Indonesia Expat - Issue 182

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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

How Tech is Affecting Your Romantic Game in Indonesia Searching for Love in a Sea of Scams Ten Great Spas for Lovers in Jakarta The Government’s Ban on Gay Hookup Sites

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The Macallan Reinvents Scotch Whisky with New Single Malt Scotland is best known for producing the world’s finest single malts. One of the nation’s leading single malt brands The Macallan, which has been operating since 1824, and has come up with a new brand that will sure please whisky fanatics and consumers alike.

There is no other drink that takes you on a romantic journey the way a single malt does.

Known as one of the most popular types of Scotch whisky, single malts are made from single distilleries and often lure consumers with distinctive flavour and style. But while single malts are commonly associated with Scotch whisky, countries around are beginning to produce their own single malts.

Indeed, whisky can only be considered as Scotch when it is produced in Scotland under a set of specific rules. But in principle, single malt whisky can be distilled anywhere because the formula for creating them can also be transported wherever water flows and barley grows. In turn, the world is starting to notice the growth of malt whiskies from unexpected countries, which include Japan, Taiwan, India, Canada and the United States.

Fortunately, one of Scotch’s most renowned malt whisky brands The Macallan has found a new way to bring back the glory of Scotch single malts. The new Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is an innovative single malt that combines the signature styles of two preceding brands: The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old and The Macallan Fine Oak 12 Years Old. The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old brings the perfect balance between European and American oak cask maturation. The new single malt also offers the traditional Macallan character which is rich in fruit, sherry and wood spice, while also bringing the delicate flavour of American oak – vanilla, citrus and light oak.

The Macallan Double Cask 12YO is available in wine and spirits shops and in bar and lounge around Jakarta.

This content is brought to you by Edrington, owner of some of the leading spirit brands in the world like The Macallan, Brugal, The Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and Highland Park. In the past 18 months, Edrington has significantly expanded its international distribution network across the world’s most dynamic markets for premium spirits. For more information please visit https://edrington.com.

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Indonesia expat

issue 182 Dear Readers,

Chief Editorial Advisor Leighton Cosseboom editor@indonesiaexpat.biz

Marketing Consultant Edo Frese edo@indonesiaexpat.biz

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FEATURE STORY The Government’s Ban on Gay Hookup Sites

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BUSINESS FEATURE Setipe: An App for Finding ‘The One’in Indonesia

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BUSINESS PROFILE A Discreet E-Store for Nights of Passion in Indonesia

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TECH How Technology can Mess with Your Love Life

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FOOD AND DRINK Would a Steakhouse by Any Other Name Taste as Good?

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LISTS 10 Couple’s Spas to Consider in Jakarta

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NEWS FROM THE ARCHIPELAGO

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SCAMS IN THE CITY Online Dating Deception

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INFO FOR EXPATS Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements for Mixed Couples in Indonesia

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DEVELOPMENT Roads in Mesuji: Driving or Mud Skiing?

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OPINION Saving Indonesia from the Mistakes of the West

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WORTHY CAUSES Has Indonesia Embraced a Culture of Charity?

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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CLASSIFIEDS

Editorial Assistant Caranissa Djatmiko letters@indonesiaexpat.biz

Sales & Advertising Dian Mardianingsih (Jakarta) Ervina Tambun (Jakarta) Wahyu Atmaja (Bali) ads@indonesiaexpat.biz

Distribution & Admin Juni Setiawan admin@indonesiaexpat.biz

Finance Lini Verawaty finance@indonesiaexpat.biz

Contributors Amina Ghazi Jeff Hutton Tinnike Lie Heru Nainggolan Ani Suswantoro Kenneth Yeung

Editorial Enquiries letters@indonesiaexpat.biz

Subscriptions subscriptions@indonesiaexpat.biz

Events events@indonesiaexpat.biz

Published by 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.

If you’re like me, then you came to Indonesia looking for adventure, but eventually stayed because you fell in love. Now that it’s February, and you’re starting to make plans for the 14th with that special someone, we would like to take some time to appreciate the archipelago’s romantic culture with our love and relationships issue. Indonesia certainly has its own idiosyncrasies when it comes to dating.

Traditionally, the local romance culture has been, well, quite traditional.

Things like family approval of one’s partner carried a great deal of weight in previous decades, as did the rule of not living with your partner before marriage. For all intents and purposes, homosexuality did not exist. And certainly, premarital hook-ups were off the table (something western college kids see as a rite of passage). Today, these values are still upheld, albeit with a bit more slack in places like Bali and Jakarta. But if you really examine the landscape of romantic connections in Indonesia, there is one factor at play now that is changing the game: the internet.

In this issue, Jeff Hutton covers the government’s ban on gay hookup apps in Indonesia. We took the liberty of covering two other web-based romance tools. Setipe is the country’s platform for serious people, looking for serious relationships, while Asmaraku is a discreet e-commerce site for romance products. Heru Nainggolan gives us an overview on how technology may be turning us into robots with no real-life romantic talent. Tinnike Lie jumps in with a list of ten great couple’s spas in Jakarta, and Kenneth Yeung shares tales about online dating deception gone awry. On the expat beat, our editors give you the skinny on prenuptial and postnuptial agreements in Indonesia.

We hope you enjoy the stories. But most of all, we hope you meet that special someone this month.

from jakarta with love, Leighton Cosseboom

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.

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THE GOVERNMENT’S BAN ON GAY HOOKUP SITES

By Jeff Hutton

“Straight people need to be worried too, because the conservatives want to make sure no one is having fun.”

With a newly minted degree in business administration and a year of Mandarin study under his belt, Wandi, 24, was ready for a challenge. And so, last September he took a job in Beijing as the Indonesia manager of a gay social media site you’ve never heard of, but it was big in China and was fast expanding elsewhere.

The app is called Blued and during Wandi’s first month with the company, its number of users in Indonesia doubled to about 300,000. But then disaster struck. One by one, over the course of nine weeks, Indonesia’s mobile phone carriers bowed to government pressure to block the gay networking app, Indonesia’s first such ban on an app like Blued.

Data no longer passed from the company’s servers in China to users in Indonesia. There had been no warning or even any questioning from the ministry of communications, which issued the ban. Blued’s first inkling that something was amiss was when thousands of emails flooded into the company’s offices in Beijing asking why they could no longer access their photos.

“At first we thought it was a server problem,” says Wandi, who has asked not to have his family name published because he’s worried that details of his employers would upset his family.

“We weren’t consulted.”

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In all, three gay networking apps were blocked including the equally obscure BoyAhoy and the much better known Grindr, widely seen as a pioneer of hookup apps – gay or straight. This capped off a year of bullying by Indonesia’s government of its homosexual and transgendered citizens. The ban isolates an already vulnerable group and illustrates the government’s penchant for policy making on the fly.

Ostensibly, the ban resulted from a police request following the breakup of a pedophile ring thought to use gay hookup sites to traffic children. But the die was likely cast several months before the senior government officials suddenly engaged in an arms race of homophobic nonsense.

Muhammed Nasir, the Minister of Research and Technology, suggested a counselling group for gays and lesbians on the campus of University of Indonesia threatened the “values and morals” of college students. The country’s broadcasting regulator banned the depiction of “effeminate” looking men lest the nation’s boys take to cross-dressing. In late February, the country’s Minister of Defence, Ryamizard Ryacudu, suggested the cause of gay rights was a socially destructive force more potent than a nuclear blast in the capital.

The government hasn’t shut off access completely.

Users connected to Wi-Fi (not accessing the web via mobile data) or to a mobile virtual proxy network may still use it. But human rights activists say the

media coverage surrounding the move underscored perceptions among the wider community that the country’s homosexuals were a threat.

“I’m not satisfied with this [outcome],” said Yohan Misero, a lawyer with LBH Masyarakat, a legal aid group specializing in human rights, which is petitioning the government on Grindr’s ban.

Still, given the hysteria surrounding gay rights, allowing access to the sites via Wi-Fi will have to be a temporary solution, Misero says.

“I try to be realistic, though. It may be a way of getting away from this crazy issue.”

Neither Grindr nor the ministry of communications responded to repeated emails, text messages and phone calls seeking comments.

Wandi says Blued differs from Grindr owing to its social networking functions. Users follow profiles, import photos from Instagram and have access to a broadcasting function similar to Facebook’s Live.

Its strict policy against explicit content is in line with Indonesian notions of public modesty.

The site has 27 million followers, mostly in China, and is expanding into Southeast Asia, Europe, the US and Brazil. It is not banned in any of these markets, Wandi says.

But Indonesians proved more squeamish than their neighbours. To break into Indonesia, which has some of the world’s heaviest social media users, Blued advertised broadly online including through Google and Facebook. It backfired.

“Straight guys searching for games saw the advertisement and complained,” says Wandi, accounting for why Blued got caught in the dragnet while another 15 or so similar gay social networking apps were spared.

By the end of September last year Blued had 60,000 daily users. After the country’s mobile phone carriers blocked the app, the number of daily users in Indonesia plunged to 20,000, Wandi says.

To be sure, the country’s backlash against sexual liberation is not limited to gay and transgendered Indonesians. Conservative groups such as the Family Love Alliance are petitioning the Constitutional Court to amend the criminal code to not only ban gay sex between men, which is currently legal, but also any sex outside of marriage – gay or straight.

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“Most Indonesians don’t even know this is going on,” says Dede Oetomo, the founder GAYa Nusantara, the country’s oldest gay rights group.

“Straight people need to be worried, too, because the conservatives want to make sure no one is having fun,” Oetomo says.

For now, Wandi says he still has a job. Blued assured him it’s optimistic about its chances of regaining access to the Indonesian market and plans to recruit a public relations agency. Even so, in the current climate most PR firms are steering clear of the account for fear of a backlash.

“For them it’s too risky,” Wandi says. “Maybe later we can, when things become calmer.”

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SETIPE

AN APP FOR FINDING ‘THE ONE’ IN INDONESIA While the archipelago has plenty of apps that are clearly for the sake of hooking up or just having a one-off good time, Setipe positions itself as the only one designed for finding ‘the one.’

By Leighton Cosseboom Razi Thalib is a smart guy. But he’s also one of the few entrepreneurs in Jakarta who can think with his heart, as well as his mind. Thalib is the founder of Setipe, Indonesia’s online matchmaking platform for introductions between locals seeking romance, but the catch is, it only aims to match people for the purpose of having healthy, long-term relationships. In other words, the app is designed to help you find your soul mate.

is much more of a custom service, based on your individual personality profile. The underlying theory behind Setipe is that the more things you have in common, or the more like-minded you are with you potential date, the more likely you are to hit it off and start a serious relationship.

Thalib recognizes that online dating has a history of being seen as a taboo in Indonesia. In western markets like the UK or US, online dating is widely seen as just another tool to meet people. In the archipelago, however, some may believe that online dating is only for seedy or desperate people. For this reason, Setipe users remain unknown to the public. The only people who know you’re using the app are the users you get matched with.

Thalib says this is designed to circumvent any possible social stigma that would prevent users from signing up.

“Online dating is a difficult industry to crack,” said Thalib in an interview with Indonesia Expat. “It has many issues going against it when figuring out a sustainable business model. The main thing that entices people to the industry is that the need is big and it’s real – love is fourth in social importance after food, health and education.”

The way Setipe works is that anyone who wants to sign up must complete a personality profile by answering a long series of questions. In the past, the number of questions was more than 100 in total, in an effort to weed out users who may not be serious about finding love. Today, Thalib says the questionnaire has been whittled down significantly after the team got a chance to observe enough user behaviour.

Only after users commit the time and effort it takes to make a profile can they be matched with another user (only one match per day).

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Razi Thalib

So, very much unlike apps such as Tinder, whereby users act solely on instinct after viewing a profile picture – and make snap decisions by swiping left or right – Setipe

He added, “I do feel like the future of social introductions for matchmaking and dating will primarily be online. Once a person realizes that finding a life partner is about knowing yourself better, what you want in a partner and then going out and meeting as many people as possible, then they’ll see tech as the most efficient and private way to get there.”

Since the company’s inception in late 2013, Setipe has grown steadily, with definite tipping points along the way.

In January of 2015, Thalib and his team reported that the app was recently responsible for five marriages in Indonesia.

Thalib says, “About 200 wedding invitations have arrived at the office in the two years since. We believe many more exist but remain unreported. The 200 reported weddings serve their purpose of legitimizing what we do, so there’s currently no priority to hunt for more successful couples, one at a time.”

Thalib understands the online industry well in Indonesia, having pulled in a seed round of funding from Lippo-backed venture capital firm Venturra Capital in late 2015. As a former VP of Digital Product and Online Marketing at the famous tech company builder Rocket Internet (the incubator responsible for now-giant e-commerce names like Lazada and Zalora), Thalib is always looking for ways to improve Setipe’s business model. He says: “Our intention is to first set up and optimize our online revenue stream that we hope will provide consistent and rising average revenues per user. However, we’re also open to exploring other models like offline matchmaking, personality report sales for non-singles and more.”

Thalib admits that the business of digital love is tricky due to the fact that once his app matches two kindred spirits (maybe they even go get married), he has to find a way to lure them back and keep using Setipe. So despite it being an immensely valuable service, matching soul mates may seem like a bit of a paradox from a business perspective.

“About 200 wedding invitations have arrived at the office in two years. We believe many more exist but remain unreported. The 200 reported weddings serve their purpose of legitimizing what we do.”

With this in mind, Thalib says, “We’re still primarily focused on introductions for romantic relationships but overall the umbrella of ‘healthy relationships’ can also include other areas like post wedding services and also professional relationships [...] Our main assets are the matchmaking tech and also the OCEAN personality profiling, which is a foundation that can take the business beyond just romantic introductions.”

The team says Setipe has very few expat users as of yet, but this could change in the future. According to Thalib, Setipe spent nothing on marketing during 2016, yet organic customer growth remains steady. Setipe still needs to find a way to streamline payments, simplify the user interface, and work out some user experience kinks. For this, even though budget and slim tech resources will continue to be a hurdle for the company, Thalib says more A/B testing is needed to figure out how to convert more potential Setipe users.

“We always keep informed about Indonesian e-commerce performance, online penetration rates and youth behaviour online, as well as issues surrounding economic and social trends but no specific data drives us,” he explains. “There will always be singles and they will always need help to find love.”

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A DISCREET E-STORE FOR NIGHTS OF PASSION IN INDONESIA Intimacy e-commerce platform AsmaraKu aims to be the go-to purveyor of romance, health and wellness products in Indonesia.

In the past, Natalia says she wanted to build AsmaraKu as a result of her own personal experience buying condoms and lubricants as bachelorette party gifts. In a previous interview I did with her for Tech in Asia, Natalia said, “I experienced first-hand the stares from sales promotion girls and other customers as I stood browsing the sexual wellness aisles, not to mention the lack of information I had when purchasing these items. It didn’t take long before I put two and two together – Indonesia’s conservative culture and its booming online industry.”

In January of 2016, AsmaraKu’s concept and perseverance in the market was validated by a seed investment of an undisclosed amount from local venture capital firm Alpha JWC and Japan-based IMJ Investment Partners. From there, the startup was able to branch out and begin offering a slew of products related not just to sex, but also to health and wellness.

AsmaraKu co-founders Grace Natalia and William Tunggaldjaja

By Leighton Cosseboom With a population approaching 260 million, Indonesia is undeniably a place where people are having sex. In fact, baby product e-commerce sites like Bilna (which merged with Ardent Capital’s Moxy some time ago to become an everything e-store for women) came into existence partly because each year Indonesia produces a number of babies that is roughly the same size as Singapore’s population.

So for every person you see in the world’s largest archipelago (or anywhere, really), two other people had to dim the lights and turn on Barry White to create them. In terms of consumer products needed for the occasion – or products needed to prevent pregnancy for that matter – Indonesia represents a large retail opportunity.

For buying flowers and gifts, people in Indonesia have never been shy. But even though products like condoms and lubricant are sold near the counter at Hypermart and Giant, culturally speaking, locals would rather not have the clerk or fellow shoppers see them buy those items.

It’s an idiosyncrasy that likely comes with a predominantly Muslim and conservative population. What if someone I know sees me?

Enter AsmaraKu (the local word for ‘My Love’), Indonesia’s e-commerce site that deals with intimacy and romance products, but also offers health and beauty items. Currently on the site, you can find a range of goods like sexy women’s lingerie, bras, corsets, flattering underwear for men, condoms and lube. But also things like flower bouquets, perfume for men and women, face cleansers, body and

Government Plans to Impose Tax on Unused Land

On January 24, the Finance Ministry’s head of its fiscal policy agency (BKF) Suahasil Nazara revealed that the government is currently reviewing plans to apply tax on unused land.

The initiative is meant to discourage people from buying land and then leaving it unattended.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani had previously spoken about the lack of land productivity in the archipelago, claiming that many people buy land for the purpose of investment and for this reason, plenty of land remains unused for a certain period of time.

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Similarly, Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil expressed his support for the government in revising the Law on Land, which shall allow taxation, depending on the condition of the land.

Despite this goal from authority members to boost land productivity, the government has yet to give further details on the application of the tax imposition. When asked if the tax imposition will be effective soon, Nazara simply replied, “We’ll see.”

“There are no details yet, just its principle. We’ll [provide] more details on its mechanism and type. We’ll discuss it first with the Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ministry,” said Nazara as reported by Tempo.

You may be wondering how buying online from AsmaraKu is any different from buying condoms at the grocery story. People will still see what you’re buying, right? The answer is no, thanks to AsmaraKu’s added layers of discretion. hair products, fertility supplements and essentially anything you could think of related to romance.

The site launched in mid-2014 and was co-founded by local entrepreneurs Grace Natalia and William Tunggaldjaja, both former managers at Rocket Internet and Lazada Indonesia. Today, AsmaraKu claims to be the biggest romantic e-store in Indonesia.

AsmaraKu delivers its products to the user’s doorstep with a double layer of packaging in a plain box and no labelling whatsoever. As a result, nosy neighbours and curious delivery drivers are none the wiser. All payments to AsmaraKu are made to the firm’s legal entity with a seemingly unrelated name in order to maintain the customer’s payment privacy.

In the past, AsmaraKu also partnered with PopBox, which is essentially a locker where people can pick up their

Jokowi Reminds Cabinet to Cut Gas Prices in Certain Sectors The Indonesian president has reiterated his intent to develop the downstream industry by telling his cabinet to reduce gas prices for several industries.

The downstream sector commonly refers to the refining of petroleum crude oil and the processing and purifying of raw natural gas, as well as the marketing and distribution of products derived from crude oil and natural gas.

During a cabinet meeting at the state palace on January 24, President Jokowi discussed ways that the government could increase competitiveness in the downstream industry. In this sense, he demanded his cabinet members to focus on cutting gas prices.

"I ask that gas prices be calculated meticulously so that we can see concrete effects in increasing our competitiveness and creating added value for our downstream industry," the president said, as quoted by The Jakarta Post.

The industry minister and the energy and mineral resources minister are in turn asked to report on the status of the implementation process of this price reduction in four out of seven industries mentioned in Government Regulation No. 40/2016.

These four industries include oleochemicals, ceramics, glass and rubber gloves.

“I experienced first-hand the stares from sales promotion girls and other customers as I stood browsing the sexual wellness aisles, not to mention the lack of information I had when purchasing these items. It didn’t take long before I put two and two together – Indonesia’s conservative culture and its booming online industry.”

e-commerce shipments by keying in a customized code, and therefore eliminating any chance of the package getting sent back to the post office if you are not home to receive it.

Directly, AsmaraKu competes with offline grocery stores and minimarts.

The company indirectly competes with other local e-commerce platforms like MyKondom and Lazada Indonesia with its dedicated condom section, although AsmaraKu aims to deliver value in other ways, too.

Apart from discreet delivery, as well as fun and sexy products, AsmaraKu also believes that education and family planning are important for people to learn about in the archipelago. For this reason, AsmaraKu has also created a blog and forum community for people to learn about sex and wellness from one another on the site. For some, this could be just what the doctor ordered.

In May of last year, a civil society group called on the Indonesian government to incorporate sex education into the school curriculum. The goal was to prevent wrong and misguided information on sexuality from shaping children’s views, which can potentially lead them down dangerous paths. But now, in the era when every man, woman and child has a smartphone, perhaps intervention from public schools and governments is no longer needed. At least that’s what AsmaraKu might be banking on.

Whether you’re looking for knowledge, a romantic gift or just something to spice things up in the bedroom, AsmaraKu aims to be the go-to intimacy enabler in conservative Indonesia.

This article was written based purely on research and past interviews. For more information, please visit www.AsmaraKu.com.

Indonesia Anticipates New US Economic Policy As the entire world awaits for new US President Donald Trump’s administration to unveil its economic policies, Indonesia tries to maintain an optimistic view.

Former Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu recently attended the World Economic Forum which took place on January 20 in Davos, Switzerland. Along with other country representatives that have formed economic relations with the US, Pangestu revealed that they are all anticipating Trump’s next moves.

Most attendees and the countries’ representatives at the forum realized that Trump will likely have a different direction to take in his administration, given his emphasis on anti-globalization in his ‘America first’ election campaign.

“[Trump] is going to be more unilateral, maybe not even bilateral, and these actions will affect world markets, trade and investment. […] We must have some kind of response and position,” Pangestu said, as quoted by Jakarta Globe.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani claimed that Indonesia has a strong economic foundation and it will endure a new global era in which the world’s biggest economy might become more guarded than ever.

While the finance minister remains optimistic about the upcoming possibilities, she reminded that Indonesia must also keep up with the changing trends of global conditions that come as a result of Trump’s administration.

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Heru Nainggolan is a Jakarta-based freelance writer and journalist that’s been covering a variety of issues since 2011.

How Technology can Mess with Your Love Life

the countries they have travelled to, their favourite books and the kind of movies and music they are into.

Now, all of this information can easily be obtained by a single click on Facebook.

Ironically, not everything that you post on social media can work effectively to attract your dates.

Yudianti recounted the moment she lost interest in a guy after seeing the dozens of pictures he posted on Instagram in just one day. She admitted to being repelled by the guy’s obsession with documenting every moment of his life, including one where he picked a parking ticket. “The more I followed his Instagram stories, the more I found him to be weird.

You don’t have to post everything on Instagram.

You have a life,” she said.

Technology Can Become a Distraction

For some, technology has become more than just a mere gadget in their pocket, but in fact, their best friend. In the past, people only looked at their mobile phones or tablets when they got bored or stuck in traffic. A lot has changed over the past decade, and many would rather be engaged in an intimate relationship with their gadgets over another human being. This even applies when you are supposed to be spending time with your partner.

Image courtesy of Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

By Heru Nainggolan IN OCTOBER OF 2016, the love story between Indonesian businessman Pablo Putera Benua and popular TV host and comedian Rey Utami took the internet by storm.

One day, Benua was fiddling with his smartphone, browsing the popular dating site Tinder, when suddenly, he was matched with Utami. They decided to meet up on the same day. What followed afterwards was a breakneck-speed relationship, with Benua buying her a Honda HRV and a luxury watch worth almost US$430,000. Exactly one week after their first date, they tied the knot.

Local netizens quickly accused the TV presenter of being a “gold digger”, while others simply marvelled at the power of technology, which brought two people in only a week’s time to the altar.

While this case seems like a success, some believe technology can actually make it more difficult for you to find true love. In fact, in some cases, it can even mess with your life in general.

Here are a few of the most frustrating ways technology can backfire, as you hunt for the one:

Tech Makes It Hard for People to Create Real Connections in the Real World

It is true that connecting with a possible kindred spirit online is getting easier and easier. But critics will argue that technology can make it difficult for people to create meaningful connections in the real world. You can connect with your loved ones – or your crush – by writing on their Facebook wall, mentioning them on Twitter or chatting with them via instant message apps. But at the same time, your in-person relationships can take a toll.

Psychologist Anna Surti Ariani, who is also a relationship expert, says that people today seem to favour online communication over in-person conversations. This habit has eroded our capacity to engage people in real life, where we can catch the nuances of human emotion.

“Sometimes people are unable to convey what they’re thinking or feeling because they don’t usually engage in in-person conversations,” Ariani told Indonesia 12

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Expat, adding that in some extreme cases, people can understand emoticons more than they understand real emotions. The convenience that technology brings also makes us lazy to go out and interact with others, says the psychologist.

“Technology can be alienating. Instead of going out to the bank, people prefer to use e-banking. It’s one of the ways to decrease direct communication,” explained Ariani.

Technology Can Skew Perceptions

What is overwhelmingly clear is that people these days prefer texting over speaking directly on the phone. The habit of texting has made it easier for people to express themselves through things like emojis and gifs. As people text more and talk less, their interpersonal skills also take a hit. So when they have to actually talk to someone, like when they are on a date, they struggle to keep their dates interested.

Nariswari Dita Yudianti, a 27-year old corporate employee, for example, has had her share of bad dates where things did not go as she expected. “In my case, when I chatted with this guy I knew from Tinder, the conversation was flowing and engaging. But once I met the guy in person, he was not cool at all. So chatting can be deceiving,” she told Indonesia Expat.

People also often hide behind an idealized online persona that is more attractive, smart and accomplished than they actually are. Yudianti says she prefers to meet someone in person first, so as to determine whether the other person is actually interesting or not.

People Are Now Judged by Their Social Media Profiles

Before the emergence of social media and the internet, it might have taken some time for people to finally get to know each other – from their hobbies,

Image courtesy of Carlos ZGZ

“I meet a lot of couples who have trouble communicating because one or both of them are obsessed with their smartphones,” Ariani said.

According to her this explains why it might not be the best idea to have your eyes glued to your smartphone when you can have real conversation with your loved one sitting right in front of you. This kind of distraction not only takes people away from their partners, but also traps them in their own world to some extent.

She says: “Social media triggers you to flaunt yourself and be narcissistic. Sometimes social media can be better in distracting your lovers than a third party because you have to compete with millions of people on social media. You just forget that there’s someone closer to you.”

A Hot Bed for Scammers and Fake Profiles

People usually want to look their best on social media. It might even take them hours to pick the right profile picture for their online dating account just to make sure they make a good first impression. But sometimes, this can result in cases where your date doesn’t turn out to be the way you expected them to be. Certain angles and lots of makeup are usually the perfect strategy.

But one of the most bizarre tricks is using someone else’s photo altogether. Nariswari was going through her Tinder profile when she suddenly came across a picture of her best friend’s husband. She immediately realized that the photo was misused by a scammer.

It is important for everyone to be aware of the possibility that they are communicating with someone who has been disingenuous about their age, appearance or marital status. Not to mention the fact that you might even encounter a predator who is up to no good.

“One time, I was worried that this fake profile was used for a sex crime or something,” said Yudianti.

While technology does have pitfalls when it comes to seeking love, that doesn’t mean that it is not useful.

For those who are lucky like Benua and Utami, dating sites can help you get to know someone whom you otherwise wouldn’t have met, let alone marry.

Technology can also shorten the distance between two people. “I used to do a lot of Skype dating, and it wasn’t awkward for me. For someone who was in a long-distance relationship for 12 years, Skype helped a lot,” Yudianti said.

Jia, The Newfangled Chinese Restaurant in the Capital City

One of Jakarta’s most lavish hotels is redecorating the local culinary scene with the arrival of Jia, a contemporary Chinese restaurant that promises taste and style in every dish and its presentation.

The capital city is no stranger to dining spaces as the middleclass people of Jakarta continue to explore restaurants that can give them the ultimate dining experience. But for them to seek for the perfect go-to Chinese restaurant during the weekend might usually take some time.

Fortunately, the opening of Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta’s restaurant Jia (formerly known as Shang Palace) will reignite diners’ cravings for a real Chinese cuisine.

In Chinese, the term ‘Jia’ (Jia) translates to ‘first’, just like the new restaurant’s goal in being a leading Chinese eatery in the capital city. At first, the place might appear to be a straightforward Chinese restaurant, with a selection of dim sums, roasted fare and classic Chinese dishes. But guests shall be amused with its design that playfully brings a contemporary dimension to the restaurant.

Signature Peking Duck

Jia’s interior was conceptualized by a Tokyo-based firm, Bond, as a restaurant with an updated version of the Chinese tradition. It greets guests with sophistication, seen through the industrial glass and brass fixtures as they first walk in, then allows them to be immersed in the authentic spirit of the traditional atmosphere with shades of cobalt and ornamental wooden panels, displayed with a touch of earth colours.

Crispy Honey Beef

Chef Christopher Chai

Dandan La Mian Spicy

Deep Fried Swan with Almond Sauce

Crispy Prawn Cheong Fen

Overseen by Shangri-La’s Hotel Jakarta loyal Executive Chef Christopher Chai, who has worked for the hotel since 2008, Jia features an array of signature dishes. Peking-style roasted duck creations and freshly tossed la mien noodles served in massive bowls might immediately turn the guests’ appetite. Premium barbecue like crispy roast suckling pig and live seafood will also please those who come for more choices on the menu.

Meanwhile, guests shall also enjoy an extensive selection of Chinese tea, in addition to a wide range of cocktails that feature Asian ingredients, such as lychee, lemongrass, red chili, ginger, passion fruit, rose and kumquat. But most importantly, all of these dishes will give guests a strong representation of original Chinese cuisine that is served with a modern twist.

This content is brought to you by Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta’s new Chinese restaurant Jia. The restaurant is located on Level 1 of the hotel and is open everyday.

During weekdays, lunch and dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m and from 6 p.m to 10:30 p.m respectively. For more information please contact 021 2922 9999.

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Our Clandestine Critic has dined all over the world, everywhere from three-Michelin starred restaurants in Monaco to street stalls in Shanghai – so this discerning palate has pedigree.

WOULD A STEAKHOUSE BY ANY OTHER NAME TASTE AS GOOD? Celebrating a wedding anniversary is only as good as the steak upon which the couple dines. At Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Jakarta, the Clandestine Critic seals a momentous occasion – the first five years of marital bliss – with classical American food and excellent steaks.

By The Clandestine Critic

“Never, ever order your steak cooked more than medium.

Save yourself the expense and just order chicken if you like your meat cooked all the way through.”

Someone once famously asked, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” People oftentimes misinterpret this little appeal by quickly making the assumption that a rose is a rose, no matter what name it is given. However, I propose we all just appreciate for a moment the conclusion to this romantically linked couple’s affairs. I am quite sure someone out there thinks a name does matter.

And as it goes for classical Elizabethan literature, so it goes for a decent steak. With the taste for high quality beef growing at an exponential rate locally, and the proliferation of Western style steak and chop houses a clear indication that people are willing to throw good money at it; one needs to fully comprehend all the details about what makes a steak stand out in order to truly appreciate it.

First, we have to consider the cuts. The filet mignons and tenderloins rule supreme in terms of tenderness and texture, but they are quite lean with little to no marbling (unless you order Kobe or wagyu). Next down the scale, we have the ribeye. A good ribeye is well marbled with thin layers of fat for tenderness, beefiness and richness in flavour.

Ruth’s Chop Salad

The restaurant itself sits on the ground floor of an apartment block with the Lotte Shopping Avenue and Raffles hotel directly opposite. Although it initially seemed like a strange place to house such an eating establishment, the gilded brass décor and pressed, white linens speak to a simpler moment in time (ah, the 1990’s) when stark elegance was de rigueur.

Rounding out the mid-range we have the strip steak, which is commonly referred to as the New York strip or contre-filet. It is leaner and firmer than the ribeye and filet mignon or tenderloins, but it still has quite a fair bit of marbling and flavour. The porterhouse (or T-bone steak as it is sometimes called) is actually twosteaks-in-one: a small piece of tenderloin and a larger piece of strip steak connected by a T-shaped bone.

This is the best deal for any meat lover but also quite tricky to master on the grill (and perhaps one also requires a hearty appetite). Those wanting to order steak at a good chophouse should consider these particular cuts before any others.

Second, consider the origin and diet of the cattle.

American, prime, USDA-certified, corn-fed beef.

These words are music to many people’s ears and whet the appetites of so many foodies I know. If I feel nostalgic, as I did on my anniversary, then I refer back to my American roots. There’s a sweetness and richness to corn-fed beef that is remarkably identifiable. That the steaks are well marbled is also a plus. Add Angus as a breed and it’s a done deal.

Petite Filet

The best steaks are, currently, imported into Indonesia. However, there have been great glimmers of hope in the local industry (check out D’Biff in Thamrin) where effort has been put into development of local cattle to match quality and taste of the imported ones, and where meat is cut to order by highly skilled butchers. I am also a big proponent of grass-fed beef and usually buy this type at home to cook or order it for a non-fancy, non-anniversary steak dinner or BBQ.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse makes a damn fine one, and one of the best I’ve had in a while outside of my home.

The prices are staggering considering this old stalwart chain but well worth it. There is beautifully cut meat and excellently prepared sides and starters.

Third. And this is most important. Listen closely.

Never, ever order your steak cooked more than medium. Save yourself the expense and just order chicken if you like your meat cooked all the way through. Half the enjoyment of eating such a sublime

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(340 grams) we ordered came out to the table placed on 500-degree plates and sizzling in butter. As with any good steak, there was only salt and pepper for seasoning and a light sprinkle of parsley for show.

The aroma from the plate as you wait for the sizzle to subside is divine. You want to dive into that first bite, but you will get burned, which coincidentally, sounds eerily like relationship advice. Both are perfectly grilled to medium rare and still cooking on the plate, so time is of the essence when eating such fine American beef.

Service was prompt, with a nod to American-style attentiveness. The wine list was short and slightly dull, but there is also a cocktail menu to consider.

For the cost of a glass of wine, you might as well bring your own bottle and pay the corkage fee. Still, Ruth’s Chris was a perfect fit for our fifth anniversary as dessert – a complementary mini cheesecake and vanilla crème pot with fresh berries and a photograph documenting our celebratory evening enclosed in a nice card – rounded out the evening.

piece of meat is the bloody juices, the textures and fatty goodness. My sweet spot lies somewhere between rare and medium rare.

This old rose still smells sweet after all this time.

So with all of these things to consider, which restaurants make a good steak these days in Jakarta?

Dinner for Two

They have an extremely limited menu, which I applaud because every single item we ordered was plated with care and attention to detail. There is no need to even think about any other main than the steaks here. The side dishes such as the potatoes au gratin, macaroni and cheese and chopped salad also deserve a slight nod.

Come hungry and ready for American portions.

The Petite Filet (230 grams) and New York Strip

Drinks: Corkage Rp. 250,000 and sparkling water Rp. 75,000 Food: Rp. 1,770,000 Service charge: Rp. 209,500 Tax: Rp. 230,450 Total: Rp. 2,535,000

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Address: Jalan Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav 1, Jakarta Selatan, 12940 (Ground floor of the Somerset Grand Citra building) Telephone: +62 (0) 21 522 1178 Website: www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/jakarta Open Every Day Lunch: 11:30am–3pm Dinner: 5:30pm–11pm

Dear Taxpayer, Big Brother is Taking Action.

We highlighted several examples of letters sent by the Tax Office to dearest taxpayers in our previous installment of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Tax Amnesty1. The unprecedented level of scrutiny by the Tax Office indicates serious commitment to tax reform to increase the country’s tax revenue. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati emphasized the importance of designing a robust, credible and accountable institution supported by Big Data, Geotagging, and Information Technology Analytics. With grand ambitions of reaching a tax base of 15% of Indonesia’s GDP, the Government is taking serious action.

How many such letters to taxpayers did the Government send?

The Directorate-General of Taxation (DJP) announced in major newspapers in December 2016 that over 204,125 “love letters” were sent to appeal for greater participation in Tax Amnesty2. More letters will be sent based on analysis of government and third party databases showing assets above IDR 25 million (approx. USD 1,800) including motor vehicles, shares, buildings and land. Given the relatively low value of assets being targeted, the Tax Amnesty appeals program is broad-based and overarching.

Where did the Government get these data on taxpayers assets from?

The DJP has access to asset lists of taxpayers who have not participated and those under-reporting in Tax Amnesty. These data were queried from existing tax and other government databases. In the next few months, Tax Amnesty Priority Targets will be identified by asset tracing, searching the following databases to classify Prominent, Non-Prominent, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) taxpayers: • Orbis: Database of private companies worldwide including their financials and ownership and governance structures3 •

Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA): Government of Singapore’s database of private companies4

• •

Ministry of Law and Human Rights database of companies Bank of Indonesia list of debtors, credit cards and transactions

• • •

Building Permit (IMB) owners Motor vehicle, yacht and cruise ship ownership databases (BPKB) Taxpayers’ data e.g. photographs combined with geotagging of High Net Worth Individuals and businesses, from which the DJP has identified 1 million additional taxpayers5 Small Business Loans (KUR) recipients with potential of reaching up to 3.3 million taxpayers6 Online merchants touting their goods on Facebook, Instagram and Kaskus, estimated to yield IDR 15.6 trillion (approx. USD 1.6 billion) in tax revenues7 Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, tax consultants and Directors and Commissioners of listed companies8 Export and import data at Directorate-General of Customs & Excise

• •

• •

What are the consequences for non-participation or under-reporting in Tax Amnesty?

Under Article 18 Law No. 11 of 2016 on Tax Amnesty, taxpayers who do not participate or under-report in Tax Amnesty and are found with unreported assets between 1985 – 2015, will be subject to progressive income tax pursuant to Article 21 (PPh 21) plus a penalty. The penalty for non-participation is 2% per month for up to 2 years or 48% of the tax due. For those who under-report, the penalty is 200% of the tax due.

With the ongoing tax reform, tax evaders have been imprisoned. An example was made of a property boss in Central Java being put in Nusakambangan Penitentiary for owing IDR 839 million (approx. USD 63,000) in taxes due9. A list of 4,000 foreign investment companies (PT PMA) has been reported as not having paid any taxes for as long as 10 to 40 years, and Tax Officers carry warrants for arrests for companies suspected of transfer pricing and shareholder loans10.

Footnotes http://www.putranto-alliance.com/en/resources/detail/187/white-papers/tax-amnesty-forforeigners-not-too-late-to-participate#article 2 http://koran.bisnis.com/read/20161222/244/614188/surel-sakti-ditjen-pajak 3 http://www.bvdinfo.com/en-gb/our-products/company-information/international-products/orbis 4 http://acra.gov.sg 5 http://news.ddtc.co.id/artikel/6836/pajak-orang-kaya-awas-djp-akan-gunakan-geo-tagging 6 http://nasional.kontan.co.id/news/tax-amnesty-membidik-penerima-kur 7 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-11/instagram-stars-beware-indonesia-staxmen-are-coming-for-you 8 http://koran.bisnis.com/read/20161015/433/592811/kelompok-profesi-dibidik 1

http://epaper.kontan.co.id/news/368137/Mengejar-Pajak-Sampai-Nusakambangan 10 http://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-2803808/4000-perusahaan-milik-asing-di-ritak-pernah-bayar-pajak 11 http://nasional.kontan.co.id/news/tanah-nganggur-dipajaki-progresif-ini-sebabnya 12 http://nasional.kontan.co.id/news/ditjen-pajak-resmi-pengadopsian-cbcr 9

What criteria are being used by DJP to actively identify potential tax revenues?

In Director’s Letter No. S-192/PJ.08/2013 on the Extraction of Tax Potential and Receipts from Individual Taxpayers, released in October 2013, the Director of Tax Potential and Receipts instructed local and regional Tax Offices to conduct searches on government and external databases for: • Taxpayers whose net increases in assets do not correspond to increases in their taxable income • Taxpayers without tax returns but earn incomes as evidenced by Bukti Potong, share ownership and/or loans to third parties • Taxpayers who sold shares since 2011 indicating capital gains • •

• •

Taxpayers who had an increase in loans held to third parties as indication of interests and possible undeclared incomes earned Bukti Potong for income taxes pursuant to Articles 21, 23 and 4(2) (PPh 21, 23 and 4(2)) and cross-checking against the taxpayers’ expenses, assets and their annual income tax returns Clarification via visits, observations and interviews to taxpayers regarding their sources of income Transfer of shares in non-listed companies based on historical costs and market values of such shares

As we can see, extraction of taxpayers’ data with the purpose of expanding tax revenues began in 2013. Riding on the momentum of Tax Amnesty, the above lists obtained from government databases are being used to generate Priority Targets of taxpayers to appeal for Tax Amnesty participation.

Have these efforts been successful in increasing tax revenues?

Payment of tax due has increased by 30% year-on-year, reaching IDR 36.9 trillion Rupiah (approx. USD 2,8 billion) at the end of 2016. The number of forceful appeal letters has gone up 92% in 2016 compared to 2015, reaching 346,000 letters. Confiscation letters amount to 17,700 in 2016, compared to only 9,000 the previous year. Prison sentence for tax evasion has doubled from 38 to 74 people.

What other ways are the Government trying to increase tax revenues?

The most recent example is Indonesia's enthusiasm on signing the Countryby-Country Reporting (CbCR) Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement to discourage transfer pricing practices by requiring companies of above a certain revenue level to provide tax reports reflecting activities in multiple countries11.

The National Land Authority (BPN) is also imposing progressive tax on idle land to discourage land banking for long-term investments as the latter is considered unproductive use of land12.

Where do I get help on my individual and corporate taxes and other compliance?

Here at Putranto Alliance, our Tax Attorney is licensed by the Ministry of Finance and the Chief of Tax Courts to give tax advice and represent you in Tax Court.

Please contact us at the address below if you require any assistance on: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Tax Amnesty Tax Planning & Review Tax Compliance Tax Advisory Tax Court Representation Accounting & Bookkeeping Financial Statements Investment Advisory Legal Advisory Legal Due Diligence Mergers & Acquisitions Liquidation

Putranto Alliance

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Business & Property Search Property Valuations Property Transactions Property Title Deed Administration Land Acquisition Land Due Diligence Permits & Licenses Bank Loans and Collateral Deeds Intellectual Property Consultation Notarial Deeds Estate Planning Employment Administration

Jalan Denpasar Raya Blok C4 No. 23 Kompleks Menteri Kuningan Jakarta Selatan 12950, Indonesia Tel: +62 21 520 4989 Fax: +62 21 520 4990 Email: putranto@putranto-alliance.com Web: www.putranto-alliance.com

Putranto Alliance is a synergy of professional services companies, carefully selected to provide comprehensive tailored solutions to meet your legal and corporate requirements. Our experience and expertise come from understanding and applying corporate, finance, accounting and tax laws and regulations, leveraging our strong business network to improve business outcomes and results for you. Navigating Indonesia’s myriad regulations can be confusing, and we are here to listen, guide, advise, clarify and assure – so you can focus on growing your business.

Disclaimer This article is not meant to provide standalone legal and tax advice.

Specific situations may vary among individuals and corporations.

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10 Couple’s Spas to Consider in Jakarta Spa Alila at Alila Hotels Jakarta

Conceived as a haven for relaxation and contemporary style, Alila Jakarta claims to offer a modern retreat for urbanites and executives. The clean, modern lines of the Jakarta hotel embrace an abstractminimalist interior combining functional office space and chic living areas.

Treatments at Spa Alila blend ancient Asian healing techniques with age-old beauty recipes featuring the curative benefits of fresh, natural and high quality ingredients. One of Alila’s Signature treatments is The Beauty of Romance package, a couple’s experience that includes a deeply relaxing chocolate bath paired with a glass of wine. This treatment includes a soothing signature foot bath, a 60-minute Balinese massage, a coffee body scrub and toning mask and a delightfully relaxing flower bath.

Keraton Spa at Keraton at The Plaza

By Tinnike Lie Thinking of how to spend that special moment between you and your partner this Valentine’s Day? A candlelight dinner with a bottle of wine on your building’s rooftop is romantic, but a bit ordinary these days. Why not try pampering yourself and taking your partner to a private spa treatment for couples?

We have listed ten couple’s spas in Jakarta to consider. Of course, these are great options for Valentine’s Day, but you can also keep them in mind for the adhoc times when you need to refresh your body and mind from a hectic work life in the capital.

Bimasena Spa, The Dharmawangsa

An all-time favourite, the Bimasena Spa aims to provide a refreshing journey into physical and mental wellness in an environment that combines art, greenery, natural marble and exotic hardwoods with the finest natural products.

The award-winning spa offers a wide range of relaxation and beauty treatments to pamper you from head to toe. Pick a 3.5-hour romantic retreat with your loved one this Valentine’s Day, which begins with a rose petal wine body scrub, followed by a rose petals body massage and a soothing rose bath. Add on lunch or dinner at the spa’s private suite for an ultimate wellness treat.

Raffles Spa

Spa InterContinental

Raffles Spa

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Featuring six luxurious treatment rooms including two VIP couple’s suites, Raffles Spa is a must-go. Bring your partner and head to Raffles Hotel in South Jakarta for an all-in spa experience. The 677-squaremetre spa and wellness facility includes male and female relaxation areas, outdoor pools and steam rooms.

The spa treatments at this five-star hotel offer a relaxing Balinese massage in a romantic setting with aromatic bath milk and candlelight. Pick how long you and your partner want to spend here, and because it only has two couple’s rooms, book early if you hope to get one on February 14.

Spa at Four Seasons Jakarta

The Four Seasons Hotel recently reopened its luxury location on Jalan Gatot Subroto in the all-new Capital Place building. The room design features classic European elegance with hushed interiors of botanical art, calming tones and indulgent luxury.

You can expect a peaceful yet rich treatment experience in the heart of Jakarta’s busiest district.

The spa at Four Seasons Jakarta uses essential and aromatic essences of spices, herbs and tropical flowers that are perfect for relaxing, calming and balancing the body. Escape time in spacious rooms for either detoxification, slimming or energizing treatments, then relax in the futuristic lounge area while sipping tea.

Four Seasons Spa

Spa InterContinental

The couple’s spa at the InterContinental brings wellness to the city of Jakarta with an integrated facility for body, mind and spirit rejuvenation. The Spa InterContinental claims to offer treatment packages like no other spa in Jakarta. The Red Wine Wrap, a 120-minute treatment that uses red wine to treat your body, is its signature treatment. It consists of three main sessions, which are the Essence Aromatic Massage, the Lavender Rose Scrub and the Red Wine Wrap itself.

Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa

Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa is a perfect place to enjoy an authentic Indonesian spa experience. Founded by the owner of beauty brand Mustika Ratu, BRA Mooryati Soedibyo, the spa uses Javanese philosophies to bring balance between your mind, body, soul and spirit.

Surprise your partner with its signature five-hour treatment for couples who want to experience the sensual Javanese ancient formula. Treatments for men and women are different to ensure both of you receive the correct balance for your body and soul.

Bimasena Spa

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel

Martha Tilaar Salon Day Spa

The establishment at Martha Tilaar Salon Day Spa is inspired by both Javanese and Balinese cultures so you can immediately soak in the tranquil atmosphere as you enter the venue. With more than 40 branches throughout Indonesia, Martha Tilaar is a good option for those craving a high quality traditional Indonesian massage in a clean and pleasant environment. Most branches also have a special couple’s room with a Jacuzzi.

Kempinski The Spa

Located in the heart of the city on the rooftop of the hotel, this 140-square-metre spa features personalized treatments to elevate your spirit, relax your body and invigorate your mind. The spa offers wraparound skyline views of the city along with five couple’s rooms, four single rooms and a lounge area.

In the spa, couples are treated to the locally inspired signature treatment, the romantic 180-minute Sumatra Sunset. This treatment includes a ketan hitam scrub and a kananga salt bath.

To complete the treat, there is also a traditional Swedish massage and pedicure.

Light spa cuisine will be offered at the end of the experience.

Kempinski The Spa

Keraton Spa at Keraton at The Plaza

For anyone dreaming of a spa getaway, the Keraton Spa holds special allure to escape from a hectic schedule. Located on the sixth floor of The Plaza, the expansive 1,600-square-meter Keraton Spa offers eight treatment rooms, including one couple’s room, two hot and cold plunge pools, steam rooms and infrared saunas.

Inspired by the meaningful and noble philosophy behind the making of traditional batik, the Keraton Spa aims to guide you on a journey of inner peace, tranquility and complete relaxation.

Couples must try the Sido Asih Couple Massage. It is inspired by the philosophy of the Sido Asih batik motifs, where two souls become one.

Martha Tilaar Salon Day Spa

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa

Spa Alila

In traditional Chinese philosophy, chi or qi is the universal life force that governs wellbeing and personal vitality. For people to maintain good health, it is believed that chi must flow freely within the body.

The Spa at Shangri-La is your personal sanctuary where holistic treatments are based on time-honoured methods shared by many Asian cultures.

CHI features eight treatment rooms, including two rooms for couples. The CHI signature massage features CHI Enchanted Journey, a three-hour head-totoe treatment with a foot ritual, a balance massage and a customized facial and floral bath to top it off.

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NEWS FROM THE

ARCHIPELAGO Government Mulls Converting JakartaSurabaya Train into High-Speed Railway

Three Indonesians Kidnapped

by Abu Sayyaf Group

Protesters Gather in Bali to Oppose FPI Several organizations in Bali came together for the “Diversity of Republic of Indonesia” demonstration at the Niti Praja Lumintang square in Denpasar on January 22.

The focus of the protest was to call for the disbandment of the hard-line group known as the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).

Indonesia’s transportation ministry says it is considering the idea of changing the semi high-speed train connecting Surabaya to Jakarta into a high-speed train.

But first, the ministry wants to know if it’s even possible.

The government is looking for expert consultants from Japan to run a feasibility study. The train is supposed to be completed by the end of this year, officials say.

The Jakarta-Surabaya train is part of the government’s initiative to revamp the existing railway. It will be made into a medium-speed railway with an approximate speed of 160 kilometres per hour. The travel time between the two cities will hopefully be decreased to 3.5 hours from the current 12 hours as a result.

Organizers say the rally was also held to promote tolerance among followers of different religions on the island. As the demonstration called for the ousting of the FPI, attendees said the Islamic organization also spread fake news related to illegal raids supposedly carried out

by Bali’s traditional civic guard known as pecalang.

FPI senior member Munarman last year accused pecalang of helping attack the homes of Muslims and not allowing them to have Friday prayers. Protestors said this was not true.

“We strongly reject FPI’s baseless accusations. Please, don’t use religion to divide our people. Let’s unite for a peaceful Indonesia,” said demonstration coordinator Komang Mertayasa, as reported by Antara.

The FPI has failed to gain a great deal of traction in Bali over the years. Most residents are Hindu and complain about the group’s disruptive activities.

Three crew members of an Indonesian ship have been taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines, a Foreign Ministry official said on January 23.

The crew members were declared missing after Malaysian authorities found an empty boat floating in the sea off Taganak in Sabah on the afternoon of January 19.

“As of this time, the Malaysian authorities have conducted an investigation but have not reached a conclusion.

However, our sources in the Philippines have confirmed that the three Indonesians were moved to Sulu Island in the southern Philippines,” explained Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, the director of citizen protection and legal aid at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by Antara.

According to Muhammad, one of the kidnapped victims was able to reach his family and inform them. Three other boat crews also witnessed the attack, but have not yet been interviewed by authorities. The Indonesian consulates in Kinabalu and Tawau are working to get more information.

Since March of 2016, there have been 16 similar attacks on boats going through the Sulu and Celebes seas. According to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, the area sees roughly US$40 billion in cargo flow through it annually. More than 12 people are currently being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants, all of whom were taken from ships in the area.

Indonesian Police Say They Did Not Try to Smuggle Weapons The National Police have denied allegations that their peacekeeping operation was linked to attempted weapons smuggling from Sudan. Indonesian media outlets have said that a police unit known as the Formed Police Unit was stopped at the Al Fashir Airport for what authorities believe was attempted weapons and ammunition smuggling from Africa to Indonesia.

National Police spokesman Chief Comr. Martinus Sitompul has denied this allegation. The unit was supposed to leave Sudan on Saturday, with a new unit to replace it, Sitompul said, adding that the baggage with the weapons and ammo did not belong to the Formed Police Unit.

The bags contained four shotguns, 29 Kalashnikov rifles, six GM3 rifles and 61 other types of guns. They also contained a large amount of ammunition. The tags on the bags were indeed different colours than those of the Indonesian officers, which could serve to suggest they didn’t belong to them.

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“Sudanese [police officers] asked whether the luggage belonged to the Indonesian unit three times. Our officers denied the charge each time, pointing out that the luggage wasn’t attached with the Indonesian unit’s tag,” Martinus said on Monday, January 23, as reported by Jakarta Globe.

“After the incident at the airport, accusations that the unit had tried to smuggle weapons started to appear.

That was the sequence of the incident, as told to us by the unit chief Supt. John Huntalhutajulu Sitanggang,” he added.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir claims there are a number of holes in the incident reports and that the United Nations had started its own investigation.

A team from the National Police will go to Sudan soon to assist the officers and help get legal clarity on the matter.

Kenneth Yeung is a Jakarta-based editor

ONLINE DATING

DECEPTION

Love and lust, facilitated by dating apps, can make people blind to fraud.

By Kenneth Yeung

By July of 2016, Ris had been released from jail, but he still refused to meet Ernawati, who was starting to suspect she had been conned. She finally managed to track down Ris and had him arrested in August. He said he resorted to fraud because of high living expenses in jail.

Indonesia’s dating scene has changed big time over the past 20 years. Going to bars in the hope of hooking up is passé. For Indonesians seeking romance or sex, digital technology has made it a doddle to find prospective partners. It has also been a boon to pimps and scammers.

After smartphones became mainstream around 2010, apps such as Skout, WeChat, Tinder, Badoo and BeeTalk have allowed users to find people nearby to start a friendship or a more physical encounter. Such apps are not supposed to be used for solicitation or illegal activities, but criminals are heedless to such terms.

Blackmail Befriending strangers on Facebook can be asking for trouble, especially if you’re an affluent celebrity. Singer, actor and TV host Indra Bekti, 39, became embroiled in a scandal last year after two younger men separately accused him of sexual abuse.

A couple of weeks ago, while dining with a friend in Jakarta’s Chinatown district of Glodok, he jabbed excitedly at his phone, declaring he had hit the mother lode of WeChat. Unfamiliar with the app, I requested an explanation. In short, you can search for nearby users by gender, peruse their photos and send messages. Nearly all of the ‘women’ on WeChat that night in the Glodok and Mangga Besar area were offering ‘massage’ services.

Charges started at Rp.200,000 for a ‘family massage’ (a euphemism for non-sexual service), while others were offering ‘massage with finish’ and ‘sex’ for Rp.300,000 and upward. Online prostitution, in other words.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking the women are freelancers or even women. When you ‘chat’ with a woman offering any sort of service, you’re probably talking to her male pimp who has a dozen or more female accounts on various apps. The pimp will pose as a woman and then send one or more to your residence or hotel. Don’t be surprised if she doesn’t resemble the enticing photo. Images are often fake, or filters can transform frightening faces into flawless beauties.

Lalu Gigih Arsanofa, 32, an aspiring actor from Lombok, met Indra via Facebook in May 2015 and was encouraged to come to Jakarta. He later claimed Indra had promised him TV and movie roles in return for sex, but the jobs never eventuated.

Gigih in January 2016 reported Indra for alleged abuse, but police deemed there was insufficient evidence.

He and his lawyer then released a phone recording in which a voice, allegedly Indra, is heard urging Gigih not to press sexual abuse charges.

“Location is everything. If you’re coincidentally near a red light district, you might think nearly all WeChat users are sex workers or people purchasing physical intimacy. Try the app from a more sedate suburb and you’ll find plenty of people who are just lonely or desperate.”

Location is everything. If you’re coincidentally near a red light district, you might think nearly all WeChat users are sex workers or people purchasing physical intimacy. Try the app from a more sedate suburb and you’ll find plenty of people who are just lonely or desperate.

excuse to borrow money, anywhere from Rp.400,000 to Rp.15 million. After receiving the cash, he would change his phone number and start trawling for the next victim.

Some desperate men have been conned by impossibly attractive users, who offer sex but first demand a deposit via bank transfer or phone credit. After paying the deposit, the man gets nothing except a lesson to think with his brain instead. Others learn lessons in the importance of safe sex.

Police said he slept with at least three of his victims. Udin claimed he was able to seduce the women because he wore a magical amulet – a leather pouch containing a bit of metal and some plant roots – attached to his belt. He was arrested in October following a complaint by his final victim, Triana, who had given him Rp.15 million.

Serial Scammer Badoo allows you to view users’ photos and tap either a heart (for those you like) or a cross (for those who don’t interest you). You can also view nearby people, send instant messages and even break hearts and bank accounts.

Badoo Behind Bars Mobile phones are forbidden in Indonesian prisons, but inmates with enough money can obtain such luxuries.

At a jail in Ciamis, West Java, a prisoner borrowed a smartphone and created a Badoo account, enabling him to befriend a young woman who ended up sending him Rp.400 million.

Udin Mujiantoko, 39, an unemployed man who had three wives and lived with his in-laws in Sidoarjo, East Java, used Badoo to meet and defraud at least six women in 2016. He posed as the general manager of a Kalimantanbased coal company and claimed to be looking for a wife.

Renting a car to enhance his rich businessman persona, Udin usually met his victims over coffee and soon promised to marry them. He would then concoct an

Ris, 23, who was serving a sentence for sexual abuse and assault, made contact with Ernawati, 21, a resident of Blitar, Central Java, in 2014. Claiming to be an employee of state oil and gas company Pertamina, he seduced her with sweet words. During their two-year online relationship, he often asked to borrow money, ranging from Rp.3 million to Rp.10 million, on the grounds that his salary could not be drawn.

Indra, whose films include My Name is Dick and Bad Wolves, said Gigih was only seeking attention. He also said the release of the phone recording was illegal.

Gigih next released a screen-grab of a WhatsApp conversation in which Indra allegedly asks him for sex.

The case went quiet until late December of 2016, when Gigih posted a photo of himself with a new blue sports car. He captioned it: “Peace money from Indra Bekti, immediately get a Ford Mustang.”

Indra’s other accuser was Reza Pahlavi. He claimed to have been abused in 2010 when he was only 17 years old.

He alleged that Indra had locked him in a bedroom and coerced him into sex after a massage. The actor’s lawyer denied all allegations.

WeChat, You Lose Ken Arga Syahputra, 30, a resident of Manggarai, South Jakarta, was arrested in May of 2015 in the seaside resort of Ancol, North Jakarta, after stealing from at least ten women he had met via WeChat.

Posing variously as a coal businessman, car dealer or engineer, he picked up women in his Chevrolet Spin and usually took them on dates to Ancol or Taman Mini theme park. When a woman needed to go to the toilet or wanted to pray at a mosque, he would drive away with her handbag and valuables.

One of his victims claimed he hypnotized her, unbuttoned her shirt and stole her gold necklace before she realized what had happened. She says he then drove off when she went to a mosque for evening prayers.

Plenty of people today meet their soul mate through dating apps, but if you don’t exercise due caution, you may find only regret, disease and misery.

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Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements for Mixed Couples in Indonesia Most soon-to-be wed couples do not want to discuss how they want to structure their division of assets following the wedding. More often, they are simply in a state of bliss and a conversation about who gets what in the event of a death or divorce is not a pleasant subject. In Indonesia, however, prenuptial agreements are vital if the bride or groom is an expat.

The sale, purchase, exchange, gift, or bequest via a will after a property owner is deceased which would transfer a hak milik (freehold ownership) to another party is controlled via government regulation.

An attempt of this nature to transfer a hak milik to a foreigner will be nullified. The land in question will then go to the State with the understanding that any other parties’ rights to the land shall remain in existence and that all the payments which the owner of the land may have received cannot be reclaimed. Using a valid derivative benefit of a third person who does not know that the ownership of the land is in ‘Limbo,’ the state will recognize that third party’s rights.

In the past, some desperate couples would try to get their hands on a back-dated prenuptial agreement.

This is illegal in Indonesia. There are surely unethical people that can get you a back-dated prenup, but it’s incredibly risky and ill-advised to try to process this.

A back-dated prenup is a marital agreement that is dated prior to your marriage, but signed after you’re already married. The couples that try this are usually the ones who realize they need the agreement in place only after they tie the knot.

By Leighton Cosseboom When a foreigner marries a local in the archipelago, they’ll need to make sure a prenuptial agreement is in place before the official marriage proceedings. The reason for this is that in the eyes of the law, couples without the agreement are subject to the same rights in terms of asset ownership. Foreigners are not allowed to own a single inch of land in Indonesia, and if you don’t have a division of assets in the form of a prenuptial agreement, then your local spouse won’t be able to purchase property, for example.

“Foreigners are not allowed to own a single inch of land in Indonesia, and if you don’t have a division of assets in the form of a prenuptial agreement, then your local spouse won’t be able to purchase property.”

That said, recently Indonesia passed a law that allows mixed couples to get postnuptial agreements in place.

This meant that couples who accidentally forgot to get the prenup and found themselves in asset ownership “limbo” so to speak in Indonesia, now have the chance to undo that mistake. Therefore, the local spouse can legally own things like land and cars.

Expats or locals who are marrying an expat are more likely to be in need of a prenup, especially when they are the person who brings a lot of assets to the partnership, including a retirement account. You’ll need one if you have kids from a previous marriage.

You’ll need one if you run your own business or are a partner in a company. The same goes with folks who are moving fast in their careers and are likely to earn a high salary in the future. Those who are paying for his or her spouse to get an advanced academic degree – which is likely to result in high future earnings – should also consider a prenup. And of course, get a prenup without hesitating if you plan to buy land or a home in the country.

According to an article written by Asep A. Wijaya, Managing Director of local law firm Wijaya and Co, an Indonesian prenuptial agreement must be tailored to the particular needs of the husband and wife, and be sufficiently flexible to take into account changes in your future circumstances. Unfortunately, there is no single framework, or one-size-fits-all form, for prenuptial agreements in the country. Each couple will need to consult their local lawyer to formulate the agreement prior to marriage.

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As your lawyer drafts up the agreement, you’ll need to specify the percentage of the combined wealth that you and your spouse will receive if the marriage is dissolved. You should include a complete disclosure of all assets and liabilities, along with the value of each asset. Make sure that the terms of the agreement do not promote dissolution of assets.

If you are an expat and plan to marry an Indonesian, a prenup should be thought of as a no brainer. As foreigners are not allowed to legally own freehold title landed property in the archipelago, and if you want to protect your spouse’s assets in the case that they pass away, a prenuptial agreement is incredibly necessary.

If the government wants to, it can take all purchased property from the still living expat spouse if they did not have a prenup.

Historically, some mixed-nationality married couples have resorted to questionable measures, such as making purchases using fake IDs or buying property using a relative’s name.

Today – with the new rule passed – couples in this kind of tough situation can now opt for a postnuptial agreement.

For mixed marriages, postnuptial agreements (or post-marital agreements) are often used for couple who realize that they do want to have a financial plan after all. Sometimes, this is the result of the financial winds changing for the couple. One good example is if they come into some sort of inheritance and suddenly have assets that they didn’t have before. Another scenario might be one of the spouses suddenly changing careers and making a lot more money now.

If you and your Indonesian spouse are living abroad or planning to get married outside the country, and you’re unable to fly back just to sign a prenuptial agreement, then there are a few different things to consider. First, your prenup must be governed under the laws of Indonesia. Second, you can actually authorize your partner with a special power of attorney to sign on your behalf. This means that your spouse will sign twice, once for themselves and once for you. Third, if you do decide to go the route of giving your partner this special power of attorney, you will need to make sure that it gets legalized by your local Indonesian Embassy or Consulate.

Prenups and postnups need to be kept up-to-date.

When your lawyer drafts the agreement, it should be designed to take into account the passage of time and changes in status. This includes, but is not limited to, the birth of children and becoming disabled. It is recommended to periodically review your prenup or postnup with your lawyer, every few years.

In the end, the simple advice is: Yes, you absolutely need a prenup or postnup if you’re marrying a local.

The murkiness comes in, however, in the details of creating the document. The best course of action is to lawyer up before you even think about booking the wedding caterer.

“On sunny days, I can reach the market in two hours.

The enemy is the dust. On rainy days, sometimes it takes four hours. But more often than not, I must cancel my trip to the market altogether because drivers are reluctant to go. This situation is very harmful for my income, and groceries become more expensive here than in other areas.”

When asked whether there was often renovation on the roads, she admitted that there were several repairs, but it doesn’t take long before the roads return to their previous condition.

The damage, with potholes as deep as 40 centimetres, is so bad that even motorbikes struggle to pass and are prone to accidents. People towing trapped vehicles are daily scenes, especially during the wet season.

Trucks are passing East Mesuji District roads on daily basis

ROADS IN MESUJI

DRIVING OR MUD SKIING?

By Ani Suswantoro The distance from Jakarta to Mesuji in the Lampung Province of Sumatra is a little more than 400 km away. Last month, I paid a visit to my relative for a family gathering there. Compared to other regencies in Sumatra, my fellow Indonesians in Mesuji have more to endure – they are struggling even just to go around running their daily errands. Bad road conditions are prevalent in remote areas of Indonesia, but experiencing it first-hand gives a different feeling: compassion for those who live in Mesuji. Their patience and endurance for the hell-like travel they have to experience on daily basis, as well as the fury towards the authorities’ neglect, are surely worth noticing.

Mesuji’s slogan is “Sai bumi serasan segawe,” which translates to “This area is inhabited by people who are peaceful, embrace togetherness and mutual cooperation.” These words hold true, as locals do protest and criticize local administrations for the nasty roads, but in a peaceful way.

As part of the regency’s partition policy (which is based on Law No. 49, year 2008) the Tulang Bawang Regency was split into three new regencies in 2008: Tulang Bawang, West Tulang Bawang and Mesuji.

Mardiyanto, the then-minister of internal affairs inaugurated the new regencies and appointed the city of Wiralaga Mulya as the capital of Mesuji.

Mesuji covers an area of 2,184 square kilometres, with more than 215,000 inhabitants. It consists of seven districts and 75 villages.

Like rural areas in Indonesia, Mesuji farmers grow rice, corn, cassava, beans and plant rubber, coffee, coconut and pepper, among others. Cows, buffalo, goats, pigs and chickens are easily raised due to an abundance of animal feed. We can even find industries of hide processing, pottery, wood furniture and mat plaiting. However, the farmers and merchants are hampered in their business because of poor infrastructure, mainly the roads.

Efficient transportation is critically needed to harvest and market products, go to school and take the sick to hospital.

Usman, a teacher in Simpang Pematang, describes the roads as “more like buffalo wallows than roads.”

There is no choice for him but to wobble by motorbike to his school every day. Harsh critiques and complaints come from all walks of society, but apparently, there has been no action taken by stakeholders so far.

Driving in Mesuji is a constant battle between life and death, when the only smooth asphalt road in Mesuji is Sumatra’s Eastern Highway in Way Serdang District.

I called the Mesuji Regent’s office, but nobody was willing to give a statement related to the much complained about infrastructure Hendro Yahman, chairman of Febrina Lesisie Tantina’s campaign success team, states that Tantina will prioritize the first two years of her administration to rehabilitating infrastructure, especially roads and the local health sector if she wins. Tantina is running for the Mesuji Regent election with Adam Ishak as her running mate.

“It is time to transfer the baton of the Mesuji administration to the new conductor for improvement.

Five years is enough to show your work if you really work,” said Yahman, commenting on the other candidate.

Those who travel regularly in Mesuji, like this campaign team of Febrina Lesisie Tantina, use double axles. Yet they still get trapped in the mud.

One citizen in the Simpang Pematang District, who was reluctant to be named, admitted that he was unhappy with the region’s road development. The man says, “The overall development, especially road infrastructure in Mesuji, is sluggish and unsatisfying compared to other newly established regencies like West Tulang Bawang or Pesawaran. The new offices of those regencies are already utilized, while in Mesuji, it will be God knows when. The most embarrassing of all is the road in front of the Mesuji Regent’s office, which can’t properly be called a road.”

Another citizen, Anisha, a housewife and vegetable grower in East Mesuji, complained that the wrecked roads make it more difficult to take her produce to the Tanjung Menang Market, located 20 kilometres away from her house. On rainy days, she has to let her harvest rot because there is no way to go to the market. She says:

Mesuji Regency (area encircled with red line)

Khamamik, the incumbent regent who is now on a leave for his re-election campaign, admitted in a media conference that infrastructure in Mesuji has been lagging during his administration. He argues that unstable land conditions cause asphalt to last only a few days. Roads become muddy and damaged soon after. He added that rehabilitated roads are traversed by heavy vehicles carrying coconut palm harvests on a daily basis and no tonnage restriction has yet been implemented.

Both teams make typical promises of building better roads in Mesuji for the people, but only time will tell.

One hundred and one areas in Indonesia will run simultaneous elections in February of 2017. In Mesuji, the two candidate pairs vying to lead are Febrina Lesisie Tantina and Adam Ishak challenged by the incumbent regent Khamami and Saply.

Ahmad Lutfi, lecturer in the Faculty of State Administration at the University of Indonesia, says that establishing new local administrations, be they provinces or regencies, should be based on the capabilities and readiness of, among others, finance and human resources. More than half of the new administrations can be considered successful, in which the new local governments are as effective as or even more than the parent administration.

Success stories normally happen in the western part of Indonesia, so Mesuji is an exception. With regard to horrific infrastructure woes plaguing the area, Lutfi suggests that even the Lampung Governor or House of Representatives take a closer look and get involved.

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Saving Indonesia from the Mistakes of the West

Here is what progress of this sort brings (large unsustainable corporate business) – Indonesia is now the second biggest polluter of waste to oceans in the world (with 130,000 tonnes a day). Waste from Indonesia is covering northern Australia. Walk on any beach here right now and this can be verified. In 1980 there was no plastic here. Now, there are islands of plastic waiting to be recycled. There is no USAID money to do this.

It is obvious that to create the change needed in Indonesia – to save Indonesia – one must go to Washington DC. Change will come from the private sector, not any government, as they all represent big money and corporations.

There are many foundations and groups working to combat our deadly environment. Most were initially started by expats, but Indonesians are quickly becoming aware of the dangers awaiting us because of pollution and an unsustainable way of life. They have been victims of the West.

By Amina Ghazi INDONESIA is a place that travellers speak of as a paradise. Advertisements for leisure travel depict pristine white sand beaches, palm trees swaying in cool tropical breezes, fishermen tossing their nets into the rainbow sunsets, all while cocktails are being served on the verandas of five-star hotels. Potential clientele are assured of the hi-speed Wi-Fi and ease of communication for those doing business or social media networking.

Beaches are devoid of crowds or garbage, and the complimentary car services fail to mention the daily gridlock or the carbon clouds poisoning your drive to the temple through fluorescent green rice paddies terraced around rolling hills. Here they took paradise and forgot to build a parking lot, so it’s best to have a driver.

But these are just the destinations tourists go to.

Indonesia boasts 17,508 islands, stretching along the equator of which 6,000 are actually inhabited by humans. Migrants created diverse cultures, both ethnically and linguistically.

The history of Indonesia can be traced back 40,000 years to a time when a land bridge joined the islands to the rest of Asia. Even then, the fossilized remains of ‘Homo Erectus’ and his tools suggest that Indonesia was inhabited some 1.5 million years ago.

Austronesian people from what is now Taiwan arrived in 2000 BCE. The first populations of Islam arrived in North Sumatra in the 13 th century, and Islam became the dominant religion mixed with existing cultural and religious influences. Indonesia has been shaped by its geographical position and natural resources.

Trade fundamentally shaped Indonesian history starting in the mid-16 th century, when traders sailed to the Malukus for nutmeg, clove and pepper.

By 1610, The Dutch East India Company was the dominant European power. Dissolved in 1810, it became The Dutch East Indies Co. By the early 20th century, Dutch control extended to the current borders. The Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945 ended Dutch rule, and the Indonesian Independent movement was revived. Two days after Japan’s surrender, Sukarno declared independence and became president.

In 1965, an attempted coup led to a violent army-led anti-communist purge that killed half a million people.

General Suharto politically outmaneuvered Sukarno and became president in March 1968. His New Order administration garnered the favour of the West whose investment in Indonesia was a major factor in the next three decades of economic growth.

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By the late 1990s, Indonesia was the hardest hit by the East Asian Financial Crisis. Among popular protests, Suharto resigned on May 21, 1998. The Reformation era led to a strengthening of democratic processes and the first democratic presidential election in 2007.

Political and economic instability, social unrest, corruption, natural disasters and terrorism have slowed progress.

But not to worry. The USA then stepped in with USAID (US Agency for International Development). Officially started in 1950, USAID focused on the urgent needs of new republics and has since enabled Indonesia to take that step up from its third world nation status.

Trading the rights to the wealth of a nation for a place on the global stage.

Indonesia is now an emerging democratic economy.

Development assistance is vast – covering food aid, infrastructure, rehab, health care and training.

Monsanto brought in genetically modified seeds in the 70s. Some believe it played a major role in self-sustaining rice production and lowering the birth rates.

Apart from the above, today’s programmes include revitalizing education for the next generation, democratic governance, economic growth, health care, food and the environment. Through the media, TV programmes such as Sesame Street were made available in Bahasa Indonesia. Anti-trafficking of people (Ministry of Women’s Empowerment) became financed. Justice sector programmes, tech assistance and training and justice sector reforms were put in place.

Special programmes to advise and educate judges, prosecutors and members of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court and the Attorney General were put in place. Technical assistance and training are in place for parliamentarians and members of the National House of Representatives and the National Regional Representative Council, nine provincial and 40 district legislative councils. Support is given to 60 local governments along with media for all the above.

So when we ask why Indonesia doesn’t go solar because it is such an obvious answer to the energy shortages, we have to see the big picture. Through USAID, Indonesia has been offered financing for geothermal plants, and upon Obama’s last trip here, a contract was signed for America to build two nuclear power plants. The money for these outdated and polluting systems is in place, but there is no money of substance to build solar energy plants or give villagers bicycles to pedal an hour for 24 hours of electricity. That all must come from the private sector.

In the 80s, the USA declared the banjar system (where everyone is required to work for the community) to be communist because the farmer who worked his paddy field did not own it. The US insisted that the system give title to the farmer. Along came Western bankers, who sat down with the farmers and gave loans with the land for collateral. Not understanding compound interest, the farmer soon lost his paddy field. It is an old story.

The United Nations Development programme has been working with the Indonesian government to save the forests by creating jobs in the eco-tourism industry. It is a Band-Aid that has had little effect elsewhere. In Machu Picchu, they have built bridges so no tourist may walk through the ruins that also have plants and fauna being studied. This is because the degradation to the environment from rampant tourism was killing the plants and so the animals left.

It is still a long time before real change can impact Indonesia. Real change takes a long time and huge steps. Indonesia’s government tried such a task just last year with the Revolusi Mental (Mental Revolution) programme.

Sociologists have long held the belief that real cultural change takes two generations – a generation being 25 years. This means that we are in year 18 after Suharto, year 13 of the new direct election system, year seven of the new school system, and year three of a social insurance system. Anyone not socialized under the old system is now between 18 to 21 years old.

So there is still a long way to go.

Culture is deeply rooted in beliefs, the society and environment a person grows up in. An Indonesian gets most of her culture from family, friends, surroundings or immediate environment. Cultural values are usually unquestioned, and therefore taken for granted, as these values are experienced without cognition. Cultural values here are rooted so deep that they resist change.

Roots of some cultural basics in Indonesia are far older than the republic itself, having been passed from generation to generation and kept because they were either useful to maintain social order or useful from a personal point of view. For example, the principle of rukun (harmony), musyawarah dan mufakat (discussion and consensus) and gotong royong (mutual cooperation). These principles continue to be taught in schools and formal institutions.

The people of Indonesia will save Indonesia. They still maintain their respect for nature and family. Indonesia is a rare country that has retained its old ways such as the village system because change takes place at the grassroots level. With a little help from individuals and associations in the West, Indonesians will be saving Indonesia.

Has Indonesia Embraced a Culture of Charity?

Across the globe, countries are promoting the act of giving to charity for all kinds of purposes. But where exactly does Indonesia stand among other generous nations that are committed to helping others?

By Caranissa Djatmiko They say that ‘sharing is giving’. For many people around the world, such a phrase has often been used as a reminder that we as humans must learn to practice the act of giving back. It looks like the people of Indonesia are also moving forward with this humanitarian approach.

Indonesia has reportedly seen progress in the giving trend from time to time, according to the World Giving Index (WGI). The global survey, which is hosted by Charities Aim Foundation, looks to monitor the level of generosity in countries around the world. The notion of generosity itself is measured by three kinds of simple actions, which include donating money to a charity, giving time to an organization and helping a stranger. As a result, the study not only reveals countries that are the most altruistic, but also allows people to understand the significance of such behaviour.

Indonesia’s rise on the WGI list in 2016 was greatly motivated by the holy month of Ramadhan, which took place around the same period when the research was gathered in August. As a country with the largest Muslim population, Indonesia is understandably close to the culture of giving back, which is a crucial element of the Islamic faith.

The term zakat is known to be the third compulsory pillar of the religion, whereby all Muslims are obliged to give away

a 2.5 percentage of their yearly income to help others. Yet the act of giving back in Islam is not merely an obligation.

More importantly, it is believed to be a responsibility for its people to be aware of their surroundings and respond to those who are in need.

Apart from religious beliefs, some of us may still wonder why giving to charity is commonly practiced all around the globe. As it turns out, the value of charitable giving remains integral for many people because it inherently gives meaning to their actions. For the past couple of years, experts have argued that people who give back tend to be both happier and healthier compared to others. These researchers began to explore the connection between happiness and altruism and the results suggest that charitable giving proves to be an effective recipe for people to achieve their self-actualization.

And in case you are wondering what giving back does to your health, scientists have also revealed that givers are more likely to have lower blood pressure. So aside from noticing the growth in charitable behaviour across the globe, it is also worth noting that giving back might just be key to a person’s wellbeing.

“Last year, the nation went to WGI’s top ten for the first time, ranking number seven with overall generosity of 56 percent.”

Though Indonesia has never made it to the top of WGI’s chart, it has continued to climb higher in the rankings over the past few years. In 2010, the nation did not make it into the top 50 countries, coming in 60th on the list with only 38 percent of overall generosity. This was the year when developed countries secured the top positions; Australia came in first, with New Zealand, Ireland, Canada and Switzerland following.

Indonesia once rose to number 17 with improved overall generosity of 44 percent. The report suggested that the country was also among the top ten nations with people who gave money and helped strangers the most. Given the fact that Indonesia was and still remains a developing economy, its leap to the top 20 on the WGI can be seen as a positive revelation.

Despite falling to number 22 in 2015, Indonesia continued to show an increase in overall generosity – with 46 percent that year – while also retaining its spot among the top ten highest ranked countries with people who gave their time and money. Last year, the nation went to WGI’s top ten for the first time, ranking number seven with overall generosity of 56 percent.

Charity Aims to Put a Smile on Cleft Patients’ Faces

The day parents learn that their child is born with a cleft palate or cleft lip may understandably be hard to digest. Those who have the financial resources might immediately seek the best doctors and treatments available. But others who are not so lucky are often left with limited opportunities, and in some cases, can only hope for miracles to come.

In developing countries like Indonesia, millions of children suffer from untreated cleft deformities. Many of them have no choice but to endure because they cannot afford to pay for a surgery. It is not uncommon for them to live in isolation as they continue to grapple with the painful reality of not being able to grow up the way other kids their age should.

To address this issue, the international children charity Smile Train seeks to help cleft patients heal. The foundation believes that every child deserves the chance to live a fulfilling life and for this reason it provides free surgery for kids with cleft lips and palates.

In Indonesia, Smile Train has cared for more than 57,000 children from Aceh to Papua.

So far, the charity has partnered with more than 100 hospitals across the archipelago, worked with over 130 surgeons and performed more than 60,000 surgeries.

But Smile Train Indonesia’s work is not over yet. There are still many patients out there who need help and the foundation is asking for your assistance. Those who are interested in making a contribution can help find cleft patients across the archipelago and refer them to a Smile Train partner hospital. They can also help spread the word and even partner with the charity. This way, you can help bring about change and help put a smile on a cleft patient’s face.

For more information please visit www.smiletrainindonesia.org

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Sultan Hotel Throws Tasty Chinese New Year Festival find classic Chinese food such as sweet corn soup with crab meat, Ye Shang (a traditional colourful salad), Szechuan Beef Fillet with Dry Chilli, Peking Duck, Lamian Noodles, Steam Boat and much more.

The Year of the Rooster has finally come. Across the archipelago, those who celebrated the Chinese New Year spent the entire day doing fun activities with their families and friends. But for the Sultan Hotel and Residence, celebration is always about one thing: the food.

Guests who enjoy chicken were pleased to see chinese chicken salad, steamed boneless chicken with mushrooms and vegetables and crispy chicken.

To conclude the celebration, the hotel served up zesty desserts, including creamy sago melon with vanilla ice cream and almond tuille, es campur and other local snacks.

On January 27, the five-star hotel took part in the Chinese New Year with a festival, which took place at the Lagoon Café. Throughout the day, guests were served with a wide selection of Chinese cuisine and live cooking demonstrations. Guests were happy to

London School of Public Relations Presents New Musical Theatre As one of the few formal institutions in the archipelago that focuses on communications and performing arts, the London School of Public Relations (LSPR) regularly stages productions led by its very own students. This programme is part of the performing arts communication major, which sets out to deliver the value of using arts (acting, dancing and singing) to communicate.

This time, LSPR brings Will Power to the stage. The musical comedy is an adaptation from a Broadway play called Something Rotten, based on the book by John O’Farell and Karey Kirkpatrick. The production brings the audience to the renaissance era but will maintain relevance to contemporary society, seen through the characters’ struggle of finding success in the theatrical world.

For more information on LSPR’S creative programmes please visit www.lspr.edu.

Penfolds Launches New Wine Collection In early January, Penfolds debuted a brand new selection of wines under the moniker Max’s. Penfold’s decision to launch a new wine collection was to attract younger wine lovers who prefer more expressive drinks. Max’s includes 2014 Shiraz, 2014 Shiraz Cabernet and 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon.

New Mexican Restaurant Hits the Capital The Union Group and the Loco Group have recently opened a contemporary Mexican restaurant and Bar, Super Loco. Curious diners will surely find this new eatery interesting on the weekends, with authentic Mexican food and exciting choices of margaritas.

Guests can find signature dishes such as the elotes (barbecued corn on the cob served with chipotle mayo and cotija cheese), tostaditas with blue swimmer crab and habanero mayo, as well as ceviche of red snapper and mango on the menu.

The restaurant is located in the capital city’s popular SCBD business district in Pacific Place.

For table reservations and more information please contact +6221.5797.3553 or visit the Facebook page for Super Loco Jakarta.

Palembang Welcomes New Stylish Hotel The 101 Hotel and Resort has added a new member to the family with the opening of The 101 Palembang Rajawali. The new hotel, which opened in December of last year, is ready to serve business and leisure travellers with its sophisticated design.

Located in the heart of Palembang, the hotel gives guests easy access to shopping malls and tourist sites like Banteng Kuto Besak and the Ampera Bridge. It serves guests with 137 rooms, including its penthouses. Each room is equipped with complete facilities, including a cable TV and high-speed Wi-Fi and internet access. In addition to room facilities, the hotel also features a gym and swimming pool to keep guests in a good shape during their stay.

The 101 Hotel and Resort features a chic and trendy style that caters to young and free-spirited travellers. For more information please visit www.the101hotels.com

The Island of the Gods Gears Up for a Major Cleanup Act This February, Bali will organize its biggest cleanup act, ‘One Island One Voice’, to celebrate the national trash day (hari peduli sampah). In the romantic spirit of the month, the activity will get people to show their love for the island by cleaning up its coastlines for just one day. Schools, organizations, companies and hotels are expected to join the movement.

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Indonesia expat issue 182

The beach cleanup aims to show people that regardless of Bali’s status as one of the world’s top destinations for tourism, the people still have a responsibility to care for its environment. So if you happen to be around the island on February 19, join in and demonstrate what Bali truly means to you by taking part in this cleanup.

The person behind Max’s is none other than Australian wine figure Max Schubert. Schubert started his career as a messenger boy at Penfolds before transforming himself into a chief winemaker at the age of 33.

Penfolds Winemaking Ambassador Parick Dowling broke the exciting news. “The wait is over. We are extremely excited to launch the Penfolds Max’s collection, as a tribute to one of our greatest legends,” Dowling said in a statement.

“This is Penfolds’ first new range in over a decade and the very first collection named after a winemaker.

With this range, we are recognizing Max Schubert’s invaluable contribution to Penfolds, while celebrating his innovative spirit, vision and determination.”

Max’s features red wines that are matured for 12 months in a French oak (ten percent new) with the perfect balance in French and American oak hogsheads. Each bottle brings its own personality, while also offering a more contemporary wine style with a touch of fruit and supple tannin.

The new wine collection will soon find its way to red and white outlets starting on February 15. For more information please visit www.penfolds.com.

* Answers in the next edition!

C RO S S WO R D Across

DOWN

1. Miserable (6) 4. Heroic champion (6) 8. Stand-in doctor (5) 9. Non-professional (7) 10. Shining (7) 11. Abolish (5) 12. Cascade (9) 17. Language of ancient Rome (5) 19. Clumsy (7) 21. One’s heading for conflict when on it (7) 22. Walkway between seats (5) 23. To a certain extent (6) 24. Leguminous seed eaten as snack or butter (6)

1. Attractiveness (6) 2. Member of crow family noted for thieving (7) 3. Punctuation mark (5) 5. Famous 12 (7) 6. Gather (information) bit by bit (5) 7. Aquatic chelonian (6) 9. Subsequent consequences (9) 13. Ship’s carrying capacity (7) 14. Secretive affair (7) 15. Bloom (6) 16. Sales publicity (6) 18. Cards often used in fortune-telling (5) 20. Jack (in playing cards) (5)

ANSWERS OF ISSUE 181 ACROSS—1. Particularly 9. Resin 10. Caribou 11. Cane 12. Flashing 14. Nectar 15. Puppet 18. Possible 20. Blue 22. Pension 23. Alter 24. Record holder DOWN—2. Arsenic 3. Tank 4. Cackle 5. Larkspur 6. Rabbi 7. Young at heart 8. Tracing paper 13. Familiar 16. Palete 17. Flinch 19. Sonic 21. Wall

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25

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

JAKARTA

Education

Culinary

Networking

festival will take place at Jakarta International Expo ( JIEXPO), Kemayoran Jakarta. International artists include Nik West, Bebel Gi lberto, Serg io Mendes and A nt h o n y S t r o n g. Fo r t i c k e t reservation and more information please visit www.javajazzfestival. com.

BALI Indonesian Heritage Society’s Morning Talk Series November 2016 – February 2017

Jakarta Business Networkers Every Tuesday and Thursday Make the right connections and grow your business over breakfast.

At Jakarta Business Networkers ( JBN), all attendees are encouraged to help others by exchang ing 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.

J BN professiona l net work i ng sessions are from 7-8.30am every Tuesday at Sapori Deli, Fairmont Jakarta, and Thursday at Mercantile Athletic Club, WTC, Sudirman.

RSVP: info@jbnetworkers.com Arts & Culture

I ndonesia n Her it age Societ y ( H IS) returns w ith Rumahku morning talks this November.

The event is open to members of the non-profit organization and is held on Thursday mornings where participants can engage with one another over tea, coffee and snacks. Rumahku is held to introduce potential members of HIS and those who take an interest in the programmes it offers. Guests are welcome to suggest topics and speakers that would like to have and be a part of the Rumahku Committee to arrange events and write newsletters accordingly. This November, Erza Setyadharma will serve as a guest speaker to share his story about his career as a creative consultant, classical music, opera producer as well as a writer. Registration is made under first-come and first-served basis.

The event costs Rp.50,000 (for IHS members) and Rp.75,000 (for nonmembers). For more information, visit www.heritagejkt.org/lectures/ rumahku

Teater Koma’s Opera Ikan Asin 2 – 5 March 2017 Teater Koma will be celebrating its 40 th anniversary this year. To mark its glory as one of the most successful theatre companies in the archipelago, Teater Koma will be restaging Opera Ikan Asin in March. This will be the first time for the theatre company to bring the production back to the stage since 1983 and its members could not have been more excited to present a more updated version of the play to the audience. Opera Ikan Asin will take place at Ciputra Artpreneur.

For more information please visit www.teaterkoma.org.

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Indonesia expat issue 182

Intercontinental Jakarta’s Feast January – February 2016 This year, Intercontinental Jakarta Midplaza is kicking off with a bunch of delicious treats. In January, the upscale hotel is inviting guests to try two special culinary offerings.

First, wine lovers will be happy to find the hotel’s exclusive promotion of a fine selection of Chilean wines.

Chile is known for its colourful w inema k ing histor y and is therefore one of the world’s largest exporters of New World wines.

Customers will receive a 23 percent discount on every wine bottle that is purchased at all of the hotel’s restaurants and bars. Meanwhile, Intercontinental Jakarta’s second culinary treat is all about a fancy dinner. The Ruffino Wine Dinner is an opportunity for connoisseurs to gather for a sophisticated evening of wining and dining, while also enjoying the elegant ambience of Scusa. The dinner involves a fivecourse menu that is specifically curated by Executive Chef Jocelyn Argaud. The dinner will take place on Friday, January 20. For more information please visit w w w. jakarta.intercontinental.com Intercontinental’s Jimbaran High Tea February - March 2017

International Ballet Star Gala 3 – 4 February 2017 Indonesia Dance Society (IDS) will be bringing the most talented dancers from prestigious companies across the globe in a ballet gala.

The event will include classical repertoires from Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, Carmen and other neoclassical and contemporary pieces. The programme will also hold workshops and meet-andgreet sessions. The main event will take place at Teater Besar, Taman Ismail Marzuki where the audience can watch the special ballet performance. For more information, visit www.indonesiadancesociety. com

Arts & Culture

World Wetlands Day 2 February 2017 The Embassy of Italy and Italian Cultural Institute are celebrating t he World Wet l a nd s Day by presenting a seminar. This time, organizers are inviting prolif ic environmentalists to discuss under the theme of Mangroves Ecosystems in Indonesia: A Strategic Resource for a Local Sustainable Economy and Adaptation to Climate Change.

The discussion will feature Head of Wetland International Indonesia Dott. I Nyoman N. Suryadiputra; senior scientist at CIFOR Professor Daniel Murdiyarso and Head of Klompok Pulau Satu Pulau Dua Kasrudin. Environmental scientist Elisabetta Zavoli will also be taking part as a moderator. Zavoli is known for her solo photo exhibition ‘The Tree of Life’, which sees local communities restoring mangroves.

As a writer, her works have also been published in distinguished media across the globe, such as The Guardian, Financial Times, LensCulture and Next City.

The discussion will take place at the Italian Cultural Institute and will start at 5:30 pm. For more information please visit w w w. itacultjkt.or.id.

The Intercontinental Jakarta hotel recently introduced Jimbaran High Tea, an afternoon where guests are invited to gather and take tea and snack. The classic British ritual can be traced back to early 1800s where Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford was irritated by the normal schedule of eating twice a day: breakfast early in the morning and dinner late in the evening. She then came up with an idea of scheduling time to take tea and snack every afternoon and what initially was a private ceremony turned out to be a classic tradition that is celebrated worldwide. At the Intercontinental Jakarta, Jimbaran High tea offers a selection of TWG tea, coffee blend, choux pastries, eclairs and other light bites. The sweet indulgence costs Rp.165,000 and is available for two people.

Jimbaran high Tea is available until March 31.

Music

Java Jazz Festival 3 – 5 March 2017 After successfully organizing the archipelago’s largest jazz festival for the past 12 years, Java Jazz is finally back this March. For the 13th anniversar y, the festival will be bringing an array of local and international jazz musicians.

Interestingly, this year the festival will be taking on the theme of Betawi, known as the culture of native Jakartans. The three-day

Bali Spirit Festival 19 – 26 March 2017 The Bali Spirit Festival is a global celebration of yoga, dance, music and well-being. Set on the beautiful island of Bali, the festival will invite performing arts enthusiasts and spirituality seekers from all around the world to gather and send each other positive energy. The five-day festival will include an array of inspirational workshops with yoga, martial arts, African dance, ecstatic dance, crystal bowl sound healing, breath work and meditation. The Bali Spirit Festival will take place at Bhanuswari Resort and Spa. For more information, visit www. balispiritfestival.com

Culinary Ju-Ma-Na Restaurant’s New Spanish Dish 16–18 February 2016 Ju-Ma-Na Restaurant presents an exclusive Spanish culinary experience with Michelin Star Chef Diego Campos. The gastronomic dining experience features a fivecourse set menu dinner, a tapas menu and a private cooking class w ith Chef Diego. Chef Diego Campos’s courses will showcase modern Spanish cuisine w it h traditional inf luences. The fivecourse dinner features an appetizer of pears in cava and red wine. Open to all, the set dinner from 18.30 – 22.30 is priced at US$120++ per person, while the tapas menu is priced at US$55++ per person.

Private afternoon cooking classes are priced at US$95++ per person.

Please visit www.banyantree.com/ en/ap-indonesia-ungasan-bali/ ju-ma-na-bar

Ubud Food Festival 12 – 14 May 2017 The Ubud Food Festival (UFF) is back this year with the theme ‘ Eve r y F l avou r I s A S t or y ’.

Returning for the third time this year, UFF will be presenting the archipelago’s most celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, professional food enthusiast and food addicts alike.

The festival will also be welcoming a series of local and international culinary experts, including Tasia and Gracia Seger from Australia; the jungle chef Charles Toto and raw food specialist Arif Springs from Indonesia. the festival will bring an array of Asian f lavours to some of Seminyak and Sanur’s most exotic dining destinations. For more information please visit www. ubudfoodfestival.com.

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issue 182 Indonesia expat

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JAKARTA Automotive

We are leaving Jakarta, always used as second car. 2001 Toyota Kijang LGX, Automatic Transmission, 2.0 litre, Silver, 70,000 km, in good condition. second Owner. Accident free always used as second car.

Rp. 89 million. If you are interested, please call my hp. +6281318602671 Hyundai HL 265,000,000. 2014, 18200 km, GPS, DVD with back screen ,1st owner, Hyundai car, excellent condition. 9 seats and 6 With 3 points seat belt, Leather. a a nd rejk t @ g m a i l.com. Ca l l: +62812 82431735 Rental Car Indonesia : Alphard , Vellfire , Camry , Pajero , Fortuner , Innova , Avanza , Xenia , Elf , Hi Ace , etc. For Daily ( With Driver ) , Monthly and Yearly ( With / Without Driver ) Contact CBP rent car : Mobile & WA: 081286410203 Email: cbprentcar@yahoo.com Serving You All Indonesia ...

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Nissan Evalia for sale. Color is gray, automatic, less than two years old.

Purchased from show room in March 2015; fantastic condition; only 15,650 kilometers; full proof of maintenance schedule. Price: Rp 135 million. Contact: cochrane. joe@gmail.com BMW for Sale - 2010 BMW 523i.

Special customized plate. STNK until June 2017. Careful driver.

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No accident. No f lood. Mileage 53,000km. Regular service at BMW service center. New Rear Michelin.

Run Flat Tires. Recently serviced Asking for RP350Mil or highest offer. Please contact jhpt2004@ yahoo.com for pictures and more details.

MITSUBISHI Outlander PX for SA L E! Model: M ITSU BISHI Outlander PX. Year: 2013. Mileage: 28,000. Color: Metallic Silver. Gear: Tiptronic. Equipment: 5DR, CD, Navigation system (built-in), Airconditioning, Panoramic view, Full Mitsubishi service record available Excellent condition. Taxed until July 2017. Price: IDR 205,000,000 081280931846. Please contact 087875195331 (Japanese or English) Jobs Available NodeJS Developer needed! I am based in US and am looking for a NodeJS developer for a project

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Indonesia expat issue 182

work. This can convert into a full time requirement. Please email me your resume, skype id and contact number and we can take it from there. From: Raj Thakkar : rthakkar2005@gmail.com The International Wellbeing Center, Jakarta's premier counseling and coach i ng center, is cur rent ly recruiting experienced Expat Counselors and Psycho-Therapist.

KITAS provided. Please email info@internationalwellbeingcenter. com for more information or to submit an application.

Services If you are looking for a native English speaker to teach your child/ren English, then you might not have to look any further. I have 5 years teaching experience in Jakarta. Please ask for my CV. +6281283832961. dawidgetsmail@ gmail.com We provide all machines for Air Circulation system such as : dust collector, blower, axial fan, ducting etc for your factory, warehouse, restaurant, kitchen, building etc.

For more details please email to : enumakmur@yahoo.com Native Italian Teacher in Jakarta: Private lessons at your home/office.

More than 10 years of experience with students of all ages. Grammar and conversation lessons. Email me at sean.silla@gmail.com or whatsapp +6281298177496 Einstein Private Tuition ( The Ve r y B e s t a nd E x p e r i e nc e d teacher will come to your place).

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Fernando +62(0)85214071300 / + 6 2 ( 0 ) 8 5719 2 0 5 5 0 8 , WA +62(0)85867041499 You understand that attending piano lessons once a week without practicing at home will get you nowhere, but you also hesitate to buy a piano in Indonesia, knowing that you will leave in a few years.

The best solution for this situation is to rent a piano with a buy back system. You buy a piano from us and we wil buy it back when you leave Indonesia with 25 to 35% price reduction. Free tuning and moving fee, of course. For inquiry, email to ensiklomusika@gmail.com My name is Lina. If you would like to learn now to play piano please feel free to call me. I don’t do this for living i simply have some free time and don’t mind teaching those who has a desire, so price is negotiable.

Kids or adults - all welcome. My location is in Villa Cinere Mas. +62(0)81292698129 New in Indonesia? Find it hard to interact with local people because of the language? You can now learn Bahasa Indonesia at your convenience! Weekend or evening classes only. Bahasa Indonesia lessons for foreign beginners, low

fees. Email: bahasaprivate@gmail. com Private at home personal fitness trainer helps you achieve your fat loss and fitness goals faster with fun, personalised workouts in your home or apartment. Get full details and a no-obligation FREE TRIAL session now, visit www.jakartafitnesscoach. com Special Education Teacher in Jakarta. If your child has AD/ HD, Autism, PDD/NOS, Down Syndrome, Non Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD), or a specific Learning Disabilit y ( L D) and needs home support to cope up with school work, please feel free to contact Teacher Jun at teacher. specialeducation@gmail.com for an appointment.

French and Bahasa Indonesia lesson at your place,For children adult & International school students. Novi +62816704370 A full time Bahasa Indonesia instructor has some openings for expats interested to have Bahasa Indonesia lessons. Please cal l +62(0)82211128346. I have tailored syllabus and lesson plan.

Property

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Floor space 190 sqm. 3 Bedrooms.

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Available starting 1st April 2017 Please contact: dea.shanta@gmail. com. Call: +6287888123202 Twin-shared townhouse is available for sharing. 5 minutes walk to Kemang Raya. Please drop an email to: annabepilates@yahoo.com For rent 300 houses at Kemang, Cipete, Cilandak, Jeruk Purut, Pondok I nd a h. Bi g g a rden s , swimming pools, USD 2,000 5,000. Phone: +62 816859551 or +628170093366 For rent Casablanca Mansion 3BR Furnished - LARGEST/76.5m2 ; LOWEST Price $ 1100/month include maintenance.c.p : Vero +6281285242709 /W A .email addr : nica.apts@gmail.com

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Modern family home in quiet, resort style complex in Pondok Labu, South Jakarta. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, designer kitchen, open plan kitchen/living/dining, kids play/study area, 2 carports, staff quarters. Perfect for family with young kids. Located 10 mins from CITOS and One Bell Park Mall.

Complex facilities include: pool, gym, children’s playground, mini-

For rent one unit large apartment, 3 bedrooms, size 190m2, 17th floor @Nirvana Apartement in Kemang, available Jan 01, 2017 @USD 3,000, - per month with one year in advance rental minimum. If interested, pls contact Pak Pandu 081808503813 or at the office tel.

29971303 House for sale : recently renovated unfurnished 3 bedroom house inside housing complex on Jalan Lingkar Timur Udayana, Jimbaran, Bandung Selatan, Bali; SHM; Land 110m2; one bathroom; PLN 1,300W; Water Supplied by PDAM; Carport; brick fence left, right, front; high wall at back; please call local Contact Person: (Ms) Nurul +62 859350961156 We are looking for a house to rent in Jln Kemang or Benda in south jakarta but not the whole house , if possible share just 1 room and has a swimming pool. And the main concern is we would like to rent this house to open yoga class and kids teaching lesson. hopefully who’d like to rent it don’t mind these. please call/wa 087878817575 For Sale Piano for rent: You understand that attending piano lessons once a week without practicing at home will get you nowhere, but you also hesitate to buy a piano in Indonesia, knowing that you will leave in a few years.

The best solution for this situation is to rent a piano with a buy back

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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.

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Next deadline: 8 February 2017

Send in your classidieds to: ads@indonesiaexpat.biz

The New Rinjani Indah School is seeking Primary School Teachers in Lombok.

A group of passionate educators are starting a new school with exciting prospects for the future! The kind of teacher we are looking to partner with is one who wants to renew a passion for teaching to make a difference. Working with a board and management team who value teachers’ strengths and ideas for an inspiring learning community. We are seeking a motivated, dedicated and value’s-driven educator with a sense of adventure to join our team.

A successful applicant will have: • A Bachelor’s degree in Education/Primary Teaching • A post graduate qualification in TESOL/TEFL desirable • 5 years teaching experience • A native English Speaker • IB or IPC training desirable • International or private school experience in a multicultural setting • Character traits – teachable with a desire to learn & adapt, cooperative team player, empathetic, patient, hard-working and willing to go above and beyond the job description if needed, positive attitude and gracious. Proactive, innovative, compassionate and caring toward all people.

• Skills – clear and confident communicator, efficient and competent administration skills with class programming and record keeping, experience in inquiry and 21st century learning environments, experience in student-centred, holistic education, understanding of positive well being philosophies beneficial, competence with a range of educational technologies, devices, apps and software.

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Applications close February 20

system. You buy a piano from us and we wil buy it back when you leave Indonesia with 25 to 35% price reduction. Free tuning and moving fee, of course. For inquiry, email to ensiklomusika@gmail.com 1) CANON 60D SLR Camera in good condition + Canon lens 18-55, great camera swivel bag, charger, cables, software, original box. Price Rp.5,700,000. 2) BB8 spero droid -Star Wars Edition Rp.1,700,000 Nearly new, only used a few days.

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We rescued and fostered these 2 sweet pups from an irresponsible owner. Now looking for new homes, only to committed family home and not as outdoor-only guard dogs.

Male and female, quick learners, smart and partially trained.

Household Staff Available Trustworthy pembantu/nanny looking for work. Ibu Nini has been our house helper (pembantu) for six years, working part-time and looking after cleaning, ironing, household chores and our cats.

She often looks after the cats when we are on holiday. She has worked with expats for 23 years and speaks English very well. Ibu Nini also has

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Hello, Im Vera. I am looking a job as a weekend nanny. This can be permanent or as needed. I am really flexible, friendly and love kids. I do have references as nanny from infants until bigger kids. You may contact me by email bolumato@ yahoo.com Household Staff Needed Hi we are a family of three looking for a live in nanny. We are moving to Kemang area in march and our current nanny isn't available for a live in position. My son is turning one in march. Please contact us +6281219113461 Look ing for an honest, young and energetic live-in maid cum nanny with good references. Main responsibility includes housekeeping duties, cooking and babysitting. One day off a week. Fluent command in English is not compulsory but would be a plus. We are a family of five at Lebak Bulus. Please Whatsapp or SMS +6281290931203 if interested.

Looking for a Man Friday: We are in urgent need of a male helper who can look after our two labradors and help our maid with cleaning the house and other odd jobs. Please contact -+6281218293889

BALI Jobs Available Persona l a ssi st a nt wa nted i n Canggu, Expat needs a personal

assistant to help with business & personal needs - arranging meetings and travel - making appointments paying bills - keeping me organized . Healthy & Eff icient, handling domestic staff , working 20-40 hours per week remotely or from home or internet location & other times work in canggu, Good pay and conditions, you must speak good english / know computer/ have a laptop and motorbike/ be able to get projects completed on time and be easy to work with. Respond with CV & phone number to : jfvp@me.com

studio. 200m from mertasari beach in best area of sanur, Great lease conditions. Deal direct with owner.

Email: info@kolonialhouse.com

I am looking to buy PS3 games for 2 children under the age of 12. Please contact me on Whatsapp if you are selling. Kelly +6281281690552

House for sale in Bukit Ungasan.

Close to Pandawa beach and Dreamland. Cluster and secured complex. 100 sqm land, 45sqm building. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms, livingroom, kitchen. Furnished or unfurnished. Garage, 2,200VA electricity. Price Rp.800 million (negot iable). Please text on ly +62(0)8123815292.

For Sale

Look for female expatriates, spanish speaking. Please call +62812 3617 767 or email to : support@anehaneharts.com

For sale, new house, 2 bedrooms with ensuits, laundry and storage room, 16 foot high ceilings with exposed roof beams, open plan kitchen dining lounge room, fully furnished with entertainment area and pool, off street parking, US$110,000. Email: (balihomes@ outlook.com).

Looking for a hairdresser for spa in seminyak. Able to speak english.

Send your CV to : hanan@amospa. com Urgently Required: Administration Service Company Located in Bali is seeking position for Administrator Support. Requirements: Female is preferred, fluency in English both oral and written is mandatory requirement. Good in Microsoft Office Program, specially Excel, Word, Power Point and Internet.

Strong mentally, creative, and fast learning. Please send your complete application (application letter, resume, recent photograph) to email: (bhfs@cbn.net.id) Looking for Work Private teacher Bahasa Indonesian for foreig ner . Please contact +62(0)81338705158 or email : dwi. astari@yahoo.com.

Female looking for part time job as data entry, personal assistant job. Speaking and written english.

I f possible work f rom home.

Based in Bukit Jimbaran, e-mail: flowsbloom@yahoo.com Job needed, ca n st a r t A SA P, experience woman for setting new company in mining business, trading company etc. Hard worker, Honest, Fluent in English both written and verbal. WA : +6281382237244.

Sen ior Eu ropea n Hotel GM , Energetic, strong, skilled, 10 years SE-Asia, available for new executive assignment : europeanhotelgm@ gmail.com Property

Two and four bedrooms villa for rent (daily / monthly) in Canggu.

Close to Canggu Club, Berawa & Ecobeach. Fully furnished, pool, etc. Call: +62(0)816865097 / +614 1098 4086 / +62(0)81318455725 / +62(0)82117888293 / +62(0)813 11193337 ( Ba hasa). For more information please visit w w w. b a l i s u p er v i l l a .c om | w w w. villasemat.com www.villajalak.com 20 0+ ha nd-picked Vi l la s for yearly rent and sale in the area of Canggu. Save time and f ind only premium Vi l las situated in the best locations. For more information please visit www. balitreasureproperties.com, write to us info@balitreasureproperties. com or call +62(0)85100152013.

Villa for Sale. Leasehold 31 years.

High quality. Pererenan. Land size 8 are. Building 320m2. 2 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet. 3 bedrooms. Pool 4x10m. Fully equipped with luxury western kitchen. Rp.4.3 billion. +6281238811463.

Loved and spacious family home for rent in Jl. Denpasar 3, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan. Land size 400 sqm, building size 500 sqm. 4 + 1 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms. Living Room and dining room, bright and well ventilated. Front garden and backyard. 2 car garage. Maids quarters with separate kitchen. Semi Furnished. Rent: USD $3,600 per month. Pictures request / viewing appointment - please WA / call Chrissa at +628128257123 East Bali,Karangasem.Colonial villa + swimming pool,5 detached bungalows,1 detached studio,1 Joglo,1 Limasan,1 Gladak ( original Javanese wooden buildings),all in excellent condition,+/- 800 m2 living area,big garden.On 81,5 are (8150 m 2) freehold. For more info mail hendrikrudolf1972@gmail.com

Recently started resort in East Bali with colonial villa + swimming pool, 5 detached bunga lows,1 detached studio,a big Joglo,a L i ma sa n,a Glada k ( or ig i na l 19th century Javanese wooden buildings ) all in excellent state of maintenance,888 m 2 living area,big garden,on 81,5 are ( 8150 m2 ) freehold. Because of the unique location great possibilities for a YOGA retreat. All permits present,complete staff available.

For more i n fo ma i l to: hendrikrudolf1972@gmail.com

Others

Beautiful Boutique Guest House with Spa & Reatreat area for sale in Sanur. Forward bookings and ongoing partnership with yoga

Wanted: Electric Sewing machine in good working order. Please W hatsapp photo and price to +628111584593

Restaurant for sale, freehold beach front on an amazing location at 66 beach. The restaurant has 217m2, fully equipped kitchen. For more inspection please call : Gilles +6281 999971591

For Sale : MacBook Pro 17" mid 2010 in good working condition .

Processor 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5 Memory 4GB. Sata disk 500GB comes with charger, soft cover and carry bag. Rp7,000,000. Please SMS +628119407533

Hello, I'm selling my Polar FT60 Watch and Heart Rate Monitor.

Exercising in the right zone will help you improve your fitness. It also sets new targets by adapting to your personal training habits.

The price is Rp 550,000. Contact me by message: +6281315156920 We are searching for an intensive course in Bahasa Indonesia, a course or class setting that could help an individual or group get a practical foundation in Bahasa in 2-4 weeks.

If you know of a good course like this, or a tutor who would be able to facilitate this type of intensive, please email or Whatsapp me. Thanks!

Stacy Johnson (stacy-johnson@ quikmail.org) +6281219204753 TeleZoom L ens E F Ca non L - IS, 70 -30 0 m m. F:4, 5/5,6.

Excellent condition. Just serviced

by Indocamera. Sold with tripod collar + hood + original bag. Price: IDR 10 Mi. Contact: alainrival60@ gmail.com Specialized mountain bike 23” frame 24 speed shimano disc brake tektro , suspension fork , one year old , condition like new ,include all paper , new price 14 million and now only 7 million. +6281338634748 For sale Canon L Series Lens 70-200mm f2.8 IS mark II, mint condition , complete with box and original acc, bonus hoya uv filter.

Sell for 19,500,000. Please contact 089 8598 4567 (Denpasar) For sale 2 small wooden stools from north Thailand, Old, Ethnic style , carved, in the shape of sheep, cm 40 X 15 h15, one white and one brown, also nice for garden, 420,000 rps for both. For picture please contact +6281805662979

BANDUNG Services Bahasa Indonesia teacher for expats in Bandung with 14 years experience in teaching Bahasa in the international schools would like to offer a Bahasa class. One to one private lessons. Special rates for groups. My timetable are Saturday and Sunday (afternoon).

I teach a l l levels.W hat I w i l l teach: pronunciation,grammar, vocabu la r y, ora l a nd w r it ten comprehension, and Indonesia common culture. Please feel free to contact me if you have any question or want to book a lesson.

Mobile: +62(0)81221373699 or +62(0)8562279097

LOMBOK Property

Anema Resort sell villa one bedroom beach front Gili Lombok free all fractional price IDR. 476,000,000 call +62(0)87862518555 w w w. anemaresortgililombok.com

YOGYAKARTA Others Wanted to adopt dog from expat leaving Indonesia, Doberman/ Rottweiler preferred. Also Fox Terrier, please email or contact +6281328274115 in Jogja

MANADO Property

​B ungalow for sale. Land 16,631 m 2 , bu i ld i ng 24 4 m 2 , Bit u ng Ti mur - Manado , Ha k mi li k certificate , please contact ​Melly (+6281380800958)

PELABUHAN RATU Property Discover Villa Gamrang Beach house and experience our hospitality.

Villa Gamrang (Nearby 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. 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 Reser vat ions. w w w.v i l lagamrang.nl or just email us directly at villagamrang@gmail.com

issue 182 Indonesia expat

29

Java, which Island in the Indian Ocean

This article is presented to you by Bartele Gallery Jakarta, the only dedicated Gallery Shop in Indonesia for Antique Maps and Prints.

A R T I C L E B Y B A R T E L E G A L L E R Y ’ S C U R A T O R S , D. R I D E R A N D D R . D. PA R R Y

J

ava has been known to the world since

we currently call Java as “Jawi proper” as compared

Java Minor was identified as the present Island

the 1st millenium BC. The name “JAVA” is

to the less important islands or lesser Java.

of Java by the Franco-Portuguese navigator and

spelled in many different renditions as is

cosmographer Jean Alfonse in his work of 1544, La

comes from many different languages and

Cosmographie. Apparently in deference to Marco

scripts: ( Many without phoneme equivalence in

Polo’s claim that Java Major was the largest island in

English. )

the world, Alfonse gave the name Jave Mynore

Sanskrit “

“ (Yava)

Thai “

to the island of Java and the name La

“ (Chawa)

Arabic “ ‫( “ فاج‬Jawi)

Italian “ Giaua ” (Java)

Chinese “ 爪哇 “ (Dava)

Dutch “ Djawa ” (Java)

Latin “ Iaba ” (Jaba)

Kurdish “ Jáwah ” (Jawa)

Grand Jave to the continental land to the south. Marco Polo’s Java Minor, he called Samatrez (Sumatra). In La Cosmographie (1544), Alfonse said:

It has referred to the whole archipelago and

“ La Grand Jave is a land that goes as far as under

individual islands. The island of Java was the

the Antarctic Pole and from the Terre Australle

earliest island within Indonesia to be identified by

Rare mid-16th century German woodcut map of the Indian Ocean

in the west to the land of the Strait of Magellan

the geographers of the outside world. “Yavadvipa/

and Asia, published in 1550 by the German cartographer Sebastian

on the eastern side. Some say that it is islands but

Yavakadvipa” is mentioned in India’s earliest epic,

Münster (1488-1552),

from what I have seen of it, it is terre ferme [a

the Ramayana dating to approximately 5th–4th

continent]…That called Jave Mynore is an island,

century BC. It was mentioned that Sugriva, the chief

Marco Polo and other explorers refer to Java Grande,

of Rama’s army dispatched his men to Yávadvípa

Java Major, Greater Java, Lesser Java and Java

[Yáva Island], in search of Sinta.

Minor – but with inconsistency and confusion in

but la Grand Jave is terre ferme”

translation. Marco Polo, beyond doubt, refers to places that he visited on the Eastern coast of Sumatra as Java Minor or Lesser Java. In time “Little Java” became “Sumbawa”, and “Great Java” became the island now known today as Java. Marco Polo sailed from Vietnam to the Malay Peninsula, then sailed through the Strait of Malacca, which he is the first to describe, to Sumatra,

Java-la-Grande, the first known map of Australia “Dauphin Chart” 1530 -36 (Portugese and Spanish Hemispheres)

which he calls “Java the Lesser.”

It was the Dutch who first suggest that the Arabs

Early 18th century map of the world by Mercator, based on the

“La grande isle de Java” (The great island of Java),

originally applied the terms Great Java and Little

according to Marco Polo (c. 1300), although he did

Java to Java and Sumatra respectively, not because

archipelago.

not actually visit Java, was

of their imagined relation in size, but as indicating

The Chinese traded with an Island Kingdom of

“The biggest island in the world,… a very rich island,

commercial value. Java minor soon disappears from

Founan (Indochina) ruled by Zapagi or Zabaja

producing pepper, nutmegs, spikenard, galingale,

maps and shortly after all references to greater Java

eastward of Siam in the 3rd or 4th century. This

cubebs and cloves and all the precious spices... It is

or Java major simply refer to Java.

may be the pepper trading city of “Zaba” that is

visited by great numbers of ships and merchants who

referenced by Pliny and Ptolemy (1st and 2nd

buy a great range of merchandise, reaping handsome

Read the full article at : www.BarteleGallery.com –

century AD).

profits and rich returns…”

Articles – JAVA, which southeast Asian island

writings of Claudius Ptolemy 2nd century AD. Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD referred to Jabadiu / Yabadiu (Iabadiu = Yávadvípa) Insulae, which probably referred to the entire

the former to be Java proper and of more significant

The islanders of Celebes applied the name “Jawa/ Jawi” to their country, in particular with reference to the Eastern Islands vs. the Western Islands known as “Sunda” ( image above ), from which Europeans took the name for the “Sunda Straight”.

Marco Polo by no means stood alone in giving the name of Java to the island now called Sumatra.

There is some reason to believe that the application of the name Java to Sumatra is of very old date.

For the oldest inscription of known date in the

Open Daily.

Archipelago is a Sanskrit one from Pagaroyang,

Jl. Kemang Raya 29a.

the capital of the ancient Malay state of Menang-

Jakarta Selatan

Attempts to change Java from a general term for the

kabau in the heart of Sumatra, bearing a date

P: +62(0)21 710087

Archipelago to names for specific islands emerges

equivalent to A.D. 656, entitles the monarch whom it

E: info@bartelegallery.com

with early Western trade and the security of travel

commemorates, Adityadharma by name, the king of

www.BarteleGallery.com

and trade under the Mongol Empire starting in the

“the First Java” (or rather Yava).

facebook.com/BarteleGallery

13th century. Arabs would sometimes refer to what 30

Bartele Gallery Jakarta,

Indonesia expat issue 182

issue 182 Indonesia expat

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Indonesia expat issue 182