said that, the three-dimensional aspect of the Sun-Star angles related to the earthquake. There are four axes involved within the ecliptic or Sun-Earth plane for this earthquake: 1) Aldebaran, 2) Uranus, 3) Jupiter-Antares and 4) Venus-Saturn-Regulus. The angles of approximately 80 and 100 degrees match the long-standing angle of powerful Regulus with energetic Antares of 99.9. On an annual basis on August 6th, the Sun is about 116 degrees from Antares. On this day the 3-D angles to energetic stars Achernar and Deneb outside the Sun-Earth or Ecliptic plane are about the same, and On August the 8th, there are still Sun-Star angles which match quite closely- symmetric angles at approximately 114, 116 and 118 degrees. The similar star position also appears in the two San Francisco earthquakes occurred 83.5 years apart. Is there any connection between the stars position with the movement of the earth?? There is still need to be research before we make the conclusion. But it is quite amazing to know about the similarity that happened.

We haven’t find a way to prohibit earthquake, but we can do things to make our self secure and save when earthquake come (although I do hope it wont come again or if it comes it wont be big or dangerous). This is some tips to make yourself secure:

1. Know where the places that can be dangerous in your house like electricity power box, stove, gas or other things.

2. If you have a big place with big amount of people you have to find the safeties way to get out and evacuate. If the proximate time to move out is more than 1 minuet than you have to find a solid place to take cover.

3. Prepared tools that might be needed when earthquake comes (flashlight, blanket, water, medicine, etc)

4. Move away from the building, and find an open space. After that stay still and drop yourself to the ground and hold on, take cover, do not move too much.

5. If there is an injury, try to cover it and clean it as soon as possible.

Hope it will give you some safety and secure from the earthquake. But the ultimate way to be safe from the earthquake is to pray to God to keep us always safe and secureJ. Hope Indonesia will be safe.

Formalin In Food

2007-08-06T20:34:00.000-07:00

The hottest issue in Indonesia this past week (except the PILKADA DKI issue) is the issue of formalin in food imported from China. There are about more than 39 of foods that tested and positively contain formalin.

Formalin is dangerous chemical substance for human body. In short term using of formalin can cause irritation in the inhaler system, nauseous, and burning feeling in the throat. And in the long term it can cause heart, cor, brain, pancreas, nerve system and kidney damages. The common characteristics of food that contain formalin: have a long storage time before it can be rotten (last fresh longer), fluffy, soft texture, and have brighter color.

The government has declare two rule for formalin, that is The Ministry of health rule number 472 year 1996 about dangerous substance for human health, and from the ministry of industry and commerce number 254 year 2000 about the commerce rule of import and dangerous substance circulation, Both declaring that formalin is a dangerous substance and the using of formalin have to be carefully watched.

This is the list of a few food imported form China that contain formalin :
Mr. Mike Coffee Candy, Coffee Candy Huijia Food, Gingseng Candy, Crispy Candy, Corn Flavour Gelatinous Candy with Vegetable Gel, Syrup Soft Candy Ronggui Soft Candy, Kabi Candy Xin Lian Xin Rui Qun (pink), Xiao Mi Mi Candy, Kabi Candy Xin Lian Cin Rui Qun (Green). red Cherry sweets, Guo Dan Shan Zha Guang Qi Xiang Foods, Thailand Style Zhancui Jiuzhi Ximei Plum, Thailand Style Zhancui Jiuzhi Ximei Olive, Jibao Brand Preserved Mandarin Peel, Lobster peanut Crysp, Yake candy, Preserved Prune Jibao Chen Pi Mei, Preserved Prune Dayau (blue), Flake Juice Plum Dayau (red),Preserved Prune Dayau (yellow), (red Kiamboy, white Kiamboy , White Rabbit Creamy Candy), dry Cherry's Plum , White Rabbit Soft Candy Manggo, White Rabbit Soft Candy Lychee, red Swammei sweets and white slice mango, Citrun Peel Candy, Fuji Fruit Candy, Fei Lu Pai Applem Huikang Holis, Suxian Peanut, Kana candy and Sanca candy.

WOW THAT'S A LONG LIST OF FOODS. Now days when everyone wants to get a lot of money with low cost, we as a consumer really have to be cleaver to pick what the best product for us especialy for our foods.

SPMB 2007

2007-08-02T19:20:00.000-07:00

(images from www.unimal.ac.id)

Today 3 August 2007 the result of SPMB (Indonesian selection to get in state university) will be announced. For many of Indonesian student to get in a state university is precious and prestige for them and also their parent.

State university among Indonesian people known to be low cost education but have a good qualified university. People who is graduated from a well know state university usually get bigger chance in job opportunity. That is why today lots of Indonesia student who graduated for high school waiting for the result announcement with impatient.

Unfortunately some people who have no responsibility take the advantage of this moment by trying to sell the announcement result of SPMB by SMS (Short message service) but the result are not the official one and the true is not guaranteed. According to the center committee of SPMB in Jakarta, the official result announcement is only from the website www.spmb.or.id on 2 august 2007 since 08.00 pm and from the newspaper on 3 August 2007.

Hope the student of Indonesia is smart enough to know which one to believe in. And hope they can get in the state university of their choice and be the best for Indonesia :)

Train schedule from Serpong train station 1 August 2007

2007-07-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (31 July 2007) there's an announcement in every train station in Jakarta that in 1 August 2007 the train schedule will be change. The new schedule put in the announcement board and a smaller version was sold to the passenger about 500-1000 rupiah (I do think the new schedule should be given free or lower the price because we know in Indonesia the price for photo copy is just about 100 rupiah per page).

Today in 1 August 2007 we expect the new schedule will be running. And there is no announcement that there will be another change. But what happen is different from what we expect, in Serpong station the new schedule (the one that has been announcement before) said that the economy train using air conditioning (KRL economy AC train with the ticketing price of 5000 rupiah) will be departing from Serpong on 6.00 am, meanwhile the one without air conditioning (KRL economy non AC with ticketing price 1500 rupiah) will be departing from serpong on 5.45 am.

Many people who have to go to work early choose the economy non AC train because it scheduled to departing first. But....then without any explanation of changing the economy AC train departing sooner on 5.45 meanwhile the non AC one suddenly change to 6.00.WHAT HAPPENED?? Why didn't they tell us (the passengers) that the schedule once again being change??. If this is the new schedule (AC on 5.45 and non AC on 6.00) then there isn’t any change from the old schedule before 1 August 2007 this is just the same. Then why do they (PT KAI) bother to make a changing in the schedule but then returning again to the old one before even using the new one? They should have just save their money instead of making the new timetable that they don’t use anyway. Or at least they can tell us so we know that the one in the new timetable has change again before the train departed. It wont be to hard isn't it??

So what happen is, today many of the passengers in the Serpong station feel disappointment for PT KAI. Many of them get late because they are tricked by the new schedule (that doesn't work anyway).

The government in Indonesia always urges the people to use public transportation. But if the public transportation doesn’t have a good management and the people can not trust the public transportation even for a simple one like the timetable, then how do they expect us (the people of Indonesia) to trust them (the government) meanwhile they can not arrange a simple problems like the public transportation timetable???

Final of AFC

2007-07-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

Last night was the final of AFC 2007 and it takes place in Gelora Bung Karno Senayan, Jakarta-Indonesia. The final match was between Iraq vs. Arab team. Although Indonesian team didn't make it to final but in the final match the stadium fills with a lot of Indonesian supporters who backing up for the Iraq supporters. Maybe it is because lots of Indonesian supporters still have a hurt feeling because the Arab team defeats Indonesian team (you can read it in AFC: Indonesia vs. Arab match).

And the result really makes the hurting feeling paid away, because Iraq won the final and becomes the winner of AFC 2007. Congratulation to the Iraq people, although their country is in war situation they still can give their best performance and bring a little bit of good news to their country. Iraq win by the score of 1 - 0. With the goal from Younis Mahmoud (also the captain of the team) in the minuets of 72. Younis chosen to be the best player of the tournament. Well congratulation :).

Now the AFC tournament comes to an end. And I'm really glad that we (Indonesia) can prove our self to be a good country which not only famous by bad news from our country but we can also held an international event like the AFC tournament successfully. Congratulation should be mention too to the Indonesian supporters for the good behavior that they show through the AFC tournament :)

Gold from Biology

2007-07-23T22:20:00.000-07:00

Indonesia won gold medal in IBO (international Biology Olympiad) 2007 in Saskatoon, Canada. This is the first gold medal for Indonesia in IBO. The gold medal presented by Stephanie Senna (third grade student from SMAK IPEKA Bilingual Jakarta). The other participant Prayudi Utomo (student from SMAK I BPK Penabur Jakarta) presented silver medal, and Roswitha Muntiyarso (student from MAN Insan Cendekia Tangerang) presented bronze medal.

The IBO followed by 50 countries from the whole world. Indonesia sends 4 participants they are: Stephanie Senna, Prayudi Utomo, Saifurrizal (student from SMAN 2 Pare Kediri) and Roswitha Muntiyarso. Under guidance from Dr. Agus Dana Permana, chairman of Tim Olympiad Biology Indonesia (Indonesian Biology Olympiad Team).

Two of the team members Stephanie Senna and Prayudi Utomo was an alumni from last year 2006 IBO in Argentina). All of them have tightly following team selection since December 2006 in Indonesia.

From 38th International Physic Olympiad (IPhO) in Isfahan, Iran. We also got a good news that Indonesian team got 1 gold presented by Muhammad Firmansyah Kasim, 3 silver presented by Rudi Handoko Tanin, Musawwadah Mukhtar and Yosua Michael Maranatha, and 1 bronze presented by David Halim

This is a very good new for Indonesia, after all bad new that gave bad name for Indonesia was put in the world headline, at least now we can be proud of our country thanks to these brilliant student.

Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows

2007-07-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter Fever also effecting Indonesia. In 21 July 2007 the Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows book Published at once in all over the world including Indonesia. Although the Indonesian edition will not be launch until 6 month again. Lots of fan in Indonesia has indent the English edition several month before the launching to avoid queue.

According to Gramedia book store (a famous book store in Indonesia) until now they have sell the book over 300 exemplars in just the first day of launching!! Wow who said the reading interest people in Indonesia are low if they so excited to read the thick book like Harry Potter!!

The 7th edition of Harry Potter comes in 2 cover design, blue cover for adult reader, and for kids the cover will be a cartoon draw of Harry Potter, I don't know if in Indonesia comes in two different design too or not because I only see the cartoon design one.

Hope Harry Potter can bring magic to increase Indonesian reading interest :)

PILKADA DKI (DKI Governor election)

2007-07-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

(Picture taken from : http://www.perspektif.net/article/article.php?article_id=641)

The DKI Jakarta governor election will be on 8 August 2007. There are 2 governor candidate, that is Adang Daradjatun (former vice head of POLRI), and Fauzi Bowo (currently the vice governor of DKI). All the citizen of Jakarta (you must have DKI citizen ID card for at least the past 6 month to prove it) can use their right to vote one of the 2 candidates.

PILKADA DKI is a domestic election but the effect can be felt through the nation. Maybe because DKI Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia who ever the governor will have big influence in the nation politics too.

I'm not a citizen of Jakarta but I love to know what’s going on around the PILKADA. All I know is the 2 candidate have their one plus and minus in their attitude. For examples:

Adang Darajatun: He is very down to earth person, he even try the KRL economy train to see what it like and without any special treatment is. But some people think he is too devoted to the party that back him up to be the governor candidate
Fauzi Bowo: he is the vice governor in Jakarta now so he must be have so many experience with Jakarta problematic. But he is known to have lack of patient when confronting a problem.

This is not part of a campaign for neither of them, but I myself if I can choose I would pick Adang Darajatun. Because when you pick a person who have a heart for the people like him, he would know what's good for the people because he experiencing it his self and put his heart on it. But unfortunately as I told you before I can't choose because I am not a Jakarta Citizen.

Hope the Jakarta people can choose their governor with all their true heart, and hope who ever that chosen to be the governor will do their best for Jakarta and of course for Indonesia.

First day to school

2007-07-16T22:55:00.000-07:00

(Picture taken from :masfaiz.multiply.com/journal/item/18)

Yesterday, Monday 16 July 2007 was first day to school for student in Indonesia after long vacation of class graduation. The funny thing of first day to school is maybe the orientation days. In Indonesia there's a culture that every fresh year student in SLTP (junior high school), and SMU (high school) have to get pass the orientation day.

Orientation days aims to make the fresh year student knows their school better, but in the reality it is often use as a tools for the senior to play tricks on their junior. Although the orientation days that given by the senior from junior high or even in the high school aren't dangerous (sometimes it is even funny) but it still make the parent feels like it is a heavy obligation.

Because after the parents have to pay a large amount of money to make their children get in school (the government of Indonesia already gave free school fee, but several school still ask for money) they also have to buy things for their children orientation day. For examples in some school they have to buy a basket made from rammy or they have to buy lots of ribbon, and a bag of flour sack.

Orientation days could make happy and funny memories after we graduated from the school. But it will be much better if orientation days didn't gave the parents another heavy duty to fulfill for their children.

AFC : Indonesia vs Arab match

2007-07-15T18:04:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday 14 July 2008. The match between Indonesia vs. Arab take place on Gelora Bung Karno in Senayan, Jakarta. The match went well but....there is one big question about the referee of the match. The referee was from Uni Emirate Arab...Can't you see my point. The game was among Indonesia vs. Arab then why was the referee pick from Emirate Arab??? It is from one ethnic of Arabian...if the referee was fair then it is ok. but....in some several occasion we could see that he was a little bit unfair and siding with the Arab group.

As an example, several times an Arab player hold and pull Bambang Pamungkas shirt and the referee do nothing about it, but when it comes to Indonesian player doing minor violation he immediately gave yellow card. In one match he gave 8 yellow cards to Indonesian player.

This is not just from my point of view. Even the president of Indonesia who was also watching the match from the stadium feels that the referee was a lit bit unfair. After the match the president contact the chairman of PSSI (Indonesian football association) to contact AFC and tell them that next time when they choose a referee they should be more careful so it wont bring any bad prejudice among the supporters.

Even so the Indonesian team plays very good at that match, and everyone who see it feel proud that they can handle the Arab team very well.

Like the president comment "This lose is just a delay for a bigger winning"
Keep on fighting Indonesian football team. And just do the best. All of us still praying and hoping for the best of you :)

Free from Malaysia

2007-07-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

18 Indonesian university students finally get their freedom from the Malaysia Immigration prison, thanks to the effort of the Indonesian embassy. Some of them caught by the Malaysian immigration when they work as a trainee in Robert Haris restaurant, in Shopping Mall One Utama Damansara, one week ago.The Malaysian Police put them in the Immigration prison in Sepang for 6 days.

18 of the university student get caught because they didn't have license to work in Malaysia. According to detik. com quote from Tatang B Razak an officer of Indonesian Embassy a person name Widi Widyantono is responsible for this because he did not process their license.

Hem.. I do hope it will not happen again. because it brings bad name to Indonesia. The authority has to be more careful to check people who work for them.

Taufik Savalas pass away

2007-07-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

(Picture of Taufik Savalas) Picture from : www.suaramerdeka.com/harian/0201/24/x_fokus.html

Taufik Savalas a well know comedian in Indonesia pass away on wednesday night in Purworejo. He involved in a car accident with his manager Adrieano and two of his crew. Taufik savalas was injured badly in the accident his head was squeeze against a truck. and both of the crew also pass away, meanwhile Adrieano was injured.
All of them then brought to RS.Purworedjo on 23.00 wib, then the corpses brought to Jakarta using Garuda Indonesia Airplane.

Taufik left a wife Rina Rusdiana and two children. He was a very good person and good comedian. Indonesia is in grief of Taufik Savalas. we all pray that He is Rest in Peace in the side of God Allah SWT.

Indonesia win the match

2007-07-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

(Picture from detikbola)

10 July 2007 Indonesia football team facing Bahrain in the Asian Football Cup, and the result was very fascinating. Finally Indonesian team wins the game 2-1.With this result

Indonesia

is on the top position of group D with 3 scores. The goal was made by Budi Sudarsono in the 14^th minutes and Bambang Pamungkas in the 64^th minutes , meanwhile Bahrain only goal made by Sayed Mahmood in the 27^th minutes. And Indonesian player Firman Utina chosen as man of the match.

Frankly I do think that It is mostly because we are very very lucky in that game, there are several chance for Bahrain to make another goal for example : Bahrain nearly made a goal when at the last 15 minutes, Aala Hubail shoots hit the goal post poll. and our keeper Yandri can't do nothing to block the shoot. so if Aala Hubail shoot wasn't block by the goal post it will be a second goal for Bahrain. I do think we still need some improvement.

Nevertheless our national team has showed us their good quality and they really make us proud of this winning. Next match will be on Saturday (14 July 2007) facing Arab Saudi. Hope we can still maintain our top position. And hope the goddess of fortune still with us in every match ;). Good luck Indonesian team!!

Economy Train

2007-07-08T20:04:00.000-07:00

7 July 2007. There is a change in train Schedule from station Serpong. The usual economy train without AC (air conditioning) left the station at 5.45 am and the ticket charge of Rp1500. now replaced by another train that using air conditioning, but the problem is the new train has a ticket charge of Rp.5000. for some of Indonesian people Rp.5000 is still to expensive. Especially those who usually using the train for short course. Although the non AC train still operating at 6.00 am but it is very-very crowded. because usually the non AC train has 2 shift (5.45 and 6.00 am) now when the 5.45 replace by the AC economy the passengers that usually using the 5.45 non AC now using 6.00 am train. So it is like 2 trains passangers put in 1 train. can you imagine how crowded it is?
Usually the 5.45 am train although non AC but still comfortable enough comparable to the ticket price of Rp.1500.
Maybe the government tries to make it more comfortable for the people by using the AC economy train, but I do think they should study the capability of most Indonesian people for the ticketing price.
If the old way is good enough and more useful for most of the Indonesian people why should we change it?
But that is just my opinion, how about everybody else, do you agree with this system?

Indonesia-Singapore extradition

2007-07-06T05:08:00.000-07:00

Indonesia and Singapore was signing in the extradition agreement a few month ago.GMNI (Gerakan Mahasiswa Nasional Indonesia) hosting a seminar about the extradition agreement about it today.
Hope the extradition agreement can make all the corruptors arrested and give back the corrupt money to the people of Indonesia who really need it.

Zidane in indo

2007-07-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

Since yesterday 5 July 2007 until today, the football star Zinedine Zidane are in Indonesia.Zidane visiting Indonesia as a program from danone "Danone Cup".
During his visit in Indonesia, Zidane went to the Indonesian Palace and meet with president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The president gets the chance to play football with him, and also get the french football uniform with the back number of 10 from Zidane.
Zidane also gave 3 soccer ball for the u-13 Indonesian football team.

Do hope Indonesian football get better after Zidane visit.
Cross your finger everybody, let's hope the best for Indonesian team :)