Bali 9 duo Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan await final fate

Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran

1 week after having been spared the death penalty, Scott Rush was all smiles in a Bali jail yesterday.

But 2 Bali 9 colleagues still on death row were nervous.

"It's like bad luck to say anything," Myuran Sukumaran said yesterday, adding he was hopeful of a good outcome and happy Rush had been spared.

But as for planning big events, like a wedding, he said: "It is very difficult to think about the future, with something like this hanging over your head."

Last month, fellow Bali 9 member Martin Stephens married his Indonesian girlfriend in jail and the pair was allowed a conjugal night behind bars.

Sukumaran also has an Indonesian girlfriend, as does fellow death-row prisoner Andrew Chan. But both are coy about any plans to follow in Stephens' footsteps.

The results of their final appeal to the Supreme Court are pending and could be handed down within weeks.

Sukumaran was speaking at the launch in Bali's Kerobokan Prison yesterday of a new series of English and computer courses for prisoners.

The courses were inspired and partly run by Sukumaran, Chan and fellow Bali 9 member Matthew Norman, as part of their bid to provide rehabilitation behind bars and to give something back to Indonesia.

Fellow Australian prisoner Schapelle Corby is also awaiting a response to her final plea - for clemency from Indonesia's President, on humanitarian grounds. The plea is currently before President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; however, there is no timeframe for a decision.

Source: Adelaide Now, May 19, 2011

I still have nightmares: Rush breaks silence on escaping death penalty

Scott Rush

"A mixture of guilt, a sense of release and the realisation that I have a 2nd chance" ... Scott Rush. It was, Scott Rush says, his ''dreadful burden'', a vision that came at night as he drifted off to sleep in the Tower, the notorious maximum security facility at Bali's Kerobokan prison.

There he was, tied to a post in a forest, a dozen policemen in front of him, their rifles pointed, trigger fingers ready to let loose a volley of bullets. In his first comments since news last week that his death sentence had been repealed, the young Australian heroin trafficker says: ''I still have the nightmares''.

But he is found new purpose, too, and he can now glimpse a life outside of the high walls of Kerobokan.

''I was in my cell when I received the news,'' he said, in handwritten remarks sent to the Herald. ''I sat there in silence for a while. I don't know how long but it was quite surreal …

''So many emotions welled up in me. It is a hard feeling to describe, a mixture of guilt, a sense of release and the realisation that I have a 2nd chance.''

The reality, Rush said, is ''still sinking in'' but ''my early determination to reform myself has been strengthened''.

''One dreadful burden has been lifted; a new responsibility has begun.''

While his death sentence was commuted to life in prison, 25-year-old Rush and his legal team believe there is still the possibility of freedom.

Like other prisoners in Indonesia serving life terms, Rush can make an application to the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights to have the sentence changed to 20 years.

Such applications are often successful and 4 other Australian members of Rush's drug-smuggling syndicate serving life terms have already sent applications for consideration.

There is also the less likely option of a direct appeal to clemency to the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

If he ever gets out, Rush wants to be an ''ambassador against drugs''.

''I have met so many people inside Kerobokan prison whose lives have been destroyed by drugs, and [seen] the pain it has caused their families and young ones. So I would like to give back to my community and help others say NO to drugs,'' he wrote.

In his six years in prison Rush has battled deep depression and behaved erratically, including a flirtation with Islam that included his circumcision in a clandestine ceremony organised by some Muslim prisoners.

His guilt about the distress he caused his family has weighed heavily and Rush said he still could not forgive himself for joining eight other Australians to smuggle heroin from Bali to Australia.

Even so, his lawyer, Colin McDonald, said yesterday that Rush had been transformed.

''He looks changed,'' he said. ''The gaunt eyes are no longer there … I've never seen him look healthier.

''It's been hard to keep hope alive but, in this instance, fortunately hope has triumphed.''

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, May 19, 2011

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Cathay Pacific Lands Safely After Engine Fire

By STAFF Writer
MONDAY, May 16, 2011

SINGAPORE NEWS / INDONESIA NEWS - Cathay Pacific plane landed safely after an engine of it caught fire on Monday. The Jakarta bound plane from Singapore was forced to turn around roughly twenty minutes after its takeoff.

Passengers said they experienced the plane shaking violently after "two sharp bangs" and the lights inside went off. Burning smell could be sensed following the blaze of the engine.

A Reuters photographer, aboard with family, said people started praying audibly after fire was discovered by them through the window.

He told, "Behind us, passengers were praying: 'God, save our flight! Give us your protection!"

The pilot thanked the passengers after landing for them being cool and calm.

The airline said in a statement, " can appreciate the concern and anxiety felt by the passengers during the incident, but our captain and his crew were in control of the situation at all times. They reacted exactly as they are trained to do, shut down the affected engine and returned the aircraft safely to Singapore."

Powered by Trent 700 engines of Rolls-Royce, the engine also had problems in the past. Last year in November a Qantas flight was close to explosion. Its engine blew apart.

Australian drug smuggler Scott Rush Spared Death Penalty in Indonesia: Lawyer

'Bali 9' Scott Rush

Australian drug smuggler Scott Rush, one of a gang known as the Bali Nine, has won an appeal against his death sentence in Indonesia, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

“His judicial review has been accepted by the Supreme Court. His death penalty has been annulled and the sentence has been changed to life,” Frans Hendra Winata said.

“The reason is because he is still young, he expressed remorse and he has never been convicted of any other crime. And most especially, he was just a courier and not the mastermind.”

The 24-year-old was convicted and ultimately sentenced to death for his role in an attempt to smuggle some eight kilograms of heroin into Australia from the Indonesian resort island of Bali in 2005.

The two alleged ringleaders of the Bali Nine gang, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, are also seeking to have their death sentences reduced to life.

A spokesman for the Indonesian Supreme Court was unable to confirm that Rush’s appeal had been successful.

“I don’t know yet about that,” spokesman Djoko Sarwoko said.

Source: Agence France-Presse, May 10, 2011

Bali Nine member Scott Rush 'spared execution' in Indonesia

Scott Rush (center)

Rush, 24, had been facing execution for his part in a 2005 plot to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin from Bali to Australia.

But the Indonesian Supreme Court, which published the decision today, instead commuted his sentence to life, citing the fact that Rush had shown remorse for his actions while also taking into account his age.

His father Lee Rush said the family would continue fighting to free their son.

"It's a great relief, it's been a long time coming," he told reporters in Bali.

"The sentence was far too harsh from the beginning for the crime that he committed.

"We had hoped we could get a lighter sentence.

"We must continue to get Scott and the other Australians back home where they belong."

The court also cited the fact that he was only a courier, and not considered a ringleader of the group.

Rush, from Brisbane, was only 19 and on his first trip to Bali when he was arrested at Ngurah Rai Airport with 1.3kg of heroin strapped to his legs underneath his clothing.

The so-called ringleaders of the Bali Nine - Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran - are also waiting for the outcome of judicial reviews in the hope they will escape the firing squad.

If their appeals fail, they must also rely on President Yudhoyono granting them clemency.

Rush now joins a number of other members of the drug smuggling plot who are also serving life sentences in Bali's Kerobokan Prison, including Martin Stephens, Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, Tan Duc Than Nguyen and Michael Czugaj.

Stephens had his final appeal against a life sentence rejected in January.

The final member of the drug ring, Renae Lawrence, is serving a 20-year sentence, which has already been reduced by almost two years.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said Australians would greet the decision with relief.

"The Australian Government welcomes this decision by the Supreme Court," he told Parliament.

The Federal Government remains in close touch with Rush's parents, who had been informed of the decision.

Mr Rudd said Rush's parents had shouldered a heavy burden, with years of waiting for the decision.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop said Rush was a young man, aged 19, when he was caught trafficking drugs and had a somewhat troubled past.

If there was ever a lesson for people to understand they must abide by the laws of other countries, Rush's was one, she said.

"This young man has learned a very, very harsh lesson," Ms Bishop told Parliament.

Source: Herald Sun, May 10, 2011


Scott Rush told life sentence is final

Bali Nine drug mule Scott Rush has been told the decision to commute his death sentence to life in prison is final.

Rush's Bali-based lawyer, Robert Khuana, said he had asked prison authorities to pass on the news to Rush that Indonesia's Supreme Court had granted his final appeal, sparing him from execution.

"I have asked the prison officers to tell Scott of the decision," Mr Khuana told AAP on Wednesday.

However, Mr Khuana wanted Rush to know the decision was final.

Mr Khuana will visit Rush in person at Kerobokan Prison on Thursday to discuss the decision in more detail.

Rush, 25, from Brisbane, had been facing the death penalty for his part in a 2005 plot to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin from Bali into Australia.

However, the Supreme Court on Tuesday revealed it had granted his final appeal, known as judicial review, and had commuted his sentence to life in prison.

While the result was not as good as the 15 years sought by Rush's lawyers, the decision did bring relief to his family, with his father Lee Rush saying it had been: "A long time coming."

It also comes after an earlier appeal delivered a much more shocking result.

Rush, the youngest of nine Australians convicted over the drug-smuggling conspiracy, was given life in prison when initially convicted, but had his sentence increased to death at his first appeal.

The panel of judges that presided over that decision were the same three that reversed it on Tuesday, sparing Rush's life.

While the written decision is not yet available in full, it is understood the decision was 2-1 in favour of reducing his sentence, with the judges citing the fact that Rush had shown remorse for his actions, and was only a minor player in the drug-smuggling plot.

His age was also taken into account.

Rush was only 19, and on his first overseas trip, when he was arrested at Ngurah Rai Airport with 1.3kg of heroin strapped to his legs and body underneath his clothing.

Rush's supporters expressed relief on Wednesday, however like Lee Rush they had been hoping for a lighter sentence.

Father Tim Harris, the family's former parish priest, said the decision to spare Rush's life was wonderful but also heartbreaking.

"It's sort of bittersweet, isn't it, where there's great news about Scott's situation on the one hand but ongoing pain continues by virtue of the fact that Scott continues to serve a life sentence." he told the ABC.

But the reaction from the man who tipped off the Australian Federal Police (AFP) about the Bali Nine plot showed there remains anger towards the role Australian authorities played in the saga.

Family friend and barrister Bob Myers tipped off the AFP weeks before the Bali Nine were arrested in Indonesia, in a bid to stop the smugglers before they committed the crimes.

He said the government was doing all it could to "right the wrong" of the past but he could not forgive the federal police for their role in the incident.

"These nine young Australians all faced the death penalty because of the actions of the federal police," Mr Myers told ABC radio on Wednesday.

"It was the federal police that really had these nine people incarcerated in the first place, so I'll never forgive them for that."

It is believed the Supreme Court carefully considered the testimony of former AFP commissioner Mick Keelty in deciding to grant Rush's judicial appeal.

Mr Keelty, who was also a lead player in the AFP investigation that led to the Bali Nine arrests, told the Supreme Court at Rush's final appeal that he was the lowest ranking among the members of the syndicate.

Source: AAP, May 11, 2011
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Asia-Australia Banana Farms Battling Bacteria

By ONE Liners Agency

AUSTRALIA NEWS - Banana plantations in Australia are facing a major threat due to bacteria traveled from Indonesia, Philippines and Africa. Discussions recently in the Northern Territory's capital Darwin at a scientific conference revealed that three very similar types of bacterias from the three region have spread quickly.

The bacterias are Indonesia's blood disease bacterium, Philippines' bugtok bacterium and Africa's xanthomonas bacterium, said Australian plant pathologist at the conference hosted jointly by Australian and Asian Plant Pathology Societies.

The bacterias are one of the biggest threats to the bananas there and for the first time scientists from Asia and Australia have come together to gain some research findings from the discussions.

Richard Davis, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service plant pathologist, said the bacteria have been very devastating in these countries and have spread too quickly, crossing hundreds of kilometres in a year.

About 400 scientists attended the event from Australia, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Philippines, Fiji, East Timor, Africa and Papua New Guinea.

Meanwhile, the prices of bananas in Australia have soared after the devastation caused by Cyclone Yasi in February this year.

Australian prisoners kept in 'inhumane' conditions in Indonesia, says jail chief

Kerobokan Jail

BALI'S Kerobokan Jail is now so over-crowded that is "inhumane' and in some cell blocks the prisoners barely have enough room to sleep, the jail's Governor said today.

Governor Siswanto said that the 323-inmate capacity of Kerobokan jail, where the Bali Nine - Andrew Chan, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Renae Lawrence, Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Myuran Sukumaranwas - are kept, now stands at 1034 prisoners.

"It is 300 % overcapacity. There are a lot of inmates and detainees, they have to push each other to sleep and it is inhumane," Mr Siswanto said during Indonesia's Corrections Day celebration at the jail.

He said that based on national standards the ideal capacity would be about 357 prisoners.

"Now it is very, very overcrowded and it could impact both the rehabilitation and security system."

Mr Siswanto said on each shift only 11 guards was responsible for the 1034 prisoners.

But so far authorities have failed to buy land to build a new prison.

Kerobokan jail is currently home to 12 Australians – Schapelle Corby, the Bali 9, Angus McCaskill and Michael Sacatides - serving sentences ranging from seven years to the death penalty and all on drugs charges.

Mr Siswanto’s comments come as prisoners got a day away from the monotony of normal prison life yesterday as a band played and guards and prisoners sang karaoke and danced together.

The festivities were part of the national Corrections Day celebrations.

One day after his 18-year sentence for methamphetamine trafficking was handed down, former Sydney man Michael Sacatides chatted amicably with members of the Bali 9. But he would not comment on the sentence.

Members of the Bali 9, who are on death row and with their final appeal decisions pending, along with others serving life sentences, also attended and appeared in good spirits but none of the Australians graced the stage or dance floor to show off their prowess.

And Schapelle Corby, who is serving a 20-year sentence, did not attend the celebrations at all. Corby is waiting on the outcome of her plea for clemency to the Indonesian President. The plea, on humanitarian grounds, seeks clemency on the basis of her mental illness.

Lodged one year ago there is no time frame on when a decision will be made and prison authorities at yesterday’s celebration said they had heard nothing.

Taswem Tarib, the Justice and Human Rights Ministry chief in Bali, said that if Corby was granted clemency and a sentence cut then the ministry would conform with regulations regarding remissions and parole.

"Based on our correctional regulation, inmates who have served a long term and behaved well will get their rights for remission and parole," Mr Tarib said.

Other Australian prisoners – Bali Nine members serving life sentences - are also hoping that this year brings them some good news. Many have recently lodged applications to have their life terms reduced to a determinant sentence of 15 or 20 years.

Under Indonesian law, life term prisoners have the right to apply for reduced determined sentences of not less than 15 years, after they have served six years of their sentence and been of good behaviour.

If granted, this would then allow them to qualify for yearly remissions which can be up to eight months off for each year served. Those on life sentences are not allowed to have remissions.

A decision on the Bali Nine applications is not expected until later this year but authorities say it is most likely they will all receive the reduction.

Source: Daily Telegraph, April 27, 2011

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Thai To Review Ties With Cambodia In Wake Of Fresh Border Clash

By ONE Liners Agency

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva orders for a fresh review of the nations tie with neighbor Cambodia in the wake of re-clashes in the border between the two countries.

The proposal for the review came from Thailand Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Tuesday at the weekly Cabinet meeting.

According to government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn, the Cabinet resolved that border dispute will only be confined to dispute and not clashes as it is seen for past few days.

Wattanayagorn also added that Thailand government would cooperate with international organizations and all the relevant agencies. He said the military would take retaliatory action in pushing out the Cambodian soldiers from disputed areas and also diplomatic measures to be taken to bring Cambodian government to bilateral talks.

Spokesman believed further that after the two countries' meet in the sideline of ASEAN summit in Indonesia, the situation would improve. ASEAN will be held on May 7 and 8. Also, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is scheduled to meet on April 28 the Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa.

It is learned from Wattanayagorn that Thailand and Indonesia may reach to an agreement on the deployment of Indonesian observers at the disputed border areas.

Meanwhile, for the fifth consecutive day fighting erupted between Thai and Cambodia soldiers along the mountainous disputed border.

Thai as well as Cambodia spokesmen said the fight broke out near the 11th Century hill-top Preah Vihear temple today.

Last four days the fight was around Ta Krabey temple, 160km to the west.

In the five days violence between the two countries at least twelve soldiers have been killed.

Due to recent fighting about 36,000 people have been displaced.

Calling for ceasefire, UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday that both the countries need to resolve the crisis through serious dialogue and not through military means.

In February about ten people were killed in violence around Preah Vihear temple.

Even after international court awarding the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, both the neighbors claim for the ownership of the surrounding area.

Australian man Michael Sacatides jailed for 18 years in Indonesia

Australian man Michael Sacatides has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being found guilty of smuggling 1.7kg of methamphetamine into Bali.

The panel of judges presiding over the case in the Denpasar District Court today found the 43-year-old guilty, while also increasing the sentence by 2 years compared to a request entered by prosecutors 2 weeks ago.

He had initially been facing the possibility of a death sentence for smuggling $A390,000 worth of methamphetamine, also known as ice, into Bali from Thailand.

Sacatides was arrested at Bali's international airport on October 1 last year when customs officers noticed the drugs concealed in a hidden compartment in the suitcase he was carrying when he arrived on a flight from Bangkok.

The kickboxing trainer from Sydney's west has always maintained his innocence, telling investigators at the time of his arrest that he had borrowed the luggage from a man known as Akaleshi Tripathi, whom he knew from Bangkok, where he had been living and working for almost 2 years.

Tripathi, alias Peter, has never been found.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, April 25, 2011

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Border Clash Between Thailand And Cambodia Resumes

By MALILA Harris

THAILAND NEWS – The clash between Thailand and Cambodia has once again ignited when in an incident four soldiers have been killed, increasing the number of death to 10 in two days.

The clash has started when both sides have exchanged fire in jungle around Ta Krabey temple, which both sides claim. The disputed 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple is spread around 200 km and a place for fatal clashes between two nations. Since February, the scene has turned into a battleground and eventually people were evacuated from the area.

According to a news source, the reason of this immediate violence is still to be known and both sides blamed each other for the clash.

“Fresh fighting started at around 0600 (2300 GMT Friday) with rifles and mortar shelling," said Thai army spokesman Col Prawit Hookaew.

"We are negotiating to stop the fighting," he added.

Both sides blamed each for the killing, as Thai officials said one Thai soldiers had been killed and more than four injured whereas Cambodian officials claimed to lose three of their soldiers.

It is reported that some artillery shelling had also taken place and fighting became more intense in a week.

Indonesia has been playing a negotiator between two countries and appeal for immediate ceasefire.

In 1962, an international court had awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia, however, the conflict between two neighbors have been continuing over the surrounding area. There are other parts of the Thai-Cambodian border, which have not yet been formally demarcated.

Saudis may free 300 Indonesian prisoners; Fate of death-row inmates still undecided

Execution by the sword
in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has pledged to release more than 300 Indonesians jailed in the country for various offenses, Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar said on Sunday.

The minister, speaking by video conference from Riyadh, said his counterpart, Muhammad bin Abdul Karim al-Issa, had agreed to the unconditional release of the prisoners following talks during his state visit.

“The Saudi government will release 316 Indonesians who are serving time in prison,” he said. “But that doesn’t include Indonesians who [were given] the death sentence.”

The minister did not give a time frame for the release, but said the Saudi government would shoulder repatriation costs.

Patrialis was in the Arab state to seek clemency for 23 Indonesians on death row, as well as commuted sentences for 316 others serving between three and 12 years in Saudi prisons. Most of the 339 inmates went to the country as migrant workers.

Patrialis said the Saudi government had promised to consider releasing some of the inmates on death row, particularly ta’zir — those who had been formally absolved by the victims’ family .

Under the Saudi legal system, ta’zir may even escape the death penalty by paying damages demanded by injured parties.

However, qishas — convicts on death row who remain unpardoned by victims’ families — may still be executed.

“The Saudi government said they would consider [the option of] releasing the ta’zir inmates,” Patrialis said. “We’ll keep trying to get the death sentences for Indonesians here commuted.”

The announcement came after negotiations among Indonesian delegates and top Saudi officials, including Deputy Interior Minister Ahmed bin Mohammad al-Salem and Zaid bin Abdul Muhsin al Husain, deputy chairman of the Saudi Human Rights Commission.

In Jakarta, Wahiduddin Adams, director general for law enforcement at the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry, welcomed the news. “We hope Indonesians mired in legal issues in Taiwan and Malaysia can also be released,” he said.

He said the ministry would launch a program to teach migrant workers their legal rights and obligations abroad.

Source: JakartaGlobe, April 18, 2011

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Garuda Indonesia Airways grab Singapore Airlines MARKET

The airline Garuda Indonesia Airways began to seize market foreign airlines, including Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines who could fill in the gaps for the overseas Garuda Indonesia flight routes.

Currently, several international flights such as to Japan, Seoul, Hong Kong, and China, could be said Garuda Indonesia has become the primary choice in upper secondary market. Average monthly load factor according to Director of Marketing and Sales Arif Wibowo, reaching more than 80%.

"Only Japan has decreased by about 15% because of the earthquake and tsunami a while back. But we believe this market will soon recover. Japan is one of a solid international routes," said Arif in Toulouse, France, when to pick up a new aircraft of Garuda Indonesia, Airbus 330-200.

Met separately in Toulouse, President Director Danny Limarga Shilla Tour, said of a thousand inbound tourists per year that he signed, almost all using Garuda Indonesia, except for a flight to Amsterdam. "Frequency of Garuda Indonesia flight to Amsterdam was still a little. But for countries in Asia, Garuda Indonesia has become the primary choice. For Shilla Tour is perfect because we were working on upper middle-market tourists," said Danny. In the future, Danny hoped Garuda Indonesia could increase flight routes to countries in Europe. Also strengthening the flight route in Asian countries.

The same hope is presented by Eka Moncarre, Managing Director of Panorama Tour of Europe. Eka explains, the French tourism market relatively unaffected by the world financial crisis. "They rarely play the stock, so not too affected. That's why, demand for travel to Indonesia, especially Java and Bali continue to rise, "said Eka at Paris.

In 2010, the number of French tourists to Indonesia, which is handled Panorama reach 100 thousand people. From the number, 70% of them targeting the island of Java and Bali. "That's why, we hope that Garuda Indonesia can fly longer of Paris routes. Tourists market in this country is big enough," said Eka.

By the closing of Paris track around 1994, the current French tourists who came to Indonesia was forced to bundle with other foreign airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Malaysia airlines. "This is related to additional tariffs, due to use of Garuda Indonesia, the first tourists to be flown to Amsterdam. That is why, we sincerely hope Garuda again fly over Paris," said Eka.

Arif Wibowo said the management of Garuda Indonesia already had plan to open new routes in several Europe countries, including Paris, France. To support the plan, Garuda Indonesia has ordered the aircraft that can serve long-distance direct flights.

Vice President of Marketing Garuda Indonesia, Don JP Bustan, the French gave similar statement. Management of Garuda Indonesia, he said, did have a plan to immediately fly several European countries, including Paris, France."Routes to be flown are in the study. We still measured the needs work on the main market in business class, including the leisure market with more economic tariffs," he said.

picture: google.com

Alleged smuggler Michael Sacatides from Sydney is facing a maximum 16 years behind bars in Bali

Prosecutors asked yesterday that an accused Australian drug smuggler be sentenced to 16 years in prison, a sign that Indonesian authorities are softening their attitudes to the death penalty. Michael Sacatides (pictured), who was caught with 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine in his luggage at Bali airport in October, was eligible to receive the death sentence if convicted. But following an instruction from the Attorney-General's office in Jakarta, prosecutors opted for a sentence request that was lighter than the prison terms given to the Australians who formed the so-called Bali nine heroin syndicate, or to the cannabis smuggler Schapelle Corby.

There was clearly deliberation in Jakarta before the request was made. The hearing yesterday was delayed twice as government lawyers pondered the decision.

The outcome is a positive development for Scott Rush, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who are on death row in Bali and have their final appeals before the Supreme Court.

''It's encouraging,'' said Todung Mulya Lubis, a campaigner against the death penalty and the lawyer for Chan and Sukumaran. ''It means that the government may think that the death penalty is not the solution … that it won't deter people from drug trafficking.''

The decision will provide little comfort for Mr Sacatides, a martial arts instructor from western Sydney who maintains his innocence and was expressionless during proceedings yesterday.

His defence is that the drugs were planted in his luggage by an associate who owed him money and knew he was travelling from Bangkok to Bali.

Methamphetamine, which is also known as ice or shabu shabu, is considered a category one drug in Indonesia and the death penalty can apply for the importation of as little as 5 grams.

The prosecutor, Gusti Putu Atmaja, said the government had taken into account Mr Sacatides's lack of criminal record when making the request. ''This request is per Jakarta's guidance,'' he said.

After a flurry of executions, Indonesia has not put anyone before a firing squad since the Bali bombers Amrozi, Mukhlas and Imam Samudra 2½ years ago. A Constitutional Court decision in 2008 upholding the legality of the death penalty also ruled it should be used sparingly and that those sentenced to death should be given the opportunity to repent and have their sentences commuted to prison terms.

In the past year, Indonesia has also begun a campaign for clemency for more than 100 of its citizens on death row in Malaysia.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, April 13, 2011

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Garuda Indonesia airlines needs 120 NEW pilots per YEAR

Garuda Indonesia airlines require at least 120 new pilots per year. The pilots are for manning the fleet which continues to grow and replace the retired pilots. As stated by Garuda Indonesia's vice president of Flight Operations, Capt. S Samad.

"Last year we added 24 aircrafts. While this year we will add 11 planes: 9 aircrafts of B737-800 NG and 2 aircrafts of A330-200, "he said.

According to Samad, based on the Quantum Leap program, until 2015 Garuda Indonesia requires an additional 800 pilots. By 2015, the number of aircraft used by Garuda Indonesia planned totaling 116 units.

Currently, the pilot of Garuda Indonesia amounted to 820 personnel with 30 of them are pilots from overseas. Garuda Indonesia has a policy of 1:9 or an aircraft operated by 9 pilots, or 4.5 sets.

To meet the needs of pilots, Garuda Indonesia in collaboration with the two flight school. Namely, Sekolah Tinggi Penerbangan Indonesia (STPI) in Curug and Bali International Flight Academy (BIFA) in Bali. Each school is supplying 60 pilots per year.

Saudi Woman Acquitted In Trial Torturing Indonesian Maid

By MALILA Harris

SAUDI ARABIA NEWS - Indonesia has strongly condemned the acquittal of a Saudi woman trial, who was guilty of ruthlessly torturing her 23 year-old young Indonesian maid. Talking to reporters, an Indonesian diplomat in Saudi Arabia has strongly criticized the decision, saying the sentence didn’t recognize the torture and it meant all tortures were free.

Indonesian diplomat Didi Wahyudi told BBC about the original three year sentenced given to Saudi Arabian woman and considered as a landmark verdict, but the recent overturned of sentence have brought a dark side of the justice and tortures were readily accepted as a common practice.

It is reported that around thousands of Indonesian women work in Saudi Arabia as a domestic helpers and often complain about the abuse by their employers. Just a few days back two people were arrested for violent death of their Indonesian maid in Mecca.

A number of Indonesian women get employment in Saudia Arabia as domestic workers and there are large number of cases of their abuses and tortures. However, there is hardly any punishment for the tortures, some get a hefty fine and that’s all.

The recent case of Sumiati Binti Salan Mustapa, 23, was hospitalized after being brutally beaten by her employer. Her bones broke down and her face was burned.

Her case captured global eyeballs, and promoted the Indonesian president to demand justice for her torture. Due to pressure her employer 53-year-old female was arrested and sentenced to three years in Jail in January by a court in the Saudi city of Medina.

She appealed against the sentence and was acquitted on Saturday after a judge deemed there was insufficient evidence.

GARUDA INDONESIA add flights SCHEDULE in May

Garuda Indonesian Airlines will add one flight from Manado, North Sulawesi to Jakarta from May 2011.

"On May, the Garuda Indonesia flight from Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado will be a three-day schedule that is two in the afternoon and one morning," said General Manager of Garuda Indonesia Manado, Piktor Sitohang in Manado, on Friday (March 25).

Piktor said, according to plan morning flight by Garuda in May will be served by Boeing 737 series 800 with capacity 162 passenger.

"The users of air transport from Manado City continued to show increased high enough. Therefore, Garuda Indonesia will give the best service with flight schedules by adding new aircraft," said Piktor.

With these additional flights, Garuda Indonesia is targeting the number of passengers transported from the Sam Ratulangi Airport Manado increased to 470 people.

"We are targeting an average of passengers transported from the Sam Ratulangi Airport Manado using Garuda Indonesia as much as 470 people," said Piktor.

Despite adding flights, but passenger safety and security will remain a major concern of Garuda Indonesia.

"Garuda Indonesia is consistent in performing regular maintenance and operational standards and surveillance aircraft followed the international standards before the plane take off," said Piktor.

picture: google.com

AirAsia plans to INCREASE flights frequency to SINGAPORE

The airline company, PT Indonesia AirAsia plans to increase frequency of flights from Jakarta and Denpasar to Singapore. Adding of one-time flight to Jakarta to Singapore route that became six times a day. As for the route Denpasar - Singapore flights increased by one so that it becomes four times the flight.

"The addition of this flight frequencies will effective on 20 April," said President Director of Indonesia AirAsia, Dharmadi.

The addition of frequency to Singapore, according to Dharmadi, because of the many customer requests to go to Singapore. "Singapore became one of our customer's favorite route, as well known as a shopping paradise and city tour," he said.

Related to that, Director of Marketing and Distribution AirAsia Widijastoro Nugroho said, AirAsia will offer special prices to travel to Singapore.

The special prices that offer by AirAsia is start from IDR 149,000 for the Jakarta-Singapore route and start from IDR 199,000 for the Denpasar - Singapore route. "This will be valid from 23 to 27 March 2011 with scheduled flights from 20 April - 10 November 2011,"said Widijastoro.

2011 Japan Earthquake Person Finder

By EDITOR

Are you looking for someone missing after the massive earthquake in Japan that triggered tsunami, or else you have information about someone? Please submit related information in the below box and help those who are really in need of such database of missing people. Make sure the data entered in the relevant place, which will be available to the public and it can be viewed by anyone. The data entered is neither verified or reviewed for its accuracy.



For any emergency help, call the below given numbers and format. It is local Japan emergency dials:

171 + 1 + line phone number to leave a message
171 + 2 + line phone number to listen to the message

On Friday (March 11) a 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Northeastern part of Japan at around 2.46 p.m. local time that caused damages, fire and tsunami. More to this, the powerful earthquake has triggered a tsunami warning for few other countries around the Pacific ocean such as Marcus Island, Russia, Northern Marianas, Philippines, Indonesia, Guam, Taiwan and Hawaii.

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Japan Earthquake Tsunami Affected People Finder And Nuclear Radiation Information
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Indonesia's Export to Japan May be Disrupted

A 8.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan and unleashed a 10-meter high tsunami may have the potential of affecting Indonesia’s exports to Japan, an official said.

"So exporters, importers and business world alike should be patient or switch to new markets other than Japan," Edy Putra Irawady, deputy for industry and trade to the coordinating minister for economic affairs, said here on Friday.

The natural disaster might also indirectly affect the domestic economy. He said two-way trade between Japan and Indonesia might be disrupted and Japanese investment in Indonesia might decline.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Banking Affairs of the Indonesian Young Businessmen Association (HIPMI) Silmy Karim said the disaster might affect the domestic economy now that Japan was one of Indonesia’s main export destinations. He said the Japanese companies which had so far imported part of their raw materials from Indonesia were expected to reduce their imports.

"Our alumunium and gas exports to Japan will likely fall sharply but such is not the case with CPO and coal exports," he said. He predicted the Japanese economy would soon recover from the disaster although its impact on the Japanese economy would be felt in three to six months’ time thanks to the country’s experience in facing such difficult situation.

Acting Chief of the Fiscal Policy Board (BKF) at the Finance Ministry Bambang Brodjonegoro expressed hope the disaster would have no prolonged impact particularly on the Indonesian economy.

"Japan is relatively more prepared (than any other nations) to deal with the impact of disasters so Friday’s quake and tsunami will likely have a relatively small impact on its economy," he said.

Last year, Indonesia’s non-oil/non-gas exports to Japan hit a record high of US$16.49 billion, making it the biggest market for Indonesia’s exports. In January 2011 alone, Indonesia’s non-oil/non-gas exports to Japan reached US$1.21 billion, accounting for 10.13 percent of its overall non-oil/gas exports in that month.

source: .kompas.com / picture: google.com

INDONESIA Airlines Ask for EXEMPTION to Surcharge RULES

The Indonesian Air Carrier Association has called on the government to allow domestic airlines to add fuel surcharges to airfares to reflect rising oil prices that may affect their operating costs.

Tengku Burhanuddin, secretary general of the association, also known as Inaca, said jet fuel prices have hovered between IDR 7,000 and IDR 8,000 (US$0.80 and US$0.91) per liter, but outside forces such as Middle East political crisis could send prices above the government’s price assumption.

Transport Ministry regulations allow airlines to impose surcharges if jet fuel prices exceed IDR 10,000 per liter and carriers experience a 20 percent rise in operational costs for three successive months.

Not imposing surcharges would be a burden to airlines already struggling to stay profitable, Tengku said. “If we are allowed to impose it now, it will be a lot easier to maintain our profit margin,” he said, adding that each airline has different calculations on the surcharges needed to cover operational costs.

Fuel typically makes up 30 percent to 40 percent of an airline’s operational costs.

Brent crude prices surpassed US$116 per barrel on Thursday after forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi bombed oil industry infrastructure, inflicting damage on the country’s exporting capacity, Reuters reported.

Last year, the Business Competition Supervisory Body (KPPU) accused the country’s nine largest airlines of using fuel surcharges to boost revenue even though fuel prices had declined. It leveled IDR 80 billion in fines and IDR 504 billion in compensation to customers against the carriers.

However, the Central Jakarta District Court struck down the KPPU’s ruling last month, saying there was no evidence of price-fixing between the airlines.

Elisa Lumbantoruan, finance director of flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia, said the airline had raised its economy class fare 5 percent and increased seat allocations for business and executive class to cope with rising fuel costs.

“Because we don’t hedge our fuel supply, we have to deal with this by increasing ticket prices and adjusting seat allocations,” he said. “We haven’t made any plans to add fuel surcharges.”

In 2007, when oil prices reached US$140 per barrel, Elisa said airlines began adding IDR 150,000 in fuel surcharges to airfare for the Jakarta-Surabaya route, for example.

Edward Sirait, general director of Lion Air, said his company was also increasing the number of seats in the executive class to compensate for rising fuel prices. Dharmadi, president director of AirAsia Indonesia, has said the airline could offset rising fuel prices of up to US$130 per barrel with ancillary revenue.

photo: google.com

WINGS Air open MALANG-DENPASAR flight route

The Indonesia airline company, Wings Airs, a subsidiary of Lion Air is starting open their flight route service from Malang - Denpasar, as an answer for the market need for this on the tourist route of these two destinations.

Wings Air uses ATR 72-500 aircraft with a capacity of 72 seats, which is said to have equipped with modern cabin.

Andi Burhan, Wings Air general manager explained, the flight is seven days a week, departing from Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport, Malang at 14:25 with flight number IW 1841, and departed from the Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar at 14.00.
This ATR aircraft is a new aircraft purchased from Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) manufacturer, which also manufactured turboprop-powered aircraft in France.

The number of aircraft would be ordered and will be operated by Wings Air is 30 aircrafts, has started operation since January 2010. "Up to February 2011 has been received and operates ten aircrafts, and five more planes is planning arrive until August 2011," said Andi Burhan.

The Malang-Denpasar route had been waiting since 2005, when the Civil Airport Abd Saleh Malang re-operated facilities that utilize the Air Force at Air Field Saleh Abd. "Malang always expect there is a direct route to and from Denpasar flight, as well as to and from Yogyakarta," said Head of Transportation Department of Malang Regency, Nasarudin Selian.

This is to confirm the Malang ambition along with it’s satellite city Kota Batu and Malang regency to assert its identity as a city or region of national and international tourist destination, besides Yogyakarta and Denpasar.

"We always hope that overseas tourists will travel  the Malang - Denpasar flight route, before entering Yogyakarta city, after entering Indonesia through the door of Denpasar. Similarly, on the contrary, from Yogyakarta or Jakarta to Denpasar via Malang," said Nasarudin.

picture: google.com

Indonesia Limits The Activities Of Small Sects Ahmadiyah

By MALILA Harris

INDONESIA NEWS – Indonesia West Java authorities have declared that the small Islamic sects the Ahmadiyah should limit their activities in the region. The members in the sects are not allowed publicly identify themselves and asked to convert to majority Islam.

It is noted that Indonesia is a secular country and in accordance to constitution one can freely express the religious sentiments. However, in the recent turmoil among the Islamist fundamentalist, the government is forced from hardliners to prohibit the sect completely.

The province of Java is home to Indonesia’s largest community of Ahmadis, though as a whole they are limited not more than 200,000 in the whole country. The fundamentalist approach towards them makes them difficult to survive as a sect, forcing them to convert into mainstream Islam.

The local authorities pressurize from the hardliners want them to restrict their activities and point out their mosques and schools as a separate sect. they are also ideally given education and reintegrate themselves and converting into mainstream Islam.

Authorities have issued notice to monitor their activities and encourage other people to look after them. In a way they are now quite aloof from majority of people.

Ahmadiyah have protested the dictum and said it is against the constitutional rights. Lawyers of the sect refute by saying any force decree violates a law protecting people’s rights to worship how they choose.

Nevertheless, hardliners say the government has taken the right decision and it is according to law, blaming the sect to deviate from the tenets of Islam, and therefore infringe the rule of blasphemy. It is reported that hardliners have repeatedly asked the government to ban completely the sect.

The Ahmadis have already in the back seat since a recent mob killed three of them. The increasing protest against them is yet another sign that their way of life is no longer welcome in the country, which is often appreciated for its religious forbearance.