Indonesia Expat - Issue 194

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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 PAT. B I Z

THE ATTACK ON GIRLS AND HOW TO END IT

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FEATURED Under the Knife: Female Genitalia Mutilation Causes Long-Term Psychological Effects on Indonesian Women

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BUSINESS Prepare to Farewell Rupiah's Zeroes if Central Bank Has Its Way

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BUSINESS TRENDS How Market Entry Service Firms Are Really Helping Foreign Investors

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FOOD AND DRINK The ABCs of Fine Grilled Meat at AB Steak

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INFO FOR EXPATS 5 Ways to Get Your Fit On Without Hitting The Gym

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WORTHY CAUSES East Bali Cashew Takes a Bite Out of Eco-Tourism

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NEWS FROM THE ARCHIPELAGO

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SCAMS IN THE CITY In the Name of the Fraudster

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QUIRKS

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TRAVEL Kampung Pulo – Cangkuang: A Temple and a Tomb

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DUA TANGAN CUKUP Help Yayasan Sayap Ibu Banten Help The Most Needy

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ACTIVITY Fun Camping and Glamping Grounds in or Near Jakarta

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VIEWPOINTS A Deeper Look into The Languid Lake Toba

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LISTS Get Ready to Wave The Red And White

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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EVENTS

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CLASSIFIEDS

Chief Editorial Adviser Erin Cook editor@indonesiaexpat.biz

Marketing Consultant Edo Frese edo@indonesiaexpat.biz

Editorial Assistant Caranissa Djatmiko letters@indonesiaexpat.biz

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

Distribution & Admin Juni Setiawan admin@indonesiaexpat.biz

Finance Lini Verawaty finance@indonesiaexpat.biz

HELLO Readers, This issue we’ve been preparing for Independence Day celebrations on August 17.

For us, this means taking a close look at the things we love about Indonesia – and what we can do to help improve the things we don’t.

This means reflecting on the bad news that people living in Indonesia walk less than those in any other country in the world. Many won’t be shocked by this, I think we all knew it deep down, but we’ve resolved to work harder in being more active. We’ve provided a handy list to help you find more ways to exercise in your life even when it feels impossible. David Kincaid takes a look at Bali eco-tourism to help make sure that we do well by the environment, even when we’re taking a break.

Contributors Stephanie Brookes Sharon Hambali Angela Jelita Pramod Kanakath David Kincaid Kirstienne Ishia Marie Toledo Kenneth Yeung

Editorial Enquiries

And in a stunning feature piece, Angela Jelita delves into the murky world of female genital mutilation in Indonesia. With many supporters calling the practice a religious or cultural tradition and detractors calling it a human rights violation, it’s easy to lose sight of the young girls caught in the middle.

See you next fortnight!

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Erin Cook

Events letters@indonesiaexpat.biz

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Featured

Under the Knife: Female Genitalia Mutilation Causes Long-Term Psychological Effects on Indonesian Women

IMAGE VIA 1010PARKPLACE

Female genitalia mutilation is a common practice in Indonesia. Although it is largely associated with Islamic teachings, many claim there is no connection to the religion. I speak to women who have experienced this practice first-hand and discover that there are more than negative physical effects caused by this incredible act of violation of human rights.

BY ANGELA JELITA

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ini works as a house helper in Jakarta.

Recently a grandmother to baby twin girls, she had planned to accompany her son and daughter-in-law to the twins’ first official doctor’s appointment a few days after their births in South Jakarta. The routine visit was to include a check-up, vaccinations and the female circumcision.

Female genitalia mutilation, known in Bahasa Indonesia as ‘sunat perempuan’ is a common practice in Indonesia – and not just in rural areas. Parents and guardians like Nini have been told that the practice of either partially cutting or removing the clitoris entirely at a young age, without the child’s consent, is part of religious tradition that must be honoured. According to a 2016 report by UNICEF, 49 percent of Indonesian girls aged below 14 had undergone female genital mutilation by 2015.

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In the country with the highest population of Muslims in the world, many people in Indonesia believe the practice is part of their religious passage. Historical records show that the practice began in the country with the arrival of Islam in the 13 th century. It is carried out in different regions of the archipelago where Islam is predominant.

“I only know about sunat perempuan from the Betawi people I know, who say that it’s a religious passage in Islam,” says Nini, a Muslim who is originally from Cirebon and has not been circumcised. “Maybe it’s according to different regions’ traditions and beliefs.”

In 2013 the Indonesian Ulema Council ruled in favour of this violation against human rights, claiming it is part of Islamic teachings. Many Muslims, however, would disagree that it is taught in their religion.

Wulan Danoekoesoemo is the Co-Founder of Lentera Indonesia, an NGO aimed at providing support and counsel for victims of sexual abuse. Wulan is also a practicing Muslim and believes there is no passage in the Koran that teaches female circumcision.

“Female genitalia mutilation is not part of Islamic teachings,” she tells Indonesia Expat. “It has no medical/health benefit and was passed on through the generations as part of culture and tradition.”

Wulan herself is a victim of this violation against human rights. When she was only a few days old, her mother – believing she was acting in her daughter’s best interests at the time – took her to a clinic to have the procedure done on her. Although Wulan does not have any significant physical effects, she experiences psychological side effects until this day on a daily basis.

IMAGE BY DADANG TRI / REUTERS

Angela is a freelance journalist and founder of Clean Up Jakarta Day. Outside the office she climbs mountains and dives oceans, all the while picking up litter.

“Every time I get water on that region, I feel an incredibly overwhelming feeling of sadness and depression that I can’t explain,” she confesses. “I feel worthless. It’s as though that part of me still recalls the extraordinary violation that took place all those years ago, and conveys it through my emotions.”

Wulan also teaches psychology at Binus University, and believes the psychological ramifications of female genitalia mutilation are significant to a woman’s development.

“When you’ve been violated from such a young age, it stays with you and defines the person who you are,” she says honestly. “Contrary to male circumcision in Indonesia, where the child or young man ultimately gets to make the decision as to whether or not he wants to ‘have the snip,’ girls are not asked – it just happens to them.”

“It’s as though that part of me still recalls the extraordinary violation that took place all those years ago and conveys it through my emotions.” mutilation and promoting a ‘safer’ type four, which involves pricking the clitoris, not removing it. Activists claim this contradicts the 2006 ruling prohibiting clinics from performing any mutilation and causes confusion among the public.

The World Health Organisation states that the procedure has no health benefits whatsoever, contrary to popular local belief, unlike male circumcision, where health benefits include a reduced risk of some sexually transmitted diseases, protection against penile cancer and a reduced risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners.

Wulan’s circumcision falls into type four. She believes the public needs to be educated about the practice to help them understand.

“People need to know and understand consent and how the female genitalia mutilation does not give the opportunity to women to agree or disagree to the practice. People may mean no harm to their daughters when they exercised this, but they also need to be aware of the physical and psychological impact that may result from this experience.”

The same practice on females can lead to harm.

According to the World Health Organisation the procedure “can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.”

As Wulan experienced, psychological problems, including low self-esteem, depression and anxiety are long-term consequences associated with the practice.

Wulan believes the government needs to start being more firm when it comes to protecting personal choices.

WULAN DANOEKOESOEMO (IMAGE VIA ABC RADIO AUSTRALIA)

Female genital mutilation is classified into four major types. Type one is the partial or total removal of the clitoris, type two is the partial or full removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, and type three is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. Type four includes all other harmful procedures carried out on the female genitalia for nonmedical purposes; pricking, piercing, scraping and cauterizing.

She urges the government to start socializing accurate information about female genitalia mutilation: “working with local influencers and primary health care providers to reconstruct people's understanding on female genitalia mutilation issues taking various approaches as well. It will take a lot of time but it needs to start somewhere.”

IMAGE VIA QFM96

In Indonesia, types one and four are prevalent. In 2006 the government tried to ban the practice, a move that proved unsuccessful and was lifted. In 2010, the Health Ministry issued a decree outlining the ‘proper’ procedure for the circumcision, and has since tried to accommodate cultural and religious considerations, focusing efforts on eradicating type one genital

“Despite tradition, it is still a matter of taking away an individual’s right to allow or not allow actions to be done to their bodies.”

After receiving the facts about the dangers of female genitalia mutilation, Nini decided not to take her twin granddaughters to have the procedure done. These two little girls were the lucky ones.

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Business

IMAGE VIA ANTARA FOTO / MUHAMMAD ADIMAJA

Prepare to Farewell Rupiah’s Zeroes if Central Bank Has Its Way

BY ERIN COOK

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ropping some zeroes from Indonesia’s currency has long been touted by the country’s central bank, community groups and lawmakers, but is this recent public discussion different? Will we soon be seeing the end of the thousands?

The plan has been in the works since late December, when Bank Indonesia announced it would push for redenomination for the second time in three years.

It has been gradually gathering momentum again after Bank Indonesia Governor Agus Matowardojo reiterated the call in May, saying that if it began then it could be fully implemented by 2025.

What does redenomination entail?

Bank Indonesia leaders and supporters of the move are quick to quell fears that a redenomination will impact the purchasing power of the rupiah.

“Redenomination is a matter of simplification,” Bank Indonesia Senior Deputy Governor Mirza Adityaswara said in December, as reported by Bloomberg.

The proposed plan would see the central bank remove three zeroes from rupiah notes and coins. This would see Rp.1,000 coins becoming Rp.1 and Rp.100,000 notes becoming Rp.100 notes and so on.

While redenomination is a large scale project, it has occurred in several economies with minimal impact on purchasing power. Prices would be adjusted in line with the changes, but for many businesses which already drop zeroes from menus and price lists to ease customer use, the difference will be minor.

Why bother?

The sheer scale of the rupiah has made financial services unruly. Banks and government budgets must now deal with sums reaching trillions, with the number of digits involved increasing the risk of errors in accounting.

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“The proposed plan would see the central bank remove three zeroes from rupiah notes and coins.

This would see Rp.1,000 coins becoming Rp.1 and Rp.100,000 notes becoming Rp.100 notes and so on.”

The rupiah is also one of the highest denominated currencies in the region. The cutting of three zeroes will bring it in line with most of Southeast Asia.

Why now?

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo was seemingly impressed with the plan when Bank Indonesia first raised it in December. He ensured it would be included in the 2017 Prolegnas, or national priority legislation programme, demonstrating his acknowledgement of the need for at least a discussion on the change.

Bank Indonesia’s Adityaswara was adamant this year is the best time to overhaul the rupiah.

“Now at this time, it can be done. The exchange rate has been turbulent but it won’t have too much of an impact. The main thing is that the economy must be stable,” Bloomberg reported.

This month, Matowardojo relaunched his campaign but warns it would now take around 11 years for full implementation – and that is only if the regulation is finalized by the end of the year. Still, now is as good a time as any, he says.

“The political and economic conditions are currently stable,” Matowardojo said Friday, July 21, as reported

by Tempo.

What happens now?

Bank Indonesia will meet with Jokowi and representatives from the Law and Human Rights Ministry as well as the Finance Ministry before proposing a draft bill to be debated by the House of Representatives (DPR).

Representatives from the central bank and the House Commission XI, which oversees financial affairs, and members from all parties in the DPR met Monday, July 17, to discuss the draft bill.

Matowardojo told media that while Jokowi previously indicated his support for prioritizing the bill, it has recently been put on the backburner while the government and DPR deal with several draft bills relating to the tax amnesty programme.

The draft bill will eventually find itself before the president’s cabinet before reaching the DPR. "If the draft bill is agreed upon by the cabinet in a plenary session, then the bill will need to be discussed in Indonesia's House of Representatives, possibly somewhere in late-2017," Martowardojo said, as reported by Indonesia Investments.

Martowardojo predicted the deliberations will take just a short time as there are only 17 articles in the bill.

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Business Trends

How Market Entry Service Firms Are Really Helping Foreign Investors Estonian expat, Lauri Lahi, shares insights into the work of market entry service firm Emerhub in helping foreign investors and companies secure their place in Indonesia.

BY CARANISSA DJATMIKO few hundred companies each year we can stay on top of the changing regulations in most of the industries.

Hi Lauri, thank you for taking your time to do this interview with us. Why don’t we start with an introduction about yourself?

Sure, it’s such an honour to be interviewed by a newspaper I’ve been reading the entire time I’ve been living in Indonesia.

Emerhub offers a number of services that aim to make it easier for market entries to succeed. Can you describe these services and which are the most popular among your clients?

Basically we let our clients focus on what they are good at – building and delivering their products and services. We take care of all the bureaucracy starting from company establishment until payroll and tax reporting.

I’m an expat originally from Estonia. I’ve been living in Jakarta for the past six years and for most of it I’ve been starting and building my businesses. Besides Jakarta I’ve also lived in Yogyakarta for a couple of months to establish an office there. Most of my time has gone to building market entry services company Emerhub, but I’ve also started and sold local online media Hipwee and a couple of other companies.

Can you share with us your journey before ending up in Emerhub?

After I graduated from university in Estonia I got a position in Cambodia to set up the national branch of an international student organization called AIESEC. Once that was done I applied for an internship with Fortune PR in Jakarta and quite soon I realized that the business opportunities in Jakarta were a lot bigger than just staying here for a few months.

What is the best thing about working in market entry services like Emerhub?

You get to see companies from all around the world and from various industries.

This means that everyday you get to learn new things. Also Emerhub is not a typical agent like most of the ‘market entry services’ firms – we do a lot of business model consulting and also sometimes invest in local businesses. I get bored easily so a job that requires me to constantly learn and travel is perfect for me.

What are the most common issues that foreign companies face in Indonesia these days? And how does Emerhub try to tackle them?

As with most emerging markets foreign companies struggle to find accurate information about the licenses, legal entity formats, payroll et cetera. They feel like every consultant gives them different advice and in the end they don’t know who to trust. Our entire business is built around tackling that issue – since we work with a

We also often start from market analysis and distributor search and sometimes the right answer can also be that a particular company is not ready for the Indonesian market – the faster and better intelligence the company has the less money they will spend on bad market expansions.

Another popular direction is that companies outsource staff management and invoicing to Emerhub. This way many foreign companies don’t even need a company in Indonesia since everything is administered by us. We currently have four

Alibaba Eyes Stake In Indonesia’s Tokopedia ‘Don’t Scare Off Investors’ Jokowi Tells Ministers

Alibaba Group Holding is discussing a major investment in local e-marketplace Tokopedia, marking perhaps the greatest push into Southeast Asia’s largest economy for the ever expanding Chinese e-commerce giant.

Bloomberg reported the move Tuesday, July 25, citing a source close to the matter speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Alibaba is eyeing to lead a funding round of up to US$500 million, which would see it join SoftBank Group and Sequoia Capital.

Named representatives from Alibaba declined to comment while Tokopedia was not immediately available, the Bloomberg report said.

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Alibaba already controls Singapore-based Lazada Group, another of Southeast Asia’s most successful e-commerce sites and a direct rival to Tokopedia in Indonesia.

Southeast Asia has become the latest battleground for China’s tech firms with the home market reaching saturation point.

Southeast Asia’s growing middle class and booming economy has turned the region into one of the most attractive untapped markets in the world.

Tokopedia, founded in 2009, has a similar set-up to Alibaba’s Taobao marketplace which matches customers and sellers.

According to Bloomberg, Tokopedia set a record for funding, raising US$100 million from SoftBank and Sequoia Capital in 2014.

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has called on ministers to be aware of business and investment interests when issuing ministerial regulations amid a push for massive investment.

“Be careful and make thorough calculations of all relevant factors before issuing ministerial regulations,” Jokowi said during a cabinet meeting on Monday, July 24, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Adequate public education campaigns and stakeholder consultations should be made

before issuing regulations so as to ensure the business sector continues to develop, he said.

"Ministerial regulations should not serve to strengthen the authority of the ministers concerned," Jokowi added.

The comments reflect Jokowi’s longrunning priority in supporting investment and boosting economic development to create more jobs and fill infrastructure gaps.

IMAGE VIA LIPUTAN 6

Tokopedia had earlier been in talks with Alibaba rival JD, which is likely to now back off according to sources quoted by Bloomberg.

offices in three countries (Jakarta, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City and Manila) and by using our services companies get access to the biggest markets of ASEAN. What makes Emerhub different from other market entry service agencies?

First of all, we have a bigger international reach. Foreign companies can get the same service in each of our four offices and expand to the entire region without having to find new advisors in each market.

Secondly, if you are a market entry company you need to have a large volume of clients or otherwise it’s very difficult to stay on top of all the changes in laws and (informal) regulations. Sometimes we meet companies that have been advised based on information that was valid maybe three to five years ago. The consultant may have had the best intentions but if you don’t go to BKPM (the Investment Coordinating Board) or Ministry of Law and Human Rights you will have gaps in your knowledge.

Emerhub serves hundreds of companies and while it’s hard to tell whether we are the biggest in terms of revenue (none of our local competitors have done an IPO), we are definitely the most contacted if you look at the website statistics.

What are some of the most important facts that foreign markets need to know about Indonesia nowadays?

Indonesia is still one of the most exciting emerging markets in the world, even if the economy is growing a little bit slower than it used to. I’ve been here for six years and in that time alone the Indonesian population has increased by 30 million and the middle class is growing massively. Just take a look at any of the malls in Jakarta and you see that people are young and optimistic about the future.

Indonesia’s Rice Production Costs Highest In Asia The cost of producing rice in Indonesia is higher than anywhere else in Asia, the Indonesian Association of Farmers and Fishermen (KTNA) has found.

According to a report from Antara on Thursday, July 20, KTNA Chairman Winarno Tohir said data from the International Rice Research Institute found production costs from 2016 to 2017 were higher in Indonesia than in Thailand, Vietnam, India and China.

“Rice production costs in Indonesia are two and half times higher than in Vietnam,” Tohir said on the sidelines of a productivity seminar in Karawang, West Java.

Production costs average Rp.4,079 (US$0.30) per kilogram in Indonesia, far higher than the Rp.1,619 (US$0.12) per kilogram in Vietnam, Rp.2,291 (US$0.17) in Thailand, India’s Rp.2,306 (US$0.17) and Rp.3,661 (US$0.27) in China.

“Emerhub serves hundreds of companies and while it’s hard to tell whether we are the biggest in terms of revenue (none of our local competitors have done an IPO), we are definitely the most contacted if you look at the website statistics.”

Foreign companies should keep in mind that Indonesia has become a much clearer place to do business in terms of regulations.

When I arrived in Indonesia most of the market entry consultants were advising foreign companies to start businesses in the wrong classifications (because it was easier) and without putting up the required capital (because they didn’t have to). Nowadays the regulations are much more strongly enforced but it also means that companies that come to Indonesia for the long term have a much more reliable regulatory environment.

My personal advice would be: don’t come to Indonesia to start a small business – it’s a market where you either go big or you start a lifestyle business where you are always hands on, the latter being especially popular in Bali. If you have the resources and local knowledge then this country provides amazing business opportunities.

I arrived in the country with a suitcase and few hundred dollars in my pockets. I took kopaja and angkot until I got my business running and now most of my time goes to growing my business and looking for companies to invest in or acquire.

“If Indonesia cannot cut production costs, the domestic market could be flooded with imported rice,” Tohir said.

He noted that rice produced in Vietnam has previously dominated both the legal and illegal markets in Indonesia, as it is much cheaper.

One solution, he said, would be to train local farmers in modern farming techniques which are more effective and efficient. KTNA research has found the use of pesticides and older irrigation systems are forcing up production costs.

“Inundating rice fields with too much water costs a lot, especially in the dry season. Pumping water into rice fields costs money,” he said.

Tohir suggested the introduction of refugia technology, which eradicates pests by growing colourful flowers attracting birds and other insects to the rice fields which feed on the pests.

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Food & Drink

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. The quest for truth and the elimination of mediocrity in Indonesia’s emerging dining scene is finally here!

The ABCs of Fine Grilled Meat at AB Steak AB Steak is a unique Korean-American barbeque concept by renowned chef Akira Back. Although dry-aged steak is the star of the show, the supporting cast of starters and sides provide an indelible dining experience.

“The experience of having a chef explain and help decide the size is interesting upon itself; never having had such intricate interaction regarding meat prior to cooking had set some extremely high expectations right up front.”

60-DAY WHISKEY-AGED RIBEYE

SHITAKE CROQUETTE

BY THE CLANDESTINE CRITIC

I

feel I have an obligation to share this sentiment: I sincerely want to give AB Steak by Chef Akira Back four stars. This restaurant has all of the fundamentals in place for an outstanding experience with a masterfully designed menu. From the time I booked the reservation through to the end of the meal, I was pleasantly surprised by the staff, the menu, the pacing, the décor and the underlying passion for meat.

PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE DESSERT

AB Steak by Chef Akira Back is not your standard American chop or steak house.

This is a sexy, modern, Korean-American restaurant where the main attraction is charcoal grilling done front and centre on the dining table by a professional who is less inclined to overcook a hundred-dollar (that’s Australian currency) dry-aged prime or wagyu steak than you.

The showroom for their dry-aged beef is enclosed by a glass panel near the entrance of the restaurant so every diner walking into the dining room is able to see the ageing process and preparation.

The stainless steel, mysterious sliding door, shiny glass partitions, spray bottles and sharp cutting instruments combine to provide an uncanny resemblance to a sterile-yet-stylish operating room reminiscent of a Dr. Strangelove set.

Dinner for Two Food: Rp. 2,905,000 Drink: Rp. 359,000 Service: Rp. 326,400 Tax 10%: Rp. 359,040 Total: Rp. 3,949,440

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The main dining room is slightly more seductive with mostly dark shadows accentuated by warm ember glows and punctured by fiery red bursts of colour.

Admittedly, there are far more beautiful dining rooms in Jakarta, but the mood created at AB Steak is flirtatiously sombre, providing just the right background for its main attraction: the food.

For whatever reason a person decides to dine at AB Steak, it should be to eat heartily. Like its sister restaurant Akira Back (located in the penthouse in the same building), the menu is something of an Asian mashup of primarily Korean and Japanese flavours using modern Western techniques. And from all of the dishes I ordered that evening, most were outstanding.

right up front. There are no sauces to consider, no frills to amplify the flavours except for the large selection of flavoured salts on the table. For meat of this quality, it would be a disservice to do any more than a sprinkling of pink Himalayan salt.

Wood briquettes are then added at the last minute to enhance the charcoal with a headier smoky flavour, which is then imparted on the steak.

The Shitake Croquette topped with sea urchin roe, black caviar, sweet prawns with a base of smoked potato foam was excellent. It had all the right textures: crunchy-creamy; and a perfectly palatable combination of umami-sweet-smoky.

The Scallop Crudo was a beautifully orchestrated dish with bright salinity of the truffled yuja soy sauce juxtaposed against the creamy body of the raw scallop itself.

What’s a steak without duck fat fries? It was the obvious and best choice paired with the 500 gram porterhouse we ordered.

The Roasted Brussel Sprouts had a moreish quality: basted in pureed kim chee and served with roasted garlic and puffed rice, one felt the need to order a bowl of steamed rice, move off into a corner of the dining room and shove all of the contents with chopsticks from bowl to mouth to do it justice. Eaten alongside the steak, though, it seemed to completely overpower the subtler flavours of the meat so I suggest keeping the two separate or cleansing the palate with a swig of bold red wine.

We requested a 300 gram, 60-day, ‘whiskey-aged,’ Australian wagyu, bonein, ribeye steak; and a 500 gram, 45-day, Australian Angus, porterhouse steak.

Each steak, in and of itself, was delicious.

The ageing process truly gave the meat a gorgeous texture and the 60-day ribeye was decidedly my favourite with a particularly funky and mild blue cheese quality.

The service was unobtrusive, lightning fast and attentive; something you don’t see in Jakarta even on a fine day. The staff all seemed to know their goods and never hesitated to anticipate needs. Table tops were cleaned and plates switched at opportune breaks in dining. There was nary an idle body in the dining room.

So I come to the crux of the evening and that is the meat. AB Steak imports some of the best prime and wagyu from Japan, Australia and the United States.

They carefully dry-age the cuts in their magnificent ageing room and give them the love and attention they deserve. The experience of having a chef explain and help decide the size is interesting upon itself; never having had such intricate interaction regarding meat prior to cooking had set some extremely high expectations

I wish I had been served the ribeye first to truly enjoy it, though. Due to the size of the steaks, I was full from the starters and the porterhouse by the time the ribeye was served. And although masterfully grilled by the chef, this concept leaves little time to consume the steak before it actually gets unpleasantly cold. If the meat is cooked to liking, the ability to warm it back up on the grill also sets the steak up for risk of overcooking after being sliced.

I hate overcooked meat as much as I hate munching on cold, unrendered fat on a steak so I was either stuck with one or the other. Perhaps I’m simply a slow eater, but I like to enjoy my food along with my company and participate in conversation.

What is one to do in this case?

However, we ended the evening on a very high note. Jakarta’s best dessert is found in the Butter Mochi Cake. I don’t think any description I can give you would do it justice. The buttery-springy texture of the cake, the salted caramel crunch of popcorn and macadamia nuts and the gentle coconut sorbet is irresistible. I may have been full, but I had room for one last masterpiece.

AB Steak by Chef Akira Back MD Place, Mezzanine Level, Jl. Setiabudi Selatan No. 7, Jakarta 12910 Phone: +62 21 2966 9272 (Reservations highly recommended) Web: www.absteakjakarta.com

Info for Expats

5 Ways to Get Your Fit On Without Hitting The Gym

BY KIRSTIENNE ISHIA MARIE TOLEDO

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ong hours at work chained to the desk and evenings spent catching up on television or much-needed sleep has led to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Most of us struggle to put down our gadgets or walk away from the computer for hours on end.

Transportation has even become even more accessible thanks to popular ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Go-Jek. The convenience of getting a ride with a single click has many preferring this over walking to bus stops and hiking short distance trips.

In a recent study from Stanford University in the US, researchers studied data from the smartphones of 717,527 people across 111 countries using an app called Argus which tracks physical activity.

The results found that Indonesians walk the least – making them the laziest walkers on the list with an average of only 3,513 steps per day. According to The Jakarta Post, this is considered way below the global average of 5,000 steps while Hong Kong is hailed as the world’s most active country with an average of 6,880 steps daily.

Many cities in Indonesia are not designed for incidental exercise. What’s the point of trying to take a short stroll around the neighbourhood when one could easily fall into an unmarked hole in the footpath, be run down by speeding motorcycles or choke on fumes?

Not having enough time to be active shouldn’t be an excuse. We’ve rounded up a list of activities and spots in Indonesia to help you get your fit on and embrace the healthy habits you may have neglected in the past.

1. Go for a walk in pedestrian friendly cities Indonesia, especially Jakarta, may not have a lot of places that are safe or convenient for walking, but IndoIndians recently listed a few cities which are pedestrian friendly. You can enjoy a stroll in Solo’s four kilometre long ‘City Walk’ located on

“The results found that Indonesians walk the least – making them the laziest walkers on the list with an average of only 3,513 steps per day.”

the southern part of Jalan Slamet Riyadi. The area has a wide pavement surrounded by trees. There are also comfortable benches where you can rest or admire the view.

Other places include Surabaya’s well-kept sidewalks, a visit to Bukittinggi while exploring famous tourist attractions and the city of Yogyakarta which has tons of spots friendly to pedestrians. A walk around the National Monument, or MONAS, in Jakarta is another option, where the lights are a lovely sight at night.

2. Make the most out of Car Free Day In a traffic-heavy and polluted city like Jakarta, a break is necessary once in a while. Every Sunday from 6 to 11 a.m., Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Thamrin are closed off to private cars. Thousands are excited to wake up early, enjoy the outdoors, walk, ride a bike, jog or skate. What started out as a government initiative to reduce pollution has grown to become a well-loved tradition. The best part is that people can also indulge in street food, displays and public events.

3. Ice skating at Sky Rink Jakarta If you’re not a fan of walking, why not try ice skating?

Sky Rink is one of the largest ice skating rinks in Southeast Asia and a perfect recreation spot if you want to de-stress or burn calories while having fun.

Rates are Rp.85,000 (US$6) from Mondays to Fridays and you can skate all day. On weekends and holidays, a two-hour skating session costs Rp.110,000 (US$8).

Skating lessons are also available through Sky Rink Ice Skating School. For more information on the rates, you can visit their website at www.skyrinkjakarta.com or contact them at (021) 564 2888.

4. Visit trampoline parks Another fun activity to try is heading to a trampoline park. It’s an enjoyable form of exercise that involves playing while indulging your inner child. Most indoor trampoline parks have various sections that also include foam pits and wall climbing areas. Head on over to AMPED Trampoline Park with branches in Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya. A study from NASA is even quoted on the site: “A ten minute jump on a trampoline is equivalent to a 30 minute run. This means trampolining is 68 percent more effective than running and provides equal benefits in a shorter timeframe.” Other options include Bounce Street Asia in Jakarta and Bounce Bali.

5. Enjoy a stroll at a national park Indonesia has over 50 national parks where locals and tourists alike can connect with nature or take a walk while appreciating the scenery and wildlife. According to Insight Guides, some of the best national parks include Komodo National Park, Ujung Kulon National Park, Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park, Way Kambas National Park, Tanjung Puting National Park and Lorentz National Park. Walking won’t feel like a burden any longer when you’re enjoying the picturesque view and breathing in fresh air.

Studies show that walking 10,000 steps everyday is the benchmark for a healthy life. Others say aiming for more is better. With the beauty that Indonesia holds and an endless array of activities this country offers, it’s about time citizens get moving.

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Worthy Causes

East Bali Cashew Takes a Bite Out of Eco-Tourism

BY DAVID KINCAID

A

gainst the stunning backdrop of Mt Agung, in a humble low-rise building in the East Bali village of Desa Ban, Mara Moran enthuses about a new preschool aimed at caring for local kids while freeing up time for their working mothers.

“The school has contributed to dramatic improvements in the health of these kids,” says Ms Moran, a twentysomething college student here on a study abroad programme from Northeastern University, just minutes before being inundated by a noisy rush of jubilant preschoolers.

“By providing nutritious snacks, lunches and basic healthcare, kids are more alert and able to learn.

This builds strong communities.”

The school is an offshoot of the famed East Bali Cashew company, a philanthropic venture, first set up in the village of Desa Ban in the far north of Bali, that now employs some 350 local villagers, mostly women, who use eco-friendly practices to shell, roast, bake and package a range of natural cashew products from raw shelled nuts to granola bites. Its story is well known.

The brainchild of American investor Aaron Fisher, EBC is lifting local wages while plowing proceeds back into the community by providing training and services like schools.

It’s made a splash in foreign media from the BBC to Forbes; even the US government honoured Aaron and his project with the State Department Corporate Excellence Award.

Flush from an injection of cash from a group of CSR investors, East Bali Cashew is getting bigger. Earlier this year, the company opened an Eco Resort – a collection of nine tipis – the sort of tent used by some indigenous peoples of North America. While the tents clash with the tropical backdrop they’re a nostalgic reminder of Aaron’s camp days. They also hint at the hopes of the latest East Bali Cashew project.

Just recently completed, the eco-camp promises a full programme of educational sessions focused on farming and farm communities, cooking classes, team building exercises and plenty of outdoor activities to the nearby waterfalls and mountain peaks. Guests can enjoy delicious foods made of fresh ingredients cooked up by staff drawn from the local village, evening campfires in the spectacular group tent and late night stargazing.

Aaron and company are marketing to schools and universities interested in engaging their students in educational opportunities in the great outdoors. Their slogan, ‘we create trailblazing service-learning adventures,’ seeks to also capture the corporate group looking for an offsite team-building experience or provide an intimate facility for your next family reunion.

GROUP SHELTER (IMAGE BY DAVID KINCAID)

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WOMEN IN THE PROCESSING FACILITY (IMAGE BY DAVID KINCAID)

EBC’s new direction stems from some hard nosed business planning.

In 2013, Singapore-based executives of the US private equity firm, KKR, donated their time and expertise as part of its own CSR project to help Aaron develop an enticing business plan and better shape the concept. The business plan helped win US$900,000 in new capital. Just a year later, East Bali Cashew received another US$1.5 million from investors inspired by the project’s promise.

Since Aaron and KKR joined forces, they have brought modernization and technical know-how that has increased both the quantity and quality of harvest. Now the price a local farmer fetches for a kilo of cashews has nearly doubled.

As for the eco camp, its intention is to serve as a funding mechanism for additional support for the traditionally poor and remote villages throughout the high-mountain Balinese District of Tianyar. The camp will channel funds into efforts that will expand the range of crops nearby villages are able to grow in the arid soil of the mountain’s north flanks. Already they have moved past cashews, which naturally already grew in the area, to cacao and rosella, a hibiscus flower dried and used as a tea for its immune support and other healing properties, including colds and coughs. Each of these crops represents greater economic opportunity for the previously financially downtrodden communities. In addition, KKR’s vision is for there to be enough funding one day to provide additional educational opportunities to women of the village to empower them to have a greater role in the financial stability and prosperity of their families.

NYOMAN SUDIRARTA (IMAGE BY DAVID KINCAID)

Already the East Bali Cashew factory has seen results.

Nyoman Sudirarta, arguably a modern Head Chief of Tianyar, remembers a time before Aaron first arrived.

He tells of how countless men of surrounding villages turned to gangs or other less noble means of scraping together enough money to keep their families afloat.

Begging, gambling, cock fighting and alcoholism were hallmarks of the people of Tianyar. Today, there are smiles all around, a school full of laughing children and a landscape that is yielding increasingly more productive harvests.

But visiting the camp or the village is not for the faint of heart. Plunked at the wrong end of a bone crushing threehour drive through villages and jungle, it is far from the hubbub of the tourist meccas of Seminyak and Ubud. But once there, a visitor may be struck by a kind of simplicity that life has to offer in a place like this. Spectacular vistas include the nearby Mt. Agung peak and the Sea of Bali far off in the distance. Nights bring cool mountain breezes and always the air is fresh. Beautifully constructed showers and restroom facilities give visitors a flavour of camp days but are adequate for those who may have been dubious about this out of the way location. And, knowing what the project is about makes it all just feel good for the soul.

Aaron hopes that visitors will see the opportunity that East Bali Immersion eco-camp offers. Not only is it a place to bond over a weekend of sing-alongs around the campfire or learn about Bali’s agrarian communities, but it is also a chance to contribute to something good; to have your Bali tourism experience mean something to those whose beautiful lands you visit.

KIDS AT PLAY (IMAGE BY DAVID KINCAID)

NEWS FROM THE

ARCHIPELAGO Kerobokan Crackdown Nets Contraband Bali police raided infamous Kerobokan Prison Tuesday night, July 18, netting drugs, mobile phones and weapons.

The contraband was taken to Badung Police station for further analysis as part of efforts to break chains

of distribution and communication between inmates and networks outside.

“Our main goal was to find their communication tools so that those in the prison cannot communicate with their outside network,” Widana said.

The security of Kerobokan Prison has recently returned to the spotlight with the daring escape of four inmates – two of whom are still yet to be found – last month, as well as a documentary television programme produced by Australian news network the ABC.

IMAGE VIA MEDIA INDONESIA

The snap raid was conducted by 625 police and National Narcotics Agency (BNN) from 7.15 p.m. until around 9 p.m. Bali Deputy Chief of Police Brig. Alit Widana told local media the raid was aimed at mobile phones across 14 blocks.

Police uncovered two separate stashes of marijuana, one package of suspected methamphetamine, three suspected ecstasy pills, 24 phones and 16 weapons, including eight knives, according to a report from Tribun Bali.

The programme showed the prison is severely overpopulated and understaffed with just eight guards on duty for 1,300 prisoners. Kerobokan was originally built to house 300 inmates.

Raids in the facility are common. An April 2016 raid saw personnel from the BNN, the Law and Human Rights Ministry, police and military confiscate hundreds of ecstasy pills and 15 packages of methamphetamine.

Kerobokan Prison Warden Slamet Prihantara at the time said he was unaware of how drugs entered the prison.

IMAGE VIA TAHUBERITA.COM

Speaker of the House of Representatives Setya Novanto has been named a suspect in one of the country’s largest corruption cases in years.

Novanto was named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday, July 17, following an investigation into the e-KTP, or electronic identification card, procurement and roll-out, which has swept up several high ranking officials across the country. “(Novanto) allegedly abused his authority and position for personal gain or for the interest of a corporation,” KPK Chief Agus Rahardjo said Monday.

The arrest follows months of speculation after Novanto was fingered during an indictment made by two other suspects in March. Irman and Sugiharto, two high-ranking officials from within the Home Ministry, pointed to Novanto and two former Democrat Party politicians, Anas Urbaningrum and Muhammad Nazaruddin.

The speaker, who is also the current Chairman of the Golkar Party, is suspected of having received kickbacks in the programme. The special anti-corruption court believes more than one-third of the Rp.5.9 trillion (US$443 million) allocated to the massive project has been embezzled by lawmakers and businesspeople from 2009 to 2015, according to a report from French news agency Agence France Presse.

This is the second time Novanto has found himself under scrutiny in recent years, after a recording of him attempting to extort US mining giant Freeport-McMoran saw him forced to quit as speaker of the House in 2015.

He was eventually cleared and reappointed to the post the following year.

IMAGE VIA ANIMALSTIME.COM

House Speaker Named Suspect In Long Running e-KTP Corruption Case

Crocodile Kills Man in Shock Kalimantan Attack, Shaman Gets Results A small village in the Berau Regency of East Kalimantan has been left reeling after a crocodile dragged a local man into the river only for his body to return onshore following a shaman ritual.

Syarifuddin, a 41-year-old man, was bathing with his friends in a river close to his village on Tuesday, July 18, when a two metre long crocodile dragged him into the waters. His friends notified local police and a search was carried out.

A pawang buaya, or a shaman claiming powers of communication and control with crocodiles, was consulted to perform a calling ritual the following morning.

In a video that quickly went viral, a crocodile appears to ‘respond’ to the call and drags Syarifuddin’s body back to shore.

“The strange thing is there were three crocodiles that emerged in the river, as if they were guarding the victim’s body. It’s like they were dropping off the victim,” Talisayan District Police Chief Faisal Hamid said, as quoted by local media.

“Crocodiles live in that river, and locals also regularly bathe there. It’s just bad luck that (Syarifuddin) was snapped by a crocodile.

The right side of the victim’s torso was torn open,” Hamid said.

Locals have suggested Syarifuddin had broken long-running tradition when it comes to bathing safely in the river, bringing the attack upon himself.

“If one bathes naked, they will be eaten by a crocodile. If they are clothed, they will not be attacked by a crocodile,” local man Eet said.

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Scams in the City

Kenneth Yeung is a Jakarta-based editor

In the Name of the Fraudster

BY KENNETH YEUNG

I

ndonesian media recently seized on the story of a gang that forged letters from President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo to request financial support for his re-election bid in 2019. Such cases are nothing new. Back in 2009, scammers claiming to be acting on behalf of then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono managed to fleece Rp.20 billion (at that time equivalent to about $2 million) from the Sultan of Brunei.

A few weeks ago, Andi Gani Nene Wea, the president commissioner of state-owned construction and property firm Pembangunan Perumahan, received an unusual letter at his office. Featuring the presidential letterhead and written in English, the typed letter purported to be from Jokowi and urged the recipient to get in touch via email or WhatsApp. Although not explicitly mentioning money, the letter stated: “I would like to… solicit for your support.”

The signed letter included a non-vanity Indosat mobile phone number for a WhatsApp account, which featured a profile picture of Jokowi. There was also an email address, jokowiirina@gmail.com.

Irina is the president’s wife.

Suspicious, Andi checked the veracity of the letter with a friend at the State Palace. Sure enough, the document was declared a forgery. The State Secretariat on July 11 issued a statement calling on the public not to be fooled by hoax letters in the president’s name. Presidential spokesman Johan Budi warned the perpetrators would be tracked down.

Sure enough, Jakarta Police’s Cybercrime Division moved fast, arresting two African men and an Indonesian woman in connection with the scam.

Kaba Souleymane, 46, of Guinea, was described as the mastermind of the scheme and a specialist in international fraud. He was arrested on July 18 at the Aston Rasuna hotel in Kuningan, South Jakarta. The following day, police nabbed Daniel Douglas Divine, 31, of Liberia and his Indonesian wife Ria Situmorang, 26, at Green Lake Sunter Apartment in North Jakarta.

Jakarta Police’s Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations, Achmad Yusep Gunawan, said Souleymane had visited Indonesia expressly to engage in criminal activities. Upon arrival, he met with Divine, who has been living in Indonesia since 2014. Divine was assigned to print the letters and

“The phony begging letter from Jokowi is a variation on the old ‘419 scam,’ named after the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code covering fraud. Such scams involve the victim transferring money in the expectation of gaining a huge payout that doesn’t exist.” sought assistance from his wife for an Indonesian version of the fake letter. Ria was also tasked to come up with the list of names and addresses of intended recipients.

Police spokesman Argo Yuwono said the presidential logos for the letterhead had been downloaded from the internet and included an incorrect version of the nation’s Garuda logo. The gang had sent copies of the letter to leaders of at least 51 state-owned enterprises.

Officers seized evidence including eight mobile phones, two laptops, eight bank account savings books, ten ATM cards, copies of the fake letter, two passports, two sim cards and more than US$1,000 in cash. Police could not immediately confirm whether the scam netted any victims, but said they would check the suspects’ bank accounts.

Police are also investigating whether Divine was involved in previous fraud cases. They said he had been living in Indonesia on multi-visit visas, which he routinely extended by travelling to Malaysia once every three months.

The trio could face at least six years behind bars if convicted of forgery, fraud and violating the 2008 Law on Electronic Information and Transactions.

Money for Nothing The phony begging letter from Jokowi is a variation on the old ‘419 scam,’ named after the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code covering fraud. Such scams involve the victim transferring money in the expectation of gaining a huge payout that doesn’t exist.

A giveaway is the non-specific greeting at the start of the letter, such as: “Dear Sir/Madam, I know this letter may come to you as a surprise ...”

There are also scam emails in which people claim to be connected to former leaders known to have amassed private fortunes, such as former president Suharto and the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Such emails invite you to share in millions of dollars in dormant accounts, but if you take the bait, you will be hit for endless fees that only cease when your common sense triumphs over blind greed.

While forging a letter in the president’s name is one method of fraud, more daring scammers have posed as the president’s staff. A syndicate of swindlers impersonated officials of former president Yudhoyono’s Democrat Party in a series of phone calls in order to solicit donations ahead of Indonesia’s 2009 elections.

Police said the gang, which operated for nine years, targeted officials in 32 countries and managed to obtain a Rp.20 billion (US$1.5 million) donation from the Sultan of Brunei. Under Indonesian law, political parties and candidates are not allowed to receive campaign donations from foreign governments or companies.

Numerous Indonesian officials and bankers were also conned by the same scammers but police said most of the victims were too embarrassed to come forward.

Posing as members of the president’s inner circle, the gang promised projects and government funds in return for financial support. The crooks also offered to sell civil service positions and promotions. They even offered to sell promotions to police and public prosecutors, and immunity from prosecution.

The scam was exposed after an official complaint from Brunei. Police investigated and made 13 arrests.

The money from Brunei was located, frozen and returned.

There are countless similar scams involving impersonations and falsified letters. Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board on July 5 warned that a letter issued to companies concerning the revocation of permits was false.

State rail company Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) on July 21 warned the public to ignore fake offers of employment requiring the payment of fees. There is a common perception in Indonesia that entry to certain state-owned industries or agencies requires a personal connection or the payment of bribes.

KAI emphasized that its recruitment process is free of charge, so any letters requesting funds for job interviews should be disregarded.

Whether it’s a flattering letter from the president, an email from a stranger seeking to unlock vast funds, or a job offer that requires a bribe, common sense should save you from becoming a scam victim.

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Quirks Cult Leader Murder Suspect Goes Viral A notorious cult leader currently awaiting trial for two murder charges and fraud is back in the headlines again after a video purporting to show the ‘spiritual guru’ conjuring cash out of thin air went viral.

Soleh said Kanjeng pays him and the 15 other lawyers defending him using cash he conjured.

Kanjeng remains in custody and Soleh would not confirm where or when the video was filmed, but local media have speculated it had been filmed shortly before a recent court hearing.

IMAGE VIA KANAL SURABAYA

Dimas Kanjeng, who has hundreds of followers due to his apparent skill at creating money, is seen in the video producing cash after showing the camera he had no hidden pockets.

The video was released by his lawyer Muhammad Soleh as supposed evidence to disprove the fraud charges his client faces.

“I can confirm the video is real. I was there to witness it,” Soleh said, as reported by Tempo. He added that the cash is real and he had used it to buy things.

Kerobokan Escapee Taunts Authorities On Facebook Bali Police suspect two escapees from Bali’s notorious Kerobokan Prison are still in Indonesia, while one continues to taunt authorities on Facebook.

IMAGE VIA METRO BALI

Australian Shaun Davidson and Malaysian Tee Kok King escaped from the prison along with two others June 19. Bulgarian Dimitar Nikolov Iliev and Indian Sayed Mohammed Said were recaptured just days later in Dili, Timor Leste, on June 21.

Authorities believe Davidson and King split up shortly after tunnelling underneath a prison wall.

Davidson has taken to Facebook with an account under the name Matthew Rageone Ridler. He has posted mock wanted posters, as well as check-ins around the world and screenshots of messages sent to Interpol bureaus in the region.

Kanjeng will be sentenced August 1 with prosecutors demanding life imprisonment for the alleged murders of two former followers and fraud.

Despite the charges – and questionable skill – he still boasts hundreds of followers, many of whom attend court hearings in support of Kanjeng.

A post made early July saw Davidson claim he is not a ‘public threat’ as reported.

“I’m not, as the media says, taunting police and I’m definitely not a public threat as Interpol would have you believe. I’m just having some fun and a laugh, I’m living my life just trying to make the best out of a bad situation. It’s always better to laugh than anything else,” he said in the July 12 post.

“Also I’d like to thank the police and Interpol for taking an interest in me and putting in your time and hard work.

Thanks guys, well done.”

The hunt for the pair continues with the help of authorities across Indonesia and Interpol, Badung District Police Chief Yudith Satriya Hananta said.

“We’re still chasing, coordinating with district police from all over Indonesia and Interpol,” Hananta told Australian Associated Press Tuesday, July 25.

“Our suspicion is that the Australian and Malaysian are still in Indonesia.”

Heavenly ‘Sex Party’ Sermon Shocks TV Audiences

Celebrity cleric Ustadz Syam was hosting a segment on the Islam Itu Indah programme (Islam is Beautiful) July 18 when he said: “One of the pleasures in heaven is sex parties.”

The comment caused an immediate scandal on social media, with complaints filed to the KPI. While the Commission has often been criticized for heavyhanded blurring of women’s bodies, cartoon characters

and traditional costume, it ruled the comment was not in violation of any regulation.

The KPI did issue a warning, however, in relation to the stir caused by Syam’s sermon.

“KPI, in its warning letter, requested that TransTV be more prudent in delivering its programming, especially religious content, in order not to cause public disturbances,” KPI Commissioner for the Supervision of Broadcasting Nuning Rodiyah said, as reported by Tempo.

IMAGE VIA TRIBUNNEWS

The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has issued a warning to a TV network following complaints made over a televised sermon in which a preacher spruiked sex parties in heaven.

TransTV will work alongside the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to ensure further controversy is avoided.

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Travel

Kampung Pulo – Cangkuang: A Temple and a Tomb Odang says that there is a bull’s head under the feet of the God. “The bull is supposed to be Nandi and that was how the idol had been attributed to Lord Shiva.”

A closer peek through the iron bars reveals the idol sitting cross-legged on a Padmasana. The left leg is spread toward the right on the Padmasana. The right one touches the pedestal beneath and the tip of the left leg almost touches the ear of Nandi.

“By the way, the stones and tools are placed in the museum there,” Odang points to the small museum within the temple compound, referring to relics from the Stone Age. “And this tomb?” I ask Odang with utmost curiosity.

A Muslim tomb side by side a Hindu temple should definitely speak something about the conscience of religious harmony.

My mind wanders again. This time to the fortress of Tipu Sultan inside of which is a Hanuman temple in the little known town of Palakkad in Kerala.

“That is Arif Muhammad, the man who founded Kampung Pulo.”

KAMPUNG PULO ENTRANCE (IMAGE BY EMIL SUMARJO / DFTEMIL.WORDPRESS.COM)

BY PRAMOD KANAKATH

F

loating bamboo rafts on a placid lake are ready to take you to the island of Kampung Pulo from Cangkuang in West Java in Indonesia. There in the sylvan air, cottonwood trees with their drooping foliage camouflage an ancient Hindu temple.

And beside it is a Muslim tomb. A similar scene somewhere far away beckons me back to a corner in India.

We get onto one of the innumerable rafts spread idly by the quay. The oarsman starts to glide his set of juxtaposed and tied bamboos holding a bower-like roof noiselessly on the lake surrounded by three mountains in the distance.

Coconut and banana trees and fishermen's houses populate the lake’s different edges. Straight ahead stands the temple with historical accounts to narrate. As we went near the shore within five minutes, Odang, my local tour guide points out the Gopura, the peak of the temple tower.

The temple slowly slides into view and in parts in between the leafy boughs as we make our touristy way into Kampung Pulo enclosure. Souvenir and food selling shops welcome us to a subdued-looking atmosphere. The vendors do not try to steal our attention particularly though a lady holds aloft a replica of the raft we used to hop on to Kampung Pulo. Next to her is a man frying corn on a burning hot charcoal. The smoke and the golden-coloured corn texture are invitingly warm under a cool, rain-sodden sky. My smile at the corn man is probably an indication of a possible return to his kiosk.

“It’s very old, built either in the 7th or the 8th century, not sure about the exact number,” Odang begins his account in a casual way.

Sensing my curiosity, Odang stretches his story further.

He is right as the exact time of the construction of this temple is still debatable though many believe it to have existed since the 8th century AD. Available historical evidence suggests that it was built under the Sunda Kingdom, a stronghold under the Mataram Kingdom, one of the several Indian kingdoms which ruled Indonesia from the 7th to the 15th century. It had remained buried underneath the earth for an unaccounted period of time.

The temple and some prehistoric artefacts were excavated in 1966 by an Indonesian research team following a Dutch explorers report. Built in the style of Prambanan temples near Yogyakarta, the Cangkuang temple has four sides and three tiers leading to the Gopura. There is an idol in the sanctum sanctorum.

“That is Lord Shiva,” Odang points to the idol inside.

The sanctum sanctorum has been locked.

Arif Muhammad was a Muslim and after settling down in Cangkuang he preached Islamic ideals among the Hindu locals there. The Kampung Pulo he had founded is kept alive and intact to this day by the six families who reside there now. Though Muslims, they still practise certain traits of Hinduism which were part of their forefathers’ culture and belief.

“Both the temple and the tomb were found in ruins,” Odang’s tone gives history a mythical touch. “They say the statue was also broken into pieces. It took more than ten years to reconstruct both the structures.”

“It was really surprising to see two different religious monuments side by side. Probably that explains the unique form of Islamic culture followed in Kampung Pulo.”

“Can we knock the door of one of those houses?”

CANGKUANG TEMPLE (IMAGE VIA HINDUDAMAI.BLOGSPOT.COM)

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“Arif Muhammad fought for the Mataram Kingdom in the 17th century against the Dutch colonial rulers of Batavia (present-day Jakarta). His ambush against the enemies failed and he refused to return to Batavia.”

I gazed at the stones and shape of the temple and wonder how different the original temple might have been. Records reveal that only about half of the remnants of the temple were found during the excavation. This means that though the archaeologists had done a great job at refurbishing the temple structure, it may not have been done using the method of anastylosis which revived many parts of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Utter silence dominates the air as we enter the sixhouse compound that is Kampung Pulo. The setting is pretty much like in one of those Agraharams (housing compounds of Brahmins in South India) though this is a miniature version. Three each on left and right, all built alike, walls painted white and yellow and roofed with brick-tiles. Flowery plants deck the front of each small house. A small mosque faces the two rows of houses from where we enter. Odang and I sauntered along hoping to meet someone in front of the houses. There is no sign of movement so we choose to walk further and visit the Cangkuang Temple a few metres away.

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Such concretely symbolical sights are not uncommon in India, but it is very rare in Indonesia. I stand there for minutes, full of awe and admiration for the temple and the tomb, and read the board which announces the status of Arif Muhammad.

We walked back to the housing compound where Arif Muhammad’s legacy is preserved in purity three centuries after his death. We spotted two men sitting on the patio of the first house on the left. An elderly man wearing a Muslim turban is chatting with a young man.

Pramod Kanakath is an expat teaching in Indonesia. I do part-time travel writing and photography and have had some of my works published in The Guardian, BBC, Singapore Airline's inflight mag, Jakarta Post, etc. Please visit my website: www.premtravels.me

Help Yayasan Sayap Ibu Banten Help The Most Needy

“Known to have mixed and varied cultural characteristics, Kampung Pulo, like many other Javanese sects, follows a tradition called Sunda Wiwitan.”

ARIF MUHAMMAD TOMB (IMAGE VIA TRIPTRUS.COM)

Odang prompts Sanjaya on family customs once again.

Sanjaya smiles and says that the rules of the family follow the strict traditional practices.

“Even the number and the structure of the houses cannot be changed. I am the Kepala Keluarga and no more than one head of the family is allowed. Currently there are about 21 residents in six houses and this is our ninth generation,” Sanjaya’s words are issued proudly and without errors.

“We also have certain other Dos and Don’ts. We are not supposed to keep four-legged animals as Pak Arif Muhammad didn’t want to domesticate them. We do not work on Wednesdays as Wednesdays were used by him to preach Islamic ideals to non-working people. Another thing is we do not play gongs and gamelan as one of Arif Muhammad’s sons had died during his circumcision ceremony while gongs and gamelan were being played.”

CANGKUANG LAKE (IMAGE BY M. RIFKY / RIFKYHIMSELF.WORDPRESS.COM)

Odang greets the elderly man, “Selamat sore, Pak” (Good evening, sir).

“Silahkan, duduk sini,” (please be seated here), the man who looks like Arif Muhammad in my fantastic imagination welcomes us. He introduces himself as Tatang Sanjaya. Dressed in a T-Shirt and a lungi (a skirt-like loincloth) in chequer design, Sanjaya seems to be friendly and welcoming. He dons a peaceful smile which seems to summarize years of experience as a leader and maturity is written all over it.

“This is my nephew. We were just resting after lunch,” Sanjaya says after confirming to me and Odang that he is the Kepala Keluarga (head of the family).

“What you heard is right. There are only six families as there were in Arif Muhammad’s time. Arif Muhammad had six children from his wife. Once someone gets married from one of the families, he or she will have to leave Kampung Pulo. The married ones can stay here only for two weeks. Afterwards, they may visit their houses once in a while and stay here for a few days as guests. Once their children grow up to be on their own, the parents may return to Kampung Pulo,” explains the 60 year-old Kepala Keluarga.

“How about your lifestyles? Ceremonies and with a temple inside a Muslim compound?”

“We follow Islamic tradition and yet keep alive our traditional Sunda customs handed down to us by our forefathers. We do not pray for Eid in our mosque, but we join other Muslims in another mosque in Cangkuang.

After the Eid prayers we pay tribute at the tomb of Arif Muhammad and the temple.”

Sanjaya smiles and a pause strikes a momentary silence.

The parrots inside the hanging cage behind Sanjaya start chirping. The nephew blows a puff from a traditionallooking cigarette. Sanjaya musically taps the mat on which we sit with his fingers and smiles again at both Odang and me separately.

“I hope you had a good time here. We would like to see you again in future.” Sanjaya and his nephew get up and shake hands with us, full of beaming smiles.

Known to have mixed and varied cultural characteristics, Kampung Pulo, like many other Javanese sects, follows a tradition called Sunda Wiwitan. This has influences from shamanism, Hinduism, Buddhism and some animistic beliefs. I feel caught in a cobweb of history thinking about bygone events, what we know about them and what we don’t. Our brief visit to the museum enables us to see the relics and documents which have recorded the history of the temple from its discovery to its resurrection.

We left Sanjaya and his nephew and head for the raft which had been waiting too long for us. The corn man is reserved for the next visit as we start our glide back to the mainland.

Fishermen balancing themselves on two-piece bamboo rafts spread their nets against a backdrop of misty mountains and silhouetted, inclining coconut trees. Situ Cangkuang (Cangkuang lake) looks a bit busy now. Some school children manage their own raft and have afterschool fun. The glorious mountains are introduced as Mt. Haruman, Mt. Mandalawangi and Mt. Guntur by Odang. The water remains as calm as does Kampung Pulo. Its glossy surface exudes a kind of serenity hard to be possessed even in villages. Even the oars produce a soft, silent music which can hardly be interpreted as sound.

Only the splashing children make a difference when they plunge into the water. “It’s a mountain-locked village,” grins Odang while getting off the raft.

Yayasan Sayap Ibu Banten, a local foundation focusing on healthcare access for the disabled, has launched a donation drive to support its work in helping those in need to get medicine and treatment they need.

To date, the organization has cared for up to 480 children living with disabilities including 36 who had been abandoned in orphanages. These children, like many in Indonesia, struggle to find adequate healthcare – even basic, regular check-ups.

A lack of awareness for the health needs of disabled Indonesians is still very much an issue. The Yayasan Sayap Ibu Banten campaign aims to remind the community that those who struggle with disability are still a vital part of society. It is everyone’s responsibility to care for them, provide proper treatments and create a safe and healthy environment.

While government efforts are improving, it will take a long time for the needs of the disabled community to be met by the Indonesian public healthcare system.

For now, Yayasan Sayap Ibu Banten encourages those who can and want to help to come forward by providing medication and funding for medical treatment.

For those wanting to help, please make your donation by visiting www.sayapibubintaro.org

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Activity

Fun Camping and Glamping Grounds in or Near Jakarta

BY KIRSTIENNE ISHIA MARIE TOLEDO

A

s much as urban life seems glamorous, living in a city can also have its setbacks. The hustle and bustle of a fast-paced life plus endless traffic, pollution and annoying honks of vehicles can be maddening for many.

Family Camp at Mekarsari Fruit Garden

Legok Kondang

Sometimes, an escape from all of this chaos is what we need. A chance to reconnect with yourself and let the hands of time slow down as you indulge in the rejuvenating allure of nature.

Camping can be a fun way to relieve stress and appreciate the outdoors, but the glamping – glamorous camping – trend has also been popular these days. It’s camping minus the hassle of pitching tents and bringing loads of stuff – in short, it’s the upgraded and more posh version. So whether you’re going alone, with friends, loved ones, or your entire family, this list can surely help you get started on planning that long overdue vacation.

Dusun Bambu Family Leisure Park

If you’re fond of the sweet smell fruits give off, then you will definitely enjoy camping near a fruit garden. You and your family can indulge in fun activities such as painting, planting rice seeds and going around the garden while riding the Fruity World Tour train. You can also spend the night having barbecue and sitting around the bonfire.

One tent can fit up to four persons. Aside from the Family Camp, Mekarsari also offers a Family Biking Camp programme. This programme is a Family Camp Activity for two days, one night that includes cycling at Mekarsari Fruit Garden.

Location: Mekarsari, Jl. Raya Jonggol, Cileungsi KM 3, Bogor Phone: +62 21 823 1811 – 12 ext. 220, 721 Email: akomodasi@mekarsari.com Website: www.mekarsari.com/web/wisata/family-camp

Tanakita Camping Ground

This eco-park boasts Sundanese traditional culture.

Located at the feet of Mt. Burangrang, the team provides education and recreation services. The place has a homey glamping site known as ‘Sayang Heulang,’ or ‘Eagle Camp.’

It has a private entrance, garden, campfires as well as a barbecue spot. Plus, it’s equipped with modern facilities to make your camping experience more convenient.

Guests can choose between a single or double deck with mattresses available in each tent.

Location: Kolonel Masturi KM 11, Cisarua, Bandung Barat, Indonesia Phone: +62 22 8278 2020 Website: www.dusunbambu.com 20

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Tanakita is a camping site located in front of the Gede Pangrango National Park, Kadudampit, Cisaat, Sukabumi.

An ideal spot for camping, this place is equipped with comfortable amenities readily provided for guests such as a tent, warm mattress, sleeping bags, an electric socket for charging plus a toilet and bathroom with hot water. The main campsite at Tanakita is divided into three levels with level one situated on the highest plateau and level three closer to the valley. You can enjoy various activities such as high rope walking, river tubing, waterfalls trekking, night trekking, canoeing, rappelling, fauna watching and campfires.

Location: Jln. Lamandau IV no.17, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan Phone: +62 21 7200 469, +62 21 726 9761, +62 878 2063 1452 Email: tanakita@rakata.co.id Website: www.tanakita.id/en

Located in Ciwidey, this glamping five-star experience is like staying at a hotel while getting to enjoy the perks of camping too. The place has more than 20 tents with various breathtaking views such as the hills and gardens, and can fit four to ten people. Most people look forward to seeing the majestic sunrise since Legok Kondang boasts of scenic views of the mountains. Aside from having a TV and wifi in your tents, you can also appreciate nature through several outdoor activities – even stargazing.

Location: Raya Ciwidey, Patenggang Phone: +62 857 9555 5666 Email: lklodge01@gmail.com Website: www.legok-kondang.com

“Camping can be a fun way to relieve stress and appreciate the outdoors, but the glamping (short for glamorous camping) trend has also been popular these days. It’s camping minus the hassle of pitching tents and bringing loads of stuff – in short, it’s the upgraded and more posh version.”

GUNUNG PANCAR

Gunung Pancar is known as the ‘hippest’ camping spot among youngsters due to its scenery that’s ideal for those Instagram-worthy shots. It offers both regular camping grounds and glamping facilities. If you’re interested in glamping, a minimum of four people is required to book a tent. Rates start at Rp.330,000 (US$25) per person and includes tent, electricity, a bed and usage of the barbecue grill. If you want breakfast and dinner, just add Rp. 55,000 (US$4) per person.

Location: KP Ciburial, Desa Karang Tengah, Kec. Babakan Madang, Kab Bogor Jawa Barat, 16810 Phone: +62 21 366 5949 , +62 812 1344 6514 Email: info@gunungpancar.com Website: www.gunungpancar.com

TAMAN WISATA MANGROVE

This place is ideal if you don’t want to leave the outskirts of Jakarta to experience staying at a mangrove forest. There’s a camping ground within the forest and you can enjoy different activities like visiting a mangrove research area, renting a boat and canoeing. If you want your kids to tag along, make sure that you’ll keep a close eye on them since it’s not recommended to bring children below 10 years old.

Camping packages start at Rp. 450,000 (US$34).

Location: Jl. Garden House, Kamal Muara, North Jakarta Phone: +62 21 2903 3066

TRIZARA RESORT

A three-hectare luxury camp site at the Peak of Lembang, this place lets you immerse in nature’s beauty without having to compromise convenience and comfort. Glamping accommodations include Netra which fits two persons, Nasika and Svada perfect for family and friends which accommodates four people, and Zana which provides a private and intimate experience for two. Enjoy activities such as morning yoga, outdoor zumba, boxing, picnic packages, nature run, bike ride, board games, paintball, barbecue plus so much more.

Location: Jl. Pasirwangi Wetan, Lembang, Bandung, Jawa Barat Phone: +62 22 8278 0085 Email: trizararesorts@gmail.com Website: www.trizara.com

Taman Safari’s Caravan Camping Ground You don’t need to look far to find a relaxing family getaway.

Situated in the middle of Taman Safari Forest, naturelovers would be thrilled to unwind here. The fresh air, lush greenery, nearby river plus the sound of animals in the area create a memorable atmosphere. Guests start their day by having breakfast in the heart of nature. Just make sure to pack thick jackets, thermal leggings or pants, mittens plus an umbrella since the weather can be very cold and it rains often.

Taman Safari also boasts of an amusement park and safari waterpark. You can even swim with the dolphins or enjoy their jumbo jungle adventure which involves riding on an elephant.

Location: Jalan Raya Puncak No. 601, Cisarua 16750, Bogor Phone: +62 251 8250 000 Email: info@tamansafari.net Website: bogor.tamansafari.com ISSUE 194 Indonesia expat

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Viewpoints

Stephanie is a travel writer and blogger with tales from Indonesia and beyond. (www.travelwriter.ws | FB & IG: stephtravelwriter)

A Deeper Look into The Languid Lake Toba

After my dose of history, I headed for the beach. With my trusty motorbike, I found my way to Parbaba Beach (Pasir Putih Parbaba). Stopping at one of the small warungs there, I picked my fish from a number still swimming around in a bucket.

I sat at the water's edge, enjoying a fresh seafood platter with piles of vegetables. © DAVID METCALF PHOTOGRAPHY

BY STEPHANIE BROOKES

Lake Toba is surrounded by highlands and jagged peaks on the island of Sumatra. The lake spreads out to meet dramatic cliffs and forested slopes, which extend to the shoreline. It is the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world.

IMAGE BY DAVID METCALF

Hiring a motorbike is a great way to travel around the lake. There is very little traffic and along the way the friendly locals wave and are very happy to welcome you. The one thing that strikes you about Lake Toba is the slow pace of life. It is an extremely peaceful place where low impact tourism has not detracted from its laid-back atmosphere.

The lake is dominated by the island of Samosir, similar in size to Singapore, at its centre. Most visitors to the island stay in lakeside homestays and cottages in the little village of Tuk Tuk, located on its eastern peninsula. Stretching along the shorefront a string of local eateries and small bars overlook the lake, including cute little cafes with secondhand books crowding their walls and there is even a German bakery.

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During the next three days I visited some of the traditional weaving villages in the region and was impressed by the quality, variety and the intricacy of the weaves.

Weaving is just one way the Batak Toba people have kept their traditions and culture alive. I also fell in love with the elegant, traditional Toba Batak houses with their distinctive concave roofs, and house walls painted with elaborate motifs.

Lake Toba is undeniably one of the most spectacular natural wonders of Indonesia.

Wonderful waters, weavers and people await you there – and don’t forget to take the plunge into the magnificent Binangalom Waterfall.

© DAVID METCALF PHOTOGRAPHY

“Swimming in the warm volcanic waters of Lake Toba is a thrill. In Batak language, Binangalom means “river falling”, and to swim under this thundering river fall, which cascaded down in seven levels was my living, breathing Toba moment.” © DAVID METCALF PHOTOGRAPHY

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Swimming in the warm volcanic waters of Lake Toba is a thrill. In Batak language, Binangalom means ‘river falling,’ and to swim under this thundering river fall, which cascaded down in seven levels was my living, breathing Toba moment.

Now, a new Garuda air link from Jakarta direct to Silangit creates an alternative to taking the five-hour drive from Medan.

By flying to Silangit, you save two hours travel time. Lake Toba is still a little too far from Medan to make it a frequent weekend destination for local city dwellers, so this means you can have the place mostly to yourself.

I was on a mission to follow up on some legends I had heard about of a bloody historic past, and began my stay on Samosir Island by visiting the tiny village of Ambarita, four kilometres from Tuk Tuk. This village still houses relics of an old stone courthouse.

As I sat on one of the stone chairs in Huta Siallagan, (the old courthouse), I talked with Pak Naomi, who had many tales to tell about what had unfolded there. Among other things, he explained: “Before Christianity, the Batak people were cannibals. However, around the 18th century when the German missionaries arrived, this practice came to an end.

We had executions here at the court. The infamous King Hendrik was unusual in that he wanted to meet every criminal before a beheading. He wanted to know about the person and discussed their crime and their motives with them before they went on the block. For serious offences like adultery, spying, kidnapping or murder, it was always death by beheading.”

The next day I set aside the whole day to explore the lake by boat and visited Binangalom Waterfall, which is located on the far side of the lake. I packed a picnic lunch from my cottage stay and set off for the waterfall. The lake waters were very calm and crossing the lake we passed a series of towering escarpments interspersed with cultivated land and small fishing villages. A scenic delight.

Accommodation: Tabo Cottages Traditional Batak Style Villas, Suites and Deluxe Rooms. This lovely waterfront cottage stay has sprawling gardens, a private jetty, a large pool and a restaurant serving Western, European, Chinese and Indonesian cuisine and uses fresh organic vegetables. There is an on-site German Bakery. Wonderful staff and impeccable service. Your hosts, Annette and Antonius Silalahi are German and Batak Toba.

The Coffee Roastery serves organic, local Robusta and Arabica Sumatra beans, famous for their full chocolaty taste.

Web: www.tabocottages.com TukTuk, Samosir Island, Lake Toba Guide: Pak Hasan - Local Batak guide with good knowledge of history and finding unique places to visit. He will organize an available good local driver.

Tel: +62 813 1815 2816 Email: sidaurukroyhasan@gmail.com

Lists

Get Ready To Wave The Red And White

BY ERIN COOK

W

ith the Independence Day holiday fast approaching and the country already painting itself red and white, August is always a great time to immerse yourself in a touch of history and culture.

“This museum, on the edges of the famed Pasar Baru, is a walk through the history books as seen through the lenses of some of the country’s greatest photographers.”

To get you prepared for your August 17 celebrations, why not visit some of the museums and galleries which show off the best of the country’s thinkers, artists and cultural and historical icons?

IMAGE VIA EIKIMEDIA

Independence Day is a special time across the country, with children flocking to neighbourhood games and events. For expats and tourists it is a reminder of the country’s strength and resilience. But with thousands of islands and diverse customs and cultures, it can be difficult to feel as though you’ve scratched the surface of Indonesia.

IMAGE VIA BACKPACKSTORY.COM

Independence Day celebrates the reading of the Proclamation of Independence on the morning of August 17, 1945. The proclamation was signed by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, who officially became the president and vice president the following day.

Bank Indonesia Museum - Central Jakarta

Ogoh-Ogoh Museum - Denpasar, Bali It doesn’t get much more authentically Balinese than this. The Ogoh-ogoh can be found in Bali around holiday periods, particularly in the lead up to Nyepi Day. This museum's collection boasts some of the most fearsome and inspiring Ogoh-ogoh found on the island as well as offering a look at how the custom has come to call Bali home.

IMAGE VIA WHITEBOARDJOURNAL.COM

TMII, or ‘Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park,’ is a perfect first stop for anyone hoping to immerse themselves in Indonesia. Built in 1975, the park covers the then-26 provinces in an array of dioramas which are at once kitschy, nationalistic and illuminating. Often branded as a trip across the archipelago without leaving the capital, TMII finds itself at the top of many ‘must see’ lists.

Antara Photo Gallery & Museum - Central Jakarta Indonesia has a volatile and captivating recent history and photographers from state news agency Antara were there to capture it all. This museum, on the edges of the famed Pasar Baru, is a walk through the history books as seen through the lenses of some of the country’s greatest photographers. Take your time passing through the museum and gallery space to soak in exhibitions and the political and journalistic history of Indonesia.

Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets - Sukawati, Bali A short drive from Ubud or Denpasar, the Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets is a hidden gem. The museum has a mission to preserve the country’s heritage and serve as a cultural and educational hub for tourists, expats and locals. It is home to over 1,000 masks and over 4,000 puppets from across Indonesia as well as the rest of the world. Those looking for a combination of Instagram surefire hits and a cultural immersion have found their place.

IMAGE VIA VREDEBURG.ID

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah - East Jakarta

Yogyakarta Fortress Museum - Yogyakarta Also known as the Fort Vredeburg Museum, the fortress can be found right in the tourist area surrounding Malioboro Street and the palace. The fort itself has come under a number of iterations over centuries, but currently stands as a museum and commemoration of Indonesia’s 20th century history. The fortress has played host to just about every major military and political event in Yogyakarta, all of which is explored through dioramas and interactive exhibits.

IMAGE VIA WIKIMEDIA

IMAGE VIA SETIA DARMA

IMAGE VIA TRIP101.COM

Who would’ve thought a museum about a central bank would be so exciting? Located in the busy tourist area of Kota Tua (Old Town), the Bank Indonesia Museum is often overshadowed by the more famous sights nearby. But, this is one to add to the list. With engaging exhibitions exploring the financial history of Indonesia, even prior to Dutch occupation, the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 and the impact of the fall of former president Suharto on the economy – this is one not to be missed.

Museum of The Asian-African Conference - Bandung, West Java The 1955 Bandung Conference saw representatives from countries across Asia and Africa – at the time representing over half of the world’s population – descend on Bandung in a conference that became the pride of president Sukarno. This museum celebrates the conference’s aims at promoting cross-continental economic and cultural ties and the opposition of colonialism. The museum is an important reminder of Indonesia’s outward looking past and Sukarno’s global priorities.

Aceh Tsunami Museum - Banda Aceh The devastation caused by the 2004 tsunami in Aceh still hangs heavily over the country. An estimated quarter of a million people were killed or went missing during the natural disaster. This museum commemorates the lives lost and those who worked hard to save the community from further aftershocks and health issues, with global aid slow to arrive.

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Announcements Alila Hotels and Resorts Wins ‘Hotel Group of the Year’ at An International Prestigious Award Alila Hotels and Resorts recently won another accolade. This time it has been awarded ‘Hotel Group of the Year’ at the Ultra Awards, hosted by The Telegraph in London. The ceremony took place at the Savoy in May and was organized to honour the best hotels, airlines, tour operators and cruise companies across the globe. HRH Princess Beatrice of York was present to distribute the awards.

IMAGE VIA GHA

The award coincided with the establishment of hotel and resorts’ new properties across Asia. This July, Alila announced the opening of Alila Fort Fishangarh in Rajasthan, a 230-year-old fortress which has been lovingly restored over seven years. The property also welcomed a new addition in China, Alila Yangshuo in Guilin. Next year, Alila is expected to add Alila Villas Koh Russey, a private island in the Koh Song archipelago in Cambodia, and Alila Koggala in Sri Lanka.

Kempinski Invites Guests to A Vibrant Street-Food Festival

Verde by Farpoint Promotes and Introduces New ‘Green Luxury’ Concept Indonesia’s very first five-star hotel, Kempinski, will please guests with another exciting event. This time, Kempinski is hosting a street food festival from 11 – 31 August at its signature restaurants.

The festival will be organized to celebrate Indonesia’s 72nd independence and seeks to treat local and international guests with an authentic culinary experience.

The hotel’s Chef Mathias Olsson claimed

that Jakarta is the ‘king’ of street food and therefore aims to show guests how the hotel can bring that to the culinary scene.

“We only want to serve the most authentic dishes that are familiar to Indonesians’ taste buds so that Jakartans will appreciate them, and so that overseas visitors can have a truly Indonesian experience within the comfort of our hotel,” the chef said in a press statement.

Verde, a top development by Farpoint, emphasises the importance of reducing stress and improving quality of life by introducing new modern tropical design in April. Located in Jakarta’s Kuningan CBD, the residence promotes the value of architecture and design quality in improving the guests’ living experience. The idea of modern tropical luxury living in Verde allows guests to bond with nature and surround themselves with a healthy and refreshing environment.

The residence’s Marketing Manager, Veronica Setiady, said that she hopes that people can have a good quality of life by staying in Verde.

“We only want to serve the most authentic dishes that are familiar to Indonesians’ taste buds so that Jakartans will appreciate them, and so that overseas visitors can have a truly Indonesian experience within the comfort of our hotel.”

IMAGE VIA PERGIKULINER

Jakarta Welcomes New Cultural Dining Space

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In May, the capital city welcomed Senyum, a cultural dining space that combines culinary arts with art and fashion. The idea behind the establishment of this new restaurant aims to promote the Indonesian culinary scene, along with its art and fashion. Kimberly Ananto, one of the founders of Senyum who also serves as a food curator, said that ‘explore, educate and encourage’ are the restaurant’s motto, as well as a message that founders wish to deliver to customers.

“We want to promote the diversity in local culinary arts and products that are less exposed, education and give opportunities for ‘undiscovered treasure’ across Indonesia to be known and explored by many people,” Ananto said in a press statement.

Senyum is located at Jl. Teluk Betung no. 45, Central Jakarta.

* Answers in the next edition!

For The Macet Mind ACROSS 1. Chief (4) 3. Vigilant (8) 8. Sound quality (4) 9. Gym Shoe (8) 11. Insistently noisy (10 14. Make trivial adjustments – itinent trandesman (6) 15. Shrewd – perceptive (6) 17. Where to find the meaning of life, for example! (10) 20. Facial decoration showing hostile intent (3,5) 21. Very small (4) 22. Titled person (8) 23. Dull, heavy sound (4)

DOWN 1. Give incentive to (8) 2. Blameless (8) 4. Attractiveness (6) 5. Strong irrational impulse (10) 6. Base – unit of measurement (5) 7. Fleur-de-lis (4) 10. Visual sensation despite the cessation of the stimulus (10) 12. Food from the sea (4,4) 13. Naively romantic (4-4) 16. Part of poem (6) 18. One of two conceived simultaneously (4) 19. Food from the sea (4)

ANSWERS OF ISSUE 193 ACROSS—1. Subtle 4. Arabic 8. Lurid 9. Muggins 10. Ordinal 11. Liken 12. Monograph 17. Admit 19. Algebra 21. Halibut 22. Batch 23. Market 24. Hector DOWN—1. Sallow 2. Boredom 3. Laden 5. Regalia 6. Brick 7. Cosine 9. Malignant 13. Notable 14. Habitat 16. Lather 18. Molar 20. Gable

Send your funny pictures to letters@indonesiaexpat.biz

IS MADE POSSIBLE BY:

I FEEL TIRED (ALL THE TIME)!

I am discussing some issues lately that are not really uplifting. We hear however regularly people complaining about tiredness. It is a very common symptom. Women are more likely to feel tired (or maybe they are more open about it). Is life in Jakarta making us tired?

People can even feel tired despite a good night of sleep.

The symptoms can go on for months or even longer. Usually there is nothing physically wrong. It can be linked to mood or an accumulation of stresses. There is a bigger chance of a medical cause for the tiredness if there are other symptoms present too. Weight loss, change in bowel habits, thirst, heavy periods or hair loss are examples of those symptoms.

Blood tests can actually be necessary to rule out anemia or an underactive thyroid gland. Try to think of possible other causes

WWW.GOODPRACTICE.CO.ID

Jl. Bangka Raya #106B Jakarta 12730 Tel. +62-21-7183140 | info@goodpractice.co.id

• How are work and family?

• Any events that may trigger your tiredness, such as a bereavement or relationship break-up?

• Is your lifestyle making you tired?

Events like moving house, marriage, bereavement, break up of a relationship or bad news can cause an emotional shock. This can lead to tiredness. Even the stress of daily life can be exhausting!

PHYSICAL CAUSES? There are lots of health matters that can make you feel tired. Not just anemia and thyroid problems, but also diabetes, food intolerance and sleeping disorders like sleep apnea.

Depression and anxiety can make you feel more tired. These conditions can also affect your sleep.

If you are overweight or even underweight you can feel tired.

When you are obese your body has to work harder than normal to do your activities. People who are underweight have less muscle strength. This can make you feel tired too. You can also feel tired in the first weeks of a pregnancy.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES… Tiredness due to a psychological cause is far more common than tiredness that's caused by a physical problem.

Anxiety can cause can cause insomnia. This can lead to fatigue. If you are worried about a relationship, job or money you can become sleep deprived. This will lead to low energy levels.

LIFESTYLE CAN MAKE YOU TIRED Lifestyle factors, like drinking too much alcohol, or an unhealthy diet can make you feel tired. If you drink alcohol in the evening, you may wake up in the middle of the night. If you drink a lot of alcohol regularly, it can make you depressed which will affect your sleep. I also refer to my previous article about insomnia. Try to create the best circumstances to sleep. Relax before bed time, restrict the use of caffeine and avoid light and noise.

Working shifts or looking after young kids can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. This can make you tired during the day!

WHAT TO DO? It may be a common problem to feel tired, but it is not normal. Talk to your trusted medical practitioner or GP for advice. It is important to rule out any serious condition. Even a good consultation with your GP and some tests to rule out any concerns can be reassuring.

Dr Steven Graaff,MD,MRCGP, the founder of Good Practice Clinic is a graduate of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Before completing his formal training in General Practice in the UK, he has worked in several hospitals, occupational health and general practice in the Netherlands and the UK. As a medical professional with international experience, Steven decided to start his own clinic – Good Practice, in Jakarta. www.goodpractice.co.id ISSUE 194 Indonesia expat

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Events JAKARTA Networking

If you want your event to be posted here, please contact +622129657821 or email: letters@indonesiaexpat.biz

For the main events, there will be a digital economy conference, business opportunity session, best practice seminars, networking session and more.

For the supporting events, they will have the chance to join even more exciting activities like SoE photography exhibition, IBDexpo virtual reality area, journalism writing competition, SoE’s media competition and more.

The Indonesia Business and Development Expo will take place at Jakarta Convention Center. For registration please visit http://bit.ly/2qGXfFU.

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 exchanging referrals and introducing them to their target audience. JBN is all about helping you grow your business. Promote your business, personal brand or portfolio each week to the rest of the attendees and explain to the group the type of referrals you would like to receive.

JBN professional networking sessions are from 7– 8.30am every Tuesday at Sapori Deli, Fairmont Jakarta and ever y Thursday at Mercantile Athletic Club, WTC, Sudirman. RSVP: info@jbnetworkers.com

Meet Magento Indonesia 2017 3 August 2017

The Jakarta Bridge Club invites ex pat communities across Jakarta to join a networking session every Tuesday and Friday from 9 am to 12 pm. Participants get to have pleasant and convivial moments in which they can share and exchange information among expats at three to five tables.

The networking event will take place at Die Stube Restaurant on Jalan Kemang Raya. Visitors and partners are welcome to join. For more information please contact Ernah at +62818686999.

M e e t M a g e n t o ’s s e c o n d anniversary will be held in August.

This year, the event will discuss the need for retail players to start digitalizing their business. Those who are interested to find out more about surviving in the digital era can also learn more about the local and international market straight from the experts. The event will feature key speakers like George Valenzuela (Global Retail Director at Rodalink), Ben Marks (Magneto Eangelist), Bianca Lee (Managing Director of Love Bonito Indonesia), Norman Sasono (Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Bizzy Indonesia) and more. The event will take place at AYANA Midplaza Jakarta. Meet Magneto is a top international conference series that focuses on business and ecommerce. The conference helps service providers to explore their markets by engaging with system integrators and other players in the regional ecosystem. Meet Magneto is held in 30 countries across the globe, including US, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Poland.

For registration please visit http:// bit.ly/2rZyFUU.

Exhibition

Arts & Culture

The Jakarta Bridge Club Every Tuesday and Friday

Indonesia Business and Development Expo 20 September 2017

Art Stage Jakarta 11 – 13 August 2017

Indonesia’s largest business development exhibition will be held in September to introduce the latest products and services from local and international enterprises. The exhibition will also provide visitors with insights into local investment policies, as well as how visitors can attract the right partners and come up with the best investment projects. Since its inception, the exhibition has invited over 5,000 international business professionals from Asia Pacific regions and attracted more than 43,000 visitors. This year, visitors will have the opportunity to join more interesting seminars, conferences and other activities.

This August, Indonesia is back to host one of Asia’s most renowned international art fairs for the second time. Art Stage Jakarta will showcase some of the world’s greatest art galleries with groundbreaking art projects led by Asian and European artists.

The art fair will be the perfect event to highlight the Indonesian art scene while also forging global relationships among Southeast Asian contemporary artists. Visitors will get the chance to witness the works from 60 select galleries hailing from different parts of the world: 24 from Indonesia, while the rest are from China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan,

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Malaysia, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.

Local galleries and art institutions that will join the event include the National Gallery, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (MACAN), the Goethe - Institut Jakarta, the Instituto Italiano di Cultura and RUCI Art Space. Art Stage Jakar ta also presents side projects like Off the Wall and The Art Square. Off the Wall is an exhibition which features a collaboration between European and Southeast Asian street urban artists. Through the exhibition, these street urban artists work to show the value of urban art in in urban centres across the globe. The Art Square, on the other hand, is a new initiative that will allow art institutions, organizations and non-profit groups to participate in the art fair. The idea behind this initiative is to support and include art organizations to the local arts and culture ecosystem. Art Square will be held at the same place as Art Jakarta – the Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria Hotel.

For more information please visit www.artstage.com

Dance: Der Bau 28-29 September 2017 Der Bau ( The Burrow) is an unfinished shor t stor y that is written by Franz Kafka. In it, he imagines a mole - like creature burrowing through a tunnel it has established over the course of its life. German choreographer Isabelle Schad and Laurent Goldring reinterpret Kafka’s work in a new adaptation.

Schad’s researches focus on body and materiality, as well as the connection between dance, performing arts and fine arts that are normally showcased in international festivals held across the globe. Schad’s adaptation of Der Bau will be showcased at Komunitas Salhara. Tickets are sold for Rp.75,0 0 0 and Rp.50,000 for students. For more information please visit www.salihara.org.

The 2nd Indonesian Ballet Gala 2017: An Inclusive Dance Event 23 September 2017 Indonesian Ballet Dala presents a dance event that promotes inclusivity by inviting diffabled and non - dif fabled d ancers to participate. The event will be joined by Marc Brew, an Australian professional dancer and choreographer who was paralyzed from the waist down due to a car accident; Magali Saby’s Fille de I’Air, a French diffabled dancer, model and acress who will be dancing with five local dancers, among others.

There will also be collaborative

performances by local group EKI Dance Company and Disabled Children’s Counseling Foundation (YPAC)’ Universal Ballet that will bring the best of Asian ballets; CANdoDDANCE, which will showcase local talents, some of whom have hearing and speaking impairment. For more information please visit www. kiostix.com.

Music

return to Indonesia for the second part of its tour in the archipelago. the band, which is comprised of lead vocalist Chrissy Costanza, guitarist Dan Gow and drummer Will Ferri will showcase an exclusive concert at the capital city this September.

The band will also greet fans in Philippine, Thailand and Japan for its world tour. The concert will take place at MS Hall. Tickets will be sold for Rp.385,000. For more information please visit www.kiostix.com.

BALI Arts & Culture We The Fest 11 – 13 August 2017 One of the most anticipated music festivals, We The Fest, is back this year. The three-day festival has recently announced its lineup of local and international artists, including Phoenix, Big Sean, The Kooks, G-Easy, Kodaline, Autograf, Cash Cash and Dua Lipa. Visitors are able to purchase the tickets, which come in two categories: General Admission (Rp.960,000 for a three-day pass and Rp.800,000 for a two-day pass) and Very Important Banana (Rp.2,400,000 for a three-day pass and Rp.1,800,000 for a two-day pass). Last year, the festival was a huge success due to the arrival of top artists like Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, the 1975 and The Temper Trap.

We The Fest will take place in JIEXPO Kemayoran. For more information please visit www. wethefest.com.

Balinale International Film Festival Bali 24 – 30 September 2017 This year, the Bali International Film Festival, also known as Balinale, is back with more exciting cultural programmes.

The international festival will continue to forge relationships between countries through art, film and storytelling. Since its inception in 2007, Balinale has sought to raise awareness about art and film among local and international communities, through programmes like school visits, free open air cinema, workshops and more. More impor tantly, the non - profit foundation aims to promote Indonesian cinema with the help of professional workers in the film industry and even international award -winning filmmakers. For more information please visit www.balinale.com.

Vegan Festival will take place in two venues in Ubud: Paradiso, the island’s cultural centre and the world’s first organic vegan cinema; and also Taksu Garden Spa, set 50 metres away. The festival welcomes food and health enthusiasts, as well as everyone to participate in a series of interesting talks, workshops, and classes. For more information please visit www.baliveganfestival.com.

DenPasar2017: An Exhibition/ A Movement 26 May – 27 August 2017 DenPasar2017 is organized as an initiative to put Denpasar in the map of Bali’s art and design scene. This year DenPasar2017 takes on the theme of ‘Market Language’. The annual exhibition showcases the island of the God’s talented artists and young creatives. These artists went through a selection process in January and were asked to create two dimentional artworks with the theme ‘market’ and ‘market language’. Successful ar tists came from different artistic backgrounds, including Adhika Annisa Ninus (architect, dancer and performing artist), Dian Suri Handayani (jewelry designer), Myra Jliarti (fashion designer) and more. The art exhibition is also held to fulfill the mission of providing a platform for arts and literature artists to discuss the markets and art and creative travel routes in the city of Denpasar and Bali.

DenPasar2017 takes place in CushCush Gallery. For more information please visit http:// cushcushgallery.com/ccg/ denpasar-2017/

Invasion 2017 – Lost in Wonderland 22 September 2017 I n v a s i o n 2 0 17 – L o s t i n Wonderland is an electric dance festival that will bring some of the world’s greatest artists in electric dance music. Martin Garrix, Alan Walker, Andrew Rayel, Droloe, Party Favor, San Holo, Seb Zito and Shonky are among the headliners that will entertain visitors in a festival ex p e r i e n c e l i ke n o o t h e r.

Invasion 2017 will take place at JIEXPO Kemayoran. Tickets are on sale for Rp.400,000 (early entry), GA (Rp.750,000), VIP (Rp.1,250,000). To purchase them please visit www.kiostix. com.

Against the Current: In Our Bones World Tour Part II in Indonesia 17 September 2017 American pop-rock/pop-punk band Against the Current will

Bali Vegan Festival 2017 6 – 8 October 2017 Bali Vegan Festival will be held this October to unite the local and international community by promoting love and care for animals and the earth. The three-day festival will feature a number of creative speakers. The festival recently announced that filmmaker and environmentalist Kip Anderson will be joining the festival with a screening of his new documentary What the Health. Vegan runners Alan Murray and Janette MurrayWakelin will also be joining Anderson to raise awareness about sustainable future and conscious lifestyle choices.

Bali Vegan Festival also invites representatives from Humane S o c i e t y I n te r n a t i o n a l a n d Indonesia Vegetarian Society and BAWA to discuss ways to be an effective activist. Bali

Ubud Village Jazz Festival 11 – 12 August 2017 One of the most anticipated music festivals in Bali is back this year. The jazz festival is quite a unique one as it not only celebrates music. There will be workshops for local and national music educators to explore ways for younger people to get more involved in playing jazz. The annual international jazz festival aims to empower local artists with the unique concept of a village concert.

Since its inception in 2013, the concert has garnered as many as 5,0 0 0 visitors. For more information please visit http:// ubudvillagejazzfestival.com.

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Classifieds

Place A Classified Ad and Get Results!

JAKARTA Cars for Sale Toyota Avanza, G, 2013 model, 32,000 km, Dark blue, manual, Even number plate! Price 120,000,000 or nearest offer. Call or Whatsapp +62 8170124626

for easy access to third row. Back seats fit three people and also fold neatly up and out of the way for cargo. Well maintained and in good working condition. Very clean.

AC front and rear, CD Player, tinted window, roof rack. Diplomatic Plates. USD $4,500. Call or WhatsApp Kevin 08111244216 or kfeldis@yahoo.com

An Indian Diplomat staying in Menteng is looking for Domestic Assistants. Basic job is to maintain house cleaning, washing, ironing, helping in the kitchen (preferably able to cook Indian food). Interested candidates can contact: Ms. Ivory at the Indian Embassy (mobile: +62811873733) Services

Expat is renting out his Toyota Avanza Type G luxury 12-2014.

Perfect condition. Price is 4 million rupiah monthly including all risk insurance. Very economical in petrol usage. Condition 100% , Car Video System, More info: amalia.frese@ gmail.com

CAR FOR SALE - 2011 Toyota Kijang Innova G (2000cc). Less than 20,000 km (about 12,000 miles).

GBP 8,000 (USD 10,300; IDR 138,000,000) OBO. Automatic transmission. Seats 7. Excellent condition, well maintained and clean throughout. Runs perfectly and serviced regularly. Diplomatic plates. This is a great vehicle to move families around Jakarta. Colour is ‘metallic grey mica’ CD plates For more information please call Adrian on +6281118720 06 or adrncmp@hotmail.com Jobs Available

For sale Mercedes Benz Type S 320 L, Very good condition, Classy, Complete document Rp. 295 million (can be negotiated) contact : (WA only please) +6281290070037 For Sale now: 2006 Mahindra S c or pio (s i m i l a r t o K ija n g ), $4000 or best offer, owned by US diplomat leaving Indonesia. Low usage: 70,000 km, 7 seater, leather, A/C newly ser viced, maroon, clean. Contact Brian at whatsapp +628119200261 or mcfeet2009@ gmail.com Toyota Kijang LGX For Sale: 2003 Metallic Green. 195,000 km. Good condition. Automatic transmission.

Bensin/Pertalite. Power steering.

Power windows. Regularly serviced at ASTRA garage with proof of maintenance records. Non smoking 1 s t o w n e r. I D R 9 5 m i l l i o n : +62816976707 (Maria) Toyota Kijang Innova 2.7, 2005.

137,000 kilometers. Automatic transmission. Seats 7. Bucket seats

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Bartele Gallery is looking for an assistant to join our team, to help with the day-to-day running of the gallery.

Tasks and duties: • Sales and customer services in the Gallery.

• Artwork and giftware displays.

• Sales and delivery administration.

Organize exhibitions ( Bazaar art - Art stage - Casa).

The ideal candidate: • Female / Age: minimum 20y.o.

• A n interest in the histor y of Indonesia.

• Has good command in English • Is creative • Has good proactive communication skills • Is self-motivated • Is able to work independently, and as part of a team • Is trustworthy • Is reliable Bartele Gallery is only antiquarian map shop in Indonesia specializing in original maps and prints of the Indonesian archipelago, some over 500 years old. Besides maps and prints, we also sell historic books, old photographs and antiquties. The gallery is based at the Mandarin Oriental hotel Jakarta. Email: info@ bartelegallery.com

Learn Spanish (IB, IGCSE, DELE) at your place with a DELE-certified examiner from Spain. Most of my students come from International Schools ( JIS and BSJ). Please call me +62821 10502786 (Raúl) H i I 'm Sr i L est a r i , a n at ive Indonesian tutor. I'm strongly committed to helping Indonesian language learners improve their language skills. I offer: ***Informal tutoring ( Talking about current events you might find interesting, mistakes correction, and explanation about things you don't understand) Professional lessons: - Indonesian for beginners- introductory course for absolute beginners – Reading course-proofreading and writing -A general Indonesian course **I have structured material and my sessions are suitable for absolute beginners or those who have previously learned Bahasa Indonesia. Please contact me if you have any queries e-mail: sri.lestari.teachingonline@gmail. com Phone: +6285719414022 French and Bahasa Indonesia lesson at your place with qualified teacher from children until adult. The lesson will adjust with your level and it is suitable for International school students for IGCSE, IB curriculum.

Contact : Novi. +6282110648233 Highly recommended language tutor: Ibu Restiany is f luent in Bahasa Indonesia and English and thoroughly experienced in teaching both lang uages. She understands how lang uage is learned and knows how to encourage her students to maximize their language capabilities. She is also insightful, kind, creative in her teaching techniques, and a joy to talk too. She is also the author of published Indonesian learning books: Get Talking Indonesian, Travel and Talk Indonesian, and Practical Indonesian In A Week,

indonesian Daily Conversations, and Indonesian for Beginners.

Highly recommended!If you'd like any further information, contact me, Kristin Leo (kmleo9@yahoo. com) or Ibu Restiany directly (HP +6285286601466, restiany2012@ gmail.com) Native Italian teacher; private Italian violin teacher; spanish language 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 IB Tutoring - shoot for the straight 7's! Specialist in Math - Physics Chemistry, other subjects on request.

Private tutoring sessions - IB Higher and Standard Level South Jakarta ibtutorjkt@gmail.com Golf Lessons: Get ready for Golf Season! All levels and ages are welcome, from beginner to advanced programs. Full-swing, Putting, Short game and playing lessons available. For more information and to book a lesson, please email below.

Accel Golf Academy-Ken Runyon All lessons conducted in English at Pondok Indah Driving Range: accelgolf@gmail.com Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation Indonesia (SK IFI ), world largest karate school with establishments in over 100 countries now open at Wisma Aldiron dojo, Jl. Jend Gatot Subroto Kav. 72, Jakarta 12780 opens new classes for all grades. Monday & Thursday: Black Belt (17:15 – 19:00) Wednesday : all grades (18:00 – 19:30) Contact us at info@skifi.org, www.skifi.org Baskoro (+6281288877005), Sisca (+628111006401) Phone :+6221799 4000 Help your child reach his potential!

If your child has AD/HD, Autism, PDD/NOS, Down Syndrome, Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD), or a specific Learning Disability (LD) and needs after school home support to cope up with school work, please feel free to contact Teacher Jun at teacher. specialeducation@gmail.com for an appointment.

Looking for something to buy / sell? Looking for staff? Selling property? Or need a place to live?

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

Next deadline: 9 August 2017

Private Bahasa Indonesia Tutor for Foreig n Beg i nners. You'l l learn grammar, pronunciation, conversation, reading etc. Free text books. Low lesson fees. South or Central Jakarta only. Classes upon appointment only. For more info: bahasaprivate@gmail.com Drum lesson at your home. English speaking. Currently teaching at BSJ Bintaro. Please email : ronny@bsj. sch.id or text +628161150874 Flexible schedule. Please call Pak Chairuman +628121037466 or email chairuman1942@gmail.com Need help coaching your workers t he proper English for better communication with you? Very pract ica l a nd a f fordable. No traveling or visitation required.

Please e-mail me the description of: their nature of work, working environment, english expectations, and how soon you'd need them.

Thank you. practicalconversation@ gmail.com Spanish Tutor: Learn Spanish (IB, IGCSE, DELE) at your place with a DELE-certified examiner from Spain. Most of my students come from International Schools ( J IS and BSJ ). Please call me (Raúl) +628211050 2786. Email: unascartas@yahoo.com Property For rent one unit Large Apartment, newly renovated, 3 Bedrooms, size 190 m2, 17th Floor @ Nirvana Apartment in Kemang @USD 2,500,- per month (nego) with one year in advance rental minimum.

If interested, pls contact Olga at +628119185757 SetiaBudi Apartment at Kuningan, for rent, at prime location, Size 159 Sq.meters furnished, for short &/or long term. Unit with 2 Bedrooms + 1 Child or Study room, large Living room & separate Study Room, Large Kitchen , with Store room & utility room, along with separate entrance for maid /servant's room & bathroom. Agents &/or Brokers are welcome. Reasonable price & f lexible terms. Call / SMS/ Wap Owner +628159061267 / +628119961267 For Rent: Penthouse Apartment in Senayan Area, Jakarta.264sqm. 2 f loors.2 Balcony. 4 bedrooms + 1 maid room. 3.5 bathrooms + 1 maid bathroom. 2 kitchens. 2 free parking space.Whirpool.Fully furnished. Price USD1,300/mo.

Contact +6285692213885. Email: eharyani24@gmail.com Luxury Apartment for rent: Nirvana Kemang, South JakartaL Floor space—190 sqm, 3 bedrooms, extended outdoor terrace, private lift, furnished or unfurnished, spectacular views over Kemang and Jakarta, gym, swimming pool 1 parking space and 1 storage locker.

Nirvana is situated right in the heart of Kemang close to fine restaurants, bistros, supermarkets, shopping, international schools and banks.

Please contact: dea.shanta@gmail. com (call: +6287888123202) Nice House at River Valley Lebak Bulus: good for small family. Land size 144 sqm with build size 250 sqm.

3+1 BR. (2 bedrooms ensuite

Personal classifieds | Commercial classifieds Property listings are considered as Commercial. Adding an image incurs an extra charge of Rp.150,000 Business Listings can only be placed on the Business Listings page (p.27) Send in your classidieds to: ads@indonesiaexpat.biz

bathrooms). 3+ 1 bathrooms.

Small garden. 1 garage, 2 carport.

Semi furnished. Faci lit y club house, Indomaret, jogging track, one gate system, 24hr security.

Close to Carrefour Lebak Bulus, Pondok Indah, Bintaro. Rent fee IDR 150 mio/ year. CindyRay White Kebayoran Blok M. Call: +628119472075 or email: c.virginia76@gmail.com For Sale Weber 3-burner Gas BBQ $200, Air Purifiers BlueAir $90 (new>$300), Workbenches $90, Cabinets $35, Shelves $30 , Electronic Drums $100, Electronic Keyboard $25, Folding table $25, Fan $25, Pool toys $10, Gymnastics Mat $50, Electric Converters $25, Artificial Christmas Tree $35, Cozmo Robot toy $90, 220v Extension cords/ splitters, Iron & board, Vases, Coolers, Hammock stands, Plants, Plywood and more. All OBO. Kevin WhatsApp +62811124415 or kfeldis@yahoo.com G r e at for a nyone i nt er e st e d in Photog raphy. Protect your photog raphy equipment. Dr y Cabinet - Storage Cabinet. Volume 64 Lt. Adjustable shelves. Excellent condition. Asking Rp 1.400.000 Apple LED 27" Cinema Display Great space for post processing your digital photos. Works with Apple laptop and desktop Macs. Excellent condition. Asking Rp 5.250.000 SMS/WA +6281296674514 Email: debraswallace@gmail.com

Wooden Bar for sale, ebony veneer, very good condition. Length: 2,00 m width: 1,03 m, height: 1,07 m IDR 1.900.000,- . Please refer to the following links for pictures: contact me via e-mail : cuci.mata. jakarta@gmail.com or my HP: +6285892755585 For Sale: Beauphoria Curling Iron, Brand New, never used, still in box.

Purchased as a gift on May 12, 2017, however the birthday girl did not come to Indo as planned. Selling for 750,000rp, was 895,000. I have the receipt as well as the original shopping bag. It is a Carousel CO02 model automatic curling iron.

P lea se E m a i l me for photos: anabelfitness2009@yahoo.com Pick up will be at Darmawangsa Square, close to Kemang area.

Household Staff Available Nanny: Atin has been with us since we arrived in Jakarta (3 years ago). Atin has worked for expat families for many years and has made our time in Jakarta so much more enjoyable. Atin is very smart and sensible and always makes wise decisions. We trust Atin 100% with our children and our house, she is very efficient and manages to divide her time between housekeeping and caring for our two very, very active boys. Atin genuinely cares for our family, our children are very sad to be leaving her. Atin never calls in sick and always follow our directions.

Atin can not do live-in work as she has a family. We highly recommend Atin for your family! Atin's phone number is +6281517244001

Driver: Udin has been with us for 1 year and is a safe and confident driver. He has a good knowledge of the South of Jakarta. Udin is very honest and reliable. Udin's phone number is +6285880545792 Excellent Nanny/Maid Live-in Ibu Muji worked for us for 2 years and I still thank for this blessing.

She is powerful and multitasking woman, can play football with the oldest (7), making fun stories with the second one (5) and take care of the youngest (2) almost in the same time. She speaks English f luently and has many years of experience with expat family both as maid and nanny positions. For more information do not hesitate to contact me at talpottola@gmail.com or directly Muji at +6281387549363.

Trustworthy pembantu looking for part time 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 has worked with expats for 23 years and speaks English very well.

Ibu Nini is available immediately, preferably in South Jakarta. She is honest, friendly, reliable, and very resourceful. Please contact her directly on +62 85892148801.

References available upon request.

PART-TIME MAID AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY: Ibu Giyem, has worked with me during Lebaran and is still working part-time with me. However, my current maid has returned from kampung and Ibu is looking for a permanent parttime position. She is happy to do 6 days/ week or even a 3 days/ week position from morning until evening. She is good with cleaning/ laundry, etc. Does not come with prior recommendations in paper, however, she holds a valid KTP and was recommended to me by a neighbor/ acquaintance, with whom she had worked for a temporary period (about 1.5 months when they had guests visiting for a long stay just before Lebaran). Please feel free to reach Ibu via whatsapp, sms or call on these numbers +85714757019 or +85714385668. She can only speak Bahasa, though she understands English to some extent. Email: illusion06mk@yahoo.com

bathrooms, Sat TV Internet tower/ pool, beautiful gardens. 8 minutes from airport. Earning 17% to 19% per year. $128,000 AUD. (medewi. bali@gmail.com) or +628123823 0678

BALI Jobs Available AquaMarine Diving (Seminyak).

Dive Travel Consultant (Native English Speaker). You: Hardworking. Competent typist. Baliresident. Like dogs. Required: Leadership skills, Proactive & Self-motivated. Preferred: Dive/ Tourism background & Microsoft Exp 5.5days/wk, 8hrs/day, 1yr+, NOT Working Holiday, KITAS. CV, expected salary & available start date: (hrd@aquamarinediving. com). No Skype interviews.

Sales Consultant Wanted in Bali.

Initially home based. Must have excel lent w r it ten a nd spoken English. Sales experience a bonus – full training provided. Very generous remuneration. Send resume to (careers@aberdeenhouse. com.au) We are looking for English speaking Bikeguide for out tour program, need experience in cycling. Please send CV to : werner@cocostravel. com or contact : +6281337640179 Looking for Work Female expat (26) experienced Business Travel Consultant seeking employment in Horeca or Travel and Recreation industry. Dutch (native), English and Indonesian speaking.

Available in consultation. Please e-mail to: (nadine_kraakman@ hotmail.com) Local freelance desig ner who loves illustration, colours and good attention to details. 10 years of nat iona l and globa l brand experiences. Australian Graphic D e s i g n D e g r e e. E m a i l g it a . suryono@gmail.com or Whatsapp +62 878 8813 8378. Professional portfolio references upon requests.

Just ca l l or text to beg i n our acquaintance.

Property Leasehold 27,5 years for 2 units + constructible empty land. One units is composed of one large room.

Fully furnished divided into an outdoor terrace with kitchen + living room space + bedroom + separated spacious bathroom.

Each units has its own private pool.

The leasehold also include 1,5 are empty land where another unit can be build. The area is quiet and ideally located in Kerobokan. Price 1.800.000. Phone +6281999479 803

Villa Damee Ubud, Bali – 35% off May and June. your weekend away or stay longer. Escape to Bali and enjoy a beautifully appointed private villa with huge spring fed pool which offers a perfect mix of seclusion and activity. A free shuttle runs 2 x a day to Ubud and you are located in a peaceful location surrounded by nature only 4.5 kms from Ubud.

Discover volcanos, ancient hidden temples close by, cycle routes in quiet village lanes and rice field walks.

Villa cook included, free breakfast daily and 24 hour security. The location is Pejeng Village, a quiet village with 10th-century temples all around and perfect for cycling on the back roads or walking in the late afternoon, where you can meet the duck farmer, who walks along the road with his ducks on a regular basis. Read our guest reviews - they tell the story, as it is. Welcome to our peaceful, magical villa in the rice fields. Stay for the weekend or longer. Specials @ 35% off May and June. See details on: www. villadamee.com (+628174750120) House for sale brand new in Perum Bayuh near Dreamland, Ungasan, Bukit, 2 bedrooms with ensuites, open plan living, exposed beams ceiling 15 ft high, front verandah/ entertainment area, storage room/ laundry, pool, off street parking, land 200sqm, building 120sqm, elect 5500, sell for AU$165.000 or 1,65 billion Rp (nego). Photos & details email: (kazol.lubis@gmail. com) or WhatsApp: +62818787171 or +61428691023 Villa for lease. Executive fully furnished. 3 bedrooms, 3

Exceptional. Situated between Sem i nya k a nd Ca ngg u. Wel l maintained home/villa. Land 650m 2 . Entrance courtyard, 3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, large kitchen & living. Quality furnishings. landscaped gardens, pool, bale, f ishpond, garage, maids room.

Excellent access road. Private and secure walled compound.

Overlooks rice paddy. Leasehold 19 years (extendable). $US225,000. (robynbax@gmail.com). +62878 61683834, +61488400058 Services YOGA TEACHER TRAINING COURSES RYT 200 and RYT 300 Shades of Yoga is an International Yoga Teacher Training school offering Level 1 (200 hour) RYT 200 and Level 2 (300 hour) RYT 300 Yoga Teacher Training courses accredited with Yoga A lliance International. More information -> shadesofyoga.smm@gmail.com YOGA RETREAT ULUWATU BALI. A vacation is great, a yoga retreat is even better. Retreats simply offer more value than traveling on your own. Not only chill at some places for few days, but the retreat package includes meditation and yoga classes, vegetarian, possibly organic meals, personal growth workshops and even an occasional spa treatment.We provided the best Yoga Retreats in Bali! Our selection is the selected of Yoga Retreat with high quality and Yoga Teacher Training. Yogasearcher -> yogasearcherseo@gmail.com Do you want to see the real Bali? Join our professional photographers on a unique photo tour around Ubud and the surrounding volcanoes away from the tourist trail.

• Join special ceremonies in local villages • Gain a deeper understanding of your camera • P rofessiona l g uida nce by masterclass photographers • Take spectacular photographs in stunning landscapes Full and half day tours: w w w. davidmetcalfphotography.com

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30,000 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! @cleanupjktday @cleanupjktday /cleanupjakartaday www.cleanupjakartaday.org

Volunteer to raise awareness about the litter and trash problem in Jakarta by cleaning up at a public site or by nominating a new location for your school, business or community to clean up together.

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