U.S. donates patrol boats to RI national police

Antara News, Fri, June 3 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The U.S. Departments of Justice and State recently delivered two boats to the Indonesian National Police as part of the Indonesia Maritime Security Project (MARSEC), The U.S. Embassy here said in its official website on Friday.

The two boats increase to 19 the total number of boats provided to Indonesia as part of the MARSEC program. The patrol boats are deployed throughout the archipelago to assist Indonesia in securing vital maritime borders, sea lanes, natural resources, and ports.

In the first year of operation, the U.S.-provided boats seized over $10 million USD in contraband and continue to be an integral and effective component of Indonesia`s maritime security efforts.

Currently, the patrol boats are deployed in Batam-Riau, Sumatra; Bangka Island Straits, Balikpapan; Tarakan, Kalimantan; Bitung, North Sulawesi; Sorong, Papua; and Ternate-Sofia, North Maluku.

The United States Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program`s (ICITAP) mission in Indonesia is to support the development of the operational and organizational capacity and competencies of the Government of Indonesia`s law enforcement agencies.

ICITAP is funded by the U. S. Department of State`s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and provides organizational development interventions, technical assistance, training, and equipment donations to augment Indonesia`s law enforcement efforts.

ICITAP support helps the Indonesian National Police continue its transition to a professional democratic law enforcement organization utilizing internationally accepted law enforcement standards and practices.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

Govt to issue 10,000 electronic passports in 2011

Antara News, Saturday, December 18, 2010

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government plans to issue 10,000 electronic passports, dubbed e-passports, in the experimental period of 2011.

"Starting on January 26, 2011, the Law and Human Rights Ministry by way of the Immigration Directorate General, will conduct the experimental period, and issue 10,000 such passports," Maroloan Jonnis Baringbin, spokesman for the immigration directorate general, said in Jakarta Friday.

He said the e-passports will be issued in limited numbers in certain areas only as pilot project, such as the first class immigration office in West Jakarta, the first class immigration office at Soekarno-Hatta airport, and the first class immigration office in Central Jakarta.

Electronic passports are using chips containing biodata of the holders and biometric data as security measure of the passports required by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in passport issuing accredited country not later in 2015.

Australia provides A$20 million to RI police

The Jakarta Post | Thu, 09/02/2010 9:25 AM

JAKARTA: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has donated A$20 million (US$18 million) worth of equipment to the Indonesian border police to facilitate interception of boat people heading for Australia through Indonesian waters.

“The assistance is provided solely for the purpose of curbing people smuggling, although the technology can also be used for other police efforts,” National Police detective chief Comr. Gen. Ito Sumardi told reporters.

The assistance consists of transportation, surveillance and identification equipment. All equipment would be granted as components, which will later be assembled in Indonesia, Ito said, adding that Australia offered the assistance as a token of appreciation for Indonesia’s role in helping stem the flow of boat people illegally entering Australian territory. —JP

US envoy dedicates maritime radar equipment for Indonesia

Antara News, Thursday, July 1, 2010 18:38 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume dedicated $56 million in coastal and shipboard radar systems at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Batam Regional Maritime Command Center on Wednesday (June 30).

The systems included 16 coastal radars, 11 shipboard radars, one set of headquarters equipment and two regional command centers, according to information on the official website of the US embassy here Thursday.

The Indonesian and US governments actively collaborated in the planning and installation of the systems. Indonesia can now boast one of the world`s longest Integrated Maritime Surveillance Systems, the embassy said.

The network covers more than 1,205 kilometers of coast line in the Straits of Malacca and approximately 1,285 kilometers of coast line in the Sulawesi Sea.

The intent of the donation is to ensure Indonesia has an initial operating capacity to detect, track and monitor vessels passing through Indonesian and international waters,the US embassy said.

This capability will help Indonesia combat piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling of goods and people as well as provide situational awareness to maintain Indonesia`s border security and fight terrorism.

Four nuclear power plants planned for operation in 2017

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 03/20/2010 9:35 AM

A panel of nuclear experts said Thursday that nuclear electric power could benefit Indonesia in the future if handled correctly through complete understanding of regulations, team diligence and knowledge of plant equipment, operations and maintenance.

“What is really important is a high human motivation because it will increase both safety and availability,” Prof. Ishikawa Michio of the Japan Technology Nuclear Institute said in a seminar at the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology office in Central Jakarta.

“That is why you have to put a lot of money in the regulations for safety measures,” he added.

According to Hudi Hastowo of the National Nuclear Energy Agency of the Republic Indonesia, the country has done extensive preparatory work on most infrastructure issues that would allow it to introduce nuclear power.

Indonesia has established a national energy policy under Law No. 17 of 2007, which declares that nuclear energy will be part of the energy mix for 2015-2019.

As a result of this policy, the country is planning to construct four units of nuclear power plants of about 4,000 megawatts each, which are expected to start operations in 2017.

Nuclear energy is also expected to meet about 2 percent of the nation’s electricity demands by 2025.

Meanwhile, Research and Technology Minister Suharna Surapranata, who also attended the seminar on “Prospects of Nuclear Electric Power in Indonesia”, explained that energy security is crucial to national security.

“Nuclear technology is a necessity. In order to transform Indonesia into a developed country, we need to find alternative energy resources that are renewable and sustainable,” he said.

There are approximately 437 operating nuclear power plants worldwide, with 55 more units under construction.

As many as 60 countries, including Indonesia, are considering building nuclear plants, while 25 countries have shown interest in their development.

Last month civil society groups insisted that there were no urgent reasons to develop nuclear power plants in Indonesia, citing the country’s large sources of alternative energy, ranging from coal, geothermal heat, water, and wind.

They also said that the current severe energy shortage was due to the government’s failure to deal with energy resources, with most of the nation’s coal and gas being exported. (tsy)

There are approximately 437 operating nuclear power plants worldwide, with 55 more units under construction.

Govt sets aside Rp6.4 trillion for arms purchases

Antara News, Saturday, January 23, 2010 20:34 WIB

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The government has earmarked Rp6.4 trillion from the 2010 defense budget totaling Rp42 trillion to purchase military hardware, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said here on Saturday.

He said Indonesia had made an estimate on its arms conditions in the 2009-2004 five-yearly scheme which was part of its national middle term development plan, and for the purchase of new arms, the government had set aside Rp6.4 trillion.

The minister made the remarks after attending a graduate ceremony held at the Veteran National University Development (UPN). He said that the budget for the arms purchase would continue to be raised, even reaching Rp20 trillion.

Purnomo said that the defense budget was the second biggest in the 2010 state budget after the one allocated for the National Education Ministry, amounting to Rp55 trillion.

But about 50 to 60 percent of the budget would be used for employee expenditures as it covered budget for salaries of the defense ministry`s and the Defense Forces headquarters` personnel.

Besides, the budget is also used for goods and service procurement as well as for arms maintenance so that such a fund is not enough to build a complete armament for a big nation like Indonesia.

SBY Orders Paspampres to Prepare for Heavier Duties

Kompas, Jumat, 22 Januari 2010 | 15:19 WIB

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked the Presidential Security Guards Force (Paspampres) to always be in a state of preparedness to face ever heavier challenges in the days ahead. "There are at least four challenges the Paspampres will face in the next five years," the head of state said in his directives to all Paspamres members at the force’s headquarters here in Friday.

Presidential Security Guards Force personnels form a lineup at the State Palace, Jakarta, KOMPAS/SUHARTONO

The president said his activities in serving the state and nation would increase in the next five years. "The next five years will be my last term in office and therefore I will be more active in carrying out my duties in serving the state and nation, both at home and abroad," the president said.

Yudhoyono added that in the coming years many international events would be organized in Indonesia, namely an Asean summit in 2012 and an APEC summit in 2013. He said many heads of state and government would attend the Asean and APEC summits in Indonesia.

"In addition, the Papampres should increase its alertness because the threat of terrorism against me, such as the character assassination planned by certain elements a few months ago, has not abated," he said.

Therefore, the president said, Paspampres should continue to update its armament systems. "I do not want Paspampres’ armament systems to be less sophisticated than those of its counterparts in other countries or those of terrorists," the head of state said.

Indonesia, Australia academics cooperate in governance issues

Aditya Suharmoko, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 12/08/2009 11:35 AM

Twenty academics from Indonesia and Australia will intensify cooperation on priority governance issues in an Australian-funded research program, the Australian Embassy said Tuesday.

"By working in partnership, leading minds from Australia and Indonesia can support policy development in Indonesia and work towards addressing governance concerns," Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said in a statement.

The priority issues are climate change and food security, public financial reporting, local political parties in Aceh, insurance and social security, forest management and district-level lawmaking, according to the statement.

Those who will be involved in the joint-research program include senior government officials, heads of international organizations, also representatives from universities, policy think tanks and the media.

Australia launches leadership awards for Indonesian scholars

The Jakarta Post | Fri, 03/20/2009 5:06 PM

Indonesia's future leaders can start to apply to study in Australia in 2010 under the prestigious Australian Leadership Awards scholarships, Australian Embassy said in a media release published on Friday.

The Australian Leadership Awards constitute a regionally-competitive scholarship program that offers 150 awards annually for masters and doctoral study in Australia to future leaders from across Asia and the Pacific.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, said Indonesia had received the highest number of awards in the last two years. He is confident that Indonesians will continue to show their leadership potential in this year's round of applications.

"In both 2008 and 2009, Indonesia received the highest number of awards of any one country - testament to the leadership talent here. I hope they will not only contribute to the economic, social and community development of Indonesia but also strengthen the ties that bind our two countries," Farmer said.

In addition to studying for postgraduate qualifications, awardees also discuss and debate emerging leadership issues with their regional neighbors through a tailored leadership development program.

The priority themes for 2010 are highly relevant to development in Indonesia and the region. They include disability, economic growth, education, environment, food security, gender, governance, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development and water and sanitation.

Applications for 2010 open on 19 March 2009 and close on 30 June 2009.

Further information is available on the Australian scholarships website www.australianscholarships.gov.au

Only Five Airports in Indonesia with Administrator’s Offices

Tuesday, 10 March, 2009 | 13:09 WIB 

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Transportation Department will soon build administrator’s offices at 20 airports this year including in Solo, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Banjarmasin and Manado. 

“It is expected that this will all be done by the end of 2009,” Director General of Air Transportation, Budhi Muliawan Suyitno told Tempo, last Wednesday (4/3). 

Out of 25 airports, only five currently have administrator’s office. 

“These are at Soekarno-Hatta airport in Jakarta, Ngurah-Rai in Bali, Hasanuddin in Makassar, Juanda in Surabaya and Polonia in Medan,” said Budhi. 

The funding for these offices will come from non-tax state revenues. 

The administrator’s offices will increase the monitoring of airport and flight activities. 

WAHYUDIN FAHMI

Airport gets ambassadors in rollerblades

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 02/26/2009 1:58 PM  

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II launched Wednesday an "Airport Ambassador" program to promote a clean airport environment and provide mobile information services for travelers. 

The program will see company officials patrolling the terminals on rollerblades, doing quick clean actions like picking up stray litter and tidying up mats, and helping airport users in need of information. 

The officials will be able to speak English and Indonesian, and will be recognizable by their orange shirts. 

Angkasa Pura spokesman Trisno Heryadi said the program was aimed at educating the public on the importance of a clean airport, as well as providing a value-added service. 

"The airport is the country's gateway, so it's important to ask for public participation to keep it clean," he said. "Also, it will give airline passengers an additional service by providing them with unique assistance while at the airport," 

The ambassadors will start full duties Friday at Terminal 1A and will move to another terminal after a week. 

"We'll evaluate the program over the next three months and may add more ambassadors for more terminals if we find it a success," Trisno added. 

Soekarno-Hatta, the busiest airport in the country, currently serves 34 million passengers a year. (hwa)

Police launch Quick Wins program fix image

The Jakarta Post | Fri, 01/30/2009 9:03 PM  

The National Police, which was recently dubbed the most corrupt state institution by Transparency International Indonesia, launched Friday an internal bureaucratic program aimed at improving its services and transparency. 

The program, called Quick Wins, is set to quicken police response time to calls from the public, as well as to boost transparency in criminal investigations and the application process for documents such as drivers licenses and vehicle ownership papers. 

The program also aims to make the recruitment process for new police officers, currently viewed as plagued by bribery and nepotism, more transparent. 

"I know it is not at all easy to implement this program, but I can say that we are committed to doing it," National Police Chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri said in a speech during the launch of the program. 

He said Quick Wins was part of a series of National Police bureaucratic reform programs first established in 1999, which cover the evaluation of the institution's work performance, organizational structure reform, renumeration system management and work culture reform. 

After delivering the speech, Bambang signed a "bureaucratic reform performance contract" with chiefs of provincial police offices across the country, represented by the Police Chief of Jakarta and Banten. 

As part of the Quick Wins program, Bambang said police officers in Jakarta, Banten and West Java would be equipped with a total of 800 minivans for mobile service units, which would be sent to safeguard places known as being prone to crime. 

He said the Jakarta police office had received 200 minivans. 

In regards to transparency in criminal investigations, Bambang promised the police would allow the public to access information on the development of their cases either through letters or online media. 

Related Articles:

President inspects bureaucratic reform in National Police

National Police Top Brass Reorganized

High-rise manager rejects city's safety inspection policy

Triwik Kurniasari and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post

A plan by the city administration to recruit 200 inspectors to monitor safety standards in Jakarta's high-rises has been criticized as wasteful. Suryo Adi Prasetyo, who manages the Wisma Kosgoro building on Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta, said dedicating so many people to the task was overkill. 

He assured that building managers in the city coordinated with the Jakarta Property Management and Supervision Agency (P2B) and the Jakarta Fire Agency to ensure safety standards in their buildings were upheld.        

Safety requirements for high-rises - High-voltage electrical installations and a backup power generator.

• Fire-safety equipment, including fi re alarm system, fire exits, fire extinguishers and hydrants.
  
  
• Must have elevators or escalators.
  
  
• Car parks must be fi tted out with traffic signs, speed bumps, ramps and iron railings where there are drop-offs.
  
  
• Clean water installation and sewerage.
  
  

PIPE DREAM

The Jakarta Post     |  Wed, 01/07/2009 9:13 AM  

 Workers of U.S. energy kingpin ExxonMobil install pipes at the Banyu Urip well site in East Java, on Monday. The pipe network will channel oil drained from the well to a temporary PT Petro China refinery. ExxonMobil will sell the generated crude to state oil and gas company PT Pertamina. (JP/ID Nugroho)

European Union Offer Assistance to Improve Indonesian Aviation

Wednesday, 19 November, 2008 | 17:01 WIB 

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The European Union (EU) is offering to cooperate in order to improve Indonesian aviation. 

Director General of Air Transportation Budhi Muliawan Suyitno said that the EU was now more open. 

“Before, the EU only imposed a flight ban but now its is offering assistance,” he said yesterday (18/11). 

He mentioned that five EU countries are serious about offering technical assistance. 

Germany, France, and the Netherlands will offer assistance for security and safety affairs while Sweden and the UK are offering training for human resources. 

This Friday, Directorate of Air Transportation will have a teleconference with the EU flight safety unit to talk about the progress over Indonesian aviation. 

“It is better to talk through a teleconference so there’ll be no miscommunication,” said Budhi. 

Budhi went on to say that the replacement of the EU ambassador to Indonesia, from Pierre Phillipe to Julian Wilson, will have a positive impact. 

Wilson is a cooperative person with good intentions of improving the relations between both parties. 

Since end of November 2007, the EU has banned Indonesian airlines from flying to Europe. 

The EU said it considered Indonesian airlines did not meet the proper safety standards. 

At an evaluation meeting on July 10 in Belgium, Indonesia offered three options. 

One of these was to encourage Indonesian flight regulators by working together with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to improve safety standards. 

Budhi explained the cooperation will be realized soon. 

Five aviation inspectors will be appointed on November 27 when ICAO President Robert Kobeh Gonzales comes to Indonesia. 

In addition, the Civil Aviation Transformation Team (CATT) will also be formed through cooperation between ICAO, the Federation Aviation Administration (FAA-America), and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA-Australia). 

A representative office for the CATT team will be located at Transportation Department and be responsible to the Director General of Air Transportation. 

VENNIE MELYANI

Aerospace added to defense expo

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia's biennial defense expo is expanding to include an aerospace expo showcasing the best of domestic defense and space technologies as well as renowned names from abroad.

Director General for Defense Facilities at the Defense Ministry Rear Marshal Eris Herryanto said Tuesday the exhibition would differ from past events held in 2004 and 2006 because of the added aerospace aspect.

"The reason behind the exhibition is to improve science and technological developments in weaponry and aerospace industries," he told reporters.

"The events also aim to show the world our developments in national defense industries."

This year the event will be held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base instead of the Kemayoran Fairgrounds, the site of the first and second shows.

Hosted by the Defense Ministry, the Indo Defense and Aerospace (IDA) 2008 Expo and Forum will play host to 400 participants from 37 countries from Nov. 19-22.

There will be 11 international pavilions belonging to Bulgaria, Germany, Great Britain, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and the United States.

Eris said the exhibitions would hopefully lead towards the independence of the national defense industry, broaden the insight of defense and aerospace industries and cater to users of weaponry systems and aerospace technologies.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to officially open the events although Eris said he is still waiting for confirmation.

Indonesia will be showcasing mainly its state-owned strategic industries such as firearms and ammunition manufacturer PT Pindad, shipyard PT PAL, aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia, train manufacturer PT INKA and steel manufacturer PT Krakatau Steel.

PT Pindad will showcase its newest 6x6 armored personnel carrier (APC) while PT Dirgantara Indonesia will display its CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

"The APC will give a demonstration of its capabilities on the opening day," said Eris.

International defense companies attending include Kazan Helicopter, Sukhoi, EADS, PZL Swidnik, Korea Aerospace Industries, Rheinmetall and Raytheon.

Eris said there would also be a seminar called "Defense Technology Capabilities and Improving the Role of National Air Transportation", which is being organized by the Air Power Club Indonesia (APCI).

Meanwhile, Herman Wiryadipoera, from event organizer PT Napindo Media Ashatama, said the first three days would be a trade exhibition for professionals only but the public could attend on the fourth day, Saturday.

"The general public will have to pay Rp 100,000 (US$8.81) and provide copies of their identity cards to visit the venue," he said. (pmf)

Social affairs ministry provides nine patrol boats for NTB

Mataram, West Nusa Tengara (NTB) (ANTARA News) - The social affairs ministry has provided district admiistrations in West Nusatenggara province with nine patrol boats for emergency rescue efforts in sea accidents. a local official said.

Distributed in 2007, the patrol boats were equipped with lifebuoys, navigation and other rescue equipment, head of the provincial social affairs and women`s empowerment service Lalu Junaidi said here on Friday.

The ministry was planning to present two more districts in Sumbawa Island with the same type of patrol boats in 2008, he said.

The ministry would also give two water tankers to Lombok Timur and Lombok Tengah districts.

IDB funding procurement of patrol boats for RI customs

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Islamic Development Bank is funding the procurement of three new patrol boats for Indonesia`s Customs Office (DJBC) to enable the office to intensify its patrols in the country`s waters.

"With the small patrol boats it now has, DJBC often has difficulty chasing smugglers in eastern and western Indonesia waters where the waves often reach a height of five meters," the head of facilities and operations of the DJBC`s directorate for investigation, Achmad Budiyanto, said on the DJBC`s official website on Monday.

"It is now time for the Customs Office to have wide-bodied patrol boats with a length of 38 meters that can sail from island to island and brave high sea waves," he added.

State-owned ship-builder PT PAL had won the international tender held for the procurement of the patrol boats for DJBC, he said.

He said construction of the new boats would be completed in February next year.

DJBC now only had a total of 207 patrol boats of five types. he added.

Driving licenses available online

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A convenient new system allowing motorists to renew their driving licenses online was recently introduced in the capital.

The new system, established by the National Police, is also available to motorists in Greater Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, Banten, Bali, Lampung and South Sulawesi.

The head of the driving license section at the Jakarta Police headquarters, Comr. Gatot Subroto, said the regional headquarters was using an online database system that recognized every license issued in each region using the system.

"With the new system, driving licenses will be valid at the national level. This means motorists who obtained their driving licenses in Banten, for example, could renew their licenses at the Jakarta Police headquarters," Gatot told The Jakarta Post.

Jakarta introduced the new service on Dec. 26 last year, he said.

The system contains data on up to 20 million driving licenses.

"This new facility will also prevent people from having more than one driving license as their request in one regional office would be recognized by other offices," he said.

"The system also serves as a national identification database that could be used by police when investigating crimes and accidents," he said.

A similar database has been used to record details about hundreds of millions of people since 1992.

The integrated data system will enable criminal investigations to be completed faster, he said.

"We informed everyone who applied for driving licenses recently about the new system," Gatot said.

He said the cost of renewing a license had not changed since the introduction of the new system, with applications still costing Rp 75,000 (US$8.2) and insurance costing Rp 15,000.

Health checks are Rp 10,000 and driving tests cost Rp 5,000 (for obtaining license type C) and Rp 10,000 (for license type A), he added. (dia)

RI, S`pore air forces agree to improve flight safety

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) have agreed to cooperate in improving flight and occupational safety.

"Flight and occupational safety is a main factor that must frequently be underlined and implemented. Therefore, it is important to cooperate in improving flight safety," Head of the Air Force Headquarters` Information Service Marshal Daryatmo said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Head of the Flight and Occupational Safety Division at the TNI AU Headquarters Air Commodore Rodi Suprasodjo said to achieve zero accident the TNI AU had adopted a road map to zero accident since some time ago.

He said the road map to zero accident covered safety in each operational unit, "go and no go items" in the military`s main armament, improvement of human resources, streamlining of the types of planes and accident investigation.

He said the Singaporean and Australian Air Forces needed 15 years and 20 years each to achieve zero accident.

"By applying the road map to zero accident and learning lessons from the two countries, the TNI AU expects it could achieve zero accident in five years` time," he said.

He said the Indonesian Air Force and the RSAF held a meeting at the former`s headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in the areas of Joint Air Force Training Working Group (JAFTWG) and flight and occupational safety.