tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686101963082042492024-02-19T15:48:06.299+07:00About Indonesia travel | culture | cuisine | newsAll about Indonesia, travel, tourism, news, culture, weather, cuisine, hotel, business, handicraft, tradition, cloth, music, food, flight, map, etcRina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-6643565268020803072011-07-05T17:36:00.000+07:002011-07-05T17:36:46.312+07:00where is indonesia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVPj6zPcddJX8U3hEH01z2zAXtnbW667SOi3atHQo6vfI76-JX7A5tlMNDvxs4e_Yw7FkMb8q_0VlCTjQazvbIyakis3kkCHp40U1vD1NnorGaSnJiEkz-_xYgQLoeAypEqorrIGmaXQ/s1600/where-is-indonesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVPj6zPcddJX8U3hEH01z2zAXtnbW667SOi3atHQo6vfI76-JX7A5tlMNDvxs4e_Yw7FkMb8q_0VlCTjQazvbIyakis3kkCHp40U1vD1NnorGaSnJiEkz-_xYgQLoeAypEqorrIGmaXQ/s320/where-is-indonesia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b> PROFILE<br />
<br />
Geography</b><br />
Area: 2 million sq. km. (736,000 sq. mi.), about three times the size of Texas; maritime area: 7,900,000 sq. km.<br />
Cities: <i>Capital</i>--Jakarta (est. 9.6 million). <i>Other cities</i>--Surabaya 2.8 million, Medan 2.1 million, Bandung 2.4 million.<br />
Terrain: More than 17,500 islands; 6,000 are inhabited; 1,000 of which are permanently settled. Large islands consist of coastal plains with mountainous interiors.<br />
Climate: Equatorial but cooler in the highlands.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>People</b><br />
Nationality: <i>Noun and adjective</i>--Indonesian(s).<br />
Population (July 2009 est.): 240.3 million.<br />
Annual population growth rate (2009 est.): 1.136%.<br />
Ethnic groups (2000 census): Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, others 38.4%.<br />
Religions (2000 census): Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, others 3.4%.<br />
Languages: Indonesian (official), local languages, the most prevalent of which is Javanese.<br />
Education: <i>Years compulsory</i>--9. <i>Enrollment</i>--94% of eligible primary school-age children. <i>Literacy</i>--90.4% (2007).<br />
Health: <i>Infant mortality rate</i> (2009 est.)--29.97/1,000. <i>Life expectancy at birth</i> (2009 est.)--70.76 years.<br />
Work force: 111.5 million (2008). <i>Agriculture</i>--42%, <i>industry</i>--12%, <i>services</i>--44%.<br />
<br />
<b>Government</b><br />
Type: Independent republic.<br />
Independence: August 17, 1945 proclaimed.<br />
Constitution: 1945. Embodies five principles of the state philosophy, called Pancasila, namely monotheism, humanitarianism, national unity, representative democracy by consensus, and social justice.<br />
Branches: <i>Executive</i>--president (head of government and chief of state) elected by direct popular vote. <i>Legislative</i>--The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which includes the 560-member House of Representatives (DPR) and the 132-member Council of Regional Representatives (DPD), both elected to 5-year terms. <i>Judicial</i>--Supreme Court is the final court of appeal. Constitutional Court has power of judicial review<br />
Suffrage: 17 years of age universal, and married persons regardless of age.<br />
<br />
<b>Economy</b><br />
GDP (2009): $539 billion; (2010): $707 billion; (2011 est.): $823 billion.<br />
Annual growth rate (2009): 4.5%; (2010 est.): 6.1%; (2011 est.): 6.2%.<br />
Inflation, end-period (2009): 2.8%; (2010 est.): 7%; (2011 est.): 7.3%.<br />
Per capita income (2010 est., PPP): $4,394.<br />
Natural resources (11.2% of GDP, 2010): Oil and gas, bauxite, silver, tin, copper, gold, coal.<br />
Agriculture (15.3% of GDP, 2010): <i>Products</i>--timber, rubber, rice, palm oil, coffee. <i>Land</i>--17% cultivated.<br />
Manufacturing (24.8% of GDP, 2010): Garments, footwear, electronic goods, furniture, paper products, automobiles.<br />
Trade: <i>Exports</i> (2010)--$158 billion including oil, natural gas, crude palm oil, coal, appliances, textiles, and rubber. <i>Major export partners</i>--Japan, U.S., China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Republic of Korea. <i>Imports</i> (2010)--$136 billion including oil and fuel, food, chemicals, capital goods, consumer goods, iron and steel. <i>Major import partners</i>--Singapore, China, Japan, U.S., Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea.<br />
<br />
<a href="" name="people"></a><b>PEOPLE</b><br />
Indonesia's approximately 240.3 million people make it the world's fourth-most populous nation. The island of Java, roughly the size of New York State, is the most populous island in the world (124 million, 2005 est.) and one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Indonesia includes numerous related but distinct cultural and linguistic groups, many of which are ethnically Malay. Since independence, Bahasa Indonesia (the national language, a form of Malay) has spread throughout the archipelago and has become the language of most written communication, education, government, business, and media. Local languages are still important in many areas, however. English is the most widely spoken foreign language. Education is compulsory for children through grade 9. In primary school, 94% of eligible children are enrolled whereas 57% of eligible children are enrolled in secondary school.<br />
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Constitutional guarantees of religious freedom apply to the six religions recognized by the state, namely Islam (86.1%), Protestantism (5.7%), Catholicism (3%), Hinduism (1.8%), Buddhism (about 1%), and Confucianism (less than 1%). On the resort island of Bali, over 90% of the population practices Hinduism. In some remote areas, animism is still practiced.<br />
<br />
<a href="" name="history"></a><b>HISTORY</b><br />
By the time of the Renaissance, the islands of Java and Sumatra had already enjoyed a 1,000-year heritage of advanced civilization spanning two major empires. During the 7th-14th centuries, the Buddhist kingdom of Srivijaya flourished on Sumatra. At its peak, the Srivijaya Empire reached as far as West Java and the Malay Peninsula. Also by the 14th century, the Hindu Kingdom of Majapahit had risen in eastern Java. Gadjah Mada, the empire's chief minister from 1331 to 1364, succeeded in gaining allegiance from most of what is now modern Indonesia and much of the Malay archipelago as well. Legacies from Gadjah Mada's time include a codification of law and an epic poem. Islam arrived in Indonesia sometime during the 12th century and supplanted Hinduism by the end of the 16th century in Java and Sumatra. Bali, however, remains overwhelmingly Hindu. In the eastern archipelago, both Christian and Islamic proselytizing took place in the 16th and 17th centuries, and, currently, there are large communities of both religions on these islands.<br />
<br />
Beginning in 1602, the Dutch slowly established themselves as rulers of Indonesia, exploiting the weakness of the small kingdoms that had replaced that of Majapahit. The only exception was East Timor, which remained under Portugal's control until 1975. During 300 years of rule, the Dutch developed the Netherlands East Indies into one of the world's richest colonial possessions, extracting natural resources through co-opted local elites but doing little to modernize Indonesia.<br />
<br />
During the first decade of the 20th century, an Indonesian independence movement began and expanded rapidly, particularly between the two World Wars. Its leaders came from a small group of young professionals and students, some of whom had been educated in the Netherlands. Many, including Indonesia's first president, Soekarno (1945-67), were imprisoned for political activities.<br />
<br />
During World War II, Japan invaded Indonesia (in early 1942), outclassing a combined American, British, Dutch, and Australian military command. Sizeable U.S. naval forces and smaller air and ground forces sent to defend Indonesia were defeated, with heavy losses in ships and large numbers of Americans killed or captured. The Japanese treated captured Allied troops and interned Western civilians with extreme cruelty. Because of local animosity toward Dutch colonial rule, there was no anti-Japanese guerilla movement as in the Philippines and Malaysia, and most Indonesians initially welcomed the Japanese as liberators. But increasingly harsh Japanese rule strengthened the prewar independence movement, and on August 17, 1945, 3 days after Japan’s surrender to the Allies, a small group of Indonesians, led by Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta, proclaimed independence and established the Republic of Indonesia. They set up a provisional government and adopted a constitution to govern the republic until elections could be held and a new constitution written. Fighting soon broke out between Indonesian independence groups and Allied forces--mainly British, Indian, and Australian forces--sent to accept the Japanese surrender. Dutch efforts later to reestablish complete control met resistance. Following the Philippines' independence in 1946, the U.S. was unwilling to see the Netherlands use post-war Marshall Plan support to indirectly fund the suppression of Indonesia’s independence. Negotiations and on-and-off fighting in Indonesia continued until 1949. The stalemate, combined with reduced international support and a devastated economy in the Netherlands, led to the Dutch decision to withdraw from Indonesia. Colonial rule and its violent end left a legacy in Indonesia of mistrusting foreign motives, especially those of large powers. In 1950, Indonesia became the 60th member of the United Nations.<br />
<br />
Shortly after hostilities with the Dutch ended in 1949, Indonesia adopted a new constitution, providing for a parliamentary system of government in which the executive was chosen by and accountable to parliament. Parliament was divided among many political parties before and after the country's first nationwide election in 1955, and stable governmental coalitions were difficult to achieve. The role of Islam in Indonesia was debated. Soekarno defended a secular state based on Pancasila, five principles of the state philosophy--monotheism, humanitarianism, national unity, representative democracy by consensus, and social justice--codified in the 1945 constitution, while some Muslim groups preferred either an Islamic state or a constitution that included a preambular provision requiring adherents of Islam to be subject to Islamic law. At the time of independence, the Dutch retained control over the western half of New Guinea (known as Irian Jaya in the Soekarno and Suharto eras and as Papua since 2000) and permitted steps toward self-government and independence.<br />
<br />
Negotiations with the Dutch on the incorporation of Irian Jaya into Indonesia failed, and armed clashes broke out between Indonesian and Dutch troops in 1961. In August 1962, the two sides reached an agreement, and Indonesia assumed administrative responsibility for Irian Jaya on May 1, 1963. The Indonesian Government conducted an "Act of Free Choice" in Irian Jaya under UN supervision in 1969 in which 1,025 Papuan representatives of local councils agreed by consensus to remain a part of Indonesia. A subsequent UN General Assembly resolution confirmed the transfer of sovereignty to Indonesia. Opposition to Indonesian administration of Papua gave rise to small-scale guerrilla activity in the years following Jakarta's assumption of control. In the more open atmosphere since 1998, there have been more explicit expressions within Papua calling for independence from Indonesia.<br />
<br />
Unsuccessful rebellions on Sumatra, Sulawesi, West Java, and other islands beginning in 1958, plus a failure by the constituent assembly to develop a new constitution, weakened the parliamentary system. Consequently, in 1959, when President Soekarno unilaterally revived the provisional 1945 constitution that provided for broad presidential powers, he met little resistance. From 1959 to 1965, President Soekarno imposed an authoritarian regime under the label of "Guided Democracy."<br />
<br />
Soekarno favored a foreign policy of nonalignment, a stance supported by other prominent leaders of former colonies who rejected formal alliances with either the West or Soviet bloc. Under Soekarno's auspices, these leaders gathered in Bandung, West Java, in 1955 to lay the groundwork for what became known as the Non-Aligned Movement. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, President Soekarno moved closer to Asian communist states and toward the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in domestic affairs. The PKI represented the largest communist party outside the Soviet Union and China.<br />
<br />
By 1965, the PKI controlled many of the mass civic and cultural organizations that Soekarno had established to mobilize support for his regime and, with Soekarno's acquiescence, embarked on a campaign to establish a "Fifth Column" by arming its supporters. Army leaders resisted this campaign. Under circumstances that have never been fully explained, on October 1, 1965, PKI sympathizers within the military, including elements from Soekarno's palace guard, occupied key locations in Jakarta and kidnapped and murdered six senior generals. Major General Suharto, the commander of the Army Strategic Reserve, rallied army troops opposed to the PKI to reestablish control over the city. Violence swept throughout Indonesia in the aftermath of the October 1 events, and unsettled conditions persisted through 1966. Right-wing groups killed tens of thousands of alleged communists in rural areas. Estimates of the number of deaths range between 160,000 and 500,000. The violence was especially brutal in Java and Bali. During this period, PKI members by the tens of thousands turned in their membership cards. The emotions and fears of instability created by this crisis persisted for many years as the communist party remains banned from Indonesia.<br />
<br />
Throughout the 1965-66 period, President Soekarno vainly attempted to restore his political stature and shift the country back to its pre-October 1965 position. Although he remained President, in March 1966, Soekarno transferred key political and military powers to General Suharto, who by that time had become head of the armed forces. In March 1967, the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS) named General Suharto acting President. Soekarno ceased to be a political force and lived under virtual house arrest until his death in 1970.<br />
<br />
President Suharto proclaimed a "New Order" in Indonesian politics and dramatically shifted foreign and domestic policies away from the course set in Soekarno's final years. The New Order established economic rehabilitation and development as its primary goals and pursued its policies through an administrative structure dominated by the military but with advice from Western-educated economic experts. In 1968, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) formally selected Suharto to a full 5-year term as President, and he was reelected to successive 5-year terms in 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, and 1998. In mid-1997, Indonesia suffered from the Asian financial and economic crisis, accompanied by the worst drought in 50 years and falling prices for commodity exports. As the exchange rate changed from a fixed to a managed float to fully floating, the rupiah (IDR or Rp) depreciated in value, inflation increased significantly, and capital flight accelerated. Demonstrators, initially led by students, called for Suharto's resignation. Amid widespread civil unrest, Suharto resigned on May 21, 1998, 3 months after the MPR had selected him for a seventh term. Suharto's hand-picked Vice President, B.J. Habibie, became Indonesia's third President. President Habibie reestablished International Monetary Fund (IMF) and donor community support for an economic stabilization program. He released several prominent political and labor prisoners, initiated investigations into the unrest, and lifted controls on the press, political parties, and labor unions.<br />
<br />
In January 1999, Habibie and the Indonesian Government agreed to a process, with UN involvement, under which the people of East Timor would be allowed to choose between autonomy and independence through a direct ballot held on August 30, 1999. Some 98% of registered voters cast their ballots, and 78.5% of the voters chose independence over continued integration with Indonesia. Many people were killed by Indonesian military forces and military-backed militias in a wave of violence and destruction after the announcement of the pro-independence vote.<br />
<br />
Indonesia's first elections in the post-Suharto period were held for the national, provincial, and sub-provincial parliaments on June 7, 1999. Forty-eight political parties participated in the elections. For the national parliament, Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan (PDI-P, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, led by Megawati Sukarnoputri) won 34% of the vote; Golkar ("Functional Groups" party) 22%; Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB, National Awakening Party, linked to the moderate Islamic organization Nadhlatul Ulama headed by former President Abdurrahman Wahid) 13%; and the conservative Islamic Partai Persatuan Pembangunan (PPP, United Development Party, led by Hamzah Haz) 11%. The MPR selected Abdurrahman Wahid as Indonesia's fourth President in November 1999 and replaced him with Megawati Sukarnoputri in July 2001.<br />
<br />
The constitution, as amended in the post-Suharto era, now provides for the direct election by popular vote of the president and vice president. Under the 2004 amendment, only parties or coalitions of parties that gained at least 3% of the House of Representatives (DPR) seats or 5% of the vote in national legislative elections were eligible to nominate a presidential and vice presidential ticket.<br />
<br />
The 2004 legislative elections took place on April 5 and were considered to be generally free and fair. Twenty-four parties took part in the elections. Big parties lost ground, while small parties gained larger shares of the vote. However, the two Suharto-era nationalist parties, PDI-P and Golkar, remained in the lead. PDI-P (opposition party during the Suharto era) lost its plurality in the House of Representatives, dropping from 33% to 18.5% of the total vote (and from 33% to 20% of the seats). The Golkar Party (Suharto’s political party) declined slightly from 1999 levels, going from 22% to 21% of the national vote (from 26% to 23% of DPR seats). The third- and fourth-largest parties (by vote share) were two Islamic-oriented parties, the United Development Party (PPP) (8% of the votes, 10.5% of the seats) and National Awakening Party (PKB) (10.5% of the vote, 9.45% of the seats). Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s nationalist Democratic Party (PD) won 7.45% of the national vote and 10% of the DPR seats, making it the fourth-largest party in the DPR. Seven of the 24 parties won no DPR seats; six won 1-2 seats, and the other six won between 2%-6% of the national vote (between 5-52 DPR seats).<br />
<br />
The first direct presidential election was held on July 5, 2004, contested by five tickets. As no candidate won at least 50% of the vote, a runoff election was held on September 20, 2004, between the top two candidates, President Megawati Sukarnoputri and retired General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. In this final round, Yudhoyono won 60.6% of the vote. Approximately 76.6% of the eligible voters participated, a total of roughly 117 million people, making Indonesia's presidential election the largest single-day election in the world. The Carter Center, which sent a delegation of election observers, issued a statement congratulating "the people and leaders of Indonesia for the successful conduct of the presidential election and the peaceful atmosphere that has prevailed throughout the ongoing democratic transition."<br />
<br />
In 2009, national legislative elections were held on April 9 and presidential elections were held in July. They were peaceful and considered free and fair. New electoral rules required that a party win 2.5% of the national vote in order to enter parliament. A total of thirty-eight national and six local (Aceh only) parties contested the 2009 legislative elections. At least 171 million voters registered to vote in these elections. Voter turnout was estimated to be 71% of the electorate. Nine parties won parliamentary seats in the House of Representatives (DPR). The top three winners were secular nationalist parties: President Yudhoyono’s Partai Demokrat, with 20.85% of the vote; Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s Golkar Party, 14.45%; and former president Megawati’s opposition PDI-P party, with 14.03%. The next four largest parties were all Islamic-oriented parties: PKS, PAN (6%), PPP (5.3%), and PKB (4.9%). Only PKS maintained its 2004 vote share (7.88%); the other three declined in popularity. The smallest two parties in Parliament, Gerindra and Hanura, with 4.46 and 3.77% of the vote respectively, were headed by retired Suharto-era army generals Prabowo Subianto and Wiranto (one name only). The 2009 DPR members took their seats October 1.<br />
<br />
Also in 2009, the threshold was revised so that only parties or coalitions of parties that gained at least 20% of the House of Representatives (DPR) seats or 25% of the vote in the 2009 national legislative elections would be eligible to nominate a presidential and vice presidential ticket. Partai Demokrat, Golkar, and PDI-P parties, the top winners in the legislative elections, nominated presidential candidates. To win in one round, a presidential candidate was required to receive more than 50% of the vote and more than 20% of the vote in 17 of Indonesia’s 33 provinces. If no candidate did so, the top two candidates would have competed in a second round in September 2009.<br />
<br />
Three tickets competed in the presidential elections. Incumbent President Yudhoyono and his running mate, non-partisan former Central Bank Chair and Economics Minister Boediono, won the election with such a significant plurality--60.6%--that it obviated the need for a second round of elections. Main challenger and former president and opposition leader Megawati Sukarnoputri and running mate Prabowo Subianto trailed with 28%. Meanwhile, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and running mate Wiranto came in last at 12.7%. Indonesia’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) inaugurated President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his second term as president on October 20, 2009.<br />
<br />
Natural disasters have devastated many parts of Indonesia over the past few years. On December 26, 2004, a 9.1 to 9.3 magnitude earthquake took place in the Indian Ocean, and the resulting tsunami killed over 130,000 people in Aceh and left more than 500,000 homeless. On March 26, 2005, an 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck between Aceh and northern Sumatra, killing 905 people and displacing tens of thousands. After much media attention on the seismic activity on Mt. Merapi in April and May 2006, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake occurred 30 miles to the southwest. It killed more than 5,000 people and left an estimated 200,000 people homeless in the Yogyakarta region. An earthquake of 7.4 struck Tasikmalaya, West Java, on September 2, 2009, killing approximately 100 people. On September 30, 2009, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Western Sumatra. No official statistics were released on deaths and injuries; however, press reports indicated more than 1,100 fatalities.<br />
<br />
<a href="" name="gov"></a><a href="" name="political"></a><b>GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS</b><br />
Indonesia is a republic based on the 1945 constitution providing for a separation of executive, legislative, and judicial power. Substantial restructuring has occurred since President Suharto's resignation in 1998 and the short, transitional Habibie administration in 1998 and 1999. The Habibie government established political reform legislation that formally set up new rules for the electoral system, the House of Representatives (DPR), the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and political parties without changing the 1945 Indonesian constitution. After these reforms, the constitution now limits the president to two terms in office.<br />
<br />
Indonesia adopted a bicameral legislative system following the establishment of the DPD (Regional Representatives Council), which was first elected in 2004. The DPD is composed of four representatives from each of Indonesia’s 33 provinces. Although it can make proposals and submit opinions on legislative matters concerning the regions, it does not have the power to create legislation. The MPR consists of both the DPD and the DPR. The MPR has the power to inaugurate and to impeach the president (upon the recommendation of the DPR). The current Speaker of the MPR is Taufik Kiemas (from the opposition PDI-P Party) and the Speaker of the DPR is Marzuki Alie (from the ruling Democrat Party). These speakers and four deputy speakers for the DPR and MPR took up their positions on October 5, 2009. The largest party in the DPR, now President Yudhoyono’s Partai Demokrat, filled the influential DPR speaker position.<br />
<br />
The president, elected for a 5-year term, is the top government and political figure. The president and the vice president were elected by popular vote for the first time on September 20, 2004. Previously, the MPR selected Indonesia's president. In 1999, the MPR selected Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as Gus Dur, as the fourth President. The MPR removed Gus Dur in July 2001, immediately appointing then-Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri as the fifth President. In 2004, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was directly elected to succeed Megawati. He was re-elected in 2009.<br />
<br />
The president, assisted by an appointed cabinet, has the authority to conduct the administration of the government.<br />
<br />
President Yudhoyono's Partai Demokrat (PD) holds 148 of the 560 seats in the House of Representatives (DPR), making it the largest political party represented in the legislature. Partai Demokrat has a coalition with Golkar and four Islam-oriented parties. The coalition holds a majority of the seats in the DPR. The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has 692 members, including 560 members of the DPR and the 132 representatives of the Council of Regional Representatives (DPD). Up to and through 2004, citizens elected legislators for the DPR and DPD, but their vote was based on a party list system. This ensured that the party elite, placed at the top of the party candidate lists, were voted into office. In 2009, a multi-member district “majority vote wins” system allowed voters for the first time to directly put a candidate who won a plurality of votes into office.<br />
<br />
Prior to 2004, some legislative seats had been reserved for representatives of the armed forces. The military has been a significant political force throughout Indonesian history, though it had ceded its formal political role by 2004. The armed forces shaped the political environment and provided leadership for Suharto's New Order from the time it came to power in the wake of the abortive 1965 uprising. Military officers, especially from the army, were key advisers to Suharto and Habibie and had considerable influence on policy. Under the dual function concept ("dwifungsi"), the military asserted a role in socio-political affairs. This concept was used to justify placement of officers in the civilian bureaucracy at all government levels and in regional and national legislatures. Although the military retains influence, the wide-ranging democratic reforms instituted since 1999 abolished "dwifungsi" and ended the armed forces' formal involvement in government administration. The police were separated from the military in 1999, further reducing the military's direct role in governmental matters. Control of the military by the democratically elected government has been strengthened.<br />
<br />
Reflecting historically independent sentiment, Hasan di Tiro established the Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, GAM) in December 1976 to seek independence for Aceh. Some 15,000 died in military conflict in Aceh over the following 3 decades. Through peace talks led by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, a peace agreement between GAM and the Indonesian Government that provided wide-ranging autonomy for Aceh was signed on August 15, 2005. By December 2005, GAM declared that it had disbanded the military wing of its organization, and the Indonesian Government had withdrawn the bulk of its security forces down to agreed levels. On December 11, 2006, Aceh held gubernatorial and district administrative elections, the first truly democratic elections in over half a century in Aceh, resulting in the election of a former separatist leader as governor. In 2009, Aceh participated in the national legislative and presidential elections and elected its own provincial legislature.<br />
<br />
<b>Principal Government Officials</b><br />
President--Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono<br />
Vice President--Boediono<br />
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Marty Natalegawa<br />
Ambassador to the United States--Dino Patti Djalal<br />
Ambassador to the United Nations--Hasan Kleib<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.embassyofindonesia.org/"><b>Embassy</b></a> of Indonesia is at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202-775-5200-5207; fax: 202-775-5365). Consulates General are in New York (5 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10021, tel. 212-879-0600/0615; fax: 212-570-6206); Los Angeles (3457 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010; tel. 213-383-5126; fax: 213-487-3971); Houston (10900 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77042; tel. 713-785-1691; fax: 713-780-9644). Consulates are in San Francisco (1111 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133; tel. 415-474-9571; fax: 415-441-4320); and Chicago (2 Illinois Center, Suite 1422233 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601; tel. 312-938-0101/4; 312-938-0311/0312; fax: 312-938-3148).<br />
<br />
<a href="" name="econ"></a><b>ECONOMY</b><br />
Indonesia has a market-based economy in which the government plays a significant role. There are 139 state-owned enterprises, and the government administers prices on several basic goods, including fuel, rice, and electricity.<br />
<br />
In the mid-1980s, the government began eliminating regulatory obstacles to economic activity. The steps were aimed primarily at the external and financial sectors and were designed to stimulate employment and growth in the non-oil export sector. Annual real gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaged nearly 7% from 1987-97 and most analysts recognized Indonesia as a newly industrializing economy and emerging major market. The Asian financial crisis of 1997 altered the region's economic landscape. With the depreciation of the Thai currency, the foreign investment community quickly reevaluated its investments in Asia. Foreign investors dumped assets and investments in Asia, leaving Indonesia the most affected in the region. In 1998, Indonesia experienced a negative GDP growth of 13.1% and unemployment rose to 15%-20%. In the aftermath of the 1997-98 financial crisis, the government took custody of a significant portion of private sector assets via debt restructuring, but subsequently sold most of these assets, averaging a 29% return. Indonesia has since recovered, albeit more slowly than some of its neighbors, by recapitalizing its banking sector, improving oversight of capital markets, and taking steps to stimulate growth and investment, particularly in infrastructure. GDP growth steadily rose in the following decade, achieving real growth of 6.3% in 2007 and 6.1% growth in 2008. Although growth slowed to 4.5% in 2009 given reduced global demand, Indonesia was the third-fastest growing G-20 member, trailing only China and India. Growth rebounded in 2010 to 6.1% and is forecast to reach 6.2%-6.5% in 2011. Poverty and unemployment have also declined despite the global financial crisis, with the poverty rate falling to 13.3% (March 2010) from 14.2% a year earlier and the unemployment rate falling to 6.8% (February 2011) from 7.4% a year earlier.<br />
<br />
Indonesia’s improving growth prospects and sound macroeconomic policy have many analysts suggesting that it will become the newest member of the “BRIC” grouping of leading emerging markets. Its solid track record has also resulted in credit upgrades from each of the major ratings agencies in the past year, with all three major credit rating agencies rating Indonesia sovereign debt one level below investment grade. An upgrade to investment grade is expected to occur within the next 18 months.<br />
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In reaction to global financial turmoil and economic slowdown in late 2008, the government moved quickly to improve liquidity, secure alternative financing to fund an expansionary budget and secure passage of a fiscal stimulus program worth more than $6 billion. Key actions to stabilize financial markets included increasing the deposit insurance guarantee twentyfold, to IDR 2 billion (about U.S. $235,000); reducing bank reserve requirements; and introducing new foreign exchange regulations requiring documentation for foreign exchange purchases exceeding U.S. $100,000/month. As a G-20 member, Indonesia has taken an active role in the G-20 coordinated response to the global economic crisis. In the face of surging portfolio inflows in 2010 and 2011, Bank Indonesia has implemented a number of measures to encourage inflows toward less-volatile, longer-tenor instruments.<br />
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<b>Economic Policy: </b>After he took office on October 20, 2004, President Yudhoyono moved quickly to implement a "pro-growth, pro-poor, pro-employment" economic program, which he has continued in his second term. The State Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS) released a Medium-Term Development Plan for 2010-2014 focused on development of a “prosperous, democratic and just” Indonesia. The Medium-Term Development Plan targets average economic growth of 6.3%-6.8% for the period, reaching 7% or above by 2014, unemployment of 5%-6% by the end of 2014, and a poverty rate of 8%-10% by the end of 2014. President Yudhoyono’s economic team in his second administration is led by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa. Sri Mulyani Indrawati continued as Finance Minister until May 2010, when she resigned to take a senior position at the World Bank. She was succeeded by Agus Martowardojo, a well-respected banker who had led Indonesia’s largest state-owned bank. In July 2010, Indonesia’s DPR Commission XI approved the appointment of Darmin Nasution as Governor of Bank Indonesia, following a 14-month vacancy of the position after former Governor Boediono stepped down to become Yudhoyono’s running mate. In May 2010, President Yudhoyono established a National Economic Committee to provide strategic recommendations to accelerate national economic development and a National Innovation Committee to provide input and recommendations to increase national productivity, create a culture of innovation, and speed up economic growth.<br />
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Indonesia's overall macroeconomic picture is stable. By 2004, real GDP per capita returned to pre-financial crisis levels and income levels are rising. In 2009, domestic consumption continued to account for the largest portion of GDP, at 58.6%, followed by investment at 31.0%, government consumption at 9.6%, and net exports at 2.8%%. Investment realization had climbed in each of the past several years, until the global slowdown in 2009. It resumed its rebound in 2010.<br />
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Following a significant run-up in global energy prices in 2007-2008, the Indonesian Government raised fuel prices by an average of 29% on May 24, 2008 in an effort to reduce its fuel subsidy burden. Fuel subsidies had been projected to reach Rp 265 trillion ($29.4 billion) in 2008, or 5.9% of GDP. The fuel price hikes, along with rising food prices, led consumer price inflation to a peak of 12.1% in September 2008. To help its citizens cope with higher fuel and food prices, the Indonesian Government implemented a direct cash compensation package for low-income families through February 2009 and an extra range of benefits including an expanded subsidized rice program and additional subsidies aimed at increasing food production. Subsequent declines in oil and gas prices allowed the government to reduce the prices for subsidized diesel and gasoline, but with oil and gas prices recovering, the energy subsidy bill has again swelled in 2010 and 2011.<br />
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<b>Banking Sector: </b>Indonesia has 122 commercial banks (March 2011), of which 10 are majority foreign-owned and 28 are foreign joint venture banks. The top 10 banks control about 63.4% of assets in the sector. Four state-owned banks (Bank Mandiri, BNI, BRI, BTN) control about 35.6% of assets (March 2011). The Indonesian central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI), announced plans in January 2005 to strengthen the banking sector by encouraging consolidation and improving prudential banking and supervision. BI hoped to encourage small banks with less than Rp 100 billion (about U.S. $11 million) in capital to either raise more capital or merge with healthier "anchor banks" before end-2010, announcing the criteria for anchor banks in July 2005. In October 2006, BI announced a single presence policy to further prompt consolidation. The policy stipulated that a single party could own a controlling interest in only one banking organization; exceptions would be granted in controlling two banks that do business under different principles, such as commercial and sharia, or one of which is a joint venture bank. Controlling interest is defined as 25% or more of total outstanding shares or having direct or indirect control of the institution. BI has started to move toward Basel II standards in 2011 and to improve operations of its credit bureau to centralize data on borrowers. Another important banking sector reform was the decision to eliminate the blanket guarantee on bank third-party liabilities. BI and the Indonesian Government completed the process of replacing the blanket guarantee with a deposit insurance scheme run by the independent Indonesian Deposit Insurance Agency (also known by its Indonesian acronym, LPS) in March 2007. The removal of the blanket guarantee did not produce significant deposit outflows from or among Indonesian banks. Sharia banking has grown in Indonesia in recent years, but represented only 3.3% of the banking sector, about $11.6 billion in assets as of March 2011.<br />
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<b>Exports and Trade: </b>Indonesia's exports were $158 billion in 2010, a rise of 35% from $116.5 billion in 2009. The largest export commodities for 2010 were oil and gas (17.8%), minerals (14.9%), textile and footwear (8.9%), crude palm oil (8.54%), electrical appliances (8.2%), and rubber products (4.7%). The top destinations for exports for 2010 were Japan (16.3%), China (11.6%), the U.S. (11.1%), Singapore (8.5%), and Korea (8.3%). Meanwhile, total imports in 2010 were $136 billion, up from $96.83 billion in 2009. Indonesia is currently our 28th-largest goods trading partner with $23.4 billion in total (two-way) goods trade during 2010. The U.S. trade deficit with Indonesia totaled $9.5 billion in 2010 ($6.9 billion in exports versus $16.5 billion in imports).<br />
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<b>Oil and Minerals Sector:</b> Indonesia left the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2008, as it had been a net petroleum importer since 2004. Crude and condensate output averaged 944,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2010, down slightly from 948,000 in 2009. In 2010, the oil and gas sector is estimated to have contributed $23.3 billion to government revenues, or 20.9% of the total. U.S. companies have invested heavily in the petroleum sector. Indonesia ranked third in world liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports production in 2010. Indonesia's oil, oil products, and gas trade balance was negative in 2008 with a $1.4 billion deficit, but became positive again in 2009 with a $29.4 million surplus, according to official statistics. Petroleum trade statistics are not yet available for 2010.<br />
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Indonesia has a wide range of mineral deposits and production, including bauxite, silver, and tin, copper, nickel, gold, and coal. Although the coal sector was open to foreign investment in the 1990s through coal contracts of work, new investment was closed again after 2000. A new mining law, passed in December 2008, opened coal to foreign investment again, although it eliminated the difference between foreign and domestic ownership structures. Total coal production reached 255 million metric tons in 2010, including exports of 198 million tons. Two U.S. firms operate two copper/gold mines in Indonesia, with a Canadian and a U.K. firm holding significant investments in nickel and gold, respectively. Although coal production has increased dramatically over the past 10 years, the number of new metals mines has declined. This decline does not reflect Indonesia's mineral prospects, which are high; rather, the decline reflects earlier uncertainty over mining laws and regulations, low competitiveness in the tax and royalty system, and investor concerns over divestment policies and the sanctity of contracts.<br />
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In early 2010, the Government of Indonesia also formally decided to become a candidate country of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which will increase accountability and transparency in energy revenue transactions between the government and oil, gas, and mining firms.<br />
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<b>Investment: </b>President Yudhoyono and his economic ministers have stated repeatedly their intention to improve the climate for private sector investment to raise the level of GDP growth and reduce unemployment. In addition to general corruption and legal uncertainty, businesses have cited a number of specific factors that have reduced the competitiveness of Indonesia's investment climate, including: corrupt and inefficient customs services; non-transparent and arbitrary tax administration; inflexible labor markets that have reduced Indonesia's advantage in labor-intensive manufacturing; increasing infrastructure bottlenecks; and uncompetitive investment laws and regulations. In each of the past 3 years, the Government of Indonesia has announced a series of economic policy packages aimed at stimulating investment and infrastructure improvements and implementing regulatory reform. A new investment law was enacted in 2007, which contains provisions to restrict the share of foreign ownership in a range of industries. The new negative investment list was signed by President Yudhoyono on May 25, 2010 and announced by the Chairman of Indonesia's Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Gita Wirjawan, on June 10. The changes included long-awaited legal clarifications alongside limited liberalization. The clarifications include a continuous review of closed sectors for increased market access. The new decree replaces the previous list (Presidential Regulation 111/2007). The decree confirms that investment restrictions do not apply retroactively unless the new provisions are more beneficial to the investor. The changes also clarify that capital investments in publicly listed companies through the stock exchange are not subject to Indonesia's negative list unless an investor is buying a controlling interest.<br />
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In 2010, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) updated its 1967 investment support agreement between the United States and Indonesia by adding OPIC products such as direct loans, coinsurance, and reinsurance to the means of OPIC support which U.S. companies may use to invest in Indonesia. Over its 39-year history OPIC had committed more than $2.1 billion in financing and political risk insurance to 110 projects in Indonesia. Currently, OPIC is providing more than $94 million in support to six projects in Indonesia in the energy, manufacturing, and services sectors.<br />
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On September 2, 2008, the DPR passed long-awaited tax reform legislation. The legislation reduced corporate and personal income tax rates as of January 1, 2009. Corporate income tax rates fell from 30% to 28% in 2009 and to 25% in 2010, with additional reductions for small and medium enterprises and publicly listed companies. The legislation raises the taxable income threshold for individuals, cuts the maximum personal income tax from 35% to 30%, and provides lower marginal personal income tax rates across four income categories. Taxes on dividends also fell from a maximum of 20% to a maximum of 10%. Long-planned labor reforms have been delayed.<br />
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The passage of a new copyright law in July 2002 and accompanying optical disc regulations in 2004 greatly strengthened Indonesia's intellectual property rights (IPR) regime. Despite the government's significantly expanded efforts to improve enforcement, IPR piracy remains a major concern to U.S. intellectual property holders and foreign investors, particularly in the high-technology sector. In March 2006, President Yudhoyono issued a decree establishing a National Task Force for IPR Violation Prevention. The IPR Task Force was intended to formulate national policy to prevent IPR violations and determine additional resources needed for prevention, as well as to help educate the public through various activities and improve bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation to prevent IPR violations. It has yet to fully realize these aims. In 2007, Indonesia was removed from the U.S. Trade Representative's "Priority Watch" list and placed on the "Watch" list. However, Indonesia was raised back to the Priority Watch List in 2009 due to an overall deterioration of the climate for IPR protection and enforcement and some concerns over market access barriers for IP products. There have not been signs of improvement in the past year.<br />
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<b>Environment: </b>President Yudhoyono's administration has significantly increased Indonesia's global profile on environmental issues, and U.S.-Indonesia cooperation on the environment has grown substantially. Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which include rising sea levels and erosion of coastal areas, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, species extinction, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. At the same time, Indonesia faces challenges in addressing the causes of climate change. Indonesia has the world's second-largest tropical forest and the fastest deforestation rate, making it the third-largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, behind China and the U.S. President Yudhoyono pledged at the 2009 G-20 in Pittsburgh to reduce Indonesia’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 41% below business as usual by 2020, in addition to eliminating fossil fuel subsidies. In June 2010, President Barack Obama pledged to support U.S.-Indonesia shared goals on climate change through a Science, Oceans, Land Use, Society and Innovation (SOLUSI) partnership and through the establishment of a climate change center. Indonesia continues expanding its constructive engagement in Southeast Asia, within the G-20 and Major Economies Forum, and in other international bodies to encourage other developing countries to adopt and implement ambitious steps to reduce the impacts of global climate change.<br />
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In 2004, President Yudhoyono initiated a multi-agency drive against illegal logging that has significantly decreased illegal logging through stronger enforcement activities. The Department of Justice-sponsored Environmental Crimes Task Force supports this enforcement effort. The State Department and the U.S. Trade Representative negotiated with the Indonesian Ministries of Trade and Forestry the U.S. Government's first <i>Memorandum of Understanding on Combating Illegal Logging and Associated Trade</i>. Presidents George W. Bush and Yudhoyono announced the MOU during President Bush's November 2006 visit to Indonesia. Implementation of the MOU includes collaboration on sustainable forest management, improved law enforcement, and improved markets for legally harvested timber products. This effort will strengthen the enabling conditions for avoiding deforestation, specifically addressing the trade issues that are involved.<br />
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The U.S. Government contributed to the start of the Heart of Borneo conservation initiative to conserve a high-biodiversity, transboundary area that includes parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The three countries launched the Heart of Borneo initiative in February 2007. In 2009, the Governments of Indonesia and the U.S. concluded a Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) agreement. The agreement reduces Indonesia's debt payments to the U.S. over the next 8 years; these funds will be redirected toward tropical forest conservation in Indonesia.<br />
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Indonesia is also home to the greatest marine biodiversity on the planet. President Yudhoyono called for a Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) in August 2007. The Coral Triangle Initiative is a regional plan of action to enhance coral conservation, promote sustainable fisheries, and ensure food security in the face of climate change. In December 2007, the U.S. Government announced its support for the six CTI nations (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands). Since then, the United States has provided $8.4 million to this initiative. With projected funding of $32 million over 5 years, the U.S. is the largest bilateral donor to CTI, and President Bush formally endorsed the CTI proposal at the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.<br />
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Indonesia hosted the first-ever World Oceans Conference in Manado, North Sulawesi, May 11-15, 2009<i>. </i>The World Oceans Conference was also the venue for the Coral Triangle Initiative Summit, at which leaders from the six CTI nations launched the CTI Regional Plan of Action. From June to August 2010, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research vessel <i>Okeanos Explorer </i>and the Indonesian research vessel <i>Baruna Jaya </i>made a pioneering joint mission to the "Coral Triangle" in the Indo-Pacific region. The "Coral Triangle" region is the global heart of shallow-water marine biodiversity.<br />
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<a href="" name="defense"></a><b>NATIONAL SECURITY</b><br />
During the early 1960s under Soekarno, Indonesia pursued a policy of “Konfrontasi” toward newly independent Malaysia, characterized by small-scale but bitter fighting against forces sent to defend Malaysian Borneo. Since the late 1960s Indonesia has had peaceful relations with its neighbors. Without a credible external threat in the region, the military historically viewed its primary mission as assuring internal security.<br />
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The Indonesian National Police, which had been a branch of the armed forces for many years, was formally separated from the military in April 1999, a process that was completed in July 2000. With 250,000 personnel, the police represent a much smaller portion of the population than in most nations. The police play a central role in responding to the internal threat posed by militant extremists and have seen considerable success in apprehending terrorist suspects.<br />
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Indonesia's armed forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, or TNI) total approximately 350,000 members, including the army, navy, marines, and air force. The army is the largest branch with about 280,000 active-duty personnel. Defense spending in the national budget accounts for 1.8% of GDP, but is supplemented by revenue from many military businesses and foundations. Military leaders have said that they wish to transform the military into a professional, external security force, providing domestic support to civilian security forces as necessary. However, given current levels of training, maintenance, and expertise the TNI would not prevail against a modern, determined, and even smaller opponent.<br />
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The military historically maintained a prominent role in the nation's political and social affairs. A significant number of cabinet members have had military backgrounds, while active duty and retired military personnel occupied a large number of seats in the parliament. Commanders of the various territorial commands played influential roles in the affairs of their respective regions. The October 2004 inauguration of the national parliament ended the military's formal political role but not its political influence.<br />
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<a href="" name="foreign"></a><b>FOREIGN RELATIONS</b><br />
Since independence in 1945, Indonesia has espoused a "free and active" foreign policy, seeking to play a role in regional affairs commensurate with its size and location but avoiding involvement in conflicts among major powers. Indonesian foreign policy under the "New Order" government of President Suharto moved away from the stridently anti-Western, anti-American posturing that characterized the latter part of the Soekarno era. Following Suharto's ouster in 1998, Indonesia's Presidents have preserved the broad outlines of Suharto's independent, moderate foreign policy. The traumatic separation of East Timor from Indonesia after an August 1999 East Timor referendum, and subsequent events in East Timor (now Timor-Leste) and West Timor, strained Indonesia's relations with the international community.<br />
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A cornerstone of Indonesia's contemporary foreign policy is its participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which it was a founding member in 1967 with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Since then, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia also have joined ASEAN. While organized to promote common economic, social, and cultural goals, ASEAN acquired a security dimension after Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1979. The security policy aspect of ASEAN expanded with the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum in 1994, in which 22 countries participate, including the United States.<br />
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Indonesia also was one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and has taken moderate positions in its councils. As NAM Chairman in 1992-95, Indonesia led NAM positions away from the rhetoric of North-South confrontation, advocating instead the broadening of North-South cooperation in the area of development. In May 2005, the Yudhoyono administration, in a major effort to reinvigorate its leadership of the NAM and reset the movement's future course, hosted an Asia-Africa Summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the NAM in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955. Indonesia continues to be a prominent leader of the Non-Aligned Movement, and hosted the NAM Ministerial meeting in 2011. Indonesia sees itself as a bridge-builder between the West and foreign policy views of the NAM and Group of 77 (G-77) that are contrary to those of the United States.<br />
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While not an Islamic state, Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population and is a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). It carefully considers the interests of Islamic solidarity in its foreign policy decisions while providing a moderating influence in the OIC. President Wahid, for example, pursued better relations with Israel; Foreign Minister Noer Hassan Wirajuda participated in the November 2007 Middle East peace conference in Annapolis.<br />
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After Soekarno’s fall from power in 1966, Indonesia welcomed and maintained close relations with the donor community, particularly the United States, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan, through the Intergovernmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI) and its successor, the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), which have provided substantial foreign economic assistance.<br />
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Indonesia has been a strong supporter of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Largely through the efforts of President Suharto at the 1994 meeting in Bogor, Indonesia, APEC members agreed to implement free trade in the region by 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing economies.<br />
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In 2008, Indonesia finalized its Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, a significant trade partner and Indonesia's biggest foreign investor. The agreement is Indonesia's first bilateral free trade deal and exempts Indonesia from 90% of Japanese import duties.<br />
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President Yudhoyono has sought a higher international profile for Indonesia. In March 2006, Yudhoyono traveled to Burma to discuss democratic reform and visited several Middle Eastern countries in April and May 2006. Yudhoyono delivered a major speech in Saudi Arabia, encouraging the Muslim world to embrace globalization and technology for greater social and economic progress. In November 2006, Indonesia sent about 1,000 peacekeeping troops to southern Lebanon to be part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and replaced those troops with a second contingent a year later. In 2007 and 2008, Indonesia held a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. President Yudhoyono has also developed strategic partnerships with several countries, including the Netherlands.<br />
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<a href="" name="relations"></a><b>U.S.-INDONESIAN RELATIONS</b><br />
The United States has important economic, commercial, and security interests in Indonesia. The country remains a linchpin of regional security due to its strategic location astride a number of key international maritime straits, particularly the Malacca Strait. Relations between Indonesia and the U.S. are positive and have advanced since the election of President Yudhoyono in October 2004. The U.S. played a role in Indonesian independence in the late 1940s and appreciated Indonesia's role as an anti-communist bulwark after Soekarno during the Cold War. Cooperative relations are maintained today, although no formal security treaties bind the two countries. The United States and Indonesia share the common goal of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region and engaging in a dialogue on threats to regional security. Cooperation between the U.S. and Indonesia on counterterrorism has increased steadily since 2002, as terrorist attacks in Bali (October 2002 and October 2005), Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004), and other regional locations demonstrated the presence of terrorist organizations in Indonesia. The United States has welcomed Indonesia's contributions to regional security, especially its leading role in helping restore democracy in Cambodia, mediating a territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, and mediating territorial disputes in the South China Sea.<br />
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In November 2008, President Yudhoyono suggested the U.S. and Indonesia work together to build a comprehensive partnership. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s February 2009 visit to Indonesia helped move that partnership forward in a number of key areas. Since her visit, bilateral cooperation on education, climate change, science and technology, health, and other issues has continued to progress. President Obama launched the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership in November 2010.<br />
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The U.S. is committed to consolidating Indonesia's democratic transition and supports the territorial integrity of the country. Nonetheless, there are friction points in the bilateral political relationship. These conflicts have centered primarily on human rights, as well as on differences in foreign policy. The U.S. Congress cut off grant military training assistance through International Military Education and Training (IMET) to Indonesia in 1992 in response to a November 12, 1991, incident in East Timor when Indonesian security forces shot and killed East Timorese demonstrators. This restriction was partially lifted in 1995. Military assistance programs were again suspended, however, in the aftermath of the violence and destruction in East Timor following the August 30, 1999, referendum favoring independence.<br />
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Separately, the U.S. had urged the Indonesian Government to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of the August 2002 ambush murders of two U.S. teachers near Timika in Papua province. In 2005, the Secretary of State certified that Indonesian cooperation in the murder investigation had met the conditions set by Congress, enabling the resumption of full IMET. Eight suspects were arrested in January 2006, and in November 2006 seven were convicted.<br />
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In November 2005, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, under authority delegated by the Secretary of State, exercised a National Security Waiver provision provided in the FY 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act (FOAA) to remove congressional restrictions on Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and lethal defense articles. These actions represented a reestablishment of normalized military relations, allowing the U.S. to provide greater support for Indonesian efforts to reform the military, increase its ability to respond to disasters and participate in global peacekeeping operations, and promote regional stability.<br />
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Regarding worker rights, Indonesia was the target of several petitions filed under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) legislation arguing that Indonesia did not meet internationally recognized labor standards. A formal GSP review was suspended in February 1994 without terminating GSP benefits for Indonesia. Since 1998, Indonesia has ratified all eight International Labor Organization core conventions on protecting internationally recognized worker rights and allowed trade unions to organize. However, enforcement of labor laws and protection of workers' rights remain inconsistent and weak in some areas. Indonesia's slow economic recovery has pushed more workers into the informal sector, which reduces legal protection and could create conditions for increases in child labor.<br />
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About 60,000 Indonesians seek U.S. nonimmigrant visas each year; the eligibility rate is in the 80% range. Most applicants are intending visitors, and others are ship’s crew (12,000), students (3,500), and government officials (2,000). About 1,000 Indonesians immigrate to the U.S. annually; most are newlywed spouses or family members of U.S. citizens. About 15,000 Americans live in Indonesia, mostly in Jakarta on 3-4 year business assignments, but there are 1,000-2,000 Americans retired on Bali, either as permanent or part-time residents. Indonesia treats foreigners relatively well; however, criminal penalties for narcotics or religious offenses are very harsh. The lack of adequate, reliable infrastructure and public services, and a low level of public health, are cautionary notes to Americans coming to Indonesia.<br />
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<b>Development Assistance From</b><b> the United States to Indonesia</b><br />
The U.S. Agency for International Development (<a href="http://www.usaid.gov/">USAID</a>) and its predecessor agencies have provided development assistance to Indonesia since 1950. Initial assistance focused on the most urgent needs, including food aid, infrastructure rehabilitation, health care, and training. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, a time of great economic growth in Indonesia, USAID played a major role in helping the country achieve self-sufficiency in rice production and in reducing the birthrate. USAID’s Program Strategy for Indonesia for 2009-2014 responds to Indonesia’s remarkable democratic transformation of the last decade and its progress toward becoming a strong, prosperous, and inclusive nation. The strategy calls upon U.S. and Indonesian resources to diminish Indonesian poverty and mitigate global threats. USAID assistance programs focus on basic and higher education, democratic and decentralized governance, economic growth, health, the environment, and renewable energy. USAID programs actively support the objectives of the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership signed in November 2010 by President Obama and President Yudhoyono.<br />
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<b>Supporting Economic Growth:</b> While Indonesia is firmly a middle-income country, much still needs to be done to assure sustainable economic growth, improve employment, and strengthen food security. USAID focuses on programs for improving the policy environment, strengthening the value chains (improving the production and distribution processes) of select high-value crops, and building the Government of Indonesia’s capacity to secure its potential. The resulting increases in production and economic growth will generate substantial employment, raise incomes, and reduce poverty.<br />
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Support for Economic Analysis and Policy Reform: Indonesia’s financial system lags behind those of its regional peers; one of the main constraints to sustainable economic growth in Indonesia is its lack of a robust financial sector. USAID programs work to improve the technical capacity of key personnel of the Government of Indonesia to understand, draft, and support reforms in the economic sector. Additionally, USAID programs are designed to build the capacity of private sector financial institutions to increase access to services for millions of underserved Indonesians. USAID objectives include improved financial sector regulation, support for pro-poor, pro-farmer agriculture regulations, and increased national and international investments. Activities include, but are not limited to, providing U.S. university training for key Government of Indonesia personnel, promoting the expansion of rural financial services, including mobile banking, and promoting trade linkages and private sector alliances.<br />
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Support for Agricultural Development: Agriculture is key to the economy of Indonesia. It accounts for 43% of total employment and directly contributes 15% to the GDP. Despite its importance and role in the national economy, national food production is still insufficient to meet the food security needs of Indonesia’s citizens. USAID programs address the problem of food insecurity in several ways. They seek to improve the value chains for key high-value crops; introduce and disseminate agricultural biotechnology and improve management practices, and build the capacity of public and private institutions.<br />
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Agricultural Value Chains--High-value agriculture products have real potential to drive growth, employment, and incomes. In Indonesia, the competitiveness of this sector is constrained by low investment, inadequate infrastructure, and underdeveloped agribusiness practices. USAID has two programs that are working in high-value agriculture. A 5-year, $20 million agricultural market development project will continue USAID’s prior work in developing Indonesia’s agricultural sector through strong, well-developed value chains. While a preceding program reached more than 190,000 individual farmers, 3,700 producer groups, and 200 agribusinesses, the new program will work with over 250,000 participant farmers on three value chains: high-value horticulture (including vegetables, fruits and flowers), cocoa, and coffee. USAID is also providing additional support for agricultural development in Papua, one of Indonesia’s least developed provinces. A new program there will work to develop markets and value chains in the cocoa, fisheries, and small livestock sectors.<br />
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Biotechnology and Improved Management Practices--Biotechnology offers much-needed opportunities to increase yields while decreasing labor and input costs for the farmer, including money spent on pesticides and fertilizers. It offers great opportunities in particular for poor farmers. One USAID-supported program is working to develop a locally-adapted variety of Golden Rice, which will provide beta-carotene, combating a micronutrient deficiency that often leads to blindness and other health complications in rural areas. Another program is developing a potato resistant to late blight. Altogether, the adoption of biotechnology-enhanced varieties and improved farming practices increases yields, improves farmer incomes and livelihoods, and is better for the environment. Additionally, USAID programs support and build the capacity of the Government of Indonesia’s National Council on Biosafety, which regulates how biotechnology-enhanced crops are introduced and grown in Indonesia.<br />
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Capacity Building: To fully achieve its potential, Indonesia must build its cadre of trained professionals in key areas, notably economics and agriculture. USAID programs establish vital linkages between U.S. and Indonesian universities, and support the training of dozens of Indonesia’s future economic and agronomic leaders each year in U.S. land-grant universities. These students will return to Indonesia fully trained in their professions and better equipped to steer Indonesia to a more prosperous future.<br />
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<b>Improving Education: </b>USAID is managing a $157 million, 5-year Presidential Education Initiative to energize and improve the quality of education in Indonesia’s state-run religious and public schools. The approach has emphasized critical thinking and reasoning skills, lively lessons, engaged teachers, and interested parents to promote tolerance, employment readiness, and student-centered learning for a participatory democracy. Since the start of the Presidential Initiative, more than 1,476 schools, 57,400 educators, and 480,000 students have benefited directly from U.S. Government assistance to improve teaching and learning, better school management, and increase community participation. At both the national and local levels this Presidential Initiative has ignited donor and Indonesian interest in joint coordination and cooperation to extend USAID practices across the far-flung archipelago. The initiative has leveraged more than $2 million from non-U.S. Government sources to support activities being implemented in 26,170 new schools, laying the base for a more widely established and enduring legacy. By 2012, the program is expected to reach 27,000 schools, promoting ownership and dissemination of new methods for delivering basic education assistance directly to the local level where it can be more effectively and accountably targeted.<br />
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Decentralized Basic Education: As the main component of the Indonesia Presidential Education Initiative, USAID’s basic education program focuses on improving the quality and relevance of education in primary and junior secondary schools. Through technical assistance and training, the program has three goals: to assist local governments and communities to manage education services more effectively; to enhance teaching and learning to improve student performance in key subjects such as math, science, and reading; and to ensure that Indonesia’s youth gain more relevant life and work skills to better compete for jobs in the modern economy. USAID modules and approaches have been well received by the Government of Indonesia and are replicated to wider areas. Approximately 21% of total districts replicate one or more program components, using funds contributed by local government, schools, and private institutions. The results have been used to formulate policies in the decentralized system. Partnerships of three U.S. universities--the University of Pittsburgh, Florida State University, and the University of Massachusetts--with 14 Indonesian universities are enabling teachers participating in the program to receive academic credit for their work and helping them meet new Government of Indonesia recertification requirements. USAID also promotes the use of information technology for education; the importance of early childhood education; in-service teacher training; and non-formal work and life skills. A new program in Papua and West Papua will increase access to better-quality education by providing support to local government and non-governmental organizations.<br />
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Opportunities for Vulnerable Children: This program prepares the foundation for an inclusive education system by focusing on educational rights and needs to serve children with visual impairment (blindness and low vision) and other disabilities. These activities have led to a substantial increase in the number of children with special needs attending school and increases in the availability and quality of inclusive education services. Replicable models have been implemented in Aceh, South Sulawesi, and Central Java. A university-level program is being developed to equip new teachers with effective teaching strategies and clear understanding of children with special needs in partnership with the Ministry of National Education (MONE), local universities, disabled persons organizations (DPOs), and the Hilton Perkins International.<br />
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Sesame Street Indonesia/Jalan Sesama: In partnership with the Sesame Workshop, USAID continues to support an Indonesian co-production of the renowned <i>Sesame Street </i>television show. Indonesia’s “Jalan Sesama” is one of the largest partnerships between USAID and the Sesame Workshop. By watching “Jalan Sesama” millions of Indonesian children are better equipped to start and stay in school. The program went on the air in 2007 and more than 3 million Indonesian children have viewed the broadcast. The show is currently ranked second in its time slot.<br />
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Higher Education: Current higher education programs include four partnerships created between U.S. and Indonesian universities in support of national development priorities: Columbia University and the University of Indonesia have partnered in the creation of a Child Protection Center; the University of California and Udayana University will conduct joint biodiversity research; Texas A&M’s Borlaug Institute will collaborate with the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Universitas Udayana Bali, and Sam Ratulangi University (North Sulawesi) for implementation of a tropical plant curriculum project; and Harvard University’s School of Public Health will team with the University of Indonesia’s SEAMEO Regional Center for Community Nutrition, Andalas University, University of Mataram, and the Helen Keller International/Indonesia on a program to enhance training in public health and applied research. The tripartite partnership between USAID, the Government of Aceh Province, and Chevron led to the establishment of Aceh Polytechnic, an institution which provides quality education in applied technology fields such as information technology and electrical engineering that are in high demand in the region.<br />
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In keeping with the Presidents' joint higher education initiative announced in June 2010, USAID is initiating three new ventures in Indonesia. New activities include the Higher Education Leadership and Management Program, which will help reinvigorate the learning environment and administration of tertiary education. An additional $17 million will be used to expand the number and depth of partnerships between Indonesian and U.S. universities. Finally, a special investment will engage the resources of higher education institutions in improving the quality of math, science, and technology instruction throughout Indonesia's elementary schools.<br />
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<b>Effective Democratic Governance:</b> USAID is partnering with Indonesian communities, government, and civil-society organizations to meet the challenge of making government deliver. Through targeted investments, USAID is providing assistance in five areas: anti-corruption; rule of law; local governance and service delivery; effective representation by legislatures, civil society, and political parties; and support for peace and a democratic culture.<br />
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Justice Sector Programs: USAID is supporting the Government of Indonesia to reform its justice sector in two programs. One program will sustain and deepen reforms in the justice sector to produce a more accountable and higher-performing justice system. Another program will strengthen the professionalism, skills, and integrity of Indonesia’s justice sector professionals by supporting Indonesia’s legal education system and the capacity of civil society to advocate for justice sector reform.<br />
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Strengthening Integrity and Accountability in Government: Two other democratic governance programs will contribute to good governance and economic growth in Indonesia by strengthening integrity and accountability in government agencies, principally at the national level, and supporting Indonesian-led, citizen-based efforts to strengthen integrity, promote accountability, and combat corruption. A grant to Kemitraan, an Indonesian civil society organization (CSO), is the first in a series of five planned direct grants to local CSOs.<br />
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Improving Representative Government: The two overarching objectives are to improve citizen representation by increasing the inclusiveness and effectiveness of groups, networks, and institutions that seek to express people’s views, interests, and aspirations to government; and to improve the responsiveness, effectiveness, and transparency of legislative processes.<br />
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Strengthening Representative Parties: USAID is supporting Indonesia’s efforts to foster more policy-oriented and representative political parties whose members are more effective public servants. This program is working to foster more representative and inclusive parties; strengthen the ability of parties to develop, articulate and advocate policies that are representative of their constituents’ views; and support timely and inclusive efforts to create more democratic and credible electoral processes.<br />
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Local Governance: USAID has been a key supporter of strengthened decentralization and improved local governance in Indonesia for almost a decade. The program will build on the successes and lessons learned from a project recently concluded with the Government of Indonesia to improve the delivery of public services by Indonesian local governments. More effective and efficient delivery of public services in targeted areas of Indonesia will improve citizen welfare and overall quality of life--goals at the center of the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership.<br />
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Support for Peace Building: USAID supports Indonesia’s democratic consolidation by funding activities that mitigate the sources and effects of past communal and regional conflict. The program builds local capacity to mitigate conflict as a critical step in achieving sustained peace and stability.<br />
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Southeast Asia-U.S. Partnership of Civil Society Organizations: Indonesia’s vibrant yet stable multi-party democracy stands as an example for other countries in various stages of democratic development to emulate--both within and outside of Southeast Asia. This effort is supportive of the Government of Indonesia’s vision for its regional and global role, as manifested in the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF). The objective is to encourage Indonesian CSOs to form partnerships to use their expertise and experiences in developing and implementing a broad range of projects outside Indonesia in democracy, governance, and human rights in cooperation with U.S. and Southeast Asian CSOs.<br />
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<b>Improving Management of Natural Resources:</b> USAID supports the improvement of natural resource management and water and sanitation. Programs aim to protect forest biodiversity with a focus on orangutan habitat, and to improve the management of forests and watersheds. USAID's 2009-2014 strategy broadened the scope of USAID assistance to include marine ecosystems and clean energy as well as forest management and water and sanitation services. Climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction are cross-cutting themes in the new strategy.<br />
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Improved Management of Forest Ecosystems: USAID supports the Government of Indonesia’s strategies for climate change, sustainable forest management, and low carbon emissions development, including its commitments within the UN REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) initiative. USAID's integrated approach addresses three areas: developing sustainable forest management practices in targeted landscapes; improving forest governance, and helping local governments develop spatial planning, climate change adaptation, and low emissions development strategies; and supporting development of local economies. Activities will occur in eight sites on Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua, including at least 1.7 million hectares of orangutan habitat.<br />
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Improved Management of Marine Ecosystems: USAID supports the Government of Indonesia’s leadership in implementing the Coral Triangle Initiative to develop and sustain marine resources management. The main objectives are to restore and enhance the marine areas so that they are bio-diverse and continue as plentiful sources of food and income for Indonesians; and to prepare natural ecosystems and coastal communities to adapt to climate change and reduce their risks from disasters. The integrated approach addresses five areas: building the capability of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries; strengthening fisheries management; building a network of well-managed marine protected areas; strengthening climate and disaster management capabilities; and reducing illegal and destructive fishing.<br />
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Increased Access to Safe Water and Adequate Sanitation: USAID is working with the Government of Indonesia to increase access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation in urban areas. The program will respond to demand for affordable water and adequate sanitation by communities, improve the ability of water utilities and local governments to provide safe water and sanitation services, and help develop policies and financing that will stimulate expansion of services to the urban poor.<br />
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Increased Access to Clean Energy: USAID supports the Government of Indonesia’s dual goals of expanding the domestic energy supply to provide modern grid service to 95% of the population and reducing emissions by 41% by 2020. The approach addresses three areas: improving energy sector policy and coordination; increasing development of clean energy projects; and increasing the opportunities for clean energy while raising awareness of its benefits.<br />
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Increasing Climate Resilience and Reducing Disaster Risks: USAID supports activities that combine climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in some of the most vulnerable areas of Indonesia. Activities will mainly occur at the district and sub-district levels. All projects will begin with vulnerability assessments to identify risks and opportunities. USAID will help strengthen governance in local communities to implement climate change solutions in agriculture, water, natural resource management, and other sectors.<br />
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<b>Improved Health for Indonesians: </b>The U.S. Government provides technical assistance to improve the availability and quality of key health services throughout Indonesia. Efforts support maternal, neonatal, and child health, and prevention and control of priority infectious disease threats, such as multi-drug resistant TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and avian influenza (AI). The delivery of basic human services at the local level is critical to the health of Indonesians. Under Indonesia’s decentralization law, local governments are responsible for the delivery of health care, water, and sanitation. To help improve the health and quality of life for vulnerable populations, USAID supports an integrated program that strengthens the capacity of local governments and partners to improve access to and quality of health services and prevention efforts in the public sector, private sector, and communities.<br />
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Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health: USAID maternal and child health programs in Indonesia significantly increased their coverage of care in FY 2008, in some cases doubling the number of women and children who benefited. These programs helped 595,000 women safely deliver babies in the presence of skilled birth attendants; provided essential care to 391,000 newborns; treated 1.2 million cases of child diarrhea; and provided 469,000 children under age five with nutrition services.<br />
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USAID is currently working to support the Government of Indonesia’s goals to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. With some of the highest maternal mortality rates in Southeast Asia, complications such as bleeding and convulsions during deliveries are the major causes of maternal deaths. Asphyxia, or breathing difficulties, and infections account for many deaths in newborn babies. USAID also supports the use of zinc to improve children’s recovery from diarrhea. Support for the global goal of eradicating polio continues, with a focus on technical assistance for surveillance.<br />
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Avian and Pandemic Influenza: Indonesia has the world’s highest number of confirmed human avian influenza (AI) infections and the highest fatality rate (82%). As of May 13, 2011, the World Health Organization had reported 177 confirmed human infections and 146 deaths, comprising 32% of cases worldwide. The highly pathogenic influenza A virus H5N1 (AI) is widespread in Indonesia. There is additional concern that a new highly transmissible strain of influenza could emerge from Indonesia due to the circulation of H1N1, seasonal influenza, and AI. USAID supports a range of efforts aimed at improving animal and public health to prevent and control avian and pandemic influenza in partnership with the Government of Indonesia and other stakeholders, including the private sector. USAID activities strengthen pandemic preparedness, increase awareness and change risky behaviors at the community level, enhance disease surveillance and response, strengthen laboratories' capacity, and track viral changes to produce novel poultry vaccines.<br />
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The majority of human infections occur due to exposure at live-bird markets; therefore USAID supports a cleaning and disinfectant program at the markets and along the poultry value chain, a market surveillance program, and biosecurity activities. A main goal of USAID's program is to improve the case fatality rate and strengthen the health care system to treat acute respiratory infections more efficiently and effectively.<br />
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To date, USAID has established animal health surveillance and disease control networks in Indonesia, trained more than 27,000 village volunteers and animal health officers, conducted 235,000 surveillance visits and reported over 10,000 outbreaks of AI, and met with over 5.4 million poultry farmers and community members to prevent and control AI. A joint Indonesia-U.S.-Australian research project has resulted in a new poultry vaccine for Indonesia.<br />
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Emerging Pandemic Threat (EPT): Indonesia is also a hotspot for new emerging diseases due to its geography, climate, biodiversity, and close proximity of humans and wildlife. In 2011, USAID launched an Emerging Pandemic Threat (EPT) program in Indonesia to address this threat. The program’s goal is the early identification of and response to dangerous pathogens in animals before they become significant threats to human health. The program will enhance local and national capacity for surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, and field epidemiology in both the animal and human health sectors in Indonesia.<br />
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Tuberculosis: Indonesia has approximately 430,000 new TB cases every year, 61,000 deaths annually, and an increase in multi-drug resistant TB. USAID supports strengthening the National Tuberculosis Program response to TB control including multi-drug resistant TB through Public-Private Mix (PPM) hospital-Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) linkages; rollout of international standards of TB care; hard-to-reach populations including prisons, underserved areas, and vulnerable groups; laboratory strengthening; drug management; TB/HIV collaboration; operational research; and community empowerment. USAID support has helped the national TB case detection rate rise from 22% in 2000 to 73% in 2010, with almost all primary health centers and 30% of hospitals implementing DOTS. Over the past 5 years, 10 laboratories were upgraded and renovated to build their capacity to diagnose multi-drug resistant TB.<br />
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Malaria: USAID supports integrating prevention of malaria activities into existing maternal and child health programming in Eastern Indonesia. This integrated approach distributes bed nets to prevent malaria, while improving rates of pregnancy checkups. It has increased routine immunization coverage. Through USAID’s malaria prevention program, 157,000 pregnant women received treated bed nets and 1,237 midwives were trained to detect and treat malaria.<br />
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HIV/AIDS: There is a concentrated HIV epidemic in most-at-risk groups and a generalized epidemic in Papua. USAID supports behavior change interventions to prevent the spread of HIV and increased access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care, and support efforts throughout the country. Through USAID community outreach, the HIV/AIDS program has reached 1.7 million people at high risk of HIV infection; 84,600 people have received counseling and testing for HIV; and 132 local organizations have been trained in HIV/AIDS programming.<br />
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Neglected Tropical Diseases: Neglected tropical disease is a major source of disability, ill health, and cognitive impairment in Indonesia. Indonesia alone accounts for 10% of the global burden of several of these debilitating diseases. Over 28 million Indonesians are infected with lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and an estimated 125 million people are at risk. USAID is providing assistance to support Indonesia’s neglected tropical diseases program. This is focused on annual or semi-annual distribution of medicines to affected communities. Most of the drugs would be donated by private pharmaceutical companies, making this a very effective public/private partnership. USAID has supported Indonesia’s Ministry of Health in conducting mass drug administration for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in 14 districts.<br />
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<b>Participant Training: </b>Training has long been a key component of the U.S. Government’s development partnership with Indonesia. USAID continues to support the tradition through this participant training program, which will provide academic degree, short-term technical training and the creation of an alumni association. The participant training program is structured in a way that will help individuals acquire the knowledge, skills, and capacity to support Indonesia’s further development. The program cuts across all five sectors in which USAID works in Indonesia.<br />
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<b>Tsunami Reconstruction: </b>The U.S. Government was one of the first donors to respond to the disaster. Through numerous grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, and UN agencies, USAID has helped stabilize the humanitarian situation in Aceh, avert a public health crisis, and provide relief services to survivors. Most of the U.S. tsunami relief programs are now complete, although efforts toward the construction of the Aceh west coast highway continue. The U.S. will remain actively engaged in conflict prevention and resolution efforts in Aceh.<br />
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<b>Principal U.S. Embassy Officials</b><br />
Ambassador--<a href="http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/146960.htm"><b>Scot Marciel</b></a><br />
Deputy Chief of Mission--Ted Osius<br />
Political Counselor--Theodore J. Lyng<br />
Economic Counselor--Peter D. Haas<br />
Management Counselor--Michael C. Mullins<br />
USAID Director--Walter E. North<br />
Defense Attache--COL Russell Bailey<br />
Consul General--Jeffrey S. Tunis<br />
Public Affairs Officer--Don Q. Washington<br />
Commercial Counselor--Joseph B. Kaesshaefer<br />
Department of Agriculture Office--Dennis Voboril<br />
Regional Security Officer--James W. Schnaible<br />
Office of Defense Cooperation--COL Randall Koehlmoos<br />
Legal Attache--(Acting) David C. Smith<br />
Department of Justice Office--Gerald H. Heuett Jr.<br />
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The <a href="http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/"><b>U.S. Embassy</b></a> in Indonesia is located at Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan 3-5, Jakarta (tel. (62-021) 3435-9000). U.S. mail to the Embassy may be addressed to U.S. Embassy Jakarta, (insert section name), FPO AP 96520.<br />
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The U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya is located at Jalan Dr. Sutomo 33, Surabaya, East Java (tel. (62-31) 568-2287).<br />
Principal Officer--Kristen F. Bauer<br />
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The U.S. Consulate in Medan is located at Jl. Walikota no. 13, Medan, North Sumatra (tel. (62-61) 415-2200).<br />
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The U.S. Consular Agency in Bali is located at Jalan Hayam Wuruk 188, Bali (tel. (62-361) 233-605.<br />
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The State Department lifted its travel warning for Indonesia in May 2008 due to objective improvements in the security situation in the country.<br />
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For information on economic trends, commercial development, production, trade regulations, and tariff rates, contact the <a href="http://trade.gov/"><b>International Trade Administration</b></a>, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-77821214168761656742011-07-05T16:58:00.000+07:002011-07-05T16:58:56.104+07:00Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnuddquVzl9zAE669SqxXBRQ6Lua2eRQ9bQ2VdSwiStxVHNMz3BpJvcxN_dTyT_8C-cwtw5jnaoVlg6yOzKt03A22O79MSJqiL2hX50_T7R0K1y3UWA4gcfOK86Qj-PFd49TisF1bTdA/s1600/taman-mini-indonesia-indah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnuddquVzl9zAE669SqxXBRQ6Lua2eRQ9bQ2VdSwiStxVHNMz3BpJvcxN_dTyT_8C-cwtw5jnaoVlg6yOzKt03A22O79MSJqiL2hX50_T7R0K1y3UWA4gcfOK86Qj-PFd49TisF1bTdA/s320/taman-mini-indonesia-indah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park) is Indonesia's answer to every visitor's prayer to see the magnificent archipelago in just one day. An extensive park to get a glimpse of the diverseness of the Indonesian archipelago, it represents Indonesia's 27 provinces and their outstanding characteristics, reflected most strikingly in the exact regional architecture of the province. An extensive theme park set in over 100 hectares on the outskirts of Jakarta; the All Indonesian islands are realistically reproduced in miniature in a central lake and around the lakes, there are pavilions. Each pavilions is representative of each province firm the traditional architectural style in miniature to a wonderful display of cultural items and exhibits. The park's centerpiece is a beautiful artificial lake. The complex was the brainchild of Madam Tien Soeharto, the late Indonesian first lady.<br />
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It also has its own orchid garden in which hundreds of Indonesian orchid varieties are grown. There is also a bird park with a walk-in aviary, a fauna museum and recreational grounds with a swimming pool and restaurants. The special interest here at Taman Mini is the Museum Indonesia. A richly decorated building in Balinese architecture, it houses contemporary arts, crafts and traditional costumes from the different regions of the country.<br />
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Cultural performances, events, and even local delicacies from the provinces are prepared regularly, especially during weekends and holidays, to showcase Indonesia's rich cultural heritage. The park is open seven days a week, giving guests ample time to explore and enjoy the sights. And if a day tour is not enough, visitors can spend the night at the 'Desa Wisata' or 'Wisata Remaja' serviced accommodations.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-11259600431368357562011-07-05T16:45:00.001+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.866+07:00WORLD RECORD Angklung<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SkXVFrP6_xZWL831MmddiF-CHNDdoEcWci_xX0zUeDUUsDkIN2zsY9jsD32fc0qTqMKbml6r3HBENjfjtKHATbrsHFew9phFYMJ3k29Jvkl9QgDteb4NgPgWmWniLU2udxjJnwdgsS8/s1600/angklung+udjo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SkXVFrP6_xZWL831MmddiF-CHNDdoEcWci_xX0zUeDUUsDkIN2zsY9jsD32fc0qTqMKbml6r3HBENjfjtKHATbrsHFew9phFYMJ3k29Jvkl9QgDteb4NgPgWmWniLU2udxjJnwdgsS8/s320/angklung+udjo+3.jpg" width="320" /></a>INDONESIA TO BREAK WORLD RECORD Angklung Ensemble in Washington DC, USA<br />
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On Saturday evening from 5.0 pm - 7.0 pm, 9 July 2011, thousands are expected to gather at the Washington Monument Grounds North Lawn, National Mall in Washington DC to break the World Record for the “Largest Angklung Ensemble” in history. Supervised by adjudicators from the Guinness World Record, the thousands assembled from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds will together shake the angklung bamboo instruments and are assured to make melodious music together almost instantly.<br />
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All are invited to join to break the Angklung Ensemble Guinness World Record. To participate and for further information log on to : www.embassyofindonesia.org<br />
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Angklung is a musical instrument made from joints of pieces of bamboo fine-tuned to one particular note when shaken. Each piece has one specific note, so that in order to create a melody, all notes and half notes of the song must be represented in the set. These are then shaken by each individual at the appropriate place in the score. Hearing thousands of these bamboo instruments shaken together by a crowd that has never handled these instruments before is very thrilling both for the audience as well as for the players themselves.<br />
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The Angklung is traditionally known in West Java and Bali, however, this modern version was created by Mang Udjo, whose family continues to manage their own Studio, open to visitors in the hill town of Bandung.<br />
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The event, organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Washington together with the Indonesian Investment Board BKPM is part of the Indonesian Festival 2011 held in the United States this summer, which carries the theme : “Celebrating Multiculturalism”.<br />
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From 12th to the 16th July, a Batik Exhibition and Workshop on the theme “Indonesian Batik: World Heritage” will be staged at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, in tandem with the American Batik Design Competition which is ongoing from March through November.<br />
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For more information on the Angklung, log on to www.angklung-udjo.co.idRina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-23779592765503448782011-07-01T19:00:00.001+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.867+07:00Government and politics of Indonesia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXySJr30MxN3tiOweBi7FeU6LbVsw_M3UckYc8nW5Mz0dFFMeG_UBvlJUuuOy9F1hhikNcp4Y1SIHZqoP80OtsyCAQ6mZPm2Q1i-sEMPoji05U-bN77sHijm7rICQspD0hUQKMjPueShs/s1600/Indonesian_Political_System.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXySJr30MxN3tiOweBi7FeU6LbVsw_M3UckYc8nW5Mz0dFFMeG_UBvlJUuuOy9F1hhikNcp4Y1SIHZqoP80OtsyCAQ6mZPm2Q1i-sEMPoji05U-bN77sHijm7rICQspD0hUQKMjPueShs/s320/Indonesian_Political_System.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Indonesia is a republic with a presidential system. As a unitary state, power is concentrated in the central government. Following the resignation of President Suharto in 1998, Indonesian political and governmental structures have undergone major reforms. Four amendments to the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia have revamped the executive, judicial, and legislative branches. The president of Indonesia is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the director of domestic governance, policy-making, and foreign affairs. The president appoints a council of ministers, who are not required to be elected members of the legislature. The 2004 presidential election was the first in which the people directly elected the president and vice president. The president may serve a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms.<br />
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The highest representative body at national level is the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Its main functions are supporting and amending the constitution, inaugurating the president, and formalizing broad outlines of state policy. It has the power to impeach the president. The MPR comprises two houses; the People's Representative Council (DPR), with 560 members, and the Regional Representative Council (DPD), with 132 members.[51] The DPR passes legislation and monitors the executive branch; party-aligned members are elected for five-year terms by proportional representation. Reforms since 1998 have markedly increased the DPR's role in national governance. The DPD is a new chamber for matters of regional management.<br />
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Most civil disputes appear before a State Court (Pengadilan Negeri); appeals are heard before the High Court (Pengadilan Tinggi). The Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung) is the country's highest court, and hears final cessation appeals and conducts case reviews. Other courts include the Commercial Court, which handles bankruptcy and insolvency; a State Administrative Court (Pengadilan Tata Negara) to hear administrative law cases against the government; a Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi) to hear disputes concerning legality of law, general elections, dissolution of political parties, and the scope of authority of state institutions; and a Religious Court (Pengadilan Agama) to deal with codified Sharia Law cases.<br />
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<h2>Politics of Indonesia</h2><br />
Politics of Indonesia takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Indonesia is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two People's Representative Councils. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The 1945 constitution provided for a limited separation of executive, legislative, and judicial power. The governmental system has been described as "presidential with parliamentary characteristics." Following the Indonesian riots of May 1998 and the resignation of President Suharto, several political reforms were set in motion via amendments to the Constitution of Indonesia, which resulted in changes to all branches of government.<br />
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<h2>Reform process</h2><br />
A constitutional reform process lasted from 1999 to 2002, with four constitutional amendments producing important changes.<br />
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Among these are term limits of up to two five-year terms for the President and Vice President, and measures to institute checks and balances. The highest state institution is the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), whose functions previously included electing the president and vice president (since 2004 the president has been elected directly by the people), establishing broad guidelines of state policy, and amending the constitution. The 695-member MPR includes all 550 members of the People's Representative Council (DPR) (the House of Representatives) plus 130 "regional representatives" elected by the twenty-six provincial parliaments and sixty-five appointed members from societal groups<br />
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The DPR, which is the premier legislative institution, originally included 462 members elected through a mixed proportional/district representational system and thirty-eight appointed members of the armed forces (TNI) and police (POLRI). TNI/POLRI representation in the DPR and MPR ended in 2004. Societal group representation in the MPR was eliminated in 2004 through further constitutional change.<br />
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Having served as rubberstamp bodies in the past, the DPR and MPR have gained considerable power and are increasingly assertive in oversight of the executive branch. Under constitutional changes in 2004, the MPR became a bicameral legislature, with the creation of the Dewan Perwakilan Daerah (DPD), in which each province is represented by four members, although its legislative powers are more limited than those of the DPR. Through his appointed cabinet, the president retains the authority to conduct the administration of the government.<br />
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A general election in June 1999 produced the first freely elected national, provincial, and regional parliaments in over forty years. In October 1999 the MPR elected a compromise candidate, Abdurrahman Wahid, as the country's fourth president, and Megawati Sukarnoputri — a daughter of Sukarno, the country's first president — as the vice president. Megawati's PDI-P party had won the largest share of the vote (34%) in the general election, while Golkar, the dominant party during the Soeharto era, came in second (22%). Several other, mostly Islamic parties won shares large enough to be seated in the DPR. Further democratic elections took place in 2004 and 2009.<br />
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<h2>Executive branch</h2><br />
The president and vice president are selected by vote of the citizens for five-year terms. Prior to 2004, they were chosen by People's Consultative Assembly. The last election was held 8 July 2009. The president heads the United Indonesia Cabinet (Kabinet Indonesia Bersatu) The President of Indonesia is directly elected for a maximum of two five-year terms, and is the head of state, commander-in-chief of Indonesian armed forces and responsible for domestic governance and policy-making and foreign affairs. The president appoints a cabinet, who do not have to be elected members of the legislature<br />
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Executive_branch"></span></h2><table class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"><caption>Main office holde</caption> <tbody>
<tr> <th>Office</th> <th>Name</th> <th>Party</th> <th>Since</th> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_Indonesia" title="List of Presidents of Indonesia">President</a></td> <td><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Susilo_Bambang_Yudhoyono" title="Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono">Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono</a></td> <td><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Democratic_Party_%28Indonesia%29" title="Democratic Party (Indonesia)">DPD</a></td> <td>20 October 2004</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/List_of_Vice_Presidents_of_Indonesia" title="List of Vice Presidents of Indonesia">Vice-president</a></td> <td><a href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Boediono" title="Boediono">Boediono</a></td> <td>Non-Party</td> <td>20 October 2009</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-61672089425004537592011-07-01T18:47:00.000+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.868+07:00Indonesia History<h1>Indonesia History</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdu6wLWCH6AML2YAnV0iZRWMr4e28XwWiARdVeryyPujhVw7tk2hzd0x_Xnoiy2Fjz6cTnjob0ODScZHOoWidrs7fXSLFzYy7b_UbZ2Ze7Vv7xcotZ1whPiG5ZYNN8hd0HnBT0NcoOJ0/s1600/indonesia-independance-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdu6wLWCH6AML2YAnV0iZRWMr4e28XwWiARdVeryyPujhVw7tk2hzd0x_Xnoiy2Fjz6cTnjob0ODScZHOoWidrs7fXSLFzYy7b_UbZ2Ze7Vv7xcotZ1whPiG5ZYNN8hd0HnBT0NcoOJ0/s1600/indonesia-independance-day.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Fossilized remains of Homo erectus, popularly known as the "Java Man", suggest that the Indonesian archipelago was inhabited two million to 500,000 years ago. Homo sapiens reached the region by around 45,000 years ago. Austronesian peoples, who form the majority of the modern population, migrated to South East Asia from Taiwan. They arrived in Indonesia around 2000 BCE, and as they spread through the archipelago, confined the native Melanesian peoples to the far eastern regions.Ideal agricultural conditions, and the mastering of wet-field rice cultivation as early as the 8th century BCE, allowed villages, towns, and small kingdoms to flourish by the 1st century CE. Indonesia’s strategic sea-lane position fostered inter-island and international trade, including links with Indian kingdoms and China, which were established several centuries BCE. Trade has since fundamentally shaped Indonesian history.<br />
The nutmeg plant is native to Indonesia's Banda Islands. Once one of the world's most valuable commodities, it drew the first European colonial powers to Indonesia.<br />
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From the 7th century CE, the powerful Srivijaya naval kingdom flourished as a result of trade and the influences of Hinduism and Buddhism that were imported with it. Between the eighth and 10th centuries CE, the agricultural Buddhist Sailendra and Hindu Mataram dynasties thrived and declined in inland Java, leaving grand religious monuments such as Sailendra's Borobudur and Mataram's Prambanan. The Hindu Majapahit kingdom was founded in eastern Java in the late 13th century, and under Gajah Mada, its influence stretched over much of Indonesia.<br />
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Although Muslim traders first traveled through South East Asia early in the Islamic era, the earliest evidence of Islamized populations in Indonesia dates to the 13th century in northern Sumatra. Other Indonesian areas gradually adopted Islam, and it was the dominant religion in Java and Sumatra by the end of the 16th century. For the most part, Islam overlaid and mixed with existing cultural and religious influences, which shaped the predominant form of Islam in Indonesia, particularly in Java. The first regular contact between Europeans and the peoples of Indonesia began in 1512, when Portuguese traders, led by Francisco Serrão, sought to monopolize the sources of nutmeg, cloves, and cubeb pepper in Maluku. Dutch and British traders followed. In 1602 the Dutch established the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and became the dominant European power. Following bankruptcy, the VOC was formally dissolved in 1800, and the government of the Netherlands established the Dutch East Indies as a nationalized colony.<br />
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For most of the colonial period, Dutch control over the archipelago was tenuous outside of coastal strongholds; only in the early 20th century did Dutch dominance extend to what was to become Indonesia's current boundaries.Despite major internal political, social and sectarian divisions during the National Revolution, Indonesians, on the whole, found unity in their fight for independence. Japanese occupation during World War II ended Dutch rule, and encouraged the previously suppressed Indonesian independence movement. Two days after the surrender of Japan in August 1945, Sukarno, an influential nationalist leader, declared independence and was appointed president. The Netherlands tried to reestablish their rule, and an armed and diplomatic struggle ended in December 1949, when in the face of international pressure, the Dutch formally recognized Indonesian independence(with the exception of the Dutch territory of West New Guinea, which was incorporated into Indonesia following the 1962 New York Agreement, and the UN-mandated Act of Free Choice of 1969).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo2Dq9qS5vMCcSPpnhsWhZpqhr_uhR3v7PoxFp0Hj-94Z1hL3K7dJsof1XD_TfPOP6jEn1qb472QNEHfMyMRNvRt1zYi1BTwokoclmjZN5l_87T91jXw-FHKjohPzQNt9gVGvRRZVytQ/s1600/Presiden-Sukarno-Indonesia-Founding-president.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo2Dq9qS5vMCcSPpnhsWhZpqhr_uhR3v7PoxFp0Hj-94Z1hL3K7dJsof1XD_TfPOP6jEn1qb472QNEHfMyMRNvRt1zYi1BTwokoclmjZN5l_87T91jXw-FHKjohPzQNt9gVGvRRZVytQ/s1600/Presiden-Sukarno-Indonesia-Founding-president.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sukarno moved from democracy towards authoritarianism, and maintained his power base by balancing the opposing forces of the military and the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI).An attempted coup on 30 September 1965 was countered by the army, who led a violent anti-communist purge, during which the PKI was blamed for the coup and effectively destroyed. Between 500,000 and one million people were killed. The head of the military, General Suharto, out-maneuvered the politically weakened Sukarno, and was formally appointed president in March 1968. His New Order administration was supported by the US government, and encouraged foreign direct investment in Indonesia, which was a major factor in the subsequent three decades of substantial economic growth.However, the authoritarian "New Order" was widely accused of corruption and suppression of political opposition.<br />
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Indonesia was the country hardest hit by the late 1990s Asian financial crisis. This increased popular discontent with the New Order and led to popular protest across the country. Suharto resigned on 21 May 1998. In 1999, East Timor voted to secede from Indonesia, after a twenty-five-year military occupation that was marked by international condemnation of repression of the East Timorese. Since Suharto's resignation, a strengthening of democratic processes has included a regional autonomy program, and the first direct presidential election in 2004. Political and economic instability, social unrest, corruption, and terrorism slowed progress, however, in the last five years the economy has performed strongly. Although relations among different religious and ethnic groups are largely harmonious, sectarian discontent and violence has occurred. A political settlement to an armed separatist conflict in Aceh was achieved in 2005.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-62637741440621254172011-07-01T18:31:00.001+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.869+07:00Bali wins best island awardBali has again been recognized by a distinguished travel magazine as the best island in the Asia-Pacific region for 2009, Antara has reported.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QBBfcAlxTpS4D6liHw-mjvG0vlxe6BYQ22FngnJDSBL849d5DhyphenhyphengcTpZohN_Pe9VlDhghG8GYJVOs7rv7D1bL5ty_g9f3Lh2aZ2NK-TNbdnty3XWWoRxa0xyD5JtYCiNN8snImHeAWQ/s1600/bali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QBBfcAlxTpS4D6liHw-mjvG0vlxe6BYQ22FngnJDSBL849d5DhyphenhyphengcTpZohN_Pe9VlDhghG8GYJVOs7rv7D1bL5ty_g9f3Lh2aZ2NK-TNbdnty3XWWoRxa0xyD5JtYCiNN8snImHeAWQ/s320/bali.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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"Bali has been honored as The Best Island in Asia Pacific 2009 by DestinAsian Magazine in Hong Kong," Culture and Tourism Ministry's director for promotion facilities Esthy Reko Astuty said Thursday.<br />
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She said Bali won the honor through a poll in DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards in a survey which sought readers' opinions on their favorite destinations, hotels, and airlines in the Asia-Pacific region and announced every February.<br />
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"Bali has been chosen four times consecutively as the Best Island in Asia Pacific by DestinAsia Magazine since 2006," she said.<br />
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According to Bali Tourism Office records, Bali has garnered at least 25 awards from various international magazines and countries since 1998. Most of the awards were given to Bali for its unique destination and natural beauty found nowhere else in the world.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-16429138506464701902011-07-01T18:31:00.000+07:002011-07-05T17:37:30.517+07:00Angklung musicalThe word Angklung originated from two words angka and lung. Angka means tone, and lung means broken or lost. Angklung then means as an incomplete tone (Soepandi and Atmadibrata, 1977;12). Made of bamboo an ancient plant which has provided various benefits for human beings, Angklung has become a symbol Indonesia’s unique culture, especially in Wast java (sunda).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a aly="angklung" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eyyu1xo_IGk2DutSpaHe3vkVPdmeRQ4fETNEZavarpqgOlLaVTksjZKppGcL-EYVtyr7welDEKUmbE6q0A3BoPQzKOKHyxDoqjcyQs3SGaTCWX3OW1clydJJgF2GKPlujXELHjQ8haw/s1600/angklung-alat-musik-tradisional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eyyu1xo_IGk2DutSpaHe3vkVPdmeRQ4fETNEZavarpqgOlLaVTksjZKppGcL-EYVtyr7welDEKUmbE6q0A3BoPQzKOKHyxDoqjcyQs3SGaTCWX3OW1clydJJgF2GKPlujXELHjQ8haw/s320/angklung-alat-musik-tradisional.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a>Angklung, the traditional West Java musical instrument made from bamboo, has been included in Unesco’s list of intangible cultural heritage. <br />
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The instrument was among 46 items from 21 countries inscribed to the list at the Fifth Unesco Inter-Governmental Committee meeting on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Nairobi, Kenya. <br />
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The angklung now joins the wayang (the Javanese shadow puppet theater), the kris (the Javanese ceremonial dagger) and batik among the Indonesian representatives in the list. <br />
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I Gusti Ngurah Putra, a spokesman for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said the government welcomed the recognition granted by Unesco. <br />
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“The reason the angklung was inscribed to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is because it has deep philosophical values for humanity, such as cooperation, respect and social harmony,” he said. <br />
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“Because to produce music with angklung requires good cooperation among the angklung players, as no melody can be played by a single player.” <br />
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Masanori Nagaoka, the culture program specialist at Unesco’s Jakarta office, said it was hoped the recognition would lead to greater awareness of angklung and its traditions. <br />
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“Being recognized by Unesco on the list ensures better visibility for the intangible cultural heritage and raises awareness of its importance, while encouraging dialogue that respects cultural diversity,” he said. <br />
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Each angklung is made with two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. <br />
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It plays only one specific note, which is produced by shaking the instrument rapidly from side to side. <br />
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During the height of the Sunda Kingdom, when much of Indonesia was still Hindu, it was used to signal prayer times. Later on it was used by the Sundanese to boost morale, and was banned by the Dutch colonial masters. <br />
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That effectively relegated it to a children’s toy. <br />
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In the 20th century, the angklung was adopted by several other countries, including Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. <br />
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These were variations of the original, with the Thai angklung, for instance, using three bamboo tubes instead of two. <br />
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In addition to the four items Indonesia now boasts on the list of intangible cultural heritage, the country also has seven sites on Unesco’s list of world heritage sites. <br />
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Three of them — the Borobudur monument, the Prambanan temple complex and the Sangiran Early man site, all in Central Java — are on the list of world cultural heritage. The other four — the Komodo, Lorentz and Ujung Kulon national parks, as well as the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra — are listed as world natural heritage. <br />
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“We’re now working on getting the Acehnese Saman Dance to be recognized as intangible cultural heritage,” Putra said. <br />
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“We’re going to work hard to have as much of our culture as possible recognized by Unesco, the main point being to get the rest of the world involved in preserving our culture.” <br />
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He said the government also wanted recognition of Indonesian culture to prevent other countries from laying claim to it. <br />
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The government earlier this year promoted the angklung by inscribing it on the back of the new Rp 1,000 coin, which was introduced in April.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-71334158923081372622011-07-01T18:30:00.001+07:002011-07-05T16:50:09.634+07:00population of indonesia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrJvnryqX6yNGUSjc_cXl9JdEAZif_qoU6eH2G01zXqVn_borAKq8TZZ0y53G5KdGZY_nVAhHiB9iXCA9L7gZUrwYNyZ7Xho_9GyWDO9DbpKMgKIhFYNv5UyTbWSB8MTxEC1PvYK15xw/s1600/peta_indonesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrJvnryqX6yNGUSjc_cXl9JdEAZif_qoU6eH2G01zXqVn_borAKq8TZZ0y53G5KdGZY_nVAhHiB9iXCA9L7gZUrwYNyZ7Xho_9GyWDO9DbpKMgKIhFYNv5UyTbWSB8MTxEC1PvYK15xw/s320/peta_indonesia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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The population of Indonesia according to the 2010 national census is 237.6 million, with 58% living on the island of Java, the world's most populous island.<br />
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Despite a fairly effective family planning program that has been in place since the 1960s,[4] the population is expected to grow to around 254 million by 2020 and 288 million by 2050,[5] falling to fifth behind Pakistan sometime before 2050.<br />
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<b>List of Indonesian provinces' population</b><br />
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<table class="wikitable sortable" id="sortable_table_id_0" style="margin-right: 60px; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr> <th style="text-align: left;">Province</th> <th>Population </th> <th style="text-align: right;">In Cities (%) </th> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam">Aceh</a></td> <td>4,486,570</td> <td>23.6</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="North Sumatra">North Sumatra</a></td> <td>12,985,075</td> <td>42.4</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="West Sumatra">West Sumatra</a></td> <td>4,845,998</td> <td>29.0</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Riau">Riau</a></td> <td>5,543,031</td> <td>43.7</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Jambi">Jambi</a></td> <td>3,088,618</td> <td>28.3</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="South Sumatra">South Sumatra</a></td> <td>7,446,401</td> <td>34.4</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Bengkulu">Bengkulu</a></td> <td>1,713,393</td> <td>29.4</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Lampung">Lampung</a></td> <td>7,596,115</td> <td>21.0</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Bangka Belitung">Bangka Belitung</a></td> <td>1,223,048</td> <td>43.0</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Riau Islands">Riau Islands</a></td> <td>1,685,698</td> <td>--</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Banten">Banten</a></td> <td>10,644,030</td> <td>52.2</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Jakarta">Jakarta</a></td> <td>9,588,198</td> <td>100.0</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="West Java">West Java</a></td> <td>43,021,826</td> <td>50.3</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Central Java">Central Java</a></td> <td>32,380,687</td> <td>40.4</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Yogyakarta">Yogyakarta</a></td> <td>3,452,390</td> <td>57.7</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="East Java">East Java</a></td> <td>37,476,011</td> <td>40.9</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Bali">Bali</a></td> <td>3,891,428</td> <td>49.8</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="West Nusa Tenggara">West Nusa Tenggara</a></td> <td>4,496,855</td> <td>34.8</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="East Nusa Tenggara">East Nusa Tenggara</a></td> <td>4,679,316</td> <td>15.9</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="West Kalimantan">West Kalimantan</a></td> <td>4,393,239</td> <td>25.1</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Central Kalimantan">Central Kalimantan</a></td> <td>2,202,599</td> <td>27.5</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="South Kalimantan">South Kalimantan</a></td> <td>3,626,119</td> <td>36.3</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="East Kalimantan">East Kalimantan</a></td> <td>3,550,586</td> <td>57.6</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="North Sulawesi">North Sulawesi</a></td> <td>2,265,937</td> <td>37.0</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Gorontalo">Gorontalo</a></td> <td>1,038,585</td> <td>25.5</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Central Sulawesi">Central Sulawesi</a></td> <td>2,633,420</td> <td>19.7</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="South Sulawesi">South Sulawesi</a></td> <td>8,032,551</td> <td>29.4</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Southeast Sulawesi">Southeast Sulawesi</a></td> <td>2,230,569</td> <td>20.8</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="West Sulawesi">West Sulawesi</a></td> <td>1,158,336</td> <td>--</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Maluku">Maluku</a></td> <td>1,531,402</td> <td>25.9</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="North Maluku">North Maluku</a></td> <td>1,035,478</td> <td>29.5</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="Papua (Indonesian province)">Papua</a></td> <td>2,851,999</td> <td>22.2</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left"><a href="http://www.allaboutindonesia.com/" title="West Papua (province)">West Papua</a></td> <td>760,855</td> <td>--</td> </tr>
<tr> <td colspan="2"><small>Source: Population Census 2010<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bps2010_1-0"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=768610196308204249#cite_note-bps2010-1">[2]</a></sup></small></td> </tr>
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<b>Ethnic groups</b><br />
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At least 300 different ethnic groups have been counted in Indonesia.<br />
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<b>Religions</b><br />
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Although it is not an Islamic state, Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, with almost 86.1% of Indonesians declared Muslim according to the 2000 census. 8.7% of the population is Christian, 3% are Hindu, and 1.8% Buddhist or other. Most Indonesian Hindus are Balinese, and most Buddhists in modern-day Indonesia are ethnic Chinese.<br />
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<b>Languages</b><br />
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Indonesian is the official national language, but there are many different languages native to Indonesia. According to Ethnologue, there are currently 737 living languages the most widely spoken of which is Javanese.<br />
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A number of Chinese dialects, most prominently Min Nan, are also spoken. The public use of Chinese, especially Chinese characters, was officially discouraged between 1966 and 1998.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-43479941386518342192011-07-01T18:30:00.000+07:002011-07-05T16:51:42.806+07:00Jakarta : Capital of Indonesia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIUgifXwV3D8i5SFIpCmRRFWVSwHP1zC3qY-pFfbUrrw-8NQNmPLQYZu0IS3lKFEaMEqWE5-Rf_XUJLOYCVZkBWW1FNosNgxy5GAeoT-u104xwcOG5XgdAFO_E9GZ020UbMtMftWtgMU/s1600/jakarta-capital-of-indonesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIUgifXwV3D8i5SFIpCmRRFWVSwHP1zC3qY-pFfbUrrw-8NQNmPLQYZu0IS3lKFEaMEqWE5-Rf_XUJLOYCVZkBWW1FNosNgxy5GAeoT-u104xwcOG5XgdAFO_E9GZ020UbMtMftWtgMU/s1600/jakarta-capital-of-indonesia.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Jakarta, officially "<b>the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta</b>", is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Located on the northwest coast of Java, it has an area of 661 square kilometres (255 sq mi) and a 2010 census count population of 9,580,000.[4] Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre. It is the most populous city in Indonesia and in Southeast Asia, and is the twelfth-largest city in the world. The urban area, Jabodetabek, is the second largest in the world. Jakarta is listed as a global city in the 2008 Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC) research. The city's name is derived from the Old Javanese word "Jayakarta" which translates as "victorious deed", "complete act", or "complete victory".<br />
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Established in the fourth century, the city became an important trading port for the Kingdom of Sunda. It grew as the capital of the colonial Dutch East Indies. It was made capital of Indonesia when the country became independent after World War II. It was formerly known as Sunda Kelapa (397–1527), Jayakarta (1527–1619), Batavia (1619–1942), and Djakarta (1942–1972).<br />
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Landmarks include the National Monument and Istiqlal Mosque. The city is the seat of the ASEAN Secretariat. Jakarta is served by the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, and Tanjung Priok Harbour; it is connected by several intercity and commuter railways, and served by several bus lines running on reserved busways.<br />
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<b>Kota or kotamadya (cities) of Jakarta</b><br />
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Officially, Jakarta is not a city, but a province with special status as the capital of Indonesia. It has a governor (instead of a mayor), and is divided into several sub-regions with their own administrative systems. As a province, the official name of Jakarta is Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta ("Special Capital City District of Jakarta"), which in Indonesian is abbreviated to DKI Jakarta.<br />
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Jakarta is divided into five kota or kotamadya ("cities" - formerly municipalities), each headed by a mayor, and one regency (kabupaten) headed by a regent. In August 2007, Jakarta held its first ever election to choose a governor, whereas previously the city's governors were appointed by local parliament. The poll is part of a country-wide decentralization drive, allowing for direct local elections in several areas.<br />
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The cities/municipalities of Jakarta are:<br />
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* Central Jakarta (Jakarta Pusat, formerly 'Weltevreden') is Jakarta's smallest city and home to most of Jakarta's administrative and political center. It is characterized by large parks and Dutch colonial buildings. Landmarks include the National Monument (Monas), the Istiqlal Mosque, and museums.<br />
* West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat) has the highest concentration of small-scale industries in Jakarta. The area includes Jakarta's Chinatown and landmarks include the Chinese Langgam building and the Toko Merah building. West Jakarta contains part of the Jakarta Old Town.<br />
* South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan), originally planned as a satellite city, is now the location of large upscale shopping centers and affluent residential areas. Jakarta Selatan functions as Jakarta's ground water buffer,[31] but recently the green belt areas are threatened by new developments. Much of the CBD area of Jakarta is concentrated in Setia Budi, South Jakarta, bordering the Tanah Abang/Sudirman area of Central Jakarta.<br />
* East Jakarta (Jakarta Timur) territory is characterized by several industrial sectors erected in this city.There are also still some areas of swamps and rice fields in this city.<br />
* North Jakarta (Jakarta Utara) is the only city in Jakarta that is bounded by the sea (Java Sea). It is the location of the Tanjung Priok Port. Big-scale and medium-scale industries are concentrated in North Jakarta. North Jakarta contains the location of Jakarta Old Town, formerly known as Batavia since the 17th century, and was a center of VOC trade activity in Dutch East Indies. Also located in North Jakarta is Ancol Dreamland (Taman Impian Jaya Ancol), currently the largest integrated tourism area in South East Asia.<br />
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The only regency (kabupaten) of Jakarta is:<br />
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* Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu), formerly a subdistrict of North Jakarta, is a collection of 105 small islands located on Java Sea. It has a high conservation value because of its unique and special ecosystems. Marine tourism, such as diving, water bicycle, and wind surfing, is the most important touristic activity in this territory. The main transportation between these islands are speed boat or small ferries<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Jakarta's Cities/Municipalities (Kota Administrasi/Kotamadya)</b></div><table class="wikitable sortable" id="sortable_table_id_0"><caption> </caption><tbody>
<tr><th>City/Regency</th> <th width="90">Area (km<sup>2</sup>)</th> <th style="width: 100px;">Total population (registered)(2007)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Statistics_34-0"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=768610196308204249#cite_note-Statistics-34"></a></sup></th> <th style="width: 100px;">Total population (2007)</th> <th style="width: 100px;">Population Density (km<sup>2</sup>)</th> </tr>
<tr style="text-align: right;"> <th>South Jakarta</th> <td>141.27</td> <td>1,730,680</td> <td>2,100,930</td> <td>14,872</td> </tr>
<tr style="text-align: right;"> <th>East Jakarta</th> <td>188.03</td> <td>2,159,785</td> <td>2,421,419</td> <td>12,878</td> </tr>
<tr style="text-align: right;"> <th>Central Jakarta</th> <td>48.13</td> <td>880,286</td> <td>889,680</td> <td>18,485</td> </tr>
<tr style="text-align: right;"> <th>West Jakarta</th> <td>129.54</td> <td>1,562,837</td> <td>2,172,878</td> <td>16,774</td> </tr>
<tr style="text-align: right;"> <th>North Jakarta</th> <td>146.66</td> <td>1,200,958</td> <td>1,453,106</td> <td>9,908</td> </tr>
<tr style="text-align: right;"> <th>Thousand Islands</th> <td>8.7</td> <td>19,915</td> <td>19,980</td> <td>2,297<br />
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<b>Government</b><br />
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In September 1945, the government of Jakarta City was changed from the Japanese Djakarta Toku-Betsu Shi into the Jakarta National Administration. This first government was held by a Mayor until the end of 1960 when the office was changed to that of a Governor. The last mayor of Jakarta was Sudiro, until he was replaced by Dr Sumarno as Governor.<br />
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In 1974, Based on the Act No. 5 of 1974 relating to the Fundamentals of Regional Government, Jakarta was confirmed as the capital city of Indonesia and one of Indonesia's 26 provinces.<br />
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<b>Geography</b><br />
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Jakarta is located on the northwest coast of Java, at the mouth of the Ciliwung River on Jakarta Bay, which is an inlet of the Java Sea. Officially, the area of the Jakarta Special District is 662 km2 of land area and 6,977 km2 of sea area. Jakarta lies in a low, flat basin, averaging 7 metres (23 ft) above sea level; 40% of Jakarta, particularly the northern areas, is below sea level, while the southern parts are comparatively hilly. Rivers flow from the Puncak highlands to the south of the city, across the city northwards towards the Java Sea; the most important is the Ciliwung River, which divides the city into the western and eastern principalities. Other rivers include the Pesanggrahan, and Sunter.<br />
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These rivers, combined with Jakarta's low topography make it prone to flooding from swollen rivers in the wet season and high sea tides. Other contributing factors include clogged sewage pipes and waterways that service an increasing population, in addition to deforestation near rapidly urbanizing Bogor and Depok in Jakarta's hinterland. Furthermore, Jakarta is an urban area with complex socio-economic problems that indirectly contribute to triggering a flood event. Major floods occurred in 1996 when 5,000 hectares of land were flooded and 2007. Losses from infrastructure damage and state revenue were at least 5.2 trillion rupiah (572 million US dollars) and at least 85 people were killed [43] and about 350,000 people forced from their homes. Approximately 70% of Jakarta's total area was flooded with water up to four meters deep in parts of the city.<br />
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The Thousand Islands, which are administratively a part of Jakarta, are located in Jakarta Bay north of the city.<br />
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<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Climate">Climate</span></h3>Jakarta has a hot and humid tropical wet and dry climate (Aw) according to the Köppen climate classification system. Despite being located relatively close to the equator, the city has distinct wet and dry seasons. Wet seasons in Jakarta cover the majority of the year, running from November through June. The remaining four months forms the city’s dry season. Located in the western-part of Indonesia, Jakarta's wet season rainfall peak is January with average monthly rainfall of 385 millimetres (15.2 in), and its dry season low point is July with a monthly average of 31 millimetres (1.2 in).<br />
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<table class="wikitable collapsible" id="collapsibleTable0" style="font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.1em; margin: auto; text-align: center; width: 90%;"><tbody>
<tr> <th colspan="14"><span class="collapseButton"></span>Climate data for Jakarta</th> </tr>
<tr> <th>Month</th> <th>Jan</th> <th>Feb</th> <th>Mar</th> <th>Apr</th> <th>May</th> <th>Jun</th> <th>Jul</th> <th>Aug</th> <th>Sep</th> <th>Oct</th> <th>Nov</th> <th>Dec</th> <th style="border-left-width: medium;">Year</th> </tr>
<tr> <th height="16">Average high °C (°F)</th> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 68, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">31.5<br />
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(88.7)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 63, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">32.3<br />
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(90.1)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 62, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">32.5<br />
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(90.5)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 55, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">33.5<br />
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(92.3)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 55, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">33.5<br />
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(92.3)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 48, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">34.4<br />
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(93.9)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 56, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">33.3<br />
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(91.9)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 58, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">33.0<br />
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<br />
(91.4)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 65, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">32.0<br />
<br />
(89.6)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 67, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">31.7<br />
<br />
(89.1)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 70, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">31.3<br />
<br />
(88.3)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 65, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">32.0<br />
<br />
(89.6)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 66, 0); border-left-width: medium; color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">31.8<br />
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(89.2)</td> </tr>
<tr> <th height="16">Average low °C (°F)</th> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 119, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">24.2<br />
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(75.6)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 118, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">24.3<br />
<br />
(75.7)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 112, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">25.2<br />
<br />
<br />
(77.4)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 112, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">25.1<br />
<br />
(77.2)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 110, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">25.4<br />
<br />
(77.7)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 115, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">24.8<br />
<br />
(76.6)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 112, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">25.1<br />
<br />
(77.2)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 114, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">24.9<br />
<br />
(76.8)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 110, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">25.5<br />
<br />
(77.9)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 110, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">25.5<br />
<br />
(77.9)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 114, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">24.9<br />
<br />
(76.8)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 114, 0); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">24.9<br />
<br />
<br />
(76.8)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 113, 0); border-left-width: medium; color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">25.0<br />
<br />
(77)</td> </tr>
<tr> <th height="16">Precipitation mm (inches)</th> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 48); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">384.7<br />
<br />
(15.146)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 48); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">309.8<br />
<br />
<br />
(12.197)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(105, 105, 255); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">100.3<br />
<br />
(3.949)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 113); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">257.8<br />
<br />
(10.15)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(56, 56, 255); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">133.4<br />
<br />
(5.252)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(127, 127, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">83.1<br />
<br />
(3.272)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(209, 209, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">30.8<br />
<br />
(1.213)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">34.2<br />
<br />
(1.346)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(210, 210, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">29.0<br />
<br />
(1.142)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(205, 205, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">33.1<br />
<br />
(1.303)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 240); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">175.0<br />
<br />
<br />
(6.89)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(129, 129, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">84.0<br />
<br />
(3.307)</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(45, 45, 255); border-left-width: medium; color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">1,655.2<br />
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(65.165)</td> </tr>
<tr> <th height="16" style="font-size: 90%;">Avg. rainy days</th> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 189); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">26</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 239); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">20</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(69, 69, 255); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">15</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(25, 25, 255); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">18</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(94, 94, 255); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">13</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(38, 38, 255); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">17</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(193, 193, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">5</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 213); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">24</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(178, 178, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">6</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(143, 143, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">9</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 229); color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">22</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(106, 106, 255); color: black; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">12</td> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(59, 59, 255); border-left-width: medium; color: white; font-size: 85%; text-align: center;">187</td> </tr>
<tr> <td colspan="14" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center;"><i>Source: World Meteorological Organisation </i></td> </tr>
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<b>Culture</b><br />
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As the economic and political capital of Indonesia, Jakarta attracts many domestic immigrants who bring their various languages, dialects, foods and customs.<br />
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The Betawi (Orang Betawi, or "people of Batavia") is a term used to describe the descendants of the people living in and around Batavia and recognized as an ethnic group from around the 18th-19th century. The Betawi people are mostly descended from various Southeast Asian ethnic groups brought or attracted to Batavia to meet labor needs, and include people from different parts of Indonesia.[48] The language and Betawi culture are distinct from those of the Sundanese or Javanese. The language is mostly based on the East Malay dialect and enriched by loan words from Dutch, Portuguese, Sundanese, Javanese, Chinese, and Arabic. Nowadays, the Jakarta dialect (Bahasa Jakarta) used as a street language by people in Jakarta is loosely based on the Betawi language.<br />
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Betawi arts have a low profile in Jakarta and most Betawi have moved to the suburbs of Jakarta, displaced by new migrants. It is easier to find Java or Minang based wedding ceremonies rather than Betawi weddings in Jakarta. It is easier to find Javanese Gamelan instead of Gambang Kromong (a mixture between Betawi and Chinese music) or Tanjidor (a mixture between Betawi and Portuguese music) or Marawis (a mixture between Betawi and Yaman music). However, some festivals such as the Jalan Jaksa Festival or Kemang Festival include efforts to preserve Betawi arts by inviting artists to give performances.<br />
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There has been a Chinese community in Jakarta for many centuries. Officially, they make up 6% of the Jakartan population, although this number may be under-reported.<br />
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Jakarta has several performing art centers, such as the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) art center in Cikini, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta near Pasar Baru, Balai Sarbini in Plaza Semanggi area, Bentara Budaya Jakarta in Palmerah area, Pasar Seni (Art Market) in Ancol, and traditional Indonesian art performances at the pavilions of some Provinces in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. Traditional music is often found at high-class hotels, including Wayang and Gamelan performances. Javanese Wayang Orang performance can be found at Wayang Orang Bharata theater near Senen bus terminal. As the nation's largest city and capital, Jakarta has lured much national and regional talent who hope to find a greater audience and more opportunities for success.<br />
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Jakarta hosts several prestigious art and culture festivals, and exhibitions, such as the annual Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest), Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival, Jakarta Fashion Week, Jakarta Fashion & Food Festival (JFFF), Indonesia Creative Products and Jakarta Arts and Crafts exhibition. Flona Jakarta is a Flora and Fauna exhibition, held annually in August at Lapangan Banteng park featuring flowers, plant nurseries, and pets. The Jakarta Fair is held annually from mid June to mid July to celebrate the anniversary of the city and is largely centered around a trade fair. However this month-long fair also features entertainment, including arts and music performances by local bands and musicians.<br />
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Several foreign art and culture centers are also established in Jakarta, and mainly serve to promote culture and language through learning centers, libraries, and art galleries. Among these foreign art and cultural centers are Netherlands Erasmus Huis, UK British Council, France Centre Culturel Français, Germany Goethe-Institut, Japan Foundation, and The Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Center.<br />
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<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Cuisine">Cuisine</span></h3>Jakarta has a vast range of food available at hundreds of eating complexes located all over the city, frommodest street-side foodstalls and traveling vendors to the high-class expensive restaurants. The traditional Padang restaurants and low budget Javanese Warteg (Warung Tegal) foodstalls are ubiquitous in the capital. Next to a myriad of selection of Indonesian food and regional specialities from all over Indonesia, there is also international food, especially Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian, American, French, Middle Eastern, and modern fusion food.[51] One of the most popular local dishes in Jakarta is Soto Betawi, which is a cow milk or coconut milk broth with beef tendons, intestines, tripe. The other popular foods are kerak telor, gado-gado, sate, and kue cucur.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-25456181855555233122011-07-01T18:29:00.002+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.873+07:00about Indonesia<h1>about Indonesia</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmtmpufWFv_wplt76VofQa5t1AI4btF9_GYCTvE5Fr87CBeaJMM86jPT8iACRuBH1GoblnTkt4T_N0bJeT7kUtBwFJ_BuG07TWOhZszMkoKms6GDoGFwGT_zQ5FT718MjsKmjxy3r5c8/s1600/about-indonesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmtmpufWFv_wplt76VofQa5t1AI4btF9_GYCTvE5Fr87CBeaJMM86jPT8iACRuBH1GoblnTkt4T_N0bJeT7kUtBwFJ_BuG07TWOhZszMkoKms6GDoGFwGT_zQ5FT718MjsKmjxy3r5c8/s320/about-indonesia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia comprises 17,508 islands and thirty three provinces. With over 238 million people, it is the world's fourth most populous country, and has the world's largest population of Muslims. Indonesia is a republic, with an elected legislature and president. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Indonesia is a founding member of ASEAN and a member of the G-20 major economies. The Indonesian economy is the world's eighteenth largest economy by nominal GDP and fifteenth largest by purchasing power parity.<br />
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The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade region since at least the 7th century, when Srivijaya and then later Majapahit traded with China and India. Local rulers gradually absorbed foreign cultural, religious and political models from the early centuries CE, and Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished. Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. Muslim traders brought Islam, and European powers brought Christianity and fought one another to monopolize trade in the Spice Islands of Maluku during the Age of Discovery. Following three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia secured its independence after World War II. Indonesia's history has since been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, corruption, separatism, a democratization process, and periods of rapid economic change.<br />
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Across its many islands, Indonesia consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The Javanese are the largest—and the politically dominant—ethnic group. Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined by a national language, ethnic diversity, religious pluralism within a majority Muslim population, and a history of colonialism including rebellion against it. Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" ("Unity in Diversity" literally, "many, yet one"), articulates the diversity that shapes the country. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world's second highest level of biodiversity. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet poverty remains widespread in contemporary Indonesia<br />
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<h2>Etymology about Indonesia</h2><br />
The name Indonesia derives from the Latin Indus, and the Greek nesos, meaning "island". The name dates to the 18th century, far predating the formation of independent Indonesia. In 1850, George Windsor Earl, an English ethnologist, proposed the terms Indunesians — and, his preference, Malayunesians — for the inhabitants of the "Indian Archipelago or Malayan Archipelago". In the same publication, a student of Earl's, James Richardson Logan, used Indonesia as a synonym for Indian Archipelago. However, Dutch academics writing in East Indies publications were reluctant to use Indonesia. Instead, they used the terms Malay Archipelago (Maleische Archipel); the Netherlands East Indies (Nederlandsch Oost Indië), popularly Indië; the East (de Oost); and even Insulinde.<br />
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From 1900, the name Indonesia became more common in academic circles outside the Netherlands, and Indonesian nationalist groups adopted it for political expression. Adolf Bastian, of the University of Berlin, popularized the name through his book Indonesien oder die Inseln des Malayischen Archipels, 1884–1894. The first Indonesian scholar to use the name was Suwardi Suryaningrat (Ki Hajar Dewantara), when he established a press bureau in the Netherlands with the name Indonesisch Pers-bureau in 1913.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-52427370738449379002011-07-01T18:29:00.001+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.874+07:00Indonesia weather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbx_YP_33DcEJFIcH7QafSyMES_tMDBPGbEx200e2YE7jPSO13aXVcPgXle7DfNc6fn_Gn2T9J61tkk9vs3QMaGzJItwD3Ma-D0urzzEWec4BwTgsfr8bxn49LSkvishrH9MhvytPXZw/s1600/indonesia+weather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbx_YP_33DcEJFIcH7QafSyMES_tMDBPGbEx200e2YE7jPSO13aXVcPgXle7DfNc6fn_Gn2T9J61tkk9vs3QMaGzJItwD3Ma-D0urzzEWec4BwTgsfr8bxn49LSkvishrH9MhvytPXZw/s320/indonesia+weather.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Straddling the equator, Indonesia tends to have a fairly even climate year-round. Rather than four seasons, Indonesia has two – wet and dry – and there are no extremes of winter and summer.<br />
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In most parts of Indonesia, the wet season falls between October and April (low season), and the dry season between May and September (high season). Rain tends to come in sudden tropical downpours, but it can also rain nonstop for days. In some parts of the country, such as Kalimantan, the difference between the seasons is slight – the dry season just seems to be slightly hotter and slightly drier than the wet season. In other areas, such as Nusa Tenggara, the differences are very pronounced, with droughts in the dry season and floods in the wet.<br />
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Though travel in the wet season is not usually a major problem in most parts of Indonesia, mud-clogged back roads can be a deterrent. The best time to visit is in the dry season. The ‘wet’ starts to descend in October and varies in intensity across the archipelago. The December to February rains can make travel prohibitive in Nusa Tenggara, when rough seas either cancel (or sink) ferries, and roads on Flores are washed out. Parts of Papua are also inaccessible. The rains shift in Sumatra, peaking from October to January in the north, and from January to February in the south. But seasonal change makes little difference in Bali, and in Kalimantan higher water levels from December to February improve access to rivers and small tributaries.<br />
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In most cases, experiencing an Indonesian festival is reason enough to head to a destination. Some are so significant, however, that they can generate difficult conditions for travellers. Tana Toraja’s funeral season boosts Rantepao’s population, and hotel prices, substantially during July and August. In Java it’s a good idea to avoid the final days of Idul Fitri, when public transport is mayhem and some businesses close.<br />
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A tragic drop in tourist hordes means that Indonesia’s ‘high season’ no longer presents the same kind of bother it once did. The December–January Christmas holiday period and the school holidays still brings a wave of migratory Australians, and Europeans head to Bali, Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi in July and August. But climatic impediments aside, pretty much any time is a good time to head to Indonesia at the moment.<br />
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The main Indonesian holiday periods are the end of Ramadan, when domestic tourists fill resorts and prices escalate; Christmas; and mid-June to mid-July, when graduating high-school students take off by the busload to various tourist attractions, mainly in Java and Bali.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com96tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-10020589542099817362011-04-16T23:43:00.000+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.875+07:00Borobudur : A Wonder of Indonesia History<div class="section"><h3>Description</h3><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="" height="164" src="http://www.indonesia.travel/media/images/upload/poi/bor5.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 5px;" width="250" />The magnificent Borobudur temple is the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, an ancient site widely considered to be one of the world’s seven wonders. Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty, the temple’s design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian. This awe inspiring monument is truly a marvel. After a visit here you will understand why it is Indonesia’s most visited tourist attraction and a famous icon of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.</div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Located on the island of Java, the temple sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. It covers an enormous area, measuring 123 x 123 meters. The monument is a marvel of design, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The architecture and stonework of this temple has no equal. And it was built without using any kind of cement or mortar! The structure is like a set of massive interlocking Lego blocks held together without any glue.<br />
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The temple has remained strong even through ten centuries of neglect. It was rediscovered in 1815, buried under volcanic ash. In the 1970’s the Indonesian Government and UNESCO worked together to restore Borobudur to its former majesty The restoration took eight years to complete and today Borobudur is one of Indonesia and the world’s most valuable treasures.<br />
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The temple is decorated with stone carvings in bas-relief representing images from the life of Buddha. Commentators claim that this is the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit.<br />
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This monument is both a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The ten levels of the temple symbolize the three divisions of the religion’s cosmic system. As visitors begin their journey at the base of the temple, they make their way to the top of the monument through the three levels of Budhist cosmology, KÄmadhÄtu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness). As visitors walk to the top the monument guides the pilgrims past 1,460 narrative relief panels on the wall and the balustrades.<br />
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The whole monument itself resembles a giant stupa, but seen from above it forms a mandala. The great stupa at the top of the temple sits 40 meters above the ground. This main dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.<br />
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Historians suggest that the name of Borobudur comes from the Sanskrit ‘Vihara Buddha Uhr’ or the ‘Buddhist monastery on the hill’.</div><br />
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<div class="clear-left"> </div><div class="clear-left"><h3>To Stay</h3><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="" height="164" src="http://www.indonesia.travel/media/images/upload/poi/bor6.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 5px;" width="250" />As Borobudur is only a one hour drive from Jogjakarta, many visitors choose to stay in Jogja where there are a wide variety of hotels, from a simple bed & breakfast to starred hotels. Just look at our Travel Directory to search for hotels in DI Yogyakarta.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For visitors who want to stay as close as possible to the magnificent Borobudur temple there are other accommodation options. Standing high amidst the Menoreh Hills with some truly stunning views of Borobudur, the Amanjiwo hotel is a majestic building and almost a tourist attraction in its own right. Located only 3 km / 2 miles to the South of Borobudur the Amanjiwo is a luxury hotel where guests enjoy exclusive suites with private swimming pools.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Alternatively, there are hotels perched in the nearby beautiful highlands of Magelang. Magelang hotels are approximately 20 km/12 miles north of the Borobudur Temple. One of the most impressive hotels in this area is the Losari Coffee Plantation, which offers villa-style accommodation where the verandahs overlook some impressive views of the nearby volcanoes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><h3>To Eat</h3><br />
<img alt="" height="160" src="http://www.indonesia.travel/media/images/upload/jog%201.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 7px 4px;" width="124" />Jogjakarta is the best place to go to sample some delicious local specialties. Gudeg is one of them. This dish is made of young jackfruit with traditional herbs, sometimes with eggs and chicken. Cow's inner skin, cooked until tender, usually accompanies gudeg with steamed rice. Most traditional restaurants in Jogjakarta sell this specialty.<br />
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<div class="section"><h3>Get Around</h3><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The best way to explore this site is on foot. As you climb to the top of this magnificent temple you will marvel at the intricate detailed stone carvings displayed on the temples walls. You will certainly miss a great experience if you visit this enormous temple without learning about its history and importance which are captured on its many reliefs.<br />
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Guides are available for around Rp 50 thousand. This is a wise investment as a guide will be able to walk you around the site and explain the history of the temple, beginning with its construction during the Syailendra dynasty. The stone carvings attached to the temple display legends and stories which have great philosophical significance. <br />
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For visitors with children, don’t miss the massive green grass area surrounding the Borobudur site.<br />
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You may choose to walk through Green Park from the entrance. Many vendors will offer you souvenirs and other knick knacks as you walk through this area, however there are regulations in place to prevent them from disturbing visitors.</div><br />
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<div class="clear-left"> </div><div class="clear-left"><h3>Get There</h3><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="" height="164" src="http://www.indonesia.travel/media/images/upload/poi/bor2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 5px;" width="250" />Borobudur is only one hour’s drive from Yogyakarta. The easiest way to get there is by joining a tour or renting a car.<br />
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During your journey to Borobudur, enjoy the fresh cool air of Magelang city with its roads lined with big shady trees. Borobudur itself stands tall against the spectacular backdrop of the Menoreh mountain range that surrounds it.<br />
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Entering the temple compound is easy and most visitors choose to wander around on foot. Alternatively you can chart a cart (pulled by a horse) at a reasonable price. <br />
Alternatively, cruise passengers who disembark at Semarang can take a day tour driving through Wonosobo to Borobudur. </div><div class="section"><h3>Tips</h3><br />
<ul><li>Held once a year during a full moon in May, the V<a href="http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/233/Borobudur/article/7/" target="_blank">esak (Waisak) festival</a> attracts many pilgrims and visitors. This is a Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha. If you’re interested in cultural festivals, this is an ideal time to visit Borobudur. </li>
</ul><ul><li>Dress respectfully in light and comfortable clothes. </li>
</ul><ul><li>Hire a licensed tour guide, so you'll get better information. </li>
</ul><ul><li>During a dry season, you should wear a hat or an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun or the occasional shower. You can rent one for around Rp2,000 (about US $0.18) </li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.indonesia.travel/media/images/upload/bromo%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="right" alt="" border="0" height="202" hspace="7" src="http://cdn.indonesia.travel/media/images/upload/bromo%202.jpg" vspace="4" width="300" /></a></div>While it may be small when measured against other volcanoes in Indonesia, the magnificent Mt Bromo will not disappoint with its spectacular views and dramatic landscapes. At 2392 meters tall, Mt Bromo is not among the tallest of Indonesia’s mountains but its stunning beauty lies in its incredible setting. <br />
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From a vantage point on Mount Penanjakan (2,770 meters above sea level) visitors from around the world come to see the sunrise over Mt Bromo. From this spot the vista is magnificent. All you will hear is the click of cameras as visitors snap their camera’s hoping to capture the incredible scene of Mt Bromo in the foreground with Mt Semeru smoking in the distance and the sun shining brightly, quickly rising in the sky. <br />
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The eerie landscape has spurned countless legends and myths. Mt Bromo has particular significance for the Tengger people who believe that this was the site where a brave prince sacrificed his life for his family. The people here appease the Gods once a year during the annual Kasada festival where offerings of vegetables, chickens and money are thrown into the crater of the volcano.<br />
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<h3>To Stay</h3><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">There are a number of guesthouses and basic hotels located around Mt Bromo. The Bromo Guest House is located at Ngadisari that lies 3 km from the crater rim. Or you can choose other hotels at Cemoro Lawang because it this situated at the crater rim.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Visitors can also stay at Tretes, Pasuruan or in Malang, the nearest towns to Bromo, and cool mountain resorts, where there are a number of good hotels with spectacular views on Mt. Semeru and Mt.Arjuna. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><h3>To Eat</h3><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border: medium none;">If you forget to bring food, the restaurants near Mount Bromo open from 3 am. They generally provide various types of Indonesian traditional dishes such as Ketoprak, fried rice, Rujak Cingur, Bandrek, etc</div></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="section" style="border: medium none;"><h3>Get There</h3><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none;">To reach Mount Bromo, you can fly to Juanda international airport in Surabaya. There are direct flights to Surabaya from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hongkong, Jakarta and Bali.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sriwijaya Air flies twice daily from Jakarta to Malang.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border: medium none;">From there, continue your journey to Mount Bromo by booking with a travel agent, or driving the Surabaya-Pasuruan-Wonokitri-Mount Bromo route. The journey will take 2 to 3 hours. It is best for you to leave Surabaya at 23:00-24:00 in order to arrive in time for sunrise. Or you can stay overnight at one of the hotels at Prigen, Tretes, .to make sure that you are on the crater rim before sunrise.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ponies can take you across the sand sea to the bottom of the steep stairs that leads to the crater. </div><br />
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</div><h3 style="border: medium none;">Tips</h3><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border: medium none;">The temperature at Mt Bromo ranges from 3 to 20 degrees Celsius but the temperature may be several degrees below zero during the dry season. If you can’t stand cold weather, you should bring a jacket, gloves and a head cover or cap. After the sun rises, the weather becomes hot pretty fast.</div></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">Don't forget to bring a camera or handycam so you can capture the natural beauty.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-26460156526367543312011-04-16T21:49:00.003+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.877+07:00Tana Toraja : Land of Heavenly KingsSafely protected beyond the lofty mountains and rugged granite cliffs of the central highlands of the island of Sulawesi, are the Toraja people who live in valleys that are lush with green rice terraces and fertile coffee plantations. <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">“Discovered” and opened to the world from their long isolation only since the beginning of the last century, the Toraja today still adhere to their age-old beliefs, rituals and traditions, although many of her people are modernized or have embraced Christianity.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When one travels to the Tana Toraja highlands, therefore, expect to be awed by the spectacular beauty of nature, at the same time experience how communities have through the ages sustained their beliefs and traditions in splendid isolation in order to survive this eternal cycle of life and death on earth. <br />
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The road from Makassar to Toraja runs along the coast for about 130 km's and then hits the mountains. After the entrance to Tana Toraja at the market village of Mebali one enters a majestic landscape of giant, gray granites and stones and blue mountains afar that form a sharp contrast with the lively green of the fertile, rain-fed terraces and the rusty red of the tropical soil. This is Tana Toraja, one of the most splendid areas in Indonesia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here, the nobility of Toraja are believed to be descendents of heavenly beings who came down by a heavenly stairway to live here on earth in this beautiful landscape. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">And to keep up the energy of the land and its people, the Toraja people believe that these must be sustained through rituals that celebrate both life and death, which are attached to the agricultural seasons. Here rituals in connection with life are strictly separated from death rites.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Toraja is most well known for its elaborate funeral ceremonies that can take days and involve entire villages. These are not only moments for mourning but are moreover events to renew family ties and to ensure continued unity among villages and communities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Death ceremonies, however, are held only after the last rice harvest is in and cleared, which is normally between July to September, while ceremonies celebrating life are held in conjunction with the planting season which starts in October. These timings are possible since the dead are not buried immediately but are kept for months, sometimes for years, in the ancestral house until time and funds allow for a proper funeral.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tourists to Toraja, therefore, are either attracted by its unique culture and rituals, most of which are mostly centered around graves and death ceremonies. While others prefer to avoid the morbid images and go trekking through the spectacular, almost untouched Toraja countryside visiting remote villages, or exhilarate in rafting the Sa’dan river rapids. <br />
Capital of Toraja is Makale but visitors usually head to the town of Rantepao, heart of Tana Toraja – the Land of the Toraja people.</div>Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-79419505368011673012011-03-24T03:25:00.000+07:002011-07-05T16:49:54.321+07:00NANGROE ACEH DARUSSALAM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuuvRmqT_YlQme7D9XcsJ-nztuP2H8GlFPVhxHuL6MXm3WQOULKnY2LqR1vsQ9ct_aPzXmjlLmH__D-3tSs9Le1dqzHEx214ES77xZ7YS1EVRpBNOAKdz40CI2kv9-2DB8yXNzSinnPs/s1600/aceh-MesjidBaiturRachman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuuvRmqT_YlQme7D9XcsJ-nztuP2H8GlFPVhxHuL6MXm3WQOULKnY2LqR1vsQ9ct_aPzXmjlLmH__D-3tSs9Le1dqzHEx214ES77xZ7YS1EVRpBNOAKdz40CI2kv9-2DB8yXNzSinnPs/s320/aceh-MesjidBaiturRachman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Aceh is rich of events, attraction and unique cultures that it will fascinate anyone. Aceh is also rich in natural beauty, waves and sea garden, which is suitable for diving. Some of most beautiful Aceh tourism and historical sites and beaches have been damaged by the massive earthquake and Dec '04 Tsunami. The name of Aceh Darussalam is come from Aceh language means the welfare and peace Aceh country. Aceh is located in the Northwestern of Sumatra Island with the area of approximately 57,365.57 km square or 12.26 % of size of Sumatra Island. It consists of 119 islands, 73 major rivers and 2 lakes.<br />
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Geographically<br />
Aceh is surrounded by:<br />
North side: Malacca Strait<br />
East Side: North Sumatra Province<br />
South and the west Side: Indian Ocean.<br />
The capital of Aceh is Banda Aceh. The Special Province of Aceh with its area of 57, 365.57 square kilometers covering 1.17 per cent of Indonesia is situated at the northern tip of Sumatra Island, between latitudes 2<N-6°N and longitudes 95°E-98°E.<br />
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In the central part of this province runs Bukit Barisan Mountain ranges with Tangse, Gayo, and Alas uplands. Also, there are several mountains found in the region such as Pasee Mountain with its peak, Geureudong" (2,595 m), and Peut Sagoe (2,708 m), Gayo Mountain range with its peak Burni Telong (2,566 m), and Ucap Malu Mountain range (3,187 m). Other mountains include: Alas mountain with its peak Abong-abong (3,015 m) Leuser (3,466 m), Aceh" Raya Mountain range with its peak Seulawah Agam, (1,762 m) and Seulawah Inong Mountain (868 m).<br />
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The area also has several lakes such as Laut Tawar Lake in Central Aceh with an area of 60 square kilometers and a height of 1,225 meters above sea level, and also lake Aneuk Laot in Sabang (Weh Island).<br />
Besides the mountains and lakes, there are also several major and lesser rivers, which run into both of Malacca Strait or into the Indonesian Ocean. Among the rivers running into Malacca Straits are: Krueng Aceh (Aceh River) in the Greater Aceh Regency, Krueng Peusangan and Krueng Jambo Aye in North Aceh Regency, Krueng Baro in Pidie Regency, and Krueng Peureulak and Krueng Tamiang in East Aceh Regency; The rivers running to the Indonesian Qcean are Krueng Teunom and Krueng Meureubo in West Aceh Regency, Krueng Kluet, Krueng Simpang Kiri and Krueng Simpang Kanan in South Aceh Regency.<br />
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On the west and south coasts, there are both large and small islands, some of which are inhabited and others, which are uninhabited. These islands are Weh Island, Breuh Island, Nasi Island, Simeulue Island and Tuangke Island (Banyak Island).<br />
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Weather & Climate<br />
The dry season in Aceh usually lasts from March through August. The rainy season starts in September to last until February. The average annual rainfall ranges from 2,000 mm to 3,000 mm, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30° Celsius. In the highlands, the average temperature is 200 Celsius. The amount of rainfall varies between all parts of Aceh. The western and southern coasts have more rainfall than the other parts. The weather along the coastal areas is usually warm. In the mountains tend to be cooler. The humidity varies from 65 to 75 percent. The wind from the west begins in June through November while the wind from the east begins in December through May.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-82015117486382547612011-03-07T00:26:00.000+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.880+07:00the eateries of Indonesia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHdlxRylTeoAmVliOJw6byf0H7qJFLUR2taO5gEKyprfb9X1b7QooA8NmSQKlGerFqmHW6BMbAnFY_f3W83Fk_pszBwxJX0WKtAYvd893PaFham-YGsq6zd7u4tu4mD3SjSpE30mc8S4/s1600/eateries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHdlxRylTeoAmVliOJw6byf0H7qJFLUR2taO5gEKyprfb9X1b7QooA8NmSQKlGerFqmHW6BMbAnFY_f3W83Fk_pszBwxJX0WKtAYvd893PaFham-YGsq6zd7u4tu4mD3SjSpE30mc8S4/s320/eateries.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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You’re never far away from good food in Indonesia, especially in cities where there are eateries on almost every street. Even the streets devoid of food during the day can be enveloped in cooking aromas by nightfall, as makeshift kitchens are set up in car parks and on footpaths. And then there are the roving vendors beckoning from the street and bringing delicious food to your doorstep.<br />
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To eat and drink in Indonesia is a never-ending adventure. Hungry or not you’ll be tempted by strange foods, waylaid by exotic aromas and entranced by new flavours. And then there are the people, all 200 million of them, delighted to see you venturing beyond the world of bread and milk. “You can eat spicy food”, they’ll say surprised. “You like durian”, they’ll say amazed. “You’re ordering another avocado juice”, they’ll say perplexed. As it is everywhere, food here is a conversation starter. Dining out on Indonesian streets is a social affair and you’ll share bench space with families, soldiers, students and solicitors all bound in the hunt for good food.<br />
Bakul (Streetside Traders)<br />
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Let’s start with the basics. There may be no place to sit, no kitchen in sight, yet a full meal appears in front of you like an epiphany. This scenario is played out every day across Indonesia as the nation’s cooks take to the streets looking for stomachs to fill. In early morning Central Java you’ll see old women in sarongs selling regional dishes like pecel (peanut sauce with spinach and beansprouts) to office workers and becak drivers. Once beckoned she’ll spread out her bundled goods on a bamboo tray and put together a meal from her collection of small bags and baskets. Her food is cheap – she doesn’t pay rent or wages – and is most often a taste of the region.<br />
Pikulan (Stick Sellers)<br />
<br />
Now here’s where the stereotypes really come to life. You know the classic image of someone carrying goods in two bundles connected by a stick over their shoulders? Well, that’s a pikulan and in Indonesia they’re used to carry food to sell. The pikulan can be an impressive contraption with a gas stove and wok on one side and ready-to-fry ingredients on the other. Some sell bakso (meatball soup), with stock on the boil at one end, ingredients and bowls at the other.<br />
Kaki-Lima (Roving Vendors)<br />
<br />
Kaki-lima are an essential part of the Indonesian culinary landscape; roving vendors; their carts usually consist of a work bench, a portable stove and a glass display cabinet for ingredients and for advertising their speciality dish or drink. Kaki-lima means ‘five legs’, for the three wheels on the cart and the two legs on the vendor. You’ll find any and every type of dish, drink and snack sold from a kaki-lima, but two favourites are sate and bakso. Some kaki-lima have a permanent location that they set up at every day until their stocks are depleted. Others roam the streets, tempting the hungry from their homes or places of work.<br />
Warung (Food Stalls)<br />
<br />
Although restaurants call themselves warung (similar to restaurants in the west calling themselves ‘the home-bake pantry cottage’), we define a warung as any eatery that offers a place to eat and shelter, but is disassembled after closure. As a result some of the best food will not be there when you want it, nevertheless a warung usually has a set time when it’s open for business. The classic warung consists of a long table sheltered by a tarpaulin roof and a screen hung to separate the diners from the streetside cacophony. Written on the screen is what is sold within – often no more than one or two dishes, so a warung will become famous for a specific dish. Although there’ll be a warung around at anytime of the day, they really come to life at night when more are set up along streets and in vacant lots to cater to the post-work hungry. Indonesia’s warung sell everything from regional dishes like Yogyakarta’s gudeg (jackfruit curry) to national favourites such as pecel lele (fried catfish).<br />
Warteg<br />
<br />
One exception to the warung impermanency rule is the warteg (short for warung Tegal), which is a simple yet permanent restaurant that sells a wide range of dishes at cheap prices. Tegal is a town in Java and, although the owner will probably be from there, the food available isn’t necessarily specific to the region. The warteg eateries are a good bet for vegetarians because meatless dishes, especially ones that are tofu or tempe based, are in abundance.<br />
Lesehan<br />
<br />
Lesehan refers more to seating arrangements than food. If you’re eating while sitting on a grass mat then you’re eating at a lesehan. The most famous place for lesehan are in Yogyakarta, where they are set up along Jalan Malioboro to cater to evening crowds (some open all day). Some restaurants have lesehan-style areas set up with low tables and mats for you to sloth on after stuffing your face.<br />
Rumah Makan (Restaurants)<br />
<br />
Sometimes the only difference between street stall and restaurant is that one closes for business by locking the door and the other folds up the roof. The most common restaurant meal, often called nasi campur or nasi rames (both meaning ‘mixed rice’), is the one you make with plain rice and a selection of other dishes. Where there’s food set out for all to see, you can be certain you’ll be choosing a selection yourself. This also gives you the chance to peruse the selection before committing yourself. The fact that the food is sitting out may send your hygiene warning system haywire, but this is how much restaurant and home-cooked Indonesian food is prepared, to be eaten that day at room temperature.<br />
<br />
For truly authentic flavours, try to find restaurants that serve dishes from the region you are in. This will be easy in Padang, as Padang restaurants are everywhere, but you may only get a chance to try Banjar food in Banjarmasin. Nevertheless in bigger towns there’ll be a smattering of eateries serving food from other areas, so you won’t have to go to Manado to try North Sulawesi cuisine.<br />
Rumah Makan Padang (Padang Restaurants)<br />
<br />
There’s at least one Padang restaurant, serving West Sumatran cuisine in every town in Indonesia. For a first-timer, a meal at a Padang restaurant can be a confusing affair. Firstly, all that food left in the window can’t be good for hygiene, and some of the dishes look like they were cooked with a blowtorch. Indeed Padang cuisine isn’t very photogenic, but it’s cooked to withstand a refrigerator-less environment. In fact some dishes, such as rendang (beef or buffalo coconut curry) are said to improve with age. The next stumbling block for the Padang virgin will be the fact that there isn’t a menu in sight. In a Padang restaurant they cut out the task of going through the ordering process – take a seat at any table and before you can say ‘I’ll have a side order of hokey-pokey ice cream’ one of the fellas will have scurried over and piled up your table with a selection of umpteen small dishes and rice. No need to shout ‘Waiter! I can’t eat this much!’ as here at a Padang restaurant you pay for what you eat. If you don’t touch the ikan bakar (grilled fish) you won’t pay for it, it’ll go back into the window display. Even if you taste the sauce that the gulai ayam (chicken in coconut curry) is served in and decide that it’s too spicy, it won’t be on the bill.<br />
Chinese Restaurants<br />
<br />
Although you’ll find many Chinese-influenced dishes in other restaurants, there are plenty of restaurants that serve specifically Chinese cuisine. Here you’ll no doubt get a decent nasi goreng, but you’ll also get a multitude of stirfries, steamed dishes, seafood, pork, cap cai (mixed vegetables), dishes in saus tiram (oyster sauce), asam manis (sweet & sour dishes) and noodles by the wok-load. Some Chinese restaurants are simple affairs offering clean, fresh noodle soups such as mie pangsit (wonton noodle soup). As with Chinese restaurants anywhere, the menu can be as long as the Palembang telephone directory.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-89154796559524899072011-03-06T23:58:00.004+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.881+07:00Indonesia Factbook<div center;="" class="separator" text-align:=""></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Introduction : Indonesia</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTkjFuii8F8zZqiWkseyYzwoQnzDT3d0cnlrSHYziuw2gYszk8RwacYIbiiiNh4a746GjyAo2EZEMlOFiokwFWnit_1iBSpcVxFHqbXnJgFV4rXPJZ7aQMc7FRFk3m6BrlP3IjbCEq-g/s1600/jakarta_indonesia_photo_minist_culture_and_tourism_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTkjFuii8F8zZqiWkseyYzwoQnzDT3d0cnlrSHYziuw2gYszk8RwacYIbiiiNh4a746GjyAo2EZEMlOFiokwFWnit_1iBSpcVxFHqbXnJgFV4rXPJZ7aQMc7FRFk3m6BrlP3IjbCEq-g/s320/jakarta_indonesia_photo_minist_culture_and_tourism_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div center;="" class="separator" style="text-align: center;" text-align:=""></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Background: </b> <br />
<br />
<br />
The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century; Japan occupied the islands from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender, but it required four years of intermittent negotiations, recurring hostilities, and UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to transfer sovereignty in 1949. Free and fair legislative elections took place in 1999 after decades of repressive rule. Indonesia is now the world's third most populous democracy, the world's largest archipelagic state, and home to the world's largest Muslim population. Current issues include: alleviating poverty, improving education, preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing economic and financial reforms, stemming corruption, holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations, addressing climate change, and controlling infectious diseases, particularly those of global and regional importance. In 2005, Indonesia reached a historic peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh, which led to democratic elections in Aceh in December 2006. Indonesia continues to face low intensity armed resistance by the separatist Free Papua Movement. <br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Geography :Indonesia</b></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
Location: <br />
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean <br />
<br />
<br />
Geographic coordinates: <br />
5 00 S, 120 00 E <br />
<br />
<br />
Map references: <br />
Southeast Asia <br />
<br />
<br />
Area: <br />
total: 1,904,569 sq km <br />
country comparison to the world: 16 <br />
land: 1,811,569 sq km <br />
water: 93,000 sq km <br />
<br />
<br />
Area - comparative: <br />
slightly less than three times the size of Texas <br />
<br />
<br />
Land boundaries: <br />
total: 2,830 km <br />
border countries: Timor-Leste 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km <br />
<br />
<br />
Coastline: <br />
54,716 km <br />
<br />
<br />
Maritime claims: <br />
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines <br />
territorial sea: 12 nm <br />
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm <br />
<br />
<br />
Climate: <br />
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands <br />
<br />
<br />
Terrain: <br />
mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains <br />
<br />
<br />
Elevation extremes: <br />
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m <br />
highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m <br />
<br />
<br />
Natural resources: <br />
petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver <br />
<br />
<br />
Land use: <br />
arable land: 11.03% <br />
permanent crops: 7.04% <br />
other: 81.93% (2005) <br />
<br />
<br />
Irrigated land: <br />
45,000 sq km (2003) <br />
<br />
<br />
Total renewable water resources: <br />
2,838 cu km (1999) <br />
<br />
<br />
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): <br />
total: 82.78 cu km/yr (8%/1%/91%) <br />
per capita: 372 cu m/yr (2000) <br />
<br />
<br />
Natural hazards:<br />
<br />
occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes; volcanoes; forest fires <br />
volcanism: Indonesia contains the most volcanoes of any country in the world - some 76 are historically active; significant volcanic activity occurs on Java, western Sumatra, the Sunda Islands, Halmahera Island, Sulawesi Island, Sangihe Island, and in the Banda Sea; Merapi (elev. 2,968 m, 9,737 ft), Indonesia's most active volcano and in eruption since 2010, has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Agung, Awu, Karangetang, Krakatau (Krakatoa), Makian, Raung, and Tambora <br />
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<br />
Environment - current issues: <br />
deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires <br />
<br />
<br />
Environment - international agreements: <br />
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands <br />
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation <br />
<br />
<br />
Geography - note: <br />
archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean <br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>People : Indonesia</b></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
Population: <br />
245,613,043 (July 2011 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 4 <br />
<br />
<br />
Age structure: <br />
0-14 years: 27.3% (male 34,165,213/female 32,978,841) <br />
15-64 years: 66.5% (male 82,104,636/female 81,263,055) <br />
65 years and over: 6.1% (male 6,654,695/female 8,446,603) (2011 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Median age: <br />
total: 28.2 years <br />
male: 27.7 years <br />
female: 28.7 years (2011 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Population growth rate: <br />
1.069% (2011 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 112 <br />
<br />
<br />
Birth rate: <br />
18.1 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 106 <br />
<br />
<br />
Death rate: <br />
6.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 156 <br />
<br />
<br />
Net migration rate: <br />
-1.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 153 <br />
<br />
<br />
Urbanization: <br />
urban population: 44% of total population (2010) <br />
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.) <br />
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<br />
Major cities - population: <br />
JAKARTA (capital) 9.121 million; Surabaya 2.509 million; Bandung 2.412 million; Medan 2.131 million; Semarang 1.296 million (2009) <br />
<br />
<br />
Sex ratio: <br />
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female <br />
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female <br />
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female <br />
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female <br />
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Infant mortality rate: <br />
total: 27.95 deaths/1,000 live births <br />
country comparison to the world: 72 <br />
male: 32.63 deaths/1,000 live births <br />
female: 23.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Life expectancy at birth: <br />
total population: 71.33 years <br />
country comparison to the world: 138 <br />
male: 68.8 years <br />
female: 73.99 years (2011 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Total fertility rate: <br />
2.25 children born/woman (2011 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 104 <br />
<br />
<br />
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: <br />
0.2% (2009 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 104 <br />
<br />
<br />
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: <br />
310,000 (2009 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 20 <br />
<br />
<br />
HIV/AIDS - deaths: <br />
8,300 (2009 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 27 <br />
<br />
<br />
Major infectious diseases: <br />
degree of risk: high <br />
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever <br />
vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever, and malaria <br />
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009) <br />
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<br />
Nationality: <br />
noun: Indonesian(s) <br />
adjective: Indonesian <br />
<br />
<br />
Ethnic groups: <br />
Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9% (2000 census) <br />
<br />
<br />
Religions: <br />
Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4% (2000 census) <br />
<br />
<br />
Languages: <br />
Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (the most widely spoken of which is Javanese) <br />
<br />
<br />
Literacy: <br />
definition: age 15 and over can read and write <br />
total population: 90.4% <br />
male: 94% <br />
female: 86.8% (2004 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): <br />
total: 13 years <br />
male: 13 years <br />
female: 13 years (2009) <br />
<br />
<br />
Education expenditures: <br />
3.5% of GDP (2007) <br />
country comparison to the world: 134 <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Government :Indonesia</b></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
Country name: <br />
conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia <br />
conventional short form: Indonesia <br />
local long form: Republik Indonesia <br />
local short form: Indonesia <br />
former: Netherlands East Indies, Dutch East Indies <br />
<br />
<br />
Government type: <br />
republic <br />
<br />
<br />
Capital: <br />
name: Jakarta <br />
geographic coordinates: 6 10 S, 106 49 E <br />
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) <br />
note: Indonesia is divided into three time zones <br />
<br />
<br />
Administrative divisions: <br />
30 provinces (provinsi-provinsi, singular - provinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat (West Java), Jawa Tengah (Central Java), Jawa Timur (East Java), Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan), Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan), Kalimantan Tengah (Central Kalimantan), Kalimantan Timur (East Kalimantan), Kepulauan Bangka Belitung (Bangka Belitung Islands), Kepulauan Riau (Riau Islands), Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara (North Maluku), Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara), Nusa Tenggara Timur (East Nusa Tenggara), Papua, Papua Barat (West Papua), Riau, Sulawesi Barat (West Sulawesi), Sulawesi Selatan (South Sulawesi), Sulawesi Tengah (Central Sulawesi), Sulawesi Tenggara (Southeast Sulawesi), Sulawesi Utara (North Sulawesi), Sumatera Barat (West Sumatra), Sumatera Selatan (South Sumatra), Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra), Yogyakarta* <br />
note: following the implementation of decentralization beginning on 1 January 2001, regencies and municipalities have become the key administrative units responsible for providing most government services <br />
<br />
<br />
Independence: <br />
17 August 1945 (declared); 27 December 1949 (by the Netherlands); note - in August 2005 the Netherlands announced that it had recognized de facto Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945 <br />
<br />
<br />
National holiday: <br />
Independence Day, 17 August (1945) <br />
<br />
<br />
Constitution: <br />
August 1945; abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959; series of amendments concluded in 2002 <br />
<br />
<br />
Legal system: <br />
based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures and election codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction <br />
<br />
<br />
Suffrage: <br />
17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age <br />
<br />
<br />
Executive branch: <br />
chief of state: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004); Vice President BOEDIONO (since 20 October 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government <br />
head of government: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004); Vice President BOEDIONO (since 20 October 2009) <br />
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president <br />
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) <br />
elections: president and vice president elected for five-year terms (eligible for a second term) by direct vote of the citizenry; election last held on 8 July 2009 (next to be held in 2014) <br />
election results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected president; percent of vote - Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO 60.8%, MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri 26.8%, Jusuf KALLA 12.4% <br />
<br />
<br />
Legislative branch: <br />
People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) is the upper house; it consists of members of the DPR and DPD and has role in inaugurating and impeaching the president and in amending the constitution but does not formulate national policy; House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (560 seats, members elected to serve five-year terms), formulates and passes legislation at the national level; House of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD), constitutionally mandated role includes providing legislative input to DPR on issues affecting regions (132 members, four from each of Indonesia's 30 provinces, two special regions, and one special capital city district) <br />
elections: last held on 9 April 2009 (next to be held in 2014) <br />
election results: percent of vote by party - PD 20.9%, GOLKAR 14.5%, PDI-P 14.0%, PKS 7.9%, PAN 6.0%, PPP 5.3%, PKB 4.9%, GERINDRA 4.5%, HANURA 3.8%, others 18.2%; seats by party - PD 148, GOLKAR 107, PDI-P 94, PKS 57, PAN 46, PPP 37, PKB 28, GERINDRA 26, HANURA 17 <br />
note: 29 other parties received less than 2.5% of the vote so did not obtain any seats; because of election rules, the number of seats won does not always follow the percentage of votes received by parties <br />
<br />
<br />
Judicial branch: <br />
Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung is the final court of appeal but does not have the power of judicial review (justices are appointed by the president from a list of candidates selected by the legislature); in March 2004 the Supreme Court assumed administrative and financial responsibility for the lower court system from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; Constitutional Court or Mahkamah Konstitusi (invested by the president on 16 August 2003) has the power of judicial review, jurisdiction over the results of a general election, and reviews actions to dismiss a president from office; Labor Court under supervision of Supreme Court began functioning in January 2006; the Anti-Corruption Court has jurisdiction over corruption cases brought by the independent Corruption Eradication Commission <br />
<br />
<br />
Political parties and leaders: <br />
Democrat Party or PD [Anas URANINGRUM]; Functional Groups Party or GOLKAR [Aburizal BAKRIE]; Great Indonesia Movement Party or GERINDRA [SUHARDI]; Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Muhaiman ISKANDAR]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Hatta RAJASA]; People's Conscience Party or HANURA [WIRANTO]; Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [Luthfi Hasan ISHAQ]; United Development Party or PPP [Suryadharma ALI] <br />
<br />
<br />
Political pressure groups and leaders: <br />
Commission for the "Disappeared" and Victims of Violence or KontraS; Indonesia Corruption Watch or ICW; Indonesian Forum for the Environment or WALHI; Islamic Defenders Front or FPI; People's Democracy Fortress or Bendera <br />
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<br />
International organization participation: <br />
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-20, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO <br />
<br />
<br />
Diplomatic representation in the US: <br />
chief of mission: Ambassador Dino Patti DJALAL <br />
chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 <br />
telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200 <br />
FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365 <br />
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco <br />
<br />
<br />
Diplomatic representation from the US: <br />
chief of mission: Ambassador Scot A. MARCIEL <br />
embassy: Jalan 1 Medan Merdeka Selatan 4-5, Jakarta 10110 <br />
mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520 <br />
telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000 <br />
FAX: [62] (21) 3435-9922 <br />
consulate(s) general: Surabaya <br />
<br />
<br />
Flag description: <br />
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; the colors derive from the banner of the Majapahit Empire of the 13th-15th centuries; red symbolizes courage, white represents purity <br />
note: similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red <br />
<br />
<br />
National anthem: <br />
name: "Indonesia Raya" (Great Indonesia) <br />
lyrics/music: Wage Rudolf SOEPRATMAN <br />
note: adopted 1945 <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Economy : Indonesia</span></b> <br />
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<br />
Economy - overview: <br />
Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, has weathered the global financial crisis relatively smoothly because of its heavy reliance on domestic consumption as the driver of economic growth. Increasing investment by both local and foreign investors is also supporting solid growth. Although the economy slowed to 4.5% growth in 2009 from the 6%-plus growth rate recorded in 2007 and 2008, by 2010 growth returned to a 6% rate. During the recession, Indonesia outperformed most of its regional neighbors. The government made economic advances under the first administration of President YUDHOYONO, introducing significant reforms in the financial sector, including tax and customs reforms, the use of Treasury bills, and capital market development and supervision. Indonesia's debt-to-GDP ratio in recent years has declined steadily because of increasingly robust GDP growth and sound fiscal stewardship, leading to credit ratings upgrades of Indonesia's sovereign debt to one notch below investment grade by two of the three leading credit agencies. Indonesia still struggles with poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, a complex regulatory environment, and unequal resource distribution among regions. YUDHOYONO and his vice president, respected economist BOEDIONO, have maintained broad continuity of economic policy, although the economic reform agendat has been slowed during the first year of their term by corruption scandals and the departure of an internationally respected finance minister. In late 2010, increasing inflation, driven by higher and volatile food prices, posed an increasing challenge to economic policymakers and threatened to push millions of the near-poor below the poverty line. The government in 2011 faces the ongoing challenge of improving Indonesia's infrastructure to remove impediments to growth, while addressing climate change concerns, particularly with regard to conserving Indonesia's forests and peatlands, the focus of a potentially trailblazing $1 billion REDD+ pilot project. <br />
<br />
<br />
GDP (purchasing power parity): <br />
$1.033 trillion (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 16 <br />
$974.6 billion (2009 est.) <br />
$932.6 billion (2008 est.) <br />
note: data are in 2010 US dollars <br />
<br />
<br />
GDP (official exchange rate): <br />
$695.1 billion (2010 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
GDP - real growth rate: <br />
6% (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 41 <br />
4.5% (2009 est.) <br />
6% (2008 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
GDP - per capita (PPP): <br />
$4,300 (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 156 <br />
$4,100 (2009 est.) <br />
$3,900 (2008 est.) <br />
note: data are in 2010 US dollars <br />
<br />
<br />
GDP - composition by sector: <br />
agriculture: 16.5% <br />
industry: 46.4% <br />
services: 37.1% (3rd quarter, 2010 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Labor force: <br />
116.5 million (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 5 <br />
<br />
<br />
Labor force - by occupation: <br />
agriculture: 38.3% <br />
industry: 12.8% <br />
services: 48.9% (2010 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Unemployment rate: <br />
7.1% (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 76 <br />
7.9% (2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Population below poverty line: <br />
13.33% (2010) <br />
<br />
<br />
Household income or consumption by percentage share: <br />
lowest 10%: 3% <br />
highest 10%: 32.3% (2006) <br />
<br />
<br />
Distribution of family income - Gini index: <br />
37 (2009) <br />
country comparison to the world: 78 <br />
39.4 (2005) <br />
<br />
<br />
Investment (gross fixed): <br />
32.5% of GDP (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 13 <br />
<br />
<br />
Budget: <br />
revenues: $119.5 billion <br />
expenditures: $132.9 billion (2011 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Public debt: <br />
26.4% of GDP (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 92 <br />
27.4% of GDP (2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Inflation rate (consumer prices): <br />
5.1% (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 147 <br />
4.8% (2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Central bank discount rate: <br />
6.37% (31 December 2010) <br />
country comparison to the world: 67 <br />
6.46% (31 December 2009) <br />
note: this figure repesents the 3-month SBI rate; BI has not employed the one-month SBI since September 2010 <br />
<br />
<br />
Commercial bank prime lending rate: <br />
13.29% (30 November 2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 50 <br />
14.5% (31 December 2009 est.) <br />
note: these figures represent the average annualized rate on working capital loans <br />
<br />
<br />
Stock of narrow money: <br />
$65.47 billion (31 December 2010 est) <br />
country comparison to the world: 42 <br />
$49.63 billion (31 December 2009 est) <br />
<br />
<br />
Stock of broad money: <br />
$276.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 31 <br />
$205.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Stock of domestic credit: <br />
$253.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 37 <br />
$192.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Market value of publicly traded shares: <br />
$361.2 billion (31 December 2010) <br />
country comparison to the world: 26 <br />
$178.2 billion (31 December 2009) <br />
$98.76 billion (31 December 2008) <br />
<br />
<br />
Agriculture - products: <br />
rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs <br />
<br />
<br />
Industries: <br />
petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism <br />
<br />
<br />
Industrial production growth rate: <br />
3.6% (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 94 <br />
<br />
<br />
Electricity - production: <br />
129 billion kWh (2008 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 27 <br />
<br />
<br />
Electricity - consumption: <br />
119.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 28 <br />
<br />
<br />
Electricity - exports: <br />
0 kWh (2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Electricity - imports: <br />
0 kWh (2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Oil - production: <br />
1.023 million bbl/day (2009 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 22 <br />
<br />
<br />
Oil - consumption: <br />
1.115 million bbl/day (2009 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 18 <br />
<br />
<br />
Oil - exports: <br />
322,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 37 <br />
<br />
<br />
Oil - imports: <br />
456,700 bbl/day (2009 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 27 <br />
<br />
<br />
Oil - proved reserves: <br />
4.05 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 28 <br />
<br />
<br />
Natural gas - production: <br />
85.7 billion cu m (2009 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 8 <br />
<br />
<br />
Natural gas - consumption: <br />
45.2 billion cu m (2008) <br />
country comparison to the world: 18 <br />
<br />
<br />
Natural gas - exports: <br />
33.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 7 <br />
<br />
<br />
Natural gas - imports: <br />
0 cu m (2008 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 172 <br />
<br />
<br />
Natural gas - proved reserves: <br />
3.001 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 14 <br />
<br />
<br />
Current account balance: <br />
$8.532 billion (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 26 <br />
$10.75 billion (2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Exports: <br />
$146.3 billion (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 30 <br />
$119.5 billion (2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Exports - commodities: <br />
oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber <br />
<br />
<br />
Exports - partners: <br />
Japan 17.28%, Singapore 11.29%, US 10.81%, China 7.62%, South Korea 5.53%, India 4.35%, Taiwan 4.11%, Malaysia 4.07% (2009) <br />
<br />
<br />
Imports: <br />
$111.1 billion (2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 30 <br />
$84.35 billion (2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Imports - commodities: <br />
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs <br />
<br />
<br />
Imports - partners: <br />
Singapore 24.96%, China 12.52%, Japan 8.92%, Malaysia 5.88%, South Korea 5.64%, US 4.88%, Thailand 4.45% (2009) <br />
<br />
<br />
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: <br />
$96.21 billion (31 December 2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 17 <br />
$66.12 billion (31 December 2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Debt - external: <br />
$196.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 30 <br />
$172.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: <br />
$81.21 billion (31 December 2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 43 <br />
$72.84 billion (31 December 2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: <br />
$33.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 36 <br />
$30.18 billion (31 December 2009 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Exchange rates: <br />
Indonesian rupiah (IDR) per US dollar - 9,169.5 (2010), 10,389.9 (2009), 9,698.9 (2008), 9,143 (2007), 9,159.3 (2006) <br />
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Communications ::Indonesia <br />
Telephones - main lines in use: <br />
33.958 million (2009) <br />
country comparison to the world: 9 <br />
<br />
<br />
Telephones - mobile cellular: <br />
159.248 million (2009) <br />
country comparison to the world: 6 <br />
<br />
<br />
Telephone system: <br />
general assessment: domestic service includes an interisland microwave system, an HF radio police net, and a domestic satellite communications system; international service good <br />
domestic: coverage provided by existing network has been expanded by use of over 200,000 telephone kiosks many located in remote areas; mobile-cellular subscribership growing rapidly <br />
international: country code - 62; landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks that provide links throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) <br />
<br />
<br />
Broadcast media: <br />
mixture of about a dozen national television networks - 2 public broadcasters, the remainder private broadcasters - each with multiple transmitters; more than 100 local TV stations operating; widespread use of satellite and cable TV systems; public radio broadcaster operates 6 national networks as well as regional and local stations; overall, more than 700 radio stations operating with more than 650 privately-operated (2008) <br />
<br />
<br />
Internet country code: <br />
.id <br />
<br />
<br />
Internet hosts: <br />
1.269 million (2010) <br />
country comparison to the world: 39 <br />
<br />
<br />
Internet users: <br />
20 million (2009) <br />
country comparison to the world: 22 <br />
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<br />
Transportation ::Indonesia <br />
Airports: <br />
684 (2010) <br />
country comparison to the world: 10 <br />
<br />
<br />
Airports - with paved runways: <br />
total: 171 <br />
over 3,047 m: 4 <br />
2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 <br />
1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 <br />
914 to 1,523 m: 64 <br />
under 914 m: 34 (2010) <br />
<br />
<br />
Airports - with unpaved runways: <br />
total: 513 <br />
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 <br />
914 to 1,523 m: 25 <br />
under 914 m: 484 (2010) <br />
<br />
<br />
Heliports: <br />
64 (2010) <br />
<br />
<br />
Pipelines: <br />
condensate 735 km; condensate/gas 73 km; gas 5,800 km; oil 5,721 km; oil/gas/water 12 km; refined products 1,370 km (2009) <br />
<br />
<br />
Railways: <br />
total: 8,529 km <br />
country comparison to the world: 26 <br />
narrow gauge: 8,529 km 1.067-m gauge (565 km electrified) (2008) <br />
<br />
<br />
Roadways: <br />
total: 437,759 km <br />
country comparison to the world: 14 <br />
paved: 258,744 km <br />
unpaved: 179,015 km (2008) <br />
<br />
<br />
Waterways: <br />
21,579 km (2011) <br />
country comparison to the world: 5 <br />
<br />
<br />
Merchant marine: <br />
total: 1,244 <br />
country comparison to the world: 8 <br />
by type: bulk carrier 95, cargo 601, chemical tanker 57, container 112, liquefied gas 17, passenger 47, passenger/cargo 76, petroleum tanker 214, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 12, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 8 <br />
foreign-owned: 61 (China 1, France 1, Greece 1, Japan 7, Malaysia 1, Norway 4, Singapore 42, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1, US 2) <br />
registered in other countries: 87 (Bahamas 2, Cambodia 2, Hong Kong 8, Liberia 4, Mongolia 2, Panama 14, Singapore 53, unknown 2) (2010) <br />
<br />
<br />
Ports and terminals: <br />
Banjarmasin, Belawan, Kotabaru, Krueg Geukueh, Palembang, Panjang, Sungai Pakning, Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Priok <br />
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<br />
Transportation - note: <br />
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift <br />
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Military ::Indonesia <br />
<br />
<br />
Military branches: <br />
Indonesian Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI): Army (TNI-Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD)), Navy (TNI-Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL); includes marines, naval air arm), Air Force (TNI-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU)), National Air Defense Command (Kommando Pertahanan Udara Nasional (Kohanudnas)) (2009) <br />
<br />
<br />
Military service age and obligation: <br />
18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year conscript service obligation, with reserve obligation to age 45 (officers); Indonesian citizens only (2008) <br />
<br />
<br />
Manpower available for military service: <br />
males age 16-49: 65,847,171 <br />
females age 16-49: 63,228,017 (2010 est.) <br />
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<br />
Manpower fit for military service: <br />
males age 16-49: 54,264,299 <br />
females age 16-49: 53,274,361 (2010 est.) <br />
<br />
<br />
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: <br />
male: 2,263,892 <br />
female: 2,191,267 (2010 est.) <br />
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<br />
Military expenditures: <br />
3% of GDP (2005 est.) <br />
country comparison to the world: 47 <br />
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Transnational Issues ::Indonesia <br />
Disputes - international: <br />
Indonesia has a stated foreign policy objective of establishing stable fixed land and maritime boundaries with all of its neighbors; some sections of border along Timor-Leste's Oecussi exclave and maritime boundaries with Timor-Leste remain unresolved; many refugees from Timor-Leste who left in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; a 1997 treaty between Indonesia and Australia settled some parts of their maritime boundary but outstanding issues remain; ICJ's award of Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia in 2002 left the sovereignty of Unarang rock and the maritime boundary in the Ambalat oil block in the Celebes Sea in dispute; the ICJ decision has prompted Indonesia to assert claims to and to establish a presence on its smaller outer islands; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea; maritime delimitation talks continue with Palau; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier Reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing and placed restrictions on certain catches <br />
<br />
<br />
Refugees and internally displaced persons: <br />
IDPs: 200,000-350,000 (government offensives against rebels in Aceh; most IDPs in Aceh, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi Provinces, and Maluku) (2007) <br />
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<br />
Illicit drugs: <br />
illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; producer of methamphetamine and ecstasy<br />
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</tbody></table>Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-21861413706749615132011-02-15T23:06:00.000+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.882+07:00Fauna of Indonesia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdga9FEEm9qFZFrFrcuX8cUbvKiRWQEiGY5ncniwZefPXIOM9fiKpxSpjNDi2IPU2oP8EaTdWgOZ2xRa95GKtaz-AaYE1OptqAvPim2tKBH23R4HqiCq8bDwrEiAoi2LKkslzokAvWAi4/s1600/tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdga9FEEm9qFZFrFrcuX8cUbvKiRWQEiGY5ncniwZefPXIOM9fiKpxSpjNDi2IPU2oP8EaTdWgOZ2xRa95GKtaz-AaYE1OptqAvPim2tKBH23R4HqiCq8bDwrEiAoi2LKkslzokAvWAi4/s1600/tiger.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The Fauna of Indonesia consists of a high level of biodiversity due to its vast-size and tropical archipelago make-up. Indonesia divides into two ecological regions; western Indonesia is more influenced by Asian fauna, and the east is more influenced by Australasian. The Wallace Line—in fact, more an area known as Wallacea—notionally divides these two regions. This unique blend of fauna in Indonesia is also affected by the diverse range of ecosystems, including beaches, sand dunes, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, sea grass beds, coastal mudflats, tidal flats, algal beds, and small island ecosystems.<br />
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Ecological issues have appeared in the nation due to the rapid industrialisation process and high population growth, resulting in lower priority level to preserve the ecosystems. The situation has worsened by illegal logging activity, in which resulting deforestation; while other problems, including high level of urbanisation, air pollution, garbage management and waste water services also contributing to the forest deterioration.<br />
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Origin of Indonesian fauna<br />
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The origin of fauna in Indonesia is heavily affected by geographical and geological events on the Asian continental landmass and the Australasian continental landmass (now Australia). The present New Guinea island was connected with the present Australia continent, forming a supercontinent called the southern supercontinent Gondwana. This supercontinent began to break up 140 million years ago, and the New Guinea region (previously known as Sahul) moved towards the equator. As a result, animals from New Guinea traveled to the Australian continent and vice versa, creating many different species living in different ecosystems. This activities continued to occur until the two regions separated completely.<br />
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The influence of the Asian continental landmass, on the other hand, was the result of the reformation of the Laurasia supercontinent, which existed after the breakup of Rodinia around 1 billion years ago. Around 200 million years ago, the Laurasia supercontinent split completely, forming Laurentia (now America) and Eurasia continents. The mainland of the Eurasia continent, including China, was not separated completely from the Indonesian archipelago. As a result, animals from the Eurasia mainland could travel to the archipelago, and, under a different ecosystems, new forms of species were formed.<br />
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In the nineteenth century, Alfred Russel Wallace proposed the idea of the Wallace Line, a notional line dividing the Indonesian archipelago into two regions, the Asian zoogeographical region (Sundaland) and the Australasian zoogeographical region (Wallacea). The line runs through the Malay Archipelago, between Borneo and Sulawesi (Celebes); and between Bali and Lombok. Although the distance from Bali to Lombok is relatively short, only about 35 kilometres, the fauna distribution is still affected by the line. For example, a group of birds would refuse to cross even the smallest stretches of open water. A second line, lying east, known as the Webber Line, has also been proposed to separate between "transition species" and species of Australian origin.<br />
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Sundaland<br />
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This includes Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the smaller surrounding islands, share similar characteristics with Asian fauna. During the ice age, after the Laurasia break up, the main Asian continent was connected with the Indonesian archipelago. Moreover, a low sea level enabled animals from the Asian mainland to migrate to Sundaland. As a result, large species such as tiger, rhinoceros, orangutan, elephant, and leopard exist in this region, although some species are categorised as endangered species. The Makassar Strait, between Borneo and Sulawesi, and the Lombok Strait, between Bali and Lombok, which is the Wallace Line separator, mark the end of the Sundaland region.<br />
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Mammals<br />
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Sundaland has a total of 381 mammal species.[6] 173 of them are endemic to this region. Most of these species are currently endangered. Two species of orangutans, Pongo pygmaeus (Borneo orangutans) and Pongo abelii (Sumatran orangutans ) are listed in the IUCN red list. Other famous mammals, such as the Borneo proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) are also seriously threatened.<br />
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Birds<br />
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According to the Conservation International, a total of 771 bird species occur regularly in Sundaland. 146 of them are endemic to this region. Java and Bali have at least 20 endemic species, including the Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) and the Javan plover (Charadrius javanicus).<br />
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Reptiles and Amphibians<br />
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An astonishing 449 species in 125 genera of reptiles are estimated to live in Sundaland.[8] 249 species of them and 24 genera are endemic. Three reptile families are also endemic to this region: Anomochilidae, Xenophidiidae and Lanthanotidae, the last represented by the Bornean earless monitor (Lanthanotus borneensis), a very rare and little-known lizard. Around 242 species of amphibians in 41 genera live in this region. 172 species of them, including the Caecilian and six genera are endemic.<br />
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Fishes<br />
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Nearly 200 new species are discovered in the last ten years in this region. Around 1000 species of fishes are known to live in the rivers, lakes, and swamps of Sundaland. Borneo has about 430 species, with 164 of them considered endemic. Sumatra has 270 species, 42 of which are endemic. The well-known golden arowana (Scleropages formosus) is one of the best examples for the fishes of this region.<br />
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Wallacea<br />
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The Wallacea represents the biogeographical transitional zone between the Sundaland to the west and the Australasian zone to the east. This zone covers of about 338 494 km² land area in total, divided in multiple small islands. Due to its distinct and varied geography this region contains many endemic and unique species of flora and fauna and has been divided into a number of distinct ecoregions; the mountain and lowland areas of Sulawesi, North Maluku, Buru and Seram in Maluku, the Lesser Sunda Islands (with Sumba a distinct ecoregion in its own right), Timor, and the islands in the Banda Sea. <br />
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Mammals<br />
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The Wallacea has a total of 223 native mammal species. 126 of them are endemic to this region. An astonishing 124 bat species can be found in this area. Sulawesi, as the biggest island in this region, has the highest number of mammals. 136 species to be exact, of which 82 species and one-quarter of the genera are endemic. Remarkable species such as anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) and babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) live on this island. At least seven species of macaques (Macaca spp.) and at least five species of tarsier (Tarsius spp.) are also unique to this island.<br />
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Birds<br />
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650 bird species can be found in Wallacea, of which 265 species are endemic. Among the 235 genera represented, 26 of them are endemic. 16 genera are restricted to Sulawesi and its surrounding islands. Approximately 356 species, including 96 endemic bird species live on the island of Sulawesi. One of them is the maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), a bird currently seen as endangered and found entirely within the Wallacea.<br />
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Reptiles and Amphibians<br />
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Komodo Dragons<br />
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With 222 species, of which 99 are endemic, the Wallacea has high reptile diversity. Among these are 118 lizard species, of which 60 are endemic; 98 snake species, of which 37 are endemic; five turtle species, two of them are endemic; and one crocodile species, the Indo-Pacific crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Three endemic genera of snake can be found only in this region: Calamorhabdium, Rabdion, and Cyclotyphlops. One of the most famous reptile in the Wallacea is probably the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), known only from the islands of Komodo, Padar, Rinca, and the western end of Flores.<br />
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58 native species of amphibians can be found in Wallacea, of which 32 are endemic. These represent a fascinating combination of Indo-Malayan and Australasian frog elements.<br />
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Fishes<br />
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There are about 310 species of fishes recorded from the rivers and lakes of Wallacea, 75 species of them are endemic. Although little is still known about the fishes of the Moluccas and the Lesser Sunda Islands, 6 species are recorded as endemic. On Sulawesi, there are 69 known species, of which 53 are endemic. The Malili lakes in South Sulawesi, with its complex of deep lakes, rapids and rivers, have at least 15 endemic telmatherinid fishes, two of them representing endemic genera, three endemic Oryzias, two endemic halfbeaks, and seven endemic gobies.<br />
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Invertebrate<br />
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There are about 82 species of birdwing butterflies recorded in Wallacea, 44 of them are endemic. 109 tiger beetle species are also recorded within this region, 79 of which are endemic. One of the most astonishing species is perhaps the world’s largest bee (Chalicodoma pluto) in the northern Moluccas, an insect in which the females can grow up to four centimetres in length. This bee species nests communally in inhabited termite nests in lowland forest trees.<br />
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About 50 endemic mollusks, three endemic crab species, and a number of endemic shrimp species are also known from the Wallacea.<br />
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West Papua and Papua<br />
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The fauna of this region comprises a huge diversity of mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes, invertebrates and amphibians, many species of which are of Australasian origin. Ecoregions here include; the mountains of Bird's Head Peninsula West Papua, the lowlands of West Papua and Papua, the Biak Islands, Yapen island, the lowlands of New Guinea's northern coast, the mountain ranges behind the northern coast, medium and high elevations of the New Guinea Highlands, the lowlands and the swamplands of the southern coast, and finally areas of mangrove swamp scattered around the coast.<br />
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Conservation<br />
<br />
The critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan, a great ape endemic to Indonesia<br />
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Although 45% of Indonesian region is still inhabited and covered by tropical forests, high growth of Indonesian population, with its industrialisation, has slowly affected the existence of fauna in Indonesia. Moreover, wildlife trade has also worsened the condition of Indonesia's charismatic fauna, including rhinoceross, orangutans, tigers, and certain species of amphibians.[23] Up to 95% of animals sold in markets are taken directly from the wild, rather than from captive breeding stock; and more than 20% of the animals died in transportation. As of 2003, The World Conservation Union lists as endangered 147 mammals, 114 birds, 91 fish and 2 invertebrate species.<br />
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Some of the richest habitats have been protected since the early 20th century under Dutch Colonial law. Indonesia's first national parks have been established in 1980, and the network has been rapidly growing since, reaching a total of 50 declared national parks in 2009, Six of these are also World Heritage Sites and 3 are wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar convention.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-71477545787758807662011-01-30T16:32:00.001+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.883+07:00Pencak Silat : fighting styles<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSDb9C3wSyoRhMDb73R3tcFkJMM3Ddcj41d_8039ScvR6HGi-PEcmvQBlX7jyRXOo0pVznIljwGYqGr6X3iIA-Xu3cojexxJxZyNt_iLzvBZ42GhDwc8oDG4pNEk94kqHNWgqvgRhJOI/s1600/Pencak_Silat_Betawi_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSDb9C3wSyoRhMDb73R3tcFkJMM3Ddcj41d_8039ScvR6HGi-PEcmvQBlX7jyRXOo0pVznIljwGYqGr6X3iIA-Xu3cojexxJxZyNt_iLzvBZ42GhDwc8oDG4pNEk94kqHNWgqvgRhJOI/s1600/Pencak_Silat_Betawi_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pencak silat was chosen in 1948 as a unifying term for the Indonesian fighting styles. It was a compound of the two most commonly used words for martial arts in Indonesia. Pencak was the term used in central and east Java, while silat was used in Sumatra. In modern usage, pencak and silat are seen as being two aspects of the same practice. Pencak is the performance aspects of the martial art, while silat is the essence of the fighting and self-defense.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The origin of the words pencak and silat have not been proven. Some believe that pencak comes from the Sanskrit word pancha meaning five, or from the Chinese pencha meaning avert or deflect. The most prominent origin theory of the word silat is that it derives from sekilat which means "as (fast as) lightning". This may have been used to describe a warrior's movements before eventually being shortened to silat. Some believe it may come from the word elat which means to fool or trick. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>History</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pencak silat tradition is mostly oral, having been passed down almost entirely by word of mouth. In the absence of written records, much of its history is known only through myth and archaeological evidence. The primary weapons of Indonesia's tribal peoples were the single-edge sword, shield and javelin. The inhabitants of Nias Island had until the 20th century remained largely untouched by the outside world. However, they are culturally similar to the Himalayan Naga tribe. Neighbouring Sumatrans are said to have left the Nias people alone because they were fearless warriors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Balinese warriors armed with kris in the 1880sIndia and China were the first civilizations from outside Southeast Asia with whom Indonesia made contact. Both countries influenced the local culture, religion and martial arts. Bas-reliefs in Srivijaya depict warriors wielding such weapons as the jian or Chinese straight sword, which is still used in some styles today. Additionally, Javanese blades are of Indian derivation. It was during this period that silat was first formulised. The earliest evidence of silat being taught in a structured manner comes from the Sumatra-based empire of Srivijaya where folklore tells that it was created by a woman named Rama Sukana who witnessed a fight between a tiger and a large bird. By using the animals' movements, she was able to fend off a group of drunken men that attacked her. She then taught the techniques to her husband Rama Isruna from whom they were formally passed down. There are several variations of this story depending on the region where it is told. On the island of Boyan (Bawean), Rama Sukana is believed to have watched monkeys fighting each other while the Sundanese of West Java believe that she created cimande after seeing a monkey battle a tiger. The accuracy of this legend cannot be substantiated but the fact that silat is attributed to a woman is thought to indicate their prominence in ancient Southeast Asian society.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Srivijaya had control of the Melaka Straits, making it one of the most powerful kingdoms in the history of Southeast Asia. Its reign encompassed what are now Sumatra, Singapore, western Borneo, peninsular Malaysia and Thailand. The empire was also a center of learning and religion, attracting scholars and holymen from around the Southeast Asian region. More than a thousand Buddhist monks were living and studying in Srivijaya-ruled Sumatra alone. Among them were Javanese, Siamese, Malays, Chams, Khmers and Chinese. This not only allowed pencak silat to spread throughout the archipelago but also brought the art into contact with what would become sibling fighting systems.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While Srivijaya dominated the coastal areas, the Sanjaya (or Mataram) and Sailendra kingdoms ruled central Java. Pencak silat especially flourished in Java which is now home to more different styles than any other Indonesian islands. In the 13th century, Srivijaya was defeated by the Cholas of south India. This was followed by the decline of the Sailendra and Sanjaya kingdoms but it also gave rise to the Majapahit empire. This was the first empire to unite all of Indonesia's major islands. From its base in eastern Java, Indonesian culture flowered and pencak silat became highly refined. Weapons made by Majapahit smiths were greatly prized in the Malay Peninsula, such as the famed Kris Taming Sari.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pencak silat was later used by Indonesian freedom-fighters against Dutch colonists. During this time the Bugis and Makassar people from south Sulawesi were very well-known as expert sailors, navigators and warriors. After Indonesia's independence, pencak silat was brought to Europe by Indo people of Eurasian (mixed Indonesian and European) ancestry, such as the well known Paatje Phefferkorn. The art is now popular in the Netherlands, Spain and France. Schools can also be found in the USA.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Weapons</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Kris: A dagger, often with a wavy blade made by folding different types of metal together and then washing it in acid. <br />
Kujang: Sundanese blade <br />
Samping/Linso: Piece of silk fabric worn around the waist or shoulder, used in locking techniques and for defense against blades. <br />
Batang/Galah: Rod or staff made from wood, steel or bamboo. <br />
Tongkat/Toya: Walking-stick carried by the elderly and travelers. <br />
Kipas: Traditional folding fan preferably made of hardwood or iron. <br />
Kerambit/Kuku Machan: A blade shaped like a tiger's claw that women could tie in their hair. <br />
Sabit/Clurit: A sickle, commonly used in farming, cultivation and harvesting of crops. <br />
Sundang: A Bugis sword, often wavy-bladed <br />
Rencong/Tumbuk Lada: Slightly curved Minang dagger, literally meaning "pepper crusher". <br />
Gedak: Mace/ club made of steel. <br />
Tombak/Lembing: Spear/ javelin made of bamboo, steel or wood that sometimes has horsehair attached near the blade. <br />
Parang/Golok: Machete/ broadsword, commonly used in daily tasks such as cutting through forest brush. <br />
Trisula/Serampang: A trident originally used for fishing. <br />
Chabang/Cabang: Short-handled trident, literally meaning "branch". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
International Competitions</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The major international competition is Pencak Silat World Championship, organised by PERSILAT.] This competition takes place every 2 or 3 years period. More than 30 national teams competed in the latest tournament in Jakarta, 12-17 December 2010.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-56375188774558451382011-01-20T02:03:00.000+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.884+07:00Jakarta Hotels<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td align="center"></td> List of Hotels in Jakarta</tr>
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpU3rzjbiOk75lh8B9mhMGwsvQedSucxmYUGB8v1MKwR82rgvGdeymQhdU-F_hgKHzJDt0xPIJvnkcCyvfDO2gSYr9PbHytZdcuc5NOttkYyTTE1vvp7C3BVrICFWf9GvqxZ4zANDsHU/s1600/Jakarta+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpU3rzjbiOk75lh8B9mhMGwsvQedSucxmYUGB8v1MKwR82rgvGdeymQhdU-F_hgKHzJDt0xPIJvnkcCyvfDO2gSYr9PbHytZdcuc5NOttkYyTTE1vvp7C3BVrICFWf9GvqxZ4zANDsHU/s320/Jakarta+hotel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed" width="50%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/arcadia/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Arcadia Hotel Jakarta Indonesia</a></b><br />
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KH Wahid Haysim No. 114, Jakarta<br />
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</span><span class="style2"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hotel Rating: <img alt="4 Star Hotel" height="8" src="http://www.southtravels.com/asia/indonesia/gifs/3%20star.gif" width="40" /></span></span></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed" width="50%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/theascott/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Ascott Hotel Apartment Jakarta</a></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya Jakarta 10230</span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> <br />
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</span><span class="style2"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hotel Rating: <img alt="4 Star Hotel" height="8" src="http://www.southtravels.com/asia/indonesia/gifs/3%20star.gif" width="40" /></span></span></td> </tr>
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</a></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed"><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/theascott/index.html"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://www.southtravels.com/asia/indonesia/gifs/jakarta/ascott.jpg" width="140" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed"><span style="color: #ea0606; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>RATES FROM USD 85</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed" width="50%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/bataviaapartments/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Batavia Apartments Jakarta Indonesia</a></b><br />
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Jl. K.H. Mas Mansyur Kav. 126 Jakarta<br />
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</span><span class="style2"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hotel Rating: <img alt="4 Star Hotel" height="8" src="http://www.southtravels.com/asia/indonesia/gifs/3%20star.gif" width="40" /></span></span></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed" width="50%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/granmelia/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Gran Melia Jakarta Jakarta Indonesia</a></b><br />
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Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. Kuningan<br />
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<tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed"><span style="color: #ea0606; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>RATES FROM USD 69</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed" width="50%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/kemanghotel/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Grandkemang Hotel Jakarta Indonesia</a></b><br />
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Jl. Kemang Raya 2 H Jakarta Selatan<br />
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126, Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Jakarta 11180<br />
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<tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed"><span style="color: #ea0606; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>RATES FROM USD 93</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/qualitybandara/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Jakarta Airport Hotel</a></b><br />
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Terl 2E, Soekarno-Hatta Intl. Airport<br />
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Jalan. Jenderal Sudirman Kav. Jakarta<br />
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</a></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed"><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/lemeridienjakarta/index.html"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://www.southtravels.com/asia/indonesia/gifs/jakarta/lemeri.jpg" width="140" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed"><span style="color: #ea0606; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>RATES FROM USD 117</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</span></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4faed"><span style="color: #ea0606; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>RATES FROM USD 113</b></span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/hoteljayakarta/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Sari Pan Pacific Hotel</a></b><br />
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Jl.M.H.Thamrin,No.6,Jakarta <br />
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</span><span class="style2"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hotel Rating: <img alt="4 Star Hotel" height="8" src="http://www.southtravels.com/asia/indonesia/gifs/4%20star.gif" width="40" /></span></span></td> <td align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/hoteljayakarta/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Sanno Hotel Jakarta</a></b><br />
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Jl. Pluit Selatan Raya No. 2 Jakarta<br />
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</span><span class="style2"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hotel Rating: <img alt="4 Star Hotel" height="8" src="http://www.southtravels.com/asia/indonesia/gifs/3%20star.gif" width="40" /></span></span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center"><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/hoteljayakarta/index.html"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://www.southtravels.com/asia/indonesia/gifs/jakarta/sani.jpg" width="140" /></a><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/arcadia/index.html"></a></td> <td align="center"><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/hoteljayakarta/index.html"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://www.southtravels.com/asia/indonesia/gifs/jakarta/sanno.jpg" width="140" /></a><a href="http://www.southtravels.com/arcadia/index.html"></a></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center"><span style="color: #ea0606; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>RATES FROM USD 109</b></span></td> <td align="center"><span style="color: #ea0606; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>RATES FROM USD 48</b></span></td> </tr>
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<b>Five Star</b>, generally in the range of $120 to $200 per night:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/895-dharmawangsa-hotel-jakarta/">Dharmawangsa Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/768-jakarta-intercontinental-midplaza-hotel/">InterContinental Midplaza</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/747-mulia-hotel-jakarta/">Mulia</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/896-jakarta-four-seasons-hotel/">Four Seasons Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/898-jw-marriot-hotel-jakarta/">JW Marriott Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/761-jakarta-shangri-la-hotel/">Shangri-La</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/763-borobudur-hotel-jakarta/">Borobudur</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/716-gran-melia-hotel-jakarta/">Gran Melia</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/724-aryaduta-hotel-jakarta/">Aryaduta</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/737-aryaduta-hotel-tangerang/">Imperial Aryaduta Hotel & Country Club</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/897-sultan-hotel-jakarta/">The Sultan Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/2508-ritz-carlton-jakarta/">Ritz Carlton Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/960-kemang-icon-by-alila-hotel/">Kemang Icon By Alila Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/758-ibis-arcadia-hotel-jakarta/">Hotel Arcadia Jakarta</a>.</li>
</ul><b>Four Star</b>, starting from $70 to $110 a night:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/729-park-lane-hotel-jakarta/">Park Lane</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/752-gran-mahakam-hotel-jakarta/">Gran Mahakam</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/757-crowne-plaza-hotel-jakarta/">Crowne Plaza</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/719-mercure-rekso-hayam-wuruk-hotel/">Mercure Rekso Hayam Resort</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/765-hotel-ciputra-jakarta/">Ciputra</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/754-aston-atrium-hotel-jakarta/">Aston Atrium</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/833-jakarta-millennium-hotel-sirih/">Millenium Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/772-jakarta-alila-hotel/">Alila</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/826-le-grandeur-hotel-jakarta/">Le Grandeur Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/875-mercure-ancol-hotel/">Mercure Convention Centre Ancol Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/907-jakarta-jayakarta-hotel/">The Jayakarta Jakarta Hotel & Spa</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/937-aston-rasuna-hotel-jakarta/">Aston Rasuna Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/936-allson-residence-hotel/">Allson Residence</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/959-grand-flora-hotel-jakarta/">Grand Flora Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/958-grand-kemang-hotel-jakarta/">Grand Kemang Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/1101-santika-premier-hotel-jakarta/">Santika Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/961-menara-peninsula-hotel-jakarta/">Menara Peninsula Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/977-novotel-mangga-dua-hotel/">Novotel Mangga Dua Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/978-redtop-hotel-jakarta/">Redtop Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/1002-manhattan-hotel-jakarta/">Manhattan Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/1011-harris-tebet-hotel-jakarta/">Harris Tebet Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/1010-ambhara-hotel-jakarta/">Ambhara Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/883-savoy-homann-bidakara-hotel-bandung/">Savoy Homann Bidakara Hotel</a>.</li>
</ul><b>Three & Half Star</b>, starts from $89:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/763-borobudur-hotel-jakarta/">Borobudur Hotel</a>.</li>
</ul><b>Three Star</b>, in the range of $40 to $100 a night:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/771-atlet-century-park/">Atlet Century Park</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/876-mercure-slipi-hotel-jakarta/">Mercure Slipi Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/723-hotel-ibis-tamarin-jakarta/">Ibis Tamarin</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/758-ibis-arcadia-hotel-jakarta/">Ibis Arcadia</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/738-hotel-ibis-mangga-dua/">Ibis Mangga Dua</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/740-hotel-ibis-slipi-jakarta/">Ibis Slipi</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/718-hotel-ibis-kemayoran/">Ibis Kemayoran</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/940-sparks-hotel-jakarta/">Sparks Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/939-sahid-jaya-lippo-cikarang-hotel/">Sahid Jaya Lippo Cikarang Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/979-quality-hotel-jakarta/">Quality Hotel</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://hotels.indonesiamatters.com/980-jakarta-airport-hotel/">Jakarta Airport Hotel</a>.</li>
</ul>Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-72005936413659002192011-01-17T13:56:00.001+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.885+07:00Soto Ayam - Indonesian FoodSoto ayam is a yellow spicy chicken soup with nasi empit (compressed rice that is then cut into small cakes) or ketupat or vermicelli or noodles, commonly found in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Turmeric is added as one of its ingredients to get yellow chicken broth. Besides chicken and vermicelli, it is also served with hard-boiled eggs, slices of fried potatoes, Chinese celery leaves, and fried shallots. Sometimes, slices of Lontong (compressed rice roll) are also added. Occasionally, people will add "koya", a powder of mixed fried garlic with prawn crackers or bitter Sambal (orange colored). Krupuk are a very common topping.<br />
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Different regions have their own variation of this dish, for instance:<br />
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* Soto Ambengan, originated from Ambengan, Surabaya. Soto Ambengan is famous for its delicious koya topping.<br />
* Soto Banjar<br />
* Soto Kudus<br />
* Soto Medan<br />
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<h1 class="title"><a href="http://recipes-blogger.blogspot.com/">Soto Ayam Recipes</a></h1><h1 class="title"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredient</span> :</h1><ul><li>A tail braised chicken with enough water</li>
<li>5 pcs hard-boiled eggs</li>
<li>2 pcs boiled potatoes</li>
<li>Sufficiently toge</li>
<li>Potato chips</li>
<li>Fried shallots to taste</li>
<li>2 cm galangal, smashed</li>
<li>1 stalk lemongrass, crushed</li>
<li>salt, pepper, sugar</li>
<li>Lemon</li>
<li>Green onion, thinly sliced celery</li>
</ul><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Spice paste</span> :<br />
<ul><li>Red onion 3 cloves</li>
<li>5 cloves garlic</li>
<li>Ginger 1 cm</li>
<li>1 cm turmeric</li>
<li>Pecan 5 pcs</li>
</ul><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How to cook</span>:<br />
<ol><li>Chicken stew on-Suir Suir.</li>
<li>Enter spices, lemongrass, galangal, salt, sugar, pepper into the chicken broth until boiling.</li>
<li>Serve in bowls with a set of eggs, sprouts, boiled potatoes, chicken suiran and flush with the sauce, sprinkle with fried shallots, Daum onion, celery on top and add lime juice.</li>
<li>Chicken soup is very tasty when served with sauces.</li>
</ol><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">complementary sauce </span>:<br />
5 bean chili braised, puree added a little salt and pour a little hot broth.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-19704644979630013872011-01-12T15:06:00.000+07:002011-07-05T17:44:34.728+07:00Anyer BeachAnyer (also Anjer) is a town in Banten, formerly West Java, Indonesia, fifteen kilometres south of Merak. It is home of a forty metre lighthouse built by King Willem III of the Netherlands in 1885 as a memorial for the townspeople killed by the eruption of Krakatau, which destroyed the town.<br />
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Off the coast of Anyer is the island Pulau Sangeang, an uninhabited island with vast areas of untouched jungle. The area is also known for coral formations swarming with tropical fish.<br />
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Anyer is a beach town in Banten. It is located at Anyer, 38 km from Serang City. The beach is facing the West, so we can see the view of Mt. Rakata (the remaining / child of Mt. Krakatau that exploded in 1833) and the sunset. A beautiful sea sight with all activities such as Jet Ski, Speed Boat, Para Sailing and other aquatic sport, those types of activities can be found here, as well as sunset view from the beach and an old lighthouse at Cikoneng. A lot of hotels from jasmine to international 5 stars can be tourist best choices to stay. Anyer is a popular beach resort for Jakartan.<br />
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Anyer beach has many unique enchantments. Its white sands amaze many tourists. They are so pure; we can feel the softness of the sands. The deep blue sea attracts many divers around the world because its various sea lives are so completely perfect. The sea breeze can make visitors' mind fresh, out of stress and enjoy. And the last enchantments that can make Anyer beach as the most favorite place to visit is the view of the legendary Krakatau Mountain and its historical lighthouse.<br />
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It is located in the west coast of Java about 120km from Jakarta. Sanghyang, 10 km off Anyer beach, is an easy diving destination for Jakartan divers who can only spare a weekend. This volcanic island offers white carbonate-sand beach and a wealth of underwater life, while Anyer offers a gorgeous sunset.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-88624528523656115642011-01-12T14:56:00.002+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.887+07:00Types and Variations of Batik<b>Javanese Kraton Batik (Javanese court Batik)</b><br />
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Javanese kraton (court) Batik is the oldest batik tradition known in Java. Also known as Batik Pedalaman (inland batik) in contrast with Batik Pesisiran (coastal batik). This type of batik has earthy color tones such as black, brown, and dark yellow (sogan), sometimes against a white background. The motifs of traditional court batik have symbolic meanings. Some designs are restricted: larger motifs can only be worn by royalty; and certain motifs are not suitable for women, or for specific occasions (e.g., weddings).<br />
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The palace courts (keratonan) in two cities in central Java are known for preserving and fostering batik traditions:<br />
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<ol><li> <b>Surakarta (Solo City) Batik</b>. Traditional Surakarta court batik is preserved and fostered by the Susuhunan and Mangkunegaran courts. The main areas that produce Solo batik are the Laweyan and Kauman districts of the city. Solo batik typically has sogan as the background color. Pasar Klewer near the Susuhunan palace is a retail trade center.</li>
<li> <b>Yogyakarta Batik</b>. Traditional Yogya batik is preserved and fostered by the Yogyakarta Sultanate and the Pakualaman court. Usually Yogya Batik has white as the background color. Fine batik is produced at Kampung Taman district. Beringharjo market near Malioboro street is well known as a retail batik trade center in Yogyakarta.</li>
</ol><br />
<h2>Pesisir Batik (Coastal Batik)</h2><br />
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Pesisir batik is created and produced by several areas on the northern coast of Java and on Madura. As a consequence of maritime trading, the Pesisir batik tradition was more open to foreign influences in textile design, coloring, and motifs, in contrast to inland batik, which was relatively independent of outside influences. For example, Pesisir batik utilizes vivid colors and Chinese motifs such as clouds, phoenix, dragon, qilin, lotus, peony, and floral patterns.<br />
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<ul><li> Pekalongan Batik. The most famous Pesisir Batik production area is the town of Pekalongan in Central Java province. Compared to other pesisir batik production centers, the batik production houses in this town is the most thriving. Batik Pekalongan was influenced by both Dutch-European and Chinese motifs, for example the buketan motifs was influenced by European flower bouquet.</li>
<li> Cirebon Batik. Also known as Trusmi Batik because that is the primary production area. The most well known Cirebon batik motif is megamendung (rain cloud) that was used in the former Cirebon Kraton. This cloud motif shows Chinese influence.</li>
<li> Lasem Batik. Lasem batik is characterized by a bright red color called abang getih pithik (chicken blood red). Batik Lasem is heavily influenced by Chinese culture.</li>
<li> Tuban Batik. Batik gedog is the speciality of Tuban Batik, the batik was created from handmade tenun (woven) fabrics.</li>
<li> Madura Batik. Madurese Batik displays vibrant colors, such as yellow, red, and green. Madura unique motifs for example pucuk tombak (spear tips), also various flora and fauna images.</li>
</ul><br />
<h1><b>Indonesian Batik from other areas</b></h1><br />
<h2><b>Java</b></h2><br />
<ol><li> Priangan Batik or Sundanese Batik is the term proposed to identify various batik cloths produced in the "Priangan" region, a cultural region in West Java and Northwest Java (Banten).[17] Traditionally this type of batik is produced by Sundanese people in the several district of West Java such as Ciamis, Garut, an Tasikmalaya; however it also encompasses Kuningan Batik which demonstrate Cirebon Batik influences, and also Banten Batik that developed quite independently and have its own unique motifs. The motifs of Priangan batik are visually naturalistic and strongly inspired by flora (flowers and swirling plants) and fauna (birds especially peacock and butterfly). The variants and production centers of Priangan Batik are:</li>
<li> Ciamis Batik. Ciamis used to rival other leading batik industry centers in Java during early 20th century. Compared to other regions, Ciamis batik is stylistically less complex. The flora and fauna motifs known as ciamisan are drawn in black, white, and yellowish brown. Motifs are similar to coastal Cirebon Batik, but the thickness of coloring share the same styles as inland batik. The thick coloring of Ciamis batik is called sarian.</li>
<li> Garut Batik. This type of batik is produced in the Garut district of West Java. Garutan batik can be identified by its distinctive colors, gumading (yellowish ivory), indigo, dark red, dark green, yellowish brown, and purple. Ivory stays dominant in the background. Despite applying traditional Javanese court motifs such as rereng, Garut batik uses lighter and brighter colors compared to Javanese court batik.</li>
<li> Tasikmalaya Batik. This type of batik is produced in the Tasikmalaya district, West Java. Tasikmalaya Batik has its own traditional motif such as umbrella. Center of Tasikmalaya Batik can be found in Ciroyom District about 2 km from city center of Tasikmalaya.</li>
<li> Kuningan Batik.</li>
<li> Banten Batik. This type of batik employs bright and soft pastel colors. It represents a revival of a lost art from the Sultanate of Banten, rediscovered through archaeological work during 2002-2004. Twelve motifs from locations such as Surosowan and several other places have been identified.</li>
</ol> * Java Hokokai Batik. This type is characterized by flowers in a garden surrounded by butterflies. This motif originated during the Japanese occupation of Java in the early 1940s. The long fabrics usually is done in two pattern called pagi/sore (Indonesian: morning and afternoon) refer to two type of motifs in one sheet of fabric, as the solution of cotton fabrics scarcity during war time. Another recognizable traits of Java Hokokai batik are the Japanese influenced motifs; such as sakura (cherry blossoms) and seruni or kiku (chrysanthemums, Japan national flower and the symbol of the emperor), butterflies (symbol of female elegance in Japanese culture), and overlaying intricate details that has made Jawa Hokokai batiks as one of the most notable, noble and beautiful batik artform in Asia.<br />
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<h2><b>Bali</b></h2><br />
* Balinese Batik. Balinese batik was influenced by neighbouring Javanese Batik and is relatively recent compared to the latter island, having been stimulated by the tourism industry and consequent rising demand for souvenirs (since the early 20th century). In addition to the traditional wax-resist dye technique and industrial techniques such as the stamp (cap) and painting, Balinese batik sometimes utilizes ikat (tie dye). Balinese batik is characterized by bright and vibrant colors, which the tie dye technique blends into a smooth gradation of color with many shades.<br />
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<h2><b>Sumatra</b></h2><br />
* Jambi Batik. Trade relations between the Melayu Kingdom in Jambi and Javanese coastal cities have thrived since the 13th century. Therefore, the northern coastal areas of Java (Cirebon, Lasem, Tuban, and Madura) probably influenced Jambi in regard to batik. In 1875, Haji Mahibat from Central Java revived the declining batik industry in Jambi. The village of Mudung Laut in Pelayangan district is known for producing Jambi batik. This Jambi batik, as well as Javanese batik, influenced the batik craft in the Malay peninsula.<br />
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<h2><b>Modern</b></h2><br />
Out of its traditional context, batik can also be as a medium for artists to make modern paintings or art. Such arts can be categorized in the normal categorization of arts of the west.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZWNfWG4EV3Syww4E64nwXE4ilyFPRloEPWT1JKhdS1ZpwoFYbXs7SuWJcHMrysoJ-Hlzi8tVxCNqVgQcVezcF3Z6btxZZDSOMDH_OU20oobTA0Z4gEBYQUcFuwSjyzq25E_d67p6Pyw/s1600/modern-batik-clothing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZWNfWG4EV3Syww4E64nwXE4ilyFPRloEPWT1JKhdS1ZpwoFYbXs7SuWJcHMrysoJ-Hlzi8tVxCNqVgQcVezcF3Z6btxZZDSOMDH_OU20oobTA0Z4gEBYQUcFuwSjyzq25E_d67p6Pyw/s320/modern-batik-clothing.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-17865956115790916162011-01-12T14:06:00.000+07:002011-07-05T16:47:57.888+07:00Batik : Indonesian ClothBatik is a cloth that traditionally uses a manual wax-resist dyeing technique.<br />
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Javanese traditional batik, especially from Yogyakarta and Surakarta, has notable meanings rooted to the Javanese conceptualization of the universe. Traditional colours include indigo, dark brown, and white, which represent the three major Hindu Gods (Brahmā, Visnu, and Śiva). This is related to the fact that natural dyes are most commonly available in indigo and brown. Certain patterns can only be worn by nobility; traditionally, wider stripes or wavy lines of greater width indicated higher rank. Consequently, during Javanese ceremonies, one could determine the royal lineage of a person by the cloth he or she was wearing.<br />
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Other regions of Indonesia have their own unique patterns that normally take themes from everyday lives, incorporating patterns such as flowers, nature, animals, folklore or people. The colours of pesisir batik, from the coastal cities of northern Java, is especially vibrant, and it absorbs influence from the Javanese, Arab, Chinese and Dutch culture. In the colonial times pesisir batik was a favourite of the Peranakan Chinese, Dutch and Eurasians.[citation needed]<br />
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UNESCO designated Indonesian batik as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on October 2, 2009. As part of the acknowledgment, UNESCO insisted that Indonesia preserve their heritage.<br />
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History<br />
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Wax resist dyeing technique in fabric is an ancient art form. Discoveries show it already existed in Egypt in the 4th century BCE, where it was used to wrap mummies; linen was soaked in wax, and scratched using a sharp tool. In Asia, the technique was practised in China during the T'ang dynasty (618-907 CE), and in India and Japan during the Nara period (645-794 CE). In Africa it was originally practised by the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria, Soninke and Wolof in Senegal.<br />
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In Java, Indonesia, batik predates written records. G. P. Rouffaer argues that the technique might have been introduced during the 6th or 7th century from India or Sri Lanka. On the other hand, JLA. Brandes (a Dutch archeologist) and F.A. Sutjipto (an Indonesian archeologist) believe Indonesian batik is a native tradition, regions such as Toraja, Flores, Halmahera, and Papua, which were not directly influenced by Hinduism and have an old age tradition of batik making.<br />
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Rouffaer also reported that the gringsing pattern was already known by the 12th century in Kediri, East Java. He concluded that such a delicate pattern could only be created by means of the canting (also spelled tjanting or tjunting; pronounced [ˌtʃanˈtiŋ]) tool. He proposed that the canting was invented in Java around that time. The carving details of clothes wore by Prajnaparamita, the statue of buddhist goddess of transcendental wisdom from East Java circa 13th century CE. The clothes details shows intricate floral pattern similar to today traditional Javanese batik. This suggested intricate batik fabric pattern applied by canting already existed in 13th century Java or even earlier.<br />
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Batik was mentioned in the 17th century Malay Annals. The legend goes when Laksamana Hang Nadim was ordered by Sultan Mahmud to sail to India to get 140 pieces of serasah cloth (batik) with 40 types of flowers depicted on each. Unable to find any that fulfilled the requirements explained to him, he made up his own. On his return unfortunately, his ship sank and he only managed to bring four pieces, earning displeasure from the Sultan.<br />
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In Europe, the technique is described for the first time in the History of Java, published in London in 1817 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles who had been a British governor for the island. In 1873 the Dutch merchant Van Rijckevorsel gave the pieces he collected during a trip to Indonesia to the ethnographic museum in Rotterdam. Today Tropenmuseum houses the biggest collection of Indonesian batik in the Netherlands. The Dutch were active in developing batik in the colonial era, they introduced new innovations and prints. And it was indeed starting from the early 19th century that the art of batik really grew finer and reached its golden period. Exposed to the Exposition Universelle at Paris in 1900, the Indonesian batik impressed the public and the artisans. After the independence of Indonesia and the decline of the Dutch textile industry, the Dutch batik production was lost. The Gemeentemuseum, Den Haag contains artifacts from that era.<br />
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Due to globalization and industrialization, which introduced automated techniques, new breeds of batik, known as batik cap and batik print emerged, and the traditional batik, which incorporates the hand written wax-resist dyeing technique is known now as batik tulis <br />
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At the same time, according to the Museum of Cultural History of Oslo, Indonesian immigrants to Malaysia brought the art with them. As late as the 1920s Javanese batik makers introduced the use of wax and copper blocks on Malaysia's east coast. The production of hand drawn batik in Malaysia is of recent date and is related to the Javanese batik tulis.<br />
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Indonesia Culture<br />
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Depending on the quality of the art work, dyes, and fabric, the finest batik tulis halus cloth can fetch several thousand dollars and it probably took several months to make. Batik tulis has both sides of the cloth ornamented.<br />
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In Indonesia, traditionally, batik was sold in 2.25-meter lengths used for kain panjang or sarong for kebaya dress. It can also be worn by wrapping it around the body, or made into a hat known as blangkon. Infants are carried in batik slings decorated with symbols designed to bring the child luck. Certain batik designs are reserved for brides and bridegrooms, as well as their families. The dead are shrouded in funerary batik. Other designs are reserved for the Sultan and his family or their attendants. A person's rank could be determined by the pattern of the batik he or she wore.<br />
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For special occasions, batik was formerly decorated with gold leaf or dust. This cloth is known as prada (a Javanese word for gold) cloth. Gold decorated cloth is still made today; however, gold paint has replaced gold dust and leaf.<br />
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Batik garments play a central role in certain rituals, such as the ceremonial casting of royal batik into a volcano. In the Javanese naloni mitoni "first pregnancy" ceremony, the mother-to-be is wrapped in seven layers of batik, wishing her good things. Batik is also prominent in the tedak siten ceremony when a child touches the earth for the first time. Batik is also part of the labuhan ceremony when people gather at a beach to throw their problems away into the sea.<br />
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Contemporary batik, while owing much to the past, is markedly different from the more traditional and formal styles. For example, the artist may use etching, discharge dyeing, stencils, different tools for waxing and dyeing, or wax recipes with different resist values. They may work with silk, cotton, wool, leather, paper, or even wood and ceramics. The wide diversity of patterns reflects a variety of influences, ranging from Arabic calligraphy, European bouquets and Chinese phoenixes to Japanese cherry blossoms and Indian or Persian peacocks.<br />
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In Indonesia, batik popularity has had its up and downs. Historically, it was essential for ceremonial costumes and it was worn as part of a kebaya dress, which was commonly worn every day. According to Professor Michael Hitchcock of the University of Chichester (UK), batik "has a strong political dimension. The batik shirt was invented as a formal non-Western shirt for men in Indonesia in the 1960s. It waned from the 1960s onwards, because more and more women chose western clothes. However, batik clothing has revived somewhat in the 21st century, due to the effort of Indonesian fashion designers to innovate the kebaya by incorporating new colors, fabrics, and patterns. Batik is a fashion item for many young people in Indonesia, such as a shirt, dress, or scarf for casual wear. For a formal occasion, a kebaya is standard for women. It is also acceptable for men to wear batik in the office or as a replacement for jacket-and-tie at certain receptions.<br />
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The female uniform of Garuda Indonesia flight attendants is more authentic modern interpretations of batik and kebaya, the kebaya is designed in simple yet classic kartini style with sarong in parang or lereng gondosuli motif, which also incorporate garuda's wing motif and small dots represent jasmine.The sarong motif symbolizes the ‘Fragrant Ray of Life’ and endows the wearer with elegance. The uniform consists of three colors; aqua green which implies sophistication, the tropics and freshness; orange to suggest warmth, friendliness and energy; and blue which symbolizes dependability, trustworthiness, immortality and tranquility.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768610196308204249.post-60859106127778737882011-01-12T00:56:00.001+07:002011-07-05T16:49:40.114+07:00Kebaya : national costumeA Kebaya is a traditional blouse-dress combination worn by women in Indonesia. It is sometimes made from sheer material and usually worn with a sarong or batik kain panjang, or other traditional woven garment such as ikat, songket with a colorful motif.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The kebaya is the national costume of Indonesia, although it is more accurately endemic to Java, Sunda and Bali.<br />
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<b>Etymology</b><br />
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Kebaya is inspired from Arab region clothing; the Arabic word abaya means clothing.<br />
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<b>History</b><br />
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The earliest form of Kebaya originates in the court of the Javanese Majapahit Kingdom as a means to blend the existing female Kemban, torso wrap of the aristocratic women to be more modest and acceptable to the newly adopted Islam religion. Aceh, Riau and Johor Kingdoms and Northern Sumatra adopted the Javanese style kebaya as a means of social expression of status with the more alus or refined Javanese overlords.<br />
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The name of Kebaya as a particular clothing type was noted by the Portuguese when they landed in Indonesia. Kebaya is associated with a type of blouse worn by Indonesian women in 15th or 16th century. Prior to 1600, kebaya on Java island were considered as a sacred clothing to be worn only by royal family, aristocrats (bangsawan) and minor nobility, in an era when peasant men and many women walked publicly bare-chested.<br />
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Slowly it naturally spread to neighbouring areas through trade, diplomacy and social interactions to Malacca, Bali, Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi and the Sultanate of Sulu and Mindanao Javanese kebaya as known today were noted by Raffles in 1817, as being of silk, brocade and velvet, with the central opening of the blouse fastened by brooches, rather than button and button-holes over the torso wrap kemben, the kain (and unstitched wrap fabric several metres long erroneously termed 'sarong in English (a sarung (Malaysian accent: sarong) is stitched to form a tube, like a Western dress) After hundreds of years of regional acculturation, the garments have become highly localised expressions of ethnic culture, artistry and tailoring traditions.<br />
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The quintessential kebaya is the Javanese kebaya as known today is essentially unchanged as noted by Raffles in 1817. It consists of the blouse (kebaya) of cotton , silk, lace, brocade or velvet, with the central opening of the blouse fastened by a central brooch (kerongsang) where the flaps of the blouse meet. Traditional kebaya had no buttons down the front. A typical three-piece kerongsang is composed of a kerongsang ibu (mother piece) that is larger and heavier than the other two kerongsang anak (child piece). Kerongsang brooch often made from gold jewelry and considered as the sign of social status of aristocracy, wealth and nobility, however for commoners and peasant women, simple and plain kebaya often only fastened with modest safety pin (peniti).<br />
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The blouse is commonly semi-transparent and worn over the torso wrap or kemben. The skirt or kain is an unstitched fabric wrap around three metres long. The term sarong in English is erroneous, the sarung (Malaysian accent: sarong) is actually stitched together to form a tube, like a Western dress- the kain is unstitched, requires a helper to dress (literally wrap) the wearer and is held in place with a string (tali), then folded this string at the waist, then held with a belt (sabuk or ikat pinggang), which may hold a decorative pocket.<br />
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<b>Varieties</b><br />
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There are two main varieties. The blouse, known as baju kebaya may be of two main form: the semi-transparent straighter cut blouse of the Java, Bali and the more tightly tailored Sunda kebaya and the more Islamic compatible, plainer baju kurung is a loose-fitting, knee-length long-sleeved blouse worn in the more adherent Muslim areas- including former Kingdom of Johor-Riau (now Malaysia), Sumatra and parts of coastal Java.<br />
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In Java, Bali and Sunda, the kain is commonly batik which may be from plain stamped cotton to elaborately hand-painted batik tulis embroidered silk with gold thread. In Lampung, the kain is the traditional tapis- an elaborate gold-thread embroidered ikat with small mica discs. Sumatera, Flores, Lemata Timor, and other islands commonly use kain of ikat or songket. Sumba is famous for kain decorated with lau hada: shells and beads.<br />
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During Dutch colonization of the island, European women began wearing the less restrictive and cooler kebaya as a formal or social dress. European women wore shorter sleeve and total length cotton in prints.<br />
The day kebaya of the Eurasians was of white cotton trimmed with European handmade lace- commonly from Bruges or Holland and black silk for evening wear.<br />
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In the Malacca region, a different variety of kebaya is called "nyonya kebaya" worn by those of Chinese ancestry: the Peranakan people. The Nyonya kebaya is different in its' famously intricately hand-beaded shoes (kasut manek) and use of kain with Chinese motive batik or imported printed or hand-painted Chinese silks.<br />
[edit] Political Significance<br />
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The only woman present during Indonesia's Proclamation of Independence, Dutch-educated activist SK Trimurti- wore kebaya cementing it as the female dress of Nationalism.<br />
In Japanese internment camps during the Second World War, Indonesian female prisoners refused to wear the Western dress allocated them and instead wore kebaya as a display of Nationalist and racial solidarity separate from fellow Chinese, Europeans and Eurasian inmates.<br />
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The 21st of April is celebrated in Indonesia as National Kartini Day where Raden Ayu Kartini, the female suffragist and education advocate is remembered by schoolgirls wearing traditional dress according to their region. In Java, Bali and Sunda it is the kebaya.<br />
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Cultural rivalry between Malaysian and Indonesia has given rise to media-based spats over the true ownership of the 'kebaya.<br />
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Former President Megawati Sukarnoputri is a public champion of kebaya and wears fine red kebaya whenever possible in public forums and 2009 Presidential election debates.<br />
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The Suharto-era bureaucrat wives' social organisation Dharma Wanita wears a uniform of gold kebaya, with a red sash (selendang) and stamped batik pattern on the kain unique to Dharma Wanita. The late Indonesian first lady and minor aristocrat Tien Suharto was also a prominent advocate of the kebaya.<br />
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<b>Modern Usage and Innovations</b><br />
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Apart from traditional kebaya, fashion designers are looking into ways of modifying the design and making kebaya a more fashionable outfit. Casual designed kebaya can even be worn with jeans or skirts. For weddings or formal events, many designers are exploring other types of fine fabrics like laces to create a bridal kebaya.<br />
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Modern-day kebaya now incorporate modern Western tailoring innovations such as clasps, zippers and buttons- zippers being a much appreciated addition for ladies' requiring the bathroom, without requiring being literally unwrapped by a helper- to the extent the true kain is near unanimously rejected.<br />
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Other modern innovations have included the blouse baju kebaya worn without the restrictive kemben, and eve the kebaya blouse worn with slacks or made of the fabric usually for the kain panjang.<br />
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Modern kebaya blouses are also zippered at the back- for practicality and for larger frame women's busts not to literally burst out the front of their blouse.<br />
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The "Singapore Girl" uniform worn by Singapore Airlines stewardesses is a rather more tight-fitting interpretation of the traditional costume by French haute couture designer Pierre Balmain in 1972, considered provocative and exploitative by some[who?] at the time. The female flight attendant of Malaysia Airlines also featuring batik kebaya as their uniform.<br />
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The female uniform of Garuda Indonesia flight attendants is more authentic modern interpretations, the kebaya is designed in simple yet classic kartini style kebaya derived from 19th century kebaya of Javanese noblewomen. The kebaya made from fire-proof cotton-polyester fabrics, with batik sarongs in parang or lereng gondosuli motif, which also incorporate garuda's wing motif and small dots represent jasmine.Rina Ariyanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846638837544323122noreply@blogger.com9