ASEAN establishes forum for supreme audit agencies

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 11/16/2011 11:44 AM

The premier conference of the newly established ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) was officially launched by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Wednesday.

In his opening speech for the event, Yudhoyono said the forum was expected to support the implementation of good governance in Southeast Asia.

“The establishment of the ASEAN SAI is part of our real action to achieve the joint aim. The World Bank has stated that a supreme audit agency is a pillar of national integrity. I agree with that,” he said at the conference venue at the Bali International Convention Center, as quoted by Antara.

The conference saw the signing of a chapter on the establishment of the ASEAN SAI by heads of supreme audit agencies of the 10 ASEAN member states.

ASEAN SAI interim chief Hadi Purnomo, who is also the head of Indonesia’s Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), said he hoped the new forum could support the creation of the ASEAN Community by 2015.

Malaysia beats Cambodia 4-1

The Jakarta Post | Sun, 11/13/2011 8:25 PM

Malaysia beat Cambodia 4-1 in the 2011 SEA Games Group A soccer match on Sunday to top the group at least until the end of the Indonesia-Thailand match later the same day.

Malaysia scored three goals in the first half, but only found the net once in the second half.

Cambodia scored a consolation goal in the second half.

Malaysia now has seven points from three matches, while Indonesia was second with six points from two matches.

Cirebon eyes provincial status in 2012

The Jakarta Post | Sun, 11/13/2011 7:04 PM

Cirebon is likely to become a province in 2012, the Cirebon Province Formation Presidium (P3C) Chief Nana Sudiana says.

“We have fulfilled all the administrational requirements,” he said on Sunday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

The idea to make Cirebon a province began circulating around 60 years ago when it was the subject of discussion of religious leaders, local leaders and public organizations, Nana said.

“The idea dates back to 1953,” he said.

The dream lives on and has gained support from local leaders and West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan.

P3C consultative body member Arief Natadiningrat said he hoped Cirebon as a province would improve the welfare of the people of Cirebon.

He added that the Cirebon region has huge potential to become a province because it already has facilities in place that would help it stake its claim such as its own airport and port.

Mahfud says he is all for the tapping of judges

The Jakarta Post | Sun, 11/13/2011 7:58 PM

Constitutional Court (MK) chief Mahfud MD says that he has no objections to the Judicial Commission’s (KY) authority to be able to tap into the phone calls of judges, a law which will be implemented at the end of the year.

“MK as an institution does not have an opinion. But Mahfud, as the MK chief, has submitted his phone number, as well as those of his wife, child and home number. So, I don’t have a problem because tapping is only done when a there are already suspicions or indications linked to a person,” he said on Sunday, as quoted by kompas.com.

The Judicial Commission is expected to cooperate with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and other law enforcers such as the police and prosecutors, as has been regulated in the KY law No. 18/2011.

Mahfud said that implementing the wiretapping would hopefully help improve cooperation between law enforcers.

KY’s tapping authority applies not only to conventional court judges but also anti-corruption court judges who are suspected of violations. The results of the tapping will be used as evidence and a point of consideration in deciding sanctions for the implicated judge.

Govt to register tenun songket with UNESCO

The Jakarta Post | Sun, 11/13/2011 5:13 PM

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry will soon petition for tenun songket, a golden fabric, to be registered with UNESCO as a product of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.

“There is a strong will to have it registered like we did with batik, and we will do it,” minister Mari Elka Pangestu said on Sunday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

She said the registration would not be easy because it required detailed proof and verification of tenun songket as a cultural heritage. Therefore, a thorough preparation is necessary.

She added that, if UNESCO accepted the registration, Indonesians would play a part in songket living up to its reputation by preserving it and making it a part their daily lives.

“This is actually a job for all of us. Once it, like batik, is accepted by UNESCO as a cultural heritage, our job does not end there,” she said.

Obama visit brings capitalist agenda: HTI

The Jakarta Post | Sun, 11/13/2011 5:22 PM

Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) suspects that the coming visit of US President Barack Obama to Indonesia for the ASEAN Summit in Bali next week has a hidden agenda aimed at Indonesia’s energy
sector.

HTI spokesman Muhammad Ismail Yusanto said the US has relied on Indonesia for its energy needs so far.

“The US wants to keep exploring and expanding their power in the oil, gas and mine fields such as Exxon in Aceh, Natuna islands and Cepu. There is also Unocal Texaco in East Kalimantan, Chevron Pacificin Riau, Conoco in Papua and others,” he said.

Therefore, he concluded that the true agenda of Obama’s visit was to strengthen its capitalist interests in the East Asian region.

HTI staged a demonstration in front of the US embassy in Jakarta today.

RI soccer team secures semifinal berth, beating Thailand 3-1

The Jakarta Post | Sun, 11/13/2011 9:23 PM

Indonesia defeated 9-man Thailand 3-1 in the SEA Games group A soccer match on Sunday to secure a berth in the semifinals.

Titus Bonai, Patrich Wanggai, and Fernidan Sinaga scored for Indonesia, while Thailand scored with a Ronnachai Rangsiyo goal from the penalty spot.

Indonesia now tops group A with nine points, followed by defending champion Malaysia with seven points.

With only one match left, Indonesia needs only a draw against Malaysia to finish on top of group A.