Indonesia Topics

Jakarta Police arrested Wednesday 39 members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) for their alleged involvement in the so called Monas incident when they attacked a group of people on Sunday.

The arrest of 39 FPI members went without serious incident as previously worried after FPI leader Habib Rizieq Shihab gave his cooperation and ordered all FPI members not to resist arrest.

The police, fearing resistance from FPI members, were heavily armed and guarded FPI headquarters since early morning.

“Don’t be panic because whether or not you are declared suspects will depend upon investigation by the police,” Rizieq told his followers, as reported by SCTV TV station.

“We will send our lawyers to accompany you during questioning by the police.”

FPI members attacked the National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) activists at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta on Sunday in what FPI perceived as defending the devan Islamic sect of Ahmadiyah.

FPI has urged the government to ban Ahmadiyah for not following mainstream Islamic tenets especially in regarding founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet. Mainstream Muslims regard Prophet Muhammad as the seal of prophets and there will be no more prophets coming. (The Jakarta Post)

Last night, Kunto Aji is voted as the best performer during spectacular show Indonesian Idol in Balai Sarbini. Aji, his friendly name, brought a well-known Matta’s song “Ketahuan” in a swinging and jazzy way.

After all, he got the voice, he got the unique look and he got the guts to be a professional singer in Indonesia. Indra Lesmana, one of the judges who is also a jazz singer and composer, said that Aji could be the newest decent Indonesia jazz singer nowadays.

Anyway, enjoy the video of last night performance (23/5/08) by Kunto Aji.

FC Bayern Munchen and Indonesia’s national soccer team pledged an entertaining performance for their friendly match this Wednesday.

Munchen’s coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said at a Tuesday press conference players were ready to play their best despite a tiring flight.

He said he had prepared 17 young players to take on the hosts, and hoped they could provide some “technical football lessons” to Indonesian players.

“I also hope the Indonesian footballers can perform their best so that we can score as many goals as possible,” he said.

Indonesia coach Benny Dolo said he instructed his players to fight hard in the game, which will be held at Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta.

“I asked them not to overestimate Munchen even though they have world-class players,” he said.

It has been rare for a world-caliber team to visit Indonesia, he said, and he urged the players to make the most of the opportunity.

“By playing against Munchen, we will have a chance to learn modern football,” he said.

Munchen, the winner of the German League and the German Cup, will play without several starters, including Miroslav Klose, Phillips Lahm and Lucas Podolski, who are busy preparing for the Euro Championship.

Benny had yet to decide who would lead the team, although Ponaryo Astaman would seem the most likely choice.

Munchen is also expected to stop over in China and India for other friendly matches in the trip, which is part of the farewell Asian Tour by former German international goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

The 38-year-old has just quit the world of soccer after having been a professional player for 21 years, 14 years of which were for Munchen. Kahn resigned from the national team two years ago.

During his career with Munchen, Kahn led the club to eight German titles and a Champions League win in 2001. He was also named best goalkeeper and best player in the World Cup in 2002.

Kahn said he would take a break from soccer and had not yet planned to start a new career as a goalkeeper coach.

“I have been spending years as a footballer and it’s time for me to think of something else,” he said.

He said he planned to remain in the soccer world by being a commentator and helping the German team.

“I also hope I can get involved in football-related social actions in the near future,” he said. (The Jakarta Post)

Architect Sandra Angelia was crowned Miss Indonesia 2008 in a glamorous event Wednesday night at the Jakarta Convention Center, Central Jakarta.

The 22-year-old graduate of the University of Western Australia, Perth, will also be the country’s representative in the Miss World pageant this September.

Sandra represented East Java in the Miss Indonesia contest.

Dressed in a green Harry Darsono gown, she charmed the audience and members of the jury by confidently saying she would first improve legal enforcement if she was appointed as the country’s leader.

“After improving law enforcement, the education sector would be my next priority because I want poor children to be able to get the education they deserve,” she said.

Sandra will prepare for the Miss World pageant by increasing her knowledge of the country’s history and tourism as well as improving her English language skills. (The Jakarta Post)

Tonight may be the worst night for Indonesia’s male badminton players and officials. Surprisingly, they lost 0-3 from South Korea. Taufik Hidayat, the 2nd Indonesia’s single, even lost straight set 13-21 14-21 to Hyun Ii Lee.

Indonesia’s first single, Sony Dwi Kuncoro defeated 21-12, 12-21, 21-18 from Park Sung Hwan and the first double Markis/Hendra lost 21-19 18-21 21-10 to Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae.

Indonesia last won the Thomas Cup back in 2002. Yet, they can’t get the trophy back.

The last hope for Indonesia will be female Uber Cup who will face China in Final tomorrow. We wish you luck, guys!

Host Indonesia cruised into the final of the Uber Cup women team badminton championship on Thursday after trouncing Germany 3-1 in the semifinals.

Although losing the first single match, Indonesia bounced back by winning one double match and two singles matches against Germany.

Indonesia’s first single player Maria Kristin bowed out 20-21, 15-21 to Xu Huaiwen, but duo Jo Novita and Greysia Polii leveled the score, outwitting Germany’s pair Birgit Overzier and Kathrin
Piotrowshki 21-9, 21-13.

Indonesia took a 2-1 lead when Adriyanti Firdasari edged past Julianne Schenk 21-16, 22-20, before the last single player Pia Zebadiah ensured her country’s triumph over Germany with a 21-7, 21-16 win over Karin Schnaase.

Indonesia will take on defending champion and favorite China in the final, scheduled for Saturday.

It is Indonesia’s first final in ten years. The last time Indonesia won the Uber Cup was back in 1996. (The Jakarta post)

China and India gain popularity through the existence of “Chinatowns” and “Little Indias” all over the world. Now, Indonesia is set to follow suit by opening a permanent market in Shanghai on May 22.

The market, called “Indonesia Street”, will display high quality Indonesian products with competitive prices, according to Sukardi Koto, the CEO of Indonesia Street Shanghai.

“I often receive orders from Chinese business players. They are enthusiastic about Indonesian products because of good quality and affordable prices,” Sukardi said, as quoted by Antara.

In the long term, Sukardi added, another 10 Indonesian markets will be opened in 10 big cities in China.

“Indonesian business firms hope the Indonesia Streets will make it easier to attract Chinese customers and penetrate the market,” Sukardi said.

He said the Indonesia Street market, sponsored by Indonesian businesses and supported by the Indonesian and Chinese governments, would be a permanent feature so that people could visit whenever they want.

“We decided to open a market in Shanghai because it is a developed city with good infrastructure… and very strategic for business.

“Shanghai is not too far from Indonesia and there is a growing furniture production and retailing industry in the surrounding area, so we can promote our products there,” Sukardi said.

Projecting Indonesian artifacts and lifestyle, the market is also aimed at promoting Indonesian culture to the Chinese people.

“Indonesia Street will provide all things Indonesian.

“We aim to promote Indonesian culture as well as products and support the growth of Indonesian exports,” Sukardi said.

According to the Central Statistic Agency, Indonesia recorded an increase of 33 percent in total trade with China, from U$$10.97 billion in 2006 to $14.62 billion in 2007.

Non-oil and gas exports to China increased by 22 percent last year, from some $5.47 billion in 2006 to some $6.66 billion. Non-oil and gas imports from China increased by 45 percent, from $5.5 billion to $7.9 billion. (The Jakarta Post)

A Sinetron named Munajah Cinta used Rossa’s Takkan Berpaling DariMu as the soundtrack. This song has been requested by many people thus we make this song as song of the week. Rossa made double succes through this song and her previous song of Ayat-Ayat Cinta. Enjoy and sing with the lyrics!

Rossa - Takkan Berpaling Dari-Mu (Ost Munajah Cinta)

Kala malam bersihkan wajahnya dari bintang-bintang
Dan mulai turun setetes air langit dari tubuhnya
Tanpa sadar nikmatnya alam karena kuasa Mu
Yang tak kan habis sampai di akhir waktu perjalanan ini

Trima kasih ku padamu Tuhanku
Tak mungkin dapat terlukis oleh kata-kata
Hanya Dirimu yang tahu besar rasa cintaku pada Mu
Oh Tuhan anugerah Mu tak pernah berhenti
selalu datang kepadaku Tuhan semesta alam
dan satu janjiku tak kan berpaling dari Mu

Takan Berpaling Dari-Mu (Ost. Munajah Cinta) - Rossa

Download MP3 Rossa Takkan Berpaling darimu OST Munajah Cinta (Versi original sangat bagus, full version - CD quality)

Former Microsoft’s CEO Bill Gates arrived in Indonesia this morning and will meet the Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his palace this afternoon at 4pm. Tomorrow, Gates will be the keynote speaker in two events: Presidential Lecture and Government Leaders Forum Asia 2008 in Jakarta.

The visit of Bill Gates will be used by the Indonesia govt to promote Visit Indonesia 2008. Apart from that, Indonesia would also love to have Bill Gates’s business investment .

The government on Monday delayed issuing a decree to outlaw the Islamic sect Jamaah Ahmadiyah, saying it needed more time to draft the details of the legal document.

Last week, Attorney General Hendarman Supandji announced the joint ministerial decree would be made public Monday at the Home Ministry.

However, Home Minister Mardiyanto said Monday the government was still finalizing the decree to be signed by him, Hendarman and Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni.

The government was “very cautious” in drafting the decree to avoid incorrect interpretations from the public, Mardiyanto said.

“This a legal product that will be part of our positive law. We must be very cautious and precise to avoid violating the existing laws,” he told a news conference.

The Coordinating Board for Monitoring Mystical Beliefs in Society (Bakor Pakem) officially declared Ahmadiyah “heretical” last month and recommended the government ban it.

The interdepartmental board said it found Ahmadiyah had continued its religious activities that deviated from mainstream Islamic teachings.

Numerous hard-line and radical Muslim groups lauded the recommendation and demanded an immediate ban on Ahmadiyah.

However, moderate Muslim scholars and activists as well as human right campaigners condemned the anti-Ahmadiyah recommendation.

They warned President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono a ban on Ahmadiyah would be a serious violation of the Constitution, which could lead to his impeachment.

The ban, critics argued, would violate the article of the Constitution that guarantees freedom of religious beliefs.

House of Representatives speaker Agung Laksono similarly warned Monday such a ban could spark renewed violence against Ahmadiyah members.

Mardiyanto said the problem police faced in ensuring the protection of Ahmadiyah members from attacks was partly behind the delay.

Ahmadiyah spokesman Mubarik threatened to take legal action against the government should it go ahead with the issuance.

“The decision will be a legal product so we will file a complaint with a district court or ask the Constitutional Court to review it.

“Until we get a final verdict, we have the right to continue our activities,” he said.

Mubarik said the biggest concern for Ahmadiyah was that the decree would be used as justification by radical groups to renew attacks on the sect’s members across the country.

“For our members living in major cities, we are safe enough, but what about others living in villages who don’t have adequate protection from police?

“That’s why we have officially asked the National Police to protect all of our members,” he said.

Mubarik said new attacks on Ahmadiyah began right after the Bakor Pakem recommendation, including last week’s incident at Parakan Salak village in Sukabumi, West Java, where a group calling itself the Jamaah Al-Mubalighin Communication Forum burned down a mosque belonging to the sect. (The Jakarta Post)