Progress in Indonesia

The lot of Chinese Indonesians improving
By ERWIDA MAULIA

JAKARTA: Chinese-Indonesians are beginning to enjoy the lowering of many major hurdles in living in the mainly Muslim country, a top Confucian leader says.

The only remaining problem is the issue of ID cards, over which ethnic Chinese residents still face discrimination in many parts of the country, said Indonesia Confucianism High Assembly (Matakin) chairman Budi S. Tanuwibowo.

He was speaking during a celebration in Jakarta on Sunday for Chinese New Year, which was attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Some 6,000 Confucians were present at the event organised by Matakin.

In turn, Yudhoyono called on all state officials to improve their services to the country’s Confucian and Chinese-Indonesian communities, saying all discriminatory acts against minorities must be put to an end.

He added there had been significant progress in the fulfillment of civilian rights for both minority groups over the last 10 years.

“I’m asking the religious affairs minister, the education minister and the justice and human rights minister, as well as all related parties in both central and local administrations, to continue to improve the quality of their services so as to fulfil the civilian rights of the Confucian and ethnic Chinese communities,” Yudhoyono said in his address.

“In accordance with the 2006 Law on Citizenship, you (state officials) should not have any doubts about giving good service.

“There should be no more discriminatory treatment against anyone.”

The improvement of minority groups’ rights, the President added, could be found in marriage registrations, now available to Confucian couples.

It can also be seen in the education sector, with the Religious Affairs Ministry’s issuance of two regulations legalising the incorporation of Confucian teachings in school curricula.

“Also, the Centre for Religious Harmony now serves Confucianism. And there are no more problems now about the establishment of houses of worship for Confucians,” Yudhoyono said.

In response, Matakin’s Budi Tanuwibowo acknowledged the improving conditions, citing “three big occurrences” last year, including the issuance of the two ministerial regulations and the granting of a plot of land at the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah theme park to establish a Confucian temple, whose ground-breaking ceremony will take place Monday.

Another “historic” occurrence was Yudhoyono’s attendance, the first ever by a president, at the celebration last October of Prophet Kong Zi’s 2559th birthday in Cibinong, West Java, Budi added.

“All problems (over the rights of Confucians and ethnic Chinese communities) are over now, except in the application of ID cards, which remains problematic in many regions,” he said.
Indonesia officially began celebrating Chinese New Year after former president Abdurrahman Wahid in 1999 annulled a 1967 presidential instruction banning all activities related to Chinese traditions, including the practices of Confucianism teaching.

Three years later, Wahid’s successor Megawati Soekarnoputri officially declared Chinese New Year a national holiday.

Yudhoyono, who is seeking another five-year term in office, seized upon Sunday’s event to ask Confucians to vote during the upcoming legislative and presidential elections. -- ANN/ The Jakarta Post

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Malaysians tend to laugh at Indonesia due our pre-supposed progress. Reading this, I am uplifted by the maturity that this democracy is showing. Indonesians know that to survive, they need to work hard. This is because in Indonesia, there is no such thing as pribumi. Everybody is equal under their constitution hence, the smarter and harder worker will be able to survive.


“In accordance with the 2006 Law on Citizenship, you (state officials) should not have any doubts about giving good service.“There should be no more discriminatory treatment against anyone.”

I am no Confucioun but am happy for the Indonesians who are now able to practice and get their religion recognized. Would anybody from UMNO dare to utter what SBY said?

Iban land activists detained for ‘gang robbery’
Tony Thien Jan 23, 09 11:46am
Source: Malaysiakini

Three Ibans, actively involved in a struggle to keep a plantation company out of their Native Customary Rights (NCR) land, have been detained under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969 for suspected gang robbery.

The three are members a longhouse chief’s family and include a young mother.

They are presently being held in a police station in Bintulu. Under the ordinance they can be detained for up to 60 days while police continue with investigations.

In an appeal letter to the inspector-general of police and other relevant authorities, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president, S.M. Mohamed Idris, called on the authorities to immediately release the trio - Bunya Ak Sengoh, Marai ak Sengoh and Melati Ak Bekeni - if the police do not have any strong evidence against them.

“We regard their arrest under the emergency ordinance as strange and against human rights. It is an action that is most unfair and injust.

Land dispute with BBC Estate VII
“As far as we are aware, such emergency laws should only apply to illegal activities and serious crime that threaten national security and peace,” he added in the letter made available today by SAM Sarawak Co-ordinator Jok Jau.

Jok Jau told Malaysiakini that initially seven, including a child, were picked up by police near their house in Batu Lapan in Bintulu on Dec 26, 2008 following a report of a gang robbery in town.

Three other people, believed to be foreigners, were also arrested separately.
Among the Ibans arrested on Boxing Day and remanded in police custody were Bunya Ak Sengoh, Marai Ak Sengoh, Elizabeth Ak Sebi, Melati Ak Bekeni, Roland Ak Jau, Spencer Ak Jampi and Victoria Gundu Ak Marai.

“Until today, the police have failed to find any evidence to charge them. We find no reason for the arrest,” the Marudi-based SAM co-ordinator said.

He said Spencer was released on Jan 7, Roland and Elizabeth were released on Jan 14 but Bunya, Marai and Melati were re-arrested on Jan 15 under the emergency ordinance.
Tuai Rumah Sengoh from Sg Pinyo, Pandan in Kemena and his people have been actively defending their NCR land from encroachment by a plantation company. The case has also gone to court.

Call for probe into detention of trio

The Iban chief is the father of Bunya and Marai and Melati is his daughter-in-law.
“Sengoh has a land dispute with BBC Estate VII Sdn Bhd at 8th Mile Bintulu Road,” Jok Jau said.
Meanwhile, in his appeal letter to the Malaysian human rights organisation, Suhakam, Tuai Rumah Sengoh Ak Sabang called on Suhakam to conduct an immediate investigation into the detention of the trio under the emergency ordinance. It was done without any justification whatsoever, he added.

He said they were initially held under Section 117 of the Penal Code from Dec 26, 2008 until Jan 14, 2009 on suspicion of being involved in a series of gang robberies in Bintulu and other places.
On January 15, 2009, the trio were detained under the emergency ordinance while the rest were released on police bail.
He denied any member of the family had been involved in any of the activities as alleged and that he believed the action against his family members had resulted from the many reports he had made to the police regarding the encroachment into their NCR land by the plantation company.


My view:
The police is not being fair to the people affected by the big companies. Are the companies paying their salaries?

Hannah Yeoh, we love you..

RPK seemed to be fond of Hannah Yeoh.... now i know why.

The look?

The cili padiness?

or is it plain men testestrone?

For me, I was surprised to find out that this first term Subang Jaya MP has a blog and in her blog, it detailed out her spending for her constituency .. sen by sen. Have you ever seen such a rational accounting of a politician? My first and am impressed.

Check out her spendings here.

My observation of the Kuala Terengganu By election

(Image)

To the readers, early wish of a blessed New Year. Have a cow of the new year.

The new job did not allow me to spend enough time to blog. And when i am back home or not travelling, have not the luxury to spend time writting articles. Yet, would just like to share my personal thoughts on the Kuala Terengganu by election last week that was won by PAS and its aftermath.

10 observations
1. MSM that spinned an UMNO win kept the news small when PAS won. Sore loosers.

2. UMNO to accept the defeat and work on change? People are still pointing fingers at each other. Good riddance.

3. Najib would not be able to bring about the necessary change. He plays safe.

4. Najib forsake his job as the Economic minister at a crucial time when our economy is stagnating even at a by election that is 'not important'.

5. Estimated between RM500 million to RM1 billion is thrown to the KT by election without results.

6. Too many luxury cars and police outriders blocking the road. Someone nearly died in Pahang when hit by a lorry as the junction is blocked for VIP to pass through.

7. Wan Farid is just an appointed senator who got lucky knowing the right people.

8. Terengganu chinese swings back to Barisan for economic reasons & probably not hudud. MCA is trumpetting as their achievement without wanting to know the real reasons. They will continue to loose support.

9. By elections are good. We almost have our electricity tariff lowered.

10.MCAC is confirmed toothless. It dares not act against many complaints of money politics in KT.