Thursday, May 27, 2010
Rich countries pledge $4B to stop deforestation
OSLO, Norway - Developed nations pledged more than $4 billion Thursday to finance a program meant to help poor countries protect their forests and slow global warming.

RI Made Enormous Progress Upon Achieving MDGs, UN Official
Jakarta - The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communication and information, Kiyotaka Akasaka, said Indonesia had made an enormous progress at home upon achieving the MDGs target.

US Commerce Secretary Underscores Partnerships With RI
Jakarta - US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke underscored shared US-Indonesia economic and environmental commitments at an event on Wednesday at Muara Baru, a commercial fishing port in North Jakarta.

President: RI Serious About Managing Its Forests
Oslo - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia is serious about conserving its forests to contribute to the balance of the environment and climate.

Government to Involve Local Communities in Redd+ Program
Oslo (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government was committed to involving customary communities in the implementation of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) scheme.

Yudhoyono Calls for World Leaders' Commitment on Copenhagen Accord
Oslo (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono emphasized the importance of commitment of the world`s leaders with regard to making the Copenhagen agreement implementable.

Boediono Confirms Indonesia on Track for 12-Year Education by 2014
The government is on track to introduce compulsory 12-year basic education for all Indonesian children by 2014, officials said on Wednesday, with pilot programs expected to begin this year in selected provinces.

Government Launches Empowerment Program for Female Migrant Workers
The National Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BNP2TKI) launched Thursday a program to empower former and would-be female migrant workers in three provinces across Java.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Jakarta, Washington Discuss Energy Cooperation
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Economic Coordinating Minister Hatta Rajasa said Indonesia and the United States are discussing investment cooperation in renewable energy replacing alternative energy in the years ahead.

Finance Minister to Continue Existing Fiscal, Monetary Policies
Jakarta - The new finance minister, Agus Martowardojo, said he would continue the fiscal and monetary policies pursued by his predecessor Sri Mulyani while anticipating the impact of the financial crisis in Greece.

Government to Set Up Multinational Trust Fund to Protect Forests
Indonesia plans to set up a multinational trust fund led by the President's trusted man Kuntoro Mangkusubroto to protect the nation's forests in reducing carbon emissions, Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan said.

News Focus: RI Carefully Watching European Financial Crisis
Jakarta - Indonesia will continue to cautiously watch a possible escalation of the Greek financial crisis although its economic fundamentals are relatively strong.

BI Rate to be Maintained at 6,5 Percent in 2011
Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said the government estimated that the Bank Indonesia (BI) rate will be set at 6,5 percent in 2011. The estimate was part of the points for macroeconomic assumptions for the 2011 State Budget that is currently being prepared.

Coral Reefs in Maluku Need Preservation
Ambon, Maluku - Coastal and deep sea coral reefs in Maluku province should be kept and preserved as marine biological resources.

Indonesia Approved for World Bank $200M Climate Loan
The World Bank has approved a $200 million loan for Indonesia to support the country's efforts to deal with climate change, including reducing the use of fossil fuels, the Washington-based lender said in a faxed statement.

"USNS Mercy" to Arrive in Ambon July 29
The United States Navy`s floating hospital, USNS Mercy T-AH-19, is expected to arrive here on July 29, 2010 to support the Surya Baskara Jaya health services operation in Maluku.

Monday, May 24, 2010
RI Expects to Earn $400 Million From Shanghai Expo
Jakarta - Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu has expressed hope Indonesia's participation in the ongoing World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, will at least contribute US$400 million in foreign exchange earnings to the state coffers.

President Calls for Continuous Attention to Food Resilience
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for continuous national attention to food resilience despite the country's success in achieving self-sufficiency in a number of prime food commodities.

RI, US to Boost Trade in Green Products
akarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will cooperate with the US to increase trade in green products to support efforts in achieving their targets of gas emissions reduction, it was learned here on Tuesday.

Obama to Visit on June 14, Spotlight on Migrant Workers
In preparation for President Obama's visit to Indonesia on June 14, American Under Secretary Maria Otero has been meeting with senior diplomats, NGOs, and non-profit organizations to discuss global issues that the two countries have mutual interests in.

EU Gives 200 Million Euros for Indonesian Education
The European Union has given 200 million euros ($245 million) to Indonesia to help fund basic education for all the children in this nation of 235 million.

Census: Indonesia Grows by 3M a Year
Indonesia's population is continuing to grow rapidly, expanding by 30 million in the past decade, preliminary results of the national census show.

Monday, May 24, 2010
RI'S Excise Receipts Reach Rp 23.70 Trillion Until May 19
Jakarta - Indonesia's excise receipts in the year ending on May 19, 2010 reached Rp23.70 trillion, accounting for 41.38 percent of the target set in the 2010 state budget.

Garuda Wins "World's Most Improved Airline" Award
Jakarta (ANTARANews) - Garuda Indonesia has won a "World's Most Improved Airline" award from the London-based independent world airline rating agency Skytrax for its successful business transformation programs.

President to Attend Climate Change and Forest Conference in Oslo
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to attend an international conference on climate change and forests in Oslo, Norway, on May 26-27, presidential spokesman Dino Pati Djalal said.

U.S Not Yet Restoring Cooperation With Kopassus
Denpasar - The United States has yet to soon restore cooperation with Indonesia's elite army force (Kopassus) as reported by several national mass media recently.

Government to Promote Growth of Five Prioritized Industries
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government is promoting the growth of five prioritized industries considered able to become the engine for the industry to grow more than seven percent in 2014.

BI Sets Interest on State Bonds Due Aug 25
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Bank Indonesia (the central bank/BI) has set interest on the four series of state bonds due on August 25, 2010 at 6.51027 percent.

Indonesian Tourism Chiefs Claim Bali Has Benefited From Thai Unrest
The long-running political crisis in Thailand appears to have had a positive spin-off for Bali's tourism industry, with more foreign tourists than usual visiting the island, the head of the Bali Tourism Office said on Sunday.

From Jogja Ruins, a Cultural Rebirth
Culture is a basic need. This saying circulated during Yogyakarta's reconstruction following the devastating earthquake that hit the region in May 2006. To see the power of this saying when put into action, simply travel to the traditional town most famously associated with the province's silver industry: Kotagede.

Friday, May 21, 2010
RI World Main Seaweed Supplier
Indonesia is for the time being the chief supplier of seaweed to the world, reaching 50 percent of the consumption of 1.9 million tons, and the second biggest supplier with a share of 35 percent was the Philippines.

Government Targets 2011 Revenue of Rp 1,086.7 Trillion
The government aimed to reach Rp1,086.7 trillion in state revenue in 2011, which is a 9.5 percent increase of the state revenue of 2010," Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said.

IFC, WB Promoting Sustainable Palm Oil Industries in RI
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank are holding consultations with multiple stakeholders in several main cities in Indonesia on sustainable ways to produce palm oil.

RI, Singapore to Jointly Promote Batam Free Trade Zone
Bank Indonesia (BI) is encouraging banks to apply the dynamic authentication system in implementing Internet banking in order to increase security during transactions at ATMs .

RI, China to Increase Cooperation in Sukhoi Pilot Training
The Indonesian and Singaporean governments have agreed to jointly promote the Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) free trade zone, in Riau Islands province in a bid to lure more international investors.

President Promises to Increase Health Funds
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised that starting next year the government will raise health funds significantly to make it the main sector in development.

Universities Told to Adopt the US College System
Indonesian universities should adopt the United States college system that allows undergraduate students to study almost all disciplines of science before determining the focus of their studies based on their talents and interests, says an expert.

Film Portrays Obama's Early Years in Indonesia
Young Barry Obama is struggling with his ping-pong shot. Or rather, 12-year-old Hasan Faruq Ali is struggling to play left-handed in imitation of the character he is portraying in a new Indonesian film, "Little Obama."

Thursday, May 20, 2010
Government Seek US$ 13 Billion for New Energy Blocks
Government have offered 27 new oil, gas, and coal bed methane fields this year expected to raise total investment of around US$13 billion.

BI Encourages Implementation of Dynamic Authentication
Bank Indonesia (BI) is encouraging banks to apply the dynamic authentication system in implementing Internet banking in order to increase security during transactions at ATMs .

New Finance Minister to Focus on Bureaucratic Reform
Newly appointed Finace Minister Agus Dermawan Wintarto Martowardojo who replaces Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said he would focus on bureaucratic reform at the Finance Ministry.

Reforms Will Go On: New Finance Minister
"We will continue the bureaucratic reforms that have been administered by Minister Sri Mulyani," Martowardojo told reporters Thursday at his house as quoted by Associated Press.

SBY Names Rachmat as Special Envoy for Climate Change
President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono has now three staffs on environmental affairs with the appointment of Rachmat Witoelar as a special envoy for climate change to strengthen Indonesia's position on international forum.

Minister: Women Able to Help Maintain, Create Peace
Sanur, Bali - Women's Empowerment and Children Protection Minister Linda Gumelar said women all over the world have the ability to help maintain or create peace in their own or other countries.

Embassy Evacuates 300 Indonesians in Bangkok
Jakarta - The Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, has evacuated 300 Indonesians from their residences near conflict areas to safer places, an official said.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
US Pledges Normalization of Relations With Kopassus
Jakarta - The US will restore the cooperation between its special force and Indonesia's Kopassus soon, chief of the US Pacific Special Command, Rear Admiral Sean A Pybus said.

US Under Secretary Of State Visiting Indonesia
Jakarta - US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero is visiting Indonesia May 17-21 for talks on a wide range of issues with government and non-governmental officials.

US Studies Religious Harmony in Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta: A dialogue on religious harmony yesterday took place at Ummahat Islamic Boarding School in Kotagede, Yogyakarta. The dialog was attended by Michael Cramartie, David Bettoni, and Scott Flipse from the United State Commission for International Religious Freedom.

Indonesia Names New Finance Minister
Indonesia's new finance minister is Agus Dermawan Wintarto Martowardojo. His deputy has been named as Anny Ratnawati.

Government Raises Rp 5.3 Trillion From State Bonds Auction
Jakarta - The government raised Rp5.30 trillion in funds from the sales of four series of state bonds in an auction on Tuesday.

Government Signs Oil/Gas Work Contracts Worth US$1.07 Billion
Jakarta - The government signed 22 oil and gas work contracts worth US$1.07 billion on the sidelines of the Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) exhibition and convention here on Tuesday.

RI, US to Study Ice Layer on Puncak Jaya in Papua
Jakarta - Indonesian and US researchers will study the ice layer on the peak of Jaya Wijaya mountain in Papua, head of Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Sri Woro Harijono said.

Yudhoyono Asks ASEAN Chair for Leaders' Meeting on Thailand
Singapore (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sent a letter to the ASEAN chairman asking for a meeting among the leaders of the grouping`s member nations to address the security situation in Thailand.

RI to Produce 1 Million Barrels of Oil in 2012
Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has pushed forward its plan to produce 1 million barrels of oil into 2012, which is two years sooner than its initial plan in 2014.

Indonesia Intends to Become Halal Products Center
Indonesia intends to become the halal products and services center of the world. The market and cultural potential on this is quite large.

KPU Chief Optimistic E-Voting System Usable in 2014 Presidential Poll
Jakarta - General Elections Commission (KPU) Chairman Abdul Hafiz Anshary has expressed optimism that the e-voting system can already be applied in the 2014 presidential election but not in the legislative polls.

Monday, May 10, 2010
BI: Economic Growth May Reach 6 Pct
Jakarta - Bank Indonesia senior deputy governor Darmin Nasution said Indonesia's economic growth up to the end of this year may reach 6 percent despite the world economic disruptions in Europe.

RI Calls on Europe to Learn from Asia to Cope with Economic Crisis
Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu told an Asia-Europe conference in Singapore on Friday that Europe should learn from Asia to cope with its current debt crisis.

RI, Vietnam Step Up Defense Cooperation
The Indonesian and Vietnamese governments agreed to step up their defense cooperation at various levels.

BPPT Ready to Prepare Applied Technology for E-Voting 2014
Jakarta - The Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) expressed its readiness to prepare the technology for e-voting (electronic polls) expected to be applied in the presidential and legislative elections in 2014.

SBY Receives Report on Latest Anti-Terror Campaign
With the news dominated by this week's series of terror raids, arrests and shootings of suspects, National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Friday morning to report on the latest developments after raids in East Jakarta, West Java and Central Java killed five suspects and captured at least three.

Monday, May 10, 2010
Indonesia to Discuss Peace Mission With UN
New York - Indonesia is scheduled to hold talks with United Nations officials on its roles in the UN peacekeeping mission here next week.

Q1 Economic Growth Reaches 5.7 Percent
Jakarta - The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reported Indonesia's year-on-year (YoY) economic growth in the first quarter of 2010 was recorded at 5.7 percent or 1.9 percent on a quarter-to-quarter (qtq) basis.

Rupiah, Jakarta Composite Index Climb
Indonesia's rupiah strengthened the most since September as the government reported a pickup in economic growth and Europe unveiled measures to head off a debt crisis that drove investors from emerging-market assets.

SBY Receives US Special Envoy on Science
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received Monday US Special Envoy on Science, Bruce Alberts, as Indonesia and the US are eyeing for enhanced cooperation in the field of science and technology.

President: Technology Cooperation Needed to Face World Crises
Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said cooperation in science and technology was needed to face various crises in the world.

VP: Government Never Ignores Business World's Wish
Bekasi, West Java (ANTARA News) - Vice President Boediono said on Sunday the government has never ignored the business world`s wish and will always pay attention to their aspirations.

Dino Likely to be Named Ambassador to US
Jakarta - Presidential Spokesman Dino Patti Djalal is likely to be named Indonesian ambassador to the United State while the president is now in the process of selecting his successor.

Five Foreign Navies to Participate in "Sail Banda 2010"
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The navies of five countries are to join "Operation Surya Baskara Jaya", a free health services provision program, in conjunction with the "Sail Banda 2010" international marine event in Maluku, a senior government official said.

Friday, May 7, 2010
Obama Welcomes RI's Intention to Ratify CTBT
Jakarta - US President Barack Obama has hailed Indonesia's intention to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), according to a press statement of the US embassy in Jakarta.

US Considering $300 Million Soft Loan For Trans-Java Highway
The Millennium Challenge Corporation, a United States donor institution, is ready to furnish Indonesian with a soft loan of $300 million for the construction of a large slice of the southern Trans-Java highway.

Indonesia Eyes Gas Promised to Japan
As Indonesia continues to suffer from a shortage of liquefied natural gas, the government said on Friday that an existing contract to supply LNG from Central Kalimantan to Japanese buyers would likely be revised to enable more fuel to be allocated to the domestic market.

Three Ocean Expeditions to be Launched This Year
Indonesia would launch three expeditions in its waters to discover new findings on its biodiversity and carry out ocean mapping this month, scientists said Friday.

Maritime Minister Planning Sail Lombok-Sumbawa 2012
Lombok Barat, W Nusa Tenggara - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad has made Sail Lombok-Sumbawa 2012 part of his program to support development of the tourism sector in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province.

RI, India Can Contribute to Global Prosperity
Jakarta - Indonesia and India can work together to contribute to world prosperity, a former Indian envoy said.

Thursday, May 6, 2010
Indonesia to Embrace International Biodiversity Day, Year
Jakarta - Indonesia has been acknowledged by scientists as one of the world's mega centers of biodiversity for her abundant flora and fauna species and a wide range of natural habitats.

RI Ranked 11th as World Fishery Exporter
Indonesia is ranked 11th on the list of the world`s fishery exporter countries with exports worth US$1.79 billion, a trade official said.

Sri Mulyani Indrawati: Woman of The Century
"She could be the finance minister anywhere in the world," says James Castle, founder of the consultancy Castle Asia. "She's that good".

Indonesia Claims 53 Percent of Pearl Types in the World
Fishery Resources and Maritime Minister Fadel Muhammad said Thursday that around 53 percent of pearl types in the world are located in Indonesia's waters.

Restriction on Subsidized Oil to Begin this Year
The government will restrict purchases of subsidized oil purchases this year. "Besides preventing the volume of subsidized fuel oil from exceeding the quota, this is also aimed at reducing the amount of the subsidy," Oil and Natural Gas Director General Evita Herawati Legowo at a press conference yesterday.

Thousands of Ming Artifacts Secured from Shipwreck in Java Sea
Over 12,400 items of Chinese ceramics believed to originate from the Ming dynasty era have been secured from a ship wreck in Belanakan waters in Subang, West Java.

Finance Minister's Replacement Not Affects RI's Economic Policies
Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa said Finance Minister Sri Mulyani quitting the cabinet would not change the government's economic policies.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
World Bank Appoints Sri Mulyani Managing Director
World Bank president Robert B. Zoellick has announced the appointment of Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati as managing director of the World Bank Group.

Business Confidence in Indonesia is Higher than in other Asian Countries
The level of trust of businesses in Indonesia is higher than the average rate in Asian countries. The 2010 Edelmen Trust Barometer survey said the level of trust in Indonesia is as high as 64 percent while that in Asia - Pacific is 58 percent, and globally it is 54 percent.

Government Gives Incentives to Oil Exploration Companies
Jakarta - The government, under decree of the Finance Minister No 24/PMK.011/2010, is giving a fiscal incentive to upstream natural oil and gas as well as geothermal explorations.

RI's Processed Wood Exports Soar 1,270 Pct
Jakarta - Indonesia's processed wood exports in the first quarter of 2010 soared 1,270 percent to 3.15 million cu meters from the same period last year.

UNICEF Provides Rp 2.7 Billion for Clean Water Programs in Papua
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has allocated funds amounting to Rp2.7 billion to finance several clean water supply development programs in Papua.

One-Billion-Tree Planting Campaign to Cut Emissions: Minister
Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said on Tuesday the government is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent through a one-billion-tree planting campaign.

President Hopes Mulyani Can Be Bridge in RI-WB Relations
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed the hope Sri Mulyani could become a bridge in the relations between the World Bank and Indonesia as one of the bank`s most important partners.

RI to Ratify UN-Backed Pact Banning Nuclear Testing
Indonesia has announced that it intends to ratify the United Nations-backed treaty banning nuclear testing, pushing the pact one step closer to fruition.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Defense Budget to Be Raised to 1.5 Pct of GDP
The government plans to increase its defense budget to 1.2 to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) over the next three years, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said.

Exports Grow 46 Pct, Target Remains
Jakarta - The government will keep the target of non-oil and non-gas exports at 7.0 to 8.5 percent although exports in the first quarter grew 46.7 percent to US$28.9 billion, a spokesman said.

RI Hopes UN Nuclear Conference Not to Fail Again
United Nations, New York - Indonesia has expressed hope that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference which opened here Monday would not fail like the previous confab.

BI : 6.5-Percent Benchmark Interest Rate Sustainable Until Year End
Jakarta - Acting Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Darmin Nasution said here on Monday the central bank's benchmark interest rate of 6.5 percent was sustainable until the end of this year.

RI Ready for Negotiations on Traditional Knowledge Protection
London - Indonesia was ready to hold text-based negotiations on protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore (GRTKF) at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, a diplomat said.

House Endorses Draft Revised 2010 State Budget
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The House of Representatives (DPR) endorsed the draft of the revised 2010 state budget into the revised 2010 state budget at a plenary meeting here on Monday.

NGO Proposes Early Anti-Corruption Education For Students
Jakarta - A non-governmental organization (NGO)has proposed to give students anti-corruption education as early as possible so that they can develop a strong mental bulwark against any tendency to commit corruption or dishonest acts.

Government Raise Rp5.45 Trillion from Bonds
The government exceeded its debt issue target in Tuesday's state bond auction by Rp450 billion from the initial Rp5 trillion, with total bids posted for all tranches more than Rp20 trillion.

Monday, May 3, 2010
In Asia, the US Should Look Beyond China and India
Washington - If the United States is to have a sustainable toehold in Asia, Washington has to start paying serious attention to some countries in the region that are not China or India.

Q1 Investment Reaches Rp 41 Trillion
Jakarta - Chief of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Gita Wirjawan said investment in the first quarter of this year reached Rp42.1 trillion.

Investment Showing Upward Trend: BKPM
Jakarta - Chief of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Gita Wirjawan said investment in the first quarter of 2010 was showing a positive trend which was expected to continue until the end of the year.

Indonesia Stocks Up Early; Record Close Likely
Indonesia's Jakarta Composite index rose 10.27 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,981.49 as of 9:53 a.m. local time and is set to extend its record close.

China Offer New US$600 Million Investments in Batam
Representatives from fifteen chinese companies visited the recently disrupted industrial island of Batam in Sumatra to offer the region new investments worth in total US$618.3 million.

The Role of Indonesia in the Region and the World
Indonesia's strategic vision is defined by its strategic geopolitical and geoeconomic location which defines its perennial interest in keeping track of security trends in the linkages of regional clusters encompassing: Northeast Asia (Japan, China, South Korea) including Taiwan; Southeast Asia (the 10 member states of ASEAN), including Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste; Southwest Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific).

Indonesian Minister to Attend Nuclear Treaty Talks in New York
Jakarta - Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa will lead an Indonesian delegation to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Session to be held at the UN Headquarters in New York on May 3 to 28, 2010.

RI to Install Radars to Monitor Ambalat, Tahuna Waters
Marore, N Sulawesi - Minister of Defense Purnomo Yusgiantoro said the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI)would install radar to monitor activities in the country`s waters from Ambalat in East Kalimantan to Tahuna in North Sulawesi.

TNI Chief Opens Asia-Pacific Military Conference
National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Gen Djoko Santoso opened the 20th Asia-Pacific Military Medicine Conference (APMMC XX) here on Monday.

Selong Belanak: The Remote Charm of Southern Coasts
Unlike the western coasts of Lombok, Selong Belanak and Lombok's other southern coasts are still unexplored. That is just one of the many reasons to go there.