Indonesia Expat - Issue 158

H Ne Chi app w ne y Ye se ar !

I S S U E N O . 15 8 | 2 7 J A N U A R Y – 9 F E B R U A R Y 2 016

J A K A R TA • J AVA • B A L I • L O M B O K • K A L I M A N TA N • S U M AT R A • S U L AW E S I • W E S T PA P U A

W W W . I N D O N E S I A E X P A T. B I Z

KAMI TIDAK

TAKUT e t i n U a i s e n o d n #I

issue 158 Indonesia expat

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Indonesia expat issue 158

An Exclusive and Affordable Residential Complex Riverview Residences is a high rise residential complex located at the forefront of Kota Jababeka, with direct toll access and amenities to meet the basic needs and lifestyles of its inhabitants. Facilities will include a multifunction hall, a health clinic, children's playground, fitness centre, and a commercial area.

The project is a collaboration of Indonesian private and public companies, PT Jababeka Tbk and PT PP Properti.

In early December, Jababeka began selling Phase One of Riverview Residences, with a starting price of Rp.194 million. Eventually Phase One was sold out, and now Jababeka has started to sell Phase Two. Director of PT Jababeka Tbk, Sutedja Sidarta Darmono, said that Riverview Residences will have a positive impact for both companies. "The project is a synergy of both companies’ excellences. We need support from all parties so that the entire processes from marketing to developments can run smoothly," said Darmono.

So far, Jababeka has developed an independent township in Cikarang, Kota Jababeka, which integrates an industrial

estate with a number of other living facilities such as residential and commercial. Kota Jababeka is also equipped with a network of public transportation, shopping, entertainment centres, dry port, power plant, water and waste water treatment plants, and a variety of other supporting facilities. Jababeka has a vision to build 100 new independent townships in every province in Indonesia.

About PT Jababeka Tbk PT. Jababeka Tbk is a pioneer of integrated industrial estate development in Cikarang that has created the most complete and environmentally friendly industrial city in Indonesia. Kota Jababeka has a 5,600-hectare

masterplan which will be inhabited by approximately 2,000 multinational companies from 30 countries. It has a population of 1 million, which includes 700,000 employees and 4,300 expatriates. Kota Jababeka is equipped with an education centre like President University, 1,500 hectares of residential area, commercial, golf, medical city, botanical garden, and other supporting facilities.

PT Jababeka Tbk is the only integrated industrial park which has subsidiaries engaged in the field of energy, PT Bekasi Power and the first dry port in Indonesia. In 2011, Jababeka acquired Tanjung Lesung as the tourism business pillar which now posesses Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status from the government.

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Letter from the Editor

Editor in Chief

Angela Richardson angela@indonesiaexpat.biz

Management

Edo Frese edo@indonesiaexpat.biz

Editorial Assistant

Caranissa Djatmiko letters@indonesiaexpat.biz

Sales & Advertising

Dian Mardianingsih (Jakarta) Felicitas Suwono (Jakarta) Yongky Dhanunalendra (Bali) ads@indonesiaexpat.biz

Distribution & Admin

Juni Setiawan admin@indonesiaexpat.biz

Graphics

Frederick Ng

Finance

Lini Verawaty finance@indonesiaexpat.biz

Contributors

Gail G. Collins Terry Collins Leighton Cooseboom Karen Davis Annali Hayward Richard Horstman Heru Nainggolan Daniel Pope Eamonn Sadler Ardi Wirdana Kenneth Yeung

Dear Readers, As the events of 14 January, Indonesians joined together in solidarity through social media by saying ‘Kami tidak takut’ (we are not afraid). We wanted to join them to show that we, too, are not afraid of the actions of senseless, misinformed individuals, and we join the public in letting them know that their actions only unite the general public further.

As the events in Thamrin unfolded, we were bombarded with messages through email and chat apps, and even on the news, of bombs going off in many other locations, of men on motorbikes with AK-47s on a rampage, and we even heard that foreigners were the main target. We still don’t know where these rumours came from, but it is this kind of misreporting that causes fear in the general public, and it’s this kind of misreporting that needs to stop. If someone has a ‘friend in intelligence’ or ‘an uncle in the police force’, it doesn’t mean they should take what is being said as truths and start sharing their ‘news’ via WhatsApp. Please read our Op-Ed by Leighton Cooseboom, who explains why an event such as a terror attack is a time when the principles of

Remember that fear breeds fear. In the event of a future crisis, stay calm and don’t assume the worst, or believe the rumour mill until the facts have been verified by credible media channels. Stay indoors; as much as it was gutsy for Indonesians to look on as events unfolded on Jl. MH Thamrin, it was foolish. Leave the reporting to the professionals and put your safety first.

journalism should be defended with the utmost importance.

Indonesia is on siaga 1 (highest level of alert), which means that we should take heed and just think things through a little. It doesn’t mean you need to abandon your daily routine of going to your local coffee shop to get a coffee, it just means be more alert of what’s going on around you – but don’t be paranoid. It’s easy to let fear and anxiety get the better of us in times like this, but we don’t want to let these people win by giving them the satisfaction of thinking that we live in fright.

One of the victims was Canadian expat Amer-Ouali, who is survived by five children and several grandchildren. Our deepest condolences go to his family, and the families of all the victims of this tragic event. We read that Amer-Ouali loved Indonesia greatly, which is a feeling we share. Indonesia will not succumb to the threat of terrorism.

Indonesia is not afraid.

Angela and the IE Team

Editorial Enquiries

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PT. Koleksi Klasik Indonesia Alamanda Tower 25th floor Jl. T.B Simatupang kav 23–24 Jakarta 12430 T: 021 2965 7821 F: 021 2965 7821 Office hours: 09.00–17.00 Monday–Friday Indonesia Expat is published bi-weekly by PT. Koleksi Klasik Indonesia. Opinions Expressed in this publication are those of the writers and the publisher does not accept any responsibility for any errors, ommisions, or complaints arising there from.

No parts of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part, in print or electronically without permission of the publisher. All trademarks, logos, brands and designs are copyright and fully reserved by PT. Koleksi Klasik Indonesia.

Dear Indonesia Expat, I thought the cover of your Beauty & Health issue was stunning!

Who is the model?

I would like to schedule a screening of this particular documentary so that more people can be made aware of the 1965 anti-communist massacre and the plight of these exiles. Who should I contact?

I also read Saudara Dalam Sejarah: My Dear Homeland with great interest. It was really sad to learn that these Indonesian people are still living in exile in Europe and cannot even return to their homeland to die. Why hasn’t anyone done anything about this?

Joanne S. in Jakarta

Dear Joanne, Thank you for your letter. The model on the cover of our last issue was Zahara of Fauve Models Agency. You can find our more info about them at www.fauveagency.com The article about the documentary Saudara Dalam Sejarah received a lot of feedback – many feel the same way as you do. Unfortunately the government still isn’t doing anything to bring the truth to light. We may have to wait for future regimes in order for this to happen.

It’s great that you’re interested in screening the documentary! Please contact Yulia, one of the filmmakers, to arrange at: partisipasiindonesia@gmail.com Don’t forget to let us know when the screening will be so we can share it with our readers.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter!

Angela and the IE Team

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On The Cover

Kami Tidak Takut

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Issue 158

Contents

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Feature Story

China's Economic Slowdown Stifles Local Trade and the Rupiah

Expat Business

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Featured Fishermen in Indonesia Undaunted by Declining Shark Fin Demand in China

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Op-Ed Despite Fear Mongering Media, Indonesia Responds Healthily to Terrorism

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Business Profile VIN+ Wine and Beyond: Through the Grapevine

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Expat Lifestyle Meet the Expat Shankari Ashton: The Alchemist

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Food and Drink Mama Says Relax: MamaSan Bali

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Travel Hong Kong: Chinese New Year Extravaganza

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Book Review Jalan-Jalan: A Novel of Indonesia

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Languages BASAbali: Preserving the Balinese Language

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Scams in the City Sky High Hijinks

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Expat Outreach

Meet the Expat Chanee Kalaweit: The Gibbon Whisperer Worthy Causes DNetwork: Deconstructing Stereotypes Provides Work Opportunities for the Disabled

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Announcements

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Light Entertainment Almost The Last Laugh

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Humorous Observations The Imposter

26 27 28

Events Business Directory Classifieds

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China’s Economic Slowdown Stifles Local Trade and the Rupiah China’s economic slowdown has affected trade in Indonesia and the value of the Rupiah. The archipelago could be set for another tough year.

BY ARDI WIRDANA

C

hina’s economic turmoil has created a ripple effect across the world. Last year, Indonesia was one of the countries hit badly

by China’s woes, as low commodity prices and weak demand from China contributed to a prolonged economic slowdown in Indonesia.

With the China situation still not showing signs of improvement, Indonesia is bracing itself for another tough year ahead.

Experts have said that given the incredible levels of China’s growth rate for the last three decades, it was inevitable that things would start to wane. However, China’s deceleration last year was sharper than anticipated. In the first quarter, the country

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cut its annual growth target to 7 percent, marking the slowest expansion in more than two decades.

The Economist explains that changes in China’s labour, capital, and productivity – the three factors that drove its growth in recent years – are now the primary causes of its struggle. Both China’s working-age population and investment realization seemed to have peaked sometime in the last five years. China’s technological gap with other rich countries is also narrower than it was in the past, implying that productivity growth too will be lower.

China is now seeing new problems, but is also struggling to shift to a new

economic growth model, which experts say should be based on innovation, domestic consumption, higher-end manufacturing, and services.

As a result, China has been experiencing slowed economic growth, weakened purchasing power, and declining activity in its manufacturing and services sector.

This naturally also means falling demand for imports.

Just when the world hoped the New Year would finally spell stability for China, matters came to a head at the start of 2016 when China’s problems set off a global stock market rout. The Shanghai composite benchmark plunged by 7 percent within

half an hour, prompting trading to be suspended for the second time in a week.

A direct impact on trade and currency China’s economic slump has had repercussions for Indonesia, as the People’s Republic is one of the nation's biggest trading partners. Economic slowdown in China means reduced import demand for Indonesia’s commodities.

Based on data from Indonesia’s trade ministry, the country’s non-oil and gas exports to China declined from a total value of US$21.6 billion in 2011 to US$16.5 billion in 2014. This trend

Ardi Wirdana is a Jakarta-based journalist covering a variety of topics including business, policy, and news in Indonesia.

For more info visit www.ContentCollision.co

continued into 2015. In the first ten months of 2015, Indonesia exported a total of US$11.0 billion worth of commodities (non-oil and gas) to China, down 20.3 percent from the export value to China in the same period one year earlier.

Indonesia’s trade also has an effect on the nation’s currency value and exchange rate.

The rupiah’s exchange rate is closely tied to import-export activities.

Decreased exports can cause a deficit in Indonesia's current account, and therefore affect both supply and demand for the rupiah against other currencies.

Last year, the rupiah’s exchange rate, which was already floundering as a result of low commodity prices, depreciated to a 17-year low after China devalued the yuan to make Chinese exports more competitive.

The Chinese government looks set to continue weakening the yuan to boost demand for Chinese products and help stabilize the economy. Though this may hurt Indonesia in the short term, it should prove beneficial in the long term, as it would slowly help rejuvenate the purchasing power of the archipelago’s biggest overseas market.

Not ready to seize opportunity The devaluing yuan has investors concerned. The recent global sell-off in the Chinese stock market indicates deteriorating trust towards the Chinese economy.

“We have not reached full speed at the start of 2016, but Indonesia is already facing the threat of a world economic recession. This is marked by the devaluation of the yuan, the falling price of oil, which could reach below US$20 per barrel, and a World Bank correction on global economic growth from 3.3 percent to 2.9 percent,” Noorsy tells Indonesia Expat.

The investment climate in Indonesia will also not be helped by constant internal political squabbles in the country, as well as the recent terror attacks in Jakarta.

Boosting trade through e-commerce The government has chosen to be more upbeat about the situation. Trade Minister Thomas Lembong says that even though the Chinese economy is still weakening, recovering economies in Europe and the US would make a positive impact on Indonesia's trade.

Lembong acknowledges that China’s sluggish economy will continue to affect Indonesian exports. However, he argued that the losses can be made up by using e-commerce to enter new markets overseas.

"How do we take the advantages of smartphones and the social media revolution to trade? [To be] more outwardly progressive and to foster business opportunities to grab markets abroad, we should not be defensive and afraid," Lembong recently told the press.

The recent global sell-off in the Chinese stock market indicates deteriorating trust towards the Chinese economy.

Making use of Indonesia’s massive e-commerce potential will prove to be a smart move given the impressive growth of the sector in recent years.

Investors may be looking to put their money elsewhere. This presents an opportunity for Indonesia, a rising economy poised for exponential growth, to step up efforts in attracting investment.

According to economics expert Ichsanuddin Noorsy, Indonesia has started 2016 with some grave problems of its own, and may not necessarily be in a healthier condition than China.

Though Indonesia has taken important early measures to avoid a repeat of last year’s economic stutter, Noorsy says external global factors will be too powerful for the nation to fight. Indonesia, he says, will not be one of the “top investment destinations.”

Indonesia’s e-commerce transactions hit US$12 billion in 2014, a surge from only US$8 billion in 2013.

The official figure for 2015 is yet to be released, but a positive trend is expected to continue. By 2016, Indonesian e-commerce could be worth up to US$25 billion, according to a joint report released by the Indonesian E-commerce Association, Google Indonesia, and global market research company Taylor Nelson Sofres.

Indonesia's Trade Minister Thomas Lembong

The yuan, he adds, had risen considerably in recent years, which was eroding China’s competitiveness, and actually contributing to the slowdown in the country’s export trade. “The modest currency adjustment,” he says, will help boost exports of the world’s second largest economy, help its international trading partners, and in the end support the global economy.

What’s next for China?

It may seem like doom and gloom at the moment, but China is doing what it should to improve its economy, says Nigel Green, CEO and founder of deVere Group, an independent financial advisory organization.

According to Green, the depreciation of the yuan is not a sign of disaster, but rather “a structured and necessary part of China’s transition from an export-led economy to a more consumer and services-driven one.”

China, he believes, is currently in a state of transition, and the government is wellprepared to ride out this bumpy period.

Once the transition period is over, the world can expect to see a more economically stable China.

“Indeed, I believe that economic growth is likely to increase this year, but it is a few months away yet. The markets will eventually get used to China’s transitioning phase, but meanwhile, we can expect waves of volatility in the markets,” says Green.

issue 158 Indonesia expat

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EXPAT BUSINESS FEATURED Heru Nainggolan is a Jakarta-based freelance journalist, covering a variety of issues related to environment and social issues.

Fishermen in Indonesia Undaunted

by Declining Shark Fin Demand in China

BY HERU NAINGGOL AN

Increased shark fishing in Indonesia puts several species at risk of extinction.

Conservation group Save Sharks Indonesia says uncontrolled shark fishing goes on to affect entire marine ecosystems. Most sharks are apex predators, which means they control the populations of their prey animals. If there are no sharks, prey populations explode disproportionately.

These prey animals will in turn consume more herbivore fish.

less attention,” explains Save Sharks Indonesia campaign director Riyanni Djangkaru.

Nasution agrees the focus of Djangkaru’s campaign is right on the money. However, he says, “If there is a total ban on shark fishing, it will disturb the livelihoods of fishermen in Indonesia because they are already heavily dependent on sharks.” That said, it’s conceivable that tighter regulation from the Indonesian government is the only way forward.

China’s love for shark fin soup tapers off Shark fin soup – a goopy broth that can easily cost over US$100 a bowl and is believed by some to have medicinal properties – is starting to lose its appeal among China’s youth, following reports of restaurants’ rampant use of fake, sometimes toxic, shark fins.

The demand for shark fin soup in China is on the decline, but this isn't stopping fishermen in Indonesia from shark fishing | Photo by Jennifer Murawski

The trade in shark fins has led to the dramatic decline of some shark populations, up to 98 percent in the last 15 years. An estimated 100 million sharks are killed each year. Fishermen harvest 73 million of those for their fins, which they cut off before the shark is left to die.

Photo by Shankar S

Demand for shark fin is in decline, particularly in China, but shark fishing is still rampant in Indonesia. A lack of regulation to protect sharks persists.

Decreased demand for shark fins in China has failed to curb shark fishing in Indonesia, one of the largest exporters of shark fins in the world. The demand for other shark products is still high, according to conservation experts. Indonesia is home to the world’s most diverse population of sharks, boasting 118 different species, and the archipelago is the top shark-fishing nation in the world.

Between 2000 and 2011, Indonesia caught an average of 109,000 metric tonnes of shark species (not just the fins) every year, followed by India at 74,000 metric tonnes.

Together, the two countries’ shark haul still comprises about 20 percent of the global catch.

Arifsyah M. Nasution, an oceans campaigner at Greenpeace Indonesia, says that on paper the trade of shark fins in Indonesia has been hit hard by the decreasing demand from China.

But that’s only true for trade happening via legal channels.

“Legally, there has been a decrease due to the policy from the Chinese government as well as active campaigning informing [the public about] the negative impact [of shark finning],” says Nasution. “It’s still massive because of the weak regulations in Indonesia as well as the illegal shark fin shipping process, which goes into black markets. That’s what we need to pay attention to.”

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According to Indonesia’s official statistics agency, the country exported 248.7 tonnes of shark fins in 2014. That’s 51 percent less than the 514.3 tonnes it exported in 2012.

However, the shark fin trading activity that goes unrecorded in Indonesia is still very high, Nasution adds, with 13 percent of all sharks killed each year still coming from Indonesia.

Local consumption of sharks – not only their fins but also their meat – is still strong. Additionally, Indonesia’s sharkmeat exports reached 2,280 tonnes in 2014, up nearly 30 percent from 2012.

“There are various uses of sharks besides culinary [purposes], such as for medicine.

Moreover, people can sell not only their fins but also their meat,” says Nasution.

“Domestically, consumption of shark meat is high, seeing how they can be used to make meatballs and so on.”

Thriftier than steak?

Nasution adds that the price of shark meat can sometimes be lower than that of beef.

Indonesia lacks the necessary regulation and enforcement to protect sharks in the archipelago. “The regulation in Indonesia is still weak because there is no national ban,” he says. “That said, the government has warned against shark fishing.”

Shark fin stands out as a symbol of wealth in the People’s Republic and other parts of Asia. China is the world’s largest market for shark fin due to its people’s rising wealth and desire for luxury goods.

Celebrities like former basketball star Yao Ming, a popular figure in China, have decided to lend a hand to the cause. He became the face of a campaign launched by WildAid, a US-based organization focusing on reducing demand for wildlife products like shark fin.

A baby black tip shark in Raja Ampat, West Papua.

Divers have reported seeing finned sharks in this protected region | Photo by Angela R.

...sales of shark fin in Guangzhou, considered the centre of China’s shark fin trade, have dropped by 82 percent.

“They will devour fish which function to clean coral reefs of algae. With no one cleaning them, the health of coral reefs is under threat and thus the situation results in a phenomenon called coral bleaching.

If this goes on for three months, the coral reefs will die,” Nasution tells Indonesia Expat.

Save Sharks Indonesia is an organization that targets consumers of seafood products in its conservation campaigns.

“It’s not only the government as the regulation maker and the fishermen as the product suppliers that have become our [campaign] targets. Shark fin consumers have also become our targets because all this time, their roles as triggers for the overfishing of sharks have received

Touting the slogan, ‘When the buying stops, the killing can too’, WildAid boldly said the campaign cut the number of sharks killed for their fins by 50 percent. According to data collected by WildAid, sales of shark fin in Guangzhou, considered the centre of China’s shark fin trade, have dropped by 82 percent.

A government crackdown on the soup also helped catalyse the drop. Shark fin soup is now banned at official banquets in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pressure from conservationists has also influenced big businesses. A number of large hotel chains have stopped serving shark fin soup and more than 20 airlines have agreed not to transport it.

“In recent years, there has been a global decline in demand for shark fins,” confirms Vardhan Patankar, a marine biologist and researcher in the Andaman Islands.

Still, much of the damage has already been done, and the recent tapering in global exports of shark fin products may have come too late.

Populations of the 14 shark species whose fins are most used in the Chinese dish have declined by anywhere between 40 percent and 99 percent and are currently classified as threatened or near-threatened species, according to WildAid.

BY LEIGHTON COOSEBOOM

Despite Fear Mongering Media, Indonesia Responds Healthily to Terrorism

Leighton Cosseboom is an American journalist covering a variety of topics related to business, technology, economics, and news in Southeast Asia.

For more info visit www.ContentCollision.co

During violent attacks on 14 January in Jakarta, the media grossly misreported the facts. It was sloppy and irresponsible, as fear mongering is the definition of terrorism. authorities. “All information on terrorism comes directly from the police as the prime source,” explains Asgar. “Additional information usually comes from analysts or academics. If there is any misreporting, it usually happens during live reports.”

Certain media received alerts from the Indonesian police department containing a video clip of a man in black clothing, making threats to police and authorities.

It was soon discovered that this man had nothing to do with the attacks on Thursday, and the clip was actually from 2014. Asgar says she knew of the video, but her network did not air it because MNC received it second-hand, with little knowledge of its origin.

One of the day’s most flagrant reporting foul-ups happened when multiple media mistook a police officer for a terrorist.

“The 'man in the white shirt' was first referenced as one of the shooting suspects for a good couple of hours,” says Asgar.

“He was later identified as a member of the police, and he was actually shooting at the alleged terrorists.”

Recent terror attacks revealed many things about Indonesia as a nation. It proved Jakartans are not only a resilient bunch, but that they understand the necessity of not cowering from violence.

Following the explosions, Indonesians took to social media. They first wanted to make sure their loved ones were safe.

Next they wanted to show the world they wouldn’t be intimidated, nor would they change their daily routines. A flurry of humorous memes and folk hero stories surfaced the following day as a result.

One was the tale of a satay vendor who refused to leave his cart, despite being situated in the thick of a gun battle.

Business was better than usual; he sold a lot of meat that day. Netizens united across all channels with a single message and hashtag on social media: #KamiTidakTakut (#WeAreNotAfraid in English).

Despite a steadfast response from the police and the overwhelmingly healthy reaction of Indonesians, however, something was distinctly missing from the attack: responsible journalism.

In case you’ve been living on the moon for the past fortnight, here’s the gist of what happened:

At around 11am on Thursday, January 14, multiple explosions and gunfire erupted near the Sarinah mall at the intersection of Jalan Kyai Haji Wahid Hasyim and Jalan MH Thamrin. One blast went off at a Starbucks and one went off at a police structure in the middle of the intersection. The botched attack occurred near a United Nations information centre, as well as a couple of luxury hotels and foreign embassies. An armed standoff took place on the fourth level of Menara Cakrawala (Skyline Building) for several hours. At least eight people, four attackers and four civilians, were killed. More than 20 others were injured. Police took two of the attackers alive. ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attack, and the global spotlight has been on Indonesia since. The government now plans to strengthen its anti-terror law this year to give police greater powers of arrest.

Nicole Asgar, a sports producer and television presenter for MNC Media, was an eyewitness. Watching the event unfold from her window in the adjacent building—and from the TV studio—Asgar says no one truly knew what went on in the hours following the attack. She says misreporting took hold of the city that day. Otherwise level-headed media firms erroneously ran with unreliable data and even audacious hoaxes.

Does an emergency situation give broadcasters a license to shoot from the hip, ignore fact checking protocol, and spread fear?

“The situation got the best of everybody,” Asgar tells Indonesia Expat. “Four major media outlets, including iNews, tvOne, Indosiar, and Radio Elshinta, were later sanctioned by the Broadcasting Commission of Indonesia for delivering false news surrounding the attack.

They reported explosions in Kuningan, Palmerah, Cikini, and Slipi. The reports turned out to be false. The blame should be wisely put on the authorities for not controlling the news cycle immediately to avoid misreporting.”

Other circulating messages purported that armed men were driving around in a green car (with one on a motorbike) wreaking havoc in South Jakarta, shooting wildly with an AK-47. This too turned out to be untrue.

Asgar says, during the attack producers and editors failed to give reporters adequate information and background facts. They also did not cross-check with

Other rumours quickly precipitated alleging the terrorists were expressly targeting Americans. A screenshot of an email instantly circulated, warning US citizens to stay away from the general area of the blast site. The viral image was the only piece of evidence the public could link to a US-targeted attack.

Regardless, it inspired more insidious rumours that the US may have seen the attack coming, which in turn prompted conspiracy theories. The US Embassy denies being tipped off about the attack.

“Currently, there is no evidence to support this notion ever surfacing. We will most likely never find out the true targets of the terrorists,” says Asgar.

While Indonesians take pride in their ability to turn a tragedy into a social media sitcom, important questions remain for traditional media. Should editors be opportunistic about page views during a violent attack? Does an emergency situation give broadcasters a license to shoot from the hip, ignore fact checking protocol, and spread fear?

In this writer’s opinion, the answer is an overwhelming no. A terrorist attack is a time when the principles of journalism are most important. Without them, the media become instrumental to the attack itself. Although Indonesians say they’re not afraid, Jakarta media executives should be—not of ISIS, but of losing their audiences. issue 158 Indonesia expat

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EXPAT BUSINESS BUSINESS PROFILE

VIN+ Wine and Beyond

Through the Grapevine

BY ANGEL A RICHARDSON

Middle class Indonesians are really starting to enjoy drinking wine, and this can be seen in the opening of many wine shops and bars since the early 2000s. VIN+ is a pioneer in the wine retailer industry in Indonesia, and since its opening in 2004, the brand has expanded to five outlets across Jakarta and Bali. We meet General Manager of VIN+ Kemang, Central Park and Street Gallery, Yolanda Liz Simorangkir, to find out the secrets to its success, and if the business has been affected by the alcohol tax spikes of last year.

After the first couple of years since our inception, the shop was doing extremely well, but customers were also now looking for a place to drink their wines. In 2006, we decided to expand VIN+ into a wine venue; a retailer, lounge and restaurant offering a place to drink wine and enjoy food as well.

Since we launched this model, we have seen many venues with similar concepts open throughout Indonesia. One of them is Cork and Screw, and many others.

The first VIN+ was opened in Kemang, Jakarta. How many outlets do you have today and how many staff work for you?

We have four outlets in Jakarta and one in Bali. In total we have five outlets with about 300 staff working for us.

What differences do you see in VIN+ Seminyak Bali and your branches in Jakarta?

The concept is all the same; the only differences are the customer profile and the interior and layout. In Bali we cater not only to Bali residents but also to tourists. In general, people in Bali prefer to drink white wine and in Jakarta they prefer reds. Our Bali outlet has a spacious outdoor area and in Jakarta all areas are enclosed and air-conditioned.

Do you have separate smoking and nonsmoking areas in your restaurants?

Yes, we do.

When we hear the name VIN+, we automatically think of wine. Can you tell us the story of how the business was born and has developed over the years?

In the early 2000s, there were only duty free wine shops available, which only catered to specific customers like expatriates, diplomats and some affluent Indonesians. Basically, wines were mostly consumed by these specific customers.

However, after the economy crisis of 1998, we discovered that many locals from the middle class and upwards were starting to inquire and wanted to purchase wines.

We assumed the interest in purchasing wines at the time was due to the fact that these people were exposed to wines while they were studying abroad, and when the economic crisis hit they were forced to return to Indonesia. After being away, they probably had adapted to the lifestyle of drinking wine and wanted to maintain this here in Indonesia. They began looking for places that sell wine but were not able to have full access to the existing duty free shops. This is when VIN+ was established; a wine shop with a large wine selection to cater to both expatriates and locals. The

first VIN+ outlet was opened in Kemang in November, 2004.

What are your company’s core values?

Our core values are to provide the best selection of wines and services to cater to all levels; from the beginners who are just discovering wines, to people with sophisticated palates.

How successful has your concept - of a wine shop accompanied by a bar serving wine and food - been?

This concept has been very successful.

Let’s talk about wine. Has VIN+ seen a decline in sales since the hike in alcohol taxes last year? How are you dealing with this challenge?

The increase in alcohol taxes has not had a great impact on total sales revenue. What it does do is make it difficult to sell highend wines due to the high selling price.

However, the market continues to grow.

We are very much involved in lobbying and petitioning the government to come up with a win-win solution to all (consumers, retailers and the government). This is an ongoing process.

BUSINESS SNIPPETS

Indonesian Government to Auction Geothermal Blocks

Indonesia’s Current Account Deficit Widens in 2016-17 SOURCE

SOURCE

INDONESIA- INVESTMENTS.COM

The Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (Lembaga Penjamin Simpanan, or LPS) expects to see Indonesia's current account deficit growing to US$20.8 billion, equivalent to 2.3 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), in 2016. In the following year, the institution estimates that the current account deficit will continue to widen toward US$25.1 billion (2.5 percent of GDP) due to an expected decline in Indonesia's trade surplus.

The current account balance is known as the broadest measure of a nation’s 10 Indonesia expat issue 158

international trade. This balance covers transactions in goods, services, factor income (income derived from selling the services of factors of production), as well as transfers. It basically means that a country is a net borrower from the rest of the world when it posts a current account deficit (CAD). As such, the country needs capital or financial flows to finance this deficit. Although a CAD is not necessarily bad, countries plagued by a wide CAD are usually more susceptible to capital outflows. The LPS also expects to see an improvement in the country's capital and financial account surplus from US$14.9

billion in 2015 to US$26 billion in 2016 as the recent US interest rate hike has somewhat eased global uncertainty thus providing a way for more portfolio investment in Indonesia, as well as higher foreign direct investment (FDI).

However, concern about low crude oil prices and China's slowdown remain major issues.

Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia) recently stated that the country's current account deficit is expected to have improved from 3 percent of GDP in 2014 to 2 percent of GDP in 2015.

INDONESIA-INVESTMENTS.COM

The government of Indonesia will offer 21 geothermal blocks to investors over the next two years. Combined, these 21 blocks, which are estimated to require US$4.2 billion in investment, have a power generation capacity of 1,065 megawatt (MW). An official of Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said most of the geothermal power blocks will be offered through an open auction. The first auction is expected to take place in March 2016.

Yunus Saifulhak, Chief of Geothermal Power at the Energy Ministry's Directorate General, said the government has selected 26 geothermal working areas to be

We are very much involved in lobbying and petitioning the government to come up with a win-win solution to all

Do you foresee any further price changes being handed down by the government?

Of course, the government always wants to improve earnings by increasing taxes, but by doing so it will only encourage people to smuggle, which becomes another problem.

Whether or not another increase will go through remains to be seen.

What is the most popular wine you sell?

Wines with a sweeter taste are very popular, like Moscato, Lambrusco, and wines with a selling price below Rp.500,000.

Do you face challenges when importing wines? Do regulations frequently change?

There are always challenges when importing wines, but we are quite experienced and confident since we have been in the business for more than 10 years.

And yes, regulations do change frequently.

Where are the majority of your clientele from? And how many guests do you see on average on a busy month?

Our majority clienteles are locals; 90 percent local and 10 percent expatriate.

On average we see about 3,000 transactions take place in our stores each month.

What are the high and low seasons in your trade?

The high seasons are February (Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day), April and May (the wedding seasons), November (Thanksgiving), and, of course, December (Christmas and New Year’s).

Do you have any events coming up in the future?

In Kemang, every Monday in January is ‘Hot Monday’, where members get 50 percent off of Sirloin Grain Fed Steak (for members only), and this special offer changes every month.

In our Kemang, Pondok Indah and Central Park branches, we have Winederful Deal every day, where you can enjoy wine by the glass at only Rp.50,000++.

Our most well-known event takes place monthly, where we have one day of free wine tasting open to the public. This usually happens in the middle of each month and dates for the next event are to be announced.

Each month, we highlight different selected wines or new arrival wines with special promotion discount of 20 percent, which is available at all VIN+ outlets in Jakarta.

In January, we are currently highlighting selected variants of D’Arenberg wine.

What do you love most about your job?

What do you look forward to at work every day?

I love the products we sell – wine!

I enjoy sharing with the market as well as educating our staff and team on the products, as well as how to sell the products. I also really love meeting new customers. There is no limit to learning about wine and I think wine brings people together.

The low seasons are January, as people tend to cut back after the long holidays and endof-year celebrations, and June to August, during the school holidays.

For more information, please contact Yolanda on yolanda@vinplus.biz

offered to investors. Five have already been tendered last year. The remaining 21 blocks are set to be offered in 20162017. The Indonesian government is currently studying which blocks are ready to be tendered first. The five blocks that were tendered last year are Kepahiang (Bengkulu), Marana (Central Sulawesi), Way Ratai (Lampung), Mount Lawu (Central/East Java) and Lake Ranau (Lampung/South Sumatra).

Saifulhak added that 16 blocks will be offered through an open auction, eight in 2016 and eight in 2017. For the remaining five geothermal blocks the government will select the operator (a state-owned company) through direct appointment.

The government will most likely appoint Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), subsidiary of energy company Pertamina, to operate these blocks.

Renewable energy is projected to account for 23 percent of Indonesia's total primary energy by 2025 (from 5 percent currently).

To accomplish this target the Indonesian government has high hopes for geothermal energy development. Indonesia is estimated to contain about 40 percent of the world's geothermal reserves. However, most of these reserves remain untapped due to the lack of financial resources, the complicated investment climate (particularly when it involves natural resources), and uncompetitive power tariffs. Indonesia currently uses 1,439 MW of geothermalderived power, less than five percent of the total potential (29,475 MW).

These geothermal power blocks are not part of the government's recently unveiled programme to provide an additional 35,000 MW of power capacity by 2019.

issue 158 Indonesia expat

11

EXPAT LIFESTYLE MEET THE EXPAT Karen Davis is a NYC artist and writer

Meet Shankari Ashton

The Alchemist

BY K AREN DAVIS

Meet Shankari, also known as ‘Shankari the Alchemist’, who put Balian, a village on the west coast of Bali, on the map through a mix of creativity, spirituality, and hard work.

Tell us about your early life and how you came to Bali.

My Australian family thought I had lost my mind when I moved with my four children to Bali in April 1989! There was no internet, let alone Facebook or email.

This was a wild, crazy, extremely brave thing to do, but when the God force is there, you can only say yes!

You began life in Balian in a simple home and built it up over the years. What other arts do you support?

The palace in Balian started in 1997 and was funded by the sale of my home in Palm Beach, Australia. Today I am proud to say that I sponsor a foundation for dance, where 64 children in the sanggar or school are studying traditional and modern Balinese dance.

August 1988 was the Harmonic Convergence; an astronomical alignment, providing an energetic catalyst that sent many across the planet to pursue their true destinies. In Sydney as a single parent I worked non-stop to survive, as an artist, a waitress, and a ceramics teacher. I attended the University of New South Wales for a while, but my passion was creativity, so I left to have my first son and explore the world.

I am empowered through my children.

I have never been sorry I had so many and I celebrate their diversity and their genius. Today I have eleven grandchildren in four countries – abundance indeed!

During the ‘70s I had a son and then I gave birth to the twins, followed by another son and suddenly was the mother of four. Studying around the children, I became first a silversmith and then a sculptural ceramist winning many local prizes for my art and design.

What were the early years like being a single mum?

The first years were very difficult living in Bali. There was hardly any infrastructure; erratic electricity supply, no phone connection, no schools, and the language barrier. Quitting was not an option — I was committed.

I must have eventually passed all the tests because I was ‘discovered’ by a Beverly Hills Interior Designer, Tony Duquettein, in October 1992. I was his new assistant and my life and my family’s lives changed forever. He designed ‘Bagdad by the Bay’, a costume ball for royalty at the Museum of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. I designed and managed the jewel-coloured, three-tiered umbrellas and the costumes for the doormen and the porters, snake charmers and jugglers! Life was getting interesting!

Finally, resting under a jack fruit tree I heard them say, “As you have received healing here, so will many others.” I was instructed by the spirit of the land to build one of the first yoga centres in Bali. They kept saying, “This place will be outside time and space.” They nominated the place and the purpose then they organized funding.

My husband and I were simply their human servants. The work and money it attracted helped build the village and the people into a powerful force on the west coast of Bali.

How do dance and the arts enlighten us?

I believe in the power of art in all forms, as a healing force upon the Earth. When I watch the children dance I cannot help but cry with joy. They are so precious, so innocent and so talented. When you dance you forget yourself and fall into the arms of cosmic flow. Like all art forms, dance has the power to heal by resting the mind and engaging the spirit.

Like all art forms, dance has the power to heal by resting the mind and engaging the spirit.

How did your life change upon marrying your husband from Balian?

In 1993 after a brief courtship, I married my Balinese husband, Dewa. The ceremonies lasted three days! I loved everything about him! Suddenly I had someone at my back; I became far more focused and powerful in my designing and my writing. Love always makes us stronger!

Besides your unique designs, what makes your jewellery line stand out from others?

I have a strange skill that sets my work as a designer apart from others. I can hear the sound of colour, which is called ‘synesthesia’. I create songs of power for the wearer through their colour which describes their note or vibration. Stones carry vibrational memory which can be harnessed and directed through intent. Today, the wife of the Prime Minister of Japan wears my

Lapis Lazuli pendant design to strengthen and protect her from negative energy. My clients include supermodel Rachel Hunter, rock star LaToya Jackson, Hilary Duff and Patti LaBelle.

What inspired you to create Sacred River Retreat?

In 1995 I fell pregnant and I thought I had been cursed with black magic. One afternoon I went for a walk across the bridge, I sat down in the shade and drifted off into a dialogue with the spirits of the land. “Look between your feet,” they said, and so I did, and there between my feet was a large fruit called Sirsak (Soursop). “Eat it all,” the voice instructed, which I did with some trepidation. Sour and strange at first, it actually tasted like heaven. It was the perfect solution to my digestive chaos and I was so happy I could cry.

Tell me some of the most important practices you have taught others.

I believe in good health, so everyone who worked with us committed to start at 8am, and for the first hour their only job was to practice yoga, meditate, share grievances and centre themselves. When they went out into the workday they were balanced and fully prepared for their job. This is how you prepare to create life as a sacred journey.

Is there anything in your life that you would still like to do?

There are so many things. I want to write a book about the Crocodile Temple in Lallang Linggah. I would like to inspire a creative arts school here in Indonesia and online.

I would like to teach about jewellery making, gemstones, sacred geometry, mosaics, silk painting, music, dance, costume design and theatre. Anyone interested in joining is welcome!

I am excited for the future. I am blessed to have shared my life with the people of Indonesia. I love them deeply; their smiles and their humour fill me up with joy.

It is the place on Earth where I feel most comfortable. I believe simply in the little things. With love and care for each other, we can heal the world and inspire the future.

Thank you, Shankari!

To get in touch, e-mail shankari33@gmail. com or visit www.shankaribaliretreat.com

12 Indonesia expat issue 158

A DV ERT I S I N G FE AT U R E

A Perfect Venue for Your Special Occasion at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta

Hotel Borobudur Jakarta is a five-star diamond hotel, situated right in the centre of Jakarta, only a stroll away from the Presidential Palace, a quick ride to shopping malls and business districts, only 35 minutes away from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Spanning across 23 acres of tropical gardens and supported by extensive recreational facilities; Hotel Borobudur Jakarta has becomes an oasis where people can relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

For every occasion in your life, Hotel Borobudur Jakarta has the perfect venue to celebrate, be it a business meeting for eight or a big gala for 3,000 people. Our event specialist will assist you every step of the way so you have more time to bask in the moment.

Business Meeting Again and again, Hotel Borobudur Jakarta is awarded as Indonesia’s Leading MICE Hotel

by Indonesia Travel & Tourism Awards. Our accolades and awards have proven that we are the best venue for your prestigious events.

We have 18 function rooms and a grand ballroom to host various events, from a business meeting for 15 colleagues to a great corporate celebration of 3,000 people. An array of meeting packages are available, specifically designed to suit to your needs.

Offering state-of-the-art equipment, efficient and detailed catering services, as well as exceptional menus, you can leave all the details to us and immerse yourself in your professional work.

Borobudur Conference Centre The new Borobudur Conference Centre offers unique space flexibility to inspire creativity and collaboration. The 12 new Exclusive Meeting Rooms are created specifically for small groups between 8-40 people, designed with mobile furniture to enable changing of setting in a flash, from a round table discussion, a classroom presentation, or a formal bilateral meeting.

Each meeting room is equipped with the latest technology, complete with complimentary wireless internet, built-in LCD projector and screen, and video and teleconference facilities. Our IT and

technical support team are always on standby so you can focus on your discussion. Moreover, our Support Centre will be there to assist you in all your meeting requirements, from typing and photocopying to confirming and booking airline tickets.

To keep you recharged for the whole day, Borobudur Conference Centre provides all-day freshly brewed coffee and premium tea selections, as well as healthy bars, cookies, chips and nuts at the promenade area. And to refresh in between meetings, longer snack breaks are presented with a wide selections of healthy, well-balanced nourishments.

Social Events There are times in our lives where a toast has to be shared with friends and family. At Hotel Borobudur Jakarta, we are here to help you turn those times into moments worth remembering.

One such event is a wedding. Weddings are a grand affair of two committed soul mates that are ready to enter the adventure of a lifetime. It is a send-off by those who are near and dear, filled with blessings and well wishes. A celebration with family and friends; full of tears and joy, a dream come true for every little girl who secretly imagined a lovely white dress.

Seeing to the many interests of the exceptional bride, Hotel Borobudur Jakarta is an excellent setting to celebrate these precious moments.

Hotel Borobudur Jakarta is extraordinary at facilitating the bride and groom with the various preparations needed for the big day, ranging from decorations, catering, and more. Make your celebration an unforgettable, wonderful day with Hotel Borobudur Jakarta!

At Hotel Borobudur Jakarta, we love nothing but to make all your wishes come to life. From the intricate details of the blessing ceremony, the elegant minutiae of the cocktail reception, to the grand luxury of the gala dinner. Our wedding specialists will turn your moments into unforgettable memories.

Awarded as Indonesia’s Leading MICE Hotel

by Indonesia Travel & Tourism Awards, Hotel Borobudur Jakarta has proved to be the best

venue for prestigious events offering efficient and detailed catering services combined with state-of-the-art equipment.

Hotel Borobudur Jakarta as a leading 5-star hotel, offers spacious venues for wedding parties, such as Flores Ballroom able to accommodate 1,000 – 1,500 guests, or 3,000 guests by expanding to the Timor Room and Flores Foyer. Also with room Banda A and Banda B for family gatherings or special occasions.

Another venue is the Sumba Room, accommodating 700 – 800 guests with modern interior and balcony area, Timor Room for 300 – 500 guests nearby Lobby area, and Singosari & Poolside able to accommodate 500 – 1,200 guests with a cosy open-air atmosphere, with beautiful garden and pool view.

For fulfilling guests’ needs, Hotel Borobudur Jakarta offers a variety of foods for our special guests. We serve Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and other cuisines, as appropriate to our guest’s wedding theme, prepared by our expert chefs. Our team has won various awards in Salon Culinaire. Every dish is prepared with the highest standards, made according to recipes passed down for generations to maintain the authentic flavour.

The exclusive wedding packages for 2016 at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta are: Harmony Package for 500 guests : Rp.318.000.000 nett Melody Package for 700 guests : Rp.438.000.000 nett Romantic Package for 800 guests : Rp.478.000.000 nett Symphony Package for 1,000 guests : Rp.578.000.000 nett Borobudur Package for 1,200 guests : Rp.808.000.000 nett

For further information and assistance, please contact 021 – 380 5555 or 380 4444, ext 72050 – 72065 or catering@hotelborobudur.com; and visit www.hotelborobudur.com

Celebrate your unforgettable wedding moment at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta. We feature many choices to celebrate your wedding from romantic poolside, exquisite garden or a grand ballroom.

The perfect venue for any occasion: Meetings, Conventions, Exhibitions, Fashion Shows or any other event requiring special attention. issue 158 Indonesia expat

13

EXPAT LIFESTYLE FOOD AND DRINK Annali Hayward is an expert eater, decisive drinker, fumbling fashionista and tasteful traveller, who writes to savour it all – preferably at once. E-mail her at annali.s.hayward@gmail.com

Mama Says Relax

BY ANNALI HAY WARD

OK, I’ll admit it; I’ve been on a bit of a Will Meyrick-athon of late. He’s a busy guy, so we’ve busily been bringing you news of his latest ventures. But his Seminyak staple Mama San is five years old now. In an effort to keep the wandering wunderkind on his toes, we paid Mama a visit, to see if she still lives up to her doyenne-of-dining reputation.

Photo by David Burden

If you’ve been to Bali, chances are you’ve been to Seminyak. If you’ve been to Seminyak, chances are you’ve been to Mama San, even just for drinks. The concept here draws on 1920s Asian gentleman’s clubs, full of smoke and sin. Fittingly then, in a dark-hued, converted warehouse, Mama presides over Jl. Kerobokan, beckoning you forth to enter and sample her wares.

The concept here draws on 1920s Asian gentleman’s clubs, full of smoke and sin. Fittingly then, in a dark-hued, converted warehouse, Mama presides over Jl. Kerobokan, beckoning you forth to enter and sample her wares.

Sample we did. The emphasis here is on fun, so we started with cocktails – not that I ever need an excuse. A Passion Fruit Mint Bellini was served beautifully, with a clever foam and a mint leaf atop the delicate champagne glass. An Aged Negroni was marvellous (and not just because, as I am increasingly having to convince myself, everything gets better with age). It was constructed well and based on decent ingredients. Straight off the bat we had ascertained that the bar is still one hot mama for those in need of magnificent mixology.

I often find establishments competing in this space struggle to get two elements right at the same time: some excel behind the bar, and some in the kitchen. Mama San is on point with both, and it’s a good job too, since the whole ethos is about getting guests to while away a few hours in comfort. We needed no convincing.

Meyrick’s All-Day menu tempts diners with smart sectioning: Asian Bites, Salads, Crispy Things, Stir Fries. First things first, we toured Siam – maybe Meyrick’s first foodie love – with some Thai Fishcakes. I had every expectation that these would be faultless, and they were: just the right amount of spicy, the patties were suitably dense, not too greasy, and packed with the robust flavours they’re famous for.

MamaSan 14 Indonesia expat issue 158

LEFT TO RIGHT Barrel aged Negroni, crispy lamb ribs, and kachooris

Vietnam was our next stop, with what turned out to be my favourite dish of the night: La Lot; a famous street dish of grilled minced pork belly in betel leaves, dipped in nuoc cham. If you were to ask a South Vietnamese market trader if a cheeky Scottish chappy could make a fish sauce dip to rival the nation’s best efforts, they would laugh in your face. But he does, and it was a delight – plus, very hard to find elsewhere in Indonesia.

Rounding out our starter ‘bites’, we sojourned to India for kachoori, a gram flour puff filled with yellow dal, served with some tangy chutneys (tamarind and mint).

I loved it, though I am a sucker for anything sub-continentally spiced. This type of nibbly delectation is perfect both as street food

Jl. Raya Kerobokan No. 135, Br. Taman, Bali

and in this somewhat elevated setting, as an accompaniment to those inventive cocktails.

For something heartier – I am loath to call it a main course, as the menu doesn’t dictate what you must eat when – you can go oriental with various stir fries, crispy lamb ribs or pork belly. Extending this theme, the restaurant has developed a following for its dim sum, which is (rather unusually) served at night, in the upstairs bar. But we chose from the Curries and Braises section: a lovely Red Duck Curry, another Thai-inspired dish (though duck, of course, is also a well-known Balinese delicacy).

This version was sweetened by the slightly unusual, but delicious, addition of lychee.

The duck was perfectly soft, and its gamey flavour contrasted well with shrimp paste in the sauce.

Phone: +62 361 730436

With this we also tried a Massaman chicken curry, which hails from southern Thailand.

With its unctuous sauce of shallots, pumpkin and potatoes, it was perfect for mopping up with a roti canai, or poured over some plain steamed jasmine rice.

Desserts are lavished with just as much attention to detail as savouries at Mama San, and it is refreshing to see such unique concoctions on offer – a theme that persists in all Meyrick ventures, including Ubud’s Hujan Locale and E&O Jakarta. Thai Pumpkin Caramel Candy was a totally new one on me – and it’s not often I get to say that! The sweet little morsels were fantastic paired with homemade cashew nut ice cream (cashews, of course, being another important Balinese produce). By far the stickiest, naughtiest dessert was Banana Pudding, which in itself was divine, but the homemade cinnamon, cardamom and coconut ice cream was a revelation. Finally, I was happy to see Meyrick give his spin on Australia’s beloved Pavlova, which he smothered with mango mousse, passion fruit coulis, berries, and coconut ice cream.

It was both light and bold, with big tropical flavours.

The restaurant, quite rightly, has loyal fans.

On a nothing-y weekday night it was packed to the rafters, seemingly with a nice crosssection of tourists, locals and expats: clearly Mama’s charms are still in their first blooms of youth. My advice for a night on the town? Start here for copious cocktails, eat something fabulous to mop it up with, drink a bit more, order dessert, consider going elsewhere, but then with a sweet sense of inevitability, relent, give up, and settle in ‘til closing time.

Website: www.mamasanbali.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Smokin’

Good Holy Smokes

Texas Style Slow Smoked BBQ House

Smoky Wagyu Brisket

There is more to the process of smoking meat than meets the eye. Smoked meat is popular amongst those who enjoy satisfying their carnivorous appetite, and producing the perfect piece of smoked meat requires a lot of knowledge, skill and, of course, the use of proper equipment.

meat for a few hours, or even days, and then dry it before putting it in the smoker. Holy Smokes uses solid chunks of wood to smoke the meat. Unlike many smoke houses around the world that might use regular smokers, Holy Smokes has a smoking machine that fits a whopping 250kg of meat.

A lot of people might confuse smoking with barbecuing, or even grilling, however these three methods are distinctly different, mainly determined by their temperature and cooking time. For one, smoking takes from at least one hour up to two weeks in preparation time, with a cooking temperature of approximately 68-176° F. Accordingly, there are two methods of smoking, namely cold and hot smoking.

The process at Holy Smokes begins by marinating the meat with the restaurant’s very own spices, which are specially made by the owner. Afterwards, they place the meat into the smoking machine for 3-14 hours. The homemade spices and extensive cooking time therefore results in an extremely juicy, tasty and tender piece of meat.

Barbecuing belongs to the second category, hot smoking, but is done so in an open environment, which is the opposite to smoking. The method requires commitment, patience and time, using what is known as the ‘low and slow’ technique; relying on a low temperature for a long time. The third technique – grilling – on the other hand relies on a hot cooking temperature but less time.

As a Texan-inspired restaurant that gives birth to one of the best smoked foods in Indonesia, Holy Smokes is naturally aware of the aforementioned techniques. In fact, they aim to educate people about them, including what makes a simple dish of meat so special.

Texas Short Ribs

Each table is provided with two delicious accompaniments of homemade sauces, which are the Hot Smoky BBQ for those who favour spiciness, and Ol’ Smoky BBQ sauce for those who prefers otherwise. A drizzle of any of these on top of your tender piece of meat will instantly lead you into smoked food heaven.

Founded in July 2015 by its very own executive chef Albert Wijaya, Holy Smokes is the first and only slow-smoked barbecue restaurant in Indonesia serving smoked, barbecued and grilled food – all under one roof. The chef’s personal journey and experience of living in the United States for quite some time led him to establishing this restaurant.

Pulled Brisket Sandwich

Holy Smokes is a casual dining restaurant where guests can satisfy their longing for the perfect piece of smoked meat.

The ‘Texas-style slow-smoked BBQ’ house greets guests in a western fast food atmosphere, while remaining sophisticated thanks to its monochromatic surroundings that give the place a modern twist.

Opening Hours:

Holy Smokes is available for events such as birthdays, talk shows and meet-and-greets. In the past they have hosted events for bands like Nidji, Endah N Rhesa and presenters Danang and Darto.

With a Texan-style atmosphere and food that will make any carnivore’s mouth water, Holy Smokes proves that a simple dish can be the best. Proper smoking, barbecuing and grilling techniques make a delicious and tender piece of meat; and clear vision and concept translate into a strong personality – which is why Holy Smokes works!

Holy Smokes finds that both method and flavour are the keys to serving the perfect dish. As an ancient method that could date back as far as 250,000 years, the basic technique for smoking has lasted the tests of time. You basically brine the

Wolter Monginsidi 27 Kebayoran Baru Jakarta 12180

The menu at Holy Smokes comes in two main packages: plate (meat only) and dinner (meat plus two choices of side dish). Smoky Wagyu Brisket, Southern Style Beef Ribs, Texas Short Ribs, BBQ Chicken and Pulled Brisket Sandwich are included in both packages. Side dishes include baked beans, corn, coleslaw, home-cut fries, onion straws, baked beans, and corn home-cut fries. As if these packages were not enough, Holy Smokes dares to challenge guests with the combo package, where they can combine Chicken & Brisket (half chicken plus one brisket slice), Brisket & Ribs (one brisket slice plus one beef rib bone) and Chicken & Ribs (half chicken plus one rib bone).

Weekdays 11:30 am to 3 pm 5 pm to 10 pm

Weekends 11:30 am to 10 pm

Tel: +62 (0) 21 722 1795 Web: www.holysmokes.co.id instagram: @holysmokesid issue 158 Indonesia expat

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EXPAT LIFESTYLE TRAVEL Gail Collins writes internationally for magazines and has co-written two books on expat life with a solo project entailing the long-haul, oil-rich Indonesia’s Banyu Urip field in 2015. She feels writing is the perfect excuse to talk to strangers and learn about the world around her.

HONG KONG

Chinese New Year Extravaganza

BY GAIL G. COLLINS

The gateway city to China commands a stunning harbour skyline, urban greenspaces, unmatched shopping, a fusion of Chinese, British and contemporary cultures, plus the contrast of ancient customs in a cosmopolitan metropolis.

Hong Kong’s origins as a fishing village in the 1800s are hard to imagine against the backdrop of today’s spectacular skyscrapers.

The main island’s name is believed to have come from twin port villages, now known as Aberdeen. It harboured thousands of sampans and junks, which debuted as scenery for James Bond and Bruce Lee movies in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Temple Street night market

Kowloon Park dragon dance

This dichotomy of traditional and trendsetting is lavishly revealed in its festivals.

If you have to choose one party to attend, make it Chinese New Year (CNY). The celebration begins with Cathay Pacific’s International Night Parade, listed by Forbes as one of the world’s 10 best extravaganzas.

On the second day, they shoot the moon in a fireworks spectacle over Victoria Harbour, and on the final day, 100,000 people bet their luck on the horses at Sha Tin Racecourse.

The theme of good luck and prosperity runs rampant, as does warding off bad spirits.

This is evident in the clanging cymbals of a lion dance or fireworks detonations. Good luck packets, lai see, are presented at every turn. They hold a card and, perhaps, gold chocolate coins or money for children.

Visit the Well Wishing Tree in Lam Tsuen to tie your happy wishes to its branches.

We arrived on CNY Day and hit the ground running – the parade ground, that is. The streets in the Tsim Sha Tsui area were barricaded ahead of massive crowds, so we paced the route to choose a spot for later.

Then, at Kowloon Park, our second in an untold number of lion and dragon dance performances gathered an audience. The animals project strength and dispel evil.

Kowloon Park exits onto Haiphong Road, where jewellers display exquisite pieces in gold, jade and diamonds. Intricately gilded necklaces feature classic dragon and phoenix symbols marrying for happiness.

Nearby Nathan Road, once called the Golden Mile for its exclusive shopping, still boasts high-end anchors like Polo, Gucci and Hermès. Chungking Mansions sits doggedly among them, offering cheap lodging and goods, while The Peninsula, iconic for its high tea and room rates is 200 metres away.

After an early supper at high rise iSquare, we grabbed a coveted spot at the rail on the east side of Nathan Road at the mid-point two hours before the parade. Jugglers, clowns, bands and personalities performed creating a lively atmosphere. Look for sound and lighting set-ups as clues for premiere viewing areas.

The parade dazzled with three dozen floats boasting sponsors from Disneyland’s 16 Indonesia expat issue 158

Victoria Peak view

Hong Kong's CNY street parade

Hong Kong floral fantasy to the Professional Jockey Association’s carload of lion dancers. It is a global show, and America’s Denver Broncos Cheerleaders sported their fit bodies and sunny smiles. A young man videoed their moves, mumbling his mother would kill him, but grinned as he uploaded it to Facebook. French divas sang atop mountainous petticoat perches, and Dutch ballerina stilt walkers whirled ethereal gowns. Dance troupes executed routines in costumes ranging from glitzy tuxes to water lily frocks in the nonstop show.

The weather in February is cool, and light winter gear is sufficient. It’s also grey, and the next day, shifted to glum. Undeterred, we headed to Victoria Peak for a 360-degree view of Hong Kong. Take the mid-level escalators for a covered, above-it-all glimpse of the steep streets. Hop off at Hollywood Road for antiques and wander Hong Kong Gardens where birds and apes amuse guests. Nearby, 120-year-old Peak Tram whisks travellers 396 metres to the top, but expect long lines on both ends. We hoofed it up Peak Street to burn some calories – it’s a cool climb. A shrouded and ghostly panorama prevailed, but on a clear day, ascend Peak Tower’s 428 Terrace, named for its elevation as the top spot.

Like locals, we picnicked at the harbour park for the evening’s fireworks. Pros, albeit inventors, of explosive displays, the Chinese didn’t hold back on the firepower.

Boom booms punctuated the air, and the enchanted crowd sighed “Ah, ah” in turn.

Each night at 8pm, crowds also gather for the Symphony of Lights, a 15-minute narration, song and illumination, ideally viewed from the north shore.

Bali

Hong Kong Sovereignty

In 1997, Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China

Area

1,104 square kilometres

Population

7.24 million (2014); 91 percent of Chinese descent

Getting there

AirAsia, Malaysia, Cathay Pacific, China & Singapore Airlines, Jetstar Asia & Garuda Indonesia

What to do

Watch the CNY Parade, fireworks plus symphony and light show (Starting February 8, 2016). Visit Victoria Peak, the History Museum, Temple Street Night Market, take the Star Ferries Tour.

Mobile App

Download heritage walks, maps and more at www.discoverhongkong.com

What to bring

Walking shoes, coat and umbrella

Where to stay

The best site to source harbour hotels to discounted digs is hong-kong-hotels.ws

The dichotomy of traditional and trendsetting is lavishly revealed in its festivals. If you have to choose one party to attend, make it Chinese New Year.

Day three dripped rain, so we opted for a leisurely dim sum. Metropol Restaurant in United Centre holds 1,200 diners, with a central cooking area, where old-style trolleys trundle by. Bamboo baskets hold dumplings, buns, rolls and wraps, filled with meat, seafood, vegetables and rice.

Just point at what looks good and dip in standard sauces, like soy, sesame or chilli oil and peanut. Cards are stamped to keep track of consumption. Before noon, there is no waiting, but it’s wildly popular. Tea and hot water arrived at our table immediately.

Nearby, Chinese ladies bathed their teacups in the scalding water, displaying skills with chopsticks on heavy ceramic ware we couldn’t hope to match.

From there, we took the MTR to the History Museum. Buy travel cards at ticket offices and top up to catch the express airport train as well as subways and buses – just touch and go. The museum’s Hong Kong Exhibit offered a fine visual history in artefacts and displays from marriage rites to Opium Wars to natural disasters.

On our sodden, sullen last day, we boarded Star Ferries’ Shining Star for a misty harbour cruise. The commentary was light as was the company onboard. Skyline spires pierced the fog in a surreal scene. The tour is a must-do in any case.

Our last stop was Temple Street Night Market. The bargain wares and souvenirs are fun distractions, and the southern end of the street is bounded by local eateries with outdoor tables. Grab a beer and order chilli crab for a sizzling end to even a wet day.

Hong Kong at CNY is ancient festivals that thrill with a contemporary makeover. Kung hei fat choi!

EXPAT LIFESTYLE BOOK REVIEW Terry Collins, aka Jakartass, is currently researching A History of Jazz in Indonesia.

JALAN-JALAN

A Novel of Indonesia

BY TERRY COLLINS

Jalan Jalan - A Novel of Indonesia Mike Stoner Tuttle Publishing 2016 ISBN 978-0-8048-4629-5

Or has he?

When Newbie isn’t having a conversation with his inner voice, he describes his life outside: the old and the new are inseparable.

Mike Stoner

The dozen or so books about Indonesia that I've reviewed, most for these pages, have been undertaken with a fairly serious approach. There’s a notebook and pen beside me as I read so that I can jot down quotes which I'll possibly imbed somewhere in my prose, so I'll have an outlined framework ready as I reach the last page.

But not Mike Stoner’s first novel: I romped through it in no more than a couple of sittings. But that was because for me, and I suspect many readers of this review, there is a familiarity, a recognition that we both accepted happenstance — a job offer based on a five minute interview ‘back home’.

An added connection for this reviewer, as well as other contributors here, is that ‘Newbie’ and I came here to teach English in a language school. He landed, jetlagged, in Medan at the dawn of the new millennium, just two years after the anarchic chaos preceding Suharto’s abdication in May ’98.

When it’s the time to enter the next phase of one's life, because an escape clause from the past may be needed, the culture shock of a ‘wonderland’ can oddly aid personal readjustments. Learning an unknown language and that knives aren’t part of the dinner table place settings, coping with different weather conditions and that if you're able to adapt, then you can learn to survive.

Newbie’s past as ‘Old Me’ is heart wrenching: the death of his true love Laura.

She is a ‘ghost’, a voice in his head who won't leave him as he relives their intense relationship from their first meeting in a seaside tea shop where he was working, through scenes which range from raunchy to reflective. He has an ongoing conversation with her even until the end of the book 285 pages later when Newbie believes he has become ‘New Me’.

It is this consistent autobiographic voice which keeps readers engaged. Incidents and descriptions are of the time, although with clove cigarettes apparently at Rp.300 a pack it did cross my mind that Stoner had got the decades mixed up: a dozen years earlier my Commodore were a cheap Rp.500 a pack.

“I walk down the street, the busy, hot, stinking street where dust sticks to me and everyone watches me. Watches the foreigner. The strange man who is so big and awkward. Out of place like an elephant in a field of sheep.”

His colleagues in Medan’s language schools are familiar, especially Kim, forever effing and blinding (Hi, Carl), aloof Naomi, and the “hippy chick” Julie. With the week’s classes finished, their Friday nights in Mei's place downing umpteen large bottles of Bintang remind me of the glory days of Blok M. There are also weekend jaunts together out of town: to Bukit Lawang, the tourist town famous for its orangutan sanctuary (before the flash flood which wiped it out in 2003), and Prapat beside Lake Toba.

(For Jakartans read Pelabuhan Ratu, Carita or Puncak.)

All that, though, is the everyday reality masking the hallucinatory conversation with Laura – not that the ‘magic’ mushrooms, ecstasy and marijuana from Aceh marketed by both sides in the ‘civil war’ then underway further north had no influence.

Inevitably it seems, as a single white guy, he attracts a girlfriend, Eka, who is not so much an on-the-rebound foil as a practical, no nonsense source of succour, something of a nurse.

“What is she to me? It’s not love, I know that.

She is a sounding board, someone to tell my pathetic woes to. Someone who is mine and not connected to anything else. She is my release and my fantasy. She is my sanity too.”

- “I should go to work,” I say.

-“Yes, go to work and think of Eka, not dead girl.”

The strange man who is so big and awkward.

Out of place like an elephant in a field of sheep.

The “dead girl”, Laura, takes an active part in Newbie’s everyday life, offering commentary, advice and criticism in equal doses. The manner of her passing isn’t disclosed for some time; then its sheer mundane wastefulness adds to the sense of tragedy and his bewilderment of a life, their life together, lost. Empathetic readers will ponder the fragility of our own lives.

- I’ve had to watch you with this girl.

Use her for your own selfish needs. Well, I feel responsible. If it wasn’t for me, she wouldn’t be falling for my Ice-Cream Boy. Because of me she’s going to feel heartbroken and abused by you. I’m trying to be your conscience.

- You lost that right when you died.

- I didn’t ask for it.

- I know. I’m sorry. But I didn’t ask for what you left me.

Such is the rare integrity and intensity in the narrative as the ‘Old Me’ gradually becomes the sought for ‘New Me’ that I suspect readers will have one question to ask Mike Stoner: how much of this account of coming to terms with bereavement is ‘factual’?

I’ve asked it for you, and he told me that his reason for coming here wasn’t exactly the same as Newbie’s.

“That part was based on an unhappy event in an earlier life. However I had been through the mill a bit with relationships and stress prior to Indonesia, and really felt I had to get away to somewhere completely different. And being in a place where I knew no-one and no-one knew me, certainly allowed me to go a little wilder than I would have done before. I wasn’t the usual ‘Mike’ there for sure. There was some subconscious re-invention and certainly a fair amount of not caring about what people thought, but I'm well and truly ‘Old Me’ at the moment.

“Not sure that's a good thing but hey ho.”

Yes it is, Mike, you’ve written an impressive story and I for one look forward to reviewing your next one.

issue 158 Indonesia expat

17

EXPAT LIFESTYLE LANGUAGES Richard Horstman is active in the art community as a writer, consultant and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bali Art Society. Email him at lifeasartasia@gmail.com

Preserving the Balinese Language for Generations to Come

BY RICHARD HORSTMAN | PHOTOS BY BASABALI

Saraswati Day, a celebration of the riches of languages with the performance of poetry in Balinese, Indonesian, and a number of other world languages simulcast in participating countries was held.”

The BASAbali - wiki project team

Language represents culture. In culturallyrich Indonesia this is especially true; being an archipelago of over 17,000 islands with around 300 distinct native ethnic groups and 706 living languages.

With the formation of the nation, and the Indonesian national language 65 years ago however, some of the country’s minority languages declined. The Balinese language is one of these, and one of the linguistic treasures of Indonesia that needs to continue to develop and be maintained, along with other regional languages (and Indonesian, of course).

“Our goal is to celebrate how Indonesia's minority languages can co-exist and thrive along with the national language,” says Alissa Stern, Founding Director of BASAbali, a US-based not for profit organization that is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Balinese language.

Considered by experts a difficult language to master, Balinese is greatly complicated by its caste influences. There's high Balinese, low and middle Balinese, plus a number of variations of the three languages. The Bali Cultural Agency estimates that the number of people still using Balinese does not exceed 1 million on an island with a population greater than 4 million people. Balinese is mostly spoken in social and culture interactions; Indonesian, however is increasingly the language of commerce, in schools and public places.

“We need to take seriously the proposition that languages are part of a person's and a society's – identity, and we need to value languages as we do other precious resources,” Stern adds. A graduate from Harvard Law School, with a BA in Anthropology and Southeast Asian Studies from Cornell University, who is now pursuing a graduate degree in linguistic anthropology at George Washington University, the spark of initiative that led her to consider the possibilities of studying the Balinese language from afar occurred after a conversation with a Balinese priest in 2009. “You can never really understand 18 Indonesia expat issue 158

how someone else makes sense of the world unless you speak their language,” she says.

Stern then set out to discover her options.

After engaging with several of the top Southeast Asian language programs in the US, and Balinese experts in Bali and around the world, she found that aside from a couple of books, dictionaries, and studies, there were almost no resources available.

BASAbali brought together linguists, videographers, anthropologists, language software specialists, language teachers and others who could share their knowledge and experience with language learning programmes to create a unique fusion of tradition and modernity. Their goal: to create a fun contemporary approach to learning, blending technology, images and sounds.

BASAbali software

“We believe that the planet thrives when there is diversity and BASAbali wants to strengthen Balinese while there is a solid base of speakers rather than waiting until the language is endangered,” Stern says.

Located in Washington DC, BASAbali is a virtual community of volunteers and experts who are linguists, anthropologists, students, and laypeople, from within and outside of Bali, who are working to keep Balinese strong and sustainable.

With money raised through crowdfunding and software generously donated by Transparent Language, BASAbali engaged the help of Visual Bali, a local videographer and linguists from Udayana University, who produced 24 dialogue videos and accompanying language exercises. Patricia Chan, a Javanese digital media specialist helped with a series of modules to teach the endangered Balinese script. The program is given to non-profit organizations free of charge while the software has been incorporated into the regular middle school curriculum in Denpasar. The program offers instruction in Indonesian for native Indonesian speakers, or in English, and is available online, as a DVD, and for mobile devices.

“During 2014/2015 we engaged in some very exciting projects,” says the Director of BASABali in Bali, Ayu Mandala, a driving force behind the organizations operations in Bali. “Working with students and professors from DwiJendra and Udayana Universities in Bali we translated over 7,500 phrases needed to translate Google’s home page into Balinese as a part of Google’s effort to provide a web presence for minority languages.”

Self teaching methods are used in BASAbali software

“We partnered with Banjar Bali USA along with Balinese communities in eight other countries in a unique event in November, commemorating the Balinese Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art and education – Saraswati. Coinciding with

Children of SMP 12 in Denpasar use BASAbali resources

Working with Balinese communities in different countries along with the relevant Indonesian embassies participants engaged in the reading of Balinese poetry in different languages. Winners were drawn of a monthly online poetry contest that encouraged people to write in Balinese and to contribute to a free, online ‘living’ Balinese-English-Indonesian wiki dictionary, underscoring the international importance of Balinese.

“A live annual poetry slam in honour of Saraswati Day will be an ongoing event, along with a monthly online poetry contest,” Mandala says. “Our main programme in 2016 is continuing the development of our Balinese-English-Indonesian wiki dictionary which the public can use and contribute to, which is innovative as both a resource and as a tool. As a resource, it functions as a modern, up-to-date Balinese reference dictionary with example sentences taken from real live sources and with videos of native speakers.”

“Tool-wise, through the Banjar Project we are going into banjars to develop ‘wiki ambassadors’, so as to encourage people, especially parents with small kids, to take videos and upload them so that they become part of the process of helping their language.”

Nowadays governments are often concerned about cultural homogenization and promoting one unifying national language.

The international community often focuses on commercially viable languages or ones with significant political sway. Yet BASAbali perceives our world as a world of living languages. Visiting their website gives an insight to the breadth of their commitment to the Balinese language via networks and team work.

“We thrive on challenges,” Mandala says.

“Creating suitable programs that can reach all levels of education and cross sections of community requires enormous deliberations. Our mission is to encourage people, native or otherwise, to speak in Balinese in more places, more of the time.”

“This is an immense local and international effort working together with many experts to successfully create our events and programs. Presenting universal interactive media is an incredible achievement and is enormously satisfying.”

For more about BASAbali, please go to: www.basabali.org. The free multimedia BalineseEnglish-Indonesian dictionary, wiki is at www.dictionary.basabali.org

issue 158 Indonesia expat

19

Kenneth Yeung is a Jakarta-based editor

Sky High Hijinks

BY KENNE TH YEUNG

Air travel scams are common, but more worrying is that Indonesian airlines have been ranked among the most unsafe in the world. Despite that, it’s still safer to fly than to drive.

Travellers seeking cheap airfares may be duped into buying fake tickets offered through social media and text messages.

Some Facebook pages mimic those of airlines and offer fantastic promotions, luring people into making payments via ATM or credit card. Scammers may make bookings but never pay for them, so the victims only learn they have been ripped off when they try to check in at an airport.

Such scams are easily avoided by booking via the actual sites of airlines or by using reputable travel agents.

Other fake Facebook pages for airlines offer lucky draws for free tickets just for clicking on the ‘Like’ button or ‘sharing’ an image and posting a comment. At a glance, these pages may not appear to be scams, as they are not asking for money. They are actually ‘like-farming’ or ‘like-baiting’, which was banned by Facebook in late 2014. Pages with high popularity ratings can be used to spread malware through malicious links, or to collect people’s information to sell to marketers. They can also be sold to cybercriminals who then offer fake products or phish for credit card details.

Offline, there are plenty of scams on the ground at airports. At Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (actually located in Batam province), the main targets for scams are female migrant workers seeking their fortune as maids. Many have been coerced into paying exorbitant amounts for allegedly incomplete documentation before being allowed to leave the country.

On their return, maids have been forced to change money at false rates and to take extortionately priced transport back to their hometowns.

Foreigners are also often targeted, taken aside to interview rooms to pay bribes for spurious offenses, such as travelling with a bottle of alcohol on a domestic flight, or having a return ticket with an airline different to the airline they arrived on.

Some officers have no shame in requesting cash, electronics goods or clothing from tourists. Sometimes, customs officers solicit bribes to expedite the release of imported goods.

Outright theft also occurs. Police at Soekarno-Hatta recently arrested four employees of Lion Air, the country’s biggest airline, for allegedly stealing from passengers’ luggage. One suspect told police he had been forced – by threats of physical violence – to take part in such thefts since he joined Lion in 2014. He said the proceeds were split with security guards. Airport police later said at least 12 of Lion’s baggage handlers were involved in the syndicate. An official from Lion, Daniel Putut Adi Kuncoro, admitted the airline was suspicious when some staff had been leaving work with five to six mobile phones.

Most recently, police on January 19 arrested seven Lion Air baggage handlers at North Sumatra’s Kualanamu International Airport on suspicion of stealing diamonds worth Rp.250 million from a passenger’s bag.

News of the thefts sparked concerns that crooked baggage handlers could plant drugs or even explosives into bags being loaded onto planes. Also worrying is the prospect of incapacitated pilots. Four Lion Air pilots have been arrested for drugs over the past five years. That’s just a fraction of the airline’s more than 1,000 pilots, who earn from Rp.45 million upward per month depending on seniority and hours flown.

Lion has been criticized in the past for running a pay-to-fly scheme, referred to as ‘line training’, in which aspiring foreign pilots could pay US$44,000 for 500 hours of flying experience before they started earning under four-year contracts.

Far worse than theft, extortion or safety concerns is being murdered by an airline.

That was the fate of Munir, the country’s foremost human rights activist, who

in 2004 was killed while in transit on a Garuda Indonesia flight from Jakarta to Amsterdam. During a stopover at Singapore’s Changi Airport, an off-duty Garuda pilot named Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, who had been assigned to the flight at the behest of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), put a lethal dose of arsenic into a cup of coffee and gave it to Munir.

The activist reboarded the flight and died in agony about seven hours later.

Garuda has never apologized for killing Munir. Instead, it challenged lawsuits by Munir’s widow all the way to the Supreme Court, which in 2011 ordered the airline to pay compensation. Pollycarpus was in 2005 sentenced to 14 years in jail for the murder.

He was released a year later after the Supreme Court overturned his conviction.

The resulting public outcry and criticism of then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono led to a judicial review and Pollycarpus was in 2008 sentenced to 20 years in jail. The Supreme Court then cut his sentence to 14 years and he was paroled in late 2014 under the watch of President Joko Widodo.

Garuda's former president director, Indra Setiawan, served one year in jail for his complicity in the murder. The masterminds of the assassination have never been punished. The BIN officer who communicated with Pollycarpus in the period surrounding the murder, Muchdi Purwopranjono, was acquitted by South Jakarta District Court in 2008. Authorities have rejected subsequent efforts to reopen the case. Muchdi was most recently in the news last October for suggesting the National Commission on Human Rights be disbanded.

World’s Worst?

Indonesian airlines have long been criticized for poor safety. The country’s commercial aviation sector was for decades dominated by Garuda, which began operating in 1949 as the national carrier.

In 1962, state-owned Merpati was founded to serve remote domestic locations. In

1969, two private airlines were launched: military-owned Mandala and Sempati.

In 1970, a logging businessman founded Bouraq Airlines so he could fly more regularly to Kalimantan.

In 1983, Indonesia had only 5.6 million air passengers. The number climbed to 17 million by 1996, then plunged to 8 million in 1999 because of the Asian financial crisis. Deregulation of the aviation industry in the same year saw the emergence of numerous budget airlines, including Lion. By 2014, there were 94.5 million air passengers and 26 commercial airlines.

AirlineRatings.com this month rated Indonesian airlines as being among the least safe in the world. The website’s annual survey covered 407 airlines, which were given ratings ranging from one star (the most unsafe) to seven stars (the safest). Of 10 airlines awarded a one-star rating, nine came from Indonesia: Batik Air, Citilink, Kal-Star Aviation, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air, TransNusa, Trigana Air Service, Wings Air and Xpress Air. Garuda was awarded a three, while there was no rating for Susi Air, founded by Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.

The website says its ratings are based on audits from aviation's governing bodies and associations, and the airlines’ own safety data.

Last year, more than 200 people died in air crashes in Indonesia. In June, a Hercules military transport carrier went down in North Sumatra, killing 143 people. In August, a Trigana flight crashed in Papua, killing 54. In October, an Aviastar plane crashed in South Sulawesi, killing 10. Officials have admitted there are insufficient aviation inspectors to audit airlines for compliance with safety standards.

When you take your next flight, consider that most airline deaths worldwide in 2015 were caused by malicious acts rather than accidents. That may not be so reassuring if Indonesia is now witnessing a resurgence in terrorism, but worse things happen on the roads than in the air.

AirlineRatings.com this month rated Indonesian airlines as being among the least safe in the world.

20 Indonesia expat issue 158

EXPAT OUTREACH MEET THE EXPAT

Meet Chanee Kalaweit

The Gibbon Whisperer

BY ANGEL A RICHARDSON

Chanee Kalaweit is a former French national, who in 2012 gained his Indonesian citizenship. Since the tender age of 12, Chanee has dedicated his life to the gibbon, apes living in Asia’s tropical and subtropical rainforests, including in Sumatra, Borneo and Java. Chanee rose to fame when he created a video that went viral, addressing the president regarding the haze crisis in Sumatra and Kalimantan. We caught up with him in Palangkaraya to find out the full story of his NGO Kalaweit; the biggest gibbon protection programme in the world.

Every hectare of land and every animal saved is a victory.

When did you first come to Indonesia?

I left for Indonesia at the age of 18 in May 1998. The first thing I did was go to Borneo for three months to survey and see how bad the deforestation situation was. After three months I realized that a project like mine was needed and the first gibbon programme was born in September 1999.

Why gibbons?

As a kid in France I always loved primates, and the first time I met a gibbon in a zoo, it looked into my eyes so sadly. It was alone and I wanted to help and understand what was wrong. I learned that gibbons are monogamists, which makes it difficult for zoos to carry out successful mating programmes.

I asked the director of the zoo if I could come for free every Wednesday when I wasn’t at school. I did this for five years, from the age of 12. Eventually I started helping other zoos in France with their gibbon programmes.

How did you raise funds to come and set up your charity Kalaweit in Indonesia?

When I was 16 I published a book on gibbon behaviours. Journalists were interested because I was a 16-year-old who wasn’t outside playing soccer with friends.

Actress Muriel Robin called me and said, “You want to go to Asia to help gibbons, I want to help you.” She funded me, and to this day she still watches the development of the organization and we are good friends.

Tell us about the work your charity does in protecting the gibbon and other animals in threat.

Kalaweit covers all of Sumatra, Borneo and Mentawai. We have two sanctuaries and a reserve.

We help by: 1) Giving a second chance to animals detained as pets or who are victims of deforestation by rehabilitating and returning them to the wild. 285 gibbons are under our care right now. 2) Securing forestland for conservation—I buy land where biodiversity is very high to make micro-reserves. In Sumatra we have 281 hectares, and in Borneo we have 20 hectares, which we hope will reach 100 hectares by the end of the year. 3) Involving locals in our fight through our radio station and TV programmes.

In Sumatra I released siamang gibbons into a 2,000-hectare reserve owned by a private guy in a palm oil concession.

It will be very difficult for him to change his mind now, as I’ve released animals into his forest which we accompanied with a big publicity campaign.

The video you shot during the haze crisis went viral and really helped to raise awareness about this serious issue. Can you tell us what inspired you to make this video?

When you fight this industry you have to protect yourself by making yourself well-known. I was very upset as a father to see my kids very sick and people dying because of smoke and palm oil.

I never imagined the video would go viral.

When I uploaded it, the next morning there were 35,000 views. The Minister of Forestry asked me to come to Jakarta, but it just felt like they didn’t want me to cause any more ‘problems’. I really feel like nothing will change. This year, if we have a dry season, the same thing will happen.

What is the biggest challenge you face?

The lack of law enforcement in Indonesia.

There are also still many high profile people in Indonesia who work for the government yet still keep protected animals in their homes – because they can and they don’t care. When law enforcement doesn’t work, you can’t expect much.

How much does the forestland you buy for conservation purposes cost?

In Sumatra it costs around Rp.15 million per hectare and in Borneo around Rp.25 million per hectare.

You state that the forests of Indonesia will disappear by 2030. Do you see any progression from the government towards stopping this?

It’s the biggest frustration because you feel just like a witness. After logging takes place, forests still remain, although in bad shape. My goal was to secure forestland after logging to protect the animals left behind, but since 2000 every single piece of land is being converted to palm oil plantations.

Do any palm oil concession owners get involved with conservation?

You see big companies who own thousands of hectares of forestland trying to do good to protect their image. Some companies will actually keep 10 percent of their concession as a sanctuary for animals.

The government thinks that companies who own concessions for palm oil don’t operate outside of their boundaries, but in fact there is a lot of land being used for palm oil plantations outside of these concessions, which are under private ownership, and are destroying forest,

We also aid the government in protecting reserves. I am a paramotor pilot and I fly over every location once a month—I also do this to illustrate deforestation.

even on peat land. There is a moratorium, but this only applies to companies and not individuals.

With all the frustrations and difficulties you face, are you still optimistic that you can make a difference?

Every hectare of land and every animal saved is a victory. I learned that the goal is less important than the process. If I know that the end of the world will be next week, I will still save gibbons because it’s what I do. I don’t want to be pessimistic because I will lose the energy to keep fighting. We just have to act.

Are you seeing a positive response from the listeners of your radio station Kalaweit Radio in Palangkaraya?

Our station started in 2003 and targets young people by airing good music and funny shows. Every hour we air messages about gibbons and the forest. 70 percent of the rescued animals we see are actually from our listeners. At schools, kids will tell their friends off for owning pet gibbons and in the end they hand them over to us for rehabilitation.

Tell us about your TV show Kalaweit Wildlife Rescue.

The second season on Metro TV starts in March. The cameras follow my team saving animals all over Sumatra, Borneo and Mentawai. It’s the first TV show on conservation shot in Indonesia. Having millions of people watching is the best way to help. On primetime French television I’m also in the middle of shooting a documentary series where we travel the world trying to save different endangered animals.

How can readers help?

The first thing is to say no to palm oil.

We have a lot of forest to save, but we need the money to buy the land. We require 550,000 a year to survive, which does not include money to buy forestland.

We are 100 percent funded by donations.

Visit www.kalaweit.org for more information on how you can help.

issue 158 Indonesia expat

21

EXPAT OUTREACH WORTHY CAUSES

DNetwork

Deconstructing Stereotypes Provides Work Opportunities for the Disabled

BY CAR ANISSA DJATMIKO | PHOTOS BY DNE T WORK

Job opportunities for disabled people in Indonesia may be hard to come by. But non-profit organization DNetwork proves that people with disabilities have equal rights in any professional setting.

The non-profit organization educates employers about working with disabled people; the proper way of conducting an interview; providing training of basic sign language; and making assessment visits to companies to identify the appropriate positions for potential job-seekers. DNetwork also helps applicants who are less familiar with using the Internet, making a CV, and other application procedures. This way, they are supported with all the knowledge required to apply for a job and employers become aware of disabled people’s rights as professionals.

Training of basic sign language

Oftentimes people with disabilities in Indonesia are misunderstood and mistreated, with many still believing that jobs should only be for able-bodied people.

However, many people with disabilities succeed in graduating from universities and work in formal sectors. Notwithstanding such successes, disabled people in Indonesia still struggle to make their way into a career path. Not only do people with physical or mental disabilities lack accessibility and opportunities, they are still seen by many as a burden.

As Suri Filan, Project Coordinator for DNetwork laments, “Nowadays, the work environment for people with disabilities is still far away from the word ‘friendly’.

Dua Tangan Cukup

although not in all cases, some disabled people learn that their disabilities are a constraint for them to succeed. Filan, however, refutes that idea but can also see that negative stereotyping does play a role. “‘The disabilities are the barriers’ is only in our minds and it depends on how we see and understand what the disability is. What is happening in our country and society nowadays is a misunderstanding about the disabilities which causes negative stereotypes,” Filan argues.

Filan also notices that in the last year Indonesia has been improving its support of disabled people, especially by the government. She found that in 2015, the government has paid more contributions to disability issues, especially related to employment. “They have started to collaborate with NGOs and also with DNetwork to discuss how to solve the

In 2013, the number of disabled people in Indonesia who were unemployed reached approximately 13 million.

Interviewing using sign language

Hearing impaired Carrefour employees

To get involved in DNetwork, applicants need simply register on their website and fill in all the details required. Once received and confirmed, DNetwork will approve their account. Afterwards, the job-seekers are allowed to access all work information presented on the website and have the chance to apply directly to employers.

A hearing impaired DNetwork member working as a therapist in Karsa Spa

People with disabilities are still commonly seen as a cost, not an asset.”

In 2013, the number of disabled people in Indonesia who were unemployed reached approximately 13 million. They were not getting enough work opportunities, partly because there was no platform to provide job information specifically for those with disabilities. For that reason, DNetwork was established to support disabled job-seekers.

Based in Bali, the global jobs network liaises with employers and potential job-seekers.

“We act as a consultant for the employers and the job-hunter with disabilities should they want to know more about disabilities and the workplace,” Filan says.

DNetwork strives to educate that people with disabilities have equal rights to work opportunities as able-bodied people. They deserve to be treated with respect and belong to a positive environment – and this also applies in the workplace. “They have the right to get the friendly workplace [sic], at least if you cannot provide an access room or facilities, you can build a great team who have the sensitivity towards disabilities,” Filan says.

Alongside working opportunities, they also have the rights to proper education, an inclusive school, and care from the government, which should be translated into providing public facilities like toilets, disabled parking bays, ramps for wheelchairs and more.

To put things into perspective, the main problem in this case is twofold. Firstly, society’s lack of support evidently stifles access to jobs for disabled people. Secondly,

problem and have started to hold events related with disability issues,” Filan says.

Although Filan thinks that the fight for disabled people’s rights still continues in aspects other than work opportunities, DNetwork has demonstrated tremendous progress in deconstructing negative stereotypes about people who live with disabilities. The organization teaches the public that they not only share equal rights with those who are able-bodied in a workplace, but also that they are entitled to a fulfilling life.

As equals, Filan sees no special advice needed for disabled people who might be unsure of themselves when choosing the right job or career path. She says, “It is just the same as people with able-bodies; just choose what they want or are happy to do and be confident!”

For more information please visit DNetwork’s website at www.dnetwork.net

Actions From Across The Archipelago

Yayasan Anyo Indonesia Holds Charity Race to Celebrate International Childhood Cancer Day Nowadays it appears that more and more organizations are working on creative ways to support their campaigns. So, it comes as no surprise that Yayasan Anyo Indonesia (YAI) is holding a charity race to promote the Gold Ribbon campaign, which is an international awareness symbol for childhood cancer.

Anyo Charity Run will be held on February 14 2016 to celebrate International Childhood Cancer Day. The race will be divided into three different categories starting from 5k, 10k, to 16.8k (10 miles) and will take place at the Flavor Bliss Alam Sutera.

Founded in 2012, YAI was inspired by the passing of Andrew Maruli David Manullang (nicknamed Anyo), the son of Sabar Manullang who lost his battle to leukaemia in 2008. Manullang built the non-profit organization in order to help children who battle cancer, especially

those from low-income families. As a member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI), an organization that helps groups of parents whose children suffer from the disease, YAI partakes in supporting the cause through a number of programmes and activities.

In order to fight child cancer, the organization must work together with other parties and institutions to achieve their goal. Their programmes and activities include building Rumah Anyo, a temporary home for patients coming from various regions in Indonesia – the home accommodates patients with meals and daily needs, but no medical care is provided. Paediatric oncologists are invited to engage with the community and share useful information related to childhood cancer. The organization also make educational videos covering topics like leukaemia and retinoblastoma, the most common types of childhood cancer in Indonesia.

To help these kids fight for their lives, we can help by joining the race or sending donations to the foundation.

For more information please visit the following websites: www.yai-indonesia.org or www.indorace.com/anyocharityrun2016

22 Indonesia expat issue 158

Government opens foreign ownership in Indonesian e-commerce business SOURCE: E27.CO

Indonesia After months of waiting, the Indonesian government, through the Coordinating Ministry on Economy, announced that it has drawn up the national e-commerce roadmap, which will be implemented in late January.

Coordinating Minister of the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of Communications and Informatics Rudiantara, Minister of National Development Plan Sofyan Djalil, Minister of Trade Thomas Lembong, Head of Creative Economy Council Triawan Munaf and Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia Ronald Waas met to finalize the roadmap on 14 January.

Anonymous letter dropped at local government office of Buleleng warns of further attacks Bali An anonymous letter dropped at a local government office in North Bali’s Buleleng regency suggests that Bali may be the target of the next ISIS-related terrorist attack in Indonesia.

The letter was delivered by hand on 18 January. According to Tribun Bali, the messenger was a middle-aged man, drove a motorbike with an AG (Tulungagung, East Java) license plate, and wore a black jacket and blue jeans with a purple KYT brand helmet.

The letter claims to be from the members of the group responsible for the Jakarta Sarinah attacks on 14 January, and states that “We have already entered Bali and have members in Denpasar and Singaraja.”

The letter goes on to say that the Jakarta attackers are “ready to blow up these cities in the name of Allah.” Shopping centres, offices, and tourism destinations were mentioned as targets.

Bali Police are doing a full investigation, including interviewing witnesses and going through CCTV footage.

"Regardless of whether the letter is serious or not, we always take it seriously,” Heriyadi said.

The letter ends with: “Kami tidak mainmain. Kami siap ledakkan diri.” (We are not fooling around. We are ready to blow ourselves up.)

Indonesia’s security alert was raised to Siaga 1 (highest possible alert) following Jakarta’s Sarinah attack.

“The formalization is the end of a long process that [was] initiated in December 2014. The e-commerce roadmap is a follow-up on the President’s instruction to ensure that Indonesia’s e-commerce sector can grow sustainable value [sic],” said Cawidu.

One of the highlights of the roadmap is Minister Rudiantara’s announcement that the government will allow 100 percent foreign ownership in local e-commerce businesses.

“We have 31 initiative proposals for e-commerce products. On the investment side, we’ll be opening investment for

foreigners… previously forbidden under the investment negative list,” said the Minister as quoted by Metrotvnews.com.

He further explained that the foreign investment will be limited to ‘large’

online marketplaces, as small and mediumsized businesses still need protection. The meeting also decided on a one percent income tax for small and medium-sized businesses, with the final amount for larger business yet to be decided.

Wyndham Hotel Group continues expansion in Indonesia with opening of newest Ramada on Bali’s Kuta precinct Bali Demonstrating strong and increasing interest in its portfolio of brands in Southeast Asia, Wyndham Hotel Group has introduced a third hotel in Bali, Ramada Bali Sunset Road Kuta, located in the heart of the vibrant Kuta district.

Formerly the Best Western Premier Sunset Road, the 271-room property is owned by Sun Motor Group and managed by PT Wyndham Hotel Management, an Indonesian subsidiary of Wyndham Hotel Group. Ideally located close to Jalan Legian and the popular Seminyak Beach, the stylish guest rooms feature contemporary décor, while suites boast separate living areas. The well-appointed facilities include a rooftop pool, gymnasium, onsite spa, meeting rooms, business centre and two distinct dining establishments.

“Bali is one of Indonesia’s most popular destinations, attracting close to four million visitors a year,” said Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director of Wyndham Hotel Group South East Asia and Pacific Rim. “With the 2013 expansion of Ngurah Rai International Airport and this year’s four-fold

Meliá Hotels International to increase presence in Indonesia with hotel in Lombok Lombok Meliá Hotels International continues to grow in Indonesia, its most important destination in Asia Pacific in which it is committed to increasing its leadership, and has announced a new resort under the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand in Gili Tangkong, an almost deserted 15-hectare paradise island in Lombok.

The hotel, owned by PT MARTEL, a respected hotel developer in Indonesia, will enjoy a privileged location: a haven of privacy on a deserted, white-sand beach lapped by the crystal-clear waters

increase in government spending on tourism, we believe it’s a market prime for year-on-year growth.”

Wyndham Hotel Group is focused on strategic expansion throughout Southeast Asia as part of its larger global development strategy – especially as it relates to its Ramada brand. The company believes Ramada Bali Sunset Road will become a landmark hotel for visitors.

President and Commissioner of Sun Motor Group, Imelda Sundoro said, “Ramada is a globally-known brand with an enviable reputation for offering exceptional experiences in some of the world’s most sought after destinations. That strong recognition, combined with the expertise and resources of a partner like Wyndham Hotel Group, made Ramada the clear choice for us as we look to grow our hospitality developments in Indonesia.”

of the Bali Sea, and surrounded by one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Meliá Lombok will open in 2018 with 65 individual luxury villas, some built on stilts over the sea or with their own private swimming pool.

The resort will also have numerous additional facilities for guests to enjoy an intimate and relaxing stay, such as a spa with openair spaces and panoramic sea views in one of the finest locations in the resort, as well as several dining options, a swimming pool, hilltop viewing deck, yoga and meditation areas, banquet hall, helipad, marina, walking trail, biking track and sports and entertainment facilities.

Lombok Island is very well connected with the major Indonesian airports, with direct flights to Singapore and Malaysia. The small island of Gili Tangkong can be visited by boat from Sekotong Bay, about an hour's drive from Lombok international airport.

The addition of the Meliá Lombok allows the Spanish hotel company to continue to strengthen its presence in Indonesia, a key growth market in the region in which it currently operates five hotels in Bali, Jakarta and Jogjakarta, together with nine other hotel projects under development. issue 158 Indonesia expat

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* Answers in the next edition!

LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Almost

The Last Laugh

CROSSWORD

BY E AMONN SADLER

I panicked for a second but fought the urge to shout at him (or punch him in the face, which was what I really wanted to do)

A few years ago I was hosting comedy shows in Kuala Lumpur with superb British comedians Mike Best and Steve Gunn. After a very successful last show we fought the temptation to party and went straight to bed because we had a very early flight to Jakarta the next morning for shows there. Just before dawn we checked out of the hotel, f lopped wearily into a taxi and headed for the airport.

I took the front seat and asked the very large Indian man wedged into the driver’s seat to take the toll road for the sake of speed and he grunted at me in grim acknowledgement. He was obviously not a morning person.

About half an hour into the journey I was gazing blankly out of the window, still half asleep, when I noticed the sound of very heavy breathing in the car. I assumed that one of the guys had nodded off so I didn’t take much notice, until the sound started to get louder and then turned into heavy nasal snoring. I looked round at Mike and Steve in the back seat to see who had dozed off, ready to make some smart “lazy b**tard” remark, but Mike was busy reading a newspaper and Steve was gazing absent mindedly out of the window.

My eyes skipped quickly back to the driver.

There he was, arms straight out in front of him holding the steering wheel, head flopped forward with his numerous chins resting on his fat chest, his eyes closed and the breath from his nostrils parting the thick black hair on his chest as he exhaled. He was fast asleep.

My eyes jumped to the road ahead and then to the speedometer – we were doing 120 km per hour and it was climbing steadily as his foot relaxed onto the accelerator. Luckily it was still early, so there was very little traffic and the road was clear. I panicked for a second but fought the urge to shout at him (or punch him in the face, which was what I really wanted to do),

knowing it would shock him into consciousness and cause him to jerk the wheel one way or the other and send us hurtling off the road into oblivion.

I thought quickly what to do while silently “shushing” Mike and Steve as their eyes rapidly widened in realization of what was happening.

I tried to move his foot off the accelerator but his huge legs filled the space in front of the driver’s seat so completely that it was impossible. I steadied the steering wheel with my left hand and placed my right hand lightly on the driver’s voluminous shoulder, gently rocking him awake, while saying “Hello…

Hello...” in a hoarse stage whisper until his eyes slowly fluttered open.

I opened my window all the way and asked Mike and Steve to do the same, then tuned the radio to an Indian station and turned it up full blast. By the time we reached the airport the driver was smiling, singing, and vigorously bobbing his head to the sound of Bollywood.

I imagined what the headlines in the next day’s newspapers might have been had we crashed and died that day: “Last laugh for British funny men.” Nearly.

IS MADE POSSIBLE BY:

DOWN 1. Drunk (as have been London, Dresden and Baghdad?) (6) 2. Drunk (as a broken bottle?) (7) 3. Drinks dispenser (5) 5. Lack of movement (7) 6. Perfectly made (in India?) (5) 7. Drunk (as winks?) (6) 9. Drunk (as smoothly working hinge?) (4-5) 13. Liked by many (7) 14. Effervescent sweet (7) 15. Minor lapse (4-2) 16. Belgian port (6) 18. Implied (5) 20. Strong pot (5)

ANSWERS OF ISSUE 157 ACROSS — 1. Will o the wisp 9. Wager 10. Classic 11. Exit 12. Beriberi 14. Wigwam 15. Stalag 18. Licensee 20. Ewer 22. Imbiber 23. Voice 24. Mangelwurzel DOWN — 2. Ingoing 3. Lark 4. Ticker 5. Emaciate 6. Issue 7. Pecking order 8. Sweet William 13. Gainable 16. Lowlife 17. Hebrew 19. Cabin 21. Aver

Once his brain had processed what was happening, his eyes turned instantly into saucers and he blurted out a rapid succession of unintelligible Indian profanity as the car, despite my efforts to steady the wheel, swerved wildly across two – very luckily – empty lanes.

He eventually regained his composure and repositioned the car safely in the slow lane, and I looked back to check on Mike and Steve.

They were completely frozen in terror, their ashen white faces in mid-scream looking like a candid snapshot taken on the scariest part of a rollercoaster ride.

Eamonn has lived and worked in Indonesia for over 20 years but doesn’t understand the country at all and now realises that he never will. He is an entrepreneur, businessman and writer, lead singer with expat band Xhibit A and the owner and operator of The Jakarta Comedy Club and The Bali Comedy Club.

24 Indonesia expat issue 158

ACROSS 1. Chesspiece (6) 4. Mollusc adhering to rocks (6) 8. Intentional (5) 9. Drunk (as the “Titanic”?) (7) 10. Moral (7) 11. Drag a large net (5) 12. Tactful officials? (9) 17. Drunk (as a bulb?) (3,2) 19. Drunk (as a worm?) (7) 21. Drunk (as a gherkin?) (7) 22. Of high birth (5) 23. Explosive device (with which one may be hoist) (6) 24. Drunk (as a missed opportunity?) (6)

I can haz majonty?

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HUMOROUS OBSERVATIONS Daniel Pope is a part-time hedonist, residing mostly in Jakarta, where he still finds everything a bit of a rum do.

The

IMPOSTER Daniel Pope muses on how sometimes it’s better to tell fibs when you want to fit in with the culture.

BY DANIEL POPE

When I came to Indonesia I was surprised by the number of holidays, or tanggal merah (red days), that people enjoyed. This high number of days off is largely due to the government recognising six official religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. And you have to follow one of them. Atheism isn’t an option, since it’s equated with Communism, a dirty word dating back to the 1965-66 communist purges that followed a failed coup.

Mind, not supporting a football team is scorned upon in this soccer-mad country too. During major international tournaments like the world cup, ‘up late watching the match’ becomes an acceptable excuse for being late for work in Jakarta, alongside the perennial ‘stuck in traffic’.

The closest I’d ever come to attending a football match was on a visit home from Indonesia some years ago, during which I went to see how my local railway station in Oxford was looking after a renovation. Unfortunately, I got caught up in a crowd of rowdy Birmingham City away-fans being led from the platform by the police and herded onto special buses. I tried to separate myself from this scarf-waving mob, but the police officers refused to believe that I was an innocent Oxford resident, mainly on account of the colour of my woollen bobble hat, and they insisted that I get on the buses with the rest of the supporters.

I didn’t fancy my chances bundled onto this bus along with a bunch of rowdy, hostile, beer-swilling football hooligans. I pictured being forced to chant along with them in my best Birmingham accent (which sounded Australian), shouting obscenities about my home town as we sped through its streets to the football ground, hoping to God that nobody around me saw through my desperate charade. Thankfully I managed to break free and make a run for it before I had to start kicking and screaming.

After years of explaining to astonished new students at the Jakarta language school where I worked that, yes, I was English, but no, I didn’t support a football team, I gave up and pretended to be a fan of a team chosen at random.

However, too often I got caught out with questions from genuine fans in my classroom. Then I switched my phony allegiance to an obscure team that nobody in this Premier League-loving nation would have heard of. Often I made one up. Broadbottom United was one. Muggleswick City was another. Either that or I said I was a cricket fan. That shut them up.

Something else that prompted my students to view me with concern was learning that I was an unmarried middle-aged man. It’s significant that while a single Westerner’s reply to being asked if he’s married is usually a straightforward ‘No’,

an Indonesian’s is always ‘Not yet’, as though marriage is inevitable. It should be remembered that polygamy is legal in Indonesia, and that a man may take up to four wives.

So, if you haven’t bagged yourself a solitary bride by the time you’re 40, most people look at you with suspicion.

Inter-religious marriage is forbidden in the Muslim faith, so had I wanted to get married, I would likely have had to convert to Islam – in effect becoming a ‘Muslim of convenience’. This requires several commitments, such

It’s significant that while a single Westerner’s reply to being asked if he’s married is usually a straightforward ‘No’, an Indonesian’s is always ‘Not yet’

as gaining knowledge of the Quran, and adopting an Islamic name. Indonesians invariably mispronounced my name ‘Denyel Popay’, and I reckoned that this would do as my Islamic name if spoken with an outrageously coarse Arabic accent.

So awkward did my admission of bachelor status become at the start of each new term, that I resorted to saying that my wife was dead, a situation which my students seemed to prefer. Naturally they asked for details. And so my tragic story, told with a stiff-upper lip before a sympathetic class, was that she had been killed in a car accident. When I was asked whether I had any kids, I was tempted more than once to retort that, no, I no longer did, since they had been in the car along with their mother.

In fact, over the years I amused myself by changing the story for each new class. Sometimes I said my wife had been killed in a parachuting accident. Other times it had been a snowmobile pile-up. Once I explained that she had been shot dead in an armed post office raid. These were among the more credible tales. Her abduction by aliens topped the list of outlandish ones. But in the end the novelty of being a heartbroken widower whose wife had suffered a bizarre death wore off and I just said that we were separated - all this to spare my students being confronted with the tragedy of an unmarried adult.

Indonesians from poorer families tend to marry young, mostly because pregnancies among inner-city teenagers without much to keep themselves otherwise occupied are common. For some others weddings are popular community pastimes. Every one of my middle-class students seemed to attend a reception every weekend.

In fact, on my first day in Indonesia I went to a wedding reception myself. The entire affair was taken up by waiting in a long queue to shake hands with the bride and groom, then to mill around eating from a buffet before buggering off.

It wasn’t anything like the English wedding receptions I was accustomed to. There was no best-man telling risqué stories about the groom through a whistling PA system, no disco afterwards with drinks spilled over the dance floor, no drunken conga dancers winding through the kitchen, no brawl spilling out into the car park.

I knew nothing about Indonesian culture or Islamic rituals on that first day in the country, and I went around asking other guests where the bar was and whether there were any pork scratchings. I was escorted to a table stacked with cans of a drink called Green Sands, which was an insipid shandy with less than one percent alcohol. It was produced by the makers of Bintang, the country’s proper beer. I pretended to approve of the can of Green Sands.

Then I buggered off too and caught a taxi home.

While chatting with your taxi driver can be good for both of you – he can practise his English, and you your Bahasa – sometimes you just want to use your commuting time for reading the newspaper, or for reverie. I was dismayed whenever a taxi driver glanced at me in the rear-view mirror and asked, “Bisa bicara Bahasa Indonesia, Mister?”

(Can you speak Indonesian?) Often I’d just say no and give him a big tip when I paid the fare.

During my twenty years in Jakarta, the conversations with taxi drivers rarely changed much. They always asked the same questions. One was ‘How long have you been in Indonesia?’ Even after ten years my reply to this query remained ‘A year’, otherwise they’d expect my Bahasa to be impeccable and, after establishing that I was English, would rejoice at believing they had picked up the ideal passenger to have a long discussion with about football and David Beckham.

Another common question was ‘Do you like Indonesian girls?’, to which I’d just give the expected thumbs-up and grin inanely. And then would come the inevitable ‘Are you married, Mister?’. And off I’d go again with the dead-wife yarn.

issue 158 Indonesia expat

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If you want your event to be posted here, please contact +62 (0) 21 2965 7821 or e-mail: events@indonesiaexpat.biz

EVENTS

JAKARTA Arts & Culture

Indonesian Heritage Society Photo Competition for 2017 Calendar 1–29 January 2016 Indonesian Heritage Society is holding a photo competition with the theme ‘Rice: from padi to plate’. The competition wishes to acknowledge the importance of rice in Indonesia, and challenges participants to capture various aspects of rice, which might include production, ceremonial use, food a nd more. To get involved in this competition, participants must be registered as friends of Indonesian Heritage Society. Photos must be taken in Indonesia and each participant is allowed to take a maximum of six photos. The selected photos will then be exhibited on 27 February 2016. For more information please visit www.heritagejkt.org

are from 7–9am every Tuesday at Mamma Rosy, Kemang and every Thursday at Mercantile Athletic Club, WTC, Sudirman. RSVP: info@jbnetworkers.com

banks worldwide, as they bring in almost 60 percent of total banking revenues. A lthough banks today are anticipating on becoming digital organizations, their innovation will be the key to distinguishing themselves apart from others. This conference will take place at Sheraton Hotel, Gandaria City. For registration and more information please visit www.banktechasia.com

Indonesia Summit 2016 25 February 2016 Indonesia Summit 2016 will see a group of Indonesia’s key opinion leaders in discussion about issues in the business industry, particularly those concerning the president’s performance thus far. Opportunities like digital entrepreneurship appear to give new hope for investors. How has the government done so far under Jokowi’s presidency? To review and quite possibly debate on this issue, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Minister of Trade Thomas Lembong, Minister of Finance Bambang Brodjonegoro and Minister of Energ y and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said, will serve as key speakers.

Additionally, Group Managing Director of Indorama Corporation A m it L oh i a a nd P r e s ide nt Director of Blue Bird Group Noni Purnomo will also attend this discussion. The event will take place at the Shangri-La Hotel.

E-mail: asiaevents@economist. com

BALI Arts & Culture

the power of opera , a s both Indonesian and Japanese singers will be sharing stage. Grand Finalist of Indonesia’s Got Talent Ari Wibowo and special guest from Tokyo, Ikuo Matsuyama will take the stage along with Christianity Ingrid, Nao IIzuka and Machiko Okado. The Japanese Opera Association aims to advance the communication between Indonesia and Japan through opera performances wh ich w i l l b e held i n b ot h countries respectively. The event will take place at Balai Resital Kertanegara. Price: Rp.300,000 E-mail: japanesiaopera@gmail. com

Education Ombak Ombak Ide Exhibition 1 January–15 February 2016 Pascal Hierloz, familiarly known by his nickname Paisi, is holding his fifth solo painting exhibition at Rumah Jawa Galler y. The works of this French-Canadian artist are inspired by Indonesian culture, specifically Balinese.

Aside from displaying his works of art, Paisi will also be launching his second book titled Paisi in Bali. Garin Nugroho, filmmaker and cultural observer, will be inaugurating the exhibition. For more information please contact Grace on 0821 1158 5566.

Conference

Retail Banking Technology Conference Indonesia 24–25 February 2016 BankTech A sia is a leading banking technology conference that brings together key industry influencers and decision makers to discuss strategies and explore new products and solutions.

This year, BankTech Asia will be coming to Jakarta to focus on discussions about the retail segment. The global banking industry may be rapidly changing, but the retail segment will remain a strong source of revenue for

26 Indonesia expat issue 158

Philosophy Class: The History of Ancient Greek Philosophy 5–26 March 2016 Komunitas Salihara is back with classes on philosophy. This year, they will be discussing four main branches of Ancient Greek philosophy: Phusikoi, Sophism, Platonism and Aristotelianism.

Phusikoi is familiarly known as the Pre-Socratics; Sophism is commonly praised for being a great facilitator of democracy; Plat on i sm ser ve s a s one of the most widely talked about traditions in philosophy; while Aristotelianism borrows A r istotle’s way of think ing, presented more realistically. As a lecturer at STF Driyakarya, Jakarta, A. Setyo Wibowo will be taking over the philosophy class.

Pr ice: Public—Rp.200,000, Student—Rp.175,000. Visit us at: http://salihara.org Music Opera Gala Concert 30 January 2016 This January, Japanese Opera Association is presenting Opera Ga la C oncer t . This concer t will be a celebration of intercultural communication through

Java Jazz Festival 2016 4–6 March 2016 After 11 years of success, the la rgest a nnua l ja zz festiva l in Indonesia is back and they a re ret ur ning w ith a n even more exciting line-up. For the 12th edition of Java Jazz, the festival has confirmed to bring BadBadNotGood, Boney James, Candy Dulfer, Hiatus Kaiyote, Level 42, Patti Austin, Relish, Richard Galiano New Musette Quartet, Rick Braun, Ron King Big Band, and ‘Blurred Lines’ si nger, Robi n Th ic ke . Th i s year the event will take place at Jakarta International Expo (Jiexpo). Tickets are available for Rp.400,000 (daily pass) and Rp.1,000,000 for a 3-day pass.

Leading up to the main event in March, Java Jazz Festival is also holding a series of pre-events in malls, clubs and restaurants starting this month. For ticket purchase and more information please visit www.javajazzfestival. com UB40 Greatest Hits Live in Concert 1 April 2016 Unemployment Benef it Form 40 (UB40) is coming to Jakarta!

Originally from Birmingham, England, the reggae/pop band is coming to town to promote their latest album ‘Greatest Hits Live’. With more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, the band has achieved a great deal of international success, including a four-time Grammy nomination

for Best Reggae Album and one for Best British Group at the Brit Awards. The band’s success has also accounted for over 70 million records. This year, fans will get the chance to witness the band singing their hit singles including ‘Food for Thought’, as well as two US Billboard chart-toppers ‘Red Red Wine’ and ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’. The event will take place at Istora Senayan Jakarta. www.ticketonfire.com www.karcis.co.id Leisure

Fun Family Weekend Staycation The Park Lane Jakarta is starting the year with Fun Family Weeked Staycation. Families are all invited to spend their weekend at a resortstyle hotel, where they can enjoy free access to Kids Club, take a swim at the hotel’s pool while sipping on welcoming drinks. The fun part is that kids under 12 years of age will receive a very special gift surprise during their stay. The staycation programme is valid on Friday, Sunday and also public holidays. For reservations and more information please contact the follow ing:reser vat ion@ parklanejakarta.com or 8282000 ext.2042/3.

Networking

Jakarta Business Networkers Make the right connections to help develop and grow your business over bre a k fa s t . At Ja k a r t a Business Networkers (JBN), all attendees are encouraged to help other attendees by exchanging referrals and introducing them to their target audience. JBN is all about helping you grow your business. Promote your business, personal brand or portfolio each week to the rest of the attendees and explain to the group the type of referrals you would like to receive. JBN professional networking sessions

Events at Ayodya Resort Bali 2016 This year, Ayodya Resort Bali is kicking things off with a series of cultural events including three different traditional dances over dinner. Every Monday, gusts can enjoy culinary delights of Indonesian dishes served in allyou-can-eat buffet, while also being entertained with a fire dance show as the grand finale.

Dinner costs Rp.375.000net/ person while Nusantara & Fire Dance alone costs Rp.187.500net/ person. Every Wednesday, guests can experience a different kind of tone in a cla ssical dance ‘Legong’, which is characterized by soft movements that embody femininity and grace. Ever y S a t u r d ay t h e r e s o r t h old s Kecak Dance, which tells the story of Ramayana, presented in Balinese art and culture. For more information please visit www.ayodyaresortbali.com Festival

BaliSpirit Festival 2016 29 March–3 April 2016 Make the most of the New Year by joining over 230 daily classes in yoga, meditation, healing, dance, and music in BaliSpirit Festival 2016. The festival brings dozens of top international performers and musicians to Ubud. In 2015, BaliSpirit succeeded in attracting 7,000 festival-goers who came together with a united goal of celebrating music, dance, yoga, and healing. In 2016, participants will also have the chance to be involved in seminars focusing on healing, health, spirituality a nd persona l development .

Early bird tickets are on sale for US$550 (VIP) and US$450 (full-festival pass). For more information please visit www. balispiritfestival.com Leisure February 2016 Delights at the Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas The Mulia , Mulia Resor t & Villa s is holding a ser ies of fe s t i v it y ne x t mont h . Joi n t hem t o c elebr at e C h i ne s e New Year from 7–8 February w ith various dining options from Chinese to international cuisine, with traditional lion dance performance and fireworks display on the 7th. On Valentine’s Day, take your partner to Pure Love at Mulia Spa, where the

two of you can have a couple’s treatment with a hasmine-passion fruit body scrub. On Sunday, families are invited to Sunday Lunch where kids under the age of 12 can dine free of charge. For other programmes please visit www.themulia.com

BORNEO Photography

Borneo Adventure Photo Tour 15–22 March 2016 Wa nt t o le a r n mor e a b out pho t o g r a phy? Wa nt t o s e e orangutans in Borneo? Join us for Borneo Adventure Photo Tour this March. You will have the opportunity to photograph a variety of wildlife in the Borneo jungle, including a visit to an island to see the orangutans by private invitation. We cruise up the river visiting Dayak villages, enjoy a special per formance of Daya k music a nd da nc e, and photograph the stunning sunsets in the wetlands as the native hornbills sweep across the sky. Read what others have to say and book now at www. davidmetcalfphotography.com

BALI, LOMBOK, MALANG Leisure Tugu’s Month of the Couples Tugu Hotel has romantic plans next month and are inviting all the lovebirds to join. In Bali, g uests can ex per ience Aphrodisiac Picnic in Bed. It is not just any picnic, but one spent on an 18th century antique bed on a private beach, surrounded by candlelight, while watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean.

Guests may also choose to have Gemulai Penari Massage for two.

The spa will be a combination of massage and dance following the rhythm of Balinese gamelan. In Lombok, couples can experience a Moonlight Spa Dinner where they can relax and enjoy a romantic massage on the beach with a fine glass of wine, tasty canapés and a romantic dinner to conclude the night. Alternatively, a Romantic Sunrise Picnic Breakfast in a private dragon boat is available, where couples start the beautiful day with a beautiful sunrise over Mount Rinjani while enjoying the sunset over Sire Beach. Tugu Malang is also joining w ith Breakfast in Cloud, where couples get to have the most unforgettable breakfast on Mount Bromo while watching the sunrise. For more information, please visit www. tuguhotels.com

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

Want to setup company in Indonesia & looking for a trustworthy & professional legal service?

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

Jakarta: (021) 780 7851 Surabaya: (031) 749 8377 E-mail: info@alliedpickfords.co.id Web: www.alliedpickfords.co.id

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

Santa Fe provides moving services — International, domestic, local & office, document storage & management services, real estate, property management & maintenance, orientations, visa & immigration and home contents insurance.

Call us Jakarta: +62 21 2961 2990 Balikpapan:+62 542 713 4334 Bali: +62 811 889 2445 Surabaya: +62 812 304 4775 or E-mail: indonesia@santaferelo.com and visit our website www.santaferelo.com for more information

Please call our office at +62 3145291 / +62 8111779037

We Deliver Stroopwafels in Indonesia to your home or office 1 pack/ quantity of 8 pieces regular plain (9cm) for Rp. 60.000 1 pack/ quantity of 8 pieces regular choco (9cm) for Rp. 65.000 Call: 021 766 4465/ 081 114 90400 or e-mail: info@altjebakery.com

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

Bartele Gallery is the only dedicated shop in Indonesia which focuses on antique maps, prints, photographs, books and antiquities, ideal for a unique gift for that special someone. Come and browse through hundreds of old and original maps and prints from all across the globe!

Executive Search Recruitment Services Translations & Interpreting HR Consulting Payroll & Accounting Service

Call us +62 (0) 21 719 0087 or E-mail: info@bartelegallery.com and visit our Facebook: facebook.com/ bartelegallery for more information

For more information: www.jac-recruitment.co.id indoexpat@jac-recruitment.co.id Phone: 021-315-9504 / 9506 Mobile: 081-672-8653

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

TO BOOK SPACE ON THIS DIRECTORY PAGE CALL: 021 2965 7821

issue 158 Indonesia expat

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HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? Looking for something to buy? Looking for staff? Selling property?

Or need a place to live? Why not place your classified ad with Indonesia Expat! Your classified will be placed once for 2 weeks online and once in our printed version which has a circulation of 16.500 copies bi-weekly.

Next deadline: 2 February 2016 CONDITIONS Free of Charge (50 words max) Rp. 100,000 (0–50 words) Rp. 200,000 (50–100 words)

Personal classifieds Commercial classifieds

Property listings are considered as Commercial.

Adding an image incurs an extra charge of Rp.150,000. Business Listings can only be placed on the Business Listings page (p.30) Send in your classifieds to ads@indonesiaexpat.biz

ads@indonesiaexpat.biz for competitive advertising rates and get noticed through our printed publication, e-newsletter and on our website.

"Indonesia Expat is Everywhere" -Romie Johannes-

newspaper or real-time news service. CVs to be sent to Joji Phillip via e-mail at jojiphilip@ dealstreetasia.com Services Spanish Tutor: Learn Spanish at your place with a DELE-certified examiner from Spain. Most of my students come from International Schools (JIS and BSJ). Please call me (Raúl) +62(0)82110502786 E-mail: unascartas@yahoo.com A re you too Classic to learn Classical music? Private Piano Course programme (for age 11–55).

Music Theory, Finger Skills and Techniques, Song Interpretations.

F l e x i bl e S c h e du l e s . A c t i v e Learning Method. Curriculum customized to student's needs.

Teacher will come to your place (Further info? Please contact Mr. Nanza: +62(0)87884969495 or +62(0)81210253575 Berkah Rejuvenate—Interior/ e x t e r i o r C o n t r a c t o r. F r e e E s t i m at e ju s t c a l l/fa x: Tel. + 6 2 (0) 2 1 5 6 9 8 0 4 2 2 / F a x . +62(0)2156980423 Bahasa Indonesia lessons for expats living in South Jakarta, Kuningan, Country Wood, BSD, given by instructor with 20 years experience. Flexible schedule. ple a se c a l l Pa k C ha i r u m a n + 6 2 (0) 8 1 2 1 0 3 7 4 6 6 e m a i l chairuman1942@gmail.com Property For rent 300 houses at Kemang, Cipete, Cilandak, Jeruk Purut, Pondok Inda h. Big gardens, swimming pools, USD 2,000 5,000. Phone: +62(0)816859551 or +62(0)8170093366 House for sale! Exclusive high class housing area located in Central Jakarta. Next to senayan. Next to Siloam Cancer Hospital Semanggi.

Address: Jalan Pejompongan Raya No. 8 Bendungan Hilir Jakarta Pusat. 456 sqm, only US$2,000,000 with freehold title.

Sale by owner: +62(0)85 777117772 Household Staff Available

JAKARTA Jobs Available Fu l l T ime a nd Pa r t T ime vacancies are now available for experienced English language instructors for corporate courses around Jakarta. Competitive rates and travel allowance are offered. Please send your CV to recruitment@kpiconsultancy. com DE A L S T R E E TA S I A s e e k s Ja k a r t a - b a s e d R e p or t e r.

DE A L ST R EETA SI A , t he Singapore-based digital media

28 Indonesia expat issue 158

startup, with a presence across all ASEAN countries and India, is looking for a dynamic and driven Journalist with strong reporting skills, as well as knowledge and interests in online journalism, to cover deal f lows in South East A sia’s largest economy.

The successful candidate will be someone who has experience in covering M&A and private equity from Jakarta. He or she is fluent in both English and Bahasa Indonesia, and can write quickly and concisely under deadline pressure. He or she should have proven experience in reporting and breaking news for a financial

Part-time Cleaner available 5 February 2016. Ibu Wati (Miswati) is looking for work 3 days per week (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) as a part-time cleaner. Wati is very friendly, has a very pleasant nature and is un-intrusive. Her workmanship is excellent, and she is always punctual, very helpful with instructing maintenance personnel and was extremely t r u s t wor t hy w it h h a nd l i ng money for deliveries. Wati has very good English and if asked, was very willing to assist with t ra n slat ion. Ibu Wat i c a me highly recommended to our family, and I have no hesitation in recommending Wati for your family household help. For contact details and further information, feel free to contact me. Anouk: anouk.hulme@gmail.com Driver available. Hendri has been my driver for the past 4 years.

I have found Hendri to be very reliable, knows the Jakarta area

very well, has always been willing to work extra hours, always w illing to assist w ith other tasks, and is very friendly. He is a very safe driver and has had defensive driver training with annual refresher courses. Hendri is very trustworthy and regularly pays some of our personal bills, and takes dry cleaning to be done, etc. Hendri's English is limited but he understands the basic instructions and directions.

Contact me at: +61488400049 (January 18 onwards). Email: ber t a l la rd@y 7m a i l.c om or contact Hendri Irawan directly: +62(0)8129955023.

Driver available. Pak Yanto is a ‘seasoned’ Jakarta driver, which is demonstrated in his knowledge of shortcuts and his knowledge of where Energy/Service company offices are located. An additional bonus with Pak Yanto is that he knows where almost all of the golf courses are in the Greater Jakarta area. My wife and I both appreciated his reliability and willingness to work evenings/ weekends if needed. He is an excellent and cautious driver, a nd t he r e a s on we c a n no longer employ him is due to our relocation to another country. Pak Yanto can be contacted directly at +62(0)81385947876.

My name Pak Waludin, I worked for Canadian Embassy as a driver from 2004-2014 and in 2015 worked for 8 months. I am now looking for a new job opportunity as a driver, please contact my mobile +62(0)85718399667 or +62(0)81213559449.

Looking for Household Staff Hi, we are an expat family who is looking for driver. We prefer english speaking but not a must.

We live in Cilandak. If you are interested call or WhatsApp me +62(0)81380628390 or my husband: +62(0)8121157474.

Automotive Diplomatic car for sale. Toyota all-new Avanza 1. 3 G. Dut y free vehicle w ith diplomatic registration. Year: 2013. Colour: black metallic. Mileage: 27000 km. With GPS navigation, MP3, CD, DVD,TV, Bluetooth, Alarm, parking sensor, rear spoiler etc.

Excellent condition. Serviced only

by Official Toyota service center.

Full service history available.

P r ic e US$11,000 . C ont a c t number: +62(0)81315858349 For pictures, go to: https://flic. kr/s/aHskftGRSj Toyota Fortuner 2,7G Luxury Wagon (2013) black colour.

Company owned and serviced, 35 ,0 0 0 – 4 0,0 0 0k m . Xenon Head light s, L ED light s, Navigation System, Bass Box in the trunk. Recently repaired by Toyota workshop therefore free of bumps and nicks. Another add: 2 x AC Units from Panasonic in good condition 2 years old, 1,750,000 IDR each.E-mail: jp.wienold@gmail.com

Toyota Fortuner for sale. Toyota For t u ne r 2 . 5 G V N Tu r b o.

Automatic. Diesel. Model 2013.

40,000km. All services at Toyota, no accidents. Bought new in 2013.

Grey metallic. Rooftop video screen and backing camera.

Normal plates (all taxes paid).

Price: Rp.348,000,000. Contact Pe t er: +62 (0) 857 790110 05 or peterok sen@g ma i l.com.

Pictures: https://www.f lickr. com/photos/139565903@N02/ shares/5jXxZf For Sale For sale near Kemang: View photos: http://excelgurujakarta. wix.com/uppercrustportfolio Contact: +62(0)82112091019 (Femke). Wooden table w ith two benches, Rp.1.6 million.

Faux Rattan outdoor set, Rp.1.6 million. Table with glass top, Rp.700,000. Har vink Dutch Design 3 seater couch, Rp.14 million. Arch lamp with marble base, Rp.700,000. Large, strong fan, Rp.400,000. Baby seat, Rp.0 Baby items for sale: From Italy: Chicco baby carrier 0+. Colour light blue. 2 carrier positions.

Rp.150,000. From Australia: Baby Banz Trolley Snug. Shopping trolley cover for babies. Brand New. Still in box. Colour blue.

Rp.200,000. From Australia: Mosquito net for prams. Colour black. New still in box Rp.80,000 Fisherprice: Projector for child cot. Hang on the cot for music and light on the ceiling. Rp.150,000 Fisherprice: Box with shapes.

Like new. Set with shapes for child coordination. Rp.120,000 Toy r Us Baby TV: Animation toy for children. No batter y required. Rp.60,000. From Italy: Girl Shoes. Lulu' n. 30 European. Like new. Rp.200,000.

For information and pictures contact: +62(0)8111087286. Also in WhatsApp. Hello, we are downsizing, here is our list of things for sale. Check out the photos. https://www.f lickr. com/photos/127856806@N08/.

Baby rocking chair Fisher Price, excellent condition—Rp.500,000.

Baby stroller Combi (Japan) 5 – ways (car seat)—Rp.5,000,000.

Baby Space saver high chair, Fisher Price, NEW—Rp.800,000.

Medela Pump Swing with extra s p a r e p a r t s —R p . 5 0 0 , 0 0 0.

Baby Cot Mothercare D66.2xW124xH97cm—(paid R p . 3 , 0 0 0 0 0 0) , i n c lu d e d m a t t r e s s , 1 2 0 x 6 0 — (p a id Rp.2,600,000), plus bumper, NEW, size—asking price for both Rp.4,000,000 all included. Baby Night light Mobile, Fisher Price — Rp.500,000. Baby carrier Aprica (Japan) from newborn till toddler —Rp.1,000,000 . Baby sleeping bags 0–6 months, 2 pieces – Rp.200,000 each. Baby bottle warmer, NEW—Rp.500,000.

Baby ring sling—Rp.300,000.

Baby head pillow—Rp.200,000 D i ap er ba g—R p.10 0,0 0 0.

Reusable Cloth Bamboo diapers NEVER USED, 11 total available, Rp.200,000 each plus 1 insert.

Golf Set with Bag, beginner, Wilson, used 3 times Rp.500,000.

Brookstone Steam Bug, Mini Iron–Steamer NEW–Rp.500,000

Tennis Machine LOBSTER 10, 000 000 Rp ( bought in US for $2,500)—Rp.10,000 000.

Hair straightener Paul Mitchel, N EW —Rp.800,000. Deluxe Wa x warmer and all needed accessor ies, plus 3 new wa x containers—Rp.1,000,000. Sun Bed—Rp.500,000. Bosch Food Processor, used few times only Rp.1,000,000. Round Table, glass top, plus 4 chairs, practically new—Rp.8,000,000 (bought for Rp.12,000,000). Electrolux Blender, NEW Rp.1,000,000. Grill, Gas—Rp.3,500,000 (bought for Rp.7,500 000 in Ace Hardware).

TV 65”, Samsung Full HD, smart HUB, 3D, smart wireless keyboard —Rp.40,000,000 (bought for Rp.85,000,000). Sound System, S a m s u n g 7. 1 C H B l u R a y System Home Entertainment— Rp.10,000,000. Bean Bag Chair —Rp.200,000. Coach Rain Boots, size 37 worn twice–Rp.1,000,000.

Woman Bag cow skin, made in Indonesia—Rp.500,000. Girls Boots, brown color, Size 37— Rp.200,000. Girls high boots, brown color, size 37—Rp.200,000 Shoes Tory Burch, Natural color, size 37, NEW—Rp.2,000,000.

Shoes Tory Burch, Black color, size 37, NEW—2, 500,000. Shoes open f lats, white color, handmade in Italy, NEW, size 37—Rp.800,000.

Shoes, wedge, Everbest, brown color, worn once—Rp.500,000.

Shoes f lats, dance shoes st yle, leopa rd pr int , wor n t w ic e—Rp.700,000. C ha nel purse, Black color, authentic, document is available, worn few t ime s – Rp.27,000,000 Louis Vuitton purse, authentic, multicolor, worn few times— Rp.5,000,000. Cow skin Bag, made in Indonesia—Rp.500,000.

Kamali bag, NEW, python skin— Rp.2,000,000 . Please contact: movepondokindah@gmail.com. mobile: +62(0)8119460586 (please WhatsApp only).

Children's bed for sale. King single bed (mattress not included) for sale for Rp.5,500,000. Purchased new from Cayenne in Kemang in 2013 for Rp.9,600,000. Bed rail is removable and will include for free IKEA bedside table which matches the bed. Available now with pick up from Senayan. Please SMS me on +62(0)8111904824 or e-mail: catherine_eagles@yahoo. com.au if interested. Picture at this link: https://www.flickr.com/ photos/138655691@N06/shares/ K25LS6 UP f itness band by Jawbone from Apple. Very good condition Rp.800,000 with original box.

Nike plus fuel band Rp.900,0000 with original box. Wireless Head set (AKG K912) brand new never used before: Rp.1,000,000.

Picture on this link: https://www. flickr.com/photos/131897963@ N08/w ith/23563635500/. If anyone is interested please SMS +62(0)81212280010.

Downsizing Sale Continues ;) 1 . O f f i c e C h a i r (no w he e l) Rp.300,000 each available 8 units.

2. Office Chair with whewls, red color Rp.350,000 each available 5 units. 3. Plastic shelving brand Plano and was purchased in Ace Rp.450,000. 4. Office file

drawer cabinet Rp.950,000.

5. Wooden Chest Drawer (4 d r awer s) R p.1 ,6 0 0,0 0 0. 6.

Trembessi wood dining table with 4 wooden chairs Rp.4,000,000.

7. Samsung washing machine 6kg, front load Rp.1,750,000. 8.

2 Turkish Rugs, exceed purchase so its new one. Size 250x350, red color Rp.2,300,000 each.

9. Coffee Maker Brand Brevillle Rp.550,000. 10. Karcher vacuum c l e a n e r R p.1 , 3 0 0 , 0 0 0. 1 1 .

Luggage Rp.1,400,000. 12. Suit luggage Rp.900,000. 13. Office round glass top table Rp.900,000.

Please e-mail to sejuli.soho@ gmail.com if you required the pictures. I will usually respond after office hour.

Please e-mail me at: mybahasa@ hotma i l.com or SM A / WA : +62(0)89603000038 for more information. Thanks.

Ne e d Per sona l A s si s t a nt / Executive A ssistant / A d m i n i s t r at or—Hel lo, I'm Ma r sha (39 yea r s old), I'm Indonesian looking for a job as an PA/EA/Administrator. I've been working with some company in Jakarta for several years and some expats as well in Jakarta as a PA and I have the recomendation letter as well. If you need more detail information, please don't be hesitate to contact me. Mobile: +62(0)81293818676. E-mail : lemonmarsha26@gmail.com

Others

Due to relocation the following items are for sale. Please use the link to access them on Google docs: https://docs.google.com/ document/d/1UlMqvsuvu-Vzr 5d6T5TaNX8jgoZHVUhnzEx ECzuXDtI/edit?usp=sharing.

The list ranges from furniture to children's toys; bikes to white goods (electrics). Please contact Steven on mobile/WhatsApp: +62(0)81219846725. Email: suzsjd@yahoo.com

Wanted:A music teacher that teaches both piano and guitar to absolute beginners. Please contact +62(0)81290909168 if you know of one!

Elegant silver Guess ladies watch, excellent condition.

Original price 2 million, sell for 1.5 million o.n.o. Call Ika +62(08)573901293 (Sanur, Bali)

Dear all. Is anybody selling their piano? Please inform me (Rina).

UI Depok: +62(0)85782464801 (SMS)

Bali Sandals Online Shopping, www.sandalfactorybali.com, The Place of Sandals Bali ( Retail, Grosir, Made to Order ). Direct from Bali with Factory Price.

Call Center: +62(0)8113865115 or WA +62(0)81999980733 or E-mail : oleole.bali@yahoo.com

D o w n s i z i ng s a le! A lo t o f kitchenware: www.f lickr.com/ photos/125076557@N08/ albums/72157661083245894.

Elliptical trainer and a few household items: https://www.flickr.com/ photos/125076557@N08/ albums/72157646401778831.

Contact Véronique: +62(0)812 82976409 (SMS only).

We found a little kitten on a rubbish dump half starved and have nursed her back to health.

We already own many pets and are leaving soon. If you know of anyone who will take this sweet kitten please call +62(0)812 82657207

PELABUHAN RATU Property for Rent Beach house for Rent. Very well maintained and exclusive Villa (500 m2) with swimming pool next to the beach. Nice desig n, beaut if u l ga rdens, estate of 10,000 m2 with a lot of privacy and wonderful sea views.

Nearby Cisolok , 40 minutes from Pelabuhanratu, 1 hour from Sawarna beach, 4 hours from Jakarta. Expat leaving Indonesia. Attractive price, staff available, long term rental, only for serious candidates. We can send you further details. E-mail : albertus1957@gmail.com

For sale: iPad 2 Air, 16 GB, Space Gray color, WIFI only. Brand new.

Open box, but device has never been set up. Price: 6.8 jt. Contact: forsalejakarta@hotmail.com B r a n d N e w (u s e d o n c e) PlayStation 4 500GB memory.

Complete with box and dual s h o c k 4 c ont r ol l e r. A l s o comes with two games. Price Rp.5,000,000 all in. Please email or message me if interested: emmycahoon@hotmail.com or +62(0)81213156148.

O f f ic e Fur nit ure for Sa le!

We a r e m o v i n g t o a n e w office and need to sell these furnitures fast! Fridge SHARP 2015: Rp.1,000,000. White L-shaped desk from Informa: Rp.1,800,000 (or best offer) Repainted white and blue metal shelv ing unit: Rp.800,000.

Length: 1.80m. Height: 1.6m L - Shaped Tempered Gla ss Desk: Rp.800,000. Pickup from Kemang only. Need to sell by beginning of February. Contact: caranissadj@gmail.com or call: +62(0)8170032904

Others I h ave b e en a I ndone si a n Language Private teacher since 2000 at JIS,BIS and many others. If you would like to learn Bahasa Indonesia during your stay here at early in the morning or after office hours, I have still an available time.

BALI

For sa le Oppo Find 5: min.

100% condition. Bought it for 3.7 million Rupiah, now selling for 1 million Rupiah. Please contact jakartalinks@gmail.com

Discover Villa Gamrang Beach house and ex per ience our hospit a l it y. V i l la G a m ra ng (Nea rby Cisolok , 4 hours ‘drive from Jakarta and 1 hour drive from the still unspoiled Sawarna beach ) is designed to offer guests a beautiful nature, complete privacy and luxury.

Listed (Jan 9, 2014) in the "Top 100 Holiday Beach Houses ", Guardian Newspaper. Stylish interior, outdoor terraces, sea view, spacious garden, private swimming pool, 4 bedrooms , 3 bathrooms, complete kitchen, TV and Wi fi. Idyllic place to relax & enjoy a long weekend. Separate guesthouse with 1 bathroom and 2 bedrooms. Friendly staff a nd fem a le c o ok . In hou se catering. Prices starting from IDR 2,100,000 per night ++ up to 10 persons. Villa Gamrang is highly appreciated by expats and Indonesian families. For Reviews and Reservations. www.villagamrang.nl or just mail us directly at villagamrang@gmail.com

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