Indonesia Geothermal Sector Attracts Panax, Mitsubishi, BP, Chevron

Renewable Energy World, Leslie Blodgett, GEA, October 18, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Indonesia has had the lowest volatility in economic growth of any OECD or BRIC economy over the past decade, while its economy in the short term is conjectured at close to 7% growth per year, according to Proactiveinvestors.com.au.

Concurrently, recent efforts by the Indonesian government to attract geothermal companies seem to be having an effect. At a September meeting in Washington DC on Renewable Energy Opportunities in Indonesia, hosted by the US-ASEAN Business Council, speaker Joel Kopp (U.S. Embassy Jakarta) recounted the efforts of Indonesian leaders, who have set a separate feed-in tariff for geothermal at between 10 and 18.5 cents-per-kWh. Also, projects under 10 MW are required to be purchased by state-owned utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). Kopp added that PLN has made improvements to their reliability, as well.

Australian Panax Geothermal is making strides in Indonesia. With three key geothermal projects scheduled to begin production in Indonesia over the next three to four years, Kerry Parker, managing director, commented to press on the company’s growth in Indonesia: “Panax has long recognized the investment potential in Indonesia, having launched several projects within the region and with plans to expand on our current interests,” Parker said. Projects for Panax include the recently negotiated power purchase agreements for its Sokoria and Dairi Prime geothermal projects, each with a planned initial capacity to generate 30 MW. Agreements are with Indonesian electricity regulator PT PLN and the Indonesian Government.

One company with increasing interest is Mitsubishi Corporation, which has agreed to acquire 20% shares of Star Energy Geothermal Pte Ltd ("SEGPL"). SEGPL manages operation of the 420-MW Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Project Plant in Java Island, one of the world's largest geothermal resources. This acquisition is the country’s “first entry into the Indonesian power industry and its first operation of a geothermal power plant,” according to the release. Mitsubishi could develop and operate multiple geothermal power plants in Indonesia in the future, including an expansion of Wayang Windu.

Additionally, oil and gas giant BP (UK) could expand its business in Indonesia, it said recently. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik told The Jakarta Post the government was curious as to whether BP would enter the geothermal energy sector after US-based Chevron “had successfully become the world’s largest geothermal power producer after years of operating in Indonesia.”

Chevron Geothermal’s policy, government and public affairs manager, Ida Bagus Wibatsya was quoted that the development could create healthy competition among geothermal energy developers: “It will be very positive for the development of the geothermal energy industry as well as supporting the government’s programs on renewable energy resources.”

This article was originally published in GEA's Geothermal Energy Weekly and was republished with permission.

A geothermal energy project in Tibet. (Photo/Xinhua)

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"Recalibration of Free Choice"–  Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Loose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth,  4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Paddle wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 – Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical)  8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - (Text version) 

“…  4 - Energy (again)

The natural resources of the planet are finite and will not support the continuation of what you've been doing. We've been saying this for a decade. Watch for increased science and increased funding for alternate ways of creating electricity (finally). Watch for the very companies who have the most to lose being the ones who fund it. It is the beginning of a full realization that a change of thinking is at hand. You can take things from Gaia that are energy, instead of physical resources. We speak yet again about geothermal, about tidal, about wind. Again, we plead with you not to over-engineer this. For one of the things that Human Beings do in a technological age is to over-engineer simple things. Look at nuclear - the most over-engineered and expensive steam engine in existence!

Your current ideas of capturing energy from tidal and wave motion don't have to be technical marvels. Think paddle wheel on a pier with waves, which will create energy in both directions [waves coming and going] tied to a generator that can power dozens of neighborhoods, not full cities. Think simple and decentralize the idea of utilities. The same goes for wind and geothermal. Think of utilities for groups of homes in a cluster. You won't have a grid failure if there is no grid. This is the way of the future, and you'll be more inclined to have it sooner than later if you do this, and it won't cost as much….”

Australia supports RI focus on achieving MDGs

Antara News, Sat, February 4 2012 

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - With three years until the world needs to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Indonesian Government, with Australia`s support, is focused on progress throughout the archipelago.

Australian Embassy media release in its official website early this week said the Australian Government, through its aid program (AusAID), was strongly supporting Indonesia in achieving the MDGs by being Indonesia`s largest development partner.

As part of this commitment, AusAID is sponsoring the Indonesian Government`s MDG Awards, and participating in an exhibition showcasing MDG achievements at the Balai Kartini Convention Center, on January 31 and February 1, 2012.

The MDG Awards will recognize individuals and organizations making a substantial contribution towards achieving the MDGs. These awards will also inspire further action to tackle poverty and other development challenges in Indonesia.

"Indonesia is making substantial progress helping poor people improve their incomes and access food, ensuring children go to school, supporting women and making childbirth safer, but there`s still a lot more work that needs to be done," said the head of AusAID in Indonesia, Jacqui De Lacy.

"By recognizing those making a difference, we will encourage more Indonesians to accelerate efforts on achieving the MDGs including improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS and ensuring environmental sustainability," added De Lacy.

The exhibition, which is open to the public, will promote the work of Indonesian Government departments, international development partners, members from the private sector and local and international NGOs.

The MDG Awards are hosted by the Office of the Special Envoy of the President for the MDGs and in cooperation with Metro TV.

Australia is allocating an estimated A$558.1 million in 2011-12 for its development program in Indonesia. Australian aid programs have already created over 330,000 new school places for students, trained over 5,000 health workers and connected nearly 350,000 people to water and sanitation networks.

Editor: Priyambodo RH

Australia to Help 300,000 Children Go to School

Jakarta Post, September 30, 2011

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The Australian Government has signed an agreement to disburse 210 million Australian dollars to the Indonesian Government to build schools.

Through this education partnership, up to 2,000 junior secondary schools will be built in poor and remote areas where they are most needed, according to a release sent by AusAid to the Jakarta Globe.

The program builds on the highly successful Australia - Indonesia Basic Education Program which built more than 2,000 schools between 2006 -2010.

“Education is a fundamental human right and critical for individuals to lift themselves out of poverty. This new education partnership will enable a further 300,000 Indonesian children to attend school,” said Australia ’s Ambassador to Indonesia , Greg Moriarty.

The two governments are working together to achieve Indonesia’s goal of providing nine years of basic education for all Indonesian girls and boys, regardless of their gender, where they live or how much their family earns.

“Better educated children result in a more productive workforce. Better educated girls lead to lower child and maternal mortality, improved child nutrition and stronger political participation,”  Moriarty said. 

 This assistance is part of the $500 million five-year Education Partnership announced by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta in late 2010.

The schools will be constructed by local communities, using local labour, equipment and materials and each will include facilities for the disabled and separate toilets for boys and girls.

The Education Partnership will also improve school management through training provided to 293,000 school principals, school supervisors and district education officials.

Australia-Indonesia Institute inviting applicants for Youth Exchange Program

Antara News, Tue, August 9 2011

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) invites applications from young Australians aged between 21 and 25 years willing to represent Australia for two months in Indonesia during December 2011 to February 2012 as members of the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP).

The program aims to provide wider opportunities for young people from Indonesia and Australia to appreciate the culture, development and way of life of each other`s country, the Australian embassy said in a pres statement here on Tuesday.

It is also expected to build groups of young and potentially influential people in both Australia and Indonesia who have knowledge and personal experience of the two countries and who develop close and enduring links with each other.

Participants will be chosen from applicants undertaking tertiary studies or employed in any one or more of the areas such as agriculture, arts, music, Asian Studies, economics, business, International Relations, education, engineering, science, environmental management, journalism, sports, tourism and hospitality.

A good level of Indonesian language is desirable though not essential as the program makes allowances for some participants to learn the language during the period of the exchange.

The Indonesian AIYEP participants are due to arrive in Australia in October 2011, and the closing date for applications is on 30 August 2011.

Editor: Priyambodo RH

Indonesia to Import 180,000 Australian Cattle

Jakarta Globe, July 08, 2011

From left to right: Indonesian Agriculture Minister Siswono, Trade and
 Industry Minister Mari E. Pangestu and Finance Minister Hatta Rajasa greet
 Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd before their meeting in Jakarta on Friday.
 Indonesia will import 180,000 live cattle from Australia for the third quarter, marking
 the restart of imports after a ban on the Aus$320 million trade was lifted this week,
Hatta said on Friday. (AFP Photo)  

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Indonesia will import 180,000 live cattle from Australia for the third quarter, marking the restart of imports after a ban on the Aus$320 million trade was lifted this week, chief economics minister Hatta Rajasa said on Friday.

Australia’s government removed the month-long ban on live cattle exports to neighboring Indonesia on Wednesday, saying it was satisfied the trade could resume after a scandal over mistreatment of livestock.

Rajasa met with Australia’s foreign minister Kevin Rudd in Jakarta on Friday to agree the details of resumption of trade, which comes just as Indonesia’s demand is expected to pick up during the fasting month of Ramadan in August.

Rudd said both sides had agreed on cattle welfare, but he did not specify what improvements to standards Indonesia had made or had promised to make, after a joint team of experts toured abattoirs in the archipelago last month.

“Australia and Indonesia welcome any arrangements that industry reaches to give the sector higher standards, including the use of appropriate technical devices to meet halal standards,” Rudd said at a joint news conference in Jakarta.

Australia’s agriculture minister said this week it had revised export control orders to require ranchers to apply for permits to meet welfare requirements, and to trace cattle from farms through shipping to abattoirs with agreed standards.

The minority government had been under pressure from ranchers to overturn the ban.

Cattle producers had warned the decision was costing jobs and that domestic beef prices would fall, while some had also threatened to slaughter stock. 

Elders Ltd, one of Australia’s largest shippers of live cattle to Indonesia with up to 200,000 head annually, said it had booked a ship on Aug. 1 to take 3,200 cattle to its Indonesian abattoir.

“We expect to be up and running by Aug. 1 ... that’s the game plan at the moment,” said Malcolm Jackman, chief executive of Elders.

Elders owns a fully accredited abattoir in Indonesia and on Thursday said it was willing to provide the needed third-party certification that would be transparent and provide full traceability.

The abattoir stuns the cattle before slaughtering them, a practice that is seen as causing less distress to cattle. The ban came after television footage showed cattle being beaten, whipped and maimed prior to slaughter in some abattoirs.

Jackman said it would still take at least two months for shipments to pick up.

“It depends how quickly it can be done before the wet season starts,” he said. “Everyone is a lot happier than they were a week ago -- that’s for sure.”

Reuters

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Oz disburses Rp 4.5t in grants for education in RI

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Wed, 06/08/2011

Australia has disbursed Rp 4.5 trillion (US$526.5 million) in grants to support priority education programs in Indonesia for the 2010-2014 period, including for workshops to support the School Operational Aid (BOS) policy.

The grants were officially handed over by AusAID's Minister-Counsellor for Jakarta Jacqui de Lacy to Indonesian National Education Minister Mohammad Nuh at a ceremony in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Nuh said the funds would be used to improve the quality of education across Indonesia's elementary and junior high schools, including Islamic schools, in support of the nine-year compulsory education program.

He added that one of the priority programs for this funding would be to organize training for schools to better manage BOS funds disbursed by the central government.

“Schools across Indonesia need pushing and full support in using the BOS funds they've been receiving. It is important for schools to understand the essence of planning, responsibility, supervision and evaluation [in the implementation of BOS],” Nuh said after the ceremony, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Applications for 2012 Australian development scholarships now open

Antara News, Mon, June 6 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian Government is pleased to announce that applications for Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) are now open, the Australian Embassy here said in a media release on Monday.

The program will offer up to 400 scholarships to Indonesians to study for Masters or Doctorate degrees in Australia and whose studies contribute to Indonesia`s progress.

Australia`s ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, said the Australian Development Scholarships have been an important component of the Australian Government`s overseas aid program to Indonesia since 1950s.

"Australian Development Scholarships aim to contribute to long-term human resource development goals in Indonesia and to strengthen people-to-people links between our two countries," said Ambassador Moriarty.

Australian Development Scholarships are targeted at advancing development priorities which are set each year by Australia and Indonesia. In 2012, these include Sustainable Growth and Economic management; Democracy, Justice and Good Governance; Investing in People; and Safey and Peace.

"This program is conducted in close partnership with the Indonesian government. The impact of the program is visible through the thousands of ADS alumni who have returned to Indonesia and contributed to Indonesia`s progress," said the ambassador.

An equal number of scholarships will be allocated to men and women and up to 30 per cent to people from East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, Papua, West Papua and Aceh, the focus areas for Australia`s aid program.

Applications for the 2012 intake close on August 26, 2011.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

Australian govt expands bridge school partnership program

Antara News, Wed, June 1 2011 

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Australia`s Ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, on Wednesday announced the continuation of the Australia-Indonesia Building Relations through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement (BRIDGE) program, the Australian embassy said in its media release on Wednesday.

The ambassador announced the program during a visit to SMAN 15 Surabaya, one of the first Indonesian schools to join the program in 2008.

"Australia is committed to building stronger people-to-people links between Australian and Indonesian schools to increase knowledge and understanding of our two countries," said Ambassador Moriarty.

This new $3.6 million, five-year program will forge more than 80 new school partnerships and involve more than 3,500 Australian and Indonesian teachers and more than 100,000 students through information technology, social networking tools, school visits and on-line training sessions. Four schools from Surabaya, Malang and Kediri have joined the new program, bringing the total number of BRIDGE schools in East Java to fourteen.

"The BRIDGE program has worked with the private sector and communities to deliver education benefits to thousands of teachers and students in Australia and Indonesia. The first phase of BRIDGE built people-to-people links between more than 90,000 Australian and Indonesian students and thousands of teachers," said Ambassador Moriarty.

"Being a part of BRIDGE has been a great benefit to our school. It has meant our students have been more motivated to learn English and are able to use ICT more confidently. Our students are looking forward to visiting our partner school Kormilda College in Darwin later this year to share and participate in learning and cultural activities," said SMAN 15 BRIDGE teacher Ali Gufron.

The program is funded by the Australian Government in partnership with The Myer Foundation and delivered by the Asia Education Foundation and Australia-Indonesia Institute.

The new program will be run in 12 Indonesian provinces and 8 Australian states and territories.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

Minister, ambassador launch Coral Reef and Climate Change Guide

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 05/20/2011

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty on Friday launched the Indonesian version of the University of Queensland’s publication Coral Reefs and Climate Change: A Guide for Education and Awareness.

Fadel, working in collaboration with the University of Queensland, had arranged for the book to be translated into Indonesian.

“Australia is widely recognized for its world-class research in environmental sciences. We are pleased that through this book we will be able to contribute and work together in conserving the beautiful reefs of Indonesia,” Moriarty said in a release received by The Jakarta Post on Friday.

The book aims to increase awareness of coral reef science and preservation. It includes recent scientific research with informative images and covers topics including oceanography, coral reef biology and the implications of climate change.

It provides practical tools and recommendations to chart and measure the health of coral reefs and a program to encourage public involvement in reef conservation.

The original publication was launched in Australia in November 2009 and was produced and published by the Coral Watch Foundation at the University of Queensland.

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Australia increases development assistance to Indonesia

Antara News, Wed, May 11 2011

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian Government will increase its development assistance to Indonesia from Rp923 billion in 2010-2011 to Rp5.15 trillion for the 2011-2012 period.

"The increase in aid funding demonstrates Australia`s long-term commitment to reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development in Indonesia,"Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty said in press release here Wednesday.

Ambassador Moriarty said that the Australian aid program will focus on alleviating poverty through social protection programs, supporting governance reforms, and improving poor people`s access to health, education, transportation, clean water and sanitation facilities.

Australia will support Indonesia achieve its goal of giving every Indonesian child good basic education.

The aid will improve education for more than 500,000 Indonesian children by building schools and improving the quality of their education, including for those with disabilities and children in poor and remote areas.

"Australia recognizes that sustainable and equitable economic growth in Indonesia can improve livelihoods, create job opportunities and raise household income. This is why we will increase our commitment to Indonesia by improving access to essential infrastructure services such as water, sanitation and transportation," he said.

Moriarty said that Australia has strong connections with the people and communities in Indonesia, and will continue providing assistance in the wake of emergencies and disasters, as well as help promote sustainable growth.

Today`s announcement reaffirms Australia`s ongoing commitment to scale up its development assistance program to 0.5 percent of the Gross National Income in 2015 and 2016.

The Australian Government remains committed to ensuring that every dollar spent on aid in Indonesia has the maximum impact on poverty eradication and economic development.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

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Australian government helps Banjarmasin`s sanitation

Antara News, Wed, April 6 2011

Banjarmasin, S.Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The Australian government provides a grant to the Banjarmasin city administration for its sanitation program, Banjarmasin mayor, Muhidin said here, Tuesday.

The Australian government sent a team for the initial grant, the mayor said.

After an inspection of the work of the first grant, the second phase of the funds will be provided after the sanitation program had been completed by the Banjarmasin company of Waste Water Management Area (PD PAL).

With the Australian government grant of Rp10 billion, the Banjarmasin city administration is very helpful in implementing the community sanitation program.

Therefore, it is expected that in the future Banjarmasin city will be an area with a good sanitation system and supported by the community.

In addition, the Banjarmasin city administration will also formulate laws on sanitary affairs that would require every building owner to have a standard sanitation system, Muhidin noted.

Meanwhile, the director of PD PAL Banjarmasin, Muh.Muhidin plans to call the city of thousand rivers, free from waste.

The target is expected to be realized in 2028.

Currently, waste in Banjarmasin is very alarming and it is estimated that more than 70 percent of the population do not manage their waste appropriately, Muh.Muhidin noted.

Therefore, PD PAL Banjarmasin as waste water management company intends to direct the local people to carry out a good and perfect waste management system especially in household waste.

Currently, the existing waste management system in Banjarmasin city in general is a local system consisting of family latrines or toilets with septic tanks.

As an effort to improve the environmental condition and the public`s health, the Banjarmasin city administration plans to build a centralized sanitary system, Muh.Muhidin said.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

Australia offers 400 scholarships to E. Nusa Tenggara

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 03/25/2011

The Australian government is offering up to 400 postgraduate scholarships exclusively to residents of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara.

“This year we are offering 400 scholarships, for master's and doctoral degrees, to East Nusa Tenggara,” Australia Awards Promotion coordinator Nunik Kristiani said Friday in Kupang, the provincial capital.

Nunik made the statement after a meeting with East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya, during which she asked for the latter's permission to promote the program, as well as his support.

“We hope people in East Nusa Tenggara are interested in pursuing postgraduate studies,” Nunik said, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

She said East Nusa Tenggara was Australia's top priority in its scholarship program aimed at Indonesians.

Nunik said a three-month English course would be provided for interested applicants.

Australia donates 3 patrol boats to RI to curb people-smuggling

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 03/16/2011

The Australian government will donate three patrol boats worth a total of US$5 million to Indonesia to help tackle the issue of people-smuggling through Indonesian-Australian waterways.

"The high-speed patrol boats will be placed in a number of strategic locations in Indonesia,” Australian Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said on Wednesday after meeting with Indonesian National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta, tempointeraktif.com reported.

The three boats are currently being worked on by an Australian company in three different locations: Perth, Australia, Vietnam and Singapore.

Australia also donated $4.8 million to upgrade equipment and facilities at the Indonesian National Police's cyber crime center.

OZ investor wants to develop dairy cow farm in E. Java town

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 03/16/2011

An Australian investor has expressed interest in developing a dairy cow business in the East Java town of Lumajang in partnership with a local firm.

Lumajang administration economic division head Nurul Huda stopped short of naming the Australian investor, but added he and the local investor, PT Mahesa Agri Pratama, considered Lumajang a good place to develop such a business.

“It's good in terms of climate. Besides, we have abundant potential cow food here,” Nurul said in Lumajang on Wednesday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

She said Pronojiwo, Pasrujambe and Candipuro districts in the East Java town were now being eyed as the center for the dairy cow business.

Nurul added that the two investors had sent their envoys to discuss their interest with the local administration, and had calculated the potential profits.

They are also planning to build a milk factory for export purposes, she said.

Lumajang Farming Agency head Gatot Subiyantoro said there were currently 5,000 cows in Lumajang, 4,500 of which produced milk. The number of cow farmers in the area is 1,100 people, who comprise 100 farmer groups, he added.

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Australian government supports clean water program

Antara News, Wed, February 23 2011

"This will help improve their health, quality of life and economic potential."

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australia government supported clean water access program for about 2,000 households in Serang, Banten.

(FOTO ANTARA/Sahrul Manda Tikupadang)

"More than 100,000 people in Serang now have easier and cheaper access to clean water. This will help improve their health, quality of life and economic potential," AusAID Infrastructure Counselor Ben Power said in a press release received here, Wednesday.

Serang is one of 35 Indonesian districts that have received grants to install new water connections. Australia is working closely with the Indonesian Government to administer this program.

"Australia is proud to be working with Indonesia to improve access to clean water and is committed to helping Indonesia reach its goal of halving the amount of people living without access to clean drinking water," said Power.

The grant is part of Australia`s 25 million Australian dollars commitment to Indonesia to increase piped water in poor urban communities, and to increase the number of households with sewerage connections.

This support will give about 60,000 households across Indonesia new connections to piped water and up to 10,000 household`s sewerage connections.

A further 400,000 Indonesians will have access to cleaner water and better sanitation as a result of the Grant Water program.

Furthermore several cities and districts in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara and Sulawesi will also received benefit from this new water and sanitation initiative.

As well as this grant program, Australia is helping local governments manage community water supply and sanitation utilities to ensure the sustainability of this development.

Editor: Priyambodo

Indonesians Receive Australian Scholarships

Antara News, Fri, February 04 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian Government has awarded scholarships to seventeen high achieving Indonesians to continue their study or research program in Australia and eight Australians to conduct research in Indonesia under the 2011 Endeavour Awards program.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty honoured the scholarship recipients in an awards ceremony in Jakarta on 2 February and launch the "Endeavours of Excellence - 60 years of scholarship in South and South East Asia" publication.

"Australia is very proud of these high achieving Endeavour Award recipients who we believe will continue to strengthen the professional and personal linkages between Australia and Indonesia," said Ambassador Moriarty as quoted in a press statement posted on the official website of the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Friday.

The Endeavour Awards is part of the Australia Awards initiative, an international scholarship scheme that supports students, researchers and professionals to study in Australia and for Australians to study, research and to undertake professional development overseas.

Rachmad Hidayat, a recipient of the 2011 Prime Minister`s Australia Asia Endeavour Award and currently a senior lecturer at the Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga, said an overseas academic experience is very important in broadening the viewpoint and attitude in critical thinking and analysis.

The "Endeavour of Excellence" publication celebrates the education ties between Australia and its regional neighbours featuring the achievements of Australian alumni from South and South-East Asia over a period of 60 years.

"The book highlights the importance of education in strengthening the people-to-people links, through intellectual exchange, cultural understanding and enduring friendships," added Ambassador Moriarty.

A number of prominent Indonesians are profiled in the publication including Dr Ir Hartarto Sastrosoenarto AO, who served under three Indonesian Presidents from 1983 to 1999; Abdullah Alamudi, a leading voice in Indonesia?s fight for freedom of the press; and Mira Lesmana, a celebrated and well-known member of the arts industry.

Editor: AA Ariwibowo

Australia to build "peace museum" in Indonesia's Bali

English.news.cn 2011-01-21

JAKARTA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government is seeking support from Indonesia's local government in Bali for building a "peace museum" that commemorates Australians perished in 2002 Bali bombing, local media reported on Friday.

Speaking on the sidelines of his meeting with regent of Bali's Badung regency Anak Agung Gde Agung on Friday, Australian ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, said that the museum would be constructed near the ground zero in Badung regency where the bomb blast killed 202 people in Bali in mid-August 2002.

Most of the casualties were Australians, the Antara news service reported.

Badung regent Anak Agung said that his administration would fully support the museum construction plans after learning that the Australia government has settled the acquisition process on the site where the project would be carried out.

Indonesia's leisure island of Bali saw strings of deadly terrorist attacks perpetrated by Indonesian terrorist cells that killed hundreds of westerners and local people. The security in the Indonesia's prominent island has been in perfect condition after Indonesian apparatus arrested the terrorists. Some of them were executed after undergone trials in public courts.

Editor: Tang Danlu

Indonesia Donates $1 Million for Australia Flood Relief

The Jakarta Globe, Nurfika Osman & AP | January 12, 2011

         

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Indonesia is donating $1 million to help the victims of the deadly floodwaters that have swept Queensland, Australia, Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene told the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday.

An aerial view of partially submerged houses in flooded
 Rockhampton in Australia's state of Queensland. Indonesia
 has donated $1 million to Australia to help the flood victims.
 (Reuters Photo) 

"[Foreign] Minister Marty Natalegawa has contacted Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd this morning and the fund will be sent immediately," Michael said.

Regarding the condition of Indonesians in Brisbane, he said he has not received detailed information yet.

"But if others take refuge, I am sure they will do the same thing," he said.

Deadly floodwaters that have cut a swath across northeastern Australia flowed onto the streets of the nation's third-largest city Wednesday, forcing people to flee suburbs and skyscrapers as rescuers elsewhere searched for 67 people still missing.

Almost 20,000 homes in Brisbane were expected to be swamped in the city of about 2 million by the time the Brisbane River reaches its expected peak Thursday, Mayor Campbell Newman said.

The figures were constantly being revised as the threat became clearer and it was getting consistently worse.

At least 22 people have died in Australia's northeastern state of Queensland since drenching rains that began in November sent swollen rivers spilling over their banks, inundating an area larger than France and Germany combined.

Foreign students undertake journalism, development studies in Jakarta

Antara News, Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A group of students from Australian and New Zealand universities are participating in separate Journalism Professional Practicum and Development Studies and Professional Practicum programs in Jakarta over the next six weeks

According to an Australian Embassy media release, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty congratulated the students here on Tuesday.

"As neighbors and partners, it is important for Australia and Indonesia to know each other well," Moriarty said during the official opening of the program at Atma Jaya University.

"Programs like these help to increase the people-to-people links in the region, enhance understanding of contemporary issues in Indonesia, and provide an opportunity to strengthen professional linkages across the media and development sectors," Moriarty added.

Thirty-six students from Australian and New Zealand universities are undertaking the program organized by the Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS).

The program incorporates a two-week language and seminar program at Atma Jaya Catholic University followed by a four-week industry placement, and includes students from Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.

Both programs were designed to open up in-country study options in Indonesia to non-Indonesian/Asian studies students.

The journalism program is now into its 5th year, while the development studies practicum ran a successful pilot program last year.

Students will be placed with a range of local and international media and development organizations including Tempo Weekly magazine, Metro TV, Radio Republik Indonesia, The Jakarta Globe, The Jakarta Post, Globe Asia Business Monthly Magazine, Agence France-Presse, ThomsonReuters, CARE Indonesia, World Wildlife Fund, Wahid Institute, Center for International Forestry (CIFOR), International Labor Organization (ILO) and Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW).

Australian support to help RI recover from disasters

Antara News, Friday, December 24, 2010

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Villages and homes will be rebuilt, burns victims will receive treatment, and communities will be better prepared following an additional $5.5 million from Australia to help Indonesia recover from the recent natural disasters.

According to an Australian Embassy media release in its official website on Friday, Ambassador Greg Moriarty said that Australia had been quick to respond with $2.1 million in emergency funds when Mount Merapi erupted and the tsunami in the Mentawai Islands killed more than 800 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.

This additional funding takes Australia`s total support to $7.6 million.

Australia`s further $5.5 million for the recovery phase will go towards:

• Grants to affected communities to help themselves - for example by rebuilding homes and local health clinics - through Indonesia`s National Program for Community Empowerment (PNPM).
  
  
• Non-Government Organizations to provide temporary shelter, livelihood and mental and physical health support activities in the Mount Merapi area. This will include providing equipment to assist burns victims.
  
  
• The Australia-Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction to survey, understand and document the actions taken by communities, governments and NGOs before, during and after the disasters that saved lives and minimized destruction.
  
  
• 600 family kits funded by the Australia-Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction to assist families in the Mentawai Islands with clothes, cooking equipment and hygiene items.

Moriarty said Australia`s further support will help minimize the impact of future disasters and save lives.

"Indonesia is now looking beyond the immediate response to longer-term recovery and rehabilitation. Australia is providing support to efforts on how Indonesia can better prepare for future disasters," Moriarty said.

Related Article:

Australia to Give Indonesia an Extra $5.5m in Disaster Relief