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IMAGE BY FADHIL MUHAMMAD (UNSPLASH)

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Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

INDONESIA EXPAT MARKETING ADVISER

Edo Frese

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Mirella Pandjaitan

Contents

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Dear Readers,

06

SALES & ADVERTISING

Dian Mardianingsih (Jakarta)

dian@indonesiaexpat.biz Wahyu Atmaja (Bali)

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Dear Readers, Home to diverse cultures and rich history, Indonesia welcomes newcomers and those with local blood running through their veins with much warmth. International borders are slowly reopening, with two international airports in Tangerang and Manado currently accepting international arrivals. Bali is in talks to reopen soon, but it is still uncertain.

MEET THE EXPAT “You are Passing Another Fox” with Albert Davidson, Country Manager Linfox Indonesia and Malaysia

08 SPOTLIGHT Usmar Ismail, the Father of Modern Indonesian Cinema

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Juni Setiawan

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Regardless of where you arrive and seek to travel next to in this vast archipelago, be assured that you won’t be bored. Tons of learning awaits; the food, customs, traditions, history, and so on. It might seem to be a lot to process, but it is truly priceless and engaging to be involved with the local wisdom.

Indonesia Expat has come up with enlightening stories in this art, culture, and history issue, covering insights into local historical facts, traditions, and beauty that’s great to learn from the comfort of your home. Interested to reel into these stories in person? Bookmark your favourite story and head on over there whilst complying with the latest travel regulations and health protocols.

EVENTS

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Monday–Friday

12 CULTURE Expat’s Cultural Confusion – Adapting and Accepting

14 TRAVEL The Vogelkop Bowerbird in Pegunungan Arfak: Witnessing the Papuan Flying Architect

16 EDUCATION Finding the Best Fit: Choosing the Right International School for Your Children

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10 BUSINESS PROFILE Environmental Testing with Reg de Wit of Intertek Indonesia

Edo Frese

18 TRAVEL How Some Europeans Thrived During the Japanese Occupation

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.

20 INSIGHT Foreign Investment in the Wake of the Job Creation Law

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business profile

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

“You are Passing Another Fox” with Albert Davidson, Country Manager Linfox Indonesia and Malaysia

A

lbert Davidson, the Country Manager at Linfox Indonesia and Malaysia, has traversed the Asia-Pacific region throughout his career in logistics. Recently settling in Indonesia, he’s eager to expand Linfox to assist those struggling with the efficiency of their supply chains.

Linfox can help clients to outsource their logistics function and remove some of the complexity in their supply chain.

Hi, Albert! Where are you from and what’s the reason behind your move to Indonesia?

I’m originally from Melbourne, Australia but have lived in many places. For the past 20 years, I’ve worked across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region where I’ve been posted in several countries including Malaysia, India, Australia, and Singapore.

From a work perspective, I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work in Indonesia as I think Indonesia has great potential in terms of growth and being one of the most dynamic markets in the region. Over the years, I've really enjoyed travelling and exploring this great country and I’m very keen to learn more about the culture.

Funny story… in early 2020, when I was approached to re-join Linfox as Country Manager Indonesia, I was still residing in Singapore and happened to be on holiday in Malaysia with my family. At this stage, the global pandemic was just starting to unfold and it was a challenging process to finalise my recruitment and I ended up being stuck in Malaysia during the MCO lockdown period. Long story short, my long-weekend trip to Malaysia has ended up being 18 months and I’ve still not been able to return to Singapore since the onset of the pandemic. It’s been quite liberating leaving behind all my possessions in Singapore and making a fresh start here in Indonesia.

You’re now the Country Manager of Linfox Indonesia and Malaysia, can you tell us more about the company?

Linfox is a logistics company. The basic core business is warehousing, transportation, and supply chain management. Our business spans across 12 site locations across Indonesia and we operate the largest singleclient facility in the southern hemisphere, which is our Unilever operations, with over 1 million cases handled per day.

It’s our job to keep the Indonesian supply chain running and make sure consumers get their products delivered in a safe and timely manner throughout the country. We work as a strategic partner to our clients which are some of the biggest multinationals out there in the consumer, retail, and industrial sectors.

My role has recently expanded and I’ll now be responsible for both Indonesian and Malaysian operations. I see great

Supply Chain generally focusses upon, including network optimisation, transport optimisation, warehouse design and build, and productivity within the four-walls of the warehouse. We have a regional solutions team that is dedicated to this area and a comprehensive set of tools including advanced software and modelling tools.

opportunities to expand our business in both countries and there are some natural synergies between both markets including common languages and cultural similarities.

Hopefully, the borders will open up soon making it easier to move freely across the region.

You said that your clients are some of the biggest MNCs in the consumer, retail, and industrial sectors. Can you briefly describe the process when a client seeks assistance?

In a nutshell, we need to understand their businesses, their customers, their specific challenges, and then develop an optimal solution. This is usually a balance of safety, service levels, and cost considerations.

Generally, Linfox can help clients to outsource their logistics function and remove some of the complexity in their supply chain. The benefits of partnering with Linfox are numerous including our scale of operations, industry expertise, and ability to deploy people, assets, f leet, and technology. This allows our clients to focus upon their core businesses which are generally in either manufacturing or retail distribution.

It can take months and sometimes years to build a client relationship. Our business is most certainly focussed on long-term strategic partnerships which often involves presence in multiple countries across the APAC region.

Tell us about the supply chain solutions. Is each solution applicable for a certain customer sector or is it customisable?

It’s definitely more about customisation and there are some key areas that Linfox

There are also examples where Linfox can develop an industry solution that is more generic or scalable and can be targeted at multiple clients within a certain industry.

An example is the Linfox Bevchain business, which has recently entered Thailand. This is a joint venture between Linfox and a major beverage manufacturer that have consolidated their logistics activities with Linfox as the execution partner,, bringing scale and efficiency. In Indonesia, we’re looking to develop similar industry solutions partnering with some of Indonesia’s large manufacturing conglomerates… watch this space for Linfox Beverage Fleet on the road in Indonesia.

“You are passing another Fox”.

What do you mean by this statement?

When Linfox was originally founded by Lindsay Fox in 1956, the owner had only one truck delivering soft drinks in the summer months and fuel in winter. The slogan “You are passing another Fox” was branded on the rear of the truck to give the impression that there were multiple trucks out on the road and aligned with his vision to expand the business. From these humble beginnings, Linfox now has more than 15,000 trucks on the road with a keen willingness to invest in assets to grow our business in Asia.

For Indonesia, we share a similar vision to expand our f leet presence and introduce new f leet designs into Indonesia which

will deliver improved efficiency, safety, and reduced environmental impact. As the Indonesian government moves towards enforcement of ODOL laws (over-dimension over-loading), which will be enforced from January 2023, this will create a more level playing field for Linfox to introduce innovative new trucks on the road. Keep an eye out as very soon you will be “Passing another Fox” on the Indonesian motorways.

Almost everything we do is digitised; with that can you share some examples of cuttingedge technology used by Linfox Indonesia?

We’re now heavily focussed on robotics and process automation. As a starting point, we’re streamlining all processes in the back office and operations to automate repetitive tasks. For physical handling, we’ve introduced physical robots for palletising and shrink-wrapping products.

Our warehouse operations are also being constantly upgraded with new storage systems which offer greater density and efficiency.

Indonesia is at a very interesting inflexion point. The government has recently introduced the new Omnibus laws aimed at creating a more conducive environment for foreign direct investments and easing of the Industrial Labour Laws which have traditionally been a deterrent for companies to invest. Whilst some of Linfox technology investments will see a reduction in certain blue-collar positions, it’ll also create new opportunities for our staff to do more highskilled types of work and we are heavily focussed on skills training and development.

Based on your observations, where do you think the relationship between society and technology investments is heading?

No doubt, technology helps everyone to enjoy a better life and lifestyle. Indonesia’s e-commerce industry is growing rapidly and Indonesia has one of the highest adoption rates for e-commerce in the region.

Throughout the current pandemic, this has certainly helped consumers to have ready access to products and enjoy convenience.

That said, the logistics sector in Indonesia remains very traditional with a high dependence on manual tasks and a large blue-collar workforce. As technology advances and becomes more commercially scalable, there’ll be an increase in digitisation and automation which will create some challenges at a society level including structural unemployment as certain jobs are no longer required. Truck drivers and warehouse operators will someday be replaced by machines. Thus, those operating them will have to navigate into new jobs and learn new skills.

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

into the high-growth cold-chain sector where Indonesia currently has a shortfall in capacity to meet the market demands. I hope Linfox Indonesia will lead the way in terms of growth in the APAC region.

We’d love to know more about your personal story, Albert.

I studied international business and other foreign languages then th0ught that logistics would be a great way and opportunity to travel the world. Logistics is an area in which, no matter which country you're in, there's always a requirement for the services. The skills are quite transferrable and applicable in many different situations.

So far, I enjoy the challenge and opportunity to explore, meet people, and live in new countries for extended periods, because it gives a much better understanding of the places and cultures, which is much deeper than travelling for short-term assignments or travelling on holiday.

The COVID-19 pandemic has startled businesses globally. What challenges have struck Linfox Indonesia and how have they been resolved?

Our biggest challenge is maintaining our business continuity. Linfox is a very large business and we run our operations 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Looking at our biggest customer warehouse, we handle more than a million cases throughput daily and the mega-DC and back-of-factory operations is a critical component of their supply chain that’s servicing Indonesia. Imagine what would happen if this essential service was halted for a seven–14-day period? Supermarket shelves would be empty and consumers wouldn’t be able to get their necessities.

How has expat life been? Do you have any cultural activities waiting to be ticked off your bucket list?

I spent about six years in Malaysia and picked up some basic words, some of which are notably similar to Bahasa Indonesia. My Bahasa Indonesia isn’t as good as it should be, so I need to brush it up.

Our initial response to the pandemic required rapid mobilisation to respond to the crisis and protect the business. This involved forming pandemic response teams and quickly implementing new SOP’s and protocols to protect the business. We’ve implemented strict tier 4 protocols and operate to standards well above government regulations and PPKM restrictions.

I'm an avid scuba diver. I’ve previously spent a lot of time exploring Indonesia’s underwater scene and hopefully can continue soon. In the meantime, I’ve also enjoyed trail running out in the jungles not too far from Jakarta. It’s been a great experience and a really nice surprise to get out and enjoy some nature so close to the big city. There are many parts of Indonesia that I haven't seen and I'm always finding new things to try.

In recent months, we’ve weathered the storm of the Delta outbreak and managed to maintain business operations without any significant disruption. Moving forward, our business is now at a greater than 90 percent vaccination rate and we’re very pleased to see the situation in Indonesia is improving daily.

This year marks 20 years since Linfox established operations in Indonesia in warehouse and transport solutions. What’s next for the company?

It’s a great milestone for Linfox to turn 20 this year in Indonesia and I'm certainly very proud and very happy to come into a wellestablished business with a strong leadership team. Looking ahead, we've got tremendous opportunities to grow and diversify our business, which makes Linfox a great place to work. We plan to expand into new geographies and market segments. We’ll also shortly commence new warehouse operations with our customer Dynapack, long-term partnership and investment in a VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) warehouse with specialised handling equipment. We’re also moving

Given the whole pandemic situation, it's actually going a lot better than I expected!

I find Jakarta, despite being a very big city, still has a very small-town type of feel. It’s easy to connect and meet with people here, too. I’m keen to further explore Indonesia, given the opportunity to spend a bit more time travelling and exploring a bit more of the country and the culture.

In your opinion, what do Indonesia’s diverse culture and rich history tell you about the country?

Indonesia has vast geography. The country has developed over the years, thus becoming an extremely diverse country in terms of cultures and customs, originating from the many islands that make up this archipelago.

The people are very warm and inclusive in many ways, welcoming somebody new to the country. Everyone is always very willing to share more about their culture, be it food or other aspects, which is wonderful. Diversity, all in all, is probably one of the benefits of Indonesia’s rich history.

How can our readers reach you and Linfox Indonesia?

You can find me on LinkedIn, Albert Davidson. Also, feel free to reach out to Linfox Indonesia through our website www. linfox.com.

Thank you for your time. Stay safe and healthy!

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spotlight

Usmar Ismail, the Father of Modern Indonesian Cinema

BY DONNY SYOFYAN

Thanks to his educational background and expertise, Usmar positioned himself as a game-changer, putting considerable stress upon the country’s movie sustainability, which is still a relevant issue today.

U

smar Ismail is known as the father of modern Indonesian cinema. He was born on March 20, 1921 in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. His first movie, Darah dan Doa (Blood and Prayer) was shot on March 30, 1950. This date is now thought of as the country’s national movie day as it starred and was produced and directed

by Indonesians under the umbrella of the Indonesian National Film Centre (Perfini), which Usmar established himself.

Usmar’s complex personality — as a producer, director, journalist, artist, and writer — is inseparably linked to his reputation as a man of critical reasoning.

This seems to be overlooked when discussing his life. Watching his various films, few realise that his ideas have transcended their time. In Harimau Tjampa (Tjampa Tiger, 1953) and Tiga Dara (Three Maidens, 1957), for example, we can learn how the egalitarian spirit between men and women is tangible and strong. Meanwhile, in Lewat Djam Malam (After the Curfew, 1954), Usmar carefully touched on the country’s next chronic issue, namely corruption, seen from burgeoning post-power syndrome befalling soldiers at the time. Likewise, in Crisis (1953), power manipulation started getting widespread, with the film showing a former soldier stealing state money for his wife.

Usmar’s visionary ideas seen in his movies cannot be separated from three important factors as his oasis of inspiration. First, freedom of thought and expression were abundant. During the 1950s, thinkers, humanists, authors, and artists enjoyed a golden age of freedom of expression. Poets who began their writing career during and after the mid-50s included Kirdjomuljo,

Subagio Sastrowardojo, WS Rendra, Ajip Rosidi, Toto Sudarto Bachtiar, Ramadhan Kh., Sugiarto Sriwibowo, Mansur Samin, Djamil Suherman, Hartojo Andang-djaja, and more. In the 1950s, Indonesian master painter Affandi held many solo exhibitions in India, Britain, Europe, and the United States. Even the country’s first and most democratic election took place in 1955.

The conducive atmosphere led Usmar to not only produce his experimental audiovisual works, but also to offer moviegoers deep insights widely seen from various characters in many of his films. He did not hesitate to disturb people’s doubts about the question of where to go or what kind of Indonesian concept people were dreaming of.

Through his great comprehension of movies as a storytelling medium, which is always relevant regardless of place and time, Usmar

stood against censorship. In his attempt to educate and attract people to movies, he further believed that everything does not need to be discussed and exposed verbally in the storyline, rather he let non-verbal aspects such as gestures play the role — eye contact, a handshake, bowing, and many others. Censorship, for Usmar, would only limit the breadth of communication and culture, reducing the fertile breeding ground for freedom and opportunities to produce the country’s quality movies. Moreover, he fully understood that the pressure to selfcensor had been so much about business interest rather than political pressure.

Second, education is very important.

Though Usmar was equipped with a myriad of artistic and writing experiences as a performer and journalist back in the Japanese era, he viewed education as incredibly important to produce better and higher-quality movies. This was particularly true considering his dream of realising the national film industry together with his other colleagues, including Asrul Sani and Djamaluddin Malik.

Usmar opined that film school is so important because filmmakers need to

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

comprehend the technicalities of movies.

When it comes to aesthetics, many people can learn quickly. Indonesian cultural resources help filmmakers get to know the aesthetical aspects very quickly and naturally. However, the technical problems are closely related to science and technology.

Usmar’s movies, which were kept in a contemporary and relevant mood, honestly has to do with his educational background.

His ability to produce realism-based movies was greatly enhanced by his experience of studying film at UCLA and Hollywood.

Thanks to his educational background and expertise, Usmar positioned himself as a game-changer, putting considerable stress upon the country’s movie sustainability, which is still a relevant issue today. Without sustainable movies, do not expect that a growing and strong film industry will prevail in Indonesia. Have a look at the Korean movie industry. Their film industry is going global now, owing to their ability to combine aesthetic and technical aspects resulting from a serious educational process.

Korean filmmakers have long gone to the world’s best film schools prior to working on and exporting their film industry.

Third, adaptability is central to survival.

Muhammad Alwi Dahlan, the father of Indonesian communication science, has written nine scenarios for Usmar’s films.

He said that originally, Usmar’s parents expected him to undertake Islamic studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.

After migrating to Jakarta, however, he found that the nation was in dire need of a cultural and artistic revival during revolutionary times. As a Minangnese familiar with the philosophy, “dimana bumi dipijak di sana langit dijunjung” (where the earth is trodden there the sky is upheld) — meaning that wherever we live, we must observe the local customs — Usmar chose to adapt to the needs of his time and society, even though it ran contrary to his parents’ wishes.

His life choice to work in the fields of art and culture were done seriously and conceptually. He was trying to produce films involving Indonesian film workers, cast, and stars. Usmar’s adaptability and quality touch were proven by bringing up themes which many people were still embarrassed by or reluctant to discuss. Through Crisis (1953), Usmar captured the public’s anxiety in responding to dislocated soldiers in the postwar era engaging in power manipulation. Ever since, Indonesian films have started to be looked at by cinemas that have been long controlled by businesspeople having interest only in Hollywood or cheap films.

Even though Usmar Ismail’s contribution to the Indonesian film industry is undeniable and gigantic, his life journey was tragic at the end. His life is, in many ways, similar to the life journey of P. Ramlee, a Malaysian actor, filmmaker, musician, and composer.

It remains hopeful that Indonesian filmmakers’ calling for the government bestowing Usmar Ismail with the title of National Hero, on the 71st National Film Day, may materialise.

Usmar Ismail (left), Gayus Siagian (second left), Turino Djunaedi (second right), and Governor Ali Sadikin (right) at the Asia Pacific Film Festival 1970 in Jakarta

The writer is a lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities, Andalas University

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business profile

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

Environmental Testing with Reg de Wit of Intertek Indonesia monitoring of river water, based on a 2018 regulation. This is well underway and monitoring equipment is being installed by the government in major rivers. This equipment reports live readings such as pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, ammonia, nitrates, and other parameters. In addition to this, another new regulation requires major polluters to report online their contaminant levels directly in the waste they intend to discharge – the Sparing program.

R

eg de Wit found himself back in Indonesia following his true passion: environmental testing.

Get to know more about Reg’s story and how he is pioneering future actions on Intertek’s environmental efforts in Indonesia.

Hi, Reg! Where are you from and what’s the reason behind your move to Indonesia?

I’m from Vancouver, Canada but spent most of my youth overseas as my father was an expat working for a large American construction company. I think, because of my years growing up in places like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Indonesia, I longed for the same experiences my father had.

Working overseas opened so many doors for him. For the rest of the family, it was an eye-opening experience that I think turned us into true global citizens.

My lucky break came when I was working for a small Canadian environmental laboratory company that received government funding to help it set up labs in Chile and Indonesia.

I chose Indonesia as I had wonderful memories of growing up in Sulawesi and could even remember some Bahasa Indonesia. After accepting the position, I spent two years in Bogor and found my background was of interest to other employers. After many years and three very different jobs, I found myself back where I had started – working in the environmental testing field - my true passion. I now work with PT Intertek Utama Services which was keen on growing its small environmental testing lab. I started with four staff and today we have over 50 staff and perform a wide range of services, from air quality testing to stack emissions to water quality and B3 waste characterisation.

As the Environmental Services Manager at Intertek Indonesia, can you tell us more about Intertek’s environmental efforts?

When I started on this amazing challenge, my idea was to set up an environmental laboratory with the same standards as the one I left in Canada. Ethics and data integrity are the hallmarks of what

we are all about at Intertek. I found it challenging at first because on occasion, some companies would become upset if, for example, their result was well above the “maximum allowable limit”, for stack emissions for example. Our staff know very well that our code of conduct will never allow “data alteration”. In Indonesia, our niche over the years has become providing services to companies that care about their environmental impact and want to know if they have a problem.

Intertek's Environmental Division is highly regarded as a leader in providing high-quality data and dedicated customer support.

Why is that, in your opinion?

When I began working here, I noticed that it seemed common that all communications between clients and the laboratory went through the lab manager. That’s not how we did it back in Vancouver. I changed the structure so that all clients get assigned to client relations officers who take it upon themselves to learn all about our client projects and their specific needs. We leave running the lab to the lab manager – he’s got enough on his plate already!

Jakarta is synonymous with its poor air quality. How does Intertek contribute to this issue?

Through our links with other Intertek branch labs around the world, we get access to great technical knowledge. When given the opportunity, we like to share this knowledge with the government. Some laws still prescribe the use of equipment or methods for which there is much better technology providing better accuracy in measuring pollutants, e.g. gases in the air.

Some of our staff participate in government technical committees where they advocate for the adoption of these newer technologies.

Clean water supply is considered a luxury in rural areas of Indonesia, especially with mass tourism projects increasing. How is water quality monitored?

Indonesia began implementing a program called “Onlimo” which stands for online

How is emission testing conducted?

Our staff actually climb up tall smoke stacks where they then locate a special flange that allows them to insert long, stainless-steel probes that extract gas and particulates into small bottles and onto filters. These samples are brought back to our lab and analysed for contaminants such as SOx, NOx, CO, acids, mercury, and other heavy metals. Sampling for particulates must be performed specially - isokinetically, which means we must match our equipment flow rate with the flow rate of the hot gases in the stack itself. Our staff were specially trained by an Australian senior consultant and today we are considered leaders in this area.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important factor in homes, offices, and public places nowadays with the COVID-19 pandemic not seemingly disappearing anytime soon. What solution does Intertek provide to alleviate this concern?

We have very good equipment imported from New Zealand which allows us to measure particulate and gases accurately in indoor air. One might ask, “why is it important to measure IAQ accurately?”

Well, the WHO last March announced that controlling building ventilation can improve IAQ and reduce the risk of health concerns such as the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

By taking measurements, we can see if a building’s IAQ is good or poor. After building management has made changes to the ventilation system, we can see how much things have improved. For buildings using air purifiers, we can see “by how much” the room has been cleared of particulate. By doing so, we can then also see how well air purifiers would remove bioaerosols, which are the tiny particles we exhale that can potentially contain viruses.

Intertek has a PCR machine for testing COVID-19 on surfaces.

Is this available to be used by companies or households? What’s the technology behind this?

This service can be used by anyone who wishes to see if the virus is present on any high contact surfaces like doorknobs, water faucets, handrails, etc. Along with pooling saliva samples from large groups of people, e.g. classrooms, we can provide a type of “surveillance” service; looking to see if an area has been exposed to an individual who is shedding the virus.

Why choose Intertek and its environmental data?

We like to tell our clients we provide an international standard of data integrity.

That means clients receive data that is defensible and transparent. Fortunately, we find enough clients who demand this standard to be able to operate successfully in Indonesia.

We’d love to know more about your story, Reg. After landing back on my feet at Intertek, I ended up getting married to my long-time Indonesian girlfriend and now we have two beautiful daughters who are proud of the fact they’re Indonesian and Canadian citizens. Our family loves travelling and we hope soon to see orangutans and the amazing sights of Central Kalimantan.

From your point of view, what do Indonesia’s diverse culture and rich history tell you about the country?

Both my parents were originally from Holland. We grew up cooking Indonesian dishes and hearing from relatives about their time living in Indonesia in the old days.

At one point, I had to drive a cousin to the Menteng area to find the house in which she was born.

I’m lucky in that my different jobs here have allowed me to travel to all corners of this amazing archipelago to visit clients.

Indonesia has so many ethnic groups, it’s amazing how it’s able to bind together into one nation. I think it’s that very fact of living on so many different islands that make its people so unique and, at the same time, have a commonality.

As we often work with mining companies - and their mines tend to be located in very remote areas - I have seen Papuans in their native dress in the highlands. I’ve been to Halmahera and got to hear all about the Toboali forest people. I’ve been to Wetar island, located right on the Wallace line and saw old Portuguese graveyards. Indonesia happens to be an anthropologist’s dream assignment. I’ve noticed over the years that, although diversity can initially cause conf lict, in the end, a spirit of gotong royong appears and changes are made to accommodate the issues of the day. I truly believe Indonesia has enormous potential and that it is just getting started on its journey to become a major global player.

How can our readers reach you and Intertek Indonesia?

I’m happy to answer any questions related to environmental testing. I can be reached via email at reg.dewit@intertek.com ; indo.office@intertek.com, WhatsApp at +62811193548 or phone at +622129384454.

Thank you for your time. Stay safe and healthy!

12

culture

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

Expats’ Cultural Confusion– Adapting and Accepting

BY SHAHIDNA SHAHDAN

Y

ou have moved to a new country, unpacked your boxes, decorated your new home, and then, when everything is set up for your new life, you decide it is time to explore and make friends.

The question is, will you be able to adapt to the culture of the people in the country you are in?

Life as an expat may seem like a bed of roses to outsiders. It is common to hear comments like, “you’re so lucky! You get to stay in different countries. You get to travel all the time. You have such a cool job. You have friends from many countries.” Many seem to think that the life of an expat is just filled with fun and adventures. Yet, aside from the excitement of staying in new countries, the ability to adapt to new cultures is crucial.

Otherwise, being an expat is a tough and lonely experience. Over the years, I have seen many fellow expats leave their jobs because of culture shock.

According to the Cambridge dictionary, culture is the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time. Some expats prefer to keep to their expat groups but that would negate the purpose of staying in a foreign country, in my opinion.

For nearly a decade, I was an expat in Thailand and Indonesia and, despite being Asian, I still found it hard to fully adapt to the culture of these two countries I call home. I can speak both Thai and Bahasa Indonesia reasonably well and, though speaking the language helped to bridge the culture gap, it was still not enough for me to merge seamlessly into the cultures of either country. Many times, you will find me and my fellow expats having whispered conversations due to confusion and frustration about the local culture.

Sometimes, we are lucky to have local friends who patiently explain the culture to us, but mainly, we are left baffled.

It is undeniably hard to understand the culture of a country. Sometimes, the way things are done and daily practices leave us frustrated; it is very different from our own cultures. As expats, what we can do is take

Wat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai with my Thai friends.

a deep breath and recite to ourselves that this is their way of doing things, instead of reacting negatively towards the culture. If you are in a position to change things, for example in your own company, by all means, but if you expect to change the culture of the people in the country as a whole, it will be impossible. It is the culture of the country you are in and you have to respect that.

Otherwise, leaving would be a better choice than being frustrated on a daily basis.

For myself, I have tremendously enjoyed living in cultures that are different from my own. In Indonesia, the culture of wearing batik to formal occasions is something I embrace and love. I attended a batik-making workshop in Yogyakarta to learn more about the practice and culture of batik-making.

My advice is to embrace the culture of the country you are in. Appreciate their unique way of doing things, respect their beliefs and, most importantly, be aware that as expats, we are guests of the country. We are here to work and it would be a beautiful and wholesome experience to embrace the country’s culture; this will create a sense of home and belonging to the country and its people.

Appreciate their unique way of doing things, respect their beliefs and, most importantly, be aware that as expats, we are guests of the country.

Balinese girls at the Tirta Empul temple during a holy festival in Bali

I also visited the Ullen Sentalu Museum to learn more about Indonesian history and culture. In Thailand, having a huge barbecue hot pot is a common practice to celebrate happy occasions and I have eaten uncountable great dinners with my Thai friends and their families. I also learned Muay Thai, the ancient martial art of Thailand, because it is deeply imbued in Thai culture.

The irony of it is, when you return to your home country, you may find some aspects of your own culture hard to comprehend and you may start to miss the cultures of the different countries you have stayed in.

You may find it hard to fully assimilate back with your own home culture because, as if by magic, the experience of living in other cultures has shaped you into a new unique identity.

Reog Ponorogo Dance Performance outside Batik making

Museum Sepuluh November, Surabaya

14

travel

The Vogelkop Bowerbird in Pegunungan Arfak

Witnessing the Papuan Flying Architect

BY ARNALDI NASRUM

T

he land of Papua is one of the best places to enjoy the diversity of wildlife in Indonesia. It is famous for its endemic animals and the unspoiled beauty of nature. People mostly visit the mountainous area in Papua to hike and witness the amazing native birds. My visit to West Papua gave me the chance to explore the tropical forest. Minggre Village in Pegunungan Arfak is where I spent my time to see the miracle of Papuan nature.

Bowerbird

Pegunungan Arfak lies 90 km to the east of the West Papuan capital of Manokwari.

Pegunungan Arfak is a mountainous area with many ecosystems, including tropical forest, foothill forest, and lower mountain forest. With peaks reaching 2,955 metres, Pegunungan Arfak is the highest regency in West Papua. The Nature Conservation Agency of West Papua (BBKSDA Papua Barat) has recorded that Pegunungan Arfak has 110 mammal species and 320 bird species. Some of the favourite endemic animals to see are the black tree kangaroo, birds of paradise, the Papuan bowerbird, and cuscus. People can also find the paradise of birdwing butterflies, one of the biggest butterfly species in the world that, rather uniquely, flies like a bird.

Aside from the diversity of the fauna, Pegunungan Arfak is also inhabited by various unique plants. It has around 2,770 important orchid species that grow abundantly and Cendawan Menyala (Mycena), a plant that can emit light even in the darkness.

Bowerbird’s nest

Welcome to Nature Tourism Minggre

Papuan Bowerbird Among all the available species, my trip focussed on observing the Vogelkop Papuan bowerbird, known as the Namdur bird.

The locals named it Mbrecew bird which means “smart”, as they have a wide range of vocalisations. Some utter loudly, cackle, and even chatter. They can imitate any type of sound, such as cats and other birds.

Both males and females even can mimic the sound of predatory birds. The males perform these calls at the bower, whereas the females vocalise at the nest if she is threatened or disturbed. The Vogelkop bowerbird is an endemic bird in Pegunungan Arfak. Many types of bowerbirds can be found mainly on the island of New Guinea and some areas in Australia with various colours from yellow, red, green, black, and brown.

The Vogelkop bowerbird is a mediumsized bird, 21-35 cm in length, mainly olive-brown, and it resides in a foothill forest. Uniquely, the male birds build and decorate a structure to attract the females.

Male bowerbirds are famous for creating complicated bowers that are used for display during the mating ritual. The structure they build is similar to a house. This capability leads them to be known as “The Flying Engineer”. Compared to most birds that build a structure in trees, the bowerbird makes it on the ground.

To construct the structure, the male bowerbirds collect things, including tree twigs, leaves, gravel, and dried grass.

They will place them into one place and

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

manipulate them to build a structure. The bower is usually one metre high and wide. It consists of three parts: a dome which is wide enough for the bowerbird to pass through; the main area with large leaves laid upside down or tiled with rocks; and a pole which uses a sapling as a central tower, with an assortment of vegetation packed around the base. A male may need a week to two months to get his bower in order, depending on the weather.

True to its name of the f lying architect, the bowerbird also thinks about making the bower look attractive. The bird collects various objects such as plastic bottles, bottle caps, seeds, dried fruit skins, plastic, and other items discarded by humans.

Sometimes they carry things bigger than their body size. They put the objects all around the nest. Later, the bird will group them based on colour. Blue is its most favourite. It is a part of the decoration to make the nest look more beautiful, aiming to attract a female bowerbird. The females will visit the males if the bower architecture entices them. The males can attract the females by dancing or generating a beautiful song.

It must be understood that bowers are not nests. After a male sings and dances around the bower begging a female to accept him, the female usually leaves. After that, the male will tidy up his bower and prepare for the next routine to attract another mate.

Bowerbirds have their nest in a higher location, particularly in a tree hole. The female builds the nest alone for laying eggs, incubating, and feeding the young.

When exploring the foothills of Pegunungan Arfak, the track is challenging. The trail I passed to make my trek was more difficult; it rained the previous night. I had to make sure the ground was solid to step and grasp tree trunks to avoid slipping. However, this is the price I had to pay to witness the unique creature and its habitat. Visitors love to hike and explore nature as Pegunungan Arfak provides a good atmosphere.

Remember, Pegunungan Arfak is a regency and it has a wide area that contains many beautiful sites. Some of the most popular places are Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve and Minggre Village. Wherever you go, the cool and fresh air of the site will eliminate your tiredness when walking around the area. It’s relaxing. With lots of tropical forest plants, it is going to be a fun hiking adventure. What a wonderful place to escape from the crowd if you love nature trekking.

How to Get There Minggre Village is a village located in the regency of Pegunungan Arfak. If you travel from outside of West Papua, the first checkpoint is at Rendani Airport in Manokwari. From there, tourists need to take a local transportation service to Arfak Mountains. Most people use double cabin cars considering the challenging mountainous road. It takes about four to five hours to drive from Manokwari’s city centre to Minggre Village. To know more about the site, you can hire a local guide.

They are friendly and knowledgeable.

A view of Arfak Mountain

16

education

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

Finding the Best Fit: Choosing the Right International School for Your Children Jakarta Intercultural School head of admissions Kathleen Ngkaion offers her professional and personal insights on what parents can look out for when searching for the ‘perfect’ learning environment.

M

ore and more parents are recognising the benefits of globalised education, and with international schools mushrooming across the globe in the past decade, they now have more options than ever. This greater variety of opportunities and possibilities, however, turns into a paradox of choice, leaving families confused and frustrated over what to look for when choosing the right international learning environment for their children.

As a longtime travelling expatriate, a mother of four third-culture children, and now the head of admissions at Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), Kathleen Ngkaion is very familiar with the struggles and anxiety parents go through in their search for that so-called “perfect” school. She recently spoke on the JIS Podcast to give families some insider advice on what to look out for before making their final decision.

According to market intelligence firm ISC Research, the number of international schools around the world has increased from 7,655 in 2011 to 12,373 in 2021, representing a remarkable 62 percent rise in just a decade. Nearly 200 are in Indonesia, added Ngkaion, and of that figure, over 60 percent are located in Jakarta, “so that’s a lot of options!”

“There was a time when choosing schools was easy, and for some families, it’s still easy; maybe you came from a small town where going to school was a legacy, like maybe your parents went there; or maybe it’s geography and there’s no other school in that area,” she said. “But now we live in a world that’s a lot more complex and there are so many different schools to choose from, so thinking about schools can be very overwhelming to parents.”

These complexities — in an increasingly demanding, as well as digitally connected and competitive world — are compelling parents, both local and expatriates, to lean toward schools that use English as the primary language of instruction and offer globalised curriculums, such as the Cambridge IGCSE, Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB).

According to Ngkaion, about 80 percent of students attending international schools around the world are local, meaning that they were born and grew up in that country.

“That’s a complete shift from the international schools [of] many, many years ago. There is this desire to be globally competitive, and with that comes language exposure to different cultures, learning to work with different cultures,” Ngkaion explained. “Parents see international schools

as an ideal ground for raising children who will be competitive in university education and their careers, so it's become very desirable for parents to send their children to international schools.”

Once they’ve narrowed down their list of potential candidates, parents will need to see the schools for themselves — compare the real thing with the glossy, edited pictures curated online.

Like any decision-making process, the search for a school will start with research.

And with the world wide web literally at their fingertips, the first places to look would be the school’s official website and social media accounts. What subjects, extracurricular activities, and facilities does the school offer? What are the school’s core values? Do they align with your own values and priorities as a family? Where does the school get its accreditation? These are some questions parents can ask themselves in their online research.

“It’s very important that you go straight to the source, so go straight to the school.

If a school interests you, arrange an appointment [...] so that you can hear from them firsthand and get a feel for what the school is like,” Ngkaion suggested. “Even if you have an education agent already giving you information or maybe your company's [human resources department] is helping you with your search, it's very important that you connect with a school directly.”

With a lot of research and a little bit of time, you will find a school that is the perfect match for your child and your family.

Of course, with many schools in Jakarta — and across the world — still taking part in online learning or only just starting to reopen as part of a hybrid study method, it may be difficult to gain access to their campuses. In this case, virtual Open House events are a great opportunity for families to get to know a school and its administrators.

But don’t just listen to their explanation about how many subjects they provide or how many hours of math and science students get, Ngkaion warned.

“Really listen to what the administrators, principals and teachers are saying about their teaching and learning practices, their philosophies about teaching and why children at their school learn the way they do,” she said. “Listen to these beliefs and philosophies and see if they align with your expectations. You can get information about the curriculum and the schedule through printed material, but the interaction [with educators] and hearing them speak about what they do — something magical happens.”

Ultimately, when deciding on an international school, she urged parents to think about what’s best for their children, including their passions, what they’re good at, what brings out the best in them, as well as the entire family.

“At the same time, they should also be thinking about what their family needs and what their family wants [...] because the school becomes your community. Think about the school’s ethos, the people that you meet. Do the parents share your values and what's important to you?” Ngkaion said.

“There’s no such thing as a perfect school, but with a lot of research and a little bit of time, you will find a school that is the perfect match for your child and your family.”

18

travel

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

How Some Europeans Thrived During the Japanese Occupation

BY DUNCAN GRAHAM

S

hould President Joko Widodo model any of his "Ten New Balis" tourist attractions on the mountain resort of Sarangan in East Java, then he won’t be drawing too many discerning visitors.

The lakeside village is a lovely location with splendid surrounds and curious history, sadly spoilt by densely packed crowds, raucous noise, trashy souvenirs and parking rip-offs. The local government tries to keep the place clean and deter touts by advertising fixed prices, but visitor numbers overwhelm.

It wasn’t always a mess; the 30-hectare volcanic crater Telega Pasir (Sand Lake), and its rich carpets of multi-colour vegetable plots tumbling down from the hillside settlement was once a place of serenity and safety for a chosen few – Germans trapped far from their homeland.

“Far from the terrible war in Europe, the Germans lived as if they were at peace in a self-governing German island in exotic surroundings. There was no orderly schooling back home in Germany because of the daily Allied air raids, and city children were being evacuated to the countryside.”

When the Second World War erupted in September 1939, the Western nations confronting the Third Reich included the Netherlands, and by extension the kingdom’s East Indies colony. At the time there were several hundred German professionals, business people, retirees and their families scattered around the archipelago, though mainly in Java.

Sarangan also became a rest-and-relax centre for German officers from warships and submarines which docked in Surabaya to replenish supplies. The Japanese invaders, and later Indonesian nationalists, were keen to use German expertise to launch an indigenous navy.

The Dutch authorities shipped them back to Europe as prisoners or herded them into camps as enemy aliens, with many suffering hardships. Then came the 1942 invasion of Indonesia by Japan, an ally of Germany. The Dutch were trounced, the barbed-wire gates dragged open and the camps emptied.

Though not for long. Now the jailers were then jailed, Dutch nationals and other citizens of European states at war with the Nazis and its Axis partners.

It wasn’t wise for liberated Germans to wander Indonesia where they might be mistaken for former colonialists and killed by the Japanese before their documents could be authenticated, so a safe place had to be chosen.

That was Sarangan, formerly a small resort for Dutch officials on the eastern side of Mount Lawu. The volcano (3,265 metres) straddles the border with Central Java and is supposedly dormant. The last known rumblings were in 1885 along with a dusting of ash.

In memory of the friendship between Germany and Indonesia, and the German school and the German mothers and children who lived in Sarangan and endured the difficult times between 1943 and 1949.

At 1,400 metres, Sarangan’s cool climate and rich volcanic soils made it ideal for a self-sufficient community. Who better than the disciplined Germans well imbued with the work ethic, and who thought they were marking time prior to becoming masters of the universe?

They lived on vegetables grown in the valleys, meat and milk from dairy farms. There was enough produce to export.

The never-idle foreigners opened a kindergarten and the Sarangan German School on 20 April 1943 (Hitler’s 54th birthday) before Japanese and German VIPs. At one stage there were 350 students, according to German historian Horst H Geerken, a former telecommunications engineer in Indonesia. His book Hitler’s Asian Adventure has been used to research this story: ‘‘The pupils marched around the lake to lively tunes: the German youth movements of the Jungvolk, and the Hitler Youth had arrived in the East Indies. The Japanese set up the Badan Pemuda Asia Raya, the Great Asia Youth Corps, a fanatical, tightly organised troop ... (which) later played an important role in the fight for independence.

SORA (Sekolah Olahraga), a training centre for sport and languages with military overtones was started in Sarangan for Indonesian cadets. It was led by German officers who were also instructors in Soekarno’s volunteer army, PETA, (Pembela Tanah Air – Defenders of the Homeland) established in 1943 by the Japanese.

When the war ended in 1945 and Indonesia’s independence was proclaimed, the Sarangan school stayed open.

Geerken records "the relationship between Soekarno and the Indonesian military and the Germans was one of great mutual respect and affection. As opponents of the Dutch and as only half friends of the defeated Japanese, they saw Germany as their ally of the future.

“German experts in a wide range of areas – engineers, craftsmen and doctors – who had previously worked for the Dutch colonial government were now needed by the young and inexperienced Indonesian Republic.”

In 1946, the first year of the Dutch return to Indonesia, it seemed Sarangan and its shrinking German population (42 women and children, and ten men) had been overlooked.

Then the Dutch opened their second "police action" and in late 1948, Indonesian partisans torched the town to stop the returning colonialists from seizing assets.

The Germans were taken prisoners by the Dutch again and eventually repatriated by the Red Cross. Now all that remains is an undated and unattributed small plaque in the wall surrounding the lake, largely unnoticed as the crowds goggle speedboats roaring across the once tranquil waters.

It reads in Indonesian and German: “In memory of the friendship between Germany and Indonesia, and the German school and the German mothers and children who lived in Sarangan and endured the difficult times between 1943 and 1949.”

Geerken was in Sarangan in 1963, 15 years after his compatriots had left. "It was once more a dreamy, picturesque little village, though the ruins left by the scorched earth policy were still there, as were the foundations of the school," he said.

No longer. What Pancasila University tourism lecturer Fahrurozy Darmawan calls "overtourism" has swamped the site, "one of the main problems in tourism management is that there is no symbiosis between tourism and the community. Tourism, which is expected to be a catalyst for development, has turned into a conflict between tourists, local communities, and investors."

But the Sarangan scenery is a knockout and the weather is usually mild and air clean. Local produce, like honey melons and strawberries, is field-fresh. The lake is three hours from Surabaya by road and with plenty of hotels and guest houses.

Just don’t go on a public holiday.

Identify a Clinic You are Comfortable with!

You and your family might be in good health, but in general everyone needs some medical input at some point in time.

COVID-19 has certainly created a lot of uncertainty. I think it is essential that you at least identify a clinic that you are comfortable with. Look for a group of medical professionals who you can turn to, with any concerns. I would like to share some information to make life a bit easier.

by water or by food such as traveler’s diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever and amoebic dysentery. Insect bites can also spread diseases like malaria, dengue, Japanese encephalitis and Chikungunya.

Tuberculosis is spread through coughing and sneezing. Body fluid transmitted diseases like STIs, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B & C are also common in Indonesia. There are possibilities of getting Rabies if you are exposed to certain animals. Most of these can be prevented by getting vaccinated.

Besides COVID-19, there are common health problems for expats living in Jakarta.

There are three things to expect when you are living in Jakarta; infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases and accidents/injuries.

Infectious diseases, like food borne, air borne, or even body fluid transmitted diseases are common in Indonesia. Non-infectious diseases, or chronic diseases are sometimes unavoidable depending on your risk profile. Accidents and injuries can happen anywhere.

What to Do when You are Sick Feeling unwell can be a challenge. First advice would be to seek an opinion if you are unsure about your condition. You may use Dr Google, talk to a friend or even a medical professional you know personally. If possible, visit or call a clinic that you are comfortable with. In an ideal world you should have an assessment by a trusted medical practitioner (this can even be a telephone consultation).

Your medical practitioner will give a possible diagnosis. A management plan needs to be mutually agreed upon. You need to voice your expectations and ask for possible options (Are you expecting a referral?).

Preventive Actions To avoid diseases from happening, you need to know how to manage avoidable risks. For infectious diseases, there are lots of vaccinations available to protect you. This includes vaccinations against COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19, is important if you have symptoms that might indicate a COVID-19 infection. In those circumstances an Antigen test may suffice. If you had close contact with a person with COVID-19 it is recommended to test yourself with a PCR test 5 days after your contact, if you are still without any symptoms. Consider a FLU and Pneumococcal vaccine, as this will reduce your chances of getting infected with COVID-19, especially in vulnerable iFood prepared under unclear circumstances, tap water, and mosquitoes should be avoided. Identify a clinic that you are comfortable with! You can discuss your own risk profile with your trusted physician.

In a tropical country like Indonesia, there are a lot of infectious diseases, besides COVID-19. Infectious diseases can be spread

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

Chronic Disease Management If you are suffering from a chronic disease, we advise you to have a list of your regular medication. You should identify a doctor who can regularly check upon your condition and someone who can advise which (specialist) doctor you should see. Your family doctor can facilitate the communication with your specialist. Monitoring your condition on behalf of the specialist can also be done by a good family physician.

New Developments Good Practice is expanding. We hired new English speaking staff.

This means extra capacity to do house calls, office visits and teleconsultations. We have built additional consultation rooms and employed a UK trained psychologist. GOOD PRACTICE is now also the Medical retainer clinic for the ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, ADB. It I important that you identify a clinic that you are comfortable with. Good Practice Clinic has patients from 71 countries.

Try us! Info@goodpractice.co.id or 021 7183140

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

www.goodpractice.co.id

20

insight

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

Turning Negatives into Positives

Foreign Investment in the Wake of the Job Creation Law Priority business fields are eligible to receive fiscal incentives such as tax allowances, tax holidays, investment allowances and import-duty exemptions.

There are also some non-fiscal incentives including the ease of business licensing, the provision of supporting infrastructure, guaranteed access to energy, raw materials, immigration, employment and other conveniences now available under applicable laws and regulations.

Partnerships with Cooperatives and MSMEs Certain business fields are allocated specifically for Cooperatives and MSMEs, these are businesses of the following that meet the following criteria: 1. Do not use technology or use simple tecnology; 2. Would involve specific processes, are labour intensive, and have a special cultural heritage and are hereditary; and/or 3. Require less capital than Rp10 billion excluding the value of the land and building.

Image by Suryandhika Suryana from BIL

A

t Seven Stones Indonesia, we believe in the power of a positive mindset. We believe in helping our clients, partners, and communities create a better world by adapting to change and focussing on what matters most to them. We deliver solutions, peace-ofmind, and we help businesses grow. That’s why we recently partnered with Budidjaja International Lawyers (BIL), a dynamic, full-service and independent Indonesian law firm who have forged a reputation as one of the leading legal practices in Indonesia by offering extensive expertise in all aspects of legal practice across a broad range of industries and transactions.

The BIL team includes specialists across many areas of the law and has a deep understanding of Indonesia’s legal and business operating environments together with extensive experience in cross-border or international legal work. They are an independent, customer-centric law firm with a no-nonsense approach that helps them deliver professional services and value for money. Here’s what BIL have to say about the much-debated Omnibus Law on Job Creation (called Law No. 11 of 2020), which was passed in October 2020 and was an essential component of the government’s plan to increase Indonesia’s competitiveness and to adapt to the demands of the global economy. The hope was to improve the country’s investment ecosystem, both foreign and domestic by, among other things, simplifying business licensing, the prerequisites for investment and the overall ease of doing business.

red-tape is being removed, processes are being simplified and generally moving in the right direction. One area in particular where progress is being made is the replacement of regulations related to those business fields that have been traditionally closed to foreign investment. Most commonly referred to as The Negative Investment List, the focus has always been on restrictions but now this has changed; now the emphasis is much more encouraging because now we have what’s being called the Positive Investment List highlighting those businesses fields that are open for investment rather than those that aren’t.

It’s worth noting, however, that every country has its own list of industries and business sectors that are off-limits to foreign investment in attempts to balance the benefits of foreign investment with national security and defence as well as economic concerns.

So, is it working?

Indonesia is no exception. Even though the list of restricted business fields has been greatly reduced with the Omnibus Law, there are still some reserved for the central government, including: • The cultivation and industry of Class I Narcotics; • Any form of gambling and/ or casinos; • Fishing for specific species listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); • Utilisation or collection of coral; • Chemical weapons manufacturing industry, and; • Chemical industries and ozone layer depleting industries.

The bottom line is yes, but it’s too early to predict how this play out long-term and most observers would agree bureaucratic

This leaves a lot of areas that are now open for foreign investment. These can be classified into four general categories;

Every country has its own list of industries and business sectors that are off-limits to foreign investment in attempts to balance the benefits of foreign investment with national security and defence as well as economic concerns.

Priority Businesses; Partnerships with Cooperatives and MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises); those businesses that are open for foreign investment but with specific requirements and other businesses that are not included in other categories but are open for investments.

Priority Business Fields Presidential Regulation 10/2021 lists 245-priority business fields that are fully open to investors in its Appendix I. It also regulates priority business fields that meet the following criteria: • National strategic programmes/ projects; • Capital intensive businesses; • Labour-intensive businesses; • Businesses utilizing advanced technology; • Pioneering industries; • Export-oriented businesses; and/ or • Businesses oriented in research, development and innovative activities.

Meanwhile, other business fields require Large-Scale Businesses to partner with Cooperatives and MSMEs. These are fields that meet the following criteria: 1. mostly engaged in by cooperatives and MSMEs; and/or 2. encouraged to be included in the supply chains of Large-Scale Businesses.

A full list of these can be found in Appendix II of PR 10/2021.

Business Fields with Certain Requirements All investors, both foreign and local, can engage with all businesses, including Cooperatives and MSMEs so long as they; (a) abide by investment requirements for local investors; (b) abide by investment requirements with restrictions on foreign capital ownership; or (c) abide by investment requirements that require special permits.

Other business fields that are not included in the above are considered as being open for investment.

To sum things up, Presidential Regulation 10/2021 has significantly increased the number of business opportunities that were previously off-limits for foreign investors.

Combine this with other policies aimed at improving the ease of doing business and the indications are that Indonesia is well and truly open for business.

If you’d like to learn more about the positive impact of the Job Creation Law, get in touch with Budidjaja International Lawyers who are headquartered on the 49th floor of the Sahid Sudirman Centre on Jalan Sudirman 86 in Jakarta. Check out their website here https://budidjaja.law/ and you can email them at cr@budidjaja.law Or, you can get in touch with us at Seven Stones Indonesia through hello@sevenstonesindonesia.com.

22

outfit

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

Fashion Must-have: The Daster

BY MIRELLA PANDJAITAN

D

that are loose and cool like a daster.” She continued to say that the body is more relaxed when sleeping in a daster because the skin can breathe and body movement during sleep isn’t restricted. Plus, blood circulation is regulated since the daster isn’t tight, which can block blood flow from one part of the body to another, thus giving the wearer good quality sleep.

aster is perfect for everyday use, making it a fashion must-have. I reckon daster should be a fashion staple in the tropics! But who am I? I’m no fashion expert. I’m merely one of the many women who lives in a daster – whenever and wherever I can get away with it.

Daster (negligee is the direct English translation) is a lightweight dress designed in lovely, intricate patterns and colours hitting the knee, calves, or ankles, either sleeveless or not. According to the Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), daster is defined as a noun, meaning a dress that’s intentionally made loose to be worn at home.

You’ve probably spotted your neighbour donning a daster coming out to get their food delivery; a friendly lady giving you change at a local warung; or whilst you’re testing your bargaining skills at a traditional market. It’s fascinating - I notice, regardless of the age, societal status, and location, much confidence radiates the faces of those wearing it, despite them usually being barefaced.

I love daster. I’ve built up my own collection.

It’s comfortable, airy, cute, uncomplicated, and timeless. The way my friend Ajeng describes it: easy, breezy, beautiful. I can see my daster collection expanding soon – but I’d have to find more space.

Kumparan reported that the word “daster” was adapted from “duster”, a long robe made with light material with a loose cut found in American fashion. The cloak, which has been known since the 1800s, is usually made of linen, designed with several models, and was worn by cowboys as an outer to protect their clothes from dust, dirt, and even rain.

Over the centuries, the duster’s name attracted adoration and was widely used by the American public. The designs got simpler, too. The duster was designed to resemble a cardigan in the 70s. Several European and American fashion labels presented dusters on the runway, paired with knee-length boots or as outerwear of jeans and t-shirts.

Image by Allem A/Dicky

of reliable craftsmen, availability of raw materials, and marketing distribution," said Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, reported by Tempo. “Many batik craftsmen are scattered in this cultural city by carrying their own characteristics and patterns so that Yogya also becomes the main stop for tourists who love batik.”

I won’t try to deny that I’ve been wearing some dasters as my pyjamas and WFH attire throughout the pandemic. I’m not the only one. Merdeka reported, “Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister (UKM) Teten Masduki revealed the high number of negligee and sarong sales is caused by more activities carried out by people from home. As a result, the demand for these two products will continue to soar because they are more comfortable to wear.”

However, fashion psychologist and author of Dress Your Best Life, Dawnn Karen, suggests avoiding “clothes that make the mood less suitable for work.” She explained clothes can affect the mood and stop you from focussing on your work.

Beringharjo Market, Yogyakarta

The daster is suitable for all weather in Indonesia. It can protect the skin from heat during the dry season, as well as maintain body temperature to stay warm during the monsoon season.

Yet, it’s hard not to change back into one after “getting ready” for the day. I could always throw a blazer over it when a Zoom meeting is scheduled. See how versatile it is?

It’s hard to truly pinpoint the origin of the daster in Indonesia, however. No research has identified the exact moment that the daster gained prominence amongst Indonesians. Looking back at vintage photographs of pre-democracy days, it seems women were still rocking batik sarongs as dresses. Perhaps it got adapted to silhouettes of 70s’ dresses too; loose, expressive, yet longer.

Daster is undeniably practical to throw on and take off. Most are equipped with buttons or zippers on the front section; nursing mothers can choose these designs to make mealtimes easier for their babies.

Aside from that, the daster is suitable for all weather in Indonesia. It can protect the skin from heat during the dry season, as well as maintain body temperature to stay warm during the monsoon season.

My mother rocked a daster back in the 90s carrying baby-me - shown through a family photograph. This got me thinking: dasters are generally passed down from generation to generation, designed in different styles and catering to many preferences.

They’re truly a cultural fashion item, like a batik garment. "Yogyakarta has the potential to develop batik with the support

Various materials are used and are light and cool when worn, moreover, they’re easy to wash as the lightweight material speeds up the drying process. There are those made of rayon fabrics that have a high sweat absorption capacity, cotton fabrics that don’t cause allergic reactions or irritation, and batik materials. This garment is usually made to follow the development of trends such as floral motifs, stripes, tie-dye, and ethnic batiks coming in bright and dark colours.

Image by ECONANA (Galeri Pasar Kotagede)

According to Klikdokter of the Health Ministry, dasters bring several health benefits, as explained by Dr. Astrid.

“Indonesia has a tropical climate that can irritate the skin due to the hot temperature.

So, when you are at home, you need clothes

You can spot several types of daster models, such as: 1. A modern, loose-fitting type that has wider sleeves than a regular dress.

2. The vintage model, usually decorated with ruffled accents on the sleeves.

3. Modern, sleeveless models.

4. Contemporary, shirtdress models that are equipped with a collar and are usually made of light material.

5. The Arabic model that has smouldering lace.

6. The Balinese model, typically using rayon fabric, which is cool, smooth, soft, and easy to care for.

I’ve never seen identic Indonesian-style dasters sold elsewhere in the world. Go travel shopping in any traditional and modern markets in the country and racks and folded dasters are on display with quite affordable prices written in black-markeron-cardboard. For example, Beringharjo Market in Yogyakarta normally sells a daster for Rp35,000 to locals. Expats, on the other hand, can get a “seratus ribu rupiah” (Rp100,000) or even higher, “tiga ratus ribu rupiah” (Rp300,000) offer for one piece. I say, bargain to your heart’s content!

Travel host Diana finds the daster’s practicality and low-key sexuality to be lovable traits of this fashion item. The Brighton-native now living in Yogyakarta, Harri, claims a daster with no undergarment as the ultimate comfort. Aside from the feminine embodiment a daster brings out, how significant is it to wear one in honour of the local culture? A gen-Z like Anastasia reveals it’s indeed significant as it’s already in our blood. “Even if we live overseas, we still bring it.”

My mother has this one daster – batik, squared motif in black and rich dark brown – I remember from my childhood that she still keeps somewhere in her massive closet.

It’s not in its best shape anymore, so she modified it into a headband and small rag.

“I’ll never let this go,” she told me years ago. Will I end up like her with my own collection?

music

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

23

Sergeant Pepper Marches East: The Beatles in Indonesia

BY DACHLAN CARTWRIGHT

I

n October 1962 I was privileged to witness, in the Cavern Club in Liverpool, three working-class scouse lads, (plus one, John, from the middleclass), performing the best, in my honest opinion, rock’n’roll music ever heard on the planet. Fifty-five years later, in August 2121, Liverpool University Press announced the forthcoming publication of a new academic tool, the Journal of Beatles Studies, which aims to establish “a scholarly focal point for critique, dialogue and exchange on the nature, scope and value of The Beatles as an object of academic enquiry and seeks to examine and assess the continued economic value and cultural values generated by and around The Beatles, for policymakers, creative industries and consumers. The journal also seeks to approach The Beatles as a prism for accessing insight into wider historical, social and cultural issues.” Wow. There is no time, in an article like this, to chronicle how four leather-clad rockers, having morphed into “lovable moptops”, and then “saints of psychedelia” became such an intoxicating “prism” to emblazon some of the best minds of academia. Suffice it to say that the Beatles were the tip of the iceberg which, titanically, smashed down the Berlin Wall and that we, their early fans, including those from Indonesia, were the hidden base of that iceberg. And this happened because of the sheer creativity, originality, vitality and musicality of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The first poem I ever wrote was a rather rude response to a notorious article, The Menace of Beatlism, by journalist Paul Johnson, who was following a familiar trajectory from the strident left to the strident right, retaining only the stridency.

Here’s a quote from Johnson: “What were we doing at 16? I remember reading the whole of Shakespeare and Marlowe, writing poems and plays and stories. At 16, I and my friends heard our first performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony; I can remember the excitement even today. We would not have wasted 30 seconds of our precious time on the Beatles and their ilk.”

Awan and I became firm friends, as I did with the rest of the group, and with his family. His “moniker” then was “the Paul McCartney of Indonesia”, and he looked like Sir Paul, with his baby face and the same left-handed Hofner 500/1 bass guitar.

In August 2008, G-Pluck were invited, as one of Asia’s two representatives, to take part in the Beatles Festival in Liverpool. I accompanied them, as a guide to the city, and as a rather ageing roadie, for which my duties seemed to be fetching tankards of water for the band while they were playing.

We were also accompanied by one of Awan’s staff, a journalist, Lovelli Ariesti, and a lady official from the Indonesian Embassy in London. The two girls provided a noisy and glamorous encouragement to the band.

The first gig was at the Cavern Pub, and Awan, Lovelli, and I took a taxi down to the Pier Head to catch our breath before the performance. Awan was understandably nervous. The Mersey was bereft of ships, unlike the days when Liverpool was the world’s greatest port, with liners and cargo vessels constantly departing to and arriving from the four corners of the world. The famous ferry was still running through, as was the Isle of Man boat, onto which motorcyclists were loading their machines to take part in the island’s famous TT races.

Dachlan, Geoff and Conrad, early Beatles fans at Liverpool University 1962

telling their kids, “If you want to know how the original Beatles sounded, take a listen to these guys.” Lovelli and I enjoyed chatting to the Norwegian Beatles and a girl Beatle band from the USA. What I have found is that Beatles’ fans all over the world form a special community, a family.

Awan needn’t have worried. G-Pluck went down a treat, as they began by roaring into Twist and Shout. I was so proud to be with them. Fans of the original Beatles were

Another highlight was when G-Pluck was interviewed by Billy Butler on Radio Merseyside. Billy is a well-known, affable local personality and former beat singer, and he was really impressed when G-Pluck played “Because” for him and all of the listeners.

Back in Indonesia, G-Pluck, who have also played in Singapore, Australia, and Belgium, continue to promote the Beatles through live concerts, restaurant appearances, and TV shows. Even in these masked-up times, they are giving Zoom concerts from Awan’s Lontar studios, together with other singers and musicians from Indonesia's thriving Beatlemania community. And these performers are not, as you might expect, all “seniors” from the first generation of Beatles fans, but also “juniors” and teenagers.

And as a schoolteacher here, I find that all my students, from Infants to High schoolers, like and admire The Beatles. The beat goes on, the Beatles go on…

G -Pluck can be contacted through their Facebook G -pluck, Instagram @g pluckbeatles, a nd Tw it t er @ GPLUCKBeatles.

Dachlan with G-Pluck poster G-PLUCK as Beatles

I wonder what Johnson, whose name eerily contains those of the two most creative Beatles, and who does come across as an honourable man and honest journalist, however wildly wrong he was about the Beatles, is thinking now.

Fast forward to 2008, and in my English class at TBI Jakarta is Awan Garnida, who tells me that he has a Beatles tribute band, G-Pluck, and invites me to one of their concerts. I was gobsmacked. Other Beatles bands were performing, but when I closed my eyes I was back there in the Cavern “all those years ago”. G-Pluck are so authentic.

Dachlan at Beatles Twilite Orchestra

Over the next few days, the band played at other venues including the Cavern Club and the Adelphi Hotel. When the lads were walking through the streets in their wigs and suits there were shouts of “There go the Japanese Beatles”, with one wag claiming to recognise his long-lost son from Yokohama. We visited for a meal at the oldest Chinatown in Europe, and walking down Bold Street the boys became gathered up in the fond embraces of some large ladies who were spilling out of the pubs. On the other hand, for spiritual sustenance, the lads attended Friday prayers in the oldest mosque in Britain.

Awan Garnida as Paul McCartney

His “moniker” then was “the Paul McCartney of Indonesia”, and he looked like Sir Paul, with his baby face and the same left-handed Hofner 500/1 bass guitar.

Dachlan is a Liverpool Welshman who first came to Indonesia for the Subud World Congress in 1971. He returned in 1973 to work in Bandung, where he met his wife Srie. They have two children, Munadi and Rianti, a son-inlaw, Cas, and a granddaughter, Cara Rose.

Dachlan has worked as a librarian, editor, trainer and teacher in Britain, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Timor-Leste. Now retired, he focuses on writing. He has written seven collections of verse, including Ours is a GodGiven Peace: Verse from the Mersey Beat Era, and Beatle Zevons: Verse for 54 Rockers.

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Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

BALI

Alila Villas Uluwatu Prevents Plastic Pollution Alila Villas Uluwatu has been a pioneer of sustainability in the hospitality industry and continues to make sustainability a priority in all aspects of its business operations. Embracing the principles of regenerative tourism and hoping to serve as a catalyst for change that benefits the environment and local communities, the resort has become a proud signatory of the UN’s Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.

Regenerative tourism seeks to not only repair damage to the environment and communities associated with travel but also actively improve the environmental and social conditions of host destinations by creating fertile conditions for them to f lourish – working with nature, not against it, to preserve ecosystems and create a positive impact.

Led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the initiative was launched in January 2020 to unite the tourism sector to take concerted action that addresses the root causes of plastic pollution, leading by example in the shift towards circularity in the use of plastics.

With plastic waste playing a major role in contaminating Bali’s rice paddies, forests, beaches, rivers and seas, Alila Villas Uluwatu has already taken decisive action. The resort has eliminated all single-use plastic usage throughout the resort since 1st June 2021. This includes no plastic food packaging, bags or cutlery, among others, while team members and guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags.

Learn more about Alila Villas Uluwatu’s sustainability efforts online at alilahotels.com/uluwatu/sustainable-tourism.

BANDUNG

Opening Soon: Hotel Indigo Bandung Dago Pakar IHG Hotels & Resorts and PT Hotel Dago Pakar are proud to extend their partnership in Indonesia by opening Hotel Indigo Bandung Dago Pakar, scheduled to open in 2024.

The 275-room hotel will be located in the prestigious Dago neighbourhood, in the northern region of Bandung, that’s surrounded by tea plantations, pristine forests and natural waterfalls merely 30 minutes away from Bandung International Airport.

As with every Hotel Indigo property, it will draw on the story of its local area to inspire all aspects of its design, décor, and service style. Thus, every detail creates a highly memorable cultural experience, inspired by the rich heritage of Dago Pakar and the vibrant spirit, passion and independence of Bandung.

Hotel Indigo Bandung Dago Pakar will weave three key themes into every aspect of the guest journey: the healing and restorative power of water; the craftsmanship of local artisans, musicians, puppet masters, and dancers that combine modern and traditional art forms, and the folklore and fables that have inspired generations of locals.

“We want to establish Dago Pakar as a must-visit destination, bring out a deeper understanding of our rich culture and heritage that intertwines European influence from its colonial past as well as its young vibrant creative culture, and forge a meaningful connection between our guests, our hotel, and the community,” said Director of PT Hotel Dago Pakar, Purnawan Suriadi. “We are confident that IHG’s proven track record of success in quality and guest satisfaction, both internationally and in the region, will offer a uniquely local experience for guests at Hotel Indigo Bandung Dago Pakar.”

Facilities at Hotel Indigo Bandung Dago Pakar will include a café and bar, meeting and event spaces measuring more than 1,800 sqm, a health and fitness club, two swimming pools, and a kids club. It will also offer the first rooftop pool and bar in Bandung with 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape and city.

Visit www.hotelindigo.com for more details.

26

Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

Expat Advertiser

Send your classifieds to: info@indonesiaexpat.biz Next Deadline: October 27, 2021

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Indonesia Expat Issue 277 | October 7–November 3, 2021

Available now Seminyak double six area. One Bedroom Garden Bungalow. Classic style and open style living area.

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The beach is about a sevenminute walk away from Ku De Ta, La Lucciola, Potato Head

27

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