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.

Demographic Problem of Emirates

"I am afraid that we gain عمارات (buildings) but miss إمارات (United Arab Emirates)", Asharqalawsat International Newspaper quoted Chief of Dubai Police Departement expressing serious demographic problem in United Arab Emirates.

It is predicted that Emirates people will decrease up to only 2 % in 2025 if there is no serious treatment to this problem. Economic booming there has been inviting simultanous increasing immigrants mostly from India.

English is wide-used languange in Emirates rather than Arabic.

What is the implication of this problem to the national defence and security to the country? I think that Emirates ruler and government pay serious attention and effort to treat this issue.

Eradicating Corruption in Indonesia

Indonesia seems to gain significant achievement in combating corruption. Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), in late two months arrested a prosecutor for accepting bribe of US$ 600.000, member of The House of Representatives for accepting bribe and Central Bank Governor for involving in Rp 100 billion of illegally chanelling BI (Bank of Indonesia) fund.

This is good news for combating corruption in Indonesia, but there is still long road to go. KPK just gives hopes to Indonesian people that serious efforts to eradicate corruption are still alive.

Indonesia, Food and Energy

Indonesia has two key factors to play more important international role in near future: food and energy. Some countries are now facing serious problem when food and oil prices remain increase. Some of them are net importers, meanwhile Indonesia's goverment plans to export rice in 2009.

Indonesia has 20 million ha of productive agricultural area. The area can be expanded to 54 million ha. So, Vice President of Indonesia, Mr. Jusuf Kalla, said that it is time for Indonesia to awake and maximize food production. Minister of Agriculture said that rice production of 2007 increase 4.8 %.

Two days ago, April 4, President of Indonesia, Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono invited bankers and urged them to maximize thier contribution to finance food and energy production. Mr. President said that Indonesia has all resources to develop. So, what Indonesia need now is how to manage these resources to gain prosperity for all.

Race for Indonesia's President 2009

Akbar Tanjung, former leader of Representative House of Indonesia, launched his own website, April 5, named: bangakbardotcom. This is considered as preparation of his candidacy for president in next general election.

Several names are now endorsed in Indonesia to race for presidential election 2009. There are Sutiyoso (Bang Yos), former Jakarta governor, Sri Sultan Hamengkubowo, King of Jogjakarta, Abdurrahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia. Of course, the names in the list will be increased when the time near to date of the election.

It's hard to imagine this phenomenon in Indonesia before decades, when Soeharto was in power. But now, something is different. Democracy has changed Indonesia's political landscape. It's now possible for everyone to elect or be elected in any political position in the country.

Welcome to My Homeland

President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, finished his visiting abroad with happy ending. US$ 3 billion contracts has been signed to be invested in Indonesia. He has presented new era of Indonesia in front of 45 top bussinesmen in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: democracy establishment, big infrastructure projects, interesting investment opportunities etc.

What made me happy was $ 600 million investement that has been signed to build 1200 ha of tourism area in my homeland: south Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. There will big projects of development there including: international airport, hotels, roads, communication installations etc. The area will be extremely changed in next several years.

We in Lombok often say --in notion of tourism promotion--: "you can find Bali in Lombok but you will not find Lombok in Bali".

Welcome to my homeland.

5th Year of War in Iraq

After 5 years of American war on Iraq, almost 5 million Iraqis have been displaced. 4.987 American troops were killed. 655.000 Iraqis died. 83 % of inhabitants have no access to clean water. 84 % of school bulding have been demaged. 2 millions children continue to face threats including poor nutrition, disease and interrupted education. Trillions of dollar have been spent to cost the war.

Inspite of this facts, Mr. Bush claimed victory. He will --before end of this year-- leave the administration, but it seems that American troops will not leave Iraq. The sufferances of Iraqi people will continue in longer time.

When uncle Sam falls ill

When uncle Sam falls ill, most people at home are infected. When USA faces economic problems, most countries in the planet also pay the costs.

Property sector crisis in US seems to affect whole economy not only in America but also entire the world.

"Financial crisis in USA not only causes poverty to millions people in America but also negatively affects economy of the world. More than that, it may be getting worse to military occupation to other countries", wrote an analyst.

Borderless Nationalism

President of Indonesia, Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, talked about nastionalism after visiting hundreds of Indonesian workers in Musica excursion ship within his attendance to the 11th OIC (Organization of The Islamic Conference) summit in Dakar, Senegal, March 14.

"Nasionalisme orang yang bekerja di luar negeri juga tidak kalah dengan yang bekerja di dalam negeri (nationalism of Indonesian people who work overseas is not less than that one's in homeland)", said Mr. President.

Without any command, hundreds of workers in the ship sang Indonesia Raya, anthem of Indonesia, welcoming their President. They also showed their enthusiasm to be in touch with Mr. President. It's really true that globalization didn't wipe nationalism.

OIC Summit: So Many Complicated Problem!

11th OIC (Organization of The Islamic Conference) summit in Dakar, Senegal, March 13-14, deals with so many complicated problems.

It seems that the problems are bigger than organization capacity to deal with.

There are latent conflicts between some member countries: Saudi Arabia vs Siria, Sudan vs Chad ; security chaos in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine; turbulence relation between Muslim countries and West especially after re-printing assulting cartoon in Denmark; economic problems of some member countries especially in Africa etc.

We'll wait what the summit will do with these complicated problems.

Indonesia and Iran's Nuclear Program

Indonesia's President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, is visiting Iran today, 3/11, strengthening billateral cooperation between the two countries.

At the beginning of this month, Indonesia was the only country in the UN Security Council not support UN new sactions against Iran on its nuclear program. Indonesia was 'abstain' in the voting.

According to Indonesia, international community's treatment against Iran nuclear progam has been approached political rather than technical. So, the only fair bases of treatment is IAEA report on wether Iran nuclear program for peace or weapon purposes. As far as IAEA report, Iran nuclear program has not been proven for military purposes .

Three Trillion Dollar War

Joseph Stiglitz, the winner of Nobel Prize in economics, 2001, and Linda Bilmes, lecturer in public policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, counted 3 trillion dollar as cost of US war on Afganistan and Iraq.

They wrote :

"From the unhealthy brew of emergency funding, multiple sets of books, and chronic underestimates of the resources required to prosecute the war, we have attempted to identify how much we have been spending - and how much we will, in the end, likely have to spend. The figure we arrive at is more than $3 trillion. Our calculations are based on conservative assumptions. They are conceptually simple, even if occasionally technically complicated. A $3 trillion figure for the total cost strikes us as judicious, and probably errs on the low side.".

I think that the root of terrorism that the wars have been fought for will be extremely eliminated, if this huge amount of money spent worldwide in building education infra-structures, combating hunger, helping poor people, reconstructing disaster areas, spreading borderless human friendship etc.

Wind of Change in Malaysia

Wind of change blows in Malaysia. Opposition parties won poll in 4 states. The ruling party, National Front (BN), lose its two-third majority in the parliament. Datuk Anwar Ibrahim, one of opposition headfigure said, "Tomorrow we will start building a brighter future...This is a new dawn for Malaysia".

Is this the beginning of his political comeback after being jailed for his strong opposition to the former Malaysian Prime Minister? The family becomes inner circle of People Justice Party (PKR). His party reached 31 seats in the parliament. His wife and daughter won in the poll.

Near future of Malaysian political sphere will be more colourfull. Democracy in the region will be more acceptable.

Artistic President

Indonesian people are known as high humor and artistic senses. Mochtar Lubis (1922-2004), one of prominent authors in contemporary Indonesia, stated in his book: Manusia Indonesia (1977), this artistic character of Indonesian people as reflected in batik, wayang kulit, traditional dance, song, architect etc.

Gatra Magazine wrote that President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, will release his new song album soon. His first album, Rinduku Padamu, has been sole up to 44.638 CDs and cassettes. Is this an other proof of artistic senses as character of Indonesian people?