President orders minister to seek clarifications over espionage issue

"The President has received the foreign minister`s report over the issue. The President asked the minister to communicate with the parties concerned and ask for their clarifications," Presidential Spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said."

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has urged Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to ask for clarifications from concerned parties regarding wiretapping issues by foreign embassies in Indonesia.

"The President has received the foreign ministers report over the issue. The President asked the minister to communicate with the parties concerned and ask for their clarifications," Presidential Spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said here on Friday.

He said that in response to the news about the alleged tapping activities, the ministry of foreign affairs had conducted communications with parties concerned to seek official confirmation.

"If the report about the wiretapping is true, it should be regretted because a diplomatic relation should not be contaminated by a tapping activity," he said.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto said the Indonesian government had expressed its attitude with regard to the alleged espionage activities.

"If this is true, of course it would make us unhappy and we will say it is unprofessional," he said.

He stressed that wiretapping was an indecent act, yet the Indonesian government was still waiting for official explanations from the parties concerned.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Australian Ambassador Greg Moriarty to respond to charges of wiretapping facilities being found at the Australian embassy in Jakarta, as revealed by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Director of Information and Media Siti Sofia said here on Friday that the Foreign Ministry had summoned the Australian ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty.

"The summons of the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty took place this morning, as explained yesterday," stated Sofia.

The Foreign Ministry has demanded an explanation from the Australian government about the wiretapping facility that was built in the embassy building in Jakarta and at the Consulate General in Denpasar.

News of the wiretapping facilities broke only one day after the Sydney Morning Herald published a report identifying similar facilities at the US Embassy in Jakarta.

The Foreign Ministry holds that if the Sydney Morning Heralds reports are accurate, then these actions of espionage by the Australian government cannot be justified.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry had issued a press release noting its demands for an explanation of the news published in the Sydney Morning Herald on Oct. 31, 2013 regarding the existence and use of wiretapping facilities at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and other countries in the region.

As neighbors and friends, the actions reported by the Sidney Morning Herald do not reflect the spirit of friendly relations that have been established and cannot be accepted by the Government of Indonesia.

Sources : Antaranews

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Rapid population growth to affect basic necessities

Indonesias rapid population growth poses a great challenge to the country as it works to provide the populations basic necessities, including clothing, foods and shelter, a superior education and proper health services. 

Further, rapid population growth may slow national development, and therefore the government must seriously address this problem by putting in place family planning programs.

The population in a country is the most basic asset needed to implement development, but uncontrolled population growth might become an obstacle to assuring economic growth.

"A shockingly large population that isnt offset by adequately high-quality human resources could create another, more serious, problem," National Family Planning and Population Board (BKKBN) Chief Fasli Jalal said here on Thursday.

Indonesias population boom is becoming increasingly alarming because it is not balanced by adequate human resources, noted Fasli. 

The total population in Indonesia was last recorded at 245.9 million in 2012, but Jalal said that in 2013 it is projected to reach 250 million, with a growth rate of 1.49 percent per year, or an increase of four to five million people.

"This means 10 thousand babies are born every day," Jalal stated, adding that the quality of Indonesian human resources remains low, as indicated by the Indonesian Human Development Index, which ranks Indonesia 124 of 182 countries. 

He explained that Indonesia is currently the worlds fourth most populous country, after China, India, and the United States, though its population is expected to jump to 321 million by 2025.

Today, the population of Indonesia represents 3.51 percent of the worlds total population, which arguably means that one in every 29 people on earth is a resident of Indonesia. 

This is a huge figure and, therefore, the government should pay serious attention to this problem so the population does not drastically increase.

Besides this, Jalal added, the uneven distribution of the population is also a concern, with 58 percent of the population living on Java Island, even though it only accounts for seven percent of the total area of the country.

Uncontrolled population growth will automatically become a burden, and therefore the family planning program should become one of the pillars of the nation's development policy in the population field. 

During an event on World Contraception Day in September 2013, Vice President Boediono noted that the family planning program has been marginalized for the sake of achieving short-term interests during the reform era. 

Therefore, the vice president asked all stakeholders to give priority to the family planning program in an effort to achieve the ideal demographic target envisioned by the nation.

He said the family planning program was a multidimensional plan run jointly by the central government, the regional administrations and relevant agencies.

Meanwhile, BKKBN spokesperson Ambar Rahayu admitted that the national family planning program has experienced a change following the weakening of the governments resolve to maintain it.

"The family planning program was once an integral part of the national development program, but now it is no longer a priority because short-term programs, other than family planning, have become a top priority for regional governments," Ambar said here on Thursday.

She pointed out that the national family planning and population program had stagnated over the past 10 years and shown no improvements in maintaining population targets.

"The total fertility rate remained at 2.6 percent, while the use of modern contraception edged up slowly by 0.5 percent in the past five years, from 57.4 percent in 2007 to 57.9 percent in 2012," she noted.

Further, Ambar said the stagnant condition of the population and family planning program had impacted areas where its operational activities were on the decline.

Therefore, Coordinating Minister for Peoples Welfare Agung Laksono expressed hope that the program would continue to be properly managed to prevent its continued stagnation.

"The family planning and population program has been stagnant over the past 10 years and, therefore, we have to resolve this situation as part of our efforts to suppress the population growth rate," Laksono remarked here on Thursday.

"It is necessary to revitalize the program as soon as possible because the results of the Indonesian health and demographic survey in 2012 (SDKI 2012) indicated that the number of people who failed to receive family planning services was very high, and the medium-term development target was far from being met," he went on.

Laksono said the program should be revitalized by providing more intensive family planning information to the public.

The minister noted that the current population growth rate in Indonesia was still very high and the number of parents having more than two children remains large.

He has also asked regional governments to set a higher priority for population and family planning programs.

"Regional governments should strengthen their commitment to improving the population and family planning program," Laksono said here on Thursday.

Many regional governments prefer short term programs, but ignore discussing population and family planning programs as a strategic issue during regional election campaigns, said Laksono.

"The regional government fails to include the population and family planning program in the Regional Midterm Development Program (RPJMD). Consequently, the program has rarely been properly supported using regional funds," he noted.

Laksono expressed his hope that the national family planning and population program would continue to be well-managed so it does not become stagnant in the future. 

Therefore, the National Family Planning and Population Board has launched two social media accounts to promote the "Generation With Plan" (GenRe) program to young people.

The GenRe program aims to provide information to young people about how to carefully plan their lives. The program also calls on young people to contribute to population control programs by living healthy lives and avoiding causal sexual encounters.

The use of social media to promote these program is important, considering that most young Indonesians have social media accounts.

Sources : Antaranews

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Indonesia must remain independent to face free market

Indonesia should remain independent in the face of the expanding free market, particularly after the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community 2015 (AEC 2015), according to a legislator.

"Indonesia will become part of AEC 2015, and that means the country will be open to the markets of all ASEAN member states," a member of House of Representatives Commission III, Bambang Soesatyo, said here on Saturday.

Therefore, he noted that Indonesia must be led by a leader who is independent and focused on building the nations economy.

"If the leader who is elected in the upcoming 2014 election is not smart in dealing with the ASEAN Economic Integration, then more than 200 million Indonesian people will only remain consumers," Bambang said.

That means, he added, that the 2014 election is important and very strategic for the future of the nation. 

Meanwhile, officials of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) have asked the government to remain observant and intensively consult with the business community regarding free market agreements that involve Indonesia.

"With a lot of economic challenges in relation to the Free Trade Agreement, the business players, together with the government, should seek to determine what parts of the economy need to be protected," Kadin deputy chairman for trade and international relations, Chris Kanter, said here on Friday.

Further, Kanter noted that the government should not shut itself off from business sectors that need foreign investment.

According to Indonesian Indigenous Entrepreneurs Association (HIPPI) Central Executive Board Chairperson Suryani Motik, the implementation of AEC 2015 will bring Indonesias economy to a crossroads.

"On one side, the ASEAN Economic Community will bring up concerns among entrepreneurs, while on the other side it will provide an opportunity for them," Suryani said.

Sources : Antaranews

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VP calls for prioritizing development of family planning

Photo : Antara

Vice President Beodiono has asked all stakeholders in the development of the family planning program to give the program a priority in an effort to achieve the ideal demography target envisioned by the nation.

"The family planning program is a multidimensional scheme run jointly by the central government, the regional administration and the relevant agencies," the Vice President said during a function held to commemorate the World Contraception Day at the Senayan Convention Center here on Thursday.

Citing an example, the vice president mentioned that at the ministerial level, the family planning program involved at least the National Family Planning Coordination Board (BKKBN), the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Culture.

"All heads of regional governments must give attention to the family planning program," he stressed.

Therefore, the BKKBN should coordinate with different agencies in Jakarta and other regions. 

"The BKKBN should explore a new format for coordinating with other regions," he suggested.

Bediono admitted that the family planning program had been marginalized for the sake of short-term interests during the reforms era. Indonesia was able to cut its fertility rate from 5.6 percent in the 1970s to only 2.6 percent in 2000. But this percentage had not undergone significant change during the past decade of the reforms era. The percentage was still too high for creating a balanced demography.

"Our target in 2016 is to achieve 2.1 percent. So, it is still too high," he said. He stressed the importance of family planning so that the population does not exceed the nation�s economic capability.

On the occasion, Vice President Boediono was accompanied by Madame Herawati Boediono, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sharif Cicip Sutardjo and Deputy Education and Culture Minister Wiendu Nuryanti.

World Contraception Day is an annual event held on September 26, when countries and regions from around the world demonstrate their commitment towards raising awareness about contraception and reproductive and sexual health.

BKKBN chief Fasli Jalal pointed out that this year`s World Contraception Day was aimed at reminding all parties of the importance of contraception.

"Let us always remember that contraception is an effective tool to suppress the rate of population growth. It also helps a married couple form a small, happy and prosperous family," Jalal added.

He further mentioned that in the future, BKKBN would step up education programs related to reproduction and sexual health, and raise the public`s awareness about the importance of contraception.

Jalal also expressed the hope that all stakeholders would help make the population and family planning programs in the country a success.

"The population and family planning program will be a success if it is supported by all stakeholders from the central and regional governments," he noted.

Jalal said the BKKBN would also make efforts to familiarize the public with long-term contraception methods, such as the intrauterine device (IUD), sterilization and implants, tubectomy and vasectomy.

"We will continue to create awareness that long-term contraception methods are the most effective way to reduce the pace of population growth," he added. 

"The outcome that we can take away today is that it is important for us to always remember that contraceptives are an effective means of staving off population growth. It is the foremost way for a family to build a small-sized, happy and prosperous family," Jalal stated. 

Sources : Antaranews

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Vice President Boediono in London for Open Government Summit

Photo : Antara

Indonesian Vice President Boediono is on a four-day visit to London to attend the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Summit, along with other international meetings.

Boediono arrived at Heathrow International Airport on Tuesday and was greeted by Indonesian Ambassador to Great Britain TM Hamzah Thayeb.

He is also scheduled to participate in the World Islamic Economic Forum in London, on October 29. 

Of note, on October 30 he will deliver a lecture at the University of Oxford. 

In the Open Government Partnership Summit which will be held on October 31, Boediono will receive the Summit`s co-chairmanship from British Prime Minister David Cameron, as Indonesia prepares to host the summit in 2014.

Over 1,000 delegates from more than 60 countries will come together in London from October 31 to November 1, 2013 for the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Annual Summit.

OGP was launched in 2011 to provide an international platform for those involved in domestic reforms who are committed to making their governments more open, accountable, and responsive to citizens.

Since its beginnings, OGP has grown from eight to 60 participating countries, including Indonesia.

In each of these countries, government and civil society are working together to implement ambitious open government reforms.

Sources : Antaranews

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VP arrives home from London

Photo : Antara

Vice President Boediono arrived in Jakarta on Saturday following his working visit to London, which began October 28, 2013, to attend several international events.

Boarding a commercial Singapore Airlines flight, the vice president arrived at Soekarno-Hatta airport at 1.05 pm on Saturday, after a 14.5 hour flight from London.

From the airport, Vice President Boediono headed to his official residence along Diponegoro street.

While in London, the vice president attended international meetings, joining various heads of state and government.

On October 29 he attended the World Islamic Economic Forum, gave a general lecture at Oxford University on Oct 30, and attended the Open Government Partnership Summit on Oct 31.

During the lecture at Oxford University, Boediono spoke of the progress achieved by Indonesia in developing its education sector.

"We are serious about reforming the education sector," he said while delivering a lecture entitled "Transforming Indonesia: The Challenges of Good Governance and Economic Development".

Indonesia has also assumed the chairmanship from Britain of the Open Government Partnership for 2014.

British prime minister David Cameron handed over the chairmanship to Indonesian vice president Boediono at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Center in London on Thursday.

The Open Government Partnership is a movement committed to building transparency, accountability and quality of public service in its member countries.

Some two hundred representatives from international and Indonesian non-governmental organizations also attended the event.

Sources : Antaranews

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Jakarta`s poor to enjoy sacrificial animal meat

The poverty-stricken dwellers in Jakarta and across the country received rations of sacrificial meat on Tuesday when Muslims celebrated the Idul Adha Islamic Day of Sacrifice.

The Jakarta regional government distributed 1,750 meat-package coupons to Jakarta`s "mustahik," or underprivileged residents.

"The South Jakarta regional government contributed 36 cows, and the East Jakarta administration donated 46 goats. City Hall provided 21 cows and 41 goats," Sugeng, secretary of the Jakarta Civil Servant Corps, said at City Hall on Tuesday.

"Mustahik" or underprivileged residents in Jakarta received rations of sacrificial meat on Tuesday when Muslims celebrated the Idul Adha Islamic Day of Sacrifice.

The sacrificial animals were slaughtered at the PD Dharma Jaya slaughterhouse in Cakung, East Jakarta. The coupons were distributed to registered mustahik living within the Jakarta regional government`s jurisdiction.

"Each recipient will be provided with some 1.5 to 2 kilograms of meat," Sugeng stated.

In addition, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono presented a cow weighing more than one ton to the Istiqlal Mosque`s committee.

The mosque has received 45 cows and eight goats for slaughter, including two cows from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono; one cow from the Minister of Religious Affairs Suryadharma Ali; one cow from Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan; and two cows from the eldest daughter of former president Soeharto, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana.

Previously, Presidential Spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha had said in a short text message to Antara that the president and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono would present the sacrificial animal to the committee after performing the Idul Adha prayers on Tuesday morning.

As in previous years, President Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono said their Idul Adha prayers at the Istiqlal mosque. Every Idul Adha, the largest mosque in the country receives tens of sacrificial animals, and the meat must be distributed to the poor.

"We will distribute six thousand coupons after the sacrifice of goats and cows ceremony," said Chairman of Istiqlal Mosque Management Mubarak here on Tuesday.

The mosque plans to begin the animal slaughter after the Isa Prayer at 7:30 p.m. in the Istiqlal slaughterhouses.

"We have a slaughterhouse in the neighborhood of the mosque. We use it every year to sacrifice the animals during Idul Adha," Mubarak added.

The Istiqlal has cooperated with the Jakarta Animal Husbandry sub-official of the DKI Jakarta Administration to check whether the sacrificial animals are fit for human consumption.

Mubarak said the mosque will continue to accept sacrificial animals from individuals who want to slaughter them at Istiqlal until 3 p.m.

"We will continue to receive animals for sacrifice up to the Ashar prayer, or 3:30 p.m., before the animals enter the slaughterhouse," he remarked.

Besides the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta`s well-known Sunda Kelapa Mosque in Central Jakarta also produced at least two thousand packages of sacrificial meat.

"We do not distribute coupons, but we have prepared some two thousand packages of meat to be given directly to the rightful recipients who come here," coordinator of Sunda Kelapa Mosque`s Day of Sacrifice Mulyadi said.

He explained that recipients had been asked to sit in the mosque square outside in an orderly fashion while the organizers distributed the meat to them to avoid any jostling while they waited their turn.

"This year, we received 94 goats and 27 cows, and the meat will be distributed to the needy. The number of sacrificial animals we`ve received this year is smaller than that of last year, which stood at 114 goats and 21 cows," added Mulyadi.

The At-Tin Grand Mosque, which is located near the Indonesian-In Miniature Park (TMII) in East Jakarta, also distributed about six thousand packages of sacrificial meat to the poor.

"We distributed 160 meat coupons to the people. One coupon provides 30-50 packages of meat, weighing 3 kilograms each," the mosque`s Sacrificial Day chief organizer Wahyudi stated.

He noted that the coupons would be given to the poor, particularly those living around the mosque, and an orphanage foundation. The coupons were handed directly to deserving candidates, so they wouldn`t have to queue up to receive the packages.

The At-Tin Grand Mosque this year slaughtered 31 cows and 2 goats. "Thirty cows were contributed by the late Soeharto`s family members, while one cow and two goats came from local residents," Wahyudi confirmed.

In the meantime, the Al Furqon Mosque of the Indonesian Islamic Propagation Council (DDII) distributed sacrificial animals to villagers in several isolated regions across Indonesia.

"To distribute the meat, we cooperate with our preachers in isolated areas such as regions in East Nusa Tenggara, Mentawai, Nias, and Gunung Kidul. We also have one representative to deliver meat to the Anak Dalam isolated tribesmen in the Sorolangung District, Jambi," Bachtiar Bakar, chairman of the Al Furqon Mosque, acknowledged.

He claimed his side had distributed some 1.3 thousand coupons to recipients in Jakarta, which they could use to accept packages at three locations in Jakarta.

For the nationwide distribution of sacrificial meat, the National Police`s social organization partner "Senkom Mitra Polri" devoted itself to the task, helping to distribute some 7,501 cows and 6,858 goats for slaughter in various parts of the country on the Day of Sacrifice.

"The data still accounted for only half of the animals we expected to come from the country`s 34 provinces. The organization was still waiting for further reports on the number of sacrificial animals being donated until three days ago," Deputy Secretary General of Senkom Mitra Polri Taufik Wibisono pointed out in a written statement on Tuesday.

"Artha Graha Peduli," a social foundation under the auspices of the Artha Graha Network, in the meantime, cooperated with social foundations throughout the country to distribute sacrificial meat. 

"We not only distribute meat to the recipients but also have cordial meetings with them, so we can cooperate in improving their welfare in the future," Artha Graha Peduli Idul Adha Coordinator Anas said.

He said his foundation had distributed some 500 sacrificial animals this year, including cows, buffaloes, and goats. This was double the number of animals it had provided last year.

Sources : Antara

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Govt to raise sale tax on luxury cars soon

The finance minister will soon issue a regulation on an increase in sale tax on foreign-made luxury cars to curb their import, Industry Minister MS Hidayat said.

"The ministerial regulation has been prepared," he said here on Thursday. 

He said the finance minister will soon sign a list of luxury cars with an engine capacity of above 3,000 cc whose luxury sale tax will be raised.

"The sale tax on luxury cars will increase to 125 percent," he said.

The policy to raise sale tax on luxury cars is part of the government`s efforts to contain the widening current account deficit which hit an all time high of US$9.8 billion or 4.4 percent of the nation`s gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2013.

"We cannot ban the import of luxury cars and therefore, a disincentive policy is made to reduce their import," he said.

Meanwhile, Director General of High Technology-Based Excellent Industry Budi Darmadi said the luxury sale tax hike was aimed not only at reducing the import of luxury consumer goods but also at encouraging the domestic production of the branded goods.

"We also have taken steps to encourage the domestic production of the goods according to the market demand," he said.

Budi said the sale tax on luxury cars would increase to a range of 100-125 percent from 75-125 percent, depending on the criteria of engine capacity.

Indonesia imported about 7,000 luxury cars with an engine capacity of above 3,000 cc last year.

Sources : Antara

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Thousands of police to guard labour protest

At least 1,500 members of the Jambi Regional Police are to be deployed to maintain peace during labor protests planned to take place from October 28 to November 2, 2013.

"We hope all security personnel members will control their tempers and avoid reckless actions in securing the rally," said the Head of Jambi Regional Police Brigadier General Satriya Hari Prasetya here on Friday during a troops preparation exercise.

The exercise includes participants from several security institutions, including Indonesian Military (TNI), Civil Service Police, and Jambi Transportation Sub-official.

Prasetya said Police will prepare smoke grenades and water cannons in order to be ready to act during riots.

"We are avoiding the use of weapons and guns to disperse a possible labor riot. We will remove guns and replace them with non-harmful gear," Prasetya said.

He also checked several vehicles and security gear, which will be deployed to secure protests.

"We always check the security equipment and personnel conditions before they are deployed to duty," Prasetya said, adding that police will focus on guarding security in Jambi City and Muarojambi District.

Labor leaders will voice their demands regarding the Regional Minimum Salary and Jambi Province Minimum Salary.

"We hope the labor members will not conduct anarchist actions and disturb the public's activities. The security officers will implement Standard Operational Procedures to manage the labor protest," Prasetya said.

Sources : Antara

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Jakarta conducts raid to end masked monkey performances on streets

The Jakarta administration is conducting a raid to keep long-tailed monkeys, used in the popular roadside masked monkey shows, from performing on the capital`s streets.

"The raid is being conducted to prevent masked monkeys from performing on the streets of Jakarta. Hopefully, there will be no more monkey handlers performing on the streets," said Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama here on Wednesday.

Since the first raid was carried out on October 22, at least ten monkey handlers have been forced off Jakarta`s streets, according to Basuki.

"This raid will continue till there are no masked monkey performances in the streets, which often create traffic jams," Basuki stated.

Basuki explained this was not just a raid, but an effort by the administration to find a way to stop handlers from putting up street shows involving monkeys.

"We are not only conducting a raid, but also trying to find a solution, especially for the monkey handlers. Maybe, we will create a special facility for performing monkeys. But this will be discussed again," stated Basuki.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Jakarta Social Department, Kian Kelana, said the monkey handlers who get caught during the raid will be sent to social institutions.

"The handlers of masked monkeys will be placed in social institutions or asked to return to their hometowns. The (welfare of the) monkeys will be the responsibility of the Jakarta`s Department of Marine and Animal Husbandry," he said.

On another occasion, the Head of Jakarta`s Livestock Field and the Head of the Department of Marine and Animal Husbandry, Sri Hartati, had said her institution will take in monkeys seized from handlers during raids.

"We will put these monkeys in the provided cages, where we can regularly check on their health and give them vaccines, if required. We will conduct the monkey treatment as recommended by the animal protection society," Sri had added.

Sources : Antara

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Jakarta index up

The composite share price index of the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) rose in Friday`s morning session to follow the trend in the regional markets. 

The index rose 28.56 points or 0.71 percent to 4,033.33 with the index of 45 most liquid stocks (LQ45) up 1.08 percent to 687.96 points.

"Asian markets have continued with the rising trend since yesterday boosted by commitment announced by European Central Bank (ECB)to curb increase in yields of bonds issued by European Union countries," Christine Salim, analyst from Samuel Sekuritas, said. 

Positive sentiment also came from US economic data showing better than expected progress made in coping with unemployment and durable goods orders, Christine said here today. 

Meanwhile, market players are expecting first half of the year financial reports of issuers such as Astra International (ASII), the country`s largest automotive company and Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BBRI) second largest lender to be relatively in line with estimate .

"A number of banking, automotive and crude palm oil stocks are expected to strengthen after past week correction," she said. 

Panin Sekuritas analyst Purwoko Sartono said the index tended to strengthen driven by expectation of improved financial reports of most issuers for the first half of the year. 

"Market players will be prompted into buying action anticipating good financial reports," Purwoko said. 

He recommended buying of a number of potential gainers like Garuda Indonesia (GIAA), Surya Semesta Internusa (SSIA), Gudang Garam (GGRM), Bank Negara Indonesia (BBNI), Bhakti Investama (BHIT).

Regio9nal markets reporting rise in index included Hang Seng up 1.92 percent to 19,255.65, Nikkei-225 up1.41 percent to 8,561.98 and Straits Times up 0.32 percent to 3,013.83 points.

Jakarta index extends gains

The Jakarta composite share price index continued to gain closing 31.61 points or 0.70 percent higher at 4,578.18 points on Monday.

The index of the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) rose on market players buying more than selling shares especially shares of consumer goods companies.

The index of 45 most liquid stock rose 0.79 percent to the level of 773.75 points. 

"The increase in the consumption shares bought by investors followed growing strength of rupiah that contributes to purchasing power of consumers," Kresna Graha Sekurindo`s analyst Ryya Rusdiana Putra said. 

Gudang Garam the cigarette maker led an increase in the price of consumption shares after the cancellation of plan to raise tobacco excise tax next year. 

Etta Rusdiana Putra said the rise in the BEI index was also attributable to domestic sentiment such as inflation that has returned to a normal level in September, and positive global sentiment. 

"The pressure on global market has been lifted after the US agreement to raise its debt ceiling saving the wolrd`s largest economy from default and stronger growth of 7.8 percent recorded by China in the third quarter," she said. 

Trade on Monday on the BEI recorded 151,765 transactions with 4.113 billion shares worth Rp5.111 trillion changing hands. 

Gainers outnumbered decliners by 162 to 104 with 116 shares flat. 

Regional market such as Hang Seng recorded a 0.42 percent increase in index to 23,438.15 points with Nikkei-225 index up 0.91 percent to 14,693.57 points and that of Straits Times gaining 0.09 percent to 3,195.76 points.

Sources : Antara

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Airport customs foils bids to smuggle Rp9.9 billion crystal meth

Soekarno-Hatta airport`s Customs has foiled two separate attempts in one week to smuggle crystal methamphetamine and seized Rp9.9 billion worth of the narcotic, an official said here on Friday. 

A 34-year old Indonesian, identified with the initials MGR, was caught trying to smuggle 1,662 grams of crystal meth worth Rp2.2 billion, said Acting Chief of the Office of Surveillance and Customs Service Soekarno-Hatta, Purwidi, here on Friday.

In a separate case, customs officers caught a 31-year-old man, identified with the initials MH, while he was trying to smuggle 5.716 grams of crystal meth worth Rp7.7 billion.

"Officers found the methamphetamine package hidden in a spotlight and cardboard walls. The entire methamphetamine (consignment) had been packaged," he said.

MH`s interrogation has revealed he was acting as a courier for a Malaysian national, identified as MS. The Malaysian national had offered a payment of Rp15 million for smuggling the narcotic.

"As per flight records MH was traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Surabaya with a transit in Jakarta," he said.

The men and the evidence were handed over to the Soekarno-Hatta airport city police investigators and the National Narcotics Agency.

As per Article 113 (paragraph 1 and 2) of Law No. 35, 2009, on narcotics, the punishment for smuggling narcotics is imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of Rp10 billion. 

If a person is found carrying more than five grams of methamphetamine, he faces the death penalty and a fine of Rp10 billion.

Sources : Antaranews

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Yudhoyono visits Soeharto memorial

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited the Great General Soeharto Memorial at Soeharto`s birthplace in Kemusuk village, Sleman, Yogyakarta, in Central Java on Friday.

The president and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono arrived at the memorial at 2:15 p.m., accompanied by members of the president`s Cabinet, and received a welcome from Soeharto`s half-brother Probosutedjo and Soeharto`s daughter Siti Hediati Hariyadi.

President Yudhoyono and his entourage spent about an hour on site and ended the visit by signing a photo of the former president standing against a red and white background, representing the colors of the national flag.

"(We offer) our respect on behalf of the people of Indonesia to Bapak (Mr) Soeharto, the independence fighter and development leader. Thank you, sir," President Yudhoyono wrote on the photo he signed.

Among the Cabinet ministers accompanying the president were coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Djoko Suyanto, minister/state secretary Sudi Silalahi, minister of tourism and creative economy Mari Elka Pangestu, and forestry minister Zulkifli Hassan. Yogyakarta governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X was also at hand.

The Soeharto Memorial was built on a 3,620 square meter plot of land and comprises a "pendopo" (pavilion), the house of Notosudiro (Soeharto`s great grandfather), the house of Atmosudiro (Soeharto`s great-grandfather), a 63 square meter area marking the place where the late former president was born, a museum, and other buildings of interest.

At the entrance, visitors are welcomed by a statue of General Soeharto, standing over two meters high, covered in decorations, and holding a command stick.

The museum at the center of the Memorial Complex contains collections of pictures as well as a diorama depicting Soeharto`s life as he became an increasingly important figure within and outside the country.

Some of the documents displayed inside the museum include the March 11 Order (Supersemar) signed by President Soekarno, letters from 14 national figures who declined to join Soeharto`s latest Cabinet at the end of his leadership term, and the statement Soeharto read out in announcing his resignation in 1998.

The video at the exit gate, meanwhile, depicts Soeharto`s burial on Jan. 27, 2008, at a funeral led by President Yudhoyono.

Sources : Antara

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Efforts to solve traffic jams not yet maximum: Governor

Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo said the results of his efforts to solve traffic congestion problems in the capital city since he took office one year ago had not yet been widely felt.

"Not yet maximal. We have just started the construction of mass rapid transit (MRT) and monorail transportation systems. When the buses arrive, in addition to the existing transportation facilities, then the public will surely feel the difference," Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, said at City Hall here on Friday.

He noted that his administration still continued with efforts to overcome traffic congestion throughout Jakarta.

"The results of what we have done have not yet been felt. We have put in place side-road traders so that there is no longer congestion in certain places," he added.

The Jakarta governor noted that it was not simple to ease traffic jams in Jakarta because a solution needs a process and stages.

"We have to acknowledge that to overcome traffic woes in Jakarta is not an easy job, as it will need a process and time," he added.

Therefore, the Jakarta regional administration will next year prioritize the purchasing of public transportation vehicles and the construction of flat houses.

"We will prioritize the development of transportation next year by buying about 4,000 buses, comprising 3,000 medium size buses and 1,000 trans-Jakarta buses. We will also develop 20 blocks of (flats) in 200 places in Jakarta," he explained.

The Indo Barometer survey institute earlier stated that the Jakarta governor had not yet maximized his efforts to solve traffic problems in the city after one year of his administration.

Indo Barometer Executive Director M Qodari said 73.3 percent of 400 Jakarta residents questioned during the survey were not satisfied with the administration`s efforts to handle traffic congestion.

The survey was conducted on 400 respondents, with personal interviews held from October 4 -10, 2013.

Also, on Wednesday, Jakarta Governor Jokowi inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of a neglected-monorail project.

Construction of the project was halted five years ago due to financial problems, though pillars had been set into the ground in some areas.

"Thank God, today we resume the construction of the project. There will be no pillars lying idle and unused," Jokowi said.

He added that he was confident that the project, which is now owned by PT Jakarta Monorail, would be completed by the end of 2016 if work continues round the clock.

"The 30-kilometre-long track consists of the 14.5-kilometre Green Lane (Kuningan, Dukuh Atas, Pejompongan, Senayan, Gatot Subroto, and SCBD) and the 15.5-kilometre Blue Lane (Kampung Malayu, Tebet, Casablanca, Tanang Abang, and Taman Aggrek Mall)," PT Jakarta Monorail (JM) Technical Director Bovananto explained.

On Thursday last week, Jokowi also inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for Jakarta`s mass rapid transit (MRT) project.

The MRT line stretches from Lebak Bulus in the south to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

"For 24 years, residents of Jakarta have dreamt of having an MRT. During this period, some have perhaps lost hope because the project never came to fruition. Thank God, today, the groundbreaking ceremony could be completed, and it is hoped the project will be finished in 2018," the governor said.

Sources : Antara

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Jakarta-Surabaya toll road plan must move forward: Minister

State-owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Dahlan Iskan said the government`s plan to build toll roads, stretching from Jakarta to Surabaya in East Java, must move forward in spite of criticism from some quarters.

"What happened to it? Why has it (construction) not started yet? All plans have been made carefully," the minister told reporters here on Friday.

In reference to several analysts` terming the plan to construct toll roads along Java`s coast an odd one, the minister said he respected everyone`s opinions.

"There is nothing in Indonesia that meets no opposition, let alone from observers. In principle, the toll road project must go on," he stated.

Earlier, the minister had said the feasibility of the plans for the Jakarta-Surabaya toll road was yet to be studied.

The cost of the project and technical details could be divulged to the public at the time as the project was still at the feasibility study stage, the minister had stated.

"It is still in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which state companies are expected to work together in the construction of the toll roads from Jakarta to Surabaya," Dahlan had added.

Dahlan had requested the 19 state-owned companies involved in the project to cooperate in the construction of the toll roads that will run along the coast from Jakarta to East Java.

The 19 state-owned companies are PT Jasa Marga, PT Adhi Karya, PT Waskita Karya, PT Wijaya Karya, PT Hutama Karya, PT Pembangunan Perumahan (PP), PT Brantas Abipraya, PT Nindya Karya, PT Istaka Karya, PT Pelindo II, PT Pelindo III, PT Semen Indonesia, PT Krakatau Steel, PT Bank Mandiri, PT Bank BNI, PT Bank BRI, PT Bank BTN, PT Jamsostek, and PT Taspen.

"As the first step, we urge state companies involved to conduct feasibility studies and aim to complete them in six months," the minister had said after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the preparations for the toll road construction projects on Wednesday.

The toll road project is aimed at reducing congestion on Java`s highways and facilitating economic development, he had remarked.

Meanwhile, president of state toll road developer and operator PT Jasa Marga Adityawarman said if the feasibility study is completed within the expected time period and the license is granted, construction of the Jakarta-Surabaya toll road can be completed in 3 years.

"This (project) should be put on high priority to cope with the (traffic) congestion in Java. Just imagine the level of congestion if the project is postponed too long," said Adityawarman.

He said the country`s fast-growing traffic is a reflection of continuing economic development.

New road infrastructure has to be put in place to keep pace with the growing traffic, he explained.

Sources : Antara

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President Yudhoyono receives Indian PM Manmohan Singh

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Merdeka Palace here on Friday.

Prime Minister Singh accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, and his delegation arrived at the presidential palace around 3.30 pm and were accorded a state welcome.

The two heads of government and their delegations held bilateral talks before cooperation agreements in various fields were signed.

The Indian delegation included Trade and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, Foreign Minister Salman Khursid, Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh and several other government officials and business leaders.

The Indonesian delegation included Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for Security, Political and Legal Affairs Djoko Suyanto and Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono. The meeting was also attended by several cabinet ministers and other government officials.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Singh had laid a wreath at the Kalibata Heroes` Cemetery. He is scheduled to leave Indonesia on Saturday morning.

Sources

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Jokowi gives priority to procurement of 4,000 passenger buses

Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi said the city administration gives priority to procurement of 4,000 buses to serve as means of mass transport to reduce congestion in the city`s streets.

"Next year we will prioritize procurement of 4,000 units of bus including 3,000 units of middle sized city bus and 1,000 large buses of Transjakarta," Joko Widodo said at the City Hall on Friday.

Apart from bus procurement, the city will also prioritize development of 200 blocks of low cost apartments.

The low cost apartment project, however, has yet to be approved by the city council, Jokowi said.

In almost a year as governor of the capital city, Jokowi said he was not satisfied with the progress made so far in resolving the problems in Jakarta.

Jakarta has a host of problems , he said, adding as for how far the progress has been made let the people themselves evaluate .

He said there are a number of factors that serve to hamper efforts to cope with the problems such as the launch of low cost cars.

"That, however, is a minor problem," he said referring to the traffic jams caused by the low cost cars

He has expressed opposition to the central government program of what is called low cost green cars (LCGC).

He said launching the program would add to the inconvenience caused by traffic jams, which have become a daily scene in the city`s streets.

Congestion in Jakarta streets is among the worst problems to be sorted out by the city administration.

He refused to continue polemics over LCGC, saying "what is important is to find a solution."

He said work has started on the MRT (mass rapid transit) project which is expected to reduce congestion in the city streets.

Construction of the long awaited mega project kicked off on Thursday marked with a groundbreaking ceremony after decades of delay.

"For 24 years, residents of Jakarta have been dreaming of traveling in an MRT. During the 24-years, perhaps, some had lost hope that the dream would ever come to reality. Now thank God we hope the project could be completed in 2018," he said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

He said once the MRT project is completed, the Electronic Road Pricing system would be set up in all corridors to encourage people to use mass transport systems.

He said the regulation would be imposed alternating cars with odd and even plate numbers allowed to operate in the city to ease street congestion in the city.

Higher parking fees would be imposed to discourage travelers from using private cars, he added.

The first phase of the MRT project would be between Lebak Bulus and Hotel Indonesia roundabout, including a 9.8-kilometer-long elevated road and a 5.9-kilometer subway.

When asked about his programs already running the populist governor cited Jakarta Healthcare, Jakarta Smart card and Online tax.

Reform in the city bureaucracy, however, is still in the process, he added.

Sources

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