HIV targets everyone: NGO activist

The Jakarta Post has publish this story on Monday, December 05, 2005

Despite having contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), there is no expression of fear on Sigit Sumargo's face. "All that I'm experiencing now is a consequence of my past deeds," said the 29-year-old Sigit (not his real name).

His agony began in 1994 when he became drug dependent. Since then, his life has been on a downward slide. His dependency on putaw (low-grade heroin) led him to criminal acts. He stole things from his house almost every day and sold them to the flea market -- jewelry, household utensils, and even the flag pole, which he sold for Rp 20,000 (US$2.00).

The only thing on his mind, he recollects, was how to get the money to buy the illicit substance. "What else could I sell, or who else could I cheat?" he recalled.

The habit only came to an end in 2002 after he became fed up of being dependent on drugs. "I was tired of telling lies and stealing," said Sigit, who was very active in student politics in the middle of the 1990s. He even joined a left-wing political party and was involved in activities to fight the Soeharto regime.

He recalled the decision to stop taking drugs was the hardest he had ever faced. He felt like every bone in his body was being poked with needles, the joints aching like they were trampled on by horses and various other pains in his body for more than a week.

But, then they were gone, and he felt the pleasure of being free from drugs. "After being free from drugs, I felt fresh waking up in the morning," said Sigit, a former basket ball player.

But, the suffering had not ended. Last year, he caught an illness that made his breathing difficult and it did not improve. He went to the hospital and the hospital found white specks on his lungs. The doctor suggested Sigit undergo a full medical checkup, including a HIV test.

The test results showed that he was HIV positive. Sigit recalls it was 2004 just a few days before Idul Fitri. "Frankly speaking, I was not surprised at all by the test results because I had realized it was a possibility and I accepted it," said the son of one of the caretakers of an Islamic boarding school in East Java.

He contracted HIV due to sharing needles among fellow addicts.

It was a terrible blow to his family. Provided with bottled water, bread and a cell phone, Sigit was left alone at the Infectious Diseases Intermediate facility, a clinic for HIV/AIDS patients at Dr. Soetomo hospital. In the beginning, the harsh response of his family enraged him. Initially he put all the blame on the family, but later he accepted their stance. Now, he accepts responsibility for his predicament.

His experience has led him to the awareness that he can do something for the community. In solidarity with people living with HIV/AIDS, Sigit has decided to stand up and become an active advocate of HIV/AIDS prevention.

Sigit is one of the 200 or so residents of Surabaya who have HIV. The actual number could be much higher and it should serve as a wake-up call as World AIDS Day is observed on Dec. 1. Based on data from the Surabaya Health Office in 2004, 217 people have contracted HIV, while 106 of them have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Data from 2003 shows that 99 people had contracted HIV, 49 of whom had AIDS.

Executive director of Hotline Surya, an NGO working with people with HIV, Esti Susanti, said that, learning from Sigit's case, it was clear that anyone could contract HIV/AIDS, from sex workers to even children from religious backgrounds. "Let there be no negative impression of people living with HIV/AIDS. Anyone can contract the virus," she told the Post.

She further said that besides support from the community, people living with HIV/AIDS could also be helped through antiretroviral therapy. With continued treatment the drugs can help improve immunity and increase the quality of life, allowing the person with HIV/AIDS to live longer.

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East Java bylaw to protect people living with HIV/AIDS
Friday, May 14, 2004

People living with AIDS in East Java can breathe a sigh of relief for, in the near future, East Java will have a bylaw that will protect them. The bylaw, which is slated to be the first in the country, will put an end to discrimination experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Plans to put the bylaw into action were revealed following recent discussions between East Java legislative council Commission E and the organization People's Care for AIDS (MPA).

Commission E deputy speaker Lutfilah Masduki said after the meeting that the bylaw would stipulate penalties on those who discriminated against PLWHA in, for example, workplaces or schools. "If school authorities expel a student who has HIV/AIDS, they could be imprisoned for three months or fined Rp 3 million (US$350)," he said on Tuesday.

Separately, GAYa Nusantara gay rights organization chairman Budianto hailed the plan, saying that it would end discrimination against PLWHA. People who lead gay lifestyles are often perceived by the public as being associated with HIV/AIDS".

"I'm happy that the bylaw will be issued soon and hope it will be followed by concrete government action, such as providing low-cost medication to PLWHA and supplying low-cost condoms to the public as a preventive measure," said Budianto.

Besides, he added, the bylaw should also address widely held public prejudices that HIV/AIDS can be spread through conventional social interaction.

"People tend to think that HIV/AIDS can be spread through talking, kissing or meeting other people, but that's wrong. The realities should be set out clearly within the bylaw," he said.

Given that such prejudices have spread widely through society, it is hardly surprising that society, in turn, often ostracizes PLWHA, including their own families, he said.

HIV/AIDS cases at Dr. Sutomo Hospital, Jan to May, 2004
Children : 3 Adults : 226 Deceased : 180 Receiving treatment : 46
Source: Dr. Sutomo General Hospital (largest in Surabaya)

East Java workers protest new minimum wage for 2007

Hundreds of workers in East Java held street protests Wednesday to show their opposition to the new minimum wage level set to be implemented across the province next month.

The protesters from the Alliance of Workers Struggle group called for East Java Governor Imam Utomo to lift the new minimum wage from the planned Rp 746,000 to the alliance's demand of Rp 975,000.

Arriving in trucks and on motorcycles, the protest was made up of workers from Surabaya's factories, with others from Malang, Pasuruan and Sidoarjo later joining the demonstration.

For Malang, the governor set the wage at Rp 743,000, lower than the revised proposal from the regent at Rp 745,109 and the survey of basic needs made by the city's remuneration council at Rp 770,109.

The alliance's spokesman, Jamaludin, said the governor's local Dec. 8 ordinance on the minimum wage was based on an erroneous survey of workers' basic needs.

Meanwhile, the local regency and municipal administrations in the province had failed to pass on workers' demands to the governor, he said.

"It makes no sense that the amount proposed by the regents, mayor and a remuneration council in Surabaya is only Rp 748,000, much less than in other cities in East Java. It's not valid," Jamaludin said.

The alliance came to its wage demand after holding an independent survey on basic needs, he said.

Jamaludin accused regional leaders of taking part in backroom deals before making a decision on the wage, with proposals from several cities, including Gresik, Pasuruan and Malang, handed back by the governor to be revised downward.

"That's why the alliance demands the East Java governor revoke the ordinance and revise the minimum wage. There should be transparency and accountability when determining the wage and workers' basic needs," Jamaludin said.

The alliance has also requested the governor take into account an 8 percent inflation rate when setting the wage.

Meanwhile, the head of East Java's manpower office, Bahruddin, questioned the motive for the protest.

"How can (workers) know that the (provincial government's) survey of basic needs is invalid?" Bahruddin told The Jakarta Post.

He said his office would discuss the matter with the administration.

Lions and dragons and drums in Surabaya

After a four-year pause, the sound of drums and cymbals was once again heard as performers competed in the 3rd Dragon and Lion Dance World Championship, held at Kenjeran Park in Surabaya.

Surabayans were entertained from Friday to Sunday by 23 teams from 12 nations, including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States, Belgium, France, Korea, and Indonesia. All were vying to perform the best version of the dance, which originated in China.

The first competition was held in China in 2000 and the second in Malaysia in 2002. The event was suspended in 2004 due to the bird flu scare.

The teams of costumed dancers imitate the animals' movements in time to the music, and also perform acrobatics.

Chinese Vice Minister of Sports Zhang Fa Qiang, who also chairs the International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation, was in the audience.

"The Chinese government is proud that the biennial event could be organized again," said Zhang.

China, said Zhang, fully supported staging the event in Indonesia, since dances were no longer the sole property of China but were popular worldwide.

"We hope the lion and dragon performances will be included in the next Olympics," said Zhang.

The dances were banned under the rule of former president Soeharto. They began to make a comeback seven years ago in various events involving Chinese-Indonesians.

The Chinese, Malaysian and Indonesian teams were favored to win in the tournament.

In the final rounds on Dec. 10, the three teams put on their best performances. The Chinese team, which had showed its mastery on the first day, unexpectedly dropped out of the competition in the final.

The Malaysian and Indonesian teams performed remarkably. Seven judges provided the same points to both countries, while China placed second.

"The judges were at one point confused on how to decide the winner," the organizing chairman of the event, Soetiadji, told The Jakarta Post. They eventually gave the Indonesian and Malaysian teams a runoff.

That was when the Indonesian team gave its best performance and was named the winner. "May Indonesia defend its title in the 4th Dragon and Lion Dance World Championship which will be held in Australia," said Soetiadji.

Lapindo to meet victims' demands

Indra Harsaputra and ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Sidoarjo



Lapindo Brantas Inc has agreed to buy the land, buildings and rice fields affected by the Sidoarjo mudflow disaster for the prices demanded by their owners.

However, a legal watchdog present at Monday's announcement slammed the promise, saying it was not legally binding and was probably empty words.

The agreement was announced at the Sidoarjo regency administration by Yusuf M. Martak, the vice president of PT Energi Mega Persada (EMP) Tbk, which has 50 percent stake in Lapindo Brantas.

Yusuf was accompanied by Sidoarjo Regent Win Hendrarso, head of the mudflow disaster mitigation team Basuki Hadimulyono, Lapindo Brantas general manager Imam Pria Agustino, East Java Governor Imam Utomo and hundreds of mudflow victims.

"We will not leave Sidoarjo and we will pay in line with the victims' demands so as to make them happy," Yusuf said.

Lapindo has promised to buy houses for Rp 1 million (US$105.26) a square meter, other buildings at Rp 1.5 million a square meter, while rice paddy owners would receive Rp 120,000 a square meter.

"The price is above the sale value of the taxed properties." The payments would be made "within the next two years", Yusuf said.

However, Sidoarjo Legal Aid Institute manager Attoilah said the agreement had no legal foundation because no one had signed anything.

"One day, Lapindo will breach the agreement. People will find it difficult to sue Lapindo if the value of the compensation they receive is not in line with the agreement due to the absence of legal proof," he said.

Upon hearing Lapindo's announcement, hundreds of emotional mudflow victims cheered, while others shouted, "Long live Pak Win", referring to the Sidoarjo regent.

Several of the villagers had shaved their heads to protest the government and Lapindo's handling of the disaster.

Yusuf said Lapindo had also prepared 500 to 600 hectares of land to build houses for the mudflow victims.

"The Bakrie Group, which also deals with real estate development, will invest in the housing sector in Sidoarjo. The concept will be similar to the construction of the Kelapa Gading housing complex in East Jakarta. It will be named Sidoarjo Baru," he said.

Yusuf said a formula for the compensation was still being calculated by a survey team from the Surabaya Institute of Technology.

According to regency data, 3,940 houses in the Siring, Jatirejo, Renokenongo, Kedungbendo and Besuki villages have been affected by the mudflow. Huge swathes of sugar cane and rice paddies have also been submerged.

Lapindo has never been prosecuted by the government for the disaster, despite evidence surfacing that the company had caused the mudflow by flouting safety standards while prospecting for natural gas.

A police investigation into Lapindo management has mysteriously stalled.

Expedition in Java Sea introduces students to work of a Navy warship

This Story Has Published on The Jakarta Post December 04, 2006

Two landing craft utility (LCU) vessels slowly drifted onto the sea after the frigate's hatchway opened.

Diesel engines on both vessels, which are usually used to transport troops and equipments to shore, began to operate under the watchful eyes of students on board the KRI Tanjung Dalpele, the largest frigate owned by the Navy.

The students, from the Surabaya 10th November Institute of Technology, were taking part in the 2006 Marine Technology expedition. They were tense and excited. When the LCUs backed up from the ship's stern and sped off, they cheered.

As many as 396 students took part in the recent expedition organized by the institute and the Eastern Navy Fleet in Surabaya as part of a student assignment for the 2006/2007 semester.

For the expedition in the Java sea, the students were accompanied by the institute's marine engineering school's dean and staff.

For the students, firsthand interaction with the warship was a once-in-a-life-time experience. The frigate which is equipped with military equipment, is rarely accessible to the general public.

Students from the institute's marine, shipping and shipping system engineering departments seemed very enthusiastic and inquisitive, asking questions on every aspect of the Korean-made ship -- from its capabilities to the armaments.

"Although the KRI Tanjung Dalpele is the country's biggest warship, its layout is similar to those of other warships, such as the engine room, navigation room and recycling room," First Lt. Endin, the ship's electrical division chief, told the students.

The students, divided into 24 groups, had their main focus on the engine room. The ship is powered by a massive 2,665 horsepower engine.

"I'd never imagined that observing a ship's engine firsthand would be far more interesting than looking at it in books," said fifth semester marine engineering student Mohammad Hafid.

Students then visited the accommodation, safety equipment and steering gear rooms. The navigation room situated on Deck F was the most popular, where students were provided with various information on the state-of-the-art equipment. It is also the place where the ship commander, Lt. Col. Purwanto, monitors every movement on board.

However, despite all the sophistication, the participants questioned the scant knowledge of crew members accompanying them during the tour. One student received a different answer to the same question from crewmen in the navigation room.

"I asked the same question to the guiding officer and the one operating a device in the navigation room, but received a different answer, in spite of the fact that it was technical in nature," said the student.

The LCU trial run, which should have been an unforgettable experience for the students, turned out to be a disappointment when the engine of one LCU stalled in the middle of the sea.

The most frustrating disruption was the change of itinerary. The expedition was initially planned to kick off at the Eastern Navy Fleet base in Surabaya, sailing to Karimun Java waters in Central Java on the first day, then resuming the voyage to Kangen Island, Madura, on the second day.

However, the organizers changed the plan due to the long distance. The expedition only took them to an offshore oil rig, which was just 17 nautical miles from the navy base.

"We didn't even have the chance to get on the rig to learn about its working procedures," said student Aldipo.

Despite that, dean of the marine engineering school, Asjhar Imron, expressed hope the expedition would be the first step in interesting the students in the country's maritime world.

"Marine engineering is not a popular discipline for students at the moment. This expedition is one of the ways (we're hoping) to draw their attention," said Asjhar.