Tag: Indonesia

Indonesia’s Chief of Defence Force Calls for Greater Regional Cooperation Against IS

Indonesia’s chief of defence forces General Moeldoko has called for greater regional cooperation in the global fight against the Islamic State (IS) threat.

He spoke in Singapore on Wednesday (Oct 29), at a lecture organised by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies. These were his first public comments in Singapore since the appointment of Indonesia’s new President, Joko Widodo.

In a lecture titled TNI Future Challenges and Opportunities, the General sketched out the broad challenges for the Indonesian armed forces and the importance of regional cooperation. A key focus was the IS threat and the danger it may pose in the future to this part of the world.

“There have been several people from countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia who have gone to Syria and Iraq to join IS. We need to find a common understanding among the ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces, to anticipate the future risk, when these fighters return to their home countries. We need to think of concrete steps to deal with this threat,” he said.

The General said it is hard to predict the strategy of IS militants and this is why it is critical for regional forces to come together, consider future scenarios and come up with action plans.

To this end, he said he intends to propose a meeting of regional defence chiefs to discuss the IS threat, at the ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces informal meeting to be held in Malaysia next year. Indonesia hosted a similar meeting earlier this year for military and peacekeeping personnel from 33 countries, at its Peace and Security Centre in Sentul, West Java.

General Moeldoko emphasised in his lecture that the IS ideology does not represent Islam: “I am a Muslim and I can tell you that IS does not represent the Islam that I know. There will be no chance for IS to spread in Indonesia.”

He also touched on President Widodo’s vision of making Indonesia a global maritime axis. He said Indonesia plays an important role in maritime security and stressed the need to enhance regional cooperation, to protect the lucrative trade route along the Straits of Malacca.

The lecture was followed by a 30-minute closed-door question-and-answer session involving more than 100 people. Issues raised included Indonesia’s relations with a rising China, as well as territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the impact on regional security.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore

October 30, 2014
Singapore Writes to Indonesia Expressing “Deep Concern” Over Worsening Haze Situation

SINGAPORE – Air quality in the Republic has worsened, prompting authorities to write to Indonesia expressing “deep concern” over the situation.

A thin veil of grey hung over most areas of Singapore on Friday while the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) – a measure of air quality here – hovered between the high end of the moderate range and the low end of the unhealthy band from the early hours.

At 2pm, the 24-hour PSI across Singapore was in the range of 95 to 103. A reading above 100 refers to unhealthy air quality, in which prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activity should be reduced.

At moderate levels between 50 and 100, normal activities can still be carried out.

– See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/environment/story/singapore-writes-indonesia-express-concern-over-haze-20140919#sthash.O7M9Od2O.dpuf

September 19, 2014
Bintan Resorts Stop Accepting Singapore Dollars, All Transactions in Rupiah

SINGAPORE: Several hotels and resorts in the Indonesian island of Bintan have stopped accepting Singapore dollars since the start of this month, citing a government policy that requires all transactions to be made in the Indonesian rupiah.

Five hotel operators, including Banyan Tree Bintan and Nirwana Gardens, told TODAY that they had been told not to accept foreign currencies. Prior to this, Singapore and American dollars were allowed to be used on the island, the operators said.

The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, however, said the rupiah-only policy is not a new one. An embassy official from its information, social and cultural department referred TODAY to a Bill passed by the Indonesian Parliament in May 2011, which requires all financial transactions within Indonesia to be made in rupiah.

An online report posted on legal firm Allen & Overy’s website said the currency law took effect on June 28 that same year, but does not apply to “transactions related to the state budget, grants given by or to a foreign state, international commercial transactions, bank deposits denominated in foreign currencies and international finance transactions”.

While it is not clear why the law is being enforced only now, a report by the Antara news agency in June this year said the Bank of Indonesia is encouraging people to use the rupiah in their transactions ahead of the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community next year.

“Bank of Indonesia has asked all entrepreneurs and the Indonesian community to use the rupiah currency in every transaction across the nation, as the bank feared that other countries will be one step ahead of Indonesia,” the central bank’s Deputy Governor Ronald Waas had been quoted as saying.

Some travel agencies in Singapore said they had not been told about the rupiah-only policy. But an Asia Travel spokesperson said the company had been told by local operators in Bintan that travellers must use only the rupiah because of a “new government policy”, although it did not receive any official notification. Several travellers described the currency restrictions as inconvenient, but added that they will not be deterred from visiting Bintan.

Communications specialist Chua Ee Ghim, 27, is concerned about carrying too much cash as the rupiah comes in far smaller denominations than Singapore dollars. “I have to be very careful in keeping my notes and ensure that shopkeepers give me the correct change,” he said.

The policy appears to have not taken effect in Batam yet. Batam is another Indonesian island popular with Singaporeans seeking short getaways.

Three resorts there told TODAY that they still accept payment in Singapore dollars. Batam was in the news last month after Indonesian immigration officials at the Batam Centre began sending ferry passengers back to Singapore for talking too loudly.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/hotels-in-bintan-no/1367636.html

September 18, 2014
Stranger Help Feed Homeless Man

This afternoon, there’s this guy, appeared out of no where, looking like a dead man walking, with his head hanging down, his long hair covering his face, dragging his feet at the corridor of my workplace.

There were customers sitting around that area, they obviously felt disturbed. This guy looked like he’s on drugs, or simply mental.

Everybody wanted to chase him away, but none wished to go near him. The first thing that came to mind when I saw him, was that I want to help.

I did acknowledged the possibility of getting harmed if I go near. Nevertheless, without much hesistation, I went forward, put my arm on his shoulder and asked if he’s alright.

I asked what happened to him, where did he come from, where’s his family. He didn’t wanna say a thing at first, but after asking again, he said his whole family died.

I brought him over to the back of the restaurant, and immediately got some food and drinks for him. I asked and he said he haven’t eaten for a few days.

While he was eating that simple plate of rice, with the curry and a fried egg, I could imagine how tough it must’ve been for him. How helpless he is, and how he must’ve felt when everyone bypassed him, rejected him.

After the meal, I wanted to give him a haircut. Our sous chef offered a share of 10 bucks. I brought him to a few saloons, all rejected him, worrying that he would affect their customers. And then we came to one that might have helped, but was not so willing to serve him. I asked if we could just help that poor young man at a cheaper rate, and a simple haircut would do. I was prepared to pay 20bucks for his haircut, but they insisted 30. We left.

So we got back to restaurant, I was suddenly reminded that my nepali colleagues don’t go to saloons. They cut for each other. Thank God. I asked them to help. And one salesman came, a Pakistani. He wanted to help this poor lad too, and offered to give him a haircut, for free. Amazing.

Kudos to the Pakistani guy who helped shaved the homeless man

After the haircut, I looked at him, and thought he was actually quite a decent looking guy. We brought him to the toilet and let him take a shower there.

Moments later, a guy from one of the saloons we visited previously, brought a pair of old converse for him. They fitted perfectly. Praise God!

We chatted for a while. He’s a malay lad, he could speak good english, and was sensible. I thought there would be absolutely no problem for him to get a job.

Now that he’s looking fresh again, I advised him to try and get a job tomorrow, and asked for the company to provide accommodation. For the moment, we told him that he can come over everyday and we can give him some food.

After that, I layed my hand on him and said a simple prayer, and he left.

I thank God that I took the first step to approach him. And thinking back on the whole process, I feel so blessed that I could do something to help. It was effortless. And if I were to live my life helping people everyday like that, I would feel happy, and have a sense of a greater purpose in life. And I know deep inside we’re called to live like that, we’re called to be the light, to bless.

It’s amazing, if that’s what life is about. Cos we’re called, to love.

Authored by: Adrian Choo Mern Jun

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August 16, 2014
Could ISIS Launch Attacks on Malaysia and Indonesia?

ISIS, which now refers to itself as the Islamic State and has claimed the title of Caliphate, has already made it clear that it wants to claim rule over the Muslim world. Now, security officials in both Malaysia and Indonesia claim that ISIS is attracting followers in said countries. How serious is the threat? And could ISIS actually launch global strikes?

Hundreds of years ago caliphates did rule over most of the Islamic world, though they were often more well-known for their moderation, rather than extremism. ISIS is trying to revive the wide sweeping power of the Caliphate, though they are bastardizing it with extremism and increasing attacks against non-Muslims.

Security Threat Real Even If Challenge To Power Isn’t

Whatever ISIS might dream of, the organization simply isn’t in the position to build a global empire. The organization is still small, and its scope is largely limited to Syria and Iraq. Its followers are radicalized and ready to die for their cause. This does allow ISIS to exert a lot of power locally, but expanding that power internationally will be difficult.

That doesn’t mean, however, that ISIS won’t find supporters abroad. Radical groups tend to attract alienated individuals, and every society has its alienated individuals. Authorities in Malaysia and Indonesia now fear that ISIS will be able to use these individuals to launch attacks within South East Asia.

Terrorist attacks, by their very nature, focus on creating fear, rather than high casualties. While ISIS might not be able to ever sieze control of territory in Malaysia or Indonesia, that doesn’t mean the organization can strike fear into the hearts of citizens. Indeed, it only takes a single radical to launch an attack.

Malaysia Is A Prime Targeting

Malaysia is recognized across the world for being a moderate Muslim country. The rights of other religions and minorities are generally respected, even if tensions do exist. The brand of Islam practiced in the country tends to be more moderate, and individual choices are usually left to individuals.

Terrorist activities, however, appear to be on the rise. Over the last several months Malaysia has managed to arrest 19 different suspects for being involved in terrorist activities. There are fears, however, that this may just be scratching at the surface.

Malaysian security officials claim that the government is among the prime targets of the terrorists. As a moderate Islamic government that offers a clear alternative to the extremism espoused by ISIS, the Malaysian government would indeed be a prime target.

At least 20 Malaysians have gone to fight for ISIS.

Indonesia Also Worried About ISIS

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim majority country, home to nearly 250 million people. Over 87 percent of Indonesians are Muslim, so the country is a prime target for radical groups like ISIS. Indonesian authorities have already had to deal with radical threats in the past, though usually they’ve been domestic groups.

Perhaps the most famous domestic terrorist, Abu Bakar Bashir, the now jailed leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, an Al Queda-linked terrorist group, has expressed support for ISIS. Jemaah Islamiya carried out the 2002 Bali bombings that claimed the lives of more than 200 people.

Indonesia is undergoing a rapid period of modernization, which is likely creating a clash of cultures. With rampant poverty and a growing gap between the rich and the poor, the country is also a fertile recruiting ground for radicals looking for new recruits. It should come as no surprise then that at least 56 Indonesians have joined the ranks of ISIS.

Indeed, ISIS is reportedly able to pay each of its fighters up to $250 dollars a month. While this wage might not seem like much, for people from poorer countries, like Indonesia, this can be quite substantial.

Source: http://www.valuewalk.com/2014/08/malaysia-and-indonesia-in-cross-hairs-of-isis-terrorists/

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August 16, 2014