A Fatih Syuhud blogging from India, has a series commentary posts about Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Republic of Indonesia visit to India.
…President arrived in India along with around 180 people mostly from KADIN (Chamber for Trade and Industry), several under-ministry officials and few ministers. I saw the face of familiar figures like Marie Elka Pangestu (trade minister), Hasan Wirajuda (foreign min.), Yuwono Sudarsono (defence min.) and Yusril Ihza Mahendra (state secretary min.)…
…I'm fortunate to get the invitation letter, yet I'm not happy with the way the Ambassador handling unnecessary things: the limited invitation for me is the sign of a limited freedom. I don't know whether this kind of crap happen in Indonesian embassies in other countries…
Complete commentaries can be found on these posts: 1 [1], 2 [2], 3 [3], 4 [4] and 5 [5].
PKS Watch [6], a blog founded as a watchdog for the up and coming Prosperous Justice Party [PKS] [7] has a post about PKS's reaction [8] regarding Khairiansyah Salman's matter [in Indonesian].
Khairiansyah Salman is the key person that uncovered corruption scandal in Indonesian General Election Commission [KPU] [9] this year. Early in this month he was awarded the Integrity Award 2005 by Berlin-based Transparency International [10].
However two weeks ago, in a surprising and ironic turn of events, he was named as a suspect in The Haj Funds Scandal where apparently he received USD 1,000 from the controversial haj funds that amount to hundreds of million US dollars.
Several others officials also received money from this funds that by law is intended to use for the benefit of the pilgrims but nevertheless spent on a number of eyebrow-raising expenditures.
The amount is relatively small compare to other corruption cases in Indonesia and the fact that he was the only one that have been named as suspect raised many people curiosity whether this is an act of retaliation because of what he has done.
The blog wrote:
What's the case got to do with PKS? This is what's interesting. PKS as a party with clean and honest promises must took part in the effort to eradicate acute corruption in this country and so far I haven't seen any real act from PKS in this matter.
Moreover, apparently Khairiansyah is PKS's cadre since a long time ago [confirmed by one of the party's senior]. Now he has been named as suspect and he gets only cool reaction so far from PKS as if PKS wants to wash its hand about his case.
Now that the case is on going Khairiansyah Salman lost his job as manager for anti-corruption unit at Aceh Reconstruction Body and he has returned the Integrity Award temporarily [11] to Transparency International until the case is resolved.
Yosef Ardi over at Indonesia Today [12] posted information about Shell to build 500 gas stations in Indonesia [13].
This may seem odd but for many Indonesian this will be the first time ever oil company names other than our own Pertamina [14] will be visible in many oil stations on the streets.
Super-major oil company Shell [15] plans to build 500 gas stations in Indonesia over the next few years. Petronas [16] had announced its plan to build 200 gas stations in Indonesia. Shell just opened the first foreign oil company's gas station in Tangerang, Banten province last month. Shell planned to build more gas stations in Jakarta, the largest fuel consumer in Indonesia.
Rizka Nurlita Andi has interesting post [17] [in Indonesian] telling how she she joined a Museum's Friends Mailing List a community of Indonesian Museum lovers.
This is a happy and rare development because there are plenty of museums all over Indonesia [In 2003, there are 269 museums in 26 provinces [18]], with a very little information, promotion and interest in them.
Maybe gathering people and building a community with a share interests is the first step toward better appreciation about the museums.
Totot Indrato on his blog Celebrating Life [19] inviting everybody [20] [in Indonesian] to come and see the Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest) [21] that will be held from 9-18 December.
The much-awaited annual event is on its 7th term this year and has successfully over the year providing Jakartans audience with alternative movies other than Hollywood ones.
201 films (including shorts) from 35 countries are participating in this year festival and even tough JiFFest has always included documentary films, but it's the first time that it will have dedicated section for documentaries.
An All About Indonesia section will features a number of Indonesia-themed films, including “Lukas’ Moment” by young director Aryo Danusiri and a compilation of short films entitled “From The Cabinet of Des Alwi”.
Selected Short films from ASEAN [22] countries and China as well as two Animation programs: World Animation and Eesti Joonisfilm Studio will be shown.
Workshops, Music Concert and Photo Exhibition is also in the programs.
Check out JiFFest official site for more information: www.jiffest.org [21]