Friday, February 27, 2009
The Pre-Islamic Kings of Brunei
I was reading the latest 'Pusaka' a publication from the History Centre. A lot of my materials actually came from the History Centre publications, Pusaka is an easy read. Another is Jurnal Darussalam.One of the articles in Pusaka is about the Kings of Brunei prior to the coming of Islam. Our history tended to begin from the conversion of Sultan Muhammad, the first Brunei Sultan into Islam around
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Views from the Rivers of Tutong
Where was this photo taken? Believe it or not, this is in Brunei and not in some other countries. Unfortunately not many can see this view as we are mostly restricted by the roads or rather we generally follow the roads and see only those views. This particular scenery is taken from Sungai Telamba and this is actually the Pasir Putih area extending all the way to the river. From afar it really
World's Best Featherweight?
Indonesia isn't known for its boxing traditions, but you wouldn't know it by Chris John's massive success.The 29-year-old is 42-0 with 22 knockouts, and is defending his WBA title this Saturday against American tomato can Rocky Juarez. With a Marciano-like record like that you'd think John would be more known worldwide, but this will actually be the first time many boxing fans have seen him take to the ring.
He's still on the undercard, as a setup to the larger Lightweight match between Juan Manual Marquez and Juan Diaz. But after this week's bout, one of only a handful he's fought outside of Indonesia, maybe John will be the main draw in boxing matches to come.
Today's Top Stories
Kalla to challenge SBY?
Jakarta airport will dispatch staff on rollerblades
Indonesia gets on stimulus bandwagon
Plane crash greets EU audit team
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Islamic bonds hit paydirt
Well, the rest of global finance may be going up in flames, but at least there's one bright spot: The Indonesian government's successful issue of Islamic 'sukuk' bonds.They'd been aiming for a 1.77 trillion issue, but ended up at a cool 5.56 trillion ($467 million). And not in any old economic environment, but the worst crisis since the Great Depression, when pretty much everyone is afraid of virtually everything - other than US Treasuries. Not a bad showing.
The sticky thing is how to issue bonds in the first place when Islam bans the charging or issuing of of interest. Sukuk represent an end-run around that problem by being structured as profit-sharing arrangements, drawing cash from underlying physical assets like rental income.
Now that the first issue has been snapped up, you know the government is going to be holding sukuk sales as often as people want to buy 'em. Like, how about tomorrow? This may not be the most politically correct salutation, but to the Finance Ministry wonks who pulled this off: Mazel tov!
Today's Top Stories
Yawning fish discovered off Indonesian coast
New species rocks scientific world
ASEAN rights: Um, later
Financial crash first order of business
Aceh peace in trouble
So says Finnish Nobel Prize winner
Mud volcano a human rights violation
Driller in big trouble for Java disaster
Lee Kuan Yew on Sultan Omar Ali
Minister Mentor Dato Laila Utama Lee Kuan Yew gave the first Sultan Omar Ali Memorial Lecture at ICC yesterday. More than 3,000 people turned up. His topic was apt enough, it was about Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien, Brunei's 28th Sultan and the Architect of Modern Brunei.Did I learn much from Minister Mentor? Not much that I did not know already. He talked about the
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
$25 Stamp to Commemmorate 25th National Day
Yesterday, I mentioned that the Postal Service were releasing stamps to commemorate the 25th National Day. There were 8 new stamps all at 25 cents each, first day covers and miniature sheets. This is the $25 miniature sheet to commemmorate Brunei's 25th National Day. It showed both His Majesty and His Majesty's father during the Proclamation of Independence on the eve of 1st Janary 1984.This is
The Sultan Goes Online
I've always wondered how divine religious figures throughout history - Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, etc. - would cope with modern society. Would they be on Facebook? Would they Twitter?I'm being facetious of course, but here's a real-world example. Java's divine Sultan, Hamengkubuwono X (related to Malcolm X?), is aiming for the country's presidency, and has set up a website to help him get there.
Nothing technologically Earth-shattering here - the usual tidbits like a 'Statement of the Day,' a smattering of bad campaign photos, and a boring news feed. But I do like that they have a contact page for someone who's supposedly semi-divine. Does God send e-mail? I hope his missives don't go into my bulk folder ...
As for the his connection to the heavens, given that SBY is leading in the polls by such a healthy margin, the Sultan might need all the help he can get.
Today's Top Stories
What about the Papuan penis gourd, dammit
Banking sector is fine shape, says BI
$300m investment, fending off Chinese buying spree?
Government's Islamic bond sale exceeds expectations
Monday, February 23, 2009
Post National Day Day
It was enjoyable yesterday leading the Ministry of Development team during the march past for the National Day Silver Jubilee Celebrations. The team worked hard and I really appreciated all the efforts that were put in by our MOD team during the march past and the field performances. Well done everyone!Today is the post National Day day. It is time to reflect. We have achieved so much. In fact
Spotlight: Le Meridien Nirwana Bali
Think of Indonesia, and you don't automatically think of golf. But maybe you should.Specifically if you stay at Le Meridien Nirwana Bali, whose Greg Norman-designed course has been awarded the best golf course in Asia for the fourth year in a row. For golf-addicted business travellers, of which there are many, having 18 holes alongside your luxury resort is something close to perfection.
Le Meridien isn't the most well-known hotel brand in the world, but the Starwood-owned group does have some standout locations like their New York City outpost on 57th St., whose recent renovation has a sleek modernist feel. In Bali the Meridien is near the Tanah Lot Sea Temple, removed from the usual Kuta craziness, and its unique golf course (one of only four on the island) winds through 30 hectares of terraced rice fields.
The top accommodation option, for those who still have a job and some savings (or, even better, a corporate expense account): The over 200-square-metre Presidential Suite, completely done in authentic Balinese decor. But its the links that are the resort's real draw for the golf-obsessed. As Asia's Leading Golf Resort (so named by the World Travel Awards), what's not to love?
Today's Top Stories
Could get four years for 2007 Yogyakarta crash
Not many left, but they're not happy
Worthy but depressing travel option
VP goes off-message, disses bureaucrats
Sunday, February 22, 2009
25th National Day Titah by His Majesty
Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi WabarakatuhBismillahir Rahmanir RahimAlhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alameen Wabihie Nastaeenu ‘Ala Umuriddunya Waddien, Wassalatu Wassalamu ‘Ala Asyrafil Mursaleen, Sayyidina Muhammadin Wa’ala Alihie Wasahbihie Ajmaeen. Waba’du.Beta bersyukur kehadrat Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala kerana mengizinkan kita dapat menyambut Ulang Tahun Hari Kebangsaan ke-25 dalam suasana aman dan
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tutong From 1960s
Photos of Tutong are not easy to find. It is difficult compared to photos about Bandar Seri Begawan or Kuala Belait. The few that I have from 1960s onwards:-
Friday, February 20, 2009
Hillary postmortem: Indonesia as 'cornerstone'
Off she goes, to put out other diplomatic fires around the globe. Iran's nascent nuclear program, North Korea's usual swaggering, all converging at once, as if the world didn't have enough to deal with.But before Secretary of State Hillary Clinton departed Jakarta, she helped write a new chapter in U.S.-Indonesia relations. Long-dormant mutual interests are being revived, with Indonesia free of all the old Suharto associations that had chilled relations initially, and the U.S. free of the unilateralist course it charted over the last eight years.
In fact many are citing Indonesia as a "cornerstone" of new-and-improved American foreign policy, both a symbol (of Muslim rapprochement) and a gathering force in population and resources. The question, then: Will Indonesia seize this historic moment, and come to the fore to exhibit leadership and moral principle, bringing disparate nations together? Or will it recede into its own messiness and complexities, content to let other countries take the lead?
Today's Top Stories
Dragged down by world troubles
Special-forces atrocities don't trouble Prez hopeful
Central bank doesn't have any other choice
Indonesia leads efforts
The Brunei crest with the lions
Slightly more than a week ago, I wrote a short entry about our national crest. In the side box, there was this comment:Decendent of Dato Godam: Mr. BR, I've seen the Brunei national crest being added with Lion. But now its being replaced by that Ajai(hand). Can u elaborate on that please?I remembered too there was something which had the lion replacing the hands and it took me a while to remember
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Hillary in Jakarta: The lovefest begins
And so, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Indonesia, starts a new era in American foreign policy. A lot less unilateral arrogance, a lot more inclusiveness and so-called smart power. Hillary famously kicked off her Senate run with a 'listening tour,' and in her new position she seems to be taking a similar tack.Indonesia's a logical place for the Obama administration to start, as a kind of translator to the larger Muslim world. With its traditions of democracy and tolerance, not so steeped in reactionary Wahhabist thought like much of the Mideast, and with its personal links to America's head of state, it's proving itself as a critical bridge for the State Department.
Unfortunately her Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda took the occasion to bring up the issue of a $5-billion lifeline, to help get Indonesia through the coming economic storms. In itself, nothing Earth-shattering. But mentioned in conjunction with improving ties, it gives off a certain whiff of pay-to-play politics. New ambassador, Roland Burris?
Today's Top Stories
Indonesia urages US to fill leadership vacuum
New polls show power of moderates
US will consult about strategy
Guantanamo inmate could meet with government officials
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Mentiri comes of age
[I wrote the following article for the Golden Legacy column which was published on Brunei Times about three weeks ago.]+++++IF ONE was to drive along Jalan Kota Batu, one can see that Kampung Mentiri is one of the biggest villages along that road. There are many homes in the village, especially if one was to include the housing estate developed by the Housing Development Department.The large
Total Stock Market Surrender
In the investing biz it's called 'capitulation,' when people simply give up. Investors throw up their hands, sell what they've got, and put their cash under a mattress. We may be at that point now.The crisis of confidence wracking global financial markets has become so deep and profound, that some observers are questioning the long-term viability of pure capitalism. Even pro-market forces like French President Nicolas Sarkozy have mused that laissez-faire capitalism, as a concept, is essentially dead.
What a shift from recent times, even just last year. The author Nassim Taleb (The Black Swan) has opined that the stock market itself is a kind of mild Ponzi scheme, in that if people lose faith and start pulling their money out, it all falls apart like a house of cards. That's the historical moment we're in, when the Jakarta Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and every other benchmark out there is being beseiged by an utter lack of confidence.
For good reason, since many American banks are now effectively insolvent, owing more than they're worth. But given that equities are priced for Armageddon, for those with a cash pile and a long time horizon, it could be a time when fortunes are made.
Today's Top Stories
Anyone got some Liquid Paper?
Sec. of State wooing Muslim nations
Government opening up more land for plantations
Strategic partnership coming together
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Brunei Economic Bulletin Q2 2008
The Brunei Economic Planning and Development Department or to use its Malay acronym JPKE (Jabatan Perancangan dan Kemajuan Ekonomi)recently released our country's economic performance for the second quarter of 2008. Quarter 1 report was printed in September 2008.What's the highlight for Quarter 2? Well, our economic growth fell by 2.8% year on year following a 4.9% contraction in Q1. Net export
Peace Corps in Indonesia?
An interesting sideline to Hillary Clinton's upcoming Indonesia visit: She's open to restarting the Peace Corps. Whether Indonesia is open to that, is another question entirely.It's a bizarre historical tidbit, dating back to the 1960s when father-of-the-nation Sukarno allowed the program for a couple of years. But since then it's been dormant, and knotted up with what many see as the program's implications, i.e. that Indonesia is in need of outside help because it can't handle its own affairs or development.
The Peace Corps doesn't have to have that negative subtext. They might want to take a page from the program I participated in as a starry-eyed young'un, Canada World Youth: It's been there for decades now, and it's not a one-way offer of assistance, but a two-way exchange. Indonesians come to Canada as well to assist in development projects (my own pairing was situated on a dairy farm in a poor rural area), before we headed back overseas to help a tiny Sumatran village.
That way there's no condescension involved, but a reciprocal relationship where people from both countries have their world view forever enlarged. Case in point, your humble author, who wouldn't be writing about Indonesia were it not for my time with Canada World Youth all those years ago.
Today's Top Stories
Sec. of State arriving Wednesday
Exports hardest hit
Civil servants, er, encouraged to spend locally
International Yoga Festival coming to Bali
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sailing in Brunei
The other day when I attended the briefing given by the Tourism Department of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, I remembered vividly the presentation made by the Sailing in Brunei people. If you want to read more about sailing in Brunei, you can browse through Reeda's excellent blog or David Cheok's also excellent blog on the Petima, a Danish saling boat on Brunei Bay.What I wanted
Old Scenes at the Bandar Brunei Wharf
When ideas run out, it is time for old photographs. This is a set of photographs all taken at the wharf in Bandar Seri Begawan in the mid 1950s, about 50 years ago. That was the time when the wharf was beginning to be used especially with Brunei's first national development plan. So enjoy.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Are you stressed?
I got this email yesterday and I thought I will share this with you all this Sunday. Afterall you do need to relax. It's a quiz.There is this very, very tall coconut tree and there are 4 animals. King Kong, an Ape, an Orangutan and a Monkey pass by. They decide to compete to see who is the fastest to get a banana off the tree.Who do you think will win?Your answer will reflect your
Friday, February 13, 2009
St Valentine's Day?
[Photo from Google Earth - Lovers' Island - formerly known by the less romantic name of Galesnjak, off the coast of Croatia - It is just 130,000 square yards and is uninhabited, making it an intriguing location for a romantic Valentine's Day getaway.]In most parts of the world, today is Valentine's Day. It has been estimated that throughout the world, approximately one billion valentine cards are
Hillary to Indonesia, Decoded
In the old Cold War days, so-called Kremlinologists used to decipher the smallest signs from the Soviet Union's rulers, trying to gain a peek into constantly shifting allegiances and power centers.In that spirit, let's decode what Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's upcoming visit means for Indonesia. It's no small event: Rather than paying homage to the usual Asian destinations of China, Japan and Korea, the U.S. is making a point of adding an important new ingredient. The world's most populous Muslim country, and an inherently complicated one, full of political cross-currents and sticky religious issues.
I see a few fingerprints on this momentous addition, first of whose are Barack Obama's, who has a moving personal history in Indonesia. But the repowered State Department - whose staffers greeted Hillary with wild applause, almost as a liberator - is certainly behind this shift as well. It signals not only a new engagement and respect for the moderate Muslim world, but a willingness to wade into interesting geopolitical thickets.
Of course, Indonesia and its tricky issues (like its vocal cadres of Islamic militants) might demonstrate to American officials that lasting resolutions aren't so easy. But more power to them and to Hillary's imminent visit, for at least trying to change the game.
Today's Top Stories
7.2 magnitude, followed by dozens of aftershocks
Poor Dede can't overcome his condition
Beats graft case, again
Rare good news for an endangered species
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Bruneians on the River 1920s
I first saw this postcard on a postal history book about Brunei stamps. I used it for one of my article sometime last year when I was writing about 'berjanawari'. I was really surprised and excited when it came out on ebay the other day. So I put a bid which I thought would deter people off and for a while it did. I did not see any bid coming close to it BUT I lost it this morning. The winning
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Brunei Crest
Most people know that our national flag is a recent creation. I have written about our flag's history a few times in the past as well as published articles in the papers. The last time I wrote about the flag was last year which you can read here on this link.So our 103 year old flag was given the crest soon after the written constitution and hence the red crest appearing on our flag. I was
Exclusive Interview: Asia Foundation's Robin Bush
No offense to politicians, but when you need a real State of the Union, you don't go to political hacks. You go to people like Robin Bush. As Indonesia's country rep for the Asia Foundation, she's steeped in local culture, with her heart and soul dedicated to making the country a better place.Today we have the first of a two-part series, chatting with Robin about issues like development, politics, Islam - and what every American needs to know about Indonesia.
EI: What led you to be Asia Foundation's country rep in Indonesia , and what does your work entail?
RB: Indonesia is really home – I grew up here, and then lived in Indonesia off and on during the '90s doing my Masters and PhD research, then joined the Foundation in 1998. Prior to being Deputy Rep and then Country Rep, I was the Director for the Foundation’s Islam and Development programs. As a political scientist with a focus on Islamic politics, The Asia Foundation is a place I really wanted to work because the Foundation is known for its political economy approach to reform and development. It engages with both state and non-state political institutions, and since the 1970s, the Foundation has partnered with Islamic organizations on a wide range of reform initiatives - from women’s literacy, to pro-poor budgeting. Currently, I provide overall management and direction for the Foundation’s work in Indonesia, which includes economic policy reform, election monitoring and education, women’s political participation, anti-trafficking, legal reform, security sector reform, and pro-poor and gender budgeting.
EI: Is your sense that Islam in Indonesia is being pulled in a more militant direction, or is it returning to its tolerant roots?
RB: There are always fluctuations and exceptional incidents, but overall, my sense is that Islam in Indonesia is returning to its mainstream center. Though one could argue that it never actually left that center, but was hijacked for awhile by more stringent voices that had political momentum for a time due to international factors which tended to polarize societies and left no room for a mainstream center. Either way, it does seem that the Muslim mainstream majority in Indonesia has regained dominance of the public discourse, and has effectively marginalized militant and extremist elements. That is not to say that Indonesian society is less Islamic – it is more Islamic in the sense of being more pious, more spiritual, but that is a different phenomenon, one that is actually taking place in many part of both the Muslim and non-Muslim world.
EI: What's been the local response to Barack Obama's victory, since he has such strong roots there?
RB: The euphoria in Indonesia around Obama’s victory and inauguration has been palpable and strong. There is certainly an element of Indonesians taking pride and even a kind of ‘ownership’ of Obama. There is also just the hope that Obama will understand the complexities of Indonesia a bit better than the previous administration. There is certainly a desire on the part of political elites for Indonesia to play a bigger role on the international stage, and they hope Obama will encourage that. But for the most part, the average Indonesian is just amazed that a black man that lived part of his life in Indonesia could be president of the US, and they hope that this very very different figure of a US president will bring about change at many levels.
Tomorrow: Robin Bush on Aceh reconstruction, the 2009 elections, and what everyone needs to know about Indonesia
Today's Top Stories
Valentine's Day activities banned by PKS party
Democratic Party aims to exceed 20%, ditch coalitions
Exactly what took down US economy
After bustup with boyfriend Chris Brown
Exclusive Interview: Robin Bush, Part Two
Yesterday we kicked off our exclusive chat with Robin Bush, the Asia Foundation's country representative for Indonesia. Today we continue with her thoughts on Aceh reconstruction, the upcoming 2009 elections, and what everyone needs to know about Indonesia.EI: What's your take on the status of development in Aceh province, post-tsunami, and what still needs to be done?
RB: The relief and reconstruction effort in Aceh has resulted in dramatic levels of development. The peace accord to date still holds, and Aceh has the potential of being able to return to being a somewhat normal place. That said, donor assistance is, as it should be, on the downswing and most donors if not already withdrawing, are in exit strategy mode. As the financial resources dwindle, and with an election coming up, it will be important to monitor the situation closely to ensure that local conflicts don’t re-emerge around contestation of shrinking resources.
EI: What are shaping up to be the biggest issues in the upcoming '09 elections?
RB: The economy, unemployment and poverty are the largest set of issues. President Yudhoyono has been strategic and astute in his management of the financial crisis so far – but it has not yet hit the real economy, and in coming months when unemployment becomes more widespread, he will be in a very vulnerable position. That said, other issues like anti-corruption and security are also key issues, and on those fronts Yudhoyono is seen to have been an effective leader.
EI: As someone who's lived in Indonesia for a long time, what are a few things Americans should know about the country, that they don't?
RB: They should know that Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, is the fourth largest democracy in the world, and the largest Muslim democracy in the world. They should know that most Indonesians actually really like America – they like the culture, the people, they like to go to school there, they like to take holidays there. They should also know that Indonesia is a country of contrasts – of women in headscarves and tight jeans; where 12 Lamborghinis can be pre-purchased before the show room in Jakarta even opens yet where 100 million people live on less than $2/day and children die of malnutrition; where it is not unusual for Muslim villagers to help their Christian neighbors build their church …yet where 100s of ‘thugs’ can be mobilized to burn it down. They should know that Indonesia’s story of reform and democratization is one of the great untold success stories – to transform within 10 years from an authoritarian dictatorship to a vibrant, growing, stable democracy is an incredible feat, and one which Indonesia gets much less credit than it deserves.
Many thanks to Robin Bush for her insights, and best wishes for her ongoing work for a better Indonesia!
Today's Top Stories
Flooding paralyzes Java
Pantura overtaken by floodwaters
Corruption 101
Anti-graft drive comes to the classroom
Pertamina boosting security at refineries
Last month's fire triggered panic buying
Kalla pushes fair trade at The Hague
VP continues swanning around the world
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Money (Not that Old) Part II
Yesterday, I was talking about the $1 Malaya Borneo note. Today is the other note - the $10. This one is relatively newer as it was issued in 1961 by the Malaya and British Borneo Board of Commissioners of Currency. So it was only 6 years old when the three countries issued their own currency notes in 1967.Most people called this 'duit kerabau' and even the ma cik selling the note in the tamu
Spotlight: Amanjiwo
It's often assumed, by Western travellers anyways, that Bali is home to Indonesia's best luxury hotels. Not necessarily so. Today we look at Amanjiwo, the Java resort that overlooks the legendary Borobudur.For those unfamiliar, Borobudur is the stunning 9th-century collection of Buddhist monuments in Central Java - a rich reminder of Buddhism's past inn the archipelago, and (almost) on par with Cambodia's Angkor Wat temples in terms of being able to take your breath away.
Amanjiwo is Aman Resorts' Borobudur location, ranked among the 101 best hotels in the world by Tatler. There are only 34 luxury suites, looking over vistas like Mt. Merapi (author's note: I scaled it right before it blew up back in the mid-'90s), terraced farmland, and Borobudur itself. Infinity pools set into ricefields, personal butlers on-call 24-7, showers of fresh rose petals upon your arrival. Um, what else do you want?
Today's Top Stories
Don't piss off the panda
Ant Global Partners opening Indo clean-tech fund
Islamic bonds hitting market for 'Sharia Economy Festival'
Sec. of State skips disappointed Australia
Monday, February 9, 2009
Money (Not That Old)
I was asked in my other blog about money and stamps whether I have the old Malaya Borneo $1 and $10 notes. Yes I do. These two were issued in 1959 and 1961 respectively. I am only showing the $1 note.The Board of Commissioners of Currency for Malaya and British Borneo issued currency notes and coins for Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak. In fact, if you look closely at the back of the
EU travel ban = history?
A spot of good news for the beleaguered tourism industry (finally): the European Union is mulling over overturning the travel ban on Indonesian airliners.The brutal ban, in effect since the summer of '07 following a spate of accidents, put a crimp in Visit Indonesia year and has been a major dent in the operations of prominent airlines like Garuda. Even during the best of times, airlines are an awful business (remember slimeball Gordon Gekko's advice in the movie Wall Street?), and this - combined with runaway fuel prices - has been no help to the bottom line.
The ban's slated to be scrapped this summer, in the wake of new safety measures implemented by Indonesian authorities. Given that the EU has already given the green light to dodgy operators like Pakistan International - where I think every passenger is given a parachute, along with their coffee and peanuts - it's only fair that the 51 Indonesian airliners be given a long-awaited break.
Today's Top Stories
Kalla, Golkar waiting by the phone for a call
Latest victim of anti-porn law
One submarine, slightly used
More than 500 set adrift by Thailand
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Kuala Belait from the Sky
Those who have not been to Kuala Belait for a long time would be surprised to see the development. From the sky Kuala Belait looks even better. So, the next time you go to Miri, do drop by KB. This is Kuala Belait from the sky (note: all photographs taken by our Deputy Minister with his Leica C-Lux2 *thank you sir* and ask his permission if you want a copy with a high resoultion - the photos'
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Breaking news: Airport taxis might not be legit!
From the "No shit, Sherlock" department:The UK Foreign Office sent out an alert recently, that unlicensed cabs at Indonesian airports might - gasp! - be charging people too much money. Not only that, they're "in poor condition, are unmetered, and don't have a dashboard identity license." Sacre bleu!
First of all, sounds like most New York City cabs. (As Jerry Seinfeld once famously said, all you need to get a cab license is to have a face.) Secondly, as Lonely Planet or any other handy travel guidebook will advise, quasi-airport-cab leeches are a common sight in Jakarta and around the world. Get into a car with some schlump in his cousin's beat-up '89 Tercel, and you deserve to be charged more money.
In other breaking news, the sun rises in the east.
Today's Top Stories
New Pertamina chief was former Halliburton flunkie
Darth Vader's - sorry, Dick Cheney's - favorite firm
Ponzi scheme blew through $65 million
Supposedly invested in Indonesian oilfields
Hillary Indonesia-bound
Confirmed: Clinton, State Dept. officials book trip
Indonesians blow off smoking, yoga bans
Clerics not so powerful after all?
Friday, February 6, 2009
Mysterious Kubur Bagunjai at Mentiri
For tomorrow's Golden Legacy article to be published in Brunei Times, I will be writing about Kampung Mentiri. I found an old research done by Museum Department during the construction of the Mengkubau Dam at Mentiri when they found several graveyards. One of them is the Bagunjai Graveyard. This is an excerpt from tomorrow's article:-++++++The archaeologists paid close scrutiny to the two
And justice for some ...
Here's a Zen koan: When the Supreme Court screws you over, where do you turn for justice?Presumably the answer is nowhere, since they're the highest authority in the land. Which makes it such an unbeatable location for graft. So says the Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, whose new survey just singled out the Indonesian Supreme Court as the most corruption-ridden institution in the land. In fact, 65% of respondents said they had to fork over bribes when dealing with the nation's highest court.
What balls! More ballsy, even, than the U.S. Court handing over the presidency in Bush v. Gore ... but I digress.
Other fascinating tidbits from the survey: Bandung is the most graft-mired city in the country, and the national police only came in eighth in corruption. Indonesian cops have to take it up a notch, and start taking big bribes and knocking some heads. Haven't they seen all those movies, that feature plotlines about corrupt cops? Hollywood needs you!
Today's Top Stories
New Pertamina head takes charge
Cranking up production despite low prices; OPEC faints
Obamamania at prayer breakfast
Kalla in US, sucks up to chief exec
Tempo co-founder passes away
Yusril Djalinus felled by stroke
Hillary Clinton on way?
Could visit Indonesia in Feb.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Brunei Flood
MOD officials went up the helicopter to take a look at all the areas that are affected. Aerial views give a better perspective of the area and the solutions required. This one is an older photo of the flood of 21st January recently. This one photo is of the Ban areas.Historically Ban areas are meant to be the food basket of Brunei to be used as a padi plantation area. In fact the word 'ban' comes
Cheap money! Rates cut again
Welcome, Indonesia, to the brethren of panicked central banks. Monetary-policy wonks around the globe are slashing interest rates as fast as they can, to keep just ahead of the brutal recession that's already hit most nations.Indonesia's the latest contestant, cutting rates another half-point to 8.25%. Granted, still relatively high, compared to America which has already cut rates to near-zero in an effort to stimulate a dead economy. But the Indonesian central bank in particular is between a rock and a hard place, having to simultaneously support the feeble rupiah, which is (like most emerging-market currencies) abandonded by investors in times of financial turmoil.
Let's hope that this policy of cheaper money jumpstarts more lending and investment. But beware the beast looming on the horizon: Inflation, which can be just as traumatic to populations (if not more) than steep stock-market losses. At some point central banks will have to hike interest rates in a hurry, to protect their devalued currencies. The U.S. in particular, to prevent the Chinese from fleeing Treasury bonds and thereby creating a run on the dollar.
Today's Top Stories
Missing hikers found alive
Seven students rescued from Java's Mt. Halimun
And pastries for all ...
Indonesian foundation funds Gaza bakery
Divorces up tenfold
One reason: Political differences?!
Shhh ... VP Jusuf Kalla meeting US intelligence director
Secret meeting not so secret
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Old HSBC Bandar HQ
This is a close up of yesterday's post about HSBC Brunei HQ. This is an older photo of that same building.
Cricket in Indonesia?!
Sport is an intensely cultural thing. No matter how much you try to interest Americans in soccer, it'll never happen, because it's just not part of their culture. They'll always come back to their beloved baseball, NFL football and basketball.Same thing with Canadians. If it's not hockey, they could care less.
Which is why I take this article on cricket in Indonesia with a big grain of salt. Given how obsessed Indonesians are with sports like soccer and badminton, I find it highly unlikely that they'll jump ship in favor of the sport of bowlers and wickets.
Now local expats, like Indians and Australians: That's another story. It's in their blood, and they'll never give up the passion until they're six feet under. Heck, I bet they even understood that cricket reference at the pivotal moment of the movie Slumdog Millionaire.
As for me, a red-blooded Canadian who thinks solely in terms of frozen rinks and hockey pucks ... I've never even heard of Ricky Ponting!
Today's Top Stories
More Burmese being rescued by the day
Presumably being smuggled to Australia
Oil-smacked Russians thankful for the cash
Bali tries to stamp out diseased dogs
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Scene at Jalan Sultan 1970s
HSBC was kind enough to give me this photograph of the the scene around HSBC Building in the mid 1970s. HSBC was and is still at the corner of Jalan Sultan and Jalan Chevalier (now renamed Jalan Pemancha). If you look closely, the HSBC Building was still the old two storey HSBC Building compare to the 5 storey (is it 5?) building which they have at the moment. The interesting thing I did not
Spotlight: Oberoi Lombok
The island of Lombok may have long been seen as Bali's kid sister, but it boasts some serious five-star luxuriousness of its own.Exhibit A, the Oberoi Lombok, a 24-acre garden paradise dotted with thatched guest villas fronting a white-sand private beach. Its spa features open-air massage pavilions, its villas house marble sunken baths and four-poster teak beds, and everyone enjoys exclusive 'butler service'.
The luxury chain has 30 hotels worldwide, most in India (including the unfortunate one in Mumbai). As for the Oberoi Lombok, it's racked up multiple awards from the mag Conde Nast Traveler, including Top 10 Asia Pacific Resorts and Best Overseas Leisure Hotels. Current prices range from $250 per night for the luxury pavilion to $780 a night for the Royal Villa.
As much as I'd like to keep Lombok under the radar, with award-winning accomodations like those, Bali's little cousin isn't likely to remain much of a secret ...
Today's Top Stories
Yoga ban ridiculed as "pointless"
Resistance growing to MUI edicts
SBY support growing
Election seen as his to lose
Indonesia exports tanking
Biggest drop in seven years
Obama: So far so good
Relations improving with Muslim world
Monday, February 2, 2009
Be Grateful for Life
This made the round recently via e-mail. I thought this is nice to be shared with everyone:-++++++There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.' One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was
RIP, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika
Now it's just getting silly.After the head-scratching news that yoga was posing a dangerous risk to the Indonesian population, now comes word of another target. Specifically Lions and Rotary clubs, those fraternal associations chiefly known for their charitable works.
Such outfits aren't really helping the needy, but are actually "fronts for Freemasonry and the world Zionist movement," according to the ultra-conservative Islamic group FUU. Oy vey. Where are the voices of moderation, pushing back against this nonsense?
As a glorious cauldron of hundreds of cultures, languages and ethnicities, Indonesia is a shining example of 'Unity in Diversity,' the national motto. Don't let the nation slip backwards into the sclerotic hatreds of the rest of the planet. That would be too sad for words.
Today's Top Stories
$5.6 billion worth of emergency credit
Still fall short of lofty goals
The health crisis no one wants to talk about
Multiple wives? Be careful what you wish for
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Brunei Tourist
Last saturday, I attended a talk given by the Tourism Department at MIPR. That day was our ministry's turn to be given the tourism talk about what's available in Brunei. I was quite reluctant to go but I went so as to support the initiative. BUT I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the talks and very much enjoyed it in the end.At first I was expecting it to be one of those dreary types
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