Malaysia seeks Indonesia`s help against military-style pirates

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - Malaysia has sought Indonesia's help to crack down on pirates in military-style uniforms who have been menacing fishing boats in the southern Malacca Strait, a senior police official said Tuesday.   

The action came after a fisherman was wounded earlier this month when sea raiders dressed in camouflage gear fired at his vessel, said Isa Munir, commander of Malaysia's maritime police department.   

"We are investigating it. We are trying to coordinate the operation (to provide security for fishing boats) with Indonesian authorities. We are intensifying our patrols," he told AFP.  

Isa said the attack took place in the waters off southern Johor state facing neighbouring Indonesia, part of the waterway which is a crucial lifeline to global trade and which just a few years ago was a piracy hotspot.   

In the last few years, coordinated patrols from the countries bordering the strait -- Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore -- have virtually eradicated attacks.   

But Isa said fishermen had been complaining that pirates in military uniform were preying on them.   

The Star newspaper said Tuesday that the pirates were robbing fishermen of their equipment and demanding protection money of 10,000-45,000 ringgit (2,900-12,900 dollars), threatening their livelihoods.  

Isa said the marine police would investigate the claims and urged fishermen to report attacks immediately so that a patrol boat could be deployed to nab the pirates.

Hundreds get their hands dirty in Kuta beach clean-up

Andra Wisnu, The Jakarta Post, Kuta | Wed, 12/31/2008 10:50 AM  |  Bali

 

Hundreds of hotel employees got their hands dirty Saturday morning to remove the trash piling up on Kuta beach, although government officials remain skeptical that the build-up of trash on the beach -- due to seasonal rains -- will ever stop.

 

In a clean-up campaign initiated by the Kuta district chief and the Badung regent, the hotel employees collected glass, plastic and paper (as well as seaweed and stray branches) that has collected on the shores of Kuta beach.

 

The frustration among the volunteers was apparent, as they remain helpless against preventing the build up of trash in Kuta. During the rainy season, trash washes down from inland rivers and covers the beach's southern and eastern shores.

 

"We're cleaning up because this is related to our income as hoteliers. Tourists won't want to come to Bali anymore if this disgusting condition continues," one hotel employee, who was picking up branches in the shore, said.

 

"It's so ugly and it's so bad for business. But this is all I can do to keep Kuta clean," another hotel employee said.

 

The campaign was initiated to assist the official Kuta beach task force, which is in charge of keeping Kuta beach clean. The beach's numerous peddlers often take it upon themselves to keep their main source of their income trash free.

 

This year has been so bad though that, even after the Badung regent deployed hundreds of trash trucks to take away the refuse, it continues to pile up on the coastline.

 

The curling waves are turning brown from plastic, sediment and other refuse littering the water.

 

Badung Regent Anak Agung Gde Agung, who was present during the clean-up campaign, said he regretted that the trash continued to pile up this year, though he blamed the occurrence on "natural phenomenon" and said that it hadn't significantly affected the island's tourism industry.

 

"We haven't had that many complaints because this is now a natural phenomena, it's the strong winds that carry the trash from the deeper areas of the sea onto the shore," he said.

 

He further blamed fishermen, who throw dead fish back into the sea, for stinking up the beach.

 

"The smell from the rotting fish is making the smell worse than all the trash build-up and is truly regretful," he said.

 

Head of the Bali Tourism Board Ngurah Wijaya said he had talked with the regents from each area in an effort to prevent citizens from littering.

 

"However, this is in the hands of each regent so I cannot guarantee that it won't happen again next year.

 

"In fact, I'm pretty sure this is going to happen again next year," he said.

 

Meanwhile, tourists spending their day in Kuta on Monday expressed nothing but disappointment at the less than savory condition of the beach.

 

"It's literally the dirtiest beach ever," said Sherrie McKibben, 50, a tourist from Ohio who had spent years living in Surabaya and holidaying in Bali.

 

"And it's a big problem, because this beach is the face of Indonesia and I don't think tourists would ever come here again if this continues," she said, adding that she planned to spend her holiday in Ubud.

 

Noah Dwyer-Voss, 15, a tourist from California, said he didn't mind the stench but would not consider swimming in the water due to the high amount of trash.

 

"It's just annoying to be playing in the beach, and then you got plastic floating next to you," he said.

 

Arif Yudhi, 22, a student who was vacationing from Magelang, Central Java, was surprised to see the famous Kuta beach this dirty.

 

"This is my first time and I've got to say this is not how I imagined it to be," he said.)

Related Article:

Garbage piling up at Bali`s Kuta beach

Whale, dolphin hot spot near East Timor

theage.com.au , December 31, 2008 - 1:42PM

Thousands of dolphins and whales have been sighted in the deep waters off East Timor, with scientists hoping the migratory corridor will jump-start the tiny country's tourism sector.

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has conducted the country's first major boat-based survey of cetaceans in a joint project with the Timor-Leste government.

"The dolphins and small whales were literally jumping out of the water all around us, it was hard to know which animal to photograph," said Timorese researcher Jose Monteiro.

Working on board a traditional 20-metre wooden Indonesian vessel, the scientists were surprised to uncover a global hot spot of whale and dolphin activity.

They identified about 10 species of cetaceans, including blue whales, beaked whales, short-finned pilot whales, melon headed whales and six species of dolphins.

Size comparison of all known extant cetacean species.

(Note the human diver at lower right for scale)

In one day alone, more than 1,000 individuals in eight separate pods were spotted over a 50-kilometre stretch of coast.

"This is among the highest level of cetacean abundance ever recorded," said principal scientist Karen Edyvane.

"We were all amazed to see such an abundance, diversity and density of cetaceans."

Prof Edyvane said the findings confirmed that the deep oceanic waters off East Timor - along the Wetar and Ombai straits - were a major migratory route for marine wildlife moving between the Pacific and Indian oceans.

Celestino Barreto de Cunha, director of fisheries management within East Timor's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, said the marine hot spot could hold the key to the developing nation's tourism industry.

"The government recognises the enormous potential for marine ecotourism along its coast and will proceed very carefully in the development of this industry," he said.

"We are committed to ensuring that this marine biodiversity is protected and we will continue to look to Australia to provide good scientific advice on developing a sustainable marine ecotourism industry."

AIMS project leader Dr Mark Meekan said ecotourism had become one of the world's fastest growing marine industries and could provide a much needed boost to East Timor's economy.

"There are absolutely huge numbers of cetaceans, that is whales and dolphins," he said.

"It is probably a global hot spot for biodiversity of these animals - it's really quite striking."

Bali tourists on alert for high waves from cyclone Billy

The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Mon, 12/29/2008 11:38 AM

The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) has warned all tourists visiting Bali to stay alert because cyclone Billy may be bearing waves up to 3-and-a-half meters high to the southern coastline. kompas.com reports.

BMG spokesperson for Bali and Nusa Tenggara areas Sutrisno said Monday his office was expecting Billy to continue affecting beaches across the island chain during the next two days, despite its weakening intensity.

"All visitors must be on the alert for tidal waves which may occur suddenly, particularly along Bali's southern beaches," he said, adding that the storm had originated in Australia's Carpentaria Bay.

He said BMG and Bali Police have warned all travel agencies and resorts to pay careful attention to their guests following the disappearance of five high schoolers in the high waves and severe undertow off Laloan Beach in Tabanan, Bali, on Sunday.

The students are Gede Novi Saputra, Made Candra Rela Putra, I Gusti Ngurah Ananta, Komang Ari Susanto and Made Darma Hermawan, all from Tabanan's Selemadeg 1 high school.

Police are still searching for the five. (ewd)

10 die in ship accident

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 12/29/2008 1:44 PM

At least 10 passengers, including women and children, died when their ship sunk at Asemdoyong Sea Resort in Pemalang, Central Java, on Monday morning.

"We have received 10 bodies so far, none of them have been identified yet," M Asyari hospital official, Yayuk, told Kompas.com.

Kompas.com reported that the vessel had been carrying 30 passengers who were travelling to see a local traditional event held in celebration of the new Islamic new year.

It was also reported that eyewitnesses had said the ship had been overloaded.

"When high waves hit, the ship tossed over and eventually sank," an eyewitness was quoted by Kompas.com as saying.

TURTLES GO WILD

The Jakarta Post   |  Sun, 12/28/2008 12:47 PM 

 

 

TURTLES GO WILD: Foreign tourists join the people of Gili Trawangan in West Lombok to release turtles to the wild at the Gili Terawangan beach on Saturday. Muhamad Taufik, head of Gili Indah village, said that a total of 50 turtles were released to the wild. The turtles were collected from a number of turtle breeding facilities in the area. JP/Panca Nugraha

Related Article:

The friendly Sunset Gecko at Gili Meno

Way Kambas river overflows, inundates two Lampung regencies

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 12/28/2008 11:45 AM

The Way Sekampung River in Lampung, South Sumatera, overflowed inundating two Lampung regencies and diplacing hundreds of residents.

"The Way Sekampung overflowed due to heavy rain for the past three days and also tidal waves," Sragi subdistrict head, Tanggun, said, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

The four inundated subdistricts are Sragi, Jabung, Pasir Sakti and Sekampung Udik in East Lampung.

Tempo reported that Bandar Agung village in Sragi and Sumur Kucing village in Pasir Sakti were the worst hit.

The water height at both villages were reportedly up to 2.5 meters.

The recent floods, Lampung's biggest since 1988, have caused hundreds of residents to relocate to higher grounds and set up makeshift camps.

Thousands of hectares of dikes and rice fields were also inundated.

The South and East Lampung regional offices have reportedly distributed medicine and food to victims at makeshift shelters. (amr)

Four houses in Mataram destroyed by tidal waves

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 12/28/2008 9:46 AM

Tidal waves destroyed at least four fishermen houses at Bintaro Jaya, Ampenan, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Saturday night, Antara news agency reported on Sunday.

The overflowing sea water also destroyed a number of fishing boats at Bintaro Jaya, flooded a number of villages in the area and submerged about three hectares of rice field along the beach.

"In the beginning, we felt a tremor, maybe it was from the waves, and suddenly sea water flooded our village," said Mursid, a neighborhood head at Bintaro Jaya.

Local Youth Disaster Preparedness Team (Tagana) deployed its members to the area to evacuate villagers, especially children and women, to nearby Al-Mujahiddin mosque.

"We also brought bread and biscuits to help the victims, and we will wait till tomorrow whether we need to bring more supplies such as rice," Tagana chief Nyoman Dibya told Antara Saturday night.

According to locals, floods from sea water have hit the area twice this year. The first incident occurred on February 20, where about seven-meter-high tidal waves hit coastal villages in Bintaro Jaya and nearby areas.

Two workers drowned as boat flipped

The Jakarta Post | Sat, 12/27/2008 5:27 PM

Two men working for the state plantation company in Cilacap drowned on Saturday when the boat they were using to deliver 2,000 seeds of Sengon tree flipped due to a sudden rush of waves, Antara newswire reported.

The two workers have been identified as 50-year old Poniman and 48 -year old Sukarso, both are citizens of Donan sub-district, Cilacap regency.

Witnesses said that the incident occurred at about 9 a.m. and that they were heading to Jojok village, Kutawaru sub-district using a logistic transport boat made of fiberglass. Their boat flipped only 500 meters away from their company's port, the witnesses said.

A witness said he heard them crying for help but was unable to reach them in time.

As of the writing of this story, a search and rescue team had been deployed to find the bodies of the two workers. (and)

Aquaculture Production Expected to Increase 45 Percent Next Year

Arti Ekawati, The Jakarta Globe, 27 December 2008

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries said that aquaculture, or commercial fisheries, would overtake traditional fishing as the main source of Indonesia’s seafood in next year.

Soen’an Hadi Poernomo, the ministry’s head of information, said aquaculture production was projected to rise 45.1 percent next year to 7.4 million tons from 5.1 million tons this year. Wild fish output, the bulk of which comes from traditional small boat and platform fishing, is projected at 5.5 million tons, a 2 percent rise from this year’s expected 5.4 million tons.

In 2007, the fisheries industry was worth Rp 70.6 trillion.

The increasing numbers for fisheries has seen aquaculture production grow from 2.2 million tons in 2005 to 3.1 million fish in 2007, a 43 percent increase over two years.

He attributed the increase to government calls on fishermen to move from traditional methods to aquaculture because of high oil prices.

Fuel costs comprise about 50 percent of fishermens’ expenses. With oil prices soaring over the past few years, more fishermen have kept their boats at dock. “Therefore, we urged them to shift to aquaculture,” Soen’an said.

Arif Satria, a fisheries researcher, said that the ministry should also provide much-needed management of the sector.

“Aquaculture very much depends on water quality,” he said. Many local residents are using rivers and canals to farm their fish, which were at risk from pollution and overcrowding,” he said.

Bali to expand seaweed cultivation to deeper sea

Wasti Atmodjo, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Sat, 12/27/2008 10:54 AM 

 

Bali administration will expand seaweed cultivation by constructing seaweed plantations in the deeper zones of the island's offshore areas, a senior official said recently.

 

Seaweed cultivation has became a primary source of income for thousands of Balinese living in the island's coastal region.

 

Traditionally, seaweed is cultivated in plantations that lie not far from the beach line.

 

"Its about time we develop seaweed plantations in offshore areas around one kilometers away from the beach line," said the head of Bali Fishery and Maritime Agency's cultivation section, I Ketut Rai.

 

He said Bali had a total of 9.6 square kilometers of offshore area that was suitable for seaweed cultivation. The area lies in Nusa Penida island, Nusa Lembongan island, Sawangan in Nusa Dua and Denpasar.

 

"All these years, seaweed cultivation has been mainly conducted at offshore areas near or next to beaches," he added.

 

The plantations mainly comprise of arrays of bamboo or iron stakes driven into the sand. The stakes were connected with ropes on which the farmers tied the seeds of seaweeds.

 

The plantation of seeds, the maintenance of the plantations and the harvests heavily depended on the tidal movements. Only when the water receded, Rai said, the farmers could plant, prune and harvest the seaweed.

 

Seaweed cultivation at deeper sea, Rai pointed out, had slightly different characteristics. The plantation would mainly made of an array of floating rafts, on which the ropes of seaweed seeds were fastened.

 

"The operations of this plantation are not determined by tidal movements. The farmers will be able to maintain the plantations even during high tide," he added.

 

The expansion was necessary to cope with the markets' increasing demand.

 

"So far, no matter how much seaweed our farmers harvested, the markets have always absorbed it," Rai said.

 

Japan, China and Taiwan are the major markets for Bali's seaweeds.

 

The head of Bali Fishery and Maritime Agency's statistics section, Ni Ketut Adiani, said Bali had an estimated maximum production capacity of more than 152 tons seaweed per year.

 

The actual production capacity, she admitted, was still far below the estimated one.

 

The current price of seaweed, she said, was relatively stable. Farmers could get Rp 23,000 for each kilogram of dried seaweed. Harvest took place once in every 40 days.

 

"By expanding the cultivation to deeper seas we hope to increase the production capacity, thus, boosting their revenues and mitigating the chronic problem of poverty that haunts our coastal regions," Rai said.

RI’S Fish Exports In 2008 Reach 2.5 Billion USD

Beritasore.com, 27 Desember 2008 | 14:26 WIB

 

Jakarta ( Berita ) :  Indonesia’s fishery exports in 2008 reached 2.5 billion USD, while the target was set at 2.68 billion USD. “Based on a report from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries  and the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), until December 23, the exports in 2008 reached 2.5 billion USD,” Saut P Hutagalung, Director of Foreign Marketing of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, said on Friday.

 

Up until June 2008, the exports reached 1.3 billion USD, and 1.6 billion US dollars in August. “The 2008 exports predicted at only 2.5 billion, due to the  global financial crisis. In November and December, demands for  shrimps and tuna fish had declined,” Hutagalung said, adding that there are still many obstacles facing the maritime and fisheries sector in 2008.

 

Up until June, the implementation of CD 236/2006 from the European Union resulted in withheld Indonesia’s fishery products at the port for five to 15 days. It caused an increase in export costs. In July to September, the exporters faced  obstacles when there was a shortage of fishery product supplies. Other problems  said Hutagalung, included  transhipment allegations.

World Ocean Conference (WOC) preparation

Antara, 26 December 2008

President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono authenticate four hotels in Manado, North Sulawesi, Friday (Dec.26). The hotels were prepared to hold World Ocean Conference 2009 (WOC) in next May. (ANTARA photo/Basrul Haq)

WOC Website

President: All national ships must fly Indonesian flag

Gresik, East Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reiterated the government`s determination here on Wednesday to make all the ships transporting goods between the different parts of the country to fly the Indonesian flag. 

Speaking at the commemoration of the 9th anniversary of Nusantara Day at the Gresik port in East Java, President Yudhoyono said that the government had already issued Presidential Instruction Number 5 of 2005 on improvement of all national ships for their interinsular operations in the country. 

"We wish to restore the glory of our national fleet," he said. 

Although the goal was not yet fully achieved the President said the presidential instruction had been implemented to increase the number of national ships.

 

In 2006 the President said Indonesia only had 6,041 ships but the number rose 36.7 percent to 8,256 in 2008.

 

"We wish the number will rise again so that only red and white-flagged ships will conduct domestic transportation of goods," he said.

 

The President also said that sea transportation service by national fleet also rose in the first quarter of 2008 to 71.4 percent from 65.3 percent in 2007.

 

"This is what is right. What is wrong is if more foreign-flagged ships are operating in our territory. Let us become the host for our own country," he said.

 

President Yudhoyono in his speech also mentioned the country`s increasing fishery production. He said the country`s fishery production had risen from 6.9 million tons in 2005 to 8.6 million tons in the second quarter this year.

 

The rise, he said, demonstrated that the government`s decision to revitalize the fishery sector in 2005 was on the right track.

 

President Yudhoyono further called on his cabinet ministers and also leaders of coastal regions to help speed up development in the sector.

 

"This is an opportunity to advance coastal regions and their fishermen," he said.

 

In view of the vastness of the country`s territory of which three quarters are waters President Yudhoyono said future policy must keep the country`s development in a sound balance between land and marine natural resources.

Indonesian boats found in Aussie waters

Jakarta,  (ANTARA News/AAP) - Two Indonesian fishing vessels found inside Australian waters have been escorted to Darwin by border protection officers.

 

A total of 11 crew were found on board the foreign vessels on Christmas Eve and have been transported to Darwin for further investigation by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

 

The vessels were allegedly found with approximately 600kg of trepang, a marine slug, 420kg of fish and 120kg of semi-dried fish.

 

Commander of Border Protection Command Rear Admiral Allan du Toit said the vessels were intercepted and apprehended approximately 180 nautical miles (333km) north-west of Darwin.

 

He said Border Protection Command had a total of up to 18 vessels and 14 aircraft patrolling Australian waters 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

 

"The successful apprehension of these foreign fishing vessels demonstrates the effectiveness of Border Protection Command to detect and respond to maritime threats in Australian waters," he said.

 

The Indonesian vessels were intercepted and apprehended by the Royal Australian Navy patrol boat HMAS Maryborough, under the control of Border Protection Command and with the support of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Coral reefs recovering quickly from tsunami damage

The Jakarta Post

Michael Casey, The Associated Press, Bangkok | Fri, 12/26/2008 4:14 PM

Indonesia's coral reefs damaged by the 2004 tsunami are recovering rapidly, helped by natural colonization and a drop in illegal fishing, scientists said Friday.

Surveys taken after the Dec. 26, 2004, disaster showed up to a third of reefs were damaged and experts predicted it would take a decade for full recovery.

Scientists from the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society, working with the Indonesian government and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said their examination of 60 sites on 497 miles (800 kilometers) of coastline along Indonesia's Aceh province showed the reefs were bouncing back.

"On the 4th anniversary of the tsunami, this is a great story of ecosystem resilience and recovery," said Dr. Stuart Campbell, coordinator of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Indonesia Marine Program.

"Our scientific monitoring is showing rapid growth of young corals in areas where the tsunami caused damage, and also the return of new generations of corals in areas previously damaged by destructive fishing," Campbell said in a statement. "These findings provide new insights into coral recovery processes that can help us manage coral reefs in the face of climate change."

A massive earthquake off Sumatra triggered the tsunami, which killed more than 230,000 people along the Indian Ocean coastline - more than half in Indonesia.

Reef studies after the disaster found up to 30 percent of reefs were damaged in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka. The study predicted they would recover in 10 years, but much depended on efforts to control illegal fishing, pollution and coastal development.

In the case of Aceh, Campbell said communities have responded to the maritime conservation calls to protect the reefs. Fishermen have stopped using illegal techniques like dynamite and villagers have transplanted corals into areas that were hardest hit.

"The recovery, which is in part due to improved management and the direct assistance of local people, gives enormous hope that coral reefs in this remote region can return to their previous condition and provide local communities with the resources they need to prosper," Campbell said.

Healthy coral reefs are economic engines for Acehnese communities, Campbell added, supplying fish to eat and sell as well as tourism dollars from recreational diving.

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a reef expert from the University of Queensland who did not take part in the study, said the findings were not surprising since corals typically will recover if not affected by fishing and coastal development.

"The mechanical damage from the tsunami left a whole bunch of shattered corals on the bottom of the sea," Hoegh-Guldberg said.

"Left alone, these things can quickly grow back into what looks like a coral reef in a short time," he said. "We are seeing similar things around the southern Great Barrier Reef where reefs that experience major catastrophe can bounce back quite quickly."

John Bruno, a reef expert from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, agreed saying it shows coral reefs are able to recover after severe disturbances.

"There has been so much bad news about coral decline lately, and the threats to corals seem to increase every year. It is important to recognize that these invaluable ecosystems are not lost," he said in an e-mai interview. "We just have to implement some common sense policies locally and substantially reduce emissions of greenhouse gases at a global scale."

Six oil and gas firms to use local banks, more to follow, BP Migas says

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 12/26/2008 11:20 AM  

Six oil and gas operators have opened six joint bank accounts at domestic banks to deposit their so-called abandonment and site restoration budgets totaling US$60 million. 

The nation's regulator for oil and gas upstream industry also has access to the account. 

The six contractors are: PT Pertamina EP, Medco Tarakan, Medco Rimau, Kalrez Petroleum, Kangean Energy Indonesia Ltd, and Kondur Petroleum SA, said BPMigas' chairman R. Priyono Wednesday. 

The abandonment and site restoration budget is the amount of funds oil and gas contractors must set aside to uproot their production facilities and restore environmental surroundings after they complete their activities. 

Priyono said the contractors used to place the money in individual accounts, which could be in foreign banks. Now, BPMigas has ordered them to put the money in domestic banks, whose accounts will be jointly held with BPMigas. 

"This joint account mechanism is a sort of control mechanism. By using this joint account, contractors can only withdraw the money with the approval from BPMigas," Priyono said during the signing ceremony with the constructors. 

On Wednesday, Kalrez Petroleum, Kangean Energy Indonesia, Medco Tarakan and Medco Rimau opened joint accounts with BPMigas at BNI, while PT Pertamina EP and Kondur Petroleum opened an account at BRI. 

He said BPMigas ordered contractors to place the money in local banks to help stabilize the balance of payments of the country's domestic banks. 

This regulation forms part of a package of new regulations issued by BPMigas that basically require oil and gas operators to use domestic banks to deposit their funds for their entire business operations within the country. 

In the past, many contractors placed their operational funds in overseas banks, particularly in countries where their headquarters are located. For next year, oil and gas contractors here planned to spend up to $13 billion for their operations. 

However, the joint account mechanism only applies to abandonment and site restoration budgets. 

"Hopefully, these joint accounts will make the management of the abandonment and site restoration more efficient," BNI president director Gatot M Suwondo said. 

Currently, there are 64 contractors operating at the production stage, according to BPMigas data. However, BPMigas's general deputy Hardiono said not all oil and gas contractors would be implicated by the regulation. 

The obligation to set aside the abandonment and site restoration budget only applies to contracts signed after 1994, after Indonesia ratified the UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

BPMigas did not set a deadline for oil and gas contractors to move their budgets into joint accounts. 

However, Hardiono said the process might take some time because contractors need to build their trust in domestic banks. -- Alfian

President checks Tsunami Drill preparation in Manado

Manado (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Friday morning checks the preparation of tsunami drill which is to be conducted on Saturday, December 27, 2008.

On the occasion North Sulawesi Governor SH Sarundajang, Research and Technology Minister Kusmayanto Kadiman, and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi explained the official steps relating to activity to the president.

Indonesian flag flies over debris at Meulobah, Aceh Earthquake 9.2 / Tsunami Disaster December 2004

The tsunami simulation drill in Manado, North Sulawesi, was originally scheduled for Friday, December 26, but the president decided to adjourn it to Saturday because on Friday it was in conjunction with the second day of Christmas.

The simulation drill would be organized by the Research and Technology Ministry in cooperation with the Meteorology and Geophysics Aggency (BMG) in conjunction with the commemoration of the devastating tsunami that hit Aceh province on December 26, 2004.

After checking the preparation, President Yudhoyono and his entourage would leave Manado for Jakarta at 10:30 on Friday morning.

The chairman of the event`s organizing committee, HR Makagansa, said here recently that the tsunami simulation drill would need the participation of at least 15,000 volunteers who would be recruited from among the general public, civil servants, military, police and quarters responsible for rescue management in a tsunami disaster, students and medical staffers.

The committee had decided 11 points to be the tracks of evacuation during the simulation, among others Lorong Miftahul Janah, Pancaran Kasih Hospital, Tombariri viallge, Tomohon village, Kakas village, Piere Tendean street, Rex Mundi Foundation, Lorong Pondol, Gunung Langit, and the International Trade Center.

Some of the victims in the drill would be evacuated to the Adventist Hospital, Teling Hospital, and the North Sulawesi governor`s office.

Meanwhile, Governor SH Sarundajang said Manado city and coastal areas in North Sulawesi were prone to earthquakes capable of triggering tsunami.

North Sulawesi and Gorontalo provinces were jolted by three consecutive powerful earthquakes measuring 7.7, 6.0, and 5.7 on the Richter scale respectively last November 17, 2008.

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Kuntoro Mangkusubroto: Working as the hand of God in Aceh

Improvements seen four years after the Indian Ocean tsunami

Images of Aceh Earthquake 9.2 /Tsunami Disaster December 2004

CTI initiated by Indonesia: president

Manado, N Sulawesi,  (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Summit would be held in Manado, North Sulawesi on May 11 through 15, 2009 under Indonesia`s initiative. 

He said that Indonesia had asked five countries to take part in the CTI to discuss ways to safeguard coral reefs in the region. 

As the coral triangle involves six countries, Indonesia was encouraged to ask them to lobby the United Nations so that the world body would approve the holding of the CTI summit, the president said.

 

The six countries which are directly involved in the CTI are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and two observers, namely the United States and Australia.

 

He said that coral reefs needed to be protected because they are useful to human life and prevent global warming.

 

The president said that the CTI activities would be successful and would gain attention from the whole world.

 

The CTI summit will be concurrently held with the World Ocean Conference (WOC) to discuss efforts to save the sea from the threats of climate change, global warming and criminal acts.

Marshall atolls declare emergency

A state of emergency has been declared in the Marshall Islands as widespread flooding displaced hundreds of people.

BBC World

The islands have been pounded three times in two weeks by powerful waves caused by storm surges and high tides.

The floods have swamped the main urban centres of Majuro and Ebeye which are less than a metre above sea level.

Government officials said the flooding showed how vulnerable the western Pacific atoll nation is to small changes in weather conditions.

Fears for public hygiene have intensified as the floods also hit cemeteries, "contributing to the already alarming sanitary conditions with the widespread debris caused by the high wave action", President Litokwa Tomeing said.

The president said at least 600 people were forced to take refuge in government-designated shelters, churches, and with other family members.

Radio Australia interviewed the government's chief secretary, Casten Nemira, who said damage to outer islands remained unknown until communication with them could be restored.

"Over 200 plus houses were affected and some houses are completely damaged, also the cemeteries by the shore lines and erosions," he said.

"We hope to get a complete picture in the coming days as the reports are still coming in."

Vulnerable

Deborah Manase, deputy director of the Office of Environmental Planning and Policy Coordination, said damage had been caused despite the waves that crashed into the islands being "quite small" at about five feet.

"It shows that we're extremely vulnerable," the AFP news agency reported her as saying.

"If the tide had been two feet higher, it would have been much worse.

"At the global level, we're trying to explain that the smallest change in sea levels will have a big impact on our islands."

Twenty three small islands facing total destruction: NGO

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - At least 23 small island in Indonesia are on the brink of total destruction due to mining activities, a non-governmental organization said.

 

"Based on our studies, more than 23 small islands in the country are now on the brink of total destruction due to mining activities," the People`s Coalition for Justice Fisheries (KIARA), said in a press statement on Tuesday.

 

It said that the small islands were facing the threat of destruction because the mining activities did not take into account the islands` supporting capacity, environmental conditions and the livelihood of local residents.

 

KIARA said it was ironical to see the fact that the mining activities in the country`s coastal and sea areas had been taken as a model for development which gave an emphasis on economic targets.

Chinese Vice premier meets acting governor of Jawa Timur, visits Suramadu bridge project

www.chinaview.cn, 2008-12-21 20:02:42           

SURABAYA, Indonesia, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met here with the acting governor of Jawa Timur Setia Purwaka and visited the construction site of Suramadu bridge in Indonesia.

Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (C front) applauds as he visits the construction site of the Suramadu ( Surabaya-Madura) bridge, which will be the longest of its kind, in Indonesia, Dec. 21, 2008. (Xinhua Photo).
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During his meeting with Purwaka on Saturday evening, Li voiced his hope that Jawa Timur could play an increasingly important role to help step up relations between China and Indonesia.

 

"China and Indonesia are good neighbors and both in a significant stage of development," Li said, noting that the growth of China-Indonesia strategic partnership would inject more vigor to their respective domestic development.

 

Purwaka expressed his welcome to Li's visit, saying that the construction of the Suramadu bridge assisted by China was a symbol for the friendly cooperation between the two peoples. 

 

Li visited the construction site of Suramadu Bridge on Sunday morning. He asked the Chinese construction working personnel to try their best to ensure the quality of the bridge, which will connect Surabaya and the island of Madura after its completion, and calling on the relevant Chinese financial institutions to offer further support for the projects.

 

Li arrived in Jakarta on Sunday afternoon. He is expected to meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, hold talks with Kalla, and attend a China-Indonesia energy forum on Monday to exchange views on the bilateral relations and other regional and international issues of common concern.

 

The 11-day tour, Li's first overseas trip since he took office as vice premier in March, will also take him to Egypt and Kuwait.

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