[ppiindia] Harga Hukum Sama Dengan Koin Receh
Negara Indonesia Adalah Negara Hukum, bukan negara kekuasaan, begitulah indahnya tulisan yang tercatat dalam Undang-undang kita, tapi sungguh menyedihkan tentang Carut marutnya hukum yang ada di Indonesia. reformasi yang sudah berjalan Hampir 10 tahun tetap menyisakan ketidak samaan hukum antara pejabat dan Rakyat biasa. Masyarakat meyakini bahwa hukum lebih banyak merugikan mereka,dan sedapat mungkin dihindari. Bila seseorang melanggar peraturan lalu lintas misalnya, maka sudah jamak dilakukan upaya “damai” dengan petugas polisi yangbersangkutan agar tidak membawa kasusnya ke pengadilan . Memang dalam hukum perdata, dikenal pilihanpenyelesaian masalah dengan arbitrase atau mediasi di luar jalur pengadilan untuk menghemat waktu dan biaya. Namuntidak demikian hal nya dengan hukum pidana yang hanya menyelesaikan masalah melalui pengadilan. Di Indonesia,bahkan persoalan pidana pun masyarakat mempunyai pilihan diluar pengadilan. Pendapat umum menempatkan hakim pada posisi “tertuduh” dalam lemahnya penegakan hukum di Indonesia, namundemikian peranan pengacara, jaksa penuntut dan polisi sebagai penyidik dalam hal ini juga penting. Suatu dakwaan yangsangat lemah dan tidak cermat, didukung dengan argumentasi asal-asalan, yang berasal dari hasil penyelidikan yangtidak akurat dari pihak kepolisian, tentu saja akan mempersulit hakim dalam memutuskan suatu perkara. Kelemahan penyidikan dan penyusunan dakwaan ini kadang bukan disebabkan rendahnya kemampuan aparat maupun ketiadaansarana pendukung, tapi lebih banyak disebabkan oleh lemahnya mental aparat itu sendiri. Beberapa kasus menunjukkanaparat memang tidak berniat untuk melanjutkan perkara yang bersangkutan ke pengadilan atas persetujuan dengan pihakpengacara dan terdakwa, oleh karena itu dakwaan disusun secara sembarangan dan sengaja untuk mudah dipatahkan. Penyelesaian konflik dengan kekerasan terjadi secara sporadis di beberapa tempat di Indonesia. Suatu persoalanpelanggaran hukum kecil kadang membawa akibat hukuman yang sangat berat bagi pelakunya yang diterima tanpamelalui proses pengadilan. Pembakaran dan penganiayaan pencuri sepeda motor, perampok, penodong yang dilakukan massa beberapa waktu yang lalu merupakan contoh. Menurut Durkheim masyarakat ini menerapkan hukum yang bersifat menekan (repressive). Masyarakat menerapkan sanksi tersebut tidak atas pertimbangan rasional mengenai jumlahkerugian obyektif yang menimpa masyarakat itu, melainkan atas dasar kemarahan kolektif yang muncul karena tindakanyang menyimpang dari pelaku. Masyarakat ingin memberi pelajaran kepada pelaku dan juga pada memberi peringatananggota masyarakat yang lain agar tidak melakukan tindakan pelanggaran yang sama. Dalam beberapa kasus terbukti adanya kasus korupsi dan kolusi yangmelibatkan baik polisi, kejaksaan, maupun hakim dalam suatu perkara. Kasus ini biasanya melibatkan pengacara yangmenjadi perantara antara terdakwa dan aparat penegak hukum. Fungsi pengacara yang seharusnya berada di kutubmemperjuangkan keadilan bagi terdakwa , berubah menjadi pencari kebebasan dan keputusan seringan mungkin dengan segala cara bagi kliennya. Sementara posisi polisi dan jaksa yang seharusnya berada di kutub yang menjaga adanya kepastian hukum, terbeli oleh kekayaan terdakwa. Demikian pula hakim yang seharusnya berada ditengah-tengah dua kutub tersebut, kutub keadilan dan kepastian hukum, bisa jadi condong membebaskan atau memberikan putusan seringan-ringannya bagi terdakwa setelah melalui kesepakatan tertentu. Dengan skenario diatas, lengkaplah sandiwara pengadilan yang seharusnya mencari kebenaran dan penyelesaian masalah menjadi suatu pertunjukan yang telah diatur untuk membebaskan terdakwa. Dan karena menyangkut uang, hanya orang kaya lah yang dapat menikmati keadaan inkonsistensi penegakan hukum ini. Sementara orang miskin (atau yang relatif lebih miskin) akan putusan pengadilan yang lebih tinggi. Inkonsistensi penegakan hukum merupakan masalah penting yang harus segera ditangani. Masalah hukum ini paling dirasakan oleh masyarakat dan membawa dampak yang sangat buruk bagi kehidupan bermasyarakat. Persepsi masyarakat yang buruk mengenai penegakan hukum, menggiring masyarakat pada pola kehidupan sosial yang tidak mempercayai hukum sebagai sarana penyelesaian konflik, dan cenderung menyelesaikan konflik dan permasalahan mereka di luar jalur. Cara ini membawa akibat buruk bagi masyarakat itu sendiri.Pemanfaatan inkonsistensi penegakan hukum oleh sekelompok orang demi kepentingannya sendiri, selalu berakibatmerugikan pihak yang tidak mempunyai kemampuan yang setara. Akibatnya rasa ketidakadilan dan ketidakpuasantumbuh subur di masyarakat Indonesia. Penegakan hukum yang konsisten harus terus diupayakan untuk mengembalikan kepercayaan masyarakat terhadap hukum di Indonesia. Dalam Kasus Bibit Chandra yang di perkarakan oleh Negara dapat dilihat bagaimana Rekayasa hukum dengan mudah terjadi, Dalam Kasus salah tangkap JJ Riadi, dan penembakan Sopir angkot di depok, dapat dilihat betapa ringan
[ppiindia] Lima Alasan Kenapa Century Berdampak Sistemik
Lima Alasan Kenapa Century Berdampak Sistemik http://www.infobanknews.com/index.php?mib=mib_news.detailid=960 Tanggal: 10 Desember 2009 Sumber: infobanknews.com Jangan sampai, politisasi terhadap penyehatan bank akan membuat pengambil keputusan takut mengambil keputusan jika ada bank yang ukurannya lebih besar mengalami kegagalan. Biro Riset Infobank Kasus Bank Century menimbulkan pertanyaan apakah berdampak sistemik atau tidak jika diputuskan untuk ditutup pada November 2008 lalu? Kita lihat dampak pertama, yaitu kondisi sistem pembayaran. Sistem pembayaran boleh jadi berjalan normal, namun dengan gejala segmentasi di pasar uang antarbank (PUAB) yang makin meluas. Bukan hanya itu. Terdapat potensi kerentanan apabila terjadi flight to quality atau capital outflow yang mengakibatkan bank-bank menengah-kecil akan mengalami kesulitan likuditas. Bahkan, terdapat 18 bank yang berpotensi mengalami kesulitan likuiditas bila hal tersebut terjadi. Di sisi lain, ada lima bank yang memiliki karakteristik mirip Bank Century diduga akan mengalami kesulitan likuiditas. Kepanikan seperti itu membuat bank-bank cenderung menahan likuiditas, baik rupiah maupun valuta asing (valas), untuk keperluan likuiditasnya masing-masing. Kondisi seperti ini akan membahayakan bank-bank yang tidak memiliki kekuatan likuiditas yang cukup. Lebih mengerikan lagi, jika kemudian muncul rumor atau berita negatif mengenai kegagalan bank dalam settlement kliring/real time gross settlement (RTGS), hal ini akan dengan cepat memicu terjadinya kepanikan di kalangan masyarakat dan berpotensi menimbulkan bank run. Disebut-sebut, dari 23 bank tersebut ada Rp30 triliun yang berpotensi fligt to quality. Dari jumlah itu, ada sekitar Rp18 triliun yang akan menjadi beban LPS jika dilakukan penutupan. Kedua, dampak terhadap pasar keuangan. Ketika itu, situasi pasar keuangan masih relatif labil dalam menyerap berita-berita negatif. Waktu itu terdapat potensi sentimen negatif di pasar keuangan, terutama dalam kondisi pasar yang sangat rentan terhadap berita-berita yang dapat merusak kepercayaan terhadap pasar keuangan. Ketiga, dampak kepercayaan publik atau psikologis pasar. Penutupan bank dapat menambah ketidakpastian pada pasar domestik dan diyakini dapat berakibat fatal pada psikologi pasar yang sedang sensitif. Pada waktu itu rumor kalah kliring dan situasi rawan fligt to quality sedang terjadi dengan isu-isu bank kekurangan likuiditas dan negera-negara tetangga menerapkan kebijkan penjaminan 100%. Psikologi pasar inilah yang bisa memorak-porandakan sistem keuangan, kendati bank tersebut berukuran kecil. Keempat, berdampak pada bank lain. Jujur, harus diakui, jika dilihat dari peran bank memang tidak signifikan dalam hal fungsinya sebagai lembaga intermediasi atau pemberian kredit, ukuran bank, substitutability, dan keterkaitan dengan bank atau lembaga keuangan lain. Namun, dari sisi jumlah nasabah dan jaringan kantor cabang, bank ini termasuk memiliki jumlah nasabah yang cukup besar (65.000 nasabah) dan jaringan cukup luas di seluruh Indonesia dengan 65 kantor. Itu artinya, dalam kondisi pasar yang normal, jika bank ini ditutup, diperkirakan relatif tidak akan menimbulkan dampak sistemik bagi bank lain. Namun, dalam kondisi pasar yang saat itu cenderung rentan terhadap berita-berita negatif, penutupan bank berpotensi menimbulkan contagion effect berupa upaya rush terhadap bank-bank lain, terutama peer banks atau bank yang lebih kecil. Situasinya ketika itu sedang terjadi penurunan kepercayaan masyarakat akibat psikologi pasar yang tidak menentu. Bahkan, akan menimbulkan kekacauan yang lebih besar dan dapat menyeret bank-bank lain. Kelima, kondisi sektor riil dan sistem keuangan. Saat itu, menurut data-data, kondisi sistem keuangan mengalami tekanan sejalan dengan kondisi ekonomi dan keuangan global yang terus memburuk. Hal yang sama juga terjadinya penurunan cadangan devisa dan tekanan terhadap nilai tukar rupiah. Namun, karena perannya pada pemberian kredit terhadap sektor riil tidak signifikan, kegagalan bank ini memiliki dampak yang relatif terbatas terhadap sektor riil Nah, jika memperhatikan kenyataan pada November 2008, permasalahan yang terjadi pada Bank Century berpotensi menimbulkan dampak sistemik, terutama melalui jalur psikologi pasar, sistem pembayaran, dan pasar keuangan. Psikologi pasar bisa merembet ke bank-bank yang lebih besar sehingga menimbulkan kekacauan (rush). Itu artinya, kondisi saat pengambilalihan perlu diperhatikan. Tidak bisa dilihat dari kacamata sekarang ini. Hanya, sialnya, dalam situasi yang sistemik dengan psikologi pasar yang tak menentu, celakanya terjadi pada Bank Century, yang sebelum diambil alih dikelola dengan penuh moral hazard. Penulis yakin, hal yang sama juga akan dilakukan jika terjadi pada bank lain karena memang situasi pada setahun lalu sangat rawan rush. Psikologi masyarakat sangat rentan akan terjadinya bank
[ppiindia] INSPIRASI
INSPIRASI hidup hanya mengulang kejadian musim dingin merayu angin membelai rindu terbuai siapa? mendung langit malam menjelang lupakan jangan asal persoalan melayang terbang debu membeku tersisa mimpi dalam sebait puisi Heri Latief Amsterdam, 02/12/2009 http://herilatief.wordpress.com/ http://akarrumputliar.wordpress.com/ http://sastrapembebasan.wordpress.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Peringati Hari Antikorupsi, 1000 Jin Turun Ke Jalan
Refleksi : Apakah ini jin Aladin ataukah dari grup Gordon atau Beefeeters? http://www.forumkami.com/forum/berita/28198-peringati-hari-antikorupsi-1000-jin-turun-ke-jalan.html Peringati Hari Antikorupsi, 1000 Jin Turun Ke Jalan Info Peringati Hari Antikorupsi, 1000 Jin Turun Ke Jalan - Seribu jin dikerahkan untuk berunjuk rasa memperingati hari antikorupsi sedunia di Jakarta, Rabu (9/12/09). Pimpinan Pondok Pesantren Dzikrus Syifa' Brojomusti di Lamongan, KM Muzakkin yang memiliki santri dari bangsa jin menyatakan punya cara lain mengekspresikan peringatan hari antikorupsi sedunia. Pagi ini kami mengirimkan seribu jin ke pusat arena demonstrasi di Jakarta dengan pimpinan Ghulam Akhmad, jin dari Mesir yang pernah merasuki santri saya yang sakit jiwa. Upaya ini semata-mata sebagai partisipasi dan memberikan dukungan pada demonstran dan pemerintah lewat dimensi lain dalam rangka pemberantasan korupsi di Indonesia, paparnya. Jin yang dikirim semua sudah terlatih dan profesional ada ahli sosial, ahli politik, hukum, keamanan, agama, pengobatan dalan lainnya. Jika ada demonstran yang kesurupan dan atau ilmu hitam untuk menyihir, menyantet dan memberikan guna-guna atau memperkeruh keadaan, maka jin dari pesantren Dzikrus Syifa' siap menghadapinya Jangan sampai peringatan dan perjuangan ini dikotori penumpang gelap yang bertujuan memprovokasi dan memperkeruh keadaan. Seribu jin semuanya Islam dan siap membantu mengamankan demo besar-besaran hari ini, ujar Muzakkkin. Dia menambahkan, reformasi sudah bergulir sejak 1998, sejak itu desakan melaksanakan demokratisasi dan pemberantasan korupsi, kolusi dan nepotisme sudah bergema di seluruh negeri. Kenyataannya sampai kini penanganan korupsi belum sesuai harapan. Untuk mewujudkan bebas korupsi, hukum harus ditegakkan siapapun apapun jabatannya bila melakukan korupsi harus diadili. Upaya membongkar korupsi oleh lembaga antikorupsi seperti Indonesian Corruption Watch dan lainnya harus didukung demi tercapainya masyarakat adil dan makmur berdasarkan Pancasiladan UUD 1945. Semoga upaya memberantas korupsi bisa terus berlanjut agar masyarakat lebih sejahtera, katanya. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Share my happiness!!!
Share my happiness!!! Hi, I am willing to give you a big surprise: www.ooaap.com. I bought an Apple Mac book one week ago from this website. Now, I have received it. This product quality is very good. They also sell phones, TV, motors and so on. By the way, they mainly sell new and original products and they have many good feedback. Because The upcoming Christmas and New Year's, so many companies are promoting their products. ooaap website also have very competitive prices. If you need these products, you can have a look. It is a good chance that you should not lose. Greetings! Get your new Email address! Grab the Email name you#39;ve always wanted before someone else does! http://mail.promotions.yahoo.com/newdomains/aa/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Kasus Pelanggaran HAM Masih Banyak yang Tersembunyi
http://www.antaranews.com/berita/1260454610/kasus-pelanggaran-ham-masih-banyak-yang-tersembunyi Kasus Pelanggaran HAM Masih Banyak yang Tersembunyi Kamis, 10 Desember 2009 21:16 WIB | Peristiwa | Hukum/Kriminal | Surabaya (ANTARA News) - Pengamat hukum tata negara dan HAM Fakultas Hukum Universitas Airlangga (Unair) Surabaya, Herlambang Perdana, SH, MA, menilai, kasus pelanggaran Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) hingga kini masih banyak yang tersembunyi. Ia mencontohkan, kasus Minah yang divonis penjara karena mencuri tiga butir buah Kakao merupakan kasus lama yang sebenarnya banyak terjadi, namun tidak diberitakan di media. Selain kasus Minah, di Jawa Timur juga pernah terjadi kasus serupa yang menimpa seorang buruh bernama Yuliana yang harus dikeluarkan dari perusahannya dan dikenai hukuman pidana hanya karena mencuri roti seharga Rp500, katanya di Surabaya, Kamis. Dengan adanya kasus-kasus yang menimpa kaum miskin, ia menyimpulkan bahwa peradilan untuk kaum miskin seringkali terjadi karena peradilan terlalu kuat dikontrol oleh kaum pemilik modal atau kapitalis dan penguasa politik. Sementara untuk trend kasus pelanggaran HAM di tahun 2009 ini, justru lebih banyak mengarah pada kasus kekerasan yang dilakukan oleh negara ataupun yang dibiarkan oleh negara yang menghadapkan antara kelompok sipil dengan kelompok sipil yang lain. Ia mencontohkan, sperti kasus penembakan yang dilakukan oleh aparat kepolisian terhadap sejumlah petani yang ada di Sumatera Selatan. Kasus tersebut terjadi sejak sepuluh tahun terakhir dan terus berulang dari tahun ke tahun, seperti yang terjadi di Alas Tlogo (2007), kasus Manggarai (2004), dan Bulu Kumba Sulawesi Selatan (2003), katanya. Ia menegaskan bahwa dalam hal ini, negara masih tetap mempertahankan cara-cara kekerasan terutama terhadap kaum miskin. Selain itu, kasus HAM yang terjadi saat ini adalah pembatasan kebebasan dalam berekspresi, baik yang menimpa masyarakat sipil dan jurnalis. Kasus Prita merupakan salah satu contoh pelanggaran kebebasan berekspresi yang sebenarnya sudah didengungkan Pemerintah Indonesia sejak tahun 1945.(*) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Soal Teror Tak Disebut
http://www.suarapembaruan.com/index.php?detail=Newsid=12371 2009-12-10 Soal Teror Tak Disebut Antasari Bersaksi di Sidang Terdakwa Sigid SP/Alex Suban Mantan Ketua KPK Antasari Azhar (kanan) bersaksi untuk terdakwa kasus pembunuhan Dirut PT PRB Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, Sigid Haryo Wibisono (kiri), di Pengadilan Negeri Jakarta Selatan, Kamis (10/12). [JAKARTA] Antasari Azhar, terdakwa perkara dugaan pembunuhan Direktur PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran Nasrudin Zulkarnaen menjadi saksi dalam sidang perkara yang sama dengan terdakwa Sigid Haryo Wibisono di Pengadilan Negeri Jakarta Selatan, Kamis (10/12). Hal ini merupakan pertama kalinya Antasari diperiksa sebagai saksi bagi terdakwa lainnya. Sidang yang dipimpin Hakim Ketua Charis Mardiyanto itu dimulai pukul 09.15 WIB. Sebelumnya, Ketua Majelis Hakim di persidangan terdakwa Antasari, Herri Swantoro memutuskan menunda sidang hingga Antasari selesai bersaksi bagi Sigid. Hari ini, sidang lanjutan dengan terdakwa Antasari diagendakan mendengar keterangan saksi ahli, di antaranya ahli forensik RS Cipto Mangunkusumo Abdul Mu'nim Idris dan ahli balistik M Simanjuntak. Dalam kesaksiannya, Antasari mengaku mengenal Sigid sejak sekitar akhir 2007, sebelum ia menjadi Ketua Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK). Tak Sebut Teror Dalam keterangannya yang panjang lebar menjawab pertanyaan hakim, hingga lebih dari satu jam sidang berlangsung, tidak sepatah kata pun Antasari menyinggung soal ancaman teror yang dialaminya. Termasuk soal pembicaraan dengan Sigid terkait masalah teror telepon dan pesan singkat (SMS). Setelah perkenalannya dengan Sigid yang hanya sepintas lalu, Antasari mengaku bertemu lagi dengan Sigid di rumah Sigid di Jl Pati Unus, Jakarta Selatan. Saat itu saya tidak tahu bahwa itu rumah terdakwa (Sigid), katanya. Menurut Antasari, di Jl Pati Unus itu, ia dipertemukan dengan salah satu wakil ketua Komisi III DPR ketika itu Soeripto. Tujuannya, untuk berdiskusi mengenai visi dan misi KPK, karena saat itu Antasari tengah menjalani serangkaian tes untuk menjadi Ketua KPK. Hanya itu, tidak ada pembicaraan lain. Saya bahkan sempat mengira bahwa rumah di Pati Unus itu adalah kediaman Pak Soeripto, kata Antasari. Kepada Majelis Hakim, Antasari juga mengaku mengenal Williardi Wizard, karena diperkenalkan oleh Sigid. Menurut Antasari, latar belakang perkenalannya dengan Williardi karena Sigid mengetahui ia sering bermain golf dengan Kapolri Bambang Hendarso Danuri. Tetapi, tidak secara spesifik dikatakan bahwa Williardi minta dibantu agar naik pangkat atau apa, karena saya sering main golf dengan Kapolri, katanya. Antasari tidak menyinggung adanya pembicaraan dengan Sigid dan Williardi mengenai ancaman teror oleh Nasrudin. Majelis Hakim lebih banyak menanyakan terkait perkenalan dan pertemuan Antasari dengan Nasrudin. Hakim mencecar Antasari dengan pertanyaan sejauh mana hubungan Antasari dengan Nasrudin, berapa kali bertemu, dan kaitannya dengan pembentukan tim penyelidikan yang dibentuk Kapolri. Kesaksian Antasari akhirnya lebih banyak menjelaskan mengenai kronologi perkenalan dan pertemuannya dengan Nasrudin dan Rani Juliani, termasuk pertemuan di Hotel Grand Mahakam. Antasari juga mengungkapkan, ia mengetahui Nasrudin tertembak dari seorang teman yang merupakan anggota DPR, yang juga mengenal Nasrudin, saat ia berada di Australia. Menurut anggota Tim JPU Raharjo, Antasari dihadirkan sebagai saksi di persidangan Sigid karena pada dakwaan perkara Sigid disebutkan, Sigid turut serta dengan Antasari dan Williardi dalam dugaan pembunuhan berencana Nasrudin. [H-13] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Selamatkan Ekonomi Bangsa
Reffleksi : Untuk sementara bersabarlah sambil kencangkan ikat pinggang, karena harus tunggu Pilpres 2014, demikian saran pengusaha. Apakah para pengusaha ini orang baik hati atau jahat, sulit diterka karena masih 4 tahun lagi. Tetapi, apa asumsi Anda tentang para pengusaha ini yang meminta politikus tunggu Pilpres 2014 untuk menyelamatkan ekonomi bangsa? http://www.suarapembaruan.com/index.php?detail=Newsid=12370 2009-12-10 Selamatkan Ekonomi Bangsa Pengusaha Minta Politikus Tunggu Pilpres 2014 [JAKARTA] Sejumlah pengusaha mengkhawatirkan tindakan beberapa elite politik yang gerakannya sudah berada di luar mekanisme yang berlaku. Hal ini bisa membuat perekonomian menjadi tidak stabil dan rawan guncangan. Padahal, perekonomian sudah berjalan bagus di bawah pemerintahan Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Sebaiknya para elite politik lebih memikirkan dampak perbuatannya daripada hanya untuk kepentingan kekuasaan sesaat. Ekonomi bangsa harus diselamatkan, ujar Pengusaha Kelapa Sawit Iswahyudi Ashari kepada SP, di Jakarta, Rabu (9/12). Menurut Iswahyudi, tindakan beberapa elite politik saat ini sudah berada di luar koridor yang berlaku di tanah air. Tindakan memengaruhi opini rakyat seolah-seolah Presiden bersalah dan ingin melakukan makar menggulingkan SBY, merupakan sikap yang dapat berdampak buruk bagi perekonomian, katanya. Seharusnya, kata Iswahyudi, para politikus bila berbeda pendapat dengan SBY disampaikan melalui mekanisme yang ada sesuai dengan peraturan yang berlaku. Dia mencontohkan, bila ingin unjuk rasa lakukan dengan santun dan damai, jangan anarki. Begitupun hak angket kasus Century silakan saja, karena itu dibenarkan oleh undang-undang. Namun, tambah dia, bila tindakan politikus bertujuan untuk menjatuhkan SBY di luar mekanisme yang ada seperti pemilu, hal ini dapat membuat ekonomi terpuruk. Padahal ekonomi di bawah SBY selama 5 tahun belakangan ini sudah memperlihatkan kinerja yang baik. Iswahyudi mencontohkan, Indonesia adalah salah satu dari tiga negara di Asia di samping Tiongkok dan India yang mencatatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi positif sepanjang tahun 2009 di tengah ekonomi global yang negatif. Ekonomi yang minus ini juga dialami seluruh negara ASEAN kecuali, Indonesia. Investor asing juga mulai masuk Indonesia karena kepercayaan kepada SBY dan tim ekonominya. Tapi, kini investor asing berpikir kembali masuk ke sini melihat suhu politik yang memanas, ujar Iswahyudi yang mengaku sudah berbicara dengan investor asing. Dia mengimbau para elite politik untuk memberikan kesempatan kepada SBY dan para menterinya untuk bekerja, jangan biarkan rakyat menjadi korban. Kalau digoyang terus, bagaimana bisa kerja, ujar Presiden Komisaris PT Dipta Agro Lestari itu. Iswahyudi berharap bila ingin merebut kekuasaan, para politikus dapat menunggu hingga Pemilihan Presiden (Pilpres) 2014. Jangan terus menghujat SBY. Dia Presiden yang dipilih rakyat, tegasnya. Pendapat yang sama juga disampaikan Sekjen Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia Djimanto. Menurutnya, aksi unjuk rasa menentang korupsi itu merupakan hal yang baik. Namun, kalau di balik aksi itu ada ambisi politik yang ingin merubah hasil pemilu lalu, maka hal itu akan berdampak buruk bagi perekonomian Indonesia yang saat ini sudah sudah tumbuh positif 4,5%. Ekonomi kita akan jatuh, karena partner bisnis kita diluar negeri akan berpikir dan ragu-ragu dalam menanamkan investasinya di sini karena kondisi Indonesia yang tidak menentu, ungkapnya. Menurutnya, saat ini Indonesia memang dalam tren ekonomi yang bagus. National Summit dan Investor Summit merupakan contoh baik, dimana pemerintah mau mendegarkan pendapat dari kalangan pengusaha dan investor. [LOV/M-6] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Sungai di Kalteng Tercemar
Refleksi : Di NKRI yang mempunyai izin pertambangan emas pun mencemarkan sungai, jadi izin atau tanpa izin sama saja, karena penguasa terdiri dari oknom-oknom koruptor dan mungkin juga penduduk disekitar sungai tidak menaruh perhatian untuk memelihara sungai tetap bersih dan sehat. Hal ini umum di Indonesia. http://www.suarapembaruan.com/index.php?modul=newsdetail=trueid=12336 2009-12-09 Sungai di Kalteng Tercemar [PALANGKA RAYA] Penambangan emas tanpa izin (PETI) masih berlangsung di beberapa daerah aliran sungai (DAS) di Kalimantan Tengah (Kalteng). Hasil pemantauan anggota dewan, kegiatan penambangan emas liar masih terjadi di Sungai Kahayan. Air raksa yang terus dibuang para penambang membuat air sungai tercemar. Itu mengancam kesehatan dan merusak kelestarian lingkungan. Hingga saat ini, memang belum ada kabar warga terserang penyakit akibat limbah. Namun, limbah air raksa jelas dapat menimbulkan penyakit berbahaya dalam jangka waktu tertentu, kata Anggota DPRD Kalteng Syahrani Sahrin kepada SP, di Palangka Raya, Rabu (9/12). Dikatakan, penyakit minamata terjadi karena menumpuknya merkuri di tubuh manusia dalam jangka waktu tertentu. Minamata bisa menyebabkan gangguan syaraf dan genetik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, Sungai Kahayan, yang membelah Kota Palangka Raya dan menjadi sumber bahan baku perusahaan daerah air minum (PDAM) mengandung zat merkuri yang dihasilkan dari air raksa yang digunakan penambang untuk memisahkan pasir dan menyatukan emas. Kepala Dinas Lingkungan Hidup Kalteng Muzes Nicodemos mengatakan, kandungan merkuri yang mengendap di Sungai Kahayan sangat membahayakan tubuh manusia. Jika limbah logam berat itu dimakan ikan dan ikannya dimakan manusia, akan mengendap dalam tubuh. Pencemaran limbah air raksa di Sungai Kahayan itu boleh jadi sudah di atas ambang batas toleransi, sebab di dasar sungai ini telah dinyatakan seluruhnya terdapat endapan merkuri, katanya. Dewis (48), warga Desa Baun Bango, Kecamatan Banama Tingang, Kabupaten Pulang Pisau, desa di pinggiran Sungai Kahayan mengaku beruntung ada sumber air bawah tanah. Airnya bersih dan jernih, seperti air mineral yang dijual di pasaran. Hanya saja beberapa desa di hilir dan hulu desa kami, warga menjadikan air Sungai Kahayan sebagai air kebutuhan hidup sehari-hari, yakni mandi, cuci, dan kakus, katanya. Anak Sungai Penambangan emas memang sudah tidak ada lagi di Sungai Kahayan, karena penambang takut penertiban oleh aparat. Kini warga menambang secara sembunyi-sembunti di hutan, memanfaatkan air anak Sungai Kahayan. Meski tidak menambang di Sungai Kahayan, tetapi air Sungai Kahayan tetap keruh. Mungkin juga air raksa yang digunakan mengolah emas larut bersama air yang keruh itu, katanya. Bambang Suryadi, anggota DPRD Kalteng mengatakan, pemerintah harus bisa menghentikan kegiatan PETI di Sungai Kahayan dan anak sungai itu. Aktivitas penambang jelas menggunakan merkuri untuk mempercepat proses peleburan butiran-butiran emas. Penyakit minamata merupakan sindrom kelainan fungsi saraf yang disebabkan oleh keracunan akut air raksa. Gejalanya, seperti kesemutan pada kaki dan tangan, lemas-lemas, penyempitan sudut pandang, degradasi kemampuan berbicara dan pendengaran. Pada tingkat akut, gejala ini biasanya memburuk disertai dengan kelumpuhan, kegilaan, koma, dan akhirnya tewas. [106] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] A corrupted debate
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/columnists/14-i-a-rehman-a-corrupted-debate-zj-01 A corrupted debate By I.A. Rehman Thursday, 10 Dec, 2009 The ongoing debate on accountability is not free from the fundamental flaw that often mars public discourse in Pakistan, in that the entire emphasis is on symptoms of wrongdoing by persons in authority, holders of political or bureaucratic or judicial offices. Little is being said about the causes and factors that make corruption possible. The result, as usual in such exercises, will be that a few heads may roll while the cancer of corruption will continue to spread to as yet unaffected parts of the state - if any part can be claimed to have remained unaffected. As the discussion gets more and more unedifying, one begins to doubt that corruption is being seriously debated because the targets are persons presumed to be corrupt and not the many facets of corruption. This raises doubts about the motives of the anti-corruption brigade - whether it wants to chop off a few of the crowns of the hydra-headed monster of corruption or whether it has decided to kill the monster itself. Sometimes outbursts on corruption in high places cannot be accepted as serious debate, they sound more like underworld brawls. Quite a few persons in authority have also contributed to the decline in the quality of arguments. For instance, the plea that no NRO beneficiary should quit his ministerial gaddi until he is convicted by a court (after a trial that may continue longer than the honourable fellow's term in office) is not worth uttering in a decent society. Obviously some people have not heard of the adage that Caesar's wife has to be above suspicion nor of the modern-day dictum penned by Sir Ivor Jennings (who, incidentally, tried to guide Pakistan's first constitution-makers) in the following words: 'The most elementary qualification demanded of a minister is honesty and incorruptibility. It is, however, necessary not only that he should possess this qualification but also that he should appear to possess it.' The key word in the quotation is incorruptibility. That is the criterion by which ministers ought to be judged and not by actions done while holding office or before assuming or after quitting an official position. The duty of ministers suspected of wrongdoing is not debatable; it is a settled matter. The issue of central importance in the whole discussion about corruption or accountability is the increase in corruption despite six decades of efforts to eradicate it. The Anti-Corruption Act, which one believes is still on our statute book, was passed five months before Pakistan came into being. Provisions regarding the liability of public servants found in possession of property disproportionate to their legitimate earnings were added to it more than 50 years ago. And anti-corruption measures have been announced by all regimes. The Public Representative Offices Disqualification Act was adopted soon after independence and it was invoked against two chief ministers before it was denounced as incompatible with democratic politics in 1954. Ayub Khan devised EBDO to send politicians home and used martial law cover to purge the bureaucracy of bad eggs (of the regime's choice). The charge-sheets against the condemned politicians and civil servants show many of them as harmless sparrows compared to the latter-day sharks. Yahya Khan, Bhutto, Ziaul Haq and Musharraf all tried their hand at throwing out politicians and bureaucrats on charges of corruption and yet corruption has increased at a galloping pace and Pakistan has continued to climb higher and higher in the list of the world's most corrupt states. What is to be done about this? It is obvious that axing a few more politicians and bureaucrats, however necessary, will not help. It has not helped in the past and it is not going to help in the future. Some of the institutional weaknesses in the anti-corruption plans have long been identified. For instance, there is no doubt that the drive against corruption has suffered due to its control being vested in the executive. Since all papers, evidence and proof is with the establishment it abuses its powers to prosecute political or personal rivals and covers up the tracks of its favourites. This applies to all watchdogs - from the Anti-Corruption Establishment to the National Accountability Bureau. Thus, anybody who wishes to fight corruption should be demanding (once again) an accountability mechanism outside and independent of the executive. Secondly, it has been accepted since the days of Fulton and Cornelius that neither politician nor bureaucrat should have discretionary powers. When will this principle become the rule in Pakistan? In a country where everybody from the head of state to a petty assistant considers discretionary powers a matter of life and death freedom
[ppiindia] President Patil makes history by flying in a Sukhoi-30 combat plane
Refleksi : Presiden India, umur 74 tahun terbang 30 menit dengan Sukhoi-30 http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/President-flies-in-Sukoi-makes-history/485128/H1-Article1-480067.aspx President Patil makes history by flying in a Sukhoi-30 combat plane Enlarge 74-year-old Patil has also set a world record by becoming the oldest woman to be airborne in a combat jet for a 30-minute sortie at a speed close to the supersonic level. President flies in Sukoi, makes history Satyajit Joshi, Hindustan Times Pune, November 25, 2009 First Published: 15:48 IST(25/11/2009) Last Updated: 20:54 IST(25/11/2009) Lohegaon air base of Indian Air Force was buzz with activities and excitement on Wednesday morning. However, President Pratibha Devisinh Patil (74), who smoothly set a record of being the first woman President in the world to take the skies in the world's unmatched fighter plane - Sukhoi - 30 MKI - was cool, calm and quiet even after her 30 minute sortie. Top officials of IAF were busy for President's Sukhoi sortie for more than a month but everybody was happy when President was more than satisfied and found her comfortable and confident with the exercise. President's daughter - Jyoti Rathod, who stays in Pune was present along with her family at Lohegaon air port. Accompanied by Air Chief Marshal P V Naik and Air Marshal P S Bhangu, President Pratibha Patil arrived at Lohegaon air base at 9.35 and accepted guard of honour. IAF officials again brief her about the sortie and Pratibha Patil started walking towards Sukhoi 30 MKI - in a specially made military green colored G-suit around 10.30 am. She was introduced to the staff and the plane took off at 10.55 am. President was confident and comfortable when she climbed the staircase and waived hands to the staff and the media persons, who had gathered in large number. Before Sukhoi MI 130 took off, in which President was sitting, two Sukhoi planes took off to escort President's plane. Another plane also left after President's Sukhoi flew in the skies. Pratibha Patil was in the skies for almost half an hour. Her plane landed around 11.28 am when she was again greeted by IAF officials and Presidential staff. Wing Commander S Sajan, who was pilot of President's plane, helped her to alight from the staircase. It was a wonderful and unique experience, said Pratibha Patil after her sortie. I was familiarized with manoeuvreing of plane which was very sophisticated and technically advanced, said President. President, who talked to media persons in G-suit, was comfortable, cool and quiet. She felt as if she was going into skies in a second. I was inspired too much, Pratibha Patil said, adding that she was in sky 2200 meters high while the speed was gradually increased from 600 km per hour to more than 800 km per hour. I did maneuvers with the plane. Some times at left and right and even up and down for twice, President said. President's Sukhoi half round of Pune covering northern, western and eastern areas of the city during which she noticed villages like Rajgurunagar, Shirur and Baramati. When asked whether there was apprehension among the people, close to her about her sortie, Pratibha Patil said it was not at all but there was certainly an excitement. I was confident since beginning. So far as submarine is concerned, I will see when it comes, she said. President said she has been doing her regular exercise for years and was taking some special exercise for Sukhoi sortie. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] China's Economic Power Unsettles the Neighbors
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/world/asia/10jakarta.html?_r=1ref=asia Uneasy Engagement China's Economic Power Unsettles the Neighbors Ed Wray for The New York Times Cheaper Chinese products have imperiled Indonesian businesses like the Dunia Metal Works. By MICHAEL WINES Published: December 9, 2009 PASARKEMIS, Indonesia - In the Dickensian depths of the Dunia Metal Works here, all is cacophony: the bam bam bam of grease-drenched punches; the rhythmic clank of unspooling steel wire; the storm and stress of glinting, freshly minted nails cascading onto a broad metal table for boxing. The New York Times The Dunia Metal Works in Pasarkemis, Indonesia, is running at 40 percent of its capacity as its export markets have dried up. The New York Times Chinese competition is crushing a factory in Pasarkemis. But for all the industrial din, Dunia is undergoing a painful slump. Today it runs at 40 percent of its capacity, its domestic nail business imperiled - and its exports wiped out - by cheaper Chinese alternatives. We have been competing with the Japanese and the Koreans, said Juniarto Suhandinata, the factory's director. But the Chinese - no chance. The Chinese are tough competitors, and Dunia is hardly the first to find out. But Mr. Suhandinata's lament speaks to something different: a sense of disquiet, even in developing Asian nations in Beijing's orbit, over the implications of China's swift, seemingly boundless economic growth. China has long claimed to be just another developing nation, even as its economic power far outstripped that of any other emerging country. Now, it is finding it harder to cast itself as a friendly alternative to an imperious American superpower. For many in Asia, it is the new colossus. China 10 years ago is totally different with China now, said Ansari Bukhari, who oversees metals, machinery and other crucial sectors for Indonesia's Ministry of Industry. They are stronger and bigger than other countries. Why do we have to give them preference? To varying degrees, others are voicing the same complaint. Take the 10 Southeast Asian nations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, known as Asean, a regional economic bloc representing about 600 million people. After a decade of trade surpluses with Asean nations that ran as high as $20 billion, the surplus through October totaled a bare $535 million, according to Chinese customs figures, and appears headed toward a 10-year low. That is prompting some rethinking of the conventional wisdom that China's rise is a windfall for the whole neighborhood. Vietnam just devalued its currency by 5 percent, to keep it competitive with China. In Thailand, manufacturers are grousing openly about their inability to match Chinese prices. India has filed a sheaf of unfair-trade complaints against China this year covering everything from I-beams to coated paper. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the biggest regional group, last month urged the adoption of market-oriented exchange rates for Asian currencies without mentioning - or needing to mention - China's currency, which many economists say China keeps artificially undervalued to promote its own exports. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia is having second thoughts about a free-trade pact China negotiated with the six core Asean nations. Under strong pressure from industries as varied as steel and motorbike makers, the Trade Ministry said last week that it would seek to renegotiate some of the 350-odd tariff reductions that were envisioned in the first year of the accord, set to take effect in January. Jong-Wha Lee, the chief economist for the Asian Development Bank, noted that Japan and South Korea were also seen as juggernauts - and were criticized - when their state-backed industries rapidly increased exports. But the challenge from China seems different. Not just the size, but the speed of China's emerging power is really unprecedented in the region, Mr. Lee said. So it creates a lot of issues - not just trade and exchange-rate policies. But in the future, what will be the role of China? China has taken some steps to mollify complainers. In April, it proposed a $10 billion investment fund to help build badly needed roads, railways and ports in Southeast Asia, and a $15 billion fund to give Asian nations low-interest development loans. But it has so far done little to address regional and global unease over the value of its currency, the renminbi. Because the currency is lashed by effective government fiat to the sinking American dollar, China's exports have become significantly cheaper in countries whose own currencies have not compensated for the dollar's recent fall. In Asia, the renminbi is doubly significant. During the 1997 Asian economic crisis, the values of many regional currencies collapsed, making their goods cheap to foreign buyers. The Chinese then won the gratitude of their neighbors -
[ppiindia] Tunjuk perasaan antirasuah berterusan di Indonesia
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009dt=1210pub=Utusan_Malaysiasec=Luar_Negarapg=lu_02.htm ARKIB : 10/12/2009 Tunjuk perasaan antirasuah berterusan di Indonesia PENUNJUK-PENUNJUK perasaan membakar gambar Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dan timbalannya, Bodiono semasa membantah gejala rasuah di Jakarta, semalam manakala gambar kanan menunjukkan polis menggunakan meriam air untuk menyuraikan penunjuk perasaan di Makassar, Sulawesi yang juga membantah tindakan kerajaan menyelamatkan Bank Century. - AP -- JAKARTA 9 Dis. - Beribu-ribu rakyat Indonesia mengadakan demonstrasi di beberapa bandar utama hari ini bagi memperingati hari antirasuah antarabangsa dan menggesa kerajaan menjalankan siasatan serius mengenai skandal Bank Century. Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono mengalami tekanan semakin hebat sementara ahli Parlimen menyiasat dakwaan rasuah berhubung tindakan kontroversi kerajaan membelanjakan AS$700 juta (RM2.38 bilion) bagi menyelamatkan Bank Century tahun lepas. Susilo yang lebih dikenali dengan singkatan namanya, SBY menafikan sekeras-kerasnya dakwaan sebahagian wang tersebut disalurkan untuk membiayai kempen beliau dalam pilihan raya Presiden pada Julai lepas, yang dimenanginya dengan 60 peratus undi bagi menduduki penggal kedua, berlandaskan janji untuk membanteras rasuah. Di ibu kota Sulawesi Selatan, Makassar, sekitar 5,000 pelajar dan aktivis antirasuah membanjiri sebatang jalan di pusat bandar untuk menuntut kerajaan menyiasat skandal bank tersebut. Penunjuk perasaan turut membakar tayar dan membawa sepanduk dan poster dengan tulisan 'Siasat kes Bank Century untuk menyelamatkan wang negara' dan 'SBY tidak mampu mentadbir negara ini'. Di Jakarta, lebih seribu penunjuk perasaan berarak ke istana negara dengan membawa sepanduk menggesa Susilo bertindak, dengan tulisan pada satu sepanduk mendakwa '90 peratus penguat kuasa undang-undang di sini adalah korup'. Susilo malam tadi merayu kepada rakyat supaya menunjuk perasaan secara aman, sambil menegaskan kerajaan beliau bersungguh-sungguh mahu membanteras rasuah. Presiden sebelum ini melahirkan kebimbangan pihak tertentu merancang untuk memperalatkan tunjuk perasaan itu bagi menjatuhkan beliau. Penganjur demonstrasi sebaliknya berkata, Susilo bersikap paranoid dan beliau sepatutnya menyertai mereka dalam rapat umum itu dan bukannya memburuk-burukkan sebuah gerakan popular. Demonstrasi turut berlangsung di beberapa bandar besar lain di seluruh Indonesia, negara yang menduduki tangga ke-126 bersama-sama Honduras dan Libya di kalangan 180 negara dalam indeks persepsi rasuah yang disediakan oleh Transparency International. - AFP [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Sudan: The Country of a Million Crises
http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=2id=19088 Sudan: The Country of a Million Crises 09/12/2009 By Tariq Alhomayed It does not matter who is trying to ignite the Sudanese robe by relighting the match; what's more important than all of this is that Sudan in its entirety today is under threat. Some might say that this threat hanging over Sudan is not new, and this is the [real] crisis, for the crises in Sudan have given rise to successive crises. Going into the details of the demands of the Sudanese opposition or parties, whether they are in the north or the south, will not add or take anything away from the facts on the ground. The most important thing that happened in Sudan recently was everybody - internally and externally - united against the Sudanese government. This is something that demonstrates the difficulties that will be seen in Sudan in the coming days, and is evidence of the mismanagement of the Sudanese crisis by the regime. Externally, there is the international tribunal, and just days ago [ICC prosecutor] Luis-Moreno Ocampo vowed to prosecute Darfur war criminals and those that cover up for them, while the northern and southern Sudanese held demonstrations that the regime described as illegal, as they had not been authorized. It is strange that this regime calls for the licensing of demonstrations today when it previously said that the days of demonstrations that swept Sudan following the International Criminal Court's decision to prosecute the Sudanese President were spontaneous! This talk, of course, is not in support of the demonstrations that took place on Monday, or support for what was said about arranging a demonstration with a million participants, as the demonstrators' demand, which was described as the memorandum of the banned rally, is an impossible issue now, even if it is legitimate, because such demands mean a new Sudanese agreement. Unfortunately what we see today in Sudan is nothing more than [the regime] clinging onto power, and the fear that the temple will collapse upon those inside it. The south is on the path to secession, and there are those who say that secession has already taken place and has not been announced. There is also the crisis in Darfur, and the external implications that this has on the Sudanese regime, not to mention the suffering of the innocent. There is also the conflict between yesterday's allies within the ruling regime itself, and of course the victim of all of this is Sudan and its people. Therefore we say that the crises in Sudan have begun to give birth to other crises, and the reason for this is poor management by the Sudanese regime, and its clinging onto power even if this results in the division of the country, the breakup of its cohesion, and its exposure to overwhelming risk. Therefore even if the [Sudanese] opposition - in all its forms - was successful at overthrowing the ruling regime in Sudan, which according to some of the regime's supporters was the true purpose behind these demonstrations whose demands were not the implementation of what has been agreed upon so much as the overthrowing of the ruling regime, this still will not lead to the improvement of conditions for Sudan; coups and overthrowing presidents or regimes will not bring anything new to Sudan, and will only increase the complexity of the situation there. The upshot of this is that Sudan is more important than the ruling regime and Sudan's stability and security is more important than those who have ambitions to rule. Unfortunately the competitors today in Sudan are competing for the leftovers of the state, and not a strong coherent [united] state. Therefore the language of reason and putting the interests of the country has failed, especially at the hands of the al-Bashir regime, and so we are waiting for another Arab crisis in a country that previously was considered to be the breadbasket of the Arab world. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Indonesians take to the streets
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KL11Ae01.html Dec 11, 2009 Indonesians take to the streets By Patrick Guntensperger JAKARTA - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's political troubles are being compounded by a street movement led by several of the democracy-promoting non-governmental organizations with which he was once seen to have common cause. Traffic in the national capital was gridlocked on Wednesday on International Anti-Corruption Day as tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the recent corruption and abuse-of-power scandals surrounding Yudhoyono's freshly elected government. More than a decade after toppling long-reigning strongman Suharto, Indonesia has yet to step out from the shadow of its systemically corrupt and bloated civil service, including the tainted national police force. Despite recent progress in prosecuting and convicting several corrupt officials, the country still perennially ranks near the top of international lists ranking the world's most corrupt countries. Perceptions that the national police and Attorney General's Office may have intentionally undermined the quasi-independent and highly successful Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on false charges of bribery and extortion, and allegations that top government officials may have pilfered funds from a state bailout of a mid-sized bank to bolster the government's re-election campaign, have badly dented Yudhoyono's domestic popularity and international credibility. If the allegations prove founded, some suggest the legitimacy of this year's election results could be called into question. The main political opposition, led by former premier Megawati Sukarnoputri's Democrat Party for Struggle (PDI-P), had earlier lodged a complaint against the legitimacy of polls, which saw Yudhoyono take over 60% of the presidential vote. It is not clear whether the current controversy and allegations that state funds were channeled towards his election campaign will motivate her to launch a new complaint. Political analysts also wonder whether the still nascent street movement could evolve along the lines of the potent political force that pushed Suharto from power in 1998. Some suggest that could happen if Yudhoyono is eventually linked to official attempts to undermine the KPK by jailing two of its deputy chairmen, Bibit Rianto and Chandra Hamzahon, on trumped-up charges due to fears it might investigate his role in alleged irregularities with the Century Bank bailout. These include still unproven allegations that funds were illegally funneled into his re-election campaign coffers. In July, Yudhoyono was swept to a second democratic mandate on the platform of his self-professed anti-graft credentials. Since taking the oath of office, his presidency has been plagued by one corruption scandal after another, sending his popularity into freefall in polls. Since the scandals broke, he has claimed to be a victim of lies and character assassination and in a nationally televised speech on Tuesday promised jihad against corruption. He also called to maintain the KPK's wiretapping capabilities in conducting investigations. That investigative capability earlier captured conversations that appeared to link Yudhoyono to a police and Attorney General's Office-led ploy to undermine the KPK. Yudhoyono's subsequent perceived failure to take a firm position on the bogus charges and temporary detention of two KPK deputy chairmen has galvanized waves of popular indignation that his previous anti-corruption posturing was little more than pandering to an issue that has deep resonance among national voters. With their release from detention and restitution to their positions to the KPK earlier this week, both chairmen have focused the KPK's attention on the 6.76 trillion rupiah (US$710 million) Century Bank bailout. Both the KPK and a parliamentary commission will investigate Yudhoyono's previous government's decision in November 2008 to bail out the mid-sized Bank Century. The KPK has said it will probe into how the bailout decision was taken and to whom the government rescue funds were channeled. The government's Supreme Auditing Agency has already released a report saying that as much as 40% of the bailout's funds were illegally disbursed. It is lost on few observers that the KPK has a 100% conviction rate for past cases of high-level graft and corruption it has undertaken. Under anti-corruption laws, officials face a potential one to 20 years in prison for guilty convictions; the parliamentary probe could lead to impeachment proceedings, though that seems unlikely, given Yudhoyono's coalition majority. Both the KPK and parliament will weigh why the ultimate cost of the Century Bank bailout grew from 632 billion rupiah to 10 times that amount and what role former Bank Indonesia governor and current Vice President, Boediono, and Finance Minister
[ppiindia] Indonesian Reform at Stake in Bank Century Battle
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_contenttask=viewid=2191Itemid=175 Indonesian Reform at Stake in Bank Century Battle Written by Our Correspondent Thursday, 10 December 2009 Finance minister accuses Bakrie of trying to oust her The woman who is perhaps the most respected member of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's cabinet has turned a battle over a 2008 bank bailout into a very public scrap with one of the country's richest and most powerful men. At stake may be the future, not just of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati's tenure in the cabinet but broader efforts to reform the way Indonesia does business. Sri Mulyani, who is highly regarded by investors as a symbol of change and open government, told the Wall Street Journal Thursday that Aburizal Bakrie, a mining tycoon who is also chairman of the Golkar Party, is unhappy with her efforts to reform the country's notoriously corrupt bureaucracy and that his political party is trying to oust her from government. She said Bakrie and his allies in the House of Representatives (DPR) were behind an effort to unseat her by manipulating a pending probe into the $710 million government bailout of Bank Century in November 2008. Following the interview's publication, Golkar officials denied targeting the finance minister. Bakrie did not comment. The bailout, Sri Mulyani told the newspaper, was necessary to save the bank's collapse from creating a panic that could have undermined the banking system. I felt like what I did was the right thing for the country, she told the Journal. Sri Mulyani and Vice President Boediono, who was central bank governor at the time of the bailout, both approved the measure. They have recently been targets of critics who say the money was misused and that the action itself may have been illegal. Boediono has also defended the action as necessary. Sri Mulyani's potshots at Bakrie in the interview seem to have raised the stakes in the matter considerably. They follow weeks of speculation here that either she or Boediono or both will be sacrificed for political expediency. Rumors abound that Bakrie himself is hoping to gain the vice presidency if Boediono is ousted. Sri Mulyani said she has been at odds with Bakrie since the stock market here plummeted in 2008 after a run on Bakrie-affiliated shares that made up one-third of the bourse's value. Trading at the time was halted for several days, something she opposed. She told the Journal that Bakrie himself ordered the closure of the exchange, a move he would not have had the legal authority to carry out. Now Bakrie's Golkar Party, which is loosely allied with Yudhoyono and ruled the country for years when the former dictator Suharto was in power, is leading the DPR investigation into the Bank Century affair. Sri Mulyani says it is all about pay back. Aburizal Bakrie is not happy with me, she told the Journal. I'm not expecting anyone in Golkar will be fair or kind to me during the probe. The fight could determine the course of reform in Indonesia and the two figures could hardly be more different. Bakrie is a classic shadow warrior who wields power in the dark corners of the country's opaque business and regulatory environment. He moves in and out of government - he was in Yudhoyono's first cabinet - and seems to use his considerable official influence to aid his many companies, including the country's largest coal mining outfit. Sri Mulyani, a one-time International Monetary Fund official and university professor, is widely credited with steering the country successfully through the current global economic slowdown, paying down the public debt and trying to weed out widespread corruption. Left to sort out the mess is Yudhoyono, who in many ways represents both sides of the struggle. Having come from the military under former dictator Suharto, Yudhoyono survived and prospered in the shadows of what was called the New Order. His wife, who is said to wield considerable power herself behind the scenes, is the daughter of one of Suharto's key military allies from the days when he seized power in 1967 following a massive bloodletting that targeted the country's once powerful communist movement. But Yudhoyono has also embraced the idea that Indonesia should be a modern power, a member of the G20 and an emerging democratic model. He has won the presidency twice on a platform of battling corruption - and Sri Mulyani is often pointed to as one of the symbols of the change Yudhoyono professes to believe in. The confrontation between Bakrie and Sri Mulyani, who is also known for her toughness and determination, comes as the president has seen the beginning of his second term in office marred by various scandals, among them an attempt by
[ppiindia] A dad at 77 years
http://www.dailychilli.com/news/1262-a-dad-at-77-years A dad at 77 years Ning taking care of the newborn while his wife is resting. (Photo: Hunan Online) A septuagenarian became the oldest father in his village when his wife gave birth to a baby boy. Ning Jianyou, 77, said this was the most joyful moment in his life as he had become a father again after 47 years. The farmer had a son from his second marriage but the boy died at the aged of three. Since then, Ning has no children until Nov 23, when his fourth wife Xiao Wen, 40, gave birth at a hospital in Hunan province, China. China's Hunan Online reported that Ning was seen carrying the newborn in his arms all the times. He was grinning from ear-to-ear while talking with his relatives and friends who were at the hospital to congratulate him. This guy eats a lot, he told them, saying that he was so happy that he could not sleep for a few nights after his son's birth. He named the baby Xiu Ming. Ning said he went through three marriages before he met Xiao Wen. He said he married the first wife in 1945 when he was 13 years old. We were too young and always fought for nothing. So we decided to divorce the next year,'' he said. Ning said he married a second time in 1958 and they had a son but the boy died from an ailment. He said the second marriage ended in divorce too. In 1966, Ning married his third wife but she died some time after. Before she died, she asked me to find a woman who could take care of me but I have decided to stay single,'' he said. He remained a bachelor until he met Xiao Wen in 1993. He was 61 then. I saw her wandering in the streets and said hello to her out of politeness but she followed me home. I later found out that she is mute. I did not know who she was and where she was from, so I let her settle down at my place and I gave her a name - Xiao Wen,'' he said, adding she eventually became his fourth wife. Ning said his biggest problem was to find more money to bring up the son. He is currently receiving a monthly allowance of 130 yuan (RM65) from the government. He also has side income selling the crops he planted and making wooden chairs. Published Dec 9, 2009 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] President Correa describes
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2009/diciembre/mier9/President-Correa.html Havana. December 9, 2009 President Correa describes Cuba as the world champion of solidarity and humanism Anneris Ivette Leyva García AFTER months of genetic and psychological-social research throughout one third of Ecuadorian territory, 192 Cuban collaborators, members of the Manuela Espejo solidarity mission, have returned to Cuba to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Revolution with their families and the nation as a whole. Moments before leaving, after having studied disabilities in more than 78,000 people and visiting almost 380,000 homes - where they also provided neurophysiologic, psychological, angiological, and otolaryngological care - the Cuban doctors received the gratitude of the Ecuadorian people and government. Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa described Cuba as the world champion of solidarity and humanism. Hilda Hernández Madera, an official from the Ministry of Public Heath in charge of designing strategies and preparing the methodologies to consolidate the study, described the opportunity to be part of this brigade as attaining a doctorate in principle, ethics, and humanism. She assured Fidel, Raúl, and heath officials that in the midst of such difficult geographical and climate conditions, it was evident that the future of the Revolution is assured. Speaking of how the Cuban collaborators withstood all the difficulties they had to confront, Marcia Cobas, MINSAP deputy minister, congratulated the brigade on their results and reaffirmed that the ALBA mission, based on values of solidarity instilled by Fidel and Raúl, was made material in them and knew no borders. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] TKW Asal Karawang Disiksa Majikan
http://www.gatra.com/artikel.php?id=132835 TKW Asal Karawang Disiksa Majikan Karawang, 10 Desember 2009 10:38 Seorang tenaga kerja wanita (TKW) asal Dusun Cilogo, Desa Medang Asem, Kecamatan Jayakerta, Ida Farida, 24 tahun, disiksa majikannya di Yordania, dengan tudingan mencuri perhiasan dan uang. Anak saya tidak tahan selalu mendapat siksaan dari majikannya, jadi terpaksa berusaha kabur dengan nekad lompat dari lantai 3, hingga cedera, kata Sarinem, ibu kandung korban, di Karawang, Kamis (10/12). Kasus yang menimpa Ida tersebut sempat berlanjut hingga ke pengadilan negeri setempat, tapi majelis hakim dalam persidangan itu menyatakan Ida tidak terbukti bersalah. Setelah itu, Ida pun kembali bekerja di rumah majikannya. Namun, TKW asal Karawang tersebut menderita karena selalu disiksa oleh majikannya. Akibat berbuat nekad dengan cara melompat dari lantai 3, Ida mengalami luka-luka di bagian kaki kiri dan pinggang. Ida baru sampai ke tanah kelahirannya pada Selasa (8/12) malam. Kepala Bidang Penempatan Tenaga Kerja Dinas Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi Karawang, RM Adilhati Kosyungan mengaku belum mendapatkan laporan mengenai kasus yang menimpa Ida. Selanjutnya, pihaknya akan melakukan pengecekan tentang kasus tersebut. Sementara itu, sesuai dengan data Dinas Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi setempat, kasus yang menimpa TKI asal Karawang, di luar negeri pada 2009 ini meningkat dibandingkan kasus TKI yang terjadi pada tahun-tahun sebelumnya. Kasus TKI asal Karawang sejak Januari hingga November 2009 yang terdata di Dinas Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi mencapai 40 kasus. Sedangkan kasus TKI asal Karawang selama 2008 sebanyak 39 kasus, dan pada 2007 hanya tercatat 17 kasus TKI asal Karawang. Rata-rata, jenis kasusnya ialah tidak diberikan gaji, pelecehan seksual, penyiksaan, hingga kematian yang menimpa TKI (akibat bunuh diri, sakit dan kecelakaan). [TMA, Ant [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Doa utk para maling, perampok, pemeras (koruptor the gank's)
Mari kita doakan para maling uang rakyat, perampok uang uang rakyat serta pejabat yg suka memeras atau dlm bahasa halusnya adalah peminta pungli atau peminta uang setoran dr masyarakat.. Agar sadar Semoga diampuni Tuhan... karena apa dimakan/dinikmati dari uang hasil seperti itu ke badannya biasanya jadi penyakit, mulai yg ringan sampai kanker, krn badannya dimasuki oleh makanan dan barang2 yang dibeli dari uang kotor, tdk ada keikhlasan dari yg dirampok, diperas.. doakan baik masa muda atau masa tuanya .. jika nanggung penyakit yang menyakitkan.. diberi keringanan... semoga diampuni.. kalau jalannya diampuni dengan harus nanggung rasa sakit yang parah dan lama... semoga kalau tidak mati2 diberi keringanan dalam menanggung rasa sakit keluarga, baik suami/istri serta anak2 atau keturunannya yang diberi makanan dan dibesarkan dari uang kotor itu, biasanya bisa jadi tidak baik, bisa saja jadi penyakit, atau narkoba atau salah pergaulan, lemah mental, atau proses hidup yang memalukan dsb.. semoga diberi keringanan Karena tindakan mereka menyengsarakan jutaan rakyat, menyengsarakan generasi penerus bangsa, merusak bangsa, negara... semoga cepat2 sadar... Karena sebetulnya tindakan mereka itu lebih keji daripada tuyul, setan, buto ijo, babi ngepet, iblis, siluman, dsb... Jika belum sadar juga, karena mereka memang sebenarnya adalah iblis, setan, tuyul, babi ngepet, siluman yang berbaju manusia... semoga oleh Tuhan segera diperlihatkan wujud aslinya dan kembali kealamnya sana... yakni alam setan, alam siluman dsb... Sebarkan himbauan ini... dan ada baiknya jika tiap orang.. selain berdoa, juga tiap hari menulis di email, di facebook, di secarik kertas.. doa untuk koruptor his gank's ini... dan kertas di poskan atau cukup diletakkan di kursi bus kota/ bus antar kota, kursi kereta api, kursi pesawat, kotak pos, bus surat, meja penerima tamu, kursi2 kantor dll tempat, khususnya kalau bisa dikantor2 pemerintah.. agar para siluman, iblis, setan, tuyul dsb itu segera meninggalkan tubuh orang yang disusupinya... agar indonesia kembali dihuni oleh manusia berjiwa manusia... bukan berbadan manusia tapi ruhnya setan, iblis, tuyul, buto ijo babi ngepet dsb... Yahoo! Mail Kini Lebih Cepat dan Lebih Bersih. Rasakan bedanya sekarang! http://id.mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Golkar Akan Bongkar Tuntas Kasus Century
Rwefleksi : Silahkan bongkar, jangan cuma bicara! http://www.gatra.com/artikel.php?id=132833 Janji Aburizal Bakrie Golkar Akan Bongkar Tuntas Kasus Century Bekasi, 10 Desember 2009 10:22 DPP Partai Golkar menegaskan akan membongkar tuntas kasus Bank Century, hingga masyarakat mendapat gambaran jelas tentang aliran dana serta ada tidaknya kesalahan prosedur dalam kasus itu. Ketua Umum DPP Partai Golkar Ir H Aburizal Bakrie, usai melantik pengurus DPD Partai Golkar Provinsi Jawa Barat, di Bekasi, Rabu malam (9/12) mengatakan, pihaknya tidak ragu untuk membongkar kasus tersebut sampai tuntas. Kami akan minta aparat untuk menggunakan semua data sebagai dasar penyelidikan. Ini penting, agar jangan nantinya fitnah yang dipakai sebagai suatu dasar untuk mengambil keputusan, ujar mantan Menko Kesra itu. Ia juga minta agar Pansus di DPR tidak takut dan menyerah pada tekanan, baik tekanan yang menghambat maupun berupa fitnah. Itu saya sampaikan kepada Sekjen selaku ketua Pansus, ujarnya. Pemilik kelompok usaha Bakrie Grup itu menyatakan Partai Golkar mendukung sepenuhnya Idrus selaku ketua Pansus. Kita berdoa agar yang lain percaya kepadanya, sekaligus memberikan kesempatan. Jangan semua menduga-duga, karena kalau kita selalu begitu, jadinya tak baik, ujarnya. Aburizal Bakrie yang akrab dipanggil Ical, menyatakan keyakinannya bahwa kasus Bank Century akan bisa dibongkar. Ia minta semua pihak mendoakan dan jangan sampai suudzon. Orang hidup harus optimis dan kami berkeyakinan kasus itu bisa diselesaikan, ujarnya, menandaskan. Disinggung tentang Partai Golkar juga menikmati aliran dana dari bank itu, Ical menyatakan, silahkan dibuktikan. Ia mengatakan belum pernah mendengar adanya hal itu. Ini saya pikir isu dari wartawan saja, katanya. Ketika ditanyakan bila dari hak angket terbukti Boediono salah dalam pengucuran dana ke Century, kemudian dituntut mundur sebagai Wapres dan kemungkinan posisi itu digantikan oleh Ketua Umum Partai Golkar ?, Ical sempat terdiam sejenak, lalu menjawab, Wapresnya kan sudah ada, yaitu Boediono. Ical ke Bekasi melantik Irianto MS Syafiuddin, Bupati Tasikmalaya yang terpilih menjadi Ketua DPD Golkar Provinsi Jawa Barat, serta Dedi Mulyadi, Bupati Purwakarta, selaku Sekum partai tersebut. [TMA, Ant] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] PEACE CALL
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=266241 PEACE CALL Posted on » Thursday, December 10, 2009 MANAMA: Justice, fraternity, equality and non-discrimination are essential for a secure, stable and peace-loving world. The principles of co-existence, tolerance, equality and acceptance of others are key values for stable modern societies, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said yesterday. He spoke as Bahrain joins other nations in celebrating International Human Rights Day today. It marks the 61st anniversary of the acceptance by the UN General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year's anniversary is under the theme: Accepting Diversity, Ending Discrimination. The political, economic, social and cultural challenges facing the world require joint international action, HRH the Premier said He stressed the need to promote equality between peoples, combat racists and hate-mongers as they threaten international security and peace and endanger the future of humanity. He urged the international community to back UN efforts to combat all forms of racism and protect human dignity. He also described education and human rights as crucial to promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity. Bahrain's human rights strides in the era of His Majesty King Hamad also came under the spotlight. Bahrain has always been pioneering in implementing non-discrimination principles enshrined in the Universal Human Rights Declaration, he said. He highlighted the principles endorsed in the constitution and the National Action Charter. We have legislated laws incriminating discrimination on the basis of colour, gender, religion or sect, he said. He paid tribute to His Majesty's initiatives, which put Bahrain at the forefront in respecting human rights. The establishment of the National Human Rights Authority was also hailed as key asset to anchor human rights and promote transparency. HRH the Premier highlighted the crucial role of non-governmental organisations in complementing the government's efforts. He reiterated commitment to work with the UN and other organisations to promote human rights. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Re: GOd vs GOogle ! - Bag. 3/3 OMNI
tapi bukan omni internas lo --- In ppiindia@yahoogroups.com, MANG UCUP mang.u...@... wrote: Seperti yang saya uraikan dalam tulisan sebelumnya, bahwa Allah itu memiliki tiga atribute yang lebih dikenal dengan -Three O's Atribute- ialah: 1. Omnipotence = Maha Kuasa 2. Omnisience = Maha Mengetahui 3. Omniprecence = Maha Hadir tetapi tanyalah sama diri sendiri apa manfaatnya bagi saya secara pribadi, apabila saya mengetahui bahwa Allah itu Maha Kuasa, Maha Mengetahui ataupun Maha Hadir. Tidak Ada! Sama seperti juga apabila kita memiliki seorang ayah yang memiliki jabatan tinggi, kekuasaan, maupun kekayaan yang berlimpah ruah, bahkan gelar yang berderet, tetapi tidak memiliki rasa kasih. Ia bukanlah ayah saya! Tanyalah sama diri sendiri, apakah Anda mengasihi ayah Anda, karena kekayaan atau jabatannya? Saya yakin tidak ! Saya pribadi lebih mengutamakan ayah yang memiliki penuh rasa kasih; daripada seorang ayah yang super kaya maupun super kuasa, tetapi tidak memiliki rasa kasih sama sekali. Hal inilah yang banyak dilupakan orang, bahwa Allah juga memiliki atribute lainnya yang menurut saya jauh lebih penting daripada ketiga atribute tersebut diatas ialah: - OMNIBEVOLENCE Allah itu Maha Baik dan Maha Pengasih maupun Maha Penyayang (Ar-Rahim Ar-Rahman). Hal ini yang tidak dimiliki oleh komputer/Google. Maka dari itu bagaimana maju maupun hebatnya komputer, hingga kapanpun juga ia tidak akan bisa memiliki perasaan, karena komputer adalah benda mati tanpa jiwa. Komputer tidak akan bisa menjadi Omibevolence Ar-Rahim Ar-Rahman, Maha Pengasih dan Maha Penyayang. Komputer hanya tertarik akan duit kita, no money no computer ! Kita mengetahui dan juga pernah merasakan maupun menerima berkat dari Allah yang berlimpah di dalam kehidupan ini, tetapi kenyataannya kita lebih mengutamakan dan lebih mementingkan komputer daripada Allah, bahkan kita mau diperbudak oleh Facebook. Saya mengakui, bahwa saya memiliki hobby baca maupun menulis, tetapi mulai hari ini saya sendirilah yang ingin menentukan kapan saya nulis ataupun baca bukannya ditentukan oleh Facebook, Gmail ataupun Yahoo lagi. Maklum saya ingin lebih banyak meluangkan waktu untuk mendekatkan diri saya kepada Allah daripada kepada komputer. Kita tidak bisa menyembah dan mengabdi kepada dua illah, Allah dan berhala (komputer); Tuhan dan Hantu. Hal inilah yang mendorong saya untuk menulis artikel ini dimana mulai hari ini saya tidak mau dibelenggu atau diperbudak lagi oleh Facebook, Twiter, ataupun Friendster. Dan tanyalah apakah kagak capek tuh ngurusi Facebook terus menerus? Hal inilah yang mendorong Mang Ucup menyatakan talak tiga alias Farewell Facebook, sehingga dengan mana semua message yang dikirim ke Facebook ataupun Twitter untuk Mang Ucup, tidak akan digubris lagi oleh saya. Mang Ucup Email: mang.ucupatgmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Communists Give Support to Medvedev
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/communists-give-support-to-medvedev/391211.html Communists Give Support to Medvedev 10 December 2009 By Alexander Bratersky President Dmitry Medvedev found an unlikely ally Wednesday in Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, who praised the president and criticized Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at a presentation of his own plan to modernize Russia. Even the title of Zyuganov's program, Go Russia, Toward Socialism! mirrored Medvedev's Go Russia! article, which was released in September and served as the backbone for the president's recent state-of-the-nation address calling for Russia to modernize. President Medvedev speaks about modernization, while Prime Minister Putin endorses conservatism, Zyuganov told reporters as he sought to highlight political differences between the two leaders who say they run the country in tandem. Zyuganov noted that Putin's Cabinet and United Russia, chaired by Putin, had yet to draft a modernization program providing substance to Medvedev's broad initiative. The program of innovations offered by the president in the state-of-the-nation address has not been supported by the United Russia party and government, he said. The substance offered by the Communists' modernization program includes abolishing the flat 13 percent income tax, boosting state support for agriculture, nationalizing raw material industries and giving tax holidays to medium-sized businesses. Zyuganov said he agreed with Medvedev's call to disband state corporations, which were created during Putin's presidency and do not have to follow the same rules as other companies. President Medvedev said state corporations work ineffectively, but the prime minister provides cover for this ineffectiveness, Zyuganov said. He urged the State Council, a policymaking group comprised of federal government officials, governors and lawmakers and chaired by Medvedev, to review the Communists' program at its next session in January. Zyuganov used a book of comic strips to present the program during a news conference at the offices of Interfax. While Zyuganov has grown increasingly critical of Putin during the economic crisis, he has taken a softer stance toward Medvedev in what analysts said could be a sign that the Communists prefer Medvedev in the ruling tandem. I am not saying the Communists will make Medvedev their leader, but they will take each other's interests into account in the next State Duma elections, said Alexei Mukhin, an analyst with the Center for Political Information. Mukhin said the Communist Party was the only major political group left for Medvedev because the others were controlled by Putin and his retinue. Zyuganov denied on Wednesday that his party would merge with A Just Russia, an idea proposed by A Just Russia leader and Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov earlier this week. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Brazil and Uruguay Send US Dollar Home
http://english.pravda.ru/world/americas/10-12-2009/111028-brazil_uruguay-0 10.12.2009 Brazil and Uruguay Send US Dollar Home Brazil and Uruguay may damage their relations with the USA. On December 7, the governments of these two countries signed an agreement about the transition to local currencies in bilateral trade. According to both Brazil and Uruguay, the new measure is to stimulate regional integration of Latin American countries. Besides, they expect that sidelining the US dollar will facilitate the increase of the goods exchange and ease the trade. They have the following arguments: now Brazil and Uruguay will be able to avoid possible losses caused by currency exchange difference. Earlier, outrageous Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's leader, approached Latin American countries with the initiative to abandon the US dollar. As we can see, he was heard by the left wing. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva is considered a moderate socialist who was more than once seen amicably embracing Chavez. Uruguay's José Alberto Mujica Cordano is much more radical. On November 30, 2009, Mujica, a candidate from Frente Amplio coalition, which in English stands for wide front, won the presidential election. The coalition was founded in 1971 by socialists, communists, Marxists-Leninists, social-democrats and independent left. Mujica is also known as El Pepe since 1960-1980s, when he was an active member of Tupamaros (National Liberation Movement) and fought against Pro-American military dictatorship. The movement used all possible methods against junta, including terroristic and criminal ones, staging the robbing of banks, explosions, attacks, and taking hostages. Tupamaros was the first urban guerrilla organization Mujica's way to power was difficult and thorny. The future President was wounded several times, and was arrested and tortured on a number of occasions. He spent 15 years in prisons. Yet, he did not break down . He escaped prison twice, and continued fighting . In 1985, he was included in the amnesty and released. That was the time he began his ascent to the political Olympus. In recent years, Mujica served as the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries. Despite his turbulent revolutionary background, he promised to be moderate in his policy making, and continue the course of the former socialist President Tabaré Vázquez. Is the decision of Brazil and Uruguay to abandon the US dollar in bilateral trade justified from an economic and political viewpoint? Experts Vadim Toperman and Valery Garbuzov shared their opinions with Pravda.ru. Vadim Toperman, Director of the Center for Economic Research of the Institute for Latin American countries: The decision of Brazil and Uruguay to abandon the US dollar in bilateral trade was not a big sensation. The Russian government recently stated that it may do the same thing. In September of the last year, Brazil signed a similar agreement with Argentina. Reciprocal payments in Brazilian reals and Argentinean pesos began as early as 2007, and in 2008 it was legally recorded. Abandonment of the US dollar is beneficial for both Brazil and Uruguay since the trade between these two countries is constantly growing. This provokes technical difficulties . The main reason is economical, not political. Lately, the US dollar has unstable reputation, and its exchange rate to the Brazilian real and Uruguayan peso changes daily, which makes trading difficult and causes losses. Valery Garbuzov, Head of Foreign Policy Department of the Institute for the USA and Canadian Studies: This was another demonstration of the general Latin American tendency to abandon American currency. It began with Venezuela that had been hatching this plan for a while. Chavez's appeals to abandon the US dollar were heard as early as in 2007. He was supported by Cuba and other allies in the region. The reason for this was not economic at all. This was a reflection of the political situation. This is a way for governments of a number of counties to demonstrate their anti-Americanism. Their leaders do not think much about economic and political consequences of these decisions. For them, the most important thing is the beginning. However, it is hardly likely that they will be able to fully abandon the US dollar since all countries in the region are somehow linked to the American currency. Sergey Balmasov Pravda.Ru [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Al-Dinu al-Islam Hukum Alam Semesta?
Al-Dinu al-Islam adalah Hukum Alam Semesta? Di dalam Surah Asy-Syu'araa'(26) ayat 23 Allah swt menjelaskan perdebatan antara Nabi Musa as dengan Fir'aun tentang persoalan siapa Rab alam semesta dengan firman : Qaala fir'aunu wa maa rabbu al-'aalamiin - Fir'aun bertanya: 'Siapa Rab-nya alam semesta?' dan dalam firman QS.26:24, diberikan jawaban yang pasti dan jelas: Qaala rabbu al-ssamaawaati wa al-ardzhi wa maa bainahummaa inkuntummmuuqiniin - Musa menjawab: 'Rab pencipta langit dan bumi dan segala sesuatunya yang yang berada di antara keduanya jika kalian mempercayai-NYA' . Jawaban Nabi Musa as tersebut bertentangan dengan keinginan Fira'aun yang sudah menyatakan klaim, bahwa dirinya adalah Tuhan (ilah) [QS.26:29 dan QS.28:38]. Kita telah membaca kuliah umum Prof. DR. S.W. Hawking, professor Lucasian matematika pada Cambridge University, yang disampaikan pada 13 Maret 2007 di Zellerbach Hall kampus University of California; Berkeley - USA, tentang studi para sarjana fisika-matematika yang menjelaskan pemahaman mereka terhadap keberadaan alam semesta beserta seluruh proses mulabukanya keberadaan itu sendiri. Pemahaman mereka ini tidak demikian saja muncul dari olah fikir otak biologis mereka yang luarbiasa sesudah perangkat pengindera mereka menanggap alam semesta, tetapi adalah hasil dari penyimpulan studi lapangan, percobaan laboratorium, kaji-ulang yang berkesinambungan dan diskusi matematis model-model praduga alam semesta dari yang paling sederhana hingga yang sangat-sangat rumit dan njlimet. Namun kita harus siap memahami bahwa pemahaman para sarjana ini kesemuanya masih belum final dan akan selalu diperbaiki agar dapat dekat, sedekat-dekatnya, dengan realitas alam semesta yang kita alami. Mengapa demikian? Sebab alam semesta ini masih terus mengembang sehingga setiap saat terus-menerus terjadi perubahan-perubahan yang kita belum mampu untuk meramalkan bagaimana kelanjutannya secara pasti. Misalnya pada tahun 1998 Palmutter dan Riess dalam melakukan pengamatan terhadap SNIa dan pancaran sinar gelombang mikro latarbelakang (CMB) menemukan pengembangan alam semesta saat ini tidak melambat tetapi bahkan dipercepat lagi setelah melambat sesudah mengalami inflasi pada awal-awal kelahiran alam semesta. Apakah penemuan tersebut sesuai dengan realitas sesungguhnya? Untuk ini masih banyak kendala yang harus mampu diatasi dan dibuktikan kebenaran klaim tersebut dari hasil pengamatan yang sangat bergantung kepada teori dan teknologi canggih di bidang astrofisika, astronomi dan fisika inti. Dari berbagai model hipotetis alam semesta yang kini masih beredar dan didiskusikan di kalangan para pakar, saya cenderung memperhatikan hipotese model matematis alam semesta S.W. Hawking dan J. Hartel yang mana mampu mengintroduksikan, mengetengahkan di panggung lacak-coba pengamatan, adanya kemungkinan alam semesta lahir dari keadaan (suasana) ketiadaan atau nul-informasi atau ghoib. Pengertian ketiadaan atau nul-informasi atau ghoib adalah definisi non-satuan ruang-waktu yang hingga kini siapapun tidak mengetahuinya. Oleh sebab itu sulit bagi kita untuk membayangkan suatu ketiadaan pada syarat non-satuan ruang-waktu sedangkan kita sendiri berada dalam, pada, di, satuan ruang-waktu. Realitas ini diperkuat oleh firman Allah swt dalam QS.6:59. Secara teknis kita perlu mengenal banyak akalan matematika yang dapat merambah jalanan hingga ke titik awal mulabuka kejadian alam semesta, sebagaimana yang pernah saya tunjukkan secara sederhana dengan mana waktu yang kita alami digantikan (to be rotated) oleh waktu imaginair atau waktu semu (bagi kita yang diliputi satuan ruang-waktu) sebagai modifikasi ide Gian Carlo Wick dalam membangun suatu teori medan quantum-relativistis melalui penggantian ruang Minkovski dengan ruang Euclidean 4 atau ruang IE pangkat 4 (IE^4). Secara teknis matematis ini adalah lompatan keluar dari jerat ketidak berhinggaan (infinity) yang menjengkelkan pada metriks. Lorentzian dan dengan demikian paradox kosmogoni dapat diatasi dengan mulus (ingat QS.36:82). Kembali kepada QS.26:23-24, dengan pasti bahwa Rab-nya Nabi Musa as adalah Rab semua manusia termasuk Rab-nya Fir'aun dan yang menurunkan Fir'aun dan Rab inilah Rab satu-satunya yang menciptakan alam-semesta sebagaimana difirmankan dalam Surah Al-Baqarah (2) ayat 117: Badii'u al-ssamaawaati wa al-ardzhi wa idza qadzh amran fainnamaa yaquululahu, kun fayakuun - Pencipta langit dan Bumi dan apabila DIA berkehendak sesuatu, maka DIA menyatakan terhadapnya 'Jadilah! lalu terjadilah sesuatu' Kata Badii'u ini menunjukkan suatu kata yang mendefinisikan sitkon pertama-tama yang menjelaskan bahwa sebelumnya tidak ada, sama seperti kata Prof Hawking bahwa pertanyaan di mana titik di sebelah Selatan Kutub Selatan adalah bukan pertanyaan. Untuk hal demikianlah Allah swt tidak menggunakan kata khalaqa, ja'ala. Dalam QS.30:27 Allah swt berfirman: Wa huwa al-ladzii yabda-u
[ppiindia] World's smallest mama pregnant again
Doctors have warned Stacey, from Kentucky in the US, that the pregnancy could be fatal for her - but she and her 5ft 9in-tall husband Will, insist their kids are a gift from god. Stacey Herald, 35, is just 2ft 4ins tall, and her new son will already be half her size when he is born. By the time he is one, the baby boy will dwarf her, The Sun wrote [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Video: Iranian Basij hits motorist
Click: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1260439873265pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] KOCAR KACIR PANTUN JOWO / buat week end
sorry lho bukan geguritan atau tembang mijil maskumambang anggitannya Kanjeng Sunan Kudus tetapi hanya pengantar week end ! salam saka desa KOCAR-KACIR PANTUN JOWO numpak bis mambu trasi kacane surem nempel pipi yen wis dikipasi njur merem ngimpi enak temen nempelke pipi apa maneh pipine cewek yen kepingin ngimpi ya ndang ngimpi pokoke aja ngimpi sing elek ana jenang lengket ndhik pipi apa ya bisa diilangi lha jenenge wae ngimpi apa ya bisa ngarani tuku gethuk nggone mbak siti yen wis ngantuk banjur dikipasi Trasi urang gaweyane yu siti Kurang asin ditambah uyah Turu kepenak nganti ngimpi Bareng tangi terus umbah-umbah :haha :haha :haha :ngakak awak kuru kok lumah-lumah mbasan tangi mambu jengkol tangi turu umbah-umbah tak arani nek ngompol MAPAN TURU LALI ORA BANTALAN JARENE KAYA WONG PIKUN SUWE ORA PANTUNAN RONG DINA RASANE SETAUN Conto sing ala aja ditiru Mengko mundhak ngrusak tatanan Sanadyan saiki dina minggu Ana wektu mesthi melu pantunan :toss :toss :cheerleader mubeng-mubeng Ning prapatan Aku ora mudeng Karepe panjenengan mubeng2 ning prapatan golek sarapan to mbak mubeng-mubeng naNg prapatan bingung ta cino mripat sipit ganteng jare koyo munyuk bandha brana mas duwit pantun lagi yuk yen kon nunggu katone wedi yen dina minggu pantunane sepi PITUTUR WONG TUWA AYO DIGUGU WONG URIP KUDU SUMELEH SAIKI DINANE MINGGU SING PANTUNAN PADA PREI KABEH . BYE BYE NICE WEEK END [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Re: GOd vs GOogle ! - Bag. 3/3
Omni Inter : Maha Dunia Dong ?... Alam Dunia : Kompter Yess, Tuhan Super Yess Alam Akhirat : Komptr NO. Tuhan So pasti dongg Mang ucup kan mulai ngatur u/ mngingat Komptr u/ mngingat Tuhan mulai Desember 2009, dan artinya, sbelumnya(entah brapa thn) lbih bnyak mnbingat komptr, brarti , saat skarang, nilainya masi lbh bsar ke kompter!..tl kan?.. Masalhnya, kalau mang ucup umurnya masi panjang,.,..kalau bbrapa hari lgi nyawa mang ucup di cabut/kiamat.?...masi bnyak utang dong ke Tuhan, hehehe Dan skarang Pengandaian persidangan.. Kalu di Dunia : Jaksa Penuntut : Hei Mang Ucup,...knapa kau lebih banyak mngingat komptr daripada Aku Mang Ucup : slah stu jawabannya u/ngles,..aku terbawa Arus, kan bkan aku saja,..orang2 pun sama, dlly yg bisa mnyelamatkan mang ucup. Hakim : paling2 nggetok Palu kemeja untuk menunda prsidangan mnunggu bukti lainnya. Nah.Skarang kalu di Akhirat : Jaksa Penuntut : Hai mang ucup, knapa kau lbih bnyak mengingat kompter daripada Aku?... Mang Ucup : kyak di dunia , jwban mang ucup ngalor ngidul u/ ngles. Hakim : Bukan kemeja lgi tu Palu di Getokin, Tapi kekepala mang Ucup,..hehehehe Salam Damai --- In ppiin...@yahoogroup s.com,antonhartomoantonhart...@yahoo.com tapi bukan omni internas lo --- In ppiindia@yahoogroups.com, MANG UCUP mang.u...@... wrote: Seperti yang saya uraikan dalam tulisan sebelumnya, bahwa Allah itu memiliki tiga atribute yang lebih dikenal dengan -Three O's Atribute- ialah: 1. Omnipotence = Maha Kuasa 2. Omnisience = Maha Mengetahui 3. Omniprecence = Maha Hadir tetapi tanyalah sama diri sendiri apa manfaatnya bagi saya secara pribadi, apabila saya mengetahui bahwa Allah itu Maha Kuasa, Maha Mengetahui ataupun Maha Hadir. Tidak Ada! Sama seperti juga apabila kita memiliki seorang ayah yang memiliki jabatan tinggi, kekuasaan, maupun kekayaan yang berlimpah ruah, bahkan gelar yang berderet, tetapi tidak memiliki rasa kasih. Ia bukanlah ayah saya! Tanyalah sama diri sendiri, apakah Anda mengasihi ayah Anda, karena kekayaan atau jabatannya? Saya yakin tidak ! Saya pribadi lebih mengutamakan ayah yang memiliki penuh rasa kasih; daripada seorang ayah yang super kaya maupun super kuasa, tetapi tidak memiliki rasa kasih sama sekali. Hal inilah yang banyak dilupakan orang, bahwa Allah juga memiliki atribute lainnya yang menurut saya jauh lebih penting daripada ketiga atribute tersebut diatas ialah: - OMNIBEVOLENCE Allah itu Maha Baik dan Maha Pengasih maupun Maha Penyayang (Ar-Rahim Ar-Rahman). Hal ini yang tidak dimiliki oleh komputer/Google. Maka dari itu bagaimana maju maupun hebatnya komputer, hingga kapanpun juga ia tidak akan bisa memiliki perasaan, karena komputer adalah benda mati tanpa jiwa. Komputer tidak akan bisa menjadi Omibevolence Ar-Rahim Ar-Rahman, Maha Pengasih dan Maha Penyayang. Komputer hanya tertarik akan duit kita, no money no computer ! Kita mengetahui dan juga pernah merasakan maupun menerima berkat dari Allah yang berlimpah di dalam kehidupan ini, tetapi kenyataannya kita lebih mengutamakan dan lebih mementingkan komputer daripada Allah, bahkan kita mau diperbudak oleh Facebook. Saya mengakui, bahwa saya memiliki hobby baca maupun menulis, tetapi mulai hari ini saya sendirilah yang ingin menentukan kapan saya nulis ataupun baca bukannya ditentukan oleh Facebook, Gmail ataupun Yahoo lagi. Maklum saya ingin lebih banyak meluangkan waktu untuk mendekatkan diri saya kepada Allah daripada kepada komputer. Kita tidak bisa menyembah dan mengabdi kepada dua illah, Allah dan berhala (komputer); Tuhan dan Hantu. Hal inilah yang mendorong saya untuk menulis artikel ini dimana mulai hari ini saya tidak mau dibelenggu atau diperbudak lagi oleh Facebook, Twiter, ataupun Friendster. Dan tanyalah apakah kagak capek tuh ngurusi Facebook terus menerus? Hal inilah yang mendorong Mang Ucup menyatakan talak tiga alias Farewell Facebook, sehingga dengan mana semua message yang dikirim ke Facebook ataupun Twitter untuk Mang Ucup, tidak akan digubris lagi oleh saya.
[ppiindia] Don't disown Dubai
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2009/976/op22.htm 10 - 16 December 2009 Issue No. 976 Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 Don't disown Dubai Despite all criticism, in part driven by envy, Dubai is a symbol of Arab renaissance and deserves to be rallied, writes Emad Fawzi Shoeibi* City-state Dubai is being punished today. It is being punished for straying from the well-trodden path and for thinking the unthinkable. Fired by its own ambition, Dubai rose high, turned the desert into a lively oasis, and never looked back. Across the world, economies prosper on resources such as water. City-state Dubai thought outside the box and survived on a dream. Its wealth came mostly from ideas, solutions, a removal of red tape, and a defiance of fear. Dubai has stepped out of the Arab mindset. It tried to speak the language of the capitalist world, without having staged a bourgeois revolution, without engaging in sectarian or religion wars, and without following the usual pattern. Dubai sprang onto the scene without ideology or theories. It imparted a cosmopolitan identity on a region known for its conservative ideologies. And it wasn't afraid to try new things. In a way, Dubai invoked the cultural diversity of coastal Greek towns. Success came at a price. The cosmopolitan nature of Dubai was questioned by those who disapproved of openness and diverse identities. The world may have talked a lot about globalisation and how it would change our lives, and yet small cities have a hard time of it without the support of a major country. Paris is a cosmopolitan city par excellence, and it is at home with its cosmopolitanism. Dubai had to try harder, and take greater risks. In the end, a major global tremor took no time in shaking it to the roots. One has to respect the Dubai mindset. One has to respect Dubai for surging ahead with no thought for the conventional constraints of development everyone talked about. While the rest of the Arab world dithered, Dubai acted. Economic development is not a decision for economists to make, but is rather a political affair. Development is governed by domestic decisions. The world economic condition is also a factor to take into account. Development is a question of possibilities, of what is permissible and what is impermissible. Taboos can be skirted, and Dubai skirted a bunch. There is a difference between development and mere construction. But in the case of Dubai this difference mattered little. Before long, a legend was created, and the good times lasted for nearly three generations. There is nothing wrong with development being led with the construction sector. And Dubai did just that, challenging all the taboos. For that it deserves respect. Had Dubai waited for others to sanction its growth, it would still be waiting. The theorists wouldn't accept anything less than a huge production-based economy. Dubai's ideas were unconventional to say the least. Henry Kissinger once wrote an article about the dangers of the United Arab Emirates making $900 billion a year, according to his estimate, because of rising oil prices. He published this article right after the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Now the loss of $200 billion seems quite tame. It is permissible to construct, but impermissible to launch into a full-fledged development scheme. This is the accepted wisdom. This is the equation of permissibility and impermissibility. And many countries, learning from Gamal Abdel-Nasser's fate, now stick to this equation. Some go slow on development because it is the safest way. They may have a point, for countries trying their luck at full-scale development are often ostracised. The Arabs live in a restricted horizon, their fate restricted by others: the West or the globalised world as a whole. Dubai rebelled against that fate. It acquired its own glass façades, as well as the highest tower in the world. Simon Hendersen, a Baker fellow and director of the Gulf and Energy Programme at The Washington Institute, jokes about what happens to the tallest building when all the tenants leave. Does it become the emptiest building? Arabs with dreams of full-scale development mustn't ridicule Dubai. To mock Dubai is to approve of the restrictions placed upon us. Dubai belongs to all the Arabs. It is a model that deserves support, not indifference. Dubai should once again rise, like a phoenix from the ashes, helped by its Arab brethren. The risk was worth it, although the ideologues may disagree and the police mentality may be offended. Dubai was part of our progress. We cannot gloat at it now, or even forget about it. Dubai is not dead yet. We, the Arabs, have a chance to learn from it. A nation that cannot learn is doomed. We cannot think small utilitarian thoughts when we think Dubai. This city-state is part of the Arab renaissance. It has gone
[ppiindia] The women who guard other women in Egypt
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTExMzU5MDI2Mg== The women who guard other women in Egypt Published Date: December 10, 2009 CAIRO: Her hair neatly tucked under a Muslim headscarf, Dawlat Al-Amine practises aikido regularly in a Cairo gym where she and her female colleagues learn martial arts to protect other women. The blackclad ladyguards provide a niche service to women who have broken through the Arab world's glass ceiling and achieved fame and fortune, but who feel they cannot resort to male protection out of deference to the region's conservative mores. The leader of neighbouring Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, is famous for his female bodyguards, dubbed Amazons. But clients of the ladyguards include Egyptian actresses and pop divas, as well as princesses and wealthy businesswomen from the oil-rich Gulf. We were the first to create a service of ladyguards, for several reasons, said Cherif Khaled, managing director of Falcon group which first launched the service three years ago. Women in Egypt now have been able to break into different fields. They have become businesswomen, lawyers, judges, even marriage officials, he said. When given the opportunity, Egyptian women are able to succeed. But Khaled added that even when women do break through, they ignore the conservative traditions of a male-dominated society like Egypt at their peril. At the end of the day, we are a Middle Eastern society. When a woman passes through a security check, she prefers to be searched by a woman rather than by a man, he said. When you are dealing lady to lady, things are much easier. The Falcon group, a subsidiary of Egyptian bank CIB, employs 3,800 security personnel, providing services ranging from personal protection to cash transfer to security systems. In 2008, the company made net profits of 13 million Egyptian pounds ($2.3 million). It has some 300 ladygyards on its register, all of whom have been put through a rigorous training in martial arts and static surveillance skills. I like the idea of protecting VIPs and the idea that I can defend myself anywhere at any time, sai d Amine. It is important for me to be able to protect my integrity. Although Amine, 20, wears the Muslim headscarf, the hijab is not a compulsory part of the uniform. She says her work has given her a sense of power and status in a country where women often fall victim to male discrimination or harassment. Amani Mahmoud is also learning the ropes at the Heliopolis gym where Amine works out. It's a new idea, she said. Why do boys always get the opportunities? I decided to enter this field to prove that I could do it and I found that I really liked it. The-21-year old admits it was not easy persuading her family it was the right choice of career. I faced lots of problems from my father who said: 'You are not going to be able to defend yourself' but I have proved to him that I can do it and that I can be as brave as a man. I can go out on the streets and defend myself, in or out of work, she said. Falcon advertises regularly in the Egyptian press. Recruits must be between 20 and 35, and have gone through higher education and have martial arts skills. All are put through medical and psychological tests, including an assessment of their conflict management skills. English speakers have an edge. If a woman client is going to a foreign country, we have to provide a ladyguard who has those skills, said Falcon client relations manager Mohammed Salah. - AFP [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Human Rights group reports violations in Arab countries
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NzkxNDcxNDIx Human Rights group reports violations in Arab countries Published Date: December 09, 2009 CAIRO: US-allied Arab governments in the Middle East are flouting human rights through violations including torture, extra-judicial killings and repressive laws, an Egyptian human rights group said yesterday. In a report chronicling the human rights records of 12 Arab countries, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies accused the Obama administration of not applying enough pressure for Middle East reforms. The single most worrying sign for the future of the Arab region is the widespread impunity and flagrant lack of accountability that persists, according to the report. President Barack Obama avoided taking a clear stance on human rights issues in the Arab region. The report also said political and social protests remained targets for repression. In Egypt, a major US ally, the report noted that the government resorts to emergency laws and state security tribunals to stifle opponents. Other US allies such as Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf states remain dangerous for human rights activists. In Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, human rights are increasingly targets for arbitrary arrest, torture, trials and smear campaigns, the rights group said. Other countries criticized in the report include Tunisia, Iraq and Syria, where President Bashar Assad continues to crack down. Officials from Egypt and Saudi Arabia did not comment on the report. Other Arab countries in the past have scoffed at such reports as being hostile and have refused to comment. The report added that gains achieved by the political opposition and civil society over the last five years have now become targets of attack by the Arab governments. The rights group partially blames the US government, saying US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton failed to address the issue during a meeting with her Arab counterparts in Morocco last month. This was a a kind of a green light given to the Arab governments to continue these practices, said Bahey El-Din Hassan, head of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies. - AP [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Ba'asyir: HAM Adalah Hak Melaksanakan Syariat Islam
Refleksi : Di majalah National Geography bulan Okt. 2009, Ba'asyir mengatakan : Islam tidak kompatibel dengan demokrasi. http://www.hidayatullah.com/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=10084:baasyir-ham-adalah-hak-melaksanakan-syariat-islamcatid=1:nasionalItemid=54 Ba'asyir: HAM Adalah Hak Melaksanakan Syariat Islam Thursday, 10 December 2009 17:35 Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) sering dimaknai dengan kebebasan tanpa batas. Hal itu tidak aneh, lantaran HAM memang didefinisikan Barat Hidayatullah.com-Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) yang benar, menurut pengasuh Pesantren Al-Mukmin Ngruki, Solo, Ustad Abubakar Ba'asyir adalah hak dan kebebasan melaksanakan syariat Islam. HAM dalam Islam, yakni kebebasan untuk melaksanakan syariat Islam, ujar Ba'asyir kepada www.hidayatullah.com saat ditanya masalah Hari HAM Se-Dunia. Jika ada definisi yang lain (dari Barat, red), semuanya bathil. Apalagi, definisi HAM Barat selalu berbentuk kerusakan, seperti perzinaan dan homoseksual. Beda halnya dengan Islam. Jika syariat Islam dilaksanakan, maka hal positif yang akan muncul. Seperti diketahui, hari Kamis (10/12) ini di seluruh negara memperingati Hari Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM). Tak terkecuali di Indonesia, diisi dengan sejumlah demonstrasi. Mereka menuntut kasus-kasus pelanggaran HAM, terutama perihal kebebasan dan kemanusiaan. Aksi memperingati Hari HAM Se-Dunia biasanya jatuh setiap tanggal 10 Desember. Di Indonesia, peringatan Hari HAM tampak sepi, boleh jadi karena massa sudah memperingati Hari Antikorupsi yang jatuh pada hari Rabu (9/12). [ans/www.hidayatullah.com] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Qaeda-linked militants behind Baghdad bombings
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regconcontentID=2009121156754 Friday, 11 December 2009 - 24 Thul-Hijjah 1430 H Qaeda-linked militants behind Baghdad bombings BAGHDAD - Iraqi insurgents linked with Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for bombings that killed 112 people this week and said their campaign of violence would continue, according to a website.The young men of Islam ... set off to target the citadels of evil, the nests of infidelity and the centres of the rejectionist government, the Islamic State of Iraq said. We are determined to uproot this government and pull down its pillars and target its points of strength. The list of targest will not end until the banner of one God is once again raised over Baghdad..., the statement, dated Dec. 9, said, using language often used by radicals. The group said it had targeted the labor and finance ministries and judicial buildings in its third wave of attacks. The authenticity of the claim could not be verified. Tuesday's attacks wounded 425 people, when four car bombs ripped through the Iraqi capital. Health Ministry officials said 77 people died but police sources put the toll higher at 112. The same group previously claimed responsibility for twin suicide bombings on Oct. 25 that killed 155 people, and for two others on Aug. 19 that killed 95 people at two other ministries. - Reuters [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] World's most extravagant meals
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/features/featuredetail.asp?file=decemberfeatures52009.xml World's most extravagant meals (REUTERS) Forbes.com has compiled a list of 11 of the world's most extravagant meals: 1. Daniel Boulud's Caviar - New York City At $205, Daniel's tasting menu is a relative bargain compared to other high-end Manhattan eateries but care for some caviar in the lounge before dinner? Fifty grams of Boulud's private-label Caspian Sea Golden Ossetra caviar goes for $860. 2. The French Laundry - Napa Valley Even the wiliest concierges have trouble scoring reservations at Chef Thomas Keller's The French Laundry. Each day Keller and his staff create two nine-course $240 menus - a chef's tasting menu and a vegetable menu - promising not to repeat a single ingredient on either menu. 3. $1,000 Sultan's Golden Cake - Istanbul Upon request the pastry chef at hotel the Ciragan Palace Kempinski will prepare a golden cake that has been flavoured with fruits marinated for years, vanilla beans from French Polynesia and French wheat. But what makes this the ultimate bakery bling is the dusting of 24-karat edible gold. 4. White Truffle Dinner at Les Amis - Singapore For special clients, Les Amis, the elegant French restaurant in Singapore, can arrange a top-to-bottom white truffle menu that starts at $800 per person. 5. $5,000 Fleur Burger - Las Vegas Created by Fleur de Lys chef Hubert Keller, the man behind Burger Bar in the Mandalay Bay hotel, this burger contains kobe beef, truffles and foie gras. The real cost comes with the concoction's accompaniment. 6. Nino's Bellissima Pizza - New York There's nothing special about the sauce or the crust. This pizza earns its $1,000 price tag with its toppings. Nino's in New York loads down this pie with caviar and fresh Maine lobster. There's also some salmon roe and a little wasabi. 7. Dinner In The Sky People were getting bored with just going to the same old restaurants, says David Ghysels, the Belgian entrepreneur who created this movable restaurant suspended by a crane. If you've got the cash, Ghysels will bring his portable dining room anywhere he's got clearance. Bringing a star chef and his suspended restaurant to a US locale could cost between $50,000 and $100,000. 8. Picnic on Macaroni Beach, Mustique Island Barbecued chicken, mango and avocado salad, couscous with vegetables and punch sounds like standard picnic fare. Unless, of course, your picnic is on Macaroni Beach, on the exclusive Mustique island in the West Indies. The private island is open only to guests who own or rent some of its stunning villas, all of which come with their own kitchen staff. 9. Chef's Table at L'Espadon - Paris This restaurant, complete with a climbing lilac tree in the middle of the opulent dining room, serves up dishes like roast rib of milk-fed veal in a hay-infused stock and filet de boeuf Rossini with cappuccino-style mashed potatoes (with truffles and cocoa). Occasionally, Executive Chef Michel Roth invites guests to dine at the chef's table, offering a ringside seat to the choreography of the Ritz's mythical kitchens. 10. Private Dinner at Chef Louis Pous For diners who aren't into travelling, Little Palm Island resort chef Louis Pous has started making house calls. For $10,000 (for up to 10 people) plus travel costs, the chef and his staff of two will fly anywhere in the United States to prepare a private meal. The package, which must be reserved 30 days in advance, does not include, china or stemware. 11. Dinner at Three on the Bund - Shanghai This small domed dining room capping Three on the Bund, Shanghai's upmarket shopping and dining complex, is so intimate it can only squeeze in two diners and a butler. While taking in the panoramic views of Shanghai, you can feast on food from any of the restaurants in the complex including Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Jean Georges, Laris or Whampoa Club, for about $500 for two [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] Brazil river threatened by drought
Mau lihat video : http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/12/200912113135630705.html Friday, December 11, 2009 06:49 Mecca time, 03:49 GMT Brazil river threatened by drought While talks and speeches to try to reach a new global treaty continue in Copenhagen, the effects of climate change can already been seen. One country that is particularly suffering is Brazil, where the northern Amazonas region is suffering from a devastating drought. The drought is threatening the Manaquiri river, killing the marine life and destroying the livelihoods of local fishermen. Al Jazeera's Gabriel Elizondo reports. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[ppiindia] [Fwd: Re: [cfbe] OOT Sehari Bersama Massa Demo Bayaran]
Original Message Subject: Re: [cfbe] OOT Sehari Bersama Massa Demo Bayaran From:Nanang nanan...@yahoo.com Date:Fri, December 11, 2009 8:59 am To: c...@yahoogroups.com -- rejeki memang bisa darimana saja :), saya belum tahu apakah fikihnya memperoleh duit dari kegiatan seperti ini, nampaknya NU dan Muhammadiyah perlu memasukan dalam buku fikih mereka hehehe... email: nanan...@yahoo.com http://ahmadrizali.com --- On Thu, 12/10/09, Eko Purwono purwono...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Eko Purwono purwono...@yahoo.com Subject: [cfbe] OOT Sehari Bersama Massa Demo Bayaran To: c...@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 1:57 PM Â Mohon maaf bagi Anda yang sudah membacanya. (EP) Sehari Bersama Massa Demo Bayaran http://id.news. yahoo.com/ viva/20091210/ tpl-sehari- bersama-massa- demo-bayaran- fa55e98.html By Elin Yunita Kristanti, Eko Huda S - Kamis, 10 Desember Sehari Bersama Massa Demo Bayaran VIVAnews - Tak semua orang yang mengikuti aksi hari antikorupsi Rabu 9 Desember 2009 terpanggil untuk menyuarakan semangat antikorupsi. Diantara ribuan peserta, ada juga massa demo bayaran. Orang-orang ini 'terorganisir' secara profesional. Seperti halnya massa yang berasal dari Jalan Tendean, kawasan Mampang. Umumnya mereka tidak tahu apa yang mereka perjuangkan kemarin. Namun mereka bertindak layaknya 'aktivis' antikorupsi. Pemantauan VIVAnews, massa yang terdiri dari beberapa remaja ini tiba-tiba muncul dari sebuah gang di dekat stasiun pompa bensin milik perusahaan asing, Shell pada pukul 9. 30 WIB. Mereka berkumpul di pinggir jalan dengan membawa pengeras suara (megaphone), seikat belahan bambu, satu bendel poster, dan spanduk sebagai perangkat aksi. Tak berselang lama, sebuah metromini menghampiri mereka. Mereka pun naik dan berhenti di sebuah warteg, di samping pompa bensin Shell. Ternyata di sana sebagian massa sudah menunggu. Sang koordinator, Surip segera mengecek kesiapan semua anggotanya. Hitung dulu, sudah pas 35 atau belum, kata surip memerintah salah satu anggotanya. Ternyata, setelah dihitung, jumlah anggotanya hanya 27 orang, kurang 8 orang dari jatah yang seharusnya, yakni 35 orang. Wartawan VIVAnews pun menawarkan diri untuk ikut dalam rombongan untuk menambah jumlah kuota itu. Namun, mereka tak begitu saja menerima. Nanti saja, kita cari orang di sini dulu. Kalau tetap kurang nanti kamu boleh ikut, kata Surip. Tetapi, setelah beberapa saat ditunggu, kuota itu tidak terpenuhi, sehingga wartawan VIVAnews diperbolehkan ikut dalam rombongan. Peserta masih saja kurang, Surip lalu mengambil beberapa orang pedagang asongan dan pengamen di kawasan lampu merah Mampang Prapatan. Dalam perjalanan, di dalam metro mini, sang koordinator, Surip memberikan penjelasan pendek kepada anggotanya. Kita akan berdemo di (Istana) Wapres. Memperingati hari korupsi dan soal Bank Century, jelasnya singkat. Namun penjelasan sang koordinator tidak begitu dihiraukan anggotanya. Mereka malah asyik berbincang satu sama lain. Dalam salah satu pembicaraan, terungkap bahwa mereka mendapatkan bayaran. Namun, belum jelas berapa uang yang dijanjikan. Nanti saja setelah pulang minta kepada Surip, kata salah seorang dari mereka, ketika ditanya berapa bayaran yang akan diterima. Kelompok Surip ternyata tidak sendirian dalam aksinya. Di depan Istana Wapres, mereka bergabung dengan massa dari kawasan Pasar Minggu dan elemen mahasiswa. Ketiga kelompok ini melakukan koordinasi untuk mempersiapkan aksi. Terlihat, Surip berkumpul dengan beberapa pimpinan dari elemen mahasiswa dan pimpinan massa dari Pasar Minggu. Disaat melakukan aksi di depan Istana Wapres, VIVAnews mencoba bertanya kembali kepada beberapa anggota aksi mengenai besaran bayaran yang mereka terima. Salah satu peserta Dayat, dari Pasar Minggu mengaku mendapatkan bayaran Rp 20.000 dari sang koordinator. Lumayan 20 ribu. Tapi nanti dibayarnya setelah demo, waktu balik, kata Dayat yang sehari-hari menarik odong-odong. Dayat dan beberapa temannya mengaku tidak tahu dan tidak mempedulikan isu dalam demonstrasi itu. Yang dia tahu, hanya sebatas arahan singkat dari koordinator. Yang saya tahu tentang korupsi. Itu aja, kata dia. Yang penting ikut aja, dapat duit. Dari pada di rumah nggak dapat duit, tambah dia. Dayat yang sempat diwawancarai wartawan sebuah stasiun TV 'gagal' unjuk diri sebagai aktivis antikorupsi. Dia bahkan tidak tahu tokoh-tokoh seperti Boediono dan Sri Mulyani yang disebut-sebut dalam orasi, dua nama yang mereka demo. Kalau Pak Boediono tahu, Wapres. Kalau yang Sri, nggak ngerti saya, kata Dayat. http://id.news. yahoo.com/ viva/20091210/ tpl-sehari-Â _ _ _ _ _ _ Dapatkan nama yang Anda sukai! Sekarang Anda dapat memiliki email di @ymail.com dan @rocketmail. com. http://mail. promotions. yahoo.com/ newdomains/ id/ [Non-text portions of this message have been
