Slovakia to invest $1 bn in Indonesia

The JakartaPost, Mon, 10/10/2011

Slovakia was planning to invest US$ 1 billion in Indonesia, visiting Slovakia President Ivan Gasparovic told reporters on Monday in Jakarta.

He said the investment plan would be included in seven agreements due to be signed on Tuesday.

Gasparovic delivered the plan after meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Merdeka Palace Jakarta on Monday.

“There are fields to be explored in the areas of trade, agriculture, electricity, power plant generators and heavy machinery,” President Gasparovic said.

President Yudhoyono said Slovakia planned to construct a cement factory in Central Java and West Papua, a tire factory in Banten and electrical power plants in Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara) and Batam (Riau islands.

“Indonesia has sent nine proposals to Slovakia. The proposals are in food and agriculture, renewable energy, trade and investment, banking, education, mass media, infrastructure and manufacturing, tourism and culture,” he said.

Malaysian investors to develop Pulau Bawah as tourist resort

Antara News, Thu, June 9 2011 

Related News

• Malaysia to take part in cultural parade in Bali
• Lifting of moratorium to Malaysia awaiting firmness of private companies
• M`sian premier to send team to S Sulawesi soon
• RI, Malaysia to conduct joint geology study in Kalimantan border
• RI grabs eight golds on 1st day of karate open

Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - Malaysian investors are ready to develop Pulau (island) Bawah in the district of Anamabas, Riau Islands province. into a marine tourist resort, the province`s governor, HM Sani, said.

"I have discussed it with the investors. They plan to invest Rp1.5 trillion to develop a tourist object in Pulau Bawah," he said here on Thursday.

He said Pulau Bawah has an undersea natural beauty which is good for being developed into a snorkeling and diving area.

"The development of Pulau Bawah is also aimed at developing a prime economic driver in the tourism sector," he said.

Sani said negotiations were still going on such as with the district administration of Anambar, the customs service and other offices concerned which are expected to conclude in September 2011.

"The development is expected to take 1.5 years to complete while the operation is expected to start in 2013," he said.

Sani said the marine tourist object is expected to be able to attract 5,000 foreign tourists at the initial stage and create jobs for the local population.

The governor said the province needs around Rp12 trillion to increase economic growth over the next five years.

The province`s economic growth at present was recorded at 7.2 percent. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono meanwhile has asked for the growth to reach 10 percent.

Sani said investors were also interested in developing tourist objects in Pulau Kepala Jeri and Pulau Janda Berhias in Batam with an investment of Rp2 trillion.

Riau Islands borders Vietnam and Cambodia in the north, Malaysia and West Kalimantan province in the east, Bangka Belitung islands and Jambi provinces in the south and Singapore, Malaysia and Riau province in the west.

The Sumatran province with a population of more than 1.6 millions consists of more than 2,000 big and small islets and some of them are not populated yet.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

USAID helping Borobudur`s rehabilitation with $100,000

Antara News, Mon, March 7 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - US international aid agency USAID is providing 100,000 US dollars to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to rehabilitate the Borobudur temple compound in the aftermath of the recent Mount Merapi eruptions.

According to a US embassy`s press release received here Monday, the aid was given under the US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership.

USAID would provide support for the emergency cleanup, including retention of a large local workforce and purchase of equipment for the cleaning operation.

The Comprehensive Partnership is critical to the bilateral relationship and is founded on the shared values of freedom, pluralism, tolerance, democracy and respect for human rights.

Borobudur temple was temporarily closed to visitors late last year when concern about the longer-term effects of ash on the monument emerged.

Indonesia`s Ministry of Culture and Tourism along with the compound`s Site Authority had initiated emergency cleanup measures. Significant work needs to be done in order to reinvigorate tourism - a critical economic resource for the region.

"The support we are providing will help build the livelihoods of affected local communities through their involvement in the rehabilitation of the cultural tourism sector, which is critical to the area?s economy," said USAID Mission Director Walter North.

One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Mount Merapi is located less than 35 kilometers from Borobudur. A series of eruptions in October and November 2010 resulted in the deaths of 322 people and the displacement of more than 135,000 people. The Mount Merapi eruptions covered the Borobudur compound in 4.5 centimeters of volcanic ash.

The Borobudur compound was built between the eighth and ninth centuries using 57,000 cubic meters of volcanic stone. The monument is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 statues. In 1991 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia and a critical economic resource for the local government.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

Norway students to study in Bali

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Fri, 01/21/2011

A total of 403 students from Gateway College in Norway will be leaving for Bali to study in the coming semester, the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo says.

The students would study philosophy, cultural psychology, sports, tourism management, economics and Indonesian language, the embassy’s third secretary for social affairs and culture Febby Fahrani said in a statement made available to Antara on Friday.

The students will work with assistance from lecturers of Telemark University College, Sogn og Fjordane University College, Le Sud University College, Lillehammer University College and Udayana University in Bali.

Before leaving for Indonesia, Ambassador Esti Andayani hosted a farewell party that allowed the students to enjoy Indonesian food, Balinese gamelan and a documentary film about Indonesia with a particular focus on Bali.

They are among 670 students from Norway who will study in Bali during the first semester of the year beginning February. The others are from GOstudy (140 students), Active Education (96 students) and Kulturakademiet (31 students).

Last year saw 1,285 students from the four colleges participate in pre-university study exchanges in Bali, a 50 percent increase from the previous year.

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

Govt plans new toll road to Bali airport before APEC Summit

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 01/11/2011

On Tuesday, the government announced plans to build a toll road in Bali connecting Nusa Dua airport with the rest of the island.

“We have agreed to build the Sarangan - Nusa Dua toll road, spanning 11.5 kilometers, in Bali," State-Owned Enterprises Minister Mustafa Abubakar said Tuesday after meeting Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa.

“The toll road will not curve but cut from the airport to Benoa. It will also cut from the airport to Sarangan," he added.

Four state-owned enterprises, PT Jasa Marga, PT Pelindo III, PT Angkasa Pura, and the Bali Tourism Development Board, would form a consortium that would oversee the construction of the road.

“The four state-owned enterprises will work together to manage [the construction of] the toll road so it won't be necessary to use the state budget [APBN]. All funds, amounting to Rp 1.4 trillion to Rp 1.6 trillion, will come from the state-owned enterprises,” Mustafa said.

He added that the construction would begin in January, and has been targeted for completion by May 2013.

"We hope this road will be complete before the APEC Summit in Bali in 2013," he said.

Sahid Resort brings oasis of luxury into heart of Kuta

Wasti Atmodjo, The Jakarta Post, Kuta | Thu, 12/30/2010

An “oasis” will soon emerge in Bali’s most crowded tourist area offering holidaymakers a luxury hotel and lavish shopping paradise overlooking the pristine Kuta Beach.

World famous: Bali’s Kuta Beach, pictured here,
is a favorite spot for holidaymakers around the world:
Courtesy PT Indonesia Paradise Island /
Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort

“This will be a perfect blend of contemporary and traditional, translated into a world-class hotel and shopping mall,” explained Hariyadi B. Sukamdani, president of PT Indonesian Paradise Island (IPI).

The planned project is expected to be completed mid 2011. IPI invested Rp 600 billion (US$70 million) into the Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort. Haryadi, however, was quick to add the amount of capital invested might change depending on the project design.

“We are still altering some of the designs here and there and these could affect the amount of capital invested,” he said.

Some might wonder whether the already crowded and often traffic congested Kuta really needs another multi-billion project. People will certainly be curious about the project’s structure and design especially when it comes to ecological issues brought about by the rapid growth of tourist-related development projects and the increasing number of visitors besieging Kuta.

Sukamdani Sahid Gitosardjono, the patriarch of the Sahid family, said his old property, the Sahid Hotel, was one of the pioneer hotels in the area.

“In the past, Kuta was quiet and beautiful. Only a few small guesthouses and hotels were operating, catering for local and foreign tourists,” Sukamdani said.

“In the past, the development of any five-star hotel was allowed provided developers applied designs in line with the island’s nature,” he said.

His son Hariyadi decided to follow this philosophy by developing an eco-friendly resort on the 5.2 hectares of land on the former site of the old Sahid Hotel.

“My plan is to revitalize the Kuta area into a green and people-friendly area by constructing an-integrated luxury resort, office complex and high-end shopping complex using an eco-friendly architectural concept.”

The buildings have been designed with world-class architectural standard using as much local materials as possible.

Spacious and lust gardens, water ponds and hanging gardens will surround the buildings, which will be lined with wide sidewalks to enable visitors to enjoy their promenade. Nowadays, it is still difficult for people to walk along the narrow streets of Kuta because of the limited pedestrian facilities.

The planned hotel will consist of 200 lavish rooms facing the great waves of Kuta Beach and will be operated under the brand Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort.

A new oasis: PT Indonesian Paradise Island is planning to build a multi-billion
rupiah hotel project, currently designed to look like this picture, called the Sahid
Kuta Lifestyle Resort. The resort will be completed mid 2011. Courtesy PT Indonesia
Paradise Island/Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort

The shopping arcades, called the Beach Walk, will be designed in the Balinese traditional architectural style, adding a few touches to remind visitors of the daily lives of the Balinese agricultural society.

The project has been designed by architectural firm PT Enviro Tec Indonesia, according to Indonesia Design.

The Beach Walk will resemble the island’s rural landscape with its beautiful terraced contours and open-air walkways. It will house 200 top-notch boutiques and stores, restaurants, children playgrounds, music and dance stages.

“We will not cut any existing trees on this site and will use recycled wood and materials for the project,” said Hariyadi.

The company’s director of development, Patrick Rendradjaja, added that the company was also concerned about the existing traffic problems in Kuta.

“We have already incorporated a comprehensive parking site to ease traffic congestion,” Rendradjaja said.

Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort will have a two-level parking basement which can accommodate up to 1,000 vehicles at a time. The Sahid Kuta Lifestyle Resort will be next to the Harris Hotel, which also belongs to the Sahid family.

“They will complement each other. The Sheraton will cater to the high-end market, while the four-star Harris will continue to retain its own clientele,” Hariyadi said.

“I really expect the project will benefit hotels and businesses in this area as it will rejuvenate the area into a green and beautiful one,” he added.

Those eager to stay at this luxury and tranquil hotel in the hustle-bustle Kuta will have to wait until its completion, sometime in 2011.

Happy Holidays.

Bengkulu offers tourism object to Netherlands

Antara News, Thursday, December 2, 2010 16:26 WIB

Bengkulu (ANTARA News) - Lebong district Cultural Tourism and Transportation Services in Bengkulu province will offer the Netherlands tourism object and cooperation in the development of ancient history.

"We will offer a cooperation with the Netherlands to their ancestral heritage in Lebong district, district Cultural Tourism and Transportation Services spokesman Yustin Hendri said here on Thursday.

The site of former gold mining heritage, mined by the Dutch from 1902-1938 at Lebong district, is at present a potential object attracting both domestic and foreign tourists.

Yustin said that as a compensation of thousands of tons of gold which had been mined by the Dutch for 36 years in Lebong, it was necessary to cooperate with the Netherlands to promote various natural and historic heritages in the district.

According to him, Lebong district government would not ask for cash money but instead offer a cooperation with Dutch investors to develop various tourism objects in Lebong.

Yustin said it was necessary to offer the Dutch investors to operate at tourism sector in Lebong district because the area was the former activities of their ancestors.

The former Dutch mining sites which still exist today are among others Tambang Sawah, Lebong Simpang, Lebong Sulit, and Lebong Tandai in North Bengkulu district.

Meanwhile, Lebong district head Rosjohan Syah said he would fully support the cooperation with the Dutch investors to develop the natural and historical sites in the area into tourism objects.

"To restore our friendship with the grand children of the Dutchmen miners in Bengkulu, we will support such a cooperation," Rosjohan said.

Bali to build int’l standard hospital

The Jakarta Post | Fri, 11/26/2010 10:52 AM

The Bali administration announced plans to develop an international-standard hospital in Sanur to cater to local and foreign visitors.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said Thursday that his administration was conducting a comprehensive feasibility study on the construction.

“We have allocated Rp 4 billion [US$446,000] from the 2011 provincial budget to plan and design the project,” he said, adding that an additional Rp 100 billion from the 2012 budget would be used for the construction.

“We expect to complete the project by 2013 when Bali hosts the APEC meeting,” Pastika added.

The hospital, which the administration claims would feature high-tech facilities, would be built on 3.4 hectares in Sanur.

“Bali is an international tourist destination. We have to provide excellent healthcare services for our guests. Visitors may be able to spend their holidays while also having medical check-ups done here,” Pastika said.

There are a number of so-called “international” hospitals in Denpasar despite the Health Ministry’s ban on using the word “international” in the names of the hospitals.

In addition to an international hospital, the local government also announced plans to build another hospital for patients covered by Bali Mandara Healthcare Insurance.

The scheme is a free healthcare program for Balinese residents across all eight regencies and one municipality. The program began in 2009 using Rp 181 billion in funds from the local budget.

The scheme allows residents to get free medical treatment at Denpasar’s Sanglah General Hospital and a number of other hospitals.

Pastika said profits from the operation of the planned international hospital would be used to fund the Bali Mandara hospital.

Karyasa Adnyana, the deputy chairman of the Bali Legislative Council’s Commission IV, said he fully supported the idea of a “cross-subsidy”.

“The development of an international-standard hospital will certainly enhance the image of Bali as a world-class tourist destination. Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia have been doing this for a long time,” he added.

Adnyana said the construction of the two hospitals would be funded by the provincial budget, and that therefore the administration had to be cautious in using public money. “We hope the money is spent in a transparent manner.”

— JP/Ni Komang Erviani

Palembang to build Orchard in 2011

Antara News, Monday, September 6, 2010 13:28 WIB

Palembang, S Sumatra (ANTARA News) - The Palembang administration will build a 15-20 hectare orchard in Gandus sub-district, South Sumatra Province.

The Head of the Palembang Forestry, Fisheries and Agriculture Affairs Agency, Sudirman Tegoeh, said here on Monday that the construction of the orchard will be stared next year.

The orchard will be an alternative tourism site to attract more tourists to Palembang.

According to him, in the initial phase the orchard would have trees bearing kinds of fruits available in the Palembang market.

Kelengkeng, mango, and orange trees were some of those to be grown under the project, he said.

The authority would also make a preservation program of rare and almost extinct fruits such as, mangosteen and rukam (Flacourtia rukam), he added.

The fund for the project would be allocated from the regional budget in 2011 and the construction expecting to be started the middle of next year, he said.

There would be a lot of benefits from the orchard, he said, adding that it could limit fruit imports, preserve the rare fruits, and improve the locals` welfare.

Seven airports offered up for private investment

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 09/02/2010 9:16 AM

The director general of air transportation at the Transportation Ministry, Herry Bakti S Gumay, said Wednesday the government had offered up seven airports across Indonesia to be managed by foreign investors.

“The airports are in South Banten, Bali, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan and West Java. All require the construction of new terminals,” Herry told reporters.

He said it was also possible that Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali would be offered up as both were in need of massive improvement.

According to Herry, an Indian investor had shown interest in investing in Indonesian airports and had met with the government to submit proposals.

It is believed the involvement of foreign investors is due to a limited state budget and provisions outlined in the aviation law.

“There is no regulation barring foreign investors from majority holdings in airports,” Herry said.

“The airports will stay in Indonesia and bring many benefits to Indonesians. We’ll just share the revenue with foreign investors.”

Previously, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Mustafa Abubakar said the government was looking for local and foreign investors to develop the airports, which have been operating for 25 years.

Herry said the public private partnership (PPP) mechanism would be used to partner state airport operators with foreign investors. “Foreign investors will invest their money in the airports, not invest their money through airport operators.”

Based on Indonesia National Carrier Association (INACA) data, currently Indonesia has 210 airports.

State airport operators PT Angkasa Pura I and PT Angkasa Pura II oversee 13 and 12 airports respectively.

The Transportation Ministry has eight airport projects under the PPP mechanism this year, all of which are expected to be done by 2014.

The projects include New Samarinda in East Kalimantan, South Banten, Kertajati in Cirebon, West Java and two cargo terminals at Sentani and Tarakan airports.

Ignatius Bambang Tjahjono, the airport director at the Transportation Ministry, said PPP mechanisms were being used because building airports required huge investments.

“Kertajati requires Rp 5 trillion and South Banten needs Rp 1 trillion. That’s why we need to encourage investment,” he said.

The Transportation Ministry aims to operate all those airports not only in the wake of the growth of the national airline industry, but also to accommodate ASEAN’s Open Sky policy in 2014.

The government is also increasing the capacities of major airports such as Juanda in Surabaya, Ngurah Rai in Denpasar, Polonia in Medan and Sultan Hasanuddin in Makassar.

The Indonesian airline industry has seen significant growth in the past five years.

INACA records show that national airlines carried 43.8 million passengers in 2009, an increase of 17 percent compared to 2008 figures of 37.4 million passengers.

Ngurah Rai airport to get Rp 2 trillion face-lift

The Jakarta Post, Kuta | Fri, 08/06/2010 10:56 AM | Business

State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I said it will spend Rp 2 trillion ($US224 million) to renovate Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport to improve service to domestic and international travelers.

Speaking to reporters in Kuta, Bali, on Thursday, president director Tommy Soetomo said the company would construct a new, 126,000 square meter terminal designated for international flights.

Tommy said the current terminal would be assigned specifically for domestic arrivals and departures.

Ngurah Rai currently serves 9 million passengers per year, comprised of 4.6 million domestic and 5 million international passengers.

"It is already overloaded," Tommy said, adding that "overcapacity should be resolved by expanding its terminals, especially for international routes."

Tommy said that the airport renovation would be internally funded and supported by bank loans.

"*Financing* is still in the final calculation, but the project may cost Rp 2 trillion," he added.

Apart from additional passenger capacity, Ngurah Rai will be equipped with a modern baggage handling system to guarantee the safety, he said.

"It is important for us to develop an airport that can provide security and also safety for every passenger's baggage. It's a must," he said.

He added that a requirement for new safety and security equipment will require more expensive investment in a new airport.

"We have to be able to provide a service level guarantee for customers for airline, cargo or passenger services," he added.

He said Ngurah Rai airport would have 13-14 million international passengers per year after the renovation is completed in 2013.

Angkasa Pura I controls 13 airports in the central and eastern part of the archipelago, including Hasanudin Airport in Makassar, Adi Sutjipto in Yogyakarta, Sam Ratulangi in Manado, Adi Sumarmo in Surakarta, Franskaisiepo in Biak, Eltari in Kupang, Juanda in Surabaya, Sepinggan in Balikpapan, Achmad Yani in Semarang, Syamsuddin Noor in Banjarmasin, Pattimura in Ambon and Selaparang in Lombok.

According to the company's financial report, PT Angkasa Pura I booked Rp 664.07 billion profits in 2009 up from Rp 662.33 billion in the previous year, while the company's assets reached Rp 8.62 trillion in 2009, up from Rp 7.47 trillion in 2007.

Air traffic control for PT Angkasa Pura I and II will be consolidated into a single body by Jan. 1, 2011, as mandated by the 2009 Law on Aviation, he said.

"Flight Information Region *FIR* will not be separated into two regions - Makassar Advanced Air Traffic Services *MAATS* and Jakarta Air Traffic Services *JATS*," he said.

"We will have a more focused handling of flight information," Tommy added, without further elaboration. (ebf)

Darwin mayor wants yacht race to Ambon maintained

Antara News, Monday, August 2, 2010 17:42 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - The annual Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race will be maintained as it is having a major impact on the continuity of the sister-city cooperation between Darwin and Ambon, the Australian city`s mayor said.

Darwin Mayor Graeme Sawyer said here on Monday the race was of great importance to the strengthening of the Darwin-Ambon sister city cooperative ties.

Sawyer admitted the prestigious international yacht race was also important to strengthen the relations between the peoples of Darwin and Ambon.

"The people of Darwin have a very friendly relationship with their friends in Ambon, and thus they make use of the yacht race every year to visit Maluku provincial capital," Sawyer said.

He expressed optimism that in the years to come the participant of the Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race would continue to increase following conducive situation in Ambon after almost three-year sectarian violence from 1999-2002.

The Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race was initially organized by the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory Incorporated (CYANT).

That Association ran the event from 1976 until 1998 when it was suspended for safety and security reasons.

The 600 mile downwind race attracted six yachts in its inaugural year.

For months afterwards, conversation amongst returning yachties was dominated by stories of "champagne sailing", overwhelming hospitality, lovely friendly people, the scenic beauty, the cultural diversity, the food, and an annual event not to be missed.

Entries steadily increased over the years as the event?s reputation spread and its tradition grew.

International skippers began to use Ambon as a starting point to visit some of the 13,000 islands of the Indonesian Archipelago. Some sailed north to Manado and onto the Raja Muda Selangor Regatta in Malaysia.

Others headed southwest to the amazing Buton Passage and then on to visit the famous Komodo Dragons en route to Makaassar or Bali and beyond.

A big factor in the growing popularity of the race was related to the excellent facilities Darwin offered for yachts and their crews. For many, Darwin would be the last access to western comforts and familiar language for many months.

Lombok Resort Still on Track: Emaar

Jakarta Globe, July 26, 2010

Jakarta. Dubai-based property developer Emaar Properties has again been forced to deny it has pulled out of a $600 million resort project on the island of Lombok, which has been idle for years.

The property developer said it had “responded on time and with total commitment to the proposals of [joint developer] the Bali Tourism Development Corporation for the project.”

The statement came in response to comments from the Indonesian government, published by the local media last week, which said that officials were to retender the project after Emaar pulled out.

Emaar said it had provided recommendations on how it intended to proceed with the development, adding: “Emaar has strong financial fundamentals and will undertake all strategic projects across its key markets.” Emaar did not disclose the current status of the project.

Last week, the head of the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board, Gita Wirjawan, said potential investors from Abu Dhabi, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and India had expressed interest and could be ready to replace Emaar.

This is not the first time that Emaar has denied pulling out of the project.

In March, the Jakarta Globe reported that Emaar said it was still planning to proceed and was awaiting a response from an expression of interest it had submitted to the Bali tourism authority.

The comment in March was made after the Indonesian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Mohammad Supriyadi, said that Emaar had abandoned the project.

Govt to develop tourism in 200 villages

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 07/03/2010 6:17 PM

               

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has selected 200 villages across the country as recipients of community empowerment fund (PNPM) in a bid to develop tourism there.

Director of Community Empowerment at the ministry, Bakri, said on Saturday each village in Java would receive between Rp 65 million (US$7,140) and Rp 70 million, while those outside Java would earn between Rp 85 million and Rp 90 million each.

The ministry expected the fund to help people in the villages develop tourism industry as a source of income. 

Borobudur village near the world’s largest Buddhist temple in the Central Java regency of Magelang is a success story of the program, he said.

“People in the village were scavengers who lived under the poverty line. But now after their village has turned into a tourist area, many tourists visit there, creating many jobs related to tourism,” Bakri told Antara news agency.

The ministry only initiated the program last year, with 104 villages receiving the empowerment fund. The fund will be channeled to 450 villages next year, according to Bakri.

`Sail Banda` to cost Rp160 Billion

Antara News, Monday, June 21, 2010 01:26 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s annual maritime sail festivity event, `Sail Indonesia`, this time dubbed as "Sail Banda" as it will be centered in the Banda waters, Maluku province, will cost Rp160 billion.

"There is no special allocation, the total budget of the relevant ministries reached Rp160 billion," Director General for Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision, Aji Sularso, said here on Sunday.

Of the total budget, the biggest expenditure will be made by the Ministry of Public Works which reaches up to Rp70 billion.

Meanwhile, the office of the Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare will spend up to Rp26 billion, most of which were used for social activities.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (NOA) spent up to Rp11 billion for the implementation of various international seminars related to maritime affairs and fisheries.

The Maluku regional government set a budget for the event, Sail Banda, amounting to Rp12 billion.

Various activities will start early in July with an initial activity of a major operation `Surya Bakti Jaya` on July 5, Youth Marine Sail, on July 23, a sailboat race from Darwin, Australia, and the major event, the Parade, which will begin on July 24.

As many as 110 sailboats from various countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Europe, have registered for the "Rally Yatch Banda Sail." A total of 50 sail boats will go straight to Banda, the rest will sail to Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara province.

Maluku invited to organize "Ambon Night" in Darwin

Antara News, Thursday, June 17, 2010 13:50 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - Australian Northern Territorial Governor Tom Pauling has invited Maluku province to promote its tourism potential through "Ambon Night" in Darwin in October this year.

Maluku Vice Governor Said Assagaff said here on Thursday Pauling forwarded the invitation to him when he visited Darwin on June 8-10, 2010.

"The government of Australian Northern Territory is interested in Maluku tourism, especially traditional culture and arts, so it invites us to organize Ambon Night in Darwin in October," Assagaff said.

He said the invitation from Australia was part of a realization in Ambon-Darwin sister city cooperation which has been in effective for years.

Assagaff said he would coordinate the Australia`s invitation with Maluku branch of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies Association (Asita) and the district heads/mayors to make use of such a strategic opportunity.

Besides, Governor Tom Pauling also invited Maluku`s under-18 soccer team to play in Darwin in May next year.

"Governor Tom Pauling is planning a friendly soccer competition between soccer teams from Northern Territory, Timor Leste, and Maluku," Assagaff said.

He said the Australian Northern Territory governor even agreed to send an aircraft to transport the 25 players including sport managers and officials from Maluku to Darwin for the soccer game.

"Transportation and accommodation will be provided by the government of Northern Territory while food will be prepared by the Indonesian Consulate General in Darwin," Assagaff said.

Assagaff promptly welcomed the invitation from Australia because the soccer game would be a tryout for the team from Maluku whose members are under 18 years of age.

"It is an honor for Maluku and Timor Leste soccer team under 18 to play in Darwin," said the Maluku vice governor.

Assagaff added that he would organize it with the provincial administrators and Maluku branch of All Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to prepare the team for the international friendship match.

Garuda to install IT facilities in aircraft in 2011

Antara News, Thursday, June 17, 2010 04:21 WIB | Economic & Business

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - PT Garuda Indonesia confirmed on Wednesday that it would equip its aircraft with in-flight information technology facilities in 2011 to improve its service to passengers.

"We will do it next year. Passengers can then communicate through an internet service and also send short text messages," its president director, Emirsyah Satar, said after signing a memorandum of understanding on T-Cash ticket payment with Telkomsel here on Wednesday.

He said all new Garuda planes would be equipped with mobile technology and later all Garuda planes will also be given the capability.

He said the technology will allow passengers to communicate using the short text message service (SMS) and operate laptops on board aircraft.

"The technology has been developed abroad and does not disrupt the air navigation system. It will not include phone calls," he said.

Regarding the regulation put in Law Number 1 of 2009 that bans passengers from using telecommunication facilities while aboard a plane, Emirsyah said he would discuss the matter with the government.

"Later we will discuss it with the ministry of transportation," he said.

On the cooperation with Telkomsel he said that it would make it easier for would-be passengers to buy ickets or make Garuda seat reservations by phone.

"Telkomsel customers totalling 86 millions will benefit from the cooperation," he said.

Telkomsel president director Sarwoto Atmosutarno said he would exploit T-Cash facility to make it easier for Telkomsel customers to buy Garuda tickets.

T-Cash is one of the facilities Telkomsel is developing along with mobile payment and mobile advertising, he said.

Regarding the House of Representatives` (DPR) wish for reduction in the hajj flight cost, Emirsyah said Garuda would accept whatever the government and the DPR would decide.

He said although it might reduce the company`s margin, service to hajj passengers would not decline.

"We will give the best possible service to them. What is important is the flight is smooth and Garuda does not lose," he said.

He said the hajj flight cost was determined by the world fuel price.

"If the contract with the religious affairs ministry has been signed and at the time the hajj pilgrimage season begins, the fuel price rises, that will be our risk," he said.

Govt allocates rp273 b for Lapindo tourist site

Antara News, Saturday, May 29, 2010 02:26 WIB

Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - The government has set aside Rp273 billion in funds to develop a geological tourist object near the Lapindo mudflow site in Sidoarjo district, East Java, an official said.

"The government through the maritime affairs and fisheries ministry has set aside Rp273 billion in funds to develop Lapindo geological tourist site," East Java Governor Soekarwo said here on Friday.

The 83-hectare geological tourist object would be located north of the mudflow site, he said adding: "President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited the location some time ago."

"The DED (detailed engineering design) of the project will be available in 2011. The project is likely to be started this year," he said.

Asked to comment on the land subsidence around the mudflow site, he said there was nothing to worry about it.

"The land subsidence can be handled if new embankments are not built. The emergence of new mudflow spots and land subsidence results from the construction of new embankments which add to another burden," he said quoting geologists of the Surabaya-based Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS) and Airlangga University (Unair).

To date, there were 180 thousand mudflow spots, including 30 thousand to 50 thousand new ones, he said.

The mudflow first began from a crack near an exploratory gas well owned by PT Lapindo Brantas on May 29, 2006. It soon expanded into a mud lake, swallowing houses, factories and schools, leaving more than 15,000 people homeless.

Related Article:

Indonesia mud volcano still spewing sludge four years later

Accor to open 16 new hotels in Indonesia by 2012

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 05/25/2010 10:41 AM | Business

International hotel operator Accor plans to open 16 new hotels across Indonesia by 2012 to support its expansion plan in the country’s growing hotel industry, says an executive of the hotel chain.

Accor chairman and CEO for the Asia Pacific, Michael Issenberg, said in Jakarta on Monday that one of the hotels would start operation in Bali by the end of this year, while another 15 would be launched between 2011 and 2012 in Jakarta, Banten, Central Java, East Java, Bali, East Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung, West Sumatra and North Sulawesi.

Issenberg said that Accor, which currently operates 39 hotels in Indonesia, focused its operations

in Indonesia on medium and economy classes, to ensure sustained network expansion in line with the growth in domestic and intra Asian travel.

As demand grows, he said, the market prospects for price sensitive segments would strengthen.

“With the opening of 16 new hotels, Indonesia will be at the forefront of the brands’ expansion in Asia,” said Accor’s vice president for Indonesia, Gerrard Guilloet.

Currently, Accor operates in Indonesia under several brands including Mercure, All Seasons, Ibis, Novotel and Formula 1. Pullman will make a debut this year.

The new hotels will include an All Seasons Hotel Bangka, Ibis Balikpapan, All Seasons Denpasar, Ibis Bali Kuta, All Seasons Gajah Mada (Jakarta), Ibis Manado, Mercure Padang, Ibis Surabaya Basuki Rahmat, Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana, Novotel Bangka, Mercure Simatupang (Jakarta), Mercure Bali Kuta Haverstland, Mercure Solo, Mercure Banjarmasin and All Seasons Yogyakarta.

Accor has been in Indonesia since 1993 when it developed a network across 17 cities throughout the county that employs more than 7,000 employees.

According to Issenberg, Indonesia contributes 10 percent of Accor’s network in the Asia Pacific region.

China is Accor’s top market with 93 hotels, followed by Thailand with 43 hotels.

Accor operates 4,100 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries. (not)