2009

2009 will be year of politic in Indonesia. A serial of election from parliament to president will be held at the year.

This is the second direct presidential election in Indonesia. It seems that there will be no change in Indonesian political landscap. Old faces among presidential canditates are still dominant. No big issues of change will be endorsed.

As Wimar Witoelar, prominent political analyst, said, election in Indonesia is not a matter of issues or programs but patrons or figures.

Indonesian people, therefore, have to wait any longer to own substantial democracy, rather than prosedural democracy.

Hajj

More than two million people will be in Arafah, one of the holy places in Makkah, tomorrow, sunday(12/7), to preform the most important pillar of hajj (pilgrimage), the fifth pillar of Islam.

I think that moslem pilgrimage is the biggest annual meeting of human being on earth. They start with same intention, to worship the same God and share same values. The values of equality, sincerity, willing to help others, to build good relation among people, etc. If you have ever been there, then you can feel how great the hajj is.

Eid al-Adha

Happy Eid al-Adha for All Moslems. Kul Am wa Antum Bikheir...

Long Road to Real Democracy

Indonesia's East Java has to run another round of direct election in some places (Bangkalan and Sampang) and re-count the votes in the other place (Sumenep). This is the third round of direct governor election and the longest one of it in Indonesia.

According to the Constitutional Court that adjudge this case, there are a massive, structural and systemic infringement against the priciples of democracy has been done at the places. So, the re-election and re-count have to be done.

It means that more money (near to one trillion of rupiahs has been spent at the previous two rounds)and energy are need to chose the governor and vice governor of the province. It is really long road to real democracy.

Terrorist Attack in India

There is no secure place around the world. That is what terrorists want. India is now the victim of terrorist attack. More than 100 people died and 200 injured. The attacks were occured before from US to Indonesia, from Spain to UK. This is humanity disaster of 21st century.

We are deeply sadened by this last attack. All countries have to fight more serious against terrorism.

American Promise for Palestinians

President Bush, once, promised that by the end of his time in US administration, independent Palestine will come true. In next two months, he will leave his post replaced by new elected President,Mr. Barrack Obama, while Gaza strip remains under full control of Israeli Forces and its inhabitans live in very terrible situation.

'Change We Can Believe In' was the slogan of Mr. Obama's campaign to race for US president. It is his opportunity to realize what his predesesor, Mr. Bush failed to do. Palestine still wait and hope what Mr. Obama can do to solve this long conflict.

Financial Crisis: We are Still at The Beginning

Some analysts say that we are still at the beginning of economic crisis trigged by financial crisis in US. It is predicted that there will be new 20 million unemployed people around the world caused by this crisis. When this crisis goes deeper more people around the world especially in the poor countries will pay very high cost.

Indonesia-Brasil:Closer Relationship

I believe that more multipolar the world is more balance the relations between the countries will be. President of Indonesia has visited Brasil for several days. The two countries share many similarities: big population, wide area of agriculture, new stable democratic countries and on their way to be faster growing countries.

The big different is that Indonesia has to learn more football from Brasil!

G20

What will happen with global financial system after G20 leaders meeting in US these days? There are critics to change global financial system that put US at the core. Indonesia has good experience in passing financial crisis in 1997. As the member of G20, Indonesia can share this expereince to find good solution of this economic crisis.

Jihad

Trio Bali bombers has been executed yesterday. They has been buried in their villages. Their supporters remain call them as a martyr of Islam. According to them, what they did was a jihad. This is the real challenge of combating terorism. The hardest challenge is how to cönvince them that killing innocence people is a crime, not a jihad.

Bali Bombers Will Be Executed

Do you remember the bloody Bali explotion that caused more than 200 people dead? The bombers will be executed died these days. This is important step to combat terorism, but treating it from its root by perserving good education, prosperity and justice for all is more important. It needs simultanous efforts in long term.

Education

It is hard to imagine that Mr. Obama could be the Presiden of US without his mother and grandmother's serious attention on his education. Indonesian decision makers are now aware how great the impact of education is on a nation future. So, they alocate 20 percent of annual budget on educatiön. In long term, this decision will put Indonesia among the great countries in the world.

Obama

America backs to the right path. History has been made there by Mr. Obama. He is elected as first President from afroamericans. Please, stop military existance in Irak and Other countries. Prove that you are new hope for a better world, Mr. President!

Ied El-Fitr

HAPPY IED EL-FITR 1429 H

General Michel Suleiman, New President of Lebanon

Congratulation to Lebanese People for election of new president. General Michel Suleiman becomes president of Lebanon after about 6 months of conflict between majority and opposition power.

Political stability in Lebanon becomes interest not only for lebanese people and government but also regimes in the region such as Suriah, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Indonesian Model

This is Indonesian model to overcome sky-rocketing of oil prices. Government rises prices of subsidized fuel but gives the poors straight financial aid (IDR 100.000 per month per household).

In mid and long term, Indonesian Govt. plans to maximize the oil production, minimize fuel consumption, finance micro-industry, diversite resources of fuel etc.

There are many demonstrations in the country refusing this decision, but in long term, economy of Indonesia will be health and strong to face hit of global economy turbulences. Based on right policies, enough natural resources and capable-transparant government, Indonesia will be real power in the region.

Big Puzzle on Suriah

What actually happen on Suriah? Why does he want to talk with Israel via Turkey's mediation? What will happen on his relation with Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas if the negotiation succeed and conflict with Israel over?

Foreign Minister of Turkey said that the two parties has found agreed sphere to continue the negotiation. This is what made Abdel Bari Atwan, prominent middle-east analyst, pose so many questions about what the arab resistance against Israel will be.

Political constelation in middle-east, of course, will ultimately change when Suriah and Israel come to agreement; "land vs peace". I think that Iran will be more targeted. Hizbullah and Hamas have to face more difficult circumstance.

Historical Role of Qatar

Qatar has played historical role in political conflict between the factions in Lebanon. After five days of talks in Doha, they sign agreement to end the conflict. They have to choose president next Sunday, form united cabinet and sign the rule of election.

Lebanese people happily cangratulate this agreement. They thank Qatar leaders who facilitated and made the meeting success. Of course, we wait next similiar role of Qatar in Palestine whose conflicts remain the core problem in midle-east.

A Century of National Awakening of Indonesia

May 20, Indonesia will celebrate a century of National Awakening. Before 100 years, starting point of Indonesian people as a nation was begun by the birth of Budi Oetomo. A strugling body to campaign the awarness of Indonesian nationalism.

Many people in Indonesia believe that this momentum is the best entry point to overcome 1001 problems of the country, to boost the moving to gain better acheivement in the future. In fact, Indonesia has more than enough capital to be a great nation-state. The better achievement of the country is now depending on the fighting spirit of Indonesian people to do their best for Indonesia.

Help Myanmar!

It was reported that at least 22.000 people have been killed by a cyclone in Myanmar, a country ruled by miltary regime. That was the worst disaster hited Asia after Tsunami disaster 2004 that killed a quarter million of people in Aceh of Indonesia and surrounding area.

Help Myanmar people!. They suffer more and more under dictator military regime.