Edition 14 December 2020

A Black Land Cruiser at Kilometer 50

The Megamendung Post’s Secret Code

Contemplating ON LPG’s Replacements

A Black Land Cruiser at Kilometer 50

Six Islam Defenders Front members died from gunshot wounds, all in the left chest. Prior, they were allegedly involved in a gunfight with the police, who had been following them from Rizieq Shihab’s home in Sentul, Bogor, West Java. According to witnesses and crime scene investigation, the victims were still alive when they were apprehended.

Cover Story

The Megamendung Post’s Secret Code

Muhammad Rizieq bin Hussein Shihab’s time at the Alam Agrokultural Islamic Boarding School in Megamendung, Puncak, Bogor Regency, West Java, has been leisurely.

Cover Story

A Feast That Ends in Prison

Police arrested Muhammad Rizieq Shihab for violating social distancing protocols. The FPI sees the accusation as far-fetched.

National

A Car for a Prospective Queen

Edhy Prabowo is suspected of ordering his men to purchase luxury watches using bribe funds given in connection with the export of lobster larvae. There are also indications that he purchased at least two automobiles, one of them purportedly given to a beauty pageant finalist.

Economy

Contemplating ON LPG’s Replacements

The government designed various options to curb the increasing cost and consumption of subsidized LPG. There is no clear answer yet on what to decide.

Economy

Cheap Gas, Heavy Cost

The government is preparing a cooperation scheme with private companies to finance the gas pipeline project in replace of LPG. PGN and other business entities are innovating commercially.

Economy

Half Hearted Induction Stoves

The government and PLN are promoting the use of electric stoves to reduce LPG consumption. Initial procurement cost proves to be a barrier for consumers.

Market Pulse

Trapped in An Old Paradigm

Yopie Hidayat (Contributor)

Interview

Agus Widjojo, Governor, National Resilience Institute: We Are Too Dependent on TNI

The army’s role in the recent sweeping operation to bring down the banners bearing Islam Defenders’ Front leader Muhammad Rizieq Shihab around Jakarta unsettled Agus Widjojo, governor of National Defense Institute (Lemhannas).

Letters

Sanctions for Rejecting Covid-19 Patients

IS it unlawful for hospitals rejecting Covid-19 patients? Article 32 paragraph 2 of Law No. 36/2009 on health prohibits hospitals from rejecting patients in emergency condition.

Cartoon

Social Aid Collection

Cartoon: Yuyun Nurrachman

Voicing Out Against Harassment

Actress Marissa Anita and singer Mian Tiara, survivors of sexual harassment, decided to speak out. They are campaigning to banish violence against women. Dr. Sophia Hage and Ernest Prakasa are also doing their part.

News Capsule

Jokowi’s Dynasty

PRESIDENT Joko Widodo’s son Gibran Rakabuming Raka and son-in-law Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution are almost certain of becoming regional heads.

Asean & Beyond

Signs of Peace in Rakhine

The Myanmar military and Arakan Army held a ceasefire in Rakhine. There is no guarantee that a further general election can be held in the Rohingya region.

Interlude

The Last Perkenier of Banda Naira

NUTMEG, the main commodity of the Banda Naira islands, had its heyday in the 16th century. The Dutch, through the Dutch East-Indies Company (VOC), even sent 37 perkeniers (plantation owners) from the Netherlands to Banda to manage the plantations, in order to cover the nutmeg monopoly supply for Europe’s market. Only one descendant remains of the 16th-century perkeniers: Pongky Erwandi van den Broeke, who manages 12.5 hectares of land. He was the victim of unrest in 1999.

Photo

Holy Smoke!..

Local residents are watching the mudflow of Mount Semeru, from the Piket Nol Bridge in Candipuro, Lumajang, East Java, Saturday, December 12. The mudflow in the Mount Semeru river basin area also carries hot lava, creating thick smokes and the stench of sulfur./ANTARA/Seno