Ridho Rhoma wants to become a director

The Jakarta Post | Sat, 11/05/2011 1:37 PM

JAKARTA: Not satisfied with his achievements in music and acting, dangdut singer Ridho Rhoma says he hopes to become a filmmaker.

The 22-year old said he wanted to become a filmmaker after working in the production of an independent movie, in which he starred.

“I want to direct my own movie,” Ridho said as quoted by inilah.com on Friday.

The son of the king of dangdut, Rhoma Irama, said he learned a lot about movie production during the independent film project.

“Even though the duration was short, I learned a lot.” Ridho has also acted in two feature films.

Bangka Belitung govt wants Rp 650m for car

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 10/31/2011 2:22 PM

The government of Bangka Belitung Island has proposed to spend Rp 650 million (US$73,629) on the governor's official car.

The chief of the administration's general secretariat, Suharto, said the official vehicle would be used by the governor when he was on duty in Belitung Island.

“At present we don’t have an official car, so we need to rent a car every time an official comes to visit Belitung,” Suharto said Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

He added that Rp 600 million of the amount would be used to purchase the vehicle, and the remainder would finance the car’s service for one year.

Palestinian leader wants US backing in UN proposal

Associated Press, Jerusalem | Fri, 12/31/2010 4:13 PM | World

The Palestinian president said a new attempt by the Palestinians to get the United Nations to condemn Israeli settlements was specifically designed to win U.S. support.

As part of a new emphasis on winning international support for their cause, the Palestinians have drafted a proposal and are lobbying for a Security Council resolution that would declare West Bank settlements illegal and an "obstacle to peace."

The U.S. has said it doesn't support the move, but it remains unclear if it will veto the measure or abstain should the draft come to a vote. Israel says it is an attempt by the Palestinians to avoid negotiations.

Speaking on Thursday to Palestinian expatriates and Arab ambassadors in Brazilia, Brazil, President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian draft used language similar to that used by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has criticized settlements.

"We drafted it using the same words that Secretary Clinton is using and so we don't see why the U.S. would veto it," Abbas said.

Brazil, along with several other South American countries, recently recognized the yet-nonexistent state of Palestine.

With peace talks at an impasse, the Palestinians are increasingly trying to win international recognition of their state, which they hope will put bring more pressure to bear on Israel.

Govt wants 7.5 percent SME growth next year

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 12/20/2010 10:27 AM | Business

The Indonesian government wants a 7.5 percent increase in the nation’s small and medium industries sector in 2011, up from a 4.8 percent increase in the sector this year.

“We expect 7.5 percent growth next year over this year’s output, which is predicted to reach Rp 14 trillion [US$1.55 billion],” Industry Ministry SME chief Euis Saedah said on Sunday evening, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com news portal.

“We are looking to push SME growth to 12 percent a year so that SMEs can contribute 50 percent of gross domestic product by 2025,” Euis said.

The ministry would develop SMEs outside Java and its handicraft and pottery industries to reach its target, she said.

“We will develop the precious stones processing and crude palm oil derivative industries,” Euis said.