Palu immigration hunting problematic Indian national

Tuesday, October 19, 2010 15:10 WIB | National | | Viewed 213 time(s)

Palu, C Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - The Palu immigration office has launched a hunt for a problematic Indian national identified as Sunil Dut, a spokesman said.

Yusus Sadu, head of the Local immigration detention center, said here on Tuesday there was information that Sunil Dut was hiding in Tojo Una-una district in the province.

"We have tried to hunt him at a location believed to be his hideout at a mining area in Bulan village but we failed to reach the location because of the treacherous terrain," Yusus said.

He said the mining area was located on a mountain slope, some 70 kilometers from

Balingara village on the trans Sulawesi highway on the Poso-Ampana axis road.

"We only reached Balinggara village and then returned to Palu because the car we traveled in was not sturdy enough to reach the intended location," Yusus said.

According to him, Sunil Dut, the Indian national had violated immigration law because his passport had expired 8 years ago but he had never have it extended.

Yusus said Sunil should have left Indonesia when his passport expired but he remained somewhere in Central Sulawesi up to the present.

Meanwhile, Bong (17 years), a Filipino fishermen who was stranded on an outer island in Tolitoli district in September 2010 was still at the Palu immigration detention house.

"We have yet to deport Bong to his country of origin because we have not yet received confirmation on his nationality from the Philippine consulate general in Manado, North Sulawesi," Yusus said.(*)

APEC countries to develop agriculture in sustainable ways

 Tuesday, October 19, 2010 15:12 WIB | National | | Viewed 213 time(s)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Countries grouped in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum have agreed to develop their agriculture in sustainable ways to help solve the global issue of food security, Agriculture Minister Suwono said.

"Food security has now become a serious and urgent global problem that needs to be addressed immediately," he said here Monday.

Suwono said the agreement to develop agriculture in sustainable ways was reached at the first Ministerial Meeting of APEC on Food Security held in Japan, October 16 - 17, 2010.

Nowadays, Suwono added, a quarter of the world`s population living in APEC countries was suffering from malnutrition and the condition was being worsened by natural disturbances interrupting the food supply in those countries.

Therefore, Suwono said , as a means to fulfill the demand of regional food supply and contribution against food security globally, APEC members were prepared to lend a hand in the agricultural sector.

In developing agriculture sustainability, Suswono said, APEC members should increase their food supply capacity and heighten their agricultural preparedness against natural disasters.

Development of rural communities and overcoming the challenge of global climate change ware also needed to solve the problem.

The minister said at the First APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security hold in Niigata, Japan, agreement was also reached to facilitate investment, trade and markets.

Promoting investment in agriculture, facilitating trade in food and agricultural products, reinforcing trust in agriculture markets and improving the security of food supply and trade were needed to overcome the food security problem.

At the meeting, the ministers from APEC countries also issued a Niigata Declaration on APEC Food on Security to which Indonesia contributed two points on efforts to achieve sustainable food security.

The two points stressed the importance of local resources in effecting food diversification and regional cooperation in overcoming food emergencies in the Asia Pacific region. (*)

Bank Indonesia Plans to Offer Longer-Term Deposits to Curb Currency Swings

By Novrida Manurung and Berni Moestafa - Oct 19, 2010 12:34 PM GMT+0700

 

The Indonesian central bank plans to offer term deposits with longer maturities of three months, six months and nine months as it seeks to reduce currency volatility following a surge in capital inflows.
Bank Indonesia has yet to decide when to issue the new term deposits, Dyah Nastiti Makhijani, a spokeswoman at the central bank, said by telephone in Jakarta today. The current maturities are for one and two months. Bank Indonesia’s term deposits cannot be traded in the secondary market and investors must hold them until maturity, Makhijani said.
Indonesia joins countries such as Brazil and South Korea in seeking to curb currency gains as near-zero interest rates in the U.S. and Japan spur funds to seek higher returns in emerging markets. The rupiah has risen 5.2 percent against the dollar this year as investors poured money into an economy where the benchmark interest rate is 6.5 percent.
“Bank Indonesia is adding more instruments to absorb excess liquidity so it won’t interfere with the rupiah,” said David Sumual, an economist at PT Bank Central Asia. “Now it’s a good time for a deepening of the financial market when there is strong capital inflow.”
Brazil yesterday raised the tax on foreign investments in fixed-income securities to curb gains in the real.
Bank Indonesia introduced the one-month term deposit in July and the two-month deposit in October. The deposits have absorbed 52 trillion rupiah ($5.8 billion) of liquidity as of the third week of October, Makhijani said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Novrida Manurung at nmanurung@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Chris Anstey at canstey@bloomberg.net

Italy Seen as Bigger Default Risk Than Indonesia: Euro Credit

October 19, 2010, 8:00 AM EDT

More From Businesswee

By Anchalee Worrachate

Oct. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Italy’s debt costs more to insure against default than that of the Philippines or Indonesia, as Europe’s financial woes overshadow a credit rating six levels higher than either of the emerging-market nations.

Credit-default swaps on Italy, the only borrower among Europe’s so-called peripheral nations not to suffer a cut in its credit rating since last year, trade at 165.5 basis points. That’s more than the 131 basis points for Indonesia, which had to restructure some of its debt in 2000, or the 129 basis points for the Philippines.

“Italy might be pricing in more default risk than it should,” said Johannes Jooste, a portfolio strategist at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in London, which oversees $1.4 trillion in assets globally. “The emerging market is benefiting from ample liquidity which has artificially pushed the market too strongly, more so on the CDS than cash bonds.”

Italy’s credit default swaps reached a record high of 244.7 basis points on June 4 after Greece’s near-default fueled investor concern about the solvency of the euro-region’s most- indebted nation. The price of insuring Asian debt has dropped amid record demand for emerging-market bonds as investors wager those economies will drive the global recovery while Europe wrestles with surging budget deficits and sluggish growth.

The cost of insuring Italian government bonds against payment failure is also higher than that of Russia, which in 1998 defaulted on $40 billion of domestic debt.

‘Clear Demarcation’

Standard & Poor’s rates Italy at A+, six steps higher than its non-investment grade BB+ level for both the Philippines and Indonesia.

“We like Italy,” said Mohit Kumar, a fixed income strategist at Deutsche Bank AG in London. “There is a clear demarcation between Italy and the rest of the euro-peripheral world. Italy might be highly indebted, but its deficit- consolidation plan in the next five years is pretty much in line with what Germany has to do.”

The yield premium investors demand to buy Italian 10-year bonds instead of German bunds fell four basis points to a two- month low of 134 basis points, down from a euro-era high of 185 basis points on June 8. That compares with 158 basis points for Spanish debt, while Ireland and Portugal each pay a surcharge of more than twice that of Italy. Indonesian debt yields 471 basis points more than bunds.

Fund Flows

A record $40.5 billion has flowed into emerging-market bond funds this year, more than four times the full-year high of $9.7 billion in 2005, according to data from research firm EPFR Global. Indonesia, with a budget deficit of 1.5 percent of gross domestic product, grew 6.2 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, while the Philippines, with a budget gap of 2.2 percent of GDP, expanded at an annual rate of 7.9 percent.

Italian bonds have gained 1.1 percent in the past month and 4.5 percent this year as investors reward Italy for doing a better job of controlling its deficit than its euro-region peers. Its shortfall of 5.3 percent of GDP last year is less than half that of Ireland, Greece and Spain, all of which had to cut wages and raise taxes to try to meet 2011 deficit-reduction goals.

“There is an element of Italian bonds being mispriced in this case,” Jooste said. “The Italian spreads have been volatile and they tend to follow peripheral stories. Our view on the peripheral market is that the market might have pushed it a bit too far. We expect the spread to pull in, although not to the pre-crisis level.”

Deficit Falling

Italy’s economy, the euro region’s third largest, is set to expand 1.2 percent this year and unemployment fell for a third month in August to 8.2 percent, less than the European Union average of 10.1 percent. The government intends to cut its budget shortfall to 3.9 percent of GDP next year and to limit any increase in the debt level to less than one percentage point, to 119.2 percent of GDP.

Even with deficit falling, investors remained concern about Italy’s ability to cut debt given prospects for economic growth, said John Stopford, head of fixed income at Investec Asset Management in London.

“Perceptions of risk are changing,” said Stopford. “Developed economies in the near term are suffering from low growth, large debt levels and aging population while the emerging economies are doing well. Whether the market got that comparison right might be debatable, but people are quite right to reappraise risks.”

A basis point on a credit-default swap contract protecting 10 million euros ($13.9 million) of debt from default for five years is equivalent to 1,000 euros a year.

Credit-default swaps pay the buyer face value in exchange for the underlying securities or the cash equivalent should a company fail to adhere to its debt agreements.

--With assistance by Abigail Moses in London. Editors: Andrew Davis, Mark Gilbert
To contact the reporter on this story: Anchalee Worrachate in London at aworrachate@bloomberg.net;
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Daniel Tilles at dtilles@bloomberg.net

Indonesia Activists Reject Suharto

Human rights activists on Tuesday slammed proposals to honour late Indonesian dictator Suharto as a national hero.
The military strongman's authoritarian rule might have brought economic progress and stability but at the expense of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, they said.
Suharto is among 10 names nominated for the title of National Hero of Indonesia, the country's highest honour.
The annual award goes to Indonesians who "perform acts of heroism and make extraordinary contributions" to the nation.
But anti-graft campaigner Teten Masduki, of Transparency International, said Suharto was unworthy of such an honour because he led a corrupt regime that stole billions of dollars from the country.
"He was extraordinarily corrupt to the point of bankrupting Indonesia. How could such a person be made a national hero?" he told AFP.
Suharto, who died in 2008 aged 86, allegedly pocketed billions of dollars for himself and his children during his reign from 1967 to 1998, when he resigned amid economic turmoil and mass street demonstrations.
He is also blamed for serious human rights abuses including massacres of alleged communists during a 1965-1966 crackdown that killed an estimated half a million people.
His legacy is still debated in the mainly Muslim country of 240 million people, as his corruption and brutal repression is weighed against a record of economic growth.
Human rights activist Raharjo Waluyo Jati, of independent group Voice of Human Rights, said he did not deserve the title of national hero.
"He caused so much suffering. So many activists were arrested, detained, punished and some even killed without trial during his rule," he said.
"All the mess Indonesia is in now, with problems of corruption and human rights violations, were his doing. He built this chaos."
Other nominees include late president Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, a devout Muslim scholar who staunchly defended the country's pluralist traditions.
Nominations were submitted by the public and shortlisted by the Social Affairs Ministry.
The list will be submitted to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for approval ahead of National Heroes Day on November 10.

Ulama Ingatkan Masyarakat Hati-hati Memaknai 10-10-10

Ulama Ingatkan Masyarakat Hati-hati Memaknai 10-10-10

Antara - Senin, 11 Oktober


Padang (ANTARA) - Ulama Sumatera Barat Gusrizal Gazahar mengingatkan kepada masyarakat khususnya umat Muslim yang melangsungkan pernikahan pada Minggu (10-10-2010) agar hati-hati dalam memaknainya, karena hal itu dapat menjerumuskan seseorang dalam kurafat yang menjurus pada kesyirikan.

"Dalam Islam tidak ada pengkhususan tentang hari pernikahan, apalagi memaknai hari dan tanggal tertentu dengan keistimewaan tertentu," katanya di Padang, Minggu.

Ia mengatakan, hari ataupun tanggal tidak dapat dikatakan memiliki keistimewaan kecuali ada landasan syar`i di dalamnya, baik melalui Al-Quran dan Hadist. Ia mencontohkan, seperti hadis Rasulullah tentang keutamaan hari Jumat, yang diriwayatkan oleh Imam Muslim.

"Rasulullah pernah bersabda, hari terbaik di mana matahari terbit di dalamnya ialah hari Jumat. Pada hari itu Adam Alaihis Salam diciptakan, dimasukkan ke surga, dikeluarkan daripadanya dan kiamat tidak terjadi kecuali di hari Jumat (Hadist Riwayat Imam Muslim)," kata Ketua MUI Sumbar Bidang Fatwa itu.

Namun, terkait hari pernikahan, Rasulullah SAW tidak pernah mengkhususkan hari tertentu agar umatnya menikah pada hari-hari tertentu itu. Semua hari dalam Islam itu baik asalkan dimulai dengan niat karena Allah SWT, katanya.

Ia menilai, dalam pandangan Islam, tidaklah salah bila umat Islam menikah pada hari (10-10-2010) jika itu memang telah dimusyawarahkan antara keluarga dari kedua mempelai.

Yang salah, katanya, jika masyarakat menganggap hari ini memiliki keistimewaan tertentu berdasarkan perhitungan-perhitungan yang mengandung nilai kurafat lalu menjadikannya sebagai sesuatu yang sakral sehingga dalam kategori ini, orang itu dapat dianggap sebagai orang jahil (bodoh) dalam agama.

Terkait hal itu, ia mengingatkan, masyarakat khususnya umat Islam agar tidak menjadikan opini umum yang berkembang saat ini sebagai suatu pemahaman yang harus dibenarkan. Ia menegaskan, masyarakat harus lebih cerdas memahami kontekstual kehidupan termasuk perihal pernikahan dengan memperdalam ilmu-ilmu Islam.

Ia mengatakan, ilmu agama terkait pernikahan itu sangat penting sebab pernikahan merupakan pintu dari amalan besar ketika seseorang telah memiliki tanggung jawab untuk membina keluarga yang sakinah, mawaddah dan warrahmah.

Ia menambahkan, jika ada umat Islam yang terjebak dalam kesalahpahaman terhadap hari ini (10-10-2010), berarti telah muncul pula kejahilan baru dalam masyarakat.

"Masalah walimah yang melanggar aturan Islam saja belum dapat dituntaskan, ditambah lagi dengan masalah baru karena jahilnya umat memaknai tanggal 10-10-2010 hari ini," katanya.

Terkait persoalan tersebut, ia menambahkan, hal itu terjadi akibat tatanan dakwah di kalangan umat Islam saat ini sudah beralih kepada dakwah enterteint (dakwah yang hanya mengandung nilai hiburan), tanpa memperhatikan tujuan dasar dan sasaran dakwah itu sendiri.

Menurutnya, tatatanan dakwah harus kembali difungsikan oleh mubaligh tidak sebatas kajian parsial saja, namun harus menyentuh hingga persoalan dasar dalam agama Islam yakni kajian tauhid (keyakinan).

"Dakwah harus kembali di arahkan pada kajian tauhid yang menyentuh persolaan keyakinan umat pada nilai ukhrawi (akhirat) hingga umat Islam tidak terjerumus dalam pemahaman kurafat," katanya.

GAMBARAN HIDUP SESUDAH MATI

Sahabat Ma'adz bin Jabal bertanya kepada Rasulullah : " Ya Rasul ...Terangkan kepadaku tentang makna firman Allah : Yaitu hari ketika ditiup sangkakala, lalu kamu datang berkelompok-kelompok .”

Maka menangislah Rasulullah. Cucuran airmatanya membasahi bajunya Engkau telah bertanya sesuatu yang dahsyat. Umatku akan dibangkitkan pada hari kiamat dalam kelompok-kelompok 12 (dua belas) tabiat :

Kelompok pertama : Dibangkitkan tanpa tangan dan kaki. Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan " Mereka adalah orang-orang yang menggangu tetangganya. Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya ."

Kelompok kedua : Dibangkitkan dalam bentuk babi. Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan "Mereka adalah orang-orang yang bermalas-malas melakukan shalat Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya ."

Kelompok ketiga : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya dalam keadaan perut besar menggunung, dipenuhi ular dan kalajengking

Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan "Mereka adalah orang-orang yang menahan-nahan zakat Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya."

Kelompok keempat : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya dalam keadaan darah mengalir dari mulut. Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan "Mereka adalah orang-orang yang berdusta dalam jual-beli Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya."

Kelompok kelima : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya dalam keadaan berbau busuk. Lebih busuk dari bau bangkai Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan "Mereka adalah orang-orang yang melakukan maksiat tersembunyi karena merasa takut dilihat orang tetapi tidak takut dari pengawasan Allah Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya."

Kelompok keenam : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya dalam keadaan terputus lehernya Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan

"Mereka adalah orang-orang yang memberi kesaksian palsu Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya."

Kelompok ketujuh : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya tanpa memiliki lidah. Dari mulutnya mengalir nanah dan darah. Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan " Mereka adalah orang-orang yang menolak memberi kesaksian Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya."

Kelompok kedelapan : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya dalam keadaan tertunduk. Kedua kaki di atas kepala Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan " Mereka adalah orang-orang yang gemar melakukan zina dan keburu mati sebelum bertobat Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya."

Kelompok kesembilan : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya dalam keadaan berwajah hitam. Matanya biru perutnya penuh api Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan "Mereka adalah orang-orang yang memakan harta, dan merampas hak anak-anak yatim secara zalim Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya."

Kelompok kesepuluh : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya Dalam keadaan sakit kusta dan sopak Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan "Mereka adalah orang-orang yang mendurhakai kedua orangtua Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya."

Kelompok kesebelas : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya dalam keadaan buta-hati buta-mata. Giginya seperti tanduk kerbau. Bibir dan lidahnya bergelantungan mencapai dada, perut, dan paha. Sedang dari perutnya keluar kotoran. Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan "Mereka adalah orang-orang yang gemar meminum khamr Maka inilah ganjarannya dan nerakalah tempatnya."

Kelompok kedua belas : Dibangkitkan dari kuburnya dengan wajah bercahaya, seperti sinar bulan purnama. Melewati sirath al-Mustaqim. Secepat kilat menyambar angin Seraya terdengar suara dari sisi Tuhan " Mereka adalah orang-orang yang melakukan amal kebajikan. Menjauhi segala kemaksiatan. Rajin memenuhi panggilan shalat, dan mati sesudah bertobat Maka ganjaran mereka adalah: Pengampunan, rahmat, dan ridha, Serta surga dari Allah Ta'ala."