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  • Indonesia VP Blames Foreign Countries For Destroying Forests

    Indonesia VP Blames Foreign Countries For Destroying Forests

    Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla has blamed foreign countries for destroying Indonesia’s forests, and wants them to pay to help restore the damaged land.

    “What happens here is not only our problem. The foreign people also destroyed our forests,” said Kalla when officiating the Indonesia Forest Congress in Jakarta on Wednesday (Nov 30).

    Kalla said he has brought up this point at various international forums, and is angry with those who accused Indonesia for not managing its forest well.

    “During a big conference in Tokyo, someone said that Indonesia has forests, but they are damaged and should be restored,” said Kalla. “I became angry in front of thousands of people. I said, ‘this is a chair, this is a door, this is a window from my country. You take, and pay $5, and you bring it here, and sell for $100. Indonesian companies just get $5’.

    “There is Mitsubishi from Japan, Hyundai and others, they finished what we have. I told them, ‘you have to pay, if not we will cut down all the trees, and let the world feel the heat’. So, the world must also be responsible.”

    He added that Indonesia’s peatland restoration efforts should not be funded by the state, instead contributions should come from the international community.

    Indonesia set up the Peatland Restoration Agency after the massive forest fires last year. The agency’s goal is to restore some two million hectares of damaged peatland, and it needs at least US$1 billion in funding over five years.

    In 2010, Norway pledged US$1 billion for the Reducing Emissions and Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) programme. But the funds have yet to be released because Indonesia has not put in place any REDD programmes.

    Norway’s climate and environment minister visited Indonesia earlier this year to see the progress for himself. Despite the lack of progress, Norway said the funding is still being made available for Indonesia.

    KALLA REMINDS MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR FRESH AIR

    Kalla also reminded Indonesia’s neighbours not to complain when there is haze in the region. He said: “Malaysia and Singapore get angry because of the forest fires. It’s so easy to say, but you think we also don’t feel it? We feel it even more. Secondly, if you get fresh air from Sumatra, Kalimantan, you don’t say thank you. So, if you get the haze, why should I apologise?

    “The world has to pay for all of this. Don’t always accuse Indonesia. I never want to be accused. Even if we are wrong, why do we still give out so many permits (for land)?”

    Forest fires in Indonesia has been an annual problem, resulting in haze that blankets and choke parts of the country and the region. The fires are caused by farmers and corporations using the slash-and-burn method, which is the easiest, and cheapest, to clear the land for plantation.

     

    Source: ChannelNewsAsia

  • Thousands Gather For Protest Against Jakarta Governor

    Thousands Gather For Protest Against Jakarta Governor

    Thousands of white-clad Muslims streamed towards a central Jakarta park on Friday, gathering for a rally expected to draw more than 100,000 Indonesians demanding the arrest of the capital’s governor, a Christian accused of insulting the Koran.

    National news agency Antara said 22,000 police personnel would be deployed to avoid a repeat of the violence that flared at the end of a protest led by hardline Islamists last month when more than 100 people were injured in clashes with police.

    Muslim groups accuse Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama – nicknamed “Ahok” – of insulting the Koran, though they have pledged that Friday’s demonstration will be peaceful.

    Protesters began moving from the hulking Istiqlal mosque towards the National Monument in the centre of the city at around 5am, after morning prayers.

     

    “We are expecting more than 100,000 participants,” Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono said late on Thursday. “There is enough security so the public need not worry. We hope everything will proceed according to the agreement with the protesters.”

    Indonesia has the world’s biggest Muslim population but recognises six religions and is home to dozens of ethnic groups, some of which follow traditional beliefs.

    Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian, is being investigated over comments he made about his opponents’ use of the Koran in political campaigning. He denies wrongdoing but has apologised for the remarks.

    Police on Thursday handed over their investigation dossier to prosecutors, who are expected to take the case of alleged blasphemy to court in coming weeks.

    Simmering religious and ethnic tension last month prompted President Joko Widodo to rally top military, political, and religious figures in a sign of unity amid fears of attempts to undermine the stability of his government.

    Police helicopters last week dropped leaflets over the capital warning residents of harsh penalties if the upcoming rally turned violent.

    Tens of thousands participated in military-led rallies in several cities this week calling for unity and celebrating Indonesia’s diversity.

    The Jakarta government has also put up billboards on major roads calling for national unity and displaying pictures of independence heroes who fought against colonial rule.

    The Australian foreign ministry and the US embassy in Jakarta issued security notices urging nationals to avoid the demonstration.

    Purnama is running for re-election in February against two Muslim candidates. The governor, who is popular with many for pushing through tough reforms to clean up the teeming city, has slipped into second place in the race, opinion polls showed this week.

     

    Source: ChannelNewsAsia

  • Aung San Suu Kyi Visits Ghim Moh Hawker Centre; Treated To Local Delights

    Aung San Suu Kyi Visits Ghim Moh Hawker Centre; Treated To Local Delights

    Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was hosted to breakfast by Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday (Dec 2) at Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre, as the country is looking to upgrade its wet markets and build a hawker centre in Yangon.

    Clad in a traditional Myammar dress, Ms Suu Kyi was treated to local favourites – carrot cake, laksa, tau huay, putu mayam and chwee kueh – ahead of the wrapping up of her three-day visit to Singapore.

    She was accompanied by Myanmar’s Union Minister for Commerce U Than Myint and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin. Also present were the National Environment Agency’s CEO Ronnie Tay and Singapore Ambassador to Myammar Robert Chua.

    The stall owners at Ghim Moh market said they were informed of the visit two days earlier, and some of them came as early as 4am to prepare the dishes.

    Mdm Letchmi Veerapan, who has been serving putu mayam for the past 20 years, told Channel NewsAsia: “”This is my first time meeting Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, I’m really honoured and happy that she chose our dish to try. I came here at 4am to prepare the putu mayam for her. I’m really very honoured to do that.”

    The sentiment was echoed by 66-year-old Lee Sah Bah, stall owner of Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh. “I came early to prepare because she’s our VIP,” she said.

    The Myanmar State Counsellor is not the only one interested in Singapore’s hawker culture. Yangon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein visited Singapore in July to study how Singapore manages its hawker centres, and went to Tiong Bahru Market and Ci Yuan Hawker Centre then.

    Over the last two days, the Nobel Laureate was hosted to dinner by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and called on Acting President J Y Pillay, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. Ms Suu Kyi also visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where an orchid hybrid was named in her honour.

     

    Source: ChannelNewsAsia

  • Gara-Gara Mahu Hidup Mewah Bergaya, 2 Sahabat Mungkin Mati Digantung

    Gara-Gara Mahu Hidup Mewah Bergaya, 2 Sahabat Mungkin Mati Digantung

    Dua sahabat yang ingin menjalani kehidupan mewah dan bergaya pada usia muda sanggup mengambil risiko dengan mengedar dadah di sekitar Besut.

    Bagaimanapun, aktiviti yang didalangi seorang mekanik berumur 23 tahun bersama rakannya yang merupakan seorang penggangur berumur 18 tahun tidak bertahan lama selepas kedua-duanya diberkas polis dalam satu serbuan di sebuah rumah di Taman Pelagat, Besut, Isnin lalu (28 Nov).

    Ketua Polis Terengganu Rosli Ab Rahman berkata hasil serbuan kira-kira pukul 2.00 petang itu, polis menjumpai 670 biji pil kuda, 10 biji pil eramin 5, 1.25 gram syabu dan sebiji pil ecstacy yang bernilai kira-kira RM7,230 (S$2,300).

    Katanya dadah itu disorokkan di dalam sebuah kotak di bahagian bawah almari di rumah berkenaan.

    “Mereka didapati aktif dalam kegiatan pengedaran di sekitar Jerteh. Mereka tidak terlibat dalam penagihan sebaliknya hanya menjual dadah bagi memenuhi gaya hidup mewah,” katanya kepada watawan hari ini.

    Sebuah motosikal jenis EX-5 dan sebuah motosikal Yamaha 125z yang dianggarkan bernilai RM13,000 (S$4,150) turut disita dalam serbuan itu.

    “Kedua-dua mereka direman sehingga 4 Disember mengikut Seksyen 39(B) Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952 yang jika sabit kesalahan boleh dihukum gantung sampai mati,”katanya.

    Source: Berita MediaCorp

  • Sundram: Who Says I’m A Defensive Coach?

    Sundram: Who Says I’m A Defensive Coach?

    His Lions were booted out of the AFF Suzuki Cup at the first hurdle, with a solitary point – and goal.

    And V Sundramoorthy has faced much criticism, with many labelling him as too defensive, while others frowned upon his squad selection.

    In his first comments since returning from Manila, the coach insisted he would have done nothing differently, and there was little more he could ask from his charges.

    “We were attacking the Philippines until the moment we received a harsh red card and, in the next game (against Thailand), your paper highlighted the statistics which showed that we had more shots than Thailand – both in the number of shots as well the number of shots on target,” said Sundram, who has six months left on his year-long contract with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

    “Every player I picked showed 100 per cent commitment during training and in matches, and all of them definitely gave it their all. As a coach, I could not have asked for more from them in terms of commitment.

    “While there are areas for improvement – which I will present in my report to the FAS Council, I am generally pleased with the attitude and dedication of our players.”

    In the opening Group A fixture against the Philippines, midfielder Hafiz Abu Sujad was sent off after just 34 minutes for a reckless challenge. The Lions then went into defensive mode and escaped with a 0-0 draw.

    In the second match against Thailand, they again set up a defensive wall, only to concede an 89th-minute goal to lose 1-0.

    “In our last match, we were 30 minutes away from qualifying for the semi-finals… we should and could have scored more than one goal in the last two matches to secure full points against Thailand and Indonesia, but that’s football,” Sundram conceded.

    In the final group match against Indonesia, the Lions led through Khairul Amri’s goal, but conceded twice in the second half to lose 2-1.

    Sundram did not want to address the Facebook outburst by veteran defender Baihakki Khaizan, who hit out at the national coaches midway through the group stage after he was dropped from the starting 11, and stated he would have changed little in the personnel he took to Manila.

    “This is the best squad available and, considering the likes of Fazrul Nawaz (Tampines Rovers) and Iqbal Hussain (Hougang United) were injured, I’d probably still have selected this team,” he said.

    BACKING

    “We have good and capable management and staff at FAS. Thanks to their full support, we prepared our team to the best of our abilities in various areas including training camps, analysis and support staff etc.

    “We have to move on now and focus on the Asian Cup 2019 qualification third round which will begin in March.”

    Many now believe Singapore football is on a drastic slide but the national coach disagreed.

    “I believe the future of Singapore football is promising, especially with technical director Michel Sablon’s youth development plans getting into higher gear. We may only start to reap the benefits in a few years but, if everybody comes on board this vision – from the authorities to corporate organisations – then I’m sure Singapore football will only grow from strength to strength,” said Sundram.

    The 51-year-old reiterated his pride at leading his country.

    “As a player, you want to wear the national jersey, and I was proud to have that opportunity. Since I hung up my boots, I have never been so proud as when I heard the Majulah Singapura played in the first game,” he said.

    “As the coach of the national team, I represent more than five million Singaporeans and it was a huge honour for me, something I will always remember.”

     

    Source: The New Paper

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