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PRESS FREEDOM DAY

Violence
still haunts
journalists
at work
Marguerite Afra Sapiie
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA

Ikhsan Raharjo, 29, still remem-

bers covering the crash of a Brit-
ish-made Hawk 200 jet belong-
ing to the Indonesian Air Force in
Kampar regency, Riau, in 2012.
Like other journalists, Ikhsan,
who worked for a national radio
station at the time, immediate-
ly went to the crash site to report
the news. However, the journalists
were barred from carrying out their
duties by Air Force personnel.
“We could not even use our
equipment, such as recorders and
cameras, because the authorities
seized them. Residents also could
not take pictures,” said Ikhsan.
Several journalists at the site
even suffered physical violence at
the hands of Air Force personnel.
The military officials later
apologized for hindering the jour-
nalists’ work, but no official was
held accountable for the violence.
Former Jayapura Alliance of In-
dependent Journalists (AJI) chair-
man Victor Mambor said impuni-
ty still undermined press freedom
in Indonesia, especially in Papua,
which remained a difficult place for
both local and foreign journalists.
Victor, who has also experi-
enced intimidation by securi-
ty officials when doing his duty,
said since most cases of violence
against journalists remained un-
punished, most journalists did
not even bother to report the as-
saults to the police.
In the past two weeks, the AJI
recorded two cases of violence
against journalists in Papua. On
May 1, Jayapura Police personnel
allegedly assaulted Yance Wenda,
a local journalist working for the
Jubi daily and tabloidjubi.com,
while he was covering the arrest
of West Papua National Commit-
tee (KNPB) activists.
Three days earlier, three jour-
nalists from Metro TV, Jaya TV and
TVRI reportedly experienced in-
timidation while covering a trial at
the Wamena District Court. An un-
known group of people approached
and questioned them, then forced
them to delete their footage of the
trial. Police officers reportedly wit-
nessed the incident, but did noth-
ing to protect the journalists.
The incidents occurred around
the time of the commemora-
tion of World Press Freedom Day
(WPFD) in Jakarta, held from
Monday to Thursday, which has
been criticized for not including
any events discussing press free-
dom in the provinces of Papua
and West Papua.
“There are 1,500 journalists
at the [WPFD] event calling for
freedom of the press, but there,
in the eastern part of Indonesia,
journalists are still assaulted,”
Victor said.
This year’s WPFD highlighted
2017 as a critical time for jour-
nalism, given a worldwide trend
of physical attacks against jour-
nalists, and it called for an end to
impunity for crimes committed
against the media.
UNESCO, which co-organized
the global event with the Indo-
nesian government and the Press
Council, has called on Indone-
sia to end the cycle of violence
against journalists by thorough-
ly investigating any cases of vio-
lence and bringing the perpetra-
tors to justice.
The AJI released a report on
Wednesday revealing 72 cases of
violence against journalists be-
tween May 2016 and April 2017.
At least 38 of the cases involved
physical abuse and 14 the prohi-
bition of covering certain events.
The AJI recorded nine cases of
journalists being forced to delete
photos or footage, two cases of
criminalizing journalists and two
cases of verbal intimidation.
Pressing ahead: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (third left) talks with former president of Timor Leste Jose Ramos-Horta as they line up on stage along with Betlehem Isaak
of Eritrea (left to right), UNESCO director general Irina Bokova, Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara and head of the Press Council Yosep Adi Prasetyo
during a World Press Freedom Day 2017 commemoration at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta on Wednesday. Betlehem represented his father Dawit Isaak, who re-
ceived the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2017 from UNESCO for his commitment in journalism. READ ALSO p3
Jokowi vetoes Susi’s policy
Haeril Halim
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
Spearheaded by outspoken
Maritime Affairs and Fisher-
ies Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, the
far-reaching and ceaseless war
against illegal fishing has gone on
for more than two years now, gar-
nering praise domestically and
internationally for its triumphs.
However, the war has taken
a toll on an unintended victim:
small fishermen along the north-
ern coastline of Central Java and
East Java — the nation’s second and
third most populated provinces.
As many of the fishermen are
supporters of the largest Islamic
party in the House of Represen-
tatives, President Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo has caved to accommo-
date their demands, rather than
risk losing support for the simul-
taneous presidential and legisla-
tive elections in April 2019.
Jokowi has reversed Susi’s pol-
icy and allowed fishermen nation-
wide to return to using a modified
type of trawl net, known locally as
cantrang, which has long caused
environmental damages.
Susi, who has become a popu-
lar Cabinet minister due to her
unique charisma and policy of
sinking hundreds of foreign ves-
sels caught fishing illegally, issued
a regulation banning the use of
cantrang in 2015 to protect ma-
rine ecosystems and promote sus-
tainable fishing.
The President summoned Susi
UN CONFERENCE
RI scrapes through peer review on human rights
Tama Salim
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
Indonesia mounted a seeming-
ly successful defense of its human
rights issues during Wednesday’s
Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
at the United Nations in Gene-
va, but activists argue that many
rocks are still left unturned.
Leading a delegation to defend
Indonesia’s murky human rights
record, Foreign Minister Retno
LP Marsudi was faced with a bar-
rage of questions and recommen-
dations on a wide array of issues.
A delegate from Germany was
forthcoming when he recommend-
ed Indonesia “repeal or amend Ar-
ticles 106 and 110 of the Criminal
Code to avoid restrictions on the
freedom of expression.”
The two articles correspond
to charges of treason mounted
against alleged dissidents, rang-
ing from student activists in
Papua to the coordinator of the
March 31 (313) protests, Muham-
Jokowi backs down after
pressures from PKB
Susi insists ‘cantrang’
destroys environment
to the State Palace on Wednesday
and told her to allow fishermen to
continue using cantrang until late
2017.
“The instruction from the
President is to extend the use of
cantrang until late 2017, especial-
ly in Central Java,” Susi said.
Jokowi’s instruction came af-
ter National Awakening Party
(PKB) chairman Muhaimin Is-
kandar toured Java’s northern
coast last week.
Muhaimin reportedly received
complaints from fishermen that
the cantrang ban was being en-
forced at a time when the Mari-
Swept aside: Fishermen from East Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara province, haul in a cantrang net in
April 2016.
mad Al Khaththath, who was ar-
rested by authorities in Jakarta
for allegedly holding discussions
to overthrow the government.
The United States delegation
similarly recommended Indonesia
end prosecutions under the articles
for treason, so that the people may
“[exercise] freedom of expression
and peaceful assembly.”
Interestingly, the US also urged
Jakarta to “end prosecutions un-
der articles 156 and 156a of the
Criminal Code for exercising free-
dom of religion and expression.”
Both articles have been used
against incumbent Jakarta Gover-
nor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purna-
ma in his blasphemy trial. The US
delegation also “noted with con-
cern the failure to publish and en-
force a government-wide frame-
work of accountability for abuses
by the military and the police.”
The issue of tensions in Pap-
ua and West Papua provinces, al-
though mentioned a few times,
did not feature as prominently as
time Affairs
and Fisher-
ies Ministry
had not yet
provided any
environmen-
tally friendly
fishing equip-
JP/Dhoni Setiawan ment as an al-
Susi Pudjiastuti ternative.
“The PKB
doesn’t have any interest other
than seeing fishermen prosper. We
definitely don’t want to see them
fall into poverty,” Muhaimin said.
The PKB, a member of Jokowi’s
governing coalition, said Su-
si’s policy had led to 2.4 million
people becoming unemployed,
and argued that not all cantrang
harmed the ecosystem.
Susi said she was surprised
to learn about the fishermen’s
in previous UPR cycles, partly due
to concrete follow-ups from the
government, but also due to the
absence of countries who previ-
ously politicized the debate.
Members of the Melanesian
Spearhead Group, some of whom
— like the Marshall Islands, Vanu-
atu and the Solomon Islands, who
have rallied behind Papuan sepa-
ratists — were visibly absent in
Indonesia’s third UPR cycle.
Other predictable themes that
were raised by delegations of the
UN Human Rights Council include
issues such as Indonesia’s position
on torture practices, an appeal to
protect religious and sexual minor-
ities against discrimination and the
abolition of the death penalty.
In the government’s defense
of its continued use of the death
penalty, Law and Human Rights
Minister Yasonna H. Laoly once
again played the drug abuse card
to seek justification from the in-
ternational community.
“The death penalty is still part
complaints, and insisted that the
ministry had provided free en-
vironmentally friendly nets for
fishermen using vessels weigh-
ing less than 30 gross tons (GT)
immediately after the ban was
implemented.
“The program is not for big ves-
sels, but we can help them obtain
bank loans to buy environmental-
ly friendly nets,” Susi added.
Susi’s claim was denied by the
Office of Presidential Staff (KSP),
which revealed that as of April
2017 only around 10 percent of
fishermen who had previously
used cantrang received new nets
from the ministry.
Susi, however, has continued
to defend the policy, saying that
traditional fishermen did not use
cantrang, and only big vessels did
so. The protests, she argued, were
JP/Markus Makur
of Indonesia’s positive law; it is
our conviction that the rights
of the offenders must always be
weighed against the rights of the
victims, their families and further
rights of the community to live in
peace and security — as stipulated
in our constitution,” Yasonna told
the UPR session.
He did, however, acknowledge
the public discourse on limiting
executions taking place in the
country, as well as the ongoing re-
vision of the Criminal Code that,
if passed by lawmakers, would
reserve capital punishment as a
last resort with a real possibility
of commuting the sentences of
those who show good conduct.
Meanwhile, Retno listed In-
donesia’s concrete efforts and
achievements of the past four years
since its last UPR cycle in 2012.
In Jakarta, Yati Andriyani, co-
ordinator of the Commission for
Missing Persons and Victims of
Violence (Kontras), ar-
g u e d that there
Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay
mobilized by an illegal fishing ma-
fia that had lost income after the
policy was implemented.
Susi said she was surprised about
the complaints because the ban was
implemented after thorough dis-
cussion between fishermen, boat
owners and the Ombudsman be-
fore the policy was issued in 2015.
“When we talk about cantrang,
it is not about fishermen, but the
owners of vessels who are pro-
testing the policy. For small fish-
ermen, it is not the end of the
world, because we are providing
them with other tools to replace
cantrang,” Susi said.
Cantrang reach the bottom of
the seabed and sweep up all sea
life with their finer mesh, but this
also means they catch fish spawn
that are important for habitat
sustainability.
Susi said that Java’s northern
coastal area was suffering the ef-
fects of overfishing because can-
trang have been used for years,
and traditional fishermen across
the country also opposed big fish-
ing vessels operating in their ar-
eas by using such net. A vessel us-
ing the net, she said, could cover a
6-kilometer area in one sweep.
“Cantrang destroy the income
of traditional fishermen. These
legislators are not supporting a
policy that is good for fishermen
and the environment. Don’t bring
the fishermen issue into politics
because if we allow the use of can-
trang again Indonesia could suf-
fer from overfishing,” Susi said.
was an air of partiality and an at-
tempt to steer the opinion of the
international community.
She said the human rights is-
sues that Retno promoted as prog-
ress were “harmless” in gauging
the quality of law enforcement and
impunity in the country.
“Kontras deeply regrets that the
human rights agenda, as it pertains
to antiterrorism, was not given
room for discussion, and that the
quality of fundamental freedom is
not seen as a downward trend of
democracy, but rather as a partial
issue,” Yati said in a statement.
But Retno acknowledged even
this in her closing remarks at the
UPR session: “As a process and
long-term investment, our efforts
in the promotion and protection
of human rights are, most of the
time, not instantly visible.
“In this regard, sentiments of
encouragement and engagement
are preferable, rather than base-
less allegations that tend to create
resentment and retaliation.”

Inside
NATIONAL | p3 EDITORIAL | p6 SPORTS | p8 ASEAN | p10 WORLD | p12 FEATURES
F E | p24
Information, digital literacy ‘Unique’ Ronaldo leaves Thai news groups urge govt Five years, billions Remembering the Titan
Rem
key to fighting fake news Safety regulations matter Atletico needing a miracle to scrap media control bill to rebuild Mosul
2 | HEADLINES THURSDAY May 4, 2017

French election: Lessons from the anti-globalists

T
he likely victory of Em-
manuel Macron in the
French presidential
election has elicited a
global sigh of relief. At least Eu-
rope is not going down the protec-
tionist path that President Don-
ald Trump is forcing the United
States to take.
But advocates of globalization
should keep the champagne on
ice: protectionists and advocates
of “illiberal democracy” are on
the rise in many other countries.
And the fact that an open big-
ot and habitual liar could get as
many votes as Trump did in the
US, and that the far-right Marine
Le Pen will be in the runoff vote
with Macron on May 7, should be
deeply worrying.
Some assume that Trump’s
poor management and obvious
incompetence should be enough
to dent enthusiasm for populist
nostrums elsewhere. Likewise,
the US Rust Belt voters who sup-
ported Trump will almost cer-
tainly be worse off in four years,
and rational voters surely will un-
derstand this.
But it would be a mistake to
conclude that discontent with the
global economy — at least how
it treats large numbers of those
in (or formerly in) the middle
class — has crested. If the devel-
oped liberal democracies main-
tain status quo policies, displaced
workers will continue to be alien-
ated. Many will feel that at least
Trump, Le Pen, and their ilk pro-
fess to feel their pain. The idea
that voters will turn against pro-
tectionism and populism of their
own accord may be no more than
cosmopolitan wishful thinking.
Advocates of liberal market
economies need to grasp that
many reforms and technologi-
cal advances may leave some
groups worse off. In principle,
these changes increase economic
efficiency, enabling the winners
to compensate the losers. But if
the losers remain worse off, why
should they support globalization
and pro-market policies?
INSIGHT
Joseph E.
Stiglitz
PROJECT
SYNDICATE/NEW
YORK
Indeed, it is in their self-inter-
est to turn to politicians who op-
pose these changes.
So the lesson should be obvi-
ous: In the absence of progressive
policies, including strong social-
welfare programs, job retraining,
and other forms of assistance for
individuals and communities left
behind by globalization, Trumpi-
an politicians may become a per-
manent feature of the landscape.
The costs imposed by such pol-
iticians are high for all of us, even
if they do not fully achieve their
protectionist and nativist ambi-
tions, because they prey on fear,
inflame bigotry, and thrive on a
dangerously polarized us-versus-
them approach to governance.
Deep and perhaps irreparable
national cleavages may be the re-
sult. In the US, Trump has already
diminished respect for the presi-
dency and will most likely leave
behind a more divided country.
We must not forget that before
the dawn of the Enlightenment,
with its embrace of science and
freedom, incomes and living stan-
dards were stagnant for centuries.
But Trump, Le Pen and the other
populists represent the antithesis
of Enlightenment values. With-
out blushing, Trump cites “alter-
native facts,” denies the scientific
method, and proposes massive
budget cuts for public research,
including on climate change,
which he believes is a hoax.
The protectionism advocat-
ed by Trump, Le Pen and oth-
ers poses a similar threat to the
world economy. For three-quar-
ters of a century, there has been
an attempt to create a rules-based
global economic order, in which
goods, services, people, and ideas
could move more freely across
borders. To the applause from
his fellow populists, Trump has
thrown a hand grenade into that
structure.
Given the insistence of Trump
and his acolytes that borders
do matter, businesses will think
twice as they construct global
supply chains. The resulting un-
certainty will discourage invest-
ment, especially cross-border in-
vestment, which will diminish
the momentum for a global rules-
based system. With less invested
in the system, advocates for such
a system will have less incentive
to push for it.
This will be troublesome for
the entire world. Like it or not, hu-
manity will remain globally con-
nected, facing common problems
like climate change and the threat
of terrorism. The ability and in-
centive to work cooperatively
to solve these problems must be
strengthened, not weakened.
The lesson of all of this is
something that Scandinavian
countries learned long ago. The
region’s small countries under-
stood that openness was the key
to rapid economic growth and
prosperity.
But if they were to remain open
and democratic, their citizens had
to be convinced that significant
segments of society would not be
left behind.
The welfare state thus be-
came integral to the success
of the Scandinavian countries.
They understood that the only
sustainable prosperity is shared
prosperity. It is a lesson that the
US and the rest of Europe must
now learn.
The writer, a Nobel laureate in
economics, is university professor
at Columbia University and chief
economist at the Roosevelt Institute.
His most recent book is The Euro:
How a Common Currency Threat-
ens the Future of Europe.

SECTARIANISM

Jakartans call for help against radicalism All benefit

Indra Budiari
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA

As Jakartans are still reeling

from the most divisive guberna-
torial election the city has ever
seen, which exacerbated sectari-
anism and fanned anti-Chinese
sentiments, some citizens have
called on the government to pro-
tect the capital from any threat
from radicals.
On Wednesday the State Pal-
ace, as well as the headquarters
of the National Police, the Jakarta
Police and the Indonesian Mili-
tary (TNI), were adorned with
dozens of flower boards bearing
messages calling on the govern-
ment to curb radicalism.
“We are ready to support the
military and the police to eradi-
cate radicalism and maintain the
unity of the Unitary State of the
Republic of Indonesia [NKRI],”
read one flower board that had
been put on the front yard of the
Jakarta Police headquarters in
Senayan, South Jakarta.
“Save the NKRI, curb radical-
ism,” read another flower board.
The two flower boards were
among more than 20 flower ar-
rangements set up at the police’s
headquarters.
“To be honest, we have no idea
who put all these flowers here,”
said Jakarta Police spokesper-
son Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono on
Wednesday.
He appreciated the act and
deemed it to be part of the na-
tion’s democracy.
“Certainly, this is a form of citi-
zens showing their aspirations.
They address their appreciation
and motivations toward the police.
They will encourage us to continue
safeguarding Jakarta,” Argo said.
Flower boards were also sent to
the State Palace as a token of grat-
itude to President Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo for his role in maintain-
ing Pancasila as the state ideology.
The senders, however, also
pointed out that the police and
TRANS PACIFIC
Say it with flowers: People take photographs in front of flower boards at the National Police headquar-
ters in Jakarta on Wednesday. The flower boards were sent as signs of people’s support for the police
and Indonesian military over their efforts to eradicate radicalism and thuggery and to guard the Unitary
State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
the military were still an impor-
tant part of guarding Jakarta
from the threat of disunity and
radicalism.
The gesture came a few weeks
after the Jakarta runoff election,
described by experts as the coun-
try’s most polarizing election
with racial and religious issues
overshadowing the city’s most
critical problems, including edu-
cation and infrastructure.
Riding a growing wave of reli-
gious conservatism, former cul-
ture and education minister Anies
Baswedan won the election, beat-
ing incumbent Basuki “Ahok” Tja-
haja Purnama, who was dogged
by allegations he had committed
blasphemy while seeking election.
Some political experts said
Anies owed his success in the run-
off election to Muslim voters who
decided to throw their support be-
hind him, mobilized by Muslim
groups, including the hard-line Is-
lam Defenders Front (FPI).
Following Ahok’s loss in the elec-
tion, thousands of people showed
their support for the governor by
turning City Hall into a jungle of
colorful flower boards last week.
Admirers sent flower boards to
express their sympathy, sadness,
or support for Ahok and Deputy
Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat,
who conceded defeat in the April
19 election ahead of the official
announcement of the results.
A political analyst from Indo
Barometer, M. Qodari, said that
the flowers sent to the military
and the police headquarters
were a clear sign that there were
some Jakarta residents who were
worried about the impact of the
JP/Dhoni Setiawan
election.
Qodari described the flowers
as a “cry for help” from Jakarta
residents, besides being a token
of gratitude to law enforcement
officers.
“Some people are worried that
recently conservative groups
have gotten a bigger stage and
have taken control of the public
sphere,” he told The Jakarta Post.
“Therefore, they ask for help from
the police and the military.”
Messages on other flower ar-
rangements called for the police
to arrest FPI leader Rizieq Shihab
and to disband his organization.
Responding to the messag-
es, Argo said, “There is nothing
wrong with sending messages
through flowers. Deciding wheth-
er to say something has broken
the law is up to the police.” (dea)
from press
freedom: VP
Marguerite Afra Sapiie
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
In a year described by many as
a critical time for quality journal-
ism, Indonesia has raised calls for
the media to stay objective and
use freedom of the press to help
advance the country’s develop-
ment, justice and peace.
Amid boiling sectarian senti-
ments heated up by the recent
highly divisive Jakarta guberna-
torial elections, there is no better
time for the press, as the fourth
pillar of democracy, to be more at-
tentive about protecting its free-
dom for the sake of inclusiveness
in society.
Today’s global challenges
brought by technological ad-
vancement and the rise of social
media that lower the barriers pre-
venting information sharing, but
at the same time open the gates
for fake news and misinforma-
tion, must not hamper journal-
ists from providing critical checks
and balances for governments,
Vice President Jusuf Kalla said.
“We hope that freedom of the
press takes into account an im-
portant matter, namely that jus-
tice and peace are above free-
dom of expression. Press freedom
without peace will instead create
conflict and media would be re-
sponsible for that,” he said in his
opening remarks for a 2017 World
Press Freedom Day event in Ja-
karta on Wednesday.
“If there are injustices and con-
flicts, media should play a better
role to take sides and clarify the
matters to ensure that justice,
peace and development of the
country continue,” he added.
The Indonesian press has en-
joyed relative freedom since the
reform era when it was unleashed
from the restraints that once tight-
ly controlled the media under the
RI press freedom must be
used to unite society
Quality journalism key to
promoting inclusion and
democracy
WPFD, co-organized by UNES-
CO, the Indonesian government
and the Press Council.
Held from May 1 to 4, the event,
which presented the theme of
“Critical Minds for Critical
Times: Media’s Role in Advancing
Peaceful, Just and Inclusive So-
cieties,” was officially opened on
Wednesday.
The event focuses on strength-
ening the freedom and quality of
journalism to advance peace, jus-
tice for all and the rule of law, as
well as inclusiveness, so that the
media can remain strong amid
current challenges and threats
against the press.
Declining audiences for tradi-
tional media, the proliferation of
fake news as seen in the coverage
of several major political events
in the past years and extremism,
including violence against jour-
nalists, are the latest challenges
to the media, UNESCO noted.
Quality journalism combined
with critical thinking is impor-
tant for bolstering freedom of the
press and expression that could
contribute to inclusion, gen-
der equality and human rights,
UNESCO director general Irina
Bokova said.
“I believe a free, independent
and pluralistic media is essential
not only for individual rights, but
also for inclusive society, democ-
racy, rule of law, sustainable devel-
opment and peace,” Bokova said.
The media’s role in helping cre-
ate inclusive societies could be
done by portraying exactly what
worries citizens, Press Coun-

Turnbull to reset ties with Trump
Daniel de Carteret
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/SYDNEY
Malcolm Turnbull will seek to
steady Australia’s longstanding
alliance with the United States
when he meets Donald Trump
this week, after relations soured
at a time of growing tensions in
the Asia-Pacific.
His visit to New York on Thurs-
day comes as Washington works
to shore up regional support
against North Korea, ratcheting
up pressure on China to do more
to counter Kim Jong-un’s nuclear
ambitions.
But the advent of Trump has
invigorated a debate over Aus-
tralia’s place in the world and
whether its future lies with an un-
predictable US, or a closer rela-
tionship with China, its top trad-
ing partner.
Turnbull, like Trump a busi-
nessman-turned-politician, has
said he is “delighted” to meet with
the US leader and affirm a rela-
tionship that has seen its militar-
ies fight side by side for a century.
WEATHER FORECAST : MAY 4, 2017
Banda Aceh
Sunny
Rainy 22 - 32 °C
Medan
Cloudy
23 - 33 °C
Pekanbaru
Source:
Meteorology, Climatology
And Geophysics Agency
24 - 29 °C
“We’ll talk about a wide range kind of rapport and get comfort-
of security and economic issues, able with one another,” said Si-
but top of the list obviously at mon Jackman, chief executive at
the moment is North Korea,” the the US Studies Center in Sydney.
Australian prime minister said on The meeting will take place at
Wednesday. the USS Intrepid museum in New
It will be their first encounter York, where they will commem-
since a tetchy phone call rattled orate the 75th anniversary of the
ties soon after Trump took office, World War II Battle of the Coral
when he took issue with a deal that Sea when US and Australian forc-
the US would settle refugees from es fought against the Japanese ad-
Australia’s Pacific island camps. vance in the Pacific.
The president took to Twitter “All that imagery [...] will help
afterwards to label the agreement paint a picture of a relationship that
struck with Barack Obama’s ad- is getting increasingly normalized
ministration as “dumb.” after a surprising and unexpected
On a trip to Australia last start,” Jackman told AFP.
month aimed at mending fences, “The Australian public in par-
Vice President Mike Pence reaf- ticular might want a bit of re-
firmed the US would take the ref- assurance that despite the fact
ugees but added it “doesn’t mean Trump is a very unconventional
we admire the agreement.” president — a bit of a wild card —
The icy start was cooled further that nonetheless the US remains
by Washington’s withdrawal from a willing partner on a number of
a trans-Pacific trade agreement important dimensions.”
that would have given Australian The history of military coop-
businesses greater access to the eration stretches back to World
US and key regional markets. War I, and North Korea recently
“The single biggest thing is for warned Canberra to think twice
the two leaders to establish some before “blindly and zealously toe-
Batam Semarang Denpasar
24 - 31 °C 25 - 32 °C 25 - 32 °C
Jakarta Yogyakarta Samarinda
25 - 32 °C 24 - 32 °C 24 - 27 °C
Bandung Surabaya Palangkaraya
20 - 30 °C 25 - 34 °C 24 - 30 °C
ing the US line” or face the threat
of a nuclear strike.
Australia has backed Washing-
ton in calling on Beijing to bring
the rogue state to heel, although
several former senior Australian
diplomats have also urged Can-
berra to rethink ties with the US
in light of China’s rise.
Turnbull is expected to reaf-
firm Australia’s allegiance to the
US on Thursday.
“The Trump administration is
now coming out, indicating quite
strongly that it isn’t going to be
the isolationist presidency that
we had feared,” said the Austra-
lian National University’s head of
international security and intelli-
gence studies John Blaxland.
“From the Australian point
of view we can be more forth-
right [when dealing with China]
because you have greater confi-
dence that the US is not walking
away.”
Nevertheless, Turnbull is ex-
pected to exercise caution on just
how far he can back an unpredict-
able US president.
Makassar Ternate
25 - 30 °C 25 - 30 °C
Manado Ambon
23 - 32 °C 23 - 31 °C
Gorontalo Jayapura
24 - 33 °C 24 - 31 °C
New Order regime. Kalla claimed
the government no longer cen-
sored or intervened in the media.
However, he warned that freedom
cil chairman Yosep Adi Prasetyo
said. He added that newsrooms
should also have political agendas
in terms of seeing the condition of
combined with the rapid develop- society.
ment of social media could become “Media now has a tendency
negative should media companies only to follow big news without
not conduct internal censorship. having a political agenda toward
This year, Indonesia, the the society’s situation in the fu-
world’s third-largest democracy, ture. What I mean by political
which has guaranteed press free- agenda is not about the practical,
dom since the enactment of the but media has to be aware of the
1999 Press Law, hosted the 2017 context,” he said. (rdi)
THIS ODD WORLD
Stepmother stabbed over lack of food
DEPOK, WEST JAVA: Stepmothers are often depicted as vindictive toward
their husbands’ children but a recent incident in Depok may prove the
other side of the coin with a 70-year-old woman reportedly being victim-
ized by her stepson.
Ronih had to be admitted to a nearby hospital after allegedly being
stabbed by her stepson Kosasih, 35, who was infuriated after finding no
food on the table, Pos Kota reported on Tuesday.
He rushed to the kitchen and is reported to have stabbed Ronih. Neigh-
bors expressed their sympathy for Ronih and showed abhorrence for the
alleged culprit.
“What a cruel son he is to his aging mother, even though she’s only his
stepmother. What is more deplorable is that his father is an ustad [Islamic
scholar]. May God forgive that prodigal son,” a neighbor said.
Neighborhood head Khoiruddin said Kosasih’s action may have resulted
from his anger at receiving less attention than his three stepsiblings.
“Since his father married Ronih, Kosasih has lived with his stepsiblings.
He has complained that his siblings have been treated exceptionally well
compared with himself,” Khoiruddin said.
The stabbing incident is believed to have unfolded after Kosasih
returned home from his friend’s house. As he sat down to eat a meal he
discovered there was no food on the table.
“Being hungry he could not restrain his emotions. He searched for his
stepmother and found her in the kitchen. He [allegedly] stabbed her to
the ground and fled,” he said, adding that the incident had not been
reported to the police. — JP
THURSDAY May 4, 2017 NATIONAL | 3

Information, digital literacy NATIONAL SCENE

Bakamla deputy chief indicted for graft

key to fighting fake news

The Jakarta Post
JAKARTA
Be critical and knowledgeable
of what you read online.
That is the key to combatting
fake news, often dubbed the “can-
cer of democracy,” and prevent-
ing it from reaching Indonesia’s
129 million active social media us-
ers, according to panelists speak-
ing at a commemoration of World
Press Freedom Day.
The country has seen a grow-
ing wave of fake news polarizing
opinions since the 2014 presiden-
tial elections, when divisive po-
litical campaigns sparked an all-
out war of words — and memes
— across social media platforms.
Tensions escalated once more
during the 2017 Jakarta guberna-
torial elections, the campaigns of
which fostered growing sectar-
ian sentiments and the rampant
spread of fabricated news stories.
Maintaining a critical mind
when reading news disseminat-
Media, information
literacy help counter hate
speech
Engaging public
participation among
youths is key to
combatting fake news
ed online is crucial in prevent-
ing the spread of both fake news
and, subsequently, hate speech,
according to speakers of a World
Press Freedom Day discussion
held in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Panelists at the event agreed
that the digital media and infor-
mation literacy could serve as ef-
fective methods of countering
hate speech, misinformation and
polarization online.
Empowering media consum-
ers with the appropriate knowl-
edge and tools to navigate the
internet wisely and to interpret
information critically would help
people from being trapped in
hateful discourse.
That can start by engaging pub-
lic participation, especially among
youths, to introduce media liter-
acy, said Abdullah Alkafaween, a
trainer in Media Information and
Digital Literacy from Jordan.
“We have to encourage youths
to have opinions about the cur-
rent public issues,” he said dur-
ing Wednesday’s discussion, add-
ing that media literacy can also
be taught through something as
simple as showing netizens how
to use social media platforms, like
Facebook, or email properly.
Clair Deevy, head of econom-
ic growth initiatives Asia-Pacific
at Facebook, said the social me-
dia giant had been working with
youths in the country to identify
the core issue of the behavior of
internet users.
Facebook is Indonesia’s most
popular social media network,
with more than 70 million users.
Facebook now offers a feature
for users to report bogus stories
JAKARTA: Maritime Security Board (Bakamla) deputy chairman Eko
Susilo Hadi has been indicted on bribery charges that carry a maxi-
mum punishment of 20 years in prison upon conviction. Eko’s trial
started at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday.
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors have charged
him under a 2001 corruption law for allegedly receiving four separate
that would then be flagged as “dis- bribes in connection with the procurement of a satellite monitoring
puted,” after going through fact system by the Bakamla.
checkers who verify whether the Eko allegedly received the illicit money from Fahmi Darmawansyah,
article is fake or legitimate. the owner of PT Melati Technofo Indonesia (MTI), which won the
Adama Lee Bah, a member of tender for the Rp 222 billion (US$16.7 million) project, and Fahmi’s
the Communications Coordina- subordinates Muhammad Adami Okta and Hardy Stefanus.
tion Committee for the United Na- Fahmi, Adami and Hardy have also been indicted in the case.
tions (CCCUN), added: “Through The military police named Commodore Bambang Udoyono a suspect
Media and Information Literacy, for allegedly receiving kickback money from the company. — JP
we can use any platform we have
to educate young people about any
issues, not only about tackling hate Defying Fahri, PKS opposes KPK inquiry
speech but also teach them to vote,
or to go out and register.” JAKARTA: The Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has sent
Adama further said that it was a letter to House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto rejecting
important to hold a discussion on the House’s decision to initiate an inquiry into a Corruption Eradication
critical issues, such as different Commission (KPK) graft investigation.
perceptions on certain practices The letter, signed by PKS faction chairman Jazuli Juwaini and faction
in various religions, by involving secretary Sukamta on May 2, stated that the process leading to the
multiple parties. Through this decision to initiate the inquiry during a plenary session on April 28 did
way, she added, the voice of many not follow procedure.
groups, could be recognized. “The decision made on the plenary session did not consider voices
Indonesia, under the supervi- and opinions from all factions and members, as regulated in the
sion of the Communications and House’s 2014 code of conduct,” the letter states.
Information Ministry, has con- During the plenary session, House Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah, who
ducted several programs to en- chaired the meeting, unilaterally banged the gavel to pass the inquiry.
gage public participation in com- Members of the Gerindra Party, the Democratic Party and the National
bating fake news. (rdi) Awakening Party (PKB) factions walked out of the room in protest. — JP

ELECTION BILL

Parties turn against PT CHANDRA ASRI PETROCHEMICAL Tbk

Domiciled in Jakarta
(the “Company”)

bar for presidential ANNOUNCEMENT

SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

nomination The Board of Directors of the Company hereby announces to the Shareholders that the Company has conducted
the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (hereinafter shall be referred to as the “Meeting”), namely:
A. On:
Day / Date : Tuesday, 2 May 2017
2. Approve to grant authority to the Board of Directors to perform any and all acts necessary in connection
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provisions of the Articles of Association regarding the loan and pledge over the assets of the Company,
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3ODFH  :LVPD%DULWR3DFL¿F7RZHU%0)ORRU
Margareth S. Aritonang “We have achieved several Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav. 62-63
actions as may be necessary and considered good by the Board of Directors to perform the purposes
agreements. This include a presi- of granting such authority.
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA Jakarta 11410
Time : 14.25 – 15.40 Western Indonesia Time Sixth Agenda:
dential threshold of zero,” Luk- 1. Approve the increase of issued and paid up capital of the Company by granting the Pre-Emptive Rights
After winning the Jakarta man, a PKB politician told The :LWKWKH$JHQGDRIWKH0HHWLQJDVIROORZV
election, more political parties
favor eliminating the support
threshold for presidential can-
didates in the deliberation of the
election bill.
While earlier in the delibera-
tion larger parties had opted to
keep the requirement of 20 to 25
percent of minimum votes for a
political party to name a candi-
date, more parties have opted for
equal opportunity for presiden-
Jakarta Post.
As the Bandung meeting only
involved several members of the
special committee in charge of
the deliberation, which is a high-
er-level group, Lukman said the
decision would be sealed dur-
ing a later meeting of all mem-
bers of the special committee. He
was confident that the decision
would remain the same, as both
committees actually comprised
+0(7'WRLVVXHXSWRVKDUHVZLWKQRPLQDOYDOXH5SSHUVKDUHZKLFKZLOOEH
1. Approval of the Company’s Annual Report and the Report of Supervisory Duties of the Board of
conducted upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
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year 2016. 2. Approve the granting of authority to the Board of Directors to perform any necessary action in
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3. Determination of salary/honorarium and other remuneration of the members of the Board of IXO¿OOLQJWKHUHTXLUHPHQWVZKLFKGHWHUPLQHGLQWKHSUHYDLOLQJODZVDQGUHJXODWLRQVLQFOXGLQJ32-.1R
Commissioners and the Board of Directors of the Company. 32/POJK.04/2015 regarding the Increase Capital of Public Company by Granting Pre-Emptive Rights,
including among others:
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5. Pledge the entire or large part of the Company’s assets to guarantee the obligations of the Company
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by the Company’s Board of Commissioners. v. Sign the necessary documents of the the Increase Capital by HMETD II including documents
6. Approval of the plan to increase Company’s capital by issuing Pre-Emptive Rights. LQ UHODWLRQ WR WKH UHJLVWUDWLRQ VWDWHPHQW WR EH VXEPLWWHG WR WKH )LQDQFLDO 6HUYLFHV$XWKRULW\ RI
7. Approval of amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association particularly on Article 4 paragraph (2) 5HSXEOLFRI,QGRQHVLD
RQWKH&RPSDQ\¶VLVVXHGDQGSDLGXSFDSLWDOLQFRQQHFWLRQZLWKWKHUHDOL]DWLRQRILQFUHDVHRIFDSLWDO vi. Negotiate and sign the other related agreements in relation to the standby buyer agreement
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Public Offering II. &RPSDQ\
  5HSRUWRI8VHRI3URFHHGV5HDOL]DWLRQRIWKH3XEOLF2IIHULQJRI&KDQGUD$VUL3HWURFKHPLFDO%RQGV, vii. Place the Company’s shares into the collective custody of PT Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia
tial nominations.
Joining the Gerindra Par-
ty, the National Mandate Party
(PAN), the Democratic Party and
the Hanura Party, the Prosper-
ous Justice Party (PKS), which
had backed the winning ticket of
Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga
Uno in Jakarta’s recent guber-
natorial election, has thrown its
support behind the proposal.
Backed by Gerindra, the PKS
and the PAN, Anies, a former ed-
similar members. Year 2016.
“We will settle all discussions % 7KH%RDUGRI'LUHFWRUVDQG%RDUGRI&RPPLVVLRQHUVZKRZHUHDWWHQGHGDWWKH0HHWLQJDVIROORZV
[regarding the elections bill], Board of Directors
- 3UHVLGHQW'LUHFWRU
so that we can present the final - Vice President Director
decision at a plenary meeting,” - Vice President Director
Lukman said, adding that the - Director
- Director
move was important to avoid a - 'LUHFWRU
plenary vote. - Director
In addition to having no pres- (also acted as Independent Director)
idential threshold, the majority Board of Commissioners
- President Commissioner
of factions also prefer an open (also acted as Independent Commissioner and the Head of Audit Committee)
election system, which will al- - Vice President Commissioner
(also acted as Independent Commissioner)
low eligible voters to directly - Commissioner
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: Baritono Prajogo Pangestu Seventh Agenda:
: Terry Lim Chong Thian 1. Approve the amendment of Article 4 paragraph (2) of Articles of Association of the Company in
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: Djoko Suyanto IROORZV
Article 4 paragraph 3:
: Tan Ek Kia
Shares in portfolio shall be issued by the Board of Directors according to the capital need of the
: Ho Hon Cheong
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ucation minister, triumphed over
Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja
Purnama, who was supported by
the government parties led by the
choose their representatives at
the House.
Yandri Susanto of PAN ex-
plained that the decision was yet
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(also acted as Independent Commissioner) can delegate the authority regarding the time, terms also price determination to the Board of
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Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI-P).
The election was one of the
most divisive in the country’s his-
tory and marred by sectarian sen-
timent exploited in a bitter cam-
paign period.
The National Awakening Party
(PKB) and the United Develop-
ment Party (PPP), two Islamist
parties that are also part of the
central government’s ruling co-
to be finalized, although he ex- Meeting. ZLWKWKHDPHQGPHQWRI$UWLFOHSDUDJUDSKRIWKH$UWLFOHVRI$VVRFLDWLRQRIWKH&RPSDQ\DQGWR
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mittee would approve it. Decision of the Meeting shall be made by deliberation. If deliberation could not be reached, then the voting
to state the amendment of Article 4 paragraph (2) of the Articles of Association of the Company before
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it be put to the vote, we aim to Rights of the Republic of Indonesia, and to perform any necessary action in relation to such resolution
Agendas For Against Abstain
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settle it internally in the special VKDUHVRU VKDUHVRU
2nd Agenda VKDUHVRU In the Meeting, the Company reported:
committee to avoid the plenary,” 
Eighth Agenda:
Yandri said. 3rd Agenda
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expect to overturn the majority 4th Agenda

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alition, also expressed support for by initiating a proposal to hear VKDUHV 00 shares or FRVWRI3XEOLF2IIHULQJ%RQGVLVXVHGIRUSD\PHQWRISDUWLDOGHEWEDVHGRQL)DFLOLW\$JUHHPHQWIRU
5th Agenda VKDUHVRU
eliminating the so-called presi-
dential threshold in the latest
meeting to deliberate the bill.
Only three of the 10 factions in
the House of Representatives —
the PDI-P, the NasDem Party and
the Golkar Party — still favor the
20 percent bar for the presiden-
tial nomination.
The chairman of the special
committee tasked with deliber-
President Joko “Jokowi” Wido-
do’s opinion on the matter. “If the
President supports the zero pres-
idential threshold, for example,
we as supporters of the govern-
ment will comply with that deci-
sion,” Hetifah Sjaifudian from the
Golkar Party said.
PKB chairman Muhaimin Is-
kandar criticized Lukman and
the party’s House faction for sup-
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7th Agenda
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H. Resolution of the Meeting is:
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First Agenda:
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31 December 2016 including the Report of the Board of Directors and ratify the Report of Supervisory )XUWKHUPRUHLQFRQQHFWLRQZLWKWKH6HFRQG$JHQGDRIWKH0HHWLQJDVPHQWLRQHGDERYHZKHUHWKH0HHWLQJ
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4 | CITY THURSDAY May 4, 2017

GREATER JAKARTA Up high

City prepares to merge water companies
JAKARTA: The Jakarta administration is drafting a plan to merge the
city’s two water companies, sewage company PD PAL Jaya and water
utility PAM Jaya, into a single entity called Perumda Air Jakarta.
Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama said that the
administration was in the process of preparing the management struc-
ture of Perumda Air Jakarta while it was awaiting discussions over the
regulation for the merger.
“To merge the two companies, we need a regional regulation. Now
we are preparing the company’s management first,” he said at City
Hall on Wednesday as quoted by beritajakarta.com.
The idea behind the merger came from big cities in other countries,
which have single entities that treat wastewater and provide clean
water, Ahok added.
“All over the world, [the management of] waste water and clean
water is one. So if we want clean water, we immediately install pipes
to get the wastewater as well. So they benefit each other,” he said.
Water pollution and a lack of clean water sources are among the
major problems in the capital, yet efforts to resolve them have been
sluggish.
PAM Jaya can only meet about 60 percent of the city’s water needs
and claims it cannot expand its services because it lacks a water supply.
By merging the companies, the city administration aims to tackle
problems with both the supply and treatment of water. — JP

Jakarta gets additional haj quota

JAKARTA: The haj quota for Jakarta citizens has been expanded to
7,891 in 2017, an increase of 2,263 from last year.
Jakarta city secretary Saefullah said that last year the haj quota for
the city was 5,628.
In order to accommodate the increase, the administration has ex-
panded the budget and prepared more officials.
“This year, there will be an increase of haj officials from 50 to 61,” JP/Dhoni Setiawan
Saefullah said on Wednesday as quoted by beritajakarta.com. Construction workers finish the highway project for Transjakarta Corridor 13 in Kebayoran, South Jakarta, on Wednesday. PT Transportasi Ja-
The funds for the budget increase would be classified as unexpected karta (Transjakarta) is set to test out the route for its newly built Corridor 13 this week, which will connect Jl. Tendean with Jl. Ciledug in South
expenditures because of the urgency of the matter, he added. Jakarta, with an estimated journey time of around 30 minutes.
“The haj schedule could not be changed,” Saefullah said.
The head of Jakarta’s mental and spiritual education bureau, Hendra
Hidayat, said that there would be an increase of Rp 1.5 billion over the
previous budget of Rp 3.5 billion.
“The increase of the haj quota has boosted the number of groups
from 18 to 21,” he said.
Jakarta’s haj quota was cut in 2013 because of the renovation of the
Masjidil Haram grand mosque in Saudi Arabia.
“This year, the quota has returned to the normal figure of 7,084 per
LIPI urges govt to tackle
year, with an additional quota of 807,” said Hendra. — JP

Police confiscate FPI leader’s phone

discrimination issues
JAKARTA: The Jakarta Police have confiscated a cell phone belonging Callistasia Anggun Wijaya
to firebrand Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab. THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
The confiscation of the phone took place in relation to the police’s
investigation into pornographic conversations that allegedly occurred The Indonesian Institute of
between Rizieq and Firza Husein, a treason suspect. The steamy chats Sciences (LIPI) has urged the
leaked onto the internet earlier this year. government to immediately in-
The leaked material was uploaded onto the now-blocked website corporate regulations stipulated
baladacintarizieq.com. under the Anti-Discrimination
Screenshots of the chats display controversial messages and nude Law into existing election laws
amid lingering ethnic, religious,
pictures.
A voice message allegedly containing Firza’s voice was also up- racial and social group (SARA)
loaded. sentiments among the public fol-
The phone was not taken from Rizieq himself, but from Muchsin lowing the divisive Jakarta guber-
Alatas, head of the FPI Jakarta branch, said Jakarta Police spokesperson natorial election.
Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono. LIPI political researcher Irine
“[The police got the phone] from someone else. From Muchsin,” Hiraswari Gayatri said in a dis-
Argo said as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com on Tuesday, adding cussion on Wednesday that the
that the phone was not given to them voluntarily. exploitation of SARA sentiments
The investigators, he said, found messages containing “intense against Jakarta Governor Basuki
things” between Rizieq and Firza on the phone. However, he refused “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, a Chris-
to disclose the content. tian of Chinese descent, during
“We will reveal it all during trial,” he said. the campaign season was not a
The police detained Firza last February and searched her house in frivolous matter.
Lubang Buaya, East Jakarta, to obtain evidence regarding the case. This issue, she said, had cost
Firza was later released. the nation, as it not only affected
Firza, Rizieq, Rizieq’s wife and a friend of Firza’s were summoned Jakarta voters, but also citizens
again last Tuesday for questioning. However, none of them showed in other regions, including chil-
up. — JP dren, as discriminatory remarks
against the governor were widely
spread through social media plat-
Gated area forms, at mosques and on ban-
ners across the city.
Citing an example of hate
speech, Irine said she saw an el-
Govt told to take
SARA issues seriously,
incorporate regulations
under anti-discrimination
law into election law
Researchers warn of
further exploitation of
SARA sentiments ahead
of regional elections
in 2018, presidential
election in 2019
ementary school student in Jaga-
karsa, South Jakarta, who made a
pantun (quatrain reading) that said
Muslims should not vote for Ahok.
“The Jakarta election, regard-
less of its result, severely impacted
residents, as it taught them diver-
sity is bad,” Irine said at the LIPI
office in South Jakarta. “A sense
of unity has left as people were in-
fluenced [to believe] that a leader
must be Muslim, even though the
election was about voting for a
governor, not an imam for shalat.”
On Tuesday, non-governmen-
tal group Cahaya Guru Founda-
tion, which specializes in train-
ing teachers, suggested that the
Jakarta election affected how
students in some regions elected
leaders for official student organi-
zations (OSIS).
Citing an official report from
the Culture and Education Min-
istry, Henny Supolo, chairwom-
an of the foundation, said several
students in some schools in Sing-
kawang, West Kalimantan, and
Salatiga, Central Java, said they
did not want to have non-Muslim
OSIS leaders.
Irine added that with the up-
coming regional election in 2018
and presidential election in 2019,
the exploitation of SARA issues
could continue, especially in
Muslim-majority regions, such
as West Java, East Java, South Su-
lawesi and West Sumatra.
For that reason, Irine said, the
government needed to quickly in-
corporate regulations under Law
No. 40/2008 on the Elimination
of Racial and Ethnic Discrimina-
tion in both its regional and na-
tional election laws.
According to the law, victims of
discrimination can individually
or through class action file a law-
suit with the district court against
discriminative actions they faced.
The Elections Supervisory
Agency (Bawaslu) could refer to
the regulations to handle future
violations, she said.
Irine added that regulations
under the Electronic Information
and Transactions Law should also
be adopted under election laws to
control campaign speech online.
Another LIPI researcher, Sy-
amsuddin Haris, said the politici-
zation of religious matters during
the election was a setback and in-
fluenced the way residents voted.
This issue, Haris said, was high-
ly exploited during the election,
with the state tending to be am-
bivalent toward minority groups,
opting instead to side with the
majority.
It would therefore be crucial
for civil societies to create a har-
monious environment among the
people moving forward, he said.
Meanwhile, Association for
Elections and Democracy (Perlu-
dem) head Titi Anggraeni said the
government, through its ministries
and election commissions, should
optimize the dissemination of po-
litical education to residents.
In the education sector, for in-
stance, the government needed to
promote values of diversity and
tolerance to students, Titi said,
adding that tolerance was a qual-
ity internalized at an early age.

ELECTION AFTERMATH

Anies-Sandiaga transition team eyes revised city budget

Jakarta Governor Basuki
“Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama may
travel a bumpy road approach-
ing the end of his tenure as he will
need to accommodate in the city
budget programs planned by pre-
sumptive successor Anies Baswe-
dan, which he called unrealistic
during the campaign period.
Currently, Anies and his pre-
sumptive deputy, Sandiaga Uno,
are preparing a transition team
that will facilitate a transfer of
power in October.
Abdurrahman Suhaimi, Pros-
perous Justice Party (PKS) fac-
tion head in the Jakarta City
Council, said this team would
comprise members of Gerindra
and the PKS, two political parties
JP/Seto Wardhana that backed the pair in the elec-
A Jakarta Transportation Agency officer inspects a newly tion, as well as volunteers.
installed electronic parking gate at a child-friendly integrated Gerindra and PKS, which were
public space (RPTRA) in Kalijodo, North Jakarta, on Tuesday. also among the four political par-
The gate was installed to prevent illegal parking. ties in the City Council that boy-
cotted Ahok for his blasphemy
defendant status in February, are
set to become the backbone of the
transition team.
“The public will ask the po-
litical parties who endorsed the
[Anies and Sandiaga] to fulfill the
pair’s campaign promises. There-
fore, we will assist the them [...] by
engaging experts,” Suhaimi said.
Syarif, a Gerindra politician who
is also the secretary for Anies and
Sandiaga’s campaign team, said
the transition team would consult
with Ahok’s administration in the
hopes of including some of the pre-
sumptive pair’s key programs in the
city’s 2017 revised budget (APBD-
P) and the General Budget Policies
and Provisional Budget Ceiling and
Priorities (KUA-PPAS) for the 2018
budget (APBD).
Their key programs include the
zero-rupiah mortgage, the entre-
preneurship OK OCE initiative, the
Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) Plus and
the Jakarta Health Card (KJS) Plus.
City Hall is currently drafting
its revised budget, which is usual-
ly deliberated in August. Drafting
for the APBD customarily starts
in September the next year, then
discussed in mid-December.
“If [Anies and Sandiaga’s pro-
grams] could be included in the
revised budget, we hope to imple-
ment 20 to 30 percent of them
between October and December
this year,” Syarif said, without re-
vealing how much the team will
earmark for its programs.
Members of the transition
team will be announced on Friday
and start working next Monday.
Separately, Ahok said it was im-
possible for the transition team to
revise the former.
“They can’t revise the APBD-P
draft because it is still under my
administration. If they want to in-
clude their programs in the [bud-
get priorities] for the 2018 APBD,
they can do that,” Ahok said.
He added that the transition
team could only offer suggestions
regarding the revised budget —
which is something all Jakarta
residents could do.
However, the team could not
interfere with the current admin-
istration’s priority, for example
to develop the Light Rail Transit
(LRT), he said.
During the heated campaign
period, Ahok and his running
mate, Djarot Saiful Hidayat, crit-
icized all of Anies and Sandiaga’s
key programs.
They called the zero-rupiah
mortgage scheme unrealistic and
predicted that the OK OCE pro-
gram would likely not be imple-
mented because of the large bud-
get it requires.
— JP/CALLISTASIA ANGGUN WIJAYA

INFRASTUCTURE

Govt to revive airstrip development in Panjang Island

Ivany Atina Arbi
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
In a bid to boost tourism in the
Thousand Islands, the Jakarta ad-
ministration plans to continue de-
velopment of an abandoned air-
strip project in Panjang Island by
holding a tender bid for the private
sector, thereby minimizing use of
the regional budget (APBD).
The tender will be held in the
near future, after the Supreme
Audit Agency (BPK) and the Ja-
karta Inspectorate finishes audit-
ing the project, which has been
abandoned since 2009.
The winner will be given a per-
mit to develop the tourist area
with, for example, a resort.
“One of the requirements [of the
permit], of course, is to finish devel-
oping the airstrip first,” Jakarta city
secretary Saefullah said at City Hall
in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.
The project, estimated to cost
Rp 80 billion (US$6 million),
came to a halt mid-construction
because of alleged budget misuse
by then Thousand Islands regent
Abdul Rahman Andit.
He allegedly mismanaged
Rp 1.2 billion from the regency’s
Rp 2.5 billion airstrip develop-
ment fund allocated in 2006.
“We have used a certain
amount from the local budget to
build the airstrip, but we have yet
to benefit from it,” Saefullah said.
“Now we want the private sector
to continue its development, so
that our local budget can be used
for other priority projects.”
Panjang Island has an area of
40 hectares, while the unfinished
airstrip is 900 meters in length
and 23 meters in width.
Thousand Islands Regent Budi
Utomo said he fully supported the
development plan, but reiterated
that it would have to wait for the
BPK and the Jakarta Inspector-
ate’s audit results.
“If the airstrip is in full opera-
tion, there will be an increase in
visitors. The number of tourists
visiting the Thousand Islands has
already exceeded our target set
[for one year],” he said.
A total of 7 million domestic
and foreign tourists are targeted
to visit one of 10 priority desti-
nations in the country this year.
However, about 8 million tour-
ists have visited the Thousand Is-
lands, Saefullah said.
The airstrip would make it
easier for tourists to reach the is-
lands, he added.
“Tourists wanting to go to the
Thousand Islands [will be able
to] use either small planes or he-
licopters,” Saefullah said.
The government has said it
will focus on the development of
10 emerging tourist destinations
in a bid to double the number of
foreign tourist arrivals within five
years, from around 9.4 million in
2014 to about 20 million in 2019.
The selected priority destinations
include Lake Toba in North Suma-
tera, Bromo in East Java, Mandalika
in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Tan-
jung Lesung in Banten and Morotai
in Maluku. Yogyakarta and the Thou-
sand Islands off the coast of Jakarta
are also among the emerging desti-
nations to be developed.
The Thousand Islands regen-
cy itself has numerous exotic is-
lands, such as Tidung Island,
which is located relatively close
to Jakarta as it can be reached by
a one-hour ferry ride from Muara
Angke Port in North Jakarta.
White beaches and clear blue
waters surround the entire coast
of the island. Tidung waters are
quite shallow and almost over-
grown with coral reefs that are
still in excellent condition.
THURSDAY May 4, 2017 ARCHIPELAGO | 5

Young orangutans find ISLAND FOCUS

sanctuary in Pulang Pisau Jayapura

Moses Ompusunggu
THE JAKARTA POST/PULANG PISAU,
CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
At the verdant Salat Island
orangutan pre-release site in Pu-
lang Pisau, Central Kalimantan,
Romeo, a 10-year-old male orang-
utan, was busy trying to open a
coconut using a rock in a scene
reminiscent of the ape-like men’s
actions in the opening scene of
Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 magnum
opus 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The coconut was supplied by
workers of the facility — run by
local conservation group the Bor-
neo Orangutan Survival Founda-
tion (BOSF) — who also beckoned
Romeo’s fellow orangutans, 24 in
total, to have lunch with him un-
der the lush rainforest canopy.
“He [Romeo] needs to be famil-
iar with life in the wild. That’s why
we don’t feed him, but merely pro-
vide him with the fruits, letting
the orangutans open them up by
themselves,” BOSF CEO Jamartin
Sihite told The Jakarta Post during
a recent visit to the site.
The BOSF, the biggest orang-
utan rehabilitation foundation
worldwide, currently takes care
of around 700 orangutans in its
facilities on Salat Island and in
Nyaru Menteng in Central Kali-
mantan and Samboja in East Kali-
With around 700
orangutans, BOSF has
largest sanctuaries in
world
Center nurtures young
orangutans for years
before releasing them in
wild
mantan. The group members de-
scribe themselves as “teachers, as
well as mothers” for the apes and
aim to rehabilitate them before
releasing them in the wild.
Workers in Nyaru Menteng
lead a school forest program for
the orangutans that teaches sur-
vival and food gathering skills,
among others. After they are
deemed mature enough to face
situations in the wild, they are re-
located to the pre-release site and
spend six months to a year there
before being released to the wild.
In order to provide more pre-
release sites for the orangutans,
BOSF has teamed up with pub-
licly listed palm oil company PT
Sawit Sumbermas Sarana, which
bought 1,434 hectares of land
around the current Salat Island
site. “We hope to go from being
the biggest rehab foundation in
the world for orangutans to the
smallest. Something must be
JP/Moses Ompusunggu
Playful: Juvenile orangutans
spend time with workers and
their surrogate mothers at a
rehabilitation center in Nyaru
Menteng, Central Kalimantan,
on Monday.
wrong if we are still the biggest,”
Jamartin said.
Just an hour’s drive from Salat
Island, a delta in the Kahayan Riv-
er, dozens of infant orangutans
played with women acting as their
surrogate mothers after conclud-
ing their daily reintroduction
training at a sekolah hutan (forest
school) at BOSF’s rehabilitation
center in Nyaru Menteng.
One of the women, Sri Raha-
yu, an employee at the facility
since 2007, spends most days tak-
ing care of the orangutans. She
said she would always “burst into
tears” when any of the arboreal
apes “passed the training,” which
typically lasts six to seven years.
“But the tears are not a form of
sadness. Rather, I cry because fi-
nally they are a step closer to be-
coming real orangutans,” said Sri.
Orangutans are dependent on
their mothers for seven years be-
fore they fend for themselves, but
rampant deforestation driven by
land clearing for industries, such
as palm oil, timber and mining,
has threatened the species and its
natural bonding process.
With forests shrinking at an
alarming rate, orangutans are
forced to seek new homes, such
as in plantations. Locals, mean-
while, often capture the infants as
pets, leaving the mothers behind.
Nyaru Menteng rehabilitation
center manager Denny Kurni-
awan said around 40 percent of the
orangutans in the foundation’s fa-
cilities in Central Kalimantan were
rescued from plantations, thanks to
tip-offs from citizens. The remain-
ing 60 percent come from locals
who previously kept them as pets.
Labuan Bajo
Nine children killed as truck overturns
JAYAPURA: A truck carrying sand overturned in Kimupugi village,
Dogiyai district, in Papua on Tuesday, killing at least 10 people, mostly
school-age children, and injuring 14 others.
“The 10 victims are being buried today [Wednesday] and the police
are also conducting a crime scene investigation into the accident,” Papua
Police spokesman Sr. Comr. AM Kamal said in Jayapura on Wednesday.
The fatalities comprised nine children aged 8 to 13 years and one
adult, M. Ansori, 30, the truck driver, he said.
The accident took place as the children were riding on the truck,
which was carrying sand from Kimipugi to Egebutu village. The driver
attempted unsuccessfully to climb a hill and the truck rolled back and
flipped over, burying the children in the sand.
“Local people burned the truck after the accident,” Kamal said. — JP
Foreign tourist bitten by Komodo dragon
LABUAN BAJO: A 50-year-old tourist from Singapore was attacked by
a Komodo dragon in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on
Wednesday morning.
Lon Lee Alle, who was in the area to visit the Komodo National
Park, was severely injured by a bite to his left leg.
According to the park’s head, Sudiyono, Alle was watching several
Komodos feeding on pigs and goats. He approached the animals to take
pictures, ignoring locals who warned that he should not get too close.
“He must have been too close. A Komodo doesn’t like to be dis-
turbed while eating,” Sudiyono told The Jakarta Post.
Locals immediately helped pull Sudiyono away from the pack of Komo-
dos and rushed him to a nearby medical center where he received first aid.
Alle was then taken to the Siloam General Hospital by military speed boat.
“This is the first incident of a human being bitten by a Komodo
dragon in the past five years,” Sudiyono said. — JP

AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT

BP Batam eyes Hang Nadim airport as transportation hub

Fadli
THE JAKARTA POST/BATAM
The Batam Industrial Develop-
ment Authority (BP Batam) plans
to expand and improve infra-
structure at Hang Nadim Inter-
national Airport in Batam, Riau
Islands, under a massive project
with a US$448 million price tag,
which for the first time will open
airport management to foreign
participants.
The upgrade will include the
improvement of the old terminal
to increase its capacity to 8 mil-
lion passengers from the current
5 million passengers and the de-
velopment of a new terminal that
is expected to accommodate 10
million passengers. The project
will reportedly start in 2019.
“The objective [of the upgrade]
is to reaffirm Hang Nadim’s pur-
pose as a hub airport,” the air-
port’s operational general manag-
er, Suwarso, told The Jakarta Post
on Tuesday.
The central government will
fund the project while the man-
agement of the airport will be of-
fered to both domestic and for-
eign private companies, he said.
The government, through the
Transportation Ministry, has
eased foreign investment re-
quirements for the aviation sec-
tor. Foreign firms can now have
a 67 percent share in managing
airports.
Japanese company Mitsui that
manages Haneda Airport has ex-
pressed interest in joining the
bidding to manage Hang Nadim,
Suwarso said. Other companies
that have also expressed interest
include South Korean Incheon,
which has already met with Hang
Nadim airport management
three times.
Meanwhile, state-run airport
operator PT Angkasa Pura has
also filed a proposal to join the
bidding, he added.
BP Batam will conduct a “beau-
ty contest” to choose partners
that it believes will bring mutu-
ally beneficial cooperation.
Suwarso also said that for for-
eign operators like Mitsui and
Incheon, Hang Nadim had a stra-
tegic position and could be de-
veloped more maximally. He said
they could invite related parties
such as flight companies from
their respective countries to open
flight routes to the airport.
“Hang Nadim’s proximity to
KLIA [Kuala Lumpur Interna-
tional Airport, Malaysia] and
Changi [Singapore] is a competi-
tive advantage,” he said.
At present, only 45 percent
of the airport’s 1,760-hectares
plot of land has been developed.
The rest is expected to be de-
veloped by the airport opera-
tor company chosen to manage
Hang Nadim.
Currently, Hang Nadim air-
port has the longest runaway in
Asia, which spans 4,025 meters,
and is capable of accommodat-
ing 120 takeoffs and landings ev-
ery day.
Moreover, BP Batam spokes-
man Purnomo Andiantono also
said the company planned to
build a cargo terminal to accom-
modate the increasing amount
of goods being delivered through
the airport.
“We will also complete the
airport with modern supporting
facilities,” he said as reported by
antaranews.com.
6 | OPINION THURSDAY May 4, 2017

Safety regulations matter

he same old story resulting from the ram- Raw mineral exports
T pant violation of safety regulations repeats
itself, turning a merry trip to the hilly resort
area of Puncak in West Java into mourning
following the loss of lives in two separate ac- from different perspective
cidents in a week. Based on the police’s early investigation,
the tragedies resulted from brake failure, which could,

M
edia reports sur-
and should, have been detected earlier. rounding the coun-
The deaths of 12 people when their bus plunged into try’s mining in-
a plantation after colliding with a number of vehicles on dustry has been
Monday, and four others in another multiple collision recently dominated by Freeport,
in an earlier accident, are too many, even in a country Freeport and Freeport. However
there are more issues in the coun-
where compliance with traffic regulations remains low try’s mining sector that need to be
and enforcement of the traffic law is weak. raised and discussed.
Blaming drivers who ignore safety rules at will, or The Freeport saga is a result
their employers, and imprisoning them is easy, but of Government Regulation (PP)
this only amounts to scapegoating, without a compre- No. 1/2017, which eventually gives
hensive solution to the entrenched disrespect for Freeport a choice of converting
its contract of work (CoW) with
traffic regulations. a requirement to build a smelter,
First and foremost, the standard operating procedures for or continuing with the CoW un-
declaring a public bus roadworthy need revisiting. Reports til 2021 with the possibility of not
have it that to secure a vehicle roadworthiness certificate being granted an extension.
from the transportation authorities, money still talks. Issued as the fourth revision
The latest two accidents involving buses that could op- of PP No. 23/2010, PP. No. 1/2017
erate despite unsafe brakes should speak volumes about was also accompanied by Energy
and Mineral Resources Minister’s
the lack of implementation of public transportation road- Regulation (Permen ESDM) No.
worthiness systems. Such poor supervision has persisted 5 and 6/2017, which gives details
for years as brake failure was the cause of at least two fatal about what was being revised in
crashes involving public buses in Puncak between 2013 PP No. 23/2010.
and 2016. Two of the most discussed is-
The practice of bribing traffic police officers for a sues are nickel ore with a grade of
less than 1.7 percent that can now
driver’s license, in particular licenses for public trans- be exported, as well as washed
portation drivers, is another acute problem that has bauxite with Al203 content great-
contributed much to traffic accidents in the country. The er than or equal to 42 percent as
online system, accompanied by an increase in administra- stipulated in article 10 of Permen
tion fees, introduced by National Police chief Gen. Tito ESDM No. 5/2017.
Karnavian last year, should end the corrupt culture, but it Resistance to the resumption
remains to be seen whether the initiatives will work. of nickel and bauxite ore exports
is unavoidable. Lately, a non-prof-
We cannot turn a blind eye either to the still rampant it organization filed the materi-
street bribery involving both errant drivers and dirty al test for those regulations with
cops at the expense of the enforcement of traffic regula- the Supreme Court, with the hope
tions. This practice has cost the law and its enforcers that those regulations would be
their credibility. nullified because they contravene
More specifically, the series of traffic accidents in Pun-
cak requires extra efforts to prevent more road users being
killed and injured. The crowded route on weekends and
holidays testifies to the inability of the road infrastructure
in the holiday resort to accommodate so many tourists.
N. Korea must win back ASEAN goodwill
We appreciate the quick response of the central and Kavi Chongkittavorn
Bogor governments to provide safe journeys to holiday- THE NATION/ANN/BANGKOK
makers by their plans to widen the road, although this
Alexander
Senaputra
JAKARTA
the previous Law No. 4/2009.
Working for years in bauxite
processing, I would see reversing
the mineral export ban from a dif-
ferent perspective.
There are two fundamental
concepts that need to be exam-
ined when discussing non-re-
newable natural resources. First
is the “present value” from a very
influential article: “The Econom-
ics of Exhaustible Resources”
by Harold Hotelling, which is
re-discussed by John E. Tilton
in his book that serves as a bible
for mineral economists: On Bor-
rowed Time. It is said there that
the mine’s goal is to maximize the
present value of its current and
future profits.
The present value means a dol-
lar received today is worth far
more than a dollar received years
later, for it can be invested and
earn a return rate. Michael Spen-
ce, a Nobel Laureate economist,
also emphasized the trickle-down
effect when “a dollar” is invested
today rather than later.
For instance: A new road can
be built and support the flow of
goods and the flow of goods sup-
port the economic growth of an
area, so on and so forth.
more, the grouping’s position has
also been consistent: De-escala-
tion of the crisis, denuclearisation
The second concept is “Tech-
nology Advancement”. The best
example of this is the peak oil
theory by a geologist and scien-
tist named M. King Hubbert.
He forecast a timeline when the
world’s oil reserves would reach
a peak and then decline. In his
prediction, it was to have peaked
in 2010. However, in reality the
world’s oil reserves have been in-
creasing since 2008 until now
and the production rate has been
too — thanks to a technological (r)
evolution.
Hydraulic fracking and hori-
zontal drilling help oil and gas
companies tap unconventional
deposits by accessing deeper and
vastly elongated in-land sources.
Fractured oil wells unpredictably
contributed to almost doubling
US oil production from 5 million
barrels per day in 2005 to 9 mil-
lion barrels per day in 2015.
The bottom line is that tech-
nology breakthroughs can hap-
pen at any part of the supply chain
and often become game changers
that may bring benefits or dam-
age depending on our positions —
likewise the weakening position
of the Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries (OPEC)
when unconventional oil is pro-
duced on a mass scale.
Going back to the Indonesian
bauxite, before the export ban
came into effect, the export of
bauxite ore was 60 million tons
a year. With 1 billion tons of to-
tal reserves, Indonesia would be
missile test, aiming at provoking
the US to coincide with President
Donald Trump’s hundred days in
running out of bauxite within
two decades. The ban can unde-
niably save us from a depletion
catastrophe.
However, after the ban, there
are only two bauxite-to-alumina
refineries operating so far: Hari-
ta Well Harvest and Antam CGA.
Currently, they process 4 million
tons of bauxite annually, at max-
imum. This means our reserves
will last for 250 years or even lon-
ger if new deposits are found and
become economically viable. The
question is if aluminum or any
metal would still hold the same
economic value as today, based
on the present value concept and
also when technology advance-
ment gradually progresses to-
ward polymers as the material of
the future.
In fact, alumina prices have de-
creased from US$400 to $230 per
ton because of market oversup-
ply, before bouncing back to a lev-
el of near $300 recently. In some
cases, the longer we wait the low-
er the economic gain we get from
mineral extraction.
Therefore, we would better
focus on the quest for the opti-
mum rate of mineral extraction,
although that means some of the
ore must be exported for the capi-
tal of building domestic process-
ing facilities.
The writer works as technical
adviser for PT Geoservices. The
views expressed are his own.
condoned without proper investi-
gation and explanation. Obviously,
without Malaysia’s full acquies-

F
or nearly two decades,
will only stimulate more people to go to Puncak and thus North Korea has had am-
sustain the gridlock. Bogor Regent Nurhayanti’s prom- ple opportunities to use
ise to set up checkpoints to make sure only roadworthy ASEAN goodwill and friendship
public transportation vehicles travel along the hilly route and its numerous mechanisms to
is another effort to prioritize safety. build up confidence and further
Innovations in traffic management in the favorite reduce tensions in the Korean
tourist destination will, however, still be needed, such as Peninsula. But Pyongyang chose
to completely ignore ASEAN. Even
the even and odd number mechanism currently in place worse, it has taken the group-
in Jakarta. But unless safety rules prevail, the roads will ing for granted and in the process
remain a killing field for unsuspecting travelers. greatly undermined its potential
power to shape issues impacting
Step down, Maduro peace and security in earlier days.
Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho’s
letter to ASEAN secretary-gener-
 t is only a matter of time before Venezuelan al Le Luong Minh warned that the
of North Korea and the resump-
tion of Six Party Talks (SPT).
After the ASEAN Regional Fo-
rum (ARF) was established in
1995, the Korean Peninsula has
been dominating the region-wide
security platform. Sad but true, af-
ter joining the ARF in 2000, North
Korea has not been a good ARF
member due to the lack of a for-
eign ministerial attendance. Fur-
thermore, since 2003 the SPT has
been dragging on without any sub-
stantive progress. All SPT mem-
bers belong to the ARF, which
ASEAN had hoped could be used
as a platform to build up confi-
office as well as challenging the
United Nations Security Council
meeting on North Korea chaired
by State Secretary Rex Tillerson
in New York. What was intriguing
about Pyongyang’s strategy was
that while it was asking ASEAN
for support, it was threatening
ASEAN, as the latest tests were
timed to coincide with the ASEAN
Summit over the weekend. These
ballistic missiles can reach all
ASEAN capitals.
The ASEAN chairman’s state-
ment, which was released yester-
day after the end of 30th summit on
Saturday, again expressed “grave
cence, ASEAN would not be able
to mobilize its diplomatic efforts
in whatever capacities.
Second, North Korea must give
an assurance to ASEAN that it
would give up its nuclear ambition
and join community-building ef-
forts in East Asia. The future of this
hermit kingdom lies within this
region and its cooperative spirit.
ASEAN can help ease the pains of
economic integration of central-
ized economies. Just look at the
progress of the ASEAN Commu-
nity, which now incorporate all
countries in Southeast Asia.
Without this prerequisite,

I President Nicolas Maduro’s dictatorship

falls. He is wrong to think Venezuelans will
always love him simply for being the direct
choice of the late Hugo Chavez, the “Robin
situation in the Korean Peninsula
was “reaching the brink of war”
because of the United States ac-
tion. He urged the ASEAN chief to
inform member countries about
dence and reduce tensions.
In addition, Pyongyang also ac-
ceded to the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation in 2008, accepting
the 1976 regional code of conduct
concern” over the latest test. The
ASEAN leaders also called for
self-restraint not to exacerbate
the current tension and explore
awareness of immediate dialogue.
North Korea will remain a bellig-
erent nation as always. ASEAN
has been consistent in express-
ing concerns over Pyongyang’s
repeated tests of mass weapons
Hood” of the oil-rich state.  the grave situation on the ground. that advocates pacifist means of In the context of Asian diplo- of destruction. At this juncture,
The history of many nations, including Indonesia, Truth be told, ASEAN leaders resolving conflicts and denounces macy, however, it is better late and ASEAN has also taken up a com-
shows that no leader can survive in a collapsed economy have been well informed as they the use of force. Back then, ASEAN never. There are few tangible steps mon position to push for a global
while also plundering through abuses of power alongside have issued numerous statements sincerely hoped it could persuade that Pyongyang needs to take to ban treaty for nuclear weapons,
their cronies. Soeharto ended his 32-year rule following expressing concerns over Pyong- Pyongyang to be part of the new bring back longstanding ASEAN which is currently under negotia-
the Asian financial crisis, when Indonesia suffered the yang’s intransigence in the past make-up of regional architecture goodwill and confidence before tion at the UN.
years. as ASEAN was expanding its role any decision to do North Korea’s All in all, North Korea does not
most compared to its neighbors.  The Korean Peninsula crisis and region-wide security forum. bidding. At this juncture, Pyong- have to be aggressive with ASEAN
Maduro inherited power from his mentor Chavez has been greatly escalated by the But the expectation was a bit pre- yang’s important gesture must be as it is not threatening anyone.
who died in 2013. Chavez, who came to power in 1998, frequent testing of ballistic mis- mature, as North Korea has con- to communicate frankly with Ma- There is no loss of face involved in
was hugely popular for his distribution of the abundant siles and nuclear-related weapons tinued to pursue its nuclear am- laysia about the incident at Kuala dealing with ASEAN. The country
revenue gained from a skyrocketing oil price. He provided since Kim Jong-un came to pow- bition without addressing ASEAN Lumpur International Airport in has a clear choice to make — the
free education, healthcare, heavily subsidized food staples er at the end of 2011. Minh would concerns and issues related to February. path of more isolation or integra-
and housing for the people. He was known globally as the probably not respond to Ho’s let- peace and security in the region. The murder of Kim Jong-nam, tion. As its 50-year history has
ter because ASEAN does not trust Just this month alone, Pyong- Kim Jong-un’s half brother, re- manifested, ASEAN is very good
poster boy for anti-United States sentiments. North Korea any more. Further- yang conducted three ballistic mains a mystery and cannot be at the second choice.
 The Associated Press reported poverty rates fell
sharply during Chavez’s administration; many continue
to see him as a beloved Robin Hood figure who gave them
houses, free healthcare, better education and a place at the
table in the government. 
Italy will be Europe’s next big problem
Maduro should end his four-year government rule and
Ferdinando Giugliano Meanwhile Italian politics goes chases of government debt. The come muddled. He claims to be
stop the bloodshed caused by his loyalists. Thousands BLOOMBERG VIEW from bad to worse. The Five Star prospect of political instability in pro-European Union, but never
have lost their lives as victims of the dictator’s brutal Movement, a populist force that Rome could spook investors, rais- misses a chance to bash Brus-
tactics to silence hungry and angry protesters. As Maduro

E
mmanuel Macron looks on
would clearly continue to silence anyone who defies his course to become France’s
regime, he should be stopped. His attempt to dissolve the new president, ending the
democratically elected parliament and to rewrite the con- threat of a euroskeptic at the Ely-
see. Even if Macron wins, though,
stitution to allow him to remain president is intolerable. it’ll be too soon to celebrate a new
 Although Maduro has expressed his intention to with- phase of stability in the eurozone.
draw from the Organization of American States (OAS), Across the Alps, an economic and
where members include the US, the regional grouping political storm is brewing — and
needs to strengthen concrete measures to isolate Maduro. there’s no sign anyone can stop it.
Given that 95 percent of the country’s export earnings Italy’s economic problems are
come from oil, a skyrocketing oil price is the only hope for in many ways worse than France’s.
Public debt stands at nearly 133
Maduro to retain his rule. However, as such a scenario is percent of gross domestic product
unlikely, Maduro may not hesitate to take all available, (GDP); in France, it’s 96 percent.
merciless actions against the population.  The last time Italy grew faster than
The International Monetary Fund predicted Venezue- France was in 1995. Both countries
la’s inflation would reach 700 percent this year. And as in have struggled to stay competitive
Indonesia after Soeharto’s fall, Venezuela now has little internationally — but French pro-
choice but to sell its major assets, including state oil firm ductivity has risen by roughly 15
percent since 2001, whereas Italy’s
Petróleos de Venezuela, SA. has stagnated.
wants to hold a referendum on It-
aly’s membership of the euro sys-
tem, is riding high in the polls and
currently neck and neck with the
center-left Democratic Party.
The general election, sched-
uled for next spring, is unlikely
to produce a clear winner — and
there’s even a small chance it may
result in a Eurosceptic govern-
ment, if the Five Stars were to win
enough votes and form an alliance
with the fiercely anti-euro North-
ern League.
Europhiles in Italy are busily
looking for an Italian Macron —
someone who could offer a liberal
remedy for Italy’s economic woes
while fighting off the threat of “It-
exit.” Investors would like that. In
the autumn, the European Cen-
tral Bank looks set to slow its pur-
ing doubts over the sustainability
of Italy’s debt.
In many ways, Matteo Renzi,
Italy’s former prime minister,
who resigned after a heavy de-
feat in December’s constitutional
referendum, would be the obvi-
ous choice. At 42, he is only three
years older than Macron. He too
has sought to modernize the left,
even though he preferred to climb
through the ranks of his party,
rather than set up a new one as
Macron did.
The trouble is that Renzi looks
increasingly like a spent force.
He has just obtained a fresh man-
date as party leader, but many
Italians doubt his promises be-
cause he reneged on a pledge to
quit politics if he lost the refer-
endum. His message has also be-
sels — for imposing fiscal auster-
ity, especially. Why should voters
opt for Renzi’s half-hearted eu-
roskepticism when they can have
the real thing?
A year is a long time in politics.
Italians could yet grow tired of
the Five Star Movement and de-
cide that Renzi offers a safer al-
ternative — but don’t count on it.
With luck, France is about to sug-
gest that reason still prevails in
European politics. Italy remains
capable of proving otherwise.
The author writes columns and
editorials on European economics
for Bloomberg View. He is also an
economics columnist for La Repub-
blica and was a member of the edito-
rial board of the Financial Times. 

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THURSDAY May 4, 2017
TNI AU and technology parity awareness
I
f we look through the macro
lens, the development of jet
fighters is moving at a speed
nearly comparable to the
advancement of smartphones.
The Cold War legacy, which was
marked by size, speed and de-
structive power, has been gradu-
ally replaced by more maneuver-
able, smarter and more efficient
capabilities; packed in a multi-
role platform corresponding to
wider duty calls. This way, quan-
tity builds up and arms races be-
come irrelevant.
For Indonesia today, the con-
cept that should prevail is “tech-
nology parity” or having the latest
technology coupled with a better
man behind the gun. Indonesia
recognized this call 71 years ago,
when it established the Indone-
sian Air Force (TNI AU).
Our visionary founding fathers
were aware of the need to have a
separate air force less than a year
after independence. It even came
a year earlier than the United
States, which only decided to turn
the US Army Air Force into the
separate US Air Force in 1947.
Such awareness emerged be-
yond the mere patriotic spirit of
a newly born country, but also re-
Protests alone won’t
fix Venezuela
Jennifer McCoy
REUTERS
O
n May 1 opponents of
the Venezuelan govern-
ment once again filled
the streets of Caracas, following a
month of demonstrations against
President Nicolas Maduro in
which 29 people were killed and
hundreds detained.
In a new gambit to delay elec-
tions and defuse the protests,
Maduro on Monday proposed a
500-person assembly chosen by
groups of workers, students and
others to rewrite the country’s
constitution. The opposition de-
nounced this move as unconstitu-
tional, and called Venezuelans to
the streets to protest.
But protests alone won’t lead
to peace for this divided and suf-
fering country. Other countries
need to pressure moderates from
the government and the opposi-
tion to negotiate a solution to the
crisis that has left millions of Ven-
ezuelans with too little food and
medicine, and a power struggle
between the legislature and the
Supreme Court.
Venezuela is facing the leg-
acy of 18 years of revolution-
ary change introduced by Hugo
Chávez. In the 2000s, the Chávez
government distributed the prof-
its from record-high oil prices to
the poor, but failed to invest in the
national petroleum company and,
after confiscating many private
businesses, resorted to importing
most of the country’s food.
In the years following Chávez’s
2013 death, oil prices slid, drop-
ping to as low as US$25 per bar-
rel in early 2016. The Maduro
government refused to loosen its
control of foreign currency and
open up the economy, leading to
shortages of food and medicine,
a severe recession, and hyper-in-
flation currently estimated at 700
percent.
It responded to its falling pop-
ularity by postponing governors’
elections, jailing opposition lead-
ers, and arming pro-government
gangs to intimidate protesters.
The current crisis could end in
three ways. First, the protesters
now in the streets may grow tired
and return home, international
attention may fade, and the gov-
ernment could continue to lead
while waiting for oil prices to rise,
allowing it to make its next bond
payments in November. During
that time the government would
likely continue to delay elections
and suppress dissent. This has
happened twice before in the last
three years.
Second, the sporadic violence
that now occurs between gov-
ernment-armed gangs and the
youths who oppose them could
spiral out of control, producing
more bloodshed and chaos.
Third, and ideally, moderates
on both sides could negotiate to
restore constitutional rule and
checks and balances, end the
food and medicine shortage, and
start the long path to national
recovery through elections and
compromise.
For this third scenario to be
possible, however, Venezuela
must overcome two traps.
The “exit cost trap” exists be-
cause some elected government
officials are reluctant to hold elec-
tions because if they lose, they
and their collaborators could be
Haryo B.
Rahmadi
JAKARTA
flected strategic and technologi-
cal comprehension that materi-
alized through the formation of a
state aircraft maker, which is now
known as PT Dirgantara Indone-
sia (PTDI).
The Air Force played a pivotal
role in the initial efforts to form
an indigenous aerospace indus-
try. The recent 71st anniversary
of the Air Force should therefore
encourage the nation to revive its
strategic and technological vision.
As the legal umbrella for such
a vision, Law No. 16/2012 on the
defense industry stipulates two
main agenda items of our defense
industry: self-sufficiency and ca-
pability strengthening, two vi-
sions that actually contradict
each other.
Self-sufficiency is a long and
more expensive journey full of tri-
al-and-error, which sacrifices de-
fense capability in the short term
in an endeavor to build a sover-
indicted for criminal activity,
including drug trafficking, cor-
ruption or human rights abus-
es. Those already on the United
States sanctions list for such of-
fenses and many others are likely
to keep a tight grip on power un-
less they know that they won’t be
prosecuted in Venezuela or extra-
dited for trial to the US.
The “polarization trap” comes
from the division between sup-
porters and opponents of the gov-
ernment, a schism that has ex-
isted since 2001. The two groups
distrust each other and so far
have been unwilling to engage in
any kind of conversation about
resolving Venezuela’s problems.
Moderates in the middle who at-
tempt to compromise or negoti-
ate a solution to the crisis are con-
sidered sell-outs or traitors by the
extremes.
Venezuela can escape the “exit
cost trap” with a form of transi-
tional justice usually applied after
civil wars or during transitions
from authoritarian to democratic
governments.
It involves measures like those
in the recent Colombian peace
agreement, where the govern-
ment offered reduced sentences
to the guerrillas in exchange for
them providing financial com-
pensation, turning over their
weapons, taking responsibility
for their crimes and committing
to not resume the war.
Venezuela could escape the
“polarization trap” with the help
of the international community.
Neighboring countries in
South America could help Ven-
ezuelans overcome their skep-
ticism of negotiation by setting
time limits for the government
to accept medical and food aid,
fix dates for internationally-
monitored local and national
elections, release political pris-
oners, restore the legislature’s
power and stop arming civilian
militias and repressing peaceful
protesters.
International development
banks could suspend multilater-
al loans until the Organization of
American States determines the
Maduro administration is putting
democracy back on track.
To be sure, bringing the two
sides together to negotiate a way
out of the crisis will not be easy.
The Maduro government con-
trols the media, judiciary, elec-
toral council, state oil company,
security forces and armed civilian
militias.
Its opposition has in the past
been weak and divided, racked
with internal rivalries and ambi-
tions that have prevented it from
agreeing on conditions for nego-
tiations. But moderate voices are
now beginning to call for compro-
mise rather than all-out victory
over the government.
The Maduro administration
can’t afford to wait. It faces severe
international debt obligations,
a loss of popular confidence and
the risk that members of its own
inner circle could defect.
Negotiations are the key to
Venezuela’s future. The alterna-
tives are far worse.
The writer is distinguished
university professor of political
science at Georgia State
University and co-author of Inter-
national Mediation in Venezuela.
eign and capable defense indus-
try. On the other hand, “stronger
now” is easier to achieve through
off-the-shelf acquisition, which
inflicts significant opportunity
costs for a sovereign defense in-
dustry, as the industry is denied
participation in building defense
capability.
Opportunely, the defense in-
dustry law bridges these contra-
dictory visions by regulating de-
fense offset as an obligation in
defense acquisition. In general,
defense offset is defined as the
willingness of weapon sellers to
buy products or services from the
buying countries.
By means of defense offset,
the technology parity concept of-
fers a solution to align and syner-
gize the two contradictory visions
in defense acquisition in two ma-
jor steps.
First, acquisition of the best
technology available in the mar-
ket and combat-proven in mis-
sions, for example our recent ac-
quisition of the Anglo-Italian
Leonardo AW101 Merlin heavy
transport helicopter, is manda-
tory to ensure the TNI AU is on a
par with the latest developments.
Second, a thorough calculation
Sustainable infrastructure investment
I
nfrastructure investment
needs are high on the glob-
al development agenda as
the realization of the funding re-
quirements depends not only on
each country’s financing capacity
but also on multilateral coopera-
tion with other countries or inter-
national agencies.
Sustainable and quality infra-
structure investment are two sides
of the same coin. Quality infra-
structure investment can facilitate
the achievement of the Sustain-
able Development Goals (SDGs),
which are part of the global devel-
opment commitments.
What is sustainable infrastruc-
ture investment and how does it
link to quality infrastructure in-
vestment and finance? To quote
the Report of the Global Com-
mission on the Economy and
Climate 2016, sustainable infra-
structure is infrastructure that is
socially, economically and envi-
ronmentally sustainable. The re-
port describes the three pillars of
sustainable infrastructure invest-
ment as follows:
Socially sustainable infra-
structure is inclusive — it serves
all, not just a select few — and
contributes to enhanced liveli-
hoods and social wellbeing. It
may be expressly designed to
meet the needs of the poor by in-
creasing access to basic services
such as clean energy, water and
sanitation by supporting poverty
reduction, and by reducing vul-
nerability to climate change.
Economically sustainable in-
frastructure does not burden gov-
ernments with unpayable debt,
or impose painfully high costs
on users. It helps create jobs and
boosts gross domestic product
(GDP), and may include opportu-
nities to build capacity among lo-
cal suppliers and developers and
strengthen livelihoods.
Environmentally sustainable
infrastructure limits all types of
pollution during both construc-
tion and operation, and supports
the conservation and sustainable
use of natural resources.
It contributes to a low-carbon,
Please send your articles to opinion@thejakartapost.com.
is a must to obtain a minimum
number of purchases, which
would optimize the value of the
offset we can get. The offset val-
ue should be manifest not only
in our air power capabilities, skill
improvements of our airmen and
aviation industry workers, but
also in the integration of PTDI to
the global defense supply chain.
Producers of weapon systems
usually require a minimum pur-
chase before they are willing to
negotiate offsets, which could
range from supplying parts and
components to establishing as-
sembly or manufacturing lines in
the buying country.
Nevertheless, it is often said
that the current defense mar-
ket is a buyers’ market, therefore
any weapons makers are more
than happy to oblige with any rea-
sonable requirement especially
against the backdrop of shrinking
defense budgets.
The technology parity con-
cept thus calls for the right tar-
geting of our defense spending,
not only on the technology ac-
quired to strengthen our capabili-
ties, but also on the right amount
of spending to ensure significant
offset for our defense industry de-
Armida S.
Alisjahbana
JAKARTA
resource-efficient economy, for
example, through energy- and wa-
ter-efficiency. It is resilient to cli-
mate risks such as sea-level rise
and extreme weather events, and
— particularly with natural infra-
structure — can also increase re-
silience.
Sustainable infrastructure in-
vestment will support the achieve-
ment of SDGs through enhancing
access to basic services, promoting
inclusive growth and promoting
environmental sustainability.
As countries are at different
levels of development, it is impor-
tant to understand the drivers for
successful sustainable infrastruc-
ture investment by type of coun-
tries based on their development
stage. The Report of the Global
Commission on the Economy and
Climate 2016 classifies drivers
of demand for sustainable infra-
structure investment as follows;
At the global level, the rap-
id pace and nature of growth in
emerging and developing econo-
mies relative to advanced econo-
mies implies different infrastruc-
ture needs.
Achieving climate and sus-
tainable development objectives
of the Paris Agreement and the
SDGs requires early and systemic
action and investment in new and
existing infrastructure.
The challenges for countries,
however are different depending
on their country needs and prior-
ities as can be ascertained by type
of countries.
Infrastructure demand for low
and developing countries is more
on expanding access to basic ser-
vices: clean water, sanitation, im-
proving connectivity through
road networks, infrastructure
for information and communica-
tions technology (ICT), basic in-
frastructure to support economic
OPINION
velopment. By joining the global
defense supply chain system, the
most expensive portion of re-
search and development costs is
shared, with a bonus in the form
of a higher learning curve, which
is impossible to achieve under the
economies of scale in an autarky
approach.
One very important goal of
employing the technology parity
concept is higher availability and
readiness with more readable ra-
tionalization, standardization
and interoperability (RSI) of de-
fense equipment. In a world with
growing resource scarcities, RSI
in defense logistics and opera-
tions has become a headache for
many armed forces, either as ex-
porters or importers.
The fact that threat dynamics
have advanced beyond sectoral
and territorial boundaries also
contributes to the importance
of this RSI issue since nearly no
threat nowadays can be isolated
as merely a single nation’s affair,
from humanitarian and disaster
relief to transnational organized
crime.
This again reminds us that
technology parity is not a subjec-
tive approach to cope with the
activities such as irrigation for ag-
riculture, building resilience and
adaptation to the impact of cli-
mate change.
How to reconcile sustainable
infrastructure investment with
quality infrastructure invest-
ment? The five Ise-Shima prin-
ciples of quality infrastructure
investment and finance adopted
by the G7 and endorsed by G20
countries entail the same spirit.
They include Principle 1: En-
suring efficiency, reliable opera-
tion, sustainability, safety and
resilience; Principle 2: Contribu-
tion to the local community; Prin-
ciple 3: Addressing social and en-
vironmental impacts, and use of
international best practices; Prin-
ciple 4: Alignment with national
and regional strategies; Principle
5: Resource mobilization.
Sustainable and quality in-
frastructure investment can be
aligned through the priority of
addressing national and regional
priorities and strategies by tak-
ing into account economic sus-
tainability, social sustainability
and environmental sustainabil-
ity. This approach nicely over-
laps with principles 1, 2 and 3
of the Ise-Shima principles as
described above. Why first and
foremost are these national pri-
orities and strategies? Because
infrastructure investment is a
development priority for the de-
veloping and emerging countries
concerned and not solely an in-
vestment issue.
Each country’s investment
needs and priorities are differ-
ent based on their development
stages. Take the example of In-
donesia (Bappenas, 2014): for the
period of 2015-2019, total infra-
structure investment needs are
about US$370 billion (41 percent
government, 22 percent state-
owned enterprises [SOEs], and 37
percent public,-private partner-
ship [PPP] or private sector).
Based on the Medium Term
Development Plan 2014-2019
(Bappenas, 2015), the priorities
for Indonesia are: The first prior-
ity is to fulfill basic infrastructure
| 7
latest defense technology devel-
opment. It is instead a very im-
portant concept to reverse the
arms race tendency, which will
enable defense technology pro-
ducers worldwide to communi-
cate with each other in tackling
cross-border and cross-sectoral
threats.
Acquisition of proven tech-
nology from the market, like
the AW101 helicopter and the
planned acquisition of Airbus
A400M Atlas heavy transport
aircraft, will be a positive step
for Indonesia. In turn, the vast
spectrum of defense acquisition
should call on all defense acqui-
sition-related stakeholders to de-
vote closer attention and positive
contributions beyond the defense
contract time span to safeguard
the manifestation of this concept
into effective practices.
Happy 71st anniversary to the
Indonesian Air Force, may the
force be with you as the Wings of
the Motherland.
The writer lectures on defense
management and economics at
the Indonesian Defense University,
Sentul, Bogor.
by 2019: 100 percent drinking wa-
ter access as well as sanitation,
96.6 percent electrification ratio,
livable housing, infrastructure for
remote and border areas.
The second priority is to build
inter-modal connectivity to con-
nect regional growth centers,
broadband development and en-
ergy infrastructure.
The third is to build sustainable
urban transportation as Indone-
sia’s population is rapidly urban-
izing. The combination of road,
rail-based and mass transporta-
tion systems is being developed in
large metropolitan and big cities.
Other countries may have differ-
ent infrastructure development
scales and priorities.
The different drivers of sus-
tainable infrastructure invest-
ment of the countries concerned
will entail different resource-mo-
bilization strategies. To arrive at
principles of quality infrastruc-
ture investment and financing,
the first principle is to take on the
economic principle of sustainable
infrastructure investment, i.e. it
does not burden a government
with unpayable debt, or impose
painfully high costs on users.
In closing, to support the devel-
opment of financing strategies as
outlined above, several enabling
factors and environment needs
must be enhanced. Sound public
institutions and foundations for
public investment should be de-
veloped. Policy-enabling condi-
tions for SOEs and private partic-
ipation need to be strengthened.
Capacity to mobilize domestic
investment through capital mar-
kets and financial institutions is
needed as a source of investment
as it is geared toward more non-
government sources.
The writer is a director of the
SDGs Center at Padjadjaran
University, Bandung. The article is
an excerpt of her speech at the Inter-
national Economic Forum on Asia
organized by OECD Development
Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japan and ERIA, Tokyo, April 14.
8 | SPORTS THURSDAY May 4, 2017

PUTTING IT BRIEFLY
FIFPro wants Muntari yellow quashed
CELTA PLANS MORE PAIN
THE HAGUE: World players’ union FIFPro urged Italian soccer powers
Tuesday to quash Sully Muntari’s yellow card for leaving the pitch over
the weekend, after fans hurled racial abused at the Ghanaian player.
The former AC Milan and Inter midfielder dramatically left the field
for exhausted Manchester United
Sunday while playing for Pescara at Cagliari after he angrily confronted
Cagliari fans, claiming to have been racially abused before being Kieran Canning woes as they join Phil Jones, Chris City man would revel in ending of the likes of Edwin Van der Sar,
booked. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/MADRID Smalling and Marco Rojo on the United’s chances of winning the Edgar Davids and Jari Litmanen
While leaving the pitch in frustration and murmuring “Basta! sidelines, meaning Mourinho will Europa League for the first time. lost the 1996 Champions League
[Enough],” Muntari went to address more supporters, showing them Jose Mourinho must patch need to look for emergency solu- “As they say ‘Manchester is final to Juventus on penalties.
his arm and shouting: “This is my color, this is my color.” up an injury ravaged Manches- tions at centre-back. blue’ and that’s how it will be However, a new genera-
Muntari, 32, received a one-match ban later Tuesday from Italian ter United squad as the English Mourinho has been critical when we visit there as tion of wonder ki kids now
league officials for his decision to leave the field seconds before full- side’s quest for Europa League of Jones and Smalling’s unwill- well, because we are threatens to take
ta Eu-
time — a decision that earned him a second yellow card, and then a glory faces its stiffest test yet with ingness to play through the pain Celta Vigo and we rope by storm, includ-
red, from referee Daniele Minelli. a semi-final, first leg trip to Celta barrier and doesn’t expect them will try to keep ing 17-year-old Justin
“FIFPro believes Muntari’s yellow card should be rescinded,” the Vigo on Thursday. to rush back meaning right-back the city blue.” Kluivert, son o of Ajax
Dutch-based union said in a statement. The Portuguese manager de- Mateo Darmian, midfielder Mi- Patrick.
leg- end Patrick
“Muntari was well within his rights to approach referee Daniele Mi- scribed United’s nine-match chael Carrick or 19-year-old Axel “It’s what
nelli, as the first point of reference, to make his grievances known and April schedule as “not human” Tuanzebe could deputise at the stands for.
Ajax stan
seek a solution,” it said from its headquarters outside Amsterdam. after another disappointing 1-1 heart of the defence. We give young
FIFPro urged Italian soccer authorities to “hear Muntari’s version of home draw in the Premier League “That’s my personal opinion, players d dreams
events, investigate why the situation was mismanaged, and take firm against relegation threatened I don’t think they will [be fit] but and opopportu-
action to ensure this never happens again.” — AFP Swansea City on Sunday. I know the players I choose will nities,” said
nities
His side’s schedule doesn’t get give everything. It doesn’t matter Van der
any easier, though, with six more if I go with Darmian or Carrick or Sar, now
Benteke urges Sakho to stay at Palace games to come over the next 19 Axel, I trust the boys.” the club’s
days in a bid to seal Champions The visitors will have Paul Pog- Fo r m e r general di-
gene
BENGALURU: Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke is eager to con- League qualification either by ba and Marouane Fellaini back Liverpool rector.
rector
vince on-loan defender Mamadou Sakho to stay at the Premier League winning the Europa League or available, whilst Juan Mata could striker Lyon has
club past this season, the Belgian international has said. squeezing into the top four of the make his comeback from groin Iago As- injury tr troubles
Palace has lost just twice and kept four clean sheets in the eight Premier League. surgery after being an unused pas is Cel- as it lolooks to
league games where Sakho, who joined Palace from Liverpool on loan “If we beat Celta, we have the substitute against Swansea. ta’s main reach a first
in January, has played at center-back. final and, in this moment, it is ob- Celta, by contrast, has had the t h r e a t , European
ever Eu
Benteke, who has scored 16 goals this season, played with Sakho at viously hypothetical,” Mourinho luxury of resting up Eduardo Ber- though, as he’s final.
Liverpool and said that once 16th-placed Palace was safe from relega- told the United website. izzo’s preferred XI for the major- struck 24 Top scor-
tion, signing the Frenchman, who suffered a knee injury last week, “The Europa League final is ity of its recent La Liga games as times this er AleAlexandre
would be the next priority. on the Wednesday and we play the Galicians concentrate on try- season. Lacazette and
Lacazett
“I’m trying to persuade him to stay but it will be tough,” Benteke against Crystal Palace on the Sun- ing to win a first ever major tro- The other French in-
told British media. “He’ll have offers from other clubs, although our day. Before that, we play South- phy. semifinal, first ternational
chairman and boss will try to get him to stay too. He’s made such a ampton away a few days before, so “We also know what’s at stake leg takes place Corentin Tol-
difference to us. First, we have to make sure we remain in the Prem we would be playing the final with — not only that you win the Euro- on Wednesday in isso have
hav trav-
[league], but we’re not far away now.” disastrous consequences.” pa League, which is huge, but you Amsterdam as Ajax elled with the
Benteke, who joined Palace at the beginning of the season under The English giant is without can also win a place in the Cham- look to rekindle for- squad, b but are
former manager Alan Pardew, said the club had to improve next top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic pions League,” Celta striker John mer European glories doubtful.
both doub
season. due to cruciate ligament damage. Guidetti told uefa.com. against Lyon.
“It wasn’t the plan when I came to fight relegation,” Benteke said. Meanwhile, Luke Shaw and Eric “You have dreams about that.” Ajax hasn’t reached a John Guidetti
“Next season we have to aim for the top half of the Premier League Bailly added to United’s defensive And the former Manchester European final since the vintage
table.” AFP/Javier Soriano
Palace travels to fourth-placed Manchester City on Saturday and a
win would guarantee it remains in the league for another season. — CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Reuters

Strootman banned two games for diving ‘Unique’ Ronaldo leaves Atletico needing a miracle
ROME: Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman received a two-match ban
for diving on Tuesday after winning a controversial penalty in Sunday’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensation-
3-1 Rome derby defeat by Lazio. al goalscoring record was hailed
The Dutch international earned his side a penalty late in the first as “unique” by boss Zinedine Zi-
half, but television replays quickly showed there was no contact be- dane as his latest hat trick left
tween Strootman and Lazio’s Brazilian defender Wallace. Real Madrid on the verge of an-
The Italian league’s disciplinary body said Strootman was being other Champions League final by
punished for “serious unsporting behavior,” with the 27-year-old set to thrashing Atletico Madrid 3-0.
miss upcoming games against AC Milan and Juventus. Ronaldo’s treble was his sec-
Roma’s loss to Lazio left it nine points behind leader Juve with just ond against Atletico this season
four matches remaining, while third-placed Napoli pulled to within a and second straight in the Cham-
point of Luciano Spalletti’s side. — AFP pions League after hitting three
past Bayern Munich in the quar-
terfinals.
“Goalscoring is something
he has over others, that is what
makes him unique,” said Zidane.
Victory extended Real’s hex
over Atletico in the Champions
League over the past four seasons.
Real has eliminated Diego
Simeone’s men in each of the past
three years, including in the 2014
and 2016 finals, by the finest of Reuters/Sergio Perez

margins. Midas touch: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates
However, there was a gulf be- during the Champions League first-leg semifinal against Atletico Madrid in Madrid on Tuesday. Real
tween the sides this time round won 3-0.
as Ronaldo’s 10th minute header
opened the scoring. the second-half. control midfield but in the end drid we might be capable of it.”
And they struck twice more in “We are very happy with the you need a player who will score Barcelona pulled off the big-
the final 20 minutes to give the performance. To score three goals and he did. gest comeback in Champions
AFP/Filippo Monteforte scoreline the reflection Real’s and most importantly in a [two- “He always does. He scored five League history earlier this sea-
Off the ground: Roma’s Kevin Strootman (left) vies with Pes- dominance deserved. legged] tie keep a clean sheet at in the quarterfinal and three to- son by overcoming a 4-0 first leg
cara’s Jean-Christophe Bahebeck during their Serie A soccer “The team was tremendous. I home is very important.” day, so it’s incredible for us.” deficit against Paris Saint-Ger-
match on April 24 in Pescara, Italy. scored the goals but the team was Ronaldo is now just one goal There were contrasting emo- main.
phenomenal from start to finish,” behind Barcelona rival Lionel tions for Atletico boss Simeone. And Simeone is clinging to the
said Ronaldo. Messi as the Champions League’s However, he refused to give hope of something similarly un-
SCOREBOARD Victory also kept Real on top scorer this season with 10. up hope of a miraculous come- expected.
course to become the first side to Seven of those have come in back on what will be the final “We need to forget about this
Basketball Utah 21 25 27 21 94
(Golden State lead the best-of-seven series retain the Champions League in his last three games, though, as he European match at Atletico’s Vi- game.
NBA by 1-0) 27 years. struck five of Madrid’s six in see- cente Calderon on May 10 before “It seems impossible, but it is
Results from the NBA Play-offs 2nd Round “We played great, it is not easy ing off Bayern 6-3 on aggregate in they move to a new stadium next football and football has these un-
games on Tuesday (home team in CAPS) Soccer to score three goals [against Atlet- the quarters. season. expected things that make it mar-
1 2 3 4 OT T
BOSTON 29 35 20 30 15 129 Champions League ico],” added Zidane. “It’s great to have a player like “More than ever I am calm,” vellous.
Washington 42 25 22 25 5 119 Results from the Champions League “The first half hour was fan- him,” said Real midfielder Toni said Simeone. “Until the last drip of hope is
(Boston lead the best-of-seven series by semifinal first leg matches on Tuesday
2-0) Real Madrid (Esp) - Atletico Madrid (Esp) tastic, we had a lot of chances to Kroos. “We have to do something im- gone, we will give it everything we
GOLDEN STATE 27 31 26 22 106 3-0 score the second, but we got it in “You can play good in defense, possible and being Atletico Ma- have.” — AFP/Kieran Canning

HYBRID SPORT

World’s first ‘footballpool’

league kicks off in Prague
No cues are needed as the play-
ers kick the white ball, walking on
the pitch.
“I’m not much of a football fan
but I like pool, and this combi-
nation is very interesting,” says
Ziegelova, who has teamed up
with her boyfriend Lukas.
Clad in black-and-yellow shirts
complete with numbers and
names, they lost their opening
league tie against a team led by
Jiri Novotny, who has organized
the competition together with a
friend.
Novotny is no stranger to ball
games, having scored 20 goals in
89 matches for the Czech Repub-
lic national futsal team, according
AFP/Michal Cizek to the Czech Football Association
Two in one: A man and a woman play a footballpool match in Prague on April 28. Footballpool is a com- website.
bination of soccer and pool. The world’s first footballpool league has just kicked off in Prague, following “I saw a video on YouTube
its maiden world championships in the Czech capital in February 2017. where two Americans played the
game in a garden, drinking beer
Jan Flemr Katerina Ziegelova, a 26-year- tal in February. and doing a barbecue,” the wiry
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/PRAGUE old clerk, is one of the pioneers of A combination of soccer and 28-year-old futsal defender told
“footballpool,” the latest addition pool, the sport uses inflatable soc- AFP.
A dark-haired girl kicks a white to the hybrid sports family. cer balls — white, solids and stripes “So we designed the table, set
soccer ball gently towards a black The Czech footballpool league like in pool — and a playground up a footballpool association and
eight ball, then wrings her hands has just kicked off in Prague, af- with six corner and side pockets, started calling it a sport,” he said,
in despair as she fails to sink it in ter the sport made its debut world proportionately larger than the adding this was the first such com-
the corner pocket for a win. championships in the Czech capi- regular pool table. petition in the world.
Footballpool pits two teams
with two players against each oth-
er, with each player taking on each
opponent in two matches.
This was the formula used at
the first world championships at a
shopping mall in Prague.
“We had 70 teams from coun-
tries including Algeria, Kyrgyz-
stan, Brazil, Afghanistan, Ger-
many, Slovakia,” says Novotny,
adding that a Czech-Slovak team
won.
Prague is also scheduled to host
the next worlds in February 2018.
Shopping malls are a typical
venue for the sport as Novotny
said he leased the legless football-
pool “tables” to companies like
bowling alleys which then charge
clients a fee to play.
“This is really a game for anyone
— at the tournaments we have or-
ganized, we had children, pension-
ers, women, men,” said Novotny.
The footballpool association
currently has 15 playgrounds
across the Czech Republic. In
May, it expects to install another
20.
Novotny has managed to lure
some big soccer names, including
former Hearts and West Brom
striker Roman Bednar and ex-
Dortmund and Liverpool mid-
fielder Patrik Berger to the sport.
“It’s not just kicking the ball,
I like sports that require some
thinking and precision, like this
one,” Bednar told AFP.
“I must say I fell in love. It’s not
a bad sport at all, and it’s for every-
one who likes new things.”
Among active players, Czech
striker Jan Chramosta, a former
under-21 international currently
plying trade with the top-flight
side Mlada Boleslav, is equally
excited.
“It’s fun. You can make various
bets and spice up the experience a
bit,” he said, adding he had already
taken on a few of his teammates.
“It’s a lot about technique,
about the way you kick the ball,
about tricks and rotation. Not that
I’m an expert there,” he chuckled.
Living testimony for the bene-
fits of footballpool, Novotny went
on to play at the futsal league play-
offs right after the tie, grabbing
three assists as his Slavia Prague
beat Pilsen 6-4 to advance to the
top-flight semifinals.
THURSDAY May 4, 2017
THOMAS SCORES 53
in Celtics win while
Warriors rip Jazz
Agence France-Presse
WASHINGTON
Isaiah Thomas scored a career-
high 53 points and dedicated the
effort to his late sister as the Bos-
ton Celtics defeated the Washing-
ton Wizards 129-119 in a second-
round NBA playoff game Tuesday.
Thomas scored 20 points in the
fourth quarter and nine more in a
game-closing 15-2 over-time run
that gave the host Celtics a 2-0
lead in the best-of-seven Eastern
Conference series, which shifts
to Washington for game three on
Thursday.
Thomas attended his sister
Chyna’s funeral Saturday after
she died in a car accident and has
also had to overcome having had a
tooth knocked out in a game-one
victory Sunday.
“My sister, everything I do is
for her, and she’s watching over
me,” Thomas said.
On what would have been his
sister’s 23rd birthday, Thomas
connected on 18-of-33 shots from
the floor and 12-of-13 from the
free throw line.
“The least I can do is go out
there and play for her,” Thomas
said. “There was no way I couldn’t
play on her birthday. I wanted to
win for her.”
He did more than that, eclips-
ing his former career-best 52
points in a regular-season victo-
ry over Miami this season and his
former playoff best of 42 last year
against Atlanta.
In the Western Conference,
NBA season wins leader Golden
State beat visiting Utah 106-94 in
the opener of their second-round
series.
Celtics center Al Horford con-
GOLF
Hend, Thongchai star as Thailand Open returns to Asian Tour
AFP/Anthony Wallace
Scott Hend
TRACK AND FIELD
Record-holders receive apology from taskforce chief
Darren
Campbell
AFP/Romeo Gacad
tributed 15 points and 12 re-
bounds while Jae Crowder and
Avery Bradley each added 14
points for Boston.
But the only Celtics player to
ever score more points in a play-
off game was John Havlicek, who
struck for 54 in 1973.
“It’s nice [for] your name to
be in Celtics’ history with all the
great players, but until you win
one of them championships you
can’t call yourself a great player,”
Thomas said.
Thomas spent
six hours with
a dentist on
Monday to
repair his
teeth and
played
with a cus-
tom-made
dental guard.
“What else is
there to say?”
Celtics coach
Brad Stevens
said. “There
was a point to-
day where he
was not feeling good at all. He’s
had a tough day and I thought he
was going to really have to gut this
one out.
“Not only guts it out, he ends
up with 50. Pretty impressive.”
John Wall led seven double-
figure scorers for the Washington
Wizards with 40 points and 13 as-
sists, but 19 of those points and six
assists came in the first quarter.
The Wizards, who led 42-29 af-
ter the first period, became the first
team since the NBA introduced a
shot clock in 1954 to lose the first
two games of a playoff series after
leading each by 10 or more points
Agence France-Presse
BANGKOK
The Thailand Open has re-
joined the Asian Tour after an
eight-year hiatus, organizers an-
nounced Wednesday, confirming
that Australia’s Scott Hend and
local favorite Thongchai Jaidee
will headline the event later this
month.
The deal will be seen as a new
blow to the struggling rival OneA-
sia Tour, who poached the tour-
nament from the Asian Tour in
2010, and comes just weeks after
the Asian Tour announced it had
made a breakthrough deal to re-
turn to China, where OneAsia had
previously had a foothold.
Thailand’s national cham-
pionship, which dates back to
1965, will held this year at Bang-
kok’s Thai Country Club from
May 18 to 21 with a prize fund of
US$300,000.
The 2016 Asian Tour number
one Hend, three-time Order of
Merit winner Thongchai and fel-
low Thai star Kiradech Aphibarn-
rat have all confirmed they will
Reuters
LONDON
Innocent athletes worried that
their world and European records
will be struck off received an apol-
ogy on Tuesday from the official
who proposed the radical anti-
doping plan.
European Athletics’ taskforce
chair Pierce O’Callaghan said he
accepted that some record-break-
ers would be “collateral damage”
under the measures which sug-
gest resetting pre-2005 marks.
The proposal, which was an-
nounced by European Athlet-
ics on Monday, was immediately
condemned by several athletes
with Britain’s Paula Radcliffe
branding it “cowardly.”
“Apologies to the athletes,
we never intended to damage
their reputation and legacy,”
O’Callaghan told BBC Radio.
Under the plan, any athlete
breaking a record would have to
have been drug-tested many times
in the lead-up. A sample taken af-
terwards would have to be avail-
able for retesting for 10 years.
European Athletics’ ruling coun-
cil has accepted the project team’s
Here be giants: Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (left)
drives against Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (right)
during their 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston, Massachu-
setts, United States, on Tuesday. Boston won 129-119.
at the end of the first quarter.
“It was a hell of a basket-
ball game,” Wizards coach Scott
Brooks said. “Two teams played
their hearts out. Two great play-
ers played well. I thought both
teams competed, nothing to be
ashamed of.”
Otto Porter’s 3-pointer put
Washington ahead 114-112 with
32 seconds to play in regulation
but Thomas was fouled by Marcin
play.
“The Thailand Open is one of
the oldest national champion-
ships in Asia and we are excited
to welcome the prestigious tour-
nament back into our fold,” Asian
Tour CEO Josh Burack said in a
statement.
The Asian Tour has been large-
ly shut out from the East
Asian golfing powers of
China, Korea and Japan
since 2008 when those
countries’ professional
golf associations threw
their weight behind the
OneAsia Tour.
But OneAsia has
struggled in recent
years. It currently
has just three events
confirmed on its 2017
calendar: last week’s
China Open in Beijing,
which was co-sanctioned
with the European Tour,
and two others in Korea.
Last month Burack an-
nounced a new strategic
partnership with the China
Golf Association (CGA) that
recommendations, which it wants
to be extended to world records.
Radcliffe faces having her 2003
women’s marathon world record
of two hours 15 minutes 25 sec-
onds expunged, but O’Callaghan
said there was a bigger picture.
“[The proposal] is intended to
give the public belief and credibil-
ity in what they are watching in
the sport,” he said.
European Athletics will for-
ward a report to the International
Association of Athletics Federa-
tions (IAAF), which will study it
at its Council meeting in August.
If the proposal is accepted, cur-
rent records failing to meet the
guidelines would no longer be of-
ficially sanctioned although they
would remain on the “all-time list.”
O’Callaghan said he had spo-
ken to Radcliffe and Britain’s
triple jump world record holder
Jonathan Edwards, another ath-
lete who could be affected be-
cause his mark was set in 1995.
The official compared the
changes to English soccer re-
vamping its structure to incor-
porate the Premier League in
1992 or rugby union’s Six Nations
emerging out of the Five Nations
SPORTS | 9
PUTTING IT BRIEFLY
Pelita eager to overcome SM in IBL finals
JAKARTA: Pelita Jaya Energi Mega Persada of Jakarta is ready for its
final battle of this year’s Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) against fa-
vorite Satria Muda (SM) Pertamina of Jakarta as the club says it knows
the key to defeating its opponent.
“We have to be able to quickly handle Satria Muda’s strategic
transition, from defensive to offensive,” Pelita Jaya coach Johannis
“Ahang” Winar said Tuesday as quoted by Antara.
Ahang said his men would maintain their good teamwork
while facing the seven-time IBL champion in the two-series
finals, which are staged this weekend in C-Tra Arena sports
hall in Bandung, West Java, and Britama Arena in Jakarta.
“We have to stay focused on our teamwork,” added the
coach.
Pelita Jaya reached the finals after securing two solid wins
against W88.News Aspac of Jakarta in White Division’s final four.
Meanwhile, Satria Muda earned the final ticket after winning 2-1
against CLS Knights of Surabaya in the Red Division.
Pelita Jaya is reaping the rewards of the return of big man Kore
White and center Adhi Pratama Prasetyo for the finals. White did not
play in the first series of semifinal round, while Adhi has just recovered
from an injury.
In the first series of semifinal, Adhi produced 10 points, 12 rebounds
and two assists. White made 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in
the second series of the semis. — JP
Quintana aims for Giro-Tour double
PARIS: Nairo Quintana will embark on a daunting quest for a career-
defining Giro-Tour de France double on Friday when he sets off
against a tough field on Italy’s roads.
The Colombian is looking to become the first man since the
late Marco Pantani in 1998 to win both three-week races — a
feat even Alberto Contador, the greatest grand tour rider of his
generation, has found beyond him.
While Contador had already won both races when he last
attempted the double in 2015, Quintana has yet to prevail
on the Tour,
where he has been
bested by Britain’s
Chris Froome.
Reuters/Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports The 27-year-old
Quintana, who rides
for Movistar, is full of
confidence however
as he prepares to
battle it out with
defending champion
Gortat and sank two free throws Vincenzo Nibali of
with 14.4 seconds remaining to Italy, France’s Thibaut
pull Boston level again. Wall and Pinot, Dutchmen
Beal missed in the dying seconds Bauke Mollema
to send the game into over-time. and Tom Dumoulin
In Oakland, California, Ste- and Briton Geraint
phen Curry scored 22 points Thomas.
while Draymond Green and Kev- “The idea is to go
in Durant each added 17 points for the Giro title — for
and Klay Thompson had 15 as the both titles. I don’t
Warriors showed no rust from a know if it’s going
week off after a first-round sweep. to come off or not,
but we’ll try,” said
Quintana, who won the e
Italian race in 2014.
“We’re on the right track,”
rack,”
he added, referring to his
overall victory in the week-long g
Tirreno-Adriatico race in March.
Marcch.
The 100th edition of the Giro
Giiro
starts from Sardinia andnd feature
featureses
will see the Asian Tour co-sanc- a stage-four finish on the he slopes
of Mount Etna as well as two Nairo
tioning four new tournaments Quintana
with prize purses of between ascents of the Stelvio pass on
stage 16, where the race could be AFP/Jose Jordan
$300,000 and $500,000.
Burack also vowed that they decided. — Reuters
would seek to host more tour-
naments in Japan and South Boston apologizes after racist taunts
Korea as the Asian Tour
pushes for a greater slice of BOSTON: Fans at Boston’s Fenway Park gave Baltimore Orioles out-
the lucrative Asian market. fielder Adam Jones a loud ovation on Tuesday and the city, state and
The Thailand Open Red Sox officials apologized to the player, the day after he said he was
was last sanctioned subjected to racial taunting during a game there.
by the Asian Tour in Civil rights advocates said the Monday night incident at Boston’s
2009, when it was historic ballpark illustrated simmering racism that is pervasive in a city
won by India’s Jy- that considers itself one of the most liberal in the United States.
oti Randhawa. “A disrespectful fan threw a bag of peanuts at me,” Jones, a five-
time All-Star, told reporters after the game. “I got called the N-word a
handful of times tonight. Thanks. Pretty awesome.”
Jones, who is African-American, said it was not the first time he
had been the target of racial insults but that the ones hurled from the
park’s bleachers were the worst he had faced.
AFP/Anthony Wallace
He later told reporters he hoped the fans would be barred from
attending future games at the 105-year-old park. The Red Sox said two
people were ejected.
“This is unacceptable and not who we are as a city,” Boston Mayor
Marty Walsh said in a statement. “These words and actions have no
place in Fenway, Boston, or anywhere.”
Tongchai Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker called the incident “unac-
Jaidee ceptable & shameful” in a Twitter post, while the Red Sox issued an
apology. — Reuters
tournament in 2000. Olympic gold medal- Paula to be broken
“We hope people look at it ist Darren Campbell Radcliffe and some of
in that vein, rather than strip- welcomes the Eu- those records
ping great athletes like Paula of rope call for new can’t be broken unless
their records,” he said. “Unfortu- record ratifica- you’re taking drugs.”
nately, Paula ran her records in a tion laws. Campbell wants the
golden period that happens to be Former authorities to build on
two years before the technology sprinter the initial proposal, say-
moved on. C a m p - ing tougher laws must
“People should not look at Pau- bell, who be implemented for
la’s records and throw them in with could lose the sport to move past
doping records — she achieved her his 4x100 the doping scandals.
performance, as did Jonathan, m European record Elsewhere, United
with 100 percent integrity.” from 1999, believes States athletics officials
The IAAF has only stored the proposal is want to study the ramifica-
blood and urine samples since worth the sacri- tions of the controversial
2005. Other world records under fice. European proposal, given
threat would include Mike Pow- “I will sacrifice it would also affect those
ell’s 1991 long jump mark of 8.95 whatever it takes that have never failed dop-
meters and Hicham El Guerrouj’s to save the sport ing tests.
1998 1500 m time of three min- and give its credibil- “Any action pertaining to
utes and 26 seconds. ity back,” he told BBC records, from ‘retirement’ of
There is no suggestion that any Radio 5 live. records to changing criteria for
of these athletes took drugs. “I’ve thought about the record books, has the po-
Another British athlete, Steve it, put myself in their tential to affect records that
Cram, weighed into the contro- shoes of losing a re- are clean as well as those that
versy on Tuesday, dismissing the cord and yes, I’ve lost are tainted,” USA Track and
plan as a “PR exercise.” medals and you kind Field (USATF) spokeswom-
Under the proposals, Cram’s of go, ‘OK it’s for the an Jill Geer said in a state-
AFP/Glyn Kirk
1985 mile and 2000 m European greater good’. You ment to Reuters on Tuesday.
records would be removed from have to accept it and “There is no perfect solu-
the books. move on. tion, just as there is no per-
Meanwhile, British former “Records are there fect anti-doping system.”
10 | THURSDAY May 4, 2017

AROUND THE REGION Crucial call

Rules for religious schools to be drafted
MALAYSIA: The Education Ministry and the Department of Islamic
Development Malaysia (Jakim) are working together to draw up guide-
lines for the registration of Islamic schools in Malaysia, also known as
tahfiz schools.
Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said the guidelines would include
the teachers’ qualifications and the number of classrooms, based on
the existing terms of reference for private schools.
“The meeting between the ministry and Jakim is expected to be
held soon,” he said.
Mahdzir was speaking to reporters after opening the third govern-
ment-aided religious school and religious secondary school heads’
meeting on Tuesday. He said there were about 270 religious schools
registered under the ministry.
The recent case of 11-year-old Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohamad
Gaddafi, who died after being allegedly abused at a private reli-
gious school in Johor, could be a lesson on the importance of using
a gentle way to discipline, said a principal of a government-aided
religious secondary school in Terengganu, who did not want to be
named. — The Star/ANN

Logos removed from king’s funeral statue

THAILAND: Apple, Facebook and Google logos have been removed
from a giant statue of a mythical beast that will stand inside the
sprawling cremation complex being built for Thailand’s late king after
their inclusion caused an online outcry.
Dozens of palace artisans are working around the clock to produce a Reuters/Malacanang photo handout
dizzying array of sculptures for the funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (right) speaks to China’s President Xi Jinping over the phone with the help of Christopher “Bong” Go,
in October — a year after the deeply revered monarch’s death plunged special assistant to the president, in Davao City, Philippines, on Wednesday. In the telephone call, Xi urged all sides to exercise restraint regard-
the nation into mourning. ing the heated South China Sea issue and return to the correct path of talks as soon as possible.
One of the leading artists included logos for the tech giants on a
2-meter tall statue of the Garuda — a half-bird-half-human creature in
Hindu and Buddhist mythology — as a way of paying tribute to Bhumi-
bol’s embrace of technology.
But their inclusion sparked a backlash when photos of the statue
were published online, prompting their removal and an apology from
the artist. “I have to apologize, I did this job to show my pride for His
Majesty like everyone else,” artist Pitak Chalermlao said in a Facebook
post showing the logos had been removed.
Thai news groups urge govt
The Apple and Google logos were nestled in the center of each of
the Garuda’s wings while a Facebook logo was etched onto the ani-
mal’s belt buckle. Netizens were largely against the inclusion. — AFP to scrap media control bill
Laos, S’pore leaders discuss cooperation Agencies If adopted, bill could Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- make the restrictions permanent.
BANGKOK establish regulatory panel ocha said the government had no Requiring a certificate to practice
LAOS: Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and his Singaporean to oversee all media intention to silence media with journalism, media registration,
counterpart Lee Hsien Loong have discussed ways to enhance friendly Thirty media bodies in Thai- platforms in Thailand the bill, but regulations were and state representation in the
relations and cooperation between the two ASEAN member-states on land marked World Press Free- needed to push up the quality of proposed National Professional
Tuesday. dom day on Wednesday by call- Authorities calls off the media. Media Council all go against the
Thongloun was in Singapore for an official visit at the invitation of his ing on the military government event hosted by foreign The media is “an important core principles of press freedom.
counterpart Lee, said Laos Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release. to scrap legislation that seeks to journalists club earlier on part of the government’s work,” SEAPA said it was alarming
The two prime ministers discussed future cooperation in transport tighten control of news reporting Wednesday Prayuth told reporters at an event that the state-sanctioned media
system development, economics and trade, as well as encouraged in the Southeast Asian country, as to mark World Press Freedom council will have jurisdiction over
business operators from Singapore to invest in Laos. reported by Reuters. Day. “So I want the press to be existing complaint mechanisms
The premiers also discussed a plan for exchange visits by high-level The call came days after a jun- respondents’ Club of Thailand balanced while working with the for individual journalists, media
delegations from their countries, as well as discussing issues of com- ta-appointed reform panel ap- (FCCT) focusing on the as yet un- government for the people.” outlets, and professional media
mon interest. proved a bill to regulate the media solved disappearance of a revolu- The government will now re- groups.
The prime ministers said they highly valued the growing strength- that has drawn opposition from tion plaque commemorating the view the draft bill, before it goes The alliance expressed its soli-
ened relations and cooperation between Laos and Singapore, reflected rights groups who say it is de- end of absolute monarchy in 1932 to the National Legislative As- darity with the Thai Journalist
by the fact that the leaders of both countries have made regular visits. signed to boost state interference — a subject on which the junta has sembly, a parliamentary body ap- Association and its allied organi-
Laos and Singapore have both pushed for the realization of the ASEAN and curb independent reporting. largely evaded questions. pointed by the military, for ap- zations in opposing the draft bill.
Community as they are members of ASEAN, the 10-member regional If adopted, the bill could estab- In a statement to commemo- proval and passage into law, he “We repeat and fully support
bloc. — Vientiane Times/ANN lish a regulatory panel of 15 peo- rate the World Press Freedom added. their call to stop the draft bill and
ple, including two state officials Day, the FCCT, instead, said Thailand fell six places this efforts to muzzle the media,” said
and seven media representatives, that “[the club] stands by its col- year to rank 142 out of 180 coun- SEAPA.
to oversee all media platforms in leagues in Thailand’s domestic tries on the World Press Freedom The FCCT, as reported by The
HEALTH Thailand, whether print, broad- media as they struggle to main- Index of the Paris-based group, Nation, also reminded Thai pub-
cast or online. tain professional standards and Reporters Without Borders. lic to demand responsibility and
Illegal abortions are killing “The bill is essentially designed
to facilitate political interference
editorial independence in partic-
ularly challenging times.”
Meanwhile, Southeast Asian
Press Alliance (SEAPA) expressed
accuracy from all parts of the
media and legitimate journal-
in the media and restrict press Thailand’s military govern- its deep concerns over the draft ists should be allowed to get on
Myanmar’s women freedom,” the Thai media organi-
zations said in a joint statement.
ment, which took power in a
bloodless 2014 coup, has attract-
bill, as reported by Bangkok-based
newspaper The Nation.
with their work without interfer-
ence or intimidation, saying that
Earlier on Wednesday, the ed international criticism for SEAPA said it is deeply trou- “there is no profession on the
Caroline Henshaw nal deaths in Myanmar will be re- military government called off curbing free speech and threaten- bled that the current military gov- planet more open to public scru-
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/YANGON lated to abortions,” said Sid Naing, an event hosted by Foreign Cor- ing press freedom. ernment is seemingly seeking to tiny and criticism.”
country director for reproductive
Thiri’s heart started pounding health NGO Marie Stopes.
and her whole body shook after Like Thiri, many desperate
she swallowed the final dose of women resort to taking black mar- MEKONG RIVER
pills that would end her unwant- ket pills they know little about.
ed pregnancy in a Yangon hotel.
Her boyfriend had abandoned
her after finding out she was
pregnant — a familiar story in
Others visit backstreet clinics
run by untrained quacks who use
anything from umbrella shafts to
twigs or bamboo to try to dislodge
Silk Road push may founder on Thai river
Myanmar, where many consider the fetus.
women “ruined” if they have sex Experts say there are dozens of Brenda Goh
before marriage. illegal surgeons in the commercial and Andrew RC Marshall
With no other option in sight, capital Yangon alone, charging be- REUTERS/KHON PI LONG, THAILAND
she joined the hundreds of thou- tween 30,000 kyats (US$22) and
sands of women in the country who 100,000 kyats for a procedure. China’s plan to blast open more
risk their lives every year seeking Ni Ni, the country director of of the Mekong River for bigger car-
out illegal backstreet abortions. the reproductive rights advocacy go ships could founder on a remote
“My heart was beating very fast group IPAS, described one case outcrop of half-submerged rocks
[after taking the final dose] and I where a 14-year-old girl had to that Thai protesters have vowed to
was trembling all over [...] then the have her uterus removed after it protect against Beijing’s economic
bleeding started and I had a pain was ripped by a bicycle spoke. expansion in Southeast Asia.
in my stomach,” 28-year-old Thiri, Some women bleed to death Dynamiting the Pi Long rapids
whose name has been changed to straight away, while others are and other sections of the Mekong
protect her identity, told AFP. left with internal infections that between Thailand and Laos will
“Now I worry about my womb, can become fatal. harm the environment and bring
about whether I can get pregnant.” Records from the Yangon Cen- trade advantages only to China,
Abortion is banned in Myan- tral Women’s Hospital seen by the protesters say.
mar unless a woman’s life is at risk AFP showed almost 300 women “This will be the death of the Me-
and doctors who defy the law can were admitted with abortion-re- kong,” said Niwat Roykaew, chair-
face up to 10 years in jail. lated septicemia — a blood infec- man of the Rak Chiang Khong
Even talking about sex is taboo tion — between January and Sep- Conservation Group, which is cam- Reuters/Jorge Silva
in the Buddhist-majority country, tember last year. paigning against the project. “You’ll Mighty Mekong: A sticker is seen on the Thailand side of the Mekong River, on the border between
where there is no proper word for “If they don’t come early we never be able to revive it.” Laos and Thailand, on April 23.
vagina in the Burmese language cannot help,” said Su Su, who used Niwat said blasting the Mekong
spoken by most people. to work at the hospital. “Normally will destroy fish breeding grounds, sections of the river in Laos several protesters three times since De- That would expedite the ship-
While contraception is techni- they come late, because they are disrupt migrating birds and cause years earlier. cember in a bid to avert opposition ping of Chinese freight deep into
cally available, few women know afraid.” increased water flow that will But some Chinese engineers in- to their work. northern Laos, said Paul Cham-
how to use it and many young Activists say many married erode riverside farmland. volved in the survey speak of it as A unit of the conglomerate bers, an expert in international
people are too ashamed to buy it. women end up pregnant because Such opposition reflects a wid- a part of the broader plan, and it is faced violent protests in January relations at Thailand’s Naresuan
“Women don’t talk about sex,” they have no power to refuse er challenge to China’s ambitious consistent with Beijing’s Silk Road in Sri Lanka, where people object- University.
said Thiri, who has still not told their husband’s advances or make “One Belt, One Road” project to objectives. ed to plans for an industrial zone “Luang Prabang may seem
her new fiance she had an abortion them use contraception. build a modern-day Silk Road Even in its Southeast Asian in the south. sleepy, but northern Laos [...] rep-
two years ago. “It’s like a secret.” Most of the hospital records through Asia to Europe. backyard, where it has sympa- Chinese engineers on the Me- resents a hub of Chinese influ-
She says the doctor who told listed women in their mid-20s and Second Harbor Consultants, thetic governments and ancient kong said they were worried that ence,” he said.
her she was pregnant made her 30s, along with several in their 40s. a subsidiary of state-owned be- historical ties, China sometimes Thai protesters would board the Despite reassurances from
feel ashamed for sleeping with Only a handful had “single” writ- hemoth China Communications struggles to convince ordinary rickety cargo ship where they CCCC Second Harbour, some lo-
her boyfriend out of wedlock, and ten next to their entry in red pen. Construction Corp. (CCCC) said people that One Belt One Road slept, prompting them to moor it cals still believed the engineers
urged her to “get married fast.” “Women get threats if they it was surveying the Mekong for a will benefit them. on the Laotian side of the Mekong were marking out areas for blast-
Experts say this culture of si- don’t agree to have sex with their report that China, Laos, Myanmar Thailand, Laos and Myanmar each night. ing, said Niwat, who represented
lence and scandal around sex husbands,” said Htar Htar, found- and Thailand would use to decide have approved the survey work, “We are afraid for our team’s campaigners in meetings with the
could be driving more than a er of women’s rights group Akha- whether blasting should go ahead. which is funded by China, but safety,” one engineer told Reuters, Chinese company.
quarter of a million women a year ya Women. “They cannot say no It added that it was not tasked further studies and approvals are declining to be named because he His group draped a large white
to seek out clandestine and often to sex and also cannot negotiate with the blasting work, which needed before blasting. wasn’t authorized to speak to the banner reading “Mekong Not For
unsafe abortions. to use condoms.” would need to be tendered. The Mekong River originates in media. Sale” on the bank overlooking the
With 282 fatalities per 100,000 Birth control was shunned by The company said in an e-mail the Tibetan plateau and cascades “We keep a low profile here,” he Pi Long rapids, whose name in
pregnancies, Myanmar’s mater- Myanmar’s former junta, which it had held meetings with local through China and five Southeast added. “We want to do this project Thai means “lost ghosts.”
nal death rate is the second-high- tried to encourage Buddhists to people “to communicate, build Asian countries. well and benefit Thailand, Myan- The military seized power in
est in Southeast Asia and twice have children out of fear of the confidence and clear doubts.” China has built a series of dams mar, Laos, China, these four coun- Thailand in 2014 and banned gath-
the regional average. huge populations of neighboring China’s foreign ministry did along its stretch of the river that tries. This is not just for China.” erings of five or more people.
Officially around 10 percent India, China and even Thailand. not immediately respond to a re- Thai campaigners say has impact- China wants to remove rocks But Narongsak Osotthanakorn,
are caused by induced abortions, That changed under the quasi- quest for comment. ed the water flow and made the re- and sandbanks to allow ships of governor of Chiang Rai — the Thai
but experts say the reality is likely civilian government that took Clearing the Mekong for big- gional giant hard to trust. up to 500 tons to sail from its province where the Mekong is cur-
higher as deaths from infections over in 2011, which implemented ger ships is not officially a part of Chinese flags now flutter from landlocked province of Yunnan to rently being surveyed — said peo-
are counted separately. a scheme to give more married One Belt, One Road, a project an- company speedboats, while CCCC the sleepy Laotian town of Luang ple could “protest freely” against
“Up to a third of all the mater- women access to contraception. nounced in 2013; China blasted Second Harbor has met with Thai Prabang. the Chinese plan.
THURSDAY May 4, 2017
DIPLOMACY
US envoy
pick says will
push China
on N. Korea
Agence France-Presse
WASHINGTON
United States President Don-
ald Trump’s nominee for ambas-
sador to Beijing said Tuesday he
would urge his friend Chinese
leader Xi Jinping to honor a com-
mitment to rein in North Korea.
Terry Branstad, governor of
Iowa, appeared before the Senate
foreign affairs committee to seek
confirmation as Washington’s
next envoy to its biggest rival and
trading partner.
The state of Iowa exports
around US$1.4 billion in farm
products like soya and pork to
China and Branstad has known
Xi since he visited the US as an
agricultural official in 1985.
But he told senators that,
while he hopes to build on the
relationship, he would not hold
back from pressuring China on
human rights or Beijing’s mari-
time territorial ambitions.
And he said it would be vi-
tal for China to properly en-
force United Nations sanctions
on North Korea in order to dis-
suade Kim Jong-un’s isolated re-
gime from building more nuclear
weapons.
“They have not abided by
these United Nations resolu-
tions and I think what’s happen-
ing right now with North Korea
WORLD | 11
Away from danger AROUND THE WORLD
Suicide attack on NATO convoy kills eight
AFGHANISTAN: Islamic State (IS) movement claimed responsibility for
a suicide bombing in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday that
killed eight civilians in an attack on a convoy of the North American
Treaty Organization (NATO) armored personnel vehicles.
The blast hit the convoy during the morning rush hour in one of the
busiest parts of Kabul. Public health officials said eight civilians were
killed and at least 25 wounded, with a number of civilian vehicles that
were near the convoy destroyed or badly damaged.
A spokesman for the United States-led NATO mission, US Navy Cap-
tain Bill Salvin, said three US service members were wounded in the
attack. The vehicles, which are designed to withstand big blasts, were
able to return to a base under their own power, he said.
In a statement on its Amaq news agency, IS said a suicide bomber deto-
nated an explosives-rigged car as the convoy passed near the US embassy.
The heavily armored Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
vehicles that foreign forces use to travel in Kabul appeared to have suf-
fered only relatively minor external damage, witnesses said. — Reuters
50 miners trapped in explosion in Iran
IRAN: More than 50 miners were trapped after a huge explosion in a
coal mine in northern Iran on Wednesday, and some were feared to
have died, state media reported.
The reports said more than a dozen injured people had been
transferred to hospital after the blast at 12:45 p.m. local time in the
Zemestanyurt coal mine in Golestan province.
State news agency IRNA quoted a local official as saying some of
the trapped miners may have died in the explosion. A rescue operation
was under way.
Iran extracted 1.68 million tons of coal in 2016, an increase on pre-
vious years, thanks to an easing of international sanctions. It exports
only a fraction of the coal and uses most of it in domestic steel produc-
tion. — Reuters
12 dead in tunnel blast in China
CHINA: Twelve workers died following an explosion in a high-speed
rail tunnel in southwestern China, state media said Wednesday, after
AFP/Zein Al Rifai
rescuers spent over 14 hours searching the rubble for survivors.
Fire billows from a burning vehicle following a reported car bomb explosion in the rebel-held town of Azaz The blast occurred after gas filled the tunnel, which was being
in northern Syria on Wednesday. Five people were reportedly killed, four civilians and one police officer. bored in the province of Guizhou, leaving 12 injured and 12 trapped,
according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Over 2,000 rescue workers searched the tunnel for survivors before
ending the operation at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, it said.

‘All sides in N. Korea

The cause of the accident is under investigation, the report said,
is an example of why that needs adding that the tunnel was designed to pass through a coal seam.
to change,” Branstad warned. The country has been on a high-speed rail building spree for over a
“I also think that they recog- decade, putting up over 17,000 kilometres of track at a rapid clip, rais-
nize [...] that this nuclear obses- ing concerns about corner-cutting. — AFP

standoff to stay calm’

sion that the leadership of North
Korea has, with the guided mis-
siles and everything, is a serious
threat to humankind. JAPAN
“And we need to all look at ways
that we can work together. I hope
that with my long-time relation- Ben Blanchard China calls on all sides to
“lower temperatures”
tem, whose powerful radar it fears Abe hopes for reform of
ship with the leader of China I can could reach inside Chinese ter-
convey to him that we sincerely
want to work with them.”
REUTERS/BEIJING

China on Wednesday called on North Korea says US has

Branstad was cautious when
asked whether Washington
might seek to punish Beijing if it
again allows North Korea to by-
pass international sanctions.
But he admitted “there may
well be” a role for action against
Chinese banks that work with the
Pyongyang regime, which is test-
ing missiles that might one day be
capable of hitting US cities.
During last year’s presidential
campaign, Trump was a strident
critic of China, accusing it of ma-
nipulating its currency to boost
its exports at US expense.
And just ahead of his inau-
guration, Trump threatened to
plunge bilateral relations into
crisis by suggesting that he might
review US support for the “One
China” policy.
But once in office, Trump dis-
tanced himself from both po-
sitions and last month he had
warm words for Xi after the great
power leaders met at his Florida
golf resort.
Branstad told the senators
China had kept its currency ar-
tificially low in the past but no
longer does so, and he vowed to
push Beijing to open its market
to more US exports.
His testimony was well-re-
ceived by both Republican and
Democratic senators and his
confirmation as ambassador by
the full Senate is now expected to
be a formality.
all parties in the Korean stand-
off to stay calm and “stop irritat-
ing each other” a day after North
Korea said the United States was
pushing the region to the brink of
nuclear war.
The US has urged China, re-
clusive North Korea’s lone ma-
jor ally, to do more to rein in its
neighbour’s nuclear and missile
programs which have prompted
an assertive response from the
Trump administration, warn-
ing that the “era of strategic pa-
tience” is over.
The US has sent a nuclear-
powered aircraft carrier to Kore-
an waters and a pair of strategic
US bombers flew training drills
with the South Korean and Japa-
nese air forces in another show of
strength this week.
Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Geng Shuang, asked
about the bomber flights, the
drills and North Korea’s response,
stressed that the situation was
“highly complex” and sensitive.
“The urgent task is to lower
temperatures and resume talks,”
he told reporters.
“We again urge all relevant
parties to remain calm and exer-
cise restraint, stop irritating each
other, work hard to create an at-
mosphere for contact and dia-
logue between all sides, and seek
a return to the correct path of di-
alogue and negotiation as soon as
possible.”
brought region to brink of
nuclear war
The flight of the two bomb-
ers came as US President Donald
Trump raised eyebrows when he
said he would be “honoured” to
meet North Korean leader Kim
Jong-un in the right circumstanc-
es, and as his CIA director landed
in South Korea for talks.
North Korea said the bombers
conducted “a nuclear bomb drop-
ping drill against major objects” in
its territory at a time when Trump
and “other US warmongers are
crying out for making a preemp-
tive nuclear strike” on the North.
“The reckless military provo-
cation is pushing the situation
on the Korean peninsula closer
to the brink of nuclear war,” the
North’s official KCNA news agen-
cy said on Tuesday.
Tension on the Korean pen-
insula has been high for weeks,
driven by concern that the North
might conduct its sixth nuclear
test in defiance of UN Security
Council resolutions.
The US military’s THAAD an-
ti-missile defence system has
reached initial operational capac-
ity in South Korea, US officials
told Reuters, although they cau-
tioned that it would not be fully
operational for some months.
China has repeatedly ex-
pressed its opposition to the sys-
ritory, just as Trump has praised
Chinese President Xi Jinping for
his efforts to rein in North Korea.
It was widely feared North Ko-
rea could conduct a nuclear test
on or around April 15 to celebrate
the anniversary of the birth of the
North’s founding leader, Kim Il-
sung, or on April 25, the 85th an-
niversary of the foundation of its
Korean People’s Army.
The North has conducted such
tests or missile launches to mark
significant events in the past.
Instead, North Korea held a big
military parade featuring a dis-
play of missiles on April 15 and
then a large, live-fire artillery drill
10 days later.
Trump drew criticism in Wash-
ington on Monday when he said
he would be “honoured” to meet
North Korea’s young leader.
“If it would be appropriate for
me to meet with him, I would ab-
solutely, I would be honoured
to do it,” Trump told Bloomberg
News.
Trump did not say what condi-
tions would be needed for such a
meeting to occur or when it could
happen.
“Clearly conditions are not
there right now,” White House
spokesman Sean Spicer said.
Trump warned in an interview
with Reuters on Thursday that
a “major, major conflict” with
North Korea was possible, while
China said last week the situation
on the Korean peninsula could es-
calate or slip out of control.
pacifist charter by 2020
Reuters
TOKYO
Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday
he hoped the first-ever change to
the country’s 70-year-old pacifist
constitution would be enacted by
2020, and that it would enshrine
the status of the military.
Under the constitution’s Ar-
ticle 9, Japan forever renounced
its right to wage war and banned
maintenance of a military, though
successive governments have in-
terpreted it to allow a military ex-
clusively for self-defense.
Japanese troops have taken
part in international peace-keep-
ing operations, as well as a non-
combat reconstruction mission
in Iraq from 2004 to 2006.
Abe, in a video message to a
gathering celebrating the anni-
versary of the enactment of the
charter, proposed making explic-
it reference to the Self-Defense
Forces (SDF) in the constitution.
The document currently does not
make any mention of the force.
“By making explicit the status
of the SDF in the constitution,
we should leave no room for con-
tending that the SDF may be un-
constitutional,” he said in the vid-
eo, aired by Japanese television
broadcasters.
“I strongly hope to make 2020
the year in which a new constitu-
tion takes effect,” Abe added.
It was his first public mention
of a date. A recent ruling Liber-
al Democratic Party (LDP) rule
change means Abe could well still
be prime minister in 2020 if his
party stays in power.
Under Abe’s watch, parliament
in 2015 voted into law a defense
policy shift that could let troops
fight overseas for the first time
since 1945, but any formal consti-
tutional revision would require the
backing of two-thirds of members
of both houses of parliament and a
majority of voters in a referendum.
But voters are divided over his
campaign to revise the constitu-
tion, against a backdrop of grow-
ing tension in the region, particu-
larly over North Korea, according
to a poll released on Wednesday.
A Nikkei Inc./TV Tokyo survey
showed support growing for Abe’s
push to revise a charter written
by the United States after Japan’s
defeat in World War II and never
amended.
About 46 percent of respon-
dents favored keeping the constitu-
tion as it is, four percentage points
lower than a similar poll last year.
The number favoring a change
stood at 45 percent, up five per-
centage points from a year ago.
Nuclear-armed North Korea has
over the past year stepped up mis-
sile tests, the most recent of which
was a failed launch on Saturday.

ENVIRONMENT

Morocco fights to save its iconic monkey

Hamza Mekouar
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/
CHEFCHAOUEN, MOROCCO
“If nothing is done, this spe-
cies will disappear within 10
years,” warns a poster on Ahmed
Harrad’s ageing 4x4 showing Mo-
rocco’s famed Barbary macaque
monkey.
Harrad spends his time criss-
crossing northern Morocco to try
to convince locals to protect the
endangered monkey.
The only species of macaque
outside Asia, which lives on leaves
and fruits and can weigh up to
20 kilograms, was once found
throughout North Africa and
parts of Europe.
But having disappeared from
Libya and Tunisia, it is now re-
stricted to mountainous regions
of Algeria and Morocco’s north-
ern Rif region. Another semi-wild
population of about 200 individu-
als in Gibraltar are the only free-
ranging monkeys in Europe.
Today, the only native primate
AFP/Fadel Senna north of the Sahara, apart from
On the brink of extinction: A Barbary macaque scratches himself humans, is in danger of extinc-
in a forest near the Moroccan town of Azrou, in the Atlas mountain tion, according to the Interna-
chain on April 15. tional Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN). Zouhair Ahmaouch, an official the Convention on Internation-
Conservationists blame illegal at Morocco’s High Commission al Trade in Endangered Species
poaching, tourists who feed the for Water, Forests and Combating (CITES).
monkeys and overexploitation Desertification, said the new con- That makes buying and selling
of the cedar and oak forests that servation plan focused on tack- the monkeys illegal except under
form the species’ natural habitat. ling poaching. exceptional circumstances.
In response, Morocco has Based on various studies, they Ahmaouch welcomed the
launched a campaign to save the estimate that Morocco is home move.
species. to between 3,000 and 10,000 ma- “It will allow Morocco and oth-
“We are working on two areas caques today, compared with er countries to unify their efforts
— monitoring and making a cen- 17,000 three decades ago. to fight against the illegal trade in
sus of the species in the Rif and Last October, the Barbary Barbary macaques,” he said. Mo-
raising awareness among locals macaque was listed as a species rocco has a “global responsibility
so that they actively help rescue threatened with extinction on to conserve this heritage.”
it,” Harrad said.
As head of a local association,
Barbary Macaque Awareness &
Conservation (BMAC), Harrad
has become a tireless advocate for
the animal.
He says it is often sold to buy-
ers in Europe for between US$110
and $330 despite laws forbidding
the trade.
“A lot of foreigners buy mon-
keys as pets,” he said.
Seen as quiet and cute when it
is young, the adult monkey can
become a burden, Harrad said.
“It breaks things, bites, fights
with children and climbs the cur-
tains,” prompting many owners
to abandon their pets, he said.
WORLD
FRENCH ELECTION
Macron, Le Pen
square off in debate
Richard Balmforth
and Dominique Vidalon
REUTERS/PARIS
French voters can expect ver-
bal “hand-to-hand” combat when
centrist Emmanuel Macron and
the far-right Marine Le Pen hold
a televised debate on Wednesday
night, their last encounter before
Sunday’s run-off vote to pick the
next president.
Opinion polls show Macron, 39,
holding a strong lead of 20 points
over the National Front’s Le Pen
with just four days to go to the fi-
nal vote, in what is widely seen as
France’s most important election
in decades.
Voters are choosing between
Macron, a strongly Europe-mind-
ed ex-banker who wants to cut
state regulations in the economy
while protecting workers, and Le
Pen, a Eurosceptic who wants to
ditch the euro currency and im-
pose sharp curbs on immigration.
Macron finished only three
points ahead of Le Pen in the first
round on April 23, but he is wide-
ly expected now to pick up the
bulk of votes from the Socialists
and the center-right whose candi-
dates were eliminated.
Though Le Pen has a moun-
tain to climb to catch Macron, the
campaign has been packed with
surprises, the exchanges between
the two have become noticeably
sharper and the 48-year-old Na-
tional Front veteran has shown
she is capable of catching him out
with clever public relations ma-
neuvering.
Upwards of 20 million viewers
are expected to tune in to the de-
bate out of a voter population of
close to 47 million.
Macron warned he would not
pull his punches against a rival
whose policies — primarily the
anti-euro strategy and a nativ-
ist anti-immigrant policy on jobs
and welfare — he says are danger-
ous for France.
“I am not going to employ in-
vective. I am not going to use cli-
chés or insults. I’ll use hand-to-
hand fighting to demonstrate that
her ideas represent false solu-
tions,” he told BFM TV.
Le Pen, who portrays Macron
as a candidate of high finance
masquerading as a liberal, told
Reuters: “His program seems to
be very vague, but in reality it is
a simple continuation of [Social-
ist President] Francois Hollande’s
government.”
In that interview she reaf-
firmed she wanted to take France
out of the euro and get a national
currency back into French pock-
ets within two years.
A Cevipof poll published on the
website of Le Monde on Wednes-
day — one of the last big polls be-
fore the Sunday vote — saw Ma-
cron getting 59 percent of the
votes versus 41 percent for Le
Pen, similar to other pollsters in
the last few days.
The poll said 85 percent were
now sure which way they would
vote, leaving at least 15 percent
of voters who could be swayed by
what they see and hear in the TV
showdown.
Commentators said Wednes-
day’s debate could still have an in-
fluence, particularly on potential
abstainers, many of whom voted
for the candidate of the hard left
who came fourth in the April 23
first round.
“What he [Macron] has to do is
to convince the people who didn’t
vote for him [in the first round]
and who do not agree with his
program that they will be respect-
ed,” one outgoing government
minister said.
Macron, a one-time economy
minister in a Hollande Socialist
government, heads only a fledg-
ling movement called En Marche!
(Onwards!) which has no repre-
sentation in parliament.
Assuming he wins, one of his
immediate challenges will be to
build a parliamentary majority
in follow-up elections in June to
push through his program and
avoid being hamstrung by a Na-
tional Assembly where oppo-
nents hold sway.
Religious overture
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (right) stands next to Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, the director of Al-
Aqsa Mosque during his visit to the Dome of the Rock on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanc-
tuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem’s Old City on Wednesday.
Five years, billions
to rebuild Mosul
Ahmed Aboulenein
REUTERS/MOSUL
Mosul’s wrecked roads, bridges
and broader economy will take at
least five years to repair and need
billions of dollars of development
that Iraq’s government will strug-
gle to afford, officials returning to
the battle-scarred city said.
The airport, railway station
and university were all destroyed
in the long fight to dislodge Islam-
ic State (IS) militants from their
main Iraqi stronghold.
Iraqi government forces
backed by a United States-led co-
Airport, railway wrecked in
battle with Islamic State
Local official speaks in
fortified office, gun on
desk
Turkish, Iranian produce
fills markets in eastern half
alition have now retaken the east-
ern half of the city — letting re-
gional councilors return for the
first time in two-and-a-half years
to survey the damage.
“After Mosul is fully liberated,
we need a working plan to restore
things to the way they were be-
fore 2014 when Islamic State took
over,” Noureldin Qablan, deputy
chairman of the council covering
the surrounding Nineveh prov-
ince, told Reuters.
He sat back in his office in the
heart of Mosul, the province’s re-
gional capital, an unremarkable
building apart from its new con-
crete fortifications and the teams
of armed guards surrounding it.
A gun lay on his desk, next to
his phone and piles of paperwork.
Outside, bustling markets have
sprung back into life on the east-
ern banks of the Tigris river. Over
on the other side of the river, IS
fighters are holed in, defending the
densely-populated Old City with
snipers and suicide bombers.
At the heart of their territory
sits the medieval Grand al-Nuri
Mosque and its famous leaning
minaret, where IS leader Abu
Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his ca-
liphate in July 2014. Experts fear
the fragile brick structure could
still succumb to the fighting rag-
ing around it.
Iraq’s army has said it expects
to expel IS from the rest of the city
by May.
The 34 Nineveh councilors,
who have been meeting in other
NARCOTICS
Indonesia, China boost anti-drug ties
Liza Yosephine
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
Indonesia and China agreed in a
meeting on Wednesday to intensify
intelligence sharing in their quest
to eradicate drug trafficking.
The National Narcotics Board
(BNN) and the National Narcot-
ics Control Commission of China
(NNCC) exchanged information
on drug issues in each country, and
committed to boosting coopera-
tion in law enforcement and crack-
ing down on drug trafficking.
The cooperation is a follow-up
on a 2012 bilateral agreement.
BNN deputy chief on legal
affairs and cooperation Arief
Wicaksono Sudiutomo said both
agencies also agreed on mecha-
nisms of communication, infor-
mation sharing and the monitor-
ing of precursors.
The NNCC also offered assis-
tance in information technology to
track drug syndicates in China on
cases related to Indonesia.
“We have also agreed to con-
duct capacity building and, most
importantly, to intensify ex-
change of intelligence that would
benefit both parties,” Arief told a
THURSDAY May 4, 2017
Reuters/Ammar Awad
cities during the occupation, have
already started drawing up plans
to rebuild Mosul, though they are
still were not sure where the mon-
ey will come from, said Qablan.
For the first six months, local
authorities would focus on re-
storing security, water, electric-
ity and fuel, and on the return of
those displaced by the war.
Under the plan, there would
then be a two-year period of re-
construction and the initiation of
a reconciliation process followed
by 30 months focused on attract-
ing investment and developing
the economy.
Some of the early repair work
could cost as little as US$5,000 a
house, Qablan said.
But even that would strain
budgets that he said were under-
funded by the central govern-
ment in Baghdad.
“Honestly, we are not getting
enough support. What has been
allocated to Nineveh in 2017 was
52 billion Iraqi dinars [$44.5 mil-
lion] which is a very small sum
for a province this size,” Qablan
said.
“In 2013 we were allocated 738
billion dinars, yet after all this de-
struction we get just 52. It is very
hard to reach our goals with this
sum, so we are counting on for-
eign grants.”
Council officials are in talks
with the United Nations, inter-
national aid groups and friendly
states, he said. Italy was already
helping rebuild a hospital.
Outside on the eastern side
of the river, foreign investment
was already flowing back in, in
the form of market stalls heav-
ing with Turkish and Iranian fruit
and vegetables, replacing the less
plentiful Syrian produce that had
dominated under IS.
Tobacco shops, banned by the
ultra-hardline Sunni Muslim
group, have reopened.
press briefing.
He said China had expressed
interest in boosting efforts to curb
illicit drug trafficking stemming
from precursors trade. Prenotifi-
cations from China reported that
some 1,097 tons of precursors
have arrived in Indonesia from
the Asian giant since 2014.
A prenotification is given pri-
or to precursors arriving at sea
ports, Arief said, as the chemicals
are commonly traded as ingredi-
ents for medicine, but risk falling
into the hands of illegal traffickers
to make illicit drugs, such as shabu
(crystal methamphetamine).
He stressed the importance of
international cooperation, not-
ing that recent government data
shows 80 percent of drug smug-
gling pass through sea routes.
The BNN recorded as many
as 11 origin countries involved in
drug smuggling into Indonesia.
Other than China, these include
Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, as
well as several nations in Africa,
South America and East Asia.
NCCC deputy secretary-gen-
eral Lan Weihong called for
strengthened measures on the
control and trade of precursors to
| 12
MIDDLE EAST
Arab youth
disapprove of
Trump: Poll
Reuters
DUBAI/WASHINGTON
A majority of young Arabs see
Donald Trump’s election as the
factor most influencing their re-
gion in the next five years, a sur-
vey published on Wednesday
showed, and they expressed con-
cern that the United States presi-
dent was anti-Muslim.
Trump signed an executive or-
der in March banning citizens
from six Muslim-majority na-
tions from travelling to the S, cit-
ing security reasons, but the ac-
tion was blocked by a court.
The annual survey by Dubai-
based public relations firm
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller of
people aged between 18-24 across
16 Arab countries showed 64 per-
cent of respondents viewed the
Trump presidency with “concern,
anger or fear.”
Eighty-three percent viewed
Trump unfavorably, far up from
the 52 percent recorded by his
predecessor Barack Obama and
even exceeding the 77 percent
disapproval rating for George
W. Bush, whose invasion of Iraq
made him especially unpopular
in the Arab world.
Around 70 percent of respon-
dents said Trump was anti-Mus-
lim. Half said his proposed travel
ban would make it easier for mili-
tant groups to recruit young Mus-
lims.
Respondents listed oil prices
as the factor next most likely to
impact the region in the next five
years, followed by the Islamic
State (IS) group, which was seen
as the biggest challenge in the re-
gion in last year’s poll.
The survey was based on 3,500
face-to-face interviews carried
out in countries ranging from
Morocco and Egypt to Jordan and
Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Trump’s nation-
al security adviser described his
boss’s foreign policy approach
as “disruptive” on the eve of the
US president’s first White House
meeting with the Palestinian
leader, saying his unconventional
ways could create an opportuni-
ty to ultimately help stabilize the
Middle East.
Trump faces deep skepticism
at home and abroad over his
chances for a breakthrough with
Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas, not least because the new
US administration has yet to ar-
ticulate a cohesive strategy for
restarting long-stalled peace
talks.
Seeming to brush aside such
concerns, national security ad-
viser HR McMaster told an Is-
rael Independence Day celebra-
tion in Washington on Tuesday
night that Trump “does not have
time to debate over doctrine” and
instead seeks to challenge failed
policies of the past with a busi-
nessman’s results-oriented ap-
proach.
Trump’s unpredictability has
rattled friends and foes alike
around the world. Some ana-
lysts doubt Trump can succeed
where experienced Middle East
hands failed for decades, espe-
cially when trust between Israe-
lis and Palestinians is at a low
point.
“The president is not a super-
patient man,” McMaster said.
prevent illicit drug trafficking.
He said heroin was the main
drug arriving in China from In-
donesia, while shabu was the top
drug to arrive in Indonesia.
“This is why cooperation be-
tween the two countries is ben-
eficial for both parties in order to
prevent drugs from entering ei-
ther country,” Lan said.
Highlighting the commitment
to curb illegal drug circulation in
China, Lan said the government
heavily targeted drug manufac-
turers for a six-month period.
NNCC crackdown in 2016 un-
raveled a total of 145,000 cases
and confiscated 82 tons of drugs.
Both parties at the meeting
also exchanged information on
citizens involved in drug cases in
each country. As many as 53 Indo-
nesians since 2003 are involved
in ongoing drug cases in China
and a total 150 Chinese citizens in
Indonesia.
Meanwhile, a 2016 UN Office
on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC)
world drug report revealed East
and Southeast Asian among the
world’s largest meth markets,
where seizures almost quadru-
pled between 2009 and 2014.
BUSINESS
ENERGY
Price ceiling sought to support
biodiesel p14
Confiscated items
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati (center), together with customs and excise director general Heru Pambudi (second left), talks to the
press at the Finance Ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday during a crackdown on illegal textile exports. The directorate general, in collaboration
with the National Police and the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), has discovered violations of export rules that
could have cost the state Rp 118 billion (US$8.86 million).
Jonan resorts to bullying
major foreign oil companies
Fedina S. Sundaryani
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
For Japan’s Inpex Corp. and
Royal Dutch Shell, Indonesia’s
abrupt policy change to make them
rewrite their multi-billion-dollar
business plan last year may not be
their last hurdle, even after more
than six years of negotiations aimed
at getting the project running.
The companies, at risk of losing
the US$1.6 billion they already sank
into gas exploration in the Mase-
la block in Maluku, were forced by
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
in March last year to alter their plan
to extract gas from the block using
offshore facilities. They must now
use onshore facilities instead.
While the companies have fi-
nally agreed to move forward
with the $19 billion onshore proj-
ect, the biggest ever in Indonesia,
a recent deadlock in the negotia-
tions with the authorities over
preliminary facility design have
made them the apparent victims
of bullying-like tactics.
Energy and Mineral Resourc-
es Minister Ignasius Jonan has
threatened to cancel a produc-
tion-sharing contract (PSC) in-
volving the gas-rich block if the
contractors do not get the ball
rolling on the field’s development.
The government has asked In-
pex and Shell, which hold 65 and
35 percent stakes in the block, re-
spectively, to immediately agree
to the Energy and Mineral Re-
sources Ministry’s terms for the
design during the so-called pre-
liminary front-end engineering
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
CEPA expected to boost EU’s low investment in Indonesia
Stefani Ribka
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
The European Union expects
an economic deal it is discussing
with Indonesia to boost invest-
ment in Southeast Asia’s largest
economy, which it says is still be-
low potential.
Up to the present, accumulative
EU investment amounts to €25 bil-
lion (US$27.3 billion), only 15 per-
cent of the bloc’s overall investment
in ASEAN countries, according to
data from the EU’s delegation to In-
donesia and Brunei Darussalam.
EU Ambassador to Indonesia
and Brunei Darussalam Vincent
Guérend said that investment from
European companies in Indone-
sia was much lower than that in its
Southeast Asian peers, particularly
given the huge size of its economy.
“European companies are by far
the first provider of foreign direct
Jonan threatens to revoke
Inpex’s contract
Recent negotiations to
further project run into
deadlock
design (pre-FEED) phase.
This phase will determine the
production capacity of the on-
shore liquefied natural gas (LNG)
plant, the length of pipes, the allo-
cation of gas for local use and the
islands where the facilities will be
located, among other things.
“If Inpex takes too long to con-
duct the pre-FEED then I will
cancel the contract. My patience
is wearing thin,” Jonan said on
the sidelines of a national gas fo-
rum in Jakarta on Wednesday.
“I have been the energy and
mineral resources minister for
six months and they still haven’t
started.”
Unilaterally terminating the
PSC, which will not expire un-
til 2028, will be legally time-con-
suming and the government will
be at risk of being pulled into in-
ternational arbitration if the
companies cannot fully accept
the termination rationale.
During the pre-FEED negotia-
tions, the ministry has given In-
pex and Shell two options for the
LNG plant capacity: 7.5 mtpa with
474 million standard cubic feet of
gas per day (mmscfd) or 9.5 mtpa
and 160 mmscfd. The piped gas
will be sold to local petrochemical
companies.
The Masela block is estimat-
investment, but only 15 percent
goes to Indonesia, whereas, as we all
know, Indonesia’s share in ASEAN
GDP [gross domestic product] is 35
or so percent. So, this missing gap
of 20 percent means you don’t get
your fair share,” Guérend told The
Jakarta Post in an exclusive inter-
view on Tuesday.
“The reason why you don’t get
your fair share is because, sorry to
say, European companies prefer
to go elsewhere because they can
do better business elsewhere,” he
added.
The 27-member bloc eyes a
wide range of sectors for invest-
ment, including financial ser-
vices, retail, consumer goods,
agriculture, fish and seafood pro-
cessing, textile and footwear,
Guérend further said.
Apart from investment, the
comprehensive economic part-
nership agreement (CEPA) is in
MINING
PH environment chief dumped
as miners triumph p16
ed to be able to produce 1,200
mmscfd and 24,000 barrels of
condensate per day for 24 years.
However, the ministry has de-
manded the companies explore
other options for onshore designs
that will cost them more than $75
million in additional investment
with no benefits at all as the op-
tions are already estimated to
yield less than initially expected.
Exploring other design options
will only delay the pre-FEED
completion, which normally
takes one and a half years.
Pre-FEED is an early stage af-
ter resource discovery. After the
phase, the companies and the
ministry are required to negoti-
ate a plan of development (POD),
which usually also takes one and a
half years at most.
Once the POD is approved, the
companies and the ministry pro-
ceed to negotiate the final FEED,
which includes talks about incen-
tives and taxes. This process can
take two to three years before the
project construction is offered for
open bidding, which takes less
than one year.
Construction takes four to five
years.
Given the complexity of the
negotiations, the chances for the
block to start producing by 2023,
as the government hopes, may di-
minish.
Inpex spokesman Usman
Slamet said the company would
continue to work with the gov-
ernment to find a way to expedite
the project.
“We continue to work together
Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) export destinations 2016
Countries Quantity
(in million tons)
India
Netherlands
Singapore
Italy
Spain
Germany
Malaysia
Others
TOTAL
general expected to open bigger
access for European business-
people to tap into enormous op-
portunities in the market of more
than 260 million people that has
an abundant labor force and nat-
ural resources.
The EU’s investment in In-
donesia is not only comparably
smaller than that received by its
EXHIBITION
‘Mixed Feelings’ Art
Breeding Ground p22
Antara/Reno Esnir
with the government to continue
the project as soon as possible.
The gas field project needs hard
work and large investments in
the long term so it needs support
from all stakeholders,” he said.
Indonesian Chamber of Com-
merce and Industry (Kadin) head
of energy, oil and gas regulations
Firlie Ganinduto said Jonan’s
comment would only spook in-
vestors and he said he hoped the
former banker would not harm
their business.
“The government must honor
any agreements already made,”
he said.
ReforMiner Institute re-
searcher Pri Agung Rakhmanto
said that although Jonan’s state-
ment might have been merely
“emotional,” it only highlighted
the government’s increasing lack
of attention toward the upstream
energy sector.
“The policies the government
has utilized only demonstrated
its distrust toward the industry.
This may be even more apparent
since the sector’s contribution to
state revenues has continued to
decline,” he said.
Moreover, Pri Agung noted
that the government cannot re-
voke a PSC unilaterally, as any
cancellation of a contract must be
agreed to by all parties.
The Masela morass has drawn
the attention of both Japanese
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and
Dutch Prime Minister Mark
Rutte who recently demanded
Jokowi help resolve the project’s
bottlenecks.
Value
(in billion US dollar)
2.95 1.87
0.68 0.42
0.58 0.36
0.25 0.15
0.24 0.14
0.17 0.1
0.17 0.09
0.24 0.18
5.28 3.31
Source: International Trade Center
neighbors, like Thailand and Viet-
nam, but also by other developing
economies of similar size, such as
Brazil and Mexico. Supported by
existing economic agreements
with the bloc, the latter two coun-
tries have received €300 billion
and €100 billion, respectively.
The smaller figure of invest-
ment in Indonesia has in turn
THURSDAY May 4, 2017
INFRASTRUCTURE
Jokowi gives nod to final
batch of marquee projects
Entering the second half of his
leadership tenure, President Joko
“Jokowi” Widodo has approved
various development projects
that will become final additions to
the current administration’s list
of national strategic projects.
Coordinating Economic Minis-
ter Darmin Nasution claims that
President Jokowi recently ap-
proved 55 new projects and one
program to the existing list. The ad-
dition brings the total to 245 stra-
tegic projects and two programs
needing an estimated investment
of more than Rp 4 quadrillion
(US$300.4 billion) to complete.
A little over a year after his in-
auguration as the country’s sev-
enth president in October 2014,
Jokowi issued Presidential De-
cree (Perpres) No. 3/2016 and
Presidential Instruction (Inpres)
No. 1/2016, which identify a list
of 225 national strategic proj-
ects that include, among oth-
ers, 47 highway projects, five na-
tional non-toll roads, 12 railway
projects, 11 airport revitalization
works and construction of four
new airports.
Both regulations serve as legal
standings for public officials to re-
vise or replace rules that hamper
development, and to accelerate
land acquisitions.
Since then, 20 projects worth
Rp 33.5 trillion have been complet-
ed, while 15 projects worth Rp 40.5
trillion have been cut out of the list
of national strategic projects.
New additions to the list con-
sist of 45 multi-sectoral projects,
seven toll road projects, three
railway projects and one aircraft
construction program. Darmin
confirmed that the new projects
would be the final batch added
onto the list, as instructed by the
President, whose tenure expires
in October 2019.
“This is the final [addition] for
this administration. One of the
requirements for a national stra-
tegic project is that it has to start
construction before 2018. This
means that we cannot add more
until this administration finishes
in 2019,” he told reporters follow-
ing a closed-door Cabinet meet-
ing at the State Palace in Central
Jakarta on Wednesday.
Infrastructure development
has been an important feature of
Jokowi’s administration, with a
majority of the projects intended
to increase connectivity and cre-
Instructive order
National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) chief Bambang
Brodjonegoro (right) checks on discussion groups during a confer-
ence in Jakarta on Wednesday. The agency held the event to devise
a government working plan for 2018, which will focus on 10 national
priority programs and 30 priority programs to drive the country’s eco-
nomic growth.
lowered trade figures compared
to other neighboring and devel-
oping countries.
Total trade between the EU
and Indonesia settled at $25.1 bil-
lion last year, much lower than
the bloc’s 2016 commerce with
Vietnam of $53.6 billion and with
Mexico of $61.4 billion, according
to data from Trade Map.
In terms of trade, Indonesia is
EU’s fifth largest trading partner
in Southeast Asia and its 30th big-
gest in the world. The EU, mean-
while, is Indonesia’s fourth larg-
est trading partner.
Separately, the Trade Minis-
try’s director general for interna-
tional trade negotiations, Iman
Pambagyo, said that Indone-
sia would continue talks on the
CEPA despite escalating tension
over the future of palm oil trade.
The European Parliament re-
cently issued a resolution calling
| 13
ate added value.
Since the beginning of the year,
the administration has buckled
down to review its projects and
President Jokowi has held 22
meetings to discuss projects in
each province with his relevant
ministers and other stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, the
only part of Wednesday’s meet-
ing in which reporters were al-
lowed to cover, Jokowi said that
the infrastructure developments
were on track, with more than 40
percent of the national strategic
projects planned by his adminis-
tration undergoing construction.
Another 37 percent of the proj-
ects, meanwhile, are still in the
planning stages, he claimed.
Moreover, Jokowi also empha-
sized that the projects on the list
must be able to contribute to the
local economy, lower the poverty
rate, increase welfare and create
jobs.
“I always underline that the na-
tional strategic projects must have
a significant and real effect on the
region’s economy,” he said, add-
ing that the government must also
ensure that the non-government
infrastructure project funding
scheme was managed transpar-
ently in order to pull in more in-
vestment from the private sector.
While land acquisition has re-
mained a large issue faced by
Indonesian authorities in in-
frastructure development, the
Finance Ministry through its
State Asset Management Agency
(LMAN) launched last month a
new scheme to fund land acqui-
sition for the national strategic
projects.
As part of the new scheme, two
public bodies, the Indonesia Toll
Road Authority (BPJT) and the
Public Works and Public Housing
Ministry, signed a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) with 23
toll road companies (BUJTs).
Under a 2016 presidential reg-
ulation, LMAN should plan for
funding and the utilization of
land banks as well as pay com-
pensation for land acquisition to
support the government’s infra-
structure development programs.
The government allocated for the
agency state capital worth Rp 16
trillion and Rp 20 trillion in the
2016 and 2017 state budgets, re-
spectively.
—JP/FEDINA S. SUNDARYANI
Antara/Audy Alwi
for European nations to gradu-
ally phase out the use of palm oil
that is not sustainably produced,
which it says has contributed to
deforestation. Indonesia is the
world’s biggest palm oil producer.
“We are not freezing the CEPA
negotiations. We even aim to raise
the palm oil issue in the context of
trade and sustainable development
in the CEPA framework,” Iman
said in a text message Wednesday.
The talks on the CEPA entered
the second round in January and
will continue to the next round in
September with both parties ex-
pecting their conclusion by the
end of 2018.
The CEPA is set to address
some new issues that Indonesia
has yet to put onto the table with
other trade partners, such as gov-
ernment procurement, and a new
type of investor-state dispute set-
tlement.
14 | BUSINESS THURSDAY May 4, 2017

Banknote rates Green cause AVIATION

Banknote rates Selling Rp Buying Rp
US dollar 1 13,363.00 13,231.00 Govt eyes
Australian dollar 1 10,050.31 9,949.71
Swiss franc
Euro
1
1
13,483.00
14,611.10
13,348.47
14,465.45
more int’l
British pound
Hong Kong dollar 1
1 17,299.74
1,717.37
17,126.21
1,700.36
flights
Japanese yen 100 11,925.93 11,806.01 Winny Tang
Korean won 1 11.85 11.71 THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
Malaysian ringgit 1 3,099.03 3,066.28
Philippine peso 1 267.63 264.83 The government is aiming for
Singaporean dollar 1 9,595.72 9,499.57 a significant increase in interna-
Thai baht 1 388.35 384.29 tional flights, which it is confident
will account for 40 percent of all
Source: BI flights at Soekarno-Hatta Inter-
national Airport by the end of
World benchmarks 2017, up from the current portion
Daily Change of 15 to 20 percent.
Country Index Points % The ambitious target comes af-
Indonesia (JCI) 5,647.37 -28.44 -0.50 ter the country’s largest airport
launched operations at its new
S. Korea (Kospi) 2,219.67 N/A N/A
Terminal 3 for Garuda Indonesia’s
Thailand (SET Index) 1,565.04 0.92 0.06 international flights on May 1.
Malaysia (FTSE BM) 1,772.51 -5.96 -0.34 Antara “International flights provide
Singapore (FTSE ST) 3,237.81 26.70 0.83 The production and business strategist for state-owned cement maker PT Semen Indonesia, Johan Samu- the opportunity to attract tour-
Japan (Nikkei 225) 19,445.70 N/A N/A dra (left), receives a 2017 Indonesia Green Award from the Environment and Forestry Ministry’s inspector ists. This is the instant way to in-
Hong Kong (Hang Seng) 24,696.13 N/A N/A
general Imam Hendargo in Jakarta on Wednesday. The firm was presented awards in six categories, includ- crease the country’s foreign re-
ing energy saving and application of new and renewable energy. serves and thereby contribute to
China (SSE Comp.) 3,135.35 -8.37 -0.27
economic growth,” Transporta-
Philippines (PSE Index) 7,682.26 -20.84 -0.27 tion Minister Budi Karya Sumadi
India (S&P Sensex) 29,915.77 -5.41 -0.02 said on Monday.
Garuda Indonesia president

Price ceiling sought

USA (DJIA) 20,949.89 36.43 0.17
UK (FTSE) 7,236.51 -13.54 -0.19
director Pahala N. Mansury said
that as of May 1, all of Garuda’s in-
Australia (All Ordinaries) 5,919.94 -51.49 -0.86
ternational flights had moved to
Source: IDX Terminal 3. The transition from

to support biodiesel
ECONOMY IN BRIEF
Moody’s assigns Baa3 rating to PLN’s MTN
JAKARTA: Moody’s Investors Service has assigned a provisional Baa3 Grace D. Amianti
rating with a positive outlook to a proposed US$2 billion issuance of and Viriya P. Singgih
global medium-term notes (GMTN) by state-owned electricity firm PT THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
PLN.
At the same time, Moody’s assigned a Baa3 rating to the proposed The government has said it is
notes issued under this MTN program, which will represent the first still working to formulate new
drawdown under this program and will rank pari passu with all other biodiesel price caps for compa-
senior unsecured debt issued by PLN. nies distributing the product in
The rating agency in a statement on Wednesday said PLN’s Baa3 an effort to extend the outreach
rating reflected the company’s standalone credit quality and Moody’s of subsidies to those operating
assessment of the credit support the government as the sole owner of outside the public service obliga-
PLN was likely to provide in a situation of distress. tion (PSO) program.
“PLN’s rating also takes into consideration its involvement in the The government and industry
national capacity addition programs — the Fast Track programs 1 and players are currently discussing
2, and a 35-gigawatt five-year program. These programs are expected proposed price caps for biodiesel
to increase PLN’s debt levels and put pressure on its key credit metrics distributed under PSO and non-
over the next five to eight years until the programs are completed,” PSO programs, which are ex-
Moody’s wrote. — JP pected to stand at a maximum of
Rp 4,000 (30 US cents) and Rp
2,000 per liter, respectively.
Govt to decide gas for PLN this week “We need to discuss the figures
further because we must follow the
JAKARTA: The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry will decide on rules. As we revise the presidential
the gas allocation level for electricity this week. regulation [for the new formula],
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan said President we’ll stay with the existing scheme
Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had emphasized the need to increase electricity until the new one is ready,” said
powered by gas in order to eventually wean the country off coal-fired Musdhalifah Machmud, deputy for
power plants. food and agricultural coordination
The minister said he had ordered his subordinates to finalize a draft at the Office of the Coordinating
on the gas allocation for electricity. “I have already issued an order on Economic Minister, on Tuesday.
the gas allocation for gas-fired power plants,” he said during the open- The government expects to
ing speech of the national gas forum held in Jakarta on Wednesday. impose a new formula for the so-
In PLN’s latest electricity business procurement plan, electricity called biodiesel index price, which
procured from gas will make up 26.6 percent of total energy sources is currently calculated based on
for electricity. PLN has been ordered to convert several gas-fired power the crude palm oil (CPO) base
plants to wellhead ones to cut down on distribution and transmission price with the additional conver-
costs. It is hoped that these reduced costs will lead to lower electricity sion cost of $125 per ton.
prices. — JP The Energy and Mineral Re-
sources Ministry’s new and re-
newable energy director general,
Rida Mulyana, said recently that it
would have to carry out a simula-
tion for the new formula amid the
process of revising a presidential
regulation to impose the scheme.
Under the new formula, the
government will reduce the cost
of converting CPO into fatty acid
methyl ester (FAME) — which
is used to produce biodiesel — to
$100 per ton from the current $125
per ton. With the proposed $25 cut,
it is estimated that the government
will save $38.25 million.
The government expects the
new formula to boost its subsidy
funds, which will help biodiesel
distributors to continue purchas-
ing FAME from various produc-
ers and support the government’s
mandatory biodiesel blending
policy. “The [special] team for the
tariff will analyze the overall [cal-
culations],” Musdhalifah said.
Indonesia started implement-
ing the 15 percent biodiesel
blending (B15) policy in 2015 and
the 20 percent blending (B20)
policy last year to boost domestic
biodiesel consumption.
The Indonesian Oil Palm Es-
tate Fund (BPDP-KS) has allocat-
ed Rp 9.6 trillion to support the
implementation of the B20 policy
this year as the average crude oil
price is expected to stand at $50 to
Price caps expected to
stand at no more than
Rp 4,000 per liter
New formula aims to
stimulate firms to support
biodiesel blending policy
$60 per barrel, and that of CPO at
around $650 to $750 per ton. The
allocation is lower than the Rp 10.6
trillion set aside last year.
Two companies — state-owned
energy giant Pertamina and pub-
licly listed petroleum and chemi-
cal distributor PT AKR Corporin-
do — have been assigned to absorb
local biodiesel supply with sup-
port from the government’s PSO
funds. Last year both firms saw
subsidy rates hover at an average
of Rp 4,500 to Rp 5,500 per liter.
Sixteen companies have been
assigned to supply 1.53 million
kiloliters of biodiesel to Pertamina
and AKR Corporindo for the peri-
od of November 2016 to April 2017.
The government currently re-
views the biodiesel quota on a six-
monthly basis, from May to Octo-
ber and from November to April.
It has also been formulating a
new progressive levy scheme for
all exporters, in which the levy
would soar by 20 percent every
time the CPO price increases by
$50 per ton.
Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 had gone
smoothly without any hassle.
“This is also part of our efforts
to improve our services. Previ-
ously, we only had 13 check-in
counters [at Terminal 2], but now
we have 26 check-in counters [at
Terminal 3],” he said.
The national flag carrier was the
first Indonesian airline to serve
international routes. It currently
operates 17 direct international
flights to countries in Asia, Austra-
lia and Europe.
Eight airlines from the Sky-
Team alliance, including ANA Air-
lines, Japan Airlines, Delta Air-
lines and KLM Airlines, would also
move to Terminal 3, Angkasa Pura
II (AP II) president director Mu-
hammad Awaluddin said. After the
Idul Fitri holiday, the state-owned
airport operator aims to move the
remaining 24 international air-
lines to Terminal 3 in a process it
hopes to complete by August.
By concentrating international
flights at Terminal 3, AP II aims
to increase the capacity of Termi-
nal 1 from 9 million passengers
to 18 million passengers a year.
Likewise, the airport operator
also plans to double the capacity
of Terminal 2 to 18 million pas-
sengers per year. Terminal 3 cur-
rently has a capacity of 25 million
passengers per year. “With the re-
position, the burden at each ter-
minal will be distributed well,”
Awaluddin said.
Terminal 3 is equipped with 65
immigration counters, 30 auto-
gates in the departure and arrival
areas.

ANALYSIS

Q1 corporate earnings: Slightly below expectations

Harry Su
JAKARTA
As of the writing of this ar-
ticle, only 77 companies within
our total coverage of 103 stocks
have reported their first quar-
ter (Q1) results. However, with
the 77 companies accounting
for 71.1 percent of the Jakarta
Composite Index (JCI) total
market cap, we believe the cor-
porate performances should be
fairly reflective of current market
conditions.
For the market as a whole (Ex-
hibit 1), Q1 year-on-year (yoy) op-
erating profit growth reached 14.7
percent, compared to 5.5 percent
growth in the same period last
year and 12.7 percent growth in
the final quarter of last year.
At the bottom line, Q1’s yoy
net profit growth accelerated
to 15.9 percent from an 8.5 per-
cent decline in the same period
last year. The figure, however, is
still slower than the 18.1 percent
growth recorded in the final quar-
ter of 2016.
Thus, corporate earnings for
the most part should remain sup-
portive of Indonesia’s market val-
uation, whose price-to-earnings
(PE) ratio 2017 forecast stands at
17.7, making it the third most ex-
pensive in the region, just behind
the Philippines and India.
Assuming security conditions
on the ground can be maintained,
the JCI, which recorded an all-
time high level of 5,726 on April
2016, should be on target to reach
our year-end target of 6,000, par-
ticularly given our expectation of
a gross domestic product (GDP)
up-cycle in subsequent quarters.
Exhibit 2 shows the six sec-
tors that have experienced better-
than-market operating and net
profit growth performances. For
metals, in the January-March pe-
riod, we saw mixed performanc-
es with nickel mine operator PT
Vale Indonesia (INCO) suffering
from the delay in the Philippines’
decision to close down mine
sites. However, on the flip side,
state-owned diversified min-
er PT Aneka Tambang (ANTM)
performed better as a result of
higher prices for gold, the sales of
which contributed 70 percent of
revenues.
For plantations, the sector has
been positively affected by strong
volume recovery — for plantation
firms PT PP London Sumatra In-
donesia (LSIP), PT Astra Agro
Lestari (AALI) and PT Sampoer-
na Agro (SGRO) — and increased
Q1 crude palm oil (CPO) prices,
which averaged 16 percent yoy
higher to US$690 per ton.
For coal, the sector has benefit-
ted from a 62 percent yoy spike in
the Q1 coal price average of $82.2
per ton, as opposed to $50.8 per
ton recorded in the same period
last year. In infrastructure-relat-
ed, both operating and net earn-
ings growth were strong, fueled
by acceleration in government
spending.
For the automotive industry,
earnings benefited from stronger
auto sales and well-maintained
margins, helped by manageable
discounting within the sector. For
diversified conglomerate PT As-
tra International (ASII), we note
that its Q1 performance saw an
adverse impact from the start of
the Toyota business restructur-
ing, creating a low base effect for
the Q1 performance.
In the telecommunications
sector, thus far, only state-owned
PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia
(TLKM) has reported earnings,
which were strong mainly due to
robust data growth while earn-
ings before interest, tax, deprecia-
tion and amortization (EBITDA)
helped also given its manageable
expenses.
For tourism, National flag car-
rier Garuda Indonesia (GIAA)
Exhibit 1. Market performance experienced a higher gross profit ers were still in a wait-and-see ap- sindo Utama (TAXI) on the back
Operating Net margin on low flour prices and proach because of concerns over of competition from online taxis
profit profit
around a 3 percent higher aver- political instability, especially as well lower minimum manda-
1Q16 1Q17 1Q16 1Q17
age selling price (AVP) for instant with multiple mass demonstra- tory daily driver payments. For
y-y growth y-y growth
noodle products. tions happening in the final quar- PT Blue Bird (BIRD), results were
(%) (%)
For the above, we noticed that ter of 2016. slightly lower as the economic re-
a ana o ( )
the average cash conversion cycle On the bottom line, we saw covery was only felt at the end of
Source: Companies, Bahana has deteriorated to 79 days from blended negative growth as the March, suggesting better earn-
66 days in Q1 on higher receiv- foreign exchange (FX) gain in the ings ahead, particularly through
Exhibit 2. The Good ables in preparation for the Idul first quarter of last year was no- its collaboration with popular
Operating Net
Fitri holiday season, or Lebaran, tably bigger than that in Q1 this ride-hailing app Go-Jek.
profit profit
which requires channel stuff- year, given the large United States In the cement sector, despite
1Q16 1Q17 1Q16 1Q17
ing for longer-shelf life products dollar debts of the media players. some volume recovery, Q1 yoy
y-y growth y-y growth
(e.g. biscuits). Among the tobac- The oil sector was dragged performance was poor, mainly
(%) (%)
co players, earnings were most- down by the performance of state- eroded by deterioration across
tals na na ( )
ly in line with PT Gudang Ga- owned gas company PT Perusa- the board for all cement compa-
lantations ( )
ram (GGRM) performing slightly haan Gas Negara (PGAS), which nies’ earnings on lower ASPs and
oal r lat d ( ) ( )
better than PT HM Sampoerna suffered from lower distribution higher costs stemming from in-
n ra r lat d
(HMSP) on the back of higher volumes as industrial activities creased energy and raw materials
to ( ) ( )
sales volume growth, aided by remained soft while PT AKR Cor- prices.
l o
Surya Pro Mild’s aggressive pro- porindo (AKRA), a distributor of For shipping, PT Soechi Lines
Source: Companies, Bahana motions. basic chemicals and petroleum (SOCI) has not reported and thus
Within the retail sector, earn- products, experienced a higher far, the sector has suffered from
Exhibit 3. The Bad ings suffered on relatively soft de- average selling price (ASP) due low utilization rates as those re-
Operating Net
mand, which occurred between to the much improved Q1 average lated to the oil sector did not
profit profit
mid-January and mid-March Brent price of $54.6 per barrel, up manage to obtain new contracts,
1Q16 1Q17 1Q16 1Q17
2017; however, a strong rebound more than 55 percent yoy. while the non-related shipping
y-y growth y-y growth
was seen in late March, which has At this stage, oil price dynam- business was adversely affected
(%) (%)
continued until today, suggesting ics hinge on US oil production, by lower freight rates.
o rism ( ) na ( ) na
improved performance, particu- the level of compliance among For SOCI, we expect an im-
Sta l s
larly in the lead-up to Lebaran. members of the Organization of provement this year following the
tail
On banks, we have seen solid Petroleum Exporting Countries commencement of its vessel re-
an s ( ) ( )
improvements at both the oper- (OPEC) and geopolitical tension. pair and maintenance division.
alt ar
ating and net profit levels due to On the property front, earn- From a trading perspective,
dia ( ) ( )
lower provisioning as many of ings pressure was mainly caused with the Jakarta gubernatorial
il r lat d ( ) ( )
the banks are finished with their by low sales by industrial play- election out of the way, we recom-
ro rt ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
kitchen-sinking activities. Addi- ers as investments remained soft mend investors to go back to In-
o ltr ( ) na ( )
tionally, we are also seeing a pick- while property players recorded donesia’s fundamentals and mar-
rans ortation ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
up in higher loan growth for the improving revenues, but compa- ket earnings.
m nt ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
sector (Q1 2017: 9.1 percent; Q1 nies such as PT Alam Sutera Re- Nevertheless, recent political
S i in ( ) ( ) ( ) na
2016: 8.7 percent; Q4 2016: 7.9 alty (ASRI) and PT Pakuwon Jati developments post the victory of
Source: Companies, Bahana percent), reflecting an improving (PWON) booked lower FX gains Anies Baswedan in the election
domestic economy helped by the resulting in weaker earnings. suggests the following important
reported a worse-than-expected recovery in commodity prices. In the poultry sector, operating political repercussions for Indo-
earnings performance as a result For healthcare, hospitals ex- earnings declined on a yoy basis, nesia: the rise of President Joko
of a jump in expenses related to perienced weak growth on the resulting from last year’s higher “Jokowi” Widodo’s political op-
rental (more aircraft) and fuel back of the dengue fever outbreak base effect and lower feed ASPs position; the opening of room for
(less hedging). last year causing an abnormally coupled with local corn prices. political bargaining and compro-
For staples, the sector’s earn- high base effect. PT Kalbe Farma Additionally, we expect the sector mises; and the likely materializa-
ings performance was higher (KLBF) was disadvantaged by its to suffer from lower yoy chicken tion of a third Cabinet reshuffle.
than our initial expectations as inability to raise prices because of prices caused by higher grandpar- Happy trading!
counters such as PT Unilever In- competition. ent stock quotas ahead.
donesia (UNVR) decided to have For media, Q1 earnings dis- On transportation (taxi in-
lower advertising and promotion- played negative growth on the dustry), the bad performance
al (A&P) spending while PT Indo- back of weak ad spend growth as was mainly caused by the per- The writer is head of research at
food CBP Sukses Makmur (ICBP) most of the corporate advertis- formance of PT Express Tran- Bahana Sekuritas
THURSDAY May 4, 2017
Retailers still
upbeat about
sales target
Anton Hermansyah
and Winny Tang
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
Despite estimated poor re-
sults in the first quarter, retailers
remain optimistic about achiev-
ing double-digit sales growth this
year.
The retail industry hopes to in-
crease its revenue by 10 percent
from last year’s Rp 195 trillion
(US$14.64 billion) as it expects
the economy to expand by 5.6
percent, boosting people’s pur-
chasing power.
Retail sales have likely declined
by 8 percent to 12 percent in the
first three months of this year
from the Rp 40 trillion recorded
in the corresponding period of
last year, according to an estimate
by the Association of Indonesian
Retailers (Aprindo).
Aprindo chairman Roy N.
Mandey attributed the poten-
tial decrease in sales to rumors
that excessive spending — which
surpasses monthly salaries — for
credits card purchases would be
subject to special taxation.
“There are around 27 million
credit card holders in Indone-
sia who are the biggest spenders.
Even though the rumors are un-
founded, they have discouraged
credit card holders from exces-
sive spending,” he told The Jakar-
ta Post Tuesday.
Supported by cyclically high
demand for various products dur-
ing the fasting month of Ramad-
han, which will begin in late May,
and the ensuing Idul Fitri festivi-
ties, retail sales were expected to
grow by at least 40 percent in the
second quarter, Roy said.
Indonesia, home to the biggest
Muslim population in the world,
normally sees consumption
peak during Ramadhan and Idul
Fitri.
Roy said retail sales would also
be buoyed by the government’s
decision to set maximum retail
prices for sugar, oil and meat from
April 10 to Sept. 10.
The general optimism about
achieving annual targets comes as
some retailers have recorded un-
favorable results in the January-
March period.
Fashion retailer PT Ramayana
Lestari Sentosa, which focuses on
the middle-to-low income seg-
ment, saw sales shrink slightly by
0.2 percent year-on-year (yoy) to
Rp 1.48 trillion in the first quarter.
Indonesia’s largest retailer of
apparel, beauty and home prod-
ucts, PT Matahari Department
Store, posted a 0.55 percent de-
cline in revenue yoy to Rp 1.85 tril-
lion over the same period, while
Sea conqueror
President director of PT Sillo Maritime Perdana, Edi Yosfi (center),
accompanied by (left to right) independent commissioner Djunggu
Sitorus, main commissioner Sutanto, finance director Herjati and op-
erational director Sumanto Hartono, explains in Jakarta on Wednes-
day about the vessels the firm operates.
PALM OIL
S’pore-listed Kencana Agri to build sixth CPO mill in Indonesia
Viriya P. Singgih
THE JAKARTA POST/TEMPILANG,
BANGKA BELITUNG ISLANDS
Singapore-listed palm oil pro-
ducer Kencana Agri Ltd. plans to
build a new crude palm oil (CPO)
mill in Luwuk, Central Sulawesi,
in the second half of 2017 with an
investment value of at least Rp 75
billion (US$5.62 million).
At present, Kencana Agri oper-
ates five CPO mills in Indonesia
with a total processing capacity of
275 tons per hour, including one
in Bangka regency, Bangka Beli-
tung, and two in Kutai Kartanega-
ra regency, East Kalimantan.
The firm, controlled by the
Maknawi family, also operates
Retail sales estimated to
have declined around 10%
yoy in Q1
Business players still
upbeat about full-year
performance
its net profit remained unchanged
from last year at Rp 244 billion.
Ramayana finance and ac-
counting director Suryanto, how-
ever, shared the optimism ex-
pressed by the association, as its
sales picked up in April, rising by
12.4 percent yoy.
“This is a good sign for 2017, es-
pecially because the growth hap-
pened before the Idul Fitri sea-
son,” Suryanto said.
He attributed the pickup in
sales mainly to the cooling down
of political tension after the Ja-
karta gubernatorial election.
With many demonstrations
against Governor Basuki “Ahok”
Tjahaja Purnama, people in
Greater Jakarta, which contrib-
utes around 33 percent to its
overall sales, had held back on the
purchase of many goods.
Ramayana has set a moderate
target for this year, with sales ex-
pected to rise by 8.54 percent to
Rp 8.9 trillion. Last year, its sales
rose by merely 6 percent to Rp 8.2
trillion.
“The economy is rising again
amid higher commodity pric-
es. However, this has not boost-
ed consumption of retail goods,”
Suryanto said to explain this
year’s modest sales goal.
Meanwhile, diversified group
PT Multipolar, which controls
50.2 percent of hypermart opera-
tor PT Matahari Putra Prima and
17.5 percent of fashion retailer PT
Matahari Department Store, still
expects its retail sales to climb by
at least 10 percent this year.
“The past two years have been
challenging for the retail industry,
but we are optimistic, yet [also]
conservative, about the 2017
achievement,” said Multipolar’s
head of finance and accounting,
Djoni Rosnipa.
PT Matahari Department Store
said it would open six to eight new
department stores across the ar-
chipelago this year. The expan-
sion would require capital expen-
diture of up to Rp 450 billion.
“We are starting to see signs
of optimism from our macroeco-
nomic data and believe that our
strong merchandise offerings,
combined with our growing cus-
tomer base, will drive our busi-
ness throughout the year,” said
deputy president director Rich-
ard Gibson. (yon)
Antara/Audy Alwi
two kernel crushing plants with
a total processing capacity of 435
tons per day.
The sixth mill is expected to
become operational by the end of
2018 with an initial production ca-
pacity of 30 tons of CPO per hour,
which can be expanded to 60 tons
of CPO per hour in the future.
“For the investment, we will
need around Rp 2.5 billion for
each ton per hour of capacity,”
Kencana Agri director Kent Surya
said recently. “Normally, about
65 percent of the investment will
be covered through bank loans,
while the rest will come from our
profit and internal cash.”
Throughout last year, Ken-
cana Agri produced 130,003 tons
Well-appreciated
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita (right) hands over “The Province with Consumer Protection Awareness Award” to Riau Islands Governor
Nurdin Basirun (second left) during the commemoration of National Consumers’ Day in Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday. The day aims
to raise consumers’ awareness about their rights and obligations and integrate the government’s initiatives to protect consumers.
INVESTMENT
More alternatives set to augment RI mutual funds market
Winny Tang
THE JAKARTA POST/ JAKARTA
Indonesian investors may see
more options for investment this
year as investment management
companies have prepared vari-
ous new funds, from renewable
energy funds to toll-road-based
asset-backed securities (ABS), to
cater to public demand.
PT Mandiri Manajemen In-
vestasi (MMI), a subsidiary of In-
donesia’s largest lender by asset,
PT Bank Mandiri, will join other
companies in issuing ABS mutu-
al funds (KIK-EBA) by preparing
its maiden ABS to finance infra-
structure projects.
The company will cooperate
with toll road operators, such as
PT Jasa Marga, to securitize the
toll road assets for raising up to
Rp 2 trillion (US$150.4 million),
which will be used to finance an-
other toll road projects.
“Once we get an official letter
from the [government] officials
who have the authority to give us
the approval [to issue the KIK-
EBA], we will submit the files to
SOCIAL SECURITY
OJK calls for revision of pension funds law
The Jakarta Post
JAKARTA
The Financial Services Au-
thority (OJK) has called for the
amendment of the law on pen-
sion funds in order to raise the
number of people who get pen-
sions in the country.
Indonesia’s pension penetra-
tion remains quite low despite
the continuous increase in do-
mestic pension assets in recent
years.
The number of workers al-
ready registered in pension fund
management companies totaled
32.24 million by the end of last
year, which represents only 27.3
percent of the 110 million work-
ing population, according to OJK
data.
Despite such a minor penetra-
tion rate, the pension fund assets
has consistently followed an up-
ward trend in the past few years.
Last year, these assets climbed by
15.5 percent, more than double
the 7.06 percent in 2015.
of CPO and 3,349 tons of crude
palm kernel oil (CPKO), which
were distributed to some of the
largest palm oil producers in the
country, such as Wilmar Indone-
sia, Musim Mas Group and Sinar
Mas Group.
According to the Indonesian
Palm Oil Producers Association
(Gapki), Indonesia produced a to-
tal of 32.52 million tons of CPO and
3.05 million tons of CPKO in 2016,
more or less the same as in the pre-
ceding year. Throughout 2016, the
country exported 5 million tons of
CPO and 250,000 tons of CPKO.
This year, Kencana Agri aims
to see a 15 to 20 percent produc-
tion increase, because the impact
of the crop-damaging El Niño
the OJK [Financial Services Au-
thority],” MMI’s president di-
rector Muhammad Hanif told
reporters during a briefing in Ja-
karta on Tuesday.
The company hopes to issue
the maiden ABS by the second
quarter of this year. “The KIK-
EBA mutual funds need to be is-
sued this year to support infra-
structure projects using financial
instruments,” Hanif said.
In the initial stage, he con-
tinued, the company prioritized
institutional investors to buy
its KIK-EBA and later, for the
long-term plan, would also at-
tract individual investors to be
involved in the mutual funds
products.
Besides the KIK-EBA, MMI
is offering a private equity fund
(RDPT) specifically designed for
advanced investors to develop
renewable energy. The compa-
ny hopes to raise Rp 400 billion,
which would later be used to ac-
quire a company running three
micro hydroelectric plants.
Hanif expects that the RDPT
will grow larger and raise enough
The OJK’s deputy chairman,
Rahmat Waluyanto, said there
should be more effort made to
further expand the pension pen-
etration rate, especially to reach
employees working in the infor-
mal sectors.
“As the growth is quite slow,
we have a responsibility to pro-
vide support for the pension
fund industry for it to further de-
velop in the upcoming years,” he
said during a recent seminar on
the Indonesian pension industry.
Like the penetration rate, the
ratio of pension fund assets to
gross domestic product (GDP) is
still low.
According to the OJK, the to-
tal pension fund assets were
only 4.67 percent of GDP last
year, indicating that workers
and employers are still relative-
ly unaware of the importance of
pension benefits.
Speaking at the same event,
the OJK’s deputy commissioner
for non-bank financial institu-
tion, Dumoly F. Pardede, shared
weather pattern disappeared at
the end of last year.
Last year, the company booked
$138.5 million in revenue, up 5
percent annually. At the same
time, its operating profit jumped
to $10.8 million, up significantly
from $264,000 in 2015.
The upward trend was trig-
gered by a higher average selling
price of CPO as well as the gain on
fair value changes in consumable
biological assets of $4.7 million
throughout 2016, compared to a
loss of $5.7 million in 2015.
The CPO price saw a 41.4 per-
cent increase to $789 per ton in
the period of January to December
2016. The price moved between
$725 and $820 in February this
BUSINESS
funds to take over 11 micro hy-
droelectric plants on Java Is-
land. “For the RDPT, we are only
eyeing institutional investors
to be involved in the project,”
he said.
Currently, the company has
raised about 70 percent of the
Rp 400 billion and will keep of-
fering the advanced product this
month. “Although we have just
collected Rp 300 billion, we will
keep on issuing the product and
proceed with the next round of
offering,” Hanif added.
Meanwhile, investment man-
agement company Syailendra
Capital is working on new prod-
ucts to cater to investors. It tar-
gets a 35 percent to 40 percent
growth of its assets under man-
agement (AUM), up to about
Rp 9 trillion this year from Rp 6.7
trillion last year.
To reach the goal, the firm is
banking on five mutual funds ex-
pected to be launched soon, es-
pecially the Reksa Dana Syailen-
dra Equity BUMN Plus that will
be launched on May 10. Under
the contract, the firm will invest
Rahmat’s views.
Dumoly said that apart from
the need to add to the pension
benefits offered to workers, Law
No. 11/1992, which regulates
pension funds, should also be
amended to further boost the
pension penetration rate.
“We want the revision of the
pension law so that non-bank fi-
nancial institutions, such as in-
vestment management compa-
nies and cooperatives, can also
offer such programs,” he told re-
porters.
The revision is considered
necessary to enable the law to
cover all institutions that pro-
vide pension benefits in the
country.
At present, the rule only regu-
lates pension schemes given by
the Financial Institution Pen-
sion Fund (DPLK) and Employ-
er-Sponsored Pension Funds
(DPPK).
Other pension benefit provid-
ers, such as the Workers Social
Security Agency (BPJS Ketena-
year before stabilizing between
$685 and $750 per ton in March.
Gapki has forecast that the
average price of CPO will hov-
er around $600 per ton in 2017.
“If prices are stable this year, we
hope we can see an increase of
around 20 percent in profit, in
line with our production growth
target,” Kent said.
Kencana Agri has planted ar-
eas measuring 68,220 hectares,
54,175 hectares of which are nu-
cleus plantations, while the re-
mainder are plasma plantations.
It also has land banks measuring
185,709 hectares, 88.6 percent of
which are nucleus plantations.
Last year, it produced 502,933
tons of fresh fruit bunches (FFB)
| 15
Antara/R. Rekotomo
at least 80 percent of the inves-
tors’ funds in equities with more
than half being used to buy state-
owned company (SOE) shares
from the market.
“The economic recovery is
usually built upon the govern-
ment’s initiatives through SOEs,”
Syailendra Capital chief invest-
ment officer Cholis Baidowi said
on Wednesday, adding that most
of the purchases will be of blue
chip shares or market leaders in
terms of total assets and profit-
ability.
Syailendra chief marketing of-
ficer Harnugama expects to see
the new product make a Rp 300
billion contribution to the com-
pany’s AUM by the end of 2017.
Apart from the Reksa Dana
Syailendra Equity BUMN Plus,
the company also plans to launch
four other mutual funds in the
second half of this year. “One
product will be sharia mutual
funds, one equity-based mutual
funds, a fixed income fund and a
protected fund,” said Syailendra
Capital’s chief executive officer,
Fajar R. Hidajat. (ecn)
gakerjaan), pension insurance
firm Taspen and state insurance
firm Asabri, are under different
regulations.
About 4.2 million workers
who have already joined pension
programs are registered in the
state-owned pension fund man-
agement company, PT Taspen.
Dumoly added that having a
wider range of institutions that
could supply pension programs
and benefits would help the au-
thority to raise the awareness of
pension funds among informal
workers, especially those living
in rural areas.
As of 2016, Indonesian finan-
cial literacy concerning the pen-
sion fund index was at 10.91 per-
cent, according to a national
survey by the OJK.
The calls to revise the pension
fund law emerged in 2012.
The government proposed a
draft revision of the law to the
House of Representatives in ear-
ly 2014, but lawmakers have yet
to deliberate it. (ecn)
from its nucleus plantations and
134,381 tons of FFB from its plas-
ma plantations. Around 20 per-
cent of its total FFB production
is empty fruit bunches, which
are mainly used to generate re-
newable energy through biomass
power plants.
After completing the construc-
tion of its fifth palm oil mill in
East Kalimantan last year, the
company issued its first sustain-
ability report in August 2016.
As of today, Kencana Agri op-
erates two biomass power plants
in Bangka Belitung with a com-
bined capacity of 13.5 megawatts.
Most of the electricity generated
is sold to state-owned electricity
firm PLN.
16 | THURSDAY May 4, 2017
Need for speed
GrabBike motorcycle taxi drivers are pictured in a Bangkok street. Ride-hailing service Grab on Tuesday began a two-wheeled service in part-
nership with Bangkok’s army of motorbike taxi riders — known collectively as Win. For the GrabBike (Win) service, passengers can use the Grab
mobile app to book a ride and request pickup for any destination in Bangkok.
PH environment chief
dumped as miners triumph
Agence France-Presse
MANILA
Philippine Environment Sec-
retary Regina Lopez was sacked
on Wednesday when lawmakers
rejected her appointment, in a big
victory for the mining industry
which she had accused of corrup-
tion and abuse.
Lopez had sent shockwaves
through the industry during her
10 months as environment chief,
seeking to shut down roughly
two-thirds of the nation's exist-
ing mines and banning any new
open-pit operations.
However, despite the strong
support of President Rodrigo
Duterte who had threatened to
shut down the mining industry
completely, a congressional body
rejected Lopez's appointment.
"If you want to be confirmed,
don't go against big business!"
an angry Lopez shouted during
a long press conference after the
ruling.
"It's wrong when lawmakers
don't stand up for the rights of ev-
ery Filipino, but rather big busi-
ness. It's really very wrong."
With the Philippines being the
ENERGY
Singapore aims to be LNG bunker-ready by 2020
Jacqueline Woo
THE STRAITS TIMES/ANN/SINGAPORE
Singapore is gearing up to re-
fuel the growing number of ships
powered by cleaner liquefied nat-
ural gas (LNG) instead of dirty
fuel oil.
The Republic aims to be ready
to bunker LNG to ships in the
next three years, said Senior Min-
ister of State for Trade and Indus-
try Koh Poh Koon on Tuesday as
he watched a regional-first dem-
onstration of LNG truck-to-ship
bunkering.
The three-year schedule is in
line with the 0.5 percent limit on
global sulphur emissions set to
kick in from 2020, as announced
by the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) last October.
The emissions level is about 3.5
percent today.
"As the world's largest bun-
kering port, Singapore remains
committed to ensuring that the
SHIPPING
China's silk road push may founder on Mekong River row
Brenda Goh and
Andrew RC Marshall
REUTERS/KHON PI LONG, THAILAND
China's plan to blast open more
of the Mekong River for bigger car-
go ships could founder on a remote
outcrop of half-submerged rocks
that Thai protesters have vowed to
protect against Beijing's economic
expansion in Southeast Asia.
Dynamiting the Pi Long rapids
and other sections of the Mekong
between Thailand and Laos will
harm the environment and bring
trade advantages only to China,
the protesters say.
"This will be the death of the
Mekong," said Niwat Roykaew,
chairman of the Rak Chiang
Khong Conservation Group,
which is campaigning against the
project. "You'll never be able to
revive it."
Niwat said blasting the Mekong
will destroy fish breeding grounds,
disrupt migrating birds and cause
increased water flow that will
Lopez attempted to shut
down 28 mines
Lawmakers voted 16-8 in
favour of removing Lopez
world's biggest supplier of nickel
ore and a major source of copper,
Lopez's campaign had impacted
global commodity prices.
Lopez had sought to shut down
28 of the nation's 40 mines and
cancel the contracts of dozens of
others.
Last week she also announced
the ban on open-pit mining,
which would have sounded the
death knell for one of the world's
biggest planned copper projects
in the south of the country.
Mining Inc. had run a high-pro-
file campaign to have the Com-
mission on Appointments reject
her, arguing she was jeopardising
the lives of 1.2 million people who
were dependent on the industry.
The Chamber of Mines re-
leased a statement on Wednesday
thanking the commission for its
quick decision.
"This is not the end, but rather
the beginning of a new chapter for
the mining industry," the state-
maritime industry has access to
cleaner marine fuels," said Koh,
speaking at the Pavilion Energy
LNG bunkering launch at Jurong
Port yesterday.
"We plan to be LNG bunker-
ready as early as 2020."
Koh, who is also Senior Min-
ister of State for National Devel-
opment, cited efforts to push for
the use of LNG here, including
the Maritime and Port Authority
of Singapore's (MPA) programme
to co-fund up to US$2 million for
LNG-fuelled harbour craft, which
will see five such vessels come on
stream starting in 2018.
The MPA will also embark on
a three-year LNG bunkering pi-
lot programme this year, which
will "allow us to test operational
protocols, gain operational expe-
rience and beef up Singapore's
capabilities to ensure that LNG
bunkering is carried out safely, ef-
ficiently and reliably," said Koh.
At the event, an LNG bunker-
erode riverside farmland.
Such opposition reflects a wid-
er challenge to China's ambitious
"One Belt, One Road" project to
build a modern-day Silk Road
through Asia to Europe.
Second Harbour Consultants,
a subsidiary of state-owned be-
hemoth China Communications
Construction Corp. (CCCC) said
it was surveying the Mekong for
a report that China, Laos, Myan-
mar and Thailand would use to
decide whether blasting should
go ahead.
It added that it was not tasked
with the blasting work, which
would need to be tendered.
The company said in an e-mail
it had held meetings with local
people "to communicate, build
confidence and clear doubts."
China's foreign ministry did
not immediately respond to a re-
quest for comment.
Clearing the Mekong for big-
ger ships is not officially a part of
One Belt, One Road, a project an-
ment said.
Environment groups ex-
pressed outrage.
"The rejection demonstrates
the continued control of power-
ful destructive industries such as
mining in the country's legislative
houses, and the reform promised
to Filipinos is a sham," the Green
Thumb coalition, grouping doz-
ens of environment groups, said
in a statement.
"It clearly shows where the
heart of the Duterte administra-
tion is, and clearly it is manifest-
ed with big and powerful mining
companies."
Congress rejecting a presi-
dent's cabinet appointment is ex-
tremely rare in Philippine poli-
tics.
But, despite Duterte's ruling
coalition having a majority in
both houses of congress, Lopez
was the second of his appoint-
ments to be rejected.
Perfecto Yasay was in March
dumped as foreign secretary
when the commission on ap-
pointments ruled he had lied in
congressional hearings about him
holding American citizenship.
Lopez's rejection by the Com-
ing demonstration was held with
the super-chilled fuel supplied to
a ship from a port for the first time
in Singapore and South-east Asia.
Koh said the trial was testa-
ment to Singapore's progress in
conducting LNG bunkering op-
erations.
He said: "The expansion of our
LNG infrastructure and capa-
bilities will further increase op-
portunities for LNG trading and
bunkering, which are important
elements for a regional gas hub."
The truck-to-ship LNG bun-
kering demonstration involved
transferring LNG, typically at mi-
nus 163 deg C, from two ISO tanks
alongside Jurong Port berths to
an offshore vessel.
It was carried out by Pavilion
Gas, one of the two licensed LNG
bunker suppliers in Singapore.
The other licence-holder is Fu-
eLNG.
Seah Moon Ming, chief ex-
ecutive of Pavilion Energy, the
nounced in 2013; China blasted
sections of the river in Laos sev-
eral years earlier.
But some Chinese engineers
involved in the survey speak of it
as a part of the broader plan, and
it is consistent with Beijing's Silk
Road objectives.
Even in its Southeast Asian
backyard, where it has sympa-
thetic governments and ancient
historical ties, China sometimes
struggles to convince ordinary
people that One Belt One Road
will benefit them.
Thailand, Laos and Myanmar
have approved the survey work,
which is funded by China, but
further studies and approvals are
needed before blasting.
The Mekong River originates
in the Tibetan plateau and cas-
cades through China and five
Southeast Asian countries.
China has built a series of dams
along its stretch of the river that
Thai campaigners say has impact-
ed the water flow and made the
The Nation/ANN
mission on Appointments is fi-
nal, meaning President Rodrigo
Duterte must nominate a new
minister. Lopez riled the min-
ing sector with the crackdown
on mines though she was largely
supported by Duterte. She is the
second member of Duterte's cabi-
net dismissed by Congress.
Lawmakers voted 16-8 in fa-
vour of removing Lopez.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, head
of the environment committee
that held the hearings to deter-
mine Lopez's qualifications, an-
nounced the outcome "with sad-
ness in my heart."
"I believe in my heart no mat-
ter how several big people may
be against Gina, she will always
stand on what is morally and en-
vironmentally right and righ-
teous," said Pacquiao, referring to
Lopez by her nickname, as quoted
by Reuters.
Pacquiao said the deliberation
was "perhaps the longest, dra-
matic and most watched by all
Filipinos from all walks of life."
Minutes before the announce-
ment, Congressman Ronaldo
Zamora told Reuters about the
outcome of the vote.
Temasek-backed parent of Pa-
vilion Gas, said this was done in
line with TR 56, Singapore's first
standard for LNG bunkering,
launched just last Friday, giving
the technical framework for run-
ning LNG bunkering operations
such as transferring the fuel on
and off ships, and refuelling at the
Port of Singapore.
Seah said bunkering is a key
market for LNG growth, while
the IMO's landmark ruling will
boost demand for LNG in fuelling
ships.
"The establishment of robust
LNG bunkering ecosystem will
add to Singapore's offerings as an
Asian LNG hub. Not only can Sin-
gapore serve as a physical and fi-
nancial hub for LNG trading, but
also for small-scale LNG and LNG
bunkering activities. Vessels will
be able to call at the Port of Singa-
pore not only for trade purposes
but also for LNG bunkering refu-
elling."
regional giant hard to trust.
Chinese flags now flutter from
company speedboats, while
CCCC Second Harbour has met
with Thai protesters three times
since December in a bid to avert
opposition to their work.
A unit of the conglomerate
faced violent protests in January
in Sri Lanka, where people object-
ed to plans for an industrial zone
in the south.
Chinese engineers on the Me-
kong said they were worried that
Thai protesters would board the
rickety cargo ship where they
slept, prompting them to moor it
on the Laotian side of the Mekong
each night.
"We are afraid for our team's
safety," one engineer told Reuters,
declining to be named because he
wasn't authorized to speak to the
media.
"We keep a low profile here," he
added. "We want to do this project
well and benefit Thailand, Myan-
mar, Laos, China, these four coun-
THAILAND
Private sector sees
export growth rising
by up to 3.5%
The Nation/ANN
BANGKOK
Still, the private sector was en-
couraged by a more positive view
emerging on United States-Thai-
land trade after US President
Donald Trump phoned Prime
Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and
invited him to Washington.
Predee Daochai, chairman of
the Thai Bankers’ Association,
said the JSCCIB at its last meet-
ing agreed that the economy was
expected to stage a recovery this
year in line with the improving
global economic conditions, de-
spite the risks from an unclear
US trade policy and a reduction
in the US deficit.
First-quarter export growth
came in higher than expect-
ed, thanks to a stronger perfor-
mance, in particular, from the
electronics, automobile and
parts and rubber products indus-
tries, he said.
Amid easing tensions be-
tween the US and China, the
JSCCIB’s revised forecast
of export expansion of 2-3.5
percent this year follows an ear-
lier projection of 1 to 3 percent.
It also cited improvements in
the economies of the US and
Europe.
The Thai economy is expected
to grow in a range of 3.5 to 4 per-
cent this year.
Referring to Trump’s recent
call to Prayuth, Kalin Sarasin,
the chairman for the Board of
Trade of Thailand, said that this
was a positive sign for US-Thai
trade and was likely to result in
increased trade and investment
cooperation between the two
countries.
As Asean has seen satisfacto-
ry economic expansion, he said
the US needs to have stronger
connections with the region-
al grouping on investment and
trade, he said.
Trump’s invitation to Prayuth
for a White House visit reflects
the US view on Thailand as the
centre of ASEAN, Kalin said
He said that while the US has
a large trade deficit with Thai-
land, the country was unlikely to
be subjected to trade barriers as
the US is not capable of produc-
Together we can
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak (second left) poses with Ma-
laysia Airlines Berhad chief executive officer Peter Bellew (right), as
Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai (left) and Malaysia Airlines Berhad
chairman Md Nor Md Yusof look on during a Malaysia Airlines pro-
motional event in Putrajaya on Monday.
tries. This is not just for China."
China wants to remove rocks
and sandbanks to allow ships of
up to 500 tonnes to sail from its
landlocked province of Yunnan to
the sleepy Laotian town of Luang
Prabang.
That would expedite the ship-
ping of Chinese freight deep into
northern Laos, said Paul Cham-
bers, an expert in international
relations at Thailand's Naresuan
University.
"Luang Prabang may seem
sleepy, but northern Laos [...] rep-
resents a hub of Chinese influ-
ence," he said.
Despite reassurances from
CCCC Second Harbour, some lo-
cals still believed the engineers
were marking out areas for blast-
ing, said Niwat, who represented
campaigners in meetings with the
Chinese company.
His group draped a large white
banner reading "Mekong Not For
Sale" on the bank overlooking the
Pi Long rapids, whose name in
ing some of the goods it imports
from Thailand. More than 40
percent of Thai export products
to the US are derived from US in-
vestment.
These product types include
electronics, rubber, fisheries, and
jewellery and accessories.
The private sector is ready to
provide information for the Thai
government if trade discussions
are held with the US president,
Kalin said.
On the rise in the minimum
wage to 400 baht (US$11.6)
within three years, Poj Aram-
wattananont, vice chairman
of the Thai Chamber of Com-
merce, said the private sector is
ready to support the move, |es-
pecially if it is applied against
workers' skills. Now, most work-
ers earn wages at rates higher
than the minimum wage, given
the general increase in workers’
skills, he said.
Last year, the government
raised the minimum wage in
sectors that required more spe-
cialised skills. Poj said any move
to extend the rise in the mini-
mum wage nationwide would
need to take the interests of all
parties into consideration, for
the sake of fairness.
Thailand's central bank in
late March raised its economic
growth forecast for this year to
3.4 percent from 3.2 percent, and
upgraded its projection for ex-
ports, Reuters reported.
The Bank of Thailand (BOT)
now expects exports to rise 2.2
percent in 2017. Three months
ago, it forecast no growth.
Thai exports, a tradition-
al growth driver, increased
fractionally last year follow-
ing three years of contraction,
according to commerce ministry
data.
The BOT predicts headline
inflation at 1.2 percent this year,
rather than 1.5 percent seen
three months ago.
In December, the state plan-
ning agency, the National Eco-
nomic and Social Development
Board, maintained its economic
growth forecast of 3 to 4 percent
for this year, but raised its export
growth estimate to 2.9 percent
from 2.4 percent.
AFP/Mohd Rasfan
Thai means "lost ghosts."
"At the moment we're only
thinking about the economy and
the earning figures without con-
sidering the unimaginable value
of the eco-system to humanity,"
he said.
The military seized power in
Thailand in 2014 and banned
gatherings of five or more people.
But Narongsak Osotthana-
korn, governor of Chiang Rai - the
Thai province where the Mekong
is currently being surveyed - said
people could "protest freely"
against the Chinese plan.
Narongsak said the survey was
the first stage in a process that
would include an environmental
study, public hearings and negoti-
ations between China, Thailand,
Myanmar and Laos.
While he would not say wheth-
er or not he supported blasting,
Narongsak said local people had
much to gain from increased river
trade. "I think no country would be
happy to lose the benefits," he said.
THURSDAY May 4, 2017 INTERNATIONAL | 17

Apple posts surprise BUSINESS BRIEF

China calms investors with words, cash

dip in iPhone sales

Anya George Tharakan
and Stephen Nellis
REUTERS/BENGALURU/SAN
FRANCISCO
Apple Inc. reported a surprise
fall in iPhone sales for its second
quarter on Tuesday, indicating
that customers may have held
back purchases in anticipation of
the 10th-anniversary edition of the
company's most important prod-
uct later this year.
Under pressure from share-
holders to hand over more of its
US$250 billion-plus hoard of cash
and investments, Apple boosted
its capital return program by $50
billion, increased its share repur-
chase authorization by $35 billion
and raised its quarterly dividend
by 10.5 percent.
Investors were unmoved, send-
ing shares of the world's most
valuable listed company down 1.9
percent at $144.65 in after-hours
trading.
Apple sold 50.76 million
iPhones in its fiscal second quar-
ter ended April 1, down from 51.19
million a year earlier.
Analysts on average had esti-
mated iPhone sales of 52.27 mil-
lion, according to financial data
and analytics firm FactSet.
Apple chief financial officer
Luca Maestri argued the decline
was not as bad as it looked, given
the peculiarities of how phone
sales are calculated.
The company reports what
are called "sell-in" figures for the
iPhone, a measure of how many
units it sells to retailers, rather
than "sell-through" figures, which
measure how many phones are
actually sold to consumers.
Maestri said the company re-
duced the volume of inventory
going through its retail channel
by about 1.2 million units in the
quarter, meaning the company
sold about 52 million phones to
customers on a sell-through basis.
Despite the dip in unit sales,
iPhone revenues rose 1.2 percent
in the quarter, helped by a higher
average selling price.
Expectations are building
ahead of Apple's 10th-anniversary
iPhone range this fall, with inves-
tors hoping that the launch would
help bolster sales.
Apple typically launches its
new iPhones in September.
A big jump in sales usually fol-
OUTLOOK
German economy booms as protectionist threat goes pop
Michael Nienaber
REUTERS/HAMBURG
When port manager Axel Mat-
tern looks out onto the Elbe River
from his office in Hamburg's his-
toric warehouse district, he can
literally count the rising number
of container ships leaving Germa-
ny's biggest harbor.
There is an export boom un-
derway, the ships tell him. China,
in particular, is "buzzing," Mat-
tern says.
The sharp increase in demand
for "Made in Germany" goods
from around the world is pushing
Europe's largest economy into
overdrive — and, not coincidently,
helping dispel worries about ris-
ing protectionism under United
States President Donald Trump.
Some German companies are
even considering expanding into
the US, while others reckon the
world is big enough for them to
thrive even if American trade bor-
ders do get tricky.
In the first two months of 2017,
overall German exports rose 7 per-
cent on the year to €201.2 billion
(US$219.57 billion), driven by a
Waiting game: Customers and sales persons are seen at an Apple maintenance service store at a mobile
phone market in Shanghai. Apple Inc. reported a surprise fall in iPhone sales for its second quarter on
Tuesday, indicating that customers may have held back purchases in anticipation of the 10th-anniversa-
ry edition of the company’s most important product later this year.
iPhone sales down to
50.76 million in latest
quarter
Revenues rose 1.2%,
helped by higher average
selling price
lows in the holiday quarter, be-
fore demand tapers over the next
few quarters as customers hold
back ahead of the next launch.
Apple's 10th-anniversary
iPhone range might sport fea-
tures such as wireless charging,
3D facial recognition and a curved
display.
"There is a general softening in
phone demand to contend with
as well as expectations of a big
upgrade, all of which softens the
blow of this quarter's miss," said
James McQuivey, a Forrester Re-
search analyst. "If we see Apple
downplaying expectations before
the next upgrade cycle, it might
mean that the company isn't con-
fident it will beat those expecta-
tions."
The company forecast total
broad-based uptick in demand for
top quality German products such
as cars and machines.
The trade boost comes on top
of Germany's vibrant domestic
economy which is already sup-
ported by a robust labor market,
a growing population and record-
low borrowing costs, enabled by
the European Central Bank's
(ECB) loose monetary policy.
Soaring private consumption,
increased state spending on ref-
ugees and higher construction
drove an expansion of 1.9 percent
last year, the strongest rate in half
a decade and the fastest among
the Group of Seven industrialized
countries.
The economy is still doing well.
But it is the jump in trade that
most bodes well for 2017.
A breakdown of trade data from
the Federal Statistics Office com-
piled for Reuters shows exports
to the US — Germany's most im-
portant single export destination
after the bloc of European Union
countries — jumped 9 percent in
the first two months of the year to
17.9 billion. Those to China leapt
14 percent to €12.6 billion.
revenue of between $43.5 billion
and $45.5 billion for the current
quarter, while analysts on aver-
age were expecting $45.60 billion,
according to Thomson Reuters
I/B/E/S.
Analysts on average expect
the company to sell 42.31 million
iPhones in the current quarter,
according to FactSet.
For the second quarter, the
company's net income rose to
$11.03 billion, or $2.10 per share,
compared with $10.52 billion, or
$1.90 per share, a year earlier.
Analysts on average had ex-
pected $2.02 per share, according
to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Revenue rose 4.6 percent to
$52.90 billion in the quarter,
compared with analysts' average
estimate of $53.02 billion.
A 17.5 percent jump in the com-
pany's services business — which
includes the App Store, Apple
Music, Apple Pay and iCloud — to
$7.04 billion, boosted revenue.
"We are particularly encour-
aged by the fact that service reve-
nue is nowhere near as cyclical as
product revenue," Neil Saunders,
The US increase comes de-
spite some of the new president's
"America First" campaigning.
Trump's protectionist rheto-
ric and the dispute about the ben-
efits of free trade are likely to rank
high on the agenda of the Group
of 20 summit to be held in Ham-
burg in July.
Concerns among managers in
Europe's economic powerhouse,
however, have already eased.
"We're very relaxed about this
whole debate about Trump and
protectionism," Mattern said.
"If Trump doesn't want to buy
German goods anymore because
he thinks he can produce every-
thing at home, we'll just find oth-
er buyers."
Corporate Germany's self-con-
fidence is backed by data. A sur-
vey of some 43,000 consumers
in 52 countries conducted by Da-
lia Research and Statista showed
"Made in Germany" is viewed as
the most appealing seal of quality
in the world.
Senior German government offi-
cials also sound less alarmed about
US policy after meetings with US
counterparts in recent weeks — a
Reuters/Aly Song
managing director of GlobalData
Retail, wrote in a note to clients.
Apple's revenue from the
Greater China region fell 14.1 per-
cent to $10.73 billion in the quar-
ter, as cheaper rivals in the region
chipped away at sales.
Maestri said that sales of Macs
and the company's services were
strong in China during the March
quarter. “The performance we’re
seeing in China should get better
going forward this year,” he said.
Apple's gross margin hit 38.9
percent, slightly ahead of ana-
lysts' average expectation of 38.7
percent, despite higher prices
for memory chips. The company
said it expects gross margins next
quarter between 37.5 percent and
38.5 percent, versus analysts' ex-
pectation of 38.3 percent, accord-
ing to FactSet.
“NAND and DRAM [memory
chips] are under pressure right
now in terms of some price pres-
sure. We saw that in the March
quarter and expect that to contin-
ue into the June quarter, but for
all the other commodities, we see
prices declining,” Maestri said.
notion echoed by ECB president
Mario Draghi on Thursday.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has
even fueled expectations of a fu-
ture EU-US trade deal, saying she
was "very encouraged" talks were
being looked at after her recent
trip to Washington.
Precision pouring
German business leaders such as
Anton Boerner from the BGA trade
association point out that Trump's
protectionist threats, including
broad-based introduction of pu-
nitive tariffs on imports through a
border adjustment tax, have failed
to translate into policy so far.
"There are no concrete mea-
sures and this means 'business as
usual' for companies — at least for
now," Boerner told Reuters.
While uncertainty remains
high and is limiting overall pri-
vate sector investment, at least
some companies seem to be view-
ing political risks as the new nor-
mal — and they are pushing ahead
with investment.
A survey by the Ifo institute
shows German industrial compa-
nies plan to increase investment
by 5 percent this year, up from 3
percent in 2016.
BEIJING: China is breaking out its mouthpieces — and wallet — as it
seeks to soothe investors in the face of tighter financial market regula-
tions.
The central bank-run Financial News urged stock investors not to
overreact to tougher regulations in front-page commentary Wednes-
day. The monetary authority will prevent swings in liquidity from ex-
ceeding tolerable level, the official Xinhua News Agency-owned China
Securities Journal added in a separate front-page opinion piece. The
People’s Bank of China injected more cash into the financial system
through open-market operations Wednesday than any day since Janu-
ary as the benchmark government bond yield climbed to the highest
level in two years.
“Policy makers are trying to send a very clear signal — they do not
want a disorderly deleveraging process,” said Tommy Xie, an econo-
mist in Singapore at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. “But investors are
still concerned about policy risks, so any news on tighter regulation
can still trigger quick market volatility in the near term.”
Mainland China’s benchmark Shanghai Composite Index retreated
2.1 percent in April amid spiking bond yields as regulators overseeing
banking, insurance and securities trading issued a flurry of directives,
targeting everything from excessive borrowing to speculation in equi-
ties. The efforts won the central government’s public endorsement last
week as top leaders including President Xi Jinping chaired a gathering to
discuss “safeguarding national financial-market security” on April 25. —
Bloomberg
Saudi to keep full control after Aramco IPO
KUWAIT: Saudi Arabia will retain full ownership of its oil and gas
reserves and sole decision-making authority on production levels after
Saudi Arabian Oil Co.’s long-awaited initial public offering, Deputy
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud said in interview Tues-
day on state-run television.
Aramco, the world’s largest oil-exporting company, holds a conces-
sion to pump the kingdom’s oil and gas, and a stake in that venture
is what will be sold in the offering of “not far from 5 percent” of its
shares in 2018, the prince said. Analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.
and Rystad Energy AS in March said the offering had a potential mar-
ket value above US$1 trillion.
“The wells will still be owned by the government,” said the deputy
crown prince, the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. “The
company only has the right to benefit from the wells. This is the same
as before and there are no changes to that.”
Production decisions will remain subject to the Organization of Pe-
troleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) policies and the global supply and
demand balance, the prince said.
Proceeds from the offering will enlarge the kingdom’s sovereign-wealth
fund, and at least half have been earmarked to develop local industries
such as mining, he said. The prince said last year that he expects the com-
pany to have a value of at least $2 trillion, but Sanford Bernstein put it at
$1 trillion to $1.5 trillion in March, and Rystad estimated it at $1.4 trillion,
assuming a long-term oil price of $75 a barrel. — Bloomberg
VW confirms forecast after jump start to 2017
FRANKFURT: : German carmaker Volkswagen on Wednesday confirmed
its forecasts for 2017 after boosting revenue and profits in the first
quarter, even as its emissions cheating scandal continues to make
headlines.
The group reported net profit of €3.4 billion (US$3.7 billion) in the
period from January to March, up 44 percent compared with the first
three months of last year.
Revenues grew 10 percent to €56.2 billion.
Both results significantly outperformed forecasts from analysts
surveyed by data company Factset.
“Our quarterly figures were positively impacted by the strong per-
formance of the group brands, the launch of new, compelling products
and solid earnings in Western Europe,” chief executive Matthias Muel-
ler said in a statement.
VW confirmed that its operating profit increased by 28 percent to
€4.4 billion in the three-month period, raising the return on sales to
7.8 percent.
Looking ahead to the full year, the group said it aims to keep that
figure “between 6 percent and 7 percent,” while increasing revenue
by up to 4 percent compared with last year.
“Challenges will arise particularly from the economic situation,
intense competition in the market, exchange rate volatility and the
diesel issue,” the carmaker said.
Questions remain over who at Europe’s largest carmaker knew of a
scheme to disguise higher-than-allowed emissions of nitrogen oxides
in its diesel vehicles from regulators, which the group admitted to in
September 2015. — AFP
AFP/John Macdougall
Two robotic arms by industrial robot manufacturer Kuka pour a
beer for guests attending the Summit of the Business20 (B20) in
Berlin on Tuesday. The B20 forum is a debate platform to discuss
the G20 economies.

AVIATION

Made-in-China passenger jet set to take wing

Albee Zhang
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/SHANGHAI
China is expected this week to
conduct the maiden test flight of
a home-grown passenger jet built
to meet soaring domestic travel
demand and challenge the domi-
nance of Boeing and Airbus.
The C919, built by state-owned
aerospace manufacturer Com-
mercial Aircraft Corporation of
China (COMAC), was set to take
wing over Shanghai on Friday,
the company said on Wednesday,
according to the official Xinhua
news agency.
"If weather conditions are not
suitable, the maiden flight will be
rescheduled," COMAC said, add-
ing that engineers had completed
some 118 tests.
The narrow-body jet repre-
sents nearly a decade of effort in
a state-mandated drive to reduce
dependence on European con-
sortium Airbus and United States
aerospace giant Boeing.
"The first flight itself is not a
huge deal. [But] of course, it's go-
ing to be a hugely symbolic mo-
ment in the evolution of China's
aviation industry," said Greg
Waldron, Asia managing editor
at industry publication Flight-
global.
The C919 is the country's first
big passenger plane and the lat-
est sign of growing Chinese am-
bition and technical skill, coming
one week after China launched its
first domestically made aircraft
carrier and docked a cargo space-
craft with an orbiting space lab.
The C919 can seat 168 passen-
gers and has a range of 5,555 kilo-
meters.
China is a huge battleground
for Boeing and Airbus, with its
travelers taking to the skies in ev-
er-growing numbers.
The Chinese travel market is
expected to surpass the US by
2024, according to the Interna-
tional Air Transport Association.
Airbus has estimated Chinese
airlines will need nearly 6,000
new planes over the next two
decades, while Boeing foresees
6,800 aircraft. Both put the com-
bined price tags for those planes
at around $1 trillion.
But aviation analysts said
Shanghai-based COMAC has a
long journey ahead before it can
challenge the lock on the market
by Boeing and Airbus.
"This is an important mile-
stone for China with this new air-
craft. But for it to move to the next
stage, which is to sell this product,
is not going to be so easy," said
Shukor Yusof, an analyst with
Malaysia-based aviation consul-
tancy Endau Analytics.
But COMAC may be able to
rely on purchases by fast-growing
Chinese airlines.
It had already received 570 or-
ders by the end of last year, almost
all from domestic airlines.
Waldron agreed it would take
time but said that over the next
century China would become a
world aviation player.
"You are going to have three big
companies. You will have Boeing,
you will have Airbus, and you will
have COMAC," he said.
China has dreamed of build-
ing its own civil aircraft since the
1970s, when it began work on
the narrow-body Y-10, which was
eventually deemed unviable and
never entered service.
COMAC's first regional jet, the
90-seat ARJ 21, entered service in
2016, several years late.
The ARJ 21 is currently re-
stricted to flying domestic routes
as it still lacks the Federal Avia-
tion Administration (FAA) certi-
fication that would allow it to fly
US skies.
China also has been in talks
with the FAA to obtain certifica-
tion for the C919, without result.
The C919's first test flight had
been due to take place in 2016 but
was delayed.
Besides the C919, China is also
working with Russia to develop a
long-haul wide-bodied jet called
the C929.
Although the C919 is made in
China, foreign firms are playing
key roles by supplying systems
as well as the engines, which are
made by CFM International, a
joint venture between General
Electric of the US and France's
Safran.
During a visit to COMAC in
2014, President Xi Jinping ex-
pressed concern that not having
a homegrown plane left China at
the mercy of foreign industrial
groups.
China last August launched a
new multi-billion dollar jet-en-
gine conglomerate with nearly
100,000 employees, with the hope
of powering its own planes with
self-made engines.
After the C919's first flight, it
will need to pass tests to obtain
Chinese airworthiness certifica-
tion before it can be sold.
18 | THURSDAY May 4, 2017

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TRAVEL SPOTS
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Access the maximum benefits at the minimum cost in our “Classifieds” section, where you will
receive a wide range of ad options, ranging from cars, houses, offices and schools, just to name a few.
Contact us or send us your ad to classifieds@thejakartapost.com / noor.utami@thejakartapost.com,
Call Uthe at 021 – 5300 478 ext. 2060 for more information.
 THURSDAY May 4, 2017 | 19

LOCAL BEAT
Kalyana Indonesia introduces new products, announces plans to go global Grand City announces 3.7 SHOPRIZE 2017 winner
Local fashion brand Kalyana Indonesia, May 1 was an important day for
which specializes in handbags featuring Indone- Dani Fernandes. This Surabayan
sian motifs, recently hosted a private afternoon did not expect to take home a Nissan
party to introduce its new products. Grand Livina X-Gear from Grand
Held on April 28 in the Avenue Java Paragon City Surabaya’s 3.7 SHOPRIZE
hotel in Surabaya, the party featured a fashion phase 1 lucky draw.
show presenting the brand’s premium leath- “At first, I didn’t think I would
er bags, which were inspired by Javanese cul- win because yesterday I only did a
ture, particularly its batik motifs. The leather bit of shopping with my wife, and
bags, variants of which are available for men and out of curiosity decided to exchange
women, feature unique motifs and patterns us- our shopping receipt for a lucky
ing engraving techniques. Courtesy of the Kalyana Indonesia draw coupon. Luck fell in our laps,”
On the sidelines of the event, a number of stylists – Mia Ambarita, Raysha Variany and Dony –shared tips Dani said.
and tricks in matching clothes with bags. The winner of second phase of
During the event, the brand also announced the latest milestone for its business: “Kalyana Indonesia the lucky draw will be announced
will also organize a fashion show from May 6 to 13 in Melbourne, Australia. Our desire to go international in September and the winner of the
could hopefully introduce Indonesia’s rich heritage and culture to the world,” Kalyana Indonesia founder third phase of the lucky draw, which
Maulina said. has a grand prize of a BMW X1, will
Kalyana Indonesia’s collection can be viewed on its official website, klyindonesia.com. be announced in January 2018.
Courtesy of Grand City Surabaya

Shangri-La Surabaya celebrates British Queen’s birthday AccorHotels conducts campaign to reduce and recycle food waste
The Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya re- The East Java chapter of the Ac-
cently celebrated the birthday of Brit- corHotels group recently organized an
ish Queen Elizabeth II, who turned 91 awareness campaign called “Stop Food
on April 21. Waste,” in an effort to educate the pub-
This marks the first time her birth- lic about the importance of reducing
day has been celebrated in Surabaya. and recycling food waste.
Previously, the annual event only took The event was held on April 26 at the
place in the capital. Al-Akbar Grand Mosque in Surabaya,
“The role of Surabaya as Indonesia’s East Java, where facilitators from Tunas
second-largest city is increasingly sig- Hijau non-profit organization taught
nificant for Britain and Indonesia’s co- around 200 school students how to turn
operation. This celebration is a form food waste into bio-fertilizer.
of our commitment to relations be- The food waste that was turned
tween the two countries,” said British into bio-fertilizer was collected from
Ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN and nine AccorHotels group brands across
Timor-Leste Moazzam Malik. Surabaya, namely Hotel Majapahit Courtesy of the AccorHotels
Held on April 27, the celebration Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya Surabaya, Novotel Surabaya Ngagel, Novotel Samator Surabaya, Mercure Grand Mirama Surabaya, Ibis
at the hotel featured the ambassador opening the event with the national anthems of the two countries. Surabaya City Center, Ibis Budget Surabaya Airport, Ibis Style Malang, Ibis Style Jemursari Surabaya and
Some 300 guests joined in singing “Indonesia Raya” and “God Save the Queen.” Ibis Budget HR Muhammad Surabaya.

Marriott Hotels group plants mangrove seeds in Wonorejo forest

SURABAYA SCENE The Marriott Hotels
group recently marked
Earth Day in Surabaya,
East Java, by planting
mangrove seeds in the
Wonorejo mangrove
forest.
Conducted on April
22, the activity in-
volved staff members
from Sheraton Suraba-
ya Hotel & Towers, JW
Marriott Surabaya,
Four Points by Shera-
ton Surabaya and Fair- Courtesy of the Marriott Hotels
field by Marriott Surabaya, which planted 500 mangrove seeds.
On this occasion, Sheraton Surabaya Hotel & Towers environment, health, safety and security manager
Asrifal supervised the planting of mangrove seeds by hotel staff members in the forest, just as he did during
a similar event last year.

Surabaya Scene
For our advertising packages and rates,
call Kristiawan at 0817 345 607
or send an email to kristiawanizm@gmail.com /
kristiawan@thejakartapost.com

LIFESTYLE

Seoul springs to life with festivals

W
ith spring in full bloom
and the days getting
warmer, a number of
festivals that focus on outdoor
activities are taking place around
Seoul. Here is a list of May festivals
compiled by The Korea Herald.

Nod to street culture

All Day Out Seoul 2017, which
takes place Friday and Saturday
at Layer 57 in Seongsu-dong, is
an event dedicated to all things
hip-hop and street culture, host-
ed by the entertainment behe-
moth CJ E&M.
Some of Korea’s trendiest rap-
pers such as CJamm, Giriboy and
Paloalto will be performing. A
DJing party will take place later
in the evening. An art exhibition
will also be held in a quieter cor-
ner of the venue, with artwork by
young Korean contemporary art-
ists, such as Kim Seok-won, who
goes by the name Kildren.
Street culture figures will be giv-
ing talks on their professional and
personal journeys. The event will
be held from 1-10 p.m. on both days.
Tickets are available at 59,000
won at ticket.interpark.com and
at 69,000 won on site.
Traditional food and drinks
The 10th edition of the Korean
Traditional Liquor and Food Fes-
tival, which celebrates dishes and
drinks that have been around for
hundreds of years, is taking place
Visitors take a selfie at last year’s Seoul Rose Festival in Muk-dong, Jungnang-gu.
at Namsangol Hanok Village from
May 18-19.
Traditional food and drinks
will be available free of charge at
the event hosted by the Institute
of Traditional Korean Food.
Rosy path
A park in Seoul’s eastern neigh-
borhood of Muk-dong, Jungnang-
gu, is famous for its tunnel of
arches adorned with hundreds of
climbing rose bushes.
The annual Seoul Rose Festival
will take place around the Jung-
nangcheon area from May 19-21
this year, featuring some 72,000
roses of over 40 varieties.
The festival is held in partner-
ship with the Bulgarian town of
Kazanlak, home to a century-old
rose festival.
The Seoul event will kick off
with a rose parade, where festival
participants can join professional
dancers in a procession through
the park. On the evening of May
19, participants will be able to
float rose-shaped lanterns on the
nearby stream.
A jazz concert, rose garden din-
ner, dance party and rose mar-
ket will take place in the ensuing
days. Buskers and food trucks will
be stationed around the area.
City of music
During Seoul Music Week held
Visitors attend last year’s Korean Traditional Liquor and Food Festi-
val at Namsangol Hanok Village.
from May 19-21, artist teams from
23 countries will put on some 57
shows.
A number of eclectic artists
specializing in diverse genres --
from reggae, ska and neo soul to
jazz, blues and gugak (Korea tra-
ditional music) -- will be perform-
ing in and around the Sejong Cen-
ter for Performing Arts, located in
Gwanghwamun.
All shows will be open to the
public free of charge.
Colorful Korean music teams
such as Kingston Rudieska,
Common Ground and 3rd Line
Butterfly will be performing.
(ANN/The Korea Herald/
Rumy Doo) Musicians perform at last year’s Seoul Music Week in Gwanghwamun.
20 | THURSDAY May 4, 2017

WHERE TO GO
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FOREIGN CULTURAL
CENTERS
• Korean Cultural Center
Korean Language Courses
Korean Cultural Center, address:
Equity Tower 17th Fl. Jl. Jend.
Sudirman, SCBD, Lot 9, Jakarta.
Contact: 021-2903-5650/
id.korean-culture.org/
kelasbahasa@kccindonesia.org
• The Japan Foundation
Japan Language Courses,
Library
Address: Summitmas I Lt. 2,
Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, • Fire at Sea
Kav. 61-62 Jakarta by Gianfranco Rosi
Contact: 021-5201266/ May 6 at 12 p.m.
jpf.go.jp/e/policy/ Erasmus Huis Auditorium
official_accounts/pkj@jpf.or.id europeonscreen.org
• Russian Center of Science May 11 at 5 p.m.
and Culture
Russian Language Courses
Address: Jl. Diponegoro No. 12,
G-String Blues Band Kineforum
europeonscreen.org
Menteng, RT.1/RW.4, Menteng May 13 at 12 p.m.
Contact: 021-31935290/ May 3-4 at 5 p.m., Motion Blue Jakarta
motionbluejakarta.com Goethehaus
idn.rs.gov.ru/indonezia@rs.gov.ru europeonscreen.org
The G-String Blues Band consists of nine talented musicians with These talented individuals have plenty of experience under their
TOUR GUIDE distinct individual skills: Billy (vocalist and songwriter from Kansas belt and play a blend of jazz, blues, R&B, folk, country and rock.
City, United States), Nana Helena (vocalist), Jessy Pangalila (guitar- Watch G-String Blues Band’s electrifying performance live at Mo-
• Indonesian Heritage Society ist and vocalist), Tono Setiadi (bassist), Hadarsyah (drummer), Anto- tion Blue Jakarta on May 3 (Couples Night: two tickets for the price of
provides free tour at National nius Yacob (keyboardist), Priyo Wahono (trumpeter) and Sistha An- one), May 4 and May 5. Enjoy a free glass of wine or beer with every
Museum in indya (saxophonist). ticket purchased.
English.
Every Tuesday at
10:30 a.m. • Spring Savings By Rococo CLASS
Every Thursday April 18 – May 8
at 10:30 a.m. and Lotte Shopping Avenue, Jakarta • Kelas Fotografi Jalanan
1:30 p.m. jadwalevent.web.id March 8 – May 6 at 2 p.m.
Every second and Serambi Salihara
fourth Saturday of the month at salihara.org
10:30 a.m.
CP: Indonesian Heritage
Society Library 021-5725870/ ARTS FESTIVAL
heritagejkt.org • Most Art 2017 • Blues is Alright!
• Mixed Feelings 02 May 6 at 3 p.m. May 10 at 7 p.m.
Illustration Exhibition Hotel Bumi Wiyata Foodism - Kemang, Jakarta
Cp : +6285710073433 goersapp.com • Suburra by Stefano Sollima
TALK April 2 – May 6 May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
That’s Life Coffee IIC Auditorium
• Entrepreneur Talkshow thatslifecoffee.com europeonscreen.org
May 12 at 5 p.m.
Universitas Tarumanagara • 9th Korean Culture Day : May 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Kampus I Sunsational Getaway Erasmus Huis Auditorium
CP : +6281280996778 May 6 at 1 p.m. europeonscreen.org
Universitas Indonesia
• Jakarta Food Festival 2017 Cp : +681517881806 • ‘Europe on Screen 2017’
EXHIBITION April 7 - May 7 May 8-14 at 5 p.m.
La Piazza Mall Kelapa Gading, Taman Ismail Marzuki
Jakarta MUSIC PERFORMANCES kineforum.org
jfff.info
• VISION 80 • Saturday Night Live:
May 3-5 at 5 p.m. Chris Mann
May 20 DRAMA PERFORMANCE
Motion Blue Jakarta
motionbluejakarta.com Cascade Lounge, Hotel Mulia
Senayan - Jakarta • “Dongeng Negeri Seribu Angin”
Cp: 021 5747777 ext.4388/4488 May 21 at 6.30 p.m.
Taman Ismail Marzuki,
Teater Kecil
Cp: +6281289018754
• Alive Museum Ancol
May 1-31 at 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Ancol Beach City Mall • A Tribute to Jagjit Singh by
Shekhar Ravjiani SEMINAR
alivemuseum.co.id
May 6 at 7 p.m.
Ciputra Artpreneur Theatre, • Youth Development:
• Indonesian International Scholarship, Career,
Motor Show 2017 Jakarta
Cp: 021 – 30015666 or email to and Entrepreneurship
May 1-7 at 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. May 6 at 8.30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Jiexpo Kemayoran • Sole Fest 2017: The Biggest • Live in Concert Nidji - Arti indiaclubind@gmail.com
or indiaclub@cbn.net.id Gunadarma University Campus D
Indonesianmotorshow.com Sneakers Market Sahabat- Cp : 0857 1103 6115
May 5-7 May 5 at 7 p.m. www.indiaclubjakarta.org
• 2nd Halal FoodCourt Kuningan City Level 2,3 & 4, Balai kartini Jakarta
@Islamic Book Fair #16 Jakarta Cp : 08111961996 OPERA PERFORMANCE
May 3-7 kuningancity.com In the Indonesian music in-
JCC Senayan, Jakarta dustry, Nidji has demonstrated • Pau Hana Exclusive
Hawaiian Party • Musikal Mimpi Kecil - Remake
jadwalevent.web.id itself as one of the country’s rising May 6-7
bands. It consists of six talent- May 12-13 at 4 p.m. – 3 a.m.
The Edge Bistro - Kemang, Teater Besar TIM
• Islamic Book Fair #16 ed individuals: Giring (vocals), Cp : 08111961996
May 3-7 Rama and Ariel (guitarists), Adrie Jakarta
JCC Senayan, Jakarta (drums), Andro (bass) and Run- goersapp.com
jadwalevent.web.id D (keyboard). The word “Nidji” THEATER PERFORMANCE
itself is a modification of the word
“niji”, which is Japanese for rain- FILM SCREENINGS • JPAC Musical:
bow. The word was chosen as it West Side Story
represented the band’s colorful • Melodi Alam 2017 • ‘Turah’ May 12-14
music that blends different styles May 6-7 May 3-7 at 5 p.m. Graha Bhakti Budaya -
together, such as progressive, Gunung Pancar, Bogor Taman Ismail Marzuki Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta
funk, alternative and pop. goersapp.com kineforum.org jpacwestsidestory.com
• Tumpah Ruah 7th Edition
May 6-7 at 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. • Bonita & The Hus Band • Beilys PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS
Gudang Sarinah Ekosistem – Hall May 6 at 5 p.m. May 8-10 at 5 p.m. For queries on placement of your events in The Jakarta Post’s WHERE TO GO section,
B, Jakarta Motion Blue Jakarta Motion Blue Jakarta please send an email to wheretogo@thejakartapost.com / wtgjakarta@gmail.com or
Instagram: @gudangtumpahruah motionbluejakarta.com motionbluejakarta.com call Endang at (021) 5300478 ext. 2034.

WHERE TO EAT IN JAKARTA

CAFES
Aphrodite Club Rasuna, Jl. Rasuna Said,
Kuningan, South Jakarta.
Anomali Coffee Jl. Senopati No. 35, South
Jakarta. Telp. 529-20102
Antipodean Hero Kemang Complex, Jl.
Kemang Selatan No. 1, South Jakarta. No
fuss super-fresh brekkies at this laid-back
Aussie-Kiwi Café.
BUNK Pullman Jakarta Central Park Podo-
moro City, Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav. 28
Telp. 021 29 20 00 88
Bloeming FX Sudirman, South Jakarta.
Telp. 2555 4182
Bakoel Koffie Jl. Cikini Raya No. 25, Central
Jakarta. Telp. 3193 6608
CJ’s Bar Hotel Mulia Senayan. Jl.Asia Afrika
Senayan, South Jakarta.Telp. 575 3275, 574
7777 ext. 4008, 4018 Bar and cocktail.
RESTAURANTS
ASIAN FUSION
Chatterbox Plaza Senayan and branches
city- wide. Singaporean and western dishes in
cozy setting. No MSG.
Mamacita The Wine Kitchen Senayan City,
LG Unit 52, South Jakarta. Telp. 7278 1477
CONTINENTAL
Cacaote Jl. Senopati Raya 80, Kebayoran
Baru, South Jakarta. Telp. 293 0612.
Place to see and be seen, melt-in-your-mouth
cakes and pastries
CHINESE
Ah Yat Abalone Mid Plaza 2, LG, Jl.
Sudirman Central Jakarta. Telp. 570 7333
Chiao Tung Hotel Rekso Hayam Wuruk, Jl.
Hayam Wuruk 2F West Jakarta. Telp. 624 8680
ITALIAN
AWkitchen Plaza Senayan
Level P4 Unit No. CP 409
Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8
Jakarta Pusat 10270
+6221 5790 6071
AWkitchen Plaza Indonesia
Level 2, No. E0206
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Jakarta Pusat 10350
+6221 2992 4325
INDONESIAN
Beautika Jl. Hang Lekir No. 1, South Jakarta.
Telp. 722 6683
A spicy culinary journey to North Sulawesi
(Manado). No frills but you will definitely feel
hot under the collar from the chilli dosage.
Bengawan Solo Hotel Sahid Jaya, Jl. Sudirman
No. 86, Central Jakarta. Telp. 570 4444
Bumbu Hotel Sheraton Bandara, West
Jakarta. Telp. 559 7777
INTERNATIONAL
Alto Restaurant & Bar
Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta
Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto Kav. 18
Kuningan Barat, Jakarta 12710
Opening time:
Alto Bar (Daily) 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Alto Restaurant (Daily) 6 p.m. – 10.30 p.m.
Tel: 021 2277 1888
Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta
WINE & DINE
Bacco Lotte Shopping Avenue, Main Lobby,
LG 38, Kuningan, South Jakarta.
Decanter Wine Lounge Plaza Kuningan,
North Tower, Ground Floor, South Jakarta.
Telp. 5296 3888
Loewy Bar & Restaurant Oakwood Premier
Cozmo, Kuningan, South Jakarta. Telp.
25542378
The Lounge Le Grandeur Mangga Dua,
Jl. Mangga Dua Raya, North Jakarta.
Telp. 612 8811
SAKE+ Jl. Senopati 54, Kebayoran Baru,
South Jakarta. Telp. 7250002. Japanese bar
& lounge.
VIN+ Arcadia Plaza Senayan Arcadia
Lantai 1 Unit 106-108, South Jakarta. Telp.
57901477
VIN+ PIM Street Gallery Pondok Indah
Mall 1st Fl Unit 106 South Jakarta. Telp.
2952 9753
VIN+ PIM soft opening specials: - Get a
glass of sangria if you follow us on twitter
and facebook. @vinplusid and VIN+ wine
and beyond
Lunch promotion.
Buy 2 main courses and get 20 percent off
(food only)
High Tea Promotion: 1 Tapas + 1 Glass of wine
only Rp 100,000 (tax included).
VIN+ Central Park Central Park Mall at
Tribeca Park Ground Floor TG. 03 Jl. Let. S.
Parman Kav. 28, West Jakarta. Telp. 5698 5768
VIN+ Kemang Jl. Kemang Raya No. 45B,
South Jakarta Telp. 7179 2577
AWkitchen
THURSDAY May 4, 2017 ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE | 21
PEANUTS

CROSSWORD PUZZLER SUDOKU

Instructions:
Fill the cells in such a way so that all rows, columns and every
3-by-3 subsquare contains every digit from 1 to 9, with no rep-
etition of each digit.

ROSE IS ROSE

THE BORN LOSER

CHESSQUIZ
GARFIELD

By Shelby Lyman
FERDNAND
22 | HOME & DESIGN THURSDAY May 4, 2017

Picture perfect:
Paintings are giv-

‘MIXED
en wooden frames
and placed on the
wall for visitors to
enjoy.

FEELINGS’
Art Breeding
Ground
Nothing good can be forced or made instantly
and this is true of a work of art. Artists’ talk: The participating artists ( from sec-
ond left) Nykkhu, Liffi Wongso, Criwill, Hwang
Tony and Novan share their stories.

Clara Anastasia
THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA

I
t was a typically hectic afternoon at the two-story coffee
shop at Gunawarman in South Jakarta, where the crowd
enjoyed exhibited works by five new painters.
They are Nykkhu, Criwill, Hwang Tony, Novan Ang-
gono and Liffi Wongso, who joined Mixed Feelings — a collective
of artists established by illustrator Atreyu Moniaga with his non-
profit artist incubation project.
The latest exhibition, the project’s fifth batch, presents 21
works by the five artists who transform white canvasses into a
spectrum of color. The exhibition runs until May 7.
The artists have different ways of representing themselves.
Twenty-year-old Nykkhu explores his identity using watercol-
ors on canvas while Criwill showcases his struggles to overcome
his bad habits in a surrealist style.
At the exhibition, Hwang Tony offers his own interpretation
from a short story he adapted from illustrator Tampan Destawan.
Liffi Wongso showcases memories of her dreams in illustra-
tions by using different mediums of paper, colored brightly and
boldly.
Novan Anggono presents an art calligraphy collection of lyrics
by American musician, writer and actress Jewel.
The project aims to be held annually and does not require any
recruitment system or requirements. Anyone can join in the
project as long as they can keep up with the pace.
Atreyu, better known as Atre, has made a name for himself
through his fantastical drawings. He started Mixed Feelings, an
“after school” project, with fellow artists and brothers Hari and
Up close: Visitors look at works on
display at the exhibition in Jakarta.
Hadi Salim as an art lecturer at Bunda Mu-
lia University.
He said he intentionally wanted the
group not to comprise too much so the ones
that remain are those with a high commit-
ment to finish the one-year project.
“The approach is like this. I think to
myself: how can I get close to them so the
project feels like it’s theirs, not mine,” said
the Jakarta Arts Institute alumni who has
collaborated with other creative minds, in-
cluding fashion photographer Jeremy Bo-
brow and Montreal fashion stylist Mark
Fatal as well as renowned Indonesian
fashion designers Hengki Kawilarang and
Sebastian Gunawan.
Atreyu asked for the help of many peo-
ple from the art industry to realize the
project. “So it’s a ‘gang up’ project and they
gladly help without wanting any compen-
sation, thankfully,” he laughed.
Being taught from scratch, the artists
are patiently guided for approximately a
year by Atreyu himself.
“The most challenging thing is to
shape the artists’ confidence because if
they aren’t confident, they cannot see
themselves more truthfully, or what
they really are as artists,” he says.
The five artists, aged between 19 and
22 years, have shown an interest in art
since junior high school.
“Art is a medium for me to express
myself, where I feel the most free. With
this exhibition, the thought of having
people appreciate my artwork didn’t
cross my mind. I am really happy to see
how developed my skills have become,
compared to my older drawings,” said
Liffi Wongso, the youngest and the only
female artists among the five.
Criwill, who also joined last year’s
collective, said he tried out for this year’s
project again since he was motivated
by how Atreyu had inspired one of his
friend’s artworks.
“Atre, at his young age of 28, has al-
ready done a lot of photography and il-
lustration exhibitions and I am a fan.
I think it is very nice to be taught by
someone who has a great concern about
his students even though he’s very busy,”
Hwang Tony said.
Atreyu praised his students’ high
sense of belonging. Artists from previ-
ous batches also chipped in and helped
out with the new batch, even though
they are busy now with their own work.
He claims his previous students
have also done some pretty impressive
things, including a photoshoot job for
Korean Fashion Week.
“This exhibition itself isn’t our main
purpose. What’s most important is the
output or the collection for the artists
themselves. We don’t really care how big
of a crowd or audience will show up be-
cause we think of it as a way of having a
good time.”
— PHOTOS COURTESY OF
MIXED FEELINGS PROJECT
— The writer is an intern at
The Jakarta Post.

CREATOR OF LOUVRE PYRAMID REACHES HIS CENTURY

Antoine Froidefond vre I thought no project would be too But the then French president Fran- lished star in the United States for his el- “The project also came at a time of
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/PARIS difficult.” cois Mitterrand was so impressed with egant John F. Kennedy Library and Dal- fierce ideological clashes” between the

T
he modernist architect IM Pei,
who was once pilloried for plonk-
ing a glass pyramid into the court-
yard of the Louvre, turned 100 on April
26 this year with his controversial cre-
ation now an icon of the French capital.
The Chinese-American designer en-
dured a roasting from critics before the
giant glass structure opened in 1989,
with up to 90 percent of Parisians said to
be against the project at one point.
“I received many angry glances in
the streets of Paris,” Pei later said,
confessing that “after the Lou-
Yet in the end even that stern crit-
ic of modernist “carbuncles,” Britain’s
Prince Charles, pronounced it “mar-
vellous.”
And the French daily Le Figaro, which
had led the campaign against the “atro-
cious” design, celebrated its genius with
a supplement on the 10th anniversary of
its opening.
Pei’s masterstroke was to link the
three wings of the world’s most visited
museum with vast underground gal-
leries bathed in light from his glass and
steel pyramid.
It also served as the museum’s main
entrance, making its subterranean con-
course bright even on the most overcast
of days.
Pei, who grew up in Hong Kong
and Shanghai before studying
at Harvard with the Bauhaus
founder Walter Gropius,
was not the most obvious
choice for the job, hav-
ing never worked on
a historic building
before.
his modernist extension to the National
Gallery of Art in Washington DC that he
insisted he was the man for the Louvre.
The Socialist leader was in the midst
of attempting to transform Paris with a
series of architectural “grands projets”
that included the Bastille Opera and the
Grand Arch of La Defense.
Already in his mid-60s and an estab-
An icon: The
glass Pyramid
stands at the
center of the
Louvre Museum
in Paris.
las City Hall, nothing had prepared Pei
for the hostility of the reception his radi-
cal plans would receive.  Chabaud, resigned in 1983 in protest
He needed all his tact and dry sense of
humour to survive a series of encounters
with planning officials and historians.
One meeting with the French histor-
ic monuments commission in January
1984 ended in uproar, with Pei unable
even to present his ideas.
“You are not in Dallas now!” one of the
experts shouted at him during what he
recalled was a “terrible session,” where
he felt the target of anti-Chinese racism.
Not even Pei’s winning of the Pritz-
ker Prize, the “Nobel of architecture” in
1983, seemed to assuage his detractors.
Jack Lang, who was French culture
minister at the time, told AFP he is
still “surprised by the violence of
the opposition” to Pei’s ideas.
“The pyramid is right at
the center of a monument
central to the history of
France [the Louvre is
the former palace
of the country’s
kings.]
left and right, he added.
The Louvre’s then director, Andre
at the “architectural risks” Pei’s vision
posed.
The present incumbent, however, is
in no doubt the pyramid is a masterpiece
that helped turn the museum around.
Jean-Luc Martinez is all the more
convinced of the fact having worked
with Pei over the last few years to adapt
his plans to cope with the museum’s
growing popularity. 
Pei’s original design was for up to 2
million visitors a year. Last year the Lou-
vre welcomed nearly 9 million.
For Martinez the pyramid is “the
modern symbol of the museum,” he said,
“an icon on the same level” as the Lou-
vre’s most revered artworks the Mona
Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged
Victory of Samothrace.
Pei is not alone in being savaged for
changing the cherished landscape of
Paris.
In 1887, a group of intellectuals that
included Emile Zola and Guy de Mau-
passant published a letter in the news-
paper Le Temps to protest at the build-
ing of the “useless and monstrous Eiffel
Tower,” an “odious column of sheet met-
al with bolts.”

Man of design: US-Chi-

nese architect of the Lou-
vre Pyramid Leoh Ming
Pei poses in the Napoleon
courtyard of the Louvre
Museum in Paris.

AFP/Eric Feferberg AFP/Isabel Malsang

THURSDAY May 4, 2017 FEATURES | 23

Kartini inspires women

TO PROMOTE INDONESIA IN US

Three Indonesian women are relentlessly

promoting Indonesia in the United States and Livi Zheng
around the world in their own ways.

Clara Anastasia Desiana

THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA
Pauli

I
Sandjaja
nspired by Kartini, three women — filmmaker Livi Zheng
and lecturers Juliana Wijaya and Desiana Pauli Sandjaja
— have been promoting Indonesian language and culture
in the United States.
Kartini was a young lady from a noble Javanese family whose
progressive ideas on equality and women’s rights at the turn of
the 20th century led her to be named a national heroine for fe-

g
en
male emancipation, with her birth date on April 21 observed as

Zh
vi
Kartini Day.

Li
of
In their campaign, the three women will get help from an

sy
te
ur
upcoming film, Bali: Beats of Paradise, scheduled for release in

Co
May 2017. UW to introduce Indo-
The film will not only be distributed to the public but also be nesian culture to students

g
part of class curricula taught at the University of California, Los and communities across

en
Zh
Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Washington (UW) in Se- America include Desiana’s move

vi
Li
of
attle in the 2017-2018 academic year. of introducing various Indonesian

sy
te
“I am very pleased to have the movie Bali: Beats of Paradise as foods at supermarkets as well as hold-

a teaching resource for the language and culture [of Indonesia]
next semester,” Juliana, who teaches the Indonesian language
and culture at UCLA, was quoted as saying in a release made
available to The Jakarta Post.
The film was produced and directed by Indonesian film-
maker Livi Zheng and the Consulate General of Indonesia in
Los Angeles.
“I hope students can see the diversity, richness and biodiver-
sity of Indonesia and develop knowledge and their own perspec-
tive about Indonesia,” said Juliana.
Juliana found her passion of teaching while completing her
master’s degree in the US. She currently holds a PhD in applied
linguistics from UCLA.
In collaboration with Jolanda Pandin (Cornell University)
and Indriyo Sukmono (Yale University), she helped organize an
annual Indonesian debate contest for students studying the In-
donesian language in the US.
Juliana also works with communities and students in orga-
nizing events, such as Indonesian Cultural Day, when Indone-
sian music and dance is performed on stage and Indonesian
delicacies are served. The event also includes Indonesian film
screenings and outreach programs, such as the introduction of
traditional gamelan music to junior high school students in Los
Angeles.
Livi has been a guest lecturer and speaker at over 20 univer-
sities, including the University of Southern California (USC),
the New York Film Academy, Los Angeles City College and the
Communication University of China.
Like Kartini, Livi’s fighting spirit is strong, especially her de-
termination to pursue her dream of becoming a film director in
Hollywood despite knowing that the competition there is tough,
especially for female directors.
Livi recalled that at the beginning of her career, her proposal
was rejected 32 times, but she did not give up until her first film,
Brush with Danger, was produced and hit theaters.
Livi, who holds a master’s degree in film production from
USC, said she always tried to include Indonesian elements in
her films.
Desiana has a master’s degree in international affairs, even
though she has been a language teacher since 1993.
Among the creative efforts made by Indonesian lecturers at
ing Indonesian-themed cooking events.
Desiana, who considers Kartini as her
source of inspiration, said that during class-
es, beyond just teaching the Indonesian lan-
guage, she also inserted knowledge of the
country’s culture, such as through video foot-
age on wayang and batik. Her students range
from undergraduates to master’s students as
well as professors and the public.
“Film is a highly effective and interesting
media outlet in which to introduce culture.
There are many things that can be observed
and studied through film other than the story
itself, so when I heard the movie Bali: Beats of
Paradise was being produced, I was very in-
terested to see the output and show it in my
class as part of cultural knowledge material,”
Desiana said, adding that she believed anyone
could become a cultural ambassador to Indo-
nesia regardless of where they lived.
A Bali: Beats of Paradise concert event is
scheduled to be held on May 4 in Los Angeles.
In addition to officials, consuls and diplomats
from various countries, Don Hall, Governor
of the Motion Picture Academy of Motion
Picture Arts & Sciences (OSCARS), is sched-
uled to attend this event with his family.
Bali: Beats of Paradise is a gamelan-themed
film that features Balinese dance. I Nyoman
Wenten, a longtime faculty member of The
Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts, con-
tributed to the film.
Livi said Wenten is one of Bali’s most ac-
complished and versatile dancer-musicians.
“He is known not only for his work in tradi-
tional Indonesian music and dance, but also
for his creative east-west fusion of composi-
tion and performance work,” she said.
Wenten, a traditionally trained Balinese
musician, actor and dancer, was born to a
family of musicians and artists of several
ur
Co
Juliana o.
id
Wijaya s.c
dita
o
ko
m
of
sy
te
our
C
generations. His earliest
studies were with his grand-
father, who was a master puppe-
teer, musician and dancer.
He complemented his traditional
training with formal studies, graduating
from Bali’s Conservatory of Music, then
later from the National Music and Dance
Academy in Yogyakarta, Java. He also holds a
master’s degree from CalArts and a doctorate
in ethnomusicology from UCLA.
Livi said Wenten, who started the gamelan
program at UC Berkeley, has also performed
in Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Indonesian Consul General in Los Ange-
les Umar Hadi, who was recently sworn in as
the Ambassador of Indonesia in Seoul, South
Korea, said Indonesian people in Los Ange-
les and its surroundings represent Bhinneka
Tunggal Ika [Unity in Diversity].
“The diversity and richness of the cul-
ture is the country’s unity foundation;
therefore, we must maintain and I Nyoman
strengthen it,” he said. Wenten
— The writer is an intern at
The Jakarta Post.

Courtesy of Livi Zheng

turer at the Bandung Institute of Technol-
ogy (ITB) has also widely influenced his
students, such as Umi (1942-2009) whose
abstract forms in her paintings echo the
master, though she was also led by her per-
sonal life experience and developed a per-
sonal touch in her use of colors.
Then there is Pirous (born 1933),
known as the first artist in Indonesia to
nial times, Melati, known for her exceed-
ingly strong resilience in performances of
long duration, and Etza, who made a mark
with her work inspired by the blind.
Others include Eddy, whose juxtaposi-
tions of cultural and mythical verities from
his Javanese culture and those from far-
away countries come together in a con-
fluence of sameness in spite of geographi-

Art
have developed Arabic calligraphy in
painting and graphic art, while later tend-
ing to abstract art that is infused with a
sense of the spiritual.
In the exhibition, Sunaryo (born 1943)
who during four decades proved himself
to be a versatile artist with works in both
AD Pirous realistic and abstract modes, including in-
cal and time differences, and Nurrachmat,
whose outer space imaginings and futuristic
visions bring together the present time with
the distant future.
Surely every work offered in this auction
has an interesting narrative emanating a
spiritual force of its own.
Most noteworthy is the inclusion of

Charity
stallations, offers a painting emanating a Erna’s fascinating painting featuring the

for confluence of the spiritual with the poet-

ic rhythm. A younger artist of this type is
Dikdik with his typical dark and mysteri-
ous ambience.
As noted by the curators, spirituality
can take many different understandings,
including highlighting actual and political
thought-provoking issues, as shown by the
work of Mujahidin who refers to the issue
Carla Bianpoen phers, silkscreeners and many more. of religious scapegoating.
CONTRIBUTOR/JAKARTA The works come from the most senior art- There are also Maharani, whose interest
Earth mirrored in the night glow of the
Moon, revealing her depth of thought and
painterly skill. An artist in her own right,
she has rarely appeared in the open.
Another interesting feature in the auc-
tion is the appearance of works by Tisna
with those of his daughter’s Etza and his
son’s Zico, each infused with a spirituality
that are typically their own.
— PHOTOS COURTESY OF
LAWANGWANGI CREATIVE SPACE BANDUNG

A
n upcoming charity auction of modern
and contemporary works aims to help
the poor while at the same time show-
casing an exciting diversity.
The charity auction initiated by the YPM
Salman Foundation for the development of
education and health and ArtSociates Indo-
nesia, which promotes talented artists, is be-
ing planned to raise funds to assist the poor
through the construction of the Salman Hos-
pital in Soreang, South Bandung.
The auction, themed “Spirituality in Art,”
will take place on May 7 at Ciputra Artpreneur
Gallery in Jakarta.
Some 40 to 50 artworks to be auctioned
were displayed at Lawangwangi Creative
Space in Bandung late April and will be pre-
viewed on May 5 and 6 at Artpreneur before
the May 7 auction.
The choice of participants in this exhibition
shows an exciting diversity — with painters be-
ing a major part. They also include photogra-
ists to the emerging and the in-betweens. in history often refers to education in colo-
They are Ahmad Sadali, AD Pirous, Ahad-
iat Joedawinata, Amrizal Salayan, Dadan Se-
tiawan, Dikdik Sayahdikumullah, Eddy Susan-
to, Erna Pirous, Etza Meisyara, Guntur Timur,
Imam Choirul B., Iman Sapari, Irmana A. Rah-
man, John Martono, Maharani Mancanagara,
Melati Suryodarmo, Mujahidin Nurrahman,
Nasirun, Nurrachmat Widyasena, Patriot
Mukmin, Reggie Aquara, Rosid, Sunaryo, Tis-
na Sanjaya, Umi Dahlan, Yogie Achmad Gi-
nanjar and Zico Albaiquni.
As curators Asmudjo Jono Irianto and Dwi-
handono Ahmad note in their curatorial essay,
spirituality is not always linked to religion or
religiosity, but can also be interpreted as being
transcendental, sublime, or an awareness at a
more intense level. In a number of cases, ab-
stract art linked to spirituality was considered
the beginning of Islamic art in Indonesia.
Ahmad (1924-1987), who is considered the
father of abstract art in Indonesia, has works Celestial Cartographic Table, silkscreen on brass, by Nurrachmat Widyasena,
that are often linked to Islamic art. The lec-
FEATURES THURSDAY May 4, 2017 | 24
Titan: Ida Bagus Oka Blangsinga performs
the kebyar duduk, one of the most physically
demanding traditional Balinese dances.

Remembering
Titan
THE

Artists and scholars gather

to pay tribute to one of Bali’s
most accomplished dancers.

Courtesy of Doddy Obenk

Running in the family: Titania

Manuaba, the granddaughter of
Blangsinga, performs the kebyar
duduk dance that made her
grandfather famous.

I Wayan Juniarta
THE JAKARTA POST/KETEWEL, GIANYAR

I
f there truly is an afterlife, the late Ida Bagus Oka Blangsinga,
ga,
one of Bali’s most revered performers, must have been looking ngg
down from heaven on that Saturday night with a broad smile le
and a proud, loving gaze on his wrinkled face.
Below, on the open stage of Bentara Budaya Bali in Ketewel, el,
Gianyar, his teen granddaughter, Ida Ayu Triana Titania Manuaba, a,
was performing the kebyar duduk, a traditional dance that in 1950s 0s
Bali was closely associated with Blangsinga.
It was his mastery of this difficult dance, which requires the per- r- Courtesy of Bentara Budaya Bali

former to execute complex and lightning fast maneuvers while in

seated or cross-legged squatting positions, that earned him respect ct Bagus Oka Wirjana in
Born Ida Bagu After learning from Mandi,
from his peers and adoration from his successors. 1929 at Saba vvillage, Blahbatuh, Blangsinga sharpened his skills
Created in 1925 by the legendary dancer I Ketut Maria, kebyar ar Gianyar, he was better
Gianya by visiting old masters in vil-
duduk became one of Bali’s iconic dances and a staple in public per- r- known as Blangs-
kn lages of Gianyar, including Anak
formances in Indonesia and abroad. inga after the name
in Agung Gede from Sukawati palace,
Titania Manuaba did not disappoint her late grandfather, nor thee of his home ham-
o Tjokorda Oka Tublen of Singapa-
dozens of spectators in front of the stage. Her rendition of the dancee let. He passed away
le du palace, as well as I Wayan Geria
was energetic, powerful and at the same time truly graceful.  Thee in early February at and I Made Kredek. Geria was the
raucous applause at the end of her performance was a sign of ap- p- the age of 87. father of I Wayan Dibia, while Kre-
proval and, more importantly, an acknowledgement to the enduring ng Blangsinga’s life
Bl dek was the father of Bandem.
flame of traditional Balinese dances. was a moving narra- Bandem pointed out that,
Courtesy of Bentara Budaya Bali

The performance in late April was part of Obituary for Blangsin- n- tive of p perseverance and
ga, a program co-organized by the Bentara Budaya Bali foundation on devotion to the art of dancing.
and the late artist’s family. Visitors got a chance to enjoy, among other
er He was still a li little boy when he
things, a performance of the baris warrior dance by Blangsinga’s pro- o- baris dance from his
learned the bari
tégé I Wayan Purwanto, a discussion featuring prominent scholarss I uncle, IdIda Bagus Kompiang, be-
da Bagu
Wayan Dibia and I Made Bandem as well as an exhibition of photo- o- fore learning
learrning kebyar
ke duduk from
graphs and memorabilia. I Wayan n Mandi.
“The exhibition will run until May 5,” said Bentara Budaya’s prin- n- “He personally
personall watched I Ketut
cipal curator, Warih Wisatsana. Maria perform
p kebyar duduk in
Participating artists and photographers include Doddy Obenk, k, Tabanan n and he fell in love with
Tjandra Hutama, Arsa Putra, Komang Parwata, I Gusti Agung Wijaya ya that dance.
dannce. Unfortunately,
Unfo Maria
Utama, IDK Rudita Widia Putra, Windujati, I Putu Apriwidana, Adri-- the
was at thhe height of his fame at the
aan Palar, Ida Bagus Alit, Carola Vooges, Irina, Miranda Risang Ayu Warrior: Blangsinga’s protégé I Wayan time and was so busy travelling to
Palar, Dushanka, Luciana Ferrero, Kaori Ohiya and Yoko Yamada. Purwanto performs the baris dance during various places that he could not
the memorial event for his mentor. give lessons to the young Blangs-
inga,” Bandem said.
An accomplished dancer him-
self, Bandem demonstrated on
that night Blangsinga’s signature
style of kebyar duduk.
Not forgot- “When years later he had the
ten: Artists chance to meet Maria, Blangsinga
and photogra- performed his style and asked for
phers display guidance from the living legend.
their works on The creator of the kebyar duduk
Blangsinga to dance praised the young dancer
pay homage and stated that his performance
to the great was excellent and that the style
dancer. was flawless. That, I believe, was
one of the happiest moments in
Blangsinga’s life,” Bandem said.
Courtesy of Bentara Budaya Bali
Blangsinga, throughout his ca-
reer, refused to perform any oth-
er dances but kebyar duduk. His
mastery of kebyar duduk soon saw
him tour the island and foreign
lands, including Sweden, Japan,
Hong Kong, China, Pakistan and
the United States.
He also performed before dig-
nitaries like Mao Zedung and Su-
karno. His dedication to the art of
dancing earned Blangsinga sever-
al accolades, including the Dhar-
ma Kusuma from the Governor
of Bali, an award from the Jakarta
Art Council and the Siwa Nataraja
award from Denpasar’s Indonesia
Arts Institute.
“I had the privilege of shar-
ing the stage with him on sev-
eral occasions, in Blahbatuh in
1958, Lombok and Singapadu in
the 1960s, and I remember him
as a charismatic dancer who nev-
er failed to mesmerize the audi-
ence.
“He was very handsome, gen-
erous, humble and polite, traits
that made us — his juniors — look
up to him with reverence and ad-
oration,” Bandem added.

GUESS WHAT?
GUES
Dud takes part
Dude rt After ch
child and separation, Radiohead expands
ands ‘OK
in m n-up
mosque clean-up Ja
Janet Jackson resumes tour Computer’ for anniversary
JAKARTA: Soap opera actor Dude Harlino
JAKARTA NEW YORK: Pop superstar and new mother Janet NEW YORK: Twenty years after Radiohead shook
recently pa osque clean-
participated in a mosque Jackson said Monday she will resume a tour after up the music world with its ts dystopian electronic
up program held by a consumer er goods a nearly two-
two-year break as she confirmed separat- album OK Computer, the band Tuesday announced
company. ing from her h husband. an expanded edition with unreleased tracks.
Dude saisaid he believed such h an In an oonline message to fans, Jackson The English rockers will reissue OK
activity cocould create a sense e of voiced g gratitude for her 4-month-old son Eis- ecords or two
Computer on three vinyl records
together
togetherness, strengthen one’s ne’s sa and aacknowledged splitting with her third CDs with remastered sound, nd, three
faith and become a way to o do husband, Qatari tycoon Wissam Al Mana.
husban unreleased tracks and B-sides
ides from
good de deeds. “Yes, I separated from my husband, we the singles.
“We are Muslims, so are in court,
c and the rest is in God’s hands,” Radiohead will also putt out an
cleanli
cleanliness ith.
is a part of faith. said the 50-year-old younger sister of late OK Computer boxed edition on with
If we ssee garbage, we king of pop Michael Jackson as she lay on a new artwork and “full lyricscs to all
should pick it up,” he said id pillow. the tracks except the oness that
as quoted
qu by kompas.com om Jackson in her video said she was chang-
Jacks haven’t really got any lyrics,”
cs,” the
in Sunda
Sun Kelapa, Men- ing the name of her tour which was initially band’s website said.
teng, Central Jakarta, on n called “Unbreakable” after her 2015 album, Radiohead had fueled speculation
Wednesday.
Wedn her firrst since her brother’s death. of an OK Computer anniversary
ersary when
The program, held in 33 The tour — to begin on Sept. 7 in La- street posters recently appeared
peared in
cities and regencies acrossoss fayette,
fayette Louisiana and close on Dec. 17 in New York, London and other her cities with
11 provinces,
pro takes placee Atlanta — will now be called “State of the lyrics to the album’s “Fitterr Happier,” a
from April
A 21 to May 23. World.” melancholy spoken-word song in which
Besides
Besi Dude, Vice Presi-
si- “It’s n
not about politics. It’s about people, a computerized voice offers rs guidance for
Jusuf Kalla also attended
dent Jus ded world, relationships and, just, love,”
the wor modern survival.
the event
eve in Sunda Kelapa to Jackson said. — AFP But the lyrics in the posters
sters are even
show his support. — JP darker than 20 years ago, ending with
the lines, “Worse politicians
ns / More
fear.” — AFP

Kapanlagi.com AFP AFP