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Another Move by Lion Air

Another Move by Lion Air

Indonesian low cost carrier Lion Air plans another aircraft order in February 2012, and stressed that its November order for 230 Boeing 737-family aircraft is binding.

“In February next year we will sign another order,” said Rusdi Kirana, president director of Lion Air. Rusdi declined to provide any more details of the planned deal.

Any Lion announcement could be timed for the Singapore Air Show that will run from 14-19 February.

During a visit to Indonesia by US president Barack Obama in November, Lion Air placed a record provisional order worth $21.7 billion for up to 380 737 aircraft, comprising an order for 230 and purchase rights for 150.

The 230 aircraft component includes 29 737-900ERs powered by the CFM International CFM56, and 201 of the re-engined 737 Max. Rusdi said the legal terms are being hammered out, with the deal to be finalised in January 2012.

“I don’t think the president of the United States wants to witness the signing of a non-binding agreement,” said Rusdi.

“From east to west Indonesia is 5,000 miles long and we have over 100 airports,” he added. “In this context our order is not really that big.”

 

Boeing

Rusdi declined to comment on whether the Boeing deal and its timing were influenced by politics. Following the announcement of the deal Airbus chief operation officer customers John Leahy reportedly accused the White House of political meddling in the competition for Lion Air’s business.

Rusdi said the primary benefit of the new Boeings will be fuel savings and lower maintenance costs. He said Lion’s MD-90s are no longer in service, and that it will remove all of its 737-300 and -400s from service by 2013.

He pointed out that the older 737s have a capacity of just 157 compared with 215 for Lion Air’s 737-900ERs. “The 737-900ER can carry 215 passengers with the same fuel burn and maintenance costs.”

To train the pilots for its growing fleet Lion Air has established a flight school in Indonesia that operates ten Cessna aircraft as trainers. This year 70 students will graduate, with class sizes eventually to grow to 100-150 per annum. It costs $30,000-$40,000 to train a pilot, he said, so graduates are required to work for Lion for ten years.

Lion Air now has 600-700 pilots, of whom 85% are Indonesian. The remainder hail from Southeast Asia or Europe.

?By: Greg Waldron Singapore

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Where Entrepreneurs are Valued

Where Entrepreneurs are Valued

 Entrepreneurs aren’t equally valued everywhere. Okay, perhaps that statement is not surprising. But the patterns across countries in how business founders are assessed are intriguing.

As the figure below indicates, a recent British Broadcasting Corporation survey of more than 24,000 adults in 24 nations showed that a paltry 25 percent of Egyptians believe that business founders are “highly valued” in that country, as compared with 75 percent of Indonesians. I doubt it would surprise most of you that two-thirds of Americans believe that entrepreneurs are highly valued, putting the U.S. in the upper half of the nations surveyed. But it might surprise you to learn that entrepreneurs are more highly valued in several other countries.

The comparison that shocked me the most was that the French are more likely than Americans to think that entrepreneurs are highly valued in their country. There’s something oddly troubling to me about this statistic. The French are supposed to be the ones who hold artists and philosophers in high esteem; and we’re the ones who are supposed to respect business people. I think I heard De Tocqueville turning over in his grave when the survey results were released:

Source: BBC World Service Survey Poll, May 25, 2011

About the Author Scott Shane is A. Malachi Mixon III, Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Case Western Reserve University. He is the author of nine books, including Fool’s Gold: The Truth Behind Angel Investing in America ; Illusions of Entrepreneurship: and The Costly Myths that Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Policy Makers Live By.

smallbiztrens.com

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The Leopard 2A6 on Indonesian Soil

The Leopard 2A6 on Indonesian Soil

According to Indonesian media reports, the Minister of Defence of Indonesia, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, recently confirmed plans to purchase military equipment from various European countries. The minister, in particular, highlighted the government’s intent to buy Leopard 2 main battle tanks from the German Army, as well as Apache attack helicopters.

The reports emphasise that Indonesia is taking advantage of the difficult budget situation faced by European armed forces, seeking to purchase surplus equipment at favourable prices. This may include weapons systems from France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain.

INDONESIAN ARMY SEEKS PRIORITY ROLE IN DEFENCE MODERNISATION

Although the Defence Minister did not confirm a specific amount allocated to the government’s procurement plans, the Indonesian Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Pramono Edy Wibowo, announced in mid-November that the Army would receive more than IRP 14 trillion (approx. $15.3 billion; €11.6 billion) over the next three years.

In light of Indonesia’s efforts to modernise the inventory of its Armed Forces, Pramono told the Jakarta Post that “the President has decided, after four Cabinet meetings, that the Army should receive priority.” As the Defence Minister recently explained, the Ministry is currently waiting for wish lists from the country’s Army, Navy and Air Force.

The final budget to be allocated for weapons purchases will depend upon the equipment required by the individual branches, according to Purnomo. However, the Defence Minister emphasised that it would not exceed the targeted budget.

As the Jakarta Post reported, the Army already has a very precise idea of its procurement priorities: Pramono said that, among other planned purchases, the Army is particularly interested in buying 100 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks from the German Army for some $280 million, along with eight Apache helicopters valued at $25 million. As the head of the Indonesian Army confirmed, these purchases are expected to be complete by 2014.

At present, in terms of heavy armoured vehicles, the Indonesian Army relies on its large fleet of ageing French-built AMX-13 light tanks and a significantly smaller fleet of FV101 Scorpion armoured reconnaissance vehicles. To protect its vast territory,[1] in particular on its main islands Java, Sumatra, Borneo (shared with Brunei and Malaysia), and New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea), the Army needs to modernise its inventory.

INDONESIA INTERESTED IN GERMAN LEOPARD 2A6

The Leopard 2A6 has been in service with the German Army since March 2001, after upgrading existing Leopard 2 tanks of the A5 and A4 configuration. As yet, Singapore is the only Asian operator of the Leopard 2. In mid 2007, Indonesia’s neighbour introduced 102 German-surplus Leopard 2A4s into its service.

Despite Indonesia’s ambitious purchase plans and the German Armed Forces’ challenging budget situation, the deal could be overshadowed by German domestic political issues. Under the influence of the so-called Arab Spring uprisings in Northern African and Middle East countries, German politicians were entangled in July 2011 in a heated debate on arms export regulations, when the news of a major deal with Saudi Arabia for the purchase of 200 Krauss-Maffei Wegmann-built Leopard 2A7+ tanks emerged.

Although it might be an entirely different case, the announcement of a possible export of Leopard 2 tanks to Indonesia could come just a little too early after that debate, and future negotiations could be accompanied by political clamour in Germany.

However, considering the German Defence Ministry’s plans to fundamentally restructure its Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), which will require significant investment, and the Army’s long-standing experience in transferring surplus tanks to foreign partners, a possible agreement between Berlin and Jakarta is not likely to encounter any serious obstacles.

—-
By Nicolas von Kospoth, Managing Editor

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Hospital, For Tourist Only…

Hospital, For Tourist Only…

Indonesia’s Bali island, which attracts a huge number of foreign holidaymakers every year, has now come up with the idea of setting up a hospital exclusive for tourists.

Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika said the hospital was needed to boost services to tourists, Xinhua reported.

The hospital would be built on a three-hectare plot of land in a ‘strategic location’, he told the Jakarta Post.

Over 244,400 foreigners visited Bali in October 2011, a 6.43 percent increase over the same period last year, the statistic bureau announced Dec 1.

Indonesia aims to attract 7.7 million foreign tourists to the country this year and eight million next year, said minister for tourism and creative economy Mari Elka Pangestu.

Over seven million foreign tourists visited last year, the tourism ministry said.

The government expects a $8.4 billion revenue from tourists’ spending this year, up from $7.6 billion last year.

News Source: The Jakarta Post

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“Gadis Paling Cantik” di Asia

“Gadis Paling Cantik” di Asia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Ibarat gadis, Asia dianggap benua paling cantik saat ini sebagai pusat pertumbuhan ekonomi global. Bagaimana posisi Indonesia? Menurut pakar pemasaran Hermawan Kertajaya, Indonesia adalah ibarat gadis cantik dengan penampilan baru dan lebih segar.

Asia paling cantik di tingkat global saat ini. Sementara Indonesia adalah new pretty woman in Asia, kata CEO dan Founder MarkPlus Inc Hermawan Kartajaya, dalam acara MarkPlus Conference 2012 , di Jakarta, Kamis (15/12/2011) .

Indonesia, menurut Hermawan, adalah negara yang dinaungi keberuntungan. Tidak sekedar disyukuri, hal itu harus dimanfaatkan karena saat inilah momentum bagi Indonesia untuk tidak hanya tumbuh, tapi mencapai pertumbuhan yang berkualitas.

PDB per kapita kita akan meningkat dari 3.000 menjadi 3.500 dollar AS. Ini momentum bagi marketer. Indonesia jangan kehilangan momentum ini. Kita punya 140 juta anak muda dengan 55 juta netizen yang akan terus bertambah, kata Hermawan.

Semua mata saat ini tengah menunggu realisasi dari penyelesaian krisis utang di Eropa yang berkepanjangan. Ada tiga scenario menurut Hermawan. Pertama, tahun depan kondisi Eropa tetap seperti saat ini alias belum menemukan penyelesaian komprehensif. Kedua, lebih buruk. Dan ketiga, menemukan resep yang jitu dan membaik.

“Kita tidak terlalu menggantungkan diri pada ekspor, sehingga ketika negara lain pertumbuhannya turun bahkan minus, kita tetap bisa relatif stabil dengan dukungan konsumsi domestik,” kata Hermawan.

Namun, di a mengingatkan sejumlah masalah dasar yang harus dihilangkan. Tanpa penyelesaian, momentum akan lewat dan kita tidak mendapatkan hasil optimal. Masalah dasar itu adalah di bidang operational excellence, product leadership, dan customer intimacy.

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Ambarawa 66 Tahun Lalu

Ambarawa 66 Tahun Lalu

Setelah kemerdekaan, kita tahu bahwa Sekutu dan Belanda yang menang perang melawan Jerman begitu bersemangat untuk membuat Indonesia menjadi jajahannya lagi. Bukan apa-apa, Sekutu (dalam hal ini Inggris) dan Belanda adalah 2 negara yang porak poranda karena perang, dan mereka membutuhkan sumber dana yang luar biasa besar, untuk membangun kembali negerinya yang menjadi puing-puing. Dan Indonesia, negeri yang kaya akan sumber daya, menjadi incaran mereka.

Praktis, 5 tahun pertama semenjak kemerdekaan, rakyat Indonesia sibuk mengangkat senjata mempertahankan tanah air mereka. Kita mengenal dengan baik pertempuran dahsyat di Surabaya pada 10 November 1945, juga Bandung Lautan Api pada 1946, dan tentu saja Serangan Umum 1 Maret 1949 di Jogja.

Namun, banyak dari kita yang seringkali lupa, bahwa ditengah pulau Jawa, tepatnya di Ambarawa, berlangsung peperangan brutal antara TNI bersama rakyat melawan Sekutu yang dibantu tawanan-tawanan Jepang. Demikian brutalnya, hingga pertempuran berlangsung selama 4 hari terus menerus.

Pada tanggal 20 Oktober 1945 tentara Sekutu dibawah pimpinan Brigadir Jendral Bethell mendarat di Semarang dengan maksud mengurus tawanan Jepang yang berada di Jawa Tengah. Kedatangan sekutu ini diboncengi NICA. Mulanya kedatangan Sekutu disambut baik, bahkan gubernur Jawa Tengah Mr. Wongsonegoro menyepakati untuk menyediakan bahan makanan dan keperluan lain bagi kelancaran tugas Sekutu. Sekutu berjanji tidak akan mengganggu kedaulatan Republik Indonesia.

Namun ketika pasukan Sekutu dan NICA telah sampai di Ambarawa dan Magelang untuk membebaskan para tawanan, tentara Belanda justru mempersenjatai mereka sehingga menimbulkan amarah pihak Indonesia. Insiden bersenjata timbul di kota Magelang, hingga terjadi pertempuran. Di Magelang tentara Sekutu bertindak sebagai penguasa yang melucuti Tentara Keamanan Rakyat (TKR) dan membuat kekacauan.

TKR resimen Magelang pimpian M. Sarbini membalas tindakan tersebut dengan mengepung tentara Sekutu dari segala penjuru. Namun Sekutu berhasil diselamatkan dari kehancuran berkat campur tangan presiden Sukarno yang menenangkan suasana. Kemudian pasukan Sekutu secara dian-diam meninggalkan kota Magelang menuju benteng Ambarawa. Resimen Kedu Tengah di bawah pimpinan Letnan Kolonel M. Sarbini segera mengadakan pengejaran terhadap Sekutu. Gerakan mundur tentara Sekutu tertahan di desa Jambu karena dihadang oleh pasukan Angkatan Muda di bawah pimpinan Ono Sastrodihardjo yang diperkuat oleh pasukan gabungan dari Ambarawa, Suruh, dan Surakarta.

Tentara Sekutu kembali dihadang di Ngipik. Tentara Sekutu mencoba menduduki dua desa disekitar Ambarawa. Tetapi pasukan Indonesia dibawah pimpinan Letnan Kolonel Isdiman berusaha membebaskan kedua desa tersebut. Pada pertempuran ini Letnan Kolonel Isdiman gugur.

Gugurnya Letkol Isdiman, membuat Komandan divisi V Banyumas Sudirman merasa kehilangan perwira terbaiknya sehingga ia langsung turun ke lapangan dan memimpin pertempuran. Kehadiran Kolonel Sudirman memberikan semangat baru kepada pasukan RI. Pengepungan terhadap musuh semakin ketat. Siasat yang diterapkan adalah serangan mendadak secara serentak di semua sektor.

Tanggal 23 November 1945 ketika matahari mulai terbit, mulailah terjadi tembak-menembak dengan pasukan Sekutu yang bertahan di kompleks gereja dan pekuburan Belanda di jalan Margo Agung. Tentara Sekutu mengerahkan tawanan-tawanan Jepang untuk menyusup dari arah belakang, karena itu pasukan Indonesia pindah ke Bedono. Pada tanggal 11 Desember 1945, Kolonel Sudirman mengadakan rapat dengan komandan sektor TKR dan Laskar.

Pada tanggal 12 Desember 1945 pukul 04.30 pagi, serangan mulai dilancarkan.

Pertempuran berkobar di Ambarawa. Satu setengah jam kemudian, jalan raya Semarang-Ambarawa dikuasai oleh kesatuan-kesatuan TKR. Pertempuran Ambarawa berlangsung sengit, Kolonel Sudirman langsung memimpin pasukannya yang menggunakan taktik pengepungan rangkap sehingga musuh benar-benar terkurung. Setelah bertempur selama 4 hari, pada tanggal 15 Desember 1945 pertempuran berakhir dan Indonesia berhasil merebut Ambarawa dan Sekutu dibuat mundur ke Semarang.

Tanggal 15 Desember, diperingati sebagai Hari Jadi Angkatan Darat! Dan kami takkan lupa Ambarawa.

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Satu Hal Tentang Blackberry

Satu Hal Tentang Blackberry

Saya menggunakan Blackberry (BB) sejak tahun 2007, ketika BB belum begitu dikenal orang di Indonesia. Ketika saya pulang ke Indonesia pada 2009 akhir, saya cukup terkejut ketika semua orang yang saya kenal punya BB, dan menanyakan pin BB saya. Kalau di seluruh dunia dilanda iPhone, Indonesia takluk pada Blackberry, produk RIM dari Kanada. Bahkan Indonesia adalah pengguna BB ke-3 terbesar di dunia setelah AS, dan Kanada.

Adalah hal yang sangat wajar ketika kita berharap RIM membuka pabrik pembuatan BB di Indonesia, bukan saja mendekati market raksasa ini, tapi juga menunjukkan komitmen investasi jangka panjang RIM (dan Blackberry-nya) terhadap Indonesia, konsumen yang telah menjaga Blackberry tetap mengapung di tengah serbuan Apple and Android.

Namun, seorang kapitalis sejati memang hanya mencari untung, dan mencari enaknya. RIM ternyata lebih memilih Penang, Malaysia sebagai tempat pembuatan handset BB. Bukan itu saja, RIM membangun network aggregator di Singapura. Keduanya tentu untuk mengunduh buah yang ranum siap panen, yang bernama Indonesia. Mudahnya adalah RIM sebagai sebuah entitas kapitalis, memanen ladang bernama Indonesia, dengan bibit dan pekerja dari luar, dan hasil keuntungannya dinikmati di luar.

Apa bedanya dengan penjajah Belanda dulu? Sulit membedakannya.

 

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Measuring the success of Indonesia’s involvement in Durban

Measuring the success of Indonesia’s involvement in Durban

The global climate change negotiations — underway from 28 November to 9 December in Durban, South Africa — have people asking once again whether countries around the world will agree on solutions to tackle climate change.

It is also an appropriate event to assess the involvement of developing countries like Indonesia, and particularly to understand whether their involvement in this UN climate conference will significantly contribute to a successful outcome.

Durban, hosting the 17th session of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will certainly pick up from where last year’s UN climate change negotiations in Cancún, Mexico, and the subsequent inter-sessional meetings left off.

 

But now the central challenge is to see whether governments involved in Durban will build on the progress achieved in Cancún or withdraw from this promising path and allow short-term national interests to shroud the negotiations. The Cancún Agreements form the basis of the largest collective effort to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to date, with national plans formulated under the banner of the UNFCCC, thus helping ensure accountability.

The package encompasses finance (with the Green Climate Fund and fast-start financing), the Cancún Adaptation Framework, a Technology Mechanism (to support action on mitigation and adaptation, and facilitate low-emission economies) and a formal incorporation of REDD+ (stating clearly that the framework to address deforestation is not only about reducing emissions but also halting and reversing forest loss). It is critical that governments involved in the negotiations, especially Indonesia, lock in the progress of the Cancún Agreements and push for their implementation.

Indonesia, as a resource-rich country striving to develop its economy, alleviate poverty and deal with climate change, has a lot at stake through its involvement in these climate change negotiations. For instance, it is critical to Jakarta that further implementation of the Cancún Adaptation Framework is negotiated. Ensuring the establishment of the Adaptation Committee is the first step toward this. The committee’s establishment will send a strong signal to vulnerable countries affected by climate change, including Indonesia, that governments around the world are serious about helping these countries confront the impacts of climate change.

Indonesia also needs to work hard with other parties to negotiate the realisation of fast-start finance and the Green Climate Fund. The former incorporates pledges made by developed countries to mobilise new and additional resources, amounting to US$30 billion for the period 2010–2012, to help mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. The Green Climate Fund will support projects, programs, policies and other activities in developing countries, using thematic funding windows. But with a number of developed countries facing short-term financial challenges, negotiations on finance are likely to be difficult. Specific to the Green Climate Fund, Indonesia must work together with other tropical-forest nations and like-minded countries to lobby for a special window for REDD+ under this fund.

Tropical-forest nations such as Indonesia have already piloted REDD+. The Indonesian government has produced several policies and strategies to guide its development and implementation, including the introduction of a moratorium on new permits to convert forests and peatlands to other land uses. But this may not be sufficient. Tackling deforestation involves different actors, sectors and layers of governments. These entities are known to have competing interests over land use. Without the provision of clear incentives, it is a Herculean task to persuade these actors to change the patterns of land use in Indonesia. A special window of funding for REDD+ at a global level would certainly provide more than a moral boost for tropical-forest nations to advance their REDD+ development at a national level and on the ground.

Adding to already tough negotiations on finance, Indonesia and other developing countries must also remind parties at the Durban conference about the importance of identifying sources of long-term finance, which are needed to cut GHG emissions and support the adaptation efforts of vulnerable countries. Climate change is going to be a long-term phenomenon and countries like Indonesia will suffer if mitigation and adaptation efforts are formulated only with a short time frame in mind.

And with the need for long-term commitment and action on climate change, Durban is crucial to producing an agreement — or at least a convincing direction — toward a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol. This is especially urgent as the Protocol’s first commitment period — which regulates developed countries’ commitment to cutting their GHG emissions — will end in 2012. The agreement on a second commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol will also help persuade big emerging economies and other countries to set out a clear mandate for a comprehensive and legally binding agreement.

In Durban, the climate talks are at a crossroads. Governments, including that of Indonesia, and other parties have a long road ahead if they are to demonstrate their seriousness about addressing dangerous climate change. The costs of climate change — socially, environmentally and economically — are high. A delay to act will prove ruinous. Indonesia’s delegation has no choice but to commit to continuous hard work and provide real leadership to guarantee a successful outcome in Durban’s climate negotiations.

Fitrian Ardiansyah is a PhD candidate at the Australian National University and the recipient of the Australian Leadership Award and Allison Sudradjat Award.

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“Dialah Pencinta Indonesia Sejati”

“Dialah Pencinta Indonesia Sejati”

Saya sudah mulai membaca tulisan-tulisannya di harian The Jakarta Globe online sejak tahun 2009 ketika saya , dan dari situlah saya benar-benar bisa menikmati dan menyelami bagaimana orang Malaysia yang satu ini begitu memahami, dan mencintai Indonesia, negeri tetangganya. Waktu saya kembali ke Indonesia pada awal 2010, saya kembali membaca artikel2nya tidak hanya yang dimuat di Indonesia, tapi juga di Malaysia, Singapura, dan Filipina. Saya bahkan sempat bertemu dengan beliau waktu beliau berkunjung ke Surabaya dalam acara bedah bukunya yang luar biasa “Ceritalah: Indonesia”. Dialah Karim Raslan.

Kecintaannya yang tulus pada Indonesia itulah yang menggugah batin saya. Kita tentu sering mengetahui banyak orang barat yang begitu dalam mempelajari Indonesia, namun saya ragu apakah mereka kemudian mencintai Indonesia dengan tulus.

Karim Raslan adalah seorang penulis terkemuka dan konsultan yang berbasis di Indonesia dan Malaysia. Beliau adalah satu dari sedikit ahli di bidang social, ekonomi, dan politik sekaligus, untuk regional Asia Tenggara. Beliau adalah pembicara di berbagai seminar tentang ASEAN (dan Asia) dan mempunyai kantor di Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila, dan Bangkok. Keahlian dan kapasitasnya yang memadai untuk urusan regional tersebut membawanya menjadi tamu di berbagai media cetak dan eletronik di Indonesia.

Di samping itu, Karim Raslan adalah seorang Indonesianist sejati dengan pengetahuan tentang sejarah, tokoh, social, ekonomi, politik, diplomasi Indonesia yang sangat mumpuni. Kebanyakan Indonesianist berasal dari Amerika Serikat, Australia dan Belanda. Namun Karim Raslan seorang keturunan Melayu Inggris dari Malaysia sebenarnya adalah seorang Indonesianist dari negeri yang terdekat dengan Indonesia. Pengetahuan Karim Raslan mengenai Indonesia barangkali lebih “baik” dibanding dengan para Indonesianist dari negeri barat, karena factor kedekatan geografis dan keturunan Melayunya yang membuat dia memiliki ke Indonesiaannya lebih dari para Indonesianist barat. Jangan-jangan, pengetahuannya tentang Indonesia..melebihi kebanyakan orang Indonesia sendiri, Saking cintanya terhadap Indonesia, Karim secara rutin berkunjung ke pulau-pulau di nusantara ini dan malahan memiliki rumah di Jakarta dan Bali. Tulisan-tulisan Karim banyak berisi kekaguman dia tentang diaspora persoalan-persoalan di Indonesia. Karim juga secara rutin menulis artikel di berbagai harian nasional dan majalah terkemuka di Indonesia.

Salah satu bukunya mengenai Indonesia berjudul “Ceritalah : Indonesia” yang berisi kumpulan tulisan-tulisannya tentang Indonesia sejak 10 tahun terakhir. Dari tulisan2-nya, kita bisa diselami betapa murninya kecintaan Karim Raslan akan Indonesia, dan betapa pengetahuannya tentang Indonesia digalinya berdasarkan kecintaannya tersebut. Salah satu bukti nyata kecintaannya pada Indonesia adalah, dia pernah menyelenggarakan seminar interaktif di London, dan dia sebagai pembicaranya, yang bertema “Indonesia in the Asian Century:
Opportunities and Challenges”. Sesuatu yang mungkin tidak akan dilakukan oleh siapapun orang Indonesia dengan perencanaan sendiri.

Beliau mempunyai hubungan dekat dengan para tokoh-tokoh terkemuka di Asia Tenggara seperti mantan PM Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva, Presiden Filipina Ninoy Aquino, para menteri, bupati, dan gubernur di Indonesia, dan tentu saja para pejabat tinggi di Malaysia dan Singapura. Pengetahuannya yang luas, pembawaannya yang santun serta kedekatannya dengan para jurnalis dan reporter media, menjadikannya leluasa untuk bergerak di ranah manapun di Indonesia. Ketika tensi hubungan Indonesia-Malaysia memanas, Karim Raslan-lah yang selalu dicari media di Indonesia sebagai “satu-satunya” orang Malaysia yang “tidak memihak”.

Saat ini, Indonesia adalah negara yang sedang mengalami “growing pain” yang cukup menyakitkan, sudah terjadi cukup lama, dan karena “menahan sakit” itu, ada satu hal penting yang terabaikan, yakni bagaimana tokoh-tokoh negeri ini engage dengan serius para tokoh-tokoh Asia Tenggara. Indonesia (dan negara-negara lain di ASEAN) sangat beruntung mempunyai Karim Raslan, yang mendedikasikan banyak waktunya untuk menjadikan desa besar bernama Asia Tenggara, kawasan yang maju secara ekonomi, bangga pada pencapaian2-nya, dan mengerti potensi-potensi yang belum tergali.

Asia Tenggara perlu 1000 orang lagi seperti Karim Raslan.

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Real WOW!

Real WOW!

Peluncuran Program Marketeers Real WOW: Konser Keajaiban Indonesia

Majalah Marketeers bersama dengan MarkPlus, Inc tengah membantu promosi pariwisata Indonesia melalui program kampanye “The Real Wonder of the
World (WOW).” Program ini merupakan insiatif kami sebagai perusahaan media swasta dalam rangka memasarkan pariwisawa Indonesia sebagai situs dunia yang penuh dengan keajaiban terutama dalam aspek budaya dan alam.

Program yang didukung oleh Kementerian Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif Republik Indonesia ini merupakan inisiatif kami dalam rangka memasarkan objek, situs, dan destinasi pariwisata di Indonesia yang memang layak disebut “The Real Wonder of the World” sebagai turunan dari program kampanye “Wonderful Indonesia.”

Program “The Real Wonder of the World” ini pula bertujuan sebagai platform rujukan untuk mempromosikan sederetan panjang objek, situs, dan destinasi pariwisata Indonesia yang selama ini masuk dalam UNESCO World Heritage List seperti Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon, Hutan Sumatera, Taman Nasional Komodo, Candi Prambanan, Candi Borobudur, Carstensz Pyramid, dan Sangiran Early Men Site, dan juga mereka yang selama ini masih dalam posisi “tentative status” sebagai World Heritage List, seperti Raja Ampat, Taman Laut Bunaken, Taman Laut Wakatobi, Pura Besakih, Derawan Archipelago, Muara Takus, dan lain sebagainya.

Program ini pula akan menjadi platform untuk promosi benda-benda intangible dan tangible yang merupakan warisan budaya Indonesia seperti Wayang, Batik, Keris, Angklung, dan sebagainya, juga untuk promosi pelestarian flora dan fauna khas Indonesia seperti Orang Utan, Badak Jawa Bercula Satu, Harimau Sumatera, Kangguru Papua, Burung Cendrawasih, Gajah Sumatera, dan lain sebagainya.

Sebagai peluncuran program untuk mempromosikan deretan panjang keajaiban budaya dan alam di Indonesia ini, kami akan menyelenggarakan “Real WOW Party: Konser Keajaiban Indonesia” yang rencananya akan diselenggarakan di Ballroom Ritz Carlton – Pacific Place, Jakarta, pada 15 Desember 2011 pukul 19.30-22.00 WIB.

Berkolaborasi dengan Kompas Gramedia Production dan KompasTV, Marketeers akan menampilkan pagelaran seni musik rakyat, tarian daerah, dan juga video footage mengenai Keajaiban alam dan budaya Indonesia dari Sabang sampai Merauke. Konser ini juga akan menampilkan Dwiki Dharmawan & World Peace Ensemble, Dwiki Dharmawan & World Peace Ensembel, Elfa’s Singers, Lea Simanjuntak, Ivan Nestorman, Zaneta Naomi, Bayang Paris (Fauzan Ja’Far), dan sebagainya.***

Informasi lebih lanjut silakan menghubungi kontak person: Sigit Kurniawan/Bowo Hartanto di
021-57902338, mobile 087780202299, BBM: 26ae2d9c.

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