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Kamala Harris champions women’s legal and political rights, countering Donald Trump’s machismo.
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Kamala Harris champions women’s legal and political rights, countering Donald Trump’s machismo.
The obligation to obtain halal certification leads to higher economic costs and corruption. Labeling products that are non-halal would be more efficient.
Entrepreneurs complain about the costly and complicated halal certification process. They must pay monthly fees for supervision.
Halal certification is slow due to inadequate supporting infrastructure. It has the potential to trigger a high-cost economy.
Entrepreneurs are pressured by the mandatory halal certification regulations. The costs associated with obtaining halal labels are considered expensive, and the procedures are complicated.
Rohingya refugees in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines are treated differently than those in Indonesia.
The selection of the KPK leadership is being forced through before the end of the terms of the DPR and Jokowi. Watch out for Presidential Palace appointees.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) strives to counter candidates supported by the Palace. It is an early projection for the 2029 General Elections.
Part of the public reveres habib and sayyid as a form of adoration for Prophet Muhammad. A controversy arises regarding the lineage of Bani Alawi.
Seven former members of Kuala Lumpur’s Overseas Voting Committee (PPLN) are convicted for falsifying voters data. Personnel are deemed incompetent.
The government is to combine BTN's sharia business unit with Bank Muamalat. This could lead to problems.
BTN Syariah is preparing to acquire Bank Muamalat. It is the latest option to improve the financial health of Bank Muamalat, despite the move being rejected by the MUI.
Letters that discuss Indonesia’s politics today and diplomatic relations with Malaysia.
Right of reply by the Indonesian Muslim Consumers Foundation regarding halal vaccines and a complaint to Telkomsel.
A push for halal-certified Covid vaccines began early this year. It could create opportunities for the use of particular brands of vaccines.
The Supreme Court decided that the government must provide halal-certified Covid-19 vaccines. The producer of the Zifivax vaccine in Indonesia, which has halal certification from the MUI, is controlled by some relatives of PDI-P party elites.
Letters: from the Pelalawan forest to handling an ankle injury.
Several drug inmates detained and tortured a Malaysian national at the Sekayu Prison in South Sumatra, for nine days. An inmate from the Nusakambangan Prison is involved.
The state has taken over the issuance of halal certification from the Indonesian Ulema Council. However, the council still has decisive authority.
Halal certificate application at the MUI is allegedly rife with bribes and extortion. Business owners are hoping for the transfer of halal certification authority from the MUI to the BPJPH to make the process easier and more transparent.
The Bukalapak initial public offering (IPO) is the beginning of a list of digital unicorns entering Indonesian Stock Exchange. Retail investors and public fund managers need to be cautious.
Bukalapak is breaking new record at the Indonesian Stock Exchange. Speculations on the potential big investors remain.
The dalang creates an aesthetic construct with layers of components. Voice, sound, diction, intonation and rhythm interconnect when he describes a scene, creates dialogue (with different personalities), introduces humor, makes Bhima move, and moves two wayang in combat.
Election for the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman turned heated. The Palace’s alleged support for one of the candidates puts pressures on voters.
The sinking of KRI Nanggala-402 leaves sorrow and a question: why was a vessel unfit for operations forced to sail? The large-scale procurement of arms is not an answer to the problems with military equipment.
There are reports that Nanggala-402 was not prepared for combat training. The 40-year-old submarine was riddled with problems before it sank. The Navy claims Nanggala was in solid condition and underwent routine maintenance.
The initial policies of the central government were deemed ill-suited. One of them is the hospital on Galang Island, whose planning is considered premature. Coordination between central and local governments in handling the pandemic is not very good.
Alex Ong has supported migrant workers in Malaysia for 20 years. He sold his company in order to focus on helping workers from Indonesia.
The Palace appears to be mobilizing influencers and ‘buzzers’—this era’s social media propagandists—to further its agendas. They actively posted during the KPK Law revision and more recently about a potential cabinet reshuffle. They may have received payment for their work on social media.
Bank Bali fugitive Joko Soegiarto Tjandra’s return home in July caused public uproar. His lawyer, Anita Kolopaking, explained why Joko prefer to stay in Malaysia.
Joko Tjandra used his networks to lobby law enforcers in Indonesia. His networks include a coordinating minister and the Malaysian attorney general.
Muhammad Falak bin Abbas was instructor to many important Muslim people of stature in this country. He took part in the Dutch resistance, and was prominent in politics.
Mahatir Mohamad was to relinquish his position as Malaysia’s prime minister after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum scheduled to be held this November in Kuala Lumpur, paving the way for People’s Justice Party (PKR) President Anwar Ibrahim to fill the country’s top position.
I WAS a participant with the highest rating in the #maudigaransimurah program of Bukalapak carried out on October 7-December 31, 2019.
The promise of fast and cheap Internet access in outer regions through the Palapa Ring has yet to materialize. The stumbling block is connecting the Internet to the optic fibre cable network.
UNEXPECTEDLY the rupiah appreciated when the situation in the Middle East is escalating.
HATIMA binti Sidik, an Indonesian migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, has not received salaries after working for eight months. The family of the woman from the Ai Nunuk hamlet, Serading village, Moyo Hilir subdistrict, Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, reported it to the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union through a WhatsApp message on October 28, 2019.
Bank Muamalat’s rights offering plan is delayed again. The Financial Services Authority questions the transaction scheme.
Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno:
The “halal tourism” program could spark some controversy. It needs to be evaluated to optimize its potential to attract Muslim tourists worldwide.
Bank Muamalat needs large capital injection to avoid bankruptcy. Do not ever mix political interests with business.
A new law in Brunei Darussalam imposes death by stoning for adultery and gay sex. The country draws international condemnation and boycott.
After the nation was rocked by a terrorist attack, the government of New Zealand immediately embraced the Muslim community and banned the sale of automatic weapons.
APORTION of the Jalan Raya Gubeng main thoroughfare in Surabaya, East Java, measuring some 250 square meters collapsed 20 meters, on Tuesday last week
For commenting on the volume of a mosque’s loudspeaker, Meliana was sentenced 18 months incarceration, despite minimal evidence. The sentence is harsher than that given to members of a mob in the Tanjung Balai riots.
After less than a year as Deputy Governor of Jakarta, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has given up his position in order to become Prabowo Subianto’s vice-presidential running mate.
Indonesian workers are still being sent to Malaysia illegally.
IN only a year, Mohamed Salah successfully changed the perception towards Islam from the pitch. Muslim soccer players are viewed to be capable of staying out of trouble due to abstinence from alcohol and gambling. Meanwhile, radical groups keep throwing threats since they view soccer as prohibited in Islam.
The salaries and allowances for the Steering Board of the Agency for the Implementation of State Ideology Pancasila (BPIP), amounting to more than Rp 100 million per person, have been in the spotlight.
After resigning from his position as Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2003, Mahathir Mohamad wanted to enjoy his retirement.
Or the first time, an opposition coalition has won in Malaysian general election. It's the victory of common sense.
SANDIAGA Salahuddin Uno accepted a new duty last February: becoming Chair of the Gerindra Party 2019 Presidential Election Campaign Team. Sandiaga, 48, was personally appointed by Prabowo Subianto, the party's general chair.
NEWS about the seizure of luxury yacht Equanimity by Indonesian Police off the coast of Bali on February 28 sparked a furor in Malaysia.
The government plans to collect alms from Muslim civil servants’ salaries.
The judge has decided in favor of the lawsuit of a mining company against the news website of Malaysiakini. There is fund raising activity to pay compensation.
The Adat Musi in North Sulawesi’s Talaud Islands have fought for freedom from discrimination for decades. They now have hope.
Indonesia and Malaysia want negotiations to review the decades-old Border Trade Agreement (BTA) and Border Cross Agreement (BCA) to be finalized immediately.
A day after the Royal Malaysian Police announced the arrest of Siti Aisyah, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi began keeping track of the case. She repeatedly contacted her Malaysian counterpart, in order to facilitate consular access for Siti Aisyah.
Indonesian workers are still being sent to Malaysia illegally. According to data from the East Nusa Tenggara police, over 2,000 people from the region were victims of trafficking to Malaysia throughout 2015 and 2016. Lured by promises of large salaries, workers have returned home with physical injuries, with some even losing their lives. Children are also targeted and sold. Sadly, even those holding work permits are not immune to servitude. Tempo and Malaysiakini’s investigation since September 2016 exposed an organized network of human traffickers spanning between Malaysia and certain parts of Indonesia. Billions of rupiah have been spent on recruitment of illegal workers, involving identity forgers and immigration officials. Perpetrators in Malaysia remain impervious to the law. This report is a collaborative project between Tempo, the Tempo Institute and Free Press Unlimited.
LOW Kok Thye didn't think Suryo Tan would betray his trust. Thye, also known as Nick Low or Dr. Nick, director of Malaysia's Southern Keratong Plantation, said Suryo scammed him in the process of obtaining land use permit for an oil palm plantation in Paser Regency, East Kalimantan. "The guy is cunning," Low said. Nick told his story during an interview with Tempo reporters Anton Aprianto and Prihandoko in South Jakarta, two weeks ago.
How did you get to know Suryo Tan?
Our company ran into an abandoned land problem in late 2011. We didn't know how to take care of it. Raymond Wong, our corporate lawyer, said he knew a man who could help, by the name of Suryo Tan. We did a background check. There were red flagsbut for the past four to five years he was clean.
When did the two of you first meet?
Lake Diatas (above), Lake Dibawah (below), and Lake Talang in Solok, West Sumatra, are like three sisters who live side by side. Lakes Diatas and Dibawah were formed when the earths plate rose, forming a series of mountains almost a million years ago, while the youngest, Lake Talang, was born later, after Mount Talang exploded thousands of years ago.
The beauty of the three sisters has not changed much, even though they are situated close to the main roads. Just climb the Cambai Hill to feast on the three lakesnot to mention Lake Singkarak Late, Mt. Talang, Mt. Singkarak, Mt. Merapi and Mt. Kerinciin one gaze.
The Halal Product Guarantee Law must be amended. Haram certificates would be cheaper.
Two years since its enactment, regulations on the implementation of the halal product guarantee are yet to be resolved by the government. A number of ministries feel cheated.
Much can be learned from an examination of the violence that broke out last week at Tanjungbalai. First, it is not true that every disturbance can be viewed in the same way and generalized into nothing more than an increase in intolerance and radicalism.
It is not always easy to draw conclusions about the root causes of violence and to offer simple and uniform solutions. Every outbreak has different roots and therefore its own specific characteristics. These differences are determined by a number of factors: history, geography and even demographics.
The past two months have been eventful for Vincent Guerend, 47, the European Union Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.
In April, he oversaw the visit of EU High Commissioner Federica Mogherini to Jakarta, who came to intensify cooperation between the European bloc and Indonesia. A month later, President Joko Widodo reciprocated by flying to four countries in Europe, including Belgium where he visited the EU headquarters.
Indonesia is endowed with a rich biodiversity that offers the country huge potential to develop a tourism industry based on an environmentally responsible program. Compared to conventional tourism, ecotourism offers extra benefits. Besides generating revenue, it is an effective medium for education and environmental conservation. Take the biodiversity park in Bangka-Belitung, developed by a group of local environmentalists. They succeeded not only in revitalizing the local economy badly affected by the collapse of the tin industry, they have also proven that through ecotourism, both local residents and tourists can be taught to conserve nature.
Azwir Malaon, deputy assistant minister for tourism at the ministry for tourism development and creative economy, said that these benefits would enable them to maximize Belitung's eco-tourism potential in the next three years, among others, by improving infrastructure and involving both the public private sectors. "Efforts to conserve nature, to improve people's welfare and to boost revenues can go hand in hand," he said. Two weeks ago, Azwir sat down for an interview with Tempo in his Jakarta office. Excerpts:
Halal Leisure in Lombok
Collaboration between communities, private enterprise and district government has made Lombok chosen as the world's best halal tourism destination. Nevertheless, it is not about promoting sharia law.
THE Best Halal Tourism and World's Best Halal Honeymoon awards at the World Halal Travel Summit last year prompted a number of regions around Indonesia to work on winning those awards. The interested provinces were Aceh and West Sumatra. The provincial administrations of these two provinces are now competing to develop halal (acceptable according to Islam) in their respective areas in the next three years. They are campaigning hard among tourism industry practitioners to develop this industry genre and allocating the necessary funding for the effort.
Lokot Ahmad Enda, who is assistant deputy director for the development of cultural tourism destinations at the tourism ministry, said in an interview that Indonesia has been late in developing halal tourism. In fact, the program was only seriously developed in Indonesia around 2012. "Even Thailand has been doing it for the last 15years and Malaysia started it 10 years ago," Lokot told Tempo English reporter Isma Savitri in an interview last April. Excerpts.
To many people, retirement means an easy life and relaxation. But to Malaysian elder statesman Tun Daim Zainuddin, freedom from government duties and politics means a chance to indulge in a longtime passionart. Yet, for this former Malaysian finance minister, it is not just about collecting paintings, sculptures and antique potteries. For the Tun (Malaysia's highest honorific bestowed on deserving citizens)as he is referred to by friends and associatesthe pleasure is in being able to share art with everyone. Hence the Ilham Art Gallery, containing exhibits that are open to the public for free, the first in Malaysia and perhaps even in the ASEAN region. It occupies three floors of the brand-new and imposing 60-floor Ilham building, which the Tun happens to own.
The 78-year-old Tun's unassuming and soft-spoken persona belies the power he once held and the influence he still retains. Trained as a lawyer and an urban planner, he rose high in his country's political and corporate world, specifically in property development and banking. He retired from public service in 2001, after having servedon two separate occasionsas Malaysia's finance minister. He was an elected parliamentarian representing Alor Star and was for years the treasurer of UMNO.
Malaysian Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali has declared there was no sufficient evidence to indict Prime Minister Najib Razak over allegations of receiving illicit money worth US$681 million. He said the funds in Najib's personal account were donations from the Saudi royal family and that some of them had already been paid back.
Last Tuesday, as a result, Malaysia's Kedah State Chief Minister Mukhriz Mahathir tendered his resignation. The son of former Premier Mahathir Mohamad said he was aware of waning public support after falling out with the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) leader.
Although it's not unheard of, the ethnic fusion music genre is not as popular as modern jazz, rock or pop. In Indonesia, only a handful of musicians has ventured to the considerably more limited market. A successful one is I Wayan Balawan, better known as Balawan.
The 42-year-old Balinese grew up with the sound of traditional gamelan music. Although he preferred rock during his teenage years, Balawan soon grew tired of it and put his heart into jazz, deciding to study it at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney. But as a Balinese, he felt his soul lay in the traditional music of the island. "I feel comfortable with Balinese music," he said.
The three daughters of the late Mohammad Hatta, Indonesia's first Vice President and co-proclamator of the nation's declaration of independence in 1945, recently got together in Jakarta to witness the launching of a reprint of their father's book on cooperatives.
It was an auspicious occasion for the Hattas Meutia, Gemala and Halida whose father wrote Membangun Kooperasi dan Kooperasi Membangun ('Building Cooperatives and Cooperatives Build') back in 1971. Bung Hatta, as he was popularly known, believed that cooperatives were an alternative economic system that could work in building a democratic society. The book contains a compilation of the thoughts and speeches of Bung Hatta on a number of topics that stress on the principle of gotong-royong, or mutual assistance.
It is pivotal for a hotel chain to understand the market. This is why Garth Simmons, appointed as chief operating officer (COO) for Accor Hotels in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore five months ago, tries hard to understand the culture and the industry of the region he is currently in charge of. This is especially the case with Indonesia, where there is more room for the company to grow.
The French company continues to expand, despite the current global economic slowdown. Last month, Accor opened its 100th hotel, the Novotel in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
Founded in 1948, Interbat is one of the country's top five pharmaceutical companies. It manufactures more than 270 pharmaceutical products, some of which are exported to Africa and other countries in Asia. Two months ago, Tempo came upon a document that triggered suspicions of Interbat paying doctors and hospitals in several regions to sell its drugs.
Interbat's CEO Noto Sukamto refused Tempo's request for an interview and instead referred us to the company's lawyer, Pieter Talaway. Talaway rejected all the allegations, claiming that Interbat was the victim of slander by some of the company's disgruntled employees. "There's plenty of unpleasant talk," he said at his Surabaya office two weeks ago.
The banning of Lentera, a student magazine, by the Salatiga Satya Wancana Christian University authorities was an overreaction. This type of ban should not happen at a university, which should uphold academic liberty and freedom of expression.
The university leaders said that they had banned the edition of Lentera published at the beginning of October because the editorial team had not consulted them beforehand on the contents of the magazine with the cover story titled 'the Red City of Salatiga'. In addition to sounding contrived, this reminds us of the 'censorship tradition' common during the New Order regime. Furthermore, the university authorities only asked for the magazine to be withdrawn after meeting with the mayor, the police and military officials in Salatiga, Central Java.
AS of next month, the bank accounts of 560 members of the House of Representatives (DPR) will have grown substantially. Their salaries, which were around Rp51-54 million per month, will increase to Rp58-60 million. This is due to increases in bonuses and allowances for electricity and phone bills, all approved by the government and on July 9 decreed by the finance ministry.
Looking at their basic salary, a DPR member earns just Rp4.2 million per month. This number is difficult to play around with considering it is calculated in relation to Indonesians' per capita income, which is used as the basis of the their salaries, is Rp3.5 million per month.
ON the way home to the ministers' housing complex at Widya Chandra in South Jakarta, State Secretariat Minister Pratikno's cellphone rang. At the other end of the line, an aide to President Joko Widodo forwarded an important message Tuesday evening last week. Pratikno was to draw up a presidential order.
Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, now Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, was to step back from his post as chief of the Presidential Staff Office. President Jokowi also gave another order to Pratikno concerning Luhut's replacement, and to begin preparations for an inauguration ceremony for the said replacement at the State Palace the morning after.
President Joko Widodo had good reasons to send Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, 52, to meet protesting labor union members last September 1. He is, after all, well-known for his negotiating skills. "Yes, that's my job. Anyway the President was having dinner with (an association of) minibus drivers," explained Pramono.
He was sworn in to his present position as minister in charge of cabinet affairs on August 12, replacing Andi Wijayanto. In addition to his main job, based on clear-cut regulations, the President has asked him to bridge relations between the Palace and political forces. "This is not just with coalition parties but also with the others," said Pramono, in a special interview with Tempo reporters Jobpie Sugiharto, Isma Savitri, Retno Sulistyowati and Sunudyantoro, at his office, last week.
A discussion between Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX and Antonius Hermanus Johannes Lovink at the Koning Palace came to a halt with an announcement by a protocol officer at the Paleis te Koningsplein (King's Palace). The officer told those present to rise: Queen Juliana Louise Marie Wilhelmina of the Netherlands would soon be calling in from Amsterdam. The call was related to the most important business of the day: Dutch recognition of Indonesian sovereignty.
Fifty-two year old Malaysian cartoonist, Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, better known as Zunar, will be on trial on July 7, over nine charges of inciting hatred against the government, a violation of a 1948 law, and a 1984 law on the press and publications (PPA 1984). He was active when former Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was arrested.
Around 50 journalists crammed into a Japanese restaurant in Senopati, South Jakarta, on Tuesday evening last week. They were waiting for the appearance of a man with the initials 'BS' who has recently become infamous. BS' legal team had previously announced that 'Balbalan Sakti'-not his real name-would appear at the press conference.
President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has appointed a special envoy, ambassador Eddy Pratomo, for the establishment of a fixed maritime border between Indonesia and Malaysia. The appointment follows up on bilateral meetings held between President Jokowi and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak from January 25-28 and February 5-7.
According to Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman, Arrmanatha Nasir, Eddy will soon meet with Malaysian special envoy Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahman. As agreed by both heads of state, the special envoys will be tasked with providing political counsel, legal advice and technical expertise to resolve maritime border issues between the two countries.
By looking at his large, tall physique, one would not guess Horst Henry Geerken, author of Hitlers Griff nach Asien, will be 83 years old this coming August. His voice is firm and his mind very clear in his responses to Tempo's questions on his book, containing hundreds of pages which he completed in five years.
From 1963 to 1981, Geerken was an expert for AEG Telefunken in Jakarta. It was Geerken who set up the national radio station, the Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI). He was also asked by Navy Chief Adm. R.E Martadinata to build the Navy's radio transmissions. After this contract of work in Jakarta ended, Geerken went home to Germany and lived in Bonn. But he would come back every year to Indonesia with his wife, Anette Braker, an expert in Malay language at Bonn University.
A STATUE depicting Tinhn Loai Han, a woman who committed suicide after being raped, greeted visitors entering the Indochinese refugee camp in Galang Island, in the Riau Archipelagonow a tourism site. Inside, dilapidated structures are spread around 80 hectares of land, surrounded by trees, shrubs and manicured lawn. Former refugees' accommodations are covered with tall grass, except for one run-down wooden barrack. "The military tore them down over the years to discourage people from coming," Abdul Syukur, field coordinator of Galang Island Tourism Area, told Tempo English last week.
As many as 250,000 refugees tried to escape the war in Vietnam and Cambodia from 1979 onwards. Some fled overland to areas bordering Thailand, others crammed fishing boats and sailed southwards, in search of safety and a better life. Adnan, 49, head of the Galang refugee museum, who greeted those coming to revisit the site, would find them crying but feeling grateful. "I just met Nguyen Than Quan, a 70-year-old man who owns a successful ceramics business in the US. He was very moved to find out that the camp still existed," said Adnan. He was one of the more fortunate refugees. Many perished at sea, trying to reach Galang or died from disease and depression at the camp.
MUHAMMAD Syarif's father got a call from his brother who has been living in Malaysia, offering Syarif an opportunity to continue his studies in Malaysia. Syarif, a teacher of English and Qur'an reading, at the resettlement camp in Arakan (now Rakhine) state in Myanmar, agreed to join his uncle. "I won't improve here (in Rakhine)," said 16-year-old Syarif.
But the refugees are not allowed to go anywhere. "We could be punished if we go out of the camp," Syarif told Tempo when he was interviewed at Kuala Cangkoy in North Aceh, a few days after he landed ashore. The Rohingyas, who are not recognized as Myanmar citizens, are often attacked by the military and extremist Buddhists.
IN mid-2012, the first world Congress of Indonesian Diaspora convened in Los Angeles. They came from many corners of the world: Australia, Holland, Qatar, Madagascar, Malaysia, Suriname, South Africa, Germany, Japan, New Caledonia and many others. It was then that Indonesians living abroad awakened to a new realization: that they were a large, dynamic, diverse community with much to offer one another and to Indonesia. It did not matter where they lived, what passports they carried or what their first language was. What mattered first and foremost was that they shared the same bond as members of the Indonesian diaspora. An Indonesian diaspora is defined as any person who has blood or cultural ties to Indonesia (berdarah atau berbudaya Indonesia), regardless of their nationality.
The first day of President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's visit to Malaysia went according to the plan set by his office. On that Thursday two weeks ago, Jokowi met Malaysia's King Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at the National Palace. On the second day, after an official meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Putrajaya, Jokowi was scheduled to visit Proton Holdings' automotive plant in Selangor.
THE terrace behind Sultan Imanuddin General Hospital in Pangkalan Bun suddenly seemed like a furniture workshop. On Tuesday night last week, in the area next to the morgue, about 50 workers cut rafter-length pieces of wood. Planes and hammers noisily did their jobs.
"The regent asked for 162 coffins to be made," said Juni Gultom, 42, head of the Bina Marga Division of the Office of Public Works for West Kotawaringin Regency in Central Kalimantan. Juni was appointed by Regent Ujang Iskandar to coordinate the project, and assigned to make sure the quality of the coffins matched the specifications requested by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). "The SAR Agency asked that the coffins use aluminum foil. They had given their approval on the shape and size."
With the lawmakers' withdrawal last week of a proposal that would have limited foreign ownership in Indonesian plantations to 30 percent, chief among those breathing a sigh of relief were undoubtedly some of Malaysia's top palm oil conglomerates.
Of the 3.5 million hectares of oil palm plantation land bank that Malaysian companies control outside their own country, a staggering 52 percent are located in Indonesia. Papua New Guinea is next on the list at 31 percent, followed by Liberia and Congo.
FOR a philologista person who studies literary textssuch as Suryadi, 49, the Library of the University of Leiden, Holland, is like the cave full of treasures in A Thousand and One Nights. How could it not be, with thousands of ancient manuscripts from Indonesia. This is where Suryadi found old Minangkabau manuscripts such as Syair Sunur, which he perused to write a thesis for his master's degree from the Leiden in 2002. He also discovered the Poetry of Mecca and Medina, said to be the first Malay-language book on haj pilgrimages rites.
"In my article for the festschrift (a book of contributed writings) of Professor Taufik Abdullah (History and Dialogue of Civilization: Contributions on 70 Years of Prof. Dr. Taufik Abdullah), I called this work of poetry the world's first haj pilgrimage rites book written in Malay," Suryadi told Tempo.
INTERNATIONAL drug dealers use Malaysia as the final stop before their illicit goods enter Indonesia. Passing various unprotected points along the border, the drugs enter the country for wide distribution. Hundreds of small roads connecting West Kalimantan and Malaysia are used to move narcotics, especially crystal meth.
ADRIANUS Meliala-a member of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas)-nervously stroked his hair, scratched his face, stared at his hands and stammered when he spoke. "I never knew it would turn out so bad. What will Kompolnas do to me?" he asked.
The public was recently shocked by his statement in a television interview last month that two police officers assigned to the West Java Police Crime Unit had been indicted for the crime of gambling online. Even more astounding was his revelation that the same Crime Unit was an ATM (cash machine) for police officers. When other sections needed money, they always came to this unit for help. "Like it or not, we must admit that the police has indeed been involved in shenanigans," said Adrianus in the interview.
The winding dike cuts across the rice fields of the village of Talawi Mudiak, Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, some 110 kilometers from Padang. It was a favorite playground for children. To make conditions even sweeter, nearby at the end of the footpath was the tributary of the river Batang Ombilin where the water was fresh water despite being brown.
Every time he looked at the dike, Ramidi, 77, recalled what his father, Muhamad Didong, said. "Yamin always walked in the forefront along the dike. Like a leader, he would herd his friends to Batang Ombilin to take a bath. His qualities as a leader were obvious to his peers," said Ramidi late last July, quoting his father. Didong was the second eldest brother of Muhammad Yamin's five siblings, all born from the same father and mother.
Hendra Utama's handwriting was unmistakable on the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) audit document from a slaughterhouse in Rockhampton, Australia, 600 kilometers north of Brisbane. The delegation from the MUI's Food, Medicine and Cosmetics Monitoring Agency (LPPOM) had discovered that the cattle owned by Jose Batista Sobrinho (JBS) Australia, a branch of the largest food processing company in the world, had not been slaughtered in the halal way, or according to Muslim standards of permissibility.
According to Hendra, even though the practice of knocking cattle unconscious before killing them conformed to the rules, there were no checks to ensure that the bovines were still alive at the time of their slaughter. That was crucial, because if bovines die before the slaughter, their meat becomes haram, or forbidden. Strangely enough, in the conclusion of the sample audit from the 10 JBS-owned slaughterhouses, Hendra wrote, "Indonesia will encourage the AHFS to provide a halal certificate to all the JBS abbattoirs that supply cow head skin for Gelita."
A Malaysia Airlines plane flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed in Ukraine on Thursday last week. All of the 298 passengers and crew were killed. Data announced by Malaysia Airlines showed that 13 passengers were Indonesian citizens. The largest number of victims were 154 Dutch citizens.
"We were informed that the Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed in northern Torez, eastern Ukraine," Ukrainian military spokesman Vladislav Seleznev told RIA Novosti news agency.
Java and Bali have been declared free of malaria since 1965, but not so the outer islands of Indonesia. Large tracts of undeveloped landmostly swamps and marsheshave been fertile breeding grounds for the anopheles mosquito, carriers of the plasmodium parasite which causes malaria. Two areas known for their endemic malaria problem are the regency of Bangka in Bangka Belitung Island and the district of Sikka in East Nusa Tenggara. Local initiatives, however, have helped to solve the problem and drastically reduced the number of malaria victims in those areas. Tempo English reports on malaria eradication efforts on World Malaria Day last April.
The sacred and bloody history of Pemecutan Palace.
A number of MUI senior officials are suspected of manipulating their authority to issue halal (allowed/legitimate in Islam) certification to companies in Australia and other countries. Some of them were even given important positions at a Belgian company.
The workings of the Cikeas inner circle have been revealed in the Hambalang investigation. There is Bu Pur and somebody claiming kinship with the President, names which vanished in the indictment against Deddy Kusdinar.
Ali Murtopo is accused of engineering the Malari Incident to do away with groups critical of the government.
The investigation into the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry employees backing online gambling is expanded to include many people. Ill-gotten gains from a political operation.
The presence of Hashim Djojohadikusumo at COP29 in Azerbaijan was considered as bearing a conflict of interests. He was promoting the business of Arsari Group.
The disbursement of People’s Business Credit faces numerous challenges. Farmers and small business owners are vulnerable to loan sharks and middlemen.
The plan for a super-holding for state-owned enterprises dates back to the New Order era. The SOEs Ministry will be replaced by a giant corporation.
With the Supreme Court’s judicial mafia, when one branch is lopped off, another 10 grow in its place. It needs to be comprehensively cleaned up.
The Supreme Court dismissed three judges suspected of accepting bribes in the Ronald Tannur case. This adversely impacts efforts to improve the judiciary.
Judicial Commission Chair Amzulian Rifai on the corruption in judicial institution involving judges.
Driven by corporate demand, helicopter business opportunities continue to grow. Operators are increasingly expanding their fleets.
There is an increasingly real threat to Indonesia’s biodiversity. It cannot be overcome through empty slogans at international forums.
KPU Chair Mochammad Afifuddin on turbulence within his institution following the dismissal of Hasyim Asy’ari, and the Constitutional Court’s decision on the regional head elections.
Various parties from the National Police Chief to the State Palace are accused of interfering in the KPK leadership candidates selection process. The candidates are divided into four clusters.
Tempo’s interview with Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi about Jokowi’s campaign before the end of his tenure.
As President Jokowi's term neared its end, instructions were given to promote the government's achievements, and billions of rupiah in contracts were offered to the media.
Jakarta governor and deputy governor candidates promise improvements in inclusive public transportation.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Muhammad Syarifuddin uses artificial intelligence to handle cases. Case brokers continue to be a threat.
Media companies are experiencing upheaval due to the rapid changes in the business landscape. The industry is moving towards a new equilibrium.
Using a variety of pretexts, the political parties replace elected legislative candidates. This is a betrayal of the people’s choice.
Hendra Sabarudin’s drug network distributed methamphetamine from Tarakan prison starting in 2017, allegedly aided by police and prison guards.
The government plans to dredge 17.6 billion cubic meters of sea sand and sediment, altering the landscape and destroying marine life.
The government designated a number of areas as zones for cleaning sediment and sea sand.
Anindya Bakrie ousts Arsjad Rasjid from the position of General Chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin). The Palace’s support shifted.
Anindya Bakrie ousted Arsjad Rasjid as the Chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin). The organization is becoming like a political party and enjoys large funds coming in from overseas.
Gubernatorial candidates are trying to win over the votes of Anies Baswedan supporters in the Jakarta regional election. Jokowi reportedly shifted his support.
Pramono Anung and Ridwan Kamil shed light on the dynamics surrounding their appointments as Jakarta gubernatorial candidates.
Police uncover baby trafficking syndicate operating in Java-Bali since 2023. Five babies were already sold.
News summary on the conflict of interest of KPK leadership candidates and 44 ministries in Prabowo’s government.
Commission III of the House of Representatives rejected all the Supreme Court judge candidates proposed by the Judicial Commission. The rejection allegedly was due to their favored candidate failed to pass.
BRIN is designing the Peluit-40 nuclear reactor to replace diesel power plants, claiming it to be safer.
The Bocor Alus Politik podcast receives the Udin Award that we dedicate to our viewers and readers.
An exclusive Tempo interview with Anies Baswedan regarding his chances to run in the Jakarta regional head election.
Jokowi and Prabowo’s coalition are maneuvering to thwart Anies Baswedan’s candidacy in the Jakarta regional head election. Cabinet posts are being offered as inducements.
Tommy Hermawan Lo’s name emerges following the mention of Mr. T in online gambling that involves human trafficking case. He is a director at a casino management company.
Victims of human trafficking for online gambling and scamming in Cambodia claimed of being forced to work 12-hour shifts and being beaten. Recruitment is still ongoing.
The battle in the presidential election is set to continue in regional head elections. The PDI-P is determined to challenge President Joko Widodo’s candidates.
Personal protective equipment corruption suspect, Budi Sylvana, denied inflicting up to Rp300 billion of losses to the state. He revealed the roles of other officials in the case.
Muhammadiyah follows Nahdlatul Ulama’s step to accept mining concession offer from the government. Muhammadiyah General Chair Haedar Nashir explains about it.
Muhammadiyah accepts the government’s mining concession offer. Many members are against it. Busyro Muqoddas, Chair of Muhammadiyah’s Law and Human Rights Council explains.
Muhammadiyah cadres and administrators are divided in their response to the mining concession. There are whispers from the government and the entrepreneurs.
Retno Marsudi dismissed the idea that the government is merely meddling foreign affairs. She emphasized that Indonesia is a trusted partner on the international stage.
Chair of IDI, Mohammad Adib Khumaidi, discusses the polemic over the plan to allow foreign doctors to practice in Indonesia. He emphasizes stringent regulations are necessary.
Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie explains the cyberattack on the Temporary National Data Center. He dismisses allegations of negligence.
Infinite Earth responds regarding the revocation of Rimba Raya Conservation’s ecosystem restoration permit.
There will be a wave of layoffs at Tokopedia as a result of inefficient practices. This is the result of government policy rife with conflicts of interest.
The PDI-P is preparing to replace Hasto Kristiyanto after he was questioned by the KPK in the Harun Masiku case. They are wary of the Palace’s interference.
The founders of GoTo and Tokopedia sold their shares. New investors now have control of ownership.
Tokopedia made significant cuts in its workforce following its business consolidation with TikTok. A consequence of inefficient business operation.
Muhammadiyah’s business networks cover various sectors, from education to financial services. It seeks to create a closed economic ecosystem.
Muhammadiyah withdrew trillions of rupiah from Bank Syariah Indonesia. It was the accumulation of various problems, from operational matters to appointment of commissioners.
Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi talks about the polemic over the planned revision of the Broadcasting Law and the Starlink Internet service.
Narendra Modi is likely to serve his third term as the Prime Minister of India. His campaigns are based on populism and religion.
The fintech lending business is increasingly losing steam. Returns continue to decline while fund owners are opting for other investment portfolios.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno assures that the tourism fee will not be imposed on plane tickets.
The Constitutional Court rejected lawsuits disputing the results of the 2024 presidential election. The option of disqualifying Gibran was discussed in a meeting of the judges.
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi explains the Gaza war and the Iran-Israel conflict with its impact on Indonesia’s economy.
Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) cannot be closed even if they do not have a license from the government. There is no protection from the Ministry of Religious Affairs if legal problems arise.
The Rabithah Alawiyah organization is in charge of recording and preserving the line of descent of the Alawiyyin in Indonesia. Seven books from Yemen serve as their guide.
Several companies are applying for permits to utilize sediment, including sea sand. Large corporations use landfills for land reclamation areas.
Indigenous people are taking legal action against the President and the DPR for delaying deliberations of a bill. It has taken second place to the interests of investors.
State banks stop distributing loans to state construction companies. Government assignment projects are burdening banks.
The government opens the option of switching energy subsidies for the free lunch program. This threatens poor households.
The government issues a regulation to develop the game industry. There will be a special funding agency.
Discussions of the Asset Recovery Draft Law is stagnating in the DPR. It is key to preventing money laundering.
TikTok Shop’s acquisition of Tokopedia changes the Indonesian business map. It is not clear how small and medium enterprises will be protected.
The prosecutor persists in filing a cassation against the acquittal of Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti. It is a threat to the freedom of expression.
GoTo CEO Patrick Waluyo reveals the story behind the selling of Tokopedia shares to TikTok. How much profit did GoTo get?
The integration of TikTok Shop with Tokopedia will reinforce GoTo’s business. Indonesia’s e-commerce competition landscape is changing.
The presidential and vice-presidential candidates are relying entirely on gimmicks to exploit the emotions of the people. This moves the campaign away from substantive discussions.
Do the presidential candidates succeed in attracting young voters with social media gimmicks?
Budiman Sudjatmiko persuades other activists to support Prabowo Subianto. He claims he is not motivated by money.
How does the Indonesian Solidarity Party get its funding? Is the aid from conglomerate bosses like Djarum’s owner true?
Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko is writing regarding his alleged interference in electric vehicle policy over Wuling’s SNI certification.
Post-Firli Bahuri, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is still walking backward toward its grave. A radical reform is needed.
The presidential candidates’ campaign teams are an illustration of the type of government they would form if elected. Businesspeople have a central role.
The Corruption Eradication Commission is no longer independent ever since it became part of the executive body. The fruit of the revised KPK Law.
In Indonesia, presidential candidate debates are planned as bogus performances. There is no in-depth discussion of the issues.
Yet again, a member of the Supreme Audit Agency is involved in corruption. The system for selecting these state auditors is very poor.
Judicial Commission Chairman Amzulian Rifai explains the boundaries of his authority in dealing with judges, and the Judicial Commission Bill.
Sandiaga Uno and Garibaldi Thohir’s company is in conflict with local miners. The amount of compensation is considered inadequate.
Having no democratic legitimacy, Gibran Rakabuming Raka must withdraw his candidacy for the vice-presidency.
Tempo's special interview with MKMK Chairman Jimly Asshiddiqie regarding the dismissal of Anwar Usman as Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.
The program to put coal-fired power plants (PLTU) into early retirement is hampered by funding problems. As grants are stuck, the state budget must be disbursed.
Nepotism is the close relative of corruption and dictatorship. The Indonesian Independence Proclamation places nepotism as a threat to independence.
Constitutional Court Chief Justice Anwar Usman is reportedly maneuvering to lower the minimum age limit for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, paving the way for Gibran.
The Constitutional Court reportedly already made a decision in favor of a lawsuit regarding the minimum age requirement for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The issue is rife with conflicts of interest.
Carbon trading is simply a way to mitigate climate change. The main aims are the energy transition and environmental protection.
The Indonesian Stock Exchange established four carbon trading mechanisms. There were 27 transactions in three schemes in the initial sale.
Presidential candidates’ supporters are creating unfavorable atmosphere in the build-up to the 2024 general elections with them more inclined to speak about rivals’ weaknesses than promoting their champions’ profiles.
The 2024 presidential candidates are competing to garner support from retired generals. This perpetuates the militaristic nature of Indonesian politics.
The plan from the OJK to introduce carbon units as securities could lead to problems. Carbon trading no longer means a reduction in emissions.
The three soldiers who allegedly killed a civilian should be tried in a criminal court. The Military Courts Law needs to be revised.
The OJK regulates carbon exchanges as a securities trading platform. How will the OJK prevent greenwashing in the carbon exchange?
The news in our media is problematic. Why is that?
Voluntary carbon trading has stopped since 2021, due to upside down policies.
Individuals and companies are already implementing carbon trading in the voluntary market. But no price standard has been set.
News summary, from the dismissal on Budiman Sudjatmiko to Food Estate.
Former Director-General of Mineral and Coal, Ridwan Djamaluddin, is named as suspect in the Mandiodo Block nickel corruption case.
Why did the prominent figures from Papua fail to bring the Papuans to support the Republic of Indonesia?
The government faces difficulties accommodating kidney donors and recipients. The need for kidney donors is high, but the supply is very limited.
The police exposes Indonesian kidney trafficking network in Cambodia. The victims are enticed through social media.
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