Ban on all RI airlines politically motivated: executive

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The plan to ban all 51 Indonesian airlines from flying to the European Union (EU) is politically motivated, an executive said on Tuesday.

"I think it is politically motivated. Japan, Australia, Singapore and the United States themselves known for their sensitiveness do not impose such a ban. So, what is behind this?" Chief of the Indonesian Congress and Convention Association (INCCA) Iqbal Alan Abdullah said.

Indeed, Indonesia had a weak position in international fora given the onslaught of global campaigns to fight terrorism, he said.

"I wonder why the issue is raised at the time of school holidays. Perhaps they (the European Commission) do it intentionally so people will refrain from traveling by plane," he said.

So far, the looming ban had had no impact on the number of European tourists to Indonesia, he said.

"For the time being, it has no significant impact on the number of European tourists to Indonesia. It is more likely to cause a psychological impact in that foreigners may hesitate to fly by national airlines," he said.

The INCCA chief said the government must soon restore the image of Indonesian airlines by convincing the EU of the progress it had made in the aviation sector.

"The government through the Foreign Ministry and the Transportation Ministry must soon respond to (the EU`s decision) by asking for clarification from them on why Garuda will be banned from flying to Europe. It is the government`s task to inform the international community of what has developed and changed in Indonesia," he said.

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said all the Indonesian airlines must improve their performance to convince the international community of safe flights.

"The looming ban will definitely have an impact on the domestic tourism industry. If it lasts too long it will be dangerous. I hope it will not drag on. That`s why, domestic airlines must improve their performance and security," he said on Monday.

The European Commission said last week all Indonesian airlines and several from Russia, Ukraine and Angola will be banned from flying to the region due to safety concerns.

The ban will become official when the commission endorses its experts` recommendation to ban Indonesian airlines on July 6 by adding them to EU`s list of unsafe airlines.

Currently, no Indonesian airline has scheduled flights to European destinationa. The national flag-carrier Garuda ceased its flights to Amsterdam and Rome in 2005.

Indonesia may lose US$444 mln annualy from EU flight ban

Jakarta (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Indonesia will potentially suffer losses of Rp4 trillion (US$444 million) annually in tourism earnings if a plan to ban all local airlines from flying to the European Union (EU) is carried out, according to tour operators.

"The losses could reach Rp4 trillion in 2008 if the ban is implemented," chief executive officer (CEO) of Panorama Tours, Dharma Tirtawisata, said here Tuesday. As many as 700,000 to 800,000 European tourists come to Indonesia every year.

Exploiting tourism potential of Japanese buildings

Khairul Saleh, The Jakarta Post, Palembang

Although Japan occupied Indonesia for only three years during World War II, they left many historical buildings that are now part of Indonesia's heritage and could become assets for the tourist industry.

In Palembang, for example, there are at least 15 buildings formerly used by the Japanese. In Tanjung Batu and Ketiau, Ogan Ilir Regency, there are dozens of buildings, tunnels, bunkers for storing weapons and even an old airplane base. There are believed to be even more of these historical sites in other parts of South Sumatra.

Unfortunately not all have been well preserved. In fact, few people are aware of the history of the old buildings.

"I don't know the actual history of any building. All I know is about our heritage," said Rihadi Ruliansyah, 14, a junior high school student from Negeri Tanjung Batu.

In Tanjung Batu village there are around 10 buildings that were used by Japanese troops for many purposes, including as kitchens, military headquarters and armories. There's also an air base in Ketiau village.

There are many stories about these old Japanese buildings. Some older people in Tanjung Batu say the buildings had multiple purposes and that some were barracks. They also believed that some of the buildings were used to house precious loot that the Japanese had plundered during their advance through Southeast Asia.

"In the past young people tried to find the place where they believed the Japanese kept their stolen treasure, but till now they've never been successful," said Muhammad Zaini, 58, a resident of Tanjung Batu.

Many people were happy to recount tales of their hunt for the supposed Japanese treasure in Tanjung Batu and elsewhere. Some employed conventional means, others tried a metaphysical approach using paranormals -- but none were rewarded with success.

Today, many former Japanese buildings and earthworks can no longer be identified. However there are places where past use can be revealed; these include land mounds in strange locations, like a plantation or in the middle of the jungle.

Rahman Rasyidi, head of Ogan Ilir regency's Tourism, Art, Youth Affairs and Sports Office said many former Japanese buildings remained in the region. However he confessed that his office didn't have enough money to preserve them as tourist attractions.

"We haven't been able to develop our tourism assets," he said in his office in Idralaya. "We can only make reports."

Rahman Rasyidi said he hoped links could be developed between the local government and private companies or the Japanese government, so together they could preserve these potential tourist attractions.

Palembang city has 15 examples of buildings from the Japanese occupation with many others in outlying areas. These include underground shelters and bunkers for protection against attack.

Bunker

Many Japanese defense complexes remain in the region in places like Pulokerto subdistrict, Gandus regency, on Jl. Sudirman, beside the Charitas Christian Hospital, on Jl. AKBP H Umar, Ariokemuning subdistrict, and in the area of Kertapati, I Ulu regency and 15 Ulu, Karya Jaya. In Plaju there's a fortress-like building located in Lorong Sikam.

Other examples is the Japanese soldiers' cemetery in Talang Kerikil, and the barracks in Tegal Binangun, Plaju Darat.

People have either forgotten the existence of these structures, or never knew that this painful part of the country's history was so close.

In some locations the land has been cultivated or excavated for new buildings. But in the memories of the local people these are still places built by the Dutch to face the Japanese forces.

These defenses were built to withstand attack and the tropical heat and rain, and they've been well tested over the decades. The walls on one bunker were made from strong concrete, 0.25 meters thick and 2.4 meters high.

Tunnel and shelter complex

On Jl. Joko, near the bunker, there's a tunnel. The entrance to the tunnel, which is believed to lead to the bunker, is still there. And so does the tunnel, though its length hasn't been measured.

It's believed that the tunnel is long and winding and still in good condition. However because the interior is dark and slippery, conditions inside aren't known.

The remains of nine Japanese defense complexes can still be seen. They include sites at Jl. Jendral Sudirman, next to Charitas Christian Hospital, Jl. AKBP H Umar in Ario Kemuning regency, located behind the market at kilometer 5 Palembang.

The defense complex beside Charitas is believed to cover one hectare. The main building measures 32 x 15 meters and was made from strong, half-meter thick concrete. The walls are two meters high.

Access to this place is via concrete stairs. There's also a 100-meter long tunnel that's believed to get close to the Musi River.

This is thought to be an escape tunnel. But the tunnel is in a bad condition; it hasn't been looked after properly and is impossible to enter. However the strength of the defense structures can be judged from the remaining 5 x 4 meter artillery foundations.

On Jl. AKBP H Umar, the 4,710 meter-wide building ruins are still strong and clearly visible. However, as at the other sites, the condition of the building and tunnel isn't good.

The main 20 x 20 meter building is like a bunker. At the entrance door there's the entrance to a 2 x 1.5 meter tunnel. This gate is well known to the people as the Japanese Cave. On top of the tunnel are the foundations of an artillery piece.

A few meters from the main building are the remains of a 6 x 6 meter underground house. It was certainly below ground many years ago -- but not now. Surrounding it are residents' houses.

The other ruined defense complex is located on Jl. Demak 1 Ulu subdistrict, Palembang. There are at least seven artillery bases here, originally built to repulse air attacks. Each has a diameter of 5.6 meters and stands 1.15 meters high.

Still on Jl. Majapahit, and in Kelurahan 1 Ulu, -- very close to the 103 elementary school -- is a 0.3-meter high base with a diameter of 4.7 meters.

There's another old defense complex on Melati Island, Keramasan, Kertapati. This is like a small airplane field.

In 16 Ulu Palembang regency there are other remains of Japanese buildings. These are believed to have been the foundations for anti-aircraft guns, and can be clearly seen.

In the Sikam Darat corridor, Plaju, is a twin fortress measuring 8 x 6 meters in an attractive location. Even though it's no longer complete, the remains of the building are still quite strong.

There's also a strange dome-shaped building on Jl. Tegal Binangun, Perlindungan corridor, Plaju. The building diameter is 14 meters and the top is 3.5 meters high. The walls are 0.9 meters thick, and altogether it's a most unusual construction. In this area the Japanese army headquarters were located, and the street is known as Jl. Japan.

Not far from this building is a complex that's believed to have been built for artillery defenses. The building's concrete wall is 1.5-meters high supporting concrete columns. Some of the foundations built as a defense against air attack are still intact.

Jl. Japan is still used as a thoroughfare. This is the five-kilometer, five-meter route that the Japanese soldiers used to go to Melati Island.

Last year's Visit Musi 2008 proclamation by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was intended to develop tourism in South Sumatra. There are many former Japanese heritage buildings in the area with the potential to attract tourists, especially from Japan.

Developing these attractions won't be easy. But with determination and political will by the regional government, preservation of the past won't be impossible.

It's a zoo as people enjoy holiday

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

This year's mid-year school holidays saw the number of visitors to Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta and to Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta reach record levels thanks to better public transportation.

The zoo received more than 85,000 visitors on Sunday, which was 20,000 more than last year's numbers.

More than 100,000 people visited the North Jakarta's Ancol Dreamland on Sunday and about 80,000 on Saturday. Last year the number was 62,000 and 55,000 respectively.

Zoo spokesman Mardjuki said the operation of the busway system serving the route of Kuningan-Ragunan had contributed to the increasing number of visitors.

"Affordable entrance fees and easier access to public transportation definitely contributed to the higher number of visitors," Mardjuki said.

He said on weekdays during the school holidays, the number of people who visited the zoo was around 3,000 a day. Usually the zoo attracted about 2,000 people each weekday.

The 140-hectare zoo operates from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an admission fee of Rp 3,000 for children and Rp 4,000 for adults. It holds more than 3,000 types of animals from Indonesia and other countries.

"Ragunan is an affordable recreation place. Besides displaying many animals, it also offers lots of games," said Lia, a resident from Cengkareng, West Jakarta.

Visitors have to spend extra money to play a game or visit the primate center, one of the zoo's main attractions.

The huge number of visitors was an advantage for the traders there.

"Last weekend, our turnover was about Rp 5 million. But if it's not the holiday season, we sometimes only earn around Rp 10,000," said a hotdog seller.

According to Mardjuki, on Saturday and Sunday the zoo earned about Rp 415 million.

Last weekend saw a huge increase in vehicles entering the zoo grounds too, although most were motorcycles, Mardjuki said.

"We allowed cars and motorcycles to park in the zoo's yard because part of the zoo's parking lot has become the busway's lane."

Ancol Dreamland also benefited from the operation of the new busway route, said head of communication for the funpark Sofia Cakti.

"Besides, we also have a brand new game in the Dufan," she said.

"It's called Tornado and is an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster."

Of the 106,268 people who visited Deamland on Sunday, 25 percent visited the Dufan area, she said.

"During the holiday, we are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with an entrance fee of Rp 90,000," Sofia said

Usually it is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a Rp 70,000 entrance fee.

Dufan, short of Dunia Fantasi (fantasy land), is a 9.5-hectare theme park where visitors can enjoy various kinds of adrenaline-soaked thrill rides, from roller coasters to gentler rides including merry-go-rounds.

Bogor publishes heritage book

BOGOR (The Jakarta Post) : Bogor municipality on Sunday launched a book listing some 560 cultural and architectural heritage sites in the town.

Famous as an expansion area of Batavia during the Dutch colonial era, Bogor is home to numerous buildings that date back as far as the 18th century.

"All of the buildings on the list were built during the Dutch era. They include government offices, schools, research centers and commercial buildings," Bogor heritage inventory team head Rahmat Iskandar told Tempointeraktif.com newsportal.

The oldest building on the list is the Bogor Presidential Palace built in 1745.

There are a number of buildings in the same hybrid architectural style known as Indische that date back to between 1938 and 1940.

Most of these buildings are found along a strip that was then known as Groote Posweg, which today is Jl. Ahmad Yani, Jl. Jendral Sudirman, Jl. Suryakencana and strips lining the way from the Puncak resort area to Bandung.

The book also includes artifacts dating back to the pre-Islamic Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms that thrived in the area.

Indonesia's batik a winner for international diplomacy

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Wastraprema, an association of traditional textile lovers, has suggested the government use batik to promote Indonesia's culture, values and heritage abroad.

The association's chairwoman, Adiati Arifin Siregar, said batik could facilitate the sharing of ancient values and national history with other countries.

"We have always supported the government's efforts to promote traditional cultures and to introduce cultural heritage to other nations. Batik can be part of the package," Adiati said during a ceremony to mark the association's 31st birthday Thursday.

To celebrate its anniversary, the association is currently holding a traditional textile exhibition with a batik and wayang (puppet) theme at the Jakarta Textile Museum in West Jakarta. The exhibition will run until July 5.

"Batik is not just something our ancestors wore, but is also a medium through which their philosophies and moral values can be seen," Adiati said.

Wastraprema was established on June 28, 1976, on the request of then Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin, who is an enthusiast of art and culture.

The association's collection of textiles is in the thousands. Half of the collection is made up of items donated by former state officials.

According to Ministry of Industry records, there are more than 3000 batik motives used in Indonesia. Some of the more well-known motives are Parang Kusumo, Parang Barong and Sekar Jagad.

In ancient Javanese culture, certain types of batik were worn exclusively by royal and noble families due to the delicate process required to make them and sacred symbols used.

Later on, the batik industry grew and simpler fabrics were produced for the wider community.

Modern textile factories that opened up across Java in the 1970s pushed aside batik as they were able to produce cheaper textiles. Batik, however, is still commonly worn among older members of society.

Nowadays, the price of a piece of batik varies depending on its motif, colors used and its level of intricacy. Undyed fabric sells for approximately Rp 250,000, while dyed fabric varies in price from Rp 500,000 to Rp 1,500,000 (US$165)

Didy Haryono, a batik expert, said the government should hold regular international exhibitions demonstrating Indonesia's traditional textiles to showcase the country's rich cultural heritage.

"We already talk enough about politics and the economy. We should start talking about batik and other traditional textiles at international forums," she said.

She said Wastaprema would require strong support from local administrations and the central government to be able to hold traditional textiles exhibitions and workshops in the future.

The vice head of the City Cultural and Museum Agency, Agung Widodo, said that the city administration would back up Wastaprema's activities to develop and promote traditional textiles as much as its budget allowed.

"Building the textile museum proves that we are serious about supporting cultural activities, even though our budget is limited," he said.

ASITA optimistic tourist arrival projection will be met

Medan (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies Association (ASITA) is optimistic that this year`s foreign tourist arrival projection at six million would be met following an improved security situation in the country.

Until June this year the number of foreign tourist arrival is expected to reach around 4.3 millions, the president of the association, Ben Sukma, said to ANTARA News here on Sunday.

He said as there were still six months of the year, "we believe the projection would be met."

He said Bali, Lombok and other small islands in the country remained the favorite places of foreign tourists who spent between 75 and 100 US dollars a day.

He said the resumption of tourist arrivals in Indonesia was among others attributed to the recent arrests of suspected terrorists that had also been confirmed by the US and Australia, and international events that had taken place peacefully in the country to promote the positive image of the country abroad.

He said he hoped the government would continue playing down on reports about terrorism, natural disasters and diseases so that it would not spread abroad.

Kemayoran's very own fairway to heaven

The Jakarta Post, Simon Pitchforth

I thought I'd have a well-earned rest from trying to get on the ruddy boatway for a while and instead paid my first-ever visit to Jakarta Fair last week.

However, this first entailed a busway ride from Blok M all the way up to the other terminus at Kota Station. The ride itself was fine but the rush-hour wait at the Blok M busway terminus was a touch unsettling.

The crush of humanity and high temperatures made me feel dizzy and the only way out was via the busway: Once you've committed yourself to the crush, there's no escape.

I felt as though I was in a scene from Schindler's List; to be fair, though, peak hours in London and Tokyo can be just as sardine-like. In Tokyo, they even crowbar you into subway trains with big sticks.

Back to Jakarta Fair; as I said, this annual festival has always managed to pass me by in previous years.

The fair used to be held at Monas (the National Monument), apparently, but its current location at the expansive Kemayoran fairground area is a little out of the way for me, as I'm sure it is for many other Jakartans, too.

That said, over two million people, it has been predicted, will visit Jakarta Fair this year. With that in mind I elected to visit the fair on a Monday evening when I thought it would be quieter.

Ha! Fat chance of that, as it turned out. It seemed to me as if the two million had all decided to show up at the same time and the whole place was a riot of people, color and noise.

God alone knows what it must be like on weekends. The fair itself covers a huge area, both indoors and outdoors, and it took me a couple of hours of traipsing around, promotions girls foisting snack foods on me all the while, to see everything.

*****

Jakarta Fair is basically a cross between a huge shopping mall and a funfair, with the accent on the shopping mall side. Everything you can possibly think of is on sale inside the cavernous halls of Kemayoran: motorbikes, furniture, watches, TVs, chocolate, electronic gadgets, bicycles, computers, clothes -- the lot, and most are at discounted prices.

Yes, take a break from the usual shopping malls and enjoy this annual opportunity to go and see ... a really huge shopping mall.

But it's not all about conspicuous displays of material consumption. Well actually it is, mainly, but there is some entertainment to enjoy, too. As well as a few funfair rides there is a tourist train that circumnavigates the site, which the kids were attracted to.

There's also a main stage hosting nonstop entertainment including plenty of slinky hipped dangdut singers; the dads seemed to love that one.

At the rear of the fair there's a motorbike safety course, which I think every Jakarta biker should be forced at gunpoint to sign up for, although it would probably take several centuries and several thousand hospitalizations to achieve that aim.

On a similar but slightly more dangerous biker note, I was amazed and amused to see that one of the fair's attractions was a good old-fashioned "wall of death".

I watched a few daredevils whizzing round and round before starting to feel dizzy and heading off for a feed.

As with any fair, there's plenty to eat here, from salmonella hot dogs and grotty, teeth-rotting sweets to the slightly more palatable fare available in the food court.

Boy, was it ever busy in Kemayoran, though; on weekends it must be even more so as family groups spend quality time together masticating on peanuts, drinking virulent blue soft drinks and entrenching their psyches even more deeply into the soft belly of the material consumer lifestyle as they ogle the products on sale together.

Don't come here if you're looking for a bit of rest and relaxation. I came away with a throbbing headache, although I quite enjoyed confronting the racket, hustle and cheap glitz of the Jakarta Fair experience.

It was somewhat like a concentrated version of the city itself.

A ticket for the fair will cost you a mere Rp 15,000. It's open from 3 p.m. to around 10 p.m. weekdays and all day on weekends. You've still got a couple of weeks left to check it out.

A few aspirins and earplugs may come in handy, though.

Simon Pitchforth - http://metromad.blogspot.com/

Ismanto: Creating 'natural' sculptures on the slopes of Mount Merapi

Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

In an UNESCO-sponsored visual art exhibition competition titled The Thousand Mysteries of Borobudur, held at Gallery Jogja during April and May 2007, the work of Ismanto, 39, titled The Achievement of Becoming a Champion really stood out.

Ismanto's work of art constituted a heap of rubble topped by a Buddha head.

Art connoisseurs and fellow artists are seldom surprised by the decision of juries to award Ismanto's work. The art of this self-taught sculptor, who lives on the west slope of Merapi Mountain, has long been a topic of discussion.

His stone statues have attracted the attention of art lovers and collectors from Jakarta, Surabaya, Malang, Yogyakarta and Bandung.

His statues can be seen in public open spaces, such as the Ki Hajar Dewantara statue on Jalan Jendral Sudirman, Yogyakarta, and various religious statues in many churches across Indonesia.

"I'm just a village resident," Ismanto said. "I don't want to show off. All I want is for my work to provide a living."

Although the sculptor's formal education did not continue after senior high school, he has been very successful, with some of his work carrying price tags into the millions of rupiahs. The returns have allowed him to live a comfortable lifestyle.

Yet he lives in a simple home among village people, where he puts a premium on living in harmony with the neighbors.

He gets together daily with fellow residents, enjoys ritual meals, shares in community guard duties and appears to be on friendly terms with everyone in his village.

His house is constructed of basic materials; the walls are made from sheets of woven bamboo and the floor is just sand.

Ismanto's house remains much the same today as it did long ago. "Even a dog can walk through," he said.

Ismanto's house is a friendly place, open to the villagers. It is a well-used traditional-style home, built in the middle of a housing area in Desa Temple, Dukun, Magelang.

But the house has not been well maintained and even the room partitions are made of woven bamboo. When it rains the earthen floor becomes damp and cold because so many roof tiles leak. The house where Ismanto lives with his wife Murtiah and two children doesn't even have a toilet.

"When I have guests and they want to use the toilet I direct them to a neighbor's house, or if they like, I take them to a river," Ismanto said. "They're usually happy using the river as a toilet because they seem to enjoy the experience."

Yet this house with its missing roof tiles, and so often full of smoke from the kitchen, is frequently visited by art collectors, artists and journalists from all over Indonesia and even overseas.

People such as film director and producer Garin Nugroho, author and journalist Aswendo Atmowiloto, cultural observer Sindhunata, photographer Oscar Matulloh and many famous collectors, have sat on the long bamboo benches in Ismanto's guest room.

The bamboo benches, covered by woven mats, are the only pieces of furniture in Ismanto's guest room. Here visitors enjoy short chats or long discussions while they sip hot tea and eat meals brought from the village.

Even though Ismanto lives in a distant village far from renowned centers of art, information and scholarly debate, many guests love to hear his sculpture ideas. Although he didn't formally study sculpture, he seems to have a natural affinity with stone.

"It could be said that I was born and brought up around nature, and until now I've lived around the rocks of Merapi Mountain."

"In my village are three small temples and not far away is plenty of stone suitable for sculpting. All my works have been made in this environment.

"I've also been inspired by the art of Borobudur Temple, which is located not far from here. I never get bored of looking at Borobudur and its sculptures. I feel a certain spiritual influence that radiates from inside the temple."

With no formal instruction in the art of sculpture, Ismanto says he attended the university of traditional stonework by studying the ancient temples on the slopes of Merapi Mountain. On certain special days he takes turns visiting Lumbung Temple, Asu Temple and Pendem Temple.

"I often perform rituals in these places," he said. "But if I'm lazy I only leave some flowers. It seems that I have a spiritual bond with the three temples.

"Though I don't spend much time at each location I feel reenergized after visiting the temples."

Ismanto conducts particular rituals when he sculpts statues which represent the spirits that live in Mount Merapi, for example statues of Semar (a character in traditional Javanese stories), Buddha and other prominent figures.

According to Ismanto, this has resulted in the creation of entirely different works of art from those mass produced for general sale.

"I really believe that statues in the old temples have a particular power," he said. "I believe our ancestors long ago also performed rituals before making a spiritual statue."

Ismanto is now building a Gadung Mlati, an open-sided hall where village youngsters can gather to learn about art and culture, and develop their skills.

Ismanto's journey to establishing himself as an artist has been a long one. When he graduated from senior high school he couldn't find a job. After he married he took freelance work making visual aids at the medical school laboratory at Gajah Mada University, in Yogyakarta. His tasks included constructing models of the heart, liver, head and other parts of the human body.

Although his income at the time was only sufficient to fulfill basic needs, he was active as an artist around Merapi Mountain.

He was associated with the village art community of Ngisor Tutup, the art community of Sumber Church and the community of Mendut Studio. He frequently mixed with art leaders from Yogyakarta and Surakarta.

"He's an artist who can do anything, and he's always quick to help when it's needed," said Kirdjito, an artist from Sumber village, Magelang.

Ismanto's talent as a sculptor was discovered only five years ago when Jesuit Father Sindhunata asked him to help sculpt a statue of a village woman to be erected on the slopes of Merapi Mountain.

Although he hadn't sculpted for a long time he was determined to accept the order. Ismanto remembered he had seen a suitable rock -- a one-meter-long black stone buried in front of his house, which had come from Merapi Mountain. It was from this rock that he carved the statue.

"Before I started work, and while I was creating that statue, I always performed rituals," Ismanto said. "I communicated with the stone while I was carving.

"That communication became intense when I was shaping the statue's face. According to some people at the medical school campus, my first statue was anatomically out of proportion. But surprisingly, many people liked it."

Ismanto believes it was the big stone in front of his house that opened up his career as a stone sculptor.

These days he receives so many orders that he has to turn some down. The value of his pieces has tapped into the hundreds of millions of rupiahs. He's actually quite well off -- but money isn't Ismanto's main goal. "I just want to become a successful sculptor," he said. "But I also want to remain a friendly village person."

China, Indonesia to join hands in heritage preservation

2007-06-27 17:29

JAKARTA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- China and Indonesia, which have a long cultural relationship, will cooperate in heritage development and preservation, cultural ministers of the two countries said here Wednesday.

After meeting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, visiting Chinese Minister of Culture Sun Jiazhen and Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik told a press conference that the relationship of the two countries was very strong and was supported by culture sector.

Sun said that during the meeting with Indonesian President Susiloit the two sides decided that the two countries would further strengthen cultural cooperation under the framework of strategic partnership.

"Our two countries will enhance efforts in cooperation in the field of heritage preservation and development as part of economy," he said.

Sun also said that the culture ministries of the two countries will join efforts to expand more channels and to increase cultural exchanges program in the future.

On his part, Wacik said the relations between Indonesia and China has been lasting for a long time, and the two countries could cooperate in cultural exhibitions and film production.

"In China there are big museums, and so are here. We can exchange the museum's collections and cooperate in producing film which have link with the cultural relations of Indonesia and China," said Wacik.

Ban on RI airlines to EU deals blow to tourism sector

Makassar (ANTARA News) - The European Commission`s plan to ban all 51 Indonesian airlines from flying to Europe will deal a major blow to the tourism sector as the region is the traditional market for the Indonesian tourism, an executive said.

"The European Commission`s step to ban Indonesian airlines from flying to the region is too excessive because it will have an extraordinary impact on tourist arrivals," chief of the South Sulawesi chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) H Andi Ilhamsyah Mattalatta said here Friday.

Garuda Indonesia`s decision to stop serving scheduled flights to Frankruft, Germany, last year already had a large impact on tourist arrivals, the more so if the European Commission banned all 51 Indonesian airlines from flying to the region, he said.

The government must soon lobby the commission to cancel the ban for the sake of the tourism sector which was suffering a blow due to the monetary crisis since a decade ago, he said.

He said the government must be able to convince the commission that the security conditions in Indonesia were quite conducive and all airlines in the country had been trying their best to improve flight safety.

Domestic security played a decisive role in promoting the tourism sector and therefore, the government must pay attention to the security issue besides promoting the tourism sector abroad more vigorously, he said.

Given the ban on Indonesian airlines from flying to Europe, the country would find it hard to achieve the target of six million tourist arrivals for 2007, he said.

"We must continue to launch more promotion campaigns in the region as we have done so far. And the role of diplomats in promoting the Indonesian tourism is badly needed," he said.

The European Commission said on Thursday all Indonesian airlines and several from Russia, Ukraine and Angola will be banned from flying to the European Union due to safety concerns.

The EU experts have recommended the ban which will be effective on July 6 in response to a series of air accidents in Indonesia early this year.

However, no Indonesian airline is operating scheduled flights to any European destination. Garuda Indonesia ceased regular services to Amsterdam and Rome in 2005.

Germany to write off RI`s debts if nat`l parks in Sumatra are preserved

Kota Agung, Lampung (ANTARA News) - The government of Germany has agreed to write off half of Indonesia`s foreign debts if the country could properly preserve the national parks in Sumatra.

Chief of the South Bukit Barisan National Park (TNBBS) Task Force Ir Lusman Pasaribu said here on Friday the agreement made in the form of an MoU would be effective 2007 to 2011.

However, the government of Indonesia provided 6.25 million euros for the preservation of the South Bukit Barisan, Mount Leurse and Kerince Slebat national parks.

"If our government is able to implement the agreement, Germany has agreed to write off twice the value of fund allocated to the national parks," Lukman said.

It was reported that some other countries who acted as creditors for Indonesia as well as international non governmental institutions (NGO) had expressed readiness to provide such support under this facility and fund for the preservation of the three national parks in Sumatra.

Therefore, according to Lukman, the government of Indonesia along with the management of the three national parks should work hard to show to the international community that this country is really able to manage and preserve their flora.

"We should show them our ability to implement the agreement and manage the preservation of the South Bukit Barisan national park," he said.

Covering 356,800 hectares of land, the South Bukit Barisan National Park has a number of protected exotic and rare flora and fauna. Together with two other national parks, South Bukit Barisan national park was nominated as a cluster natural world heritage site as the last shield for the conservation of tropical forests in the world.

Govt told to go for tourism gold during Olympics

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In an effort to boost tourism next year, when is set to be declared "Visit Indonesia Year", the government should consider establishing a travel-pass system for overseas visitors, Indonesia's Tourism Council says.

Dorodjatun Kuntjorojakti, an advisor to the council, told a tourism seminar Monday that the year 2008, which will also see Beijing hold the Olympic Games, will provide a good opportunity to attract millions of tourists from all over the world to Indonesia.

"Thus, the government should make the best out of this by working on a travel-pass system enabling post-Olympic tourists to come here," he suggested.

He explained that travel passes, consisting of round-trip tickets to destinations throughout Indonesia using any means of transportation, could be sold at tourist destinations and entry gates worldwide.

For the travel pass to work, the government would have to collaborate with travel agents, international airlines and local transportation operators, such as bus companies, state-owned railway operator PT KAI and ferry firm PT Pelni.

"Even though we have don't have an integrated, intermode transportation system or an MRT, we can still make use of what we've already got."

Up to 500,000 foreign tourists and 2.5 million local tourists are expected to attend the Olympics, according to a forecast by the International Olympic Committee. China has invested around US$17 billion on hosting event.

To coincide with the Olympics, Indonesia will declare 2008 "Visit Indonesia Year", with the country set to stage 100 international-scale events and cultural festivals throughout the 33 provinces of the archipelago.

It is hoped that the promotion will increase the number of foreign visitors to some seven million next year from around six million this year.

The official announcement of Visit Indonesia Year, which was initially planned to take place next month, will now be made in September.

As part of its preparations, the government is working on improving basic infrastructure, such as roads and telecommunications access, in the country's top tourist destinations.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry will spend some Rp 153 billion (US$17 million) on improving tourism attractions and promoting the campaign.

Dorodjatun, a former coordinating minister for the economy, said that besides availing of the opportunities provided by the Olympics, the government should also continuously strive to sustainably upgrade tourism facilities and access to tourist destinations.

Responding to the suggestion, the ministry's director general of marketing, Thamrin B. Bachri, said that the proposal sounded good, although what the government was focusing on at the moment was improving the basic infrastructure in tourist destinations.

"The most important thing is to enhance the basic elements first," he said. "How can we attract the tourists if we still adequate facilities, like airports, for instance."

The Indonesian Tourism Council groups tourism experts and business players, and is charged with providing advice and suggestions to the government for the development of the tourism sector.

Number of foreign tourist arrivals in 2009 projected at 10 million

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Culture and Tourism Ministry has projected the number of foreign tourists visiting the country in 2009 at 10 million, a ministry spokesman said here Monday.

"The country will earn US$10 billion in foreign exchange in 2009 with the arrival of 10 million foreign tourists. This tourism growth will create job opportunities for 12.5 million people," Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said in a statement read by his ministry`s marketing director general, Thamrin B Bachri, at a tourism workshop.

The ministry was also expecting the number of domestic tourists to grow by 1.4 percent annually so that in 2009 their number would reach 218.8 million who would spend some Rp105.9 trillion.

Minister Wacik also foresaw constant development in tourism destinations, marine tourism, cultural tourism and related services in the country.

The ministry would thus step up its efforts to market and develop tourism destinations until 2009 through its Bali Recovery Program, Yogya Recovery Program, Online Marketing and Marketing Representatives.

Meanwhile, in order to help make a planned Visit Indonesia Year (VIY) 2008 program a success, the ministry would promote Indonesian tourism in China, India and the Middle East; step up cooperation with Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand; implement visa integration and increase flight frequencies.

The ministry would also open regional tourism representative offices in Singapore, Frankfurt, China, UAE, Japan, South Korea, India and Australia as well as launch golf, spa, diving, caving and wedding and ecotourism programs.

French govt to honor journalist Goenawan

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post) :The French government will honor prominent Indonesian journalist and noted poet and writer Goenawan Mohamad with the Chevalier dans L'ordre des Arts et des Lettres award.

The French Embassy in Jakarta announced Ambassador Catherine Boivineau will present the award to Goenawan on Monday, in a ceremony at the ambassador's residence in South Jakarta.

Goenawan, the former chief editor of Tempo news magazine, received the prestigious Professor A. Teeuw award from the Netherlands in 1993.

That same year, Goenawan -- who will turn 66 next month --was selected for a Nieman Fellowship to study at Harvard University in the United States.

For his exemplary journalistic work, the Stanley Foundation's publication, World Press Review, selected Goenawan as "International Editor of the Year" in 1999.

The honor, according to the Review, goes to an editor working outside the U.S., who displays courage and leadership in advancing press freedom and human rights, as well as boosting excellence in journalism.

It is a tradition for France to honor artists, writers, journalists and activists from all over the world every year.

Last week, Ambassador Boivineau presented the same award to Jakarta Paris Forum executive Winarsih Arifin for his efforts to enhance ties between the two countries.

Other Indonesians who have been honored by France over the years include singer Anggun, academic Ida Sundari Husen, Culture and Tourism Ministry secretary-general Sapta Nirwandar and a former chief editor of The Jakarta Post, Raymond Toruan

Craft fair celebrates city birthday

The event, dubbed "We Love Indonesia", will be held all day every Thursday, starting this week until Aug. 17.

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A bazaar featuring traditional handicrafts from all over the country has been organized at South Jakarta's Cilandak Town Square mall -- better known as Citos -- to help out small and medium sized businesses.

The event, dubbed "We Love Indonesia", will be held all day every Thursday, starting this week until Aug. 17.

The event is being held to coincide with Jakarta's 480th anniversary and the 62nd celebration of Independence Day on Aug. 17.

Each week, the bazaar will display products from one of 10 regions of Indonesia: Greater Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, North Sumatra, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, West Sumatra and Kalimantan.

"Through this event, we want to help enterprises promote their goods. We also want Indonesian people to further know their own cultures, and expatriates to see what Indonesian cultures look like," said Baby Jim Aditya, the director of Sinergy, a company coordinating the event along with the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises and the Tourism Ministry.

On its first day Thursday, the weekly bazaar displayed goods produced by small and medium enterprises in Greater Jakarta, including handmade embroidered bags, batik wall cloths depicting traditional puppets, paper lamps and ondel-ondel (traditional Betawi effigy) ornaments.

Next week, the bazaar will feature traditional products from West Java.

Nani from Setu Betawi Group, a collection of several Betawi craft makers, showed off a pencil studded with an ondel-ondel ornament made from areca nut.

"It takes about a month to make 100 of these because we have to dry the nuts first to get the perfect shape and color," said Nani, who made the pencils.

At the market was also a stand displaying West Javanese Baduy handicrafts, at which a woman weaved a Baduy shawl.

"I have been weaving since I was 15 years old," said Bisna, 31.

She added that it usually took her about a week to weave a shawl.

"It's quite difficult, therefore there are only a few women from outer Baduy who can weave," Bisna said.

Unlike the inner Baduy sub-tribe who still make their shawls without any tools, Bisna and other outer Baduy make their shawls with the help of a simple loom.

Besides displaying handicrafts, the event will also feature dances and other traditional performances.

On Thursday, a group of dancers from the Jakarta Pavilion of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah performed the so-called Nandak Ganjen (a dance to charm) accompanied by Betawi Gambang Kromong music.

"I choreographed the dance in order to preserve Betawi culture," said Entong, a dancing teacher from the pavilion.

On Aug. 17, the peak of the event, traditional games from throughout the country will highlight the event along with the games usually performed during Independence Day celebrations.

Pulau Umang, a paradise next door

Leo Wahyudi S / The Jakarta Post Contributor

An outdoor banquet on the beach? It sounds wonderful. And it was the balmy night, the food, the sandy beach on a private island in Banten province, all of it.

Not only would young lovers find it romantic but so too would parents taking their family away for a weekend and enjoying dinner on a moonlit beach with the gentle sound of waves lapping the shore.

With fresh seafood as the main course served by amiable staff, every guest enjoyed the magical moment by the sea.

Most urbanites, particularly those residing in a big, crowded city like Jakarta, can only dream of having the sea right at their doorstep, but on Pulau Umang it is a reality. And everyone can enjoy this simple pleasure just by leaving behind the traffic jams of Jakarta and visiting this island on the western tip of Java island.

Pulau Umang, located in Banten's Pandeglang district, is a reasonably priced dream getaway for anyone looking for a relaxing beach experience with ambience. Situated near the UNESCO heritage site of Ujung Kulon nature reserve, Umang Island is a worthwhile destination for travelers.

Umang island resort and spa offers the same comforts as a star-rated hotel. The informal atmosphere enables guests to unwind and enjoy the laid-back pace of this relaxing island.

Pulau Umang is well protected from stormy seas, with the popular Tanjung Lesung beach to the north, Ujung Kulon to the south and Panaitan Island far west of the small island. Visitors have little to fear from large waves on their trip out to the island as it is just a five-minute speedboat ride from the shores of Sumur, Pandeglang, which takes approximately four hours to reach by car from Jakarta. The resort has free 24-hour secure parking at its parking lot in Sumur and accommodation for drivers.

Alighting from the speedboat, visitors walk along the pier to the main gate of the resort. A welcome drink awaits every guest. The natural beauty of the resort becomes apparent as soon as one heads for their cottage. Set amid five hectares of land, the resort has 60 cottages facing the sea, each with a view of either sunrise or sunset depending on individual choice. Each cottage has two large rooms with connecting door. The bedroom on the mezzanine has a distinct romantic feel to it, made all the more special by the fresh sea air and the lulling sound of breaking waves. The structures are all earthquake resistant.

Ten minutes from Umang island is the uninhabited Pulau Oar, which people visit to walk along the white sandy beach or go snorkeling, jet-skiing or for a ride on a banana boat in the crystal clear water. The islet also has many places to get a great shot of sunset or sunrise.

Over all, Pulau Umang is a paradise on earth where holiday-makers can laze around and enjoy its beauty and tranquility, far removed from the hassles of urban life.

Pulau Umang Resort & Spa

Spongebob gets square with Jakarta

The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA: The world's most popular sea creature Spongebob Squarepants has left his pineapple house in Bikini Bottom for Jakarta.

The cheery cartoon character, perhaps the world's most famous driving test dropout, will star in a musical entitled "Spongebob Squarepants Live! The Sponge Who Could Fly!" later this month.

Some 30 performers from New York-based Broadway Asia Entertainment will play at the Tennis Indoor Stadium, Senayan, Central Jakarta, from June 29 to July 1.

"We will greet the student holiday with the Spongebob Squarepants musical," Ellen Kneevel from promoter Creative Production said Thursday.

The musical, performed in English, will be staged three times a day, with ticket prices ranging from Rp 200,000 to Rp 475,000.Jakarta is part of the show's Asia Pacific tour, which began in Singapore in May.

The group is scheduled to stop at other cities in Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines, Australia and New Zealand

Australian tourists to Bali up by 50 percent

Denpasar (ANTARA News) - The number of foreign tourists flying on Indonesia`s national flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia from Australia to Bali had increased by 50 percent in the past few months compared to last year`s.

The remark was made by Garuda Indonesia`s Operations Director Capt Ari Sapari during a dinner party held to welcome 110 Australian participants of the Mega Familiarization Tour at Novotel Nusa Dua Hotel, Badung district, on Friday evening.

Without mentioning the number of the Australian tourists to Bali, Ari Sapari said their number is only second to that of the Japanese tourists. "One thing worth noting is that Garuda flew more than eight million passengers in a year and has served the route to Australia for 38 years," Ari Sapari said.

A increasing number of Australian tourists to Bali showed that the island resort was still a paradise for tourists to spend their vacation. "We are delighted with this condition because it means better prospects for the aviation business," he said.

Two other tourist destinations in the familiarization tour are Grajakan in East Java for surfing and Jakarta for golf enthusiasts.

The participants of the Garuda Indonesia-Australia mega educational tour including three journalists were led by Garuda Indonesia General Manager for Australia and the US Suranto Yitnoprawiro.

Spokesman for the delegation Ron Moro, who is also Garuda Indonesia sales manager for western Australian region, expressed words of thanks and happiness for being able to enjoy the beauty of Bali`s nature and impressive culture.

Expos managed by Indonesia embassies overseas still ineffective to SMES

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Many of the exhibitions managed by the Indonesian embassies abroad are still ineffective in the development of Indonesian small and medium businesses (SMEs) as many of such events are more oriented to tourism promotion.

Speaking during an orientation meeting for journalists, Assistant to the Production and Business Promotion Deputy at the Cooperatives, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Ministry Priyadi Admadja said here on Friday that only a few number of SMEs were keen to participate the exhibitions managed by Indonesian embassies because the events are more tourism promotion-oriented.

However the role of Indonesian embassies in foreign countries is helping economic missions, especially by diplomatic means and information on the ways and procedures the SMEs have to follow to enable them to take part in the exhibitions.

Furthermore, he pointed out that to market SMEs` products, including handicraft articles, furniture and garments overseas, such exhibitions played a crucial role.

"Almost all the products produced by SMEs are seasonal in nature," he said, adding that the participation of SMEs in the exhibitions overseas will enable them make direct contacts with the buyers and to learn about the competition in those countries.

It is for these purposes that facilities for the Indonesian cooperatives, small and medium entrepreneurs in such exhibitions or trade missions are very important, because they are trying to seek better market access and increased market shares on international markets.

SMEs participating in these overseas exhibitions, in testing the market of their products, should be able to identify the trend of the overseas market toward their products.

Besides helping develop the international marketing network of SMEs, the exhitions are also aimed to boost their marketing capacity by providing them with learning facilities with a view to motivating them to innovate their products and businesses.

According to him, not only their participation could help them market their products overseas, the government could also help develop the businesses by setting up trading houses in those foreign countries.

The trading houses would be able to develop the marketing of SMEs` products and services in foreign trade, he noted.

RI Muslims remain tolerant: Poll

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Results from a recent survey indicate that the majority of Indonesian Muslims are tolerant toward other religions and reject the imposition of religious bylaws but believe that bombings will continue to be a threat in the future.

Pollster Indo Barometer conducted the survey in May this year to determine Indonesian Muslims' opinions on terrorism and religious tolerance in their own country.

The survey was distributed in 33 provinces using multi-stage random sampling and face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents of all religions. Only the answers of 1,047 Muslim respondents were taken into account.

Those surveyed were either aged 17 years and above or in wedlock. Respondents were selected to reflect as closely as possible Central Statistics Agency demographic data.

Director of Indo Barometer M. Qodari said the results showed that 95.4 percent of respondents agree that tolerance between all religions is important, with only 3.5 percent considering it unimportant. He added that 51 percent of respondents reject the idea that religious tolerance is decreasing, while 42.7 percent believe it is.

Additionally, 53.8 percent of respondents believe terrorism still threatens the country, while 71.8 percent reject the notion that terrorism is linked directly to a specific religion.

Qodari added that 88.88 percent of respondents disagree with using violence to battle immoral behavior, while 7.4 percent support it. The results also indicate that 96.2 percent disagree with violence toward people of other religions, while 1.3 percent agree with it.

"Even though the figure is small, there are still some people who advocate violence. We should keep an eye on this figure," Qodari said during the announcement of the survey results at the Wahid Institute on Thursday.

The results indicate that 63.3 percent of respondents disagree with the issuance of religious bylaws, while 27.9 percent agree. Qodari said that 97.6 percent of respondents did not believe that pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) were breeding grounds for terrorism.

Commenting on the survey, a member of Muhammadiyah, Moeslim Abdurrahman, said the results helped provide a picture of contemporary Indonesian Muslims.

He said, however, it was not a good tool for determining which regions had the highest number of hard-liners or for pinpointing who they were in order to counsel them. Moeslim maintained that communication is the key to eliminating terrorism.

"Unfortunately, we can't sort out who the extremists are. That is our organization's biggest weakness. We simply don't know exactly who they are. We know who is in the fundamentalist groups, but we don't know who the terrorists are," he told The Jakarta Post.

Father Benny Susetyo of the Bishops' Council of Indonesia said the survey had made no major revelations because the nature of most Indonesians is to respect the beliefs of others. He added, however, that the government should continue upholding pluralism in Indonesia.

"All religious bylaws should be eliminated. The government should create universal regulations, which don't discriminate among communities," Benny told the Post.