Indonesia Expat - issue 244

f core pye

ISSUE NO. 244 | 28 AUGUST – 10 SEPTEMBER 2019 JAKARTA • JAVA • BALI • LOMBOK • KALIMANTAN • SUMATRA • SULAWESI • WEST PAPUA

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

W W W.INDONESIAEXPAT.BIZ

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

1

2

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

3

ISSUE 244

Chief Editorial Advisor Bernhard Eduard Frese editor@indonesiaexpat.biz Marketing Consultant Edo Frese edo@indonesiaexpat.biz

Dear Readers,

Editorial Assistant Arnaldi Nasrum expat.editorial@gmail.com Sales & Advertising Dian Mardianingsih (Jakarta) dian@indonesiaexpat.biz Wahyu Atmaja (Bali) ads@indonesiaexpat.biz Marketing & Public Relations Jessica Joanna marketing@indonesiaexpat.biz Distribution & Admin Juni Setiawan admin@indonesiaexpat.biz Finance Lini Verawaty finance@indonesiaexpat.biz Editorial Enquiries letters@indonesiaexpat.biz Subscriptions subscriptions@indonesiaexpat.biz Events letters@indonesiaexpat.biz Published by PT. Koleksi Klasik Indonesia Alamanda Tower 25th floor Jl. T.B Simatupang kav 23–24 Jakarta 12430 T: 021 2965 7821 F: 021 2965 7821 Office hours: 09.00–17.00 Monday–Friday Opinions Expressed in this publication are those of the writers and the publisher does not accept any responsibility for any errors, ommisions, or complaints arising there from.

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

Printed by

4

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

Following the celebrations of Indonesia’s Independence Day, we come to an ideal time to recharge our batteries.

Plans can be reset and followed, goals can be worked towards and achieved. It’s an opportunity to reflect on our recent past and see what positive changes we can bring about. As a country, we can hope to see things continue to grow and improve. September is just around the corner.

Our latest issue has lots of interesting articles for your reading pleasure. Are you an avid YouTube viewer?

Kennet Yeung’s “Top 10 (Plus 1) Indonesian YouTube Channels” has some great recommendations of local talent for you. Paying respects to Adolf Heuken and his work as a historian in Indonesia, we have the article “Never Forget the Past”. For those of you who plan to live in Bali as expat, we present the handy guide “You've decided to become an expat in Bali - where to start?”.

In our regular Meet the Expat column, you get to read about Kevin O’Neill, the 24-year old International Ambassador for Jameson Whiskey. To get an understanding of one of the big businesses in Indonesia there’s the profile of Patrick Vaysse, Chief Operating Officer of Tauzia Hotel, telling us about his contribution to the hospitality industry. The column Observations comes courtesy of Joanne Rushton, sharing her reflections of life in Asia as an expat and what home really means – check out “Which Way Home?”

We are also pleased to offer you our new edition of Golf Indonesia inside this issue. We have for your perusal some recommendations for golfing in Bali with “Bali’s 4 Toughest Golf Courses” and for the Jakartans among you there’s “Fun! Golf Societies in Jakarta”. For a golf article with a different perspective, have a look at “Full Swing in Indonesia”.

Lastly, don’t miss our ever-present “Events” and “Classifieds” to keep up to date with the best events and deals across the country for you.

06

BUSINESS PROFILE Patrick Vaysse

08

INFO FOR EXPATS You've Decided to Become an Expat in Bali – Where to Start?

10

MEET THE EXPAT Kevin O'Neill

12

OUTREACH Clean Up Jakarta Day 2019

16

GOLF INSIGHT Full Swing in Indonesia

17

JAKARTA GOLFING Fun! Golf Socities in Jakarta

18

GOLF SITE Bali's 4 Toughest Golf Courses

20

PROFILE Adolf Heuken: Never Forget the Past

22

OBSERVATION Which Way Home?

24

TOP 10 (PLUS 1) Indonesian YouTube Channels

26

ANNOUNCEMENTS

28

EVENTS

30

CLASSIFIEDS

Happy reading!

FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

021 2965 7821

Edo Frese

ads@indonesiaexpat.biz CONNECT WITH US www.indonesiaexpat.biz

@indonesia_expat

/indonesia.expat

/indonesiaexpat

indonesiaexpat

WE ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON

RECYCLE PLEASE!

When you have finished reading this magazine please recycle it.

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

5

BUSINESS PROFILE

Patrick Vaysse Indonesia Expat sat down with Patrick Vaysse, Chief Operating Officer of Tauzia Hotels, who has a vast store of experience in the hospitality industry.

don’t ask questions you’re never going to learn – asking questions is the best way to understand anything It’s also important to understand what your weaknesses are as well as working with your strengths. Travelling to new places and meeting new people is important to understand these things better. Travelling will also allow you to take stock of your competitors and see how they do things; thus, helping you understand your difficulties too. Once you’ve gone out into the marketplace, come back with ideas and we can work on solutions.

What did you feel when you first landed in Indonesia?

Firstly, I felt like I was rediscovering Indonesia – rediscovering Jakarta. I had visited the city around 25 years ago, Indonesia was a very different place back then! This is my second time working in Indonesia, I’ve worked on Sulawesi before, for a brief spell of around ten months. The second time I was based in Bintan, just off the coat of Singapore. I’ve been in the country this time for around six months.

Everything is totally different. After coming from Brazil to see Jakarta again, I just thought, “wow, this has changed a lot!” I can only recall the Grand Hyatt. It really stuck with me because I’d come over from Sulawesi to go shopping and always stay in the Grand Hyatt and Grand Indonesia – the best places. And the traffic! Everyone notices the traffic.

I’ve clocked up a total of two years in the country now.

As an expat living in another country, what is the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

Every expat meets their own challenges when they relocate away from home and family. Things like learning all about a new city – your neighbourhood, the transport – building a professional network as well as making new friends. There are big risks involved that we need to take time to figure out (but still go for it anyway!), and of course, find a restaurant to work in!

I find the biggest challenge is connecting with people. As much as there are lots of expats in Jakarta, it’s nice to get to know the

6

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

locals. It’s not so easy when you don’t speak Bahasa and can’t understand the things going on around you so much.

What do you think about the hospitality industry in Indonesia?

Of course, every country works in a different way. Even though I’ve travelled to a lot of different places, everything is always new and exciting when I get to a new place.

I see a lot of potential for growth in Indonesia; there’s so many opportunities.

The country is so big; it’s huge! The market is very big, just because of the sheer number of people in the country. I like to say that it’s very much a land of opportunity.

How does your role at Tauzia fit in with your career goals?

The role I’ve taken on is very important to me. I have a lot of knowledge in hospitality management and having worked in the hospitality industry for so many years, I understand that there is going to be a lot of emotion, a lot of drama.

Express yourself and don’t be shy. It’s important to say what you feel and I instill into my team.

With regards the management, Tauzia itself will stay the same, nothing will change about how the place is run – we just have a new partner. In our collaboration, Tauzia and Ascott are big brands across Indonesia, as well as Malaysia and Vietnam with our offerings of hotels and residences. Together we have opened FOX Lite Hotel Dpulze Cyberjaya Malaysia in August 2019 and Vertu Hotel Cam Ranh Bay in Ho Chi Minh has been signed up.

I’ve had a lot of experience in Asia and I’ve worked in Indonesia before. I’ve been working in the hospitality industry for over twenty years all around Asia and South America. It felt like a good time to come back here.

Further expansions include YELLO Ho Chi Minh along with moves into the hospitality markets in Hanoi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila. The aim is that by the end of 2019, Tauzia Hotels – The Ascott Limited will have over 12,000 rooms across 73 properties that are represented by a total of 14 brands.

Where do you see the future of Tauzia?

We’ve just celebrated our 18-year anniversary and this year sees Tauzia and Ascott come together. There’s a lot of potential for growth and to grow Tauzia beyond Indonesia. I am learning to grow and develop with the Ascott team and we are getting stronger together.

What is your management philosophy?

Express yourself and don’t be shy. It’s important to say what you feel and I instill into my team. I believe this builds team work. Everyone in the team needs to communicate and actively participate.

Learning from others is important, listen to the questions that they ask too. If you

Do you find any difficulties when working with locals?

The big challenge I face is the language barrier. But it’s not impossible to overcome, we can use hand and body language, or even reach for the pen and paper. It’s not a massive barrier, but it is there. I work hard to improve my communication with locals, it means that I can share my knowledge with them and to learn from them too.

I have expertise in hospitality trends, innovation and creativity in hotel and restaurant operations, rebranding and repositioning products, project management, and renovation management.

Once me and my team can understand each other, I can share this knowledge with them and help them improve.

Do you have any advice for other expats?

Try hard to blend in and assimilate with your local community and respect local traditions and customs. You need to make sure that you understand the situation that you’re in. Our philosophies are going to be different from the local people, but as long as you can understand and respect that, you will be ok. It’s really important to spend time with local people, just mingling with them and learning about their lives.

What do you miss from working in South America?

The food, definitely. The way food is cooked is completely different to back home. As an example, in South America everyone comes together in a house to cook a meal together, which isn’t done so much over here. I miss my friends too, but we are always just at the other end of the phone or internet, so it’s ok.

Keeping in touch is easier now that it used to be so I don’t miss out on as much.

HARRIS HOTEL SEMINYAK-BALI

WHERE YOUR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE BEGINS… Located only ten minutes away from Seminyak Beach, HARRIS Hotel Seminyak is truly the perfect spot to enjoy Bali's popular Seminyak area. It’s walking distance to various boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and bars also only a 30-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Virtually all of the city's main attractions are within walking distance, making it the ideal venue for business trip or leisurely break.

Grab a chance to have a fun holiday escape to the island of the tropic with your loved ones with the signature package Super Saver Promo only at HARRIS Hotel Seminyak! This promo is valid until March 31, 2020. With only Rp815,000/room night, guests can experience an inviting stay at HARRIS Room or simply upgrade to UNIQUE Room for Rp1,035,000nett/room night. This promo includes daily breakfast for two persons, one-time Gourmet Pizza at HARRISSIMO Pizza & Pasta.

“We are promising quality of service and unique experience exploring Seminyak Bali; furthermore to help our customer create unforgettable moments with their loved ones,” said Nevi Snever, Marketing & Branding Manager HARRIS Hotel Seminyak.

For booking simply click https://bit.ly/2Y6rbLN, or check out www.harrishotels.com & @harrisseminyak on social media.

About TAUZIA Hotels Established in 2001, TAUZIA Hotels is a portfolio of 123 hotels in operation and development under the brands of Préférence – a label for a collection of charming and discreet boutique hotels, HARRIS Vertu – upscale hotels bearing the concept ‘Joy of Life’, HARRIS – upper midscale hotels promoting healthy lifestyle and guests can ‘Stay Bright’, FOX Harris - midscale hotels with contemporary and adaptable design, YELLO – midscale hotels for aspiring travellers who appreciate creative design and technology, and POP! – economy hotels for smart and eco-friendly travelers. TAUZIA aspires to build a blend of culture in its management style and product development while promoting diversity in the hospitality industry. TAUZIA was recently recognised with Indonesia Most Innovative Business Award 2018 by Warta Ekonomi. Visit tauziahotels.com or @ tauziahotels for more information.

TAUZIA is a member of The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a Singapore company that has grown to become one of the leading international lodging owner-operators. Spanning more than 170 cities across over 30 countries, Ascott’s other brands include Ascott, Citadines, Citadines Connect, Somerset, Quest, The Crest Collection and lyf. Ascott is a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited (CapitaLand), one of Asia’s largest real estate companies headquartered and listed in Singapore. Ascott boasts over 30 years of industry track record and award-winning brands that enjoy recognition worldwide. For more information on CapitaLand and Ascott, please visit www.capitaland.com and www.the-ascott.com.

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

7

Info for Expats

You've Decided to Become an Expat in Bali – Where to Start?

By Triin Tigane

What it also meant was that the insurance could easily leave me hanging. So, I changed my insurance provider - I didn’t need much convincing since I had a couple of surf trips lined up and proper coverage was a must. I also decided to get an Indonesian drivers' licence for the sake of insurance support, in case of any accidents – no licence equals no coverage for driving accidents.

Bali attracts people who are at a crossroads in their lives, who want to escape something, or relocate to better climate. It became even more popular since the 2010 American biographical film Eat Pray Love. From one expat to another; relocating here is good value for money, considering the quality of life you can achieve.

But, Bali will test your patience - sometimes your love affair with the island becomes a fling. I will share some tips that will contribute to a long-lasting love towards Bali and may be helpful if you plan to stay longer than a short trip.

Start by checking over your passport validity and travel documents. If you are not tight with your budget, nothing overcomes the feeling of liberty and free movement that a working visa (KITAS) gives you (even if you plan to enjoy the island life more than work).

Regular visa runs will be a common sideeffect when you apply for a short-stay visa.

These can become painful when you realise that you could be surfing or watching the sun go down instead. Unfortunately, it often happens that people relocate to Bali with a random, unsuitable visa, start working, and get caught.

Once you’ve figured out your visa situation, you are ready to proceed with packing! An average baggage allowance may not fit all your prized possessions. So, should you leave without them? Since I am a big fan of Marie Kondo and her teachings about minimalism, I’d say you won’t need half of the things you think you will.

I also believe that shopping hard is bad for the environment, but I still own more than

www.emerhub.com 8

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

two pairs of sneakers and a bunch of books (which now I mostly borrow and swap with friends). But my point is that relocating is a great time to start downsizing. I remember the time when I planned my relocation and noticed that half of the things that I was dusting every week were only there for that reason – to collect dust. It was very liberating as suddenly things were put into perspective, and only the necessary items put into my luggage.

But what if you plan on bringing along something that’s a bizarre shape or size, such as your favourite vintage surfboard or a vinyl record player? You can import personal items to Bali only if you have a KITAS. Thus, if you choose a short visit visa, you’d better travel light!

There’s plenty of crossing off to do on the to-do list before departing. One thing you shouldn’t forget is getting health insurance that covers your trip and stay in Indonesia.

I've joked with some of my closest expat friends in Bali that if you don't have proper insurance, you do not qualify as my friend.

I have even “forced” some of them to get insurance. It’s not me trying to prove a point or rebuke my friends, rather about what I’ve seen throughout my years in Bali. Especially the frequent posts about one crowdfunding page after another for people who need money to cover medical expenses. Scooter or surfing accidents are common but I’ve also seen people suffering from dengue fever or other tropical insect bites.

When I first came to Bali, I used travel insurance for a while. And suddenly it hit me - I saw in my passport that I’d been in Indonesia for over 183 days. Hence, I was considered as a resident, not a traveller.

Whether an experienced traveller or a newbie, your trip to Bali will start paying off the minute you land. You’ll feel the hot breeze straight after stepping out of the plane. Plus, the welcoming nature of locals is immediately obvious with the taxi drivers who each want to get you in their car. This is when you need to already know your destination in Bali.

The bottom line is, understanding what you and perhaps your family primarily need access to. Is it your workplace or your kid’s school? Is a surfing beach a must?

Or, would you like to be woken up by the sound of the jungle instead? If you’ve never been to Bali then best do some research beforehand.

You should know that 4km on the road in Bali is not the same as in LA or Sydney and being in a traffic jam is tiring. Unless you're a big fan of audiobooks, podcasts, or love the wind (mixed with petrol aromas) blowing in your hair. Areas of Bali are very different so go around, get to know the island and choose the place that you vibe with most.

I recall someone asking for my help to find a beachfront property in Ubud. I had to kill this dream immediately - unless waterfalls qualify as the beach. Also, if you’re outgoing and like to party, Singaraja or Amed may not be for you, whereas you’d have plenty to do in Seminyak or Canggu.

The first room you stay in is probably a cute place you’ve booked online. But once you’re in Bali, invest some time in finding a solid, long-term home. You can share houses with other expats, rent a luxury property that comes with a chef and ten maids, or a one- bedroom house without hot water and a squat toilet.

My grandmother once saw a TV show about Bali which got her really excited.

That’s until they introduced the traditional Indonesian bathroom facilities - she

immediately assumed that’s how my household looks and the next call we had was about getting me tickets back to Estonia. We found a compromise where I jokingly explained that squats are not really that bad whilst also assuring her how my bathroom looked.

My tip for you is to check the property beforehand and be smart about the hidden costs (the pool guy, the gardener, etc.). Also, if you pay for a longer period upfront, do not have high expectations of the landlord.

They are usually more motivated to fix things once the extension period gets closer.

What makes life in Bali so enjoyable are the easily accessible and affordable services.

Using apps such as Go-Jek or Grab, you can get whatever you need without leaving your villa - food from restaurants, shopping, massages, and even a cleaner. I’ve tried multiple services but most frequently I use these apps to order food. It’s especially useful at the beginning of your relocation as you don’t know too much about what’s around you or how to get to places on your own.

Opening a local bank account will also greatly contribute to a comfortable life in Bali, such as paying for your commodities just like locals do. You should know that everything is prepaid in Bali - electricity, phone credit, etc. When you are about to run out of credit, without the local card and mobile payment option, you must take a trip to the nearest shop to recharge your empty account.

I sound lazy writing this, but going to the shop in the middle of the night when the electricity meter starts to peep can be bothersome. Trust me as I've done it several times; sleeping without AC on and thinking about the potential lake under the fridge to wake you up in the morning were not very appealing outcomes. A local bank account helps you avoid all that.

Which part of the relocation seems to be difficult for you?

We'd love to hear feedback from you - please do not hesitate to reach out to Triin Tigane via email bali@emerhub.com.

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

9

MEET THE EXPAT

Kevin O’Neill Meet Kevin O’Neill, 24-year-old International Ambassador for Jameson Whiskey

BY ANNAYA RANGKUTY

I think the Jakarta bar scene is one of South-East Asia’s hidden gems! Jakarta has got everything, from cool speakeasies to great, high-energy bars.

Beyond that, I was also really up for the challenge of working in a new, complex environment, like Indonesia, and I think that was a big factor in getting offered this position. The reason we wanted to break into this market is because of the huge potential that Indonesia has to offer, not just for the alcohol industry but for international brands in general. Of course, there are some cultural differences which have an impact on the way you try to grow your business, such as the way that drinks are consumed here (bottle service over ordering glasses) and the restrictions on advertising in certain areas. However, these are all challenges that force us to be more creative and overall, I think that’s a good thing.

K

evin O’Neill was fresh out of law school when he applied to Jameson’s International Graduate Program. Just a year later, the 24-yearold finds himself bouncing around from meetings and bars as Indonesia’s first Jameson ambassador. Indonesia Expat sat down with O’Neill to reflect on his prolific first year taking on Jakarta’s bar scene.

What are the circumstances around your arrival in Indonesia?

I came to Jakarta last year as Indonesia’s first-ever Jameson International Brand Ambassador. We’re trying to grow our presence in this beautiful country and have found in other markets that the best way to achieve this is to have a person based on the ground. Although Jameson is a product of Ireland, it’s part of Pernod Ricard, a multinational wine and spirits company that also have the likes of Absolut Vodka, Martell, and Chivas Regal in their portfolio.

I work with the office here to try and grow the awareness of Jameson locally.

10

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

What exactly does your job as an international brand ambassador entail?

The international brand ambassador role is very diverse, as it touches on a lot of different aspects within the business world.

I work with the sales team to make sure our product is getting good traction in bars, with the marketing team to develop strategic campaigns to grow awareness, on digital to maintain our presence across social media platforms, and of course, there’s event management, which is where we get to connect with consumers directly.

It’s a full 360, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What are the special skills that made you a good choice for your job now?

Why did Jameson choose Indonesia for business?

I’m naturally an outgoing person, which is important for the brand ambassador role.

My daily tasks require me to deal with a lot of different people, from bartenders to influencers and even my own local team.

What are the biggest challenges you face in Indonesia as an expat? How are these things different to your home country or other countries where you’ve lived and worked?

I got quite a culture shock when I came to Jakarta first, as it was my first time being in Asia, and for so many reasons, it’s very different to where I’m from. For instance, the population blew my mind, as Jakarta alone has approximately three times as many people as the entire country of Ireland. This leads to lots of traffic and crowded public spaces, which is not something I would’ve really experienced before. However, after a year of living here, I can safely say that I’ve adjusted to the madness!

What’s your opinion on Jakarta’s bar scene? Any interesting takeaways?

I think the Jakarta bar scene is one of South-East Asia’s hidden gems! I’ve been

to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, and I can honestly say that the nightlife in this city is equal to both, if not a little bit more interesting in some respects. Jakarta has got everything, from cool speakeasies to great, high-energy bars. There are also some top-quality bartenders here as well, working with the likes of Union Group and BIKO, so it’s been a real pleasure for me to get to know them over the past 12 months.

Has your educational background shaped your career in any way?

I didn’t have the most conventional educational background before taking this role. I actually graduated with a law degree from University College Dublin back in 2017, but my natural disposition to travel and work with people led me to Jameson and apply for their International Graduate Program. However, I do use aspects of my legal training everyday in my work. For me, studying law isn’t so much about learning information, but rather the analytical way that it teaches you to think. This has definitely shaped my career so far.

Do you speak Indonesian? If so, how well do you speak it?

Learning Indonesian was a big goal for me when I came out here. I think it’s a very important thing to do when you move to a new country, and it shows a certain willingness and desire to engage with the local culture. After one year, I’m happy to say that I have reached a level of conversational Bahasa that I use everyday in my work, whether it be organising a taxi to an event or chatting with bartenders about our products. Just don’t ask me to talk about anything too high-brow!

What advice would you give to Indonesians about living and working with expats? Any tips that might improve the relationship?

I think that Indonesians, although they have the best intentions, can sometimes forget that it’s actually quite hard for expats, especially those coming from outside of Asia, to adjust to life here. Whether it be the weather, food or ways of working, so many things are alien to us at first, so it takes time to settle in. In saying that, I think it’s the Indonesian people themselves that I will miss the most when leave.

Lastly, has living in Indonesia changed you, your views or your tastes at all?

It sounds cliché but living and working in this part of the world has made me open to new cultures and given me the desire to go out and experience more. I was out of my comfort zone for much of my time in Indonesia and I really learned from it, so I think this country will always be a special place for me. My tolerance for spicy food has also grown massively!

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

11

OUTREACH

2019 CLEAN UP JAKARTA DAY

Tackling the Capital City’s Prolonged Waste Crisis

I

ndonesia Expat hosted Clean Up Jakarta Day, with activities across numerous locations around the city on 25th August. Clean Up Jakarta Day gives everyone in the city the chance to get involved to clean up in the spirit of co-operation.

By bringing communities together to pick up litter and make areas tidier, the event aims to build awareness of the environment and each person’s duty to do their part in maintaining the place they call home. There were a total of 55 sites being targeted for Clean Up Jakarta Day, spread around the metropolis.

"There are 10,000 people who have registered directly with us. This does not include those who have registered through the city government, "said Destania Ika Putri, Clean Up Jakarta Day 2019 coordinator. Participants are from a diverse range of backgrounds, with schools, community organisations, local businesses, embassies, and concerned individuals all preparing to help the efforts. Social media has been harnessed to bring in more stakeholders to enable to citywide cleanup.

This is the seventh annual Clean Up Jakarta Day event being held by Indonesia Expat. Speaking of the event, coordinator Destania said, “What sets this year’s CUJD apart from previous years is our collaboration with a recycling company, they will manage the waste that will be collected to ensure the day has a strong impact.”

Destania discussed the challenges faced by such an event; “We need to let every household know the importance of sorting their waste in the home before it gets thrown out.

The long-term aim is to bring this message to families so that every home sorts out their recyclables themselves, this is the end goal of the socialisation of waste management.”

The biggest hope for this year’s clean-up efforts is a decline in the amount of rubbish that is collected. According to Destania, this would indicate that less waste is being produced in the first place, and hopefully an increase in community awareness of recycling and appropriate waste disposal.

For the organizers of Clean Up Jakarta Day, the 2019 cleanup was a huge success. The next step is to educate, instill positivism and apply responsible waste management principles; the general populace should be encouraged to apply the skills they learn on Clean Up Jakarta Day and use these principles on a daily basis. There is no way to reduce the volume of trash in the city without daily vigilance.

2019 Clean Up Jakarta Day is made possible by Marquee and Aqua. The event is supported by Jakarta Provincial Government, Environmental Services of Jakarta, Grand Whiz, VERY, Santa Fe, and Abu&Co. We also thanked our media partner: Kumparan, Bisnis.com, Intisari, National Geographic, Saya Pilih Bumi, CNN, Media Informasi, Nawala Karsa, Hai, and What’s New Jakarta.

For those who are interested in volunteering for next year’s cleanup, please visit www.cleanupjakartaday.org or send an email to cleanupjktday@indonesiaexpat.biz.

12

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

13

14

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

Indonesia Expat is happy to announce our new partnership with Golf Indonesia. Each month you’ll find a handy insert where you’ll find everything you need to know about the golfing scene. We’re excited to bring you course recommendations, hints and tips to improve your game, profiles of inspiring golfers, and much more besides.

For more information you can contact info@golfindonesia.biz

INSIDE: Full Swing in Indonesia Golf Societies in Jakarta Bali's 4 Toughest Golf Courses

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

15

GOLF INSIGHT

Full Swing in Indonesia Daniel Pope putts over the pleasures of golf in the tropical archipelago

BY DANIEL POPE

I

f you’re seeking an unusual and exotic venue for golf, you don’t have to go all the way to the moon, as astronaut Alan Shepard did in 1971 – famously swinging a six-iron, one-handed. The tropical paradise of Indonesia offers plenty for the golf enthusiast. For adrenalin junkies, there’s Merapi Golf Course, which at times has been scorched by volcanic eruptions. But there are plenty of less nerve-racking courses.

My first, modest swings of a gold club in Indonesia were at a driving range in the compound of PT Badak, an LNG company operating in Bontan, Kalimantan. I was new to the game.

While I appreciated there was a basic technique to master, I couldn’t understand why the ball persisted in veering disobediently to the right each time I struck it, although most of the time I didn’t actually hit it.

I blamed our location. Bontan is on the equator. It is well known that water swirling down a plughole changes direction if the bathtub is moved across the equatorial line, or something like that. Quite clearly, my golf ball was being affected by some such phenomenon.

There are nearly 150 golf courses throughout the Indonesian archipelago, many of them on the popular resort island of Bali, like the Greg Norman layout at the Nirwana Bali Golf Club.

Some very good nine-hole and 18-hole layouts can be found in less predictable places, such as Papua on the western half of New Guinea where you’ll find Rimba Irian, located literally in the middle of a rainforest. Check out the top 100 Indonesian golf courses at https://www.top100golfcourses.com/ golf-courses/asia/indonesia. You’ll be amazed at the quality and variety.

16

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

It seems that you can’t be a US president unless you can swing a golf club.

One of the most popular courses among foreign visitors is SouthLinks Country Club on Batam, an island located just 30km south of Singapore.

Golfers from Singapore flock to Batam because of the ease of ferry travel between the two islands.

Incidentally, this makes Batam a good entry point into Indonesia for anyone with visa concerns – for example because of a suspiciously large number of tourist stamps in their passport. If you enter Indonesia via Batam from Singapore, you will melt into the general traffic of Singaporeans popping in and out for a golfing daytrip, even if you’re carrying a frayed backpack and a copy of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Just why is golf so popular? It’s easy to see why football took over the world. It can be played with very little equipment and fuss. All that’s required

is a ball, a few players’ jumpers thrown down as goal posts, and, at the very least, a street corner. In fact, any old space will do. As kids, we used to play football in front of some terraced garages, where the ball crashing against the metal doors had neighbours chasing us off, so we’d move the game to a nearby, empty paddling pool. A full-sized football pitch is not needed.

But what then, of golf? In most parts of the world, it’s not easy to find somewhere suitable to play this hugely popular game of Scottish origin. Yes, the modern game of golf was invented by the nation that brought us haggis, bagpipes, and the Bay City Rollers.

For a start, the playing area can’t be just a spare bit of tarmac. Not even the deck of an aircraft carrier would be big enough. It has to be acres of painstakingly landscaped terrain the size of a royal estate. This immense slab of manicured countryside must incorporate a range of features including sandpits, fairways, undergrowth, clumps of tall trees, and flat greens.

As for equipment, a serious golfer will carry with him an assortment of woods, irons, and putters – they’re the bent sticks. These should not exceed 14 according to the rules. This is probably to ensure that the caddy carrying the bag doesn’t get a dislocated shoulder.

Surprisingly, considering the distances involved, binoculars aren’t part of the standard golfing equipment.

There was a golf course near my childhood home in England. I used to slip through a gap in the perimeter fence and offer my services as a somewhat apathetic caddy. I had none of the insightful advice and moral support expected of a professional

caddy. My strategic knowledge of the course was confined to its boltholes and private spots.

If you’re staying in Jakarta, there are more than 40 golf courses within an hour of the city, if you can believe the marketing spiels. But honestly, they’re everywhere; like petrol stations.

Most are well maintained, with plenty of flowers, no copulating young couples, and aren’t busy except on Saturday mornings. Some courses offer membership with annual play rights, though on many you can pay to play. In Greater Jakarta, the cost ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 for annual memberships. Of course, your company may allow you to use their corporate membership.

Talking of money, golf has always been associated with the rich and powerful.

The list of international celebrity golfers is a long one. It seems that you can’t be a US president unless you can swing a golf club. Businesspeople, lawyers, and go-betweens strike deals over a round of golf. Pop stars sign record deals. I was pleased to find that rockhorror king Alice Cooper was a golf fan.

But I was disappointed he didn’t play wearing his macabre stage make-up and ripped leotards; that he didn’t have a zombie for a caddy; and that thunder and lightning didn’t follow him from hole to hole.

When it comes to caddies in Indonesia, they tend to be young women, selected for their attractiveness, rather than their knowledge of the game. Some say they need to be adept at handling more than just the golfers’ clubs. But don’t let this excite or deter you, as you can focus on your game and admire the natural beauty of the courses instead.

So, the next time a walk in the country just isn’t satisfying enough without stopping every now and again to whack something, head to one of Indonesia’s many golf courses. You might also try checking out DOGS (Djakarta Old Golf Society: https://www. djakartaoldgolfsociety.com). Here you’ll find helpful, like-minded folk. Perhaps even an old astronaut.

JAKARTA GOLFING

Fun! Golf Societies in Jakarta

BY PING CROSBY

W

ith pollution levels not getting any better in Jakarta, weekends offer a great opportunity for us all to escape the crowded and congested urban areas we live in and head to the golf course, for fresher air, greenery and open spaces. Golf is a great opportunity to meet new people, exercise, and have fun whilst enjoying clean, green environments. As the best golf courses are often located 40 – 60km from the SCBD area, air pollution levels will be much lower, especially in the Bogor area. This is almost guaranteed.

Did you know there are two golf societies running in Jakarta? They’ve been running weekly golf days on Saturdays and Sundays, 52 weeks a year. One society has recently celebrated it’s 36 th birthday!

Are you new to Jakarta, and like golf? Want to have fun? Looking to connect with fellow golfers? Have you always wanted an up to date USGA handicap? Looking for affordable weekend golf rates?

easily verified. The D.O.G.S negotiate a discounted rate for each course, making their rounds much lower than usual weekend rates.

The D.O.G.S www.djakartaoldgolfsociety.com

Djakarta Old Golf Society gets together on Saturdays for a midday tee off. They have been playing in the Jakarta area since 2005. The original D.O.G.S were based in Manila and the founder, Fritz Hainzl, recognised the demand for a Jakarta chapter and quickly went to work to create one for the city’s golfers to join. Membership of the society is free and it now has over 500 past and present members. Each week, on average 25-40 golfers attend to compete for the Big Dog Trophy.

The D.O.G.S format is unique and fun to play; a golf course is selected and played for 6 consecutive weeks.

During the weekly games, members compete for the Little Dog Trophy which is awarded to the person with the highest Stableford Scoring System score. Over the 6 weeks of play, each competitor’s best score on each hole is used to determine their final eclectic score. Each week, besides winning the Little Dog, the goal is to better your scorecard. The best net score over the 6 weeks is declared the Eclectic Champion, receiving the Big Dog Trophy and gets to don the Champions Blue Jacket.

A valid handicap is essential to ensure fair play and at the beginning of 2019 the D.O.G.S and Tee Set incorporated all of their players into one handicap system. The benefit of this is that both societies receive handicaps using the same method as the USGA and are

Each Golfer pays a Rp100,000 admin fee to the secretary each week to enter the weekly skills prizes, with several chances to win the following: drive and pitch, longest drive, nearest to the pin (all offered on two holes) low putts, low gross, and not to mention the booby prizes; lowest Stapleford Points and ‘best’ exercise (highest gross score).

So, if your looking for a round of golf on a Saturday and looking to connect with fellow golfers, log onto the D.O.G.S website and sign up for the next round.

The full schedule of play is available there: you will be back for more.

Tee Set teesetgolf.wordpress.com

Founded in 1983, Tee Set plays at a variety of courses around Jakarta every week and proudly boasts of never of having missed a weekend game since its inaugural Sunday outing over 36 years ago.

The D.O.G.S Champions, past and present, with their Blue Jackets

The Big Dog and The Little Dog trophies in all their glory

The 36th Anniversary Tee Set scramble at Matoa in August 2019 was a colourful affair.

The ‘Skirt’ duff your tee shot behind the ladies’ tees and pay the price

Equally welcome are regular and irregular golfers, including one-off visitors and guests of members. Each year sees over 300 different players, from over 25 different nationalities, turn out on a Sunday to join Tee Set. Recognising that many members will enjoy their Saturday nights, Tee Set generally tees off around midday on Sundays, with the only real rule of the society being that “one must be able to stand unaided on the first tee box whilst teeing off”! After all, it is a fun golf society.

The Tee Set Committee works hard to provide members a colourful schedule of courses to play on in and around Jakarta, allowing members to play at and enjoy great courses for very reasonable weekend rates. The regular games include stroke play, a monthly Stableford medal (because they like to be different!), eclectic, and matchplay knock-out competitions. There is a variety of formats played to keep most golfers happy. Alongside these regular Tee Set games, the society also arranges matches against other societies, either head to head or

through Tee Set’s participation in the Jakarta inter-league golf competition.

The highlights of the Tee Set calendar are: The Club Championship, held on the last Sunday in November each year, followed by a large, end-of-year party The Anniversary Birthday Scramble, held annually in July or August The Tee Set World Cup of Golf, where Tee Set members form their own fourman teams based on nationalities; after 4 editions, this event has quickly become a member’s favourite!

Although weekly events are always in the Greater Jakarta region, Tee Set arranges the occasional long weekend golf trip, for example to play in Bali, Yogyakarta, or Surabaya; either to play against another golf society based in those areas, or just to enjoy golf and fellowship away from home.

To join a Tee Set Sunday, the committee asks that you contribute a Rp100,000 administration fee which then entitles you to compete for the weekly skills prizes. There are many opportunities to win back your money with prizes each week for: best net flight A, best net flight B, best net flight C, low putts, low gross, first sandy, first birdie, and most improved.

There is also a little fun with a penalty of Rp50,000 being levied for booby prizes: skirts - players who fail to advance their tee shot further than the ladies tee markers, monster putter most putts over 18 holes, and most strokes - for one individual hole. All funds left over each week go into the pot to be spent at the championship which is why that event is recognised as one of the best golf parties in Jakarta each year.

Like D.O.G.S, Tee Set provides active members a handicap maintained under the USGA rules, and for those with plans to play abroad, an up to date handicap is available.

Tee Set is very welcoming to all new members so for those new to golf, new to Jakarta, or who have not got out much recently, it’s a great way to meet new friends and enjoy a Sunday out in the fresh air with fellow lovers of golf. The up to date Tee Set schedule of events is available on Tee Set’s website.

Log on if you are keen to attend a Sunday with the club, and just sign-up!

It’s a wrap: weekend golf should never be a lonely affair in Jakarta. With two great, fun, and active golf societies teeing up and taking care of their members every week.

Happy Golfing All!

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

17

GOLF SITE

Bali’s 4 Toughest Golf Courses

BY POLLY CHRISTENSEN

B

ali is one of Asia’s best island destinations for golfing and offers a good combination of challenging greens and well-maintained fairways that are seamlessly landscaped into some of the islands most stunning locations.

You can be sure of a stimulating round of golf, while enjoying modern and first-rate leisure facilities. Our choice of Bali’s toughest golf courses offers a mix of difficulty, atmosphere, and tradition on the Island of the Gods, while panoramic scenery serves as a backdrop to your swing.

HANDARA GOLF & RESORT BALI (PANCASARI, SINGARAJA) Considered one of the toughest golf courses in Asia, Handara Golf & Resort Bali is located in the central highlands of the island and is nestled down inside the crater of a dormant volcano at an altitude of almost 1,200 metres above sea level. The resort is surrounded by lush, green mountains, crater lakes, and an equatorial rain forest that creates dramatic backdrops for approach shots into the well-maintained, creeping, bent grass greens.

Ranked by Golf Magazine as one of the “Top 50 Golf Courses in the World,” this beautiful golf course is one of the oldest clubs in Bali and it’s seen many distinguished patrons. It offers a pleasant opportunity to play golf in a cooler climate of the verdant hills of Bedugul, nestled 4km away from the hustle and bustle of the south, ensuring you a worry-free and a crowd-free session.

The Peter Thompson and Graham Wolveridge-designed, par-72, championship layout offers a good

Bali Beach Golf Course

18

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

Handara Golf & Resort Bali

crisscrossing garden bridges, fountains, shrubbery, and pine trees. New features are added to the course from time to time with additions such as bunkers, lakes, and mounds. The greens are designed to provide a putting surface, without severe undulations.

Subtle breaks on the greens will always keep the golfer guessing and the course’s layout provides a good variety.

The greens are well bunkered, with little room for errant shots. The wind is a factor and comes into play on a few holes, especially on hole two, which is a par-three. The most difficult hole on the course is hole four/13 as it bends right.

Overall the course provides golfers enough variety and challenges to enjoy a good game of golf. You can even head down after hours to knock a few balls at their floodlit driving range.

New Kuta Golf

challenge for all levels of golfers, with a slope rating of 128–139, “standard to difficult.” This course has been compared to some of the best in Asia with the 18th hole offering a rewarding and challenging par-five that is framed by steep cliffs on one side and the rest of the course on the other. As you approach the tee, you will see the clubhouse and Katmandalu Restaurant in the distance, ready to offer hot coffee or cold beer.

NEW KUTA GOLF (JALAN RAYA ULUWATU, PECATU) The first golf course in Indonesia with a links-style layout – along a coastline and with dunes and a few trees – New Kuta Golf is an international standard, 18-hole championship course. The Golf Academy Bali (GCB) was opened here in January 2013 under the direction of British PGA professional Neil Douglas, offering a covered grass driving range, expansive short-game area, and 9000-square-foot putting green with numerous danger zones throughout.

Carved out of harsh limestone and set on top of white cliffs that overlook the Indian Ocean, this championship golf course ranks among Asia’s best and most challenging. The signature hole 15 is nicknamed "The Cliff Hanger" and has 240-degree ocean views overlooking two famous beaches on Bali’s southern coast; Balangan and Dreamland. The magnificent Club House boasts a restaurant, bar, spa, and function room with panoramic views of the lush rolling fairways. It is wonderfully designed and the original contours of the land are still preserved.

Bukit Pandawa Golf Country & Club

With a “standard” difficulty level (slope rating: 124-144) this course can throw challenges at you. The par-three is very challenging even for experienced golfers because strong winds can move the ball around on the green. The elegant par-five 18th finishes just a few yards from a shaded patio serving New Kuta’s magnificent clubhouse, where the formidable Links Restaurant & Bar, along with the club’s dedicated spa, make it an ideal place to relax after a round.

BUKIT PANDAWA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (PANDAWA, KUTA SELATAN) Opened in October 2016, Bukit Pandawa Golf Club is the latest addition to Bali’s growing collection of world-class golf courses. Located on a limestone clifftop overlooking the world-famous surf breaks of Bukit Peninsula, the singular venue offers 18 championship caliber, par-three golf holes, many of which are back-dropped by rustic architectural relics and spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, with a clubhouse inspired by the many grand temples of the island.

BALI BEACH GOLF COURSE (GRAND BALI BEACH HOTEL, SANUR) Set on the doorstep of the Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Bali Beach Golf Course in Sanur is one of Bali’s smallest golf courses – offering a more private, country club atmosphere with onsite facilities that include the Sector Bar & Club where you can enjoy a convenient break for a light meal.

The rural countryside feeling around the course creates a great ambience.

This par-54, 18-hole golf course is well designed and quite challenging.

Although only two years old, the course has matured, the greens are good and overall are well maintained. Some holes are quite difficult if you play from the back markers. The course presents a challenge but also allows players to attack the flags without being too punishing if they miss the green.

With 18 holes and a course length of 3.25km, it boasts a slope rating of 120-135, or in other words, a difficulty of “easy to standard.” The golf course offers its own set of challenges due to the small acreage and greens surrounded by a series of water ponds,

A surprisingly testing championship course for an all par-three golf course offering so much variety such as blinded holes surrounded by water.

This course requires clubs off the tee from a wedge to a 3 wood! A must play while in Bali.

Introducing Jakarta’s One-Stop Lifestyle Destination The MAJ Senayan is delighted to introduce 7 of their newly redesigned dining outlets elegantly fitted for elegant gala dinners, and revitalized with a marvellous new team to establish The MAJ Senayan as Jakarta’s one-stop lifestyle destination. Introducing the new face of The MAJ Senayan brands: Senayan National Golf Club, The Terrace, Takumi Robata & Sushi, Pizza Kayu Api, Albatross Sports Bar, Apron Grill Kitchen, The Press Curated Wine Boutique & Cigar Lounge, and The Press Wine Private Dining.

Ms. Fanda Soesilo, President Director / CEO of The MAJ Senayan said, “We are extremely proud of all the work that’s been done and it’s far more than just a new look, we are now offering a totally new experience. The MAJ Senayan is the perfect destination for your healthy lifestyle, energising breaks and meeting place.”

The MAJ Senayan provides you with an indulgent experience in the heart of one of the world's largest and busiest cities. Corporate and event planners can look forward to bespoke catering and uniquely tailored services for upscale corporate events. The venue is complemented by full audio-visual equipment and personalised refreshment services, adding to the diverse suite of offerings by The MAJ Senayan.

For the Gala Dinner at The MAJ Senayan, we created a photo booth area that is unlike any other. The area was intentionally arranged and equipped with furniture and accessories with designs presented by HIAS House, which is a subsidiary of Ancora Group. There were four photo booth areas that represent stylish yet affordable living and dining sets.

The photo booth by HIAS House created an exciting atmosphere at The MAJ Gala Dinner and attracted guests to see and experience the furniture, home decor and home supplies from HIAS House.

For more info and booking enquires please call +62 21 5710181 (Hunting) or email sales@senayannational.com

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

19

PROFILE ADOLF HEUKEN

Never Forget the Past

BY DUNCAN GRAHAM

A

intelligence operatives of events in Jakarta during the months after the September 30, 1965 coup, when an estimated 500,000 real or imagined Communists were killed.

dolf Heuken’s publishing experiences offer a droll comment on the interests of Indonesian and expat readers. The prolific writer produced scores of books during his 55-year career, which ended eight days after his 90th birthday, late last month.

Heuken was so worried by his colleague’s partisanship that he wrote to the Vatican and for a while Beek was withdrawn from Indonesia.

He spent most of his time in Jakarta where he built a reputation as the foremost historian of the nation’s capital and its cityscape. In his book-filled Menteng study late last year I asked about his most popular title.

Dr Grace Pamungkas, who co-wrote two books with Heuken before moving to New Zealand for her doctorate, said she was blessed that she’d met Heuken at a seminar in 1998 when studying architecture. He offered her work as a researcher and she later became an author.

Was it Historical Sites of Jakarta, or Deutsch-Indonesisches Worterbuch - Kamus Jerman-Indonesia the German-Indonesia dictionary, first published in the 1980s and still in print? Or perhaps even Mesjidmesjid tua di Jakarta, a catalogue of old mosques in the capital compiled by a Catholic, primarily for Muslims?

“I have learned to be super critical about the originality of references when they’ve been acknowledged and formally recognised in public, or even in scientific forums,” she said. “In so many ways we have to check to make sure we are using the most original information about any historical event, or someone’s life, or a building before we publish.

“None of these,” he replied, slowly shuffling his walking frame from a high desk; he worked in a semi-upright position after suffering with back problems, though his mind stayed sharp, “it’s this - Ensiklopedi Orang Kudus (Encyclopedia of Saints) and its spin-offs,” gesturing to a row of small booklets, each one featuring a name.

“A favourite phrase which he used in English was “a city without old buildings is like a man without a memory.” He also quoted first President Soekarno: ‘Jangan sekalikali meninggalkan sejarah” – never forget the past.

For a serious scholar working in his adopted land these books were a sideshow. Yet they are still popular and sought after by expectant Catholic and Protestant parents seeking ideas for their offspring’s name, its origins, and associations. They’re also purchased as presents by well-wishers for religious junctures in a child’s life, like christenings and first communion.

But the German-born Jesuit who arrived in this country in 1963, and later became an Indonesian citizen, is most likely to be remembered by Indonphiles for his wellillustrated coffee-table books on the old buildings of the city, once known as Batavia.

In many cases his records are the only ones easily accessible; rock drills and backhoes have smashed to rubble so many old and gracious buildings, as developers with more money than taste compete to build higher and more garish apartment blocks and shopping malls. When lost for ideas they have a line of galloping horses at the entrance to disguise the rows of stables at the rear masquerading as houses.

However, a new generation of architects and landscape artists, aware that the public hankers for buildings with character and sober standout qualities, have Heuken’s work for inspiration. This is his legacy and the future Jakarta will be richer as a result.

Heuken was born in Coesfeld in North Rhine-Westphalia, near the university city of Münster, where he planned to become 20

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

“I hope I’m not biased when I say he’s the only Indonesian historian readers can trust in presenting historical works based on the best available original sources.”

“Sometimes he seemed like a senior doctor who’d know of something wrong in another doctor's report or a medical journal. He got angry when he found misinformed writing on Indonesian history – which was almost every day. But through this frustration he maintained his principle of always producing high quality work.”

I hope I’m not biased when I say he’s the only Indonesian historian readers can trust in presenting historical works based on the best available original sources.

a monk. Instead he studied to enter the Society of Jesus, the Catholic congregation mainly favoured by intellectuals. His interest was always history and this began to flower as Jakarta developed.

A skilled linguist, he wrote in German, Indonesian, and English. He could also read and write in Dutch, which he said was essential for anyone trying to understand the history of the archipelago.

Following the 1965 coup, Heuken became concerned with the activities of a fellow

Heuken was disciplined; a habit enforced by his parents when he was a child. He started each day with Mass in a Menteng chapel at Jalan Prof Muh Yamin before opening his books at 8am and working through till 1.30 in the afternoon. He’d return to reading and writing later in the day and often stayed studying into the night.

Jesuit, Joop Beek (1917-1983). Heuken alleged the Amsterdam-born priest who came to Indonesia before the war, and was imprisoned first by the Japanese and then by Javanese militia who thought him a colonialist, was straying far from his ministry.

Beek had moved from Yogyakarta, where he was teaching, to Jakarta; in the capital he became a militant Red-hater and advisor to second President Soeharto. Beek trained student activists backing the Indonesian Army and doubled as a spy, telling Western

His research included visiting sites, questioning occupiers and trying to find previous owners.

In 2008 Heuken received the Das Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande award (Star of the German Federal Republic) for his work in developing German-Indonesian relations. It’s the highest German Government recognition for a layperson’s service to the State.

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

21

OBSERVATION

Which Way Home?

BY JOANNE RUSHTON

the first place, but the light evenings had never been something to contemplate before. “Imagine Ramadan over here? I’d be following Mecca times if I were fasting now,” the thought making me instantly hungry.

As a teacher I’ve joked with my students that they’d never understand me if they heard me talk like I do “back home.”

Liverpool has a strong accent and a lot of slang and I can speak whole sentences that a non-Scouser wouldn’t have a scooby about (Scooby Doo = clue). On an extended trip to the UK a few years ago I temporarily returned to a contact centre job and a customer actually said to me, “excuse me love, are you thick or summat, can you get on with your words?” I’d spent so long moderating the pace that I spoke that my fellow countrymen got bored waiting for my sentences to end.

This trip, my mouth has struggled to wrap itself around the words at the pace everyone else speaks at. I either stumble over a word because I’m going way too fast or I completely blank and forget what I’m saying because mind and mouth are working at such different speeds.

T

here are many things in life that are confusing; taxes, relationships, driving in Asia. “Home” doesn’t feel like it should fit on to the list, but once you’ve made the trip back to the town you grew up in after a long stay in Asia the word definitely becomes muddied.

What does home mean? Having lived a rather nomadic life for the last eight years, I quickly decided that home was where I lay my head. One night it would be the 2-centmetre foam mattress in a dirt-cheap dormitory in Bangkok, the next my swanky apartment in Tay Ho, Hanoi. As much as I’d committed to the idea that home was where my backpack was, I’d still slip and call the place I grew up “home.”

I’ve made a few trips back to the UK over the years, but my most recent trip seems to be the most irking. Which is weird since it’s the first time I’ve been back to a house that I own. I was accompanied by my partner who hails from South Asia, so I got to see things through his eyes too.

First, we had to deal with getting the visa, which fuelled some resentment for my home country. As part of the process I needed some paperwork posting over and when it arrived it smelled of home – Pledge furniture polish, Surf washing powder, and the old leather Chesterfield – the childhood home that was sold two years ago. I knew that walking into the house that I had bought and installed my step-dad in two years ago was going to smell of home if the envelope did.

22

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

When the words do come out, it’s not guaranteed to be in my home language. I’ve terima kasih’d the shop assistants more than once, when my friend’s kid tripped over in the park they got a hati-hati, and I even gave my partner an apa? even though Bahasa is neither of our native tongues and I’m nowhere near fluent. Having heard the fuss about the Gregg’s vegan sausage roll, I went into the town on our second day to get us a couple. “Can I get two vegan spring rolls, please?” fell from my lips before I knew what was happening. “We don’t do spring rolls, love,” was the polite yet confused response.

Things close at home, early. You need to get your clothes shopping done before 5pm, coffee drank before 6pm, and beers swilled before 11pm, and woe betide you need a pint of milk outside of 8am to 8pm.

Home sounds different after years in Asia. It’s quiet; no thrum of air conditioning, no whir of a fan, motorbikes revving and babies crying were all absent as we tried to sleep. It feels like there are a lot more people everywhere in Asia, living closer together and closer to the outdoors with always open windows and single glazing.

People go home much earlier in my native land. It feels like nearly everything you could want is available from a Circle K, 7 Eleven, or mom and pop shop, whenever you need it and there’s one or seven on every street in South East Asia.

Things close at home, early. You need to get your clothes shopping done before 5pm, coffee drank before 6pm, and beers swilled before 11pm, and woe betide you need a pint of milk outside of 8am to 8pm.

As annoying as I find it, the partner says it’s the thing he likes most about this part of the world – life isn’t all about work. Maybe I am spoiled in Asia; needs satisfied whenever I demand, not immediately understanding that it means another person being away from their family and home to keep me in late night Pringles and Oreos.

I remember the first time my partner visited the UK with me, we were taking a walk down some pleasant, Lancastrian lanes and he turned to me and said, in all seriousness, “where are all the people?”. “Work? School?

Watching TV?” I’d never noticed how many more people there were around me in Asia.

Toilets are the dealbreaker. Asia wins, left hand down.

As much as the thought of squat toilet still strikes a modicum of dread into me, toilet paper makes me squirm.

On this last trip I actually took a bum gun attachment back with me and had it fitted into my bathroom. The plumber wasn’t convinced, my septuagenarian step-dad steadfastly still uses the toilet paper, but for me it was the compromise I needed to make me feel right at home.

After noticing the unsettling silence, I checked my watch.

Then my phone. Had I got the time zones right? It was broad daylight outside yet 9pm by every device in the room. Trudging to the office in the dark at 8.30am was one of the reasons I decided to get out of the country in

Taking with you what you miss to every home is the way forward, in my opinion. Having my man cook amazing curry most nights kept the belly happy in the UK, packing three kilos of assorted cheese lit up my tastebuds on my return. It seems to have worked, this time at least.

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

23

TOP 10

Top 10 (Plus 1) Indonesian YouTube Channels The following list is ranked by numbers of subscribers, not by views or quality of content.*

BY KENNETH YEUNG

Pretending that evil spirits are real? Check.

If Indonesia wants to be a smarter country, then stuff like this should be replaced with educational content. What’s the deal with squishies? It’s disturbing to see a 24-yearold behaving like a four-year-old.

Atta Halilintar

Rans Entertainment

Ricis Official

18.5 million Subscribers 580 Videos 1.62 billion Views Join Date: January 26, 2014

9.7 million Subscribers 1.4 billion Views 743 Videos Join Date: December 27, 2015

16.37 million Subscribers 676 Videos 1.94 billion Views Join Date: January 15, 2016

At first glance, Atta’s content seems infantile and unoriginal. He posts rip-off prank videos, promotes shallow materialism and interviews celebrities hitching their wagons to his rising stardom. But he’s smart enough to keep churning out this childish dross to become a superstar.

Hi guys! This channel is all about Raffi Ahmad. I recognised this TV presenter’s name from media reports back in 2013, when he was arrested for possession and use of marijuana and methylone, an addictive stimulant. While poor Indonesians get hefty jail sentences for drug abuse, it’s a different story for their wealthy compatriots. They can go to rehab instead. Raffi claimed he needed drugs to perform on TV. Efforts by his lawyers to have the case thrown out were unsuccessful, but that didn’t matter. East Jakarta District Court ended up ordering Raffi to undergo three months of rehab at Lido in West Java. His YouTube videos show scenes from his family life with his wife and their young son. Treat yourself to some hilarious prank videos, such as the one where the son puts some rambutan fruit in Raffi’s bed! There’s also a video where a rotund geezer pretends to pass out after a beach race, so Raffi gives him a sugar-laden, heavily promoted branded drink and the friend pretends to recover.

Such jolly japes! Or you can watch videos of Raffi’s wife applying her makeup. The fun never stops.

I don’t feel more intelligent after watching videos by Ria Ricis. Stupid clown hooter sound effects? Check. Waving squishy toys? Check. Clapping herself, pouting and begging for likes and subscribers? Check.

I had never heard of Atta prior to researching this article, though I had heard people mimicking his “ashiaaap” catchphrase. Muhammad Attamimi “Atta” Halilintar (24) was Southeast Asia’s first YouTuber to get 10 million subscribers.

He was born in Dumai in Sumatra’s Riau province in 1994. He’s the eldest of 11 children in the Halilintar family. Growing up in Malaysia, he got into business while in school, selling food and toys. He later sold mobile phone credit, used cars and mobile phones. Atta jumps on just about any trending bandwagon, such as promoting environmentally unfriendly squishy toys. He thinks Lamborghinis are cool, but he can’t pronounce Lamborghini correctly. Not shy of soliciting donations, he’s building a mosque to express gratitude for his success.

Gen Halilintar 11.7 million Subscribers 2 billion Views 539 Videos Join Date: March 4, 2015

24

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

TRANS7 OFFICIAL 8.9 million Subscribers 3.4 billion Views 45,475 Videos Join Date: September 4, 2014

If you can’t get enough of those zany antics of Indonesia’s top YouTuber, Atta Halilintar, then check out this channel, which showcases the zany antics of his siblings and parents. The first Gen Halilintar video that I clicked on seemed to be an IQ test. If you’re still watching after the first 20 seconds of inane shouting and screeching, perhaps you shouldn’t bother taking that Mensa test. The second video I clicked on featured five girls, all resplendent in headscarves, sitting around

Ria Yunita, born in Batam in 1995, better known as Ria Ricis, came under criticism for vlogging from the grave of comedian Olga Syahputra, who died in 2015 at the age of 32. She was also criticised by environmentalists for posting videos where she seemed to dispose of squishies in the toilet and in the sea. Her fans accused her critics of slander. Perhaps the zenith of her infantile attention seeking was the so-called “Kiki Challenge,” in which she leapt out of a moving car and performed a “dance” to Canadian hip-hop singer Drake’s song In My Feelings on a road and then jumped back into the car. Police prohibited the stupid challenge with a banner featuring Ricis. Her response? She complained that police had not sought permission to use her image.

This is the YouTube channel of the television network owned by tycoon and former chief economics minister Chairul Tanjung.

Infotainment and entertainment are the order of the day. Popular content includes hospital comedy sketches that make the British Carry On movies look like Fellini films. One particularly frightening video teaches children their parents will go to hell, should the parents fail to perform daily prayers. There’s a charming series of comedy skits featuring the verbal jousting of three young boys, replete with cheesy sound effects and canned laughter, just in case you’re missing the jokes. There are also some videos suggesting that supernatural stuff is real.

a table, squeezing and sniffing a long hotdog squishy and a banana squishy. Superb entertainment. In another video, the kids spend Rp3.5 billion (US$247,000) on a new car for their parents. In one of the most moving videos from 2016, the family’s recently deceased grandmother was filmed from her deathbed all the way to the grave.

Comments from viewers included: “Who’s still watching this in 2019?” and Who’s watching in 2019? Click like.”

Kenneth Yeung is a Jakarta-based editor

* Numbers were current for August 21, 2019.

YtCrash

Calon Sarjana

Indosiar

Saaihalilintar

8.32 million Subscribers 1.9 billion Views 1,142 Videos Join Date: March 9, 2015

11.4 million Subscribers 2.25 billion Views 1,045 Videos Join Date: January 20, 2016

8.34 million Subscribers 4.67 billion Views 30,461 Videos Join Date: September 22, 2013

7.94 million Subscribers 591 million Views 216 Videos Join Date: April 28, 2012

YtCrash stands for YouTube Crash. It purports to present the facts behind various events and viral news from the world.

There’s a video claiming that passengers of Lion Air’s fatal Flight JT610 would have been saved if only the plane had been equipped with a detachable cabin. One of the channel’s most popular videos is about residents of a Jewish village being cursed to become monkeys. Another is about scrotum-shaped stress balls. The most popular upload shows some hilarious misunderstandings in WhatsApp message chats. Another video has the grammatically and factually incorrect clickbait title, “Girls are Treated Indecent, She Just Surrender.”

Originality seems to be in short supply.

At least one video is swiped from the Alltime10s channel. The Indonesian rip-off version features a thumbnail depicting “Fake Jesus, Real Jesus,” something that upset Christian viewers.

Hey guys! Calon Sarjana is the Indonesian term for a university undergraduate. Which is ironic, guys, as you don’t need a degree to produce unoriginal content. Don’t forget to subscribe, guys! Calon Sarjana watermarks its own logo over content that has been spliced together from other videos. There are plenty of lewd clickbait thumbnails, such as showing a woman with her clothes seemingly falling off. One video, described as a maid caught stripping to her underwear, is actually just an ad for washing detergent. Hey guys! Other videos suggest mermaids and ghosts are real.

Not exactly scholarly stuff. Mariah Carey’s side-boob and Mr Bean are featured. The unrelenting use of “hey guys” is not cool. A popular comment is “Who wants to go to heaven, click like.”

Indosiar is one of Indonesia’s top television broadcasters. The most popular uploads on its YouTube channel are clips from the D’Star dangdut talent show. Also widely viewed are highlights of soccer games won by Indonesia. But the best content is a superb religious soap opera, called Azab, serving up cautionary tales against sinning.

Women are portrayed as liars, golddiggers and marriage-wreckers, who invariably meet gruesome deaths as divine punishment for their wrongdoings. It’s marvellous entertainment and judging by some of the comments, plenty of the viewers are amused. Less popular are the clips from the police news show Patroli, in which officers tackle road accidents, gang fights and murder.

One of the younger siblings of Atta Halilintar, Saaih was born in Malaysia in March 2002. Materialism and obnoxious arrogance are strong themes. Especially in the unoriginal video where he produces a truckload of coins to purchase a Rp1 billion luxury car. Even in doing something as mundane as unboxing products, he manages to set a bad example to children.

For example, he uses a meat cleaver to chop open a box containing a smartphone and the puts the phone into a pot of boiling noodles.

In April 2018, Saaih posted an Instagram video in which he ripped apart a Rp100,000 banknote, tearing across founding president Sukarno’s face. In response to criticism, he apologised and claimed the banknote was “play money.” Big brother Atta explained that Saaih is just “too creative.” Saaih’s video editing skills may be superior to those of his older sibling, but it’s painful to endure his incessant begging for viewers to subscribe.

The Shiny Peanut 7.7 million Subscribers 1.3 billion Views 770 Videos Join Date: October 26, 2016

Guys, this channel doesn’t try to fool you into thinking you’re viewing originally filmed content. It clearly states its sources.

Guys, its most popular video – but remember to click like and subscribe first, guys – features dead whales exploding.

Guys, compared to some other channels, the content here is relatively educational and harmless, guys. Really, it’s not bad, guys.

Raditya Dika 7.45 million Subscribers 1 billion Views 964 Videos Join Date: June 29, 2007

This Top 10 list is extended to 11 in order to include a genuinely amusing and clever YouTube channel. I usually cringe and sprint

to the exit when in the vicinity of stand-up comedians, but Raditya Dika is a talented performer. He has also written seven best-selling books. He speaks his critical mind and doesn’t pander to the masses by producing shallow pap. His performances really are funny, not least because he makes jibes at fellow YouTubers such as Atta Halilintar and Ria Ricis (first and second on this list). His candour, sarcasm and dry wit are the perfect antithesis to the infantile screaming, stupid sound effects and laugh tracks of other so-called comedy channels. And even in his inevitable luxury car video, he can pronounce Lamborghini correctly. Radit, who was born in 1984, has been around for a while and was the first Indonesian YouTuber to gain 1 million subscribers. His observational comedy is worth watching. Several of his videos have English subtitles.

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

25

ANNOUNCEMENTS Madam Ambassadors’ Fashion Show in Collaboration with Alleira Batik JAKARTA To celebrate the 74th Indonesia Independence Day on Saturday August 17, The Sultan Hotel & Residence Jakarta, in collaboration with Alleira Batik, held a kebaya and batik fashion show.

Located at Kudus Hall, with its ornately carved ceiling inspired by the town of Kudus in Central Java, and overlooking the hotel’s lush tropical gardens and new infinity swimming pool, the fashion show was hosted by Madam Ambassadors and some members of the International Women’s Club. The event was held on August 14 and attended by many important guests, hotel clients, and media partners.

A collaboration between The Sultan Hotel & Residence and well known and prestigious Alleira Batik – this was the second time both organisations had collaborated on a special event like this Independence Day event.

Alleira Batik presented their stunning, beautiful, and glamourous kebaya and batik collection. The fashion show was staged in two sequences. The first sequence was presented by the Madam Ambassadors of Myanmar, Japan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Poland, and Malaysia, and the former chairwoman of International Women’s Club, Ibu Rita Pusponegoro. The second sequence showcased batik dress and was presented by the Madam Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Thailand, Pakistan, South Korea, and India along with some active members of International Womens’ Club and Putri Indonesia association.

The hotel’s culinary team, under the expert guidance of new Executive Chef Andry Stefanus, served a delectable afternoon tea. The menu featured some traditional Indonesian favourites as well as some traditional herbal drinks like bajigur, wedang jahe, and wedang secang to help introduce Indonesian culinary heritage to this truly international gathering.

Archipelago International Celebrates Indonesia’s Independence Day

JAKARTA In celebration of Indonesia’s 74th Independence Day, Archipelago International, Indonesia's leading hotel

26

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

management group, will be offering special dishes and menus across the country at various hotels, drawing culinary inspiration from across the archipelago.

In addition, the hotel supported a batik bazaar in the Kudus Hall entrance for all sponsors who supported the event like Meida Cosmetic, Batik Kammi, and Darling Rock by Elizabeth Wahyu. Guests also had an opportunity to win some fantastic door prizes from the prestigious sponsors.

In the spirit of Independence Day, this event celebrated the unique diversity of Indonesia and also endeavoured to share the nation’s rich heritage with valued international guests in what was truly a multinational event in celebration of Indonesia Independence Day.

Indonesian cuisine is widely recognised as one of the best in the world, with variations of its unique dishes spanning different regions and cultural influences. With more than 300 ethnic groups across the vast country, Indonesian cuisine is as diverse as its far-reaching landscapes. Flavours range from sweet and salty, to sour, spicy, and slightly bitter. Out of 5,350 traditional Indonesian recipes, 30 are considered to be the most important, including the ever-popular nasi goreng, gado-gado, satay, and soto. These signature dishes have become so ubiquitous nationwide, they are now considered national dishes, not only favoured by local residents but by visitors, too.

maranggi, batagor, bubur srintil, cilok, gado-gado, pempek, and many more.

As a show of pride and love for Indonesia, as well as a dedication to reintroduce and promote authentic Indonesian cuisine, more than 100 Archipelago International hotels will be presenting and parading their interpretations of Indonesian food in the hotel’s restaurants. Served up from conceptual food trucks, all hotels will offer various kinds of finger food and Indonesian staples to inquisitive guests, including sate

“Indonesian food is one of the most vibrant and colourful cuisines in the world, full of intense flavour and spices. With Indonesian Independence Day having just been celebrated, we say there’s no better time to taste and celebrate the many kinds of Indonesian food from across the country, in the best possible atmosphere. By hosting this nationwide event to honour Indonesia's Independence Day, we hope that we can further spread the richness and variety of Indonesia’s culinary craft,” said Winston Hanes, Director of Operations.

For food lovers who would like to relish authentic Indonesian cuisine from Sumatra to Papua in one place, visit one of the many Archipelago International hotels in your nearest city. Enjoy authentic and mouthwatering dishes from Rp17,000 to Rp75,000. This special promotion is only available from August 17 to 31, 2019.

For further information, visit: www. archipelagointernational.com/en/ independence-day-promo/

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

27

EVENTS

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

JAKARTA Networking

Jakarta Dutch Pancake Night 7 September 2019 Join the Dutch pancake night in Jakarta on Saturday, September 7 from 7pm onwards, during which Dutch pancakes will be prepared for free. At 10pm we move on to continue the night.

This Dutch pancake party is a continuation of ones that have been organised in other cities all over the world. As it stands there have been more than 570 events across Jakarta, Tokyo, Rome, Hong Kong, New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Dar Es Salaam. The location of this event is The Den of Kalaha, in Kuningan area. The address is Somerset Grand Citra Lt. G, Jalan Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. 1, Setiabudi, RT.5/RW.2, Kuningan, Setia Budi, Kota Jakarta. If you have any questions about the event, feel free to contact me via Facebook: www.facebook.com/ robin.vogelaar.75 or Whatsapp: +6584996374.

Exhibitions

HOMEDEC Indonesia 2019 11 July – 27 October 2019 HOMEDEC, a home design and interior exhibition, will be returning with its 5 th annual edition this year. HOMEDEC Indonesia 2019 will be held on 11–14 th July 2019 at JCC Senayan – Jakarta, and 24 – 27th October 2019 at ICE BSD City – Tangerang. This year’s theme is “Your Home Your Style”, HOMEDEC Indonesia has been continuously positioned as the only home show that presents ideas, solutions, inspiration, and innovations to homeowners. The exhibition is an effective platform for the renovation, redecoration, and refurbishment business sectors to take part in exploring new business opportunities, creating sales, and expanding your market share and branding, amongst the industry players.

HOMEDEC also serves as a medium for industry professional to connect, collaborate, and build

28

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

business connections during event. For more information about HOMEDEC, please contact by phone: (+62-21) 83796833, mobile: +6281294292503, email: info@homedec.co.id, or visit our website: www.homedec.co.id Conference

Participation fee: Rp150,000 - sign up and confirm your attendance in advance by bank transfer; registered guests may also pay in cash upon arrival. For a reservation, please contact yuni@emerhub.com. Sign up at the latest by midday on 26th September 2019. No -shows and cancellations received less than 24h before the event will be charged the full amount Rp150,000.

Festival & Expo

e2eCommerce Indonesia 25 September 2019 e2eCommerce Indonesia is a conference and exhibition that curates an ecosystem-based platform to accelerate Indonesia’s digital economy. Themed “Be Digital. Go Global”, the third edition will act as a platform for Indonesia’s eCommerce industr y to bring to g ether ke y p l a ye r s to e n c o u r a g e conversations on both strategic and operational issues and help bring forth advanced system solutions for brands & retailers, eC ommerce marketplaces / operators, parcel and logistics players for Indonesia. Visit www. e2ecommerce-indonesia.com for the details.

Networking Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival (JF3) 2019 8 August – 8 September 2019 Indonesian fashion and food scene is set to enjoy another exciting event from Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival (JF3).

Between August 8 to September 8, 2019 the 16th event will be held in Summarecon Kelapa Gading.

JF3 is the result of collaboration between PT Summarecon Agung Tbk and Jakarta Tourism and Culture Office. Every year, JF3 showcases the cultural variety in Indonesia in terms of fashion and food. For more info, click http://jfff.info/

Understanding Online Single Submission (OSS) in Indonesia 27 September 2019 Planning to set up a company in Indonesia? The OSS system is a huge step for ward for entrepreneurs who have been considering setting up a company in Indonesia. For example, it reduces the establishment time of a PT PMA from what was 3-4 months in Jakarta, and 6-12 months in other cities, to just one month. Emerhub is hosting a talk where we’ll go through the process of establishing a company in Indonesia by using the OSS system. We will cover the most frequently asked questions and will gladly answer yours on spot! If you need a better overview of the process, then we'd love to see you at the event. Signing up for the talk is required. The event will be at 19.00 - 20.30 Friday 27th September 2019. It takes place in Greenhouse, Kuningan, Jakarta.

In this Pre- and Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training, we will focus on teaching the yoga skills needed to empower women to experience a conscious pregnancy and birth and enter motherhood fear-free.

We cover practices ranging from yoga asana to breathwork, deep relaxation, mantra and chanting (baby sound bath), a ceremony for all 3 periods of life including rebozo (closing the bones techniques), and the role of the teacher in creating a community and supporting women. This course is both spiritual and practical, nurturing and informative.

Monash Doctoral Information Day 2019 (MDD) 8 September 2019 The Monash University Doctoral Programme Information Day (MDD) in Jakarta is a free expo that offers prospective PhD students the opportunity to meet with leading Monash experts to find out more about the Monash Doctoral Programme and how it can support students in career a d vanc ement or a c a d emic progression. Find out more at monash.edu/phd-day.

BALI Sports Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Bali 20 September 2019

Altcoin Magazine Mastermind Event 2019 – for Cryptocurrency Masterminds 4 September 2019 Early birds available today! The Altcoin Magazine Mastermind Event is a three-day event in September of 2019, the world’s most powerful networking event for cryptocurrency masterminds.

It is a chance for your project to stand out among the crowd and be seen 1 on 1 by the exact impor tant decision - makers outside your field of business, that you spend your energy c h asin g ever y d ay. In this mastermind event, we will gather the world’s most important and influential people from within the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain to create the largest, and most influential networking event that crypto has ever seen.

Send your comments via Twitter @alt__magazine.

Conference

boundaries that structure our lives. Join us in October for our eighth edition and a journey of storytelling, innovation, learning, change, and more. Celebrating the people and ideas that inspire us and make us think twice about the world around us. For more information, click www. tedxubud.com Festival

MALANG Conference

The Drunken Tales 5 September 2019 'The Drunken Tales' edition 1.0 is going to be organised in Bali. That means adventures along a private beach, long champagne lunches, discovering a cliff top playground, and embracing natural beauty wouldn’t be a radical idea but a norm. The experience, the music, the vibe — intricately arranged over four days — in the midst of the most breathtaking ve nu e s i s w h a t p r a g m a t i c awesomeness is made of. Go to www.thedrunkentales.com for further information.

Jameson Bar Takeover at Bali Praia 10 September 2019 Come and meet special guest and @jamesonid Brand Ambassador, Mixologist Kevin O'Neill, at @balipraiacafe. He will be presenting 3 special mixes for you guys. Special offer of Rp100k and you get 2 drinks straight away. The first 50 who RSVP people will get a FREE WELCOME DRINK. Please RSVP on http://bit.ly/ JamesonBPtakeover

SURABAYA Networking

TEDxUbud 2019: Movement 12 October 2019 Movement is something in which we all share and participate in; a universal part of the human story as we cross borders, lines, and

from 7pm onwards, during which we will prepare Dutch pancakes for free. At 10pm we will go to another venue to continue the night. This Dutch pancake party is a continuation of ones that I have organized in other cities all over the world, right now more than 570 times, for example in Jakarta, Tokyo, Rome, Hong Kong, New York, Rio de Janeiro and Dar Es Salaam. Here the Facebook page for this event: www.facebook. com/events/610213596151859

Surabaya Dutch Pancake Night 5 October 2019 Join Dutch pancake night in Surabaya on Saturday 5th October

The 2nd International Conference on Disability and Diversity in Asia 24 September 2019 The 2nd International Conference on Disability and Diversity in Asia, organised jointly by the Law Faculty of Brawijaya University, La Trobe Law School, Pusat Studi Layanan Disabilitas (PSLD) and AIDRAN, will be held in Malang, 24 – 25 September 2019. We hope to welcome you as a conference attendee in Malang this September. Tickets are free and will allow you to attend all panels and talks during the conference. We have got several prestigious and international sp e akers line d up and we look for ward to exchanging knowledge with you!

RIAU Festival

The Walkbout-Now Festival 2019 27 September 2019 You are welcome to join to get clarity on something that’s on your mind or with a specific inquiry. You are even welcome to just show up and allow what needs to emerge for you to unfold. Our intention is that you leave the island with something new about you for you to cherish.

Visit us www.walkabout-now. com for more information about the festival.

EASTERN PROMISE Business hours: 10 am ‘till late Jl. Kemang Raya 5, Kemang p:(021) 7179 0151 e: lensterwee@gmail.com

SERVING BEER & CURRY SINCE 1989

Stomach aches….and we do not mean diarrhoea!

A lot of people especially newcomers to Jakarta suffer from upset tummies. When do we speak of stomach aches?

A stomach ache, including cramps or abdominal pain, does not last long and usually it is not anything serious. We see a lot of people in Jakarta who complain of stomach aches. It deserves some extra attention!

Causes of chronic or recurring abdominal pain Some of the causes include: • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – symptoms of this common condition include stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation; the pain usually resolves when you go to the toilet • inflammatory bowel syndrome – inflammation of the gut, including Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

• a urinary tract infection, usually experience a burning sensation when you wee • constipation • stomach, ulcer, heart burn or reflux. Gastritis or inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach

Some causes of a stomach ache include: • trapped wind • pain or discomfort after eating also known as indigestion • unable to open one’s bowels (constipation) There is medication available to ease symptoms of these conditions.

If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, it will usually clear up by itself within a week.

When to consult your GP (Good Practice) When you are worried or if you need some advice.

A few examples: • the pain gets much worse • the pain won't go away or it is recurrent • you have weight loss • you have unusual vaginal discharge • you bleed from your anus • you have a change in bowel habits It is more urgent if you: • have severe stomach pain • feel pain when you touch your stomach

• are vomiting blood • have bloody or black, sticky stools • can’t urinate

Causes of sudden, severe abdominal pain Some of the possible causes of sudden, severe abdominal pain include: • appendicitis – swelling of the appendix that causes severe pain in the lower right-hand side of your abdomen • a bleeding or perforated stomach ulcer – a bleeding or open sore in the inner lining of your stomach • an inflamed gallbladder • kidney stones • diverticulitis – a type of inflammation in the bowel • a pulled muscle in your abdomen, or an injury

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 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

Possible causes in children include: • constipation • a urinary tract infection (usually in girls) • heartburn and acid reflux • abdominal pain with no clear cause (abdominal migraines) This is just a summary of main causes of stomach pains.

Our advice is to discuss any concerns with your trusted medical practitioner. It is important that you identify a clinic that you are comfortable with.

Good Practice has patients from 66 countries. Our all English speaking team implements International guidelines. We provide highly personalised care. Try us!

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

www.goodpractice.co.id ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

29

EXPAT ADVERTISER JAKARTA JOBS AVAILABLE

PROPERTY

750m 2 + 1000m 2 land with join pool. Located 10 minutes from Cilandak Commercial Estate. US$ 3,000/ month nett excluding tax (negotiate). If interested please call / wa owner at +62811180605.

For sale house in South Jakarta, strategic location, minimalist. LT 350m LB 700m, 4 Bedroom 5 Bathroom 3 Floor. Contact: Anne +6281318023456.

HOUSEHOLD STAFF

For sale: Nissan Juke RX 2011, silver metalic low kilometre. Good condition. Call: +628129204286.

SERVICES Bahasa Indonesia lessons for expats living in South Jakarta, Kuningan, Country Wood, BSD, given by instructor with 20 years experience. Flexible schedule. Please call Pak Chairuman +628121037466 or email chairuman1942@ gmail.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 (Raúl) +6282110502786.

I nt ro d u ci ng a l u x u r i o u s apar tm e nt c all e d “Casa Domaine Prive”. Developed

by PT Griyaceria Nusamekar, an alliance project of three leading property developers namely Lyman Group, Kerry Group, and Salim Group.

St rategi c all y l o c ate d at the heart of Jakarta’s CBD with direct access to Jalan Sudirman and Jalan KH Mas Mansyur and close to the future integration facilities/ TOD dukuh which formed the largest transit development orientation in Jakarta.

Minutes away from lifestyle and financial hubs i.e. short distance to Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia Malls, Casa Domaine Prive offers 2, 3, and ultra exclusive 4 bedroom units starting from ± 147sqm. Please contact our marketing team for available units to buy or rent. Units ready to be occupied now.

For further details please contact Monica at +6281314201947.

Dear Friend, if you'd like to get in shape fast or improve your overall health and fitness in Jakarta, then I can help you achieve it without leaving your apartment complex.

My name is Andri, I'm an NASM International Certified Personal Trainer with over 7 years of experience training men and women with various age, backgrounds and fitness level. I'm also certified in coaching TR X , Muay thai Boxing, Kettlebells, and many more. Let me bring a first class customized workout to your home and achieve your fitness goals in fun, safe, and efficient manner. Sign up for free workout session here: www.jakartafitnesscoach. com

Professional musician from JakartaIndonesia,guitar player also running guitar tutor as well. Available for guitar lessons and quick-learn method and cover all kind of guitar style that you prefer for all ages. +6281311298148 IG: @jo.adrian

Learn music with Waltzio Edutainment. Piano-ViolinViola-Cello-Guitar-Vocal lesson. All educators are experienced and can deliver in English. Private Lesson available as house-call at your house or just come to our basecamp in Nusaloka B S D C it y. C ont a c t our WA + 6 2 8 118 8 6 6 0 0 3 / +6287885461400. Email: waltzio.edutainment@gmail. com.

House for sale in Kebon Jeruk (West Java). 5 minutes access to Jl. Panjang, strategic location. Close to Permata Hijau and TOL road gate.

Walking distance to McDonalds, Holicow, Pizza Hut and The harvest.

The house is a combination of 2 houses put together (86m 2 + 87m 2), total is 173m 2. Freehold.

Price Rp5.9 billion (negotiable).

Contact WA only +6281290070037 (direct owner).

Thousands of ads. With our vast selection of Indonesia popular cities and powerful site search tools, you can’t go wrong. Lower Price / Sweet deals. Most of our ads are posted by the apartments’ owners. That 5% realtor commission can just stay in your wallet! Start your hunt: www.sewa-apartemen.net www.jual-apartemen.com www.jakarta-apartment.net (English)

Beautiful new full renovated house for rent. 2 storey + basement.

30

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244

Thousands of ads. With our vast selection of Indonesia popular cities and powerful site search tools, you can’t go wrong. Lower Price / Sweet deals. Most of our ads are posted by the owners. That 5% realtor commission can just stay in your wallet!

Start your hunt: www.sewa-rumah.net www.jualrumahjakarta.com

For RENT : Corner P EN T H O U S E at Tower C HAMP TON'S Park Aparment ( South Jakarta) : SPECTACUL AR Golf & City VIEW, 2 Balconies, 2 Bedroom, 2,5 Bathroom, Fully Furnished, King Koil Mattress, Complete Kitchen, Big Wardrobe.

Walking distance to Jakarta International School ( JIS ), Hero Supermarket, many Restaurant, Starbuck, ATM, near Pondok Indah Mall & Pondok Indah Golf Course & Pondok Indah Hospital.

Contact Home Owner direct to : agnescni@yahoo.com.

More photos at : airbnb.com/ rooms/14195863

An Exclusive Residence in DepokCinere area (only 10 units). Strategic location 10 minutes from tol gate Brigif ( Depok – Antasari), 900 metres from Cinere Mall, 800 metres from Puri Cinere Hospital.

Land: 120m2 and building 72m2.

Rp1.35 billion. For details please contact WA only +6281511110100.

For Rent Apartment Taman Rasuna, Kuningan. 72sqm, 2 br, 2 bathroom, living room, dining & kitchen, nice view, face south/ Epiwalk Mall,furnished, minimalis-modern style, safe & convenience, available from early June 2019. Yearly rent Rp120 million (negotiable). Call/WA text: +628111770721 (owner) for viewing/ photos.

Two - storey house for yearly rent, located in Puri Botanical Residences (Michellia Cluster) Joglo - West Jakarta, 3+1 bedroom, 1 ensuite + 2 bathrooms. Housing facility 24 hrs CCTV & security, theme park etc, public facilities, very nearby to Toll Road JORR Joglo, A l A zhar Kembangan, Mercuabuana University, Lippo Mall Puri, Puri Mall etc. Please contact +6281294451707.

Pak Hendi has been our driver since 2017 and we highly recommend him. He is very reliable, discrete and competent, and we have been fully satisfied with his work. He has been driving us to and from work, as well as helping with short family trips and errands where necessary. For more info: inagia@ gmail.com or contact Pak Hendi directly at Phone / W hats A pp +6287711152954.

BALI JOBS AVAILABLE Legend Diving Lembongan is looking for a Diving Instructor that is also a Marine Biologist to look after our Divemaster Internships and be in charge of our Marine Conservation department. We are a PADI 5*IDC center eco-friendly oriented. The right candidate must have some experience in teaching preferably professional levels with passion for scuba diving and motivated to support and develop our conservation projects. Being organized, having a strong mentorship and being attentive to the person's needs will be the pillar of the right candidate skills. Besides, we will also require someone that follows Padi standards by the book. Degree in Marine Biology. IDC Staff or MSDT (willing to become IDC Staff), 2 years experience as a diving Instructor, Minimum 150 certifications. Please send your CV, Cover letter and student counts to jobs@divinglembongan.com

LOOKING FOR WORK The Biggest Problem for Expat who lives in Indonesia is now solved.

A land lease can be a problem when you want to build a House/ villa as the land will be given back to the land owner. We can offer you container building, we are the experts in the country...movable at any time after land lease is finished.

Contact us : PT.Indonesia DS Indah Karya, Email : ptidsik@gmail.com, Website: www.containerindonesia. com Whatsapp (business only) +62811323658, below is a real project photo in Lombok, a very nice modern villa made of 2 containers.1 unit of 40' and 1 unit of 20' this villa has 2 bedrooms,1 kitchen and a fabulous outdoor bathroom,.space between these containers is made as a living room.

PROPERTY

A boutique hotel is now available for lease at Rp600 million/year (US$42,000/year)! Ever dreamt about opening your own co-working hotel? Or a large scale Airbnb business?Owner direct contact (WhatsApp): +6282144232219 (no agent fees). Questions answered

by WhatsApp only. Fully renovated

Personal classifieds = FREE Property and other commercial classifieds = PAID (50 words = Rp.100,000 | 50 words + image = Rp.250,000)

(just finished February 2019).16 fully furnished rooms (suites & superior rooms) with ensuite bathrooms. Restaurant & bar with a large lounge area under roof. The hotel is fully furnished. Swimming pool (10 x 5 meter). Reception. Two large public balconies. Storage rooms. Optic fibre WiFi from GlobalXtreme has been installed Location is in Seminyak - a few minutes from La Favela Bali!

Owner direct contact (WhatsApp): +6282144232219 (no agent fees).

Questions answered by WhatsApp only.

We have one room available . Cozy and clean room for Rp4.5 million/ month. May be sold anytime for daily guests until booked/paid.

Location: Kerobokan, Seminyak. 7 minutes to La Favela Bali. Included: Electricity, swimming pool, share kitchen facilities, security 24/7, daily housekeeping, hotel quality spring mattress (king size bed), aircon, en-suite bathroom with hot water, refrigerator, optic fiber wifi, car park. Questions by WhatsApp only: +6282144232219.

Send in your personal classifieds to: info@indonesiaexpat.biz

Next submission day:

September 4, 2019

ISSUE 244 Indonesia expat

31

32

Indonesia expat ISSUE 244