Tourism and Culture Information

Villagers Give Back 2.150 Majapahit Ancient Bricks

2011-05-09T04:16:00.000-07:00

Mojokerto, East Java - Klinterejo villagers in Mojokerto yesterday returned at least 2.150 bricks originating from the ancient Majapahit Kingdom. The bricks were put back to where they were initially found.

According to Klinterejo village chief, Zainal Abidin, the villagers found the 20 x 35 centimetre bricks four years ago when they dug the village land. Since then, the land has been rented out for brick production.

Besides preserving the ancient bricks, around 20 Klinterejo villagers yesterday dug out more bricks in two locations just 150 meters away. In the three-hectare area where the Majapahit site is located, delicately sculptured old bricks forming a one-meter gate were found.

Besides the bricks, the villagers recently found at least eight ancient stone statues in the village bordering the Trowulan sub district. Zainal said there are still 7.000 more bricks that have not been returned by the villagers, 6.000 of which belong to the Roudlotul Ulum Islamic Boarding School.

While awaiting the arrival of the Yogyakarta National Archeological Research and Development Center experts to conduct a research, the ancient stones are stored at the Bre Kahuripan Site, locating only 100 meter from where the bricks were found.

An official from East Java Antiquities and Relics Conservation Agency (BP3), Aris Sovyani, said the government, through the BP3, will lease the land required for the research at Klinterejo. “Based on the recommendations of State Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, we will lease the area so the findings can be preserved,” Aris said, contacted by Tempo.

Aris also said that BP3 officials will start measuring the land area tomorrow.

Source: TempoInteractive.com

National Heritage Board Revamps Heritage Website

2011-05-09T03:51:00.000-07:00

Singapore - The National Heritage Board (NHB) has revamped its heritage site, Yesterday.sg, to widen its appeal online among Singaporeans through social media.

Developed by local interactive shop Convertium, the revamped Yesterday.sg is designed like a time machine with visual elements to signify a convergence of the past, present and future.

Convertium also customised the WordPress publishing platform of the site to enable various interactive and collaborative features for a more compelling user experience.

Originally started in March 2006 as the city-state‘s first heritage and museum blog, Yesterday.sg currently attracts 15,000 unique visitors per month and touts itself as a dynamic social media portal that encapsulates Singapore‘s unique heritage and culture while functioning as a one-stop platform for citizen-centric heritage and museum content.

Michael Koh, CEO of NHB, explained: “As a pioneer in social media, Yesterday.sg has achieved success in engaging the web-savvy young. Heritage and museums are no longer viewed as old and fuddy-duddy.”

“The repositioning of Yesterday.sg into a social media platform creates fresh opportunities for Singaporeans to participate in heritage by sharing stories, photos, videos and other content with us. With its enhanced interactive features, Yesterday.sg will also serve as a launch pad for our other social media initiatives. Through this, we hope to reach an even wider segment of the population.”

Source: BrandRepublic.asia

Batak Concert To Fuse The Tribal And The Modern

2011-05-09T03:44:00.000-07:00

Medan, North Sumatra - With current Indonesian music venues and stages mostly dominated by similar forms of pop culture, whether Indonesian or Western, it is always a pleasant surprise to have a traditional form of music performed live by one of the country’s best-known tribes.

Mixing different music genres in a contemporary concept, the Batak Music for the World foundation has organized “Batak Music in Harmony,” an event scheduled for Thursday, which aims to remind Indonesian listeners about their rich traditional music.

Batak is a collective term used to describe an indigenous people, language and culture found in the northern part of Sumatra Island.

The Batak, one of hundreds of Indonesian tribes, are easily recognized from such family names as Siregar, Siahaan and Sembiring, and are often described as firm and expressive.

“We want Indonesians to be proud of their own cultures, and expats to know more about Indonesian music,” said Indra Jaya Sihombing, the event organizer and creator of the foundation.

“Indonesian traditional music is fighting for existence these days. It is usually only performed and consumed in their local areas,” he said.

“Even Batak young generations who are born and raised in Jakarta are not familiar with their own music these days.”

Batak are well-known for their ability to play the guitar and sing, not just in cultural ceremonies but also in public performances.

“The capability to sing and play various kinds of instruments is in our bloodline, that is why it’s a shame if the music is only played locally,” Indra said. “We want the world to know what Batak music is, just like they recognize Latin music.”

Indra is optimistic that this is already beginning to happen, adding that Batak singers have been taking their music to the world since the 1960s.

The specific rhythm of Batak music, called tor-tor, comes from a group of traditional musical instruments consisting of gongs, zithers and flutes.

On Thursday, they feature alongside more modern instruments and performances by international artists, including Mauro Goia, a keyboard player from Italy. “I have toured around the world and come across various kinds of traditional music, and I have been fascinated with Batak music since I was introduced to it six years ago,” Goia said at a press conference after performing a classic piece with singer Mega Sihombing.

“I am amazed by it’s rhythm, vitality and melody. Music is a universal language and it’s just fascinating when you combine a European style of music with a traditional kind like Batak,” he said.

The three hour–long concert will include Batak music of various kinds, ranging from the more classic styles to jazz.

Prominent musicians, such as Idang Rasjidi, one of Indonesia’s jazz legends, will accompany a young generation of Batak singers, including Mega Sihombing and Lea Simanjuntak.

“To all music lovers out there, we welcome you all,” Indra said.

“Please come to enjoy a concert that you might not even imagine before and be surprised.”

Concert Details
What
“Batak Music in Harmony”: A Contemporary Batak Music Concert
When
Thursday, Feb. 12, starts at 7 p.m.
Where
The Sanctuary Function Hall, Menara Kuningan UNIT F3, Jl. HR. Rasuna Said Blok X-7 Kav.5, South Jakarta
Who's performing?
Musicians: Idang Rasjidi, Harry Anggoman, Mauro Goia [Italian keyboardist], Yeppy “Romero” Pangaribuan, Korem Sihombing, Tribiswara A’capella
Singers: Victor Hutabarat, Jack Marpaung, Mega Sihombing, Lea Simanjuntak, Dewi Marpaung, Tongam Sirait.
Tickets
VIP = Rp 850,000 ($73)
Regular = Between Rp 150,000 and
Rp 500,000
Contact
Brief Communications: Tel 021 799 0180
DetikCom: Tel 021 794 1177

Source: TheJakartaGlobe.com

Tales On Local Heroes Sought

2011-05-09T03:40:00.000-07:00

Kuantan- Tales of local warriors and great personalities should be written or produced in a more youth-friendly manner to appeal to the younger generation.

“There is a lot to learn from the exploits of people who fought to uphold their rights and free the country from colonial clutches but most of the books currently available are too heavy-going and academic.

“There is a need for lighter reading material on these personalities so that young Malaysians are able to appreciate and understand their struggles,” said Sultan Abu Bakar Museum director Ahmad Farid Abdul Jalal.

“This is important as it gives them an introduction to the country’s history,” he said after the opening of a forum on local warrior Mat Kilau, organised by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia here recently.

He said such tales could also be told using modern technology such as audio visual equipment and other high-tech communication tools since the youngsters were well-versed with information technology.

“It comes at no better time than now with the latest development unravelling in the country today.”

In his speech earlier, Ahmad Farid said the stories and adventures of many local warriors were slowly being replaced by cartoon characters such as Doraemon.

It was high time a new and refreshing approach be introduced so the young could learn from the contributions of these warriors, he said.

Ahmad Farid added that Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar had expressed her support for projects such as research work on Mat Kilau.

Source: TheStar.com.my (February 10th, 2009)

Thai FM To Visit Philippines, Indonesia

2011-05-09T02:56:00.000-07:00

Bangkok- Thailand‘s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya will officially visit the Philippines and Indonesia next week to strengthen bilateral relations, his first visit since assuming his post in December.

The Rohingya migrant issue is high on the agenda for his talks in Jakarta, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of East Asian Affairs deputy director-general Medha Promthep, who said both trips would be introductory visits to reinforce bilateral relations as the three countries are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional grouping.

Mr. Mehta said the foreign minister was scheduled to visit Indonesia February 10-12.

During the visit, he expected to discuss various issues including insurgent problems in Thailand‘s southern border provinces, fisheries in Indonesian waters and the Rohingya migrant issue.

The director-general said Indonesian government well understands the Thai government‘s stance to use peaceful means to resolve the violence in the predominantly Malay Muslim southern provinces.

Mr. Kasit is expected to exchange views with senior Indonesian officials, and will meet the leaders of the largest Muslim organisation in Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population.

Fisheries were also on the table for talks as Indonesia had recently applied more strict measures against Thai trawlers fishing in its waters.

Mr. Kasit will carry back the results of the talks, when he returns to Bangkok, to discuss with government and the private sector involved in fisheries to explore ways to adjust the industry.

The Rohingya migrant problems are high on the agenda during the minister‘s visit to Indonesia, he said.

Foreign media earlier quoted Indonesian navy officials as saying that about 200 men from the minority Muslim Rohingya group were found in a boat off northern Sumatra on Monday, saying they had spent three weeks at sea after the Thai armed forces cast them adrift.

However, the Thai government on Wednesday denied the new allegations of mistreatment towards the boat people from Myanmar.

Mr. Medha said the problem was not that of any one country alone, but was regional and required cooperation from all the countries affected to resolve.

Before the Indonesia trip, Mr. Kasit was scheduled to visit the Philippines Sunday and Monday when he would discuss bilateral cooperation on tourism.

Thailand and the Philippines mark the 60th year anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, and the ministers will discuss joint activities to celebrate the special occasion.

However, Thailand‘s insurgent problem in the southern provincse and possible rice sales will also included in the agenda, he said.

Source : Mathaba.net (February 9th, 2009)

Giant Flag Hoisted To Mark Celebrations National Day

2011-05-09T02:26:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begwan - The giant flag was hoisted yesterday to mark the Brunei Darussalam Silver Jubilee National Day 2009 celebrations held in the vicinity of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah business complex.

The guest of honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Awg Ahmad bin Hj Jumat, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, who also handed over the national flags and posters to four district officers.

In his speech Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said, "We are already independent for 25 years, and the nation and citizens are already mature. This is in accordance to the Silver Jubilee National Day 2009 theme "Kedewasaan Bernegara". The theme is the manifestation of our maturity on every aspect.

"As usual the National Day Celebration will begin with the giant flag hoisting as a message to the nation on the history of the National Day. The Brunei National Flag is a matter of pride and honour as it symbolises our dignity and instils the spirit of patriotism.

"All residents and people of Brunei Darussalam should have a positive attitude, high spirit of patriotism in hoisting our National Flag either in kampong or mukim, housing or business establishments nationwide," the guest of honour added.

The gigantic flag, which measures 24 by 12 feet, was hoisted by 30 navy personnel led by Major Bahrin accompanied by 30 army cadets.

The event was also highlighted by the patriotic song performed by the choir group comprising 50 students from SOAS College and STPRI and 60 personnel from the Royal Brunei Police Band.

Some 500 youth from the youth associations under the National Youth Council and Women`s Council also participated in the event.

Also present were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam istana Pg Hj Alauddin bin Pg Paduka Tuan. Pg Hj Abu Bakar, Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Hj Awg Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Hj Awg Umar, and Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin bin Pg Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman, as well as members of the Royal and State Legislative Council, permanent secretaries, district officers, penghulu-penghulu and ketua-ketua kampong and other senior officers.

Source: Brudirect.com

Sepang Gold Coast A Gold Mine For Tourism

2011-05-09T02:21:00.000-07:00

Sepang, Malaysia - Given its strategic location, the Sepang Gold Coast has all the advantages to become an iconic landmark of resort living that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said it was just a fishing village fronting the Straits of Malacca but its developer saw its potential to be a tourist attraction.

“I must commend the foresight of the developer for choosing this location.

“I believe the Sepang Gold Coast will eventually become a renowned tourist destination,” he said at the media appreciation night organised by Sepang Gold Coast and Malaysia Airlines in Sepang on Wednesday.

In his speech, Sepang Gold Coast Sdn Bhd president Ho Hock Seng said Sepang Gold Coast was designated by the Selangor government as a key and strategic component of a new Klang Valley.

“In response to the growing congestion in the Klang Valley, the Selangor government has drawn up plans to transform this southern area into the second Klang Valley,” Ho said.

He said the company`s vision was to transform the coastal region into an eco-friendly international destination embracing the rich culture of a global village.

Also present at the event were Malaysia Airlines managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala and The Star group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.

Source: TheStar.com.my

Indonesia Calls On Asean Cooperation To Address Boat People Problem

2011-05-09T02:16:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Indonesia has called on Asean countries to work together to address the problem of boat people, which in the last two months has had Indonesia providing refuge for 391 boat people believed to be Rohingyas from Myanmar.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said the boat people landed in groups on islands near Aceh and were given temporary refuge, while some received treatment at the hospitals.

In light of this, he urged their country or countries of origin to address the factors that made these people flee their country in boats to seek asylum in other countries.

"The measures should include putting an end to human rights abuses against minorities, while the boat people must not be physically harmed when on transit in another country or chased out to sea," he told a press conference, here, Friday.

He said the problem of boat people seeking asylum would indeed burden other countries in the Asean grouping.

Hassan said all the Asean countries were bound by the Asean Charter which became effective on Dec 15 last year, and the principles of the charter included upholding international law with respect to human rights, social justice and multilateral trade, besides emphasizing regional cooperation.

Other than urging all the Asean member states to find a solution to the Rohingya refugee problem, Hassan said the Indonesian government was also undertaking other diplomatic measures by increasing cooperation with international organisations like the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and International Committee of the Red Cross.

"The Indonesian government is consistently looking at the problem as an international problem, and resolving it should involve the participation of the refugees‘ country of origin, the transit countries and receiving countries," he said.

He added that Indonesia was trying to get the ministerial meeting, known as the Bali Process, to be brought forward to discuss the issue of human trafficking. The meeting has been scheduled for June.

Hassan also announced that US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was scheduled to visit Indonesia from Feb 18 to 19 and meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss improving bilateral relations.

Clinton‘s first official visit to the region will also include Japan, South Korea and China.

Source: Bernama.com

Malay Language Classes Launched

2011-05-05T03:08:00.000-07:00

Karachi - The Consulate General of Malaysia, in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Pakistan (NYCOP), launched “Basic Malay Language Classes” at the National Bank of Pakistan Staff College on Friday.

Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, Sindh Information Minister Shazia Mari said that the present government was keen to bring countries and nations together, and promote regional understanding.

“Pakistan thoroughly appreciates the way Malaysia has progressed and has met its economic goals over the past decades,” she said. “Pakistan will continue to understand the culture of Malaysia and expects the same from Malaysia as well since Pakistan also possess a rich culture and heritage that needs to be shared with other countries.”

Malaysian Consul General Muhammad Khalid Abdul Razak said that learning a foreign language was a key element of cross culture communication. He quoted a popular saying in Malaysia — “Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa” (Language is the soul or spirit of a nation) and “Hilang Bahasa Lenyaplah Bangsa” (Lose the language, lose the nation). “It is beneficial for students to become bilingual or multilingual and learning a foreign language can be a very rewarding experience,” he said.

NYCOP Central President Shuja Ullah Khan also spoke.

Source: TheNews.com.pk

Local Cartographers Finally Put Indonesia On The World Map

2011-05-05T02:58:00.000-07:00

Jakarta, Indonesia - After more than 70 years of relying on Dutch cartographers, Indonesia on Thursday finally issued its first official national atlas based on its own research.

Published by the National Coordinating Agency for Surveys and Mapping, or Bakosurtanal, and titled the National Atlas of Indonesia, or Atlas Nasional Indonesia, the atlas took about two years to compile and received input from several ministries and prominent state universities, said Rudolf W. Matindas, the agency`s head.

The atlas cost Rp 2 billion ($122,000) to produce.

“Yes, we took our time getting it out, hence the name `At Last,`?” Kusmayanto Kadiman, State Minister for Research and Technology, said.

Rudolf said that Indonesia had never published its own state map before. Instead, he said the nation had relied on maps made by the Dutch in 1938. He said the Dutch maps had never been revised. He said the maps currently in use were drawn from the Dutch maps with amendments make by foreign experts.

He said that the agency had planned to come out with a new atlas before but that changes had taken place so rapidly that the work had to be continually revised and updated.

Rudolf said that research included a study of Indonesian borders with neighboring countries, which he said had been delineated in compliance with international laws so that they would not give rise to border disputes.

“This is our first edition, the second and the third will follow in the near future, each with a different focus,” he said.

The atlas is a compilation of thematic maps, images, narration, and factual information relating to Indonesia and its natural resources.

The atlas is almost the size of a broadsheet newspaper and has 160 pages.

The agency will distribute the first 800 copies to government ministries, while a number will go to the private sector.

The 1:250,000-scale map is also available on CD, while a digital version will soon be available over the Internet, Kusmayanto said.

The first atlas has information on climate, geology, volcanoes, the coast, geomorphology, disaster-prone areas, land cover, wetlands and conservation.

The second edition, scheduled to come out in 2011, will focus on the nation`s resources. While the third, planned for 2013, will have information on history, ethnic groups, languages and culture.

Dorojatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, a senior lecturer at the University of Indonesia, said during the launch that knowledge of geography was essential when discussing geostrategies, geopolitics and geo-economics.

“A natural resources map is fine. But we need to also have maps on human resources and man-made resources,” he said.

Kusmayanto said that detailed maps, if accompanied with additional information, help a government to more fully exploit its country`s natural resources.

However, he said many Indonesians were poor map readers.

He said the agency should therefore work with the Ministry of National Education to introduce the map to educational institutions.

“They should introduce it to our students at schools,” he said.

“The current form is probably too hard for students, we will think of ways to make it more intelligible for them.”

Source: TheJakartaGlobe.com

Bali`s Ancient History At 10 Cents A Brick

2011-05-05T02:50:00.000-07:00

Gianyar, Bali - A second stone sarcophagus was found Saturday just 7 meters from an earlier sarcophagus discovered less than three weeks ago at a Keramas brickmaking site.

This second sarcophagus has led some archeologists to suggest the site may once have been the burial ground of ancient chieftains. A human skull and leg bones were also discovered, and may form part of a chieftain`s burial retinue.

The small egg-shaped sarcophagus found Saturday by brickmaker Muksin Riadi may be the coffin of a child. The stone coffin is believed to be between 2,000 and 2,500 years old.

Ironically, the head of the Bali Archeology Agency, Wayan Suantika, says this latest find increases his agency`s belief that the Keramas site is of low archeological significance.

"The site at this stage is not considered of high significance. We have only uncovered two sarcophagi to date and there is little material, such as prehistoric pottery and ceramics, when compared to sites such as Gilimanuk. There we see meter-thick strata of pottery," Suantika says.

The two sarcophagi were unearthed by brickmakers within 20 days of each other.

Suantika adds there is at this stage little evidence of long-term habitation at the site, known in ancient times as Abang, according to local villagers.

"People may have settled here for only a short time and then moved on," Suantika says.

However, without funded research, how long the area was used by ancient peoples remains unknown.

The ground is littered with prehistoric pottery, 11th-century Song Dynasty ceramic shards and later shards from the Ming Dynasty.

Some archeologists suggest these shards represent more than 35 centuries of human activity.

The pottery and ceramics are unearthed daily by brickmakers at Keramas, broken by hoes used to carve out clay. Song Dynasty bowls sell today for between US$5,000 and $10,000. Bricks sell for 10 cents.

Hundreds of simple stone sarcophagi have been unearthed across Bali, and only a handful bear intricate carvings - it is the sheer volume of unadorned sarcophagi that render them of low significance.

That viewpoint and lack of funding may be to blame for the shattering of the earlier sarcophagus at the Keramas site, which, while slightly damaged on discovery, was all but destroyed during removal and transportation.

Transporters attempted to open the sarcophagus with an iron crowbar, causing the sarcophagus to shatter into several pieces. Due to the workers` lack of archeological knowledge, the site was not examined for bones or other artifacts that may have given a clue as to how the ancient ruler lived and died. A skull and leg bones were unearthed a few days later by a brickmaker and set aside in a bucket for safety.

Substantially more care was taken the second time around, with archeologists from a conservation team excavating the new sarcophagus site almost grain by grain to safely extract the intact coffin.

Ngurah, from the Bali Conservation Museum, explains that the earlier sarcophagus was removed by local people without training in handling priceless artifacts. He blames a shortage of funding for the way the earlier sarcophagus had been removed to the conservation museum.

"The first sarcophagus was removed by local people. Now we have taken over the site to safely remove this second sarcophagus," he says.

The Bali Antiquities Museum, headed by I Made Suantra, has more than 200 staff across Bali and the East Nusa Tenggara.

Udayana University archeologist Agung Rochtri disagrees with Suantika`s take on the significance of the Keramas site, pointing to the volume of pottery and ceramics potentially dating across more than 3500 years.

"I feel the pottery and ceramics are good evidence of long-term human habitation at this site. From the quantity and quality of pottery here, I believe this is a quality archeological site. There is a greater volume of pottery and ceramics at the Gilimanuk site; however, that site has fewer sarcophagi than here," Rochtri says.

"I certainly believe the site should be protected and research undertaken. From the placement of this graveyard on high ground I believe this was an important burial site. Heads of villages were buried on high ground so this gives us an indication of their role."

He adds it is most likely the sarcophagi were buried at the Keramas site.

Other archeologists have suggested the sarcophagi may have been washed to the site during landslides, further adding to the site`s low-significance status.

"Looking at the terrain here, I feel this is the original burial site," Rochtri says.

Discussing the discovery of the skull and bones, Rochtri is adamant.

"This is not right. Everything found on the site needs to be documented and protected," he says, stressing the urgent need for the Keramas site to be secured for archeological investigation.

However, Rochtri`s hands are tied through a lack of funding, as are those of the Bali Archeology Agency.

"Udayana University has no government funding for research. If funding comes up, it will be too late," he says.

Without research, no one will ever know how old these sarcophagi are, how large the ancient village was and for how many centuries people lived and worked in this area. This knowledge will instead be baked into bricks sold at 10 cents apiece.

Source: TheJakartaPost.com

Balinese Authors Get Rancage Literary Awards

2011-05-05T02:44:00.000-07:00

Denpasar, Bali -Veteran Balinese literary figures Nyoman Tusthi Eddy and Nengah Tinggen have been presented with the 2009 Rancage Literary Awards for their great contributions in preserving and developing literary works written in the Balinese language.

Initiated by veteran writer Ajip Rosidi, the Rancage awards was first given to writers, poets and novelists who produced literary pieces in the Sundanese language. From l997, the awards were extended to include individuals who produced literary works in their mother languages, including Javanese and Balinese.

Nyoman Tusthi Eddy accepted the award for his extraordinary poetry anthology Somah (Husband and Wife).

In the Javanese language category, the awards went to Atas S. Danusubroto for his work Trah, and also to Sunarko Budiman.

The award for the Sundanese language category went to Etty R.S. with her work Serat Paninengan (The Letter of Memory).

"We have been giving the awards to prominent figures in the national literary scene, and I was so grateful that we have abundant media coverage," Rosidi said during the recent ceremony.

However, he expressed disappointed with the lack of attention from both central and regional governments in keeping local languages alive.

"Local literature is not regarded as promising business for many publishing companies," said Rosidi, chairman of the Rancage Foundation. For the Balinese literary world, the awards mean great appreciation of local wisdom.

Darma Putra, one of the jurors, said the development of Balinese literature was quite promising now in terms of quality and quantity.

"We are going through a slight improvement. In previous years, there were only a few books written in the Balinese language," he said, adding that in 2007, there were only four books published, increasing to nine in 2008.

Award winner Tusthi Eddy is a writer and a teacher living in Karang Asem regency in eastern Bali. In his prizewinning anthology Somah, Eddy picks up different themes outside the mainstream local ones of culture and nature. He writes about various topics, including shops, markets, telephones, movie stars, hospitals and other trivial things rarely exposed in mainstream Balinese literature.

"These subjects have become a strong magnet in his work. All of the topics are daily activities transforming the old and sophisticated Balinese literature into a more down-to-earth and easy-to read pieces," Darma Putra explained.

The other award winner, Nengah Tinggen, has been meticulously arranging a book on Balinese letters since l971. He has published around 40 titles on Balinese language and literature. Tinggen‘s works are now used at schools and universities. He lectures at the Teacher‘s College and at the Hindu Institute in Singaraja, northern Bali.

Both Tusthi and Tinggen are considered pioneers in the Balinese literary map. They have encouraged younger artists to follow their paths.

"It is encouraging to know that a lot of women writers from Bali have actively produced literary pieces with different perspectives," Darma Putra said. - JP/Luh De Suriyani

Source: TheJakartaPost.com

Learning About Indonesia Miles Away From Home

2011-05-05T01:05:00.000-07:00

Sabah - Indonesian primary school students in Sabah, Malaysia, can now sing their national anthem, “Indonesia Raya,” before class.

“This is our way of introducing Indonesia as a beloved mother country to these children,” said Dadang Hermawan, principal of Kota Kinabalu Indonesian School, or SIKK, in Sabah on Borneo Island.

These students are the children of Indonesian migrant workers who moved to Malaysia to work on oil palm plantations and in households as domestic staff.

Around 80 percent of the students at SIKK were born in Sabah, and many have little knowledge of the land of their parents.

These children are more fortunate than others. Thousands of children of migrant workers, some from the Philippines, have no access to education, which is free for local Malaysian children and Indonesian children back home.

According to the Indonesian Consulate in Kota Kinabalu, there were 24,199 children of migrant workers in Sabah in 2006 and that number is expected to grow.

“It is not true that children of migrant workers cannot study at Malaysian schools,” said Imran Hanafi, the education attache of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. “They cannot study in public schools because of subsidy issues. Foreign children should study in international or private schools. The problem is that their parents are low-income earners and cannot afford those schools.”

Malaysian immigration regulations prohibit foreign workers from bringing their spouses and children to the country. They are also prohibited from marrying in Malaysia, according to Imran.
However, some employers of migrant workers turn a blind eye to workers who do bring their families with them.

“When employers allow workers to have their families by their sides, they show better job loyalty,” said Umbara Setiawan, a counselor at the Indonesian Consulate.

“Spouses and children can also work to increase family income. Children who do not go to school can work on the plantations, increasing income and making use of available time,” Umbara said.

White-collar expatriates, however, are allowed to marry and bring their families to Malaysia.

Syaheddrul Joddarim, the human resources manager of the Sabah Land Development Board, said: “We have male and female workers, and while we always prohibit them from marrying, we cannot prohibit love. Illegal marriages occur all the time on plantations, and people have children here,” he said.

Seeing other workers married with children in Malaysia encourages workers to start new families in Sabah, Syaheddrul said.

The Indonesian and Malaysian governments and Humana, a European-based nongovernmental organization, have provided informal schooling for the children of migrant workers for years.

In December 2008, the Indonesian government furthered that effort by establishing SIKK for Indonesian children, where 274 children are now schooled.

According to the consulate, there are 576 children who want to study at SIKK, but after evaluation and selection, only 274 were found eligible to enrol.

Children aged 11 or older who cannot read are ineligible for attending the school. “Unfortunately, we cannot accept them,” Dadang said.

Children of migrant workers are taught to read, write and count, although there are no class levels. The Malaysian government asks plantation owners to provide an informal school building for the children.

Indonesia has sent 109 teachers to work in Malaysia since 2007.

SIKK has six classrooms in the Alam Mesra shopping complex at Kota Kinabalu and has a capacity of 326 students. There are only three teachers currently and the principal, who also teaches. “In the near future, four additional teachers will come here from Indonesia,” Dadang said.

All SIKK students are provided with red and white uniforms and school books.

“They are very enthusiastic. They leave their homes at five in the morning to get here by six, even though class starts at seven,” Dadan g said.

Edijatmiko from Malang, East Java Province, is pleased that his children can attend the informal school in Kota Kinabalu.

Nabila, a grade one SIKK student, said: “My friends are happy with the red and white uniform, because it is the uniform of Indonesian schools.

“I also know the Indonesia Raya and Garuda Pancasila [nationalist] songs now.”

Source: TheJakartaGlobe.com

Bali Archeologists Discover Another Sarcophagus

2011-05-05T00:57:00.000-07:00

Denpasar - The Bali Archeology Agency has discovered another sarcophagus when evacuating a stone coffin found in Subak Abang, Keramas village, Gianyar regency.

"The third sarchophagus found this year is located in the same location of the sarchophagus found on February 1, and predicted to be 2,500 to 3,000 years old," chief of the agency Wayan Suantika said here on Wednesday.

On January 12, a similar object was discovered seven km north of the site of the recent discovery. The latest find is the third sarcophagus in 2009, and the 13th since 1978.

The tens of sarcophagus found in Keramas were estimated to be 2,500 to 3,000 years old. Keramas was a village in Bali, Suantika said.

Source: Antara.co.id

S. Lanka Vows To Enhance Ties With RI

2011-05-05T00:52:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Despite being caught up in a war at home, Sri Lanka has shown a strong commitment in recent years to build an enhanced and deepened partnership with Indonesia, Southeast Asia‘s largest economy, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Indonesia Maj. Gen. (ret) Nanda Mallawaarachchi said.

"We have had excellent relations with Indonesia since our independence. Besides enhancing economic ties, we would like to have a strong relationship in defense, political and cultural fields," Ambassador Mallawaarachchi told The Jakarta Post in an interview at his office Monday.

Sri Lanka gained its independence on Feb. 4, 1948, from Britain.

Both Sri Lanka and Indonesia, Mallawaarachchi said, were coorganizers of the Bandung Conference in 1955 and founders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and shared the common aspirations and hopes of NAM.

In recent times, Sri Lankan leaders have shown a greater interest in Indonesia. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama attended the launch of the Bali Democracy Forum in De-cember 2008 and met with President Susilo Bambang Yudho-yono.

"Our participation in the Bali forum is a clear sign that our friendship is growing," Mallawaarachchi, a soft-spoken veteran general, said.

During his visit, Bogollagama extended an invitation from Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to President Yudhoyono to visit Sri Lanka.

Both countries had earlier signed an agreement in New York in 2008 to host the Joint Commission Meeting in Colombo in the first half of this year to strengthen cooperation be-tween the two countries, Mallawaarachchi said.

"It will be our first-ever joint-commission meeting. Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda will attend this meeting in Colombo. This meeting will really boost our relations fur-ther," he said.

In January 2008, Sri Lanka‘s Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapakse, who is leading the ongoing onslaught at home against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, visited Indonesia to enhance military ties.

"That visit further cemented our bilateral defense cooperation," Mallawaarachchi said.

During his visit, Rajapakse, who is also the brother of President Mahinde Rajapakse and de-facto defense minister, met with several Indonesian ministers and military chiefs.

"We are very happy about our growing defense ties with Indonesia. The Indonesian Military‘s three services have agreed to provide training to our officers at their defense institu-tions. Both countries are committed to combat terrorism," Mallawaarachchi said.

"Lanka and Indonesia will soon sign an agreement on combating terrorism."

On the economic front, both countries have been trying to boost bilateral trade.

"In the last five years, our trade has doubled. Several Sri Lankan business delegations visited Indonesia to look for business opportunities," Mallawaarachchi said.

Bilateral trade surged to US$456.59 million in 2007, a huge jump from $187.75 million in 2003. It reached $300 million in the first nine months of 2008, an 8.5 percent decrease from $327.20 million over the same period in 2007.

"The trade balance is heavily in favor of Indonesia. We buy palm oil, furniture and other goods from Indonesia. Our exports to Indonesia are very small. But interestingly, we have been receiving a lot of inquiries about investing in Sri Lanka from Indonesian businesspeople" Mallawaarachchi said.

The ambassador said Sri Lanka‘s national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines would soon resume flights to Indonesia.

"There will be a greater country-to-country connectivity; that‘s a great achievement," he said.

Sri Lankan Airlines, which won the Sri Lanka‘s Airline of the Year award Monday, used to fly to Jakarta under the name of Air Lanka from Colombo in the 1990s.

Also this year, the Sri Lankan government has been preparing to establish a honorary consulate in Bali.

Mallawaarachchi said he had another plan to promote his country abroad.

"We are planning to invite a group of foreign ambassadors, who are based in Jakarta, to Sri Lanka so that they can see for themselves about our economic potential," he said.

Source: TheJakartaPost.com

Susilo Happy With Indonesia-Malaysia EPG

2011-05-05T00:49:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is happy with the progress done by the Indonesia-Malaysia Eminent Persons Group (EPG) which met to find ways to resolve problems and strengthen bilateral ties.

Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said Indonesian EPG chief Jen (B) Try Sutrisno who called on Susilo today reported on the intensive meetings with the Malaysian EPG.

He said the outcome of the Indonesia-Malaysia EPG meetings would be presented to the leaders of both countries.

"We are planning a bilateral meeting between Susilo and the Malaysian Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) sometime in mid March," he was quoted as saying on the president's website.

The Indonesian EPG also presented a preliminary report on several recommendations discussed including culture, history, education and economic cooperation.

Dino said one of the proposals made was for a discussion on Indonesia-Malaysia history as young people were not aware of the long history of both countries.

Problems deriving from the Indonesian workforce would also be discussed by the two EPGs as Malaysia is the largest recipient of Indonesian labour.

"Both countries will have to implement a mechanism that will effectively address the problems brought about by the Indonesian workforce," he added.

The Indonesian EPG comprised Jen (B) Try Sutrisno, Quraish Shihab, Musni Umar and Des Alwi Abubakar.

Also present at the meeting with Susilo were Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Minister cum State Secretary Hatta Rajasa. By Mohd Nasir Yusoff

Source: http://www.bernama.com (February 2, 2009)

Plan to Develop Kalimantan Border Proposed

2011-05-05T00:43:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono is urging other government departments to help shape a proposal to develop economic zones along the ecologically prized 2,000-kilometer-long border region between Malaysia and Kalimantan “as soon as possible.”

The call from the defense minister, who cites sovereignty threats from neighboring countries as one of the reasons behind the plan, is likely to cause outrage among environmentalists and seemingly flies in the face of the historic “Heart of Borneo” declaration signed by the heads of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia in 2007.

It was hoped that the declaration would lead to the conservation and sustainable management of what has been called “the most important center of biological diversity in the world,” covering approximately 220,000 square kilometers of equatorial rainforests — almost a third of the island.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting at the House of Representatives, or DPR, on Monday evening, Juwono said the ministry had already drafted a concept plan to establish economic zones along the land borders.

The draft includes plans to establish new plantations and construct new roads along the border.

The concept was presented to other ministers during a recent meeting at the Coordinating Ministry of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Juwono said.

“We have to carry it out as soon as possible, but need other ministries to cooperate with us,” Juwono said.

He said the plan would involve a huge amount of capital but added that it would be supported by local businesspeople willing to invest money in developing the border areas.

“But they would also develop the border areas to be more promising for the citizens living there,” he said.

An economic presence acted as a good marker of a country`s sovereignty along border areas and would act as a nonmilitary deterrent to any encroachment on Indonesian territory, Juwono said.
Theo L. Sambuaga, the chairman of House Defense Commission I, which oversees defense, backed the proposal, claiming on Tuesday that the government needed to address poverty along the border.

“We have to guarantee the welfare of our citizens living near borders, so they will never think to favor or move to the neighboring countries,” the lawmaker said.

In terms of the massive investment required to develop the border, Theo said the government could use the state budget allotted from the ministries of people`s welfare and public works spread throughout several ministerial plans.

“The government has allotted money for the Ministry of Education to build new schools. If it merged with the border establishment program, the school could be built there,” Theo said.

Environmental nongovernmental organization WWF said on its Web site that the 2007 declaration signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono formally ended plans to create the world`s largest palm oil plantation in Kalimantan along Indonesia`s mountainous border with Malaysia.

The scheme, supported by Chinese investment, was expected to cover an area of 1.8 million hectares and would have had long-lasting, damaging consequences to the Heart of Borneo, the site said.

“The island is home to 13 species of primates, 150 species of reptiles and amphibians, over 350 species of birds and around 15,000 species of plants, and continues to be the source of many new discoveries,” it said. Markus Junianto Sihaloho

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com (February 4, 2009)

S`pore-Indonesia boundary pact

2011-05-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

Jakarta – Indonesia and Singapore have agreed on the western segment of their maritime border after nearly four years of negotiations, officials here said.

The new borderline was drawn between Indonesia‘s Pulau Nipah and Singapore‘s Sultan Shoal, and is the first agreed upon since the two countries last signed a border pact in 1973.

Disclosing this, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that Indonesia can now further explore economic development in territories including the Batam, Bintan and Karimun islands.

‘With a clearer boundary, there would be economic expansion in Indonesia, including forging cooperation with Singapore and Malaysia,‘ he said after a Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Yesterday, buoyed by the agreement, Dr Yudhoyono used another Cabinet meeting to call for a blueprint to develop Pulau Nipah, including setting up a military post to be manned by the Indonesian navy on the island. ‘It is one of the outer islands with strategic value for our country,‘ presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng told reporters after yesterday‘s Cabinet meeting.

Pulau Nipah is located between the Indonesian islands of Batam and Karimun Besar.

In February 2004, then Indonesian president Megawati Sukarnoputri placed a marker on Pulau Nipah to reinforce Indonesia‘s claim of sovereignty.

The move was made amid nationalist sentiment in the run-up to the legislative elections that year and followed reclamation works undertaken by Singapore.

Singapore has maintained that the reclamation works were carried out entirely within its territorial waters, and that they did not alter its maritime boundaries with Indonesia.

An Indonesian Foreign Ministry official involved in the border talks, Mr Arif Havas Oegroseno, told The Straits Times agreement was reached in December, after a series of discussions that started in February 2005.

‘We achieved a breakthrough in the negotiation in Bali and the pact was finalised in Singapore,‘ said the director for treaties on political security and territorial affairs. He said Singapore agreed not to use its southern reclaimed shoreline as the basis to determine the border.

The line that forms the western segment of the boundary between both countries was finally drawn halfway between Pulau Nipah and Sultan Shoal.

Mr Arif noted that the two countries had agreed on the central segment of their territorial sea boundary in the Strait of Singapore in 1973.

‘Now we are ready to negotiate the eastern segment of our maritime boundary,‘ he said.

Discussions on this segment could not previously get under way because of Singapore‘s dispute with Malaysia over Pedra Branca.

Last year, the International Court of Justice granted Singapore sovereignty over Pedra Branca and awarded Malaysia the Middle Rocks outcrop.

The court did not make a definitive ruling on South Ledge, a rock formation in the vicinity visible only at low tide.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com (February 4, 2009)

Sultan Brunei Arrives In Sabah For Three-day Visit

2011-05-05T00:34:00.000-07:00

Kota Kinabalu - The Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here today for a three-day visit.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his wife, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha were greeted on arrival by Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah and wife, Toh Puan Dayang Masuyah Awang Japar.

Present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and his wife, Datin Seri Faridah Tussin.

His majesty later inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by 105 officers and men of the seventh battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

Shortly after, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah attended a briefing on the Sabah Development Corridor at Wisma Tun Mustapha here.

He is scheduled to visit the Royal Malaysian Navy‘s Region 2 Naval Headquarters in Teluk Sepanggar tomorrow before leaving for Sandakan.

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (February 3, 2009)

Malay scientists find `oldest in Southeast Asia` stone tools

2011-05-04T20:23:00.001-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian archaeologists have announced the discovery of stone tools they believe are more than 1.8 million years old and the earliest evidence of human ancestors in Southeast Asia.

The stone hand-axes were discovered last year in the historical site of Lenggong in northern Perak state, embedded in a type of rock formed by meteorites which was sent to a Japanese lab to be dated.

"We received news from Japan two weeks ago which said it is 1.83 million years old, so this find shows the existence of human beings there 1.83 million years ago," told archaeology team leader Mokhtar Saidin.

"This is the earliest evidence of Paleolithic culture in the Southeast Asian region," said Mokhtar from Malaysia`s University of Science, who said he believed the hand-axes were used by homo erectus, an extinct early human.

The archaeologist said that the oldest homo erectus fossil discovered in the region is from Java in Indonesia, and dated at 1.7 million years old.

Internationally, the two oldest fossils are from Georgia (1.8 million years old) and China (between 1.7 and 1.8 million years), he said.

"This new find in Malaysia is actually older than those in Georgia and China, but the difference is that what we found was the tool, and we have to continue to look for the human bones," he said.
The oldest human skeleton ever found in Malaysia is the 11,000-year old Perak man, discovered in 1991.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com (Februari 01, 2009)

Madrasahs Still Fight Reputation

2011-05-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

Mataram - The heads of Islamic boarding schools and their teachers must step up efforts to demonstrate that Islam is against terrorism, a senior religious affairs official said.

Nasaruddin Umar, director general for mass guidance on Islam at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, voiced his concerns during the opening of a meeting for Islamic boarding school teachers from across West Nusa Tenggara Province in Mataram, Lombok Island, over the weekend.

“Let us prove to the world that Islam is not supporting terrorism, especially in this province where most of its population is Muslim,” Nasaruddin told about 50 Islamic boarding school teachers.

During previous discussions with academics in the United States, he said, the activities of madrasahs, or Islamic schools, and pesantrens, or Islamic boarding schools, had often been called into question, and some people in the West even considered madrasahs to be places for terrorist training.

“That`s why our ambassadors in the West continue correcting such faulty assumptions about madrasahs and pesantrens in Indonesia,” he said. Antara

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com (Februari 01, 2009)

Malaysia conveys to MILF RP`s desire to resume talks

2011-04-28T02:36:00.000-07:00

Mindanao - Acting promptly, Malaysia has conveyed to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) the desire of the Philippine government to immediately resume the collapsed Mindanao peace process.

Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the MILF peace panel, acknowledged the communication from Malaysia, the negotiation`s sole facilitator and host of meetings.

Malaysia, however, did not set yet a date for the talks` revival, he said.

The MILF leader, who is the chairman of the Moro rebel group`s information committee, said a Malaysian official whom he did not identify informed him of the recent visit of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, new Presidential Peace Process Adviser Avelino Razon Jr., and Ryan Mark Sullivan, a director at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Seguis` group was in Malaysia from Jan. 27 to 29 and met with officials there, asking them to convey to the MILF that Manila is ready for an immediate resumption of the peace talks.

It was learned that any communication between the two peace panels must be coursed through Malaysia.

The Office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia assigned Datuk Othman Bin Abdul Razzak as the go-between.

Last year, the talks collapsed after the Supreme Court declared as "unconstitutional" an accord that would pave the way for a bigger ancestral homeland for the Bangsamoro people.

As this developed, disgruntled MILF commanders Ameril Umbra Kato and Abdullah "Bravo" Macapaar raided Christian communities in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte, prompting the President to order an all-out offensive.

Since June 2001, with the resumption of formal talks in Tripoli, Libya, Malaysia has been facilitating the talks, spending hundreds of millions of pesos for its contingent in the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao since 2004.

The peace process, which former President Fidel V. Ramos started on Jan. 7, 1997, has been an on-and-off affair.

But when movie actor Joseph Estrada became the president, he waged an all-out war against the MILF.

Then Vice President Gloria Arroyo then replaced Estrada on Jan. 20, 2001, and scuttled her predecessor`s all-out war policy with her all-out peace policy.

But President Arroyo later launched her all-out war against the MILF on Feb. 11, 2003, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) attacking Buliok Complex, the MILF`s second stronghold after the fallen Camp Abubakar As-Siddique, on Eid`l Adha, Islam`s second major festival.

The late MILF chairman, Ustadhz Salamat Hashim, was delivering a sermon for the Eid`l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) early morning prayers when the military`s onslaught started.

Hashim barely escaped death as bombs fell all around. He died of a lingering illness on July 13, 2003.

Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim took the place of Hashim and the MILF founder`s peace negotiation with the government.

Meanwhile, Iqbal lauded the Japanese Government for its continuing assistance to the Mindanao peace process and the region`s development.

"We are particularly indebted to Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura and the rest of his embassy staff particularly Political Minister Nakayama for helping make this aid possible," said Iqbal, referring to Japan`s new emergency food aid totaling 860 million Yen.

Japan will provide 7,500 metric tons of rice for the Mindanao evacuees through the World Food Programme (WFP) headed in the Philippines by country representative Stephen Anderson.

The MILF chief negotiator also welcomed the Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah`s plan to strengthen his country`s participation in the peace process through the team of foreign monitors.

"We appreciate the Brunei Sultan`s assistance to the peace process," said Iqbal, who also noted the open letter of 190 Muslim religious leaders to United States President Barack Obama.

"This is a welcome development. We need everyone`s help to realize peace and stability in Mindanao," said Iqbal, in reaction to the letter appeal of the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines (NUCP) to President Obama for help move the negotiation forward.

"The Muslims are not your enemy," the NUCP officials and members in response to the new American President`s inaugural statement that America is not an enemy of the Muslim world. By EDD K. USMAN

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph (Februari 02, 2009)

Macma To Build First Mosque With Chinese Architecture

2011-04-28T02:30:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - The Federal Territories Islamic Council has pledged RM1 million for the construction of Malaysia`s first Chinese architectural mosque.

Minister in the Prime Minister`s Department Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi today told reporters that the government had approved a proposal made by the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association (Macma).

"The mosque with Chinese architecture was approved and Macma`s initiative welcomed. Apart from the RM1 million, we will contribute a "dollar for dollar" for the sum collected by Macma.

"The mosque to be build in Selayang over an area of nine hectares would accommodate 1,000 and cost about RM15 million," said Zahid after launching a Chinese New Year Celebration organised by Muslim NGOs at a mosque here today.

Zahid said Macma would also use the mosque as a tourist destination, religious centre and religious studies.

According to Zahid, the celebration which was held within the confines of Al-Mukhsinin Mosque in Taman Desa, was the first of its kind in the country and Macma should be lauded for its efforts to bring different ethnicities and religions together.

"This should also be a role played by mosques. We should not shut the door for non muslims. If we want to celebrate Deepavali or any other festival in a mosque, it should be welcomed as long as it is not for religious purposes," said Zahid.

Zahid also reminded politicians to keep politics within the confines of the Parliament and the State Assembly and to build camaraderie among each other outside the halls of power.

"Although Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was not scheduled to speak today, I asked the chairman of the celebration to invite her and give a speech. Our difference in politics is in the Parliament and State Assembly, here we are friends," he said.

During his speech, Zahid also enlightened the crowd by teasing Teresa, who is still single, to get married to a Malay man, referring to history whereby Admiral Cheng Ho of China brought Princess Hang Li Po to marry the Sultan of Melaka.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (Februari 01, 2009)

Pattani Malays marking 150-year bond to land

2011-04-28T02:23:00.000-07:00

Pattani - BATU Kurau, a small Perak town at the foot of the undulating Titiwangsa Range, is certainly no match for its more prestigious and historically-rich neighbour Taiping, about 20km to the south.

But, for the Pattani Malay folk, Batu Kurau is their homeland in this country.

From a number of about 100 when they arrived to found the town in 1859 under the leadership of Tok Amar Wan Kasa, the son of Raja Hulubalang Pattani, the community has grown to more than 25,000 today.

Wan Kasa, a contemporary of Larut chieftain Long Jaafar, became the first penghulu of Batu Kurau, serving from 1859 to 1867. He died at 70.

Making up more than 70 per cent of the Batu Kurau population today, the community continues with its agrarian lifestyle just like their ancestors when they opened up the area in the 1850s.

The only difference is that the Pattani Malays no longer tend to padi fields or venture out to the Titiwangsa Range to look for jungle produce. Today, their main sources of income are oil palm and rubber plantations and, of course, the ubiquitous "durian Batu Kurau".

Despite the lack of industries, infrastructure and other physical development, the Pattani Malays are very proud of their age-old Batu Kurau heritage and contributions to the state and country for over a century.

"Batu Kurau is our motherland, not Pattani (a province in southern Thailand). For more than 10 generations, the Pattani Malays have toiled this land. It has become one with us. Batu Kurau and Pattani Malays cannot be separated," said Ahmad Hasbullah Alias, who is heading the efforts to commemorate and celebrate the founding of Batu Kurau 150 years ago.

The excitement is certainly evident among the town`s folk. The programmes lined up for the three-day celebrations, starting on Saturday, include Pattani Malay games, theatre performances on the community`s history dating back to the 1850s and a cooking competition.

The highlight of the celebration will be scaling of the nearest hilltop by a group of youngsters to fly the national and state flags and also a special flag to mark the 150 years of the founding of Batu Kurau.

The three-day event was expected to be opened by National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, said Ahmad Hasbullah.

He proudly added that Batu Kurau had given birth to famous personalities such as former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Mohd Isa (1970-74), state mufti Muhammad Saman B. Muhammad (1978-86), playwright and director Datuk Rahim Razali, Umno Veterans Club chairman Tan Sri Tajuddin Ali and former Federal CID director Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Saari, among others.

"In fact, we have one of the oldest schools in the country, which is SK Tok Sajak. It`s former name was Sekolah Melayu Sungai Akar. It was established 130 years ago."

He said the community also took pride in having served the Perak sultanate as caretakers of the elephants used by the royalty long ago.

The elephants were kept in stables on the fringes of the town in those days.

Ahmad Hasbullah said the organising committee had also invited descendants of Wan Kasa to participate in the celebrations and attend a special gathering organised for them.

"I believe the celebrations will heighten awareness in the younger generation about the beginnings of Batu Kurau and the role played by the Pattani Malays.

"I also hope that Batu Kurau will one day be able to shed its sleepy image and laid back look and become as developed as Taiping." By : Jaspal Singh

Source: http://www.nst.com.my (Februari 02, 2009)

The Second Solo Batik Carnival To Attract Tourists

2011-04-28T02:20:00.000-07:00

Surakarta - The second Solo Batik Carnival is scheduled to be held in Surakarta on June 28. The preparation, such as research on costumes, choreography and seeking other essentials, began yesterday. "This year`s theme is about masks," said Dinan Fariz, the event coordinator, yesterday.
The registration is to start on January 28, 2009 at City Walk and the Tourism Office. In order to achieve the target of 1.000 participants, the committee will organize promotions to Yogyakarta, Semarang, and other cities. "We hope Surakarta will become the icon of batik cities in Indonesia," said Mufti Raharjo, Surakarta Tourism official.

Source: http://www.tempointeractive.com (January 27, 2009)

Gallery Weaves Commerce With Conservation

2011-04-25T03:35:00.000-07:00

Ubud, Bali - The Threads of Life gallery in Ubud, on Bali Island, feels more like a museum than a shop to its visitors. Masterful woven pieces, in subdued hues of red and blue, hang on the walls. Pictures nearby show the weavers whose hands made each piece, and the accompanying text relates their stories: who they are, what village they come from, what their ethnic beliefs are, how many children they have and other biographical information.

Threads of Life sells traditionally dyed and hand-woven textiles from all over Indonesia, and describes its mission as “a fair trade business that uses culture and conservation to alleviate poverty in rural Indonesia.”

Jean Howe, one of the founders of the gallery, says she wants to convey “enough information about the piece and the weaver that a buyer forms a relationship to her and her community,” instead of simply buying a beautiful textile and never knowing its backstory. Howe sees herself as a facilitator. She says she loves being present in a community of weavers and watching the weavers, predominantly women, become empowered. “Given the right tools,” she says, “they can develop themselves.”

Howe, together with husband William Ingram and two Balinese friends, I Made Maduarta and I Made Rai Artha, started Threads of Life in the early 1990s, after the Asian economic crisis hit Indonesia. At the time, Howe and Ingram were running an adventure travel company. As their tour guides took groups of foreigners to less-traveled areas within the archipelago, they noticed people selling old textiles — often unusual heirloom pieces. When the guides questioned the sellers, they heard stories of hunger and poverty, and of families forced to part with textiles they had owned for generations. Sometimes, the sellers were accepting whatever visitors were willing to pay them, and often the families were not producing new textiles of either the quality or complexity of those they were selling. The guides started to ask Howe and Ingram what could be done to help destitute families and keep traditional weaving alive throughout Indonesia.

When Howe and Ingram began to examine the issue of preserving textile traditions in Indonesia, they found it was complex and multifaceted. The art of weaving does not stand alone; it is dependent on many other factors: culture, environment, traditions, language, history and commerce. Another obstacle was that, as is still the case now, much of Indonesia lacked Internet access, telephones and even shipping or postal services, or reliable roads, so communication and distribution were major challenges to undertaking any project in remote areas.

Howe and Ingram set up Yayasan Pecinta Budaya Bebali, in 2002, a foundation to oversee the educational and conservation aspects of their work, while Threads of Life became the business side of the foundation, providing a retail outlet for the finished textiles and finding new markets within Indonesia and abroad. There is also a Threads of Life Foundation in the United States, which sells Indonesian weaving and channels income and donations back to the foundation in Bali.

“Threads of Life exists as a catalyst for people to ask questions of themselves, a participatory process,” Howe says. The Threads of Life team found that the most efficient and productive way to work with weavers was to help the women to organize themselves into independent cooperatives. Staff did not need to make as many trips to visit or train weavers, and belonging to cooperatives allowed the weavers a greater ability to support each other, wield influence in their communities, affect conservation and manage resources. One such cooperative, in Timor, has more than 1,200 weavers. Howe points out with pride that as the status and income of Timorese weavers has risen, younger Timorese are staying in their villages and asking to learn traditional weaving and patterns.

Howe says, “It is important that weavers have high prestige and be valued for the quality of their work.” She tells me that, for the artisans, the process of weaving links them to both past and future. “The ancestors gave us the process,” one weaver said, according to Howe, and it`s now up to the weavers to preserve it for future generations.

There were other issues to be tackled in the beginning, Howe says. Under the Suharto regime, weavers and dyers were not considered to be doing important work so were recruited to build roads during the dry season (weaving and dying is traditionally done in the dry season when fieldwork is light), causing the loss of years of textile generation. Younger generations of Indonesians were more interested in working in the tourism industry or migrating from rural areas to the cities, and were not interested in learning old crafts that they considered a thing of the past and which could not earn them much money. Many traditional pieces require a season, a year or longer to make, yet weavers often could not sell traditionally made pieces for more than they could get for pieces made quickly, using chemical dyes. Weaving in Indonesia was not well-documented in writing or photographs, and motifs and designs that had been handed down from mother to daughter, father to son, were often only kept in the heads of aging weavers, who were starting to die without passing on their cultural inheritance.

The main crisis now, says Howe, lies in sourcing natural dyes in Indonesia. Traditional weaving is extremely vulnerable to a lack of the plants used for dyes. Some plants are on the verge of extinction from over-harvesting and forest clearing. In recent years, students from local universities have joined forces with the foundation to study soils from different islands with a view to transplanting certain dye plants. YPBB also works to encourage cooperatives of weavers and dyers to replant local forests, so as to protect at-risk plant species.

The results that Threads of Life saw as it began to help weavers increase incomes and retain established designs were manyfold: traditional culture was being sustained and people were finding new pride and appreciation for both their heritage and their identity as artisans; women, who make up the vast majority of weavers, were being empowered both through an exchange of skills and knowledge and through having a direct income; and traditional dye plants were being rescued from obscurity and endangered status, and replanted and harvested sustainably.

Today, each YPBB field worker must make at least 15 field visits in the dry season, when weavers have the time to work at their craft and when it is possible to navigate roads and rivers to reach remote areas. During the rainy season, weavers and dyers are generally at work in the fields, and roads may be impassable. The workers stay in a village for up to three weeks, placing orders, paying for past orders and giving advances on new ones, encouraging quality control, training the weavers in marketing and organizational skills, documenting dye plant usage, sourcing markets for other local handicrafts, building relationships with the weavers and their families, and becoming more familiar with local cultural and environmental issues.

Threads of Life strives to teach weavers that the best way to raise their income is not to increase the quantity of their weaving output, but the quality of individual pieces.

The skills transfer that the foundation promotes has not all been one-sided. Howe says that many Balinese (who make up the majority of the foundation and gallery staff) are “Bali-centric.” “Sending them out to other islands has expanded their awareness of other Indonesian islands,” she says. The Balinese return with an increased respect for other cultures within the archipelago. “It`s exciting to watch their growth,” Howe says.

Threads of Life organizes interisland indigenous weavers` festivals every few years, depending on funding. The festivals began as a way to allow weavers and dyers to exchange knowledge and to network. The last gathering in 2006 brought together 96 weavers from more than 18 different ethnic groups. Howe and Ingram asked participants to envision how they wanted their communities to look in three to five years. They helped create a “public plan” so that weavers could gather again and check their progress in coming years.

The threat of losing indigenous dye plants is a major concern that the festivals also address.

The weavers were asked what obstacles they faced – they spoke of pressure to produce works more quickly, to simplify designs and use synthetic dyes, and of false dye plants being passed off as the genuine item.

Weavers told Threads of Life staff that often it is easier for them to buy commercially made cloth and resell it than to weave in the traditional way, that tourists want cheap prices and that cash crops are easier to grow than cotton. One weaver told of being pressured by the government to plant cashews instead of cotton.

Howe said that on one island, which she declined to name, weavers still make naturally dyed pieces for themselves, but use chemical dyes for the cloth they sell. “I can`t tell the difference, and neither can you,” a weaver from the island told Howe.

Bringing people of varying ethnic backgrounds together also stimulates personal growth and celebrates differences. Howe tells of taking a man who had never left his island before by ferry to a weaving festival. “I did not know the ocean was so wide,” he told her. Many of the weavers share their traditional dances and songs with weavers from other communities, and feel that the festival is also a time to celebrate their ethnic diversity.

Howe says that Threads of Life hasn`t tried hard to open new markets because of concerns about the availability of dye plants and irregular textile production. She worries that “too big a demand would push weavers over the edge.”

Her dream, she says, is to make herself and Ingram redundant, so that Threads of Life and YPBB can go on without them. The gallery, which is a member of the International Fair Trade Association certifying body, covers its overheads, including staff salaries, from sales. Neither Howe nor Ingram draw a salary, and they continue to run their travel company. Donors, including the Ford Foundation, AUSAid, People and Plants International and the World Bank, fund the foundation.

The gallery also offers classes and workshops for the public on the history, designs and traditional uses of textiles across Indonesia.

Weavers tell Threads of Life staff that they want more market access, but they also want time off from weaving to attend ceremonies. Howe says that markets need a steady availability of products and customers become impatient with delays and irregular production, something that she works hard to convey to weavers.

The success that comes to individual weavers who have worked with Threads of Life brings a mixed blessing. Howe says she notices a progressive trend with weavers: “They reach a certain level of comfort, then they don`t want to work as hard or help their neighbours get more business, so production drops off.”

One weaver, she says, who was popular with American buyers, has stopped weaving for good. The woman made large pieces that could take a year or more to finish. “She`s bought land now, and put three kids through university,” Howe says. “She`s reached her own, personal goals, and so she`s stopped weaving.” Other weavers in the same community don`t use the same motifs, so the woman`s decision to stop is a loss to the gallery, to customers, but also to the weaver`s own community, Howe says, as now no one will make those designs anymore.

Source: TheJakartaGlobe.com

Education The Key To History

2011-04-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

Denpasar, Bali - Few people today are interested in the country‘s ancient history, says archaeologist Kristiawan, who teaches at Udayana University in Denpasar.

"We have just 15 students studying archaeology and the number who apply goes down every year. That‘s why we have developed an outreach initiative. We go to villages and schools where we raise awareness about archaeology among the general public." This program has proved to be a good way of spreading information about Indonesia‘s prehistory.

The public‘s lack of respect for the past can be destructive; however, the nation‘s heritage laws and their criteria for what must be preserved play an even greater role in shaping the future legacy.

The turtle-shaped sarcophagus found near Kremes, despite being 2000 years old and made during Indonesia‘s Bronze Age, is considered an also-ran in importance. Turtle-shaped sarcophagi are common, as ancient Balinese believe the turtle served as the vessel to the next life.

"Ten sarcophagi like this one have been discovered in the Kremes area," Kristiawan said. "Other sarcophagi found closer to the mountains are of greater importance because of their more elaborate decoration, technology and rarity."

Although any artefact from 2,000 years ago is pretty significant, Kristiawan said some were more significant than others. He pointed out that stone sarcophagi were carved by hand, and, for some still-undetermined reason, stopped being used in burials 2,000 years ago.

Chinese ceramics found at the site date from between the 10th and 16th centuries, with the bulk of ceramic fragments probably dating from before the 14th century when the two countries were regular trading parties. Trade between the two nations slowed after the 14th century because China closed her doors and destroyed all her shipyards and sailing vessels.

With the continuing destruction of these porcelain fragments and no archaeological research cataloguing the finds at Kremes, we may never learn how strong the relationship was these two great ancient cultures.

The damage being done daily to the Kremes site can be compared to that which occurred at the Prambanan Temple in Central Java.

Over the centuries people removed stones from this ninth century Hindu temple, using them to build homes or roads. If that practice had not been stopped and the site protected, Prambanan would be the stuff of legend alone.

Kremes may not be in the same league as that great Hindu monument, but until it is safely excavated, no one will ever know for sure.

Source: TheJakartaPost.com

Royal Visit Fortifies Close Ties

2011-04-25T03:27:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - His majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam last night extolled the great relations between Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines and that Brunei is always ready to offer whatever help as a close neighbour and regional partner. His Majesty delivered the titah at a State Banquet hosted by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacanang Palace.

Accompanying His Majesty were Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar.

In the titah His Majesty acknowledged the major contribution given by the Philippines to regional development.

Highlighting more than 20,000 Filipino workers in Brunei currently, His Majesty noted that they are virtually every walk of life, industrial, commercial, domestic and professional and that they bring with them the spirit of goodwill and friendship that have been mentioned in the vision of regional community.

His Majesty thanked the families of these people in the Philippines for the contributions to Brunei and also to the vision of a true community that is the inspiration behind the Asian Charter
Earlier His Majesty was conferred the Order of the Lakandula with the rank of Grand Collar Supremo in recognition of the constructive role played by His Majesty in strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries especially with regard to the development of Mindanao.

Touching more on the Asian Charter which President Arroyo mentioned two years ago in Cebu during the 12th Asian Summit, His Majesty stated that this vision has clearly expressed but further reminded that there may be challenges that they must face.

These challenges, explained His Majesty may not come from within the region but from every point of the compass in the globalised world. For this reason, His Majesty remarked that the Brunei government is also replacing community life.

This includes the thorough elimination of poverty, the provision of education, health, employment and safety which all secure a better future.

In this respect, His Majesty stated that like the people of the Philippines, Brunei is committed to work closely with its neighbors in the region in peace and respect of each other. This said His Majesty is a practical application of goodwill and friendship.

Meanwhile in a speech by the Philippine President, she also highlighted the strengthening relations that have grown for the past 25 years between the two countries.

One significant contribution mentioned by President Arroyo is the grand mosque donated by His Majesty in Cotabato Mindanao which is expected to be completed this year. Furthermore, President Arroyo also touched on the proposals by His Majesty in cooperating in the agricultural field especially for rice production.

Also attending the state banquet was His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik, Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Rashidah and HRH Princess Hjh Masna.

His Majesty arrived in the Philippines on Thursday for a three-day State visit.

Source: Brudirect.com

Gapura Wringin Lawang: A Gateway To The Past

2011-04-25T03:06:00.000-07:00

Mojokerto - Standing tall and dignified in the searing heat of Mojokerto, East Java, Gapura Wringin Lawang is a silent witness to a rich historical past.

Unlike other historic buildings in Trowulan, which in their day functioned variously as temples, gravesites, waterways and reservoirs, this majestic - it is 15.5 meters tall - and elegantly built split gate only ever served as a landmark.

Centuries ago, envoys, monks, traders and dignitaries from far and wide passed through this impressive gate, which marked the end of their long journey to reach their destination lying beyond the gate: The administrative and capital city of the Great Majapahit kingdom.

Within this historic area, known as Trowulan, which spans some 100 square kilometers, lie the palaces and homes of aristocrats and officials in charge of running an empire whose territories stretched as far as Sumatra, Malaya and Papua.

Gapura Wringin Lawang faces the Hujung Galuh river harbor near Mojokerto. Tuban, Gresik and Surabaya, which lie to the north, were at the time of the kingdom‘s thriving ports and commercial centers.

Traders traveled from as far as China, India, Persia, Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam to buy and sell.

Among the many archaeological treasures dug up in Trowulan are Chinese ceramics dating back to the Song dynasty (960-1279) and artifacts from Thailand and Vietnam from the 14th century. Old coins have been found in great numbers, testament to the brisk trade among regions.

And this impressive gate oversaw it all. It reflects the role and influence Majapahit played in the region. The split gate, constructed entirely from brick, has a tiered roof that rises in a slender line to the top.

The elegantly shaped roof, a full 7.85 meters high, is adorned with antefixes at the corners and fillets at the upper parts.

The gate foot, which is 13 meters long and 11.5 meters wide, rises 4.7 meters, upon which stands the 6.6 meters of the gate itself.

The first European report of this ancient gate was by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who noted it in his journal The History of Java (1815).

It had sustained heavy damage after having been neglected for centuries in a dense forested area.

Raffles named it Gapura Jati Pasar, in reference to the nearest village, but the locals call it Gapura Wringin Lawang, after the hamlet within whose boundaries it stands.

Early excavations of the site uncovered 15 ancient wells with brick walls. The ancient wells, concentrated in an area southeast to southwest of the gate, could have functioned as water sources for large human settlements.

Experts speculate that this could mean that the settlements functioned as temporary shelters for envoys and the many traders visiting Trowulan on business. Continuing archaeological excavations of the site would be an interesting and challenging endeavor.

The latest phase of restoration work, which took place from 1991 to 1995, has placed the ancient split gate at the center of a park for public viewing.

But the project‘s meager budget (less than Rp 400 million at the time) was not enough even to reclaim the land to the north, which has been turned into a cemetery.

"Archaeological work had to be restricted to the essentials only," said Dra Hardini Sumono, from the office for the protection of ancient heritage.

Faded and battered, this piece of the past maintains its pride and dignity, but more needs to be done to restore its full historic significance.

Sumber: TheJakartaPost.com

Sultan Perak Calls For Modest Silver Jubilee Celebrations

2011-04-25T02:56:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah has given his consent for the silver jubilee celebrations marking his 25th year on the throne to be held on Feb 3.

The office of the Sultan of Perak said in a statement to Bernama that the Sultan, who is concerned about the current economic situation, wanted the celebrations to be held on a modest scale.

"The celebration will focus on programmes to show gratitude to the Almighty; the importance of education and the pursuit of knowledge; the Sultan`s close rapport with the people; appreciation to individuals who have contributed significantly and served the Sultan with loyalty; appreciation for the spirit of cordial relations between the Rulers, the various Yang Dipertua Negeri and the federal government leadership; and appreciation for the sacrifice and loyalty of the members of the country`s security forces to the Ruler and country," said the statement.

The programmes which had been consented by the Sultan were a thanksgiving and `tahlil` session at the Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar on Feb 2 and a ceremonial guard of honour at the Istana Iskandariah grounds on Feb 3.

An investiture to confer a special award, the Darjah Dato` Seri Azlanii (D.S.A.), to 25 recipients and the reading of the loyalty speech would also be held at the Throne Room of the Istana Iskandariah on Feb 3.

In the afternoon, the launching of postage stamps commemorating the Silver Jubilee and a stamp exhibition will be held at the Ipoh Town Hall.

On Feb 10, the Sultan will attend a Programme With the People at the Arena Square, Batu Gajah where he was born and had his early education.

Sultan Azlan will also attend the Prize Giving Day of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK), his alma mater.

A Royal Banquet will also be held at the Banquet Hall, Istana Iskandariah in the evening on Feb 14, followed by a Royal Mess Night for members of the uniformed units at the Dewan Khatulistiwa, Wisma Samudera, Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Base, Lumut on Feb 21.

The statement said that expenses for the thanksgiving session, investiture, Royal Banquet and the Royal Mess Night would be borne by the Royal family as the Sultan did not want to burden the government financially.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Nur Zahirah, the Malay Rulers, the Yang DiPertua Negeri of the various states and the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam have been invited to attend the Royal Banquet.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor were also invited.

Sultan Azlan Shah, who ascended the throne on Feb 3, 1984, is the 34th Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan and among four Sultans who have ruled the state for 25 years.

According to the history of the Perak Sultanate, Sultan Mansur Shah I, the second Sultan of Perak ruled for 28 years (1549-1577), Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Shah, the 11th Sultan of Perak ruled for 67 years (1653-1720) and Sultan Idris Murshidul `Adzam Shah I, the 29th Sultan of Perak ruled for 29 years (1887-1916).

The surau and houses of worship are encouraged to hold thanksgiving to the Almighty and Perak subjects are encouraged to raise the state flag, especially on Feb 3 and the federal and state flags on Feb 14 and 15 to show their love and loyalty to the Ruler.

Source: bernama.com

Myanmar Media Stress Continued Flourishing Of Traditional Culture

2011-04-25T02:48:00.000-07:00

Yangon - Myanmar official newspaper the New Light of Myanmar Saturday stressed the need to strive for continued flourishing of Myanmar national culture amid infiltration of alien culture.

"At a time when efforts are being made for the emergence of a new modern and developed nation, it is incumbent upon the entire people to strive for continued flourishing of national characters, cultural traditions and human values and to guard against the infiltration and overwhelming of alien culture and customs with national awareness," the paper said in its editorial.

"By nature, Myanmar people value traditional culture. Their habit, custom and things Myanmar are found to be deeply entrenched in Myanmar culture, Myanmar characters and Myanmar style," the editorial noted, calling for efforts for flourishing of national prestige and integrity and codes of conduct while striving for preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage and national character.

The editorial appraised that at a time when "some global nations are striving for safeguarding of traditional culture and national character as the standard of their culture and traditions has been on the wane, Myanmar has been able to stand tall with fine historical traditions as she has firmly set up a grand and high level cultural heritage replete with essence."

The editorial added that "The national brethren of Myanmar have been handing over the cultural heritage they have further strengthened and enriched and added more value to it from generation to generation as a well preserved legacy."

As part of its endeavors in preserving and promoting traditions, culture and customs, Myanmar held traditional cultural performing arts competitions annually since 1993, participated by thousands of youth contestants, include contests of song, dance, composition, music and play at different stages such as professional, amateur, higher education and basic education levels.

Source: news.xinhuanet.com

Philippines, Brunei Refer To Malaysia`s Success Stories

2011-04-25T02:39:00.000-07:00

Putrajaya - The success of Malaysia`s education system will be used as reference by the Philippines and Brunei in empowering their education systems, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said today.

He said the success of the system had also drawn the Philippines` and Brunei`s attention to enhance their bilateral relations with Malaysia.

For example, he said Malaysia`s success story on the Islamic Education had encouraged Philippine Education Minister Datu (rpt Datu) Dr Jesli A. Lapus to give priority to the subject in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

"For a start, the Education Ministry of Philippines will send a group of educational researchers and experts to our country soon to conduct a study on our Islamic education system," he said in a statement, here, today.

He said the cooperation will also pave the way for an official memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed between the two countries later.

Hishammuddin said this following his official visit to the Philippines and Brunei in his capacity as the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (Seameo) President, from Jan 18 to 21.

Meanwhile, Brunei Education Minister, Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib also pledged his commitment to upgrade cooperation and venture into other educational aspects for mutual benefits.

"Brunei has agreed to collaborate with Malaysia in several fields like the technical and vocational, Malay language, co-curriculum, teaching of science and mathematics in English and expanding the school-based assessment system," he said.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (January 22, 2009)

Malaysia-Indonesia Cooperation In Fisheries Industry

2011-04-25T02:34:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Malaysia and Indonesia are to cooperate in the fisheries industry, including in efforts to overcome dwindling fish numbers, as fish is a staple food in the region.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, and Indonesia`s Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister, Freddy Numberi, came to an agreement on this at their first meeting here today.

"We discussed the possibility of having a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the fishing industry.

"This is not only to enhance existing relations between the two countries but also because the fishing industry must be given greater attention due to drops in fish population," Mustapa told reporters after his meeting with Freddy at his office here.

Mustapa and Freddy said the MoU will also include the fields of human resources development, aquaculture and the marketing of sea and ocean produce.

It will be signed in May during the World Ocean Conference in Manado, North Sulawesi.

Mustapa said Malaysia was interested in learning about various aspects of the fishing and aquaculture industries of Indonesia which chalked up fish produce exports of US$1.5 billion (RM3.9 billion) annually.

In the ministerial delegation are Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Junaidi Che Ayub and Veterinary Services director-general Datuk Abd Aziz Jamaluddin.

During the seven-day working visit, Mustapa and his delegation will go to Lampung and Malang in Central Java and Surabaya in East Java and visit Indonesian agriculture projects.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (January 22, 2009)

Indonesia, Malaysia need harmonized anti-timber smuggling procedures

2011-04-25T02:29:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - With many findings on illegal logging cases and smuggled timber trading on border areas shared by Indonesia and Malaysia, the two countries which share their cultural roots and beliefs need to harmonize their anti-timber smuggling procedures.

Due to the lack of harmonized procedures, Malaysia`s commitment to combat illegal logging and timber trading across its borders with Indonesia is often not followed.

Illegal logging and timber trading were often found using many heavy equipment belonging to Malaysian bosses that had been confiscated in Indonesian forest areas close to border.

Timber smuggled into Malaysia from Indonesian forests was often legalized by Malaysian authorities, Forestry Minister MS Kaban said in a dialogue forum here on Wednesday.

Perhaps the timber illegally brought into Malaysia was covered by certain documents but Malaysian authorities never checked their authenticity, he said.

It was true that at the 17th meeting of the Indonesia-Malaysia General Border Commission, the two countries agreed to adopt permanent procedures on coordinated air patrols along their common border, the minister said.

However, the procedures only covered the number of personnel, frequency and location of the coordinated air patrols whereas Indonesia was concerned much about the transactions after the smuggled timber entered Malaysia`s territory.

Furthermore, the minister said the air patrols were only aimed at monitoring security conditions along the Malaysia-Indonesian border region which are prone to illegal activities.

More saddening sometimes was that border guards often seemed to ignore what was happening right under their noses. "This is a ring of collaboration between smugglers and certain elements in the region," the minister said.

MS Kaban said Malaysian companies bought the Indonesian illegal timber to fuel their booming furniture industry. The smuggled timber was also often exported to China, Vietnam and other Asian countries through Malaysia.

The World Research Institute data show Indonesia had lost 72 percent of its forests, and according to some estimates, illegal logging has cost the Indonesian government more than $US3.2 billion a year.

Kaban called on the Malaysian government to hand down harsh sentences to businessmen for buying timber illegally from Indonesia.

"Documents obtained by Indonesian police provided enough evidence on illegal timber shipments from Indonesia to a company in the Malaysian state of Sarawak," he said.

Kaban explained forestry criminal offences in Indonesia, notably in Kalimantan and Sumatra, as well as organized crime like a mafia network, involving people at the highest local level.

The forestry minister also called for closer cooperation between the Customs Office, Police and the Forestry Ministry to stamp out timber smuggling from Indonesia.

Last March, the Indonesian National Police intercepted 19 boats carrying 12,000 cubic metres of timber on Pawan River, in Ketapang, East Kalimantan, suspected of being smuggled into Malaysia.

"There needs to be sanctions against countries taking illegal timber from Indonesia. As long as the market is there, timber theft will always exist," he said, adding that more than 10 million cubic metres of timber had been smuggled into Malaysia each year according to data of 2006," he said.

The latest arrests have been hailed as a bold move, about which the environmental group WALHI Indonesia saying that up until now, the destruction of large parts of forests in Indonesia is the result of the lack of law enforcement.

WALHI said the forestry ministry talked more about sanctions than action, Rully Syumanda, a forestry campaigner with the group, said consequently illegal logging became out of control.

"The problem was also caused by the weakness of Indonesian government itself to prevent anything being dispatched to Malaysia by land or by sea," he said.

Furthermore, Syumanda said the flow of illegal timber from Kalimantan or Sumatra to other parts of Indonesia had declined in the past few years following a government crackdown on the areas.

But he said that was only temporary, and corruption allowed loggers to move more timber into the neighboring country.

"In some particular areas, the police or the minister dealing with this muzzling practice, for example in Saba or West Kalimantan, illegal loggers often bribed the military to enable them to move into Malaysia," Syumanda said.

MS Kaban said the government has adopted a tough stance against the smugglers in Indonesia, but the Malaysian government needed to do more in stopping the flow of illegal timber into its territory.

"The Malaysian market is so close to the Indonesian border, and usually the boats say they were trading timber locally when leaving, but then in the middle of the sea they changed course towards Malaysia...and then they took care of security personnel by Malaysian companies, and given some sort of protection," he said.

"In such operations, all involved will be investigated, including the port master who had permitted the boats to sail."

Earlier, a West Kalimantan newspaper quoted Malaysia`s director of Sarawak forestry Datok Lan Talif Saleh as saying because the violation was committed in Indonesia, his country had no legal right to interfere, and would leave the handling of illegal loggers to Indonesia.

Datok Lan said Malaysia was committed to stamping out illegal logging, when it happened in Malaysia.

But Mr Kaban was calling for increased international support in the fight against illegal logging, urging Malaysia and others not to accept illegal timber or products they know came from Indonesia.

"Malaysia should be introspective, not just protect itself with the formal legalities of its institutions, stamping documents entering the country," he said. by Eliswan Azly

Source: http://www.antara.co.id (January 23, 2009)

Singapore: Brunei Prince Visits Singapore`s Military Institute

2011-04-25T02:24:00.000-07:00

Singapore - Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, who is on a four-day official visit to Singapore, visited the Singapore Armed Forces` (SAF) Armour Training Institute at Sungei Gedong Camp here Wednesday (21 Jan).

The prince, who arrived Monday (19 Jan), took a ride in the SAF`s recent acquisition, the Leopard 2A4 main battle tank.

He will visit the Paya Lebar Air Base Thursday (22 Jan) to view a static display of F-16, F5, E-2C aircraft, Apache and Chinook helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and to have some hands-on experience on the F-16 training simulator.

He is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana here Wednesday.

Singapore and Brunei enjoy a long history of close friendship and cooperation, with the friendly ties between the SAF and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces forming an important pillar of this bilateral relationship. Bernama

Source: http://www.mysinchew.com (January 21, 2009)
Photo Credit: http://www.mindef.gov.bn

The World`s Largest House

2011-04-25T02:19:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - Taken from the Arabic name, means Palace of the Faith Light; is the largest residential palace in the world and the world`s largest residence of any type.

This is the home of Sultan of Brunei`s istana nurul iman.

It contains 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a floor area of 2,152,782 square feet (200,000 m²). Amenities include 5 swimming pools, and an air conditioned stable for the Sultan`s 200 polo ponies, a 110-car garage, a banquet hall that can be expanded to accommodate up to 4,000 guests, and a mosque accommodating 1,500 people.

The palace was built in 1984 at a cost of around $1.4 billion USD and has 564 chandeliers, 51,000 light bulbs, 44 stairwells, and 18 elevators. It is also a home to a car collection that includes custom-made Ferraris and Bentleys as well as 165 Rolls-Royces.

It was designed by the National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture, Leandro V. Locsin and built by the Filipino firm, Ayala International.

The Sultan`s palace is only open three days a year for the Islamic festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, marking the end of Ramadan. However, in 2009, Indian multi-billionaire Mukesh Ambani is scheduled to complete construction on the world`s largest house.

Source: http://www.ibtimes.com (January 19, 2009)
Photo Credit: http://www.richard-seaman.com

Research: Kupang most Indonesian corrupt city

2011-04-11T03:39:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Kupang, the provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara, is the most corrupt city in Indonesia according to a recent research by global think tank Transparency International while the least corrupt is Yogyakarta, it was reported here Wednesday.

Transparency International Indonesia researcher, Frenky Simanjuntak, believed Kupang is the most corrupt because local businesses believed their government was not serious in corruption eradication.

Transparency International Indonesia also surveyed 15 institutions on the likelihood of accepting bribes. It was found that the police most likely accepted bribes followed by customs and the immigration.

Immanuel Umbu Rey from Kupang who now lives in Jakarta was not surprised by the survey.

"There is always havoc in Kupang, every segment of the society is corrupt. It has become a habit in Indonesia, although it`s not our culture," he said.

Meanwhile, Jakarta ranked 14th on the list of most corrupt cities among the 50 surveyed on the Perception Index of Corruption in Indonesia.

Respondents were asked how they perceived corruption in their local government and whether corruption was common or uncommon.

In December last year 3,841 people completed the survey proportionate to the population of the city.

The survey was funded by US AID as part of the Millennium Challenge Corporation threshold program. US AID spokesman Paul Simonett said the grant allowed more people to be surveyed and to increase the number of cities in the index.

A full report will be released by Transparency International Indonesia in the next two weeks.

Source: http://www.antara.co.id (January 22, 2009)

Chance For Poor Asean Students To Pursue Higher Education

2011-04-11T03:34:00.000-07:00

Bachok - Kolej Islam Sains dan Teknologi (KIST) is offering poor students from neighbouring countries a chance to pursue studies in health sciences for free.

KIST Chief Executive Officer, Zaidi Yusof said, two or three students would be selected from each country to pursue selected courses.

"They will study for free for three years and also receive pocket money throughout the duration of their studies," he told reporters after a cheque presentation ceremony for the Palestine Humanitarian Fund, here today.

He said the college`s representatives will be travelling to Aceh, Cambodia and other Asean countries to identify needy students for the programme.

At the ceremony, KIST vice-president Prof Mohd Azman Abu Bakar handed cheques worth RM30,000 to NSTP and Utusan Melayu newspaper representives for their respective Palestininan humantarian fund.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (January 21, 2009)

Bahasa Indonesia Adopted 13,000 New Words Over Past 5 Years, Ministry Says

2011-04-11T03:25:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Bahasa Indonesia now has a total of 91,000 official general words, an increase of 13,000 in just five years, the Ministry of National Education said on Monday.

The head of the ministry’s Indonesian Language Center, Dendy Sugono, said the center has launched an effort to encourage students to preserve their mother tongue amid the increasing use of the Internet and other forms of communications technology.

The “Love Bahasa Indonesia Campaign” was recently launched in the university town of Bandung, the capital of West Java Province. A team from the center has also been handing out stickers displaying some of the new additions to the Indonesian vocabulary at the Cihampelas Walk shopping mall in Jakarta.

The new words include unduh , or download; pos-el , or e-mail; daring , or online; luring , or offline; lama n , or homepage; pinda i , or scan; and acang , or gadget.

Indonesian, like other languages, adopts words from foreign and local languages.

“If we can’t find the direct translation in Indonesian, we can adopt the word, although sometimes we have to refine the pronunciation or the spelling,” Dendy said, adding that most of the words adopted from local dialects had the same vowel and consonant structure as Bahasa Indonesia.

Data provided by the Language Center indicated that Indonesia has 473 different languages, 206 of which are spoken in the provinces of Papua and West Papua.

Dendy said that since 1978, 405,000 words relating to a full range of subjects had been officially adopted, many from English and other major European languages. “Some words, like ‘orbit’ and ‘semester,’ were even adopted directly as there was no difference in their spelling and pronunciation,” Dendy said, adding that other words, such as “video” and “radio,” were adopted with the same spelling but with different pronunciations.

He said that other words that originated from European languages, including French, Italian or German, were adopted first from their English equivalents. However, if the words had no English equivalents, they were adopted directly from the original language and refined according to Indonesian spelling and pronunciation rules.

Many new words used in Islamic studies originated from Arabic and were adopted using the Arabic-Latin transliteration guide issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dendy said.

The Indonesian Language Center has also developed special dictionaries for chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics, according to Dendy. “We adopted the words from their language of origin into Bahasa Indonesia after consulting with experts from each subject,” he said.

M. Umar Muslim, a Bahasa Indonesia lecturer at the University of Indonesia, warned that some of the newly adopted words may never be used in daily conversation.

“They may not sound right to an Indonesian’s ears,” Umar said, adding that the adoption of foreign words into Bahasa Indonesia cannot be done indiscriminately. He said that the use of English words in daily conversation is unavoidable because it is the most widely-used language in the world.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com (January 20, 2008)

New Thai Govt out to win support of Malay-Muslim populace

2011-04-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

Pattani - Faced with high expectations to resolve tensions in its southern provinces bordering Malaysia, the new Thai government of prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has come up with programmes to bring economic and social benefits to the region.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday the campaign to win over support from the largely Malay-Muslim populace, reportedly disenfranchised under previous Thai governments, is one of the new administration`s top three priorities.

The other priorities are tackling the repercussions of the global financial crisis, and restoring Thailand`s battered image overseas following the recent political unrest centred largely in Bangkok.

Kasit expressed confidence that once the government gains better confidence and trust from the southern people, the militancy would decline.

Quick implementation of infrastructure and financial programmes is seen as critical in the restive region.

"If we are successful in some of them, that in itself would make the people turn to us," he said. "The miltants need the people`s support. Once we have the people on the government`s side, chances of them (the militants) operating will decline."

Kasit said this at a press conference with Malaysian journalists before presiding over a meeting with the governors of five southern provinces, officials of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) and federal representatives.

The five southern provinces are Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Satun. About 70% of the population of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat are Malay-Muslims.

The meeting comes a day after Abhisit made a landmark visit with 10 cabinet ministers to the southern provinces over the weekend.

The flurry of visits in the first month of the government`s existence is seen as the new administration`s demonstration of goodwill to heighten much-needed confidence among residents in the border regions.

Kasit denied that the anonymity or "faceless" nature of the militants was an issue, adding that they had made informal contacts with some militant groups who are now "inside and outside the country".

The government was also in discussion with the army and police on how to "humanise" security arrangements in the area, he said.

Kasit said the Malaysian government has offered assistance to develop education, economy and entrepreneurship, within the context of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).

He also stressed the importance of engaging joint commissions already set up between Thailand and Malaysia.

"There have been a lot of offers from Malaysia on education entrepreneurship and economic development. Let`s do it in a more concrete way and push these as quickly as possible," he said.

On a recent report by Amnesty International on human rights abuses by security forces in the south, Kasit said the administration was acting on the issues.

"Some of the allegations have been reported to Paliament," he said.

Source: http://www.sun2surf.com (January 19, 2009)

NTB to Increase Budget for Education and Health Services

2011-04-11T02:47:00.000-07:00

Mataram - The provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) will increase its education budget from Rp51.522 billion in 2008 to Rp240.722 billion this year.

In addition, the budget for health services will be Rp147.575 billion this year, compared to only Rp109.774 billion in 2008.

The total regional budget will be Rp1.246 trillion.

I Gde Putu Ariyadi, spokesperson for the NTB provincial government, on Tuesday (20/1) told Tempo that the increases were part of the programs of NTB Governor Muhammad Zainul Madjdi and his deputy Badrul Munir.

”Most of the budget will be distributed to cities and regencies,” he said.

However, Ariyadi explained that the budget can only cover half of all poor people.

The education budget will distributed through the Regional Education, Youth, and Sport Affairs department and will amount to Rp24.057 billion.

The government will also distribute funds to help regencies and cities to pay their educational expenses and contract-based teachers amounting to Rp130.42 billion.

Grants will be given to private and state educational institutions such as the Medical Faculty of Mataram University and medical laboratories at vocational high schools, the Mataram Islamic State University, the Pertiwi kindergarten, and also to rehabilitate private schools, with a total amount of Rp12.91 billion

The government will also provide financial aid to Islamic boarding schools, the school accreditation board, and scholarships for poor students with a total amount of Rp63.588 billion.

The total budget for health services is Rp147.575 billion.

Rp37.021 billion of this will be distributed through the regional health office, Rp88.924 billion for financing public hospitals, Rp11.544 billion for mental hospitals and Rp9.035 billion for health services for poor people. SUPRIYANTHO KHAFID

Source: http://www.tempointeractive.com (January 20, 2008)

First prayer at new mosque

2011-04-11T02:40:00.000-07:00

Singapore - The first Friday Prayer was performed at the gleaming Muhajirin Mosque, which reopened on Friday after a $6.9 million tranformation.

The rebuilt mosque is set in the Singapore Islamic Hub, a new complex in Braddell Road. Also in the cluster are the Islamic school Madrasah Al-Irsyad and the 11-storey headquarters of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis).

The mosque will `be plugged into the wider community` to enrich lives of Muslim and non-Muslim residents in Toa Payoh and beyond, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim.

Toa Payoh, he noted, is uniquely filled with grassroots and religious groups that the mosque can work with.

`I am happy with our achievement today. We have been able to optimise land use with three facilities,` said Dr Yaacob, who is Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

Also, the fact that funds had been raised for the mosque reflects the desire of Muslims to be in step with the wider Singapore society, he said.

Mufti Syed Isa Semait led the perwakafan or consecration of the mosque, which first opened its doors in 1977 and is now a three-storey contemporary Islamic building clad in glass and black granite.

The Mufti also preached a sermon on compassion before 2,500 of the Muslim faithful. He urged them to help meet the $2.8-million shortfall in mosque funding.

In the congregation was businessman Raden Abdul Rahem, 51, who had visited the mosque since his teenage years. He still visits every day, as his 10-year-old son is studying at the madrasah.

`The mosque has changed with the generations. But it still brings back all the memories,` he said.

Redevelopment began in Nov 2006. The barrier-free building is now equipped with modern facilities and a lift. Inside are an imam room, board room, office and basement carpark. By Lee Siew Hua

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com

Thai prime minister launches review of emergency law in South

2011-04-11T02:30:00.000-07:00

Bangkok - Thailand`s new government has launched a thorough review of the use of martial law in the country`s conflict-ridden deep South where some 3,500 have been killed over the past four years and will decide on its extension within three months.

`I will ask the people involved to now run a systematic review of the various laws, so the next time they ask for an extension it will not be automatic,` said Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, addressing an audience at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand Wednesday night.

Thailand`s three southernmost provinces - Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala - have been under emergency decree since October 2005, allowing authorities to seize suspected separatists and keep them under dentition without charges, and providing immunity to security personnel engaged in such operations.

The decree has been extended 14 times, coming up for parliamentary approval every three months.

`My hope is that we will soon not have to rely on emergency decree to bring peace to the South,` said Abhisit, who will visit the region over the weekend.

The decree has come under increasing criticism from human rights groups, such as London-based Amnesty International (AI) and New York-based Human Rights Watch, for creating an environment in which torture and abuses can be carried out without punishment.

AI on Tuesday exposed at least 34 documented cases of authorities torturing Muslim insurgents in Thailand`s conflict-ridden south, four of whom died, and called on the government to clarify its legal stance on the practice.

`All the victims were Muslim, all but one were male, and 20 of them were under the age of 30; the youngest was a boy of six, the oldest 46,` said the AI report titled Thailand: Torture in the Southern Counter-Insurgency, based on testimony compiled between mid-2007 and mid-2008.

Thailand has been waging a counterinsurgency campaign in the deep South since January 4, 2004, when a group of Muslim militants raided an army depot in the region, stealing more than 300 weapons and killing four soldiers.

The incident led to a series of government crackdowns on the region`s long-simmering separatist movement that further alienated the local population from Thailand`s Bangkok-based governments.

The majority of people in the deep south, once known as the independent Islamic sultanate of Pattani, are Muslim and have a long history of alienation from predominantly Buddhist Thailand.
Although the region was conquered by Bangkok about 200 years ago, it has never wholly submitted to Thai rule.

Over the past five years the intensified separatist struggle has led to at least 3,500 deaths.

With nearly 45 per cent of Thailand`s armed forces based in the three provinces there is a perception that the military have added to the problem, especially as they enjoy immunity under the emergency decree.

Abhisit, the leader of the Democrat Party that is popular in Thailand`s southern provinces but has been in the opposition for eight years, has made a priority of restoring peace to the region.

The Oxford-educated politician, who was named prime minister last month, has vowed to bring reconciliation to Thailand, which has been torn by a deep political divide for the past three years, through an emphasis on rule of law.

`My basic assumption is that you will never have reconciliation unless there is justice,` said Abhisit. `The same principle applies to the South.`

Source: http://www.monstersandcritics.com (January 15, 2009)

Textile Museum desires more collections

2011-04-11T02:23:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Emma Agus Bisri, head of Sirih Nanas Foundation, felt relief after she handed over pieces from her Betawi collection to the Textile Museum in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

The foundation, which specializes in education and preserving Betawi culture, donated four old batik cloths and four sarongs, a kebaya encim (traditional Betawi blouse) called Karancang Betawi and a set of red crystal betel pots.

"It`s about preserving Betawi culture. I hope that visitors, especially art lovers, will enjoy their beauty," Emma told The Jakarta Post, adding that she had inherited these artifacts from her ancestors.

Besides Emma, two other foundation members, Hamidah Thamsir and Maharani Kemal, each donated one sarong.

Emma said all collectibles are between 75 and 100 years old, each of them having a different pattern.

One of the batiks reportedly belonged to a Dutch batik painter, Van Zuylen, and dates back to the 1920s to the 1930s.hope this [the collection] will encourage other Betawi cloth collectors to donate to the museum," she said.

Built in the 19th century and formerly a French private residence the museum is located on Jl. KS Tubun. It has about 1,800 cloth pieces from around the archipelago. Most of them are batik.

Judi Knight-Achjadi, an honorary curator at the museum, also encourages donations. She has given dozens of woven cloth and sarongs to the museum. Head of the museum, Dyah Damayanti, welcomes this.

"We only had seven Betawi cloths before members of Sirih Nanas Foundation gave us their pieces," Dyah said.

"I hope more collectors will come forward with donations. You don`t need to worry because we will take good care of the cloth. We have a laboratory which examines the artifacts` condition." Triwik Kurniasari

Source: http://old.thejakartapost.com (January 16, 2009)

Padang mayor mandates Koran recitation for city employees

2011-04-11T02:04:00.000-07:00

Padang - A West Sumatra mayor issued Thursday a new policy requiring regional employees to recite the Koran prior to work in an effort to curb corruption.

"Exterminating corrupt practices among civil servants in Padang is necessary and this disease needs to be eliminated by all means," Bahar said, as quoted by kompas.com.

Under the new policy, Padang regional office employees who are Muslim are required to recite passages from the Koran for 10 minutes at the start of their workday.

"This program is inspired by a similar policy among Muslim members of the National Police," he said, adding that the initiative is aimed at purifying the soul.

Corrupt practices stem from a diseased heart and greed, Bahar said, and the Koran is a remedy for that.

Bahar said he was confident the new initiative could help pave the way for change in the bureacracy. (amr)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com (January 15, 2009)

National Symposium on Kg Ayer

2011-04-11T01:59:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - A National Symposium on Kg Ayer: Culture, Heritage and Conservation will be held on Feb 4-5 at the Univesiti Brunei Darussalam.

There will also be a four-day exhibition from Feb 4-7, and an amateur photo competition, according to the organisers, Institute of Medicine and Academy of Brunei Studies.

The symposium, with the theme Past, Present and Future, aims to discuss the perceptions and problems of Kampong Ayer.

It aims to bring together organisations and individuals with an interest in the culture, heritage and conservation of Kg Ayer.

By doing so, the different parties will be able to better understand and recognise common points of interest improving the standard of living of Kg Ayer residents.

The symposium also aims to raise awareness among service providers, community leaders and residents and find solutions to problems within Kg Ayer.

The photo competition is open to amateurs only. It is divided into child (15 years and below) and open (16 years and above) categories.

Each participant may submit up to three different photo prints before Jan 31, 2009.

Registration forms can be downloaded from kgayersymposium2009.blogspot.com and should be submitted to the Symposium Secretariat, Institute of Medicine, UBD, Jalan Tungku Link Gadong, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam.

Source: http://www.brunei-online.com (January 15, 2009)

Indonesian food fest slated Jan. 16-Feb 20

2011-04-06T01:57:00.000-07:00

Davao - Cafe Marco of Marco Polo Davao, which offers the longest buffet in town, will introduce Indonesian cuisine beginning January 16 for the Indonesian Food Festival.

Lalu Malik Partawana, Indonesian Consul General, said during Wednesday`s edition of the Club 888 press forum at the Marco Polo Davao they will promote Indonesian cuisine until February 20.

Dubbed "Makan: Indonesian Food Festival," Cafe Marco will dig into Indonesian delicacies that will be prepared by guest Chef Lydia Saabaheng from Indonesia.

Saabaheng will bring along with her staff to introduce popular dishes, such as Soto Ayam (Chicken Soup with Vermicelli), assorted sate, daging rendang padang, opor ayam, sate pusot, martabak tecor, pastel goreng, pepes udang, gado-gado, asinar sayur, balapis, kue kala mata, and the popular Indonesian snack, risoles.

"We`re very thankful for the hotel`s support. Through this event, diners, who purchase P4,000 worth of food, will get a chance to win a trip to Indonesia," the Partawana said.

The consul general added that the fun and excitement of tasting Indonesian cuisine doesn`t stop there, as diners will also witness Balinese dancers who will show off exquisite dance moves.

On the other hand, Vice Consul Bernard Loesi said food is one element that showcases Indonesian culture. "It could also be a means of diplomacy of two nations," he said. (JGRS)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph (January 15, 2009)

Book for Hindu temples emphasises Malaysian unity

2011-04-06T01:42:00.001-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) has compiled a book to serve as a guideline for priests delivering Friday evening sermons in temples, with emphasis on national unity.

The book was compiled in line with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi`s call for all religious institutions to play a proactive role in strengthening national unity, The Star newspaper said on Wednesday.

It was published in Tamil to cater to the two million-plus population of ethnic Indians, a bulk of them Tamil Hindus who came here during the British era.

Titled "52 Velli Sinthanai Manikal" (Virtuous Thoughts for 52 Fridays), the book is to be utilized by priests for delivering sermons Friday evenings.

"The prime minister`s proposal that religious leaders help get the message across on unity through the Friday khutbah for Muslims and Sunday sermons for Christians is most appropriate," said Balakrishnan Kandasamy, 50, who heads MHS` religious sermon division.

MHS chairman A. Vaithilingam said the book has already been distributed to all temples.

The book will be available in Bahasa Malaysia and English soon, MHS announced.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com (January 14, 2009)

Essay And Syair Competition Winners Honored

2011-04-06T01:36:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - A price presentation ceremony was held yesterday at the Rizqun Hotel for the Syair (classical Malay poetry) and essay writing competition organized in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Brunei History Centre.

The prizes were presented by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat.

The winner of the Syair competition was Awang Haji Kiflee bin Tarsat. Second place went to Awang Haji Masri bin Haji Idris and Awang Hidop bin Haji Mohammad Zin came third.

Meanwhile in the essay writing competition, there was no first place winner for Category `A` but the second place went to Awang Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Duraman and in third place was Awang Othman bin Haji Mat Don.

For category `Et` in the essay writing competition, the first place went to Abdul Syukri Ahmad bin Ibrahim, Dayang Nazurah binti Haji Mahli, second, and Dayang Patin Nur Majdina birth Hamdani, third.

The winners of the competition received cash prizes and certificates while other participants received certificates of participation.

Prior to the prize presentation, the chairman of the event, Dr Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong said the competition is hoped encourage more people to write about the country`s history. It is also hope to instil affection towards doing research and writing the history locally instead of depending on foreign writers. By Azrol Azmi

Source: http://www.brudirect.com (January 15, 2009)

Ali Alatas Remembered For Enhancing Ties

2011-04-06T01:30:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Former Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas will be best remembered for his contribution in enhancing the diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Indonesia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"To Malaysians, he was a dear friend. During his tenure as Indonesian foreign minister, he dedicated his efforts in fostering closer relations between Malaysia and Indonesia," he said at dinner to celebrate the life and service of Ali Alatas here last night.

His speech was read by the Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Zainal Abidin Mohamed Zain.

Describing Ali as a statesman and a fine diplomat, Abdullah said as a member of the Asean imminent person`s group, Ali was instrumental in promulgating the Asean Charter.

"He leaves a legacy behind. He had made invaluable contribution in the human rights issue and it was a masterpiece. He was committed to the Asean endeavour until he breath his last on Dec 11 last year," he said.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (January 13, 2008)

Muslims Must Enhance Knowledge Without Compromise

2011-04-06T01:23:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - Muslims have to enhance their knowledge by always promoting education without any compromise, said Datuk Muhammad Salleh Majid, a principal fellow with the Faculty of Economics and Management of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

"The success of Muslims depends on their knowledge, creativity and literacy," he told Bernama on Tuesday.

He said the Islamic world had to expend more because currently it was only spending 0.2 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on research and development.

The Christian world, on the other hand, spent five per cent of GDP on the same, said Muhammad Salleh, the former president of the then Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (now Bursa Malaysia).

"A simple method of disseminating knowledge is through newspapers and books, which should be increased," he said.

Muhammad Salleh said that in Pakistan the ratio of publications to the population was 23 for every 1,000, in Singapore 460 per 1,000, in the United Kingdom 2,000 per one million but in Egypt only 17 per one million.

Without knowledge, Muslims would only be able to only watch the atrocities committed by the Jews in Gaza where the weapons of the Hamas fighters are unable to overpower their weapons and strong support from the United States.

Muhammad Salleh also referred to a speech by the director-general of the Al Baraka Bank, Hafez A.B Mohamed, who had stated several facts in the hope that they would get the attention of every Muslim.

According to that speech, he said, there were only 500 universities in all of the 57 Islamic nations of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

"And, none of these universities are among the top 50 universities of the world," he added.

The literacy rate in Islamic countries was only 40 per cent compared to 100 per cent in only 15 Christian countries, he said.

He also said that in 105 years, 14 million Jews had won 180 Nobel prizes while 1.5 billion Muslims have won only three.

Several of the history makers from ancient times were all Jews such as Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Paul Samuelson and Milton Friedman.

Jews were those who made discoveries in various fields, such as Benjamin Ruben (vaccinating needle); Jonas Salk (polio vaccine); Gertrude Elion (leukemia drug); Baruch Blumberg (vaccine for Hepatitis B); Paul Ehrlich (syphilis drug); Gregory Pincus (contraceptive pill); G. Wald (science of understanding of human eye) and Willem Kloffcame (kidney dialysis).

They were also responsible for inventions that changed history: inventor of micro-processing chip, Stanley Mezor; nuclear chain reactor, Sziland; optical fibre cable, Peter Schultz; traffic lights, Charles Adler; stainless steel, Benno Strauss; sound movies, Isador Kisee; telephone microphone, Emile Berliner and video tape recorder, Charles Ginsburg.

Jews also ran influential global business: Polo (Ralph Lauren); Levi`s Jeans (Levi Strauss); Starbucks (Howard Schultz); Google (Sergey Brin); Dell Computers (Michael Dell); Oracle (Larry Ellison); DKNY (Donna Karan); Baskin Robbins (Irv Robbins) and Dunkin Donuts (Bill Rosenberg).

They were also influential intellectuals and politicians, such as Henry Kissinger, US former Secretary of State; Alan Greenspan of US Federal Reserve; Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State; David Marshal, Singapore Chief Minister; Barry Goldwater, US politician and Robert Rubin, US Secretary of Treasury.

They were also influential global media people, such as Wolf Blitzer of CNN, Barbara Walters of ABC News, Joseph Lelyeld of New York Times, Eugene Meyer of Washington Post and Henry Grunwald of Time Magazine.

"Why were/are they so powerful and Muslims so weak?" he posed a question.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (January 13, 2008)

Orang Asli couple have Malay-themed wedding

2011-04-06T01:17:00.000-07:00

Seremban - An Orang Asli wedding here has given new meaning to religious integration in the country.

The couple, both Catholics, had a largely traditional Malay ceremony at a Temuan village in Labu yesterday.

Murnirah Dongkok, 24, wore a baju kebaya, while her husband, Mardonah Langkap, 22, was dressed in baju Melayu with a tengkolok (head gear).

The pair, who sat on a traditional Malay bridal couch, were sprinkled with yellow rice and scented water by family members, relatives and guests as a sign of blessing.

The bride`s uncle, Darus Badak, 72, gave her away in the presence of the groom`s uncle, Bedong Bicho, 54. Present were three village heads and guests.

Murnirah, who is the daughter of one of the village heads, Tok Cekerah Dongkok, 70, married Mardonah, who`s from a nearby Orang Asli village in Mantin.

Dongkok said: "Some might find the tradition odd but our ancestors have been practising adat perpatih, which was brought by migrants many centuries back from Minangkabau in Indonesia."

The villagers from Kampung Sebir, who follow the matrilineal system (adat perpatih) or customary law, also have a unique dowry according to the position of an Orang Asli in their tribe.

Relatives of the top three village heads -- consisting of Tok Batin, Tok Jenang and Tok Cekerah -- command a dowry of RM48.40, RM66.60 and RM44.40 respectively, while other villagers pay RM25.25.

Besides the three village heads, titles are also accorded to the groom with significant names such as Panglima Angin, Garang, Awan, Hutan and Tengah.

Another interesting aspect of the wedding was the celebratory feast called the makan beradab where exotic food and favourite dishes of the tribe, such as rendang cooked with monkey, pangolin, iguana and wild boar meat, were served.

Among the 13 families and 150 villagers living in the settlement, eight families are Catholics, while the others still practise their animist religion.

Source: http://www.nst.com.my (January 10, 2009)

Book Festival to be held Feb 27

2011-04-06T01:11:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei Festival of Books, Brunei Book Fair 2009, with the theme `The future is books` will be held from February 27 to March 8.

The festival is held in conjunction with Brunei Darussalam`s 25th National Day.

The festival will be participated by local vendors, institutions and agencies and invitation has been sent overseas. Therefore, this is an opportunity that book lovers and enthusiasts alike should not miss.

This year`s festival would feature a lot of things for book enthusiasts, including new books with special discounted prices. There will also be quizzes, colouring contest and story-telling competition (preliminary rounds) and many more for children to participate.

The event aims to bring together book dealers, distributors, publishers, illustrators, librarians, students, book enthusiasts and the public to increase greater appreciations.

There will also be a meeting held by the Asean Book Association. A workshop on book designing technique will also be organised.

The festival will be held every day at the Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex from 8.30am till 10am and from 2.30pm till 10pm, except Friday which will be opened from 9am till 11:30am and from 2.30pm till 10pm.

The festival is organised by the Language and Literature Bureau. The opening ceremony is scheduled to be held on Saturday, February 28 at 9am.

Out of the 120 booths allotted, 85 booths have already been booked. Therefore, the bureau`s director, Dr Mataim Bakar urged interested vendors or agencies to register at the Language and Literature Bureau in Berakas as soon as possible.

During the press conference, the bureau`s director said in conjunction to the festival, a workshop on book designing technique will also be held. Invited facilitator from Singapore and the Philippines will be conducting the workshop. It will be held for three days. For this workshop, a $100 fee is required.

He added that because the seat is limited, prospective applicants must apply early to avoid disappointment.

New books, especially from the bureau`s publication, will also be issued with special discounted prizes.

Participation is opened to university publishers, government departments, foreign and local publishers, as well as IT vendors. Application forms must be completed and returned to The Secretariat, Brunei Book Fair 2009, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Old Airport, Berakas BB3510, Negara Brunei Darussalam. By Azaraimy HH

Source: http://www.brunei-online.com (January 11, 2008)

Textile museum gets Betawi artifacts

2011-04-06T01:09:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - The Textile Museum received Thursday nine Betawi artifacts believed to date back to a century ago.

The collectibles are seven Betawi batik cloths, a kebaya encim (traditional blouse) called Karancang Betawi and a crystal betel pot. Arie Budhiman, head of the city`s tourism and culture agency, officially presented the collection to the museum in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

The collection was previously in the possession of the Sirih Nanas Foundation. Foundation head Emma Agus Bisri said the artifacts ranged in age from 90 to 100 years. One of the batik cloths was made by Van Zuylen, a Dutch batik painter, Emma said as quoted by beritajakarta.com.

With the arrival of the new collection, the museum now houses 1,759 items.

Source: http://old.thejakartapost.com (January 10, 2008)

Special team to save damage Trowulan site

2011-04-04T03:39:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - The government has set up a special team to investigate the extent of damage caused by construction at the ancient site of the Majapahit Kingdom in Mojokerto, East Java.

The team will report back to the government any recommendations into how the site can be repaired.

The University of Indonesia archeologist Agus Aris Munandar, who attended a government-led meeting to discuss this issue in Jakarta on Thursday, said the team will include experts from various fields, including architects and archeologists.

The government has been under fire for "accidentally" constructing the Majapahit Information Center on land believed to be home to the city ruins of the Majapahit Kingdom.

"The construction of the center has now been halted. The government admits the construction caused damage to the site and has agreed to find another location for the building," Agus said.

"We are still considering whether or not to leave the damaged site as it is, for risk of causing further damage, or to in fact commence renovation efforts."

In a move to restore the glorious former image of Majapahit, an eastern Java-based kingdom which from the 14th to 15th centuries dominated the seas of Southeast Asia (present day Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines), the government began construction of the center last November.

The center was to be a hub for information on Majapahit, with a number of artifacts and relics from the era to be displayed to promote the country`s cultural and historical past.

The 2,200 square meter center was going to be built on the Trowulan site in Mojokerto, the only major remaining Majapahit city ruins and the heart of the former kingdom.

However, it was later built on empty land near the excavated site which actually contained large sections of original ruins. The construction of 60 large pylons for the center`s foundations subsequently caused damage to the ancient ruins.

Agus said local archeologists earlier predicted the ancient city of Majapahit at the Trowulan site stretched from around 20 square kilometers in some parts to around 100 square kilometers in others.

The center was, however, constructed within the smaller 20 square kilometer range. Erwida Maulia

Source: http://old.thejakartapost.com (January 10, 2009)

No One Can Dispute Mubarak As Undang, Says Negeri Sembilan MB

2011-04-04T03:33:00.000-07:00

Seremban - Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan says the Negeri Sembilan government has recognised Datuk Mubarak Dohak as the Undang of Luak Sungai Ujong and no one can dispute it anymore.

"I would like to state here that the state government is not questioning the status of Datuk Mubarak Dohak as the Undang of Luak Sungai Ujong. He is the Undang of Luak Sungai Ujong recognised by the state government from then till now," he told reporters here Friday.

He was responding to certain quarters who are disputing Mubarak`s status reported by newspapers off late.

Mohamad said the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang of Negeri Sembilan had discussed and dismissed the issue raised by those quarters.

He said the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang chaired by the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan is the highest power in the affairs of state customs and when the Dewan had made a decision, it could not be disputed.

The state government would accept any decision made by the Dewan, he said.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (January 9, 2009)

MABBIM Language Seminar Open To All

2011-04-04T03:18:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Language & Literature Bureau will be holding a MABBIM (Majlis Bahasa Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia) language seminar at the Songket Ballroom of Rizqun International Hotel from March 25 to March 26.

The seminar, which is themed "Menangani Masalah Sikap Bahasa Melayu/Indonesia Dalam Rangka Pendewasaan Bangsa", will feature speakers and experts from three MABBIM countries as well as Singapore.

Teachers, academicians, government officers, undergraduates, students and members of the public are encouraged to attend the two-day seminar.

Those interested can register by sending an e-mail to seminarmabbim2009@gmail.com.

The closing date for registration is March 20.

For more information on the seminar, visit Internet web site www.seminarmabbim2009.blogspot.com.

Source: http://www.brudirect.com (January 8, 2008)

Activities For Sultan`s B`day Celebration Must Respect Israk Mikraj

2011-04-04T03:12:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - As this year`s Israk Mikraj will fall very close to the birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, organisers should ensure that the format of all activities to mark the beloved monarch`s birthday also respect Israk Mikraj, which is an important event in the Islamic calendar.

This call was made by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri SetiaAwang Hj Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Md Yusof, during the first meeting for the National Committee for His Majesty`s 63rd birthday celebration at the Lapau`s ceremonial hall yesterday.

The minister, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the National Committee for His Majesty`s 63" birthday celebration, urged all national committee members involved in the celebration not to stray away from the culture and norms of Brunei.

Activities lined up for His Majesty`s birthday celebration should not go against the teachings of Islam, he added.

High on the agenda yesterday were the appointment of the patron and advisor to the National Committee of His Majesty`s 63rd birthday celebration, as well as dates, formats and venues for the royal birthday celebration in all four districts.

There were also discussions on putting together a special committee to oversee His Majesty`s birthday banners, as well as holding flag-hoisting ceremonies and erecting decorative arches throughout the country.

Towards the end of the meeting, the minister expressed his gratitude to all committee members involved in last year`s birthday; celebration of His Majesty for making the grand event a success.

YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Hj Abu Bakar, the Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara, YAM Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Hj Alauddin bin Pg Paduka Tuan Pengiran Hj Abu Bakar, the Grand Chamberlain, and Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Hj Dani bin Hj Ibrahim, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, were among those who attended yesterday`s meeting. By James Kon

Source: http://www.brudirect.com (January 9, 2008)

Teater Koma returns with `Republik Petruk`

2011-04-04T03:07:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - After Republik Bagong and Republik Togog, critically acclaimed theater company Teater Koma is starting the new year with another biting political satire.

The troupe will stage the final chapter of the Republik trilogy, Republik Petruk -- a dramatic satire of the country`s sluggish, if not misguided, political reform.

Written and directed by noted playwright N. Riantiarno, known as Nano, the play retains the tradition of the Republik series in presenting Indonesian politics through wayang (shadow puppet) characters and stories.

This time, the central figure is Petruk -- a clownish character known for his long Pinocchio-like nose.

"The play is a bleak reflection of our country," producer Ratna Riantiarno says in the play`s introductory booklet.

"It is tragic, ironic, bitter and foolish. This is a story of a leader who in reality never acts as a leader, for (he is) no less than a clown," says Ratna, Nano`s wife and the troupe`s co-founder.

Certainly there is no democracy in wayang kingdoms. Petruk rises to power in Lojitengara Kingdom solely thanks to providence: He is asked by the knight Priambada to look after the Kalimasada amulet, the precious heritage of the Pandawa princes that was stolen by Mustakaweni.

Tempted by the gods Kaladurgi and Kanekaratena, Petruk uses the power of the amulet to seize Lojitengara Kingdom and proclaim himself its new ruler by taking the title Prabu Petruk Belgeduwelbeh Tongtongsot.

He then sets about implementing political reform, turning Lojitengara into a kingdom -- or a "republic" in Nano`s phrase -- in which almost everything is permissible, including "corruption as long as you do not get caught". With his everything-is-permissible policy, the kingdom becomes persistently chaotic.

"It is said that once a land is governed by Petruk, hope for a better future fades away. Everything ends in discourse, (as people) think that talking is akin to doing something and smiling is considered a great deed. Promises are no less than garbage," Ratna says.

While Republik Bagong (2001) reflects the country`s transitional period from the weakening dictatorship of the late Soeharto to the fledgling democracy, and Republik Togog (2004) touches on the issue of abuse of power, Republik Petruk highlights the post-reform leaders` failure to make democracy a blessing for the country.

Rising extremism, violent sectarian conflicts and the prevalence of "corruption culture" are often seen as indicators that Indonesia is not "properly reformed".

Weak law enforcement is often to blame for such problems, but many people point the finger at the false notion of democracy as embraced by Prabu Petruk: "The democracy that I have reformed means everything is permissible".

Teater Koma is well-known for its politically satirical drama. In 1978, about a year after it was established, the troupe was banned by the New Order regime from performing Nano`s play, Maaf, Maaf, Maaf (Sorry, Sorry, Sorry), which was considered to mock the then president, Soeharto.

Despite its popularity, Ratna says Teater Koma still struggles with financial constraints to produce its plays, including Republik Petruk, its 116th play.

"The total cost of production, if we count it carefully and thoroughly, can never be fully covered by ticket sales and sponsors. This is a fact," she says, adding the troupe also faces problems such as declining public interest in theater and lack of government support.

On March 11, Teater Koma will be 32 years old. Soeharto, the leader that they criticized when he was still in power, stepped down from his political throne after ruling the country for 32 years.

Will this also be the final year for Teater Koma?

Ratna reiterates the troupe`s philosophy that their artistic expression in the theater always ends with a comma, not a period -- it is theater that is sustainable and will always live.

Teater Koma will perform Republik Petruk at Taman Ismail Marzuki cultural center`s Graha Bhakti Budaya everyday at 7:30 p.m. from Jan. 9 to 25. Ticket prices range from Rp 30,000 to Rp. 100,000. Information: 021-7350460, 021-5224058, 021-31934740. Ary Hermawan

Source: http://old.thejakartapost.com (January 9, 2008)

Construction at Majapahit Site to Continue

2011-04-04T02:55:00.000-07:00

Mojokerto - The head of the Artifacts Preservation Center for East Java, I Made Kusumajaya, has said that construction of the Majapahit Information Center (PIM), located on the Majapahit original site, has currently been halted and will be continued in February.

”Once the construction redesign is finished,” he said yesterday (7/1).

Made explained the new construction will be culture friendly, using a concrete pole with a diameter of 30 centimeters.

”It will be drilled so it will not create much damage on the site,” he said.

The design change is needed because there has been criticism that the construction has damaged the original site.

Made said the construction had been stopped since December 19, last year.

”Not because of the minister said so, but because the first phase of the contract had been finished,” he said.

The construction has been criticized by archaeologists and surrounding members of the community.

They consider the construction harms the preservation of the existing site.

Made said he regretted the criticism and acknowledged that the foundation installment has damaged the site, adding “But only slightly.”

He went on to say that the site digging was actually to save the important value of the original site.

”This is a very important object, the center of Majapahit that could have greater value than even Borobudur,” he said.

Made said it was estimated that the project would cost Rp15 billion with funding from the state budget.

The project is divided into three phases and will be completed by 2012.

”We have spent Rp2 billion out of Rp4.5 billion of the initial budget,” he said.

Head of the East Java Regional Police, Inspector General Herman S. Sumariredja said the police will continue its investigation into destruction of the Majapahit site in Trowulan, Mojokerto.

”We will ask archeologist`s opinions,” he said yesterday.

Herman went on to say that even if destruction were proven, the police were unable to stop the project construction.

He said that this was the authority of the Directorate General of History and Artifacts at the Culture and Tourism Department. Dini M | Yekthi Hm

Source: http://www.tempointeractive.com (January 8, 2008)

Monument Of Struggle Leaves Historical Reflection

2011-04-04T02:46:00.000-07:00

Medan, N Sumatra - A Monument of Struggle must leave a historic reflection, and arouse the value of the dedication of the fallen heroes who had sacrificed themselves in the defence of Indonesian dependence.

An imaginary dialog is expected to appear showing heroic values to the people each time they look at the monument,” Military (TNI) Chief General Djoko Santoso said here Tuesday when dedicating the Monument built by the Indonesian Veterans Legion in North Sumatra. General Djoko said that a monument of struggle was not only a solid statue but it also established a contact with history.

He hoped the monument would arouse the people`s resoluteness to continue their heroes` struggle. As a great nation, the Indonesian people including North Sumatrans, must appreciate the services of their heroes who had sacrificed themselves, he said.

Meanwhile, Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah said that the monument in North Sumatra had a close link with Medan as a city of historical significance.

Chamsyah cited as an example North Sumatra`s struggle against the colonialists, known as the Medan Battle. The monument also indicated that Indonesian independence was achieved through fighting and sacrifice. “It was not a present from the colonialists, but we fought for it,” the minister said. (ant )

Source: http://beritasore.com (January 7, 2008)

Welcome To Villa Sentosa, Kampung Morten`s `living Museum`

2011-04-04T02:34:00.000-07:00

Melaka - Many tourists, who have visited Kampung Morten here, described this traditional village as a `living museum`.

This is no surprise as residents at this world heritage site, located right in the middle of this historic city, have been practicing a lifestyle that does not differ much when compared to that of their forefathers apart from the unique design of the village`s houses.

Kampung Morten, named after a British Land Commissioner Frederick Joseph Morten, has 85 homes including 52 Melaka traditional dwellings.

Morten was believed to have played a role in the opening of this village in the 1920s while Othman Mohd Noh was credited as the founder of Kampung Morten.

The village, that sits on land located at the edge of the Melaka river, used to be a mangrove swamp foliaged by a dense nipah jungle.

Malay Village
Despite the years, Kampung Morten is the only Malay village in this historic city to have maintained its customs and traditions.

The village`s houses were built according to the Malay design of having long roofs and tile-covered stairs made from stone.

Intricate wood carvings could also be found at the verandah of these houses. Various flowery plants usually decorate the lawn at these houses.

This has made Kampung Morten a truly unique tourist destination; hence it is no wonder that this village is famous worldwide.

Visitors to Kampung Morten would be welcomed by neatly lined Malay traditional houses and a walk through this village could turn into one the `down memory lane` sojourns.

In 1988, the state government passed a gazette that placed Kampung Morten as a traditional Malay village of heritage significance and turned it into a tourist attraction.

Now, modern multi-storey buildings and the beautiful Melaka river that has undergone an image-uplifting programme flank the village.

For tourists who opt for the Melaka River Cruise, a boat ride that snakes along a four-km stretch of Sungai Melaka, they would be in awe after witnessing the charming and tranquil Malay houses at Kampung Morten.

Villa Sentosa, Living Museum
At a glance, not many would be able to notice that among these pastoral abodes, there is a residence that stores the Melaka Malay heritage that dates back to more than half a century.

These `treasures` are kept in a house there, named `Villa Sentosa`. Othman built this house when he opened the village in 1920.

Nine generations of Othman`s descendants have stayed in this house and the occupants have also maintained the villa`s traditions.

Villa Sentosa, is also dubbed "The Living Museum" by many tourists and was turned into a sort of personal museum on Dec 11, 1991.

A descendant of Othman`s, 58-year-old Abdul Rahim Hashim, now runs the villa.

When speaking to Bernama recently, Abdul Rahim said Villa Sentosa exhibits a unique interior design apart from having a collection of Malay traditional wear, musical instruments and antique furniture.

Family Possessions
Visitors to the villa would come to know about the family members of Hashim Abdul Ghani, the father of Abdul Rahim, through photographs and pictures placed on the walls of the `wedding room`.

Abdul Rahim said the room had been used for 20 weddings of Othman`s descendants. Meanwhile, at the villa`s sitting room, a family tree illustration provides visitors with information on `who`s who` in Othman`s family.

Fourteen windows provide the villa with a profuse infusion of fresh and cool air; hence the house needs no fans and air-conditioners.

This villa also exhibits a traditional Malay wedding dais, bathed in yellow colour as well as various Malay wedding attire that aged some 20 years apart from the other traditional wedding paraphernalia.

There is also a room decorated like that of a Malay wedding room during the old days of the Melaka sultanate.

Among other exhibits are a gong believed to be two centuries old, a 100-year-old cupboard and ceramics.

Also present are a 80-year-old Quran and an English-Arab dictionary published in 1926. There is also a glass cabinet that displays antique cameras.

This villa also greets visitors with its collection of the 50s era record apartment from an assortment of time-honoured weapons like the `tekpi` (trident) as well as ancient crockery from countries like China, England, Italy and France.

Cultural Show
"In an effort to promote Villa Sentosa, we also stage a cultural show that incorporates the dongdang sayang and joget lambak. The show is held once a month", said Abdul Rahim.

He said there is no entrance fee for visitors to the villa and his family members would be ever willing to provide information to anybody who request it.

"We do not impose any fee, it is enough for them (tourists) to make contributions for the family which we would use to make repairs and refurbishment to the villa," he added.

Villa Sentosa is opened to visitors daily from 9am to 6pm except on Friday where it is accessible for tourists between 2pm and 6pm.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (Desember 16, 2008)

Madrasah gets new home

2011-04-01T02:47:00.000-07:00

Singapore - Top performing madrasah Al-Irsyad has moved into a new and permanent home in the newly-built Singapore Islamic Hub in Braddell Road.

Classes for more than 900 primary and secondary-level pupils and students started last Friday.

With 32 classrooms equipped with projectors and broadband Internet access, a library, a science laboratory and a computer room, the Islamic school will be able to focus on its primary job of preparing pupils for secondary education.

The $16 million eight-storey building is a far cry from the crumbling schoolhouse it used to occupy on Winstedt Road and will mark the first time that the Islamic school has had its own premises.

Pupils and students also get new high-tech gadgets found in mainstream schools such as interactive boards, handheld mathematic game consoles and digital voice recorders. Al-Irsyad director Razak Mohd Lazim believes such methods are the best to engage young learners and develop their academic skills.

The school, which produced last year`s top Madrasah pupil in the PSLE, is the only one of six Islamic schools to have such technology.

Funded by donations from the public over the last 5 years or so, all stops were pulled out to ensure its pupils performed to meet a new compulsory requirement by the government.

That states that Madrasah pupils must take the PSLE and match the aggregate score of Malay pupils in the six lowest-performing national schools.

Madrasahs that meet the PSLE benchmark twice in a three-year period can continue to take in Primary One pupils. By Diana Othman

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com (January 6, 2008)

Jermias O Pah: Keeping the music alive

2011-04-01T02:37:00.000-07:00

Kupang - Jermias Ougust Pah celebrated his 69th birthday two months ago but he shows no signs of slowing down.

The father of 10 is both an artist and a teacher who has helped put sasando -- a palm-leaf harp-like musical instrument from Rote Island in East Nusa Tenggara -- onto the world stage.

His work has kept him busy looking after guests and even tourists who come to his simple house in Oebelo village in Central Kupang, Kupang regency.

"They come to see the sasando for themselves," Jermias told The Jakarta Post proudly.

"There are also those who want to hear the original sound of the unique traditional music."

He is committed to preserving sasando not only because he is one of the remaining maestros of this unique musical instrument; he is doing it simply because he wants to.

And his efforts have not gone unnoticed.

In late 2006, he received a cultural award and gold pin from Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik.

A year later, the minister named him an Indonesian artist maestro. He was given a certificate and Rp 6 million prize, presented by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"I`m proud," he said of his achievement. "My hard work is appreciated and recognized by the government and the Nusa Tenggara Timur community."

Late last year the Nusa Tenggara Timur Academia Forum named him one of the leaders who had recorded significant achievements in 2008.

The Nusa Tenggara Timur Academia Forum is an academic network of journalists, activists, NGOs, university students, community leaders and church leaders from the province, with members spread across Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia and major cities in Indonesia.

He has received international recognition also.

In mid-2007, he was invited to take part in a three-month exchange program for traditional musicians in Yokohama, Japan.

"I was asked to play sasando at an exhibition, in front of a thousand people. They were very impressed with the sasando."

He has also performed in Timor Leste four times and has been invited to play in Rome, Italy, this year.

There are many stories from various sources describing how the sasando developed, but Jermias claims it all began on Rote Island in the 17th century.

The legend of the instrument, as he retells it, starts with two young brothers who were herding sheep. As they were both tired, they fell asleep under a thick palm tree. As they slept, they heard strains of marvelous music coming from a spider who was plucking the strands of its web.

When they awoke, the sounds lingered in their memories. One of them was inspired by the music to make from palm leaves a harp-like musical instrument with strings in the center.

At first, there were only between five and 11 strings with five tones, but over time, the number of strings increased; a modern sasando has between 26 and 32 strings.

"Now I am developing the instrument to feature 45 to 57 strings," Jermias said. "All types of tones can be played on the sasando. So the sound will be complete, similar to a musical ensemble."

Jermias` success in becoming a maestro of traditional music might seem unlikely, given that he is a farmer`s son. But his father, Ougust Pah, who passed away in 1972, was also something of a maestro.

Jermias wanted to be a musician from when he was just a small boy, with his artistic talent beginning to emerge when he was still in elementary school.

"In school we were taught to hit the gong. At home, my father trained me to play the sasando. At that time, I was around nine years old. My father was a tremendous sasando player."

Still, despite his own success, he has one burning wish in his heart -- to ignite interest in the instrument among the young.

"Five of my 10 children know how to play sasando," he said proudly.

The children play sasando every week at religious services. A church in Manado has even hired Jermias and his son, Jitro, to teach the instrument to young male church members.

Nevertheless, he said, there are no more than 100 sasando musicians across the whole country.
And therein lies his mission.

"It`s my obligation to educate young people to play sasando."

But he does not have to do it alone -- the World Bank itself has pledged to help him train at least 10 children from broken homes each year.

Under this program, he will be paid Rp 4 million each month -- big money for a man whose reputation does little to improve his financial situation.

His house is only half finished. Walls built 10 years ago are on the verge of collapse. Some walls have cracks in them, and the roof leaks in parts.

But this simple house is Jermias` showroom: He has turned his living room into an "exhibition room" for sasando, ti`ilangga (a special Roti hat made from palm leaves), a gong, a small drum made from a section of coconut shell and Ndao, traditional woven cloth exclusively from Rote.

A hut on the west side of his house serves as a workshop, where he makes sasando and sasando souvenirs.

Despite his modest situation, Jermias remains optimistic that he and his sasando can find their place in the music world.

"Like a single, fragrant flower, my dream for the sasando is that it makes music that brings peace to souls all over the world." Yemris Fointuna

Source: http://old.thejakartapost.com (January 7, 2008)

UM Sharing Expertise In BM With Singapore University

2011-04-01T02:29:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - Singapore`s youngest private university, SIM University (UniSIM), is cooperating with Universiti Malaya (UM) in its move to expand the use of Bahasa Malaysia at the international level through sharing of expertise, syllabus and training.

UniSIM president Prof Cheong Hee Kiat said the two universities hoped they would realise the objective through such cooperation forged for UniSIM`s Bachelor in Malay Language and Literature programme.

"Although we do have our resources in Singapore, it`s nothing like having the experts and people who use the language daily. And UM has a long history of teaching the programme and it`s really good to have this collaboration.

"I am sure our lecturers for the programme`s first intake this month will be very excited to start the programme and getting engaged with the experts in this area," he told reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding on the matter with UM at UM`s Chancellery Building here today.

UM was represented by its vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ghauth Jasmon, who said that currently there were three academic staff from UM`s Malay Studies Academy conducting lectures at UniSIM.

He hoped that in future there would be a students` exchange programme between both universities.

"As UM has many experts in language and liguistics, I hope this will be the starting point and to see the collaboration expanded in future," he added.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (January 6, 2009)

Brunei starts to implement new national education system

2011-04-01T02:24:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei Darussalam has begun to implement a new national education system nationwide in a bid to enhance its education level, a local newspaper said on Tuesday.

Brunei Education Minister Pehin Dato Haji Abdul Rahman said that the new education system was aimed at improving the country`s education achievement towards realizing the Brunei Vision 2035, according to the Borneo Bulletin.

The Vision is set to make Brunei well known in the world for its educated, highly-skilled and successful citizens, high quality of living among citizens as well as for its dynamic and sustainable economy.

The Brunei Education Ministry was confident that the new system would answer the country`s high expectations of seeing all students have the opportunity for the highest education, the minister said at a ceremony here on Monday.

The ministry was focusing on equipping the younger generation with quality education to make them more dynamic, he said at the ceremony launching the new system, named the System Pendidikan Negara Abad Ke-21 (SPN21) or the 21st Century National Education System.

The SPN21 was implemented after last year`s successful trial run in the sultanate to upgrade the outdated one in a bid to equip students with the 21st skills and knowledge, the Bulletin said.

It will be implemented gradually, phase by phase, and the full implementation at primary classes will take place in 2011, the newspaper added.

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com (January 6, 2009)

UNESCO to name batik as an Indonesian cultural heritage in May

2011-04-01T02:19:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - The government announced Tuesday UNESCO would soon name batik, Indonesia`s traditional practice of dying cloth through wax resist methods, as an intangible cultural heritage.

"According to plan, UNESCO will officially name batik as a cultural heritage in May this year," said Indroyono Soesilo, secretary to the coordinating minister for people`s welfare, as quoted by state news agency Antara on Tuesday.

Getting batik to be recognized by UNESCO had been a long and complex journey, Indroyono said. The Indonesian government had to produce extensive academic research on batik, he said, to make their case.

"We must be grateful that the work of our ancestors will be acknowledged by the world," he said.
So far, Indonesia has registered nine of its places and practices with the UN`s educational, scientific and cultural guardian. Two other cultural heritages are wayang puppetry and the kris. World heritages sites include natural ones such as Komodo National Park, Tropical Rainforest of Sumatra, and historic sites such as the Borobudur and Prambanan temple compounds and the Sangiran Early Man archeological site. (and)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com (January 6, 2008)

Pasar Malam Paris a celebration of RI literary

2011-04-01T02:09:00.000-07:00

Paris - On a crisp December weekend in Paris, the French-Indonesian association, Pasar Malam, held its third bi-annual Indonesian-French literary exchange event.

Featured writers from both countries and held at the Maison des Cultures du Monde and emceed by Arwad Esber, the theme of the weekend was complex: From the private sphere to the public place: autofiction or self-image? Autobiography in literary oeuvre.

Pak Maruli Tua Sagala, from the Indonesian Embassy, officially opened the proceedings and Johanna Lederer, in her written introduction to the program, said that: "...writing about others often leads to unwelcome autobiographical elements, but writing about others without involving a self-centered approach has nourished works by Dickens, Proust, Salman Rushdie and Alexander Soljenitsyne, for example."

French writer and teacher at the prestigious Lycee Louis-le-Grand, Bernard Chambaz, was the first to talk about his work. Chambaz reminded the audience that the great richness of the modern French language is due in part to words or expressions taken from other cultures and languages. Chambaz talked about his own geographical and literary journeys and an extract of his poem, Le livre blanc de toutes les couleurs, which touches on the them of French`s enrichment by outside influences, was then read by French born Indonesian social scientist Anda Djoehana Wiradikarta.

Makassar-born writer Lily Yulianti Farida, 37, and Luna Widya (trained as an anthropologist) were next, and explained their Makkunrai project, which involved feminist themes. Both had flown from Sulawesi just to attend the literary gathering.

Luna convinced onlookers of her skills as an actress and activist when she later performed at the Restaurant Indonesia`s 26th anniversary ten days later. Luna born in Jakarta in 1966 of Makassar parents read two poems and acted out the latter with great bravado. The latter was a long poem about the daughter of someone very unimportant who got caught up in the anti-communist wave in Indonesia and who as a consequence never had the proper papers and left to work as a servant-girl in Saudia Arabia.

She then murdered her employer there. What was unusual was that representatives of the Indonesian Embassy were there as well because additionally a photo exhibition by Patrick Blanche of his Indonesia series was also on display at the restaurant.

Luna, an actress-cum-poet who transforms ideas from short stories and excerpts of novels into recorded theater monologues, explored photo-essays.

Welcome entertainment came in the form of vivacious Mexican dancer Ilse Peralta. Having studied dance with I Made Djimat and Agung Oka Partiniin Bali, Peralta presented a contemporary version of Keban Tanjung with such authenticity that she confounded some in the audience, who thought the brunette dancer was Indonesian.

At the following round-table discussion, expertly led by anthropologist Jean-Marc de Grave, philosopher Etienne Naveau began by giving his interpretation of the day`s literary theme with references to Sundanese writer Ajip Rosidi. Naveau explained when and why Rosidi chooses to express himself either in Sundanese or in modern Indonesian. He then discussed how, under the guise of writing about others, many writers actually express more about their own point of view and history.

Interpretations and translations of oral traditions is usually required in research on Indonesia and this, Naveau said, can be a major pitfall for young academics, who do not always fathom the peculiarities of local languages, including Bahasa Indonesia.

Naveau cited the difficulties involved in translating a large selection of Sitor Situmorang`s poems, edited by Henri Chambert-Loir, in 2002. The compilation, Paris la Nuit, was the fruit of cooperation between French and Indonesian students, poets and academics alike, and was overseen by Indonesia`s Farida Soemargono-Labrousse, the now retired former lecturer of the National Institute of Languages and Oriental Civilizations (INALCO).

French writer, critic and editor, Christine Jordis, then expounded on her travels in Asia and the "afterwards" -- or the insights gained during the trip that enabled her to talk about the Other, thereby revealing her own intimate self.

Jordis reminded the audience of deceased Palestinian philosopher Edward Said`s idea of the Other or the West`s exoticization of the East and its need to create differnces between the two. Jordis told the audience that she had enjoyed reading Nicolas Bouvier`s account of his travels in Indonesia just as much as Chambaz.

Despite general disappointment at Djenar Maesa Ayu`s -- who famously explores female sexuality in her writing -- last minute cancellation, another well-known Indonesian writer, poet and translator, Laksmi Pamuntjak, stepped up to the plate and presented a brilliant paper.

Remarkable for its clarity and precision and adhering to the day`s theme in elegant Indonesian prose, Pamuntjak`s speech was translated into French by Helene Blanchard, who could barely keep up with the break-neck speed with which it was delivered.

Pamuntjak opened her discourse with a quote from Columbia University`s (U.S) John Ashberry, translated into Indonesian:"Ada saatnya kita sadar bahwa tak ada satupun laku manusia yang lebih dramatis dan meyakinkan ketimbang laku kita sendiri" (Which approximately re-translated means: There comes a point when we become conscious of the fact that there is no other human behavior that is more dramatic and more convincing than our own).

Her following speech centered around the work of Pramoedya Ananta Toer and Nurhayati Sri Hardini (also known as Nh Dini). Pamuntjak told The Jakarta Post afterwards that what was more important to her than her own personal approach to writing was the analysis Ananta Toer and Nh Hardini offer, which reminds the younger generation about a largely ignored period in Indonesian history.

Laksmi focused more on the autobiographical elements in Pramoedya`s early stories of Blora, his hometown. She argued that there was "a warmth and intimacy and vulnerability in those Blora stories that distinguish them from most of Pramoedya`s prose in which man`s thoughts, emotions and actions invariably dominate the store, relegate nature to the sidelines and do away with the abstract."

According to Laksmi, it is clear that Nh Dini includes auto-biographical elements in her writing. Married to a French diplomat, Dini traveled to Japan, the Philippines, Cambodia, America, the Netherlands and France. Recognition finally came with her novels La Barka (1973) and Pada Sebuah Kapal (1985).

After the discussion, doyen poet Sitor Situmorang read his poem Lagu Jembatan Kota Paris, about the bridges spanning the river Seine. He dedicated it to the memory of his close friend, painter and long time resident of Paris, Salim (1908-2008).

An interview of Situmorang by Vincent Bardet, editor at Le Seuil publishing house, was rather awkward for Bardet. Despite the excellent translation by Blanchard, cultural differences came in to play, as Situmorang understands French only passively and is more fluent in Indonesian and Dutch.

Eighty four-year-old Situmorang was reluctant to explain his spirituality and his relationship with women, questions Bardet formulated form reading his poetry.

Later, the audience were invited to view the Parisian premi*re of Mereka Bilang Saya Monyet! (They call me monkey), a film based on the novel by Djenar Maesa Ayu. The film touches on themes that have never been directly tackled by a female Indonesian director: life in the Indonesian capital (which could have be any modern Asian metropolis), with its share of trendy young women trying to come to grips with their sexuality and professional life, while resolving problems with their mothers and lovers, including sexual abuse as a child.

As the event drew to a close, the audience was left with much to discuss and cogitate about on the metro ride home in wintery Paris. Kunang Helmi-Picard

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com (January 4, 2008)

No wars in Mindanao in 2009, says peace group

2011-03-31T02:38:00.000-07:00

Kidapawan City – The Arroyo administration can`t afford to spend millions of money to pursue its wars in Mindanao this year, according to a group of peace advocates.

One proof of this, said lawyer Mary Ann Arnado of the Mindanao Peoples` Caucus (MPC) “is the government`s extensive campaign to curb the impact of the global financial crisis, which will hit the country early this year.”

“The government cannot afford to lose P20 million a day to pursue the Moro rebels in the South. Instead, it must focus on how the country will survive in the global financial crisis,” said Arnado in an interview over dxND.

Arnado said there was no basis for the report about recent attacks allegedly launched by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the South as a prelude to a bigger war.

“There is no reason to believe the war is in the offing. I don`t think fighting the MILF in the South is the priority at this time by the government,” Arnado said.

The fact, she said, that Malacanang has already created a new panel tasked to negotiate with the MILF “is proof the government wants peace instead of war.”

In another development, MILF civil-military affairs chief Eid Kabalu said that if the government was serious in pursuing the negotiations, “the discussion should start where it ended.”

“The talks ended with the scrapping of the Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain. It is just proper the talks should start there,” said Kabalu in an interview over dxND.

“We don`t blame the GRP panel when it did not sign the document. They were just ordered to do so. But the MILF is bent on discussing the issue again with the government,” said Kabalu.

The formal signing of the MoA-AD in Malaysia on August 5 last year was aborted when the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order which prevented the GRP panel from signing the document.

Malacanang later announced that it would not sign the document or any similar form in the future. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)

Source: http://www.mindanews.com (January 2, 2008)

Malaysia To Boost Muslim Progress Through Education

2011-03-30T03:07:00.000-07:00

Dubai - For Malaysia`s Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, efforts to make Malaysia a regional education hub is more than just about attracting an increasing number of foreign students to its approximately 60 public and private universities.

It is also about doing whatever it can to enable developing countries, especially Muslim nations, to progress by equipping their people with the relevant skills and knowledge.

"We`re providing access to our higher education, places in our universities because we believe that this is one way of contributing towards the development of our fellow Muslim countries," he said in an interview here recently.

"No country can develop if they don`t give their people the required knowledge and skills," said Khaled, disclosing that Malaysia was currently home to 60,000 foreign students, of which about 18,000 are from the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region.

The countries include Yemen, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Libya, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Bahrain, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
With about 43 million people in the age range eligible to be enrolled in tertiary education, Khaled acknowledged that the MENA region held great potential for Malaysia in terms of attracting foreign students to its shores.

"You will see that there will be a consistent and constant effort by Malaysia, especially my ministry, to come over to this region to establish closer ties with governments and officials responsible for higher education so that they will always consider Malaysia whenever they decide to send their students for further studies," he said.

Khaled said the ministry was shifting its focus to government-sponsored students although private students would still be welcome to study in Malaysia.

Explaining the reason behind this, the minister said: "Governments will only sponsor the best students and we need good students to help improve the rankings of our universities. Whatever we do, we can`t run away from achieving excellence."

Besides attracting undergraduates, Khaled said, Malaysia was also eyeing more students for Masters and PhD programmes.

"Such students will do a lot of research and development, and you can see the amount of knowledge that will be discovered. New knowledge and discoveries can lead to potential wealth creation.

"The creation of wealth is something very important. This is the direction in which we`re heading," he said.

Besides bringing in foreign students, the minister said the internationalisation of Malaysia`s higher education was also about enabling its universities to collaborate with other institutions of higher learning from around the world for mutual benefit.

Khaled spoke at length about what Malaysia had to offer in terms of tertiary education and steps being taken to improve it further.

"We ensure that the courses offered are within the quality framework introduced under the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). In other words, those who send their students to Malaysia can rest assured of the quality and standards of higher education available in Malaysia," he said.

The emphasis on quality was in tandem with efforts to mould world-class Malaysian universities, he said, adding that private universities in Malaysia were also under the purview of MQA.

"Among the changes that we`re going to make is that all private universities will be subjected to the Rating System for the Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (Setara) aimed at identifying their strengths and weaknesses so as to improve quality," he said.

The system has already been used to rate public universities in Malaysia as either excellent, very good, good and so on.

According to Khaled, not all universities, especially private institutions of higher learning, in the Southeast Asian country of 27 million people would be allowed to take in foreign students.

"We`re going to identify only those qualified to offer places for foreign students. Those which don`t meet the requirements won`t get the licence to enrol foreign students," he said.

The minister said those opting to further their studies in Malaysia should expect to see a high level of tolerance towards foreigners on the part of the Malaysian society which had a multireligious and multicultural make-up.

"This is unlike, for example, certain issues and problems faced by students from Muslim countries in places like America and Europe," he observed. As people keep a tight hold on their wallets against the backdrop of the current economic and financial crisis, Khaled said, Malaysia offered value for money in terms of education.

"The cost of studying and the cost of living in Malaysia are reasonable. Governments from this region will find Malaysia a very attractive proposition to send their nationals for further studies," he said.

According to him, mechanisms were in place to ensure minimum bureaucracy for foreign students and the ministry would advise universities accordingly on this matter. By Muin Abdul Majid

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (January 4, 2008)

Undang: Tuanku Muhriz`s Appointment Unanimous, Without Lobbying

2011-03-30T02:52:00.000-07:00

Rembau - The appointment of Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as the new Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on Monday was made unanimously without lobbying by any party, one of the state`s four territorial chieftains said today.

In an exclusive interview with Bernama at his residence here, Undang Luak Rembau, Datuk Muhamad Sharip Othman, denied talk that there were attempts to influence the four Undangs to decide on the appointment, including by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

"According to the state constitution, the absolute power to appoint the Yang Dipertuan Besar rests only with the four Undangs -- Datuk Undang Luak Sungai Ujong, Datuk Undang Luak Jelebu, Datuk Undang Luak Rembau and Datuk Undang Luak Johol, with the Datuk Undang Luak Sungai Ujong as chairman.

"For the information of all, the decision we made was 100 per cent unanimous," he said in clarifying media reports, including by bloggers, on the appointment of Tuanku Muhriz.

Tuanku Muhriz, 60, succeeded his uncle, Tuanku Ja`afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 86, who died on Dec 27 after a reign of 41 years.

"I am most thankful, especially to the menteri besar. He never interfered or influenced the Undangs in making our decision. We have heard such talk and I deny this. He has been very professional," Muhamad Sharip said.

The Undang Luak Rembau was also asked about the factors that he and his brother Undangs had considered in appointing Tuanku Muhriz, the little-known prince who prior to ascending the Negeri Sembilan throne was the Tunku Besar Seri Menanti.

To this, he only replied: "This is a matter of the absolute right of the four Undangs to decide. It is up to us and in accordance with our thinking and wisdom at the given time".

Media speculation about the choice of the new Yang Dipertuan Besar centred on Tuanku Ja`afar`s eldest son, Tunku Naquiyuddin, the high-profile prince widely known especially in the corporate sector.

Asked about his feelings at being personally involved in such an historic event as choosing the Yang Dipertuan Besar or better known as Yam Tuan, Muhamad Sharip said this was something he had never dreamt of doing.

"In life, probably he (Yam Tuan) would outlive us Undangs or we would (outlive) him. It so happened that he preceded us and it is incumbent upon us to carry out this responsibility," he said.

He described the task of choosing the new Ruler for the first time in over four decades as "a very heavy responsibility".

"It is indeed very heavy because in other states, the succession would go from father to son, but not here in Negeri Sembilan. We are unique".

Muhamad Sharip said it was not easy for the four territorial chieftains to decide as they had to consider various aspects before arriving at their decision.

He was also very proud of the fact that the secrecy surrounding the appointment of Tuanku Muhriz was tightly maintained until the proclamation shortly before the late Tuanku Ja`afar was laid to rest at the Royal Mausoleum in Seri Menanti after the Asar prayers on Monday.

The Undang said the decision was not even pre-informed to Tuanku Muhriz or the three other members of the royalty who are in line to the throne.

The three are Tunku Naquiyuddin and his two other brothers, Tunku Imran and Tunku Putera Nadzaruddin.

On the late Tuanku Ja`afar, the Undang said: "We brother Undangs were so close to him and dearly loved him. For us, his death is a big loss to the people of Negeri Sembilan because, as we all know, he was an extraordinary person".

"He was also a compassionate and fair Ruler and someone with a sharp mind and who always made decisions based on consultation."

Muhamad Sharip also agreed that there was keen interest among the people, especially from outside the state, to get to know better the Adat Pepatih, Negeri Sembilan`s unique matrilineal system of governance, following the appointment of the new Ruler.

He said he had taken the initiative to publish an updated book on the Adat Pepatih and matters related to it which would go on sale soon.

The book, entitled "Legasi Ketuanan Rembau" (The Legacy of Rembau Supremacy), will mainly be distributed to schools to disseminate knowledge of the Negeri Sembilan traditions among the younger generation.

"For example, not many people outside of Negeri Sembilan know that the four Undangs are actually co-rulers with the Yang Dipertuan Besar," he said.

Source: http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com (January 4, 2008)

Festival Offers Various Healthy, Veggie Foods

2011-03-30T02:35:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Tasteful meat soup without meat and the famous pempek fishcakes without fish are among the fares on offer at a “Food and Go Green” festival in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Sunday.

Some do taste odd to the novice, but the event at Jakarta Fair Ground (PRJ) clearly shows there is a wide choice here for vegetarians.

The festival, which is held by a religious community, Vihara Metta Karuna, celebrates vegetarianism and calls on people to embrace living with the nature.

With a free admission, a visitor can exchange coupons, at Rp 50,000 each, for vegetarian snacks and food at dozens of stalls set up in the area.

At the festival, the Jakartans can enjoy both traditional and international meat-free versions of local and international food, ranging from bakso malang (soup with meatballs), nasi tim (rice with mushroom and chicken), siomay (steamed dumplings) pizza and Japanese tempura.

The dishes are made from basic ingredients like flour, beans and mushrooms, said festival coordinator Sumartono on Saturday.

Like many vegetarian foods, no shallots or garlic are used in the recipes.

“Through this event, we want to show people that vegetarians can enjoy various dishes, which are commonly enjoyed by non-vegetarians,” said Sumartono, who has been a vegetarian for about 20 years.

“We only need to replace the meat with ingredients made from flour and mushrooms. There is also a stall where visitors can buy the basic ingredients so they can cook them at home,” he said.

He said being a vegetarian was one of the many ways to care for the environment.

“But we don`t want to force people to become a vegetarian. It is optional,” he said, adding that it was now quite easy for vegetarians to find meat-free food, since vegetarian restaurants were springing up throughout the city.

The festival received a positive response from visitors.

Ayun, who only became a vegetarian a couple of months ago, said she enjoyed the food at the festival.

“The pempek is good. It`s like the real one. Here, I learn that being a vegetarian doesn`t mean that you should only eat vegetables. You can be creative by using the basic ingredients: flour and mushrooms,” Ayun, 37, said.

Source: TheJakartaPost.com

Philippines Urge World Heritage Communities To Help Preservation

2011-03-30T02:22:00.000-07:00

Manila - Tourism Secretary of the Philippines Ace Durano, called on local communities that host World Heritage sites to help preserve tourist magnets since “these are sources of our livelihood as much as they are wellsprings of our national pride, as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer yesterday.

Durano made the appeal in the wake of the Department of Tourism`s participation in the World Heritage Travel Expo held last November in Macau.

“We appeal to the people, tourists who visit and local communities, to take care of these sites,” he said of special landmarks included on a list drawn up by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

“We also owe their preservation not only to our fellow Filipinos but to the world and our future generations,” he added.

Durano also sought help from schools, local government units and families to encourage the young to promote and value Philippine heritage sites and even other local tourism attractions.

The Philippines had five sites listed in UNESCO`s World Heritage, including the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Historic Town of Vigan, and the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

On the other hand, Macau government has also tried to preserve its World Heritage sites, after being reprimanded by several locals and support groups for not “properly protecting” the territory`s cultural heritage sites last year.

The SAR government has issued a regulation imposing maximum height limit of 90 meters to the buildings surrounding the culturally protected area of the Guia Lighthouse.

Guia Lighthouse is included in the Historic Centre of Macau, which includes a collection of over twenty locations and sites that blends Chinese and Western cultures in Macau, comprising monuments such as urban squares, streetscapes, churches and temples, and was enlisted as one of the Unesco World Heritage in 2005.

“With its historic street, residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the historic centre of Macau provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from East and West,” said UNESCO about Macau.

“It bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West, based on the vibrancy of international trade.”

Macau hosted World Heritage Travel Expo in November last year at the Venetian Convention and Exhibition Centre, which included exhibits from the mainland, Macau, Philippines, Indonesia, Korea and Malaysia.

There are now 20,000 overseas Filipino workers in Macau, who play an important role in the development of Macau, while the Philippines is Macau`s fifth-top visitor generating market, with more than 200,000 people from the Philippines visiting the SAR in the first seven months of last year alone.

Source: macaudailytimesnews.com

Jakarta`s urban heritage gains an audience

2011-03-30T02:17:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - As a history undergraduate, Kartum Setiawan liked nothing better than to walk alone through the streets of this city`s crumbling colonial quarters, armed with old maps and a vivid imagination. He pictured the Dutch merchants rowing their boats along the canals. In a cobbled square, he recalled the trams that came in the 19th century, opening up new suburbs to the south.

Today, Mr. Setiawan`s day job allows him to keep one foot in the past: He serves as director of a bank museum in Jakarta`s historic Kota district. He also runs an amateur history club, one of several that have sprung up in the city in recent years, as interest in urban heritage has grown. Every few months, he organizes a nighttime tour of the district on old-fashioned black bicycles, serenaded by vintage songs playing on a chunky tape recorder.

"This is part of our integrity as a nation, to understand our history. As a way of learning, it`s much easier to see objects visually than to read about them in books," he says.

Most visitors to Indonesia`s sprawling capital see only the modern trappings of its postwar boom. Jakarta`s rich history is harder to unpeel than that of cities like Singapore and Bangkok, where restored colonial-era buildings draw hordes of foreign tourists. In fact, Jakarta is much older: founded in 1619 by Dutch traders who built a walled city called Batavia on the north shore of Java Island. It became the capital of the Dutch East Indies, a far-flung possession that declared independence in 1945.

Modern Jakarta – as it was renamed in 1942 – has turned its back on the past, leaving parts of its colonial core in a state of near ruin. Developers shun these areas, focusing on new neighborhoods in the south of the city. As a result, nearly 80 percent of 284 historic buildings are classified by city authorities as being in poor condition, the Jakarta Post reported.

Blocks from Setiawan`s museum is a tantalizing glimpse of the past. Along a stinking canal, rows of colonial-era buildings fester under the afternoon sun. Erected as banks and trading offices by European and Chinese merchants, some are shuttered and dilapidated. Others have rotting wooden balconies and sagging roofs. Grimy minibuses throttle down the streets.

Setiawan and other local history enthusiasts who want to save these long-neglected streets from ruin face a daunting task. City authorities have their hands full providing services to Jakarta`s 14 million or more people, many of them struggling to make a living. City Governor Fauzi Bowo has paid lip service to the need to conserve historic sites and attract more tourists, but there`s little new money available.

Mr. Bowo has also proposed tapping private foundations for help and inviting creative industries to set up in areas like Kota as a way to revive its fortunes. But that is impossible as long as the building owners have no real incentives to preserve their character, says Tamalia Alisjahbana, executive director of the National Archives Building Foundation.

Heritage laws forbid additions to listed buildings, so private landlords often let their properties fall into disrepair so they can be knocked down, rather than invest in their upkeep. Many other colonial buildings were nationalized after independence, but the government bureaucrats in charge are economic planners, not culture officials, and aren`t keen on expensive restorations.

"The Finance Ministry looks at all buildings as financial assets. They don`t take into account their historical status," says Ms. Alisjahbana.

Bank Mandiri Museum, where Setiawan works, is different. A private Dutch bank that was nationalized in the 1950s, it was converted into a museum in 2005 by the government-owned Bank Mandiri. Visitors enter an elegant, old-fashioned banking hall of marble-topped counters bathed in light from stained-glass windows. The 1929 building faces an art deco railway station from the same period that`s still used.

Setiawan isn`t deterred by Kota`s decay or the sticky politics of conservation. He sees hope in the busloads of schoolchildren in his museum and the popularity of cultural tours in the area. "People used to pass these buildings without noticing them. After they join our activities, then they really become aware of them," he says.

From only 50 visitors a day when it opened, the museum now sees 200 a day. Setiawan`s history club has 5,000 members, mostly students and professionals who pay $5 to join the historical walks. In his spare time, he has begun a master`s program in museum studies and is working on a book on Jakarta`s old mosques.

One handicap to Indonesian historians who study this heritage is that most colonial archives are stored in Holland and are in written Dutch, a language that few here can speak. In recent years, universities have added Dutch classes for history majors. This reflects a renewed academic interest in colonial times, after decades of government-mandated teachings that emphasized political nation-building.

By delving fully into the past – and taking care of its physical remains – a young nation can start to understand its destiny, says Asep Kambali, who runs another history club. "What is Indonesia? Who are we? Only history can tell us this," he says.

Source: http://www.csmonitor.com (December 30, 2008)

Activists Call for Better Protection of National Park

2011-03-28T02:50:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - The government has no intention of ending encroachment by illegal loggers at Kerinci Seblat National Park on Sumatra Island, an activist said on Friday.

Musnardi Munir of the Nature Conservation Alliance, a nongovernmental organization based in Jambi Province, said that more than 200,000 hectares of the park had already been lost to illegal logging.

The national park straddles four provinces — West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu and South Sumatra — and borders 13 districts, covering an area of around 1.4 million hectares.

“The illegal encroachment has been going on since it [the national park] was established, but there has been no significant move from the government to end it,” Musnardi said, adding that the authorities always put the blame on a lack of law enforcers.

“But, if they really wanted to protect the park, they just need to add more officers,” he said.

He said the illegal encroachment was worsening as a result of the provincial government`s development planning.

“They [the government] are planning on building roads through the national park to provide better access for local residents,” he said.

Musnardi said illegal encroachment in the national park area was mostly carried out by outsiders, clearing the land to open up new farming areas.

Meanwhile, Kholid Indarto, a senior officer at the national park, said more data on land clearance was needed because no research had been conducted into the issue.

“The data needs to be closely examined because there could be reasons other than illegal encroachment for the land clearance,” Indarto said. “It could have been caused by forest fires or landslides, not just by land clearance.”

He said the data should also be backed up with satellite imaging.

“In 2004, we used satellite imaging to obtain data that indicated that around 11 percent of the land within the national park had been cleared,” he said.

Yoan Dinata of Flora and Fauna International, a nongovernmental organization that has a unit dedicated to stopping land clearance in Kerinci Seblat, said illegal encroachment was the biggest contributor to the environmental degradation affecting the park.

“It is mostly carried by outsiders who clear the land for farming,” he said. “But they usually get away with it because there is still no strong law enforcement on the issue.”

“We only have 108 police to operate in an area of 1.4 million hectares spread over four provinces,” Yoan said. “It is not enough. We`ve already asked for more but we need policemen of a high caliber.”

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com (January 2, 2008)

Catholic Newspaper Threatens Action Against Malaysia Government

2011-03-28T02:43:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - A Catholic newspaper Friday threatened legal action against Malaysia`s government after being told to stop publishing its Malay language edition in a row over its use of the word "Allah."

The Herald, circulated among the country`s 850,000 Catholics, nearly lost its publishing license last year for using the word "Allah" as a translation for "God," with authorities saying "Allah" should be used only by Muslims.

Now the newspaper has been told it must stop publishing its Malay edition while the issue is resolved in the courts, as part of conditions for it to be allowed to continue printing its editions in English, Chinese and Tamil.

Murphy Pakiam, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and publisher of the weekly newspaper, said in a letter to the home ministry that it had seven days to revoke its decision or face legal action.

He said he was "totally perplexed" over the suspension which "reeks of ill will and bad faith" and was effectively a punishment for the legal battle that is due to be settled next month.

"We are therefore advised and verily believe that this condition constitutes a serious violation of our constitutional freedom of expression and speech," he said in the letter.

Religion and language are sensitive issues in multiracial Malaysia, which experienced deadly race riots in 1969.

About 60% of the nation`s 27 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims, who dominate the government.

The rest of the population includes indigenous tribes as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians - practicing Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, among others.

The Herald`s editor, Father Lawrence Andrew, has said more than half Malaysia`s Catholics are from indigenous groups, most of whom live on the Borneo island states and who mainly speak Malay.

Source: http://www.nasdaq.com (January 2, 2008)

100,000 to take part in protest against the use of English in the teaching of Science and Mathematics

2011-03-20T05:14:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - The Sekretariat Selamatkan Bahasa Melayu (Save Bahasa Melayu Secretariat) will organise a gathering of 100,000 people to protest against the use of English in the teaching of Science and Mathematics.

Head of the secretariat`s implementation committee, Hasni Abas, said yesterday that it would submit a memorandum against the move to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"We had a meeting last Tuesday with non-governmental organisations and political bodies to discuss this matter."

He said among those who attended the meeting included representatives from Pas Youth, Muslim Youth Movement of Malay-sia (Abim), Bahasa Melayu Students Association of Universiti Malaya and Malaysian Linguistic Association.

The secretariat has two units: the main body and the implementation committee.

Members of the main body include Malay linguists Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakob, Datuk Aziz Deraman, Tan Sri Prof Emeritus Ismail Hussein and Prof Dr Awang Sariyan.

Source: http://www.nst.com.my (January 2, 2008)

New Ruler For Negeri Sembilan

2011-03-20T05:05:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - A new ruler for the state of Negeri Sembilan was picked yesterday, after a secret meeting of four powerful state chieftains.

They chose Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, 60, to succeed Tuanku Jaafar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 86, who died last Saturday after complaining of dizziness and chest pains.

Tuanku Muhriz was appointed to the position over three of Tuanku Jaafar`s children, following the meeting of the four Undangs, or state elders, in a unique selection method.

Tuanku Muhriz`s father, Tuanku Munawir Tuanku Abdul Rahman, was the former sultan of Negeri Sembilan. But when he died in 1967, the teenage Tuanku Muhriz was passed over for the title as he was deemed too young, and Tuanku Jaafar was chosen to succeed him instead.

A businessman and a director of Bangkok Bank, Tuanku Muhriz is married, with three children.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi called for national and state flags to be flown at half mast when Tuanku Jaafar was buried yesterday.

The late king served as Malaysia`s 10th constitutional monarch between 1994 and 1999, under a system that allows nine hereditary state rulers to take turns being king for a five-year term. Four other states are not headed by monarchs.

While Malaysia`s monarchy has a largely ceremonial role, it commands public respect, particularly among the ethnic Malay Muslim majority, who regard the king as the supreme upholder of Malay tradition and the symbolic head of Islam.

Earlier this year, Tuanku Jaafar made headlines in the first trial involving a Malaysian monarch following a 1993 constitutional amendment that dissolved the immunity of state rulers from criminal and civil lawsuits. A special court ordered him to settle the US$1 million (S$1.4 million) he owed to a bank in a landmark verdict.

Source: straitstimes.com (December 30th, 2008)

Maimun Palace In Medan Hopes For Return to Former Glory

2011-03-20T04:55:00.000-07:00

Medan - Standing on 4.5 hectares of land in the heart of North Sumatra’s capital Medan, Maimun Palace looks glorious with its domes, huge yellow and green pillars and white marble staircase. Tall palm trees and decorative shrubs surround the three-story building and green grass carpets the enormous front yard.

From the outside, the palace is as imposing as any royal building.

However, a different atmosphere greets people once they step inside the front doors.

The high adorned ceiling only serves to emphasize the room’s emptiness. Two bright yellow chairs sit on a slightly raised dais on the right side of the foyer, the thrones of the royal pair, while on the left, a small wooden table stands below several pictures of haughty-looking men bedecked in local fineries — the previous sultans of the Deli, the ethnic community of the area.

The reigning sultan, only 11 years of age, is nowhere to be seen. He lives on the other side of the archipelago, in the capital of South Sulawesi Province.

“He lives with his mother in Makassar,” said Tengku Mohar, a member of the royal family who lives on the ground floor of the palace. Mohar is also secretary of the Sultan Ma’mun Al-Rasyid Foundation, named after the sultan who built the palace in 1888, and is responsible for palace’s upkeep.

At the age of 8, Aria Mahmud Lamanjiji was installed as the 14th sultan of Deli in 2005, replacing his father, Sultan Deli Tito Otman Perkasa Alam, who died in a airplane accident in neighboring Aceh Province.

Since then, Aria has lived with his mother, Siska Mara Bintang, in her home province, Mohar said.

Mohar said that he and some other 30 other members of the royal family lived in the maze of rooms on the palace’s ground floor, struggling to maintain the building as the pride of the city.

“The local government only helps with some parts of the palace,” he said.

He and other relatives pay the monthly wages for 10 workers who clean and maintain the palace.
In a large meeting room in the palace, once the nerve center of the sultanate that ruled over this rich plantation region, only a few marble chairs and a matching table remain. Several Victorian-style chandeliers hang from the ceiling of the palace, which has 40 rooms and a dungeon.

The complex is a combination of European and Moorish architecture and decorations, accented by thick Malay gold-thread embroideries that hang from curtain railings and cover the chairs.

“This palace is unique,” Mohar said. “It has a sultan, some of his relatives still live here, but the government is not paying any attention to it.”

Showing off the few rooms open to the public, Mohar said that there was a simple reason why only several paintings and decorations were left on display.

“We’re afraid they may disappear, since we can’t afford to pay for high-security equipment,” he said.

Syarifuddin, who heads Medan’s tourism office, said that the government did not allocate sufficient funds in 2008 for the upkeep of what has been called “the icon of Medan.”

“In 2009, we have made the palace a priority,” he said.

The city’s annual Ramadan Fair takes place during the Muslim fasting month in Maimun Palace’s courtyard. Every year, dozens of stalls sell a variety of foods and local delicacies for people to consume once the day’s fast ends at sunset. Some stalls also sell clothes and souvenirs. Mohar said the palace receives no financial benefit from the event, except that the royal family is allowed to operate a stall for free.

Syarifuddin said Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik had asked him to turn the palace into a top tourism destination by next year. Putri Prameshwari

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com (December 25, 2008)

Muslims Need Educational Excellence To Progress

2011-03-20T04:50:00.001-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - The year 2008 saw Muslims celebrating the 1st of Muharram twice, for the years Hijrah 1429 and 1430.

The Maal Hijrah celebrations early this year and next week have the same theme -- "Menjana Ummah Gemilang (Generating Outstanding Muslims)".

"This theme is relevant to be used again as Muslims should aim to achieve excellence at all times and we should emulate the Quran`s character, we should prove that we are the best of the ummah (worshippers)", said Islamic Advancement department (Jakim) Director-General, Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz on the rationale of retaining the theme of Maal Hijrah 1429 for the Maal Hijrah 1430 celebration.

In a special interview with Bernama, held in conjunction with 1430 Maal Hijrah, Wan Mohamad said, he would delve into the celebration`s programmes, related issues and challenges faced by Muslims in Malaysia towards achieving excellence.

DISTINCTION INDICATOR
"I position the indicator for Muslims` brilliance in the Malaysian context based on our achievement and command in the critical sectors like education", he said during the interview.

He said, Malaysia has proven that the country provides equal opportunities for all in the education sector regardless of gender and socio-economic class.

According to Wan Mohamad, in some other countries it might be difficult to find women professionals and the education sector is monopolized by the middle class society who have the opportunity for higher education.

However in Malaysia, quoting 2007 figures from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministrty, the number of dentists is 41.8 percent men and 58.2 percent women while the ratio for lawyers is 54.1:45.9 and for accountants 55.1:44.9 respectively.

As for children of rural folks, they have the opportunity to further their education to the tertiary level and Malaysia has become the destination of foreign students to pursue further studies and this is indicated by the marked rise of the number of foreigners studying at local institutions of higher learning.

However Wan Mohamad remarked that according to race-based indicators, Muslims in the country are still lagging behind in several education fields and others are still monopolizing the economy.

EDUCATION REFLECTS IMAGE
"This excellence is meaningless if we do not acquire an encouraging social index, (or) we are still plagued by the never-ending social issues that dominated the Muslim world like drug addiction as well as the threat from HIV/AIDS", he said.

He said, the mainstay of excellence is reflected by the steadfast social and moral indicator and Muslims aspire to be outstanding, they should prove it in the education and economic fields.

In Wan Mohamad`s opinion, the social changes would start with the education system as education discerns the nation`s image and that of the future generations.

His preferred example is South Korea that became a world automobile power on par with Japan in a short time frame and in the shipping industry, the country became a leader only after 15 years.

He attributed South Korea`s success to 45 percent of students in South Korea`s tertiary-level institutions are in the various fields of engineering.

"The figures were from the country`s economic records two years back and now they could be many more. It all begins with the education system".

Wan Mohamad said this is where education counts and this factor decides the `material` of the Muslim generation desired.

Hence, the education system should move towards this direction.

He said, Malaysia should have more universities like the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and many science religious schools.

"We at Jakim have initiated efforts like introducing Tahfiz Al-Quran Jakim-IIUM certificate capable of producing science-based Quranic reciters", he said.

Students in this course attend one and half years Quranic studies before proceeding to various professional courses at the IIUM.

So far the enrolment of 150 for each admission is not enough, as Malaysia needs more IIUs and religious colleges, he said.

Wan Mohamad cited the case of one his understudy that he identified as Hafiz from IIUM who is now the syariah consultant at an international bank.

Hafiz is fluent in Arabic due to his Quranic knowledge. He mastered English and was trained in his specialized in IIUM.

This is the type of the new generation Muslims that Malaysia would like to produce more, he said.

"I was captivated by the education system at the Al-Azhar (Egypt) that many had looked down as not many had analysed its success", he said.

According to Wan Mohamad, Al-Azhar had initiated an education system that began right from the creche and kindergarten level, primary and secondary schools before `culminating` in the Al-Azhar University.

This is not only for usulludin and syariah but also in other fields of education and Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Steven had initiated a similar style by setting up creches, primary and secondary schools as well as colleges, he said.

EMULATE SUCCESS
Wan Mohamad admitted that Malaysians had wanted to witness the success of this system before emulating it but this would take time and the nation could not afford to wait.

He cited the case of Muhammad Ahmad Zahid, 13, who managed to recite the Quran at the age of 10, became the winner of a Quranic reciters competition in 2007 and had achieved honours right up to Vienna, Austria and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

"But he (Muhammad) studies outside the system (formal education) and we want this to happen in the (education) system) itself", he said.

Muhammad was not enrolled in government school but he was a student at several private religious institutions like the Institut Al-Quran Kuala Lumpur in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Muassasah Darul Furqan in Bangsar, Maahad Tahfiz Al-Azhariyyah in Shah Alam and Darul Hikmah, Ampang.

The Jakim Director-General pointed out the Maahad Tahfiz in Pulai Condong, Kelantan operated by the Kelantan Islamic Foundation.

This institution requires its `hafaz Quran` students to be in the remove class for one year before being allowed to attend education right up to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level and further studies.

"This is the evidence that we want to show and experts in the Education Ministry in policy-making should view this closely. They should not allow dakwah bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) run their own system.

"We should be embarrassed if the model developed by the NGOs is a proven success. This should be studied closely and should be adapted with some modifications.

"The Education Ministry has been successful in setting up the Islamic religious school and we should go further than that", said Wan Mohamad.

CRITICISMS, VIEWS
What are the views of the NGOs and Islamic religious bodies that are more prone to criticize whatever done by Muslims themselves?

Wan Mohamad replied: "There are many intellectuals and they are free to give their views but among them it is difficult to find people who are intelligent.

"(For) those who are intelligent, they should contribute either (through) themselves or making constructive criticisms as they are capable of giving better solutions or alternatives".

He gave the pre-marital course that had been labeled as ineffective to reduce the number of divorce cases but now even the non-Muslim leaders are talking about the need to have such courses.

In 2001, when Jakim proposed the HIV test on couples planning to be married, the department drew flak from the public but now there are suggestions from the non-Muslims for such a test to be held on soon to be married couples.

"Hence, who are backwards in their thinking and who got embarrassed? This is among the examples. To me, we should avoid from ridiculing others and should focus on what is the best for Muslims".

He said, at the same time, those with responsibilities should be unwavering in terms of emotions, not to lose focus and not easily swayed by criticisms either being supported, loved or hated.

"This was the path of the Rasulullah S.A.W (Prophet) as he was unfazed by condemnation and was not easily swayed by praises", said Wan Mohamad.

When these criticisms were highlighted in the media and appeared as they were accepted by the society, would it not be appropriate for Jakim to defend itself?

"Sometimes, we do not need to defend ourselves at all. First, we should not place ourselves as the guilty party and second, we should take a look at the credibility of those who have spoken.

"If I meet a street medicine seller to get advice instead of a doctor maybe only a general practitioner, definitely I would give respect to the doctor`s words as that is his field".

As an example, if the party that gave the comments is a reputable religious agency like Jakim, then the public would have to be more `opened` as the words have standing.

ISLAMIC GLORY
Wan Mohamad also said Muslims in Malaysia are responsible to evaluate and admit that the non-Muslims who are all this while their neighbours, have not come to grasp to fully understand Islam.

"Because the dakwah responsibility is left only to the religious group instead every Muslims are responsible to enrich their Muslim friends knowledge on Islam.

"The non-Muslim Malaysians should view Islam not only from the Malaysian context as Islam was not born in Malaysia and none of the prophets were Malays and Islam is not owned by the Malaysian Malays or the Southeast Asia Malay archipelago", he said.

Wan Mohamad said, the number of Muslims, if those on the mainland China are added together with Muslims in the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent, the number would far exceed the number of Arab Muslims and now the second most number of non-Christians in Europe are Muslims.

Hence, the phrase `Islam is for all races worldwide` is apt, said Wan Mohamad.

MAAL HIJRAH CELEBRATION
On the 1430 Maal Hijrah celebration, Wan Mohamad said, the existing tradition would be continued like, among the events are, the pre-Maal Hijrah forum at the National Mosque, gathering at the mosque to welcome the first night of the Islamic New Year and the gathering at International Convention Centre in Putrajaya.

The `twice-in-a-year` celebration may have some changes to the 1430 Maal Hijrah Tokoh (Personality) Award in that the award would be given to local and foreign personalities.

That would be known at the awards function on the 1430 Maal Hijrah Day. By Rohana Mustaffa

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (December 26, 2008)

Proposal For Malaysia-Indonesia Bridge Needs In-Depth Study - Najib

2011-03-20T04:35:00.000-07:00

Melaka - The government will take into consideration all aspects, including suitability and economic factors, on the proposal by the Melaka government to build a bridge across the Melaka Straits to link Malaysia and Indonesia.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak said he did not dismiss the possibility of the proposed bridge becoming a reality one day.

Opening the 9th Malay World Islamic World Convention here today, Najib who is also Finance Minister, was responding to Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam who urged that the bridge be built in the interest of economic development and the long-established relations between the two countries.

Mohd Ali had said that the proposed bridge, a distance of about 52km, was estimated to cost US$11 billion (RM$37 billion).

"I am suggesting that the Economic Planning Unit study the request for the bridge which could be funded through the Private Finance Initiative," he said in his speech at the convention.

The proposal to link Malaysia and Indonesia had been made since the 1990's before the idea was abandoned due to the 1997 regional economic crisis.

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (December 23, 2008)

Indonesia Campaigning Sepak Takraw For Inclusion In Olympics

2011-03-20T04:19:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Indonesia is campaigning sepak takraw to be included as an event in the Olympics as some athletes have introduced it to other countries, a spokesman said.

"For a certain kind of sport to be played in the Olympics it should be participated in by at least 60 countries," Syamsurijal, general chairman of the Indonesia Sepak Takraw Association (PSTI) said here Tuesday.

"The association is confident that it will be realized," he said in the opening of the seventh PSTI national summit.

He admitted that the campaigns for inclusion in the multipost world sports event would need a determination and takes time since some countries have not recognized it.

Source: http://www.antara.co.id (December 24, 2008)

Keeping Jakarta`s Heritage Alive

2011-03-20T04:12:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - New arrivals can be quick to judge the Durian City for its bumper-to-bumper traffic, rubbish and polluted rivers. Jakarta can also seem an overwhelmingly dangerous place, with its religious tensions, corruption, armies of beggars, seasonal floods and crumbling infrastructure.

But another side of the city beckons, too: the homemade delicacies at Pasar Raya Market, phinisi schooners docked at Sunda Kelapa Port, a myriad of spices and fruits, historic masterpieces in the museums of Fatahillah Square — and this is just the beginning of a journey to the heart of Jakarta.

A number of organizations in Jakarta work both to preserve the city`s cultural heritage and bridge communities. Among them is the Indonesian Heritage Society, or IHS, a nonprofit organization established in 1970 for the purpose of supporting the museums of Indonesia by promoting the preservation and appreciation of local art and culture.

In a country of extremes, where malls are rampant on one side and poverty and striking hunger are evident on the other, cultural appreciation tends to be the last thing on the minds of many people.

The society has published a book called “Museum Encounters: Jakarta,” a brief overview of the city`s museums. And in another effort aimed at educating both foreigners and locals about Jakarta`s treasures, the heritage society has an evening lecture series.

The society has organized fund-raisers for the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival and the Indonesian Dance Festival and helps run tours to sites that are not on the tourist map, such as a soy sauce factory or a house wherejamu, traditional herbal tonics, is produced.

Its Heritage Tours include journeys to further flung places such as West Timor and Flores in Nusa Tenggara Timor Province and Sulawesi Island.

The society is also the publisher of the classic “Jakarta Explorer,” which has found its way into the hands of many an expat.

Ro King, president of the Indonesian Heritage Society, joined the organization as a newcomer to the city, hoping for an introduction to life in Indonesia.

“By joining this society, I was able to have a little taste of what it is to be in Indonesia, because it is a country with such diverse cultures and people, even if I lived here my whole life, I would not know about them all,” she said.

Two other community groups attempt to raise the interest of the younger set in Indonesian tradition, history, culture and customs. Both groups are headed by professionals in their 20s and 30s, which may indicate a developing trend.

“I see it as a younger generation hungry for knowledge of local history, most of which was hidden from us before the rise of the New Order in 1998,” said Ade Purnama, founder and director of Friends of the Museum, or Batmus.

The community`s regular Plesiran Tempo Doeloe, or Trips to Olden Times, are jaunts to the museums and historic sites of Jakarta`s Old Town ¬— also known as Batavia — which begins north of the city center at the Kota train station and spans west to the Kali Besar river.

Friends of the Museum is free to join and has been run by volunteers — many of them university students — since 2002.

History buffs can also explore the city with Komunitas Jelajah Budaya, or Cultural Exploration Community, led by Kartum Setiawan, which runs a nightime tour of the Bank Mandiri Museum in downtown Batavia.

Participants are transported back to the 17th century, a time when Java was under Dutch rule. A brass band greets them at the door and waiters serve Rijstafel dishes in Dutch colonial costumes. They are then led from the basement — where the Meneer & Mevrouw (colonial language for Mr. and Mrs.) kept their valuables — to the rooftop and a city lights view

One of the highlights of the tour is a dramatization of colonial times complete with Chinese cashiers, soldiers on vintage bikes and board members holding meetings, depicting the early banking activities of the historic institution and making references to the Dutch and Chinese merchants who were the regular customers of that time. Titania Veda

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com (December 25, 2008)

On Borneo, Indigenous Women Earn A Pittance Weaving Rattan For Japan

2011-03-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

Kapuas, Indonesia - It is almost 11 a.m. and Ati has already been working with rattan peels for four hours.

Yet, even though the pay is low, Ati, who like many Indonesians goes by a single name, maintains complete concentration while weaving a piece of rattan carpet destined to fetch a high price in Japan.

The 48-year-old woman is weaving a "kati," popularly known in Japan as a rattan "ajiro" carpet, a hand-woven mat made of rattan with peels only 2 mm in width and woven diagonally.

She lives in Kapuas, a small village in Borneo`s Central Kalimantan Province peopled mostly by indigenous Dayaks.

Half the population of about 2,000 earns a living in the rattan carpet industry.

Compared with other weavers, though, Ati is a major talent. She is always assigned to weave the "super-quality" ajiro carpets made of sega, or Calamus caesius, a species of rattan found only in the wilds of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Sega`s uniquely glossy golden surface makes it highly sought after for tatami mats and rattan carpets for the Japanese market.

"In the process of making an ajiro carpet from sega, I do the most difficult task by myself - thinning the peels down to a thickness that can only be done manually," Ati said as she works in a shop of about 150 weavers.

Working from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., she weaves about 0.18 sq. meter a day. At this rate it takes more than five days to weave 1 sq. meter, which is worth 160,000 rupiah (about ¥1,300). For the complicated, tiring work, she barely makes ¥7,000 a month.

Her ajiro carpets, and those made by others, fetch up to ¥3,160 per sq. meter, according to Suwarni, a general affairs officer at PT Sarikaya Sega Utama, a rattan factory that finishes the carpets and mats, including cleaning, fumigation and drying, and exports them.

Imis Sawung, chairman of the local Dare Manuntung Small and Medium Enterprises Cooperatives, said the village has exported rattan mats and carpets through factories such as PT Sarikaya Sega Utama since 1965, mostly to Japan and Hong Kong.

He said 8 percent of the mats and carpets produced by the villagers are made of sega rattan, while others are of runti, or Calamus leptostachys, which is popular among Hong Kong buyers for its soft, more flexible peels, and other species of rattan that are much cheaper than sega.

Research by the ASEAN Rattan Center, funded by the Yokohama-based International Tropical Timber Organization, shows that throughout the region, rattan provides a vital economic benefit to village communities, particularly indigenous peoples.

Also, rattan is a prime source of foreign exchange and the industry involves more than a million people who collect, cultivate, process, trade and market rattan products.

Co-op Chairman Sawung, however, worries the traditional Dayak handicraft will disappear.

"The young generation, including my daughters, don`t want to be rattan weavers anymore because the income is small and the work is tough and difficult," the father of five said.

Young men and women, he said, prefer to work on oil palm plantations where they earn bigger salaries for less painstaking work.

Suwarni of the Sarikaya Sega Utama factory also said demand in Japan for sega-made carpets is declining because younger Japanese are more inclined to use synthetic carpets.

"Now, only elderly people love to use rattan carpets. Time changes people`s taste . . . and plastic will replace rattan," she sighed. By CHRISTINE T. TJANDRANINGSIH

Source: http://search.japantimes.co.jp (December 26, 2008)

Malaysia Willing To Offer Help Where Malays Are A Minority

2011-03-20T03:39:00.000-07:00

Melaka - Malaysia is willing to offer help towards the advancement of Malays in countries where they are a minority, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.

He said Malaysia could be a gateway for this through the Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI) Forum to help Malays in countries like in the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Cambodia, South Africa and southern Thailand.

"Of course the Malays in these countries must be realistic. They cannot expect us to support them in taking up arms for a revolution to establish Malay governments in them," he said when opening the DMDI's 9th convention at a hotel in Bandar Hilir here today.

Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

According to Najib, the DMDI (DMDI is the Malay acronym for Malay World Musim World) could play constructive role in bringing about peace in southern Philippines and southern Thailand.

He said Malaysia had played an active role in southern Philippines towards ending the Moro conflict though the peace process there had encountered some obstacles lately.

He added that the DMDI should do all it could to portray Islam as an ideal religion which strived for the advancement of all peoples.

At the function, Mohd Ali, who is also DMDI president, presented Najib DMDI's Mansyur Shah award which is a special recognition in honour of the Melaka empire during the reign of Sultan Mansyur Shah.

Over 500 participants from among others Malaysia, South Africa, the Philippines and Indonesia are participating the convention which ends tomorrow.

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (December 23, 2008)

In Central Jakarta, Ruins Of Indonesia`S Colonial Past

2011-03-20T03:16:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - In the middle of Jakarta there is a place more reminiscent of the ruins of Cambodia`s Angkor than the heart of a historic capital seeking to promote itself to the world.

Trees grow through the crumbling ceilings of derelict buildings, while thick vines reach out into the sun through dark windows and cracked walls.

Jakarta`s historic "Old Town" of Batavia, the centuries-old centre of Dutch colonial trade and administration until only about 60 years ago, is in ruins.

What could have been the centrepiece of Jakarta`s tourism drive in "Visit Indonesia Year 2008" is instead being left to the elements and vandals, while investors spend billions of dollars on new shopping malls instead.

"This is actually one of the best and most complete old towns in Asia," said architect Budi Lim, who has been involved in efforts to revive the area, known as Kota Tua or "Old Town," for more than two decades.

"The anatomy of the original town exists in full form. The old port and warehouses are still there."

But unlike other Asian cities that have preserved and celebrated their historic sites, such as Singapore`s Boat Quay and Malaysia`s Malacca, Jakarta`s modern caretakers have left Batavia to rot.

West Jakarta Mayor Djoko Ramadhan recently conceded that "some old buildings" had not survived the capital`s rapid growth into a city of more than 12 million people dotted with skyscrapers and slums.

"We realise that the Old Town`s infrastructure is far from adequate," he said, referring to a lack of parking spaces which discourages visitors in the absence of public transport.

Kota Tua was declared a heritage site in the early 1970s and town planners have promoted several schemes to revive it over the years, all of which have failed.

About two years ago the city spent more than seven million dollars on a facelift for the European-style Fatahillah square in the centre of Kota Tua, and in the 1970s the 18th century city hall was turned into a museum.

Two other Dutch colonial buildings on the square have been repaired and converted into museums of puppetry and fine arts. The well-known Batavia Cafe occupies what used to be a colonial-era warehouse on the square, but otherwise the area is derelict.

Of more than 284 buildings in Kota Tua which are on the city`s heritage list, 19 are abandoned ruins and many more have been stripped bare with no thought for their historic importance.

"People chopped off the historic parts of their buildings, such as the teak from the 1800s, with no regrets. Many antique aspects of the properties have been vandalized or stolen," said Kota Tua property owner Ella Ubaidi.

A law supposed to protect historic buildings says violators face six months` jail and a fine of 100 million rupiah (9,200 dollars). But it has rarely been enforced.

"Law enforcement is weak because we don`t have a solid investigation team yet," said Kota Tua development agency head Candrian Attahiyyat.

Abandoned and neglected it may be, but history still echoes throughout Kota Tua`s narrow streets.

Leading off the square are alleys and lanes lined with crumbling old shopfronts, warehouses and offices that formed the epicentre of the region`s spice trade for about 300 years.

Asian luxuries such as Chinese porcelain, silk and tea were packed and shipped off to Europe from Batavia`s markets, along with "spice island" delicacies such as cinnamon, pepper, cloves and nutmeg.

The port of Batavia was established on the northwestern coast of Java island by the Dutch East Indies Company in the mid-1600s and remained Indonesia`s capital until it was renamed during the Japanese occupation in World War II.

Since independence in 1945, the mainly Muslim country of 234 million people has naturally celebrated its resistance to the Dutch occupiers and built monuments to its freedom fighters.

The thought of restoring and caring for the remnants of Dutch rule is anathema to many Indonesians.

According to the development agency, most of the 19 heritage-listed buildings which have fallen into total ruin in Kota Tua are state owned.

"The high cost of renovating a building, about 10 billion rupiah (920,000 dollars), has discouraged many investors," said Robert Tambunan, manager of the state-owned Indonesian Trading Company, which has 22 buildings in the area.

Long-term resident Henry Leo said it was time to restore the historic centre of old Batavia, if not for the preservation of Indonesia`s colonial history then at least as a tourist attraction to boost the incomes of local people.

"I was born here. We`re angry and saddened that the government`s lack of action has caused many buildings to deteriorate," he said.

"I once brought US visitors to the area. They`ve never come back."

Source: http://www.google.com (December 24, 2008)

Ulama, Leaders Need To Find Common Solutions

2011-03-20T03:08:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - There is a need for more dialogue between ulama and umara (leaders) to find solutions to current issues, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday.

To make such dialogues possible, the deputy prime minister proposed that a secretariat be set up to organise them.

He said the secretariat could be managed by the Islamic Consultative Council as well as the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

He hoped Minister in the Prime Minister`s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would look into the matter.

"We want to establish stronger ties between ulama and umara and the secretariat will be a proper platform for such a purpose."

Asked whether the same secretariat would be used to organise interfaith dialogues, Najib said such discourses needed a different mechanism.

The existing Islamic institutions, Najib said, should also be strengthened, including their ability to solve current issues.

He urged ulama and umara to move as one to tackle problems using realistic and practical methods, for example, to improve the Islamic banking system and to strengthen the nation`s position as a halal hub.

Earlier, Najib said both ulama and umara should look at ways to defuse racial tension created by those with a personal agenda.

He stressed a need to relook at the Prophet`s ways of dealing with non-Muslims who did not threaten Islam and its followers.

"Why not study his methods and make them the basic foundation of tolerance so that others can understand that Islam is a harmonious religion?"

He said leaders could also look at how the Prophet took a strong stand against those who threatened the peace and harmony of a nation.

Source: http://www.nst.com.my (December 22, 2008)

Fourth M’sia-Indonesia EPG Meeting In Cyberjaya From Monday

2011-03-20T02:57:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysia-Indonesia Eminent Persons Group (EPG) will meet for the fourth time from Monday.

The South East Asia Division of the Freign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that Malaysia EPG Chairman Tun Musa Hitam will convene the two-day meeting at Cyberview Lodge Resort in Cyberjaya.

Indonesia EPG Chairman Tan Sri Try Sutrisno will lead the Indonesian delegation.

During the meeting, the Malaysia-Indonesia EPG will finalise its joint report which contains recommendations on bilateral enhancing activities and programmes as well as proposals on the future direction of bilateral relations.

The report is expected to be presented to the leaders of both countries early next year, the division said.

The Malaysia-Indonesia EPG has been mandated by the leaders of the two countries to fodge and enhance mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia.

The EPG mechanism also bears testimony to the commitment of both sides towards ensuring harmonious relations in the years ahead and in harnessing the existing complementaries with the view to forge greater strategic depth in bilateral relations.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (December 21, 2008)

Documents Reveal Sukarno`s Cease-Fire Plea to Japan

2011-03-20T02:52:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Diplomatic documents recently declassified and released by the Japanese government show that in 1964 President Sukarno had asked Japanese Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda to send a peacekeeping mission to monitor a cease-fire between Indonesia and Malaysia along their border on Borneo.

The documents appear to show Sukarno was ready to pull back from his “Konfrontasi” policy— at least as far as his bitter rivalry with then-Malaya was concerned. Since 1961, Sukarno had opposed any British-backed consolidation of several kingdoms on the Malayan peninsula and parts of Borneo into what is now Malaysia.

Sukarno accused Britain of trying to set up a puppet regime, prolonging its presence in the region, and threatening the sovereignty of Indonesia.

Indonesia responded in April 1963, before the consolidation was completed in September that year, by ordering a series of guerilla-style military assaults and sabotage against British forces in Sarawak and Sabah. Agents were also dispatched to spread anti-Malaysian propaganda.

So began the “Konfrontasi” policy. Over the next three years, Indonesian Special Forces and joint British-Australian commando regiment of the Special Air Service were involved in a series of clashes on Malaysian soil. More than 2,000 soldiers` lives were lost in the fighting.

According to Kyodo news service, the declassified documents reveal that Ikeda, in an effort to broker peace, met with Sukarno in Tokyo in January 1964 and urged him to withdraw his forces. Sukarno, the dossier said, agreed to withdraw only if Japan took part in overseeing a cease-fire.

Ikeda, whose country only two decades earlier had surrendered in World War II, replied it would be better to organize a joint-civilian monitoring mission involving other countries, including Thailand, Kyodo reported.

The conflict between Indonesia and Malaysia eventually ended in 1966 as Suharto was losing his grip on power.

Taufik Abdullah, a senior historian at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences said stability in the region was of great importance to Japan.

“Japan helped rebuild Indonesia through a World War II-style compensation plan, such as the building of infrastructure, and Japanese companies already had substantial investments in Indonesia,” Taufik said.

“Indonesia`s economy was then starting to grow, especially with foreign investment here, but Sukarno was too preoccupied with Malaysia and his ambitions to annex West Irian” Papua.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com (December 23, 2008)

Government To Support Handicraft Industry

2011-03-17T04:15:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - The government plans to host hundreds of promotional events and trade shows in 2009, which it has dubbed the “Year of Creative Industries” in response to complaints that it isn`t doing enough to stop foreign producers from cashing in on Indonesia`s cultural heritage by selling imitation handicrafts, officials have said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will officially launch the campaign today in Jakarta.

Traditional Indonesian products such as batik are increasingly being imported from countries such as China and Malaysia, drawing complaints from local producers.

“We will actively promote Indonesia`s traditional culture so the world can learn about our heritage,” said Subagyo, director general for domestic trade at the Ministry of Trade.

Trade Minister Mari Pangestu said the government would promote local products through events and help Indonesians working in the creative industries to protect intellectual property.

The creative industries, which include sectors such as handicrafts, fashion, film and furniture production, make significant contributions to Indonesia`s gross domestic product and employ 5.4 million people, Pangestu said.

“People from around the world will soon be able to recognize authentic Indonesian batik,” Pangestu said. “Some countries may claim to have similar batik, but they don`t.”

The Trade Ministry has invited young entrepreneurs from 14 creative industries to showcase their products at promotional events and trade shows next year.

Tonton Taufik, a businessman who exports rattan furniture products to more than 50 countries, praised the government initiative, saying it would help accelerate growth in the creative industries. He said he had earned $1.5 million this year by exporting his own products and helping other rattan and handicraft producers expand production and exports to overseas markets.

“I work at home and market my rattan furniture on the Internet, and my shipments to overseas markets have been increasing steadily every year,” he said.

Film-industry professionals, meanwhile, say Indonesian moviemakers have limited exposure overseas and almost exclusively rely on local audiences. Mira Lesmana, one of the country`s most critically acclaimed young directors, said Indonesian filmmakers should start seeking international recognition.

Adrian Elkana, director of Castle Productions, the only producer of animated films in Indonesia, said the film industry had the potential to expand domestic and foreign sales.

Indonesia`s animation industry has already been outsourcing on foreign film productions for several years, he said.

Film critics “have been encouraging local filmmakers to produce and export animated films that are based on Indonesian culture and characters, but still suited to contemporary trends and the demands of teenagers,” Adrian said.

Indonesia`s exports have slowed down in recent months due to the global economic slowdown. Exports in October fell 11.6 percent from September, although they were up 4.9 percent compared to the same month last year. Dian Ariffahmi & Teguh Prasetyo

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com (December 22, 2008)

`Berbudi Bahasa` at the Civil Service Institute

2011-03-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - A "Berbudi Bahasa" symposium for the officers and staff of nursing services under the Ministry of Health was held at the Civil Service Institute in Rimba yesterday.

Dyg Faredah Bte Hj Abdul Rahim, Acting Chief Executive officer of RIPAS hospital represented the guest of honour Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Head Director of Medical service, Ministry of Health.

She congratulated the Nursing services and RIPAS hospital for organising such courtesy campaigns in an effort to raise the level of service provided to the public. Adding that it was evident that RIPAS hospital is conscientious in giving the best possible service to the public and ensuring that nurses are always attentive to the responsibilities that they are given.

The event also included a lecture by Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Awang Besar Bin Haji Abu Bakar, Mosque Affairs Officer on ethical behavior from the Islamic perspective. By Hj Ahmed Shaheeb

Source: http://www.brunei-online.com (December 21, 2008)

RI-Malaysia signs deal on border security

2011-03-17T03:36:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - Indonesia`s West Kalimantan military command and the Malaysian military have signed a MoU on cooperation and supervision over border areas between the two countries.

"The MoU is a follow up on a recent agreement signed between the two countries," Maj. Gen. Tono Suratman, chief of the military command, said to Tempointeraktif.com.

Tono said the agreement related to the coordination of military personnel in the border areas. Both countries will each station two battalions of troops in Simanggaris (East Kalimantan), Etikong (West Kalimantan, and Biawak (Sarawak, Malaysia).

The agreement is expected to relieve tension between the two countries over illegal logging, human trafficking and terrorism.

Separately, Malaysian army representative Maj. Gen. Dato` Mazelan said the agreement left open opportunities for the two countries to cooperate on a joint land operation. (dre)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com (December 21, 2008)

Hindus hold wealth blessing rituals at Besakih temple

2011-03-17T03:27:00.000-07:00

Denpasar - Three Buddhist temples in the sacred Besakih Temple compound, Karangasem district in Bali, venerated Hyang Widhi Wasa, the great unity God who delivers godsend welfare to human beings.

"Piodalan" on the three temples of the 18 Besakih temple complexes as the wealth rituals respecting money or income which has been bestowed to the Hindus, ANTARA reported from Besakih Temple, some 85 kilometers east of here on Wednesday.

The ritual was led by two Siwa-Budha priests, attended by thousands of Hindus, including former Bali Governor Made Dewa Beratha and people of Chinese descent.

Starting this morning the Hindus flocked the site to follow the rituals at Dukuh Temple, Ida Ratu Syahbandar temple yard and Goa Raja temple.

"Piodalan" at the three temples on Wednesday was celebrated once in every six months and this time it was not only attended by Balinese Hindus but also those from Lombok, East Nusa Tenggara and Banyuwangi, East Java.

The "Sri Sedana" Ritual known as the "Rambut Sedana", is a holy day or `Odalan` for money or income which had been sent by God to man, a leader of the religious ceremony at the temple, Jro Pande Made Satra said.

"Sri" means rice, Sedana means money, in other words a part of income, which is observed in every household and local temples," Mangku Sastra said.

Goa Raja temple has its uniqueness as it is a cave at the edge of a small river formed by lava of Mount Agung which erupted in 1963, 45 years ago.

Goa Batu is a large temple in the complex. Traditionally the Hindus believed that its downstream ends at Goa Lawah temple in Klungkung district and the upstream reaches Mount Agung, the highest mountain in Bali.

A temple functions as a central point r the veneration of Hyang Widhi that gives godsend welfare to man.

One of the `pelinggih` is a place to venerate "Ida Betara Rambut Sedana" believed it can also deliver welfare to man, Mangku Sastra said.

He explained that in Balinese Hindu tradition "Betara Rambut Sedana" is worshiped as the welfare goddess who gives wealth, gold-silver (Sarwa Mule), diamonds and money (Dana) to man.

The people in the Goddess island, who are mostly Hindus constantly observe the special veneration of "Betara Rambut Sedana" on Wednesday, Wuku Klawu, or known as the `Buda Cemeng Klawu" which is celebrated once in every 210 days.

Source: http://www.antara.co.id (December 18, 2008)

Brunei Ranks 36 Among 129 Nations

2011-03-17T03:23:00.000-07:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei Darussalam has been ranked 36th among 129 countries in Unesco`s Education for All Development (EFA) Index under its Global Monitoring Report (GMR) 2009.

Kazakhstan topped the list with a score 0.995 followed by Japan 0.994), Germany (0.994), Norway (0.994) and the UK (0.993) to complete the top five.

South Korea was ranked 20th at 0.984. Brunei`s score was 0.972.

The EFA Development Index (EDI) is based on the calculation of data provided on four categories: the percentage of primary school-age children enrolled in schools, the adult literacy rate, the gender specific EFA rate and the survival rate to Grade 5.

Brunei scored a high 0.998 under the survival rate to Grade 5 category, 0.974 under the primary enrolment category, 0.946 under the adult literacy rate category and 0.970 under the gender-specific EFA category.

The list includes only the 129 countries which provided the complete set of indicators required to calculate the EDI and so does not include many countries including developed ones as well as fragile states with weak education statistics systems.

Among the countries not included in the report were the United States, Australia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Of the 129 countries, the top 56 were placed in the High EDI category including Malaysia which was ranked 45th. Positions 57 to 100 were placed in the Medium EDI category and including Kuwait (66), Indonesia (71), Myanmar (84) and the Philippines (86).

Countries from positions 101 to 129 were placed in the Low EDI category and include India (102), Cambodia (104), Lao PDR (108), Bangladesh (109), Pakistan (118) and Chad (129).

Malaysian Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein represented the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education (Seameo) at the meeting held from Tuesday to Thursday.

Malaysia`s improved position from 56th place to 45th (0.965) out of the 129 proves that Malaysia, a staunch supporter of Unesco`s EFA agenda, had successfully leaped from the middle level in the GMR 2008 (0.945) to the high level in the EDI GMR 2009 (0.965), said Hishammuddin.

The 0.02 increase in the EDI score was based on the improvement of the scores in the four evaluated categories.

The GMR annual report is Unesco`s mechanism to monitor education development in member countries in its bid to achieve the EFA agenda by 2015.

Source: http://www.brudirect.com (December 20, 2008)

The tale of Pedra Branca

2011-03-17T03:12:00.000-07:00

Singapore - BACK in 1992, Singapore was so confident of its legal case on Pedra Branca that it handed over all its documents to Malaysia.

In his foreword to a new book on the 30-year dispute, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew disclosed he had instructed that the materials be shown to Malaysia, `an unprecedented unilateral move`.
Yesterday, Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong took up the point in his keynote address at the launch of the book Pedra Branca: The Road To The World Court.

He said: `I am not sure whether the International Court of Justice (ICJ) realised that most of the documents used by Malaysia in her arguments against Singapore were produced by us.

`So, you can imagine our deep disappointment when it was alleged that Singapore had withheld from the court a letter which Malaysia believed would damage our case.

He added: `The truth is that we had gone round the world looking for it for some 30 years without success.`

This move and other previously undisclosed facts about the Pedra Branca case are contained in the 190-page book on how both countries managed the dispute, which the ICJ resolved in May this year.

Pedra Branca, a football field-sized island at the eastern entrance of the Singapore Strait, was first occupied in 1847 by the British, who built Horsburgh Lighthouse there. Singapore later took over, and Malaysia staked its claim in 1979.

In May, the ICJ ruled that Pedra Branca belonged to Singapore, and that nearby Middle Rocks belonged to Malaysia.

Who owns a third maritime feature, South Ledge, is being worked out by the two countries. The ICJ says it belongs to the country in whose waters it sits.

The long journey to the ICJ resolution was highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, who co-wrote the book with Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh.

Speaking at its launch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), he said: `For both of us, working on the case for some 30 years was really a labour of love.`

In the book, both men noted how their involvement with the case began in 1978, when they were representing Singapore at the United Nations in Geneva. The MFA had sent them an urgent telex, asking Professor Jayakumar to go to London to locate certain documents on the island.

Both men went on to helm the team making Singapore`s case for Pedra Branca before the ICJ in The Hague in November last year, with CJ Chan, who was Attorney-General from 1992 to 2006.
The book recounts the twists and turns in the dispute and the behind-the-scenes manoeuvres taken to resolve it.

At the launch, Prof Jayakumar recounted several anecdotes, including how he won 10 euros (S$20) from CJ Chan at the last stage of the hearing last year.

Prof Jayakumar had wagered that the judges would ask a question allowing Singapore to reply to a last-minute argument Malaysia had made when Singapore could no longer address the court.

`CJ was happy to lose that bet,` he said to laughter.

Prof Jayakumar also noted that both sides agreed to third-party dispute settlement, now a key tenet of Singapore`s foreign policy in managing disputes.

Professor Koh said they decided to write the book to distil the lessons they had learnt from the case - Singapore`s first at the ICJ - and share them with colleagues as well as the public.

CJ Chan, in his speech, noted that Pedra Branca was `not an easy case by any standard`. The written pleadings alone of each side filled more than 2,600 pages.

`This is a case where history was part of the legal arguments, and law was part of the historical arguments,` he said.

`Ultimately, the majority of the court decided that Malaysia had history on its side, and Singapore had international law on its side, and this is expressed in the final disposition of the judgment.`

The authors will donate their royalties from the book sales to the proposed centre for international law at the National University of Singapore, which aims to nurture a new generation of Asian international lawyers. By Zakir Hussain

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com (December 20, 2008)

RI, Malaysian unions join forces for migrant workers

2011-03-16T04:24:00.000-07:00

Jakarta - An Indonesian labor union association has agreed to work with a Malaysian counterpart to offer advocacy for around 2 million Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia, Antara news agency reported Thursday.

The Indonesian Labor Unions Association (Aspek) and Union Network International Malaysian Liaison Council (UNI MLC) launched the Indonesian migrant worker union, dubbed Union Migrant (Unimig), in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Aspek president Mohammad Hakim said the association has established an affiliation with the Swiss-based UNI, which has 15 million members in 152 countries.

"We are using the UNI network to help protect Indonesian workers` rights," Mohammad said. According to Aspek records, Indonesia sends around 700,000 migrant workers to Malaysia each year.

Separately, UNI MLC president Mohd Safie Mammal said Unimig would set up help desks at 19 UNI MLC representative offices, as well as one already running at its main office in Malaysia.

"We also plan to expand the help desks` capabilities to enable them to help migrant workers from other countries like Bangladesh and Nepal," Mohd said.

So far, the UNI MLC Indonesian help desk has helped 436 Indonesian workers and collected 840,000 ringgit (around US$240,000 or Rp 26 billion) in compensation money from employers. (dre)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com (december 18, 2008)

Solve Border Issues To Assure Country`s Economic Growth

2011-03-16T04:21:00.000-07:00

Penang - Malaysia and Indonesia need to solve their border issues to achieve good economic growth, says Indonesia`s presidential candidate Professor Yusril Ihza Mahendra.

The former minister of justice and human rights said border issues could be solved at round-table meetings without problems as the relationship of both nations was strong.

He singled out the Straits of Malacca, Borneo, Sabah and Sarawak, East and West of Kalimantan and Straits of East Kalimantan as facing unsolved border issues.

Speaking to reporters after his keynote address at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here today, Yusril said the most challenging of border issues was the sea border like Sipadan and Ligitan whose right was given to Malaysia by the International Court of Justice at The Hague on Dec 17, 2002.

On Indonesian illegal immigrants involved in crimes in Malaysia, he noted that both countries were coordinated in their action to tackle the issue.

Yusril also admitted being an admirer of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia`s first prime minister.

Source: http://www.bernama.com (December 18, 2008)

Mindanao-based Christians, Muslims renew bonds

2011-03-06T04:10:00.000-08:00

Manila - Mindanao-based Christian and Muslim peace advocates renewed their friendship bonds at the Harmony Village in Zamboanga City, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said Thursday.

An article on the CBCP website said the meeting was part of Silsilah Dialogue Movement`s annual Renewal of Commitment last Dec. 12 to 14.

The theme of the meeting was "Experience," which brought together themes of past years that included hospitality, openness and prayer.

Sr. Marion Chipeco, one of the renewal organizers, the dialogue centered on the continuing hostilities between government troops and Moro rebels in Muslim Mindanao.

The discussion on the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domains (MOA-AD) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front topped the agenda, she said.

Chipeco said the members came from the Sulu Archipelago, Central Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, the Zamboanga penninsula, Basilan and Zamboanga City.

"(They) shared their individual experiences of dialogue as they recounted both the joys and difficulties of living a life of dialogue," she said.

"It was very comforting and inspiring that in spite of the `atmosphere` created by the current political situation in these parts of the country, Muslims and Christians who have accepted the ideals of Silsilah would come together to recommit themselves to these ideals," she added.

Chipeco said at least 15 Muslims and Christians were accepted as new members of the SDM.

The Muslims received a Tasbi, the prayer beads used by Muslims to recite the 99 names of Allah, while the Christians received rosary beads.

Among the new recruits, six persons were accepted as associate members and they were given white prayer shawls.

"More than anything, the 2008 Renewal of Commitment once again showed that dialogue brings people back to God and to one another`s embrace of friendship," Chipeco said.

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv (December 19, 2008)

Threat to Sabah`s ethnic languages

2011-03-06T03:38:00.000-08:00

Kota Kinabalu - Sabah`s ethnic languages are facing extinction due to the dwindling number of speakers, said assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Bolkiah Ismail.

He said that the survival of a language depended on its number of speakers and not the ethnic population.

“In this era of globalisation, language extinction and the conquest of a dominant language is a global phenomenon.

“To ensure the survival of an ethnic language, we are left with no choice other than to ensure its continued usage in family and social environment,” he said at the launching of the Ethnik magazine here.

He said in Sabah, the two largest ethnic groups of Kadazandusun and Bajau were faced with a declining number of speakers, currently numbering 300,000 and 200,000 respectively.

He said the dwindling number of native language speakers could also threaten one of Sabah`s unique attractions, namely its rich cultural heritage with 32 ethnic groups and more than 100 dialects.

Sabah Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) director Zubaidi Abas said ethnic languages played an important role, especially in projecting the identity of the speakers.

He said that it was for this reason that the DBP took the initiative to publish the Ethnik magazine three times a year to provide space for writers to write about their dialects.

“Although ethnic dialects are still being used in the state, there are signs that their survival needs serious attention from all,” he said.

One of the factors contributing to the dwindling number of native speakers was the implementation of the national language policy, he said.

However, Zubaidi said the people should not think of the national language as a threat to the native languages.

“The native languages should be defended as they enriched the country`s cultural heritage and contribute to the effort to develop the national language.

“While we strive to modernise the national language, we are not sidelining the native languages,” he said — Bernama.

Source: http://thestar.com.my (December 18, 2008)

New National Library Soon

2011-03-06T03:27:00.000-08:00

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei is set to have a new national library to accommodate the growing reading community in the country, with the Language and Literature Bureau in the process of inviting consultants for feasibility studies, its director said yesterday.

The new library is expected to be located beside the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah School, said Dr Mataim Bakar.

"Our experience with the (libraries) of the other Asean countries and their book fairs have shown that Brunei needs to improve," he told The Brunei Times in an interview.

Building this national library will support the national agenda of producing a knowledgeable society and as a national landmark to boost the tourism industry, he said.

"It will be a symbol of intellectual power, further cementing Brunei as a centre of excellence," he added.

Dr Mataim further said that the library will serve as a motivational tool for the younger generation to visit libraries more often.

"The level of awareness on the importance of reading is increasing but it is still below the standard of other European or Asian countries such as Japan and Korea," he said.

He attributed this increase of awareness to parents who understand the importance of reading.

"Our children will be responsible for bringing the country forward, that is why we have to feed them quality education," the director said.

He added that it was a necessity for the country to develop better reading habits. "Reading is knowledge and knowledge is a powerful tool for the development of a society," he said.

Dr Mataim and Chief Librarian of the Language and Literature Bureau Hj Sahari Hj Nassar, said that the new library will not only house a large collection of local and international books, but also a range of other services such as an ICT room, an Audio-Visual Room, a National Heritage Information Centre, a theatre and a children`s corner.

They also spoke of a new online network system which will link the national library to other libraries around the world, enabling users to obtain more information from across the world. "This will provide the users with a larger variety of more advanced books," said Hj Sahari.

Other plans of improving the country`s reading culture include the construction of a library in every government housing area and the implementation of an electronic library and electronic book system as part of the e-government proposal.

Dr Mataim said that the idea to build a new national library received strong support from the Department of Economic Planning.

However, the director did not give a timeline or mention the allocated budget for the national library. By Melvin Jong

Source: http://www.brudirect.com (December 18, 2008)