Marine festival offers attractions in W. Sumatra

The Jakarta Post, Syofiardi Bachyul

The Youth and Sports Ministry organized last month a marine festival at a beautiful beach in Padang, West Sumatra. The annual event, called the International Youth and Sport Marine Festival (FIPOB) was aimed at promoting tourism in the province.

Apart from sports contests such as boat race, diving, swimming, fishing, surfing, paragliding and many more, the festival also highlighted cultural shows.

It also saw culinary competitions like cooking lemang (local snack) and crushing chilis.

There was a contest dedicated to fishermen, namely pulling the fishing net competition.

The most appealing contest was the kite competition during which various shapes of kites were flown.

Expatriates from Brunei Darussalam, Germany and Malaysia took part in various competitions.

BMG warns possibility of high tides in Mentawai

Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang

The West Sumatra Disaster Mitigation Coordination Unit has issued a warning to fishermen and ship operators about the possibility of strong waves in the Indian Ocean, including waters around the Mentawai Islands regency.

Unit head Ade Edward said Wednesday the Meteorological and Geophysics Agency (BMG) predicted three- to five-meter swells could hit the region between Sept. 24 and Sept. 27, while three-to four-meter waves may be present between Sept. 28 to Sept. 30.

"Such high waves could pose a risk to all kinds of vessels sailing in the Indian Ocean, including waters around the Mentawai Islands and coastal areas of West Sumatra," said Ade.

He said the high tides could trigger natural disasters along the coast of West Sumatra.

"Those living in areas prone to abrasion should heighten their awareness," he said.

The head of the BMG in Padang, Emrizal, said it was not possible to record or predict the arrival of high tides accurately.

"However, high tides will probably take place around the Mentawai Islands next week," he said.

Passenger ferries plying the Padang-Mentawai Islands route continue to operate on an irregular schedule despite the warnings.

A Sumber Rezeki Baru vessel, which should have departed for Padang on Tuesday at 6 p.m. from the Maileppet dock in South Siberut, Siberut Island, was forced to leave Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the 10-hour journey.

"Ships were unable to leave last night due to high tides," a passenger, Gerson, 25, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

In Sikakap on Pagai Island, fishermen have been reluctant to go out to sea since an earthquake struck Bengkulu on Sept. 12.

"Most of the residents in Sikakap are still taking refuge on the hills, including fishermen. They are especially reluctant to go fishing now the tides are high," Supri, a Sikakap resident, said.

In Parupuk Tabing, Padang city, at least five houses located near the beach were severely damaged by three-meter waves on Sept. 25. A week earlier, 11 houses in the same area were damaged by high tides. However, in general residents living in erosion-prone areas were yet to move to safer locations.

Parupuk Tabing village administrative chief Usman Syamra said many houses had been cracked by the earthquake.

"The houses are no longer inhabitable. Their wells have been submerged by sea water and can no longer be used. Residents have to buy clean water," he said.

Navy to build marines infantry brigade in S Sulawesi

Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) will soon build a marines infantry brigade in Pinrang district, South Sulawesi, to strengthen security in the Makassar Strait known as Indonesian Islands Waterway II.

"We will build it as soon as possible, depending on the preparedness of the Pinrang district administration in preparing the required land and promoting the local people`s understanding about the matter," Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Slamet Soebijanto said Thursday.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of his visit to observe the planned location for the marines infantry brigade at Ujung Lero village about 200 km north of Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province.

The marines infantry brigade will be the second of its kind to be overseen by the Naval Base VI after the one in Makassar.

However, the naval chief stopped short of mentioning the number of personnel to serve at the marines infrantry brigade.

"We will adjust their number to the need," he said.

He said the village was chosen as the location for the marines infantry brigade as it had strategic position.

"The Makassar Strait is passed through by many international ships. So we must secure the waters well. Otherwise, our image in the eyes of the international community will be bad," he said.

Indonesian police`s speed boat stranded in Malaysia`s water due to engine failure

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A speed boat of Indonesia`s water police was stranded in Malaysian waters due to engine failure, Commissioner General Iman Haryatna, Head of the Security Development Body of the Indonesian Police, said here on Thursday.

"Our boat had an engine failure on September 25, 2007, and was carried away by sea waves to Malaysian waters. As the consequence, the boat was arrested by Malaysia`s police," he said.

Two water policemen aboard the ill-fated boat were patrolling Indonesia`s waters to detect any log smuggling attempts into Malaysia, he said. On September 2, 2007, the same speed boat arrested a boat carrying 43,000 m3 of illegal logs, he said.

"So, the boat was in charge of stopping log smuggle attempts in the sea route, which is prone to smuggling of illegal logs," he said.

"The boat and the two policemen were detained but today they will be handed over to the Indonesian Police after receiving an explanation that the boat had stalled in the sea," he said.

So, the case was dealt with peacefully, he said.

Commenting on the Malaysian media` reports, he said that he had no idea about a shooting incident by the Malaysian police in the arrest of the Indonesian boat.

Navy foils piracy attempt on tanker in Malacca Strait

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

The Indonesian Navy has foiled a hijacking attempt by a group of pirates that boarded Kraton tanker, which was transporting 2,294 tons of cooking oil across the Malacca Strait.

The Navy foiled the piracy attempt Monday after the tanker, which departed from Palembang, South Sumatra, en route to Cilacap in Central Java, was attacked by 14 pirates at the tip of the Musi River on Saturday.

Ruskandi, the captain of the tanker, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that after sailing for five hours from the Musi River near Palembang, a group of people in a small boat approached the tanker and climbed on board waving pistols.

"A number of the tanker's crew members were kidnapped. I immediately informed Teluk Bayut port's administration about the incident ... told the officers the pirates had brought bombs with them and were ready to use them," Ruskandi said.

He said the pirates took over the tanker, which was transporting cooking oil worth around Rp 22 billion (US$2.40 million), and steered the tanker in the direction of Malaysia or Singapore. He said all crew members, including himself, were tied up.

Commander of the Navy's West Fleet Commodore Denny Novendy said the piracy attempt was foiled after the Navy deployed six of its warships.

"The warships intentionally hit the tanker to give the pirates a fright. With only one shot fired by the pirates, the Navy managed to overpower them without causing any casualties," Denny said.

He said the group of pirates was led by Hussen, whose headquarters is in Palembang. He added the group was equipped with a 200 horsepower speedboat and a number of pistols and sharp weapons.

"We're now investigating the piracy attempt, to uncover who the mastermind(s) are behind it. The Navy will thoroughly investigate it," he said.

Head of the Navy's information section, Col. Iskandar Sitompoel, said the attack was the first piracy attempt foiled by the Navy this year, despite the relatively high frequency of piracy incidents.

"However, the Navy has expressed confidence in maintaining security in the Malacca Strait and cooperation with its counterparts from Singapore and Malaysia," Iskandar said.

Setiono, one of the captured pirates, said the 14 pirates in the group consisted of members from four groups with various skills, who were reportedly recruited by a Palembang resident identified as Zulkifli, 50.

Setiono admitted to have been assigned to drive the tanker into Malaysian waters. The pirates were promised Rp 150 million each if they managed to steer the tanker to Malaysia, he said.

"Our group was equipped with a satellite telephone facility in order to report once the tanker had entered Malaysian waters. This is my first experience with piracy," said Setiono, a freelance captain who claimed to hail from Surabaya.

Other pirates in charge of taking over the tanker were M. Teguh and Hussen, who later disclosed the piracy attempt had been planned for one month under orders from Zulkifli.

"The authorities need to capture Zulkifli, who employed us. He is the mastermind behind this piracy attempt," Teguh said.

One thousand Bangladeshi fishermen missing in storm

Barguna, Bangladesh (ANTARA News) - About 1,000 fishermen along with nearly 100 trawlers went missing in the high waves of the Bay of Bengal, a local official said Saturday in the fishing port Barguna in southern Bangladesh.

Local administrator Selim Khan said the missing fishermen were caught in an unexpected storm which whipped up high walls of water in the bay early Friday.

Khan said hundreds of fishermen went to the bay at the advent of the autumn fishing season.

"There were about 1,200 fishermen on the missing trawlers," Golam Mustafa Chowdhury of the Barguna Fishing Trawlers` Association said.

Survivors said several trawlers were damaged by the tropical squalls.

A rescue operation has been mounted by coast guards and fire brigade divers, DPA reported.

Papuan fishermen rescued after 20 days at sea

The Jakarta Post

AMBON (Antara): Three fisherman stranded for 20 days were rescued Saturday in Maluku's Seram Sea by warship the KRI Cenderawasih-533, the Navy has announced.

The fishermen were evacuated to the Navy's Ambon naval base in Halong village, the ship's commander Major Baharuddin Anwar said Saturday.

The three men, identified as Abidin, Roi and Udin Rumatu, underwent intensive medical treatment at the naval base's hospital and would be sent home to Fak-Fak, Papua, after their recovery, he said.

The Papuan fishermen's ordeal began after the engine of their boat broke down on Sept. 1. The men were forced to survive by eating flying fish eggs and drinking seawater after their food supplies ran out.

Japan to provide assistance for RI`s Maritime Security Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Japan is to donate three patrol boats and US$300 million to Indonesia`s Maritime Security Coordination Agency (Bakorkamla) in support of efforts to maintain security in Indonesia`s maritime territory, the agency`s chief said.

"In addition to the three patrol boats, Japan is also to provide a US$300 million grant for the development and improvement of Bakorkamla," the agency`s chief, Vice Admiral Djoko Sumaryono said on Wednesday after the signing of a maritime security cooperation agreement between Bakorkamla and the North Sulawesi provincial administration.

He said many countries, including Japan and Germany, were prepared to help Bakorkamla in capacity building.

"Although Bakorkamla is not yet functioning as a `coast guard`, other countries are keenly interested in the agency`s existence. They know about us and are committed to assisting us," Djoko said.

Asked about the realization of the Japanese assistance, Djoko said it would be handed over to the Indonesian government in December 2007 while the grant of US$300 million had also been reported to the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).

Commenting on a report that Japan had cancelled a plan to give 142 patrol boats to Bakorkamla because the agency had yet to operate as a coast guard, Djoko said the report was not true.

"We are going to reconfirm the suspension, but in reality the Japanese government has agreed to give three patrol boats and US$300 million fund to Bakorkamla," Djoko said.

He said that besides Japan, Germany was also ready to help in anti terror training program and the report of maritime danger to Bakorkamla personnel.

"The assistance in anti terror training program will be given by Germany`s antiterror special force SG-9, in addition to providing Bakorkamla with multi-purpose boats," Djoko said.

He added Indonesia was currrently making efforts to have the German assistance plan realized in the near future.

RI, U.S. sign agreement on disaster mitigation

The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA (Antara): Indonesia's Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) renewed an agreement on disaster mitigation on Tuesday, adding a new clause on the installment of four detecting buoys in disaster-prone areas.

The cooperation with the NOAA has been established since 2000, covering 12 field, including disaster early-warning signals, said Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi after signing the agreement with the Assistant Administrator of theNOAA, Richard W Spinrad.

The ministry's secretary-general, Widi Agoes Pratikto, said the NOAA also provided technical assistance through an extension specialist program that would evaluate factors that could reducethe number of victims in disasters.

The cooperation between the ministry and the NOAA would also cover marine and coastal area observation, and research on marine and coastal area development, management and conservation.

The NOAA would also provide training and courses in Indonesia's 33 provinces on threats and dangers to marine life and fisheries.

"The NOAA uses its satellites to detect these threats and dangers. Now, it's up to us whether we can read the data that they provide. Therefore, we have to be ready for that," Widi said.

He said the NOAA also offered research on various issues such as global warming, marine pharmaceutical and sea level rises. The body earlier gave input for the drafting of a bill on coastal areas and islands in Indonesia, he said.

Australia arrests 61 Indonesian fishermen

The Jakarta Post

BRISBANE (Antara): Australian authorities have arrested 61 Indonesian fishermen on charges of poaching in an Australian fishery zone, an official said Wednesday.

"We previously received notification on the arrest of the Indonesian fishermen. But only this week did we get their data from the Australian Immigration authorities," First Secretary at the Indonesian Consulate General in Darwin, Teguh Wiweko, toldAntara on Wednesday.

He said the consulate general needed the fishermen's information to prepare travel documents for their deportation.

Usually in these types of cases, a crew member is detained for a week or 10 days before he or she is deported, Teguh said.

On Aug. 25, Australian patrol boats also detained three Indonesian traditional fishing vessels with 29 crew members in the waters of the Ashmore islands.He said the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 1974 that allowed Indonesian traditional fishermen to fish in the waters of the Ashmore islands for their personal needs. However,commercial fishing is not allowed.

However, the area is a nature preserve so Indonesian fishermen should respect the status of the waters, he said.

Navy to set up base in Yogyakarta

Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Navy is planning to set up a base in the Yogyakarta region, central Java, to better ensure maritime security to the country`s south, its chief said.

"Yogyakarta is one of our choices as it is quite strategically located," Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Slamet Soebijanto said here on Monday.

He said Indonesia still lacked adequate naval bases covering waters to its south. "We only have one but it is located in Kupang (East Nusatenggara)," he said.

It was hoped the plan to build a base in Yogyakarta could be realized soon, Soebijanto said, adding the existence of a naval base in the area would guarantee security for ships passing through waters off the country`s southern coasts.

"With the security guarantee it is hoped the economic sector in the region will further develop," he said.

Regarding the precise location of the base he said there were two alternatives, namely Kulon Progo or Gunung Kidul.

Seismologists tracking Indonesian quakes get a taste of the real thing

The Jakarta Post

PADANG (AP): American seismologist John Galetzka grabbed his video camera and screamed as the beach trembled violently beneath him. Despite the danger, he was not about to miss what could be the most deadly natural disaster of our time.

"Ooooohh! This is the big one!" whooped the scientist, who plopped down on the sand to film coconuts shaking out of trees as Wednesday's magnitude 7.9 quake hit.

Galetzka has spent nearly a decade studying this fault off Sumatra island - the world's most active - and believes it is ready to explode, leading to a potential repeat of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 230,000 people. Or even something worse.

Last week's powerful temblor shook four Southeast Asian countries, triggered two massive aftershocks and spawned a 3-meter-high tsunami. It killed 23 people and injured at least 88 more, but it was not the megathrust Galetzka and others have been fearing.

The activity did, however, put even more tension on the so-called Mentawai island patch - a nearly 300-kilometer stretch along the volatile fault - that pops about every 200 years.

It last snapped in 1833, according to research by the California Institute of Technology's Tectonics Observatory, causing a quake of around magnitude 9.0.

"Whether it cuts loose a few minutes from now, or next month, or another 10 or 20 years, that's the big question," said Galetzka, a CalTech research assistant, who was setting up a monitoring station on Siberut island when the quakes hit. "But we are a huge step closer. I think it's just around the corner."

The island is perched directly atop the Mentawai patch, about 150 kilometers off western Sumatra's coast.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

The most closely watched fault is the meeting point of the Eurasian and Pacific tectonic plates, which have been pushing against each other for millions of years. The magnitude 9.0 quake that set off the 2004 tsunami was centered along that line, and more than two-thirds of those killed in 12 nations lived in Aceh province, on Sumatra's northern tip.

Last week's quakes were also centered along that fault, but they formed a circle around the Mentawai island section that Galetzka and others worry so much about. That means the pressure continues to build there.

Padang, a low-lying seaside city of 900,000 people, is expected to take the heaviest hit next time a big one strikes, with authorities fearing up to 100,000 will be unable to escape giant waves that could once again surge across the Indian Ocean at jetliner speeds.

Many people said a public awareness campaign launched after the 2004 tsunami paid off, with warnings issued over mosque speakers and training provided by local officials on how to escape a disaster.

But some complained they received no official warning this time.

"I'm more afraid than ever of a tsunami," said Yurizal, a 31-year-old brick maker from Kota Agung village who felt the strong tremor but heard no warnings after. "We need sirens or something before it's too late."

Chinese boat poaching in Indonesian waters

Biak, Papua (ANTARA News) - An Indonesian Navy patrol boat intercepted a Chinese Siong Siong Hay boat when it was poaching in Padaido waters in Biak Numfor district early on Sunday, an official said.

The KRI Taliwangsa ship had trailed the Chinese boat carrying 19 crew members since Saturday afternoon before the latter was caught 10 miles east of Padaido island, Indonesian ship commander Capt Toto Irianto said here Sunday.

KRI Taliwangsa crew members did not find any compulsory document on Siong Siong Hay`s activity when they searched the Chinese boat, he said.

The Siong Siong Hay boat was now held in a pier belongs to Mina Jaya fishery firm in Semau village here.

Toto said the local officials found hard to interrogate the Chinese farmers as they could not speak English and were looking for a Chinese interpreter for a question.

Endangered Kalimantan monkey found in untapped forest

Pelaihari, S Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Some 60 nasalis larvatus, sp (local monkey) were found living in group in an untapped forest in Asam Asam area in Tanah Laut (Tala) district by researchers of the South Kalimantan-chapter of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), an official has said.

The finding of the endangered nasalis larvatus (locally called bekantan) last August was incredible as the albino mammal has been threatened with extinction, South Kalimantan chapter of BKSDA chairman Siswoyo said here Sunday.

Even, Kaget island which was turned into a nasalis larvatus habitat only has a smaller number of nasalis larvatus, he said.

Nasalis larvatus population in Kaget island has dwindled due to mining activities near the island, he said.

"The finding of around 60 bekantan monkeys which like to live in companionship in a solitary place is very encouraging," he said.

To maintain the population of the endangered animal, the South Kalimantan-chapter of BKSDA has asked Tala district head Adriansyah to ban any group from doing activity in Kaget island.

"The Tala district head has agreed with the idea. BKSDA has also asked South Kalimantan governor Rudy Ariffin to help protect Kaget island from any mining activities which can harm the population of nasalis larvatus," he said.

Indonesia to improve port security

Indonesia has announced it will improve security at seven of the country's major port terminals after a U-S Coast Guard warning.

The Transport Ministry says the Coast Guard found seven terminals that did not fully comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.

It says Indonesia has 90 days from the notification to fix the problems and the department is already working on the problem.

If the the improvements aren't made, then goods and ships from the ports will require tight escort when arriving in the United States, which would create higher costs.

Jitters as Indonesia buys Russian subs

Mark Forbes Herald Correspondent in Jakarta

September 5, 2007

INDONESIA will finalise a $1.2 billion deal with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in Jakarta tomorrow, to fund the purchase of Russian submarines, tanks and helicopters.

The acquisition of two high-performance Kilo-class submarines has significant strategic implications for Australia and could erode its naval dominance in the region, military experts believe.

An Indonesian Navy spokesman, Sugeng Darmawan, told the Herald long-term plans to buy another eight of the new submarines were already being discussed.

Tomorrow's agreement will deepen military links between Russia and Indonesia as well as upgrading Indonesia's army, navy and air force. It will reduce Indonesia's dependence on US military supplies.

Under the deal, Russia will provide a $1.2 billion line of credit to finance the military purchases. Indonesia will acquire two of the most advanced conventional submarines built by Russia, 22 helicopters and 20 tanks.

The move will fuel rising concerns about an accelerating regional arms race, with China, Japan and Australia - among others - involved in big military acquisitions. Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum leaders will this weekend discuss concerns about the regional build-up.

The head of the Australian National University's Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Hugh White, said the submarine purchase would "significantly complicate" Australia's naval planning as they would represent a real threat to surface warships.

"These are Russia's highest quality conventional boats; they would significantly increase Indonesia's capability," he said. "It is most strategically significant for Australia; if there was any conflict with Indonesia these submarines would massively complicate the use of Australian surface ships."

The continuing pattern of big arms purchases in the region was eroding Australia's air and naval advantage, despite the $10 billion acquisition of air warfare destroyers, he said.

Australian defence planning has the destroyers as essential to protecting military forces deployed offshore.

First Admiral Darmawan said Indonesia's navy was proposing a fleet of 10 submarines and 260 surface ships in the longer term.

Mr Putin and the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, would witness the signing of the deal tomorrow, the Indonesian Defence Ministry spokesman, Edy Butar Butar, said.

It is the first visit of a Russian leader to Indonesia and the pair will hold wide-ranging talks before travelling to Sydney for the APEC summit. Stronger trade, as well as military ties, will be endorsed.

Brigadier-General Butar said the deal would reduce Indonesia's military dependence on the US.

Coral reef in Bangka Belitung Damaged

Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Province (ANTARA News) - Around 30 percent of coral reefs in Bangka Belitung (Babel) waters have been damaged due to illegal tin mining and fish poaching activities, an official said.

Coral reefs in Lepar and Pongok (South Bangka), Tanjung Ular (West Bangka), Mendanau and Nasik Strait (Belitung) were damaged at an average rate of 30 percent, Dr Yulistyo, head of the Bangka Belitung marine and fishery service, said here on Tuesday.

On Bangka Island in particular, the coral reef damages were due to floating tin mining activities which used boats to absorb tin ore, he said.

The most damaged areas were in the coastal line where tin mining activities were carried out up to a depth of 30 meters, he said.

Coral reef damages could affect the province`s economy because reefs were important habitat of fish. When the habitat was damaged, the fish would also be gone and the province`s fishermen would be difficult to get fish, he said.

Another factor which damaged coral reefs was illegal poaching activities which used explosives, he said.

Indonesia has around 17 percent of the world`s total coral reefs.

US wants to import frozen kerapu from Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The United States has expressed its readiness to import frozen `kerapu` seafish during a meeting with its Indonesian counterpart recently, Director General for Fish Breeding, Made L Nurjana said here on Tuesday.

The director general said that his office sometime ago held a meeting with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss the U.S. importation of Indonesian shrimp. "The FDA said that consumers in the United States could also accept Indonesia`s frozen `kerapu` fish."

He said that Indonesia so far had exported its kerapu fish to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. It was exported in live state so that the volumes were limited.

The director general said that kerapu fish which was exported in live state had high risk of dying on the way so that it was difficult to carry out exports of this fish in large volumes.

Apart from that, it would take one year to breed this fish until they could be harvested so that production volume was also difficult to increase.

He said that the United States would not limit the volume of its demand for kerapu fish, particularly the `kerapu tikus` (Cromileptes altivelis)fish type. Indonesia so far has been exporting white kerapu fish only, he added.