Most Asian markets today were on the rise following supportive cues from Wall Street.
Indonesia's stock market rebounded on Friday as positive sentiments helped share prices to climb.
The composite index opened higher at 3,962.91, following a rise in pre-opening prices of 3.968,27.
An analyst fro PT Equator Securities, Gina Novrina Nasution, said most Asian markets today were on the rise following supportive cues from Wall Street.
"The positive sentiments from the US and Asian markets today cause the domestic market to improve," she told VIVAnews, March 2.
Gina recommends take on shares of PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGAS), PT PP London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk (LSIP), PT Bank Mandiri Tbk (BMRI), PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BBRI), and PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BBCA).
Friday, March 2, 2012
Dhana Denies Cooperation with Six Companies
“It is still too early to declare whether there is any crime or not.”
Dhana Widyatmika’s attorney denied all stories published by the media on his client. The attorney said that it is still too early to assess any criminal element in this case.
The attorney also denied Dhana’s cooperation with the companies he handled while he was working in the Directorate General of Taxes.
“It is still too early to declare whether there is any crime or not,” said Attorney Daniel Afredo while assisting Dhana in the AGO office, Friday, March 2.
Daniel said Dhana has various sources of income.
Dhana was only transferred from the Directorate General of Taxes to Jakarta Tax Office for a month. Dhana’s wife, DA, is an employee of the Directorate General of Taxes.
Daniel continued that the AGO has confiscated several of his client’s assets, including his showroom. Meanwhile, the showroom’s director has also been questioned.
When asked about the news on the six companies that Dhana watched over, Daniel could supply answer in details.
“We have no idea about it yet,” said Daniel.
Dhana Widyatmika’s attorney denied all stories published by the media on his client. The attorney said that it is still too early to assess any criminal element in this case.
The attorney also denied Dhana’s cooperation with the companies he handled while he was working in the Directorate General of Taxes.
“It is still too early to declare whether there is any crime or not,” said Attorney Daniel Afredo while assisting Dhana in the AGO office, Friday, March 2.
Daniel said Dhana has various sources of income.
Dhana was only transferred from the Directorate General of Taxes to Jakarta Tax Office for a month. Dhana’s wife, DA, is an employee of the Directorate General of Taxes.
Daniel continued that the AGO has confiscated several of his client’s assets, including his showroom. Meanwhile, the showroom’s director has also been questioned.
When asked about the news on the six companies that Dhana watched over, Daniel could supply answer in details.
“We have no idea about it yet,” said Daniel.
Govt Should Set Minimum CNG Price Disparity
“Countries that have implemented CNG best set [the disparity] at around 60 percent.”
CNG Association of Indonesia said the Indonesian government should set the minimum price disparity between compressed natural gas (CNG) and premium at 60 percent.
“Countries that have implemented CNG best set [the disparity] at around 60 percent,” said Secretary General of CNG Association of Indonesia, Danny Praditya, on Thursday, March 1.
He said 30 CNG private companies in Indonesia are now in operation. Nonetheless, prices and infrastructure have been the problems in developing CNG in the nation.
“The government must really make calculation on the economic price of CNG,” he explained.
If the price of premium fuel is raised to Rp6,000 per liter, it is not going to reach the 60 percent disparity with the CNG’s price. However, the effort could be the first step toward CNG conversion.
He cited the use of CNG in Thailand, that was developed within 5 years. Around 250 thousand vehicles are now using CNG and the country is equipped with 500 CNG stations with a variety of incentives and monitoring.
CNG Association of Indonesia said the Indonesian government should set the minimum price disparity between compressed natural gas (CNG) and premium at 60 percent.
“Countries that have implemented CNG best set [the disparity] at around 60 percent,” said Secretary General of CNG Association of Indonesia, Danny Praditya, on Thursday, March 1.
He said 30 CNG private companies in Indonesia are now in operation. Nonetheless, prices and infrastructure have been the problems in developing CNG in the nation.
“The government must really make calculation on the economic price of CNG,” he explained.
If the price of premium fuel is raised to Rp6,000 per liter, it is not going to reach the 60 percent disparity with the CNG’s price. However, the effort could be the first step toward CNG conversion.
He cited the use of CNG in Thailand, that was developed within 5 years. Around 250 thousand vehicles are now using CNG and the country is equipped with 500 CNG stations with a variety of incentives and monitoring.
Australian Facing Death Penalty in Bali
Another drug smuggler was again foiled by the Customs at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali on Tuesday, Feb 28. An Australian man named Edward Norman Myatt (55) was arrested when he was detected to have the possession of around 72 capsules (71 capsules containing hashish of 113 grams, and 1 capsule containing meth powder of 7 grams) in his stomach. The total weight is 120 grams.
The price of hashish in the market is around Rp600 thousand. Meanwhile, 1 capsule of 7 grams meth powder is Rp2.5 million per gram. Edward is part of an international narcotic network.
Head of Ngurah Rai’s Customs Supervision & Service, I Made Wijaya, said Edward was caught on Tuesday afternoon at around 2 PM shortly after he arrived at Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar. The construction worker had just arrived from Bangkok, Thailand. “He carried several bags,” said Made Wijaya, Friday, March 2.
Several officers immediately raised their suspicion towards Edward, who looked nervous. He even tried to avoid the body scanner at the international arrival terminal.
When Edward passed the scanner, bizarre items kept in his stomach appeared on the screen. Further test proved the items to be illegal drugs. “There are approximately 72 capsules inside the suspect’s body,” he said.
Edward was then brought to BMC Hospital in Kuta to confirm the contents of the capsules through X-ray examination and also to remove the capsules from his stomach.
“All capsules were removed within four days. The capsules went out with his feces. He was given natural drinks such as milk and papaya juice,” explained Wijaya.
“The suspect is charged under Article 112 Law No.35/2009 on Narcotics with the maximum sentence of death penalty,” said Wijaya.
The price of hashish in the market is around Rp600 thousand. Meanwhile, 1 capsule of 7 grams meth powder is Rp2.5 million per gram. Edward is part of an international narcotic network.
Head of Ngurah Rai’s Customs Supervision & Service, I Made Wijaya, said Edward was caught on Tuesday afternoon at around 2 PM shortly after he arrived at Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar. The construction worker had just arrived from Bangkok, Thailand. “He carried several bags,” said Made Wijaya, Friday, March 2.
Several officers immediately raised their suspicion towards Edward, who looked nervous. He even tried to avoid the body scanner at the international arrival terminal.
When Edward passed the scanner, bizarre items kept in his stomach appeared on the screen. Further test proved the items to be illegal drugs. “There are approximately 72 capsules inside the suspect’s body,” he said.
Edward was then brought to BMC Hospital in Kuta to confirm the contents of the capsules through X-ray examination and also to remove the capsules from his stomach.
“All capsules were removed within four days. The capsules went out with his feces. He was given natural drinks such as milk and papaya juice,” explained Wijaya.
“The suspect is charged under Article 112 Law No.35/2009 on Narcotics with the maximum sentence of death penalty,” said Wijaya.
Electricity Rate Suggested to Rise in Phases
“Fuel price rise is already a burden, not to mention the increase in electricity rate.”
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jero Wacik, said that the new electricity rate should be set phases.
“Fuel price rise is already a burden, not to mention the increase in electricity rate,” said Jero in Jakarta today, March 2.
This year’s Revision of State Budget Draft (RAPBN) will specify gradual pricing of electricity rate, which will be set in 3 stages.
“I have yet to take notice about it on the Revised Draft of State Budget. Maybe it will be raised by 3 percen in each stage,” he said.
The government will also redraft the Indonesian oil lifting assumption from 950 thousand barrels per day to 930 thousand barrels per day in the Revised Draft of State Budget.
For the Indonesian oil price (Indonesia Crude Price/ICP), the government will raise the ICP assumption from US$90 per barrel to US$105 per barrel.
“Actually, it’s already US$112 per barrel in February. My assumption is US$90 per barrel. If anyone said there is no need to raise the price, well, we can’t,” he said.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jero Wacik, said that the new electricity rate should be set phases.
“Fuel price rise is already a burden, not to mention the increase in electricity rate,” said Jero in Jakarta today, March 2.
This year’s Revision of State Budget Draft (RAPBN) will specify gradual pricing of electricity rate, which will be set in 3 stages.
“I have yet to take notice about it on the Revised Draft of State Budget. Maybe it will be raised by 3 percen in each stage,” he said.
The government will also redraft the Indonesian oil lifting assumption from 950 thousand barrels per day to 930 thousand barrels per day in the Revised Draft of State Budget.
For the Indonesian oil price (Indonesia Crude Price/ICP), the government will raise the ICP assumption from US$90 per barrel to US$105 per barrel.
“Actually, it’s already US$112 per barrel in February. My assumption is US$90 per barrel. If anyone said there is no need to raise the price, well, we can’t,” he said.
Another Animal Dies in Indonesia Surabaya Zoo
From 2006 to 2010, the number of dead animals in Surabaya Zoo was 1,919.
After previously found unconscious and resuscitated, the Surabaya Zoo’s (KBS) giraffe finally passed away.
Kliwon, the 25-year old giraffe, was listed as the only African giraffe male (giraffa camelopardalis) in KBS.
“He died last night, precisely at 9 PM. We will conduct autopsy later. It’s to confirm the cause of death,” said Surabaya Zoo spokesperson, Anthan Warsito, Friday, March 2.
The autopsy will take place in the Surabaya Zoo. A number of people from the medical team will examine all its organs.
Warsito said that the zoo is devastated by Kliwon’s death. With its demise, the zoo has lost its giraffe collection.
This is not the first time the zoo has lost its animal collection. Earlier, animals had died one by one in this zoo. The last one was in late January when a boar was found dead. The Javanese boar was found dead with the signs of cyanide poisoning in its stomach, heart and lungs.
Before that, a komodo was also found dead. Within the past five years, from 2006 to 2010, the number of dead animals in Surabaya Zoo was 1,919; meanwhile the number of newborn was 1,089.
The animals’ sudden death is allegedly a result of the zoo’s dual management. The Natural Resource Conservation Center (BKSDA) in East Java said it may evacuate the zoo’s animals. The Center considered that the deaths are caused by 2 factors: indifference, and the poor condition of the animals’ food and cages.
After previously found unconscious and resuscitated, the Surabaya Zoo’s (KBS) giraffe finally passed away.
Kliwon, the 25-year old giraffe, was listed as the only African giraffe male (giraffa camelopardalis) in KBS.
“He died last night, precisely at 9 PM. We will conduct autopsy later. It’s to confirm the cause of death,” said Surabaya Zoo spokesperson, Anthan Warsito, Friday, March 2.
The autopsy will take place in the Surabaya Zoo. A number of people from the medical team will examine all its organs.
Warsito said that the zoo is devastated by Kliwon’s death. With its demise, the zoo has lost its giraffe collection.
This is not the first time the zoo has lost its animal collection. Earlier, animals had died one by one in this zoo. The last one was in late January when a boar was found dead. The Javanese boar was found dead with the signs of cyanide poisoning in its stomach, heart and lungs.
Before that, a komodo was also found dead. Within the past five years, from 2006 to 2010, the number of dead animals in Surabaya Zoo was 1,919; meanwhile the number of newborn was 1,089.
The animals’ sudden death is allegedly a result of the zoo’s dual management. The Natural Resource Conservation Center (BKSDA) in East Java said it may evacuate the zoo’s animals. The Center considered that the deaths are caused by 2 factors: indifference, and the poor condition of the animals’ food and cages.
Chris John Fights Japanese Challenger
WBA Fly-weight Super Champion Chris John is to face Japanese boxer Shoji Kimora in a title fight at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on May 5, a spokesman of his promotor said.
Chris’s opponent is 34 years old and has an orthodox boxing style, Fathan Rangkuti, media and promotion officer of Mahkota Promotions, said here Tuesday. At the same time and venue, IBO Asia Pacific fly-weight champion Daud Yordan would be fighting Philippine boxer Ramie Laput, he said.
"Daud’s opponent is 33 years old and also has an orthodox boxing style. He descended to bantam weight," Fathan said.
The contracts on Chris John’s and Daud Yordan’s matches had already been signed and what they now had to do was preparing themselves for the upcoming fights, he said. "Late February Chris John will leave for Australia to train at Herry’s Gym in Perth under supervision of his trainer Craig Christian."
When in the ring with Shoji Kimora, Chris John who is nicknamed The Dragon would be defending his title for the 16th time.
Chris’s opponent is 34 years old and has an orthodox boxing style, Fathan Rangkuti, media and promotion officer of Mahkota Promotions, said here Tuesday. At the same time and venue, IBO Asia Pacific fly-weight champion Daud Yordan would be fighting Philippine boxer Ramie Laput, he said.
"Daud’s opponent is 33 years old and also has an orthodox boxing style. He descended to bantam weight," Fathan said.
The contracts on Chris John’s and Daud Yordan’s matches had already been signed and what they now had to do was preparing themselves for the upcoming fights, he said. "Late February Chris John will leave for Australia to train at Herry’s Gym in Perth under supervision of his trainer Craig Christian."
When in the ring with Shoji Kimora, Chris John who is nicknamed The Dragon would be defending his title for the 16th time.
Astra International Splits Shares
Publicly listed diversified group PT Astra International Tbk (ASII) is planning to split the nominal value of its shares under a 1:10 ratio.
The proposal for stock split would be brought to an extraordinary meeting of the company’s shareholders in April or May for approval, Astra International Corporate Secretary Gita Tiffany Boer said during a public expose here on Tuesday. By splitting the shares, retail investors could afford to buy them and the company could increase the liquidity of its shares in the stock exchange, he said.
Last year, Astra International posted a net profit of Rp17.8 trillion, up 24 percent from Rp14.4 trillion the year before. The company plans to set aside part of its profit last year to pay a dividend of Rp1,380 per share.
PT Astra International currently controls 53.8 percent of the country’s automobile market. In the January-November 2011 period Astra International sold 438,111 units, more than a half of domestic car sales which reached 813,856 units, making it the country’s biggest retailer.
The proposal for stock split would be brought to an extraordinary meeting of the company’s shareholders in April or May for approval, Astra International Corporate Secretary Gita Tiffany Boer said during a public expose here on Tuesday. By splitting the shares, retail investors could afford to buy them and the company could increase the liquidity of its shares in the stock exchange, he said.
Last year, Astra International posted a net profit of Rp17.8 trillion, up 24 percent from Rp14.4 trillion the year before. The company plans to set aside part of its profit last year to pay a dividend of Rp1,380 per share.
PT Astra International currently controls 53.8 percent of the country’s automobile market. In the January-November 2011 period Astra International sold 438,111 units, more than a half of domestic car sales which reached 813,856 units, making it the country’s biggest retailer.
Indonesia, Algeria Agree to Strengthen Investment Cooperation
The Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and the Algerian National Investment Development Agency (ANDA) have signed a much-awaited Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the investment sector.
"The MoU between the two investment coordinating agencies is the fruit of a longstanding process they have explored since a few years ago," Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Indonesian to Algeria Ahmad Niam Salim said in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
The MoU was expected to enhance bilateral cooperation in economic and investment fields in support of the two nations’ welfare, he said. "Thank God, the MoU could be signed after a long process. This is the first MoU during my term of office as an extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Indonesian to Algeria and I hope this MoU will be followed by other MoUs."
The MoU was signed by BKPM Deputy Chief Achmad Kurniadi and ANDI Secretary General Khoiar Djouada on the sidelines of an expert meeting forum between the two countries at Mitsaq Hotel, Algeria, on Monday. Also present at the signing ceremony were Indonesian Ambassador to Algeria Ahmad Niam Salim, and head of the Indonesian delegation Roni P. Yulianto who is also the foreign ministry’s director for the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Algerian side was represented by director for Asia at the foreign ministry Naceur Boucherit and a number of ANDI officials. Achmad Kurnia expressed hope the MoU would soon be followed up on by taking practical steps to mutually explore the possibility of business and investment cooperation in a more real way.
"This MoU is good news for Indonesian businessmen wishing to expand their businesses in Algeria. We hope that the two agencies will follow up on the MoU by taking technical steps in the investment field."
"The MoU between the two investment coordinating agencies is the fruit of a longstanding process they have explored since a few years ago," Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Indonesian to Algeria Ahmad Niam Salim said in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
The MoU was expected to enhance bilateral cooperation in economic and investment fields in support of the two nations’ welfare, he said. "Thank God, the MoU could be signed after a long process. This is the first MoU during my term of office as an extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Indonesian to Algeria and I hope this MoU will be followed by other MoUs."
The MoU was signed by BKPM Deputy Chief Achmad Kurniadi and ANDI Secretary General Khoiar Djouada on the sidelines of an expert meeting forum between the two countries at Mitsaq Hotel, Algeria, on Monday. Also present at the signing ceremony were Indonesian Ambassador to Algeria Ahmad Niam Salim, and head of the Indonesian delegation Roni P. Yulianto who is also the foreign ministry’s director for the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Algerian side was represented by director for Asia at the foreign ministry Naceur Boucherit and a number of ANDI officials. Achmad Kurnia expressed hope the MoU would soon be followed up on by taking practical steps to mutually explore the possibility of business and investment cooperation in a more real way.
"This MoU is good news for Indonesian businessmen wishing to expand their businesses in Algeria. We hope that the two agencies will follow up on the MoU by taking technical steps in the investment field."
You CAN Live Forever...
Forget expensive lotions and potions – the key to becoming immortal could be found in flatworms, scientists say. The worms, which live in lakes and ponds, hold the remarkable ability to regenerate time and time again – effectively living forever.
If one is cut in half, the head portion grows a tail and the tail portion grows a head. Cut it into 20 pieces and 20 new worms, each an exact copy of the first, are created.
This has been exploited by Nottingham University scientists who have created a colony of more than 20,000 worms, all from one original, whose bodies and organs do not appear to age.
They are confident a single worm which did not divide would live forever – unless it catches an infection or another illness. Researcher Dr Aziz Aboobaker said: ‘In my opinion, they are immortal.’
It is hoped that the research will help develop treatments that allow humans to stay fit and healthy long into old age. The experiments focused on Schmidtea mediterranea, a relative of an African parasite which can be found under stones and rocks in British ponds.
The flatworm has a simple brain – or concentration of nerve cells – in its head, which can be regenerated by stem cells found elsewhere in the body. In contrast, an earthworm would die if cut in two.
One strain of Schmidtea mediterranea reproduces without sex, simply by splitting itself in half and creating two copies, growing new muscles, skin, guts and even an entire brain in the process.
To speed up nature, the scientists cut the worms with a razor blade. Dr Aboobaker said: ‘You take one and wait until it is seven to ten days old and you cut it. The tail grows into a new head and the head grows into a new tail. A big one can be cut into ten to 20 pieces.’
By doing this for four years, they have generated around 20,000 copies of one original worm. The longest survived around a year before succumbing to infection. Most worms live just a few days.
Key to the flatworms’ immortality are telomeres – tiny biological clocks that cap the ends of chromosomes. Normally, they get shorter with time, stopping cells from dividing and renewing and causing the body to age.
But in the flatworm, the telomeres stay intact, allowing cells to divide many times and stopping ageing in its tracks. Dr Aboobaker and colleague Dr Thomas Tan have pinpointed the gene that allows them to do this, the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports.
The researchers said: ‘The next goals for us are to understand the mechanisms in more detail and understand more about how you evolve an immortal animal.’
Knowing more about how the worms safely do this could help stem cell scientists achieve their Holy Grail – the growth of new hearts, livers or brain cells in a dish. It could also speed the development of drugs that stave off many of the diseases of old age.
Douglas Kell, of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, which part-funded the study, said: ‘This research contributes to our fundamental understanding of some of the processes involved in ageing and build strong foundations for improving health and potentially longevity in other organisms, including humans.’
If one is cut in half, the head portion grows a tail and the tail portion grows a head. Cut it into 20 pieces and 20 new worms, each an exact copy of the first, are created.
This has been exploited by Nottingham University scientists who have created a colony of more than 20,000 worms, all from one original, whose bodies and organs do not appear to age.
They are confident a single worm which did not divide would live forever – unless it catches an infection or another illness. Researcher Dr Aziz Aboobaker said: ‘In my opinion, they are immortal.’
It is hoped that the research will help develop treatments that allow humans to stay fit and healthy long into old age. The experiments focused on Schmidtea mediterranea, a relative of an African parasite which can be found under stones and rocks in British ponds.
The flatworm has a simple brain – or concentration of nerve cells – in its head, which can be regenerated by stem cells found elsewhere in the body. In contrast, an earthworm would die if cut in two.
One strain of Schmidtea mediterranea reproduces without sex, simply by splitting itself in half and creating two copies, growing new muscles, skin, guts and even an entire brain in the process.
To speed up nature, the scientists cut the worms with a razor blade. Dr Aboobaker said: ‘You take one and wait until it is seven to ten days old and you cut it. The tail grows into a new head and the head grows into a new tail. A big one can be cut into ten to 20 pieces.’
By doing this for four years, they have generated around 20,000 copies of one original worm. The longest survived around a year before succumbing to infection. Most worms live just a few days.
Key to the flatworms’ immortality are telomeres – tiny biological clocks that cap the ends of chromosomes. Normally, they get shorter with time, stopping cells from dividing and renewing and causing the body to age.
But in the flatworm, the telomeres stay intact, allowing cells to divide many times and stopping ageing in its tracks. Dr Aboobaker and colleague Dr Thomas Tan have pinpointed the gene that allows them to do this, the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports.
The researchers said: ‘The next goals for us are to understand the mechanisms in more detail and understand more about how you evolve an immortal animal.’
Knowing more about how the worms safely do this could help stem cell scientists achieve their Holy Grail – the growth of new hearts, livers or brain cells in a dish. It could also speed the development of drugs that stave off many of the diseases of old age.
Douglas Kell, of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, which part-funded the study, said: ‘This research contributes to our fundamental understanding of some of the processes involved in ageing and build strong foundations for improving health and potentially longevity in other organisms, including humans.’
Iran to Hold Culture Week in Jakarta
The Iranian embassy in Jakarta is to stage an Iranian culture week on March 7-13, the country’s top diplomat said.
"We will hold this program to acquaint the Indonesian public with the culture of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mahmoud Farazandeh said here Tuesday.
The event would be opened at the National Museum and also include the screening of Iranian films at the Usmar Ismail building. He said now was the right time to show Iranian films as one such film titled "A Separation" had won acclaim at the 84th Academy Awards festival in the foreign films category.
Farazandeh said Iran’s cinematography had recently elicited praise from the world as it had produced quality films based on fresh ideas and free from sex scenes. "Indonesia-Iran relations date back to thousands of years ago as proven by the discovery of an ancient grave stone bearing an inscription in the Persian language."
In the literary field, especially in Malay literature, there also was Iranian influence as about 400 Persian words had become part of Bahasa Indonesia part of which were still being used today, he said. Indonesian poets such as Sanusi Pane and Amir Hamzah had turned out works with strong Persian cultural influences.
"The Iranian revolution was a cultural revolution and we want to spread it throughout the world," he said. Apart from the cultural week, there would also be seminars on Iran at a number of universities in Jakarta, the ambassador said.
Indonesia and Iran had in the past also engaged in cultural exchanges such as an Indonesian culture week in Iran and an Iranian calligraphy exhibition in Jakarta, Farazandeh said.
"We will hold this program to acquaint the Indonesian public with the culture of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mahmoud Farazandeh said here Tuesday.
The event would be opened at the National Museum and also include the screening of Iranian films at the Usmar Ismail building. He said now was the right time to show Iranian films as one such film titled "A Separation" had won acclaim at the 84th Academy Awards festival in the foreign films category.
Farazandeh said Iran’s cinematography had recently elicited praise from the world as it had produced quality films based on fresh ideas and free from sex scenes. "Indonesia-Iran relations date back to thousands of years ago as proven by the discovery of an ancient grave stone bearing an inscription in the Persian language."
In the literary field, especially in Malay literature, there also was Iranian influence as about 400 Persian words had become part of Bahasa Indonesia part of which were still being used today, he said. Indonesian poets such as Sanusi Pane and Amir Hamzah had turned out works with strong Persian cultural influences.
"The Iranian revolution was a cultural revolution and we want to spread it throughout the world," he said. Apart from the cultural week, there would also be seminars on Iran at a number of universities in Jakarta, the ambassador said.
Indonesia and Iran had in the past also engaged in cultural exchanges such as an Indonesian culture week in Iran and an Iranian calligraphy exhibition in Jakarta, Farazandeh said.
Nasa Identifies New Asteroid Threat Which 'Could Hit Earth'
It is 460ft wide and soaring through space - on a possible collision course with Earth. Nasa has identified a new asteroid threat to our planet and calculated that it could potentially impact on February 5th 2040.
The 2011 AG5 has already attracted the concern of the UN Action Team on near-Earth objects, which has begun discussing ways to divert it. They have put the odds of it hitting us at one in 625, though that could change nearer the time.
Were the rock to land on a city it could cause millions of deaths, although mankind would live through it. The asteroid which wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago was nine miles wide, compared to 460ft for the 2011 AG5.
Scientists have not yet been able to work out much more about it than its size as they have only been able to observe it for half its orbit. But between 2013 and 2016 they will be able to monitor from the ground and will make a more detailed assessment.
In 2023 the rock will make a ‘keyhole pass’ of Earth, which is an area it passes through on the orbit before it would hit Earth. According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, this will will be within a mere 0.02 astronomical units of our planet, or 1.86 million miles.
According to NASA, amongst the ways of deflecting it are putting a probe onto the rock and using the extra gravity the craft generates to steer the asteroid away over millions of light years.
Another option would be sending a probe into it so the impact would have the same effect. Nuclear weapons have also been discussed, but this would create a shower of rocks instead of just one.
There are roughly 19,000 such 'mid-sized' asteroids within 120 million miles of Earth, according to Nasa's latest sky-scans. Mid-sized refers to asteroids in a size range between 330 and 3,300 feet wide, which could destroy a city-sized area were they to hit Earth.
NASA's latest scan used the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE and took two infrared scans of the entire celestial sky in a series of infrared photos between January 2010 and February 2011.
Much of the world’s attention on asteroids has been on the Aphophis asteroid, which is the size of two and a half football fields and is predicted to pass close to Earth in 2036. If the forecasts are true it will come within 18,300 miles of Earth’s surface and will be visible from most of Europe, Africa and Asia
In recent years it has not just been asteroids that have threatened Earth - falling satellites have also caused problems too. In October Germany's Roentgen satellite X-Ray telescope entered a 12,500mph death dive and split up into around 30 huge chunks when it was deliberated crash landed.
Experts however had no idea where it landed and could only say somewhere South of Berlin and North of Wellington in New Zealand. The odds of being hit by one of the pieces was put at 2,000 to one, more likely than getting a hole in one in golf, though no injuries were reported.
The 2011 AG5 has already attracted the concern of the UN Action Team on near-Earth objects, which has begun discussing ways to divert it. They have put the odds of it hitting us at one in 625, though that could change nearer the time.
Were the rock to land on a city it could cause millions of deaths, although mankind would live through it. The asteroid which wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago was nine miles wide, compared to 460ft for the 2011 AG5.
Scientists have not yet been able to work out much more about it than its size as they have only been able to observe it for half its orbit. But between 2013 and 2016 they will be able to monitor from the ground and will make a more detailed assessment.
In 2023 the rock will make a ‘keyhole pass’ of Earth, which is an area it passes through on the orbit before it would hit Earth. According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, this will will be within a mere 0.02 astronomical units of our planet, or 1.86 million miles.
According to NASA, amongst the ways of deflecting it are putting a probe onto the rock and using the extra gravity the craft generates to steer the asteroid away over millions of light years.
Another option would be sending a probe into it so the impact would have the same effect. Nuclear weapons have also been discussed, but this would create a shower of rocks instead of just one.
There are roughly 19,000 such 'mid-sized' asteroids within 120 million miles of Earth, according to Nasa's latest sky-scans. Mid-sized refers to asteroids in a size range between 330 and 3,300 feet wide, which could destroy a city-sized area were they to hit Earth.
NASA's latest scan used the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE and took two infrared scans of the entire celestial sky in a series of infrared photos between January 2010 and February 2011.
Much of the world’s attention on asteroids has been on the Aphophis asteroid, which is the size of two and a half football fields and is predicted to pass close to Earth in 2036. If the forecasts are true it will come within 18,300 miles of Earth’s surface and will be visible from most of Europe, Africa and Asia
In recent years it has not just been asteroids that have threatened Earth - falling satellites have also caused problems too. In October Germany's Roentgen satellite X-Ray telescope entered a 12,500mph death dive and split up into around 30 huge chunks when it was deliberated crash landed.
Experts however had no idea where it landed and could only say somewhere South of Berlin and North of Wellington in New Zealand. The odds of being hit by one of the pieces was put at 2,000 to one, more likely than getting a hole in one in golf, though no injuries were reported.
Spirited Traveller Fruity Cocktail Infusions in Jakarta
Welcome to Jakarta, also known as the “Big Durian.” Although you’re unlikely to find the notoriously stinky durian in many drinks in the Indonesian capital, expect refreshing cocktails that make the most of other tropical fruits, such as mango, lychee, even the cantaloupe-like rockmelon.
“Over the past few years, Jakarta has seen a boom in its drinking culture, especially among young people,” says Hanny Wahyuni of The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan.
While a cold beer, particularly Bintang, is the classic unwind after a long work week, the growing number of bars across Jakarta also do a brisk business in spirits. Local cocktail menus reveal a sweet-tooth for candy flavoured vodka martinis, rum or cachaca cocktails dosed with kafir lime or tropical fruits.
Ritz Carlton’s 8 Lounge (http://bit.ly/n9xtJy) has an entire drinks menu section dedicated to Mojito variations; another to Caipirinha concoctions. Wahyuni’s drink-stop recommendations for business travellers include Cork & Screw (http://www.corknscrew.biz/), a restaurant and bar located inside a wine shop, and Potato Head (http://ptthead.com/jakarta/) at Pacific Place Mall.
The latter serves Western-style comfort food accompanied by cocktails such as the Pistachio Rockmelon Martini (vodka, melon liqueur and fresh rockmelon, topped with pistachio foam). He also notes newcomer Otel Lobby (http://otellobby.com/), a gastropub in the Annex Building of Epicentrum Kuningan.
At the end of the day, Wahyuni likes Social House (http://socialhouse.asia/) at Harvey Nichols in Grand Indonesia Mall.During the day, the space serves tea to office workers, but in the evening the windows fold back to invite cooling evening breezes and panoramic views of the Jakarta skyline.
The same team that runs Social House also owns the VIP-happy Dragonfly (http://www.ismaya.com/dragonfly/), where celebrities mix with expats and execs to dance all night, fuelled by rum cocktails. Loewy (http://www.loewyjakarta.com/) in Mega Kuningan, near The Ritz-Carlton, also gets a nod from Wahyuni.
The bistro-style restaurant offers a menu of (exclusively vodka) martinis and the city’s largest selection of single malt whiskeys. Once you’ve sampled your way through these bars, you’re ready for Bir Pletok, Jakarta’s iconic restorative libation.
RECIPE: BIR PLETOK
Courtesy of Hanny Wahyuni, The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta. This non-alcoholic herbal libation is said to ward off a host of ills, from flu to high cholesterol. Dating back to the colonial period, the drink is indeed named after beer - few locals could afford the beer drunk by Dutch colonists, and opted to brew their own “bir” using local herbs and spices.
As for the word “pletok”, depending on who you ask, it either mimics the sound of cardamom pods cracking open in boiling water, or it’s the sound made when shaking together all the ingredients: “Pletok, pletok, pletok.”
2 litres water
350 grams ginger, peeled and sliced
6 pieces clove
1 piece cinnamon Bark, about 5 centimetres long
3 cardamom (cardamom) pods
5 stalks lemongrass
25 grams secang wood (a plant native to Indonesia )
1/2 nutmeg
500 grams white sugar
Salt
3 pandan leaves
5 lime leaves
In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the remaining ingredients, lower the heat, and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid into a jar and allow to cool, then cap tightly. Discard solids.
Although bir pletok can be drunk hot, most people prefer to drink it served refreshingly cold. Keeps for one week, refrigerated.
“Over the past few years, Jakarta has seen a boom in its drinking culture, especially among young people,” says Hanny Wahyuni of The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan.
While a cold beer, particularly Bintang, is the classic unwind after a long work week, the growing number of bars across Jakarta also do a brisk business in spirits. Local cocktail menus reveal a sweet-tooth for candy flavoured vodka martinis, rum or cachaca cocktails dosed with kafir lime or tropical fruits.
Ritz Carlton’s 8 Lounge (http://bit.ly/n9xtJy) has an entire drinks menu section dedicated to Mojito variations; another to Caipirinha concoctions. Wahyuni’s drink-stop recommendations for business travellers include Cork & Screw (http://www.corknscrew.biz/), a restaurant and bar located inside a wine shop, and Potato Head (http://ptthead.com/jakarta/) at Pacific Place Mall.
The latter serves Western-style comfort food accompanied by cocktails such as the Pistachio Rockmelon Martini (vodka, melon liqueur and fresh rockmelon, topped with pistachio foam). He also notes newcomer Otel Lobby (http://otellobby.com/), a gastropub in the Annex Building of Epicentrum Kuningan.
At the end of the day, Wahyuni likes Social House (http://socialhouse.asia/) at Harvey Nichols in Grand Indonesia Mall.During the day, the space serves tea to office workers, but in the evening the windows fold back to invite cooling evening breezes and panoramic views of the Jakarta skyline.
The same team that runs Social House also owns the VIP-happy Dragonfly (http://www.ismaya.com/dragonfly/), where celebrities mix with expats and execs to dance all night, fuelled by rum cocktails. Loewy (http://www.loewyjakarta.com/) in Mega Kuningan, near The Ritz-Carlton, also gets a nod from Wahyuni.
The bistro-style restaurant offers a menu of (exclusively vodka) martinis and the city’s largest selection of single malt whiskeys. Once you’ve sampled your way through these bars, you’re ready for Bir Pletok, Jakarta’s iconic restorative libation.
RECIPE: BIR PLETOK
Courtesy of Hanny Wahyuni, The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta. This non-alcoholic herbal libation is said to ward off a host of ills, from flu to high cholesterol. Dating back to the colonial period, the drink is indeed named after beer - few locals could afford the beer drunk by Dutch colonists, and opted to brew their own “bir” using local herbs and spices.
As for the word “pletok”, depending on who you ask, it either mimics the sound of cardamom pods cracking open in boiling water, or it’s the sound made when shaking together all the ingredients: “Pletok, pletok, pletok.”
2 litres water
350 grams ginger, peeled and sliced
6 pieces clove
1 piece cinnamon Bark, about 5 centimetres long
3 cardamom (cardamom) pods
5 stalks lemongrass
25 grams secang wood (a plant native to Indonesia )
1/2 nutmeg
500 grams white sugar
Salt
3 pandan leaves
5 lime leaves
In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the remaining ingredients, lower the heat, and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid into a jar and allow to cool, then cap tightly. Discard solids.
Although bir pletok can be drunk hot, most people prefer to drink it served refreshingly cold. Keeps for one week, refrigerated.
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