“ … Here is another one. A change in what Human nature will allow for government. "Careful, Kryon, don't talk about politics. You'll get in trouble." I won't get in trouble. I'm going to tell you to watch for leadership that cares about you. "You mean politics is going to change?" It already has. It's beginning. Watch for it. You're going to see a total phase-out of old energy dictatorships eventually. The potential is that you're going to see that before 2013.

They're going to fall over, you know, because the energy of the population will not sustain an old energy leader ..."
"Update on Current Events" – Jul 23, 2011 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Subjects: The Humanization of God, Gaia, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Benevolent Design, Financial Institutes (Recession, System to Change ...), Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Nuclear Power Revealed, Geothermal Power, Hydro Power, Drinking Water from Seawater, No need for Oil as Much, Middle East in Peace, Persia/Iran Uprising, Muhammad, Israel, DNA, Two Dictators to fall soon, Africa, China, (Old) Souls, Species to go, Whales to Humans, Global Unity,..... etc.)
(Subjects: Who/What is Kryon ?, Egypt Uprising, Iran/Persia Uprising, Peace in Middle East without Israel actively involved, Muhammad, "Conceptual" Youth Revolution, "Conceptual" Managed Business, Internet, Social Media, News Media, Google, Bankers, Global Unity,..... etc.)
.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Govt to maximize use of new energy

Antara News, Wed, March 30 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government will maximize the use of new and renewable energy, especially geothermal, hydro-energy and bio-fuels, before deciding to use nuclear energy.

Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry`s Director General for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Luluk Sumiarso said here on Tuesday that the use of nuclear energy would be the last option.

"But the last option does not meant that nuclear is not prepared. It will remain being prepared but we are now still maximizing the use of other new and renewable energy such as geothermal, hydro-power, and bio-fuels which have a big potential for development," Luluk said.

According to him, the plan to build nuclear power plants (PLTN) would continue to go ahead with the principle of conformity, readiness, and safety.

"But the use of nuclear energy needs a political decision," Luluk said, adding that the case of nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, would be a lesson for Indonesia.

He also said the government was revising the rules of new and renewable energy utilization in the energy mix that was previously targeted at 17 percent to be 25 percent in 2025.

"The revision of the energy mix is made by including nuclear and non nuclear," Luluk said.

He said the government would also make every effort to speed up the utilization of the new and renewable energy.

Therefore the government is currently carrying out the construction of the second phase 10,000 MW power plant with most of its energy will come from geothermal and hydro-power.

It is the target of the government that the geothermal capacity will increase by 2,000 MW in 2012 and rises to 5,000 MW in 2014 because the the country`s geothermal potential is 29,000 MW.

Luluk said that aside from geothermal energy, his party would also review the development of bio-fuels.

Editor: Suryanto

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Weda Bay Nickel plans US$4.5bl investment in Central Halmahera

The Jakarta Post, Sun, 03/27/2011

Mining firm PT Weda Bay Nikel (WBN) said Sunday it had allotted US$4.5 billion for nickel mining and development of a processing factory in Ternate, Central Halmahera regency.

WBN spokesman Olivier Beligon said initial investments began in 2006 for mining exploration.

Beligon said the company would start constructing a nickel processing factory in 2012 with a total capacity of 65,000 tons.

“The factory will absorb 4,000 workers,” he said, as quoted by kompas.com.

French mining firm Eramet controls 90 percent of WBN shares.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Japan provides Rp319 billion for e-education program in Yogya

Antara News, Sat, March 26 2011

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has provided funds amounting to Rp319 billion for the implementation of an e-education program at 500 schools in the Yogyakarta Special Region.

"We provide financial support for the project implementation program on utilization of information and communication technology to improve education quality and equity in the Yogyakarta Special Region," a JICA representative, Ohara. said here, Saturday.

According to Ohara, with the information and communication technology facility in schools, the teachers and the students can use it maximum in order to improve the quality of education.

"The teachers can also use those tools to develop teaching materials so that the process of teaching and learning in schools can take place more attractively," Ohara noted.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X said, to realize the success of the program it needs a play role of government, people and the world of education to jointly work together in building an information and communication technology-based education.

According to the governor, with that synergy, in 2020 Yogyakrata is expected to become a leading education region in Indonesia and even in the world.

"The success of the program can be implemented in other provinces so the goal in forming the intelligent and responsive future generation to information and communication technology can be achieved," he said.

Meanwhile, according to the director general of information application, the ministry of communication and information, Aswin Sasongko, the launching of the program with theme "Learning Without Limits" is to create learning opportunities for elementary and junior high school students without being tied to space and time.

"The program is funded by the Japanese government through JICA and it is a cooperation between the ministry of communication and information with Yogyakarta provincial administration through education, youth and sports office and it will be implemented in 500 schools in Yogyakarta," Aswin noted.

According to him, the program includes information and communication technology tools, learning content and training.

The implementation of the program was started in 2010 by building internet data center (IDC), network communications, procurement of the device in 110 schools, teaching materials, content development, teacher training and disbursement of block grant funds.

"The next step will be implementation in 2011 for 240 schools and 150 schools in 2012. Starting in 2012, the learning system will be implemented in other provinces," Aswin explained.

Editor: Ruslan Burhani

Related Article:

Friday, March 25, 2011

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.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Timor Leste interested in buying Indonesia-made ships

The Jakarta Post, Associated Press, Antara | Wed, 03/23/2011

Leste is interested in buying fast patrol boats produced by Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL and has asked Indonesia to provide an export credit for the purpose.

Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said at the presidential palace after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a meeting with visiting Timor Leste Primer Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao here on Tuesday that Timor Leste would buy two FPB boats each worth around US$20 million.

"They discussed it just now and the government is ready to provide an export credit through Indonesia`s export financing body. The price is about US$20 each and they (Timor Leste) have ordered two units," he said.

Besides fast patrol boats Timor Leste was also interested to increase military cooperation especially in the field of training by sending its officers to participate in Indonesia`s National Defense Institute (Lemhanas), Staff and Command College (Sesko) and Defense University (Unhan).

"(They) wish to increase military cooperation and military education. They wish to participate in Lemhanas, Sesko and Unhan. We have so far also received participants from other countries," he said.

Besides Timor Leste a number of countries in Southeast Asia have also been interested to buy Indonesia`s strategic industry products such as the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia.

Purnomo said the Philippines had expressed its interest in landing platform dock (LPD) ships which could accommodate helicopter and be used for transporting troops and in natural disaster handling operations.

Malaysia meanwhile has ordered ANOA tactical vehicle produced by arms industry PT Pindad while South Korea has ordered CN 235 aircraft produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Purnomo said.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao would be in Indonesia until March 25. Besides meeting with President Yudhoyono he was also scheduled to give a lecture at state University of Indonesia and attend an international defense convention here.

Nuclear Power Not Needed in Indonesia: PLN

Jakarta Globe, Ririn Radiawati Kusuma, March 23, 2011

Related articles

State Electricity Company (PLN) says it does not need nuclear power plants — yet.

The comments follow a continued effort by the National Nuclear Energy Agency (Batan) to push for the use of nuclear energy in Indonesia despite an international backlash due to the ongoing nuclear disaster in Japan.

“Commercially, Indonesia does not need nuclear power plants yet,” PLN president director Dahlan Iskan told the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday.

He said producing nuclear energy was more expensive than producing electricity from coal and gas.

He said as well as coal and gas, which Indonesia had in abundance, other options included renewable energies, such as hydro and geothermal.

He did, however, say that it would be good for Indonesia to begin preparations for the possibility of using nuclear energy.

Batan is now focusing on the island of Batam as a proposed site for a nuclear power plant. Batam lies uncomfortably close to the major fault line that produced the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.


Related Articles:

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Garuda allowed to fly directly to Syria

Antara News, Tue, March 22 2011

Related News

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Syria is to allow Indonesian flag carrier Garuda to fly directly to the Middle-Eastern country, chief economic minister Hatta Rajasa said here on Tuesday.

"They have offered Garuda to conduct direct flights to Syria based on the freedom right," he said after holding a bilateral talk with visiting Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Al-Dadari.

He said the opening of Garuda direct flights to that country was one of the topics discussed at the meeting.

The meeting also discussed implementation of Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA), Syria`s plan to implement infrastructure development with support of project officers from Indonesia and Syria`s plan to purchase helicopters from PT Dirgantara Indonesia.

"The Syrian deputy prime minister has already visited Bandung, the location of PT Dirgantara Indonesia and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)," he said.

During the visit to ITB Syria built education cooperation with regard to its plan to build a petroleum university.

"We will immediately follow up the cooperation by discussing it at a ministerial level," he said.

Indonesia and Syria has set up a business cooperation council on October 13, 2010 as a forum for developing business network and exchange of information between the two countries` businessmen and investors.

The two countries` governments are supporting cooperation between private parties for the development of economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

Germany's Metro Group to open local outlet in 2012

Rangga D. Fadillah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 03/22/2011

German-based retail giant Metro Group said on Tuesday it would open the first of about 20 planned retail outlets in Indonesia by 2012.

Metro Group chief executive officer Eckhard Cordes said in a press statement that over the past several years, Asian countries, including Indonesia, have emerged as potential targets for retailers seeking to expand their businesses.

“The presence of Metro Cash & Carry in Indonesia will create great momentum for our business expansion in the Asian market,” he said.

Cordes said Metro would open around 20 Metro Cash & Carry outlets across Indonesia, with the first to open in 2012, if the economic conditions in Asia remained stable.

In the past 15 years, Metro Cash & Carry has opened stores in China, India, Japan, Vietnam and Pakistan. Indonesia would be the 31th country in the world that to have Metro Cash & Carry outlets, according to the release.

“With …a fast-growing economy and strong domestic consumption, Indonesia offers abundant potential for our retail business,” Metro Group management council member WH Muller said.

Indonesia to Invest in Oil, Mining in East Timor

Jakarta Globe, March 22, 2011


President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, right, drives East Timor Prime
Minister Xanana Gusmao in a golf cart during the latter's visit to the presidential
palace in Jakarta on Tuesday. Gusmao and Yudhoyono discussed bilateral issues
between the two countries. (AFP Photo)
Related articles

The Indonesian government has expressed an interest in investing in oil and mining infrastructure, among other industries, in East Timor.

“Economic cooperation is vital to developing infrastructure, trade and tourism in East Timor,” said Teuku Faizasyah, the presidential staff for international relations, at a press conference after a meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

“Indonesia is willing to invest in the oil and gas sectors,” he said.

The Indonesian government was responding to a bid from the East Timor government to encourage Indonesian investment in the country.

“The Indonesian government positively welcomes the invitation,” Teuku said.

Indonesia on Tuesday also offered its neighbor export credit facilities to purchase military equipment. But Teuku could not confirm the value of the export credit, as it would be discussed in further bilateral meetings between the two heads of state.

Yudhoyono and Xanana on Tuesday witnessed the signing a number of memorandums of understanding (MoU) by ministers from the two countries — including MoU on education and training, tourism and trade, infrastructure development, technical cooperation to decentralize government sectors, marine and fisheries, and transportation.

Prime Minister Xanana is scheduled to remain in Indonesia until March 25.

After his meeting with the president on Tuesday, Xanana was scheduled to give a public lecture at the University of Indonesia.

Antara

Related Articles:

Friday, March 18, 2011

Indonesia, Singapore to develop BBK Free Trade Zone

Antara News, Fri, March 18 2011

Related News

Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian and Singaporean governments cooperate in the development of Batam, Bintan and Karimun into an industrial zone competitive against other such projects in Asia and the Pacific.

A Working Group set up by the two countries on Wednesday agreed to develop the electronic, shipbuilding and network storage and server industry in Batam.

"This time we discussed action plans in exploring more than one sector for development, namely the electronic industry, ship building and network storage and servers," said Luky Eko Wuryanto who co chairs the group in Batam on Wednesday.

In addition to determining the three industries which will be developed in Batam the two countries will also discuss special incentives at Batam, Bintan, and Karimun free trade zone (BBK-FTZ).

"We are considering incentives expected by the investors," the official who is also deputy minister coordinating the economy of infrastructures and regional development.

In the meeting, Singapore also agreed to increase capacity building in running the BBK-FTZ by way of trainings with the special assistance of the Singapore government.

On the same place and occasion, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board Leo Yip said the working group also agreed to seriously develop Batam, Bintan and Karimun.

In the meantime Assistant Deputy Minister for Infrastructure of Water Resources of the Ministry Coordinating the Economy Purba Robert Sianipar said actually many industries would be developed in Batam, but the working group agreed to develop several of them only for the same of efficiency and practicality.

The electronic, ship building and network storage and server industry in Batam on the basis of the global investment trend.

He said the cooperation between the two countries is not only in drawing up a concept favorable to fellow naighbouring countries. The Singapore government is also agreed to conduct a joint promotion in introducing Batam in the world business.

In the meantime, besides cooperation in the development of Batam, the two countries also agreed to set up a working group for the development of manpower, investment, air transportation, tourism and agribusiness.

The working group was the result of a meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Singapore Prime Minister on May 17, 2010.

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Japan Asks for More LNG, Oil Supply From Indonesia

Jakarta Globe, March 17, 2011


An undated company handout photo showing a transport ship docked
at the Bontang LNG plant in Bontang, East Kalimantan. Indonesia,
the world’s third-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, has said it
was prepared to ship more of the cleaner-burning fuel to Japan if needed.
(Bloomberg Photo)

Related articles

Japan asked Indonesia on Thursday to supply it more liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil after a devastating earthquake crippled a nuclear power plant.

"After the tsunami and earthquake, Japan's nuclear power plant is damaged and we have a massive shortage of electricity...therefore I asked Indonesia's government to add to its imports of liquid gas and crude oil to Japan," Japan's vice minister of foreign affairs Makiko Kikuta told reporters in Jakarta.

Indonesia, a former OPEC oil producer, is the world's third-largest LNG exporter and largest exporter of thermal coal for power plants.

On Monday, Gde Pradnyana, a spokesman at BPMigas, said Indonesia was prepared to ship more of the cleaner-burning fuel to Japan if needed.

The supplies “will come from excess capacity at Bontang plant,” Pradnyana said, adding that there are still 20 cargoes available for sale from the plant in East Kalimantan province.

BPMigas said in July that Indonesia will offer 60 cargoes of LNG from Bontang, Tangguh and Arun plants to buyers from countries including Japan through 2012.

Arun in Aceh province and Bontang produced more than 95 percent of Indonesia’s LNG in 2009, according to Bloomberg calculations based on official data.

LNG is natural gas chilled to liquid form for transportation by ships to places not connected by pipelines. Qatar and Malaysia are the world’s largest and second-biggest exporters of the fuel, respectively.

Reuters, Bloomberg

Related Article:

RI sending mitigation team, US$2 million in aid to Japan

Antara News, Wed, March 16 2011

Marty also said Indonesia was also helped by Japan every time it was hit by a natural disaster and it was very reasonable and appropriate if on this occasion Indonesia assisted Japan in its time of need.

Related News


Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government is sending a disaster mitigation team and two million US dollars in aid to help Japan recover from its recent disaster, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said.

Speaking at a press conference with Japan`s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta at the Foreign Affairs Ministry here Wednesday, Marty said the 11-member disaster mitigation team would depart on Thursday, March 17, 2010.

Along with the disaster mitigation team, the Indonesian government would send funds for disaster aid amounting to two million US dollars.

"Besides sending a disaster mitigation team that is to be dispatched tomorrow (Thursday, March 17) consisting of approximately 11 people from Indonesia, the Indonesian government has also decided to provide a two million US dollar donation or contribution to the Japanese people and government," said Marty.

Marty also said Indonesia was also helped by Japan every time it was hit by a natural disaster and it was very reasonable and appropriate if on this occasion Indonesia assisted Japan in its time of need.

"In situations like this where an extraordinary natural disaster has occurred, we must not think as a country only but also as one humanitarian act that move together hand in hand in cooperation to assist the revival of the Japanese people," said Marty.

The arrival of Japan`s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta to Indonesia is to co-chair with Indonesia in the ASEAN Regional Forum Disaster Relief (ARF DiREx) which opened on Wednesday in Manado, North Sulawesi, and the "Priority Metropolitan Area" event, Kikuto is determined to make a success out of these two activities.

"In this visit I also met with Indonesian Vice President Boediono and a number of ministers who expressed their concerns and condolences for what happened in Japan," said Kikuta.

According to Kikuta, the Government of Japan highly appreciated Indonesian attitude in providing concrete assistance in the current Japanese situation where the situation is still chaotic after being hit by a 9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami.

The disaster is reported to cost almost 1000 casualties and about 2000 people are stated missing.

Until now the Indonesian government through its Embassy in Tokyo also had to deploy evacuation team for the citizens and to assist the Japanese government in overcoming the impact of natural disasters.

"I appreciate a lot for Indonesian support and assistance. Indonesia has managed to rise from some natural disaster that passed earlier, and then the people of Japan are also sure to rise again after this disaster," said Kikuta.

Editor: Heru

Related Article:

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

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.


Related Article:

Daihatsu Motor to invest $400m in Indonesia

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

Automaker Daihatsu Motor Company Ltd on Wednesday announced plans to invest US$400 million on its factory in Indonesia.

“The investment will not only be allocated to expanding the existing factory, but also to improve its technology and development,” Astra Daihatsu Motor president director Sudirman said after a meeting with Vice President Boediono on Wednesday, as quoted by kontan.co.id.

With the investment, the Daihatsu factory will have an expected production capacity of 100,000 vehicles a year and absorb 1,400 workers. At present, the company produces 330,000 vehicles in Indonesia each year.

“We will export 15 percent of our output,” Sudirman said.

Lotte Group to open 10 fast food restaurants in Jakarta

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

South Korean firm Lotte Group said on Wednesday it will open 10 fast food restaurants in Greater Jakarta this year.

The restaurant, to be named Lotteria, will be established jointly with AJBS Group, which will owns 49 percent of its shares.

“In the next five years, we expect to open 100 Lotteria in Greater Jakarta,” Lotteria director Yi Su Il said.

The company said it planned to open 100 new branches across Greater Jakarta over the next five years.

Japan investment in RI will continue as scheduled despite tragedy: Minister

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 03/15/2011

Japan’s investment plans in Indonesia will continue as scheduled despite the recent massive earthquake and tsunami, a senior minister says.

That investment includes the US$24 billion Metropolitan Priority Area (MPA) infrastructure project in Greater Jakarta.

After speaking with Japan’s ambassador to Indonesia, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa said the “kick-off meeting” for the MPA project will be held on March 17 as scheduled.

Hatta said the powerful quake that struck Japan would not impede the recent investment commitments of a number of the country’s major companies.

“All of the programs that have been committed to by Japan will still be realized. So far, everything is still on track, nothing has been delayed. Geothermal, MRT, transportation projects, JBIC [Japan Bank for International Cooperation], all are still ongoing,” he said Monday.

A significant growth in investment helped push Indonesia’s economy to grow above expectations last year at 6.1 percent. Japan was the fourth largest foreign investor in Indonesia in 2010, with total investments worth $712.6 million.

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce’s delegates visited Indonesia last month and pledged to invest up to $60 billion for the development of several economic corridors in Java and Sumatra.

The investments will be directed to five main sectors: transportation and infrastructure, electricity, industrial areas, clean water and oil and gas, Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) chair Hiromasa Yonekura said.

Included in Japan’s investment commitments are Japanese car maker Astra Daihatsu Motor’s Rp 2.1 trillion plan to build a new factory in East Karawang, West Java, this year; Mitsubishi Corporation’s $18 billion investment program for various projects over the next five years; and the ¥2 trillion ($24 billion) deal between the Japanese government and private firms to finance the construction of infrastructure in Greater Jakarta and surrounding areas scheduled to commence in 2013.

“The key is Japan’s rehabilitation and reconciliation. We have suffered the same thing so we understand. And we appreciate Japan’s commitment to continue the MPA project,” Hatta said, referencing the devastating 2004 tsunami that killed more than 130,000 people in Aceh.

Last Friday, Japan was struck by a powerful 8.9-magnitude earthquake off the country’s northeast coast, which triggered a tsunami that has been estimated to have killed at least 10,000 people.

Edy Putra Irawady, the deputy to the coordinating minister for the Economy, said Japan might move some of its production factories overseas to Indonesia to ease business activity in the country in the midst of its post-disaster recovery.

“The officials said that Japan’s program and projects in Indonesia are still ongoing, in fact they are offering cooperation in the construction of trade facilities,” he said after meeting with Japanese authorities in Tokyo.

“The tsunami only affected the Sendai port and Yokohama — I was worried that the electricity shortage would affect production but it turns out that Japanese firms can move their production activities overseas, including to Indonesia,” Edy said.

Government officials, businessmen and economists have been worried about Indonesia’s investment prospects with Japan, saying it may take time for Japan’s economy to recover from the disaster, which heavily damaged basic infrastructure such as seaports, power plants and roads.

— JP/ Esther Samboh

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Universities in Riau sign MoU with Jordanian university

Rizal Harahap, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Tue, 03/15/2011

Three universities in Riau Province hammered out a cooperation agreement in language education with Al Isra’ University in Amman, Jordan, on Tuesday.

The cooperation will include an exchange program of Indonesian language lecturers from three universities and Arabic language lecturers from the Jordanian counterpart.

Among the signatories of the MoU were Islamic University of Riau rector Detri Karya, Lancang Kuning University of Pekanbaru rector Sudi Fahmi, State Islamic Sultan Syarif Qasim University of Pekanbaru rector assistant Munzir Fahmi and Al Iqra’ University of Amman rector Nu’man Ahmad Al Khatib



Saturday, March 12, 2011

Saudi's STC to increase stake in Indonesia's NTS

Reuters, Sat Mar 12, 2011

  • Saudi Telecom to raise stake in Indonesia's NTS
  • To provide loans of $81 mln, followed by $290 mln

(Reuters) - Saudi Telecom Co (STC) said on Saturday it planned to rase its share in its affiliate NTS in Indonesia to 80 percent, and lend it more than $370 million, as it readies to expand in the Indonesian market.

Natrindo Telepon Selular (NTS Indonesia), now 51 percent owned by STC and 44 percent owned by Malaysia's Maxis Communications Bhd (MCB) , has set up a five-year plan to expand in Indonesia's telecom market, STC said in a bourse statement.

"Saudi Telecom has shown interest in taking this opportunity to increase its shares in (NTS) due to the growth prospects in the Indonesian economy," STC said.

"It agreed on Wednesday to give an initial loan of $81 million, followed by another loan of $290 million to be paid according to the firm's operational needs," the firm said.

The deal will cancel all the loans made to NTS by Maxis Communications, amounting to almost $412 million, and increase STC's stake to 80.1 percent from 51 percent.

Maxis Communications' share will fall to 14.9 percent from 44 percent, while the local partner will maintain a 5 percent stake.

The deal has yet to be approved by the Indonesian regulators.

NTS began its mobile phone services in 2008 and has more than 10 million customers, covering 400 cities in Indonesia, the statement added.

(Reporting by Asma Alsharif; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Japan grants rp1.8 billion for environmental project

Antara News, Thu, March 10 2011 

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Japanese embassy in Jakarta had given aid worth not less than 19.2 million yen (Rp1.8 billion) for two "Jakarta, Clean & Safe!" projects to enable the capital city to have a better environment.

The assistance was handed over by Ambassador Kojiro Shiojiri during the signing of a contract at the Japanese embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"The Japanese government has given the grant for two environmental projects for Jakarta to the Nahdlatul Ulama disaster and climate change mitigation institute and the Community Foundation for Sustainable Peace and Welfare," a press release received by ANTARA said.

The first project is a technological promotion on waste disposal in West Jakarta and the second project is to increase the ability of waste collection and separation in the last waste disposal location in Bekasi, the release said.

"The first assistance covers equipment to increase waste processing at the existing compost facility and the dissemination of information from waste processing information and compost facilities to the people," the release said.

"The second assistance is the supply of equipment needed for the waste selection process efficiently in Bekasi," he said.

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

20 Indonesian/Dutch players coming to RI for soccer event

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 03/09/2011

Twenty Indonesian soccer players of mixed descent from the Netherlands will arrive in Indonesia this Sunday for a special soccer-related event.

Former captain of the Netherlands
’ 2010 World Cup team Giovanni
van Bronckhorst
Among them is former captain of the Netherlands’ 2010 World Cup team Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the President’s special staffer for regional development and autonomy, Felix Wanggai, said Wednesday, as reported by antaranews.com.

They will be in Indonesia for 12 days for a program termed “Indonesia is my country”, which is aimed at motivating Indonesian players, Felix said.

All of the players are of Indonesian and Dutch descent and have played in competitions in Europe.

They will arrive in Indonesia this coming Sunday and leave on March 24. They will first go to Ambon before heading to Jakarta and then to Denpasar. During their visit, they will train young players, conduct workshops for local coaches and play in friendly competitions.

“They are also scheduled to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono," Felix said.


Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Huawei gets Indonesia submarine deal


Huawei is to build a submarine cable across the Straits of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia

Huawei Marine Networks has been awarded a contract for the Batam-Dumai-Melaka submarine cable project linking Malaysia and Indonesia. Huawei will offer end-to-end turnkey submarine system solutions for the project.

The BDM project will consist of a cable system across the Straits of Malacca between Melaka, Malaysia and Dumai and Batam, Indonesia. The cable route will have eight pipeline and sea-cable crossings. The new system will provide bandwidth improvement for Malaysia and Indonesia.

The 300 kilometre cable will have a capacity of 80 gigabits a second. The project is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2011.

Telekom Malaysia, Indonesia’s XL Axiata and infrastructure provider Moratel will build the system.

The advanced transmission technology and the support from Huawei’s parent, Global Marine Systems, will allow the system to bring high-capacity data communications to Malaysia and Indonesia in 2011, said Huawei Marine CFO, Zhou Jin. GTB

Mitsubishi to invest $18 billion in 4 projects

The Jakarta Post, Mon, 03/07/2011

Japan-based Mitsubishi Corporation will invest US$18 billion in Indonesia over the next five years for car production, infrastructure development, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and ferronickel smelting, according to the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

BKPM chairman Gita Wirjawan said on Friday that Mitsubishi was targeting to produce two million cars in Indonesia within five years. Mitsubishi’s car production was up almost 58 percent to 106,483 units in 2010, up from 61,735 in 2009.

As the factory construction would take one year, Mitsubishi would produce 500,000 cars a year beginning in 2012, Gita said.

He said Mitsubishi also planned to develop infrastructure projects in big cities called Metropolitan Priority Areas (MPA), including Jakarta.

Gita said part of the planned investment would be used to finance the construction of a LNG plant near the Donggi and Senoro gas fields in Central Sulawesi.

Mitsubishi is cooperating with state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina and private firm PT Medco Energi Internasional.

Gita said Mitsubishi was also taking part in the establishment of a ferronickel smelting plant in Teluk Weda, Halmahera, North Maluku, in cooperation with Eramet of France and state general mining company PT Aneka Tambang. (lfr)