Number of Indonesians ending life during hajj reaches 370

Mecca (ANTARA News) - The number of Indonesians who died in the Holy Land while making the hajj pilgrimage this year by 4.16 pm local time Friday or 8.15 pm West Indonesia Standard Time (WIB) on Sunday reached 370, official data showed.

A total of 352 of the deceased were performing hajj under the regular hajj pilgrimage services while 18 others under the first-class pilgrimage services (ONH-Plus).

"The pilgrims who died were predominantly men reaching 244 while the number of women pilgrims who ended their lives in the Holy Land was 126," Evi Al Hudhori of the computerized data at the Integrated Hajj Services office of the Religious Affairs Ministry in Saudi Arabia, said here on Sunday.

She said that the biggest number of the deceased reaching 71 came from the SUB (Surabaya, East Java) embarkation point, followed by that from the Solo or SOC embarkation (65). (*)

11:19 PM | 0 comments | Read More

RI govt intensifying HIV/AIDS eradication efforts to achieve MDG target

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono said the government was intensifying its efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in the regions to achieve the MDG (Millennium Development Goals) target.

The role of the people in tackling the HIV/AIDS problem must be increased to make the effort more effective, the minister said here on Monday in his opening speech at the Fourth National Meeting of AIDS 2011 being held from October 3 to 6, 2011.

Up to June 2011, the number of people infected with HIV reached 66,693, and the there were around 26,500 AIDS cases.

The five regions with the highest number of AIDS cases at present are Jakarta, East Java, West Java, Papua, and Bali. The highest number of HIV patients are found in Jakarta, East Java, Papua, Bali, and Central Java.

The National Meeting on AIDS is a large forum of discussions for various stakeholders to review the situation of the disease epidemic.

The fifth meeting will review HIV/AIDS control programs during the past five years since the issuance of the Presidential regulation 75/2006, the country`s progress in trying to achieve the MDGs target to combat HIV/AIDS by 2015, and the plans in the next five years.

The meeting is being participated in by 1,500 people representing among other things the government, the AIDS Control Commission, donor institutions, NGOs, and civil society.

Earlier this year, Minister Agung Laksono had said the handling of HIV/AIDS spread in Indonesia needs to be improved.

"There are three indicators on the effort to eradicate HIV/AIDS that need to be improved namely the use of condom in risky locations such as port and prostitution complexes, the percentage of teenagers aged 15 years above having an adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the percentage of regional government which actively conducted programs to eradicate HIV/AIDS spreading in their area," said the minister.

5:18 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Rescue workers evacuate six bodies from crashed Casa plane

Bahorok, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Rescue workers evacuated six bodies from the Casa 212 plane that crashed in Bahorok, Langkat, North Sumatra, and flew them to Turangin field in North Sumatra district of Langkat on Sunday.

The six victims packed in body-bags and flown by Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters arrived in Turangin, Bahorok, Langkat District at 12.20 pm local time on Sunday, Antara learned here.

The six victims, five adults and a child, were then brought to the Adam Malik hospital in Medan, capital city of North Sumatra province, for identification.

The Casa 212-200 plane with 18 people on board including its crew went down in a Bohorok jungle when it was flying from Medan to Kutacane, Southeast Aceh, Thursday morning (Sept.29)

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) set up four teams to locate and evacuate the plane crash victims.

All the passengers of the Casa 212-200 plane were found dead, National Search and Rescue Team`s Operational and Training Director Vice Marshal Sunarbowo Sandi said here on Saturday.
(Uu.B00/H-NG)

2:25 PM | 0 comments | Read More

South Sumatra`s 355 would-be hajj pilgrims off to Medina

Palembang, S. Sumatra (ANTARA News) - South Sumatra governor H Alex Noerdin on Sunday here saw off a total of 355 would-be hajj pilgrims from South Sumatra province leaving for Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The governor asked the provincial would-be hajj pilgrims to keep their health during their stay in Saudi Arabia, so that they can concentrate on the hajj pilgrimage as the fifth pillar of Islam.

"The main purpose of performing the hajj pilgrimage is to improve faith and devotion (to the God Almighty)," Alex Noerdin reminded the would-be pilgrims.

According to him, the provincial government gave financial assistance in the form of transportation fee worth one million rupiah to each of the would-be hajj pilgrims.
(T.U005/Uu.B003/H-NG)

2:18 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Lawmaker commends govt for intending to renegotiate mining contracts

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Legislator Kemal Aziz Stambeol of House Commission XI on financial affairs has expressed appreciation for the government`s efforts to renegotiate its contracts with mining companies in the country.

"The fact that about 65 percent of the number of mining companies has agreed in principle to renegotiate their contracts is in itself an achievement. We hope that all mining firms operating in Indonesia, including Freeport and Newmont, will be cooperative and agree to renegotiate their contracts," Kemal said here on Saturday.

Currently, the government continues to make its efforts to renegotiate the contracts of all mining firms in Indonesia, which cover the acreage of operation areas, divestment, environment management, royalty and the obligation of using domestic services as required by Law No. 4 / 2009 on mining.

At present, the process of contract renegotiation with PT Freeport Indonesia has been going on very toughly. "The one percent royalty that the government received based on the contract from Freeport is too small and not fair," he added.

Therefore, Kemal said, the royalty should be increased to observe the principle of fairness. " I think a fair increase would not harm Freeport," he added.(*)

8:32 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Kalla, Ralahalu awarded men of peace

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - World Assembly of Youth (WAY) has awarded men of peace to former Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu.

The award was given to Kalla and Ralahalu by WAY deputy chairman and Central Executive Council`s Chairman of the Indonesian Youth National Committee (KNPI) Ahmad Doli Kurnia here on Saturday in connection with World Youth Forum on Peace and Harmony.

Ahmad Doli Kurnia the award was given to Jusuf Kalla because the former vice president was considered an important figure who had a great contribution in peace process following the conflicts in Ambon, Maluku, Poso in Central Sulawesi, and Sampit in Central Kalimantan, and Nangroe Aceh Darusalam in Aceh.

And for Ralahalu, Doli said the former was a hard-working regional leader with a capability to overcome three-year sectarian conflicts in Maluku from 199-2002 and a communal clash in Ambon on September 11, 2011.

Doli said the men of peace award for Kalla and Ralahalu was the first from the World Assembly of Youth since the organization was established in 1943.

"This is the first ever award from WAY to former Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu," Doli said, adding that the organization would present the similar award to the world figures who contributed in various fields for peace and welfare of the community.

On Saturday, Governor Ralahalu officially opened the "World Youth Forum on Peace and Harmony" in Ambon.

Organized by the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), the two-day meeting is attended by around 100 members of the National Committee of Indonesian Youths (KNPI) and eight foreign youths representing Timor Leste, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Russia, and the Netherlands.

Ralahalu on the occasion expressed high appreciation to the KNPI central executive board and the World Assembly of Youth which had chosen Maluku as the event`s host.

The governor also welcomed the presence of foreign youths at the meeting to discuss concrete steps to maintain peace because he believed security conditions in Ambon were getting more conducive after a communal clash on September 11, 2011.

"I am very grateful for the presence of youths from Timor Leste, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Russia, and the Netherlands in Ambon. Your presence here shows that security in Maluku is quite conducive," Ralahalu said.
(O001)

7:45 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Minister sees off employees going on home-bound Idul Fitri trip

Purnomo Yusgiantoro.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro saw off around 700 employees of his office and their families who embarked on a trip to their home towns or villages to celebrate the post-fasting holiday of Idul Fitri here on Friday.

They left in 36 buses which the ministry normally uses for the daily transportation of employees from home to office and vice versa.

"We wish to help them in their travel as they are members of the ministry`s extended family," the minister said after seeing-off the employees and their families to areas around Yogyakarta and Solo in Central Java.

He hoped the employees would not be wasteful in using their money while on the holiday. "Do not let it happen that they have to continue to fast after returning to Jakarta again (because they lack money). They have a lot of money coming from their salary, Idul Fitri allowance, remuneration, September salary and others," he said.

The minister gave the assurance that the buses although not air-conditioned were all road worthy. "We have checked them all and even briefed the drivers with regard to safety," he said.

The employees were expected to return to their respective jobs on September 5. Those who did not return to the office on schedule would be given a sanction, he said.

"So far no employee has failed to come on schedule (after the holidays). Those who did fail to come happened to be sick," he said.

5:03 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Bodies of nine speed boat accident victims found

Sampit, Central Kalimantan  (ANTARA News) - The bodies of nine people who drowned after a speed boat with 40 passengers on board capsized in Central Kalimantan on Wednesday (Aug 24), have been found, a police officer said.

The speed boat accident killed nine people and the bodies of all of them have been recovered, Adjunct Commissioner Sumarya of the Central Kalimantan water police, said here on Friday.

The last two bodies were found by local fishermen on Friday morning at a location not far from the accident`s site.

The nine victims were identified as Krisno Mulyo Utomo, Tugiyati, Rudi, Rumaningsih, Doni, Sri Wilujeng, Nur Huda, Nisa and Wika Mareta Pangesti.

On the day of the tragic accident (Aug 24), five bodies were found and later buried in Sampit on Thursday (Aug 25) in one grave. Another body was discovered on Thursday.

The victims were members of one family who had just arrived from Surabaya, East Java, to celebrate Idul Fitri in Pegatan, Katingan Kuala sub district, Katingan District, Central Kalimantan.

"The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team involving personnel of the Central Kalimantan water police, the Katingan Kuala police office, the Kotawaringin Timur and Pegatan ferry seaport authorities, the Samuda Naval post, Mentaya Hilir Selatan sub district, Kotawaringin Timur District, has stopped the search efforts because all of the victims` bodies were found," he said.

Executive Administrator of Sampit Seaport Edi Sumarsono said the operation of the ill-fated speed boat to carry passengers was illegal because it did not have a permit.

Katingan water police spokesman Adjunct Commissioner Sudirman said here on Thursday that the speedboat carrying Lebaran holiday travelers was engulfed by huge waves at Cemeti strait between Kotawaringin Timur and Katingan districts at 8.30 local time on Wednesday.

Sudirman said the ill-fated speed boat, skippered by Aliansyah, left Mentawai Baru Hilir in Kotawaringin Timur district at 7 in the morning for Pegatan in in Katingan district but 90 afterward it was hit by big waves and then capsized at Cemeti strait.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)

5:00 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Starving Sri Lankan immigrants finally disembark from boat

Illegal imigrant from Sri Lanka in Tanjungpinang, Kepulauan Riau.

Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - After stubbornly refusing to disembark from the MV Alicia since July 10, 2011, 84 illegal Sri Lankan immigrants on Friday finally agreed to leave their boat due to starvation.

They surrendered to the Tanjungpinang Immigration Office which immediately sent them to its Detention Center (Rudenim), the center`s chief, Sugiyo, said here on Friday.

Initially, there were 87 Sri Lankan immigrants aboard the boat, but a baby was born recently, and four of the immigrants were still being treated in a hospital in Tanjungpinang.

At first, 13 of them disembarked from the boat on Thursday (Aug 25) and went to the cener. The next day (Friday, Aug 25), the remaining 71 people followed and now all of them were at the Rudenim.

"We are now checking the newly disembarked Sri Lankan immigrants," he said.

However, Sugiyo refused to comment on a report that the immigrants were forced to leave the boat because they were hungry.

Last July 2011, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Indonesia had asked the 87 Sri Lankan immigrants to disembark from their boat, the MV Alicia, for registration and verification.

"They must get off the boat for registration and verification whether they are refugees or not," Manuel Jordao, the UNHCR Representative in Indonesia, said after holding a meeting with representatives of the Sri Lankan foreign ministry and immigration office at the Sri Bintan Pura international seaport, Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, last July.

A Sri Lankan immigrant who jumped off the MV Alicia on Wednesday (Aug 24) said there was not enough food and drinking water on the boat.

"There is no more sugar, fish, meat and salt in the boat, only rice," Prem Kumar, the immigrant, said.

He said the 87 Sri Lankan immigrants aboard the MV Alicia were in "very bad" condition because they did not have enough food and drinking water.

They could each have only one small bottle of mineral water per one person for two days. "We are thirsty," Prem Kumar said.

Prem Kumar and four other immigrants, namely Tharma Palan, Syakaran, Kajan and Theepan had jumped off the MV Alicia on Wednesday (Aug 24) at 3.30 am local time.

Some 87 Sri Lankan immigrants wanting to ask for asylum in New Zealand or Canada, had been staying aboard the MV Alicia in Tanjungpinang waters since July 10, 2011, after they were arrested in Riau Strait waters, Batam. They had previously refused to leave the boat before their demand was met.

4:01 PM | 0 comments | Read More

President asks farmers to make Indonesia rice center

Baturraden, C Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appealed on Thursday to all farmers to work hand in hand to make Indonesia the world`s rice production center.

He made the appeal moment before he broke the fast along with farmers at Karangmangu soccer field at Baturraden, Banyumas district, Central Java.

"We can increase our rice production significantly so our dream of turning Indonesia into a rice production center in the country or the world can come into being," he said.

The President said the government had committed itself to increase budget allocations for the agricultural sector. Hopefully, Indonesia would have a rice surplus of up to 10 million tons in the years to come.

"The budget allocations for the agricultural sector will be raised in 2012. Hopefully, the increase in budget allocations will further raise our rice production," he said.

On the occasion, the head of state also handed assistance to Dewi Sri farmers group to encourage them to increase their productivity.

The President was in Baturraden as part of his five-day Ramadhan safari which earlier took him to a number of districts in West Java and Central Java provinces.

In Cilacap district, the President inspected rice harvest at Sampang area and held a dialog with local farmers.

The President`s entourage included National Education Minister M Nuh, State Minister for Cooperatives and Small Businesses Syarif Hassan, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam. (*)

12:09 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Mustafa Abubakar running normally in chief`s absence

ustafa Abubakar.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The State Ministry for State Enterprises (BUMN) is continuing to run normally although its chief, Minister Mustafa Abubakar, is being treated in hospital, a minister said.

"Although State Minister for State Enterprises Mustafa Abubakar is sick in hospital, his office is operating as usual," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said here on Thursday.

Hatta said he would appoint someone to perform Mustafa Abubakar`s main duties on a temporary basis.

"We are not yet considering replacing the ailing BUMN minister," Hatta said.

Hatta added that he still wanted to see what the tentative accountability would look like.

"However the important thing is that the performance of BUMN will continue to run as usual, although its minister is ill in hospital," Hatta said.

Minister Mustafa Abubakar was admitted to Medistra Hospital in South Jakarta on Tuesday at 11.00 a.m., August 23, 2011.

"He is being treated in the ICU room," Mustafa`s adjutant, Faisal Halimi, said at the hospital.

Faisal said Mustafa was being treated intensively.

"Doctors still can not establish the cause of the disease. But Mustafa`s health condition is getting better," he said.

Earlier, on Tuesday at 03.30 a.m., Mustafa was treated at MMC Hospital in Kuningan, Jakarta.

Mustafa was appointed to the post of state enterprises minister in October 2009.

Born in Pidie, Aceh, on October 15, 1949, Mustafa was president director of the National Logistics Board (Bulog) before becoming a cabinet minister.

7:40 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Asean Foundation, Health Ministry Discuss Traditional Medicines Meeting

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Dr. Makarim Wibisono and two officials of the health ministry discussed a plan to organize the Third ASEAN Conference on Traditional Medicines in Indonesia, from October 31 to November 3, 2011.

The two officials of the health ministry were Dra. Niniek Kun Naryatie, the Head of the Center of International Cooperation, and Doddy Izwardy, the Head of the Division of Regional Health Cooperation, the ASEAN Foundation said in a press statement here on Wednesday.

During the discussion which was held on Tuesday (Aug 23), the Ministry of Health sought the possibility of cooperating with the ASEAN Foundation to support the ASEAN Task Force on Traditional Medicines meeting that will serve as a session during the conference.

Dr. Makarim Wibisono pointed out that the Foundation attaches great importance to the ASEAN level event such as the traditional medicines meeting because this activity falls perfectly into its mandates.

The 10th ASEAN Ministers Meetings in Singapore that was conducted on 22nd July 2010 stated the importance of traditional medicines among the 6 points of the ASEAN strategic framework on health development.

To initiate the collaboration among ASEAN Member States in integrating of the traditional medicine into the national health care system, the ASEAN Secretariat supported by Nippon Foundation commences the ASEAN Conferences on traditional medicines.

In the last decade, traditional medicines have been widely used by the health community services in all ASEAN member countries.

Many strategically high level meetings and thematic workshops in each ASEAN Member State have endorsed policies, regulations, and formulation of framework related to the traditional medicines. (*)

5:04 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Soekarno-Hatta Airport sets up 8 health care posts

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Jakarta`s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has set up eight health care posts on its premises for the benefit of Lebaran holiday travelers, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

The ministry`s disease control and environmental sanitation spokesman Tjandra Yoga Aditama said at the airport on Thursday that the health posts were prepared to provided health services to holiday travelers.

"There is a health post at every terminal of the airport and a clinic which operates 24 hours and so we have 8 health posts all together at Soekarno-Hatta," Tjandra said.

He said the health posts 6 days before this year`s Lebaran festivity had already helped 34 patients. The number of passengers at the airport six and seven days before the holiday had increased from last year`s.

Besides, the Health Ministry had since Tuesday, August 23, 2011, opened a health post at 29 Percetakan Negara street in Central Jakarta for holiday travelers.

Tjandra said the post was set up by Health Ministry`s Disease Control and Environmental Sanitation (P2PL), and it could be directly accessed with National Police Headquarters` National Traffic Management Center.

From that post, road traffic development in Jakarta, South Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, and Bali could be monitored through four TV monitoring screens.

The post can also be contacted by phone at number 02142877587 and Dr Lucky Tjahyono as contact person at number 0811902378, or through the facebook with profile name Mudik Sehat and Twitter @MudikSehat. (Uu.O001/HAJM)

3:55 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Susi Air plane fails to land as smoke blanked the airport

Smoke blanked the airport

Muara Taweh, C Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - A Susi Air plane failed to land at Beringin Muara Teweh Airport in North Barito district, Central Kalimantan, as thick smoke blanketed the area on Thursday.

The plane which was supposed to arrive at the airport at 10 a.m. from Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, was forced to divert its flight to Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, an ANTARA journalist in Muara Taweh observed.

The Cessna plane had flown around the airport six times for 20 minutes before its pilot diverted the flight to Balikpapan.

"As thick smoke blanketed the airport the pilot decided to divert the flight to Balikpapan," spokesman of Beringin Muara Teweh Airport Sidik said.

The thick smoke reduced visibility to 500 meters in the morning with a vertical visibility of 800 feet, he said.

A number of passengers at the Beringin Muara Teweh airport said they were disappointed at the incident. They preferred to wait at the airport until the weather returned to normal. However, by 11.30 a.m. thick smoke still covered the town.

The thick smoke also forced a Pelita Air plane which was supposed to take off from Syamsuddin Noor Airport in Banjarmasin at 10.00 to postpone its departure to Muara Teweh.

"The flights are not closed. They will be resumed until the weather returns to normal in the evening," he said.

Head of the Muara Teweh Natural Resources Conservation Office (KSDA)Yusuf Trismanto said slash-and-burn practices to make way for farm land was to blame for the thick smoke blanketing the town over the past few days. (S012)

2:25 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Istiqlal Grand Imam meets Moroccan ulema in Rabat

London (ANTARA News) - The Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque Prof Dr Ali Mustafa Yaqub held a meeting with several prominent ulema of Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, recently.

Also present at the meeting arranged by the Indonesian embassy in Rabat were Indonesian Ambassador to Morocco Tosari Widjaja, former Alms Minister of Jordan Dr Abdessalam Abbadi, Said Hasan from Palestine and several Moroccan academics, Suparman Hasibuan, the Third Secretary of the Indonesian embassy in Rabat, said on Tuesday.

Among Moroccan ulema present at the meeting were Mohamed Amine Ismaili, Mohamed Karem el Filali and Soubihi Abdelrozak.

Ambassador Tosari said the meeting was expected strengthen the relations between Indonesia and the Arab world, Morocco in particular.

Prof Dr Ali Mustafa Yaqub and Dr Abdessalam Abbadi were in Morocco at the invitation of Moroccan King Mohammad VI to participte in Durus Hassaniah Ramadhaniah Qur`an Recital at the King`s palace.

The Moroccan King traditinally invites ulema from a number of countries to attend the Qur`an Recital event.

Mohammed VI, who was born on August, 21, 1963, is the present King of Morocco and Amir al-Mu`minin (commander of the faithful). He ascended to the throne on July 23,1999 upon the death of his father.

3:22 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Hatta sees off 5,000 Idul Fitri travelers

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - General Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Hatta Rajasa bode farewell on Tuesday to 5,000 Idul Fitri travelers who left for Java and Sumatra to celebrate the post-fasting festivities in their home towns.

"On the birthday of PAN today, we want to share our happiness with the people, particularly the needy ones so that they will be able to observe the 1432 Indul Fitri festivities with their relatives in their home towns," the PAN chairman, who is also chief economic minister, said after bidding a farewell to them here on Tuesday.

The 5,000 travelers were grouped in the "Going Home Towns for Free with PAN" program which was organized in connection with the observance of the 13th birthday of PAN on August 23, 2011.

Hatta saw off the Idul Fitri travelers at the East Parking Lot of Senayan Sports Complex here on Tuesday.

He said that most of the participants in the PAN`s "Mudik Gratis Bareng PAN" (going home for free with PAN) program were daily laborers, workers in the informal sector as well as workers or employees at small businesses. They are the generators of the national economy, he said.

The Idul Fitri D-Day this year is expected to fall on August 30 or 31, 2011.

According to the ministry of transportation, the number of Idul Fitri travelers this year (2011) is estimated at 15.5 million people, up 4.17 percent compared with last year`s 14.9 million.

Travelers going home from Jakarta alone are predicted to reach 7.129 million, up 12.98 percent from last year`s.

Going to one`s home town during the post-fasting Idul Fitri festivities or Lebaran is an annual event in Indonesia where Muslims have family reunions in the respective villages.

2:58 PM | 0 comments | Read More

President resumes second day safari in West Java

Cianjur, W Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono continued his second day Ramadhan safari activities in a number of regions in West Java and Central Java on Tuesday.

On the second day the president is scheduled to visit a number of regions in West Java, among others, Cianjur and Cipatat after he spent the night at the Cipanas Presidential Palace.

Previously on Monday, the president visited several places in Ciawi where he observed the condition of an elementary school building in Babakan sub-district, Bogor.

At the school, the president and Mrs Ani Yudhoyono had a dialog with the teachers and the school chief on the conditions of the school which had 558 students.

The president observed the cottage industrial area in Tajur, Bogor. Yudhoyono praised the products of a bag cottage industry in the area.

President Yudhoyono also visited a cattle research center in Ciawi and had dialogs with researchers. Yudhoyono expressed his commitment to developing research means and infrastructure in the future.

The head of state closed his first day Ramadhan safari in a fast-breaking dinner with the locals at Ciawi`s At Tohirin Mosque.

Yudhoyono who was accompanied by a number of ministers will conduct a Ramadhan safari in a number of cities such as Tasikmalaya, Purwokerto and Tegal until August 26, 2011.

10:24 AM | 0 comments | Read More

RI supports Libyan choice

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia appreciates and supports the choice that has been made by the people of Libya, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said here on Tuesday.

The minister made the statement in response to the latest development in Libya where rebels were reported to take control of most of the capital Tripoli while world leaders urged Muammar Gaddafi (69) to surrender to prevent more bloodshed and appealed for an orderly power transfer, as the six-month-old battle for control of the oil-producing North African country appeared to enter its finishing stages.

"Libya is now entering a decisive phase of its future. We support the Libyan choice because only the people knows what`s best for them," Marty said.

He said Indonesia expected the recent development in Libya would end violence in the country and start a political process which enable all elements in Libya to determine their future democratically.

The minister also expressed hope to see the United Nations play a greater role in creating a conducive situation in Libya to realize a democratic political process.

Earlier it was reported that remnants of forces still loyal to Muammar Gaddafi staged a desperate stand in Tripoli on Tuesday as rebels fought their way into the capital, but the whereabouts of the veteran leader was still a mystery.

Rebels say they are now in control of most of Tripoli, a sprawling coastal city of two million people on the Mediterranean Sea, but it was not clear whether Gaddafi was still in the Libyan capital.

Rebels swept into Tripoli two days ago in tandem with an uprising in the city. Reuters reporters saw firefights and clashes with heavy weapons, including anti-aircraft guns, as rebels tried to flush out snipers and pockets of resistance. Hundreds seem to have been killed or wounded since Saturday.

But Gaddafi tanks and sharpshooters appeared to hold only small areas, mainly around Gaddafi`s heavily fortified Bab al-Aziziyah compound in central Tripoli.

Civilians, who had mobbed the streets on Sunday to cheer the end of dictatorship, stayed indoors as machine gun fire and explosions punctuated some of the heaviest fighting of the Arab spring uprisings that have been reshaping the Middle East.

In an audio broadcast on Sunday before state TV went off the air, Gaddafi said he would stay in Tripoli "until the end".

There has been speculations, however, he might seek refuge in his home region around Sirte, or abroad.

2:48 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Company`s failure to keep promise triggers Tiaka riots

Palu, C Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - The riots on Monday in Tiaka Island, Central Sulawesi, was triggered by the failure of an oil consortium to keep its promise to the local residents, police said.

"The company has promised the locals in the past to build public facilities and electricity networks but it has not yet realized it until now," Central Sulawesi Police Chief Brig Gen Dewa Parsana said here on Monday.

Because the promise was not kept, the local people gathered and vented their discontent by visiting Tiaka Island, one of the company`s asset. They were disappointed after they failed to have negotiation with the management of the company.

"They want to have negotiations with the boss of the firm but they failed because the boss was in Jakarta," Dewa said.

The angry mobs then vandalized the office building and facilities of the company and pelted its oil well with Molotov cocktails that caused the oil field to catch fire.

He said that police had taken persuasive approaches and called on them not to be anarchic.

The angry mobs` indiscriminate action forced the apparatuses in the field to fire a warning shot before they shot at the rioters, the Central Sulawesi police chief said.

The oil well belonged to the consortium between PT Pertamina and PT Medco Joint Operating Body (JOB).

During the rioting, one rioter was shot dead, three were injured and 19 others arrested. (*)

8:30 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Indonesian Mily Contingent Advised To Be Alert

Cairo (ANTARA News) - Indonesian military`s Garuda contingent is advised to increase alertness in guarding their jurisdiction in the Lebanon-Israel border in the event of war threats.

The message was conveyed by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as quoted by Indonesian task force spokesperson Nur Cholis here, Sunday.

"UNIFIL Supreme commander has stated that Lebanon`s security status have been raised to red-yellow," Hur Cholis said.

In following the information Indonesian task force Commander Henri Mahyudi has instructed his men to stay alert.

Nur Cholis said that the ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel seems increasing difficult to control in recent armed clashes after both sides along the border, he said.

Under the contingency plan, the Indo FPC Task Force has a high preparedness and always ready to be moved at any time in an emergency.

After all the troops entered defense position, combat vehicles and support weapons are in their respective positions, while communication networks have already been prepared.(*)

11:33 AM | 0 comments | Read More