RI Sumbang Sasando ke Museum Musik Etnik Spanyol
Caravaca – Indonesia menyumbangkan sebuah alat musik sasando dari Pulau Rote sebagai koleksi Museum Musik Etnik Barranda, Spanyol.Museum ini terletak di kota Caravaca dela Cruz, provinsi Murcia, sekitar 300km dari Madrid.
Sumbangan alat musik petik dari Indonesia Timur itu diserahkan langsung oleh Duta Besar RI untuk Kerajaan Spanyol Adiyatwidi Adiwoso Asmady kepada pemilik merangkap Direktur Museum Carlos Blanco Fadol, demikian keterangan pers Sekretaris III PensosbudKrisnawati Desi Purnawestri kepada detikcom, Senin (8/8/2011).
Disaksikan Walikota Caravaca de la Cruz, Domingo Aranda Muoz dan beberapa pejabat setempat serta pejabat KBRI Madrid, Dubes menyampaikan bahwa sasando yang disumbangkan kepada Museum Musik Etnik ini mempunyai kisah tersendiri.
Menurut Dubes, pada kesempatan pameran pariwisata terbesar di Spanyol, FITUR (Januari 2011), sasando ini dimainkan oleh Nicodemus Tenis di hadapan Ratu Sofia yang tengah berkunjung ke anjungan Indonesia.
“Ratu Sofia terlihat sangat kagum dan sempat bertanya-tanya tentang alat musik unik dan sederhana ini, yang terbuat dari bambu dan daun lontar, namun menghasilkan suara sangat indah,” ujar Dubes.
Museum Musik Etnik Barranda saat ini memiliki koleksi terbesar alat musik dari berbagai belahan dunia. Beberapa alat musik Indonesia yang telah menjadi koleksi Museum ini adalah seperangkat gamelan Jawa, angklung dan kentongan ageng, yakni kentongan tertua dari Jawa Barat.
Gamelan Jawa dan kentongan ageng merupakan koleksi-koleksi utama museum ini. Dengan penambahan sasando ke dalam koleksi museum ini, diharapkan semakin memperkenalkan kekayaan budaya bangsa Indonesia kepada masyarakat Spanyol, khususnya warga Murcia.
Selain menyumbangkan sasando, masih dalam rangkaian kegiatan kebudayaan Indonesia di Murcia, pada kesempatan tersebut Dubes juga meresmikan pembukaan pameran Gamelan Jegog Bali di Gereja Compania de Jesus, Caravaca de la Cruz.
News Source: Detik
Posted on Good News From Indonesia by Muhammad Q Rusydan
Indonesian Proposed as Official ASEAN Language
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesia-Malaysia Round Table Conference Indonesia has recommended Malaysian/Indonesian language as official language of ASEAN, like accepted by the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Association (AIPA), an international relations expert said.
“The forum has made a recommendation, one of which for of the use Malaysian/ Indonesian language as official language in ASEAN,” Director of International Study Institute of FISIP (social and political science faculty), Syarif Hidayatullah UIN Nazaruddin Nasution SH, MA, told ANTARA in Jakarta Thursday.
He said those taking part in the forum will make the recommendation while hoping heads of state of ASEAN give their approval at the upcoming summit. The Indonesia-Malaysia Round Table Conference in Kuala Lumpur on July 25 and 26 is sponsored by Foreign Policy Study Group (FPSG)- Malaysia and Eminent Persons Group (EPG)- Indonesia, the Indonesian Council on World Affairs (ICWA) and the International Study Institute/FISIP of Syarif Hidayatullah UIN.
The forum was attended by representatives of civil community organizations like academicians, MPs, non-governmental institutions and former diplomats of the two countries, and focused more on how to develop P-to-P cooperation in their second track diplomacy to strengthen G-to-G relations and cooperation. Nazaruddin, former Indonesian ambassador to Cambodia, said a commitment from Indonesia and Malaysia was necessary now that the chair is held by Indonesia.
Giving an example in regional organizations in America (OAS) Spanish had been used for a long time besides English. And the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Association (AIPA) has recently even accepted Malaysian/Indonesian language besides English as the official language or the organization.
The members of ASEAN are Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with a total population of close to 600 million. Indonesia gets a turn to chair ASEAN in 2011 and become host of the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta in May 2011.
In relation to the formation of the the ASEAN Community 2015, the forum suggested Indonesia and Malaysia to set aside their differences and prioritize their similarities in facing bilateral, regional and international issues. Islam and democracy, territorial claim, problems of Indonesian migrant workers, culture and media reports as well as interparliamentary relations between the two countries are other serious issues in talks in the forum.
Those who spoke for Indonesia are Secretary of the Eminent Persons Group/EPG), Musni Umar Dean of FISIP UIN, Prof DR. Bahtiar Effendy member of the House commission I Muhammad Najib, former diplomat Ibrahim Yusuf from ICWA and Nazaruddin Nasution of the International Study Institute, and Jumhur Hidayat, chairman of the Indonesian TKI placement and protection agency (BNP2TKI).
Nazaruddin said further that the forum has issued a recommendation: to strengthen relations between peoples through various ways, like parliaments, NGOs, academicians, students and the masses, besides the efforts of the Indonesian and Malaysian governments.
It was also agreed to form of Parliamentary Caucus by the parliaments of the two countries, the formation of an Indonesia-Malaysia education foundation, and coordinate the handling of nontraditional issues, like human trafficking, terrorism and climate change.
News Source: Kompas
Posted on Good News From Indonesia by Muhammad Q Rusydan
Indonesia Has Well-Prepared Development Plan, Strategy
PALEMBANG, KOMPAS.com – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the nation has a well-prepared development plan and strategy, and therefore he was optimistic the development targets would be achieved.
“I am optimistic it’s achievable,” Yudhoyono said when speaking at a coordinating meeting of Sumatra governors here on Friday.
Indonesia has short, middle and long term development plans, he said. Besides, Indonesia has also four development strategies, namely pro growth, pro poor, pro employment growth, and pro environment.
He said there were four reasons why Indonesia could achieve the development targets.
First, Indonesia has huge potential in terms of geography, natural resources, and human resources.
Second, Indonesia managed to revive and survive during the economic crisis some time back.
Third, Indonesia has rapid economic growth profile both in the context of Asia and the world.
Fourth, the Indonesian economy keeps on growing despite some internal problems such as concerning infrastructure, weak low enforcement, and bureaucracy.
Therefore, the head of state asked all parties to cooperate in order to eradicate all obstacles in order to achieve the development targets. Indonesia has the assets, and now it needs the determination and commitment of its people to work together. “Just do it, let’s do it together.”
News Source: Kompas
Posted on Good News From Indonesia by Muhammad Q Rusydan
Thailand Dekati Indonesia Garap Pasar Busana Muslim
Jakarta – Thailand mulai mengintip dan mengajak kerjasama Indonesia dalam pengembangan busana muslim. Hal ini untuk memanfaatkan pasar busana muslim yang berpotensi menembus pasar internasional termasuk Eropa.
Direktur Jederal Industri Kecil Menengah (IKM) Kementerian Perindustrian Euis Saedah mengungkapkan, utusan pemerintah Thailand akan melakukan kerjasama dengan Asosiasi Perancang Pengusaha Mode Indonesia (APPMI) di bidang busana muslim.
Ketertarikan yang dibawa Thailand untuk produk muslim Indonesia juga akan berdampak bagus buat Indonesia. Thailand sudah memiliki akses pasar ke Eropa karena telah terjalin kerja sama dengan Perancis dalam perdagangan.
“Thailand itu kagum dengan kemajuan busana muslim di Indonesia dan Thailand itu sudah punya akses ke pasar Eropa, mereka kerjasama dengan Prancis,” seperti yang diutarakan Direktur Jederal Industri Kecil Menengah (IKM) Kementerian Perindustrian Euis Saedah.
Alasan Thailand memilih busana muslim, kata Euis, karena busana pasar Eropa juga sudah melirik produk ini untuk semakin diperluas di pasar-pasar Eropa. Salah satu negara yang juga mayoritas muslim, Turki, bisa jadi pasar yang besar untuk busana muslim nantinya.
“Busana muslim ini sangat laris, terutama di Eropa dan Turki dan juga pasar menjanjikan. Berbeda dengan fashion yang sudah dipegang oleh branding tertentu, busana muslim ini belum, masih suatu yang baru dan unik,” paparnya.
Euis menjelaskan, nantinya pembicaraan dengan Thailand dapat mewujudkan sebuah langkah konkrit yang dapat menguntungkan kedua belah pihak. Euis mengharapkan, akan muncul 1 merek baru yang dicetus oleh kedua negara untuk busana muslim.
News Source: Detik.com
Posted in Good News From Indonesia by Muhammad Q Rusydan
Clinton: Indonesia Can Be Democratic Role Nodel
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is urging Indonesia to promote democracy in Myanmar and countries in the Middle East and North Africa in the throes of upheaval. She says its successful transition from dictatorship and status as a vibrant Muslim-majority democracy make it an ideal role model for both Myanmar and the Arab world.
In meetings with senior Indonesian officials on Sunday in Bali, Clinton said the country’s recent history “provides an example for a transition to civilian rule and building strong democratic institutions.” She said Indonesia has made significant strides toward democracy and shown that Islam and democracy can co-exist.
“In the year of the Arab Spring, there has never been a better moment for Indonesians to share what they learned from their own transition to democracy with the people of Egypt, Tunisia, and other nations that are now on that same difficult journey,” Clinton said.
Indonesia, a nation of more than 237 million people, was ruled since the end of World War II by dictators Sukarno and Suharto. Suharto was ousted in a popular uprising in 1998. The world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia emerged from decades of authoritarian rule just over 10 years ago.
Its history could show the Asian nation of Myanmar the way toward democracy.
“Indonesia’s own recent history provides an example for a transition to civilian rule and building strong democratic institutions,” Clinton said during a news conference with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.
Myanmar’s new civilian government, which took over late last year after a half-century of military rule, needs to make “concrete, measurable progress” in bringing about democratic reforms if it wants to win the confidence of the international community, Clinton said earlier in the week.
That includes releasing more than 2,000 political prisoners and holding meaningful dialogue with its political opponents.
News Source: The Jakarta Post
Posted on Good News From Indonesia by Muhammad Q Rusydan
Best Tourism for Indonesia
this is a kind of old story but good to read. in 2008, Spain’s travel magazine Viajes y Turistico gave an award to Indonesia as the best travel destination for the future which offered tradition and enchantment (premio mejor destino turistico de futuro).
Executing Social Function and Cultural Embassy in Madrid, Allen Simarmata, as quoted by Antara news agency, said that the Director of Magazines Viajes y Turistico Faustino Castilla gave the award to Indonesia on the evening’s best gift and travel awards at the Hotel Colon, Madrid.
According to Allen Simarmata, assessment of the award Premio Mejor Destino Turistico de Futuro which Indonesia achieved was a magazine reader’s poll Viajes y Turistico to charm and beauty of cultural tourism of Indonesia. it was the first Indonesia’s achievement from Viajes y Turistica magazine.
Allen said that the award was a result from tourism and culture promotion that had been done by the Indonesian Embassy, especially tourism promotion which cooperated with Department of culture and tourism in International tourism FITUR which held annually in Madrid.
In special edition on January 2008, the magazine posted an article about the richness and the beauty of Indonesian culture titled “La belleza Turistica de Indonesia se ofrece a los viajeros espanoles” (Indonesia tourism enchantment presented on Spanish tourists)
The award that was achieved by Indonesia has given a good and positive image and successfully increase the number of tourist from Spain. “Every year, more than 30.000 Spanish travel to Indonesia, and Bali is the main destination,” Allen Simarmata said.
News Source: Kompas.com
Posted in Good News From Indonesia by Muhammad Q Rusydan
Edited by Farah Fitriani
REDD+ as Indonesia Pathway to Prosperity
In September 2009, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono committed Indonesia to a 26 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and up to a 41 percent reduction with international assistance, while growing the economy at 7 percent per year at the same time.
As emissions from forests and peatland forests account for more than 60 percent of Indonesia’s overall emissions, the concept of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) is gaining traction as a critical effort to meet these goals.
REDD+, simply stated, is a government-led program of policies and incentives that protect and enhance natural forests, while supporting the country’s overall economic development goals. The President has assigned top government officials to lead this effort, donor countries have committed over a US$1 billion to the cause, and in May 2011 the President signed a two-year moratorium on the conversion of primary forests to commercial activities.
As these REDD+ efforts gain steam, a debate is emerging over their impacts on the Indonesian economy and the prosperity of businesses and communities that work in the forest. How, some ask, can we protect forests, and at the same time allow vital industries like timber products and oil palm to flourish?
How will we create jobs and wealth for the Indonesian people? How can Indonesia meet the President’s “7/41” growth and emission targets? These are all excellent questions. In fact, REDD+ will not only accommodate the growth of these critical industries, it has the potential to accelerate growth and prosperity in Indonesia. Three key points to keep in mind.
First, REDD+ is not about slowing growth, but about growing in a smarter way that minimizes impacts on the forest. For example, emerging research by The Nature Conservancy in East Kalimantan indicates that with better logging practices, timber concessions can reduce their forest impact and carbon emissions by as much as 40 percent without reducing jobs and the volume of timber produced.
This is achieved through better forest management planning, the use of narrower logging roads and skid trails, and more sophisticated felling practices. Another example – Indonesia has approximately 35 million hectares of degraded land that could be used to expand oil palm, fast growing tree plantations and other agricultural industries, instead of clearing native forest.
Training timber companies on reduced impact logging and preparing degraded lands for production will take money, but these are precisely the types of investments that international REDD+ funding is intended for.
Second, REDD+ will enhance Indonesia’s international competitiveness and access to markets. Global consumers, corporations and governments are increasingly insisting on a legal and sustainable supply of forest products, oil palm, beef, seafood and other commodities. The US Lacey Act prohibits importation of products derived from illegally harvested timber.
Global corporations like Walmart and McDonald’s are adopting socially and environmentally sustainable purchasing practices.
And the government of Indonesia and the European Commission recently completed negotiations on an agreement to promote legally harvested and sustainable timber in Indonesia, and to improve the attractiveness of Indonesian timber products in the European market.
Through REDD+, Indonesia has an opportunity to become a global leader on sustainability. Indeed, without improved spatial planning and production practices, Indonesia may lose access to key markets in the coming years.
Finally, REDD+ will ensure that Indonesia improves its natural resource management and maintains clean water, clean air and other benefits of healthy forests, which are vital to long-term national prosperity.
Rapid, poorly planned economic growth will compromise these important natural services. We all have seen, for example, how the harmful haze generated from burning forests can impact Indonesian prosperity and compromise relationships with neighboring countries.
REDD+ is particularly critical for the local communities that live in forested areas, and are most impacted by industrial expansion in rural areas. A more sustainable approach will help these communities maintain healthy forests and the associated clean air and water, while benefiting from growing economic opportunities.
The Nature Conservancy is working with district, provincial, and national governments, timber and oil palm companies, and local communities in the District of Berau, East Kalimantan to test this green development approach through a practical, on-the-ground example.
The Berau Forest Carbon Program will demonstrate how REDD+ can support long-term sustainable growth, create jobs, protect forests, and reduce carbon emissions, while providing a model for economic development for Indonesia and beyond.
So, indeed, the President’s commitment to reduce emissions 26 percent to 41 percent while sustaining 7 percent annual growth is attainable. However, considerable hard work lies ahead to make this vision a reality. Over the coming years, Indonesia will need to reform its historical spatial planning and industrial practices, and transition toward a new green development model, funded in part through international REDD funding.
More immediately, a permanent REDD+ Agency needs to be established that is independent of existing line ministries. REDD+ is a complex issue beyond the purview of any one ministry, and the new agency is needed to play the critical role of leading and coordinating the national REDD+ strategy across the whole government. Together, governments, NGOs, businesses, and the public need to get behind Indonesia’s ambitious yet critically important green development goals to put the country on a pathway to prosperity.
Wahjudi Wardojo is Senior Advisor on International Forest Carbon Policy for The Nature Conservancy in Indonesia and Greg Fishbein is the Managing Director for Forest Carbon for The Nature Conservancy in Washington, DC.
News Source: Thejakartapost.com
Posted in Good News From Indonesia by Muhammad Q Rusydan
