Readwrotes Blog

Some Indonesian Islamic groups advocate closer ties with China to offset the United States' influence in Asia.  Indonesian political analysts and religious leaders say these groups reflect opposition to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and recognition of China growing power in Asia. The Islamic group Hizbut-Tahrir features a video on its Indonesian Web site that begins with dramatic music mixed with the sounds of bombs and gunfire, and graphic images of the United States at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. It then cuts to a clip from a speech President Barack Obama made during his campaign. "Those who threaten Israel threaten us. Israel has always faced these threats on the frontlines. And I will bring to the White House an unshakable commitment to Israel's security," Obama said. It is not surprising then that Hizbut-Tahrir's spokesman in Indonesia, Ismail Yusanto, says his organization thinks the United States is not a friend to the Muslim world.  "Bec...

05 April 2010     After decades under a dictatorship, Indonesia has evolved in the past decade into a democracy. With increased political rights has come an increased ability to study and express religious faith in a country with the world's largest Muslim population. As a result, the country's population is growing increasingly pious, which has led to a burst of Muslim pop culture. Browsers and vendors at Jakarta's recent Islamic Book Fair took time from browsing to heed the call to prayer. Unlike on the city's streets, most women wore headscarves, and some covered themselves will full-length abayas, with only slits for their eyes - a rare show of religious modesty in Indonesia. The Islamic Book Fair is the most important event in Indonesia for publishers like Afrizal Sinaro, chairman of the Jakarta publisher's association. With 280 booths this year and an estimated half a million visitors, the fair has eclipsed a more secular, annual book fair. S...

06 April 2010 Photo: AP Residents flee their homes after an earthquake in Singkil, Aceh province on Sumatra island, Indonesia, 07 Apr 2010 A major earthquake has shaken Indonesia's northwest island of Sumatra, prompting a brief tsunami warning and sending residents rushing for higher ground. The U.S. Geological Survey says a 7.7 magnitude earthquake occurred at sea about 215 kilometers northwest of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The quake was felt throughout northern Sumatra and in Malaysia. Local news reports say that patients from some area hospitals were evacuated and that some residents fled to high ground in case of a tsunami. Electricity in some areas was cut off but so far no major damage has been reported. The Indonesia Meteorology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning following the quake, but lifted it two hours later. Susan Potter, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey, says because the earthquake originated deep below the...

Human rights groups are calling on Indonesia to urge Burma to ensure its coming election is free and fair at a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said that Indonesia will promote democracy. And human rights groups in Asia want him to make good on that pledge by pressing Burma's military government to hold free and fair elections. Mr. Yudhoyono meets Thursday and Friday in Vietnam the leaders of Burma and the other members of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations. Elaine Pearson, with Human Rights Watch, wrote an open letter to the Indonesian foreign minister calling on him to press for reform in Burma. She says Indonesia has both the experience and credibility to influence the Burmese leadership. "Because Indonesia is the leading member of ASEAN and it has been a strong and principled voice on the human rights situation in Burma, and because of its own history and transition from a military-led government to a demo...

10 April 2010 Photo: AP In this photo taken from a TV screen , Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva makes an address in Bangkok on the current political situation, 10 Apr 2010 Thailand's Prime Minister says soldiers have ended their operation after at least 10 people were killed in clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in Bangkok. Abhisit Vejjajiva went on television late Saturday to say he will continue efforts to resolve the stituation, refusing to bow to demands to resign.  The beleaguered prime minister expressed condolences to family members of the victims.  Month-long protests turned violent after security forces attempted to move thousands of "Red Shirt" protesters who are blocking key areas in the capital. Security forces have failed to disperse protesters from public places despite firing rubber bullets, tear gas and even live ammunition.  Protesters fought back with stones, guns and gasoline bombs. ...

  Besides the presidential couple, all other people on board the plane reportedly died, including the country's army chief, its deputy foreign minister, the Central Bank governor and scores of other officials, legislators and crew members.  10 April 2010 Photo: AP A huge crowd of mourners gathered in front of the Presidential Palace to pay tribute to late Polish President Lech Kaczynski, in Warsaw, Poland, 10 Apr 2010 Poles are mourning their president Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria who were among those killed in a plane crash in Western Russia. The speaker of parliament has taken over presidential duties in preparation for what will be early elections. Poland's speaker of parliament, Bronislaw Komorowski, became the country's interim head of state Saturday after Polish radio adjusted its regular programming to announce that President Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria were among those killed in a plane crash in Western Russia. New pr...

Hans David Tampubolon ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Denpasar   |  Sat, 04/10/2010 9:06 AM  |  Headlines The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is set to turn its opposition pledge into action, but observers say they doubt the party will live up to expectations due to internal problems. Newly appointed PDI-P secretary-general Tjahjo Kumolo said Friday party members were ready to enforce a political manifesto and recommendations resulting from the congress, particularly upholding its stance as opposition. “The congress’s mandate underlines our pledge to maintain our role as a political force that exercises checks and balances on the government,” Tjahjo said. Rounding up the three-day congress, participants elected Megawati for the third straight five-year term Thursday. Later that day, Megawati chose her aides, including Tjahjo, the chairman of the PDI-P at the House of Representatives. Tjahjo, a seasoned politician...

Hasyim Widhiarto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 04/09/2010 11:20 AM  |  City Kicked out: Ruri, a resident of state-owned the State Administration Institute (IPDN) housing complex, screams while clinging to a gate at a rally at the complex on Jl. Ampera in South Jakarta on Thursday. Residents protested eviction plans by the Home Ministry. JP/J. Adiguna Dozens of residents of a state-owned education and housing complex in Cilandak, South Jakarta, rallied to defend their homes Thursday against eviction officers from the Home Ministry. Forming a human barricade in front of the entrance of the complex, called the State Administration Institute (IPDN), the protesters closed off part of Jl. Ampera Raya, causing severe congestion along the street, which stretches between Cilandak and Kemang. Protest coordinator Andy Ramses Marpaung said the residents rejected the eviction on the grounds that they could not afford to liv...

Amelia Winnie ,  Contributor ,  Jakarta   |  Sun, 03/07/2010 1:01 PM  |  Features Have you ever not known what to wear in the morning? Do you have a dream to wear a well-known international fashion designer? But hey, you can have them all! Here we go. Looklet.com makes it possible. Looklet is a site that has existed since 2009 and was developed along with the rise of cyber technology. It is a digital styling studio where you are allowed to mix and create a look from every garment. Pick real clothes from the virtual wardrobe, put them on a model you choose, select the background you want and save it to show other Looklet users. It inspires you without  making you lose your own touch of personal savor in creating fashionable looks. Looklet requires you to sign up before you can save a new look on your page. The registration process is not complicated - fill in the username you want, email, password and your country. ...

The Jakarta Post   |  Fri, 04/09/2010 12:40 PM  |  Sports Hundreds of fans of Jakarta soccer club Persija rally in front of the National Soccer Association (PSSI) headquarters at Senayan Sports Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday. The fans protested the association’s opposition of the proposed formation of an independent body that would monitor its performance. JP/Wendra Ajistyatama

Arghea Desafti Hapsari ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 04/03/2010 9:04 AM  |  National The Constitutional Court’s ruling that annulled the educational legal entities law, giving universities greater autonomy to develop their resources, will not affect the state budget allocation for education, an official said Friday. “The Constitution has stipulated that the allocation for education should be at least 20 percent of the total state budget,” National Education Ministry spokesman Muhajir told The Jakarta Post. The government for the first time in 2008 managed to increase the education budget to 20 percent of the 2009 state budget. It was Rp 224.44 trillion (US$24.45 billion). The ministry’s higher education director general Fasli Jalal said the subsidy for higher education in 2009 was Rp 18 trillion, Rp 2 trillion higher than the previous year. The subsidy was used, among others, to pay salaries and fund scholarsh...