Collaboration of Golkar and Asia Pacific’s Moderate Political Parties

(Jakarta) – As many as 12 Asia Pacific’s Moderate Political Parties collaborated with Golkar party in Centrist Democrat International (CDI) Asia Pacific resulting Jakarta Declaration on Saturday (26/1) at Four Seasons Hotel, Jakarta.

The event which took theme about freedom, development and stability was followed by Asia Pacific political party leaders from 12 countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia, Belgium, Mexico, Philippines, and Thailand.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is also General Chief from Golkar Party showed his appreciation for the confidence being given to him as the President of CDI Asia Pacific replacing Jose de Venecia from the Philippines. “It is indeed one big honor for me to assume this new position, and I look forward in working with Presidents and the rest of CDI Asia Pacific member party.” He said.

Kalla explained that CDI agreed to encourage ruling parties joint in CDI would conduct cooperative work of inter political parties in many aspects. “It is important to promote inter political party issued as freedom and regional development. Because freedom is compatible with economic growth.” he said.

In fighting terrorism, Kalla added, CDI would’t allow any terrorisms as promotion tools of political agenda. Therefore, CDI would encouraged inter religion dialogue. “It is crucial for us to continue the presence of harmony political environment in Asia and Pacific. The concept is derived from conditional Asian culture in seeking harmony,” he said. (Dhita,Lala)

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Polital Parties’ Completeness Delivery Deadline

(Jakarta) – Department of Law and Human Rights (Depkumham) has established political parties’ completeness delivery deadline as Law Institution in February 27th 2008. Depkumham’s General Directorate of Public Law Administration Syamsudin Manan Sinaga told the reporters on Friday (25/1) at Depkumham’s office in Jakarta.

“After that, Depkumham will conduct completeness and validity verification appropriate with Law Act No. 2 in 2008 about political parties. Verification have been made to give law institution status for those political parties,” Syamsudin explained.

If already passed the verification, Syamsudin added, Depkumham will issued Official Statement Letter (SK) Ministry of Law and Human Rights which stated law institution status of political parties. “Menkumham’s Official Statement Letter is planned to be available at the end of April and will be delivered to verification passed parties on early May,” he revealed.

In the mean time, for old political parties which have fulfilled regulations as Law Institution have no need to be verified. (Subhan,Nurseffi/Trans.lala)

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Multiple Political Parties Asked Law’s Institution Verification

(Jakarta) – As many as 95 political parties of 2009 general election participants have registered law’s institution verification process to Law and Human Rights Department (Depkumham). General Directorate of Law Administration (Depkumham) Syamsudin Manan Sinaga told reporters in Depkumham office, Jakarta on Monday (25/1)

“However all of them haven’t fulfill requirements particularly in Decision Letter containing suitable level of parties existence, that is 60 percent Province, 50 percent Regency/City, and 25 percent subdistrict,” Syamsudin explained.

Furthermore, Syamsudin added, Decision Letter should be enclosed with Information Letter containing parties’ management existence gradually “Starting from Province level, Regency/City, and Subdistrict,” he said. (Subhan, Nurseffi/Teks.Lala)

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No More Business for TNI

(Jakarta) - The businesses owned by the TNI have now been handed over to the Government. The Government has established a team that controls the inventory process of all those busineses. This statement was issued by TNI's Commander in Chief, General Djoko Santoso, in TNI's headquaters in Cilangkap, Jakarta on Thursday (24/1).

"Now, the ball is no longer on TNI's hands but with the Government. Everything has been handed over to the Government. It is now up to the Government to take decisions," the Chief said. Furthermore, on issue like the martial court, the Chief stated that it is up to the Government to decide, either to retain it or to wipe it out.

On businesses owned by the TNI, General Djoko Santoso gave a very straightforward statement. He even stated that the TNI now has no rights at all to control it. "We no longer have anything. If the Government decides to regulate it, we are most welcome," he explained. (Subhan)

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Territorial Expansion Must Consider Local Potentials

(Jakarta) - Before the decision on territorial expansion is taken, it is necessary to study the potentials of such territory. This statement was issued by the Minister for Internal Affairs Mardiyanto between his meeting with the Commision V of the House of Representative in Jakarta, Thursday (24/1).

"I will require some measured steps on this issue and will ensure that the decisions will be impartial from any political tendencies. The potentials of such territory, the orginal income of the area (PAD), will become the most important aspect to be considered before taking a decision to expand a territory," the Minister explained.

If the PAD is too small, it will be difficult for further distribution to smaller regions or areas. "It is true that territorial expansion is mandated by the Law No. 32/2004, but I beg to request that in deciding it, various aspects should be taken for consideration," Mardiyanto emphasized. (Mimie/teks.Nurseffi)

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President : Indonesian National Army (TNI) Budgeting Must be Efficiently Done

(Jakarta) – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked Indonesian National Army to manage properly defense budgeting utilizing in 2008 with amount of 36 billion rupiahs. President SBY delivered it Thursday (24/1) in his briefing at 2008 TNI Leadership Meeting in TNI Headquarter, Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

“Any countries including United States and Japan also experiencing limit defense budgeting. Therefore, the restrictiveness of budgeting allocation must be efficiently benefited, including main tools supplying determination in defense system (alutsista),” President said.

In fulfilling weapon requirements needed, President continued, never let TNI being dictated by partners. If necessary, alutista fulfillment didn’t require partners in implementation.

“However, available budgeting should be made as priority for actual operations, such as border protection, whether land, ocean, and air, education and training also personnel alert and weaponry, joint training and soldier prosperity. (Subhan,Nurseffi/Trans.Lala)

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President Meets Military Top Brass

(Jakarta) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held closed meeting with several military top brass at TNI’s headquarters in Cilangkap, Jakarta on Thursday (24/1) from 10:00 AM this morning.

In this meeting, the President gave instructions on Government’s policy and military budget for the 2008 – 2009 fiscal year. The meeting was attended by TNI’s Commander in Chief, General Djoko Santoso, all three Military Chiefs of Staff and all commanders or operational chiefs of command in the Indonesian National Military (TNI).

Minister for State Affairs, Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for Politics, Laws and Security, Widodo AS, Defense Minister, Juwono Sudarsono, Minister for State’s Enterprise, Sofyan Djalil and Secretary for the Cabinet, Sudi Silalahi also attended the meeting. The meeting is still in progress when this article was published. The President will hold a press conference at noon. (Subhan/Teks. Nurseffi)

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The Government uses Fiscal Instruments to Control Price Hike

(Jakarta) - The government uses fiscal instruments to decrease the impact of increasing price on food products in local and foreign markets. This statement was issued by the Trade Minister, Mari Elka Pangestu, when she conducted an official visit to the Directorate for Quality Control and Monitoring Products in Jakarta, Wednesday (23/1)

“The increasing price on food products has been reported to President SBY. The Government has committed to take some actions, such as erasing the import tarrif for soybean and flour, until zero percent. The Government is also examining other strategies to re-stabilize the prices in the market,” Trade Minister said.

The Minister further said that the reason for this increasing price in local market is caused by the increase of food products in global market. For example, even though Indonesia does not produce grain, but the increase of grain’s price (100% increase) in global market influenced the prices in Indonesia. “There is also significant increase in the CPO’s price (100%). However, the main reason for this increase is the increase of oil price in global market,” the Minister said.

Besides, the government is also studying the most affected sections in the society by this global increase. “Does it affect the consumers, the poor or the Small and Medium Scale Enterpise. And only then that the Government will be able to prepare programs to minimize and anticipate the effects of global price increase. (Mimie/teks.Nurseffi)

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Territorial Expansion Would Burden National Budget

(Jakarta) - The products of territorial expansion are new regents and mayors for the newly establihed districts and cities. This would become a huge burden for national budget. Democratic Party’s Chief of Central Leaderhsip Body, Anas Urbaningrum, issued this statement while attending the 15th birthday celebration of Center for Information and Development Studies (CIDES) in Jakarta, Wednesday (23/1).

“If the process of territorial expansion continues, there would be 1000 districts and cities in Indonesia by 2014. Thus, it would no longer be an effective territorial autonomy but, on the contrary, it would become a huge burden for the State due to the increasing number of new regents and mayors,” he said.

However, the brighter side of this territorial expansion process is, according to Anas, to give better services to the public who has so far been neglected by the regional government. “But, it should be noted that budget efficiency must be above everything else,” he concluded. (Lala/Teks. Nurseffi)

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People’s Representative Committee Will Conduct Budgeting Efficiency 2008

(Jakarta) – People’s Representative Committee (DPR) will conducted budgeting efficiency in 2008. The chairman of DPR Agung Laksono told reporters here on Monday.

According to Agung, two biggest post should be efficiently implemented were legislative incentive support and non-legislative equivalent study support . “This matter will be discussed in fraction level and DPR Household Matter Board (BURT). Besides, we also will discuss which post would be efficiently made,” he cleared.

Consultation meeting, Agung added, will be done in two or three days ahead. “In 2-3 days we hopefully reach conclusion,” Agung said. In 2007 DPR’s budgeting has attained 1,5 billion rupiahs and for legislative support budgeting at the same year worth 39 million rupiahs each board member. (Adi,Nurseffi/Trans.Lala)

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Soeharto’s Condition Deteriorating

(Jakarta) – General health condition of former President Soeharto on his 18th day hospitalization deteriorating, caused by infection on his systemic digestion. The head of Soeharto’s medical team told reporters in Pertamina Hospital on Monday (21/1).

“His lungs are declining. Indications of systemic digestion were under control. Since yesterday afternoon there has been digestion function disorder,” Mardjo said.

Mardjo said, the program will be conducted to regulate calories input for Soeharto in order to fulfill nutrition requirement proper with digestion function capability, because of difficulty to receive food from mouth. Soeharto’s consciousness today, Mardjo continued, has shown improvements, blood pressure is stable, respiratory system still being trained according to his digestion function capability.

“We will cure his general condition, overcome the infection, sustain exercise for muscle recovery and other intensive treatments,” he said. (Subhan,Ditha/Trans.Lala)

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