Tiny village becomes Indonesian anti-smoking champion

Yahoo – AFP, Andi Cora Uleng, With Dessy Sagita in Jakarta, 11 March 2016

Bone-Bone village looks like any other rural hamlet in Indonesia, but it is an unlikely

 champion in the fight against smoking in one of the world's most tobacco-addicted 

countries (AFP Photo/Cening Unru)

Bone-Bone (Indonesia) (AFP) - Nestled amid mountains in remote central Indonesia, Bone-Bone looks like any other rural hamlet in the archipelago, with a modest collection of houses, shops and mosques and people quietly going about their daily lives.

But it is an unlikely champion in the fight against smoking in one of the world's most tobacco-addicted countries, after it became the first village in Indonesia to impose a total ban on smoking.

"Thank you for not smoking, say no to cigarettes" reads a sign at the entrance to the settlement to Sulawesi, one of the archipelago's main islands, while another says "Please enjoy the scenery and fresh air in our village".

Children play football in Bone-Bone, the
first village in Indonesia that has imposed
a total ban on smoking (AFP Photo/
Cening Unru)

The move has inspired other villages around the country to follow suit and take the law into their own hands as the central government shows little sign of launching a determined, nationwide fight against tobacco.

Such bans are just a small step in a country where 30 percent of the adult population are smokers, and more than 200,000 die every year due to tobacco-related illnesses, according to public health experts in Indonesia.

More than two thirds of adult males in Indonesia use tobacco, the highest rate in the world, according to the World Health Organisation's Global Adult Tobacco Survey, although far fewer women smoke.

In recent decades, many countries in the developed world have launched campaigns to cut tobacco use, ramped up prices, restricted cigarette advertising and banned smoking in public places, leading to sharp falls in smoking rates.

While Indonesia is not alone among developing countries in lagging behind in efforts to tackle tobacco use, even by regional standards it fares poorly.

Tobacco adverts remain highly visible around Indonesia, on billboards and posters, it is the only country in Southeast Asia that still allows cigarette advertising on television, and the only one in the Asia-Pacific region not to have ratified a key UN treaty on tobacco control.

The domestic tobacco industry remains hugely lucrative and powerful, and it is common to see children smoking a sweet-tasting clove cigarette -- an extremely popular Indonesian speciality, which dominates the local market.

Village head Abdul Wahid stand next to an anti-smoking campaign poster that 
reads "Cigarettes are a killer" and "You the one who smoke, we the one who 
die" at his house in Bone-Bone village (AFP Photo/Cening Unru)

'I can save money'

But in Bone-Bone, it is a different story. Smoking has almost entirely disappeared among the population of around 800 inhabitants since the ban came into force a decade ago.

Rather than worries about villagers contracting cancer, economic concerns were what prompted then village head, Muhammad Idris, to implement the ban through a local bylaw.

He said that many poor families in the area could not afford to send their children to school because their fathers were spending too much on smoking, and the youngsters themselves got addicted to the costly habit at a young age.

While cigarettes are cheap by international standards in Indonesia -- with a packet of a local brand costing around the equivalent of a dollar -- a heavy habit can strongly impact the finances of poor families with meagre incomes.

"I went to college with 13 other students from this village, only six graduated, the rest dropped out because they spent their tuition money on cigarettes," Idris told AFP.

The ban was implemented in stages. In 2000, local authorities prohibited the sale of cigarettes in Bone-Bone, smoking in public places was forbidden from 2003, and then a full ban on both smoking and selling tobacco products -- for residents and visitors -- came into force in 2006.

A family works at a house in Bone-Bone village in Enrekang, South Sulawesi (AFP

Photo/Cening Unru)

Punishments for those caught breaking the rules include community service, such as cleaning up mosques in the staunchly Muslim village and their neighbourhood, while some have even been forced to issue a public apology to the entire village through a loudspeaker.

Amir, a blacksmith and father of nine in Bone-Bone, was forced to end his 40-a-day habit by the ban, but has found himself much better off.

"I can save money, I can buy what my family needs and -- most importantly -- I can pay for my children's education," said Amir, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

About 10 villages across the country have followed Bone-Bone's example by imposing a smoking ban, a move made possible by the heavy decentralisation of power introduced in the archipelago after the end of authoritarian rule in 1998.

Government backsliding

But the numbers of people affected out of a population of 250 million remain tiny, there is little sign of an effective, national strategy to tackle the problem, while activists accuse the government of backsliding in the fight against tobacco.

In August, the industry ministry set a target for domestic producers to produce around 130 billion cigarettes a year over the coming four years, around fifty percent higher than the previous four-year target.

In 2000, local authorities prohibited the sale of cigarettes in Bone-Bone, smoking

 in public places was forbidden from 2003, and then a full ban on both smoking and

selling tobacco products came into force in 2006 (AFP Photo/Cening Unru)

"The government want our people to smoke as many cigarettes as possible," said prominent tobacco control activist Kartono Muhammad.

Indonesia's health ministry has produced a roadmap to fight smoking but officials admit implementation has been poor, with a lack of coordination between different branches of the notoriously bloated and ineffective bureaucracy undermining efforts.

In the face of growing evidence that smoking is affecting Indonesians' health and making them poor, the tobacco industry remains defiant.

Ismanu Sumiran, chairman of the association of Indonesian cigarette producers, most of whose members produce clove cigarettes, insisted smoking rates were falling and that "kretek" cigarettes are part of local culture.

"Even before this country was formed, kreteks already existed and were used in traditional ceremonies," he told AFP.

Dutch could benefit from apologizing for colonial era

The Jakarta Post, Tjitske Lingsma, Amsterdam 

The village of Rawagede has been in the news a lot recently after a group of widows and one survivor held the Netherlands responsible for a Dec. 9, 1947, massacre by Dutch troops. During the bloodbath, possibly 431 villagers, almost the entire male population, were killed. 

Recently, the Dutch government prosecutor insisted the case was superannuated and compensation was not under discussion. In December, Dutch Ambassador Nikolaos van Dam was present at the commemoration of the massacre in Rawagede (now called Balongsari) in West Java. 

He offered the Dutch government's "excuses" for the violence in the 1945-1949 period. What followed was a debate on the semantics of the ambassador's words. Did the ambassador offer apologies, or did he just express regret? The ambassador himself said his words could be interpreted as "apologies". 

The case of Rawagede is symbolic of the way the Netherlands deals with its colonial past. No doubt attention for the killings is completely justified. But as usual, the broader framework in which the bloodbath took place has been ignored. Again the chance to fully expose the role the Netherlands played in Indonesia has been missed. 

The Dutch was a colonial power that ruled over the huge Indonesian archipelago, which it had conquered some 350 years ago by violent plundering. The bloodbath in Rawagede was not an exception, but fitted in a bloody pattern that stretched over a very long period of time. 

However, in the collective memory the Dutch people still perceive the Netherlands merely as a paternalistic governor, not as a ruthless colonizer. 

"Therefore it would be appropriate for the Dutch government to apologize for an occupation that did not last three years, but three centuries." 

When in 2002 the Netherlands celebrated the fact that 400 years earlier, in 1602, the Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC) was established, ceremonies cheering the colonial past dominated. Later, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende prolonged that myth when he pleaded ardently in parliament, with his fist in the air, "Let's say: the Netherlands are again capable of it. That VOC-mentality. Looking beyond borders. Dynamics!" 

In 2000, as a journalist I visited for the first time Maluku, where civil strife was waging between Christians and Muslims. My research into the roots of the conflict resulted also in a confrontation with the dark sides of Dutch colonialism. 

It was 1599 when the first Dutch ships arrived at the Banda Islands, which were at that time the only place in the world where nutmeg was grown. The VOC tried to force a monopoly on the trade in these very valuable spices. 

The Bandanese resisted these attempts with all their abilities. In 1621, the VOC's governor general in Asia, Jan Pieterszoon Coen, sailed to the small archipelago. In a few weeks' time, VOC troops wiped out most of Banda population. 

According to a plaque on a monument erected for the victims in the town of Banda Neira, some 6,000 people were murdered and about 700 Bandanese were enslaved, while only 1,700 managed to flee to other areas. The decimated Banda Islands were divided among VOC officials who became the owners of the nutmeg plantations. The Banda Islands were not the only places in Maluku where the VOC committed genocide. After Banda, it was the turn of Ambon and the surrounding islands to be conquered by the VOC, this time forcing a monopoly on the clove trade. During the Ambon Wars, an estimated 40,000 people were killed and whole islands were depopulated. 

These war crimes were committed in the 17th century. More recent history offers lots of other tragic examples. Like the conquering of Aceh (1873-1912) and the "pacification" of islands like Lombok. 

Or just think of Captain Raymond Westerling and his Depot Speciale Troepen (a corps that as was usual consisted largely of Indonesians) who in 1946-47 during their "contra-terror" campaign, burned down villages and tortured and summarily executed people. According to Dutch estimates, 3,130 people were killed in these operations, while Indonesian sources claim 40,000 people were killed. 

Dutch war victims have always demanded apologies from Japan because of war crimes committed against them during World War II. These victims deserve the apologies. 

Therefore it would be appropriate for the Dutch government to apologize for an occupation that did not last three years, but three centuries. That gesture might not only alleviate the pain and sorrow in Indonesia. It could also lead to a more realistic view among the Dutch people of their own colonial past. 

This would be more than desirable now that the Dutch - in the current time of local, regional and global changes - are showing so much interest in their national history. 

The writer is a freelance journalist. Her book, The Sorrow of Ambon: A history of the Moluccas, was published last year by Balans in the Netherlands.

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Indonesia`s ecotourism needs serious management, expert says

Tokyo (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s ecotoursim needs to be managed in a serious way so that it will attract foreign tourists as this archipelagic country has great potentials in the sector, a Japanese ecotourism expert said.

Prof Yoichiro Takanashi, director of the Japanese Ecotourism Society (JES), said here Tuesday Indonesia should develop its ecotourism sector in the long term as it would be of great benefit and increase the people`s awareness about the need to conserve the environment.

According to him, foreign tourists would be interested in visiting Indonesia if they knew the country had a clear concept of ecotourism development.

Ecotourism development could also help improve the local economy and create activities in international trade on a bigger scale, he said.

He said Japan already had a law on ecotourism which would come into force in April, 2008.

The law permanently protects Japan`s culture and natural wealth including its economic potentials.

The motto "Back to nature" was the philosophical basis as well as the appreciation that nature as the home of human beings is also able to sustain them (human beings), the lecturer at Cyber University in Japan said.

Takanashi further said ecotourism development should be focused, have infrastructure support and information backup.

Indonesia`s ecotourism should be promoted frequently and sustainably as in principle the Japanese public and other foreign tourists sufficiently knew Indonesia but they did not know much about its ecotourism except those in Bali and Yogyakarta, he said.

The promotions should also cover other interesting places like local cultural and natural tourist sites as well as other supporting facilities, he said.

Takanashi also said broad and various promotion activities at new locations in Indonesia could give new information to foreign tourists and local people.

Paticipants in the International Ecotourism Business Forum in Wosobo on December 2 were concerned over the concept of Indonesia`s ecotourism which tended to meet local people`s tastes.

Marketing Director General of the Tourism Ministry, Thamrin Bachri, said ecotourism development should be related to nature conservation and the `taste` of foreign tourists.

"Not only should foreign tourists be served but also directly involved in natural conservation activities," he said.

General Manager of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia for Japan, South Korea, China and the United States, Arif Wibowo, said he supported the promotion of Indonesia`s ecotourism abroad but it should consider the taste of foreign tourists.

"They tend to buy products with information on efforts to conserve nature. They will not buy products resulting from efforts to damage the environment," he said.

Traditional markets showcase local culture

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite the mushrooming number of modern markets, many people prefer traditional markets for the personal interaction.

"A traditional market is a display of culture or the gateway of acculturation contacts between people from various backgrounds," anthropologist Meutia Farida Hatta Swasono said Wednesday. She said this was marketable as a tourist attraction.

Meutia was speaking at a seminar, titled "Empowering Traditional Markets in the Era of the Hypermarket", held by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

The ministry said it was important to make traditional markets around the archipelago tourism spots, just like Beringharjo market in Yogyakarta, Sukawati market in Bali, Gede market in Surakarta, the floating market in Banjarmasin and the antique market on Jl. Surabaya, Jakarta.

The seminar, held Nov. 28 to 30, was attended by some 75 participants from across Indonesia, including civil servants, university students, NGOs, market operators and associations of market traders, who came to share their views and make recommendations on the drafting of a new bill on market empowerment for tourism.

Indonesia has declared 2008 as Visit Indonesia Year.

Traditional markets' ambience can be a sort of spiritual fulfillment and entertainment for visitors, the seminar heard.

"I like the warm atmosphere between buyers and sellers at traditional markets," a Central Jakarta resident, Elly, said Thursday.

"Just saying hello or joking with vendors. That doesn't happen ... at a supermarket," she said.

Elly said she goes to the traditional market near her home twice a week and had become a loyal customer of certain vendors in Cempaka Putih market since 1979. She said she only goes to the supermarket once every two months at most.

"There is no guarantee either that supermarket fruit and vegetables or meat products are fresher than traditional market goods," the 66-year-old woman said.

Her close relationship with market vendors has lead to her being invited to a wedding reception of the daughter of one of the vendors.

"I frequently give them used plastic bags and dried rice crusts. I am pleased when they gratefully accept my offerings," Elly added.

Elly is not alone in her inclination to shop at traditional markets.

For people like 27-year-old Melati, shopping at traditional markets is her first choice to get cheaper and fresher vegetables and fruits.

"Besides, I feel more human while shopping at a traditional market," Melati said, acknowledging her mother could shop for hours at traditional markets, chatting with vendors.

Metta, a 28-year-old mother of two, said she preferred shopping at the door-to-door green grocer which visits her home on a daily basis.

"I don't enjoy shopping at a muddy market. Besides, I think the price offered by the mobile grocer is cheaper than the traditional markets because I don't have to pay for transportation."

SBY sings the blues

Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Can a music CD, which consists of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's original compositions, sung by other artists, help with his declining approval rating?

Using an album such as this as a propaganda tool to win the affection of young voters and the non-voting community will prove difficult. Chart and record sales suggest that they are either in love with dangdut or pop rock, not nostalgic karaoke type music. Just by sampling alone, it turns out that Rinduku Padamu (My Longing to You) is geared more toward the old timers.

Most of the songs are written and composed by SBY, who used to perform in a band in Pacitan, East Java during the 1960s.

When former U.S. President Bill Clinton played Heartbreak Hotel on the saxophone on the Arsenio Hall Show, he looked cool and eventually gained a slew of supporters and went down in television history.

When purchasing SBY's CD at a local record store, I was being quite careful as not to let any of my friends catch me alive holding this CD, which contains 10 songs sung by the likes of Dharma Oratmangun, Gee Foregia, Senno Haryo and Kerispatih.

SBY's songs feel, for a lack of a better term, old-fashioned. Nevertheless those who dig the melancholic music of Ebiet G. Ade should find this collection charming.

Rinduku Padamu, the title song, is sung by Dharma Oratmangun, who, despite his good voice, isn't well known by the average music enthusiast. (For those who favor a more mellow tone, this song also comes in the "medium beat" version.)

Mentari Bersinar (Sun Is Shining) sung by Senno Haryo truly feels archaic despite its message of everlasting hope.

Kerispatih sang Kawan (Friend), which sounded like KLA Project, a defunct pop group, in their heyday. Did I hear a distorted guitar there? At this point, I am convinced that the President really has a knack at songwriting and maybe he should consider a second career.

Dendang Di Malam Purnama (Full Moon Song) has a cool theme, but by the time the rhythm started to kick in I felt that this CD offered too much of the same thing.

Veteran musician Ebiet G. Ade, who co-wrote the tune Mengarungi Keberkahan Tuhan (Recognizing God's Blessing), tells the universal story of how man fights for his life on earth with a little help from above.

Hening (Peaceful) attempts to sooth listeners with Widi Mulia's angelic voice. It is about a rural woman who contemplates the tranquil mornings in her village. So far, this is the highlight of the album as it has a nice layer of traditional Indonesian flute.

So far, there is no subliminal message found in SBY's tunes except that people should go on living peacefully with one other and live under the grace of God. (Oh please).

Don't get me wrong, the sound quality of this CD is excellent and will play well on a any super stereo sound system.

A great aspect on this record, which is released by Nagaswara record, is the SBY logo (The Y is bigger than the S and B). The blue and white logo, which resembles a DC comics superhero logo, represents the CD well -- and could be well used in the next presidential campaign in 2009!

SBY also registered and copyrighted all his songs. Does this mean that there will be no more pirated version of Indonesian records at Ratu Plaza? Only time will tell.

A more novel approach for SBY's second album, which I doubt he will do, is to use various traditional ethnic instruments from this archipelago and pin the album down as a world music rather than the nostalgic pop category. He might do well on the BBC Radio 3 World Music station.

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